They stepped out into the cave and Etani sucked in a deep breath of the cool air that she realised she was rather fond of. Dirdos' fingers were hot on her hand, though he released her waist.
"Thank you, Dirdos," she said, and yelped as he pulled her close, that same wicked smile on his face.
"You owe me," he growled, though it seemed he was more amused than anything.
"What do you want?" she asked.
He put on his best thoughtful expression. "For rescuing you and keeping them out for as long as you ask it?" He looked down at her and his eyes flashed. "A kiss."
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion at the simple request. "A kiss?"
"A real kiss. A passionate kiss," he said. She was surprised to hear a note of breathlessness in his voice.
"That's all?"
"That's all."
"You have a deal," she said slowly, unsure of what the catch might be.
He smiled widely, and without a word, scooped her up and dropped her backside down on a table that hadn't been there a second before. It was way too big for her, but suited his height perfectly, making her feel taller.
Etani extended her hand and caught the front of his belt, pulling him closer. His eyes were wide as she parted her legs to draw him as close to her as possible.
"Aren't you scared I might kill you?" she asked in a whisper as her hands left his belt and found his arms, trailing up slowly to his shoulders.
His eyes were hooded as he looked down at her, lips slightly parted.
"Then who would hide you?" he asked.
She laughed softly, pressing down on his shoulders, and he bent forward. Her fingers curled in the long strands of his hair and his forehead met hers. He froze in place, uncertain of her. She tilted her chin up and her eyes lowered to his lips, smiling when he licked them nervously. She was amazed, and somewhat pleased, by the fact that she could manipulate him like that, and she took full advantage of it.
Making as though to kiss him, her lips hovered a mere inch from his, her slightly heavy breaths brushing over the saliva on his lips and cooling them. He growled softly, and she became very wary of not pushing him too far, recalling his threat. Even if he was protecting her, he was not above forcing himself on her.
Her eyes met his and found the crimson had lit up from within with a burning heat that made her shiver, and he sucked in a breath in response. Her lips met his in a tender brush at first, tasting the heat of him, and she was surprised at a sudden need that started up between her legs. Her lips pressed harder to his frozen mouth; his mind seemingly gone blank at the first taste of her. She slid her arms up around his neck and the kiss deepened, her lips moving against his. Finally he broke, his hands flying up to clutch her head as he kissed her with a hunger that itched at her own. Deciding to risk it, she traced the tip of her tongue against his lower lip and he groaned, leaning into her until he pressed her backwards onto the table, his body moving over hers.
His mouth was a burning fire against hers as his hand found her backside, his fingers digging into the soft skin; but he didn't go any further, and a part of her was screaming for him to rip her clothes off and take her right then and there, but she crushed it ruthlessly and the kiss slowed, finally coming to a stop, leaving them both panting softly.
His eyes were scorching as they found hers, and she wondered what he saw in hers. Her lips felt bruised, but she didn't care, and finally he slid off her and she sat up, smirking at him slyly.
"You are a dangerous little beast," he growled as he made an effort to hide his arousal.
She laughed gently. "Be careful what you wish for, dragon," she purred. A steady throbbing of desire settled low in her belly and refused to stop or fade.
***
By the next morning, things had settled between them, and though he still watched her when she moved, Etani could feel her stress beginning to melt away. Things were easy with Dirdos: don't make him angry or aroused, and he would return the favour by making her laugh. He had been curious to see if she could sing like Letari. She had refused at first, falling back on her own rules of keeping herself safe. She had eventually given in and sang the only song that came into her head, a lullaby she recalled that includes a dragon. He had seemed to enjoy the song greatly, and by the time it had ended, he had fallen asleep.
Smiling to herself, Etani ran her fingers through his hair and simply enjoyed the deep, almost purring sound he made in his sleep.
Dirdos slept for a long time, and she took full advantage of the time to bathe and find a pair of slacks and blouse that fit her, settling back at his side with a scrap of parchment and a quill to make notes on her thoughts and start planning.
He woke with a start and sat up, grumpy at being woken. She was chewing on the end of the quill and lifted a brow in question. She didn't think it had been anything she did that had roused him. Her thoughts were confirmed as his eyes swept around the room; then he stood and stalked from the room into the main common area. "Your demon is trying to get in," he called.
Etani sighed, rubbing at her eyes with the palms of her hands then cursing as she felt the tip of the quill against her skin. Lowering her hands, she looked up to find Dirdos standing in the doorway with an amused expression, his gaze on her forehead. "Got a little something there," he said.
Glaring at him, she rubbed at the spot, but he only laughed.
"You could help, you know…" she growled.
His smile was wicked as he approached her and licked his thumb, rubbing at a spot that was a half-inch from the spot she had been rubbing. "You bathed?" he asked quietly.
"And borrowed some clothing. I washed my dress, and will change back once it's dry," she said, watching his face as he examined hers, and nodded once the mark was gone.
"Do not fret," he said. "Keep them. We should discuss who you want to let in." He twitched slightly, but was smug that he could keep Daemon out when he wanted to.
"He'll give up eventually. I think we should allow Aurora in, just in case something comes up. Otherwise, I don't think anyone should come in. They can survive without me for a week."
"A week?" he asked, his face guarded.
"If that's all right with you," she said, her eyes going to his hair and she frowned.
"I do not mind," he said quietly.
Without thinking, she reached up and brushed his hair back from his face, combing it smooth, then froze at his breath sucking in between his teeth.
"Sorry," she said, pulling back, her cheeks flaming.
"Don't be," he said gently, their eyes meeting for a long moment before he frowned and looked away at what she could only assume was Daemon's attempt to get in.
"I will ensure your heir knows where to find you. You stay here and go through the clothes for whatever you need for the week," he said as he stepped away, his eyes lingering on her and then the spread of parchment and chewed quills. "And get more supplies," he added dryly.
He left in a burst of crimson flames and Etani headed for the clothing pile, pulling out several she already knew she had wanted, and set them aside, humming to herself gently as she worked. Aurora arrived not long after, and she smiled brightly as she looked around. "The dragon said to come. He's dealing with Daemon who apparently is tracking him in the hopes of finding a way in," she said with amusement.
"I wish him luck; getting past Dirdos would be a real feat. He couldn't even get in while Dirdos was asleep."
Aurora laughed at that, coming over to take Etani's hands and kissing the palms gently. "What is it I can do to help, my Queen?"
"I wanted you to be aware that I will be here for the time being, and you will be the only one permitted to come and go as you please. Just in case you need me," Etani said gently, pressing her lips gently against the young woman's forehead.
"Thank you. Trying to get a message to you here would be impossible otherwise."
"Here's hoping."
"Might I ask why you came here?" Aurora asked, and her face lit up as she saw a dress that she liked.
Offering it to her, Etani smiled faintly. "The Gods and I have a differing opinion on how things should be run. They decided the best thing to do was to bind me and so I came here to think."
Aurora's eyes were huge, and she nodded, hugging the dress to herself. Etani smiled, letting her have it even if it wasn't hers to give. She would make it up to the dragon. The man was a hoarder anyway; he wasn't going to notice.