around and in on himself, soaking up all the wonderful heat.

  He closed his eyes, letting the exhaustion finally have him,

  body crashing after all the turmoil and violence and foraging of the

  past few hours. Ajith may have done the hard part, but he'd left

  Najlah with plenty to do in the aftermath.

  He'd also probably be summoning them soon, so best to get

  what sleep they could.

  Barkus replied sleepily, And later we will fuck our pretty prince

  until he's no longer wallowing in guilt over things that are not his

  fault.

  Rumbling in approval of that plan, Najlah drifted off to sleep.

  He woke to worries, restlessness, and it took him a moment to

  realize the thoughts were not his. Slowly opening his outer eyelids,

  blinking away ash and ember before opening his inner eyelid, Najlah

  looked around the room for the source of the unhappiness spinning

  through his mind.

  Tevra was sitting at the table, staring at his food but not

  touching it, mind too bogged down with guilt, remorse, and bad

  memories. Najlah rumbled and uncurled from the fire, shaking off

  embers before prowling across the room. Tevra looked up as he

  approached, and Najlah growled to see that he'd been crying. "Sorry,

  I didn't mean to wake you."

  You didn't. I wake when I wake, or when Ajith yells loudly

  enough. Why are you upset over things that aren't your fault?

  "They are my fault. Tens, hundreds of people are dead

  because I was so oblivious to my own family that I didn't notice they

  hated me enough to kill me." He pinched his eyes shut. "I loved my

  family. I served my father happily, and I would have done the same

  for my brother. And this whole time they've been wanting me dead.

  I'm not really sure how to… work through that. A few days ago, I was

  a prince of Gormestia. Now I'm nothing. Have nothing. No family. No

  home."

  Najlah growled, deep and loud, his entire body vibrating with

  it. Good brutes should not be wasted on bad dens. You belong with

  me, with Barkus, serving in Korla's den. " Serving the king because

  that was how it was done here, though it would forever seem strange

  to him that they did not put bitches in charge of their dens, whatever

  size or shape those dens took.

  That got a weak laugh out of Tevra. "Gormestia—well,

  practically every man in Gormestia—would say it was madness to

  trust women in positions of power and leadership. Yet I feel that if my

  mother had been in charge all these years, my own flesh and blood

  would not be trying to kill me and use my death to start a war." He

  pinched his eyes shut, but fresh tears slipped out anyway. "Gods, I

  wish I could think about something else for a little while. I'm

  surprised we haven't been summoned to speak with His Majesty."

  Politics, bah, Najlah said. What would you prefer to think

  about? I have stories aplenty. I can show you all my lovely, sparkling

  jewels.

  Tevra laughed. "It's hilarious how much your fondness for

  jewels resembles how you sound when you talk about your brother

  and sister-in-law. Your family back home."

  Sparkle, Najlah said, rumbling low and soft, which got him

  another laugh, which was a much better look on Tevra than stupid

  sadness over things that other people should be feeling bad about,

  not him. Najlah flicked his tongue out. If you do not want to see my

  jewels, I can think of other ways to distract you.

  "Hmm, I wonder what those ways could be," Tevra said, eyes

  sparkling very much like jewels. "All right then, dragon, let's see how

  well you can distract me from my own head." His eyes shifted to look

  past Najlah. "How well you both can distract me."

  "You two need to stop starting the fun while I'm still sleeping,"

  Barkus grumbled around a yawn, smiling as he sat up in bed. "Come

  here."

  Rumbling, tongue flicking out to taste the growing lust on the

  air, Najlah happily obeyed, urging Tevra along with him, climbing

  onto the bed before bothering to shift.

  Once they were all piled into the center of the bed, Najlah

  pulled first Barkus and then Tevra into a kiss, lingering thoroughly on

  both, immersing himself in their flavor and heat, relatively meager

  though that heat was.

  "Shut up, you're like an inferno, of course no one can keep up

  with you," Barkus said, leaving a sharp, stinging bite on his throat

  before moving to settle behind Tevra. "Let's see how well you can

  take us both, Highness."

  "What do you—" Tevra broke off with a moan, his entire body

  trembling between them, as images filled their head from Barkus on

  precisely what he meant by taking them both.

  "Just wait until later," Barkus said, voice low and rough, "when

  you're ready to take us at the same time."

  "There's no way—"

  "Oh, there will be. Not today, but soon," Barkus replied,

  cupping Tevra's chin from behind and dragging his teeth along his

  throat, then chasing the faint marks with his tongue, growling against

  his skin and making Tevra shiver. "You were made for us, pretty

  prince, and we'll have you every way we want."

  Najlah growled in approval as he pressed against Tevra's

  front, claws dragging teasingly across that soft, soft skin with its

  beautiful tattoos and the many scars of the knife attack that should

  have killed him.

  "But it didn't, because of you, and no one will ever be allowed

  to forget that while you live and breathe," Tevra said with a husky

  laugh before he reached up to grab the sides of Najlah's face and

  drag him into a hungry, toothy kiss. "What other ways are you going

  to mark me your property, dragon?"

  That elicited another growl, loud enough to fill the room and

  cause the other two to shiver with the sensation. Najlah broke free of

  Tevra's hold and resumed his mission to kiss, lick, and bite every last

  stitch of him, leave not a single part of Tevra's body unfamiliar with

  his touch. Throughout, Barkus held him steady, occasionally adding

  some bites and kisses of his own, until Tevra looked debauched and

  well-fucked long before they'd finished with him.

  Rumbling in satisfaction and anticipation, Najlah flicked his

  head in silent command, and Barkus obeyed immediately, resting

  back against the pillows, shifting his grip on Tevra's thighs, and

  spreading him wide for Najlah's pleasure.

  He started with his tongue, stretching and slicking the tight

  heat waiting to be fucked, until Tevra was jerking and wailing, flinging

  drops of sweat as he begged for more.

  Withdrawing, Najlah did as ordered, sliding his cock deep with

  no fanfare, nipping at Tevra's well-used lips and swallowing his cry.

  Pulling away, he reached past Tevra to kiss Barkus, then withdrew

  and set to fucking their pretty, pliant human in earnest, extracting a

  moan or scream with every thrust, Tevra's weak human nails digging

  uselessly into his shoulders.

  Najlah fucked into him a last few, forceful times and bit Tevra's

  shoulder as he came, spilling deep, relishing every moan and

  shudder as Tevra came apart between them.

  Moving back, he growled softly as Barkus put Tevra on his

  back and took his own turn, leaving Tevra wailing and moaning,

  overstimulated but mind filled to bursting with pleasure, silent pleas

  for more and harder that had him coming again moments before

  Barkus climaxed.

  Just moments later, Tevra was fast asleep, and it took only a

  moment to get him cleaned up and situated more comfortably in the

  bed. Najlah crawled into his flames to clean up and watched idly as

  Barkus washed up at the large basin before the fire, which must

  have been left with the food while they slept.

  Once Barkus was clean, Najlah shook off ashes and joined

  him at the table, where the two of them made quick work of the food

  that Tevra had been ignoring. "I'll have more brought for him," Barkus

  said, eyes going distant as he spoke to someone else in the pack.

  "I'm surprised we haven't been summoned yet."

  Najlah growled, tongue flicking out. No doubt there is much to

  discuss, and more still to write and send off. I pity the messengers.

  Especially since they'd be using the Shifter Corp for that, Najlah's

  friends that he'd not seen since the mission that had started this

  mess had gone so horribly wrong.

  Though he couldn't complain too much—well, he could, at the

  obscene loss of life, the flagrant disregard for life and death, the utter

  cruelty and wastefulness of it all, but he'd also gotten Barkus and

  Tevra out of the mess, which was easing a loneliness Najlah hadn't

  even realized he'd been feeling.

  Barkus smiled. "Same, dragon. Same. Why don't you go see

  what's afoot, and I'll stay here in case he wakes up again or has

  another nightmare. I'm surprised you slept through the first one."

  I sleep or I don't. Najlah finished the last of the meat on his

  plate and shifted back to his true form, licked Barkus's cheek, and

  then headed off in search of answers.

  His first destination was Ajith's chambers, where the guards

  let him through immediately, though with the gentle admonition that

  baby and mother were fast asleep.

  Predictably, Ajith was standing watch over them, exhausted

  but upright and alert. Like a typical horned brute, he would remain on

  watch like that for two to three days, taking precious few breaks for

  himself, watching to ensure all was well for mother and child during

  the most dangerous time for them both.

  If they were back home, that would make sense, but even

  Najlah knew the practice was unnecessary here amongst humans,

  with guards everywhere who were clearly ready to murder anyone

  who so much as sneezed too close to Korla and the child.

  "Sit down, you rocks-for-brains," Najlah said. "Before you fall

  over and smother them both.”

  "Good, you're here. Watch them while I go and work with

  Their Majesties. We've been coordinating through messages, but it's

  not the same."

  "You should have sent for me."

  "You needed rest before you could properly replace me."

  "Oh, go away." Najlah hissed for good measure.

  Ajith headed into the dressing room to put on clothes suitable

  for court, and Najlah climbed onto the enormous bed and wrapped

  himself around the special bedding that held the baby. His niece. So

  little and fragile, and already a clear mix of human and dragon, with

  scales and claws and… "She has nubs. I've never seen a bitch with

  horns."

  "She is also he, as fluid as a dragon but in more human

  fashion," Ajith replied as he came out of the dressing room. "Call for

  me if something seems even the slightest bit wrong."

  Najlah flicked his tongue out, eyes swirling with offense and

  annoyance. "By the time you got here, the threats would be dead

  and eaten. Go away. I may not have horns, but I can still protect the

  den."

  "I know. Once everything is sorted, we'll come talk to you and

  the other two." He kissed Korla's brow, flicked Najlah between the

  eyes, and headed off with a laugh as Najlah growled.

  As the baby showed signs of stirring, Najlah switched to soft

  rumbles, which immediately soothed his niece back to sleep. Closing

  his eyes, Najlah settled in comfortably, ever alert for a sound or

  scent that did not belong.

  Thankfully, no disturbances came, save for a messenger to let

  him know that Ajith and Their Majesties were still in talks. Najlah was

  almost curious as to what was being discussed. Almost.

  Barkus snickered softly in his mind. The great Najlah,

  interested in politics? I'm not sure my heart can handle that shock.

  Najlah hissed and flicked his tongue out, even if there was no

  one there to see it. Be quiet, wolf. How is our little prince?

  Still fast asleep. I'm surprised he hasn't been summoned for

  those talks you're not interested in. He's certainly trained for them,

  and at the center of all of this. Makes me all the more curious what is

  going on. How are mother and child?

  Asleep. Perfect. Najlah lifted his head to gently press the tip of

  his snout to the baby's cheek.

  When do they pick a name? In the Shide we do it after the

  first full cycle of the moon. Here in Restuel they wait… three

  months? Six? Six, I think, that sounds right. What about in Tahjil?

  We are named as we're sorted out. First the kit chosen as

  bitch. Then the horned brutes. Then us hornless. How long it takes

  depends on the clutch and the bitch. I was named after… Najlah

  flicked his tongue thoughtfully. I suppose what amounts to three

  months. That's not how we mark time back home. We simply go by

  hunting seasons. Month doesn't matter. What food is available does.

  Also when bitches were in heat, but that wasn't a problem for

  him, save to find somewhere else to be.

  I would like to see your homeland someday, Barkus said,

  sounding wistful. I'm not sure we'd be able to get you to leave again,

  though, and I don't know I could live in that extreme heat for long,

  even with magic to help me.

  We were planning to visit once my niece is strong enough to

  make the journey, but we have no plans to remain there. Restuel is

  my home now. I am a part of Korla's den, even if that's not how they

  do it here, and will be until she and she alone bids me go elsewhere,

  which she will not do, not unless the situation is so dire there's no

  other choice.

  Because he loved his brother and her, and now there was his

  niece, who needed the protection that only a hornless could provide.

  I am not remotely surprised, a sleepy voice interjected, that

  you go completely soft for children. You'd be an excellent parent, if

  you were ever inclined that way.

  Najlah rumbled. I am a hornless, and best suited to that.

  Though even he hoped they wouldn't see another bloodbath like the

  one in the armory ever again, or at least not anytime soon, if it must

  happen twice.

  Agreed, two voices echoed in his mind.

  Can we come see your niece? Tevra asked, the words almost

  timid. I could cast some protections.

  I will ask, Najlah replied, though he couldn't see Ajith or Korla

  refusing.

  Slithering off the bed, he went to the hallway and called out a

  series of sharp, piercing barks. After a moment, Ajith replied with his

  usual brisk roar.

  You may come visit.

  Happiness burst through the bond from both of them, so

  clearly Najlah was not the only one 'soft' when it came to babies.

  As if knowing she was the center of attention, his niece stirred

  and started to fuss. Korla stirred in her bed, still tired, bags beneath

  her eyes, but she smiled, all warmth and love, as she sat up and

  shifted enough to lift her daughter up. "Are you hungry, little one?"

  "Tevra and Barkus are coming to visit. Tevra wants to bestow

  magic on her."

  Korla looked at him in surprise, then smiled brightly. "A

  Gormestian Warlock wants to bless my child? I am honored."

  Clearly there was more to this offer than Najlah had realized.

  Hardly surprising. He knew next to nothing about Gormestia, and

  didn't much care to learn, given how stupid they'd already proven to

  be.

  They're not all bad, Tevra said with a laugh.

  A knock came at the door, and a moment later Barkus and

  Tevra stepped into the room

  Tevra froze, face going apple red, and he backpedaled for the

  door before Barkus stopped him with an arm around his waist. He

  bowed low, and so quickly Najlah half expected him to tip over. "Your

  Grace, I am so sorry, I did not mean to—"

  Korla's laughter drowned out the stumbling apology. "Your

  Highness, there is nothing wrong with watching a woman feed her

  child. That aside, you will have to learn that dragons seldom bother

  with things like modesty. If you are going to walk with dragons, you

  must learn to walk like dragons. Especially that one, who could not

  feel shame or embarrassment if he was paid in diamonds to try."

  Najlah chittered, eyes bright orange. " Why should I feel either

  of those things for doing and seeing things that are quite common? It

  is you humans who are so strange about these matters. "

  "Fair enough, but back home, wandering into the chambers of

  a woman is itself taboo, nevermind while the woman herself has her

  breasts out, and her husband is nowhere in sight. I'd be lucky if I

  wasn't killed immediately for such a grand offense, and even a royal

  prince would not escape severe punishment."