Dragon Estate, page 10
“Anywhere. But especially there.”
Hayley nodded. “Alright. There’s no going back if we pursue this and the other girls will want to… explore, as well. I’m sure you know this. A human and a dragoness is something unheard of. Who knows what rules we’re breaking.”
Xavier tapped his chest. “I don’t know what the hell has gotten into me, but I trust you. I want you. And Brooke. And Nicole. I want to protect you and Ironshire. It’s like a switch has flipped. I don’t want to turn it off.”
“You mean it? You want… us? You want me?” she took a step closer to him.
“Yes. And so we’re clear,” he ran his hand down her cheek, “you can come in my room and do that anytime.”
“Don’t get a dragoness’s hopes up, Xavier. You’re playing with fire,” she warned.
He smiled at the irony. “Understood.”
“What are you okay with me doing? With showing you?” her voice quivered.
“Everything,” Xavier said, “everything.”
She placed a hand on his lower stomach. “Everything?”
“Everything. Show me everything.” Xavier said.
Her hand slid off his stomach and lightly grazed the bulge between his legs. “Tomorrow, then.”
Xavier wanted her to stroke him then and there. He refrained from asking. “No more holding anything back.”
“Done. Are you absolutely sure? 100%, Xavier. We have needs and appetites. I’m not even sure what will happen to you. It’s a risk. No other Rhodes has done this.”
“I’m sure.”
Hayley’s eyes locked to his. “Good. I’ll tell them. You might want to sleep tonight. You’re going to need it.”
Chapter Twelve
Brooke sat on the sofa’s cushions. She nodded her head.
Hayley confessed to kissing Xavier. She didn’t know how to feel about it at first (maybe a little jealous). Brooke wanted to be the first one to taste him, to mingle with his human touch and body, but she knew that Hayley would claim him before anyone else. She was the first meet Xavier. She also knew that her own affront was beginning to falter.
“I loved it. I loved every second of it.”
Brooke chewed on the licorice. “What did he do?”
“He… wanted more. He wants us. He said he wants us,” Hayley said.
This was good. It was better than good, Brooke told herself. Hell, not even the best male dragons expressed interested in them, not that there were many male dragons to begin with. Besides, the taboo of being intimate with a human was something so lightning hot that it couldn’t be ignored.
They sat in the library. Long bookcases surrounded them, fixed with tall shelves. Fiction, non-fiction, rare antiques, occult mysticism, arcane texts of forbidden and cookbooks lined the shady oak walls. From time to time, Brooke would study them. Hayley had more knowledge, of course, but Brooke did her dabbling.
Telepathy was a skill she very much desired to learn. Hayley had already acquired some of it, but Brooke wasn’t far behind. “Brooke, are you listening?” a frustrated Hayley asked.
Brooke nodded again. “Yes. I’m listening. Just… kind of taking it in. I wasn’t taking it seriously and it’s happening really fast.”
“Something in him changed.”
“You said his powers manifested,” Brooke added, “wouldn’t that do it?”
Hayley shook her head. “Not just that. His personality. It’s like he knows what he wants now. The shyness is gone.”
“He’s become dominant,” Brooke said.
“Correct.” Hayley leaned back in one of the cushioned study chairs.
A small table sat between them. Boxes of licorice, a bottle of wine, and half-full goblets sat atop its smooth surface. “Well. He didn’t flip out.”
“I mean he did at first. I heard him frying the shower. It’s out, but it will need some paint.”
Brooke leaned forward and picked up her goblet of wine. She brought it to her lips and sipped. “Does he know about our powers yet?”
Hayley shook her head. “Not outright.”
“I know he probably suspects we can breathe fire.”
Hayley nodded. “Yes.”
“Did you get in his head by chance?”
Hayley scoffed. “No. I mean… not on purpose. Maybe for a second. I’m not proficient.”
Brooke grinned. “What did you find in there, Hayley?”
“Nothing bad at all.”
“So,” Brooke set the goblet back down and clasped her hands together, “he’s going to find out about the telepathy and clairvoyance. And Nicki’s tricks.”
“I’ll tell him tomorrow if I remember.”
Brooke’s face stretched to a wide, catlike smirk. “Oh, tomorrow. Tomorrow night, huh? What are you going to do him tomorrow night?”
“We’ll see where it goes,” Hayley said.
“So when do I get to ask to have a night with him?”
Hayley rolled her eyes. “Just ask him whenever.”
“What if he says no?”
“He won’t. He already told me he wants all of us. I don’t think just for sex, however that will work. I’m still not sure if we’re compatible that way. He’ll want to spend time with us in anyway, not just that way.”
“You think it’s a size thing?”
Hayley shook her head. “No. Stamina, I think. He could be an inch and I wouldn’t care. It’s just if he can keep up and last.”
“We need to train him.”
“Oh? You have a dominant side, I take it?” Hayley teased.
Brooke laughed. “Not like that. Maybe that too.”
“Ah. Yes, the pyrokinesis. Maybe when he wakes up, we can take him out back. Have him try it out,” Hayley suggested and shoveled a piece of licorice into her mouth.
“Can you fit him in before you commit a new original sin?” Brooke winked.
“Try me.” Hayley downed her wine.
* * *
Xavier jolted from sleep.
He immediately inspected his hands. His chest ached. God, what had happened? He flexed his fingers, making sure they worked. There was no fire. His flesh was cool, supple, and taught. It looked slightly younger, even. The scars from work had vanished, replaced with what looked like the skin of a 20’s something in their prime.
He curled his toes and took a breath. Last night, he caught the bathroom on fire. It didn’t spread, luckily, and extinguished itself. Still, there was a residue of smoke. A scent of burnt wallpaper lingered. He slid to the edge of the bed and stared at the floor.
What else happened?
Hayley came to his aid. Rescued him, even. Calmed him, soothed him and… kissed him.
“Oh shit.” He stood, hands on his head.
It shouldn’t have been a surprise. After the kiss, he dreamt of her. And… he’d even asked for more. That wasn’t like him. Xavier never outright asked for anything romantic. He kept the feelings to himself, usually. It was out of character. But he had asked her anyway and, somehow, expressed his interest for literally everyone in Ironshire.
What have I done?
Maybe the night before had been a fantasy. A dream, he told himself. Xavier glared at the bathroom door. He scurried to it, all but ripping the door off its hinges. He had to confirm. The char was still there. The wallpaper was still missing, blackened by the fire that rushed from his fingers. Ash dotted the lip of the bathtub in gray and pale piles. Remnants of a shower curtain scattered on the tile floor.
Powers. He stared at his hands. He could shoot fire from his fingertips. He could burn things down if he wanted. “God.” He flexed his fingers again.
They didn’t hurt. There were no blisters. He went back to the bed and plopped down on it. Xavier couldn’t even remember half of what he said to Hayley, be he could recall how she tasted. Her tongue flashed through his head.
Something hard grew between his thighs. Xavier glanced down at his dick and tried to ignore the swelling erection. He didn’t want one of them walking in on him again, especially this time. Though maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if they did…
They knew. He knew. It wasn’t that he wanted them to ignore his raging boner. No, having Hayley’s hand wrapped around his length, or the head of his cock in Brooke’s mouth, or Nicole’s breasts constricting his girth was an intense desire.
Hell, it was beginning to be all he could think about. Xavier desperately wanted attention given to his body, but he was worried. Insecure. What if he wasn’t good enough? What if he was too small? What if he couldn’t move his hips right? What if he sucked at kissing?
“Stop.” He stood back up.
Think of something else! Ice. Snow. Wounds. Cuts. Anything, anything that hurt.
And suddenly, there was a knock at his door. He quickly slipped into a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, socks, and tennis shoes. “Hold on,” he told the unknown dragoness.
“Hey! Don’t make me wait,” Nicole said through the door.
Oh god, it was Nicole. He recomposed himself and took a deep breath. Finally, he made his way to the door. His nerves were wracked with apprehension. Be cool, he told himself. He opened the door, greeted by Nicole. She wore a button up, white shirt. It wasn’t fully closed. The hall’s warm glow exposed her cleavage.
She wore a miniskirt. Her tail raised it up somewhat by the back. He couldn’t see to confirm, but imagined her ass was hanging out. “Sorry, I was getting dressed.”
Nicole stared at him and smiled. “It’s okay. Hey, what do you think?” she asked, spinning.
Sure enough, he could see the underside of her butt and skimpy underwear. “Think of?” Xavier played stupid.
She groaned. “My outfit, silly. Is it hot? Does it look good? I think it’s showing off a lot,” she admitted. Nicole craned her neck to examine her skirt.
Xavier gulped. “It’s really nice.”
“Good. I think my butt is kind of showing. Can you see my underwear?” she stared at him.
“I, uh…”
Nicole pressed her chest to his. “Do you like them?” she smiled with clasped hands and perched on her tippy toes.
Xavier nodded, looking up at her. “They’re… sexy.”
She celebrated with a giggle. “They’re some of my favorites. Oh, sorry. I know that’s a weird question. I just figured it didn’t matter anymore.”
“What do you mean?” Xavier pretended.
She shook her head. “Us girls talk. Anyway,” she grabbed his hand, “you have something to do. Follow me. You got to practice!”
Xavier lurched forward, tugged along by Nicole’s grip. “Practice?”
“Can’t have you burning things, you know. Also, I know you’re looking. You can look. Stop pretending,” she stuck her tongue out.
It was too late. His cover was blown. “Look at what?”
“My ass, dork,” she said.
“But –”
She led him to a doorway and stopped at the threshold. Her gaze met his. “You’ve already seen me naked. It was for two seconds, maybe. You think I care if you check me out? Don’t you think I enjoyed standing there for you?”
He shook his head. “I guess...”
“Where’s your inner dragon? Come on,” she poked his side, “dig that confidence out.”
“Alright, fine,” Xavier said.
She laughed. “That’s better. It feels good when you look at my ass. Don’t forget it!”
Nicole turned her back to him. She stood at the foot of the stairs. She hesitated for a moment, briefly looking over her shoulder.
He shrugged. “What?” Xavier managed.
“Nothing,” she said, “follow me.”
Xavier listened. Nicole led them down the large, spiral staircase. They turned a corner after descending. They skimmed through a set of corridors Xavier had not yet traversed. He assumed they were approaching the back of the mansion. It occurred to him then that he’d not seen its surroundings in detail yet. He wondered if it’d be just as fantastic as Ironshire’s interior.
They stopped at an alcove next to a large metal and wood door. “You haven’t been outside yet, have you?” she asked.
“No.”
“Well, it’s not that impressive,” Nicole said as she opened the door.
Morning light spilled into the dimly lit alcove. She squeezed his hand again. Nicole pulled him into the backyard. Sweeping hills and mountains painted the horizon. A dense, dark line of forest bookended the yard half a mile away. Xavier inhaled the scents of dew, flowers, and pine. A thin veil of mist blanketed the earth. “This is… wow.”
“It’s not really that cool,” Nicole rolled her eyes.
She tugged him again. Her clawed, pink hand wrapped around his. Xavier wondered if she needed to hold onto him like that or if she was using it as an excuse to touch him. Either would be fine, Xavier thought. “Where are we going?”
“Target practice,” Nicole said.
Xavier paused. “Target practice?”
“Yep!” Nicole smirked.
She tugged him around one of Ironshire’s exterior walls. They passed a few gazebos, massive trees, and several greenhouses. Eventually, they arrived at an open clearing ended by the same thick line of forest. Brooke and Hayley stood between a wall and long workbench. They greeted him with waves and smiles.
“Hey, there he is,” Brooke called as she made her way to them.
“Morning,” Xavier said.
Brooke wasted no time. She hugged him tight and intentionally grazed her thigh against his groin. “Oops,” she said, “anyway, good morning.”
Nicole giggled with a hand over her fanged mouth. “I haven’t seen Brooke that excited to hug someone in… well, ever!”
Xavier shrugged. “I wasn’t really going to complain at all.”
Hayley approached next. Her eyes glimmered with emerald sparks. “Are we still on for tonight?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes.”
Hayley hugged Xavier. “Good,” she said and firmly pressed against him.
He fought a growing erection. This time he succeeded. “Good morning, by the way.”
She held his hand. “Good morning. Are you ready?”
“Ready for?”
Brooke interrupted them. “For target practice. You got to learn to temper that dragonfire you’ve got.”
“Dragonfire?”
Hayley nodded. “The powers. All Rhodes get them, eventually. Ironshire kind of activates it. That’s what I meant when I said that. But you need to control it. And practice.”
“And you are going to teach me?”
“All of us will,” Nicole said.
Brooke clapped. “All of us. Be a good student for us?”
“Please,” Hayley smiled.
Xavier took a moment to think about it. He was going to be trained by three attractive dragonesses that wanted to bed him. Was it a bad thing? No, of course not, Xavier told himself. “Alright,” he stepped to the workbench, “teach me.”
Chapter Thirteen
He stared at each post.
They lined the end of Ironshire’s backyard, spread apart by no more than three or four feet. If Xavier had to estimate, he was standing a good ten yards from them. Brooke, Hayley, and Nicole stood behind him and waited patiently.
Another forty feet separated him from the girls. He glanced at his hands. Xavier waved them around in attempt to restart the fires from before. There were no sparks. If anything, his palms were cold. Nothing happened. Great, he thought.
“I don’t get it,” he turned back to them, “nothing is happening.”
They tossed several light arguments between each other. Finally, Hayley called out. “First of all, relax!”
“That’s how you put them out last time!” Xavier shouted.
But that wasn’t entirely true. His flames were extinguished by a kiss from the dragoness, a kiss he desperately wanted again. She called back. “Hold on!”
He had been standing there like a dufus for the past ten minutes. It was simple: burn the post. Aim and fire. Yet he could not do it. His hands were as temperate as the air around him. It was disappointing. Xavier had burnt half the walls in his bathroom, disintegrated his shower curtain, and charred the red drapes hours earlier.
“I’m coming over there,” Brooke yelled.
She was next to him in seconds. He twisted his head to the spot Brooke had once been, then back to her. The dragoness stretched in place and yawned. “How the hell did you do that?” he asked.
“What?”
“Get over here so fast?”
She shrugged. “I guess my speed makes up for not having the flying bits. So, we think you need a kickstart. Do you trust me?”
He nodded. “What kind of kickstart?”
“Give me your hands.” Brooke snapped her fingers.
“My–”
“Your hands. Give them to me.” The corner of her mouth turned up.
Xavier nodded and offered his palms. “Okay.”
She held him there for a second. “Now look at me.”
Xavier matched his eyes with Brooke. He stared deep into her red and maroon irises. He felt hypnotized. Energy swapped between them. It was something carnal, something without words. Butterflies filled his stomach. “Now, don’t panic.”
“Why?”
“You want me, don’t you?” Brooke asked.
He fumbled his response, surprised by her blunt question. “I… well, yes. Yes, I do.”
“You want to know what I feel like? You want to kiss me? You want me out of these clothes?” she asked.
Xavier cheeks flushed red. “I…”
“Say it,” she demanded.
“I do.”
“Good,” Brooke giggled.
She stood motionless and held his hands. Nothing happened. “What… what’s supposed to happen?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to hear you say that.”
“You…”
She abruptly gripped and intertwined her clawed fingers with his. “Think fast!” she yelled.
A wave of heat exploded from their grasp. Light burst from his hands. He saw the flames escape between them and distort the air. “Oh shit!” he tried loosening his grip.
Brooke did not yield. “Don’t panic. Look at me,” she said and stared at him.
