Striding over to the fireplace, Hellion stepped up into the fire, the flames warm but harmless against him as he dropped his head, the sharp tips of his horns scoring the stone arch as always before he was sneaking through the walkway.

  It never failed to go unnoticed by others who visited that they were standing so close to the doorway that led into his real home. The cabins, they were nice and everything, but they were just for show. For holding meetings or finding unwelcome visitors a place to sit rather than being brought into the real comfort of dragons.

  Taking the steps down into the mountain, little flickers of fire came to life, like a path leading the way through the dark as it twisted and turned. If you didn't know your way though the mountain well enough, it was oh so easy to get lost. Something that happened even to the best of them.

  Sometimes they found bones in dark corners where the light went out.

  Sinking deeper into the caves, Hellion traced his hand along the stone wall that glittered here and there with hidden gems and natural diamonds. This was home. Their real home. In the heart of the earth where it opened and welcomed them. When he reached the ancient wooden doors that worked as the entry to their caverns, Hellion pressed his hand against the lock, sending a pulse of magic through it, a shot of his fire and strength so the stone recognised who he was. Where he belonged.

  Slowly, the doors creaked open with great effort, welcoming in the King. Two guards waited on the other side, armed with swords at their hip and armour on their bodies.

  Ready for anything, that's what they were. With a good slap on each shoulder to show his appreciation, Hellion wandered further in. Chatter echoed up to him, others that were in the huge open cavern that they had turned into a small underground city. Buildings made from slate and stone, some carved into the rock face itself.

  Children played through the crowds, laughing at one another. Some even tried their hand at expanding their wings, willing them to flap harder to at least. The corner of his mouth twisted in a small smile of amusement.

  Cute.

  Soon enough the little monsters would be leaping from the falling point of the mountain to catch the wind and let their dragons out into the world.

  Nodding a few hello’s to others, Hellion sifted through towards where he knew his own space lay. Past several females that batted their eyelashes at him, reaching a hand out to brush over his forearm as he passed. Scales rose to the surface as they were protecting him from the touch, his instinct to avoid it. Hellion didn't like unwelcomed touches.

  Shifter females were as dangerous as males and when it came to sex, dragon women had a thing for biting and scratching. The wildness in them came out aggressively and he was in no mood to deal with it.

  In fact, all Hellion wanted right now was to sink into some hot water and soak his body until he was nothing more than steam in the air itself.

  Finding his way without much distraction, Hellion closed the door behind him into the quarters that were his own. Silence descended the moment the door closed, the heavy lock sliding down. Hellion rested his forehead against the door, his horns thumping a little.

  Dragging a deep breath into his lungs, Hellion made quick work of stripping off, his clothes left haphazardly on the floor as he wandered through the wide open bedroom and into the hot spring that was his bath.

  Removing the small metal pins and ties from his hair, Hellion stepped down into the hot spring gradually, undoing the braids at his temples and letting himself rest. The demons weren't the only ones battling against the ghouls that sprung forward in the Life Tree. Even up in the mountain, they had found oddities. Strange things that didn't belong.

  Hard to fight and even harder to kill, himself and several other dragons had been scoping out the grounds in search of threats and coming up against more than Hellion liked to find.

  They were changing now. Adapting to the world around them and branching out. Whatever had happened at the Tree had caused a ripple effect on ghouls to find new life in themselves.

  Step by step into the deep steaming water, the dragon felt the burn melt deliciously into achy muscles. His body was patched here and there in glittering scales that were trying to heal wounds still after taking particularly sore hits from disgusting creatures that had no business being alive.

  His white hair floated over the surface, the tension easing from even his scalp as Hellion floated over to the marbled edge where stone had smoothed from the lapping water to rest his head back against it.

  Just a few minutes, that's all he needed. Just a few minutes to close his eyes and embrace the quiet before he would go back to being King and seeing to all the issues that would spring up. Before he had to deal with what new problems were brewing or who was threatening to kill each other.

  Contrary to what other people thought, dragons aren't nearly as primitive as they were portrayed. Yes, they had many aesthetics of being their own people, traditions that were long standing, but they also had monderised too. Electricity ran through the mountain, internet and TV. Sneaky doorways that lead to realms that were entirely unaware of their presence. Hellion had slipped through them more than a few times when he went hunting for particular snacks only found in the Fae realm or the finest leather Hell could craft.

  As long as his people came back alive, Hellion wouldn't dissuade them from exploring. In the wrong hands, a dragon was a powerful weapon.

  In the right hands, even more so.

  Lifting his hand from the hot water, he ran his fingers over the ridges of his horns and pushed his hair back to stop them from tangling. Something chilled the bottom of the spring. A cold seeping into the piping hot enough to have the dragon sitting up straighter, his claws slowly extending from his fingertips, the sharp ends diamond strong and glittering like his scales.

  A rush of bubbles and freezing water combined turned the bathroom into a cloud of steam and fog, leaving him unable to see anything and rely on his other senses. Nothing had grabbed his feet. Nothing had dragged him beneath the surface to chew on his intestines.

  But something else was in the bath with him, that was for fucking sure. He could feel it, a tingling sense in the back of his mind. The creature that dwelled inside him lifted its head, his gums aching as it bared its teeth.

  A rush of movement below the surface had Hellion plunging his hands into the water. He didnt need his fucking eyes, he’d slit whoever’s throat for intruding into his private space and attempting to surprise attack him.

  His clawed hand found floating hair and a shoulder, digging his nails into it. Yanking up without care for his would be attacker, Hellion threw the body against the marble edge, his claw wrapping around a slim throat tightly, the other raised and ready to slash. Ready to tear through skin and break bones.

  “Not the face!”

  The voice caught him off guard, halting him mid-swing.

  Scowling into the steam, Hellion wafted it away, his larger frame pressed against his intruder’s to make sure they stayed in place. Golden eyes came into view, wide and glittering at him. Soaked rich blonde hair was stuck to his face and it took the dragon a second to realise he had the second eldest Prince of Hell by the throat in his fucking bathtub.

  “What in the fuck are you doing here?” He shook Ruine a little by his grip, baring his now sharp teeth at the other male.

  “Oh, y’know. Taking in the sighs. Seeing nature.” Ruine glanced down between them. His clothes were soaked and rubbing against Hellion’s skin abrasively. “Didn't expect this kind of nature though.”

  “You were forbidden from using those runes. Forbidden from coming here without express permission ever again. So what the fuck are you here for, princeling?” Hellion wasn't going to be swayed by the pink brewing across Ruine’s cheeks and the way his thighs braced against his own hips. No fucking way. He’d found out the hard way what happened when your mate showed little to no interest in you and they weren't going down that road again. Ruine wasn't going to twist him up as badly as he had before and leave Hellion behind. They weren't stupid teenagers anymore figuring out their preferences anymore.

  He wasn't haunted by the pretty demon. He wouldn't allow himself to be.

  “One favour. That's all I owed you and I delivered. That doesn't mean you get to show up here again. I warned you it wouldn't be seen lightly Ruine. You made your fucking choice and you left.” Hellion shook him by the throat again baring his fangs furiously. The scales on his skin multiplied.

  Every time he looked at the princeling it was like pouring salt in a wound that never seemed to heal no matter how many times he tried to cover it.

  “We both know I wouldn't be here if I had any other choice alright?” Ruine’s hands were gripping Hellion’s wrist, shifting his body around to find some other way to stay afloat and all it was doing was grinding him up against the dragon who wasn't against strangling the life out of the demon to avoid a hard on trying to occur.

  Willing his body under control, Hellion shoved away from the demon, leaving the other male wheezing in a few lungfuls of air. “You’re going to hand over that fucking rune book and I’ll tear out every page you have to get anywhere near my territory.”

  “Don't be such a bitch.” Ruine slapped a hand against the water, splashing it at him.

  “Then dont be a child.” Splashing the fucker back with a wave that had him sputtering.

  Floating away to the other side, Hellion willed his dragon to settle, willed those old feelings to go back into their little box because this was not the time to be lifting its head.

  Ruine lifted himself from the water, scrambling onto the marble edge and heaved upward, getting to his feet. Water splashed from the drenched clothes he wore while the demon tried to twist and squeeze some out. The hint of a handprint around his throat pleased Hellion more than he wanted to admit until Ruine gave up and dragged his hoodie off instead.

  The dragon sank into the water a little deeper, doing his best not to stare outright. Ruine had always been on the slimmer side compared to his brothers. He had a more athletic build rather than bulky. His muscles were less defined but certainly there. Thick black leather straps criss crossed over his chest holding a series of small blades. Some were missing from their spaces, drawing Hellion’s interest.

  Thin rivulets of diluted blood trailed over the demon's chest as Hellion’s gaze followed it up to the shoulder he had sunken his claws into before. It was nothing more than a surface wound to a demon, he could already see the small flickers of Ruine’s own scales moving to patch itself back together. He’d always been a strange demon to Hellion. Ruine did not seem to have that bloodthirsty need in him for violence. Instead, he went for knowledge. He hoarded secrets and information like a dragon did its special keep.

  “What happened. And dont spin me a whole fucking story, just get to the point.” His quiet time was ruined. His bath was fucking cold now too. Wading back to the steps, Hellion climbed from the spring without care for his naked state.

  Striding through the steaming space, Hellion walked his wet feet through to his bedroom, frustratedly pulling sweats from the drawer and yanking his feet through them knowing Ruine wasn't far behind.

  “Well since you asked so nicely, and I feel a little bad for invading your personal space, I’ll tell you.” The demon stayed by the doorway having lifted a towel and was drying his hair. “I was wandering around the castle in Siren city. Just going for a very casual, very normal walk that's all and yet these two overpaid and poor excuses of guards came at me like I had just pissed in their cereal. They demanded to know who I was and why I was there.”

  “And why were you there Ruine. Because we both know you don't just go for walks.”

  “Because the path was already there, Hellion. I just follow where it goes and it took me to that place.” They gazes clashed.

  Yeah, he fucking knew. After all, Ruines path finding had taken him to every realm except home half the time. Except back to where Hellion felt he belonged. Shit, maybe all he was , had been a pit stop once upon a time and he was still clinging to it.

  He was fucking pathetic.

  “It was weird. I mean, weirder than usual. They have every possible door to that place locked up tighter than a holy man's asshole and I know, I know, the Queen keeps her precious pearls there, but this shit was next level. They came at me just because I didn't tell them who I was right away.”

  Hellion narrowed his eyes a little, suspicion coiling in the pit of his stomach. “And why didn't you tell them who you are? You’re a royal Prince. If you had revealed that, they would have let you walk right in without issue. Royalty recognises royalty.” For most realms, anyway.

  Publicly, you didn't deter any royal visitors away or cause insult. It had the very real possibility of starting a war so why was Ruine hiding it?

  The grin the demon gave him wasn't remotely settling his concerns. In fact, it only raised them further.

  RUINE

  Hellion looked so fucking disgruntled Ruine couldnt help but laugh while he ran the towel over his horns as if polishing them to a shine. “Isn't that the million coin question huh? Whatever am I up to?” Wiggling his eyebrows at the large male.

  Iridescent scales moved over the dragon’s muscled torso in a wave, a reaction to whatever was going on in his head and Ruine, for the millionth time, considered just how pretty Hellion was. Pretty and wildly intimidating really. His stern expression never derailed from his handsome features. If anything it only made him want to expose his throat in submission and whimper.

  And the grey sweats were doing him all kinds of favours in hiding abso-fucking-lutely nothing from view.

  The man was a walking weapon of all kinds and fantastically in proportion. Granted Ruine should have known firsthand. Even when they were young and dumb, the dragon had been a giant of a male.

  Hellion crossed his thickly muscled arms over his chest waiting for an answer and Ruine sighed. “I’m hunting.” Dropping the towel into the hamper in the corner, he stepped out of view a little better and started to undo his jeans, his belt unbuckling, seeming loud in the space between them before it was slid out of the soaking fabric.

  “What are you hunting for?” Hellion’s deep voice was a rumble that twisted a knot in Ruine’s stomach hotly. The demon swallowed thickly, ignoring it like he always tried so desperately to do.

  “Pose that as a question,” Ruine peaked his head around the corner for a second, soaked hair swinging, “-and I’ll answer it.” He wasnt about to fucking take any demands from the dragon any time soon. He might be a King but he wasn't Ruine’s King.

  An irritated huff came next as Ruine jerked out of his jeans, the fabric hitting the ground with a wet slap before he was reaching for another towel and twisting it around his hips while he pat himself down to dry off.

  “What are you hunting for?”

  What a good boy. It was like squeezing pleasantries from a stone. “Secrets.”

  Hellion’s growl was close by. Close enough that when Ruine peered around the corner once more, he was eyelevel to a very muscled chest of the dragon. A stare the colour of rich amber and sunsets glowed down at him, a fire that could burn with just a look.

  Tiny goosebumps broke out over Ruine’s skin and it had nothing to do with the water cooling on his body.

  “That's not a real answer.” The dragon’s voice was a rough sound, frustration licking at the edges. “And where in that tiny little brain did you think it was a smart idea to strip off in my bathroom?”

  “I mean… It’s not like you haven't seen it all before?” It wasn't the right thing to say. Ruine should have kept his mouth shut, it would have been better than to bring that happy little fact up.

  Hellion took a deep breath, his pupils thinning into tiny slits as the creature he was rose to the surface. “That was a long time ago, Ruine. Unless you’re here to rehash some old issues we have.” A rush of glittering scales that had Ruine clenching the towel he held to stop from touching them.

  Gods he wanted to touch them. Stroke them. Maybe lick them a little.

  “I’m looking for something. I can't put my finger on it but I know it’s something. Every time I go another direction, I end up back in Nimue. I’m drawn back there. It’s instinct, Hellion. You know I can't fight it.”

  Ruine watched Hellion clench his jaw so hard he thought he’d be spitting out teeth. Whatever was going on in the dragon’s head, it wasn't happy thoughts.

  “Drawing you there, is it? Just there? Nowhere else?”

  Ruine’s brows came together. “Where else would I go?” He challenged, only for Hellion to turn away from him with a growl, the sound low and dangerous. A furious creature resting below the surface.

  “You asked me and I answered. Don't get pissy when you don't like the answer, dragon.” He didn't go into the bedroom. Somehow it didn't feel as safe as it should. The bathroom was better. The stone walls and clinical feel to it than the soft sheets and huge bed across the way.

  “Look, I came here because I panicked, alright? I don't do that fighting shit as much as the others. You know that. Those guards picked the hard way and I did what I could, but running is better suited to me.”

  Hellion snorted.

  “Anyway, I was going down a hallway and the place is a fucking maze so I found a dead end, the guards were getting closer and I’m not about to end up in a fucking fish prison of some sort with no way out so, I did what I had to do. I wrote as fucking fast as I could and when it was the last rune of the destination I wrote your name.”

  The sound of Hellion sitting down had Ruine peering around the corner to find the dragon sitting himself on his bed, a t-shirt gripped in one hand as if he might put it on, he just hadn't gotten around to it yet. “And it brought you straight to me.”

  “Yep. You got blessed with my company.”

  “Aren't I the lucky one.”

  “I was also thinking. And you can say no– well, actually, I really don't want you to say no to this, so just hear me out. I need you to do me a favour–” Hellion laughed at him like it was the funniest fucking thing in the world. Ruine fought the urge to bare his teeth at the huge lizard. “- And I’ll owe you in return. See? A favour for a favour. My generosity knows no bounds.”

 

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