Free Breath of Flame and Shadow by Ophelia Bell Page A

them to a door at the end of the hallway. Once inside he diligently locked it behind them and stood with a harsh scowl looking at them both.
    “It’s just us now. Does this really have to happen?”
    Rafe had been expecting the question. He stepped past Trevor into the room, looking like he was admiring the view. A gorgeous vista of the sun rising over the ocean shone through a bank of wide windows. Early sunbeams fell in golden pools onto the king-sized bed in the middle of the room.
    “You know something of what we are already, don’t you? How much do you know?” Rafe asked.
    “I just put it together over the years. Mora never seemed to age. I knew her my entire life. She was just the beautiful philanthropist employer when I was a kid, then when I got older she turned into more. My parents thought I was nuts, but I only mentioned it the one time.”
    “You were lovers?” Rafe asked, surprised by the man’s confession. It was unusual for dragons to take regular lovers from their staff who they didn’t intend to mark. Anonymity was so much easier unless the employee was particularly loyal. Maybe this one was, which raised him exponentially in Rafe’s opinion.
    “Off and on. We didn’t see her that frequently, but when she did visit, I always…delivered. How could I not?” Trevor’s eyes shifted down Rafe’s torso. He swallowed harshly when his gaze came to rest at the bulge in Rafe’s pants, then darted up again to meet Rafe’s steady, unmoving look.
    “Do you miss her?”
    Trevor seemed a little agitated at the question before settling. “Yeah, I mean, there was something about her and how she reacted to my pleasure…how I felt afterward. Rowan felt just like that and it wasn’t until I was with her that I put it together. There has to be more with you guys. Is there?”
    “There is,” Rafe said. “Your employer is Mora’s son, Skye?”
    “Yes.” Trevor shivered. “Not one shred like his mother. He’s definitely never tried this with me.”
    Rafe grinned. “He owns you, you know. But if you’re willing, we’re about to steal you from him.”
    Trevor’s eyes widened. “No shit, it’s like that?”
    “You want to know what we are, right?” Rafe said.
    Trevor nodded.
    “If I show you the truth, you will belong to me.”
    “What the fuck are you?” Trevor asked, somehow alarmed. “You talk about me like I’m some pawn to be exchanged. I didn’t lie when I said I was in love with Rowan. But I can also walk away, because this is some crazy shit.”
    “You can. Go now if you want to. This is your last chance to learn the truth, though.”
    He gave Trevor a moment, but the man didn’t budge. He just stood in the patch of sunlight that streamed in, clenching his fists in determination.
    “We’re dragons,” Rafe said, sending a mental message to Roka to shift a tiny bit when he said it.
    Horns erupted from both their heads. Scales glimmered along Rafe’s hands. As added emphasis he signaled again to Roka and they both blew out their breath. Rafe’s transformed into tendrils that became a dark hand cupping Trevor’s cheek, brushing fingers through his hair. Roka’s smoke was more amorphous, but no less potent, the white cloud hovered before Trevor’s face before sliding down the front of his body, making him quiver with pleasure.
    “Now, if you’ve had enough of the revelation, once we’re done with you, I am going to mark you. This will make you mine. No other dragon may touch you without my say so. Then you will take me to Rowan.”
    “I don’t honestly know where she is. All I know is that she said she was going home. I’m sorry, I lied.”
    Roka laughed, but Rafe responded differently. The knowledge was more than enough. If she was on her way back to San Diego, she may be looking for him. He stepped close to Trevor, gripped him by the shoulders, and kissed him.
    Trevor remained tense for a long moment, then his lips softened and his mouth moved, clasping at Rafe’s in