Free The Ambassadors by Sasha L. Miller Page A

said quickly, all but tumbling out of his chair in his haste to stand. "I'll go."
    "Go?" The closer one smirked, showing his fangs. He was taller than the other, Anike noted. He was also sauntering closer to Anike. Anike wondered briefly if that was how he normally walked or if he was doing that just to discomfit him. "No, you're not going anywhere."
    "Um," Anike replied intelligently, gripping his sketchbook tightly. He couldn't help but stare at the ambassador, noting the fine lines in his face—peering closer, Anike realized with a start that the man's skin was made up of tiny little scales that shimmered a little in the light.
    And he was staring again. Anike glanced away—right at the other one, who was smirking to match the first. Anike jumped when the first touched his cheek, his fingers brushing lightly against Anike's skin and drawing his attention back. Anike stared at the man—what was he doing and that really was rather obvious. Only, he was an ambassador, and Anike didn't know how to get out of the situation without doing something to offend them—and their country—or even if he really wanted to because they were fascinating.
    "I think you're scaring him, Calo," the second said, his words hissing out softly. Anike shivered, taking a careful step back, away from that soft, cool hand—covered, he realized, with the same small scales Anike had noted in his face.
    "I don't think so." Calo smiled at him, his eyes intent as they focused on Anike. His eyes were a pale gold-green, and Anike blushed; he had quite a bit more detail he could add to the sketch.
    "Hmm? Are you scared, pretty artist?"
    Anike blinked, startled. He wasn't pretty. He was plain, with ordinary light brown hair and a too-big nose, and his teeth were slightly crooked … Calo laughed, sauntering closer and Anike noted absently that his brother—or maybe cousin, though they still looked an awful lot alike to be just cousins—moved forward as well.
    "What do you want?" Anike asked warily, folding his sketchbook closed and tucking his pencil behind his ear. The ambassadors looked at each other and laughed at the same time. Anike blushed, because really, the way they were looking at him—the way both of them were looking at him—it was obvious.
    "Hmm," Calo murmured, and Anike just blinked at him when Calo slid a hand through his hair soothingly. "Reni and I are most taken with you."
    Anike frowned, wondering if they were playing some sort of joke. They'd known he existed for maybe half an hour.
    "You taste good," Reni informed him, and Anike jumped a little when Reni's fingers caressed his arm. Calo smirked, still teasing at his hair, and Anike blushed, trying to hold onto his rapidly crumbling composure.
    "You haven't tasted me yet," Anike protested, then clapped his free hand over his mouth because truly that thought should've stayed in his head. Reni laughed, and his tongue flickered out of his mouth, a quick dart of pink, and Anike really wanted to sink into the floor in mortification.
    Calo tugged his hand away gently, ducking his head and Anike froze as he was kissed. Just a light, teasing kiss and a barely-there touch of tongue, and Anike tried in vain to make his brain work as Reni followed suit with a set of kisses to his cheeks.
    "Tasty," Reni declared, and Anike could do nothing but stare at him, and then at Calo as he laughed, petting Anike again before stepping back.
    "Come, Reni, let's go to our rooms," Calo said, his eyes never leaving Anike. "I think we've overwhelmed him."
    "I think you're right," Reni smirked at Anike before turning to follow Calo from the room. Anike stared after them, not moving for a few minutes after they left. Slowly, he touched his lips, his eyes on the door. He half-expected them to come back and drag him off to make good on their teasing kisses and gentle touches.
    Anike shook himself, taking a few steps towards the door. At least they didn't seem dangerous. Well, they were dangerous, but only in the