Crown of Dahlias

Sneaking Shadow

Kieren's breath seemed to stop within his lungs, his mouth dropping from behind the green scarf he wore around the lower half of his face. His heart beat wildly in his chest. The Drake from before was here, turning swiftly to face Kieren, the layers of white cloth fluttered around him. 

"Little thief," the Drake's voice low, Kieren swearing he could hear relief in his voice, "you returned."

"I," Kieren feeling as though it were hard to breathe, "I wanted..." Kieren shook his head as thoughts swarmed in his mind, "this was a bad idea. You were trying to capture me." 

Of course the Drake would try to do such a thing! Kieren was nothing! What did he think he would get coming back to this place? The guard trying to follow him, figuring out quickly that he came in with the caravan. How could he be such a fool?

The daydreams in his head about this Drake were just that, daydreams. Kieren turned, his heart feeling tight in his chest that it made it just that much harder to breathe. The back of his throat stung with tears Kieren didn't want to leave.

"Wait!" The Drake called, Kieren freezing when a large hand grabbed his own. 

"I did not tell anyone of your presence when you had come those few nights ago," the Drake said gently, his hand tightening around Kieren's. Kieren felt his body shutter at the sparks that flittered through his body. Comfort and warmth and safety. 

"I was more curious if you had gotten captured, but lo and behold you have snuck out and come back in with ease!" The Drake chuckled softly, warmth filling Kieren's belly at the sound. 

"Shouldn't you be worried that I can do such a thing?" Kieren mumbled, looking away from the ethereal being next to him, hoping the Drake would keep holding his hand. The Drake made a humming sound, Kieren peeking up through his hood to see the dragon tapping a long finger against his pale pink lip.

"I suppose I should be, but I believe we have already discussed that you are very bad at being a thief."

Kieren made an indignant sound, unable to stop the motion of trying to step on the man's foot. A happy laugh left the Drake, who astutely dodged, Kieren feeling his cheeks warm at the melodic sound. Their hands separated at the action though, Kieren feeling a pang in his chest.

"Not to mention it has been hilarious seeing Bellion at his wits end, trying to figure out the shadow sneaking around, smelling like a sweet, earthy flower. Jasmine, I think. Something syrupy too," the Drake suddenly right there, voice low and sultry, by Kieren's face.

The only barrier between their faces that of the green scarf Kieren wore and part of his hood. Heat simmered low in Kieren's belly, a sound wanting to fall from his lips, but holding back by the skin of his teeth. The Drake smells of pine and cool mountain snow. Kieren's eyelids flutter against his own volition from the scent. He can see the soft sunkissed skin of the Drake up close, his lips are a shade darker in pink than Kieren realized. White-gold scales at the male's temple matte, pieces of white gold hair coming down by his ear with darker gold coloring at the scalp. Kieren is sure he forgets how to breathe.

"If we are to keep meeting like this, little thief, I would hope to garner a name," The Drake said quietly, bringing up the back of his finger to brush against the green scarf. Kieren sucked in a breath, feeling the ghost of a touch against his lips.

"I'll give you mine if you give me yours," Kieren said after a long moment, voice breathy, knowing that it was probably a bad idea to give out his name. It would make it that much easier to find him, and Kieren very much did not want to leave Yew or this dragon before him. 

"Valerius, but I much prefer Val."

Kieren blinked a few times at the new information, rolling the name around on his tongue, feeling his lips curl into a smile. It feels like a name he would love to say for the rest of his life. Valerius stands straight again, clearing his throat. Kieren peeks up to see his lips in a straight line, imagining brows lifting from impatience. Kieren sighs and then seems that it is appropriate to sigh a second time more deeply. Kieren hears a soft chuckle coming from Valerius, rolling his eyes, but unable to stop the corner of his lips from quirking too.