Prince of Dragons

Chapter Thirty

"It shouldn't be too much longer, I don't think, until we make it there," came Alaban's voice to my left as he stared down at the map in his hands.

I raised a brow, leaning forward on my horse as Narvi did...well, whatever he was doing behind me. "Really? Already? Wow..."

Alaban looked away from his map and peered towards me. "Wow? What do you mean by that?"

I shrugged and gave him a sheepish smile. "Oh, just that I thought we were still decently far out, I didn't realize how close we've gotten to your home." I then nibbled at my bottom lip. "How are you feeling about that, by the way? Being so close to home again...are you excited? Nervous? Worried?"

Alaban lowered his gaze, the man nibbling at his bottom lip before he turned those eyes—like liquid gold—towards me. "A bit of each, I suppose. When I had last saw everyone...everything was hectic and...I don't know. I'm hoping everyone made it out of the attack."

I nodded my head. "For your sake, I hope the same for you. Now, they won't be...put off by you bringing in a couple of outsiders, would they?"

"Once I explain to Evander specifically your involvement in helping me back, I'm sure they will welcome you with arms wide open. Just don't feel bad if they're still a bit weary of you."

I held my free hand up. "I understand completely. I mean, your people were attacked, so a bit of hesitance is not uncommon, after something so traumatic. I'll do my best to behave."

Alaban's lips twitched into a small, thankful smile, before the sun dragon nodded his head. "Thank you. Um...what do you plan on doing, after we arrive? I-If I'm allowed to ask?"

My brows pinched and I pursed my lips. Honestly? What was I going to do? Leave as soon as I knew he was safe at home? Stay and proposition protection for his people? I mean, that was something I should at least bring up to their...leader. And what would happen after that? Alaban...he may have been a grouch every so often, but he was quite likable, and there was no denying the attraction I felt for him. It was definitely something to think about, however, I should probably focus more on the here and now, versus the then. At least, for now. And then I could start planning ahead.

"I guess I'm just going to go with the flow? I don't know, that's something my brother says a lot, and I feel like that's applicable here?" I nibbled at my bottom lip and peeked at the other man. "Why do you ask?"

Alaban's face was turned away from me, and I swear I saw those onyx cheeks darken—though it was definitely hard to see. "Well, ah, I was wondering if you would be alright with staying for a bit? Long enough for me to show you my home, and all? You helped me on this journey and gave me your attention and company, and I feel like it would be unfair if I sent you home as soon as I got home." He then finally looked at me, and yep, there was that shyness swimming around in that gaze.

It warmed me to see him so flustered, and despite myself, I let a small, amused smile lift my lip as I turned my attention to the road ahead of us. "I think that would be fun." From the corner of my eyes, I saw Alaban's form relax, as if he was happy with my answer.

I nearly jolted when Narvi leaned closer against my back, his breath by my ear. "Hungry." He muttered, and obliging the moon dragon, I reached into a side pouch and pulled out some jerky before handing it to him. I turned back towards Alaban. "Anything you're planning on doing once you get there? I mean, obviously you're going to see your sister, but like, is there anyone else?"

"Well," Alaban rubbed the back of his neck, "I'm more than likely going to meet up with Evander and try to get the rest of the story. Or, well, learn what they did in the aftermath, after I was...well, shunted. I...don't really have anyone else to see. My sister is the more outspoken, between the two of us."

"So....no lover, then?"

Alaban gave me a long look, with a raised brow. "Ah, no, no lover. As I said, I was more of the type to keep to himself."

I raised a brow. "I see." I then nibbled at my bottom lip, turning my attention to the path ahead of us. "Was there anyone you had a crush on then? Someone you looked up to?"

Alaban snorted, and I could hear as he put up the map. "We should turn left here, follow the foliage for another hour. And...yes I may or may not have had a crush in my youth."

I turned my horse as per his instructions and looked at him with amusement. "Oh really? And who was the lucky individual that had your attention?"

Alaban raised a brow. "You're quite curious, aren't you?"

I shrugged innocently and gave him my best "I'm but a wee, cute, dumb dude" look, and I could see Narvi glancing between the two of us. "I mean, I'm just striking conversation. But honestly, I'm just...curious."

Alaban seemed to take that answer and nodded a bit to himself. "To be transparent...I...may or may not have, possibly...you know, crushed on Evander in my teen years."

I snapped my fingers and pointed at him. "I knew it! I knew you had to have had a crush on him at some point, I mean, you made him out to be like, this awesome guy, so I figured there were some kind of feeling towards him. So what happened? Did he not like you back? Was it some kind of like, arranged marriage thing? Did he find someone else?"

"No, nothing of that nature. I just figured he deserved more than a quiet hermit who kept to himself," Alaban pursed his lips, then shrugged. "I guess whatever crush I had on him fizzled out over time."

"Well, he's definitely missing out on something great, I'll tell you that much." Alaban stared at me, seemingly at a loss as I smirked and peeked behind me to see what Narvi was up to.

The moon dragon had been silently watching the both of us with inquisitive light blue eyes. "How're you doing back there?"

Narvi blinked and looked at me upon being mentioned, his pale brows raised as he stared at me. "Good," he said simply, leaning further into me as he rested his chin on my shoulder. "Want."

I raised my brow. "What do you want?"

Narvi nuzzled against my shoulder. "Learn. Words."

"Oh, you want to learn the language? What Alaban and I are speaking?"

Narvi nodded his head after a brief moment of...I guess thinking it over? My heart warmed and I nodded my head as well, my gaze meeting Alaban's across the way. "Well, when we have time, I have nothing against spending some time to teach you." I chuckled and glanced back towards Narvi. "You just have to make sure to pay extra attention."

Alaban chuckled at that as well, before his whole demeanor shifted into something more tense—the shift almost as noticeable as a volcano erupting. "We're here."

A/N: Oooooooo shnapp, they've finally arrivedddddd!