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Wriothesley stared out through the glass into the sea beyond. It was quiet there in Meropide’s reception area—so quiet he could practically hear the beating of his own heart, accompanied by the gentle lap of water against the edge of the walkway.
Only minutes ago, one of his guards had burst into his office, nearly hysterical with fear, wildly explaining to him that they’d spotted a monster in the depths outside the Fortress.
It was no monster. That, Wriothesley knew.
He’d snapped at the guard to go back to work. Assured him he’d take care of it. Told him to inform the others, and that no one was to enter this chamber until he emerged.
Now alone, staring out into the sea, he knew what he needed to do.
Neuvillette?
Wriothesley tried to reach out, seeking his mate’s presence through their bond. It was more difficult when Neuvillette was in dragon form, his emotions often wild and difficult to grasp, his location even moreso, but if the guard had seen him recently, he must be close.
Neuvillette, please.
Wriothesley let out a slow breath, trying to focus, trying to find him.
Then, he felt it. A flicker at the edges of his mind, a frustration building upon itself until it became a near-blinding sadness and rage.
That sensation neared as he called, and then he saw it; a dark shape in the water, long tail thrashing, body undulating as it passed. It tore through the waves, fish and sea creatures darting away to let it through.
As the dragon neared, swimming circles around the Fortress, Neuvillette’s massive size only grew more apparent, until he became a shadow large enough to block the light of the sun, white scales catching the bright blue glow of long branching rhinophores and fluttering wings.
He stopped before the glass, one great violet eye peering down at Wriothesley, his angular head sliding up along the window, fangs bared.
Neuvillette was incredibly beautiful like this. His long body rippled with scale and muscle, the power emanating from him unmistakable. It took Wriothesley’s breath away, his heart caught in his throat.
“Sweetheart,” he whispered, pressing one hand to the glass where Neuvillette's cheek brushed the other side. “What happened that’s got you so worked up, hmm? It must be raining buckets on the surface with you in this kind of mood. The trial was really that bad, huh?”
A low growl emanated through the waters, so loud it vibrated the glass beneath his palm. Then Neuvillette snorted and sighed, his body noticeably relaxing as he nudged his nose against Wriothesley’s palm from the other side.
“It’s okay,” Wriothesley muttered. “They’ll bring that guy down here soon, I’m sure. You know how things are here—he’ll get what he deserves.”
Wriothesley...
Through the bond, as close as they were, he could see it, then. Flashes of the trial, of Neuvillette’s building anger and frustration. A long, tumultuous day. Too many people arguing before him, back and forth almost endlessly. And the defendant...a man who had been trafficking children.
Wriothesley let out a slow, shaky breath as Neuvillette’s thoughts shifted to a very different young man from a different trial, long ago.
“It’s okay,” he whispered, both hands pressed to the glass as Neuvillette bumped up against it, the fierce glow of rhinophores and wings slowly receding. “Sweetheart...you don’t need to get so angry on my behalf. It’s really okay.”
Another low growl emanated through the glass and Wriothesley almost laughed at the intensity of it.
“I know, I know. But I’m right here. Baby, I’m right here.”
Another growl, but softer this time.
“Why don’t you come inside?” Wriothesley cooed, leaning in until his forehead was pressed to the window, too, so close he could imagine the warmth of those scales against his skin. “Have some tea with me and tell me all about it.”
Neuvillette’s growl was hesitant, but thoughtful. Then the growl turned into something like a purr, and Wriothesley smiled.
A soft, leathery nose nuzzled the glass and Neuvillette turned his great head, rubbing his scaly cheek against the place where Wriothesley rested his hands. His neck followed, then his shoulder, rubbing up against him like a great cat before tearing off through the waves.
The sensation through the bond was calmer now, at least. And with it came an unmistakable message. I will be there soon.
Pulling away from the glass, Wriothesley let out a little laugh and shook his head. Some days, he didn’t know what to do with his sweet, gentle mate. But as Neuvillette would have done for him, he would gladly tend to him in his need.
It wasn't long before Neuvillette arrived, dressed perfectly in his court robes and remarkably dry, but as he leaned on his cane, there was still a slight air of melancholy around him.
Neuvillette softened as his sharp gaze settled on Wriothesley, though, and fell easily into his arms, face buried against the wraps that covered his neck to breathe in his scent.
Wriothesley gently led him back to his office to speak of the trial in low voices until Neuvillette at last let out a slow even breath, sipping the tea Wriothesley had provided him and said, “It’s all right. Thank you for your intervention. I apologize for swimming so close to the Fortress and causing unnecessary alarm. I merely wished to...”
His rhinophores twitched as he seemed to struggle with his words. Wriothesley reached for his hand.
“You wanted to see me.”
Neuvillette's long gloved fingers wrapped around his own, and he nodded. “Yes.”
“It's all right,” Wriothesley promised. “No harm was done in the end. I'll just have to tell the guards I fought off yet another terrible sea beast.” He grinned and Neuvillette let out a slight, wheezy laugh and lifted Wriothesley’s fingers to his lips to nuzzle them.
“My mate. I can always rely on you.”
“Always.” Wriothesley drew him into one kiss and then another, sweet and deep, until his own lips tasted just as much of the sea as Neuvillette's.