Chapter 172: Dawn After Desire

Kane’s body tensed as pleasure crested through him, his cry echoing off the marble walls as he shattered in Cyrus’s arms.

The dragon followed moments later, his own release accompanied by a low growl that vibrated through Kane’s back.

They stayed locked together as their breathing slowly returned to normal, the warm water lapping gently around them.

"Better?" Cyrus asked, pressing a soft kiss to Kane’s shoulder.

Kane could only nod, completely boneless against Cyrus’s chest.

Without breaking their connection, Cyrus reached for a plush towel from the heated rack beside the tub.

He wrapped it around Kane’s shoulders before lifting him from the water entirely.

"We’re not done," Cyrus murmured against Kane’s temple as he carried him back toward the bedroom.

Kane’s eyes widened. "Cyrus, I don’t think I can—"

"You can," Cyrus assured him, laying Kane gently on the silk sheets. "And you will."

The dragon’s eyes blazed with an intensity that made Kane’s pulse quicken.

The fear of losing Kane, of not being there when he needed protection, had awakened something primal in Cyrus—a desperate need to claim and reclaim what was his.

Kane saw it in the way Cyrus’s hands trembled slightly as they traced his damp skin, in the barely leashed hunger that darkened his red eyes.

"I almost lost you," Cyrus whispered, his voice breaking slightly. "I can’t—I need—"

Kane reached up, cupping Cyrus’s face between his palms.

"I’m here," he said firmly. "I’m yours."

Something wild and possessive flared in Cyrus’s expression. He captured Kane’s lips in a kiss that was part desperation, part devotion.

Kane responded eagerly, his own need rising to match Cyrus’s intensity.

His nine tails spread across the bed like silver flames, wrapping around them both as Cyrus claimed him again.

They moved together through the darkest hours of the night, their bodies speaking a language older than words.

Every touch was a promise, every kiss a vow that neither would face danger alone again.

When exhaustion finally claimed one of them, the other would take the lead, worshipping with gentle hands and reverent lips until passion reignited between them.

Cyrus traced patterns along Kane’s spine. Kane’s tails curled possessively around Cyrus’s form, silver fur catching the moonlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The first pale fingers of dawn crept through the heavy curtains when they finally stilled, their bodies slick with sweat and completely spent.

Kane’s transformation had burned through most of his energy reserves, while Cyrus’s dragon nature demanded he satisfy the territorial instincts Kane’s endangerment had triggered.

Cyrus gathered Kane against his chest, pulling the silk comforter over their entwined forms.

"Rest," Cyrus murmured, pressing a kiss to Kane’s hair.

Kane’s breathing had already deepened, his body finally accepting the rest it desperately needed.

The dragon egg pulsed gently on its stand nearby, but even that couldn’t keep Kane’s eyes open.

Peace settled over them both as sleep claimed them in each other’s arms.

Hours later, Kane stirred in the cocoon of warmth and safety that was Cyrus’s embrace.

His eyes fluttered open to find Cyrus already awake, red eyes watching him with quiet intensity.

"How long have you been staring at me?" Kane mumbled, his voice rough with sleep.

"Not nearly long enough," Cyrus replied, his arm tightening around Kane’s waist.

Kane became aware of his nine silver tails wrapped securely around Cyrus’s torso and legs, binding them together like living restraints.

He started to pull them back, embarrassed by the possessive display.

"Don’t," Cyrus said softly, catching one of the retreating tails and stroking the silky fur.

"I like it."

Kane’s cheeks flushed. "I didn’t mean to—"

"Your instincts are protecting what’s yours," Cyrus interrupted, his thumb tracing circles on Kane’s bare shoulder.

"Just as mine are."

The dragon’s own arms hadn’t loosened their hold, keeping Kane pressed against his chest where he could feel every breath and heartbeat.

Neither of them was ready to let go, to risk even the smallest separation after coming so close to losing each other forever.

Kane’s gaze drifted to the windows, where bright afternoon sunlight streamed through the gaps in the heavy curtains.

The quality of light looked far too intense for morning.

"What time is it?" Kane asked, suddenly aware they’d been in bed much longer than usual.

Cyrus followed Kane’s line of sight to the windows but showed no signs of concern.

"Past noon, I’d imagine."

Kane shifted in Cyrus’s arms, his nine tails loosening their possessive grip slightly.

"Shouldn’t you be at Veyr Corp? Don’t you have meetings or—"

"I sent word that I’d be unavailable." Cyrus interrupted, his arms tightening to prevent Kane from pulling away entirely.

Kane’s body relaxed against Cyrus’s chest, finding comfort in the dragon’s possessive warmth.

What Cyrus did made perfect sense—after everything they’d endured, neither of them should rush back into the world’s demands.

"You’re right," Kane murmured, letting his eyes drift closed again. "We both need this."

His nine tails settled more comfortably around Cyrus’s form, silver fur gleaming in the sunlight.

The dragon’s steady heartbeat beneath his ear was better than any lullaby.

Kane was just beginning to sink back into peaceful drowsiness when his eyes snapped open.

"Rina."

The name escaped his lips like a gunshot.

Cyrus’s arms tightened instinctively. "What?"

"Rina!" Kane bolted upright, his tails whipping away from Cyrus’s body. "The Singing Shard essence—we have it now. We can help her!"

Before Cyrus could react, Kane launched himself from the bed with supernatural speed, his enhanced reflexes carrying him across the room in a blur of silver.

"Kane, wait—"

But Kane was already moving. Every moment they delayed was another moment closer to her complete dissolution.

His bare feet hit the marble floor as he spun toward the dresser where he’d seen Cyrus place the vial.

One of his nine tails swept wide in his urgency, striking the nightstand where the dragon egg rested on its protective ward circles.

The stand wobbled dangerously.

"The warded stand screeched across the marble, the obsidian shell rocking as if it resisted gravity itself before tipping toward the floor.

The obsidian egg teetered on its edge, ancient magic flickering around its surface as it began to fall toward the unforgiving marble floor.

"No!"