Chapter 35: Definitely Not In My Job Description

Kane’s eyes snapped open. The words were soft, barely audible above the rainfall, but unmistakable.

"What did you say?" Kane whispered, turning toward Cyrus.

He found himself face-to-face with the dragon, mere inches separating them.

In the dim light filtering through the curtains, Kane could make out Cyrus’s features—his brow furrowed, lips slightly parted.

He’d never seen Cyrus like this, so vulnerable and unguarded.

Cyrus’s restlessness intensified. His shoulders tensed, fingers clutching at the sheets.

A low rumble escaped his throat as he shifted again, one arm flinging outward and nearly striking Kane.

Kane hesitated, unsure if he should wake him. He inched back toward the edge of the bed, giving the dragon more space.

The queen mattress, barely adequate for two grown men, creaked under their combined weight.

Thunder boomed outside, rattling the thin motel windows, and Cyrus flinched in his sleep.

It’s probably just the storm, Kane thought, watching lightning flash across Cyrus’s troubled features.

Or maybe dragons aren’t used to sharing beds with foxes.

The thought almost made him smile, despite the circumstances.

The mighty Cyrus Veyr Drakhal, CEO and last black dragon, crammed into a cheap motel bed while a thunderstorm raged outside.

Kane considered moving to the floor—the carpet looked questionable, but at least Cyrus might sleep better with the whole bed to himself.

Just as he pushed himself up, a strong arm shot out and wrapped around his waist.

Before Kane could react, Cyrus pulled him back onto the mattress with surprising strength.

Kane tumbled backward, landing against Cyrus’s chest.

"Cyrus?" Kane whispered, twisting to look at the dragon’s face.

No response. Cyrus remained deeply asleep, his breathing even despite the iron grip he maintained around Kane.

Kane attempted to pry himself free, but Cyrus only tightened his hold, drawing Kane closer until the fox’s back was flush against his chest.

Cyrus tucked his chin over Kane’s head, one arm wrapped securely around him while the other curled beneath them both.

Kane found himself effectively trapped, cradled against Cyrus like a child’s treasured stuffed animal.

The dragon’s warmth seeped into his bones, easing the lingering ache from their temple battle.

Kane sighed, resigning himself to his fate.

"Great. The mighty dragon cuddles in his sleep."

Despite his predicament, Kane found himself relaxing into Cyrus’s embrace.

Outside, the storm intensified, rain hammering against the window like tiny fists.

"Mmm," Cyrus murmured, his breath warm against Kane’s ear.

Kane tensed, wondering if Cyrus had awakened, but the dragon merely adjusted his hold, one hand splaying possessively across Kane’s stomach.

This is definitely not in my job description, Kane thought, yet made no further attempt to escape.

The karmic bond between them hummed contentedly, as if pleased by their proximity.

Suddenly, a loud thunder crashed directly overhead, and Kane flinched involuntarily.

"It’s just a storm," Cyrus whispered, his voice thick with sleep.

Kane froze. "You’re awake?"

No response came except the steady rhythm of Cyrus’s breathing against his back.

Kane sighed, uncertain whether Cyrus had spoken consciously or merely responded to his movement in sleep.

Either way, wrapped in the dragon’s protective embrace, Kane found himself drifting back toward slumber, lulled by the rain and Cyrus’s steady heartbeat.

Morning light filtered through the threadbare curtains as Kane stirred. His hand reached across the mattress, finding only rumpled sheets where Cyrus should have been.

He blinked away sleep, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings, before remembering the motel, the storm, and—

The bathroom door clicked open. Cyrus emerged in a cloud of steam. His hair was damp but perfectly combed, and his face was freshly shaved.

"Morning," Kane mumbled, pushing himself upright.

The cheap mattress creaked beneath him as memories of last night’s unexpected cuddle session flooded back.

Had Cyrus been aware of how he’d pulled Kane against his chest? How they’d spent hours tangled together while the storm raged?

"Did you sleep well?" Kane asked, watching Cyrus’s face carefully for any hint of acknowledgment.

Cyrus busied himself with his watch, not meeting Kane’s eyes. "I slept fine."

"Really? Because I seem to remember—"

"You kicked me off the bed," Cyrus interrupted, his voice flat. "Twice."

Kane’s mouth fell open. "I what?"

"You’re surprisingly violent in your sleep." Cyrus adjusted his cuffs with meticulous precision. "I spent half the night avoiding your flailing limbs."

"That’s not—" Kane started, then caught himself.

The tight set of Cyrus’s jaw told him everything he needed to know. The dragon was lying, deliberately rewriting what had happened between them.

"Sorry about that," Kane said instead, playing along. "Fox spirits are notoriously restless sleepers."

Something like relief flickered across Cyrus’s face before his usual mask slid back into place.

"We should leave soon," Cyrus said, glancing at his phone. "The roads should be clear now."

Kane nodded, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Right. Back to the real world."

Kane stuffed his rumpled clothes into the backpack, zipping it with unnecessary force.

He could feel Cyrus watching him from across the small room.

"I’ll grab us coffee while you check out," Kane said, desperate to escape the awkward tension that had settled between them.

Cyrus nodded, gathering their few belongings. "Fine. Black for me."

The motel lobby was quiet except for the elderly owner’s radio broadcasting a weather report.

Kane slipped past, heading for the attached diner where the same waitress from last night was refilling salt shakers.

"Two coffees to go," Kane said, flashing a smile.

While waiting, he watched through the window as Cyrus approached the front desk. The dragon stood with perfect posture, sliding the room key across the counter.

The waitress handed Kane two steaming cups. "You boys are heading out?"

"Yeah, back to the city," Kane replied, accepting the coffees. "Got work waiting."

The waitress nodded sympathetically. "Shame about your trip getting rained out."

Kane’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Balancing the coffee cups, he awkwardly fished it out to find a text from Mochi.

Found something BIG about the chalice! Meet me at my shop ASAP. P.S. Tell Scaley Daddy I said hiiiiii ??