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This was nothing like that, as soft crystal clinked and what had to be a potion or poultice bubbled free.

Asha tensed and waited for a sting that never came, a jute scrubber, anything besides the soft, cool, damp cloth that Jeron placed over his stinging back, instantly ebbing the pain, replacing it with a fierce itch that made him shiver.

“Once they close, I’ll give you a scratch. No worries.” Jeron hummed politely and daubed at Asha’s tingling and itching back.

Asha hissed, twisting as his skin crawled, and a nervous shuffle of feet had Jeron turning his head.

“My liege—” Jeron started, but Asha glanced over in time to see Rath’s expression, his eyes so focused and intent, unreadable.

“Sorry!” Asha turned and ducked into the water, hiding his back and averting his eyes. Anything to keep that intense stare from him. Was he disgusted? Was he angry? Asha never promised him he was anything but himself.

“Prince Asha, you do not apologize. Your king should for intruding.” Jeron frowned and put his hands on his hips until Rath’s stare mellowed and he slipped out.

“He doesn’t punish you for that?” Asha stared up at Jeron.

“No. Our king is wise, but young in the years of dragons. He’s not yet met a full century, so he can be a little thoughtless at times and needs a reminder.

A leader that is feared is not a leader that is respected.

We respect him enough to say our minds to his face, not behind his back.

” Jeron reached to tug Asha back up to the side of the pool to daub at the itching wounds.

“Now hold still.” A few more dabs made Asha hiss, and Jeron gave in, bringing his fingers back to scratch the skin gently.

“My father owns one of the best bathhouses in the capital, so I have all the best training and access to the highest quality soaps and oils.” Jeron sat up and drew Asha’s hair back and let his fingers trail through.

“And you’ve been scrubbing in wood ash soap.

” He tsked lightly and Asha melted under the gentle touch.

“If your father is that important, why are you here scrubbing my back?” Asha glanced over his pale shoulder and caught Jeron’s amused smile.

“Because I’m the third son. I don’t inherit anything. I do not care for women, so I won’t carry on my family name, so it was the best decision. My family was proud of me when our king chose me for service.”

“Yeah…” Asha stared down at the water, comparing his own reflection to Jeron’s soft features, so petite and sweet, soft in all the ways Asha had hard edges. “Are you… mad that Rath found me?”

Jeron paused for a moment, and there was a hesitation in his touch.

“Hmm. That’s a loaded question. My duty to Rath was temporary.

I’d serve for three years and be given money to start my own venture or seek a trade.

Rath is a wonderful lover and would have paid my contract in full regardless, and he was a very attentive lover, but I am merely something to placate the beast. You will tame him.

” Jeron chuckled. “Besides, I think I love serving the royal family more than anything else. And between you and me…” Jeron leaned down and whispered.

“Our king is a bit too large for my taste.”

Jeron chuckled and Asha swallowed hard. He remembered how it had felt, pressed up against him on their ride, so thick and heated. He ached to feel it inside him, reaching into his depths, far more than a finger could.

“I’ve… I’ve never bedded anyone before.” Asha’s breath faltered as he whispered back, his cheeks hot.

“Oh. My word. Do you want to fill or be filled, my prince?” Jeron chuckled, and Asha whimpered, unsure of what to say.

“D-don’t… I don’t know I— It’s not proper.”

“Says who? Your shit god? Balthier in your nation, right? I didn’t think he forbade the love within genders.” Jeron puzzled as he poured something sweet and floral into Asha’s hair and scrubbed gently, sending comforting sensations through Asha’s tightly strung body.

“Says the law. A man is not to engage with another man as the dragons would. It is unseemly and an affront to the king.” Asha had oft recited that phrase and when it came from his lips, it lost all meaning. His king was Rath, now.

“Figures. Leave it to Ramolians and Monsmountians to start passing laws against existing. What’s wrong with loving a male?” Jeron continued his gentle scrubbing.

“It’s simply not done. It’s not natural—they can’t have children—” Asha paused, because that wasn’t true, was it? Rath had said.

“Because if two humans mate, they can’t make more babies to grow up into strong men to fight their silly wars.

Hah. And fates willing, you two will bear a few children.

Oh, they’re going to be so cute!” Jeron splashed his feet in the water excitedly before dumping a pail over Asha’s head, letting the ruddy water spill free.

“Rath said, umm… An egg?” Asha’s cheeks burned fiercely.

“One of you. Both of you? You never can tell with Ashen male couplings.” Jeron shrugged.

“I can’t imagine Rath heavy with child.” Asha laughed, and Jeron snickered.

“Oh, half the staff and both his brothers would pay dearly to see that. He’s such a dominant male.” Jeron giggled and worked a rich lather over a rag and ran it over Asha’s neck and shoulders, raising his arms. “Hmm…”

“Something wrong?” Asha glanced over. “I know I have a lot of scars.”

“What scars?” Jeron blinked as Asha turned and frowned up at him before covering his groin and letting Jeron scrub at his chest.

“The ones on my back.” Asha didn’t move his hands.

“There’s no scars back there.” Jeron frowned.

“I think he means his Ashen mark,” Rath supplied helpfully from the other room.

“One would think you a king and not an eavesdropper, sir.” Jeron frowned. “Be away with you.”

“It’s my castle!”

“And it’s your mate’s room. Now please. Let me soothe him while you ready yourself for dinner. You’re in those stiff traveling clothes, and one might hope you’d like to enjoy a little fire rum and the hearth after. Does that sound nice, my prince?” Jeron prodded Asha.

“I’m not sure.” Asha glanced about and Jeron smiled sweetly.

“After a nap and dinner, you think you might like to lay before the fire and bask in the warmth with a little fire rum to help you relax?” Jeron prodded him and Asha nodded.

“And would you mind if Sir were to join you for some pleasant conversation? Dinner may be fraught with family wanting to meet you.”

Asha nodded again. “Th-that sounds lovely.”

“Wonderful.” Jeron clapped. “Now shoo. Go get yourself presentable for your mate.” Jeron made a shooing gesture at the door, and Rath’s hesitant footsteps petered away, taking a strange prickle in the air that Asha hadn’t noticed, with it.

“I don’t want to make him mad.” Asha gasped as Jeron plucked at his chest hair a bit. “Hey! I only just grew those!”

“And you’re only just going to lose them! Look how soft and pretty you are. I’ll have them sugared off in no time flat and you’ll be so smooth.”

“Sugared?” Asha’s eyes went wide, and Jeron grinned wickedly.

“Oh yes. It’s boiled sugar, and we lay it on you warm and rip it off with cloth to pull all the hair away!”

Asha clenched at the thought, but Jeron seemed very insistent and he’d been very nice… “While you do the sugar thing… Can you tell me what this Ashen mark thing is?”

Jeron’s grin turned wicked. “Absolutely. Come. Let’s finish you up and ready you for a nap.”