Chapter Five
Awan kept Colton in front of him as they moved along the edge of the pit. Awan kept the wall on their right side because it protected them. It also had the potential to trap them if they found themselves pinned in a corner, but he’d smell someone coming before they closed in on them.
"So, uh, I couldn't help but notice we're moving away from the fires."
Awan sighed. "Is trust too much to ask for?"
Colton stopped and turned his head. His brow wrinkled. "I trust you. I mean, you saved my life back there."
"Do not stop moving, Anam cara." Awan took a step closer, pressing a hand to the small of Colton's back. Their body heat mingled together, drawing Awan in even closer.
Colton blinked and licked his lips. He leaned into Awan's touch and turned all the way around, not obeying Awan.
"Do you know why I call you Anam cara?" It was best to get the conversation done. Then they could get underway and find the way out.
"Yeah. Turns out Laith...he's my friend. Well, more like family. We own the farm together. Anyway, he's Talli's Anome cara. Wyatt is Kele's, but they didn't get a chance to talk about it before Kele got hurt."
Awan grinned at the way Colton mispronounced the word. "Talli would say Dagda meant for them to sneak through the door." Awan brought his hand to Colton's cheek. "Perhaps he is correct."
Colton's mouth mesmerized him until he forgot about the dangers all around. Those full, pouty lips, slightly parted the way they were, held Awan in their grasp. They bound Awan to Colton until he couldn’t think clearly.
If Dagda were to grant him one wish, it would be that they were back in his bedchambers. He'd secure the bond if they were. "You are mine. Do you understand?"
Colton just nodded. "I know. And I'm fine with it. Lucked the fuck out when it came to soulmates."
"Your meaning escapes me." Awan understood what luck was and he thought perhaps Colton complimented him.
"Just saying you're hot as fuck, that's all."
"We do not speak the same language."
When Colton smiled, there were dimples in his cheeks. "Yeah, we do. You talk as if you're in a historical movie."
"I'm unsure what that is."
Colton chuckled. "When you come back to the farm with me, I'll show you."
Awan understood what Colton said the third time around. "The Upperworld holds nothing for me."
Awan was a warrior, nothing more or less. Finding his Anam Cara didn’t change his fundamental being.
The smile fell from Colton's face, and those dimples left. His lips pursed and his eyes narrowed. "Well, what if I don't want to stay here?"
Awan let Colton go and gripped his shoulders, gently turning him around. "It seems you may not have a choice." Awan moved his hand to the small of Colton's back, putting pressure on him to get them underway once again.
Colton bulked. "Quit pushing me. It's one more way you're trying to control me."
"You missed my meaning." He leaned forward to whisper in Colton's ear. "The way out is hidden, even to me."
"So you didn't mean you're going to make me stay in the Otherworld."
Awan smiled right before he kissed Colton's neck. "I hope to persuade you."
When Colton shivered, Awan immediately pulled back. He took off his cloak and wrapped it around Colton's shoulders. Colton pulled the cloak around himself. "Thank you, but I'm not that cold."
"You acted as if you were when I kissed you."
Colton began moving again. "Yeah, that's because the kiss felt good."
"Would you like another one?"
"Oh my god, I can totally hear the smugness in your voice." If Colton was offended, the chuckle didn't give it away. "And I can't believe you made me laugh. I mean nothing about my Otherworld experience has been pleasant."
"Except the kiss."
Another chuckle. "Arrogant, arrogant man."
"I am not a man, Anam Cara."
"What are you?"
"Sluagh."
Colton stopped and turned around again. His mouth hung open. "Are you serious? Like the thing fucking up our crops."
Awan sighed and shook his head. "We must find shelter before nightfall." He took Colton by the shoulders again and turned him around before patting him on the ass to get him moving. "You can be outraged and walk at the same time."
"Okay. Three things." Colton was proving to be as obstinate as Kele, although Awan had grown used to it over the years. "First, why do you look normal if you're a sluagh?"
Awan expected Colton to keep asking questions. When he didn't, Awan said, "Do you expect me to answer now or when you've asked them all?"
"One question at a time, so now."
"Alright. Perhaps you think normal means I look human. This is my natural form, and I choose this."
"So are you like a ghost or what?"
"A ghost?"
"Ah, spirit. The soul of the dead."
"Not in the way you mean, although I began my renewal from a restless soul. It fed me until I gained enough strength to leave it."
Colton held up his hand. "That sounds...like something I can't even begin to process."
Awan chuckled. "Ask your other questions."
"Well, you said something about not knowing the way out. So how are we gonna find a way?"
Awan didn't know but telling that to Colton may cause him to stop again. "Others have, so we will too."
"That's confident." Colton's endless need for conversation seemed to keep him distracted enough not to notice them moving into a stand of trees.
Colton moved so far into the shadow that Awan had trouble seeing him. His chest hurt when he lost sight of him. Awan shifted his eyes to that of a wolf. Colton came into view in monochrome.
"There is no room for doubt, Colton."
"Yeah, there is. We're both stuck down here. Which is another thing. Why'd you come down?"
"To save you."
"Why?"
"Talli gave you his medallion for protection. If he protects you then so shall I."
"That's sweet."
"I am not sweet, Anam Cara."
"Yes you are if--"
Awan came instantly alert when Colton stopped talking. Considering he never seemed to quiet, that alone would have been enough for Awan to draw his sword. But Colton backed into him.
Awan drew his sword at the same time he wrapped his free arm around Colton's waist. He didn't even bother to see if Colton's sudden fearful behavior held merit.
He saw the white glow of eyes before the rest of the shapeshifter emerged. The dragon shifted into a human.
"You will find no prey here. Best move on before you meet the end of my sword."
The shifter took a step closer. He was tall, as all dragon shifters were, and looked as if he would prove worthy in a fight. While Awan normally welcomed a good battle, he certainly didn't when Colton could get hurt.
"Your presence in the pit travels fast, Second. Have you lost favor with Oberon Dasan?" The dragon shifter's news surprised Awan, although he wouldn't let even that small vulnerability show.
"Why would that matter to you?"
The dragon-shifter drew his blond eyebrows together. "I know the way out."
Awan raised his eyebrows at that. "Everyone who knows the way out has long passed."
"Not everyone, Second."
Colton turned his head to the side and whispered, "Why do they call you that? And why is he naked."
Awan ignored him, which wouldn't serve him well in the long run, but he needed to keep his focus. "And what do I have that you need?"
"The way is barred by magic. Only the Oberon and his Second can lift the spell. I'll show you the way if you release me."
Awan had no way of knowing if the dragon shifter spoke the truth. In all his years as Dasan’s second, he wasn’t aware he had such power. He didn’t even know where the door was and never needed to know. The dragon-shifter could be setting them up for a trap. Even if that wasn't the case, Awan wasn't stupid enough to let someone out of the pit.
"And what if I choose not to take your deal?"
"You will wander in the pit endlessly. I have nothing better to do than to watch. Eventually, your guard will be down, and Runir will take advantage."
"And you? Will you take advantage as well?"
"I have never killed for any reason other than survival." The dragon-shifter grinned and moved closer. Awan held his sword up in warning. The dragon-shifter walked right to it all bold and brave until the tip poked him in the chest. "I mean you and the human no harm, that I vow."
"Your vow means nothing when it comes to the protection of my Anam Cara. If you come any closer, I'll run you through. That is my vow, Dragon." Awan wouldn't take unnecessary chances with Colton’s life. Unfortunately, the dragon shifter may very well be the only being in the pit who knew where the exit was and if so, then they needed him.
"If he’s that important to you, why did you throw him to the beasts?"
"I'm right here." Fortunately, Colton had the wherewithal to mumble the comment. It wouldn't do for him to make an angry comment that would set the dragon shifter off. As even-tempered as he seemed, that may not be the case in certain instances.
Awan worked his fingers past his cloak and under Colton’s shirt, rubbing his thumb across his flat stomach, trying to soothe and warm all at once. Colton leaned against him and sighed.
"An accident." That was the only explanation Awan would give.
The dragon gave him a knowing look. "I heard others say the human was a thief. If that's the case, he and I have something in common. My thieving took place long ago as a lad."
"What did you take?" Colton asked the question as if he were trying to make friends.
Awan cursed. They couldn't afford to trust the dragon.
"I took bread from the baker at the market and fruit from one of the growers. It was not my first time thieving."
"You took food?"
"The Oberon before the current one did nothing for his people. Several starved."
Awan cursed again. By the gods, the dragon was old if he had been here before Dasan took over the realm.
"I took lube." Colton's turned his gaze down and, while Awan couldn't see Colton's face, he imagined the blush.
“Lube?”
“Yeah. You know, the stuff that slicks the way during sex.”
The dragon laughed. The sound bounced around the tall trees like a bullet, echoing to the furthest reaches of the underground.
Awan hissed. "Do not draw attention.”
"Only Runir is stupid enough to attack the only being in the pit who could let him out."
"Stupid is also dangerous."
"Agreed." The dragon seemed smarter than Awan originally thought. The dragon turned his gaze to Colton. "My name is Novak."
"Colton. I'm from the Upperworld. Obviously. Duh."
"I'll show you the way out for no other reason than I admire your choice of items to steal." The dragon lost his smile when you looked at Awan. "For you, the deal still stands."
"Colton will not go anywhere without me. And how do I know you tell the truth. Thief's lie."
"I have no reason to lie to you. I gain nothing by doing so."
He wanted to trust Novak. He may not have a choice anyway. Awan could very well be going in the wrong direction as Novak had said and if that were the case, they would be underground for too long. "You have a deal.”
Awan lowered his sword but kept Colton close.