Ryrth teleported Tennan to a distant mountain far from the forest. The top, perfectly flat and formed unnaturally for privacy, was covered in ice. The sun high above glimmered on the mirrored surface, creating a perfect reflection.

Tennan made a full circle. “Nice,” he said. “Quiet.”

A smile crept across Ryrth’s face. “I created it.”

A look of both surprise and admiration lit Tennan’s face. “I’m impressed. Do many know of this place?”

“No other. Every dragon has his or her own sanctuary. This is mine. The sky surrounding the mountain is guarded by spells. No one can enter without my knowledge no matter where I am unless I grant him or her permission to do so.”

Tennan raised an eyebrow, and with a smirk said, “So, I have permission?”

Ryrth smiled back. “For now, you do.”

“Permission once given is always granted,” Tennan responded.

Ryrth looked away from the shape-shifter and at his wondrous sanctuary, before replying, “You are well-informed. Yes, once permission is given it is always granted. I can take it away.”

“By killing me?”

Ryrth laughed. “How is it you know this?”

Tennan laughed too, and replied, “I have watched and learned many things from the creatures here.”

“I’m surprised. Too few care to understand dragons.”

Tennan glanced over his shoulder at Ryrth. “I have a desire I seek to fill.”

Ryrth’s body burned as he recalled the desire Tennan had spoken of during the gathering.

“Will you show me your true form?” Tennan asked.

“Does it fascinate you to know what it is like to have sex in dragon form? Are you here to toy with me because I am gay and therefore you think me desperate enough to go along with your requests?”

Tennan stared at Ryrth for a moment, then shrugged.

“Why are you here Tennan? What do you want?”

Tennan looked away before replying, “Creatures here are tied to their culture, yet we have no ties. We are free to exist how we choose, and yet this alone is not what we wish. Throughout our existence, we seek to belong. To find the one culture we can shape to permanently. I’ve tried every culture, including dragon, and yet it is not the culture that fails to hold me but the lack of love.”

Tennan returned his gaze to Ryrth and continued, “I have seen what love can do, what it can achieve, and what it means. I want that, and more. When I said I didn’t want it to be easy, that’s what I meant. It wasn’t my intention to consider this type of relationship, but when the invitation arrived, a new opportunity presented itself. I thought there was no harm in attending the gathering, and here I am.”

“You were once a dragon?” Ryrth asked.

“Briefly, yes. It was many years ago as the companion to one who was near death.”

Ryrth nodded. Dragons left without partners often sought the companionship of younger dragons during their final years. “Do you remember the shape you took?”

“I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours.”

Ryrth smiled. “You first.”

Tennan gave a single nod and closed his eyes. His body shimmered and grew, and within seconds he was a dragon. Lavenders and mauves weaved through his scales. His skin radiated a magnificent hue leaving Ryrth breathless. Never had he seen a dragon with such splendid colours.

Ryrth closed his eyes and transformed into his true form, towering over the shape-shifter. His teal skin glistened in the light, and Tennan bowed before him; a gesture of respect from a less superior dragon.

Ryrth lowered his head and dropped his chin, nudging Tennan to lift his head so they were looking at each other. Tennan moved closer to Ryrth and lowered himself to the ground, rolling over onto his back, taking the submissive roll. Ryrth’s resolve crashed around him and he lunged at Tennan, taking his neck in his mouth and dragging his teeth across the shape-shifter’s skin.

The soft growls coming from Tennan pushed Ryrth over the edge. He continued to lick and claw at every part of Tennan’s beautiful skin, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted to hear the man’s voice. Wanted to touch him and be touched. The thought of taking Tennan in dragon form would be amazing. But the experience was sacred and Ryrth was not yet ready to commit with the shape-shifter in that way. In the eyes of a dragon, such a commitment was for life. Ryrth moved off the sexually charged shape-shifter and returned to his human form.

Tennan stared up at Ryrth, who stood naked before him; then he too shifted. Now lying naked on the ground, panting, Tennan looked at Ryrth with hungry eyes, and Ryrth didn’t need any further invitation. He moved over Tennan and devoured the shape-shifter.

Tennan had always imagined what it would be like rough. He had dreamed of such passion, but never found another to fulfil his fantasies. With every bite, scratch, and forceful action Ryrth inflicted on him, Tennan cried out for more, and it drove Ryrth to be rougher, harder, and more demanding.

When both expelled their strength and lay next to each other on the icy floor, Ryrth pulled Tennan close, and asked, “Will that satisfy your curiosity?”

Tennan was sure Ryrth was giving him a way out. “Not at all. There is more I want.”

Ryrth smiled, leaned forward, and kissed Tennan on the forehead. “If I am the one to show you, I grant you permission to stay here.”

Tennan wrapped his arms tighter around Ryrth, and whispered, “The only one.”