Chapter 32: How?
Layla
Adrik turns to look at Alden. His eyes swirl with curiosity. “You read her the scrolls.”
Alden smirks. “Yes, I did. It is what friends do. Layla is my friend, and she deserves to know the truth, just as she deserves to wield the powers of the black diamond. One day, you will realize how monumental this is. Until then, I plan to enjoy our respite from having to play the deadliest game of Hide and Seek ever.”
Ayden laughs. His brothers glare at him. He shrugs. “What? The snail has jokes.”
Adrik stomps off. Ashton goes to follow him. Ayden gives a soft smile as he smirks before he goes after his brothers. Akon laughs. “Layla, see, I told you that they would come around.”
Alden chuckles. “I know. I heard it all.”
Akon’s eyes widen in shock. “You have been here the whole time. You were the one who stopped Adrik.”
Alden nods. “I would do it again to protect Layla’s virtue. A mate doesn’t treat his mate that way unless she asks him to. Alpha or not, he was out of line.”
“I know. He admitted that it went too far and that he was just trying to scare her. No should mean no. We all know that. His dragon nature got carried away. She is safe here, you both are,” Akon replies.
“And that is how an Alpha is to respond. Your brother has a lot to learn, Akon.” Alden looks at me. “We all do.”
Akon kisses my hand before giving it to Alden. “I need to go sort out my brothers. Until then, go explore, but don’t leave the gates. Also, Layla, I would like to arrange for you to spend a day alone with each of my brothers. Providing I can help them see its benefit.”
I look at Alden. He nods. He was right, Akon is different, and he has a heart. I see some of my father in him. Dad was ruthless to many, but I was his world. Could I become Akon’s world? “Okay, I will see you at dinner. I might skip lunch because breakfast was way too much food.” Akon smiled and nodded before he left.
“My lady, let’s go find some trouble,” Alden muses.
Alden and I wander the grand halls, our footsteps echoing softly against the opulent surroundings. The mansion is a labyrinth of luxury, each room more extravagant than the last, and I can’t help but feel a mix of awe and trepidation. The Eragon Brothers’ wealth and power are on full display, and I’m acutely aware of the delicate position I’m in.
“Imagine having to dust all this,” Alden quips, running his finger along the edge of an antique vase. His amber eyes sparkle with mischief, and I laugh, the sound echoing in the vast space.
“I’d rather not think about it,” I reply, shaking my head. “Though I suppose it’s a small price to pay for living in a place like this.”
“Living?” Alden raises an eyebrow, his tone teasing. “You make it sound like you’re planning to move in.”
Heat creeps up my neck, and I quickly change the subject. “So, how exactly does one handle four lovers? I mean, logistically speaking, it seems like a challenge.”
Alden’s laughter fills the room, warm and infectious. “Oh, my dear Layla, it’s not just a challenge—it’s an art form. One that I’m sure you’ll master with flying colors.”
I roll my eyes but can’t suppress the smile tugging at my lips. “Easy for you to say. You’ve had centuries to perfect your skills.”
“And you, my dear, have the rest of your life to catch up,” he winks, his voice laced with encouragement. “Besides, the Eragon Brothers are not exactly known for their subtlety. I suspect they’ll be more than happy to guide you through the process.”
The thought sends a shiver down my spine, a mix of excitement and nervousness. I’ve never been with anyone before, let alone four powerful dragon shifters. The idea is both thrilling and terrifying. Four cocks, four mouths, four sets of hands… My virgin cunt clenches at the thought, and I bite my lip, trying to hide my reaction.
As we continue our exploration, we stumble upon a grand library, the shelves lined with ancient tomes and leather-bound books. The scent of old paper and dust fills my nostrils, and I feel a sense of comfort in the familiarity of it all.
“This place is incredible,” I murmur, running my fingers along the spine of a particularly old volume. “I could spend hours here.”
“Indeed,” Alden agrees, his eyes scanning the shelves with a nostalgic glint. “Knowledge is power, after all. And the Eragon Brothers certainly know how to collect it.”
We spend the next hour perusing the shelves, discussing various topics ranging from ancient magic to the politics of the dragon shifter world. Alden’s wisdom and insight never cease to amaze me, and I find myself hanging on his every word. His voice is like velvet, smooth and rich, and I feel my mind expanding with each sentence. However, I could feel his energy being drained, so we went back to my room so he could become his snail form again.
I did find a journal when we were looking around. On my way to dinner, I stopped in the study to read. I had Alden in his snail form resting on my boobs so he could read too. I turn to some pages that are written in an odd language. “What is this?” I ask Alden in my mind.
He scoots closer, his eyes scanning the pages. His antennae bend. “It appears to be a journal of some sort,” he says, his voice low. “But the language... I’ve never seen anything like it.”
I feel a thrill of excitement at the discovery. “Do you think the Eragon Brothers know about this?”
Alden’s eyes meet mine, and I see a flicker of uncertainty in their depths. “I’m not sure,” he says slowly. “But I have a feeling this journal might be more important than we realize.”