CHAPTER 32: DRAGONS AND DOUBLE PAY

Yep. Definitely not looking good.

Because after Riley Hale’s best nap in what felt like centuries, he woke up to Kael’s version of revenge.

Not the fire-and-brimstone kind. No, nothing that dramatic. Not anymore.

It was the quiet kind. The kind that arrived with paperwork and unspoken threats.

After all, with someone who has knocked on death’s door like an insufferable salesman, there are only a few things that actually scare him.

The cancellation of a day off. And a pay cut.

Although, caring about a pay cut was a new fear. One that developed after realizing he might actually have a future to save for. That is, if he ever managed to escape employment with a certain golden dragon.

So when Kael asked him to look after Orien Vathros, Riley was ready to decline.

But then came the lovely part.

Say no, and he would get sanctioned. Say yes, and he would get a bonus.

Honestly, if that golden lizard had led with the bonus, Riley would have signed up faster than when he bought his insurance policy.

Because really, who in their right mind would turn down double pay?

Oh, right. Maybe someone who had experience handling dragon teenagers. Because Orien, while technically older than Riley in years, was still a youngling by their standards. And by Riley’s standards, he was a full-time headache that required the patience of a saint and maybe three lives.

In fact, after meeting Orien like that, Riley had a theory.

Maybe the reason dragons kept their young isolated until the age of one hundred wasn’t to protect the outside world. Maybe it was to protect the young dragons from being yeeted into the sun by their exhausted caretakers.

If only assassins could take on dragons.

Fun fact: they couldn’t.

He had checked. Thoroughly. During a weeklong spiral of rage and research.

How depressing, right?

There had been a time (like a lot) when he debated getting rid of his boss and becoming the most wanted criminal, or just disappearing into the void.

But clearly and thankfully, he didn’t push through with any of those.

However, it also meant he’d end up with such a situation where he was stuck.

Stuck with another dragon who clearly wasn’t fond of him.

Their interactions before the visit to Kael’s parents had already been a disaster. Orien was basically a mini Kael, if Kael had more emotional outbursts and fewer hours of brooding silence.

The location didn’t help either. Kael’s private wing housed what was practically a sealed pocket dimension. A hidden space within the Ministry meant only for Kael’s use, typically when he wanted to disappear. It was reinforced, private, and huge enough for a full dragon form.

And yet for some reason, Orien hated it.

Which confused Riley. Kael had never complained about the space. But somehow, the baby dragon had found fault with every inch of it.

When Orien had first arrived, Riley had tried to be polite. He gave the kid time to settle in. He was patient.

But that patience did not survive the tantrums. Or the half-hearted fireballs.

So now, here they were. Again. But this time, Riley decided to switch tactics.

"I want to leave," Orien said, voice shaking the room for the sixth time that hour.

"You can’t," Riley replied, already exhausted.

"This is imprisonment."

"It’s protection. There is a difference."

"You humans don’t understand," Orien muttered. "Dragons are not meant to be caged."

Riley stared at the glittering waterfall in the corner of the room. "Since when did this place look like a cage to you? It has a freaking waterfall. A waterfall."

"And for a species that isn’t allowed to leave the nest until they hit one hundred, I don’t think you get to play the freedom card."

Orien turned and glared. His scales shimmered, and his golden eyes narrowed.

"And I work for your uncle," Riley added, his voice completely dry. "You think you’re the first dragon I’ve had to deal with who has control issues?"

Orien recoiled like he had been slapped. "You dare compare me to Uncle Kael?"

"Only in temperament," Riley said, sipping his tea. "He is grumpier. But surprisingly, more polite."

There was a pause.

Then Riley added in a whisper, "Marginally."

Unlike Kael, Orien actually responded when annoyed. Loudly. With commentary. And growling. Which was a far cry from how the pipsqueak barely said anything when they first met. Maybe he shouldn’t have encouraged him to speak.

Because now he was stuck with this.

At least Kael had the decency to quietly plot murder in silence.

This one had flair.

And Riley already missed the quiet.

"Why are you still here?"

"Because you’re not eating. You’re not talking when you actually need to. And you’re not helping. Which, by the way, makes you look suspiciously like someone trying to break quarantine."

"I don’t have a disease."

"No, you don’t. You just have anger issues."

Orien scowled. "No. You’re annoying. Which is slightly more tolerable, but still a concern."

Riley looked entirely unbothered. "You know, you sound just like my younger brother when he gets hangry."

That earned him a sharp glare.

Riley grinned. "There it is. That majestic pout. You should bottle that and sell it. I can already see the marketing. Limited edition: Royal Sulk."

"You’re impossible."

"And you’re running out of time. Your birthday’s coming up, my lord. People will notice you’re missing."

Orien sat up straighter. "Then tell them."

"And ruin all the plans? I think you know better. If nothing comes out of this and they find out where you are, you’ll be dragged back."

"So?"

"You say that like it means nothing. But you know what could happen if you’re discovered. Do you really think the one behind this will let you walk away?"

Orien’s eyes darkened. That familiar flicker of fury returned—the kind of seething indignation only dragons could wear with such ease. And honestly, Riley couldn’t blame him. He had crossed a line by bringing up death, however indirectly. For dragons, who were rumored to be immortal, even suggesting the possibility of mortality was like questioning their very existence.

Because really, who had the guts to outright ask if they were truly immortal or just amortals?

Still, if Riley were a dragon, he’d probably claim full-blown immortality too. Better to be seen as untouchable than to invite more enemies by sounding remotely vulnerable.

So the aide, who knew better than to ask to confirm their theories during his history classes, decided to change the topic.

"I know you don’t like it here. And really, I get it. Sending food to someone who doesn’t need it is kind of pointless. But I’m not here to babysit your appetite. I’m just trying to make your stay more tolerable."

"Think of it as a very private, very boring vacation."

Orien muttered, "What’s the point. Everything’s the same. I should’ve just gone back to the nest."

That made Riley pause. His brows lifted slightly.

"Alright. Then tomorrow, wait for me."

Orien gave him a wary look.

"I’m not promising anything amazing. I’m not even sure you’ll like it. But if you want to see what the world looks like out here, even just a little, then let me see what I can do."