Elf Defence (Adventures in Aguillon #2) - Lisa Henry Page 0,30
dragon hatchlings than any other collector in the entire kingdom. Why are you looking for more?”
Dave stared at the ground and dragged his massive toe through the dirt. “Oh, I jus’ like ’em. And, um, so does Simon. So I wanted to get him one. As a present.”
“Wait,” Calarian said, butting in just when things were getting interesting. “How did you hear about the monster? We only found out the other day!”
“My mum wrote me a letter,” Dave said. He reached into his pocket and unfolded a piece of grubby paper that appeared to be mostly stick figures. “See? She’s got mountain trolls on her dad’s side.”
“Yeah, who cares about that,” Benji said, elbowing Calarian out of the way. “Who’s Simon and why does he make you turn purple?”
Dave deepened the furrow on the ground with his toe. “He’s jus’ a friend. He likes dragons too.”
“That’s not important right now. What do you mean the monster doesn’t sound like a dragon? Have you found it?” Calarian said, elbowing Benji right back like the pushy little git that he was.
“I have questions!” Benji exclaimed. “Is Simon a human? Is he into you as well? How’s that going to work? The size difference alone is–”
“Benji!” Calarian yelled, and tried to clap a hand over Benji’s mouth.
Benji bit him, and the next thing he knew they were rolling in the dust, wrestling. Why did Calarian always have to spoil Benji’s fun? Dave had a Simon, and that was far more interesting than some stupid monster!
Over the sound of their scuffling, Benji heard Lars say, “Hello, I’m Lars. I’m the Duke of Tournel. Would you like to share some cheese while my two advisors fight this out?”
“Can Pie have some too?” Dave asked.
“Of course! Who’s Pie?” Lars asked.
“Pie’s my dragon.” Dave whistled and Benji saw Pie glide over and alight on Dave’s shoulder.
“He’s so pretty! Is he venomous?” Lars asked.
“Yes!” Dave said, obviously delighted.
Benji was distracted for just long enough that Calarian was able to pin him to the ground, arm twisted up his back. Normally when they did this, their dicks were out. This way, Benji reflected, was a lot less fun.
“Behave, Ebenjilarian Willowtree!” Calarian hissed, “We have more important things to worry about than Dave and Simon!”
“Don’t you use my full name on me! You’re not my mum, Calarian Du—” Benji yelped mid-sentence when Calarian slapped his arse sharply. Again, not as much fun as it usually was. “Dick,” he muttered.
Calarian sat back where he was straddled across Benji’s hips. “There’s a monster to deal with, Benji!”
“That’s what I want to know about,” Benji argued. “Dave’s monster. How do they manage—”
Calarian twisted his ear, right on the pointy bit where it really stung, so Benji knew that meant Calarian really must be serious.
“Fine,” Benji muttered, “but I still have questions. So many questions.”
Calarian released his arm and climbed off his back, helping him up. Benji turned to find Lars cooing at Pie and feeding him a crumbled bit of cheese while Dave beamed widely, tooth-tusks gleaming.
Benji dusted himself off. “So, tell us about the monster, and then tell us about Simon and your monster dick.” Calarian nudged him sharply and he amended, “About Simon, anyway.”
Dave said, “The monster’s in the caves a few miles from here. I heard it. It was awful. Even Pie was afraid.” He scritched under Pie’s chin and refused to meet Benji’s eye.
It didn’t escape Benji’s notice that Dave avoided any mention of the mysterious Simon. He’d just have to pin Dave down and question him later. He didn’t believe the ‘just a friend’ line for a minute.
For now, he made grabby hands at Lars and his rucksack. “If I’m going to die at the hands of a monster, at least let me have breakfast first so I can die with a stomach full of gingerbread. It’s how I would have wanted to go.”
“Nobody’s going to die,” Calarian said, and then tilted his head and shrugged. “Probably.”
Benji rolled his eyes. “Probably? That’s really reassuring, thanks for that. Now give me the gingerbread.”
Lars unpacked his bag and spread the food on the rug, and as they ate Benji contemplated whether it would be possible to drag Calarian behind the nearby copse of trees for one last fuck, whether it would be forward of him to ask Lars to join in, and whether Dave would mind waiting around till they were done. The thought that they had Dave’s muscle at their disposal cheered him up slightly, so he was most