The afternoon light annoyed him.
It was too warm, too soft, too gentle—too perfect for someone like Lox. Ester stood just inside the doorway of his brother’s balcony, half-shrouded in shadow, watching Lox lean over the railing with that dreamy, lovestruck expression painting his face.
Lox always did look like something out of a storybook. Silvery hair dancing, horn glowing faintly, teacup floating beside him like a loyal companion. He radiated ease, warmth, and that infuriating gentle charm everyone adored.
Ester’s eye twitched.
Disgusting.
Lox sighed dramatically, melting into his palms like some swooning maiden. And then Ester heard it—the voice he hated most.
— “…Isn’t he just the cutest thing?”
Ester’s lip curled before he could stop it.
Of course. Of course this was about him. The dragon.
He stepped forward silently, crossing his arms as he let his voice cut through the room like a blade.
— “You’re an idiot.”
Ester felt his jaw tighten.
— “Still mooning over that dragon mutt,”
he added, letting the venom drip.
— “Honestly, you need to grow up.”
He didn’t wait for Lox’s reply. He turned sharply as he exited Lox’s room with a flourish of irritation.
The moment the door clicked shut behind him, the irritation dissolved—replaced with something far uglier. Something hot and twisting in his chest.
Jealousy.
Burning, pulsing jealousy.
Lox had it all.
He was the heir. The chosen twin. The future head of their noble house. __ The one everyone looked at with admiration instead of suspicion.
And now—
as if fate thought it funny— Lox had a lover.
A stupid, starry-eyed dragon who gazed at him like he hung the moon.
Ester clenched his teeth so hard he nearly felt a crack.
He had considered telling their parents. Many times. The scandal alone would shake the palace walls. A noble heir in love with a dragon? Forbidden. Shameful. Potentially dangerous.
But every time he almost did it… it never felt satisfying enough. It was too small. Too petty. Too easy.
No. Lox didn’t deserve mere punishment.
He deserved to lose something precious. To feel even a sliver of what Ester felt every day of his life.
And suddenly like a spark in the dark— __ an idea bloomed.
A terrible, clever, deliciously cruel idea.
If Lox treasured that dragon so much…
Then Ester would take him.
Not through force—no, that would be barbaric.
He would take him the way a shadow takes light.
Quietly. Slowly. Seductively.
Dragons loved gems—everyone knew that. They devoured them like candy, hoarded them like lifeblood. And Ester had access to the treasury. Sapphires, diamonds, rubies, opals.
A slow grin curled across Ester’s lips.
Perfect.
He knew all the secret little corners where Lox and the dragon met in the palace.
He scattered gems along the path with meticulous precision. A glittering breadcrumb trail of temptation.
One only a dragon would follow.
The last gemstone—a polished ruby the size of a thumb—was placed right outside his personal chamber doors.
And now… He simply had to wait.
Ester stepped inside his room and shut the door. The room was dark, intentionally so. He raised a single hand, fingers flicking elegantly.
Every candle in the chamber ignited at once.
Warm, seductive light filled the room—highlighting every contour of Ester’s refined face, every curl of dark hair, every ruby glinting on his jewelry. He was waiting for that beast.
He crossed to the bed with slow, graceful steps, settling himself on the edge. He angled his chin slightly, letting the candlelight catch the sharp line of his jaw. He parted his lips just enough to look inviting but not desperate.
After all—he was still a noble.
Let the dragon come to him.
Ester’s heart thumped softly in his chest, and a wicked smile unfurled across his lips.
Lox doesn’t deserve anything.