by Aidy Award
He'd ignored its glow before. Deep down he'd never believed he would ever find true love. Red dragons carried a black mark on their souls that the rest of the dragon wyrs knew nothing about. The only others that could ever understand were the Demon Dragons. Which was probably why most Red Dragons avoided them. They saw too much of their own shadow selves in the faces of their half-brothers from hell.
It drove the Reds to defend the world against the darkness. Because they understood what it was, what it meant. With that mark marring them, the Red Dragons would be the ones to truly recognize the darkness of the Black Dragon.
A Red Dragon was destined to defeat the Black Dragon. They all knew it, but not one of them knew which dragon would have to sacrifice himself for the cause.
The golden necklace around Jules's throat matched the light coming from Dax's soul shard with its own powerful beams like sunshine. The light mingled and danced together all around them. His beautiful, smart, fierce mate. "How can this be? You're the one. My mate."
"Noooo." A woman's voice that Dax would recognize anywhere forever more screamed. "You are mine."
He shoved Jules behind him and prepared to defend her against the vile evil who wanted a piece of him. "You have no claim on me, ."
The succubus queen stepped out from behind the Gold Dragon who lay on the ground injured, but not unconscious. She wore a long red dress more fitting a royal ball than a battlefield. Aha. The woman in red.
The Gold Dragon's eye followed her, but it did not move. She still had it under her control. "No? We'll see about that, my red lover."
Jules peeked her head out from behind him and that's when made her move. The force of her lust poured out of her in waves that made the Gold Dragon roar and sent Dax to his knees. The light from his shard dimmed and pulled back into the pendant.
"You cannot trick me with your false emotions, succubus. This shard, my soul, my heart already belongs to another." He knew it. But did Jules? She was attracted to him. He recognized the scent of sexual attraction at least. He hadn't been the best protector for her and he'd beg her forgiveness for that every day if he could. If the two of them survived this battle, he would mark her, claim her, and beg her to be his mate.
"I don't see your mark on anyone. If you had a mate, I would not be able to have this effect on you. Why don't you come over here and mark me, give me that soul shard? You know you want to."
Dax gritted his teeth and held every muscle in his body still, resisting her pull. He couldn't help his body's response, including the tightening in his pants, but he would not give in to her. Not when he'd only just found Jules. There was no way he would ever be with any woman other than his mate ever again. "No."
A golden glow surrounded Dax and Jules stepped out from behind him and blocked 's advance. "Back off, cray-cray lady. This dragon warrior is mine."
He was. Fuck, yeah. The light at his chest renewed, the spark inside fighting to get out and to his mate. With a gargantuan effort, Dax lifted one knee and set his foot on the ground.
Jules turned, grabbed Dax's face between her hands and laid the most sensuous, hot kiss of his entire life on him. Their tongues danced and she tasted of ripe peaches and sweet buttery cream. His cock had been thickening before, now it was bursting to get out of his pants and into her. He'd never wanted anyone so much in his life.
Jules broke the kiss with his lower lip between her teeth. She nipped at him, sighed and opened her eyes. "Sorry. I hope that wasn't too forward. I like you. I'd like to see where this goes. So tell me now if you belong to another and I'll back off."
"I'm yours, if you'll have me." Please let her be his.
"Don't go all stalker obsessive on me." She winked and then gave him another quick kiss. Then she pointed her arm at and formed a ball of light in her hand. The wind whipped around all of them and she rose up into the air like she was Captain Marvel. "He is mine."
scoffed. "Not if he hasn't claimed you. He's free game and I want him. These golds are missing that certain something I'm looking for in a lover. They lack the darkness of a red dragon and their blood is so much more delicious for it."
The golden sunlight bathed Jules's entire body and poured forth from her eyes. "Far be it for me to judge anyone's kinks, lady. But you got issues and should maybe see a therapist about that. He is not yours. He may not have yet claimed me, but I claim him. So back the fuck off."
"I am not afraid of your little light display and I am not a lady. I am the Succubus Queen and you will submit to me." Another wave of lust power smacked into them and the Gold Dragon lumbered to its feet.
Uh-oh. The Gold's eyes were hazy and he growled deep and low. That guy was one angry dragon. Under 's control it could easily snap any human, or dragon in human form in two with one snap of his jaw. He turned his big head toward Jules and rose up on his hind legs. It looked like he would attack, but instead exposed his soft underbelly to her. A dark hole swirled in the middle of his chest, right over his heart.
Jules gasped, glared at and then threw all the light she was carrying directly at the Gold Dragon. He absorbed everything she had and stretched out his wings. The collar around his neck burned away and fell to the ground. "Damn it. You will all submit to me."
Behind them in the water, the very first rays of the sun streaked across the sky. gasped and threw her arm up to shield her eyes from the rays swimming around them and joining Jules's pure light. If ever there was a time to take her out, it was now. He couldn't do it the same way he had before. His regular Red Dragon powers weren't powerful enough on their own. Dax opened that dark part of him he usually kept hidden from the world and let the power there flow through him. His dragon form burst forth and the fire inside of him boiled from his mouth.
Dax lunged at the succubus and pinned her to the ground. He opened his claw and let his sharp talons slice through the hair at 's neck, stopping right at her jugular. She pushed at him with her allure. It didn't even touch him. The black mark on his soul couldn't be influenced by the likes of her. If she knew its darkness she would be the one who was afraid.
The blackness rolled through him and burned hot, pouring his threat out like burnt sludge. He barely recognized his own dragon voice. Now you will submit to me, you bloodsucking leech. We've foiled your plot to steal the wolf pups and my amazing mate has freed your slave. Now you die by my hand.
gasped, fear stark in her eyes. She raked at his claws with her hands, trying to loosen his hold on her throat. Desperation came out in her blather. "Not if you ever want to know where the rest of the gold dragon slaves are. Every gold dragon and every succubus who holds their chain are under my thrall. Kill me now and they die, starving and lost in the blackness of the underworld. A horrible way to die, don't you think?"
Fucking hell. He had her by the throat, but she had him by the balls. He couldn't let the Golds live out their days in horror. He'd seen already what that meant and he would do almost anything to free them.
Where are they? He pressed the tip of one talon into the flesh at her neck. There would be no backing down this day.
The utter fear melted out of her eyes and she replaced her mask of sensual control. She knew the move was hers to make. "I'll never tell the likes of you. You're shit out of luck, little Red."
No, but I know. The Gold Dragon, fully restored to his full powers, set down beside Dax and . There was a new peace to his eyes. Whatever spell the Succubus Queen had over him was gone. I will lead the dragon warriors to 's lair and free our brethren. There lies the secret to defeating the Black Witch and her plans to use the new generation for her own gain.
His voice and countenance were so calm and collected, that Dax was completely taken by surprise when the dragon pushed him out of the way, freeing from his grip. You will never have control over any man or beast ever again.
screamed and threw every ounce of her power out, fighting tooth, nail and allure for her life. The Gold lifted the succubus into the air with one claw and very simply reached out and sliced '
s head off her body in one quick motion. He breathed a sigh of relief and a shimmer of light that signaled his shift from dragon to man washed over him.
Holy shit. Dax stared down at Zon, the master at arms of the Gold Dragon Wyr. "You and your mate have saved me, Red. I thank you."
Dax tugged at the darkness he'd called on to retreat back down now that the threat was eliminated. It took a minute, but with one look at his beautiful Jules and the black hole retreated all on its own. He was once again able to shift into his human form. He pulled her into a quick kiss that held a promise for later. When she was breathless, he released her and then clasped the freed dragon's arms. Zon responded by pulling Dax into a huge dragon hug and whispered to him. "Mark and claim your mate now, before any more danger can befall either of you. Give her your soul so that both of you may be safe from the machinations of the underworld."
Good idea. Dax noticed that Zon's own soul shard was missing. Had it by taken in hell by the succubus Portia or had he found his mate in that hell hole? He wouldn't be the first.
Jules ran over and stared up at the huge warrior. "Whoa. Are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I? I was trying to help. I'm new at this."
Zon knelt down on one knee and took Jules hand in one of his. "I pledge my fealty to you, Gold Witch. Only say the word and I will serve you above all others. I ask only that you allow me to free my brethren from the pits of hell."
"Oh, uh. Thanks, but I'm all good. I think you have others you need to be, uh, serving, don't you? So go do that freeing your brethren thing."
Zon rose up and released Jules's hand. Which was good because Dax was feeling quite a fit of jealous rage coming on and he didn't want to act like a giant ass. "Cage will want to know of your escape. He's been searching the whole damn world for you and the other Golds who were taken prisoner at The Lindens."
"Yes. I will present the body of the Succubus Queen to him and ask that we mount a full-scale attack to rescue the rest of our brothers." Zon indicated toward the body of the succubus.
They turned back and found that 's head and body were no longer laying in pieces on the ground. It was completely gone. Disappeared. "I know I'm learning about new things in the supernatural world and all. But are zombie succubus queens a thing?"
Zon growled, "No. She is dead. I felt her allure over me die when she did." He pointed to scrape marks near where her body had been. "Someone has taken her."
Gal and the two kids were kneeling on the ground around Max. He'd stayed in his wolf form, probably to heal better.
"Hey, dragons. If you're finished saving the world over there. We need to get Max to Doc. Who wants to be our medi-vac?" Galyna interrupted the new mystery with her fear-filled request.
"I owe my life to you all. I am at your service until Cage arrives and we go back down to hell for the rest of our Golds. Allow me." Zon shifted and carefully lifted the wolf into one claw and Gal into the other. She pointed him in the direction of Doc's office in town and a gust of wind pushed them skyward without the dragon even having to jostle his passengers with the flapping of his wings.
Jules rushed over to the pickup truck. "Is everyone else okay? The kids?"
Niko gave Dax a small salute, thanking him for what they'd done here on the battlefield today. Kosta and Heli stood together, both on their phones, probably spreading the news through the pack. Serena was just pulling a sweater over her head and it looked as though the last remnants of her injuries were fading to nothing. Dax could not let an attack like this happen again. may be dead and the immediate threat to the wolf pack children over, but there was clearly a darker plot at work here. He guessed the Black Witch was at its core.
While Jules fussed over her friends, her family really, and they over her and her new powers, Dax called into Cage's command center in Dubai. The phone rang less than once before the gruff male voice answered. Not of Cage, but of Dax's own alpha, the Red Dragon Wyvern, Maciej Cervony.
"Did you see her?" No hello, how you doing, from Match. Nope. All business.
At least he had some good news to share. " is dead, and with the help of one of the missing Gold Dragons."
"Not her. Never mind. I'm on my way. I'll be there tomorrow. Keep your eyes open. This is as close to anyone as she'd gotten since the twins’ birth." Match hung up before Dax could get another question in edgewise.
His phone rang less than a second later. "Cage?"
"Good job, kid. This is the break we needed. Tell the wolves we'll be there tomorrow. Keep them safe until then, will ya?" Cage really did have eyes and ears everywhere. He too hung up before Dax could say another word.
Okay. No pressure. The two most powerful Wyverns in the world were coming to Rogue. He had wanted backup for the wolves. Once more his phone rang. "Hello?"
"Daxy. Daxonian, Dax the max. You should have told me you were in town. How come I had to hear it from Jakob, dude?"
"Sorry. I meant to call you when I got in last night, but it's been a flurry since I got here. I'm glad I got you though. I wanted to ask you--"
"No worries. Fleur and I will be there tomorrow. Oh, hey. Gotta run. Jakob's on the other line." Steele hung up on him too.
What was it with dragons everywhere who didn't want to let him talk? Well he didn't want to talk to them either. He did want to ask Steele about some of the intricacies of when he'd mated Fleur, but it didn't really matter. Regardless of what his friend told him, Dax was going to claim Jules. As soon as possible.
"Hey, dragon!" Tristan called to him. He stood leaning against the truck with his hands in his pockets.
"What's up, kid?" Did he look older than ten minutes ago? He was definitely a teenager. That was really weird.
"You should take Jules home. I don't think she feels good." The kid jerked his head in the direction of the group of women left standing at the front of the truck. "That stuff she did took a lot out of her. She's been good to us and we love her. Do you?"
Getting called out by a teenager. Awesome.
Did he, though? He wasn't sure he believed in that concept.
Jules was literally the light in his life. He didn't know if she wanted a dragon for a mate, but he knew he wanted her. He'd figure out the love thing later.
He socked the kid in the arm in the long-held tradition of men saying thanks and made his way into the women's group. "Ladies. I think we all need to make our way home and rest. Two Wyverns are on their way here and will be arriving tomorrow. Let's take this time to regroup and recover."
They agreed and Dax shooed the women, except for Jules and kids into the truck, then shifted. He picked Jules up in his claw and she leaned her head against his leg.
"Dax?" Her voice was soft and sleepy. He couldn't wait to tuck her into bed and curl up with her as she slept. His marking and claiming of her would have to wait until she was rested.
Yes, lass?
She yawned and wrapped her arms around his leg. He tucked his talons around her just a little bit tighter so she wouldn't have to fear falling. He could almost feel her eyes drooping.
"Will you take me to bed?" Her voice was so soft and innocent. She probably had no idea what she'd asked him to do.
He would be a gentleman, he would be a gentleman. If it killed him, death by blue balls, he would be a fucking gentleman. Aye, love. That's where we're headed. You'll be tucked in and asleep in no time.
"No. I mean... well, I want you to, uh...unless you don't want... I mean. Grrr." She was adorably flustered.
Dax could hardly dare to believe she was asking him to fuck her. He wanted that more than he wanted his next breath. The connection he felt with her was different than anything he'd ever experienced with any woman and he wanted more. So much more.
Say it, Jules. Tell me what you want from me.
"Take me home and make love to me."
Dax tucked his wings in and a gust of wind propelled them so fast, the air boomed. Either they'd broken the sound barrier flying that fast, or that was the sound of his heart exploding with joy
and excitement.
Foreplay
Jules’ fingers shook and she fumbled the key to the front door for the eleventeenth time. Nervous? Yes. Excited? Double yes.
Dax's hand closed over hers and steadied her hand. He brought her fingers up to the lock and pushed the key in with one quick thrust. She swallowed and rolled her eyes at herself. Unlocking a door should not be considered sensual. Keys were not foreplay.
Unless they were being held by Dax. God, he smelled good. She couldn't think of anything else. Except maybe liking him from the divot in his chin to his belly button, and then lower. She was going to spend a lot of time exploring every part of his hard, hot body with her tongue.
She crossed her fingers he wanted to do the same.
Dax pressed his body against her back and his lips to her ear. "Open the door, Jules. If you don't I may take you right here on your tiny front porch in full view of all your very nosy neighbors."
All the flutters of all the butterflies in the universe took a tumbling roller-coaster flight from the bottom of her stomach to the insides of her thighs. She turned that key in the lock so fast it didn't even have a chance to stick like normal. They practically fell into her foyer and Dax kicked the door shut behind them.
Jules did indeed have very nice, but overly-interested-in-her-business neighbors and she was already going to be the talk of the block for having a dragon land in her front lawn. She didn't even care a little bit what they thought. She only cared what Dax was thinking at this moment. Like, should she offer him a drink? Some breakfast? Was it completely out of the question to drag him straight down the hall and ask him to strip while she watched and ran her fingers all up and down that six-pack of abs he was hiding from her under that t-shirt?
"Don't be nervous. I won't do anything you don't want, love. We can take it slow if you want. We'll start with some soft kisses, like this." Dax swept a lock of her hair behind her ear and ran his fingertips along her jaw and over her pulse beating so fast in her throat. Everywhere he touched tingled and heated. He followed his own path with tiny kisses on her cheek, over her chin, and he traced his teeth down her neck.
