Her Dragon King: A Dragon Shifter Paranormal Romance (Royally Mated Book 3)
Page 5
Any of the princesses Lance invited here will be staying the night. Royal families are expected to host other royal families, but the rest of the guests should have left.
As I open the door to the castle, it seems eerily quiet. Lance is nowhere to be seen. Maybe he believes I’ve run away for good, as he usually always waits for my return. Lance has been in charge of my protection and training as a royal since I can remember.
I glance at the clock to see it’s five in the morning. Lance may be dedicated, but perhaps it was pushing it to expect he’d still be up now.
I fling my jacket onto a chair in the hallway, before heading toward the stairs.
A scream catches me off guard.
What the fuck was that?
I race up the stairs searching for the source of the scream. Another piercing scream fills the air, and it’s coming straight from my sister’s room. “Elaine?” I shout her name, rounding the corner, and barreling into the door.
It’s locked, but I put all my weight behind it, knocking it off the hinges. The sight in front of me floods me with deep horror—blood is all over the beige carpets and the cream, silk bedding.
A man is standing over my sister, holding a blood coated knife.
“What the fuck?”
I see red, charging for the guy. My vision tunnels, and my body tenses as I feel my dragon rising to the surface. I miss the two other guys standing on the other side of the room in my state of pure panic and rage.
Elaine glances over at me, eyes wide. “Aiden, watch out,” she mutters, but it’s too late.
I turn in time for one of them to stab me in the gut. I growl at the pain, feeling myself shift anyway. It was too late to stop my transformation. His eyes go wide as I burn him to a crisp, catching the other guy also. It’s not long until I burn him to ashes as well.
All I can feel is an all-consuming rage.
My heart pounds as I turn around to see my sister staring at me with wide eyes. The guy is kneeling over her still. He smirks as he knows I can’t burn him. If I burn him, I kill Elaine along with him.
He twirls the knife around, tilting his head to the side. “What now?”
I growl at him, but I know there’s nothing I can do, other than rush for him. My dragon is out of control as he does precisely that. The guy thrusts the knife into Elaine’s heart, forcing me to a stop as I watch the life leave her eyes. My sister.
I feel all my grip on my human side snap as I launch myself at him, grabbing him with my talons and ripping him in two. Blood goes everywhere, but I don’t care. My eyes go to Elaine’s lifeless body. Her eyes are still full and open. Pain tears through me as I remember the way I spoke to her earlier. I didn’t make amends.
The patter of footsteps heading my way catches my attention. Ten guys all dressed in black and wearing balaclavas come in, cornering me.
What the fuck is this
This was an ambush—an attempt to wipe out the rest of the royal family in one swoop.
I feel the fire rising in my chest, but even for a dragon, there are too many armed attackers for me to overcome. Instead, my mind goes to survival. I focus solely on the French patio doors onto the balcony, launching across the room at it. The men shout, and a few let off rounds of bullets, but they bounce off my scales.
I growl as I launch myself through the glass, bounding onto the balcony. Blood rushes in my ears as I bound over the balustrade, dropping downward before swooping into the air.
They shoot at me from the balcony, but the only way to stop me would be to shift and chase me.
The pain in my stomach increases as I fly over the mountains. Blood drips from the knife wound in my stomach. I don’t know where I’m going, but it feels like my dragon knows. My dragon’s mind focuses on one thing—locating our mate.
She’s the only one that can help. Tahoe City is a seventeen-mile flight from my castle, which in normal circumstances, would be easy. With a gut wound, I’m not sure I’ll make it.
My hyper sensitive vision is blurred as I weave over the mountains and then drop down to skim over the lake. The water on my feet helps soothe me, but I know that my dragon is quickly losing strength.
Ilsa’s face is clear in my mind. She’s my savior. I need to get to her, no matter what. She’s in Tahoe City. If I get there, I’ll be able to find her. The question is whether or not I can make it without passing out.
I roar as I fly upward and scope out the distance, knowing I’m still a good few miles from the city. The light glistens on the edge of the water up ahead, but it’s far.
People won’t be too impressed if a dragon lands in the middle of their city. I’m going to have to land outside and then shift back to my human form, making the rest of my trip stark naked.
Humans are so funny about people walking around naked, but it’s natural for shifters. We can’t wear clothes when we shift.
I notice a spot on a hill overlooking the city, selecting it as the perfect spot. At least I’ll have a downhill walk to Ilsa. My dragon can sense her already as my wings beat harder and faster. It feels like she’s the only thing that can save me now. A witch has healing powers, but can she heal me?
The rumors are that witches are getting weaker and weaker as time goes on. Their numbers are reducing and they have no central coven, which weakens them further. She’s my best hope, though.
I touch down on the soft grass of the hill, feeling my knees wobble beneath me. My dragon is exhausted and shifting when injured can be dangerous.
I grit my teeth, growling lowly as I shift back into my human form. My body shakes, and I crash to the ground. A flood of weakness rushes through me. The wound is deep. I clutch my stomach, feeling the overwhelming pain increase in my human form.
Shit.
In dragon form, I have a much higher pain threshold. I keep my hand pressed against the bleeding cut in my abdomen and force myself to my feet. There are a few inns Ilsa could be staying at, but once I get closer, I hope I will scent her.
Clenching my fists, I force one foot in front of the other down the hill. My mind wanders as I make the short trek into the city.
I can’t believe my sister is dead. I should have made amends with her, and now she’ll never know that I didn’t care who her mate was, and I never did. All I cared about was her happiness. I should have stood up to our father, but it’s too late for that. Both of them are gone, and now I’m alone in this world.
Ilsa is all I’ve got left. She’s my world. I won’t watch her drive away again. She’s never getting away from me. Life is too short, and I’m about to seize the reins and take what I want.
I stumble over a rock in the dark, twisting my ankle. The weakness is spreading to every part of me, including my eyesight. I usually can see through the night with no trouble, but it’s growing increasingly difficult.
My ankle aches as I force myself to stand. I’m not falling at the last hurdle. The city is in my sights. I move faster down the hill, ignoring the splintering pain in my ankle and stomach.
Whoever attacked me at the castle, will be searching for me. It wasn’t a random attack, not so soon after my father’s murder.
I feel relief flood me as I make the last dash toward the edge of town. Now, I just need to find where Ilsa is staying. It can’t be too hard.
8
Ilsa
A hard bang comes at my door, making me jump. I sit bolt upright in bed, rubbing a hand across the back of my neck.
Who the fuck could that be?
I’ve paid up for three nights with the inn owner, so it can’t be him. No one knows I’m staying here.
The knock comes again, harder. “Ilsa, please open the door.”
I feel my heart in my throat at the sound of Aiden on the other side. He sounds like he’s in pain.
I can’t move quickly enough as I jump off the bed and rush for the door. My heart pounds against my rib cage at the thought of seeing him again. A dread twists my gut at why he’s in pain. I open the door, hastily.
My eyes widen at the blood covering his hands as he clutches his stomach.
“Aiden, what the hell happened?” I ask, shutting the door quickly in case whoever hurt him is still out there.
He shakes his head. “She’s dead.” Tears pool in his eyes.
I move his hand from the wound, finding the source of all the blood. It’s a deep knife wound. “Who did this to you?” I put pressure on the wound, knowing that I need to seal it with magic. He’s already lost too much blood. It will take a lot of my power to do it, but I know I have to. Aiden could die if I don’t heal him.
“I don’t know.” He shakes his head. “Some people broke in. She’s dead,” Aiden says, voice cracking with emotion.
I squeeze his hand. “Who’s dead?” I ask.
The tears flow down his face. “My sister, Elaine.”
“I’m so sorry, Aiden.” I grab his hand and squeeze before urging him to lie down flat. “Lie down. I need to patch you up, as you’ve lost too much blood, even for a dragon shifter.”
He grunts as he lets his head rest back against the bedroom carpet.
“Hold still.” I shut my eyes at first and hold my hands over the knife wound. I start to chant the healing spell under my breath, focusing all my energy into sealing the deep wound. “Et ad sanandum potentiam magia,” I chant over and over again. The magic flares to life, and my eyes snap open, as magic floods into the cut.
He groans as the magic flares over his skin. His jaw is hard-set, and his fists clench by his side. Healing isn’t exactly a painless experience for either party.
It’s not easy for a witch to patch up a dragon with magic since it’s draining—especially a witch with no coven. I may have one in principle, but it doesn’t feel like it anymore. Our numbers are so low that our powers are waning day by day.
I continue to focus, keeping my eyes glued to the injury. The skin is almost entirely closed over. My powers feel like they are zapping every ounce of energy from my body. I sag to the side as I stop using my powers, feeling my head spin.
Aiden instinctively goes to grab me as I feel myself falling toward the floor. “Are you okay?” he asks, wincing as he moves to sit up.
“You shouldn’t be asking me that question.” I stare into his orange eyes, feeling that heat from earlier prickle across my body. Despite the exhausted condition I’m in, my mind goes to one thing whenever he is close. “I need you to help me get you over to the bed.” I grab his arm and sling it over my shoulder, trying to help him up from the floor.
Aiden winces as he stands to his feet. The wound appears healed, but what I did was unnatural. He’ll be in pain for a while and drained from the amount of blood he has lost. He leans on me with most of his weight as we stagger toward the bed.
He sits down, resting his face in his hands. The tension in his shoulders is visible, and his breathing is heavy and labored.
I sit next to him and place a hand on his shoulder. “What happened?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “People were in the castle when I got back, and they killed my sister in front of my eyes, before trying to kill me.”
“They almost succeeded.” I set a hand down on his knee and squeeze. “How did you get here?”
He meets my gaze for the first time since he stood. “Shifted. I flew with the injury, but it took a lot out of me.”
My brow furrows. “How did you know I was here?” I shake my head. “I didn’t tell you…”
He raises a brow as if that’s a stupid question. “You’re my mate. I sensed you from your scent.”
My eyes widen. The thought that Aiden can track me from my scent is a little unnerving. It means he could find me wherever I go.
He swallows hard. “I never got a chance to make amends with my sister.”
My heart aches for him as I shift to pull him into a hug. I’m not sure what amends he needed to make, but I can hear the pain in his voice. “I’m so sorry, Aiden.”
He pulls back and cups my face in his hands. “Don’t be. You saved my life.” He glances around the room. “Are you happy for me to stay the night?”
I nod my head immediately. “Of course, there’s enough space for both of us.” I stand, wobbling a little as I do. “I’ll take the sofa.” The magic I used to heal him has taken it out of me.
He grabs my hand and drags me back down. “No chance, there’s enough room in the bed. Don’t worry. I won’t try anything.” He shifts backward and lies down, eyes shutting instantly.
I feel myself getting tired, and my knees are shaking from the exertion of power I put into the spell to heal him. It was more power than I can spare, but for some reason, I’d risk my own life to save this man I hardly know.
I don’t even bother getting out of my dress and flop down by his side. He’s quick to roll over and mold himself to my back, wrapping a possessive arm around my waist. “Night, love,” he murmurs, as his hot breath falls on my skin.
I bite my lip, feeling more turned on than should be physically possible right now. The exhaustion can’t tame the fire burning inside of me. I shift my hips backward and press my ass hard into his crotch.
He groans, and I gasp as I feel how rock hard he is. “Don’t tease me, Ilsa. I said I wouldn’t try anything, but you are pushing your luck.”
I swallow hard, wondering whether I want him to try anything or not. Conflict is all I’ve felt since he made me feel the way he did in that warm bay. Dragons and witches can’t be together, and yet that thought threatens to tear my world apart.
His grip on my waist tightens as he pulls me against his muscular chest. Heat floods my body at his touch, and the manly scent of him encasing me. It soothes me and eases all my anxiety.
It seems it’s impossible to resist him. I’ve never heard of a mating bond between a dragon and a witch. Maybe it is having a similar effect on me as it has on him.
All my life, I’ve been in control. I don’t like that it takes that away from me. There’s no way for me to resist the man that makes me wild with need. His hard cock is settled between my ass cheeks, making me even needier.
Aiden kisses my neck softly. “How is it that I’m so desperate for you even while I’m in pain?” he whispers, moving his hand to my hip and squeezing gently. “Turn around, love.”
I do as he says, knowing it would be impossible to resist him anything. His beautiful orange eyes are pure dragon now, flaring with pure desire. He captures my lips softly, searing them with a hot, passionate kiss.
I feel myself dampen between my thighs as the exhaustion melts away. Neither of us should have the energy to even kiss right now. Aiden groans against my lips. “Beautiful.” He pulls away and stares at me, sending heat pulsing around every inch of my body.
I need him so badly as I claw onto his hard, muscular biceps. We went too far in that lake. I know we’re about to cross the line again as I look into his eyes.
His hard cock pulses in my hand, dripping pre-cum all over the sheets.
My mouth waters at the thought of tasting him. “Isn’t it my turn to taste you?” I ask.
He groans, and his eyes flick shut for a moment, before opening wide. “Fuck, yes.” He shifts in the bed, so he’s sitting on the edge.
I get out of bed and kneel in front of him.
His cock is rock hard and dripping cum all over the floor.
I moan as I take him into my hand and move it up and down his shaft slowly.
He laces his fingers in my hair, trying to pull my lips to the head of his cock.
I let him take control, feeling my arousal increase between my thighs. It doesn’t make any sense. I hate not having control over everything, but I long to submit to him. His hard, muscular abs tense as his cock slips past my lips. A deep, guttural groan escapes him.
My tongue circles his thick, swollen head, teasing more pre-cum from him. It floods my tongue and fills my mouth with the masculine, salty taste of him. I moa
n around his cock, letting it sink to the back of my throat.
“That’s it, love,” He groans, tightening his grip on my hair. “Suck my cock.”
I gag as he pushes my head down further on his cock. I can hardly breathe as I pull off him and stare up at him with wide eyes. “What the fuck?”
A handsome smirk twists onto his lips. “Sorry, love. Dragon shifters are naturally dominant.” His brow furrows. “Don’t you like it?” he asks, eyes moving to my hard, erect nipples.
I lick my bottom lip, knowing that I do like it. I’ve just never experienced a man treating me so roughly. I shrug. “I do, but—”
“But nothing, then.” He yanks my hair again and pushes my mouth back onto him.
I open my lips willingly and let him sink back into my throat. It’s almost impossible to breathe, and I gag, pulling back off him. “Fuck,” I say.
He lets go of my hair. “I’ll stop pushing you.”
I feel disappointed that I can’t take the size of him into the back of my throat. It’s impossible. He’s too large. I take his length back into my mouth, bobbing up and down as I try and fail to sink him further each time.
His shaft swells in my mouth, and he groans deeply. “Fuck, love. I’m going to come.” Aiden’s fingers twist in my hair to pull me off, but I keep sucking.
I let him sink into the back of my throat again, trying to make him come in my mouth. He roars above me as he explodes in my throat.
I swallow his cum as he pumps his cock in and out of my throat, draining his balls.
When he finally stops, he pulls himself out of my mouth. He bends down, and he kisses me hard and deep, tasting himself on my tongue. When he breaks away, we’re both breathless. “Time to sleep, love.” He kisses me softly before lifting me to my feet and guiding me back into bed.
We both settle down under the covers, and Aiden pulls me into his chest.
What are we doing?
We’ve just met, and now I’m wrapped in Aiden’s embrace as if we’re lovers. A witch should never trust a dragon, but I feel safe in his arms. My eyes flicker shut, and I fall to sleep quickly. Far more quickly than I should given the circumstances.