Her Dragon King: A Dragon Shifter Paranormal Romance (Royally Mated Book 3)

by Bianca Cole

  I dig my fingertips into his biceps as he moves over me.

  My eyes roll back in my head as he sinks in harder and deeper with each thrust. The need between us increasing.

  He stops with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

  “Don’t stop,” I moan.

  “Tell me how much you want it, Ilsa,” he groans, keeping his lips against mine.

  I’m shaking so much I can hardly speak. “I want it more than anything, Aiden.”

  He growls a deep sound before gripping hold of my hips again. He pounds into me hard and fast. I gasp at the size of him stretching me.

  His pupils narrow and elongate more than I’ve ever seen. I bite my bottom lip as he growls above me. His teeth are sharper now and pointed.

  He leans down and sinks them softly into my collarbone. It’s a wonder he doesn’t pierce the skin, but the pain is electric.

  “Aiden,” I moan his name, feeling the pleasure build deep inside of me.

  I claw my fingernails into his back, and he nips at my lip in a warning.

  “No clawing.” He grips hold of my hips hard, and then flips me over effortlessly. He hardly offers me a second to get used to the new position as he slips back inside.

  I arch my back, loving how much he fills me.

  He spanks my ass, making me gasp. “Fuck, you are so perfect,” he groans, gripping my hips even harder as he roughly takes me. He’s hard and unforgiving, and I love it.

  I feel the fluttering ignite deep within me, and I know he feels it too.

  “That’s it, love. I want to feel you come with my cock deep inside of you,” he growls, picking up the pace even more.

  “Fuck,” I moan, as stars filter into my vision. The sensation is so intense, so consuming. It feels like I’m floating above my body as my climax crashes through me. My body trembles, my knees can no longer hold me up as I collapse flat onto the bed.

  Aiden roars behind me as he pumps two last times and then explodes. My breathing is erratic as I remain face down. His weight rests on me, grounding me.

  Finally, he frees me and flops down by my side. I shift onto my back, and he pulls me into him.

  I rest my hand on his chest and glance up at him. The thought of speaking right now scares me. I don’t want to ruin the moment we shared. It was special, magical. I’ve never felt like this around another person before.

  He kisses the top of my head. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asks.

  I shake my head. “No, definitely not. The opposite.”

  “Good, I never want to hurt you, Ilsa.” He presses his lips to mine and kisses me deeply, increasing the desire for him already.

  I’m sure we won’t be doing much else this evening. Something tells me we won’t be able to drag ourselves out of this bed.

  The birds sing in the trees as the sun slowly creeps over the dense cover of the forest. Aiden’s little cabin in the woods is quaint. I step outside of the front door and take a deep breath, enjoying the fresh, forest air.

  He’s still asleep, and I don’t blame him. We hardly slept last night. I wrap my shawl more tightly around my arms as the wind picks up.

  My family might be out there somewhere, and I’m desperate to find them. Guilt floods me as I’ve been thrown off track yesterday, spending it here. Aiden consumed all of my attention, taking it away from what matters most—saving them.

  I walk in the direction of flowing water. This place is more beautiful than my home in San Francisco. All my life, I’ve lived in a city and away from the true beauty of nature. A life with Aiden could give me everything I’ve longed for—freedom.

  I wander away from the cabin, following the running water. Last night was the best night of my life. When I set out to find my family, Aiden was the last thing I expected to find. I’ve still got reservations. His father invited my brother here.

  How can they disappear?

  Something about King Kendall’s insistence of meeting with my brother felt off to me when he told me about it. My parents agreed to take him, eager to see if the king could help us.

  I should have gone with them, but they insisted someone needed to stay home. Unfortunately, that someone was me because I didn’t even believe it would achieve anything to meet with the king.

  All I want to do is believe in Aiden. Perhaps it’s the instincts related to the mating bond, but all I feel is uncertainty. I shake my head as I reach the edge of a small stream, no wider than a meter across.

  The fish swim beneath the rushing water. Nature should always be part of a witch’s life, but we’ve lost our connection to the earth as the world modernizes at a rapid rate. I can’t imagine anything better than living out here with Aiden. I shake my head. Even if he’s my mate, this can never work— we can’t be together.

  “Ilsa,” Aiden shouts my name, his voice full of panic.

  “Over here, Aiden,” I call back.

  He rushes down the hill toward the stream, and the tension eases from his shoulders the moment he sees me. “You scared me half to death.” He walks over to me and takes my hand. “Don’t wander off without me, do you understand?”

  I shake my head and pull my hand from his. “I’ll go for a walk if I want to.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I can take care of myself, Aiden.”

  He sighs heavily and runs a hand through his hair. “I know.” He turns away and wanders down the stream, his shoulders tense.

  I follow after him. “What is bothering you?”

  He shakes his head. “Everyone I love dies. What if I’m cursed?”

  Love.

  It seems a bit early to bring up love, considering I met the guy two days ago.

  I reach out to him. “Aiden, you’re not cursed.”

  He turns around, and his eyes are brimming with unshed tears. “You don’t know that. First, it was my mother, then my father, and now Elaine…” He trails off, and his concern is unspoken. “I can’t lose you too.”

  I shake my head. “You won’t.” I pull him into an embrace, feeling oddly vulnerable.

  How can he be scared of losing me when we only met the day before yesterday? It makes no sense.

  Somehow, I feel the same. The thought of not being with Aiden threatens to tear me apart. He’s become a part of me so quickly.

  11

  Aiden

  A fae male stands in front of me. His bright blue eyes glow in the dim light of the forest. “You are exactly who I’ve been searching for.”

  My heart pounds, wondering if this guy poses a threat. Ilsa is only a ten meters away by the stream, searching for fire wood. “Do I know you?”

  He shakes his head. “We’ve not met, but you’ll know me by reputation. Flynn, king of the fae.” He bows slightly.

  I grit my teeth, knowing that this was going to come eventually. Relief filters through me as I know instantly neither me nor Ilsa are in danger from this man. The one thing I didn’t expect was for the faerie king to show up in the middle of nowhere like this. “Have you been following me?”

  A mischievous smirk flits onto his lips. “Perhaps. I have an essential proposition for you.”

  “Like you had for my father?” I ask.

  He nods. “Yes, but I know you will hear me out. You are different from your father.”

  He’s got that right. I’ve never had the same hatred he has for inter-species romance or integration. When Elaine mated to that wolf, it broke his heart. I still saw the same Elaine, but for him, she had become tainted.

  He tried every way he could to break them apart, and I stood by and did nothing. It was brutal and selfish, and if I could go back and do it all over again, I would.

  “Yes, I’m different from him, but what you want to do is insane.”

  He laughs. “No. It’s the most sensible proposition anyone has had on this planet for millennia.” He steps forward, making me tense.

  Dragons and fae aren’t renowned for getting along, although we don’t butt heads with them as severely as our wolf counterparts. “Why se
gregate everyone? Humans, Dragons, wolves, faeries, and even witches.” There’s a sparkle in his eyes as he says the last one, and I wonder if he knows about Ilsa. The fae can learn things many would dream impossible. “Oh, and don’t forget the vampires.”

  My eyes widen at that. “Impossible. They can’t live side by side in harmony with humans. It’s like asking lions to live with lambs and not harm them.” I shake my head. “In answer to your question, because it’s what has always been done even before the truth became known.”

  He tilts his head to the side. “Does that mean it is what should be done?” He flicks a coin into the air, catching it. “I’ve seen firsthand the power in joining with other species. I’m confident in time you will too.”

  I know he has, and I’ve got a feeling I have too. Ilsa is my mate. The woman I’m destined to be with for the rest of my life. He doesn’t have to convince me, but I’m not ready to speak it out loud. Most dragon shifters wouldn’t like the idea. Change is difficult for most when it’s on the kind of scale Flynn is suggesting.

  “Why are you here, Flynn?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest.

  He runs a hand through his dark black hair. “I’m here to invite you to a meeting.”

  I thought this was coming. Flynn invited my father to dine with him at his home countless times, and every time my father declined. I’m pretty sure he believed Flynn would try to murder him once he was there.

  “What kind of meeting?”

  He closes the gap between us further and holds out an invitation card.

  I don’t take it but read it from afar.

  Flynn invites you to attend the first council meeting.

  Tomorrow

  Ten in the morning sharp at the old council chambers of the fae.

  “What council?” I ask, glancing up and searching the mischievous eyes of the fae king.

  What is he playing at?

  He clears his throat. “I intend to create a council to help start the integration of our kinds into one society. Rhys Verne has already accepted, and Vladimir, it is just you left.” He tilts his head to the side. “You don’t want the dragon shifters to be un-represented, do you?”

  I shake my head, a little stunned that he managed to get Rhys Verne to agree. There was a time when he hated fae. “What about witches and warlocks?” I ask.

  Flynn passes the invitation back into my hands. “What about them?”

  I shrug. “Who will represent them at the meeting?”

  A knowing smirk twists onto his lips. “I don’t know any witches or the way their hierarchy works, but if you know a worthy subject, by all means, bring her along.”

  I narrow my eyes at him. There’s no doubt that he knows about Ilsa. The question is, how does he know?

  If he has been following us, then it would make sense. The fae have unmatched senses when it comes to detecting species of any person they happen across. He would know that Ilsa was a witch. My heart pounds unevenly as I sense her moving away from the stream, toward us.

  Flynn’s brow raises as he notices the tension in my shoulders. “What do you say?”

  I glance down at the invitation, staring at it for a moment. “Have you heard about the attack at the castle?”

  He nods. “Yes, I’m sure I can help you with that. The people who attacked you are the kind of people I’m set out to stop.”

  I sigh heavily, before nodding. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

  He smiles widely, bearing his sharp canines. “Perfect. See you tomorrow.” He winks, before vanishing in a haze of blue light.

  Ilsa has been lingering to my left, but once she sees him leave, I sense her move again. “What the hell was that?” she asks.

  I hold out the invitation. “The fae king.”

  Her eyes widen as she takes the invitation out of my hand. “Are you going to go?” she asks after a quick skim over the words. My father always refused to meet Flynn or discuss his plans. I need to do something different, as my father was too traditional in his ways and ideas.

  “Yes, I agreed.”

  She sighs. “What if it’s a trap?”

  I shake my head. “Flynn has been trying to get my father to agree to a meeting for years. He’s a peaceful king.”

  Ilsa doesn’t look convinced as she turns toward the cabin. “We should get back. I feel exposed out here.”

  Whoever has taken over the castle could find us here too. I was at ease here, but Flynn’s appearance makes me doubt our safety.

  Ilsa squeezes my hand. “What are you thinking?”

  I shake my head. “I’m not sure how safe it is here now.”

  She smiles. “Fae magic can shock. If it was shifters that were after you back at the castle, you have nothing to worry about.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  She shrugs. “I’m a witch. Magic is part of me.”

  It makes sense, but dragon shifters aren’t powerless. “All dragon shifters have witches on their side.”

  She shakes her head as she reaches for the door to the cabin. “They don’t have the power the fae do.”

  I let her go first and then check our surroundings, searching for any sign of movement. It’s about ten minutes until dark closes in, and the temperature will drop. I need to get the fire going before that happens.

  Dragon shifters can survive in the cold, but not witches.

  I follow into the cabin, shutting the door behind me. I pull the bolts across, before securing the wooden drawbar.

  When I turn back around, Ilsa is watching me curiously. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I just want tomorrow to come quickly. We need Flynn’s help to find your family and find out who has taken over my home.”

  She steps toward me and takes my hand, leading me toward the sofa in the living room. “Keep your mind off that for now. There’s nothing we can do tonight.”

  I glance down at our entwined hands. “You’re right. I want to learn more about my mate.”

  Her cheeks darken a deep red at that. “What do you want to know?”

  “What’s your favorite food?”

  She smiles. “Pizza. Always pizza. What about you?”

  “I’m a dragon, so it’s got to be steak.” I hold my hands up. “Meat eater through and through.”

  She nods. “I love steak too.”

  I raise a brow. “Really, a lot of the witches I know are vegetarians.”

  Ilsa shakes her head. “Not me or my family. Although, I doubt we eat as much meat as dragons.”

  I laugh at that. “I doubt it. We can eat a lot.” I glance over at the kitchen. “Speaking of which, I’m starving right now.”

  Her stomach rumbles in response. “Me too.”

  “I’m pretty certain that I’ve got some homemade pizza in the freezer.”

  “Homemade? Are you a cook?” she asks, teasingly.

  I shake my head. “No, but I like to cook when I’m alone here. At the castle, people do everything for me. This is my escape.” I open the freezer and fish out the pizza I made before, stepping toward the oven and turning it on.

  I press my hand against the glass and focus my heat into it, speeding it up. Then, I place the pizza slices on the tray and put it in.

  Ilsa sits at the old oak table in the center of the kitchen.

  I grab a bottle of red wine and hold it up. “How about a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon?”

  Her eyes light up. “Hell, yes. I need a drink.”

  I pour us each a glass and then sit at the table next to her. “Cheers, love.” I clink my glass against hers.

  She smiles, but it’s half-hearted. “Cheers.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  She shrugs. “I miss my family.”

  I take her free hand in mine. “I know, but we will find them, I promise.”

  She sighs heavily. “You can’t be certain of that but thank you.” She smiles. “They would love you.”

  I squeeze her hand. “Even though I’m a dragon shifter?”

  She
smiles. “Of course. They don’t care about that sort of thing and never have.”

  It’s a relief to hear that. I can’t deal with conflict from Ilsa’s family over our bond. It’s bad enough that the rest of my kind will likely revolt against the pairing.

  I look at our hands entwined. “I wish I could introduce you to mine, but unfortunately, they’re all gone.” I sigh heavily, feeling the weight of my loss crushing me. It’s worse because I can’t even take the time to grieve properly. Elaine’s body has probably been dumped somewhere, she’s not been put to rest properly.

  “I couldn’t say my father would have been thrilled, but had my mother been alive, she was very different. Elaine, too, she was…” I feel my throat close up a bit with emotion, unable to keep speaking.

  Ilsa squeezes my hand. “I’m so sorry, Aiden.”

  I nod and clear my throat. “I’d better check on the pizza.” I’ve always had difficulty expressing my emotions. I guess it’s because it was discouraged by my father. “It’s ready,” I say, grabbing the oven mitts and getting the pizza out.

  She walks over and gathers two plates. “Mmm, pepperoni is my favorite.”

  I smile. “Mine too.”

  We share a glance, but every time our eyes meet, my mind goes to one thing. I break the eye contact and dish up the pizza, before joining her back at the table.

  “I hope you like it, as I said, I’m not a chef.”

  She takes a bite, and her eyes widen. “It’s delicious. I wish I could make pizza this good without magic.” A mischievous spark enters her eyes.

  “Are you telling me we waited for that to cook, and you could have conjured us one instantly?”

  She smiles. “Maybe, but I wanted to taste your homemade pizza.”

  I laugh and tuck into the food. I feel guilty that with Ilsa, my grief seems to fade into the background. The loss of Elaine and my father hurt, but somehow, my mate’s presence makes it easier. I find it hard to sink into despair with her around.

  12

  Ilsa

  My heart pounds unevenly in my chest as I stand outside of the council chambers. Aiden insisted I should attend this meeting, but as a witch, I feel exposed and vulnerable. Out of all the species gathering here today, the witches were the most repressed. Only a few hundred years ago, they were hunted by fae, dragons, and wolves, along with hung by humans.