by Zoe Chant
“What? No,” Darklis said, looking up at him, eyes wide. “I can’t let you do that.”
“It would be beyond the pale to allow a lady to sleep on the floor,” Liev said. “And I have slept in worse places.”
That was technically true, he supposed. He had slept on the ground in the forests of his family’s kingdom for weeks at a time when he was growing up – it had been part of his training, to toughen him up and to foster an understanding of the lands that had been his family’s home since the dawn of time.
It had been cold, miserable and dirty, and he had only been allowed to eat what he could catch in his human form. But it certainly had taught him a lot about the land and his connection to it. Liev reflected that it was a pity his parents had not thought to repeat the experience by dropping him off without resources in a human city – then he might have been of more use in their current predicament.
The room before him now was... well, it was a room, that much could be said for it at least.
The carpet and ceiling were both stained with mysterious brown marks, while the lamp had a torn shade and dangled at a sad angle from the wall, its wires exposed. The wallpaper was torn off in strips in places, and the bed sagged obviously in the middle, its coverlet ragged at the edges.
Liev wasn’t certain if he wanted to see what the bathroom was like.
As if she’d had the same thought, Darklis sidled over to the door, opening it and peeking inside.
“Ugh, no mirror, even,” she said. “Well, it was cheap at least. And... uh, thank you. For the bed.” She licked her lips, and Liev found his gaze immediately drawn to the soft, pink dart of her tongue.
She was so beautiful he could barely stand it.
Her hair was dark and fell to her waist, and her eyes dazzlingly green. If her clan’s traditional robes had only hinted at what was underneath them, the human clothes she was wearing now did nothing to hide it at all. The jeans she wore hugged her hips and behind like a glove, her long legs outlined to perfection by the faded denim. The plain t-shirt she was wearing was baggy, but he could still make out the luscious curve of her breasts beneath it. Her shoulders were broad for a woman’s, but that only increased her air of strength combined with beauty.
She was everything he could ever want.
She is my mate.
The knowledge flooded his heart with warmth.
He had been prepared to do his duty, of course. He would have married whichever suitable princess his parents picked out for him. The mated bond was sacred, of course, but as royalty Liev knew there were other things he had to consider.
Surely his parents would not deny him this, though? He was certain that once they met Darklis, once they saw her and understood how brave and strong she was, surely they would not have any objections to him marrying her and crowning her, making their bond complete?
Did it truly matter that she was not royalty, or that her clan was small and wielded virtually no power?
Well, it does not matter to me, Liev decided, fierce determination suddenly pounding through him. If his parents, for whatever reason, would not accept it, then he would simply abdicate his place in line for the throne, and make his own way with Darklis. He would join her clan, if they would have him. He was not so proud. He would become a Novak, if that’s what it would take to be with Darklis.
“Perhaps we should... um... have a shower.”
Darklis’s voice brought him back to the dingy hotel room in a rush.
“A shower?” he asked, blinking at her.
“Not together, I mean!” Darklis’s words came out in a jumbled rush. “I just mean... well, it’s a warm day, and we’ve been walking, and if we have to get that bus tomorrow it’s the last chance we’ll have to wash for... well, however long it takes to get there, and, so, I just meant –” She suddenly stopped, pulling in a deep breath. Liev found he was still too caught up in the image of Darklis wet and naked to really give much thought to anything else – and then, before he could do anything, the heat that had gathered in his belly was finding its way downward between his legs.
Coughing to cover up his discomfort, Liev turned away, hoping the evidence of just how enticing he found the thought of Darklis in the shower wasn’t showing plainly through his pants.
“I... yes, if you think that would be best,” he said quickly, hoping she couldn’t hear the slight strain in his voice. “Perhaps you should go first,” he added after a moment, when he realized he would have to turn and walk by her to get to the bathroom. And then she would definitely see the state he was in.
And besides, a prince always allowed ladies to go first.
“Sure,” Darklis said, nodding. “I’ll try not to use all the hot water.”
And with that, she turned quickly, dashing into the bathroom and closing the door hastily behind her.
Liev let out a long breath – one he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding.
A moment later, he heard the water of the shower begin to run, and he swallowed, doing his best to ignore exactly what that implied.
It is ungentlemanly, he told himself, for all the good it did to quell the tightness in his groin. He was disappointed with himself that he didn’t have more self-mastery than this.
He would have to, if he wanted to have any hope of getting through the next few days with Darklis. If their dragons didn’t come back to them in their sleep, then he was almost certain things could be rectified if they could spend some time with their hoards. If they could get Darklis to the Novak clan’s lands, then all would be well.
And then, she will remember she is my mate. After that, everything will be simple.
For now, however, he determined to focus on the problem at hand.
Or rather, not focus on it.
Taking a deep breath, Liev studiously ignored the way his erection pushed against his jeans.
This was going to be a long, hard – no, not hard, anything but hard – two days.
Chapter Eight
Darklis
In the darkness, Darklis awoke with a jolt.
Where am I? And... and where’s my dragon??
Panic lanced through her as she looked around wildly. She didn’t know this room. Where was she? And who had brought her here?
A gasp left her lips as she suddenly recalled her dream – a dream of glowing red eyes in the darkness, of powerful wings and shining teeth and claws.
Erik Lukich.
The dragon who had imprisoned her for years – who had ordered her family killed, and would have killed her, had her brother Stefan not found her when he did.
But he’s gone now. Isn’t he?
Stefan had beaten him. Erik had been exiled. He was no further danger to anyone.
But in the darkness of the unknown room, Darklis found it difficult to be certain.
Still disoriented, she looked around, searching for something familiar. She hadn’t woken in terror now for some time – but then, she usually slept in her clan’s lands, with her hoard nearby. Occasionally when she went traveling she would still have these nightmares, but not for some time now.
She reached out, trying to sense something, anything that she knew. But there was nothing. Inside her chest, her heart pounded. She raised her hands in blind panic, sitting up on the bed.
And where is my dragon???
“Darklis?”
An unfamiliar male voice sounded to her left.
Ordinarily, this might have only added to her terror. But instead, she found that the deep, soothing sound of it cut through the adrenaline surging in her veins, slowed down her thumping heart.
“Who –”
“Shh, Darklis. It’s me. Liev. Do you remember?”
Warm hands clasped her shoulders. Strong arms pulled her against a hard, muscular chest, embracing her tightly.
“Liev,” she murmured, trying to take a deep breath with lungs that simply did not want to co-operate with her. A sob rose up within her. “I – I – Liev –”
Sudden
warmth flooded her.
Yes. Yes, I remember.
Darklis could hear the beating of his heart, slow and steady, where she rested her ear against his chest. The arms around her held her as if they would never let her go, while his hot breath tickled against her ear.
My mate. My mate. He will never let any harm come to me.
For some reason, she knew it was true as soon as she thought it.
As long as Liev was with her, she didn’t need to fear Erik Lukich – or anything else.
“It was just a dream, Darklis,” Liev murmured soothingly, his hand rising to stroke through her hair. “There’s nothing to be worried about. We’re in a hotel room in New York. Do you remember?”
Darklis took a shuddering breath as the day’s events flooded back to her.
Of course – now she knew where she was.
“I remember,” she said, blinking her eyes as they threatened to spill over with tears. “I’m sorry. I... I had a bad dream.”
“Please don’t apologize,” Liev said, his right hand still moving slowly through her hair, his left warm against her shoulder. “This is a strange situation we find ourselves in. It’s understandable.”
Darklis took a shuddering breath. That was true, she supposed. As much as she thought she had overcome her nightmares of her time as Erik Lukich’s prisoner, being stuck here without her dragon was something that could have set them off again.
But now, here in Liev’s arms, it was clear there was nothing to be frightened of.
As her fear began to leach away, Darklis found it was being replaced by a warmth that tingled through her limbs, winding its way into her belly and then lower, lower...
Swallowing, Darklis closed her eyes, trying not to let a groan slip out between her lips. Having Liev so close, having his arms around her... it was doing strange things to her head. Never before had she felt such an intoxicating heat inside her. She had always prided herself on her ability to think clearly, to make decisions quickly and rationally.
And he’s just holding you because it’s the gentlemanly thing to do, Darklis told herself. You woke him up in the middle of the night with a nightmare. He’s just trying to comfort you. He doesn’t remember what you are to each other.
But despite the cold reality of that thought, Darklis found it did nothing to help the throbbing desire that was slowly building within her. She wanted to press herself closer and closer to Liev, to feel his skin against hers, to know there was nothing at all between them...
Darklis almost started as Liev let out a groan of his own, shifting slightly on the bed. It was then that she felt it – the hardness at the apex of his thighs, pressing against her hip.
That’s not very gentlemanly, Darklis thought suddenly, and couldn’t stop her slight giggle as she did.
She barely let herself breathe as she raised her head to look at him, finding his eyes in the dark.
“Liev?”
Liev groaned again, and then, terribly, began to withdraw his arms.
“Darklis, I’m sorry,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I – I shouldn’t have – please forgive me –”
“Liev, wait.” Darklis reached out, gripping his forearms before he could move away completely. Alarm suddenly thrilled through her. He couldn’t leave her. He couldn’t stop touching her. Not yet! “Please, don’t go. You have nothing to apologize for. I –”
Darklis cut herself off, unsure of what to say. She had never had to talk to a man about these things before. She wasn’t sure if she knew how. She was used to shutting herself away with books and studying arcane magic, and her childhood had been spent utterly alone, locked away from the world by the Lukich Clan. How could she say what she wanted to say?
But... but if Liev feels it too... if he knows...
Unsure of what she wanted to say, but utterly certain of what she felt, of what Liev felt, Darklis raised her hands to the sides of his face, before pulling him close, kissing him as fiercely as she dared.
His lips were searing against hers, sending white-hot heat surging through her, all the way to her core.
He responded in kind: he drew her back into his arms immediately, his large, strong hands spreading over her back, pulling her into his chest. His lips parted and his tongue swept into her mouth as fire raced through her, setting everything within her alight.
She could feel his hardness pressing against her as she pushed herself against him, eager for more. When at last the kiss broke and she glanced down, she couldn’t hold back a gasp at the sight of the bulge in his jeans. Swallowing, Darklis slowly trailed a hand down his neck and over his chest, until her fingers rested lightly on the hot hardness between his legs.
“God, Darklis,” Liev groaned, throwing his head back. His hips bucked forward as she stroked him gently, marveling at how even the lightest of touches could elicit such a response from him. “Please – do you want –”
“I want everything,” Darklis said quickly, without needing to think.
And it was true. Liev was her mate; her one true mate.
Liev, his eyes shining in the dark, looked down at her a moment longer before slowly lowering his head to kiss her again. The kiss was soft and gentle for a moment – before the fire of passion overcame them both once more, and Darklis parted her lips, her tongue darting inside Liev’s mouth.
She gasped as his hands slid down her sides, his touch sending bolts of pleasure across her skin. He tugged at the bottom of her t-shirt, pulling it up and over her shoulders. She raised her arms so he could remove it completely, and then her own hands were on him, the tips of her fingers sliding over the hard grid of his abdominal muscles.
Liev groaned at her touch, and Darklis could feel him trembling against her, his muscles straining against his skin. Entranced, she ran her fingers over him again, watching as he shivered.
All this, for me...
It seemed unbelievable that a man like Liev could respond this way to her. He was so strong and brave and handsome and a prince...
It was almost as if one of the ancient dragon knights from the stories she had read had come to life. And he was here with her, in bed, saying her name as she pulled his shirt off over his head and threw it onto the floor with her own.
He kissed her again, pulling her down with him onto the bed. Unable to stop herself, she arched her back, pressing herself against him. She could feel her core, hot and eager, as she parted her legs, letting him slide between them. The hot jut of his erection pushed against her thigh, and she gasped.
Liev lowered his head, his mouth ranging across her breasts as his hands fumbled with his jeans. Darklis couldn’t stop herself from crying out as his tongue at last found her nipple, teasing it before he took it gently between his teeth. Desire raced through her like wildfire, sweeping away all before it.
Darklis frantically shoved her jeans down her thighs, kicking them off once they reached her calves. The desperate ache between her legs had only grown more urgent, and she writhed up, parting her legs, wanting to feel him against her.
“I can’t wait any longer,” she gasped, arching her back. Raising her hands, she twined her fingers in his hair. “Please, Liev – please –”
His mouth captured hers before she could finish the sentence. With his hands on her hips, he lifted her as if she weighed nothing at all, pulling her up against him. She could feel his massive length against her, hot and hard.
Darklis wound her arms around his back, so desperate she could barely think straight. She wanted him, needed him –
She cried out, throwing her head back as at last, at last, he slid inside her. She had expected it to hurt, if only a little – Liev’s girth and length were impressive, after all – but instead, she felt only a delicious stretch, as if, finally, she had been made complete.
“Oh God, Liev,” she couldn’t stop herself from crying out as he moved slightly within her, pushing against her inner walls, finding the deepest parts of her. She clenched herself around him and he groaned in response, hi
s hips bucking forward, as if he was fighting to keep control of himself.
You don’t need to, Darklis thought. Please, Liev.
As if he had heard her, Liev pulled back slightly before thrusting forward again, burying himself within her. She cried out, arching up into his thrusts, fingers digging into his back as ecstasy spiraled through her.
Lifting her legs, she wrapped them around his hips, pulling herself up to meet every thrust. His arms, glistening with sweat in the meager light of the room, held him up above her, his hands buried in her hair.
“Darklis,” he whispered, his voice holding an edge of desperation. “Oh God, Darklis...”
She could not reply. Not with words, in any case. Instead, she simply lifted her head, bringing their mouths together. His tongue plundered her mouth, muffling their moans as together, they rose to the peak of their pleasure.
Wave after wave of brilliant light raced through her with every movement Liev made, building upon one another, until at last a final, intense wave crested within her. She moaned, arching up one final time. Together, they cried out as one as pure bliss crashed over them both, filling them completely, both body and soul.
For a moment, Darklis thought she could see a shining golden ribbon behind her eyes as she shuddered, crying out – but then, as the pleasure of their joining slowly began to subside, it too began to fade, disappearing into nothingness once more.
Was... was that...
Her mind was too muddled from ecstasy to complete the thought. Liev still filled her, his breath hot on her face, their chests heaving in tandem as they slowly came down from their climax.
At last, reluctantly, he moved aside, settling next to her on the small bed and gathering her up in his arms. Utterly content, she snuggled into his side, her hand playing lightly over the groove of his pectoral muscles.
“That was... that was...” She wasn’t sure she had the words to describe what that was.
To her relief, Liev only laughed softly, before dropping a warm kiss on her forehead. Slowly, his hand trailed down her spine in a gentle caress.
