by Tara West
“It was strong once, wasn’t it?” She clutched her throat, thinking of how it didn’t always work and how she couldn’t convince Draque to release her. “I don’t know what happened.”
“Those earrings” Grandmother said. “They muted your memories and your powers.”
Instinctively, her hand flew to the scars on her ears where her earrings had once been. Those cursed earrings. They’d not only robbed her of memories, they’d stolen her life. “Do you think so?”
“I know so.” Mother’s grin was confident. “Your voice should return to you now.”
They were interrupted by a loud roar that reverberated through the hall, rattling the walls.
“What was that?” Mother asked.
Serah’s heartbeat quickened. “Sounds like my mates are here.”
“Time to test your siren voice,” her grandmother said with a wink.
Chapter Seventeen
Serah’s heart plummeted when she saw that only Draque had come for her. What had happened to Ladon and Teju? He had flown into their secret lagoon, cornering several frightened sirens on Grandmother’s throne, moonlight illuminating his golden scales. Though they tried to duck behind the waterfalls’ curtains of water, he drove them out with his tail.
“Where is she?” he demanded.
“With our queen,” they said, their voices dark and powerful. “Now leave us be!”
Draque swayed, momentarily disoriented. “You can’t use your siren voices on me!”
She hurriedly stepped forward. “Draque! Leave them be!”
When he turned toward her, steam pouring from his snout, her heart nearly broke from the pained look in his eyes.
“Serah? You okay?”
She waded across the shallow end of the pool, water splashing her ankles. “I’m fine, Draque. Now shift before you give my sisters heart attacks.”
His eyes narrowed. “How do I know you’re not under a spell? They tried to sacrifice you.”
She heaved a weary sigh. “No, they didn’t.”
He arched a leathery brow. “Either you lied to Ladon then, or he lied to me.”
“Neither.” She held out her hands in a defensive gesture.
More smoke poured from his snout. “Then climb on my back and let us leave this place.”
Crossing her arms, she eyed him through slits. “I’m not leaving yet. I’ve only just reunited with my family.”
Grandmother and Mother came up behind her. The former put a hand on Serah’s shoulder and addressed Draque in a low, melodic voice. “I demand you stand down at once and shift into your human skin.”
Draque swayed again, eyes half closed, and then seemed to come back to himself. “I will not fall for your siren tricks. Release her!”
“Stand down, Draque!” Serah commanded, her siren speaking through her with a power so strong and raw, her throat ached.
Much to her surprise, Draque went down on all fours, whimpering like a kitten.
“And shift into your human skin,” she added.
He shifted, huddling shirtless on the stone slab, revealing meaty biceps and rippling tanned muscles along his back.
One bold siren stepped forward, licking her lips.
Serah held out a staying hand. “Mine!”
She marched through the shallow water to Draque. Crossing her arms, she gazed at him. “You will calm down,” she commanded.
Much to her chagrin, his eyes rolled back, and he slumped in the water. Well damn. Her siren voice was powerful—maybe too powerful.
Letting out a shrill laugh, Grandmother clapped her hands. “I told you so.”
SERAH SAT ON THE EDGE of her bed, staring at her sleeping lover and wondering why he came by himself. She hoped his brothers were okay.
She refused to leave Draque’s side as she waited for him to wake. Her mother had placed a tau stone around his neck and recited the spell that prevented him from shifting, and Grandmother had ordered her sirens to bind his wrists and ankles. They’d brought him to Serah’s old bedchamber, a cavern much like her grandmother’s, with a private pool. Only this cavern had a four-poster bed. Serah hadn’t slept in the water with her siren sisters. She’d usually rested in her feather bed, which was piled high with cushions.
It all made sense now. Such luxury was uncommon for sirens, but not for fae. Yet her family had never made her feel like an outsider for her differences.
“Hello, Serah.”
Acacia and Violante stood in the doorway, looking as lovely as ever. Acacia had generous curves, large breasts, and fair skin, and Violante, had dark skin and eyes, small, perky breasts with dusky nipples, and long black hair that hung down her back in thick braids. They had been best friends growing up and then lovers in their teens, learning their own body’s needs while exploring each other. Serah had never wanted to leave them and wondered if their hearts broke after Grandfather took her away.
She smiled weakly, for their relationship would never be the same again. “Hello.”
Acacia stepped forward, twisting her fingers together while sharing wary looks with Violante. “We’ve missed you.”
Her heart seized at the longing in their eyes. “And I you.”
“We are going for a moonlight swim.” Violante said coyly. “Won’t you come with us?”
She glanced at Draque. No way was she leaving him. “I can’t.”
“He’s quite handsome.” Acacia’s otherwise smooth brow was drawn into a deep frown as she walked up to her bed and peered down at Draque. “I’d like to ride him if you’re interested in sharing.”
Serah tensed, her possessive siren issuing a warning growl. “I don’t share my mates.”
Expecting a rebuke, Serah was shocked when Violante knelt beside Serah and placed a hand on her womb. “I feel a quickening.”
Serah’s breath caught in her throat. “A what?” But she already knew. She’d forgotten to take maiden wart after having sex with her mates. She’d had a lot on her mind, starting with trying not to get murdered.
“You carry their eggs.” Violante pressed her ear to Serah’s belly. “There are three, maybe four.”
Her mouth went dry, and she suddenly felt like an animal caught in a trap. “You must be mistaken.”
Violente blinked at Serah with luminous almond eyes. “I’ve never been wrong before.”
It was true. She had a sixth sense, no doubt inherited from her father, who’d been a seer. She’d accurately predicted every siren birth for the past ten years.
Serah moved away from her, clutching her belly, mind reeling. “I can’t have babies. I’m not ready.”
She shrugged. “Dragon eggs take a long time to hatch.”
“Dragon eggs? But sirens only give birth to sirens.” That’s how it had always been. They gave birth to sirens, all females.
“Our goddess gave birth to boy dragons,” Violente said. “Read the scrolls.”
“Really?” Serah straightened. “You said they take a long time to hatch. How long?”
“Three to five years.”
The tension that had felt like a noose around her neck slowly unraveled. Plenty of time to get used to the idea. At least she’d have more time than the standard nine months, but she still didn’t think she’d be ready. Violente rubbed Serah’s belly. “The hatchlings will wake when their mother is ready.”
“Thank the goddess.” They’d be waiting a while.
Acacia knelt beside Violente with a smile that looked forced. “I suppose this means you’re committed to them now.”
She didn’t want to hurt her former lovers’ feelings, but she couldn’t imagine spending her days without her dragons. “I think I am.”
“If you change your mind....” Acacia stood and brushed her lips across Serah’s knuckles. “Just remember all the exciting things we can do to you with our tongues.”
“I remember.” She pulled back her hand as images of Teju’s face, planted between her legs, flashed through her mind. She wanted all her dragon lovers, the fathe
rs of her hatchlings. She wondered how they’d take the news. Would they be as confused and terrified as her?
SERAH HAD A DIFFICULT time processing what Violante had told her. Placing a hand on her womb, she closed her eyes, trying to envision dragon eggs growing inside her. She had so many questions, like how big would they get and when would she birth them?
Leaning over her lover, she stroked his bearded face, alternating between feeling bad that he was bound and smug that his bonds were tight, just as hers had been. Now that she’d found her voice, never again would he bind her. Well, at least not against her will.
Her hands roved across his muscular, tanned chest and then down the fine trail of hair leading to his groin. A thick erection pressed against the sheet, so long and perfect, she couldn’t help thinking of mounting him.
His eyes opened. “Serah?” he asked, then realized he was tied up and struggled.
“Shh.” She brushed her lips across his. “Where are your brothers?” she asked urgently, her siren once again speaking through her.
“I left them at The Grotto,” he responded in a monotone as his shoulders relaxed.
“Are they well?”
“They were when I left them.”
She heaved a sigh of relief. “Grandmother says you must stay bound until we know you won’t hurt us.”
The fog lifted from his eyes, indicating he was free of her voice. He fought the restraints, rattling the bed. “I came to save you.”
Her heart did a little backflip. Draque flew across an ocean to save her! Was it because he cared about her or was he bringing her back to prevent the witches from declaring war?
“Thank you, but as you can see, I’m fine.” She smiled, hoping he’d calm down. “I was wrong. They never tried to sacrifice me. My grandfather bewitched me with a memory spell.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him. So you believe us now when we say he’s evil?”
“Yes.” She hung her head. She wished she could erase the memory of Grandfather forcing those earrings through her unpierced lobes.
“Serah.” His voice softened. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Her gaze snapped up to his. “Well you did,” she huffed. “Many times.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I’ve only ever wanted to keep you safe.” He held out his hands. “Will you loosen my bonds? They’re too tight.”
She showed him her wrists, which were still rubbed raw from the ropes he’d tied around her. “Like this?”
“I was a brute,” he said. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”
She eyed him coolly, a smile tugging at her lips. “I cannot untie your bonds without my grandmother’s permission, and she has gone to sleep for the night.”
His eyes widened, making him look like a child who’d been caught with a forbidden book of spells. “So I’m to remain like this until morning?”
She shrugged, absently drawing a lazy circle around his navel. “Sucks, doesn’t it?”
If it was at all possible, that stiff protrusion under the sheet pulsed and lengthened.
Pulling down the sheet, she admired his thick erection. The mere sight of his beautiful body sent her lust into overdrive.
Mount him, Thelix urged.
“Serah,” he said. “We mustn’t fool around. I need to return to my brothers.” But his actions belied his words when he thrust his hips forward, aiming his erection at her lips.
“I can’t untie you,” she said, bending over and taking him in her mouth. She didn’t want to untie him. She intended to torture him, as he’d tortured her. But though she hadn’t forgiven him, her siren’s lust needed to be sated. Besides, he’d traveled across an ocean to save her. She might have been pissed at him, but he deserved a reward for his bravery. And she deserved a few orgasms for putting up with him.
He let out a groan, flexing his hips and pushing his length deeper into her mouth. “What are you doing to me, woman?”
She sucked him in until his balls were pressed against her lips and his cockhead tickled the back of her throat.
He inhaled sharply when she moved up the shaft, then swore when she slurped him all the way down. She sucked him again and again, lathering his balls with her spit, tenderly cupping and stroking them until they firmed beneath her touch. Knowing he was on the verge of exploding, she pulled off again.
He thrust his hips at her. “Stop torturing me,” he pleaded.
Straddling him, she smiled, breasts heaving as she sat on his erection. His eyes rolled back as she rode him, slowly picking up tempo, crying out when he lifted his hips, smacking into that tight bundle of nerves. After grinding hard against him, she came undone, her inner walls clenching him like a vice as he shot into her with a groan. Pleasure zinged through, her and she fell onto his chest, panting. He kissed her forehead, whispering sweet words in her ear.
“Serah, my darling, I thought my heart would shatter when I lost you.” His tender words set her heart aflutter. Lying against his chest, listening to the steady beating of his heart, was a balm to her soul. But even as her breathing slowed, her lust wasn’t sated. She rode him harder this time, until their cries of passion echoed through the chamber.
Drunk on orgasms, Serah’s lust was sated—for now. Rolling off of him, she wiped up their juices with a cloth and then climbed back into bed.
“Serah, as much as I enjoy being in this bed with you”—he rattled the headboard—“I must return to my family. Please untie me.”
She sat up. “Why should I? You fucked me and then tied me up.” She wanted to forgive him but not yet, not until she was convinced he was sorry and would never restrain her again without her permission.
He looked panicked. “Serah, please be reasonable.”
Her breasts heaved when she wagged a finger in his face. “Oh, now you want to reason with me?”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lost my temper.”
Good. Now they were making progress, but she still hadn’t forgotten he’d intended to force her into marriage. “And?”
“And I won’t force you to marry us,” he said. “War is coming to The Grotto, and now that I know you’re safe, I need to return and fight with my family.”
Bile rose at the back of her throat. “Are you sure war is coming?” she asked, hoping he was mistaken. Grandfather was obviously cruel and delusional, but would he persuade Parliament to declare war on the shifters?
“They murdered my brother with the unbreakable curse.”
She cried out in shock, wondering which one was dead. Draque had told her they were alive.
“Not Teju or Ladon,” Draque quickly assured her. “My older brother, Thaddeus.”
Not Teju or Ladon. Thank the goddess. She threw her arms around his neck, stifling a sob. “I’m so sorry.”
“Your grandfather activated a spell like the one he used on your godmother. He’s controlling Parliament. They could’ve descended on my home already.”
She jerked upright and grabbed his wrists. Extending her siren fangs, she tore through the bindings. “Let’s go then, before we’re too late.”
He ripped the tau stone off and tore through the bindings on his ankles with a claw. "You’re staying here.”
Her siren voice took over. “You’re taking me, and that’s final.”
His face went blank. “As you command.”
Chapter Eighteen
Teju’s stomach roiled as he watched the horizon for the witches. Ladon faced the opposite direction, watching the sea for signs of Draque and Serah.
His fathers, mother, two remaining older brothers, and several other shifters had surfaced, preferring to engage in battle above their beloved grotto, rather than risk the lives of thousands of innocents below. Master Eagleheart, his daughter, and their minions had managed to flee last night during the fight. Teju wondered if they’d met up with the witches during their escape and reduced each other’s numbers. That might explain why the witches hadn’t shown up yet.
At least, Teju prayed that
was why.
An ominous cloud in the distance rolled in their direction, swathing the desert landscape in gloomy shadow.
“Fathers,” he asked the dragon kings. “Were we expecting rain?”
Kron’s long moustache hung over heavy jowls. “No.” He released a deep, dark howl.
Clutching his wand, Teju climbed on Ladon’s back. Ready, brother?
Ladon answered with a growl. No, but let’s get this over with.
Hector released fire into the sky. “Today I shall avenge my brother’s death!”
“This battle will be won for Thaddeus!” Bastian bellowed. He stood beside Hector.
Dame Doublewart was on his back, clinging to the horns on his head and aiming her wand at the sky. “Shields at the ready!” The dragons lined up, the kings standing protectively by their sons. Vepar stood next to Ladon and Teju, their mother on the Vepar’s back.
“Be brave, sons,” she said, her eyes as hard as stone. Teju admired her strength; she’d cried all night for Thaddeus.
The cloud rolled closer, billowy and black with swirls of red and violet. This was definitely no ordinary storm.
The witches were coming.
“WE’VE ONLY JUST GOTTEN you back.” Mother hugged Serah close once more, her tears falling down her back. “Now we’re losing you again.”
She didn’t want to leave Mother, but she had to reach The Grotto before Grandfather brought war to her mates. Knowing the witches were using the unbreakable curse only made the situation more urgent.
“I will return to you, I promise.” She clutched her mother desperately, guilt weighing heavy on her. She turned to Grandmother, who was fighting back tears.
“Go, child,” her grandmother said, her voice cracking like shattered glass, “and fulfill your destiny.”
Turning up her chin, Serah felt a renewed sense of purpose surge through her. “I will.” If she truly was a reincarnation of their beloved goddess, it was up to her to prevent war—a daunting task she hoped she could realize.
