by Donna Grant
“We’re going to find Varek. Or whoever took him,” Con said, hoping that Varek hadn’t been taken. “But that isna why I called you here. All of you want to know about the dragons on this new realm with my twins. As you know, the twins have locked Rhi and me out of going to see them. We had just decided that we were no’ going to sit by and allow them to do that when I had another thought. The dragons on that realm are no’ the same ones we sent away. While dragons live a verra long time, they’re no’ immortal as we are.”
“I’ve been so busy wanting to see my dragons, I had no’ thought of that,” Banan said.
Con bowed his head in acknowledgement. “We doona know if the traditions we had in place have passed to these new dragons. As we’ve seen on this planet, things change. Sometimes, rapidly. No’ everyone wants to hold onto the old ways. What I’m saying is that there’s a really good chance these dragons willna answer to us. We doona know who led them when we sent them over the Dragon Bridge for their protection, but we do know that the twins have been ruling them for some time now.”
He paused and blew out a long breath. “On top of all of that, we think there might be another reason the twins doona want us there. We’ve been Dragon Kings for much longer than we were meant to be. Had the humans no’ come, had we no’ gone to war with them, and had we no’ decided to honor our vow to protect them, we wouldna have sent the dragons away, and none of us would be standing here today. Because other, stronger dragons would’ve been born and challenged us.”
“Fuck me,” Thorn said, his dark brows drawn together. “You think they would challenge us?”
“There’s a good chance, aye,” Con replied. “Many of you have mates now. You know if you are killed, your mate also dies.”
Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest, his topaz eyes blazing with anger. “In other words, we need to decide if we want our life here with our mates, or if we want to see our dragons.”
“They’re no’ the dragons you knew,” Darius pointed out.
V shrugged. “They’re still our dragons. Whether the same ones or descendants, they come from here.”
“It’s something all of you need to think about. Hard,” Con warned them. “Because after the party, Rhi and I are going to the twins.”
Chapter Seven
December 29th
* * *
Rhi could barely contain her glee. She adored parties. She adored entertaining. There was just something so rewarding and gratifying about seeing the people you loved all gathered together. She let her gaze roam around the huge dining area.
The room was awash in amber light from hundreds of candles and small twinkling lights the humans called fairy lights. The moment she had seen them, Rhi bought them. How could she not? Four trees of various sizes were in the room, each one with a different theme. One was a Santa Claus-themed with a Santa hat for the top of the tree and elf legs sticking out, as well as a variety of fun, red and green ornaments. Another had a music theme with instruments and musical notes as ornaments. Another was winter-wonderland-themed with snowy owls and polar bears. And the final one was a Candyland tree, featuring huge lollipops and candy canes of all colors.
The table and settings, however, might be her favorite. She had merged modern and traditional for something uniquely Dreagan. The impossibly long, dark wood table was sleek and stunning. Along it sat a gold table runner with green foliage atop it, the vegetation interspersed with elegant golden twigs, black votive candles, and Christmas tree baubles of gold and black. Three large crystal candelabras with fluted pillars and curving arms brought in the old-world charm that also added some sparkle that reflected the candles’ flames and the fairy lights.
Her gaze moved to the table settings. Gold chargers, black dinner plates with a gold design around the edges, white side plates with the same gold design, and black dessert plates the same as the large ones were stacked largest to smallest. Gold, black, white, black. Gold utensils lay on either side of the place setting. The stemware was simple, classic crystal. At the head of each setting was an elegant black napkin, cuffed in a thick gold band. And directly behind it was a gold cracker that popped when pulled and had some fun treats and jokes inside.
She drew in a long breath and slowly released it while looking at her friends and family. At one time, she had believed that she was utterly alone in the world. Now, she looked at a roomful of people she knew without a doubt she could count on—and they could count on her. Then there was Con.
Just thinking about him made her body heat with longing. She searched the crowd for him and spotted his surfer-boy blond hair to her left. He was in deep conversation with V. A heartbeat later, his head swung to her, their gazes meeting as if he had known that she was staring at him.
He gave her a smile and a small incline of his head. She lifted her champagne flute to him, letting him know that she was fine. Rhi wasn’t sure what she had wanted out of the party when she first thought of it. Now, she realized exactly what she had desired—for everyone to be together. It didn’t matter where or what decorations were up. They were here…healthy, happy, and triumphant over their foes. What more could they ask for?
A hand brushed against the small of her back, then Con’s deep brogue whispered in her ear, “That dress.”
She couldn’t hold back her smile. The gold silk gown with its scoop neck hugged her curves. But she’d gotten it because of the back. Rows and rows of Swarovski crystals hung from shoulder to shoulder, draping, longer and longer with each strand until the last hung to her butt. “You like it?”
“I’d say the dress is pretty, but you make it exceptional.”
Rhi turned to him and grinned. “You do know exactly what to say.”
His black eyes smoldered with hunger. Her body responded instantly as he pulled her to him to feel his arousal against her stomach.
She shook her head. “Not yet, my King.”
“There’s no way I’ll last the night with you looking like that,” he whispered seductively in her ear.
“That’s the whole point,” she teased. Rhi put her free hand against his chest. “Everything all right with V?”
“We were discussing Varek. V wanted to point out that he often ignored my calls to return to Dreagan, as well.”
Rhi raised her brows. “That he did.”
“Aye,” Con agreed. “V thinks I’m looking for something to be wrong when there isna.”
“He has a point.”
“Of which, I gave him. So, I’m going to stop worrying. At least, for tonight,” he replied with a grin. “Shall we begin the party?”
Rhi tapped her fingernails on her flute to get everyone’s attention. Once the room looked her way, she shared a smile with Con before saying, “Thank you all for tonight. Some of you didn’t have a choice because you live here, but I would’ve hunted you down.”
Laughter followed.
She swallowed and looked around the room. “In all honesty, this night is important to all of us. It marks a new beginning for the Dragon Kings, Fae, and the Reapers. We deserve some peace, and I’m thankful that we’re finally getting it. Tonight, we’re going to celebrate our family.”
There was a round of cheers before everyone found their places and sat. Rhi opted to sit next to Con instead of at the other end of the table. She had wanted to give that place to Ulrik, and Con had wholeheartedly agreed. Erith and Cael sat on the other side of Con with the Reapers and their mates intermingled with the Kings.
Course after course was delicious. There was much laughter as the night waned, as well as stories told by everyone. Rhi wondered if the manor had ever heard so much merriment in one night. She could well imagine the stones and wood smiling at the happiness that overflowed.
While the holiday season technically wasn’t over since New Year’s wasn’t quite upon them yet, it was winding down. They’d had a respite of sorts, but the Kings’ power meant they always stood watch over Earth and those who called it home.
Rhi’s gaze met Er
ith’s, and she smiled at the goddess. The relief in Death’s expression shook Rhi.
“I wasn’t sure you’d ever forgive me,” Erith said.
Rhi glanced at Con and shrugged. “Everything happens for a reason. Whether I like it or not, things happened. We can’t change any of it. The only thing we can do is determine how we react and the decisions we make going forward.”
“You sound very wise,” Cael replied.
Con reached over and took her hand. “That’s because she is.”
“The past is gone. The future hasn’t yet reached us. We have this moment, and that’s what we need to embrace,” Rhi said. “To be fully present in this moment. Yes, Erith, I forgive you. Con and I have so much to look forward to, including getting to know our children.”
There was a loud “hear, hear” from the entire table.
Rhi hadn’t realized that everyone was listening, but she shouldn’t have been surprised. Everyone had known the heartache that she and Con had borne for months, trying to get to the twins, as well as deal with the knowledge of what Erith had done.
Ulrik got to his feet and lifted his glass. “To the King and Queen of Dragon Kings.”
The entire table rose to their feet and lifted their glasses in salute. Rhi turned her head to Con, and they shared a kiss before raising their glasses. Everyone drank as the conversation picked up again.
With a slight tug on her hand, Con pulled her from her chair and into his lap. She wrapped her arm around him and looked into his midnight eyes. “I think tonight went well.”
“Because of you,” he said.
She made a sound in the back of her throat. “It went well because of us. I did nothing but decorate. Anyone could do that.”
“I disagree. You put thought into everything you did, including the different dishes for dinner. Look around, my love. There are smiling faces here.”
She had to agree. Though her heart hurt that Henry, Melisse, and Varek weren’t in attendance, she knew that each of them probably had something pressing that couldn’t wait. They always had next year.
“I’d like to make this an annual event,” Con said.
Rhi jerked her face to him. “Did you read my mind?”
He chuckled. “What do you think?”
“I love the idea. Gives us a chance to be together. Because I’m sure there will be times when we’re spread around the globe.”
“Exactly.”
Rhi breathed a happy sigh. “Tonight was amazing. I don’t want it to end.”
“I’ve been impatiently waiting until this moment. I enjoyed every second of this evening, my love, but if we doona get to our chambers, I might take you on this table in front of everyone.”
She giggled and threaded her fingers into his hair. “Is that right? How about I take care of that.”
In the next blink, they stood in their chambers. Con moaned as he yanked her against him for an intense kiss. There would be no more talking for them for a while.
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant comes a new story in her Dragon Kings series…
The capture of a Dragon King is cause for celebration. Jeyra never dreamed she would actually face one of the creatures who destroyed her home. But the longer she’s around him, the more she finds herself gravitating to him. All it takes is one reckless kiss that unleashes desires and the truth that has been hidden from her to set them both on a course that could be the end of them.
Varek, King of Lichens, has known nothing but a life with magic. Until he finds himself on a different realm unable to call up his powers. Worse, he’s in shackles with no memory of how it happened. When he sees an enthralling woman who leaves him speechless, he believes he can charm her to free him. The more she rebuffs him, the more he craves her, igniting a dangerous passion between them. Can he protect the woman he’s fallen for while uncovering the truth – or will peril that neither see coming tear them apart?
Continue reading for a sneak peek at Dragon Revealed, book one in the DRAGON KINGS SERIES.
Excerpt of DRAGON REVEALED
Dragon Kings, Book 1
The ringing in her ears drowned out everything. Gradually, it faded, and her harsh breaths replaced it. Sweat dripped into her eyes, stinging them, but she didn’t take her gaze off him. Her nightmare, the monster who had haunted her for years lay unmoving before her.
With legs still shaking from the monumental effort it took to capture him and pull him through the portal, Jeyra straightened to stand over him. For years she had feared everything to do with dragons, and especially Dragon Kings. She knew firsthand how formidable they were, how merciless and cruel.
How lethal.
Yet the Dragon King sprawled unconscious at her feet didn’t make her tremble with fear. He looked…harmless. But that was just one of the many ways they conquered.
Jeyra drew in a deep, satisfying breath. Everything she had trained for, worked for all these decades had led to this moment. There had been a point she wasn’t sure she would succeed, but she had done it. Now that she had the Dragon King, the ordeal felt surreal. The exhaustion of her body, mind, and soul, however, told her it was all very real.
She bent at the waist and clasped the heavy manacles around his wrists, noting the fine fabric of his clothes. His attire was much different than hers, but she was still able to discern they were of good quality. The white shirt had long sleeves that molded to his upper body as if it were a second skin. His pants were made of a thick, dark blue material. Both were in excellent condition, the fabrics soft. Even the leather boots, which appeared to have been well worn, were in amazing condition and quality.
Her eyes lifted to his face. He was stunning, with a visage that would cause anyone to stop and gape in awe at him. Handsome didn’t begin to describe the startling beauty mixed with raw male ruggedness. It made her sick to her stomach that someone so gorgeous could have such a black soul.
A lock of his blond hair had fallen across his forehead and lifted in the soft breeze. She swallowed as she recalled the moment his brown eyes had met hers. She saw a million different colors in his eyes. The word brown didn’t begin to define them. They were unique, sporting a mix of light and dark of leaves in autumn and summer soil after a torrential rain.
Fathomless. Mysterious.
Beguiling.
Jeyra looked away from the Dragon King’s exquisite face, but it wasn’t long before she was staring at him again. She wanted to know what kind of monster the Kings were to cause such chaos and death without so much as a blip in their conscience.
“Bloody hell. You did it!”
She jumped at the sound of Rankin’s deep, gravelly voice - half in surprise, half in guilt at staring at her prisoner. Jeyra straightened once more and faced the man who had raised her. Rankin was a tall, broad-shouldered man who was gruff and loud, but had a tender side he only showed her. He’d never married or had children of his own. He wasn’t much to look at, even without the scars of war on his face and body, but he was one of their best warriors. That in itself earned him the respect he was shown by the others of their village.
He wore various shades of brown and tan to better blend in with the thick forest they called home. He carried a double-bladed war axe that she still had trouble lifting. His pale brown hair was liberally laced with gray, the top half pulled away from his face and gathered at the back of his head while the rest hung free just past his shoulders. His beard was a darker brown and reached to his chest.
Before Jeyra could reply, she was enveloped in Rankin’s thick arms as he gave her a squeeze so tight, she wasn’t able to breath. He released her almost instantly and leaned back as he held her arms in his hands and smiled brightly down at her with his gray eyes.
“I’ve always known you could do this,” he said, blinking rapidly. “I know this was something you had to do, but I’m proud of you, girl.”
She beamed under his approval. “I couldn’t have done it without the training you’ve given me.”
He made a sound at the back of his throat and shot her a crooked smile. “We both know that’s a load of shite.” Rankin dropped his arms, his smile gone as he looked at the Dragon King unconscious at their feet. “We need to get him locked away quickly. We don’t know how long it’ll be before the other Kings realize he’s gone and come looking for him.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Rankin’s brows were drawn together as he swung his head around to her. His eyes narrowed as he looked her up and down. Then he looked beyond her, noting how close they were to the border of the land of the dragons.
When his eyes snapped back to her, Jeyra fought not to take a step back. Rankin had never lifted a hand against her. He had disciplined her with chores, words, and, like now, a look of anger and displeasure. She hated when she disappointed him. He had opened his home and his heart to her, and she had worked hard to make him proud of her. But this was one time she had to do something for herself – no matter what he might think.
“Jeyra,” he said with a frown.
“I wasn’t caught.”
Rankin ran a hand down his face and walked a few paces away. Then he halted and turned back to her. “Tell me what happened. All of it. In exacting detail.”
“It’s better if you don’t know,” she began.
He slashed a hand through the air, fury contorting his face. “I’m tryin’ to save your life. You know what they’ll do if they discover you’ve crossed the border.”
She wasn’t sure if he meant the Dragon Kings or their own council. Not that it mattered. She had done what had to be done. Whatever the consequences were, she’d deal with it.
Rankin growled and let out a string of cuss words. “I know that look. I know you’re tough enough to handle whatever punishment comes to you, or at least you think you will. You won’t if they take your life. Now tell me,” he barked.
