Forsaken (Dragon Shifter Book 6)

by Naomi Sparks

  Finally, Gabrielle steps away from me, taking my hand and leading me back toward the house. "I want to ask Valetta and the aunties something, and then we can get some sleep."

  She stands tall, her back and shoulders straight. Once again, I'm amazed at the strength of this woman. She's resilient and determined, and I love that about her.

  8

  Gabrielle

  Valetta is still sitting at the small table when I return. The aunties are there too, though they quickly disappear into the kitchen when I walk back in. There's a plate of small sandwiches sitting in the center of the table, and Valetta is nibbling on one of them. She looks up at me as I walk over, her face still annoyingly passive.

  "Something on your mind?" she asks innocently.

  "Why did you abandon me at that mall?" I ask. She'd given me an answer earlier, and while I don't think she was lying, I do think there's more to it than what she said.

  "I already told you. It was to protect you. By binding your powers and leaving you among the humans, we hid you from those who might seek to use your powers for their own gains."

  The two of us stare at each other for a long while, neither willing to budge an inch. I don't doubt her words, but I want to know what else she's not telling me. There has to be more to the story than just that. You don't just leave a seven-year-old in the middle of a strange place, without even a goodbye, unless there's a damn good reason for it.

  And I want to know the reason.

  When the kitchen door opens again, I barely glance over as Nellie walks out. She's holding a dishtowel in her hands, fiddling with it nervously. "Don't be mad at Valetta," Nellie says, her voice sounding like it's on the verge of breaking. "It wasn't just her decision to leave you there. It was all of ours."

  She glances over her shoulder, and I follow her gaze to see the other two standing awkwardly in the doorway. They all have guilty looks on their faces as they nod solemnly.

  "She's telling you the truth when she says we were trying to keep others from using your powers. What she's not telling you is we bound your powers not just to keep them from your father and his ilk, but to keep them from us as well."

  I stare at Nellie, mouth slightly agape, as her words register.

  "Your power... It's one of the rarest kinds of power in our people. One of the most powerful. On your own, you have significant powers. But joined with ours, combining them together like we did for the scrying, we're capable of unimaginable things. It was too tempting to begin training you while you were a child, using your powers for our own benefit. It was a better choice to distance ourselves from you, from the temptation."

  When I glance at the aunties, they're all nodding. I lock eyes with Valetta and she reluctantly nods. "What Nellie says is true. Our own temptation is one of the reasons we ultimately decided on this course of action. But I assure you, Gabrielle, our primary reason was to keep you safe from Yin. If he had been able to get control of you when you were just a child, he could have bent you to his will, turned you into his little puppet. We chose for you to grow up among the humans, without the burden of your powers hanging over your head."

  A lump forms in my throat, and no matter how many times I try to swallow it, it just won't go away. All I can do is stare mutely at these four women. My mind is reeling with everything they'd told me. Everything they had done was not only protect me from Yin but from themselves, too. They hadn't trusted themselves not to exploit me, so they decided the better option was to abandon me?

  And, at no point, had they given me a say in anything. They hadn't wanted me to become a pawn for Yin, but at the same time, they'd treated me like I was their pawn. Without a word of explanation, they washed their hands of me and left me defenseless and alone.

  My hands ball into fists. I look down at them, feeling the power surging through me now. It's not as strong as it had been before the ritual, but it's still there, pumping steadily. Even with my powers newly unlocked and having pushed them to the limit, I could still feel the strength of my powers. If I'd grown up with this power and had a chance to learn it, adapt to it, I could've defended myself.

  I could've protected Olivia.

  That knowledge burns through me. It's not until Ezra puts a hand on my shoulder, his calm slowly eroding the anger away, that I'm able to see clearly again. It's going to take a while for me to truly process everything. Right now, I'm too tired for that. I need to rest.

  "You need to get some rest," Valetta says, surprising me. It's like she read my mind. When I look up at her, she gives me a knowing smile, and I feel heat rising in my cheeks. "There will be plenty of time for everything else later, don't worry."

  I nod, almost on autopilot. My entire body feels numb now. I'm not sure I have the strength to keep talking even if I wanted to. Which, I most certainly don't. Not right now.

  Valetta stands and motions toward the other door. "There's plenty of space for both of you for the night," she offers, but I shake my head immediately.

  As lovely as it would be to sleep indoors for once, I want some space. No, I need some space. My mind is still reeling with everything Valetta's told me, and I can't process it all with her right down the hall.

  "Thank you, but Ezra and I will camp outside." For a moment, I feel guilty about including him in my statement, but I glance over at him, I see him smiling and know we're both on the same page about this at least.

  Valetta's face is an unreadable mask. I can't tell what she thinks about my option, but she nods and doesn't try to argue with me.

  Once we're back outside, Ezra gets his small tent out of his saddlebags and sets up. It's incredible how much stuff fits on his bike. Come to think of it, there isn't anything about Ezra that's not incredible.

  The last couple of nights, after crawling into Ezra's tent, I'd fallen asleep almost the moment my head hit the pillow. Tonight though, as I lay staring up at the darkness, I can't fall asleep. Over and over, I repeated the conversations I had today. I'd long ago given up hope of ever seeing any of those women again. And yet, here they all were.

  And now I know why they'd abandoned me. When I was young, I'd always dreamt they'd find me one day, they'd explain why they'd left me in that mall. It would be a good reason, and I'd forgive them for everything. In reality, that hadn't been the case.

  Their explanation just made me angrier. These women were supposed to protect me against the world. And instead, they'd taken away the one thing I had to defend myself, and threw me out to the wolves.

  With my powers, I might not have been taken captive. At the very least, I would have had a fighting chance when the dragons had come for me. Instead, I was helpless, unable to stop them.

  As I spiral down that path again, Ezra reaches out and pulls me against him. I stiffen at first, then let out a sigh against his warm body. Laying here, angry at the world isn't going to change the past. And while I'm not sure I'll ever really forgive them, staying bitter isn't going to do much good either.

  I hate to admit it, but lying beside Ezra feels so right. After everything I've been through, having him by my side feels good. I snuggle closer against him, and if he minds, he doesn't show it. If anything, he seems to tighten his hold around me.

  A sigh slips from my lips as I close my eyes, letting his warmth wash over me. At that moment, there's nowhere else I'd rather be. I should feel guilty for even thinking that thought. I shouldn't be thinking of anyone like that, especially not Ezra, a dragon I've only just met. But it just feels so... right.

  For the first time in my life, I feel like this is truly where I belong. Not at Valetta's. Not in South Dakota. In Ezra's arms.

  When his hands begin to move along my body, I don't stop him. A small part of my brain is screaming at me, telling me to stay focused on finding Olivia, but I ignore that little voice. Just once, for one small moment, I want to pretend that everything is okay. I want to forget everything else that's going on in my life, forget all the hell I've been through.

  I just want to be happy.


  While I may not know Ezra very well, I do know he makes me happy.

  It's hard to believe that. No one has ever made me feel this comfortable before. I've never immediately clicked with a guy like this. Even as a young girl, I'd never had that puppy love so many of my friends had. There were crushes, sure, but they'd always been superficial. I'd never looked at a guy before and wanted to spend my life with him.

  I'm not sure I want to spend my life with Ezra, but I know I want to spend tonight with him.

  I want to be with him.

  When Ezra's hand rests on my ass, I open my eyes, looking up into his face. God, it's so easy to get lost in those deep, brown eyes. He's seen so much of the world, knows so much about it. And I want to hear all about it at some point.

  Not tonight. Tonight, I only want one thing from him.

  Without saying a word, I lean up. Fire runs through my body the moment our lips make contact. It feels like the way the power surged through me during the ritual. But this is different. It's not painful, but it's every bit as intense.

  Instantly, the two of us are kissing. He pushes his tongue into my mouth, and I revel in the new feelings surging through my body. I've never been with a man before, not completely.

  It feels strange, knowing that and knowing I have a daughter. But there was no pleasure in the breeding project, no intimacy. Conception had been achieved in a clinical and sterile manner. Not like this. Not like Ezra.

  When I move to straddle his waist, I can feel his hardness pressing against me. I shiver at the thought, wondering for the briefest moment if I should stop this. Before I know it, our clothes are off and tossed aside.

  Part of me is self-conscious that my body doesn't look anything like it did before I was taken by Amasis. But if Ezra minds that, he doesn't show it. He seems hungry for my body, his fingers dancing over every bit of exposed skin he can reach. His touch is magical, sending shivers throughout me as his hands explore my body.

  All we've done is kiss and touch me, and yet, I feel like I've been transported to a whole different planet. I experience sensations I never thought possible. If this is what it feels like just to kiss and touch each other, then I can't even begin to imagine what it'll feel like once he really gets going.

  I let my hands wander freely over his body. Unlike mine, which is still skin and bones, his is nothing but hard muscle. I would've have explored all of his tattoos, examining each one up close, but there was no light in the tent. I figure I'll leave that for next time.

  If there ever is a next time.

  I don't want to think about the future now. All I can really think about is Ezra's naked body beneath mine. If I shift, his hardness will be right there against my sex. More than anything, I want to feel him pressed against me again, this time, with nothing between us. But I can't bring myself to make that move, afraid of what it might lead to.

  I want what it'll lead to. I want it so much. But even knowing that, I can't shake the fear.

  Ezra must sense that apprehension inside me. His touch becomes firmer, more insistent, as he guides my body where he wants it. Even though I'm the one on top, there's no doubt who's really in control here. And that's just the way I want it. I want him to guide me and show me what to do. I don't want to disappoint him, and I figure this is my best way of pleasuring him as much as he's already pleasuring me.

  And boy is he pleasuring me. My entire body feels like it's on fire. But that doesn't compare to the sensations going through me when Ezra shifts me just enough so that his hard cock presses right against my aching pussy. It's like every nerve in my body comes alive at the same time.

  All the air is forced from my lungs. My muscles tense, the entire world spinning. For a moment, I thought I'd lost it right then and there. I'd never been with a man this way before, but I'd explored my own body plenty of times. I know these sensations, but they pale in comparison to what Ezra's doing to me.

  What he's doing, I could never hope to do for myself. No amount of self-pleasure would ever make me feel the way Ezra makes me feel.

  When Ezra breaks our kiss, I look down at him and pout. It takes a moment before I realize that whimpering sound is coming from me. Ezra just grins up at me. It doesn't seem like anything I do surprises him, and I'm not sure if that makes me more comfortable or more anxious.

  He moves his hands to my hips, lifting up his own at the same time, sliding his cock along my slit, coating himself in my juices. "This is what you want, right?" he asks, his voice low and firm. His eyes are locked on mine as he waits for my response.

  Chewing on my bottom lip, I nod. Sex had always been this abstract concept to me, something I imagined I'd crave one day. But until now, I'd never actually felt that craving, unlike everyone else in my life. Now, that craving almost overwhelms me. It's all I can think about, all I want.

  Never in my life have I ever been more sure of anything.

  With one hand still on my hips, he reaches between us with his other hand. I don't need to look down to know he's holding himself. Then, I feel the head of his cock right at my entrance. I suck in a breath, and my entire body seems to tremble.

  This is definitely what I want, but I'm not sure if I can really handle him. No way am I going to back down, not for anything in this world.

  Ezra's cock slides into me, slower than anything. I'm not sure if I'll be able to last through it. My entire body aches for him. My heart pounds like it's trying to burst free from my chest. It's all I can do to gulp in air to keep from passing out.

  Ezra keeps a tight grip on my hips. Once his cock is inside me, he keeps both hands on me, holding me firm. When I look down into his eyes, I see his silent encouragement. And that helps me get a grip on myself. I can do this, I tell myself, just as I'd been telling myself since I'd woken up in that tent.

  Ever since that moment, Ezra has been right there by my side, always offering me his support.

  By the time he has entire length inside me, I feel like I've truly gone to heaven. When I can focus enough to meet Ezra's gaze again, he's grinning. "How's that? Is this what you want?" he asks. His voice is smooth and velvety, washing over me and making me shudder. But what really drives me insane is when he shifts slightly, moving just enough for me to feel his cock moving inside me.

  Once again, I think I'm going to pass out from the intense pleasure coursing through my body. I can see why all of my friends wanted this so much. What I can't understand is how they'd been able to survive this, over and over again. We've just gotten to the good part, and I already feel like I'm going to die from the overload.

  I'm not going to give up. Instead, I take a deep breath and brace myself. I lock eyes with Ezra and return his grin, then, I start to grind my hips against him, tightening my muscles at the same time. His cock already fills me completely, but when I flex, I can feel myself tighten around him.

  This time, it's Ezra who gasps. I can feel his body shudder beneath mine.

  "What do you think?" I ask, unable to resist teasing him just a bit.

  He's been doing so much to make me feel amazing. The least he deserves is me returning the favor. I may not have the experience he undoubtedly has, but I know enough. At least, I hope it's enough.

  Judging by the way he looks at me now, it's more than enough. His grip on my hips tightens as he lifts both himself and me up off the tent floor, pushing himself deep into me at the same time. Then, before I know it, he flips me over until I'm flat on my back, my legs wrapped around his waist.

  All I can do is let out a squeak, powerless to stop him even if I wanted to. And I most certainly don't want to. Not for anything.

  Slowly Ezra begins to pull his hips back, sliding himself in and out of me.

  9

  Ezra

  When the sun starts to peek over the horizon, I feel like I've only just drifted off. But, at the same time, when I open my eyes, I feel more rested than I have in a very long time. I can't remember ever waking up feeling this energized. It feels like I'd absorbed an
entire pile of gold. My body practically vibrates with built-up energy.

  It's because Gabrielle is sleeping soundly, snuggled up against my side. When I'd told her last night I'd never let go of her, I meant it. Even if I have to chase her across the planet, even if I have to fight through every single one of Amasis's men, nothing will keep us apart for long.

  I'd seen the look in her eyes last night. She'd appreciated my words, but she hadn't believed them. She's spent too long on her own, she was too used to fending for herself, never relying on anyone else. After what Valetta and the others did to her, I can't really blame her either.

  I need to show her she's not alone anymore. At least, she doesn't have to be. I won't leave her like they did. No matter what, I will never willingly leave her.

  And no matter how long it takes to help her understand that, I'm willing to wait. I have all the time in the world. I've finally found that one piece of me that's always been missing. I've found the one thing that makes me feel complete and happy.

  When I take in a deep breath of the crisp morning air, Gabrielle stirs next to me. At first, she wiggles in an attempt to return to dreamland. Then, she stretches out and rubs the sleep from her eyes. When she finally opens them and looks up at me, all I can do is smile.

  Just the sight of her in my arms makes me happy.

  "What time is it?" she asks. Her fingers go to my bare chest, tracing the lines of the various tattoos there. The sunlight has only just started to penetrate the tent, leaving it still fairly dim in there. Much longer and the thin tent walls won't do much to keep out the offending light.

  "Early."

  Gabrielle yawns. "Not a morning person?" she asks, giving me that teasing smirk from last night.