by Naomi Sparks
"That doesn't mean we should go back," I say to Gabrielle as I take a seat. "You saw what happened today. We didn't have enough people to take out the Clutch. Now that we've lost a good chunk of our fighting force, we definitely don't have enough people."
"They won't be expecting us to take a second stab at them though," Lex insists, frowning at me. His mate sits beside him frowning into her food, clearly not as excited about a second round as Lex is. "If we can take them by surprise again, we might be able to do it this time."
I shake my head. A quick glance over at Gabrielle steels my resolve though. "And how many of us will die in that fight? The entire Clutch is there. If we go back after them like we are now, we'll lose. And we'll die. We need more power, need reinforcement, though I have no idea where we'll get them."
"Exactly. Where are we going to find backup?" Lex challenges. "It's just us. And it's either try again or just wait for Amasis to find us and kill us all. He's not going to let any of us go this time. Not after what we just did."
I frown down at my food, mulling over what he said. He's not wrong. Amasis will come for us. No doubt he'll bring the full might of the Clutch down upon us too. I don't see him giving Lex any more chances. Nor will Yin turn his back on Gabrielle and Olivia. No, we need to do something.
The question is, what do we do?
How can we win a fight against an army as powerful as Amasis's?
"Are there other dragons?" Gabrielle chimes in. "Ones who don't side with Amasis?"
Everyone turned to look at her, including me. Lex is the one who answers, nodding as he speaks. "I imagine there are. Our kind aren't known for being kind but there are bound to be more than just us who don't support what he's doing. I have no idea how to reach them though. And there's no guarantee they'd join us either."
"It's worth a shot, isn't it?" I ask, turning to Lex again.
Lex lets out a sigh as he turns toward his own food. He knows as well as I do that going up against the Clutch again is foolhardy. We need to find some way to strengthen our numbers. Otherwise, we may as well just walk in there and surrender. The ending will be the same.
Our only other option is to take everyone and get as far away from the Clutch as possible. Find a remote island in the middle of nowhere and rely on the Fae and witch magics to shield us from him. I don't like that option much at all, but I like dying, or letting Gabrielle and Olivia die, even less.
"How will we find them? No doubt anyone who isn't in support of Amasis is in hiding, just like we were. They'll be on the move, keeping a low profile. Either that or they'll be hidden behind magic like the Fae were."
I rack my brain, trying to come up with some way to find others to join our cause. It's not like we can just put up a giant banner announcing ourselves as a rebel army. That'll just lead Amasis to us.
"Forgive me for interrupting." I turn sharply and see Valetta hobbling toward us, one of the other coven witches helping to support her. "I know eavesdropping is rude, but you'd be surprised how much travels on the winds these days."
She smirks and everyone lets out a soft chuckle. The little joke is a welcome change of pace after today.
"Do any of your member possess telepathic abilities?" Velatta asks, looking directly and Bren and Farris, no doubt already knowing that somehow.
Both of them nod, Farris speaks up. "The two of us do. Along with Faith and Saphira."
Jerrick and Bren both glare at Farris for revealing their mates' abilities. Not that there's much point in being upset. It's not like either of those things are secrets around the camp. If Valetta knows about Bren and Farris already, then she probably knows about the women, too.
"I think, with the coven's power, I can boost your abilities. I can let you contact others around the world and try to sway them to join the cause."
I blink in surprise. Doing that will take a great bit of magic, if it's even possible. Instinctively, I reach out and take Gabrielle's hand. To do that, they'll need to use her power as well. No way the other four can do it on their own. I'm not sure I like the idea of putting Gabrielle at risk.
But she squeezes my hand and smiles at me, nodding. "It's okay," she whispers. "I can handle it. Don't worry about me."
Easy for her to say....
Bren and Farris exchange glances. "Very well. We'll do it. It's better than going in like we are," Bren says at last.
"I will help as well," Saphira says.
"No!" Bren interjects, putting his hand on his mate's. "It's too risky. Who knows what will happen if the power rebounds somehow. Farris and I can handle this."
Saphira bares her teeth at Bren, hissing at him. She looks ready to jump from the table and attack him. "You think I'm a coward?" she challenges. "I may not be as old or as strong as you, but do not forget I am a dragon, just as you are. The kind of magic the witch speaks of will require vast amounts of power. Having a third telepath will make it easier."
Bren opens his mouth to argue, then closes it. Even I can see from the look in Saphira's eye she won't back down from this. If her mate can risk himself, then she will do the same.
"I will help too," Faith chimes in. Her voice is soft but no less determined. Jerrick opens his mouth to argue, but a quick look from her silences him before he can speak. "I may not have as much magic as the three of you but my telepathic abilities are much more versatile."
Jerrick lets out a sigh and nods, slumping back down in his seat. None of us are thrilled about our mates taking this much of a risk, but doing nothing is a much greater risk. Jerrick reaches out for Faith, taking her hand in his and squeezing it. No doubt he's passing some of his strength to her.
I do the same for Gabrielle. The mating bond would make this process much easier, but I still do what I can to bolster her strength a bit.
Lex looks over at Valetta and nods his agreement as well. "Are you sure you and your sisters have the strength for a spell of this magnitude? I know you used a lot of your magic during the battle and then to shield us."
To my surprise, it's not Valetta who speaks up, it's the other witch. Ethyl, I think? "We do. We've rested, and if we wait until the moon has risen, our power will be even greater. It will drain us completely, though. The barrier will still stand, but if the enemy manages to breach it, we will be unable to reinforce it and will need to rely on you for protection."
Lex takes in everything she says, then finally nods. "You will have it. It will be a couple hours until the moon comes up. I suggest everyone get some good rest until then. I want every soldier who's able on guard tonight, just in case." He turns and looks at Katia. "Can you see to it that the Fae are ready?"
Katia nods once. "I will speak with the leader of the Fae, Surem, and my sister, Lysandra, to ensure the Fae are rested and prepared." Then, Katia frowns and addresses the witches, "Will you be able to contact the Fae scattered around the world as well? Individually our power may not be as great as a dragon's, but I feel we will need everyone we can find to support our cause."
Everyone turns to look at the witches. Valetta takes a deep breath, then nods. "Yes, we can do that as well, provided you think they will listen."
"They will." Katia turns to Bren and Farris. "Use my family's name. My mother may be not be around anymore, but her legacy still lives. The Fae will know the destructive power of Amasis and his men. If we call them, they will come and fight. My people are no less brave than yours are."
With that settled, everyone finishes their meal as quickly as possible before we all go our own ways. This is going to be a major risk. Not only will it drain some of our key players, but it sounds like there's a major risk of the magic rebounding, and everyone wants some time alone with their mate.
"Are you sure about this?" I ask Gabrielle once we're back in the tent. I take her hands in mine and squeeze them. I can already feel tears welling up at the corners of my eyes but I refuse to let them fall. Just like I refuse to lose Gabrielle.
Gabrielle takes a deep breath and squeezes my hands. She smiles
at me, and that look alone makes my heart flutter. "Will you stay with Olivia during the ritual? Keep her safe?"
"Of course," I say without even thinking. I'll do everything I can to protect Olivia, no matter what. She didn't even need to ask me. "Have you thought about what we talked about last night?"
Gabrielle goes stiff for a moment. Dread washes over me as I wait for her response, afraid for the worst. Then, she nods. "I've thought a lot about it. And... yes. It's what I want also. I don't know how much time we'll be able to have together, but I do want to spend the rest of my life with you. With you and Olivia."
My body moves on its own. I close the distance between us and press my lips to hers. Gabrielle kisses me back immediately, and when I break the kiss, we're both grinning like fools.
"Let's do it now, then. Then, you'll be able to draw on my power easier. With the amount of power that's going to be required for a spell like that, you'll need every bit you can."
Gabrielle's grin broadens. After she makes sure Olivia is safe in a nest of clothing we'd made for her, she walks back over to me, coming willingly into my arms. She practically attacks me with her lips, and soon, we're both naked and making out like horny teenagers as we roll around on the ground.
Gods, this feels so right, I think to myself as my hands roam all over Gabrielle's bare body. I can't get enough of her soft dark skin. Even though we've already had sex together, I've already traced every inch of her body with my fingers, I know I could be happy all night, just touching her.
Gabrielle, on the other hand, seems to want more than that. She's rolls on top of my taking me by the wrists and pinning my hands up above my head. She grinds her hips against mine, my cock rubbing up and down against her pussy. Her juices are already coating me, making my cock throb and ache. No other woman has ever made me ache like she does.
I break the kiss and look into her eyes, nearly losing myself in them. She is the most beautiful woman I've ever met in my long life. "I love you, Gabrielle. More than anything in this world, I love you."
"I love you, too," she says, breathless. "Now show me how much you love me." She grinds against my cock again, and when I suck in a breath, her eyes twinkle with amusement.
I can't stand any more than that.
I lift my hips and turn. Gabrielle lets out a squeak as I flip her over until I'm on top of her again. This time, I pin her arms over her head, and no matter how much she squirms, she can't pull her arms free. Despite her squirming, she grins up at me, telling me she's enjoying this just as much as I am.
Leaning down, I kiss her again, then I adjust her arms so I can hold them both with just my left hand. I reach between us with my right hand, taking old of my cock and lining it up with her entrance. I don't just push it inside her though. Instead, I rub the head up and down her wet slit, my precum mixing with her juices.
Gabrielle starts to squirm even more now. When she lifts her hips and tries to push my cock inside her, I shift my legs, pinning hers down. If she wants me to make love to her, then that's what she's going to get, but I'm going to do it slow, painfully slow.
The gods above only know what will happen after the spell tonight. For all I know, this will be my only time to truly make love to her. I'm sure as hell going to make it count!
Even if it's not our only time together, I want tonight to be a night Gabrielle remembers for the rest of her life.
Her breathing hitches as she squirms. I can feel her delight spreading over her body.
I love the way she moans and squirms. I love knowing that I'm the one doing this to her, that I'm the one driving her crazy.
I lean forward again. This time though, instead of kissing her lips, I bring my lips to her neck, gently kissing and sucking my way down her body. This just makes Gabrielle moan even louder. I can hear people moving around the camp, and I have a feeling more than a few of them can hear her, but I don't care.
If tonight is our last night together, then I'm going to thoroughly enjoy it. Even if there aren't any issues with the spell, we still have Amasis out there on our doorstep, no doubt searching for us. Tonight is going to be a night we both remember.
"Please... Ezra...." Gabrielle's breathing is coming in short gasps now. Her body is hot, like there's fire flowing through her body.
She's so turned on right now, and I fucking love it.
My cock throbs as I work my way down Gabrielle's body. God, I want to fuck her so badly. I want to just bury my cock deep inside her and pound her tight pussy until her screams of pleasure can be heard all around the camp. But as much fun as I know that will be, I know how much better it will be if I take it slow.
And that's exactly what I do. I kiss my way down Gabrielle's body. Eventually I have to release her arms, but she somehow manages to keep from moving much. Although, judging by the way she's moaning and squirming, I have a feeling her brain isn't working very well right then.
"Please.... please.... please...." she pants out, over and over. She wants to come, so badly now. And I can't blame her.
My cock is hard enough to cut steel. The slightest contact will be enough to set me off if I'm not careful. But I'm very careful. I want this to last, for both of us.
When I sense Gabrielle getting too close to the edge, I back off, letting her catch her breath and calm down a bit.
But when my lips come into contact with her pussy, both of us nearly lose it. She's dripping wet with her arousal, and she tastes amazing. I lap at her cunt, licking up her juices, making her moan even louder as she tries to squirm. Her hands are balled into fists. When I glance up with my eyes, she has her head thrown back as she arches up off the tent floor.
I can't help but admire how sexy she looks in the throes of passion. This time, instead of backing off, I keep going, eating her pussy and driving her wild. I lick and suck at her clit, her moans devolving into whimpers as she struggles to breathe.
I don't stop until her entire body starts to shake. Seconds later, she arches her hips up off the floor. Her hands are on my head, pushing it down at the same time. Her juices flood into my mouth, and I drink them greedily. She tastes better than anything, and I can't get enough of her.
When she finally collapses, gasping for air, I don't want to stop. It's not until she pushes my head away that I finally give her a chance to catch her breath.
She grins up at me and I grin back at her.
My mate... My gorgeous, beautiful, mate. I must be the luckiest dragon on the planet to find a mate as amazing as Gabrielle is. No one else comes close to her. Not by a long shot.
Gabrielle's grin shifts slightly. Her eyes lower, fixating between my legs. When she meets my gaze again, she looks simply wicked. "Well, big man. I don't think we're done quite yet, do you?"
"Not even close," I growl, licking my lips. I can still taste her. As much as I want to dive back between her legs again, that will have to wait for another time. Right now, my cock is about ready to burst. If I don't get it inside her soon, I'm going to go insane.
It's not time for foreplay now. It's time for the real thing.
I lean in and kiss Gabrielle again, briefly wondering if she can taste herself on my lips. Then, I shift my hips until I'm between her legs again, my aching cock pressed right up against her entrance. She sucks in a breath, and I smirk at her, sliding it up and down a couple times just to tease her.
She glares at me as she squirms and pants. I know just how sensitive she must be, and I love driving her crazy.
But my balls are already drawn up tight against my body, and I know I can't tease her for long. Not unless I want to unload all over the outside of her pussy, rather than inside of it. As much fun as it would be to coat her in my seed, that's not what I want tonight. Tonight, I want to bury myself deep inside her, want to seal the mating bond between us.
I want to make her mine, mind and body.
So instead of teasing her more, I push my hips forward. My cock slides easily into her. Between how wet she is and how much precum I've leaked all
over my shaft, it only takes a moment before I'm balls deep in her, my pelvis pressed right against hers.
Gabrielle gasps and arches her hips up to meet mine. This time, when she squirms, I can feel her pussy clamping down around my cock. Then, it's my turn to suck in a breath as I struggled not to come right then and there. Maybe an extended foreplay session wasn't the brightest idea...
It's too late now though, I think as I take deep breaths to get myself under control. My heart is hammering, pumping fire through my veins. Already I can feel sweat beading on my skin, and it has nothing to do with the temperature inside the tent.
For a long while, Gabrielle and I just lay there, staring into each other’s eyes.
I wait until both of us are grounded again, backed away from the edge. Then, I pull my hips back, sliding my cock almost completely out of her before slamming forward again. Gabrielle shudders as the air is knocked from her lungs.
Normally, I'd have taken things slow. But neither of us are in the mood for slow right now. Even though Gabrielle just came only a few moments again, I can tell it did nothing but take the edge off for her. It most certainly did not satisfy her completely. The only thing that will do that is a good, hard fuck.
And that's exactly what she's getting.
The sound of skin slapping against skin fills the tent, mingling with our combined moans and gasps for air. Just a few moments ago we'd been just fine, but now, both of us are right back on the edge. No matter how badly we both want this to last all night, it's not gonna happen.
"God, Gabrielle," I say, looking down into her deep, brown eyes. Once again, I find myself getting lost in them. My body moves on autopilot, my hips becoming like a jackhammer between her legs. I can see my own lust and desire reflected back up at me in her gaze, and I know we're both on the same page.
She licks her lips, then takes the bottom one between her teeth. Her legs wrap around my waist, then her arms go around my neck as she pulls me tight against her. Our faces are only inches apart now, and I can feel her breath on my skin.
