HUNTED BY A DRAGON: Fated Dragon Series (Book 2 of 3) (DRAGON MATED)

by Christina Wilder

  The morkets were bedding down in their nests with their young, when a soft, strangely lilting sound drifted from the tunnel. The melody grew, until a figure stepped out from the shadowy entrance.

  “Tanya?” I croaked out, my eyes slowly widening. She…I didn’t realize she could sing. But, then, we’d spent more time confirming our bond than getting to know each other.

  I hoped life would give me a second chance to find out everything about this woman, starting with her voice.

  Sleepy one, sleepy one, turn out the light, she sang in a pure, bespelling voice, like a merwoman had risen up from the sea to serenade me. Close your eyes until morning.

  I’d never heard anything so haunting, so beautiful in my life.

  Hush my love, let the world take you away. Her voice reached out, filling the cavern with its gorgeous, ringing tones.

  Soothing my soul.

  A quick glance told me the birds were as enchanted by Tanya as I was. They watched her with complete fascination, leaning forward in their nests.

  Slowly, as she continued to sing, their eyelids sank, like they closed off all their other senses, allowing them to focus solely on the music swirling around them.

  Were they falling asleep?

  Still singing, she approached me, moving slowly, almost as if she danced. Mommy will watch over your slumber.

  Mommy?

  Reading my frown, she whispered, “It’s the only song I could come up with on the fly. Works like a charm for Jenny’s kindergarten class at naptime, though, so I thought I’d try it on these overgrown chickens.”

  All these years, we’d unsuccessfully used our claws, our fire, and our manned towers to defend ourselves against the morkets. Yet this woman—my glorious mate—could defeat them with the purity of her voice alone.

  Who would’ve thought music was the answer?

  Sadness pulled down her face when she stood beside me, staring. The soft light in her gaze turned to rage when she took in what the morkets had done to me while she was gone. With a growl, she lifted the hem of her tunic and pulled a knife from the sheath she’d strapped to her thigh.

  A darted glance told me the room full of birds still slumbered.

  For now.

  “Quick,” I said, grateful they hadn’t drugged me recently and I could speak. “Cut the ties.”

  Bending down, she pinched her lips between her teeth as she directed the knife. My arms shook as she feverishly sawed at the bindings. Sweat beaded up on her brow and trickled down her temple, and frustration grew on her face.

  Since I kept my knife sharper than dragon teeth, it would make quick work of the ties.

  “No,” she moaned, slumping back on her heels.

  “What?” With my hands tied above my head, I couldn’t see where she was working.

  “Nothing. It’s just…”

  “The knife doesn’t cut them.” I’d hoped…No, I’d prayed this would do it.

  That there would be a future for us.

  “No,” she said again. “Why won’t it work?”

  “Thank you for trying.” I kept my voice strong. Because I didn’t want her to see how defeated I felt. “For taking the chance.”

  “When I reached the river, I found your bag and the knife. I thought…” She wiped her eyes. “I thought I could save you.” She shook her head, and her shoulders drooped. “Now, I’ve killed you. I should’ve done what you said, continued downriver until I reached your city. Begged for help.”

  “I’m grateful you’re here.” Was it greedy of me that I hated to face my death alone?

  Tears slid down her face and plopped on the ground, on my face. On my hands tied overhead.

  Something sizzled.

  She sniffed, but her tears continued to fall on my hands, my wrists.

  More sizzling.

  Tanya frowned, and her eyes widened as she stared at my ties. Awe grew on her face. “Water,” she said hoarsely, then louder. “Water!”

  “What?”

  “They’re melting.” She jumped to her feet, looking around. “Crap. I need more. Can’t cry enough to do the job fast enough.”

  “What’s happening?” I squirmed, trying to see what she was talking about, but nothing looked changed. The birds still slept—thankfully—and I remained tied.

  Dropping down beside me, she kissed me fast, then leapt back onto her feet. The grin she released warmed me through. “That stuff they bound you with melts when it gets wet. This is a way to free you.” Pivoting on her heel, she raced for the water.

  “Tanya,” I yelled, not caring if I woke every damn morket in the cavern. “Watch out. Pirra!”

  “The anemic piranha?” she called over her shoulder as she ran, holding up the knife. “Saw them already. Those measly worms better watch out, or I’ll poke them.”

  Damn, but I loved her spunk.

  She tucked the knife into the sheath and stooped down and cupped water. Before the pirra could rouse and approach her hands, she was zipping over to me. She bent forward and dumped the water onto my bindings. The relief to my sore wrists was wonderful enough, even if this didn’t work.

  Again, she raced to the river. She groaned as she stared down at the gleaming surface, but she took a deep breath, stooped down, and, after slapping the water with my knife, she scooped up another double handful. She went back and forth, shooing the pirra before cupping more water, then dumping it onto my wrists. Until I could tell my ties were loosening by the return of circulation in my fingers.

  Straining and tugging, I snapped the ties, flexing my hands after, sighing while they tingled and stung as they came back to life.

  Racing back to the river, Tanya returned and drizzled water over my ankles. I sat up and stared in amazement as the ties melted.

  “Yes,” she hissed. “I did it.”

  I grinned up at her. “You did.” I snaked my fingertip between my ankles and snapped the residual strands, freeing myself at last.

  Rising to my feet, I staggered as blood rushed to my toes and brain.

  “Give it a second,” Tanya said as she wrapped her arm around my waist. Her fear had fled her face, and she couldn’t stop smiling. She kissed me fast, and then rested her head on my chest. “Let’s get you out of here. We’ve…Well, we’ve got a mating to finish.”

  Yes! The words I’d hoped to hear.

  I took her hands and squeezed them. “Let’s go.”

  But a quick glance told me we were too late.

  “Fuck,” I said softly, my pulse slowing to sludge.

  We were surrounded.

  Snarling morkets stood between us and the tunnel.

  And a pirra-filled river awaited us at our backs.

  Chapter Nine

  Tanya

  “Do you trust me?” I squeezed Kemir’s hand.

  “Completely.”

  “Then cover your ears.”

  He gazed down at me, his eyebrows lifting. “What—”

  I inhaled deeply, opened my mouth, and released a high-pitched, awesome, ear-splitting note from my throat. My lungs. My entire body.

  One capable of breaking glass.

  Slapping his palms over his ears, Kemir stared at me in amazement. He’d soon learn that life with me would never be dull.

  The morkets shuddered. They reeled back from us, turning into a room full of scary, synchronized dancers. Their leather wings flapped, and their heads tipped back, elongating their necks. Darts burst from the red circles, and Kemir and I ducked, barely avoiding impalement. Holding hands, we rushed forward, darting around the morkets, aiming for the tunnel. Around us, shrieks burst from the birds’ mouths, and they spun and stumbled on their clawed feet, banging into each other. Some were knocked down in their desperate effort to get away from the sound that only I could make.

  My mother would be proud if she could see me. Eight years of hauling me to voice lessons before she died had finally paid off. Now, I was glad I’d kept up with it, practicing in my shared room at my foster home, then in the abando
ned gym after school let out, because the other foster kids complained about my noise.

  I might not be strong or good with weapons. I couldn’t wield fire or slash with claws, like Kemir.

  But I had power. Woman power.

  And the power of an angry opera singer.

  We raced up the hill, toward the tunnel. I pushed to continue my single note, but I was running out of breath. It wasn’t like opera singers ran road races while singing.

  The second my voice quit, the birds rallied. Their shrieks of irritation echoed around us. After all, dinner and dessert were getting away. The lead bird led the charge, screaming as it scrambled over rocks and roots toward us.

  These nasty big birds might not be able to fly, but they sure could hop. Right over anything that got in their way.

  Kemir and I had to go around everything higher than our knees, which was slowing us down.

  Peering over my shoulder, I gasped when I saw the lead bird gaining. We weren’t going to make it!

  Now, they’d tie us both up in a two-for-one baby bird special.

  Shit. This was going to be the road race of my life. Of our lives. I pushed for speed, and we reached the top of the hill. The cave system that led to the main part of the river caverns was right ahead. Would we make it?

  “How’s that dragon shifting going, Kemir?” I panted out.

  “Not working yet. Can’t be a dragon in the tunnels, anyway. I’m too big.”

  Never thought I’d agree with him on that detail.

  Pulling me along behind him, he ran into the entrance. We stumbled but kept going, unable to take time for our eyes to adjust to the dark.

  Crunch, crunch. Funny how I almost welcomed the gross sound underfoot.

  As long as Kemir was with me, I could smile. And keep going.

  Knowing how fast these mother fuckers could run, I gave it my all, as did Kemir.

  We didn’t outpace them, but we kept them from nipping too close to our heels. We ran down a long passage. Up an endless slope. And darted around multiple corners. But we were almost free. As long as the flock didn’t catch us.

  My lungs heaved, and my thigh muscles screamed. If we survived this, I was going to be a quivering mess. I’d need a massage, a long nap, and a huge shot of tequila, not necessarily in that order.

  While I doubted Kemir could provide the tequila, I had a feeling he’d be happy to donate the massage. And I’d do the same for him. I was itching to touch those scales, and it looked like I might get my chance.

  “We can do it,” I yelled.

  “Hell, yeah.” Kemir shot a glance over his shoulder and scowled. With a burst of energy, he pulled me along faster.

  Light bloomed ahead. Yes! I pushed harder, my arms pumping, my heart thundering in my chest.

  We burst from the final cave and flew out onto the beach.

  A flock of angry birds was right behind us, so close, their piranha breath was stinking up the air.

  “The second I shift, climb onto my back,” Kemir shouted.

  “On it!”

  He released my hand. Groaning, he hunched forward. Bones snapped. Muscles stretched. His neck elongated. Scales burst from beneath his skin, covering his hide in a rippling wave.

  His enormous wings snapped out from spine, extending for what seemed like miles.

  Tipping his head back, he roared. Fire shot up to the ceiling, scorching it black.

  Not wasting time, I clambered onto his back.

  One quick crouch, and Kemir sprang into the air.

  He soared up and over the river, leaving the snapping birds behind us.

  Turning around on his back, I shot them my middle finger.

  #

  We flew for hours, Kemir keeping the river below us. To think I’d been frightened of the ridders hiding beneath the waves. At this point, they were no worse than fluffy kittens to be nudged aside when they reached out with their claws. Ridders had nothing on ginormous, pink-beaked birds.

  There was nothing like escaping a flock of steroid-hyped chickens to give a girl perspective. Now, I welcomed flying on Kemir’s back. At least, up here, nothing could harm us.

  When we finally landed on a beach, miles downstream from the birds, my gut relaxed. I hopped off his back, then staggered, because my legs resembled jello.

  Kemir shifted quickly. Striding up to me, he cupped my face, kissed me too fast, then grinned. “You, my lovely mate, are damn awesome!”

  I smiled and took a little bow. “That’s not even my full repertoire. I was just warming up. Wait until I sing you a full operetta.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  Fanning his shirt I still wore, I grimaced. “Kinda sticky.” No, make that drenched with sweat. No girly dew for me today. But I wasn’t complaining. The end result was well worth the strenuous work-out and stress.

  “I know just what you need,” he growled out.

  Sex could be on the agenda. I wasn’t that tired.

  His eyes gleamed as he took my hand. “Right this way.”

  I followed him up the beach, approaching the cliffs. But when he started to enter a cave, I dug in my heels. “No way. Not going in there.”

  “I promise. No morkets.”

  I picked at my flaking nail polish and stared toward the dark opening. “You sure?”

  “Completely sure.” He used my words. “You trust me?”

  Staring into his gorgeous eyes, so filled with affection for me, how could I not?

  “I’m yours,” I said, meaning it in more ways than one.

  Pulling me into his arms, he kissed me. Again, it was not long enough.

  “Damn straight you’re mine,” he growled out.

  I tipped my head back to look up at him. “It’s only fair, because you’re mine.”

  “Does that mean the wedding’s on?”

  Chuckling, I took his hand and started into the cave. “Don’t push it.”

  He slapped my ass, which told me he knew I was teasing. As soon as we reached his lair, I needed to start making my wedding dress. Even if I had to get married in cavewoman skins, I was going to walk down the aisle and into this man’s life forever.

  Inside the cave, I stopped. Because, dark.

  “Got a flashlight?” I asked, squinting.

  “Don’t need one,” he said, leading the way. “I’ve got perfect night vision.”

  “Lucky.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  I huffed, but nudged his shoulder playfully, then followed him down the long, dark passage, thankful when nothing crunched beneath my feet.

  We walked about ten minutes through a tunnel that sloped slowly downhill. Ahead, I could see an opening and dim lights. The blue bugs must be doing their thing.

  “Stinky around here,” I said, waving my hand in front of my face, because, phew. Like someone was cooking eggs. Rotten eggs. “Hey, you said no birds. Morkets. Whatever.”

  “They don’t like it here. The smell puts them off.”

  Not hard to believe that. “Where are you taking me?”

  “Somewhere wonderful.”

  I savored the promise in his voice, the excitement. But I was beginning to get tired of adventure. It would be wonderful to curl up on my memory foam mattress in my snug little apartment, down a bottle of wine, and eat a pound of dark chocolate.

  A cavern awaited me ahead, but I wasn’t sure I was up for more cave surprises.

  My knees trembled. My hands trembled. Hell, all of me trembled.

  “Come,” he said softly, tugging on my hand. When I resisted, he turned to face me. He stroked my hair, my face, my shoulders. “It’s okay. This is all new to you, and I get it. It’s scary. But I promise you, it’s going to be okay. We’re going to be okay.”

  “I know we are,” I whispered, sure of that fact alone. I wasn’t having doubts about him or us, but about this world and how I’d find my place in it.

  “This is going to be fun. Look at it as a reward for your efforts.”

  “Fun. As fun as the
ridder?” My voice broke as something snapped inside me. “Or those birds?” Overwhelmed by all that had happened, I burst into tears.

  “Aw,” he said, pulling me close. He wrapped me up and kissed the top of my head. “Let it out.”

  I did, crying so hard, my tears streaked down his chest.

  He held me until I was reduced to quivering sobs, shuddering breaths. Then he kissed me, his tongue stoking my lips, my mouth. Telling me without words that he needed me, that I was the most important person in the world to him.

  When he lifted his head, I gave him a shaky smile. Nothing like a good crying jag to make a girl feel better.

  “Ready to see my surprise?” he asked.

  I nodded.

  Taking my hand, he led me out into the smaller cavern. Like the others, vines draped down the walls, and a light perfume from numerous flowers drifted through the air.

  But this room was different from any I’d seen so far.

  “Palm trees?” I said in amazement, blinking to dispel the fantasy that was coming to life before my eyes.

  He grinned and squeezed my hand. “Like it?”

  I started down the slope that led to a tiny, pristine valley oasis. “How can this place be here?”

  “It’s just another part of my world.”

  “But…” I stared. Wow. “Hot tubs?”

  Not the constructed ones I’d sunk into back home, but natural, circular pools, with steam swirling around on the surface.

  “Sulfur,” I said, gazing around. “That’s what I smell.”

  “As I said, the morkets don’t come here. They’re repelled by the odor.”

  “Then I want to stay here forever.”

  Chuckling, he led me farther into the small valley. Lush, green, gorgeous. No other way to describe it.

  “Take off my tunic,” he said. “And I’ll wash it for you.”

  It wasn’t easy to find a guy who did laundry. Could I hope he knew how to cook?

  “You can soak in a pool while my tunic dries.”

  No need to ask twice. I shucked the shirt and handed it to him, then stood staring down into the closest pool. “Any creepy crawlies in there?”

  “Nothing. Just water.”