Her Captive Dragon: Howls Romance

by Marianne Morea

  “You’re kidding. Elsa?”

  “Electro Sensory Answering.”

  “Okay, then. Elsa, open the veranda doors.”

  The glass slipped seamlessly into pockets on either side, leaving the veranda and the delicious breezes open to the room.

  “Oh shit, what about bugs?” Hannah jerked around toward Aggie for help.

  Soren gave her a small smile. “Unless things have changed drastically, Oloris has no pests. Other than the two-legged kind.” He winked. “You forget we are thousands of fathoms below the surface.”

  Hannah moved to the couch, her stomach rumbling. She palmed a handful of the sea grapes, but then put them back with a frown. “Is there any real food around? I’m not trying to be a brat, but I could go for a juicy steak and baked potato. Seaweed isn’t going to cut it.”

  Soren stood on the veranda just outside the room, his back to the women. The sky, the trees and the crest of the phosphorescent dome in the distance were a sight he never though he’d see again. He scanned the far horizon and caught the glimmer of the far city states safely ensconced in their own protective spheres.

  Oloris had expanded in the near millennium he’d been gone. Encapsulated highways crisscrossed the ocean floor, linking the various districts, and from the look of things, the city state of Drakkylon had flourished under Rylan. He was grateful. The ancestral seat of the Draakki was its own capital among capitals.

  He blinked at the sting in his eyes. Still, the essence of Oloris had remained. Technology had advanced, but the landscape and the people he watched milling around on the streets below seemed exactly the same.

  He was home.

  “So as far as Hannah and I are concerned, you’re done?” he asked, keeping his back to them. “You got us here and that’s it?”

  Aggie stood from the couch, and her face was not happy. “Soren, that’s an unthinking, thankless thing to say. You’re home for thirty minutes and you’re already reverting back to the self-absorbed narcissist you once were.”

  He turned, both hurt and angry. “The last thing I am is narcissistic. Ligeia beat any feelings of superiority out of me for sport. Every second of my captivity was my own fault. I know that—but I need you, Dracosarra. More than ever.” His eyes moved to Hannah still on the couch. “We need you.”

  Aggie’s face softened and she walked to where he stood, bracing for the worst. She seemed so small as she lifted her face to look at him.

  “Soren, I have never been prouder of you than I am now, and I’m not going anywhere, but I cannot fight this fight for you. This is something you and Hannah must face together. I will help with what I can by keeping Draic and Rylan in the loop, just in case.”

  He nodded, and then looked at Hannah. “What now, to thávma mou?”

  She stood as well. “Is there a kitchen in this monster sized palace?” She grinned. “Forget meat and potatoes. I’m in the mood for homemade chocolate chip cookies.”

  “Uhm, Hannah. We’re no longer on the surface. They might not have the ingredients you need,” Aggie reminded her.

  Hannah waved her off with a smile. “The queen is human, right? I’ll bet anything she’s got their kitchen stocked with surface world snacks and goodies. We’ll find something. If not chocolate chips, then something else.”

  Soren swept her up in his arms. “So the librarian hellcat is domesticated after all.”

  “Not especially, no.” She laughed. “The librarian hellcat just likes to eat.”

  Putting her down, they walked toward the doors. “You coming?” he called to Aggie who had sat back on the couch.

  She shook her head. “No, I need to rest.”

  Hannah slipped out from under Soren’s arm. “The book! I almost forgot.”

  She whirled around, her eyes scanning for their backpacks.

  “In the bedroom, love,” Aggie prompted.

  Hannah rushed up the stairs and came down again almost as quickly. She was winded, but she had the ancient volume in her hand.

  “I wish I could store this somewhere. Lock it up and free Soren in perpetuity. I would have left it in a safe deposit box on the surface, but Soren said that was a no-no.”

  Aggie wiped her hands on the small cloth beneath the dish of sea grapes. “He’s right. Unfortunately, three rules are unbreakable when it comes to that book:

  “First, whoever holds possession of the book holds possession over Soren. Second, if the book is too far from your person, Soren is sucked back into the darkness until you are once again within range—and third, if you die, God forbid, he is thrown back into the book until a new owner takes possession and summons him.”

  Hannah dragged a hand threw her hair. “I hate this. I mean, really HATE this.”

  “Good.” Soren pulled her into his arms.” Use that wrath to fight Ligeia.”

  “What should I do with the book, then? I can’t just leave it lying around.” Hannah chewed on her lip.

  “Ask Elsa for a hiding place. It will come up with something you never thought, and we’ll be the only ones who know.” Aggie paused, looking at the two. “You should look inside the book as well. There might be a clue hidden somewhere between its pages that might help you confront Ligeia.”

  Hannah nodded. “We will. First thing in the morning, but right now this curvy woman needs food.”

  Soren kissed the top of her head. “Come. Show me your cooking skills, woman.”

  “Oh, I can cook, baby. She laughed, twisting just out of his reach. “And not just in bed.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Hannah opened her eyes to gentle snoring. After Aggie went to her rooms, she and Soren talked well into the night, taking what was left of their dinner to eat upstairs in bed.

  The queen had the palace kitchens stocked with every conceivable snack you could want, and Hannah not only made chocolate chip cookies, but chicken parmesan and spaghetti, too.

  Soren tried his best to be lighthearted, but it was clear he was still apprehensive, even more so than her. Maybe her willingness to go with the flow was less from being open-minded, and more because the situation still seemed so surreal. Though her tender nether bits told her this was very real.

  She lifted her hand and turned her wrist to look at the intricate pattern on her skin. The raised splotches had come together and receded, leaving the mark as clear as a fresh tattoo. True mate.

  Butterflies winged their way around her stomach at the words. She was this gorgeous, complex man’s true mate. Still, sexy as he was, and however amazing the sex, it didn’t mean he loved her. No matter what Aggie said.

  The thought sobered her. Maybe she was a means to an end for him, and nothing more. Once she’d fulfilled her part in this search and rescue mission, he’d send her packing.

  The sun peeked through the blinds leaving a crisscross pattern across the floor. Talk about a metaphor for them both. Crisscross bars for Soren’s imprisonment, and crisscross conflicting feelings for her.

  “You’re awake,” he said, spooning up behind her. “And so warm.” He kissed the back of her bare shoulder. “I could get used to waking up like this for the rest of my life.”

  Hannah turned in his arms. “Don’t say things just because you think they’re what I want to hear. I’ll help you with Ligeia, regardless. You don’t have to play a part with me. I’m good.”

  The words stung as they left her mouth, and though she knew they weren’t truthful, they needed to be said. Odds were good she’d fall apart completely if he got what he wanted and left her behind.

  You could just send him back the book and summon him whenever you feel like it.

  She dismissed the foul thought. That would make her no better than Ligeia. Besides, Soren would go from being a man who wanted to be in her bed, to a man who had to be in her bed. For real, he’d be play-acting or worse, just mechanical performance.

  “What’s going on in that beautiful head so early? Shadows are winging over your face like a trident speeder through the glass connective tun
nels.”

  “Nothing.”

  She flipped the covers back and moved to get up, but he slipped a hand around her waist and pulled her back under.

  “Hannah, you are my true mate. I know we barely know each other, but for shifters there’s more to it than a simple mark. It’s the scent of our mate. The way our inner animal responds. The way our lives light with the thought of our one true partner.”

  He ran a knuckle under her chin, forcing her to look at him. “I’m guessing it’s not the same in the surface world.”

  She shook her head. “Except for the inner animal/dual-natured part, it’s not so different. Physical attraction leads to emotional attraction, and eventually love, so yeah, basically the same.”

  His eyes searched her face. “So why the distance, then? I feel you pulling away, and my dragon paces, agitated, because he senses it, too. Are you afraid?”

  She didn’t answer. What could she say? Yeah, I’m afraid I’m falling in love with you, and this is nuts since I’ve only known you for a handful of days?

  “Hannah, I can smell your indecision and unease. Tell me, love.”

  The word struck home, and she lifted her eyes to his and shrugged. “That simple word is the reason I’m at sixes and sevens.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  She gave him a soft smile. “The mark on my arm means I’m your true mate, but for me the idea of being destined for a certain someone has a whole other meaning. It’s wrapped in that one word. Love.”

  Hannah shrugged again. “I guess I always hoped when I met the person I was destined for, it would be someone I loved, or at least that was my hope.”

  “And you don’t feel that way for me?”

  She looked at him, stunned he asked. “I, I—” she stumbled.

  Soren put a finger over her lips. “It’s okay, Hannah. I understand if you don’t feel the same kind of pull I do. Like I said, it’s different for shifters. My feelings for you involve more than my dick being hard at the thought of you.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “Though, that is a serious plus.”

  “Soren—”

  He shook his head. “But it’s not everything. I crave your body, that’s true, but I crave much more. Your smile, your laugh. Talking with you, planning with you. I want it all. For the rest of my time, whether it’s with you here in Aelantedes or on the surface. To use your human terms, I am falling in love with you.”

  Hannah swallowed, trying not to squeal like a teenager at her first rock concert.

  “Have I said too much?” he asked, concerned.

  She shook her head. “No.” Her chin dropped to her chest to hide her grin. Soren Draakki was falling in love with her. Dumpy, curvy, boring research librarian, Hannah Foster.

  “Hannah, why won’t you look at me?”

  With a smile she jerked her head up, smacking Soren square in the nose.

  “Ow! Fuck!” He hissed, one hand flying to his face.

  Blood trickled from one nostril, and his eyes squinted shut as he squeezed his nose.

  “Oh my GOD! Soren! I’m so sorry!” Hannah’s eyes flew wide, and she scrambled to her knees. “I’ll get a washcloth!”

  She clambered from the bed and rushed to the bathroom, darting back with a cold cloth. “Put your head back and press with the washcloth to help stop the bleeding.”

  “You could have just said you didn’t feel the same way. Ow!”

  “But I DO! Even more than I—” She clamped a hand over her mouth, but it was too late.

  Soren looked at her from where he lay with the washcloth pressed to his nose. “More than you, what?”

  She looked down again. “More than I ever expected.”

  “I knew it! A shifter’s nose always knows—ow. Even when broken.” A mischievous smile spread across his mouth, slow and cunning. “No wonder you whacked me in the face, you evil woman.”

  Mouth open, Hannah crawled back onto the bed. “I did no such thing! It—it was an accident!”

  Laughing, he tossed the washcloth to the floor and grabbed her to his arms. “Just remember who said it first.” He ran a hand over the back of her head, pulling her close.

  She pushed herself up onto her elbow. “That’s a bonehead thing to say. What does it matter?”

  He laughed harder now. “Have I touched on something sensitive?”

  “No, it’s just—”

  Climbing over her, he pushed his knee between her legs. “It’s just what?” He grinned.

  “Nothing—” She gasped as he pressed his thick member to her tender flesh. “Uhm, what did you say about hitting a sensitive spot?”

  ***

  Hannah stood on the bedroom balcony overlooking the city of Aelantedes. Everything was visible from this vantage point. The entire domed world with all its wonders and the dark ocean depths outside. A completely transparent world encased in glowing phosphorescence.

  Even the tunnels between spheres were see-through as she watched trident speeders and other depth vehicles move from place to place in underwater rush hour, but it was the marine life outside the dome that fascinated her most. Not just the colors blooming in the underwater landscape, feeding off the light and life of Oloris, but the merfolk.

  Soren wasn’t kidding.

  Mermaids and Mermen entered and exited from a transparent hub to one side of the dome. Like an underwater Grand Central Station to all deep ocean points. The marine shifters entered on two legs and emerged outside the dome in a flash of scales and tailfins.

  Hannah marveled at their beauty and grace. The shimmer of their scales in the phosphorescence. Once called Neptune’s children, she now knew they were a separate species of shifter with ties to dragon roots.

  “Wow. It’s like Disney on Steroids! Eat your heart out, Ariel. Look at this stuff…isn’t it neat? You bet your sweet tailfin!”

  Knock, knock.

  Hannah froze with a large towel tucked around her body. She’d lost track of time watching the unreal landscape. If you could call an underwater world a landscape.

  “Yes?” she called, walking back into the bedroom.

  She spared a glance for the ancient book on the night table. She really needed a hiding place. Aggie was right. There was a notation toward the back about Oloris, and the dual stars that pierced the cold depths, bright enough to light the dark water, warming enough to sustain life. These stars could only be eclipsed by a single astronomical event. A black moon. A time for sacred intervention, when falsehoods were revealed and lies made truth. This was the loophole they needed to break Ligeia’s curse.

  After reading the passage, Soren left to meet Rylan. He was pensive, and wouldn’t say why, but Hannah knew it had to do with confronting Ligeia at twilight tomorrow. A black moon was imminent, and the stars were aligned. They were heading to Drakkylon in the morning, and she hoped he’d fill her in beforehand. She’d had enough surprises.

  “Miss Hannah?”

  Hannah jerked at the intrusion. “Who are you?”

  A young girl stood just inside the bedroom door. Her voice was soft, and she kept her eyes lowered. She was dressed in a strange, shapeless sheath the color of moonlight.

  “My name is Kania. I’ve been sent to serve you.”

  Hannah pulled the towel tighter around her chest. “I appreciate the offer, honey, but I can manage fine for myself.”

  The girl hesitated, turning for the door. She still hadn’t looked up, and a slash of guilt made Hannah call her back.

  “I’m sorry, Kania. The queen probably sent you to help me get accustomed. I was rude and I apologize. What are you here to help me with, exactly?”

  The girl moved to the armoire across from the bed and opened the doors. Inside was every kind of clothing you could imagine.

  “Wow, Aggie wasn’t kidding when she said the palace provided for its guests.”

  Kania nodded, lifting her head enough for Hannah to see a small smile. “The clothes adjust to fit your body, that’s why there are so many to choose from. Isn’t i
t wonderful?”

  Hannah had to grin at the teenager’s enthusiasm. They might be thousands of leagues from the surface, but teenage girls were teenage girls, regardless.

  “Since you’re so knowledgeable about Aelantedes fashion, what would you pick to wear?” Hannah watched the girl sort through the choices before stopping at one particular outfit.

  She turned with a grin. “This,” she said, holding up a shear garment as blue as the Aegean. The girl handed the hanger to Hannah. “The color is perfect for you.”

  “I can’t wear that, Kania. It’s completely see-through.” Handing it to the young girl, Hannah rummaged in her backpack for a pair of underwear neutral enough to wear under the delicate cloth. “I don’t think even have a thong that would work with that kind of sheer.”

  “Uhm, miss. This is a called a Chimera. It’s not meant to be worn with undergarments.” Kania waited for Hannah to reply, her cheeks seriously red.

  Hannah turned mid-rummage. “A Chimera? In my language that means fantasy. Are you telling me I’m dreaming this?” Hannah laughed.

  “No, miss. The garment is as real as we are. A Chimera is not bought, it’s given. The custom is whoever wears the dress is the fantasy come to life for the giver.”

  The girl ran a finger over the delicate fabric. “Whoever gave this truly wishes you to be theirs.”

  Hannah exhaled a sigh. “Except I have no idea who sent me this fantasy dress. You opened the closet and it was there. Could it belong to someone else? A previous guest?”

  Kania sputtered for an answer. “I don’t know, miss. If you wear the Chimera, then you agree to be the fantasy of whoever sent it.”

  Hannah lifted the translucent cloth over one hand. “Maybe Soren sent it, though I don’t see how.”

  “Hello? Anyone awake?” Another soft knock sounded at the door.

  Hannah turned to see Aggie standing in the open doorway with a petite, young woman with jet black curls and mocha skin.

  “Wow, that looks like you’re planning to mount a stripper’s pole. What are you doing?” Aggie asked with a laugh.

  Hannah exhaled. “Trying to find something to wear. Soren has some super-secret surprise planned after he meets with Rylan.”