by Aria Winter
My thoughts turn to the waterfall, where she responded so beautifully to my touch. My mind replays the small sounds of pleasure that escaped her as her tongue curled around mine and I explored her body. I am honored that she allowed me to worship her so intimately.
My stav extends from my mating pouch as I dwell on the memory. My entire body aches with the longing to hold her close again. Her entire form is soft and giving, unlike the females of my species, who are just as heavily muscled as the males.
A small whimper pierces the darkness and my eyes snap open to find her thrashing on the bed beneath the covers. I rush to her side and gently place a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes are still closed in sleep and I realize she must be having a nightmare.
“Skye, wake up. You are dreaming.” I speak in a hushed tone to avoid startling her.
Her eyelids flutter open, her gaze searching the darkness for a moment before focusing on me. “Raidyn?” Her voice quavers softly.
I take her hand in mine and give it a reassuring squeeze. “I am here.”
A broken sob escapes her as tears slip down her cheeks. “I couldn’t save him, Raidyn,” she whispers. “I couldn’t save him.”
“Save whom?”
“My brother, Thomas. I was supposed to protect him.” She turns, pulling her knees up to her chest as she curls into a ball. “I left him behind. How could I do that?”
Her shoulders shake with sobs. The saline scent of her tears fills my nostrils. Despite her refusal to share a bed with me, I cannot help but gather her smaller form to my chest. I want only to comfort her.
The image of the young male in her arms, his eyes open but unseeing, flits through my mind. I realize now that this must be the memory she carries of his death.
“I wish I could take this pain from you,” I run my hand soothingly up and down her back. “I am sorry you lost your brother.”
“He was the last of my family.” Her voice breaks on the last word. “I was supposed to take care of him, Raidyn. I promised my mother on her deathbed that I would protect him, and I failed. We were so close to the escape pods and then suddenly,” she draws in a shaking breath, “he was gone.”
“Shhh,” I whisper against her ear. “It is not your fault that your ship was attacked.”
“But how could I just leave him?”
“If you had stayed, you would have died as well, my linaya. I do not think he would have wanted that.” I pull back just enough to cup her face with both hands, gently brushing her tears away with my thumbs as I meet her eyes evenly. “It is not your fault that your brother died, my beloved.”
Reluctantly, she nods, and I pull her back to my chest as she cries.
I suddenly realize we carry the same pain, she and I—the guilt of having survived when our loved ones did not. We both believe beyond reason that we could have done something differently to save them.
How many times have I lamented the fact that I survived because of my mother’s sacrifice? If I could, I would have taken her place without hesitation. But I realize that if she had lived instead of me, my mother would have carried the same pain that I bear now.
My mate has lost so much in her life. First, her parents, and now, her brother. I gently run my hands through her long, silken hair as she slowly drifts off into a fitful sleep. I whisper in her ear, “Do not worry, my mate. I will make sure you see your friend again. We will travel to the Fire Clan territory and find her for you. My vow.”
As she lies sleeping in my arms, I am hesitant to leave her side. However, I must respect her wish to sleep alone. I move to untangle our limbs so I can return to the couch, but her small hand on my forearm stops me abruptly.
“Wait,” she mumbles, her blue eyes squinting up at me. “Stay here with me.”
I nod, but as I move to lie down beside her, she makes a small sound of protest in the back of her throat and I still. “What is wrong?”
She looks hesitant. “Can you put on some clothes? A robe, at least?”
I have been nude almost the entire time we have been together. She has already seen my stav, but her insistence that I cover myself makes me worry again that she finds my form displeasing, despite how she reacted to my touch earlier.
“Yes.” I hesitate for a moment, not wanting to ask, but I am desperate to know. She knows I will not mate her unless she wishes it. “Does my appearance offend you?”
My heart hammers as I wait anxiously for her reply. I should be accustomed to females finding me lacking by now. After all, how many have rejected me because of my scar? But if my fated one finds me unpleasant to regard, I believe the devastation will crush me.
Her cheeks turn a deep shade of red. “Clothing would offer a barrier,” she hedges.
I stare at her in confusion. “Against what?”
She softly bites her lower lip as she averts her gaze. “Anything happening between us.”
Her answer dismays me. I swallow against the bile rising in my throat, devastated that she suspects I might force myself upon her. “Do you really believe I would try to mate with you without your consent? I would sooner end my life than hurt you in any way, my beautiful linaya.”
She reaches up to stroke my cheek with a shy smile. “It’s not that. It’s just… distracting. That’s all. I’m worried I might be tempted to do something I’m not entirely ready for.”
Despair turns to relief at her words. My chest swells with pride as soon as I realize what she has implied: She finds my appearance too pleasing. Happiness brighter than a thousand stars fills me as I leave quickly to retrieve a robe. A robe can be easily removed in case she becomes tempted to mate with me. I will not pass up the opportunity if she changes her mind and decides to claim me tonight.
After I change into a long gray robe, I lie down beside her. I want to wrap my arms around her, but I resist. If she wants my touch, she must be the one to initiate. After a moment, she rolls toward me and rests her head on my shoulder and her hand on my chest, directly between my two hearts. The glowing fate bond pattern flares to life at her touch as warmth suffuses my body. I tug her close to my side, pleased when she nestles into my touch.
I lie awake, listening to the sound of her breaths softening as she drifts off. She trembles and I realize she must be cold, so I tug the blanket up around her shoulders to warm her.
I must take great care to serve her needs. She is fragile, my mate. With no wings, fangs, claws, or scales, I wonder how her people have managed to survive as a species.
My father was shocked that they possess weapons powerful enough to pierce our scales. How can he not realize that such a race would need to develop weapons for defense? They are not dangerous; they are simply trying to survive. Would we not have done the same in their place?
It is still dark when she gently stirs in my arms. She lifts her head with a momentary, sleepy smile before her expression falters.
“What is wrong?”
She hesitates. “When you called my people the answer to your problems… it bothered me.”
My brows knit together in confusion. “How so?”
“You said Lilliana is like me—fated to a Drakarian.”
I nod, waiting patiently for her to continue.
“What will happen to us when word gets out that this is possible? I mean, you told me the bond had never happened outside of your species before and… you don’t have many women left.”
My mouth drifts open as understanding dawns upon me. She is worried my people will force human females to mate with Drakarian males. I move quickly to reassure her. “No Drakarian of any Clan would ever force-mate a female.”
“But you were upset that the Fire Clan might find my crew before the Wind Clan did.”
“Yes,” I admit. I do not know how to explain myself to her, but I must try. I take her hand in mine and meet her gaze evenly. “If the Fire Clan had found you before I did, they would have taken you to their capital city, and I might never have met you. I might never have known you were my fated one. I only
wish for others to have the same chance. What if more human females are fated by the Gods to be joined with a warrior from another Clan?”
“But what if they don’t want to be?”
“Please, believe me when I tell you that no female will come to harm, just as I would never harm you. My vow.”
“You say that,” she counters, “but your father’s actions tell me otherwise. Do you understand?”
With a clenched jaw, I lower my gaze. She is right to worry. I hate that my father has caused her to fear, to doubt that her people will be safe on Drakaria.
“My father is mad,” I explain. “He has not been completely sane since my mother died. After we find your friends and your crew, I will go back to him and make him see reason.” I meet her eyes evenly. “I will make certain he cannot threaten you or your people, my Skye. I will protect you. My vow.”
She snuggles closer to me and I grit my teeth as my stav extends from my mating pouch, stirred by her proximity and the brush of her leg against mine.
She must feel my reaction, because she inhales sharply. The scent of her need fills the air. I dip my head to the curve of her neck and shoulder, and draw her delicious scent deep into my lungs.
Chapter 18
Skye
My entire body flushes with warmth as he scents along my neck. His stav is hard against my body and I’ve never been so aroused in my entire life.
The last thing I need is more temptation. Especially as I recall all those thick cords of muscle and the hard planes of his abdomen and chest. Warmth blooms in my core as I think of our make-out session by the falls.
He pulls back and a low growl rumbles deep in his chest as he rasps. “Forgive me, my mate. Your scent…it calls to me.”
I shiver slightly as desire ripples through me. I nestle into his warmth. “It’s all right. I trust you,” I whisper.
However, wrapped in his arms, I’m not entirely sure that I trust myself. Every part of me wants him. I’m falling hard for this man and the reasons I’ve held back are beginning to crumble under his ice-blue gaze.
He doesn’t speak, but he doesn’t have to. Carefully, he wraps his wings around me and I sigh in contentment at the sensation of his warmth enveloping me completely. I try to fall back asleep, but it’s impossible while his arousal is a hard bar between us, pressing insistently against my abdomen.
I open my eyes to find him staring down at me, his expression full of love and devotion. “Do you always watch the people you sleep with?” I grin.
He looks taken aback by my question. “I have never slept with anyone before.”
“No other females?” I ask, shocked. He is a Prince, after all. Even if women rejected him as a mate because of his scar, I figured there would still be some who were willing to sleep with him simply because of his title and status.
He shakes his head. “My people mate for life. We do not sleep together casually like some species do.” He pauses. “Is it the same with yours?”
“Well, some people wait to have sex until after they get married. I mean, bonded,” I correct, making sure to use words he’ll understand. “But others mate while they’re dating, which doesn’t necessarily mean they commit to staying together forever, you know. It’s different for every human. Some people don’t want to be tied down to a mate, so they never bond.”
When I look up, his eyes are full of concern. “And what about you?”
Heat blooms across my cheeks and the bridge of my nose as I look away. My voice is barely a whisper as I shyly admit, “I’ve never had sex. I’ve never even shared a bed with anyone before you. Well, I have technically shared a bed with my female friends. But just for companionship, not for… mating.” He blinks and I continue, stumbling over my words. “Not that there would be anything wrong with that, I’m just into men. Not women.”
He studies me curiously. “Is it normal for human females to seek companionship with one another through touch?”
“I suppose so.” His question strikes me as odd. “Why?”
“Because our females are very territorial. They do not normally associate with one another because they view other females as potential rivals.”
“What about Drakarian men?” I ask. “Are they territorial?”
“Only recently, due to the lack of females. Once we find our mate, it is instinct to protect her. The desire to nest and provide for our mate and fledglings makes us very territorial against other males.” He cocks his head to the side. “Are humans not this way?”
I shrug. “We can be. To be honest, I think things would be a lot simpler for humans if we had fated mates like you, and marks to tell everyone who’s taken and who isn’t.”
A smirk twists his lips. “Then you are fortunate that I bear the mark for us both. I will display our bond to every one of your people so that they know that you are mine.”
His words make me smile even as lingering doubt threatens to steal my joy. I haven’t agreed to be his mate yet. Though my heart has already decided, my brain keeps insisting that I hold back and tread carefully.
His people do not have casual sex. So, as much as I’m attracted to him, nothing can happen between us until I’m completely sure.
Chapter 19
Skye
Sunlight spills in through the open window, casting a soft glow throughout the bedroom. I snuggle into Raidyn’s warm embrace, enjoying the feel of his larger form wrapped around mine.
It has only been a week since we escaped the castle and came to the cabin, but it feels like so much longer. Raidyn is so caring and gentle. Despite his fierce and intimidating appearance, he’s so tender with me.
He takes me to the falls every day for a picnic and we spend a lot of time walking in the gardens around the cabin. It always ends with us making out, but we never do anything more than kissing and holding each other close.
I want him, but I’m also trying to take things slow. I’ve never been one to just jump into something so quickly. And I think that’s part of what scares me. I never thought it was possible to fall so hard and so fast.
He asks questions about my life on the ship and about my family. It’s been so long since I’ve talked about them and it feels good to be able to grieve over Thomas with someone who not only cares, but listens.
Still lying in bed, I prop myself up on one elbow as I look to him. “My brother would have liked you, you know.”
He smiles. “From what you have shared, I believe I would have liked him as well.”
“He always loved dragons, myths, and fairy tales. All the things that you, your people and this place remind me of. This world is…it’s almost magical, Raidyn. Your species is blessed to call this planet home.”
“It is your home now too, my Skye.” He takes my hand in his. “I wish my mother had lived to meet you. She would have been thrilled that I found such a perfect mate.”
I look down at myself and then arch a brow at him. “You don’t think she would have been upset that I don’t have claws, wings or fangs?”
Pulling me back into his arms, he hugs me close to his chest. He gives me a handsome smile as he tucks a stray tendril of hair behind my ear, staring at me as if I were a rare and precious treasure. “Even without all those things you are perfect, my beautiful mate.”
His words melt my heart and I nestle even closer to him. He makes me feel so safe and warm and loved.
He curls his tail around my thigh as if anchoring me to him. He dips his nose to the curve of my neck and inhales deeply.
“Your scent,” he growls.
Worried, I ask, “Do I smell bad?”
“No.” His voice is a low rumble. “Your scent is intoxicating.”
I’m suddenly aware of his hardened length pressing against my abdomen. Heat pulses in my core at the memory of his touch. I wonder what his stav would feel like deep inside me.
He inhales sharply, dragging me closer. I still when his stav pushes between my thighs. He quickly releases me and pulls away.
�
�Forgive me,” he whispers. “The scent of your need is so strong, I—”
“It’s all right,” I cup his cheek.
As his blue eyes pierce mine, I wonder why I’m so determined to fight this. Raidyn cares for me in a way no one else ever has. He has tried to keep me safe from the moment he met me. He left his Clan behind for me. Why shouldn’t I trust my heart when it tells me that I’m falling in love with this man?
Perhaps this isn’t where my crew thought we’d settle, but for some reason, fate brought our ships here. I’ve never believed in destiny, but as I drop my gaze to Raidyn’s chest and I watch the swirling pattern of the bond glow dimly on his scales, I can’t deny that this feeling is real.
The way he looks at me with such intense love and devotion, and the warm masculine scent of his body draws me in. I’m tired of fighting this pull I feel toward him.
I stare deep into his eyes and then press my mouth to his. His tongue curls around mine, deepening our kiss.
“Touch me,” I whisper against his lips. “I want you to touch me, Raidyn.”
As if opening a floodgate, he kisses me like a man possessed. He rolls me beneath him and runs his hand down my body to cup my left breast. A soft moan escapes me as he brushes his thumb over the stiff peak.
I pull back my robes, baring myself entirely to his gaze.
He closes his mouth over my breast and I arch against him, asking for more. His tail curls tightly around my thigh, opening me as he settles between my legs.
I gasp as the hard length of his stav presses insistently against my folds when he rolls his hips against mine. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life.
“I can scent your need,” he rasps. “Please, allow me to taste you.”
Breathless, I nod and he moves down my body. He slicks his tongue between my folds and I cry out as he finds the small bundle of nerves at the top. He growls, low and aroused, concentrating his attention to my sensitive flesh as I run my fingers through his hair, holding him in place while waves of pleasure ripple through me.
