The Bride Hunt Box Set Books 1 - 3

by Hartnady, Charlene

  “No. Don’t say that. Please.” Coal visibly paled.

  “No, Coal. There is no ‘we’ or ‘us’. There never will be,” she sneered. “Do us both a favor and let me leave. We are done.”

  Hallelujah! Any question as to the renouncing was washed away right then.

  “I’m glad to hear it.” Torrent pushed off the wall. “I’m glad you’re packed. We are leaving right away.” He allowed his gaze to roam her abundant curves. He willed his body to react.

  Nothing.

  Damn.

  Torrent needed to get her home.

  “Who the hell are you?” The human looked Torrent up and down.

  The female was about to get to know him in every way possible. He could scent that Coal had recently rutted her. He pushed that annoying voice from his head once again. “I’m the water king and you are quite lovely.”

  Coal snarled. “Touch her and I’ll—”

  The idiot had no dignity. None whatsoever. “You’ll what?” Torrent took a step towards them to show how serious he was. “You’ll do nothing. Your female has renounced you. Your king has already given permission for me to take her ‒ not that I need it after that display, but …” he shrugged. “It’s good to have anyway.”

  “What is he talking about?” The female moved in behind Coal. Like that would save her.

  “You publicly announced that you no longer wish to be with the fire prince, that makes you available. Free for someone else to claim you.” His chest hurt. He felt more tired than he’d ever felt in his life.

  “I’m not available.” The human tried to step from behind Coal but the fire prince gripped her waist and pushed her back. It was touching but useless.

  “This female does not understand our ways. She does not wish to go with you.” Coal looked like he was about to burst into tears. It was hilarious how a female could bring a male to his knees. Thankfully he had managed to circumvent such a thing from happening to him and just in the nick of time.

  “Her wishes are of no concern to me,” Torrent spat, he shook his head. They needed to know that he meant it.

  “Stop this, Torrent,” Blaze said as he entered the hallway. “Don’t do this.” He stepped in between the couple and Torrent. He tried to show how superior he was. He didn’t have even half a leg to stand on. “When I said that you could have the female, I didn’t realize what she meant to my brother. He just told me that he has feelings for her.”

  Torrent laughed, there was no humor there. “Feelings. How unimportant. Their feelings do not concern me,” he said. “The female renounced Coal and I am stepping up. You,” he pointed at Julie, “are coming with me. Now.”

  “No. I’m not. I want to go home.” There was a slight quiver to her voice but she also sounded angry. He ignored the emotion. It meant nothing to him. He would convince her by any means necessary.

  Like you convinced Candy? Fuck off! He pushed down that irritating voice ‒ yet again ‒ and forced out another laugh. This one sounded real. Almost. “Not happening,” he ground out. “You’re coming with me and that is final.”

  “Be reasonable,” Blaze implored him. He took a step towards Torrent. “There will be another hunt next month. Coal and the female are having an argument. They care for one another.” He grimaced as he said the word ‘care’. “Don’t do this.” His voice took on a harsh edge. Fuck him. No legs to stand on!

  Torrent shook his head. “I tried to be reasonable but look where it got me. I don’t have a female to show for it. She left.” His heart felt like it was going to burst as he said the words. It hurt so fucking much— No it did not! “I will take this one in her place. This is the one I wanted from the start.” Torrent reached past Coal. Once he rutted this dark-haired one ‒ Julie ‒ all would be well again. Equilibrium would be restored.

  The idiot, Coal lunged at him but Blaze pulled him back, taking him in a headlock. “Don’t do this, Torrent!” the king shouted.

  Coal didn’t know it yet, but Torrent was doing him a favor. It complicated things to feel too much for your partner. “It’s already done.” Torrent wrapped his arms around the human who struggled against him. Not for long. She would soon give in.

  Coal roared. Flames erupted. Torrent ignored the male. Coal roared again as Torrent gripped the human to his chest. She kicked at him and even punched him in the face. The screaming hurt more than the blows. Torrent only gripped her tighter. It wouldn’t do if she fell.

  If she wasn’t careful he would accidentally drop her. Idiot human! “Stop,” he choked out. “Behave,” he warned.

  Julie sank her teeth into his neck. Torrent roared in pain and rage but kept moving. He could hear Coal screaming and shouting behind him. The male would get over it.

  Torrent’s clothes ripped as he shifted. He clutched the female to his scaly body. She continued to fight him even though she would fall to her death if he released her. Human females were strange creatures.

  “I’ll come for you!” Coal yelled at the top of his lungs. Torrent could still hear him, even though the human wouldn’t be able to.

  Coal wouldn’t come. It was against the lores. He beat his wings as hard as he could. The sooner he returned to his lair, the better. The sooner he made this female his, the better.

  Chapter 16

  Torrent hovered over the balcony that led to his chamber, he slowly descended and deposited the female carefully on the floor. The female was weaker than she looked because she fell into a heap. Quick as a flash, she was up and running.

  He wasn’t sure where the hell she planned on running to. She was liable to hurt herself. What would Coal say then? Fuck the fire prince. The female was his now. He didn’t understand why he’d even thought of the male. Torrent hooked an arm around her waist.

  “Let go of me!” she yelled. The human twisted and the palm of her hand managed to connect with his face.

  Two slaps in one day. It was a record.

  The female grimaced and looked at her hand. Silly human was definitely going to hurt herself if she wasn’t careful.

  “Feel better?” He kept his gaze on her.

  “No. I wish I was stronger.” She cradled the hand against her chest. “I would punch the snot out of you. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  He didn’t have the time or the inclination to have a discussion with her.

  She smelled delectable. He willed his body to react but it didn’t. Torrent wanted to growl in frustration. He needed to touch her. He needed … “I’m going to kiss you now, female.” He clenched his jaw, trying hard not to allow that pesky voice to start in on him.

  Her eyes narrowed. “Touch me and I swear to god I will hurt you!” she yelled. The human pulled away from him and he let her go. Once she was far enough away, she turned to face him.

  “We just established that you are not capable of hurting me.” He couldn’t have her hurting herself. He needed her in perfect condition. He just needed her. His body would come to the party soon.

  The human swallowed thickly. “I’ll just have to find a way.” She glanced down at his cock. There was nothing but anger and contempt written all over her face. Julie locked eyes with him again, trying to act normal.

  It was the oldest trick in the book. “Don’t even think about it.” He shook his head. Did she really think she could hit or kick him in the junk?

  “Let me go, you big … horrible … disgusting ape.” Her fists were clenched at her sides.

  Torrent frowned. “I’m not a primate, I’m a dragon.” He sounded bored. He felt … no, it didn’t matter how he felt.

  “You’re an asshole of epic proportions.”

  That was the second time he had been called an asshole today as well. Another record. He didn’t give a fuck. He sure as hell needed one though. Her scent was spiced with anger but there was something else there. His nostrils flared as he took it in.

  “Stop that!” she shouted, her face was flushed. Her eyes blazing.

  He ignored her and sniffed harder.

/>   Julie kicked him in the shin and her face registered pain.

  Idiot human. “Stop it. You do know that dragons heal at an alarming rate, so even if you were to harm me …” Maybe he should just take her back. “I would heal too quickly for it to mean anything?”

  No! He would see this through. It was only a matter of time before interest flared between them.

  He sniffed at her again. “You’re nearly in heat.” Her current situation helped things. Surely … surely … come on! His dick didn’t stir at all. What the …?

  “Don’t even think about it. You barbaric piece of shit.”

  Enough with the name calling. He needed to put his cards on the table, as the human saying went. “We should rut. I am a skilled lover. I have made humans weep from the sheer pleasure.”

  The human feigned a yawn. “Tell someone who cares. I wouldn’t have sex with you if you were the last person left on the planet.”

  Again, another record for him. Candy had told him the exact same thing a couple of hours ago.

  It was time to spell it out. This female may not want him but it didn’t mean that she wasn’t perfect for him. In fact, he would prefer to keep his feelings separate from his relationships going forward. “I am not looking for love.” His chest ached. Damn … it hurt! “I—” he swallowed thickly, pausing for a moment, “we … could work. No love or any of the other emotions. Let’s test compatibility. We could mate and procreate. I would look after you. It could be a win-win.” How could she possibly say ‘no’?

  “More of the same bullshit!” she yelled, making him want to cover his ears. Then she choked out a hysterical sounding laugh. “You assholes are all the same. What’s so wrong with love? Why don’t you want it? Love is amazing. It’s wonderful. To feel like that about another person is—” Her eyes filled with tears and his own eyes pricked, although he couldn’t say why.

  He hated the emotions racing through him. He especially hated the voice that told him to go after Candy. To get on his knees and beg for forgiveness if that’s what it took.

  No!

  Fuck that!

  His resolve hardened. “Heartbreaking.” His chest vibrated as he rumbled out the word. “To let someone else in enough to break you. No. It is a mistake. One I will not make again. Get on the bed. We are rutting now,” he choked the words out.

  “Heartbreaking?” She looked up in thought. “Yeah, I suppose there’s that too.” She frowned and then her eyes widened and she seemed to realize something. “You don’t want to have sex with me.” Her eyes locked back with his. She definitely had this bewildered look.

  “I do,” he rasped. There was only one way to get over Candy. Only one way to stop this pain. Surely? “You are almost in heat. You have a delectable scent.” Pity his dick wasn’t in the least bit interested. Torrent glanced out the window and then ran a hand through his hair. What the fuck was wrong with him? He sucked in a deep breath.

  “You really don’t,” she spoke softly, carefully, like she was addressing a wounded animal.

  Everything in him screamed to go after Candy. He clenched his teeth. His female didn’t want him and after the way he had behaved, he couldn’t blame her.

  “What happened with Candy?”

  He growled, it came out sounding wounded and anguished. It was over between them. He needed to face it. Move on! “I don’t wish to discuss it. She is gone and you are here.”

  “Oh my god.” She covered her mouth with her hand for a second. “You’re in love with her.”

  Bullshit! His ego was bruised. Yeah, that was it. It was nothing more. “No. I feel nothing for her.”

  “Rubbish. What happened between the two of you? Maybe I can help.” She folded her arms.

  “It doesn’t matter. She is gone. She’s not coming back.” He moved to the nearest sofa and sat down heavily. His shoulders were slumped. He probably looked like a complete loser but right now, he didn’t give a fuck. Not even the tiniest of fucks.

  “It wouldn’t help, you know? Sex with me.”

  The human was right. She was completely, one hundred percent correct. There was no way he was having sex with anyone. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t. His body craved one female. One tiny human female. He swallowed hard. “I feel empty inside.” Like someone had carved out his insides and replaced them with shards of glass. Sharp and cutting.

  The human, Julie, took a step towards him. “Sex with me will only make you feel worse. When you finally stop moping and go after her, she might actually forgive you if you don’t screw anyone else. You have no hope if you fool around with other people.”

  He lifted his gaze to her. “I don’t wish to rut anyone but her. I am a fool. I won’t go after her though. She made her decision when she left me.”

  It was your own fault.

  You did this to yourself.

  He clasped a hand to the back of his neck and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to get the voices to shut the hell up. Only because the voices were right.

  “You really should put your pride aside and go after her. You have it really bad.”

  When he glanced at the female, she was smiling.

  Put his pride aside? Go after Candy? To what end? She would just shoot him down again. “No.” He shook his head. It was your own fucking fault she left! “I did something I should never have done. She won’t forgive me for it.” That heavy sensation became stifling. That cutting feeling worsened. It felt like he was being torn up inside.

  “She will if she loves you,” Julie whispered. He watched as several emotions crossed her face. This female had it bad for the fire prince. He was an idiot to ever think he could take her from the male. He was an idiot full stop.

  Torrent shrugged, it was an effort to lift his shoulders. “Maybe.” He sounded pathetic but it couldn’t be helped. “I will think on it …” He paused. “Would you like me to take you back now?” Coal would be happy to see his female. It gave him a small amount of solace and made him feel like a colossal dick for taking her in the first place. He vowed that if the male felt the need to hit him, he would take it. He deserved it.

  Julie seemed to think on it for a few beats. “You can take me to Walton Springs. Do you know it?”

  The pain intensified. “It is where Candy lives,” his voice cracked as he said her name.

  Her face became animated even though her eyes were sad. “I’ll tell you what, drop me off and go after her. Two birds with one stone.” She held up her fingers.

  What was she saying? Crazy female. “You have given me advice and I feel that I need to do the same in return. Coal loves you.”

  She shook her head so that her long dark tresses flew about her face. “No. You’re wrong. Do you know that he asked someone else to mate with him just the other day? He goes through women like I go through shoes. Not that he wears shoes but … you know what I mean,” she mumbled the last part.

  “I know that people make mistakes.” He had made one. A huge one. Fuck!

  “He lied … a lot.” She looked down at her lap and chewed on her lip. It was something Candy did too. Stop thinking about her!

  He needed to fix things between Coal and the human. He’d taken Julie and he shouldn’t have. “I don’t know what happened between you two, but I do know what I saw. That male was a like a puppy dog on your heels – did I say that human saying correctly?” He raised his brows.

  “Yes, it’s only because his brother commanded him to mate me though and—”

  “Nope.” It was funny how people didn’t see what was right in front of them. He shook his head. “He was desperate and needy. He is in love with you. It doesn’t matter about previous females in his life or things he didn’t tell you ‒ probably to protect you. The male is desperately in love with you. He looked completely pathetic. Maybe it is better that Candy is gone.” It is better. “I don’t ever want to be that pathetic.” Too fucking late … No!

  She sort of smiled and then turned serious. “It’s not better that she is gone and you know
it.”

  It is better! Good riddance. She didn’t want him. The human hadn’t welcomed him to her bed but she had accepted money from human males. Why them and not him? Why? His chest hurt and he struggled to draw breath.

  You know why! You deserved everything you got.

  Fuck it!

  “Are you ready to go?” His voice came out sounding gruffer than he intended.

  She nodded once. He could see her shoulders relax. The female was deep in thought. Then she smiled and gave a small nod of the head. Coal was one lucky SOB.

  “I take it I’m taking you back to the fire prince?” Torrent smiled, something lightened in him. At least things would work out for Julie. She was a sweet female. Clueless but sweet.

  “How did you know I’d changed my mind?”

  “You gave a little smile just now and your cheeks are flushed. I can tell that you were thinking about the male. It seems that you have it just as bad as he does.”

  She shook her head, preparing to deny it but sighed instead. Maybe not so clueless after all.

  Torrent laughed and although she first rolled her eyes, she couldn’t seem to help but to smile along with him. “Let us go.” He put his hand on her shoulder as they walked towards the balcony.

  The double doors leading to the balcony flew open. Glass exploded out as both panes of glass were obliterated. Coal stepped into the wide opening, taking up the whole space. He was a bundle of tension. Every muscle was corded. Smoke curled around him. Small flames erupted from his nose and mouth. His eyes were slitted. His frame enormous, his beast, barely contained within his human skin.

  What was that he had promised himself earlier? Something about taking a punch or two if need be.

  Fuck! He needed to explain and it needed to happen quickly.

  Julie had the same idea because she sucked in a ragged breath.

  The fire prince cut her off. He cut them both off. “Get your filthy hands off of my female!” his voice boomed. Shit, the male was pissed. There was more smoke and Torrent could see scales beneath the prince’s skin. A whole bunch of them.