Fire Maidens: London

by Lowe, Anna

  “That, or I’m loud enough to give us away.” Gemma blushed.

  Liam brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and grinned. “I’ll take that as a challenge.”

  “Wait,” she yelped, but only in jest. “Don’t you dare… Oh!” She cried when he tugged her knees higher.

  “Ready?” he asked through clenched teeth.

  “Ready,” she breathed, extending her arms over her head.

  The moment he thrust into her, a heat wave rushed through his veins, steamrolling away any lingering inhibitions. Soon, Gemma was bucking against every thrust, taking him deeper and deeper. Best of all, it was skin-on-skin, without that barrier of a condom. But somehow, his inner beast wanted more.

  “Liam…” Gemma rolled her head from side to side, exposing the creamy skin of her neck.

  He kissed her collarbone, sniffing deeply.

  So close, his lion growled.

  Very close, his dragon side agreed.

  Every shifter knew about mating bites, although the actual mechanics had always been a mystery to him. But instinct guided him, just as it had with flying. And now…

  His heart hammered. Now, he was on the cusp of a whole new life as a mated shifter. A concept he would have scoffed at months earlier had suddenly become the guiding light of his existence.

  When he nipped Gemma’s neck, she tugged his head closer. Then she clenched her inner muscles, making his cock burn.

  “Mate,” he rumbled. It came out a little slurred as his canines extended.

  Sealing his mouth over her neck, he drowned in heavenly sensations. Gemma’s sweet, soft body, calling to his. The steady pump of her jugular just beneath the skin. The burning slide of his cock as he thrust inside her.

  “Please…” Gemma begged.

  When he bit down, she arched off the floor. Her cries could have meant anything, but her thoughts flooded his mind, and they spelled pure ecstasy.

  Oh… Yes… So good…

  He bit deeper, keeping a tight seal with his lips. In a distant, detached way, he registered the taste of her blood. More important was the sensation of her life essence mixing with his. Something beyond flesh, blood, or even heat. An ephemeral force wove this way and that, bonding their souls forever.

  With one final thrust, he exploded inside her. His lion roared in triumph, but his dragon side murmured, One last thing.

  What else was there? They were as deeply connected as a couple could possibly be.

  Then he found himself inhaling sharply. Heat flared in his chest, and—

  The brand, he realized a heartbeat before he exhaled.

  Most shifters mated with a bite, but dragons crowned the act by sending a searing breath through their mate’s veins. He’d heard about it, but doing it—

  Now, his dragon side demanded, and he exhaled.

  For the briefest of instants, his mouth burned. Then the fire shot into Gemma, and they both shuddered. Brilliant lights went off in his mind, blinding him to everything but core-deep pleasure. His and hers. Both were clear in his mind yet foggy at the same time, because ecstasy that intense was overwhelming. It filled him. Buoyed him. Made him want to beat his chest and howl.

  He held Gemma just as desperately as he held on to that high, refusing to let go. Then instinct tapped a distant corner of his mind, telling him to release her — slowly. His teeth receded, though he kept his lips tight and his tongue firmly against the wound until it sealed. Then, with a gasp, he broke away and collapsed over her.

  Her chest heaved, lifting and lowering him like a wave. He gulped, inhaling the sticky-sweet scent of sex. Then he traced the outline of Gemma’s pounding heart with one shaky finger. Their bodies were limp and slick with sweat, but he didn’t mind.

  Mate, he wanted to roar. My amazing mate.

  Gemma sighed, slowly drawing her hands down his back. A log cracked and disintegrated in the fireplace, and gradually, the swirling sparks gave way to the quiet glow of embers.

  “Now who’s the crazy one?” Gemma chuckled weakly a moment later.

  He propped his chin on her chest and met her eyes. “I don’t know. Who?”

  She laughed. “Me, because I want you to do that again. And again.” She tipped her head back, making her breasts rise. “God, I can come just thinking about it.”

  A minute or two later, with a little help from him, she did, shuddering and crying a second time. Liam’s cheeks ached from smiling, but he couldn’t help it. Watching her come undone was fun. So was holding her and basking in the knowledge that she was his — and laughing out loud at what she said next.

  “If I become a shifter, do I get to do that to you too?”

  His cock twitched, and he broke into peals of laughter.

  “What?” she demanded.

  “My turn,” he managed to mumble between chuckles.

  “Your turn to what?”

  “My turn to come just thinking about it.”

  Gemma laughed, then cuddled closer. “I’ve created a monster.”

  “No, I’ve created a monster.”

  When they finally stopped laughing, he pulled the blanket over them both and spooned her against his chest. Then he kissed her and gazed into the fire.

  “Cut that out,” Gemma murmured a moment later.

  “Cut what out?”

  “Thinking ahead.”

  She was right, and he knew it. Sooner or later, they would have to make their way to the bedroom. And sooner or later, they had to decide on their next steps. But for now…

  She turned in his arms, purring like a kitten. “Tonight, nothing matters. Nothing but being together.”

  Then she kissed him, pushing every thought into the distance.

  Chapter Twenty

  Two weeks later…

  Gemma swung Liam’s hand as they walked along the Thames, looking left and right. It was one of those rare, not-a-cloud-on-the-horizon days in London, with crisp spring air and blue skies. So many iconic sights were hers to enjoy, from the Houses of Parliament to Big Ben and the London Eye — the futuristic Ferris wheel set along the Thames.

  “It’s kind of thrilling, being back in the city.”

  “Yeah, thrilling,” Liam grumbled.

  She squeezed his hand. “I’d call last night pretty thrilling.”

  He grinned, and heat ricocheted around her veins. “Thrilling, yes. Though cozy came to mind first.”

  She play-smacked his arm. They’d spent their first night back in London on good old Valhalla and stayed up late making love. Cozy was right, because Liam had kept bumping his head on the low ceiling of her bunk. In the end, she’d taken the top, cowgirl style, and, in the heat of the moment, she’d even returned the favor of a mating bite.

  Yes, a mating bite. She’d shifted into dragon form for the first time in Wales and had spent the past ten days learning to control that amazing new body. Liam had taught her to fly and how to breathe fire.

  I need a lot of practice myself, he’d admitted with a huge grin.

  So far, she hadn’t changed into lion form. And who knew? Maybe she never would. But one new body — and the skills that went with it — was enough to master for the time being.

  She looked around. Flying over the remote, rocky landscape of Wales had been great, but she couldn’t wait to fly over London. Still, first things first. It was their big day — the day she and Liam had decided to confront the Guardians.

  When Liam caught her checking her watch, he frowned. “Damned lions.”

  She kissed his hand, helping him settle down. Still, he grumbled, pointing at the huge South Bank statue, then at the bronze heads decorating the riverbanks. “Lion. Lion, lion, lion. They really think they own the place, don’t they?”

  “They don’t own us.”

  Liam flashed a smile and slid an arm over her shoulders. “True. But they will try to control us. All in the name of the city’s best interests, of course.”

  She shrugged. “They can try, but they won’t succeed. We’ll show them there’s mo
re than one way to serve the city.”

  She had a long list of projects she couldn’t wait to sink her teeth into. But it all started with meeting with the Guardians, so she reluctantly turned toward Westminster Abbey.

  Liam scowled. “More lions.”

  Indeed, the column outside the abbey was flanked by growling feline statues. But when she craned her neck around…

  “Ha. A dragon.” She pointed to the gold figure atop a nearby building. “See? They’re around, too. Just less in your face.”

  Liam sighed. “I guess so.”

  “It’s like Gareth said — dragons have protected London all along. At least, they did until the lions started dominating things.” She kissed his hand. “Besides, I’m not about to get down on lions. I fell in love with one, you know.”

  He grinned. “I guess you did. Funny how things work out, don’t you think?”

  She laughed outright. “Funny is my dad and Gareth.”

  Liam burst out laughing, and she did too. When they’d gone to pick up Garth’s Mini after the dragon attack, Liam had invited her father to the castle, where her dad had gushed over every tapestry, every leather-bound volume, and every suit of armor.

  Good gracious. Is this genuine Royal Almain Armour? he’d exclaimed.

  Finally, Gareth had said, scowling at Liam. Someone who appreciates history.

  The two had spent hours discussing shifter genealogies, politics, and traditions. Late one night, Gemma had even stumbled across Gareth sitting — actually sitting, not to mention sipping brandy — in the study with her father as they debated the merits of Norman versus Edwardian castles.

  Finally, Gareth had someone to debate esoteric topics with. And finally, Gemma’s father had someone to discuss shifters with. A match made in heaven, as Liam had said. When Gemma and Liam had headed back to London, her father had remained in Wales.

  And as for her mother — well, Gemma hadn’t broached the topic of shifters yet. Maybe someday, and in person, she would. But for the time being, she’d only shared key parts of recent events with her mom — like starting a relationship with a wonderful guy named Liam. A relationship Gemma knew would last a long, long time.

  Liam’s wistful look, however, told her he was still thinking about Wales.

  “Do you wish we’d stayed there longer?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “I love it there, but I’d go crazy if I stayed in the countryside too long — even with you there. Plus, if we don’t save the Guardians from themselves, who will?” He sighed. “I really believe their hearts are in the right place. It’s just how they go about things.”

  “I guess that can be our objective for today. Getting that message through.”

  He snorted. “Getting a sword through solid stone would be easier.” Big Ben chimed three-quarters of an hour, and Liam frowned. “We’re going to be late.”

  “Good. Let them wait. They need a little less pandering to and a little more…dragon attitude.”

  Liam laughed. “Dragon attitude?”

  She nodded firmly. “Watch out, baby. Here we come. Not that I’m letting this Fire Maiden stuff go to my head,” she hurried to add.

  “Not a chance.” Liam pulled her closer to his side.

  He’d briefed her on his understanding of the job, and a couple of phone calls to Natalie, the Fire Maiden of Paris, had given her an idea of how to get started. It was daunting but inspiring at the same time. Finally, she had a chance to raise critical issues with influential people. There was so much to be done in London and around the world. Social issues…climate change…human rights…

  She took a deep breath. Even a Fire Maiden couldn’t work miracles. But she sure as hell would do her best.

  They turned right, cut through the Horse Guards archway, and skirted the edge of St. James Park. Buckingham Palace stood in the distance, its dozens of windows reflecting the sun.

  Liam must have caught her looking, because he dismissed the palace with an unimpressed wave. “It might be big, but it’s nowhere near as cozy as our place.”

  She bit her lip. Wow. She’d never considered that mating with Liam made his castle hers too. And, wait a minute. How did he know how the two buildings compared?

  “Have you been inside Buckingham Palace?”

  He shrugged. “Only a few times.”

  “Only a few?”

  “The Queen is nice, but I’d hate to live in that place. Anyway…” He pointed. “We’re nearly there. Should we detour? I have to admit, I’m dreading this.”

  She clasped his hand with both of hers. “Well, I can’t wait to give them a piece of my mind.”

  And, as it transpired, she did. Focusing on recent history helped her stomp directly past the awe-inspiring trappings of the courtyard at Lionsgate. What right had they had to treat Liam’s parents so unfairly? And how dare they keep the truth about his parents from him for so long?

  She barely noticed Sergio waiting for them by the front gate. All she caught in her building fury was Liam’s amused whisper.

  “Watch out. She’s on a roll,” he warned his friend.

  She was on a roll, dammit. The lions had seen fit to meddle in her private life in the most barbaric way. Worse, their long-range plan had been to manipulate her and her future children. Her children, dammit!

  The more she thought about it, the more she fumed and the faster she walked. One moment, she was striding through sunshine, and the next, she was striding down a gloomy Tudor hallway, channeling her inner bitch. A pair of guards stood at the far end, their crossed axes closing off the Great Hall beyond.

  “You have got to be kidding me,” she muttered, powering ahead.

  The guards’ eyes went wide, and she glowered. No, she wasn’t going to stop. They’d better move those axes, or else.

  “Fire Maiden, coming through,” Liam called cheerfully.

  The guards broke apart with a clatter, and everyone in the Great Hall looked up.

  Well, fine, she decided. Let them stare. The sooner they realized she was not to be messed with, the better.

  She whisked down the length of the hall without a glance to either side. The room was filled with shifters — mostly men — all of them painfully silent. According to Liam, the Council of Elders would be at the far end, so that was where she headed.

  An imposing, gray-haired woman looked down from the dais at the end of the hall in disdain. “Mr. Bennett. Miss Archer.”

  Gemma balled her hands into fists. That had to be Electra.

  If ever an occasion called for an old-fashioned curtsy, this was one. But Gemma kept her chin high and her legs straight as she greeted the head Guardian.

  “Mrs. Huxley,” she ground out through clenched teeth.

  “A pleasure to meet you at last.” Electra’s eyes shot daggers.

  Gemma let a silent beat go by, then another. The hall was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop. Everyone was waiting for her to lie back to Electra. Well, forget it. She wasn’t going to claim it was any kind of pleasure to meet a merciless manipulator. Instead, Gemma stood tall, letting painful seconds tick away.

  Electra’s eyes narrowed. “You’re late.”

  Gemma crossed her arms. “I’d say I’m just in time.”

  An older man stood beside Electra, and his shaggy eyebrows jumped up. That had to be Augustus, she supposed.

  “Just in time for what?”

  “Just in time to snatch my future back,” Gemma announced, loud and clear. “Or were you going to consult with me about your plans?”

  I consult with no one, Electra’s haughty gaze said.

  But Augustus spoke first, the good cop to Electra’s bad cop. “My dear girl, you must have been misinformed. I can assure you—”

  Gemma was tempted — so, so tempted — to thrust her hands on her hips and repeat everything Liam had told her. But she knew an opening when she saw one, so she leaped on it.

  “Oh, good. No plans for meddling with my future? Perfect. Allow me to inform you of my i
ntentions, then.”

  She looked around the room, catching a glimpse of Liam, whose awed expression said, You go, girl.

  “Apparently, you were looking for a Fire Maiden. It so happens that I have been considering settling in London — if I so choose,” she emphasized. “Of course, there are some points we must discuss if we are to form a collaborative relationship.”

  Electra’s eyes blazed. I give orders. I don’t collaborate.

  Augustus frowned. “What points?”

  “Number one: anything I do, I do of my own free will.”

  Augustus pretended to be baffled. “Naturally. We wouldn’t want it any other way.”

  Liam made a gagging sound.

  “I knew you would agree,” Gemma replied.

  Electra twisted her lips. Was that supposed to be a smile? “Of course, we agree. You may do anything you want. In fact, I have a number of suggestions.”

  I can’t wait, Liam muttered.

  Gemma arched an eyebrow. “Suggestions?”

  “Of course. To begin with, I have taken the liberty of appointing you a personal secretary.”

  When Electra motioned a carefully coiffed woman forward, Liam started coughing. I love her definition of suggesting.

  “Lady Miriam Burke-Smythe,” Electra announced. “She’ll go through all your correspondence—”

  “She’ll what?” Gemma screeched.

  “Just to assist you, my dear. You know, weeding out unnecessary messages.”

  Gemma met Liam’s skeptical gaze. Yeah, she figured as much. Lady Miriam Whatshername would ensure she stayed out of the loop on any important issues.

  “What if I don’t need help weeding?”

  “Oh, but my dear. You’re so young. So inexperienced.”

  “So uncorrupted,” Gemma offered brightly. “I don’t need help. I have Liam. My mate, in case you didn’t know.”

  Electra flashed the first genuine smile of the meeting. “Oh, we know. And we’re delighted.”

  A polite smattering of applause broke out, making Gemma grind her teeth.

  I swear, if I didn’t love you so much, I’d dump you just to piss them off, she whispered into Liam’s mind.

  Uh, thanks? he shot back, but his grin said he knew what she meant.