by Anna Lowe
As much as Tristan’s body ached, he refused to let Natalie stray from his side until they got home, where they both collapsed on the couch. He drifted in and out of consciousness for hours, letting his weary body break down the rest of the poison. When he finally woke, sunlight was slanting through the windows, indicating afternoon. Natalie was at his side, gently stroking his cheek. He’d already rested for hours, and now he was basking like a cat under her loving touch. But, hell. Who could blame him?
Then he looked down at his ragged clothes and groaned. What a mess. Slowly, he sat up, relieved to find he wasn’t half as sore as before. But his nose wrinkled a moment later.
“Ugh. Sorry. I need a shower.”
Natalie shook her head. “You need to rest.”
“I’m fine, but I’m a mess.”
She motioned over her body. “Join the club. Even Bijou turned his nose up at me.”
When Tristan caught sight of her cuts, bruises, and torn clothes, he pulled her into a hug.
“Hey, I’m okay,” she protested.
“Yes, but it was close,” he murmured into her hair. “Much too close.”
They cuddled for a minute, but then her body hardened, and she slowly pulled away.
“There’s one thing I have to know. Just one.”
Tristan’s nerves twitched at the tone in her voice. He forced himself to nod. “Anything.”
Natalie ran her tongue over her teeth, then spoke haltingly. “Jacqueline.” She motioned around. “Did you… I mean…” Her hands trembled in his. “Did you and she ever…”
Tristan cursed himself as Natalie’s eyes wandered over to the bed. No, he hadn’t slept with Jacqueline, but he had to admit, it had been close. When he spoke, his voice cracked.
“I never slept with her, Natalie. I swear. She came on hard, and I nearly fell for her…charms.” He soured, because the word didn’t fit. “But, no. We never went that far. Honestly, I have no idea why I let her get close. I figured out my mistake quickly, though. I promise you.”
Natalie searched his eyes for a long time, and he could see the hurt in hers. Hurt that he’d even considered someone like Jacqueline. That was something he could never take away, short of traveling back in time — and not even shifters could do that. But Natalie was right to ask. They had to get that out in the open before they could move on.
To his relief, she nodded. “Well, it took me years to figure out my mistake. With Dean, I mean.”
“That moron didn’t deserve you,” Tristan growled.
Natalie laughed. “You don’t even know him.”
Still, Tristan frowned. “I just know. I’m not sure I deserve you.”
She touched his cheek. “I could say that about you.” Then she wrinkled her nose and pushed him away gently. “But, yes, you could use a shower. Me too.”
So they headed to the bathroom together and took the longest, most sensual, and least soldierly shower Tristan had ever indulged in. Natalie soaped his back, and he soaped hers, moving gingerly over her scrapes and bruises. Then she claimed the bar of soap and smoothed it over his front. First his chest, then his belly, and then…
He closed his eyes, because what Natalie did to him with her hands and — sweet Jesus, her mouth — did more to cleanse his mind, body, and soul than any soap could.
In the end, he carried her over to the bed in a rush, dripping as they went.
“The bed will get wet,” she squeaked.
“The bed is already a mess, and we can change the sheets later.”
He laid her down, and that was all the talking they did for the next hour, if he didn’t count the little whimpers and soft moans of their lovemaking. The first round was hot and hard, marked by the same urgency and desperation they’d battled the vampires with. Not long after, they were at it again, taking it slow and sweet. Eventually, they sank back into the sheets, and Natalie chuckled.
“I need another shower.”
Briefly, Tristan considered running over to Alaric while she did. He really had to check in with the Guardians. Jaqueline was on the loose — unfortunately, she had narrowly escaped, as Liam had reported shortly afterward. The lion shifter was still kicking himself over it, but Jacqueline knew the catacombs, and she’d had enough of a lead over Liam to get away. But someday…
Tristan’s inner dragon growled, putting a firm halt to those thoughts.
Not leaving my mate. Not at a time like this. Are you crazy?
No, he wasn’t. He followed Natalie back into the bathroom like a duck who’d imprinted for a lifetime, and that time was a little more business, a little less fun. Natalie traced the long scars on his chest and arms, shaking her head.
“What a world we live in.”
For a moment, every human injustice Tristan had ever witnessed paraded through his mind. But when Natalie hugged him, he saw blue skies…gorgeous sunsets…and the smiles of both strangers and friends. Life had its dark moments and even periods of utter despair. But hope and sunshine could come out of nowhere and make a man want to live again.
“What a world we live in,” he echoed. A world where twists of fate could lead to love, joy, and relief.
He stroked her long, wet hair as warm water sluiced from his body to hers. Yes, a man could definitely learn to live again, especially with his mate at his side.
Natalie looked up at him through the steam, then smiled and waved around. “I think you have the best water heater in Paris.”
He laughed. Not too many buildings in the city had modernized their plumbing, but his building had recently upgraded.
“One of the few perks of the job.”
It was a joke, but they both sobered, and Natalie took his hands. “Speaking of which…”
He nodded wearily. She was right. They really had to talk.
Slowly, they dried off and got dressed. Natalie wrapped herself in his robe, and Tristan pulled on some boxers. Then a soft knock sounded on the door, and Tristan froze. If that was Madame Colette, he was not letting her in.
Then the visitor’s scent wafted in, and he relaxed. “Liam.”
By the time he opened the door, Liam was silently disappearing around the corner, leaving a basket of food on the doorstep.
“Merci, mon vieux,” Tristan called.
Liam waved like it was nothing, but what struck Tristan was the wistful look on his friend’s face as he whispered, “Enjoy your mate.”
Did Liam pine for a special someone? Did that jovial exterior hide deeper feelings inside?
Tristan watched him go, promising himself to check on his friend.
Later, his dragon growled. Right now…
He turned back into the penthouse. Right now, he had a mate to take care of.
He and Natalie made quick work of the fresh bread, cheese, and wine, then moved from the kitchen to sit on the bed.
Tristan kissed her hand before speaking, remembering what a close call it had been. His eyes wandered over the bare apartment. During the past week, Natalie had filled that space with energy and life, but if he had lost her… He swallowed away the lump in his throat. Life would be as empty as the rooms stretching out in a long row, and the view, no matter how beautiful, would always be bleak.
Then he turned as Bijou jumped on the bed and pranced by, holding his tail high as a flag that said, Life is good. Life is great. Then he wound himself around Natalie, purring. See? She loves me.
Tristan smiled. Apparently, he and the little monster had one thing in common. They both loved Natalie, and she loved them back.
Then he hesitated. So much to explain, but where to start?
“So, about Fire Maidens…”
She made a face. “Let me guess. They attract vampires and power-hungry jerks.”
He squeezed her hand. “I guess so. But the blood of the ancients runs through you, giving you power.”
Natalie made a face. “Power? I wish.”
“You stood up to Alaric and to Jacqueline. You resisted the thrall of the vampires. Most humans can’t do that.”
She looked at her hands, unconvinced.
“And as for the rest… Well, call it potential. I can feel it coursing through you.”
She ran a hand up his thigh and shot him a sultry look. “Oh, we have potential, all right.”
He smiled then motioned at her crystal. Much as he would have loved to make steamy love for the rest of the afternoon, he had to stay focused.
“Then there’s that. May I?”
She dipped her chin, and he cupped the crystal in his hand. The moment he did, its glow dimmed. When he pressed it into her hand, it brightened again.
“See? It doesn’t glow for just any dragon, Natalie.”
“But I’m not a dragon.”
He took a deep breath. This was it. His chance to finally say it.
“You could be if you mate with me.”
Her eyes widened. “I could…what?”
He took a deep breath. “Well, technically, it wouldn’t have to be with me, but I’d like that. A lot. I mean…” Merde. He ran a hand through his hair. As usual, the words weren’t coming out right. “Mating with a shifter would make you a shifter too.”
She sat perfectly still. “A dragon? Me? For real?”
Her tone was impossible to read, and he held his breath.
“You mean, I could fly? Breathe fire? All of those things?”
He exhaled slightly. That sounded promising.
Then she tapped her lips. “And I could accomplish that with any shifter? Say, Marcel? Liam?”
Tristan’s blood heated, and he nearly roared. But Natalie chuckled and play-smacked his arm. “Hey, I was only kidding. Yes, I would love that. But mainly, I want you. You could be a human and I’d still want you. Heck, you could be a gargoyle. Even a vampire…”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Well, maybe not a vampire.” She laughed, then took both his hands. “Honestly, I don’t really care as long as it’s you. You’re the only one I want.”
He kissed her hands, though he wasn’t done. “I want you, and you want me. But there are others who won’t agree. Fire Maidens aren’t supposed to mix with guys like me.”
Bijou butted between them at that moment, accentuating his point.
She gently moved the cat aside, then huffed. “Alaric, you mean.”
He nodded. “Alaric and many others. They can make things…complicated for us.”
Her face flushed, and she muttered, “I’ll show them complicated.”
Then her eyes sparkled, and her gaze wandered to the books stacked by the couch at the opposite end of the apartment. Abruptly, she stood and handed him a surprised Bijou. Then she hurried across the apartment and came back, leafing through a huge, leather-bound volume.
“I read something in here…”
Bijou gave Tristan the evil eye. What are you doing, holding me?
Tristan had no clue. But obviously, Natalie was onto something.
The moment she sat down, Bijou sprang back into her lap, but the book was in the way, so he wound around her body instead, meowing pitifully.
“One second, Bijou,” she murmured. “Here.” She stopped on one page and traced through the text. “Claudine d’Islay… Breselan…”
Tristan squinted at the page, but she dropped the book a moment later and caught him in a tight hug.
“Um… Natalie?”
She laughed, and he wondered if she was suffering from some form of shock. But when she pulled back, her face glowed with excitement. “Don’t worry about Alaric. I’ve got that part covered.”
He tilted his head, tempted to ask. But, heck. A man had to trust his mate, right?
Then Natalie sobered and searched his eyes. “Tell me about mates. Tell me everything.”
Tristan glanced at the stack of books. How much had she read?
She nudged him, so he started with the basics. “Most shifters believe in destined mates. That there’s only one person out there for them, and the moment they meet, they both know it.”
His mind drifted back to the first day he’d laid eyes on Natalie, and how the earth had shaken under his feet.
He went on quickly. “Shifters don’t get married. They mate for life.”
Her eyes met his. “For life, huh?”
For life, his dragon murmured.
Then he looked at his feet. “At least, that’s what most shifters believe.”
Natalie touched his arm, and a little electric zing traveled through him. “What do you believe?”
He stalled, studying Bijou before answering. But he’d promised Natalie the truth — the whole truth — so finally, he plowed ahead.
“For a long time, I didn’t believe in mates. My mother and father…” He trailed off, clearing the gruffness out of his throat. “They mated, but it didn’t work out. Not the way true mates are supposed to. My dad came and went, and my mom was…full of regrets.”
He balled his fists, thinking of all the times his mother had stared off into the distance, hoping for her mate to return, then hoping he’d leave.
“But now…” Natalie whispered.
He met her eyes, because she had to know how serious he was. “Now, I believe. The minute I met you, I knew. Not just that I wanted you. More like I wanted to do anything for you. Love you. Protect you. Lay down my life if I have to.”
She squeezed his hand. “Hopefully we’ll never come that close again.”
He pursed his lips. He’d do it again — a thousand times over. But, yeah. He’d rather dwell on the good parts. “I love having you in my life. Just watching you read or look out the windows — or smile. I love watching you smile.”
She lit up, giving him the confidence to go on.
“It’s like my whole life up to the moment I met you was just a warm-up. I didn’t know why I was living until I met you. And now I do.”
She looked a little breathless at that point, which was good, because so was he.
“Why are you living, then?” she whispered, clutching his hands.
At any other point in this life, he would have struggled to answer. But now, he could reply without the slightest hesitation. “To love you. To make you happy. To let you make me happy too.”
Her smile stretched and her eyes glowed. “Pretty good speech, mister.”
He flashed a smile. Whew.
Then she grinned and threw her arms around him, murmuring in his ear. “I want that, too, Tristan. I want you. Forever. But dammit…” He pulled back, alarmed, but Natalie smiled. “Stop doing this to me.”
“Doing what?”
“This.” She sank into the mattress, pulling him with her. “Stop making me crave sex all the time.”
Relief made him burst into loud laughter that he muffled in the sheets. “Not my fault. That’s a side effect of destined mates. What was that word again?”
“A perk,” she murmured, nibbling on his ear. “Fringe benefit.”
He rubbed his jaw along hers, marking her with his scent. None of the emotions Natalie aroused in him were fringe anything. They caught him up and swept him away, whether she was sad, scared, or — like now — hungry for contact.
But there was one more thing he had to tell her, so he forced himself to hold back.
“Natalie.”
“Hmm?” she mumbled, more interested in the way his abs led down to his groin.
“There’s one more thing you have to know.”
She groaned. “I think my brain is full. Now, it’s my body’s turn.” Her hands snuck lower, stoking his desire.
“To mate, I have to bite you.”
“Fine,” she mumbled, working his boxers down.
He blinked. Fine?
His shock must have shown, because she laughed. “Honestly, I’d say yes to anything right now. But seriously — yes. I read about that. I trust you.” Then her voice dropped to a purr, and she wrapped one leg around his side. “Right now, I want you. I want us. I want everything.” Then she laughed. “Greedy, huh?”
“Not so greedy,” he mumble
d, barely holding back a growl. “But seriously—”
He broke off when she surged under his body and tucked her hand into the hem of his boxers. Then she palmed his cock, and he hissed in raw need.
“I don’t want anything or anyone to ever come between us again,” she whispered, grinding her hips against his while wrestling with the knot of her robe. “I need this. Please.”
Her words were an order that went straight to his heart, and he couldn’t say no. Without thinking, he snuck a hand between the folds of her robe and palmed the soft flesh of her breast. His mind blanked out everything — all the questions, all the answers, all the unknowns. Everything but the burning need for his mate.
Their next few kisses were rushed, fueled by pure lust. Then, guided by instinct, Tristan started to nip and sniff along her neck, homing in on the right spot to place the bite.
His mind spun with the sheer thrill of it all. A mating bite. His mating bite.
Her nipples pressed against his chest, and his hand itched to explore her core. So he touched her there too, and soon, she was wrapping her legs around him. Then there was no holding back. When he rose up over her and thrust in, they both cried out.
Within seconds, his mind was a blur of sensual impressions. Her warm, slick heat. The light scratch of her nails across his back. The sound of her eager cries, and the slap of their bodies meeting, again and again. He could sense her blood rush, beckoning him.
“Yes…” she cried, clutching him closer. “Yes…”
He inched his mouth along her neck. Slowly, his canines extended, adding to the haze of pleasure-pain in his mind. When he scraped his teeth along Natalie’s neck, she arched.
Take me. Please, my mate, her inner dragon called.
He was so far gone that it didn’t really register how amazing it was to hear her inner dragon so clearly in his mind. It just felt natural, the way the fire building inside him was natural.
Bite her. Take her. Seal your bond, a faraway voice whispered in his mind, low and sure. The voice of destiny.
He thrust one more time, deeper than ever, making Natalie howl. Then he sank his teeth into her neck so quickly, it scared him. But an instant later, a hot gush swept through his veins, and he inhaled.
Now. Do it, the voice urged.
Without thinking, he channeled his inner fire and puffed past his bite. Natalie cried out, and part of him worried he’d gotten it wrong. But a heartbeat later, her cry turned to sheer ecstasy, and she shuddered beneath him.
