by Kiki Howell
“This way,” said a female voice from inside.
Dovie followed Torren through a long hall that led into a dining room with a vaulted ceiling. Her hand came up to her chest as she took in breathtaking images of dragons in flight painted along the walls, soaring up into the ceiling. White pillars stood in precise rows, presumably holding up the structure.
“Torren, to what do I owe the pleasure? You planning on getting the last piece for your credence this year?” A gruff male voice brought Dovie back to why they were here. Her heart hammered in her chest as she met the intense brown eyes of the clan leader. “And who might this be?”
“I’m Dovie.” The words blurted out of her mouth. They all looked so human. No wonder no one knew much about them. They could just wander around and no human would be the wiser. The man, she assumed he was Brooks, stood from his desk and reached a hand out to her. Did he expect her to shake it? She looked down at his hand, then back up.
“I’m Brooks. I’m in charge of the Theron clan this year.” He let his hand drop when she didn’t touch him. After what she’d experienced with Torren, she wasn’t ready to humiliate herself with another spontaneous orgasm. No freaking way.
“This year?” Dovie asked.
“Every year, a new leader is appointed from the winners of the Draconic Challenge. By next month someone else will be leading the clan.” He turned his attention back to Torren. “What brings you in?”
“I’d like to request a detachment.” Torren’s words were strong, almost cold, as if he couldn’t fathom being attached to her. Rejection soured her stomach, but she stood taller, straightening her shoulders. If she could handle humans not wanting her, a dragon wouldn’t be much different. So what if a dragon didn’t want her. She didn’t even know who he was; it shouldn’t matter. But the feeling of being cast aside, even though she’d known it was coming, was a smack in the face.
Brooks’ eyebrows shot up. “And what is the nature of the request?” His voice lost any warmth.
“You know I’m training for ascension.” Torren ran a hand through his hair.
Brooks looked back to Dovie. “And you?”
“As long as it doesn’t hurt. I mean, we don’t know each other. He just walked into my bookshop.” Torren looked over at her. His eyes slitted again and then went back to normal.
“The magic doesn’t choose pairings lightly.” Brooks turned to Torren. “I can’t just detach you. Often the magic attaches for reasons we can’t begin to understand until later when it falls into place, but it doesn’t attach dragons to humans at random.”
As he spoke, a pit grew in Dovie’s stomach, as if the bottom had fallen out. She rubbed the chill along her arms, even though she’d been comfortable before. There was a long silence, tension filled the big room.
“How do we get it done?” Torren asked. His body had hardened as if this had been the worst news.
“You have to try it first, Torren.”
Dovie swallowed. “Try what exactly?” Did she really want the answer? But this would affect the whole of her life. She’d rather know what she was up against.
Brooks’ gaze met hers. “You have to be attached to each other to see if it will work.”
“And uh. . .” Dovie licked her lips. “What does that entail?”
“You spend time with each other to see if the attachment is real.” Brooks folded his hands together and looked from Dovie to Torren.
“I can’t be attached. How did all the others get their detachments?” Torren’s words were low, accusing.
“They went through the steps just like you. Despite what you may think, detachments do not happen often.”
“Look, if it gets us free of each other, what’s the harm in going on a few dates?” Dovie asked. Both men looked at her.
“It’s not a few dates, Duv. You can’t be away from me at the risk of pain to yourself, at least until we are detached or bonded. We have to basically live together.”
The thought of orgasming on the spot flashed and she squeezed her knees together at the gathering wetness. She cleared her throat. “Okay, so come down to the city, and you can stay in my apartment until we get this settled.” It wouldn’t be so bad to have a guy around for a while. “When can we end it? We spend a few days around each other and then what? If we don’t click, you detach us?”
“You will spend the next nineteen days together,” Brooks said. “Either you bond or you don’t by the end of it. If you don’t, then I can detach you.”
“And what says you can’t do it today exactly?” Nineteen days with a dragon in her apartment!
“The laws of magic, of course. As with any source of power, I can’t just do things at my whim even if I am the clan leader. I am bound by the rules of the credences within our nature. Magic doesn’t come easily.” Brooks seemed to be lecturing them both.
Torren had been so silent Dovie had nearly forgotten he was beside her. “How am I supposed to practice for the challenge? This will be impossible.” His jaw clenched. He turned to her. “You’ll have to stay with me. I can’t practice credence in the city.”
“Uh, what is credence? And I can’t stay here, I have a bookshop to run; it pays my bills.” Her voice didn’t rise, but anger pooled inside her. She had her own life. Even if she was curious about dragons, it didn’t mean she wanted to live with them. Besides, her store was a constant in her life. At least she wouldn't be abandoned by books.
“Credence is our magical power,” Brooks said. “It’s like a spell. Dragons receive a scroll and they must master the scroll’s contents using their own abilities. There is a great deal of practice involved with a credence and all the magical pieces need to be together before a dragon can learn the chosen credence.”
Dovie’s head spun. Keeping track of this would be a bitch.
“I can’t stay in the city, Duv.” His little nickname for her came out strained.
“I’m not staying on a mountainside with a dragon either!” Her voice had risen a bit more than she’d planned but the look in those champagne eyes made it clear he assumed she’d give in. He planned to just cast her aside, but she had to be the one to give? What the hell was his problem? How could she give in to someone who didn’t care that he’d already hurt her before he’d even gotten to know her? Her childhood dream of a dragon rescuing her was being thrown out the window.
“Look, you are both adults. I’m sure you can figure this out. For now, I have the Draconic Challenge to get us ready for, so I’ll let you see yourselves out. After the new moon we will know where all the pieces fall. Until then, I suggest you come to an agreement.”
Torren nodded and turned back the way they had come in. Dovie followed, glaring at the back of his head. If he thought she would be a good little dragon breeder for him and do as she was told, he had another thing coming.
Chapter Five
TORREN’S BLOOD BOILED as he slammed the door to his truck. He turned the ignition, grinding his teeth as his truck roared to life. How dare she! He had worked to be a part of this year’s challenge just as hard as she worked at her store. He wasn’t budging. He was a bit pissed at Brooks too. He shouldn’t have to go through the entire nineteen days. He already knew what he wanted in life and a female wasn’t a part of his plan.
“I can’t spend over two weeks with my store closed!” Dovie yelled. Her arms were crossed as he drove the truck back down the winding drive.
“And I can’t do magic in the city.” He wanted to yell, but that wouldn’t help anything either. He took a deep breath.
“You expect me to live in a cave, don’t you? I can’t believe this. Men are all the same, you know that? Because I’m a woman, I should give up my dream so you can have yours?”
“Damn the stars, that is not what I said.”
“You might as well have. Your magic, credence, whatever the fuck it is, is not more important than me paying my bills and having a place to live when this is over.” Her voice was strained. Torren didn’t want to look over
at her. If he did, he might give in. He couldn’t stand a female crying. Guilt assailed him.
Don’t look, don’t look . . .
Tears streamed down her pretty face.
He needed to stay mad, to stand his ground. Torren looked back at the road and turned down the bustling street right outside the arena, taking the familiar route to his home. The sun was lowering in the west. Dinner would be a priority soon. He chose not to say anything else. He also didn’t know what to say, only that he was angry, she was angry, and his stomach growled its anger too. She sniffled beside him, but he didn’t look at her again. Couldn’t let himself. He’d want to comfort her, and he couldn’t let himself touch her again.
“So, what, you’re just going to ignore the conversation?” Her words were whispered, but clear.
Torren pulled the truck into his drive. “Let’s go in and calm down before we both say things we will regret.” He stared straight ahead at the field beyond his ranch-style house. It stood on twenty acres of land passed down from his grandfather to his father and then to him. He resisted the growl growing inside him at thought of his familial ties, at his parents for spoiling any dreams he might have had to create a family.
She sniffed again and then opened her door. Torren let out a slow breath as he climbed out of his truck. He walked briskly past her and unlocked the front door. He’d have to make up the guest couch. He’d only ever slept in the damn thing once but it was lumpy as rocks. Food first; then they could discuss everything else.
He didn’t wait for Dovie to follow him in but turned as the door softly shut. Her heels clicked along the wooden floor. “Please remove your shoes.” It came out as a growl, not that he’d meant it to. He heard two thumps and then headed straight for the kitchen. He pulled out some ground beef from the fridge and didn’t waste any time setting up for hamburgers.
After twenty minutes, dinner was ready. He pulled plates out of the cupboard. She’d sat there the whole time, watching him cook.
“Thank you,” she said and took the plate from him, avoiding eye contact.
“Welcome.” He sat at the table and they silently consumed their meal. He’d spent the entire time trying to figure out how to work out their situation, but they lived two different lives, and for the next nineteen days those lives would be turned upside down by forces outside of their control. He couldn’t let her just leave, knowing the pain she would go through if she was far from him. He didn’t know what would happen to him if he steered clear of her either, but it would be ten times worse for her as a human.
“We need a compromise, Torren. I can’t spend all my time up here, but I understand this contest thing is important to you.”
“Draconic Challenge,” he corrected.
“Whatever. Can’t we just go back and forth or something? You spend time in the city, I spend time up here.”
He grabbed both plates and stuck them in the sink. He supposed he could drive her back each day to open the bookstore. But what would he do in town, stuck in the bookstore all day? “I can’t practice magic within the city. I told you this. What do you expect me to do since I can’t just drop you off?” He turned to look at her, leaning back against the sink.
“I have a basement at the store. Practice down there.”
“You have no clue, do you?” His anger returned, coiling inside him, along with the need to touch her. She uncrossed and crossed her legs. The small action caught his attention and his mouth went dry. He could easily sweep her up into his arms and take her to his room. Torren bit the inside of his cheek. No, that would complete the bond and he didn’t want the bond completed.
“Explain it to me then.” She crossed her arms and her breasts peeked at him, the cleavage a temptation he needed to avoid.
“I can be kicked out of the challenge for practicing outside the dragon clan’s lands. Thus defeating the purpose of everything I have ever worked for up to this point. You are asking me to possibly lose something I have worked for so you can get money. Can’t someone just take over the shop for you? I mean if you need to show someone how, I could drive you back and forth for the first few days and then just be here with the clan. You have a phone. You could walk them through anything else, your store would stay open, you’d pay your rent, and I could do my credence work without penalty.” The idea was good couldn't she see he was trying?
Dovie cocked her head to the side. “That might work. Bex has helped on occasion.” She stood. Dovie pulled out her phone and started to dial a number. “I just want to go to bed and deal with it all tomorrow. Moon dragons are exhausting. Where will I be sleeping?”
A strange sense of jealousy sparked through his veins. Torren crushed it. “I’ll take the couch. You can have my bed down the hall.” The dragon magic inside shifted, searing under his skin, angered that she would be with another. Torren took a deep, calming breath. Whoever this Bex was, he was none of Torren’s business.
Chapter Six
DOVIE FLIPPED THE open sign over and unlocked the doors to her bookshop. She’d spoken to Bex last night about running the store for her. Torren had been silent the entire morning, not a single word all the way to the bookshop. She was still wearing the same clothes from yesterday and planned to stop by the apartment before heading back to Torren's clan. Bex would be at the shop within minutes so Dovie started counting the till. She had closed early yesterday and hadn’t made many sales before that, so only a hundred and fifty dollars were in the drawer. She pulled out fifty and closed it. While lying in his bed last night, all she’d been able to think about was him sleeping just beyond her reach. She was drawn to him, compelled somehow, her hands always wanting to touch him. And then she remembered he was a jerk and that shut down her thoughts.
“Where’s this Bex?” Torren paced around the front area, not looking directly at her. He looked like a tiger pacing a cage.
“What's wrong with you?” Dovie raised a brow. Torren stopped and looked over at her. Anger flashed in his eyes, and then as smooth as could be, he blinked and smiled at her.
“I’m anxious to get to my credence work.”
“I still have to stop by my apartment before we head back.” Bex’s car pulled up out front. “There’s Bex. This shouldn’t take long.”
Torren spun around, his entire body stiffened. What in the world was wrong with him? Clearly something had been bugging him between last night and this morning. The car door opened and a head of brown hair popped up over the roof of the car. Bex pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and then headed for the front door.
“Bex is a girl?” Torren relaxed as he looked over his shoulder at Dovie.
“Yes, has been a girl the entire time I’ve known her. Girl best friend to the rescue.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that to begin with?” Torren opened the door for Bex and gave her a smile.
Dovie shook her head and muttered, “I didn’t realize I needed to.” She hugged her friend.
“Needed to what?” Bex asked, looking between the two of them.
“Nothing. So look, I’m going to be gone for about eighteen more days. I’ll tell you all about it later in detail, but for now, I just want a damn change of clothes. If you need anything, you have my number. I’m sure I can be here if there ends up being an emergency, right, Torren?”
“Right.” Torren opened the front door and waited for Dovie to walk through.
“Thanks for everything, Bex.” Dovie hugged her friend again.
“Don’t worry your toes about it, D. I got this. And you will be giving me the rundown before it’s over.” Bex pulled back and winked. Leave it to her best friend to think it was something dirty . . . Well, it could be dirty, but he seemed fairly adamant about not touching her.
“I’ll check in,” Dovie said, then headed out to Torren’s truck. She slid in the passenger side, wondering what he would do if she reached over and touched him. Would she orgasm spontaneously again? Did she want to? Her body did. . .
The engine roared to life
and Dovie directed him to her home. As each familiar building passed, she considered what life would actually be like with a partner, a dragon partner. Would she have dragon kids? Would they live on the mountain? Were all dragons as cold as Torren seemed to be? She let go of her thoughts and watched the houses pass. They reached her apartment within minutes. Again, nothing but silence between them. If this was what her life would be like over the next couple weeks, she’d better grab some entertainment.
Inside her apartment, she put together a suitcase of clothes, toiletries, books, electronics, and everything she’d need to keep herself busy while Torren did his magic mojo, including her box of broken books. Time away from work would be the perfect opportunity to work with the old books, rebinding some or using the pages of the rest to create new things. She hadn’t had much time recently for any of her paper crafts.
On her way out of her bedroom, she ran into Torren’s hard chest. His hands flew out to catch her and the minute his skin touched hers, sparks flew out in waves from the spot his flesh met hers, searing her down to her core. The world exploded. A moan escaped her lips and she didn’t give a damn. Wave after exquisite wave of orgasmic bliss covered her and she fell to her knees, dropping the box and suitcase. She closed her eyes and let her head fall back, his hands still upon her. Her body spasmed again and again until she thought she might pass out, until finally it subsided. She was lying on her living room floor, panting, as the world came crashing back. Her panties soaked with her own juices. Her cheeks heated as she clenched her thighs together.
“Are you all right?” Torren’s voice was husky. His eyes were slits, then normal again. Was that a sign he was affected by her reactions to him? Did every human experience this with dragons?
Dovie swallowed. “I’m fine. Just let me catch my breath. Does that always happen?” She sat up, regaining her balance, then stood. She couldn’t imagine being with a moon dragon for the rest of her life and orgasming again and again every time their skin touched. She’d never get anything done. And yet her body wanted to reach for him again. She balled her fists to try and curb the reaction.
