by Leslie Chase
Gillian looked at the scars across his chest and felt herself blushing. She hated to admit it, but they were sexy. A sign that her man had fought for her, and not an easy battle. She caught herself chewing on her lip as she looked at him, blushed brighter, and tore her eyes away. The glint of humor in Zardan's expression told her that he'd caught her looking, and she tried to change the topic. Something that would distract him.
"I guess your wings are fine now," Gillian said, looking at them. The membranes were unbroken now, though she could see faint scars where the tears had been. "What's it like? Flying, I mean."
That worked. The pure joy on his face made her smile too.
"It is one of the best feelings in the world," he told her. "To soar, to catch the waves of gravity on my wings, to race through the sky. There's nothing like it."
A faint tinge of envy flickered in her heart as she realized that was something she could never feel. Zardan looked down at her, his smile fading, and he reached out as though to touch her. His fingers stopped short of her helmet. "I can't give you what I feel, but I can do the next best thing. Come here."
He led her to the edge of the cliff he'd been working at. There was a drop of eight or nine feet beneath them as he poised on the edge, and Gillian followed curiously.
"What are you going to do?" she asked, a little nervous as she stood at the edge beside him. His right arm slipped around her waist, steadying her, and she instantly felt safe.
"Trust me," Zardan said, and unhooked his mask to clip it to his belt.
"Of course I trust you," she started to reply, only to be cut short as he threw her.
Gillian screamed as she soared skyward, Zardan's powerful muscles and Mars's low gravity letting him fling her high into the air. At the top of her arc, her lungs were empty and she sucked in a breath, looking down at the jagged ice field beneath her. And then a dragon was between her and the fall as Zardan shifted and launched himself to catch her.
She struck Zardan's back just ahead of his wings and nearly bounced off before she caught hold. As soon as she had a grip, he beat his wings powerfully, pulling them into a diving turn that swept them down and past the cliff face they'd been standing on. The wall of ice whooshed past in a blur, close enough for Gillian to touch, and she screamed again.
Zardan pulled up, gaining height. She clung to his sinuous neck for dear life, staring down. The planet was so far below them now.
The exhilaration of flight filled her veins, and her heart pounded against her chest. Shaking with adrenaline, Gillian laughed exultantly, torn between excitement and anger at being tricked.
"You asshole," she shouted, knowing full well that he couldn't hear. "That wasn't funny!"
She thumped him on the neck as hard as she could with her gloved fist. And as though that was a signal, Zardan furled his wings and dived.
Mars rose to meet them with terrifying speed, and Gillian screamed again. This time it was more exhilaration than fear. Arms and legs wrapped around Zardan, she gave in to the moment, the rush of speed, the amazing feeling as they raced downward towards the ground.
At the very last moment, Zardan opened his wings. His body pushed up against Gillian's, hard, and the speed of their turn forced the breath out of her. They were only a couple of feet above the ice, zipping over it blindingly fast, and Gillian could barely dare to look down. Ahead, the domes of the ice farm rose over the ice, and she saw what he was aiming for. The doors of the vehicle bay waited in front of them. Usually they looked huge when she approached them.
This time, they seemed like a tiny target, and Zardan was flying far too fast. She couldn't believe he'd bring them in safely.
Pulling at his head, she tried to steer him, to guide him upward. But no. He was fixed on his course, and he wasn't slowing. Gillian whimpered and clung to him, trying not to scream again. He might not be able to hear her, but she still didn't want to give him the satisfaction.
At the last moment, he pulled up, a beat of his mighty wings slowing them. Then the great dragon changed under her, shifting, shrinking as they descended. Zardan's arms caught her, wrapped around her, gripped her hard. Locked in an embrace they landed just inside the vehicle bay and skidded to a halt.
Gillian realized she was panting and laughing wildly. Trying to stand was impossible, her whole body was shaking too much. After her first attempt, she gave up and let Zardan carry her into the airlock and hit the cycle button.
"You asshole," she repeated as she pulled off her helmet. She was still panting for breath, her face flushed, and Zardan's eyes shone with delight. This time he actually felt her punch. It only made him smile wider, though.
"You wanted to know what it felt like," he said as though that explained everything. She hit him again, playfully, and he caught her wrist, pulling off her spacesuit's glove and tucking it into her belt. The other came off just as easily.
"You could have warned me," she protested. Her breathing was returning to normal now, and though her pulse was still racing she was pretty sure she could walk.
No need for Zardan to know that, she thought. Being in his arms was much better.
"I could have, true," he said with a smug grin. "But what would be the fun in that?"
"Dick." Gillian stifled a giggle, trying to sound serious. That didn't last even a second.
It finally occurred to her to wonder where he was carrying her, and she realized it was towards her room. Her heart thumped and she felt weak again. Her face flushed almost as red as Zardan's scales and she looked up at him wordlessly.
He opened the door easily and carried her inside, lowering her carefully to the floor.
"What are you doing?" she asked. It was a stupid question, she knew that as soon as it was out of her mouth. What else would he be doing?
"You know," he told her, voice low and quiet. "You know what we both want, what we need."
She nodded, flustered and nervous. This is ridiculous. There's nothing to be afraid of, she told herself. But that didn't calm the butterflies in her stomach as she reached up to unclip her spacesuit.
It didn't help that Zardan was watching her, his intense eyes following her every movement. She still couldn't quite believe how much he desired her — him! The huge, gorgeous dragon shifter! But the way he looked at her as she stepped out of the suit left no room for doubt.
Down to her undersuit, she hesitated. Looked at him. Bit her lip as she saw the bulge in his pants. Yes, he wanted her as much as she did him.
With an impatient growl, he stepped forward and swept her up again, pressing her to him in an embrace that made her gasp. The feel of his body against hers was incredible, and her arms wrapped around him to hold him as he lowered his mouth to hers.
It felt as though his kiss set her soul on fire. Gillian whimpered into it, and Zardan growled again, his hands cupping her ass and squeezing as he lifted her. The easy, casual strength made her feel deliciously helpless in his arms.
Eventually the kiss ended. For Gillian, it felt as though time started again. The kiss had felt like it lasted forever, and still like it hadn't been long enough.
"Oh my," she whispered. Zardan looked almost as stunned as she felt, setting her down carefully. His hand rose to the zipper of her undersuit, pulling it slowly down, a finger trailing behind it across her exposed skin. Gillian drew in a shuddering breath as he moved, letting that sensation flood through her.
She squirmed out of the undersuit as soon as it was low enough, and Zardan helped peel it from her. He towered over her, watching her bare herself for him, and the fire inside her burned hotter and hotter. It was as though his gaze fanned the flames, leaving Gillian shaking with desire.
Looking down slowly, she let her eyes trace over his gorgeous, glorious body. Over the scars that he'd won protecting her. Gently, she traced the lines of them with her fingers, exploring the shape of his heroism etched into his skin. His breath caught, and for a moment she thought she was hurting him. But no. The hungry growl he let out told her that she
was doing anything but that.
His pants slipped off easily as she moved her hands down to them, and then he was as naked as Gillian. And what a glorious sight he was. Her heart pounding, Gillian looked him up and down, eyes drinking him in. Her savior, her hero. Her dragon.
With an impatient noise, he lifted and threw her onto her bed, the mattress squeaking under her as she bounced back. Before she could say a word, he pounced on her, his powerful body pinning her down and his mouth finding her neck in a kiss that was half bite. Gillian arched under him, crying out, her body shaking and her hands pulling at him, trying to guide him closer.
But he had other ideas, kissing lower and lower, lips and teeth teasing her skin. Gillian whimpered and moaned, trying to get a grip on him.
"No, my love," he said, looking up at her. "You will get what you desire, but when I choose. And there is something that I want, first."
There was a hunger in his voice that made her gasp and arch again, her body offered up to him, and he kissed down slowly, carefully. Powerful hands gripped her hips and lifted her as he lowered his face between her legs.
The touch of his mouth to her pussy made her cry out, her fingers digging into the bedspread under them as he kissed and licked her, driving her wild. His tongue, rough and long and powerful, urged her on towards what she knew would be an incredible orgasm.
"Don't stop, don't you stop," she cried out between panting breaths. Her body trembled as Zardan's tongue danced over her clit, and she saw stars. The feelings he sent through her were incredible.
And he showed no signs of stopping.
Gillian's first orgasm ripped through her like a bolt of lightning, lighting up every nerve in her body as she screamed and thrashed. That wasn't enough to dissuade her dragon, though, and his wings beat above them as she recovered enough to whimper something. If there were words to it, even she wasn't sure what they were.
Zardan didn't let up, pushing her over the edge again and again as she writhed under his tongue. Shuddering and moaning and whimpering, she lost count of how many orgasms he gave her before lifting his head and looking up at her. Gillian could barely lift her own to look down at the handsome face between her thighs, and the sparkling promise of more in his violet eyes made her gasp.
Her limbs were heavy, her legs draped over his shoulders limply, and she could barely move. But she didn't need to. With careful, gentle strength, Zardan lifted her and laid her back on the bed. Rising over her, he looked down with a smile that was at once loving and hungry. Gillian felt an aching pulse of need from her pussy and groaned, managing to reach out for him.
"Please," she whispered. "I need you, Zardan."
"And I need you, my love. My Gillian." Zardan's smile spread. "And I will have you."
He positioned himself above her, the head of his cock pressing against her as he looked down into her eyes. Gillian shuddered again as he thrust and sheathed himself inside her with a smooth and powerful motion. The feeling was incredible, awesome, amazing, and Gillian clung to him as he drove himself home again and again. Each time he pulled back, he thrust harder.
Each time, she cried out louder.
Already close to another orgasm, she tensed around him, felt him swell inside her as she squeezed. Saw the love and lust and desperate need in his eyes. Her heart pounded in her chest and she could scarcely breathe as he rocked her with his thrusts. Each one drove her down into the mattress, hard and fast.
Wrapping her legs around his waist, Gillian tried to draw him deeper, her hands clutching at him. And with a final roar of triumph, her lover pushed her over the edge into another orgasm, the most powerful she'd ever felt. It was as though he'd dissolved into her as she came, and he followed her over the edge. Together they shook and clung to each other as the waves of pleasure washed over them, tossing them on a sea of ecstasy.
Gillian held onto her dragon lover tight, as though he were her rock. And he clung to her, their bodies shaking and their minds blanked by the impossibly powerful pleasure that filled them both.
Eventually, Gillian could open her eyes again. She found herself nestled against Zardan, her head on his chest, rising and falling with his deep breaths. His hand stroked her hair, and she thought she felt it tremble slightly.
No way, she told herself, suppressing a giggle at the thought that she'd worn out this mountain of a man. It seemed impossible, but there was the tremble again. She lifted her head to look at Zardan and found him smiling at her.
"That was amazing," she said quietly.
"No, you were amazing," he answered, smile widening. "You are an inspiration, my love."
"Me? I hardly did anything."
Zardan's chuckle shook her and his arm swept her close. "Yes, you did, even if you don't see it yourself. You make me the better version of myself, my mate."
A little flush spread across her face at that, and she shook her head. It wasn't a sign of disagreement, more that she didn't know how to respond. The idea that she could, that she had, changed this man for the better was humbling.
Even if she knew that she was changing, too. And she liked the person she was becoming, with him. Resting her hand on Zardan's sweat-slick chest, she smiled. For the first time in years, the future was something she looked forward to.
Epilogue
Huge crystal pylons rose in the distance, marking the excavation of the Grace of Herendar. Standing at the window beside the farm's airlock, Gillian watched a pulse of energy flash between them and felt the ice shake under her. It had taken more than a year for them to get started but once the Dragon Empire set its mind to doing something, a few thousand tons of ice weren't going to stand in their way.
Harry was out there somewhere, watching the dragons work. Ever since the dragons arrived he'd been almost adopted as a mascot of the expedition, and he was loving the attention. Every evening he was full of new stories and great plans. If he had his way, he'd be on the first ship out of the solar system, exploring the stars that used to belong to the Dragon Empire.
Good riddance, Gillian thought, laughing to herself. Her little brother was a lot of work, and if she could offload him onto the dragons, that suited her fine. If he's out of the system, then he's definitely not my problem.
A gurgling cry behind her pulled her attention away from the future and back into the present. Turning toward the crib behind her, she lifted her daughter out with a smile.
"Hungry again, Charida? Where do you put it all?" she asked, feeling the swell of joy that filled her heart every time she looked at her daughter. Charida gurgled happily and beat her little wings. Aside from them, and the deep red of her skin, she looked just like a human baby.
Her hunger, though, was more like Zardan's. Gillian had been worried for a bit until Zardan reminded her that Charida was eating for her dragon form too. Even if she wouldn't be able to shift until puberty, she needed the extra food.
And isn't that going to make her teenage years exciting? God, I was enough trouble and I couldn't turn into a monster that could tear the house down. Gillian laughed at the thought. It was certainly going to be a tricky time, but she was sure that with Zardan she'd manage. Together, they'd stand up to any challenge.
As though thinking of him summoned him, the airlock cycled and Zardan stepped out of it. His eyes lit up at the sight of Gillian and Charida and he dropped his airmask to leap over to them. Gillian shrieked and put out a hand, blocking his hug, and then both of them were laughing as Charida made a little confused noise.
"Just because you don't feel the cold doesn't mean I don't," Gillian said, shaking her hand. "Take a moment to warm up, or let me get some insulation on first!"
"Humans. So fragile, it's a wonder you got off your homeworld," Zardan said, mock-disapprovingly. Gillian stuck out her tongue and carefully leaned in to hug him. The fires that burned inside him were warming his skin already, and she relaxed against her mate happily.
The ice shook again, drawing their attention to the window and the pylons in the dista
nce. Dragons circled in the air above them, overseeing the excavation.
"Won't be long before they have her free of the ice," Zardan said, his arm around her shoulders. "Then scientists will tear the drive room apart to try to understand how it worked, and in a few years we'll be building our own. Humans and dragons together."
Gillian looked up at him, seeing the conflicting emotions on his face. She knew it was hard for him, but he didn't talk about it much.
"Do you miss it? Space, I mean?" Gillian asked, wrapping her arm around her mate. "I see you looking at the excavation sometimes."
"Ha." Zardan shook his head. "Not really. Sometimes I do, of course. But that is the past, and I have a brighter future to look forward to. You, me, and our children. That's more important than anything I used to have."
He looked down at her and Charida and she could see the light spark in his eyes. A pure happiness that filled the room with its glow. Gillian rested her head against his chest, and together they turned away from the window.
The future, and the past, could take care of themselves. The present was enough for them.
Dragon Warrior’s Heart
Dragons of Mars
1
Ashley
If she'd been less afraid, the sight of Mars through the window would have awed Ashley. As it was, she could barely stand to look at it. For weeks she'd been able to ignore the fact that she was in a spaceship, but seeing a planet outside made it real. Too real, and too frightening.
What am I doing here? she asked herself for the thousandth time. For all the improvements to space travel that the last few years had brought, it was hardly safe, and she'd never liked heights. Flying in an airplane was terrifying enough, and she'd managed to avoid that all her life. Until now, when an offer she couldn't refuse sent her across the gulf of space. She'd spent the whole journey locked in her cramped cabin pretending that she was in jail — it was a more cheerful thought than the reality.
