“More,” she cried, but he shook his head.
“You cannot leave me as I will always find you. I will never let you go.” Saber stared into her eyes, giving her one last chance to back out.
Tirah winced in guilt at how she had left him earlier, after he had admitted his feelings. Granted, he didn’t know she had heard him confess his love, but still, she hated herself for hurting him. “I know.” She stared into his eyes. “I love you. I love everything about you.”
Saber blinked and his strokes increased in tempo. Tirah held on and met him thrust for thrust, feeling the pressure building.
“Saber,” she cried out, and he increased his speed, pumping into her fast and furiously now, a desperation in his eyes that wasn’t there before.
Understanding dawned. Her big, strong warrior was scared. Afraid to believe. “I’m not going anywhere,” she whispered, holding his gaze.
Moisture filled his eyes, followed by hope and Saber eased up, slowing his pace. Then he reached up and captured her hands in his and drew on his power.
Tirah felt like she was melting from the inside out, as Saber drove them both back to the brink and his magic settled on and within her, making her even more desperate.
His power encompassed Tirah’s every molecule and then began to grow more intense as it sought hers. A tremble, a ferocious need, desperate for what, she didn’t know. It snaked through her veins, drawing forth her own power and the meeting was like an explosion, a destined meeting that was inevitable and meant to be. It rocked her and electrified her all at the same time, until she was vibrating with a frenzy that was all consuming. She wrapped her legs around Saber tighter, her hands squeezing him. “More. Harder, faster,” she screamed, and caught in the same grip of magic as she was, he didn’t need any urging.
“Do you take me as your mate?” he asked, breathless as their magic churned like a whirlwind around and through them.
“Yes. I do,” she said.
“I love you, Tirah, and I give myself to you. I commit to you heart and soul. I will protect, honor, and cherish you for as long as I live. And if you die before I do, I will follow you, for I never want to spend a single moment without you in my life.” Saber’s vow was a balm on her soul and brought tears of happiness to her eyes.
“I love you, Saber. I also commit to you heart and soul. I promise to love you for all of eternity. I will protect you, honor you, and cherish you as well. And I, too, will follow you into death, as I do not want to spend a moment without you in my life.” As soon as the words left her lips, the magic whirled faster.
“Show me your dragon,” he said desperately.
Tirah drew on her power some more, and at the sight of her beast, Saber gave a frantic cry and increased his pace. Tirah held the gaze of his own beast, and then with blinding intensity, they both careened over the edge, lost in a tidal wave of passion.
Carried away on powerful waves of feeling, Tirah screamed as their magic merged, binding their souls together for eternity. “My mate,” Saber yelled, plunged inside her once more, threw his head back, and roared. He clutched her to him and they both shook, swept away on the power of their love.
***
“Thank you,” Saber said quietly afterward.
“For what? It seems that you did all the work,” she said with a smile that slipped away at the seriousness in his eyes.
“For making me complete. For bonding with me, and loving me,” he whispered in a tone that made her ache for him. During their bonding, she’d caught glimpses of his life, of all the horror he’d endured. The grief of losing so many loved ones. She knew he would have seen her life as well, yet he didn’t say anything, and now able to feel his love, she no longer worried.
Tirah cupped his face in her hands. “I should be thanking you. I never thought I’d have a home, never mind someone who wanted me the way you do.”
“Tirah, you are my heart and soul,” he whispered. And she felt how deeply he meant it.
“And you are mine,” she whispered back, then cuddled into his arms. She closed her eyes and savored the feeling of being wanted, loved.
“Oh, and there’s something else,” she said.
“And what would that be?” Saber asked without opening his eyes.
“I used to draw pictures of you.”
Saber opened his eyes and stared at her. “You … drew pictures … of me?”
Tirah thought about Saber’s drawings and grinned.
Saber did as well. “We really are fated to be together.”
Tirah smiled. Then she looked at his neck and gasped.
“What?” Saber asked, looking more relaxed that she’d ever seen him.
Awed, Tirah traced the proof of their bonding on his collarbone. “It’s a red dragon eye.”
“The color your eyes turn when you are lost to passion.” He smiled.
Tirah gaped at him. “They do?”
Saber nodded.
“Do I have one?” she asked, feeling her neck.
Saber grinned. “You do.”
Tirah tried to see but couldn’t. “Where, and what color is it?”
Saber gently drew his fingers over her throat to the side of her neck. “Here. It’s outlined in black with a blue eye.”
“The color of your eyes.” Moisture filled her eyes once again, as she stared at him. She was mated, bonded.
“Why are you crying?” Panic lit Saber’s eyes.
“Because I’m so, so happy,” she said and then snuggled into him again as they both became lost in their thoughts.
Finally, Saber snickered.
“What?” she asked, pulling away to look at him.
Saber grinned at her. “I lied earlier.”
Tirah frowned, not sure what he was talking about.
“I said I wanted you by my side for the rest of my life, but I changed my mind.” Before she could say anything, he slid back inside of her. “I want to be inside you for the rest of my life.”
Tirah gave a sharp laugh that quickly changed to a moan as he set her on fire once more.
Chapter Forty-Three
Last Words
“Time to face the music … or wrath,” Saber said.
Tirah’s stomach clenched as she thought of facing everyone. She glanced up and saw that morning light shone through the sky windows and thought about their bonding, their lovemaking. It hadn’t been quiet.
“Do you think they heard us?” she asked.
“I don’t know, you were pretty loud,” Saber teased, and Tirah’s face heated in embarrassment.
Saber pulled her close for a kiss. Unable to resist him, Tirah leaned close, savoring his desire for her.
With a frustrated breath, he let her go, but kept her hand in his. “I’m only teasing. I set wards as soon as they left. No one heard a thing.”
As they exited the bedroom, Tirah tightened her hold, worried about everyone’s reaction.
“Don’t worry,” Saber said, giving her hand a squeeze.
“I can’t help it. Cass wants me dead and Skye hates me for taking you away from her, and my mother and brother—”
“Cass is not going to touch you, and Skye doesn’t hate you. She doesn’t even know you,” Saber said with a ferocity that made her smile.
Then she shook her head. “Males. You really have no clue, do you?”
“What?” Saber asked.
Tirah smiled at him again. “Skye has a crush on you.”
“What? No.” Saber scowled.
Tirah shook her head. “She’s a teenage female, and you are her doting uncle, what do you expect?”
Saber’s scowl deepened. “But …”
Tirah laughed, though she hated knowing they had hurt Skye.
When they walked into the living area of Saber’s home, Tirah breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Saber do the same. Skye was gone.
She looked up at Saber with exasperation.
“What?” he asked, still stunned at what she’d told him. “How do I act ar
ound her now?” he whispered the question since Ashara was curled up on one of the love seats with a blanket, sound asleep. Mihel sat on the other, eyes closed, while Zales rested on the large horseshoe-shaped couch, also asleep. Cass stood in the kitchen with an ale in his hand.
“You act just like you always do,” Tirah whispered back.
“You live,” Cass said.
“I do,” Saber said, and Ashara sat up.
Mihel’s eyes opened and he blinked. “Tirah, are you all right?” Worry in his eyes, he hurried over to her. Ashara was right behind him.
Tirah glared at Saber. “I thought you said you set wards?”
Zales, also awake now, snorted and sat up.
“Is it done? Did you bond?” Cass asked, apparently still angry over the whole thing.
“I’m fine,” Tirah told Mihel, and ignoring Cass, hugged her mother.
“Yes,” Saber answered, daring Cass to say more about it.
With a snarl, Cass set the empty bottle down and went to the food cooler.
“Saber, this is my brother, Mihel, and my mother, Ashara.” Tirah introduced her mate to her family.
“Thank you for freeing me,” Ashara said, though she still looked pale.
“I couldn’t very well just leave my mate’s mother locked up, could I?” Saber asked, a twinkle in his eye as he smiled down at Tirah.
Cass grabbed another ale, closed the door and snarled. Ashara started to tremble, then she and Mihel went and sat back down.
Cass watched her as he popped the top on the bottle, then drank the whole thing. Fury bright in his green eyes. He started to say something, but Saber raised his hand, stopping him.
Tirah could feel her mate’s anger rising. “I know you hurt, but Tirah is my mate, and you will watch what you say and do.”
Cass stood absolutely still as he struggled to rein in his anger, then nodded. “You are right, I’ll go.” He started past them, but Tirah stepped in his way.
“Cass?”
Agony-filled green eyes met hers, and Tirah flinched. “I am so sorry about Maya.” Cass started to go around her. “Wait. Please?” she asked, and Cass stilled. “All these years I blamed myself for not doing more. Saber says I couldn’t have done anything, but—” She stopped speaking to gather her thoughts. Cass shot Saber a furious look.
“Just listen,” Saber said softly. Cass pursed his lips but did as his friend asked of him.
Moisture prickled Tirah’s eyes as she explained how Maya had been lured into the witch circle that night.
“You should have warned her,” Cass snapped.
“She tried,” Ashara said sorrowfully. Cass ignored her.
“Cass, look at Tirah’s hands,” Saber instructed. Though she was now shaking, Tirah held them up for him to see. Cass scowled.
“They tortured my daughter. She fought, but she wasn’t any match for their magic—” Ashara stopped speaking when Cass shot a furious glare her way.
Then Cass inspected the scars on her hands, and Tirah gave a little swallow. “I’m sorry. I know you loved Maya. I tried to break free of the magic binding me. I tried to tell her and I think she saw the warning in my eyes, but she wouldn’t go.” Tirah paused. “They didn’t release me from their spell until after they had already ki—”
Tirah hesitated, then squared her shoulders. “Until after they hurt Maya. Then they heard the other dragon coming.” Tirah glanced at Saber, then back at Cass. “They weren’t paying attention, so I tried to help her, to stop the bleeding. I couldn’t.”
Tirah could feel Cass’s grief like a deep black void. “Maya said her mate had stolen her heart, and that you both had two wonderful Young. She loved you all so much.” Tirah shook her head sadly and frowned. “I never understood her next words.” The sound of Maya’s words were clear as if she’d just spoken. “She said she didn’t want to hurt you, but she couldn’t take you with her, that there was someone that needed you here. Needed you more than she did. She was sorry. Do you know what she meant?”
Cass didn’t answer, and Tirah ached for the male in front of her. She had hoped hearing Maya’s words would give him some peace or closure. Something. But he just looked even more devastated at the news.
“Cass?” She waited for him to meet her eyes. “Maya said she’d never stop loving you, and that she’d watch over you for as long as you needed.”
Cass’s face was etched with misery as he started toward the tunnel and waterfall.
Saber blocked him. “I’m not letting you leave, not like this.”
“Get out of my way.” Cass snarled.
Saber didn’t move. “I don’t want to fight you, buddy, but I will.”
“Don’t think I can’t take you?”
“I know you can,” Saber said quietly. “But I don’t want you to go, not right now. Please?” With a frustrated growl, Cass stalked over to sit down on the far end of the couch, fire burning in his eyes. “Cass—”
“Shut up, Saber. Just let me be. I’d hate to rip your head off.” Cass averted his gaze from everyone and stared into the fireplace. A moment later, a small fire burned within it, the flames snapping and crackling.
Though clearly worried, Saber gave his friend some space and slid his arm around Tirah and drew her into his side.
Zales, who had been silent until now, looked at Saber. “What about Adarias?”
Chapter Forty-Four
Dragon Scale
Tirah bit her lip. She’d forgotten all about Saber’s older brother.
Beside her, Saber swore and regret shone brightly in his eyes. “I may have killed the only person who knew how to get him back.”
“You did what?” Zales’s voice rose, and Saber sighed.
“I might have something that will help,” Tirah said, gaining surprised looks from Saber and Zales. “Let me go get it. I’ll be right back.” Then she hurried to Saber’s room where her pack lay discarded on the floor.
She dug around until she found the items she’d stored away, then hurried back to the living area. “Here, I believe Casin used these for that spell.” She handed the large ruby and the tiny scale to Saber.
Her mate was silent as he stared at the items for a long moment, then without a word, he handed them to Zales.
“A dragon-blood diamond,” Zales whispered with wide eyes. He brought the scale to his nose and drew in a deep breath. Tirah frowned when he grew pale. Then Zales met Saber’s gaze and she knew that they were speaking telepathically.
Not sure what she was missing, Tirah could feel Saber’s grief like an ageless ache in his very soul. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t what you were hoping for, and I have no idea of what words Casin used. I just thought maybe those would help. Casin said he used them in the spell.” She was babbling. “Sorry.”
“Shh, no,” Saber said and pulled her into his side, as he stared at Zales. “You really think so?”
Tirah had no idea what he was talking about, but clearly the items meant something.
His face stoic, Zales handed them back to Saber, and Tirah noticed his hand shook. He opened his mouth, as if to speak, then closed it.
Saber looked down at her. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
“They mean something to you, don’t they?” she asked.
Saber nodded, but it was Zales who finally spoke. “The dragon-blood diamond is forged with magic and dragon blood. And the scale … Casin was able to suck Adarias into Hades … because that scale came from Adarias’s own son.”
Horror filled her and the sorrow from the two brothers was palpable. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Saber said and kissing her temple, let her feel his love. “I don’t know how Casin got the scale. Thank you for bringing it to us. This is good. These items tell us that Adarias was the target all along.”
“But will they help get your brother back?” Tirah asked.
Saber shrugged. “No idea, but at least we know the spell was tied to Adarias’s blood. Now we can search for a way to
free him.”
“Oh, okay, well … good,” Tirah said, and both males agreed.
Then Zales turned to Mihel with an intense look that wasn’t friendly. “What are your plans as Ilyium commander?”
Mihel shrugged. “I don’t have any.”
Zales narrowed his eyes on Tirah’s brother. “Don’t you?”
Mihel gave a slight shake of his head. “Not really. I never wanted to be commander, and still don’t. I have nothing there. My family is here. I could just walk away. No one would care.”
Alarm flared in Ashara’s eyes. “No, you have to go back. Wren is still there. We can’t leave him.”
Mihel’s expression was sad as he faced his mother. “I didn’t want to tell you, but I believe it’s too late for Wren. Casin got his hooks in him a few years ago. He slinks around watching us, and I know for a fact that he was reporting back to Casin. He won’t even talk to me.”
Though on the verge of tears, Ashara continued, “All the more reason to go back. You’ll be commander. You can change things, and Wren will have to talk to you. He won’t have a choice.”
“I don’t know—”
“It would be good to finally have someone decent in command,” Zales interrupted.
Mihel narrowed his eyes at Zales. “I should have seen it before. You’re one of the rebels, aren’t you?”
“I am. Our goal is to eventually bring peace between the Ilyium and all Supes.”
Mihel sighed, and Tirah knew that he wanted the same thing.
“All right. Fine. I’ll go back, but I’m not promising I’ll stay. I’ll see how it goes,” Mihel said.
Then everyone started to talk as the conversation shifted to how Mihel could help, and what it would mean if they could achieve their goals.
The room fell silent when Cass stood. Ashara trembled when he passed her but Cass didn’t seem to notice as he stopped in front of Tirah. “Thank you for telling me about Maya.” Cass looked at Zales and Saber. “I know I’ve been a pain in the ass for the both of you. Not sure why you ever put up with me.” When they both started to speak, he held up a hand, cutting them off. Cass focused on Saber. “You made me a promise.”
Saberthorn (A Paranormal/Fantasy Dragonshifter Romance): Dragonkind ~ 52 Realms Page 20
