Love of the Dragon (Aloha Shifters: Jewels of the Heart Book 5)

by Anna Lowe

  Slowly, her blood pressure went back down.

  “Still,” he added. “Destroying it might still be safer.”

  Cassandra held his hands, wondering what to do. Then she pictured Koa Point. All the kindness, the camaraderie, the sense of hope. The Windstone had secured all that — and with Moira on the loose, who knew? Nina and Boone’s twins would be coming into the world soon, and the others had hinted at family plans as well.

  “Peace would be nice,” she said, giving the diamond a last shake of warning. Then she slipped it into her pocket and smiled at Silas. “Now, back to that first thing.”

  “First thing?” Now he was the tease.

  “Yes, Mr. Llewellyn. The part about wanting me.”

  He smiled so wide, his teeth showed. “Want me to say it again?”

  She tried to shrug nonchalantly, but Silas’s smile told her what an utter failure that was. “I wouldn’t mind.”

  “All right, then, Miss Nichols. I want you as my mate. My friend, partner, and lover. Forever.”

  “Greedy dragon, aren’t you?” she teased.

  He nodded firmly. “Yes, when it comes to you.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing I happen to want you too. As all of those things.”

  They grinned at each other for another few seconds, then fell into each other’s arms for a deep, needy kiss. A vow of a kiss that went on and on until Cassandra wobbled on her knees.

  “Whoops. I’m not sure if that’s the kiss or exhaustion knocking me out.”

  Silas smiled and took her hand. “Let’s say it was the kiss. And exhaustion.” He brushed his cracked lips over her knuckles and led her slowly back toward the vehicles. “Ready to get out of here?”

  She nodded. God, was she ready.

  Then he stopped and studied her earnestly. “Ready for a new start? At Koa Point, I mean.”

  She smiled and trapped him in another hug. “You sure you can handle keeping me around?”

  “I know I couldn’t handle not having you around.”

  She patted his bare ass and grinned. “Good. Then I’m ready. Ready for anything — as long as it’s with you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Silas opened his eyes slowly, not quite sure if he was ready to face the truth. Had the triumph over Drax just been a dream, or was it really true?

  As his eyes focused, he let out a breath of relief. He really was in his bedroom at Koa Point the morning after the fight, and Cassandra was at his side. The bare skin of her shoulder was scraped raw from the fight, but she was all right.

  Safe. She’s safe, his dragon murmured again and again.

  His gaze wandered slowly over the bamboo walls and arched ceiling above. Was it really over?

  It’s just beginning, his dragon cooed as Cassandra snuggled closer.

  He tightened his arms around her as she slept, thinking over the past few hours. The fight was barely more than a blur — and frankly, he was happy to keep it that way. The end was the only part he didn’t mind replaying in his mind. Holding Cassandra on the lava field as they reassured each other Drax was gone forever. Moira had fled along with the remaining dragons, and they wouldn’t be coming back anytime soon.

  Not with my mate wielding the power of the Windstone. His dragon glowed with pride.

  He stroked her arm gently, just as she had stroked his back in the hours after the fight. The two of them had limped to the parking area and collapsed in the back seat of her rental Jeep until Kai could fly back to Maui and return hours later with the helicopter. Silas was too exhausted to fly all the way back to Maui in dragon form, and there was no way he was leaving Cassandra’s side. So they had fallen into a restless sleep right there in the Jeep. Not quite heaven, not quite hell, because part of his subconscious remained alert for danger. Tessa had remained in the area to guard over the car, but Silas only felt a wave of relief when the sound of rotor blades buzzed overhead.

  He barely remembered getting into the helicopter or Kai arranging for a friend to return the rental cars, but he would never forget the sight of the ocean blurring below on the trip back. And he would never forget Cassandra’s tight hug. The forever kind of hug, and the way she whispered to him.

  “It’s over. We did it.”

  The second they got home – really home, to the master bedroom in his house high on the rise of Koa Point — they had both fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep he could have basked in for hours.

  But the sun was shining, the birds singing. Just another morning at Koa Point, yet it felt like a new era. Drax had been eliminated. The Spirit Stone had been secured. And best of all, Silas had won his mate.

  “Love you,” she murmured, half in sleep.

  “Love you, my mate,” he whispered back.

  He looked around in the pale dawn light, not quite sure what to do.

  So don’t do anything, his dragon said.

  What a novel idea it was not to leap out of bed to resume the never-ending battle with problems that had plagued him as alpha of Koa Point. But somehow, they all seemed far away.

  They’re not just far away, his dragon assured him. They’re gone.

  He closed his eyes again. Okay, maybe all his problems hadn’t entirely disappeared, but they were nowhere near as severe as before. With Drax out of the picture…

  We can relax. Finally, we can relax, his dragon sighed.

  His cheek twitched. Moira was still out there, and who knew what she might get up to. He had learned not to underestimate her, but for the time being, he could relax. Moira might return someday, but he and the shifters of Koa Point would be prepared.

  He kissed Cassandra’s shoulder and stroked her hair, relishing the warm glow in his soul.

  “Mmm,” she murmured, turning in his arms. Slowly, her eyes opened and focused on his. The warm brown brightened, and her lips curved into a smile.

  He really ought to have come up with some polite line. A good morning, or a How are you? But instead of speaking, his lips moved over hers, never intending to let go.

  She shifted on the mattress, cooing with delight.

  When they broke apart for a breath of air, she bit her lip. “Silas, there’s so much I want to say…”

  He nodded. “Me too. But there will be time for that. Right now…”

  Her smile stretched as they kissed again. He wove his fingers through her hair, marveling at the silky feel. Her body began to move under his, and his blood heated.

  Mate, his dragon growled. Need my mate.

  Cassandra ran her heel along his calf, inviting him closer. Her head tipped back, giving him access to her neck. His senses grew misty as he kissed her again and again, succumbing to the burning need to claim his mate and put an end to the dark era he had just survived.

  When Cassandra arched under him, he slid an arm under the small of her back, pressing his hips against hers. They were both naked under the sheets, and his cock was already growing hard.

  His dragon hummed at her neck as instinct pointed to the perfect spot for the mating bite. Right there.

  Silas forced himself to continue down to her collarbone, past that spot. It was too soon to think about claiming her, and they hadn’t had a chance to discuss it. But Cassandra drew him back to her neck as if she felt the urge too.

  “I want this,” she said, running her hands toward his ass. “I need this.” Her knees split open, inviting him to nestle closer still.

  With a supreme effort, Silas broke away and touched her neck. “I want this too.” God, did he want it. “But there’s so much you don’t know about shifters—”

  Her laugh was husky. “Do you really think I was just reading about history in those books of yours?”

  He came to his elbows and tilted his head.

  She ran her hand along his side, stoking the fire inside him. “I might have stumbled across a few passages about mating bites. Destined mates. All the juicy details.”

  Silas’s mouth swung open. “You did?”

  She nibbled at the edge o
f his chin. “Right now, I’m exhausted, and I need a shower. Every inch of my body aches. But I need this more than anything else, Silas. I need you. I don’t want to wait.” She shook her head. “I think of everything Eloise was wrong about. Everything I might have missed if you hadn’t brought me here. So, yes. I’m ready to put all that behind me. I want a life with you.”

  He ran a hand along the fine line of her cheekbone. “But a mating bite means…”

  She nodded. “I’ll become a shifter.”

  He stared. “And you’re okay with that?”

  She laughed then grew serious. “If I can be your kind of dragon, I’m more than okay with that.”

  “My kind of dragon?”

  She nodded firmly. “The loyal, generous kind. The kind that protects others.”

  I will protect you forever, his dragon vowed in a quiet aside.

  “And you know what else?” she asked, cupping his cheek.

  “What?”

  “I think Filimore wasn’t the last of the great dragons. I think there’s at least one more.” She ran a finger over his chest.

  His heart pounded. His blood felt too thick for his veins. As commander of his Special Forces unit and as alpha of Koa Point, he was more used to giving praise than receiving it. He’d always enjoyed watching his men try to hide their pride at his words. Now, he was the one pulling in his lips, wondering how the hell he’d gotten so lucky.

  Cassandra lifted her head and tackled his mouth in a heated kiss. “I want this, Silas. I’m sure.”

  And then there was nothing he could say, because his lips were too busy consuming her. Tasting her incredible skin, inhaling her clean, flowery scent.

  She arched again, and he slid down to her breast, capturing a nipple with his lips. Cassandra rocked beneath him, embracing him with her legs. Sparks rushed through his veins, and for once, he decided to act on instinct rather than thinking things through.

  Good idea, his dragon hummed. No need to overthink this.

  He nudged her body sideways until they were perfectly lined up. Then he rolled his hips, groaning at the sweet burn in his cock as it dragged along her folds.

  “Yes… Please…” she cried, lifting one leg then the other until her heels were pressed firmly against his ass.

  Silas turned his head and scraped his stubbly chin along her chest. Then he suckled the other nipple briefly, getting high on her scent. But it was impossible not to rush — not with Cassandra gasping and clawing for more.

  He rocked forward, plunging deep. Cassandra cried out and tipped her head back. Her inner muscles clenched, squeezing his cock.

  So good, his dragon groaned, relishing the tight, hot slide into his mate.

  Cassandra raised her arms over her head, making her breasts lift. He pinned her hands down, anchoring her in place. Levering her hips upward, Cassandra slammed against him, panting.

  “Yes…”

  His nostrils flared, and his sight dimmed. His hips rocked. And though his shoulders still ached from the fight, his body felt so, so good. On fire. Alive like he’d never felt before.

  He thrust into her warm heat time and again, losing control. Muttering his pleasure and nipping her neck between jerky breaths.

  There, his dragon roared. Right there.

  He scraped his teeth along the notch of her throat, homing in on the right spot.

  Now! his dragon roared.

  Silas held back. The location of the mating bite was one thing, but the timing was just as critical. His canines extended, and his whole body pulsed in anticipation. Any second now, he would explode inside his mate. He thrust furiously, listening to Cassandra’s cries of pleasure.

  Soon. Soon…

  Cassandra met every slam with a buck of her own. She turned her head to the side, tempting him.

  Now! his dragon demanded. Now!

  Every muscle in his body coiled, and he thrust deeper than ever.

  Right now! his dragon roared.

  He buried his teeth deep, making sure to close the surrounding area with his lips. His groan was a mumble, his body stiff. His teeth strained, plunging deeper.

  “Yes…” Cassandra clutched his head, keeping him near.

  Her pulse beat a hairsbreadth from his teeth — danger lurking so close.

  I will always keep my mate safe, his dragon murmured. Now finish it. Make her mine!

  Finishing meant the mating brand — a unique part of the dragon mating rite. Silas held his breath for a moment, praying he’d get it right.

  Of course, we’ll get it right. She’s our destined mate!

  He pounded into her one more time, pouring his desire into his mate. At the same time, he exhaled, sending a puff of fire through her veins.

  Cassandra let out a low, throaty groan and clawed the sheets. Her entire body shuddered. It would have been terrifying if Silas hadn’t felt the pleasure running through her nerves, mirroring his own ecstasy. He sensed her joy, her relief. And above all, he sensed Cassandra’s utter confidence in him.

  Mate, his dragon growled, biting even deeper.

  He never wanted to let go. But at some point, his canines receded, leaving just his lips sealed over her skin. He kept his tongue over the wound, helping her heal. The bite marks would become faint scars, a reminder of this incredible night.

  Cassandra’s legs loosened around his waist, and he caught a glimpse of her thoughts — deep satisfaction and a naughty chuckle as she thought about returning the favor someday. True mating meant each partner sharing a bite with the other, binding their souls for eternity.

  Silas lay still, panting into her neck, inhaling their intermingled scents.

  “So good,” Cassandra murmured, tensing with an aftershock.

  He held on to her, glowing inside. He was doing that to her. He was making her feel that good.

  Just like she makes us feel, his dragon agreed.

  Cassandra drew her hands down his back in a slow, sensual line until they came to rest on his rear. She tapped him lightly, playfully.

  “Wow.”

  He moved away slowly, resting on one elbow to look at his mate. Gently, he pushed a strand of hair away from her face. God, was she beautiful.

  Beautiful and mine, his dragon hummed.

  Cassandra laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt this tired, this confused, or this sure, all at the same time.” She locked him in a full-body hug with her arms and legs. “But damn, I would be happy to do that again.”

  “Again and again,” he whispered, kissing his way back to her lips. A quieter, gentler kiss that signaled the new beginning he could feel in his heart. “We can repeat it, you know.”

  “Watch out. I’ll take you up on that.” She smiled, touching his neck.

  “You’re not worried about being bound to a dragon forever?” he asked, only half in jest.

  She twisted her head left and right, making a mess of her hair but still managing to look like the most stunning woman on earth. “If you’re not worried about being bound to a third-rate witch.” Then her eyes searched the ceiling, and she chuckled. “I guess now I’ll be part witch, part dragon.”

  All dragon, his inner beast declared, picturing her swooping and soaring beside him.

  No more lonely flights in the middle of the night. No more solitary hours at home. No more turning to emptiness, wishing he had someone to ask for advice. His dragon grinned from ear to ear as Cassandra held him.

  A moment later, he buried his face in her neck, overcome by emotion and not quite man enough to let her see.

  Cassandra’s steady strokes told him it was too late. She saw him. All of him. All his secrets and his shortcomings. All that, and she still wanted him.

  “I love you,” she whispered. “You know that, right?”

  He threaded his fingers through hers and nodded silently. Yes, he knew. He just couldn’t speak yet.

  * * *

  Silas was just drifting into sleep when something tapped at the corner of his mind. He opened his eyes with a
bitter groan. Now what?

  What is it? He growled at Kai through his mind.

  I hate to bother you… Kai started.

  Not as much as he’d hate to kill his cousin for disturbing him now.

  “What is it?” Cassandra asked, touching his ribs in alarm.

  He reassured her with a kiss and sighed before reaching out to his cousin. What is it, already?

  That lawyer is on the phone. Something about resolving Filimore’s estate. I told him it had to wait, but he’s demanding to speak to you right away.

  Silas rested his forehead against Cassandra’s shoulder, ready to punch the wall. Still, as long as he had his mate…

  Mine forever, his dragon crowed.

  He rolled slowly, pressing a kiss to her lips. “I’ll be right back.” Then he aimed his thoughts at Kai. Put the call through to my office.

  He shifted to the edge of the bed and stood slowly, reluctant to leave his mate. But he loved the sight of Cassandra, spread out in his bed too. Looking absolutely ravished and ravishing.

  His dragon hummed with pride. I made my mate feel good.

  She wiggled a little, arching her back. Had she heard that?

  “Don’t be long,” she said with a naughty sparkle in her eyes.

  He walked down the hall to his office, feeling his joints creak more loudly with every step. It seemed the farther he moved from Cassandra, the more he felt the effects of the fight. Still, it was a satisfying kind of weary. The kind you get after a job well done. He grabbed a towel on the way and threw it on his leather chair before sitting down and hitting the speaker on the phone.

  “What is it?”

  He winced a little at the bark in his own voice. But hell, he had been pulled away from his mate.

  “Mr. Llewellyn, I have a few critical details to go over about your great-uncle’s will,” the lawyer said.

  Silas was about to protest, but Cassandra came up behind him and slid her arms over his shoulders, nestling her cheek next to his.

  He closed his eyes, keeping his hands clasped over hers.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” she whispered.

  He swiveled around. Maybe she really could read his mind. Maybe the mating bite worked that quickly.