Water Dragon (The Bride Hunt Book 2)

by Charlene Hartnady

Torrent breathed out. Things would be fine once the dark haired female was his.

  “I will inform Coal and then you can take her soon after. Stay out of sight until she has been informed.” He paused. “She is a difficult female.” Blaze shook his head.

  “They are all difficult.” Torrent forced a smile.

  “Indeed they are. Please wait in the great hall until one of my males calls you.”

  “I will do that.” Torrent gripped Blaze’s wrist. “Do not back out.”

  Blaze frowned. “Go and wait in the hall.” His voice had a steely edge.

  Torrent was going to stay close. He was going to do everything in his power to ensure that the fire king kept his word.

  It wasn’t long before Coal arrived. The fire prince disappeared into Blaze’s work chamber.

  Within ten minutes of the male’s arrival, the dark haired beauty appeared and rushed into the chamber as well. She looked upset. Good!

  The female was just as he remembered. She was to his taste. Taller, more robust. There were more hips and thighs to her. At least as much breast. Her cheeks were flushed and her skin had more of a honey tinge as opposed to pure milky white. She was perfect!

  He waited to become aroused by the sight of her. By her scent.

  Nothing.

  She lacked the exotic edge to her scent like Candy… stop! Perhaps she had arrived and disappeared into the chamber too quickly. He needed her up close and personal. Yes, that was it. She was exactly his type. To a fault. Blaze had given the female to him and he would make sure that the male made good on his promise.

  This dark haired one would work for him. She would want him. He was sure of it. It wouldn’t be long before Candy was a distant memory.

  Candy.

  The pain that coursed through him as he pictured her sweet smile, her beautiful blue eyes, her… no! He needed to forget the human.

  Shouting interrupted his chain of thought. It was coming from Blaze’s work chamber. The dark haired human was angry.

  Good! It would make this easier. One night with this female and Candy would be a distant memory. He swallowed hard. Fuck!

  “Save it!” she yelled. The dark haired one walked out the door. Her cheeks were flushed and her jaw was set. She looked pissed.

  “Wait. Let me explain. We need to talk!” Coal followed the female. His voice was pleading. His whole demeanor was pitiful. The male looked like he was on the verge of groveling.

  “Let her go,” Blaze said, as he followed behind his brother.

  “No!” Coal shouted. “I’ve listened to you enough. I need to…” The male growled, he was just behind the female. Following in her footsteps like a puppy.

  “Let her calm down first.” Blaze called after his brother. “Save it for behind closed doors.”

  “Julie!” Coal shouted.

  Torrent felt like laughing. This male was so far fucking gone that it was both amusing and nauseating to watch. “We belong together. Please let me explain.”

  “There is no we!” The human shouted. Julie. Her name was Julie. A bit on the boring side. It wasn’t like she was named after sweet treats, named after anything for that matter. The female didn’t turn back, she kept on walking. The pitiful prince on her heels.

  “Don’t say that,” Coal said. The male paused and looked around the room locking eyes with Torrent.

  The male visibly blanched. He even stumbled over his own feet. Torrent could see that his mind was racing at a mile a minute. Coal roared and his hands fisted.

  The female was still oblivious. She turned sharply, Coal almost walked into her. “Let me just tell you something.” She pointed a finger at the male.

  This was going to be easier than he thought. Coal might be head over heels over her but she felt nothing for him. That stupid voice disagreed with him but he ignored it.

  “Not now,” Coal ground out, his eyes darted to Torrent.

  “Oh, I’m only permitted to talk when it suits you?” She stabbed the poor bastard with her finger. Torrent knew exactly how that felt “Well sorry for you. It doesn’t work like that.”

  “Julie, listen to me—”

  “No damned way am I listening to you. I’ve listened to you enough, don’t you think?” The human didn’t wait for a reply.

  Coal glanced at him again. His eyes were wide and held fear the likes Torrent had never seen. What a complete pussy. For the first time since Candy had left he felt thankful that he was no longer with the female. Truly thankful.

  The human, Julie, put her hands on her hips. “You are an asshole. A jerk of the highest order. I’m done listening to you. All you seem to be able to do is talk a bunch of bullshit.”

  “There were a couple of things I kept from you, but they—”

  “No!” The human yelled, cutting him off. Torrent felt bad for the fire prince He would be helping the male by taking this female. “There were more than just a couple of things.” The female continued. He didn’t know what they were on about and quite frankly, he didn’t give a shit.

  “I have never lied to you about the things that truly mattered. I swear. Please.” He tried to touch her but she pulled away with a sharp jerk. “Let’s go back to my chamber, we can discuss it.” Once again, Coal’s eyes flashed to Torrent. He almost felt sorry for the bastard. Almost!

  “There is nothing to discuss. I want to leave. I’ve already packed, although the stuff isn’t mine. Where is my backpack? I’m leaving.” Her eyes welled. For just a second he considered walking away. The female had feelings for the fire prince even if she wouldn’t admit it.

  Fuck it!

  He wanted the female. The water fucking king. Blaze had given her to him. Moreover, the human had just renounced her bond with Coal. She was free for another male to claim. The fire prince could step aside.

  “No. Don’t say that. Please.” Coal visibly paled.

  “No, Coal. There is no we or us. There never will be.” She snarled. “Do us both a favor and let me leave. We are done.”

  Hallelujah! Any question as to the renouncing was washed away right then.

  “I’m glad to hear it.” Torrent pushed off the wall. “I’m glad you’re packed. We are leaving right away.” He allowed his gaze to roam her abundant curves. He willed his body to react.

  Nothing.

  Damn.

  Torrent needed to get her home.

  “Who the hell are you?” The human looked Torrent up and down.

  The female was about to get to know him in every way possible. He could scent that Coal had recently rutted her. He pushed that annoying voice from his head once again. “I’m the water king and you are quite lovely.”

  Coal snarled. “Touch her and I’ll…”

  The idiot had no dignity. None whatsoever. “You’ll what?” Torrent took a step towards them to show how serious he was. “You’ll do nothing. Your female has renounced you. Your king has already given permission for me to take her… not that I need it after that display, but…” he shrugged. “It’s good to have anyway.”

  “What is he talking about?” The female moved in behind Coal. Like that would save her.

  “You publicly announced that you no longer wish to be with the fire prince, that makes you available. Free for someone else to claim you.” His chest hurt. He felt more tired than he’d ever felt in his life.

  “I’m not available.” The human tried to step from behind Coal but the fire prince gripped her waist and pushed her back. It was touching but useless.

  “This female does not understand our ways. She does not wish to go with you.” Coal looked like he was about to burst into tears. It was hilarious how a female could bring a male to his knees. Thankfully he had managed to circumvent such a thing form happening to him and just in the nick of time.

  “Her wishes are no concern to me.” Torrent spat, he shook his head. They needed to know that he meant it.

  “Stop this, Torrent.” Blaze said as he entered the hallway. “Don’t do this.” He stepped in between the c
ouple and Torrent. He tried to show how superior he was. He didn’t have even half a leg to stand on. “When I said that you could have the female, I didn’t realize what she meant to my brother. He just told me that he has feelings for her.”

  Torrent laughed, there was no humor there. “Feelings. How unimportant. Their feelings do not concern me.” He said. “The female renounced Coal and I am stepping up. You”—he pointed at Julie— “are coming with me. Now.”

  “No. I’m not. I want to go home.” There was a slight quiver to her voice but she also sounded angry. He ignored the emotion. It meant nothing to him. He would convince her by any means necessary.

  Like you convinced Candy. Fuck off! He pushed down that irritating voice… yet again and pushed out another laugh. This one sounded real. Almost. “Not happening.” He ground out. “You’re coming with me and that is final.”

  “Be reasonable,” Blaze implored him. He took a step towards Torrent. “There will be another hunt next month. Coal and the female are having an argument. They care for one another.” He grimaced as he said the word care. “Don’t do this.” His voice took on a harsh edge. Fuck him. No legs to stand on!

  Torrent shook his head. “I tried to be reasonable but look where it got me. I don’t have a female to show for it. She left.” His heart felt like it was going to burst as he said the words. It hurt so fucking much… no it did not! “I will take this one in her place. This is the one I wanted from the start.” Torrent reached past Coal. Once he rutted this dark haired one… Julie… all would be well again. Equilibrium would be restored.

  The idiot, Coal lunged at him but Blaze pulled him back, taking him in a headlock. “Don’t do this, Torrent!” The king shouted.

  Coal didn’t know it yet, but Torrent was doing him a favor. It complicated things to feel too much for your partner. “It’s already done.” Torrent wrapped his arms around the human who struggled against him. Not for long. She would soon give in.

  Coal roared. Flames erupted. Torrent ignored the male. Coal roared again as Torrent gripped the human to his chest. She kicked at him and even punched him in the face. The screaming hurt more than the blows. Torrent only gripped her tighter. It wouldn’t do if she fell.

  If she wasn’t careful he would accidentally drop her. Idiot human! “Stop,” he choked out. “Behave,” he said on a growl.

  Julie sank her teeth into his neck. Torrent roared in pain and rage but kept moving. He could hear Coal screaming and shouting behind him. The male would get over it.

  Torrent’s clothes ripped as he shifted. He clutched the female to his scaly body. She continued to fight him even though she would fall to her death if he released her. Human females were strange creatures.

  “I’ll come for you!” Coal yelled at the top of his lungs. Torrent could still hear him, even though the human wouldn’t be able to.

  Coal wouldn’t come. It was against the lores. He beat his wings as hard as he could. The sooner he returned to his lair, the better. The sooner he made this female his, the better.

  Chapter 16

  Torrent hovered over the balcony that led to his chamber, he slowly descended and deposited the female carefully on the floor. The female was weaker than she looked because she fell into a heap. Quick as a flash, she was up and running.

  He wasn’t sure where the hell she planned on running to. She was liable to hurt herself. What would Coal say then? Fuck the fire prince. The female was his now. He didn’t understand why he’d even thought of the male. Torrent hooked an arm around her waist.

  “Let go of me!” She yelled. The human twisted and the palm of her hand managed to connect with his face.

  Two slaps in one day. It was a record.

  The female grimaced and looked at her hand. Silly human was definitely going to hurt herself if she wasn’t careful.

  “Feel better?” He kept his gaze on her.

  “No. I wish I was stronger.” She cradled the hand against her chest. “I would punch the snot out of you. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  He didn’t have the time or the inclination to have a discussion with her.

  She scented delectable. He willed his body to react but it didn’t. Torrent wanted to growl in frustration. He needed to touch her. He needed… “I’m going to kiss you now, female.” He clenched his jaw, trying hard not to allow that pesky voice to start in on him.

  Her eyes narrowed. “Touch me and I swear to god I will hurt you!” She yelled. The human pulled away from him and he let her go. Once she was far enough away, she turned to face him.

  “We just established that you are not capable of hurting me.” He couldn’t have her hurting herself. He needed her in perfect condition. He just needed her. His body would come to the party soon.

  The human swallowed thickly. “I’ll just have to find a way.” She glanced down at his cock. There was nothing but anger and contempt written all over her face. Julie locked eyes with him again, trying to act normal.

  It was the oldest trick in the book. “Don’t even think about it.” He shook his head. Did she really think she could hit or kick him in the junk?

  “Let me go, you big… horrible… disgusting ape.” Her fists were clenched at her sides.

  Torrent frowned. “I’m not a primate, I’m a dragon.” He sounded bored. He felt… no… it didn’t matter how he felt.

  “You’re an asshole of epic proportions.”

  That was the second time he had been called an asshole today as well. Another record. He didn’t give a fuck. He sure as hell needed one though. Her scent was spiced with anger but there was something else there. His nostrils flared as he took it in.

  “Stop that!” she shouted, her face was flushed. Her eyes blazing.

  He ignored her and sniffed harder.

  Julie kicked him in the shin and her face registered pain.

  Idiot human. “Stop that. You do know that dragons heal at an alarming rate, so even if you were to harm me…” Maybe he should just take her back. “I would heal too quickly for it to mean anything?”

  No! He would see this through. It was only a matter of time before interest flared between them.

  He sniffed at her again. “You’re nearly in heat.” Her current situation helped things. Surely… surely… come on! His dick didn’t stir at all. What the…

  “Don’t even think about it. You barbaric piece of shit.”

  Enough with the name calling. He needed to put his cards on the table, as the human saying went. “We should rut. I am a skilled lover. I have made humans weep from the sheer pleasure.”

  The human feigned a yawn. “Tell someone who cares. I wouldn’t have sex with you if you were the last person left on the planet.”

  Again, another record for him. Candy had told him the exact same thing a couple of hours ago.

  It was time to spell it out. This female may not want him but it didn’t mean that she wasn’t perfect for him. In fact, he would prefer to keep his feelings separate from his relationships going forward. “I am not looking for love.” His chest ached. Damn… it hurt! “I”—he swallowed thickly, pausing for a moment— “we… could work. No love or any of the other emotions. Let’s test compatibility. We could mate and procreate. I would look after you. It could be a win win.” How could she possibly say no?

  “More of the same bullshit!” She yelled, making him want to cover his ears. Then she choked out a hysterical sounding laugh. “You assholes are all the same. What’s so wrong with love? Why don’t you want it? Love is amazing. It’s wonderful. To feel like that about another person is—” Her eyes filled with tears and his own eyes pricked, although he couldn’t say why.

  He hated the emotions coursing through him. He especially hated the voice that told him to go after Candy. To get on his knees and beg for forgiveness if that’s what it took.

  No!

  Fuck that!

  His resolve hardened. “Heartbreaking,” His chest vibrated as he growled out the word. “To let someone else in enough to brea
k you. No. It is a mistake. One I will not make again. Get on the bed. We are rutting now.” He choked the words out.

  “Heartbreaking.” She looked up in thought. “Yeah, I suppose there’s that too.” She frowned and then her eyes widened and she seemed to realize something. “You don’t want to have sex with me.” Her eyes locked back with his. She definitely had this bewildered look.

  “I do,” he rasped. There was only one way to get over Candy. Only one way to stop this pain. Surely? “You are almost in heat. You have a delectable scent.” Pity his dick wasn’t in the least bit interested. Torrent glanced out the window and then ran a hand through his hair. What the fuck was wrong with him? He sucked in a deep breath.

  “You really don’t.” She spoke softly, carefully, like she was addressing a wounded animal.

  Everything in him screamed to go after Candy. He clenched his teeth. His female didn’t want him and after the way he had behaved, he couldn’t blame her.

  “What happened with Candy?”

  He growled, it came out sounding wounded and anguished. It was over between them. He needed to face it. Move on! “I don’t wish to discuss it. She is gone and you are here.”

  “Oh my god.” She covered her hand with her mouth for a second. “You’re in love with her.”

  Bullshit! His ego was bruised. Yeah, that was it. It was nothing more. “No. I feel nothing for her.”

  “Rubbish. What happened between the two of you? Maybe I can help.” She folded her arms.

  “It doesn’t matter. She is gone. She’s not coming back.” He moved to the nearest sofa and sat down heavily. His shoulders were slumped. He probably looked like a complete loser but right now, he didn’t give a fuck. Not even the tiniest of fucks.

  “It wouldn’t help, you know? Sex with me.”

  The human was right. She was completely, one hundred percent correct. There was no way he was having sex with anyone. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t. His body craved one female. One tiny human female. He swallowed hard. “I feel empty inside.” Like someone had carved out his insides and replaced them with shards of glass. Sharp and cutting.