Water Dragon (The Bride Hunt Book 2)

by Charlene Hartnady

  He called her name and held a hand out to her. He had no energy. Memories of what had happened threatened to overtake him but he pushed them down. He couldn’t deal with it right now. His brain was fogging over and he struggled to stay conscious. He sucked in a few deep breaths and began to feel a bit better.

  Sky rolled her eyes and shook her head, she tsked like a mother hen but she also let Candy go.

  His female walked to him, taking small tentative steps. When she was close enough, he pulled her into bed with him. She came willingly, curling her small body against his side. Torrent wrapped his arms around her. “Are you hurt?”

  “No.” Her body shook and shuddered.

  “Are you sure?” His limbs felt heavy. Now that she was in his arms, he was struggling to stay awake. The medicine the healers had given to him was taking its toll. “Are you okay?”

  “I am now.”

  “You’re safe.” He managed to push out just before sleep took him.

  Chapter 21

  Candy struggled to sleep. It felt so good to be in his arms again. It would be so easy to just forget everything that had happened. Every hurtful word he’d said to her and just go on as if nothing were wrong.

  Soon after Torrent had saved her and subsequently lost consciousness, a small group of dragons had arrived. There was a big guy amongst them, he had ash-blond hair and the same pale blue eyes as Torrent. It was easy to see that he was in command. His chest markings were golden with green streaks. He barked orders and saw to Torrent himself, carrying him back to the water castle. She later learned that his name was Tide and that he was Torrent’s younger brother. Only one year his junior. Aside from their hair color being slightly different, they were carbon copies of one another. The news came as no surprise. He was polite to her but didn’t speak much with her either.

  She was taken to her original room. The one she’d stayed in her first few days there, before moving in with Torrent. Sky came to see her. She’d filled Candy in on the events that had taken place.

  Candy was torn. On the one hand she was still very upset with Torrent and had still wanted nothing more to do with him, yet on the other, she needed to make sure that he pulled through okay. Sky assured her over and over again that he would be fine but she needed to see it with her own eyes. The thing she needed the most though was to thank him for rescuing her.

  Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked them away. Bad things had happened in her past, she was uncertain about her future but she was sure that she would rise above it. If nothing else, she was strong and resilient.

  Torrent sighed, he pulled her closer. Flush against him. His chest was against her back. Her butt cradled against his abs. Even his legs were curled up around hers. So safe. So warm. He wasn’t well. She needed to stay with him until he recuperated. Just a couple more hours and then she could be on her way.

  No biggie.

  She must’ve fallen asleep, because when she woke up, it was to Torrent’s pale stare. His eyes locked with hers and he gave her the ghost of a smile. “You’re awake,” he said unnecessarily. He touched her cheek with just the tip of his finger. He was looking at her with such intensity, such… emotion that it threatened to take her breath away.

  “I almost lost you.” He clenched his jaw and his throat worked. “I’m an idiot. You were right to call me all of those things. Asshole being on the top of the list.” He sucked in a deep breath.

  One of his arms was around her waist. She was lying on her back. Torrent was on his side “Um…” She didn’t know what to say. How did she respond?

  “How are you feeling? Are you okay? Fuck…” he half growled the last. “I did this to you. I put you in harm’s way. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.” She shook her head.

  “If I hadn’t said those things… hadn’t driven you away.” He shook his head. His voice was raw. His eyes glinted. “It’s all my fault.”

  She hadn’t expected this and was ill-prepared. “No. Wait.”

  He shook his head. “I’m a fool, an idiot.” He made a rumbling noise and covered his face with his hand.

  Candy turned onto her side, facing him. She touched the side of his arm. “It’s not your fault that Ellis is… was a pshycopath. You didn’t do any of it. Yes, you acted like an asshole and I’m still very angry with you but I’m also thankful.” She swallowed hard. “You saved me.” Her voice cracked.

  Torrent swore. He grabbed ahold of her and pulled her to him. He held her for a while. “It should never have happened. If I could kill him again I would. I should’ve ripped off his arms, ripped off his fucking legs and left him to bleed out... he got off too easily.” His whole body shook and his voice sounded strangled.

  “You got there in time. I’m okay. I swear. I’m fine.” Her heart would break when she walked away again but she would hold her head up high and she would manage. She would. She always had.

  He pulled away. His face was damp. Oh flip! Torrent wiped a hand across his eyes and aside from some residual moisture on his lashes, the wet was gone.

  Shit! It hurt her to see him so cut up. His soul laid bare. “Shhhh.” She buried her face in his chest and hugged him to her. “I’m fine.” Mostly. Still cut up over you. She couldn’t say it.

  “Are you sure?” he cupped her cheeks in both his hands. “I’m so sorry, Candy.”

  She felt herself tense. She wasn’t ready to discuss this. Not now, maybe not ever. “It’s okay. We’re good.” Drop it!

  His eyes hardened with determination. He wasn’t going to drop it. “It’s not okay and I can see that we’re not good.” He shook his head.

  “We’re good, we’re just fine but we can’t be together.” There, it was out. The old elephant in the room.

  Torrent nodded. “Shit. Forget I said anything. I wasn’t supposed to even bring this up. I promised myself I was going to give you some time. It’s too soon isn’t it?”

  She shook her head. “It’s not too soon.” Candy sat up and crossed her legs. She was wearing one of those god-awful baggy sweaters and a pair of leggings. He was wearing… just a silk sheet that barely covered his midsection.

  Sure to keep her eyes on his, she carried on. “I don’t think that I can get past the things you said. You hurt me.”

  Torrent sat up as well. She had to crane her neck to maintain eye contact. She prayed the sheet was still in place since he didn’t seem to give much of a shit.

  Why did he have to be so damned big? It irritated her how sexy he looked. His skin was still pink in places, though otherwise he didn’t look any worse for wear. His hair was mussed, yet it made him look even more attractive. Go figure.

  Candy was not going to allow herself to be sidetracked. No way! She couldn’t let him sweet talk her either. He tried to pay her for sex. Even after working for Ellis. After all her years as an escort, she had never felt as degraded as in that moment.

  She must look like a complete mess but he didn’t seem to notice or he pretended not to. It didn’t matter though.

  Torrent scrubbed a hand through his hair. It messed it up some more. He didn’t look any less handsome though. “I was jealous and angry and so damned jealous.” He paused. “I know I’m repeating myself but I couldn’t see straight. I’ve never been jealous before in my life.” He looked distraught. “How do I make this up to you?”

  “I told you that I forgive you.” She left it at that.

  “But you still can’t be with me?” That distraught look was back.

  She shook her head. “I don’t know what to say.” Tell him no. Tell him to go to hell. She couldn’t.

  “I freaked out. I lost it.” He grabbed the back of his neck and squeezed. “I should never have done that… offered you those jewels. I felt so jealous of those human males. I couldn’t see straight. I didn’t realize what I was feeling at the time. I didn’t realize how jealous and pathetic I was. I was angry at you for making me feel that way. I was angry at myself for letting you get under my skin like th
at. I’m a king…”

  “Yeah, yeah, so strong and great and fierce.” She tried to use a joking tone but it came out sounding like an accusation.

  He shook his head. “I am a king and yet I am nothing”—he paused—“I am nothing without you.”

  Her heart melted a little.

  “I am a great king and yet I was reduced to behaving like a small child. I acted like a little boy. My grandmother would throw me over her knee if she found out how I treated you, and rightly so.” He seemed to speak more to himself than to her. His eyes moved back to meet with hers. “There is nothing that I could say or do to make it right. There is no turning back the clock. When I heard about those other males, I freaked out. I let jealousy overtake me. I allowed myself to fall in love with a female who wouldn’t allow me to claim her. No female has ever turned me down before. I was… am so in love with you that I can’t think straight. I’m a jealous asshole…” He shook his head. “Like I said…” He grabbed her hands in his. “There is no turning back the clock but maybe you would agree to us starting over. A new beginning.”

  He was in love with her.

  In love.

  With her.

  She could hardly breathe. She felt light headed. She hadn’t expected this. She wasn’t sure what was going to happen but this wasn’t it. Firstly the emotion. The tears. A grown man… shifter - eek - crying because of what had happened to her. Then this. She’d expected him to be pushy about getting back together but starting over and love and apologies. He was opening up to her and admitting to his feelings.

  Torrent was frowning, his face filled with concern. “I know.” He gave her hands a squeeze before letting go. “Too soon. I’m sorry.”

  More apologies.

  No pushing at all.

  Her hearted melted some more.

  “I’ll get out of your hair. I’ll—”

  She grabbed his hand. “Okay…” she hadn’t just said that. She realized that she was smiling.

  Torrent looked unsure for a second and then he smiled back. “Okay, as in yes?”

  “Yes, but we start over and not where we left off. We start at the beginning.”

  “The beginning?” His frown deepened. “Should I hunt you again? I might have to kill others if they—”

  Candy laughed. “No, we’ll skip that part but maybe we can be friends and see where we go from there. You hurt me really badly. You made me feel cheap and worthless.”

  Torrent swallowed thickly, his throat worked but he didn’t say anything.

  “We can try but I can’t make any promises.” She was such a liar. Her heart was a puddle inside her chest. The question wasn’t if she could take him back, it was how long before she did.

  He nodded. “I will strive every day to show you what you mean to me. To prove to you how much I value you. You are more precious than gold or diamands. I hope you know that.”

  “I might, but I guess you need to prove to me that you feel it. You need to show me. I’m not interested in gold or jewels or fancy titles or any of that other stuff.”

  “I know. I’m so glad you are agreeing. You need to know that I lo—”

  “Wait.” Her voice came out sounding a tad panicked. “You can’t say the L word. It’s not fair.”

  “It’s going to be difficult but I agree to everything.”

  “There’s more.” She raised her brows.

  Torrent smiled. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “I want to meet your people and explore your lair. I want to get to know your way of life. We need to stay in separate chambers and we’re friends, so no sex.”

  He choked out a laugh. “Because we were having so much sex before?”

  She couldn’t help but to smile. “Oral sex is still a form of sex.”

  His eyes glazed over and he made a low growling noise. “I may die by the time you finally allow me into your body, but I agree.”

  She felt a zing of need as he spoke of being inside her. Shit! She wasn’t going to last. Not at all. “Are you sure?”

  He nodded.

  “I wouldn’t expect you to be exclusive.” Her voice squeaked. She couldn’t believe she was even saying this.

  “Do you want other males?” His muscles tensed.

  “No. Not at all but at the same time…” she shrugged. “I’m asking you to dial our relationship back. I’m asking for friendship, it wouldn’t be right to demand exclusivity.” As much as I want to.

  “Do you want me to fuck other females?” His nostrils flared, his body tensed.

  She grit her teeth. Anger and—yes—a good dose of jealousy raced through her. “No. I would hate it.” She grit out. “It would kill me but I can’t expect you just to wait for me.” Softer this time. “Sky said that you would get weak.” If he so much as looked at another woman she would kill him. Why had she even said that? Why? She had to be fair though.

  His eyes blazed. “I don’t want anyone else. I made a mistake. I will prove myself to you and, Candy…”

  Thank god!

  “Um.” More of a sigh.

  “When I put my mind to something, I give it my all. My everything. My undivided attention.” He licked his lips. “You will be mine.”

  A shiver raced up her spine. It was of excitement, anticipation but also of fear. Torrent was everything she’d always stayed away from. He was too good looking, rich and arrogant. He was also really sweet and kind when he wanted to be. He could hurt her. He could crush her.

  He leaned forward and she realized that his focus was on her lips. “We’re friends.” She blurted before he could kiss her. Thing was, if he kissed her, all out went at it, she would be putty in his hands.

  He gave her a smile that made her want to groan. Then he kissed her on her forehead. It was so tender. So sweet. Torrent let his lips linger for a moment before pulling her into a tight hug.

  The next day…

  “What did you say to him?” Sky asked.

  “What do you mean?” Candy put her book down. It was the second in the series—The Demon Prince’s Love Slave—Torrent was going to tease her when he got a look at the cover.

  “Torrent made a public announcement. He has renounced his claim on you, stating that you are just friends. Just friends?” She frowned, looking shocked. “Torrent has never been friends with a female before. Maybe me but that doesn’t count because I’m family. Then again, he’s never been in love with one either. Anyway, he also pointed out that if a male so much as touches you, and I quote—I will disembowel the bastard myself. He smiled while he said it.” Sky visibly shivered. “The male is besotted.”

  “He said that?” Candy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Part of her felt hurt. He renounced her.

  “Yup. You are free to go whereever you want. You are quite safe. Just don’t be too surprised if any of the guys turn around and walk the other way if they see you coming.”

  “He wouldn’t really hurt anyone though.” She shook her head. “I’m not sure I like this jealous side. It’s what caused the problems between us in the first place.”

  “Yes and no.” Sky widened her eyes. “He is in love with you. Normally a couple would mate and be done with it. With you two, everything has been up in the air indefinitely. On the one hand it’s good for Torrent, he needed to learn to work for a female. He’s had it too easy but on the other hand, it’s not natural for a shifter. He is driven to mate you and to keep other suitors away. He is hardwired this way. Doing anything else will demand huge strength and patience. It will go against his grain. I need to give you some advice.”

  Candy smiled. The other woman was a mother figure and a friend all rolled into one. “That’s fine. Go ahead.”

  “I can see that you weren’t happy when I mentioned that Torrent had renounced you. I know your feelings run deep for him.” She paused. “Here goes, don’t make him wait too long. I don’t know what he did or said to make you so angry with him but please, take my advice on this one.”

  “It’s not about m
aking him wait. I can’t help my own feelings.”

  “Do you love him?”

  Candy bit down on her lip.

  “Do you?” She used a more pressing tone.

  Candy nodded. “I do.”

  Sky smiled. “Let him pay for being a prick and then take him back. He is a shifter and he loves you. He will never want another female… you are it for him. I’m not saying he won’t be an idiot or do the wrong thing from time to time. He is a male.” She sighed and rolled her eyes. “It’s bound to happen but you need to trust that he will ultimately do right by you.”

  “You’re right.” Candy smiled. “I’ll try really hard to let this go.” A big part of her already had. It was important though that he never do anything like this again. He needed to accept her for who she was. That meant every part of her, the good, the bad and yes, the ugly. She was who she was. “And…” She raised her brows. “Any sign of your pregnancy?” It was a shameless change of subject but she was also really curious.

  “Not yet.” Sky beamed. “It’s still a bit early though.”

  “I’m sure that all of the signs will be there in no time.” Then she frowned. “What are the signs anyway? I’m sure it’s different from a human pregnancy.”

  “I don’t know much about human pregnancies. Dragons are different, even amongst our own species. Air and water dragons are similar in that we give birth to live young.”

  Candy felt her mouth gape for a second. “As opposed to?”

  “Fire dragon females lay eggs.”

  “You’re shitting me?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. You can count your lucky stars that you weren’t nabbed by one of the fire dragons. It’s the male that dictates the pregnancy. I’m an air dragon but my son or…” She looked wistful. “My daughter, will be water because my mate is a water dragon.”

  Candy could feel that her eyes were wide in her head. “Okay, so you’ll actually give birth to a baby, not a dragon or an egg?” She couldn’t help but to pull a face.

  Sky smiled. “Yup.” She probably didn’t know she was doing it, but her hand was touching her lower belly. “In about six months or so, if all goes well, I’ll give birth to a baby. If not…” She pulled her hand away like she had been burned. “It’ll be at least six months before I go into heat again.” Her eyes clouded.