Aquamarine

by Terry Bolryder

  “Kai, calm yourself,” Seaton said, reaching up to grab his brother’s arm and jerking him back into his chair. It wouldn’t do to show disrespect to the oracle. Not when none of this was her fault. She was simply the bearer of bad news.

  Kai grumbled as he slumped back in his chair. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You let my sister go after that monster, and now she’s mated to him?”

  The oracle was calm. Her hair was a light blue today, and though her face was weary, her whitish-purple eyes were alight. “I helped Marina with what she wanted. I trusted her implicitly. Besides, there was no way she could be stopped.”

  “You didn’t have to help her get to space,” Kai said. “That would have stopped her.”

  The oracle rubbed her temple, leaning forward on her desk. “You really think so? Besides, did you really want me to break your sister’s heart? I think we all sensed how she felt about Mercury, on some level or another. I think I ignored it until she was in here, pleading to save him, but once I saw it, I couldn’t just turn away.” There was a shrewd glint in her eyes. “Besides, Mercury is a powerful asset—”

  “Ah,” Kai said, kicking back in his chair. “Now I get it. You just wanted more muscle in this stupid war with the wolves.”

  “A war you contributed to,” the oracle said.

  Kai flushed. “A war I got caught up in. I was nearly molested by a crazy wolf female because one of your dragons couldn’t keep away from one of their alphas.”

  The oracle frowned. “Now that you have your mate, would you deny anyone else theirs?”

  Seaton watched his brother as he sank back in defeat. Kai could be reactionary, but his heart was good and he was fiercely protective of those around him.

  “No,” Kai said. “I would not. I would fight for anyone who was in danger of losing their mate. I’m sorry I got upset about the Marina thing. I just—”

  “You are protective of your sister,” the oracle said. “As am I. But she has someone else to protect her now, and from what I hear on Drakkaris, he’s quite capable.”

  “Drakkaris,” Seaton said, sounding it out on his tongue. “That’s this other… planet? I still don’t get why we don’t know about this.”

  “The secrets you don’t know could fill another universe,” the oracle said lightly. “Now, I brought you in here because Marina and Mercury’s situation will be… complicated when they return. I’d like you to help with that.”

  “Of course. My brother and I are willing to do whatever we can to help,” Seaton said. “Within reason and as long as it doesn’t endanger our mates.”

  “I’m going to have Marina and Mercury settle in New York, near you and the other gem dragons, but in a separate building so the others feel safe. They will be joined by the dragons of Drakkaris and responsible for helping them find mates.”

  Seaton’s eyes flew open. “Wait. What? More dragons?”

  The oracle tented her fingers. “I told you we will need every resource we have. There is relative peace on Drakkaris, and because of high levels of metal, their dragon guard is dying. The leaders of Drakkaris would rather have them live, even if it means taking a human mate and staying on Earth.”

  “What about mating with people on their own planet?” Seaton asked.

  “There are no compatible humanoid races there,” the oracle said. “But we are hopeful that they could pair with humans, because they are not too different from the other metal dragons, except for their poison. And that’s where you come in.”

  “Me?” Seaton asked.

  “Both of you,” the oracle said. “Not only will Marina want occasional company, but her purifying abilities can only do so much. If you could visit occasionally, your naturally purifying presences might help them restrain the poison.”

  “Would it put us in danger?”

  “It only affects themselves,” she said. “They just need help with containment.”

  “I don’t really understand, but if it helps Marina, I am happy to help,” Kai said.

  “I as well.”

  “Good,” the oracle said. “They will be back in a week or two, when they have finished honeymooning on Drakkaris.”

  “Gives us some time to adjust to things. Talk about it with our mates,” Seaton said.

  “The other dragons need some time to adjust as well. I just hope their like of Marina can outdo their skepticism around Mercury. I will try to spread news of what he did there to save everyone, including Marina. But that’s why it’s good they are staying here, rather than in Seattle by the other metal dragons. We don’t want to upset the coarse or noble metal dragons while they are still settling in with their mates.”

  “But it’s okay to upset us?” Kai asked.

  “She’s your sister,” the oracle said. “I kind of thought it would be worth it so you could see her. And besides, Mercury never went after you specifically.”

  “I still don’t trust the creep,” Kai said. “But I’ll make sure and go over as much as I can to keep an eye on him.”

  “Me, too,” Seaton said.

  “Focus on your mates,” the oracle said. “I appreciate your help, but they are first priority. As for Mercury, I suspect we will see a changed dragon. He was already changing around Marina when she was visiting him in the dungeon. And he always had an element about him we didn’t understand due to him not being from Earth.” She sighed and leaned back in her chair. “All in all, I think things are about to get very exciting.”

  Seaton looked at Kai nervously, and then they both sighed. At least no matter what happened, they would face it together, as a family, with many good friends at their side.

  “Trust me. It’s going to be fine,” the oracle said.

  Seaton knew she was right. Ever since he and his siblings had awoken, things had been difficult but turned out all right in the end. He had his mate, Jenny, and was happier than he’d ever been in the world.

  With the world getting ever more dangerous and the future looking ever brighter, perhaps a powerful ex-criminal and his group of space dragon friends was just what they needed.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Marina said, looking out at the purple-blue water crashing on gray sand in front of her in turbulent waves.

  “I suppose, if you like that sort of thing,” Mercury murmured.

  She looked over to see he was teasing and smiled, nudging him in the arm.

  “Aren’t we going in?” she asked, pulling her cover-up over her head to reveal a swimsuit of shimmering green.

  Mercury just stared at her for a moment. Sometimes she caught him looking at her like that, as if he still couldn’t believe she was real and they were together.

  That was okay. She’d be here as often as needed to show him she wasn’t ever going to leave.

  Things would be difficult when they got back, but they would work through it.

  Mercury finally pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. She would never get tired of seeing that, the smoothness of his movements and the rippling of hard muscles as he raised his arms over his head.

  Despite his many other problems, her mate was strong. Now that he was determined to use that strength for good, so many things were possible.

  It had been several weeks since they’d mated, and they’d been spending time on Drakkaris, trying to let the dragons back home prepare for their return.

  The queen had gotten in contact with the oracle, and through a small portal in the castle, they’d been able to talk to her about plans for the future.

  Everything was about to change, but Marina wasn’t a bit nervous about it. She just had a feeling things would work out, and her intuition had been right enough lately that she was willing to trust it.

  Sliding her hand into Mercury’s, she knew her decision to come here had been the right one.

  “Do you really think we’ll be able to work things out?” Mercury asked. “What is your family going to think of me?”

  She squeezed his hand and pulled him gently into the
waves. She gasped at the feel of the water, which was warmer than Earth’s. It felt almost… silky. Perhaps the presence of more minerals.

  “Different?” he asked. “I’ve never been much for going in the ocean, so I don’t know what to compare with.”

  She nodded. “Definitely different. But water is water.”

  “Metal dragons aren’t usually that into water,” Mercury said. “I would think we are prone to sinking.”

  “I won’t let you sink,” Marina said.

  “True, because I will be keeping my toes on the land,” Mercury said.

  “I can change the density of water,” Marina said. “I can use currents to keep us afloat.”

  “Nope,” Mercury said. “Not happening. And you didn’t answer my question about your family.”

  “I don’t know what they’ll think,” she said quietly. “They never even approved of you talking to me. But they love me, and I think they’ll respect my decision all the same. Besides, it doesn’t hurt that I’m bringing one of the most powerful dragons on two planets back to help their cause.”

  Mercury frowned at that slightly, perhaps embarrassed, but Marina could tell he was pleased. “I suppose.”

  “It’ll work out. I promise.” She pulled him a little deeper so the water hit their calves. “And besides, even if we are… isolated, we’ll be too busy with our new work to pay much attention. A lot rests on us now.”

  Mercury’s smile was wry. “That’s true. Getting a bunch of stupid space dragons mated should be a good enough distraction from being hated.”

  “I’m really glad you’re willing to help,” Marina said, looking up at him with so much love she felt her heart might burst.

  He nodded. “Of course. After all you’ve given me, how could I refuse? I have benefitted more than I ever should have from your soft heart. I’m not going to tell you to harden it now.”

  “Good,” she said.

  “I am, however, going to be here to protect it.” He swept her up in his arms, and they looked out at the horizon as wind whipped in Marina’s hair. She loved the feel of his chest even as she looked out at the ocean.

  To her surprise, Mercury took another step forward, letting water come to his thighs. She looked up at him, shocked.

  His lips curved up on one side in a wry smile. “You always do get me to do things I never thought I would do.” Then he took another step. “Plus, what will your family of water dragons think of me if I can’t even go in the ocean? After all, I’m mated to the aquamarine dragon.”

  They’d talked about her stone and her powers after they’d mated. It was interesting that aquamarine was a stone of healing, because Mercury liked to say she had healed his heart.

  “It’s so odd that you even care what someone thinks now,” she said. “For so long, your mantra has been that you don’t care.”

  “No,” Mercury said, taking another step so they were waist deep. “My problem was I cared too much, and when no one cared back, it broke me. Now that I have someone to care about, someone who cares about me, I can’t deny I have a heart somewhere inside. That I long for connection like anyone else.”

  She leaned her head into his chest, her feet just brushing the water as he walked farther in.

  In a few moments, he was chest deep and the water was nearly covering her to her shoulders. She loved the warm feel of it, the clearness and the purple-blue hue.

  “Will you miss Drakkaris?” she asked. “You only just got to come back here and discover your history, and now you’re leaving.”

  “I don’t care about my history. I care about my home. My future. That’s you now,” he said, meeting her gaze with warm, melted-silver eyes. Then before she could react, he kissed her, and her body went liquid and soft as it did every time they touched.

  No one had ever kissed her like this. No one else would ever kiss her again.

  Just Mercury, for all time.

  She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him back, letting the waves toss around them. He was right. It didn’t matter what planet they were on, just like it didn’t matter if she was in the water or on land. Or that he had a dark past and hers was uncomplicated.

  As long as they were together, they were exactly where fate meant them to be.

  I hope you enjoyed Marina and Mercury’s story. I’m so grateful for all of the messages and support I received from all of the readers who wanted Mercury to get a story. I was about ready to give up on him, but knowing you all wanted to see him happy, I couldn’t let you down. If you enjoyed it, I hope you’ll give it a review to help other readers find it.

  Thanks again so much for your support! I always know I have the best readers.

  Sincerely,

  Terry

  Also, there are obviously some dragons on the horizon, so make sure you’re on my newsletter so you can be first to hear when they release!

  Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bgG7Kf

  If you haven’t read Seaton’s book, the first in the Awakened Sea Dragons series, you can get it here:

  Zircon (Awakened Sea Dragons 1)

  And Kai’s book, here:

  Tourmaline (Awakened Sea Dragons 2)

  And if you haven’t read the Awakened Dragons boxed set with the original dragons, you’ll want to grab it while it’s still on sale!

  Awakened Dragons Boxed Set (still on sale and the best deal!)

  Contains Onyx Dragon, Sapphire Dragon, Ruby Dragon, Diamond Dragon, Amethyst Dragon and Emerald dragon all in one place for the same price of one book! A special gift for my readers.

  Turn over for a sample of the Awakened Dragons Boxed Set…

  Awakened Dragons Boxed Set

  Zach, Isaac Morningstar III, touched the chunky iron chain around his neck as he caught his reflection in one of the dingy shop windows he passed. Anger contorted his expression as he withdrew his fingers and started again down the street of the bad neighborhood he’d been dropped in.

  He was still getting used to the modern world since he’d been woken up some months ago, but even he knew this wasn’t the type of place he would ever have chosen to go back to when he had full access to his dragon powers and a massive treasure trove that allowed him to live in comfort whenever he felt like being in human form.

  And yet here he was, leveled, humbled, shackled by this collar until the oracle who watched over shifters was sure he could be “trusted”, barely able to partially shift, with no money and nothing but the clothes on his back.

  Despicable state of events.

  Not that he blamed the oracle. In his day, hundreds of years ago, dragons had been more akin to powerful, despotic demigods who terrorized humans when it pleased them and roamed the countryside freely. In human form, they were often dukes or lords with power to match, able to hide in the countryside in a massive estate if they so chose. To hell with caves.

  Here, dragons had been remodeled to become something much more civilized. Now they worked in pairs, enforcing the laws of the shifter community and protecting shifters and humans in their area.

  Protecting them.

  The thought was ludicrous. Zach had never in his life met someone he wanted to protect, and he doubted anyone here in the selfish, petty human world was going to change that for him.

  Thunder cracked overhead and he looked up with an annoyed scowl to see dark clouds overhead. A few more steps and he felt the patter of rain on his shoulders and shook his head in disgust. He looked around him to gain his bearings and saw a shop across the street that seemed friendly.

  A human woman stood in the front window, smiling as she chatted with a man in front of her in a low chair. She had long hair, a mix of dark brown and red that shimmered over her shoulders. Soft, pale skin with rosy cheeks. A sweet mouth.

  She was touching her male client’s hair, and Zach felt an odd rumble of jealousy at the sight of it.

  She was providing some kind of service. Zach would go over and see what, and get out of the rain at the same time.

  When
he pulled open the heavy glass door, all eyes turned to him. Various men and women with striking colors of hair looked up at him in shock. Their clients, all arrayed in black cloaks, stared as well.

  He saw seats to the side of the door and sat in one, glaring at the humans to try and deter the stares he was receiving.

  He was a dragon, a powerful one. The world could rise or fall on the whims of him and his friends. They should show him respect, not this mixture of shock and disgust.

  The girl he’d seen from the window turned to him with soft blue eyes. Kindness. That was unexpected. “Did you want to make an appointment?”

  He pursed his lips and leaned back in the chair. “For what?”

  “A haircut, of course,” she said, a smile touching her full lips.

  Zach sat up a little straighter as a little bolt of warmth coursed through him. Most unexpected. He touched his shoulder length mop, tangled from the trip here and damp from the rain. “No. I do not need one.”

  She smiled and shrugged. “Okay.”

  Other customers sent nervous glances around and Zach ignored them. He picked up a magazine from beside him and pretended to hold it in front of him while he studied the people.

  He wasn’t wholly ignorant of the modern world. He’d been living on a shifter-only island, but they had all of the technology. Just none of the humans.

  As he assessed the people around him, he realized when this place closed, it would be evening, and time to find lodgings. He’d been walking all day, and would need somewhere to stay at night. If he could still take his full dragon form, he could go out into the woods and sleep there. His dragon form was impervious to cold. But his human form would probably freeze.

  Drat.

  He stared at the human again, narrowing his eyes. The man in the chair in front of her stood as she removed his cloak and took him to the counter where payment was taken. On the way there, he turned to Zach with a scowl.

  “You could stop staring, hobo,” he said, before turning his back on Zach.

  Zach gaped. Hobo? As in, a homeless beggar? For a moment he was speechless at the audacity of it. He was the furthest thing from that. Or was he? After all, he had incredible wealth but none of it was accessible. Incredible power but no way to use it.