by Lili Zander
“Yeah. Bea won’t take the money if she knows it comes from me.”
“Annoying, isn’t it?” he replies blandly. “Especially when you have more than enough treasure for the rest of your life, and all you want to do is see your mate happy.”
“This is not the same situation.”
“Really? It seems pretty identical to me.” He continues typing. “Okay. First, we need to set up a foundation. Unless you’d be okay with it coming from my company? We give a reasonable amount of money every year in need-based scholarships.”
I’m about to argue when he helpfully adds, “It’ll also make it harder for Bea to trace it back to you.”
That’s true. “So I transfer money to your foundation, and then you’ll handle getting it to Bea?” I’m not exactly saying I don’t trust Casius to make sure the money comes from me… Actually, who am I kidding? That’s exactly what I’m saying. The black AMEX card in my wallet is a reminder that the dragons and I think very differently about wealth.
“Sure,” he says. “Bastian opened a bank account in your name and deposited a million dollars in it. He thought currency would be more useful than gold bars. If you’d like, I can pull the cash from there.”
I have a bank account with a million dollars. Surreal.
“Yes, please.”
In ten minutes, Casius transfers forty-thousand dollars from my account into his foundation’s and sends an email to the director of his company’s corporate citizenship arm. “I’m sending Alex Bea’s information,” he explains as he types. “He’ll handle the details this week. Okay?”
I don’t think I’ve ever spent forty thousand dollars as quickly as I just did. But Bea is family, and she totally deserves a break.
Of course, if she ever finds out that it was me, I’m in deep, deep shit. But I’m good at keeping secrets. She still doesn’t know I’m a thief.
I’m about to thank Casius when the door to the library is flung open, and Bastian strides in. “Have you seen Mateo?” he asks, his voice tense. “He’s not picking up his phone.”
“Is that unusual?”
Bastian nods. “Very. We were supposed to look at a potential investment opportunity this morning. It’s not like him to blow off meetings. Wasn’t he supposed to be giving you a magic lesson this afternoon?”
“Yes, but it is at three. There’s still time.”
“Not that much time.” Casius looks worried too. “And Mateo is usually here early.”
Before their worry can overtake my good judgment, I reach out with my senses and search out Mateo’s golden light. At first, I can’t sense him at all. He’s always been the easiest for me to find, his magic calling to me like a beacon, but when I scan for him, I sense nothing.
I push down the building panic and try again.
There. The golden threads that weave themselves around him are noticeably, frighteningly dimmer. What the hell happened to him, and where is he?
“Is he alive?” Bastian asks, his voice coated with anxiety.
I nod. “He’s close...” Without a word I run out of the room, following the invisible connection that I know will lead me to my dragon. I burst through the front door, the other two at my heels, and gasp when I see a bloodied Mateo staggering up the drive, clutching his blood-crusted side.
“Call a healer,” Bastian shouts out to a nearby Wilhelm, his face white. “Now.”
An hour later, the healer finally judges Mateo well enough for visitors. We all file into his bedroom. “What happened?” Bastian asks as soon as he walks in.
Mateo looks sheepish. “I’m not really sure,” he confesses. “I was out drinking. I was walking back home when three guys tried to mug me.”
Erik frowns. “You couldn’t fight off three men? Were they shifters?”
Mateo shakes his head. “As far as I could tell, they were Norm. They just got the jump on me.”
“That’s impossible,” Bastian says flatly. “You should have been able to fight off three Norms with a blindfold and a hand tied behind your back.” He gives me a chagrined look. “No offense, mausezähnchen.”
I’m too concerned about Mateo to be offended. “None taken.” I perch on the edge of the bed and lace my fingers in Mateo’s. “What about your magic?”
“I couldn’t heal myself,” he replies quietly. “I tried to shift, but my dragon wouldn’t come.”
There’s a sharp inhale of shock from around the room. “Has that ever happened before?” I ask.
Mateo shakes his head. He pulls a ring from his pocket—Maija’s ring—and holds it out to Bastian. “I found this ring in the Silver Mage’s underground chamber,” he says. “Maybe I’m crazy, but I think it prevented me from reaching my magic.”
“Why would my mother want to harm you?” Bastian asks skeptically. “Are you sure it wasn’t the booze? Or something else?”
“Maija’s wards have always fought against me,” Mateo replies. “You know that.” He sighs heavily. “I don’t know for sure,” he admits. “It could have been anything. And the ring did help in the end. I tugged magic from it to cast a slowing spell. Without it…” He grimaces. “Anyway. All’s well that ends well. Aria, give me about ten minutes, and we’ll have our lesson.”
A white-haired wolf with no-nonsense eyes enters the room and overhears that last comment. She’s Pack Helferich’s healer, Felisberta Haas. “Nonsense,” she scolds Mateo. “I’ve never heard a stupider idea in my life, young man.”
I snicker at that because Mateo is at least two hundred and fifty years older than her.
“You’ve lost a lot of blood,” she continues. “Yes, I know your magic is back, but there still might be repercussions. You need to take it easy. Bed rest for the next three days at least. Understood?”
Bastian bites back his grin. “I’ll make sure of it, Frau Haas,” he assures her. “Do you have the blade? I want it tested for poison.”
My blood runs cold. Rhys sees my expression. “It’s just a precaution,” he reassures me. “We all know that Valentini can’t hold his liquor.”
“Fuck off, Griffith,” Mateo retorts.
The healer frowns at their banter. The door has barely closed behind her when Mateo tries to push himself from the bed. I jump forward and push him back down. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Oh come on. The wolf worries for no reason. There’s too much to do for me to lay in bed all day.”
I look at Bastian, and he just shrugs in a what-are-you-going-to-do kind of way. Men.
“You will do as the healer said,” I growl. “You’re going to rest for the next three days, even if I’m going to have to sit on you to keep you in bed. Got it?”
He winks at me. “If you sit on me, I’ll gladly stay in bed, tesoro.”
I have to laugh. The stubborn dragon was half-dead an hour ago, and already he’s flirting. “No extracurricular activities.”
Ever want to see a dragon pout? Tell him he’s stuck in bed for three days and there will be no naked time.
10
Aria
“How are you, mausezähnchen?”
It’s Friday. Almost one full week since I got to Germany, and things have finally settled down.
Mateo’s made a speedy recovery. Despite what Frau Haas said, he was up and about yesterday. “The more I think about it,” he said sheepishly during our magic lesson in the library, “The more I’m inclined to blame the beer. I’m never going to live this down.”
For the last couple of days, I’ve only really seen Bastian at meals. He’s been busy with both his company and with all the bullshit that comes with being Head Honcho Dragon.
But tonight’s our date night, and it’s also the night I get to give him my present.
“Really good,” I answer. I can’t hold back the smile that spreads across my face as I look at Bastian. It feels like so much has happened so quickly, and I haven’t had nearly enough time to appreciate the fact that I have five amazing mates. It all still feels surreal.
&
nbsp; I close the distance between us and push my hands to Bastian’s strong chest. “Better with you here now.”
He gently tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry I’ve been so busy,” he says. “I wish I could spend more time with you…”
“But you have responsibilities. That’s okay. You’re here now.”
Being so close to Bastian has my body heating uncomfortably. My nipples press against the cotton of my bra, and I have to fight the desire to rub against his body like a cat in heat.
Bastian’s nostrils flare, and I have no doubt that he can sense my need. “Have I been neglecting you, mausezähnchen?” He pulls me against his body, closing the little space that remained between us. “I would hate for you to feel neglected…” He cups my breast, rubbing his thumb over my hardened nipple.
“Not neglected per se…” I moan when he presses his lips to my sensitive neck, licking and kissing me in a way that never fails to drive me crazy. Threading my fingers through his hair, I drag his mouth to mine.
There is no slow build to our kiss. Bastian is always in perfect control of himself—and me—and the fact that he’s as wild and out of control for me as I am for him makes me feel wanton and bold.
I break away from his grip. “You know, Bastian…” I tease my fingertips down his chest, coming to rest on the hard muscles of his abdomen. “I never did give you your birthday present.”
I slowly move my hands down until they are resting just above his belt.
Bastian swallows thickly, his eyes flashing with desire. “You’re all the present I need, Aria,” he says. “I don’t want anything else.”
Aww. Sometimes, Bastian’s so unexpectedly sweet that it’s almost a jolt to my system.
Don’t melt into a puddle of goo, Aria.
“Would you like to know what I wanted to give you?” I quirk up an eyebrow and smile innocently, my fingertips tracing back and forth along his waistband.
Ask me. Go ahead. Let me blow your mind.
“Tell me, mausezähnchen,” he commands in his typical control-freak manner. He looks like he’s ready to throw me down on the nearest flat surface and have his wicked way with me, and I’m trying to resist the urge to let him do exactly that.
“After our dance at Equinox,” I say, licking my lips. “I was going to drag you off the dance floor and into the men’s restroom for a very special birthday blowjob.”
Bastian goes from horny to green in seconds. “In a public restroom?” he asks, sounding aghast.
Oh God. This is hilarious. I think my big, scary dragon is a germaphobe.
“Mhm,” I nod, trying to hide my smile. “That’s right. I was going to push you against the wall…” I take a step toward him and reach for his belt. “Pull out your big, beautiful cock.” He still looks freaked out, and I have to bite my lip to keep myself from laughing out loud as he takes a step back as if to escape me and my terrifying germs. “And then I was going to fall to my knees in front of you… right there in the middle of the restroom. Where anyone could have walked in on us.”
“You were going to… in a public restroom?” he repeats.
I’m almost offended at the look of disgust on his face and the incredulity in his tone. Almost. This is the funniest thing of all time.
“You seem awfully hung up on the whole public thing. I would’ve locked the door before getting on my knees for you, but…”
“You can’t be serious about having sex in a public restroom.”
“Did I say sex?” I tilt my head to the side. “I was just going to give you a blowjob, but if you’d rather sex… I’m sure we could’ve made that happen.” I grin at him. “It was your birthday, after all.”
“Do you have any idea how filthy a public restroom is?” Bastian asks, his tone deathly serious.
I give up the fight and give in to my giggles. “Oh my God, you should see your face. I wasn’t planning on licking the floor, baby. Just you. Don’t tell me the big bad dragon prince is scared of a few measly Norm germs.”
His voice turns offended. “Just because I appreciate cleanliness doesn’t mean…”
He doesn’t finish his thought because I’m laughing too hard. Seeing my mirth, he reluctantly cracks a smile. “Okay,” he admits. “I’m a little paranoid.”
“Can Norm germs hurt you?” I ask curiously. “If you caught a cold, would you be sneezing fire?”
He shakes his head with a chuckle. “Like all shifters, we’re immune to most Norm diseases.”
“So what is it about public bathrooms then? I thought it was a rite of passage for men to have dirty sex in a darkened club restroom at least once in their lives.”
Bastian snorts. “Not everyone enjoys the idea of orgasming in a place where there is fecal matter on the ceiling.”
Wait, what? So. Much. Ugh.
“I am never going to forget that image,” I groan and then sigh. “It is a shame though. You’ll never know how good I am at giving blowjobs in a restroom.”
Bastian’s eyes flash with mirth as he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. I squeal in protest and smack him on the ass. “Put me down!”
He ignores me and continues taking long strides to wherever he’s carting me off to. We abruptly stop, and the room spins as I’m righted. I stumble a little as the blood rushes back to where it belongs. Bastian flicks the light on, and I giggle when I realize he’s carried me to his personal bathroom.
Marble tiles, gold fixtures, and velvet drapes. Definitely not a dirty public bathroom. Luxurious is an understatement.
“What are you waiting for, mausezähnchen?” Bastian asks. “I think I’d like my birthday present now.”
My breath catches in my throat at the hungry way he’s looking at me. Yes, please! All thoughts of teasing leave my mind as I fall to my knees in front of him. I quickly undo his belt and pull down both his pants and boxer briefs. Gripping his thick length in my hand, I look up at Bastian through my eyelashes as I run my tongue over his straining length.
Fire lights his blue-gray irises as I slowly suck him into my mouth. I swirl my tongue around the head, then take more of him into my mouth, going as deep as I can, swallowing around him so I don’t gag.
“Oh fuck, Aria.”
I use my mouth and hand in perfect sync, making sure every inch of his length is stimulated. Bastian is practically vibrating with need as I work him toward climax. I’m slick with desire, and I feel my free hand moving toward my pussy without conscious thought.
“Hands behind your back, Aria,” Bastian snaps.
My eyes widen, and I look up at him in question. “You heard me,” he says firmly.
Control freak. I moan around his cock, and my hands move pliantly behind my back. Bastian grips my hair and takes control of my movements. My nipples pebble to painful bullets and my pussy clenches hard. I love it when Bastian takes control.
He moves me up and down his length, telling me to suck harder. Telling me that I’m perfect. That I look beautiful with my mouth wrapped around his cock. That he can smell my wet pussy. Each dirty word ratchets up my own need until I’m delirious with heat. I want him so much.
“I’m going to come in this pretty little mouth,” he grinds out. “And I want you to swallow every drop.”
I moan in agreement, sucking him enthusiastically. Bastian’s length swells, then pulses as he releases in my mouth. I swallow him down, using my tongue and throat to milk him of every drop. “Fuck,” he groans again.
I’m so wound up that just one touch on my clit will do it.
I barely have time to catch my breath before Bastian’s got me bent over the sink, my pants around my ankles, and his face buried in my pussy.
“Bastian!” I scream as my orgasm explodes through my body. Holy shitballs Batman. I’ve never climaxed so fast in my entire life. I try to stand up, but Bastian’s big hand cracks down on my upturned ass.
“Did I tell you that you could get up?”
Hell yes. Dominant-Bastian is hot.
“No,” I reply meekly.
“Then stay where you are, mausezähnchen.”
His tongue flicks against my clit, and I shudder. When he sucks it between his lips, I come undone. When he buries his fingers deep inside me, pressing against my g-spot with expert precision, I know I’ve died and gone to orgasm heaven. My body convulses as another climax racks my body.
Somewhere between orgasm two and three, I think I pass out. The next thing I’m aware of is being cuddled up to Bastian in his bed. I’m exactly where I want to be.
11
Aria
A week goes by. My days are filled with magic lessons and practicing with Endellion. Most days, my sword-fighting skills are far superior to my magic ability. But through experimentation, we find that whenever I’m wearing the Bloodstone around my neck, my magic feels strongest, even though I’m careful not to borrow magic from it. Not after what happened the time I bled on it.
But it’s not all work. Mateo spends a lot of his spare time working on a complicated piece of magic. “I’m trying to translocate one of the rooms in the castle,” he says when we ask him what he’s doing. “Specifically, the study.”
“Umm, why?”
“The Silver Mage’s wards are tied to the castle,” he replies. “My hypothesis is that if I can move one of the rooms somewhere else, then the wards will come with us.”
I remain confused until Mateo manages to perfect the spell, and I get to see it in action. One weekend, Mateo piles all of us into the study, and tugs at the threads of magic. I feel a whoosh of air and a sense of being displaced. “What happened?” I ask when he lowers his hands.
He smiles at me with a twinkle in his eyes. “Look out the window.”
I do, and my mouth falls open. The view isn’t of the snow-tipped lawn in front of the castle. No. When I look out, I see the Eiffel Tower. “Are we in Paris? How is this possible?”
