His fathers peered into the kitchen. Demyan, a broad-chested, sloe-eyed Russian dragon, built as sturdy as an oak, and his slender, fair Norwegian father, Alyx, beckoned him with a crooked finger.
Demyan’s hearty laugh interrupted Rhona’s somber attitude. “Come outside, son.” He held a clear bottle with red Cyrillic lettering printed on it. “I want to make a toast.”
Beau kissed his mother’s cheek as he brushed past to join his fathers on the back porch. Both men had a twinkle in their eyes.
“We’re very proud of you.” Alyx bowed his head.
Always the louder man, Demyan held the bottle aloft. “So let’s drink!” Despite having left the Soviet Union decades ago, his thick Russian accent never faded. “A toast to our wonderful son, Beau. Someday, may he know the happiness he’s brought to us with his own trio and family.”
Beau’s face flushed. “It won’t be my trio. I’m not an alpha, but God willing, I hope to be part of a trio.”
Alyx smiled, making the edges of his gray eyes crinkle. “Well said.”
Demyan unstopped the bottle. “This is the best damn vodka Moscow has to offer. You can’t buy it anywhere. You have to know somebody who knows someone, and even then you might need to do a favor for the FSB to get it. I’ve been saving this bottle for something special, and this is it.” He offered the bottle to Beau. “To Beau! He’s a man. He’s Marduko, and the world is at his feet!”
It took a moment to realize his father expected him to drink straight from the bottle. He did, and the vodka was ice-cold and smooth as silk as he took a burning gulp. “It’s good.” He passed the bottle to Alyx, who drank a long swig. “Where have you been hiding this?”
“I’ll never tell.” Demyan grabbed the bottle and swallowed. “Damn, that’s fine.” He thrust the bottle back into Beau’s hand. “Drink!” he insisted.
The bottle went back and forth between them, and once everyone had grown tipsy, Demyan raised his fist to the setting sun and shouted, “Strip! We’re going flying.”
“Rhona won’t like it,” Alyx muttered.
Demyan dismissed the comment with the stomp of his heavy boot. “Sometimes a dragon needs to be a dragon. Before I send my son away to university, I want to fly beside him. As a proud father, that is my right!” He tore at his shirt, popping several buttons loose in the process. “Everyone join me. As your alpha, I command it.”
They quickly stripped their clothing away and left it in a chaotic pile on the porch. The men dropped to all fours and shifted to dragon form with joyous roars.
Demyan completed his shift first. Built thick and powerful, he had a coppery hide and a tremendous wingspan. Alyx shifted next to his sleeker dragon form with a bluish, silvery sheen. Beau was last to make the shift, and had to beat his wings frantically to take off and follow his fathers, who were already gliding on an updraft above a rocky pasture.
In flight, they were formidable—lethal denizens of another age. The last crimson rays of the sun underlit their wings and made their snouted bills look fiercer. The herd of Blackface sheep bounded away from the flying predators.
They mentally linked, and of course, Demyan dominated the conversation. “My land. My loves. My son. Life has been good to me. Beau, wherever you go in this world, never forget our hearts have become human but our souls will always be Marduko. Never be ashamed of the dragon in you.”
Swooping in lazy circles, they flew along the edge of the sea cliffs, with the wind making their wings vibrate and flex with tremendous force. Banking hard in triple formation, they raced back across a loamy pasture teeming with white boulders and startled sheep eager to get out of the way. It grew darker, and a wall of fog crept toward the coast. This was prime flying time. Misty skies and nightfall were their allies, even though they had no neighbors on this rugged isle to witness the dragons flight.
Demyan touched his wingtip to Beau’s. A glimmer of pride shone in his father’s black eyes. For a moment they flew in tandem, talon to talon, before Demyan broke away and soared fast and steep over a ridgeline.
A shot rang through the air and then another and another. Someone concealed on the ground was shooting at them! In a panic, Beau’s wingtips tangled with Alyx’s and he tumbled from the air in a clumsy dive. He glanced up in time to see a portion of Alyx’s wing ripped away by gunfire. Blood spurted through the air as Alyx spun out of control, plummeted from the sky and smacked the ground. Still in dragon form, he pulled himself by the talons between a rocky outcropping.
Shrieking in rage, Demyan zipped along the ridgeline, looking for the perpetrator of this heinous act. He spotted him, drew his wings back and dropped from the sky in a high-speed dive with his talons poised to strike. A soul-shredding shriek of rage burst free and rang against the hills as a hail of bullets ripped into his chest, tearing him to pieces. His snout snapped back and he tumbled head over feet to earth, hit the boulders hard, and lay still with his broken wings crushed beneath him.
No one moved. Their links went silent. The wind off the ocean was all he heard. Beau cried out his father’s name, but only his shrill dragon call echoed back to him.
Jace lay still with his eyes half-closed, pretending to be asleep. The light of the dying fire flickered against the cave wall. Both Beau and Devon had been sound asleep for hours. The poor things were exhausted.
It was wonderful to have Beau and Devon safely beside him. A feeling of completion and peace like he’d never felt before flooded through him. His body was depleted, but he knew he had to fight his way back from the brink. His situation demanded he be at full force as soon as possible. Commander Vorden was at the base of the mountain, and they were certain to wake to fresh threats. His mother was alive and possibly his beta father Kostas too; he couldn’t let them down. He now had two committed mates who needed him, and if he wasn’t mistaken, Devon’s scent had subtly changed. He wasn’t certain, but he sensed a hint of sweetness on the crown of her head, which meant her body had reacted favorably to his and Beau’s pheromone-laced dragon bites. The process was never a sure thing, but it was the only way a human woman could have healthy children with them, and like a beautiful miracle it seemed to be happening for them. When she was ready to mate, and there was no rush now, Devon’s body would now be prepared to accept little Marduko. He wondered if she was aware of the change.
Everything he ever wanted was being offered, and he had to pull himself together and fight for it. It was clear that recent hardships had been a harsh test of spirit and not a death sentence. With Beau’s devotion and Devon’s love and acceptance, he’d passed through the fire and come out stronger. Decline was no longer an option. This was the moment to change gears and take up the challenge.
He allowed his hands to drift over Devon’s soft curves, pulled her near and freely explored her. She sighed in her sleep and snuggled closer. Her body was a pleasing mix of softness and strength, and just too tempting to resist. He wanted to stretch on top of her and part her thighs. “Devon,” he whispered, “I need you.”
Devon turned onto her back and stretched an arm languidly overhead. Her eyes half opened. “I’ve been hoping you’d ask.”
He rolled on top of her, taking his weight on his elbows, and gazed down at her pretty face. “How did a nice girl like you end up with two male dragons?”
“I got lucky.” She wrapped her legs around Jace’s hips and held him tight. She glided her hand across Beau’s shoulder. “I could never choose. I love you both.”
“Then it’s perfect.” He gently parted her legs, stroked his fingertips between her thighs, and guided himself inside her.
She arched upward to meet him. “I’ve been dreaming of this.”
Almost holding his breath, he entered with a slow stroke. This was a special moment, and he knew it. Devon had risked her life to come to him, and he wanted to repay her by returning all the love and tender emotions she triggered in him. He grazed his hands along the sides of her face. “Open your eyes,” he said softly, “and look at me.”
Devon tangled her fingers in Jace’s hair. “Sweetheart, you’re in shadow. I can’t see your face.”
He bent lower and brushed his lips against hers. “I love you, Devon, and I’m never going to let you risk your life alone ever again. From now on Beau and I will be at your side. I promise.”
She kissed Jace’s throat and worked her way higher, kissing the stubbly grit on his jaw before finally reaching his lips. “Don’t make rash promises. I won’t hold you to it.”
He moved carefully inside her, knowing it had been so long since the last time, he could lose control in a flash, and he wanted this to last.
Beau woke and turned onto his side. He gazed at Jace’s position between Devon’s thighs and smiled. “I see the medicine worked.”
“All I needed was a good dose of Devon.” Jace drew Beau closer. “Give her a kiss and tell her you’re glad she’s here.”
Beau leaned over and kissed Devon’s lips. His warm breath mixed with hers. “I’m very glad you’re with us.” A sensual look crossed his face as he tossed the blanket aside, revealing a thick erection. “The bedding smells like sex. How could I sleep through something like that?”
Devon traced her fingertips against Jace’s face. “Let’s make everyone happy.” She pulled free of Jace, rolled onto her knees. Bending over Beau, she stroked her tongue across his balls and up the shaft. When she reached the crown, she licked and caressed it adoringly. “You were my hero today, and as your reward, I’m going to drain your balls.”
“Do it.” A huge smile lit Beau’s face as he sprawled on the blankets and spread his thighs wide for Devon.
She settled between Beau’s legs, gripped the shaft with her fist, and slid the crown against her wet lips. Her hair spilled across Beau’s thighs. Arching her back, she offered herself to Jace by lifting her hips higher.
The sight of Devon leaning over Beau and sucking him off while Beau moaned beneath her was too much. Taking hold of Devon’s hips, he positioned himself behind her for a long, steady thrust and sank deep. Breathless, he pulled all the way out and entered her again as she rocked her hips against him.
“Don’t tease me.” He smacked her ass lightly, just because it looked so tempting from that angle. He fought the urge to take her hard for fear she’d accidentally harm Beau if he lost control. He knew that before he could have what he wanted, Beau had to get his. “Play with his balls. Bounce them against your palm, and suck the head hard. That’s what he likes.”
She did exactly that.
Beau moaned and thrust his hips off the blankets.
“Wet your fingertip.” Jace’s voice was a low rumble. “Circle Beau’s taint and pretend you’re going to slide one of your slender fingers inside him and really torment him. Beau loves ass play. When we get home, you and me should tie Beau spread-eagle on the bed and take turns sucking him off while we stroke a skinny, well-lubed vibrator high inside his ass, and listen to him beg.”
“Fuck!” Beau bucked against the blankets. He lifted his hips and pumped in and out of the heated grip of her lips with short, furious strokes before tensing and emptying into her mouth with an anguished groan. He collapsed against the bedding. “Damn!”
Pulling away, she swallowed, then kissed the head of Beau’s cock. She glanced over her shoulder at Jace. “I want to be part of this trio as much as I want my next breath. Claim me as your mate. Mark me. Do it.”
Those words were what he needed to hear. They literally gave him life and made his heart pound with joy that kept building to ever-sweeter levels. All his greatest hopes and desires were being delivered into his waiting hands, and he had only to claim them.
He gathered Devon into his arms and pressed a soft kiss to her nape. “You’re going to bond with me as a mate and link.” His tone was firm. “There will be no arguments.” He swept a wisp of dark hair from her throat and bit, knowing the sensations would be intense. An alpha’s bite burned fiercer than a beta’s. Just bringing his mouth near the soft skin of her throat excited every nerve to an almost unbearable pitch. As the dragon bite deepened, he locked his arms around her, branding his mark onto her throat.
Devon made tiny, pleasured sounds, and within moments she melted onto the blankets and stretched. “Wow, those bites are a hell of a rush.” She reached between her thighs and stroked herself as a sweet moan escaped her lips. “You’d better finish me off before I burst into flames.”
Grabbing Devon’s hips, Jace pulled her close. “Beautiful Devon, I can’t believe you’re finally ours.” He gently rubbed himself against her and slowly sank inside. As she lifted her hips, his grip tightened, pinning her against him. She felt too good. A few hard strokes would finish him, so he went easy. It was agonizing to see Devon swaying her hips and kneeling before him in a perfectly submissive position. “Sweetheart, touch yourself and come for me.”
Devon’s delicate hand barely moved as desperate little sounds floated out of her mouth.
Beau lay sprawled beside Devon, stroking her breasts. He gazed toward Jace. “Ask her.”
Jace struggled to compose his thoughts as he moved inside her. “Devon, when you’re ready, I want you to do something special for me.”
“Anything.” Devon’s answer came swiftly and sounded vague.
“Don’t say yes too quickly. Listen carefully.” Jace glided his hands over the curves of Devon’s ass. “At home….” His voice sounded gravel rough. “From now on you will sleep in our bed at my side. Do you understand?”
“I want that too.” Devon rhythmically slid back and forth on his shaft, driving him closer to the edge.
Beau’s thigh brushed Jace’s leg, teasing him with the tiny golden hairs and leaving him breathless. The whole experience of having his two lovers close and ready to please him was overwhelming.
Devon stroked faster. “Ah.” An almost imperceptible cascade of tiny ripples gripped her.
Jace closed his eyes. This was it. There was no turning back. He thrust inside Devon with increasing fury as his abs clenched. An incoherent rush of words poured from his lips as he came hard. The pleasure was so great it left him light-headed, and he caressed her hips, needing to hold on to something as he labored to catch his breath.
Beau leaned over and kissed Jace’s mouth. “I’m so glad you’re back to being our alpha. I dared to hope.”
Jace covered Devon with a blanket. “Don’t get cold, love.”
She turned and gazed up at Jace. “Do you think Vorden is still down there waiting for us to show ourselves?”
“Probably.” He reached for a heavy flannel shirt and slipped his arms through the sleeves. “And I’m sure he’s had time to call in backup. Who knows what we’ll be facing at sunrise. There might be an army of zealots waiting for us.”
Devon looked out the cave entrance. “I have an idea. It’s still dark, and there’s no moon. Maybe we should surprise him and make our move?”
He gazed into Devon’s big brown eyes, marveling that this brave and capable woman was his mate. “You’re right.”
18
They ate a quick breakfast and gathered a pack of basic necessities they would require after the shift. Devon tossed as much as she could fit into a courier sack and slung it over her shoulder. “I already know the answer to this, but I’ll ask anyway—do we have a decent weapon?”
Beau held up a lightweight carbon camping knife. “We have this.”
“Forget it.” Devon waved it off. “I’m not confident I could fight hand-to-hand with Vorden. I’d rather shoot that creep from a safe distance, but since we don’t have a gun, we’ll have to make good use of old-fashioned dragon power.”
Beau nodded. “Will do.”
“Vorden pisses me off.” Devon tied the laces of her boots. “It’s bad enough he’s threatened our lives, but his insults really got to me. He’s so smug and said some horrible things.”
Jace’s fiery gaze hardened. “What did that lousy bastard say to you?”
Why repeat the painful things Vorden
had said about killing innocent Marduko children? “Nothing that kicking his ass won’t soothe.”
They finished preparing to leave the cave.
Having second thoughts, she took the knife from Beau and slipped it into her bag. There was no way in hell she could win a knife fight against a professional mercenary, but it seemed foolish to go into battle unarmed. “My car is at the bottom of a ravine, along with my purse and a few other important things we can’t let the OKSG get their hands on. We better go there first.”
Jace looked astonished. “How did you survive in good shape after falling to the bottom of a ravine?”
The whole violent incident was so unreal it felt almost as if it happened to someone else. “I didn’t. When Vorden pushed my car over the side, I jumped and rolled.”
“Way to go, Devon!” Jace high-fived her.
She didn’t mention the bruises and load of aches and pains.
“What important things?” Beau guzzled the last of his water.
The mountain air was dry. In a single gulp, she finished her water too. “One of those things is Vorden’s vehicle. His SUV bounced to the bottom of the ravine too. There’s no way he can drive it out of here. Unless he or one of his men has gotten there first, we might find a weapon inside it.” She hesitated. “The other important thing is I brought the manila envelope with me with all your personal information in it. We have to get it back.” Her gaze darted between them. “Where’s your car?”
Beau set the empty bottle down. “We parked at the base of the canyon among some shrubs and threw a camouflage tarp on top of it. I doubt it could be seen from the road.”
Devon zipped her coat and slipped on a pair of leather gloves, feeling her nerves do a skittish dance. “Before we move your car, let’s do a flyover and make sure Vorden hasn’t been joined by any unexpected guests. If they’ve set up a roadblock, this is the time to find out. I don’t want to step into one of his tiger traps again. It’s dark. We’ve got the high ground. We have every advantage.” She patted Jace’s arm. “Are you feeling strong enough to fly with me? I can fly with Beau if I have to.”
Sirens and Scales Page 444
