“And the female dragon-shifters just listen?”
She tilted her head. “It’s more of agreeing to prevent constant belly-aching and whining. Although, some female dragon-shifters will sneak away and shift when their mate is otherwise occupied. It’s sort of the worst-kept secret on Stonefire.”
“So the males think they’re getting their way, but then give the women some freedom without looking weak?”
“Exactly.”
Rafe shook his head. “I’m starting to understand just how difficult it must be for women dragon-shifters.” He winked. “It’s a good thing you lucked out and got a human.”
Nikki stuck out her tongue. “I’m not sure ‘lucked out’ is the correct phrase.” He glared, and Nikki laughed. “Okay, maybe it is a bit lucky. But can I shift now? Dragons don’t feel the cold as keenly as humans and I’d like to get started.”
“If it means I get to watch you strip naked first, then, by all means, start.”
“Rafe...what’s your middle name? I need something to mutter at particular times.”
“Daniel. My parents were rather old-fashioned in their name choices.”
“It’s better than being named after a famous inventor who fell in love with a pigeon.”
It took Rafe a second, but then he remembered where he’d heard the name. “Nikola Tesla?”
“The one and only. My dad had full naming rights and wanted to name me after two extraordinary people—Nikola Tesla and Helen Keller.”
“That’s a strange combination.”
Nikki shrugged. “It could’ve been worse. I could’ve been named Rafe.”
Before he could do so much as narrow his eyes, Nikki slipped off her coat and tossed it at him. Rafe caught it. “Undressing isn’t always going to distract me. But just this once, I’ll allow it.” Nikki answered by throwing one shoe at his head and then the other. Rafe dodged out of the way. “You’re going to have to try better than that, Nikki.”
Mischief danced in her eyes. “Oh, I’m saving my best moves for later.”
Off went her shirt and jeans. Rafe’s mind went blank as she wiggled out of her panties and bra. The faint sunlight shone down on Nikki’s naked body and his jaw dropped. He would definitely need to take her outside once it was warmer again.
“Stay back,” Nikki ordered before closing her eyes.
Her body glowed a faint purple before her torso stretched and covered in scales. Her arms and legs became forelimbs and hind legs. Talons extended from her fingers. Her nose and jaw elongated into a snout as a tail grew behind her.
In a matter of seconds, a thirteen- or fourteen-foot purple dragon stood in the clearing, with her wings extended behind her.
Carefully placing Nikki’s clothes down, he approached her. Nikki lowered her snout, and he gently touched her nose. The scales were smooth like hard leather, but with a slight glint to them. Meeting the large eye on his side, the brown color reminded him of Nikki’s eyes.
There was a question in her eye—What do you think?
Rafe had seen Nikki in dragon-form from a distance, but never so close before. “You’re beautiful.”
She lightly bumped his chest and blew out air through her nostrils. He had a feeling she doubted his words. “I’m serious, Nikki. Not only are you majestic looking, but you’re pretty badass. Show me your teeth.”
If dragons could roll their eyes, Nikki’s expression told him she would. But a few seconds later, she opened her mouth. Trusting Nikki, he gently touched the sharp point of one and pricked his fingers.
With a curse, he put the finger to his mouth. The purple dragon chuckled before standing on her hind legs and extending her wings to their full span. She beat them once and Rafe landed on his arse. “I guess these are some of the moves you talked about?”
Swiping him up gently in one of her front paws and raising him to eye-level, she grinned.
He shook his head. “Remind me not to get on your bad side.” He looked over his shoulder. “It’s beautiful from this height, although I’m sure it’s even more so when you’re flying.”
Before he could take in the hills and lakes in the distance for more than a few seconds, Nikki jumped into the air and pumped her wings. His stomach dropped as she ascended into the sky. Only when she hovered in place did his stomach catch up with the rest of him and he found his voice. “You know I’m getting you back for that, right?”
Nikki motioned with her other front paw and turned him around. Rafe followed the direction with his eyes and sucked in a breath.
Streaks of sunlight danced off the nearest lake and mountains, creating a striped pattern of light and shadow on the ground. The cottages looked as if they were tiny dollhouses. Sure, Rafe had seen houses from a height inside an airplane. But with the wind blowing through his hair and nothing separating him from the view, the sight was magical.
A rumbling sound came from behind him, breaking the spell. Looking at Nikki’s face, she nodded down and waited.
The corner of Rafe’s mouth ticked up. “Asking my permission is definitely new.” She growled and he laughed. “Let me rephrase that: I am honored that you would ask permission, oh great dragon lady.”
Amusement flickered in Nikki’s eyes.
Then she dove downward.
Rafe yelled as their speed increased. They had to be approaching terminal velocity, but he had no bloody idea how fast that would be for a dragon in full dive. He was army, not Royal Air Force.
About twenty feet from the ground, Nikki extended her wings and then surged upward. As they glided on the currents, Rafe’s heart beat hard. He was definitely getting Nikki back for her little trick.
Yet as he looked up at her face, the sun glinted off her hide, and his irritation eased a fraction. To a stranger, Nikki in dragon form might look fierce and maybe even scary. But Rafe knew the woman inside and the display of skill in dragon form only added to his fascination with the woman.
He decided then and there that he wanted to keep her.
Nikki tilted her body and wings, turning them around. As they headed back toward Stonefire, Rafe tried to think of the best way to accomplish his goal.
Chapter Eleven
Nikki had barely prevented herself from shaking as she’d shifted and watched Rafe assess her. But between him petting her snout and his teasing, her worry had eased. The worst thing for a dragon-shifter paired with a human was for that human to be afraid of them in their dragon form. Rafe, true to his character thus far, wasn’t fazed by her altered appearance.
Her beast spoke up. You should’ve known better. Rafe doesn’t scare easily.
You just say that because you think everyone wants to adore you.
For the most part, they do. We’re special, after all. You might not like all of the attention connected to being the child of Stonefire’s first sacrifice, but I enjoy it.
Not wanting to repeat the discussion they’d shared a million times before, Nikki blocked out her dragon’s voice and merely enjoyed flying. Even if her beast was in control of their body, Nikki loved the feel of the air against their wings. More than that, she loved watching the fascination on Rafe’s face play out.
Kai would scold her later for taking a human up without a basket, but Nikki had spent many an hour training with the army when it came to carrying special packages and not dropping them. Compared to supplies weighing over a thousand pounds, a 200-plus pound male was nothing. She wouldn’t drop him.
Although, maybe once they were more familiar with each other, she’d let go and catch him for fun.
Both dragon and woman looked forward to that day.
Stonefire’s most protected landing area came into view, and she angled them in for descent. However, as she prepared to gently maneuver her way down, a gold dragon and a purple one with scars on her hide were already standing in the middle of the landing area.
Finn and Arabella had arrived. No doubt, for Jack and Annabel MacLeod’s birthday celebration the next day.
As the two dr
agons began to shrink into their human forms, Nikki turned Rafe toward her. When he looked over his shoulder, she made a rumbling sound deep in her throat.
Rafe didn’t need to see Arabella naked.
Her beast chuckled. For someone who tries to act as if she doesn’t want to claim Rafe, you’re fairly possessive. Maybe even jealous.
I’m not jealous. Arabella sometimes has lapses of confidence about her appearance still. She’s also moody from her pregnancy. I’m actually surprised Finn allowed her to shift and fly here. She’s nearly five months pregnant with triplets, no less.
Arabella went without her inner beast for a long time. He probably doesn’t want to deny her until the last possible moment.
Her dragon had a point. Arabella MacLeod had been attacked and tortured by dragon hunters as a teenager. For a decade after the attack, Arabella had done everything possible to suppress and distance herself from her inner beast. Only in the last six months had she really learned to embrace and love her dragon half again, thanks to Finn Stewart’s support and encouragement.
Rafe wiggled in her grip, garnering her attention. She met his gaze, and he shouted against the wind. “Are we going to land anytime soon? Otherwise, I’d rather you fly than hover in place.”
She wanted nothing more than to show her human the surrounding area from the sky. However, they would soon need to meet and discuss the security detail for the next day. Not only that, she had a feeling they’d have to look after Finn and Arabella, too.
With the landing area clear, Nikki guided them down until she could gently place her forelegs on the ground. Folding her wings to her back, she put Rafe on his feet and imagined her body changing back to her human form. Her face shrunk, her tail disappeared into her back, and her talons retracted to nails and fingers.
The second she was fully human, Rafe tossed his coat at her. “Hurry, before someone sees you.”
She slid her arms into the holes, enjoying Rafe’s lingering warmth in the material. “Dragons don’t view nakedness the same way humans do.”
“Oh, really? Then why did you turn me away from the shifting couple a minute ago?”
“Because Arabella doesn’t like to be seen naked.”
“I wondered who they were,” Rafe answered. “Despite the months I’ve been working with Bram and Finn, I rarely see the Scottish leader.”
Nikki finished the last button of Rafe’s coat. The hem went to her midthigh. “Considering Lochguard was attacked a few weeks ago, I’m surprised he’s even here.”
Rafe looped an arm around Nikki’s waist. “The DDA is still patrolling the area around Lochguard, looking for any lingering traitors or American dragon rebels. Finn also trusts his head Protector. I’m sure that combination has something to do with it.”
Lochguard had been attacked by enemy dragons dropping bombs on their land. Not only had the attackers been comprised of former Lochguard clan members, but also a few American dragons after an American human female. While the human female was now mated to Finn’s cousin, Fergus, it was still a risky move to visit Stonefire. The Americans could strike again.
Nikki started walking and Rafe kept up pace. She finally replied, “It might also be because this is probably Arabella’s last chance to visit her brother and her niece and nephew until after she gives birth. No matter how progressive Finn might be on issues of female dragon-shifters, he will want his babies born on his land, which means Arabella stays put. Especially since she’s had a rough time of it.”
Remembering how ill Arabella had been during the first few months of her pregnancy made Nikki wonder if she’d be the same way. If she made it to Ireland only to be sent home shortly after, she wouldn’t know what to do with herself.
Rafe’s voice filled her ear. “Hartley babies tend to be good babies, so you shouldn’t have to worry.”
She looked at him askance. “Right, because you saying it will happen must make it true.”
“Hey, you never know. Being knocked up with a half-human baby might make things easier for you, considering how stubborn dragons are.”
“Technically, the baby will be three-quarters human.”
“But the gene to shift into a dragon is always dominant, right? So it’s a pretty moot point.” He squeezed her hip. “Although, come to think of it, Hartleys are stubborn bastards as well, so it’s pretty much a toss-up as to how our baby will act.” Rafe paused, and then added, “Do you know anything about your birth mother?”
Nikki had known the question was coming but hadn’t expected it so soon.
Her beast spoke up. Don’t make it awkward now. Tell him. You will feel better afterward.
If only that were true. Every time Nikki spoke of her mother, her voice would crack with emotion, and she’d quickly change the subject to regain her composure.
Yet, looking at Rafe, curiosity filled his gaze and his words from the day before replayed in her mind. “Honesty is a good first step. But tell me, Nikki, is honesty all you want?”
She’d been unsure at the time, but after him seeing her dragon and including her in the loop on the latest information on Simon Bourne, she knew he was a rare find. Things were still new between them, and she had no bloody idea what she was going to do with regards to the baby, but if there was one male she wanted more than any other, it was Rafe Hartley. He deserved to hear the truth.
Taking a deep inhalation, she let it out, and the words spilled from her lips. “Her name was Li-Na Wu.”
Nikki paused, and forced herself to detach her emotions, much like she did when she was on a high-risk assignment for the army or Stonefire. Otherwise, she might never get it all out. It may have been over twenty years since her mother had left her, but it still affected Nikki more than she liked.
She continued, “Whilst born in Hong Kong, Li-Na immigrated with her parents during her teens to Manchester. They were poor but had worked hard to save up until they could open their own restaurant. Just as things were picking up, Li-Na’s mother died. Her father grieved hard, and the restaurant started to falter. If they couldn’t come up with a few thousand pounds to repay a short-term loan, they would lose everything.
“Then news of the landmark deal with the British dragon-shifters broke out, and the first call for sacrifices was posted. Dragon’s blood was even rarer then since there wasn’t much of a black market at the time. Anyone who had a vial to sell would make a small fortune. However, everyone was afraid of the dragons—would they eat the humans? Would they lock away the females in a tower and throw away the key? It was all bloody ridiculous, of course, but the result was that no human female who volunteered was mentally stable enough to pilot the program.
“Out of options, Li-Na applied in secret, not wanting to get her father and brother’s hopes up. She passed all the tests and was sent to Stonefire, where my father was her assigned dragonman. He was the old clan leader’s brother, you see, and could be trusted not to screw things up.”
From everything Nikki had heard, her dad had been proud to be the first candidate. Only later would he discover the heartbreak it would bring.
Not wanting to think of her father’s sadness, Nikki pushed on. “What no one had predicted was for Li-Na to turn out to be my dad’s true mate. The frenzy took hold after their first kiss, in a ceremony in front of the entire clan. My dad did his best to control his dragon, and for the most part, succeeded. However, while Li-Na didn’t deny my father’s attentions out of duty, the experience frightened her. Once the frenzy was over and she was with child, Li-Na kept to herself and avoided everyone.”
Nikki had always wanted to ask her mother why her bravery had faltered after the frenzy, but per the DDA contract, Nikki was forbidden from seeking out or contacting her mother. If she did, she could end up in a DDA prison. Considering her dad had lost his true mate, Nikki hadn’t wanted him to lose his only child, too.
Rafe merely stared at her with questions in his eyes, so Nikki explained, “My father tried his best to woo her and coax her to stay. But Li-Na
wanted to go home to her family and to everything that was familiar. Nothing would change her mind. He held out hope up to the very end, though, until I was born. When she ran the next day, my father knew his fate—he would have to raise me on his own while also recovering from his true mate’s rejection. Stonefire never heard from her again.”
~~~
Rafe listened to Nikki’s story and a whole new respect for the strong woman she’d become blossomed in his chest. To a person of weaker resolve and character, being abandoned by a birth mother might’ve turned them sour on the world. But not his Nikki. She was cheerful, determined, and witty. She had truly risen from the harsh truth of her mother’s abandonment to become brilliant.
He was also starting to understand her comments from before, about not wanting him to run off when things became difficult and leaving her alone to raise their child.
More than ever, Rafe wanted to stay and convince Nikki to not only choose him but to also choose a future with them as a family.
At the sadness in her eyes, he took her chin between his fingers. “I want you to remember one thing, Nikola Gray. I am not Li-Na Wu. When I accept a responsibility, I see it through.”
“We’ll see, Rafe. I so desperately want that to be true.”
For the first time, she all but admitted she wanted him to stay.
Leaning forward, he murmured, “Good. Then give me a few weeks and I’ll erase all of your doubts.”
“Someone’s acting a bit cocky.”
“It’s merely the truth.”
Nikki searched his eyes before blowing out a breath. “I wish we didn’t have to do the birthday party detail tomorrow. It’d be nice to dedicate all our time to the Irish mission.”
He lightly kissed her lips. “You just want an excuse to spend time with me.”
Surrendering to the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 7) Page 11
