Indulf came at Fredrich from the other side. He drove his fists into Fredrich’s stomach, making him choke and double over. Hendric leapt forward, bringing the hilt of his sword down on Fredrich’s head. Together, he and Indulf brought the traitor down.
The battle petered out quickly after that, while Fredrich writhed and spat curses. Hendric quickly tied him up, tightly enough that the pain alone would stop his dragon from coming forward. Fredrich’s pupils were still slits in his eyes as he screamed out every curse known to them. It wasn’t until they had dragged him back to camp and properly chained him while his army dispersed that he seemed to finally realize he had been defeated.
“Well, brother, I hope you are pleased with yourself,” Indulf spat at him. “All this killing and heartache. I hope you got what you wanted.”
“I would have if you were dead,” Fredrich spat at him.
Indulf snarled as he loomed over his fallen brother. “Why? What did I ever do to you to deserve this hatred?”
“You were born.” Fredrich glowered at him. “I was our father’s eldest son, I would have been king. I deserve it more than some whelp who doesn’t even have the stomach to kill his enemies.”
Hendric growled softly. Mercy was not weakness; just as indiscriminate killing was not strength. “You only wanted the throne to give yourself power and glory. You never cared about Byrelmore.”
“What’s there to care about?”
Indulf put a hand on Hendric’s shoulder, holding him back. His face was hard, lined with fury. “You will be locked away for the rest of your days, Fredrich. You’ve thrown away your chance at building a life of your own and—”
“And you wish you didn’t have to, don’t you?” Fredrich’s face twisted into a sneer. “Dear little brother. So weak. You should have killed us all. That’s what I would have done. Killed all my brothers, stopped them from their designs on the throne, but you...”
Indulf snorted and turned his back. “I am not you.”
Hendric followed his king as he walked away. The various cuts and bruises he had gotten on the battlefield stung and throbbed, but even with his injuries, a sense of relief washed over him. It was over. It was finally over.
And now? Now he could bring his son and his wife back to Byrelmore and figure out what the future held for them.
Chapter Seventeen
Sylvia
For someone who she hadn’t known for long, it was terribly difficult to say goodbye to Myleesa. Sylvia hugged her tightly, eyes brimming with tears. Myleesa was dressed in her plain Victorian clothes, a suitcase with more clothing at her feet. She had a big bag of gold, given to her by Indulf, hidden in her massive skirts and was ready to start her journey.
The mages held hands, chanting as they used the picture of Myleesa in the Victorian Era as a focus for the portal. Myleesa’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright with excitement and tears both. The bruises from the assassin’s attack had all healed, leaving her in perfect health for this journey.
“Are you sure about this?” Sylvia asked as she stepped back.
Myleesa nodded, dabbing at her eyes. “I’m more certain than anything else. I’ve always wanted adventure, and here I go.”
Sylvia smiled at her. She couldn’t deny that this was going to be a huge adventure, paralleling the one she was making herself. The difference, though, was that after Myleesa was gone, her magic would drain away and she would never be able to come back. It was a one-way ticket and they’d never meet again. Sylvia’s lip trembled, and she couldn’t stop herself from embracing Myleesa once last time.
“You’re so brave,” she whispered. “Goodnight, Myleesa. Go take the world by storm.”
Myleesa kissed her cheek, picked up her suitcase and walked into the portal. She disappeared, and the portal closed. Sylvia wiped her face, arms wrapped around her middle. She knew what Myleesa’s life was going to entail from here on out. She’d become a successful costume designer for an opera house, where she would meet her husband. They’d go on to have three children and Myleesa would live to meet fifteen grandchildren before she passed away peacefully in her sleep, at the ripe old age of ninety-five.
But Myleesa knew none of that.
Hendric put an arm around her and kissed her hair as the mages dispersed. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah,” Sylvia murmured. “I’m alright. I just… I can’t imagine doing what she’s doing. I know she doesn’t have any family left here… well, other than me, but I don’t really count as family. It’s different for me. I might be living in Byrelmore, but I can go back and visit my friends and family anytime.”
Hendric tugged her away, leading her from the room. His eyes smiled at her as he guided her through the corridors toward their room. “And you are taking on the responsibility of being the mother of a nine-year-old boy. That’s not easy, either.”
Sylvia shook her head. Of course, it was easy. Perhaps not the day-to-day life things all the time, but the choice had been easy. She loved Avas, and she loved Hendric. There was no question in her mind that she wanted to be in their lives, as a mother and a wife. Not to mention, now that she was living in Byrelmore, her magic was getting stronger. It allowed her to come up with a lot more ideas of how to combine magic and technology. If her theories were right, then it wouldn’t be long before the palace had flushing toilets, even.
They got to their room soon enough. Avas was training and so the apartment was empty. Hendric pressed her against the wall, his hand on her hip while the other started to tug at the laces of her bodice.
“Sylvia,” he breathed. “Will you be my wife and mate?”
She giggled, starting on his pants. “I’m already your wife and mate, silly.”
She pressed herself up to her toes, capturing his mouth in a deep kiss. A spark of heat flared under her skin, the way it always did when she was this close to him. Her eyes fluttered shut as Hendric’s hands tightened on her. Impatience flared through her—these last few weeks, she had been so extra sensitive and craving physical contact that it nearly drove her crazy.
Hendric laughed, pulling back slightly. “We have a few hours.”
“And we’ll take advantage of them,” Sylvia tugged his pants to his knees and took him in her hand, wanting him to know the same desire that was driving her crazy. “It’s probably all these emotions going through me—but I want you right now.”
They stripped off their clothes quickly, leaving them in a pile in front of the locked door before Hendric picked her up. She combed her fingers through his salt-and-pepper hair, sighing with delight as a pleasant shivering sensation built in her core. Hendric laid her down on a pile of furs in front of the hearth. They were covered by a blanket that would be easily removed and cleaned. The hearth was cold and empty, but the room was warm and there was no need for a fire, not with the one burning between them.
Hendric ran his hands over her body, exploring every inch of her while she did the same to him. Her core tightened as his fingers teased over her thighs—in response, she grasped him again and stroked him gently.
“You’re getting good at that,” Hendric grunted, his hips moving back and forth in time with her movement.
Sylvia frowned and stopped. “Getting? You mean you haven’t enjoyed—”
Hendric cut her off with a searing kiss that nearly made her forget her own name. He only broke the kiss to move down to her neck while his fingers found their target between her legs. Sylvia clung to him with one hand, the other stroking him faster as she tried to match his speed.
“I’ve enjoyed every inch of you,” Hendric murmured into her skin. “Every time you’ve touched me. Every time I’ve touched you. I only meant that we’re getting better every time.”
Sylvia cried out as he pressed a little harder, sending a flood of pleasure from her core down both legs. She couldn’t think clear enough to argue with his logic and so merely accepted it. Her heart pounded as he moved back to her mouth, his lips teasing hers apart. A ball of warmth, linke
d to the heat of pleasure rushing through her and yet separate, filled her as she gazed into his dark eyes. Love radiated out of them. Soft pants came from his throat as he rocked his hips, his abdomen twitching while she pleasured him.
It soon became a race, each doing their best to knock the other senseless with pleasure. Sylvia's back arched as she thrust her pelvis forward, trying to increase the contact between herself and Hendric’s hand while he did the same. With a growl, her dragon warrior rolled over her and seized both her wrists. He pressed hard against her thigh as he pinned her hands over her head.
Another searing kiss, this one leaving heat burning in its wake. Hendric nudged inside of her, holding her fast while she cried out his name.
“Be mine,” he whispered in her ear as he started to thrust rhythmically. “Be mine, Sylvia. For now, for millions of years, until the end of the universe and beyond.”
“Forever,” she agreed, her voice little more than a panting mewl, and liquid heat twisted in her core. Her head fell back, her body writhing beneath her lover’s. She wrapped her legs around Hendric’s hips, pulling him in deeper. He released one of her wrists to reach down and pull her leg up. Her knee hooked over his shoulder, stopping her from squeezing him.
Sylvia panted, the fingers of her free hand digging into her own thigh as she tried to match Hendric’s smooth thrusts. Every time their bodies came full together, a cry tore from her throat. Her hair whipped around her face as she writhed and Hendric brushed it aside, cupping her face with one of his massive hands as he continued.
As the heat flowed through her, filling her from head to toe, she forgot where she started and Hendric ended. His eyes were the only thing she could see, the feel of his body against hers, the sound of his soft gasps. Her whole world was him and she clung to that world, not wanting anything to come between them. She mewled with need, wanting to be closer but fighting the pleasure that promised that closeness—but an end to the closeness at the same time.
Eventually, though, she couldn’t fight it anymore. Her back arched and her eyes rolled into the back of her head as wave after wave of pleasure took her. Her core exploded, and all her muscles went limp. She wasn’t even aware if she was making noise as her vision blacked out entirely. Her fingers dug into Hendric’s muscle as he let out a series of grunts.
When the darkness dispersed, leaving her panting and writhing with blocky muscles, Hendric’s head was on her shoulder. His chest heaved. Sweat coated his skin as he lay between her legs, utterly still. Sylvia ran her fingers through his hair, basking in the afterglow of what he had given her.
After some passage of time—minutes, hours, Sylvia didn’t know—Hendric lifted his head. He pressed a tender kiss to her lips and gave her an exhausted smile.
“Never, ever imply that you’re not good,” he whispered huskily.
It took Sylvia a moment to remember what he was talking about. She nodded weakly. “Alright.”
Hendric gently withdrew and rolled beside her. He pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair and back as they continued to swap soft kisses. He brushed her hair from her face and gazed into her eyes, his dark eyes almost glowing with love. That warmth that had been in her before flooded through her. Sylvia wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her days with this man.
“You never answered my question,” he said.
“What question?”
Hendric grinned. “Will you be my wife and mate.”
Sylvia rolled her eyes. “I did answer that. I told you that I was already your wife and mate.”
“Humor me.”
She wiggled her way closer and nodded. “Yes. I will be your wife. Your mate. Mother to your child. And will you be my husband and mate, the father to my children?”
“Of course.”
“Good.” Sylvia grinned at him as she ran her fingers down his arm. “Because Avas is going to be a big brother soon.”
Hendric blinked at her. Then his eyes widened, and a smile spread over his face. He laughed, so hard that he had to roll onto his back. His face quickly turned red as he continued to laugh. Sylvia watched him, giggling herself, more confused than anything else. Suddenly, Hendric reached for her and pulled her on top of him. Another kiss stole her breath and his hands coasted all over her.
“Amazing,” he whispered as he tugged her thighs apart. “You are… amazing.”
“Why?”
“Because you are.” Hendric grinned at her, pulling her in for another kiss. Warmth and heat and love swept through her as she pulled him closer. A husband, a son and another child on the way… this was everything she wanted.
God, she was a lucky girl.
*****
THE END
Hopefully, you enjoyed reading my book as much as I did writing.
I would appreciate if you’d be willing to share a review that allows me to continuously improve my books and motivates me to keep writing.
About Jasmine Wylder
Jasmine Wylder is a Real Estate Agent by day and an emerging Paranormal Romance Author & Adventurer by night. Hailing from California, her passion for sultry stories, steamy scenes, and all-things romance began early on and it has stayed with her ever since.
When she isn’t creating captivating storylines, Jasmine loves spending time in the great outdoors, practicing yoga, painting, and treating herself to fine cuisine. She is also an avid animal lover (dogs in particular) and is the proud owner of a Husky named Luna and a Yorkie named Anya.
Whether it’s out-of-this-world love (literally), dragon shifters setting your heart ablaze, or unquenchable vampiric desire, Jasmine has you covered!
Currently, Jasmine is in the midst of crafting paranormal romances and tries to escape to the countryside every so often to get the full writer’s experience.
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Savage Brotherhood MC Series
Tornado (Book 1)
Blizzard (Book 2)
Thunder (Book 3)
Hurricane (Book 4, coming soon)
Typhoon (Book 5, coming soon)
Twister (Book 6, coming soon)
Cyclone (Book 7, coming soon)
Storm (Book 8, coming soon)
Rocky Mountain Shifters Series
Alpha’s Desire (Book 1)
Beta’s Destiny (Book 2)
Alpha’s Love (Book 3)
Beta’s Second Chance (Book 4)
Dragon Secrets Series
The Dragon’s Secret Baby (Book 1)
The Dragon's Secret Bride (Book 2)
The Dragon's Secret Prize (Book 3)
The Dragon's Secret Son (Book 4)
The Dragon's Secret Queen (Book 5)
Fated Bears Series
The Bear Shifter's Virgin (Book 1)
The Bear Shifter's Second Chance (Book 2)
The Bear Shifter's Nanny (Book 3)
The Bear Shifter's Baby (Book 4)
The Bear Shifter's Mate (Book 5)
Bound by Fate Series
The Vampire's Bride Awakening (Book 1)
The Vampire's Secret Baby (Book 2)
Standalone Stories
The Billionaire Wolves’ Virgin
Her Dragon Professor
The Alpha Bear’s Magician
The Vampire’s Nanny
Bonded to the Alpha Wolf
The Wolf Prince’s True Mate
A Secret Baby for the Vampire
Claimed by Two Navy Shifters
Her Two Dragon Princes
The Billionaire Shifter’s Secret Baby
/> Jasmine Wylder, The Dragon Beast's Virgin: A Paranormal Romance (Separated by Time Book 3)
The Dragon Beast's Virgin: A Paranormal Romance (Separated by Time Book 3) Page 10
