by Sarra Cannon
Markus locked the door behind them. “Are you alright?”
“Just a little scared.” She went to the window to look into the gardens. Drake was directing the men as they conducted their search when Evan joined them. “I wouldn’t want to be the one at the other end of the blast when they find out who it is. They both look like they’d want nothing more than to kill with their bare hands.”
“They would. We all would.” She’d never heard so much acrimony in Markus’ voice. Of all her brothers, he was the most even-tempered, even more so than Aiken was, and that was saying a lot. “If anyone tries to take you from us again, or harm you, we’ll do what needs to be done.” He was just as furious as the others. “You don’t know what it was like living here after mother was killed. How hard it was to live without her, without her light—without your light. We can never go back.” He sighed and rolled his shoulders a few times. “Let’s work on strengthening your mind shields while we wait.”
The sun had begun to set before she heard a knock on her door. When Drake entered, she had to fight the urge to go to him and give him energy where he stood. His shoulders slumped enough to know their search hadn’t gone well.
“Evan will be holding a meeting in the library in just a few minutes and has asked you attend.” He addressed Markus, and then waited until he left before speaking again.
“You were right. The attack today wasn’t from an Erritrol.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “It was from one of our own people.”
“This just proves what you’ve already suspected, so why are you so upset?”
He paced between the window and the door. His fury and frustration rippled in the air between them. “We weren’t able to find her.” His fists clenched. “The trail led us away from the city, but then disappeared as though it had never been. It’s like chasing a shadow.” He sank into one of the chairs and ran both hands through his hair.
Coming up behind him, she placed her fingertips to his temples sending light pulses of energy into him. After his standoffish attitude of the past couple of weeks, she half expected him to recoil from her touch or pull away, but his eyes closed on a sigh. “At least now you have a bit more information to go on. It narrows down the search, right?”
He took a deep breath and opened his eyes again. “I’ve discussed this with Evan, and you’ll have to stay in your suite until we figure this out. One of your brothers will stay with you at night.” Before she could object, he added. “It’s for your safety, Rhia.”
She let her fingers drop from his temples and came to stand before him, hands on hips. “I refuse to be a prisoner.” Her chin lifted.
“What choice do we have? That was close, too close. We can’t take that kind of risk with you.” His voice tightened.
“No. I refuse to hide. If you feel the need to stay with me, Drake, then fine, I’ll accept it, but don’t ask me to hide in my room like a scared child. That, I won’t do.”
“It’s not so much to ask, please be reasonable.”
“I’m trying.” She wanted to give him more, but they needed to settle this. “Okay, let’s compromise. You can stay here with me at night but during the day, I want to be able to get out of the suite.” She raised her hand when he would have objected. “I’ve made plans for tomorrow, and I don’t want to change them.”
When he didn’t respond right away, she continued. “Whatever you tell me to do, I swear, I’ll do. Just don’t ask me to be locked up like a common criminal.”
“How do they say it in the lands of men? Oh yes… not gonna happen. It’s too dangerous.” Had he not been so serious, she might have smiled at his choice of words.
“How are we supposed to instill faith and hope in our people when we hide and cower behind the palace walls? They’re probably scared in their homes right now, thinking another attack is coming.” Squaring her shoulders, she pressed on. “I trust you and the Coalition to keep me safe.” She knew she had him, and by his frustrated groan, he knew it too.
“Not that I’ve agreed, but you have to know security will be even tighter now. Moving about won’t be easy.”
“Fair enough. I’m no more eager to put myself in harm’s way than you are.”
“Aiken’s on his way. He’s agreed to stay with you tonight.” Drake stood, as though to leave.
The small victory she’d experienced a second ago vanished. “I don’t know where you plan on sending Aiken, but it won’t be here.” She braced herself for another battle.
“I can’t stay in your suite with you. The Elders won’t have it.”
“I haven’t asked for the Elders’ approval, now have I?” She was damned tired of hearing about what they would or wouldn’t tolerate.
Drake’s soft groan reached her ears. “You have no idea how difficult this is for me, Rhia. I can’t do it. I won’t stay here with you.”
“I have no idea? Are you kidding me?” After everything she’d been through, she’d at least thought Drake would understand. She shook her head. “No, you have no idea, Drake. You have no clue just how hard this is for me. You, and Evan, and everyone else want me to play by your rules, your ideas of right and wrong, and your moral standards. Yet no one, not once, has cared enough to ask me what I want, or what would make me happy.”
“Rhia-”
She lifted her hand to stop him. “You want—no, you expect—me to behave the way you imagine the Queen of Avalore should behave.” She took a deep, shaky breath. “Do you have any-fucking-idea how frightening that is? What if I can’t do it? What if I’m not what you and everyone else wants me to be? I’m not the perfect Avalorian woman, and I never will be.”
He took a step towards her, but she shook her head, stopping him in his tracks. “Where I come from, men and women choose to be together. There’s no predestined mating ritual binding people who don’t even know each other. If we make mistakes in our choices, we deal with them. Yeah, sometimes it hurts, and it may not be perfect, but it’s our choice.” She was so furious she shook inside. “It may not be proper to have you stay with me, and The Elders may have a fit, but it’s my choice, and my mistake to make.” She punctuated the words by pointing at her own chest.
“Chantelle told me to expect The Elders soon. Do you know what that means for me?” She struggled to keep her lip from quivering. “Do you?” Her voice, a mere whisper, broke. “It means I’m going to be expected to spend the rest of my life with someone I don’t care about. Someone I’ve never even met. What kind of sick, warped system is that? It may make perfect sense to you, but to me,” she shook her head, “it’s completely insane.”
“Rhia…”
“No, let me finish.” When he didn’t interrupt again, she continued. “I’d rather have stayed in New York and been alone my entire life than have all my rights taken away from me.” Her shoulders slumped as the fight left her.
What’s the use? Shaking her head, she turned and walked to her bedroom, pausing at the door to look at him over her shoulder. “You don’t have to stay the night, I’ll be fine on my own, but Aiken isn’t staying either. I’m going to have a hot bath, and then I’m going to bed.” Tapping her finger to her temple, she continued. “I’ll let you know if I need a knight in shining armor to rescue me tonight.” Without waiting for his reaction, she left the room, and closed the door behind her.
Chapter 21
Steam rose in soft wisps around her as Rhia lowered herself into the tub through a thick layer of bubbles to the soothing heat beneath. The sweet scent of candles clung to the air while their dim glow created the refuge she needed. Time to think and regroup.
As much as she hated to admit it, Drake was right. The attack on her and Evan today was too close. She’d have to postpone the picnic. Risking the lives of her new friends wasn’t an option, never mind the risk to her, or the Coalition trying to keep her safe. Besides, even if Drake agreed, Evan would never go for it.
If she’d thought she was restricted before, she could just imagine how bad it would be from her
e on in. She couldn’t stop the small groan from slipping past her lips. Pondering on it wasn’t going to change anything, and would just get her more frustrated than she already was, so she shoved it from her mind. I’ll deal with it when the time comes.
What she needed to do was figure out how to handle this situation with Drake. He wasn’t as immune to her as he let on. She hadn’t imagined those hot looks he gave her when she caught him off guard. She just had to figure out how to crack that hard shell of his and push him into action.
She could send him some sexy vibes and see what he’d do. She’d been energy sharing with Markus as part of her lessons over the past week. Of course, with her brother, they’d practised with healing light, but the concept was the same. If she focused and directed it, she could reach Drake. Question was did she dare do it? It would definitely ruffle his feathers a little.
Biting her lip, she made up her mind. What did she have to lose? If things went well, they’d have some pretty hot telepathic playtime. If they didn’t, nothing would change except she’d have a couple more bruises on her ego, but she could handle it. She’d just have to come up with another plan and try again. Taking the scent of the candles deep into her lungs, she centered herself. Spilling sensual energy out to anyone other than Drake would be mortifying. She had to do this right the first time.
Her eyes closed as she visualized the strong line of his jaw and full lips. She imagined him standing by the tub, naked, his hungry eyes lingering on the swell of her breasts where they peeked through the bubbles, making her nipples pucker under his gaze. His spicy scent invaded her mind as he came closer, his hard muscles rippling.
Sliding her hand over her slick belly, fingers splayed wide, she could almost feel his larger one caressing the soft skin beneath her palm. Even though she was toasty warm, goosebumps coursed over her flesh, making her arch her back, and her nipples tighten even more in the cool air.
The silken caress of the bubbles as they slid away from the sensitive buds had her gasping, and her hands sliding up to roll them between her fingers. His hot breath teased at the peaks before he flicked his tongue over one aching tip. She moaned again, energy sizzling from her teasing fingers straight to her throbbing core.
The sensations washed over her, threatening her concentration, but she fought to keep him focused in her mind. Biting her bottom lip, she concentrated the sensual caress and sent it out on the invisible link between them. She just hoped she wasn’t making a mistake and pushing him further away with her little stunt.
Sliding her hand back down from her breast to nestle over the curls between her thighs, she stopped. The anticipation built, consuming her until she slid her fingers between her wet folds, stroking her aching clit as she did.
“What are you doing?”
So focused on Drake in her mind, and on the sweet ache in her body, she hadn’t noticed the familiar buzz preceding his words. She sighed as she continued her slow exploration. “I was just thinking about you.”
“Maybe you should think of something else.” His strangled voice slid over her.
“Maybe. But I like thinking about you.” She tweaked her nipple with her free hand, and slid her fingers over her clit again, sending the combined sensations to him.
“I’m not a saint, Rhia.”
“Who asked you to be?” She swept her fingers over her throbbing clit again, gasping as heat washed over her. She was so close. Another flick or two was all it would take. She brought her hand back up to stroke her belly with the tips of her fingers. She wouldn’t be able to hold out for much longer if she kept this up. “Come on, Drake. Play with me.”
“This is crazy. We can’t do this.”
“I need you. Can’t we forget everything else just for tonight?” She was playing with fire, and she’d have to deal with the consequences come morning, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was easing the endless tension built over the past couple of weeks.
When he didn’t respond right away, her heart sank. Had she pushed him too far? Her eyes closed as disappointment rushed through her. Damn. Now she was going to have to take care of herself, which of course she could do, but she’d wanted the intimate connection with Drake again.
“You’ve locked the door.” His impatient tone set her heart racing.
He was coming to her. This was so much better than she’d hoped. “You’re a big boy, I’m sure you can figure something out.” She cupped her breasts, pinching at both nipples at once, sending the zing of pleasure to him.
A faint sizzling and pop came from the bedroom followed by the smell of heated metal. She knew the moment the door opened. It was as though his energy had invaded and was coming for her.
Lust rolled off him in waves, swamping her with every step he took. When he entered the bathroom, she couldn’t help but gasp. The top button of his jeans was undone and his t-shirt was half tucked. He’d run his fingers through his hair, and if the bulge at the front of his jeans was any indication, he was more than ready for her.
Water and bubbles slid down her body like tiny velvet tongues licking at her sensitive flesh as she stood before him. Soft, sexy growls rumbled in his chest as he devoured her with his eyes. He didn’t stop until he had his hands around her waist, lifted her from the tub and took her mouth in a hard, savage kiss.
Already desperate for his touch, she tugged at his shirt, needing the heat of his skin against her own.
He pulled away just long enough for her to slip it over his head before taking her mouth again, and crushing her naked breasts against his hard chest. She didn’t know they’d even moved until the cool expanse of wall pressed into her back, making her arch further against him.
“Now, I need you now. Take off your pants.” She stroked him through the straining denim, making him moan into her kiss.
“You’ve been driving me crazy.” He nipped at her lip and jaw before taking her mouth again.
“Me? I’ve been a perfect angel. Pants. Take them off now.” She pulled her hand away to circle around and grab his butt, thrusting her hips against him.
Taking hold of her wrists, he held them up over her head with one hand then slid the other between them, making her buck against him as his fingers slipped between her wet folds.
She shifted her hips to rub herself against his fingers. She was so close. She didn’t want it to end so soon, yet she needed it more than she needed her next breath. His mouth claimed hers again, his tongue plunging and retreating, making her knees weak. If he didn’t fuck her soon, she’d go crazy. As though reading her thoughts, he slid two long fingers deep inside her, twisting slowly as her body shuddered around them.
She tried to thrust forward, needing more, but he held her in place. “Not yet. We’re playing by my rules now.” He pulled his fingers away, drawing a whimper from her, and then dropped to his knees before her. Lifting her leg, he placed it over his shoulder, opening her to his hungry gaze. His chest rose and fell with his quick breaths. “What do you want, Rhia?”
“I want you to touch me.” She tried thrusting forward again, but his hold on her kept her from moving.
He leaned closer, his hot breath caressing her sensitive flesh. “Do you like that?”
Her lungs burned for air. “Yes. More, touch me, damn it.”
He slid his finger from the top of her mound, making her buck against him as he grazed over her clit before plunging his fingers in deep again.
“Drake, please, I can’t hold on.” Wave after wave of heated pleasure washed over and through her. She couldn’t catch her breath. Her soft sighs echoed in the room as she fought against the inevitable.
“Do it, Rhia. Come for me. Let me taste you as you become undone.”
Her resolve flew out the window as his hoarse words stroked her mind, and he pressed his tongue onto her swollen clit. Her soft moans and whimpers were replaced by the breathless chanting of his name as her body climbed higher and higher, until she couldn’t hold back anymore. She cried out as her body shattered, and wav
es of sensation took away all reason, leaving her gasping in the aftermath.
Drake continued his assault, even as she drifted back. His fingers delved deep in a slow, easy rhythm before retreating again. His thumb pressed on her swollen clit as he slid his fingers into her body again, and again, fanning the embers.
His ragged breaths and insistent rumbles told her he was almost at the point of losing control, but almost wasn’t close enough. She wanted him there. Her heart raced as liquid heat raced through her system, making her greedy. She wanted him wild, needed his dragon to come out and take her again so much it hurt. When he took her hard, pebbled nipple into his mouth, she dug her fingers into his shoulders, fighting against the need to come again. The strong pulls of his mouth sent electricity coursing straight to her aching pussy. “Drake…”
“I’m going to fuck you now.” He bent his head to her neck, licking, kissing and nipping at the sensitive flesh, while his hands worked at his jeans to pull them down.
“Yes, fuck me. I need you inside me. Please, now.”
As soon as he had them past his hips, her hand found him, stroking him from base to tip. Her thumb stroked against the head, gathering his creamy moisture before bringing it up to her mouth to lick it clean.
Rather than scaring her, seeing the fire in his eyes made her throb and clench inside, desperate to have all of him. The dragon was so close, begging for freedom, begging to take her. She nipped at his jaw and neck, before bringing her mouth to his shoulder. She kissed, and then licked once before biting down—hard. What had possessed her to bite him, she didn’t know, but in the next instant, he growled, lifted her against the wall, and before she could even wrap her legs all the way around him, he slammed into her.
His body shuddered, and then stilled. His mouth crushed hers as their individual energies merged, sending the intensity of their combined pleasure into the stratosphere. Every touch, every stroke multiplied in intensity, making her head spin. He set a hard, fast pace, plunging and retreating in a wild and crazy ride setting her blood to boil and her body pulsing in time with his. She threw her head back as the pressure built, the coil tightening until she was ready to snap.
