“And you’re no longer the Crown Prince?”
“No, Alana, I am—”
“King! You’re the king!”
His expressive blue eyes filled with tears, but his voice did not waiver. “My coronation is in a week.”
“I…I…” She couldn’t think of anything to say.
“If you so wish it, I will claim you as my Kindred on the very same day.”
“Dear God, Rion, a week?”
“I am sorry, but that is all the time I can give you. The House of Fire is on the move, working hard to overthrow the House of Ice. With you by my side, they cannot succeed.”
Alana squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath. “I don’t think I can do this.”
Rion’s hands clutched hers. “Yes, you can. You are from the House of the Sun. You can do anything.”
It was obvious Rion believed his words. Alana, however, could barely keep her body from shaking. Not only was she trapped in his world, but he expected her to be his savior as well as his lifemate. But what the hell could she possibly do to stave off the attacks of the House of Fire? Who knew how many red dragons were intent on overthrowing the crown?
Good Lord. Dragons. Red frickin’ dragons!
With that thought, Alana devolved into hysteria.
Five
It had been a long time indeed since Alana had a full blown panic attack. The room spun wildly as she attempted to breathe into her hands, but her violently shaking body made it nearly impossible to calm herself down.
“Alana?” Rion asked, concern etched on his face. “What’s wrong?”
Everything! she wanted to shout at him. The reality of what she faced hit her with full force and she stumbled to the chair across which her clothing had been draped. Tears burned her eyes while her stomach roiled, threatening to revolt right then and there. Her blood pounded in her ears with an almost deafening rush. Were those whimpering cries coming from her lips?
“Oh, my God,” she managed to squawk through struggling breaths. “What am I going to do? What the hell am I going to do?”
Rion knelt in front of her and placed his hand on her forehead.
“Be still,” he commanded. His voice hadn’t been much more than a whisper, but it seemed to reverberate throughout her body. Energy pulsed through her in waves, taking with it the panic that had overwhelmed her.
Exhaustion overshadowed her fear, and it was all Alana could do to keep her eyes open. “Rion…” she muttered pathetically.
“I’m here,” he said, wiping the hair away from her sweat-dampened face. The world suddenly tilted, but she was too tired to care, clutching Rion as he lifted her deftly in his arms.
“You will sleep well tonight,” he told her, laying her in his bed once more. The warmth of his blankets covered her and she sighed with contentment. “Your dreams will not haunt you, Alanacapria. If I am lucky, you shall dream of me.”
She found the strength to crack an eye and give him a slight smile. “You think dreaming of you won’t haunt me, Rionshalintaris?”
“Only in a good way, myandriya.”
“What does that mean?” she asked.
“All in good time.”
Alana knit her brows together in confusion. “What did you do to me?”
“I calmed you.”
Great. The man wasn’t giving up any of his secrets tonight. With a deep sigh and a satisfying stretch, she realized she didn’t much care about what he might reveal.
Well, that wasn’t altogether true. He’d revealed more of himself than she’d ever imagined. Perhaps she would dream of him. Hot and sweaty. With his wings unfurled. Mmm…
~ * ~
Alana awoke with a start. Confusion clouded her senses as she glanced around, wondering where the hell she was. One look at the standing mirror in the corner, however, made her memories come back to her in a rush. And not just memories of her body pressed up against the most gorgeous man she’d ever laid eyes upon, but memories of her dreams—erotic storms of passion with Rion.
If she knew him any better, she’d lay down money that he’d given her those dreams. It was obvious the man knew how to calm her if last night’s breakdown and subsequent submission were any clue. If he was indeed a dragon-shifter, perhaps he knew his way around magic.
Alana scoffed. She desperately needed her morning cup of coffee.
She peeled the covers back and stood, stretching like there was no tomorrow. Rion was nowhere in the room, much to her relief. After the visions she’d had while sleeping, she wasn’t sure she could ever look him in the eye again.
His skin had been so soft in her dreams, tempting her to touch him where she would. Of course her exploration prompted his own, and he’d explored in a most delicious way…
Shaking her head, Alana made her way to the window where a beam of sunlight peeked through the drawn curtains. Perhaps the new day would clear her senses. Once she pulled back the curtains, a gasp of surprise escaped her.
There in the skies flew scores of dragons—green, black, and blue. But none of them were exactly the same color. Some were dark, some were light, but all were majestic as they rode the air currents to wherever their destinations might be. Gazing down, Alana saw slatted rooftops and a few alabaster towers. Was she in a castle? No, from the craftsmanship, she’d be willing to bet it was a palace.
Two looming mountains rose on either side with the sun rising directly between them. Its warm rays shone through the window, heating her skin. It seemed more golden, its glow somehow…magical.
Without having to turn around, she knew Rion was behind her. Where he’d come from, she had no idea, but her entire body hummed with an unfamiliar sensation. His feet made no sound, but his presence was getting closer, until his large arms wrapped around her from behind.
“Beautiful morning,” he said. His deep voice had her stomach leaping inside her.
“Mmhmm,” was all she could muster. His hands caressed her belly as if they were already lovers. Instead of stopping him, she let him explore, eventually dipping underneath the fabric of her shimmering tunic to touch her skin.
“Did you sleep well?”
Alana took a shuddering breath, remembering her erotic dreams. It was all she could do not to lean her head on his shoulder and let him stroke her more intimately.
“I think you know the answer to that question,” she told him, trying her hardest to sound upset.
“You didn’t enjoy having fun with me?”
The tips of his fingers barely swiped the underside of her breasts. Her nipples tightened painfully. She bit her lip to keep from moaning.
“You didn’t enjoy when I kissed you…everywhere?”
Alana gasped. “You know what I dreamt?”
“Of course I know,” he said. He was grinning by the tone in his voice. “I was a willing participant.”
She spun on him with a look of horror. “You know what I dreamt?”
With a forceful shove, she pushed him away from her.
“Who do you think you are, invading my head like that? I don’t even know you and you’re having…dream sex with me!”
The grin that lit his face stopped her heart. Holy crap. If he kept this up, she was a goner.
“I prefer to look at it as I’m the man of your dreams, and the sex we had was what you’ve always dreamed of.”
“Oh!” Alana moved to storm past him, but he wouldn’t have it. He grasped her elbow and pulled her close.
“Don’t be mad at me.” His eyes pleaded with her. “I want to show you my world. Will you allow me that?”
She glanced toward the window and a sudden longing filled her heart. The sunlight called to her.
“Stay out of my head?”
Rion gazed at her for a few moments before giving her a nod. “From now on, whatever dreams you have will be your own.”
She relaxed her stance in relief, but noticed the disappointed look on his face. He let her go, no longer looking into her eyes. Stepping around her, he made h
is way to the door.
“Hungry?” he asked without turning around.
Alana had an inkling she’d somehow hurt his feelings. By asking him to stay out of her dreams? She swallowed hard, remembering all the things they’d done together in her mind. And he’d been right there with her.
The knowledge that his dream-self had already partaken of her body made her feel closer to him in a way, more connected. She knew she should be indignant, that what he’d done had violated her privacy, but she couldn’t bring herself to hate him for it. Not after the way he’d made her body sing.
Well, in her dreams, anyway.
“A little,” she confessed, but right now she wasn’t thinking about food.
“Come. We will get you food and I will show you Dragoran.”
He opened the door and stepped into the hallway, holding his hand out for her. Alana moved until she stood next to him. He waited with his palm up, silently asking her to take it.
Confusion overcame her. She wanted to slip her hand in his and feel the heat of him against her, but if she touched him, she had no idea if she could keep herself from gravitating closer.
She’d waited too long. Rion dropped his hand. The look he gave her before he schooled his features nearly broke her heart. But the moment was gone and she had no idea how to get it back. Damn!
“The kitchens are this way.”
He took the lead, walking a few steps in front of her without saying a word. The expressive man she’d been privy to last night was no longer with her. She couldn’t help but feel responsible for his change of mood.
They passed a few people in the halls who bowed their heads as he walked past. A few of them muttered greetings and gazed at her curiously. They wore the same type of clothing as she and Rion, but their garments weren’t nearly as ornate. Some wore blue, some wore green.
Two men in green fell into step behind them.
“Do not be alarmed,” Rion said in front of her. “They are my personal guards. Since the reds’ attack on the Royal House, I cannot be without them.”
Alana followed him through long passages, twisty stairwells and arched doorways until they came to a room teeming with female servants, all wearing blue. They seemed flustered beyond words that their soon-to-be-crowned king had just waltzed into their midst.
“See that my betrothed gets something to eat.” His booming voice held the authority of command, and Alana had the uncanny urge to obey him.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” one of them said, giving her a fleeting glance. “You do not wish to dine in your hall?”
“No. We have urgent business to attend.”
The woman curtsied and trotted away.
“Have you eaten?” Alana asked him just to have something to say.
He gave her a sultry look and appeared as if he wanted to give her a witty rejoinder, but thought better of it. “Yes,” he finally answered.
Alana fought her disappointment. The man might be frustrating in his own way, but she didn’t like his aloof demeanor at all. Why wasn’t he teasing her as he had last night? Perhaps he didn’t want to embarrass her in front of the servants.
A heaping plate of tarts, meats and cheeses was placed on a wooden table in the corner. The servant who’d placed it there gestured for Alana to come and eat. “Your food is ready, Your Highness.”
She turned to Rion. “I thought you said you’d already eaten?”
“She was talking to you,” he said, his eyes twinkling.
“But—”
“You are my betrothed, Alana. You are a princess.”
Her brows shot up while her mouth dropped open. He stared at her mouth as if he wanted to devour her. His gaze intensified a moment before he turned away.
With shaking legs, she made her way to the table and sat. She barely tasted the food while Rion stood and waited, talking quietly with his guards. She’d hurt him. That much was obvious. Perhaps he’d hoped she’d fall into his arms after the dreams he’d given her. Or at least take his hand when he’d offered it. She felt like a cad.
Her eyes caught his from across the kitchen. Damn sexy, that’s what this man was. Standing there with his arms crossed over his bare chest prompted her to look him up and down. Despite the same shimmering breeches he wore, she remembered what he looked like stark naked. There was nothing on Earth or in Dragoran that would ever erase that image.
And she remembered the feel of him from her dreams, the slide of his hardened flesh within her, touching her where no one ever had. Her heartbeat quickened. He wasn’t looking away. Finding her courage, she continued to stare as well.
With a few long strides, he came to stand before her.
“Finished?” he asked, quirking a brow.
Alana slowly nodded, looking up his magnificent frame into his brooding blue eyes.
“Then let us be off. There is much I wish to show you, Alanacapria.”
He led her through a doorway, into a courtyard teeming with dragons and people alike. The sight of the dragons startled her, making her gasp with shock. She jumped behind Rion and clutched his powerful arm. He looked at her in astonishment before giving her an easy grin.
“These are my subjects. They will not harm you unless they wish to die for it.”
She peered around him. Everyone present had bowed to them, even the dragons, who were smaller than she thought they’d be, about the size of a city bus back home.
“Is that what you can become?” she asked in awe, still clutching onto him.
“Yes,” he said, his voice in her ear. “But I am much more handsome.”
Gazing at him, she realized he’d bent over to whisper to her. His face was mere inches from hers. She never wanted to kiss a man more vehemently than she did right then and there.
“You are staring,” he said.
“I know.”
“Is there something on my face?”
Your mouth. Good Lord, she’d almost said that out loud.
“No,” she breathed.
His lips turned into a smirk. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he knew her thoughts.
“Everyone is watching us.”
Even though his words filled her with some trepidation, she couldn’t tear her eyes away.
“You’re their king, Rion. Of course they’re looking at you.”
He shook his head. “They’re looking at you, myandriya. They are curious about the next queen of Dragoran.”
Alana swallowed hard. “I…”
“They need some morale, Alana. They know you’re from the House of the Sun. All their hopes lie on you.”
She scoffed, “No pressure.”
He smiled and lowered his head. She instantly noticed. “Regardless of your feelings, let me do this. For them.”
“Do wh—?”
Before she could get her question out, he was kissing her, full on the mouth. One of his hands slid along her cheek and into her hair, holding her steady, while his other arm curled around her waist. Tasting him again brought a groan from her throat. But he didn’t deepen the kiss. Instead, he moved his lips on hers, giving her a chaste offering before releasing her slowly.
The world was spinning. She couldn’t let him go. Not yet or she’d fall on her face. His kiss was meant to give hope to his people. It also succeeded in giving Alana a sensual heart attack.
Good God, but she remembered the things he did with that mouth of his… She shut her eyes in an effort to keep the images at bay.
“Come,” he said as he placed his hand on her back. “I will show you what it means to be a dragon-shifter.”
Six
Alana watched, enraptured, as Rion shifted before her. He’d told her to stand back before closing his eyes and bowing his head. From out of nowhere, his blue wings unfurled from his back, opening behind him as she’d remembered seeing before. Then his skin turned a darker shade of blue and hardened into scales before her very eyes.
His arms and legs lengthened as did his head, until he had claws and a snout.
A long, snake-like tail grew behind him, and within a matter of seconds, his transformation was complete.
Rion stood proud before her, holding his head high. Even for a dragon, he was gorgeous, with the sun glinting off him. The remnants of his blond hair formed a mane of sorts, cresting in a line that began on the top of his head and ran the length of his neck. He remained silent, something that was probably for the best.
Alana shook like a leaf. She was both fascinated, yet disturbed at the same time at what she’d just witnessed. Her heart threatened to beat right out of her chest and she couldn’t control her breathing no matter how hard she tried.
“Oh my God,” she whispered. “Is this real? This can’t be real!”
“Believe it, Alana,” Rion said, his deep voice resonating across the courtyard.
“You can talk, too?” She grabbed the sides of her head and squeezed her eyes shut, determined to wake herself up. It wasn’t as pleasant as her other dreams had been, but she must be sleeping. That was the only reasonable explanation. A perfectly sexy man didn’t just turn into a giant dragon whenever he felt like it!
“Of course I can talk,” he said, chuckling. “Come here.”
“Not a chance!”
Heavy footfalls headed her way, but she wasn’t going to look. Her hands covered her entire face.
“Alana.”
That voice…that damned smooth-as-silk buttery-soft voice. It melted her from the inside out.
“Rion,” she whined, hopelessly drawn to him.
“Open your eyes.”
She bit her lip and cracked an eye. His huge head was in front of her. He gave her a grin. At least she thought it was a grin. From where she stood it kind of looked like he was baring his sharp teeth. But what impressed her the most were his eyes, deep and blue, the very same ones she’d lost herself in many times since arriving in Dragoran.
With wonder, she reached out her trembling hand. His scales were glossy, almost like glass, and cool to the touch. The end of his snout was very much like a horse, fuzzy like velvet. He purred when she stroked him there.
Her hand left his face to slide down his neck. He nudged her with his nose.
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