She stroked his cheek, relieved to finally be with him, without the taint of Fendarylonn clouding her vision. The world was no longer red. His death had severed their bond.
Rion pulled her closer, squeezing the air from her lungs. It was Heaven. Alana had no idea where they were. She was pretty sure Rion didn’t either. But that didn’t stop him from spiraling gently toward the ground until their feet alighted on the soft dirt.
They stood in a meadow of blooming wildflowers with birdsong filling the morning. They were the only ones for miles, the princess and her king.
His arms trembled until a sob escaped him, releasing his pent-up emotions. Rion buried his face in her neck and breathed deep. His silent declaration of love touched her more than his words ever could. Alana had no idea how she’d managed to exist without this man in her arms.
He leaned back, framed her face with his hands and kissed her with fierce abandon. She whimpered and, her knees giving out, she melted in his embrace. Without breaking the kiss, Rion followed her down until he sprawled on top of her. His kiss was meant to be claiming, and she wanted him to make her his more than anything on Earth or Dragoran combined. In and out his tongue plunged, erasing the foul stain of Fend’s taste, replacing it with him, only him.
“Alana, tell me right now you love me. Please. Sweet Spirit, I need to hear you say it.”
“I love you, Rion,” she answered with no hesitation. “With all my heart.”
He smiled through his tears and rubbed his nose on hers. “Will you be my Kindred, Alanacapria?”
She reeled from that smile. It had the power to suck the very breath from her lungs. “You don’t have to ask me,” she whispered.
“Yes, I do,” he answered. “I refuse to take you against your will. I am not like Fend.”
She saw the pain in his eyes and knew the anguish he’d endured by watching her become another man’s Kindred. When she’d been taken from him, the mighty King of Dragoran had been brought to his knees.
“I’ve been promised to you from my birth, Rionshalintaris, but I accept you now, as my Kindred, because I’m in love with you. I want to share everything with you—my heart, my magic… I want you to give me babies. I want you to keep me safe. I want you, Rion. Just you, for the rest of my life.”
He laid his forehead on hers and tried desperately to control his breathing. His emotions incited her own and she held him tight as tears coursed into her hair.
“Then you will no longer wear these rags,” he growled, sitting up to rip her clothing from her body. He could have disrobed her with his magic, but he chose instead to tear her garments, shining red in the sunlight. She helped him, desperate to shed the last vestiges of the House of Fire.
Once the shreds scattered in the grass, Alana lay naked beneath him. Rion lowered himself until his lips touched her golden birthmark. Warmth spread throughout her at his sensual touch, intensifying when his tongue traced the outline of the dragon in flight.
“I’m not taking any more chances,” he whispered, his breath cold on her skin. “To hell with my damn ceremony. You’re mine, myandriya.”
Just as Fend had done to her before, Rion blew his fiery breath upon her birthmark. Yet where Fend had burned her with his fire, Rion was gentle, chilling her to the bone with his icy blue flames. Her skin broke out into goose bumps, and her nipples hardened into fine points.
It didn’t take long before the world turned blue, except for Rion, who completed her circle of magic more than Fend ever could. His love flowed into her as well as his magic, pulling them closer and binding them with a force so strong, nothing could ever separate them.
“I love you,” he whispered into her ear.
Without waiting for her reply, Rion kissed her, taking his time, exploring every corner of her mouth with his. Alana groaned when his magic spilled into her, heightening her awareness and making her so sensitive she thought she’d come from the mere touch of his skin alone.
When he pulled away, she meant to protest, but the protest died on her lips when he drew her nipple into his mouth. Instead of his ice-fire, Rion’s mouth was hot as he suckled her. His teeth grazed her nipple and she came for him, in that one instant.
“Rion!” she shouted, arching into his body. He left her nipple only to play with the other, sucking it deep, groaning himself when she bucked her hips against him in another powerful orgasm.
The ground was spinning. Alana could barely draw breath. Her need to touch him was strong, and her hands flew all over his body. Her bond with Fend had drawn her to him, but her bond with Rion was absolutely no comparison. She’d been fighting Fend, despite giving in to his ministrations. But she wasn’t fighting Rion, she wanted him to claim her and take her power into himself. She wanted him to become a part of her being.
Alana experimented by pushing her magic into Rion. He shuddered on top of her, exciting her beyond reason. But instead of kissing her once more, he scooted lower, urging her legs open for him.
She remembered what he’d done in her dreams and she desperately wished for him to do it again. Lifting her hips, she offered herself up to him while clutching handfuls of grass.
The touch of his tongue on her wet flesh made another orgasm thunder through her, but he didn’t stop. He entered her with his fingers and pumped slowly, masterfully, while his mouth swirled upon her, taking her to heights she’d never been. Alana’s hand found its way into his hair and pushed him closer, eager for every last ounce of pleasure.
Just before she crested another wave of ecstasy, Rion crawled over her, as naked as she. She took his erection in her hand and stroked him, watching his face as he bit his bottom lip. He opened his eyes and sucked in his breath the moment she pulsed her magic into him again, giving him a mere taste of the pleasure he’d given her. He smiled at her.
“Your eyes are blue.”
Alana smiled as well. “Because I finally belong to you. I want you inside me, Kindred.”
He swooped down and took her mouth none-too-gently, finally settling within her hips. Rion’s only hesitation was to slick himself upon her before driving home, sheathing himself in her warmth.
Alana flew apart amidst Rion’s own groans of desire. By the look on his face, she could only surmise he’d come as well. Seeing his expression made her squirm beneath him. It wasn’t nearly enough.
He understood her wanting and pulled back only to thrust forward again and again. She followed his tempo, kissing him and pouring her soul into his heart.
“Don’t stop, Rion, don’t ever stop!”
His hands drifted to her thighs where he drew them up, allowing him to push even deeper. All it took was a few more plunges before Alana screamed again, squeezing Rion inside of her. He followed soon after, pushing as far as he could go before lowering himself completely upon her, panting hard.
Alana hugged him close and kissed every inch of skin she could reach. Neither one said a word. What they’d just shared had been too intense, too intimate for words. She caressed him with her magic, lightly brushing his skin with her power.
After what seemed an eternity, Rion moved, but he didn’t go far, propping himself on his elbows.
“That didn’t hurt,” she said, just to make conversation.
He grinned. “I told you that you were no longer a virgin.”
“Oh, but my dreams weren’t quite that good.”
“Not even close,” he agreed. “Next time, I’ll have to do better.”
“Mmm.” Alana closed her eyes. “Invade my dreams anytime you like.”
He chuckled. The slight movement of his body reminded her he was still deep inside. Unbelievably, it excited her.
“What have you done to me?” she asked, stroking his cheek.
He rested his forehead against hers. “I made you mine.”
He rubbed her birthmark. She gazed down at it, amazed to find it glowing a bright blue. Tears filled her eyes at the sight.
“I was so scared, Rion,” she confessed. “I thought…if Fen
d had succeeded in taking me like you just did, I wouldn’t have been able to…”
“I know,” he said, placing a finger on her lips. “Don’t think on it. He is gone. We are together now. That is all that matters.”
“I love you.”
Rion pulled away only to press forward once more, bringing a gasp to her lips. “You have no idea,” he said with another thrust, “how long I’ve waited—” he thrust again, “—to hear you say that.”
Grabbing fistfuls of his hair, she brought his mouth close to hers and wrapped her legs around his hips, urging him to continue.
“Now you’ll never hear the end of it,” she breathed against his lips.
All thought of conversation fled when he kissed her as if his very life depended on it. Together, they rose higher and higher, until the entire countryside exploded into fragments of light and love.
Fourteen
Upon their return to the palace, the skies filled with shouts as hundreds of dragon-shifters joined them in the air and escorted them into the courtyard. Shifting was now second-nature to Alana, and she alighted as a human on the battlements with Rion by her side, both of them clothed in shining blue raiment, both pairs of their blue-tinted wings spread wide behind them.
Rion held up his hand in greeting, making the throngs shout even louder. The roar became deafening when he took Alana in his arms and kissed her soundly for one and all to see. She blushed, but managed to smile at him and push away a stray lock of his hair.
“Welcome to your kingdom, my dear Queen,” he said into her ear, grinning like a fool.
“But…” she said, gazing at him in confusion. “Your coronation is in a few days. I’m not queen yet.”
He shook his head and kissed the tip of her nose. “You became queen the moment I made you my Kindred, myandriya. Our coronation is merely a ceremony and an excuse to throw a celebration. I have a feeling it’s going to be a hell of a good one.”
Alana giggled at his carefree nature, loving the way he held her close in front of his people.
“They love you, Rion,” she said in awe. There were so many dragons, and that was just here at the palace. She had no doubt Rion’s subjects—their subjects—were spread far and wide across the face of Dragoran.
He scoffed, “They love you, Alana. You’re one of a kind, the one to invigorate the Royal House. Our children and our children’s children will be powerful rulers indeed.”
The mention of children made her stomach leap inside her.
“Rion?” she asked, turning away from the crowd.
“What?” he asked, somewhat concerned by the look on her face.
“What does myandriya mean?”
He laughed out loud. “You’re asking me this now?”
She socked him in the shoulder. A few of the dragon-shifters below chuckled at the scene.
Rion tugged her close and teased her lips with his. Once again, the crowd roared.
“It means ‘eternal love’ in the old tongue.”
She arched a brow at him. “Eternal, eh? Counting your chickens?”
“Oh, without a doubt,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “You’re never getting away from me.”
“You promise, Rionshalintaris?”
“I promise.” He sent his magic flowing into her, and just like that, she wished they were alone. She swallowed hard and tried not to think of his mouth, his hands, his…
“Shouldn’t you say something?” she asked, gesturing awkwardly to the crowds.
Rion turned his head and looked over the courtyard as if he’d forgotten where they were. But he didn’t bother letting her go.
“Fendarylonn is dead!”
The crowd went wild. Chants hailing King Rion and Queen Alana filled the air. Not sure if she was ready to bear the burden of a queen, Alana turned her face into Rion’s shoulder.
“Come,” he urged, pulling her to the edge of the wall. “They want to meet their new queen.”
Alana spread her wings and followed him, still in her human form. Out they flew over the throng. “Hello!” she yelled, waving madly at each and every one.
She felt like an idiot.
~ * ~
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
It took Alana a moment to realize someone was talking to her. Rion stood next to her, greeting the people near the front doors of the palace, not paying attention. His golden head was bent, trying to listen to the unhurried words of an older woman from his House, praising the beauty of his new Kindred. Alana smiled at the scene, then turned back to the man who’d gotten her attention.
He was from the House of Night, she could tell by the color of his hair and eyes. But that wasn’t what interested her. In his arms he held a toddler, perhaps no older than two, sucking her thumb and regarding her with her soft, green eyes.
“We found her in the woods near the servants’ village,” the man said.
Alana didn’t know what to say. The little girl’s eyes filled with tears as she began wailing for no reason, holding her arms out for Alana to take her.
The moment the girl climbed into her embrace, she laid her head on Alana’s shoulder and popped her thumb right back into her mouth.
“What’s this?” Rion asked in astonishment.
“This man here…”
“Jensendramiant, Your Majesty,” he offered.
Alana arched a brow. “Seriously? Couldn’t you dragons have easier names to remember?”
The man smiled and bowed low.
“This man, Jensen,” she stressed to Rion, “told me they found this little girl wandering the forests near a village.”
Rion gazed at her holding the child, obviously from the House of Terra.
“Motherhood will suit you,” he said, giving her a soft smile.
His words shocked her. For once, she couldn’t think of a single thing to say.
He looked at the girl and gave her his most handsome grin. “You must be Yanshelia.”
She nodded vigorously.
“You know her?” Alana asked.
“She’s the daughter of one of my servant maids held in the dungeons below the palace.”
Alana gasped. “Good Lord, Rion, what did she do?”
He took a deep breath and held it before letting it go. “Treason.”
“You’re kidding me.”
He shook his head. “The guards at the waterfall were from the House of Terra. Fend had coerced them and others to turn against me and tell him valuable secrets. Probably even allowed his assassins into the palace to kill my family. After he took you, I ordered those greens who worked at the palace arrested and placed in the dungeons.”
“Well, how were they coerced?”
He broke eye contact and ran his hand through his hair. “By threatening to kill innocent members of their family.”
“Rion, even you must know they wouldn’t have turned against you otherwise!”
“But they did, Alana. I cannot dismiss that.”
She glanced back at the baby in her arms. Her heart broke for the little one.
“However,” Rion said, shucking the girl under the chin, “if it hadn’t been for this one’s mother, I wouldn’t have had a clue where to find you.”
“Despite the threat of Fend killing her family, this girl’s mother betrayed him anyway?” she asked.
Rion nodded slowly.
“You cannot kill those greens for treason,” she told him in hushed tones. “Hold this little girl for one moment and tell me you wouldn’t do all you could to save the life of your own child.”
He was silent, prompting her to continue.
“I have no doubt Fend used his magic to sway them as well. He was a powerful dragon-shifter. I, more than anyone, know the truth of it.”
The agony of indecision lit his eyes. “What would you have me do then?”
“Pardon them,” she said, after some thought. “Pardon them, but do not allow them to work at the palace any longer. However, the little girl’s mother… I would like to
thank her personally for telling you the location of Fend’s army. Going against his will is one of the hardest things anyone could possibly endure.”
Rion swallowed hard and stared at Yanshelia before agreeing. “Only you can sway me, myandriya.” He paused before confessing, “Yanshe’s mother told me she’s the true granddaughter of Marinkalian.”
All the air rushed out of Alana’s lungs as she stared at him in disbelief. “Oh Rion,” she cried, “I have to meet her!”
“Come,” he said, gesturing her to follow.
Her stomach tied in knots. Her grandmother must have left behind a family in Dragoran when she’d fled to the Earth realm. Alana could hardly believe it. She’d never spoken of them. Had she missed them? The thought saddened her. In a way, it was almost as if she was about to meet someone from her own family.
Another man from the House of Ice joined them as they descended the steps of the dungeons, and led them to a cell door, opening it with his keys.
“Bentielrah,” Rion called out in the gloom. “You have a visitor.”
Another ball of magical light illuminated the cell, and Alana caught site of a woman crouching pathetically in the corner. Her hair was matted and her face was soiled with the trails of her tears.
“Yanshe!”
Instantly, she raced across the room and lifted the girl from Alana’s arms. Mother and daughter laughed and cried together. Yanshe clung to her mother with an iron grip and buried her face in Benti’s neck.
The woman’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. She gazed back and forth between Rion and Alana, recognizing her. Benti bowed her head and knelt before her queen.
Alana dropped to her own knees, uncaring about her fine garments. “Benti, is it?” she asked, tucking the woman’s soiled hair behind one ear.
Benti merely nodded, keeping her eyes averted.
“You are the granddaughter of Marinkalian?”
Once again, Benti’s head bobbed.
“She was my grandmother, too.”
A sob escaped the woman and tears burned Alana’s eyes as well.
“Rion tells me you betrayed Fend to save me.”
“Y—yes, Your Majesty.”
“That was very brave. And very hard to do, no doubt.”
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