by Honor James
She looked at the jacket, but since he had slipped it off she stepped into it. “Oh it’s so very nice and warm.” She wrapped her arms around herself and hugged herself in his jacket. Closing her eyes in utter bliss, she sighed happily. “I like this a great deal. I’ve never known cold before, nor have I known intense heat but this…” She sighed. “This is perfect,” she admitted and looked up at him with the heavy thing on her head. “What is the thing that you put on my head anyway? It feels so odd.”
“It’s a helmet,” he told her quietly as he adjusted the chin strap to keep it on her head. “It will keep your skull and brain safe if we are to crash, and the jacket will keep your skin protected as well as your vital organs.” To a degree, as long as there wasn’t anything sharp around in the path.
“Oh I don’t need those,” she said but shut up immediately and added, “thank you, Talon, for caring. Worrying that I stay safe.” She looked to him and added, “What about you? Don’t you need protection as well?” She could protect him. If worst came to worst, her wings would come out and she would easily be able to lift him from danger, but then that would bring up a whole mess of questions and issues, and well, she couldn’t deal with it yet.
“I’m a Dragon, Cinnamon. Not much can kill me, and I’m old enough I can shift in barely a blink of the eye. I’m more worried about you, but I will also keep the speed down to ensure the precaution isn’t required at any time.” Climbing on, he flipped out her foot rests and then held out a hand. “Step on there and swing your other leg up and over so you are straddling the bike.”
She looked down at her long gown and shrugged. Pulling it up nearly to her thighs, she showed her long and milky-white legs to him before getting on behind him. Settling against him, she braced her arms around him and snuggled up closer to him and sighed. “This is very nice.” She wasn’t used to contact and being able to touch another being. It was like catnip to her.
Grabbing her well-defined and toned calves, he tugged her closer before turning the bike on. As expected, at the first throaty rumble she nearly leaped off. Grinning, he turned his head slightly. “You all right back there?”
“Oh I hadn’t expected that,” she said breathlessly and squeezed her legs around him tightly. “That feels so very nice.” And it did. The rumble against her bare bottom had her inner lips quivering, and she shuddered, blowing out a breath of pure need. “Can you make it rumble again? I really so very much liked how that felt.”
Chuckling, he popped up the kickstand and revved the engine twice before he pulled out of the lot. Keeping his speed down, he got them out to the highway and then opened it up some more. He had a feeling that there were about to be a lot of firsts in Cinnamon’s life.
She held onto him and all but purred right along with the engine. “Oh God,” she whimpered and squeezed her thighs tighter against him as the liquid pleasure all but dripped from her body. She was sure that he could feel it, but it felt so lovely she honestly didn’t care. “Make it go faster,” she begged.
“Then you had better hang on tighter,” he called over his shoulder to her. When she did, he revved up higher and got them some more speed. Grinning at her moan of pleasure, he sped up just a little more.
Holding on to him and all but flying down the road was pure pleasure for her. Her thighs tightened on him, arms tightened, and she shuddered. “Talon.” She breathed his name in such a small whisper she was sure he hadn’t heard her, but she felt it in the very pit of her soul. Something as simple as this gave her pleasure. She wondered what would happen if she ever allowed a man to make love with her? No, no she couldn’t think of that. That fast she pulled back from Talon and straightened even more. She couldn’t think of a man loving her. She couldn’t think of giving her body to a man. It was about the fight. She had to focus on that.
Slowing when she shifted back, he frowned at her image in the mirror. “Are you all right?” he asked over the sound of the wind. She looked troubled and like she was closing herself off.
“I’m fine. I just realized that I was experiencing pleasure and wanted to know about other pleasures, ones that I have no business thinking about. I need to focus on the task that I was sent to Earth to deal with and not think of the pleasures that I’m finding with my body,” she stated starkly.
Well that was rather blunt and to the point. He rather liked it. It also gave him more clues to who and what his little Cinnamon was. “Haven’t you ever heard the expression that all work and no play creates a very dull being?” he asked with a grin. Dropping a hand to her leg, he gently stroked her petal-soft skin. “You really should play from time to time, Cin.”
“But if I spend all of my time playing I won’t be able to do the job that I was staying here to do.” She really hated to admit that, because in all honesty she liked the way she felt with Talon. She felt safe, she felt secure, and she felt something she’d never before felt in her life, a strange kind of intense buzzing in her chest. It was as if her heart was beating double time just for him. The aching in her loins was even more intense whenever he was there. “I wish that I had time to play, Talon, I truly do. However, I don’t. The lives of your bond-mates are in question, and that is more important than my having fun.”
“Never say that, sugar,” he said, squeezing her calf lightly. “You always need to have a bit of fun, especially if you are working hard,” he told her honestly. “It helps to relax you and refresh your mind. Plus it ensures that you are rested so you don’t screw up and get someone killed. Plus I don’t have a bond-mate.” He’d never had one, and he had a feeling he never would have one. “Apparently Gaia hasn’t found anyone she figures should be stuck with me for the rest of time.”
That made Cinnamon frown, and she shook her head. “I’m sure that she has someone for you,” she whispered softly. “And I have never had fun. My life has always been about duty, serving, protecting. Watching.” Which she hated at times, but it was her purpose in life.
Oh, Talon, my most favorite of all the Dragon Kings that have lived, you think that I would forsake you? Darling man, your bond-mate is the most precious of all my children. She is one that I truly bore out of love. Do you think that I would give you any other? Do not press her for answers, but know that she is yours, Talon. Protect my daughter and keep her safe, and one day she will be able to tell you all.
Talon nearly totaled the bike. As it was he still had a wobble he had to straighten out. “Sorry, saw the pothole too late,” he said to Cinnamon over his shoulder. Could you not sound a little bell or something before you start talking, Goddess? I nearly had a heart attack and while driving a bike, not a good thing I’d like to mention for the record. A second later his brain clicked in. Cinnamon’s your daughter? he practically squealed. His inner voice sounded so strangled and high.
Yes, she is my daughter, Gaia said with obvious laughter and joy in her voice, as a bell tinkled. At least you didn’t ask me who I was talking about, so that is an improvement, Gaia stated softly. You will keep her safe, right?
Like you even have to ask, he said, injecting pure insulted male into his voice. I would never harm a female, let alone my chosen bond-mate. But—Talon paused and sighed as he drove along—I need to know. Why me, Gaia? he asked, terrified of the answer.
Because you are the only one who is strong enough to protect my daughter from the monster that will come for her, a creature that simply shouldn’t be. You are the only one who will be able to love her as she deserves to be loved. You are the only one who can give her what she needs, acceptance, patience, happiness, and joy. I had thought to pair you with a third, a trio. Two men to protect my daughter. However, I’m uncertain how you would feel about this, Dragon King.
Pissy was one word I could think of, he thought and rolled his eyes at the snort he heard. It’s true, he muttered. I might be willing to give everything for everyone, but at the end of the day I don’t think I could handle having another sharing even more of what is mine. That would likely have made me snap big
time, so thank you for not going there, Gaia. As much as I love my brothers, all of them, at the end of the day I need the solace of not a one of them around.
Which is why you and you alone, Talon, are the bond-mate for my daughter. The pause weighed heavily against Talon before the Goddess continued. She will be hard to convince. My lovely daughter has the silly notion that she will return to her home when she has finished here, a home that she no longer belongs to. Her home is at your side now, Dragon King. Convince her to stay. Show her what love truly is. Allow her to give you that love back.
She isn’t exactly going to be cooperative, he pointed out in a seriously dry tone. She’s a little on the stubborn side of things. You wouldn’t happen to know where she gets that from, would you? He grinned internally as he teased the Goddess. Hearing nothing but silence, he snickered slightly and mentally shook his head. I will do my best, but in the end it has to be her choice to remain with me. I would never force a female to do anything that goes against her will, stubborn or not.
I know that you wouldn’t, but all she needs is someone to love her. To show her what her body is feeling isn’t a crime. She should live life instead of simply watching it. For far too long she has watched life unfolding, only meeting the people who caught her eyes after they died. It’s time for that to end. Show her what living is all about, Talon, just as you are doing now by simply having her on the back of your bike.
Nodding internally for the Goddess, he smiled slightly. If he had his way, he’d show Cinnamon just what life really meant. Gaia, is there anything I need to know about her? I know she can’t say who she is or where she came from, not yet. But do I need to watch out for anything or be aware of anything that could potentially harm or do harm to her? He didn’t want Cinnamon getting hurt while around him, and if she wasn’t from around there, well there was a lot to hurt her.
She’s never been on Earth before. While she is more knowledgeable than any other being alive on so many things, she isn’t on the smallest things. As you noted with her trying to open a door and so on. She is so very much like a child in so many ways. I’m sorry for that, Talon. However, think of the happiness and joy you will have relearning how to actually live with her.
Was that a crack about my age, Goddess? he asked softly with an unamused tone. Because if we’re going to sling that around…He let the thought drift off, especially since he wasn’t a hundred percent sure how far he could push before she did something to him. And it would likely hurt, a lot.
Just because I have chosen you to be my daughter’s bond-mate does not mean that I will not come down hard on you for pushing too far, Dragon King. Take care with what you say. There was a pause before the Goddess added, Protect her. She will be hurt emotionally by things that even your men won’t realize they are hurting her with. Since you are about to turn into the base, that was the last I wanted to tell you.
Thank you for entrusting her to me, Goddess, he whispered with full respect in his voice. He knew he’d been pushing her, but she had to know he wasn’t just going to lie down for anything she brought his way. I will do my best to keep her body, heart, and soul safe always. You have my word on that, Gaia.
I know you will, Talon, King of the Dragons. I know you will, the Goddess said before pulling away from him.
Cinnamon was watching everything around her and squeezed Talon once again. When they finally stopped, she excitedly looked at him. “This is so very much fun. I really liked riding with you. Can we do that often?” she asked hopefully.
“Yes, sweetheart, we can do it as often as you wish,” he told her honestly. Pulling up to the guard shack, he rolled his eyes at the guard that just sat there staring at him. “If you wouldn’t mind,” he asked oh so sweetly, waving a hand at the gate. It was amazing how fast a human could move when motivated, Talon considered as he rolled through the gates and toward the office buildings. Now just to keep his Teams from killing him before he could say anything.
Cin looked at the man and smiled. Waving her hand at him, she said, “This was the first time that I’ve been on a motorcycle. Aren’t they amazing machines?” At the man’s weird look, she shrugged and wrapped her arms around Talon’s waist once more when they went through the gate.
Chapter Five
“Before you all get on my case, this was an emergency,” Talon said over the voices that were, well, bent out of shape, he’d guess. Waving them all into their seats, he held out a hand to Cinnamon. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Cinnamon. She has some very important information for us all and especially the Teams as well as all the unmated men and women. This could potentially shake everything we stand for to the very foundations. So I want you all to listen, mouths shut and ears open. When she’s done, you can ask questions, but I swear to the Gods, you interrupt her even once and I will fry you extra crispy, clear?” He looked around at everyone before he sat down in a chair.
Cinnamon grinned and waved at the men and women. “Hi. I would really rather Talon not have to fry you crispy. Although I had this thing called bacon and sausage and it was so very good.” She rubbed her hands together. “I don’t know if you have ever tried it, but it really was so good and you all should try it,” she said seriously. Looking at Talon, she sighed and said, “Oh all right.” When she turned back to the group of men and women, the look on her face had each of them sitting up. “There are beings that are hunting the unbonded mates to you all.” She was blunt in her speaking and held herself tightly. “Gaia has her children, as you all know. She protects humanity with the races that she has created, but she’s not the only one who has created races.” There was a pregnant pause before the woman continued. “There is another God, one who is dark and wants humanity to fall. He wants death and destruction. Thrives on it. Lives on it.” Moistening her lips, she continued. “Chaos.” As soon as she said his name she felt the God taking note of her, trying to figure out who and what she was. “He gave birth to races of Vampires and Wraiths.” She watched it sink into them.
Again messing with her dress, she whispered and finally continued. “Vampires are dark beings that live at night. They drink blood and cause chaos. Not all are bad though. I need to ensure that you all know that not all Vampires and Wraith are bad, just as not all Shifters, Magic Users, and Dragons are all good,” she reminded them. “And the Wraith.” She sighed and shook her head. “The Wraith can move in the shadows, literally moving from one shadow to the next with a thought. They can give death with only a touch. Both are fast, but Vampires can actually do something called ‘trace,’ which is where they move faster than the speed of light from one place to another.” Looking at the men and women, she then looked at Talon. “Any questions so far?”
Watching everyone as they tried to absorb everything they were hearing, Talon touched Cinnamon’s wrist lightly. “Give them some details on each, ways to identify them, weaknesses, and that sort of thing, Cin. They need to know how to fight what is coming our way,” he told her quietly, honestly. They all needed to know what was coming and how to stop it.
“With the Vampires the best thing is to take their heads off or, as silly as it sounds, remove their hearts.” Or if they were her, nick them with her sword of light. “Sunlight is also deadly to them.” Cinnamon moved her hand so that she could slide her palm against Talon’s and hold his hand. “With the Wraith, the one and only way to kill them is by taking their heads off and then burning the bodies. If you don’t burn the bodies, believe it or not they will find their heads and reattach them and come back. Pissed.” She hesitated and then said, “Oh and did I mention Zombies, too? They are the dead, reanimated. There are Shifter Zombies, Magic-wielding Zombies, and so on. Their one and only desire is to eat live flesh. You have to kill them by putting a bullet in their brain. Nothing else will stop them.”
“Dear Gods, I feel like I suddenly woke up in a horror movie,” Aiden groaned.
Trey was feeling a little nauseous as he looked to his teammates. “Holy hell, we’re in serious shit here,�
�� he said to everyone.
“How can we recognize them, Cinnamon?” Talon asked softly. “Is there a way before they attack and we’re all dead?”
“What is a horror movie?” Cinnamon asked Talon but then shook her head. “You have me now,” she told him, all of them. “I’m the only one who can feel them when they are near.” She looked at a couple of people in the room and added, “And it’s important that you all know that they are not all bad. The ones that Chaos created are not all bad, and some actually fight on the side of good.” Looking at Talon, she then looked to them again. “I can tell you when they are near, but the Dragons should also be able to scent them and tell with their lower body temperatures. Didn’t you notice that when you came for me at the diner? When I fought the Minions of Chaos?”
Nodding slowly, he looked to the others. “Most Changers should be able to detect them. There’s a…” Talon frowned, searching for the right word. “Their scent is a little different. They don’t have the same body odor, for a lack of a better term, like Changers and humans do. They run about thirty degrees cooler than a human, from what I could tell, and they smell off, cooler and a little like blood. Not like a cut finger blood, but sort of a rich undertone, probably because of their choice of diets.”
Cinnamon once more scanned her eyes over the people in the room and added, “But they aren’t all bad. I was reminded of that before I came to Earth.” She sat down in the seat that Talon pulled for her and when she leaned back, nearly kept going. Jumping to her feet, she pressed a hand to her rapidly beating heart and looked to Talon. “I think your chair is broken.”
“It’s not broken,” he said with a chuckle and tugged her back down. “Just relax. It will ease back a little and then stop. It’s reacting to your upper-body weight to get it into the right position for your body type. Sit,” he told her, holding her hand as she settled back down. “Now lean back gently and relax, Cinnamon,” Talon said quietly to her.
