Dragonfire

by Sherrill Quinn

  While there was one specific occasion that a dragon shared his mate—the bonding ceremony—it was the dragon's choice to do so, and it sure as hell wouldn't be with a fucking politician.

  "You were naked.” Zander's voice was as harsh as his memories. He shook his head, trying to chase away the pain. He dragged a deep breath into his lungs. “It was pretty clear to me what was going on. But I forgive you."

  "You forgive me?” Her voice was incredulous. “You forgive me?” Incredulity gave way to anger. “You arrogant ass.” She tried to kick him again. “There's nothing to forgive me for. He slipped me a mickey.” The words were stark, said in a voice that trembled with hurt and anger. “He stripped me down and placed me in bed, and got in with me so you'd find us that way.” A tear slipped down one soft cheek. “Couldn't you tell I was groggy?"

  He had seen that, but he'd chalked it up to after-sex sleepiness. Had he been wrong? Had he wasted the last two years? Two years of sliding her underneath him, two years of being held in the snug clasp of her body.

  It didn't matter. All that mattered was that they were together now.

  Zander brought his hands up to cup her face and started to lean toward her. A loud clearing of a throat halted him, and he turned to see Tarik and Melantha standing at the entrance to the alley.

  "We thought we'd give you time to talk things out,” Terik said as he stalked forward in that loose-hipped stride of his. A cowboy in dragon clothing. All he needed was a gun belt strapped to his hips and boots to make the image complete. “But if you're ready to start making out again ... Well, we don't have time for that."

  Zander scowled and turned toward his second-in-command. That was what they'd come for, or had Terik forgotten? He slid one hand down Leilani's arm and twined his fingers with hers, anchoring her to his side. “What are you talking about?"

  "You didn't tell him yet?” Melantha asked Leilani, her brows dipping.

  "He didn't give me much of a chance to say anything,” came the dry response. Leilani gave him a pointed glance and added, “As usual."

  Zander noticed she held her free arm over her breasts, no doubt hiding the tell-tale wet spot. “Tell me what?” he asked, ignoring her sarcasm for the moment.

  "Gerszon has made his presence known. He's attacked us twice now. We were just getting ready to call you,” Melantha said, her voice thready.

  Shock loosened his fingers fractionally, and Leilani jerked her hand away and hurriedly walked over to her sister.

  Zander hadn't realized how lonely he was until he'd seen her again, held her in his arms. Now the loss of the warmth of her hand in his brought home to him how empty he'd been, how lost. She was his mate.

  His soul.

  He needed her.

  And now there was a new threat to her. Not just to her, but to her entire family.

  The two women put their arms around each other, offering support, and Leilani added, “He's tried to invade our dreams. The first time a week ago, and the second time just last night."

  He stiffened, all his protective instincts surging to the fore. He shot a glance at Terik and motioned with his chin.

  Terik nodded and turned on his heel, striding quickly away.

  Zander went to the women and took Leilani's hand back in his. “Come on,” he said, and began walking down the sidewalk, away from the café.

  Leilani had no choice but to follow him, and she grumbled at him the entire way. Melantha chimed in, too, reminding him of a little terrier nipping at his heels.

  When he saw Terik driving up in their big black Hummer, he stopped, causing both women to careen into him.

  "Jeez, could you give us some warning?” Leilani rubbed her nose where she'd bumped it on his shoulder.

  Terik pulled the vehicle to a stop and Zander opened the back passenger door. “Get in,” he instructed Leilani. To Melantha he said, “You ride up front."

  Leilani scowled and propped one hand on her hip. She kept tugging the other hand, trying to get loose from his hold. “Just what makes you think we're going anywhere with you?"

  Zander drew a deep breath and held it, trying to hold the reins on his anger. Strong emotions—especially the darker ones—called to his dragon like nothing else could. “You were getting ready to call me, remember? Get in."

  Her lips pursed, but she did as he said and climbed into the vehicle. Her pert ass wiggled in his face as she moved to the far side of the vehicle. His damned, ever-ready cock perked up again just like that fucking pink rabbit.

  With a smothered oath, he gritted his jaw and tried to think of anything except getting his hands on Leilani's firm buttocks. He made sure Melantha was in and closed her door, then hopped up beside Leilani and pulled the door shut behind him.

  "Let's go,” he told Terik.

  "You're the boss,” came the laconic reply. “Where to?"

  The military caste gained greater strength when they were in the mountains, higher in the air. Closer to their power. So, they'd go up. “Let's stop by the girls’ place and pick up some clothing for them, then take us to the cabin."

  "You got it.” Terik made a right turn and began wending his way through traffic.

  Leilani twisted to look at him. “You want to go up to the Sierra Nevadas now?"

  "If Gerszon is making these dream attacks on you, then he's been gaining strength.” Zander tamped down a surge of fear at the thought of the Evil One being loosed upon the world—and upon his love—once more. There had been only one man more powerful than Gerszon, and that had been another Druid—Cathal, the man who had imprisoned the Evil One nearly two thousand years ago.

  Cathal, the original patriarch of the Aster line.

  "I'll have some of my men go to Stonehenge to ensure Gerszon's still imprisoned beneath the stones but, in the meantime, I need to make sure you and Mel are safe.” Needing to feel her softness again, Zander reached over and took her hand in his once more.

  She settled back into her seat. That she didn't try to jerk away from him told him she was as uneasy about this as he was.

  He lapsed into thought, his thumb absently rubbing over the back of her hand. The very fact that Gerszon was able to attack them mentally could only mean there was a break in the ley lines Cathal had used to imprison the Evil One all those centuries ago.

  If he got out physically...

  It would take more than just Zander and Terik to stop him.

  CHAPTER 3

  Three hours after they'd stopped at Leilani and Melantha's apartment, Terik pulled the Hummer to a halt in front of a two-story modern log cabin. Leilani climbed out and stretched, taking a deep breath to pull the scent of pine and fresh air into her lungs. She hadn't been up here since...

  She bit her lip. Since Zander had walked away from her two years ago. It still hurt, was as clear a memory to her as if it had happened only yesterday. She couldn't let him close enough to hurt her like that ever again.

  "Now what do we do?” she asked as she walked around the vehicle.

  Zander looped one arm around her shoulders, frowning when she shrugged out from under it. “We don't do anything. My men will check on Gerszon's prison and, in the meantime, you and Melantha will sit tight while Terik and I make plans to protect you."

  Leilani glared at him. “Don't give me any of your chauvinistic macho shit, Zander. Just because we're women doesn't mean we can't take care of ourselves. We have powers, too, remember?"

  "Lani...” The warning was clear in Terik's deep tones.

  She sent him a glare, too, fed up with alpha men and their domineering, stubborn-ass ways. “I'm not talking to him in his position as Rastaban, Terik. I'm talking to him as my former lover.” She looked back at Zander. “And even if I were talking to him as the head of the Order of the Dragon, he's not my leader. I don't owe him fealty or anything else."

  Clenching her fists, she walked around him and headed up the stairs to the front door. She paused on the porch, turning to stare out over the landscape. As far as she could see, the
re were trees and more mountains. The sky was a bright, clear blue with no clouds at all. The sun was warm, so that her light jacket was enough even though the temperature was only in the low sixties.

  "It feels like we're on the top of the world,” she murmured as Melantha joined her. “Look at this."

  Then Zander came up the stairs and ruined the view.

  His jaw tightened at her frown. Without a word, he went past her and unlocked the front door. He carried her suitcase inside and dropped it by the sofa.

  Leilani followed him in and picked it up. “Which room shall I take?"

  "The first one at the top of the stairs."

  Her eyes narrowed. “That's your room."

  "Right now you're at your most vulnerable when you're asleep. I'm not leaving you open to his attack at night by letting you sleep by yourself."

  "So I'll sleep with Mel."

  Zander shook his head. “No way. You're sleeping with me, raindrop. End of discussion.” He turned and walked into the kitchen.

  She glanced at Terik, who held up one hand. “Don't look at me, Leilani. I happen to agree with him.” He shot a glance toward Melantha. “Guess you know what that means for you, don't you, little thorn?"

  Melantha's eyes narrowed. Leilani's lips twisted as she tried to hold back unwelcome mirth. If her sister had been able to shoot fire, Terik would be engulfed right about now. Unfortunately, having an earth-based power wasn't of help to Melantha at the moment.

  "You know, that really is not an endearment, and I am not sleeping with you.” Melantha yanked her suitcase from his big hand and started up the stairs.

  Terik trailed after her. “Then give me something else to call you, darlin'."

  "Don't call me darlin', either."

  "Well, sweet cheeks, doesn't matter what I call you, you're gonna be in my bed tonight. Count on it."

  "She's as stubborn as you are."

  Leilani turned to see Zander standing only a few feet behind her. He was soundless when he wanted to be, but she hadn't been startled by his sudden appearance. She always seemed to know, deep down, when he was near.

  "You should talk.” Leilani turned toward the steps. “And I'm not sleeping with you, either."

  Zander stayed where he was, but his voice followed her up the stairs. “You can say that all you want to, raindrop. But come tonight, you'll be in my bed."

  She ignored him and kept going. She passed a room and, hearing voices, glanced in to see Melantha and Terik still going at it. Terik had an amused, indulgent look on his face. Melantha's face was cherry red as she poked him in the chest.

  Leilani went all the way down to the end of the hall. She pushed open the door of the last room, walked in and plopped her suitcase onto the full-size bed. It was a cozy room, made up for guests in soothing tones of mint green and coral. She'd sleep just fine in here.

  As long as Gerszon left her alone.

  Melantha stormed into the room and swung her suitcase onto the bed beside Leilani's. “Ooh,” her sister seethed, “that ... that dragon had better watch out. Do you know what he called me? Do you?"

  "Something worse than sweet cheeks?” Leilani guessed.

  "Mud pie. He called me mud pie."

  When Leilani snorted back a laugh, Melantha's scowl deepened. “Yeah, laugh it up, raindrop.” She opened her suitcase and started dragging out clothes. “He's just ... I could just ... Ooh."

  Leilani knew exactly how her sister felt. Bemused and befuddled and not sure if she wanted to smack him upside the head or jump his bones. Her body still hummed from the orgasm Zander had given her in the alley, and it wanted more.

  Thankfully, her head was still in control.

  On the heels of that thought came a rush of frigid darkness so evil she cried out. She vaguely heard Melantha call her name and blindly reached for her sister. Their hands connected and they held on, facing each other as they fell to their knees.

  Icy fingers crawled up her spine, spread out at the base of her skull, and squeezed. Leilani heard Melantha scream and realized that, once again, Gerszon had mounted an attack on both of them. When the pain in her head increased, she screamed and bent forward, leaning her forehead against her sister's shoulder.

  "Fight it,” she cried, tears sliding down her cheeks as the icy grip tightened even more.

  "Lani!” Melantha's voice was reedy with fear, her hands cold in Leilani's grasp.

  "Tap into the ley lines.” Leilani turned her thoughts to the earth and drew upon the closest ley lines to her. She would be stronger if she were outside, actually touching the ground, but she was in too much pain to do anything but clutch her sister.

  Barely aware of Zander and Terik entering the room, she held on and focused all her energy on fighting off the mental attack. As a wave of fresh agony assaulted her, her back bowed and a groan tore from her throat. It was as if a hundred ice picks were driving into her brain, along her nerves, freezing her from the inside out.

  The room became dark and the pain began to ease. Leilani blinked, hearing the men's deep voices as they chanted softly, and realized they had partially transformed into their dragon forms. Large wings were folded over her and Melantha, and strong arms cradled them.

  With a raging shriek, the ice receded, leaving her shivering in Zander's arms. Her fingers loosened from Melantha's and she burrowed into him, desperate to get warm.

  As much as she didn't want to admit it, she'd missed this, missed him. His arms were hard and strong around her, making her feel safe, giving her respite from the storm. His broad palms swept up and down her back, trailing fire in their wake. The heat from his big body slowly seeped into her and she moaned, turning her face into his neck. Pain was replaced by longing as the surge of adrenaline subsided.

  It was as if every ounce of pain she'd felt had been replaced by lust. All she could feel, all she could see, all she could smell was the man next to her. She nuzzled his throat, her tongue slipping out to taste his skin. His Adam's apple bobbed against her lips and his hands tightened on her back.

  She heard a low groan and looked to see her sister and Terik in an embrace as well, their mouths fused together. Terik put one big hand on one of Melantha's breasts and kneaded her. She arched and moaned, pressing closer to him.

  "Hey,” Leilani sputtered. Ready to tell Terik to get his paws off her sister, she was distracted when Zander brought her face back to his and slanted his mouth over hers.

  She melted into him, giving a little mewl of sound as he speared into her mouth. The slide of his tongue against hers sparked a response along her nerve endings. Her nipples hardened, her clit began to throb in time to the thrust of Zander's tongue between her lips.

  Slipping her arms around him, she felt the muscles of his back ripple as his wings were withdrawn back into his body. Then the room tilted and she gasped, jerking her mouth away from him.

  She realized Zander had swept her up into his arms and relaxed fractionally. At least it wasn't another attack from Gerszon.

  A shiver raced through her. She put her lips to his throat, kissing a path just under the strong line of his jaw. Zander's arms tightened and he murmured, “You're all right now, raindrop. I've got you."

  With a tenderness she'd rarely felt from him, he carried her to his room. He kicked the door closed behind them and laid her gently on the bed. He pulled her shoes off, his hands warm on her ankles. Sitting beside her, he took one of her hands in his and brought it to his mouth. After placing a kiss in her palm, he folded her fingers through his and leaned forward, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.

  "How do you feel?” he asked. His eyes were dark with concern, his lips curved with a slight frown.

  Horny. Aloud she said, “I have a bit of a headache, but otherwise I'm okay."

  He studied her, not looking satisfied with her answer. “You seem ... Are you sure you're all right?"

  If she didn't get his mouth on her again, she felt like she'd go up in flames. “To hell with it,” she muttered and, puttin
g her hands behind his head, drew him down to her.

  He held himself back, letting her kiss him, kissing her back, but gently, softly, as if he were afraid she'd crack if he touched her with the ferocity she craved. When she snaked out her tongue and licked him, he drew back with a muttered oath.

  "You don't know what you're doing.” His eyes glittered with heat, his hunger a palpable thing between them.

  "Yes, I do,” she whispered, needing this more than anything before in her life. Exerting pressure, she drew his head back down to hers.

  * * * *

  The touch of her soft lips against his reverberated throughout Zander, but especially in his cock. It lengthened and thickened, pressing against the unyielding metal of the zipper of his jeans. He wanted her, like he wanted no other.

  When he'd heard her cry out, then Melantha, his heart had stopped. That Gerszon could reach them, even here where dragon magic was strong, was unbelievable.

  It was unacceptable.

  Her tongue slid between his lips like hot, wet silk. He knew he should give her some space, knew she acted under the lingering effects of too much adrenaline and the surcease of fear, but...

  He wasn't that much of a gentleman.

  His cock was as hard as steel forged in dragon fire, and his balls were tight with anticipation. He hadn't touched a woman in two years ... hadn't wanted another woman. He wanted Leilani.

  With a groan, he settled fully on top of her, nudging her legs apart, making a place for himself between the sweet cradle of her thighs. He nipped, he sucked, he licked, his tongue sweeping into her mouth to drink in her flavor. One taste only led to him wanting more.

  More than just her mouth.

  Zander gave a low growl and kissed a path down her throat, lingering at the pulse hammering under her soft skin. He raked his teeth over the tendon at the side of her neck, testing her, letting her feel just a hint of the wildness lurking within him.

  She gasped and arched, her groin pressing into his erection. His hands went to her blouse and he yanked, sending buttons scattering. One smacked him in the eye and another bounced off his forehead, but he barely felt the sting. He had his woman beneath his hungry body again and it would take a world war to move him.