by Brenda Trim
Keira shrugged her bare shoulder. He’d been so focused on her legs that he’d missed the strapless bodice and how it enhanced her cleavage. That fast, his lust came roaring back, and he reached one finger to trace a path across her shoulder blade.
“Ha, you’re probably right. Mack’s a feisty female, and I like her because she takes no shit,” Keira teased as her eyes slid closed from his caress. “Plus, her shirts are the best. She had the girls at the shirt shop make me a shirt that said I’m All Fired Up. Fired up and baking cupcakes that is,” Keira murmured, and gazed at him through hooded lids.
“Mmmm, love those cupcakes?” Angus said as his eyes roamed between her bosom. Keira thought her breasts were small, but Angus found them to be perfect. They filled his palm and mouth just right.
He wrapped arms around her middle, and she shuddered. “Alright, fire-breather. Let’s not get started again. You need to focus on the ceremony,” she replied. Angus felt her breaths turn to pants against his chest.
“Later then,” he promised before placing an open-mouthed kiss to the side of her neck. He wanted to sink his teeth into her and hold her still while he claimed her for all eternity.
“So, is there anything I can do to help?” Keira asked while she basked in the feel of Angus’s arms around her. Her libido was in overdrive from his attentions, and she could barely focus on her surroundings.
She had no recollection of snuggling in the past, but she wanted nothing more than to ignore Angus’s obligations and drag him back to the castle where they could spend the day in bed. Mack had enlightened Keira on the joys of Netflix and Chill, and Keira could think of nothing better than binging on movies and make-out sessions with the sexy dragon.
“You have done enough already,” Angus replied as he glanced up at the sky and then back to the wall of dragons surrounding Heqet. He and Legette had insisted that half a dozen of their strongest knights attend the Civappu in dragon form to protect against Cyril and his offspring.
Keira remained confounded that the insanely attractive Cyril was a crazed Fae that created an entire species to destroy Angus and steal her from the Dragon King. What was it that made people obsess over unattainable things? She was nobody special but Cyril was fixated on the idea they belonged together.
And yet, Keira was coming to understand addictions, because she couldn’t get enough of Angus, as she took in his countenance.
Angus didn’t have to wear the elaborate, jewel-encrusted, embroidered shirt to signify his status as King. His inherent power filled the clearing with a warm orange glow. It was as soothing as her father’s bluish-green aura. They both screamed family to her, but for different reasons.
Angus had staked his claim on her. He was unwavering in his love and devotion. He supported every idea of hers, and risked losing face with his council over it. She fought his assertion tooth and nail, yet as she stared at him now, she had an epiphany.
Somewhere along the line, her position shifted, and she had fallen head over heels in love with the sexy Dragon King. Oddly, she expected this revelation to hit her like a brick wall, like during a fight for their lives, not when she was filled with a sense of accomplishment, hope, and purpose.
Keira’s reasons for holding back seemed flimsy to her now. It was true that she wasn’t whole without her memories, but her heart was confident of its newfound feelings.
She didn’t recall her past or their previous time together, but Angus was an integral part of her. He had proven his worth, as well as, her value to him. Angus helped her discover who she was, and what her capabilities were, without forcing his opinions.
As Keira watched him approach his people, and gather them around, her heart burst with happiness for him. This was his shining moment, and a smile broke across her face. She loved him. That was no longer a question she needed to answer. And, they made a damn good team, if she said so, herself.
“We are once again gathered under a full moon to call upon the blessings of the Gods,” Angus began, his deep voice echoing through the clearing.
Angus tilted his head back, exhaling dragon smoke. The white cloud filled the sky, and Angus lifted a hand, and his index finger traced the blessing rune in the puff of smoke. A pulse of power rippled throughout the area, and tingles raced through Keira’s bloodstream.
“It has been a millennium since we’ve gathered for the Civappu, but the Fates are once again smiling upon the Cuelebre. Your faith in me, and my beloved, will be rewarded,” Angus continued.
Keira was surprised to be included in his speech, and she met his gaze, sharing a heated moment. Suddenly, a loud crash drew the crowd’s attention, and Keira’s head snapped towards the sound.
Buggane crashed through the forest and into the clearing, and Redcaps were fast on their heels. They were under attack.
The wall of dragons spread their wings and spewed dragon fire at the oncoming Unseelie. The circle of Cuelebre held their position when more creatures surrounded them.
The small Recaps scurried between the dragons’ legs to charge the crowd. Lorne, Blaine and the others fought the Buggane while Keira, Angus, and Legette charged the Powries. The clearing was too crowded for all the Cuelebre to shift, so Keira grabbed the knives strapped to her inner thighs just as three Redcaps launched at her.
Keira startled at the feel of a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see her father, and her frenzied nerves settled. She hadn’t heard him approach, but was glad he was by her side, scythe in hand.
Angus tried to jump in her path, and she swatted his arm. “Don’t worry about me. We have enemies to kill. They are not taking this night from us,” she declared as she sliced the hat off a snarling Powrie. She winced as the toxic blood bubbled on the ground.
“Damn straight,” Angus agreed then looked to her father and Legette. “Doona let anything happen to her.”
Keira had a moment of panic as she imagined the ground turning black again. “Cast a spell to protect the earth,” she shouted to Angus.
“Shite, these fuckers are a huge pain in the ass. Cover me,” Angus demanded as he used his sharp claw to slice three heads at once. Keira shivered at the sight of his lethal nature. She couldn’t imagine the power needed to kill the formidable male in front of her.
Keira and Legette spread out to the sides of Angus, happy to see the civilians using sticks and rocks to defend themselves. That had been the first lesson. Weapons were readily available if one thought defensively. Lorne impressed upon everyone they didn’t need to be a victim. They could pick up any object, and use it to keep the enemy away.
Angus knelt while Keira stabbed through the skull of a Redcap that sunk teeth into her leg. She heard his low murmur and then his power flooded the soil. A blue energy field spread, covering the ground. Powries yelped and jumped when it hit them.
The sounds of battle were loud, but all Keira could focus on was the enemies she faced. She and her father cut through Redcaps while Angus and Legette handled the Buggane. As the sound of fighting wound down, Keira chanced a look around. The dragons incinerated one after the other, and the enemy was retreating.
When the last Powrie disappeared back to the forest, Keira and Angus stood side by side, taking stock of the situation. Not one single Cuelebre’s life was lost. The night was a victory.
“Heqet is safe, and we are finishing this ceremony. Cyril and his ilk have taken enough from us. No more,” Angus declared, and Keira watched as he absorbed the energy protecting the land.
As Angus spoke, the crowd gathered close once again. There weren’t many females present, only about twenty-five. It was a start, she thought, and an idea sparked on how she could attract more to the next ceremony. Her time with Angus showed her the importance of Tuya to the Cuelebre, and she was determined to help.
It was painful to think about another female with Angus, but Keira refused to be selfish. When you loved someone, you wanted what was best for them, regardless of the hurt it may cause you. He deserved to be given an heir, a legacy. She c
ouldn’t imagine anything more precious than a tiny version of Angus flying around Tatenen.
She would sacrifice her feelings for Angus so he could have the life he deserved. Glancing around Heqet, she wondered who would be blessed as Tuya, if anyone. Would it be the tall Cuelebre female with long black hair and deep blue eyes? She’d made her interest in Angus apparent from the moment he announced his plans for the ceremony.
Pain twisted in her chest, and she shoved those thoughts aside as she listened to Angus. “As King of Khoth, the Gods have blessed me with the power to welcome elementals of the East, of Air. I ask that you bring your gifts of wisdom, intellect, perception, and inspiration to this circle,” Angus chanted as he drew an air rune in his dragon smoke.
It was then that Keira noticed the wall of dragons had created a circle around the people, facing the trees and any potential threat. Suddenly, a strong breeze blew, clearing the last remnants of the battle. It tickled her face and blew her long green hair.
“I welcome the elementals of the North, of Earth. I ask that you bring your gifts of patience, endurance, stability, and prosperity to this circle,” Angus recited as he drew an earth rune and waved a hand overhead. The ground rumbled and moved beneath her feet before dirt rose and created a canopy overhead. Keira had never seen such a beautiful sight. It was a dome high above their heads, and the purple moon shone through the grains.
“Next, I welcome elementals of the South, of Fire. I ask that you bring your gifts of passion, strength, energy, and willpower to this circle,” Angus drew a fire rune and the ground groaned and began to shake violently.
Through the canopy of sand, Keira witnessed an awe-inspiring event. Mount Batia swelled at the sides right before it erupted. The volcano spewed fire and lava into the sky then poured down its sides, racing towards the ocean.
The river of orange glowed brightly, and Keira swore the heat threatened to roast them alive. Mount Batia continued its upsurge, testament to the unleashed power collected during the lengthy abstinence.
Keira didn’t miss the destruction left in its wake. Fortunately, this was nothing like what the Buggane did to the land. The ceremony was a cleansing, and the green power behind it was a rebirth and rejuvenation.
“Finally, I welcome elementals of the West, of Water. I ask that you bring your gifts of emotion, pleasure, fertility, and receptivity to this circle. Welcome elementals of the Centre, of Spirit. I ask that you bring guidance to this circle,” Angus finished before rain thundered and soaked the dirt umbrella, as well as, everyone below it.
Angus closed his eyes and cast several runes in dragon smoke before his gaze fixed on the sky. A smile crossed his face, and he drew another rune in smoke that appeared above him. Power jolted her body, like a streak of lightning racing through her veins.
The sensation was a mixture of pleasure and pain, and every muscle clamped down. Moving was impossible, except for her eyes, which darted to the other females. She noted some seemed paralyzed, as well.
Angus opened his mouth and fire spewed forth. Keira’s mouth dropped open at seeing his human form expelling flames. Heat built from the fire and blasted the wet canopy above, turning the dirt to sand.
The sand immediately exploded into a brilliant display of color, and rained down to fall into a glass bowl at her feet. She had no idea when the container appeared. It hadn’t been there a moment ago.
The power coursing through her body condensed and collected in her right shoulder. Angus was at her side in a flash, an astonished look on his handsome face.
“How can this be?” he asked when he grabbed her into his arms. His palm rested on her shoulder, and he held her close.
She swore their bodies merged as one. They couldn’t get any closer, and she struggled to breathe. Not that she was complaining. She was highly aroused, and had the undeniable urge to strip him bare and claim the sexy dragon.
“What do you mean? Was the ceremony unsuccessful?” she managed to ask between breaths.
She twisted her head and glanced around. What she witnessed were smiles, tears, and celebrations. Several females held bowls of colored pieces of glass. Glancing down, she saw small glass pieces sitting in the bowl at her feet. They held a magical energy and were the greens and blues of her beloved home. What was this?
“You…you are…Tuya. My Tuya,” Angus declared.
Her mouth fell open. “What?” she shrieked. “You told me I couldn’t give you dragonettes.”
Suddenly, her previous thoughts rushed to the fore. She was prepared to give up Angus so he could have an heir, and become a father. Now, she could stand at Angus’s side, and watch as their son, or daughter, learned to fly. It was a dream she didn’t dare consider, and now it was a possibility. And, all she wanted.
“That is what happened at the last Civappu. You were denied this gift from the Gods. Now, we are in new territory, love. A reversal has no’ happened before. Once the Gods decide someone’s fate, they doona change it. They’ve truly blessed us this night,” Angus declared as he picked Keira up and swung her in a circle.
He claimed her lips and kissed her with enough passion to incinerate her on the spot. When he put her down, they were panting and burning with unspent lust. Now wasn’t the time to indulge in her desires, but she couldn’t wait to get him alone.
He held her close and with his free arm Angus gestured to the females around them. A dozen walked forward, clutching their bowls. It was then Keira noticed the black tattoo on their shoulders.
It was a tribal design of a dragon, spanning their entire shoulder blade. Keira reached back and touched hers, instinct telling her she was tattooed, as well.
The look Angus shot her was full of lust and love. He was the sexiest male alive. Tuya, or not, this male wanted to mate her.
Keira loved this male and wanted to spend eternity with him. But there were hurdles to overcome first. There was a psychopath to find, and a memory talisman they needed to unlock her memories. The road ahead remained difficult, but for now, all Keira wanted to do was bask in the celebration breaking out around them.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“We have thirteen new Tuya! I can’t fucking believe it. There are going to be dozens of new dragonettes flying around,” Blaine crowed as he grabbed a drink from the bar in the throne room. It was the latest addition, and Angus’s knights seemed to approve.
Angus thought Declan’s head was going to explode when he ordered the construction of it. It had been a thousand years since Angus had needed to consider propriety and his image.
Khoth was a modern society with automated amenities, and clean, safe living conditions, but many of their attitudes and beliefs were back in the stone ages.
It wasn’t that the bar, or even the conference table, caused an upheaval. It was the casual atmosphere. The throne remained on its dais, albeit unused, and Angus kept the daily time slots to deal with petitions and dispute resolution, but Angus enjoyed the more relaxed setting. It was easier to reconnect with his Maahes in an informal manner.
“Oi, don’t be a douche-dick,” Lorne snapped. “It is exciting to have so many Tuya, but it’s becoming a big fucking nightmare. It’s been one day, and already the females can’t walk out their doors. Every male in the city limits has lost their damn minds.”
“We need a place for them to stay where they won’t be overwhelmed by pursuers,” Keira suggested.
Angus grabbed a lock of her green hair and rubbed it between his fingers. Any contact with her soothed his beast and calmed his nerves. “Aye, we do. We knew there were going to be challenges,” Angus added.
“It doesn’t matter if we need to assign twenty-four-hour surveillance to the new Tuya. Having something to look forward to is the energy this kingdom has needed,” Legette pointed out as he crossed his ankle over his knee.
“You are right. ‘Tis exactly what the kingdom needed. Declan reported that forty females have signed up for the next ceremony,” Angus relayed with pride.
There was a dis
appointing turnout to their first Civappu, but Angus considered that a miracle in disguise, given the attack from the Unseelie. Had there been more realm members present, the outcome may have been different.
A safe house was the best option for new Tuya until they chose a mate. It would also prove to prospective females that Angus and his Maáhes cared about them and would keep them safe.
“Word has spread. There have been some complaints from males that their mates weren’t blessed during previous ceremonies, and they want their females to participate next month. It seems Keira’s phenomenon has created a buzz,” Legette said as he watched Keira rub her shoulder that was marked.
A smile spread over Angus’s face as he followed Legette’s gaze and then his first’s words sank in. Again, Legette could be addressing the issue because of Natasha. She wasn’t chosen all those years ago, and he was hopeful the same might happen for his female.
“Of course. It willna hurt to include them in the next ceremony, and I will make another announcement. The change that occurred with Keira is no’ typical, and there are no guarantees that it will happen again. I doona control this. I foresee riots, and many angry citizens if they doona get what they want,” Angus surmised.
He watched Legette listen intently. Yes, he was hoping for his mate to be chosen, and Angus couldn’t blame him. The gift of an heir was the greatest blessing of all, next to finding the perfect mate.
“Yes, we will monitor this delicate situation closely. I couldn’t be more excited for you, Sire. You deserve all the happiness in the world after the trials you’ve overcome. I just pray those proles don’t leave their mates when they realize it’s hopeless for them. Some have been families for centuries,” Legette theorized.
A scream rent the air, ending all conversation. Lorne and Blaine were moving between one heartbeat and the next while Angus rooted to the spot, considering Keira’s safety. A siren wailed, telling the citizens of Khoth they were under attack, and everyone needed to get to safety.
