King of Khoth: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book 9)

by Brenda Trim

  “Speaking of sparkly things,” Mack interrupted. “Where is this necklace? I will look it over while Elysia makes you shine for Angus.”

  “Please take it,” Keira answered honestly as she reached to the vanity and handed Mack the piece of jewelry. “I’d love to get my memories back. Not that it will change my plans, or feelings, towards Angus, but I hate having holes and pieces missing.”

  “Shit, this has one helluva powerful spell embedded in the charm,” Mack remarked as she ran her fingers over the silver.

  “That’s what the Mundunugu said, but they can’t counteract Fae magic,” Keira shared and sat back down in the chair facing Elysia. “I sense several layers, but I think I can break through it. Ready to remember?” Mack asked with a mischievous grin.

  “We’ll give you some privacy,” Elsie interrupted as she grabbed Izzy’s hand. “See you after the ceremony,” she called out, and the other females spouted well wishes, and followed the Vampire Queen from the room.

  Butterflies took flight in Keira’s stomach. She wrung her sweaty palms and took several deep breaths. It was the only thing she wanted besides Angus. Nerves wracked her system as she feared it might fail. What would she do if she never got her memories back?

  “Let’s do this,” Keira announced and steeled her resolve. It had to work, she decided.

  “Hold onto your tits,” Mack joked, and her fingers slid across the pendant. First left, then right, then diagonal. Suddenly, Keira’s back arched as an intense surge of power rushed through her head, and attacked her mind.

  Pain followed in its wake, and Keira swore her brain was going to splatter across the mirror and ruin the light green dress she was wearing. Fear crept in as the pain intensified. What if the amulet was designed to kill her if disarmed?

  A few moments later, the pain eased and trickled away. Her vision cleared and she released the breath she’d been holding. She glanced over to see Elysia kneeling beside her on the floor.

  “Are you okay, Highness?” Elysia muttered.

  “Oh, thank fuck. I thought I killed you. Angus would’ve skinned me alive had that happened,” Mack confessed as she helped Keira to a sitting position.

  Keira shut her eyes as the memories flooded her mind. It was overwhelming, and she cradled her face in her hands, allowing her past to soak in. Everything Angus, and her family, said was true. She remembered her loving childhood, her family and friends, meeting Angus and falling in love…all of it. And, it was incredible.

  “I’m fine. Just in shock, I guess. I can’t believe it worked. I have so much to tell Angus. Thank you, Mack. I owe you big,” she professed, and threw arms around the spiky-haired female.

  “You owe me nothing. Finish getting ready so you can mate the love of your life. Angus is waiting,” Mack encouraged as she helped Keira stand.

  She was relieved to see her hair wasn’t ruined, and the flowers remained in place. Her skin was pale, but a little makeup would fix that. “He’s waited long enough. I’m anxious to become his queen,” Keira conveyed and met Mack’s eyes in the mirror.

  Elysia quickly finished the last touches to her makeup while the females talked and laughed. A knock interrupted the chatter, and Keira’s father peeked his head around the door.

  “My Kiki, you look so beautiful. You remind me of your mother. I know she’s smiling down from Kavu. It’s time, Keira,” Cygnus commented with tears in his eyes. The purple hue sparkled with joy and sadness. Keira walked over and hugged him tightly.

  “Father, I have incredible news. My memories are back. All of them. I remember our home in Saqara, the first time you took me hunting, Mother’s beautiful magenta-colored sea dragon. Everything. Gods, I love you,” she muttered, and her father squeezed her so hard she thought her dress would split open.

  “That’s the best gift you could give me. This day is doubly blessed, Kiki,” he replied and offered his arm to her.

  Their small group exited the room with Keira’s arm linked in her father’s. Mack and Elysia rushed ahead of them to take their positions. When she reached the doors to the courtyard, Keira’s breath caught.

  Thousands of sprites glowed in the night sky, and the lavender hue of the moon was the perfect backdrop. The garden was alive, each flower in full bloom, as if waiting for this moment. The sound of the kippies’ mating call was the only music that played, and her heart leaped in her chest when she spotted Angus.

  Her king waited patiently in the center of gathered people, with Legette to his side. Angus was drop-dead gorgeous, wearing a white button-down shirt, pale green tie that matched her dress (and his eyes), and black slacks. He looked so different in the formal attire compared to his leathers. So distinguished, and down-right sexy.

  As her hormones went crazy, Keira rushed down the path to his side, pulling her father behind her. Angus chuckled when she reached his side. “Anxious, Turquoise?” he whispered in her ear.

  “My body took the wheel,” she murmured and kissed his cheek. “Guess what? Mack broke the memory spell,” she whispered in his ear.

  Angus’s head jerked back, and he searched her eyes. “Och, that is fantastic, love,” he blurted, and picked her up, squeezing the breath from her chest. His lips found hers and he kissed her deeply.

  “Hey, you two. You’re supposed to save that for after the ceremony,” Legette interrupted.

  “Nay, my friend. This couldn’t wait,” Angus said, and placed her back to the ground. Her head was spinning from all the excitement, and she tried catching her breath as she smoothed her dress.

  “You look ravishing, by the way,” he husked and grabbed her hand. Instant heat flared between them, and Angus threw a sexy grin her way.

  Legette raised his hands as soon as her father took his place beside her brother. A moment of panic surfaced, and Keira glanced around, searching for danger. This would be the perfect time for Cyril to attack. Their guard was…not down, she realized, as she scanned the area. The parapet was filled with wall-to-wall dragons. She noted the line of cannons was a new addition and exhaled her relief. They were not about to let anything get through their protections. Not on their special day.

  “Mating ceremonies have been a highlight during my time as king, and I am honored to be the one to join our King and Queen,” Legette announced.

  “We doona usually form circles during matings on Khoth, but I’d like to incorporate that tradition from my newest family,” Angus requested.

  Legette glanced around and nodded. “That is fitting. Please form circles around the couple,” Legette ordered. Once their friends and family moved in closer and stood around her and Angus, Legette opened his mouth, exhaling dragon smoke.

  The white cloud formed above their heads and Legette reached up with his index finger, drawing the Gods rune. The moment the symbol was complete, blue light pulsed outward and lit up the sky. Everyone froze as they glanced upward. Even the sprites stopped moving and looked to the beauty above. Keira would never forget the colorful sight.

  “Keira has chosen Angus, and they are to be united for all of eternity. Family and friends have gathered to join in the celebration of their love and commitment.” Legette traced a uniting rune in his dragon smoke.

  “With a touch of your hands, you reach each other’s thoughts,” Legette intoned, and Angus clasped her hand. Keira felt his joy, relief and peace mirror her own. “With a gaze, you touch each other’s soul,” Legette recited.

  Keira stared into light green eyes and saw her future.

  “With that gaze, you brought me life," Angus vowed.

  “You kissed my lips, and reached my heart,” Keira added and Angus bent to tenderly touch her lips with his.

  A tendril of her soul left her chest and twined with Angus’s, filling every cell in her body.

  “I vow to love you as my most precious treasure. To put you in the highest place of honor and respect. To stand as your pillar of support and shoulder of strength. To cherish you and to care for you, for all the days of my life,” Angus
vowed.

  “And, I promise from this day forward, I will give you all my love, and you shall not walk alone. As your love is my anchor, and your trust my strength, may my heart be your shelter, and my arms be your home. As the smoke rune bonds our pledge, it has no beginning and no end. And so shall my love for you, until the end of time,” Keira promised.

  “The pledge you’ve made in front of these witnesses is ever-lasting and unbreakable. You will walk together through deep green forests and on shores of sand. You are the star of each night, the brightness of every morning, and the story of each guest,” Legette shared. “May your future be blessed with many little ones,” Legette announced, and Keira heard several catcalls of agreeance. “I have waited a thousand years to say that. I feared I’d never have the privilege. And now, to seal the bond with your mating flight.”

  Angus handed Keira the container of glass beads formed at the Civappu. “Ready, love?”

  “Absolutely,” Keira said as she turned, allowing Angus to unzip the back of her dress.

  For dragons, this was a natural and beautiful part of the ceremony. All shyness or embarrassment was tossed aside, and excitement and joy took its place. Keira’s wing had healed, and she was anxious to take flight next to her mate.

  The circles spread out and gave them room. In a rapid shift, Keira stood before Angus in her Stoorworm magnificence. Angus handed her the container of glass, and quickly shucked his clothes then shifted. In dragon form, he angled his large reptilian head to her and waited until she took off. Moments later, Angus joined her in the sky and took her straight up towards the purple moon.

  “Call your dragon fire, Mate,” she encouraged Angus.

  Angus’s wide chest heaved in, and when he opened his mouth, Keira could see the fire deep in his throat. Clasping the bowl with both hands, she turned it over and dumped the colorful beads the moment Angus released his fire. The heat and flame melted the glass that dripped and fell through the sky. The object twisted in the wind and sizzled when condensation hit it.

  Lightning flashed, and struck the glass sculpture, morphing the shape even further. It plummeted to the ground and landed in a cushion of smoke provided by Legette’s rune. Even from the sky, Keira could see the various branches and twists to their mating sculpture. It reminded her of a tree. Instinctively, Keira knew that meant life. They were going to have many dragonettes. Tears formed in her eyes as she saw the depth and breadth of the gift the Gods bestowed upon them.

  “We are truly blessed. I love you, Angus. You are my forever,” she murmured.

  “Aye, that we are, Turquoise. You have made me the happiest male alive,” he declared, and they raced to the sky, celebrating their union.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Angus shook his head and pinched himself, certain he was dreaming. He was mated to Keira, finally. It was surreal. The emptiness that had gnawed at his insides was replaced by purpose and love. His heart skipped a beat, and he tugged a lock of green hair that had fallen out of Keira’s up-do. The smile she shot his way twisted his stomach. This incredibly sexy sea dragon was.

  His arm wound around Keira’s waist as he listened to Zander fill them in on the troubles at Zeum. Izzy was still a target of the demons, and the intimidating angel by Izzy’s side confirmed the severity of the situation.

  Rami’s sword was strapped between giant black wings. The male stood on alert, ready to attack if needed. Angus wondered if Rami’s scowl was about the dangers to Izzy, or the fact Elsie no longer belonged to him.

  “Let’s skip the rest of this party,” Keira mentally murmured to Angus, interrupting his contemplations. Dragons were capable of mind-speak, but the communication mates shared was a deeper level of intimacy, and his voracious mate sent a mental image of what she wanted to do.

  Instantly, Angus forgot about everything but the erection straining against his zipper. The love Keira sent him along their bond rivaled her naughty desires. Angus was more than ready to make love to her, and was tempted to throw her over his shoulder, and take her to their rooms. Unfortunately, they were in the middle of their mating celebration, and couldn’t leave yet. He wondered how pissed Legette and Declan would be if they disappeared. Angus concluded he didn’t give a shit. He needed to have Keira now.

  Angus watched as Keira examined their glass sculpture. “Do you like it?” he murmured, bending down to kiss her cheek. He felt her shudder, and his body responded.

  “I love it, and I know exactly where we’ll put it,” Keira replied, and leaned against his body as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “Och, I think you should show me now. Hold it tight, love,” he declared and spun her around, quickly lifting her over his shoulder.

  “Aaaaaangus!” she yelled as she tried to keep her breasts from falling out of the top of her dress and hold onto the glass at the same time. Angus took off towards the castle with his mate in tow. He heard Zander and Elsie laughing while Mack cheered them on. Even Keira’s brother and father teased them as they passed.

  When they stepped inside Tatenen, he put her down and handed the piece of glass to Declan. “Guard this with your life, and doona disturb us,” he ordered, and scooped Keira into his arms, taking the stairs two at a time as they rushed upstairs.

  Keira didn’t waste a second as she nibbled his ear. His groan filled the hall as he hurried to their bedroom. “You’d better keep moving, Angus, or I’m stripping right here,” Keira warned.

  “Is that supposed to deter me?” Angus asked. “I need to be inside you, and I canna wait.”

  “Fine by me, but the staff is watching, and I have no desire to give the females more reason to lust after you. You’re my dragon,” Keira declared.

  “Aye, I belong to you. Always have, always will,” Angus promised as he continued at a near sprint.

  Keira ripped off his clothes as they went. The designer shirt Zander brought hung in shreds from his shoulders. She clawed at his pants next, and he stopped her hands. “Doona rip those Armani. I miss my favorite designer, and canna run doon to the store to pick up more,” he murmured against her lips.

  “Aw, poor high-maintenance dragon,” she teased. “You have two seconds to take them off, or they’re toast. I want you naked,” Keira instructed.

  He chuckled and kicked the door shut behind him as soon as they were inside the bedroom. He set her down and shrugged off what was left of his shirt then went to work on his pants. Glancing up, he paused when he noticed she was already naked before him, chest heaving from her pants. Her green dress was a puddle next to her, and her hair was a mess with flowers falling out. She was a Goddess.

  “Commando? My King is a naughty, naughty male,” Keira purred when his pants hit the floor and his erection sprung free. His shoes and socks quickly followed.

  “Like my Queen, I find underwear confining,” he husked, and she gave him the sexiest look he’d ever seen.

  She walked to him, her hips swaying enticingly as she licked her lips. He grabbed her by the ass when she reached striking distance, tugging her close to his body. Angus knew that look, and if she got her mouth around his cock, his plans would go to shit. Not that he minded her licking and sucking, but this night deserved more.

  “I like the feel of your hot mouth,” Angus admitted, “but, I like your tight little pussy more.” His lips claimed hers, suffocating her response. Heat exploded between them, and his dragon bellowed fire within.

  The kiss was heated and desperate, making them both frantic with need. Breaking the kiss, Angus glanced to swollen lips and hooded eyes, and the sight had him ready to combust. His eyes perused lower and Keira’s nipples puckered under his scrutiny. Slow and sensuous, Angus repeated in his mind, wanting to make love to her slowly and thoroughly. Then again, fast and furious would be fun.

  He lowered his head and worshipped her breasts, paying attention to her pert, pink nipples. Her tiny hands fisted his hair, shoving more of the flesh into his mouth. Quickly, her moans turned to growls, and her hands roamed hi
s back. Her fingernails left a wake of flames as she dug deep into his flesh.

  Angus’s entire body trembled with desire for Keira. They’d had sex, but it was different now. They were mated and she belonged to him. Forever.

  His large hands spanned her rib cage and moved down her abdomen before sliding into the sweetest spot he knew. Her core was hot, wet, and dripping. She responded to his every touch, and it drove him mad.

  His finger thrummed her sensitive bundle of nerves, and Keira writhed uncontrollably. Angus halted at her opening, feeling her tremble with need. He liked her on edge, begging for more.

  “You belong to me, Turquoise,” Angus whispered in her ear. “This,” he swirled a finger across her engorged nub, “is all mine. You are so verra wet for me.”

  “Oh, Gods, you’re going to kill me on our first night as a mated couple, Angus. I want to feel your fire,” Keira demanded as her head fell back, and she hooked a leg around his hip.

  Unable to wait any longer, Angus lifted her, placing Keira’s legs around his waist then paused for a delicious second as she rubbed her sex across his shaft. She ground against him, and her juices coated his cock. He reveled in the sensation as he slid through her moist slit.

  Angus’s hips had a mind of their own and began thrusting against her. She moaned and writhed, sliding deliciously up and down his length. His cock jerked, needing to pound into her hot sheath. She wasn’t the only one on edge, and the small amount of friction had his balls drawing tight. A distinct tingle raced up his spine, and he was forced to bite his tongue to stop his orgasm.

  “Shite, I’m close, love.”

  She arched her back and rubbed against him harder, stealing every ounce of control he’d regained. “Take me, Angus. I need you inside me.”