by Liliana Hart
“Please show Ms. Drake to her room. I believe she’s feeling the jet lag from her trip.”
I had no choice but to follow Xana deeper into the dragon’s lair.
Chapter Twelve
Xana led me down a long hallway. The black granite was a familiar motif. Enormous gold-leafed mirrors flanked each wall, and I watched my many reflections, fascinated how the red of my dress stood out like a flame against the gold of my skin. My slippered feet made no sound against the hard floor.
We came to a curved staircase at the end of a hallway. The steps were so opaque you could barely see where one began and the next ended. The handrails were columns of twisted black iron that spiraled to the upper floors. Xana led me up three flights and down another long hallway before stopping in front of a heavy oak door. She left me there without so much as a goodbye.
I was truly alone. I opened the door to my new prison and was pleased to find it was more than accommodating. The bed was large—lush with a red satin comforter and sheets. Sheer drapes in a matching shade were tied back to the corners of a massive four-poster bed. It wasn’t a bed made for sleeping, and it immediately brought images of carnal pleasures to the forefront of my mind. Julian had done this on purpose, I was sure.
Thick black carpeting had replaced the granite and was soft under my feet. The walls and ceiling were painted a flat black to match. Red satin curtains hung from the windows. I was relieved to see there was actual electricity in the room instead of the candles that seemed prevalent throughout the rest of the palace. Gleaming gold sconces flanked the doors and windows and a fluidly curved chandelier hung from the ceiling.
The luggage I’d left at the airport was neatly stacked in the closet. My clothes had been unpacked and put away by some unknown servant. Not that I needed the clothes I’d brought. A look through the wardrobe and drawers showed a full selection of clothing for every occasion. A look at the exclusive tags showed they just happened to be in my size. Hanging face front on the door of the wardrobe was a peignoir of the sheerest silk. I rubbed the fabric between my fingers, and my dragon sighed in envy. I closed the door before I could think better of it, and put myself out of temptation’s way.
A lady’s writing desk sat in the corner, complete with stationery and a gold pen. And on top of the desk sat my purse. Before I could think better of it, I rushed to it and pulled out my cell phone. I automatically dialed Noah’s number and held my breath until I heard his voice on the other end.
“Rena,” he said on a whoosh of relief as soon as he picked up. “Thank gods you called. I’ve had a terrible feeling all day, but I haven’t been able to see anything.”
Just hearing his voice released the tension I’d been holding in my shoulders. “That’s not unusual. You’ve never been able to read me. My shields are too strong.”
“No, I mean I can’t see anything. Not your brother. Not the average person walking past me on the street. My visions are completely gone. Someone has me blocked. I can feel the guards they’re forcing down on me. I don’t know how they’re doing it, but it’s pissing me off. Are you okay?”
After the power I’d just seen Julian wield, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he could control another psychic across an entire continent.
“I’m fine,” I said, deciding to keep Julian’s power to myself for now. “I’m in one piece at least.”
“Do you need me? I can be there in a heartbeat.”
“You’ll have to tell me how you’d accomplish that before I let you. You have too many secrets, Noah.”
I had so many emotions fighting for space within me. I didn’t know Noah well, but I was drawn to him. Not the dragon in me. But the real me. He made me nervous with his mysterious answers and his need to protect me with his life. His need to love me. Even thinking about his words from the night before gave me chills. Love was foreign to me. But there was something comforting about it at the same time. I didn’t know how to deal with these emotions. But I knew I needed normalcy in my life. I wanted normalcy. What made me even more nervous was the chance that I might get Noah killed by bringing him into Julian’s territory. It would put an end to normal, that’s for sure. I couldn’t risk his life by exposing him to Drakán business. No matter how strong his own abilities.
“Rena—” He hesitated. “My people are looking over our situation. They’ll eventually give in and let me tell you what I know. Just be patient.”
“Yeah, that’s really not one of my better personality traits.” I rubbed at my gritty eyes with my fingers. “Just stay put for now, Noah. I don’t think this is a mess you want to get in the middle of.”
I could practically hear his silent struggle to argue on the other end of the phone, before the struggle eased and his breathing changed.
“I miss you, Rena. All I’ve been able to think about is how hot your skin feels against mine. How good you feel in my arms. I woke up this morning with the taste of your lips on mine and the need to be inside you.”
I gasped at the image that invaded my mind, and my nipples hardened into tight buds against the soft silk of my dress.
“Noah.” My voice purred with desire to the point I almost didn’t recognize it. “You confuse the hell out of me. I can hear the lust in your voice, just as I can hear the secrets. And the worry. What’s really bothering you? Besides me being here.”
“Don’t ever doubt that I want you, Rena. I’m so fucking hot for you right now I feel like I’m going to explode. I’m worried about you because I care about you. That’s how relationships work. And I don’t know how to warn you to be careful without spilling the secrets I’m oathbound to keep.”
“I’m not asking you to break your oath. I understand secrets better than anyone.”
“Just know that you’re special—in different ways than you think. And I think you might be in greater danger than you realize. Just know there are others outside your own race who might wish to do you harm. You have to keep your senses open and your guard up all the time. They’ll strike when you’re weak.”
“Believe me. I’m used to that concept.”
“Just promise me you’ll be careful. And watch your back around the man you’ve decided to hunt. He’s dangerous. I don’t know what it is about him, but he’s more than you think he is. And you’ll be blinded by his strength and drawn to his power.” The bitterness in Noah’s voice rang out loud and clear.
“What is it you’re trying to tell me?” I asked.
“Yesterday, before my visions were blocked, I kept seeing you with someone. The same scene played over and over again. His hair was as dark as yours, and his hands were pale against the gold of your skin as he claimed your body. Your lives are entwined somehow. But so are ours, Rena. Remember that when you’re with him.”
“Is that why you put on the hot and heavy phone sex? So I’d remember you while I’m fucking him? How damned noble of you, Noah.”
“No, the hot and heavy was an added bonus. I’m just trying to help you. People who care about each other do that. I’d say love, but I wouldn’t want you to panic.”
“You’ve known me a fucking day.”
“It only took me a minute.”
We were both breathing heavily and something that felt suspiciously like tears gathered behind my eyelids. I didn’t know how to deal with this. I was tired of everyone in my life playing me to their own tune.
“It seems like things would be a lot easier if I just said to hell with you both.”
“You’ll want to before this is finished. But there are some things you can’t control the outcome of. Prophecies are a bitch like that.”
“Wait, what do you know of prophecies?”
“Enough. They’re not unique to your people, you know. Just take my advice and be careful. You won’t forget me when you’re with him.”
Shit. Noah was already talking like me sleeping with Julian was a done deal. Hormones were the last thing I wanted to add into the mix of this disaster. I had to stay away from Julian, plain and
simple. My thoughts were so deep I didn’t catch all of what Noah was saying.
“I’m sorry, can you say that again?”
He hesitated before repeating it. “I just want you to know that I’m okay with it. I know your role in this is predestined, and I understand that you have to be with him. I’m not going to say I won’t fight a little harder to make sure you remember that our destinies are entwined as well. I want you. I’ll still want you when you get back.”
“Wow, Noah, that’s pretty open-minded of you,” I said, a little peeved that there wasn’t the slightest bit of jealousy in his tone. The Prophecy dictated lives and futures, but not emotions. It was important to keep that in perspective.
He laughed, resentment clouding his voice. “Believe me, Rena, I don’t like it one bit. Every time I see his hands on you my vision goes red. I want him dead. But I don’t have a choice. And neither do you. Just finish up whatever it is you need to do and stay safe, okay?”
“Kiss my ass,” I said sweetly. As far as I was concerned at that point all men and dragons could burn in hell.
“Seriously, Rena. Call me again tomorrow. Just so I know you’re all right. Your safety is all that matters. We can fight later.”
“Whatever you say.”
“Rena.” My name was a sigh on his lips, and I felt bad for being such a bitch to him. None of this was really his fault.
“Think of me,” he said and disconnected.
I still held the cell phone to my ear, listening to the empty distance between us. I turned it off in defiance and dropped it back in my purse. My life had taken a decidedly weird turn somewhere along the way.
I needed to clear my mind, to think of some way I could defeat Julian and get what I wanted without dying in the process. I opened the dresser drawer and grabbed one of the nightgowns I’d brought with me and headed into the bathroom. I laid my clothes on the counter and piled my hair up on the top of my head and secured it with a clip.
The bathroom mirrored the bedroom in decoration. Black marble veined with streaks of white dominated the room. The faucets were gold and delicately curved—the towels blood red as they draped over the towel rods like a sacrifice.
Hot water poured from the faucet as it filled the tub, and I added perfumed bath salts into the water, watching them dissolve into cloudy bubbles. I slid into decadence as the steam rose around me and fogged all of the mirrors. The heat felt like heaven against my weary body, and my inner dragon writhed with pleasure against my skin.
I nodded off a couple of times before I realized the water had turned cold. I pulled the drain and climbed limply out of the tub, my bones practically liquid with exhaustion. I dried off quickly and rubbed scented cream over my body. I slipped the thin nightgown the color of violets over my head and shivered at the coolness of the silk.
I’d only been thinking of falling face first into the bed when I walked back into the bedroom, so it took me a minute to realize something wasn’t quite right. Dozens of tapered candles glowed from candelabra around the room. Champagne chilled in a bucket next to the bed. A glass flute sat on the nightstand, filled with a liquid full of fresh bubbles. I looked at the door and saw it was still locked. Not that something as flimsy as a lock could keep Julian out. I’d learned that lesson at the hotel.
The black peignoir I’d admired lay across the bed, and my pulse sped with yearning. It was all but transparent with straps that tied into bows at each shoulder and a plunging neckline. On top of the nightgown lay a single red rose.
My breath exhaled nervously as I thought of the vision Noah had seen. Surely it wouldn’t be tonight. I had more willpower than that. I was determined for Noah to be wrong. He had to be wrong.
I grabbed Julian’s not-so-subtle gift and took it to the window. The material was impossibly soft and delicate as I clutched it between my fingers. I opened the window, relishing the icy cold wind that allowed my mind to snap out of its sexual haze. I let go. The gown fluttered down three stories onto the garden below.
I snapped the window closed and walked over to my dresser, stripping off the nightie I’d put on after my bath. I dug through the drawer until I found the most chaste gown I’d packed—a high-collared white nightgown that fell all the way to my ankles. I was going to be hot as hell all night long, but at least I felt a little more protected from Julian’s gaze.
I turned around and spoke to the room at large. “I am not one of your ‘monsters’ to command, Julian. I am the Enforcer, and it would do you well to remember it. You will answer all of my questions eventually. And so help you gods if you really are the Destroyer. Because I will kill you.”
The laughter in my mind slithered up my spine like a caress.
“Sweet dreams.”
And then the voice was gone, and I knew I was alone again.
I was far from tired, but I went over to the bed and pulled back the covers, knowing I was going to be sweltering under so many layers all night. I got into bed and punched my pillow a couple of times for good measure before closing my eyes and ordering my body to relax. I realized I hadn’t bothered to blow out the candles as soon as I saw the soft flicker of lights behind my eyelids.
“Son of a bitch.” I pulled back the covers to get out of bed and blow out the candles when the room went dark. The smell of wax and smoke lay heavy in the air. I waited to feel Julian’s presence, but there was nothing.
I closed my eyes and tried my hardest to think of anything but Julian.
Chapter Thirteen
I finally found sleep as the grey light of dawn began to creep through the windows. It wasn’t long after when the dream began.
The blood-red throne at the head of the great room was still impressive in size. The chandeliers weren’t lit, but there was light coming from somewhere because I could see the throne clearly, even though the rest of the room tapered off into nothingness.
My dreams were always real, but something about this one was even more so.
I wore my white nightgown, and the black granite was cold beneath my bare feet as I walked into the room. I practically floated up the small set of stairs that led to the throne, and I ran my fingers across the soft red velvet.
They came away smeared with blood. Hot, like only freshly spilled blood could be. Now that I’d touched it, the sweet coppery smell was unmistakable, and my mouth watered with need. I jerked my hand away and wiped my fingers on my gown—the stain bright crimson against the snowy white fabric.
“Your true powers are alive in your dreams. Why would you not make them just as potent while you are awake?” a seductive voice asked from the shadows. “Your humanness stifles your dragon. Your need to feel all the things they do is making you weak.”
I searched for the voice. Julian walked straight out of the wall—more than a shadow, more than a man. Just his presence awakened things inside me I wasn’t aware of. The need to run my fingers across the blood once more and rub them across my lips was as tempting as any aphrodisiac. I could see my wants mirrored in Julian’s eyes.
“Denying your beast will eventually wither every part of you, human and dragon. Open yourself and accept what you really are. Leave your humanity behind and let your dragon take control. You’ve been fighting her when she should be your greatest ally. What does your beast want?”
I screamed inside my head. I didn’t want to be more monster than human. I didn’t want to be like Alasdair or Calista. Or like Julian. The added power of leaving my humanity behind wasn’t worth the price I’d have to pay.
As far as what my beast wanted, I didn’t have an answer. I could feel her thoughts as if they were mine, and I was terrified because at the center of everything she coveted, there was only Julian. My beast wanted him.
I shoved my dragon away and got myself under control. I changed the subject and asked, “What are you doing here?”
“This is my dream. I can go where I please,” he said arrogantly. “I invited you, and you accepted my invitation. There is something between us, Rena. A co
nnection. I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist me for long.”
I shivered at the thought of how closely Julian’s words had mirrored Noah’s. “Your ego leaves something to be desired. I still have my free will, no matter how much you wish it otherwise in your dream.”
“I like to believe that the gods have brought you here for a reason. It’s up to you whether or not you seek the reason out. Now, I asked you a question. You have halted the growth of your powers by closing off your natural-born instincts in your need to feel more human. Your emotional state when awake is what holds you back. Only in your dreams can you truly be the dragon you were meant to be. Why would you make yourself less, when you could be so much more?”
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to have human emotions,” I said before I could stop myself. “And when I’m awake, I’m the one who’s in control of them. I like being in control.”
“Ahh, yes, I’ve noticed this about you. Like this ugly nightgown you are wearing. It is just to prove a point, no? To prove that you have the strength to stand against me?”
“You seem to be missing the point of how my decisions have nothing to do with you.”
“Hmm,” he said, his gaze raking over my body. “I think you must not realize your appeal. All of that sexy hair. Skin the color of gold dust. Long legs that beg for a man to wrap them around his waist, and a stubborn chin that had rather take a punch than back down. And then there’s your eyes. They’re like black fire, and I long to see how they’ll look as I’m buried inside you.”
Dragons weren’t self-conscious by nature, and we never backed away from lust as long as the feelings were mutual. But I felt the urge to cover myself, even though I knew I was perfectly decent.
“Ahh, but you aren’t, my sweet. That chaste gown is as transparent as the naughtiest lingerie. But still, I believe I prefer my choice. Don’t you?”
