by Rinelle Grey
He stood in front of her smiling, running his fingers over her body. She’d shed her clothes as soon as the fur covering the entrance fell behind her, partly out of a need to complete the mating quickly, while they still had time, and partly because she couldn’t wait to feel his skin against hers.
He’d followed her example without hesitation.
Brad took a step towards her and pulled her into his arms, and Lyrian sighed in enjoyment at how good his body felt against hers. For a moment, she just rested her head on his strong chest. His hardness pressed into her stomach, just below her belly button. She needed it lower. But his closeness was enough to stave off the urgency, just for a little while.
Enough to give her a chance to just enjoy his presence.
Nothing had ever felt more right.
She ran her hands over his chest, down over his hard abs, the strength of the muscles at odds with the softness of the skin. The contrast that fitted so well with his personality, hard and determined, but with a soft centre. Lyrian felt a love for him well up in her, mingling with the need. The need not just to feel his body, but to be one with him.
Brad must have been thinking along the same lines. “So, is there… anything special we need to do, to form this bond?”
His fingers running across her bare bottom made it hard to think. Hard to even form the words to answer his question.
“I… uh… No. Just… mate.” The word sent a shiver up Lyrian’s spine. Sent waves of longing pulsating through her. Her feelings for Brad had always been strong, but right now, they were consuming her.
Brad’s eyes widened a little. His hand stilled for just a moment, then resumed its stroking. “I think I can manage that.” His voice was low and husky, and his words sang through Lyrian’s veins like molten rock, settling in a bubbling pool in her stomach.
“Are you… Are you sure you want to do this?” It was a struggle to get the words to form, even more of a struggle to give him any out. She wasn’t sure if she could bear it if he changed his mind now. Once they were mated, it wouldn’t matter. Neither of them would doubt this again.
Which was why she needed to be doubly sure now.
“Not at all,” Brad said promptly.
Lyrian’s heart skipped a beat, then thumped uncomfortably hard as Brad continued.
“I think this is the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life, and I’m not sure it’s the right choice at all. It’s not sensible, or practical, or like any other choice I’ve made. But it’s what I want. There’s nothing I want more than to mate with you right now.”
Lyrian’s heart was torn. He’d said he wanted it. But did he mean now, or forever. “There’s no turning back, you know that, right?”
“Good. Because I don’t think I could make this choice twice.”
Lyrian reached up to cup his cheek and stared into his eyes. She searched his face, looking for some sign. Something that would tell her what she should do.
“Lyrian, I never would have imagined I’d say this, much less feel it, but I want you to be my mate. I want to be by your side as we watch our daughter grow into a beautiful young dragon, and as we grow old together.”
Lyrian’s heart sang at his words. Of course he was nervous and uncertain, this was a big step for anyone, but huge for Brad, who was so used to controlling everything in his life. But that didn’t change what was in his heart. And he’d just offered that to her. Her eyes filled with tears. “I want that too,” she whispered.
Brad bent down and claimed her lips as he pulled her body up hard against his.
Lyrian kissed him with a desperation that had been building all evening. It had stilled, just for a moment, while they were talking, but now it returned with a vengeance, the desperation only intensified by their conversation.
Now that she knew he was committed, that he wanted this as much as she did, she couldn’t get enough of him. She wanted to fill her mind with his scent and taste, with the feel of his body under her fingertips. She wanted to touch and caress every part of him at once.
But she didn’t know how long they’d have. At any moment, they could be interrupted by an emergency. And most of all, she wanted to feel him inside her.
Brad seemed to feel the same urgency. He lifted her up, his hands under her buttocks, and held her against him.
Lyrian swung her legs up and wrapped them around his waist, eliciting a groan of desire from him. “Can you hold me?” Lyrian asked, uncertain. Brad wasn’t a dragon, he didn’t have the strength and endurance that came from flying.
“I feel like I could do anything right now.” His voice wasn’t even breathless, though it was a little ragged.
Her mind freed of its one concern, Lyrian let herself focus on the moment.
She could feel him, nudging at her opening, and for a moment, she let herself enjoy the anticipation. How good would it feel to have him thrust into her? His teasing promised so much. Lyrian let the longing build, knowing the anticipation would only increase the ecstasy.
Brad was the one who gave in. With a groan, he buried himself into her in one swift motion.
Lyrian clung to him, knowing her fingernails were digging into his back, and not caring in the moment. “Brad,” she said breathlessly, her mind unable to form the words to say what she wanted to tell him.
She didn’t need to. He knew. He began to thrust in and out of her in long, swift strokes. Building in intensity with each thrust.
Each thrust sent new waves of pleasure through Lyrian. It felt amazing. Intense. Like coming home. This felt right. How had she managed to wait for this for so long? How had she not mated with Brad far earlier?
Each thrust seemed to burrow deeper and deeper into her core, bringing them closer and closer, until it felt like they were one.
Lyrian clung to him as emotion and ecstasy flooded through her, exploding through her body in a kind of pleasure she’d never known before. She’d thought she was prepared for this, for how intense the mating bond would be, but intense didn’t even begin to describe it.
Suddenly she realised that up until now, until this very moment, she’d been alone. Her connections with her brothers, her clan, all that had been superficial. Distant.
Her heart beat in time with Brad’s, and for a few seconds, it was as if they were one person.
*****
Brad gasped in astonishment and wonder. Emotions washed over him—love, connection, belonging, all coloured with pure joy.
He’d never felt anything like it in his life before.
The way he felt about Lyrian, the magic he felt when they were together, he’d thought it couldn’t possibly be any better than that. Until this moment, when it was as if his heart fused with hers.
It wasn’t ordered. It wasn’t under his control. And yet, it was perfect.
Truth be told, up until this moment, he’d doubted that the mating bond they all kept talking about could even exist. It had seemed impossible. Even more impossible than accepting that Lyrian could transform into a giant blue dragon.
But it was true. All of it. And more. So much more.
His heart beat in time with Lyrian’s and it felt like she was all around him, like he was encased in her love. Everything else faded away. All his fears, all his need to control. He just was. He and Lyrian were part of each other. Nothing had ever felt more right, more certain.
His legs began to shake, and he wasn’t sure if it was from the intensity of the emotions running through him, or the fact that he’d been holding up both of them for several minutes.
He gently set Lyrian on the ground, reluctant to pull out, half afraid that if he did, the bond would be broken. He didn’t ever want to lose that connection to her.
Lyrian stumbled a little, and they parted, then she leaned into him, giggling slightly. “Well, that was well worth the wait,” she said breathlessly.
That was an understatement.
Brad leaned forwards, resting his forehead against hers. The connection was still there. As though
he were aware of her through some unseen sense. He had no doubt that if he closed his eyes, he would be able to point to her unerringly, even in a crowded room.
The words, the declaration that he’d never made, hovered on the tip of his tongue, but for some reason, he hesitated over saying the words out loud. It wasn’t as if he’d never said them before, to other women, but that was different.
They hadn’t really meant anything then.
“I love you,” he thought, trying to convince himself to say the words out loud.
“I love you, too,” Lyrian’s voice in his mind was warm and loving.
Brad pulled back to stare at her. “You… you heard that?”
Had she read his mind? He knew that dragons had telepathy, but he didn’t.
Did he?
Lyrian looked confused. “You didn’t mean me to?” Her voice was hurt and uncertain, and Brad could almost feel her pain.
He pulled her close, enjoying the feel of their naked bodies up against each other.
“I was just testing it out before I said it,” he thought, trying to project his words to Lyrian, hoping she heard them. “But I definitely want you to know it, and I intend to repeat it. A lot. I love you.” The second time wasn’t nearly as hard. But maybe he needed to try it out loud too. “I love you,” he repeated.
Lyrian smiled up at him. “I love you, too,” she said softly. She stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his lips. Her body pressed up against his.
Brad had thought they might have a chance to have a bit of a rest before everything went crazy again, but his body responded instantly to her closeness.
This time though, he suspected they should use the bed.
Chapter 11
Lyrian stretched. Every muscle ached, but in a good way. In a way that says she was loved, wholly and thoroughly. She must have drifted off there for a moment. Not surprising, all that exercise had made her tired.
Lying in the dark, it felt like something was wrong.
Anarian. She missed her daughter. Her breasts were heavy and engorged, and as soon as she thought of the baby, her milk let down. She should go bring her into the bed for a feed.
She slipped out quietly, hoping not to wake Brad, but he stirred as soon as she moved, and reached for her.
“Don’t go,” he mumbled. “Not done yet.”
Lyrian giggled. “Yes you are,” she said firmly. “It’s been three times already, Brad. We both need a rest. And I need to give Anarian a feed.”
Brad let her go at that, falling back onto the pile of furs, and smiling up at her. “Fine then, but later,” he insisted.
As she rose to go into the other room, Lyrian became aware of voices, not raised exactly, but she could hear the concern in them. “Something’s wrong,” she said, pulling on her clothes just as Taurian’s voice bloomed in her mind.
“Lyrian, can you spare a moment?” His words were courteous, polite, but Lyrian didn’t miss the undercurrent of concern.
“I’ll be right there.”
Brad pulled on his trousers, and followed her into the other room, where a small group was gathered.
Mostly her family, her brother’s and their mates, and two of the elders, Ostrian and Mesrian. And one other dragon that Lyrian didn’t know. A metal dragon with steely eyes and a concerned face.
Karla handed Anarian to her, and Lyrian attached the fussing baby to the breast as she asked, “What’s going on?”
Taurian looked at the strange dragon, who explained, “The humans have brought dogs. They will scent us, tell the human’s where to find us.”
Now that he mentioned it, Lyrian could hear the dogs outside, their barks alternating with howls. The sounds were a mixture of fear and determination. They already had the dragon’s scent.
Panic filled Lyrian’s mind. They would find them. They would find Anarian. How was she supposed to protect her daughter now?
Brad must have been thinking the same thing. “I need to go down there. I can put them off our trail.”
His words only intensified the fear in Lyrian’s heart. “You can’t,” she said quickly.
Brad looked at her intently. “It’s the only way, surely you have to see that?” he said softly. “I need to protect you and Anarian, that’s my job.”
“No,” Lyrian said firmly. “There has to be another way.” She turned to Taurian. Surely he would have a better idea? Surely he would realise that they couldn’t send Brad out there?
Nate and Kyrian stumbled out into the main cavern, their hands clasped, their clothes rumpled. “What’s going on?” Nate asked.
“The police have dogs,” Brad explained. “I have to get down there before they find out where we are. Once they do, there’s no way we can avoid them finding the clan.”
“I’ll come with you,” Nate said immediately. “There are two cars, so you’ll need two of us.”
Brad nodded.
Lyrian stared at Taurian. “You aren’t going to let them do this, are you?” she demanded through dragon voice, knowing her panic would show through, not caring. “Would you let Karla do this?”
Taurian held up a hand. “There’s no need for anyone to go out there,” he said firmly. “Even if the human’s find the entrance to the lair, they can’t get up here easily. It will take them time, and they will probably need to send for more equipment. As soon as the tunnel is finished, we will send our fastest flyer to ask the Trima clan for help. I’m sure Latrima can be here before the police get into the lair, and she can scare them off.”
“I’ll go,” the metal dragon said immediately. “I can be there in ten minutes, I’m sure.”
“Thank you, Kelrian,” Taurian said firmly. “See, we can still make this work.”
Lyrian swallowed the fear down. Taurian’s plan was a sensible one. And more importantly, one where she and Brad weren’t separated. “How is the tunnel progressing?” She was relieved her voice sounded calm.
“It’s nearly finished,” Mesrian said. “They’ve broken through the rock and are just digging through the dirt now. It will be finished in a few minutes.”
Ostrian was staring at them in disbelief. “That’s your plan?” he demanded. “You think the answer is to go to the Trima clan for help? Even if the life dragon comes, and I’m not convinced she will, even if she does manage to scare the humans off, the damage will be done. They will know where we are, and they will return. Then the only option left will be to move to a new lair. Again.”
“That is not going to happen,” Taurian said sharply. “I will not be forced out of our home.”
“Then your only option is to let the humans go and try to convince these police there is nothing here,” Ostrian said promptly.
Lyrian couldn’t help feeling he was manipulating them, using Taurian’s unwillingness to leave the lair to lead them to the solution he wanted. Well, she wasn’t having it. “Or we can stop wasting our time arguing, and send this young dragon, Kelrian was it?” Kelrian nodded, and she continued, “Send Kelrian to bring the life dragon as soon as possible.”
Ostrian put his hands on his hips. “Are you so besotted with the mating bond, you aren’t willing to do what’s best for your clan?”
For a moment, Lyrian felt a surge of pity. Ostrian had never been mated. He couldn’t possibly understand that the mating bond made them stronger, not weak. That it was the truce with the Trima clan that would bring them together. He didn’t trust that.
Ostrian was still intent on his own plan. He turned to Brad and asked, “What will happen to you if you go to the humans? Will they kill you?”
Brad actually laughed at that. “Not a chance,” he said with certainty. “I’m not sure they can even arrest us, we’ve done nothing wrong. At least, I’m pretty sure mating with a dragon isn’t a crime.” He turned and gave Lyrian a teasing, coaxing smile.
She was having none of it. She didn’t care if it was the best choice for her clan or not. She’d just got him, she wasn’t about to risk losing him again.
&n
bsp; “You can’t go,” she said into his mind. “Anarian and I need you.” She felt tears fill her eyes.
Brad stepped forwards, ignoring all the other dragons and humans around them, and cupped her cheek, wiping away her tears. “Don’t cry,” he said softly in dragon speech. “I promise, I’ll be safe. And I’ll be back for both of you as soon as I’m sure the police won’t follow.”
Lyrian wasn’t convinced. She was afraid that if he walked out of the lair now, she’d never see him again. Panic welled up in her, almost making it hard for her to speak in human or dragon speech.
Luckily, Karla spoke for her. “That may be,” she said briskly, “But there is no reason for you to risk yourself. Ostrian has always been a fearmongerer, but we’ve never let his fears sway us. I will not separate a couple in love.” She looked over at Nate and Kyrian. “Two couples in love,” she corrected herself, “When we have other options.” She turned to Kelrian. “Ready yourself and be waiting in the tunnel to leave as soon as it’s done.”
“Yes, Princess,” Kelrian said obediently. He turned on his heel and strode away.
“You’re really so stubborn and convinced that love saves all that you will risk our clan?” Ostrian spat.
Karla stared at him. “I don’t want to hear another word from you, Ostrian. We’ve made our decision.”
Ostrian stared at her for a long moment, before turning away, his shoulders slumped. He shook his head, muttering under his breath as he walked away.
But he did walk away.
Lyrian drew in a shaking breath. She looked over at Brad, but though it was clear from the expression on his face, that he disagreed with her, he didn’t say anything.
Chapter 12
Brad didn’t bother to argue. It was clear that neither Lyrian, nor her brothers, could see the reality of it. Maybe it was because they didn’t know humans, didn’t really recognise how persistent they could be. Or maybe it was simply because they didn’t want to believe it. Either way, he didn’t have time to convince them.
