by Lori Whyte
Dillon grabbed the scarred dragon by his shirt. "Where the hell is she?"
"I was just going to—" Maryk shook his head. "We don't have time for this. He is with her. I only just got free myself." Maryk grabbed Dillon's arms to stop him from squeezing out his life. Blood dripped freely down Maryk's arms from his wrists. Deep gouges cut through the man's flesh. What was going on here?
"Your words make no sense," Kylan said.
"I would never have hurt her." Maryk's eyes were wild as he flipped his attention between Dillon and his chief. "But Ansyn… he is going to kill her. It might already be too late."
Maryk's words tore through Dillon's chest and ripped at his heart.
"No!" He refused to believe it. He would know it. He would sense if Jasmine was gone.
"Where?" Kylan asked.
"Follow me."
Dillon forced himself to let go of the man who'd dared to touch their mate. Seconds later, they were flying through the skies again.
As they neared the edge of human lands, disbelief surged through Dillon. Maryk had lied. He was taking them away on some worthless chase. Fire blasted from his mouth, but it missed Maryk, who'd suddenly dipped toward a small group of buildings. New hope sprang to life.
Please let her be alive. They could deal with everything else. She just needed to be alive.
Chapter 22
Jasmine stared at the dragon on the other side of the surgical bed. He wanted her blood. Somehow she didn't think this was going to be the same as donating a pint at the local clinic. She edged away from him and the heinous bed. The girl in the cage whimpered.
"It's quite a unique opportunity," he said as his gaze slithered down her body, "to have a dragon mate available for this."
She swallowed. "Why?"
He shrugged elegantly as he smoothly stepped around the bed. "When the world changed twenty some odd years ago—or was it thirty? Things do tend to blur when you've seen as many decades pass as I have—I needed to streamline our business interests in order to support my clan. It really is all about economics."
How old was he? It was hard to remember that dragons lived so much longer than humans. And now that she had mated, her life expectancy had changed too. Would that work to her advantage? Would it keep her alive long enough to escape? Or would she just be milked for her blood over and over again for years?
In the blink of an eye, he'd closed the distance between them. He inhaled. "Ah, the sweet scent of fear is such an aphrodisiac." He traced a finger down her neck, lingering over the place where her pulse was beating a staccato. "It's a pity about the mate markings."
One small blessing.
"Come now," he said as he grabbed her throat. His large hand squeezed until stars exploded over her eyes. He chuckled, then he loosened his grip. Her ears rang as blood rushed through her veins again.
It was now or never.
She spit in his face to distract him, then she swung. Her hand gripped tightly over the pen. She needed to go for somewhere soft. Just do it. She aimed for his eye.
She missed. The blunt tip struck the bone under his eye. The force of the impact shuddered down her arm. The pen slid along her sweaty palm and fumbled from her grasp. A jagged, but hardly fatal, tear cut through his cheek. Blood dripped down his face. When he let go of her to reach for his cut, she ducked.
His roar was deafening as his dragon tried to surface. His eyes blazed orange.
"I'm so sorry…" she said to the girl. She had to leave her now, but she'd come back.
He bellowed again and the lights suspended overhead shook.
Run. Run. Run.
She tore through the lab. He was a dragon. He'd stalk her. But she couldn't just stay there and let him drain her of blood. She had to try to escape. When she reached the door, she plunged outside. She slammed into a wall. A smoky, solid wall.
No. No. No.
She scrambled to get around it. She had to—
"Jasmine!"
Kylan's voice shocked her to her core. She hadn't run into a wall at all, at least not a building wall. This one was all dragon. Her dragon.
She collapsed against him and began to shake. Another howl thundered behind her.
"Go. We have to go. Go." She said quickly. "He's—"
And then it was too late. Ansyn burst out. Orange fire streamed from his mouth. His face was already transitioning to dragon form.
"Get off my land," he snarled at Kylan.
"There's a girl caged in there," Jasmine said.
A low growl rumbled through Kylan's chest as he swung around and positioned himself between her and Ansyn. Then she realized he wasn't alone. Dillon crowded closer. Maryk was there too, enclosed by several dragons. Even more had begun to surround Ansyn. Two of the dragons shifted to human form and went into the barn.
"You will pay for this," Kylan said. "Here and now."
He glanced toward Dillon, who nodded and stepped toward Jasmine. He opened his arms, and she wanted to rush right in, but she couldn’t do that. He was going to take her away and protect her so Kylan could fight Ansyn. That was not okay. She clung to Kylan.
Kylan turned to her and brushed his hand against her cheek. "It is okay, little one. I need to do this."
"I would do it in his stead too." Dillon rested his hand on her back. "But only a chief can challenge the chief of another clan." His gruff tone suggested it was every bit as hard for him to watch Kylan step into this fight as it was for her. "There is a reason he is our chief."
This was going to happen whether she wanted it to or not. He needed to know she supported him. That she forgave him. She hugged him, then stood on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. "I love you," she said. "I know you'll kick his ass."
Surprise registered on his face. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if to savor her words. He nodded to her one last time, before she let Dillon lead her away. She stared at Kylan, unable to drag her gaze away from her mate as his face went stony cold and he faced their enemy.
She trembled as the two dragons circled one another, moving slowly into the open as they did. Mannix clan dragons formed a loose circle around the combatants. Dillon wrapped his arms around her, and she wished his strength could seep into her through some kind of fancy dragon osmosis.
"I love him," she said. "I love you both."
He hugged her tighter, but didn't say anything. Maybe nothing needed to be said right now. Their lives could all be irrevocably changed by the end of this fight. She grasped at Dillon's arms where they held her. Anything to steady herself.
At least he didn't try to pull her away or turn her from the dueling dragons.
***
From the corner of his eye, Kylan watched Dillon hold and soothe their mate. She'd been frightened, but as far as he could tell neither Ansyn nor Maryk had been able to inflict any physical harm on her.
But that didn't mean they didn't have to face the consequences of touching her, taking her, frightening her…
The horizon was swallowing the sun now. Only a few minutes of sunlight remained, and he was going to use those to his advantage. He circled slowly and Ansyn followed.
Ansyn wasn't a seasoned fighter like Kylan was—he'd always been too caught up in illegal business activities and building his treasure to worry much about physical clashes—but there was no doubt he'd fight dirty.
Kylan took one more step, then another…
The moment sunlight blinded Ansyn, Kylan charged. His shift coursed over him as he flew to his opponent. He sank his teeth into his opponent's shoulder. Blood rushed over his tongue. He'd been going for his throat, but the bastard had moved at the last second. Their bodies collided in a flurry of wings, talons and teeth.
They fought. Circled. Tumbled. Roared. Everything else faded away. All that remained was his desire to kill the dragon he fought.
Fire poured from his mouth. Burning flesh, both his and his enemy’s, sizzled and smoked. They pitched over and around. And although he'd been fighting fires the whole day, he
could fight all night if he needed to. But that was unlikely. He could feel his opponent's strength begin to fade. Victory was close.
Ansyn rolled through the air, attempting to throw Kylan, perhaps to gain himself a reprieve, but Kylan held tight. When his enemy reeled one last time, he turned his head, revealing his neck. This time, Kylan didn't miss. He bit into the exposed flesh.
They landed like thunder against the earth. Dust billowed up around them.
He clamped his jaw tighter, preparing to rip out Ansyn's throat. Blood was filling his mouth.
"Stop." The imperious command thundered over them.
Kylan peered up to see who would dare try to deny him his kill.
Councillor Xander and other members of the Dragon Council had joined their numbers.
Xander's eyes locked on his. The high councillor then looked pointedly in Jasmine's direction. Tears were streaming down her face. She looked as though only Dillon's embrace was keeping her upright. As much as he wanted to kill Ansyn and feel his life force ebb away, he wanted to be with Jasmine more. If he killed in contravention of a direct order from the Dragon Council, his life would be forfeit.
He loosened his jaw and dropped the other dragon's limp, but living, body to the ground. The defeated dragon clutched at Kylan's limbs. His eyes implored Kylan to finish him—they both knew his death at the end of a council trial would neither be as swift nor as simple—but his enemy's fate was beyond Kylan's control now.
"Good." Xander nodded.
Kylan transformed, and watched as several of his guards pulled Ansyn from the ground. Kolz then clamped a band around the prisoner's wrist. His body instantly changed to human form under the brutal force of the council's magic.
"Councillor Xander," Kylan said calmly. "To what do we owe this honor?"
"We have come to advise you of the outcome of our investigation into the human's situation." Xander motioned toward Jasmine. By the tone in the councillor's voice, Kylan could predict the news.
Kylan didn't dare look at her. She'd said she loved him, loved both of them, but that had been when he'd been about to fight their enemy. It was hardly a binding sentiment when she thought he was barreling toward his death. No, he couldn't bear to see the look of happiness on her face when they announced she would no longer be considered for their dragon volunteer program. He stood rigidly, his gaze pinned to the man who would change his life, as he waited for the announcement.
"Jasmine Gordon," Xander said as he turned to her.
From the corner of his eye, Kylan could see she stepped forward. Away from Dillon.
"After a thorough investigation, it has been determined that your volunteering experience was not performed according the dictates of our agreement. The human delegation regrets this oversight and vows to repair the damages to your business and your home." Xander tilted his head and narrowed his eyes as if seeing something that intrigued him. "That is, if you wish to return to those people."
Kylan couldn't stop himself from looking at her then.
She smiled, but it wasn't the overjoyed celebratory smile he'd expected. "Thank you, Councillor Xander," she said. "But I would like to remain with the Mannix clan."
An absurd feeling of lightness fell over him. He looked at Dillon in time to see his primary's shock turn to a wide grin.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." She didn't hesitate or stutter. She really wanted this… wanted them.
"Very well," Xander said.
"But, if I may." She cleared her throat. "I would like to request that the future volunteer process be monitored closely. I also have a number of thoughts on how the acclimation process could be improved."
"I look forward to discussing the situation with you and your mates in the near future." Xander nodded, then a slight smile creased his face when she extended her hand to him. It was a human gesture, but Xander didn't rebuke her overture. As Kylan recalled, Xander had offered her the same gesture in the cabin the first time they'd met. The councillor placed his hand in hers, then leaned over it and placed a kiss on her wrist.
Both he and Dillon growled in warning.
Xander grinned at her, then raised his head. He didn't release her hand as quickly as Kylan would have liked.
"Thank you," Jasmine said softly. "Now, if you don't mind, I would like to go home with my mates."
"Of course," Xander said.
Jasmine withdrew her hand from his and turned to her dragons. "Take me home."
Chapter 23
Jasmine leaned back in the bathtub as the tension in her shoulders faded under Dillon's masterful fingers. Bath bubbles glistened in the candlelight. She hadn't felt so relaxed in months, possibly years.
The reunion with Trixy and the announcement of her decision to remain mated to dragons had gone better than Jasmine had feared it might. Her aunt had promised to stay while Jasmine settled in to her new life. And shortly before they'd turned in for the night, they'd received a personal call from the High Chancellor of the Dragon Council, thanking them for eliminating one of the largest drug labs that had ever been found. He'd reinforced that they would be receptive to her recommendations. Her mind had already started to consider other possibilities: opening the borders for a start, allowing dragons to mingle more freely with humans as they had once done, perhaps some documentaries or PSAs, an orientation book for potential volunteers…
Yes, there were so many ways to make things better. She could do this.
Soon.
But first she needed to enjoy a little wedded bliss. Spoiling her mates was her first priority. By her estimation, that would take the whole night. Then, in the morning, she'd make breakfast like she'd planned all those many hours ago, maybe not pancakes, though…Waffles and whipped cream sounded like more fun.
She twisted in the tub and faced Dillon, who was seated on a chair and fully clothed. Ever since they'd returned, her men had been treating her as if she was to be wrapped in bubble wrap.
"What? Did you not like that?" he asked.
"It was perfect, but I think it is time we found Kylan."
His eyes flashed green, but the glow quickly dissipated. That wasn't going to do. If they were going to have the night she wanted, they could not stay buttoned down. She stood up. Only a few days ago, she would have worried that her curves would look bigger under the sheen, but now she relished the way Dillon's gaze flowed over her glistening body. She extended her hand and he helped her step from the tub.
"A towel?"
Dillon nodded and passed a fluffy white towel to her. She didn't take it. Instead she turned her back to him.
"Can you dry my back?"
The fluffy terrycloth skimmed over her. When he reached her lower back, his motions slowed. Her pulse raced at the fleeting touch. She waited. Then he continued down, over the roundness of her derrière. His breathing was coming faster; she could hear it.
Thank God she wasn't the only one affected by this.
She spun toward him.
"And now my front?"
His dragon color rimmed his irises as he took in the expanse of her skin, pink from the hot water, and crisscrossed with his and Kylan's mate markings. Her nipples were jutting out as if they were waving "me next" flags.
He gripped the towel tightly as he met her gaze. He didn't move to wipe away the water.
"I want you tonight. Both of you," she said.
"You should rest," he countered quickly.
She grinned at him. "We both know I'm going to get my way."
He swallowed. "We agreed that we should rest."
She shook her head. "I never agreed to that, and we all know things work out best when we all agree."
With that, she walked away from him, making sure to put an extra swing in her hips as she left him in the bathroom. There were other ways she could dry her body. A heated flush would do nicely. Maybe a bit of body friction.
He cursed. His footsteps followed her.
Kylan was standing at the window. He turned when he heard her ent
er the bedroom. His gaze swept over her. He shot a questioning look over her shoulder toward Dillon.
She ignored them both as she crawled up on the bed. She flopped down on her back in the center of the smooth duvet.
"Dillon tells me that you both need some rest." She sighed. "It is a shame when a woman has two handsome mates and neither of them has the energy or desire to… Well, you know." Both men's attention was riveted on the way her fingers danced over her stomach. "I guess I'll just have to take care of myself."
She opened her legs and bent her knees. She raised one hand to a firm nipple and dipped the other down. They were beside her in her next breath.
"You are a tease," Kylan said on a growl.
"A tease is someone who doesn't follow through with what she starts." Jasmine grabbed his face and kissed him. When she pulled back, she grinned. "Believe me, I'm not a tease."
Her heart filled at the emotions she saw sweeping over his face.
"I love you, Kylan."
Kylan stared into her eyes. "I love you too, Jasmine. We never meant to make you angry. We only wanted to protect you."
"I know," she said. "I forgive you."
It felt so right to have them with her. She'd feared she might never see them again. Tonight was a celebration of life and love. Hers and theirs. Then she turned to Dillon and kissed him.
"I love you, Dillon," she said when their lips parted.
"I love you too," he whispered back to her. "When you disappeared today, we thought we'd lost you in spite of everything we'd done to keep you safe. We would have been lost without you. We nearly went crazy at the thought of it." He trembled with emotion.
"You need to know that there is no other place in the world that I could ever want to be than with you."
With that, whatever control they'd held over their emotions and their dragon impulses snapped. Their hands, mouths and bodies chased away any lingering fear, as if all of them were determined to give life to the love they shared.
Kylan was pressed against her back. He kneaded the soft flesh of her breasts. He pulled and pinched on her nipples. When she gasped, Dillon crushed his mouth to hers. His hand slipped between her legs. He groaned when his fingers slipped over her slick body. She pushed at his clothing, stripping him as quickly as she could.
