by Julia Mills
Of their own volition, Claire’s hands flew out in front of her. Fire burst from her fingertips. A howl unlike anything she’d ever heard flew from her lips. “You. Will. Die!” She screamed as the flames grew in intensity. Fire shot in every direction, engulfing not only Malick Slade but all the griffins within reach. She’d given total control to her phoenix and the bird was hell bent on ridding the world of anyone who dared to harm their mate.
A tall, broad shouldered griffin, who looked enough like Malick to be his twin, appeared at the far side of the room. Claire immediately knew it to be Zanus, the brother responsible for her accident. Before her phoenix could redirect her fire, the coward bellowed his retreat. The other griffins scurried like cockroaches from the light. Only the thought of Rory bleeding out on the floor kept her from pursuing the bastard and his underlings.
Racing to his side, Claire knelt in a puddle of Rory’s blood as she touched his throat to check for a pulse. His face had turned a deathly pale and sallow grey. Deep, dark circles appeared under his eyes. His breath rattled in his lungs, telling her they were filling with blood. Rubbing his cheek with the back of her fingers, the electric current of recognition flew up her arm, landing deep in her heart, quickly followed by the feel of his dragon pushing white hot healing magic at the gaping wound in Rory’s chest.
Voices came from every direction. Hands touched her shoulders while others reached for her mate. The dragons that weren’t disposing of the remaining griffins were calling for help and asking what they could do to help their fallen brother. Declan, who she somehow knew was the medic of Rory’s Force, was called from the other side of the mansion, but the phoenix knew he wouldn’t be in time.
She could feel her family around her, lending their power and their prayers to not only her but also her dragon. Knowing Claire needed to be as far away from the burning corpses of her enemies as possible, her cousins directed Kayne and Lennox to carry Rory out into the garden.
“We’re on it,” Kayne immediately answered, smoothly sliding his arms under Rory’s shoulders while Lennox lifted his legs.
As gently as possible, the two dragons lifted her dragon from the floor, walked out into the moonlight, and laid him on the smooth stepping stones by the fountain. Shutting out everything but her phoenix and her mate, Claire worked with all her might to calm the flames still burning within her. Her rage for what the griffins had done to her mate would not be extinguished. It grew brighter, fighting to avenge Rory, keeping the embers of her phoenix fire alive. Praying to Lugh, the Universe, and all the Fates, she begged for the calm she needed to cry the tears that would heal her mate.
Desperate for the tears that wouldn’t fall, she called upon her ancestors both phoenix and Choctaw to give her the strength she needed to turn from anger and vengeance. When nothing happened she looked at her cousins and shook her head. Desperation filled her heart. Never in all her years had her tears not flowed as freely as the stream on her mountain but, now, when all would be lost without them, they refused to fall.
The touch of Ettie’s hand on one shoulder and Olive’s on the other warmed Claire’s heart. She felt their love for her but also the man they’d just met who’d captured their cousin’s heart. Kneeling beside her, they removed their hands from her shoulders and took her hands into theirs. Delilah, Gabby, Karleigh, and Tilly followed suit, all taking the hand of the cousin beside them until Rory was enclosed in a circle of their own making.
Taking the lead while Claire continued to calm the fire within, Ettie prayed, “Oh Great Ancestors who’ve gone before us, please hear my prayer. Please provide the guidance our Leader and cousin needs to save the mate of her heart. Give her the vision to see beyond the pain and vengeance to her true calling that is of the light and of healing. Let the love she feels for her dragon and the love he feels for her flow between their hearts. Let it calm her phoenix and the fire within. Show her the way to her tears. Show her the way to her light. Touch each of us in this circle that we may lend our strength and power to her struggle. Help us see the light so that we may guide her. We thank you for your strength, for your guidance, and for your all-encompassing love, for without it we would be but feathers in the wind, lost and directionless. It is in your name and that of the Universe who makes everything possible that I give you my undying loyalty and love. Peace be with you.”
“And also with you,” her cousins responded along with the dragons and werepanthers who’d gathered at their backs while they prayed.
Looking up in surprise, Claire’s heart filled with love and determination as she saw the unconditional love the Guardsmen felt for her mate and also for her. Her phoenix pulled back, immediately calming her flames for their dragon. Threading her fingers through Rory’s limp, cold ones, she bowed her head until her forehead touched their clasped hands.
“Please, please, please,” she whispered.
A warmth she’d never felt before filled her from the inside out. Not only was her phoenix working to help their mate, she could feel Rory’s dragon lending his incredible power, coupled with that of her ancestors who were answering Ettie’s heartfelt prayer.
Feeling as if she could move mountains, Claire squeezed her eyes shut and pulled the first vision of Rory she’d ever gotten to the front of her mind. There he stood, red curls blowing in the wind, a cheeky grin on his face, and a twinkle in his eyes that could only mean he was up to no good. The love she already felt for the man grew exponentially.
Power continued to build within her but still the tears remained at bay. Precious seconds ticked by as Rory’s breathing became more labored and his skin clammy and cold. Ready to scream, Claire threw her head back, opened her eyes, and stared at the full moon above. The faces of her mother and that of her grandmother appeared on the surface of the bright white orb in the sky.
They smiled at her with a confidence she didn’t feel. A look so intense Claire could feel it in her soul crossed both their wizened faces just as the words, “This is your destiny, Claire. Save the dragon, save the world,” floated through her mind.
Bright white light burst to life inside her. The phoenix who’d shared her soul for all her life spread it wings, threw back its head, and sang to the Heavens. Claire opened her eyes. Looked at Rory’s face, still even more miraculous than the first time she’d seen him, and leaned forward until her lips touched his.
Shocks of electricity made Claire and her phoenix burn white hot. It was not a fire of hate or vengeance or even to chase away the darkness. This was one of light and healing and most importantly of all, unconditional love.
Losing all track of time, Claire poured everything she was into the chaste kiss she laid upon Rory’s lips. Without warning, his lips moved against hers. Claire gasped and tried to pull away, only to feel the warmth of her dragon’s big strong arms closing around her. It was then she felt the tears she hadn’t realized were falling on her cheeks.
Lifting her head just enough to look into Rory’s barely opened eyes, Claire opened her mouth to speak when Rory’s voice sounded in her mind. “Please tell me I don’t have to get stabbed every time I want a kiss...”
Chapter Eight
Between Claire’s amazing tears and the kicked up power from Kayne’s earlier healing power still flowing through his body, Rory was almost completely healed by the time they reached the lair several hours later. When he’d awoken to find himself (a) alive and (b) kissing Claire, neither man nor beast could hold back. It was the culmination of everything he’d ever denied wanting and for most of his life believed he didn’t need. She completed him in ways he couldn’t imagine as well as in ways he was looking forward to exploring.
First on his list of things to do was get her dressed in something other than Malick’s pajama shirt. Racing to his bike, he grabbed a T-shirt for himself and one for Claire, along with his drawstring sweatpants from his saddlebags. Once she was dressed in his clothes and the griffins had been thrown in the pyre his brethren built to dispose of the remaining bodies not burned
by phoenix fire, Rory could finally relax.
Not letting her get out of his sight as they searched for any remaining griffins, Rory bombarded Claire with thought after thought of all they would share together. She had blushed so many times her cousins openly teased her and asked for details.
“Oh come on, Claire. Just a few details?” Delilah teased.
“We can keep a secret,” Karleigh giggled with a look that said she knew full well not a one of them had ever been able to keep a secret in all their very long lives.
That did not, however, stop the fun as Gabby waited until several of Rory’s brethren were around to ask, “So, Rory, whatcha waiting for? How long’s it gonna take you to make an honest woman out of our Claire?”
Rory almost burst out laughing when Claire spun around and pegged the swan shifter with a look that promised retribution, but her shocked expression, complete with eyes as big as saucers and her mouth wide open, was so much better when he replied, “Tomorrow, next day at the latest,” with a straight face.
Claire stammered and stuttered as his brethren joined in on the fun.
“And here come the chuckle heads. Just wait, it’s gonna get good.” Rory chuckled through his direct link to Claire.
Kellan, who was still hiding the scarred side of his face from Claire’s cousins, even looked up and smiled as he threw his two cents into the discussion. “And that’s coming from the ‘confirmed bachelor’. What was that he used to tell us, Lenn?”
“I seem to recall the words ‘mates are for saps’ coming out of his mouth a time or two,” Lennox chuckled so hard Rory wondered if the goof might fall in the pile of smoldering debris he was shifting through.
“How about ‘there’s not a woman alive that can keep up with me’?” Roy called from the far side of the room they were searching.
“Is that so?” Claire finally joined the fun, making him love her all the more.
“Well, I’m thinking he might’ve just met his match,” Tilly’s teased. “Claire is a wild woman.” The osprey laughed so hard tears ran down her face.
“A wild woman, huh? Hot damn, let’s head home now.”
Once again his phoenix’s cheeks turned a beautiful shade of pink as he filled her mind with images of them together. Grabbing her hand, Rory pulled Claire to him and kissed her hard and fast. Pulling away and setting her an arm’s length away, the youngest O’Reilly brother snickered when he had to hold onto her arms an extra second while she got her balance. Knowing he could affect his mate in such a way made both man and beast puff up with pride.
It didn’t take long until Rian and Max showed up after searching the woods surrounding the compound with the werepanthers, Pearce, Brannoc and Declan. They hadn’t found any traces of the griffins but the King assured Rory they would continue tracking until they got a lead. The youngest O’Reilly brother was thanking the King for all his help when Rian, who was standing by Royce, called out, “So ya’ gonna introduce me to your mate or should I introduce myself and share a few childhood memories while I’m at it?”
Shaking his head because he knew he deserved everything they were throwing at him, Rory walked Claire over to where Rian and Royce were still standing with shit-eating grins and a ton more jokes floating through their minds. “Claire Featherstone, this big lug is my brother Rian, the oldest O’Reilly brother, leader of our clan, and a general pain in the ass.”
He ducked just in time to miss Rian’s attempt to slug him in the shoulder. “And he’s slow.”
Claire laughed along and then turning to his middle brother, Rory said, “And this one here is Royce.”
“I see the family resemblance,” his mate chuckled as she ruffled his curls.
“Yeah, we got our good looks from Mom,” Rory waggled his eyebrows and continued. “The best thing about Roy is his mate.” Laughing out loud at the look on his older brother’s face, the youngest O’Reilly added, “Seriously, Kyra is awesome. You’ll love her, but Roy’s okay, too. He acts like a grumpy ol’ grizzly but he’s really a big cuddly teddy bear.”
Shaking his head, Royce feigned anger and threatened, “Just wait. Yours is coming, little brother.”
Putting his arm around his mate, Rory pulled her close as she talked with his brothers for a few minutes. He’d never imagined how it would feel to introduce the woman he’d grown to love more than his own life, basically overnight, to his brothers. Actually, he’d never seriously thought she existed. But for once, he was overjoyed to be wrong. Claire was here and he thanked the Heavens for how wrong he’d been. His phoenix was the most gorgeous woman in the world, with a strength that rivaled his own and the purest heart he’d ever known.
Engrossed in his thoughts, Rory missed the arrival of the King of the Big Cats into their group and inwardly groaned when Max took Claire’s hand, bowed, and kissed her knuckles. “As usual, it is left up to me to introduce myself.” At least the Leo had the decency to chuckle before continuing, “Maximillian Prentice at your service, dear lady. Should you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to call upon myself or my cats. We are eternally at your beck and call.”
Rory knew Max was trying to wind him up and had to admit it was working. He’d been easily holding his jealousy and that of his dragon’s at bay while Claire met his family and his brethren, but he was having a hard time dealing with Max’s hands on his mate. Only the King’s sly grin and the gleam in his eye kept the Guardsman from pulling his phoenix away and slugging Max in the jaw. Then Claire opened her mouth and Rory knew he had nothing to worry about, ever.
“I appreciate your offer, King Prentice, but I must admit I’ve never heard a good story that started with a cat and bird walked into a bar.”
The entire group roared with laughter. Rory even saw Claire’s cousins high fiving his mate’s quick wit. Swinging his phoenix into his arms, he kissed her soundly while speaking directly into her mind. “Damn, I love you.”
Claire gasped. Her fingers slid into his hair. She deepened their kiss and responded in kind, “Not as much as I love you.”
Lost in the moment, Rory groaned when Claire pulled away as Kell and Brann started the cat calls and whistles, with Lennox and Pearce joining in.
“Way to go, Ror!” Kell hooted.
“Get a room!” Brann laughed and whistled.
“Save it for the honeymoon!” Lenn teased.
And his favorite shockingly coming from the calmest of their Force, Pearce. “Make him beg, Claire.”
With her cheeks once again pink from embarrassment, Claire buried her head in his shoulder and muttered, “What have you done to me?”
“Spiced up your life, mo chroi’. And this is just a small taste of life with a dragon.” He kissed the top of her head just as Rian called off their search.
“Let’s call it a night.”
“Don’t you mean morning since it is ten am?” Declan, aka Joe Friday, asked.
Shaking his head, Rian went on, “Whatever the hell time it is, let’s all go home. We can get back to it after a shower, food, and some sleep. Everybody meet at Rory’s...”
“Hey! What the hell, Ri?” Rory cut off his brother, adamantly objecting to not being alone with his mate. But Rian was having none of it.
“Paybacks are a bitch, Ror, and I’m just getting started.” Rian was smiling an evil smile as he turned and walked toward his vehicle.
“And I haven’t even started,” Royce added.
“I’m guessing there’s gonna be a lot of that?” Claire teased as they walked arm in arm toward Rory’s motorcycle.
They left the griffin compound abandoned and still smoldering. It was the general consensus after all their searching that Claire’s fire had chased the Slades and their clan away like rats off a sinking ship. With Malick dead, Rian said he believed Zanus, the second oldest Slade brother and head rat, would be in control and from all reports, he was even less a leader than his brother. If that was possible.
After arriving at the lair, it took less than an hour for everyone
to arrive at Rory’s house, rid of the stench from their battle and with enough food to feed an army. He’d let Claire shower by herself even though just the thought of her wet and naked with only a closed door separating them had driven both man and dragon crazy. By the time he’d gotten in the shower he was so hard his fist was wrapped around his erection before the water was even warm and over so quickly he laughed at himself. It was in no way a substitute for the beautiful woman who owned him body and soul, but it was the best he could do until he got rid of his family and friends. Which he planned to do within the hour, if not sooner.
Paybacks really are a bitch...
Jumping out of the shower, Rory wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped into his room just as Claire’s towel hit the floor. The room started to spin. His heart nearly beat out of his chest. His knees threatened to buckle while all the blood rushed south. Just the sight of his mate’s creamy skin, generous curves, and amazing bum had the Guardsman acting like a hormonal teenager.
Claire gasped as Rory closed the distance between, wrapped his arm around her waist, and kissed his way down her irresistible neck. The magic of their connection flared to life. Tiny shocks bounced between them from every spot their skin touched. The more of his mate he tasted, the more he wanted, until all thoughts of anything but being buried deep inside her evaporated.
Spinning his phoenix in his arms, the guardsman slammed his mouth to hers, pouring all that he was, all that he hoped to be, and all that he knew they would be together into that one earth-shattering kiss. Needing more, Rory reached between them, loosened the knot holding his towel, and let it join Claire’s on the floor. His erection jumped to life at the feel of his mate. The kiss deepened. Rory lifted Claire off the floor. His heart soared as her legs automatically wrapped around his waist.
