by Julia Mills
Because they were already so closely linked, Claire could see how Rory saw her from the image in his mind. She spread her wings, fluffed her feathers, and preened for just a second longer, giving him the whole show. Rory’s deep chuckle vibrated within her, setting both woman and phoenix on fire.
“I know, mo ghra’. I feel it, too. Just a few more hours and we’ll be alone.” He cleared his throat and she could feel that he was just as affected by their animal attraction as she was.
“Ready to fly?” Rory asked, his voice deeper and rougher than it had been just a second before. Her dragon had already extended his massive wings when Claire answered, “Yes, I am.”
Lowering her wings, the phoenix lifted off, hovering in place until her mate was by her side. Together, they glided on the breeze, rolling one way and then the other, his blue and green scales glistening in the evening sun, highlighting the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows of her feathers. Claire flew over his back and lowered herself until only the wind separated her phoenix from his dragon. They flew along, enjoying what only they together could achieve, until Rory signaled it was time to ascend the mountain.
Moving apart, they both pushed their wings against the draft, climbing higher and higher until they reached the apex. Once there, they transformed back to their human forms midair, landing side by side, dressed as they had been during their mating ceremony.
Rory pulled her to his chest and kissed her with a passion that threatened every ounce of resolve she had. Only the sound of someone clearing their throat broke them apart.
“All right you two. Let’s get this marking done. I know a whole lot of people waiting to throw a party in your honor.”
“Kayne?” Claire had no clue what was happening.
“That’s me.”
“What...?”
“I asked him to be here. I wanted your dad to bless our mating and I knew Kayne could make that happen.” Rory looked like he wasn’t sure he’d done the right thing.
“Oh, Rory, whatever I did to deserve you I’d do it a million times over if it meant I would always have you.”
“That means you like?” And there was the cheeky grin again.
“That means I like very much.” She kissed him again, keeping it short and turning to her half-brother.
“You guys ready?” Kayne asked.
“We are,” they said together.
Nodding, the demi god said, “Father, Lugh, Most High God of the Sun, I come to you today with Claire, a child of your heart, and her mate, Rory O’Reilly, made by the Universe for your phoenix and your phoenix alone to stand by her side, love her, protect her, and hold dear all she holds dear. I ask for your blessing on their mating. Show this beautiful couple your favor and honor them with your consecration of their union.”
Kayne bowed his head. Claire and Rory followed suit and waited. It seemed to take forever. Even the sun had lowered until only the top half was visible over the horizon. Just as the phoenix was about to give up, the sky grew brighter, the coolness of the evening air turned warm again, and a voice unlike any she’d ever heard resonated through her being.
“Claire, is that you?”
Looking up, she immediately knew from the looks on Kayne and Rory’s faces that they heard it too. Not sure what to do, she whispered her answer, “Yes, it is.”
“It is wonderful to see you again and to see the mate of your heart at your side. You have chosen wisely. I always knew you were the best among them. As always, you have made me very proud.”
“Thank you.” She tried to sound assertive but knew it wasn’t happening. She was talking to the freaking Celtic God of the Sun. Her heart was about to beat out of her chest.
“You most certainly have my blessing. May you and your dragon live long, love like no other, and have children that make you as proud as you’ve made me. And Rory O’Reilly, know that you have been entrusted with my most favorite daughter. Love her like the treasure she is.”
“You have my word, oh Great Lugh. Thank you for the great honor you have bestowed upon us.”
“Then mark my daughter in the way of your kind. Be happy, Claire, for that is my fondest wish.”
And just like that, the Sun God was gone. Claire looked at Rory then at Kayne, still not sure how to react. The demi god snickered, “The old man sure has a way with words, doesn’t he?” Looking out at the horizon, he continued, “All right, you two, I’m outta here. Don’t leave us waiting down there too long.”
In a flash, Kayne was gone and she and Rory were standing alone on the top of the mountain where her metaphysical father, the Celtic God of the Sun, had just spoken to not only her, but her mate as well. Freaked out did not begin to cover what Claire was feeling.
Pulled from her thoughts as Rory turned her around until they stood face to face and grinned the cheeky grin that made her crazy with desire, Claire melted into his arms. Rory lowered his mouth to hers, stopping just as their lips touched, and whispered, “Tá tú mo ghrá eternal. Ta’ mo chroi istigh ionat,” before capturing her lips with his.
Their connection solidified. Their souls became one. Passion unlike any other consumed them both...body, heart, and soul.
A sting on the left side of her neck let her know the marking was complete. Rory pulled her even closer, moved his lips from hers, and trailed kisses across her jaw and down her neck, reaching the spot that was tender to the touch. He licked and sucked the offending area until all thoughts of anything but their naked bodies loving one another fled from her mind.
Placing her hands on either side of his face, Claire pulled his mouth to hers, kissing him until all thoughts of receptions and families were pushed aside by all the ways she wanted to love her dragon. Rory pulled back. Claire saw the glint of mischief in his eyes and asked, “What exactly are you up to, Rory O’Reilly?”
“Oh, you’ll know soon enough, Claire Featherstone-O’Reilly.”
The sound of her new name made her laugh. Leaning in to kiss him, she chuckled. “How about just O’Reilly? That hyphenated name makes me sound like a queen or something.”
Kissing her long and slow, making love to her mouth, Rory whispered into her mind, “You are a queen. My queen, now and forever...”
Chapter Eleven
The reception went on and on with more jokes than he could remember and a whole lot of dancing, drinking, and eating. When Rory was sure he’d explode if he didn’t have Claire alone and naked, he picked up one of the bells Kyra had worked into the centerpieces on all the tables and rang it until the crowd settled down to a dull roar.
He was just about to thank everyone when Max asked with his patented sly grin, “If I’m not mistaken, and I rarely am,” everyone laughed out loud, “doesn’t a bell ringing have a special significance in dragon culture?”
“Indeed it does,” Royce was quick to answer.
Not one to miss an opportunity, Rory slid his fingers along Claire’s neck, leaned his head to hers, and kissed her with a slow burn that held the sweet promises of so much more. Explaining directly into her mind as they embraced, he whispered, “Legend states that when a bell rings, a dragon is kissing his mate.”
“I knew I was gonna like having you around,” Claire chuckled, deepening their kiss.
“Ahem, I think you had something to say, Ror?”
“Leave it Ri to ruin the moment,” Rory snickered as they broke apart to applause.
Nodding to Max, Rory held his scotch glass in the air and said, “Thanks for the reminder, King.” Then to the entire party he said, “I can’t thank you enough for this amazing party and well...for just everything. I know I said this would never happen but I can’t tell you how gosh damned happy I am to have been wrong.”
“Look at that, you were right. Love is for saps,” Kellan called out.
“Just wait till it’s your turn,” Rory teased, only to be shocked by the stricken look on his friend’s face.
Okay...guess I really do need to see what’s going on with Kell...
; Making a mental note to get with his friend after his honeymoon, Rory continued his impromptu speech. “Like I was saying, we couldn’t have done it without you. And to think all I had to do to get my girl was die twice.”
The crowd erupted in laughter as he finished, “Y’all party till dawn, I still have some surprises for my mate. Thank you again.”
“Thank you,” Claire concurred as he lifted her in his arms and sped away before anyone could stop them.
Arriving at their home in just under two minutes, Rory set Claire on her feet just in front of the front door, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a royal blue velvet pouch that had been burning a hole in his pocket all day. Lifting her hand, he placed the gift in her palm and closed her fingers around it.
“What’s this?” Claire asked.
“Just a little something to say how much I love you.”
“But...”
“But nothing, just open it...please.” Rory knew he was begging but really didn’t care. He wanted to see her eyes light up when she saw what he’d had made for her.
Claire slowly loosened the silk strings, taking so long Rory almost grabbed it from her and opened it himself. When the string was finally as slack as it would go, she paused and looked up at him through her lashes with an expression that said she was feeling everything that he was and maybe even more if that was possible. It took all his considerable restraint not to say to hell with the present and whisk her away so they could satiate the passion burning through both of them.
Rory breathed a sigh of relief when Claire tipped the little bag upside down and the ring he’d had fashioned just for her tumbled into her hand. She gasped as she took the platinum band between the thumb and forefinger of her other hand and held the ring up.
“Oh my Heavens, Rory, this is stunning,” she whispered in awe.
“Do you really like it?” He breathed a sigh of relief when she nodded, still admiring her ring.
Taking it from her, he took her left hand in his and slid the ring onto her ring finger while explaining, “It’s a ruby for you and a blue sapphire for me. They’re both shaped like teardrops to fit into the infinity-sign shaped setting I had the jeweler make. I wanted you to have something to show the world that it’s you and me, together forever and ever.”
It was getting hard to talk past the lump in his throat as he watched Claire tearing up, but he still had more to say. So taking a deep breath, he said, “You see, while I was laying around after the whole hellhound thing, I had a lot of dreams or visions or whatever you want to call them. Especially after I saw you for the first time.”
She smiled and he once again almost lost his resolve. But he dug deep, wanting her to hear what he had to say. “I was kinda floating around in my mind and there, in the darkness, I kept seeing this symbol.” He touched her ring. “At first I thought it was the number eight on its side and was sure I was losing my marbles.”
Claire chuckled and he just had to give her a quick kiss or go insane. Clearing his throat after leaning back, he rushed on, “I finally figured out it was an infinity sign and then it all clicked. I knew, without a doubt, you and I would be together forever. I also had a sneaky suspicion it would be the mating mark we would both carry.”
Looking at her neck, he puffed with pride at the flaming infinity symbol he saw there that he knew matched the one he was wearing. “Good thing I was right, huh?” He chuckled a split second before Claire launched herself at him.
Her kiss was pure passion and love and the reassurance that as long as they were together, there was nothing they couldn’t handle. For the first time in his life, Rory O’Reilly had it all and there was no way in heaven or hell he was going to let go.
Opening the door before sweeping his phoenix into his arms, Rory stepped over the threshold still kissing his amazing mate, and kicked the door shut before setting her feet on the floor. Claire looked into his eyes, and sighed, “I simply adore you, Rory O’Reilly, with everything that I am. You make me a better person just for loving you. Thank you so much for everything.”
As she laid her lips to his, Rory fought to contain the emotion this one woman brought out in him. She was the hope, the wonder, the perfectly quiet surrender of pure love, and he was the luckiest dragon in the world to have her by his side for all eternity. Deepening the kiss, Rory was once again in awe of all the feelings flowing between them.
He kissed her neck, nibbled her ear, and smiled against her skin as she sighed in ecstasy. Her thoughts mirrored his. Their love was a treasure. Something they would spend their whole lives nurturing and growing. Her thoughts fed his desires. His made her burn. The kiss that started as slow and gentle quickly turned passionate and possessive.
Claire’s legs wound around his waist as he once again lifted her body to his. The long skirt of her gown bunched between them but Rory couldn’t care as he leaned her back against the wall. He grew harder as she rubbed her silk covered pussy against his woolen covered erection.
Rory gulped air as he pulled his lips from her throat. Taking full advantage of the moment, Claire slid her hand under the waistband of his pants and fisted his throbbing cock. Unable to breathe, he threw back his head when she ran her thumb through the drop of moisture that had already gathered on the tip and groaned, “Claire... mo stór”.
She continued to massage him and grind her hips against the combination of her hand and his hard cock until Rory thought he was sure to die for the third and final time. But this time, it would be worth it. Quickly losing control, he thrust against her. Their pace was immediately frantic. Needing to feel her skin against his, the proof of her arousal on his fingers where is hand cupped the tender globes of her bum, Rory quickly unzipped Claire’s dress and lifted it over her head. Just like the first time, just like every time, touching her skin was electric. Needing all of his mate, he ripped her panties from her body and threw them over his shoulder. Her scent filled the air, driving both man and dragon wild with unbridled need. No longer able to hold back, he thrust two fingers into her weeping flesh, shouting his pleasure right along with hers at how perfectly they fit together.
The Guardsman didn’t even attempt to stop the smile that crossed his lips as Claire screamed, “Oh my God, Rory, more...please...more...”
He pushed his thumb against her aroused nub, rubbing circles at the same time he curled his fingers buried deep inside her to torment the bundle of nerves at the top of her channel. Her eyes flew open. Claire speared him with a look so passionate, so possessive, and so raw, Rory was lost forever, adrift on their love.
Mischief twinkled in the depths of her eyes as Claire reached between their bodies and quickly unzipped his pants and fisted him from root to tip, grabbing the moisture from the tip for lubrication, working him faster and faster. Rory was sure he’d died for real this time and gone to the Heavens.
Needing to be buried deep inside his mate, Rory pulled his fingers from her pussy, ignored her moans of loss, and let her legs slide down his body, pushing his pants to the floor as she went. Stepping back, he reluctantly forced his phoenix to release his throbbing cock. Rory barely saw the pout of her perfect lips as he spun Claire around and whispered while holding her earlobe between his teeth, “Lean forward, mo chroí. Hold the bannister.”
Rory’s dragon roared with pleasure as Claire did what he asked without a second thought. She trusted him to always have her best interests at heart, just as he trusted her. Looking at his mate as she stood before him hot, wet, and naked in their home...his and only his forever, Rory said the first words that popped to his mind. “You are the most spectacular woman I’ve ever seen.”
Before Claire could respond, he thrust into her with such force the tip of his erection touched her womb. Their new position caused his erection to fill her as never before. Her walls stretched to accommodate him. They fit together like glove and hand. Rory could think of no place he ever wanted to be but within the paradise of his Claire.
Completely seated within her, Rory stopp
ed all motion and watched as his phoenix dropped her head forward in perfect submission. Her delicate hands were clenched around the bannister, her knuckles white as she used all her strength to stay upright. Claire’s womb squeezed tight around him, shattering his hard fought control. Leaning forward, he grabbed both her shoulders and began to thrust, hard and fast, creating a perfect rhythm.
Claire’s moans of ecstasy grew louder with each drive Rory made into her warm, wet flesh. She pushed back, meeting him thrust for thrust. Their movements became uncoordinated and frantic. He felt her orgasm building, threatening to take them both over the edge. Removing one of his hands from her shoulders, Rory palmed her breast, squeezing her hardened nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Claire’s orgasm overtook them both.
Leaning forward, he rested his chest against her back, inhaled their combined scent, and bathed his senses in everything that he and his phoenix were together. His arm around her waist kept Claire from falling when her legs threatened to fold. Kissing up her spine, his erection began to once again harden as she tightened around him.
Sliding from her warmth, Rory pulled Claire into his arms and carried her to the bed. Following her down to the mattress, he was shocked as she pulled him to her, slammed her mouth to his, and immediately demanded entrance. He could feel her need and that of her phoenix to claim both man and dragon just as he’d claimed her. It was exhilarating to know they were in it together...all the way...always. Deepening their kiss, she moved her body over his, her thighs falling on either side of his, the wetness from their earlier lovemaking still warm on her curls.
Breaking their connection, Claire sat up, giving Rory a coy look that suggested he was going to love whatever she had in mind. Her fingertips rubbed over his shoulders and across his chest, lightly toying with his nipples and causing him to shiver. Biting her bottom lip, she paid special attention to each ridge of his six-pack and then teased the thin line of hair leading toward his pelvis. It was sensory overload at its best. Rory’s eyes threatened to close at the sheer pleasure of her fingers on his skin.
