by Laurie Roma
“Seneca is like a mother to me, as you well know.” He leaned down to rub his lips lightly on hers.
She smiled, but her eyes remained shut. “Hurry back to me.”
“Always.”
Jaden smiled when he realized she was already sleeping. He liked seeing her in his bed. She belonged there, and even though he did want to speak to his second-in-command, it pained him to leave his mate when what he really wanted to do was lay down next to her and pull her into his arms.
He left his bedchamber, heading down through his solar, then made sure to close the door securely before he loped down the stairs of his tower to head to the great hall. Luck was in his favor when he saw Calum, his second-in-command, talking to two warriors near one of the large stone fireplaces. The three of them looked over, then did a double take when they saw Jaden striding toward them.
“What in hellfire are you doing here?” Calum exclaimed. “We have search parties out looking for you. I sent them out as soon as I got word from Rego that you were back.”
“Call them back home, Calum, and lock down the palace. No one but ours inside. And send word to Rego and ask him to come to the sanctum with the Alliance personnel that came on the journey with me.”
Breac bowed. “I will go to Rego personally.”
“And I will see the palace locked down, then send for our search parties,” Gavin added.
Calum’s expression had darkened at the use of the code word sanctum, but he waited until the two other warriors left before he spoke. “We have a traitor?”
“Rego does. Pirus Lomar has been murdered.”
“Fuck.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself. Lady Kylie and another female are now upstairs. They have more to tell us, but it will have to wait until after they’ve rested. I killed Ellion Lomar earlier tonight.”
“Good. That little worm deserved killing.”
Jaden studied his oldest and closest friend. “Lomar Palace is going to need a new leader.”
“No,” Calum said forcefully. “Don’t ask it of me. Tor Palace is my home, and I don’t wish to leave. Besides, Gianna wouldn’t be happy there. She loves it here as much as I do.”
“Hellfire. I knew you were going to say that,” Jaden muttered. “You’re lucky I care for your consort as much as I do, and would miss her if both of you left. Love…it’s a complex maze to navigate.”
“You sound like you’re intimately familiar with the pain,” Calum commented, an amused smile on his lips.
“I am.” At Calum’s startled look, Jaden found himself smiling. “In the morning you will be meeting my new consort…and mate, Katra.”
“Your—I’m sorry, can you repeat that?”
Jaden snorted. “You heard me. My consort, Katra, is a Dragon Warrior.”
“They’re real? By the gods, Jaden!” Calum braced a hand on the mantel of the fireplace to hold himself up. “You—what did you call it—mated her? What in hellfire have you been up to?”
“All sorts of craziness. Imagine my surprise to find myself mated to a Dragon Warrior during my journey to Earth.” Jaden laughed a little. “I can’t say I handled all of it very well, but Katra is my world now.”
“I’m happy for you. You look more at ease and stronger than you have in years, despite the circumstances of war, traitors running amuck and all sorts of other complications we need to handle.”
“All of that can wait until tomorrow.” They spent a few more minutes talking, then Jaden said, “See to the security of the palace while I get some rest, will you?”
“Your will be done, my lord.”
Jaden left Calum, heading back upstairs. On his way, he was greeted by a few other members of his household, and he was glad it was the middle of the night so he wouldn’t have to worry about more people being up and about. He quietly made his way back into his tower, up to his bedchamber, where Katra was resting peacefully.
He began to undress, then sighed as his clothing magically disappeared. He saw all the items he’d been wearing appear on a large chair in the sitting area, but his sword was propped up against the small nightstand next to the bed. It was exactly where he kept it every night—within reaching distance.
“Stop using magic,” he growled.
“Bossy mate,” Katra murmured, flicking back the covers. “Come to bed.”
Jaden barely held back a grin as he slipped into the bed beside her. He pulled her into his arms so her head was resting on his chest, and was out before he’d finished closing his eyes.
* * * *
Katra woke up starving for food, but before she dealt with that hunger, she had a different kind of craving to take care of first.
She woke Jaden with her mouth on his, drinking down his moan of pleasure as she slid her body on top of him. Katra knew she was exactly where she belonged, with the male who owned her heart and completed her soul.
His hand raised to delve into her hair, holding her head in a strong grip as they continued their passionate kiss. He ran his other hand down her naked back, moving over her ass, causing heat to shoot between her legs.
She could feel his steel-hard erection throbbing against her stomach and wanted it inside of her. Without breaking the kiss, she parted her legs so she was straddling him, and pushed back until his cock slid into her tight, wet sheath.
Dazed with passion, Katra moaned as she felt him buried to the hilt inside of her. She leaned down to nuzzle the side of his neck, then lightly nipped at his flesh with her fangs. When he let out a low groan, she sat back and began a slow, sensuous ride.
They didn’t say a word as they loved one another with the light from the window spilling in over them. His large hands came up to cup her breasts, his thumbs playing over the hard nubs of her nipples as he gently thrust up into her each time she glided down onto his long, thick cock.
Jaden’s body was tight with need, and everything in him demanded that he fuck himself into her harder, faster, but he let her continue the slow pace, loving the image of her on top of him too much to end it. She was a goddess, a beautiful dream. If she was, then it was one he never wanted to wake up from.
“That’s it, my love. Let me feel your pleasure.” He felt her stiffened in his arms, and Jaden noticed the color had drained from Katra’s face. Alarmed, he rubbed his hands down her arms. “What’s wrong? Tell me!”
Katra stopped moving and leaned down to grip his face in her hands. “Did you mean it?”
His brows furrowed in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“You…” Katra licked her lips, then tried again. She needed to say the words out loud. “You called me your love.”
“I did.” Jaden’s dark eyes went soft with emotion and he smiled tenderly. “You are my love.”
Jaden was troubled to see her glowing, silver eyes filled with tears. In their time together, he’d seen her angry, had faced her disappointment, and enjoyed her playful side. She had battled a room full of warriors, never blinking at killing when it was needed. She was powerful, stronger than he’d realized, but nothing had prepared him for seeing his warrior, his mate, brought to tears by his declaration of love.
She’d challenged him, pushing him to accept her. She had fought for her place by his side, but what had he given her in return? Those tears and the look of awe on her face made him feel…undeserving.
“Have I really done this to you? Made you so miserable with my hesitation that I’ve made you doubt my feelings for you? I don’t care if it’s too soon, or that we still have things to work out between us. I love you, Katra. You are my consort, my mate, my love. You own my heart, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to deserve you.”
She kissed him, so sweetly he felt his own eyes burn with emotion.
“I love you, too, Jaden. You are my mate, my other half.”
Jaden rolled her beneath him, and caught her gasp in his mouth as he kissed her with all the passion and fire he felt sweeping through him. Flames of pleasure burned as he th
rust his aching shaft deep, needing this connection to her more than he needed air.
The love he felt for her was overwhelming.
Desperate.
All consuming.
The muscles of her tight pussy welcomed him, and he shuddered as she nipped and sucked at his tongue. The gnawing hunger he felt for her demanded to be sated. He felt the pressure building inside of him, sharp and urgent, setting his body on fire. A primitive need to claim her pounded in his bloodstream, demanding he bond with her in the way of his people. He had to struggle against the need to push his energy into her, marking her as his forever.
Mad with pleasure, he rammed into her, shafting her over and over again like some sort of conquering beast. He felt her bliss mixing with his own through their bond, felt her deep satisfaction from his brutal thrusts. Hips pistoning, he pounded into her with the full power of his body, driving her closer to the culmination of their mating.
When her explosive climax struck her, he felt that, too. He roared out her name as the greatest pleasure he’d ever known shot through him. Slamming his hips forward once, twice more, he emptied himself inside her, spurting his seed deep, right where it belonged.
He shifted, pulling her so her body was draped over him as he lay on his back. “You are the most amazing creature. I don’t think I will ever get enough of you.”
“I am pleased to hear it.” She sighed, happily. “I always thought the rumors of the need mates have for one another were exaggerated. I am very glad to find out that I was wrong. Come now, mate. You have satisfied one of my hungers, but now I need a different sort of sustenance.”
He chuckled, allowing her to pull away from him after a brief hesitation. Despite the contentment he felt from their loving, there was a tiny hole in his heart that told him something was missing. He wasn’t sure, but he thought what he was feeling was the missing link that would only be satisfied once he claimed her as consort and she completed his conversion.
“Do not worry about it,” Katra said lightly. “We will deal with all of that once we have more information.”
“Of course,” he said, but the words felt hollow to him.
Jaden rose from the bed after she did, walking towards the chest of his clothing, only to look down to find himself fully dressed. He felt fresh and clean, as if he’s just bathed, and had not needed to take care of other functions that he’d normally have to first thing when he woke up. Thinking about all that made his head hurt, so he decided to ignore it for now. Too in love with her to waste breath scolding her, he simply sighed. He turned to thank her, then promptly lost his ability to speak.
Katra stood before him wearing a blood-red gown fit for a goddess. It had a tight, corseted bodice, with a sheer piece of material draped over one shoulder that flowed down to her ankles. Around her waist was a thick black belt, with her dagger hanging from it. On the skirt of the dress was a black embroidered dragon rampant, a perfect replica of his crest.
Pride burst in his chest, and he was appalled to realize that his vision blurred with an unwanted show of emotion. “You are absolutely magnificent. I think it is a sign from the gods that my crest is a dragon. A sign that you were always meant to be mine.”
“Aye, it was fated.” She walked to him slowly, then kissed him lightly on the lips. “I would like to make a good impression when meeting your people.”
“You will, my love. I…I’m very proud to be your mate, my lady.”
“And I am proud to be yours, my lord.” Her smile was brilliant. “I want your world to see that I embrace being the lady of Tor.”
“It’s not my world anymore. It’s ours.”
“Ours. I like the sound of that.”
He kissed her again, because he simply couldn’t keep his hands off her. Long minutes passed, then he finally pulled back to smile down at into her glowing silver eyes.
“Come, my lady. Let me show you off and introduce you to our people.”
* * *
CHAPTER TEN
Katra and Jaden left his tower hand-in-hand.
Walking through the castle, she took in her surroundings and heard the pride in Jaden’s voice as he explained to her where everything was. She already knew the layout of the building, seeing it in Jaden’s memories, but she let him tell her anyways.
When they entered the great hall, Katra thought it looked very similar to that of Rego Palace, but instead of the gold tapestries that were Rego’s color, large streams of red fabric hung from the high rafters. On the far wall were two large red tapestries that both held the Tor crest of a black dragon breathing fire in the center that matched the image she’d replicated on her dress.
There were four large stone fireplaces set into the walls on each side of the hall, and large wooden tables were set out for the warriors to eat their meals. At the far end of the room was the lord’s table located on a raised dais, which was currently occupied by some of Jaden’s warriors, the Alliance officers and Lord Malik Rego. All of them turned as she and Jaden walked toward them.
“We were wondering if the two of you would ever wake. The day is already half over. Glad to see you again, Katra,” Rego said as he stood up to greet them. He reached for Katra’s hand, lifting it to his lips to press a kiss on her knuckles, but Jaden yanked it away before Rego’s lips touched her skin.
“Hands off my consort.”
“It’s nice to see you two settled your…argument.” Rego grinned as he sat back down. Jaden saw Katra seated before he took the chair at the head of the table. She noticed that Jaden’s warriors all stared at her with varied looks of admiration and curiosity when he introduced her.
“We all received language converter implants this morning,” Calum told them. “Welcome, my lady.”
“Thank you, Calum.”
“We’ve brought enough language converters for everyone in your palace,” Commander Matt Malloy stated. “I know you’ve been a little apprehensive about using our tech, but I figured this will be a way to make Katra more comfortable here if everyone can understand her.”
“I appreciate it,” Jaden answered honestly. He would gladly accept anything that would make Katra feel more comfortable in her new home.
“Speaking of, you owe me a new hover-cycle,” Rego said dryly. “I heard the remains of the one you borrowed from my palace were found smashed into the side of a mountain.”
Jaden smirked at him. “It was for a good cause.”
“Good for you maybe. You got the female.”
“I certainly did.” Jaden glanced over at Katra, and couldn’t help but smile at the tender expression on her face.
“So, you’re really a Dragon Warrior?” the warrior named Braec asked.
“Aye, I am.”
“Somehow I thought you would be more…formidable.”
“Well, this should be interesting,” Malloy murmured. “It’s going suck for you when she kicks your ass.”
Katra didn’t take offense as she saw Jaden’s memories of the male through their bond. Braec was a male that liked to push boundaries, and she knew he was trying to get a rise out of her. Still, he was one of Jaden’s most loyal followers, so she would let him play his game and see what he was about.
“Careful, friend,” Jaden growled, but he relaxed when Katra put her hand on his arm.
“Calm, mate. Let him say what he wishes, and we will see who comes out on top.”
Jaden sat back in his chair, keeping his expression blank. He didn’t like his warrior speaking to his mate this way, but he knew other warriors would have similar reactions to her being their new lady. Everyone else at the table was silent, and the looks of censure he received from the Alliance officers grated at his nerves, but he forced himself to hold his tongue.
“Looks can be deceiving, warrior,” Katra said to Braec.
He nodded slowly, although the look on his face told her that he didn’t agree. “We don’t accept outsiders here easily.”
“Stop, Braec,” Ryodan commanded. “Do not insult Lady To
r.”
Braec blinked innocently. “It is not an insult. I am just telling her what to expect here at the palace.”
“She will be accepted,” Isak growled. “She is our lady now.”
“But can she face what it will mean being Lady Tor? With the war going on here, we have to worry about how it will look to other worlds if we allow a Dragon Warrior to be harmed.”
Lieutenant Caporele let out a low whistle. “Stars, you really have no clue what you’re talking about.”
“We will protect our lord’s lady with our lives,” Calum growled.
Their lord’s lady…not theirs.
That made it clear what Braec was after.
He wanted to see if she was worthy of the position. She wasn’t offended by it. Actually, it was just the opposite. She would have been uneasy if they had all just accepted her without any comment on who and what she was. Katra accepted a goblet of wine that Jaden poured for her with a smile before she said, “Do not worry, Calum. I can hold my own.”
“Is that so?” Braec asked in his most condescending tone.
“Enough!” Jaden slammed his hand down on the table as he shot to his feet. He couldn’t hold back any longer and wanted to beat his friend for talking down to his mate.
Braec held up his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “I’m just saying what others will think. It is good that she can hold her temper. But you, my lord, might need to learn a little more control when it comes to her. People might think that you’ve lost your mind when they discover that you’ve taken an outsider as your consort—”
Before Jaden could respond, Katra blinked from her seat and reappeared behind Braec. She slammed his head down on the table and bared her fangs. She would take anything they wanted to say to her with ease, but no one insulted her mate. Absolutely no one. “Say what you will about me, but you will show my mate respect in my presence. Always.”
“Katra, release my warrior.”
A long moment passed before Katra did what he asked and let go of Braec. She slowly walked back to her chair, then sat down as if nothing had happened. She noticed a wide-eyed Seneca standing close by holding two large trenchers of food, and smiled up at her. “Is that for us? I am starving.”
