Realm of the Dragon (The Soul Mate Tree Book 1)

by CiCi Cordelia

  “Aventasha, it’s true. I know of no one that can break the tree’s magick.” As Maran demurred, soft hissing arose from the writhing assemblage blanketing his head.

  “I paid you a small fortune for your help. And I’m not giving up so easily. If you can’t send Lilliaa back to the human realm, where can you send her?”

  “Nowhere—”

  Zane broke in, “I don’t want her sent away. As promised, I want her brought to me. Once we’re mated, there’s nothing Kordlith can do about it.”

  The arrogance in his tone sent Tasha spinning back around, ready to rip Zane’s head off, when Maran spoke up. “That might work.”

  “What do you mean?”

  The warlock smirked. “If you capture her, I can alter her memory again. The first magick spell pushed a lifetime of false human knowledge into her brain. This time I’ll make her believe she’s in love with Zanralth.”

  “You can do that? This almighty Soul Mate Tree can’t stop you?” Tasha asked sarcastically.

  “With the help of my Eight, yes. The tree only brought her to Prince Kordlith. What happens after that is not yet written.”

  Zane eyed the warlock with a sullen expression. “How will you do this?”

  The warlock smoothed his hands over the twisting worms covering his pale scalp. “We’ll sweep her mind clean. Instill more false memories. Stronger ones. Then claim her as your bride and complete the bonding.”

  Zane’s chuckle held a hint of relief. “I like the way you think, warlock.” He glanced toward Tasha. “Even if Lilliaa’s memories come back, it’ll be too late. According to tradition, she'll be mine.”

  “You must act quickly,” Maran stressed. “If she mates another, there is nothing I can do.”

  Tasha shimmered, shifting to dragon. “Then we’d better get to it before they realize who she is.”

  Lily came awake slowly, burrowing into the plush mattress, and tugging the fur blanket under her chin. More relaxed than she’d ever felt before, she wanted to purr like a kitten.

  Must have been a really good night’s sleep.

  At the feel of a hard, warm body nestled against her naked back, her eyes popped open as memories of the night overcame her in a rush.

  Kord.

  He’d allowed her very little rest, hardly more than a few hours all night long. Every time she closed her eyes, Kord woke her up in the most interesting ways.

  Desire shivered through her, thinking of how he’d pleasured her, introducing her to the many different ways of lovemaking.

  “Morning,” he murmured, reaching around to cup her breast, tweaking the sensitive peak with his finger and thumb. His warm breath slid across her neck seconds before his lips nibbled at her ear.

  “Good morning,” she managed as Kord caressed her other breast with a slow, sensual touch. His tongue caught the tip of her ear in a seductive glide. She giggled, trying to push him away. “That tickles.”

  When she touched her ear, Lily froze, then jerked away from him and sat up, uncaring that she was naked, the furs bunched at her waist. Her thumb probed the very pointed tip of her ear as she met Kord’s amused gaze.

  Her mouth opened on a gasp. “Oh my God.” Lily felt along the edge of her other ear and found it pointed as well. “What? When? How?”

  Smiling, Kord caressed the tip of her ear. “Last night, after you came against my tongue. It was the most erotic thing I’d ever seen. As you screamed my name, your eyes turned to fire. Dragoness eyes. Then your ears changed, as if the veil hiding their true form was lifted.” He stroked gently. “If there’d been any doubt left, it faded completely when I saw those tender little points emerge.”

  His caress created the same exciting effect as when he’d rubbed against the sensitive spot at the juncture of her thighs. Lily’s passion flamed, her nipples growing taut with desire.

  He inhaled deeply, his hooded eyes darkening. “Sweet.”

  “Kord.” She arched against him. “What does it mean?”

  “It means, my pretty mate, magick is responsible.” He circled his tongue around each of her nipples, murmuring, “Whatever magick was used to shroud your memories to this realm is weakening.”

  When he slid his hand between her legs and pressed his thumb against her clit, Lily tensed in anticipation. A mere second later, her gaze flew to the door.

  Sudden pounding forced them apart, followed by Bakka calling out with far too much enthusiasm. “Rise and shine, brother. The day’s wasting away. Bring your lovely mate and get your butt out here. Mother wants you at breakfast—”another sharp rap on the door—“as the French say, ‘tout-suite.’” His shout of laughter faded along with his footsteps.

  Kord’s brows drew down in a scowl. “I’m gonna have to kick his ass for that.”

  Lily covered her mouth to stop a giggle from escaping. Bakka was seriously cute. He probably had females lining up in droves.

  Mischief filled Kord’s eyes as he tackled her to the mattress and dug into her ribs. “You think that’s funny, do you?”

  “Stop,” she managed, grabbing for his wrist, tugging it away. “Kord, stop,” she pleaded between giggles. “I-I have to tell you something.”

  He paused, staring down at her. “What?”

  “It’s weird. Right before Bakka knocked, I knew he was there. I felt someone coming.”

  His mouth tipped in a smile. “That was your dragon.”

  “What?”

  He cupped her breast. “Second Sight is a common dragon trait.”

  He gently pinched her nipple, and that’s all it took for her to forget about her dragon, his parents, brother, or anything else. Nothing mattered, except Kord’s hard, naked body covering hers, his eyes losing all humor and instead burning with passion as he stared down at her.

  His heavy cock throbbed against the inside of her thigh, and she instinctively widened her legs as her body prepared for him again.

  Bakka’s voice drifted to them from the kitchen area. “Don’t make me come in there after you two. You know I will.”

  Kord barked out a laugh and rose to his feet, impressively bare. “My lady, it seems playtime is over, and I have a brother to kill.”

  Lily allowed Kord to help her up, and they dressed, albeit at a slow pace. Kord couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her, and better than twenty minutes passed before she was able to wriggle into her clothes without the interruption of kisses and caresses. And she couldn’t stop rubbing her ears in wonder.

  By the time they made it to breakfast, the food was on the table, and Lily was hot and flustered, unable to clear from her mind all the ways Kord had stroked her during the long night, and how much she wanted him to touch her again.

  The satisfied gleam in his eyes wasn’t helping any. Every time that gorgeous amber gaze landed on her, her body responded in the most inappropriate ways, given that his parents were in the same room.

  After a quick “Good morning” to everyone, Lily took a seat across from Kord’s mother at the oversized slab table, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear.

  “Hey!” Bakka pointed, grinning. “She has her ears back.”

  “They’ve always been her ears.” Kord flicked Bakka an annoyed look. “But I think magick is at play here.”

  His father spoke up. “Dark magick could only steal the memories of her realm from her. It would require the most powerful magick of all to suppress what makes her dragon, and force her to retain false, human memories.”

  “For what purpose?” Rosamunde asked.

  Bakka reached for the jumbo crock placed in the middle of the table, and scooped out a serving of the fragrant beverage the dragons downed like morning coffee. “In a word . . . Kord.”

  Everyone turned to stare at Kord. He bared his teeth in response.

 
“Think about it. What’s the benefit of having Lily out of the way?” Bakka raised a brow and glanced around the table. “C’mon. Who would have the most to gain with Kord’s mate presumed dead?”

  Kord’s jaw clenched. “Tasha.”

  “A-plus, big brother.” Bakka settled back in his seat, cradling his cup.

  “I follow your logic, my son.” The queen frowned thoughtfully. “Even as a child Tasha ran after Kord most inappropriately. And of course, we knew of the family whose daughter would reach maturity in time to mate with him.”

  Rosamunde cast Lily an affectionate glance. “When we received news she’d perished, it broke our hearts.”

  Lily blinked away stinging tears. Now, more than ever, she longed to remember everything.

  Chapter 11

  Lily ran the cloth over the cutting block, then dipped it into the water, wiping along its veined surface again. And again, until Rosamunde placed her hand atop hers, stopping her from a fourth polishing.

  “That surface was never meant to be so clean, Lilliaa.” Her admonishment held wry humor.

  “Oh, I— Here.” Lily laughed nervously, passing Rosamunde the heavy stone, vaguely noting how easily she’d lifted it. Surely it’d been a lot harder to move a few days earlier. “I think my muscles are growing.” She held up her fist, eyeing the flex of her arm. “See there? It’s bigger somehow. Do you think I’m finally becoming a dragon?”

  Smiling, the queen dropped a kiss on top of her head. “Yes, I do. Not only because of your ears. Your voice has more vibration to it. And your eyes have deepened. I see specks of gold in them. Little things will soon become more noticeable, I’d wager. Your balance. How far you can stride, run, how high you leap. All signs of impending shifting.” She indicated a seat near the fire-pit, and Lily sank onto it, wondering how she’d ever thought it uncomfortable and cold.

  Next to her, Kord’s mother grasped Lily’s chin, turning her face toward the fire’s glow. “Subtle differences, for sure. Your eyebrows arch more.” She traced along the line of Lily’s right brow. “Your skin has a luminosity to it that we often see in our very young.” Her regard turned so intense, Lily squirmed a little.

  For a full minute Rosamunde stared, then abruptly asked, “Have you mated in blood?”

  Her face heated. She nodded, unable to form words.

  Tilting her head quizzically, the queen mused, “Just you. Not Kord.”

  “How did you know that?”

  “Your scent has changed. Not completely. It’s enough to protect you. Until your mate takes your blood and the exchange is final, his scent remains the same to others.” Her lip curled. “Unmated females, like Tasha, will remain hopeful. For our kind, blood is the ultimate bond.”

  At the thought of Tasha touching Kord, a growl shook Lily’s chest. Over my dead body. “I wanted him to . . .”

  “Of course you did. In the heat and passion of the moment, the bite is all-consuming.” Rosamunde’s voice lowered confidingly. “I also bit first.”

  “You did?” The sudden imagery that came to mind made her smile.

  “Oh, yes. Droc never stood a chance.” She chuckled. “Gods, the look on his face. We were both so young. I sorely wanted him, though, so I took what I wanted.”

  Rosamunde tucked stray wisps behind Lily’s ear, then traced its lobe. “That’s a very pretty ear. I anxiously await your complete transformation. I know your dragon will be breathtaking.”

  “You really believe there’s one inside me?” Lily still struggled to accept the astonishing inevitability. Although everything pointed to that conclusion.

  “Absolutely. Has she not spoken to you?”

  Lily gestured helplessly. “I’m not sure. Maybe—”

  At the sound of thunderous wings, Rosamunde rose, bringing Lily up with her. “We’ll pick up this conversation later, our males have returned. Probably hungry as well. Monitoring the perimeter is hard work.” She pushed Lily through the main arch and pointed toward the pasture. “Heart-stopping, yes?”

  Lily stared raptly at father and son. Massive and unearthly, they tucked their wings as they touched down. The contrast between flowering ground cover and their fiery scales stole what little air she retained in her lungs as she watched their majestic approach.

  “Oh, my.” Words failed her.

  Rosamunde squeezed her affectionately. “Oh, my, indeed.”

  “Get away from me.” Zanralth pushed at Tasha’s bare shoulder.

  She drew herself to her full height and bore down on the Diablian prince. “What’s the matter, little rodent? Afraid to have all this—”she waved at her naked, generous curves—“so close to your royal self?” Snickering at the distaste in his flashing eyes, she spun away and unclipped the bag from her ankle, retrieving a thin robe to put on. “Just as well, for you could never satisfy me.”

  He grabbed her wrist and twisted it behind her back. “Be very careful, Anglican harlot. You might think you’ve got the upper hand right now. You don’t.” He yanked her arm higher, and she emitted a grunt.

  For a few seconds, Tasha let him think he was in control, then easily shrugged from his hold, pivoted fast, and kneed his groin, hard.

  Gagging, Zane dropped to the ground, palming his abused cock. Tears seeped from his hate-filled eyes.

  Scowling, Maran stepped between them before Zane could stumble to his feet and retaliate. “This gets us nowhere. Cease your ridiculous bickering until after you have your bird in hand.” He waved claw-tipped fingers toward the expanse of Lesser Vining Lake. In the far distance the Draconian kingdom rose, its immense towers visible in the clear, bright day. “This is as close as we can get without disturbing their protective shields, which I promise you have been reinforced very recently.”

  The warlock’s face took on a sheen of perspiration as he turned fully toward the lake, raising his other arm, both palms facing the churning waters. Softly he chanted, the words unintelligible.

  “What’s he doing?” Zane wheezed, curled on the ground like a dung slug.

  Tasha eyed him in revulsion. What a worthless excuse for a dragon. She could almost dredge up a spot of pity for the mousy Lilliaa. The stupid little crumb would have to submit to Zanralth’s questionable “charms” for the rest of her very long life.

  “Well?” Zane finally straggled to his feet, still cupping his precious meat.

  “He’s conjuring, you simpleton. Did you not listen? We need a diversion. Once those damned Draconian dragons are busy fending off the threat, we swoop in and grab your prize.” She snorted. “Such as it is.”

  “You will not insult my future mate.” Zane shimmered menacingly.

  Tasha struck fast, grasping his neck and digging in her nails. “Do not tell me what to do, you craven moron.”

  Maran whirled and faced them. “Will you both shut up?”

  His skin glowed with inner magick. Tiny sparks of blue-tinged electricity still sparked in his palms, as lightning flashed along the ground and power grew thick in the air. His head of black worms squirmed as if bursting with energy. “It has been summoned. Be aware and ready on my command.”

  “Why your command?” Zane whined.

  The idiot’s petulance was getting on Tasha’s last nerve. Disgusted, she released his neck and flung him away. “I am ready. Bring on your beast, Warlock of Eight.”

  The first inkling Kord had of something amiss prickled over him like frigid doom.

  He’d been standing outside the entrance, laughing with his delectable mate. Plotting to talk her into spending a lazy afternoon in his chamber even though he should instead meet with Von and several other higher-ranking Draconians. In a showdown between desire and duty, desire easily won out.

  Suddenly, from the corner of his eye he saw it, skimming fast in the distance. “What the . . .? Father,” Kord y
elled as he tugged Lily inside and pushed her into a cramped alcove that often stored supplies. Stay here,” he ordered harshly.

  “What is it? What did you see?” Lily demanded.

  “Something that should not be attaining land. Father. Mother!” Kord’s voice echoed in the silence. “Where the hell are they?”

  His mother came running from the rear corridors. “Your father went through the catacombs to the outside. Hurry.” She shoved him toward the opening.

  He paused a moment for Lily. “I will come back, but for now you’re safe here.” Kord glanced back at his mate in time to see her nod, then tuck herself into the alcove.

  Grabbing his mother’s hand, they rushed outside.

  The sight that met them was straight out of a nightmare from Draconian Hades. The king, his dragon in full engagement, fought with a bezom-fish of mammoth proportions. The lake-dwelling creature screeched and spat vitreous, green fluid from its mouth. Six rows of needle-pointed teeth snapped at Kord’s father as he deftly retreated, then advanced.

  Beside Kord, his mother gasped. “How in the gods could a bezom gain land?” She shook her head disbelievingly. Rushing forward, she scrambled away when the bezom turned and flung its deadly drool.

  She instantly shifted, the robe she wore no match for her powerful muscles and growing scales as the material shredded and hung in tatters from her glimmering body. She spared Kord a brief glance. “Take the other side, but don’t shift yet.”

  Kord understood. A confrontation with the bezom while in human form would be far less threatening. They were meek creatures, spending their lives in the lake, their existence harmonious with other forms of water life, their poisonous saliva all the defense they had. A bezom would never be on the offensive or come after a dragon. Injuries due to bezom venom were always accidental. The creatures weren’t capable of attack.