Dragon's Hope

by Lili Zander

“So what’s Endellion?” I close my eyes and the centuries roll away, and the past unfolds in front of me, vivid and clear. A wrinkled and grey-haired maid, Halla Northridottir, kneels in front of me on the day I reached my majority, holding out the sword to me. Telling me that Endellion had been my father’s courting gift to my mother, and it would be my courting gift to my mate one day.

  Mateo holds out his hand, and Erik gives him the blade. He hands it to Aria, hilt first. “I don’t know how to stop Zyrian from dream-walking,” he says. “Maybe in Castle Jaeger, in Maija’s library, we will find something useful. But until then…”

  He removes his signet ring from his finger. “Cut me,” he instructs Aria.

  She stiffens, and the color drains from her face again. “What the hell?”

  “I’m fashioning a protective spell to keep Zyrian out of your mind, tesoro.” His smile turns teasing. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t stab with all your might,” he quips. “I could heal myself, but it would drain me. Just slice my palm open.”

  “Okay.” Biting her lip, she touches the sharp blade to Mateo’s hand. A thin red line appears on the mage’s skin. “Is that alright?”

  “Perfect.” Blood begins to seep from the cut, and Mateo drops his signet ring into his palm and closes his hand around it. Golden threads of magic surround his hand for an instant, and a soft hum fills the air, and then the melody fades, and the light softens and dies.

  “Give me your hand, tesoro.”

  Aria sticks her left hand out, and Mateo slides the ring on her finger. “As long as it’s on your finger,” he tells her, “Zyrian cannot enter your mind. For this, my magic is strong enough.”

  “Thank you.”

  She yawns loudly, and I realize it’s the middle of the night. “Go back to bed, mausezähnchen.”

  “Will you stay with me?” she begs. “Please? I don’t want to be alone.”

  Whatever she wants, if it is in my power to give her, I will. “Of course, Aria.”

  “I’ll stay too,” Mateo says. “Just in case.”

  Just in case Zyrian tries to attack her again.

  10

  Aria

  Blood magic.

  The familiar song sings in my heart, the familiar tug toward Mateo. His blood is in the ring on my finger, and though I think I’m prepared for heat and desire to wash over me, I’m still taken aback by the strength of my need.

  This time, I don’t fight it.

  Every single time I’ve felt the magic tug me toward my mates, I’ve fought it. I’ve resisted. I’ve thought of my desire as something that must be overcome.

  Fuck that. Life is not a battle in which there are winners and losers. Earlier this evening, I kissed Mateo on the dance floor. Not because of magic or the mating bond. Just because I wanted to.

  Zyrian is powerful. More powerful than I could have imagined. The ease with which he penetrated my mind has left me shaken. I don’t know what the future holds, and there’s no guarantee that all is going to end well. There’s no guarantee that we’ll be able to break the curse and end the Dark Dragon’s stranglehold on magic.

  I want them, and this time around, I’m going to embrace my need. I’m going to take what I want.

  Bastian closes the bedroom door and flicks off the light. The room is cast into shadow, lit only by the light of the moon. I take in his leanly muscled body as he makes his way to the bed. I’m so distracted by the hotness on display that I don’t realize Mateo has joined me on the bed until he pulls me against his body.

  My blood runs hot through my veins at his touch, and instead of pushing it away, I embrace the heat. I pull my gaze from Bastian and turn my focus to Mateo.

  His icy blue eyes burn with a desire as fiery as my own. He licks his lips, and my attention is instantly drawn to them. I’ve been kissing him all evening long, and I’m still greedy for more. Without hesitating, I crash my lips to his and drown in the sweet, smoky flavor that is Mateo.

  The bed dips behind me, and a warm hand runs from my hip to breast. Bastian squeezes my breast, his thumb running circles around the stiff peak. His lips find my neck, and I moan into Mateo’s mouth as Bastian nips and sucks my sensitive skin.

  Mateo pulls away, and I fall toward him, desperate in my need to keep contact. Bastian chuckles and holds me close, pulling me toward his chest, keeping me from tackling Mateo to the bed and kissing him senseless. “I don’t want you to stop,” I complain.

  Mateo’s eyes are warm. “Tesoro, I didn’t stay behind to take advantage of you.”

  “He’s right, mausezähnchen,” Bastian agrees.

  The thick length of Bastian’s cock presses against my ass, and I wriggle closer to him. The hand cupping my breast squeezes harder, and I gasp. I reach for Mateo, silently begging for him to keep kissing me.

  Bastian makes a little tsking noise. “Tell us what you want, Aria.”

  “I want you,” I confess. “Both of you.”

  A low groan of approval rumbles through Bastian’s chest. I can almost imagine his dragon making that sound—a fact that turns me on even more. Having a man as sexy as Bastian interested in me is enough to set my panties on fire. Having a man who turns into a badass dragon want me is enough to set my whole body on fire.

  “If you’re sure,” Bastian says, giving me one last time to back out.

  “I’m sure.” So very, very sure.

  Within seconds, I’m stripped of my pajamas and laid out on the bed. Bastian settles himself to my left, and Mateo positions himself between my legs, pushing them open until his face is inches away from my pussy.

  I’m almost embarrassed by how wet I am for these two men, but the flare of Mateo’s nostrils and the low growl of approval is enough to brush that embarrassment aside.

  “Mateo is going to lick your sweet cunt,” Bastian growls, “While I suck on these pretty pink nipples.” His words stoke the fires that were already burning, threatening to engulf me. “You’re not to come unless I say you can.”

  Wait. What?!

  I pull my gaze from where Mateo is patiently waiting between my legs to look at Bastian. Whatever he sees on my face makes him chuckle. The rich sound sends a shot of heat straight to my core, but then I remember he just told me I couldn’t come. Without. Permission.

  What the actual fuck?

  “That’s right, mausezähnchen.” His words are full of dark promise, and his tone is wickedly amused. “I own your orgasms tonight. You’ll come when I say you can and not before.”

  Mateo’s warm breath is my only warning before his tongue slides through my slick folds. My back arches at the contact. Strong arms wrap around my thighs, holding me open and in place. Warmth encircles my nipple as Bastian sucks first one and then the other into his mouth.

  With firm flicks of his tongue, Mateo quickly brings me to the edge. Somehow the men sense this, and both pull back. I whimper in frustration, but they just chuckle. Bastian circles one nipple with his tongue while he lightly pinches the other between his fingers. Mateo’s purposeful licks turn languorous. When the fire burning inside ebbs, both men start working me up again.

  Over and over they take me to the edge of release, but they refuse to let me tip over the edge.

  “Please, please…” I beg, lost in a fog of need. At some point, Bastian has pinned my hands above my head. I tug them free, and grab Mateo’s hair, pulling him against me in an attempt to keep his mouth on my clit.

  “You want to come, mausezähnchen?” His voice is smoky and silky, and another tight coil of desire twists inside me.

  “Yessss…” I moan as Mateo sucks my clit between his lips, then cry out in disbelief when his mouth pulls away leaving me on the cusp of orgasm. The bed dips beside me as Mateo lays on his back.

  “Ride Mateo,” Bastian commands.

  Hell yes.

  Quicker than should be possible, I’m astride Mateo, his thick, hard cock in my hand. I pump it once, twice, and am pleased beyond measure when Mateo moans. I’m tempted to continue str
oking him, but I need to feel him inside me. Now.

  I slowly lower myself down. He’s thick, and the stretch is delicious. I slide up and down his length, letting my body adjust before I plunge all the way down. Then I freeze. “Hang on,” I gasp. “Dragon contraception. How does that work?”

  “Can’t happen accidentally,” Mateo gasps, his hands on my hips. “Dragons have to choose to have children.”

  That’s convenient, because I’m just twenty-four. Totally not ready for kids. Not yet.

  I slide down Mateo’s hard cock.

  “Fuck, tesoro,” he groans. “You’re so tight and wet.”

  I close my eyes and slowly rock my hips, loving the feel of him deep inside me.

  “Ride him, mausezähnchen. Hard.”

  My eyes pop open in surprise. I had somehow forgotten that Bastian was here. What a terrible mistake that would have been. Bastian’s propped against the headboard, his boxers pushed down, thick cock in his hand as he fists his shaft. He’s looking at me like he wants to devour me.

  I’m totally on board with that.

  I hold his gaze in mine. “Do you like watching?” I ask him. I pluck my nipples between my thumb and forefingers. “Does this turn you on?”

  A slow smile curves at his lips. “Very much.”

  I follow Bastian’s instructions, riding Mateo in long hard strokes. The wet sounds of our bodies coming together should embarrass me, but they only turn me on. Bastian’s fist moves up and down his cock to the same rhythm. I get a small thrill knowing he’s pleasuring himself while watching me. Who knew I had such an exhibitionist streak?

  “Squeeze your breasts,” Bastian growls between clenched teeth. “Pinch your nipples.”

  I cup my breasts in both hands and squeeze my nipples between my fingers, crying out at the tiny hint of pain. I ride Mateo harder, faster, chasing the orgasm that’s been denied for so long.

  Mateo reaches between our bodies, his fingers finding my clit and rubbing tight circles around the sensitive nub.

  “Oh… Please…” I beg. Raw heat runs through me, and I can’t fight it any longer.

  “Come,” Bastian commands.

  My orgasm barrels down on me like a rushing freight train, and I scream my release. Mateo’s hands grip my hips and move me up and down on his length until he too throws his head back, my name a moan on his lips.

  Then Bastian grunts, his cock spurting over his hand and stomach.

  Holy shit. I slump against Mateo’s chest, utterly sated. I knew Bastian had a bossy streak, but that was crazy hot.

  I fall asleep cuddled between two of my dragons. Bastian is spooned against my back. My head rests on Mateo’s chest, and I can hear the rhythmic thud of his heart.

  Why did I ever think fighting this attraction was a good thing?

  Because you’re an idiot, Aria.

  Ah, there’s my snarky inner voice. I’d been wondering where she’d run off to.

  11

  Erik

  The next morning, I’m eating breakfast when Aria comes into the kitchen. “Erik, can I talk to you? Somewhere private?”

  “There’s no one here, princess.”

  Her lips twist into a wry smile. “Somehow, when you call me princess, I don’t think you mean it as a compliment” she comments.

  She’s right. “Sorry,” I sigh. “This isn’t about you.”

  “I know.” She pops a bagel into the toaster and pours herself a cup of coffee, holding the pot out to me with a raised eyebrow when she’s done. I refill my mug and wait for her to continue. “Casius let the cat out of the bag last night. He said Zyrian killed your mate. I’m so sorry.”

  My emotions oscillate between anger at Slater and relief that the truth’s finally out in the open. “It was a long time ago,” I say after a moment or two of silence.

  “And some wounds don’t really heal.” She butters her bagel, her head bent. “My mother abandoned me when I was two,” she says quietly. “I will always wonder why she left me. Did I cry too much? Was I too much trouble? It doesn’t go away.”

  And so she clings to the family she does have. The family she’s made for herself. Her wolf-shifter father. Her Norm friend. I can relate.

  “I was arrogant.” I stare into my coffee. “My skill on the battlefields was legendary. My honor guard was powerful. I thought nothing could harm Gisele.”

  “But Zyrian did.”

  “The Dark Dragon should never be underestimated. I learned that lesson the hard way.”

  She takes a deep breath. “I never thanked you for paying Silas’ hospital bills.”

  I lift my shoulder in a shrug. “It was nothing, Aria.”

  “It was kind. Thank you.”

  She sits at the table opposite me, her blue eyes determined. Trouble. I’m convinced of it. “You’re plotting something, aren’t you?”

  She chuckles ruefully. “Am I that easy to read?” she asks. “I had a spiel all prepared.”

  My lips twitch. “Seems a shame to waste it. Hit me.”

  She rolls her eyes. “The short version: There’s no reason we can’t be friends.”

  I consider that statement. “You’re right,” I agree. “However, I have a feeling that you’re about to ask your new friend for permission to do something dangerous.”

  She sets her coffee down on the table. “I don’t need permission, Erik. I’m not a prisoner, remember?”

  “That’s Bastian’s opinion,” I retort. “If you were in danger, I wouldn’t have the slightest qualm locking you up to keep you safe.”

  Her lips tighten. “I hate to yell on an empty stomach. As my friend, why don’t you give me the benefit of the doubt and hear what I have to say first?”

  I’ve ruled over my fiefdom for hundreds of lonely years with absolute authority. I’m not used to answering to anyone. My next words surprise me as much as they do her. “Sorry. You’re right. Please continue.”

  “The only reason I’m alive is because Zyrian doesn’t understand who I am,” she says bluntly. “I don’t like being behind the eight ball.”

  “What are you thinking?”

  “I have a very good theory about who’s responsible for my missing CPS records. Hagen Nygaard. I want to talk to him.” She straightens her shoulders. “Hagen is dangerous. I don’t want to put Tomas’ men in danger, and it would be stupid to go alone. Will you come with me?”

  I look at her with newfound respect. She’s not reckless. She’s not endangering the lives of Bastian’s guards by sending them into a no-win situation.

  I’m curious about one thing. “Why not any of the others?”

  Her lips twist. “They’ll worry too much.”

  And she thinks I don’t? If anything, I worry more. The others don’t know loss. Not the way I do.

  “Okay,” I reply. “I’ll come with you. On one condition. If I say we leave, we leave.”

  She nods. “That’s reasonable. Give me ten minutes to shower?”

  I gaze after her departing back with a smile on my face. At every turn, Aria Archer manages to surprise me.

  12

  Aria

  Aria:

  To my surprise, Erik seems perfectly okay taking the subway to East Harlem. “I didn’t think billionaires took transit.”

  “The fastest way to get around the city is to fly,” he replies. “But if I do that, I’ll end up on every Norm tabloid.”

  Oh. When he says ‘fly,’ he means in dragon-form. I can’t hide the eagerness from my voice. It would be amazing to soar through the sky on the back of a dragon. Amazing, but cold. Maybe I’ll wait until summer. “Do you ever take people along? Or is that a really rude thing to ask?”

  “Silas flew with me.” His lips twitch. “Your father doesn’t like heights.”

  “I know,” I chuckle. “He could never take jobs that involved climbing.”

  He gives me a curious look. “It doesn’t bother you?”

  I shake my head, wondering if he’s going to offer me a ride. It feels stran
ge to form a truce with Erik. I’m so used to seeing him glower at me that this conversation feels like a shock. Is he actually dropping his tightly-held shields? Is he letting me in?

  “You should ask one of the others,” he says curtly. “Rhys, in particular, loves to fly. I’m sure he’ll be happy to take you for a spin.”

  Nope. Not letting me in. Still, he’s not frowning at me when he says it, so I’ll call that a win. “I will,” I assure him. “When it warms up.”

  Hagan is a creature of routine, a very bad habit if you’re a crime lord, but he’s powerful enough to get away with it. Every morning, he has breakfast in one of his more legal establishments, a tiny Puerto Rican eatery that is better known for its live music. The two of us make our way there. “Let me take the lead,” I whisper to Erik as we near the restaurant. “I know Hagen.”

  He nods. “As long as you’re not in danger, I’ll play along.”

  Outside the door, we’re stopped by a big, burly bear-shifter. “The restaurant is closed.”

  “I’m not here to eat,” I reply calmly. “Tell Nygaard that Aria Archer wants to talk to him.”

  He gives me a searching look. He barely looks at Erik, though between the two of us, Erik’s the far greater threat. “More dragon magic?” I whisper to the dragon prince when the bear shifter opens the door to give Hagan my message. “He thinks you’re Norm, doesn’t he?”

  “It’s a useful gift,” Erik replies tightly.

  Before he can say anything else, the door opens, and the guard comes out. He pats us down for weapons and then waves us in. I make my way to the room in the back where Hagan is eating a plate of eggs with obvious enjoyment. “Aria Archer,” Hagan exclaims. “I never thought I’d see you alive.” He smiles widely at me, but his eyes stay carefully watchful.

  My appearance here is unexpected. Hagan’s been under the impression that I’m a prisoner of the dragon princes. After all, I tried to steal from them and was caught.

  Hagan hates surprises. I’m planning on using that to my advantage.