The lead dragon broke away from the others. “Lok of the Shenlong Dragons, we hereby absolve you of the crime of murdering your den mates. Enjoy your flaming pearl.” He didn’t miss the glimmer of awe and envy in her eye before she inclined her head and departed with the flock of yellow beasts.
“That’s it?” Kadence tilted her chin to peer at him.
He swallowed thickly and nodded. Dragons didn’t stick around for formalities. If they’d chosen to execute him, they would have departed promptly after beheading him.
“So, what now?”
“Well, they will likely seek out the Jiaolong Dragons, to determine if any of Xur’s kin played a role, or—”
Kadence cupped his chin and drew his face to hers. “I meant with us, silly dragon.” Laughing, she pressed her lips to his in a brief kiss.
He clutched her tighter, nuzzling into her neck. “I have no idea. I never planned for a future.”
“Well, you’d better start. Because apparently, I’m immortal, and so are you. Which means we’re going to have a long one. Together.”
“Indeed, we are.” Easing back, he peered at this beautiful female who risked everything for him, who’d dragged him through Dìyù and back, only to come out on the other side. A stronger, better version of themselves.
She’d taken a tortured exile and made him capable of love.
Perhaps, that was her greatest power. Her greatest gift to him.
“Well, the deal I made with the Matchmaker is null, and since I’ve declared you mine, my claim transcends hers. So let’s put off joining the Lotus League for now, yes?”
She smiled. “Agreed. But what about Han and the princess?”
He shrugged. “If he truly loves her, he’ll have to rescue her himself. From more than just a physical prison.” Sighing, Lok pressed a light kiss to her lips. “Now, I think we should try out a human tradition.” He whipped the chain from off her wrist, sliding it over the fourth finger of her left hand. “Kadence, will you be my mate?”
She stared at their hands, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth. “Are you sure? I’m not a dragon. You might get bored with me.”
Lok barked a laugh. “From the moment I met you, you’ve spun my head and set the pace. I’ll be too busy trying to keep up with you to ever desire another. Trust me, love, you’ve slayed this dragon’s heart. And I’ll do whatever it takes to claim yours.”
“Well, in that case, I think the word you’re looking for is wife.” She laughed. “And the binding isn’t quite so literal.” She wrinkled her nose at his makeshift ring, grinning. “But yes. A thousand times, yes, Lok.” She wrapped her hands around his neck, bringing their lips together. “You don’t have to claim my heart because you’ve already won it. I’ll always be yours.”
He nipped at her lips, teasing them open. Her flaming hair flowed around her lovely face, violet eyes sparkling with love. Such a vision of beauty, she’d entranced him from his very first glimpse. And he wouldn’t have it any other way. “Oh, I know you will, little one.” He framed her face in his hands, feeling like the luckiest dragon on earth, to have met his perfect match. “Because I’m never letting you out of my sight.”
*****
nĭn hăo – formal greeting in Mandarin
nĭ hăo – informal greeting in Mandarin
shūshu – “uncle” (father’s younger brother) in Mandarin
zhínǚ – “niece” (brother’s daughter) in Mandarin
xiānshēng – “Mr.” in Mandarin
Nonya – a traditional blend of Chinese and Malay cuisine
chī fàn – traditional words spoken for elders to eat first
xiǎo tùzi guāi guāi – nursery rhyme “Well-behaved Little Rabbit”
tùzi – “rabbit” in Mandarin
Lái Zhīdé – Neo-Confucian philosopher who introduced the yin-yang symbol
sayang – “love” in Malay, used as a term of endearment
yin-yang – complementary, opposing forces that when in sync, result in the balance of the Earth. When out of sync, the Earth falls into imbalance. Yin is dark, cold, water, death, female, moon, etc. Yang is light, hot, fire, life, male, sun, etc.
jīng – one of the Three Treasures; sexual energy
qì – one of the Three Treasures; life-force energy
shén – one of the Three Treasures; spiritual energy
qìgōng – a practice involving coordinated breathing, movement, and awareness, traditionally viewed as a practice to cultivate and balance qì
Iron Crutch Li – Li Tieguai, Sheng’s ancestor and the hero of REMATCH. One of the Eight Immortals
Hé Qióng – The Immortal Woman, one of the Eight Immortals. Mei and Lucy’s ancestor
Zhongli Quan – one of the Eight Immortals. Natalie’s ancestor
Zhang Guolao – one of the Eight Immortals. Kassian’s ancestor
Péng lái, Fāngzhàng, Yíngzhōu – the islands of the Eight Immortals
Áo – a large marine turtle in Chinese mythology that carries the islands of the Eight Immortals upon his back
yāoguài – demons who live in Dìyù and sometimes break free
Dìyù – Hell. It contains eighteen layers.
batik – a traditional Malaysian fabric
wǔshù – a form of martial arts
Kongsi – a clan association; a secret society
Hai San – Sheng’s Kongsi
Ghee Hin – the enemy of the Hai San
Wen Shen – The Plague God responsible for the Red Death
Báijiǔ – an Asian liquor similar to vodka
Shèhúnzéi – “Spirit Thief”
Néih hóu – a Cantonese greeting
Yum cha – to “drink tea” in Cantonese
M goi – “thank you” in Cantonese
M̀h'sái haak-hei – “you’re welcome” in Cantonese
Suanmeitang – a traditional cooling tea
húli jīng – a fox spirit
shuǐ guǐ – a water ghost
nǎinai – “grandmother” in Mandarin
Nüwa – the goddess of the fox spirits
Yuánjiāo Island - one of the islands of the Eight Immortals
Kun Peng – a mythological creature that can transform into both a bird and a fish
Bahasa – language of the fox spirits
saat saum – “pretty please” in Bahasa
arkoun – “thank you” in Bahasa
sthananorok – “hell” in Bahasa
semangat – Malay for “passion”
Aschar Mteay – “Great Mother” in Bahasa
phaem – “sweet” in Bahasa
sapha – “mine” in Bahasa
Kar Svakom – greeting in Bahasa
Jiaolong dragons – crocodile-like green dragons that rule the seas
Huanglong dragons – yellow dragons; representatives of the Jade Emperor
jadie – slang for a human who seeks out carnal exploits with those of the Jade Emperor’s world
Han Xiangzi – one of the Eight Immortals. Famous for being a musician and the star-crossed lover of a dragon princess
Shenlong dragons – azure dragons who control thunder and weather
Qinglong dragons – sapphire-scaled dragons of the East
I think everyone has a special spot for dragons and I’m so excited to introduce my version of them to you in this novella. Rest assured, there are plenty more dragons to come!
Thank you to Gina Kincade and Naughty Nights Press for organizing the Alpha Shifters After Dark boxed set where Matching Dragons was first released.
Karie, my superhero assistant, thank you for everything you do. Which is pretty much everything. Hence, the superhero title. LOL.
To my awesome street team, Rachael’s Rush Hour, and my fantastic Review Team, thank you for being so amazing and supportive.
My crazy awesome beta readers, Gina, Nicola, April, Ashley, and Bonnie, your insights and enthusiasm are treasured.
Thanks again Kelley Heckar
t for another killer copy edit. Jeanette Palafox and NovelArt Designs, thanks for your creative work.
To my wonderful family, you are my heart. Hugs and kisses.
Lastly, to my readers, thank you for taking this journey with me.
Rachael has explored forgotten temples in Cambodia, kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, and stood inside the Roman Coliseum. She loves studying people and cultures, current and ancient. Her appetite for romance began with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, which she later nurtured with a healthy dose of Jane Austen.
As a writer of scorching hot fantasy romance, Rachael blends the lines between mythology, reality, and fantasy. In her worlds, you’ll encounter strong, sexy alpha males and the capable women who challenge them. If her heroines can’t meet their heroes toe-to-toe, then they’ll bring them to their knees.
No matter what torture she puts her characters through, true love will always prevail. Love is, after all, the most powerful force on Earth, and beyond.
Rachael holds an Honours BA in anthropology, as well as a CELTA. Her secret indulgence is her passion for baking, which she offsets with her addiction to running (she’s completed four marathons). She resides on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada, with her husband, two children, cat, and dog.
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Look for these titles, available here.
CHINESE ZODIAC ROMANCE SERIES:
BOOK 1: TRANCING THE TIGER
BOOK 2: REMATCH
BOOK 3: BY THE HORNS
BOOK 4: MATCH ME LATER
BOOK 5: REINING HIM IN
BOOK 6: MATCHING DRAGONS
BOOK 7: IN WOLF’S CLOTHING
HALCYON ROMANCE SERIES:
BOOK 1: MOON BORNE
BOOK 2: EARTH BORNE (DARK LORD OF THESSALY)
BOOK 3: WICKED LORD OF THESSALY
BOOK 4: BRUTISH LORD OF THESSALY
BOOK 5: MASTERFUL LORD OF THESSALY
BOOK 6: UNTAMED LORD OF THESSALY
BOOK 7: LOST LADY OF THESSALY
BOOK 8: WATER BORNE
Want more Chinese Zodiac Romance? Read on for an exclusive sneak peek at the first chapter from Book 7, IN WOLF’S CLOTHING:
She’s spent her life concealing her identity
Ling Tse, Chosen of the Sheep, has carefully constructed the world around her, masking her true nature from those who would exploit her spirit animal. When bad boy Cao strolls into her shop, she knows to brace for trouble, but she didn’t anticipate just how many problems he would cause. The stone he brought to trade could save humanity, or the gem could doom the world. Burned before, she’s vowed never to trust one of his kind, but something in his alluring smile dares her to.
He’s determined to peel back the layers
Eight Immortal Cao Guojiu senses something off with Ling the moment he steps into her shop. When the store blows up, leaving Ling in his protection, there’s more at work—and at stake—than the simple rock he offered to trade with her. Though he’s spent centuries atoning for his wild past, he’ll have to employ every wicked seduction to gain Ling’s trust, and her heart. Because only together can they have a shot at turning the tide and saving humanity.
Nowhere left to hide
When the secrets of the past unravel, Ling will have no choice but to come out of hiding. Joining forces with the fierce rogue, Cao, to locate the other valuable stones means opening her heart to possible betrayal, but the intense blaze between them demands her every surrender. If they can brave the world together, they’ll learn that the best place a sheep can hide is in her wolf’s clothing.
The stone sank, heavy in Cao Guojiu’s pocket. One tiny piece of rock held the power to save the world, or to destroy it. And right now, it was sitting in his pocket, about to be traded.
Not for world peace or any fancy bullshit, but for a simple name and address.
Didn’t that make him the biggest jackass.
He grimaced and strode through the shop doors, wrinkling his nose at the stench of cheap, flowery incense and the clang of the overhead bells. The tightly-packed souvenir store screamed the hoarding tendencies of its owner, but he didn’t care. He hadn’t come to buy any cheesy mementos.
Cao wove through the narrow aisles, down the steep staircase, to the steel door at the back. He rapped once. No answer, so he knocked again.
“Closed,” a lilting feminine voice chimed from inside.
Yeah, screw that. He twisted the handle and shoved the door open. Slipping inside, he blinked into the dim chamber. The eight-by-ten room smelled like an old storage locker. Musty and dank. Not at all the headquarters of the elite supplier he’d anticipated.
A figure seated at the large wooden desk huffed. “I said we’re closed.” The woman didn’t bother glancing up at him as she slapped a sticky note on top of the wobbly stack of binders in front of her, pushed them aside, and bent to the floor to procure a new stack.
He edged forward and halted in front of the desk, crossing his arms. “I heard you were the best and I’m in need of your services.”
“Sorry, but I’m booked up this month. I might be able to pencil you in next month, Mr.…” She lifted long, thick lashes to peer at him. “Oh, no.” Intense distaste flashed in her doe-like eyes and she pushed her black-rimmed glasses further up along her slender nose. “I don’t deal with Immortals. Please leave.”
He stiffened. What the hell was her problem? “We’ve never met. How do you even know who I am?” He didn’t go out much, and he certainly had never encountered this saucy butterfly before.
Her eyes flicked to the wall behind him and she bit her lip. “It doesn’t matter.”
Arching a brow, he spun. A dozen or so pictures had been taped to the wall, several speckled with darts. He recognized the other Eight Immortals, along with a few others he didn’t know.
And yep, in the bottom right corner, was his face. A blue dart stuck into his right eye.
“Nice aim,” he droned, shifting back toward her.
She flinched but didn’t say anything.
Weird. What the fuck had he done to deserve that dart? “Look, as far as I’m aware, I’ve never wronged you, and all I’m asking for is your help. In exchange for a hefty recompense.”
“I don’t want your money, or your business. Get out.” Crimson bloomed across her cheeks, drawing out an exotic touch to her beauty.
He narrowed his eyes and studied her. Most people would never shoot her a second glance. Not with those thick glasses concealing her porcelain bone structure, that glossy hai
r resembling black silk drawn into a tight bun, and the baggy, green wool sweater entombing her like a snowsuit even though the room wasn’t cool or drafty.
She was hiding something.
The hairs on the back of his neck pricked. The Matchmaker had told him that this woman, Ling Tse, was the only one who could help him. That she would so adamantly refuse made zero sense.
Time to play hardball.
She puffed at him again and stuck her focus onto her stack of binders. Didn’t even wait for him to leave. Just assumed he would.
Well, he hadn’t come this far to be turned down. Luckily, he happened to have something up his sleeve he was certain she wouldn’t be able to resist.
Cao leaned forward, quirking his lips as he pulled the apricot-sized blue stone from his pocket. Two of its edges were flat, suggesting it was a shard of something larger. And even more perilous. “Well, I guess you wouldn’t be interested in this either, then.” He placed the stone on top of the pile, directly in front of her nose, without removing his fingers.
Her rosy lips parted.
Check mate.
Whistling, he stuffed the rock into his pocket and strolled out the door.
“Wait.”
Ignoring her calls, he strode up the stairs toward the maze of aisles.
Ling’s light, tapping footsteps chased him, stopping a few feet from him. “Let me see that again.”
“Oh, this?” He casually withdrew the valuable gem, flicking his wrist toward her.
“Where did you find it?” Her eyes widened and she extended her fingers toward his palm, as though the rock was a tractor beam drawing her in.
Just as she was about to make contact with the gem, he tsked. “Ah, uhn.” He snapped his hand back inside his pocket. “You said you wouldn’t do business with me, so I’ll happily find another interested party. I’m sure there are plenty.”
Tapping her foot, she folded her arms across her chest, revealing the round curves of her breasts hidden by that monstrosity of a sweater. He swallowed hard as his ballocks tightened at the tempting glimpse of her femininity. “Are you going to play with me or are you going to offer me a deal?”
Matching Dragons Chinese Zodiac Romance Series Book 6 Page 9
