Eben's entire being pushed into her and the still connected Ladon, branding her as his property even as she screamed the pleasure/pain from the dual assault. He leaned forward further, plunging into Morgan as he bit down on Ladon's shoulder, drawing blood. Ladon roared as the magic flared forest fire hot with the three of them at the center. Eben finally pulled back, licking the blood from his lips, his eyes on Ladons in a deep primal satisfaction. Neither of them would be leaving him. He would hold what was his.
Ladon hissed at him, feeling the bonds snap into place. Eben ignored him, arching back and thrusting harder into Morgan, reveling in the feel of his mates, his family. His to protect.
Ladon grabbed Eben's wrist and bit down. The pull of the blood completed the circle and the flame burned hotter until they were as one. They pounded and thrust taking Morgan in all ways until they felt her final barriers fall. There would be no more talk of leaving, ever. Then, with a roar that could be heard all through the kingdom, they came. For Morgan it was too much when the final orgasm hit, she blacked out.
Chapter 6
She came back to awareness above the hot spring while Eben lowered her down into Ladons waiting arms. He cuddled her close as he settled. The hot water soothed over the lingering sparks of magic. Morgan could feel her aura was back where it was supposed to be but it was changed. Bits of Eben and Ladon clung to her, just as she clung to them. She felt connected to the Dragon magic as she never had before and memories that were not her own still filtered through her thoughts. It was disconcerting to be one person for so long and then wake up as someone else. She still loved her family, but she could no more leave her dragon mates than she could stop breathing.
“We would not have let you go regardless.” Ladon pulled her closer into his lap, brushing her hair back behind her ears tenderly. Somewhere she had lost her tie and it fell around them like a soft cape. She laid her head against his chest because she was just too tired to do anything else. Later she would think about how to make her family safe.
“We will find the little ones.” Eben stated drawing her eyes to him. “They will be safe here under our protection.”
She stared at him, searching his face, and feeling his absolute conviction and possession. She loved them so they too would be his. Then she looked up at Ladon, who seemed so much more daunting as a full adult dragon, and mate. Let’s not forget mate. He nodded, rubbing his finger down her soft cheek as if he could not stop touching her.
“I was wrong to think you could just leave them. I didn’t understand. I’m sorry little falcon. We will find them.” She hid her face in his neck and clung to him, as she burst into tears. For so long it had been her impossible responsibility to keep everyone safe. To know that these powerful dragons were declaring their protection, that they now shared her burden; it was nothing short of miraculous. She had been so alone for so long.
“Shh, little heart.” She felt Eben rubbing her back. “You will never be alone again.” Ladon met his eyes over their sobbing mate. Neither of them had any experience with the softer emotions. Eben especially was sure he had lost those years ago. To go from centuries of loneliness and selfishness to having a family was no small thing. He wanted to be worthy of the honor. On top of that she was everything a mate should be, not only beautiful and soft on the outside, but on the inside as well, courageous, loyal, and giving with a fiery passion that ate his heart. It was beyond all expectations.
He felt Ladon's determination merging with his own. They would find her missing hatchlings and bring them home. No one would harm their new family; any that tried would die in dragon fire and pain.
Morgan sat up, wiping her eyes and sniffing. “Can we go now? They have been out there on their own for days. I am so afraid we won’t find them before something terrible happens.”
“We’ll see you to safety at first light. We will find them and bring them to you. You will be safe in the castle until we return.” Eben was so used to fearful reverence from all that he did not expect the argument he got from his new mate, nor her swift change from soft to fierce.
“You are completely deranged if you think I am going to stay behind locked in a castle while you go after my family.”
Ladon held her tight around the waist, keeping her in place on his lap. “We will have enough to carry without one more.”
Morgan fought against his hold determined to stand. “Clare and Rhune can fly, you need only carry Milly and me, and if I can get my wind right, not even me.”
“You will stop this experimenting at once. You will go nowhere without one of us regardless.” Eben said, his big finger pointing right at her nose, as if she was some child in need of sense. “And they would be too slow as birds. They would never make the trip at our speed.”
She smacked his hand away, utterly shocking Eben. He could not remember a time when someone was so unimpressed with the threat he represented.
“Rhune and Clare can turn into anything they see, including big nosed dragons. They won’t be a burden.” She finally gave up trying to wiggle out of Ladon's lap when she felt how much he liked it. “I’m going.”
“You are not.” Eben barked. “You will stay where it’s safe.”
“You’ll never find them without me.”
He growled. “I am the best hunter alive. I have been hunting since before your puny species discovered fire. Three little hatchlings will not be so difficult.”
“Really?” She crossed her arms, ignoring Ladon’s arm still wrapped around her waist. “And what will you be tracking? Which animal or insect for that matter will Rhune and Clare be? And Melly is a windtalker. Do you know what that is? Not only will the wind send her messages of pursuit but it will actively hide her. There will be no scent to track, even if you knew where to acquire it. So you cannot use your nose. What about your eyes? Can a dragon’s eyes be fooled by a clever wind?” This time she pointed the finger. “You will never find them without me!”
Eben looked her over with frustration then zeroed in on Ladon. “Why are you not speaking? You want her out of danger as much as I do.”
Ladon smirked at the older dragon. “I would not waste what is left of this night with talk.” He pulled her hair to the side and kissed her neck. “We are in her heart. You know as well as I do that she will just follow if we attempt to leave her. Better she be with us than flying through Dracon with a bed sheet as her wings.”
Morgan smiled, then turned her head and kissed his chin for the support. He took advantage by kissing her fully on the lips.
Eben cursed long and loud in the old tongue but no one was paying attention. Morgan wrapped her arms around Ladon’s neck behind her, while she arched into his hands. Eben growled seeing her presented like a feast before him. He was not used to being ignored.
He ducked under the water and pressed his mouth to her open pussy. Morgan squeaked and then moaned when he licked up into her and nipped. Ladon swallowed both sounds and the release that followed a short time later. Then he adjusted her until he could press into her from behind. They both groaned at the feel of her hot and wrapped around his cock.
Eben stood up and the water fell off him in rivulets. Both Ladon and Morgan lost their breaths at the sheer masculine beauty before them. Morgan licked her suddenly dry lips, her eyes of the male animal pulsating before her.
Eben moved forward until he was pressing his large cock with its bulbous head against her sweet lips. Morgan licked him, found the taste addicting, and licked again, until she was learning him with her tongue and lips. She could feel Ladon twitching with each foray of her tongue on Ebens cock.
“Suck it.” Eben's voice was dark erotic dominance, and he reinforced it by grabbing her hair and yanking her into place.
Ladon shuddered when she clenched around the pulsating cock buried inside her.
“Oh, she liked that.” He said, his teeth nipping at her ear. “Do it again.”
“Morgan.” That voice she thought ought to be outlawed gave her commands showing her
what he liked. She took as much of him as she could, working her tongue against the bottom of his shaft until he was jerking in reaction. She sucked her cheeks hollow as he withdrew, whimpering in erotic fear as he pushed back in.
Then Ladon started moving, his hard rod rubbing a spot inside her that made her lose control. She clamped down hard on Eben, swallowing a goodly half of him and milking the cum from his balls. He came down her throat with a roar. When he finally pulled back, Morgan was gasping but she only got a moment to breathe again before Ladon was pulling her chin up to his and kissing her.
He lifted and turned them both until she rested belly down over the rim of the hot springs. It gave him the leverage for some serious pounding until she screamed her orgasm. Three more strokes and he was roaring his own.
Sometime later they were drifting, piled together across the rock seat. Morgan was laid across their laps side by side. Her head on Eben’s shoulder her thighs across Ladon.
Ladon caressed her legs under the water and Eben had her snuggled up to his chest. His fingers were making soothing circles on her back.
“Will it always be like this?” She asked dreamily, content momentarily to let tomorrow take care of itself.
“From what I have seen of dragon mating, it will only get better.” Eben’s voice was soft. She sighed and burrowed deeper into him. Eventually they made it back to the bed.
Chapter 7
The sun had not yet fully risen and there was crispness to the air that spoke of coming rain. The land was a cool wash of grey until they crossed the North Gate and left behind the dragon mists and magic. Entering the frost of the Northern Mountains was something of a shock after feeling the thermals of power on the Dragon side of the North Gate. It felt like being suddenly dropped into an icy stream after basking in the sun all afternoon.
The magic has flown from these lands. Eben said in her mind.
Is it because the dragons don’t come here?
No. Dragons stopped coming when the magic left.
Why did it leave?
Some humans found magic inside them and it was good. They were friends of dragon kind and we all prospered. Then mages came that craved powers not their own. They found ways to drink down the powers of others.
The blood rights.
Yes. The dark mages and their blood rights. They rose in power and the few that could have stopped them let fear rule. They hid instead of fighting and the reign of the Dark Mages began. The magic flew away because the people fear it.
Will it ever return? Her words were steeped in sadness and he wished he could give her a different answer.
Things change. One day the Dark Mages will come to their end and the humans will be free of that tyranny, but they will always fear what magic can do. They will not want the magic to return, because they have seen what it can be. I am afraid that the choice your people made to hide their magic will always be the way of it.
We’ll always be hiding. She was glad that the wind pulled her tears off her cheeks before they could fall.
Not you, little heart, you, and yours are now dragon kin. You no longer need live in silence. You will be free to work your magic without fear of the bonfire and the mob. You are safe.
Yes. My family will be safe. But what about the rest? Why did the dragons not stop the dark mages?
He didn’t want to say but she felt the answer just the same. Dragon arrogance, the problems of mere humans were not worthy of their attention. We reap what we have sown.
I have never felt that way. But it is a common feeling of the council. She felt him sigh and pull her closer. I am sorry little one.
You forget that other things have changed as well. Ladon mind spoke from behind them. Dragons have found their mates among the human mages. She will not be the last that finds sanctuary among our kind.
Eben was thoughtful as he looked to the future.
Yes. He finally said his voice thoughtful. This will change things.
Ladon laughed. Too right. What do you think the mate-less among us will do when they find out that their mate could be among the Human mages? Human mages that are being wiped from existence?
They will be at the Councils door, demanding the right to hunt. Eben groaned. There will be war with the humans.
Morgans mind voice was tentative. With the Dark Mages maybe. The humans without power won’t fight the dragons. Certainly not over the magic users among them, they have already shown that. Once the dark mages are gone, all you’d have to do is ask for them. They’d be delivered to your door. The last was bitter, but Ladon did not notice it.
Brilliant, little falcon. Ladon laughed again. We’ll just pick the ones we want and send the others back.
The ones you want? As in the ones you can mate? There was no mistaking the anger behind the question and the wind was suddenly turning cold around them... What if they don’t want to be mate to a dragon? They have no say in it? And what happens to the others? You just send them back to certain death?
His mind voice came back in a confused sputter. Eben ended the discussion.
Clearly, we will have to think on this problem. It is not something that can be decided between just the three of us.
Will I have a say in that discussion? This time the bitterness was more than apparent. Will any mage? Or will dragons decide the fate of mage kind?
If you know nothing else, know that your happiness will always be at the forefront of my thoughts.
And mine. Ladon seconded.
And that means what?
Your causes are our causes. You will have a voice in any discussion that is vital to you, even if it is through our lips.
Morgan felt the truth in his thoughts and could breathe again. The winds around them warmed noticeably. A tendril curled around them like a warm caress across his scales. Thank you Eben.
What he said.
She laughed. Thank you too, Ladon.
Eben was sure she had no idea of what her power was doing. With their mating, she had grown in power so much that the elements seemed to be but an extension of her feelings. When she mastered her control, she would be a force to be reckoned with.
When they had come far enough on their journey Morgan lifted her face to the wind and breathed deep. They are to the South. Far from here. Farther than they should be. She was worried and it was clear in her voice. Around them clouds began to form.
Little heart you must control your magic or we will soon be drenched.
She looked at Eben, clearly surprised. He felt her confusion and then she took a firmer grasp on her leaking magic. It was harder than it should have been. There was more contained inside her than ever before.
You are more than you were. Sharing blood with dragons is no small thing. Your powers are growing and your control must grow with it.
She concentrated hard until her magic was once again locked tight away deep inside her. It did not sit comfortably as it once had. Always before she had needed to concentrate to use her magic, now, it was more like she had to concentrate not to use it.
What is it you fear?
The Dark Mages reside in the Valley of Silence, far to the South. We all know that direction is death, but it feels as if that’s where they went.
You sense them? Can you speak to them?
No. I do not have that power. I can feel that they’re all in that direction and I can feel that they still live, but that is the extent of it.
Ladon sent a wave of reassuring warmth through her thoughts. Whatever we face, we face together. We will get them back.
Morgan pulled that warmth around her like a cloak, even as she pressed her head into Ebens soft scales. Hurry please. There’s no good reason for them to be where they are.
Eben pulled her in tighter, his tail a firm anchor around her middle. She was cradled safe in his arms, but he could not protect her heart if something happened to the hatchlings. The thought was unacceptable to both Dragons.
They wasted no more time on leisurely flight; instead, bot
h unfurled power until their wings rode magic rather than wind. They reached the last mountain peak overlooking the Valley of Silence before the afternoon was half-gone. Unlike the mountains and valleys they had passed, all that was before them was flat and barren. Even the mountains were a stark skeleton of rocks and dirt. An eerie shadow of what should have been.
They stood together at the precipice, Morgan, with Eben and Ladon in their man forms, looking out across the desert that was once green fields. It rivaled in many ways Ebens mountain fortress with high walls and grand towers, but where Ebens was a part of the mountain it was carved from, this castle and its walls was made of ebony glass that cut the life from the land. There was one road tattooed across the sand that led to the first walled city of the blood mage. None but the magnull and their soldiers crossed it voluntarily. All others came in prison wagons to be presented, sacrifices for the dark mages power. And this was only one of four such atrocities that scarred the land.
Morgans face had gone white, even the dragons couldn't contain their reaction. They were repulsed by the death that surrounded the place like a cloud of evil vapor. Such a killing of the land was anathema to their kind. The Earth was the great mother from which all life sparked. This was a clear rape of that life and it hurt to see it.
“I knew that the Magic had flown, but this...” Ebens voice was rough.
“He has them.” Morgan said flatly, her voice breaking only a little. “He has my family in that place of nightmares.”
Ladon pulled her against his side without looking away from the death before them. “Then we get them out. Now.”
It took Eben another minute to deal with the rage that flowed. That the dragons in their arrogance had allowed this to happen was offensive. That it should continue, inconceivable. The council had to be notified, but he could not leave an innocent within those walls for another minute.
“We will bring out your younglings.” Eben said his voice an angry whip of dragon fire. “Then we take this travesty to the council. One way or another, this time of dark mages will be ended.” He pointed to the barren wasteland before them. “This will not stand.” Then he turned back to Morgan. “You will stay here.”
The Dragon’s Mage dm-1 Page 4
