Dragon's Treasure (Dragons Awaken Book 1)

by Maya Starling

  Her hands rubbed up and down, building up his pleasure. When he tangled his hands in her fiery tresses, a stinging grip of her hair, guiding her head to replace her hands, she leaned over and distracted him by kissing him deeply with a rough bite on his lower lip, just the way he liked it.

  The night filled with the sounds of the crackling fire and Reed’s grunts of pleasure. The others were used to it and knew not to disturb. Especially when she was with him.

  Charlie had learned a few very useful tricks on the streets. They helped her work less than she would in a whorehouse. Using them, she was able to bring Reed a quick release with her skillful hands.

  Once done, she cleaned them both and snuggled close. Charlie kissed his chest and settled her head on it as she looked up at him. Sleep already called to him. “You were amazing,” she said in a breathless voice and was glad when she saw that a small tired smile appeared on his face. Good, he will remember that, she cheered for her small victory as she settled into his tight embrace for sleep. She didn’t mind sharing the body heat; it was a chilly night, and it would help her in convincing him the next day that he had had a wild night before falling asleep.

  About the same time, Theo and Damien snuck into the woods. When they were at a safe distance, Damien reached out and interlaced his fingers with Theo’s. The redhead beamed as they continued to walk in silence.

  Quietness surrounded them, only the crunch of their footsteps following. Theo inhaled the pine scented air deep through his nostrils and let the peace of the forest settle into his soul. Moments like this, he treasured the most – Damien and him strolling through the forest, undisturbed and free. They walked for a while until Theo pulled on Damien’s hand, making him stop. They spent a moment not saying a thing and not moving, just listening to the sounds around them, making sure they weren’t followed. It was unusually quiet and Theo was the first one to make a sound by letting out a breath of relief.

  Damien turned to face him and brought his hands up, resting his palms on each side of Theo’s neck, caressing his jaw. Their eyes locked and Damien pulled Theo close for a soft kiss. As their lips melded, their tongues danced the familiar dance. What started as a soft peck soon turned into a passionate declaration of yearning and love. In the eerie silence of the night only their moans of approval and quickened breaths could be heard.

  As they broke apart for some much-needed air, Damien kept his hands on Theo’s neck. He didn’t want him to pull away so he rested his forehead against Theo’s, who in return wrapped his hands around Damien’s waist.

  “This has probably been the longest day in my life,” Damien mumbled.

  “I agree…I’m so grateful to have these few moments alone with you at the end of it.”

  Damien nodded.

  “What are we gonna do?” Theo spoke softly as he closed his eyes.

  Damien’s exhale brushed against Theo’s lips. “Honestly? I don’t know.”

  A few moments of silence followed before Damien spoke again. “Stay for now? See what happens next? When a fight breaks out we stay in the back anyway. It is the safest position, and if it gets too dangerous, we get out. Take Charlie with us?”

  Theo opened his eyes, stepped away from Damien and led him by the hand towards a tree. He sat down and rested his back against the trunk as Damien settled between his legs, his back to Theo’s chest.

  “I agree, because I have this feeling we should stay with Magnus for now,” Theo responded as he wrapped his hands around Damien and rested his chin on the other’s shoulder. “I have a hunch something big is going to happen and we can’t just abandon the others – they’ll need us if we’re going to face the dragon. I can’t just leave now; it wouldn’t be – honorable. Reed can die in a ball of flame for all I care, but Lance and Donovan are good men, and Cass, and...” He trailed off, shaking his head. “In time, I think we will do more damage control by staying with him, and when the moment is right, we will know. That’s when we will leave.”

  Damien nodded. He had learned to trust Theo’s instincts.

  “Alright, back to Charlie then. What do we do about her?”

  Theo groaned. “That conversation at the inn… how are we to help her if she doesn’t want it? We could easily assist her in getting away. She… no woman should be forced to do that.”

  “You know she’s not forced.”

  Theo snorted. “Let’s not get into that subject. There’s a lot she’s been forced to do that she otherwise wouldn’t have, no matter what she says. I just… It’s hard to sit back and let things like that happen.”

  “I was thinking,” Damien said as Theo tightened the embrace, “just because she doesn’t want us to help her get away from Magnus, doesn’t mean we can’t help at all.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “We could always intercept others. Mostly Reed.”

  “Yes. I’d gladly get into a fight with him over her. We can’t protect her from Magnus, though.”

  Damien sighed. “I know. Let’s just hope it all ends well, and when we go our separate ways from Magnus, we can take her along, help her find a real job, and a place to live. Somewhere she’ll be safe. Maybe as a maid for someone, or something of that sort.”

  “Aye. That’s a good plan.”

  They spent some time just snuggled up, basking in each other’s presence, sharing the warmth of their bodies. The night wasn’t cold, but the breeze of the early spring brought a chill with it.

  “I have an idea.” Damien said. He twisted around and faced Theo with a mischievous grin on his face while he straddled his lover’s legs.

  “Oh, no! I’m not sure I want to know. That smile of yours… You are up to no good again.” Theo shot a fake glare at Damien and tried to hold back his smile. He loved it when Damien was being playful.

  “It has been a very tiring day, both emotionally and physically, and I think we deserve some respite,” Damien said while loosening the cord around Theo’s pants.

  “I’m listening…” Theo didn’t bother to suppress the smile stretching across his face as his heart sped up, the flutter in his belly the best remedy for such an exhausting day. He ran his fingers through Damien’s short curls.

  “I’ll let my mouth do the talking… in a different language.” With a saucy wink Damien trailed his fingers down Theo’s front, unbuttoning the leather armor straps, and then sliding it off those wide shoulders. His hands slipping under the hem of his lover’s shirt, Damien raised the dark green fabric, revealing smooth skin that taunted him to taste it. Lips licked, he lowered his head and left a wet trail up Theo’s stomach, over his chest, and along the sweet-tasting neck. Once he threw the shirt away, his mouth seared Theo’s with a scorching fire, an ardent declaration of love and devotion. He couldn’t believe he had been so lucky to find this man, and have his feelings be reciprocated.

  “I adore you. I can’t wait till all of this is over and we settle down.” Damien nipped on Theo’s bottom lip and his hand slipped inside the other man’s pants.

  Theo only moaned his approval, fingers tangling into Damien’s black curls as that loving mouth moved lower toward his lap.

  “Shite! Do you think Charlie is alright? We’ve been away for quite a bit,” Theo said as they made their way back to the camp, fastening up his leather armor.

  “Probably. She was already asleep and everyone was dead tired. Most likely nobody had anything of that sort on their mind,” Damien said as he gave a reassuring squeeze to Theo’s hand.

  Theo raised his eyebrows. “You did.”

  “Yes. Yes, I did.” The proud, smug smile spread across Damien’s face made Theo chuckle.

  When they reached the campsite, everyone was already asleep. The flames of the fire swirled, washing their surroundings in a soft orange light. Scanning the sleeping forms sprawled out around them, they noticed Charlie huddled up with Reed. Both men’s eyes narrowed in a disapproving scowl.

  The timber in the hearth cracked and popped.

  “He better not …
” Theo said as he stomped towards Charlie’s and Reed’s sleeping forms.

  “Theo!” Damien hissed in a whisper as he hurried to stop the redhead from doing whatever he had in mind. Nothing good would come of it. He knew Theo’s feelings for Charlie were growing because he had lost his twin sister when he had been younger, and Damien thought that Charlie reminded Theo of her. His sister had died of lung fever as a child. Their parents had left her in Theo's charge so they could work for the much needed food and medicine. He believed he should have done more to care of her. The guilt still haunted him. Thus, Theo had become very protective of Charlie, and taking into account what she did for a living, this new attitude didn’t bode well. They hadn’t learned of her history, only that Magnus had found her prostituting on the street. They dared not ask. How did one ask a prostitute, young one as her, why and how she begun that… work. Maybe she would volunteer the answer on her own? He just hoped that Theo would stick to their plan and not make things worse for her.

  Damien managed to stop Theo on time, pushed him back and stood in front of him. A frown sat heavily upon his face. “Don’t be stupid, Theo,” he warned and turned away, not giving Theo the chance to respond.

  On quiet feet, Damien approached Charlie and knelt next to her. He brushed away a curl from her face and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Little Red?”

  “Hmm?” Charlie mumbled as her eyes fluttered open, fighting off the fog of sleep.

  “Is everything alright?” Damien asked as he looked towards Reed.

  Still in a daze, Charlie turned her head, almost surprised to see Reed there but then she remembered. “Yes, I’m fine. I handled him well,” she said with a small smile as she settled back to sleep. Damien leaned over and planted a soft kiss on the crown of her head. “Sleep well.”

  He stood up and turned back to Theo, whose face relaxed with relief as he gave a nod of gratitude.

  Theo held out a hand to Damien. After making sure everyone was fast asleep, the two embraced and shared a short, lingering kiss.

  “I love you,” Damien whispered against Theo’s lips.

  “I love you, too.” Theo ran a hand through Damien’s curls. “Good night.”

  “Sleep well,” Damien said back, and after stealing one last peck, they parted, heading toward the opposite sides of the fire where they would sleep for the remainder of the night.

  Chapter 17

  Flying back towards the cave, Olivia safe in his arms, Kaden looked over his shoulder towards the field they had left only moments ago. His brows furrowed. Torch lights sprang to life in the field, dancing through the night like flickering fireflies.

  They actually managed to find us… well, almost. The knight and his men are more resourceful than I thought. Olivia did warn me.

  Kaden gave thanks for the eerie silence which had descended upon them, prompting him to wake instantly. His wing had healed enough, and he had managed to coax Olivia to wakefulness just in time before taking her in his arms again and flying away. He didn’t want her riding on his back. They had no rope, and while she was in his gentle embrace, he could keep her warm and safe.

  Olivia pressed her face into her dragon, protecting it from the chill air whipping around her head. She trembled, her teeth chattering, muscles cramped against the cold seeping into her bones despite Kaden’s warmth. She would never ask him to take her flying during the night again, so high up.

  After reaching the clearing from where they usually took off, they walked back to their cave in silence. Olivia was too tired to speak as she dragged her feet along, rubbing her hands together to chase away the biting cold.

  Kaden’s mind was abuzz with worry as different possible scenarios flitted through his head. He made sure, though, that the result was always the same: Olivia safe.

  When they neared the cave, an indistinct noise echoed from inside, which made Kaden groan in annoyance. “Now what?”

  “What is it, Kaden?” Olivia took an instinctive step closer to the dragon, coming fully awake instantly.

  “Someone's inside,” he grumbled, eyes narrowed and ablaze with annoyance.

  Can we get some respite? Kaden tilted his head up and looked at the sky. He breathed out a deep sigh and a cloud of smoke enveloped them. Olivia waved a hand in front of her face to clear the air.

  “Is it them?” Olivia said as she leaned into Kaden, eyes darting around, expecting an ambush, men jumping at them out of the nighttime shadows.

  “I do not think so, unless they left someone behind.” Kaden scanned the surrounding trees, his sharp, draconic eyesight penetrating the darkness far better than Olivia’s. The forest was awash in greys and blacks but nothing stood out among the trees and bushes, only an occasional hedgehog or a weasel scurrying along.

  “I don’t see anybody out here.” He tilted his head to the side, listening carefully. “And I don’t hear anything out of place. You should be safe here while I check what creature invaded our home. Just… just stay close to the cave’s mouth. Call for me if anything happens.”

  Olivia took a deep, brave breath before she answered. “Alright, I will. Be safe.” She gave her dragon a quick hug before he went in. She only took one step inside the cave’s mouth then pressed herself against the wall, straining her eyes and ears for any signs of trouble or danger. She wasn’t concerned for herself, but for Kaden. A few moments later, Kaden’s chuckle rumbled, bursting out of the cave, accompanied by growling and then anxious whining. Curiosity got the better of her and she took careful steps deeper into the cave.

  “Kaden?” she called out in a hesitant voice. Nothing was visible and she could only hear the dragon’s amused laughter and soft whimpers from some unknown source. Her hands followed the rocky wall, leading her deeper inside.

  Olivia heard the now familiar intake of Kaden’s breath and closed her eyes so she wouldn’t be blinded by the sudden light. When the light of the fire danced behind her closed lids, she first opened one eye to peer out at the scene playing out before her. Her other eye snapped open, too, in surprise.

  Before her, Kaden was glaring at a tiny creature because it had started growling at Olivia.

  A wolf pup, six or seven months old by her guess and black from tip to tail, shivered in the furthest corner of the cave away from Kaden, lying low, now whimpering. It had probably stumbled upon the cave in search of food and shelter.

  Still feeling threatened by the day’s events, Kaden put himself between the tiny wolf and Olivia. The pup growled at Olivia, warning her back when she tried to step around the dragon. Kaden snarled in return, the sound almost deafening in the echoing cave. Olivia jumped up in fright as she turned to look at Kaden wide-eyed. He even went as far as to bare his fangs and teeth at the little furry creature in front of them.

  He really could be a frightening sight.

  The pup stopped growling and whimpered again. It tucked its tail between its hind legs, lowering its head in submission as it pressed itself further away, against the wall of the cave. Kaden continued to snarl, smoke swirling out of his nostrils, and the pup submitted even further. It warily rolled over, exposing its belly to the dragon. It whimpered louder, and its bladder no longer held against the fear coursing through its wolfish little body.

  The sound and the sight snapped Olivia out of her trance-like state.

  “Kaden!” she snapped towards her dragon. “Stop it! You are scaring him to death!” She stepped forward, placing herself between Kaden and the pup, putting her hands up, fingers splayed.

  “He growled at you!” Kaden grumbled once he ceased with the snarling. “He threatened you!”

  “Oh, for goodness sake, Kaden, he is just frightened, trying to protect himself. Look at him, he is no threat, even without you around.” Olivia pointed her finger at the still whimpering ball of black fur.

  “Kaden, please.” Olivia pleaded when her demands didn’t work. Her voice was gentle and lilting as she tried to coax Kaden to stop glaring at the poor pup with murder in his eyes.
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br />   The sound of Olivia’s soft voice made Kaden avert his gaze from the pup, towards her. Dark circles around her eyes dulled their sparkle. Her hair was a mess from the wind and she stood there, shivering. He noticed her sway, barely staying awake on her own two feet. Those sky blue orbs of hers were boring into him, begging for some peace, some respite. He couldn’t say no to her. Not ever.

  Kaden let out a sigh of defeat. The dragon craned his neck around Olivia and lowered his snout down to the frightened pup’s belly, nudging him gently. When he got no response except for a terrified whimper, he moved a bit to the side and nudged the pup again, coaxing him to stand up, or at least roll back over. The pup obliged and turned over, still lying obediently on its belly.

  “Was that so hard to do?” The sound of Olivia scolding him made Kaden’s eyes alight with happiness and amusement; she looked utterly adorable. “And how do you know the pup is a he?”

  “I could tell.” Kaden retreated after he threw a last warning glare at the now silent and obedient pup. “Are you cold, love?” he asked once he brought his head lower so he could face her. He loved staring into her eyes.

  “I am a bit… and tired, too.” She yawned. She raised her hand up, instinctively scratching Kaden’s snout.

  A rumble of contentment escaped from the dragon’s throat. “I love it when you touch me.”

  Olivia’s cheeks flushed, a pink tinge spreading over the milky white canvas, and a wide, happy smile crept up her face, the now familiar and constant butterflies taking flight in her belly. “I cannot help it; you are so cuddly.” She winked.

  “Cuddly? I am cuddly?!” Kaden sputtered, teasing, raising his voice slightly, which made the pup whimper again. The distress in Olivia’s eyes when she looked back at the pup made Kaden lower his voice, almost to a whisper. “I am a big, bad dragon. We are not cuddly, we are frightening.”