“One of the things that has puzzled me the most,” Lars mused, “Is that we’ve had serious criminals devoting time, men and resources to chasing dusty legends. First Landor and Vadim of Montenegro went after the Dragon’s Blood – an ancient and priceless ruby necklace belonging to the House of Sarkany. And then Felipe tried to rob the Treasury of the Guild of Dragons.
I mean, we Lindorms are rich. And our wealth goes back a thousand years. But we don’t keep it in some bleak and cobwebby dungeon, or buried in a cavern. We long ago converted it into stocks and bonds. If someone wanted to rob us, rummaging around in the wine cellars of the Castle Lind would get them filthy rather than filthy rich. Now if they tried hacking into the Lindorm Fund.” He spread his arms.
“The Lindorm Fund fights off its share of thieves,” Theo cut in. “Christina is constantly erecting new firewalls. You know what? I think Vladimir the Enforcer grew up in the Soviet Union, as the Eldest and the other members of the Council suspect.”
“Who is the Eldest?” demanded Nicole.
“Eldest is the title given to the head of any of the great Dragon Houses,” Lars answered. “Our Eldest is Lord Lindorm, the Thane of Lindorm. He is our Uncle Thorvald, and our leader. He has a vast knowledge of the history of Dragonry. And he is a shrewd and wise counselor.”
“What possible difference could it make where and when Vladimir grew up?” Nicole asked.
Lars reached for her hand and gave it a comforting pat. “Many Russian dragons died fighting the Bolsheviks. The few who remained went underground. They lost a direct tie to their heritage. We think they had nothing more than the garbled versions of family history. They spent the long decades of hunger and deprivation making up tales of vast wealth to comfort themselves.”
“To say nothing of the fact,” put in Theo dryly, “That the few remaining Dragon shifters cast their lot in with the KGB. They became enforcers for the Kremlin. Their criminal enterprises probably began while the Soviet Union was mighty. And when it disintegrated, they were well placed in the Russian mafia to carry on milking the citizens.”
“And they suddenly decided to come after ancient treasures?” asked Nicole.
“We think Felipe got into trouble financially.” Theo got up and went to the fridge and came back with two bottles of beer. “He may have borrowed money to support the bank of Estremaura after the banking crisis. Christina thinks so.”
“Is that the one who was supposed to marry Felipe?” Nicole asked.
“Yes,” Theo said. “We had no idea he already had a wife. Christina manages the family assets. Felipe was always picking her mind about what financial instruments to buy and sell. She said he had no feel for money.”
Lars shook his head in disbelief. “He was such an idiot. I can imagine him borrowing money and not realizing he had borrowed it from the Mafia.”
Theo laughed mockingly. “And then spinning Vladimir some tale about the ancient wealth that lay beneath Guild headquarters. Christina complained that he gave her trumpery.”
“I didn’t know that.” Lars poured beer in his glass.
“Really ugly pieces of jewelry that Felipe thought – or said he thought – were family heirlooms. And when he tried to empty out the Treasury, he filled a van with counterfeit coins, and glass jewels.” Theo drank.
“I’ve never heard of a dragon with no talent for value,” Lars said wonderingly. “Why have I never heard this before?”
“I don’t know. It sure came up after Felipe’s death. Maybe you spend too much time undersea.”
“Well, that explains why money ran through Felipe’s hands like water,” Lars said. “And why he let his greatest treasure slip away.” He brought Nicole’s hands to his lips.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Theo was washing up the glasses and plates when Lars came back from escorting Nicole to her room. He turned from the sink with a huge grin splitting his shaggy beard. “That didn’t take you long. I thought you were gone for the evening.”
Lars gave his cousin the stink eye. “Nicole and I are still finding our way.”
“Have you told her that you’re keeping her?” Theo turned back to the glasses.
“I broached the subject – tentatively.” Lars pulled out a kitchen chair and straddled it backwards. He rested his arms on the top rail. “Felipe did a number on her. She’s skittish.”
“Did you tell her you’ve claimed her?”
“I can’t do that to her. Not after Felipe.” Should he try to explain things to his cousin?
Theo put the things he had washed in the dish rack and came back to the table. Lars turned his chair around and faced Theo.
“It’s our way,” Theo said jovially. “When we find our mates, we stamp our seal on them immediately.”
Lars shook his head. “I’m beginning to wonder if the old stories are really true.”
“How do you mean? As soon as you pulled out your lucky coin, I knew you intended to claim Nicole. And I don’t think Waimarie and Rongo were fooled either.”
“Considering that Waimarie looked at both sides of the coin, I’m sure not,” agreed Lars amicably. “Once I’d seen her in dragon, there was no way I was going to let you be the one to move in with her. But she doesn’t trust me. Or at least, her mind is still fighting her heart.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nicole feels the bond between us. We flew in tandem tonight. And we danced afterwards as though we were conjoined twins. But she doesn’t trust her instincts.” Lars shrugged. “When I’m around her, I feel as though I’m whole again. And I desperately want to tell her that she is my destined mate. But I can’t say the words, not when she is so frightened.”
“So make love to her,” Theo said. “According to what we were told when we were boys, that’s all it takes.”
“If that were true,” Lars returned. “Nicole would have fallen fast in love with Felipe when he claimed her by right of capture. Instead, she is traumatized. She is a wonderful mother, and she loves her son dearly, but even after eight years, talking about Felipe makes her stink of fear. I don’t know how to get past that, and wake up her dragoness.”
“I would say that the dragoness who immolated those Russians in Santa Rosa, doesn’t need any more waking up. Doesn’t she feel the connection between the two of you? The currents in the kitchen were so strong I thought my phone would charge itself.”
“She doesn’t trust what she’s feeling.” Lars sat back down. “And I can’t say I blame her. She’s had a very bad experience. And this whole business of hiding and waiting for an attack that may or may not come – that would be hard on anyone’s nerves.”
“True enough, she’s not been raised to fight,” Theo agreed.
“That’s another thing, Theo, Nicole is one of the largest and most powerful females I have ever encountered. She is larger than I am. And when she is in dragoness, her scales pulse with electricity. I don’t know what makes the light show that accompanies her slightest move. When we swam together, there was a mild electric charge in the water.” Lars rolled his shoulders uncomfortably.
“Is she a lightning dragon?” Theo asked.
Lars thought and after a long moment shook his head. “I would say not. She must be a plasma dragon, but I’m not sure. And she hasn’t had any practice flying with other dragons. She is entirely self-taught. But I wouldn’t want to stand between her and her sprat. In a fight, I have a feeling the Russians wouldn’t stand a chance. But when it comes to trusting her instincts –” Lars’ voice trailed off.
“You think she would attack you, if you made love to her?”
“I don’t know. But this is too important to me to get wrong. I will have to be patient.”
“It will be character building for you,” Theo said. “The Eldest wants us to remain here on San Michaela, so you have at least a few more days to woo your unwilling bride. Roll out some of that famous Lindorm charm.”
“Who in Dragonry would be foolish enough to challenge me for my mate?”
Lars demanded. “If my own name is not enough to strike terror in a dragon shifter’s heart, surely the reputation of House of Lindorm ought to be protection enough for my wife and child?”
“That’s one of the things that’s so perplexing, Lars. It’s as though the shifters sent by Vladimir don’t know anything about the Guild. Aren’t frightened of any of us. Aren’t worried about reigniting the Dragon wars again.” Theo stood up and stretched.
He pushed in his chair. “Are you more fearsome than Voros? More terrible in your wrath than Hugo Sarkany? I think not, Lars. Despite your undoubted prowess as a warrior. And yet, twice Vladimir has put out his hand and threatened the fated mates of Dragon Lords. Be vigilant, my friend. And do not trust that the Lindorm name will be enough to protect Nicole and Matteo.”
“I feel a threat in the air, Theo,” Lars said gravely. He rose to his feet. “Fortunately, we are truly to be feared. I will defend my family with tooth and claw. Any Dragon who threatens my mate will be cremated.”
“Have you heard what you’re saying, cousin?” Theo asked lazily.
“What the hell do you mean?” Lars asked.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but can you tell me why you haven’t met Nicole’s fears head on?”
“What do you mean? I told her every way I can that she can trust me, and that I will die to protect her and the fireling.” Lars could feel his body swelling with wrath, even though he and Theo were as close as brothers.
“Keep your chest hair on, cousin.” Theo chuckled softly. “Did you, or did you not, tell me that you thought Nicole’s dragon was more powerful than any you had ever encountered before?”
“She’s enormous. And the energy that pulses from her is dangerous, very dangerous. But she’s untried, and I didn’t dare suggest she zap me with a pulse of plasma – or whatever it is that she’s projecting.”
“Exactly so. You think that Nicole, untried and untrained, could blast you into oblivion. And we believe there’s a fight coming. And how are we deploying this weapon? We’re asking it to cower in the emergency tunnel.” Theo leaned back in his chair and let his words sink in.
Lars clutched his hair with his hand and began to laugh. “I’ve spent my whole adult life training warriors. If Nils or Kian had a tenth of Nicole’s potential, I would be drilling them as hard and often as I could.”
“Yeah.” Theo’s voice was rueful. “We did the same thing with my sister. Christina is a light dragon. Her ability to bend light and go invisible is invaluable, and yet all we Lindorms did was put her in a box and guard her. Sure, we taught her to fly, but we didn’t train her the way that Victor and I were trained, and the way that Gunnar is being trained.”
“She is the Treasure of the House of Lindorm,” Lars protested. “Her safety was our first duty.”
“Uh huh, and why was she such a treasure?” Theo asked. “Was it just because she was female? I don’t think so. We all value our mates and our mothers and it is not just because they can bear firelings. I’m afraid we’re just the old-fashioned male chauvinist pigs that Christina said we were.” He got to his feet. “I’m due to make another round of the perimeter. You think about what I’ve said.”
“What’s to think about? You’re right. I’ve been trying to empower Nicole, and I’ve left out the most important way she could feel secure and safe. I didn’t even think about it.” Lars shook his head. “I took it for granted that my job was to protect her. I never thought about training her to protect herself.”
Theo put his chair back under the table. “Self-defense courses help women who have been assaulted to regain their sense of personal security.”
“I knew that. I just didn’t think –” Lars got up too. “We’ll start finding out just how powerful she is in the morning.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
* * *
After her shower, Nicole found the second of the nightgowns that Matilda Lindorm had given her. Like the first, it too was white. But while the first was a tube of silky fabric that covered her decently, this one was a wide triangle of some gauzy fabric as transparent as it was delicate. She threw it over her head and gasped.
The fabric floated over her body concealing and revealing. Her pubes were a shadowy dark patch at the top of her thighs. Her areolas were deep pink buds that drew the eye. The curve of her waist and hip and the flare of her buttocks were exposed every time she moved. Did she dare to wear such a revealing garment? Then she remembered Lars’ hands last night. He had touched her so gently – and so generously. And she had been mostly naked. Besides, the lights would be off.
Lars opened the door as she wandered back into the bedroom. He had also showered and put on a robe. He looked as immaculate and well-groomed as usual, while she was conscious that her session with the blow-dryer had left her hair a tousled mass of curls. She tried to sidle past him but he was too quick for her. He stopped her with an outstretched hand on her waist.
“That’s a pretty confection,” he said and bent his head to sample her breast.
“Oh.”
He raised his head, leaving her damp nipple bereft. “No?” he asked.
“I liked it,” she whispered.
“Okay, then.” He tasted the other side. “Perfectly delicious. Bed?”
She nodded.
“Do you want the light out?”
“Please.”
“Okay.” He swung her into his arms and brought her to the bed. He laid her down tenderly and covered her with the sheet. “I sleep nude,” he said. His hands undid his sash and he shrugged out of his white robe to reveal the muscular perfection of his body.
“The light,” she reminded him.
He turned them all off. She could see him nearly as well in the darkness. But she felt less visible herself. Which was silly. He had dragon vision too. But she wasn’t capable of being sensible about being half-naked in bed with a man. His bare leg brushed against her and she started.
His chuckle was soft and tender. His foot found hers and began to rub in circles. “Relax,” he whispered. “This is all about play and having fun. Remember how good you felt last night?”
“Yes.”
“Did I do anything you didn’t like?”
“No.”
“Good.” His toes climbed up to her ankles and nipped gently.
“What are you doing?” she whispered. She had never read anything about feet.
“You have such soft skin. I’m feeling it with my toes.” He found the hollow beside her Achilles tendon with his big toe and a spark ran up her legs.
“Oh. What should I do?”
He touched his mouth to hers. “Kissing would be nice about now.”
She pushed back with her lips. And he responded with the slow and teasing exploration of her face that she remembered from the night before. He kissed her as if there was nothing else in the world he desired so much. As if discovering the angle of her jawline was a matter of intense and all-consuming importance. Her heart rate sped up. Her skin prickled but she felt less unsure of herself.
CHAPTER THIRTY
When Nicole’s fingertips explored the hard contours of his chest, Lars jumped just as she had when he touched her. He was hairless except for a happy trail that led from his belly button to his pubes. But she was quite content to trace the firm, sleek outlines of his pecs and let her fingers drift in slow circles to the flat disks of his nipples.
His teeth bit her lower lip lightly. Her mouth opened and he slipped inside. For the first time since he had joined her on the bed his hands touched her. They kneaded her waist gently and drew her onto her side so they faced each other fully and he could reach behind her. His body was humming now – vibrating as if the connection they had forged in the sky had synchronized them in some manner. Her tongue and mouth was reverberating as his tongue slowly moved against hers and transmitted his deep rumbling purr.
He broke the kiss to murmur in her ear. “May I touch you, sweetheart?”
“Where?” Was that
sultry croon hers?
“Where would you like to be touched?”
Where indeed? Her whole body felt needy. Her breasts felt hot and heavy the nipples stiff and engorged. She moved his hands to the tight peaks. Lars let her guide his fingers. He tugged gently on the erect tips. But he also licked her earlobe and blew on it. He shaped the sensitive undersides of her breasts and stroked his palms along the upper slopes, before plumping them in his palms and pressing kisses around and around. Heat began to build inside her and her moans changed to squeals.
She squirmed closer and ran her hands up his back, trailing her fingers as delicately over his skin as he had done to her. He lifted his head from her bosom and chuckled. “Use the flat of your hands,” he instructed. “And press hard. I like long, firm strokes.” He resumed his exquisite feasting. Fire spread wherever his teeth and tongue touched her.
For half a second Nicole was afraid he was angry, but his matter of fact tones reassured her. She did as he had asked and was rewarded by his rumble of pleasure. As he vocalized, the sensitive skin around one nipple began to thrum with anticipation. His skin dampened too. His back was smooth and supple and covered with solid slabs of heavy muscle. She rubbed circles around his vertebra as he had done to her last night, pressing more deeply than he had done.
“Do you like that?” she whispered.
“Can’t you tell?” he growled. She felt the tremors in his body transfer to her nipple and pass in waves of pleasure through her body.
He moved a hand between them and touched her quaking belly. Everything inside her was wound tight and ready to explode. “May I touch your pussy?” he begged.
Her legs fell open.
“May I?”
“Yes.” Her voice had gone past sultry to husky.
He began by petting her muff as if she were indeed a kitty cat. He ran his fingers through her curls tugging lightly and then smoothing them down with gentle pats. His forefinger traced a huge circle around her clit, again, and again, until his taunting made her too restless to continue stroking him.
Dragon's Possession (BBW / Dragon Shifter Romance) (Lords of the Dragon Islands Book 4) Page 21
