“That doesn’t mean I want to,” I snap into his head.
Tahr pulls the pants on and winces when he covers his burgeoning cock. I hope it hurts. He hurt me. Goddess, he is so damn beautiful. It’s hard to hold onto my anger with him this close and his magic wrapping around me making my flesh shiver. I tug on the hem of Sarn’s shirt and wish I had something else to wear.
I place my hand out when Tahr moves toward me. “Stay where you are,” I demand and ignore the silver flash in his eyes. I’m not afraid of him and I will not give in no matter how difficult it is. If he won’t leave me alone, I’ll find another place to hide.
“You are returning with me, Pepper.” I’m about to sizzle him where he stands when he rephrases, “Umm, will you return with me… please?”
He’s so egotistical and the “please” comes out as a whine. “I’m not going back with you, Tahr.”
He starts pacing but thankfully stays far enough away that I can think somewhat clearly. What he did hurt me deeply and it’s so much worse because I love him. Holding onto this pain is what’s keeping me sane. No, that’s not true; I’m insanely in love with him. My fingers itch to glide over his chest and ignite the magic that resonates within him.
He stops pacing and runs his fingers through his hair. It took me only a short time to realize he does this when he’s nervous or perplexed. “This is ridiculous. You’re a woman and cannot be alone.”
My insanity raises a notch. There’s a large statue within reach, so I chuck it at his head. He blocks it, but not my scream inside his head. “You gave me away. You have no right to tell me what I will or will not do. Leave now and stay away from me.”
He’s looking at me as if I’ve gone mad. He pulls me in so the top half of our bodies touch and takes my lips in a heart-shattering kiss. I sink into the feel of him—his magic, his warmth, his strength. My back hits the soft mattress and Tahr follows me down. One hand moves to my leg to skim across my flesh. Everywhere his fingers move an arc of light spikes between us.
“You’re mine,” he breathes against my lips.
I want to be. His hand goes to the front of his pants and the fog in my head lifts.
“Do you love me, Tahr?” I question breathlessly into his mind. Please, please, please give me the answer that will make the pain of what you did to me fade.
He freezes and combined with the sadness I see in his eyes, I have my answer.
With strength I didn’t know I had, I push solidly against his chest and send him flying to the floor. I peer over the side of the bed, open my mouth, and let loose with a blast of fire.
“Owww… fuck… stop that,” he yells putting his hands up to block the flames. I tear off the shirt I’m wearing, sprint from the room, and dive over the edge of the perch. It’s a few seconds before I remember to pull in the magic. But does it really matter? I thought I would give anything to be a dragon, but I would give it all back for Tahr’s love. My dragon bursts free and more flames shoot from my throat.
Why would he love me? It doesn’t matter that I’m now a dragon, I’m still me—a human, a servant, a lesser being. I fly in circles around the castle. I refuse to leave and just wait for Tahr to go. A few minutes later, he does. His silver eyes flash from his soot-covered face when he storms to the edge of the perch.
“When you grow lonely and hungry, I will take you back,” he shouts as he shifts and flies away.
Damn dragon.
***
The next day my anger hasn’t diminished, but my hunger has doubled. I’ve searched Sarn’s castle, but there is no food. To take my mind off my aching belly, I shift and fly around in circles practicing my dragon fire without scorching myself. In the distance I notice movement and feel two distinct magic signatures and know it isn’t my young friends from yesterday. The females have come to make my acquaintance, or at least I hope that’s why they’re here.
I’ve met Acasia, though we weren’t properly introduced. The other must be Roxy, the mate of Laryn. I head to the perch and land with a bit more grace than the previous day. My dragon form still feels awkward, but I’m learning to control it. I shift, pull on my discarded shirt, and wait for them to come closer.
“May we visit?” flows into my head and I smile with relief at Acasia’s graciousness.
“Yes, please.”
They land and immediately shift. “Do you have clothing we could borrow?” Acasia asks.
I nod and they follow me inside and wait as I shake out two more shirts and hand them over. Roxy brings it to her nose and sniffs. “Hmm, this smells like Sarn. My mate will hate it.” Her smile turns mischievous.
They pull the shirts over their heads. Acasia gives me a grin. “Your dragon form is a lovely shade of yellow.”
Her assurance has me bursting into tears. Tahr is right. I’m not just hungry, I’m lonely too. I want so badly to return to his castle. He can’t re-break a heart that is already broken. All my defenses are down and I just want him to hold me.
Roxy and Acasia wrap me in their arms and it’s almost enough. They lead me to the bed and Acasia holds my hand while Roxy keeps one arm around me.
Acasia wipes a trail of tears from my face. “You must tell us everything so we can help.” She squeezes my hand a bit tighter. “We’ve both been where you are, so dry your tears and start talking.”
I do. I tell them everything. All my anger and hurt pours out. I cry and even laugh a bit as I recount the events that brought me here. More than an hour later, I’m hiccupping through more tears and end with, “I’m so hungry I could eat an ox.”
They laugh and I join in. I choke on the smoke that drifts from my nose. I make a very bad dragon and tears again replace the laughter.
Roxy bumps me with her hip. “I couldn’t control my fire when I first transcended either. It’s actually quite irritating.” She smiles gently. “We will help. First food, though. I don’t have much time because Laryn is guarding our egg and I get antsy the longer I’m away.” She stands and pulls the shirt over her head. “Acasia will stay here while I find something better than a tough old ox to eat.”
“I should help. I must learn to find my own food.”
Acasia tugs me back down to the bed and stops me from following Roxy. “Not this time. You need a long bath and some time to adjust. Please don’t be insulted by my next question, but can you speak aloud?”
A garbled sound comes from my throat. Acasia smiles gently as I try again. “I can.” It sounds strange, but it’s the same voice I hear in my head when I speak telepathically.
“With practice you will sound lovely.”
For now, I’ll continue telepathically and practice when no one is around. “Thank you for saying yellow is lovely too. Roxy’s son told me I was ugly.”
Acasia rolls her eyes. “So young and he already has the arrogance of a typical male dragon. I work very hard with Ashrac, but it does little good.” She tips my chin up. “I think lovely is too tame a word. Your eyes have turned a stunning, sparkling yellow and the same color as your dragon.” She sighs and rubs her other hand over the top of mine. “Male dragons are very slow to change. They’ve come so far since I arrived in their realm. That doesn’t mean Bastian doesn’t need a nice bash on the head now and then. Sometimes that’s the only way to get their attention.”
“I agree,” I answer sardonically as I remember the satisfaction of knocking Tahr upside the head when he gave me to Mikael.
“Tahr loves you, he just doesn’t know it. Dragons fight love. They don’t handle loss well and guard their hearts against intrusion. He also loved Meagan and his feelings are confused. Time, a few knocks over the head, and a bit of gentle feminine persuasion will set things right. Roxy and I will help you settle in here and teach you what you need to know about being dragon. We’ll also impart what we know about loving one.”
My world is no longer as bleak and maybe… just maybe, I’ll have a chance with my dragon.
Chapter Nineteen
Tahr
&n
bsp; I miss Pepper terribly. She has stayed away for a month. Bastian and Laryn informed me that their mates are helping her. I should be angry, but I’m actually relieved. I don’t want Pepper alone.
My thoughts are all over the place. I miss Meagan so much and I will admit to missing Pepper just as badly. It makes no sense. She has been in my life for such a short time.
It’s after midnight and I’ve given up trying to sleep. Each night is longer than the last and I can’t control my heart any longer. I need my mate. I know I hurt her. I’m hoping that charcoaling my face and giving her time has dispelled some of her anger. A broken heart is different. I saw it in her eyes and I have no idea how to fix it.
I gave her away.
She won’t come to me so I go to her. Pepper doesn’t fly out of Sarn’s castle as I half expect. I shift on the perch and enter the bedroom. She’s sleeping. I stay still and take time to admire her beauty. Her headpiece is waiting at home and for just a moment I wish I’d disposed of it. I find her far prettier without it. She moves beneath the covers and I inhale sharply when her eyes open and go from green to a brilliant yellow.
I don’t give her a chance to yell at me. “Please just let me say what I’ve come to say and then I’ll leave.” I’m relieved when she stays still. “The last thing I wish to do is hurt you further, but I need to be truthful. I’m not sure how to love. I cared deeply for Meagan. She told me she loved me many times, but never asked if I reciprocated her feelings. I care very strongly for you, Pepper. I cared to a lesser degree before I found you in the dungeon. I asked Henry about you because I missed having you hide within my rooms and watch over me. Your presence comforted me when I needed it most.” I exhale slowly, relieved she’s listening. “I gave you to Mikael because I couldn’t control my desire. I gave my word to never touch a human within my keeping if it wasn’t my bride. I was confused and also thought I owed Meagan’s years of my own heartache for all she gave to me. I was wrong. Meagan only ever wanted me happy. I’ve spent these last few weeks sorting my thoughts.” Tears slide down Pepper’s face. I’m hurting her even more, but I must get everything out. “My uncle is the cause of the curse. I am the last silver dragon and I alone should have paid for what he did. So many have suffered because of a silver dragon. I’m ashamed of my color and hide it behind walls of arrogance.” I inhale shakily and continue, “You should hate me. I just needed you to know that I care as much as I am able.” My eyes water, but I hold back tears because dragons don’t cry, they don’t love, and they don’t forgive themselves. “Goodbye, Pepper.”
I turn away relieved that I was able to say what is in my heart.
A sweet telepathic voice chirps into my head, “I have enough love for both of us, Tahr. Please don’t leave me.”
A strangled sound leaves my throat before I can speak properly. “I don’t deserve your love, Pepper.”
A small smile curves her soft lips. “No, you most likely don’t, but you can earn the right, Tahr. Stay with me or I will blast you with dragon fire again. I’ve been practicing.”
Yellow sparks dance from her eyes. She sits up and the cover slips to her waist. Her bare breasts with their small pointy nipples tempt me so. She lifts her arms and I can’t resist. I cross to the bed and pull her into me. This is where she belongs… where I need her to be. I do something I’ve wanted to do for so long. Lifting my hand, I very gently caress her bare scalp. Her shining yellow eyes grow uncertain. I kiss the top of her head and continue placing light kisses over her skin until I meet her lips. She is mine.
I pull the cover completely from the bed and press my lips to hers. She sighs into my mouth as I move over her body and gently lay her back against the mattress. She’s so soft. And my cock is so incredibly hard.
“I need you badly, Pepper. Need you in my life and in my bed. Let me make love to you, please.”
“Don’t stop,” comes her breathy response.
I push away slightly so I can touch her breasts. I need her… want her desperately. And it’s past time I claim my mate. I dip my head and gently suck one nipple into my mouth. She is sweet and luscious, spicy and earthy. I move to her other breast and a sigh escapes her lips. It’s a sound I never dreamed to hear.
I glance up and our eyes meet. Hers spark with a bright yellow glow and I’m entranced by their beauty all over again. I make a husky plea, “Are you sure, Pepper?”
“I love you, Tahr.”
I’m humbled. She deserves so much more than I will ever be capable of giving her. She raises her hips and all thought but that of making her mine ends. My cock is nestled between her thighs ready to explode. I fight for control. I push slowly within her waiting warmth and hit the barrier of her virginity. She moans and I freeze. I should have prepared her—made this better, thought more about her pleasure.
“Don’t stop,” she begs.
I should be begging her.
I push forward again and break the barrier. Her fingernails dig into my back and a strangled cry replaces her moan.
We are one—mated. This lovely woman will fly by my side as dragon for all eternity. I’m coming undone and I can’t fight the need to complete our union. I pull almost entirely out before spearing her again. The magic we carry grows. Hers ripples in shades of yellow and mine silver. She’s beyond beautiful and I’m overwhelmed with her love. Her inner muscles clench my cock in a crescendo as her orgasm sets off mine. We burst into a shower of flame that lights up the room.
“Tahr, oh, Tahr,” she shouts. It’s the first words she has ever spoken aloud to me and I will never forget the sound of my name on her lips as our union is sealed.
I take her sweet lips and kiss her until the ripples of ecstasy fade. We remain bathed in the different shades of light. Pepper lifts her hand and twirls her finger through the colors surrounding us. She laughs and I love the sound. I capture her hand and bring it to my lips. I lick her knuckles before kissing them.
“I’ve missed you,” I sigh against her hand.
“I’ve missed you too.”
“Come fly with me. I’ve dreamed of it every night.”
She laughs as we launch from the perch. Our bodies continue to glow and my cock hardens once more. I ignore it for a time. I really want to fly with her. Ashrac told me she was uncoordinated and had no control of her fire. That’s all changed. I only wish it was me who taught her the complexities of being dragon. I refuse to allow my thoughts to ruin our mating flight. She is mine. I guide her from Sarn’s territory and lead her home.
“Your thing is sticking out,” she says in an impish voice.
I’ve been fighting my need since we left. No more. If she wants me, who am I to deny my mate? I rise higher and she flies ahead of me slightly. Coming from above her, I curl my front claws at the seam where her wings meet her back. I push down while flapping my wings so we land with only a slight jolt. I rise up and clamp my back legs around hers. In dragon form, I take my mate. Her cries of pleasure push through my mind. Our bodies still glow and when we explode into flames this time, the purest of dragon fire lights the sky for miles.
I’ve seen this same explosion from Bastian’s and Laryn’s realms many times. Fire rolls up my throat and I’m unable to hold it back as my roar goes over Pepper’s head. For the first time in thousands of years, all is right with my world.
“Shift,” I whisper when I can finally think clearly enough to speak. I need to kiss her again and giant dragon teeth in the way won’t work. We kiss and that leads to taking her again. I want to bury myself within her wet heat until the sun rises. She yawns and I’m forced to rein in my lust. “It’s late and you need to sleep. Come on, we’ll be at my castle in just a short time.”
I stand and place my hand out. She doesn’t take it. “I’m not returning with you, Tahr.”
“What?”
She sits up and looks at me with her bright yellow eyes. “I’m remaining at Sarn’s castle. I’m happy here and I need more time.”
“Time for what? You are mine.”
She shakes her head. “No, Tahr. I belong only to me. I love you and know you care for me. You need time to sort out your feelings too. Time to finish grieving for Meagan. I will wait for you.”
“Are you crazy?” I thunder. “You will come with me now.”
“Or what? You’ll make me? I don’t think so.” She stands and her shift to dragon throws me back several feet.
“Fuck,” I grumble. She’s serious. I’m so damned angry. I move farther away and shift. I launch myself into the sky. “You will come begging,” I yell petulantly and I may not take her back. She has rejected me for the last time.
***
I last three days before I return to Sarn’s castle. I’m angry with my brother dragon for leaving her a refuge. I’m angry at Pepper for forcing me to come here. And most of all I’m angry at myself for being unable to give her the words she wants. She opens her arms and my anger slips away. It only returns when I fly away without her.
Chapter Twenty
Pepper
He stays away for a week this time. He hasn’t given me what I need. He’s such a stubborn dragon. If it weren’t for Acasia and Roxy, I would be as crazy as he accuses me of being. With each visit, his taunts become more hurtful. I alleviate his pain by offering my body. And he is in pain. I see it in his dull and listless eyes. He holds me tighter than he should and I don’t complain. He needs me and deep in my heart I know that eventually he will accept that he loves me and allow his fear to drift away forever.
He steps into the room and I lift my arms beckoning. He slides into the bed and I wait for his kiss. Tonight, he keeps from my lips and travels my body with his gentle nips from his teeth and the languid slide of his tongue. I cry out when he breathes against my special place—the place that sheaths his cock. His tongue flicks out and I gasp his name.
“I can’t stay away from you,” he breathes against me before kissing me there. He presses two fingers inside of me. I buck my hips and wrap my fingers in his hair pressing him tightly to the part of me that craves more. His laugh ripples through me.
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