Revealing the Dragons (Stonefire Dragons #2.5)

by Jessie Donovan

Arabella stopped breathing. Even though it was through a video feed, she swore Finn’s gaze looked determined and a bit hungry.

  No. She had to be imagining things. He was wrong for her. Not to mention that while she was making progress on her trauma, she was light-years away from even kissing a male.

  Not that she wanted to kiss Finlay Stewart anyway.

  Bram growled. “So you’ll take Ara?”

  Finn smiled. “Of course. I’ll have a candidate for you shortly. We can finalize the details when you’re not busy watching over your shoulder at every turn. Although I must admit, you’ve turned into the darling clan of Britain. I’m not sure how I can compete with that.”

  As Bram and Finn continued to argue like children, all Arabella could think about was how her life would change in two months’ time.

  Even if it killed her, she would work every day if she had to with Tristan to better know her dragon. She didn’t want anyone from Lochguard treating her differently because of an episode. She needed to be stronger, because if she couldn’t make a fresh start at Lochguard, Arabella wasn’t sure if she’d ever have the chance again.

  And if that were the case, she would spend the rest of her life living as a ghost.

  Chapter Ten

  Tapping her fingers against the conference table, Melanie looked yet again at the clock on the wall. The meeting should have started five minutes ago.

  The last few weeks had been a blur. Between TV interviews, answering emails, and even holding one video chat with a handful of cabinet officials, Melanie had been busy. When factoring in time with Tristan and their twins, she had barely had enough time to sleep.

  Still, she would do it again in a heartbeat because all of that work had brought her to the meeting that should have begun five minutes ago. If the damn woman ever showed up, Mel might be able to enact real change.

  Just as she tapped out part of Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony”, she heard voices on the other side of the door.

  When it opened, Melanie stilled her fingers. It was time.

  Standing up, she turned to greet the British Home Secretary, Jacqueline Reid.

  A woman in her fifties with graying brown hair and gray eyes smiled as Bram guided her to the table where Melanie waited.

  The woman paused and put out a hand. After Mel took it, the woman said, “Thank you for meeting with me, Mrs. Hall-MacLeod.”

  “The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Reid. And please call me Melanie.”

  The woman sat across from Melanie. “Since you and I will be talking a lot in the future, call me Jacqueline.”

  Mel smiled. “Right, then, Jacqueline. I’m glad you were able to come and meet with us. I’d love to chat and share some tea, but we don’t have a lot of time. We should start.”

  Bram was sitting next to Melanie. He jumped in, “I agree. I’m especially keen to hear your response to our proposals.”

  The Home Secretary looked at each of them in turn. “Before we get to that, I need know if you passed on the necessary information we requested to MI5 or not.”

  Bram replied, “Yes, they have all of the information we could find on the dragon hunters and the Dragon Knights. Granted, the information on the Dragon Knights is centuries old and may not be much help.”

  The Home Secretary bobbed her head. “Good. Anything is better than nothing. The public is keen to stop the hunters, thanks to Arabella MacLeod and the other victims. If we don’t step up our efforts, we may have a few riots on our hands.”

  Melanie resisted making a remark about public opinion being more important than the lives of dragon-shifters. It wasn’t the time to fight that battle.

  Instead, Mel folded her hands in front of her and kept her tone level. “We’ve fulfilled every request you’ve asked of us. So, now will you tell us about our proposals?”

  “Of course.” Jacqueline pulled out some papers from her briefcase and handed one copy each to Melanie and Bram. “There is merit to your ideas, but after talking with the Prime Minister and some other Cabinet ministers, we have some suggested changes.”

  Melanie glanced down and read the cover sheet, “Inclusion and Visitation Laws.” Looking back up at the Home Secretary, she said, “This stack of paper is at least fifty pages thick. While we’ll read through it carefully later, if you could run through the basics for now, we’d much appreciate it.”

  Jacqueline answered, “The logistics are still being finalized, but visitation passes for humans to enter dragon-shifter territory will be granted on a case-by-case basis, allowing relatives and business interests to visit dragon-shifter land. Nothing is permanent and each case will have a set time period, but no longer will non-sacrifice visits be illegal.”

  Bram said, “That’s a good start. Although, one day, I hope the laws will go further.”

  Jacqueline tapped her stack of papers. “I understand your desire to do away with the sacrifice system and rule your lands semi-autonomously. However, we’re all aware of the growing popularity of the so-called Dragon Knights and their threats. Until we can find a way to contain them, full autonomy, let alone integration, is out of the question or we risk more domestic terrorist attacks.”

  Before Bram could argue a point he couldn’t win, at least not in the present political climate, Melanie stepped in. “That addresses one-half of our proposal. Tell me about the inclusion side of things.”

  Jaqueline flipped open her papers and tapped on a certain sheet. “Page twenty goes into more detail, but basically, we will allow dragon-shifters more freedom of movement provided they carry a micro-chipped ID card.”

  Bram crossed his arms. “Storing massive amounts of data on each dragon-shifter in the chips is risky and dangerous. There will be hackers paid to find out our information and pass it on to the highest bidder. We’ll become easy targets.”

  Jacqueline folded her hands on top of her documents. “The ID card is non-negotiable. We will instruct MI5 to do everything in their power to prevent a breach, but too many citizens are scared at the thought of a dragon-shifter running amuck.”

  Bram shook his head. “I won’t allow every secret to be stored by the human government. I can compromise to allow basics or past criminal offenses, but nothing else.”

  Mel watched as Bram and Jaqueline stared at one another. Bram might look calm and collected on the outside, but Melanie wondered if her leader was as nervous on the inside as she was. If Jacqueline said no, then their hopes of dragon-shifter inclusion would be significantly diminished.

  It was the Home Secretary who finally broke the silence. “I’ll see what we can do, but even if I can get the Prime Minister to agree, I will need a guarantee that all possible threats are identified. It will only take one rogue dragon terrorizing London to change public opinion and undo all of the progress so far.”

  Bram answered, “Done. I can’t speak for the other clans, but I can assure you that Stonefire will cooperate.”

  Jacqueline leaned back in her chair. “Yes, well it’s a good thing Stonefire is our trial clan. The reputation of some of the other British clans is less than stellar.”

  Bram added, “Speaking of being the trial clan, I want a guarantee the law on chipped ID cards will be reevaluated on a periodic basis. Maybe every two or three years. And those dragon-shifters who don’t visit human populated areas won’t be required to carry one.”

  The Home Secretary nodded. “That sounds reasonable. Although I can’t promise anything, I will suggest it. However, these laws will only go into effect in England and Wales. I’m afraid you’ll have to talk with the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly to set up laws there.”

  Sensing Bram was satisfied for the moment, Melanie asked, “How soon will you start issuing visitation passes?”

  Jaqueline smiled at her. “You want to see your family.”

  Mel nodded. “Yes.”

  “The law will take some time, what with debate and calling a vote, but I’ve already put in a request for your parents and brother. Provided the Prime
Minister doesn’t object, you can see them in a few weeks.”

  Mel swallowed the emotion in her throat. If she wasn’t careful, she’d start crying. “Thank you.”

  Jaqueline waved a hand in dismissal. “Considering the risk you’ve taken and your determination, it’s the least I can do.” The Home Secretary placed her documents into her briefcase and looked at both Mel and Bram in turn. “There’s little else I can do for the moment. Once you’ve had a chance to read the proposal thoroughly, contact my office with questions. They’ll find you the answers you need.”

  Jaqueline stood up and Mel hurried to her feet. Since Mel wasn’t clan leader, she looked to Bram and he said, “You’re welcome back any time, Mrs. Reid. I appreciate you working with us. No one ever gave us a second glance in the past.”

  Jaqueline shrugged one shoulder. “I’ve been in politics the majority of my life. I can tell when the wind is changing, and things are definitely changing for the dragon clans in the UK. As long as dragons don’t start killing humans at random, I welcome the challenge of devising a new ID system. A person rarely has a chance to make such a mark on history, as I’m sure Melanie is well aware.”

  After making her goodbyes, the Home Secretary left. When they were alone in the room, Tristan barged in and demanded, “Well?”

  Evie was hot on his tail, and moved to stand next to Tristan. She focused her stare on Bram. “Tell us what happened.”

  Bram raised an eyebrow. “A bit bossy, are you now, lass?”

  Evie let out a frustrated sigh. “As much as I like matching wits with you, now is not the time, Bram Moore-Llewellyn. Tell us what the hell happened.”

  Bram shook his head. “All right, lass. We got most of our demands, but not all.”

  Tristan looked at Melanie, the unasked question in his eyes. Mel smiled. “We should be seeing my parents and brother soon.”

  Her mate smiled and walked over to her. Hugging her tightly, he murmured, “I told you we’d find a way, my little human.”

  Nuzzling his chest with her face, she replied, “I know, but for awhile there, I thought it’d never happen.”

  Tristan leaned back until he could see her eyes. “But it is, and more, all because of you.”

  The love and support shining from Tristan’s eyes warmed her heart. “Thanks for putting up with me and my sometimes unbearable drive. It’s just that if I don’t like things as they are, I change them.”

  Tristan brushed a tendril of hair off her cheek. “Don’t ever apologize for being who you are. You’ve made me a better dragonman, not to mention what you’ve done for Arabella. I love every bit of your stubbornness, Melanie. Don’t ever change.”

  She tilted her head in invitation, but Tristan looked around the room rather than kiss her. Meeting her eyes again, there was a wicked glint that made her shiver. “Good, they left and even shut the door.”

  “Why would they—”

  “Because, Bram knew I wanted to do this.”

  Tristan lowered his head and kissed her.

  Parting her lips, she accepted his tongue. As he stroked her mouth, she leaned into her mate, loving the feel of his hard body against hers. When Tristan moved one hand to her bum and pressed her against his hard cock, she broke the kiss with a frown. “Tristan MacLeod, we’re in the middle of a conference room.”

  The heat in his eyes shot straight between her legs, making her pussy pulse.

  He leaned close, his breath a warm whisper against her cheek. “There aren’t any windows or cameras in here. We’re safe.” He nuzzled her cheek. “I know you want me right now, love. Let’s take a chance and celebrate your victory.”

  While she’d had sex with her mate in a clearing, she’d never had it in such a public area. Yet the idea of maybe being caught sent a little thrill through her body.

  What the hell am I thinking?

  Before she could think more on the subject, Tristan move his hand from her ass to the hem of her skirt. As he slowly moved up her outer thigh, her breath hitched.

  Tristan chuckled. “We’re doing this.”

  She opened her mouth, but then his hand was fingering the seam of her panties. When he growled, the vibrations made her nipples hard.

  Her mate murmured, “Why are you wearing underwear? I thought we discussed this before.”

  “Hey, I’m not about to go commando when meeting the British Home Secretary. Not even for you, Tristan.”

  He slipped his finger under her panties and thrust it into her pussy. She bit her lip and leaned against his chest for support.

  As Tristan slowly moved in and out of her core, it took everything she had to keep from moaning. Somehow she managed to say, “We don’t have time for you to tease. Fuck me now, Tristan, or we’re leaving.”

  With a growl, Tristan lifted her, placed her on the table, and spread her legs. The next second, her panties were ripped in half. She barely said, “That’s better,” when Tristan freed his cock and thrust into her pussy.

  Biting her lip harder, Tristan moved, not wasting any time. His actions were hard and fast, in the single-mindedness she’d learned to love. When his eyes flashed to dragon slits and back again, she knew his inner beast was helping him.

  Then her mate moved a hand to her clit and circled the hard nub. Placing her hands behind her, Melanie leaned back and widened her legs. Tristan increased his pace and the pressure against her clit. She moaned quietly before whispering, “I’m close.”

  Pinching her, Melanie’s orgasm hit her as wave after wave of pleasure coursed through her body. Tristan never ceased thrusting his hips, and each movement of his cock—as her pussy clenched and released—only increased the pleasure.

  Then Tristan stilled and gave a closed-mouth roar as he spilled inside her, sending her into another orgasm.

  When she finally came down, Tristan remained inside her as he pulled her close. He kept his voice low. “I think we should add sex in strange places to our bi-weekly date nights.”

  She was too content to frown. “Something tells me you already have a list a mile long of places for us to try.”

  “But of course.”

  His matter-of-fact tone made her smile. “Then maybe I’ll think about not wearing any underwear for date nights.”

  He grunted. “I don’t think you should ever wear underwear.”

  Snuggling into Tristan’s chest, she laughed. “Of course you would.”

  Tristan kissed the top of her head. “Even when you wear underwear, I still love you.”

  She shook her head against his chest. “You’re such a man, Tristan MacLeod.”

  He leaned back to cup her cheek and stroke her skin with his thumb. “No, love, I’m a dragonman. Get used to it.”

  Smiling, she looked at her mate with every ounce of love she possessed. “I don’t think I’d have it any other way.”

  As Tristan gave her a slow, gentle kiss, Melanie knew every day would seem like a happy ending as long as she had her dragonman by her side.

  Epilogue

  Two Weeks Later

  Melanie studied the crowd from her vantage point inside the guard’s shelter at the main gate to Stonefire. What had once been fifty people had turned into five hundred.

  As much as she appreciated the support, the large groups of people showing up every day were making it difficult for anyone to enter the gates and she was expecting some very important guests in the next thirty minutes.

  Tristan called out behind her, “Your daughter is awake and wants you.”

  Mel forced her eyes from the window to Tristan, who was crouched over the playpen.

  Annabel made a few baby coos and unintelligible chatter. Mel couldn’t resist her daughter’s one-sided conversations and walked over to her mate.

  Tristan rubbed Mel’s back as she leaned over the playpen and smiled at her daughter. “Someone’s being chatty.” Reaching down, she scooped up her baby girl and settled her on her hip. “But let’s try not being too loud or your brother will be cranky. I’d rather yo
ur grandparents not have to deal with cranky pants straightaway.”

  Annabel made a high-pitched squeal and Tristan chuckled. “I don’t think Anna wants to be told what to do.”

  Mel shot her mate a suspicious look. “You’re encouraging her when I’m not around, aren’t you? She’s definitely going to be Daddy’s little girl.”

  Tristan shrugged. “I need someone on my team when she’s older. I can’t have it always being three against one.”

  Unable to keep the frown on her face, Melanie laughed. “Oh, I’m working on that. With the twins on my side, we can get rid of that crappy, battered chair in the living room. I swear I’ll have to pry your dead body out of it otherwise.”

  Tristan grinned and the sight warmed Mel’s heart. Just as her mate opened his mouth, one of the guards entered from the side door. He looked to Melanie. “A silver sedan is approaching the gate.”

  Mel whispered, “They’re here.”

  As she moved to the window, her heart beat double-time. She had waited so long for this moment, to see her parents again. She only hoped her memories and dream matched the reality.

  She was most afraid of how her brother would treat her. She and Oliver had been close before, but he might see her offering herself as a sacrifice as abandonment.

  Tristan moved to her side, a sleepy Jack in his arms. “You video chat with them at least once every two weeks. How can you be nervous?”

  She glanced up at Tristan. “You might be oblivious to social awkwardness, since silence is your best friend, but I’m not. Sometimes, video chatting isn’t enough.”

  He frowned. “Stop fretting. I want my practical, logical mate back.”

  The guard’s cell phone beeped. He looked at it and then at Mel and Tristan. “The car is at the gate. Follow me.”

  They exited the guard’s security checkpoint and walked behind the stone and brick building. As they turned the corner, a silver sedan pulled to a stop.

  Her heart thumped harder. The doors opened and her parents and brother disembarked the car. They looked around until they met Mel’s eyes.