He knew his father would not drop the subject so easily. The God of the Sea had a plan, and it wasn’t going to be a fun one. Dylan knew that he had to get to Toni, but how? His father would no doubt keep very close tabs on him from now on. He couldn’t go to his quarters either, what with the waiting bride and all. No, he had to go somewhere, and Dylan had a plan. He only prayed that it worked.
***
“I was as fast as I could go,” Azerial said as she entered Toni’s room.
“I had no choice,” Angel said with a shake of his head. “I had to knock her out. I don’t know how long I can keep her asleep, though.”
“What does she mean, on land but within the ocean?” Jade asked, already having picked the whole conversation out of the goddess’s head.
“I am not sure. She said the man–"
“Dylan,” Jade offered.
“Yes, Dylan.” Azerial continued, “Was the son of the sea and that he would bring with him the fury of the ocean.”
“Of course!” Jade exclaimed.
“What?” everyone else asked.
Jade stood and paced the floor. “Toni has been talking in her sleep. Dreaming about gods and Olympians. She said something about Hercules. The son of the sea! Poseidon! Dylan is Poseidon’s son!”
“Those gods are just myth,” Rebel said.
“No,” Azerial interjected. “They are not. I can assure you, they are quite real.”
“But how?”
“Never mind,” Azerial said. “It is a long story that I must share at a later time. No wonder he seemed familiar to me. He looks like his father. If in fact Dylan is the Sea God’s child, he would be safe in the water. Why would he bring fury?”
“Maybe his dear old dad doesn’t like his choice in women?” Michael added.
As if on cue, lightning streaked across the sky. A few seconds later, thunder followed. “There is a storm coming,” Azerial said.
“We need to find him now,” Jade said. “How can something be on land and in the sea?”
“An island, maybe?” Brea offered.
“Yes!” Jade said. “Let’s go find us an undiscovered island!”
“Easier said than done,” Leigh pointed out.
Lightning crashed again outside and then the sky opened up. Torrential rain pounded the roof of their home and hail pelted the windows.
“That’s one hell of a storm,” Brea said. “I’m gonna go check it out on the television.”
“I can fly out over the ocean and have a look,” Michael suggested.
“Me too,” Leigh said. “More eyes are better.”
“No, you’re not,” Jade told them. “You can’t fly in this.” She motioned at the window to the storm going full swing outside.
“I can fly above it,” Michael pointed out.
“And see what? Storm clouds?”
“I think Jade may be right,” Frankie said. “Why don’t we just scry for that island?”
Toni mumbled something in her sleep and tossed her body over.
“I like it,” Jade said. “It’s our best shot.”
13
Dylan surfaced less than a mile from the island that he had taken Toni to. His father would no doubt know where he was, but Toni was not there and that was what was important. The rain fell in harsh sheets, no doubt a residual effect of his father’s anger. As he approached the shore, the water fell off Dylan’s body and he remained dry even though the rain was torrential.
He went directly to the log they had sat on, where they had one of the best talks he had ever experienced, and sat down. That was one of the many things he adored about her. He could talk to her. She wasn’t just a pretty face. The mark on his shoulder tingled and Dylan subconsciously touched it. He was her mate. He didn’t believe that Toni knew she marked him, but there it was, plain for the world to see. He found that he liked it. It made him feel things he had never felt before. He felt treasured. Wanted. Loved.
He didn’t know anything about love. Dylan had never known his mother and his father sure wasn’t going to show any affection his way. But Dylan knew that the feelings he had for the dragon were unique and they were real.
Why else would he have stood up to his father? No one bucked up to Poseidon and lived to tell the tale. Dylan was surprised he was even allowed out of the palace. Hell, he was surprised his heart still beat. What was he going to do now? He knew he had to protect Toni, but how? He wiped himself from her memory. Even if he went back, she wouldn’t remember him.
But he remembered her.
Every touch of her hand, every caress of her lips still burned his skin. Her fire was the perfect complement to his cool and even nature. His name on her lips... That was what Heaven must be like. Dylan laid back in the sand and watched the storm, knowing what he must do, but at a loss as to how to accomplish it.
***
“Got it!” Frankie shouted.
“Uh,” Toni moaned from her bed.
“Sorry,” Frankie whispered. “I got it.”
“Got what,” Toni asked as she pushed herself to a sitting position. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and tried to focus.
“Are you sure you should be awake?” Jade asked her.
“I’m ready to know what’s going on,” Toni told her. Her expression changed from sleepy to worry. “Did I drink blood?”
“Yeah and you threw it up too,” Rebel answered her.
“I’m sorry Dad,” Toni moaned. “Disgusting.”
Rebel humphed and tried not to be offended.
“I have a lot to tell you,” Jade said. “Here, have a drink of water.” She pushed a glass of liquid in Toni’s direction.
She took the glass and stared into it. “Water,” she mumbled before raising the glass to her lips.
“Yeah, about that.” Jade continued, “I know you don’t remember him, but you met your mate.”
Toni stopped mid drink and swallowed hard. “My mate?” she choked out. It seemed like that was something a girl would remember.
“Yeah. His name is Dylan and for whatever reason, someone has erased his memory from your head.” Jade pressed her lips hard together and Toni could tell that her cousin was furious about the situation.
“Dylan,” Toni repeated. “Sea creature.” The smell of the sea drifted across her memory like a dream she could almost remember, but not quite.
“Right,” Jade said. “So, anyhow, we’re gonna find him. Apparently, from what we could piece together, you must have tasted even a small drop of his blood, which woke up your vampire side.”
Toni ran her tongue over her now very sharp fangs. “Ugh,” she grumbled. It had never occurred to her that she might have a vampire side. Sure, her father was a vampire, but Toni was always only a dragon. She was a dragon, damn it.
“Long story short, if we don’t find him, you’re gonna continue to get worse. You need your mate to survive,” Jade continued. Toni was staring off into space and Jade snapped her fingers causing her to look up. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yeah,” Toni answered. None of this made sense to her, but who was she to judge? Toni couldn’t remember shit. She felt awful, her whole body hurt, she was nauseous and who was driving the truck that hit her? “How do we find him?” She may not have been able to remember him specifically, but Toni knew in her heart that Jade was telling her the truth. She felt a longing inside herself that couldn’t be explained any other way. Her heart was broken, a key piece of herself missing, and a missing mate explained it all.
“Already on that,” Frankie said. “Azerial went to her sister who told us where to look. I think I know.” She pointed at something on a map.
“I am going to go there,” Azerial said. “I will bring the Son of the Sea back to us.”
“Son of the Sea?” Toni asked, scratching her head.
“Yeah, uh, your mate is a demigod,” Jade told her. “Wait till you see him. Sex on a bed of melted chocolate kind of hot.”
Toni raised her brow at her cou
sin and then laughed. “Ow,” she said, wrapping her arms around her middle. “Don’t make me laugh, it hurts.”
“You laugh now, but… well, you’ll see,” Jade said with mischief in her eyes.
“Are you sure you should go?” Sam asked his mate.
“Oh ye of little faith,” Azerial told him, gently cupping his cheek in her hand. “I was weathering storms long before I took an interest in you. I am not so easy to conquer, Vampire.”
Sam shivered and smiled. “I love it when you call me that.”
“I know,” Azerial said with a flirty wink and then she disappeared.
“Ew,” Toni said.
“Total agreement,” Jade nodded. “Okay, everyone else out.” She said it with typical Jade authority and no one argued with her, assuming that Jade knew best at the moment. She and Toni were closer than sisters, and everyone knew it.
Toni’s family quietly left the room, leaving the women alone together. “I’m sorry,” Jade told Toni. “I shouldn’t have left you alone with him.”
“Don’t be absurd,” Toni said weakly. “You couldn’t have known.”
Jade sighed and stretched out beside her. “I’m supposed to know everything,” she said.
Toni snorted.
“Look, get some rest. When he gets here, I’ll wake you up.”
Toni meant to argue, but she was just so tired. The allure of sleep was more than she could fight and so she fell under with Jade at her side to protect her.
“I don’t know why you’re even trying this,” Jade’s voice woke Toni from her sleep. “You’re just gonna throw it up.”
Toni yanked her eyes open only to realize that she had sank her fangs in Jade’s arm. Immediately, she released her and the sweet taste of her blood. “I’m so sorry,” Toni gurgled out around her mouthful of blood. And just to prove that Jade was right, she immediately turned over the side of her bed and retched it all back out again. When the heaving stopped, she wiped her mouth and looked to her best friend in the world. “I don’t know why that keeps happening.”
“It’s because your body needs blood, but it won’t accept just anyone’s. You need to feed from your mate.” Jade sat up and crossed her legs on the bed. “We’ll find him.”
“I hope so,” Toni said, unwilling to openly admit that the emptiness she was feeling was because of a man she couldn’t remember, or that she was excited to finally meet her mate. Again. Or whatever.
***
Azerial flashed herself to the island Frankie instructed. It appeared to be deserted of all life, human or animal. Of course, the strong storms could have all beings in hiding. She hoped that this would be the place. She walked down the beach, ignoring the rain as it soaked her clothing.
“Why are you here?” a male voice demanded.
Azerial turned and saw a man that matched the picture in Jade’s head. “Dylan?” she asked.
“Who wants to know?” he growled at her. He stalked forward but Azerial held her ground.
“I am Azerial, Goddess of the Earth, and I have come to find you.” She held her head high, like a goddess should.
“Why?” he demanded. “Did my father send you?”
“No,” Azerial said. “I have come because our Toni needs you.”
Dylan cooled immediately. Toni needed him? Was she in danger? “Where is she?” he asked. “My father will know where I am.”
“I will take you to her,” Azerial said, holding out her hand. “We have spelled the estate for protection against all. He will not find you there. You have my word.”
Dylan looked at her hand skeptically. Should he trust her? Did he dare not? Toni needed him. He took the offered hand and then felt his molecules scatter in the wind.
***
“How’s she doing?” Rebel asked from the doorway of Toni’s room.
“Better I think,” Jade said, rubbing her wrist where Toni had bitten her. “She needs to feed. Her color is waning.”
Rebel nodded. He hated it. Hated. It. His baby should not be in pain. Ever. She should not be sick. Ever. He felt like a failure as a father because she was currently enduring both. It didn’t matter that she was a full grown adult and probably more powerful than he was.
“You are not a failure,” Jade said softly.
“Get out of my head,” Rebel retorted. It came out sharp but lacked conviction. Everyone knew that Jade could hear any thought that wasn’t blocked. “How much longer?” he asked.
Jade didn’t have to ask what he meant. “Not long now,” Jade said with a smile. “He’s gonna need you to explain before he sees her. He won’t know what’s going on and she’s gonna bite.” She rubbed her wrist again. “Hard.”
Rebel nodded and pushed back out into the hall. He closed the door behind him and took two steps before Azerial was standing in his way. And she wasn’t alone. Dylan was with her, looking every bit the same as the image he had seen in Jade’s head. In fact, the damn fool was prettier in person. “You,” Rebel growled.
“Where is Toni?” Dylan demanded.
“Wait,” Rebel said, taking hold of Dylan’s arm. The demigod’s eyes began to glow in their sockets, an iridescent bright blue that seemed to move like the sea itself. A low growl ripped from his throat. “I have to explain,” Rebel continued as if the man hadn’t just blatantly threatened him.
“I need to see her,” Dylan growled, “She needs me.”
“No shit,” Rebel snarked back. “But if you want in that room, you’re gonna listen to me first.”
“You’re her father,” Dylan stated. Not a question.
“Yep,” Rebel said with a fangy smile that wasn’t even close to friendly. “And I want some fucking answers too.” He reached forward and yanked Dylan’s collar to the side. “She claimed you.”
Dylan jerked away from Rebel’s grasp and rubbed his shoulder where the mark tingled. “Yeah, it would appear so.”
“You belong to her now, do you understand that?” Rebel growled. “You will see no one but her.”
Dylan felt a pang of jealousy. Toni’s father loved her to no end. He had to know who Dylan was, and he wasn’t backing down. He imagined that if Rebel were human, he would be holding Dylan at gunpoint demanding that he marry the girl. The corner of Dylan’s mouth twitched in an attempt to smile.
“Do you think this is fucking funny?” Rebel snarled, baring his fangs and shoving Dylan against the wall. “I will fucking eat you for breakfast. And then when I’m done, my wife will have you for desert! Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with?”
Dylan fought back the urge to retaliate. Oh, how he wanted to show this man who he really was and what he could really do. But that wasn’t going to get him to Toni any faster, was it? No. He had to remain calm. “No, Sir,” he answered the vampire. “I was just imagining you on a porch with a shotgun.”
Rebel was taken aback by the man’s candor. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed to fit. He resisted the urge to smile. Barely. If not for the situation at hand, he might actually like this man. He pressed his lips into a thin line and growled in his chest. “Toni is everything to me.”
“And to me,” Dylan stated firmly.
“Oh, enough of this,” Leigh said, pushing Rebel aside and grabbing Dylan by the back of the neck. She was a good foot shorter than he, but Dylan allowed it. “You are gonna get in there and feed my daughter. Her vampire side has woken up and no one’s blood will do except yours.” She looked at his face, noticing the healing bruises around his eyes and nose. His lip had a small cut on it, also healing. Leigh released her hold on him as her eyes narrowed into fine slits. Just like Toni. She turned her newfound fury on Rebel. “Did you do this?” she demanded, her voice getting louder with each syllable. The smell of sulfur grew thick in the air. Was that smoke coming from her nose? “You are not to hurt him!” She snarled in Rebel’s face. “He is the only thing that can help our daughter!”
“Whoa, Sweetie,” Rebel said, palms out. “I didn’t touch him.”
“Well,” Dylan started to correct him, but both Rebel and Leigh snapped their heads around to glare at him. “My father did this,” he told him.
Leigh’s anger deflated and she looked at him with compassion. Sympathy. Dylan didn’t want that.
“Don’t feel sorry for me,” he warned them. “I heal fast and I would do it again. For her.”
“He did this to you because of Toni?” Leigh asked, gently touching his bruised face.
Dylan shrugged. “He’s a god. He knows he can’t kill me, but that doesn’t stop him from throwing his weight around.”
“Tell me you kicked his ass to the moon and back,” Leigh said.
“He’s my father,” Dylan said, as if that explained it all.
“He has no right,” Leigh snarled. “None at all.”
“Look, can we get past my sadistic dad and get on to helping Toni?” Dylan asked, anxious to see her. He knew that Leigh only meant well and it touched his heart in a way he had never felt before to have a mother fret over him, but Toni was what was important right then.
“Of course,” Leigh agreed, pushing him toward the door. “You get in there. Introduce yourself, feed her, and by God, fix her memory!” She accentuated the last part with a forceful shove, pushing Dylan all the way into the room.
14
“Where is that spawn of mine?” Poseidon growled as he paced his throne room. “I will have his head!”
“Perhaps he has gone back to land?” one of his guards suggested.
“I would know!” Poseidon shouted. “He must be protected. That’s the only way he could hide from me. Who would dare shield my own son from me?” He stomped his way back across the room. “Get his mother in here!”
“Yes, Sir,” the guard said as he scampered off to fetch the mermaid.
“After all I have done for him,” Poseidon continued to grumble. “He repays me like this! By sleeping with a vampire! He is better than that. He deserves a wife of noble breeding, not some half breed!”
“Isn’t that what he is?” a sweet female voice said, interrupting his tirade.
Dragon Fire (The Forbidden Love Series) Page 8
