by T. S. Joyce
“He wouldn’t hurt me.”
“You don’t know that!”
“I do too, Wes!” She lifted her hair and showed him the claiming mark. “He picked me. I’m his mate. He can’t hurt me because he loves me.”
“He isn’t like the rest of us.”
“And being different is such a sin?” She was yelling now, angry. “You’re telling me to let him go, but he is part of me now, Wes.”
“You said that about Byron.”
“Stop pinning the sins of my youth on the woman I have become. Kane makes me happy, Wes. Happy. Do you know how long I’ve waited to feel like this? You had to fight for Avery—”
“That’s different.”
“It’s not. You all got to pick your mates. You got to fight for them.” Rowan strode toward Wes and hugged his rigid body tight. She didn’t even care if her skin burned him. She held on. “I fucking love you, Wes, but you aren’t my keeper. I am. Whatever happens to me is on me. Not you, okay?” She dipped her voice to a whisper. “Let me love him. Be happy for me. I found my mate outside of Damon’s Mountains, just like you always wanted. Let me be happy, Wes.”
His arms went slowly to her back, and he sighed, rested his cheek against her hair. “I just want you to be okay.”
“I will be.” She’d infused steel into her voice because she believed it. Because she had to believe that Kane wouldn’t hurt her when the time came.
It had been days since she’d found Ben and got the key to unlocking the cage of The Darkness, but she was a carful decision maker. She always had been. She was taking Ben’s warning seriously, and Weston’s, too. Wes thought she hadn’t learned from her mistakes with Byron, but he was wrong.
With Weston’s vision though, the decision was made.
If he saw fire, then fire was coming.
Someday, she was going to give Kane his dragon back, and she hoped like hell she would be ready for the flames.
Chapter Eighteen
“Don’t get frustrated with yourself,” Alana said, waving her oven mitt in front of the billowing smoke that was rolling out of the oven. “You’re still learning, and I’m not mad.”
“I swear I thought I set the timer.” But then again, she’d been mighty pre-occupied with thoughts of Kane all day, too, so it was a miracle this hadn’t happened earlier.
The smoke alarm started going off as Alana pulled the blackened lemon pastries from the oven. They looked like rows of charcoal, and Rowan groaned. One of the unappetizing hunks lit on fire and fizzled in an instant. Alana dropped the pan on top of the counter with a clatter while Rowan jammed the handle of a broom up at the alarm until the ear-splitting noise faded to nothing.
Alana turned off the oven and locked eyes with Rowan. There was this loaded second before they burst out laughing. Thank God it was at the end of the day and no customers were in Alana’s Coffee & Sweets right now.
Rowan pressed her hands against her blushing cheeks and scrunched up her face in apology. “Would you believe me if I told you I was actually decent at baking?”
Alana was wheezing with laughter. “No.”
“Stop,” Rowan said, swallowing her giggles. “What if I had done this during the breakfast rush?”
“I have a feeling you’ve learned your lesson.” Alana picked up a hunk of burned pastry with a pair of tongs and shoved it toward Rowan. “You want to eat some ashes, dragon?”
“Ew, no. I’m not an ash-eater.”
“Yeah, well, neither was Harper until someone threatened her mountains.”
A pang of unexpected envy washed through Rowan. She would never have her own mountains to treasure. Instead, she’d picked a hunk of melted metal to covet.
She, Rowan Barnett, was the worst dragon in history.
The bell above the door up front dinged, and a familiar voice called out, “What smells so good?”
Alana snorted, and now Rowan’s face was on fire because of course Kane would come in right when she’d burned the pastries. They’d been spending every minute they could together for a few weeks now. She bore his mark, but she still didn’t want him changing his mind about her.
When she stepped into the main room, Kane stood with his back to the windows, a halo of light making his edges all saturated and blurry. He wore a light gray sweater that was so tight she could make out his chest in perfect definition. The top two buttons were undone, exposing the line between his pecs and a single, seductive curl of tattoo ink. He stood tall and strong, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a crooked smile on his face. He’d trimmed his beard short, and his hair was flipped to the left side today, exposing those old scars he’d gotten from Apex. He cared less lately about hiding them, and though she hadn’t told him, she was proud of him for that.
“You look like sex on a stick,” she said, leaning over the counter.
Kane bit his bottom lip and gave her a cocky grin. “You look pretty fuckin’ delicious yourself, princess.”
“I thought about something.”
“Uh oh.”
“Blackwing Dragon calling me princess, like I’m some damsel in distress.”
The smile dipped from his lips, and he lowered his gravelly voice. “No Rowan. You’re no damsel. You’re the dragon clinging to the castle tower blowing fire. I’m the knight who wishes he had wings. I won’t call you princess anymore. That’s not what you are.”
The seriousness of his tone surprised her. She’d thought they were joking. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” He bumped his fist against the counter a few times. “I came to ask you out.”
“Another date?” she asked excitedly. He’d been taking really good care of her, taking her out, showing her the town. She was pretty certain he was trying to get her to fall in love with his territory, and it was definitely working.
“Kind of? I came to ask Alana out, too.”
Rowan growled deep in her chest, and Kane huffed a laugh. “Easy dragon. I’m inviting all the Bloodrunners. The others are already en route.”
“En route to where?” Alana asked, resting her elbows on the counter right beside Rowan.
Kane tipped his chin up and grinned down at them. “Maybe I have plans for us tonight.”
“Wait, us like the whole crew?” Rowan asked excitedly.
“Yeah, I got sick of saying no to Ryder’s bro-date invites and—” Kane made an oof sound when Rowan launched herself over the counter and into his arms.
He chuckled deep and warm against her ear and held her, rocked her slightly like he’d missed her. God, she loved him so much. Loved the changes she’d seen in him over the last few weeks. Little by little, he was opening himself up to the crew, and maybe it started out because he wanted to make her happy. But somewhere along the way, his smiles had become easier with the Bloodrunners. His jokes had loosened up, he had stopped flinching when they touched him, and he didn’t even say the F-word when Ryder hugged him goodbye anymore. And twice in the last week, he’d shown up in Harper’s Mountains unannounced and had dinner with the crew just because he seemed to want to be near Rowan, but also the Bloodrunners. And now this?
“I’m so proud of you,” she whispered.
“You don’t even know what I have planned.”
“Not about that, silly monster. I mean, I’m proud of you for opening up.”
“I don’t want to hold you back. I want to give you things, not take them away.”
He eased her back and cupped her neck, his thumb on her pulse as he pressed his lips to hers. This wasn’t one of the hard, desperate kisses they’d shared so often. This one was soft. It was swaying like slow-dance music and lips that fit perfectly together. It was holding for a few seconds, then easing away with a sweet smack. It was a lingering smile on his lips that stunned her.
“Come on, ladies,” he said with a grin. “The crew is waiting. Lock up, and I’ll be in the truck.”
Ten minutes later, Rowan and Alana piled in Kane’s Bronco. And then it was music blaring, windows down, wind in
their hair as they sang along and made their hands do waves in the open air. Kane kept looking at her and Alana with an amused smile, so different from the moody Kane she’d met in the airport those weeks ago.
Kane wore his sunglasses, but as soon as he pulled into the River’s Edge restaurant parking lot, he left them in a cup holder with Rowan’s. He wasn’t hiding his eyes today. The sunglasses had been for function only, to shield him from the sunlight.
“Early dinner?” Rowan asked as Kane limped up behind her.
He slid his arms over her chest, then pointed to the river behind the restaurant. On the opposite bank was a big raft, the Bloodrunners standing around it and talking to a man who was handing out lifejackets.
“Are we rafting?” Alana asked excitedly.
“We are,” Kane said with a chuckle.
Aaron, the blond-haired giant, was down below with the others, but the second Alana spoke, his eyes went straight to her. When he beamed a greeting smile at her, Alana squealed and jogged for the bridge that would get her to her mate.
Rowan walked backward, holding Kane’s hands. “Do we look all lovey and gross like them?”
“Probably. Not my fault. Yours.”
“You like it,” she accused, slipping her hand against his elbow. “I thought you couldn’t get your leg wet.”
“I’m wearing the right one today.”
“Fuckin’ sexy,” she muttered, grabbing his firm butt.
With a snarl, Kane clamped his teeth onto her neck, bit down gently, sucked hard enough to leave a mark, then released her. She wouldn’t admit it, but every time he did that, she wanted to go all submissive and still. She wanted to open her legs for him and pull his hand between her thighs, but Kane didn’t need to go around thinking she had the instincts of a submissive. He’d just stopped calling her princess after all.
They crossed the bridge and made their way down the pebble beach to the others. Rowan practically glowed when Kane clapped hands with Ryder mannishly and pulled him in for a rough hug, then turned and did the same with Aaron and Wyatt.
He hesitated for a moment with Wes, but the Novak Raven held out his hand and did the same. Gaze averted, Weston muttered, “This is good, man.”
“Thanks,” Kane murmured before turning to take his life vest from the outstretched hand of an instructor. “Hey, Mike.”
Mike said, “Long time no see. You sure you have them, or do you want me to assist?”
Rowan frowned. “What do you mean?”
Mike swatted at Kane’s chest, but missed because he flinched away. “This guy was our best raft guide for about three months before Martin stole him away from us. You’re in good hands, but still…” He handed Alana and Rowan waivers. “Sign these in case you die.”
Rowan gulped. “Wait, how dangerous is this?”
“Tourists do this every day, and with no experience,” Kane said with a teasing smile. “Don’t make me start calling you princess again.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, then scribbled her name across the bottom and called, “shotgun.”
“There is no shotgun,” Ryder said, buckling his life jacket. “Or else I would’ve called it already. Is there food? I’m hungry.”
Lexi swatted his ass. “Baby, you’re always hungry.”
“For pussy.”
“Ryder,” Harper and Avery both groaned.
Rowan put her hair into a ponytail as Kane buckled her vest. “There’s food at the end. Have you been to Gordy’s Pizza Shack yet? We’ll pull up on the bank and Mike will give us a ride back here when we’re done eating.”
“That’s nice of you, Mike!” Ryder called after the retreating man.
“I’m getting paid,” Mike called over his shoulder.
“I’ve lived around here all my life and never done tourist excursions,” Alana said in an excited voice. She was having to loosen the straps of her life vest to accommodate her big boobs. They were currently all shoved up to her chin, and Aaron was staring. “Wait,” Alana said with a frown at the rapids, “the water is really cold this time of year.”
Weston stooped and scooped water, then splashed it at Alana, who danced out of the way. “Then don’t fall in, Keller!”
“And don’t push me in, Novak,” Alana said, jamming her finger at him. Her scarred lip curved up in a smile. “P. S. I really liked that you just called me by my new last name.”
Aaron hugged her from behind and nuzzled her neck. “Sounds good on you, baby.”
“Barf!” Ryder yelled.
It was then that Rowan noticed his clothes. “Ryder Croy, why the hell are you wearing cut-off shorts?”
“Because Lexi likes them.” When he shoved the raft into the shallows, his muscled-up butt cheeks hung out the bottom. Rowan was pretty sure she saw the outline of his chode. Everyone moaned in unison except for Lexi, who was doubled over with her arms around her stomach cracking up.
Rowan pulled her phone out quick and snapped a picture of his shorts and knee-high gym socks.
“What are you doing?” Kane asked.
“I’m gonna send this little gem to a Boarlander named Clinton.”
“You should,” Ryder said, settling the raft into the thigh high water. “He’ll love me even more. Get in, crew, I want pizza.” He held out his hand for Lexi and helped her in like she was his queen.
Kane took the back to instruct them, so Rowan settled on the edge of the inflated raft right in front of him and wedged her tennis shoes under a flap to keep her balance. She picked up one of the paddles from the floorboard as the raft bumped and bounced with everyone getting settled.
A splash of freezing water soaked her shirt, and she gasped at the shock of it. Slowly, she turned, and Kane was wearing the biggest, unapologetic grin she’d ever seen in her life. “You’re gonna get wet, Roe. Now you won’t be surprised by it.”
“Monster,” she whispered.
His sexy dragon eyes flashed with intensity in the instant before his lips pressed against hers, warming her from the inside out. Kane was a really hard man to stay mad at.
Ryder jumped in, and they were off, Kane directing them from the back. They were clumsy at first, paddling all wrong and laughing too damn much. Once they got turned around backward and Ryder nearly flipped the raft with his desperation to switch seats with Aaron. Apparently the front passenger got the wettest.
Weston was sitting in front of Rowan, and after the third time of him slapping the back of his neck, he twisted in his seat and glared at Kane. “Do you mind, man?”
“What?” Kane asked, sounding baffled.
But Weston had a point. There was a low humming noise coming from him, and the air felt heavier the farther into the rapids they got.
Rowan rubbed the standing hairs on her own neck. “Are you worked up?”
Kane looked utterly confused. “I’m fine.” After a few minutes of concentrating on the rapids and not crashing into rocks, the weight lifted, and Weston stopped with the dirty looks.
Rowan wondered if he even realized how present The Darkness was, or if he’d just gotten used to the rumbling and the dominance. Or perhaps he was in denial. But the more time Rowan spent with him, the more she could feel his inner dragon. He wasn’t even sleeping or locked away as she’d first thought when she found out about the cleansing. He was just…waiting.
Rowan glanced over at Harper who was sitting across the raft, but she didn’t seem to notice anything threatening. She wore a beatific smile as she paddled, water splashing on her side of the boat, her dark hair wet from the rapids. Her growing belly pushed against her life jacket, and for a moment, Rowan was stunned with how happy she looked. Wyatt sat in front of her. He turned just then and smiled at his mate easily. They’d been ripped up when they’d split at age eighteen, and now look at them. Wyatt, the one who was supposed to be this great grizzly alpha, was supporting Harper as she ran the Bloodrunners.
Ryder was happily chirping up front next to Lexi, and Weston’s touch never strayed far from Avery. Al
ana and Aaron were so freaking cute, and Rowan was proud. She was happy for her friends and what they’d found here. She was happy she’d left Damon’s Mountains because it had gotten her here, to this beautiful moment. Kane rested his leg against hers as if he could sense her swinging emotions, and she rested her hand on his knee. It was his bad one, the one that hurt him, but he didn’t grimace when she got too close to it anymore. Instead, he leaned in closer and winked at her as he told the crew to bank to the right so they could head to the restaurant that lumbered on the edge of the river up ahead.
Rowan’s heart fluttered with happiness. One hour of riding the river amid the happy chattering and teamwork of the Bloodrunners, and she was filled with a charge of energy. It was joy, she realized. Had she ever felt that before?
Kane and the boys pulled the raft up onto the sand, and Harper draped her arm over Rowan’s shoulders. “I’m glad you’re here,” she murmured, her bi-colored eyes on the others as they secured the raft. “I’ve never seen Kane like this. You’re good for him, Roe.”
Rowan draped her arms gently around Harper’s slightly rounded waist and watched Kane laugh at something pervy that Ryder said. “You really think so?”
“I know so.” Harper strode off behind the others toward the pizza shack. She turned and walked a few steps backward. “You’re good for the Bloodrunners too, you know.” She arched her dark eyebrows and turned back around to join Wyatt.
Kane was waiting for her, jeans splattered with water, shirt plastered to his abdominals, eyes glowing in the dark. Behind him, the lightning bugs were putting on a show in the woods.
She was drawn to him like she had no control over her body at all. It was as if they were both holding the ends of a strip of rubber, and the only thing that eased the tension was being close to him. Was this what it was like for the Bloodrunners and their mates? Was this what it was like for her parents?
Rowan slipped her arms around his waist, but Kane stooped slightly and picked her up. When she wrapped her legs around his hips, he nipped her bottom lip and then rested his cheek against hers. “Roe?”
