by Minx Malone
Ian stopped pacing. “The woman in the field. She’s the one.”
Nate nodded.
Gavin came forward and clapped him on the shoulder. “What do you need from us?”
Humbled, Nate closed his eyes. Even in the midst of his own pain, his brother’s first thought was how to help him.
“I want our land secure and this thing with Avan handled. I won’t bring her into danger.” He glanced at Gavin. “I never knew how it would feel when I found her. How do you do it? How do you breathe without her?”
Gavin coughed and looked away. “Sometimes I don’t think I’ve taken a deep breath since that day.”
He didn’t need to elaborate. They all knew what day he meant, the day their father had been exposed as a traitor to the clan, stripped of his crown and they’d been cast out. The day Gavin’s young mate had perished in the ensuing battle.
After a long moment, Gavin clapped him on the shoulder again. “Don’t worry. I’m so close to finding a way to break the mate bond. Soon we won’t have to be tortured like this. We’ll be free.”
Something clenched inside of Nate at the thought of severing his bond with Evie. Just a day ago he wouldn’t have believed it but he didn’t want to break the mate bond. He would die a thousand times before contemplating life without her.
As his brother was forced to do each day.
He looked at his little brother with new eyes. Nate couldn’t even fathom a day without his heart but Gavin had been heartsick for years over his dead mate. He pulled his brother into a hug. Gavin stiffened at first, unprepared for the show of affection. Then he relaxed into the embrace and exhaled, a sound filled with years of grief.
“I hope you find it, brother. For your sake more than mine.” Nate murmured.
Gavin held on tighter, like his brother’s strength was the only thing keeping him upright. “For all of us.”
chapter six
When Evie woke the next morning, it was to a broad muscular male chest and the sound of snoring. It was so unfamiliar but strangely endearing at the same time that she buried her face back in her pillow and just took in the moment. She was tangled up with a sexy man. She was warm. She was safe. She’d been woken several times in the night to a talented tongue on various parts of her body.
In her world, it honestly didn’t get too much better than that.
Her happiness dimmed slightly at the thought that while she was warm and safe with her dragon protector, her mother was probably hungry and alone in their dark apartment. Evie pulled the covers over her head, nowhere near ready to face reality. Unfortunately her conscience wasn’t easy to escape.
Would Mimi even be able to make a proper meal from what was in the pantry? Since their electricity had been cut off for a few days, everything in the refrigerator was a loss but there were crackers, cereal and some canned soups that she could heat up on the gas stove. But her mom wasn’t likely to remember that if she was high. Evie usually had to force her to eat at all when she was strung out.
She hated it, having to force her mom to cooperate and feeling like she was enabling her bad behavior. But after so many years of taking care of Mimi, she didn’t know any other way to be. Her mother’s bad decisions had long ago become part of the landscape of her life.
Was it any wonder that she wasn’t too sad that Nate was keeping her away from home? Shame battled with happiness. It had been so long since she’d been responsible for her mother that she didn’t know what it was like to just live for herself. To let someone else take the reins. Not in the way Nate wanted to take care of her, anyway. Was it really so bad that she wanted to stay here in the fairytale for a little longer?
I’m a horrible person, she thought.
“What are you thinking about, my heart?” Nate’s deep voice rumbled against her ear just before his arm curled around her waist, pulling her against his body.
“Just wondering if my mother is okay.”
“Call her. You can use my phone.” He leaned over the edge of the bed and when he came up, he handed her his phone. She held it steady while he unlocked it. It was silly but she couldn’t deny it was a thrill when he didn’t try to hide the code from her.
Mimi answered after three rings. “Who is this?”
“Hey, it’s Evie.”
A soft squeal came over the line. “Where have you been, sweet pea? I was worried when you didn’t come home.”
“I’m sorry I worried you. I’m okay. I’m… with a friend.”
Next to her, Nate watched her with a quiet intensity. Already she felt like they were so attuned emotionally that she could tell he wasn’t pleased at being referred to as a “friend”. But she couldn’t imagine telling her mother that she was now mated to a dragon shifter that she’d known for less than a day.
Although truthfully that wouldn’t be any stranger than the things her mother normally said to her.
“That’s good. Finally having fun for once. Is he handsome?”
She glanced over at Nate and bit her lip. “Yes, he is. Very handsome.”
His eyes darkened and in the space of one blink to the next, the gold-slitted pupils she loved made an appearance. She’d noticed his eyes changed when he was either aroused or angry.
“Well, this is a surprise. When do I get to meet him?”
“Tonight,” Nate rumbled. Evie’s mouth dropped open. Really, she mouthed. He nodded.
“I heard that,” Mimi chirped. “He even sounds handsome. Well done, chickie.”
Evie rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I guess I’ll see you tonight.”
“Oh, what about the bags? Did you sell any?”
“Just one. But don’t worry about that, okay? We’ll figure out another way to get the rent money.”
She had no idea how they would but after what happened to her, there was no way she was going to stand outside alone and sell anything ever again.
“Listen, Mimi. Stay away from that metro stop, okay? You were right about it being a waste. Besides, there were some guys hassling me there.”
“I hope you kicked them in the balls. That’s what I would have done.”
“Mimi, promise me you’ll stay away!”
She’d assumed that she was safe from being snatched but look what had happened. Her mom was still a beautiful woman, despite the ravages the drugs had taken on her body. She hoped Mimi would listen to her for once.
“Okay, whatever you say. I’ve had decent luck down near the mall so I’ll keep working that area. There are always lots of tourists there.”
“Good. Okay, I’ll see you tonight. I love you, Mom.”
When Mimi answered, she sounded pleasantly surprised. “I love you too, Evie. You’re a good girl. Always were.”
After she hung up, Nate tossed the phone back on the floor. Before he could ask her any questions, she buried her face back in the pillow.
“Can we stay in bed for a little while?”
“Of course. Come here.” He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on top of her head.
She could sense his confusion but luckily he didn’t question her. It wasn’t like she knew how to explain what she was feeling. What rational person could understand or explain the things that had happened over the past day? She’d been kidnapped, ravished by a dragon and was now happily cuddled up with him. None of it made any damn sense.
Nate claimed she was his mate but what did that even mean? It was so tempting to believe him and trust that he would take care of her but that just wasn’t the way things worked in her world.
He’d probably get tired of her soon and then her life would go back to the way it was. How serious could he really be about a girl he’d known for only twenty-four hours? It felt so disloyal to wish that she didn’t have to go back but this whole thing felt like a moment outside of time.
Was it really so wrong to enjoy it while it lasted?
Our mate is unhappy.
Emotions had a flavor, something Nate could never have imagined before he’d found h
is other half. But he could feel her emotions through their bond, her essence present in the back of his mind like a part of his own personality. He could feel that she was scared and hurt.
Our mate cries.
His dragon was disturbed not just that their mate was upset but that she wasn’t telling him why. How could he protect her when she didn’t confide in him?
Once her heartbeat slowed, he pushed her gently to her back. He leaned over her, his arms caging her in. “Why did you not tell me you needed money?”
Her mouth fell open. “Why would I tell you that? It’s not your problem.”
“Anything that affects my mate is my problem. I would not have you worrying about lodging or how to pay for it. It’s unacceptable.”
Evie’s eyes dropped to his mouth then she started giggling. “I’m going to start calling that your alpha dragon voice, when you get all deep and growly.”
He wasn’t sure what that meant but was glad to feel the sadness that had been cloaking her lift. “I do not understand your humor.”
“I know.” She grinned up at him. “But it’s funny to me when you get all intense and dragon-y on me.”
He grunted. “My mate should not be worried about anything. I will take care of you.”
“It’s the twenty-first century, Nate. I can take care of myself. Even though I haven’t been doing such a great job lately. But that’s because I got too comfortable.”
“What does that mean?”
She sighed. “My mother has a lot of problems. I learned a long time ago that I have to hide money from her or she’ll spend it. She found my hiding place last month. It was particularly bad timing since I had just lost my job.”
“Your mother needs help? We have to go to her.”
Immediately he got up and pulled on the jeans crumpled on the floor. She pulled the covers up to shield her bare breasts, a move that made him scowl.
“Now? Are you even allowed to fly in broad daylight?”
Nate chuckled. “I would love to see a human government try to tell a dragon when he’s allowed to do anything.”
“Fair point. So I’m not going to have to get back in a box or anything, right?”
A smile tugged at the edges of his lips. “No, my heart. You are one of the lucky few who will get to ride a dragon.”
Joy suffused her features, then the sadness returned. He resolved to figure out what was bothering her before the night was through. But that would have to wait. If his mate’s mother needed help, they needed to provide it. He may have been kicked out of his clan but he’d managed to create a new one with the same values and ethics. They took family seriously.
She stood at his urging and he rummaged through his dresser to find a shirt and pair of sweatpants for her. He rolled the sweatpants at the waist and cuffed the legs. It was still way too big but it would do until they reached her den and she could gather her things. She didn’t have shoes either so he gave her the thickest pair of socks he owned. Hell, maybe he’d just carry her the whole way.
“Nate?”
He looked up to find her watching him contemplatively. Then she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” Nate shifted, caught off guard by how her sweet affection made him feel.
“I don’t know. Just everything. Listening to me vent. Wanting to help my mother. All of it.”
“With time you’ll understand what it means to be a dragon’s mate. It means that I’m privileged to care for you. And that includes the people you love. We are forever bound.”
“Forever isn’t something I’m familiar with. I’m used to until I get tired of you. But thank you for wanting to take care of me. For however long it lasts.” Evie’s eyes glowed with gratitude.
Nate reminded himself that she was human and didn’t understand their ways. She had no way to know that he didn’t want her gratitude for taking care of her. It was his duty and privilege to show his mate what it meant to be cherished. He tugged on a wayward curl before tucking it behind her ear.
“I think with time you will understand how dragons define forever. But until then, just know that I can feel these things that trouble you and I will always try to comfort you. I don’t want you to have to worry about anything.”
“There will always be something to worry about. If it’s not the money, it’ll be something else. If I can get kidnapped in plain view, I don’t think I’ll ever feel safe anywhere again.”
“I can protect you.” He concentrated until his scales came out, the gold shimmering even in the low light.
Evie gasped. “What is that? The same thing happened before when your brothers came.”
He rotated his arm so she could see the scales move and shift. “Scales. I can shift partially if I need to protect myself. I can even breathe fire in my human form. These are things only descendants of the royal line can do.”
“They’re so beautiful. May I?” She held up her hand and he nodded to indicate that she could touch him.
He tensed, unsure how it would feel to be touched while his scales were out. But like every other experience with his mate, it was beyond compare. Her touch awakened nerve endings he didn’t know he had. I’ve just discovered a new erogenous zone, he thought. But most important, his mate now knew his claims to be able to protect her were legitimate.
“No one will hurt you again. Ever. I will protect you with my life.”
She stroked over his scales once more, then enveloped him in a hug. “I believe you.”
chapter seven
Evie had never experienced anything as thrilling as flying. Nate had insisted that she ride inside of a special harness that essentially strapped her to his back. It hadn’t been the most comfortable thing ever but once they were airborne, it had ceased to matter. Soaring through the air on the back of the man she loved, she’d felt completely free.
Even though he was technically allowed to fly whenever he wanted, he’d explained that he preferred to avoid human scrutiny whenever possible. Because of that, they would be landing on the roof of a building owned by a fellow dragon shifter.
As soon as Nate landed, Evie unhooked her harness and scrambled off his back. He folded in his giant wings and then a heartbeat later Nate stood before her, chest heaving.
For as long as she lived, Evie didn’t think she’d ever get used to watching him shift from dragon to man or back again. It happened so seamlessly that she could watch it again and again and still not understand how he did it. She also appreciated watching him pull the clothes they’d brought along over his truly extraordinary naked body. If his heated looks were any indication, he was happy to show off for her.
“Don’t get cocky, Mr. Dragon. This stuff isn’t so impressive, you know. Plenty of guys have a nice ride and a rocking hot body.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” He winked at her and then folded the harness into his backpack, before slinging it over his shoulder.
They rode the elevator down to the main floor and to Evie’s surprise, found themselves in the middle of downtown D.C. Nate reached in his backpack and produced two metro cards. Evie giggled her way through the entire trip, loving the fact that no one riding the metro knew they were riding with a dragon.
Now that they were walking up the stairs to her apartment on the northeast side of the city, Evie felt the first stirrings of unease about showing Nate where she lived. Unease she quickly shook off. If he was the type to look down on her for her crappy place, that was his problem.
As they walked up the stairs it hit her then that she didn’t even have her key. The asshole who’d kidnapped her had all her stuff, including her cell phone, purse and keys. Who knew what had become of her belongings by now? Probably sold or in the trash.
She knocked on the door of the apartment and listened carefully for any movement behind the door. Mimi must not be home.
“I have to get the spare key from my neighbor. It’ll just take a second.”
Nate follow
ed her as she walked two doors down the hall and knocked on her neighbor’s door. After a few minutes, Mrs. Abdi opened the door. The older lady, an immigrant from Somalia, had pretty much adopted Evie as soon as they’d moved in. She said Evie reminded her of her daughter and had quickly proven that to be true with her blunt observations about everything in Evie’s life.
“Evie! What happened to you?”
“It’s a long story. But I lost my keys so I need the spare.”
“Of course. It’s right here.” She stared at Evie’s oversized clothing and sock-clad feet but luckily handed over the spare key without any questions. But she did stick her head out of the door to stare blatantly at Nate.
Evie used the key to unlock her door and Nate followed her into the dark apartment. She picked up the flashlight she’d left on the entry table and turned it on.
“Um, the lights aren’t working right now.” She didn’t look at him as she said it.
“Mimi? Are you here?” She called out several times and then walked to the small kitchen in the back. “I guess she must have gone out right after we talked on the phone.”
When she turned around, Nate’s eyes glittered in the semi-darkness. Even in the dark she could see the forbidding look on his face.
“Gather your things. We need to be ready to go when your mother arrives.”
Evie’s mouth dropped. “But then I won’t get to spend any time with her. I need to make sure she’s okay!”
Nate seemed to live a pretty solitary life so he probably didn’t understand her need to look after her mom. Even though she made bad choices and generally drove her crazy, she was still her mother. She couldn’t be happy not knowing if Mimi was okay.
Nate crossed his arms. She was starting to recognize when he was about to go all alpha dragon on her but she wasn’t backing down.
“That’s not what I–“
They were interrupted by the front door crashing open followed by a soft curse. She pushed past Nate. Her mother lay sprawled on the floor.
“Evie! You’re already here. I just had to go out for a few things.” Judging by the smell, the only thing she’d had to go out for had been alcohol.
