by Unknown
Her Dragon’s Heart
Dragon Guard Series #8
by
Julia Mills
There Are No Coincidences.
The Universe Does Not Make Mistakes.
Fate Will Not Be Denied.
Copyright © 2015 Julia Mills
All Rights Reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictional manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
NOTICE: This is an adult erotic paranormal romance with love scenes and mature situations. It is only intended for adult readers over the age of 18.
Edited by Lisa Miller, Angel Editing Services
Proofread by Alicia Carmical with AVC Proofreading
Cover Designed by Linda Boulanger with Tell Tale Book Covers
DEDICATION
Dare to Dream! Find the Strength to Act! Never Look Back!
Thank you, God.
To my girls, Liz and Em, I Love You. Every day, every way, always.
HER DRAGON’S HEART
Index of the Words from the Original Language of the Dragon Kin
Teaghlaigh…...Family
Draoi……Wizard
Fuil mo chuid fola……Blood of my Blood
Mo dhaoine……My People
A’r ndaoine……Our People
An Dara……Second in Command
Ghealach Dearg……Red Moon
Tost……Silence
Bhaint agus a chur ar ais……Remove and Restore
Mo chroi’……My Heart
Mo ghra’……My Love
M’fhíorghrá……My True Love
Tá tú mo ghrá eternal……You Have My Eternal Love
Ta’ mo chroi istigh ionat……My Heart is Within You
Demon ar ríchathaoir ……Demon on the Throne
CHAPTER ONE
“I’m sure you’ve got a damn good reason for dragging me halfway around the world and then marching me through a swamp in the pouring rain…”
Liam paused and Jace braced for what was to come. He knew there was no way his best friend was done with his verbal ass-kicking. Liam was the Grande Poobah of bitching. He hadn’t even reached the path to the pinnacle of his capabilities yet.
“So out with it, asshole, before I call my dragon and head back home.”
Jace sighed a heavy sigh. He knew Liam was right. Almost forty-eight hours ago he’d awoken the other Guardsman from a sound sleep, thrown a packed duffle at his chest, and told him to ‘dragon up’. True to form, Liam had done so without question, a testament to the strength of their friendship. A bond Jace could tell was wearing terribly thin. The problem was he had no idea how to explain why they were doing what they were doing without giving away his secret…something he’d been hiding since his first trip to the hospital almost four months ago.
One look into her haunting hazel eyes. A mere whiff of the spicy scent of flowering dianthus. Just one moment in her presence and he’d known. Could feel it with every fiber of his being. Had confirmation from the beast within… Melanie Whelan was his. The one woman in all the world created to complete him and his dragon in every way. Jace had found his mate.
He’d spent the rest of the day in a fog. Not sure what to do or say. His beast had begged for him to throw the beautiful nurse over his shoulder, carry her far from civilization and make her theirs forever. More than a few minutes were spent in debate with his dragon and in all honesty…the big guy had almost won. After a long walk around the hospital grounds, Jace returned to his post and spent the next few hours mooning over his newfound treasure like a schoolboy with a crush.
After a few sleepless nights, Jace had contemplated talking to Royce, the oldest Guardsman of their Force and his mentor, but as Fate would have it, things had gotten complicated. They had gotten a lead on the traitor, blown up a mansion, then lost the traitor. They also had a mating ceremony and welcomed the first female dragon in hundreds of years into the clan…pretty much same shit different day for his people. At least nothing was ever boring. It had, however, kept him from doing little more than smiling at his beautiful mate.
Rayne, the Commander of their Force, had tried to remove him from the detail responsible for watching Lance’s mate, Dr. Sam Malone, and Jace had come close to losing his cool. His guard detail was the only time he was sure to see Melanie. There was no way he was giving it up without a fight. It took some fancy finagling, but he’d been able to stay on the team and see his mate almost every day.
It had taken almost a week, but Jace finally worked up the nerve to have more than a three word exchange with Melanie. The more they talked, the more he realized how perfect she was. Her quick wit and wicked sense of humor were just a few of the things he would never get tired of. He’d always been told the Universe did not make mistakes, but it was still the most amazing thing he’d experienced in all his fifty-four years.
The cute way her nose wrinkled when she giggled with the children on the Pediatrics floor or the way her eyes shone when she helped her geriatric patients filled his heart with tenderness. Keeping himself from kissing her silly every time they were together had become a constant battle. Thoughts of claiming her as his own had become an obsession.
The more time he spent with her, the stronger their bond became. He had begun to feel her emotions, even caught glimpses of her thoughts. The intimacy of sharing her feelings was miraculous, something he looked forward to as much as his next breath. So when those feelings just stopped, like someone flipped a switch, Jace MacQuaid flipped his lid.
In an instant, he was out of bed, dressed, and flying down the road on his Harley, constantly reaching through their mating link, praying to the Heavens he could catch even the slightest sense that Melanie was okay. The longer her ‘radio silence continued, the more his panic grew. It was a new experience for the young Guardsman and one he hoped never to repeat.
Trying to calm both himself and his dragon, he thought back to the last time he’d seen her. She’d been quiet, distracted…almost pensive. Her emotions had become erratic after Kyra announced she had a lead on Calysta involving some whacked out coven of black witches/wizards known as the Dorcha, descendants of the Firbolgs – the dark aborigines from the 13th century.
Anxiety flooded their mating bond. Jace probed, looking for the cause of her fear, but Melanie’s thoughts were locked up tighter than Fort Knox. Her features so well-schooled that only someone who’d studied her as much as Jace would notice the rigid set of her shoulders and the way she continually glanced to the side.
He’d asked what was wrong and she’d made an excuse about being tired then walked away without looking up. Never one to relent, Jace followed, hoping for answers. Instead, Melanie ducked out of the room, returning several minutes later with her backpack and coat. She made an excuse about an early shift, which didn’t fit her schedule and raised more red flags, but the kicker was when she left without letting him walk her out.
Jace paced Royce’s front porch until he’d worn a path, then made three laps around the yard before calming enough to go back inside, cursing himself for not making her tell him what was wrong. The notion of making Melanie Whelan do anything was laughable and made him smile.
I should’ve told her she was my mate. That we’re meant to be together forever. That I’ll
be there for her no matter what.
Over the next few days there had been countless times he’d on his way to see her, only to have her look up, fake a smile, then head the opposite direction. He knew she was avoiding him but had no idea why. Using every one of his enhanced abilities, he watched from the shadows, undetected but still close enough to protect her.
On the evening of the second night, he’d had enough. He knew their attraction was mutual. He’d scented her arousal when they touched, seen her pupils dilate, felt her breath quicken, and felt their connection the few times he’d lowered his lips to hers. Melanie Whelan was his, dammit, and he would protect her to his dying breath, whether she liked it or not.
Waiting in the hospital parking lot, determined to get some answers, Jace propped himself against his motorcycle and waited. Her scent filled the air seconds before she exited the large sliding glass doors. He made a beeline to intercept his stubborn mate, reminding both himself and his dragon they were there to get answers, not to be distracted by her sparkling eyes and kissable lips.
Unfortunately, two strides into his trek, the cellphone in the pocket of her scrubs rang. Her steps slowed as she pulled it from her pocket, then stopped completely as she scowled at the display. Biting her bottom lip and staring at the phone like it might bite her, Melanie finally answered with a growled, “I told you never to contact me.”
The hair on the back of his neck stood up. His dragon snarled. Jace used his enhanced hearing to listen as the raspy voice of a much older man responded. “But Meli Rose, we are family. I just…”
“You just want to screw up my life…again. Well, not this time seanathair.” The venom of her tone had Jace and his beast preparing for battle. The use of the old dragon language and a blasphemous term like seanathair had him scratching his head. Only those well versed in dragon dialect would know what an insult the use of ‘old father’ would be to their grandfather. He made a note to find out how in the hell she was so well-versed in their language.
The sing-song tone laced with malevolent force that replied to her made him want to punch something. “Now, Meli, you know you belong with your teaghlaigh. We know what is best for you.”
Melanie transformed before his eyes. Her back went ramrod straight, her shoulders pulled back, and her feet spread to shoulder width apart. A warrior was born and she was preparing for battle. The tension in her jaw worried Jace that she might break a tooth. She growled her response.
“You know what is best for me? You? You, Grand Draoi, presume to know what is best for me?” She paused, her hate and anger a living being.
Although Melanie was truly pissed, Jace felt what it cost her to stand her ground. The internal battle to fight for what was right against a blood relative was one that never came easily for anyone. He fought the urge to go to her. His hands flexed with the need to grab the phone from her hands and verbally assault the man that dared to upset his mate. More than anything, he wanted to spare her the obvious torture the mere sound of the man’s voice caused.
His beast within wholeheartedly agreed, chuffing and growling until the young Guardsman had a hard time maintaining his focus. Of their own volition, his feet moved forward. Jace ground the heels of his boots into the asphalt, willing himself to stay put. He knew Melanie would not welcome his intrusion, no matter how good his intentions. There was history to her torment, something he could tell she’d spent years learning to keep hidden. One of the many things he admired about his mate was her strength and knew from their many conversations that she valued her independence. Watching her, he could see how hard she’d fought to attain that independence and would do whatever he could to help her maintain it. He took several deep breaths, assuring both himself and his dragon he was doing the right thing.
Seconds ticked by as he waited. Melanie stood as still as a statue, her ragged breathing the only signs she was alive. Just when Jace was sure she would hang up without another word, she spoke. The sound so low and ominous, he’d have never believed it was her had he not seen it with his own eyes. His blood ran cold at her words. “Let me guess, fuil mo chuid fola. I’m to follow in my mother’s footsteps? To carry on the family tradition and die at the end of your sword. Chained to a stone altar, pleading for you to spare my life, only to have you smile and tell me it is for the good of mo dhaoine.”
“We all do what we must for ár ndaoine.”
“At least you have the balls to be honest.”
“I have never lied to you, Meli.”
Her brittle, humorless laughter sent chills down Jace’s spine. So different from the beautiful sound of bells he’d come to associate with his mate’s laughter that he actually did a double take. “No, you’re right, you’ve never outright lied. Just twisted, omitted, and misdirected until your words bore absolutely no resemblance to the truth.”
“Melanie Rose,” the old man snarled, his eloquently constructed veneer beginning to crack. “You will listen to me.”
The words felt heavy on Jace’s ear and were quickly followed by a flair of magic. Melanie’s words confirmed its origin.
“Stop with the parlor tricks, Draoi. We both know the only reason you’re even bothering with me after all these years is that your magic is waning. You need a sacrifice to replenish your power, and not just any sacrifice… but one of your own blood. I’m guessing none of the others have come into their powers yet. Am I right?”
Time stood still. All his focus on Melanie. Worry bounced between him and his beast. They feared she’d miscalculated her grandfather’s power. What little Jace knew of magic that wasn’t dragon magic was limited, but he knew it took serious mojo to give the kind of mystical push he’d felt a minute ago through a damned cellphone. If the old man made a move to hurt Melanie, Jace was ready and more than willing to kill him…wherever the hell the old man was.
“Having a hard time answering a direct question, seanathair?” She paused, turning in a complete circle as if looking for someone she knew wasn’t there.
Jace had been closely monitoring their surroundings, shocked at how quiet the employee parking lot was for a Thursday night. He knew the closest person was on the other side of the hospital, enjoying a latte on the patio outside the cafeteria, but nonetheless he looked right along with her. When Melanie returned to her original position she inhaled deeply, held her breath to the count of ten, then slowly exhaled. It was obvious she was trying to relieve some tension, and even more apparent, she had failed.
From his vantage point, Jace watched as a sardonic smile lifted the corners of her mouth. Her tone dripped with sarcasm. “No, that’s not it at all, is it? You can’t find them. Your teaghlaigh has abandoned you. They left you with no one but the weakest of the coven and made sure you shared blood with none of them. You’re just about tapped out. Karma really is a bitch, isn’t She, Draoi? That little show of power was meant to scare me? You were hoping I would tuck tail and beg for forgiveness? But the truth is, if you still had power, you would still have your faithful guard, and they would be here to grab me while you provided the distraction. ”
She stopped and gave an evil chuckle, which Jace could only imagine infuriated the old wizard. “Well, rot in hell, seanathair. I hope…”
Whatever she was about to say was extinguished by the boom of thunder and a bolt of lightning that not only lit the sky but landed inches from Melanie’s feet. As the asphalt before her smoldered, Melanie screamed, “You will not win, you bastard! I will see you dead…one way or another.”
Melanie disconnected the call while her grandfather was still shouting obscenities. The smell of burnt ozone combined with spent black magic filled the air when Jace reached her. Touching her elbow, he had to work hard to keep from smiling when she jumped at his touch. No, it wasn’t the time to laugh, but stress does crazy things to people.
“What the hell?” She shrieked, stumbling backward.
Catching her before she hit the pavement, Jace pulled Melanie tight to his chest and spun away from the charred hole in
the ground. He’d expected her to pull back or at the very least tense in his arms, so when she curled into him for shelter, his heart swelled with pride. Not willing to let her go, he lifted her into his arms and walked towards her car.
Reaching the little red hatchback, Melanie lifted her head and gazed at him through her thick dark lashes. What he saw in the depths of her expressive hazel eyes caused his heart to skip a beat. There were all the amazing characteristics he was already growing to love. But in that moment, he also recognized just a touch of vulnerability coupled with the need for someone she could trust and the spark of affection that Jace prayed would grow into a love to last them a lifetime.
Just as Melanie opened her mouth to speak, a car door slammed behind them and the spell was broken. Before he could take his next breath, she jumped from his arms, turned her back, and pretended to be preoccupied with searching her bag. Embarrassment flooded their link, followed by the telltale blush on her cheeks. Unwilling to let her recriminate herself for simply following the feelings he knew were growing in her heart and soul, Jace gently spun her towards him. She attempted to pull back, but the Guardsman would not be persuaded.
Pushing her out of her comfort zone, he half expected her to swing at him, yell, or at least give him a dirty look, but Melanie was full of surprises. Instead of retaliating, she kept her head bowed and stood motionless. More than a little confused and tired of waiting, Jace slid his thumb under her chin, slowly nudging until they were once again looking into each other’s eyes.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, he joked to ease her anxiety. “Rough day at the salt mines?”
Shaking her head, Melanie chuckled. “You could say that. How much of that catastrophe did you see?”
“Would you kick my ass if I said all of it?”
“No, but hiding under the covers for a week or two sounds like a solid plan.”
