Summer of Frost

by L. P. Dover

  The water feels cool against my heated skin, except when I see the smoky gray eyes of the man before me, the water quickly heats up. I could feel the current of it around me pulling him closer, as if it knew that’s where he belonged … in my arms. When Drake grasps me against his naked body, he takes my face in his hands and wastes no time in claiming me as his own. The sea churns and moves frantically around us as Drake kisses me hungrily, feverishly. His lips taste salty from the water, but underneath that is the pure and exotic taste of the Summer. It’s addicting. He is addicting.

  The sea appears to know our needs and wants, and is obviously reflecting our moods. Right now the water is wild and dangerous, flowing excitedly around us, caressing our bodies. Our passions are fierce and full of heat, just like the sea. I can see the fire burning in Drake’s eyes, and it makes my blood boil. Wrapping my legs around his waist, he gently strokes my opening with the head of his cock before plunging in deeply with one hard thrust. I scream out in pleasure as he rocks my body against the waves. Before, I never welcomed the heat, but now I live in it … and I love it. This is my home, and this is where I belong.

  The moment I was thrust out of the vision everything became clear. Sorcha swayed on her feet, but I caught her, earning me a dazed smile in return. “Of all the days for this to happen, it had to be on one where we’re going into battle,” she said sarcastically.

  I laughed. “You should know things are never easy here, especially when you’re one of the Four. Take my sisters for example.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she agreed.

  Sorcha lowered her head and stared at the ground nervously, a trait I’d never seen from her before. There were so many questions floating through my mind and I didn’t know where to start. “So, are you going to tell me everything now?” I asked, trying hard to hide my desperation.

  With a smirk on her face, she lifted her head and beamed. “I think you know everything, Drake.”

  After hearing about her dream walking abilities I pretty much knew then that my dreams were real, but I wanted to hear it all from her. “Yes, but I want to hear you say it to me.”

  Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly and pierced me with her emerald green gaze. “Very well then. Where do you want me to start?”

  “I want you to start with the dreams. Were they all real? Was it really you in them every single night? And most importantly, what the hell were you doing with me when you were obviously with that dickhead?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. I wasn’t angry before, but now that I knew the truth I was pissed knowing she came to me in my dreams and also shared a bed with Alston at the same time.

  She lowered her head and laughed. “There’s no need to get angry. There hasn’t been a ‘me and Alston’ for a long time now.” When she looked up at me I could see the honesty in her eyes. I should’ve known he would lie to me, and I was stupid to believe him.

  “That’s not what he said,” I said flatly.

  She huffed out a breath. “Son of a bitch! Is that why you looked pissed yesterday?” she asked. At my nod, she continued, “I should have known he would do something like that. I guess he didn’t get over your pissing contest at the Winter Ball.”

  “Hey, he started it,” I pointed out with a smile on my face.

  Shaking her head, a sadness grew over her face and her lips turned down in a frown. “It doesn’t matter now. I think he’s dead, Drake. Sarette said she saw him go down in the fight, but she was hoping he was with us. I told her that he wasn’t.”

  “I’m sorry, Sorcha. I didn’t like the guy, but I know he was your friend,” I said, hugging her tight. Even though Alston was a dick, I would never have wished death on him.

  “Anyway, answering your other questions, yes the dreams were all real. From the first time I visited you in your dreams, I couldn’t stop. I kept telling myself not to go back, but I didn’t listen.” She lifted her gaze and smiled mischievously. “I guess I liked fighting with you too much.”

  I laughed. “That’s it? We did a lot more in our dreams than fight.”

  In my dreams, I touched and kissed her every night. It was all real … our love was real. Sorcha smiled when she caught me staring at her lips, and ran her tongue over them enticingly. We had a strong connection in our dreams, but being this close to her in person has intensified that bond. Lifting my hand, I ran it through her silky black tresses before grazing her pale cheek with my finger. Her skin was as white as snow, but soon it would be the color of Summer.

  “Are you wanting to kiss me, Drake?” she asked humorously.

  “Maybe,” I answered, moving closer. “Are you against me kissing you, because if I recall correctly, I think we’ve done a little more than that in our dreams.”

  She smiled and bit her lip. “Oh yes,” she sighed. “How could I forget?”

  Groaning, I instantly grew hard at the thought of the vision and our time together. If we didn’t have to rescue her people, I’d lay her down right where we were and make love to her all damn night. Placing my hands on her face, I pulled her toward me to close that last inch. She moaned and smiled wickedly at me when she felt my hard cock pressed and ready for action against her leg. To make matters worse, she tortured me by gliding her leg up and down it, making me groan and grip her hips rousingly.

  When our lips touched, it was like nothing I’d ever felt before. I’d kissed her in our dreams, but nothing could compare to what her body felt like against mine. I could feel the beginnings of our bond take place as we kissed, and I knew in that moment that things were about to change. It happened to my sisters and I knew it was happening right that second.

  Sorcha must had felt it too because she abruptly pulled away from the kiss and gasped. Lifting up her hands, she turned them back and forth in awe. “It’s happening,” she whispered.

  I was amazed at how one minute she was the cold, pale Winter princess, and then the next her skin started changing before my eyes, turning into the sun-kissed golden of Summer. My skin, however, stayed the same. Confused, Sorcha picked up my hands and examined my unchanged flesh.

  “Why isn’t anything happening to you?”

  I was pretty sure I knew the answer to that. “It’s because I’m Summer, Sorcha. I will always be a Summer Fae. It’s where I belonged the moment I was born, but I can feel the change starting inside me and it feels amazing.”

  “Drake!” someone yelled from behind me.

  When I turned, I found my second in command, Finn, running toward us. Finn had been Meliantha’s lover for a few years while the dark sorcerer made fools of us all. Even though Finn still loved my sister back then, he chose to stay in the Summer Court and be my second in command instead of following her.

  “The warriors are ready. We’re waiting for your command,” he claimed.

  Nodding, I acknowledged him. “Excellent! Go ahead and ride toward Crystal Lake. Once I get changed, I’ll fly overhead.”

  Finn bowed and sprinted back to the front of the palace while Sorcha and I followed soon after him. “Which group will I be riding with?” she asked as we made our way to the front.

  “Neither,” I replied.

  Immediately, her eyes grew fierce and she stopped, placing her hands on her hips. “You’re not going to stop me from going. Don’t you dare turn into an overprotective jackass to go along with your arrogant side. I can only handle one of those traits.”

  Laughing, I took her hand and pulled her along with me. “Trust me, I know better than to tell you what to do. I think I learned my mistake once already in one of our dreams.”

  “Just as long as you remember it,” she teased. Stopping mid-step, she grabbed my arm, halting me. “So, if I’m not riding with the warriors, where will I be?”

  “With me.” I grinned. “Up in the air, and on my back.” Her eyes went wide and her mouth flew open in surprise. Nudging her with my elbow, I winked. “Don’t look so shocked. You knew you were going to ride me at some point.”

  She
lifted her brow at the remark, making me laugh, but then she turned serious. “I’m sure you would like for me to ride you, but that’s not what we’re talking about. Seriously, I didn’t realize it would be so soon. It’s not every day a girl gets to ride on the back of a dragon. What if I fall off?”

  Taking her face in my hands, I kissed her long and deep, relishing in the way she already tasted like a Summer Fae. “You will never fall as long as you’re with me. I will spend every day, every hour, and every waking minute of my life keeping you safe. Just trust me.”

  “I do,” she confessed wholeheartedly.

  “Okay, first things first, when I change into the dragon don’t be afraid. I would never hurt you. When the change is complete just climb on my back and hold on.”

  “Sounds good,” she agreed, bouncing on her heels.

  I backed away from her slowly and began taking off my clothes. She kept watch the whole time, running her green gaze over my body with a smile on her face. “Enjoy it being one-sided right now, because when we get back you’re going to be in this same position. Our dreams will soon be coming true,” I added, winking.

  She shook her head and waved her hands impatiently. “I look forward to it, but you need to hurry up! We’ve wasted too much time. My friends need us. I feel guilty enough as it is ogling you while they’re in danger.”

  Once the change started, Sorcha’s eyes grew wide in concern, and she cringed. Watching the transformation was hard the first time, or at least that’s what I’d noticed. It took Ariella a few times to get used to it. After the transformation was complete, I stood at my full height while Sorcha gazed up at me, mesmerized. I lowered myself to her, waiting for her to climb on my back. She hesitated for a few seconds, but then climbed up and settled her body at the base of my neck.

  “You are so beautiful,” she murmured in awe, running her hands over my scaly dragon skin. I huffed in response, and looked back at her. When she was fully secured and hanging on tight, she gave me the final nod. “I’m ready,” she assured me.

  The moment I took off into the sky I could feel her tense up and hold tighter. No matter what happened, we were going to rescue her friend and guardian, and I was going to keep her safe. She was mine … mine to protect.

  The Crystal Lake was quickly coming upon us, and thankfully, the early morning darkness concealed me in the sky, giving me full advantage. My enhanced vision helped me see through the trees to the army below. Everyone was mostly still, but there were a few people up and about, completely unaware of what was approaching. I knew one thing … they were going to run like spineless cowards by the time I got through with them.

  Circling quietly around the camp, I waited for my army to get closer, and when they came into sight I descended down on the enemy, letting out a guttural roar with fire from the depths inside me.

  Drake’s growl was ear-piercingly loud, and if I didn’t know it was him I would’ve cowered in fear. I wasn’t afraid of him in his dragon form, but just the knowledge of what he could do was a bit terrifying. It had to be wonderful yet lonely to be the only dragon in the Land of the Fae.

  “Oren? Can you hear me?”

  Silence was all I heard as a reply, and it scared me. I would know if he was dead, but the silence wasn’t normal. Even though the wind whipping by us was loud, I knew Drake could hear me when I called out to him, “Sarette told me they were in the middle of the camp tied to a post. The dwarf we need to capture is the one with my spear. We just need to find him and take him down.”

  Drake landed with a hard thud onto the land below, almost making me lose my grip. The sound roused the dark sorcerer’s army, and almost instantly they were alert and ready to fight. Pulling out Sarette’s sword, I headed into the fray, ready for battle. The screams and grunts of the fighting were all I heard as I killed one faerie after the other. The sword felt odd in my hands, but I was well trained in how to use it. I was in a zone where nothing and no one mattered except my friend and guardian. Death was a consequence the traitors knew would happen if they turned against their people.

  Anger and betrayal overwhelmed me as more and more of my fellow fae came for the attack, and as much as I hated to kill them I knew I had to. As more faeries and fae creatures fell, I could see through the crowd to the center of the camp. Sarette was struggling against her bonds while Oren stayed limp at her side. Drake slashed his way through the enemy, severing limbs and bodies in the process while making me a clear path to my friends.

  “Sarette!” I screamed, running toward her. “Are you okay?”

  In the next instant, I heard before I felt the arrow slicing through the air and landing its target. The next step I took had me reeling in agony. White, hot fire surged through my veins as pain engulfed every cell of my being. I collapsed to my knees as Drake bellowed out a roar behind me. Jutting out from my shoulder blade was a deeply embedded arrow, and it hurt.

  “What the hell!” I yelled, angry and pissed for getting hit. Staggering along the way, I eventually reached Sarette and Oren, and using my good arm I cut their bonds, releasing them.

  Sarette was frantic. “Holy shit! Sorcha, are you okay? Turn around!” she demanded. As soon as I turned around she ripped the arrow out of my shoulder with one sharp pull. Screaming loudly, I fell to my knees on the ground and clutched my bad shoulder. Drake nudged me in the side, concerned.

  “I’m okay, Drake. It just hurt that’s all.”

  Fire shot through his nostrils as he scanned the woods for the attacker, emanating danger and death. Sarette spotted the culprit first and pointed to the trees. “It’s him!” Sarette shouted. “Sorcha, it’s Brokk, the one we need!”

  Once Drake understood, he bounded through the trees, knocking them down in the process, as he chased after the dwarf. Needless to say, the dwarf didn’t get far. In one massive swipe, Drake brought his claws back and hit Brokk so hard he went flying in the air. It just so happened that he landed knocked out at my feet with my spear attached to his back and a bow in hand.

  I kicked the bow out of his grasp, grabbed my spear, and dropped to my knees beside Oren. Running my hands over his body, I couldn’t see or feel any massive injuries. What could be keeping him under? I wondered.

  Finn, who happened to be nearby, rushed over to help. “Princess, are you all right? You’re bleeding.”

  Breathless, I nodded weakly. “I’ll be fine. I don’t know what’s wrong with my guardian, but he needs help.” Glaring at the unconscious dwarf, I continued while pointing at him, “That piece of shit there needs to be questioned, and taken back to the Summer Court. We need to contact Durin and have him there as well. This is the dwarf he’s been looking for.”

  “Will do, Your Highness,” Finn agreed. “We’ll secure him and head straight for the Summer Court. The enemy is mostly dead, except for the few that retreated during the attack.”

  Despair washed through me at the thought of so many killed. I wondered how many of those fae were actual traitors, and ones that were forced to be there. Either way, the damage was done, and I had to live with not knowing. Finn picked Brokk up and strapped him to a horse, making the bonds tighter than usual across the dwarf’s limbs. Good, I thought. He deserved it. He was going to have a lot more pain after I was done with him.

  Sarette helped me haul Oren across Drake’s back, and once he was settled I climbed behind him so I could hold him in place. Sarette clambered up behind me and held on tight. “We’re ready, Drake! Let’s go!” I called out to him.

  In one quick jump we were up and in the sky. My shoulder ached, and I winced when I tried to move my arm. Now that the adrenaline had ebbed off I was feeling more of the burn. Blood oozed warm and hot down my back, and I could feel my body swaying.

  “Sorcha! Sorcha, what’s wrong?” Sarette screamed worriedly in my ear, and even though she was right behind me, she sounded amazingly far away. My vision grew blurry, and then it slowly began to grow dark. There was no pain … just peace.

  Bright light streamed thro
ugh the open window, making me squint and hide my face with the pillow. Groaning, I turned over on my side, but quickly sat up as the realization dawned on me. The pain in my shoulder was still there, but it wasn’t bad. Earlier, I was in the air with Drake, but now I was in a bed … with Drake. What the hell happened? I wondered. I glanced over to see him sleeping peacefully in the bed beside me. His tousled red hair and half-naked body beckoned me to touch him, and for the first time he actually looked normal. Not the infamous and arrogant prince dragon, but just a normal man.

  He must’ve known I was staring at him because a slow growing smile appeared on his face. He sat up and ran his eyes over my body, clearly admiring the little silky get up I was wearing. I was out of my warrior gear, and placed in a blue lingerie-type night gown, most likely compliments of the man beside me. My golden skin stood out against the light blue color of the silk, and it still amazed me how much I had changed within just a day. Not just physically, but emotionally as well.

  “Good morning, beautiful. Or better yet, good afternoon. I thought you were going to sleep all day.”

  Confused, I asked, “What happened? How long was I out?”

  Drake sat up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You passed out when we were in the air. With all the excitement and blood loss you must’ve just given out. You’ve only been asleep for a few hours. I didn’t want to leave you, so I stayed here.”

  “What about Oren?” I asked, panicking. “Where is he? Is he all right?”

  As soon as I said his name, Oren came barreling into the room. “Did I hear someone call out my name?” he asked, charging toward me with a huge smile on his face. He scooped me up in his arms, but let me go when I winced in pain. “I’m sorry, ai dulin. I didn’t mean to hurt your shoulder. It’s just so good to see you again.” He hugged me gently and kissed my forehead. “You have no idea how helpless I felt the whole time. I knew you were safe, but there was nothing I could do if anything happened to Sarette. I would’ve failed you.”