The Enforcer (Fire's Edge)

by Abigail Owen

  He turned back to face her. “We’ll keep them in the dark. We’ll do our best to keep them safe. But we won’t walk away.”

  Cami stared at him with a suspicious glimmer in her eyes. “I love you.”

  “Just as long as you remember who said it first.”

  Cami snorted. “Yeah. I did.”

  Right before she’d convinced him they should mate. Drake grinned. “Best damn decision you ever made.”

  “Holy shit,” Levi burst out. “I didn’t know he could smile. Did anybody else know that?”

  Lyndi gave Levi a shove hard enough that the gold dragon shifter stumbled a few feet. “My brother just found his mate. Have some respect.”

  Drake ignored them both. “With your family and mine…”

  He went down on one knee and pulled out a ring that had once belonged to his and Lyndi’s mother. A ruby of such clarity the crimson red seemed to glow like a dragon’s eyes. “I think this is how humans do it.”

  Cami’s hands flew to cover her mouth. Then she stood there staring at him with wide eyes over her fingers, sort of shaking her head. Drake glanced around but got no help from those in the room. Then he cocked his head to his mate in question.

  Cami lowered her hand slowly to reveal a wide smile that made her eyes crinkle. Eyes starting to glow with a faint red flame. “You’re supposed to ask a question.”

  “I am?”

  Delaney bent down to whisper in his ear. “Ask her to marry you.”

  The question seemed implied in his actions to Drake, but who was he to argue with human tradition. “Camilla Carrillo, you are already my mate, will you marry me and be my wife?”

  He barely got the words out before Cami tumbled into his arms, practically knocking him over. She pressed a sweet kiss on his lips, then pulled back with a laugh filled with the joy that shot straight to his heart.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Why didn’t we do that?” Delaney asked Finn in what sounded like was supposed to be an aside, but everybody heard, and the room erupted into laughter.

  Drake and Cami were too busy celebrating their engagement to join in.

  …

  “You looked adorably miserable up there,” Cami teased her mate and now new husband.

  She still couldn’t believe how fast they’d been able to pull a wedding together. In Yosemite no less, just like Drake had told the Alliance. Small and simple, they’d had to hold it inside because of the weather. But all that mattered to her was that she was his, and that her family got to share in the day with them.

  Drake tugged at the collar of his suit shirt. With a smile she reached up and started to undo the black silk of his tie.

  “What are you doing? We still have to get through the reception.”

  “I’ve got to remove my veil.” She’d worn her mother’s wedding dress that they managed to get altered in the two weeks it had taken to arrange the wedding. It had also been her grandmother’s wedding dress. Tea length, with a high neckline in the front, tiny capped sleeves, and a cowl neckline in the back, it reflected the simplicity of their wedding with luxurious raw silk overlaid with organza. “You can get comfortable too. Take off your jacket and roll up your sleeves.”

  “Spoken like an Alpha,” he murmured softly. But she could still hear the pride in his voice.

  Cami raised her eyebrows, doing her best to keep a serious face. “Well then snap to it, soldier.”

  “Yes ma’am.” And the man she once thought could never have a playful side to him executed a salute that she could only describe as impertinent. Then he proceeded to do what she suggested.

  The ting, ting, ting of a fork against the glass champagne flutes brought their attention around to her father.

  Taking her mother’s hand in his, he looked over at Cami and Drake, then around the room. “Welcome, everyone. Christina and I would like to thank all of you for joining us in this celebration.” He paused and swallowed. “People say it takes a village to raise a child. Looking at the faces of Cami and Drake’s friends and family, I say it takes a village to put a wedding together this fast.”

  They all joined in the laughter.

  “So…what would you like to know about my daughter? For starters, Cami is a dancer.” He zeroed in on Drake. “I hope you’re ready for that.”

  Cami burst out laughing at the expression of horror on her mate’s face.

  Her father nodded. “You’re going to have to learn then, mijo.”

  He turned to the rest of their small gathering. “This started at a young age. As a baby, the only way to soothe Cami to sleep was to put on music and dance with her. Remember, Christina?”

  Her mother, already misty eyed, nodded with a fond smile.

  “When she was about four, Cami got…well…obsessed with the movie The Wizard of Oz.’”

  “Oh no,” Cami murmured. Of course her father would bring that up.

  “Cami honestly believed she lived over the rainbow. And every day, her mother or I would have to dance with her because her sisters were not born yet. Usually I was the Scarecrow to her Dorothy. I can’t say we were too sorry to see that phase go.”

  Drake leaned over to whisper in her ear. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you in ruby slippers…and nothing else.”

  She elbowed him in his ribs. Good gracious. In the middle of her father’s speech. The man was incorrigible.

  “When she was in high school, I went to a father-daughter dance with Cami, and am proud to say that we won the trophy for the best dancers. In fact…” He reached under the table where he stood, then came back up with a small plastic trophy that had, at some point, been gold. “I still have it.”

  Silly of her, but Cami couldn’t help gripping Drake’s hand under the table. Her dad was not normally a sentimental man. But he’d kept all her trophies? Even the silly ones?

  “This survived the fire. Along with all her horseback riding trophies, and awards from school. In fact, I’m looking forward to getting them out of our basement.” He looked at his watch, then at Drake. “Maybe tomorrow?”

  Drake just shrugged through the laughter in the room.

  Her father grinned, then grew serious, his gaze only for her now. “In a short while, you’ll have your first dance with Drake. And in that moment, you’ll have a new dance partner. I know I’m going to have to let you go.” He paused to swallow back his emotion again, then continued in a voice a bit gruff. “But I do so joyfully, and with a full heart. I knew the man who married my daughter would have to be special—strong, her equal, her partner…and damn patient.”

  Cami laughed through tears that now stung her eyes.

  “And through it all—whether it be near us or far from us, or over the rainbow, just remember… Put God first. Love your family. Respect the elders in your life. Be mindful of your place in this universe and never forget that it only takes a second to lose everything. So enjoy everything every day. Even when you argue about whether the knives are in the right spot, or the temperature is too hot or cold in the house, enjoy that. Every day should count. When you have children, take every moment as a magical gift, because they will leave you so fast, you won’t believe it. You were a baby in my arms only yesterday, mija.”

  Her father looked at his feet, visibly keeping it together.

  “And now.” He lifted his head. “You’re this amazing, kind woman of faith and strength, and I’m so proud of the man you have chosen to marry. Because I see the way he looks at you, and the way you look at him. Make it special. Make it real.”

  He paused again, and she managed to take a breath. Drake squeezed her hand, wrapping his fingers around hers, his heat spreading comfort through her.

  “And give us grandbabies as soon as you can,” her dad finished. Then grinned as another laugh surprised its way out of her.

  “Sorry,” he said. “Just had to get
that in there. Your mother and I aren’t getting any younger, you know.”

  Then he held up a glass. “To Cami and Drake and your lives together.”

  To the sound of clapping, Cami got up to give her parents hugs, laughing as they both pulled Drake in for one as well. Then she gasped as Drake turned her into his arms, giving a nod to the DJ they’d hired, who started a slow song.

  “I thought we weren’t going to do all the dances and stuff,” she murmured.

  His shoulders twitched under her hand. “I got the impression it might be important to you.” He dipped his head and brushed his lips over her cheek. “Now I’m glad I paid attention.”

  Because of that link between them? More and more each day she could sense her mate and knew he could sense her as well. Not in an intrusive way, like he could read her every thought. That would be weird. More in a way where she knew he was there. Would always be there.

  She opened her mouth, words on the tip of her tongue.

  He beat her to it, though. “I love you, too, mate.”

  She blew out a pent-up breath, though she smiled.

  Drake bent and put his forehead to hers. “Make it special. Make it real. Your father is a wise man.”

  “Yes, he is,” she murmured.

  “We should take his advice.”

  “I agree.” She lifted her head to grin at him. “Babies would be wonderful.”

  Drake went all stiff in her arms, but she still caught the twinkle of laughter in his eyes and the tiny lift to the corner of his mouth. “Maybe not all his advice,” he muttered.

  “Not until we can make it safe for them,” she answered.

  Drake stopped dancing. “I promise you, we will.”

  Cami went up on her tiptoes and kissed him, long and soft and sweet. “Yes. We will.”

  Epilogue

  Levi smiled at the sight of Cami on the dance floor. The happy bride was surrounded by female family and friends, set to do some sort of thing involving throwing flowers.

  A strange tradition the humans had, weddings. Then again, they had no way of knowing for sure that the choice of mate they’d made was right or would even last. Not like dragons did. So perhaps sharing some kind of vow was an appropriate way to dedicate your life to one person when a bond of fire wasn’t possible.

  Sad for them.

  He still didn’t think it right that Cami continued to endanger her family by holding on to that relationship. But that was her problem. And Drake’s now.

  The team’s, too, if they had to protect the humans. He pushed the thought aside. No use borrowing troubles when they had plenty to keep them busy. Today was about celebrating.

  Rune should be here. And Aidan with Sera and Blake. And Titus.

  Cami tossed the bundle of flowers into the air, and, faster than the humans could likely catch, Lyndi’s hand shot up in the air and snatched it. The group broke apart and she danced across the floor to where Drake stood beside Levi.

  She flashed her brother that easy smile she gave to everyone but Levi and waved the flowers in his face. “Nervous?”

  “That you’ll be the next to mate?” Drake lifted a single eyebrow.

  “He’d have to be nuts,” Levi muttered darkly.

  Drake snorted, but Lyndi’s reaction was more dangerous given the humans around to witness. Her eyes flared red. “Just because I’m sterile doesn’t make me worthless.”

  “Which is not what I meant, and you know it.” She was always misunderstanding him. To hide her eyes until she could get herself under control, Levi quickly stepped into her and drew her into his arms for a dance, making sure to use his broad shoulders as a shield.

  Thankfully, she didn’t yank away.

  After a minute she huffed a breath. “Thanks.”

  She was thanking him for something? He was waiting for her to blame him for stirring the flames in the first place.

  Levi drew her closer, their combined heat mingling, and inhaled the smoky sweet scent of her hair. “I always seem to rub you up the wrong way,” he murmured, lulled by the slow music and the sway of their bodies. “Why is that?”

  “Maybe I want you to rub me up the right way,” she quipped. And immediately jerked to a standstill as though she’d shocked herself with the words.

  She’d sure as hell shocked him. Blood surged through him, making him hard and hot at the same time. Had she really just said that?

  Not looking at him, Lyndi gave her head a shake, then dropped his hand and stepped back. “I don’t know why I said that.”

  She was taking it back?

  “Did you mean it?”

  She jerked her head in a shake that told him enough. “That didn’t come out right.” Her laugh sounded forced. “Too much wine, I guess. Can you maybe just pretend I didn’t say that or…”

  She trailed off, looking like a horse about to bolt. Then she turned and walked away without even a glance back.

  Levi ground his teeth as she moved through the room, all grace and fire. And ice when it came to him. He would’ve said she was in a panic, except Lyndi didn’t panic. Ever. Plus her heartbeat had remained steady. Then again, as a dragon shifter, Lyndi could control that, knowing he’d be listening. But her dark eyes…they’d been wide and her pupils dilated. And there’d been a slight flush to her cheeks before she whirled around.

  He frowned. The woman was confusing as fuck.

  He’d always thought she just didn’t like him.

  But if that was the case, what the hell just happened?

  Turn the page to start reading The Rogue King by Abigail Owen. Available in Mass Market Paperback where ever books are sold.

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  Prologue

  The scent of raw meat, tinged with putrid rot, curled around Serefina, filling her nostrils and awakening a memory she would have sooner forgotten.

  At least he’d waited to confront her until after closing, when she was the last person left in the place. Her hands shook even as they slowed in the mundane task of clearing one of the handful of linoleum-topped tables in the small, rural Kansas diner where she worked. Where she pretended to be just another human and not who and what she truly was.

  A prize sought by every creature.

  Legend held that the man who captured a phoenix would be blessed. Unable to put a foot wrong. Every choice the right one. Every action leading to greater fortune. Except legend had it wrong. The man had to capture the phoenix’s heart.

  The man who’d come for her would never have her heart. She knew who stood directly behind her, bringing that nasty smell inside with him where the rancid fumes mingled with the grease that hung heavy in the air.

  Pytheios.

  The Rotting King of the Red Dragon Clan. The man who had once deluded himself into thinking he could mate Serefina and take her parents’ throne. But she’d chosen another, a different clan’s king, and for her sins, Pytheios had murdered him.

  Zilant. Her destined mate, and her one true love.

  So she’d run.

  Disappeared.

  Pytheios had hunted her ever since, needing her at his side to legitimize his reign as High King. Thankfully, he had no idea of the secret she’d taken with her that fateful night all those centuries ago when she’d escaped, pregnant and terrified. And so alone. A secret concealed not ten miles from here. A secret she’d guard with her life.

  Pytheios would never find her daughters.

  “You didn’t think you could remain hidden forever, did you?” Pytheios’s charred voice rumbled behind her. Smug bastard.

  The skin on the back of Serefina’s neck crawled at his mere presence. She didn’t question how he’d finally tracked her down. Five centuries of hiding from him were five more than she’d expected to get.

  Now her daughters must find t
heir own way without her there to guide them. Protect them. Teach them. Please let me have prepared them enough.

  Serefina didn’t bother trying to figure out how to save herself from the attack she knew was coming. Before Pytheios had killed them, her parents had been living proof that the dragon king who mated the phoenix would become the High King and rule wisely and well, leading to an era of prosperity.

  The Red Clan had ruled over all dragon shifters during her parents’ reign. The five other dragon kings would have no choice but to bow down to Pytheios if he brought her back as his mated prize.

  But he wasn’t destined to be her mate. Her fire would consume him, as it would any dragon shifter other than Zilant, whether she liked it or not. Zilant’s brand hadn’t yet appeared on her neck, but all that meant was that she hadn’t died with her mate. No other man could ever have her.

  Pytheios might try anyway, or at the very least take her. Imprison her. Use her.

  So yes. There was no doubt in her mind; today was the last day of her life. But could she save the fire inside her, and the magic that came with it, to perform one last desperate act to protect her daughters before the final blow came?

  Acrid bile burned her throat as it rose from the pit of her stomach. She forced it down. Now was not the time to allow fear into her heart. Fear could wait for those last precious seconds of life, when she’d fought until she could no longer move, when she’d done everything she could. Maybe not even then.

  Not fear for herself. Fear for the four precious women she’d be leaving behind.

  If not for them, death would be a welcome relief. Then she could finally join Zilant in the afterlife where he waited for her.

  Serefina closed her eyes, reaching for the power that had lain dormant inside her for too many years, stoking an inferno, the flames licking her insides with a pleasant warmth she’d almost forgotten.

  “Turn around,” the monster behind her commanded. “Now.”

  Frustration lined the edges of Pytheios’s words, and she smiled. Even now, she could defy him. She took some small consolation from the thought.