by Donna Grant
“Listen to the way you say her name,” Ulrik said. “It’s almost like a prayer. It’s obvious you care for her.”
V nodded, not denying it. “I blamed my restlessness all those millions of years on being without my sword, but the truth is, I’ve always felt as if my life was missing something.”
“As if you were no’ complete.”
V swallowed and nodded. “I thought there was something wrong with me. That perhaps I could never be satisfied with what I had. Claire eases the restless parts of me. She has removed the blinders I didna know I wore, allowing me to see everything differently.”
“You’re in love with her. Doona do as I did and waste a single moment. Take whatever time you have with Claire. If she’s your mate, you’ll know it. The certainty is there, undeniably.”
It was there. V just hadn’t told anyone.
Ulrik’s brows rose on his forehead as he smiled. “Ah. I see. Have you told Claire?”
“Nay.”
“Do you want her as your mate?” Ulrik cut his hand through the air. “Of course, you do. A King can no’ fall in love and recognize his mate and no’ want her.” Ulrik studied V. “Perhaps my question should be: are you going to take her as your mate?”
“I’m no’ sure I have the strength to let her go.”
“Then tell her how you feel.”
V’s brows drew together. “It’s too soon. It’s only been a few days.”
“Only you can decide when you share your feelings with her. I kept mine to myself, and Eilish nearly died. After I had her back in my arms, I wanted to tell her everything. But I still couldna. No’ until she saved me. Claire is mortal, V. She can die from a disease, in a car wreck, or because of any number of things. If she’s your mate and you want her, then doona wait to make her yours.”
“And what if she doesna want to be my mate?”
Ulrik lifted one shoulder. “Then she isna meant to be yours. We have a wee bit of time before tonight and this war with Usaeil is full-blown. Go to Claire. Make love to her, hold her, talk to her, but be with her.”
As Ulrik passed him, he slapped V on the arm and shot him a smile. V didn’t remain in the cavern long. He turned on his heel and went looking for Claire. He found her in the library up on the second floor, standing next to a bookshelf, reading.
He simply looked at her. The sky was filled with dark clouds that promised rain. The lamps and chandelier bathed the large room in soft light. Her long hair fell over one shoulder as she tilted her head. V longed to twist the length around his hand and kiss her.
Suddenly, Claire’s head lifted, and her brown eyes landed on him. Her lips immediately curved into a welcoming smile. “Hi.”
“Hi,” he replied, returning her grin.
She replaced the book and made her way to the spiral staircase. As she descended the steps, he walked toward her, meeting her at the bottom. He pulled her in and simply held her, savoring how she felt against him.
“Is everything okay? Or do I need to be worried?” she asked.
V pulled back and took her hand as he led her to one of the large Chesterfield sofas. He sat and tugged her onto his lap. Once she was settled, she raised a brow and waited for him to talk.
“I’d like for you to remain at Dreagan,” V told her.
She licked her lips. “I don’t see a problem with that. However, I’d like to know why.”
“We’re about to go to war with the Queen of the Light, Usaeil. She and Rhi are no’ on good terms. Usaeil has also set her sights on Con as her mate, and she willna take no for an answer.”
Claire gave a quick nod of her head. “Earlier today, I learned some of what has happened to Rhi. I met her, actually.”
“Really? Today?”
“A few days ago.”
Alarm shot through V. When he’d spoken with Rhi today, she’d said nothing about meeting Claire, and Rhi would have. That’s not something she would’ve kept to herself. “Are you sure it’s the same Rhi?”
Claire frowned at him. “Kinsey and Sophie described her, and it sounded just like the woman I met at the spa. Besides, how many women look like that with the name of Rhi? I like her. I’m glad you and the others are helping her.”
“But it puts you at risk.” V said nothing of his worries to Claire. He wanted to talk to Rhi first. If she would come when he called after the note she’d left Con.
Claire shrugged. “I’ll be fine. Do what you need to do. I’ll stick with Sophie.”
V pulled her to him until Claire’s head rested on his shoulder. She linked one of her hands with his, and he used the other to stroke the back of her hair.
“What is this that we’re doing?” she asked.
He kissed her head and placed his cheek against it. “A verra good question, lass. I want to keep seeing you. I want you as mine.”
“Good,” she replied, a smile in her voice. “Because I very much want you as mine.”
V tightened his hold on her. “This might get rough.”
“You’re a Dragon King who has powerful enemies. Of course, things will be rough. In case you missed it, I’m a pretty durable, resilient woman. I can take a lot.”
“I know. Why do you think I was drawn to you?”
“I thought it was because of my hot body.” She was silent for a heartbeat before she giggled.
V leaned back to look down at her and smiled. She was definitely his mate. But it wasn’t time to tell her. Soon. Soon, he would tell her everything.
“Oh, your body had a lot to do with it,” he replied. “Shall I prove it to you?”
Her eyes lit up. “Yes, please.”
She let out a yelp as he lifted her, putting her on her back on the thick rug of the library. The screech turned into a moan as he captured her lips in a scorching kiss.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Claire’s body still hummed from the intense orgasm V had given her. She didn’t care that she was naked in the middle of the library, or that anyone at Dreagan could walk in and find them.
With his weight atop her, she wrapped her arms around V and lazily stroked his back and the dragon tattoo while imagining she caressed V in dragon form. She really hoped that she got to see him soon.
He lifted his head and looked at her. His long hair fell forward to frame his face and tickle her cheek. She smiled and slid her fingers through the cool strands.
“What are you thinking when you look at me like that?” he asked.
She was taken aback for a moment. At one time, she would have come up with some witty remark, but V wasn’t just any man, and he deserved more than what she gave to others.
“I think how handsome you are. I wonder what you ever saw in me, and then I’m glad about whatever it was so I got to know you. I think about the fact that this isn’t your real form. Yet I’m grateful for it so I can touch, lick, and kiss you.”
His ice blue eyes darkened before he murmured, “Ah, lass.”
She leaned her face against his hand that cupped her cheek. After all the dates she’d been on, she’d come to recognize when a man was playing her. V had been honest from the beginning. It was a refreshing change that affected her deeply.
“I love your voice,” she told him.
One side of his lips lifted in a sexy grin. “Just my voice?”
“I enjoy everything about you.”
His smile vanished as he grew serious. “I doona know what is to come over the next few days or weeks.”
“I’ll be here.”
“I left our bed last night.”
She looked up at him, waiting for him to continue. When he didn’t, she asked, “Where did you go?”
“To my mountain. My sword called to me. It’s why I brought it to the manor.”
Now, she was intrigued. “Oh?”
“Do you remember when I said I couldna feel the power of my sword when I finally got it back?”
She nodded.
He rose up on his hands. “After you and I had that lunch together, I fe
lt something when I picked up the weapon. Last night, I tried again. The power is back. I can once more control the sword.”
“That’s good news,” Claire exclaimed.
“I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. Somehow, you’re involved,” he insisted. V pushed up onto his knees and placed his hands on his legs. “I know you doona believe me, but it’s the truth.”
Claire pushed herself into a seated position. “It’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s just that I can’t understand how I would have anything to do with it.”
She got the feeling that he was about to tell her how she could be a part of it, but he must have changed his mind because he briefly lowered his gaze.
Claire decided to change the subject. “What happened with the sword? You said you could control the power now. Did you use it?”
“I couldna.” He reached back and shifted to sit on the edge of the couch. “All I could think about was no’ finding the dragons. With everything the Kings have been through, I didna want to be the one to tell the others that.”
She moved to her knees and put her hands on his legs. “You mean what all of you have gone through? You’re part of things here. I think you’ve forgotten that.”
V shrugged apathetically. “I doona know why I can locate the dragons and call them home.”
“You said the magic chooses who will be King. I think it also knew you would be the right person to have such power.”
His gaze shifted from doubt to contemplation. “I suppose.”
“I know it,” Claire told him. “You didn’t look for the dragons because you were concerned about what you might find. You didn’t think about yourself. You thought about the others and the consequences of whatever you found. Much as Con always does.”
V shot her a knowing look. “I doona have the same responsibilities as Con.”
“In some ways, you have more. Only you can look for the dragons. Only you can call them home. Only you. Not the King of Dragon Kings. You.” Claire lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I bet you wanted to know if the dragons were all right. I also bet that you didn’t look because you knew you’d feel obligated to tell Con whatever you discovered.”
“Am I that predictable?”
“No,” she assured him with a grin. “I just know you.”
He pulled her to her feet. “I’ve kept the others out, but we need to join them soon.”
Claire laughed. “I should have known you made sure we weren’t disturbed.”
“No one sees my woman naked but me.”
His woman. She really liked the sound of that.
Claire dressed, exchanging frequent looks with V as he pulled on his clothes. Now that she had an answer to her question about what they were, she also realized that he came as a package deal. It would never just be the two of them. It would always be Dreagan and the rest of the Dragon Kings as well as their mates.
Some might not like the idea of it, but after spending a few hours with the other women, Claire realized it was much more than just a large group. They were a family. They leaned on each other, supported each other, and like any family unit, they bickered. But at the end of the day, they stood together.
Just like the Dragon Kings.
She and V walked hand-in-hand to the door. When he opened it, V paused and looked down at her. That’s when she knew he had to leave.
Claire placed her hands on his chest and smiled up at him. “I don’t need to tell you to be careful, do I?”
He chuckled softly. “I’ll do my best.”
“Make sure you kick some ass.”
“That I can promise.”
She found it difficult to keep the smile in place. Fortunately, V leaned down and kissed her. It was a long, slow kiss full of promise.
Claire hated when he ended the kiss and pulled back. She kept her arms around his neck and looked into his handsome face. “Don’t worry about things here. You know we’ll be fine. It would take a really dumb person to attack Dreagan.”
Instead of alleviating V’s worries, he frowned instead. “That is exactly something Usaeil would do.”
“What? I’m confused.”
V’s attention shifted over her shoulder. “Con.”
Claire tried not to fidget as the King of Kings altered his course and headed toward them. It was Con, after all. To her surprise and enjoyment, V took her hand in his. She calmed in an instant. V had let her know with that small action that he would stand beside her.
Con’s black eyes landed on Claire. He bowed his head, and for a moment, she wondered if she should curtsey. In the end, she opted for a smile.
“How are you settling in?” Con asked her.
She nodded quickly. “Very well. Everyone has been wonderful.”
“It helps that you already know some here.”
What he didn’t say—and what she was very aware of—was that she’d known their secret for some time. Claire lifted her chin. “That does help, yes.”
Con’s gaze moved to V. “You look concerned. You know Claire will be safe here.”
“That’s just it,” V said. “I’m no’ sure any of them will.”
Claire jerked her head to V. She hadn’t been worried before, but now she was.
V’s statement got Con’s attention. “What do you mean?”
“Your plan is to go somewhere and call to Usaeil, right?”
Con nodded. “It is.”
“Then what? You think Usaeil will have a run-in with you and no’ retaliate?”
“I expect her to.”
Claire looked between them, trying to navigate what was going on without asking. Because she wasn’t going to ask. But she really, really wanted to know what all this was about with Con going to the Queen of the Light—who wasn’t all that she seemed.
V grunted. “How many of us are you taking with you?”
“I go alone,” Con stated.
“Why? Usaeil willna be. And you know it.”
Con folded his arms over his chest and studied V for a long, silent minute. Claire hoped that Con never looked at her in such a way. “You think she can harm me?”
“I think we shouldna underestimate the Others,” V replied.
Just the mention of them made Claire nervous. And she hadn’t had any interaction with the group. But after what they had done to V, everyone needed to be wary.
Con dropped his arms. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking exactly what I told Rhi. I warned her no’ to be predictable and do something that Usaeil would expect.”
Con drew in a breath and shook his head as he smiled ruefully. “I’ll be damned. We were about to make that same mistake. Decide where you want to be, V. With me or here.”
“Here,” V stated.
With a brief nod, Con turned on his heel and walked away.
Claire waited until he was out of sight before she looked at V. “What just happened?”
“Usaeil isna stupid. I hate to say it, but she’s actually verra smart. It’s gotten her all that she’s acquired over the centuries. The fact that she’s been able to hide her true nature all these eons without us knowing says just how good she is.”
Claire rushed to keep up with V as he headed toward the stairs. “I still don’t understand.”
V slowed his steps. “She has long suspected that Con and Rhi are together.”
“Are they?”
“Nay, but Usaeil doesna believe that. She will guess that Con and Rhi will work together to attack her.”
Claire parted her lips as she nodded. “Oh, I see. In Usaeil’s eyes, a man and a woman can’t be friends. They’re either lovers or not.”
“I wouldna call Rhi and Con friends. Friendly is more accurate.” They reached the third level and made their way to V’s bedroom. “Since Usaeil will rightly guess that Rhi has joined forces with us, the queen will also predict that Con will use some ruse to get Usaeil out of the castle so Rhi can get in.”
Claire tripped over her own feet as t
he meaning of what V was saying hit her. “It’s a trap. Usaeil is setting a trap for Rhi.”
“Aye, she is.” V opened his door and waited for Claire to enter. He closed it behind them and leaned against it. “It’s also a trap for Con. Usaeil intends to hold both of them.”
“Can she?”
V shrugged. “I honestly doona know. Rhi, definitely. Con? We’ll find out soon enough. This is where Usaeil has to plan on the possibility that Con willna come alone. Matter of fact, she’s hoping he’ll bring most of the Kings.”
Claire frowned as she searched her brain for a reason, but she couldn’t come up with anything. “Why?”
“So Usaeil can send her army here.”
Claire laughed, thinking it was a joke. By the look on V’s face, it was anything but. “Can she get here?”
“Con stopped her from coming to Dreagan months ago. The boundary is set to keep others out, but it’ll also alert us if anyone crosses the barrier.”
“But that won’t do much good if she sends an army.”
“All the Kings were originally supposed to go with Con and Rhi.”
“Leaving Dreagan to be protected by Druids and Shara.”
V’s lips flattened. “If you hadna said something, I might no’ have pieced it together.”
This was the second time he had given her credit for something that she didn’t feel as if she’d had anything to do with. But now wasn’t the time to think on that.
She squeezed his hand. “You’re staying here, aren’t you?”
“Aye.”
Claire smiled and released V’s hand. “Don’t worry about me. Go do whatever needs to be done. I’m not leaving Dreagan.”
For the second time, V looked as if he wanted to tell her something. Instead, he gave her a quick, hard kiss, and then he was gone. When the door shut behind him, Claire looked around the room and wondered if she was prepared for what was coming.
I KNOW HOW TO DATE. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS
How many of you read the title and inwardly nodded in agreement? Well, I’m right there with you.
I recently spoke about being happy, about finding someone but not wanting to jinx it in any way. I know I said I didn’t want to talk about him, but I can’t help myself. He’s that amazing.
