She frowned. “I doubt it.”
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s watch a movie.”
“Hm.”
“I think I picked something you’ll like. Lots of explosions.”
Her eyebrow quirked. “Humans do have interesting ways of destroying things, given they don’t have magic. It is entertaining.”
He smirked. “Guns. Death. Triumph of good over evil.”
“You lost me there,” she said, pouting.
“Come on.” He reached out a hand for her. “You liked the other things we did today. Give me a chance.”
“I give you too many chances. You’re making me soft.” She sighed, rolling her eyes as she batted his hand away but sat next to him all the same. Her back was oddly rigid, her eyes fixed on the TV. “All right, so how does this work?”
“Like this,” he said, raising his arm and putting it around her, tucking her close against his side. He knew she was strong. A revolutionary. But right now, she just felt small and feminine against him.
She let out a contented sigh and settled in against him, her hand coming up to rest on his arm, her head leaning against his chest. She grinned up at him mischievously. “This is giving me ideas, dragon.”
“Later,” he said with a laugh. He grabbed the remote and started the movie and felt Vex stir with immediate interest as the opening scene started.
It touched his heart, seeing her there with him, having fun, being normal.
A life like she should have had if those light fae hadn’t tortured her.
All the same, if you didn’t know her story, you’d never guess it. She was never one for self-pity. Never one to admit any weakness.
Damn, he was really falling in love.
And not just with the woman he’d seen in his dreams and wanted to find at all costs, but with the one he was seeing in these little vulnerable moments. When she trusted him and enjoyed being by his side.
It could almost make him forget she’d killed many light fae taking down the labs. Or that she was hunted by a lot of bad creatures. Or that she never wanted to be with him long term.
Almost.
He played with her hair, soft and full and slightly tousled, and she frowned up at him but didn’t say anything as she went back to watching the show.
“You can keep doing that,” she said softly, still captivated by the explosions. “It’s kind of nice.”
He smiled and continued running his hand through her hair for a moment, then just held her.
Outside, moonlight streamed over grass lit by light rainfall. His mind was full of all the fun moments of their day. Watching her enjoy ice cream. Seeing her way with kids, her soft spot for them even as she treated them with respect, like equals.
She really was a complex person.
But how to get into her soul and past those walls around her heart?
As the movie went on, she gasped and laughed, and he savored every moment, almost feeling like it was surreal. A dream he’d been waiting for forever.
And he would have her for days, all to himself, doing whatever they wanted.
Pretending there was nothing but this world.
He sighed, leaning his head against the top of hers, and was surprised when her hand curled up and around to stroke his hair lazily and softly.
A low growl came from deep inside him, full of contentment and pure happiness, and he tilted his head to give her better access.
She continued to stroke until her hand began to slow and then fell to her lap, and he heard a soft noise and realized she was snoring.
Somehow, she’d fallen asleep right next to him. It was like a panther curling up in his arms.
He didn’t even know how to express how much it meant that she finally trusted him. That he’d shown her he was good enough. He doubted there were many who would ever see her like this.
As he studied her face in sleep, she looked utterly exhausted. Her pale skin had little veins showing under her lids, small dark circles under her eyes.
How much work did she do in the Blur? How much danger was there? She was a warrior, but right now, she could rest.
He moved, pulling away so he could prop her up on the couch, but she didn’t wake up. Merely slumped back.
Whatever she’d done in the days since he’d last seen her, it must have been a lot of work.
He grinned, shaking his head with chagrin at how mad she would be the next day when she realized she’d slept through a chance for lovemaking.
But she seemed to have spent the last of her energy on laser tag because she didn’t stir even as he lifted her in his arms, marveling at how light and frail she really seemed.
As he carried her to his room and set her on the bed, he stared at her for a moment. So beautiful, so perfect.
Not ready for bed, he sat in a soft chair by the window, looking up at the moon. His body was hungry, expectant, but the waiting would only make things better.
After all, he would have days with her.
Plenty of time for more. Plenty of time for everything.
He sighed with pure happiness, looking over her again as the moonlight streamed over her.
Vex in his room. In his home.
It just felt so damn right.
He walked over to tuck her in, pulling the blankets over her. Then he left the room, shutting the door softly.
He didn’t know if she wanted him to sleep next to her, and besides, he didn’t want to wake her when she stirred.
But he already couldn’t wait for another day with her.
And another and another until he convinced her that she should never want to go home.
“Wait,” a soft, muffled voice called from the bedroom.
“Yes?” He opened the door, peeking back in.
She cocked her head, reaching a hand out to him. “Get over here. Did you think you’d get out of pleasing me, dragon?”
He grinned. “I told you. Landon.”
She smirked, pushing herself up in the bed. “Right. Well, Landon, get over here and make me happy.”
He strode to the bed, crawling on it as he leaned forward and kissed her, savoring her moans as he pushed her back onto the sheets.
Make her happy? Of course he would.
Forever if she let him.
And as they began to make love in the moonlight and she melted in his arms, he wondered if even forever would be long enough.
12
Several days later, Landon was the one exhausted, though in a good way.
Vex was demanding in the bedroom, insatiable in her sense of adventure, and unrelenting in her desire to try new things.
They’d been to the ocean. To art galleries. To restaurants, though Vex always claimed she liked his food best, much to his pleasure.
And then every night, they’d explored each other in the moonlight in ways that became more romantic, more intimate each time.
Landon was starting to get a bit nervous about when she would want to leave. How he would deal with her going back to that dangerous world now that he was falling for her.
Tonight, his friends were coming over, and Vex would spend time with them. And if it all went well, then how could he let her just walk out of his life? Especially to be threatened by those cronies and everyone who inhabited the Blur and the chaos realm?
His heart tightened at the thought of it. But he knew Vex was no one that would ever be controlled.
Maybe Dallin would have advice once he came over.
Landon had been preparing for dinner throughout the day, and Vex had helped him. Though, he’d quickly realized cooking wasn’t her forte, as she tended to get distracted easily.
So she did food prep while he cooked.
Right now, she was chopping cucumbers somewhat violently and disturbingly, a dark smile on her face.
He came up behind her, resting his head lightly atop hers and putting his arms around her. “Getting revenge on those cucumbers?”
She laughed. “No. I just love the feeling of
cutting things up.”
“That’s my little savage,” he said, moving to the fridge to get out the other ingredients for the salad.
She glanced over at him. “I know you’re joking, but do you really get who I am? I mean, you treat me like this princess, but I’ve killed people and—”
“I know,” he said. “Maybe I agree with you on everyone you’ve killed.”
She shrugged. “It wouldn’t matter to me. I have my own sense of justice.”
“I like that about you too,” he said.
She flushed, her neck going red, and went back to chopping a bit more gently.
They continued to cook and prep, and when the others were almost due to arrive, both went to clean up and change.
Vex was wearing a purple tee with tight black jeans and looking gorgeous as always.
Every day she spent with him, she seemed to glow more. There was less darkness and pain behind her gaze.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
“Dallin won’t recognize me,” she said, looking down at herself. “I’m normally a mess.”
“No,” Landon said. “You always look gorgeous.”
She flushed. “Damn flattering dragon. Landon.” She shook her head. “It’s going to be weird seeing them all again.”
“It’ll be okay. I’ll be with you.”
She snorted, pushing him back. “I’m fine. I just mean…” She folded her arms, and he could tell her walls were sky high again. “I’m not like these do-gooders. They’re all pure and—”
“Kira was at the labs,” Landon said. “And Dallin and Ryder are hardly angels. Jo, yeah, she’s just a sweetheart. But everyone is more complicated than you might think.”
She looked to the side. “I doubt they’ve killed as much as I have. Or broken so many rules.”
“Well, it takes all types to make the world go round,” he said lightly just as a doorbell rang all around him. “Oh, there they are now.”
She sighed. “You should write a book, you know, filled with all your pithy catchphrases.”
He just grinned at her, unable to be caught off guard by her teasing now that he knew her. “I just might.”
“You in there? It’s hot out here,” Dallin’s impatient voice yelled through the door.
Vex straightened her shirt, looking uncharacteristically nervous. But then she straightened her back, steeling herself for what was to come.
It was so endearing that she faced death on a weekly basis but could be scared of a gathering of friends.
But still, being around good people like the ones he knew would be good for her.
“Come on. It’ll be fine,” he said, taking her hand as he went to open the door.
She jerked back slightly. “I—not in front of them.”
He blinked, though he supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised. “I think they know we’re together.”
She nodded. “But I want to face them as me. Not just as a couple with you.”
“Okay,” he said, giving her a reassuring smile. “I won’t touch you unless you want me to, and I’ll let you set the pace. You okay if I bring them in now?”
Her purple-gray eyes studied his. “Why are you always so kind to me? Why do you always let me set the pace?”
He shrugged, looking into her eyes and feeling love pound his heart like a hammer, steady and always there and causing a kind of ache.
What could he say that she would understand that wouldn’t make her pull away from him?
“I just know you wouldn’t accept it any other way,” he said simply.
Then he turned and went the rest of the way to the door, knowing that only the distraction of other people might keep him from saying something she wasn’t ready for.
Something he couldn’t take back once it was out.
Vex couldn’t shake the odd feelings inside her as Landon’s friends arrived. Especially Dallin, who, last time she’d seen him, had been trying to figure out what to do about his mate, Jo.
But as uneasy as the whole situation made her, by the time they were all seated around the table and Landon had set dinner out, a warm energy settled amongst the six of them. Vex reminded herself these were people she knew, for the most part, and there wasn’t anything to worry about.
Landon sat next to her and asked what he could serve up for her, and Vex considered just focusing on eating and not trying to make small talk like everyone else was.
“So, Vex, what have you been up to lately?” Jo, Dallin’s curvy, brown-haired mate, asked as she took a spoonful of mashed potatoes.
“I’m in recruitment these days.”
Dallin raised an eyebrow. “Recruiting who? Or more specifically, what?”
Vex waved away the big, overbearing dragon’s suspicions with a hand. Her longtime friend would certainly start prodding if he knew exactly what she was up to. “New allies.”
“I hear you’ve been in the Blur. What’s it like?” Kira asked eagerly while her mate, Ryder, cut a serving of ham for both of them.
“Gray. Dreary. It more or less lives up to its name.” She shrugged. “A radiant fae like you has no business there.”
“Fascinating. I’ve always been curious to see the place for myself, just for research purposes,” Kira said. Ryder slanted her a strange look. “Of course, I have no intention of actually going. That and it’s impossible to access unless, well, you’re Vex.”
Vex couldn’t help feeling a little proud. She’d always liked the radiant fae, even if her adulation was a bit misguided.
“If you ask nicely, maybe someday I can show you—”
“Not happening,” Ryder interjected. Kira didn’t look any less intrigued as she watched Vex, though. “So you and Landon, how’s that going?”
Vex and Landon looked at each other, and she could see the hesitance in his eyes while she sent him the most subtle don’t you dare tell them glare.
“Well… it’s something, obviously,” Dallin said, propping his chin in one hand, appraising them.
Drat, the emerald dragon was too sharp for his own good sometimes.
That and he knew her better than anyone else did.
Except probably Landon at this point.
“We, um…” Landon stuttered, fork hanging above his plate with a cucumber skewered on it.
“He’s my newest cohort. A needed ally and a valuable part of my crew. And my friend,” Vex blurted out.
Dallin just smirked knowingly.
She supposed friend sounded better than booty call. Though even that didn’t fully describe what they were either.
“Really? So what sorts of adventures have you been up to?” Jo asked.
“Probably fighting light fae, if I had to guess,” Ryder said.
Yes. “No. Just taking care of some things.” She busied her hands by slicing up several pieces of ham and shoving them in her mouth.
Damn, Landon’s cooking was delicious every time.
“And what about you, Kira and Ryder? Any news to report from the SRP?” she asked, mouth half full before they could barrage her with more questions.
“Actually, we’ve just been taking it easy. Things have really slowed down the past few weeks, so we’re just allowing ourselves some time off to plan out our future.” Kira gave Ryder the most lovestruck look. Ryder blushed, scratching the back of his head, and just nodded in response.
Hmph, even the adventurous duo that had been risking life and limb was now settled. Domesticated.
The kind of existence Vex could never possibly stand.
“It’s nice to see you looking so… How would I say this without offending you…? Human,” Dallin said, posture relaxed in his place across from her.
“How could you possibly not offend me by saying that?” Vex retorted, only half annoyed at his ability to get under her skin.
Dallin raised his hands. “I mean like this. Not running around chasing evildoers or fae secrets. You deserve a chance to switch things up just as much as the rest of us.”
/> “Especially after all the help you gave us,” Ryder added. “Thanks again. I didn’t really get the chance to properly show our gratitude after all that happened.”
Vex waved away the appreciation dismissively. “I didn’t do it for you. Or you either, for that matter.” She poked her spoon in Dallin’s direction.
“What we mean is that, regardless of your intentions, it was really sweet what you did, and we want you to be happy too.” Jo spoke up, almost nervous to be jumping into the conversation after she’d gotten worked up by Dallin’s comment.
Vex instantly relaxed a bit, disarmed by Jo’s utter niceness. “I, uh, you’re welcome,” was all she could reply, taking a bite of potatoes to distract herself.
If anyone had asked her who her friends were, Vex would have replied that she had none.
Yet, sitting around a table full of warm smiles and kind words, she had to admit that wasn’t really true anymore. Even Dallin, who had been her staunch ally and partner-in-crime, was now settled and seemingly interested in seeing Vex be happy.
The whole situation was so wholesome it made bile rise a bit in her throat.
After all, she’d only come to Landon because she’d wanted to explore their fiery physical attraction.
But the more time she spent with him, the more her world—a world of danger and running and walls built to keep people out—was merging with his.
She didn’t really know what to make of it.
“So I have to ask.” Kira chimed in, and Ryder gave her a hesitant glance.
“Ask away, radiant fae,” Vex said, grateful for any interruption from the uncomfortable thoughts encroaching. Especially with Landon sitting beside her, making Vex feel warm from the inside out and giving her ideas she had no business entertaining.
“I read recently that there was a second DFH3.0, but no one knows what happened to it. You wouldn’t happen to have had anything to do with that, would you?”
“Oh, Diffy? He’s with me,” she said proudly.
Ryder’s jaw fell open, and Kira laughed, tipping it back into place with her hand on her mate’s chin.
“You’ve got to be joking,” Dallin said with a frown. But as his teal eyes met Vex’s, the frown softened. “Actually, that seems about right.”
Dragon Reformed (Reclaimed Dragons Book 3) Page 9
