Dragonmark

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

  Snorting, she scooted back toward him. "I won't be afraid."

  With a doubtful grimace, he slowly peeled off his breechcloth.

  Edilyn regretted her statement as she took in the size of him and his earlier words about pain made total sense now.

  Illarion held his hand out to her. Are you ready for how my species bond?

  She had no idea what he meant until she slowly closed the distance between them. Illarion had her kneel in front of him with her back to his front. He rose up on his knees and pulled her against his chest so that he supported both their body weights.

  Nuzzling her neck, he breathed softly in her ear as he ran his hands over her skin. They stroked and teased until she was molten in his arms.

  That's it, my precious. Just relax and enjoy it.

  Illarion sank his fingers inside her to make sure she was ready to receive him. Arching her back, she reached over her head to bury her hand in his hair again.

  More hungry than he'd ever been, he used his knees to open her thighs wider before he slid himself deep inside her body. She cried out instantly.

  Worried, he froze. Are you all right?

  Edilyn bit her lip at the strange fullness of him buried deep within her body. "I'm fine. It was just a bit startling."

  But as he teased her ear with his tongue and his hand returned to stroke her, she began to relax again. After a few minutes, he slowly began thrusting against her.

  Edilyn couldn't believe how quickly the pain fled and gave way to more pleasure. Now she understood why so many sought this. She felt so incredibly close to him right now. And when she felt him tense and release himself inside her, she smiled.

  "You are mine, Lord Dragon."

  His breathing ragged, he kept himself buried deep within her as he covered them both with another blanket. I will always be yours, Edilyn. Lifting her hand, he pressed it to his lips so that he could nibble her fingertips. Then he gently kissed her. And here the last thing you wanted was a dragon.

  "True, but you're nothing like I thought you'd be."

  He made a strange noise before he manifested something in his hand. When he opened it, she saw a peculiar gold whistle.

  "What is this?"

  Brushing her hair aside, he placed it around her neck. So that you can call me should you ever need me and I'm not near you. Or if something happens to me, it will summon my brothers to protect you. It's called a Bane-Cry. Once sounded, all dracokyn are honor-bound to answer.

  She glanced up at him. "Thank you."

  He inclined his head, then kissed her. I told you, I voraciously protect everything that is entrusted to me. That now includes you.

  "Should I be afraid?"

  Nay. As my dragonswan you, alone, will never have cause to fear me.

  "Your what?"

  Dragonswan.

  Biting her lip, she smiled up at him. "I like that. So that makes you my what?"

  Dragonswain.

  Leaning back against his shoulder, she fingered his stubbly chin. "My dragonswain."

  Illarion closed his eyes and savored those words, along with her gentle caress and the scent of her skin. Honestly, he never wanted to bathe the scent of her off him. But sadly, he would have to eventually.

  A light frown creased her brow.

  Is something amiss?

  "Nay. I was just trying to imagine what kind of children we'll have. Will they be dragons or human? Do you know?"

  Now was the time to find out exactly how she truly felt about him and his kind. Unless the gods decide to bind us at their own discretion, whims, and time, I will never be able to impregnate you. As with all Were-Hunters, I'm sterile, Edilyn. The Greek Fates took that from me after they cursed our newly made kind.

  Sadness darkened her eyes. "Nay! That's not fair for you!"

  Happiness flooded him at her honest sincerity. She was truly upset and indignant on his behalf. I would have thought you'd be relieved.

  Tears glistened in her beautiful eyes. "Then you would be wrong. Nothing would have pleased me more than to have borne your children for you. But you said that there is a chance it could happen?"

  There is.

  "Then I shall hope for that day."

  Something inside him shattered at those words. And if I said they'd be dragons?

  "You would have to show me how to care for them. I have no idea what they'd need. But I'd learn."

  He brushed his fingers along her cheek. Could you love such creatures?

  "They wouldn't be creatures, Illarion. They'd be my children. Just as my brother isn't human and I love him no less for it. I'm told my mother had quite a bit of a surprise when I was born and my father had to teach her how to care for a human baby. Apparently, we're very difficult compared to the Kikimory. Yet it didn't stop her from loving me. Nor did I love her any less when I found out she was a nightmare demon. Rather, I found it strangely comforting as I never had to worry over my dreams so long as she was alive."

  Illarion couldn't fathom the miracle that had sent her careening into his world. Honestly, he'd never thought to mate at all. Never thought to find anyone who could make him feel the way he felt in this moment.

  Like he was human, while she knew for a fact that he wasn't. Neither man nor beast scared her. She saw both sides of him and faulted him for none.

  It was perfect.

  At least until he felt her stomach rumble from hunger. Sighing, he knew he needed to find her food. While he could go days without nourishment, humans were different. They didn't store meals the way dragons did. Her body required constant maintenance.

  I shall have to rearrange things for you in my cave.

  "What do you mean?"

  Just thinking out loud of what you'll need to live there. I have no kitchen. Not even a pot for you to make the most basic of meals. I'll need to make you a place to store and prepare food. And you'll need more clothes. What else do humans require for sustenance and happiness?

  She lifted her head to scowl at him. "Do you eat your food raw?"

  He grinned and shook his head. I can cook it instantly. Benefits of breathing fire. And once I eat, it takes days for it to digest. A single meal can sustain me for almost a week--longer if need be, and depending on the size of it.

  "That must be nice."

  He rolled over with her and gave her a light kiss. But you are not a dragon, my rose. And you, I need to feed. Come, let us bathe and I'll see you fed.

  Edilyn felt the strangest wave of weakness sweep through her at his endearment. She couldn't believe how tender her dragon was.

  How kind.

  Or playful, she realized as he swept her into the water to frolic more than bathe.

  This time when he conjured clothing for her, it was the finest shimmering dark green samite she'd ever seen. Truly, it was fit for royalty.

  "It's beautiful," she breathed as she ran her hand over it.

  His eyes darkened. Nowhere near as beautiful as the one who wears it. Personally, I'd rather keep you naked. But I know you would protest such extremes ... so this shall have to suffice to please us both.

  Heat rushed into her face at his words. "You're the only one who's ever thought that of me, I assure you." Most men had turned their noses up at her approach, preferring women like Morla and Nesta.

  Only a fool would not think you beautiful.

  Edilyn smiled as she quickly dressed. The moment she was finished, Illarion returned to his dragon's body and flew them back to his cave to retrieve her brother.

  They had no sooner landed inside than she felt the sudden tenseness of his body. "Is something wrong?"

  Illarion didn't respond. Rather, he shifted from dragon to man with an alarming swiftness, and without warning. He did it so quickly that he almost caused her to fall. But he caught her and set her on her feet, then rushed through his cave.

  "My lord?"

  Still, he didn't respond. Instead, he began searching through his chests and chambers.

  "Illarion?"

&nbs

p; Finally, he turned on her with rage blazing in his eyes. He pinned her with a murderous glare. Was this your ruse?

  She stepped back from the hatred he pinned her with. "What ruse? What are you talking about?"

  Where's your brother, Edilyn?

  "He should be where we left him." She headed for the stone steps that led up to the bedchambers. "Virag!"

  When her brother didn't answer, a bad feeling went through her. One that wasn't helped by the accusatory suspicion in Illarion's eyes.

  You betrayed me!

  "What? No! Why would you think that?"

  I think nothing. I know it for a fact. You had no interest in taking me out of here except to give your brother time to pilfer through my chambers and take from them!

  Those words slapped her. "That is wholly untrue! Virag would never do such a thing and I damn sure didn't!"

  Don't lie to me! Think you I don't know every single item I keep? That I can't smell every place your brother snooped in my absence? My whole cave reeks of his stench. Illarion raked her with a cold, lethal stare that would have infuriated her in turn had she not seen the tormented pain behind it. I commend your acting abilities. You took me for a fool entirely.

  "Illarion..." She reached to touch him.

  He pulled back sharply. I hope whatever he took was worth the price of turning his sister into a whore for it.

  All sympathy for him fled at the harshness of those words. "How dare you!"

  How dare you! he snarled in return. Get out! Never let me catch either of you here again or so help me, I will be the beast you fear most.

  He'd barely finished speaking before she found herself standing out in the middle of her village--still dressed in the samite and with her bow and quiver resting at her feet. Everyone there turned to stare at her.

  Including Brenin Cynfryn and Morla. Their amused, judging gazes all said they knew that her dragon had repudiated her. A few, including Nesta and Morla, even went so far as to snicker and smile in smug satisfaction.

  Too horrified and humiliated to speak, she retrieved her bow and quiver with as much dignity as she could muster, and headed back to her hovel, all the while choking back her tears.

  Nay, this day had not turned out the way she'd planned at all.

  As bad as she'd thought it could be, this was so much worse. Where was Virag? Could he have really pilfered from Illarion's treasure? Why would he have done such a thing?

  She didn't want to believe her brother capable of such a dastardly deed and yet ...

  Everything had been like a dream with Illarion until then. His anger had been too real to be feigned. His wrath too absolute. For whatever reason, her brother had betrayed them both and abandoned her to Illarion's fury. He knew the one rule her dragon had made for them--they could use any item there, but were to leave with nothing.

  Why, Virag? Why? Why would you have done this to me?

  Heartbroken, she sat on her bed and cried.

  *

  Illarion cursed at the absence of his dragonstone. Without it, he lacked the ability to heal himself. And it wasn't like he could get another. Between mankind and other fey creatures, they'd stolen them, down to only a tiny handful. Slaughtered his brethren for them until the world was all but devoid of what had once been in abundant supply.

  He'd been one of the very last drakomai to possess one, and only because Max had given his to him out of guilt over what had happened to him as a dragonet.

  Dammit! He knew better than to trust anyone, especially a human and a sneaky kikimora. Was he really so desperate for kindness that he'd be such an easy fool for her?

  The answer was obvious. He was all kinds of stupid. Max would be the first to beat him over this.

  And he deserved it.

  Sick to his stomach, he wished he could still roar. Anything to vent the fury inside him that craved blood.

  Trying to calm himself, he focused on the one bright spot of the day. At least the kikimora hadn't stolen ...

  Shit!

  Complete and utter horror went through him as he realized that for all he knew, Virag had taken it. The worst it imaginable.

  Please be here. Please be here. Please be here.... That frenzied litany raced through his head as his heart pounded and his breathing turned ragged with panic.

  If that bastard had taken that, all manner of hell would be unleashed.

  And his father would mount his worthless and stupid ass to the walls of Olympus.

  Illarion teleported into his chambers and ran to the guarded wall where he kept the most sacred possession in his collection. It was so rare and dangerous, not even his brothers had been trusted with the knowledge that he kept it.

  No one knew about this.

  His hands shaking with trepidation, he slowly opened the ancient carved oaken chest and held his breath.

  He didn't release it again until he saw the enormous white teeth that lay on a bed of red satin. If one didn't know what they were, they could appear to be insignificant pieces of smooth tusks or innocuous bits of ivory.

  But they were not innocuous and definitely not insignificant.

  With this handful of teeth, any creature could destroy or subjugate the world. Conquer any nation.

  Unravel the fabric of the very universe.

  Thank you, gods, they're safe....

  Sitting back on his heels, Illarion was giddy with relief. No one had disturbed the Spartoi. All twenty were here and accounted for. Grateful beyond description, he secured and locked the chest, then hid it again in his chambers. That was the one thing he could never allow anyone to find.

  Originally, there had been three sets of teeth. One set had been used in ancient times by Kadmos to found the city of Thebes. The second, Jason and his Argonauts had sown in the fields of Colchis when he'd sought the Golden Fleece.

  Both times, the invincible army that had risen up from the drakomas's planted teeth had almost destroyed the world. After Jason's experience with the second set of warriors, who'd only been defeated when they'd turned on each other, Ares had brought the remainders to Illarion and bid him keep them far from the world of man. Since he was the war god's son and unable to speak--and took antisocial to a radical level--Ares had thought Illarion would be the safest guardian for them.

  So far, his father had been right.

  Yet this had been too close a call.

  Let no one close to you. How many times had Falcyn told him that? He'd always agreed with his brother. Unlike Max, Illarion didn't believe in the good of others. Nor was he under the delusion that man or anyone else deserved to be protected or saved.

  Honestly? He didn't give a shit. Let them all burn.

  He was done with this world. Never again would he concern himself with the matters of other species. Today had taught him a vital lesson. Every time he left his home and dared mingle with them, it ended badly for him.

  And as he settled himself down to rest, he tried not to notice the lingering scent of a woman in his cavern. Nor remember the gentle caress of a hand on his skin or scales.

  He was drakomai. Solitary. Since the dawn of time, his kind had been bred to live alone. To die alone.

  They needed nothing. They wanted nothing.

  Ever fierce.

  And ever protective of what fell under their protection ...

  Most of all, they were devoutly loyal and once their word was given, they would die before they broke their oaths.

  5

  "Are you ever going to speak to me again?"

  Huffing and puffing as she carried her heavy water bucket, Edilyn ignored her brother. Just as she'd done for the last three days. She was still so mad at Virag she could stab him through his heart.

  Or groin. Aye, definitely the groin.

  After all, that was where he lived and breathed. And apparently it was also where he stored his brains. It was all he really valued. Because he apparently had no love of her whatsoever or he'd have never done what he did.

  "Say something!"

  "Sod off!" she snarled as she struggled to get her bucket from the well to the field where she was having to tend that damnable wheat she hated with every piece of her being. But thanks to Virag, this would be the rest of her miserable life. She would live and die in this wretched field, tending those disgusting vegetables and plants, and plowing and tilling the earth until she went mad from the boredom of it.

  No man would have her now. They all knew she'd been rejected by Illarion and sent home in disgrace. As horrible as the mockery had been before, it was thrice as bad now.

  Only since her return, every man thought her to be a whore atop it all.

  Thanks to Virag.

  "She speaks!" Virag shouted. "Granted, not what I was expecting. But finally, I got something out of you."

  Edilyn slammed the bucket down, spilling half its contents. That made her hate her brother even more since she'd have to go back all the sooner to collect another round. She glared at the insufferable beast. "Go to hell and rot!"

  His eyes glowing with sincerity, he winced. "How many times do I have to apologize?"

  She scoffed at his useless words. "There will never be enough. For what your actions did rend, mere words will never mend."

  A tic started in his jaw. "Do you want me to leave?"

  Honestly? She wanted him to die. But having lost the rest of her family, she choked on those words, because she knew the true finality of them. Just as she knew the finality of losing Illarion.

  What she couldn't understand was why this hurt so much. She'd only known Illarion a few hours. Virag, however, she'd known so much longer. He'd been with her, her faithful guardian, since her childhood. She didn't really want to lose her brother.

  But her anger at him over what he'd done was an unreasoning beast. It wanted to lash out and cut him to the bone. To make him feel just a pittance of the pain he'd caused her.

  Thoughtless bastard! How could he think only of himself? Unlike her, he had magic aplenty to get whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it. To do whatever he wanted. He'd lived a long life, and he would continue to live on, centuries after she was dead and buried.

  His actions in this against her made no sense. It was the epitome of selfish.

  "Why did you do this to me? You knew how much I wanted to get away from this life. Yet you refuse to take me from here because you say that you can't, for stupid reasons, and the one time I found my own way out, you forced me back. Why would you damn me to this? What were you thinking?"

  "I didn't think he'd notice, to be honest. Damn, Eddie. Did you see that cavern? How the hell did he miss one little stone?"

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