“Tis a lie,” he rasped angrily, while his eyes shifted and whirled in agitation. “Nae I’d never… ye are my Queen. I wilna be harming ye never.”
“Well, umm, you might want to let up on the pressure then, because you are about to break my fingers,” I told him skeptically as he jerked and adjusted his hold on my hand immediately.
“Pardon,” he told me and pulled air into his lungs. “I do not know me own strength at times.” He blinked and set his eyes back to normal.
“Dane, how long have you been looking for me?”
His smile turned roguish as he leaned forward and told me. “All me life, Lassie… all me life.” Oh good heavens! I thought and rolled my eyes while he chuckled softly.
“Gareth and Jace think you’re a thug,” I continued. “Is it true? Are you?”
He raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “Tis never easy to invade another’s territory, especially in search of a mate. To be sure I may have seemed a wee bit brash. But tis not easy to want something so badly and have the devils own time finding it. Especially knowing ye are so close.”
“Hmmm,” I replied, not sure what to think about that. “How did you get in here tonight?”
“Dwarf name of Dten it was.” He told me. “We keep in touch. He called me yesterday, claimed he’d found who I was searching for. I came immediately I did.”
“And where are you staying?” I asked.
“Would ye like to be seeing?” he asked, his voice sounding eager.
“Ah… don’t take this wrong, but I am a little worried about you.”
“Fang boy?” he asked softly and I nodded. “Dten warned me Lass, though it’s pleased I am that ye care,” he told me, and his voice sending gooseflesh up my arms.
“Harrumph,” I replied as Goldy tilted her head and eyed him eagerly. “Down girl!” I growled while Dane tried to smother a smile and failed miserably.
“It seems your wee little one might be interested. I’m thinking tis her I might have the luck with.”
“Apparently she’s a hussy,” I informed him dryly and he laughed softly. “Fortunately she doesn’t make all our decisions for us.”
“Still, tis encouraging,” he admitted while I grimaced and squeezed my eyes shut. “So may I take ye to dinner tomorrow? I’d very much like ta spend time with ye I would.”
“I’m going to be busy tomorrow. In fact I’m probably going to be busy for the next several days,” I told him, thinking I wasn’t certain how long it was going to take to convince my Grandma to see things my way, and worrying suddenly over Cursed’s actions earlier and what they might mean to me.
“Going somewhere are ye?” he asked, then replied when I nodded, “I’ll just come along then to be keeping me eye on ye.”
“What?… no wait… you can’t.” Jace and Gareth would kill me.
“Really?” he inquired with a lifted eyebrow. “Tis not their choice, I’m thinking. I am yours and that makes you responsible for me. In fact I’m thinking I’ll be leaving here tonight with ye.”
“Are you mad?”
“Aye and ye are ta blame.”
I tried to pull out of his arms but he held me fast and I was forced to grit my teeth or cause another scene on the dance floor. I groaned and dropped my head to his chest wondering what I’d done to deserve this.
Dane chuckled then gave my waist a squeeze. “Good living, I’m thinking.”
“Fine, if you can convince Gareth and Jace to allow you to come along then feel free to do so.”
“I do nae need their permission, Lass. I already have the Silver’s.”
“What?” I asked in dismay, while my eyes scanned the floor and found dear old Dad dancing not that far away from me. His silver eyes met mine and he gave a brief nod. I swallowed heavily and turned to find Gareth and Jace standing with Cursed. All of them were watching me intently. I felt just a little ill. Since when did Dad become my social secretary? I thought with a touch of anger while my eyes swung back to him. He merely lifted an eyebrow and gave me a stare that made me feel like a kid again. Gee, how many girls could say their Dad set them up on dates? It was disturbing was what it was.
“Now Lass, I promise to behave.”
“Yeah sure. Today you want to ride along; tomorrow you’ll want… other things. I’m not ready for other things,” I told him rudely. “And this isn’t going to go well. I don’t see you fitting in with my men. Not at all.”
“Ye need me to be sure,” he replied calmly. “The Red is of no use to ye and the Blue and Green may not be enough to be keeping ye satisfied, aye.”
“Oh my God!” I breathed in horror. What exactly had Dad told him?
“The truth I imagine,” he replied with a smug smile. “And more than I’m thinking any of the others would have offered.”
“But I don’t know you! I can’t just be dragging home strays willy nilly! What the hell was he thinking?”
“That Father knows best perhaps?” Dane offered. I growled sharply and felt like hitting something.
“This is intolerable,” I muttered under my breath. “He’s probably just getting back at me for sending him the three guards! I am so going to yell at him later. Do you hear me Dad?” I continued muttering while Dane pressed his lips together and held his tongue, likely not having a clue what I was ranting about. It didn’t matter because I turned and looked at Dad again and gave him a dirty look. He merely grinned and turned his back to me, completely unimpressed with my outburst. Where is Kit? I thought angrily and stopped dancing while I called him to me.
Dane jerked slightly when Kit appeared at my elbow with a delighted expression on his face. “Yes, Mistress, you bellowed?” he asked calmly.
I stopped dancing and glanced between Kit and Dane, my eyes nearly whirling from agitation. I turned to look at Gareth and Jace, my eyes searching theirs for several seconds until Jace reluctantly nodded and Gareth just frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. “He wants to go home with us,” I told Kit angrily.
“Yes, Mistress, so I heard.”
“Take him home and stick him… somewhere,” I told him sharply. “Not my bedroom.” And when I would have pulled myself out of Dane’s arms he held me fast and yanked me back against his body.
“Not so fast, Lassie,” he rumbled and his mouth crashed down upon mine for the space of a heartbeat, and then he was gone, disappearing from my arms in a black haze. I turned to glance at Kit, who had a nasty smile on his lips and a wicked look in his eyes just before he too disappeared.
“I don’t know about you two, but I’ve had about all I can stand!” I hissed when I finally made my way back to Gareth and Jace’s side. “I’d like very much to go home now.” Actually, that wasn’t where I wanted to go at all. “Send the other’s home and come fly with me?” I asked, suddenly my eyes swinging between Gareth and Jace. “Please?”
“A spectacular exit to a very trying evening?” Gareth asked with a wry twist to his mouth.
“What? Oh I hadn’t…” and my eyes widened thoughtfully. “From the red carpet? Shall we?”
“Hang on a moment. I think… where is Owen?” I asked suddenly and glanced around to find him moving toward us through the crowd. When he reached us I pulled him to the side and whispered in his ear. “We’ll be right back,” I told the others and I pulled Owen through the crowd and out one of the archways behind the stairs, then down the hall. When I was certain we were alone, I shifted my neck and back to Dragon, waiting while Owen removed the harness he had given me several days earlier for Amras to use when we had been overrun with furry black balls of teeth. If we were going to make a spectacular exit I wanted to make sure I was free of the harness.
Owen looked thoughtful as I shifted back and pulled me into his arms while he cradled my head against his chest. I hesitated for a moment, then wrapped my arms around his waist. He waited half a moment then tilted my chin up with a finger. “Lexi,” he breathed against my lips and then he was kissing me. I held him and kissed him back urgently, m
y chaotic thoughts spilling over into passion as they often did.
When he let us up for air I felt lightheaded and very… umm… needy. “That,” he informed me, “was for the caress earlier on my backside while I was trying to work. You are an incorrigible minx,” he chided. I smiled and slid my hand over his bottom for real, giving him a squeeze and a pat that raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure I can find us a broom closet,” he informed me bluntly. “Or shall I simply create one for us right here?”
“Tempting, but I doubt you could finish in time for us not to be missed.”
“Did you require fast?” he teased. “I can be quick.”
“I think that… ah how fast?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better part of my judgment.
Owen’s dark eyes went sly and he snapped his fingers and I found myself naked lying on my bed with him poised above me. “Fast enough?” he asked and slid his body into mine. I wrapped my legs around him and lifted my hips off the bed pulling him down into my core. He felt perfect and I ran my hands up his arms and over his shoulders while he pulled himself nearly out of me. “Hold on,” he warned and his body drove into mine over and over again until I threw back my head and screamed while I contracted around the hard hot length of him. I cracked open my red door and coated him with my desire, while he gasped and pummeled my body into the bed. The veins in his neck stood out and I felt his release deep inside me.
When I opened my eyes Kit was leaning on his elbows next to us, his dark eyes amused. “Had I known you required sustenance I would have brought you home myself and left the Drake at the party.”
“Umm… sorry, this just happened. And I need to get back,” I told Owen while I ran my fingers through his hair and pushed a lock back from his face. His smile was adorable and he crossed his eyes, making me laugh.
“Give me just a moment, Lexi. I don’t believe I’ve ever been that fast,” he replied in an amused tone, his breath coming in small pants.
“Where did you leave what’s his face?” I asked, turning my head to Kit.
“On his hands and knees in the front room, gasping for breath almost like this one,” he teased, pointing a finger at Owen. “I believe he stained his pants,” he chuckled. “Newbies,” he scoffed then smiled at me.
“Really… well Owen… when you’re ready? Before he comes looking for the source of his… ah… yeah before he comes looking for us?” I leaned over and kissed Kit. “I’ll be home late. We’re going flying, although suddenly I don’t feel the need so badly,” I told them both and giggled. Owen shook his head and snapped his fingers and we were standing back in the hall completely dressed. I swayed slightly on my feet and grasped his arm. My cheeks turned bright pink when I looked up and found the hall surrounded by not just my men but several others too. Claudius was there as were Bodark and Alan. Both my parents and all three of their guards looked relieved at our return. Gulp, I thought, while Owen struggled to keep from laughing.
“Hi, sorry we didn’t mean to alarm anyone,” I muttered shamefaced while Gareth and Jace glared at me. “We just… umm. We’re fine.” Oh God, could the floor open now and swallow me whole? Owen gave me a hug and gently pushed me toward Gareth and Jace, who looked like they wanted to strangle me. “I was feeling… itchy.” I muttered and they both sighed and rolled their eyes, while Amras and Cursed glanced at Owen their faces a bit wistful.
“Itchy?” Alan asked, and then choked slightly.
Bodark’s nostrils flared as he pulled a deep breath of air into his lungs and his eyes narrowed. “I’ve never heard it called that before,” he told me with a straight face, his grey eyes nearly dancing with amusement.
“We think it’s actually a medical condition. Lexi, did you get that note from your Doctor?” Owen offered from behind me. I groaned and pressed my fingers to the space between my eyes. His comment was just too much and they all burst out laughing, while I stood there mortified. Even Claudius looked amused. I glanced at Owen and gave him a dirty look. He spread his hands and told me, “I promised quick not unnoticed.” And I closed my eyes and took a deep cleansing breath.
“Remind me to be more specific next time,” I grumbled under my breath causing them all to laugh that much harder. “And pick someone more discreet,” I added a little louder, causing Amras and Cursed to perk up while Claudius lifted an eyebrow and smiled smugly. I ignored my men and turned to Claudius and asked, “If I send my parents home without us?” waving my hand to indicated Gareth and Jace, “will they be safe from Valentine?”
His eyes searched mine for several seconds before he finally nodded. “Where do you go?” he asked quietly and the laughter ceased abruptly.
“With your permission, we thought we might leave… enflight… from the red carpet.”
His eyes widened and he shifted from foot to foot while his brow creased. “You would announce your existence in such a manner?”
I turned to glance at Cursed, his dark eyes meeting mine while he straightened his shoulders and stood just a little taller. “It seems I have no choice,” I replied softly and turned back to Claudius with a small smile. “To protect myself I must stop hiding. Gareth and Jace are free to decide for themselves.”
Dad stepped forward and glanced first at Mom who looked up at him and nodded. “I will fly with you child,” he replied in his deep voice.
Claudius turned to Gareth and Jace and raised an eyebrow. “Where Lexi goes, we go,” Gareth replied softly and Jace gave a nod. I took a deep breath and turned back to Owen.
“If you would see that everyone makes it home safely?” I asked and he shook his head.
“One way or another,” he replied. “But not, I think, until we witness your departure?” And he glanced around to the rest of the group and who were already nodding and smiling.
“Then I officially declare this party over and I’ll send the key to you,” he told me with a grin. “Shall we go make history?” he asked and held out his arm to me. I glanced at Gareth and Jace and walked to Claudius. He was after all our host and it seemed only right that he should be the one to escort me to the red carpet.
Chapter 20
Our entourage drew the crowd, who spilled out the double doors behind us. Cameras flashed and questions were yelled at us. “I think here is good,” I told Claudius and gave his arm a squeeze.
He kissed my cheek and stared into my eyes smiling softly. “Fly well,” he whispered, then turned and held up his hands to the crowd, asking them for silence. “Ladies and Gentlemen,” he began in a voice that somehow carried to the farthest edges of the sidewalk, yet still managed to sound refined. “I give you Princess Lexi Helyanwe… and hope that you have film in your camera.” Then he bowed to me and stepped back several feet. I looked over the crowd, then behind me at the others.
Gareth and Jace took up positions slightly behind and to my sides while my Father stood some distance behind, all of us giving each other enough room for our change. I dipped my head to the crowd and closed my eyes. When I raised them again they were golden and multifaceted. I breathed in and shifted into a seventeen foot long golden Dragon with two sets of horns and spikes running down my spine. The crowd went wild as I sensed the others change, and spread my wings.
“Mayor,” I acknowledged, dipping my head. Then I sprang into the air and swept my wings down, sending a breeze that blew the hair of those closest back from their heads. I opened my mouth and my roar was echoed by not three, but four voices. I turned my head to see that Marcus had somehow joined us, his fire engine red wings spread wide behind my Father’s huge Silver body. I led us once around the dome of City Hall then flew straight up and into the clouds, hovering on the other side as the others broke through behind me. “Marcus!” I cried when he swept through the mist and hung suspended before me. “What are you doing?”
“Flying!” he called back to me as his whiplash tail flicked left then right and he was off like a dart across the sky.
“Should we follow?” Jace asked and I shook my head.
“I’ll go and make sure he returns safely,” my Father called as he banked and was gone, his huge silver wings flashing against the stars.
“Where to?” Gareth asked and I turned us toward the Bay and the Berkeley Hills beyond.
I landed in a large meadow near a small natural lake and curled my tail around me as I watched Gareth and Jace’s aerial antics above me. They were both excellent flyers and I felt a hunger rise in me as I watched them dive and swoop over the meadow. I wanted them. I could feel the need growing in my body, tingling through my very skin. I lifted my head and bugled out a call that caused them both to hesitate, and as one they dove to the ground landing to either side of me. Gareth had a gleam in his eye and Jace snorted as he moved next to me, his body pressing in against mine, rubbing himself along my length. Gareth entwined his neck with mine and pressed me with his chest, forcing me onto my back legs. “Lexi?” he rumbled and I growled low, hissing at them both softly.
“I want you.”
When he reached for me I shifted and found myself in his strong arms, my body molding itself to his. Jace worked the ties down my back and freed me from my dress. When it slid to the ground, Jace ran his hands over my naked skin, pulling me back against his chest while Gareth stripped his clothing off and laid them on the ground. “Hurry,” I whispered, moaning softly as Jace’s fingers slid between my legs. He released me to Gareth once he was as naked as I, and we went to the ground in a tangle of arms and lips. Jace joined us and I found myself on my knees straddling Gareth’s lap, his cock buried deep inside me, and facing Jace, who knelt between his legs. My hands gently cupped Jace while I slid my tongue down the length of him pulling him into my hot mouth. Jace’s hands braced against my shoulders while Gareth’s guided my hips upon his lap.
Jace’s fingers slid into my hair sending pins flying every direction as he released my curls and they flowed down my body and onto Gareth’s chest. Beneath me Gareth made a humming noise and raised his hips to me. I reached into my mind and shoved open the door, coating us all with my desire. Jace cried out and his fingers tightened on my shoulders while I held his hips and he worked himself in and out of my mouth. Gareth sat up behind me and wrapped his arm around my body, pressing himself to my back as he held me tightly and lifted us both off the ground with the force of his thrusts. His voice was hoarse as he called my name and I felt myself tighten around him while my body exploded and I moaned and held on to Jace’s hips.
Dragon Rage Page 26
