Dragon Guard: Earth Dragons Series: Book 1

by Hartnady, Charlene

  “How long ago was that?”

  “Almost ten years ago. Just before my eighteenth birthday. The day they swear you in…the day you get your tattoo.” She touched her unblemished hand.

  “What did you do? How did you survive?”

  “Thankfully Deb had her own account. Her own money. She was given huge allowances and didn’t always spend them all. We cleaned out her account. She was kind enough to split the money. It was enough to keep us going for a few weeks. For us to buy new identities after going our separate ways. We didn’t want to know each other’s new names…in case…it was safer that way.”

  “You were seventeen?” Mountain looked shocked.

  She nodded. “I celebrated my eighteenth birthday alone. I moved around a lot at first. I was so afraid of being caught. I dyed my hair brown and cut it short. I wore glasses even though I didn’t need them. I worked as a waitress, or a cleaner, whatever odd jobs I could find to stay afloat. Then I met Shaun.”

  Mountain narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw for a moment. He didn’t say anything though.

  She tried to play with her ring, remembering too late that it was no longer there. “Shaun used to come into the coffee shop every day. He’d order a cappuccino and a cinnamon bun. He’d always sit in my section and we got to talking. Even after it came time to move, I stayed. Then we started dating. A few months later, I moved in with him. He got me a job as an admin clerk at his uncle’s stationary shop. I’ve since been promoted a few times. It was only after meeting him that I felt safe enough to stop running and hiding.”

  “Wait a minute…your reaction earlier when I called you by your name…you haven’t been going by Page, have you? You said you acquired a new identity.”

  She nodded. “Yes, I got a new identity and therefore nope…I haven’t been Page Bell for years. I’m now known as Erin Janet Blithe. I no longer dye my hair, but I still wear glasses.” She touched the frame. “Even though I don’t need them. I guess some habits die hard.”

  “It sounds like you have had it rough.” There was a flicker of something in his eyes. Distrust. He still didn’t completely believe her.

  “That, or I’m trying to get you to feel sorry for me.”

  “Are you?”

  “Only time will tell, I guess,” she answered in the only way she could. She’d been honest, telling him more than she’d told anyone in a very long time. Despite him not completely believing her, it felt good.

  Chapter 6

  That evening…

  Page sat up, sucking in a breath. It was hard to orientate herself. Her neck felt stiff. What had woken her up? Why—? Her heart galloped when she realized how dark it was. She pushed her glasses into place and widened her eyes. Sucking in another sharp breath, she looked around her.

  “It’s only me,” Mountain said. She could hear the gravel crunch beneath his feet. She could barely make out his outline.

  Sparks flew as he threw a log onto the fire, followed by a second one. She heard him blowing, the embers igniting. It was enough to show him hunkering down over the fire, trying to breathe life back into the blaze.

  She sighed, feeling the adrenaline leave her system.

  Before long, flames began to lick, more gathered. After a minute or two, Mountain added two more logs to the now small blaze.

  “Is that a…?” She leaned forward, trying to make out what was lying next to him. It was big and it was dead. She caught the coppery scent of blood, now that she knew it was there.

  “It’s our supper. It’s a deer,” he added. “Please tell me that you’re not squeamish.”

  “No, I’m not! I had torture down as one of my subjects in school, remember? I’ve hunted…I’ve killed.”

  Mountain nodded. “Good, because you will need to eat if you are to maintain your strength for the trip back.”

  “You said it’s going to take a couple of days.”

  He nodded, reaching over to where he had put the deer carcass down. “Here.” He handed her a piece of what looked like bark. It was big and curled in on itself. “Careful,” he warned.

  She gasped as water sloshed over the edge. “Oh! Thanks.” She eagerly drank from the makeshift vessel, placing the container on the rock next to her to finish later. Thankful that the worst of her thirst had been quenched.

  “Let’s get some meat on the fire,” Mountain announced.

  * * *

  As it turned out, the meat was delicious. They cooked extra to eat for breakfast. By the time they had finished their meal, she found herself yawning again.

  “Get some rest,” Mountain advised. “We are leaving at dawn.”

  “Okay.” She watched him lay down on the other side, his back to the fire. Page followed suit and lay down. It wasn’t very comfortable. The ground was hard and cold. Despite yawning regularly, it took a long time to fall asleep. She woke often, trying to find a more comfortable position. She heard Mountain put logs on the fire from time to time, so she was never afraid or cold. That was something, at least.

  After one of the longest nights she had ever had, Mountain sat up. “Did you sleep okay?” he asked.

  “How did you know that I was awake?”

  “I can hear it. Your heartbeat is too fast, as is your breathing.”

  She smiled. “Then you’ll know I’ve had better nights.”

  He chuckled. “Sorry about—”

  “I’m not complaining though. At least we were warm and dry.” She stretched, trying to get rid of some of the stiffness in her neck.

  “And safe,” he said, handing her some of the leftover deer.

  “Yep, there’s that too.” She took the meat from him. They ate in silence for a while. “So,” she finally blurted. “What is it that you do? I mean, dragons have duties…jobs too, don’t they?”

  Mountain smiled. “Yes, we do. I am in charge.”

  “In charge?” She waited but he didn’t say anything more. “In charge of what?”

  He shrugged. “Of training, if I really think about it.”

  “Oh, interesting. What is it that you train?” It was funny, she didn’t see Mountain as being a teacher. It didn’t compute.

  “Defense…mostly.” He smiled.

  “Oh…so not training as in academics? Training as in…how to kick butt?”

  His smiled broadened. “There is a whole lot more to it than that, but yes, essentially I train how to kick slayer butt.”

  “Well,” she pushed out a breath, “all I can say is that I’m glad I’m not a slayer then, because I’m sure you’re really good at kicking ass.”

  Mountain chuckled. He nodded once. “I am indeed.” He suddenly turned serious, his eyes on her.

  “What is it?” She frowned.

  He widened his eyes. “About kicking slayer ass and about you not being a slayer. I need to check for that tracker now.” He had the good grace to look sheepish. “We can’t go any further until I’m a hundred percent sure you’re not carrying one.”

  “I’m not! I swear, there is no tracker,” she insisted, knowing full well that she was wasting her breath.

  Mountain didn’t say anything, he just looked at her.

  “Fine!” she huffed, pulling her shirt over her head as she stood up. “Let’s get it over with then.”

  Mountain also rose to his feet, moving quickly and gracefully for such a big guy. His eyes stayed on hers as she handed the garment to him. It was chilly in the cave, the cold air hit her skin. Thankfully it was fairly dim as well. He hopefully wouldn’t see her discomfort. She also hoped that he couldn’t see through her lacy bra…then again, he was a shifter. He had superior senses. Not going there! It was her own fault for wearing such a sexy set. Cute, matching underwear had always been one of her things. Shaun didn’t like her wearing sexy numbers. He preferred cotton, so she’d forgone wearing what she wanted because of him. The first thing she had done when he’d asked for her ring back was to go and buy a whole drawer full of sexy things, including the set she was wearing.

/>   She held back another sigh as she unclasped the top button on her jeans and pulled down the zipper. Page glanced at Mountain, who was scrutinizing her shirt. He sniffed at it and felt along the seams with the tips of his fingers.

  She wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the whole thing, and yet she couldn’t, this was far too embarrassing. Page couldn’t blame him for being cautious. If the tables were turned, she might just be doing the same, expecting the same of him.

  Page toed off her sneakers, pulling off her socks and stuffing them in her shoes. He put her shirt down on a nearby rock, folding it first. How nice of him! Then he held out his hands and took the shoes while she pulled down and stepped out of her jeans. Her cheeks heated. ‘He’s a shifter and nudity is normal,’ she told herself. Her g-string was white lace, same as the bra. If she looked down, she would be able to see her landing strip right through the thing. If she could see it, then…Oh god! Her cheeks blazed. Hopefully, he didn’t look too hard.

  “I’m sorry about this,” he mumbled, kind of glancing her way. He didn’t look like he was enjoying himself. That was something at least.

  “I’m sure you are.” She didn’t sound sarcastic at all. Much.

  He must have picked up on it because he went on to apologize again. “I really am…sorry that is.” He stopped his investigation of her socks and looked her in the eyes. The poor guy looked like he meant it. “I saw that indentation on your finger…that means that you are more than likely mated. I completely understand that this is even more difficult for you, as you have promised to—”

  “No!” She waved a hand, shaking her head. “I’m not married. I’m not even engaged. I mean I was, up until not so long ago, but I’m not anymore, so you can relax!”

  His shoulders visibly loosened.

  “It doesn’t make this any easier, you know. I might not…have someone in my life right now…but this is still difficult,” she said, handing him her jeans. His eyes dipped down for a moment, quickly flashing up to meet hers once more. If it weren’t for the situation, she’d find his obvious discomfort funny. Problem was, she was more uncomfortable than him. Way more embarrassed.

  “I’m sorry,” he mumbled.

  “You keep saying that. You don’t have to. I don’t like having to take my clothing off, but I understand.” She could see he was avoiding looking at her, not in that way at any rate. He wasn’t being perverted and gawking at her in any way, which was something. She supposed.

  “That’s not why I’m apologizing.” He picked up her jeans and began his search of those. “I’m going to need your coverings as well.”

  “Coverings? What do you—?” She looked down. By now the only things she was wearing were her underwear. Surely not! “Oh no…!” she began. “Hell freaking no! Don’t even…” She hugged herself, trying to cover up. Not that he was looking. It was the thought of going completely naked…like the day she was born…only she was a grown woman. Her chest heaved as a touch of panic set in.

  Mountain felt along the seams of her jeans. “I have to. There is no other option. I can’t let you go, and I won’t take you with me otherwise.” He looked up at her, again, his eyes staying on hers. “I have seen naked females before. Most of them were humans.”

  “Oh, well that makes it all ok then.”

  “I’m glad you agree.” He looked back down at her jeans, continuing his inspection.

  “I was being sarcastic.”

  “Oh!” He looked pained for a few seconds. Mountain shrugged. “There is nothing I can do. I have no choice here.”

  “Let me guess, seeing me naked is going to be agony for you.”

  He frowned. “No, it will… Wait a minute, you’re being sarcastic again. Very funny.” He sounded deadpan. Maybe he was catching on?

  “It’s not funny at all. Not in the slightest. How would you feel if I told you to take all your clothes off? In fact, I’ll only take my clothes off if you take yours off, and I insist as well.” She folded her arms. Feeling like an idiot immediately after the words left her mouth. What was it he had said earlier? Something along the lines of shifters not having a problem with nudity?

  Mountain shrugged once. Before she could stop him, or say anything more, he reached down and tugged down his pants. Half a second later they were pooling around his ankles and he was stepping out of them.

  She’d only ever seen one guy naked. Page was five foot six. Shaun was around a quarter of an inch shorter, although he would never admit it. Not for the almost seven years they had been together at any rate. He wasn’t the biggest man. Not in any aspect. Not that she had much to go on since ‒ well yeah ‒ he had been ‘it’.

  Her mouth fell open. A soft gasp left her lips. Her whole body went cold and then quickly heated up a whole lot. Like someone lit a match next to an open flame with the gas turned up. She might not have much to go on, but she had a sneaky suspicion if she did, that this would be impressive. In fact, she knew without a doubt that he was remarkable. Jaw droppingly, ‘make your head spin’ gorgeous.

  Page had a feeling you could line up a hundred guys and none of them would hold a candle to this shifter. Heck, you could bring in a room full of marines and they’d have a hard time competing.

  His hips were as narrow as his shoulders were broad. It was safe to say he was big all over. All over! From his tree trunk biceps to his— She gulped, taking in his man-part. His penis ‒ she whispered the word, even inside her own head. Damn!

  Mountain may have been discrete when it came to gawking at her, but there was nothing discreet about how she was eyeballing him right then. She knew she was doing it, and yet she couldn’t get herself to stop. She pushed her glasses more securely onto her face. His…penis…was both long and thick. Very long and very thick. He’d made it sound like he’d been with human women before. She wondered if sex had hurt them. It wasn’t just his actual member that was big but his balls too. They were— Mountain covered himself with his hand. His very large, shovel-sized hand. It was only then that the trance was broken, and she was actually able to lift her gaze back to his.

  Her cheeks heated up a whole lot more, they must have been the color of beetroots by then.

  His expression remained impassive for a few more seconds before he frowned. “Have you never seen a male naked?” He cocked his head, glancing down at her hand for a second. “I thought you were to be mated and that,” he shrugged, “that you must have seen a male without clothing, but maybe I have it wrong.” He raised his brows in question.

  “I have…I um…have seen a guy naked.” She rubbed a hand over her face, she sounded like a bumbling idiot.

  “Just none like me.” He half-smiled.

  “Only one guy,” she blurted. “And no, he wasn’t anything like you.” She shook her head slowly, like she was in a daze.

  “What?” His frown deepened. “You’ve only ever seen one male naked? You are no longer a young female. I assumed—”

  “Gee thanks!”

  “I mean, you are mature…in your prime.”

  “I think you’re trying to compliment me, but I’m not sure.” She smiled. “Yes, I’ve had the same boyfriend for quite a number of years. Seven to be exact.”

  “Years? Seven whole years without mating?” Mountain sounded shocked. “You spent years dating the male? Forgive me, dragon shifters don’t like wasting that much time. It seems strange to a shifter. That is all. Please do not take offense.”

  “None taken. Probably wise not to date that long.” She thought of all that time she’d wasted on Shaun.

  He let his hand drop to his side and her eyes moved right back to his…his member. “I’m sorry, it’s just that you are different. Very different! You say you,” she cleared her throat, “you’ve been with…had human girlfriends.” She forced her gaze back up to his.

  “No, I’ve never had a girlfriend. I’ve never dated either.”

  “Oh, I just assumed when you said you’ve seen naked women that—”

  “I’ve fucked quite a
number of human females.” So evenly delivered it had her mouth falling open again.

  Page cleared her throat. “Oh.” Her voice came out all croaky. Only because she felt this tug of need between her legs. Her clit did this little pulsing thing.

  Mountain turned around. Holy hell but his ass was gorgeous. Meaty gluts she could see herself squeezing. Where had that come from? She forced herself to look away, but he bent over to pick up a log and then threw it on the fire. Wow! Just wow! He was really attractive.

  He frowned when he caught her staring. She really needed to get a grip. “Maybe you should put your pants back on,” she blurted. Not liking the brain fog.

  He openly sniffed the air. “I can scent your arousal.”

  “I’m not aroused!” she half-yelled. Then she stopped herself from saying anything more and shrugged. He would know in a hot second if she denied it. He’d be able to scent it. “It’s…it’s not…”

  “I can see this whole thing is making you very uncomfortable.”

  She bit back a nervous giggle and nodded instead. “Just a tad. It’s not what you think by the way. I just haven’t seen a naked guy in a while. Maybe I…I am reacting somewhat to that. Don’t let it give you a big head or anything because it’s…not like that.” It wasn’t like she was interested in him. She was there trying to find her sister. This was serious business.

  He widened his eyes for a moment. “I am working hard to control my own arousal, so you need not worry about a big head.” His eyes dipped back down to her cleavage, but he quickly averted his gaze.

  Working.

  Hard.

  Arousal.

  It didn’t help to know that he was also aroused too. Mountain picked up his pants and put them back on. Thank god! She could breathe again. “Please take off your coverings. I will make this as quick and as painless as possible.”