Call of the Dragon (Return to Avalore Book 1) (23 page)

His every muscle vibrated as he fought the urge, knowing he’d scare her more than she already was if he gave in. She’d never admit to it, but the trembling fingers stroking his chest didn’t lie. Neither did the pounding heart beneath his palm where it rested on her ribcage.

“
We got out before anything happened.”
The warm waft of her breath tickled his neck.

Another growl thundered through his core as the dragon fought for freedom. Hands clenched into fists, he buried his nose in her hair, breathing deep. He knew he was losing the battle, and had no way to warn her or reassure her. He’d die before he hurt her, but
she
had no way of knowing that.

Tilting her head back, she brought trembling fingers to his face.
“It’s okay. You can let go. I’ll be fine.”

The dragon leapt, gaining power.

“Katie told me about your dragon. I’m not afraid of it—or you.”
Her gaze held his.
“I know you won’t hurt me.”

Fire raced up and down his spine. It was too much. Had she not given consent, he might have had a chance, but with each gentle word, his iron will slipped a little farther. She deserved more than he could give her when he was in this state, but he was powerless to stop. Lowering her to the bed, he brought his mouth down on hers in a hard, savage kiss.

The tearing of fabric sounded loud in the quiet room as he ripped her t-shirt wide open from the neck down. The delicate lace of her bra didn’t stand a chance. A quick twist and the material all but disintegrated, exposing her beautiful breasts. He swallowed her gasp, delving his tongue deep into her mouth, plundering what he needed before pulling back to look at her again.

Her parted lips begged for his kisses. Eyes shining bright, pupils dilated, she waited for his next move. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips, transforming his growl into a moan as blood rushed down low, making his cock throb, straining hard against the restraint of his jeans. Heaven help him, he wasn’t going to be able to stop, but he’d be damned if he didn’t at least make it good for her. Lowering his head, he licked across one puckered nipple, then the other, before pulling back to watch them harden in the cool air.

Eyes closed, her back arched, pleading for more.

He took the tight bud between his lips in an open-mouthed kiss, making her gasp as he sucked it in. His tongue assaulted the tip, flicking over it until her hands bunched in his hair, pulling him closer still. He let go with a pop, ignoring her moaned protest, before turning his attention to the other, giving it the same treatment.

The scent of her arousal drove the dragon on. One sharp tug sent the snap of her jeans skittering across the room. The zipper offered no resistance, and within seconds, the jeans were down and off.

Kissing his way up from her ankles, he nipped at her tender flesh, making her squirm and release more of her intoxicating scent into the air. When he reached the apex of her thighs, he waited, watching as her back arched, and a soft moan escaped her open lips. Pressing his mouth and nose into the damp fabric of her underwear, he inhaled her scent. The beast within growled, sending the vibrations through his body and into her sensitive flesh.

“Oh God, Drake, that feels so good.”

The huskiness in her voice drove him to the brink of insanity. He couldn’t wait any longer to taste her. Ripping her panties in one quick move, he lowered his head and took a long slow lick, taking her juices onto his tongue, savoring her unique flavor before plunging deep.

Her hips thrust forward, bringing her closer as her head thrashed back and forth on his pillow. Her little whimpers sent throbbing heat down his spine and into his shaft as he speared in and out with his tongue, mimicking what he would soon do with his cock.

She was close, but she couldn’t come yet, he wouldn’t let her. Not until he buried himself deep inside her. The need to feel her convulse and tighten around him was more than he could bear. Gripping her hips, he turned her onto her stomach, lifting her into position. He cupped her ass, squeezing as he ground his hips against her.

He wanted to slow down, to make this beautiful for her, but there was no stopping the beast. He released her hips long enough to yank his jeans part way down his thighs before he gripped them again, his fingers pressing into her flesh. With one feral growl, he pushed forward, burying himself to the hilt in her moist, silken heat.

Rhia’s little gasp froze him in place. His entire body shook with the need to dominate—to take her as the dragon wanted, but he fought against the savage desire coursing in his veins.

“Don’t stop. Please.” Her breathless whisper tantalised him as she ground her perfect ass against him, taking him in deeper, demanding more, pushing him to the edge of his control.

Pulling out until only the tip of his cock remained, he paused, and waited for her soft moan, before slamming deep into her again and again. The muscles surrounding his shaft quivered with each stroke.

Reaching around her, he slid one finger over her swollen clit, groaning as her muscles tightened around him. He flicked it once, twice, and then pressed down hard on the tight bud, sending her spiraling into hard, rhythmic spasms around him. Her release squeezed him in a velvet grip, making it impossible to hold on. A triumphant roar tore from his throat as he exploded inside her, filling her with his seed before collapsing against her back.

When he was able to summon enough energy to move again, he sank to the bed beside her, taking her with him.

Dark tendrils of shame cut through the bliss still pulsing in his veins.
Damn it to hell.
How could he face her again after he’d taken her like a fucking animal? Eyes shut tight, he took slow, deep breaths, shoving the dragon back.

Her shoulders shook when he pulled her back against him. Bile rose in his throat, his heart thundering in his chest. He thought he’d been careful not to hurt her, but he’d lost control. “I’m sorry, Rhia… I should-”

Her small giggle drifted to his ears and all the air rushed out of his lungs. She was laughing? “I didn’t hurt you?”

“Hurt me?” She pressed her body closer. “That was amazing.” She hesitated, her body tensing a little before continuing. “Umm. So, you’re a dragon.” The warm breath caressing his arm stilled as though she were holding her breath.

“Yes.” Even if she hadn’t already seen the proof for herself, he wouldn’t deny being who, or what he was. He wasn’t ashamed of being of dragon lineage, only of his lack of discipline.

“You should have told me.” Soft censure laced her words.

“I know. I’m sorry.” What else could he say?

Turning her head to look up at him, she stifled a yawn. “Any other secrets you need to get off your chest, or can we sleep now?”

She looked so sleepy and sated he couldn’t help but smile. “Nothing more. We can talk in the morning.” She’d have plenty of questions, and he’d answer them all, but not tonight. Tomorrow he’d deal with those, but for now, he just needed to hold her.

She was safe in his arms, and he could breathe. When he drifted off to sleep, it was to the sounds of her slow, deep breaths, and dainty little snores.

Angry voices drew Rhia from sleep. Somewhere in the house, Drake and Evan were having words. She recognized her brother’s energy just as she recognized Drake’s, and neither was happy.

Eyes squinted against the sunlight, she stretched, smiling as the sweet ache in her body reminded her of the wild passion of the night before. The desperation in his touch and the fierce hunger in his eyes had set her body on fire, and electricity rushing through her veins. Just thinking about it now had heat infusing her cheeks and her heart fluttering.

Her torn clothes were gone, but atop a large ebony dresser sat a pink shopping bag. They had shopping in Avalore then.
Sweet
. She read the note standing before the bag.

Drake thought you might want something new to wear. I hope everything fits.

Katie.

Inside the bag, she found a pink lace bra with matching underwear. A gorgeous gown made of the softest silk she’d ever touched lay on a nearby chair. The deep eggplant color made her eyes pop. She’d worn the same clothes for days now and just the idea of putting them back on was enough to make her cringe. Even if her clothes were still useable, which they weren’t after Drake’s exuberance last night, she would be thrilled to get into something else, but this? It was so elegant and—royal.

“Katie, are you here?”
She waited for a moment to see if she’d respond, but wasn’t surprised when she didn’t. This neat little trick of being able to sense other people’s energies would come in handy. She’d just have to remember to thank her when she saw her next.

Drake’s voice rose again, springing her into action. It took longer to put the gown on than she’d anticipated, but she finally managed. Padding down the hall in her bare feet, she followed the voices until she found them in the sitting room.

Both stood in front of the fireplace. Drake, arms crossed over his chest, glared at Evan, while Evan’s hands fisted at his sides.

“It’s not safe.” Drake spoke through clenched teeth. “We still don’t know who wants to hurt her.”

“You think I’d forget this? I fear for her safety as much as you do.” Evan glared right back.

“Damn it.” Drake shook his head, raking his fingers through his hair. “The castle’s too difficult to secure. How can we protect her there?”

“We’ll find a way. He won’t survive if we don’t. Even now,” Evan shook his head. “even now, Aiken’s not certain we can save him.”

She cleared her throat as she stepped into the room, surprising them both.

Evan’s shoulders tensed before he took a deep breath and faced her.

Both men’s jaws dropped, making her a little uncomfortable. Holding her head high, she stepped closer.

“Good morning, Rhiannon. You look amazing.” If the dark circles under Evan’s eyes and worry lines etched deep into his face didn’t tell her something was wrong, then the fact he still wore what he had when she’d seen him last did. Why hadn’t he rested last night?

“Good morning and thank you.” Heat crept into her cheeks. “Sounds to me like maybe I need to be involved in this discussion. What is going on? Who won’t last much longer, and why?” She took a step closer to her brother, her eyes narrowing. “And why haven’t you slept?”

“I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to disturb you. Did you sleep well?” Evan rubbed the back of his neck.

“Yes, very well, thanks.” Her eyebrows rose as she waited for answers.

Evan cast a look in Drake’s direction before answering. “I’d hoped to wait until the traitor was found before taking you to our family home, but we may not have a choice.”

“Why, what’s going on?” When Evan wouldn’t meet her gaze, she turned to Drake. “If it concerns me, I have a right to know.”

When he started with a deep sigh, she knew she wasn’t going to like whatever it was he was about to tell her. “It’s William. Your father’s condition is deteriorating. Aiken doesn’t think he’ll last much longer if we don’t bring you to him today.” Pain shone in his eyes at the declaration.

She tried to swallow, but the sudden dryness in her mouth wouldn’t let her. “Has Aiken not been able to heal him? I’m not a true healer like he is. How can I help?” Up until a few days ago, she’d had no family at all. Too overwhelmed to ponder too much on the fact that she even had a father, she’d pushed him to the back of her mind. Now she was at risk of losing him before even getting to meet him? What kind of cruel joke was that?

“He’s fought against the darkness ever since mother died. It’s been a long battle for all of us, but for him, it’s been excruciating. He’s giving up. What he needs is hope. He needs to see you and know you’re here.” Moisture gathered in Evan’s eyes. “The darkness is taking him away from us, Rhia.” The plea in his eyes tore at her. “He’s kept our people strong all this time, but now, he’s lost the will to fight for himself. He may already be too far gone, but we have to at least try.”

The pain in his eyes had her swallowing around a lump in her throat. “What do you want me to do?” She knew the pain of losing a parent all too well. She wanted to help. Anything she could do to save her brothers from having to go through it again, she’d do.

“I think if he sees you and knows you’re here, maybe it’ll be enough to pull him through. He needs healing, but he hasn’t allowed it in some time. Maybe if he has hope, he will again.” Though he stood still, his restless energy undulated in the room.

“Can’t we just tell him we’ve found her? He’s strong. He’ll hold on until we can bring her to him.” Drake tried to reason with him. “We have to think this through. What happens if they attack the palace? We don’t know who the traitor is. For all we know, they’re right there within the castle walls.”

Evan shook his head, his shoulders slumping lower. “I saw him last night.” His eyes closed for a moment before he continued. “He thinks to leave this world and join mother in the next.”

“I want to go,” she interjected before Drake could protest again. “I can’t just sit here and hide if meeting him in person can help.” She swallowed past the lump in her throat again. “I don’t want to lose my father before I get to meet him.” Her chin lifted. She’d prefer if he agreed, but she’d go with or without his approval. “You can stay with me the whole time. It doesn’t matter if we’re here or at the palace, I know you won’t let anything happen to me.”