Royal Dragon (The Bride Hunt Book 1) (17 page)

She closed the door behind her and walked down the hall. They had passed the great hall on their way there, so she knew it was close. Julie arrived at the large double doors in less than a minute.

She sucked in a deep breath and walked in.

“Human female.” It was the big, good looking guy she had met on her first day.

He walked towards her, his blue eyes firmly on her. “It’s me, Flame.” That was it. “Do you remember me?”

She nodded. “Yes, of course I do. How is Pauline?”

The big guy’s nostrils flared. It was annoying. His eyes widened and his smile broadened. “You and Coal are getting along really well.”

She noticed how it was a statement and not a question. He could smell that they had been going at it. How nice that everyone knew everyone else’s business.

She smiled and nodded once.

“He is a good male,” Flame said. “The fiercest, strongest male in the fire kingdom… aside form the king of course.”

“I thought you were the strongest, fiercest warrior.” Pauline grabbed the big guy around his waist.

“I am.” Flame growled, his eyes were firmly on Pauline. They had softened, his voice deepened up a whole lot. “I’m the strongest of the non-royals. Don’t say anything…” he looked around him. “I’m stronger than the youngest prince and that’s saying something. I fly quicker, am faster and my flames are way bigger.”

These guys were too much. Julie had to suppress a laugh. If Coal were here, he’d be beating his chest and roaring about how much stronger he was. Barbarians!

Pauline giggled, she hugged him tighter. “I know that there are a lot of things you’re the best at.”

Too much info.

Julie could totally guess. She looked away and scratched the back of her head, noticing Lisa for the first time. At least, from this angle it looked like her. The heiress was sitting on a huge guy’s lap. Her arms were circled around his neck. They were in deep conversation. “Is that?”

The woman that looked like Lisa giggled like a school girl. The prissy heiress wouldn’t laugh like that. Then she locked lips with the guy. She wouldn’t kiss like that. Then again, she wouldn’t have the wild sex she’d heard her having with the other guy either. Maybe it was Lisa. The lady who looked like Lisa had her hands all over the guy.

“No way. It can’t be.” She huffed. That woman was far too happy, too carefree to be the uptight heiress.

Pauline stepped forward. “It’s her alright. She’s all in. Her and that shifter are already mated.”

“What?” Julie said, a bit too loud. She slapped a hand over her mouth. “That’s nuts. She’s known him all of a week.”

“They took the plunge two days ago, so yeah… it didn’t even take a week but I guess when you know you know… right?” She chewed on her lower lip.

Julie shook her head. “No. There is such a thing as crazy hormones. Once she gets to know him, really gets to know him, she might change her mind. There’ll be no more hormones and what then? There might be a few baby dragons running around and then it’ll be too late, won’t it?” The woman was totally crazy.

Flame shoved from one foot to the other. He didn’t look comfortable. Not at all. “Um…” he looked at the door. “There’s somewhere I need to be. I’ll see you back at our chamber.” He looked deep into Pauline’s eyes. Oh boy! It looked like these two were head over heels. More of those crazy hormones. It was just the sex and the cuddling, oh and the handholding. Such things did strange things to people. It wasn’t real and it wouldn’t last.

“Yeah.” Pauline reached up and kissed him. The shifter picked her up off of her feet and kissed her some more before putting her back down. The kissing didn’t stop though.

Argh!

Where to look. Where to look. Lisa was kissing her mate’s face right off of his head. Mate. Nuts! The big guy stood up with the heiress wrapped around him. Lisa looked like she was climbing a pole. If poles were thick and made of muscle. “She’s in heat.” Pauline whispered. She’d obviously come up for air while Julie was gaping at the spectacle.

“What did you say?” Julie blurted.

“It makes shifters just a little gaga.” She twirled her fingers around her temple. She made a humming noise. “Yeah, they’re driven to procreate.” She winked at Flame who blushed. Such a big guy blushing.

Flame smiled. “Good-bye, Julie. I really hope you give Coal a chance. I’m sure I’ll see you around.” He nodded once.

Julie nodded too. She didn’t say anything.

“He is a catch,” Flame added. “There are many females that would be happy with a male like him. If you were to mate him, you would become a princess and bear royal offspring.”

Happy days!
In that case, she was all in.
Not!
“Coal and I are friends.”

Flame grinned. “If you say so.” His nostrils flared and she felt like punching him in the snout. “I’ll see you in five.” He bent down to kiss Pauline again. Lisa and her shifter were long gone.

“Enough already.” She rolled her eyes. “Stop with the face sucking.”

“We are in love,” Flame said. “Give us a break.” He was grinning from ear to ear.

Say what? “Coal said that dragon shifters don’t do the whole love thing.”

Flame laughed. It was a booming noise that irritated the hell out of her. “That’s because there was no one for us to fall in love with. Scarlet and Ash treat us like play things. The stag runs are one night twice a year. We fall in love quickly but not that quickly. There has never been an opportunity to fall in love even though we are more than capable of the emotion. I am head over heels in love with this female.” He hugged Pauline close.

“I love you too, babe.” Pauline hugged him back.

“I can’t wait to take the plunge.” The big shifter growled into her neck.

“I’m a little nervous but I can’t wait either.” Pauline squealed with excitement. “I’ll try not to scream too loudly.”

What?

“We can wait if you’re not ready.” Flame pulled back so that he could stare into the other woman’s eyes.

“I’m ready.” She sighed. “I can’t wait to spend forever with you.”

“Are you sure I can’t change your mind about the other thing?”

Pauline nodded. “I’m too young for that.”

Flame seemed to realize that Julie was still there. He gave her a sympathetic look. “I’ll see you soon, Julie.”

She nodded. He was finally leaving. She almost looked to the ceiling in order to say a prayer of thanks.

“I’ll see you in a few.” He winked at Pauline.

“I’ll be counting the minutes.” Pauline sighed.

“I’ll be counting the seconds, honey.” He kissed her, yet again. It was a wonder their lips weren’t chapped and bleeding.

“Enough, you two. Go away,” she growled at Flame. “Neither of you will die without the other.”

Flame grinned. “I think I might. You’ll need to resuscitate me when you get back to the chamber.”

Julie groaned. “Kill me if I ever sound like the two of you.”

Flame laughed. “No can do. Coal would kill me. He’ll kill anyone that even looks at you funny. That male is smitten.”

The thought both scared and warmed her. No, it scared her. “He’s not smitten. We’re friends…with benefits. That’s all it is.”

“If you say so, Julie.” He winked at Pauline. Flame finally walked away. Pauline watched him until he was out of sight. She had a goofy smile on her face.

“You have it bad.” Julie said as the shifter rounded the corner.

“Oh so very bad. I’m seriously in love. Like totally and utterly.” The woman grabbed her chest and sighed. “Look at him. Just look at him.”

“Um… he just left.”

“You know what I mean. He’s so damned hot and so sweet. Do you know that he won’t let me do anything? He insists on cooking, cleaning… doing everything. I’m not allowed to lift a finger. The only thing he let’s me…” She blushed. “Never mind.”

Julie could imagine. “What’s with this whole taking the plunge thing?”

Pauline sucked in a deep breath. “I’ve decided to mate him.”

“What? You too?” Julie shook her head. “One week isn’t nearly enough. You know that don’t you? I don’t care how cute he is or how gifted in bed he is, you can’t possibly know him well enough.”

“I don’t need to know everything about him. I’ve never felt this way about anyone else. I don’t have much to go back to but that’s not the reason I want to stay. I love him… that’s all there is to it. I was also a little skeptical of Lisa when she told me she was mating Scorch.”

“His name is Scorch?” She could hear the disbelief in her voice. These dragon shifters had the weirdest names. Coal was the most normal of the lot. She only hoped it was spelled Cole and not Coal or that would be weird.

“Yes.” Pauline nodded. “Fire dragons all have fire related names.”

“I had noticed. You were telling me about Lisa.”

Pauline made a noise of affirmation. “Yeah. I thought she was just using him. Each of us has a sob story. I was about to lose my house and you lost your job and had just become homeless.”

“Don’t remind me,” Julie muttered.

“Point being.” Pauline raised her brows. “Each of us had our own problems. We were chosen by the dragons because they hoped that they could help us as much as we could help them.”

“I’m still not entirely convinced, but okay.” Julie folded her arms across her chest. Pauline was young and innocent. She’d obviously led a sheltered life. Well, up until her parents had died.

Pauline licked her lips. “Remember how high and mighty Lisa acted?”

Julie nodded.

“She told us that her dad died and left her a billionaire, well, it’s true that he died but he didn’t leave her anything. All of his wealth went to to his young wife. A woman only two years older than Lisa. The dumb cow had her dad change his will while on his deathbed and not thinking clearly.” She took a deep breath. “Can you imagine? Lisa was contesting the will but it was her word against the wife’s. There was a good chance Lisa was going to lose. Especially since her dad’s doctor was bonking the stepmom and is standing in as a witness. It was only a matter of days before she was kicked out of her own house. How horrible is that?”

Her eyes were wide and she used elaborate hand gestures while she spoke. “Poor Lisa cried when she spoke about her father. She blamed him initially but it clearly wasn’t his fault. Anyway…” Pauline raised her brows. “My point is that I thought Lisa was using Scorch, since the dragons live decently…” She gestured around the opulent lair that was really more of a castle. “But I was wrong. She seriously loves him. They’re already trying for a baby.”

“This is getting more crazy by the second.” Julie rubbed her face.

When she looked back up, Pauline’s eyes were bright. “A tiny, little baby with big blue eyes and blond hair. He’ll be so cute and—”

“Are you talking about your own baby or Lisa’s?”

Pauline frowned. “Okay… maybe I was talking about mine. Mine and Flame’s little one. I’m not ready though and he’s not going to pressure me.” She scrunched up her face. “No, he will put pressure on me. He won’t be able to help himself. It’s their instinct to procreate. That’s why we drive them so mad when we’re in heat… ovulating.” She corrected. “I’m too young to have a baby though.”

“Far too young. You’re too young to get married.”

Pauline nodded. “I’m too young for marriage but not too young to be mated, I’m taking the plunge. I’m ready. Flame is the guy for me.”

Vomit.

These women were losing their minds. “Have you heard anything about Jo and Candy?”

Pauline’s eyes widened. “Jo is also taking the plunge and mating her guy but Candy isn’t happy at all. I’ve heard that she keeps demanding to be sent back. She’s with some crazy king from one of the other kingdoms. He’s a meanie so no wonder she’s unhappy.”

“Oh no! I’ll have to ask Coal about her.” Poor Candy. Julie hoped that she was okay. Coal had promised her that none of them would be forced or hurt. Was the same true for the other kingdoms? Her heart was beating fast. Her mind raced at a hundred miles a minute.

Coal watched as his brother walked from one side of the room to the other. His fists were clenched. His eyes blazing.

“Calm down,” he growled. “I have things under control.”

“Do you?” Blaze growled right back. He stopped and wheeled towards Coal. “Send her back. There is another hunt planned for next month. Thanks to you, Granite didn’t get a female. Torrent has not had any success with his human, so chances are good there will not be a child any time soon. Neither of the dragon females is anywhere close to their heat.”

“How can you be so sure?” His brother just looked at him, his face deadpan. Blaze had his sources. Spies that did his bidding. Coal ran a hand over his head. “What if your information is incorrect?”

“It isn’t,” Blaze growled. “Torrent’s human is on her way back to Walton Springs as we speak. The male couldn’t make her happy. The human refused to mate him. My sources tell me that she hit him in the face.” Blaze laughed. “The male is pissed. He has locked himself in his chamber and refuses to speak with anyone.”

It was strange to see his brother smiling. Blaze hadn’t looked this happy in weeks… months.

“Things are not as desperate as they were. There will not be a royal birth any time soon. You do not have to beg the female. If she isn’t interested, send the human back. We do not need her.
You
do not need her.”

To think that a week ago, he would have leapt at the chance. Any reprieve would have been welcomed with open arms. A chance to change Blaze’s mind.

“Her name is Julie.” He tried to keep the growl from his voice and failed. “Julie.” He repeated, more evenly delivered this time.

“It doesn’t matter what her name is.
That female
does not want children and she doesn’t seem even remotely interested in you. I think she’s a lost cause.”

“No!” A snarl. His heart raced at the thought of sending her back. Adrenaline coursed. The need to protect and defend rose up in him. The need to smash his brother’s smug jaw rode him hard. Julie wasn’t going anywhere. Not while he was still breathing.

Blaze shook his head, looking disappointed. “You do seem quite taken with her. All the humans are the same. The next batch will be just as enticing, I assure you.” His brother’s features tightened. He clenched his jaw. “They all scent of heaven, taste of heaven and feel like heaven but they are not to be trusted. Let her go and hunt for someone else. I can see that you are becoming emotional about this particular one. It will bring nothing but heartache.” His eyes took a faraway look. The male spoke from experience. “Do both you and her a favor and send her away. You will find solace with the next one.”

“You haven’t been with a female for at least a year, so don’t give me that nonsense talk about finding solace in the arms of another. You’ve never told me about it. Who was she?”

Blaze looked at the ceiling. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily. “Yeah. I didn’t take someone else after… after… things ended with my human. Not mine!” He quickly snarled. “I should’ve just taken a replacement. I’m pathetic. You don’t want to end up like me. She was just a human. She was everything and nothing. It doesn’t matter. I will never trust another human. They are all the same, fluttering eyes and deceitful mouths. I hope not to have to take one as a mate and yet it would solve all of our problems, so what choice do I have? I need to be sure that it’s absolutely necessary first. You need to either mate that human
and
get her with child or take her back.”

“I thought that there was no rush.”

Blaze narrowed his eyes. “Either you impregnate her during her coming heat or I’m sending her back. I can tell that it won’t be long before you start making rash decisions. You might end up mating her even though she is against having young. Where would that leave me? Where would it leave us as a kingdom?” He paused, closing the distance between them. His jaw was set. “We need to know if a royal child is a possibility and we need to know soon. Get her with child, Coal. Do not let me down. Our future is in your hands.”

Coal gave a quick jerk of the head to show affirmation. He would like nothing more than to fill Julie’s womb with his seed. To see life grow there. To raise children with this female but she was as timid as what she was fierce. Julie would need time. Like Flame had said, he needed to cherish her and to show her what she meant to him. He needed to prove himself as a potential mate. It wasn’t going to happen overnight. It would probably take weeks, maybe even months, heaven forbid but it might take years.
Days.
He had a few lousy days. No way in hell. He may as well forget it.

“Let me have until the next hunt.” He blurted, his blood rushed through his veins.

Blaze shook his head. “You have until the end of her heat. I am doing this for you.”

Coal roared in anger and irritation. Most of all, he roared in frustration. Maybe it would work out for them. Julie slept in the same bed as him but the agreement was that he wasn’t allowed to touch her. They stayed in the same chamber. It was more than he had hoped for and more than she normally gave.

Coal would do everything in his power to make it happen. He could not fail. Blaze had tasked him with finding a mate this hunt and he would deliver. He had to. It was just a matter of convincing Julie that a life with him would be good. That a life filled with the laughter of children would be wonderful. His heart warmed just thinking about it.

Without saying anything more, he turned and left. Coal followed her scent and soon arrived in the great hall.

Julie’s eyes were wide. She looked like she was afraid. He began to walk towards her. “Coal!” Julie yelled as she caught sight of him.

“What is wrong?”

Flame’s female was with her.

“What happened to Candy? I heard that she isn’t happy. Some bastard king has her.” Her brow was creased. Her eyes were filled with concern.

“Torrent won the female but she didn’t want to stay in the water kingdom so the male sent her home.”

Some of the tension left her. “Oh, thank god. Did he hurt her or force her? What happened to her?”

He’d come to realize that Julie had trust issues. It wasn’t personal. He had long since realized that. Coal held the air in his lungs for a beat. “No, he would never do either of those things. She wasn’t happy. It is my understanding that she didn’t care for him.” He shrugged.

“You said that he’s an asshole.” She turned back to the other female who nodded.

Coal had also come to realize that calling someone after that particular orifice was considered to be a slight. “He is a king. If you think I’m arrogant you should—”

“Is he anything like your brother.”

“About the same.”

“Pompous and pigheaded. Okay… I totally understand why Candy walked out. So he wouldn’t have hurt her?”

Coal shook his head. “No. He is a male of honor.”

“It’s good to know that she was allowed to leave.” Julie smiled. “It gives me hope.” Then she shook her head. “Not that I’m ready to leave just yet, although, it seems like there’s something in the water so maybe I should.” She chuckled like she’d just told a joke.

Flame’s human smiled as well. “Drink the water. It’s delicious.”

“No damned way.” Julie shook her head. “The water is dangerous.”

“You’ve been drinking our water.” What was Julie talking about? “There’s nothing wrong with it,” he added.

“See.” Pauline grinned. “Listen to Coal.”

Why did he get the feeling that they weren’t talking about the water? Not really. “What is this all about?”

“I need to go.” The other female had a faraway look and a sparkle in her eye. “Flame is waiting for me. I don’t want to keep my future mate waiting.”

“That’s great news.” Coal smiled. “You’ve decided to take the plunge.”

“Don’t remind me.” He could hear her heart race.

“You’re afraid. Don’t be… Flame is a strong, fast male. You will be fine. He is going to take excellent care of you,” Coal said.

“I know he will.” Pauline huffed out the words. “I’ll see you guys soon. Keep drinking the water.” She skipped away.

“What was all that about the water?” Coal locked eyes with Julie. The color of melted toffee. Beautiful. His breath froze.

“Oh no you don’t.” Julie punched him on the arm. She yelped and nursed her fist. “You’re like a rock. I can’t even smack you.”

Coal released a sigh. A whole group of males were watching. Several of them sniggered. If they stayed here, there would be bloodshed. He was in no mood to be judged. Certainly not by his subordinates although he couldn’t blame the males for finding the exchange amusing. “Come with me.” Coal took her hand.

Julie pulled away. “Where to? I thought you said we weren’t staying in your apartment. You promised to show me around.” She looked around the room. The human didn’t even notice the other males, or the interest they were showing in her.

The closest male had his gaze fixed on her… Coal looked down. His blood began to boil inside him. Heat infused his veins. His teeth sharpened. Julie was wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Yes, blue jeans… that was what they were called. They fit her perfectly, as did the shirt. Her stunning breasts were showcased. Her ass was showcased. She was showcased to perfection.

Coal snarled in the direction of the group. Several males averted their eyes. Good. He was on the verge of roasting their orbs right there in their sockets.

The closest male put his gaze back on Julie’s chest. The prick was working on Coal’s last nerve. “She is mine!” He roared. They all backed away. Three left the room at a speed.

“Leave.” He snarled again. Smoke blew from his mouth as he spoke. The lessers scuttled from the room and his temperature went down to bearable levels.

“Was that really necessary?” She raised her brows.

“Yes.” He couldn’t help but to growl. His blood temperature was still elevated. “They were looking at you. We are going out.”

“Out where?”

This female. He looked down at her and took in her flushed cheeks and wide eyes. He followed her tongue as it slipped over her bottom lip.

She choked out a laugh. “You’re thinking about sex. Again.”

“It cannot be helped. You are a beautiful female. You should not wear such clothing.” His eyes drifted lower. “I can see your breasts.”

She hit him again. Her hand made a slapping noise as it connected with the side of his arm. “No you cannot. I’m completely covered. I even put a tank top under my shirt so my… boobs would be properly covered. What the hell is wrong with you? You’re acting all jealous.”

Jealous.

No.

Never.

Maybe. Just a little bit. Fine. He was very jealous. Just the thought of those others looking at his female made him angry. “You are mine to protect. It is instinctual, not emotional.” Was it? Of course it was. “It would be easier to do so if you were more covered. Maybe naked in my bed would be the best.” He moved towards her.

“No.” She put a flat hand on his chest and kept him at arms length. “You said we could go out. I feel like it. Are we going to fly?” Her eyes widened.

Coal felt pride surge. “Yes. I like going to… come, I’ll show you.”

Her expression turned serious. “No more of this jealous shit.”

“I will do my best.”

“Fine,” she huffed. “We are also going to discuss your brother, more to the point, what your brother said. What the two of you discussed.”

His heart raced. He didn’t want to tell her about his task or the ultimatum put forward by Blaze today. She would be mad and it would hamper any chance they might have. No. He would tell her as much as he could and no more.

****

Her heart leapt wildly in her chest as they swooped down. The view was amazing from up there. The descent was faster than she would’ve liked, yet at the same time, it was exhilarating. After watching him fly the other day, she knew it was a damn sight slower than it would’ve been if Coal were alone.

She screamed as the ground drew nearer. It was a small strip of rock. Not more than seven feet wide. A natural bridge that spanned between two peeks. It looked to be about a hundred feet long. It was breathtaking. He continued to descend towards the middle section of the strip. Surely he didn’t mean to set her down there.

“I don’t think this is a good idea.” Her voice had a quivery edge.

At the last moment, Coal stopped descending. The ground was no more than a foot or two away. Julie exhaled. He wasn’t going to put her down after all. Thank god because that small slab of rock was not safe. It was long and narrow. There were no railings or handholds. There was nothing but a narrow walkway in the middle of nowhere. It seemed man-made but she knew otherwise. There was no way a human could’ve made it up here.

His wings flapped slowly. Too slow to carry his enormous bulk yet they continued to hover. Why weren’t they leaving? He drifted down an inch, two. What?

Her foot touched the ground. Again he waited until she was standing securely before releasing her. Julie wanted to hold onto his massive talon but she was afraid of toppling over the edge. There was sheer cliff on either side of her.