by Zoe Chant
“Never readier,” she said, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze.
***
Tai was hard at work preparing for the dinnertime rush when Mercy and Dante arrived back at the restaurant. She waved at them briefly before going back to conferring with Harold, her sous chef.
Now that Garrick and his men had been forced to clear out, Mercy’s Kitchen was thriving once more – in fact, it was doing better than ever. Mercy had been able to hire a sous chef to help out Tai, extra wait staff – and a part-time manager to help her out, so that she could devote more of her time to administering the endowment. With it, she was able to start up a huge range of programs – better funding for the Hainesville schools, a full meal program for kids who needed it, college scholarships for graduates who had ambitions to go, and trade school and apprenticeships for those who preferred something more hands-on. She even let some of them train in the kitchen, watching Tai or helping her prepare some of the simpler dishes.
“Need a hand?” Mercy asked – even if working in the kitchen was really the last thing she felt like doing right now.
“Not even a little bit,” Tai said, shaking her head. “We’ve got it under control – just taste-testing this new hot sauce Harold’s dreamed up. I think we’re onto a winner.”
Mercy laughed. “Just make sure you make it clear how hot this new sauce is – I don’t need the bad Yelp reviews!”
Tai grinned. “Believe me, it’s hot – but we’ll make sure everyone knows what they’ll be getting themselves into.”
“All right – have fun with it then,” Mercy said, shaking her head.
She’d be lying if she said she didn’t sometimes miss working in the kitchen – the hustle and bustle of the restaurant had suited her, when she’d had time to collect herself beforehand and knew she could duck out for a moment if things started to overwhelm her. Doing budgeting for the library and schools was completely sedate by comparison.
Which wasn’t to say she was completely free from her panic attacks, however. Every now and then she felt them creeping up on her, even on days when everything should have been fine, and more than once she had woken from a dream that had seemed so real that it had taken her a while to believe she’d really only just woken up. But on every occasion, Dante had been there for her, ready to either hold her until her breathing slowed, or to give her all the space she needed – whichever one was best for her at the time. Sometimes, not even she herself knew what she wanted or needed. But something she did know was that Dante was her mate, and he’d always be there for her, no matter what.
One day, Mercy dreamed she might be able to work as a nurse again – the only reason she had left, after all, was due to the anxiety she’d experienced, not because she didn’t love the work. And, with more options open to the people who lived in Hainesville now, it was her hope that she’d see fewer of the kinds of things that had caused her such pain to begin with.
But that was still some way off. She knew she wasn’t ready to go back to that kind of work just yet.
But given time... maybe...
Maybe one day, she could.
With Dante by her side, it didn’t seem so far out of reach as it once had.
Leaving the kitchen, Mercy went up the stairs to her apartment, Dante following close behind her. She imagined she could feel the heat from his chest against her back... or maybe it wasn’t her imagination.
“You were so good with the kids today,” Mercy said once Dante had closed the door to her apartment behind them.
Dante glanced at her, smiling. “It’s weird. I was never around kids much before – I didn’t really know what to do with them.”
“Clearly, kids know a good guy when they see one,” Mercy said, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Kids are smart – you can’t fool ’em just because you look like a nightclub bouncer on the outside.”
Dante laughed lightly, looking down into her eyes. “I’ll just have to take your word for that.”
He leaned down, pressing his lips to hers for a lingering kiss, before pulling back.
“Did you ever think about having children, Mercy?”
Dante’s eyes were serious when she looked up into them.
“Of course, when I was younger. I always thought I’d love a couple,” she said. “Then when I got older, it seemed like I had enough on my hands just looking after other people’s kids. Not to mention the lack of a decent man around to keep up his end of the bargain. Either in making them or sticking around afterwards.” She paused, lifting a hand to his face. “But with you, Dante...”
“Then you might want to, one day?”
Mercy shook her head in mild exasperation. “Of course I would.”
The kiss Dante pressed to her lips now was searing in both its heat and its happiness. Clearly, Dante was overjoyed. His hands pressed into her back, drawing her forward against the hardness of his chest. When he pulled back, Mercy was left almost completely breathless. She gazed up at him, feeling her cheeks flush.
“But only in a couple of years,” she said, panting a little. “I think I want us to have just a little more alone time first!”
Dante’s response was a blindingly brilliant smile. “Of course, Mercy.” Then, he hesitated. “Mercy, I’d like you to take a seat.”
Confused, Mercy frowned. “What is it?”
“I’ll explain in a moment. For now, just take a seat.”
Though she was still confused, Mercy did as he asked, sitting down at her dining room table. Dante knelt in front of her – and Mercy felt her mouth go dry.
“I have something to explain to you,” Dante said, his voice serious. “You know as much as anyone knows about mates and mated bonds now – almost. There’s one thing I didn’t tell you. I wanted to hold off until the right time.”
Mercy blinked at him, feeling bewildered. What more could there be to know?
“Usually, a dragon chooses a crown for his mate when they’re in their late teens or earlier – whenever their parents decide they’re mature enough to make a decision about these things. No one knows when a dragon will meet their mate, but they know the right piece to choose as soon as they see it.” Dante smiled sheepishly. “I suppose I did things differently. I met you first, and then I chose your crown.”
Mercy shook her head, confused. “My – my crown? Dante, what are you –”
Her question stopped dead in its tracks as Dante turned away for a moment, reaching into his bag. When he turned back, he was holding a beautifully carved wooden box. He opened it, revealing the white satin lining within – as well as a shimmering golden crown, set with deep black stones which were in turn surrounded by clusters of what looked like bright red rubies.
But that can’t be right, Mercy thought, feeling dazed. There’s so many of them – if those are real rubies, then this must be worth a fortune. Why is Dante showing it to me?
“Because it’s yours,” Dante said, as if he’d read her mind – which, in some ways, Mercy supposed he had. “Black onyx to match your eyes, and red rubies to match your fiery passion and determination. As soon as I saw it, it spoke to me. I knew it was the right crown for you.”
Mercy couldn’t do anything but gape as she stared down at the beautiful, glittering crown.
“For me?” she eventually managed to say, though her throat was almost too tight to let the words pass.
“For you.” Dante lifted the crown, putting the box down on the floor beside him. “Mercy, crowning you with this will seal our bond completely. We’re already mates – now I just need to crown you, as dragon tradition dictates. Will you let me crown you as my mate?”
Mercy felt like her heart was about to beat straight out of her chest. She looked from the exquisite crown to Dante’s eyes and back again.
“Of course, of course,” she eventually managed to get out, before leaning down to fling her arms around Dante’s shoulders. She couldn’t get too close since he was still holding the crown, but that didn’t stop her from pressi
ng her lips to his, opening her mouth as his tongue swept forward.
“Of course,” she said again when they parted, feeling completely breathless. She bit her lip as Dante raised his hands, holding the crown between his fingertips.
The weight of it settling against her head felt right somehow. It even fit perfectly over her wild mane of curls, sitting just above her forehead.
As if it was made for me, Mercy thought in wonder, raising her hand to press her fingertips against it.
It was, Mercy, Dante answered her. It was made for my mate.
“You look... you look stunning,” Dante said as he looked at her, his green eyes wide. Mercy could see a fire building within them – a fire that mirrored the one that was building in her belly, filling her with heat.
“Does this mean we’re fully joined now?” Mercy asked, looking at herself reflected in Dante’s eyes.
“We were always connected, Mercy,” Dante told her. “It’s just that now, we truly belong to each other. You belong to me – and I belong to you. Forever. As dragon and mate.”
Mercy let out a low groan at his words. Dante’s voice was husky, filled with barely restrained lust. He rose up before her, cupping her face between his massive hands.
“I’ve crowned you. And now, I need to claim you.”
Mercy sucked in a quick breath at his words. The heat that had been burning low within her all afternoon finally burst into open flame.
“God, yes, Dante. Please. I need you.”
His lips were on hers before she knew what was happening. He kissed her desperately, hungrily, his tongue sweeping into her mouth – and she kissed him back, just as desperate, just as hungry.
Dante lifted her up as if she weighed nothing at all, pulling her into his arms before carrying her bridal-style to their bedroom. Mercy could only smile as she rested her head against the broadness of his chest, listening to the thud of his heart.
Mine, it seemed to say to her. Mine. Mine. Mine.
And you’re mine, her own heart seemed to answer.
Their kiss never broke even as Dante lay her down on the bed, covering her body with his. Mercy tangled her fingers in the short hair at the nape of his neck, trying to draw him even closer, her legs wrapping around his hips.
Mercy moaned into his mouth, completely captive to her desire for him – she felt short of breath, her heart hammering, her body on fire.
When Dante at last pulled back, his eyes were darkened with desire. Mercy imagined she could sense the powerful beast that lived within him just below the surface – the dragon that had fought for her, protected her, and claimed her.
“God, I love you,” she breathed – and while she had said it hundreds of times over the past few months, she had never meant it more than she did in this moment.
“And I love you, Mercy,” Dante replied, his voice low and hoarse with desire. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Just say the word. Whatever you want, and it’s done.”
Mercy couldn’t stop the wicked smile from spreading across her face. “There’s really only one thing I want from you right now,” she said, sliding her hand down his body to cup the massive, hardening bulge between his legs. Dante groaned as she squeezed it, feeling it harden even further against her palm.
“I’ll have to see what I can do about that,” Dante gasped as she ran her hand over him, glorying in the feel of his heat and hardness, and knowing it was all for her.
Mercy laughed. “I’m sure you’ll manage.”
Then, his lips were on hers once more, his tongue parting her lips and sliding into her mouth, driving all other thoughts from her mind. Dante kissed her until she was gasping and breathless, before he sat up, yanking his shirt up and over his head.
Mercy had seen him naked countless times by now, but she still couldn’t hold back a groan as she looked him over: the broadness of his shoulders, the tight grid of his abs, the bulge of his biceps. His tanned skin shifted over powerful sinew and muscle, his green eyes blazing with lust as he looked down at her.
Mercy gasped as his large hands quickly and seemingly effortlessly stripped her of her shirt, before his head dropped to her breasts, his tongue darting over her painfully hard nipples through the material of her bra. She cried out when he gently teased one with his teeth, sending sparks of pleasure shooting through her. She could already feel that she was soaking wet between her thighs – it never took him long to bring her to the height of her arousal. But even so, he always drew things out, made sure to pay attention to every part of her body, making her feel more sensitive and desired and loved than she ever had before in her life.
And while Mercy loved that feeling, she wasn’t sure she had the patience for it today. Dante had said he had crowned her, and that now the only thing left was to claim her.
I want you to do it, Dante, she sent to him desperately as she squirmed beneath his lips and tongue. Please, please. I can’t wait. I want to be yours.
You were always mine, Dante sent back to her, as his tongue trailed low over her belly. And I was always yours.
Mercy groaned, feeling almost frantic with lust. She unclipped her bra, throwing it across the room, as Dante slid her comfortable pants down her thighs, quickly followed by her panties. He leaned back a moment, his eyes roving hungrily over her body. Ordinarily, Mercy might have felt embarrassed or tried to cover herself, but under Dante’s eyes, she had never felt sexier than she did right now. The massive bulge in his jeans was proof enough of just how irresistible he found her.
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” Mercy gasped out, reaching up to fumble at the buttons of his jeans. In the haze of her lust, she couldn’t seem to make her fingers work properly – but then, his own hands came up to over hers, undoing his jeans before shoving them down his thick, muscular thighs, along with his boxer briefs.
His massive erection, hard and fully veined, sprung free immediately. Mercy couldn’t help but gasp at the sight of it, her mouth watering.
I want you so much. Please, Dante, please –
Dante laughed low in his throat. “I’m going to do this properly, Mercy.”
Mercy groaned, her head falling back against the pillows as Dante’s tongue trailed low over her belly. Fire ran though her veins as he gently pulled her thighs apart, his mouth dipping lower and lower, sending shudders through her with every flick of his tongue.
She cried out when at last he bent his head between her thighs, finding the core of her pleasure immediately, his tongue expertly sending waves of pleasure through her. Mercy gripped the bed sheets, arching up, her mouth open in a silent cry. Ecstasy flooded through her with every movement of his mouth, every flicker of his tongue. His fingers pressed against her opening before sliding easily inside her. Mercy cried out again as he curled them, finding the right place inside her instantly.
“Dante!” She couldn’t stop herself from calling out his name as his tongue circled her clit, his fingers pressing against her again and again, relentlessly drawing pleasure from her body. All her nerves were set alight, her body shaking uncontrollably.
Mercy twisted on the bed, thrashing her head, desperate for the release she could already feel building in her belly. But at the same time, she never wanted this to end – this total, devastating pleasure that seemed to pulse through her like a heartbeat.
Dante knew just how to touch her to make her cry out, knew her body inside and out. Mercy closed her eyes, feeling all her muscles clench – and then her climax was breaking over her like a wave crashing against the shore, utterly overwhelming in its intensity. Stars swirled before her eyes and she heard herself crying out as Dante continued to tease her, bringing her down slowly from the peak of her pleasure.
Mercy could do nothing but lie back and pant as she slowly descended, her heart beating wildly in her chest, her skin tingling.
“Wow,” was all she could say, when she finally got her breath back. “Wow.”
Dante kissed her thighs, her belly, her breasts, before final
ly raising his head to look her in the eye.
“I take it you enjoyed that?”
Mercy laughed, as much at the teasing quirk of his eyebrow as his silly question.
“Come here,” she said, wrapping her hand around the back of his neck and drawing him into a kiss.
She could still feel the hard heat of his erection against her hip, and, even as satisfied as she was, Mercy felt desire flare in her belly at the sensation. As good as it had been, she still wanted more – she wanted him.
And, as per usual, he knew exactly what to do.
Their kisses grew frantic as he moved between her thighs, his hard cock pressing against her belly. He drew back slightly, lining himself up – and then pushed into her in one perfect, long stroke. She was so wet, so ready for him that he slid into her body easily, filling her to the brim.
Together, they gasped, their bodies fitting together perfectly. Mercy’s vision swam with pleasure as she felt him pressing against her walls, massive and hard and hot, as if he had been made just for her – as if they had been made for each other.
We have, Dante sent to her, as he leaned down to kiss her once more. We’re mates. And mates are made to be together.
Mercy felt too dazed with pleasure to answer him, even within her own mind. All she could do was simply grip his shoulders, moaning as he made his first thrust within her. Sparks of pleasure shot through her body, every vein on fire. Mercy cried out desperately, wrapping her legs around his hips as if to urge him to drive into her harder, deeper.
She bucked up against him, squeezing herself around him and hearing him moan in response.
“Mercy.” Her name on his lips made her groan, fire gripping her. She felt consumed with it, consumed with pleasure, as Dante’s thrusts grew harder and faster.
Ecstasy swept through her, her muscles straining. Dante was relentless, pounding into her again and again and again. Mercy cried out, her body singing with bliss – she could feel her climax building within her, every movement of their bodies bringing her closer and closer.