Bound to the Dragon

by Zoe Chant

  Mercy. Mercy, my mate. I love you. I love you.

  Mercy could feel Dante’s mind reaching out to touch her own – and this was enough to send her tumbling over the brink. Her orgasm burst through her, sending bright splinters of pleasure surging through her body, leaving lines of fire in their wake. Above her, Dante let out a long, desperate groan, his hips jerking, his muscles clenching as they rode out their climaxes together.

  Mercy didn’t know how long it took for the final waves of bliss to crest and then slowly subside – she only knew that she was here with Dante, their sweat-slicked skin pressed together, their arms around each other’s bodies. Here, she felt utterly at peace. Her mind was so often filled with problems – what to do next, whether she was making the right decision, thinking of the futures of all the children in her care. Even on the days when she knew she was in no danger of having a panic attack, her mind was busy. But here and now, she felt only a deep sense of harmony.

  And she was determined to enjoy it.

  Dante’s warm breath on her neck was sweet – but as Mercy came more and more back to herself, she began to realize just how damn heavy he was.

  “Hey,” she whispered, her fingers playing over his back. “Hey. As good as this feels, you’re kind of squashing me.”

  With a low groan, Dante roused himself, rolling slightly away from her, his cock slipping from her body as he did so. Mercy missed the feel of him inside her immediately – but then again, they had all night for round two. Or three. Or –

  Now, now, no need to be greedy, she told herself, unable to stop herself from smiling. She raised her hand to her head to find the crown Dante had given her still in place, the surface feeling warm against her fingertips. After all, Dante has already given you the best gift he possibly could.

  It was true, as well – as strong as their bond had been before, somehow it now seemed to glow even brighter within her. When Mercy closed her eyes, she could see the golden glowing rope that connected their hearts, sealing them together.

  “It’s because I’ve crowned you and claimed you,” Dante said, his voice low, his eyes soft as he looked down at her. “And you’ve claimed me. I’m yours forever.”

  He cupped her jaw, kissing her, and Mercy kissed him back just as slowly, just as deeply. Mine. He’s mine.

  Together, they could overcome anything – no matter what the future might throw at them, she knew that they would be facing it as one. She knew she could rely on Dante – and moreover, she wanted to rely on him. She didn’t have to do everything by herself anymore. In front of him, she wasn’t afraid of looking weak – because she understood now that needing help sometimes wasn’t a weakness.

  Mercy smiled into the kiss, before snuggling herself against Dante’s broad chest. She could hear his heartbeat, strong and steady, against her ear, and below that, she imagined she could hear his dragon purring in contentment.

  It still seemed incredible to her that she of all people had found herself pulled into a world like this – a world of dragons and manticores and golden treasure hoards and princesses and princes – and it felt like she still had so much to learn. It still hurt her heart to think of everything that Dante had been through – the family and clan he had lost, the life he had been forced into. The way he had felt unworthy of their love, and turned away from them until he could prove himself.

  She felt tears spring to her eyes as she thought about it now, her peace momentarily dispelled.

  “Dante, I’m so sorry,” she murmured into his chest.

  Dante said nothing – he simply cupped her face, raising it until her eyes met his.

  “There’s nothing to be sorry about,” he said, his thumb stroking over her cheek. “The past is over and done with. Of course it still hurts – but it’s gone. I have you now. I have my clan. The only thing I want to think about now is the future.”

  Mercy nodded, swallowing. He was right.

  The past might have its dark and painful memories – but their future together was nothing but sunshine. Together, they’d work to make it that way. Both for themselves, and for the people of Hainesville.

  I love you, she sent to him, as he leaned down to kiss her.

  And I love you, he replied, his lips warm against hers.

  And in the end, Mercy decided, that was the only thing that mattered.

  Afterword

  If the Shifter Patrol Corps sounds a little familiar to some readers, it’s because the organization first appeared in my Christmas story, A Griffin for Christmas! I had a lot of fun writing about the Corps in that book, and decided to bring it back for the Lost Dragons series. However, while the books are set in the same universe, they’re about completely different sets of characters, with no crossover.

  A note from Zoe Chant

  Thank you for buying my book! I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to be emailed when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list. You can also visit my webpage, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter. You are also invited to join my VIP Readers Group on Facebook!

  Please consider reviewing Bound to the Dragon even if you only write a line or two. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.

  Page down to read a special sneak preview of the first in the Lost Dragons series, A Mate for the Dragon.

  The cover of Destined for the Dragon was designed by Isabelle Arden.

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