Relentless Fire (A Novel of the Dracol Book 2)

by Michelle Howard

  Inez hid her grin and nodded. Riding another Dracol could be an intimate experience and as his lira Milana would be particularly bothered by another female with him.

  Santos straightened to all four and opened his large clawed hand as it rested palm side up on the ground. Inez stepped into his grip and controlled her flinch as his bony webbed fingers closed around her. She was used to traveling this way, but after Varyk everything seemed different now. More personal.

  “I’ll see you shortly.” Milana ported and was gone. Santos rumbled and leaped into the air. Wind whipped about Inez’s face as she held to a front claw and finger locked about her middle. The travel by flight was far shorter than by land and they reached Varyk’s home far sooner than Inez expected.

  Santos had just set her down when the loud roar split the air. A screech of rage followed and Santos shifted quickly, almost tripping in his haste to get back from Inez. She turned to face the threat, body tense and ready, only to see Varyk marching toward her, his green hair flowing behind him.

  Features drawn tight, his gold eyes blazed with a feverish light. A long sleeve shirt of olive green hugged his chest, the thin material flattened against his body from the speed at which he moved as he shortened the distance between them. Arousal stirred despite the clear aggression he displayed. Milana patted her back as she ran to intercept her angry brother.

  Inez propped her hands on her hips and watched it all. Varyk didn’t even stop as his sister blocked his path. He merely lifted her by the elbows and placed her to the side. Santos growled, but avoided his King and went directly to his lira. Both at least had the sense to stay back at that point.

  Excitement thrummed beneath the surface of her skin, but Inez remained standing and waited. Varyk stopped when the tips of his boots bumped hers.

  His nostrils fluttered as he closed his eyes and inhaled. When he opened them, Inez took a reflexive step back. Rumbling growls rolled up from his chest and his jaw hardened, a muscle ticking in the side. “Another male carried you.”

  Inez tread carefully in the face of his jealousy. She shed her encroaching fear and sidled next to Varyk. She brushed a hand down his side and when he didn’t pull away, she aligned their bodies and looped her arms about his waist. Her head rested against his chest, the solid thump of his heart in her ear. “Only to come to you.”

  Silence beat for a second, then two. Varyk lowered his head atop hers and clenched his hands on her hips. “I need you.”

  The husky murmur set off an inferno within Inez. “I’m sorry about Uvem.”

  He jerked. “Not here.”

  Inez lifted her head and realized he’d transported them to his bedroom. “You know, I could get used to being able to get around like that.”

  Varyk smirked and gripped the bottom of his shirt. He lifted the cloth slowly, revealing his flat middle one ab at a time. The shirt cleared his chest then whirled over his head only to be tossed aside. “You have no idea how bad I want you right now. Need to be deep inside as you lock your legs around my waist and let me hear your pleasure.”

  Inez wanted the same thing and toed off her short boots. “Shouldn’t we talk first?”

  There was so much they needed to discuss.

  “Fuck now, talk later,” he returned then hooked his thumbs in the waist of his black pants and slid them down his legs. He stepped out of the crumpled clothes and prowled toward Inez. She bumped the bottom of his bed and fell backward. Varyk followed her down not allowing a sliver of space between them.

  The torment in his gaze pierced the haze of desire. “Are you alright, Varyk?”

  “I shouldn’t have left. I was a fool to run.”

  Neither of them had been prepared for that night to turn in such a way. “I think we both were caught off guard.”

  Varyk trailed a finger down her cheek, tapped her bottom lip until her mouth parted. He slid the single digit inside and Inez sucked hard. His eyes glittered, darkening like melted pools of gold. “If it happens again I won’t be caught off guard.”

  It was a promise. One that had a visceral effect on Inez. She released his finger and kissed the tip. She didn’t pretend not to understand what they were discussing. Liras. They were meant to be mates.

  ***

  Having Inez here was exactly what Varyk needed. Every time his mind latched on to the loss of Uvem grief drove Varyk to rage. His temper ranged from short and abrupt to cutting and without warning. Time and again he’d been force to shift and fly far and hard. The energy of flight left him drained and with a modicum of calm. Here with Inez, he sensed his first taste of control in a long while.

  Delicate fingers brushed along his jaw and tapped his chin. He glanced down into Inez’s patient visage. Her gaze contained nothing but understanding and a weight slid from his shoulders.

  “With me?”

  There was no one he wanted to be with more. “Yes.”

  “Good.” Leaning up, she put her mouth to his and kissed him in the manner of long time lovers. Deep, wet and full of tongue.

  Varyk groaned and drove his hands into the tangles of black hair spread about his pillow. Her knees clasped his outer thighs and his cock stroked the damp heat of her mound. Varyk made another sound low in his throat and she hefted her hips higher, locking her ankles at the base of his spine. The tips of her toes grazed his mantle.

  The sensitive scales tingled from the light touch and sent blood surging to his cock. If possible, he grew longer and harder. His inner Dracol stirred. Power lashed within, straining at the edges of his conscious. Adjusting his lower half, Varyk leaned up and used one hand to grip his aching length. The tip leaked and he rubbed the moisture over his shaft with his thumb.

  Sweet mixed with musk as their scents combined and filled the chamber. It became the tipping point, saturating his senses. Varyk balanced on one hand and teased Inez’s entrance with short pumps, allowing the head and fringe to be squeezed then pulling out. He did this several more times until sweat broke out on his forehead and Inez’s whimpers and pleas became constant.

  “I never expected to find my lira from another sect.” Varyk paused, stilling over her glistening body. He needed to say this. “I never expected to have a lira.”

  He swallowed and wondered how to make her understand the thin thread of terror which hovered in the back of his mind. The fear and expectation of losing someone he loved again.

  Inez proved she saw beyond the surface. She smiled and turned her head slightly to nip the skin of his forearm. “Do you have a lira?”

  Surprise pulled a huff of laughter from him. Varyk nuzzled the side of her face, enjoying the way she clawed at his chest in retaliation for laughing. He licked the shell of her ear and whispered, “I’m not asking, I’m telling. You will be my lira, Inez.”

  “Look at me. If you’re going to demand something, King Varyk, then face me.”

  King Varyk. It was the first time she’d called him by his title since the pit. Hearing it pulled another snarl loose from his chest and he thrust forward, sheathing his cock from tip to base in her clenching channel. He propped himself up, hands by her head and stared down into her flushed face.

  “I accept,” she said simply.

  No more words were spoken as Varyk immersed himself in the sensations. Inez stayed with him every kiss, stroke and thrust. Feminine gasps of passion intertwined with masculine groans of pleasure. He kept his eyes open, wanting to catch each nuance of ecstasy on Inez’s face. The moment she teetered on the cliff of release, he knew. Just as he knew when she gave in completely and rode the wave.

  Varyk increased his thrusts, enhancing her climax. Color pinkened her cheeks, her breath stuttering on every exhale until at last she collapsed on the bed and shuddered. Her lids flickered. Gold eyes dazed and overloaded met his own.

  “My turn,” he growled and proceeded to drive her back up, sliding his cock deep and hard.

  This time they both came together in an explosion of groans and moans. Not wanting to place all his weight
on her, Varyk attempted to roll to the side. Inez attached herself like a coil and muttered, “No.”

  Harsh pants broke free at the clear sign she didn’t want him to move. “Only going next to you.”

  She eased her hold and Varyk nestled her back to his chest and slid one thigh between her legs, an arm hooked about her waist. As he drifted off to sleep, he knew he’d have to thank his sister later. Only she would have been so bold to take such a step.

  And Varyk would thank her forever.

  Chapter 24

  “What do you think Uvem meant?” Inez sat cross legged on Varyk’s bed. He’d scouted out a tray of food for them from the kitchen. Instead of eating, he stretched out beside her, the tray between them as Inez satisfied her hunger.

  Sex with Varyk burned off a lot of her energy. The more she ate the more she wanted. Popping a chunk of bread and cheese in her mouth, she dodged his attempt to touch her bare breasts as he’d refused to let her dress.

  “Varyk!”

  He rolled his gaze skyward and flipped to his back. “I’m unsure. I’ll have to share what he said with the other Kings, but I’d hoped to understand or decipher its meaning. Of course, my Dracol also struggled with his death and I wasn’t fit for diplomatic conversation.”

  Inez almost choked on a piece of fruit. Diplomacy wasn’t exactly what came to mind when she thought of Varyk.

  He caught her humor and his lips twitched. “I’ve been known to be the voice of wisdom occasionally.”

  At the bold lie, Inez fell sprawled back on the bed and let her laughter take her, giving full vent to her mirth until Varyk shoved the tray to the side. It crashed to the floor, causing Inez to sit straight up.

  “You doubt me?” Varyk trapped her with his upper body over her chest and one leg slung over her hips.

  “Mmm.” The moan slipped free and she bit her lip as she tipped her head back. If she wasn’t sore, Inez would be up for the challenge of another robust session. Varyk rubbed his body against hers, his thick cock teasing her inner leg and Inez winced in anticipation of the tenderness to come.

  Varyk frowned and pulled back. “Inez?”

  She rolled to her side, facing him and ran a hand down his broad shoulder to squeeze the upper portion of his arm. “I’m fine.”

  He stared into her eyes as if he could read the truth of her words there. A kiss landed on her nose right before the world spun and Inez found herself flipped, Varyk on the bottom and his hands firmly planted on her ass as she settled on top of him.

  “I don’t think so.”

  Instead of lying, Inez slumped forward and enjoyed being cuddled by the King of the Green.

  “Do you think Rylin will believe me?” Varyk asked, toying with the ends of her hair.

  To everyone save Varyk and Milana, Uvem died when the mantle passed to Varyk. Questions would arise if it became known the former king had lived.

  Inez thought of her cousin’s reaction. “Rylin will believe you and he won’t tell anyone unless the other Kings need to know. You can trust him, Varyk.”

  He humphed and pulled on her hair, probably picking up on her chiding tone at the end. “Funny.”

  Which was said with much disgust. In return, Inez sank her teeth into the thick muscle of his right chest. His twitch made her smile as she kissed the slight impressions from her bite.

  “I trust you though and will communicate Uvem’s last message,” Varyk continued, his hand now soft and stroking in her hair.

  Inez lifted her head to ensure he understood the feelings behind what she said. “Thank you for that, Varyk.”

  He arched a brow and leaned up, neck taut to kiss her chin. “Not King Varyk?”

  “Absolutely not.” Inez couldn’t maintain her stern visage and laughed at his feigned disappointment.

  ***

  Laughing in bed with a lover was a novel experience for Varyk. Laughing in general was so far from his norm he had to wonder what magic she wielded. Inez lay her head back on his chest and fondled his forearm with the tips of her fingers as she stretched and slipped between the v of his legs. Varyk widened his thighs and cradled her close, one hand buried in her hair and the other palming her round ass cheek.

  He couldn’t touch her enough. It soothed him and the grief his Dracol struggled with finally abated to a more manageable level. The pain in his heart lingered, but it was not at the forefront of his mind. For the first time since losing his mentor he felt calm and in control. Because of Inez.

  “I want to hold the mating ceremony right away. Will you renounce the Black and become Green?”

  Tradition dictated that matings involving two sects required they unite under one. Typically, it was the female who joined the male, but Varyk didn’t want to assume anything with Inez.

  “Yes.”

  He stiffened and tipped his head down, trying to see her face. Black waves blocked his view and Varyk brushed her hair back. His heart thundered. “Inez?”

  She continued to play with his arm. “Not because you’d try and make it a demand, but I want you as my lira too, you know.”

  Inez pushed up and despite his wishes, Varyk let her sidle next to him as she folded her legs and sat by his hip. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say it—I love you. I can’t pinpoint when,” she glared, “or why, but I definitely am in love with your arrogant self.”

  Air trapped in his throat, fear blasting through his mind and Varyk forced himself to sit up. Carefully. He placed a hand on Inez’s thigh, absently taking note of the love marks he’d left behind. “I have never told another female this. You have my heart, Inez.”

  True pleasure burst across her face, eyes brightened and her smile widened. “Say it.”

  Varyk reached forward and pulled Inez onto his lap. “I don’t need to.”

  A blunt finger jabbed him in the side, causing Varyk to laugh as he caught her hand. Drawing it to his mouth, Varyk nipped the tips, then soothed with a lick from his tongue. “I love you, Inez. I didn’t expect it, didn’t plan for it, but I’m grateful to have it.”

  She softened in his embrace and swiveled to face him, her legs curving around his waist as she draped her arms over his shoulders. “That was a pretty speech. That means you have to treat Rylin as family now.”

  Varyk kissed her pouting lips. “Not likely.”

  Inez smacked his shoulder but didn’t break from the kiss. Varyk rolled them over, grip steady as he devoured her lips. He slid a hand to her thigh and kept it high on his hip as he nestled between her legs and notched his cock against her wet center. When he broke from the kiss, Varyk murmured, “I love you.”

  She grinned. “And you’ll work with Rylin and the other Kings on what Uvem wanted you to know about the madness?”

  His lips parted but Inez got louder. “It’s important to me they see how magnificent you are.”

  Varyk closed his mouth. How could he combat her generous spirit? “I do owe you an unclaimed favor. Fine, I’ll work with them. The spread of the madness must be stopped.”

  Her gaze grew serious. “Good.”

  And it was. Life was very good now that he had Inez in it.

  Author’s Note

  Thank you, thank you to all the readers who wrote email after email sharing your joy of Rylin’s Fire and asking for the next book. I always planned to do all four Kings but it was nice to know that YOU the readers wanted the stories as well. It didn’t hurt that my bestie wanted to do another dragon book as well. LOL. Next up in the Dracol novels will be Faris and Kon will close out the series. Swipe, turn or scroll to get a glimpse of his story.

  Happy Reading,

  Michelle

  Coming Soon

  Frost Fire

  A Novel of the Dracol Book 3

  Excerpt

  Continuous spasms in his hand caused Faris to drop the pen and ink he’d been using to send a missive to Rylin of the Black. He staggered to his feet as a familiar refrain began. Low whispers. Pleas to commit violence.

  Kill. Maim. Destro
y.

  Not his thoughts.

  “Not my thoughts,” Faris said aloud to ground him.

  He listed heavily to the side, dragging his hand on the wall as he made his way through his suites to his bedroom. Voices hammered inside his head every step of the way. Brutal visions of women and men savaged by teeth and claws played in a seamless sequence. Abhorrent acts in vivid detail ran in a non-stop loop through his mind.

  The mantle trembled under this new onslaught and Faris worked hard to still the evil urges. He understood at his core that these were not his thoughts or wishes. The madness only wanted him to believe that. All consuming, it wanted to drown Faris with the unnatural desires until he gave in or broke.

  It happened to the Black sending one of their own on a murderous rampage. Recently the Green had one of their own attack an unborn child. It didn’t take much to realize the disease was spreading through the sects.

  And spreading within him.

  The last meeting of the four Kings had been eye opening. Faris confessed what he’d been battling for the last several months. Madness. It had a firm hold on his mind and what had once been sporadic became daily. Not even Simeon, his advisor, knew the truth.

  Only his fellow Kings. And Faris had only touched on the surface of what he tackled each rise of morning and fall of night. Containing it was becoming an endless fight. One he no longer was sure to win.

  Agony exploded from his temple and worked its way down his spine. Faris bit his tongue to hold in the scream of pain and fell onto his bed. Muscles locked in place as he lay there bombarded by false images of death, cries and pleas for mercy.

  The mantle struggled to provide balance, to aid Faris in a swell of power. Instead he became bloated with power, the brilliance setting him on fire from the inside.

  The madness gorged on the surfeit of energy. In his efforts to resist, Faris unwittingly fed the hungry beast. What started as a tiny nugget grew into a dark vortex of negative space housed within his core.