by Ciara Lake
* * * *
“Wake up, dear.” Krilata watched the young woman sleep. “I have some refreshments. I’ll show you the bathroom so you can refresh yourself. Clayne…well, Clayne’s busy at the moment.” Krilata coaxed Arianna to get up. “Arianna, I know you’re awake. Please get up, my dear.” She stopped next to the side of the bed near Arianna’s feet. “I’ve something for you to eat and drink. I’ve turned the fans on. It’ll get cooler soon. You two have created an oven in here.”
Groggy, Arianna rolled to her other side.
Krilata bent closer to her. “Arianna, please get up. I’ve also brought you something to change into until you return to Italy for your things.” Krilata laid the tray of food on the dresser. She draped a silky pink gown across the sofa. “Clayne shouldn’t have left you for so long. I’m sure you’re thirsty. Whatever you said has made your husband extremely irritable. I haven’t seen him so irritated since he was a boy. Smoke’s coming out of his nostrils. You’ve definitely infuriated him.” Krilata walked around the room. “It takes a female a male cares for to illicit this type of response. I suppose, in a twisted way, this is a good sign.”
“Who are you? He’s a horrible monster. What’s a bathroom?” Arianna quickly sat up in the bed.
“I see you’re in a rage too. Hmm.” Krilata tapped her foot. “A lovers’ quarrel so soon?”
“We aren’t lovers.” Arianna glared. “Who are you?”
“I thought for sure you’d consummated your mating.” Krilata raised an eyebrow, her gaze darting from the dark stain on the sheets to the irate woman tangled in them. “We dragons can get emotional at times, but usually not Clayne. He’s seriously smitten with you to be so irritated.” Krilata began to gather the spilled items off the bed. “Otherwise, he’d be completely detached and quickly would’ve moved on. With the bevy of willing dragonesses ready to aid him in releasing the pent-up frustration…” Krilata stopped, hiding a smile at the dark look that flashed across Arianna’s face. “I’ll have the staff come and clean this mess up.”
“Who are you?” Arianna snapped.
“I’m Princess Krilata Aerouant MacDagon, Clayne’s mother.”
“You can’t be his mother.” Arianna shook her head. Chestnut hair flew about her head into her eyes. “You’re no older than me.”
“Oh my dear, I’m old enough to be his mother.” Krilata grinned. “I’m much older than you.”
“You’re a princess? Of what?” Arianna stood up, covering herself with the sheet.
“Of Ejdeha Dragoni, this realm, and of all dragonkind,” Krilata answered smoothly, unaffected by Arianna’s attitude. “Here’s something for you to change into. It should be comfortable and cool.” She handed Arianna a gown. “Follow me, I’ll take you to where you can refresh yourself.”
Arianna didn’t move.
Krilata stopped to look over her shoulder. “Don’t be stubborn, dear. Come now, let me show you.”
* * * *
Reluctantly, Arianna followed the woman into a bright room lit by odd glass enclosed candles. Again, there was no flame. The room was cooler. It had shiny white tiles from floor to ceiling. Two glass bowls were in a dresser with strange silver knobs over each. A large mirror hung on the wall.
“It’s bright in here.” Arianna looked around in amazement. “What type of candles are these?”
“This is a bathroom. Those are light bulbs,” Krilata explained. “These are samples of the joys of the modern world you’ve yet to visit. You can relieve yourself here.” She pointed to an oval shaped chair. “Lift this.” She demonstrated. “And push this when you’re done.” She showed her a silver lever. “The water will send everything away. This is one of the modern conveniences we have adopted here in Ejdeha Dragoni. There are others as well. Don’t be fearful, be curious.” Krilata turned and walked to the other side of the room. “Over here’s a shower. It’s very refreshing, you can use it as often as you like. I can tell you value cleanliness. Your hair’s fresh and beautiful as it should be. So many of the humans where you’re from don’t keep clean. We value cleanliness here as do humans from future eras on Earth.” She reached in and turned the silver knob. Water flew out of the spigot hanging from the tile.
“Oh, dear Lord.” Arianna jumped back, her eyes wide. “This is magical too.”
“No, it isn’t magical, it’s modern. Here are soaps, this one’s for your hair.” Krilata handed her a bottle with a gooey substance inside. “It smells very nice. When you’re done, come back to the bedroom to eat. I’ll be waiting for you, unless Clayne decides to return.”
“The soap does smell nice.” Arianna put the bottle to her nose, inhaling deeply. It smelled of lilacs.
* * * *
“How did you enjoy your shower? You look much cooler and refreshed. The gown fits you well, you look lovely.” Krilata flitted over to where Arianna stood holding her damp towel in front of her. “Here.” Krilata took the towel from her hands and laid it on a nearby table. “Aren’t you going to speak to me now?” Krilata asked. “You’re so quiet. I’m a talker. Much more than Clayne, he’s a quiet boy, always has been. Moody too as are most male dragons. But they’re kind as well as protective of those they love.” Krilata’s smile was warm.
“He didn’t come back?” Arianna looked around the room, a flare of fear and pain lashing her heart.
“You want him to?” Krilata raised her brow, looking Arianna in the eyes. “I thought you were angry with him.” Krilata’s eyes were the same vibrant blue as Clayne’s.
“Well, is he just going to leave me here?” Arianna made an exasperated movement with her hands.
“No, dear. If you wish him to return, just ask him nicely, he’ll come for you. You’re a beautiful mate. There’s much you two can be enjoying together.” Krilata smiled. “I’m not too old to realize that. As I said, it appears my son’s most smitten with you. His temper alone tells me you’ve gotten under his skin. His skin’s tough, making it a difficult task.”
“Under his scaly dragon skin, you mean?” Arianna mumbled to herself, a tad of distaste in her tone.
“Yes, when he’s in his dragon form. You can’t see or feel it when he’s in his human skin, as you should know. I’m sure he rubbed against you.” Krilata winked at her.
“I’m sorry.” Arianna looked down at the floor. “It’s just, all of this is a lot to take in. I’ve married a dragon. I’ve had relations with a dragon. They aren’t supposed to exist.”
“Yes, we do exist, and Clayne’s a magnificent dragon and male.” Krilata’s eyes twinkled. “And when you lie with him, he’s as a human male in every way, but better. Enjoy the benefits of whom and what he is. You’ll find him interesting and enjoyable. Make up. Take pleasure in your beginnings. My son’s a good male, a good dragon. He has honor, give him a chance. We aren’t evil. We’re different. You’re different. You have the blood of dragons in your veins and the blood of the Forsaken.”
Arianna shook her head. “It’s not true.”
“All things will be revealed to you in time. It was hard for Clayne to accept a mate who’s a Forsaken. But when he met you, he couldn’t resist. He didn’t want to, it seems. Some fight the mating. It’s hard, but it can be done. He saw you for you, not what you have within you. Look at him, the man first, and then see a dragon. Give him the same as he has given you—a chance.”
“I would like to talk to Clayne.”
“You know how to call him. Call him with your inner voice. It’s your special way to communicate. It’s used often between mates. I’ve done what I came to do, I’ll see you soon.” Krilata disappeared.
Arianna felt like screaming with frustration. “Clayne MacDagon, come here. I want to talk to you. You can’t just leave me here alone.”
Chapter 5
“Clayne! Welcome home.” Brighten, his cousin, clapped him on the back. “I hear you took the Forsaken as mate. I guess you couldn’t resist the call to mate?”
“Brighten, I’m not in the mood,”
Clayne replied, his tone full of attitude.
“The sex that bad?” Brighten shook his head. “Is the Forsaken vampire vixen hideous? Has the mating magic worn off already?”
“Shut the fuck up.” Clayne was ready to fight. He felt like spitting fire or torching something to a black cinder. “Don’t push your luck, Brighten, I feel like frying the next person who angers me. It might be you.” Clayne eyed him daringly.
Brighten quieted then took off into the sky, escaping Clayne’s moodiness.
Arianna’s attitude toward him after he’d shown her his wings pissed him off like nothing else could. His wings were glorious. How dare she insult his masculinity and call him a snake, ugly to boot. He’d ignored her serpent insult at first. It wasn’t the only time he’d been called a belly crawling snake.
“What snake has wings like mine?” He stepped out onto the open patio on the top of the castle. He could see for miles. Green pastures and trees surrounded the mighty fortress. Inhaling, he tried to cool his inner furnace. The fresh air was refreshing to his lungs. It cooled his temper.
When she’d called to him, he’d ignored her, even though it’d been hard to do so. Everything about her affected him. When she said his name, a sizzling sensation scurried up his spine. Clayne braced himself as desire rippled through him at the thought of what they’d experienced together. He adored her innocence and her strength of character. Not even soaring high above the trees matched the joy he had when he was with her. It amazed him how quickly he’d become bonded with her. Maybe next time we fuck it won’t be as pleasurable. He shook his head. Who am I kidding?
Clayne studied the horizon. The sky was stunningly colorful. Ambers, oranges, and shades of blue and violet created a beautiful backdrop to the greens of the trees. The magic woven into everything in Ejdeha Dragoni emphasized the incredible beauty. Closing his eyes, he imagined himself floating in the clouds.
Perhaps it was a mistake to bring her here so soon. He’d take her to his townhouse to give her more time to adjust to him and everything new to her.
She’d called him a warlock, expressing fear of magic. Magic was definitely a double-edged sword. In the hands of a villain, it could be deadly. This realm was an example of good magic. But to someone from a narrow-minded human world, magic of any kind would seem evil. Actually, Arianna had responded very well.
“Damn, if she doesn’t apologize or act nicer, I’m going to let her sit and wait for me.” His temper roared to life again. He wished he didn’t want her so much, then it would be easier to ignore her. “I was fine without a mate.”
After removing his clothes, he stood on the edge of the castle’s great wall. Powerful wings sprouted from his back as he shifted into his dragon form. His wings spread to their full size, at least forty feet across. Standing forty-two feet tall, he towered over most things. He was bigger than most dragons, destined to be a warrior of royal class. His massive jaws were lined with razor sharp teeth. He rocked his huge head back and forth as if shaking the kinks out of his long spine.
He studied the pastures below. With ease, he stepped off the roof, soaring into the wind. The sensation of the fresh air passing over his scales and leathery wings exhilarated him. Oh, he’d been away too long, how he’d missed the freedom of flying. The wind picked up, supporting him as he soared higher.
“Clayne, please don’t leave me here. Come back!” Arianna called to him.
He tilted his wings to glide in another direction, returning to the castle. Still he resisted answering her call. But her tone was better, more to his liking. As he reached the castle, his large taloned feet touched the cool, stone surface. Gracefully, he landed. Walking about on the roof, he shook his wings and his long, thick tail. The shaking motion eliminated much of his tension.
“If you saw me now, my mate, you would be surely hiding in fear. For good reason. I’m as fearsome as they come when I want to be. Then you’d have something to be upset about.” He shook his horned head as he spoke to her mind. “Are you sure you wish to see your dragon husband? I’m not in the best of moods.” For a moment, he thought of flashing her to stand below him to fully absorb his mightiness. The need to lord over her almost overtook his common sense. For sure it would teach her that he wasn’t a snake who crawled beneath her heel. Deciding not to send the hostile thought, he shifted back into his human form. Quickly, he clothed himself.
“Please get out of your bad mood. Take me back to Florence.”
“Take you back?” he yelled into her brain. “I won’t take you back, you’re mine!”
“I don’t mean to stay. I realize I’m your wife now.” She sounded sad, which pissed him off more. “We need to go to our celebration breakfast. We must make an appearance. Unless you plan to steal me away forever?”
Just as he was about to flash to her in a fit of anger, she sent him a soothing sensation. Arianna was learning quickly how to communicate in their unique way. His body reacted to the shared emotion she’d pushed his way. His cock stiffened, straining against his breeches.
“Yes, we do need to attend. I’m not stealing you away from your father. He gave you to me with his blessings.” He flashed to the foot of the bed.
Arianna was sitting on the settee. She looked bored.
“Where have you been?” she demanded.
Clayne walked over to stand in front of her. Placing his right hand on his hip, he coolly studied her. Amazingly, Arianna seemed unfazed by his intimidation or prowess.
She was a picture of loveliness in her gauzy pink gown. Very much at ease, which surprised him. Arianna’s spirit was strong. Honestly, she should be cowering in a corner after all she’d experienced. Most women from her realm would be.
“Are you ready?” he asked. “When we arrive, you’ll need to change into a dress you have there. Then we’ll go downstairs to greet the others.”
Arianna stood, and then looked into his face. A tall woman, the top of her head came to the top of his shoulder. The gown his mother had given her framed her shape perfectly. Her hair hung free down to her waist. She smelled sweet, of flowers mixed with her unique female scent. Bending closer, he breathed her in. His inner furnace began to climb in temperature again. There was no denying she was meant for him, his body would not let him forget it.
“Let’s go already. I’ve been wasting away here waiting for you to return. Have you lost your bad mood?”
Clayne looked away from her. He knew his eyes transformed, showing his bout with temper at her words. She could definitely irk him. She had the ability to irritate him as quickly as she stimulated him. Normally his emotions were neutral, almost cold. It was the way he managed his otherwise fiery disposition. At least he’d managed it since his sister’s murder. Since her death, his heated temper internalized, making him more cunning, much more dangerous to his enemies.
“If I’m in a bad mood, you’ll know,” he replied grumpily.
Gaining his control, he turned, looking down into her vibrant green eyes. When their eyes met, his temper banked within him. A fire of passion took over, and his body tensed with desire. Her eyes were beautiful, reminding him of her supernatural blood. They were indicators of the dragon blood within her veins. The vampire part lay more dormant within her human shell, but it was there. Truly, her genetics eased her reaction to him and his world. Nevertheless, Clayne felt anger at her reaction to him. He was a proud dragon, a royal and a warrior. Others thought him magnificent. She should as well.
“Take my hand.” He held his hand out. “We can leave now.”
Arianna took his hand. In a flash, they were standing in their wedding suite at Allegretti’s home.
“Dear Lord, our trip knocked the wind out of me.” Arianna bent over, breathing roughly. “Did you do it on purpose?” She glared at him. “I know you did.”
“Sorry.” He shrugged. “I would have held you closer to me, but I figured you’d rather I didn’t.” He raised his right eyebrow. “I threw your wedding dress on the floor by the dressing table.” He
pointed. “For appearances, it can’t have just disappeared.”
Arianna looked in the direction he’d pointed. “You think of everything. I guess being sneaky is your nature.” She looked through her collection of dresses to choose a gown to put on. Holding up a yellow dress, she said, “You’ll have to help me with this or I’ll have to call Alba to button me.”
“I’ll assist. Get dressed, I’m hungry. They do eat well in Signor Allegretti’s home.”
As Arianna struggled into the dress, Clayne walked over to the bed, pulling back the coverlet and exposing the sheets. He pulled out a dagger, slashing his wrist and holding it above the bed.
Arianna screamed out, running to his side. “Clayne, what have you done? Why would you cut yourself? I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” Arianna reached for his arm. Her panic surprised him. She was full of surprises.
He yanked his arm away from her grasp. “It’s fine. Don’t get blood on your gown. I’m taking care of the bed. I’ll heal quickly.”
“Taking care of the bed?” Arianna looked stunned as she watched the wide slash on his arm begin to heal. Within seconds, it had completely closed over as if it had never been cut.
“I was making bloodstains to show you were a virgin. To look as if I fucked you well.”
Arianna blushed deep pink.
“I figured you didn’t want to go with the marriage annulled thing because I’m a dragon with blue wings. Or did you?”
Again, she surprised him by rolling her eyes at him. “No, Clayne, I’m not going to spend the rest of my days locked up for being insane or worse. Who knows what they’d do if they thought I was a witch. I think you’ve made your point. Now button me.” Arianna turned her back to him and looked over her shoulder. Her long chestnut hair draped over her left shoulder.
His cock stiffened at her seductive pose.
“Please,” she sweetly added.
* * * *
Clayne’s breath was warm on her neck.
She nearly moaned. “Button me up, please,” she requested again.