“I don’t want to go back to the cell,” Shaye said. “Do you?”
“No.”
“We can’t go into the palace, though.” Valerian had asked her to stay down here, so stay down here she would. She wouldn’t play the dumb card and inadvertently distract him, placing him in unnecessary danger. Nor would she allow herself to fall in enemy hands, thereby giving the dragons the advantage.
Sighing, she led Brenna through the cave and into the cavern next door to the cell. “We can stay here.” The guards wouldn’t hear them, the drip drip of water too loud.
Wouldn’t Valerian get a nice surprise when he came to get her, and she wasn’t in the cell? The thought of thwarting him, however slightly, made her want to laugh.
If he survived.
Record scratch.
Time ticked by with agonizing slowness. She spent a good portion of it studying the cave walls in an effort to distract herself.
She traced her fingers over the image of a muscled male body. “The details are exquisite, aren’t they?” Something caught her eye, and she examined it more closely.
Realization smacked her, and she gasped. She motioned her friend over. “Brenna, come look at this. They tell a story.”
The first picture showed a group of...gods? They were sitting high above an empty world, looking down upon it. The second picture showed a world filled with terrible monsters born from rivers of blood, water and fire. In the third, those monsters were being thrown into an underwater prison. She saw a portal—the portal.
No. She saw two portals.
The pictures went on to show a human army marching through one of the portals and slaying every creature in its path.
Those humans carried swords and guns, an odd combination of past and present. Perhaps two different armies had marched through the land at two different times, but the images had coalesced into one?
Several of the monstrous races rose up in retaliation and destroyed the human army.
“The violence,” Brenna said.
“Yes.” What a brutal place Atlantis was—or rather, had been forced to be. Did she really want to stay here, even for a little while?
Valerian’s face swam into her mind, reminding her of exactly how beautiful he’d looked when he’d been poised over her, about to enter her. His honey-dark hair had fallen in disarray over his strong shoulders. His crystalline eyes had gleamed with molten desire.
Yes, she thought, she wanted to stay here. Despite the violence, despite the circumstances, she wanted to stay with Valerian.
The corner of her eye snagged on a particular grouping of rocks on the far wall.
“What’s that?” she asked, pointing.
Brenna’s brow crinkled.
In unison, they moved forward. The closer they came to the grouping, the chillier the air became.
A tremor racked her spine. Once they reached it, she realized it was a hidden doorway.
She gulped and looked to Brenna. “Should we?”
“No. Definitely not.”
“I think I’m too curious for my own good. I’m going to check it out.” Heart racing, Shaye pushed and prodded until the block had been moved out of the way, and suddenly she stood on the precipice of a dark abyss.
The shuffle of feet pricked at her ears.
Who did Valerian have locked inside?
The first day she’d entered this cave, she recalled how he’d discussed “prisoners” with one of his men.
Curiosity propelled her deeper inside, and she slowly inched around the corner. Torches came to life, lighting her way. Her eyes widened. Several hulking warriors paced inside a cell. They didn’t look to be nymphs, for they lacked that air of raw sexuality. They were dark and strong, obviously young, and all had golden, glowing eyes.
One of them spotted her and growled.
She jerked backward with a gasp.
“You,” he said. “Let us out of here. Please.”
Soft hands suddenly shackled her wrist. “We don’t know what these men have done,” Brenna said. She’d followed Shaye inside.
They exited the room without another word.
* * *
HAD SHE MADE THE right decision?
Brenna had opted not to escape in order to stay with not one but two different men. Men who were possessive and from what she’d seen, disinclined to share. Ever.
She’d never dated two men at once.
Is that what I’m planning to do? Date Shivawn and Joachim at the same time?
Ethan had cause brain damage. Clearly.
Shaye returned to their little room, and her cheeks were pale.
Brenna had spent more time with Shivawn but had never dared to let him kiss her. She’d barely spoken to Joachim, had run away every time he’d tried to start a conversation, but the desire to spend more time with him was undeniable—but only if Shivawn stayed with her. He would protect her. Just in case.
Just in case what?
If she was worried Joachim had a temper, she shouldn’t be with him at all.
“I should pick one,” she said.
Shaye patted her hand, offering comfort without judgment, something Brenna liked about her. The former maid of honor was her cousin by marriage, and at the wedding, Brenna wouldn’t have guessed they would ever be friends. Shaye had scowled the entire ceremony. Her misery plus Brenna’s misery, well, two wrongs would never make a right. But the past was the past—a lifetime ago it now seemed.
“I know nothing about love,” Shaye said. “Are you in love?”
“I don’t know.”
Her shoulders dropped. “I was hoping you could give me advice.”
Brenna snorted. Then, sobering, she said, “I was in an abusive relationship.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I was too afraid to leave. He’s in prison now for attempted murder.” And rape, and a handful of other charges. “I don’t want to make the same mistake.”
“Well. From what I know of Valerian, he would kill his men for harming a woman.”
“If he found out. Some bruises can be hidden. But... I don’t think either man would hurt me. But then, I didn’t think Ethan would hurt me, either.”
“You remind me of me! I want to trust Valerian, but fear keeps changing my mind.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Can you imagine yourself with one of the guys forever?”
“I don’t know if I can handle forever right now. Just one day at a time.”
“That’s fair. Oh! Just so you know, I’m writing a book, and I just made a decision to change the direction of my plot. You are my heroine.” Shaye rubbed her hands together. “I will require daily reports.”
Brenna arched a brow and tried not to smile. “What do I get in return?”
She fluffed her pale hair. “The admiration of your queen.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
VALERIAN PACED THE length of the parapet, the rhythmic pounding of his footsteps reverberating in his ears. Waiting for the dragon army proved maddening. He was a man of action. A man eager to finish with business and return to pleasure.
Finally, hundreds of soldiers crested the horizon. That the men had chosen to walk to the palace rather than flying in dragon form meant they were not overcome by rage and did not mean to attack—yet.
With his next step, one of his boots snagged on a fallen branch and he stumbled. He braced his hands on the wall to steady and drew in a shaky breath. The wait had drained more than his patience; the wait had drained his strength. He needed sex. He needed Shaye. Soon!
At this rate, he wouldn’t be able to win a battle against a bunny, much less a dragon.
“My king.” Broderick rushed to Valerian’s side. “Are you unwell?”
“I’ll be fine.” He’d gone a w
eek without sex, something he hadn’t done in...ever. Not since his first time. “I’m well enough to do what needs doing.”
He must. For Shaye.
The wound in his arm had increased the intensity of his weakness. Had he made love with Shaye earlier, he would have already healed.
But he couldn’t regret what had transpired between them. For one brief moment of time, she’d softened for him, not only welcoming his kiss and his touch but moaning for more.
“After we deal with the dragons,” Broderick said, “we must deal with a stranger who now walks among us. He claims he’s a nymph, and he must be, since he’s sleeping with all our women. They talk of no one and nothing else. But I’ve never met him.”
A new nymph? Impossible. Valerian knew every one of his people. But Broderick was right. Now wasn’t the time.
“If the dragons come within a hundred yards of the palace,” he said, “fire a warning shot. If they take a single step after that, fire again and do not stop.”
Broderick nodded. “Archers,” he called. “Prepare.”
The men knelt and pulled their bows tight. Waiting. Waiting. Time ticked by slowly.
Joachim limped onto the parapet, his features contorted by pain. He managed to stay upright as he approached Valerian.
“What are you doing?” Valerian demanded.
“Fighting,” his cousin said. “There’s to be a war, is there not?”
“You have yet to recover.”
“That’s no reason to remain in bed.”
He searched the male’s face and found determination under the pain—he also found a need to make things right and nodded in approval. “Very well. Take your place in the lines below.”
Joachim pivoted without protest, ready to do as commanded. Then he paused. Looking over his shoulder, he said, “I won’t apologize for challenging you, but I will respect your skill and your leadership from this moment onward. Majesty.”
Respect? From Joachim? And even affection?
Reeling, Valerian said, “Thank you,” and clapped his cousin lightly on the shoulder.
Joachim turned and pulled him close for a—very manly—embrace. They broke apart a second later and pretended the hug had never happened.
His chest tight, Valerian assumed a battle stance at the wall. He stared down at the field of wildflowers leading to the front entrance of the palace.
Closer and closer the dragons came... Silver armor glinted in the day’s light. Trees rattled behind them, the ground visibly shaken. Colorful petals whisked through the air.
Finally the dragon forces stopped and parted; Darius rode his stallion through the center. He held a sword, the long, menacing blade stained crimson from his many kills.
Over the centuries, Darius had become known as a lethal killer. An unfeeling warrior with no conscience.
A worthy adversary, to be sure.
Valerian’s hand curled around the hilt of the Skull.
“Hold,” he told his men. To the dragons, he called, “Welcome to my home, fire-breathers. You will understand if I do not invite you inside.”
Darius scowled up at him. “You know very well the palace is mine.”
He tsk-tsked under his tongue. “If you wanted to keep it, you should have sent a stronger battalion to guard it.”
“What did you do with the dragons who were inside?”
“Showed them mercy, allowing them to live, and locked them in my dungeon.”
Blue eyes narrowed to tiny slits. “I have your word of honor they are alive and well?”
“You have my word of honor that most are alive and well.” A battle had been fought, and a life or twelve lost.
Darius nodded, the action clipped. “My wife has asked that I not slaughter your entire race for daring to steal what’s mine. I’ll heed her wishes—for now—if you do two things I require of you.”
Curiosity got the better of him. “And what are those two things?”
“Release my men and leave the palace. Within the hour. If you refuse, we war.”
Valerian laughed with genuine amusement. “Not war. Anything but war.”
The nymphs laughed with him.
Smoke wafted from the dragon king’s nostrils. “You have no idea what the Guardian of the Portal is required to do with the surface dwellers.”
“You’re wrong. I know. The guardian is to slay all humans.”
“And yet you’ve allowed a human to sneak into Atlantis. He captured our Jewel of Dunamis.”
Yes. Valerian knew the jewel had gone missing.
His friend Layel, king of the vampires, was out searching. Valerian had sent a handful of his troops to scour the land, as well. If the human was out there and did have the jewel, the two would be found. The one who possessed the jewel, legend claimed, possessed the ultimate power.
“I choose war,” he announced.
“Do you know what happens when humans learn of Atlantis, Valerian? They tell others, and soon armies are marching through our land, destroying it—and us.”
“Not if you keep those humans.”
Darius pointed the sword in his direction. “How many other humans have you allowed to come through?”
“I wouldn’t call them humans. I would call them mine.”
The dragon king’s eyes glinted with fury. “You are a fool.”
A chorus of hissing rose from the crowd of nymphs.
Darius’s insult lacked any kind of sting. Being with Shaye was the smartest thing Valerian had ever done.
“One day in the future, when you look back and think about the life you led, you will realize this was the day you welcomed destruction,” the dragon king said. “I will reclaim the palace, and I will take charge of the humans you hold.”
Take charge...meaning slay?
He dares threaten my woman? “Try,” Valerian said, his jaw clenched, “and I will kill you myself. The portal and everyone who has come through it belong to me. They are mine,” he reiterated.
Smoke wafted from the entire dragon army.
Darius regarded him with a strange mix of curiosity and fury. “The rumors are true. You found your mate. A human from the surface.”
“Since the dawn of time, nymphs have traveled from one kingdom to the other, living with one race or another, sleeping in their beds, eating their food.” His voice rose with his ferocity. “We were good only for pleasure and war. Our women—all of our women—deserve a home of their own.”
“As to that—” Darius’s lips curled in an arrogant smile “—I have your women.”
Crackles of fury ignited inside him. “What did you say?”
“Your nymphs were on their way to the palace, and we captured them.”
“If you’ve hurt them...”
“No. They are safe.”
“I...thank you,” he allowed. What Valerian really wanted to do was beat the dragon king until his blood flowed, a river of pain. Those women were his responsibility.
“I know your men weaken without sex. The only reason I’ve allowed you to stay in my palace this week. Are you sure you want to challenge me this day?”
He flashed his teeth in a scowl. “Worry about yourselves. We are plenty strong. You’ll soon see.”
The dragon released another growl, no longer quite so smug. “Then I suggest a battle of sword skill—between you and me.”
Another challenge. One that would save his men from battle. Very well. “Agreed.”
“Shall we meet on the battlefield in the morning?”
“Why wait?” He didn’t like the thought of Shaye locked away any longer than necessary. He wanted this over and done as quickly as possible. “We can settle this here and now.”
“Agreed.” Darius grinned, his sharp teeth gleaming. Unlike the oth
ers, he wore no armor. “Winner takes the palace and everything inside.”
“Winner takes the palace, nothing more, nothing less.”
“But my king,” Broderick said, sidling up to him and speaking in a low, whispering tone. “You haven’t—”
“Worry not, my friend. I will prevail.” He always did.
Broderick remained unconvinced. “At least go to Shaye. Take your pleasure. She would hate for you to go down there while—”
“Silence.” He held up his hand. He wouldn’t have Shaye’s first time be nothing more than a quick tumble meant to strengthen him.
No, their first time would be slow and tender. She would be crazed with desire for him, and he would show her the most pleasurable place on her body...then introduce her to his.
“I’ll be down shortly, Darius,” he called.
The dragon king nodded.
Valerian turned to Broderick and the other men even now circling him.
“This could be a trap.” Joachim clutched his sword hilt. “Once you go down, they could close in on you and kill you. That’s what I would do.”
“Keep the archers in place,” Valerian instructed. “If a dragon warrior appears to step out of rank, pin him in place.”
Broderick nodded.
“There’s something I must do before I meet the dragon.” None of his men said a word as he strode away.
They knew what he meant to do—at least, they suspected. They were only partly right.
He exited the parapet and found an empty corner room. While he would not visit Shaye, neither would he fight the dragon king without first doing something.
He conjured his mate’s pale face in his mind, saw her lips part as desire glimmered in her velvety-brown eyes. As he imagined sinking inside her soft, sweet body, he slipped a hand inside his pants and stroked the thick, hard length.
He could almost feel her hot, wet tightness. Could almost hear her breathy moans and eager purrs. He increased his tempo because she was wild with need and craved a hard slamming.
When she shouted his name in climax, he roared with his own. And with the release, came a wave of strength. It wasn’t as intense as if he’d been with Shaye, but it was enough. For now.
Forbidden Craving Page 23