“I told you I can’t swim, remember?”
Soren pulled her to his side, gesturing toward the dark water circle within a circle. “You don’t have to swim. It’s a transport. It may look like water, but it isn’t. Oloris elders planned it that way. To disguise the portal’s true purpose.”
“You’re good at keeping an open mind, just try not to throw up. The pressure in the portal can be extreme. You don’t want that when your insides feel like they’re being crushed.”
“I think I’d rather take my chances in the deep end.” Hannah peered over the ring’s edge at the dark water. “Neither of you said this trip involved a death drop. I have vertigo. I don’t know about this.”
Aggie smirked. “Oops, my bad.”
“Not funny, old lady,” Hannah grimaced, her stomach flip-flopping.
“You’ll be fine, love,” Soren bit the inside of his cheek. “Green around the gills looks good on you.”
“I. Hate. You. Both.” Hannah swallowed against the anxious lump in her throat.
The lichen in the cave turned a soft shade of pinks, and the water inside the circle stilled so the portal was obvious at the center.
“I didn’t touch anything. I swear.” Hannah spared a glance for the walls.
Aggie laughed. “The portal is mood sensitive, Hannah. It sensed your discomfort and switched to a calming color. It’s trying to redirect your brain away from your fear.”
“It redirected it all right. Straight into creeped out.”
Aggie patted her arm. “You’ll be safe as kittens, but we really need to get a move on. Time is ticking, and the tide will roll in before we know it.” The old woman lifted one foot over the rock ring to step into the aquamarine water.
“Aggie, no!” Hannah lunged to grab her arm, stunned her friend’s foot stood on the water’s surface like something biblical.
She let her arm drop from Aggie’s jacket. “Wait. It’s solid?”
“We told you it was a portal.” Soren positioned himself to help Hannah over the rock ring next. “Beauty before age.”
“Don’t let go.” She took a tentative step. “I mean it, Soren.”
He laughed. “I’ve got you. Don’t worry.”
“It’ll go smooth as silk.” Soren nodded, slipping an arm around Hannah’s wobbly shoulders.
She swallowed hard. “Easy for you to say. I should puke on your new shoes just for jinxing us.”
Aggie laughed out loud. “Oh, honey. Theda is going to absolutely love you!”
“Who’s Theda?” Soren asked.
“Draic Gorgóna’s new queen.” Aggie looked at Soren. “She’s a spitfire just like this one.” She jerked her head to Hannah as she peered into the dark center abyss. “I predict they’ll get on like a house on fire.”
“Ugh. Kill me now.” Hannah moaned. “Is it just me, or does this look like the entrance to a Leviathan’s lair?”
Aggie pointed to the top of her backpack. “Soren, be a dear. Get me the small vial at the top of my pack. It’s in a black velvet pouch.”
Soren did as she asked and pulled a strange looking glass bottle from Aggie’s backpack. He handed it to Aggie. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Tzintzer Kykeon, plus a secret ingredient of my own for potency. Aggie cracked open the top and held the slightly smoking ampule out to Hannah. “Drink this. All of it and very quickly.”
Hannah brought the vile to her nose and sniffed. “Ew, no. This smells like antifreeze.”
“It’s not. Drink it. It’ll help.”
“What is it?”
Aggie shook her head. “Nothing you’d know. The herbs are not from here. Underwater rip currents are hard to navigate, and we have to get going. With your vertigo, it might be a tough go, so this will stop you from getting sick.”
Hannah moved to hand it back. “I’m not drinking this without knowing what it is.”
Aggie pressed her lips together but didn’t take the vile from Hannah’s hand. “Soren?” she tried.
“Hannah, I can smell the mixture from here. It’s an ancient mix of wine and medicinal herbs from Oloris. It won’t hurt you. I swear. It might make you a little woozy, but you won’t feel sick.”
Aggie looked at her watch. “Please, Hannah. It’s now or we have to wait for the next high tide.”
Hannah glanced at Soren. He nodded, giving her a wink. “It’s fine. I promise.”
She spared a glance for them both and tipped the vile liquid to her lips, swallowing the foul drink with a cough. Hannah hiccupped, and Aggie gave her a quick smile.
“Okay, then. Remember I just did this, and I’m older than the two of you put together.” She motioned for them to step forward. “Take a hand.” The aquamarine water glistened, and the dark navy center took on a translucent hue. “Almost time. We need to jump together.”
She nodded to Hannah. “Remember, it’s a portal. It’s safe and fast, allowing travel to the depths. There is nothing to fear.”
Hannah giggled. “I’m not afraid, you nosy old woman! If you wanted fear, you should have seen my face the first time I saw this big hunk of hot burning love. His cock is huge!” she whispered, slurring her words. “Have you noticed? He’s gorgeous, and you know what? He’s all mine.”
“Hannah—” Soren raised a stunned eyebrow. “Are you okay?”
She waved him off, putting a finger to her lips. “Ssh, I’m not telling anyone, but I’m head over heels for this guy. He’s mine and I’m not giving him up to that witch or whatever she is with the tattooed face.”
“She’s shitfaced,” Aggie laughed. “One swig and she’s blottoed.”
Soren exhaled. “Thanks. She’s going to so understand when she wakes with the hangover of the century.”
“Hold her tight, Soren. It’s time. We don’t need her spinning off or she will take her chances in the deep end.”
Soren turned Hannah gently to face him. “Love, I think it’s best I carry you.”
“Whoo hoo! Bonus!” Hannah giggled again, and without warning, she jumped, and Soren had to scramble to catch her before she fell through the portal.
The shimmering navy had stilled to a translucent glass-like surface. Hannah leaned over in Soren’s arms and peered through the luminous membrane to the other side.
“I remember those trees. I saw them when I saw the bitch.” She hiccupped. “Ooh, a castle, too! Have I told you how much I love everything medieval?” She snorted. “Especially dragons. They’re my favorite, and now I have one.”
“You certainly do, love.” Soren held her to his chest, waiting for Aggie’s nod.
The old woman stepped to the edge. “It’s time.” She smiled at the handsome shifter. “You’re finally going home, boy.”
He inclined his head. “Thank you, Dracosarra.”
They jumped together, the portal sucking them through with a fierce vacuum tug.
A cold blast of air hit them, and Hannah shivered in Soren’s arms. She lifted her face with a laugh, throwing her arms up rollercoaster-style. “Eat your heart out, Six Flags!”
They swirled, winging and ringing the underwater vortex, the pressure building as they ventured farther into the depths.
Hannah coughed, and all levity left as her eyes widened, her fingers gripping her throat.
“It’s okay, love. Just relax and breathe normally.” Soren cuddled her closer, whispering in her ear.
“I’m going to be sick,” Hannah grimaced, burying her face in Soren’s neck against the thick, crushing feel.
“Hannah, focus. Breathe. In and out. Short breaths. It’s the pressure playing tricks on your brain. Hold on. We’re almost there,” Aggie replied.
The underwater vortex grew denser, and the feeling of being pulled slowed. The air lightened and Hannah gulped in a breath, slumping against Soren’s chest.
The dark navy center of the ring reappeared on the floor. It was no longer translucent. Hannah watched as its radiance slowly receded until it vanished completely.
A
ggie smiled, and much to Hannah’s surprise, the old woman curtsied. “Welcome home, Prince Soren of the Draakki.”
Hannah turned, her face inches from his. “You’re a prince?”
Sheep-faced, he nodded. “Yup…or I was.” His answer was a grumbled exhale.
“When were you going to share that tidbit?”
He shrugged, letting her slide to her feet over his hard body. “I don’t know. Being from Earth, I didn’t think it would matter to you.”
She lifted a finger to his lips. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. You’re my prince, and this is my very own fairy tale.”
Hannah gave the grumpy dragon a peck on the cheek, the last of her tipsy making her chuckle. “My captive dragon prince. Sounds like a Harlequin novel.”
She looked up at them both. “Did I really say all those things earlier?”
He nodded again. “Yup.”
“God, whatever that was, don’t let me drink it again.” She cringed. “I’d rather have the vertigo.”
Chuckling, he slipped his arm around her shoulders. “It was medicinal for the most part, but the wine was something very special. If memory serves, it’s delicious, but different people react to it in odd ways. I’m guessing you need to be careful when imbibing.”
The portal went dark completely, leaving them standing on the sand. A rush of water echoed as they turned toward what looked to be a metallic door, Hannah and Soren both tentative at what waited on the opposite side.
Chapter Fourteen
“We really have to stop meeting like this,” a deep voice rumbled.
Hannah’s eyes turned. The man who spoke stood in the portal hub entrance. He was as big as Soren, but where Soren was dark, he was light.
“Draic!” Aggie walked through the sand to give the big man a hug.
“Hello, Dracosarra,” another voice murmured.
“Rylan! How did you get here on such short notice?” she asked, stunned to see the Draakki Alpha.
He gestured with his head. “The mermaid sent a trident speeder for me. How could I miss meeting my legendary cousin in the flesh?”
Soren moved to stand beside Aggie, and Rylan’s teasing grin sobered.
Hannah’s mouth dropped. The two were so much alike they could be twins.
Tension hung in the air as the two dragons assessed one another. Each aware of the other and where this new wrinkle fit in the line of succession.
Rylan was the Alpha of the Draakki, but eight hundred years ago, Soren was heir apparent to the throne of Oloris. A lot had changed, yet in that moment time seemed to stand still.
“Welcome home, cousin.” The alpha held out his hand and Soren took it, grasping his cousin’s forearm in a gesture of fealty.
Both dragons smiled and their eyes changed color. Rylan’s to a deep gold and Soren’s to the same fiery red Hannah had seen in his eyes that first night.
“Great, another red dragon.” Rylan grinned, shaking his head. “I hope I don’t have to worry about you going rogue like I did with one of our other cousins. He tried to have me killed and take over Aelantedes.”
Soren’s lips parted, but Rylan clasped him on the shoulder. “I’m just teasing you, dude.”
“Dude?” Soren spared a look for Hannah and then looked back to his cousin.
“My mate is a selkie. She spent all her life on the surface in human form, so I picked up the lingo. Still, she’s too cute for me to complain.” His eyes drifted to Hannah. “And who’s this?”
“Hannah Foster,” she said, holding out her hand.
Rylan moved to shake her hand and stopped. His eyes turning to his cousin again. “You’re mated?” He turned to Aggie .“You didn’t tell me he was mated.”
Aggie straightened her shoulders. “Does it matter?”
Rylan shook his head. “No, but—”
“But what?” she pressed.
“What about Ligeia? She is not going to be happy about this, and to be honest, I’m not thrilled with the prospect of what she’ll do once she finds out. She’s not exactly easy when she doesn’t get her way.”
Soren snorted. “Dude, you’re preaching to the choir.”
Rylan burst out laughing. “Another Draakki bitten by the surface world love bug. Slang and all.” He clasped Riker’s shoulder again. “My mate is going to love this.”
He gestured with his head to Draic. “Theda, too, don’t you think? Pretty soon, our surface women will outnumber our men, and it’ll be entirely your fault for allowing such temptation.”
“My fault?” Draic balked.
Rylan grinned. “Got’cha, dude.”
Draic shoved at his shoulder. “Mocking your king is a treasonable offense. Dude.”
“Uhm, may I ask a silly question?” Hannah piped up, interrupting, and all eyes turned to her. “What do you mean, Soren and I are mated? I know I’m supposedly his true mate—” she lifted her wrist. “But—”
Rylan’s eyes widened and he looked from her to his cousin. “You didn’t tell her?”
“Tell me what?”
Soren’s jaw tightened. “I had other things on my mind.”
“Tell. Me. What?” Hannah’s voice raised an octave.
Soren drew a hand over his brow. “Remember when I told you my dragon marked you because you were my true mate?”
“And?”
“With dragons, it happens instinctively. The moment we first, well—you know.”
“Why do I get the feeling that’s not all?”
He ran a hand through his dark hair. “Remember the words I said when we stopped to rest on the goat path? The ones you asked me to translate later?”
“Again, and?”
“Those words were a claiming. I claimed you as my mate.”
“You claimed me? Like what? A winning lottery ticket?”
“I thought it was safer. I didn’t know what we were heading into, and I wanted to ensure your protection.”
Draic clapped his hands once. “Okay, then. Since I’m having PTSD flashbacks from fights with Theda when we first hooked up, I think perhaps you should go to your rooms where you can duke it out in private.”
Rylan eyed his cousin. “Better part of valor, buddy. Take it from me. Don’t keep things from your mate. They always find out.”
He gave Soren’s shoulder a squeeze. “I’ll be at the Aelantedes palace for two days before I head home to Drakkylon. I’d love for you to come with me.” He glanced at Hannah. “Both of you.”
Soren’s mouth pressed to a thin line as he watched the frown on Hannah’s face. “That was our original plan, but now I’m not so sure.”
Hannah shook her head, exhaling. “Stop being so melodramatic. Of course we’re going. I have a few choice words for that witchy siren bitch and her temper tantrums. Nothing has changed regarding that as far as I’m concerned.”
“But something has changed between us. I sense it,” Soren replied.
“No, what you sense is me being pissed off at you not giving me all the facts. Now I’d like to lie down if there’s time, but later you are going to explain what claiming me actually means. When my head is no longer spinning from that weird drink you gave me.”
Draic raised an eyebrow and Aggie mouthed, Ambrosia wine, and the king bit his lip not to laugh.
Soren caught the exchange and turned toward the king. “Thank you for your forbearance, Your Majesty,” he murmured, moving to drop to one knee.
Draic stopped him halfway through his bow. “No need for that, Soren, though I appreciate the gesture. You’re of the Royal House of Draakki, and as such will be held with the same respect as your cousin.” The king nodded. “We’re glad to have you back in one piece. Finally.”
Draic held out his hand and Soren straightened, clasping it the same way he had his cousin. “Thank you…Draic.”
Aggie exhaled her relief as Soren inclined his head in deference to the king. At least the eight-hundred-year-old heir had the good sense to realize things had changed.
“I
’m assuming I have my same rooms, Draic?” Aggie asked, making sure the subject of Soren and Hannah was deftly changed.
The king nodded. “Yes, and your guests are in adjacent rooms.”
“Wonderful.” She motioned for Soren and Hannah to follow. “The backpacks are probably already in our rooms, but there’s no need to worry even if they’re not. Guests of the palace are well taken care of, even if they arrive without a stitch.”
***
“This place is as big as my sublet.” Hannah walked through the main living room toward sliding glass doors overlooking a large courtyard with trees and fountains.
“I was wondering how you managed a brownstone on the Upper East Side on a librarian’s salary. Good for you.” Aggie winked. “It pays to have friends in high places,” she hooked her arm into Soren’s elbow. “Right?” She raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t I tell you not to worry about how you’d be received?
“Draic found your book in the palace library. It was covered with inches of dust, secreted away in the archive. He found your image and connected the dots. Once he realized what he had in his hand, he immediately contacted Rylan. It was providence I found Hannah at the same time.
“The moment I heard her voice, I knew. At that point, I took a chance and returned to the palace. Both the king and Rylan entrusted the book to me, the three of us hoping the curse could be broken.”
Soren glanced at Hannah’s face. She was no longer frowning, but that didn’t mean anything. The woman’s mind was as sharp as she was beautiful, and she didn’t suffer fools lightly.
Aggie sat on the couch and reached for a dish of juicy sea grapes. “I brought you together and got you here. The rest, though, is up to you.”
Letting go of his arm, Hannah walked back to the sliders. “Where’s the latch?” she said, running a hand over the metal frame. “I could use some fresh air.”
“Just ask the room what you want. Be clear and concise. The same way you would talk to your Alexa database at home,” Aggie replied.
Impressed, Hannah’s eyebrows hiked a bit. “Does the database here have a name?”
“Elsa.”
Her Captive Dragon: Howls Romance Page 11