The Falk Clan Complete Series

by C. D. Gorri

  Magic, hers and his, filled the room. They forged an unbreakable bond, a sacred promise, right then with the combination of their vows, their blood, sweat, tears, and of course, their sex. The magic then surged through them both, and they cried out in unison as they reached untold pleasure.

  Nothing had ever felt so right.

  CHAPTER 9

  “So, what do we do now?” Joselyn looked up at her mate, beautifully disheveled from their night of lovemaking.

  “Well, minha bruxa, that is your choice. We have a few hours before we must attend on the bride and groom. What would you like to do?”

  He grinned wickedly and laughed at her blushing response. To think she could be shy after the night they’d had made his old Dragon’s heart warm in his chest. He’d never stop wanting her. Grrr. He looked down at his ruby rose and felt the bloom grow as his love for her did with each passing second. Es meus.

  “How about you feed me first,” she said.

  Edric kissed her lips quickly and rushed from the room. His need to care and provide for his mate kicking in at full force, though he really needed to take better care and stock his private kitchen. His mind raced as he waited for the coffee to brew. The seconds apart from his mate were positively agonizing.

  He came down to what he thought would be an empty kitchen. It was early enough, but to his dismay, first one, then all three of his brothers entered the room. Callius wore the smile of a happily secure mated male and as the eldest, naturally, he spoke first.

  “So, are you going to share your news with us, brother?”

  “Yes, tell us about your little Witch, Edric,” Sander joined in.

  Grrr. Edric growled at them both. He was private by nature. Ever since Theodosia, he’d not taken a lover for the entire night, choosing to satisfy his physical needs in fast, impersonal places. But this was different. He gritted his teeth. He had no wish to talk about his mate. The bond was too new. He felt his control might slip.

  “So, your Witch, bespelled you then, has she?” It was Nikolai’s words that broke his resolve. He turned and lifted his younger brother clear off the floor by the collar of his shirt. His emerald eyes laughed at Edric, but he paled when Edric squeezed.

  “Easy, Ed, he meant nothing by it,” Callius was always the voice of reason when the brothers quibbled.

  “I am sorry, Nik,” Edric dropped him and turned to face all three. They wore identical smiles, and he realized they were simply excited for him as brothers were meant to be when one of them found his true mate.

  “It is true, I have found my mate, and she has accepted my ruby rose. I did not mean to get physical with you, it is just-”

  “You don’t need to explain, brother, I understand,” he saw from the flash in Callius’ golden eyes that his older brother and former comrade in arms did understand perfectly.

  “And, so do I,” Sander put his ruined hand on Edric’s shoulder and squeezed with his good fingers. It was a testament to his love for Noelle and the positive effect she had on him that he did not try to hide his injury. Edric smiled.

  A buzzing sounded from the counter, and the four of them turned towards the sound at the same time. He recognized it as Joselyn’s cell phone. She must have left it there the previous night when things got interesting between the two of them.

  Edric growled as he recalled just what had been happening in her personal life. Perhaps he was being a bit overbearing, but he was new to this and instinct demanded he keep his mate safe at all costs. He’d even risk her anger.

  “Just a second,” he said to his brothers and reached for the cell. Being protective was in his nature. He weighed the outcome of answering the cell phone or leaving the pest on the other side to harm his mate, and the answer was obvious.

  He clicked accept and waited. The voice that greeted him was demanding as it was sniveling. He knew without being told who the degenerate on the other end of the phone was. Edric growled threateningly into the cell.

  “Listen up, dick, if you want to remain in one piece you will forget this number, you will forget Joselyn, do I make myself clear?”

  “Who the fuck are you, buddy?”

  Edric roared into the phone, so loud and menacing a sound that he and his brothers actually heard the man cringe through the phone.

  “I said forget this number.”

  “Okay, okay, sorry.”

  Edric clicked end and willed himself to release the tension that had built up inside of him.

  “Does he mean her harm?” Callius asked.

  “I do not know. It seems he has become rather addicted to Joselyn’s magical talent, her visions as it were.”

  “I will ensure we have ample security this weekend, Edric, do not fret,” Sander spoke next.

  “I appreciate that, but I will see to keeping my mate safe, I can assure you.”

  “We know, brother, but we are here for you and Joselyn as well,” Callius said confirming what Edric already knew in his heart. The Falk brothers were united at last, a clan of their own, complete with castle and mates. Well, all except for one.

  “Speaking of mates, how about you Nik? Have you felt the pull yet?”

  “Not me! I have plenty of time still to live before chaining myself to some demanding maiden. Have you seen yourselves lately? This one so fat and smug, this one is starry eyed, and this one, ha! Why so grim anyway, Edric? You’ve got her, haven’t you? Never thought I’d see the three of you mated, and yet, I’ve never seen a sorrier bunch of Dragons! Ha ha!” Nikolai reached for the steaming coffee, but Edric swatted his hand away and shoved him into the counter playfully.

  “That is for my mate, runt. Wait your turn.”

  They laughed and teased each other until Edric had his tray set and made his way back to his quarters. Sander had suggested the fresh squeezed orange juice, the selection of jams with the toasted croissants. The poached eggs and slices of bacon he’d cooked for his mate himself.

  Edric guessed Noelle was behind his brother’s sudden interest in food and plate arrangement. He laughed and entered his bedroom to see the bed empty. He practically threw the tray on the side table and was about to run from the room when he heard her.

  CHAPTER 10

  Joselyn sat in the enormous sunken bath and hummed a soft, pleasant melody from within the confines of the bathroom. Her voice was deep and husky, a sexy sound that Edric moved towards as if he had no free will. Maybe his Witch was part Siren.

  He found her there, with the lights glowing softly and the scent of oranges mixed with her own spicy anima magicae filling the air. He didn’t knock first, he walked in, drawn by her scent and her natural allure.

  Edric almost dropped to his knees at the sight of her. His Joselyn was sitting with her head back in the oversized bathtub. Steam rose up from the clear water, and treating him to a tantalizing view of her luscious body. Holy fuck! Never before had he seen such beauty in all his years.

  She was completely, decadently nude, her smooth skin glistening in the steaming bath water. Edric was rooted to the spot. His body hardened in response to her nearness, but it was his heart that stopped him. It squeezed almost painfully in his chest, his love for her nearing epic proportions.

  How can it be? That I love her this much so soon? His Dragon had the answer. It was simple really. Es Meus. She smiled without opening her eyes, sensing his nearness.

  “Hello, my love.”

  “Joselyn,” he whispered her name, savoring it on his tongue. She opened her hazel eyes and quite literally took his breath away.

  “What’s wrong? You look upset,” she moved to stand, but he stopped her.

  “No, no, I just thought, um, never mind, my love. Do you know how you look just lying there, my Joselyn? You are a vision. Every fantasy I’ve ever had, five centuries worth, rolled up into one perfect mate. You are my greatest love, my only love, my whole heart, Joselyn,” he growled softly, and all thought of food vanished from his mind as he watched her lips tilt upwards in that slow, seductive smile
that drove him out of his mind.

  “Why don’t you put down that tray and join me then?” She purred the question and looked at him with desire glowing in her purple tinted eyes.

  As if he needed to think about it! Edric placed the tray down swiftly and dropped his pants before sinking down into the tub behind her. The feel of her plush bottom snuggled up against his rock-hard cock made him groan. Desire burned through his veins like wildfire.

  “Mm, I love the way you feel, wrapped around me,” she said.

  “There is nowhere else I’d rather be,” he groaned as her fingers slid up and down his thighs, squeezing his flesh and turning him harder still.

  Two could play at that game, he thought wickedly. He took the citrus-scented body wash and poured it directly onto her bare chest, the cold liquid made her gasp just as he began soaping up her silky soft skin with his callused fingers. Her nipples puckered into hard nubs as he rubbed his hands over them.

  He enjoyed her squirms as he fondled one breast then the other. Edric loved their heavy weight in his hands. How beautiful she will be nursing our young! The image drove him bear mad with longing.

  He ran his hands over her hips and to her indented waist. She sighed as he kissed her hair and his fingers worked their way up her back, to her neck, then back around to her front again, where the mirror image of his ruby rose bloomed over her breast and upwards towards his marking. His fingers lovingly traced the symbol that tied them together for eternity. The mark of his mate bite on her olive skin, his ruby rose.

  “Do you mind bearing my mark?”

  He hadn’t brought it up before for fear she’d hate it. The truth was, seeing his ruby rose boldly displayed across her right breast, vines circling up her shoulder and neck filled him with a fierce pride. His own rose was now blooming and more than twice the size it had been before. Growing daily as his love for her increased every second he spent with her. Joselyn completed him in a way he never thought possible.

  “Oh Edric, no way. I love it. My ruby rose is beautiful, like you. It is a precious part of you, a gift from my love, that is with me always. I love it,” she whispered and leaned back into him like a cat waiting to be petted.

  “You think I’m beautiful?” He growled in her ear.

  “Yes, Dragon mine, you are beautiful and masculine and absolutely delicious,” she turned her head and ran her tongue up his neck to tease his sensitive earlobe.

  “And you are sublime, minha bruxa,” he said and continued to trail his hands up and down her delectable body.

  He turned her around and crushed his mouth to hers. He’d never tire of the thrill of having his mate in his arms. When she sat up and straddled him in the deep water of the tub, he thought he’d died and gone to heaven.

  Her sumptuous curves wrapped around him as they increased their kiss. Then she moved, and he was deep inside her body. Perfect.

  Joselyn opened her eyes to find herself half-draped over her mate. They must have fallen asleep after their, er, bath. She smiled and stretched feeling deliciously sore and so happy she could burst.

  Edric stirred beneath her. Joselyn looked up into his dark eyes surrounded by a flame of red and orange that seemed to glow as he gazed at her. Her heart swelled with love and promises as their lips met.

  “Good morning, love,” his words caressed her like the warmest of embraces.

  “Hi,” she said.

  She sat up and looked at the clock. They had several hours before they had to be downstairs for Noelle’s and Sander’s wedding. Mmm. What to do? Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit Joselyn and she sat upholding her hand to her head.

  “Joselyn?” Edric’s voice was controlled though she could detect the panic just underneath. She grasped his hand and allowed the vision to overtake her.

  The house where she’d been raised by her grandmother sat quiet and dark. Her orchids bloomed in the small greenhouse add-on where she honored the practices of those before her and gave back to nature for their gift of magic. The cheerful yellow siding looked the same as several others on the small suburban street where she lived most of her life. Her grandmother had insisted on keeping things tidy and neat and not drawing any attention to them. Suddenly, the image turned dark. The house no longer stood quietly but groaned and howled as if in pain. Heat. She felt a searing heat as if she were being licked by flames. Luke’s car. Luke! He was going to do something terrible. She was certain of it. Pain and grief and anger warred within her heart. Was she too late?

  “There you are, my love, are you alright?” Joselyn came to in Edric’s arms. His words tickled her ears and she took a moment to enjoy the calm and the peace that he brought to her.

  “Edric, I had a vision, my house, I think my ex is going to try to burn it down.”

  “Fuck, I forgot to tell you about the phone call. I am so sorry, had I known the coward would react this way-”

  “It’s not your fault. Will you go with me to check on the house?”

  “Of course, love,” he said. And I will burn the fucker to a crisp for causing you distress. Grrr.

  Rule number one of interacting with Dragon Shifters: Do not fuck with what is mine.

  CHAPTER 11

  Edric and Joselyn drove into town in his fully loaded Jaguar. The red luxury sports car certainly did purr as they headed down the street where she lived. But now was not the time to enjoy the perfection of the powerful machine. No, he had other fish to fry so to speak. Dragon puns never get old.

  “There’s the house! It’s still okay,” she sighed a breath of relief and moved to open the door when his hand stilled her progress.

  His Dragon scented the danger in the air before he’d even shifted gears. He parked the car and exited, but not before asking his mate to remain inside. He should have known better. The sound of her footsteps hurrying after him reached his sensitive ears. He took her hand in his and walked forward, careful to place himself slightly in front of her.

  “That’s Luke’s car,” Joselyn said from beside him.

  “Didn’t I ask you to stay inside?”

  “Well, yes, but I respectfully decline, my love, after all this is my house, and my place is by your side,” she squeezed his hand and he brought hers to his lips pressing a hard kiss there.

  She was so beautiful with her wild curls tumbling down her back, her gorgeous hazel eyes, and full lips. Not to mention her incredible body outlined to perfection in the sleek outfit she wore. She had all the right curves, a perfect fit for him. Edric had every intention of taking the next fifty years or so to memorize every single inch of her. His wonderful Witchy mate. Es Meus.

  Movement to the left caught his attention and he zeroed in on a figure dressed in black creeping around to the back of the house with what looked like a gas can in his hand. The man had all the stealth of a bull in a china shop for all the clomping around he did. He even knocked down her garbage cans.

  “Oh, my gods! That little shit! It is Luke!” His mate growled her distress, and Edric’s protective instincts surged.

  “Listen to me, my love, please, I am begging you, stay here? I will be right back.”

  “Only if you promise not to roast him, okay? I want a mate, but not one who’ll be dragged away from me in chains if he outs us by publicly burning that creep to a crisp!”

  “Fine, I will not roast him, but I cannot promise anything else.”

  In the blink of an eye, Edric managed a half-change. Long, red horns spiraled out from his forehead, huge leathery wings came out of his back. He stretched them and allowed his Dragon senses to locate the intruder to his mate’s peace of mind. Edric whipped his tail back and forth as he leapt into the air and beat his wings, calling the lightning that came so easily to his other nature.

  Once he’d captured its essence in his wings, he held it there, and vaulted over the porch to find the culprit haphazardly pouring gasoline on the back door. Edric growled and stomped behind the man who turned around and shrieked in surprise.

  “What the hell are
you? Are you the Devil?” He cried as he dropped to his knees. The wet stain that suddenly marked his jeans sent a foul odor to Edric’s sensitive nose. The creep had pissed himself. Bloody hell!

  Edric’s lips turned down in disdain. This sniveling coward was nowhere near good enough for his Witch. The cretin sought to harm what was his and he would suffer. Edric’s hand shot out and gripped the fool around the throat careful not to get any of his filth on himself.

  “I thought I told you to leave Joselyn alone, human!” he growled.

  “You, you don’t know what she is, she is evil, a Witch and she owes me,” he sniveled.

  “An Evil Witch, eh? And what do you think I am?” Edric smiled, not a nice smile, and the man began to cry and blubber all over himself.

  “I’m sorry okay, I will leave her alone, I swear it,” he said.

  “You will or next time you die.”

  Edric tossed him to the ground and watched him run away, but not before loosing the lightning he’d called to zap the creep in the ass a time or two. His screams calmed the Dragon’s desire to kill the man who’d caused his mate to fret.

  “You know, you could have killed him with that lightning,” he turned and smiled as Joselyn walked to his side. She kissed his lips around the fangs that protruded from his mouth in his half-changed state and his Dragon roared. Es Meus.

  “Come on, let’s go,” she said.

  “Wait, someone else is here,” Edric frowned as his heightened senses became aware of another danger in the area. Magic. He stood in front of Joselyn, fangs bared and rage lining his face as the intruder revealed herself.

  “Bravo, Dragon Shifter,” a small dark-haired woman walked towards them from behind the garbage can and clapped her hands.

  “Oh, Ms. Lanier! Edric, this is Ms. Lanier from the Coven Silva,” Joselyn’s eyes narrowed as she took in the gleam in the older woman’s eye.