Amethyst Dragon (Awakened Dragons Book 5)

by Terry Bolryder

  Topaz’s eyes glazed over, and he stood to do as Aegis bid. The other dragons stayed back.

  Dom knew Aegis was the only one who could make this happen. Lana cringed as Topaz approached, but Dom sent her a reassuring glare as Topaz bent down, took her hand, and pulled off the ring.

  “Now come back to me,” Aegis instructed.

  Topaz did.

  “Now kill yourself,” Aegis snarled.

  Topaz raised his hands, sparking, and everyone rushed forward, but Aegis put up a hand. “Just kidding,” he said lightly. “Don’t do that.”

  Topaz dropped to the ground in relief, nearly sobbing.

  “Doesn’t feel good to be forced to do things, does it?” Aegis asked, crouching next to him, cruelly unaffected. “We don’t force females. When we find those among us doing so, we kill them.” He looked at Lana. “Galen, was it? We ended him.”

  Lana’s eyes widened.

  “It’s not much,” Aegis said, standing with Topaz’s neck in his grasp. “Things are getting a little out of control. I’m only the messenger and beginning to feel it’s not my place anymore. But if you don’t mind, I think I’ll take this back with me.” Aegis waved a hand, and a portal opened for him. “The oracle will need more dragon blood, and even a useless son of a bitch like this is good for something.”

  “Aegis,” Dom said, stepping forward. “Don’t. It’s not too late. Let us imprison him. Join our side.”

  Aegis appeared slightly sad. “Despite the fact that I’ve been hiding in my tower, staying uninvolved, I’m afraid it is too late.” He shrugged. “And I find aside from executing the occasional shifter who is too evil for even me to stand, I have no other joy in life. I’m where I belong.” He looked out in the distance. “And I have nowhere else to go.”

  He looked over at Lana. “Treasure your mate.” And then, with a hollow smile, he was gone.

  Dom rushed forward, but the portal closed.

  Zach and Alistair sprinted up behind them, Erin and Bridget in close pursuit.

  Dom ran to Lana and scooped her up in his arms, kissing her everywhere, checking her hand to make sure the ring was really gone, holding her tight because he couldn’t ever imagine letting go again.

  “Damn, so the dark oracle can do portals, too,” Zach said, standing where the portal had been. “And Aegis looks like hell, doesn’t he?”

  “Evil wears on you,” Alistair said.

  “I don’t think Aegis realized how evil things were going to get when he joined them,” Zach said. “After all, they stole him and awakened him. He knew nothing else.”

  “You’re going to feel bad for that guy?” Citrine asked, striding out to join them. “He hates you.”

  Zach ran a hand through his hair. “It’s complicated. And he did save Dom’s mate.”

  Dom shook his head. “I would have saved her no matter what. Aegis was useful, but I can’t condone what he’s done. What he’s doing. Though, I’m glad he apparently killed Galen.”

  Lana let out a soft sigh of relief, and Dom held her close.

  “That was a close one, though,” Alistair said. “Who knew someone would be immune to the collar?”

  “Topaz is powerful,” Citrine said. “I would rather he hadn’t gone to the other side.”

  “Are you planning on trying it?” Alistair asked, stepping forward threateningly.

  “No,” Citrine said, his eyes glancing at Lana. “I’m disgusted by his actions. And now I’m going to get breakfast.”

  Dom stared down at Lana, overwhelmed by love and relief. “Can I take you inside?” he asked.

  She nodded, and he stood with her in his arms.

  “Do you need anything?” Zach asked.

  “No,” Dom replied. But that wasn’t true. As he passed his friends, he knew what he needed. He needed his mate to understand him. He needed to tell her everything in his soul. And he needed to know if she could be his.

  No one else could give him what he needed.

  Lana sat on the bed, still in shock, as Dom walked to the door and locked it with the deadbolt.

  She stared at him, still unable to believe he’d been able to fix things. Able to save her.

  She felt wrecked by the morning. She’d only realized just how strongly she felt for Dom as she’d comprehended she might not get to see him again, or even if she did, she couldn’t be his. Regret had pounded through her, and hatred. And helplessness.

  But now, as usual, whether or not she deserved it, he had saved her.

  And he was looking at her as if he were nervous, as if he still didn’t know what to say or do to make things right from that morning.

  Well, she did.

  She gestured for him to join her on the bed, holding out her arms.

  He came into them, giving her a long hug, and they sat there for a moment, just like that.

  “I’m sorry I scared you,” he said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t say it right. I had a dream last night, and I—”

  “I’m sorry I ran,” she said. “I knew it was a mistake, and I realized why you’d been insisting on mating me when he slipped on the ring.”

  “I know why you took it wrong,” he said. “I know it scares you more than anything, to be controlled like that again.”

  “It doesn’t matter anymore,” she said. “It doesn’t scare me more than anything. The thought of losing you scared me more than anything.” Her hands tightened in his shirt, never wanting to let go. “Galen’s dead.” She still couldn’t believe it.

  He nodded. “He can’t hurt you anymore.”

  “Yes,” she said, straightening herself and reaching for Dom’s hand. She pulled off his ring. “Because I’m done letting him keep me from what I want.” She closed her eyes and shoved the ring onto her finger, wincing. “I’m done letting him control me.”

  Dom froze, staring at her in shock, and she waited for fear to take over her.

  But it didn’t.

  She opened her eyes in wonder. “That doesn’t feel bad at all.” She curled into his arms. “Maybe because I realize I love you.”

  Dom froze. “You love me?”

  “I put your ring on, didn’t I?” she asked, keeping her hands tight around him.

  Her heart was pounding, but despite the fear, she knew she’d done the right thing. And now her fear was abating, leaving her only with the warm love for her mate. Her Dom.

  “I love you, Dom the dragon. I love you with your crazy dreams and your screw-ups, and your patience, and your love for a woman who just can’t deserve you, no matter how much she fights to.”

  “You deserve everything,” he said, holding her tight. “You are perfect.”

  “You deserve a medal for how much you’ve fought for me. I can’t do anything about how difficult things have been. About how hard it was to break down my walls and be with you.” She entwined their fingers, loving the look of the ring on her hand. “All I can do is try to make everything easier in the future. Show you how much I love you and never leave your side.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  She kissed his cheek. “Sometimes I may have hard days. Some days the past may still rise up to haunt me. As it does you. But for now and always, I’ll be here with you. I’m your mate.”

  He sank in against her. “My mate.”

  “I almost lost you,” she said. “Thinking I would have to leave your side was the worst feeling I’ve ever experienced.”

  He ran his hand over her back, lightly soothing her. “I wouldn’t have let him take you. No matter whose ring was on your finger, you were my mate.”

  “Thanks,” she said. “Sometimes I still think you deserve better, but I’m unable to let you go.”

  “Are you kidding?” he asked. “You’re perfect for me. You gave me a reason to stay in the world. Now I have friends, a place to belong. Someone who understands me, who won’t run in fear at my nightmares.”

  “Most of them,” she said with a rueful smile.

  “Well, no one’s perfect. But when
you run, I’ll come after you. And when I run, you’ll find me. And we’ll make it together as long as we have each other.”

  She sighed and held him close. “That’s true.”

  “So you’re finally willing to forget Galen?” he asked.

  “I’m going to try and only see you,” she said. “I’m finally willing to accept that maybe all of this brought me to you, and I lost lesser happiness in my own life to gain something greater and more real with you.”

  “I’m glad,” he said.

  “I’m looking forward to more flying with you,” she said. “More taking care of the kittens with you. Learning more about you.”

  He nodded. “Me, too.”

  “Making love with you,” she said, pushing him back onto the mattress.

  “Seriously?” he asked. “Right now? After what you’ve been through?”

  “I almost lost you,” she said. “I want to reassure myself I didn’t.

  I want to feel you inside me and know we’re both here, still fine. I want everything, but I’ll take what I can get right now.”

  He grinned. “All right, if you’re certain.” He rolled over on top of her, resting on his hands.

  She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips in answer.

  Chapter 19

  A wave of emotion crested over Dom as Lana’s lips connected with his own, soft and sweet and resolute. He cupped a hand around the back of her neck, his fingers entwining with her curls, supporting her head as he deepened their kiss.

  Forever would barely be long enough with Lana by his side. And he intended to make the most of every minute, every moment he had with her.

  Especially this one.

  Still keeping their lips locked, he lowered her back down onto the bed, delving in with his tongue to stroke the most sensitive spots inside her mouth. Already, he knew what she wanted, could tell what she liked. And he looked forward to exploring all of it with her over and over again.

  She sighed against his mouth, the sound relaxed and erotic as she settled into the plush sheets. As he continued to run his tongue along hers, his hands found the belt of the robe she had thrown on, untying it and pulling it open to reveal the soft nightgown she’d worn the night before, the satiny fabric barely concealing the rise and dip of each sensuous curve of her beautiful body.

  As much as the dragon inside him roared to rightfully claim its mate, the mate that now wore his ring willingly on her right hand, the purple stone glistening in the late-morning light, he mustered his patience. He wanted to take this slow, wanted Lana to feel his love, wanted to remind her exactly why she’d signed up for all of this.

  He pulled up the silky nightgown, baring soft, lickable skin and nipples that had already formed firm tips, begging for his touch. Immediately, his hands found her wanting breasts, massaging and squeezing them gently. In response, Lana moaned with delight, arching slightly against the bed as her arms reached above her to grasp the headboard.

  “Dom, don’t stop,” she pleaded, followed by a light gasp as he bit down lightly on the end of one nipple, causing a wave of sensation to jolt through her.

  “Never,” he said between kisses.

  Everywhere he touched, she came alive, writhing and mewling with pleasure. He moved lower with his mouth, making a trail with his tongue down her stomach to the sides of her hips and then back to her belly button. But his hands continued to work on her breasts, their fullness tantalizing and exquisite.

  But even as he came closer to her center, almost ecstatic to taste her once again, to see and feel her coming apart with the touch of his tongue, he was still careful, still gauging her reaction. For so long, he’d needed every ounce of self-control he had just being around his mate yet needing to give her space. It seemed almost surreal that all of a sudden, they were together like this. That he was no longer just “friend” or “boyfriend,” but “mate” and she was all his.

  “For heaven’s sake, stop holding back on me, Dom,” Lana said between moans as his thumbs tweaked her nipples. “I can tell you’re hesitating.”

  For a moment, Dom paused, shocked at his mate’s surprisingly accurate appraisal. He made as if to respond, not wanting to push things too hard, too fast. But when he saw the glint of raw arousal in her eyes, mixed with a silent demand that did not invite question, he felt the floodgates of his inhibition open, pouring into him with immeasurable exhilaration.

  “In that case…” He trailed off, looking down at the black satiny panties she wore, noting the light blush that creeped up her cheeks as he did so.

  In a second, they were gone, torn off as he spread her legs to give him access. As his tongue stroked her center, he could feel her arousal, so wet and so ready, the scent of her essence hanging in the air, floral and scintillating.

  “That’s the Dom I know—” she said, the end of her sentence cut off by an aroused moan as he flicked his tongue once more against her clit, pleasuring her directly as his hands held the soft sides of her hips, loving the way they rocked against his grip.

  Lana truly was the only one that knew who he was. Even if there were still a multitude of things to share, experiences to have where they could continue to get to know each other better, there was something in her that made him finally able to see past the walls he’d erected so many centuries ago to protect himself from harm.

  For Dom, Lana was the bright sunshine outside his door that made him want to step out of the dark room he’d been hiding in almost all his life.

  He continued stroking his tongue over her center, alternating between long, slow licks and tiny, heated flicks, interspersed with small circles he would draw around the tortured nub that made her gasp loudly.

  And then, with one last stroke, she orgasmed beneath him, screaming his name in release as he held her close, relishing in the feel of her body’s release as she clenched around him.

  Before she had even fully relaxed, he went back to her clit, using his tongue expertly as he slowly thrust into her entrance with his finger, finding the small spot inside her that made her hips buck and her breath catch whenever he stroked it.

  And then he switched, his thumb pressing lightly over her clit while his tongue dove inside her, the taste of her arousal as delicious as it was mind-blowing, making his cock harder than ever as he saw the image of their hips coming together over and over again playing in his head.

  It wasn’t long before Lana was overtaken by another orgasm, then another spurred by his relentless pleasuring. She called out his name over and over again, and Dom was grateful for thick castle walls and a secluded room at the far corner of the house as she made her pleasure known with reckless abandon.

  So long as Lana was able to receive, he wanted to give and give.

  She slowly relaxed with a hoarse sigh, her beautiful brown eyes watching him eagerly, her body glowing in the scattered beams of light trickling between the window curtains.

  They didn’t need words to communicate what was on both their minds, and Dom pulled his shirt over his head as Lana propped herself up and undid the belt and button of his jeans with surprising speed. He helped by undoing the zipper and then slid both his jeans and boxer briefs off before kneeling between her spread legs.

  Everything was coming together all at once. Yet somehow, despite having had a vision that Lana was going to be his mate, part of him almost couldn’t believe the fulfillment of it all before his eyes.

  Without hesitation, Dom slid inside Lana, their bodies enmeshing more perfectly than before, as if made just for each other. As he came all the way in, hip meeting hip, skin meeting skin, Lana’s eyes rolled back as she bit down on her lower lip, the pleasure wet and intense and incredible.

  For a moment, Dom paused, overwhelmed by the stimulation of it and giving her body a second to once again adjust to his sheer size. But apparently, it wasn’t necessary as he felt Lana’s hips pull away from him and then thrust back onto him, teasing him forward.

  He responded by comi
ng almost all the way out, then pushing in with one long, slick motion that made her cry out in delight and want for more. He repeated it, this time a little faster, the heat and wetness of her surrounding him and causing delicious tension in his body to build at a surprisingly rapid rate.

  There was nothing like it, this sensation that made his skin burn like dragon fire yet left him wanting more of it. As he moved into a steady rhythm, their bodies coming together over and over, Lana crossed her legs behind him as she began to move with him, doubling the speed and the friction of each magnificent thrust.

  Lana was so beautiful beneath him, lips parted as a gasp escaped her mouth each time they came together all the way, breasts full and bare, eyes glazed over from so much pleasure, hands tight around his shoulders where they gripped his flesh. Lana all his and Dom all hers.

  Dom’s dragon roared with satisfaction as they continued their heated, naked dance, coming closer and closer to a finale that promised incredible release, incredible pleasure. Yet they both held on, dangling on the precipice as long as possible, as long as their bodies would allow them, riding the impossible line between ecstasy and agony as they tortured their bodies with the promise of freedom from the tension roiling inside them.

  Lana slipped over the edge first, her body freezing as if suspended in time for a long moment, then orgasming with shocking power as she cried out his name.

  And despite his incredible self-control, Dom felt himself pulled with her, joining his mate in the all-consuming act connecting them and making them one in both body and soul.

  Dom could barely feel Lana’s nails raking over his back in long strokes as his body throbbed and hardened in every place, his muscles tightening and then relaxing. The sound of his name on her lips as she came was more beautiful than a symphony, and he couldn’t wait to hear it again already, even as everything came apart inside him and then came together again, burning and releasing into a cool satisfaction that left him speechless.

  By the time they were both finished, all Dom could focus on was his breathing and the sound of Lana’s hoarse sighs as they both collected themselves.