Betrayed (Elesian Dragon Mates Book 2)

by Sammie Joyce

  “I want to talk to Jagger alone for a minute, guys. I’m sure my safety won’t be compromised by you being just on the other side of the door.”

  Asher grimaced, but he gestured for Mace to follow him. Rose was sure they would literally be pressing themselves up against the other side of the door, but in truth, she was grateful. She felt safer with her dragons near after that message from Hellith, even if it could get inconvenient at times.

  Jagger gave her a cocky grin. “Couldn’t wait to get me alone, could you?”

  Of course, his dirty thoughts set Rose’s own imagination off, and she had to force herself to concentrate on the issue at hand. “Jagger, is there any way you can break through the firewall Gavin has set up around his mind? You’re the closest to him. If anyone can do it, it’s you.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure. I think you’d have a better chance than me. Gavin loves you more than anyone.”

  “Believe me, I’ve tried. Please, could you give it a go? We don’t have anything to lose here.”

  “I’m not so sure about that. Gavin might be able to feel us trying to get through—it depends on how deeply into his own head he’s retreated. He may be more tolerant of you, but if he feels me trying to get to him, it may just push him further away.”

  Rose hadn’t realized that, but after a moment’s thought, she decided that it didn’t make a difference. “At this point, I don’t think anything is going to push him away further than thinking that we don’t care about him. Please, try.”

  “If you think it’s best. Despite having known him the shortest time, I sometimes think you understand Gavin better than any of us. Give me a moment.”

  Jagger closed his eyes. Rose couldn’t hear him speaking in his mind, presumably because he was trying to open a private connection with Gavin.

  She was watching him closely, and she could tell exactly when something went wrong.

  Jagger’s eyes snapped open, and he jerked back slightly, as though someone had shoved him.

  “What’s wrong? What happened?”

  “I—I don’t know. I’ve never felt anything like it before. It’s like Gavin’s mind is sheathed in a wall of ice.”

  Rose’s heart sank. “It’s too strong to break through, then, just as you thought.”

  “No, it’s not just that. This doesn’t feel normal. I’ve tried to break through to Gavin before when he’s run off. I’ve never felt anything like this. It’s not natural.”

  “Not natural how?” Rose tried not to let her most nightmarish imaginations run away from her, but it was difficult with Jagger so worried. Jagger was prone to making jokes in even the direst of situations. If he was this worried, there was something serious going on.

  “It’s like he’s being blocked from me externally—like there’s some power I don’t understand blocking the connection.”

  “He’s not—Jagger, he is still alive, isn’t he? He has to be alive!”

  “Yes, he’s alive,” Jagger assured her, pulling her into a hug. “I’d know if he was dead. That much is something we don’t have to worry about. But I don’t know what this could be.”

  “Is it magic, do you think?”

  “I don’t see how it could be. All of the witches and dragons are here.”

  “Except Hellith.”

  “Let’s not let our fears get the best of us,” Jagger said quickly. “I know it’s easy to assume the worst, but it’s probably nothing more than Gavin having found some new way to block us out. He may even be doing it just to make me worry—I wouldn’t put it past him at this point.”

  “But if Hellith does have him…”

  “Gavin may be stubborn, but I don’t believe he’s willing to die over this. He knows he’s no match for Hellith. If she was trying to kill him, he would open the bond and call for help—that much I’m sure of.”

  Rose knew Jagger was right about that. Gavin may be angry right now, but he wasn’t an idiot. Still, the idea of Hellith somehow having drawn him into her grasp wouldn’t leave her alone. The cold fear sat in her chest, making her feel like the block of ice Jagger had felt in Gavin’s mind.

  “Hey, come here. Try not to worry. We’ll talk to Asher and reevaluate in a few days if Gavin isn’t back by then.”

  Jagger wrapped his arms around her. Rose sighed into the warmth, feeling like the ice in her heart was melting. She wrapped her legs around him too, enjoying the feeling of his body against hers.

  “Make love to me,” Rose whispered.

  “Your wish is my command… and my wish too. I thought you’d never ask.” Jagger winked at her. Rose chuckled, but that was quickly turned into a moan as Jagger started kissing her.

  He pushed her gently onto the bed, kissing his way all down her front. He unbuttoned her shirt and reached behind her to get to the clasp of her bra.

  Rose eagerly tossed the fabric aside, bearing her breasts to him. She could feel Jagger’s cock hardening against her thigh as he kissed her breasts. Rose’s nipples hardened under his tongue. He used his hands to cover her breasts and squeeze them gently before going back to licking her nipples.

  Her panties were getting steadily wetter, and Rose pressed her legs together, wanting some pressure on her clit. Of course, Jagger was in her head and read the thought as she thought it.

  He sent her an image of her spreading her legs. Rose did it at once, lifting her hips a bit to let him pull down her pants and panties in one. Jagger ran a hand through the wet folds of her pussy.

  Rose shuddered under his touch. He paid attention to her disordered thoughts, picking up which touches were the best. Unsurprisingly, those thoughts led him to licking her clit. Rose forced herself to move before she got lost in pleasure and didn’t remember anything else.

  She shifted around so that she could reach his cock with her mouth. Jagger thrust eagerly toward her. Rose choked slightly for a moment, but quickly regained her composure. When she’d first met her dragons, she’d had no experience whatsoever. That had changed a lot over the past year. Now, she knew exactly how to make each one of them wild.

  Jagger liked it when she flicked her tongue over the head of his cock after every deep suck. She soon had his rhythm on her clit stuttering as he became overwhelmed with pleasure. By the jerky movement he was making, Rose knew that it wouldn’t be long before he came.

  As much as she loved the feeling of him coming into her mouth, Rose wanted his cock inside her more. She pulled away, her aching clit protesting loudly as she did so.

  Jagger sat up, lifting her onto his lap. Rose sat down on his cock, moaning at the feeling. They’d gotten the angle perfect. She wasn’t in a good position to move as she was, with her legs straight out in front of her, going past Jagger’s back, but it didn’t matter. Jagger was strong enough to move her up and down easily with just his arms.

  He started slowly at first, but as they both got caught up in the breathless pleasure of their connection, he started slamming her down harder and faster. Rose kissed him deeply, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  Rose broke away from the kiss, grunting in helpless pleasure as she was pierced repeatedly on Jagger’s cock. He nuzzled his head down between her breasts, then turned slightly so that he could suck one nipple. He sucked hard, and the thrill of pleasure mixed in with a tiny bit of pain was enough to tip Rose over the edge.

  Her back arched as she came, her pussy squeezing the length of Jagger’s cock as she did. With a cry, he came too, sending his hot, wet seed into her.

  Rose fell limply forward, her head resting on his shoulder. Jagger lay back, positioning her on her side, cuddled up close to him.

  For a long time, they lay that way, his softened cock still inside her. Rose thought that she could stay like this forever.

  Unfortunately, reality was not amenable to such wishes. A knock on the door drew her out of her post-orgasmic haze.

  “Rose, it’s time for your next class. Do you still want to go?”

  Asher’s voice was remarkably composed, con
sidering what he’d just heard. Rose had completely forgotten that he and Mace were waiting just outside.

  “Not really,” she called back. “Why don’t you two join us?”

  Asher and Mace came in at once. Both of them were sporting raging boners. Mace’s face was red, but Asher looked unembarrassed.

  Rose smiled teasingly at them. “Well, seems you boys have a problem. How would you like some help with it, hm?”

  Jagger rolled aside, giving Asher space as he pounced on her. Mace wasn’t far behind. Rose swallowed Asher’s cock eagerly, using her hands on Mace’s.

  No one came to check where she was when she never showed up to class. Or perhaps they sent a dragon, who would have been able to hear perfectly well what was going on, and would have stayed away.

  Either way, Rose had the afternoon with her dragons uninterrupted.

  She should cut class more often.

  The next day, Elaine took Rose aside before their morning lesson. “Is everything alright, Rose? We were all worried when you didn’t come yesterday.”

  Jagger snorted from behind her. Oh, you definitely came yesterday.

  Shut it, Jagger. Rose tried to keep the smile off her face.

  She looked up at Elaine’s worried face and felt her humor melting away. Elaine had probably thought she was bedridden with abject depression over Gavin’s departure, as she had been for the first few days after he left.

  “I’m fine, Elaine. I just needed to spend some time alone with my mates. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you beforehand.”

  Elaine’s face cleared in relief. “Don’t worry about it. I know this is a tough time for all of you. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  Rose had never cut class before, and as pleasurable as it had been, she resolved not to do it again. It just wasn’t her nature. She was already worrying about all the important things she might have missed yesterday.

  Nerd, Jagger teased her. Perhaps I should teach some of your classes—I wouldn’t object to you being a teacher’s pet then.

  Rose just shook her head. Jagger made a game of trying to make her laugh in class, and she’d gotten pretty good at beating him. Annabelle was grinning at her. She’d learned to tell when Rose was communicating mentally with her dragons, and probably knew why Rose’s lips were twitching.

  They were still learning about advanced shields. The theory was difficult, and the practical was even harder. Asher didn’t make it any easier by constantly sending her images of what she looked like with his cock in her mouth.

  In return, Rose sent him an image of her with his balls in her hand. Make me fail this class and by tomorrow, you’ll be a eunuch.

  Jagger burst out laughing, cause Elaine to stop the class as everyone turned to stare at him. Unlike Rose, Jagger was completely unembarrassed when this happened, and was chuckling for a good ten minutes.

  “Want to let me in on the joke?” Annabelle murmured as they left class together, with Rose’s dragons trailing them, as usual.

  “I would, but I think Asher may gag me if I try.”

  Too right I will.

  I’ll protect you, Mace promised. Asher gave him a dirty look, but Rose knew he wasn’t serious.

  Rose was halfway through lunch when a voice in her head had her choking on her salad.

  Rose?

  GAVIN?

  Shh, don’t tell any of the others I’m back. I need to talk to you. Can you meet me in the forest?

  Rose did as he requested and kept her mind closed to the others as she talked to him, but that didn’t mean she was going to do what Gavin wanted without question. Where have you been? I’ve been so worried about you! How could you do this to me?

  Rose, this is important. Please, could you just meet me?

  He sounded more than contrite—he sounded scared. Rose forced herself to put aside her questions for now. That may be difficult—Asher and the others haven’t left me alone since Hellith’s threat. Give me a few minutes.

  “I need to go to the bathroom.”

  Asher, Mace, and Jagger were staring at her.

  “Rose, what’s wrong? Where did your mind go?” Mace’s gentle concern almost had her spilling it out, but Rose owed Gavin some privacy, at least for now, until she figured out what was going on.

  “My head’s just not a happy place to be in right now. Give me some space?” Her request was aimed mainly at Asher. As co-leader, he was the only one with the authority to challenge her closing off her mind.

  “For now, Rose, but tonight, I want you to tell us what’s going on. We’re not your enemy.”

  “I know that. I’ll tell you everything soon. Thanks, Asher.”

  Rose got up and headed for the nearest bathroom. Her dragons trailed her, as she knew they would. If she wanted to escape them, she’d need to be creative.

  Instead of going into the bathroom, she kept walking, making for one on the ground floor. “That toilet is broken,” she invented at Asher’s questioning look. “This is the closest working one.”

  She hated lying to her dragons, but she’d tell them the truth soon enough. “Could you wait outside the door for me?”

  “We shouldn’t. You know we need to be close.”

  “Please, Asher? My period has just started. I’d really appreciate some privacy.”

  Asher pursed his lips and nodded. “We will discuss this some more later tonight. I’m not sure how much privacy we can afford to give you.”

  Rose would confess it all later, but for now, she just needed to get away. The moment the door was closed, she crept to the window. This bathroom had a particularly big window, big enough for her to fit through. She turned the tap on, hoping to mask the sounds of her movement from the dragons’ keen ears.

  At any moment, she expected them to realize her deception and burst in, but Rose was lucky. She made it to the grass without being accosted.

  She tiptoed at first, then as she got further away, broke into a run. She knew it wouldn’t take the dragons long to realize she was no longer in the bathroom, and once they did, it would be mere minutes before they found her.

  She just hoped that would give her enough time. Whatever Gavin wanted to say, he was going to need to say it quickly. Rose dashed between the trees, running toward her mate.

  Chapter Seven

  Rose didn’t know where she was going, but she trusted Gavin to find her. It didn’t matter how big the forest was. He would hear her, not to mention smell her.

  Sure enough, he was suddenly there. Rose flew into his arms, hugging him so tightly she would probably have cracked one of his ribs if he was human.

  “Don’t you ever do that to me again!” Rose pulled back, slapping Gavin on the shoulder. “Do you have any idea what I’ve gone through without you?”

  Her fury warred with her joy that he was back.

  “That’s why I came. I knew I couldn’t leave you—for both our sakes.”

  There was something seriously wrong. Rose could see it on his face. “Gavin, what is it?”

  “Come away with me?” There was a desperate longing laid bare in his words that was heartbreaking to see.

  “What do you mean? For how long?”

  Gavin blinked away tears. “Forever. It’ll be just the two of us, Rose. We’ll be perfect together.”

  Rose tried to master her emotions. She didn’t know whether she wanted to hug him or yell at him. Had he not learned anything from his time away?

  “Gavin, I love you. I hope you know that. But I love your brothers too, just as much. You are all equals in my eyes. When you were gone, I felt like a piece of me was missing. It was agonizing, being without you. I’d feel the same being without them. I can’t do it.”

  He just looked at her. Rose couldn’t read his expression, but she didn’t like it. “Tell me what’s wrong. I can see there’s something. Please, just talk to me, Gavin. What happened to you?”

  “I…”

  Rose could see in his eyes that he was going to tell her, but before he could, Asher, Mac
e, and Jagger burst onto the scene.

  They made to tackle Gavin, but checked themselves once they realized it was him, not an intruder intent on hurting Rose.

  “Gavin.” Asher folded his arms, glaring at his brother. “So, you’re back. What do you have to say for yourself?”

  “Asher, Gavin and I need some time alone to talk. He was going to tell me—”

  “No, it’s okay, Rose.” Gavin was watching his brothers coolly. The conflicted, anguished man of a few moments ago was gone—or else buried. “I want to talk to them. I need to apologize. I let my emotions get the best of me. I should never have gone. I’ve hurt all of you, but Rose especially. I promise that I’ll never do anything like that again. If you can forgive me, I’d like to come back.”

  His words were all right, but his mind was wrong. His emotions didn’t match what he was saying. Instead of joy at being back, or even remorse for leaving, Gavin seemed detached, with something bubbling beneath the surface that Rose didn’t quite understand.

  She would have to figure that out later. For now, she was just relieved that Gavin was back. She turned to Asher.

  Rose could tell very well what was going on in his head. Gavin had hurt her, and that was not something that Asher was inclined to forgive.

  “Asher, a word?”

  Asher led her a couple of feet away. They spoke privately in their minds.

  You have to forgive him. He’s your brother.

  He hurt you. Why should I forgive that?

  Because he’s my mate, and not forgiving him will hurt me even worse than Gavin has. I need him, just like I need you, Mace, and Jagger. You know that.

  I’m not sure I can forgive as easily as you, Rose.

  Look, if you can’t forgive him now, that’s something to work on, but at least welcome him back into the clan. At least be civil. Let him make his amends.

  Asher sighed. I suppose I can’t deny you that much. I’ve never had a problem with sharing you, but sharing you with someone who has hurt you… I don’t like it.