Dragon's Oath (Northbane Shifters Book 5)

by Isabella Hunt

  He’d been in the act of pulling on a t-shirt, his skin warm and still glistening from the shower, loose pants slung low on his waist. Smirking at me, he stopped what he was doing and raised an eyebrow. Feeling my lips parting and slapping them back shut, I stammered something and went to back up when my ass hit the wall.

  What am I doing? Where’s the door?

  “You’re killing me right now,” Xander said with a soft groan. I looked back and saw that his eyes were closed, the cords on his neck standing out. A smile was playing around his mouth still, but there was an intense heat to his gaze that scorched me when I caught it. “Probably not a good idea.”

  My hand was on the doorknob, and I nodded. “Probably not.”

  “Or it might be the best idea ever,” Xander said with a crooked grin. “Seize the day, right?”

  “It’s nighttime.”

  “Seize the night,” he said, and his eyes drank me in. There was silence for several seconds. “Tiani,” Xander finally said, and his voice was rough. “If you’re not going to stay, please go.”

  The door closed, with my back against it and my eyes on his. “I promised I’d stay.”

  “I didn’t mean this,” Xander said, and he moved toward me.

  I could see a droplet of water tracing slowly down his chest, and I suddenly wanted to lick it off. I wanted that hard and heavy body pressing me down, driving every thought out of my head. My stomach clenched in pleasurable expectation, and my fingers found the warm, solid muscles of his shoulders.

  “I didn’t mean this,” he repeated. “But I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been thinking about you, here, and this…” His voice deepened with all sorts of suggestions. “This is a yes?”

  “Yes,” I said and stood up on my tiptoes, kissing him. “Yes, times a billion.”

  Xander pushed me up against the door, rough and hungry, his bare torso pressing against me. At once, I wished that my shirt were thinner, then I wished it were off, and then I realized it might soon be off. Then I stopped thinking altogether when his tongue swept inside and gave my tongue that expert, delicious caress. A groan escaped me.

  “Think we can make up for six years in one night?” Xander asked when we broke apart. A quiver went through me, sparking excitement in my stomach. It didn’t hurt that Xander had slipped his hands inside my shirt, and his thumbs were drifting over my hipbones.

  “Doesn’t hurt to try,” I said, fingers dancing back up over his bare chest and shoulders.

  His hands slid higher, and mine stopped, gripping the thick ridge of his lat muscle. Rough fingers ghosted the edges of my breasts, teasing the edge of my bra, and I made a noise of protest when he suddenly pulled away. He laughed and tugged at my shirt, sweeping it over my head.

  “Oh,” I said and pressed back against the wall for support as Xander enjoyed a lazy, indulgent perusal of me with his eyes. “I’d say we’re making excellent progress.”

  Seized with impatience, I slipped my own pants and socks off in a semi-fluid motion but had to grip Xander's arm at the last moment to keep from falling over in my haste. His forearm flexed under my grip, and I looked up to his eyes smoldering with longing.

  “Tiani, you take my breath away,” he said, and his voice seemed to rasp against the secret bundle of nerves deep inside of me. “You make it hard to think…I can’t ignore the present when you’re around. You pull me to the surface and wake me up.”

  I wanted to say something equally romantic, but I was too busy basking in the glow of Xander’s words, the fervent murmur and the unguarded look on his face. He went to kiss me, and I stopped him, wanting to hold on to this moment.

  “Tia?”

  “You make me happy to be myself,” I said. “And also, make me think that I can maybe be even better. Be as selfless, generous, and honest as you are, Xander Bane.” He made a diffident noise and shrugged, but I frowned and grabbed his chin. “Stop. You are.”

  “I’ve made a lot of mistakes,” he said. “Especially with you.”

  “Good.”

  “Good?” he echoed, one eyebrow rising and his mouth thinning.

  “You’re already intimidating enough,” I said. “Some people might actually think you’re perfect.” He laughed, and his face relaxed. “I know you’d like them to, at least to an extent.”

  “I hope I’m not that arrogant.”

  “It’s not arrogance.” I blew out a sigh. “That’s what makes you all the more infuriating. You only strive for perfection so that people won’t have to worry, so that they can put absolute trust in you and live in this idyllic place called Winfyre. You worry for them.” I shook my head. “It’s too much.”

  Xander’s face settled into a familiar one I knew and loved—his debating face. “But—”

  This time, I kissed him and interrupted those thoughts. “Marshal your arguments another time, Bane. I don’t think either of us wants to get sidetracked now.”

  “You started it,” he said and lifted me up, bringing me over to the bed. Settling me down, he hovered over me, bracing himself on his hands and running his eyes down my body. “But believe me when I say I wasn’t distracted for a second.”

  “I know,” I said archly and darted my eyes down. “Not only hard to think, hm?”

  Leaning down, Xander didn’t answer, only teased his lips and body against mine. The bulge in his boxers sent an electrical jolt through me, and I arched up as he drew back. I went to protest and tried to pull him back down, but then he was kissing my neck. Dangerous kisses that should come with a warning label for the state he was putting me in.

  Again and again, he only brushed his body against mine, until I was in a near frenzy. My arms were locked around his torso, trying to pull him down, but he was too strong. A couple of times he laughed and pulled back entirely, gazing down at me. Then he’d kiss me senseless until I drooped back to the bed, absolutely spent.

  Meanwhile, Xander dropped down to kiss my stomach, his big hands holding me in place while I squirmed and gasped. In vain, I tried to wrap my legs around his waist, only to have my foot hit his side, and he gasped.

  “Did I hurt you?” I asked and let out a little moan as he grabbed my foot.

  “No—your feet are freezing, though.” Xander sat back and began massaging it. “Why didn’t you say something?”

  “I like the cold. I mean, unless it’s super icy freeze-to-death cold,” I said. “And you were keeping me warm—ah.” He’d kissed the inside of my ankle, and I darted a glance down, to see him grinning at me. “Although you’re taking your sweet—”

  Further words were lost in a ragged gasp of pleasure so intense, I almost wasn’t sure what had happened. Heat licked up my body, wave after wave of it, and I lay there, panting, eyes shut.

  Xander had found my toes and with a deft touch, his fingers suddenly hot, had them curling—and me on the brink of coming.

  “Wasn’t sure that would work,” he said, and I forced my eyes open, looking down at him. He was now massaging my calves and working his way up. Nor was it my imagination: little waves and sparks of heat were coming from his capable fingers.

  “You can manipulate heat like that?” I asked, fascinated and turned on even more. “In this form?”

  “Not just heat.” A cold finger pressed into the side of my knee, and I yelped.

  “Not fair,” I mumbled, even as my brain was dazzled by the possibilities. “Also, talk about running hot and cold.”

  “This is about the extent of it,” Xander said, sounding rueful. “Never seemed to have much use.” I propped myself up on my elbows and gave him an incredulous look. “Okay, until now.”

  I sat up and searched his face. “All right, my turn.”

  “What?”

  “I’d like to reciprocate,” I said and tried to push him down onto the bed.

  Xander laughed as I struggled to move his giant, muscled body even an inch, and I growled, yanking him down the other way. He hadn’t been expecting that, and I managed to roll half on top of
him, getting my knee on his stomach so I could hold him there to get his pants off.

  But something sparked in his gaze, and what ensued was a laughing wrestling match. I managed to get his pants off but not his boxers, but then I was pinned down, my wrists captured in one of Xander’s big hands and my waist held in place by his knees on either side of my thighs.

  “Fine, you win,” I said and tried to twist free, giggling.

  Then our eyes met, and neither of us could wait another minute. In seconds, my bra and panties were torn off, followed by Xander’s boxers. I had one glimpse of his hard, swelling length before I was wrapped around him or he was wrapped around me.

  Silk and steel and heat.

  My eyes were shut, biting his shoulder as he barely even nudged against me.

  But I was whispering in his ear, begging and moaning, while Xander’s breathing was harsh with promise and purpose against my neck.

  Finally, he rocked against me and slid in, causing me to cry out. He was holding me off the bed, so strong and powerful that I was suspended only by him. My head fell back, hair brushing the pillows, and he was kissing my neck as he drove completely in.

  “Xander, oh, oh,” I cried out and writhed against him as my body adjusted. He made a minute flexing movement, and I thought I’d choke on the pleasure. “Yes, like that, oh, oh.”

  He’d begun to move, his hands splayed on my back and driving my pleasure. Or his. We were together, and there were no boundaries, no secrets.

  Only this unspoken promise to stay together, in the here and now.

  Flames and wind drowned me, the stars spinning by, and I had the sense I was finally flying.

  My name left Xander’s lips, a deep and raw note in his voice. We were kissing, then, as we moved together and found each other. It was a frantic pleasure all the sweeter for the little moments of uncertainty and learning.

  Xander began to move faster, and I cried out against his mouth, arching up as a shuddering, intense pleasure drove through me. Fast and ruthless, like a white-hot star. It roared over me, and my nerves were alight with a wash of bliss.

  My mate followed, and I came back to earth as he collapsed on top of me, pressing me into the bed. His arms wrapped around me, and he was breathing hard against my hair.

  A sigh escaped me. “You should be arrogant.”

  “Mm, here I was thinking the opposite,” Xander said in a ragged voice. “Tia…”

  “Yes?”

  Xander cleared his throat and rose up, looking down at me. There was a funny expression on his face. "Feel like I should tell you my full name is Alexander."

  “Alexander,” I trilled, and his eyes darkened with some emotion. “Alexander Bane, my darling dragon.” He laughed as I looped my arms around his neck. “Come here. The night’s young.”

  Flipping me onto my stomach, Xander pulled me against him, and his lips found my ear, “Oh, Tia, my mate. You have no idea.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Xander

  I woke slowly, all sense of time scattered in the bright sunshine coming through the window. Except when I’d fallen asleep at my desk in the middle of the day, I couldn’t recall when I’d slept so late. It had to be well into mid-morning, if not already noon.

  The sound of the shower roused me further, however. Rolling over, I saw that Tiani’s side of the bed was vacated and sat up, looking at the door. Scrubbing my hands through my messy hair, I grinned like an idiot and swung out of bed.

  Snatches of a low, sultry voice singing some old song I’d half-forgotten came through the door. I hesitated, then slipped in and prowled up to the steamed-over shower partition. This bathroom had been a new addition within the last year, and I was glad I’d indulged in a new shower.

  Stepping in, I was seized and pushed against the wall, two bright green eyes narrowed at me. “Who are you,” Tiani intoned, and I raised an eyebrow, grinning, “to come into my territory?”

  “Good morning,” I rumbled, letting her think she was holding me there.

  She gripped my arms and pressed them against the wall, fighting a playful smile. “I asked you a question! Don’t dodge it, mysterious stranger.”

  “Oh,” I said, finally catching on and trying not to laugh. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  "You'd better tell me," Tiani said and moved in closer, now unable to help smirking. Her teeth dragged over her bottom lip as she looked me over. "Or I'll have my way with you."

  As fast as lightning, I swung my arms down and gripped her wrists, swinging us around so that she was pinned against the wall. “Maybe that’s been the idea all along, Lady Tiani.”

  Tiani gave an exaggerated gasp. “How do you know my name?”

  “Oh, once I heard of you, I had to start searching for you,” I said and leaned down, pressing myself against her. Tiani let out a small gasp, but mischief danced in her eyes. “I sent patrols out, far and wide, trying to find you.” My lips twitched. “Finally, I had to come and seek you out myself.”

  Pretending to struggle, Tiani arched up, and I bit back a groan. “Tell me who you are.”

  Bending down even closer, I let my lips brush her ear and whispered, “You know.”

  “Lord Bane,” she half-growled, half-giggled as I kissed her neck. “Of the North.” I let out a muffled chuckle and moved in to kiss her lips when she said, “So, the rumors are true. Although…”

  I stopped and searched her gaze. “What?”

  Tiani dipped her gaze down and back up, eyes dancing. “They didn’t do you justice.”

  “I—uh, what?” My face heated, and she stuck out her tongue at me. I couldn’t think of a comeback. “Tiani,” I groaned, and her head fell back against the wall as she laughed helplessly. “Not fair.”

  “It’s true, though,” she said with a giggle, and I shot her an embarrassed grin. “Oh, I knew I’d break you, Bane. I win.”

  Capturing her lips in a kiss, I stopped only to voice a question: “You think we’re too competitive?”

  "Are you asking because you lost?" Tiani retorted and placed her hands on my chest. "And no, I think we're both a bit intense, and it's a good way for us to blow off steam." She tilted her head. "You’re not mad you lost, are you?”

  “Not at all,” I said and grinned. “Would you be?”

  “I’m not sure,” she said and frowned. “Let you know when it happens.” Growling, I pulled Tiani in closer and made her squeal. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Of course not. It was a silly game.” She pressed her cheek against mine. “I’m happy you caught on so fast.”

  “I’m happy you’re here,” I said.

  Tiani let out a hitched, happy breath. “I think I can feel how happy—aha, what are you…?”

  I’d dropped to my knees and pressed a kiss to Tiani’s stomach, sliding my hands up and down her thighs. Tiani let out a small, eager squeak and gripped my shoulders. But I liked the noise she made when I gripped the back of one of her legs and lifted it over my shoulder.

  “Xander, you don’t—oh, oh, don’t stop.” She dug her heel into my shoulder. “That—yes.”

  I stayed there until she was incoherent and inarticulate, trembling all over from multiple orgasms. My lady deserved the best, and I told her as much when I stood up, holding her against me.

  A shudder went over her. “I might never let you win again if that’s the prize.”

  “Actually,” I said and kissed her forehead, “I have you, so I always win.”

  “Alexander,” Tiani said in a soft and shocked voice. I looked at her, her dark hair curling and dripping around her, the water causing her eyes to scintillate and her skin to glow. But her voice was raw and scraped against her throat. “Thank you.” She bit her lip. “I want you to know—I-I can’t let you go, either.”

  She kissed me hard, and I felt her heart slamming against me. I smiled into the kiss.

  Tell me when you’re ready.

  Breaking away, Tiani blinked and looked up at me. “Did you say something?”

&nbs
p; “I was kissing you,” I said and tugged her waist closer to me, nudging my throbbing length against her. “And I need you. Now.”

  "Mm, that mix of sweet, sexy, and stern kills me," Tiani said and wrapped one of her legs around me, standing on tiptoe. I lifted her with ease, and the other went around me. "And you know it, too, damn you."

  I was grinning as I took her in one thrust and caused her to gasp. “Maybe.”

  After a long and indulgent shower, we were spent. I checked in briefly with the other Alphas before taking a long nap, waking up in the hazy afternoon and finding Tiani curled up next to me. Adjusting the blankets, I left her sleeping and made some lunch.

  My sense of time was completely skewed, and the wards weren’t nagging at me like they usually did. A prickle of unease went down my spine, and I focused on them, finding them quietly humming. Strong and secure.

  Rubbing my forehead, I went to the window and stared out. Ever since Brody had died, my connection to Winfyre had grown stronger and stronger. Now it seemed to have leveled off. But was that safe? Could I protect my people and my mate if I was less vigilant?

  Luke had once, not too many months before Reagan got here, accused me of not trusting the patrols and needing to control everything. He and I did not often square off, but that was one time we’d exchanged some bitter words. He’d been worried, and I hadn’t wanted to hear it.

  Later, we’d both apologized, but his assessment wasn’t exactly untrue. It wasn’t so much that I didn’t trust the patrols, as that I was waiting for something to go wrong. Even with the hopper, who could get somewhere faster than I could?

  Only with Tiani did that go away.

  If she was a dragon shifter, she could take on some of that.

  Immediately, I balked at that idea, though, as my mate, it made sense. She should have the guardianship of Winfyre, too. It was never meant to be a solitary responsibility. I hadn’t meant to change that, but I did. Somehow. Lor was still trying to figure that one out.