by Julia Mills
Growing impatient, Audrey was pleasantly surprised to see three of the Elders of the Blue Dragons’ Clan – Niall, Marcas, and Stefan. It was not unlike when they’d paid her an impromptu visit earlier in the day while she was having her makeup done; only this time, she’d known they would show up sooner or later. Rian would be up there as the Head Elder for other ceremonies in their future, but for this one, he had another role to fulfill.
Audrey’s attention was drawn to the left as five of the Guardsmen of the Aherne Force appeared. Sadness filled the air at Rory’s absence and for the hundredth time that day, she offered a prayer to the God of her fathers that he would be okay.
Watching the men file in, she noted the slightly different hues of blue of each man’s surcoat. Kellan’s was midnight blue, so dark it could’ve been mistaken for black. Brannoc’s was the blue of the ocean and Lennox’s, the exact opposite of Kellan’s, so light the blue was barely discernable. Declan’s primary blue matched the straightforward man she knew him to be. Lastly, there was Pierce, whose surcoat had an iridescent glow added to its cobalt color that made her wonder how brightly the scales of his dragon would shine in the sunlight.
To her surprise, Royce, Lance, Maddox, Drago, and Kayne filed in behind the other Guardsmen. She was honored that they’d come to the ceremony and also freaked that the man she’d thought was a hellhound for a hundred years was actually a powerful Demi-God/Dragon Guardsman.
Oh well, I’ll think about this later. It’s my mating night. Nothing’s taking this train off the rails.
Shaking her head, Audrey looked back at the men her mate held in such high regard. Royce’s beautiful royal blue surcoat with green accents was truly fitting of the gentle giant that no matter what was always there for family. Lance, whose dress uniform was gold and black, grinned and winked, letting her know even a trip to hell had not robbed him of his sense of humor. The bright blue with silver highlights of Maddox’s surcoat matched what Rian had shown her of his good friend and mentor’s true personality, not the grumpy exterior the old dragon showed the world. The flaming red of Drago’s uniform next to the bright golden yellow of Kayne’s finished the line of Guardsmen with a bang and flash. Standing together, they reminded her of flames.
The sound of boots on the sand came from the opposite direction of where the Guardsmen had entered. Turning in her chair, Audrey’s breath caught in her lungs as Rian appeared looking better than a dragon had a right to. She could do little more than stare. Her pulse raced. Her heart beat like thunder. Rian walked to his place beside the archway, holding her hostage with his hypnotic gaze.
After a few seconds of silence, Stefan, the Spiritual Elder of their clan and Rian’s uncle, began to speak. His voice rang out loud and clear across the sand and sea.
“Long ago, when knights and dragons fought side by side for King and country, it became apparent that dragon kin was no longer safe from those who would expose and destroy them. They sought to join with the knights who had so valiantly fought by their sides during so many battles. Thus, through magic and the will of both dragon and knight, the Dragon Shifters were born.
“In the infinite wisdom of our Founding Elders, clans were set up, one for each color of the Dragon Kings whose soul we carry within our own. Each assigned a region in which to make their home and to protect. Over time, some have flourished, some have ceased to exist, and others have been born from the joining of many. As the Spiritual Elder of the Blue Thunder Clan and uncle to Rian, it is an incredible honor to stand among those of not only my own clan, but also the Golden Fire Clan. We are brothers in blood, brothers in battle, and brothers in loyalty.
“We are here, in the place where it all began for these two lovers a hundred years ago. It is only fitting that where the seed was planted, so will it be sown. The earth has been long blessed by our ancestors that have gone before us. Every place we find the light of our soul is sacred. It is an honor to witness the power of what the Universe put into place at our inception. Tonight, under the light of the same moon that continued to bring these two souls together, we will acknowledge and bless the mating of Rian Alexander O’Reilly to the one the Universe made for him, Audrey Catherine Dobresou. Will those seeking to witness this union please step forward?”
Kellan then stood with his long dark hair covering the scarred side of his face and addressed the Elders. “We, the five of the Aherne Force of the Blue Thunder Clan, wish to witness and offer our blessing to one born of our blood and the mate of his heart. May their lives now and forever be a testament to all we hold dear...love, honor, and loyalty. As you are one, let your strength see you through many years and the children of your children’s children smile upon you.” He rejoined his Force when he was finished.
Royce then stepped forward and faced the Elders “We, the two present from the MacLendon Force of the Golden Fire Dragons, wish to witness and offer our blessing to the union of these two souls, two halves of the same whole. May they live long, fight hard, love harder, and produce many young to flourish when their souls have gone to the heavens. I ask this blessing for my brother and the mate of his soul.” He stepped back and bowed his head.
After the moment of silence following Royce’s blessing, Stefan again spoke. “Your witness and blessings have been acknowledged and accepted Aherne and MacLendon Forces. It is truly a blessed event to have two such honorable clans together. Rian O’Reilly, you may go to your mate. Please escort her to the Sacred Circle before the Elders assembled here.”
Rian stalked towards Audrey. His mind opened fully to hers. His emotions became her emotions, his thoughts her thoughts. She was his prey, and oh so very happy to be caught by this dragon warrior. He took the flowers from her hands, placed them on the seat beside her, and gently slid his fingers through hers. Slowly walking her back to the Elders, he filled her mind with images of all the ways he was going to make her his for eternity.
Once they were in place, Stefan spoke again, “The blue dragons were born of sea and sky. They are symbolic of the vastness of our existence and the infinity of our souls. They possess the ability to experience life from all aspects. They are highly protective and incredibly magical. Blue dragons are known for their patience and loyalty. The blue of their scales symbolizes the boundless sky and the deep calmness of the waters. Blue dragons will see every advantage, protect home and family with their very lives, and welcome the rising tide of change with calm acceptance. To mate a blue dragon is to accept all that they are and honor the power shared between mates.”
“Now is the time of the marking. May the Universe continue to bless you and yours all the days of your life.”
The Elders left the beach as the Guardsmen positioned wicker panels around the couple, giving them privacy where there had been none. In a flash, the dragons were gone and Audrey was alone with her mate.
Looking at the man she would give her life for, Audrey could only stare. Rian was magnificent in more ways than she could fathom. He smiled that smile that made her weak in the knees and she chuckled, knowing he’d heard her thoughts. It was a comfort she’d never expected to feel to know he felt exactly the same way. The longer they stared at one another, the deeper and darker his eyes became, until they glowed from within.
Rian lowered his mouth to hers, stopping just as their lips touched, and whispered, “Tá tú mo ghrá eternal. Ta’ mo chroi istigh ionat,” before capturing her lips with his.
Just as it always was when he opened himself to her, Audrey could feel Rian and the dragon within his soul everywhere. She was consumed with a heat that laid her open...body, heart, and soul, to her mate.
A sting on the left side of her neck caused her to gasp. Rian pulled her even closer, moved his lips from hers, and trailed kisses across her jaw and down her neck, reaching the spot that was still tender to the touch. He licked and sucked the offending area until all thoughts of anything but their naked bodies loving one another fled from her mind.
She placed her hands on either side of his face
and pulled his mouth to hers, kissing him until they were both breathless. Rian pulled back. Audrey saw the glint of mischief in his eyes. The corner of his mouth turned up in a cheeky grin, forcing her to ask, “What exactly are you up to, Mr. O’Reilly?”
“So very many, many things, Mrs. O’Reilly.”
The sound of her new name on his lips was music to her ears. Audrey leaned in to give him a kiss, but Rian pulled back. “I want nothing more than to kiss you everywhere for every moment of the rest of our lives, but I have a surprise for you that just cannot wait.” Rian winked, making Audrey laugh aloud as he picked her up, moved the wicker panels with his boot, and using his enhanced speed, whisked her across the beach.
I’ll never get used to how fast my dragon can move.
Rian sped up a path that led them up a mountain and through the opening of a cave that had been decorated with the same flowers as their mating ceremony. As her eyes adjusted, Audrey saw candles burning on every available surface and a pallet of thick fluffy blankets stacked high in the center of the space.
When Rian spoke, his voice was full of love and passion and a longing that echoed her own. “I had thought our first night together after our mating ceremony should be at the cabin, but it didn’t feel quite right. Then it came to me. It was on the beach just below us that I first saw you. I thought you were a vision, that I was losing my mind. I just knew there was no way the Universe would’ve blessed me with someone as amazing as you. You are the beat of my heart. The breath of my lungs. The reason I open my eyes every day. There will never come a time I will not be at your beck and call. Quite simply, Audrey O’Reilly, you are my world.”
Stuck speechless by the utter honesty of her mate, Audrey could do nothing but throw herself into Rian’s arms and kiss her dragon as if her very life depended upon it. Her hands slid under his surcoat, forcing it to the ground. His black T-shirt followed. Electrical currents arched between them igniting a fire only he could extinguish.
Audrey slid down his body, placing kisses on his delectable skin and tasting the special spots she planned to revisit again and again. Appreciating every inch that was her mate, the princess enjoyed his hiss of pleasure as she rubbed her body against his straining cock.
Removing his belt, she unbuttoned his pants and let her hand tease the trail of dark hair that disappeared into his pants. Her fingers once again stretched to cover as much of his impressive erection as she could. She smiled as it pulsed against her palm, a sign of just how much her touch excited him. Working her fist to the tip, she wet her thumb in the warm proof of his excitement. Rian threw back his head and in her mind, she heard his strained voice, “Audrey, mo ghra’, I love you with all that I am.”
She answered just as he had spoken, “And I love you, my dragon mate.” Rian moved his hips, dragging his cock across her palm. His breathing became ragged. Audrey marveled at the mark of two flames irrevocably intertwined, bounce with the rapid beat of his heart. She knew for certain that tattoo had not been there before. A conversation she’d had with Kyra came to mind and the princess instantly knew it was their mating mark, and that she had a matching brand on her neck.
Working her fist up and down his generous length, Audrey felt him grow even harder. Using her free hand and with his help, she shoved his pants to the ground. He kicked them out of the way as she placed her free hand on his thigh and leaned forward, taking as much of his cock into her mouth as she could. It was something he’d only let her do a few times over the years, always placing her pleasure above his, just as he’d tried to do earlier in the day.
His essence on her tongue was sweeter than she remembered and made Audrey think of sea and freedom and the man the Universe had blessed her with. Letting her tongue massage the bulging vein running the length of the underside of his erection, the princess felt her mate’s cock throb in reaction. Slowly, she pulled back until she could tease the slit at the tip with her tongue.
With her hand on his thigh, she felt his muscles quiver and knew he wanted to thrust his hips but was calling upon his considerable strength to hold still. Longing to see her mate come completely undone, as he’d done to her so many times, Audrey sucked his cock back into her mouth until it touched the back of her throat. Humming low in her throat, Audrey chuckled in her mind at Rian’s resulting groan.
He moved his hands to her shoulders and she felt him try to push her back. He even pulled his hips back in an effort to dislodge his cock from her mouth. When she slid her hand around his thigh and pulled him closer, Rian objected, “No, Audrey, you don’t have to do this. I’m about to come.”
Her need to give him the same pleasure he had shown her repeatedly over the years and the feelings flowing between them spurred her on. She answered, adding a little sass to her tone, “I want all of you. Hold nothing back, my love.”
She pulled him back into her mouth, mercilessly teasing him with her tongue, but this time, she moved her fist up and down the base of his cock and massaged his balls with her free hand. Throwing back his head for the second time, Rian yelled to the ceiling “Audrey...Audrey...mo chroi...trócaire...”
Chuckling in her mind at his use of the word mercy in the ancient language and unable to answer his plea, Audrey merely hummed, “mmmmmhhmmmmmm?” the vibrations a happy accident that caused him to groan loud and long.
Fighting his passion, Rian tried to pull from her mouth as hard as she tried to keep him with her. The resulting movement was a give and take where they met one another stroke for stroke until his balls in her hand drew tight to his body. Changing his tactics, her dragon slid his hands under her arms, trying to lift her from the ground. Instead, Audrey quickened her pace until he roared her name and she felt the warm flow of his essence down her throat. Audrey accepted every drop, working him in and out of her mouth until his breathing slowed. Only then did she let him fall from her lips.
Rian knelt before her, looking at her as if she was the most beautiful thing in the world. “Whatever I did to deserve you, I’d do a million times over. It will take several lifetimes to show you the depth of my love for you.”
Ever so slowly, her dragon leaned forward, placing a kiss above one eyebrow and then the other, one cheek and then the other, loving her with his lips, touching as many places as he could, until he had worked his way to her neck. His journey continued to the very top of the white gown she still wore. Every inch of her décolletage knew his worship, while his hands slowly untied and unwound the ribbon holding her bodice tight. Her dress hit the ground. Standing before her dragon in nothing but the white lace panties the girls had given her while they’d helped her get ready, Audrey had her first case of nerves. But Rian leaned back and looked her up and down with passion burning so brightly in his eyes they were once again glowing. Her nipples hardened just shy of the point of pain, and the juices that until now had gathered in her pussy wet the inside of her thigh.
“You are the most beautiful creature ever created, Audrey O’Reilly, and you will be all mine all the years of our lives,” he whispered a split second before his mouth slammed to hers.
Kissing her as if she was the very air he breathed, Rian laid her back on the soft pallet he’d prepared for them. Audrey knew without a doubt she would never be able to live without his touch. Rian was and had always been everywhere, in her heart, in her soul...in the very fiber of her being. The sensual overload was earth shattering. His fingers slid under the lace at her hip and a slight tug later, she was completely naked and utterly at his mercy.
Audrey lifted her hips in an effort to force his wandering hands where her need was becoming uncontrollable but instead, Rian’s chuckle echoed through her mind as he placed one hand flat on the skin above the curls that covered her mound and held her still. Screaming in frustration, she could barely get more than his name across her lips, “Rian...oh my God...Rian... Please...Please... I need...”
She could hear the smile in his voice as he answered, “Yes, ce’adsearc. What is it that you need? You have only to tel
l me.”
Audrey growled and tried to move against his hand, but the movement of his body against her had her eyes flying open to find Rian kneeling between her legs. Their eyes met and the princess was snared, unable to do anything but look into the eyes of the man that was hers forever. Placing his hands under her bottom, he gently pulled her closer to him until the head of his cock touched the outer lips of her pussy. Her hips lifted in response, causing his erection to slide between her outer lips and the base to come in contact with her highly aroused clit. She fought to move her hips forward. Tried to push him farther inside. Her movement caused them both to gasp and his hips to blessedly begin to move.
Rolling her hips to meet his thrust, Rian’s hard cock slid all the way into her wet warm pussy, only stopping when he reached bottom. The feeling of utter bliss rolled over and around them...they were finally one in every way. He savored the feeling of her womb contracting around his erection. Loving everything they were sharing for the first time. Her heart nearly burst when her dragon looked deep into her eyes and asked, “Are you okay? I wanted to go slow our first time but with you, all thoughts of caution disappear,”
The emotions flowing between them and the depth of love in his words heightened Audrey’s excitement and need. “I am better than I have ever been in my entire life. I am finally complete.”
Rian looked down in reverence and said, “Look at us, mo ghra’, look at where we are joined...always together.”
Leaning up on her elbows, Audrey looked at their bodies joined together. One glance and the uncontrollable need to move, to experience the orgasm that was barreling toward her, overtook the princess.