The Shifter's Gift

by Haley Weir

  He looked deep in her eyes and tried to convey how earnest he was about getting her to return safely to the city. He wouldn’t force her, but he should have known she was bound to be curious about her family. They’d practically drawn a road map to where the Serpentina were hiding, and her curiosity could put all of them in danger.

  Sky held her gaze a long moment and then banked right, letting the wind catch his wingspan to turn him around. He glanced back to indicate the choice was hers and watched for a moment as she seemed to pause in the air and consider. After a moment, Sky was grateful to see she chose to follow him. She turned herself in a broad arc and flew to catch up.

  “I promise I will answer any questions you have the best that I can. If I don’t know the answer, I will ask Drake.” Sky was beyond euphoric that she was choosing to trust him and let him try to help her. That she was choosing him. When they got back down to the city, they touched down one by one and pulled their clothes on. As Sky began to walk towards the brownstone, Belle held out her hand to stop him.

  “I don’t want to go in there. The Council makes me uncomfortable.”

  “They will wonder where we have gone.”

  “Can you text Claire and tell her we’ve gone to my apartment?” she asked.

  Sky considered this and then nodded. “I am going to send the text to Drake as well.”

  “Alright, that’s fair.” Belle let go of his arm and began walking down the street. She remained silent the entire time, but Sky followed her, giving her space to think.

  They reached a row of brick buildings which were partitioned off by lattice iron work. Belle made her way up the middle building, through the hallways and staircases. She climbed the steps and Sky followed her to the top floor, where she had a view of the Manhattan skyline. It was by no means the best view in the city, but it certainly was a nice one. Sky smiled when he stepped inside her small, cozy apartment. There was a kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom and a couple of closets. What made Sky smile was the dozens of completed jigsaw puzzles that were glued and showcased on the walls. Dragons of all different colors, shapes, and sizes stared back at him. Sky walked over to the coffee table and looked down at a half-finished puzzle of a green dragon. He clicked together a couple of pieces and then looked up at Belle.

  “So, you’ve always known then?”

  “In a way, I guess,” she shrugged. “It was always just a fantasy.”

  Sky nodded. He twirled a piece of the puzzle and set it back down on the table, not wanting to interfere with her project. She sat on the love seat, leaving him room to sit next to her. When he did, she leaned forward, relaxed her muscles, and continued to work the puzzle.

  “What did the Council say about me?” she finally asked.

  “They questioned whether or not you were a spy.” Sky had promised honesty and he was going to deliver it.

  “And what did they conclude?” Her tone was casual, but he could detect the note of worry.

  “There was a vote. I gave my statement that I thought you were naïve to the existence of dragons up until a week ago, and Drake, Ari and Laine backed me on that. The background check Corey did on you was extensive enough to show that there is no indication you were in contact with the Serpentina at any time in your life. That is enough to sway the Council in your favor. By dragon law, you have been pardoned and are under the protection of the Council as well as Drake and my brothers,” he explained. She said nothing and continued to work on her puzzle. “That’s a wingtip piece.” He touched her finger that was toying with the piece she held.

  “So, it is.” She snapped it into place. “How did you know? Sometimes the green looks all the same to me.”

  “By the vein running through the middle of it. It’s one of our finer veins, at the very tips of our wings. They are more like ridges in the center of the wings that help support us,” he explained.

  Belle nodded again. “So, what happens now?” Sky knew she was no longer talking about the puzzle.

  “Now we figure out where the Serpentina are hiding out, we ambush them, and rid ourselves of the war once and for all,” he told her.

  “And with us? What happens now?”

  “Well, I am hoping you will agree to move back into the brownstone with me. Although I do see the appeal of your apartment.”

  Belle looked around and shrugged. “I don’t know, after everything this week, it seems too quaint to belong to me anymore. Besides, I lost my job.”

  “I am sorry for that. I will speak with Drake about-”

  “Please don’t ask him for money on my behalf,” she cut in. “It makes me uncomfortable. I am accustomed to earning my own way.”

  “What are you going to do, then?” he asked.

  “Well, I considered perhaps applying for a waitressing job at the bar. I think the tips might be nice. The unwanted attention might be beneficial in that regard.”

  “Would you let me speak to the manager for you? I’m responsible for getting you fired from the ticket booth to begin with when I kidnapped you. I would like to make that up to you.”

  Belle thought about it and then nodded slowly. “That would be really nice. Thank you.”

  Sky felt the tension in his chest ease a little. He had been feeling so guilty about how much he destabilized her life. Losing her job could have damaged the trust they built, but it seemed as if she was still going to let him in.

  Belle continued working for a moment before mumbling, “and what do we do now, about us?” She looked up and Sky pulled her into his arms. The look of raw vulnerability on her face was enough to make his chest hurt. She still feared rejection, even after being granted a pardon from the Council.

  “You and I are going to continue doing what we need to in order to build trust. I will try my hardest to not be oppressive under the laws of dragons. At the same time, I am hoping you will hear my plea that until matters are settled with the Serpentina, you will not fly that far north. I don’t trust that they won’t attack you on sight out of principle.”

  “So...you are asking me to stay away from them, but not demanding it?”

  “That’s all I can do if you and I are going to be on equal footing.” Sky sat back and Belle smiled. It was the most dazzling thing he had ever seen.

  “I appreciate that, and I will respect your plea.” She leaned forward and before Sky could respond, she was kissing him again. He groaned, having prayed all week that she would approach him again, but not daring to push his luck.

  He was just about to stand, pick her up, and carry her to the bedroom when Belle slipped from the couch down onto the floor between his knees and reached for the button on his jeans.

  Chapter 13

  Belle had never done what she was about to do before. She had seen sex workers doing it in alleyways in Manhattan, but she herself had never considered doing it. She carefully snapped the button on Sky’s jeans and pulled the zipper down slowly. He sucked in a deep breath, and his stomach muscles quivered in front of her. He was already hard, and she knew it wasn’t fair to have denied him all week. But she needed that space, that barrier between them while she dealt with her insecurities and fears. She had found nothing but acceptance since that initial night from everyone at the brownstone. Even Drake had taken a turn going up flying at night with them, and offered some flying tips.

  Belle giggled and then peered up at him. “Let’s play a game,” she began. “How about you continue to work on the puzzle since you know so much about dragon anatomy, and I’m going to explore a different kind of anatomy.” She glanced at his cock, which was already glistening with a drop of moisture. The muscles in his jaw tightened as he ground his teeth, and the rise and fall of his chest became more rapid at her suggestion. He smiled.

  “What do I get if I win?” he whispered.

  “If you win?” she repeated.

  “Yeah, I’m a gambling man. I bet you I can finish this jigsaw puzzle before you can make me…”

  “I get it.” She bit her lip th
en grinned up at him. “You have a deal.”

  “You haven’t told me what I get in return,” he countered.

  “Well I don’t have much, so I suppose you can have whatever you want.”

  “Deal. If you win, same from me.”

  Belle nodded and stuck her hand up between his legs. Her palm grazed his heated flesh and he shuddered, but shook her hand anyway.

  When Belle dropped her hand, he scooted forward on the seat and she heard the light scrape of his nails on the table scooping up puzzle pieces. She eyed the length and girth of him before leaning in and flicking out her tongue to taste the moisture on the tip of him. She felt his whole-body jerk and he inadvertently kicked the leg of the table in reflex, which made her smile, so she did it again. He had more control over his reaction this time, but she heard his breath catch just as a puzzle piece clicked into place above her head.

  Belle leaned forward and opened her mouth, sucking in the tip of his cock. She swirled her tongue around the head of him. His thighs trembled as she lowered her mouth along his shaft, tasting him. She began to explore in earnest after a few moments, bobbing her head up and down, paying attention to the signs that made him twitch and moan.

  Belle discovered he especially liked when she paid attention to the head of him. It must be more sensitive because a few minutes later, she was twirling her tongue around it and stroking him up and down when she heard his voice, shaky and low say, “another. Six. Pieces and I…I will-” He couldn’t get the words out because she started sucking harder. The action caused him to jerk and his fist thumped the table as his other hand found the back of her head. She reached up with her other hand and slowly slid it up his thigh as he neared the end of his restraint, and the end of the puzzle.

  Belle felt the first spurt of his orgasm hit the back of her throat as he moaned, “done!” and then her fingers touched his tight sack. Both of his hands found their way under the table to cup her face and her head as he rode out his orgasm, and Belle relished the power she felt at being in control of his body.

  It wasn’t long before he was sliding the table away and helping her to her feet, where he hastily stripped her from her clothes and began kissing and touching her everywhere. His orgasm seemed to be the start of something more, as his passion hadn’t ebbed in the slightest. When he sank to his knees in front of her and she felt the press of his tongue between her thighs, she understood why he had such a hard time remaining in control. It felt like velvet met silk and rubbed together. She felt the heat race throughout her body as he continued to stroke her with his tongue and she felt the pressure inside her begin to build and knew the inevitable pop and release was fast approaching.

  Belle held his shoulders to steady herself as her orgasm began and her body spasmed. He continued to lick her through it and he only stopped when she put her hand up to push his head away because the feelings were too intense. He rose and picked her up by the waist, and carried her into her bedroom. Belle was anxious to have him inside her, so she started grabbing at his hips, pulling at him while he knelt over and pressed in.

  Belle reached up and cupped his face on either side, forcing him to look in her eyes while he thrust into her again and again. It wasn’t long before either of them reached their climax again, staring deep into each other’s eyes. Belle needed the reassurance that he was right there with her, riding out the storm.

  Sky collapsed on top of her and pulled her to his chest when they both shuddered through their orgasms. Belle was finally reassured that even through all of her insecurities, and hesitancy as she explored this new facet of her life, Sky was right there with her. He would be her rock through it all.

  It was a long time before either of them spoke. Belle waited for the pull she had felt through the first shift, but it never came. It seemed the first shift was caused by the first orgasm, but it was now under her control.

  “So, who won?” she asked. She heard Scyros chuckle.

  “Well, I did finish the puzzle.”

  “I believe you, but I did make you come at that very moment.”

  “Then it is agreed. We both won.”

  “So does that mean we both get what we want?” She looked up at him from where her head was lying on his chest. “What is it that you want?” she asked hesitantly.

  “I want you to move into the brownstone with me.”

  “That’s it? I was going to do that anyway,” she admitted, chuckling.

  “Ah, then I lost out. I could have demanded more!” Scyros turned onto his side and tickled her a little. She started laughing so hard that it took her a moment to catch her breath.

  “And what is it that you want?” he asked her after their tickle fight had ended.

  “I want you to let me be the bait that draws out the Serpentina and reveals their hideout.”

  It took Belle a few moments before she dared to look up into his face. It was tight with anger and restraint. His eyes were the reddest fire she had seen yet, and although she knew he would honor their bet, she wondered if they would be able to come back from her deception to maneuver him into getting what she wanted: answers in this war.

  Chapter 14

  “I don’t like this. I don’t like this one damn bit!” Scyros hissed. He had barely spoken a word to Belle since he got up from the bed and put his clothes back on. She at least had the decency to look chagrined when they finally made eye contact, but he was still angry that she had used sex to get what she wanted. Although, he couldn’t truly begrudge her the right to it. He had used marriage to maneuver her where he wanted her with his brothers and the Council, after all.

  The Council was staring at him and waiting for him to go into a fit of rage. What Belle was suggesting went against every promise he had made, being honor-bound. They argued about it for a while, but she would not budge. He suggested giving her everything under the sun and possibly the moon if she would agree to any other compromise.

  Her plan was simple enough. She would fly north until she was found by the Serpentina, shouldering the risk that they might attack or question her on sight. Or worse, if the females had band together before, they would more than likely welcome her into their fold by choice or force.

  Scyros had argued, begged, pleaded and all but demanded for her to change her mind. She was determined to see it through. She had even offered to rescind her agreement to move in if he didn’t want her anymore, but Scyros had immediately shot that down.

  “If home is the only place I can make sure you’re safe, then nothing will stand in the way of that!” He pulled his t-shirt over his head angrily, knowing she had trapped him into going along with her plan.

  “I know you’re angry, but don’t you see? This is the only way I am ever going to get any answers,” she reasoned.

  “Angry? My anger will lessen, Belle. But not if you’re dead. Then may the Gods tremble in the wake of my fury. You don’t need to do this. It won’t take much to draw them out.”

  “I know I don’t need to,” she countered. “But this is my way to not only get my answers, but to prove to everyone that I mean it when I give my allegiance to the dragons. I never got a chance to make a vow, Scyros. Let this stand for that vow.”

  “Belle, please. Anything else. Ask anything else of me.”

  Belle shook her head, her mind made up. “I have to do this, Scyros.”

  Scyros didn’t continue arguing. He still had a fighting chance that this could be swayed in his favor. That was, until he stood before the Council and his brothers, waiting for one of them to reject the plan. When they all looked to him, he glared. “She manipulated this deal. I can’t tell her she can’t do this. I’m honor bound to keep my promise.”

  “Have you really considered this?” Drake asked, looking at Belle.

  “Yes. I’ve been thinking about it ever since Claire told me the Council was planning tactics on how to draw them out.”

  “And is this being done because you think your mother will-”

  “No,” Belle cut
him off. “She made her choice. I can’t change that.”

  Drake nodded and sighed, turning to Scyros. “I’m sorry my brother, but she has a right to see this through, as much as your brothers and I don’t want her to do this.”

  “There must be some law that-”

  “There isn’t,” Kylar interceded. Scyros wanted to punch him. What did Kylar know of matters of the heart? Because that was the true problem. Even after a week, Scyros felt himself falling for her. He didn’t know what he would do if anything happened to her. He had already lost too much. His parents, Cairne. If he lost her, he didn’t think he could go on. He didn’t know how Ari had done it after losing his first mate.

  “Then it is decided, Scyros. I’m sorry, but the Council stands on this. If she is able to help and prove her loyalty, all the better.” Drake looked at him sympathetically and Scyros turned away.

  He knew they would all be flying in behind, and most of them waiting, hidden along the river to watch where she went. But there were no assurances.

  “Fine. If the Council is foolish enough to let her take this risk-”

  “Scyros…” Lucien was the one to step in before Drake spoke up. “We don’t like the idea, but we have to honor her wishes.” He dropped his voice so that only Scyros and the surrounding warriors could hear him. “I know more than anyone how much you have lost. We will do everything we can to ensure that she stays safe,” he assured him.