“Listen Dragofin, the time is here, and the oracles have begun. As your mates appear, the war will be won. A captured queen, reveals a wayward rook. The king must move less the castle be took.”
And electric shock strong enough for the snap to be audible sizzle along Quinn’s and Wren’s arms. They released each other, reeling from the force of what had just happened. Both Lucien and Matt jumped up to catch them as both women collapsed to the ground.
After they had been seated again, Lucien spoke in an unhurried but cautious tone, “Care to tell us what just happened there with that little electric show you two gave?”
“That’s a great question, one that I don’t know. Do you Wren?”
“Nope, I’m still buzzing from whatever that was.”
“Well, I was listening and typed out that little message you gave us,” Hildy said, looking at her cell phone screen. “Seems like it has to do with your question about the connection of the prophecy to what’s going on now. Not sure what it means, but we can safely assume that you two are the Oracles that have begun to work.”
Matt eyed Wren and said, “Hildy repeat what they said and we can take it piece by piece.”
The group worked on the message until they believed that Oriana was the queen, Julia was the rook, and that organization was the king. After more work and seeing the early morning sun peeking through the slats of the window blinds, Lucien said, “Looks like we have our game plan to approach Oriana. I propose we get some sleep and get going on this at around noon. It’s almost seven, so try to get a good nap, and we’ll meet up in my office.”
Lucien and the guys stood as if about to engage in battle at the sound of a female voice coming from the stairwell.
“You who! It’s Miss Connie—don’t, I repeat, don’t kill me. I need to check on Greg then I’ll get over to the Diner.”
Everyone relaxed.
“Make that two o’clock. Blaise and Nolan, you go down and get some deep sleep. We’ll send a mental link if you’re needed.” Lucien said. To Matt and Wren, he said, “You two come with Quinn and me. I want Miss Connie to check Wren out after she sees Greg.”
36
Quinn…
As promised, Miss Connie had come by bright and early to check on Greg. While she was there, Lucien had her take a look at Wren as well.
“Is that a pout you’re wearing?” Lucien asked as Miss Connie toodle loo’d out the door.
“Yes.” Quinn hated when she was like this, sleep tired and sexually frustrated. He searched her face and burst out laughing. “What?” He continued looking at her chuckling. “I got that face don’t I?”
“Which face are you referring to, my Quinn?”
“You know the one where I look like l’m going to be petty all day.”
“No, I’m talking about the one where you wanted Miss Connie to get the hell out so we could have sex.”
“Oh, yeah that one too. God love her, but Miss Connie took forever.”
“Quinn, it was less than an hour for her to check on both Greg and Wren. Aren’t you happy she was able to give both of them full, clean bills of health?”
“Of course I was, but did she have to stay while you brought Greg up to speed asking all those questions of him and Wren?”
“She’s the Clan’s Healer and wanted to get a proper history on what Greg and Wren had endured.”
“I’m cranky—sorry,” Quinn said, knowing that she wouldn’t get what she wanted, sex and then deep sleep, until she cleaned up her face and acted like she had some sense.
“I promise, I’ll take you to bed as soon as I make sure Greg knows he’s in charge of checking on Oriana. Need to make sure he knows to follow the scripted plan when interacting with her. He’ll have to coordinate with Miss Connie on her food while we’re asleep too.”
“Okay… you do a lot.” Quinn tried to keep the whine out of her voice. This was what it would be like mated to the leader. She didn’t like how this morning was still as annoying and difficult as last night had been. But, she’d deal with it.
Before she had to fight the urge to cross her arms and not look bored, Lucien said, “Come on, he’s on it.”
“Okay? But we didn’t move.”
Tapping his temple, Lucien reminded her, “Mental link. Greg said sweet dreams.”
“Thanks. Hildy said we’d be able to do that soon. Do you think so? I’m not as supernatural as everyone else around here.”
He looked at her, his eyes dark with want. “I’m sure of it. Now follow me. We’re going to sleep down in my Dragon’s den.”
“Your den, okay? Is that like a man cave or something?” she said, hoping it wasn’t a dark, uncomfortable cave.
“Yeah, or something. It’s my Dragon’s den. I, or better yet, my Dragon want’s to show you where I go to rest in the deep sleep after a long battle. As my mate, I need you to know all the places I call mine are now ours.”
“I see… so the fact that I need a new chair of my own to sit in would be a great way for us to have ours too. You know your chair, my chair, our chairs,” Quinn said, stressing the ’s’ on that last chair.
“Exactly like that. Since I’m revealing things to you, I need to confess that I sensed you wanted your own chair last night during the meeting.”
“You did, huh?”
“Yep, with all that wiggling and trying to get comfortable you were doing, I stayed hard the entire time. When I yelled at Matt it was more because of my sexual frustration of having your beautiful, plump ass so close and not being able to do anything about it.”
“Is that right?” Heat rushed to her cheeks at the thought of how clueless she’d been. “Then why didn’t I feel the evidence of that?”
“It’s a guy thing. We can tuck and conceal when we have too. All I wanted was to get everyone out so I could take you to bed and be buried deep inside you.”
“You’re so damn sexy when you talk to me like this. I have a hard time respecting your body,” she purred, loving how the empty cavernous space of the main area gave her voice a stereo sound.
“Follow me,” he said, tugging her toward that hallway that always managed to stay dark.
Instead of turning and going up the stairs, like usual, Lucien took her hand and guided her down the darkened hallway. There was nothing to it. Some distance down the hall, he turned her to face a non-descript place along the brick wall. He reached to grab her right hand and placed it on a spot of the wall level with her line of sight. When he placed his hot, large hand over hers, Quinn hoped it would be the start of some erotic fun.
He began to push against her hand as the brick pushed back, imprinting the feel of cool brick and plaster beneath it. Instead of continuing to resist, the bricks gave way receding into the wall. Lucien pulled her hand back as the bricks continued to move back. When they stopped at a depth of about six inches, he reached back in and did something that produced a mechanical click. Even in the dim lighting of the hallway, it was evident the mechanism was a lock fashioned to open for only him or the guys.
“Will I be able to do that if I need to?” she asked not sure if she was ready to hear his answer.
“You already are. As my mate, when we joined and you took me into your heart, my Dragon joined with you. As long as my Dragon receives and knows you which is forever by the way, you will have access to what I have access to.
Talk about heavy, that was a load.
“Lucien, I’m not sure I’m ready for that type of responsibility.”
“Maybe you aren’t at this exact moment, but we have time to grow and learn together from here on. You did my heart proud last night during the meeting when you helped to form that plan. I can see how fast you’re growing and continue to blossom into your calling and gifts. You inspire me to stay focused on being the best mate, man and Dragon I can be.”
“You know I’m going to jump your bones when we get to wherever you’re taking me, right? I’m so turned on I don’t know how much longer I can wait.”
His chuckle filled the space.
“Good to know. Since we feel the same way, how about I skip the tour and take you directly to my section of the Dragon’s den area?”
“Whoa, you guys have a Dragon’s den?”
“Yeah, although the Gryphon call their area the nest.”
Nodding, Quinn said, “I can see that. It fits. One thing I want to know though, is there a real nest in there?”
“Don’t tell them I told you, but no. More like a California King and lots of pillows.”
She giggled, not expecting that answer.
“You ready?” he asked.
When she gave another nod, about six feet of wall slid to the right as if it was a larger version of a pocket door. Quinn wasn’t ready for what was behind the wall. Where the Lair upstairs had turn of the century charm, this area was sleek and modern with attention given to luxurious comfort. Lucien grabbed her hand and led her to an elevator.
“Wait, you have an elevator in here? Does it go up to the other floors?”
“Yes and no, in the Earth realm no, but in the others yes. Remember, the Lair exists in multiple dimensions simultaneously.”
“Why are you trying to make my brain hurt?”
He laughed that sexy low laugh of his as they boarded the elevator. Again, he took her hand and placed it on a state-of-the-art panel that looked like something she’d see at an Apple Store instead of a Dragon’s Lair basement.
“Hold your hand there and think of me,” he instructed her, indicating where he’d placed her hand on the panel.
“Do I need to close my eyes or can I look at you and think of all the things I’m going to get to do with you very soon?”
“You can have it anyway you like. Think of me.”
Quinn kept his gaze locked on hers as she sent thoughts of sexy escapades to him. Willing him to receive them, her stomach flipped when she could have sworn she heard his voice in her head, saying, “Nice! I can make that happen.”
“Uh-uh, keep your hand on that panel,” he warned. “It takes a little getting used to, but want you to practice now, so you can always get down here with or without me.”
“Did you say something else—you know—in my head?”
“Yes, and I plan to say and do a lot more.”
“Shit, Lucien!” she said, giggling at the thrill of his voice filling her head. “That’s so freaking hot, I’m wet.”
“I’m hard, so hurry up and concentrate on me so we can get this elevator going.”
“Okay, I need to close my eyes then because evidently, looking at you has me too flustered to be any damn good for any task.
Quinn closed her eyes and imagined the man standing before her. The smooth close of doors that made that snick sound and the graceful descent of the elevator threw her senses into a tailspin for a moment.
“You can open your eyes now.”
“Ooh, that was trippy. How do you get used to an elevator that can read minds?”
“You’ll get used to it. Down here, you’ll see some of the best technology from different worlds. Living on the surface doesn’t mean we can’t have some of the finer things from the best the galaxies have to offer.”
“Never thought of it that way. You have a point. If I lived in a place far away and had access to travel anywhere I wanted to, I’d do the same.” Quinn looked at her hand, still planted flat against the panel. “Do I have to keep my hands on this panel?”
“No, the elevator knows your destination now. It’s moving and so we’re good.”
“You were going to let me hold my hand there the entire time?”
“No, I’m thrown off a bit. Trying to focus on this and keep my hands off you is making me forgetful.”
“I see, well how much longer until we get to where you want to take me?”
“Almost there, promise.” His voice had dropped down to that sensual level that drove her crazy.
When the elevator slowed to a stop, she rushed into his arms and kissed him.
“We made it!”
“Your excitement is infectious. I haven’t been this excited to get down here in a while. Come on, up you go,” he said, turning to bend down so she could hop on his back.
“Uh-uh… You want to give me a piggyback ride?”
“That’s the fastest way I can think of to get us to my area.”
“Hell, since you put it that way, stoop down a little lower. Can’t be splitting my pants with this stunt,” she said, not caring that she grunted a little bit getting onto his back.
“And we’re off.”
Lucien shot out of the elevator, rounding a corner in a fast trot. This place was huge and beautiful. More warm hues greeted them with walls the color of muted brown buttercream, rich tapestries here and there and furnishings that could hold their own in the best homes found in the world littered the large open space.
Instead of asking him to stop as they raced by paintings that looked like the Masters had painted them, she held on, knowing what was in store would be way better than any of these treasures. That didn’t stop her from sighing as sculptures fashioned like they came from the minds and hands of the Italian greats and pieces showcased in the middle of a sitting area or off in an alcove whizzed by. Quinn would have time to gawk at all the beauty soon. Lucien ran faster and faster as pieces she recognized from various parts of antiquity, the present and dare she think the future—or possibly from other realms—became a blur.
They came to a stop in an area that she knew had to be influenced by Michelangelo. Lucien had stopped in front of a Fresco of a group of muscular women with flowing robes, pointing to a place in the distance beyond the scope of the painting.
“Why did we stop here? I don’t see a door, is this your den area then?”
“This is the beginning of my area. I wanted to show you this. It’s a picture of a group of Sibyls, painted by the great Michelangelo. I’ve always been fascinated with them. I didn’t know that this picture was foretelling the great gift of my mate. You, my Quinn, are my Sibyl mate and I’m so honored to have you as my mate. I promise to respect you, your power, wisdom, body, thoughts, everything that makes you, you.”
She kissed the back of his head, hoping he sensed how much she loved and cherished him as well.
“I can’t put the way I feel about you in such elegant terms, but I’ll say I’m your ride or die girl. Baby, we’re going to ride this mating adventure until the wheels fall off—heehaw!” He burst out laughing as she hugged and kissed his neck. “Now kind sir, take me to your den, I’m ready to have some mating sex.”
“Why yes, my Quinn,” his grin had that sexy devilish look to it. “You can have it any way you like.”
37
Quinn…
“This isn’t a den, it’s a luxury villa,” Quinn said, looking around at the palatial space. “It’s so well cared for. What cleaning service is bonded enough to get down here?”
“None. I care and clean up myself. My space, my mess to clean.”
“You clean too? Oh God thank you. A man who cleans—yes!”
Lucien chuckled shaking his head as he took her around.
“Where are all the treasures, and loot that’s supposed to be on the floor and stacked in piles all over the place?” Quinn eyed the areas and how well they were furnished with fine things, but not what she’d expected of a Dragon’s den.
“When we have more time, I’ll take you to the treasure storage. It’s on another level. There are a few things I need to get for you out of there anyway.”
Her curiosity was piqued. “Oh yeah, like what?”
“Like the gem you want for your ring. You can pick whichever you like or if you don’t see one, I’ll buy whatever you like.”
“Ring? Lucien Drake, what are you saying? Are you trying to put a ring on it?” she laughed at the colloquial saying, wondering if he knew what she meant.
“Yes, as mates, we marry. And, I want you to be reminded all the time of me. I’ll wear a ring if you like as well
. We believe in marriage. My parents are married and it’s a custom my family holds to. Would that be an issue for you? I guess I should have asked that before we mated as well.”
“Shush up. Yes, I’m totally into marriage. As for the rings, you made my day. I love jewelry that has meaning. No rush, but when you’re ready to pick out my ring, I’ll be there with bells on.”
“Good. Let’s get through this ordeal and then that will be a top priority.”
“Deal,” she said, trying to hide the giddiness of knowing she’d be marrying Lucien Drake.
They continued the tour of his den and she was surprised to see he had a kitchen area, shower to die for and other amenities that made her think he stayed down here all the time. It was no wonder. With its high ceilings and soft, soothing hues, it was welcoming instead of what she’d imagined. “This place puts the bedroom upstairs to shame! You’ve been holding out on me.”
“What did you expect my den to look like?” Lucien picked her up, and carried her over to a huge sunk in area that had a bed that might as well have been large enough to host a party.
Eyeing the bed as he started crawling into it with her still in his arms, Quinn couldn’t hold her thoughts. “Lucien, baby, this bed is big enough for a nice sized party… or orgy. What gives?”
His laughter was so loud, it made her chest vibrate. “My Quinn, that’s funny. You give me too much credit and women too much undeserved strength and ability. No human could survive down here. If you think the wards upstairs are brutal, the ones down here are lethal. The hallway alone has enough maze booby traps to send a person into a million or more possible oblivions. No, this bed is large enough to accommodate my Dragon size and now my mate. I still like comfort when I sleep as a Dragon too, my love.”
Lucien: Dragofin Mated: Book 2 (Dragonfin Clan Mated) Page 30