Dragon's Prize (Dragons Awaken Book 2)

by Maya Starling

  Kaden laughed even more. “Nothing to be ashamed of, love. You’ll see it all sooner or later.”

  “I know.” She nuzzled her face into his neck. “I just did not want the others to see you.”

  “So you had to cover your own eyes and not theirs?” Kaden said, amused, as he breathed in her scent, letting her hair caress his face.

  “Do not judge my logic. Even I don’t know what’s on my mind most of the time. Things might come out of my mouth unannounced and unfiltered.”

  At the thought of her mouth, Kaden licked his lips. He pulled Olivia’s head slightly away from his chest so she would look up at him. He smoothed the hair away from her face, then cupped her cheeks.

  They exchanged looks, not words. Olivia bit down on her lower lip and Kaden leaned in close and pulled that lip into his mouth, suckling on it gently. They were both high on the adrenalin of the night and the emotions whirling inside them.

  The fire in them reignited and burned just as fiercely as the bonfire behind them. They were alone, so Kaden allowed his hands slide into her dark tresses, pulling Olivia even closer. His warm, wet tongue slipped past her lips, tangling with Olivia’s, gliding, exploring.

  A whimper escaped Olivia. She clutched the back of his shirt tighter in her hands, rising on the tips of her toes, giving back just as hard and passionately.

  As Kaden’s hand wandered lower toward Olivia’s waist, her hands slid over his back and up around his neck, never breaking the kiss. Their breaths mingled, changing into shallow pants, as Olivia’s hands weaved themselves into Kaden’s dark hair.

  Overwhelmed with passion, Olivia pulled Kaden’s head back by his hair. She kissed and trailed gentle bites to his jaw, moving lower over his neck, reaching the exposed skin of his collar bone.

  Kaden’s eyes lit up, her ministrations feeding his hunger and desire. With a low growl of approval, he pulled Olivia closer by her hips, their bodies fusing together. Kaden didn’t hold back, letting her feel just how much she affected him.

  “Oh!” Olivia unglued her lips from Kaden’s skin and looked up. She was flushed, cheeks rosy, her hair a mess and her mouth red and glistening.

  As they gazed at each other, the heated look in Kaden’s eyes ignited a new kind of fire in Olivia. Kaden waited patiently for Olivia to decide whether she wanted to take it further. The fire crackled behind them.

  Kaden barely had time to blink, and in the next instant, Olivia crashed her lips back against his, taking the initiative in deepening the kiss, pulling slightly on his hair.

  Kaden’s wandering hands traveled lower and hovered over her derriere. Olivia nodded her approval against his lips. He grabbed a handful, kneading, pulling her even closer, not able to resist the urge to grind himself into her.

  The action made Olivia unglue her lips from Kaden’s as her eyes rolled back in pleasure. Her head thrown back gave Kaden the perfect opportunity to trail wet kisses against her neck.

  He kissed his way towards Olivia’s ear, nibbling on her earlobe, eliciting a first moan from her throat. That moan was almost his undoing as he whispered into her ear while squeezing her behind gently, “Up.”

  Bringing her head forward again, Olivia nodded and jumped slightly. Kaden picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he held her pressed tightly against him.

  “We’re going to our hut,” Kaden said.

  He started walking and Olivia couldn’t resist kissing his neck, sucking slightly and grazing her teeth against the skin just below his ear, making Kaden’s knees almost buckle. “Love, if you don’t stop that, we won’t make it far.”

  Olivia giggled and kissed Kaden’s neck one more time before she simply nestled her face in the crook of it, arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders. She let him carry her on.

  Head clearing from the lust filled haze, Olivia had a few moments to think. She knew where things would lead if they continued what had started by the fire. They both felt it, shared the desire and craving for more, to share their bodies, to become one.

  She pondered whether she was ready to take this next step in their relationship. They hadn’t been together for that long, both when Kaden was a dragon and now as a human. Many people would tell her they were rushing things, that they should court and marry first. It was the proper way. But she also knew that people like Charlie, who had been through a lot, would tell her to go for it, and not waste time.

  Olivia had to admit she agreed with Charlie, and not just because it suited her current situation. She did, after all, love Kaden, and he loved her just as much. She knew without a doubt that he was the only man she was ever going to be intimate with. They were both in this forever. So why wait? They loved each other, had almost lost each other. She didn’t want to risk it, still being afraid that something might come between them again, as it had before. Aware it was an irrational fear, Olivia felt it nonetheless, haunted by the depth of emotion that had depressed her when she had thought he was gone. Now that she finally had him again, and in human form, Olivia wanted to make him fully hers.

  The decision felt right. She would make Kaden hers tonight.

  Olivia let out a content sigh.

  “Everything alright, love?” Kaden asked as he nuzzled her hair. The hut was only a few steps away.

  “Perfect.” Olivia mumbled against his neck, giving in to the temptation and kissing him just there. Kaden shivered, goosebumps rising over his skin. Olivia smiled, enjoying her new powers.

  Kaden took one step up and then the flap of the heavy leather curtain brushed her side.

  He took a step left towards Cassiel’s room, checking if the knight was there, but then turned right, entering the room he and Olivia had slept in that afternoon. Was it really just this afternoon? Kaden wondered, for a lot had happened that day.

  Kaden unhooked the flap with one hand and let it fall over the open doorway, providing them privacy. Charlie and Cassiel were not in the hut and even Pup was away, probably spending the night with young Koda.

  Kaden walked them over to Olivia’s bed and sat down with Olivia on his lap.

  She squirmed back a bit. Kaden groaned and held her hips tightly in place. “Don’t… don’t wriggle so much…”

  Olivia pulled her head back, giving her a view of Kaden’s slightly contorted face as he tried to stay in control. “Sorry.” She giggled slightly.

  “No, you’re not,” Kaden scolded. “You know full well what you do to me.”

  Olivia smiled mischievously. “That I do, my love.”

  Kaden beamed at the endearment, and Olivia leaned closer and kissed the scar above his left eye.

  “Deep down, you really are such a tease.” Kaden mumbled and used the opportunity to kiss her neck, and up towards her jaw.

  His lips soon returned to Olivia’s mouth, for another scorching kiss. Olivia’s heartbeat went into overdrive as the constant flight of the butterflies in her belly turned frantic. This kiss was different, all consuming. It promised so much more. She was excited with anticipation of what was to come.

  “Are you sure?” Kaden said as they broke the kiss for some air, leaning his forehead on Olivia’s, looking into her eyes. His hands trailed up her back and into her hair, coming to rest on her face.

  “Yes, I’m sure. I want to make you mine completely,” she said as she slowly licked her lips. “The thought of –”

  “None of the bad thoughts now, love, only the good ones, now kiss me… love me.”

  Olivia obliged, slowly pressing her mouth to Kaden’s, pouring all her love for him into the kiss, and they proceeded to claim each other fully.

  Chapter 23

  That same night, Delilah was hugging herself in front of a fire, the only one still awake. She wore an olive green dress made of silk, with long tight sleeves. It fit snugly to her body. An intricately braided belt of a lighter shade was cinched at her waist. She looked tiny and graceful. The underskirt, much to her dismay, showed in the front, but she did like the pattern on it. It reminded her of a
utumn leaves dancing on a breeze. It was visible because the front of the skirt was held up just below her waist with a set of pins, raising it to her mid-calf. This made it easier for her to walk and move around. The material was light enough for travel but felt anything but, when the sun beat down. Her mother insisted she be properly dressed and accustomed to the way the fabric moved around her. They would be in Asil in about two or three days’ time.

  She stared into the warm, flickering flames. The fire crackled, crickets chirped, and an owl hooted nearby. Quite content for once, she breathed in the scents of the growing spring grass and flowers around her. Not many trees surrounded them, the countryside here consisted mostly of farmland and crops.

  She looked up at the sky and inhaled deeply. At that moment, the moon fought its way out of the cover of the clouds. She smiled. It felt as if nature herself was comforting her.

  The night was peaceful, tranquil. No screaming, devious children, no evil demanding mother… just silence, nature, and her.

  A light breeze blew, ruffling her hair, caressing it away from her face.

  An involuntary shiver trickled down her spine.

  Change…

  The wind whispered a promise. She knew, then, that they were heading towards a big change. She would be forced to choose, but didn’t know what… or was it who? She only understood that her world was about to be turned upside down, more than it already had been.

  Delilah welcomed it this time, afraid no more of the novelties the world kept bringing to her.

  “Lucia?”

  Delilah turned to look at her mother. “No mother, it’s me, Delilah.”

  This was not the first time that Lilith had mistaken one for the other.

  “Oh…” Lilith said and Delilah sensed the disappointment in her voice. She should’ve gotten used to it, but it hurt every time. Lilith was her mother and Delilah always hoped that things would be better between them. She wished her mother would love her for who she was.

  “What are you doing still up?” Lilith asked, standing next to her daughter, staring at the fire as well.

  “I couldn’t sleep.” Delilah shrugged.

  “I see…”

  Delilah both hated and cherished her mother’s pensive moments. She hated to see her mother wishing that Lucia was here instead of her, but she cherished the silence. Lilith wasn’t scolding her and pointing out Delilah’s shortcomings and mistakes. For a short while Delilah could forget how displeased her mother always was to have her for a daughter.

  “Mother?” Delilah pondered asking a question that had been on her mind for many years.

  “Speak, child.” Lilith didn’t turn to look at Delilah.

  Delilah hesitated, but decided to take the plunge and ask, “Who is my father?”

  Lilith sighed, though she was surprised it had taken her daughter this long to ask. “I’m... not sure. There were many men I tried to conceive a child with. It might have been Nathaniel, they called him Nate. He was… colorful and bright, opposite of what I was attracted to until then. He had curly orange hair, emerald eyes… you have a lot of his features… but not his coloring, for which I am grateful.”

  “Who are they?”

  “Hm?” Lilith glanced at her daughter, and with the fire dancing on Delilah’s face, her features reminded Lilith again of her beloved sister. There was so much of Lucia in her. She looked away quickly, back at the slowly-dying fire.

  “You said they called him Nate. Who are they?” Delilah walked over to the small pile of firewood, picking up some and rekindling their campfire.

  “Patrons of the inn where we met. He was an entertainer there, he had a good voice. You got that from him too, I’ve heard you sing and hum.”

  Delilah blushed and her heart picked up speed. Her mother had never praised her much. It warmed her heart.

  But mother’s next words were harsh, again disappointing. “Enough of that, Delilah, go to sleep. I don’t want you to slow us down tomorrow by lagging behind. And change your dress, it’s going to rain. Remember to wash this one at the next inn… It’s perfect for meeting the prince. It brings out the few assets you have going for you, however small they are.”

  Her mother, the bitch, was back.

  Delilah sighed. “Yes, mother…” She dragged her feet toward her sleeping bag, some small privacy afforded her by sleeping alone on in a corner of the wagon.

  She made her book appear and wrote the word CHANGE in it before the exchange she had with her mother came back to her. She added the few details she now knew about her father. She could no longer hold back the tears of disappointment … so she cried onto the mostly blank page, her tears creating a new kind of spell.

  Words appeared on the page. You are not alone… They were written by her tears, but Delilah closed her book and did not notice them. She hid her book away and settled down on the makeshift bed. She cried herself to sleep.

  Chapter 24

  Charlie was on her way to meet Kamil and continue her weaving lessons when Pup dashed into the hut as they were passing by. He crawled under the curtain and into Olivia’s room.

  “Pup!” Charlie hissed from the other side of the curtained doorway, not daring to peer in and disturb Olivia and Kaden.

  “Come back, Puppy…” Charlie tried to coax him out quietly. She was on her hands and knees, her face pressed to the floor so she could try and see where the cub was. She could only make out his paws near the bed.

  Olivia heard a noise but ignored it. There was always someone passing by, kids playing, people talking, so she had learned to drown out the surrounding sounds. Something wet nudged the back of her hand, which was resting on Kaden’s back.

  She snatched her hand back, and yelped. She hated bugs, especially giant ones.

  Kaden woke up at the sound of her voice. He tried to turn, but only managed to roll off the edge of the low bed and fall on the floor with a thud. All the air was expelled from his lungs. He gasped for breath.

  “Kaden!” Olivia squeaked and wrapped herself in the blanket. She looked over the edge of the bed at Kaden now being smothered with happy kisses by the little wolf.

  “Get away, Pup!” Kaden pushed Pup away. He didn’t notice the leather curtain move to the side as Charlie looked in.

  “Charlie!” Olivia yelled, “What are you doing here?”

  “I heard a scream. Are you al… oooh!” The redhead’s eyes swept across Kaden’s naked body, and Kaden couldn’t help but laugh at the situation.

  A pillow hit Charlie in the face. She blinked in surprise, and looked at Olivia. “What was that for?”

  “Stop eyeing my naked man… I mean… my Kaden and his manly bits!” Eyes narrowed, Olivia commanded, still clutching the blanket to her chest.

  Kaden laughed long and loud at this, clutching his stomach. When Olivia shot a look down at him, he stopped and sheepishly cupped his private parts to hide them from Charlie’s view.

  “Well, it is a rather nice view…” Charlie quipped and winked at Kaden, making it even harder for him to hold back his laughter.

  Olivia blushed and groaned. “Get out, Charlie!”

  “If you insist,” Charlie teased. “Glad you took my advice from last night…” the redhead tossed the comment over her shoulder as she walked away, chuckling.

  Olivia rolled her eyes and then looked at Pup. “You too boy… out you go.” She pointed towards the exit and the little wolf walked out, his head hanging low. Just as he was about to leave, he looked back over his shoulder, blinking those big blue puppy eyes. Olivia raised an eyebrow in response and, defeated, he left.

  “I must say; I like this bossy side of you.” Kaden pulled her over the edge of the bed and on top of himself, making her land with an “Umpf.”

  He pulled the blanket over Olivia’s back as she lay spread on top of him. He wore a big wide smile. It made him look younger and carefree.

  Olivia scowled, crossing her arms on his chest, resting her chin on top of her hands.

  “It was fun
ny, you have to admit,” Kaden said as he pushed her hair behind her ears, uncovering her whole face for him to see.

  He could see the sparkle in her bright blue eyes. She did find it funny after all, and a few moments later a smile appeared on her face.

  “I do admit… the sight of you rolling on the floor naked was rather funny.” Olivia chuckled into her hands.

  “So you find my misfortune funny?” Kaden mocked in shocked and hurt disbelief.

  “Yes, I do.” Olivia responded without hesitation, giggling slightly.

  “Oh the things I suffer for love! I never knew you could be so cruel!” Kaden exclaimed dramatically.

  Olivia snorted.

  “My heart is deeply wounded.” Kaden pouted, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

  “Then I shall kiss it better.” Olivia kissed his chest. She placed another one, higher. Followed by more, trailing kisses over his neck.

  Kaden groaned and shivered. He twisted his head to the side, granting her more access to his neck. Olivia let her lips wander a bit more, before she kissed her way over his jaw towards his lips. Their mouths merged into a sweet declaration of love.

  “Yes, that definitely makes everything better,” Kaden said once they caught their breaths. Olivia laid her head on his chest once more, snuggling slightly.

  “You like this, don’t you?” Kaden said and Olivia nodded. He was glad she was so physical with her affections. He ran his fingers through her hair. On the second pass his fingers got entangled. “Sorry…”

  “It is alright, I really haven’t been able to brush my hair in the last two days.”

  “Oh! I just remembered!” Kaden said. He moved up from under Olivia, letting the blanket fall off.

  Olivia quickly scrambled for the blanket and Kaden looked at her over his shoulder as he walked towards his saddlebags. “Are you really still so shy?”