Stealing My Heart

by Stephani Hecht, Jambrea Jo Jones, A. J. Llewellyn, Carol Lynne, D. J. Manly, Jaime Samms, Serena Yates

  “This place looks creepy,” Mick observed, echoing Duncan’s thoughts.

  “Agreed,” Nicolas nodded. “We all know that they’re waiting for us so how do you think we should approach this?”

  “We don’t have much time.” Trent lifted his face into the wind. “I can sense magic building up in there. A lot of it. It could mean Adam has already started the spell.”

  “So what do you suggest?” Nicolas asked, shocking Duncan by actually asking a sorcerer for advice.

  “That you guys stay back here,” Trent answered.

  Before Duncan could stop him Trent transported out of the grove of trees. He reappeared a second later at the end of the long walkway that led to the front door of the house. Before they had left, Trent had changed into a long, black trench coat and it now billowed slightly in the wind as he stared up at the house. He didn’t turn back to look at them, instead keeping his gaze directed to the door as he waited for Adam to come out.

  “No!” Duncan roared as he lunged forward. Nicolas tackled him and held him down.

  “Let’s just give him a second and see where he’s going with this,” his brother said, as he struggled to hold Duncan.

  “He’s going to let himself be killed to save me.”

  “That’s his choice. Who am I to deny it?” Nicolas grunted when Duncan elbowed him in the gut.

  “He’s just not some sorcerer. He’s everything to me. I love him,” Duncan bellowed. He strained his neck to look up and saw that Trent wasn’t there anymore and the front door of the house hung open like some ominous sign.

  Digging deep, he found a surge of strength and managed to throw Nicolas off him. Scrambling to his feet, he ran to the house. Behind him he could hear Nicolas yelling, but he didn’t even turn around, too intent on finding Trent.

  He got to the door and ran through, shouting Trent’s name. A couple of guards came charging and just as they were approaching, shots rang out. Both the men dropped, twin expressions of shock on their faces. Stunned himself, Duncan turned and saw Nicolas and Mick behind him, Glocks in their hands.

  “What are you waiting for? Go get your sorcerer,” Nicolas said.

  “Yeah, we’ll take care of things out here,” Mick added, a cold mask slipping over his usual cocky face.

  Nodding his thanks, Duncan took off running. He didn’t know how, but some part of him sensed exactly where Trent was. At the end of the hallway a double set of doors were closed. He threw them open and found himself in a study.

  Trent and Adam stood on opposite sides of the room facing off. With a growl, Duncan lunged at the older sorcerer. Just as he was within striking distance, Adam threw up a hand and muttered a few words. Duncan found himself frozen in place, unable to move to help, but still able to see the horror unfolding. No matter how hard he tried to fight and struggle, he was hopelessly locked in place.

  “I still can’t believe you would risk yourself for this,” Adam chided as he held the eye up.

  “Some things are worth dying for,” Trent replied in a calm voice.

  “So you would actually try to cross swords with me magically all for some dirty dragon?” Adam face twisted in disgust.

  “Yeah, I would.” Trent nodded slowly as he let his hands hang lose at his sides.

  “I have so many other dragon’s eyes in my collection. It’s amazing that this one would hold so much value to me. With it I can finally eliminate all my threats and take hold of leadership of the sorcerers.” Adam held the stone aloft and looked thoughtfully into it.

  “If you want to get rid of me, fine. We don’t have to do battle, Uncle. Just give me the eye and I’ll leave and never come back,” Trent bargained.

  “Fine, if that’s the way you want it then…here.” Adam tossed the eye to Trent.

  Duncan caught the sly grin on the evil sorcerer’s face and knew it was all a trick. He tired to shout of a warning, but his jaws remained locked in place. Trent took his gaze off Adam, intent on catching the eye as it sailed towards him. His fingers were just closing around it when the loud rapport of a gunshot echoed through the room.

  Duncan screamed in his head, bone-crunching grief going through him as he saw Trent’s eyes grow wide in shock. Trent clutched his chest with his empty hand as he fell to his knees. Raising his blue-eyed gaze to Duncan he mouthed a silent apology as blood gushed between his fingers and splattered over the Oriental rug.

  “You honestly don’t think I would actually just give it to you?” Adam spat. “If I had let you live then I would always have to worry about you coming for me some day. You filthy dragon lover.”

  With that final insult Adam transported out of the house. As soon as he was gone the force holding Duncan vanished and he could move again. Letting out a cry of despair he ran forward just in time to catch Trent before he collapsed face first into the carpet. Cradling the sorcerer in his arms, Duncan’s stomach clenched with despair when he felt the man’s blood soaking through his clothes.

  “No, no, no,” he chanted. Maybe if he said it enough times it would be true. He could hear the sound of footsteps as Nicolas and Mick came in, but Duncan was too caught up in his grief to even look up.

  “It’s okay. It was worth it,” Trent replied weakly as he fumbled around and placed something warm into Duncan’s hand.

  Duncan didn’t have to glance down to see what it was. The surge of power through his body as his magic returned to him let him know it was his dragon’s eye. A roar rebounded through his head as his dragon form merged back with him, awakening after being tamped down for far too long.

  It should have felt exhilarating. He should be celebrating. Instead he found himself weeping as he held Trent close and gently rocked him.

  “We can still save him,” Nicolas’ voice cut into his grieving.

  “How?” Duncan asked, tears falling down his face.

  “We could have our healers help him. With their magic they may be able to save him.”

  “Brian would never allow a sorcerer around his people.” Duncan shook his head. Trent can’t be dying. Not someone as pure of heart as him. It’s not fair that he should die when the crud of the earth like Adam still get to breathe.

  “You let me worry about Brian,” Nicolas ordered. “You just fly and get Trent to our house as fast as possible.”

  The smallest spark of optimism flared inside him. Maybe, just maybe there was hope after all. Still carrying Trent in his arms he ran out of the house and into the front yard. Jumping into the air, he did something he hadn’t done in a decade. He shifted into the form of his emerald green dragon.

  He was careful to keep his hold on Trent so the man ended up being held gingerly in the claws of the dragon’s front feet. Cresting high into the sky, he banked hard to the left and flew as fast as he could. He only hoped he made it in time. Even though the family home was also in Michigan, it was far up north, in the heavily wooded area of the Upper Peninsula and hundreds of miles away.

  * * * *

  By the time Duncan made it to the large farmhouse that he’d grown up in, Trent was barely breathing. His heartbeat was almost nonexistent and his skin was pasty and cold. Duncan swooped down and landed, shifting at the same time. As he returned to human form, his clothes were still in place and he didn’t even fumble once as he shifted his hold on Trent.

  Brian stood at the door. A giant hulk of man with dark hair and eyes, he always looked fierce. Today was no different and Duncan only hoped he would be willing to help. Rushing to the top step, Duncan bowed as best he could while still holding Trent.

  Keeping his head lowered he spoke in the ancient language of their kind, “Please, lord of mine. I beg that you help he that is mine.”

  Cursing, Brian replied in English, “Shit, I can’t believe I’m doing this, but bring him inside.”

  * * * *

  Trent slowly woke up, the first thing greeting him was sunlight filtering through a window and illuminating a strange room. Moaning, he brought his hand up to scratch his bare chest
and touched the puckered skin left from a gunshot wound. Shot? When did that happen? How was that possible and why wasn’t he still in pain? Suddenly the memories came back in a rush.

  He’d got the eye back for Duncan, but his uncle had shot him in the process. He also vaguely remembered Duncan being in his dragon form and then there was nothing. So how was he still alive? Scanning his gaze around again, he took in his surroundings.

  He was in a bedroom that was small but comfortable looking, with warm coloured walls and neutral wood furniture. There was one window off to the side that was covered in white, gauzy curtains, making the room seem even homier. His gaze finally settled at the foot of the bed and he saw Duncan.

  He was sound asleep, his large body crammed into a straight backed chair. Even though his head rested on the bed, the dragon looked uncomfortable. He must have sensed Trent looking at him because he instantly came awake.

  “How are you feeling?” Duncan asked, his warm tone full of concern.

  “Confused as hell,” Trent admitted as he drank in the sight of the dragon. “Where am I?”

  “You’re in our family home,” a deep voice said. For the first time Trent noticed there was a man standing in the corner of the room. How he’d missed him being there was a shocker given how huge the guy was. Tall and broad, he reminded him of Duncan since they both had the same coloured hair and eyes.

  “Dragons healed me?” Trent was so shocked his question came out a little high-pitched.

  “It was our honour.” Brian formally bowed his head.

  “It was?” Trent shot an incredulous look over at Duncan who had the nerve to smile at him.

  “Yes, it was,” Brian continued, his stoic face revealing nothing. “While my brother may have been an idiot to think we would turn our backs on him for one stupid mistake, we still love him. We will never be able to repay our debt to you for helping him find his way back home to us.”

  “No problem,” Trent replied. While he should have been elated that he was alive, a part of his heart was still breaking. He knew that as soon as he got better he would have to leave and then he would never see Duncan again.

  “I know we have no right to ask any more of you, but I find that I need your help with something.” Brian came closer to the bed.

  “What?” Trent asked suspiciously, wondering if the request was going to be that he leave Duncan alone.

  “Duncan informed me that your uncle claimed to have more dragons’ eyes. Do you think it’s true?”

  “Sure, that would explain how he was powerful enough to murder my father,” Trent responded, a little thrown off by the line of questioning.

  “Do you think you would be able to track them down?”

  Trent sucked in his breath in surprise. That had been the last thing that he thought the shifter leader would ask him. “Yes, it may take some time, but I could do it,” Trent replied, honestly.

  “Then I was wondering if you would be willing to stay on and help us with that?”

  Trent had to stop himself from going slack jawed in shock as hope bloomed in his chest. “Are you serious?”

  “I think it might be a good move to have a sorcerer on our side for once.” Brian smiled. “It may help even things out for us.”

  Trent looked at Duncan. The dragon was gazing at him with such love in his eyes and suddenly he realised that they would be able to find their happiness together after all. “Of course, I’ll stay,” Trent replied, his face spreading into a happy grin.

  “I thought you’d say that,” Brian chuckled, as he leant over and ruffled Duncan’s hair. “I guess we’ll put Duncan in charge of watching over you.”

  “It’ll be a tough job, but I think I can handle it,” Duncan drawled in that sexy way of his.

  Brian rolled his eyes, but there was a smile on his face as he left the room.

  Once they were alone, Duncan got up from the chair and sat on the edge of the bed so they were closer together. Bending down, he placed a tender kiss on Trent’s lips. “Thank you for getting my dragon’s eye back. But if you ever do anything like that again, I’ll skin you myself,” the dragon, the tender expression in his gaze at odds with his words.

  “Don’t you realise I’d do anything for you? I love you.” Trent steeled himself, still expecting the rejection he’d always endured up until now. Instead he got another kiss, this one longer and hotter than before.

  “I love you, too.” Duncan’s fingers slowly trailed up Trent’s side, the skin-on-skin contact making him shiver in desire.

  “You’re just not saying that because I got your eye back are you?” Trent asked, only half teasing.

  “No, I’m saying it because you’re everything to me.”

  Duncan gave him another kiss, but this time he didn’t pull back, going so far as to shift his body so he was stretched out over Trent. With a satisfied sigh, Trent threaded his fingers through Duncan’s hair and started to return the passion in earnest. Duncan growled in approval before he plunged his tongue into Trent’s mouth.

  A whimper slipped past Trent’s lips, surprising and embarrassing him. The last thing he wanted was to come off as desperate or needy. Duncan didn’t seem to mind though, instead rolling his hips forward so their cocks ground tighter.

  Jolts of pleasure shot through Trent. Even though the healers had taken off his pants, Duncan still had his on and Trent, could feel the heat of the man’s erection soaking through. It wasn’t enough though, he wanted so much more. Eager to feel Duncan’s flesh, Trent tugged at the dragon’s shirt.

  “Off,” he grunted, too dumb from need to be more eloquent.

  Duncan sat up just enough to take off the shirt. Once he’d tossed it to the side, he got back into position. Trent moaned in appreciation as soon as their bodies rubbed together. Duncan buried his nose in the crook of Trent’s neck and inhaled loudly.

  “Do you have any idea how fucking good you smell?” he asked before his tongue darted out to lick Trent’s throat.

  “Not nearly as good as you do,” Trent replied with heartfelt honesty as he tilted his head to the side .

  Duncan started to suck and nip at Trent’s skin, no doubt leaving behind a mark. At the same time Duncan’s hand slid in between their bodies, his fingers not stopping until they were at the top of his boxers Duncan slipped his hand in them so he could grab Trent’s aching cock. Trent bit his bottom lip so hard he tasted blood, as he fought back a cry of passion.

  “Why are you holding back?” Duncan asked, his voice laced with amusement.

  “I don’t think we need to broadcast what we’re doing to your brothers and friends.” Trent didn’t think the house was that big. If he were to yell, he felt pretty sure they’d hear him.

  “Do you honestly think you can last without screaming at least once?” Duncan pulled back so he could gaze down at Trent.

  Trent’s heart thumped madly in his chest as the saw the desire and smoky promise in the dragon’s gaze. The throb in Trent’s cock grew more intense. It certainly didn’t help matters when Duncan ran his thumb over the tip of Trent’s cock. Little traitor that it was, his dick jerked like it was in full agreement with Duncan. A triumphant gleam went through Duncan’s eyes as he started to slowly pump his fist up and down Trent’s shaft.

  “Please, Duncan, I can’t take much more of this.” Trent jerked his hips up into Duncan’s hand. Already his balls were drawn tight to his body and Trent knew he couldn’t last much longer.

  “Begging already?” Duncan cocked his head to the side, a wicked smile playing on his full lips. “We’re just getting started, too. If you’re already this close to the edge, I’ll have you screaming for sure before I’m done.”

  A soft cry of disappointment ripped from Trent’s throat when Duncan moved his hand. He thrust his hips up in a silent plea, but Duncan ignored it, instead he started to kiss his way down Trent’s chest. He stopped long enough to nip and suck on one of Trent’s nipples, making his squirm in pleasure.

  Trent bit his bottom li
p, determined to keep his vow of silence. It was hard though, especially when Duncan gave him another not-so-gentle love bite. It was the sweetest of tortures as Duncan continued to take his time, like there was no rush and they could stay in bed all day if need be.

  After one last lick, Duncan started to move lower, his lips raining kisses down Trent’s abdomen. When he got to Trent’s boxers, Duncan lowered them just enough so he could get at Trent’s cock.

  Trent bit his lip harder, even though he knew it was coming, he almost lost control and yelled when he felt the hot sensation of Duncan’s lips on the tip of his cock. A strangled sob still found its way out, loud, but not so much so that it would carry outside of the room.

  To his dismay, Duncan only gave his cock a few licks. Before Trent had a chance to voice his disappointment, though, Duncan got off the bed and started to strip. Tent watched, breath catching in his chest as every inch of Duncan’s glorious body was revealed. Just seeing all those hard muscles made the ache in his cock more unbearable and he had to reach down and stroke himself to ease some of the ache.

  “Oh no you don’t,” Duncan tsked. “If you’re going to find any pleasure it’s going to be from my touch alone.”

  Trent gasped in frustration, but he obeyed, letting go. As soon as he did, Duncan reached down and slowly peeled off Trent’s boxers. As soon as they were off, Duncan tossed them to the side and gazed down, his stare seeming to burn into Trent.

  “Turn over,” Duncan commanded, his voice harsh with passion.

  Confused at the strange order, Trent obeyed, moaning as his cock became trapped between his stomach and the mattress. The urge to rub into it and relieve some of the pressure was strong, but Trent resisted, remembering that Duncan had forbade self-gratification.

  Trent tensed as he waited to see what Duncan had planned. The mattress dipped as the dragon climbed back on, his legs on either side of Trent’s knees. Giving a low hum of approval, Duncan ran a palm along one side of Trent’s ass.