In a straight fight, a fae was more powerful than a fada. But the fada were far from helpless—more than one fae had been eliminated by a fada assassin’s iron dagger. In fact, Nic suspected Joe had been one such assassin.
The sun fae—those fae who got life-energy from the sun—were some of the most powerful fae, but fortunately, they tended to live and let live. Besides, now that his brother Dion had mated with Queen Cleia, the sun fae were actively helping the Rock Run Clan. It was possible a rogue sun fae was after Rianna, but Nic doubted it.
That left the night fae and the ice fae. The night fae were creatures of the moon—tall and black-haired, with generally pale skin. They fed on negative emotions—anger, jealousy, despair. The only way to hide from them was to freeze, slowing your heart rate and breathing, so that they couldn’t track you.
The ice fae were the smallest, most secretive group of fae. He and his brothers had been trying for over a decade to discover if Sindre’s clan had something to do with the disappearance of their parents, and yet were no closer to finding out anything than when they’d started.
Ice fae fed on the energy of motion. An ice fae drew life-energy from the surrounding molecules, turning liquid water into ice or mud into a rock-hard wall. A powerful ice fae could suck the energy out of your body’s molecules, literally stopping you dead in your tracks.
Nic couldn’t even imagine how the two might combine in a woman like Blaer who was half ice fae, half night fae. He would just have to trust in his own abilities. His dragon hide would deflect fae magic, and he could spew lava and short bursts of flame in return. The only way to kill a dragon was to stab an iron blade into the soft spot at the base of his throat. But Nic didn’t intend to let anyone get that close.
We can take them. Inside, his dragon curled up and went to sleep.
Nic blew out a breath. The dragon was right—there was no sense worrying about it. He’d have to trust that the fae would walk into his trap, and that together, he and his men could take them.
Because failure wasn’t an option.
He rolled on his side and drifted off to asleep, his head full of all the hot things he’d like to do to Cassidy, only to be jolted awake in the middle of the night at her moan.
“Nooo,” she said. “By the Goddess, spare her. Take me instead.”
Rianna whimpered, a tiny, hopeless sound.
In two seconds flat, Nic was off the futon in the outer room and in the bedroom.
Cassidy sat stick straight on the bed, staring into space. Next to her, Rianna curled into a tight ball.
He flicked his fingers at the fae lights, and they glowed on, a low, soothing green. He approached the bed. “Acalme-te, querida. Easy now, sweetheart.”
“No!” Cassidy’s screech raised every hair on his body. She flew off the bed, clawing at his face.
He caught her wrists. “Cassidy, love.” He gave her a shake. “Calm yourself. It’s me, Nic.”
“No.” She writhed in his grip, eyes frighteningly blank.
Rianna woke with a wail. “Mam, Mam.” She launched herself off the bed and wrapped her arms around Cassidy’s left leg. “I’m a-scared.”
Cassidy’s breath sucked in, and then to his relief, her eyes focused on him. Her brow furrowed. “Nic? What’s happening?”
“Everything’s okay.” He smoothed his hands up and down her arms. “You had a nightmare, that’s all.”
Her gaze jerked to her sobbing daughter. “Rianna.” She scooped the little girl into her arms. “Everything’s fine, baby. Don’t worry. Mama’s here.”
“You scared me,” Rianna said against her neck while Nic looked on helplessly.
“I know.” Cassidy patted her back. “But it’s okay now.”
Marlin and Ben appeared. His dreadlocked friend raised a blond brow. “Wassup, dude?”
Cassidy sank down on the bed with a weeping Rianna on her lap. She smoothed the little girl’s tousled curls back from her face.
“Just a bad dream,” she muttered without looking at the other two men. “Sorry to trouble you.”
Nic jerked his head in the direction of the door, silently telling his friends to leave.
Ben stepped back first. “Looks like you’ve got everything under control.”
“Yeah.”
“Give a shout if you need us,” Marlin added, and the pair melted back into the tunnel.
Nic sat next to where Cassidy was murmuring to Rianna.
“It’s all right.” He pressed his side against hers, offering the comfort of touch in the way of their animals. The hell with that promise not to touch her—she needed him. He stroked a soothing hand down Rianna’s small back. Gradually, the pup’s sobs subsided.
Cassidy released a tired sigh.
Nic plumped up the pillows. “Why don’t you two get under the covers, and I’ll get you both a cup of water.”
Cassidy obeyed in an apathetic way that worried him as much as her nightmare. Rianna settled herself on her mother’s lap, arms locked around Cassidy’s neck. He tucked a blanket around both of them and went into the bathroom for the water.
When he returned with two cups, Rianna’s eyes had closed, but she roused enough to take a few sips of water before slipping the rest of the way into sleep.
“Thank you.” Cassidy finished her own water and handed the cup back to Nic. “For everything.”
He set both cups on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the mattress, facing her. “You’re embarrassed. Don’t be.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the sniveling coward who wakes the whole den in the middle of the night.”
“Haven’t I told you how much we all admire you? You should be proud of yourself for getting both of you here safely.”
She nuzzled Rianna’s cheek. Even in sleep, the little girl clung to her. “It tears me up, seeing her so afraid.”
His heart twisted. “It’s not your fault. You did the best you could.”
“Yeah? Maybe I did exactly what they wanted. The pricks were herding us to you.”
“That’s their mistake, then.” His voice dripped with ice. “Because as far as I’m concerned, they’re dead men. I told you I’ll keep you safe, and I will.”
She glanced at Rianna. “It was the fae,” she whispered. “That’s what caused the nightmare. They’re coming.”
“Your Gift?”
She shuddered. “My nape feels like a snake slithered over it.”
“We’re ready for them.”
“Goddess, I hope so.” Her gaze went to his cheek. She sucked in a breath, horrified. “Did I do that?”
He touched the cheekbone. “It’s just a scratch. I didn’t even notice it.”
“I went for your eyes?” She scraped a hand over her cropped red hair. “I’m not to be trusted.”
“It’s nothing.” He got off the futon and waited while she lay down, then tucked the covers around her and Rianna. “Sleep. We can talk in the morning.” He stared down at the two of them, his chest aching with love, before turning to go.
“Nic?” Cassidy’s voice stopped him.
He swung back to her. “Yes?”
“Don’t go.”
He stilled. “You want me to sleep in your bed?”
“I do.” Her chin lifted. “Just to sleep, mind—like the other night.”
“Of course.” He slid under the covers.
Cassidy turned onto her side facing him, Rianna’s head on her shoulder.
Nic pressed a kiss to his daughter’s soft cheek. Her scent was sweet, innocent. It wrapped around his heart, and he felt himself fall even more in love with her.
“Sleep,” he told Cassidy. “I’ll keep you both safe.”
Cassidy’s swallow was audible in the quiet cavern. “I don’t think I can.”
“Would you like me to hold you?”
An infinitesimal dip of her chin. “I would.”
“Come here, then.”
She turned over and rearranged Rianna so the little girl was on Cassid
y’s other side, Nic’s arm around them both. Nic slid closer so that her back was up against his front. His head swam with her scent, a tangy female spice that he’d never forgotten.
He was careful to keep a small space between them, but his cock twitched anyway. He couldn’t help it; the position tantalized him with possibilities. She was bare under the oversized T-shirt. He could push it up, shove off his shorts and slide into her from behind. Tease her with his fingers, bringing her to pleasure, and then make her come again while he stroked into her, slow and deep.
He clenched his teeth and reminded himself that his daughter was on the other side of Cassidy, just a couple of feet away. Not that it mattered—Cassidy had made it clear that sex was off the table.
For now, his dragon added with a brash swish of his tail.
Cassidy’s breath slowed. The tension in her shoulders eased.
The fae balls dimmed and went out, but Nic stared into the darkness for a long time. Wanting Cassidy, yes—a want that was an ache in his gut.
But he couldn’t help think that this was exactly what he’d feared if he ever mated—that his mate would be hounded by the fae.
He’d tried to save Cassidy from that fate. But it was too late. She and Rianna could never leave, even if he could’ve borne to let them go. They were marked as his—a dragon’s mate and daughter.
If they were to have any future, he’d have to guard them both.
He just hoped Cassidy didn’t hate him when she realized the truth.
18
The next morning, Cassidy awoke to find she’d turned in her sleep and was curled into Nic, her head on his shoulder and her leg flung over top of a hairy thigh. She inched closer, drinking in the closeness, until she noticed Rianna wasn’t in bed—or even in the room.
Heart pounding, she lifted her head and looked around, until she heard her daughter’s childish voice in the dining hall.
Relieved, she pushed away from Nic. Her knee brushed an impressive erection and his eyes opened. Green irises flecked with hot gold stared at her. Then he lowered his thick black lashes.
“Sorry,” he said with a matter-of-fact shrug. “I can’t help it when I’m this close to you.”
Her hand was on his waist. His skin was warm, the muscles taut. Some imp made her stroke her hand over his hip. She tilted a brow. “Is that so?”
A quick intake of breath. “Cassidy?”
Then Rianna pelted in the door, followed at a slower pace by Ben. Cassidy pulled away from him and sat up. Fortunately, Rianna didn’t notice anything odd, but Ben gave them a knowing grin that made Cassidy’s cheeks heat.
“Guess what, Mam?” Rianna scrambled up on the bed. “Mister Ben’s gonna take me to feed the goats!”
“What about breakfast?”
“I already ate.”
“It’s after nine o’clock,” Ben said.
“We let you sleep in,” Rianna said proudly.
Cassidy glanced up at the sun streaming through the ceiling slits. And was that coffee she smelled?
She blinked. “I never sleep in.” Hell, for the past few weeks, she’d barely slept at all. If Rianna simply murmured in her sleep, Cassidy jerked awake.
“Your body is still recovering,” Nic said.
Cassidy nodded. That was part of it, but she knew it was also because like Rianna, she’d finally felt safe enough to sleep deeply.
“Can I go feed the goats?” Rianna asked. “Please?”
Cassidy looked at Ben. “She won’t be in the way?”
He smiled down at Rianna. “It would be my pleasure. The goats like the company. She can help feed them.”
“All right.” Rianna pumped her fist in the air and leapt back to the floor.
“That’s kind of you,” Cassidy told Ben. “Bring her back if she’s any trouble.”
“We’ll be fine.” The big earth fada hoisted Rianna onto his shoulders and winked at Cassidy and Nic. “Take your time getting up. There’s no news from Joe, but Marlin swam out to make sure everything’s all right.” He left with Rianna chattering happily in his ear, closing the door behind them.
Cassidy sat back on the pillows, cheeks hot again. Nic rolled onto his side and propped his head on an elbow, hair tousled, the sheet draped over his hips so that he was just barely covered.
He gave her a slow, just-woke-up smile, and suddenly, the air was charged with electricity. She moistened her lips. “Thanks for staying last night.”
“It was no hardship, believe me. I like waking up with a Cassidy-blanket to warm me.” The sheet twitched as if for emphasis, telling her he was still hard and ready—and reminding her that the door was shut and they were alone in his quarters.
She turned on her side to face him.
“Cassidy?” He searched her face.
She set a hand on his chest. This was her lover. Her mate.
She thought of that summer in Shannon, when Nic had seemed so alone. The man needed her, if he was too thick to know it.
Fate had gifted them a second chance. She’d be an idiot if she threw it away.
Nic’s throat worked. “You said no touching.”
“I meant it.” She teased one copper-colored nipple with her thumbnail.
“Then what—”
“You know what you said about me punishing you?”
A look of utter bewilderment crossed his face, and a very female part of her enjoyed it. “Yeah?” he said cautiously.
“I think maybe I should.”
“What do you mean?”
Pushing him onto his back, she straddled him in one lithe move and pressed his wrists to either side of his head. “I mean that I’m going to touch you, and you’re going to lie there and take it. No touching back.”
He rocked his hips up so that his cock brushed her wet folds. “You think that’s a punishment?”
“Yes.” She raised herself higher so he couldn’t reach her. “Because I’m going to drive you mad, Nicolau do Rio. You’re going to be begging before I’m done. And maybe I’ll give it to you and maybe I won’t.”
His brow furrowed.
The man was confused. Good.
“Torture.” She curved down to murmur in his ear. “Me taking you close, and then not letting you come. Me touching you anywhere I want, and you lying still and taking it.”
His eyes glinted gold. “Do your worst, querida.”
“I intend to.” She brushed her mouth over his. He tried to kiss her back but she pressed down on his wrists. “And it starts now. Don’t move.”
He licked his lips. “Okay.”
She nibbled her way across his cheek, his night-beard rough beneath her lips. When she reached his ear, she traced the whorls with her tongue and then sucked his lobe into her mouth.
His breath sped up. Between her thighs, his cock twitched, but he held still.
Her lips curved. “You like that.”
“Sim. I mean, yes.”
She played with his earlobe for a while, and then moved to the stubble beneath his jaw. His scent was strong here, an earthy masculine spice that made her a little dizzy. His heart gave a jagged thump beneath her mouth.
She smiled and worked her way across the strong column of his neck to his other side. Licking him. Kissing him. Absorbing him into her every nerve cell.
A harsh groan vibrated through his throat. “Cassidy. It’s been so long…”
She let herself down until her breasts were pressed to his chest, her thighs on either side of him so that the tip of his erection brushed her belly.
“Beg me.” She nipped and sucked his other earlobe.
Big biceps flexed as he started to reach for her and then caught himself. “You think I’m too proud to beg?”
“I do.” She rubbed herself sinuously against him.
His pelvis strained toward hers, his erection sliding over her folds. He was incredibly hard, but then she was dripping wet.
She sat up and placed her hands on his chest. Sliding up and down him so that his tip teased h
er clit. The corner of his mouth edged up in a satisfied smile.
“Let me touch you, Cassidy. I’ll make it so good for you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You call that begging?”
“What do you want me to say—please?”
The man still didn’t get it. She moved lower on his thighs and took his cock in her hands.
“Stay still,” she ordered.
His body tensed. He gave a jerky nod.
Her mouth curved. By the gods, she loved having this powerful, dominant male at her mercy.
She moved her hands up and down him, playing with the cap, lightly stroking his balls. The slit seeped and suddenly she had to taste him. She bent down to swipe her tongue over him, taking his salty taste into her mouth.
“Cassidy.” A raw moan.
“Hmm?” She gave him a hard suck and his hips bucked. She released him long enough to say again, “Stay still.”
His chest heaved, his eyes half-closed with pleasure. “Anything.”
She returned her attention to his erection. He was big and hot. She encircled the base with one hand, squeezing and releasing while she drew him as deeply as she could into her mouth. He gazed down at her from beneath hooded lids but held himself still.
She licked her way down to the base, tonguing the bulging veins, and then gave him another hard suck.
He groaned and she smiled to herself—and started sucking him in earnest, taking him as deep as she could. Drunk on his taste, his feel, his scent.
His breathing grew ragged, his hands clenching and unclenching, and his balls drew up tight. She cupped them in her fingers.
He bit out a Portuguese curse and then gripped her head. “No more.”
She took her time responding, tonguing and sucking him for another minute before releasing him. “You don’t like it?”
His gaze caught on her mouth, wet from sucking him. “Fuck, yeah, I like it, but it is too much. It’s been too long.”
“So you’re begging me?”
“Yes. Deus, yes.”
She straddled his hips again. “Tell me what you want.” She swirled a finger through the dark hair dusting his pecs.
“I want to touch you.” His accent thickened. “Pleasure you.”
Sea Dragon's Hunger: BAD Alpha Dads (The Fada Shapeshifter Series) Page 10