Xander
I barely made it out into the garden before my claws exploded. My dragon was roaring from within to be set free so that we could claim the woman, who we had left inside, as our own. In the state I was in, it was impossible for me to hold control over my human form. In the distance, I could hear the clock chime, signaling the arrival of midnight and with it, my maturity. I ran further into the garden, towards the woods, shedding my clothes as my feet pounded against the cold ground.
I collapsed to the soft grass of the clearing, hidden by a thick cover of evergreen trees, just as my dragon took control. I hissed as bones shattered, tendons tore, and my body restructured itself into my dragon form. Snorting, I watched as the smoke left my nostrils, holding back the fire rising in my throat. I couldn’t set anything on fire. Father would get very upset if the party abruptly ended because I engulfed the house in flames. I had once ended a garden party by setting the bushes on fire. Drake and Father still didn’t let me live that one down.
Fuck. That woman was breathtaking.
The instant I saw her, my blood set to fire inside my veins, my dragon roared in triumph and my cock lengthened behind the zipper of my trousers. There was no doubt in my mind anymore. The woman from my dreams was my mate. And now she was inside my home, waiting for me. She had watched me with the same rapt attention and attraction that I had for her.
A low keening sound left my dragon throat as I thought of her death at my own hands. It didn’t have to mean anything. I wouldn’t let it mean anything. It wasn’t going to happen.
“Xander, where are you? Father is getting anxious. I’m trying to stall him, but you need to return inside.”
Drake’s voice fluttered through my mind on the familiar psychic link. He knew that I had shifted, sensing my emotions and reaching out along our familiar twin bond. Dragonkyn twins were rare and had deep psychic bonds as a result from sharing a womb. There was only one other set of twins in history, cousins from our mother’s side.
“Tell him I’ll be there momentarily. The hour hit me a bit hard.”
“That is an understatement brother.”
He chuckled, causing me to wince.
Forcing my mind to clear, I focused on my dragon and merged with him. We became one as he drew back, and I regained control of my form. I shifted back into my human body, my elbow and knees supporting my weight. The cold seeped into my bones as my muscles protested the quick change. My teeth chattered as I slowly climbed to my feet, my breath coming out in white clouds in front of my face.
“I left your clothes at the edge of the clearing.”
I was seriously going to owe Drake at the end of the night. I jogged to where he indicated and dressed swiftly. I knew there would be hell to pay with my father at the end of the night.
Struggling with the damn cravat, I ended up tearing the fabric before tossing it to the forest floor, deciding to forgo it and go with the simple unbuttoned shirt look. I would catch a few dirty looks, but it would be better than being choked by the stupid necktie anyway. Drake had forgotten my socks, causing me to curse again as I put my shoes on.
“Damn it, Drake.” I hated shoes to begin with. These boots were uncomfortable as hell without socks on. Grimacing as I walked through the garden, I tucked my shirt into my pants and threw the jacket on.
Spotting her, I stopped dead in my tracks, almost tripping over my own feet. She was standing on the patio, her face frozen in sheer terror for a moment before she took a deep breath and composed herself. Her hand trembled as she took a drink from her champagne glass. My eyes were drawn to her throat, where the muscles contracted as she drank the liquid.
Emerald green eyes found mine in the darkness, trapping me, holding me captive as we couldn’t look away from each other. Her auburn hair was gathered elegantly around her head, with tendrils draping down to grace the ivory skin of her neck. I was utterly entranced by this woman. She took a deep shuddering breath, dropping her gaze from mine, breaking the spell between us, before turning and scurrying inside.
Confusion and frustration rolled through me as she broke the connection. A deep rumbling settled in my chest, anger clouding my vision. How dare she turn away from us? She was our mate, destined for me and my dragon, didn’t she know that?
Of course, she didn’t, you idiot. You barely spoke twenty words to her. Slowly counting to ten to control my temper, I approached the door and returned to my father and Drake.
“What the fuck, dude?” Drake whispered, looking me up and down while handing me a crystal glass full of scotch.
“Don’t ask right now,” I growled as I threw back the amber liquid, savoring the burn as it settled in my belly. It took a large amount of alcohol to get a dragon drunk due to our advanced metabolism, but I was sure as hell going to try tonight.
“Where have you been, Alexandros? We were supposed to start speeches thirty minutes ago.” My father remarked through gritted teeth. His cheeks had slashes of red, relaying his fury to me. He hated to be late.
“I apologize, Pateros.” I worked every ounce of meekness into my tone. Drake coughed to disguise his laughter, his eyes gleaming with mirth.
My father snorted in response. “I don’t care what your silly excuse is, although I am curious how you have lost your tie.” He paused and stroked his beard as his eyes narrowed at me. “Let’s go, we need to address our guests and then we can begin the dancing.”
Drake and I nodded in response and fell in line behind him as he approached the crowd to speak.
He clapped, drawing the attention of the crowd as he stood on the landing overlooking the ballroom. “My honored guests,” his loud booming baritone echoed throughout the ballroom. “On behalf of myself and my house, thank you for attending tonight to help us celebrate the twenty-fifth birthday of my beloved sons, Alexandros and Drakon.”
The answering applause from the crowd was deafening from our position on the balcony. Drake and I bowed to the crowd to signal our gratitude before Father continued.
“Ever since our arrival on Earth a decade ago, it has been my primary goal to see the peaceful cohabitation of the Dragonkyn and humankind. Our numbers were once bleak, but thanks to the wonderful mates our males have found, we have breathed new life into our people.” More applause rang out before my father lifted a hand to silence the crowd, his smile warm.
“Now, my sons have reached their age of maturity, and thus are able to find their mates. It is my sincere hope that they each find their mate and have a long, loving relationship filled with many children.” He raised his glass towards Drake and I. “To my boys: may your dragons be strong, your mates be fierce, and your children be healthy.”
The dragons in the crowd roared in response, my Father, Drake and I joining in with the familiar family call. The music started up shortly after, and our dragon warriors filed up the stairs to give my twin and I handshakes and hugs of congratulations. While the Dragonkyn spoke of their own maturity parties, my eyes never left the party below, scanning the people, looking for my feisty Aleria, needing her contact.
The world snapped into focus as I found her curvy form close to the exit, my breath leaving my lungs as I excused myself from the other Dragonkyn to get to my mate.
Chapter 6
Aleria
I could feel his eyes on me as I moved about the ballroom, causing me to break out in a flush. When he saw me outside, I nearly fainted, his gaze had been so intense. He looked at me as if he wanted to eat me alive. My libido went into overdrive. In my mind I pictured his dark head between my legs, feasting on my sensitive flesh while his large hands pinned my hips to the bed.
My heart raced in my chest as heat crept up my chest to my cheeks. My breath left my lungs in shaky pants as I wobbled on my feet as I made my way to the restroom. What was it about this man that affected me so much? I had never been a woman ruled by my desires. In fact, I never dated, had barely even kissed a boy much less slept with one.
My father and uncle had no clue that they h
ad sent a virgin to seduce the dragon prince. I groaned in frustration. How much worse could this get?
The bathroom door swung open as I pushed it and I walked through having composed myself. I walked the hallway, eyes on the ground, my hands clutched on my long skirts to prevent me tripping over them once again. Looking down and muttering to myself, I collided into a strong chest. Thick arms wrapped around me, as I gasped and looked up into the eyes of the object of my erotic thoughts.
“Hello, little one. Where have you been hiding?” His voice was smooth as silk, the deep tones sending chills across my body, goosebumps rising along my arms.
“I, um,” I licked my lips and swallowed, “had to go to the bathroom.” I inhaled sharply and raised my chin, our gazes connecting. The electricity crackled between us as his eyes zeroed in on my lips. My tongue reached out to moisten them again in a reflexive gesture, the answering growl that left his throat causing me to moan.
“Aleria.” He whispered, he settled his hands on my hips and dragged me closer into his hard frame, his body bathing me in heat.
“Xander,” his name left my lips on a breathy exhale as his nose drifted along my neck, inhaling my scent.
“I love it when you call me that,” he growled, his voice the sexiest thing that I had ever heard in my life.
Giggles drifted up to my ears, breaking the spell that Xander held over me. A group of girls was leaving the bathroom, their eyes wide as they walked by us. I cleared my throat, pushing at the wall of his chest as I took a step back. Their whispers echoed through the hall as they discussed what they saw between the prince and I. It was a sobering moment.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me just now. I apologize for running into you.” Formality dripped from my tone as I put on the familiar mask I used with my parents. “If you will excuse me, I must be going.”
His hand shot out, circling around my wrist. “Please, Aleria. You still owe me a dance.” His lips tilted at the corners and he gifted me with an enchanting smile. Xander could get any woman that he wanted, so why did he want to dance with me?
Are you forgetting that this is your mission? Don’t forget Sariah. You must do this.
Yet, the idea of deceiving Xander made my soul scream in protest. I couldn’t explain it. I had just met the man, yet I already felt so connected to him.
Anything for Sariah. That was the goal.
I decided then that I would keep with my meek and shy act, throwing in touches of my inner fire when called for. The dragon would eat it up and hopefully this mission would be over quickly, and I could get back to Sariah and forget any of this ever happened. Although my heart contracted at the thought.
“I suppose I have time for just one dance,” I said sweetly, smiling up at him. He returned my smile with one of his own as his hand slid up my arm to cup my cheek.
“One thing first,” He said softly, bending his head down towards me. His soft lips descended upon mine with a gentleness that I didn’t know existed. I gasped in surprise and he deepened his kiss by running his tongue along mine. I reached my hands up and wound my fingers around his shoulders as I arched my back into his chest. A moan lingered in my throat as our mouths, tongues and teeth dueled with each other. A tangy flavor lingered on my tongue, something that was uniquely Xander; it made me crave more.
He drew back slowly, his lips hovering above me before he rested his forehead against mine. “Aleria.” He whispered against my swollen lips, and I had to fight the sound of pleasure that threatened to echo in the room at the sound of my name leaving his mouth on a hoarse growl.
This man was going to be the end of me, I just knew it.
Xander
I shouldn’t have kissed her. I really shouldn’t have. Seeing her perfect pink tongue lick at those plump lips had been my downfall. When she tried to leave, I had to get her to stay, reminding her of her promise to dance with me, but instead I stole a kiss.
Damn, what a kiss it was, too.
She had been hesitant, unpracticed, but followed my lead and fell into a perfect rhythm with me. We were made for each other and I just knew that everything between us would be explosive.
Straightening to my full height, I winced as my erection pressed against the zipper of my slacks. Good thing when I buttoned my coat, it would cover my groin, otherwise that would be fun to explain to the guests.
“Come, darling.” I held out a hand and smiled at her. She returned the smile. I could see the wheels in her mind working as she reached to take my outstretched palm. This woman was up to something, but I couldn’t quite place it yet.
She was obviously not comfortable or very familiar with men, and it set my blood on fire to know that I may be one of the only men to have kissed her. I would discover all of her secrets, and I would give her all of mine in return. Together, we would explore each other, body and soul. My cock jumped again at the thought of thoroughly exploring her lush body.
“So, Xander, I have something to confess.” She tucked an escaped tendril of hair behind her ear and looked up at me.
“Oh?”
“I don’t know how to dance.” Color stained her cheeks as she turned away from me in shyness.
I laughed, the rich sound echoing in the hall around us. “That is quite alright, little one. I have a plan.” I winked at her, teasing gently.
My hands settled along her waist and lifted her until the front of her heels rested on the tops of my boots. She gasped as she realized my intentions, a tentative smile easing across her face before she placed one hand on the top of my shoulder and laced her fingers through my other.
“Just follow my lead. I won’t let anything happen to you.” I leaned down and whispered the words against her ear and grinned as I felt the shudder that ran through her body. This woman was perfect.
The music started. The string quartet my father hired had been the best that money could buy. The soft melodic notes flowed over us as I moved to the beat, Aleria secure in my arms, not a care in the world. I held her tightly, the dance making our bodies move and twirl along the marble dance floor. Her breathing accelerated, and a lovely pink color rose along her ample chest and settled in her cheeks. She was lovely when she was flushed. I couldn’t wait to see her entire body heated with passion.
“Enjoying the dance so far, Aleria?” I spun her out of my body before using her momentum to twirl her back into the shelter of my arms. Her answering laughter was a soothing balm on my soul, calming me.
“You are an amazing dancer, Xander.”
Her voice was intoxicating, flooding over my senses along with her scent as I inhaled from her neck. “You are amazing, cara.” My lips feathered along her pulse, feeling her soft, hot skin beneath me.
The song ended on a crescendo as I held her body closer to mine.
“Alexandros, why don’t you introduce me to this lovely woman you found this evening?” My spine straightened as my father’s voice broke through the fog that had settled over me. I heard Aleria’s gasp as she looked around me to see who had spoken the words.
“That’s the king,” she whispered, astonishment making her cling tighter to me. Her delicate nails curled into the fabric of my suit jacket.
“I know, darling. He’s my father, or did you forget that?” My hand slid along her waist to settle at the base of her spine, just above the luscious curve of her ass.
She nibbled on her lip as she looked up at me, that adorable blush still staining her cheeks. “Father, this is Aleria Mikkelsen, I just met her this evening. Aleria, this is my father, King Dimitros Schwartzen.”
“Your majesty, it is an honor to meet you.” Aleria bowed before my father, bending her back low, not making eye contact with him and not straightening her spine until she was sure it was proper.
His booming laughter made her gasp. “My dear girl, we don’t do such formalities here.” He smiled warmly at her, pulling her into a fierce embrace, his large arms wrapping around her frame, much to her shock. I cleared my throat to stifle my l
aughter knowing it wouldn’t earn me a slap upside the head from my father. Awkwardly, she brought her arms around him and returned the hug, her movements stiff.
“Please call me Dimitros, Aleria. I am sure we will be seeing a lot of each other very soon.” Pulling back, he raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, his dark amber eyes twinkling with warmth. “I recognize that look in my son’s eyes. We are very blessed indeed that you came to our event tonight, Aleria. To meet one’s mate on the night of maturity is almost unheard of, but it is a sign from the Gods that this is a blessed pairing.” With a warm smile, he placed a soft kiss on her cheek before he placed her hand in mine.
Clasping a hand on my shoulder, he said, “My son, I couldn’t be prouder. She is beautiful and I see she has a fierce soul within her. Aleria will make a fine mate for you.” He squeezed my hand and I could see the sheen of tears in his dark eyes.
“Thank you, Pateros,” I whispered softly, pulling him into a firm embrace. He slapped me on the back before turning and leaving the room.
The grin dropped from my face when I turned to Aleria. She looked utterly terrified as she turned to me, trembling as she whispered, “mate?”
Chapter 7
Aleria
The king looked like he was about to explode with happiness as he looked at me, then he began to speak. One word stood out above all the others. Mate. He had referred to me as Xander’s mate.
No.
This could not be happening.
Xander couldn’t possibly be my mate. Guilt ate at me, turning my stomach as Xander smiled brightly, embracing his father with such ferocity. I placed a firm palm over my belly, trying to stop the nausea that was rolling within me. Attraction clouded my judgement, a result of the bond. I had watched enough of the Dragonkyn reality TV shows to know the effects of the mate bond on the human partner.
This intensity was beyond anything that they had described before. My body felt hot as I looked over the black dragon prince, with his dark hair and sapphire eyes. Everything inside of me screamed to touch him, that I needed him by my side.
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