Persuading the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 12)

by Jessie Donovan

  Ivy stopped breathing a second, desperately wanting to hear what happened next. For all she knew, there could be new escape routes or procedures, ones that could ruin the whole thing.

  Everyone would truly hate her then and think she misled them all on purpose.

  After a few seconds, Dacian spoke again. "It's confirmed—every major Knight hideout and operation center has been discreetly surrounded, and the most important locations have additional personnel on hand to raid them after the fact."

  Given that was over one hundred places, Ivy could only imagine how much man and dragon power this whole thing required.

  It truly needed all the dragon clans and DDA employees from the two isles of Britain and Ireland working together to make it a reality. And according to her weekly lessons from the teachers and Zain, that wouldn't have been possible even five years ago. While enemies such as the Knights and dragon hunters had helped bring the clans together, Stonefire and Lochguard had been slowly moving relations between the clans to a more cooperative position.

  Pushing aside her history lessons, she, as well as Zain, continued to stare at the speakers, neither of them wanting to miss a thing.

  Dacian's voice finally returned. "The first captures are in progress. The Knights are trying to run into nearby homes in the cities, but the DDA cleared the nearby residents and stationed personnel. The runners are only going to walk into further traps." A pause, and then Dacian's voice said in a rush, "They are spreading out, running every which way. However, thanks to helicopters hovering above, we're following them closely. Oh, and now the first headquarters located in rural Wales has been raided! Snowridge is making quick work of securing prisoners and handing them over to the DDA."

  Even though Ivy was in a hospital room, far from the action, her heart thumped, her breath quickened, and she leaned forward even more. The destruction of the Dragon Knights was great for all dragon-shifters, of course, but it also meant she would no longer have a target on her back.

  Excitement filled Dacian's voice as he continued, "One of the main chemical suppliers south of London has been secured. They attempted to shoot down the dragons flying overhead, but Stonefire's serum held, meaning no ill effects. And…and now part of the building exploded due to a Knight setting something off! But it seems no one on our side was injured, although Skyhunter is being more cautious as they enter the building and search out the remaining Knights inside."

  While the dragons and the DDA were doing well so far, Ivy kept her ears peeled for the two biggest targets, at least in her opinion—the main research facility not far from Liverpool, England, and the other one north of Edinburgh in Scotland. The Knights could've relocated the facilities since she'd left, but if not, those two locations would have the toughest security and do-or-die protocols. Meaning the most advanced weaponry would be in those places, too.

  Weapons that couldn't be stopped with any serum or other drug to protect the dragon-shifters.

  Dacian's voice was even faster as he spoke again. "Clans Glenlough and Northcastle managed to surround the Knights' bases not far from the border, near Donegal in Ireland. A few of the Knights tried using a long-range flamethrower, but Glenlough's team managed to dodge and set off the aerosol sedatives before dropping them below." A few beats passed and Dacian spoke again, "All of the Knights near it are down for the count. Oh, but now Lochguard is fighting off a major laser attack at the location near Edinburgh in Scotland! One Lochguard dragon was hit, although not fatally. They're trying to regroup, but, wait, they don't need to! A team on foot was able to use tranquilizer darts to subdue them! The Scottish facility is…wait…some have entered the building, trying to save it in case anyone wants to blow it up and destroy any evidence."

  Dacian paused once more, and Ivy growled. What was happening? Would they get the facility? It was one of the most important, where research she hadn't even been privy to was conducted. If the Knights managed to blow it up, so much information would be lost, information that could help the Knights reform their organization and go after the dragon-shifters again.

  Zain merely rubbed her arm in calming strokes. And while he appeared not bothered, she could feel the tension of his muscles under her fingers.

  Dacian finally spoke again, this time a little less hurried than before. "One of the rear buildings on the Scottish compound did explode, but Lochguard caught a handful of researchers about to set off the main building just in time. Even though it should be safe, they're quickly evacuating everyone until a more thorough sweep can be done."

  Zain shared a look with her and murmured, "So hopefully, that one is saved."

  "Let's hope so."

  Ivy itched to get her hands on additional data and continue her work with both the IT dragon-shifters and the doctor researchers.

  Because even if they managed to destroy the vast amount of Dragon Knight strongholds, hideouts, and various facilities in the massive raid today, there would always be rogue members working alone or in small groups who would try to bring down the dragons.

  While no one could help those isolated individuals filled with hatred and lies, thinking their sole purpose was to destroy dragonkind, Ivy had hope for the Knights captured during the raids. After all, Dr. Rossi had helped Ivy tremendously, and the dragonwoman had coordinated with the other dragon-shifter and human psychologists to put a large-scale exit counseling plan in place.

  Dacian's voice boomed out again. "And finally, what we've all been waiting for. Stonefire launched their maneuver and are reporting the results. Nikki's wing survived intact—successfully dodging the lasers shot at them—providing the much-needed distraction for Kai's group to invade from the ground, working with Rafe and some of the British Army forces. The series of buildings disguised as a group of warehouses were all attacked at the same time. One was captured successfully, but two of the others…two of the others are threatening hostages. It seems some of the rogue dragon-shifters that had been hiding out in Scotland were captured and imprisoned by the Knights to be used for testing."

  Ivy only knew the bare minimum about the so-called rogue dragon-shifters. During all the changes over the last few years in the UK, some of the clan members hadn't agreed with accepting humans onto their lands. Over time, those dragons had trickled out or been kicked out of the various clans and had been hiding in the wild. Zain said there was more to the story, but he couldn't share the information in case someone was listening for it inside Stonefire. One minor information leak could destroy months of work the Protectors and Bram had put into place to contain those enemies, too.

  Zain held Ivy a little tighter against his side, letting her know that while he cared about how all of the operations had gone, the news about Stonefire was the most important.

  After all, it was his friends and colleagues risking their lives.

  Dacian cheered before speaking. "The DDA came through. The mole the DDA director had placed inside the Knights' ranks months ago managed to trigger the sprinkler system for a few minutes, distracting everyone long enough for him to release the chemical into the air vents once the water turned off. That knocked everyone out."

  Ivy nearly cheered herself. Bram, Kai, and Zain had taken the warning about traitors within the DDA's ranks seriously. However, they'd eventually cleared the DDA Director, Rosalind Abbott, and had conducted some secret meetings with her. Not even Ivy knew what they'd been about, but apparently, the human director had held up her end of whatever deal they'd struck.

  Dacian’s voice rushed out from the speakers. "Wait, they discovered one individual locked in a panic room. They're not sure if they'll be able to get him or her out for quite a while."

  She shared a glance with Zain. There were tunnels under many of the most high-profile facilities, and it was entirely possible that the panic room actually had an exit somewhere.

  Think of the bigger picture, Ivy. One runaway wouldn't be able to rebuild the entire organization. The worst thing that could happen was if the individual ran to the dragon hunt
ers, hoping to find refuge.

  As Dacian went on to explain all the operations had finished, and nearly all of them were successful—along with no loss of life on the dragon/DDA side but a few serious injuries—she sighed in relief. Only when Dacian signed off, saying an update would be provided later, did she finally speak to Zain again. "So, it's done, then."

  He took her chin in his fingers and gently moved her head upward to better meet his gaze. "In part, thanks to you, love."

  "Only a tiny bit. Most of the hard work was done by those today who risked their lives."

  "But you risked yours, too, when you found your way to Stonefire."

  It was hard to remember all those months ago—more than a year—when she'd constantly been looking over her shoulder as she made her way north. "Selfishly, though. I had wanted to live, and maybe wanted to get revenge for my brother, but it most definitely wasn't to help dragon-shifters for the sake of it."

  He traced her bottom lip before replying, "Regardless, it took strength to make it all the way up here. I only wish I could've held up my end of the bargain when it came to finding your brother's killers specifically."

  She shook her head. "Don't worry about it. At the time, that was the only connection I had left. But whilst I'll always miss my brother and David, I have a new family now. And helping and protecting them is more important than sacrificing lives to hold onto the past."

  He stroked her skin, and Ivy leaned into the touch. She'd never tire of it, ever. He murmured, "I love you, Ivy Passmore. And as soon as we can get out of this bloody bed and go home again, we can start enjoying that future more."

  She laughed. "I somehow see us not leaving the cottage for days after arriving, right?"

  "I'd say weeks, but there's still so much for us both to do in the near future. I can't be too much of a selfish bastard and keep you all to myself."

  She smiled and leaned a fraction closer, trying her best to ignore Zain's lips. "We can both be selfish for a few days, though. I think we've both earned that much, at least."

  "And now my human is the randy one."

  She snorted. "Nowhere near what your dragon is like, though."

  As Zain's pupils flashed to slits, she didn't feel the slightest bit of fear or anxiety. Rather, the sight was comforting, a part of Zain she loved, too.

  Ivy had truly reformed over the last months. And maybe, just maybe, she could help some of the others who had been like her to fully recover, too.

  When Zain's pupils remained round again, he said, "I'm not even going to try to refute you, either. The bastard would make a porn star blush."

  She tilted her head. "Well, then, I look forward to when we can finally kiss, and so much more."

  He growled. "Don't tempt me, love. Or I'll have to leave this room to be able to restrain myself."

  She clutched his top in the fingers of one hand. "No, stay. I can behave. For now."

  He groaned. "You're killing me, Ivy."

  She laid her head on his chest, hoping to take away the temptation to kiss her. "Only a few more days to go, Zain. Then you can do whatever you wish to me."

  "I'll hold you to that, too, human."

  As she snuggled against her dragonman's warm chest, Ivy sighed happily. The next few days couldn't go by fast enough.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Five days later, Zain wished Ivy would allow him to carry her to their cottage. Maybe some would say he was being immature, or insensitive, or some other bullshit, but he was anxious to claim his mate.

  Today was the day Ivy had been cleared to not only go home but to kiss and do whatever came next with him.

  His dragon spoke up. The fact she can walk again, despite everything, is a massive deal to her. Let Ivy enjoy it.

  Funny you saying that, dragon, considering the accidental "nude daydreams" you've been broadcasting inside our mind.

  His beast stood a little taller. It helped me to stay calm during the operation, not killing the old dragon male who gave up Ivy’s location, and the aftermath of it all.

  Right, I'm sure those are the only reasons.

  His dragon grunted. Believe what you want. But I know how much you wanted to beat that traitor to a pulp, too. My naked fantasies helped calm you down as well.

  Later, Zain had understood Kai and Bram’s reasoning about Zain staying away from the old dragon male traitor. However, it’d killed him to not at least question the bastard himself.

  All he knew was that the dragonman had been afraid for his children and grandchildren. Everyone had fears, but not trusting Stonefire’s clan leader to handle everything was an offense itself.

  He still didn’t know what Bram had said to the male, but he was now serving his exile on a remote piece of land, shunned by all Stonefire.

  Zain still thought prison would’ve been better, not caring that the dragonman was seventy-one years old.

  His dragon huffed. He’s under constant supervision, and even has a tracking anklet. We need to trust Bram.

  I know, but it’s not easy.

  His dragon didn't have the chance to say anything else because Ivy emerged from her hospital room, wearing a pretty purple dress that made her eyes more indigo than blue. He walked straight up to her and placed a hand on the back of her neck, loving how her soft hair tickled the back of his hand. "Ready, love?"

  The corners of her mouth ticked up. "I should be the one asking if you're ready?"

  Massaging her skin, he asked, "What do you mean by that?"

  She shrugged one shoulder. "I may be your true mate, I may not, but if it does prove true, then I hear your dragon becomes quite the handful."

  He snorted. "Let me worry about my dragon." He moved to whisper into her ear, "Let's hurry and get you home because I'm dying to see you out of this dress."

  "Zain," she said on a hitched breath.

  His beast spoke up. Imagine her saying our name repeatedly, right before she orgasms.

  Not helping, dragon.

  Zain moved to stand at her side and guided her out the back entrance of the surgery.

  He hadn't picked the route because he was afraid of someone attacking, but rather he suspected Daisy and Freddie were keeping an eye out for Ivy. While normally he didn't mind the pair's interest in befriending Ivy, today he wanted his human all to himself. Which meant trying to outsmart a pair of determined eleven-year-olds.

  Once they hit the fresh air, Zain looked around to ensure the kids weren't lurking and then turned them toward a less-traveled path. "Come on, this way. It should be fairly deserted."

  She raised a ginger eyebrow. "I thought Bram's plan going forward was to have me interact more with the clan."

  "And you will, after I claim you, but not before."

  "Oh."

  Her breathlessness shot straight to his cock. He could just imagine her hot lips on his skin before her breath tickled and cooled his flesh.

  His dragon chuckled. Now who's the randy one?

  Ignoring his beast, he said to Ivy, "Don't worry, I'll be gentle, love. Dragons love sex, but we aren't the mindless, animalistic lot the Dragon Knights say we are."

  "Of course you're not. And no, I'm not worried. If anything, I'm trying to think of anything else but what happens once we finally reach our cottage. I blush easily, and I'm trying not to be splotchy for our first time."

  He smiled. "None of that matters to me, Ivy. You're the most beautiful female in the world to me."

  Her cheeks turned pink, but her lips smiled wider. "Sometimes it's hard for me to reconcile this nice, romantic side of you with the first growly, rude dragonman I spotted when I woke up from my coma."

  "This side of me is for you, and only you. Well, and I go soft a bit sometimes for my nephews. But no one else."

  She leaned into his side. "You're good with those kids. And I think you'll make a wonderful father."

  Zain missed a step but quickly righted himself. "Pardon?"

  Ivy stared ahead, the wind blowing strands of her ginger hair across her
face. "Seeing as I've had a lot of time confined to a bed in recent months, I've thought about what my future should look like." She met his gaze. "And even though Dr. Sid said I'm compatible with dragon-shifters and can have their children, even if I'm not a true mate, if you don't want them, that's okay. All I need is you, Zain. You are my future."

  He stopped, hauled Ivy up against his front, and cupped her cheek with one hand. "I love you, Ivy Passmore, and if we have a child, I'll love them, too. But if you are all I have for the next fifty or more years, I'll be a happy male."

  "Zain," she breathed.

  He stroked her warm, soft cheek, wishing he could kiss her and show her just how much he wanted her. But he couldn't risk it out in the open.

  So he nuzzled her other cheek and whispered, "I know I said I'd let you walk, but I can't wait any longer, love. So I'm carrying you."

  Zain scooped Ivy into his arms and ran toward their cottage. When she settled against him, looping her arms behind his neck, he knew she was just as anxious as him to claim one another.

  He picked up his pace even faster, never wanting anything in his life as much as he wanted to claim the female in his arms.

  Snuggled in Zain's arms, Ivy listened to his breathing and heartbeat as their cottage came into view.

  Even though she'd done a pretty good job of not blushing—or, at least she thought so—her heart thumped so fast she didn't know how every dragon-shifter in a mile radius couldn't hear it.

  After all the days, weeks, and months of recovery and restraint, she was finally going to have sex with her dragonman.

  And even if their conversation about children hadn't been clear, he at least knew how she felt. Because it was true—Zain was her future. Without him forcing his way into her life, she didn't know what would've become of her.

  Because while it sounded corny, sometimes it did take love to truly help a person change for the better.

  Zain finally reached their front door and stopped to put his ear to it. She whispered, "What are you doing?"

  A few beats passed before he sighed in relief. "No one's in there. I just wanted to make sure Freddie and Daisy aren't inside waiting with another surprise party."