by Becca Van
* * * *
When Aiden saw that Caly was tiring after practicing and using so much magic he knew it was time to call it a day. If they were to be back here in a few hours to try and draw the hunters out, he wanted to make sure that their mate was rested up. Being weary would put her in danger and he couldn’t accept her being any more vulnerable than he already feared she was. It wasn’t that he didn’t have confidence in her abilities nor his or the other shifters’ skills, but if she was to face the hunters right now, he wasn’t sure she would have the strength to win.
“That’s enough,” he called out to Lance and Caly as a rock was blown to pieces. He was amazed by how much stronger the magic sparking in the air was when they combined it. All day long he’d felt as if his scales were rippling and moving over his body as energy flew around the clearing. It had been hard to let her and their elder practice when all he wanted to do was change back to his human form, strip Caly down to bare skin and make love to her until they were both screaming.
He had a feeling he’d leaked some of those urges through their bond when he caught her looking at him with a gleam of lust in her eyes, and felt a little bad for distracting her. Nonetheless, Lance had been able to garner her attention away from him and back to the task at hand.
The other dragons and Niki had already left for the lair to start dinner preparations, which he hoped were well underway because he was starving, but not only for food. Alex’s and Andre’s dragons chuffed as if they had read his mind and then the air shimmered as they pushed their animals back.
Lance met his gaze and nodded, before meeting Caly’s eyes. When Aiden saw her sway on her feet and yawn he cursed under his breath. They had pushed her too hard and now he wanted to call the whole bait the hunters scenario off. If she wasn’t at full strength she might get hurt. An ache settled over his heart at that thought and he lifted his hand to rub the pain away.
Aiden moved to Caly’s side, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and pulled her against his body. When she slumped against him his ire grew.
“Let’s get you home, darlin’. You need some dinner and bed.”
“I’m fine.” She covered her mouth as another yawn formed.
“Aiden’s right, love. You need some rest. I shouldn’t have pushed you so hard.” Lance sighed and Aiden felt his guilt at exhausting their mate through the bond, but that wasn’t all he felt.
Caly must have felt Lance’s emotions, too, because she drew away from him and then clasped the elder’s hand. “You have got to let go of that guilt eating you up, Lance. What happened to your mate and friends wasn’t your fault.”
“I should have been there. It was my duty to fight alongside my friends, my brethren.”
“I understand, baby, but if you had died with them, what would have happened to Andre, Aiden and Alex and all the others? Do you think they would have survived without you by their sides, without your love and guidance?”
Lance heaved out a sigh, tilting his head back and looking up at the sky. “I won’t ever know, will I? I never got the chance to make a choice.”
Aiden stepped forward as Andre and Alex moved closer. “If you were meant to die that day, you wouldn’t be here.” Aiden hugged Caly tighter and placed a hand on Lance’s shoulder. “From what we’ve been told, Lady Guinevere entrusted you to care for us and you kept that promise. If you had died with our parents, I don’t know if we would have had the strength or the courage to continue on living. We were only boys, Lance, you know as well as we do that we would never have survived for long. Yes, there were a few months’ worth of food for us to eat in the cavern, but what would we have had to do when that food ran out? We would have had to venture from the cave so we could eat.”
“Aiden’s right,” Andre said. “You saw what happened when we left the lair and tried to live amongst the human population and we were a lot older then. We would have been slaughtered. It took years for us to learn to control our beasts and not have them pop out every time we got pissed off or upset.”
“Merlin and Lady Guinevere knew they could trust you to keep your word,” Alex stated. “Maybe they knew that you would have another mate down the road and that you and Caly would be instrumental to taking the hunters down for good. It was fate, Lance, and as hard as it was for you to meet each day, it was meant to be.”
“Do you regret meeting me?” Caly asked, a frown marring the skin between her eyes.
Aiden could see sadness in her gaze and hated that she was feeling inadequate.
“No, mo chroí. Never. Táim i ngrá leat.”
Aiden exhaled with relief. He should never have doubted their leader, especially when he could feel what was in his heart, but their elder had been warring with his mind and emotions for so long, he hadn’t been certain what his answer would be.
“When I started out on this case, I never expected to find one man, let alone four.” Caly paused to wipe her moist cheeks. “Everything has happened so fast and sometimes I feel like my head is spinning, or as if I’m living in a dream world, but I have never felt like this for anyone. I love you, too, Lance. I love all of you and there is no way I’m going to let you continue carrying around that survivor’s guilt.
“Do you think Gawain and Galahad wouldn’t want you to be happy? Or your mate?”
“No,” Lance whispered his reply in a hoarse voice.
Aiden felt a prickle of awareness at the back of his neck and was about to reach for his dragon, but when he caught movement amongst the edge of the trees his mouth gaped open.
The spirits of past dragon shifters, Merlin, Lady Guinevere and his parents floated toward them. A calming, peaceful tranquility enveloped him and his dragon backed down.
Lady Guinevere stepped forward, her hand reaching up to cup Lance’s cheek. “You have done as you have promised, Sir Lancelot Du Lac. Your mate and flight pod brothers are right. You need to let go of the guilt, of the past and embrace the future. You deserve happiness just as much as anyone.”
Aiden glanced down at Caly and saw that she wasn’t scared and didn’t seem to be in awe at meeting the lady and he figured she probably wasn’t since Lady Guinevere had visited her in her dreams. When he saw his parents at the back of the crowd he released his mate and started toward them. He was only vaguely aware of Andre and Alex walking toward their parents, too.
“You have trained and fought hard, son,” his father’s voice whispered in his mind.
His mother smiled at him, her eyes full of pride and love. “You have one more fight to face and then you will know peace. There will be no need to hide your human side from others and if you wish it you could integrate into human society. I love you, my son.”
“I love you, too, mother, father. I miss you so much.” Aiden felt moisture on his cheeks and wiped away the tears when he realized he was crying. He normally didn’t give in to tears but he didn’t care if anyone saw his overwhelming emotions right then.
“You will be with us again, one day, Aiden. Until then, keep your mate happy and live life to the fullest,” his father said.
Aiden closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them it was to see his parents walking away. He didn’t take his gaze from them until they faded amongst the trees. He glanced over at Andre and Alex and then to Lance and Caly.
Caly had taken a few steps away from Lance and Lady Daria. Gawain and Galahad were standing in front of him. Of course they weren’t speaking out loud but he could tell they were communicating with Lance.
* * * *
Lance couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He had only seen his deceased flight pod brothers and mate in his dreams, but now they were standing right in front of him.
“You’ve done as you promised, Lancelot,” Lady Daria said. “You will be rewarded for your loyalty and the love and care you’ve shown the children.”
Lance opened his mouth to speak, but no words emerged from his lips.
“You need to let us go, Lancelot. You are where you are meant to be.” G
awain smiled, and then a sword appeared in his right hand from nowhere.
“The dreams will no longer plague you, friend.” Galahad gazed at him intently, and then he looked down. Lance followed his friend’s line of sight and saw he was also holding a sword.
Both his flight pod brothers raised their swords until they crossed their chests and knelt down with heads lowered.
Daria took a couple of steps toward him, her hand moving toward his cheek. Although he didn’t feel any skin to skin contact, he felt warmth against his flesh, and a peace he never thought to feel permeated his body to his heart and soul. “She is in your heart where she belongs, and you are in hers. This was always meant to be, my love. Be happy.”
Lance nodded, and the guilt he’d been carrying for hundreds of years lifted. He had never denied the connection or his feelings for Caly, but the survivor’s guilt had been eating away at his insides for years, and now that it was gone, he felt so much lighter, freer. His heart was full to bursting after seeing his flight pod brothers and mate. They were happy, and now he could be, too.
* * * *
Aiden’s elder nodded and a slow smile spread across his face and although he’d seen their elder happier in the last few days than he ever had before, the smile currently on his face was full of radiance.
Galahad and Gawain nodded to Lance and stepped in front of Caly. As if they had choreographed the move, both knights bowed low and as they stood crossed their right arms over their chests with their fists over their hearts in homage. Caly smiled, winked, and curtsied then she rose again. The two men vanished.
Lance lifted his hand toward Lady Daria and Aiden watched as her hand hovered over the elder’s, but he could see that a weight had been lifted from his shoulders and the shadows which had been in his eyes since Aiden was a little boy, dissipated.
When Lady Daria turned toward Caly he glanced at his mate to make sure she wasn’t feeling jealous, but he should have known better. Caly smiled at Lady Daria. “I promise to love him, all of them with everything I have.”
Aiden didn’t hear a response but knew Lady Daria had replied when Caly nodded. Her next words made him chuckle. “You bet your ass we’ll win.”
When Aiden glanced around he noticed that they were once more alone.
Lance chuckled, moved to Caly’s side, and swept her up into his arms. “Hey, what are you doing?”
“You need to rest.”
“Just because I’m tired doesn’t mean I can’t walk.”
“I made a promise to look after you and that is exactly what I am going to do.” Lance tucked Caly tight against his chest and shifted into his dragon.
Andre, Alex, and Aiden changed forms and followed their elder and mate back to the lair.
He wished he could order Caly to remain inside until all the hunters were gone, but he knew that wasn’t possible.
Without her the coming confrontation would be only one of a never-ending battle, and he knew they had to put an end to their nemeses once and for all.
Chapter Twelve
While they all ate dinner Caly thought over the afternoon’s events. She had always felt there was something dark blemishing Lance’s soul and she’d been able to see the sadness in his eyes, but now it was gone. He was happier than she’d ever seen him and couldn’t wait to be alone with him and her other mates, too. However, it was hard to stay optimistic when she knew that their very existence was hanging over their heads. Now that her magic had been set free and she knew she would be instrumental in the destruction of the hunters and the future happiness of all of the dragon shifters, she felt weighted down.
Maybe she was feeling a little despondent because she was so tired after expending so much energy. Who knew that having magical powers could be so draining? She hoped she lived up to everyone’s expectations and was able to help rid them of their enemy.
She pushed her plate aside and drained the last of her water and sat back with a tired sigh.
Lance caressed a hand up and down her back, drawing her gaze. “You need to go to bed.”
“I don’t know if I will be able to sleep.” Her eyes were burning and gritty and when she blinked it was hard to lift her lids again.
“I can help you with that.” Lance said cryptically, and although she tried to work out what he meant her brain just wouldn’t cooperate and her thoughts blanked.
He scooted his chair back, stood, and then helped her to her feet.
“I was going to help clean up.”
“We’ve got this,” Bid smiled and then tugged on Erwin’s hand. “Y’all spent the day working your asses off.” She looked down at the slight rounding of her belly and placed her hand on her stomach where her child was growing. “Even if it is a menial task, I want to be able to help, too.”
“Thanks, Belinda.” Lance smiled at her. “Don’t go wearing yourself out.”
Bid snorted. “Not much chance of that.” She pointed at her mates. “These three Neanderthals won’t let me.”
Lance nodded his agreement and Caly had to hold in her laughter when Bid rolled her eyes, but when Lance scooped Caly up into his arms she snuggled into him and rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
When they entered his apartment and he lowered her to her feet she clutched at his shirt as the world around her spun and nausea roiled in her stomach. And then it hit her like a two-by-four upside the head.
There was only one reason she could think of as to why she was feeling so exhausted because she’d never been this tired in her life. She was used to working long days as she chased criminals and worked well into the night and she’d never been affected like she was now.
She turned her senses inward and to her lower abdomen and when she felt warmth and a small spark of life she knew she was right. She was pregnant with her mates’ babe.
Caly didn’t know how she knew when she’d only had sex for the first time the previous evening but the more she thought of a baby growing in her womb the more certain she was she’d conceived.
Fierce determination raced through her veins. She had a fetus to protect and she wasn’t giving up until every last one of the hunters was burned to ash. Losing wasn’t an option.
She pushed her thoughts aside when Lance cupped her face between his hands and tilted her head up. The desire and love in his gaze shot straight to her heart and down to her pussy. Knowing she had a baby to protect had renewed her determination and her energy like a second wind. Her clit throbbed and swelled and juices coated her folds and just as she went up on tip toes and grabbed hold of his T-shirt to pull his head down, he bent toward her.
Their lips met with a soft brush and then he was lifting her back up into his arms. She looped her arms around his neck, threading her fingers into his soft silky hair and hooked her legs around his waist. When his hard cock pressed against her jean-clad cunt she moaned and rubbed herself against him.
The kiss quickly turned wild, hot, and passionate and she wanted nothing more than to get naked and make love to her man. She broke the kiss and wiggled until he set her feet down on the mattress of the bed and tugged the hem of his shirt up and over his head. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of his bronze skin, hard-packed muscles, and rippling sinews. He was so handsome, masculine, and sexy, he took her breath away.
“Lift your arms, love,” Lance commanded in a raspy voice and she immediately did his bidding.
She shivered as the cooler ambient air washed over her heated skin and was about to reach behind to unhook her bra but Lance tugged her against his chest.
“Let me, mo chroí,” With a flick of his fingers her bra sprang open and he gently eased the straps from her shoulders and down her arms.
She was so hungry for him she couldn’t wait any longer. Her hands ran down over his chest and ripped abs until her fingers met the waistband of his jeans. She was shaking with desire and no matter how hard she tried to pull the button free, she couldn’t, and ended up growling with frustration.
“Take a deep breath, Caly,” Lance whispered the words against her ear, causing another shiver to wrack her body.
“I need you.”
“I need you too, love.” He drew back from her and lowered her onto the bed. His hands caressed up and down her arms and her sides, feeding her hunger for him. When he tugged on the button and lowered the zipper on her jeans, she lifted her hips from the bed to make it easier for him to remove them.
The minute she was naked he quickly shucked the rest of his clothes and covered her with his naked body. She moaned with bliss. There was nothing better than being skin to skin with one of her mates. She loved feeling their heat, the press of their bodies against hers. She savored the bliss of the physical connection and relished the sensation of being connected to him emotionally.
She hadn’t realized she’d closed her eyes until she opened them but when she did she felt like she was drowning in his gray-blue gaze. He maneuvered up onto his knees between her splayed thighs and glided his hands up her legs, over her hips and up to her breasts. When his large, warm hands enveloped her fleshy, feminine globes she mewled and pushed her chest up begging for more.
“You are so damn beautiful, love.” He paused to watch his hands knead and shape her breasts before he released them and pinched her nipples between his fingers and thumbs. “You have the sexiest body.”
“You’re the sexy one,” she said breathlessly. “All of you would blow the male cover models out of the water.”