Royal Pride

by Zelda Knight

  “Try not to worry. Gous are strong. No one could destroy them all.” Zihao’s voice lit up the gloom, not in the room, but in her heart. “If you’re ever in harm’s way, I’m right behind.”

  “You always save the light in my heart. You keep it from being snuffed out.” She felt Zihao shake his head.

  “I’m only doing what my dilongs have done forever.”

  He slipped his hands around her waist and moaned. Pressing ever closer, he tried to close the space between them.

  “So soft.”

  “So hard.” She wiggled against him, teasing his hard shaft. It stood rigid against the flimsy fabric. He felt so good. She couldn’t wait to be covered in his kisses, a blanket of bliss. “You’re overdressed.”

  A hunger rumbled beneath that statement. She knew exactly who she wanted to taste. He let her go. When he hugged her to him again, his warm flesh met her palms. Delicious and well-developed muscles reacted to her.

  “For you, always for you.” His breath tingled her skin.

  She turned around and, on her tiptoes, snatched him to her. He smirked as she pulled his mouth closer, inches from hers. His eyes glowed in the gloom. Dragons had great sight, but she saw his face in her mind’s eye, too.

  “You belong to me.” She breathed out a happy sigh and used her teeth to gently nip his luscious lips. With each tug, she felt him get harder and her own need grew. Intertwined, their desires flowed into each other so naturally, Sonya’s dragon roused in joy.

  Her fingers stroked the tendons along his neck.

  “You are woven into my soul.” So many emotions—his voice betrayed the truth of his words. How could anyone challenge their love?

  “And you mine, yes…” she answered, a breath before Zihao kissed her fiercely. He still tasted like a bunch of cherries. Rearing forward, she deepened the kiss.

  The heat of his hands raised chills. The tingling fluttered down to her clit. She couldn’t wait any longer. Her pussy’s wet craving pushed her to a state of near delirium. The mating heat inflamed her and all she wanted—hell, needed—to exist was here. Him. Why was she so ravenous? This wasn’t like her at all.

  Since the initial mating, all she could think about was ripping Zihao from the confines of clothing. Normally, she relaxed around him, but now she tracked him, his movements, the way dragons tracked prey. It scared her. How could she want him so much? The heat. It must be the mating.

  She lost herself in the bliss so that she didn’t register at first that he’d picked her

  up.

  Plunged into the hanging clothes, they stumbled. She broke the kiss in time to

  catch herself on the bar. One hand held it, the other rested on Zihao’s shoulder. Her legs instinctively wrapped themselves around him.

  “Now.” She heard the force of need in her tone, but the scarlet flush claimed her.

  It burned away pretense, pride, and pettiness; only the base hunger remained.

  Zihao’s fingers slowly parted her nether lips. Already hard, her nubbin tightened more with each circular motion he applied. So long. Why was he taking so long? Impatience made her thrust greedily forward.

  “Z…” She didn’t give a damn that she pleaded.

  “I don’t want to hurt you.” He pushed what felt like the tip of his cock inside her saturated pussy. It stretched her opening and teased her with a portion of his girth.

  “More. Please don’t tease me.” She pumped and tried to take him deeper.

  Zihao stilled. He kissed her lips quickly. “You’re probably sore from losing your virginity. I don’t want to damage you by being fast and careless.”

  Sonya wrapped her arms around his neck, releasing the bar. In the closet dark, she sighed at his noble nature.

  “Always looking out for my safety. It’s one of the things I love about you. Right now, I want you to fuck me hard and fast until I pass out from pleasure.”

  At that, Zihao buried himself to the hilt. The sharp bite of pain and soreness made her cry out and he stopped thrusting.

  “Son…”

  “No no, keep going. Don’t stop!” She smacked his shoulder. “Don’t stop.”

  He commenced again, not as fast, but with slow, deliberate strokes. Reaching farther into her, Zihao could touch her heart. The flames of desire threatened to consume her as the tight ache faded to sensual joy. Clasping him, she closed her eyes and relished the incredible feel of him moving inside her. His hands held her ass as he rammed into her in his own intense need. She bit into his chest, soliciting a hiss.

  Her back arched mere seconds before she reached her pinnacle. White-hot and powerful, the climax caused her to come undone. She held on for dear life as the flood rolled over her.

  Unable to withstand her quaking pussy, Zihao coughed out a roar of release. He bucked as the force of his orgasm rocketed through him, making him stumble. He held her close as he sank down to the floor, where he wrapped himself around her.

  Warm. Sated. Very sleepy. Sonya yawned. Her eyes grew heavy.

  Zihao whispered into her ear. “You break down my defenses with your love.”

  The closet lit up in the rhythmic pulsing of their brands. Already the magick bonded them and reinforced the connections of mind, body, and beast. The cozy feeling enveloped them and Zihao grunted in his fast slumber.

  Smiling, she slept.

  “Sonya, you need to come down.” Ryuu knocked again.

  No need. Zihao, already awake, had heard him. Twice that damn firebreather had disturbed his slumber, calling him again from the mating warmth. He really didn’t like Ryuu. Calming himself as to not awaken Sonya, he cracked open the closet door.

  “Why?”

  Ryuu rolled his eyes and swore softly. “We need to discuss a plan for returning.” “It’s nearly dawn. She needs to rest. Make your plans without her.”

  “Look. It’s awful that you picked one hell of a time to mate…” Zihao laughed. “You still think I chose this?”

  “Don’t care,” Ryuu snapped. “We need everyone.”

  Zihao hesitated. He’d never been a part of clan decisions. He’d always stood outside of those conversations when Sonya’s parents and the elder discussed politics. Now, he’d been invited to participate.

  “You keep engaging me. You’re either stupid or crazy, firebreather.” “Stay out of my way, dilong.”

  Zihao smirked. It felt cold. Tight. “You do the same.”

  “Just get downstairs, both of you.” Ryuu turned and marched out of the room.

  His hard steps on the stairs seemed to echo his frustration.

  Zihao shut the door.

  “I’m ready,” Sonya mumbled, half asleep. Zihao smiled. “You need to rest.”

  He heard her standing up and before long, the overhead light flickered on. She stifled a yawn.

  “For real, I’m up.”

  Ten minutes later, she sat on the sofa beside Zihao. Draco lay on the carpet, his head in Anika’s lap. She idly ran her fingers through his hair. His eyes were closed. They both wore different clothes. Zihao smirked. He and Sonya weren’t the only ones who’d connected physically.

  Ryuu sat in the wingback chair, his legs crossed and his face blank. He’d re- emerged from their earlier confrontation. His hair was in place, but his disheveled clothes remained. Zihao suppressed a laugh. He hadn’t been able to get to the closet to look for additional clothing because it had been occupied. Bruises decorated his neck and a red slash decorated his left cheek where Zihao had punched him.

  Suddenly, he sat up in the chair. “I just got a telepathic message from Angelina…”

  A flash lit up the living room, causing all the lanterns to violently flicker. In a heap, Elder Gou appeared. Zihao leapt in front of Sonya and remained there as the elder uncoiled himself to a standing position. Ash and soot streaked his clothing, his face, and his hands. He groaned.

  Zihao reached out to stabilize him. Staggering, he grabbed the sofa instead, ignoring Zihao’s outstretched hand. Ryuu had alread
y jumped up and stood beside him. Elder Gou waved him off.

  “I am fine.”

  His craggy voice and shaking didn’t diminish his power. Ryuu bowed. Zihao, Anika, and Sonya stood up and bowed as well. Draco winced, but didn’t bow. He held his leg and nodded at the elder instead.

  “There is no time for formality. The keep has been ransacked, but it is salvageable. We have lost many…”

  “Angelina…” Ryuu croaked. Despite the apprehension in his words, the determination on his face meant business. Zihao felt instant pity for whoever had hurt the firebreather’s mate. A flash of worry erupted on his face.

  Elder Gou sighed. “She is fine. Safe. She is trying to save as many as she can with her medical knowledge. She, the twins, and the younglings are all in safe house 45.”

  “What about my parents? My brothers?” Sonya slipped around Zihao to stand in front of him.

  No danger or threat appeared. So he didn’t resume his place in front of her. The intruder had turned out to only be her uncle.

  The elder sat down, his hand still on the sofa’s armrest. When his shoulders sagged, Sonya gasped.

  “Please, uncle…”

  He stroked his long goatee, but did not meet her eyes. “Your parents, my sister, are lost in the ensuing battle. I—I do not know of their fates.”

  “How can you not know? You’re the elder of our clan! You can feel the whereabouts of every single…”

  Elder Gou stilled as Sonya rounded on him.

  “Son…” Zihao touched her shoulder. Her anguish burrowed into him. He had to calm her down or risk becoming emotionally comprised. Being mated allowed for that telepathic bond to be wider, but it served as blessing and curse.

  She shook off his hand. “Tell me! I know you know!”

  Zihao snatched her to him, feeling her trembling in anger and despair. “No! Tell me where my family is! Tell me!”

  Why were they all staring at us?

  “He doesn’t know. Sonya! He doesn’t know.” Zihao forced himself to sound calm.

  “Let go of me! Z, let go!”

  He held her firm. The usual mental defenses failed, and he struggled to keep her

  pain and grief from affecting him.

  Elder Gou’s shoulders began to shake. He refused to look at her—or anyone—as he walked toward the front windows. Ryuu looked at the elder and then at Sonya.

  “We will find them. Elder, who was it that attacked?” Ryuu remained standing.

  In his arms, Sonya relaxed. Zihao let her go and she wiped her face, mopping the tears and nervous sweat with the back of her hand. She laid her head against him.

  Where are my parents? Brothers? Their mates? Are they all dead?

  Zihao didn’t know how to answer that question. So he said nothing. Her thoughts fired into his emotional center. Her knees buckled. Zihao hoisted her into his arms.

  Elder Gou said, “I am certain the attack came from within.” Ryuu scowled. “No.”

  The elder nodded. “One of us and some of them.”

  Draco leaned up on his knees, wincing at the pain. “What is with you and the damn riddles? Speak plain.”

  Ryuu scowled at him. “He means it was a joint effort. Someone from our clan, the sirens, and another dragon clan.”

  Anika shook her head. “Who? Aren’t you all family?” Ryuu ran a hand through his hair. “We are, and we aren’t.” Draco swore. “English!”

  “We are all descendants of the same dragon shifter, the first Azure, but our lines are no longer pure. The bloodlines are so extensive that our cousins are twenty times removed in some instances. This allows us to marry without interbreeding. Plus, we do take mates from other clans.” Ryuu paced behind the sofa.

  Zihao lay Sonya down on the sofa and stood watch over her.

  “Someone is envious.” Draco tried to stand, but the pain forced him back down.

  It looked like the bulk of his injury had healed.

  Ryuu stopped and looked over at Draco. “Not jealousy.” “Then what?” Anika asked with a shrug.

  “The only thing better than jealousy.” Draco nodded, a cold grin on his face.

  “What’s that?” Anika searched everyone’s face. “Money?”

  “Power.” Elder Gou turned back to them. “Who would benefit from the council’s demise? The Gous’ deaths?”

  The elder walked slowly up to Zihao and Sonya. She must’ve felt Zihao tense, because she bolted awake.

  “Do you not know?” he asked her.

  Sonya stood up, very close to Zihao. He didn’t like how this sounded. “No. How would I know?” She frowned but didn’t back down.

  “Your first guardian was slain in a failed assassination attempt. Your second guardian mated to you the very instance you two were alone.” Her uncle clasped his hands behind his back. “Zihao orchestrated this with help.”

  “What? Are you crazy? Z saved me!” Sonya shouted.

  “I did no such thing!” Zihao roared. He’d known it. Something had felt off the moment Ryuu appeared at the door. They’d been setting the trap to make him the scapegoat, to separate him from Sonya. No dilong could ever be with a Gou. He’d been foolish to believe they could make a run at it. He stepped away from Sonya. When it came time he’d fight to the death, battle to his last breath to protect her.

  “He’s always with me,” Sonya explained.

  “What about when you sleep?” Ryuu stated. He stood behind Elder Gou with Draco and Anika.

  Sonya’s fear and rising anger channeled directly into Zihao. He growled deep in his throat, his dragon warning. Accusations flew all over the place.

  “Stop this madness! You know I live only for Sonya’s safety. I didn’t kill my father. I am not without honor.” Zihao’s hands curled into fists.

  “Yet you would break your blood oath,” Ryuu pointed out. “Honor is not in your nature, dilong.”

  What are they playing at? I never leaves Sonya’s side. Zihao scowled.

  “Power makes one do heinous acts. Hitler. Al Qaeda.” Elder Gou’s eyes remained trained on Sonya, almost as if he willed her to believe him.

  “No. Not Z,” Sonya thundered. Zihao swore.

  “He had opportunity and motivation.” Draco shook his head. “Chicago is a hub for various dragon clans.”

  “No! No!” Sonya screamed.

  What’s this feeling, Son?

  She didn’t answer him, but a strange feeling rippled through him. Her dragon roared and the safe house’s walls shook. Everyone stumbled except Zihao and Sonya. The doors flew open and the windows shattered as a violent wind rushed in. A furious whirl swept through the cabin, bowling over everyone except Sonya.

  “You. Are. Wrong!” Sonya’s dragon voice spoke in clear, flawless, and human

  language.

  That had never been done before. Sonya. What the hell is going on?

  Elder Gou crossed his arms over his robes. “He will be put to death for his treachery.”

  Sonya rose into the air, buoyed by some invisible force. Her hair fanned out around her. Her usually warm brown eyes had been altered. Cold, nearly milky orbs stood out in her face.

  “No. You won’t take him!” She wasn’t just one voice anymore but hundreds. “Son!” The wind snatched his words, plucking them from the air the moment he

  spoke.

  The thunderous roar of invisible waves resounded through the safe house. It

  furiously ripped curtains from windows. Items crashed, ripped, and smashed to the walls. All the dragons had been pinned to the floor and held on to heavier furniture as to not be swept away.

  Zihao squinted against the raw wind. His eyes watered. What the hell was this? How could he protect her when he didn’t even know what was going on? Whatever it was, it had sliced off his telepathic link to her. It overrode his mated connection. What in the world could do that?

  “Sonya! Sonya!” He tried again to reach her and to stand. The moment he stood, he flew several feet toward the kitchen. Her wind had drowned out h
is words.

  Everyone cowered.

  Except Elder Gou.

  He remained standing, a large grin on his face.

  “She has it! She has it! Sonya has the celestial wind!”

  Chapter Nine

  The world had broken into a million pieces. Sonya’s fury unfolded. How dare they threaten him? Accuse him? Another roar raced through her. Screams and shouts could be heard, but from far away. Panic erupted inside her. Had she hurt someone? Z?

  Calm yourself! I’m okay. I can feel you now. Please, Son, come back to me. Z?

  Yes. Relax. You’re destroying the safe house. I need you to come back. Can you feel my heart again?

  Yes…I—I think so.

  Then return to me, lover. Please.

  Destroyed? She calmed and relaxed. Her feet touched the floor and once they did, the wind died.

  An eerie quiet followed.

  “What the fuck just happened?” Draco wheezed and hoisted himself up to a standing position. Anika stood beside him, her hand on his shoulder.

  Sonya swallowed. Had she done this? She looked around the room at the results of her fury.

  Elder Gou walked up to her, smiling. “Do you remember anything?” Sonya jerked away from him. “Yes. That you want to kill my mate!” Zihao raced over to her. “Do not anger her again.”

  “Trust me, Zihao. I will not.” Elder Gou nodded. “I do not want to kill your mate.”

  “What?” Sonya frowned.

  “The elder wanted us to anger you, make you mad,” Ryuu explained, dusting off

  his pants. He sighed. “Our apologies, Zihao. We know you are not the mole.” “Why?” Zihao thundered. “Why?”

  Elder Gou held Sonya’s furious gaze. “Ah, little sun, you have the ability to harness the celestial wind.”

  “The what?” Sonya reached for Zihao’s hand.

  “Seng chi is the celestial breath, the essence of life. You are able to harness the breath, the wind. You are the seventh child of the seventh daughter—the lone girl among six males. Rumors abound that the Gous had the bloodline for the celestial breath, but it had never materialized. My sister can control the seas, and I fire and earth, but none of us call forth the celestial breath—all four abilities, flight, fire, earth, and wind. Though our bloodline is rich, none of the Gous can conjure the wind.”