Erected in honor. If only we knew then that it would also be our end.
Why… I don’t know. The memory is gone as fast as it was there and I’m left only with an empty ache, a hole in my thoughts. A bittersweet sensation.
“You okay?” Ashlee asks, jerking me out of my reverie.
The others are staring at me, waiting. Shaking my head to clear it, I focus on her.
“Yes,” I say, finally. “Sorry. An old memory.”
“I’d love to hear it,” Rosalind says.
“I’m sorry, it came and went in a flash,” I say.
She nods, boring into me with those steely eyes that miss nothing. She weighs my words carefully before turning and leading the way into the building that sits directly behind the fountain. As I recall it was once the city offices.
She leads us through the open lobby and the sound of dishes clattering and soft voices fill the space. Female voices. We enter a room with multiple long tables, one of them set with food already. There are many other females here. Females and... children.
I stop in my tracks, staring at the babies and even older children. The happy sound of children giggling and playing strikes me in the chest. An ache so deep and hard hits me that I wonder if my hearts are going to burst.
Children.
Zmaj children.
Impossible. There are no females….
I look around, trying to spot a Zmaj female, but there are only the human females. One of the children races up to our group. It’s a male, wearing loose flowing pants like the other Zmaj here. His coloring is brilliantly bright shades of yellow and blue. He skids to a stop in front of us, looking up at me.
“Who are you?” he asks, defiantly thrusting his chin out, a stick held aggressively in his hand.
“This is a friend Illadon,” Rosalind says.
“Friend?” he asks, eyeing me carefully, not lowering his weapon.
Kneeling to be closer to eye-level with him, I nod.
“Illadon?” I ask.
“Yes,” he says, chest swelling with pride. “This is my territory. Are you a friend, coming in good faith?”
“I am,” I say gravely.
A smile bursts across his face like the suns emerging from behind the darkest of clouds.
“Cool!” he exclaims. “I’d hate to have to kill you.”
He lowers his stick-weapon and holds out a hand. I take it, grasping it in a warrior’s shake. He turns and runs off but I remain there, kneeling, staring after him as he rejoins another child. A female one. A warm hand touches my shoulder, breaking me from my reverie. I don’t have to look to recognize Ashlee’s touch.
This... this is why we must forge an alliance. This is a true future, a true reason to hope.
The children play, chasing each other and laughing as they play games together. The females who were setting out food come over to our group.
“Calista, Jolie, this is Khal. He is Archion’s brother and from the Order,” she says. “He is here to serve as an Ambassador between our peoples.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Khal,” Calista greets me.
“Yeah, and I can totally see the family resemblance,” Jolie adds, looking between Archion and me.
“It is a pleasure to meet you as well,” I return, inclining my head to them both.
My attention keeps straying to the small children running around, both of them with sticks in hand, play fighting.
“Oh, that’s Illadon and Rverre. They’re four now and they never seem to stop competing with each other. Hey guys—stop it right now!” Calista shouts at the children.
I stifle a grin as one of the females climbs on the table and the male tries his best to swipe her legs out from under her. I can remember being that age, the instinct to compete paramount.
“Come on, let’s eat,” Ashlee urges, tugging me to a seat.
I follow her, feeling overwhelmed as I take a bite of the food.
“Oh, this is delicious,” I remark, taking another bite to taste the sauce once more.
“Sure is. Too bad the chef won’t share her recipe,” Calista says, taking a bite. “Maybe if I sold her my firstborn.”
The table laughs at the joke. I watch the interaction. Seeing the casual way in which Rosalind and Visidion join in. Rosalind has a kind of quiet, determined strength that emanates from her even now. She has no reason or desire to show she is in charge. It is clear and Visidion is an excellent partner to her.
I am struck at the difference between the Order and the society they are building here. Hierarchy is of the utmost importance for us. But this... this feels...
Like a family. A home. People who care about each other.
I feel out of place and welcome at the same time. Ashlee covers my hand with her own and I know I could get used to this, quickly.
“Tired?” she asks.
I shake my head, turning my hand to squeeze hers.
“No,” I murmur. “But I would like to be alone with you after you are done eating.”
A light sparks in her eyes.
“Sounds like a plan,” she says huskily.
The heat rises in me as we share small touches. Small, knowing glances. When the meal is done, we stand up as one. Visidion scans us, humor in his eyes.
“It seems as though you will not be needing separate quarters, Khal,” he says quietly, in a voice only we can hear.
“I would like to remain with my mate,” I say, nodding.
Ashlee goes still next to me, but she does not say anything. I turn with her, leading her out of the room.
“Mate?” she repeats once we are outside, alone.
“Yes,” I say confidently, raising her hand to kiss it. “Mate. I have known since the beginning, I think,” I add. “I was a fool to even attempt to fight it.”
She smiles, her heart in her eyes.
“Yes,” she agrees, startling a chuckle out of me. “You were a fool to do that.” Then she turns away, tugging at my hand. “Come on—I want to be alone.”
Since that is exactly what I desire as well, I hurry after her. Luckily, her quarters are not too far. Leading me to a nearby building, we climb up and walk down a hallway where she opens a door. Tugging me inside, she closes it, and we are alone.
Finally.
Picking her up, I walk her over to the large bed inside. She giggles when I toss her gently onto the pallet, the sound bringing a warm joy. I want to hear that happy sound forever. I take my time undressing her. Kissing every inch of skin I reveal as I pull off her shirt, then her pants, then her underwear.
Until she is panting underneath me, the tips of her breasts hard with arousal, that soft place between her legs wet and ready.
“I want a taste,” I mutter, pushing her silky thighs apart.
“Khal...” she sighs, arching up to meet my mouth.
Mmmm.
I lick and suck at her, unable to get enough of her taste, of the delicious cries she releases when she’s pleasured.
With one last lick, I rise above her, taking in her flushed skin, half-closed eyes, and slightly parted lips.
“Beautiful,” I say hoarsely, sliding into her gently.
Her eyes flutter shut as I slide in, the feel of her encompassing me almost sending me over that fine edge.
“Ashlee.”
She opens her eyes.
“You are mine, Ashlee.”
I push in that last inch, carefully grinding against that sensitive nub. She cries out, her small nails digging into my forearms. Shaking her head, she opens her eyes to meet my own.
“Fine,” she agrees, panting. “But you’re also mine.”
I smile, leaning down to kiss her deeply. When I raise my head, her breath is coming even faster.
“I was yours from the first time I saw you.”
Her face softens and then suffuses with pleasure as I thrust in. I pour everything into the physical act. Everything I feel for her. The eternal gratitude I will always have that I failed to resist her.
I give her all of me.
When she cries, I cannot hold myself back anymore. The incandescent pleasure envelops me.
“I love you, Ashlee.”
She wraps her arms around me, tugging me down on top of her until all I can see are her eyes.
“I love you, Khal.”
I do more than I ever even thought I could. More than I even had the capacity to dream for.
I kiss her soft lips gently. I will cherish Ashlee forever and never forget the precious treasure I have been given.
* * *
SUBSCRIBE TO MIRANDA MARTIN’S MAILING LIST
Are you interested in getting the latest updates from Miranda Martin? You’ll be automatically welcomed with the subscriber exclusive Alien Prince. Once or twice a month, Miranda sends out sneak peeks of works in progress, shiny new covers, hot deals and sales, giveaways and more!
See a sample newsletter here.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy and scifi romance, Miranda Martin's books feature larger than life heroes with out-of-this-world anatomy and smart heroines destined to save the world. As a little girl she would sneak off with her nose in a book, dreaming of magical realms. Today she brings those fantasies to life and adores every fan who chooses to live in them for a while.
She was born and raised in southern Virginia, but as a veteran she's traveled to places like Korea, Hawaii and good 'ole Texas. Now she's settled in Kansas, the heart of America, with her husband and daughters. Her favorite animals are dragons, unicorns and cats. If she's not writing, you can still find her tucked away somewhere with a warm blanket and her nose in a book.
Get in touch!
mirandamartinromance.com
[email protected]
Dragon’s Temptation: Red Planet Dragons of Tajss Book Fifteen Page 17