by India Kells
Magic made his skin itch like static, and he blinked when he realized Valeria had taken a deeper breath and exhaled more smoothly. He dared not to believe it until he heard Soren’s murmur saying that it was working.
Minutes passed, and under his fingers, he felt the wound finally closing. It was only when he saw Valeria’s eyelids flicker and open that he finally let out a relieved breath. Maya yipped in joy. Sera, Violet and Genevieve collapsed backward as the healing was completed, drained but grinning.
Sitting on his haunches, his hands on his knees, Asher waited. Valeria opened her eyes, and winced as she tried to move. Her vision must have cleared because when she realized that it was Soren by her side, panic sat in.
Turning away from the weredragon, she coughed as her gaze met his. It was like a magnet, pulling him into her embrace, as he half crawled to her.
Asher closed his eyes as he buried his nose in the crook of her neck, ignoring the people around them, the pain searing his hands, his battered body and his obligations to only focus on the warming flesh against his.
When she pulled back to look at his face, he didn’t know who was crying more. As he tucked a soft strand of dark hair behind her ear, she gasped in horror, seeing his hands.
“Oh, my God! What happened to them?”
He shook his head. “Long story. You need to rest.”
But his beautiful and very stubborn woman had other ideas. Ignoring her nudity, she shouted at Sera and Violet. Both smirked, sprawled on the grass, and Violet answered with what was left of her energy. “Girlfriend, give us a minute. We just resuscitated you, for Goddess’ sake!”
Asher didn’t know who did it, but clothes materialized all around. It was when his eyes moved to Maya that he saw her scrunch her cute little nose at him. “There were too many naked people, and it’s getting cold.” Maya slowly approached them and gave Valeria’s cheek a noise kiss. The little girl frowned once more at him. “You’re still hurt.”
“I know, sweetheart. As soon as your mother, Sera or Violet can, they will heal me.”
Before he could react, Maya cupped his big bloodied hand in two of her little ones and softly blew. Amazingly, the air cooled the pain somewhat, and blue energy swirled around his damaged palm. He sensed the same for his left hand but didn’t want to let go of Valeria to check. And within a minute, the wound was gone.
Valeria released him long enough to cup the little girl’s head and kiss her brow. “Thank you, Maya.”
The little girl giggled and skipped away, among the stupefied shifters.
“Next time, Valeria, keep the roller-coaster ride to a minimum. Damn, my friend, I thought for an instant we would lose your sorry dragon’s ass.”
Valeria shook her head at her friends but froze when her father spoke. “A dragon is not easily killed.” Asher sensed her body going rigid. When she turned her head to him, something shimmered in her golden eyes, many emotions.
“Give me a minute with him, okay?”
Every single cell in his body didn’t want to let her go, not after almost losing her. And his wolf snarled at the other weredragon. Something was off, but he would need to wait to get answers. Instead, he helped her stand.
“Ian, get your hands bandaged too, or healed if the witches or the faes can manage it. Then take a crew to clean up this mess.”
He checked the crowd and saw Patricia still standing. Damn, that werebear was unkillable. “Patricia, triage everyone needing healing, plan a meal and make sure everyone is accounted for.”
And before he went to take care of his pack, he indulged in taking his Valeria in his arms and kissed her.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
People dispersed all around them, obeying their Alpha’s order. Valeria felt bereft without Asher’s presence nearby, but she needed to talk to Soren alone.
Twilight was slowly fading, and even if the air was getting colder, she didn’t feel it. Probably one of the perks of becoming a dragon. It was so strange, this symbiotic fusion with another being that was also herself. It wasn’t a voice in her head, but rather a feeling of not being totally alone, of being attuned to deep down primal emotions and feelings. Was this how Asher felt about his wolf?
Soren started walking toward the forest and Valeria followed suit. Soon, the noise surrounding the house dimmed and was replaced by the creaks of branches and the faint scurrying of animals around, sensing dangerous predators approaching.
Valeria recognized the path they were taking, leading to the small pond where she had been with Asher not too long ago. So much had happened since then, it was difficult for her to wrap her mind around where she now was, and what she had learned. But what tore at her was how quickly and deeply she had fallen for Asher and how, despite her wishes, her current life was coming to an end.
She suspected it was Soren’s purpose in bringing her here, and she wouldn’t negotiate her fate. Instead, she would only request to delay it until morning, so she could at least see Asher and her friends one more time.
Soren stopped and remained immobile, lost in the reflection of the small pond, rippling in a mesmerizing effect with the wind.
Valeria was about to speak when the dragon turned to her. “Do you know why I brought you here?”
She nodded. “I guess to conclude my part of our bargain.”
The weredragon’s mouth quirked a little. “I fear so. Yes.”
“What will happen to my mother?”
Soren blinked at first as if surprised by her question. “As soon as I gather the High Council, and due to the spell he has spun upon us all, I will order the destruction of Lancaster Estates and everyone in it. This madness has to stop. And if there is indeed a spell, it will disappear with all of the Lancasters.”
Valeria realized how much the weredragon was disconnected from reality, of his own feelings. Sensing she had nothing to lose, Valeria decided to push. “My mother is not a Lancaster! And at some time, you found her worthy enough of you.”
Despite sensing his growing anger at her provocation, an idea and a wish popped into her head. “I will hold my end of the bargain and forfeit my life to you. All I ask is the chance to get her out. I will do it discreetly and ask trustworthy friends to take care of her and make her disappear.”
“You cannot confront Lionel Lancaster. Your dragon is not ready for that.”
“I have no intention of fighting him. I will sneak in, and get her out. Allow me that last request. Please, Soren.”
The man shook his head, his gaze hard. “You’re asking for a lot. Much more than I can allow.”
“You’re part of the High Council. And a powerful weredragon. I don’t think there is anything you can’t allow.”
Soren stared at the darkening sky for a very long, and intense moment, the dragon man lost in his thoughts. Valeria hoped that she had at least convinced him that the life of her mother could be saved.
“You will have from sunup to sundown to save your mother. I will do my best to lighten the guards around the estates in the early morning, so you have a chance to get in. That is the last request or favor I’ll do for you. Ever. Do you understand? And when the sun sets tomorrow night, I want you back here, facing your part of our deal.”
Valeria did her best to contain all the relief, fear, rage and helplessness bottled up inside her. There was no choice now. A bargain was a bargain, and even the depth of her feelings for Asher couldn’t undo that. She was lucky enough to have a bit more time with him and be able to save her mother.
“Thank you for helping me, Soren. You may not know it, but you renewed the faith of your people in you, back in the Sanctuary.”
“It looked like it. Sometimes, high politics tends to draw us away from more common preoccupations. And I must say you have courage, so much more than I anticipated. Most probably from your mother.”
Valeria’s smile was quick and wicked. “Definitely from my mother.”
Soren smiled in return, and for an instant, she saw the flicker of his dragon deep i
n his eyes.
“Do you need a lift into town, or wherever you need to go?”
“No thank you, I’ll get where I need to go on my own.” Hands in his pocket, Soren walked deeper into the forest and slowly faded into the shadows.
Valeria decided not to waste any time and return to the Sanctuary.
Night had fallen when she reached the edge of the forest, and the lit-up kitchen windows shone like a beacon in the darkness. She loved that place, and despite everything that had happened, it was the first and only place she could call home. So she would. Until she had to follow Soren, in her head and in her heart, she would have a home, a place to call her own, where she loved, was loved and had friends waiting for her.
And as she imagined, familiar faces were sitting at the huge kitchen table. It seemed that the residents of Sanctuary turned in early, only leaving her friends and Asher waiting for her to come back.
When she pulled open the screen door, all five pairs of eyes turned to her. It took all her might to smile, and make light of the dread that weighed on her heart.
“Hey! Sorry to have been out so long.”
Violet and Sera jumped on their feet and tackled her into the wall.
“Goddess, Val! I never thought I’d be that happy to see you alive!”
Sera half-sobbed and half-laughed at Violet’s outburst. “Oh yeah! But it was cool to see you turn into a dragon! You gotta do it again so I can study it!”
Valeria hugged her friends hard, battling tears. “Girlfriends, that was one intense battle.” The women stepped back, so her eyes landed on Finn and Ian smiling at the table. And then she locked gazes with Asher. His faced was closed off, the only time she saw him like that was when she was behind bars in the basement. Frowning, her eyes glided to Finn, and she knew that the damn vampire had opened his big mouth.
“I think we need to talk.”
Valeria sat beside Asher but refrained from touching him. Anger pulsated from him so loudly, that she doubted he would accept it anyway. In fact, as soon as her bottom touched her seat, he exploded.
“What were you thinking? Making a pact that will get you killed.”
Finding calm in the middle of that storm required great control, but it was when she sensed the real feelings of Asher hidden behind the anger and fury, that tears started to fall.
“I had to make that deal. I had to reveal who I was, force him to intervene. It was a lost battle without him, you saw it. Many on our side died today, and I couldn’t help them. I took a risk, jumping in and turning into my dragon form. And for what? I could swat my tail and squash some of them, holding them off at best, but without his help, we would have died. All of us.”
Ian looked at Asher, who stayed silent, and sighed, raking his dark hair restlessly. “We killed a lot of rogue Enforcers, we protected Sanctuary, but Lancaster can send more. And without Soren…”
Valeria stared straight at him. “Lionel Lancaster. You’re right. Just before Soren left, he told me of his intention of burning the Lancaster Estates to the ground and all Lancasters in it. I negotiated once more, to save my mother. He gave me from sunup to sundown to rescue her. In the meantime, he’s going to raise the High Council. If I fail, the Council will kill Lancaster. Once Lionel Lancaster and his spell are no longer a threat, they may start a purge within the territory. Soren believes that Lancaster may have more followers than what it appeared.”
“A purge?” Sera’s eyes were wide when she shook her head at Valeria and grabbed Violet’s hand. “That can’t be good.”
Valeria acquiesced. “I know, but it’s out of my hands. I should focus on saving Mom, and stop the spell. If not, we’re going to have bigger trouble than a purge.”
Asher exhaled, and Ian relaxed. The storm had calmed, but not passed. At least the Alpha wolf was willing to listen.
Finn leaned forward. “What’s your plan? I know the Lancaster Estates, and even with a breach in protection, it’s close to impregnable.”
Valeria was stunned. “How do you know the Estates layout?”
Finn shrugged before offering her a charming smile. “I was there a long time ago. I was part of the Territory Council, and your father wanted in. I saw you.”
Valeria blinked. “Saw me?”
His smiled broadened. “Yes. A little girl with amazing golden eyes. Shy. Curious.”
She tried to remember him, but her memory was blurry. Many people came and went in that place. But as she observed him more, his dark charisma, his chiseled mouth, his dark reddish hair, something jogged her memory. “A thick accent. Irish. You made me giggle.”
“I tend to do that to women.”
Violet rolled her eyes. “Oh please!”
“Just to say that even if you know the layout, more layers of protection were probably added.”
The vampire was right, but she had been trained by Lionel Lancaster himself. She knew how he thought, the flourishes of his spells. “I’ll be able to deal with that. I know him.”
“But you don’t have your powers anymore.”
“I have elemental magic, which is not as powerful as what I previously had, but I’m also protected against magic as a typical shifter is.”
“You’re not going in there alone. Attempting to enter the Lancaster domain in daylight is suicidal enough.”
Valeria turned to Asher’s growly voice and took one of his hands in hers. “I’m living on borrowed time, Asher. Now, I’m trying to save my mother, and make sure that this Sanctuary and all of you here are safe and remain so, even when I’m gone.”
“I won’t accept that.” The growl in his voice twisted her heart.
“None of us will accept that, Val.” Violet’s voice was as strained as Asher’s, but Valeria shook her head.
“It’s a miracle that Soren gave me until tomorrow night. I’ve bargained and gained much more than I expected. And now, it’s my turn to ask for a favor; to take care of my mom when I get her back. My last request as your friend.”
Sera smiled and extended her hand for her to take. Violet shook her head, her jaw set, but it was the shimmer of tears in her eyes that almost made Valeria burst in turn when she reached for her friend’s joined fingers, covering them.
“I won’t accept any of this, Val. You know me too well. Us. But one problem at the time. How do we get your mom out?”
Valeria shook her head. “No way am I bringing any of you into this.”
Ian laughed half-heartedly and leaned back. “Look at the people around this table, honey, and tell me if you see anyone willing to back down on your behalf. One way or the other, you will have shadows following you, better to accept it, starting with the Sanctuary Master over there.”
Valeria closed her eyes, fingers still intertwined with her friends and one hand in the dead grip of Asher. Emotions constricted painfully in her chest, almost preventing her from breathing.
“I… I can’t… You would be risking too much.”
And around the table, all faces were set with the same determination.
“I won’t win this one, will I?”
Asher’s mouth softened a little. “I don’t think there was ever any chance of it, Valeria.” Glancing around the table, he nodded at Ian. “Please make sure everything is secured for the night, and sentinels are set. For every one of you, we have plenty of rooms. Feel at ease as my guests.”
Finn bowed. “I will be in need of feeding.”
The request didn’t seem to faze Asher who acquiesced. “I will see that your need is met.”
Sera and Violet hugged Valeria one last time and followed Ian and Finn out of the kitchen. Her hand was still solidly in Asher’s, and even if she relished in his strength, she felt weary.
Once the house settled, and silence surrounded them once more, Asher rose and pulled her to her feet and led her to the corridor. He didn’t look at her and Valeria started to feel doubt, even as her uncertainty battled with lust for the wolf in him. Her dragon stirred a strange new feeling that amplified her ow
n.
When he closed the door to his room, Valeria wanted to pour her heart out to him, tell him everything she was desperate to tell him before her lips became silent forever, but instead, her body was caught between the hard wall and even harder muscled body. It was when his lips clashed with hers, bruising and biting, and she tasted blood, that she understood.
There was no one else. Even if Soren spared her life, even if she lived to see a hundred, there would only and ever be Asher. Her controlling, protecting, domineering, caring and loving wolf. A man with infallible courage and heart. She was in love with Asher Stonelake.
As she thought of all that could have been, tears flooded her eyes. Not willing to waste a single moment, wanting to relish in his touch, Valeria slowly shifted the tone of their kiss. To all-devouring, it became more tender, deeper. Without words, Asher understood that if it was the last time they could ever be together, she only wanted him. The man desperate for his woman, the wolf hungry for his mate.
Still against the wall, held in his powerful arms, Asher stared at her for a long moment, his blue eyes searing. And then, he leaned into the crook of her neck and inhaled deeply. His lips pressed into the sensitive skin, his nose tracing an idle pattern onto her shoulder. When he inched closer to her shoulder, he gently licked the two bite marks he had made on her.
Valeria shivered and circled her arms around his neck. She nuzzled his neck, mimicking his caress. Slow, she traced his ear with the tip of her tongue and tugged at his earlobe.
Asher growled and straightened to carry her to the bed, as if she weighed nothing. He laid her down, before crawling over her and claiming her lips once more. The intensity of their connection made her head spin, his tongue slow and dominating. She may have guided the tempo, but Asher was the one taking the lead.
As he began to slide down over her, Asher removed her clothing at a tantalizing pace. Completely naked on the bed, he straightened, one knee still between her legs, and started to remove his own clothes.