“I don’t know how I can still think and articulate words when my body is exploding at the seams for want of you,” he said, shocking her before softening his expression. “It took all my willpower not to mark you. As I was making love to you, I wanted to sink my teeth into your skin so badly it physically hurt. My dragon clamored inside my head so loud, I feared you would hear him.” He paused, looking at her as if he wanted to devour her. “Remembering that beautiful night is torture. I can’t recall a more perfect moment in my life, and I miss the intimacy we achieved in the Cove so much I can’t breathe.”
“And why didn’t you mark me?” she asked, feeling dizzy and fighting for breath herself.
Shifting on his knees, he answered, “Because it wouldn’t have been fair to you. You didn’t know about the ways of my race, and I wasn’t free at the moment. I had planned to explain all about my urges, the mating bite tradition, and about the collar as soon as things came back to normal and I could break my betrothal contract. But we went from one attack to the next, and I couldn’t risk your life. You were already under the Academy’s radar for sparing me. I wasn’t going to unleash the Front Pro Humanity on my soulmate by collaring you. As much as it kills me that I still can’t claim you as my genes demand, your safety comes first.”
A long silence followed his confession as Jade lost herself in thoughts of them, of what had been and what could be. Finally, she stood and said with a shaking voice, “I’m not ready.” Not because she didn’t want to fall into his spell, but because she was still too afraid to lose herself to him.
“I’ll wait,” Dragon said. “But in the meantime, I’ll be needing a long, cold shower to dampen the raging fire burning me from the inside out.”
She shivered at his words. His honesty cut through her reservations, demolishing the high wall she had built around her, brick by brick.
“I know you want to unbalance me,” she said. “I recognize the tactic. It’s basic warfare.”
“Is it working?” he asked, a dimple appearing on his cheek as his lip curved up.
“It is,” she admitted. “But I’m still not ready.”
“I hate that you refuse me again, but at least we talked. The last time we exchanged more than a few words was soon after that night at the Cove. So, even though my body has never been as hard and in need of release as it is now, I count this as a smashing success.” His smile became brighter. “In fact, we are finally moving along the same track, together.” Throwing a look over his shoulder, he pointed at the small crowd that in the meantime had gathered at the dock. “I have skirted my duties long enough.”
Dragon led the gondola back, and they were soon separated by the people who wanted to talk to him.
Jade spent the rest of the day thinking about what Dragon had said. His words kept her company during the sleepless night she spent at the opposite corner from where he slept in the basement.
The next day, she still was in a daze and tried her best to avoid him as much as possible lest he shock her more.
10
Two days later, the Glory’s engines had been fired, and the Solarian group was ready to leave Celestia.
After months of seeing nothing but water, Dragon was eager to be back on his beloved aerial planet and to be flying Carellian again. But at the same time, he readied himself to say goodbye to his friends with a heavy heart. He was the first to depart, while Valentine would leave the next day.
“Looking forward to getting rid of us, are you?” Valentine jokingly asked Gabriel as they all stood on the docking bridge outside Dragon’s ship.
“I thought you’d never leave.” Gabriel laughed, patting Valentine’s shoulder.
“If we don’t hurry, Mirella’s going to have our baby girl here on this godforsaken planet.” Valentine shivered and made a disgusted face.
“If only she were so lucky,” Gabriel said back. “Lupine is nothing but desert and rocks.”
“There’s nothing as beautiful as the smell of wild lavender after a torrential rain in the Great Plains.” Valentine’s faraway look made Gabriel and Dragon laugh.
“I’ll miss you both,” Dragon said, exchanging a one-armed hug with each of them. Already good friends, they had grown even closer through the attacks first on Solaria and later on Celestia. He now considered the vampire and the werewolf a part of his family, in the same way Lars and Valerian were.
“I’ll miss you, too,” Gabriel said.
Valentine nodded. “Don’t forget that you’re both invited to Myrenne’s Naming Ceremony.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Gabriel clasped Valentine’s arm.
“And I’ll do everything in my power to be there,” Dragon said, his mind wandering to Jade and their uncertain situation.
“See that you do.” Valentine pierced him with his death stare only to smile a moment later. “Mirella will be truly disappointed if you and Jade don’t show up. She even suggested we could have a dual ceremony for our children.”
A naming ceremony for his own child. Dragon hadn’t had time to think that far into the future.
Misunderstanding Dragon’s silence, Valentine added, “Of course we would wait for you to have the ceremony first on Solaria.”
“I’ll have to ask Jade what she thinks, but I’d love for our children to be named together,” Dragon said. “And now it’s better if I leave before Gabriel throws me out.”
After exchanging final farewells and promises to visit each other soon, Dragon climbed the ladder dangling from the starboard side and boarded his ship.
Jade was waiting for him at the quarterdeck. She had said her goodbyes to their hosts earlier in the morning and headed to the ship before Dragon could talk to her. The last few days, she had kept quiet and by herself, but after their last talk, there was an undeniable energy between them that couldn’t be ignored. And Dragon had all the intention to break through her barriers during the long voyage back to Solaria.
“Let’s go downstairs.” Dragon tipped his chin toward the stairs.
Jade gave one last look over the rail, waved at Gabriel and Valentine who were lingering on the docking bridge, then followed Dragon to the observation deck. They waited for the Glory’s captain to fire the engines and maneuver the large vessel out of Martelli’s spaceport and into the sky. Once space control gave them the okay, the captain deployed the masts’ square sails and the lateral wings, and they soared above the horizon, floating gracefully like the marine mammals in the oceans below. Soon Celestia became smaller and smaller, a swirl of light-blue and white against the black backdrop of deep space.
“No matter how many times I sail the skies, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it,” Jade said, breaking the silence Dragon hadn’t wanted to disturb.
As she looked outside, her hand splayed on the plasteel glass, his eyes were on her profile. “It’s a wondrous sight,” he said.
“It makes you feel so small.”
Dragon nodded, taking in her hair, now reaching her nape, her straight nose and the proud curve of her lips, her swan-like throat, her small breasts, the roundness of her bump, and finally her long, lean legs. A loose tunic and leather pants covered her, but he could see her ridges and valleys as if she were naked, because he had committed to memory every centimeter of her body.
“Such beauty humbles you.” Dragon wished he could whisk her away to his bedroom and convince her to remove those hideous garments that hid her perfection.
Jade pushed herself away from the window and curled into one of the chaise lounges facing the glass. “I’ll miss Mirella—”
“She is a remarkable woman.” Dragon sat beside her on the next available chaise. He purposefully kept himself at a safe distance. Even a casual brush would ignite his senses, and his forced celibacy was becoming increasingly difficult to bear.
“You wouldn’t expect someone as frail-looking as she is to be so strong,” Jade continued.
“You should’ve met Valentine before they married.” Dragon chuckled. �
��He had a harem in his manor and didn’t intend to spend any time at all with his bride besides the conjugal visits.”
“They look happy together.” Jade didn’t turn his way but kept her eyes on the sight beyond the plasteel glass.
“Because they are together.” Dragon angled his body to look at her. “They almost lost each other, and that’s something that scares you into living each day as if it were your last. That kind of fear makes you love your mate as if there’s no tomorrow. Even when you are immortal.”
Jade remained still. Her chest rose and fell irregularly, betraying that she was more affected by his words than her stance suggested.
“Does it weaken you?” she asked. “This love you talk about—”
“Do Valentine and Mirella look weakened by their devotion to each other?” he asked back.
Only then did Jade stir. She slightly turned, meeting his gaze with her unwavering stare. “They look ready to fight the world.” She paused long enough for him to think she was done before adding, “As you fought for me.”
“I’m still fighting for us,” he said.
“I know.” Jade’s hand reached down toward his resting on his thigh. She brushed his fingers.
He didn’t move, terrified he would scare her, but his entire body reacted to her timid touch.
“I don’t want separate quarters,” she said, placing her hand on the back of his.
“Thank the Goddess. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done if you asked to sleep somewhere else.” He couldn’t help his outburst, but was rewarded by the smallest of smiles gracing her mouth. Ever so slowly, he turned his palm up and cupped hers.
“I didn’t say that we’ll share a bed,” she said, her hand slightly trembling in his.
“I won’t pretend I’m happy about not sharing a bed, but we’ll spend time together, and that’s all that matters right now.” With the same caution, he brought her hand to his lips and softly brushed her skin, only to return their united hands to his thigh a moment later.
He knew it was a breach of his promise, but he was a starving man and needed the touch of his soulmate more than anything else in the entire universe.
In silence, they held their gazes, and he rejoiced at the small intimacy of the moment. Her dark eyes that always drew him into their fathomless depths became liquid pools of desire, mirroring his own. The moment her lips parted in a silent invitation, Dragon’s heart swelled in his chest, thumping so loud it silenced his dragon’s mating roars.
“Dragon—” Valerian’s voice reached them from the entrance.
Jade blinked and leaned away, turning to face outer space.
Dragon waited for his fury to recede before answering, “What?” It came out more like a bark than a question.
“I apologize for interrupting you—” Valerian’s face held a horrified expression as he opened his hands in front of him. “The captain asked if you wanted to sail the ship into hyperspace—”
“No…” Dragon started, but Jade said at the same time, “I’d like to see the command room.”
After a wry smile and a brief sigh, Dragon said, “To the command room we go then.” He opened his arm to the side, and Jade nodded, following him outside.
Valerian immediately erased the smirk on his face when Dragon stopped and stared him down. “Sorry,” his lieutenant hurriedly mouthed.
Dragon didn’t think his friend looked properly chastised and wanted to strangle him, but Jade turned to look at him from over her shoulder. The heat in her gaze made him forget all about Valerian.
11
When they reached the command room, Jade was surprised by the welcome Dragon received.
The entire command crew was on deck and all bowed to Dragon as he stepped onto the dais at the center of the octagonal room.
“Please, High Lord.” The captain motioned for Dragon to take the command chair he had just vacated.
“At ease,” Dragon said with a brilliant smile that was returned by several of the female personnel. He turned toward Jade who had remained a few steps behind, and gave her a puzzled look before reaching his hand for her.
Under the curious stare of the crew, Jade took his hand, and he pulled her up on the dais. She saw the inquisitive stares that immediately transformed into shock and even fear when people noticed her white marks.
“Your place is at my side, not in the shadows,” Dragon whispered to her, then he said out loud, “I present to you Lady Jade, my soulmate and your mistress.”
Jade felt her heart explode. Even though she knew next to nothing about the intricate rules that governed Solarian society, what Dragon had just done had a universal meaning. It was also extraordinary: He had just officially conferred upon her the same status as a spouse.
A round of cheers exploded on the deck, and Jade found herself nodding in thanks. “Please,” she said, when the festive ruckus wouldn’t abate.
“From now on, you’ll follow her orders as mine,” Dragon said.
The captain bowed to Jade. “My Lady Jade,” he said.
Jade didn’t know the etiquette in a situation like that, but Dragon squeezed her hand in his large one and smiled at her. His eyes locked with hers and the rest of the room disappeared. Nothing else mattered but this man’s smile and soft gaze.
With another gentle squeeze, Dragon said, “Lady Jade will command Glory into hyperspace today.”
Dazed, Jade looked around as the crew applauded, and the captain pointed at the command chair. Dragon steered her to the center of the dais and helped her into the raised chair.
The captain showed her the commands on the plasteel armrest. “Whenever you are ready, Lady Jade.”
Launching a ship into hyperspace was a formality, but in space, it was also the highest honor bestowed upon a civilian. Only a High Lord—or someone of equal rank—and his consort would be asked to activate the hyperdrive button.
Jade’s hand shook as she lowered her finger to the octagonal knob. She pushed, and the ship lurched forward amidst a lengthy applause.
“We’ll retire to our quarters,” Dragon told the captain, who bowed again at Jade before formally saluting Dragon.
As they were exiting the command room, they walked past Valerian and Gilda who had watched the scene from near the doorway. The princess gave Jade a warm smile, and Jade couldn’t help but think that she had just usurped the woman’s place.
“Are you okay?” Dragon asked, tugging at her hand. The entire time, he hadn’t released his hold on her.
“I’m confused, that’s all.” She looked at him, finding comfort in his soft gaze and tender smile.
He remained silent as they strolled across the ship, his fingers slowly circling her wrist. As soon as they entered his quarters, he turned to face her. “I wasn’t going to let anyone disrespect you. Glory is Solarian soil, and as such, you must be treated the same way a bride of mine should be treated. I know you don’t like the idea—”
“Thank you,” she said, stopping his tirade.
This time, it was Dragon who looked confused. “I thought you were going to be mad at me.”
“Nobody has ever done anything for me even remotely close to what you did just now. You gave me a place beside you.”
“Of course I did.” He released her hand then and moved to the center of the foyer. “This the multi-purpose parlor. The bedroom and en suite bathroom are behind that door.” He pointed his chin over his shoulder, indicating a large hatch to his right. “We have a dining room where we can have our meals if we don’t feel sociable—” He let the sentence dangle, giving her a languid look that stirred Jade’s imagination into thinking of all the reasons they might have to remain inside his quarters.
With a satisfied little smirk, Dragon turned to his left where an entryway led into a second room. “And a small library and studio that are accessible from the dining room.” He stepped closer to her. “Home sweet home for the next two months.”
“That’ll be a first for me,” she said.
“What would that be?” His eyes shone with a mischievous light. Dragon had the advantage in this sensual game he played, but Jade was surprised to realize that she didn’t dislike it as much as she had thought.
“A home,” she answered after a moment.
“You had the Academy,” he started, moving toward one of the two comfortable sofas decorating the foyer. He sat, sprawling in the velvety seat, stretching his long legs before him as he propped his chin on his bent arm.
“The Academy was never home.” Jade lowered herself onto the opposite sofa, slightly disappointed that they weren’t sitting together. Her wrist tingled where his fingers had caressed her skin in lazy circles.
“But you were devoted to its cause.” He crossed his ankles. The simple movement created a ripple of long muscles that mesmerized Jade.
“Once you are an assassin, you are either devoted or dead. My life was horrible before entering the Academy, but I’ve never had suicidal tendencies,” she said, then added with a rueful smile, “Until I met you, that is.”
His loud laugh shook his powerful chest, and he wiped his eyes.
“You think that’s funny?” she asked.
“Never thought I would drive women to suicide.” He still laughed. “I had this romantic idea of myself as a master of sex—”
Jade was out of her depth once again, and as she usually did when she faced an unknown situation, she retreated to a safer corner. “Where am I going to sleep?”
“In the bedroom, of course.”
“But that’s your room.”
“That’s our room, but until you let me share the bed with you, I’ll sleep on the guest bed.”
“A guest bed?” Jade looked around, looking for an additional room he hadn’t mentioned.
Dragon’s eyes cut to the wall behind his sofa. “There’s an alcove built into the wall.”
“I can sleep in the alcove,” she said.
“Nonsense. You’ll take our bed, and hopefully, I’ll soon be invited to keep you company.” His aquamarine gaze deepened, and he looked at her in that way of his that spoke of possession and sensual pleasure. “The nights on a ship can be long, and there is so much we could do to entertain ourselves.”
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