Dragon Redeemed

by Hopkins, Linda K.

  Later, she lay curled in his arms, her back to his chest as they spooned together. He buried his nose in her hair as his hand wandered over her hip.

  “Evie happy?” he whispered.

  She smiled. “Evie very happy. Drægón happy?”

  He leaned down and kissed her neck where he had bitten her. “Yes. You’re mine.”

  Chapter 40

  Drægón stared down in awe at the woman lying in his arms. Nothing he had experienced had ever made him so complete and whole – as though a piece that had been missing was now put back into place. He was certain Xavier had felt the same way, since it was Xavier’s memories, infused into his soul, that had guided him in loving Evelyn.

  “Mine,” he whispered in his mind, and he knew she had heard his thought when she pressed herself against him.

  “Yes,” she murmured.

  She was his. Not yet his mate, but one day soon. He had smelled her fear and confusion when he had asked her to be his mate earlier, and some sense warned him that this was not something to push. But he was sure that it would not be long before they truly belonged only to each other.

  They made love again, slow and gentle, but when he changed his form, she scooted away from him and stared at him uncertainly. He could taste her confusion, and he felt his own frustration rising. He launched himself from the cave and spread his wings wide, suddenly eager to leave his human form behind once again. The higher peaks called to him and he soared towards them, reveling in the air rushing over his scales.

  He hunted, then broke the thin layer of ice on the river with his tail and drank the cold water deeply. As his thoughts wandered back to Evelyn he smiled at the memory of her in his arms, and then he frowned again. Would she welcome his return, or would she turn and run? She wanted a human mate, that much was clear; but did he want her enough to forgo his dragon form for any length of time just to be with her? He thought back to the night just gone. The pleasure he had experienced was greater than he could have believed possible. His hasty encounter with the dragon at the conclave had not brought him even a degree of the satisfaction that Evelyn gave. He circled around one more peak as he considered this, then headed back to the cave, snagging a goose from the air with his claws. He could smell Evelyn’s sweet scent as soon as he drew near, and he breathed it in with pleasure.

  He landed on the cave floor to see Evelyn hastily putting aside a sheet of paper and a long feathered stick. She leapt to her feet and stared at him.

  “Drægón?” she said, her voice tentative.

  He cocked his head. “Evie.”

  Relief flooded from her pores. “You remember me.”

  “Of course.” He held up the goose. “Eat?”

  “Yes, please.”

  He ripped open the carcass and cooked the meat with his breath, careful not to burn it, then tearing off the pieces, handed them to her. She watched him warily as she ate, and when she was done, took up her paper and stick once more.

  “Did you hunt?”

  “Yes.”

  She nodded and began to scratch on the paper as he watched. He wanted to touch her again, but didn’t want her recoiling from him. He reached out a claw, and she met his gaze as he ran it down her cheek. The memory of skin against skin rose in his mind, and suddenly he wanted nothing more than to feel her once more.

  “Not human,” he said.

  She stared at him. “No.”

  “Want to feel you. As human.”

  She bit her lower lip. “Yes.”

  He pulled away from her and rose to his full height. She stared up at him as her heart began to race. He pulled the flames into his belly, then pushed them out with a burst of light, changing into human form. He dropped down to his knees before her, and brought his fingers to her cheek, before tracing her lips. She opened her mouth, and a sense of déjà vu rushed through him, before he brought his lips to hers and kissed her. She snaked her arms around his neck, and he lifted her onto his lap. Her gown was in the way, and he pushed it away impatiently, running his hands over her bare flesh. She was soft and sinuous, and his pleasure was as great as before. When they were completely sated, they curled into each other’s arms and fell asleep.

  When he awoke the next morning, the memories of the previous day came flooding back, and he smiled to himself. He watched as her eyes fluttered open to look at him.

  “Afraid of Drægón?” he asked.

  “No.”

  “As dragon?”

  “Show me,” she said.

  He pulled away and in a flash of light, changed into his true form. Reaching her hands to his chest, she ran her fingers over his thick hide before moving to his side, touching his scales. She ducked as he opened his wings, then ran the flat of her hand over his smooth scales, trailing the length of his tail and walking up the other side.

  “Not scared,” she said as she reached his head. She ran her hand along his snout, and he flicked his tongue against her skin, savoring her taste.

  “Come,” he said. He waited as she drew on her garments, then knelt down beside her. “Up.”

  She frowned, her confusion evident, so he bent his head down to her backside and butted her up his flank. She squealed as she landed on his back with a thump.

  “Oh, that kind of up,” she laughed. “Are we going somewhere?”

  “Just look,” he said. He opened his wings and heard her intake of surprise. Had Xavier never shown them to her? “Ride before?” he asked.

  “No. I never …” She paused for a moment. “I didn’t know you were a dragon until the night before you were killed. You had never told me.”

  He bent his head around to look at her in surprise. “Why?”

  “You married me to get to my uncle. Not because …” Her words trailed away as she turned away. Her sadness was clearly evident in her scent. He nudged her knee and when she looked up, he locked gazes with her.

  “Mine,” he said. She nodded, and somehow he knew it was not enough. He searched his mind for a word that would express how he felt, and the tendril of a memory brushed his thoughts. “You … you fill me,” he said.

  She smiled, and he could smell her pleasure. He lifted his head and launched himself into the crisp morning air with Evelyn on his back. He soared over the hills, smiling at her excited commentary.

  “No wonder you like being a dragon,” she said when they landed back in the cave later that day.

  “Yes.” When she turned away he transformed and went to wrap his arms around her. “But like you more,” he breathed huskily into her ear.

  The days passed and Evelyn began to teach Drægón new words, pointing out various objects and getting him to name them. Each day his vocabulary grew and he found himself stringing words together with more ease, although he often had to stop and think about the correct word to use. He hunted every day as well, bringing back whatever he could for Evelyn to eat. He learned that she needed at least two meals a day, and he ensured she did not go hungry. Sometimes he left her for a few hours, eager to feel the wind beneath his wings once more. He sought the solitude found only at the highest altitudes, and watched the hills slipping by beneath him, returning eager to be at her side once more.

  After her first flight, she wanted to fly with him as often as she could, and they would soar through the air as she pointed out more objects for him to name. He loved the weight of her on his back and the feel of her arms around his neck.

  At night she read to him, or taught him to play games that she told him he had once played. He did not need words to understand the strategy, and quickly became an adept player. Sometimes he would curl himself around her, his tail against her legs as he tapped the pieces with his talon, while other times he knelt before her, his hand on her leg as he played. When he was in his dragon form, she would lean against his side, warm against his heat.

  The times he enjoyed the most were when he pleasured her, and she lay in his arms after their lovemaking, content and satisfied. With such pleasure before him, he could no longer
be purely a beast.

  A week had passed when Drægón smelled the unmistakable scent of another dragon approaching the cave. Evelyn sat beside him in just her chemise, a book open between them as she tried to teach him the meaning of the words on the page. He leapt to his feet with a growl, his transformation scattering light into the shadows.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Dragon,” he snarled.

  A shadow passed over the mouth of the cave as a huge golden dragon landed a few feet in. Drægón growled in warning, but already the scent of the newcomer had reached his nostrils, and he knew the dragon was not a foe.

  “Drægón,” Aaron said. He glanced at Evelyn, his expression concerned, and his eyebrows rose slightly as he sniffed, the scent of their lovemaking heavy in the air. His gaze locked with Drægón’s. “What’s going on?” he growled.

  Annoyance flared through Drægón at the dragon’s audacity, and his lips curled into a snarl. There was rustling as Evelyn hastily tugged on her gown, and then she was at his side, her hand on his scales.

  “Aaron,” she said, “things have changed.”

  “Clearly!”

  “It’s just that …” She turned to Drægón, her expression beseeching. “Show him.”

  “No.”

  “It’s the easiest way to explain.”

  He stared at her for a moment, but it was useless to argue – he would do as she wanted. He motioned with his head and she turned away as his transformation filled the air. He looked at Aaron, whose mouth was hanging open.

  “Xavier?” he gasped.

  “Drægón,” he snapped.

  Aaron closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Of course. It’s just a surprise.”

  Evelyn stepped up beside Drægón and he slipped an arm around her waist, his naked leg brushing her skirt.

  “I see.” Aaron reached for the satchel around his neck and dropped it to the ground. “You probably have better need of these than I do.”

  Drægón remained silent, but Evelyn nodded her thanks.

  “How are things going?” Aaron asked Evelyn. The question seemed innocent enough, but there was an underlying tension that made Drægón look hard at Aaron before turning to Evelyn. She glanced at him with a smile.

  “Things are going well,” she said. “Although Drægón is not quite up to speed with reading.”

  “Reading?” Aaron asked in astonishment.

  “Yes. Isn’t that right, Drægón?” She gave him an innocent look, but he knew what she was doing. He growled in her ear, then whispered in her mind: “Why?”

  “Speak to him,” she whispered. “He’s been concerned about you. He loves you.” He looked at her for a moment, then turned back to Aaron.

  “Read – no. What want?”

  Aaron’s eyes darted to Evelyn as excitement rose from his pores, but he kept his expression neutral. “Well, this changes things. I came to see … well, I wondered whether …” He shook his head. “There have been some developments, Master. A few of the clan did not attend the oath-giving, and now wish to challenge your leadership. There have been whisperings that you are not capable.”

  Drægón turned and began to pace the cave. A ribbon of flame spilled from his palm and he wound it between his fingers as he walked. He glanced at Aaron and saw him staring at his hand. “Because no talk?”

  Aaron dragged his gaze upwards. “Yes.”

  “Talk now.”

  “Yes. But we cannot allow these rumors to grow.” He paused and tapped his chin. “Given how things have, uh, developed, perhaps it is time to meet with some of the clan members. The elders, maybe. They can spread the word that the rumors are false. These things have a way of growing if left unchecked.”

  Drægón frowned as he made sense of what Aaron was saying. Evelyn stepped up next to him. “You understand?” she asked softly.

  “Yes. Dragons say Drægón no talk.”

  She smiled wryly. “It was true, remember?”

  He ran a finger over her neck. He had drunk her blood a few times in the last week, and each time his mind had become clearer. “You give me words.” He turned back to Aaron. “Must fight others.”

  “Yes. From what I hear they have formed an alliance and are staying near Terranton. It’s about three days away by wing,” he added when Drægón frowned. “But first you should meet the elders.”

  “Evelyn must come,” he said. He glanced down at her. “Not fight.” His eyes locked on hers, and she nodded before turning back to Aaron.

  “Where are the elders?”

  “They can meet us here, but I suggest Drake House, where they can see him being more human.” He glanced at Drægón, who raised his eyebrows but remained silent. “Shall we say in three days? Will that give you time to prepare?”

  Evelyn gave her agreement and Aaron turned to Drægón. Sparks flared in his eyes as they stared at each other, before Aaron wrapped his arms around his shoulders and gave him a quick embrace. “I’ve missed you, son,” he said, then turned away and soared into the air.

  As Drægón watched him go he felt something stir within his heart. He felt a kinship with Aaron that he hadn’t noticed before. A movement at his side had him turning to see Evelyn retrieve the bag Aaron had left, and she pulled out a garment. He frowned as he wondered what it was.

  “It’s for you,” she said. “Trousers. And a tunic.”

  She held the items up to him and he realized he was supposed to wear them, as she wore her gown. He tapped his chest – “Cover this?” – and grinned slyly. He turned and spread his wings. “Cover this?” He turned back again and his grin grew wider as his hand slipped lower; her eyes followed the movement. “Cover this?”

  She tossed the garments on the floor and stepped closer. “No,” she breathed. She laughed when he caught her around the waist, swinging her through the air before dropping her to the blankets and showing her how convenient it was not to wear clothes.

  They lay together later, and he ran his hand through her wild mass of curls. He pulled a strand straight, watching in delight as it sprang back into a curl as he released it. He wanted her for his mate, and it was on the tip of his tongue to ask her, but he was a dragon and she was a human, and only a week before he had been little more than a beast. He had no doubt about how she felt about him – he had sensed both her desire and her growing love. But would she want to tie herself to a beast forever? Xavier was gone, and now there was just Drægón. The last week with her had been more incredible than he could have believed possible, and the chance that she might reject him was too awful to contemplate. He would wait until after their return to Drake House, once the matter with the dragons was settled. In the meantime, he would just bask in her love.

  Chapter 41

  Evelyn stepped through the door of Drake House three days later, Drægón stiff at her side. The night before he had paced the cave, his tail swishing over the ground as he wore a path in the rock.

  “Elders ask questions,” he had growled.

  “Yes. And you will answer them.”

  “What if no understand.”

  “You can ask them to repeat themselves.”

  “They think …” He tapped his head to indicate a lack of mental capacity.

  “No. You’re not stupid. You don’t need a way with words to be smart.”

  He shook his head in frustration. “Cannot always say right words.”

  She walked up to him and grabbed him by the jaws, forcing him to look down at her. “You are the dragon savior, and you’re worried about a few elders? They should be worried about you.”

  “They have words.”

  “And so do you. Just not as many.”

  He had smiled, but she knew he wasn’t convinced, and when he launched himself into the night sky and flew away, she tried not to be concerned. In the past week, she had learned many things about Drægón. It was his nature to be a dragon, and that would never change. At first, after his first transformation when he’d left her at the ca
ve, she had wondered what in the world she was doing. That she was attracted to him she could not deny, but he was little more than a beast. Her blood in his system had given him words, though, and she soon saw that despite his lack of eloquent speech, he had not lost any of his intelligence. When he’d returned to the cave that first time, she had still not been completely sure of her actions, but she knew now that although he was different, her husband still lurked deep within him, and she would never be able to leave him. He had managed to convince Aaron of his mental capacity, and she would do whatever was necessary to ensure the elders saw it, too.

  He had arrived back shortly before dawn, and carried her in silence to a forest beyond the city, where he transformed. Aaron’s garments proved their usefulness as she helped him pull them on, and then he allowed her to lead the way to Drake House.

  She had sensed his tension rising as soon as they drew closer to the bustling metropolis, where people hurried past, jostling them as they rushed by. His eyes had flickered across the scene, and his nose twitched as he took in the multitude of scents. He edged closer to her, holding her hand as they walked. After their time in the cave Evelyn felt the city closing in around them, and she could imagine how Drægón felt. When they arrived at Drake House, he’d stood outside on the street for a long time, staring at the building.

  “Do you remember it?” Evelyn asked.

  “No.” He had cast her a quick look. “Small.”

  “Actually, by human standards, it is big.”

  At a table within the hall congregated six men. They rose now as Drægón entered, their fists over their hearts as they bowed their heads. “Master,” they murmured, before looking up to meet his gaze. Aaron was in the group, and Evelyn recognized the man with bronze curls from her wedding, but the others were strangers to her. None of them appeared to be above fifty years of age; in fact, only one of the men had a few sprinklings of gray in his red mane. He stepped forward, his bright blue eyes intent on the man before him.