Dragon Heart

by Susan Arden

CHAPTER 18

  “You’re certain your family isn’t going to hold you there against your will?” she whispered to Drake in the doctor’s waiting room as she flipped through a magazine.

  He laughed with his arm flung over her shoulders, and hugged her tighter against him. “No. Not gonna happen. Ever.”

  She set the magazine down on her lap. “If they do, I’ll come rescue you.”

  “No.” Drake’s expression turned serious. “If anything ever happens to me, you’ll contact Noah. He’ll help you with anything you need. Give me your phone.”

  “But you said nothing will,” she replied, frowning from the prickling darts bombarding her senses. She riffled through her bag and dug out her cell. “Here.”

  “Just a precaution. The Cascade Mountains don’t have the best cell phone reception. This bonding ceremony won’t take long. I’m in. I’m out and back.” He entered a series of numbers into her cell contact list. “Same as you last night.”

  “That was a little too slippery.” She pressed her lips, contemplating her mom’s unsteady psychological state.

  Drake halted his rapid fire keystrokes. “It went fine.”

  “Fine if I was a dinner guest from Timbuktu. More like unnerving. I spoke with Shawn and we’ll meet with the doctors later this afternoon. I’ll get a handle on what exactly is being done for Mom. When is your flight tonight?”

  He dropped his gaze and resumed keying information into her cell. “What do you mean?”

  “Tickets have departure times. I’m not asking an overly difficult question.”

  “Uh … ” He shrugged. “I’ll fly out later today.”

  “Not tonight. So you changed your ticket.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and considered how to stretch their day as far as possible so she could deal with her mom’s condition and spend a few hours of their afternoon doing more than chasing their proverbial tails.

  “Guess so. It’s open,” he muttered, handing her phone back, and then pulling on his collar.

  Her gaze sharpened and she felt her forehead crease. “Open? You must have a departure time, unless you’re using the jet.”

  “Miss Barclay?” A nurse appeared, holding a clipboard.

  “Shay, not exactly,” he murmured, staring back at her. A muscle along his jaw flexed and he grimaced before he took a deep breath and helped her upward as he rose to stand. “Baby.”

  “Holy hell … don’t you ‘baby’ me! You’re flying in primal form. I should have known it.”

  “It’s safer. Faster. And this isn’t the time to talk about it.” He cocked his head at the smiling nurse, who motioned for them to follow.

  Shay smiled back at the nurse, who then turned and went into the inner offices, and she whispered sharply, “Unless someone is tracking you and takes a shot.”

  The nurse stopped in front of a doorway. “Right in here. And how are you feeling today?”

  “Great,” she said, glancing over to Drake and arching her brow.

  “Is this your first pregnancy?”

  “Yep. Our first,” he replied before she could answer. “Got any advice?”

  “About a ton!” The nurse took her vitals, all the while conversing in a lilting tone about giving birth—the ins and outs of myths versus fact. After a longwinded speech on diet, she suddenly asked, “So what birthing center are you at?”

  “Um … center? None yet.” Shay stiffened and patted her tummy. “We have time to decide.”

  “Says who? Oh my. You’d better hurry and pick one. You’re almost due. Disrobe and put on this, opening at the front. Dr. Stiles will be right with you.” The nurse held out a paper gown.

  “Thank you.” When the nurse left the room, Shay turned to Drake. “Nice try with the info dump. Stop waffling and answer me.”

  He scrubbed a hand down his face. “They could do the same if I was traveling by car into the Cascade Mountains, or by plane. The chances are better that I’ll be a sitting duck if I have to take to the interstate and the tiny airport is no better. Necrodemas and his carnival companions aren’t going to be huffing by foot or by cycle up those mountain trails. Where I hail from is well off the beaten path. If we went together, I’d fly you up to the top unless we went by chopper.”

  “Do you have a helicopter?”

  Drake’s eyes bored into her. “The last time I wanted to make tracks with you I bought one. So yeah. Just so happens, we do.”

  The door opened and a woman with bright red hair and thick glasses bounded inside. “Good morning. I’m Dr. Stiles. Mr. and Mrs. Barclay?”

  “I’m Miss Barclay and—”

  He rose in a blink. “I’m Drake O’Connor.”

  The doctor shook her hand, then reached for Drake’s. “Pleasure. Well, let’s examine you, Shay, and get a sonogram first thing. From what I can tell, you’re pretty far along but the sonogram will verify just as far. Dragon twins. Wow! Bet you both are super excited.”

  • • •

  Exiting the doctor’s office, he placed his warm hand on the small of her back but switched to holding onto her arm. Good thing; she felt as if she were tottering with each step forward. Her head buzzed with the news: the doctor confirmed she would give birth next month. No wonder she was growing rounder and bigger as if by the minute since Drake had come back into her life. The doctor explained her sudden weight gain as the resulting effect of her being in her mate’s presence—confirming that an alpha male dragon produced some off the charts hormonal surges within his pregnant female.

  Shay glanced up a Drake, and felt the rapid pulse of a spark jetting across her skin when he returned her stare and smiled. “Baby, be careful,” he said. “Or I’ll carry you to the car.”

  Outside on the sidewalk, it had begun to snow. Fin pulled up to the curb farther down the block. “I can manage,” she said, even though she clutched his arm closer to her side.

  “Let’s go,” Drake murmured, steering her away from the building onto the sidewalk. He appeared unfazed by the honking horns, and the mad rush going on around them.

  Someone laid on the horn making her cringe. Her claws sprung outwards and her canines erupted. She wasn’t the only one on edge, so it seemed. Drake had his hand on his holster inside his jacket—the one she knew he carried even though he refused to discuss it—as he stopped and turned his attention to the blaring noise. From her peripheral vision, she caught sight of a Hummer wagon pulling up at the curb and her footsteps faltered. She recognized a disturbing scent as the skin over her body tightened and she felt the instinct to shift into primal form.

  “Ugh!” She stumbled and if it hadn’t been for Drake’s unrelenting attention and his capable hands on her, she would have face planted on the slippery sidewalk.

  “Shay,” he exclaimed, preventing her from moving. “Are you all right?”

  “It’s one of those tanks … like Dimitri had.” She swallowed, brushing back her bangs, and scanning the street. The memory of riding in Dimitri’s Hummer flared vividly. God, she hated recalling that dismal experience minutes before she and Drake parted. No one exited the vehicle as it idled at the curb. The windows were blackened and she couldn’t see inside. Dimitri could hide all he wanted—but she was aware that he lurked near.

  Drake glanced over his shoulder toward the curb then back to her. He started to walk, guiding her forward. “Lots of people have them. Come on, baby.” His stiff tone belied his usual circumspect attitude when it came to her. Was he also unnerved by the coincidence?

  Apparently—he removed his cell phone, dialing either Tristen or Shawn. “Any sentinels around … us?” he bit out.

  A reply bled from his phone: “Roger that. You’re good.”

  She swung her attention to the sidewalk and, for ten o’clock in the morning, the street was pretty congested. Throngs of folks walked by. People in suits, people in jeans, even a few who appeared homeless shuffled along. The doctor’s office was downtown, near to the city college, shops, and a slew of other office buildings.

>   As if on cue, a man and a woman fell in line, flanking and walking with her and Drake. “Time to move,” one of them said.

  “Oh. Question answered,” she replied—really to herself—as they all moved in unison, walking down the block. They headed for their waiting car that began moving backwards in their direction.

  “This way,” Drake commanded, piloting her over the slick sidewalk and into the car. The sentinels climbed in—one in the front seat and the other, sat next to her in the back, his gun drawn.

  “See what I mean,” she huffed, her chest heaving and now more than ever convinced that Dimitri needed to be stopped. Drake was right. That worm of a shifter would definitely act in an underhanded manner. Now, more than ever they had to amass irrefutable evidence that would sway not only the council, but also the human justice system. With Dr. Stiles’ assuring her that she’d delivered her twins in less than a month, little time remained to wait around for someone else to substantiate the truth: Dimitri Necrodemas was a pure slimeball.

  News of her engagement to Drake might have made it back to Necrodemas, and maybe that was the reason he’d let her know he was close by. During the car ride back to the Den, Drake phoned the front desk, speaking in clipped tones about beefing up security. When they arrived at the circular driveway, Quinn and Sherry walked quickly past the doormen and in between the grounds crews without breaking stride. Dude didn’t look a day over thirty-five, but from what she knew, he was a few thousand years old. Sherry, as a spell caster, was human and looked to be in her mid-twenties, with deep burgundy hair, and pale luminescent skin. Just a little older than Shay, but boy, she sure had a defining air about her.

  Drake lifted her out of the backseat, growling. “Be careful. It’s icy.”

  “Let me give you a hand,” Sherry said, coming up next to her. “We girls need to stick together.”

  “You’re a lifesaver.” She smiled at Sherry. “I appreciate everything you’ve done. The clothes were delivered this morning.”

  “Drake gave me strict instructions to get whatever you required.” Sherry’s gaze traveled to her garnet-colored wool A-line dress and matching coat. “Love that set the moment I saw it. Thought you’d choose it on first sight, too. With the boots, it’s perfect.”

  “You did an amazing job. They all were perfect. It almost came down to eeny meeny.” She grinned and then said, “Thank you. Your taste is excellent.”

  “We’ll do lunch and shopping. You still have lots to get. Call me. Soon.” Sherry winked. “When you’re feeling up to it.”

  Did she look as frazzled as she felt or was Sherry just super perceptive as a spell caster? The babies were as much on the move as her roiling concern about Drake’s impending trip. Two pairs of feet kicked as if marching and, then one baby—or both—really did a number on her ribs. She gasped, clutching her belly but at the same time a thought crossed her mind about Sherry’s spell casting abilities and potentially getting hold of a truth serum or spell, and she cleared it before Drake caught wind of that thought.

  Drake wound his arm around her, shepherding her to the wall. He peered down into her face, concern piercing his eyes. “You all right? Quinn, slow it down some,” he barked.

  Quinn and Sherry flanked her and Drake. “Do we need to call the doctor?” Quinn asked.

  “No. I’m fine.” She realized all eyes were on her and she laughed. “Really. I could outrun any of you.”

  Drake held onto her and she followed along, ensconced in their own private huddle all the way inside the elevator. They rode upstairs in silence, but she and Drake exchanged several looks and smiles, and she felt she was about to start laughing, an uncontrollable fit of last minute nerves. He sidled closer and reached for her hand, grazing his lips along her jaw, all the way to her ear and whispered, “I can’t wait to get you alone.”

  CHAPTER 19

  “Lay with me,” Drake said once Quinn and Sherry departed. She’d see Sherry later but for now the pitter patter in her chest made her ache to tell him more than just her worry.

  “Please be careful,” she parroted the words he’d said to her downstairs. She led him into the bedroom and down onto the bed.

  “Promise. You too.” He laid his hand on her belly, and sternly reminded her to take it easy until a huge face splitting smile spread over his lips. “Our babies are beautiful.” He pulled out the sonogram and fingered the edges. Their twins were brilliantly featured, complete with tiny little noses, their arms and legs entwined. Their daughter sucked on her thumb.

  “We’ll need names,” she murmured.

  “Most definitely. Any thoughts?”

  “Nothing yet that sticks. You?”

  “Mmm, I like your name.” Drake lifted her dress up along her thighs. Higher and higher, as he separated her knees. “I like everything about you.” He cast a searching dark look up to her.

  “Everything?” she laughed.

  “With one exception. These.” With a snap of his wrist he removed her panties, the lace barrier between him and her. He unzipped his pants and freed his cock. “I’ll be back before you know it. I like you so much…especially like this, I can’t stay away.”

  Climbing between her legs, he positioned his crown at her opening. The glittery tingles of pleasure sank deep inside her. She arched her back, needing him to connect with her as something so deep inside her roared to life. “Please, don’t stay away too long. I need you,” she breathed out.

  He caged her between his arms, staring down at her. “Shay, I love you.” He didn’t wait for her to respond but slid inside her, pumping his hips and pulling her near to him with one hand on her hip. He glided in and out of her pussy and unmercifully swiped his thumb across her clit as his body radiated intense dragon heat.

  “Drake,” she moaned, lifting up her knees, bracketing either side of his torso, trying to get as close as possible to him. The heavy ache built and built within her, leaving her hungry for all Drake offered as she melted faster, ready to fall farther.

  Without stopping, he pumped his cock, using circular grinds punctuated by deep grunts. All the while he watched her behind his hooded green eyes. “Tell me, are you mine?”

  “Yes. Yours.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Make me come.” So close to exploding, she shouted his name. Shouting … “Now, Drake. Now!”

  “Baby, like this. Fuck!” he thundered, drawing her to him, sinking into her, and joining them together as a storming climax tore through her, and she clenched around his cock. His body went rigid, shuddering once, then again. Looking down and meeting her gaze, he whispered, “Shay. You are mine.”

  • • •

  When it came time for Drake to depart, she accompanied him to the rooftop of the Den. Exiting the roof door, she had no idea what to expect but there were three shadowy figures that turned in unison toward them. Unfurling their wings, the beings perched on the ledge, and she gasped in seeing they weren’t like any creatures she’d encountered before. As she and Drake approached, the creatures seemed to come fully alive. Burst in flame. Enormous, angry looking birds stared back at her, cawing in rapid clicks. One flapped a fiery wing, releasing wisps of spiraling smoke.

  “What are they?” she asked, gripping his arm.

  “Phoenixes. My crew.”

  • • •

  She’d paced, sat, and paced some more. She tried to read but couldn’t focus on the words of the page in her hand, her mind drifting to the clock and wondering about Drake’s progress. Finally, her phone rang. “I’m here. Not a hitch,” his deep voice washed over her along with a ton of relief.

  “Oh thank God,” she said. “How is your family?”

  “Don’t know. Literally. I just got here and wanted to call you.”

  “You made excellent time. I was worried, but … go. Please let your family know I’ll come for a visit too.” She wanted to speak coherently, tell him words that would assuage the ache in her chest, but none bubbled up. “I miss you.”

  “
Me you. I’ll phone later.”

  Shay sank down into the chair by the table, drumming her fingers, and felt a jolt. A tiny twinge between her eyes. Then again, but the twinge twisted into a driving lance of pain she’d never experienced before. The flare traveled up her forehead and spread out over her head, and she pressed her temples. She tried to focus on something other than what felt like the plates of her skull coming apart. She could make out the sound of Drake’s voice and the voices of other men. Laughter. Oh shit. She needed to exit this channel where she’d accidentally tapped into Drake’s mind.

  “So are you ready for the Jinni’s challenge?” a deep male voice posed the question.

  “I’m here and will do what’s asked of me,” Drake replied.

  “Word is you’ll be given a whopper tomorrow night. Something to go down in the history of helping this family. You’d better check in and then get your team assembled.”

  “Any idea of what I’m being asked to do?” Drake asked.

  “Only that if you fail, the repercussions will be astronomical. For this rage and others, especially your children.”

  Another lancing, knifelike pain tore across her head and she was near to crying out, but bit back any sound, unwilling to let Drake chance intercepting her muffled whimper. She exited Drake’s mind and felt the burn of anger flare between her shoulder blades. Some team, she blustered mentally. While she was here warm and cozy at the Den, Drake was out doing more than male shifter bonding. Saving his children by the sounds of it. So rich and so Navy SEAL typical. Well this girl was going to be her own team of one and do something to help her family too. And if Drake had anything to say on the matter, she’d remind him of his dragon challenge. Come tomorrow, she’d begin her own leopardess challenge and Necrodemas was her target.

  • • •

  “Thanks for everything,” she told Sherry when she dropped her at the front door of the Den.

  Twin motorcycles rolled up behind Sherry’s car as Shay checked out the parking lot, spotting her car parked in the overflow lot. Fin and another sentinel flipped up their visors and she flashed them peace signs. They waved back and she felt a twinge of guilt. All day they’d had the chore of following her. First up to her parents where she’d visited with Mom—who appeared better with less lapses into glazed stares. Dad came home in an ambulance and recognized her, but was weak and in need of recuperation. She’d helped out with her dad until the leopard shifter specialists arrived and kicked everyone out. Today the doctors were trying hypnosis and a deep brain wave therapy for both her parents.