Emerald Dragon (Awakened Dragons Book 6)

by Terry Bolryder

  She scooted over next to him. “Why can’t you stay here?”

  He pulled away. “I’m not meant to be with people, Opal. I heard you tell Sapphire I would stay for the other births, but I don’t want to. I’m not going to leave exactly, but I’m uncomfortable here. I love Luc, but I’ve been uncomfortable ever since that day, and I don’t think it’s going to get better.”

  “What’s really bothering you?” she asked. “Because how can you really think we’d be happier out there alone? Without our friends? Without anyone to watch out for us?”

  “We’d have a better chance alone,” Aegis said bitterly. So that’s what it was. “You think they could watch out for us? Half of them are with child; the others are protecting their mates. If someone comes for us, they are in a vulnerable situation. I don’t want to be put in a position where I have to choose someone else over you. I can’t do it. I can put my needs aside, but not yours.”

  She went quiet. She knew it was a lot to ask of him, but she needed him to care about others as much as he cared about her. She needed him to see that caring for the vulnerable around them was more important than anything else to her.

  “Aegis, if they’re going to be in trouble, that’s all the more reason we should stay.”

  “I knew you would say that,” he said, standing and brushing off his pants. “The people here are more important to you than anything. Including me.” He picked up Luc and balanced him on his hip. “I’m taking him back to Sapphire. I need to be alone.”

  Opal followed Aegis as he walked down the hall to drop Luc off and then went down the front steps and out the front door.

  She ran forward and caught him by the hand, pulling him back. His look back at her made her catch her breath. So handsome. So uncertain. She’d never meant to make him feel like this.

  “Aegis,” she said, holding his hand as she made him turn to her. “You are important to me. I love you. You know that.” She flushed. “I would think, after the past few nights, you can feel that. It’s not that anyone is more important than you. It’s that us being the best people we can—that’s more important to me than safety. How we live matters, Aegis. Not just living.”

  He let out a long sigh, watching the wind ruffle the grass all around him. “I suppose that makes sense.” He turned back to her, hair whipping in the wind. “So what do you want from me?”

  “To stay here,” she said. “To agree not to leave.”

  He took a step forward, hands on her arms. “And if I do that, you’ll mate me?”

  She swallowed. A life here with him, with their friends, fighting evil. It was all she wanted. She nodded. “I will.”

  He swept her up in his arms, carrying her back toward the house. “Yesss. I won’t let you take it back either.”

  “I won’t let you break your promise,” she said.

  He shook his head. “I won’t. As long as I have you, I can put up with anything. Even the rascals in the—” He looked up to see someone coming out of the castle. It was Ruby, his dark-red hair whipping in the wind. He was waving.

  Aegis picked up speed, Opal still in his arms, and set her down when they reached Ruby, who was panting.

  “Need you inside,” Red said. “A note came from the oracle.”

  “The who?” Opal asked. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

  “Not that oracle,” Red said, catching his breath and waving them inside. “The dark oracle. And Dom had a vision as well. Come in.”

  Red ran inside, leaving Aegis and Opal to exchange quick glances before following him.

  She guessed it was good they had made their promises before all of this happened.

  Aegis walked into the dining room to see most of the mates seated at the table, with most of the dragons pacing around. Dom was seated next to his mate, talking to her, and Bridget and Alistair were at the entry to the kitchen, but otherwise…

  “What’s going on?” Aegis asked, stepping forward.

  “A note, for you,” Zach said, handing it over. “Sealed so only you can open it with your venom.”

  Aegis took it and turned away from Opal, knowing he couldn’t really keep it from her, but wanting to read it on his own first.

  He opened it and began to read it, walking from the room.

  Aegis. As your psychic dragon has probably figured out, we are planning a full-on assault on the house. As you know, I have a certain fascination with you, and having you betray me was something I really can’t fathom. I have hated that you escaped me, but I do think destroying your friends and taking their mates and their babies will satisfy my pride in the meantime.

  Of course, there is a way to avert all of this and set things to rights. I don’t really care what the dragons are up to as long as they don’t interfere in my plans for the humans. With you on my side again, you could keep any of them from fighting me. I’m aware that your ability to control other dragons is the most powerful of all.

  Of course, if you were to return to me, I would want you collared. So think it over. Remember, there are babies involved. If I can’t take you, I’ll take them. Think over my weaponry. You know I can do it, even if they don’t.

  Aegis crumpled the paper in his hand, anger rushing through him, and then realized he hadn’t finished reading it.

  He opened it again.

  When we come to your house tomorrow, we will expect your answer. I will be waiting with your collar. And my weapons. Make your choice, and don’t force me to be cruel.

  He let the letter drop from his hands and then picked it up quickly, shoving it in his pocket.

  He walked back in the room and saw everyone was seated now and looking at him.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets. There was no point trying to hide the contents of the note from a whole group of dragons. Even with his ability to block others from reading his thoughts, they’d be able to read his body language.

  “She proposes a sacrifice play.” He sat heavily in a chair, and Opal sat beside him. “So let’s hear what Dom has to say and see if it’s necessary.”

  Opal’s hand tightened on his.

  “I saw a huge attack,” Dom said, looking weary, like he’d been up all night. Lana’s hand was on his arm, supporting him. It couldn’t be easy to see what he saw. “Huge. So many wyverns and a powerful dragon. Could have been Topaz but much bigger. More powerful. Frightening.”

  Lana sighed as Dom gathered his strength to say more. “They want to take the mates. The pregnant ones at least. And the baby.”

  Hallie gasped and clutched Luc close.

  “Over my dead body,” Sapphire said.

  “That’s the idea,” Dom said. “They have a weapon. Couldn’t see it clearly.”

  “They were building plenty of weapons using wyvern poison,” Aegis said, leaning back in his chair. “I wasn’t aware any could be ready this quickly. But I guess with Opal gone, she was motivated.”

  “Opal?” Zach asked.

  Aegis shrugged. “She did her illusions. It suited the oracle’s vanity. Kept her placated. She hates humans, but she’s a bit lazy and unmotivated unless someone makes it personal. Which I did by betraying her. Now she wants me back.”

  “You don’t think it’s a trap?” Citrine asked, speaking up. “What if she just wants you out of the way?”

  “So what do you suggest? I say no and we risk fighting and the safety of the young?”

  “I’m not letting you do it,” Opal said, surprising him. He’d thought she’d be the first to offer him up to the oracle if that would really fix things. “Never. I’ll fight alongside you. But I don’t think anyone here wants you to sacrifice yourself.”

  The others nodded uncomfortably. “I’m not sure it would even work,” Zach said. “And I definitely don’t trust her.”

  Irritation rippled through Aegis. Didn’t they all realize what they had to lose? They were halfway helpless with two of the dragon mates pregnant and one with a newborn baby. Several of the dragons would have to guard the mates while the others
fought, and in the time he’d been gone, the dark oracle had probably continued to build up the insane number of wyverns she’d been making with Topaz’s blood.

  “We’ll be able to take it,” Zach said.

  “We should run,” Hallie said.

  “There’s nowhere safer than here, together,” Sapphire said.

  Opal’s hand tightened on Aegis’s, but she seemed to be listening as the others started forming a plan.

  But Aegis was cold, surprised at the sheer stupidity of all of them. There was an easy answer here, and the cold bastard inside him knew it.

  It was kind of them to try and protect him, but they couldn’t even protect themselves. And unlike them, he knew the dark oracle. She was petty and possessive. Having him back in her possession to torture the shit out of was probably exactly what it would take to placate her for now.

  And he’d be collared, helping her control others or go after humans. Hopefully, he could figure out a way to fight that collar and escape again, but it would be difficult.

  Still, back on her side, he could help influence her, keep her away from Opal and the other dragons.

  And he had accomplished what he’d come here for. He’d gotten Opal somewhere safe. Made her happy for the first time in her life. Found her a home, even if he couldn’t be her home as he’d wanted to.

  Yes, if he were in a similar situation, he’d throw the unlucky bastard to the wolves in a second if it meant saving Opal. And since the unlucky bastard just happened to be him, that didn’t change anything.

  Anyone who understood him knew he had rules. One of them was Opal came before everything. Opal and what she cared for. And she would never leave her friends, never want them to run away and let the others get hurt. So there was only one thing to do.

  He stood up. “Well. If all of this is happening tomorrow, then I’m going to get some sleep.” He took Opal’s hand. “Zach, let me know what the plan is when you come up with it. Right now, Opal and I are going to talk about being mated so I can have my powers if you need me to help.”

  Zach nodded, slightly puzzled, and then turned back to the others to start strategizing. There was no point bringing anyone else in, like the oracle, because they would just be in danger. They would just have to combine their powers. At least, that’s what Zach probably thought.

  Aegis knew there wasn’t going to be a fight after all. But in the meantime, he meant to spend one last night with his mate. Meant to know that she was his, to feel her ring on his finger, before he went to meet his fate in the morning.

  Chapter 15

  Opal knew something was up with Aegis as he pulled her from the room, looking anxious, but couldn’t read his mind to see what it was.

  He was calm and collected as he led her to her room in the farthest corner of the upper floor of the house and then locked the door behind them.

  Her window was slightly open. The air blowing through was faintly misty from the rain that had been falling last night and was starting again after a break during the morning.

  “Aegis,” she said. “Tell me you aren’t thinking of going through with that.”

  He sat on the bed with a slump. “Everyone already vetoed it, didn’t they?” he asked, not totally convincing.

  “I know, but—”

  He put a finger up to her lips and she felt a tingle of anticipation. “I just want to love you right now. And then, when we’re done, I want you to take the collar off. I need my best chance if we are going to fight tomorrow.”

  She nodded, wrapping her hands around his neck as he lowered her back on the bed.

  His kisses were fierce, nipping at her lower lip and sucking her tongue as the cool wind from the window blew over them. Her hands wound into his hair, and he groaned and deepened the kiss, swiping his tongue inside her, going deep, making promises as his hips ground against her.

  Lovemaking had become a familiar rhythm for them now, yet each time was a little different. There was a sort of bittersweet feeling this time, like something harsh was in the air.

  Perhaps it was just the fact that tomorrow was coming, with a fight and with worries, and their friends were downstairs making plans that no one knew would be successful.

  She held on to Aegis and kissed him like her life depended on it, like if she just melded her body to his hard enough, everything around them could disappear.

  For just a moment, she wanted to run away with him.

  But then she looked into his steady green eyes and knew he had changed into the type of man who wasn’t up for that anyway. He had bonded with baby Luc and the rest of the dragons, and while he might not admit it openly, he couldn’t really run, even if she asked him to.

  She never would, though. She liked the Aegis he was, and she wouldn’t regret staying.

  The right thing to do was the right thing.

  She felt a little selfish for turning down the option of sacrificing Aegis, but there was no way she could do it. She knew what it felt like to fight for the person you loved, and there was no way she could give him up now.

  She stroked down his face as he opened her shirt and began licking her breasts, inside her bra. She gasped as his tongue found her nipple and his hand groped her other one. It was rougher than usual but possessive and hot, and his hands wandered down, sliding under her waistband, gripping her ass, feeling her everywhere as if he couldn’t decide where to start.

  She helped him by wriggling out of her pants, leaving her bare in her panties.

  He tore them off and cupped her with his hand, pressing into her wetness, stroking along her folds eagerly, lovingly, like he knew every part of her, which he did.

  He pulled her bra and the rest of her clothing away and studied her body with hungry, emerald eyes while his hand still played over her, making her achy and wet as he moved to undo his own button.

  He pulled his shirt over his head with one hand, baring rippling abs, and she couldn’t resist running a hand over them, enjoying the hard strength. Tomorrow, he’d be using this strength, fighting for her, and she felt confidence well up in her, killing the nervousness. He was strong, powerful, and combined with the other dragons, how could they lose?

  She dragged her hands down his abs and undid his zipper, pulling it down and helping him step out of his pants. She flicked out a claw and tore off his underwear. Everything today had a harried feeling, like there was only this moment and they had to hurry and get everything they wanted right now.

  His hard member came up against her, and a delicious warmth rippled through her as she anticipated the full, amazing feeling that only he could give.

  He entered her in one smooth movement, and she let out a groan and arched, feeling her body clench around him. Still so tight. Such a perfect fit.

  His eyes closed in rapture, and when they opened, she saw the slits of his dragon eyes. When she blinked, they were gone, and it was just Aegis again.

  He entwined his fingers with hers, settling her hands on either side of her head, so at home inside her. When they were like this, everything was right.

  He didn’t move at first. He took his hand from hers and pulled off his ring. He held it up in front of her and pulled her hand up to meet it. “Can I?” he asked.

  She nodded. When he was inside her like that, holding back so much pleasure, he could ask her anything. But he could have asked her at any moment. She was ready. He was here, willing to stay and fight with her friends. Ready to give her the life she’d always known they could have. She pushed her finger forward, sliding the ring on.

  His grin was wide and genuine, and she felt more warmth flood her as she looked at the green stone sparkling on her finger. Even in the low light of the cloudy day, it glowed. Just like his eyes.

  She caught him watching her and realized they were only half done. She pulled off her own ring, a delicate, small opal wrapped in antique gold work, and reached for his hand. He gave it easily, and she slid it onto his pinky, not sure it would fit otherwise.

  He frowned
at it and switched fingers. “You know it’s magic, right? A perfect fit no matter where you put it.”

  She pulled him against her, just wanting to savor the moment. “I don’t care. We’re mated. Think of it.”

  And then he did, and his whole body tightened as if he’d only just realized what it all meant.

  And then he fell against her, kissing her on her neck, her shoulders, her breasts, all while he was inside her. She squirmed, and he grinned and began to move, eagerly stroking as she put her hands in his again, letting them rest by her head.

  He pushed deep inside her, closing his eyes, and then withdrew, only to enter again. Each time he came inside her, electric heat swept through her, filling her, building inside her until she felt she could scream. Her hands twisted under his, but he kept her pinned. His green eyes opened and watched her, sparkling, lustful.

  His strong body was sheened with sweat, and even the coolness of the air couldn’t dampen the heat between them, glowing like the sun.

  She could feel her dragon inside her, sweeping into the air, curling into the clouds, feel his dragon spinning alongside her. Up, up they went as the pressure built inside her, as her love for Aegis and his love for her plainly mingled, the proof of it all on their fingers.

  It was forever. It was permanent. And as she felt everything hit a tipping point and bright light break inside her, she felt the dragon in her pair with his. Together, they were twisting into the clouds, soaring into the sky, flying into eternity together.

  She gripped him with her hands, trying to lock this moment in her memory, but it was as hard to catch as dragon fire.

  “I love you, Opal,” he said, gasping. “I love you more than life.”

  “I love you,” she replied. “Don’t you ever leave me, Aegis.”

  He bit down on the skin of her neck, kissing it and soothing it with his lips. “I’ll never let you down.”

  That was all she was going to get from him, so she just enjoyed the rest of the pleasure, the aftershocks of her orgasm. Then he kissed her, waited for them both to recover, and started all over again.