by Julia Mills
Nodding because words escaped her, Alicia waited.
“This is a dragon at the end of his rope. I thought I had lost you. I thought Cleland was going to throw you in the pit. In the blink of an eye, I saw my world without you and do you know what it was like?”
She shook her head.
Drago took a deep breath. His eyes closed as he slowly exhaled, his warm breath a kiss against her cheek as Alicia watched her mate struggle for control. When he opened his eyes, it dawned on her that he’d lost his dark lenses during the fight. She’d been so mad before it had escaped her attention. Now she could appreciate the bit of the brown that was returning to his iris whereas before they had been as black as the night sky above them. He no longer growled when he spoke. Instead, she could hear pain and a fear that hadn’t even been present when he was locked in that horrid box.
“Desolate. A vast wasteland of nothingness… because there is nothing without you, Alicia. Now that I’ve tasted life as your mate, I will cease to exist the moment you are no longer by my side. We are two halves of the same whole. Without you, they may as well put me back in that damned box and bury me in the ground, for I will wither and die. You are my reason for being. You are my everything.”
Alicia opened her mouth to speak but all she could manage was a sob. Tears flowed from her eyes as she looked at the man she was destined to spend eternity with. Throwing her arms around his neck, she pulled Drago to her. Her Guardsman knelt between her legs as their lips met. Their kiss was passionate and all encompassing. It was a promise of what they meant to each other and the life they would have together. The future both dreamt of. Each opened completely to the other with an understanding that as long as they stood together, no one could tear them apart.
There, under the stars, Alicia truly understood what it meant to mate a dragon and she couldn’t have been happier.
Chapter Sixteen
After their night under the stars, Drago had no intention of waiting one second longer than was absolutely necessary to officially make Alicia his mate. The next morning, he got Rian’s approval, as well as the okay from the Elder of the Golden Fire Clan, Carrick. His old friend was extremely shocked and incredibly happy that Drago had survived all those years of captivity and wished him congratulations on finding his mate.
Now, twenty-four hours later, the Guardsman known as the Assassin was waiting on the same cliffs that had been his prison for almost a hundred years for the woman of his dreams to arrive. Drago was nervous and excited and more than anything, ready to be officially mated to the woman destined to be his. Rayne and Kyndel had helped him with all the preparations. Tomas and Cole, two young Guardsmen, were escorting Alicia on horseback to the site of their ceremony.
Drago had been up since before dawn making sure every detail was perfect. Alicia’s sisters had been a godsend. They decorated everything to his exact specifications and only teased him a little bit the fifth time he was going over his checklist. The entire scene was a wash of bright yellow daffodils setting the air alive with the scent that reminded him of Alicia, and vibrant red roses to signify the unending love he, a red dragon, had for his mate.
Looking out over the ocean on the largest plateau on the entire seaboard, Drago would pledge his love and undying devotion to the woman the Universe created for him and him alone. They would leave here today wearing matching marks of their bond, a bond that would last through the ages.
The sound of horse hooves against stone drew his attention. Ducking behind a large boulder, he watched as Tomas helped Alicia dismount while Cole held the huge bouquet of long-stemmed red roses Drago had placed along the trail for her to find.
The gown Kyndel had helped him design was a perfect fit. The tiny white straps over her shoulders highlighted her peaches and cream complexion and the tiny little freckles that made his mouth water as he imagined tasting each one. He was once again glad to see the advances in women’s clothing during his time as a prisoner. The Guardsman was definitely of the opinion that more skin showing was better, especially when he was the one looking.
Any other man will lose his eyes if I catch him so much as glancing at my mate.
The bodice, as the seamstress had called it, was form fitting, perfectly showing off Alicia’s curves and ample breasts. Drago worked hard to rein in his libido and reminded both himself and his dragon that they had to make it through the ceremony before they could rip the dress from her body.
He followed her long, flowing skirt to the ground, admiring the fire red flames stitched into the white gossamer fabric. Alicia’s toes, painted a bright red, peeked out from under the hem. She was barefoot, just as the mates from his time always were. It was something he’d thought about but never mentioned.
She must’ve pulled it from my mind. My little witch never ceases to amaze me.
The young men led Alicia to the white wrought iron chair that had been decorated with daffodils, roses, and ribbons. The white carpet under her chair led to an archway that stood in the middle of the Sacred Circle. Behind the circle was a raised platform holding four large, black, wrought iron chairs closely resembling thrones. Drago knew the Elders of the Blue Thunder Clan, with Rian as their leader, would occupy those chairs very shortly.
He was watching Alicia nervously looking around when Rayne’s voice sounded in Drago’s mind. “You ready to do this?”
“Son, I am as ready as it gets.”
“We’re heading out. Best of luck.”
Drago could only smile while watching Alicia’s surprise as Rayne and the other Guardsmen filed out in full-dress uniform. He had earlier explained to her how they wore surcoats in the color of each man’s dragon scales, and that there was a dragon in the throes of battle embroidered across the chest, but to see her reaction to seeing them with her own eyes was priceless.
Once the Guardsmen were in place, the Elders immediately took their position on the podium. Drago waited impatiently for Rian to look his way. Finally, he got the nod and strode out, immediately finding Alicia’s eyes and holding them hostage. He wanted to experience everything with her, beginning right now and lasting forever.
Stopping in front of the dais to the left of the Sacred Circle, Drago stood and waited. He could see impatience and a little uncertainty in Alicia’s eyes but sent a wave of calm to her through their mating bond.
Rian stood and began to speak, “Long ago when knights and dragons fought side by side for King and Country, it became apparent that dragon kin was no longer safe from those that would expose and destroy them. They sought to join with the knights that had so valiantly fought alongside them. Thus, through magic and the will of both dragon and knight, the Golden Fire Clan of the Dragon Shifters and the Blue Thunder Clan was born.
“We are here today in this blessed place to honor what the Universe put into motion all those many years ago. We are here to acknowledge and bless the mating of Drago Magnus MacLendon to the one the Universe made for only him, Alicia May McKennon. Will those seeking to witness this union please step forward?”
Drago watched as the nine men he would now call brethren, just as he had their fathers before them, knelt around the Sacred Circle and bowed their heads. He was sad his own Force could not be there and prayed he would soon find them. Rayne and Rory stood and faced the Elders. Rory spoke. “We, the six of the Aherne Force and our brethren from the MacLendon Force, wish to witness and offer our blessing to the union of these two souls, two halves of the same whole. May they live long, fight hard, love harder, and produce many young to flourish in this world when their souls have gone to the Heavens.” Rayne nodded to Rian and then to his uncle and followed Rory back to their men.
Once both were again kneeling with heads bowed, Rian spoke, “Your witness and blessing have been acknowledged and accepted Aherne and MacLendon Forces. Drago MacLendon, you may go to your mate.”
Using his enhanced speed, Drago raced to Alicia, took her hands into his, and slowly walked backward, leading her to the Sacred Circle. Rian bega
n again, “The Red Dragons were born of blood and fire. They are notoriously passionate in all areas of their lives. Red Dragons are known for their command and fierceness. The red of their scales symbolizes love and fertility. Red Dragons will lead the charge, conquer the enemy, and defend homeland and family with their very lives. To mate a Red Dragon means to accept all that they are and honor the power shared between mates.
“Now is the time of the marking. May the Universe continue to bless you and yours all the days of your lives.” It took only a moment for everyone but Drago and Alicia to leave the plateau, but not before Rayne, Lance, and Royce surrounded the couple with large white screens just as the Assassin had planned. There was no way he was sharing the marking of his mate with a single solitary soul.
Drago stood, awestruck, looking into the eyes of the love of his life. Unable to take the anticipation any longer, Drago lowered his mouth to hers. He stopped right before their lips would have touched and whispered, “Ta’ mo chroi’ istigh ionat,” and with that, he lowered his lips onto hers.
Chapter Seventeen
It was an all-encompassing, devastatingly enraptured kiss. Drago felt his little witch in every cell of his body. The couple was consumed with a passion that threatened to set them ablaze. The Assassin’s body and soul laid open to his mate just as he could feel her open to him.
Alicia flinched in his arms at the same time he felt a twinge on the side of his neck. The Universe was marking them as mates. Drago trailed kisses across her jaw and down her neck, reaching the tender spot he knew still stung from their brand. Kissing the offending spot until all thoughts of anything but their naked bodies loving one another were banished from both their minds, Drago knew he’d found true happiness in his little witch.
Lifting his head from her neck, Drago looked at Alicia. He would spend every day of the rest of his life thanking the Universe for her. Kissing the tip of her nose, he looked into her passion-fogged eyes, and whispered, “I need to be alone with you, Alicia. I need to make love to my mate.”
Her simple nod was all it took. Lifting her into his arms, Drago used his enhanced speed to get them to the house Rian had given him just the day before. Throwing open the door, the Assassin quickly carried Alicia across the threshold. He needed her naked and in their bed more than he ever needed anything in his life.
Releasing her legs, she slid down his body. The friction of her body against his fed the fire that caused his pulse to race and his cock to harden. Drago held Alicia steady when her toes touched the floor and together, they let out a long, slow breath. They were together in all things. She was his. She bore his mark. There was nothing in Heaven or Hell that could tear them apart. Not even death.
Running his hands through her hair, he released the pins holding her curls. She moaned as he massaged her scalp, pushing her head further into his hands. He rubbed and kneaded down her neck and onto her shoulders, those little freckles teasing him again. This time he did not resist. He kissed each little spot, paying extra attention to the ones one her neck.
Kissing across her décolletage, Drago slid the thin straps from her shoulders and undid the tiny pearl buttons holding the bodice of her dress closed. His breath caught in his throat as her breasts came into view. Undoing the last pearl, the Guardsman let go of the material and her gown floated to the ground. Alicia lifted one foot and then the other as Drago kicked the garment out of their way. He took a moment just to marvel at the miraculous creature standing before him in nothing but white lace panties.
Oh yeah, women’s clothing is so much better now.
“It seems, Mr. MacLendon, that you are a tad overdressed.” Alicia batted her eyes as she lifted his surcoat over his head and reached for the hem of his black undershirt.
Drago wrapped his hands around hers and held them tight, but Alicia shook her head. “Let me return the favor,” she said, and then winked at him through her thick, dark lashes.
His hands fell to his sides. The infamous Dragon Guard Assassin stood in awe of his beautiful mate. She made quick work of his undershirt and ran her hands over his shoulders and across his chest. Rubbing along each ridge of his six-pack, Alicia made her way to the thin line of hair leading into the waistband of his pants. Drago thought he might lose his mind as she undid the clasp and zipper of his pants, running the back of her fingers from one hip to the other. Drago shivered at the sensation.
Pushing his pants off his hips, she followed them to the floor and sat on her knees in front of him, his erection right in front of her mouth. Alicia licked her lips, capturing the small bead of moisture at the tip of his cock with the end of her tongue. Drago knew without a doubt that the image was forever burned into his memory.
When Alicia started to take him in her mouth, his eyes shot open and he grabbed her shoulders to bring her to her feet. His little witch resisted his touch, looking up in confusion then assuring him, “No, Drago, I want to taste you.”
Their eyes remained locked. He had to know this was truly what she wanted. The love he saw in her eyes, combined with her tiny nod, had Drago relaxing once again. Alicia placed her palms on his thighs. Her tongue lavished the vein that ran his length, working her way to the tip, then pulling the swollen head into her mouth. When she dipped her tongue into the slit at the very tip, the muscles in his thighs shook. Drago was sure his head would explode if he didn’t fall flat on his ass first.
Alicia sucked as much of his length into her mouth as would fit and hollowed her cheeks. Drago’s fingers squeezed her shoulders as he groaned. “Ceann beag, I have waited a hundred years for you but I won’t last another second if you keep doing that.”
He felt her smile around his cock. It seemed to spur her on. Alicia worked him in and out of her lips for a few more strokes. He grew larger and thicker, working hard not to explode in her mouth. Moving back to the tip, she increased the suction and pulled him from her mouth. Quicker that he could track, she sucked one and then the other of his balls into her mouth, licking and massaging with her tongue until he was no longer light-headed.
But his little witch was not about to let him rest. Alicia took his length in her mouth again. Placing both her hands around the base, she worked him in and out of her mouth, sucking and humming until he was helpless to anything but release into her beautiful mouth. His mate swallowed all he gave, kissing up and down his length until he began to harden again.
It was wonderful torture but his turn to taste had come. Putting his hands under her arms, he used his enhanced speed to get her on her back in the middle of his bed. One more move and her legs were over his shoulders. Drago smiled as he rubbed his nose against the wet silk of her panties, inhaling the scent of daffodils and warm sunshine. The Guardsman knew if he didn’t taste his little witch in the next few seconds he might die.
Slipping two fingers under the silk at her hip, Drago ripped the offending material and threw it over his head. No longer able to stand the torture, the tip of his tongue licked up and down the glistening seam of her pussy.
Drago groaned deep in his throat as her taste burst upon his tongue. Unable to wait one second longer to taste deep inside her, he placed his hands under her ass, lifted her pussy closer to his face, and began to feast. Driving his tongue in her warm, wet pussy as far as he could go, the Assassin licked every inch of his little witch, curling the end of his tongue to tease her sensitive bundle of nerves.
Alicia’s hands grabbed his hair, pulling with such force he was sure he would be bald. His mate gasped for breath and Drago smiled against her skin just knowing how much he excited her. Using the flat of his tongue, he licked her outer lips from bottom to top, teasing her clit with tiny circles on every pass. Her legs tightened around his head while her heels dug into his back. She moaned to the Heavens as he sucked her swollen nub between his lips, flicking it up and down with his tongue until Alicia was screaming her release to the Goddess above.
Drago continued to drink the honey that flowed from her. He nuzzled and nipped her puffy lips u
ntil she released his hair and her breathing returned to normal. Carefully lifting her legs off his shoulders, he massaged her thighs. There had never been a lovelier sight than his little witch completely satisfied from his attention, looking like the Goddess Athena in his bed.
He kissed her hip and then her belly button, where he paid extra attention with his tongue until Alicia started to giggle. He then nipped his way up her stomach to the sweet spot between her breasts, feeling her heart beat in sync with his. Palming both her breasts, Drago gently squeezed as the already raised peaks grew harder against his palms. Kissing up her neck, he paid special attention to the triple flames marking her neck. His mark that he would never tire of seeing on her skin. Kissing her neck, Alicia sighed and moved her head to the side, allowing him greater access.
His little witch surprised him by grabbing his head and kissing him with wild abandon. Drago opened immediately, letting Alicia have her way with him. His mate was sassy in bed and in love. He couldn’t have asked for any more. Her hands in his hair and her tongue working his mouth had him ready to explode again. He shifted his hips slightly, pushing into her until he could go no farther. He knew he’d done as she wished when she tore her mouth from his, screaming, “Drago! Yes! Oh, my Goddess, yes! I love you!”
He wanted to go slow this first time in her body, but the feel of her muscles contracting around his extremely hard cock made it impossible for him to hold still. Sliding out of her until only the tip of him rested within her opening, he whispered into her mind, “Look at me, Alicia. I need to see your eyes as we truly become one.”
Her eyes snapped to his. The Assassin was floored by the love overflowing from his mate. He thrust into her and pulled right back out, starting a rhythm that Alicia met stroke for stroke. Staring into one another’s eyes, their passion exploded. He pushed her knees toward her chest, lifting her bottom off the bed, allowing him deeper access to her wet, wanting pussy. Rolling his hips, the head of his cock caressed the sensitive bundle of nerves that made the walls of her vagina close tighter around him. He wanted to shout to the Heavens when her eyes rolled back in her head from sheer pleasure. He watched her struggle to breathe, just as he also had trouble drawing his next breath.