by Denise Lynn
The sharp hold on her shoulder lessened until he lathed the area with his tongue, easing the sting of his bite. Her fangs retracted, and he released her wrists to thread his fingers between hers.
His lips were against her ear. “Don’t make me wait.” His rough whisper, breaking his own request for no talking, sent an unexpected thrill shooting through her. He wanted her so desperately that he’d break his own rules.
“Fuck me.” She knew her response was crude, but the words she never said at any other time were the only ones she could think of in the heat of this moment.
He entered her fast and hard, in one steady stroke, drawing a gasp then a moan of pleasure from her. Nothing—absolutely nothing—felt as wonderful or complete as him filling her.
Together like this they were one—her, Sean and yes, even the beast, became one entity without individual beginning or ending. And together they built the magic that carried them higher, breaking the bonds holding them to the earth.
His fingers tightened around hers, she felt him strain against her, his climax building as hers raced to catch up.
Their hearts pounding, their ragged breaths mingling in the otherwise silent room, they reached the pinnacle at the same time and fell onto the bed laughing weakly, fighting to catch their breath.
To her horror, for no reason whatsoever, Caitlin burst into tears. She buried her face in the pillow, not wanting him to see the weakness she wouldn’t be able to explain.
Sean rose up enough to turn her onto her back then rested on his forearms atop her. He gazed down at her and slung his arms beneath her shoulders to cradle her head in his hands. “Shh. Caitlin, it’s okay.”
He kissed her tears away. “Listen to me. You know where to find me. I’m not going anywhere. Take your time, do whatever it is you have to do. But if you need me, for anything, I’m here.” He stretched his thumb down and hooked it through the chain of her pendant. “You know how to call me.”
All she could think of was how unfair that was. He was going to sit at Dragon’s Lair waiting for her? What if she discovered that once she’d taken the time to mourn a relationship that never was, she didn’t need him? What then? As determined as she was to explore her own independence, even she wasn’t that selfish. Guilt flowed into her, cold and ugly.
He shook his head. “You’ve nothing to be guilty for. I will wait for you until the day I die. It’s not a decision. It’s just the way it is. This dragon has chosen his mate, plain and simple. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to live, or that I’m going to live like a monk. I may be a mated beast, but I’m also still a man with my own wants and needs.”
Instead of making her feel better, or at least not as guilty, it felt as if someone reached inside her chest and tore her heart free. Caitlin swallowed hard, trying desperately to stop the tears from flowing all over again.
What was wrong with her? Why was she suddenly so emotional?
He covered her lips with his own, sweeping his tongue along hers as he settled between her thighs and entered her, making slow, sweet love to her. Giving her something more to remember and much more to miss.
* * *
Danielle unlocked the door to Sean’s suite of rooms, knocking as she pushed the door open. “Sean?”
No sound answered her in return, so she walked in, closing the door behind her. “Aelthed?”
When he and his cube had disappeared from Braeden’s office, she’d looked for him in her suite, but he hadn’t been there.
“Aelthed, please answer me.”
“In here.”
She followed the sound of his voice into Sean’s office and picked the wooden box up from the desk.
“You know that Cam just spoke out of turn, right? He didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Perhaps. But he was correct. I am already dead. It’s something I seem to forget at times.”
“Don’t say that.” Danielle sat down behind the desk, holding the cube against her chest. “You are as real to me as the air I breathe.”
“Real or not, I have no physical body. I am nothing more than a voice to you.”
“That isn’t true.” Danielle frowned. How was she going to explain something to him that she’d yet figured out how to explain to herself?
“Aelthed, I don’t care what you are or aren’t. You’ve provided me with more companionship, more advice, comfort and understanding than any human or preternatural I’ve ever known. I love you dearly. Deeply, with all of my heart. And if it were possible, I would spend eternity in that cube with you.”
“Oh, Danielle, as much as I cherish your words and your love, you deserve someone who can hold you tightly in his arms. Someone made of flesh and bone who can steal your mind away with kisses and drive you wild with touches.”
She smiled at what he’d just unknowingly given away. “So you’ve thought of these things, too?”
“Of course I have, woman. What I wouldn’t give to run my fingers through your raven tresses, or to hold you naked in my arms, or to wipe that smug smile from your face with a kiss you’d not soon forget.”
Danielle laughed. “Someday, Aelthed, I’ll no longer be on this physical plane of existence, and you’ll be forced to prove whether those words are true or not. I wonder what you’ll do then.”
“You need not fear that I’ll run like some frightened boy. I was quite the ladies’ man in my day.”
“Hmm. That would have been the twelfth century? Did you ogle them from afar or write songs about their beauty? Or perhaps place chaste kisses on their hand? Things have changed a little since then, my dear.”
His laughter filled her mind. “Trust me, some things have not changed as much as you seem to think they have.”
She found his chortle of amusement interesting. But decided not to delve into the topic any further. Instead, she asked, “Have you discovered where Sean might be hiding?”
“Coward.” He cleared his throat then answered her question. “No. He’s found himself someplace unknown to us, obviously, and taken the girl with him.”
“What do you think of what we saw in Caitlin’s mind?”
Aelthed’s snort echoed her own thoughts. “I think she, or they, figured out how to show us an outright lie.”
“So do I. Which leaves me wondering how I can trust anything I see in either of their minds.”
“You can’t.”
“So how are we ever going to know if Sean is under Nathan’s control or not?”
“We aren’t, at least not by mining their thoughts. We’re all going to have to watch him carefully and guard our backs. If it were up to me, I’d send you, the other women and the children to Dragon’s Lair. I certainly wouldn’t leave them within such easy reach.”
Danielle nodded. “I agree with sending Alexia, Ariel and the children, but I’m not going anywhere. The boys can use my help with keeping an eye—or a mind—turned on Sean and Caitlin.”
“That just places you in danger.”
“Afraid I’ll join you sooner rather than later?”
“Don’t talk like that, woman.”
He only called her woman when she’d irritated him or he was worried. Danielle relented. “Sorry. I actually don’t think Sean is under Nathan’s control. I think he and Caitlin have hidden themselves away somewhere to plan the child’s rescue, and that frightens me.”
“Why?”
“He shouldn’t go alone. It’s too dangerous. He should be making his plans with his brothers.”
“To some degree, you’re right. However, have you thought about putting all of them in danger at once? Isn’t that what they’d be doing if all three of them went to the Learned’s stronghold at once?”
Danielle pursed her lips then said, “I actually hadn’t thought about that. I wonder if Braeden has.”
“I’m sure the Dragon Lord has considered all angles. He isn’t foolish, nor is he stupid.”
“True.”
Danielle rose and carried the cube to the linen closet. She opened the
door and waited until he levitated his box to the top shelf before closing it. Placing a hand on the door, she whispered, “Be safe, my love.”
Chapter 16
Sean opened his eyes to complete darkness. They’d fallen asleep, which hadn’t been his intention, since he’d wanted to fly to the Learned’s stronghold and back to Mirabilus before the sun rose. But what was done was done. It wasn’t as if he could turn back time.
The warm bundle pressed against his chest sighed in her sleep. He tightened the arm he’d wrapped over her and she groaned in protest, clinging tighter to his forearm.
His other arm was beneath her head, the bend at the elbow acting as her pillow. He wiggled his foot free from between her ankles and stretched his leg out against hers.
Soon he needed to wake her up. There were things to be done tonight. But not yet. Right now he just wanted to stay right here, like this, not moving, savoring the feel of their combined warmth.
How long would it take her to realize her independence was like a shiny new toy that would dull with age? How many months or years would pass before she came to understand that sharing a life with someone didn’t necessarily mean she’d have to give up any part of herself?
And how many days or weeks would pass before she discovered she was carrying not just one more child, but twins?
Two more dragonettes were growing in her womb. Two more Drakes. Two more offspring for him and his dragon to watch over.
He wasn’t going to change his mind about her leaving. She could go. But he didn’t have to like it, and he’d be damned if she or their children were ever going to be out of his sight.
He hadn’t quite formulated a plan to pull that off, but he would. It wasn’t as though she left him much choice.
After this event with Nathan, he wasn’t about to risk another kidnapping. Especially when there would soon be three little ones to keep safe.
How had Braeden and Cameron convinced their mates to stay? Stupid question when he knew the answer without giving it much thought.
Braeden and Alexia were easy enough to understand since they had still been married when she came to Braeden for help. They cared enough about each other to work through their misunderstanding and to take another chance with their marriage. So far, whatever they were doing seemed to be working for them.
Cameron and Ariel were an interesting couple. She’d been blackmailed into working for the Learned and came to both Mirabilus and the Dragon’s Lair essentially as an enemy. But they’d come to trust each other. While the two of them still got into massive arguments, it was obvious to everyone that they loved each other deeply.
How could he attempt to clear up any misunderstanding or begin to build any trust with Caitlin when she wasn’t going to be around?
Sean frowned. This line of thought was just going to fan his anger over the entire situation. He didn’t want to spend their last hours together arguing.
He closed his eyes and dragged his chin across her shoulder.
She shrugged, trying to escape the stubble scraping across her skin.
“Caitlin, it’s time to get going.”
Instead of pulling free of the lingering threads of sleep, she tugged on his forearm, snuggling it beneath her chin.
He once again dragged his chin across her shoulder. His efforts gained him two sets of fingernails seeking to embed themselves in the flesh of his arm. Yeah, she was awake.
Sean flicked his fingers toward the oil lamp, setting it alight.
Caitlin buried her face in the bed. “That’s just mean.”
He pulled his arms free and sat up. “Get up.”
“No.”
He ran a hand over her hip, lingering, and then caressed one padded cheek.
She came up on her elbow to look at him over her shoulder. “Don’t even think about it.”
“I’m pretty sure one sharp slap would have you on your feet in short order.”
“You’re probably right. But I don’t think you really want to go there.”
“Someday, I might.” He patted her hip, sighing with fake regret. “Just not right now.”
She sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. “It’s time, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“I should be excited. Relieved that Sean will be back in my arms.” She turned to look at him. “But I’m terrified something will go wrong.”
“I have every step planned out. A little faith in me would go far.” He looked away, not wanting to admit his own doubts about this rescue.
Sean rolled out of the bed. His feet hit the ice-cold floor, making him want nothing more than to burrow back in the warmth of the bed.
Caitlin tossed him his clothes then asked, “I haven’t seen a bathroom.”
“There’s an outhouse of sorts round back.” He reached in the nightstand drawer and pulled out a flashlight that he tossed on the bed. “Use this. It’ll be dark.”
She stared at him a few seconds before picking up the flashlight. “Ohhhkay. Not exactly an upscale resort.”
“Nope. I built it for myself.”
She slowly looked around the bedroom. “You built this?”
The shock in her voice was evident. “What surprises you more—that the little rich boy used his hands for manual labor, or that the computer geek can use a saw and hammer?”
“With you? Neither. I’m surprised there’s no ultra-modern bath.”
He didn’t follow her comment and just looked at her.
Caitlin shrugged then explained. “You have callouses on your hands, so it’s obvious you don’t shy away from manual labor. However, your suites—both the one at the Lair and the one at Mirabilus, while sparsely furnished, are done so with no thought given to expense. Everything is quality. And your showers?” She paused to sigh loudly. “They rate such a huge OMG that I want to take one of them with me when I go. I mean, seriously, Sean, six shower bars with eight adjustable nozzles on each one? An unsuspecting bather could drown from just turning the water on.”
“I think in the shower, so I may as well have a good one.”
“Good? I’d go with magnificent myself.” She headed toward the door. “I’ll meet you out front?”
Since he didn’t want to take the time to dress when they got back to Mirabilus, he did so now. That was one thing he hadn’t been able to figure out—when he shifted, where did his clothes go? If he left human form dressed, he returned dressed. It wasn’t that important, so he hadn’t made it an issue. It was just odd.
After making certain the oil lamp and the embers in the fireplace were both fully out, he walked out of the cabin. Making the bed could wait until he returned tomorrow or the day after. After making sure Caitlin and their son were safely back at the Lair, he knew he wasn’t going to be in any mood to deal with his family, so he’d come here to make his plans for keeping an eye on her without appearing to be some crazed stalker.
The night air was cold. If he wasn’t careful, she would freeze on the trip back to Mirabilus.
Caitlin put the flashlight back inside the cabin then joined him. “I’m ready.” She brushed her hands up and down her arms. “This isn’t going to be pleasant, is it?”
“It’ll be fine.” He reached out to take her hand as they crossed the clearing. “I’ll keep you warm enough.”
Once they arrived at the clearing near the cliffs, he turned to her. “When you climb onto my foot, lie down so I can hold you next to my chest without squishing you.”
“Ew, I’d hate to get dragon squished.” She laughed softly before kissing his cheek. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Caitlin stood back and held her breath. Watching Sean change from man to smoke and then to dragon amazed her. She wondered how it felt. Did it hurt? If so, he didn’t give evidence of any pain. Did it just feel...strange?
When he held out his foot, she did as he’d asked and stretched out on the pad. She suffered a moment of panic when he lifted her toward his chest, and the image of being crushed flitted acros
s her mind. Thankfully, her panic subsided as quickly as it had formed.
In fact, between the firm padding of his foot beneath her and the warmth of his chest, she found herself fighting sleep. It was so comfortable and cozy her eyelids kept drifting closed. She couldn’t imagine a more pleasant flight.
“Caitlin, wake up.”
A blast of cold air rushed across her body, dragging her from sleep. She opened her eyes, startled to find they had already landed on the beach at Mirabilus. A puff of warm air blew her hair across her face, and she looked up into the beast’s nostrils.
She patted his nose before rolling up to her knees to climb off his foot. “I’m going, I’m going.”
Once he changed back into human form, he took her hand and headed for the castle. “We need to make sure I have everything I need before I head to the Learned’s. And you need to get your story of my brothers’ deaths set in your mind.”
She slowed her steps, hanging back, trying to slow him down. “I’m not so sure this is a wise idea.”
“Doesn’t matter what you think. I’m going.”
“But—”
He stopped and swung around so fast that she ran into him, literally bouncing off his chest.
“I am not going to argue this with you. So you can shut up and either lend me a hand or not. Doesn’t matter to me.”
“Please don’t go there alone.” Her legs shook. “I’m afraid.”
The anger etched on his face lessened. “You came to me for help. I swore to you that I would get our son back. That vow was from me. I made no promises for my brothers.” He grasped her chin and lifted it so she had no choice but to look at him. “Caitlin, this is my battle, not theirs. I am doing this my way. I will not fail you.”
She knew she wasn’t going to be able to sway him from his path. Grabbing the front of his shirt, she pulled him closer. “If you get yourself killed, I swear to you I will make your afterlife miserable.”
That damn sexy, mind-stealing half smile made her wonder if she should kiss him or smack him.
He took the choice away. Lowering his head, he whispered, “Darlin’, you do that.”
And then kissed away any comment she might have made had she had any control over her ability to think.