by Blue Saffire
I plunge deeper inside of her as my teeth scrape against her shoulder. I need to build my heat inside of her, so that she will never fear the cold and dark again. Her body is my hearth and I will be the only fire she seeks comfort from.
The sweat between us grows as I try to take my fill of her, but it isn’t enough. It will never be enough. I will never tire of her screams and cries of pleasure, nor the sensation of her nails biting into my forearms while her vaginal walls tighten as she comes once more.
She throws her head back. I grab her chin, forcing her head to the side so I can see her brown eyes liquify with bliss and her lips part in a silent scream. I move our bodies so that I’m kneeling behind her.
My right-hand wraps around her neck. I release a curse as I close my eyes, gritting my teeth as my body becomes lost inside my mate. This is my place to find peace and I will never turn my back on it.
It would seem I have no control over this, not that I would have it any other way. I have claimed my kitten; our bond is set in stone. I couldn’t ask for a better female to share a bond with. She’s fierce, brave, and passionate.
My dick hardens until I come with a growl. The white-hot heat of my sperm fills her as fire blazes from every pore of my body, wrapping completely around my mate. Breathing harshly, I move onto my back and pull her to my side.
Decima’s eyes are closed as she has already fallen asleep. I release a huff of contentment and nuzzle her cheek. Amusement rises from having exhausted her.
This is my destiny. I will keep her safe and bring justice to my father’s name. Unlike the sleepless nights I’ve experience away from her, slumber takes me as well.
Deci
Oddly enough the world didn’t stop after last night. My eyes open to the familiar ceiling of my apartment. The sound of construction from outside my window is muffled by the steady morning traffic. Even as my own world has been tilted on its head, everything around me continues on in a normal fashion.
The warm body that’s currently pressed against my side is the only difference. Well, that and the feeling of being safe. Despite being in full control of my life, I’ve never once felt as safe as I do now.
I don’t want to leave his side. This feeling of peace and rightness isn’t something you can buy easily. Our limbs are intertwined. I take the time to observe him as he sleeps. His lashes are thicker than my own, while his top lip is thinner than mine, his bottom lip more than compensates for it.
I lift my hand and brush the lose hair from his face, but I find my efforts halted when he grabs my wrist. He opens his eyes and it’s as if I can’t breathe for a moment. The love in his eyes almost makes me want to run away. No one should look at another like Radu is looking at me.
“You’re awake.” I bite my lip against my awkwardly spoken words.
Of course, he’s awake. I move back as he shifts his body. He’s much larger than me and takes up a bigger portion of my bed. His long limbs touched by the sun are a beautiful contrast to my white sheets like the contrast between our own shades.
Pushing up, he gives me a view of the body that treated me so well last night. He pulls me into his arms. “Yes, right before your own eyes opened.”
I frown. “You were watching me.”
“Yes,” he says, followed by a smile. He leans forward and presses his lips against my cheek, before he inhales. “It’s a blessing to be able to observe one’s mate as she sleeps.”
“Mate?” I repeat as he pulls back.
His expression turns dark as his purple eyes fill with wariness. “It hasn’t happened for many years. Last I heard of a match of my own kind, I had just turned forty.”
“Forty?” I sit up and cross my legs as I turn to face him. “How old are you, Radu?”
His expression changes from worried to thoughtful. “Well, before my father’s death we celebrated my thirtieth… So, I’m close to thirty thousand years old.”
“Thirty thousand.” I wince at my own scream.
He nods, seeming shocked by my surprise. “Yes, Drakin mature slowly. A thousand of our years equate to one of yours. Although I was far too old when we came to this plain to attend school like the others. My brother and I were more focused on assisting our father as we settled here.”
Still reeling from learning how old he is, I turn my attention to the more pertinent information. “You said mate. What does that mean?”
He tilts his head, the weariness from earlier returning. “Mates are predestined pairs. For my kind there used to be many, but as our numbers dwindled so did the predestined pairs. In an effort to keep our kind pure, the elders ordered no Drakin to enter into bonding with humans. It is law.”
“And you broke that law, didn’t you?”
“Yes, the bond demanded it.”
Suddenly, what I had taken to be a beautiful morning isn’t so beautiful anymore. “W… what if I wasn’t a good person? What if I… I wasn’t interested in more than a night?”
“It does not matter, it is destiny.”
“Don’t say that.”
His words cause a chill to fill my heart. Destiny? It’s destiny, it’s fate?
No.
He continues to ignore my denial. “Our fates are bound now; I am as a part of you as you are a part of me. If you perish, so do I.”
I could be the reason he dies. This is bad.
“No, no.” I shake my head. Nothing he says can be true. It just can’t be.
He takes my hand in his. His eyes are hard as he takes in the horror on my face. “Decima, there is no denying it. It is done.”
“You don’t know,” I find myself crying. Crying because the man before me could die because of my foolishness. “You don’t know what you’ve done. I’m cursed, Radu. Me, my family, we’re cursed to die by what’s dictated by our chosen stories.”
“Your stories?”
Too blinded by my tears to see anything, I close my eyes. “The curse of Mythos, a child is born and drawn to a story and that story will dictate not only her life but her death.” I swallow, feeling my despair taking me under. “I reached for the book Sleeping Beauty, but there’s no happy ending. I will die by her fate, no prince will rescue me. My eyes will close and slumber will take me.”
“No.” I open my eyes at his sharp refusal. He stares at me with the very will that has made him a leader to his men and Ratnik to his people. His gaze is so fierce and his expression so harsh that I have no choice but to believe him. “No, I will not allow it.”
“Radu, there is nothing you can do. The woman who did this has been dead for a while. And trust me, many before you have tried and failed to break the curse.”
“No, Decima. I will not let you go. Not by man, not by curse. I will not lose you.”’
He pulls me in his arms and hugs me close. I want to believe him so badly. I press my nose to his skin and breathe him in. I would give anything to be able to stay by his side. I only pray my curse stays at rest. I couldn’t handle what happened to my father happening to Radu.
One minute you think you’ve broken the curse, and the next, the love of your life is dead.
Radu
I’m shaken by her words, but I can’t let it show. My mate is afraid not for herself, but for me. Her eyes showed true terror at the idea that I have unknowingly tied myself to someone cursed to die. I could let myself feel betrayed, but not when the woman obviously cares far more for my being than her own.
I hold her until her trembling stops and her fear abates. I quickly come to the conclusion that I will have to consult with the elders and my brother about her. I have heard of Cursed Ones on the other plains, but that is Magik and Magik is something we Drakin play little with.
Especially curses, as they are known to turn on their castor. But from what I can glean from Decima’s words, the castor has died long ago. The curse itself runs in the blood and has been passed down from generation to generation.
I squint in thought, the only other person who would have information about this su
bject would be Kraken. His nickname at one time had been the librarian; a joking title for the man as he spent so much time in the library. However, he’s no longer an option.
We’ve hunted for him, using both human and non-human means, but the information has led us from one dead end to another. It’s starting to become clear that someone is alerting him to our movements. Someone is giving him the heads up before we can capture him.
Learning about this possibility, we sent Civic to the underground in an effort to see if any of the other beings have heard rumors of the Magik Users. He returned with more information about our kind than the Magik Users. Not only about when we come to this world, but why.
Upon hearing this, Anaes immediately called all the elders to gather the people and reinforced the security. The estate is our last oasis. If someone is sharing our information with the underground, they could be doing the same with the Magik Users. At any time, the enemy could use that information to attack us. I’m sure that if attacked, my people could overcome it, but I’m not willing to make that bet.
Tightening my arms around my sleeping mate. I reaffirm my mission to find Kraken. The next run in won’t be the same. Next time, I will defeat Kraken even if it takes every last drop of my flame.
Chapter 11
Captured Kitten
Radu
“You what?”
“I’ve claimed my mate,” I repeat the words as I stand in Anaes’s office to give my report. I watch the look of disbelief grow on his face. I can’t help but admit to myself that it’s enjoyable to watch his confusion.
With a shake of his head, his eyes clear. “Don’t tell me it’s…” He trails off as if afraid that saying her name will make it a reality.
“It’s Decima.”
He releases an annoyed groan, plopping down in his chair as if he’s lost all his vitality. “Shit. I knew it.”
“No, you didn’t.”
He rolls his eyes at my denial and sends me a knowing look. “Radu, you don’t talk to people, aside from lecturing your men and arguing with me. She’s the first woman I’ve seen you even acknowledge.” He curses. “She’s human. What will the elders think?”
“Their thoughts are irrelevant,” I state simply. “The bond has been made and I will not give her up. Not even for you, brother.”
He shoots me a fiery look. I wonder mildly if I too look that fierce when angered. If that’s so, then it’s a good thing. A Ratnik should inspire fear in others. At least, all others except their mate.
“You could have picked a better time to do it. Not when we may be facing a battle in the near future.”
I shrug. “I will protect what’s mine.”
The door to Anaes’s office opens revealing Branem who drags a man inside by his collar. The man wiggles as he’s tugged in. I click my tongue as I shift my attention to the task at hand.
“Like you thought, the vampire is dealing modern conveniences to our new arrivals,” I say in way of explanation.
Anaes’s eyes are now focused on the vampire that attempts to break Branem’s hold. Seeming to have regained his energy from our talk, Anaes jumps up and walks around the desk to stop before the vampire.
“Remove the gag so we can ask him some questions.” Patiently, he waits for Branem to pull out the gag. Branem does so with harsh jerk, causing the male to yelp out in pain. “Now, vampire, who have you been providing information to?”
The vampire hisses at him. I lash out with my foot, kicking him square in the jaw. He hits the ground, but Branem rights him once again.
“You will answer our lord.” My tone turns frosty, “Or I will remove your jaw next time.”
Blood pours from the vampire’s now broken nose. His eyes water. “You… you Drakin are all the same. No finesse, just violence,” he snaps, his teeth clenching together angrily.
“Yes,” Anaes agrees. “Which is why you should tell us what you know, so we don’t brutalize you too much.”
After a moment of thought, the vampire speaks. “They wanted information and a few other things as well.”
“And those things were?” Anaes drawls. He patiently awaits our captive’s answer, another place we differ. I would have already broken the vampire’s arm for stalling. He is indeed the better leader.
“They wanted summoning powder to return to their plain.” His expression changes from one of pain to one of deep thought. “Ah, and the family tree of the La Morta.”
“What?” I grab the vampire by the throat and lift him so his feet dangle in the air. “Repeat what you said.”
Smoke leaks from my mouth. The vampire stiffens in my hold as his eyes water. I should attempt to control myself, but there’s no such control when my mate is in harm’s way. “L… La Morta. They wanted information on the cursed family. I gave him what I had, but I don’t know why they wanted it. Honest, I just sold it with no question asked.”
Dropping him, with a growl I turn to leave. I have to protect Decima. “Radu.” I whip around and glare at my brother, seeing him as only an obstacle in my effort to get to my mate’s side.
Seeing my anger, he quickly explains. “Take Branem with you. If they planned this, there has to be a trap involved.”
I give a snort of agreement and leave, not really seeing or hearing anything. If Kraken has hurt a single hair on Decima’s head, he will beg for death before I’m done with him.
Chapter 12
Stupid Mistake
Deci
How stupid could I be? One text from my sister and I run right into a trap. It’s so cliché, I want to slap myself.
“It was unbelievable easy getting my hands on you.”
The mocking voice of Kraken takes me out of my thoughts and once again I try to figure out a way to escape the shed he’s brought me to. But I can’t deny his words because I ran to my mom’s the minute I’d gotten the text from my sister. Only to find that the very emergency I’d raced over for was a lie.
Upon entering the house, I found my sisters and mother knocked out. I’d been knocked out too. Although, I felt a bit of satisfaction from breaking one guy’s arms and twisting another’s ankle before Kraken had taken it upon himself to grab me up. So, here I am bound and tied to an uncomfortable chair listening to a Kraken preach about his genius. He is still bent on the destruction of Drakins and the twins.
“I wonder what the Drakin will do without their Ratnik leader to fight against the forces that will come. Your mate will die all because of this.” He chuckles and tosses Lacey’s phone up and down. He grins down at me smugly, his golden eyes flickering with amusement. “It’s poetic.”
He spins away from me and walks over to the wall, tapping it lightly as he continues his musing. “It will be a glorious battle. A true end to the children of dragon blood.”
“Do you really want that?” I question angrily. “How could you want to hurt your own people? Aren’t you Drakin? Don’t you care about the fate of the children that will hurt?”
“Children?” He whips his head toward me, his eyes brightening. “Why would I care about any child except my dear Liah?” He takes a pause, a grimace comes to his face. “Liah?”
He repeats the name. His expression becomes thoughtful. “Who is Liah?” He demands, but it’s more so toward himself. “Liah, Liah, my baby Liah.” His eyes brighten and he turns around to face Burns. “I have a baby named Liah.”
“But…,” Kraken’s voice trails off as his brows furrow. He stumbles forward a few steps, but stops and returns to where he stood seconds before. “Where did my baby go? Burns, I have to—”
“That’s enough of that.” Burns draws something similar to a wand made from gray stone. The top holds a gem that looks to be a ruby. “Calm.”
Kraken’s body tenses as he blankly repeats. “Calm.”
Burns’s pale features twist into a look of coldness as he walks over to him. He glances at me. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t try to stir up my Drakin. It took us a bit of time to gain one and train him t
o be so strong and yet easy to control. It’s a waste of Magik to keep retraining his mind.” As he speaks, he releases his wand so that it sits midair before my eyes; it lengthens until it’s a short staff.
My spine tingles at how calmly he talks about controlling another person, but this brings something else to my attention. Kraken isn’t the mastermind behind anything. This is all Burns. The man standing before me is the one forcing Kraken to go to war with the others.
Someone has to tell Radu that Kraken is nothing more than a puppet. I have to let them know this, but I don’t know how. I can’t move with the way they have me tied to this chair.
“There we go,” Burns exclaims with sudden excitement, grabbing the staff as he turns his attention to the wall. “It would seem that if we’re to be on time, we’ll have to leave now.” He turns his empty blue eyes on me. “You will be the bait, come.”
“No, wait.” My body is swallowed up by a green light.
“Those flying rats will pay me back for everything I lost because of them. Those damn creatures should have known their place. That damn Arag.
“He’s the reason my father is dead. He’s the reason, the Cernlock name fell into shame.” His eyes shine with glee as a smile turns up his lips. “He thought he was smart, running here to this plain. But I found him and I’m the reason he’s now dead and I will also be the reason everything he loves dies.”
His laughter rings out, spiking my frustration. The light gives way to a stifling mist. I struggle to breathe as I’m lifted from the chair that disintegrates as I’m swallowed up by a gas filled bubble. I bare my teeth against the helplessness that takes over me. The sound of his laughter begins to fade as I start to lose consciousness.
Annoyingly, Burns continues to drivel his madness. “And you’re going to help me. I wonder what would happen if I played a bit with your curse. How hard will they fight amongst themselves to save you?” He tilts his head thoughtfully. “While they fight to save you, my army will come from the other side and the Drakin blood will run.”