by Ophelia Bell
“My babies have come home,” she announced to the four men who waited solemnly by the big table that occupied the center of the huge space.
With only a glance, Zorion knew their souls and that each of them held a measure of uncertainty about him. However, it was most difficult to look at the one man who he knew he would be answering to as a soldier soon enough.
One thing at a time. He faced the big dragon whose dark power was barely held in check. Zil moved up to his side and for the first time, his darker half’s presence gave him comfort as they stood facing their father for the first time in their entire lives.
Ked … the Void … was true to his name, and Zorion sensed the depths of a darkness that even he had trouble comprehending. Ked looked between them both, his expression a solemn mask. He was taking their measure, not just as dragons, but also as his own blood.
Zorion and Zil waited, and Zorion sensed the same dark dread in his other half that he felt roiling inside his own gut. Would their father accept them? Zorion couldn’t see beyond the emotionless void to know his thoughts. He only knew they shared a darkness that would bind them as closely as their blood.
Just when he was nearly certain Ked was going to curse his existence, two new figures joined the group, slipping up behind the big black dragon to flank him. A petite waif of a woman whose belly was swollen with the first signs of a healthy pregnancy touched Ked’s arm gently. “Are you going to introduce us?” she asked in a soft, melodic voice.
On Ked’s other side, a russet-haired man as solid and sturdy as Naaz came up and lifted an eyebrow at the big dragon.
The change was minute, but powerful. Ked’s gaze softened and he swallowed. Then his mouth spread into a subdued smile.
“Evie. Marcus. I’d like you to meet my … my sons?” He glanced between Zorion and Zil. “I must truly be the luckiest dragon alive.”
Before Zorion could react, he found himself hooked behind the neck by Ked’s huge arm and drawn into a half-embrace, with Zil suffering a similar fate beneath Ked’s other arm. His father made no sound, but his big chest vibrated with satisfaction. When Ked finally released Zorion and Zil, his eyes were glassy with emotion.
Reunions and introductions continued. The red-haired man Ked had introduced as Marcus eyed both Zorion and Zil carefully. This was the man Neela had said was one of her brother’s closest friends—one of the three other Elites who had once served under Nikhil as the commanders of the Ultiori army.
“She’s special to us. You take good care of her. Or else.”
“Marcus,” Neela admonished. “There are two of them because they were taking care of me. I’m fine. Better now, thanks to Z.” She grinned and lifted a hand, her fingers outstretched. Flames flared from each of her fingertips. “I can fly now too.”
Marcus relaxed and gave in to the smile that Zorion had sensed under the stern mask he’d displayed since arriving. “I’m glad you guys are here. More firepower … literal fire power …” He glanced at Neela with a smile. “… will go a long way. On that note, I think the boss needs us.”
Zorion’s veins chilled, the steady glow from beneath his skin dimming at the thought of facing the one man he hadn’t yet been introduced to after meeting Evie, Marcus, and Evie’s two brothers, Iszak and Lukas. Nikhil and Belah had been preoccupied talking to Naaz and Asha, but now they’d moved to encircle the big table and glanced up when Marcus led the way over.
He supposed he owed his sister’s father more respect than he felt capable of offering. In his mind, this was the only other man his mate had ever made love to, and part of him despised Nikhil for that. He met the man’s gaze across the table. For a second, Nikhil darted a quick glance to Neela, and then to Zil on her other side before looking at Zorion again and giving him a slight nod.
“We found the child,” Nikhil said, holding Zorion’s gaze for another second before looking at Neela. “Our child.”
Neela let out a gasp, her skin heating to nearly searing. “The baby Meri took? You found her?”
Nikhil nodded. “Calder found her in a tank inside a secret lab within the depths of Meri’s base. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get her out before Meri took her, but we know she is now safe, thanks to Neph and his mates.”
“Where? Can I go to her?”
“That’s the tricky part. Belah’s sister is inside the Sanctuary now, and is on the verge of being able to open a portal for us to join them and to finally end this war.”
“What can we do?” Zorion asked.
Nikhil waved his hand over the surface of the map, and a quartet of colorful, glowing orbs appeared. He tapped one and it enlarged. “Unfortunately, nothing but wait until we get word from Numa. The Sanctuary and the Haven are on lockdown. No one is getting in or out. And even if we could get into the Sanctuary, the time it would take to reach Numa to help would make no difference.
“Neph and his mates have created a temporal bubble around the entire Rainsong Lodge. Time is moving swifter there, but we still have no idea how great the time displacement is between us and them. It’s only been an hour since Aodh let us know they were about to create the bubble. It could be hours longer, or only minutes. We essentially have to be ready at any moment.”
“But what about the baby?” Neela asked. The edge of the table blackened and began to glow with molten heat beneath her grip.
Nikhil directed his attention back to her with no hint of impatience or condescension. He was direct and honest, qualities Zorion found he could admire.
“Meri made the mistake of using a fertile ursa female as an incubator for our daughter. Vrishti is the Summer Spirit’s daughter—now the host of the summer spirit herself. She attacked Meri after they made it into the Haven. This is the first good news we’ve had. Meri’s body has been neutralized within the Haven. All we need to do is get there and destroy the rest of her army.”
Neela tensed, and her temperature rose about a hundred degrees, forcing the human members of their party to flinch and step backward. “She is not neutralized,” Neela said in a brittle voice. “She had the power to get to me halfway around the world.”
“When was this?” Nikhil asked, leaning against his closed fists on the map. “She entered the Haven at midnight, taking Vrishti and her army with her. The attack happened shortly after. Calder’s mother confirmed her body’s a broken shell, though her heart still beats. They’re keeping her alive to keep her soul tethered. If she dies, they fear it’ll release her spirit to head either into another blood-melded host, or straight to the Source, now that she’s in the Haven.”
“Eight hours ago, I was dead,” Neela said. “Meri tried to recapture me and nearly succeeded. You’re telling me she lost that child because Vrishti escaped, right? She must have needed me back because she believed I was the only one capable of giving her a viable baby. There is no fucking way she’s out of commission and locked inside the Haven. Somehow, she still has Hunters out in the world, controlling them.”
“This is bad,” Nikhil said. “It means her power is greater than we feared. There’s no telling where her spirit will land when we finally kill her, if her armies aren’t completely contained. Belah, ask your sister and her mates to come. We need Calder’s help.”
Within moments, three more figures appeared, and somehow the mood of the entire room lightened. It was as though a ray of sunlight had broken through the clouds when Zorion’s golden aunt swept in, two large men on her heels. Nikhil explained the dilemma to them, and the lankier of the two men let out a filthy curse.
“That bad, is it, Calder?” Nikhil said.
“Worse, I’m afraid. If she can reach beyond the Haven to the outside world with her mind, that means she has another power source. It shouldn’t be possible without a proper blood meld, but we all know she’s not above breaking our laws. We can’t discount the possibility that she has another way into the Sanctuary without passing through the Source. We have to warn my uncle.”
“The problem is that we don’t have a
way into the Sanctuary. Not the way Aodh and Neph got in. We’re a bit light on immortals who could risk the toll the barrier takes.”
“What if I told you I have a way to get a message to them within a blink of an eye?” Zorion asked. “Would I be able to lend aid inside?”
Neela squeezed his hand, acknowledging his unspoken ulterior motive. If he could get her to her child first, he would.
Nikhil regarded him for a second before nodding. “Every second matters. If you can get into the Sanctuary without a portal, can you get others in?”
Zorion cast a glance around the room, mentally tallying the multitude of auras within the temple beyond. “Not that many. I can take Neela, her brother, and my sister without issue. If we can help speed things along once inside, we will. We have power of our own to offer.”
“Should I waste time asking how you can do this?” Nikhil asked.
“I can’t promise it will actually work,” Zorion said, “But it got us through the barrier to this place.”
Nikhil chuckled and shook his head. “I was afraid to ask, but Belah was too happy to see you all. The barrier is still intact?”
“Like we were never there.”
“Then go now. Hopefully we will see you in there soon.”
Chapter 8
Numa
Numa’s rooms at the Rainsong Clan Lodge were not the most luxurious by dragon standards, but they were comfortable. Most ursa preferred to bathe in the numerous swimming holes scattered around the Sanctuary, and while there was running water in the lodge itself, it wasn’t heated.
She didn’t need hot water, but it would be nice to indulge in a bath while she waited for her first contestant to arrive, so she filled the big tub and heated the water the dragon way … with magic.
She studiously avoided allowing her mind to wander to thoughts of the man who would be arriving soon. He would be her toy for the next twenty-four hours, and it was crucial that she maintain the upper hand for the entire time. Not that she had ever been prone to swooning, but if ever there was cause for it, it was in the presence of the very god of ecstasy himself.
She’d been tempted to call Bekim and Theron first, to see how strong their new magic really was. But it had been painfully apparent just from their auras that their earlier display of magic had sapped much of their power. She’d heard of Miteradoros—ursa males who were chosen by the goddess Gaia to be conduits for her power—and she knew that tapping into and controlling that power required practice. Hopefully the next several hours would give them the opportunity to hone their skills so they could prove themselves worthy when their time came to be tested.
Cade and Zephyrus were the mystery. She doubted Zephyrus could match Dionysus’ power, but as a Wind immortal, what power he had would perfectly complement Numa’s own. How that manifested, she couldn’t be sure, but of all the prospects, she admitted to herself they might surprise her the most.
She took her time washing, and when she was finished, she refilled the tub with fresh water and swiftly heated it again with a breath of pure dragon fire, then sank back into it to wait. Putting a lusty god in his place would not be easy, but a part of her knew she would enjoy it.
The warmth in her core broadcast his proximity before he even knocked on her door. It was one sign of the lack of discipline she suspected would be the reason he failed. She didn’t need a mate who threw their power around with wild abandon. Focus and control were required for the ritual. Determination and a true understanding of the need for it were a close second. Being able to demonstrate a wealth of raw power was far less important than this god realized.
She waited several beats after the knock sounded before calling out, “Come in!” He would need every reminder that she was the one calling the shots today.
The door opened, then closed, and she imagined him looking around, trying to find her before his footsteps approached. Numa took a deep breath, readying herself for the start, but deliberately remaining as relaxed as possible while she slowly sponged warm water over her naked body.
He paused in the arched opening that separated the bath from the rest of the rooms, his big horns obscured by the lintel. Burgundy eyes regarded her, his dark-fringed lids blinking slowly as he took her in.
“I am ready, but it seems you are not. Shall I return later when you are?”
“Ready is relative, don’t you think?” She lowered herself beneath the water and came up again, standing and letting the water sluice off her, surreptitiously watching his aura as she bent to the side of the tub to reach for the cloth and soap. “Come,” she said. “And watch your head.”
His aura brightened, but there was no other reaction from him. In fact, he looked distinctly displeased by her command, but he glanced up and carefully ducked his head to enter the room. He paused by the tub and crossed his arms, staring at her.
“We are wasting time,” he rumbled. “We should do your little ritual and be done with it. Get on with our mating.”
Numa narrowed her eyes at the god, realizing he would be a bigger challenge than she expected. “This isn’t just some game to me. There’s a full-on war taking place in the Haven. The race of creatures you are responsible for creating is in danger of extinction at the hands of a mad nymph. Oh, but wait, you are a god. Maybe you have a better solution?”
Dionysus’ brows dipped and he bared his teeth at her. “Why do you think I’m here, little one? Until you found this ritual, I was doomed to watch while my children were torn apart by mind-controlled madmen. I am a fucking god, yet my power is useless without the right vehicle to deliver it. Your sweet cunt is that delivery mechanism.”
Numa snorted. “So you don’t actually want a daughter of Fate, do you? Well, lucky for you, I’m not in this for love, either.”
“Does that mean you agree?” His tension hadn’t eased a bit, and it still came through in his words.
“No.”
Dionysus scowled, his irritation overwhelming the waves of lust he’d emanated when he came in. He wasn’t a difficult man to read—if his face hadn’t clearly betrayed his displeasure, his aura would have.
“I have enough power to take down the entire fucking barrier.”
“Yet the only tool you have is between your thighs, and there are only two things a cock is good for.” She let out a sigh and held the soap and wash cloth out toward him. “Wash me, and I’ll explain.”
“You look clean,” he said, pouting at her.
Numa sighed again. Mother preserve her from petulant gods. “Humor me. You may learn something.”
He dropped his hands and strode toward her, stopping at the edge of the tub to prop one foot on it and unfasten the leather thongs that wound around his calves, securing his sandals to his feet. The thick golden rings around his cock shimmered in the sunlight and Numa’s core heated at the mere sight. Her palms itched to touch this glorious specimen of a male, even though he’d gotten on her last nerve already. With any luck, after six hours with her, he’d sing a different tune.
Once he’d shed his sandals, he gracefully stepped into the tub, his immense size completely dwarfing it. Numa’s pulse raced as she peered up his thick chest, craning her neck to meet his eyes again. The irritation in his gaze had disappeared, replaced by amusement.
“You seem rather intent on having my hands on you. Shall I?” He gently removed the soap and cloth from her grasp and proceeded to lather her up while still holding her gaze.
Almost twice her size, his big hands completely encompassed her shoulders as he slid his soapy palms over her skin. Every nerve lit up under his touch, and Numa had to force herself to focus on his face. Somehow it had become more of a game than she’d intended, with the pair of them staring each other down, almost daring the other to falter.
“You had something important to explain to me, did you not?” he asked, the deep rumble of his voice causing her to inadvertently heat the water they stood in. The discharge of her power helped a bit, but the ache between her thighs didn’t subsi
de.
“Yes … the ritual. We will only have one shot at it. If we fail, the barrier really will be destroyed. It isn’t just a matter of throwing enough power at it, but ensuring that power is focused. I need a mate who is disciplined…”
She paused. His gaze had dropped to her breasts, which he was slowly encircling with each hand, coating the round globes in thick suds. It felt amazing, especially when his fingertips brushed over her hard nipples. He hefted both and squeezed, his head tilting to one side. A half-smile played at his lips.
“Dionysus!”
“Hmm?”
Numa sighed. “Are you listening to me?”
“Mm …” He nodded. “Something about you needing to be disciplined. I’m not above a good spanking, if that’s what gets you going. Just bend over, little one, and I’ll take care of that backside for you.” He easily slipped one hand down and grabbed her ass.
Gritting her teeth, Numa reached back and forcefully extracted his hand from her ass. She was normally a patient woman, but he was testing her limits. Not to mention the limits of her desire, because he’d grown fully hard while soaping her up, and his erection was every bit as long and thick as a full-sized dragon. The golden rings adorning his shaft just made it all the more beautiful to behold.
Good girl that she’d been her entire life, she’d yet to experience sex with one of her own kind, much less any of the other races capable of sporting cocks that big. Human men could be well-endowed—and she’d entertained herself with many who were—but they all paled in comparison to Dionysus’ impressive shaft.
She snatched the soap from his hand. “I think it’s your turn now. Hands down. No touching.”
He gave her a playful frown. “Aw, maybe the rumors were true after all. I didn’t believe there could be such a thing as a prudish dragon, yet here you are.”