by Rinelle Grey
So she wasn’t at all prepared when Mesrian and Kyrian stepped forwards, their faces solemn. “Are you both ready?”
They looked so serious, in stark contrast with Taurian’s joking, that Karla began to be concerned. It probably would have been a good idea to ask Taurian what the mating ceremony entailed before this point. She looked up at him, and he smiled back, completely at ease and unconcerned. His confidence stilled her nerves, and she nodded when he did.
“We’re ready,” Taurian said.
“Come with us.” Without waiting for a response, Mesrian turned and headed for one of the tunnels nearby with Kyrian following.
Taurian steered Karla after them. She was a little surprised that they seemed to be going away from the clan. Wasn’t the whole point of this to involve them? What were they going to do? Karla took a deep breath. She would find out soon enough. Nothing that happened here could be any more serious than the bond she and Taurian would share after the mating was complete, so she just had to wait and see.
Mesrian led them to a small, empty room, then she and Kyrian turned and faced Taurian and Karla. “Before the ceremony begins,” she said quietly, “I need to be sure that both of you understand the seriousness of the relationship you are about to enter into. Once you mate for the third and final time, you will be bonded for life. Nothing on earth can break this bond, even death. If one of you dies, you both do.” She met both their eyes, then turned to Taurian and asked, “Do you understand this, Prince Taurian of Rian clan?”
He nodded. “I understand, Elder.”
Mesrian turned to Karla. “As a human, you have not grown up with this sort of relationship,” she said. “So it is doubly important to be sure you understand the commitment you are making. There is no infidelity in dragon mating’s. All desire for anyone other than your mate disappears. This relationship is like nothing you’ve ever experienced as a human.” She looked into Karla’s eyes and repeated the question. “Do you understand, Karla of the humans?”
Karla nodded. She already had no interest in anyone other than Taurian, so their warnings didn’t even concern her. Taking her cue from Taurian, she repeated, “I understand, Elder.”
“Good, we can begin the ceremony then,” Kyrian said, his face suddenly all smiles.
The four of them walked back out into the main area of the lair and Mesrian and Kyrian smiled at the expectant crowd. “Both parties have confirmed their understanding of the seriousness of the bond they are about to enter into” Mesrian said. “If you will all take a seat, the ceremony is about to begin.”
The dragons sat cross legged on the sand, forming a semi-circle around Taurian and Karla. The humans, her friends and family, sat on one side. They had all elected to remain in the dragon lair for the ceremony, just in case Ultrima changed his mind, or was tricking them. And because they didn’t want to miss any of this. Karla wasn’t too sure what would happen long term, but there was time to worry about that tomorrow. Right now, all she could think about was tonight.
Mesrian and Kyrian stood to one side and Karla and Taurian stood opposite them.
“Welcome, young couple,” Mesrian said solemnly. “As you stand before me, your love for one another is obvious, but a mating requires more than just love. Especially for a royal couple. It requires a commitment, it requires working together for the good of the clan, even when you are angry at each other personally. It requires accepting that you are both mortal, and can make mistakes. Are you both willing to put the needs of your relationship, and the clan, above your personal needs?”
Wow, this was serious. But not something she hadn’t already thought of, and been through in her own mind. So Karla was able to nod as readily as Taurian did.
“I can attest to the fact that they have both already demonstrated their ability in this regard,” Kyrian said. “I believe they have the dedication to each other, and to Rian clan, to have a successful mating while being rulers.”
A shiver ran up Karla’s spine. Kyrian believed in her? After how dead against her he had been in the beginning?
Now she was suddenly getting cold feet. Could she really do this? This wasn’t just about loving Taurian and mating with him. She had no doubts about that anymore. This was about helping him rule his clan. Essentially, she was choosing to be a dragon over being a human.
She looked around at the dragons and humans in the crowd. All of them smiled encouragingly at her, even the dragons. Their doubts had fled when she had stood up to fight for their clan. And hers should have too.
Karla looked back at Taurian, whose smile was certain and unwavering.
Truth was, she’d already made her choice. Or her heart had made it for her. Either way, she was committed to making this work. And she would.
They both would. Together.
Mesrian smiled. “Then let us share a meal together as a clan before you solidify your personal relationship.”
“Just one thing first,” Taurian interrupted.
Before Karla could ask what, he pulled her close, bending his head towards her. When his lips met hers, all the anticipation that had been building for the last few days burst out, flooding Karla with desire. He deepened the kiss, pulling her up against him. In every place they touched, she felt her body burn, even through the thick satin and three layers of gauze of the wedding dress.
There were cheers and whistles from the crowd. “More, more, more,” they chanted.
Karla felt her cheeks heat, but she didn’t even try to pull back from Taurian’s embrace. She didn’t want to. She pulled her arms free and lifted them to throw them around his neck, holding onto him as though her life depended on it.
Who cared about food? She wanted Taurian. Now.
It wasn’t to be. After her whole body was thrumming with need and want, Taurian pulled back and smiled down at her. His own eyes burned with need too, and a wry acceptance that they had to wait.
Hard as that was.
He didn’t let go of her hand as they walked across and sat down on a pile of furs in front of the feast that had been laid out for them.
Turned out, sharing a meal together was a big excuse for trying to keep the couple apart for as long as possible, while watching them squirm in their anticipation of the final mating.
Not that Taurian and Karla were really apart. Taurian didn’t break physical connection with her once. Even when he needed both hands to eat, his leg pressed up against hers. The contact kept a constant need burning through Karla, and yet, there was no chance she was going to pull back from it.
In fact, she craved the constant contact as much as he did. Food seemed almost unimportant, but Karla forced herself to eat some. Mostly because she suspected she was going to need the energy later.
Every time she thought about later, her whole body flushed with a warm heat. Where Taurian’s leg touched hers, it burned. Karla edged a little closer so her leg up to her hip was pressed against him. Taurian looked down at her, his expression smouldering.
His arm slipped around her waist and pulled her up against him.
A little better, but not close enough.
“Can I sit with you for a minute?” Wayrian’s quiet voice was like a bucket of cold water, reminding Karla that while she might be thrilled with the turn of events, everyone might not be.
“Of course,” Taurian said quietly. He patted the ground on the other side of him.
Karla pulled back ever so slightly, though not quite breaking contact. She might feel bad for Wayrian, but not bad enough to give up Taurian. Not after all they’d been through to get here.
The general chatter in the room died down to a low hum. Karla was sure that everyone was wondering what would come of this conversation.
She was wondering herself.
“I just wanted to congratulate both of you on your mating,” Wayrian said quietly. “I’m truly happy for both of you.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Taurian said solemnly. “I’m sorry this has been such a difficult few days for yo
u.”
Karla wasn’t quite sure what to say, so she settled for, “Thank you.”
“Wayrian, get back here.” Ostrian’s voice was strident and loud. Everyone turned to look at him, and their expressions weren’t impressed.
Wayrian rose hurriedly. “I have to go, sorry.”
All the slightly guilty feelings Karla had had about the young dragon girl rose to the surface. Mating with Taurian may have been a way for Wayrian to get out from under her family’s thumb. Now she’d lost that. Karla wished there was something she could do to help, but she suspected her interference would only make things worse.
Not so Taurian. He fixed his golden eyes on Ostrian and frowned. “Were you just interrupting my conversation, Ostrian?”
Ostrian was immediately self-effacing, but Karla was certain his attitude was fake. He was going to be a constant challenge for them.
“Sorry, Prince Taurian. I was concerned the girl was annoying you.”
“Perhaps next time it is best to watch for a few moments and see if I am annoyed or not before speaking?”
“I’m sure you would not display your annoyance,” Ostrian said promptly. “You are too well mannered for that.”
Taurian frowned. “Then I shall make it clear to you. Wayrian is not annoying me. Leave her alone.”
“Of course, Prince Taurian.” Ostrian’s voice was meek and he bowed his head and backed away. Karla didn’t miss the look he threw Taurian when he thought he had looked away though. He was not impressed.
“You’re going to have to watch that one,” she said quietly.
Wayrian’s eyes flicked over to her grandfather, then back to Taurian and Karla. Her forehead creased. “I’m sorry for my grandfather. He is not at all respectful enough.”
Taurian put a hand on Wayrian’s arm, and Karla’s blood heated. She had to make a concerted effort to remind herself that Taurian was just being kind. He wasn’t attracted to Wayrian, he’d already shown that.
“You don’t have to apologise for your grandfather’s behaviour. It is not under your control, and it does not reflect on you.”
Wayrian nodded automatically, but Karla was pretty sure she didn’t believe Taurian’s words. “I’d better go,” she said softly. “He will get more angry if I stay.”
Her words made Karla feel bad for her.
“If he ever bothers you, come to me and I will sort things out,” Taurian told her.
Wayrian nodded, but Karla was pretty sure she wouldn’t. She would have to watch the situation. As princess, maybe she would be able to do something to help the girl.
Not right now though. First, she needed to become the princess. And that meant mating with Taurian.
Wayrian’s problems left her mind the minute the girl walked out of sight. That may have had something to do with Taurian’s hand sliding under a fold in the skirt of her dress and rubbing her bare leg, sending heat flooding through to her core.
How much longer would they be expected to wait?
Karla looked around at the dragons and realised that most of them were watching the mating couple. Oh, they were trying to be subtle about it, glancing away whenever her eyes moved over them, but it was still obvious.
They were waiting to see how long they could hold off.
Trouble was, she wasn’t sure whether it would impress them more if they could hold out, or if their passion was so great they gave in quickly.
Dragons were so complicated.
Chapter 12
Wayrian’s presence and his standoff with Ostrian had been a minor distraction, but as soon as the issue was over, and a note to watch both of them made in the back of his mind, Taurian’s attention returned to Karla.
It was hard to believe that in a few hours, she would be his.
It was hard to believe that fact couldn’t make him happier.
He’d always thought he would be the last of his brothers and sisters to be mated. He was the youngest, after all. He’d thought mating was an obligation, something one had to do, but best to put off for as long as possible.
He hadn’t imagined it would be so full of fire and life.
His fingers traced slow, gentle trails on Karla’s thigh under her dress. The feel of her soft, warm skin was driving him crazy with want. The scent of her own need, and the way she looked up at him, her eyes wide and her lips parted, was slowly pulling away any resistance he had, layer by layer.
If he didn’t take her somewhere private soon, he’d take her right here, in front of everyone.
Not that that would be a first. But he wasn’t quite gone far enough yet not to care. That was the trick, to hold out long enough to demonstrate your willpower, without letting it go so far that instinct took over, and inhibitions faded away.
Taurian was pretty sure he was getting close to that point.
Who cared if everyone here knew he was obsessed with his mate, anyway? What did it matter if he demonstrated that he couldn’t wait to bed her? It was true, wasn’t it? There was no shame in loving one’s mate.
That was all the justification his mind needed.
“Let’s get out of here,” he muttered to Karla.
Her eyes lit up and she nodded enthusiastically.
Her parted lips were too enticing. Taurian bent to capture them with his own, inhaling her scent deeply, tasting her lips, letting the very essence of who she was sink deep into him until it became part of him. Until she became part of him.
His clan faded away, until all he was aware of was Karla. The feel of her under his fingers as they caressed the soft skin of her thigh. His breathing deepened in time with hers, and he could feel the tug of the final mating bond. The tug he had been ignoring for days now.
He wanted her. He needed her.
A snicker from somewhere nearby pulled him back. He dragged his lips away from Karla’s, cleared his throat, and moved his hand above her skirt. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes misty. She was feeling the same pull that he was.
Not needing words, he stood up and pulled her to her feet. Karla swayed in close, her warm body pressed up against him. Taurian forced himself to keep a part of him separate from her. For just a little bit longer. He judged how far it was to the corridor to his rooms. He was pretty sure they could make it.
A cheer followed them as they walked away. Taurian ignored it.
“Lucky we left when we did,” Karla said with a giggle. “I almost forgot we were in the middle of everyone.”
“Me too,” Taurian admitted. He couldn’t resist, he stole a kiss from her upturned mouth. His lips only connected with hers for a second, but that was enough to set his whole body aflame.
Karla’s breathing deepened and her body melted against his.
They needed to get to his rooms, quickly. With a great effort, Taurian pulled back and lead Karla the rest of the way. He ushered her into their room, letting the fur covering the entrance fall behind them.
They were alone at last.
He sunk down onto the mattress Karla had insisted on bringing, no longer resenting the fact that it had taken two dragons to fly the thing up here and wrestle it down the hallway. It was far better than the sand for what he had planned.
Karla lay down on the white sheets beside him, raising herself on one elbow, her white dress spreading out around her. Her smile warmed his heart. “We’re finally here.”
“We finally have a whole night to ourselves,” Taurian said, running his hands over the silky fabric of her dress. “And this time, I don’t intend to rush. I intend to take my time, and pleasure every part of your body.”
Karla’s body wriggled in anticipation, but her face showed impatience. “I’m not sure I can wait.”
Taurian’s body responded instantly. He wasn’t too sure he could wait either. His hand slid up the dress, grazing her breast, and across the bare skin of her shoulders. “Every time we’ve mated, it’s been rushed. I want this time to be special.”
Karla leaned forwards and kissed him, sending slow swirls of f
ire through his belly. “It will be special,” she said, her voice low. “This time we’re rushing because we want to. We have the rest of our lives to take things slow. We have the rest of our lives to make love however we want to.”
Her words only increased his desire. She had a good point. It seemed pointless to argue with it. Just as pointless as it was to argue with the urges of his body. The ones that said he needed to claim her as his mate as soon as possible.
No need to hold back now. There was nothing standing between them. Even his clan had accepted her as his mate and as their leader. After her amazing actions yesterday, leading the humans in battle against his enemy, and defeating them, how could they not?
His heart swelled with pride and love.
She was a worthy mate.
She was his.
As though the words in his mind signalled something, his body leapt into readiness. Taurian lay back on the bed and pulled Karla down next to him.
The skirt of her mating costume billowed out around him, almost making a barrier between them. Taurian let it for a while, focusing his attention on what he could reach. Her lips, her neck, running his hands through her hair.
He kissed her deeply, inhaling her scent, tasting her.
Karla was as enthusiastic as he was, her hand sliding over the leather tunic he wore, her lips hot against his.
Taurian slid his hands lower, both enjoying the silky fabric, and resenting it. Her dress was far more elaborate than a usual mating costume. He wanted it gone, but he wasn’t sure she would be happy if it was destroyed.
He wanted to feel fabric tearing under his skin. His body craved the destruction.
His body craved her.
Karla’s fingernails scrabbled at his tunic, trying to find a purchase on the tough leather. Taurian gripped the neckline and tore it off, the sound of the material parting satisfying his lust. A little. Karla’s hands caressed his chest, finding a nipple and flicking her finger over it, driving Taurian wild.
He kissed her thoroughly, pressing his whole body up against hers. There was still far too much fabric between their skin. A small sound of annoyance escaped his lips, and he pulled back to look at her. “How do you get this thing off?”