Dragon My Heart Around

by Marianne Morea

  Camille’s tearstained face looked from one man to the other. She would have run out of their rooms naked if Gerri hadn’t forced her to throw on leggings and a long tank top.

  “Was Ryker with you when it happened? Tell me, please!” her voice cracked.

  Viktor nodded. “One moment he was telling us about the notation in the book and asking if we knew what it meant and the next he was gone. Vanished.” He snapped his fingers.

  She sunk into one of the chairs in Alyx’s office chamber, her head in her hands. “He’s gone. Sorana could have that book anywhere.”

  Viktor knelt in front of the chair, his hands on her knees. “I offered to have my men go with you to the Aubergine, but Ryker refused. Knowing the lure of the sirens, he wouldn’t risk putting them in danger. He was going alone, Camille.”

  She lifted her face from her hands. “Alone. As in without me.”

  He nodded. “He loves you too much to force you to face Sorana for him. To be honest, I’m not sure I don’t agree. You’re human and new to our planet. You are not prepared for the kind of fight she would bring.”

  Camille moved to get up from the chair and Viktor straightened, taking a step back. “Your mate is human, am I correct?”

  He nodded. “Yes, Rebecca is human.”

  Camille lifted her chin, craning her neck to look at Viktor the same way she had to do with Ryker. “Then you have a lot yet to learn about human women and how we fight when threatened.”

  She moved to push past him, but he caught her arm. “Ryker made me promise that if anything happened to him that I would take care of you. See you safely back to Earth.”

  Camille tamped down on the urge to rip her arm away from Ryker’s cousin. Instead, she took a steadying breath and forced herself to relax.

  “Thank you for telling me, Viktor, but I have every intention of seeing this through. Ryker may not believe I can do what’s necessary, but he doesn’t know everything about me—yet.” She looked at him. “Did either of you know what the notation in the book meant?”

  Viktor spared a glance for the king and he nodded. “The reason the acolyte was sent was because tonight is the eclipse the book spoke of. If there was ever a stacked chance for you and Ryker to break Sorana’s curse, it was at twilight tonight. Before the suns set and the moon rises.”

  Camille exchanged a look with Gerri. “Did you know this?”

  The matchmaker shook her head. “Just images, really. Nothing concrete.”

  Cami inhaled, letting the air out through her nose. “Okay—then for real we have to do this, and I mean now. We can’t let this opportunity pass.”

  With a nod, she slipped her arm from his hand and turned to Alyx. “I will need someone to show me the way to the Wyanar Woods. I can’t just walk away from this and do nothing. Would you if it was your mate?”

  Viktor moved to stand beside the king. “No, but—”

  She shook her head. “There is no but in this. Ryker is my mate. I wear his mark. His dragon claimed me, whatever that means, but as far as I’m concerned I claim him right back. It’s a bond. An unspoken vow. Now you can either help me or not, but where I come from, mates don’t desert each other during times of crisis. At least not the ones who mean it when they take their vows.”

  Alyx’s gaze found Bella standing in the background. “You’re right. We’ll help.”

  Viktor’s eyes flicked to the garment in Bella’s arms. “My queen, what is that in your hand?”

  “It’s a Chimera the siren’s acolyte brought to distract Camille so she could take the book,” she replied.

  Alyx moved to his wife’s side to examine the translucent material. “Wearing this is an unspoken agreement between the one who wears the garment and the one who gave it.” His eyes narrowed and then he whirled on his heel with the sheer dress in his fist.

  “Viktor, I have an idea. If my hunch is correct, the siren had two plans when she came into the palace today. If she couldn’t put her hands on the book, then she would coerce Camille with this!” He shook the garment in his fist.

  “What if we dressed Camille in the Chimera? The giver would know immediately and send for her. If my hunch is correct, Sorana sent this planning to use Camille to force Ryker’s hand. She’s too greedy in her revenge to let such a chance go, especially if holding Camille brings Ryker even more anguish.”

  Gerri stepped forward. “I’m not sure about this, Alyx.”

  He shook his head. “We would follow close behind, so Camille would never be truly alone.”

  Cami turned her hand over and ran a finger over her dragon mark. At the simple touch, it tingled, and her gaze shot to Viktor.

  “Does Rebecca have a dragon mark?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Yes, why? They are different shapes depending on what house your dragon hails from, but basically they’re all the same.”

  She grinned. “Does she always seem to know where you are? Almost as if she’s keeping tabs on you?”

  His lips spread in a smile to match hers. “Yes. And she knows whenever I stretch the truth, too.” His head bobbed and he took her hand, his eyes on her mark. “I think I know where you’re going with this.”

  She nodded as well. “D.P.S. Dragon Positioning System.”

  Viktor laughed out loud. “Rebecca is SO going to steal that!”

  “But we can use my mark to zero in on where Sorana concealed Ryker, right?”

  Alyx moved to her side. “Yes. But we better move fast.”

  “What are we waiting for, then?” she asked.

  He handed her the Chimera. “For you to change into this.”

  Camille took the garment from the king and moved to walk back toward Gerri and Bella. He cleared his voice. “Uhm, maybe wear something over it. We don’t want the men ogling what’s not theirs, if you know what I mean.”

  ***

  Camille moved to dismount her horse, sore but knowing it would be so much worse if her grandmother hadn’t made her take riding lessons all those years before.

  She swung her leg over the saddle and the telltale sound of ripping fabric jerked her eyes toward her crotch.

  “This stupid outfit is not meant for this kind of rodeo.” She blew her hair from her forehead.

  “No, dear. It’s meant for mounting something entirely different. Smaller, harder and much more satisfying, not to mention less chaffing.” Gerri winked, trying to lighten Camille’s edginess.

  A nervous chuckle took her and Cami bit her lip. “Well, now there’s a big tear between my legs, so it’s easy access no matter what.”

  Alyx walked toward Camille’s horse and took the reins, helping her down the rest of the way.

  “Viktor and the other Dragos are in the forest surrounding the Aubergine. The Wyanar Wood is straight ahead. If we go with you, we’ll give away our element of surprise. You need to go into the woods on foot from here.”

  Camille nodded. “Got’cha, but I’m pretty sure Sorana already knows we’re here.”

  He nodded. “It’s just wishful thinking, but the beeswax ear plugs you suggested should up the odds in our favor significantly.” He tapped one ear. “That was genius.”

  She shook her head. “No, that was Jason and the Argonauts.”

  Confused, Alyx tilted his head and chuckled giving his arm a pat. “Greek mythology, dude. It’s an Earth thing, so no worries.”

  Camille winked and then squatted with a candle and flame, melting her own wax as Gerri moved from her horse to where she sat.

  “I need to protect myself as well, and so do you.” Camille said holding the drippy candle toward the older woman.

  Gerri took it from her hand, but didn’t say a word.

  “You okay?” Cami asked. “You’re awfully quiet. Usually we can’t get you to shut up.”

  The matchmaker raised an eyebrow. “I’m fine. I’m worried about you. You seem a little too sure of yourself. Remember, that’s how Ryker got into trouble in the first place.”

  Camille clicked the inside
of her cheek. “Yeah, but he didn’t listen to you, and I’m all ears, or I will be until I put these babies in.” She held up the mushy wax between her fingers.

  “Listen to your body, Camille. I expected a change or a sign in you sooner, but so far it hasn’t manifested. Sorana will try to use the Chimera to dull your senses. The garment is a physical aphrodisiac. The giver can manipulate what you feel through it. Keep your wits about you and try to keep Ryker at the forefront of your mind. It’s the only way you can fight whatever she has planned.”

  “I’ve got nothing against lesbian fantasies, but I’m not into them,” Cami winked. “But hey, whatever floats your boat, right Gerri baby!”

  Without warning Gerri grabbed Camille’s shoulders and turned her around. “The effects are already showing. You are flippant and dismissive. Pay attention young woman or you not only will lose Ryker to Sorana forever, you’ll lose yourself.”

  The matchmaker shook her and Cami’s eyes went wide. Whatever had taken hold of Camille, vanished and her hand flew to her throat.

  Camille doubled over and Mrs. Wilder moved back in case she was sick. “Gerri—” She gulped in a breath and steadied herself.

  “Oh, my God. I felt her in my head. She’s more petulant and snarky than the worst debutante on Fifth Avenue.”

  “There’s my girl.” Gerri exhaled, lifting her hands to Camille’s arms. She rubbed her skin through the thin garment. “Remember the feel, so you can fight it.”

  Cami nodded, swallowing. “Anything else?”

  Gerri shook her head. “I was hoping there would be, but—”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It’s time,” Alyx said waving. “The sun is setting.” He motioned for Camille for join him and she walked toward him, her question to Gerri still unanswered.

  She took the dagger Alyx offered, sticking it in the pocket of the cotton duster she wore over the Chimera.

  “Good luck. Gerri will use her second sight to help us know when to join you. We’re ready. Just give the signal. With the ear plugs, we should be good to attack. It neutralizes their most powerful weapon.”

  Cami palmed the flare the king gave her earlier, hoping she remembered how to set it off.

  With a nod she walked toward the woods, the sun hanging low on the horizon. The tops of the trees were bright violet and seemed to shimmer in the setting sun. Lower, they were so dark they seemed almost black.

  Under any other circumstances she would be awed by the sight, but now all she could think of was Ryker.

  Come, I’m waiting…

  Invisible fingers caressed her skin and the farther into the woods she walked, the more insistent they got.

  Mmmm, your flesh is like silk. I want to dip my fingers in your slick pool.

  Camille shivered, but when the invisible touch slipped between her legs she squeezed her eyes closed, shaking off the intrusive feel.

  Laughed echoed in her mind.

  You’re stronger than I expected. Good, playing with you will be interesting.

  Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.

  You can resist for now, but when our special guest arrives, I’ll want you front and center for him to see. Splayed wide and moaning under my hand.

  Fuck you, bitch!

  More cruel laughter echoed and Camille cried out and invisible fingers pinched her nipple.

  Fight this, Cami. It’s all a trick. A mental play like a Vegas show. Smoke and mirrors. Ryker. He’s the only real thing in your mind. Him and you. You and him. Nothing else.

  She repeated the words like a mantra and with each step, the slippery feel of Sorana’s reach faded and she dragged in a clean breath.

  Firelight flickered ahead, and Camille followed its light through the darkening woods. She stepped through the trees into a large clearing. A small bonfire burned at the center of the generous space. Acolytes like the girl earlier in her room circled the flames, their naked bodies writhing and dancing to drums.

  Ryker was on his back, his arms and legs tied to four stakes in the ground and one woman stood over him, and she held the book in her hands.

  Sorana.

  She lifted her hand and Cami felt the effect on her body. Resisting, she mentally smacked her touch away. Sorana’s face hardened and she lifted her hand to the sky and as she yanked it down, a bolt of lightning struck the ground inches from Ryker.

  His body jerked and convulsed and the woman sneered. “You cannot win, human. So leave with your life while you can.”

  Camille shook her head. “You have something that belongs to me, Sorana. You stole it and I want it back.”

  She laughed and the sound was mirthless. “That’s rich. You want it back?” She wrenched the book open and held it high, Ryker’s likeness flickering in the firelight.

  “You want the book? Fine, you can have the book but the dragon stays mine!” Sorana ripped the page from text, the illustration crumpled in her fist as she flung the rest of the book to the ground.

  One of the acolytes glanced toward the sky and her expression spelled fear written across her face. “The moon! Lady Sorana! It is upon us!”

  “You can’t win, Sorana. The Gods are with me tonight. Your suns are eclipsed and your lies exposed. Ryker doesn’t belong to you. He belongs to me and I to him!”

  Camille tore the Chimera from her body, the diaphanous material tearing in her grip. She stood as naked as the others, but lifted her arm, her dragon’s mark glowing on her forearm.

  “She wears his mark! The Gods have spoken!” The fearful acolyte screamed, and the others hesitated, unsure.”

  “Have no fear, my children. Her mark is false. She is human. Dance for our victory. Dance, for our bull has been returned and tonight we all ride!”

  Sorana’s words penetrated and the image of these women taking turns on Ryker fed her anger like never before. Fire scorched Camille from the inside out and her skin crawled with electricity across her flesh.

  Just go with it, honey, it’s happening. It’s what I hoped for—

  Gerri’s voice feathered across her mind.

  “What’s happening?” Camille screamed the words to the sky and lifted her hand, letting the flare go.

  The sky filled red and battle cries echoed in the distance in reply as the Dragos closed ranks.

  The acolytes shrieked, racing for the trees and the shadows, leaving nothing but her and Sorana and the sound of the bonfire’s flames crackling.

  The heat skittering across her body rose to an inferno and Camille threw her head back and screamed.

  She fell to all fours, her body arching as her bones and muscles ripped and reshaped. Electric sparks scorched her back as wings sprouted, growing and spreading across the clearing.

  Red and gold scales replaced skin and anterior and hind limbs replaced her arms and legs. Talons grew from her fingers and toes and a spiked frill crowned her dragon’s head.

  With a roar she opened her mouth, fire shooting from her depths roasting the fleeing acolytes.

  Sorana’s laugh resounded. “You think you can scare me? You’re no dragon. You’re an abomination!”

  “She’s more woman than you’ll ever be, Sorana. You couldn’t fight me, so you had to bind my dragon to get your way. Now, you use me because you’re too weak to even fight another woman!”

  “If I’m weak, what does that say about you, dragon shifter? You need a woman to come to your rescue.”

  “Release me and we’ll see about a fair fight.”

  Sorana laughed. “Not in ten lifetimes, dragon. Let’s hope your human is stupid enough to burn your page. Then you’ll truly be mine forever.”

  Camille flailed, her wings beating against the ground, but flight eluded her. Flame shot across the clearing, but then ended in a hiss, her thick legs buckling beneath her size.

  “Ha! She can’t hold the form!” Sorana clapped in glee.

  With a flash of electricity and a wrench of bone and sinew, Camille collapsed to the ground, panting and human again. “I’m sorr
y….” The words were barely a whisper.

  “It’s over, human! Ryker Dragos will always be mine!”

  Camille dragged herself to her feet, her eyes locked on Sorana. She strode across the clearing toward her, her gaze unwavering and hard with the screams of the acolytes that escaped tearing through the black sky as the Dragos flooded the forest.

  Sorana’s face pained at the pitiful sound and she took a step toward Camille, the drawing in her hand nearly tearing with her anger. “I’ll kill you, you stupid human bitch!”

  The sky was nearly black as the last of the moon slid across the two suns. Ignoring Sorana, she moved beside Ryker. Her mark glowed bright red against her skin. She knelt beside him and brandishing the blade Alyx gave her, she cut his bonds.

  “Fear is in your eyes, Sorana. Your pupils are wide and not from the darkness, and your other pupils are dead by the sounds coming from trees.” Camille’s voice was deadly calm and she grasped Ryker’s forearm the way he did when he greeted his cousin.

  The moment her mark touched his skin, Ryker threw his head back, a roar ripping from his throat. Her mark met its mate in his, and as the dark disc in the sky eclipsed the suns, she gritted her teeth, white hot fire consuming her. She screamed, but held tight.

  The page in Sorana’s hand went up in flame and in that moment, Ryker’s bonds dropped. The curse broken.

  The fire receded and he let go of Camille’s arm, his body transforming before her eyes into a magnificent red dragon.

  Powerful wings flapped, and he rose, grabbing Sorana with razor sharp talons.

  “Don’t eat her, Ryker. You’ll have indigestion for the next millennium.”

  Ryker’s dragon lips pulled back and smoke curled from his lips in a scaly chuckle.

  Hanging limp and impaled on his talon, Ryker shook Sorana loose, a billow of flame scorching her to a blackened crisp as she fell to the ground. Her body splintered, the charred remains crumbling to nothing.

  The red dragon landed with a dull thud and in a flash Ryker shifted back to human. He stood over what was left of his captor, his face hard.

  With a cry, Camille threw her arms around his neck and kissed him all over his face before he uncoiled her arms from his neck.