by Donna Grant
Roman knew exactly where they were. He beat his wings faster, showing V that he had no intention of turning away from their course. Someone wanted him on Iceland. He didn’t know who or why, but one way or another, Roman intended to find out. Hopefully, it would also reveal V’s sword.
“You could’ve just said nay,” V grumbled.
For the first time in hours, Roman found himself grinning. He looked over at Camlo, who had yet to stop smiling as he rode atop V—and luckily, V hadn’t passed out. Camlo’s ability to make V faint must only happen when V was in human form.
Roman’s gaze shifted down to his paw where he held Sabina. His magic kept her slumbering, and would until they reached Iceland. It had never occurred to him that she might be afraid of heights. Not only was it a considerable distance to the ground from atop a dragon, but then there was the flying itself.
Her fear had been palpable. If he hadn’t realized that, it would’ve been impossible not to notice her pale face, her rapid breathing, or her dilated pupils. Something like that couldn’t be faked, even by the best of actors.
When she’d listed to the side as if she were about to fall, he’d dragged her against him without thinking. She’d clung to him as if he were her lifeline as her entire body shook. All that just from talking about flying.
That’s when he realized that she would never make the ride. But he wanted her with him. Roman didn’t consider why, just accepted it as fact.
Her dark curls blew in the wind, the locks sliding against his talons like a caress. Her face was turned toward him while one of her hands lay against the inside of his palm.
“She’s verra pretty.”
Roman growled. “Shut up, V.”
“Why? Because I state the obvious? Or is it because you doona want to admit that you like her? I’ve been asleep, Roman, not dead.”
He blew out a breath, sparks flying upon the wind.
V laughed loudly in his head. “Do you know what I did when I woke and left Dreagan?”
“You went looking for your sword.”
“Aye. But I also shagged my way across the land.”
Roman jerked his head to him. “Your point?”
“When was the last time you had sex?”
“No’ that long ago.” V made some indistinct sound that had Roman frowning. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that even if you’d had a woman last night, you’d still crave the one you’re holding now.”
“You’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”
V shot him a dark look. “Why? Because I spent most of my time sleeping? I’m no’ blind, you prat.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Are you really going to pretend you doona know?”
Roman blew out more sparks as his anger increased. It didn’t help that he could see Iceland in the distance. “Since I doona know, I guess I am.”
“You’re attracted to her. And in case you didna know, she has the hots for you, as well.”
“Stop,” Roman begged him. “It doesna sound right, you using modern terms.”
V laughed. “Turn the conversation if you want, but I’ll be around to see you give in to the temptation to taste the lovely Sabina’s lips.”
Roman pulled his eyes from the horizon and the mountains of Iceland to V. It was only then that he realized his friend had been attempting to take his attention from their arrival.
“I’m going to be fine,” Roman told V.
V cut his scarlet eyes to him. “I never had any doubts.”
Roman considered taking them toward the Vestrahorn Mountains on the east side of Iceland, but he changed his mind and nudged V onward. They flew straight over the land until Roman spotted the area the humans dubbed Westfjords.
The Hornstrandir was the perfect place for them because it was isolated and uninhabited. He circled the area to make sure no one was about and then swooped in. Roman landed, careful not to disturb Sabina.
Within seconds, V had also touched down. Camlo slid off him and looked around in amazement at the vast, snow-covered mountains.
“Doona let him go far,” Roman cautioned V.
V watched the mortal for a moment before swinging his head back to Roman. “Tell me about this place.”
“It’s been uninhabited since the 1950s. There are those who come during the day for tours as well as the occasional hiker, but no’ during this time of year. The weather is too temperamental for humans.”
V shifted to his mortal form and used magic to return his clothes. “What are you going to do about Sabina?”
“Wake her.”
V nodded slowly. “Let her see you.”
“Why?”
“Why no’?”
Why did V have to answer things with a question? It drove Roman mad. “I doona want to frighten her.”
“Did she look scared when she saw me?”
Matter of fact, she hadn’t. Roman had thought she was, but really it was her fear of heights.
“You’re catching on.” V sighed dramatically. Aloud he said, “I still have so much to teach you.”
“Go away before I burn you,” Roman threatened. But he was grinning.
V lifted his head and sniffed the air. “My sword is here, and we’re going to find it.”
Roman watched him walk after Camlo, who was headed to a cliff to look out at the churning sea. Only then did Roman lift the magic that kept Sabina asleep.
Her lashes fluttered before her eyes opened. She inhaled deeply and rolled her head forward. Their gazes met, and she stilled. Roman’s heart dropped until she lifted a hand as she sat up and placed her palm along his scaly jaw. And just like it had when she swept his hair off his forehead, his heart skipped a beat.
* * *
Magnificent. Glorious. Resplendent.
Sabina could’ve gone on and on describing the creature before her. She gazed into the ivory eyes of the dragon and smiled when she recognized Roman.
His chest rumbled, and she assumed that meant he was pleased by her reaction. She stroked the pale blue scales beneath her hand, marveling at their warmth. But she wanted to see more.
As if understanding what she needed, Roman lowered his paw to the ground. Sabina climbed off and dropped her bag as she moved back to take all of Roman in.
“Wow,” she murmured, trying to put every detail to memory.
His body was enormous yet elegant with its pale blue scales that turned a shade darker toward his hindquarters before they became thicker along his slender tail. She’d seen the single horn that projected above his snout, but now she got a look at the thick bone that protected the back of Roman’s head and neck.
He gently folded his massive wings against him and watched her curiously. Much as she was doing with him. What else could she do? He was a freaking dragon.
And then just like that, the dragon disappeared, and Roman once more stood before her—completely naked. And seemingly unaffected by the weather.
Snow swirled around him as if the flurries wanted to touch the Dragon King as much as she did. Sabina only got a glimpse of his chest and what looked like a tattoo before he was clothed once more.
“You leave me speechless,” she said, embarrassed by her lack of words because she was so in awe of him.
Both as a dragon and as a man.
He closed the distance between them, fire sparking in his sea green eyes. “How do you feel?”
Feel? How could he ask that after she’d just seen him as a dragon, and then only got a teasing glimpse of him nude—and what she’d seen had been fabulous?
“Good. I’m good,” she hurried to say.
He watched her with amusement, those amazing lips of his curved slightly. “Welcome to Iceland.”
Sabina couldn’t believe that she’d forgotten about the trip. She jerked her head to the side and took in miles of snowy mountains and turbulent waters.
The flurries didn’t hinder her view of the glaciers or the steam that rose in the distanc
e. Part of her wanted to venture there and see the dried lava fields, and perhaps even the molten rock spewing from the ground.
She looked down at her insulated boots and jacket. Her attire worked well, but not that well. She wasn’t chilled. At all. And she should be in this kind of weather.
“I doona want you getting cold,” Roman said.
That was his way of telling her that his magic kept her warm. She shifted under the weight of her clothes. “If I’d known that, I could’ve just come in my underwear.”
Was it her imagination, or had his eyes darkened?
Roman’s gaze moved away as he bent and retrieved her bag. He slung it over his shoulder as he straightened. “The sun will be up soon, but the weather is unpredictable here. We shouldna keep you or your brother out in the elements.”
“Why not?” she asked curiously. “Your magic is keeping us warm, right?”
He smiled and glanced at the mountain behind them. “We use magic when we have to, but we doona rely on it as the Fae and Druids do.”
“Understandable.” She saw him glance around again. It wasn’t a casual look, but one that spoke of uncertainty and unease. “Are you all right?”
Roman stilled and looked at her. “Aye.”
“I saw your reaction at my house. I know you aren’t keen on being here.”
He glanced at the ground. “I’ll be fine.”
“By the way, thank you for getting me here.”
His face split into a grin. “I promised I wouldna let anything harm you.”
She returned his smile and fell into step with him as they started toward Camlo and V. Her brother’s wide eyes took in everything as he turned this way and that to look around. But what truly held his attention was the ocean.
“Bina, look,” he said gleefully, pointing at the water.
She smiled as she came up beside him. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
He nodded enthusiastically. “And there are so many animals here. They’re all talking at once. Can I go see them?”
“No’ now,” V cautioned. “The weather is about to turn.”
Roman pointed to the mountain. “We need to find shelter before the blizzard arrives. I know a place.”
Sabina walked a few paces behind Roman while Camlo and V brought up the rear. “Where on Iceland are we?”
“West side,” Roman replied. “I brought us here because it is uninhabited. It’s better for us, but it will also give Camlo some time to adjust.”
“Thank you. Again,” she said.
He flashed her a smile that made her feet forget how to walk. She tripped over herself and pitched forward. Her hands caught her before her face smashed into the snow, but she was mortified.
Roman was instantly there to help her to her feet. “There are lots of rocks. You probably stumbled on one.”
She forced a smile and nodded in agreement, refusing to tell him that she was just an idiot.
Behind her, Camlo asked V, “What’s wrong with her? She’s acting weird.”
Sabina stared straight ahead. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d been so embarrassed.
“The cold does strange things to people,” V told Camlo.
Sabina felt Roman’s eyes on her, but she wouldn’t look at him. She started in the direction they’d been heading and kept her mind firmly off the hot Dragon King next to her.
That is until his fingers brushed hers as they walked. Her head jerked to him to find his green eyes on her.
Hot.
And hungry.
CHAPTER TWENTY
The desire burned so hot and so bright that it could rival dragon fire. The embers had begun in Romania, but they burst to life when Sabina woke and touched him.
Roman could still feel her palm along his jaw. Scales or flesh, her touch scorched him, branding him as surely as his tattoo did.
V said it was attraction. But Roman had never felt anything so primal, so … undeniably carnal before. He was aware of every breath Sabina took, felt every heartbeat.
Each time her pulsed raced when she looked at him made him ache. It was a soul-deep longing, one that got into his bones and settled there, sending whispers of desire rushing through him. The need, the hunger grew tenfold with every breath. His hands itched to hold her, to feel her flesh against him.
He led them into the cave, forcing his gaze from her to look around. Both Sabina and Camlo halted near the entrance because their eyes couldn’t penetrate the darkness.
“Wait here,” he told them. Roman walked ahead since he could see in the dark as well as the light.
The cave was narrow, and the ceiling low enough that Roman had to bend over to walk through. About a hundred yards later, the passage widened, and as Roman continued, the ceiling also gradually rose so that he was able to stand straight.
There were footsteps behind him. Roman didn’t need to turn around to know it was V.
“You’re on edge,” V said as he came up beside him.
Roman looked into a crude opening in the wall and saw another passage that was too small for anyone to fit through. He glanced at V and walked onward. “I’m good.”
“That’s horse shite, and you know it.” V shook his head after looking into another opening. “There’s something about being back here that’s affected you. The sexual tension between you and Sabina is off the charts.”
Roman halted and braced a hand on the wall, the cool, damp stone beneath his palm a reminder of the volatile temperatures of the land. “I know.”
“Is it Sabina?”
Roman shrugged. He had no answer for what he couldn’t figure out himself.
“I could find another woman and bring her to see if she affects you as Sabina does,” V offered.
He looked at V and glared. “No.”
“Afraid that it’s the lovely Sabina who has you wound up? Or are you worried that it could be your homeland that’s doing this to you?”
Roman raked a hand through his hair. He’d felt the instant attraction to Sabina in Romania, but he couldn’t readily accept that that’s what had him so wound up. Because once he landed in Iceland, his emotions became charged, heightening everything.
“I doona fucking know, V. Okay? I doona have any answers.”
“Good.”
At V’s response, Roman frowned. “You doona make any sense.”
“It means that I’m glad you’re no’ trying to force answers that doona match the questions.”
Roman briefly closed his eyes. “I could use a dram right about now.”
“You and me both. Do you remember this cave?”
Roman looked down the tunnel. “The entrance was too small for dragons to use. I’ve no’ been here before.”
V shouldered past him and continued looking for a place they could sleep. After a second, Roman trailed after him. It wasn’t long before V shouted his name. Roman hurried toward him and found V standing in an opening.
Roman came up behind him and gazed into the cavern. It wasn’t overly large, but roomy enough for four people to fit comfortably.
“Do you want to get Sabina and Camlo?” V offered.
Roman shook his head. “I need a moment to myself.”
“I thought you might. I doona see wood anywhere. Looks like we’ll have to use magic to get a fire going.”
“Aye,” Roman replied.
A moment later, V walked away. Roman was used to living in caves. Each King had their own mountain on Dreagan where they hid from humans. It was a sanctuary for each King when they wished to have some time alone, or if they decided to sleep away a few centuries.
But the hard, cold rock was not something Sabina or her brother were used to. Since they were helping him and Roman, the least Roman could do was make them as comfortable as possible.
His dragon magic was always there, waiting to be used—though the Kings chose not to turn to magic so as not to become dependent on it. That was laughable since their very existence was because of magic.
Roman
held out his hand to the middle of the cavern. He pictured a large fire, and almost immediately, flames leapt from the ground. The crystal chips within the rock acted as a conductor.
Next, his magic manifested two down-filled sleeping bags. He tried to think what else the mortals might need when he heard them approaching.
He stepped aside and faced the direction of the opening. There was a ball of light above them, illuminating the way for Sabina and her brother.
As she neared, Sabina’s gaze lifted and locked with his. Roman instinctively reached out for her. To his delight, she immediately grasped his hand, her fingers curling around his. He pulled her close so Camlo and V could walk into the cavern, but the ball of light remained with Sabina.
Roman let himself drown in the dark pools of her eyes. “I doona think I thanked you for doing this.”
“I’ve not done anything yet,” she said.
“You’re here.”
She glanced down, smiling. “I wish I could take the credit, but without Camlo, I wouldn’t know that this is where the sword is.”
“Your grandmother told you the story for a reason. Your family is bound to it.”
Her tongue peeked out as she licked her lips. “I know V wants his property returned, and I know why the sword is important to him and the rest of the Dragon Kings.”
“But,” Roman said when she paused.
“Are we doing the right thing? My ancestors felt the vision was enough to steal the sword and hide it. What if returning the weapon to V creates the very thing my family was trying to prevent?”
Roman glanced into the cavern to see V and Camlo deep in conversation near the fire. “I can no’ answer that any more than you can. What I do know is that your ancestors didna act alone. Whether they were party to it or no’, their actions allowed the Druid and Fae group to use their magic on V.”
Her forehead furrowed. “You think the Druids and Fae used magic on my ancestor who had the vision?”
“It’s a possibility that I can no’ rule out.”
Sabina sighed loudly. “And we can’t ask her.”
“She probably wouldna know if magic had been used.”
“Good point.” Sabina rubbed her lips together. “I hate not knowing.”
Roman looked down at their joined hands. She hadn’t pulled away, and that made him happy. “Neither do I.”