by Donna Grant
Her fingers threaded in his hair. “Don’t stop. Don’t ever stop.”
He didn’t need to be told twice. Royden pulled out of her until only the head of his shaft remained, then he thrust into her once more. Again and again he repeated the movements, his tempo increasing.
They never stopped looking at each other. Invisible bonds wove through them, around them, binding them to each other. It was too late to stop it now, and he didn’t want to. Fate had set each of them on this course. He couldn’t hold back if he wanted to.
He moved them to the side of the pool. With one hand on her back to keep her from scraping against the rocks, he grabbed the boulder with his other hand and began thrusting fast and deep. Her legs wrapped around his waist as she moved against him. The water churned, their breaths mixed, and the passion grew higher and higher.
The moment he felt her nails dig into him, Royden knew she was close to another orgasm. He gave her a nod, telling her to let go. When she did, when he felt her body clamping tightly around his cock, he let his climax take him.
He didn’t know how long they stayed locked together after their bodies had finally stopped moving. Annita’s head rested on his shoulder. He drew in a breath and moved away from the side so he could hold her with both arms. Neither said a word. Steam rose up as if shrouding them from the world. In many ways, it did just that.
Here, in this place, the rest of the world didn’t exist. It was just the two of them.
Annita turned her head and placed a kiss on his neck. He smiled, amazed at how content he felt. His body was pleasured, but his soul was…happy. Happy like he had never been before. And he knew the mortal he held in his arms was the reason.
“I used to tell myself I didna want a mate,” he said. “I gave all kinds of reasons that seemed more than valid at the time.”
She lifted her head to look at him and wiped beads of sweat from his brow. “And now?”
“Now, there’s only one thing I want.”
“What’s that?”
“You.” He swallowed and shook his head. “You’ve taken my heart, and you didna even know. I didna know it until a few moments ago.”
A slow smile spread over Annita’s face.
He wanted to return it, but he couldn’t. “We barely know each other, and you have a life here. In the short time we’ve been together, the pain I’ve carried since the day the dragons left is gone. You’ve stopped that.”
“Then why are you frowning?”
“Because I want you. I crave you like air in my lungs. I know you’re my mate, but I know the kind of world I live in. There’s no guarantee we’ll best the Others. I doona want to pull you into my world only to see you hurt.”
Annita cupped her hand to his face. “Tell me this. If the Others do happen to succeed, what happens to the humans here in this realm?”
He was silent, unable to tell her how bad it could be.
“That’s what I figured,” she said. “If I have the opportunity to be with you, then I want it. I don’t care how short or how long the time. I want to be with you.”
“You say that without knowing how bad things can be for the Kings.”
“I say that knowing how good it feels to be with you. My mother used to tell me that I’d know when I found the right person. That I’d feel it here,” she said and touched her chest. “I knew the moment I saw you. The more time I spend with you, the more sure I am. I know you’ve lived thousands of years, and you’ve probably loved several times—”
He gave a shake of his head. “Nay. I’ve no’.”
“You told me earlier that dragons mate for life. You just told me I was your mate. That means you know, just like I do. And don’t you dare think it’s because I care about your wealth or the fact that I’ll become immortal. Royden, I only want you. You bring such joy to my life, and you make my heart sing.”
He pulled her against him for a hug and closed his eyes. His halfhearted attempt to change her mind about him had failed, and he was glad for it. But a part of him still worried about her. He would always worry, whether she was with him or not. Because she was his mate.
Chapter Twelve
Annita hadn’t wanted to leave the cave, but they both knew she had to get back before people came looking for her. When they broke the surface, the sun was making its descent into the horizon.
“Come back with me,” she urged him.
Royden hesitated as they treaded water. “They’ll wonder how I got here.”
“I’ll tell them I invited you.”
He grinned. “Let’s head back, then. You need some food.”
“I’m hungry. Not sure it’s for food.”
That made him laugh. She was grinning as she began swimming. When they reached the beach, they walked from the water, holding hands. So much in her life had been confusing, but that wasn’t the case with Royden. Everything was now clear and obvious. Almost as if she had been in a dream world before him. His arrival had shaken up everything in her life, and she was glad for it.
She dried off and looked up at the house.
“You’ve never lived anywhere else,” Royden said.
Annita turned to him and shrugged. “So? A lot of people can say that.”
“If you need time, I understand. I can leave and return in a few months.”
“Why would you do that?” she asked with a frown. “I want only you. Will I miss my family? Of course. But I can see them.”
Royden looked away without saying anything.
She stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out what he wasn’t telling her. Then it struck her. He was immortal. The other Dragon Kings were immortal. They couldn’t continue to be around people decade after decade without others noticing that they didn’t age. And her family would notice.
“Oh,” she said.
His gaze slid to her. “It’s a lot to ask. No’ only will you no’ be able to see your family after a while, but there willna be children.”
Annita had forgotten that part. She’d always thought to have kids of her own one day. Just as she expected to marry and live on the family estate. She would have to give all of that up if she went with Royden. She loved her family dearly. Could she live without them? Could she turn away from everything she knew to something entirely different?
As she stared at Royden, she thought about how she felt with him. How he made her smile, how he made her laugh with the things he said, how his kisses made her sigh, and how his touch brought her ecstasy. With him, she would have a love she had been waiting for. With him, she would have adventure and magic. With him, she would have a kind of life they wrote about in fairy tales.
Annita walked around him to look at his back. Twice now, she had caught a glimpse of his tattoo, but she hadn’t really gotten to look at it. She took the opportunity because she didn’t know what to say to him.
The moment her eyes found the ink, she was awestruck. She had seen some good work before, but this was beyond anything she could describe. It wasn’t black but a combination of black and red, making the design something altogether different.
The dragon spread across the entirety of his back. It looked as if the beast were flying, his wings spread out, and his head staring directly at her. It was a straightforward design that was anything but simple. The attention to detail on every scale was mesmerizing—just as the dragon’s eyes were. It took her a moment because she was so enamored with the tat, but she realized that this dragon was a replica of Royden, right down to his eyes.
She put her hand on the dragon and felt the heat of Royden’s body. Annita closed her eyes, and for just an instant, she could’ve sworn she felt something move beneath her palm. Her eyes snapped open, but she didn’t remove her hand.
Royden’s head shifted to the side to look at her over his shoulder. “When the mortals arrived and we shifted, a tattoo appeared on each of us. We also have swords.”
She met his gaze and swallowed as she dropped her hand. Royden turned to face her. She want
ed to go with him, but something held her back, yet she couldn’t figure out what it was. All her life, she’d known that she was destined to find a dragon. But never in her wildest dreams had she believed that dragon would also be a man that she felt herself falling for. Never did she think she could have a future with him.
“It’s all right,” Royden told her. “I understand that being with me means you’ll give up a family you’re close to.”
She licked her lips. “I never thought I’d have to give up my family to be with the man I chose to give my heart to.”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Take some time. All of this has happened quickly. Think over everything. I’ll return in a week. If you’ve chosen to be with me, then meet me in the cave at noon. If you have no’, then I’ll have your answer.”
When his hand loosened on hers, she tightened her fingers, not wanting to release him. “Don’t go.”
“It willna do you any good if I remain.”
“I disagree.”
His smile was sad as he pulled her against him and gave her a long, languid kiss. When he finally ended it, he looked down at her and moved some hair from her face. “I’ll return in a week.”
This time when she tried to hold him, he pulled her hands away and kissed them. Annita remained in the shallow water as the waves rolled against her while Royden walked deeper into the sea and then dove beneath the surface. And just like that, he was gone.
Annita felt bereft. She wanted to call him, to tell him that she’d made her decision, but…she couldn’t. A tear fell down her face, and she hastily wiped it away. How could this have been the best day of her life and yet have ended so horribly? Royden was who she wanted. She didn’t care that he was immortal or a dragon. She wanted him.
His smile, his touch, his lips against hers.
She had no idea how long she stood there before the sound of a seagull startled her. Annita jumped and turned to see if anyone was around. When she realized that she was still alone, she went to her towel and wrapped it around her. Then she began the journey up to the house. She managed to get inside and to her room without encountering anyone. The second she heard voices, she diverted her route because she wasn’t in the mood to talk.
Once in her room, she took a long shower, letting the hot water slide over her. It reminded her of the hot spring and the way Royden had made love to her. He’d brought her to heights she hadn’t known were possible. The way he’d looked at her with such longing and hunger made her stomach feel as if hundreds of butterflies were inside her.
Her skin began to wrinkle when she shut off the water and got out. She wrapped her hair in a towel and put on her robe to stand before her closet. But it wasn’t clothes she saw. It was Royden. Everywhere she looked, she saw him.
Annita walked to her bed and lay down to look at the ceiling. She knew it was time for dinner, but she wouldn’t be able to eat, and her family would notice, which meant they’d ask questions. She couldn’t handle any of that tonight. She was reaching for her phone to send a text like a coward when there was a knock on her door.
“Yes?” she called out.
The door opened, and her mother walked in, concern in her brown eyes. “Everything all right?”
“I’m okay.”
“You don’t look it.”
Her mother had always had an innate ability to know when something was wrong. Annita shrugged and pulled the towel from her head. She went to drop it on the floor, but her mother took it and hung it up in the bathroom.
“I just need to be alone,” Annita said.
Selini nodded as she walked back into the bedroom. “There’s nothing wrong with that. If you need anything, we’re here for you. Take all the time you need.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She smiled and walked to the door and opened it. Then Selini paused and looked back at Annita. “Just thought I’d let you know that we all like Royden.”
“That was out of the blue.”
Her mother snorted loudly and very unladylike. “We have eyes, and we all saw the way the two of you looked at each other. That’s special. It isn’t something you should give up. Ever. It’s something you fight for with all you have.”
“He’s not from here.”
“So?” her mother asked with a shrug. “Maybe the man you choose lives here and we get to see you all the time. Maybe he lives in another country and we see you less often. It doesn’t mean we stop being family. Do you love him?”
Annita glanced at the ceiling. “People don’t fall for each other so quickly.”
“Oh, yes they do. Your father and I did. You know when you know.”
Her gaze lowered to her mother. “Would you have given up everything for Dad?”
“Yes. Is that what this is about? You giving up things here? You wouldn’t be giving up anything.”
Annita forced the best smile she could and shook her head. “I know that.”
“Do you?” her mother asked with a raised brow. “You certainly don’t sound like it. Tell me,” she said as she shut the door and walked to the bed to sit on the end of it. “Have you thought about what life with Royden would be like as his wife?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
Annita thought about that for a moment and shrugged. “It won’t be easy.”
“Nothing worth having is ever easy. His life is very different than ours, and no doubt it’ll be an adjustment. For both of you. That’s what happens with any marriage. Why don’t you tell me what the real problem is?”
Annita parted her lips, ready to tell a lie. Instead, she told the truth. “If I choose Royden, I would rarely get to see you.”
“We wouldn’t make you come here all the time. Of course, we’d travel to see you, as well. And there’s this new invention called a phone. One that can even be carried around with me all the time called a mobile phone.”
Annita rolled her eyes and chuckled at her mother’s sarcasm. “In other words, we could talk all the time.”
“Exactly.”
“There’s something else.”
“We figured out one problem. What’s the other?”
She drew in a deep breath and sat up. “He can’t have children.”
“Oh,” her mother said after a brief pause. “I know how much you’ve wanted to have your own. You could always adopt or foster children. There are ways around it.”
Annita shook her head. “I’m not sure there are.”
Selini’s keen eyes blinked as she comprehended that there were things Annita hadn’t told her. “I see. I can’t help with this part. You’ll have to come to terms with not being a mother.”
“Is it all I think it is?” Annita asked.
“Yes. And no,” her mother said with a smile. “I didn’t necessarily want children. Chara told me I’d have them, so I accepted that. You and your sister have brought us incredible joy. We’re beyond proud to have each of you in our lives. I wouldn’t change any of it. But had Chara told me that I wouldn’t have children, but would still have a long, happy life with your father, I would’ve taken that as well. Love defines a couple’s life, not children. I’ve seen marriages I believed would last forever because of shared love crumble when there were no children. Don’t let that be you. Children, if you have them, are a blessing. A joy. But whether you have them or not shouldn’t determine if your love for the man you’ve chosen wanes or not.”
Annita took her mom’s hand and smiled. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
Chapter Thirteen
The week was the slowest of Royden’s life. He tried to leave Crete, but in the end, he decided to remain. He kept away from Annita and the estate, but he walked for hours at a time. He also drove all around the island, stopping at different beaches and simply looking out at the water, remembering a different time.
He had one more day until he was to swim to the cave and await Annita. Royden wasn’t sure if she would come or not. He’d never been so nervous in his life. The d
rive around the island did little to pass the time. In fact, it only made things worse as he went out of his way not to travel past her home. Royden searched every face for hers, both grateful that he didn’t find her and angry that he couldn’t see her.
When he arrived back at the hotel, he parked the Vespa and headed inside. He paid attention to no one as he got into the elevator. It was only as the lift began its climb that he realized he wasn’t alone.
“I was beginning to wonder if you’d notice me.”
He turned his head and found himself looking into the face of Emilios. “My apologies. I was deep in thought.”
“You and Annita both. As a father, I like to help my children out with their problems, or at least point them in the right direction. Unfortunately, I’m in a unique situation where I can’t do anything. At least, with Annita. My beautiful wife filled me in on a few things.”
There was a ding as they reached Royden’s floor. He motioned with his hand for Emilios to step out, and then he followed him. They were silent as they walked to Royden’s room. Inside, Royden watched as the patriarch of the Dragoumis family moved to the windows overlooking the sea.
“In all my years of marriage, I’ve told Selini everything. Everything, that is,” he said and turned to Royden, “except about the conversation that Chara and I had regarding Annita and the prophecy.”
Royden pushed away from the door and walked toward Emilios. “Why did you keep it from her?”
“Chara told me that I had to. I didn’t ask why. It wouldn’t have done any good. Sometimes, my aunt knew the reasons. But many times, she didn’t. We learned to trust what she said.”
“And what was it Chara told you?”
Emilios scratched his forehead and put his hands in his pants’ pockets. “She warned me that Annita should only learn a portion of the prophecy. She alerted me that Annita had overheard her telling me and Selini of her prediction. Chara said that my mother should be the one to talk to Annita about it. I had no issue with that. Then she told me the rest of what she saw.” He cleared his throat. “I know what you are, Royden. I didn’t at first, but I figured it out after I saw you and Annita disappear together the night you came for dinner. I learned hours later that she had taken you to one of the storage rooms and showed you the picture of what was found on our land.”