by Lia Davis
Markus’s heart stuttered behind his ribs and his dragon snarled at her admission. “It won’t be loveless.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m not sure if I know what love is or if I’m capable of it. I know I want to keep you safe. You’re all I think about and I can’t imagine ever letting you go. Is that love?”
She stared at him far too long for his patience. When he reached the point where he wanted to grab her by the shoulders and make her speak, she let out a soft sigh. “I think so.”
“Do you feel the same way?”
“Yes, but I don’t know anything about you. Your likes, dislikes.”
Her words cut off when he cupped her face and pressed his lips to hers in a soft, quick kiss. “We have eternity to learn them about each other. You are my mate and I’m sure the Fates aren’t wrong about these things.”
Drawing back slightly, she studied him for several moments before she smiled and pressed her forehead to his. “How long will I need to train before going with Ash?”
“I never agreed to that plan.”
A soft laugh drifted from her lips. “You were thinking about it. Look, I know the dangers. Hell, the whole idea scared the shit out of me, but I can’t just not do it. I have the chance to strike back and I need to.”
He pushed away the dread and the primal need to lock her up until Garrick was dealt with. “With Aphrodite’s help, I can have you ready in three days.”
“Then let’s get started with unlocking my powers.”
“It’s not going to be easy. I’ll push you to your breaking point to prepare you. Garrick is a mean-ass bastard.”
“Whatever it takes.”
With a sighed, he stood and lifted her up in his arms. “I’ll agree to this on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“That you become my bonded mate on the third night, then on the fourth we go in.”
She thought about it for a brief moment, then nodded. “Deal.”
Chapter Twenty
Gwen’s heart thumped so hard in her chest she thought the thing would leap out. Everything was happening so fast, yet it all felt so right. If she was truly going insane, she’d go out of her mind with a bang.
Their gazes locked as Markus laid her down on his bed. “So how does this work?”
His sensual mouth twitched. “I have no clue.”
Lowering his head, he captured her lower lip between his teeth and gave a gentle tug. A groan escaped as tingles of desire danced over her skin. Gods, she never knew a simple bite on the lip could make her beg for more, but one from Markus did.
She wrapped her legs around his hips and pulled him closer, needing to feel him close. When he broke the kiss and drew back, she held the dragon-like gaze and smiled. For the first time since meeting him, she didn’t have the urge to run or pull away. Now she knew the dragon, had ridden on his back over the ocean, and touched his scales and wings.
That dragon belonged to her. Somehow she knew it in the depths of her soul. The dragon was her protector, and the man was her lover and friend. The sudden realization of what Aphrodite had tried to tell her earlier that day slammed into her. Her heart bloomed with acceptance and something much deeper.
Love.
“Gwen?”
Stunned, she focused on Markus and frowned. His brows were drawn together and his forehead crinkled as if concerned about something. Cupping his face in her hands, she tugged his head down and kissed him. Pulling away, she stared into his midnight blue gaze. “I’m fine. Promise. Everything’s going to okay.”
One dark brow rose and he asked, “Did you have a vision?”
It was a logical for him to think she did, since her father had visions. “No. It was more of a knowing. I’m falling in love with you.”
His eyes went round and the color brightened slightly. “Really? Then you feel the connection, the urge to mate?”
She wasn’t sure if she’d describe it like that, but it was pretty close. “I think so.”
A sensual smile formed and damn if it didn’t make her skin heat up and pussy pulse with need. “Careful what you say. To complete the mating bond, all you have to do is fully accept me as your mate while tasting my blood.”
She returned his smile. “Then let’s do it.”
“Are you sure?”
Nodding, she raised her head and nipped at his bottom lip. “I’m sure.”
He growled and slipped his hand under her shirt and cupped her breast through her bra. In slow circular motions, she moved her hips against him, drawing a groan from both of them.
Gently, Markus reached back, grabbed her ankle, and loosened her hold on him and rose up on his knees. He unfastened her jeans, then slid them along with her panties down her legs. After removing her pants, he took her hand and pulled her to sit up. With one swift movement, he pulled her shirt over her head.
Laying back against the mattress in nothing but her black lace bra, she watched the man who heated her from the inside out. Holding her gaze, Markus lowered his head to her core and she held her breath. He stopped inches from her clit and she whimpered.
She would not beg, damn it.
A wicked smiled formed on his lips right before he closed the distance and covered her with his mouth. His tongue circled her clit and she cried out. Fisting the sheets she rode the hot, wild wave of the orgasm as it crashed over her.
Markus kissed his way up her body, stopping to remove her bra, and dipped his head and tease a nipple with his tongue. Pinpricks raced along each nerve ending, almost making her come again.
With feather-like touches, he slid his fingers down her side to her stomach. A shiver of anticipation went through her and her sex grew wetter the closer his fingers got. Finally, he dipped a finger inside her, making her gasp as a wave of pleasure crashed over her, pulling her under.
****
Markus rose above Gwen and gazed into her sky blue eyes. Desire he’d never known slammed into him, consuming and primal. He’d never known love before, but he was sure that was what he felt for this female. His chest ached and his dragon paced anxiously when she wasn’t near. When she said she was falling in love with him, he almost ripped her clothes and claimed her right then.
No, he’d have to take it slow. Gwen was worth more than a hard fuck. At least for the mating ritual. Besides, he had a lifetime to take her hard and fast, and any other way he could.
“You’re mine, always.”
She gave a nod, her eyes turning a deeper shade of blue. “Always.”
Dipping his head, he captured her lips and thrust his tongue inside her mouth. Opening for him, she met his tongue with her own. Her fingers threaded through his hair and pulled, making him groan. His cock pressed painfully into the zipper of his jeans.
Breaking the kiss, he stood and removed his clothes. Meeting Gwen’s hunger-filled gaze, he felt something inside opened up. It was like a new understanding, or knowing filled his mind and senses. He could understand how a dragon could go insane if he lost his mate, because Markus felt a primal need to protect her.
Dread entered his thoughts, because he didn’t want her to go forward with the crazy plan just to gain information about Garrick.
Gwen frowned as if she knew where his thoughts had gone and reached out for him and he went to her, lying down on his side next to her. “I can’t lose you.”
She cupped his face. “You won’t.”
“Why are we doing this again?”
“Set up a trap for Gary.”
A laugh burst from his lips as she lifted her brows and crinkled her nose as she spoke the words. Plus the sound of Garrick’s nickname on her lips made him laugh. “What if that doesn’t work? Then I’ll take whatever I can so we can better track him and try again later. We can’t allow him to think we are weak. He needs to be stopped.”
His lips twitched, pride blooming within his chest. She spoke like a warrior and with such drive and passion for her mission. It washed away some of his wor
ry. This could work if they worked as a team, had a plan, and taught Gwen all she needed to know to come back to him alive.
Markus pressed his lips to hers and said against her mouth, “You are incredible.”
Before she could reply, he bit her bottom lip, making her moan. When he rose and released a claw on his right hand to cut a small gash in his neck, Gwen gasped and grabbed his wrist. “What are you doing?”
“”I’m going to cut my throat so you can take my blood as I take your body.”
Her skin flushed and eyes darkened. She released him, but didn’t speak as he broke the skin just enough that a small bead of blood formed.
Her gaze flicked to the cut, then to his eyes. As if the thought of tasting blood wasn’t very appealing, she crinkled her nose. For him, it was a part of being a dragon. His beast craved it from time to time and he had to hunt down animals from the surrounding mountain areas.
“Just focus on me and not the taste.”
She took a breath and nodded. “I trust you.”
“I want you as my mate from this day forward. Do you accept me as your eternal mate?”
Her blue eyes sparked, first with confusion, then with desire and acceptance. “Yes. I accept you and your dragon as mine for as long as I live.”
Lifting her head, she pressed a kiss to his lips, then his jaw and continued until her mouth closed over the cut. Her gentle pulls on his skin sent a jolt of desire straight to his cock.
Sucking in a breath, he gripped his dick and guided himself to Gwen’s entrance. She let out a little moan of encouragement and scored his back with her nails. Fuck. The stabs of pain turned to pleasure as she gently bit down on his throat. Abandoning the thought of taking it slow, he thrust deep inside her.
Gwen released his neck on a scream of pleasure, her nails gripping his back. When he picked up his rhythm, she screamed again as another orgasm rocked through her. His own tore through him, hard.
Withdrawing from her, he fell to his side next to her and squeezed her closer to him and kissed her forehead. “Do you feel different?”
A soft laugh escaped her and she wrapped her arms around him. “I feel wonderful, like jelly, but wonderful.”
Laughing he poked her gently in the ribs, making her squeak and jerk away. “I meant your powers.”
She shook her head and he could sense her worry through the mating bond. “No. It didn’t work.”
“Maybe it takes time.”
“Maybe you just wore me out too much to notice,” she said sleepily, then yawned.
“Go to sleep. We’ll figure out everything in the morning,” he whispered. The thought of finding Ashlynn and demanding she tell him what he did wrong came to mind. Looking down at Gwen sleeping peacefully changed his mind. He’d just have to deal with the redheaded female in the morning.
Tonight he was going to sleep beside his mate.
Chapter Twenty-One
Gwen woke stiff and sore in all the right places. Smiling, she drew in a deep breath and stretched. A dull ache in her muscles was just a reminder of the wonderful lover Markus was. Flinging her arm to the other side of the mattress, she frowned.
Sitting up, she scanned the room. He wasn’t there. The bathroom door was open and the light off, so the idea of sneaking into the shower with him was out. Damn.
She flung back the sheet and blanket and shivered. The fire had gone out, leaving the room cooler than she remembered when she fell asleep. Then again they hadn’t needed the fireplace lit last night, had they?
The smile returned and she eased off the bed and paced to the walk-in closet to dress. Once dressed, she went to the bedroom door and froze. Something was…different.
Annoyed, she marched into the bathroom and flipped on the light. When she faced the mirror, she gasped and placed her hands over her mouth. “Fuck. Oh gods.”
A light knock on the door told her it was Elle and she rushed to open it and pull her sister inside the room before anyone else walked by.
Elle’s eyes grew round, then she started laughing.
“Elle! It’s not funny. I’m glowing.”
“I can see that, but why?”
Gwen shook her head and ran back into the bathroom. “I don’t know. Last night after Markus and I…” Her gaze darted to Elle when she leaned against the doorframe, “…anyway, after I took his blood. The mating bond snapped in place, but my magic didn’t. I wake up and I’m glowing!”
Elle sighed. “I don’t think it’s anything to freak over. You’re not really that bright.”
“You’re not funny.”
“Call your grandmother.”
Yes, she could call Aphrodite. Why hadn’t Gwen thought of that? Oh yes, she was busy freaking out over her skin. “Aphrodite, I need your assistance.”
She hoped that was the correct way to summon the goddess. It wasn’t like she’d ever done it before, plus no one had ever told her how. Markus just yelled his father’s name, but somehow Gwen knew that wasn’t the proper way to call the gods.
A cloud of white and silver smoke formed next to her, then vanished, leaving Aphrodite in its place. As soon as the goddess saw her, she smiled, wide. “I see he figured out how to unlock your powers.”
Gwen held her arms out to her side. “They’re not unlocked. My skin is glowing. What did that dragon do to me?”
Aphrodite laughed, grabbed her hand, and tugged her to the door. “Let’s go find that dragon and get you outside.”
Gwen’s stomach churned and her heart started to beat so fast she could feel it in her throat. “Why? What’s wrong?”
The goddess stopped and faced her. “Nothing’s wrong, dear. You just have a lot of built up energy that needs to be dealt with.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’ll explain. But I only want to do it once.”
Gwen nodded and allowed her grandmother to pull her down the stairs and into living room. Gwen could hear the soft sounds of a piano. Curious, she followed Aphrodite to the baby grand on the other side of the bar.
Aphrodite stopped and motioned for her and Elle to do the same. “I love to listen to him play.”
Soothing, classical music filled the room, soft and beautiful. Markus’s long fingers gliding over the keys like he was born to play. “I didn’t know he played.”
“Markus is not used to sharing such things.” The goddess turned to look at her. “You must be patient with him about that characteristic.”
Gwen nodded and continued to watch. Suddenly, he slammed down the cover over the keys and stood. Moving too fast for her to track, he was in front of her in less than a second, touching her arms, her face, and started to lift her shirt.
“Hey. Stop.”
He met her gaze, a frown forming and making his forehead wrinkle. “What the hell happened?”
Aphrodite waved off his harsh tone. “The mating is what happened. She needs to release some of this power soon.”
Markus scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the back doors, ignoring her protests. Gwen glanced to Elle and scowled. Her best friend tried to keep from falling on the floor in laughter.
Gwen was not amused. She was scared.
Markus set her down in middle of the backyard and cupped her face so she’d look at him. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“I don’t feel different. Shouldn’t I feel…something?”
They looked at Aphrodite. The goddess rolled her eyes. “I don’t know. Okay. Gwen, do you feel anything that wasn’t there yesterday?”
Gwen thought about it. “Markus. I feel him and the bond and his dragon.”
Aphrodite nodded. “Of course. It’s Markus.”
Gwen scuffed at the goddess’s “simple” answer. “What is Markus? Please, Grandma, just tell me.”
The goddess blinked, then her eyes watered. Shit, what had Gwen said to upset her? She was about to apologize when Aphrodite pulled her into a tight hug. “I’ve waited for so long to be able to hear you call me that.”
Gwen relaxed in her arms. “I’m sorry for blaming you.”
Aphrodite pulled back and wiped under her eyes. “Don’t be, dear. Okay. You are glowing because your body and mind don’t know what to do with the excess power running through you. It’s not able to get through the mating bond with Markus or exit another way, so it just builds and you start to glow.”
Gwen stared, not really knowing what else to do. “Make it stop.”
Aphrodite turned around as if searching for something or someone. Then she dropped her shoulders and walked back to the back door. Gwen looked at the doorway and saw Elle standing in the shaded area of the porch. When the goddess approached Elle, she conjured a white cloak and handed it to Elle.
Smiling, Elle put it on. The garment covered her whole body. The two of them came back over to Gwen and Markus and Elle said, “This is great. Can I keep it?”
Aphrodite nodded. “Of course.” Turning back to Gwen, she said, “Now I want you to stand with your feet slightly apart and your arms straight out to your sides, palms down. Everyone else move back a few steps.”
Gwen did as she was instructed. Her skin warmed, almost like she was running a fever. Then a burst of energy shot through her, making her feel jittery. It was like the time she drank a pot of coffee during finals in college, only worse. She didn’t know how much longer she’d be able to stand there.
Aphrodite stepped into her line of sight. “Gwen, look at me and breathe.”
Gwen met her gaze. “I feel like I need to go for a run.”
“It’s the built up power. Okay, focus inward and find the source of your powers. You’ll know when you find it. It’ll be a white, bright ball of energy. It usually gathers in your chest area.”
Gwen nodded and closed her eyes. Using what she’d learned from years of yoga, she entered a meditative state and searched for the inner light. It didn’t take her long to find the source of her “inner glow.”
“Found it,” she said.