by Tully Belle
“Ha!" She let loose a triumphant squeal. "I was right. You are concerned for the little petal.”
“Is she okay?”
“Why don’t you come down and see for yourself?” cooed Tessa. “She’s looking forward to the reunion, aren’t you traitor?”
A mumbled groan in the background. Lyson muted the conversation. “She’s hurt. I have to go.”
“No.” Mac grabbed his arm. “We'll help you, but I am not putting you or anyone else at risk. Let me talk.”
Lyson waved him toward the computer and stood back, his muscles corded and tense.
“Tessa," said Mac, like he was greeting an old friend.
“Mac." She paused, whispering something to someone. "I knew you wouldn’t be too far away. Long time, honey.” Her voice dripped with fake sincerity. “You’re losing control of your boys, Mac. They're falling for the enemy, just like their big brother did.”
“You don’t want them, you want me.”
“No honey, you didn’t want me. You could have stopped this goddamn mess if you didn’t betray me. You know I don’t like betrayers.”
There was a slice of steel against steel. Another muffled voice and cry. “That’s not what happened and you know it.”
“If you want this idiot to remain alive, you need to sacrifice yourself. Come on, Mac. Time to prove that you're the good guy.”
“None of us are coming, Tessa. Why don’t you come here yourself? We can talk it out, just you and me.”
“We both know I’m not coming up there alone. You’ll have that place locked down tighter than a bank on payday. Come here, or I’ll crush her.”
“Don’t come,” Elle’s voice cried out. A slapping sound rung out. Lyson tensed. He had to go. He had to try.
Without waiting for Mac or anyone else to stop him, Lyson left the room. He headed to his own room and rushed into the cavern. The room was large and rocky and at the end of it was the mouth to freedom. His exit out of this mountain.
Lyson tensed his muscles, feeling them bulge and expand, ripping away from bone. Arteries pushed out, tendons following. He took a run at the exit as his flesh tore away from his body. If Tessa wanted a fight then she would get one. She crossed the wrong dragon today.
He reached the edge of the cavern and jumped out as his wings expanded from his back and his skin turned to armor.
41
Elle’s face exploded with sharp pain as Tessa hit the back of her hand across her jawline. If there was one thing about her, she knew where to inflict pain where it hurt most. Elle's eyes watered. They'd begun to puff and swell from the assault.
Elle reefed against the two women holding her, twisting her whole body, but she was too weak and Sydney and Martha, the two sisters from Hamilton, held her tight. They had strength on their side, beefed up from years of eating and training. If she could grab her knife back, she would show them what she could do with it. Elle didn't blame them though, they were only following orders.
She spat blood at Tessa’s boots. Tessa smirked, standing over her, grinning like she'd already won the fight. Elle knew that this fight hadn’t begun. Lyson and his brothers would rip her heart out, and if they didn’t, then she sure would.
“He’ll come for you,” said Tessa. She rolled her eyes and began to pace, her boots clumped with dirt and grass, something she would hate. “They all do in the end. Men are weak, darling. Show them a pretty girl with a tight body and they lose their minds. They’re all the same.” She grabbed Elle’s chin, pulling her face up. “Tsk, tsk. Although you aren’t so pretty now are you?”
“Why are you doing this? We were friends.”
“Friends?” Tessa laughed. “You think friends choose men over each other. No, Elle, we couldn’t be friends because the first important mission I gave you, you failed.” She dropped Elle’s face and continued pacing. “I really thought you would be different. Truly I did. But . . .” She sighed. “Like you always say, you can’t trust anyone. If you want anything done, you have to do it yourself.” She stopped walking and frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. “You were right about that, so I guess I should be thanking you.” She shook her head in a disapproving manner. “Not that it excuses what you did to me.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Really?” Tessa arched her brow. “You didn’t fall into bed with Lyson the first chance you got? I mean, I don’t blame you for that, not really, they are a good looking trio.” She sighed. “You’re not the first piece of ass he’ll fall for though.” She grinned, leaning in closer. “Speaking of which, I heard he likes a bit of ass spanking. Maybe I should have chosen that brother instead of boring old Mac.”
Elle fumed, if she could only get free she could slap Tessa’s face. She had to get free. What could she do that would make the Hamilton sisters let her go? A flash of Mrs. Crochett from the hospital came to her. It wouldn’t be a pretty way to escape, but there weren’t many options open to her.
Elle groaned again, louder and more dramatically. “I’m going to be sick,” she said. She heaved, dry retching. “I think I’ve caught something, there was a woman at the hospital. She had . . .” Elle pretended to throw up.
“What did she have?” She could feel Martha’s grip loosening.
“I don’t know, but she was pretty awful and she was in the hospital. What if it’s contagious?” Elle rolled her head to the side, fluttering her eyes. “It’s coming from both ends,” she slurred as she went limp.
Both Sydney and Martha looked at each other and let go, cringing and wiping their hands down their clothing.
Tessa lunged forward to catch her, but Elle jumped back. As soon as she was back on her feet she ran. She ran through the pain, through the blood dripping down her face. She would have run more if it wasn’t for the noise behind her. Wings. Giant wings flapping and getting closer.
Elle turned. Lyson. He landed ten feet ahead between her and Tessa. Tessa grinned, her eyes wild with excitement.
“Get ready and aim,” commanded Tessa. A row of Princess assassins stepped forward with archery bows loaded. The tips of their arrows gleamed with gold poison. If they penetrated any part of Lyson’s vulnerabilities. If they hurt him in any way . . .
"No!" Elle ran in front of Lyson, holding her hands up. “Stop, you’ve been lied to. This is a man. He’s not just a dragon, he’s flesh and blood like you and me. You’ll be killing another human being if your arrows penetrate him.”
“Fire," screamed Tessa. There was hesitation from the women.
Lyson roared behind her, letting out a jet of flame into the air. Elle looked up at him. “You’re not helping,” she said.
“Fire, now!” ordered Tessa again.
“We might hit Elle,” one of the women said meekly.
“I don’t give a damn if you have to put a bolt through her brain. That dragon will kill you all. It’s a monster. Defend yourselves!”
She was going to lose. Then Lyson lay down, resting his head next to where Elle stood. He understood. He was doing everything he could to make himself as non threatening as possible.
Elle reached over and touched him on the head. “See, he’s not dangerous. Please don’t do this.”
“Oh, for gods sakes, give it to me.” Tessa jerked a bow off the nearest person and loaded it up. She aimed straight for Lyson’s throat. If she made the shot the poison would penetrate immediately.
Lyson stood, pushed Elle to the side and roared so loudly that the ground shook. He shielded himself as the shot fired and it bounced off his hide. Tessa reloaded and raised the bow again.
His large head swiveled, searching for Elle. As they locked eyes she could tell that he wouldn’t leave while she was still here. But if he didn’t go, Tessa would eventually make a shot that would kill him. That wasn’t going to happen. She had to get him out of here.
Even though every part of her ached, Elle took a running leap, landing on Lyson’s back. “Go.”
She grabbed on tight, her arms reaching around his strong neck as
Lyson leaped into the air. The wind rushed over her face as they climbed higher. It froze her fingers, but she didn’t dare let go. She would never let go again.
Tessa screamed below her. Elle craned her neck to look at Tessa ordering the woman to fire again. A few did, but Lyson was too high now. Tessa pulled a gun from the back of her jacket. Elle held her breath.
But Lyson zagged as if anticipating what she was about to do. Soon, they were around the other side of the mountain, away from Tessa and the rest of them.
The threat still remained though. This was going to drive Tessa to new levels of insanity. She wouldn’t rest until they were all brought down. And now she was here, close to where Dragonspark HQ was. It didn’t look good.
Lyson landed on a rocky ledge and advanced inside a cave. He galloped inside on foot. She slipped off his back when she saw a door. His brothers, Mac and Ash were standing there, waiting for him.
“I’m sorry,” she said. It was all she could think to say.
“This is not your fault,” said Ash.
Caran came rushing toward them, a bucket of water sloshing on the ground. She placed the bucket in front of Lyson who drank it all in one gulp.
“I’ve strengthened the dose,” she said. “It should happen quicker, but we need to be careful about the transition.”
Elle watched in fear as Lyson began to scream, his head lolling from side to side, his skin rippling and bulging. Then he quieted, one last look around before his eyelids drooped and he fell to the floor.
“I added a sedative this time,” said Caran.
“How long will it take?” asked Elle.
“Last time it took ten hours, but I’ve tripled the strength. It won't mean he’ll be back in a third of the time, but I’m hoping. It’s still all trial and error at this stage.”
Ash placed his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll watch him first.”
“I should stay too, keep an eye on his vitals.”
“He’ll be okay?” asked Elle.
“He will be fine. You look like you could do with some help though?”
Elle shrugged. “I’ve had worse.”
“Still, I want to check some of that bruising on your face.”
“I’ll stay with Ash,” said Mac. “Until you’re back.”
“Mac,” said Elle. “I need to tell you something.”
“Can it wait?”
“It can’t.”
Mac looked at her with loathing. He hated who she was because of what she represented. She didn't blame him. “What is it?” he snapped.
“It’s about Tessa.”
“What?”
“She was telling the truth.”
“What are you talking about?” They were all staring at her. Mac looked furious that she dared say anything at all.
“You thought she lied about being pregnant, but she didn’t. She was pregnant.”
Mac shook his head. “It was another one of her lies. You shouldn’t believe that.”
“It’s true. You have a son.”
Mac stopped. “What did you just say?”
“Tessa has a child. It’s yours. He lives at Princess with us.” She quieted her voice. “He’s the only male allowed there.”
“She’s lying,” said Caran. “I’ve never seen a child at Princess.”
“I’m not lying,” said Elle. “She keeps him hidden. Only a few have met him. He’s four. His name is Blaze.”
“Blaze? She has a son named Blaze?” Mac wavered on the spot.
“You both have a son named Blaze. He's real Mac, I swear."
Mac faltered, swaying on the spot. Ash moved to steady him. “My son? Is he, is he like us? Can he shift?”
“No.” Elle shook her head.
“You don’t know that,” said Ash. “We didn’t shift until we were eighteen.”
“I have a son.” mumbled Mac.
Elle nodded. “It's true. I’m sorry she never told you.”
“I didn't believe her,” said Mac. He sounded lost, unsure of everything.
“Come on,” said Caran, pulling on Elle’s arm. “Let him process this while I get you cleaned up.”
Elle nodded and took a deep breath. Her gaze settled on the great sleeping creature behind Mac and Ash. Lyson. She sacrificed a lot to be here and let Mac know. Now she hoped it hadn’t all been in vain.
She would find out soon enough.
42
Lyson felt her soft body against his, her warm breath on his arm that was holding her tight. He opened his eyes and she was there. He hadn't been dreaming.
“What time is it?” he whispered into her hair.
“Nine,” she replied.
That meant the transition had taken less than four hours this time. He took a deep breath as he scanned his body. Everything was in place and he felt normal. Except for the hardening of his cock as she wriggled closer.
“Hmph Hmm,” Caran coughed. He hadn’t realized anyone else was in the room. He turned. “How are you feeling?”
Lyson clutched the sheet to his chest and propped himself up on an elbow. “Better than ever,” he grinned.
“I’ll let Mac know you’re awake,” said Caran.
“Take your time,” said Lyson.
Caran turned, her brow arched. “Time is something we don’t have.”
Lyson sighed. She was right. Tessa was still at the base of the mountain, planning her next move. They wouldn’t be safe staying here for much longer. Not until the threat had been eliminated.
“Still, give me a minute,” he said.
She cocked her head to the side and rolled her eyes. “Fine. You’ve got five minutes.”
Five minutes wouldn’t be enough time, but he’d take it. He rolled back to Elle. “Hey there,” he said.
She turned trying to hide her face. She didn’t need to, she looked beautiful even with a bit of bruising. “I need to ask you something and I need the truth.”
“Yes?”
“Was it all a play, the way we were together? It felt real to me, but was it?”
His heart broke at how vulnerable she was right now. He knew it would have been hard for her to come back and ask him that question. She reacted first and rarely took a chance. She'd taken a big risk to gamble that this was real.
“Elle, everything I said, everything I feel.” He leaned and kissed her forehead. “It was real. I’m falling for you, hard, fast, deep. And it’s not just that I want to have your body, I want more. I want to be with you.” He kissed down the side of her face, reaching her lips.
“You heard the doctor, five minutes.” She rolled her head to the side exposing her neck. “There’s no time for cuffs either,” she giggled as his fingers tickled down her side.
“There’s always time,” he groaned as she snaked her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer to her flesh. His hand reached below, caressing the spot he knew she wanted. He had five minutes to get her off. He accepted that challenge.
She closed her eyes as he gently rolled his thumb around her clit. She clung to his shoulders. "We should wait."
He kissed and grazed his teeth against her earlobe. "I need to show you how much you mean to me."
"With sex?" She moaned as he slid a finger inside her. "I need more than that."
"I have more to give," he murmured into her ear. "Plenty more." He moved his hand faster, enjoying watching her breathing increase. "But this will do for now."
"I want a relationship," she said. She stared at him, expecting him to pull away and reject her.
He grinned and kissed her hard, increasing the pace of his fingers. He wasn’t about to give up. "We're already in one."
She closed her eyes again. "I have a boyfriend?" She moaned as he grabbed her hips, pulling her closer.
"Mm hmm." His kissed her, his tongue parted her lips to hush her. Elle arched her back in response, pushing herself closer to him as her body heightened with pleasure.
"I'm . . ." Her eyes flicked open and she gripped his shoulders. She came wi
th full intensity.
"Satisfied?" he asked cheekily.
She blushed. "Yes. Everything is satisfactory, dragon boy.”
He kissed her again, just as his brothers burst into the room.
43
Lyson and his brothers went outside to talk. After he left, Elle hugged the bed sheet to herself. She hadn't thought it was possible but she was happy. She wasn't going to be alone. Yet, the idea of being part of a couple also terrified her.
She got out of bed and tested the door. It was unlocked. She wasn't trapped in here. She was free. Free to be with him. She walked over the window and opened it. The view reached to a river beyond. She wasn't being held against her will. She took a steady breath.
It was a panic attack, a remnant of her having gone so long without trusting anyone. And she did trust him and did want to be with him. She knew it would pass with time as being with him became normal.
When she heard him returning she got back in bed. Lyson smiled and leaped back onto the mattress.
“How are you holding up?” He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close, kissing her long and deep.
“I’m good. Really, really good.”
“Are you?” He pulled back, studying her face with such intensity that she blushed. No one had paid this much attention to her for a long time, perhaps ever. “A lot has happened.”
She took a deep breath and leaned against his chest, listening to his heart beat. It was strong and powerful and calming. “I admit that it’s a lot to take in, but it’s what I want. You’re what I want. I'm happy.”
“Good,” he said matter of factly. “Mac told me about his son. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“Because I didn’t . . .”
“Trust me yet. And now you trust me? We are the enemy after all. All dragons must die.” He raised a brow, but his grin remained.
She knew he was teasing her but knowing that she'd actually believed that at one time stung like a knife in her stomach. “We’ve all been fed Tessa’s bullshit. She’s good at it. I’m so sorry.”
“I’ve got a nephew. Wow.” Lyson leaned back against the bedhead. “That’s huge.”