by Ginna Moran
“I will never be without you by my own freewill, Delphia,” he whispers through his panting breath. “You’re my infuriating, fierce, sexy, and most spectacular mate in the universe. I know we don’t always agree on things. I know I act like an asshole sometimes, but I just can’t help myself. You push my buttons unlike anyone else, and I love you for it. I love that you test my strength and my desire. I want to always do right by you.”
I smile and hug him with my whole body, loving this tender moment with the man that pisses me off half the time. “Who are you and what have you done with my sexy, broody, demanding asshole?” I tease, kissing his throat.
He growls and pinches my ass cheeks. “Don’t make me spank you until you admit you feel the same, cookie. I can already feel it through our bond. You love me and want to have my children. You know we will bear a powerful future by expanding and blending our clan.”
I laugh and look him in the eyes, his face utterly serious as he returns to the cocky bastard he is. “You’re partially right. I do love you, but as for your babies? No. Not happening.”
“Now you’re lying.” He narrows his eyes. “Which makes me want to punish you until you admit the truth in your soul.”
I stick out my tongue. “You can—”
Ambrose materializes outside the shower, his eyes automatically devouring the sight of me in Maddox’s arms. Releasing a growl, Maddox grabs a towel, annoyance rushing through him at the interruption. Ambrose swivels and turns his back on us as Maddox carries me out of the shower and wraps the towel around me.
“We’re supposed to have an hour,” Maddox says, vigorously drying me off inch by inch, examining my body as he does. “It’s only been fifty minutes. There is still a lot I want to do for Delphia in the remaining ten.”
I grab Maddox’s shoulders and turn him to me. “It’s okay. We’ll have time later...” Flicking my attention to Ambrose, I add, “Right? You’re getting me out?”
Slowly nodding his head, Ambrose turns to meet my gaze. “I have to warn you. There is a stipulation. I don’t want you to freak out from any surprises.”
Ah, hell. Of course it can’t be easy.
“Because you’re still considered a threat, the High Council is only allowing you to be transferred temporarily and under strict house arrest with an assigned CO of their choosing.” Ambrose lowers his voice with his words like I might explode if he says them any louder.
I grimace. “I don’t understand. Why only temporary?”
“They’re releasing you for the upcoming mating season. Theo managed to pull some strings with a few members of the High Council. Because of Baker’s confession about him working with Rhett against Magaelorum, the supreme judge ruled you as a willing accomplice.”
“But—”
Maddox grabs my chin, getting me to look at him. “Take a breath. There is no point in arguing with Ambrose for being the messenger. All we need is extra time to turn things in our favor. Trust me when I say you will never, and I mean never, return to Max.”
I puff a small breath between my lips and nod my head. “I do trust you.” I reach out and grab Ambrose’s hand. “All of you.”
“Good. Now listen to me. You need to act like an obedient mate. Don’t talk to anyone and keep your head bowed. Act shy and nervous in front of the Darkonians, and don’t let on that you’ve already bonded with Theo. It’s important.” Maddox turns me toward Ambrose. “If anything happens to her in your care, I’ll eat you alive, warlock. My brother might be warming up to you, but I still need you to prove yourself. This is your chance.”
Waving his hand, Ambrose magically dresses me in an emerald green gown that sparkles with glittering stones woven through the lace. I blink a few times in surprise, wondering why the fuck am I wearing this.
Ambrose smirks and takes me by the hand before grabbing Maddox’s arm. The world disappears in a burst of light, and my legs wobble as I try to orient myself. A firm hand locks onto my arm and tugs me away from Ambrose. The CO snaps chains around my wrists, startling me. It takes everything in me not to react. Maddox is no longer with us, but Tiernan and Theo fill his now empty space.
“Breathtaking, isn’t she, brother?” Tiernan says, reaching up to touch my cheek. I step away, confused and thrown off, my mind taking a couple seconds to catch up with what’s happening.
“She will do.” Theo cocks his head and gives me a once over.
I frown at his words. Fucker.
Opening my mouth, I start to ask what the hell is going on, but the CO slaps a muter over my lips, not allowing me to speak. Fire ignites in both Theo and Tiernan’s eyes, their anger hot enough to feel sizzling from their skin.
“Misters Darkonian, please give me the Litendrake contract for approval. I know this all must be frustrating on your part, and I’d like to ensure you get what belongs to you despite everything.” High Council Woman Laveau’s voice snaps my attention to her. “I will perform the union ceremony myself to hopefully ease any tension, fight, or disobedience from the Drakovich heir.”
Oh my fuck. Fury explodes through me. I know I’m not supposed to fight but this is sick. The High Council plans to bind me to men who are supposed to be strangers. She granted them this to procreate. What the actual fuck? I might be a dragon, but I’m not an animal. I hate to think how often this happens, and it has to be stopped.
“That sounds perfect. Thank you, High Council Woman Laveau.” Theo motions to Ambrose. “Please show her the contact.”
Rubbing his hands together, Ambrose summons a scroll within a bejeweled cylinder. He offers me a whisper of a smile and strolls toward the Darkonians. High Council Woman Laveau extends her hand, taking the contract from him.
Nerves twist my stomach. This is finally it. The Darkonians will stake their claim on me and get me out of this hellhole. We’ll figure out how to prove my innocence with the Drekis by our side—and then...I swear I’ll change things. I cannot stand the thought of other people facing the same fate I do.
The guard pushes me forward, and Theo and Tiernan both reach for my arms. I can’t take my eyes away from the cylinder as High Council Woman Laveau twists open the glittering cap and tugs out a scroll of yellowed paper.
It bursts into flames, shocking High Council Woman Laveau.
Dropping the container, High Council Woman Laveau shakes out her fingers and watches the paper turn to ash on the floor. My heart beats wildly, and the Darkonians glance at each other before turning to Ambrose.
Shit.
Theo closes his eyes and scrubs his hand over his face. “We’ve been set up. Someone must’ve tampered with our contract.”
“No, it seems you’ve breached your end of the deal, Misters Darkonian, nulling your union. Without the contract, you have no claim on the Drakovich heir,” High Council Woman Laveau says, tightening her mouth. “I’m sorry. I cannot release her into your care, and honestly, it might be for the best.”
Panic steals my breath. “No!” I scream, my voice muffled by the muter. “No. No. No.”
Yanking away from Theo and Tiernan, I spin and rush toward Ambrose. He’s the only one who can get me out of here.
“Seize her!” High Council Woman Laveau shouts.
Spinning on the ball of my bare foot, I sweep kick the CO, knocking his feet out from under him. He latches his fingers onto the hem of my gown, catching me, and drags me toward him. I expect Ambrose to intervene. I expect Theo and Tiernan to ignite the room ablaze.
But they don’t move.
They don’t stop the CO from shoving his hands between my shoulder blades and forcing me into submission.
Angry tears burn my eyes. “I thought you were my mates,” I yell, trying to scream the words.
“Timbus steab won!” High Council Woman Laveau shouts, shooting cracking power at me.
My muscles tense and freeze, trapping me in place. Everyone’s emotions run hot and wild, but nothing compares to the hurricane of fear and hopelessness swelling through me. I can’t go back to the Maxi
mum Magical Penitentiary. I don’t think I’ll survive if I do. If the Darkonians can’t get me out of this mess, I’m afraid I won’t have a choice. I might have to call upon Lazlo after all. Because I can’t do this. I hate that he might’ve been right all along about the High Council. If they do this to me, I will burn this world down. I will not be their prisoner.
My dragon won’t be caged.
Heat swells in my middle, my body reacting to the threat High Council Woman Laveau poses. I gather strength from my mates and prepare to do what I have to. I’m not going back. I won’t. I’ll accept High Council Woman Laveau’s ashes on my hands. I’ll—
A bright flash of lavender light erupts through the air. I tense at the sight of McKenzie and a strange, hulking man stepping in my line of fire, blocking High Council Woman Laveau from my attack.
Curling her fingers, McKenzie chants a spell, engulfing me in a cage zinging with her purple magic. Theo and Tiernan glower, looking ready to set her ablaze.
The man clears his throat. “Hello, High Council Woman Laveau. It’s nice to see you again.”
“Mr. Litendrake, what a pleasure to see you.” Her gaze flicks to McKenzie, but she doesn’t acknowledge the witch. “I’m assuming you’re here for you heir?”
He nods. “I was quite surprised to discover these terrible circumstances, but I’d like to offer you my service to take Delphia off your hands. As you know, I’m entitled to take her as restitution for the turmoil the Drakovich Clan put my clan through.”
High Council Woman Laveau nods. “Yes, but—”
“I will take her. Today. Do you understand?” the man says, fire lighting in his eyes.
High Council Woman Laveau once again nods. “There will be stipulations. She’s a convicted criminal.”
He waves his hand. “We’ll work it out later. But for now, we’ll be on our way.”
“Wait, Franco. We can work this out,” Tiernan says, blocking his way.
Twisting on his feet, Franco ignores Tiernan and motions for McKenzie to follow him as he strides to where I’m caged in her magic. Tilting his head, he drinks in my features. His serious eyes sharpen a second before he smiles. He sticks his hand through the magical currents, not even flinching as they crackle and pop.
“You may arrange a meeting later,” McKenzie says, smirking. “I’m sure you might have something we want.”
Franco pulls me toward him and meets my gaze. “You are your mother’s daughter, aren’t you, Delphia?” he asks, pinching my wrist hard enough to make me wince. “Perhaps we can break you from following her dreaded path. Now hold on tight. I’m taking you home.”
Epilogue
Palace Prison
A SHADOW FLITS ACROSS MY floor, blocking out the glow of the pale moonlight illuminating my bedroom. The Litendrake palace might not be built of bars and magic, but it isn’t any less of a prison than the Maximum Magical Penitentiary.
A chain clamps around my ankle, ensuring I don’t escape. Only one person—an ever-silent, old woman—is allowed to enter my quarters to bring me food, but I’ve left the last three plates untouched. I plan to leave a dozen more until Franco comes to face me. These last two days have felt like eternity without seeing or speaking to my mates, and I’m afraid there will be many more ahead of me.
“Nova, come here,” a soft voice whispers. A gust of wind blows my wild hair, engulfing me in a smoky, toasted marshmallow scent. “Please, I can’t go in.”
Tiernan’s voice trickles to me from the balcony, and I drag the heavy chain across the floor. I can step three feet outside to watch the world pass me by, but I haven’t cared to look until now. My nightie sways around my thighs. Tiernan transforms from his magnificent beast and to the tall, ruggedly handsome man I’ve been trying to push from my mind.
“Where are the Drekis?” I ask, stopping short of stepping onto the cold stone of the terrace. “I need to see them.”
His brows lower on his forehead with my words. “Ambrose is working on a spell as we speak to break through the magical shields undetected. He’ll bring them when it’s finished.”
“Okay, thanks,” I say, turning on my feet, my heart hanging heavy in my chest. I can’t stop replaying the moment High Council Woman Laveau announced she was sending me back to Max and how he, Theo, and Ambrose stood there without putting up a fight.
“Nova, wait. Please. Don’t leave.” Tiernan stops short of the doorway and holds himself back by bracing on the wall.
I close my eyes shut, refusing to look at him as I face him. “I thought you wanted to be my mate, Tiernan. I thought you liked me and wanted to try to build something together, even without the mate bond.”
“I do,” he says, his voice rising in desperation. “Why would you think otherwise?”
I snap my eyes open, my anger getting the best of me. How can he not see his mistake? Locking my fingers to the chain, I hoist it with me, striding toward him. I jab my finger into his chest and glower. “Because you wouldn’t have stood there and done nothing when they were trying to take me from you. The Drekis would burn the world for me. They—”
Snatching my hand, Tiernan yanks me to him and restrains me against his bare chest. “They live recklessly! The Drekis have nothing but you to lose. I have everything that can help build a future fit for you as my princess at stake.”
Fire lights his eyes, dancing down a bulging vein in his neck. His tattoos move with his flexing muscles, his rough hold forcing me flush against him. My closeness sets off his desire, and his body awakens against me.
I grab his hard girth and squeeze, clenching my teeth. “I don’t need a lavish life. Now let me go or you’ll need ice for days.”
“Do it, Nova. Punish me like you want to. Yell at me. Scream and hit me. Get out your anger so you can see that you might not need everything I have to offer, but you damn well fucking deserve it.” He growls and leans closer, the scent of his sweet breath drawing me closer.
“I think only that will make you feel better.” I let go of him and shove my hand to his chest, pushing him away. Shuffling back, I put space between us, returning to my room. “Now, don’t come back without the Drekis, Tiernan. I’m not your princess. I’m not you—”
A bolt of lightning strikes Tiernan on the balcony, shooting him off his feet. He hollers and goes over the edge, flailing his arms and legs in surprise. I gasp and rush toward the terrace, but a low chanting voice sounds from behind me. I whip my head and look, catching sight of a woman in a flowing dress. Magic dances across her palms, and lavender light sparkles in her blue irises.
“You have a debt to pay, Delphia,” the woman says, sauntering closer.
I try to run toward the balcony, but she uses her magic and yanks my chain. My back hits the floor, knocking the breath from my lungs. I can’t move or fight or scream, staring at the sizzling magic dancing on invisible currents through the air.
“Hold her still. We must be quick,” McKenzie says, materializes above me. I hadn’t heard or seen her coming.
“Please,” I whisper, forcing air through my lips.
“You have a debt, daughter of Delilah,” the other witch repeats, unsheathing an athame.
McKenzie rips the front of my nightgown open and presses her hands to my chest, pinning me down.
“Please, I’ll do anything. What do you want?” I try to move, but my body remains frozen.
“You have a debt to pay,” the other witch repeats again, a strange glassy look flickering across her eyes.
McKenzie smiles down at me. “There’s only one thing I want, Delphia. Only one thing worth the price I’ve had to pay.”
“Please, there must be something else.” Tears burn my eyes as she glides the dagger between my breasts.
She shakes her head. “No, I’m sorry. Only a dragon’s heart will do.”
To be continued...
Thank you so much for reading Freed by Her Dragons! Check out the heart pounding conclusion, Saved by Her Dragons.
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Other Reverse Harem Novels by Ginna Moran
THE VAMPIRE HEIRS WORLD
La Vega Vampire Showstoppers
Vampire Nights
The Divine Vampire Heirs
Blood Match
Blood Rebel
Blood Debt
Blood Feud
Blood Loss
Blood Vows
The Royale Vampire Heirs Series:
Rebel Vampires
Rebel Dhampir
Rebel Match
Rebel Heir
Rebel Fight
Academy of Vampire Heirs Series:
Dhampirs 101
Blood Sources 102
Coven Bonds 103
Personal Donors 104
Blood Wars 105
SERIES IN THE MATES OF MAGAELORUM WORLD
The Pack Mates of Lunar Crest:
The She-Wolf Games
The Wolf-Mate Trials
The Omega Hunt
The Witch Chase
Fated Mate of the Dragon Clans
Caged by Her Dragons
Freed by Her Dragons
Saved by Her Dragons
SEVEN SINNERS WORLD
The Seven Sinners of Hell’s Kingdom:
Her Personal Demons
Her Deadly Angels
Her Darkest Devils
Her Sinful Saints
About Ginna Moran
GINNA MORAN IS the author of over seventy novels including the popular La Vega Vampire Showstoppers, The Pack Mates of Lunar Crest, The Seven Sinners of Hell’s Kingdom Academy of Vampire Heirs, The Divine Vampire Heirs, and The Royale Vampire Heirs WhyChoose novels.
She always carried a fascination for all things paranormal and wrote her first unpublished manuscript at age eighteen. Her love of the supernatural grew stronger through her adult life, and she now spends her days with different creatures of the night. Whether it's vampires, werewolves, dragons, fae, angels, demons, or mermaids, Ginna loves creating and living in worlds from her dreams.