Guarding Her Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 17)

by Julia Mills

  “But I never would’ve done that.”

  Tilting her head to the side and opening her eyes a little wider, Carolyn asked, “Are you so sure about that?”

  The snickers of her sisters behind her back said they believed Elsa would’ve done exactly as her mother predicted had she been given the chance. The elf wasn’t sure if she should be happy that they thought she would give up her life and her freedom for them or upset that they thought she could be played for a fool.

  Opening her mouth to ask just that question, she was cut off as Carolyn continued, “And, I’m somehow sure she felt your use of magic when you released Quinn from his box. You did, after all, destroy a spell she’d had in place for over a hundred years.” The elven matriarch beamed with pride making Elsa grin and shake her head as her mom went on. “Not to mention his dragon,” she pointed at Quinn, “has been working hard to heal him. Their bright, white dragon magic is everywhere. It was probably a beacon to that old bitty and she showed up after all these years to steal it and warp it.”

  “Or Auntie thought she could kidnap Elsa and Quinn would run after her,” Mona offered with an eyeroll and a sigh. “All they do is make eyes at one another. The Goddess knows he would ride to her rescue come hell or high water.”

  “Mona!” Elsa gasped but it was no use the room had already erupted into laughter with her sisters all pretending to swoon and making kissing noises.

  Looking to Quinn for help, the elf almost reached across her mother’s lap and punched him in the gut as he sat there laughing along with her family and having the utter audacity to wink at her. Furrowing her brow and giving her best ‘shut the hell up’ glare, Elsa gritted her teeth and growled, “Not a word…not one single word or you sleep with the calves tonight.”

  She could tell he was biting the inside of his cheeks to keep from laughing and she would have applauded his attempt but the elf was already on her feet and yelling, “Alright! Enough! We have serious shit going on around here and all you can do is make fun of me! Stop it! Right now!”

  Elsa might as well have been talking to the wall for all the good her tirade did. Her sisters laughed all the louder and Quinn ended up losing his fight to remain neutral and chuckled right along with them. A good ten minutes later when the elf thought she might just kill them all, her mother finally got control of her children and said, “Elsa is right. We have to figure out what to do and I think we need some help.” Getting to her feet, Carolyn headed to the kitchen and as she reached for the phone, explained, “I’m calling Alara. She’ll know what to do.”

  Knowing her mother’s conversation with her grandmother would take more time than she had the patience to endure, Elsa grabbed Quinn by the hand, pulled him to his feet and led him out the backdoor as her sisters once again hooted and hollered and made the same blasted kissing noises as before. Quinn followed in silence but that didn’t stop Elsa from hearing his thoughts or feeling his emotions. He knew what they were going to discuss and was gearing up for a fight.

  Elsa guessed she couldn’t blame him. She hadn’t been all that welcoming when he’d said the ‘m’ word and had been basically blocking his thoughts since he’d awakened, but there was no question they needed to talk and it needed to be sooner rather than later. They were about to battle her Auntie Geneva, who by all accounts was not known for playing fair. There could be nothing standing in the way of stopping her from whatever plan she had cooked up and that meant they had to have clear heads, no confusion, no mushy stuff.

  Throwing open the door and stomping into the barn, Elsa dropped Quinn’s hand, spun around and opened her mouth to speak but instead squeaked as he scooped her up in his arms and planted his lips on hers. Wanting to give in, wanting to kiss him, wanting to get lost in all the wonderful things he made her feel, the elf summoned all her strength, shoved her hands between their chests and pushed as hard as she could.

  It took some doing but there was finally daylight between them immediately accompanied by Quinn’s groan of, “What did you do that for?”

  Squirming out of his arms, Elsa stepped back as soon as her feet hit the floor, threw her hands out in front of her to stop her dragon’s forward motion and demanded, “Stay right there. No more kissing, at least for the time being. We need to talk and your kisses just, well, let’s just say they are a serious distraction that we don’t need right now.”

  With a sly grin, Quinn pushed against her hands with his chest and purred, “A distraction, huh?”

  Trying not to smile as her boots slid across the concrete floor while Quinn continued to slowly push forward, Elsa warned, “Quinn…”

  And was answered with a warning growl of, “Elsa…” Followed by, “Do you know how long I have waited for you? Do you know what waking up after all those years to my mate is like for me and for my dragon? Do you…”

  “Wait, wait, wait,” she commanded and to her complete surprise her dragon actually stopped.

  Her hands were still on his chest but he had quit pushing against them and his expression had gone from a grin to a scowl. Rushing to explain as she could feel his concern growing, Elsa said, “What about your dragon? Why can’t I feel him? Why can’t you call your brethren? Is there something wrong with him?”

  Not waiting for his answers, she spun around and began pacing, letting her hands brush across the calves’ snouts as she walked past before turning and heading back towards Quinn. On her way, the elf started to think aloud. “None of this is making sense. I could feel his magic when he was healing you, it’s just a touch different than yours.” She stopped and look right at him. “Yours tastes like the bright red cherries Dad brings home from the south and his is like the dark bing cherries Uncle Marty sends us every Christmas. The same but different, ya’ know what I mean?”

  Quinn nodded but her brain was on a roll, it was leading somewhere and she couldn’t wait to see where, so Elsa powered on. “You said there was one of your brothers who left before you went to sleep that night Geneva and her goons attacked, right?”

  She walked past him, turned at the end of the row of stalls and headed back adding, “Have you tried to call him? If he didn’t get locked away, I bet he’s still alive since everybody knows you guys live almost as long as we do.”

  Walking past her dragon again but this time stopping and turning to face him, she asked, “Well, have you? Are you listening? Am I boring you?”

  Quinn barked with laughter as his hands came down on her shoulders. “No, I am not ignoring you, I am marveling at your ability to reason through a situation. I am in awe of your mind and how it works. I am humbled that the Universe saw fit to make a woman such as you for me, her lowly servant.”

  Elsa had no idea how to answer Quinn. His words were doing crazy things to her heart and the butterflies in her stomach had started to do the merengue, not to mention her cheeks were on fire and her knees felt like they might just buckle under her. The way he looked at her and the feelings she felt coming from him only added to the amazing way this man, this dragon, made her feel but time was not a luxury she had and she needed him to focus, so true to form, the elf got tough.

  “Thank you, Quinn, I feel the same way about you but,” she held up her hands when he took a step forward, “we need to talk about why your dragon is being a slug and how to stop my aunt.”

  Grumbling something under his breath about what a pain in the ass practicality was, Quinn took a deep breath that he slowly let out with a sigh and agreed, “I guess you’re right. I don’t like it, but you are, so you have to promise we’re going to talk about us when this is all over.”

  Quickly deciding it was the best she was going to get, Elsa smiled and with a nod said, “You know it. Now, about you calling your brothers…”

  “I have tried. Like I said, it’s like it’s hitting a wall and bouncing back,” He replied before she’d finished her question. “And as far as my dragon, he simply will not rouse for longer than an hour or two, he’s still so very lethargic.”

  Tappi
ng her lip with her index finger, Elsa had an idea. Threading her fingers through Quinn’s she pulled him a bit closer and when he smiled, she teased, “Down boy, remember our deal.” Chuckling at his groan, she continued, “I think we can wake him up, but we have to work together and you’re gonna have to help me open up my magic?”

  “Open it up?”

  “Yeah, it’s kind of a long story, one I’ll tell when we have more time, but suffice it to say, I locked most of my magic away to keep Auntie Geneva from taking it. She’s ruthless and has a million tricks up her sleeve. The only time in about eighty years I’ve used any more power than any other elf was when I freed you and the blowback freaked me out enough that I shut the lid on my imaginary box as quickly as I could.” She took a breath. “But we have to get your beast up and kicking. Everything I know is telling me that he is the answer to a lot of our questions.”

  “If you say so, I’m willing to try anything.” Pausing, he pulled her closer, leaned down from his lofty height and looked her right in the eye. “But rest assured whether we wake him or not, if Geneva comes back, there is no way in Heaven or Hell she is taking you from me. Not now, not ever.”

  The look in his eyes and the conviction of his words broke through Elsa’s restraint. Slamming her lips to his, she let her kiss tell her dragon all the things she herself didn’t yet have the words to say. Her hand wound in his hair. She let herself go as his strong arms came around her and opened completely, reveling in the wonder of being with the one her soul recognized as her own.

  It didn’t even bother her when Quinn’s voice whispered through her mind, “Now there, isn’t this better than talking?”

  Chapter Eight

  Having Elsa in his arms, kissing her sweet lips, feeling her surrender to their growing love was as close to the Heavens as Quinn was sure he had ever been. It was everything he’d ever been told it would be and so much more all wrapped into one wonderful moment in time that he would always hold dear because one moment was all he seemed to get as his little elf pulled away, brushed her bangs from her brow and said, “Well, yeah, that was…yep, ummmm…we need to…”

  Laughing out loud, Quinn was overjoyed he’d once again rattled his mate. It made the brevity of their kiss almost bearable. He loved the look of lust in her eyes, wanted to bath in the scent of cinnamon and vanilla that he would now always associate with her, and longed to again taste her kiss-swollen lips if only for a moment longer, but for the time being, he’d be satisfied with the fact that their hearts beat as one, in sync forever, as Fate had always intended.

  Elsa’s embarrassment turned to indignation the longer he laughed making it extremely difficult for the Guardsman to stop. Finally, fearing his petite elf might hurt herself while trying to keep from laughing, Quinn got himself composed and said, “You were saying?”

  He knew it was wrong to add a wink but couldn’t help himself and received a swat on the arm and a glare from Elsa but it was all worth it because Quinn knew life with his elf would never be boring. Loving her would be the adventure of a lifetime.

  Still glaring, his elf sighed, “What I was saying before…well, you know.” The blush returned to her cheeks and she took a deep breath, “Was that we need to open my magic and then together we can get your dragon up and kicking. Sound good?”

  Nodding, he waited for her to continue which she did without missing a beat. Grabbing his hands, she closed the distance between them. He could hear her telling herself not to be distracted by his good looks or dreamy eyes and couldn’t help but grin. Elsa’s raised eyebrow that was meant to intimidate only made him love her more but he did erase the grin and listen to her instructions.

  “Since we’re mates,” she held up her hand to stop him from commenting. “Yes, I’ll agree we are but we still have a lot to discuss and now is not the time.”

  Quinn simply nodded, glad to hear her getting comfortable with the idea that there was no way in this life or the next she was ever getting rid of him, and listened as she went on. “Again, since we’re mates, I believe we can use that connection and I can guide you to my magic and together we can open it up. After it is free, we can use it to wake up your beast. If all goes well, he will recognize me as his mate too, and shake off whatever has him in permanent sleep mode. It’ll be like jiggling the mouse on the computer to get the screen to come on.”

  “The what on the who?”

  “Oh crap!” His elf giggled. “Sorry for the techno reference. I keep forgetting you’ve been in cold storage for a century.” She gasped, “Oh my Goddess, the things I am gonna get to show you. This is going to be so much fun.”

  Joy danced in her deep blue eyes and for the first time since he’d thawed, Quinn didn’t feel so out of sync with his surroundings. Listening intently as she went on and on, listing all the things she was going to show him or teach him how to do, the dragon could only chuckle. Taking a breath, Elsa got back to what they were originally talking about and rushed on, “Alright, let’s get this show on the road.”

  Looking into her eyes as she explained, Quinn could see his forever, full of love, laughs and never a dull moment. Forcing himself to pay attention, the Guardsman listened carefully. “Now, I’m gonna need you to open your mind completely, just like I’m doing,” she instructed. “Can you feel that?”

  He nodded and she quickly added, “Do you see that light glowing near my heart?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s for us to discuss another time.” Her voice was lower, almost reverent. Quinn was pleased to see how brightly her part of their mating bond was shining and knew her sudden change in tone had been because she was witnessing the strength of his. The thought crossed his mind to say something but Elsa immediately cleared her throat and went on, “So, go right on past that and look farther into my soul. You will see what looks like a box that’s glowing with a bright green light.”

  Falling deeper into his mate was unexplainably magnificent and all together breathtaking. Quinn’s senses were firing on all cylinders. He was connecting with her in ways he’d never thought possible. Their souls were literally intertwining, becoming one, fulfilling the Guardsman as only the one made especially for him by the Universe could do.

  It was happening for Elsa, too. He could feel their union growing stronger, feel her soul reaching for his, feel her love for him growing in leaps and bounds but could also sense her hesitation and fear. It was something he couldn’t fault her for. Although he knew elves also mated for life, Quinn remembered hearing stories of the dominant male elves and their subservient female mates. Making a mental note to tone down his natural inclination to take charge and to talk to his little elf as soon as they’d dealt with Geneva, the Guardsman jumped to attention when the sight of her contained magic came into view.

  “I see it, Elsa,” he whispered. “It’s right in front of me.”

  “Great! Now, I need you to combine your magic with mine.”

  He could hear the concentration in her voice, feel the strength of her pure elven enchantment and with complete trust in his mate, simply let go of the hold he had on his own mysticism and watched in wonder as the bright green and yellow of hers combined with the red, blue and orange of his. Not only was it spectacular to see, it was incredible to experience.

  Their bond pulsed with power. Watching in utter amazement as Elsa wielded their combined magics like an old pro, Quinn knew the moment she’d made contact with the metaphysical vessel holding her enchantment and prepared to keep them both grounded at the influx of the raw power pulsing before him.

  Elsa’s pupils dilated. Her breath came in puffs. He could see sweat glistening on her brow, but still she pushed on. Holding firm to her hands, pulling her body to his for support, Quinn helped his elf guide the magic ever so slowly towards its target. Bit by bit, the kaleidoscope of colors moved closer to the glowing box.

  Holding his breath as together the couple gave one final push, Quinn pulled his hands from Elsa’s and wound his arms around her waist as the l
id burst from the vessel and pure earthen elven magic filled not only his mate but also the Guardsman. From one heart beat to the next his dragon jumped to his feet, pawed the ground and snorted smoke.

  Elsa cheered and as if talking to a dragon was something she did every day, and greeted Quinn’s beast with a, “Hey there big guy. It’s about time you joined the party.”

  Throwing back his head and roaring a warm welcome, the dragon gave his answer before looking straight through Quinn’s mind eye at Elsa then bending forward on one front knee and bowing his head. In all the years man and beast had been joined, the Guardsman had never seen his dragon show such respect to anyone, let alone someone without dragon blood.

  To Quinn’s complete surprise, when his dragon looked back up, Elsa squirmed from his arms and returned the beast’s bow adding, “It is an honor I shall forever cherish to be mated to one of the Universe’s great warriors.”

  Standing awestruck as he watched the two most important beings in all his life accepting one another. There were no words for the happiness filling every fiber of the Guardsman’s being. It was more than he could have ever hoped for. Then of course, true to form, before he could even speak, one of the huge barn doors flew open and in rushed one of Elsa’s sisters, Olivia, screaming at the top of her lungs, “Mom’s got Alara on the Elven Stone! Come quick!”

  “We shall speak again. Thank you for your help,” Elsa ended her communication with his dragon and looked up to Quinn with a huge smile and a twinkle in her eye. “I think he likes me.”

  “I know he loves you,” the Guardsman quickly answered before kissing the tip of her nose and adding in a whisper, “Thank you.”

  Her smile grew. “No, thank you and the pleasure was all mine, but…”

  “Oh my Goddess,” Olivia loudly complained. “Can you guys play kissy face later? Alara is not known for her patience.”