by Rinelle Grey
With his mind finely tuned to Lyrian’s presence, Brad was the first to notice the fluttering of blue wings against the cliff as Lyrian left the lair and flew down to the clearing.
A few gasps echoed around the space as the others noticed her, and the gold and purple dragons that followed her. A young woman rode astride Lyrian, her silver hair flowing down her back. Brad recognised her brothers but wasn’t sure who the woman with silver hair was. He was sure he hadn’t seen her before.
As the three dragons landed in front of him, Brad wondered if the woman who slid off her back was here to talk for them. While dragons could speak into human minds, that would make for very boring television.
Lyrian inclined her head at the group, then in front of their eyes, she began to transform back into her human form.
Brad winced, knowing what was coming next. He wasn’t so keen on the idea of a naked Lyrian on video, even if they probably would blur it out. Could they do that if they were streaming live?
But before her transformation was completed, Taurian and Verrian stepped in front of her and raised their wings to block her from the humans standing gaping. She was hidden for only a few moments, before they dropped their wings, but in that time she’d managed to dress quickly.
Now she stood in front of them, her blue curls bouncing around her face, dressed in the pink t-shirt and denim overalls she’d worn when he’d first met her. Unexpected tears pricked at his eyes at the sight. He only hoped it helped everyone watching this to relate to her as he had.
“I am Lyrian, Princess of Rian clan,” Lyrian said, her voice slightly louder than was natural. “And these are my brothers, Prince Taurian and Prince Verrian,” she waved to the two dragons, who still stood one to each side of her, as though guarding her. Then she turned to the human woman, “And my sister, Princess Sarian. Together we rule Rian clan. I hear you wish to speak with us?”
Brad spared a glance at the woman. So this was the one Ultrima wanted. She was beautiful, sure, but in his eyes, Lyrian was by far the more beautiful. Obviously something about the woman attracted the Trima leader though.
The director general took half a step forwards, as though intending to offer his hand to Lyrian, but one glance at her brothers, even though they hadn’t moved, encouraged him to keep his distance. “I’m pleased to meet you, Princess Lyrian. I’m James Nyles, Director General of Security.”
Lyrian and her sister both inclined their heads.
“What is it you wish to discuss with us, James Nyles?” Sarian said, stepping up next to Lyrian.
She wore the traditional dragon clothing, a pale white, leather tunic, engraved with storm clouds and lightning bolts. Her expression was slightly severe, her voice firm and unyielding. The perfect foil to Lyrian’s cheerful, open friendliness.
Hopefully people would be able to see that these dragons were individuals, as much as humans were. And that they had a lot in common.
Hopefully they could work something out here, something that would protect the dragons, and allow them to continue in peace.
“We need to discuss where dragons fit into this world, and how we are going to keep peaceful relations between our two peoples,” the director-general said firmly. “We didn’t expect to ever meet another sentient species, but we want to make sure our dealings with you are above reproach, while still making sure all humans in this country are safe, and not in danger of being attacked by a dragon, or having their livestock stolen.”
Both Lyrian and Sarian inclined their heads.
“We wish that as well,” Lyrian said softly. “Dragons have no wish to harm humans, we only wish to live together in peace. In fact, some of us are rather fond of certain humans.”
She gave him a smile then, not even bothering to hide it from the camera. Brad was sure his answering smile was just as wide.
“As a gesture of goodwill,” Sarian said firmly, “I ask that you return my sister’s mate and his brother to our clan.”
The director-general looked over at Brad and Nate, then back to Sarian. “Of course.” He waved a finger at Brad and Nate, and Brad didn’t waste one second in hurrying across to stand next to Lyrian.
What he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and kiss her like he’d never stop, but he didn’t want to make that much of a show for the cameras. Her hand reached out for his and he took it. The contact made it easier to hold back from a bigger display of affection.
“I ask that in the spirit of this new friendship, you grant us a favour as well,” the director-general said. “Until our negotiations are complete, we need to keep your clan separate from the humans, as much for your own safety as for ours. Would you permit us to leave a group of men here to ensure that things remain peaceful until we have concluded our negotiations?”
Sarian and Lyrian exchanged glances, and Brad had no doubt they were conferring. Probably Taurian and Verrian as well. The rest of the humans had no idea, as far as he knew.
“That is acceptable,” Sarian said. “So long as our human members are still allowed to come and go as they please.”
The man frowned. “How would we know if someone leaving was a human, or a dragon in human form? The likeness is… very convincing.”
“Use your ID that you humans are so fond of,” Lyrian said with a smile.
The director-general exchanged a look with the two other men, but they couldn’t confer like the dragons could. He turned back to Sarian. “That is allowable, but they need to be aware that when they are not here at the lair, they will be subject to all the normal laws and rules that apply to humans.”
He looked at Brad as he spoke, as though specifically referring to him.
Brad gave him a wide, innocent smile. He had no intention of leaving the lair at all for quite some time. He was looking forward to a good, long catch up with his mate.
“That is acceptable,” Sarian agreed.
“Good,” the director-general said. “I would like to propose an official meeting to discuss the details with both clans present. I feel that this should be a joint effort, since any decisions we make will be applicable to all dragons.”
Sarian and her sister exchanged glances, and Brad could almost see the thoughts flashing back and forth between them.
He had no idea what had passed since she woke, it must have happened while he was gone. Was she in love with Ultrima, as Latrima had insinuated, or was the Trima dragon still their mortal enemy? If he was, a meeting with them all in the same room could get quite… tense.
The humans didn’t know what they were getting into.
But Sarian turned back to the human and said calmly. “That is acceptable. When?”
“There’s no point in delaying,” the director-general said firmly. “I propose two days from now, at the town hall in Mungaloo. To keep things as safe as possible for all the humans involved, I will allow only two dragons from each clan, and as many humans as you like.”
Sarian nodded. “I accept your terms.”
The director-general nodded. “Good, good. We shall see you then. I shall arrange for some guards around the lair.”
He turned and walked back towards his car.
The cameras focused on the dragon group for just a few moments longer, as though reluctant to leave the best news they’d had… well… ever.
Brad hesitated, but what better way to make sure anyone watching knew the dragons were as human as they were.
He pulled Lyrian into his arms, and stared down at her, unable to keep the happy smile off his face. “I love you, Princess Lyrian.”
Her eyes filled with tears. She seemed oblivious to the camera still pointed at them. “I love you too, Brad.”
And he bent and kissed her.
Chapter 13
As the fur fell behind them, Lyrian heaved a sigh of relief. She thought she’d never get a chance to be alone with Brad. Everyone had wanted to talk to him, pat him on the back, and welcome him back.
Didn’t they realise she had a very private reunion she
wanted to have with him? Weren’t they all aware that their mating night had been interrupted by all this?
Oh, a few people certainly were. Nate had teased his brother a couple of times, a wry understanding in his eyes. He was in the same position, sharing longing looks with his own new mate. But there had been less attention on them, and they’d managed to slip away at least an hour ago.
But Lyrian and Brad had been caught talking to Ostrian. For the first time since she’d met him, the old dragon had wanted to chat. And chat. And chat.
He’d spent nearly an hour telling them about the history of the dragon’s departure from England, and how he’d figured out that dragons needed humans to help them produce life dragons.
In all fairness, it had been a fascinating story. At any other time, Lyrian would have loved to hear more. Brad had seemed fascinated too, but his hand caressing her thigh under the table had told her that he was either doing a very good job of pretending, or he was better at dividing his attention than she was.
But now they were finally alone. Lyrian swept all that into the past and focused on her mate. Taking his hand, she drew him towards the pile of furs in the middle of the room.
“Good idea,” Brad said, following her without hesitation. “I intend to take my time this time, so lying down is a good plan.”
Lyrian giggled, excitement and anticipation running through her. “I thought so.” She sat down pulling Brad with her.
Brad settled himself on the furs in front of her and reached out to cup her cheek, his fingers warm and gentle. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Lyrian should point out to him that they had been apart for less than a day. That a separation like that would happen plenty of times in their lives together for one reason or another. But she didn’t. She knew exactly what he meant. “I missed you, too.”
Her eyes filled with tears. This separation had been so much worse because she hadn’t known what was going to happen, or when she would see him again. The time apart had seemed to stretch on forever, with no end in sight.
Yet, it had ended, and they were together again. She needed to trust in that. That no matter what happened, they would find a way. She’d almost lost sight of that belief when they’d been apart.
Luckily, she was pretty sure she knew exactly how to strengthen that belief for the future.
Reaching out a hand, she cupped his cheek, rubbing over the stubble he hadn’t had a chance to shave for a few days, enjoying the rough feeling. “I love you, Brad.”
The words brought an instant smile to his face, the expression so full of love that Lyrian felt her heart would overflow. “I love you, too,” he said softly. Then he put his other hand up to her other cheek and pulled her in for a kiss.
Heat flooded through Lyrian as soon as their lips touched, all the pent-up need and want and longing that she’d been holding back for the last day becoming instantly alight. Now that their separation was over, she wasn’t sure how she hadn’t been achingly aware of this need the whole time they’d been apart.
It was so great it consumed her. It couldn’t possibly have come out of nowhere, could it? And she couldn’t have been suppressing a feeling this strong so well that she’d been unaware of it.
But that must have been what she’d been doing.
She’d worried so much about being able to separate her love for Brad and her responsibility to the clan, but when it had come down to it, it had just happened. Oh, not that she hadn’t been worried about Brad the whole time, but it had been tied to being worried about her clan. He was part of her clan, a very important part for her, and taking care of her clan had been taking care of him at the same time.
Relief flowed through her along with desire. She could do this. She could be a princess and Brad’s mate at the same time. The two were connected, intertwined, not separate and opposing.
Brad pulled back for a moment and looked down at her, his eyes dark. “I was so afraid that I wouldn’t see you again.”
The raw need in his voice echoed the need in her heart. “I was too,” she admitted. For a moment, she let herself remember that scared feeling, how powerless it had made her feel. Then she pushed it away and forced a smile. “But we don’t need to be afraid. This, what we have together, it’s stronger than any force that might try to push us apart. We can make it work.”
Brad gave her a lopsided smile. “Yeah, we seem to have. I’m not quite sure how, but somehow, it all seemed to turn out all right in the end.” He shook his head, as though he couldn’t quite figure it out.
“If you trust in our love for each other, then you’ll realise that there is nothing we can’t overcome together,” Lyrian said firmly. “That’s what love is, it’s determination to let nothing stand in the way of being together. A determination so great that there’s nothing it can’t overcome.”
Brad stared at her for a moment, his eyes searching hers. “But what if there’s something out there it can’t overcome?” His voice was doubtful, but Lyrian could hear a note of longing in it. A wish to believe, even if he struggled to. “There are so many things that could come between us, the police nearly did. It was just luck that it all worked out the way it did.”
“Luck, or determination? There’s a fine line between the two.” Lyrian gave him a smile. It was a hard concept for him, she could see that. And it might take him time to realise that it was true. But he already knew in his heart, his actions proved that. “Was there any moment when we were apart when you were prepared to give up on trying to get back to me?”
Brad shook his head immediately, without hesitation. “It wouldn’t have mattered what happened, I would have spent the rest of my life trying to get back to you.”
Lyrian smiled. “See. That’s determination. That’s why you are here. Not luck. We make our own luck.”
Brad caressed her cheek, staring into her eyes, his expression caught between hopeful and disbelieving. “You really think so?”
“I do,” Lyrian said firmly. She kissed him, letting every bit of the way she felt about him, how determined she was to never to let him go, flood through her. Hopefully he could feel her determination. Hopefully it would help tip the scales towards believing.
He kissed her back with a passion that matched her own, something, at least, certain in his mind. Love swelled in Lyrian’s heart.
They fell back onto the furs in a tangle, their lips never parting.
Lyrian ran her hands over his body, unable to get enough of the feel of him, of his abs under her hand, of the strong muscles in his arms as he pulled her hard against him. She could feel the heat of his body through his clothes, warming her in a way she never expected to experience.
Somehow, she wasn’t even quite sure how, they divested each other of their clothes. Lyrian groaned as she pressed herself up against Brad. The lack of clothes was better, closer, but it wasn’t enough.
Luckily, he seemed to feel as impatient as she did. He rolled over on top of her, his weight pinning her to the furs, and Lyrian moaned with need. “Brad,” she whispered. “My mate.”
She still found it hard to believe that he was hers. It had been a long journey, and there had been times when she’d doubted that they would make it to this point, but every struggle, every moment of hardship and doubt, had been worth it.
“My mate,” he returned, the words almost a growl. He kissed her with a fierceness that sent heat flooding through her.
Lyrian shifted her hips under him, bringing her legs up and wrapping them around him. His groan of pleasure only encouraged her. She shifted a little under him, tilting her pelvis to bring them even closer.
He held back for a few moments, saying breathlessly, “I wanted to take things slow, to take my time in pleasuring you.” His protest sounded both disappointed and pleased.
“Later,” Lyrian growled back at him. “Right now, I want to feel you inside me, to know you are mine and always will be.”
That was all the encouragement he needed. He thrust into her wit
h a groan, filling her fully. A moan of pleasure escaped her lips.
“I will always be yours.” Brad’s voice was breathless as he proved his words with his actions. “There is no place I’d rather be, than right here, right now.”
Lyrian clung to him as a whirlwind of desire caught hold of her, swinging her around and around, carrying her higher and higher. But Lyrian knew that Brad would never let her fall. His lips met hers as glorious ecstasy flashed through her, carrying her higher than she’d ever flown, and leaving every cell in her body tingling with pleasure.
Brad groaned at the same moment, thrusting into her and holding, murmuring her name over and over, kissing her passionately.
Lyrian pulled back to gasp for breath, and to stare into his eyes.
He smiled lovingly at her. “Next time, we are going to go a little slower,” he insisted.
“We’ll see,” Lyrian teased, then gasped, as he kissed her again, desire already stirring.
Chapter 14
Brad stared down at Lyrian, her eyes closed in a moment’s rest, still finding it hard to take everything in. The last week had been quite a whirlwind—from finding out he was a father, Lyrian was a dragon, being chased by dragons and police, and giving up everything he’d ever known to become her mate.
He couldn’t find it in him to regret one instant of it.
He’d thought he’d have doubts. That he’d wonder if he’d made the right choice, at least once or twice. But ever since the moment he’d made his decision, he hadn’t questioned it once.
That thought was overwhelming. Every decision he’d ever made in his life, even though they’d all been well planned and thought out, he’d always questioned. He’d thought it was part of making decisions, the constant doubts.
Perhaps, as Lyrian had suggested, it had been a lack of trust. A lack of trust in his own ability to make decisions as much as the decisions themselves.