Unquiet Slumber

by Paulette Miller

  It was a good day.

  Just as they settled in to sleep, Tianna heard a voice in her mind. “Get away from that Draak, Kitten, and come to me. I’ll teach you how to properly kiss.”

  With Nathaniel in her arms, she had the strength to push Kai away. In her mind she replied, “Go away Kai. You’re not welcome here.”

  Kai could feel Tianna’s strength coming from her growing feelings for Nathaniel. He was getting in his way and he needed to implement his plan soon to resolve this situation. Before he could say another word, she shut down the connection tight.

  Chapter 23 - Past Revisited

  As they returned to their journey, they continued to find signs left behind by evil. They stopped to bury any dead they found and heal the injured. Tianna watched in amazement as Gabriel singlehandedly took out two arrogant Drenn warriors who crossed their path. Before anyone could jump in to assist, he easily fought and killed them both. Along their path, Marcus continued to try to find any signs of his prophesized warrior but had no success. They could all feel his growing frustration and desperation.

  At the end of yet another long day, Nathaniel was lying in bed holding Tianna, who was sleeping sprawled across his chest. He was having a restless night. Although he had been able to control his dragon’s urges, feeling the heat from Tianna’s body was causing his desires to come dangerously close to the surface. He longed to take their relationship to the next level. As he focused on calming his inner nature, he stared up at the stars until his body finally gave in to exhaustion and he fell asleep.

  *~*~*~*

  Nathaniel was in his home back in Haven with Tianna by his side. They were kissing passionately. Nathaniel picked her up into his arms and carried her to his bed. They had waited long enough, and it was time that he showed Tianna the true nature of being someone’s mate.

  He peeled her clothes off slowly so he could enjoy the view as each part of her body was revealed. Once she was naked, he gently laid her back on the bed and stripped off his clothes. With his head on top of her stomach, he kissed a line up her body while she wiggled beneath him. When he licked and suckled her breasts, she gave out moans of pleasure and began to purr.

  He liked hearing sounds coming out of her and wanted more.

  He continued his path up to her neck where he lingered for a moment to give her a few playful nibbles. She arched into him, asking for more. He proceeded on his journey, kissing the line of her chin and then moving to her mouth. He gave her a gentle kiss.

  Tianna whispered into his mouth, “Nathaniel, you don‘t need to be so gentle with me. Kiss me like you mean it.”

  “Anything you say, My Sweet.” When he kissed her again, he did it with all of the passion that had been pent up inside him for months. He explored every possible spot within her mouth and she was equal to the challenge.

  Tianna could sense his growing desire and she wanted more. She needed to feel him deep inside her. When he positioned himself so his arousal was pressed tightly against her warmth, she wiggled herself hard against him and pleaded, “Please Nathaniel, don’t tease me. We’ve waited too long. I want you now!”

  Nathaniel’s wait was over and he was ready to make love to the female in his arms. He positioned himself and began to slowly sheath his arousal within her warm body. As he penetrated her, Tianna wrapped her legs around his hips and pulled him down on top of her. She didn’t want it slow; she wanted him to take her.

  Nathaniel took the hint and thrust himself into her body as far and as hard as he could.

  Tianna gave out a cry of pleasure. “Again,” she demanded.

  He complied and began pumping into her fast and hard. Nathaniel loved the feel of his mate beneath him. He couldn’t get enough.

  Tianna still wanted more. She gazed into his eyes and implored, “Nathaniel, take me as a Draak does. Treat me like your true mate.”

  With dragon speed, Nathaniel flipped her over onto her stomach and lifted her hips. He thrust into her from behind again and again. For every thrust he gave, she gave back by pushing her body into his, her moans of pleasure rebounding off of the walls.

  He wanted to drive more sounds out of her.

  Nathaniel could feel his inner dragon begging to come out, so he grabbed any pillow and blanket he could reach and shoved them under her stomach so that she could remain on her knees without him holding her up. He then fell forward on top of her so his hands were on either side of her of head. He released his dragon and began to shift. Scales began to appear first at his chest and then like a wildfire, ran down his legs and arms.

  Tianna watched in wonder as his hands shifted into long talons and his body grew larger, including his most intimate parts. The feeling overwhelmed her and she yelled, “Take me dragon!”

  Nathaniel closed his eyes and let his dragon thrust into her. He could hear her moans which just excited him more, and he grabbed her hips so he could thrust even harder. When he roared his release, Nathaniel’s cries equaled Tianna’s final scream.

  With his eyes still closed, he took a moment to regain his normal thought processes, willing his dragon to go back to its resting place within him. With panting breaths, he exclaimed, “Mate, that was absolutely unbelievable. Definitely worth the wait.” When he received no response he opened his eyes and glanced down at Tianna.

  Her bloody body was lying limp in front of him. Without realizing it, his dragon had gotten carried away and had ripped and shredded her tiny body apart.

  Nathaniel screamed in terror, “What have I done?”

  A Draak that happened to be walking by ran in when he heard the screams. He gasped when he surveyed the scene exclaiming, “You’ve killed her! You knew that her tiny body couldn’t handle a Draak mating. You murderer!”

  Nathaniel watched as Tianna’s body shimmered and then transformed to a blonde woman, a human from his youth. He cried, “NO! I’ve done it again.”

  *~*~*~*

  Nathaniel woke in a cold sweat. He glanced down and found Tianna still curled up in his arms, alive and well. It had been just a bad dream.

  She stirred when he moved. “Are you alright?” she asked sleepily. “Lie back down. It’s still too early to rise.”

  He hugged her tightly against his chest. The dream had shaken him to his core. He recalled a time in his arrogant youth when he lacked control and had seriously injured a human woman. Although she lived, she was permanently scared and the fear lingered deep within him. He never again took another human in his bed. He wanted Tianna with every cell in his body, but this dream rekindled the fear that her tiny frame might not be up to the challenge. His concerns had eased greatly after their night together in Eden. The strength she showed him made him believe that they could be a mated pair. Now, he was full of doubt again.

  He didn’t want her to know of the dream so he replied sweetly, “Sorry, My Sweet. I thought I heard something in the woods. It’s nothing. Go back to sleep.”

  She snuggled in even tighter, quickly returning to a pleasant dream involving her and Nathaniel, while Nathaniel spent the rest of the night imagining her bloody body lying beneath him.

  In the morning, Nathaniel tried to act as if nothing was wrong but inside his heart was breaking. What if his dream was accurate? What if when he does take her, he hurts or even kills her. He couldn’t let that happen. He was her protector and had taken an oath to do whatever was necessary to keep her safe, no matter in what form that danger came—even if he was the danger.

  The quest traveled a long distance that day and the next. Longing to feel the touch of magic surround them, they were hoping to arrive at the next village the following morning. As the sun was just starting to set, Seth trotted his horse until he was riding next to Marcus. Sniffing the air, he said, “Marcus. I smell something.”

  Seth had exceptional tracking senses and Marcus knew to pay attention. He sat higher up in his saddle and asked, “Is it Kai and his Drenn?” A look of deep concern quickly grew on his face.

  Seth shook his head e
xcitedly and responded, “No, I think it’s Draak.” They hadn’t seen any other Draaks since they had left Haven many, many months ago.

  Marcus was also thrilled by the idea. “Are you sure?” he asked.

  Seth shook his head. “Not for sure. They’re still too far away.” With hope in his eyes and eagerness in his voice, he pleaded, “Let me go out and track them so I can take a closer look.”

  Marcus called to the group and announced, “Seth has sensed a group of Draaks coming our way. He would like to go track them and confirm. What do you think Gabriel? He’s your pupil. Is your student up to the task?”

  Seth stared at Gabriel with eager eyes. “Please Gabriel. You know I can do this.”

  Gabriel responded hesitantly, “Well, someone should go with you.”

  “You know it would be quicker and easier if I go on my own.”

  Gabriel knew he was right. “Okay, go track them, but be back within the hour or we’ll come after you.”

  Seth turned and started to ride toward the scent. Gabriel called after him, “Lose the horse when you get close and don’t forget to stay down wind!”

  Without slowing down or looking back, Seth yelled back to Gabriel, “Yes mother,” and disappeared into the trees.

  Gabriel chuckled and smiled.

  Marcus spoke to the remaining riders, “Let’s set up camp here and wait for Seth‘s return.” They all got off their horses and started to make camp. Everyone was excited by the idea that they would get to visit with some fellow Draaks.

  As she did their normal camp protection spells, Tianna’s mind kept wandering to those she was about to meet. Other than her protectors, she hadn’t met any other Draaks while they traveled. She secretly hoped a female would be among them so she could see what a full-blooded Draak female looked and acted like.

  Nathaniel kept himself busy setting up camp. His mind was trapped in an endless loop of events from his recurring nightmare, a dream that continued to haunt him each night, as well as flash through his mind during the day.

  Almost exactly an hour after Seth rode off, they heard the tromping of horse hooves racing back toward camp. When they heard Seth’s yell, Tianna dropped the shield to let him in. He must have ridden hard since both he and his horse were panting.

  He sputtered between breaths, “They… are… Draak, and they’re… coming … this way.” After he slid off his horse and was able to catch his breath, he added, “I wasn’t close enough to tell what Setts they’re from.”

  Marcus said to Gabriel, “You stay here and debrief your student.” He turned to Nathaniel. “Come with me. Let’s go introduce ourselves to our visitors.” They mounted their horses and rode off into the woods. Nathaniel, although excited to see his fellow Draak, was also grateful for the mental distraction.

  Seth told Gabriel and Tianna about the strangers he observed. Tianna was thrilled to hear that a female was among them and couldn’t wait to meet her.

  An hour later, they heard Marcus requesting Tianna to allow them entry. Tianna dropped their shield and soon their camp held an additional three Draaks.

  The males entered the camp first. They were dressed in typical human attire so they would blend in as they traveled. One Draak looked about the age of a human in his thirties, which meant he was most likely over a hundred years old. The other looked about Marcus’ age. They varied in size and shape but both seemed quite strong.

  The visiting female gracefully slid off her horse and joined the gathering. In human terms, she looked in her mid-thirties. She had a long, very muscular body that held obvious female curves. She stood just slightly below Nathaniel’s height and had flaming, wavy red hair that hung to the middle of her back.

  While Tianna thought she was stunning, she couldn’t help but feel intimidated by her. Unlike Tianna, who was still struggling accepting who and what she was, the visitor projected pure confidence and strength. As to actual Draak coupling, she looked up to the task and then some. Although Tianna wasn’t frail, many thought of her that way. Tianna’s body was small and soft looking with the overly curvy body of a Faye, which made her more of a seductress than a warrior. Examining the Draak standing in front of her now, she felt even less like a potential Draak mate.

  When they were all assembled together, Marcus said, “Let me introduce the rest of my group. This is our map expert Seth and our warrior, Gabriel.”

  Each came forward and shook hands with the visitors by grabbing onto their arms just below their elbows. Tianna had seen her companions do this with Zarin and assumed this must be the Draak way to greet fellow males.

  Marcus pointed last to Tianna saying, “And this is Tianna. She is acting as wizard for our quest.”

  Although she was proud that Marcus introduced her with an official position on his team, Tianna didn’t like being referred to as ‘just Tianna’, no Sett. When she thought about it, what would Marcus say to describe her? She longed to have a full title for her introduction. After Tianna was presented to the visitors, the visiting males gave her a thorough look and smoldering smiles. “At least they aren’t running in fear,” she thought to herself.

  The Draak way of greeting a female was different than for males. Each male walked over and kissed Tianna’s hand tenderly, breathing in her scent. She swore she heard low growls.

  Seeing the reactions in her traveling companions, the visiting female stepped forward and said with a smile, “So you’re Tianna, the part Draak that my Nathaniel mentioned in passing on the way to this camp. You’re much…” She gave Tianna a quick passing look down her body. “…shorter than I expected.”

  The mocking tone caused the hair on the back of Tianna’s neck to stand on end. Having absolutely no idea how to respond, her mind instantly wondered how close she could swing one of the branches from a nearby tree.

  Seeing the look forming in Tianna’s eyes, the leader of the visiting Draaks cleared his throat and quickly said, “Let me introduce my fellow travelers. I’m Charles of the Craftsmen Sett. I’m joined by Sett-mate Samuel.” He pointed to his last companion, who had pressed herself against Nathaniel to whisper something in his ear. “And this is Raven of the Healer Sett.”

  Raven straightened and gave everyone a beautiful smile, causing all the men in the group to stand a little taller. It was obvious they all were taken by her presence and she loved the attention. She nodded at each person, but when she looked at Nathaniel, she caressed up his arm and said sweetly, “Oh, Nat and I are already well acquainted.” Given the look Raven was giving her Sett-mate Nathaniel, Tianna secretly hoped that Raven was already mated.

  Since it was about time for evening meal, the two traveling groups shared supplies and, working together, prepared something to eat. Once it was ready, Tianna sat down next to Nathaniel and Raven quickly took a position on his other side. Tianna could feel Nathaniel instantly tense, as if he was uncomfortable with the seating arrangements.

  While they ate, everyone shared stories of their travels, their home villages, and Haven. Charles explained, “These last few weeks, we’ve been on a quest for the Seer. She’s been sending many Draaks out on mercy missions. When she requested Craftsmen to fix some of the damage done to a few local villages by the Drenn, Samuel and I volunteered. We met up with Raven at the last village. She was also traveling on behalf of the Seer and was offering her healing skills. We decided it would be safer to travel back to Haven together and we hoped to arrive in time for the upcoming Festival of Fire.”

  Tianna couldn’t help but feel like an outsider as everyone shared the many adventures in their Draak lives. When Raven told a funny childhood story about Nathaniel, Tianna asked, “I didn’t realize that you knew each other that well. When did you meet?”

  Raven’s eyes twinkled as she gave Nathaniel an affectionate smile and said, “We’ve known each other all our lives. We grew up together and have shared many firsts. Although we might not see each other for long stretches of time, we just keep running into each other. It’s as if fate is trying to te
ll us something.” Raven nudged him playfully with her shoulder. “The stories I could tell…” Nathaniel sat up tall and gave her a look that told her to keep her stories to herself. She chuckled at his reaction and then her expression turned more serious as she added, “Actually, we became close after both sets of our parents died. It was a tough time and we tried to help each other through it. Since then, we’ve been there for each other in many other awkward situations.”

  Tianna recalled when Nathaniel had told her about his parents’ death and that he had to rely on a few close friends to help him through it. Raven must have been one of those he leaned on. Guilt quickly built in Tianna’s chest over some of the not so pleasant thoughts she had about Raven since she arrived at camp. Given Raven was the first friend of Nathaniel’s that Tianna had met, she wanted to try to get to know her. Tianna asked, “Are you mated?” and held her breath waiting for her answer.