Dragon's Kiss

by Tielle St Clare

  Nekane grumbled in response. The beast wasn’t happy. Kei could sense the dragon’s future plan. When Nekane was finally released from the constraints of the human body, he would return and kill the shopkeeper.

  Lorran had told him at the beginning that it was unsafe for him to return home because he would hurt the people around him. Now he knew why. The dragon held the memory and the rage. It would return to punish any that offended it.

  But Kei was back in control—for now. Triumph pulsed through his veins giving him strength.

  And another erection.

  Lorran. He wanted her. Wanted to fuck her, drive his tongue into her pussy. Claim her so she’d never think of another man.

  Yes. Yes. More. Mine.

  But he wouldn’t. Kei crushed the dragon’s rebellion. The creature howled inside his head once again.

  Barely holding onto the last bit of humanity, Kei started to plan. It was time. He had to leave.

  Lorran sat by the fire, ostensibly reading but Kei knew she’d been staring blankly at the pages. She looked up when he entered and fear flickered in her eyes. She quickly hid it but it was too late. He knew it was there. He braced himself for the dragon’s cry. The beast growled softly, but remained steady.

  “I’m leaving.”

  “What? Now? It’s dark outside.”

  “It’s best. I have to leave. Now.”

  She set the book aside and stood, moving swiftly toward him. Kei backed away. “Don’t come near me.”

  “You won’t hurt me, Kei. I know that.”

  He nodded. “I won’t, but what about him?” He tapped the side of his head. “I can’t control him much longer. It’s finally happening.” He’d wondered why the dragon had stayed silent for so long—now, it seemed the beast was ready to appear. “I have to go home. Deliver my papers and speak to my brothers before the final change.”

  “But—“

  “Lorran, don’t. You did your best. I hope anything you learned from me will help others.”

  “Let me come with you.”

  “Don’t.” He found the courage to look at her. “I won’t have you sacrificing yourself the way you did with Cronan. This creature inside me would destroy you.”

  “I don’t see it as a sacrifice.”

  He felt her words in his chest. He could have her. She would come with him and stay by his side.

  “I know what’s going to happen to me. Living with that horror will be bad enough. Taking you to that level of the Hells would drive me insane.”

  He waited, watching her until she nodded, until he was sure she understood. If she cared about him, she had to let him go. He couldn’t bear the thought of her living in the dark corner of a cave. Only the Gods knew what the dragon would to do her.

  He had to go.

  He looked around the room. He had nothing to take. Nothing here belonged to him.

  Except her.

  Mine.

  He ignored the voice, using the strength embedded in him since childhood. He could walk through fire, endure unimaginable pain—he could walk away from her.

  He stopped at the door knowing he had to say something. “Thank you. For everything.” Lorran followed, staying just out of touching range. Tears pooled along the lower edge of her eyes making them glitter in the pale candlelight. “You’re an amazing woman.”

  And he stepped into the dark night, the dragon screaming in his head.

  No!

  * * * * *

  No!

  Nekane’s wail echoed through the empty room. She watched the door close behind him and felt her own heart cry in response. Sympathy for the dragon—and for the man destined for death. Tears poured unnoticed down her cheeks. She wanted to race after him, to drag him back, plead with him to stay but to what end?

  The dragon was rising in him.

  And Kei knew it.

  He was leaving to protect her.

  “Dammit.”

  She could go after him but he didn’t want that. His honor, which was one of the many things she’d learned about him, wouldn’t let him stay. He was afraid Nekane would take over. Those shocking few moments this afternoon when the dragon had stalked her across the room frightened her. She shivered at the memory. Kei had completely disappeared.

  She’d been afraid, truly afraid of the beast inside him.

  Mine.

  Kei had said it to her often but it was only when the dragon had screamed it did she understand its true meaning. He wanted her to belong to him, completely. He wanted to consume her.

  Lorran sank to the floor and stared blankly at the fire. The room was deathly quiet. How was she going to do it? How was she going to learn to live without him?

  Her worst fears had come true. She’d fallen in love with him.

  Chapter Eight

  “Well, well, well. He’s back.”

  Kei ignored Kafe’s mocking greeting. Nekane growled quietly in Kei’s head. The dragon either sensed Kei’s feelings toward his brother or he was a good judge of character. Kei had been back for a full day but this was Kafe’s first appearance.

  “You’ll need to see that the North Shore Treaty is finalized.” Kei held up the document to Riker.

  The young man nodded. Kei watched his brother for a moment. Some people would think he was too young to rule but Kei knew Riker’s strength. Like Kei, Riker had trained as a warrior. Now, he would be King.

  Kei glanced down at the paper in his hand. He had always imagined he’d have a son to teach, a son to raise and train as his successor. He’d never thought that he’d have hours instead of years to pass along the important information. But Riker was smart and honest. Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said about Kafe. Kafe was clever but devious. And ten minutes older than Kei.

  “What? No greeting for me? Really Kei, how rude.” Kafe brushed the tips of his fingernails across the velvet vest he wore. “Or is there something more appropriate to call you now? Dragon-spawn perhaps?”

  Kei looked up at the mirror image of himself. The mystical connection between twins was rubbish, as far as Kei was concerned. He didn’t feel connected at all to Kafe, except for a mutual dislike. Naturally, Riker had told Kafe about the dragon attack. Riker didn’t understand the depth of Kafe’s hatred for Kei.

  Kei had done his best to shield his younger brother from Kafe’s true nature. Now that Riker would be King, he would have to be warned. He had to know that Kafe couldn’t be trusted.

  “Kafe, what do you want?” Kei asked doing his best to sound bored. It would irritate Kafe and maybe he’d leave.

  “Just what’s mine by right.”

  Kei knew Kafe meant the Kingdom. He’d always believed he should have been chosen to lead. Their father had decided differently.

  “The Kingdom will go to my heir.”

  “Well, unless you’ve implanted a seed in the past three weeks, that looks like it will be me.” Kafe’s eyes hardened. “You haven’t gotten some bitch pregnant, have you? What’s the name of the whore who nursed your pitiful life back to health?”

  Kei didn’t remember moving. He was over the table and his hands wrapped around Kafe’s throat before the final words of the sentence were said.

  His fingers dug into the skin as he squeezed the life out of the offender’s throat. Kill him. Kill.

  “Kei, stop. What are you doing?”

  Kei snapped back to himself as Riker grabbed his wrists and tried to pull him away. “Let him go.”

  Fighting Nekane every inch, Kei forced his hands to unclench. His twin dropped to the floor, gasping for air, red streaks appearing on his throat.

  Kafe glared up at his brother. “You attack me over a woman? She must be quite a good—“ he paused. Kei pulled his fist back, ready to break Riker’s hold if Kafe said one disrespectful word against Lorran. The dragon grumbled in agreement.

  “Nurse,” Kafe finally finished. He stood and brushed off his leathers with delicate fingers. “I didn’t know she meant so much to you.” The gleam that shone in his
eyes worried Kei for a moment but he let it go. In a few days, none of this would matter.

  “I don’t want you thinking about her at all.”

  Kafe shrugged then winced. Kei felt a momentary regret. He’d hurt his brother. Kafe’s neck was already bruising. But he had deserved it, that and more.

  Like an animal pacing a cage, Nekane hovered just beyond the physical world. Kei took a deep breath. It was getting harder and harder to keep him under control. It would be a day, maybe two before the creature overtook him completely. The dragon growled his displeasure. Kill him. Kill.

  The dragon screamed in his head, once again calling for Lorran. Get mine!

  Kei barely heard, and didn’t acknowledge, Kafe’s farewell. It was difficult to focus around the dragon’s cries.

  He waited until Kafe was gone before turning to Riker. He was young to be crowned but Kei knew his brother was smart, brave and he had a conscience. He’d do well.

  “The first thing you have to do when I die is banish Kafe.”

  Riker’s eyes widened. “What?”

  “He’ll cause problems. Father asked me to let him stay. I won’t make the same mistake with you. Outlaw him. I can’t. You have to.” Kei shrugged, looking more casual than he felt. “He’s got money so he’ll hire men. You’ll have the loyalty of the guard here. Use that.”

  Riker nodded. There was a flicker of guilt in his brother’s eyes. That was good. He was already thinking about getting rid of Kafe. It was something Kei should have done a year ago, but he’d made a promise. Riker would have to address it. There was so much he had to leave for Riker.

  Including Lorran. His instructions in his papers were explicit. He trusted Riker to follow through.

  Kei cleared his throat.

  “Right. Now, the North Shore can be held. The rebellion was more of a peasants’ protest. Send someone…”

  * * * * *

  Lorran stepped out on the porch and let the morning sun hit her eyes. She’d spent all of yesterday and the day before inside the cabin—sobbing. Her eyes were red and puffy from the two day crying jag. With a quiet sniff, she pushed her shoulders back. She wouldn’t cry for him any longer. He was gone. Of his own choice.

  But the truth showed itself even as she tried to deny it. Kei had left to protect her. Nekane was growing stronger. Kei was losing control. She paced the wood porch. She would go to town for some supplies. It would be a good excuse to hear the latest gossip. It was going to be on everyone’s lips when the King turned into a dragon.

  A cold breeze sent a shiver across her arms. It was early. The sun hadn’t had time to warm the earth. She’d wait until mid-day and then go. Long enough to hear what they were saying.

  A boot scuffing the wood platform drew her attention. She spun around and her heart stopped.

  “Kei!” She ran the four steps to him. As she threw her arms around his neck, she realized something was wrong. She jerked back and stepped away. “You’re not Kei.”

  It was Kei’s mirror image. But the soft edges of his face and the cruel glow in his eyes were so dramatically different from Kei’s she was surprised she’d mistaken him for even a moment.

  “Who are you?” She had a vague recollection of stories about twin princes but she’d ignored the tales. She’d turned her back on that life five years ago when she’d chosen to study dragons instead of returning to her father’s house.

  “I’m Kafe. Kei’s brother, as you see. Kei didn’t mention me? How unlike him. He usually can’t say enough about me.” The smarmy grin made Lorran’s jaw ache. She took another step away. “Kei sent me. He was worried about you, worried that you’re out here unprotected.” Lorran inched back. He followed her across the porch. “He needs you. He hated to admit it but he wants you with him.”

  She had to suppress the ache his words created. She didn’t trust him. Kei had left to protect her. Why would he call her to him?

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “It’s true. He misses you.”

  Her stomach clenched. Oh, how she wanted that to be true, but Kei wouldn’t call her.

  “I think you’d better leave.”

  “Not without you.” The charming smile disappeared and a jubilant meanness was reflected in his eyes. “You can appear before your beloved Kei covered in bruises, or not. The choice is up to you.” He paused. “On second thought—” He swung his hand out and slapped her hard against the face. Lorran fell to the ground, her cheek burning. “A few bruises wouldn’t be such a bad idea,” Kafe said. “Now, I can stop there, or I can beat you bloody. Either will suit my purposes.”

  Lorran didn’t respond. Her head vibrated from the vicious blow. She barely noticed when he dragged her to her feet and pushed her toward another soldier. The warrior caught her against his chest then quickly tied her hands together with a rope.

  Kafe gripped her chin in his fingers and lifted her head, inspecting her face. “Yes, that should bruise nicely, but give me any trouble and I’ll present you to Kei as a crumpled pile of human flesh.” She glared silently at him. Kafe smiled. “Yes, it’s almost impossible to believe we’re brothers, isn’t it?”

  * * * * *

  Kei stalked in front of the fireplace, turned around and repeated the path. Energy raged through his body. A dragon’s energy.

  The damned beast wouldn’t let him rest.

  Mine.

  The petulant voice echoed through Kei’s head.

  Mine! The dragon insisted.

  It wanted Lorran. Kei curled his hands into fists, squeezing until his knuckles turned white. He had to fight it—had to fight the urge to send for Lorran. If he sent an express, she could be here by mid-morning. She would come if he summoned her. She was loyal and too damn caring.

  Yes. Mine.

  “No!” Kei pounded his fist against the stone mantel. Pain shot up his arm but he barely recognized it. The rock cracked underneath the weight of his hand. The dragon’s strength was entering his human body, just like the voice was always in his head now.

  “Your M-Majesty?”

  Kei straightened and turned to face the maid. He recognized her. She’d shared his bed on a few occasions. She swallowed convulsively and stared at him with wide eyes.

  This is what I’ve become. A beast that my own servants fear.

  The young woman walked cautiously toward him. She was beautiful, tall and sleek, with full breasts that would fit perfectly in his hands. Her gown was low cut, revealing a deep cleavage. She’d been an eager bedmate. Now she was frightened of him.

  He took a deep breath and inhaled her scent. He paused and waited for the dragon’s growl—waited for lust to slam into his body.

  Nothing. She was a beautiful woman and he felt no desire to fuck her. The dragon didn’t seem to even notice her presence in the room.

  “What is it?”

  “I was asked to deliver this to you.”

  Kei silently took the note from her shaking hand. Kafe’s recognizable scrawl made the muscles along Kei’s back tighten to the point of snapping.

  “Thank you.” He dismissed her, barely noticing as she left, and stared at the note.

  Meet me at Turphen’s Rock. I have something you want.

  It wasn’t signed but that didn’t surprise Kei. Kafe would want to disclaim knowledge later. What was his brother up to now? An ambush?

  It didn’t matter. The papers were signed and logged. Riker was his heir. And Kafe knew that Kei would be dead within days anyway.

  Kei moved quickly, gathering his sword and battle leathers. He didn’t know Kafe’s plan but he’d learned long ago not to discount him.

  Turphen’s Rock had been their meeting spot as children. It was just a short walk away but far enough so prying eyes from the Castle couldn’t see them practicing with wooden swords and hitting each other with sticks.

  Kei stormed through the forest without trying to conceal his progress. He walked into the clearing beside the huge rock and waited. The dragon’s senses were tuned to the for
est around them. Kei let the awareness flow into him and instantly he could see beyond the clearing, picking up minute details about the men hidden in the forest.

  So it was to be an ambush. It was almost easier this way, Kei decided. He would die here, as a man. Instead of backed into a cave and hunted as a dragon.

  Mine.

  Kei ignored the dragon’s plea. The creature’s cries for Lorran were becoming a consistent part of his life.

  “Kafe, what do you want?” Kei called out.

  Kafe stepped out of the shadows but stayed at the edge of the clearing. “Oh, it’s not what I want. It’s what you want.”

  “Kafe, I don’t have time for this. You’ve got men surrounding the clearing.” If he’d wanted to, he could have told Kafe where each one was hiding, but he decided to just get this over. “You’re planning on killing me, that’s fine, but can you do it without the dramatics?” Kei unsheathed his sword and prepared for the attack. He couldn’t go down without a fight. It went against his nature. “Riker becomes King no matter how I die, and we both know that day isn’t far away. I’m actually pleased you took the initiative to do this.”

  The irritation on Kafe’s face was worth every mocking word. But then, the smugness returned. “Oh, I still have a chance to be King. Particularly when you’re outlawed. It shouldn’t be difficult to have your last will voided. You were a man under the influence of a dragon.”

  Kei held himself still, not letting any fear show. Riker was smart. He would be able to handle it.

  “But, since you’re going to sign over the Kingship to me, we’ll save all the hassles of a bloody civil war.”

  Kafe’s confidence was worrisome.

  “Why would I sign anything over to you?” Kei asked.

  Kafe swung his head in silent command to someone behind him. A warrior walked forward. Dragging Lorran.

  “Mine!” Nekane screamed the word. It echoed off the trees and disappeared into the night.