A Dragon's Dream of Love (Song of the Sídhí Series #2)

by Jodie B. Cooper

  His lips twitched and he leaned forward, dropping a soft kiss on her cheek. “Yes, I do have it bad for you, but your eyes really do change with your mood.” He mentally sent her an image of how she looked at that very moment.

  Her eyes grew wide and she shook her head. “Go figure, maybe it's a dragon thing.” She plucked at a blade of grass and looked hesitant.

  When she spoke her words emerged in a soft whisper. “I didn't want to refuse you.” She looked up and tears filled her eyes, her heart ached for the pain she'd put him through. “I wanted you so bad, but I thought I was going to die. I couldn't bear the thought of you dying with me.”

  His large hand cupped her face, gently wiping away an errant tear. “I know or at least, I figured it out last night when I thought you were dying.”

  She gave him a watery smile, hoping and praying he still wanted her. She leaned into his touch, desperate for the physical connection. “Will you forgive me and accept me as your bonded mate?”

  “Aahh,” his sigh didn't tell her much. It could be anything from relief to regret. His shuttered eyes didn't help.

  He slowly leaned forward. “There's nothing to forgive, Mia Cara.”

  With those words, she felt him mentally open his end of the lifeBond.

  Instantly, she felt the unopened end of her lifeBond yearning toward him, desperate to connect with him. “I'm part dragon.”

  He grinned. “Yeah, you are. Now bond with me, Mia Cara.”

  She smiled at the order and opened her end of the lifeBond. She felt the physical organ, the lifeBud, bloom into life within the recess of her brain. It sent out a mental tendril that was met halfway by Derek's. The ends of the lifeBond entwined together, forming a permanent mental link between the two of them.

  Derek's emotions flooded into her and she shook as they whipped around her. Seconds later, she lifted her head, surprised when she found herself gently cradled in his strong arms. His love and concern wrapped around her like a thousand slender tethers, anchoring him into her.

  She rubbed her cheek against the tight fabric of his shirt, sighing with pleasure as his purr vibrated through her. Nothing she ever dreamed could come close to her intense happiness.

  “You do know I love you,” she said, looking up into his beloved face.

  He chuckled. “Rather hard to miss since it's flooding through every inch of me.” He sighed and his pleasure burst inside her. “My Leah, your love is the most incredible thing I've ever felt in my entire life.”

  She grinned, carefully caressing the bulge pressing against the bottom of her leg. As it grew thicker, he groaned and she mischievously said, “Are you sure about that?”

  Epilogue: Haven Valley

  Four months later, Leah stood under the hot spray of water, still in awe over the immense suite of rooms. When they first walked in, Derek had laughed as her shock rippled through him. He teased her, telling her the rooms at his sister's castle were livable, while his rooms at their duchy were three times as large. She still wasn't sure if he had been joking. At least it was private, after living with a dozen teenagers during the summer privacy was something she no longer took for granted.

  She chuckled remembering the first day they bonded. Things had begun heating up just as Alexander dropped out of the sky. She still remembered Derek's surge of frustration when the big black dragon refused to go away.

  The ache of frustration soon turned to relief when Alexander teleported them to his private residence and brought in a preacher.

  The preacher had been more than happy to bless their newly established lifeBond; the equivalent of a mundane marriage.

  She stretched, enjoying the feel of six pulsing shower heads. If it weren't for the box of books Derek had delivered for her she might stay in the shower for hours, turning into a wrinkly prune.

  The constant pressure of Derek's love changed, increasing as it pulsed with joy and yearning.

  She grinned with anticipation as he slipped into the shower with her.

  Warm lips caressed her bare shoulder, raining kisses up the side of her neck. His large hands curled possessively around her bulging middle, gently caressing the tightly stretched skin. “How are both my girls doing?”

  “Boy.” She automatically corrected, grinning as his surge of masculine pride exploded within her. She leaned her body against his length sighing in contentment as she felt his pleasure wrap around her.

  “I hope she has your eyes,” he said, emphasizing the feminine word.

  He sighed and Leah felt his worry pulse with renewed force. The worried pressure had been nibbling at the back of her mind since they arrived in Haven Valley. “I talked with the Healer. Before you say no, just listen to me.”

  “No, I've told you, no healers. Every healer I've ever come in contact with is a sadistic prick,” she said, wishing he'd drop the subject, but she knew him better than that.

  “How about you meet her and check her out with your aura sight. Leah, love, Sídhí pregnancies are only sixteen weeks long. For all we know, you could go into labor any minute,” he said gruffly, while gently rubbing small circles around her belly. “The healers you knew were raised in the Dhark Valley with no moral code of conduct. Marissa is the castle's master healer. She's twelve hundred years old and so sweet she'll give you a tooth ache just talking to her.”

  Against her better judgment Leah smiled at his description and felt her firm stand against healers soften. More than anything, she didn't want to endanger the baby. She sighed and grumbled to herself. “All right, I'll agree to meet her, but that's all.”

  He turned her in his arms, gently cradling her body against his. He kissed her, slowly at first then with growing intensity, nibbling and teasing her lips and tongue with his own. She squirmed against him as the heat in her steadily grew.

  After a few minutes, he pulled back.

  She knew he hadn't wanted to stop, but going any farther was no longer an option.

  Several hours later, she sat dressed and ready in the formal receiving room. Derek would be joining her, but she still dreaded meeting the so-called Sweet Healer. The last time a healer got hold of her was after Bart PuckinKnück beat her unconscious. The Healer had made her healing as painful as possible. She knew he had because he told her so.

  She rubbed her aching back, realizing it might be a good idea to have the healer check her and the baby. The ache in her lower back had grown steadily worse all day.

  She stood and the ache changed to a sharp rolling pain, gripping her stomach in a band of steel. She moaned, but couldn't move for the life of her.

  She distantly heard a door slam open an instant before Derek wrapped gentle arms around her. “Easy love, I have you. I won't let go.”

  Five hours later, Healer Marissa beamed at Leah as she laid first Isabella then Ethan in her arms.

  Derek's love and pride swept through her. It pulsed in a non-stop beat. He leaned down, gently kissing her damp forehead. “I love you, my beautiful Leah.”

  Leah gazed into his glowing amber eyes, loving him so much that her heart felt like it would explode. “And I love you, more than I ever imagined possible. You are this dragon's dream of love come true.”

  ~ The End ~

  Leah and Derek are briefly mentioned in Vampire’s Forbidden Territory & Song of the Sídhí #4

  Guardian Alexander is a secondary character in Forbidden Temptation of a Vampire and Vampire’s Forbidden Territory.

  Guardian Alexander and Lizzie (Leah’s mom) are the primary characters in a short story (Song of the Sídhí #4).

  Beth and Brianna are secondary characters in Vampire’s Forbidden Territory.

  Glossary of Sídhí Terms

  Blood Thirst - The uncontrollable urge of a vampire to drink human blood from a specific person.

  Bristle Flowers – A flowering vine with quarter sized flowers. Each flower has five yellow petals with a brilliant red center. The name bristle is derived from the hundreds of teeny-tiny thorns sprouting around the outer-e
dge of each petal. Bristle flowers prefer shaded growing conditions.

  Chameleon – Chameleon are race of people from Sídhí. Three to four feet tall, slender, and covered from head to toe with short, thick black fur like that of an otter. They have solid black eyes and sharp white teeth. If injected with raw synth crystal they Change into an umbra.

  Chi’Kehra – Chi’Kehra is the title for the true elf monarch. In known history, there have only been two. Every elf baby is tested at birth; the baby’s hand is sliced open and dipped into pure synth crystal. Any child that has a scar after this process is declared as the ultimate elf leader, Chi’Kehra. The Chi’Kehra is the only person that can completely manipulate synth crystal in its pure form.

  Cyclops – Cyclops are a rare race of people preferring to live in caves with a large source of water. The very solitary race primarily eats meat. They are not picky where the meat comes from. They have very unique abilities.

  Dragon – 1.) Dragon shifters are a race of people originally from Sídhí. They have the ability to change their shape to that of a specific animal/dragon. Each sub-race (Clan) has various strengths provided by the synth crystal in their blood. A person’s first shift into dragon can take place before or after puberty. A shifter in human form smells human. They consider the term shapeshifter a slur as they are dragon. 2.) Dragons are a very intelligent, and highly dangerous, Sídhí animal.

  Dhark elves – A dhark elf is an elf that lives in one of the Dhark Valleys. There is no physical difference between elves and dhark elves. Dhark elves simply have a different life style than elves.

  Dyrst’Lye Clan – A nearly extinct clan of dragon shifters whose gift can destroy a blooming LifeBud before a bond is created between lifeMates.

  Elves - Race of people originally from Sídhí. The have a rigidly strict code of honor. They give an oath of fealty to whomever they choose. First, they always give a blood oath of fealty to the unknown Chi’Kehra, second oath goes to their house, and third oath may go to their valley or their liege lord. Due to synth crystal they have increased sense of smell, sight, strength and mental capabilities. They have pointed ears, approximately a half inch to one inch taller than a mundane human’s ear. The pupil (black center) and the iris (colored portion of their eye) are larger than a mundane human’s eye.

  Fairy - Race of people originally from Sídhí. Each fairy has various strengths provided by the synth crystal in their blood. Very secretive race. Most live in Atlantis Valley, which covers large swaths of land and all of the North and South Atlantic Oceans. Five castes: Royal, warrior, merchant, common, and servant. The five castes contain hundreds of sub-races, such as siren, pixie, nymphs, changelings, dwarves, leprechaun, brownie, banshee, harpy, phoenix, enchanter, mermaid, mystic… Physical and paranormal attributes vary widely between sub-races.

  For’Syth Clan – A clan of dragons whose has the gift of fore sight.

  Furble Tree – A native Sídhí tree that has blue bark & needles. In the wild, it is found primarily in mountainous regions. There are several varieties from dwarf to trees over 100 feet tall. The trees are popular for building as once they are cut, the grains of the wood turn a darker blue creating a unique pattern. Note: Burning furble wood has blue flames. It smells like a cross between hickory and pine with a touch of vanilla.

  Gateway - A gateway is a permanent ‘doorway’ that allows people or inanimate objects to travel instantly between Earth and valley (see valley) or between valleys. A mundane human cannot see a gateway, but they can go through a gateway if touching a Sídhí or holding a piece of synth crystal.

  Glow moss – A prolific form of moss that glows. The most common form is cave moss. The moss glows in a variety of colors when disturbed. Another form of glow moss is found above ground.

  Gnome – Gnomes are native race of Sídhí. They are no stronger than a mundane human. They are short, growing no taller than three feet and have wrinkly skin like a Sharp Pei. They have pale skin and yellow eyes. They prefer a diet of insects, sugar, and fruit. They are very vindictive and love practical jokes.

  Halfling – A halfling is an individual who is half one race and half another.

  Hibbet – A hibbet is a nocturnal animal the size of a baseball. It is rarely seen in the daytime. Its wings and feathered body are brown. The four black legs are scaled and frog-shaped for hopping. It hoots like a small owl, but also has a chirping sound used with its young. Omnivore, but prefers small insects.

  Khatt – A khatt is a large Sídhí animal. Very family orientated. They live in large herds. Babies are called kit - litters of three to five. Omnivore, though they prefer meat. They will adopt a human upon occasion. Long lived - several centuries.

  Khr'Vurr – The Khr'Vurr is a fanatical group of dragons, also known as Freedom Fighters.

  LifeMate – When a person is drawn toward another person by the synth crystal in their blood. Two people who are perfect soul mates. Two people who fall in love and bond. LifeMates are miserable when apart from each other.

  LifeBond - The lifeBond is a permanent mental bond between two lifeMates. The bond allows them to feel each other’s emotions. The bond cannot be broken once formed.

  LifeBud - The LifeBud is a physical organ in a Sídhí brain that allows a lifeBond to be created between two lifeMates. The bud can be destroyed before a bond is created, but not afterward.

  Markles - A red plant with tall bamboo like stalks. The tip of each stalk ends in a ball of pink finger-like protrusions. They catch and eat insects with the finger-like protrusions. If approached or hit/broken they spew a red, sticky substance.

  Mia Cara - Literal translation: my beloved.

  Morag - A nocturnal insect with a blackish oval body with grooved wings and several dozen legs. It makes an irritating buzzing/belching sound, but is not very loud.

  Mundane (human) – A mundane is a normal human with no synth crystal in their blood, normally born on Earth. Some valleys have a few mundane settlements. The Dhark Valleys keep mundane humans as servants/slaves and a source of blood for their large vampire population.

  Olitiau – An olitiau is a Sídhí animal that looks like a giant bat. Adults are approximately the size of a large dog. The prefer fresh meat.

  Phoenix – 1.) A race of winged people originally from Sídhí; they have not been seen or heard from in four thousand years. They are the strongest of fairy within the warrior caste. The wings of a phoenix cover a spectrum of colors, but are primarily mixtures of red, black and/or white. The eyes of a phoenix turn silver when emotional, a reaction that can turn deadly to others.

  2.) A bird that drips fire off brilliant red wings. Unlike the Earth myth, they are not reborn.

  Pixie - Race of people originally from Sídhí who are smaller in stature, slender with sharper features. They are a sub-race of fairy.

  Port – See teleport.

  Pre-pub - A Sídhí young person before or during puberty.

  Puberty - The developmental period every teenage Sídhí goes through. In a twenty-one day period, a Sídhí youth will start out stick-thin and develop into their adult body and abilities. The youth is always hungry during this time.

  Shapeshifter (aka shifter) - Race of people originally from Sídhí. They have the ability to change their shape to that of a specific animal. Each sub-race has various strengths provided by the synth crystal in their blood. A person’s first shift can take place before or after puberty. A shifter in human form smells human. Known shifters include: wolf, khatt, and dragon.

  Sídhí (aka Immortal or home world) - 1. A Sídhí is a person that originally lived (or descended from people who lived) on the home world of Sídhí. 2. A formally mundane human who has been injected with pure synth crystal or received a venomous bite from a vampire. 3. Sídhí is the original home world of non-mundane humans.

  Sídhí is pronounced: Sid He

  Snake Vine – Snake vine is a naturally growing vine that has the feel and weight of a snake. It is found in most Sídhí forests, curling around the
upper branches of large trees.

  Sprite – A tiny Sídhí animal with a (somewhat) humanoid shape. Sprites average two inches tall with four arms and four propeller shaped wings that are iridescent, sparkling in the sunshine and glowing at night. They have a silvery chirping sound. Diet includes: grass, nuts, and honey. Sprites are very colorful, ranging from hot pink to steel blue to dark green. A few varieties include: mountain sprites, meadow sprites, river sprites, hay sprites, and swamp sprites.

  Synth Crystal - 1. The purest form of energy, it was created by the highly advanced Ancient Ones on the home world of Sídhí tens of thousands of years ago. Synth crystal makes normal (mundane) people immortal and increases all of their natural abilities. It also gives them other extra-ordinary abilities. 2. It is the strongest known substance on Earth or Sídhí 3. Each source (or spring) of crystal has a slightly different set of characteristics in it.

  Synth Crystal Spring - A spring of Synth Crystal can be grown. Crystal in liquid form is poured into an underground chasm or cavern. The crystal grows until it fills the underground abyss. Each spring is subtly different as the crystal leeches microscopic material from the surrounding nature. Pools of Synth Crystal can be seen above ground, but growth (expansion) can only take place underground.

  Teleportation (aka port) – Teleportation is the ability of a vampire or dragon shifter to move from one location to another in the blink of an eye.

  TèVarrn Prison – A massive prison in the Dhark Empire that is underground. It is a warren of dead end tunnels and traps.

  Trolls – A troll is a smart Sídhí animal. There are different subspecies including swamp, cave, and forest trolls. Subspecies are distinguished by color. Swamp troll are shades of green. Forest trolls are splotched green and brown. Cave trolls are red to deep burgundy. They live in large packs dominated by the largest male. If a troll is seen, you better run. Its pack mates will be near.

  Umbra - Race of people originally from Sídhí, believed extinct. They had a very slight odor, a very mild aroma of sea salt; most immortals could not smell them. Very short black fur covered their entire body. Like an otter, the fur was water repellent. The fur also acted as insulation that entirely muffled their heartbeat. They had poisonous teeth and claws. They had the ability to disappear like a chameleon.