Her Dragon To Slay (Dragon Guard Series)

by Julia Mills

She especially liked a bracelet with many bells made out of all different colors of dragon scales. The bells tinkled in the breeze and twinkled in the sunlight. It had to be the most beautiful piece of jewelry she had ever seen. Granny had always said that every time a bell rang an angel got his wings. The thought made Kyndel smile so she told Emma. Emma in turn shared that in the dragon community every time a bell rang it meant a dragon had kissed his mate. She giggled despite herself and wondered if Rayne had paid the sweet girl to say that. No matter, she was incredibly talented and a real sweetheart. Kyndel promised to visit again.

  Finally Rayne dropped her off at Siobhan’s. She was to stay there until the beginning of their official mating ceremony the next day. He had explained that Siobhan would prepare her for the ceremony. When she questioned him, he evaded her questions and said Siobhan would have the answers. Since patience was not a virtue she possessed, she continued to badger him with questions until he swooped down and captured her lips. She immediately opened for him. He slid his tongue into her mouth and all thoughts of ceremonies and questions faded away. She had no idea how long they had been at it when she heard someone clearing their throat. Kyndel looked over her shoulder to find Siobhan grinning ear to ear. “It seems I keep finding you two like this.” The Healer shook her head in mock outrage. “Commander, if you don’t let go of your mate, I won’t have time to prepare her for the mating ceremony.”

  Regretfully, they pulled apart but not before he plundered her mouth one last time and left her breathless. Kyndel watched him swagger across the path leading back to the center of the lair and could not help but laugh. He really was something else and she loved him just as he was.

  As soon as she realized she was alone with Siobhan, her nerves took over. She had no idea what she had to be nervous about but butterflies had taken residence in her stomach and were threatening a revolt. She breathed deeply, forcing a calm she did not feel as she followed Siobhan into her home. The elderly Healer took her down a completely different hallway she had not noticed when she was there before. Well, she had been unconscious pretty much the whole time except for when Rayne carried her out. It only stood to reason there was a lot she hadn’t seen.

  They came into a beautifully decorated sitting room, with antique furniture and pieces of art displayed on every surface. Siobhan obviously liked the finer things in life. From the smell of it, she had made lavender tea for their visit. She motioned for Kyndel to have a seat on a brocade loveseat that was in immaculate condition but obviously from an era long passed. It didn’t take long for Kyndel to forget her nerves as her curiosity took over. She had never been one to pussy foot around an issue and now definitely was not the time. If she was to be mated to her big Dragon Guard Commander in less than twenty-four hours then she wanted to know every detail. “So about this mating ceremony, Rayne said you’ll answer all my questions.” She paused as Siobhan nodded. “I guess I really have only one. What’s going to happen?” And with that Siobhan explained the very old and very sacred mating ceremony of the Golden Fire Clan of the Dragon Shifters into the wee hours of the night.

  Sleep eluded her as she replayed all Siobhan had told her throughout their long and detailed conversation. She tossed and turned as she thought about the life she and Rayne would have together. Her absolute belief that she was exactly where she was supposed to be, with the man she was meant to spend her life with, made her feel a contentment she had never known. Somewhere right before the sun came over the mountains she finally slept for a few hours.

  Now she stood, ready to enter the Cave of the Ancients, a ball of nerves and excitement, definitely ready to get the show on the road. There were a few things that Siobhan had explained that flew right over her head but for the most part she understood.

  There were only very few places an official mating ceremony could take place and Rayne had decided theirs would be in the ceremonial chamber of the Cave of the Ancients. Siobhan had explained that the Elders would recite the ceremonial text then Rayne would call forth his dragon fire, they would kiss and some of his essence would be transferred to her. After the transference was complete, they would have identical markings at the base of their necks. When Kyndel asked what the mark would look like Siobhan got a dreamy look in her eyes and simply said whatever the Universe decided signified their union. Whatever the hell that meant. She decided not to push it since the older woman looked like she was caught up in a memory too personal to disturb.

  She was pulled from her thoughts when two younger Dragon Guardsmen decked out in their dress uniforms appeared on either side of her. She placed one arm though each guard’s bent arm as they began to lead her down the passageway to her mate.

  Their uniforms looked like something out of a Knights of the Round Table movie. She figured that made sense since they had, after all, originated in that era in one way or another. They both wore surcoats of the deepest red. Each trimmed with black and gold rope, intricately designed to provide a background befitting the dragon in the throes of battle emblazoned on each man’s chest. The dragon was stitched with incredible detail in the color of that man’s beast. Their undershirt and pants were black. They wore knee high, black boots polished until she was sure she could see her face in them. The light from each candle, strategically placed in the sconces lining the corridor to the ceremonial chamber, twinkled and shone as they passed.

  When they reached the threshold, her escorts gently placed her arms at her sides, bowed and then took several steps behind her. It was apparent their place for the ceremony was standing at attention right outside the entryway. Siobhan had told her only she, Rayne and the Elders would be in the chamber along with Rayne’s chosen witnesses. She took a deep breath to calm the butterflies throwing a party in her stomach as she walked through the doorway into the chamber that held her future mate. There he stood tall and proud. Their eyes locked. Her nerves and fears dissipated. This was the most perfect moment of her life.

  *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

  The vision of his mate passing through the archway took Rayne’s breath away. There was not a word strong enough to describe how exquisite she looked standing there ready to officially begin their life together.

  Her wavy auburn hair was piled on her head with curly tendrils framing her face. He knew she had been self conscious of the tiny bald spot and stitches at the back of her head so he was not surprised to see it up. There were small white flowers interspersed throughout the delicate design that perfectly fit Kyndel in all her glory.

  The off the shoulder white gossamer gown she wore gave him a mouth watering view of the freckles dancing across her peaches and cream shoulders and made him think of all the ways he wanted to touch and tease each of those precious dots. The corset-like bodice fit perfectly and displayed her ample bosom as an offering he found hard to refuse. It was embroidered with small red designs that resembled dragon’s fire, in honor of the beast that was also being united with his mate today.

  A wide red satin ribbon was cinched at her waist and the long skirt hugged every one of Kyndel’s luscious curves as it flowed to the floor. Her bare feet peeked out the bottom of her dress and he dreamt of sucking each one of those toes between his lips while she moaned in pleasure. He worked hard to hold back the growl that was building deep in his chest. If they did not get this ceremony started he wasn’t going to be responsible for what happened. He had not been inside his mate’s body for over five days and the separation was killing him. Not to mention she stood there looking like an angel fallen from heaven and other men could see her, as well. He knew it was the lack of physical contact over the last few days and the call of the Ancients to complete the mating ritual now that they were in this sacred place that drove his need for her to an all time high but he had almost reached his breaking point.

  Rayne heard Carrick, the Chief Elder’s, voice ring through the chamber, “Long ago when knights and dragons fought side by side for King and country, it became apparent that dragon kin was no longer safe from those that would e
xpose and destroy them. They sought to join with the knights that had so valiantly fought by their sides. Thus through magic and the will of both dragon and knight, the Golden Fire Clan of the Dragon Shifters was formed.

  “We are here today, in the holiest of places, to honor what the Universe put into place all those many years ago. We are here to acknowledge and bless the mating of Rayne Michael MacLendon to the one the Universe made for him and him alone, Kyndel Aislinn Masterson. Will those seeking to witness this union please step forward?”

  Out from the shadows stepped the five men Rayne held closer than blood kin, the men that had trained with him, fought with him, bled with him and now shared the happiest moment of his life with him and his beloved. They were all dressed in their finery. They knelt around the sacred circle and bowed their heads. Royce stood and addressed the Elders, “We, the five of the MacLendon Force, wish to witness and offer our blessing to the union of these two souls, two halves of the same whole. May they live long, fight hard, love harder and produce many young to flourish when their souls have gone to the heavens.” He knelt and bowed his head again.

  Rayne watched as a tear trailed down Kyndel’s beautiful cheek. He was completely awestruck at the complete majesty of this event and the absolute beauty of his mate. Carrick began again, “Your witness and blessing have been acknowledged and accepted MacLendon Force. Rayne MacLendon you may go to your mate. Please escort her to the center of the Blessed Circle.” No sooner had the words been spoken than he was standing in front of Kyndel. He took her hands in his and because he could not muster the will to stop looking at her, he walked backward until they were in place.

  Carrick began again, “The red dragons were born of blood and fire. They are notoriously passionate in all areas of their lives. Red dragons are known for their command and fierceness. The red of their scales symbolizes love and fertility. Red dragons will lead the charge, conquer the enemy and defend homeland and family with their very lives. To mate a red dragon means to accept all that they are and honor the power shared between mates.

  “Now is the time of the marking. May the Universe continue to bless you and yours all the days of your life,” and with that everyone but Rayne and Kyndel left the chamber.

  *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

  Kyndel had no idea how long she and Rayne stood there looking into one another’s eyes. She knew with every fiber of her being there would never be a day, no matter how long she lived, that she would tire of looking at this gorgeous man. His eyes began to glow so bright they outshined the candles that lined the walls. She saw a heat that was more than passion reflected in those violet orbs. As she stood mesmerized, Rayne lowered his mouth to hers. He stopped right before their lips would have touched, “Ta’ mo chroi istigh ionat,” he whispered and with that he lowered his lips onto hers.

  It was the most all encompassing, completely devastatingly enraptured kiss she could have ever imagined. She felt the first brush of his lips in every cell of her body. She was consumed with a heat that warmed her from the inside out. It laid her open, body and soul, to her mate. She was assured in that moment that there would never be any part of her, no matter how small, that this man, this dragon shifter, would not be able to touch. She could feel it reciprocated. She realized that she was feeling some of Rayne’s emotions too. He was just as open to her as she was to him. It was just as Siobhan had described.

  She flinched as she felt a twinge on the left side of her neck, right where her neck met her shoulder. Rayne left her lips, trailing kisses across her jaw and down her neck until he reached the tender spot that had stung a moment before. He licked and sucked the offending spot until all thoughts of anything but their naked bodies loving one another were banished from her mind.

  Rayne lifted his head from her neck and looked into her eyes. She was sure a more perfect moment with a more perfect man had never existed in all of history. He kissed the tip of her nose and she saw the promise of amazing passion in his vibrant violet eyes, “Now for the best part, we consummate our mating, mo ghra’.” And he lifted her into his arms.

  She laid her head against his shoulder as he used his enhanced speed to get them home in a matter of minutes. He threw open the door and carried her across the threshold, immediately kicking it closed again with the heel of his boot. She had never seen the inside of Rayne’s home, their home and it would obviously have to wait with the way he was flying up the stairs. She caught a few colors but other than that everything was a blur.

  He released her legs and her body slid down the length of his. Every spot their bodies touched fed the fire that was already causing her pulse to accelerate and her juices to flow. He held onto her arms to steady her after her feet touched the floor. He let out a long slow breath and she watched any residual tension just drain out of his amazing body. He smiled and she felt the electricity all the way to her toes. He was hers now, for all eternity.

  *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

  She was his now, she bore his mark. There was nothing in heaven or hell that could tear them apart. Not even in death would their souls ever be truly parted. He ran his hands through her hair releasing the pins holding her curls in place, being careful to not touch the wound still healing there. The little white flowers fell to the ground like snowflakes. Her auburn mane tumbled down her back and he massaged her scalp while she moaned and pushed her head further into his hands. He rubbed and kneaded down her neck moving onto her shoulders, those little freckles teasing him again. This time he did not resist kissing and licking each little spot while his hands worked their magic.

  He kissed his way across her décolletage and began to undo the row of small pearl buttons holding the bodice of her dress together, his mouth watered as her breasts came into view. He untied the ribbon around her waist and her gown floated to the ground. She lifted one foot and then the other as he kicked the garment out of their way with his booted foot. There stood his Kyndel in nothing but a white lace thong. He took a moment just to marvel at the miraculous creature that stood before him.

  “Commander, it seems you’re a little overdressed for the occasion.” She smiled a coy little smile as she lifted his surcoat over his head and reached for the hem of his black undershirt. His mate was a sexy minx. Life was just going to get better and better.

  Rayne grabbed the same hem and begin to tug. Kyndel placed her hands on his. “Let me, it’s only fair I get to return the favor.” She looked up through her lashes at him, winked and all rational thought left his mind.

  He let his hands fall to his sides. Who was he to deny his mate anything, even if it was undressing him? She made quick work of his undershirt and ran her hands over his shoulders, across his chest lightly toying with his nipples with her thumb and forefinger. He shivered when she made another pass across his already raised peaks with her nails. She rubbed along each ridge of his six pack and brushed through the thin line of hair leading into the waistband of his pants.

  *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

  Kyndel undid the clasp and zipper at the front of his pants, surprised that he wore no underwear. Her mate was always prepared for anything. Thank God! She was so excited that her juices were flowing down the inside of her thigh. She looked up and saw his head thrown back, the vein running down his neck beating faster than usual. She noticed an almost purple mark in the shape of a flame on the left side of his neck and knew instinctively it was their mating mark. She could not wait to see an identical mark in the same place on her neck.

  She ran the back of her fingers from one hip to the other watching goose bumps rise on Rayne’s skin. She pushed his pants off his hips and followed them to the floor. On her knees in front of her mate, his erection right in front of her mouth, she licked her lips. She wanted to taste him as much as she wanted her next breath. The tip was so swollen it was purple and so hard she wondered if he was in pain. There was a small bead of liquid balanced on the very tip that winked at her. She captured it with the end of her tongue and sighed at his taste.

  Rayne’s eyes shot
open and he grabbed her shoulders, bringing her back to standing in an instant. She resisted his touch. “No, Rayne, I want to taste you.”

  She watched him scrutinize her expression for just a moment. Her excitement grew even more to know that he truly cared whether she wanted to pleasure him or not. She knew he had found his answer when he relaxed and laid his hands gently on her shoulders as she once again went to her knees. She was surprised to see he had removed his boots and pants while she had been in his arms.

  She placed her palms on his thighs and rubbed her cheek from tip to base of his cock, inhaling the scent that was purely Rayne. She ran her tongue along the vein that ran the length, working her way back to the tip. She lavished the ridge under the mushroom head that had become even more swollen and sensitive and Rayne moaned long and loud. She dipped her tongue into the slit at the very tip drawing more of his essence into her mouth and the muscles in his thighs shook. Her mate was holding on by a thread. He moved his hands to her shoulders and kneaded. His breathing so fast, he sounded like she did after thirty minutes on the treadmill. She wondered if dragon shifters hyperventilated and smiled to herself, thinking how much fun it was going to be to find out.

  She sucked as much of his very impressive length into her mouth as she could possibly fit and hollowed her cheeks. Rayne squeezed her shoulders almost to the point of pain. “Mo ghra’, I’m not going to last if you keep doing that.” He sounded like a man in pain and Kyndel smiled around his cock. She worked him in and out of her lips for a few more strokes, feeling him grow longer and thicker. She moved slowly back to the tip increasing the suction and pulled him from her mouth with a pop. She felt him shudder. She moved quickly to his sac and sucked one and then the other of his balls in to her mouth licking and massaging with her tongue until she felt him relax just a bit. Then she took his length in her mouth once again. She placed both her hands around the base and worked him in and out of her mouth sucking and humming until he shouted and released into her waiting mouth. She swallowed all he gave and continued to work her lips up and down as he began to harden again.