by Zoe Chant
“Please, Liev,” she said again, unsure how much more she could take. She strained after release, her body trembling – until finally his tongue slid against her clit once more, releasing her at last, sending her climax racing through her.
Darklis cried out, fists clenched in the furs, as pure ecstasy burned through her, leaving nothing in its wake but utter bliss.
She wasn’t sure how long it took for her to come back to herself, but when she did, she found herself sweaty and breathless, cradled in Liev’s arms, her head resting against his bicep.
“Oh my goodness,” she whispered, unable to do much else. In response, Liev simply kissed her, leaving her breathless once more. She could feel his cock still hot and hard against her hip.
Mmm, we’ll have to do something about that, she sent to him as he kissed her, and felt a flare of desire run through him in response.
“Will we now,” he said when they finally broke apart, a glint in his eyes.
“Very definitely,” Darklis said, though she’d barely caught her breath again from her climax. Despite the fact it had been more satisfying than she knew how to describe, she still wanted more – more of Liev, more of everything he had to give her. She wanted to feel them joined together, for the first time as husband and wife – for the first time since he had crowned her, and made her his.
She could barely stand to wait as Liev moved over her once more, his thighs sliding easily between hers. It was as if they had been made for each other – and in a way, she supposed they had been.
She almost cried out again at the first touch of the hot head of his cock against her. She was so wet, so ready for him that he slid into her easily, and they gasped together as he slowly sheathed himself deep within her. Pleasure thrummed through her body as she felt every inch of him inside her, filling her up and stretching her so perfectly open. Darklis’s mind grew hazy, unable to think of anything but Liev as he made his first movement within her, thrusting his hips, and burying himself within her.
She could not tell where she ended and he began as his movements sped up, his hips snapping forward. They were joined completely – mind and body and soul.
You are my mate, Darklis, Liev sent to her, his mind touching hers as completely as his body did. Forever and always, you will be mine, and I will be yours...
Darklis felt awash in her own pleasure. She could feel his body moving above hers, quaking as his pleasure built, his movements growing faster and more desperate with every passing second.
Encouraging him, she squeezed her walls around him. He cried out in response, but his rhythm never faltered, pushing her closer and closer to the edge of her pleasure. His mouth found hers and his tongue slipped inside, plundering her further still.
At last, Darklis cried out as her climax burst over her body, shaking her down to her core, whiting out her vision and leaving her utterly breathless. Her body quaked with ecstasy as a moment later Liev followed her over the brink, letting out a throaty cry. He thrust into her one more strong, final, perfect time, his muscles straining, emptying himself within her.
Exhausted, Darklis felt him lower himself down next to her. Barely able to move, she nonetheless rolled slightly onto her side, tucking herself against him, her back against his chest, his arms coming around to hold her close against him.
It was a long time before either of them could speak again – but the first thing Darklis became aware of when at last she came back to herself was Liev’s breath against the nape of her neck, and the golden circlet, pressing warmly against her forehead.
Crowned and claimed. Her dragon’s voice was a self-satisfied purr. We truly are joined now. And no one will ever tear us apart.
Darklis could only smile softly. She knew it was true. Liev was hers, and she was his.
“I hope no one is expecting us anywhere tomorrow,” she said eventually, her voice thick with sleepiness. It had been a long day, after all. And while she had hoped to make this a long night, too... well, they had the rest of their lives for that now.
Liev’s laugh was a puff of warm breath on the back of her neck. “Not if they know what’s good for them. I’m not planning on emerging from here for at least a week.”
Warmth coiled in Darklis’s belly. “Now that sounds like a plan,” she said, smiling. “If you’re certain you can neglect your princely duties for that long.”
Liev raised himself up on his elbow, before lowering his head to kiss her, slow and deep.
“The only princely duty that I’m concerned with right now is the pleasure of my princess,” he said when he pulled back. “And it’s a duty that I intend to perform most thoroughly, and as often as possible.”
Darklis couldn’t hold back the laugh that burst from her lips. Raising her head, she caught Liev’s mouth in another kiss.
“Well, I suppose now that I’m a princess I’ll have my own duties to see to as well,” she said, smiling up at him.
“I’m sure you will,” Liev replied, laughing. “I look forward to finding out just what those duties entail.”
“Impatience is most unbecoming in a prince,” she said, the gleam in her eye growing mischievous.
“It’s a flaw I have to admit I’m not in a hurry to work on,” Liev retorted, raising an eyebrow.
“Well. Perhaps we’ll have to do something about that,” Darklis said, a moment before a yawn opened her mouth wide. “But maybe... later.”
“Yes, later,” Liev agreed. “Now, perhaps, it’s time for sleep. We will have plenty of time for everything else. Later.”
“Mmm.” Darklis could already feel herself drifting toward sleep. She had never felt so relaxed in all her life. Her muscles felt suffused with warmth from head to toe – as if the golden circlet Liev had placed upon her head was filling her up with a golden glow.
And maybe it is, Darklis thought sleepily, as she rested her head on Liev’s chest. Who knows how these things work. Maybe I’ll find something about it in the library one of these days... oh! And that reminds me, I’ve been meaning to look up...
The thought was cut off by a wide yawn.
She was safe. She was loved. She was home.
Snuggling down into the furs in front of the fire, the arms of her mate wrapped around her, Darklis drifted into a blissful sleep, a smile on her face.
A note from Zoe Chant
Thank you for buying my book! I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to be emailed when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list. You can also visit my webpage, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter. You are also invited to join my VIP Readers Group on Facebook!
Please consider reviewing A Bride for the Dragon, even if you only write a line or two. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.
Page down to read a special sneak preview of A Mate for the Dragon, the first in the Lost Dragons series!
The cover of A Bride for the Dragon was designed by Isabelle Arden.
More Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant
A Mate for the Dragon. (Lost Dragons #1) A curvy woman with a broken heart + a hot dragon shifter with a haunted past + a deadly clan of evil dragons = one sizzling and suspenseful romance!
Fated for the Dragon. (Lost Dragons #2) A curvy scientist on a mission + a reclusive billionaire dragon shifter + a powerful enemy bent on revenge = one heart-pounding romance!
Destined for the Dragon. (Lost Dragons #3) A dragon without a memory + a dragon hunter who’s beginning to doubt her mission = one breathtaking romance!
Dancing Bearfoot. (Green Valley Shifters 1) A single dad from the city + his daughter's curvy teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.
The Tiger Next Door. (Green Valley Shifters 2) Suddenly a single dad, Shaun has to decide between the son he adores and the woman next door, who is his mate. What’s more stubborn, fate, or a five-year-old?
Stealing the Snow Leopard’s Heart. (Shifter Suspense #3). A stick-in-the-mud snow leopard shifter PI + an ex-thi
ef who can’t escape her past + an adorable baby dragon who thinks they’re both part of her hoard = one sweet and sexy romance!
Lion’s Betrayal. (Shifter Suspense #2) A billionaire lion shifter fighting to fill the hole in his heart + a curvy reporter on an undercover assignment + an island paradise where all is not as it seems = one dangerously hot romance!
Panther’s Promise. (Shifter Suspense #1) A curvy artist struggling with self-doubt + a panther shifter who's out of touch with his panther + a kidnapper with deadly plans = one thrilling romantic adventure!
Mated to the Storm Dragon. (Elemental Mates #1). A curvy artist down on her luck + a dragon shifter running out of time + a powerful enemy with an ancient grudge = a romance as hot as dragon fire!
Mated to the Earth Dragon. (Elemental Mates #2). He's a powerful dragon shifter hunting a dangerous enemy. She's just hoping for a relaxing vacation. Only their love can save the world…
Mated to the Ocean Dragon. (Elemental Mates #3). As the last of the three elemental dragons to find his mate, ocean dragon Timothy is racing a clock, trying to find his mate before the enemy dragons find her first, and destroy the world—along with his chance at happiness.
Bodyguard Bear. (Protection, Inc. # 1). A curvy witness to a murder + the sexy bear shifter bodyguard sworn to protect her with his life + firefights and fiery passion = one hot thrill ride!
Defender Dragon. (Protection, Inc. # 2). A backpacker who loses a shoe at a ball + a lonely dragon prince facing an arranged marriage to a princess he doesn’t love + magnificent castles and deadly assassins = one thrilling romance!
Protector Panther. (Protection, Inc. # 3). A curvy paramedic who doesn’t know the meaning of fear + a mysterious panther shifter bodyguard with the power to inflict terror + sinister experiments and desperate passion = one heart-pounding romance!
Warrior Wolf. (Protection, Inc. # 4). A runaway dragon princess who wants to experience life outside of castle walls + an ex-gangster werewolf bodyguard with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas + uptown parties, downtown nightclubs, and deadly assassins = one explosive good girl/bad boy romance!
Leader Lion. (Protection, Inc. # 5). A tough lion shifter bodyguard hiding a lonely heart + the determined stage manager he'll protect with his life + deadly danger behind the scenes = one sizzling thrill ride of a romance!
Soldier Snow Leopard. (Protection, Inc. # 6). Two broken shifters. Two hearts in need of healing. Justin’s emotions were ripped out to make him the perfect assassin. Fiona hides behind her role as the perfect spy. When their paths cross on a perilous mission, he’s not the only one at risk of feeling again....
Tropical Tiger Spy. (Shifting Sands Resort # 1). A unique shifter in search of her past + a tiger shifter spy on an undercover mission + a shifters-only resort with secrets to hide = a dangerous and thrilling romantic adventure!
Tropical Wounded Wolf. (Shifting Sands Resort # 2). A curvy math teacher on vacation + a wolf shifter who spent years in captivity + an accident that leaves them stranded together in a jungle paradise = one thrilling romance!
Tropical Bartender Bear (Shifting Sands Resort #3). A curvy black woman in disguise + a hot bartender bear shifter + a male beauty pageant at a shifters-only resort = a romantic adventure that bares it all!
Tropical Lynx’s Lover (Shifting Sands Resort #4). Newly a shifter, Jenny has to come to grips with the otter sharing her head, and the gorgeous lynx shifter it insists is her mate.
Bearista. (Bodyguard Shifters # 1). A tough bear shifter bodyguard undercover in a coffee shop + a curvy barista with an adorable 5-year-old + a deadly shifter assassin = a scorching thrill ride of a romance!
Pet Rescue Panther. (Bodyguard Shifters #2). What's hotter than a sexy man holding an adorable kitten? How about a sexy, protective panther shifter cop holding five adorable kittens! Ben must protect curvy cat-rescue volunteer Tessa (and her box of kittens) from the dragon assassin who has sworn to kill her.
Sheriff Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 1). A small-town sheriff + a wrongly accused BBW on the run + deadly enemies and dangerous passions = a sizzling forbidden love!
Bad Boy Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 2). Biker bear on the open road + a BBW runaway-bride hitchhiker + evil motorcycle gang = an unforgettable red-hot road trip!
Alpha Rancher Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 3). A take-charge alpha with commitment issues + a midwife who's not about to give up control of her well-ordered life + a roadside winter disaster = an explosive romance that's about to blow up everything they both thought they wanted!
Mountain Guardian Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 4). A mountain man with a tragic past + a curvy amnesiac + two deadly secrets = one explosive romance!
Hired Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 5). A curvy farmer deep in debt + a lonely rancher hoping to open his heart + a family farm hiding a hidden treasure = a red-hot rural romance!
A Pinerock Bear Christmas. (Bears of Pinerock County # 6). Revisit the ranch at Pinerock County in this heartwarming holiday romance.
The Christmas Dragon’s Mate. (Christmas Valley Shifters #1). A lonely bookkeeper in search of Christmas + a mysterious dragon shifter with a past full of pain + a beautiful snow castle hiding a ruthless enemy = one glittering Christmas romance!
The Christmas Dragon’s Heart. (Christmas Valley Shifters #2). A curvy hotel manager longing for a real home + a broken fire dragon shifter who hates Christmas + a lost dragon hoard = a magical Christmas romance!
A Mate for the Christmas Dragon. Jasper has five days to win his mate’s heart. Luckily, it’s Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year. Unluckily… his mate hates the holidays.
Bear Cop. (Enforcer Bears # 1). A BBW baker with a troubled past + a protective bear shifter cop with a secret of his own + an accident that leaves them stranded in the wilderness = one untamed romance!
Hunter Bear. (Enforcer Bears # 2). A BBW artist who fears she's lost her muse + a scarred, reclusive bear shifter hunting danger + a mysterious treasure map = one adventurous romance!
Wedding Bear. (Enforcer Bears #3). A curvy librarian in desperate need of a date + a bear shifter in search of a home + the past that's pursuing him = one sweet and steamy small-town romance!
Fighter Bear. (Enforcer Bears #4). A curvy veterinary technician longing for a family + a lonely bear shifter with a wounded heart + a family farm in jeopardy = one exciting rural romance!
Bear Guard. (Enforcer Bears #5) A lonely secretary who doesn't know she's a shifter + a protective bear shifter guard + a mob attack = a small town romance that'll make you purr!
Lawman Lion. (Cedar Hill Lions #1) A sexy lion shifter sheriff + an independent BBW who runs a diner + trouble with a local gang = one red-hot romance that will leave you breathless!
Guardian Lion. (Cedar Hill Lions #2) A curvy, confident accountant + a sexy lion shifter bodyguard sworn to protect her + a terrifying kidnap attempt = one roaring romance!
Rancher Lion. (Cedar Hill Lions #3) An independent BBW on the run + a sexy protective lion shifter + a pack of deadly enemies = one action-packed romance that will leave you breathless!
Second Chance Lion. (Cedar Hill Lions #4) A curvy independent woman + a protective alpha lion + old memories and new beginnings = one heartwarming story of second chance romance!
Protector Lion (Cedar Hill Lions #5) A curvy single mother in need of a protector + a hotheaded lion shifter who needs to make up for past mistakes + the little boy who brings them together = one heartwarming romance!
The Dragon Prince’s Baby Bargain. He's a dragon prince promised in an arranged marriage to a princess who's just disappeared. She's a lonely virgin on vacation who just happens to look exactly like the missing princess. Has he got an offer for her...
Putting the Heart Before the Horse. A curvy woman determined to take things slow + an alpha stallion shifter who knows what he wants + a boisterous horse shifter family cheering him on = one heart-warming and hilarious romance!
Ranger Griffin. A lonely reporter
in deadly danger + a protective griffin shifter who thinks he’s a monster + a cozy cabin in the snowy woods = on exciting and heartwarming romance!
The Griffin’s Mate. A curvy businesswoman who’s new in town + a lonely griffin shifter searching for someone to share his nest + a small town with a big secret = a hot and heartwarming story of love and family.
The Snow Leopard’s Mate. (Glacier Leopards #1) A curvy waitress longing for a better life + a lonely lumberjack snow leopard shifter + a wild night that will change their lives = one sweet and steamy romance!
The Snow Leopard’s Baby. (Glacier Leopards #2) A curvy single mom + a snow leopard shifter in need of a family + the blizzard that brings them together = a sweet and steamy romance!
A Snow Leopards' Christmas. (Glacier Leopards #6). Christmas is coming, and everything is going wrong…
Private Eye Bear’s Mate. A curvy, independent radio DJ + a protective bear shifter detective + a scary stalker = one thrilling romance!
Lion’s Hunt. (Rowland Lions #1) A curvy woman who longs for adventure + a daring lion shifter on a dangerous mission + evil experiments in a secret lab = one action-packed romance!
Lion’s Mate. (Rowland Lions #2) A curvy cheetah shifter with a traumatic past + a billionaire lion shifter on a mission + a corporation with a dangerous agenda = one thrilling romance!
Firefighter Dragon. (Fire & Rescue Shifters # 1). A curvy archaeologist with the find of a lifetime + a firefighter dragon shifter battling his instincts + a priceless artifact coveted by a ruthless rival = one blazing hot romance!
Firefighter Pegasus. (Fire & Rescue Shifters # 2). A curvy pilot wary of flighty men + a firefighter pegasus shifter determined to win her heart + a high speed air race with even higher stakes = one explosive romance!