“Finally,” Granite mumbled. It was true, they had all been on eggshells waiting and praying the heir to the Fire throne would develop the ability. They could all breathe just a little easier now.
Meghan waited for the murmurs to die down. "He also has green markings to show that he can breathe underwater."
Blaze smiled. "I am happy to report that he can, in fact, breathe underwater. Since Burn is a now a little boy rather than a baby or toddler, we were able to test the ability, relatively risk-free."
“Wonderful news.” Torrent looked like he meant it.
“So,” Blaze clapped his hands together, “what does this all mean, Doctor Roberts?”
“I could delve deeply into DNA sequencing and even more deeply into … never mind …” She could already see their eyes haze over and their minds wander to other things. “I won’t go into that kind of detail. What I can do is state categorically that there is definitely a fifth species of dragon. A species that is capable of all five abilities.”
“I knew it!” Granite shouted. The others talked over each other. Meghan waited for the noise to die down. “All of the abilities are dominant traits in all of the children.”
Tide could scarcely believe how relaxed Blaze looked. They had been expecting something along these lines though. The evidence certainly had pointed in this direction. Maybe that was it.
“Also,” Meghan went on, her smile was wide and bright. His heart clenched just looking at her. “I’m happy to report that Fjord was born immune to silver.”
The whole room rose to their feet. Thunder roared with excitement. Blaze clapped Coal on the back. Tide hugged Meghan and she hugged him back. It took long minutes before everyone was reasonably under control. “Creating a vaccine such as this won’t be an overnight affair,” Meghan cautioned.
“But in the meantime, we can keep up with the immunotherapy treatments in pregnant females,” Blaze said, his chest expanding and contracting rapidly. Excitement was etched into his every feature.
“Yes, the programs will continue in each of the kingdoms. I am expecting more cases like Fjord.” Meghan smiled.
“How long until the vaccine is ready?” Coal asked, also smiling. They all were.
“I can’t say for sure. It could be months,” she pulled in a deep breath, “but it could be years. The next step is to develop a trial vaccine and to begin testing it.”
“How far are we away from that?” Blaze’s brows were raised, his eyes were lit.
“If we can begin testing on grown shifter males, very soon, on account of your ability to heal so quickly.”
“Done. Get started, Doctor Roberts. Inform me … us …” he looked around the room, “as soon as you have anything to report.”
For the first time, ever, Tide felt a calm settle over the room. Could it be that their truce had now evolved into something more? Actual peace maybe? That they could finally call themselves united? Tide prayed it was true.
Chapter 32
Three and a half months later …
Her skirt was bunched up around her hips. Meghan moaned louder as he thrust into her warm, welcoming heat. Her lab coat hung open. Her blouse was unbuttoned and her glorious tits spilled over the tops of her bra cups. Her nipples were tight and dark. Her heavy mounds wobbled with each hard shove. Fucking perfection. Her mouth hung open. Her fingers dug into his shoulders.
They’d barely made it back to their chamber. He was fucking her up against the door. As hard as he tried, Tide still couldn’t get enough of her. He needed to concentrate on the job at hand because there wasn’t much time. His mate was on a half-hour break. Thirty short minutes and that included travel time.
Tide grinned at his female, even though his skin felt too tight, even though his balls were getting ready to shoot off. “Come for me, gorgeous,” he growled. “I want to hear my name on those fuckable lips, Doctor Roberts.” His voice sounded strained. Who could blame him? His female was tight and hot.
She somehow choked out a laugh between her cries of pleasure. “Stop … calling me … that.” Another heavy moan.
“What?” he grunted, clenching his teeth for a moment. “Doctor …” Thrust. “Roberts?” Harder thrust. He didn’t wait for a reply. “You …” Thrust. “like it.” Thrust. “Doctor …” More thrusting and much more grunting. “Roberts.”
She clutched his shoulders tighter, her eyes grew wider. Her moans and whimpers became more urgent.
“Makes you …” Thrust, thrust. “come.” Thrust. “Every time.” He bent his knees a little. Her ankles were locked at his back. Her lush as fuck thighs were around his waist. Those tits were bouncing now, despite the support. He jackknifed in and out, bouncing her on his dick. Even her cheeks bounced a little with each hard thrust. Her eyes were hazy. So fucking sexy, and all his. Every delectable curve. “Doc…tor … Rob…erts.” Her eyes rolled back and she cried out as her pussy squeezed the fuck out of his dick.
Tide roared, he buried his head in her neck and bit down. Not too hard! Not too …
Meghan screamed his name, her whole body shook with the intensity of her orgasm. His shook just as hard. Tide fell to his knees. Sure to keep his hold on her. While she was much stronger than she used to be, she was still his to protect. He kept bouncing her, slowing down, his thrusts a little less urgent.
She was panting, working hard to catch her breath. Tide sat on his haunches, cradling her to his chest. Still deep inside her.
“You’re good at that,” she moaned, her head against his shoulder. “Very good.”
“It’s the reason you mated me.” Tide chuckled. He knew that a statement like that would piss her off.
“It is not.” She pulled back so that she could look him in his eyes. “I mated you because I love you.”
"You love my dick." He grinned. "Admit it. That's why you kept my shirt after our first night together and why you shouted my name every time you used that purple, rubber cock."
Her eyes widened and she gasped. He loved messing with her. Loved! “I still can’t believe you heard me that day when I … you know …” Her already flushed cheeks reddened up. “Even worse, I can’t believe that Bay … heard me …” She groaned, covering her eyes with her hand.
“What?” He grinned. She was so cute when she was embarrassed. “Easing yourself?”
She groaned again, dropping her head back onto his chest. “I told you not to talk about it ever again. To pretend it never happened.” Her words were muffled against him.
“Do you have any idea how many times I have replayed that moment in my mind? How many times I fisted my own cock thinking about you, my sweet little doctor?”
“Still …” Her face remained firmly planted in his chest.
“Still nothing. It’s perfectly normal behavior.” He smiled. “So I take it that you loved my gift?” Otherwise they wouldn’t be here during a quick break.
She lifted her head. “So much. Thank you again. It’s so thoughtful. You must have gone to so much trouble.”
“It was nothing.” It had only taken him three months to organize. He’d had to sneak measurements of her undergarments because the sets he bought were all custom-made.
She looked at him like he was mad. “I know it wasn’t nothing. I’ve had these boobs since I was about sixteen years old. I know how hard it is to find a bra in my size. Especially ones like that.” She looked at the large gift bag on the floor next to them. “They’re so pretty. So lacey and silky. So colorful and beautiful.”
“I’m glad you are happy.”
"I am, I'm thrilled." She hugged him tightly. "I love you," she whispered in his ear.
“I love you too and as much as I’m enjoying being close to you, inside you …” He circled his hips, loving the feel of her around him. Hot and wet. So very wet. “We have to go soon. Our break is almost over.”
She didn't react as he expected. There was no jumping up to her feet, or running for the shower. It wasn't like this was their first break-time sexcapade. "Th
“Oh yeah?” There was a questioning edge to his voice.
“Um … you know it looks like we’ve had a breakthrough with the vaccine?”
Tide grinned. “Yes. You are one hell of a scientist, doc.”
“Lucky break. Besides, I wouldn’t be able to push so hard if my subjects were human.”
“Please, you’re brilliant. That’s why we now have a vaccine.”
“Not quite yet.” She raised her brows.
“Soon then.”
She grinned. “Yes, soon.”
“Have I ever mentioned how your sheer brilliance is such a damned turn on?”
She smiled. “Yes, often.”
“Good! Now, what is it you have on your mind?”
She chewed on her lip for a second or two. “Well, I was thinking that it might be time to start trying for a baby.”
“You do?” he asked. Excitement coursed through him.
Meghan giggled, she nodded her head. “Yes. I do. I know how you really want to be a father and well, I feel the same.” She laughed. “About being a mother that is.”
“What about your asthma research?” he had to ask. “I know you planned on picking that up again.” He frowned.
“I could start working on my asthma research during my maternity leave.”
“What?” he growled. “You’ll be busy, with the baby. You’ll need your rest and …” He stopped himself from talking.
“You didn’t think I would stop working entirely did you?”
He pushed out a breath and shook his head. "I guess not. You might be brilliant but you're also a workaholic. You have to agree to take the first few weeks off."
“Okay.” Her smile grew wider.
“And, you start out half days for the first few months.” He narrowed his eyes at her.
She gasped. “Months? Months … that sounds long. I’ll take the baby with me. I’m sure he’ll sleep a ton in the early days anyway.”
Tide could barely breathe. “You promise not to overdo it?”
“I promise to do my best and to always put our baby first.”
“Are you sure you’re ready?”
Meghan nodded, her eyes were both wide with excitement and hazy with emotions.
“It’s a deal then.” Tide pulled her close, hugging her tight. He was unable to get the goofy smile off of his face. It was the same one that he had seen on other males. Ones that were totally in love and willing to do crazy things for their females. He never thought he would like it on himself but he was wrong.
This book brings about the end of The Bride Hunt series but by no means the end of the dragons. I plan on doing a couple of books in each kingdom. I'll write about some of the previous couples, as well as new love interests.
I will release these book sometime in the new year. If you want to be kept updated, you can join my newsletter - https://madmimi.com/signups/96708/join. Never miss out on a release or a sale again!
Unbound is next up. It is book 2 of the Shifter Night series and is on pre-order now
About the Author
I live on an acre in the country with my gorgeous husband and three sons and an array of pets including a couple of horses.
In my spare time you can usually find me typing frantically on the computer completely lost in worlds of my making. I believe that it is the small things that truly matter, like that feeling you get when you start a new book or a particularly beautiful sunset.
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www.charlenehartnady.com
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Also by Charlene Hartnady
The Chosen Series:
1# Chosen by the Vampire Kings
2# Stolen by the Alpha Wolf
3# Unlikely Mates
4# Awakened by the Vampire Prince
5#Mated to the Vampire Kings (Short Novel)
6#Wolf Whisperer (Novella)
7# Wanted by the Elven King
The Program Series (Vampire Novels):
Book 1: A Mate for York
Book 2: A Mate for Gideon
Book 3: A Mate for Lazarus
Book 4: A Mate for Griffin
Book 5: A Mate for Lance
Book 6: A Mate for Kai
Book 7: A Mate for Titan
The Bride Hunt Series (Dragon Shifter Novels):
Book 1: Royal Dragon
Book 2: Water Dragon
Book 3: Dragon King
Book 4: Lightning Dragon
Book 5: Forbidden Dragon
Book 6: Dragon Prince
The Shifter Night Series:
1# Untethered
2# Unbound
Demon Chaser Series (No cliffhangers):
Book 1 Omega
Book 2 Alpha
Book 3 Hybrid
Book 4 Skin
Demon Chaser Boxed Set Book 1-3
Excerpt
Chapter 1
Ana should never have agreed to coming to a place like this. The restaurant was a hive of activity. Every single table was taken. It was the best place to go to in town, so it wasn’t that big of a surprise that even the waiting area and the bar were full. Crystal glasses, linen serviettes, the whole nine yards. It wasn’t easy to get a table in here. The Red Mole was normally booked at least two weeks in advance. She’d only ever eaten here once for her best friend Edith’s thirtieth birthday a couple of months ago.
Ana’s heart beat faster. Her hands felt a little clammy and a knot formed in her stomach. Who was she kidding? The knot had been there the whole day. It had just grown and tightened since walking in. She stopped for a second to catch her breath. Then stayed there, hand resting on the wall, for another five just to be sure.
Was this normal nervousness or … something else?
Was she about to …?
She put a hand to her belly. Her breathing remained a little elevated, but nothing out of the ordinary. I have this. I do! Doctor Brenner had given her the go-ahead. It was just a stupid little date. Ana sucked in a deep breath and kept walking in the direction the hostess had pointed her. The table in the corner … to the left and …
There.
Right! Okay!
She could breathe a little easier since he looked just like his online picture. A suit, dark styled hair and a megawatt smile. Her date stood up … good god, he was tall too. In short, he was really good-looking in a neat, professional kind of way. His profile said he was an accountant, he looked like an accountant. It was a positive start. She willed her hands to stop shaking.
He stepped around the table and took a few steps towards her. “Hi, I’m Brett. You must be … Ana.”
She said her name simultaneously, a nervous giggle escaped. Brett put his hand out and she shook it. His hand was soft, as was his skin. Please don’t let my hand feel sweaty. Please don’t let me embarrass myself.
Brett let go almost immediately, a smile still on his face. “It’s so good to meet you. You look exactly like your picture.” He gave her the once over and she could tell he liked what he saw. She had decided to go with a plain black figure-hugging dress. It came to just above the knee. Ana had taken the time to do her hair and to put on a little make-up. In short, she’d gone to a lot of trouble.
“So do you.” Her voice was a little high-pitched.
“For a few minutes there, I thought you were going to stand me up.” He arched a brow.
Ana smiled and shook her head. “I might be ten minutes late, but I would never not show.” At least, not without telling him first. The thought of canceling had crossed her mind once or twice today.
“Here, allow me.” Brett pulled a chair out for her.
“Thank you.” She smiled at him as she sat down and he smiled back, taking his own seat opposite of her. So far so good. The knot in her stomach eased its hold just a smidgen and she could breathe a little easier.
The waitress came around to the table and took her order. A glass of white wine. Something light and easy, just like she hoped the evening would go.
Ana saw a tumbler of whiskey on the rocks already on the table. It was dripping with condensation. It looked like Brett had not only arrived on time but most likely, he’d arrived early. Another server came to the table with a basket of breads and a plate of different kinds of butter. “Truffle, herb and regular.” He pointed at each of the creamy mounds before walking away.
“So, do you do this kind of thing regularly?” Brett asked as soon as they were alone, he leaned forward slightly in his chair.
Talk about hitting her with a difficult question right off the bat. “Um … are you talking about dating, or …?”
Brett chuckled. “Of course not, a woman like you must get asked out all the time. I’m sure you go on plenty of dates?”
Yeah … no! She smiled, hoping he wasn’t expecting a reply. She couldn’t tell him that this was her first date in one and a half years. She certainly couldn’t tell him what a disaster her last date had been. She hadn’t even made it to the one before that. Not thinking about it!
“I’m talking about online dating,” Brett answered, not picking up on her discomfort. “Do you do this a lot?”
“This was the first time I tried online dating,” she answered simply.
The waitress arrived with her chardonnay. “Would you like some ice with that?”
Ana shook her head. “This is perfect, thanks.”
“Are you ready to order your appetizers?” She held her pen poised over a pad. “The oysters are …”
“Give us a couple of minutes, please. We haven’t even looked at the menus yet,” Brett said, pointing at the leather-bound menus in front of them.
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