I love you, Nyx, came the strong thought in my mind. I caught my breath.
Heat flushed through my body again and I swallowed as I met his gaze. So much feeling and emotion rose within me. Fear, hope, caring, and love. My heart filled with it, filled with the love that had grown over the months since I’d first met Colin of Campton.
My throat was so dry I thought that I wouldn’t be able to get the words out without them sounding pale and insignificant compared with the strength of what he was telling me.
“I love you, Colin.” It came out clear, and I hope filled with the meaning behind it.
He smiled. “I know.”
I slugged his arm with a teasing punch, the arm without the tattoo. “Cocky, aren’t you?”
With a knee-melting grin, Colin said, “When it comes to you.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and drew him down to kiss me. His lips were firm and warm, his taste masculine and seductive. His kiss was as steady and constant as he was. A male who was confident in who he was and who he loved. I sensed it all.
When he raised his head, I rested my forehead against his chest. My breathing wasn’t steady—it was almost as rough as if I had just fought off a dozen Vamps again. His heart had an even thump to it. His presence warmed me as if his Dragone asis y s fire was reaching out and enveloping me.
“Look at me.” His voice was husky, his tone low and throbbing. “I want to see your eyes.”
I brought my gaze up to meet his. The blazing warmth there melted me.
Then I realized I couldn’t hear his thoughts anymore … I was feeling them.
He kissed me again and this time I felt both lost and found. Lost in the kiss, like I was traveling to some Otherworld I’d never seen before. And found because Colin was with me the entire way.
When he stepped back I ran my tongue along my lips, tasting him. For all the time I’d been seeing Colin, we had never taken our relationship beyond kissing and cuddling.
I knew a part of me had held back because it had been too soon after my breakup with Adam. But now that chapter had had a chance to close and I could move on.
I’d fallen for Colin long ago, but I’d wanted to make sure it wasn’t just a rebound relationship. I found it was possible to love two men even as I let one of them go. Ever since Colin had shared with me who he was, his struggles, his vulnerabilities, it had taken my feelings for him to a different level.
This time I took Colin by the hand and led him into the bedroom, something I’d never done before.
He didn’t seem surprised. He let me draw him close to his enormous, almost Dragon-sized bed.
I don’t know if he kept me out, or if I was able to turn away his thoughts, but I wasn’t hearing them, and for that I was glad. I wanted to know how he felt by him showing me.
His chest was hard, his muscles firm as I slipped my hands under his T-shirt and ran my palms over him. He felt warm and good to my touch. I pushed his shirt up and he helped me pull it over his head before he tossed it over his shoulder.
We kicked off our shoes and then I reached for the button of his jeans. I unfastened it and then slid the denim to the floor. He kicked them aside. I never knew boxer briefs could look so good on a man. I also never thought of a Dragon in them, and that made me smile.
Colin kissed my smile as he rubbed my shoulders through my blouse. His palms felt wonderfully warm, the heat easily transferring through the material. He brought his fingers to the top button of my blouse and hesitated. His gaze seemed to ask me if I wanted him to go on.
I brought my fingers up to his and unfastened the first button myself. When my blouse parted he traced the curves of my body, up and around my breasts and the lacy bra covering them. His callused hands brushed my softer skin, and the pleasant feel of them made me shiver.
He pushed my blouse over my shoulders and I let it drop to the floor. His hands caressed my belly then along the waistband of my slacks before his fingers unfastened them.
With slow, deliberate movements, he pushed my slacks over my hips and panties, running his palms along the curves of my backside until the slacks slid down my thighs.
When I had stepped out of ste cu the material, he brought me close to him, pressing himself against my belly. The feel of him next to my skin was so inviting.
I tugged his boxer briefs over his hips to the floor and shivered at his naked male beauty. All that golden skin, firm muscles. His trim waist and powerful thighs.
Everything about him was beautiful.
“A Dragon,” I said softly. “In the flesh.”
“A princess.” Colin let his palms slide up and down my bare arms. “Almost in the flesh.”
I grinned up at him. “Dragons have a thing for princesses, don’t they.”
He gave a solemn nod and spoke as though he was totally serious. “Especially Drow princesses. Beautiful Dark Elves are our favorite.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body to his. He felt so good and warm against me. “Oh, really.”
“Yes, really.”
“Are you using your mesmerizing power?” I teased. “Because you’ve sure mesmerized me.”
“Have I?” He reached behind me and unfastened my bra. “Mesmerizing is a useful skill, yes?” he said as he pulled my bra straps over my shoulders and bared my breasts.
Happiness rose up inside me as he touched me. A feeling different from anything I’d felt before.
The look in his eyes took my breath away. “You are so beautiful, Nyx.” His gaze met mine. “In every way imaginable. Your heart, your soul, your nature. Everything about you.”
I bit my lower lip. The strength of his belief was obvious in each word.
“Funny,” I said, my voice a little throaty. “I think the same thing about you.”
“That I’m beautiful?” His expression was teasing.
“As a matter of fact, yes,” I said. “You are gorgeous. So much so that I might need some of the elderflower antidote.”
Colin laughed then kissed me again, rocking me from side to side as he kept our bodies flush together.
When he drew away he slid his hands up over my hips and hooked his fingers in the waistband of my panties. Then he slipped the panties down over my hips so they fell to my feet.
He took me by the hand and led me to the bed. I lay back on the soft pillow and looked up at him. He let his gaze drift over my body as if drinking me in from head to toe.
Colin braced his hands to either side of me so that he was above me. The heat of his body intensified, as if Dragon flames were brushing my body. He kissed me deeply and I knew I wanted him.
His words were soft and husky when he spoke. “Let me show you how much I love you, Nyx.” I could see the love in his eyes, feel it in his presence.
As he held himself above me, his muscles bulged and his algeme, his mrms shook, as if he was holding himself back—barely.
I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him closer. I started kissing him with every bit of passion that was wound inside me.
His lips were firm, his taste so masculine. I clenched my fists in his hair and squirmed beneath him.
“I love how wild you can be.” Colin’s long blond hair brushed my face as he rocked against me, showing me just how turned on he was.
With a harsh groan, Colin dipped his head and licked each nipple with his warm tongue, then gently nipped at them with his teeth. I cried out as wild sensations traveled straight from my breasts to my abdomen.
Colin drew back, his eyes focused on mine. I felt as if I was held in a Dragon spell even though I knew he wasn’t using his magic. No, this was a magic all our own.
He spread my thighs and settled his body between them. I moved beneath him, not wanting to wait, barely controlling my impatience.
And then I felt him against my skin before he slid inside of me.
Colin rocked against me, riding me. I couldn’t help the sounds that came from me. Soft moans and whimpers that grew louder th
e more he drew it out.
Stars started to spin in my mind as an oncoming orgasm grew and grew inside me. It was so intense that I didn’t know if I’d survive it.
And then I could no longer think, only feel as everything exploded inside me.
I cried out and then realized Colin was shouting his own release.
My body did not want to come down from such heights. Finally it eased and I gave a sigh of exhaustion.
Amazing.
Colin kissed me then snuggled at my side. I drifted off to sleep feeling safer than I’d felt in a long time.
TWENTY-THREE
Colin looked a little green after I took us through the transference from the Earth Otherworld to the belowground Otherworld realm of the Dark Elves. I did a credible job of not throwing up.
“Sorry.” I took Colin’s hand, and we stepped down from the transference stone. “It was my first time taking anyone with me.” Not to mention my first time using the transference to get home. Usually my father did it.
“I didn’t need to know that, Nyx.” Colin squeezed my hand and smiled. “Next time, I drive.”
I matched his smile. “Now that you know the way here, I guess that’ll be just fine.”
He kissed me and I gave a soft little moan. A thrill went through my belly as I thought of our afternoon together.
I had shifted into Drow before we left for Otherworld and wore black leather and my Elvin boots, as I did when I trackedight=ck . Colin simply wore jeans, a Breaking Benjamin T-shirt, and New Balance shoes. We both carried packs containing enough for an overnight trip to Otherworld.
“Nyx?” My father’s voice boomed out as he stepped into his transference room.
“Hi, Father.” I gave him a bright smile. “I’m home. And I brought company.”
Father narrowed his gray eyes at Colin, assessing him. “Dragon,” he said.
Colin nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Colin, this is my father, King Ciar,” I said. “Father, this is Colin of Campton.”
Father looked at him a moment more before he strode across the chamber and reached out his arm. They did the warrior hand-and-elbow grip.
Over two thousand years old, broad-shouldered, muscular, and powerful, my father was a male who few could contend with. If any.
His sapphire-blue hair flowed past his shoulders and light blue skin. As usual he wore leather breeches and boots, a sword sheathed at his side. The metal breastplate he had on was studded with precious gemstones mined by the Dark Elves.
Father gave a single nod to Colin, and they released their grip. In that nod I saw approval, and it made my chest warm. Father believed in his senses, and obviously they had told him that Colin was a great guy.
My father turned to me and held out his arms. He was so tall I had to stand on my tiptoes. He felt good and familiar as I caught his earthy scent.
“Ciar?” My mother’s voice came from the entrance. “Did you send for—” She caught sight of me. “Nyx!”
My beautiful mother picked up her skirts as she hurried across the transference chamber toward me. Her sapphire-blue eyes had a glint of tears as she hugged me. “I’ve missed you,” she said as she drew away and smiled her brilliant smile.
In Otherworld, after about thirty human years, beings don’t age, or they age very slowly. My mother had been in her twenties when Father brought her to the belowground realm. She had been here almost thirty years, yet didn’t look much older than she had when I was a youngling.
“I’ve missed you, too.” I hugged her again, noticing her pale skin next to my amethyst flesh. Her skin was fairer than mine—when I was human—from living underground for so many years. She was about two inches shorter than me and I’d inherited her sapphire-blue eyes.
“Colin, this is my mother, Kathryn Ciar.” I drew her toward him. “Mother, this is Colin.”
“Dragon,” Father said.
She looked interested. “I’ve never met a Dragon before,” she said as Colin took her fingers and kissed the back of her hand.
“It is my pleasure.” Colin gave her a smile.
Father took him by the shoulder and started walking toward the entrance to the transference chamber. “How do you know my daughter?”
“Why didn’t you say you were coming?” Mother and I walked with arms around each other as we followed the two males.
“Wanted to surprise you,” I said.
“Your father usually brings you through the transference.” She looked at me. “Did your Dragon bring you?”
I glanced at “my Dragon” before I turned back to Mother. “I did it myself. I brought us both through the transference.”
“What?” My father nearly bellowed the word as he came up short and turned to face me. “You are far too young to even have the ability, much less use it to bring someone through the transference.”
“I, uh, never had a chance to tell you.” I sort of hadn’t wanted to tell him—yet. “I learned how to do it during that Werewolf op.”
Father scowled. “You are too young,” he repeated.
“Apparently not.” I glanced at Colin, who had one brow raised. “I got us here just fine.”
“Humph.” Father turned away again. “We will discuss this later.”
“There’s nothing to discuss,” I mumbled under my breath, then realized I was falling into the role I’d always played with my father.
When we reached the entrance, two guards stood outside. I looked at the guard on my right. Instead of the usual disdain for me that the warriors held, I saw interest. And was that respect?
I had trained with Father’s warriors from the time I was a youngling. I’d grown up with a sword in my hand.
The problem was that Drow females are subservient to males. That was one thing Mother hadn’t believed in for herself or for me. Father loved her so much that he didn’t argue when she raised me to be the independent female I am. And I had Father twisted around my little finger. He would do anything for me.
So I grew up around warriors who did not believe I should be there. And I’d humiliated those I’d bested over the years.
I cut my gaze to the other guard on the opposite side of the door. His gaze was just as interested, and not hostile or cold in the least.
What in the Otherworld was going on?
Father laughed at something Colin said and clapped him on the shoulder. “We will have an ale at the tavern.”
Who could argue with the king?
My parents’ first meeting with Colin was going exceptionally well if my father was already inviting him for a drink.
Mother and I talked as we walked behind the two males. I was glad she didn’t ask me about Colin even when we were a bit of a distance behind them. Dragons have exceptional hearing.
As we walked through the great hall to the passageway that led to the underground village, I leaned close to my mother and kept my voice low.
“Why are all of the males looking like that?” I said. “Like they’re interested in me and even a little curious.”
Mother tilted her head. Being the queen she was, she didn’t look directly at the males to see what I was talking about, but I was sure she was glancing at them from the corner of her eye. “Honey, I have no idea. But your father might.”
“No.” I shook my head. “Let’s not get Father involved.”
“I don’t blame you for that,” Mother said with a conspiratorial note to her voice. “Your father would make their lives miserable for even looking at you.”
Father and Colin dropped back so that they were with us as we entered the village.
“I have something I must attend to,” Father said. “I will meet you at the tavern.”
Colin smiled at me and walked beside me, my mother on my opposite side. “So tell me about this place,” he said.
“The belowground world of the Dark Elves is a lot like aboveground, with a few exceptions,” I said. “We don’t have horses for transportation or oxen for work. But we do have pig
s, sheep, and cows for food.
“In the Drow world,” I said, “if males are not warriors, they work in the mines, own shops, barter aboveground, and fill other ‘male’ roles. Females take care of the younglings, cook, clean, and other ‘female’ jobs.”
We walked into a tavern filled with laughter, talking, and the sounds of ale mugs thumping on the tables and the barmaid serving up orders.
The room grew quiet when Colin and I walked in with Mother. I didn’t know if it was because we were with the queen, or because Colin was a stranger, or because everyone seemed to have taken some kind of fascination with me. Maybe it was all of the above.
We settled on bench seats at one of the picnic-like tables and the barmaid practically ran to my mother’s side. I was certain it wasn’t every day that the queen stopped by.
“An ale for each of us,” Mother said with a pleasant smile. “Plus a fourth for the king.”
When the barmaid rushed away, Mother turned to me. “Excuse me for a moment.”
When Mother left, Colin squeezed my hand beneath the table. “See any friends around?”
I shook my head. “Because I wasn’t raised in the same lifestyle as other Dark Elves, I never made many friends. I had servants who made polite conversation, but I think everyone was always a little frightened of me.”
“Frightened?” Colin said. “How?”
“I don’t think it’s just because I’m both a princess and a Drow warrior, but rather that I am different. No one else in my world shifts into human form. I am unique.”
Colin studied me. “I can’t imagine you not having friends here.”
The thought hit me of how the Witch said the mind reading would coadiecause Cme and go. I hadn’t heard anything since my time with Colin. But that was fine.
I shrugged. “I was used to it. I didn’t know anything different until I became a Tracker and I learned what friends really are.”
The barmaid returned with four mugs of ale, setting the others at the empty seats for Mother and Father. She scuttled away.
“You sure stir up a lot of interest.” Colin held his mug of ale and looked around. Just about every warrior in the place was looking at me.
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