by Julia Mills
Andrew chuckled to himself as the words of the spell repeated over and over in his mind. He meticulously went over his plan…he would work the ritual that allowed them to absorb the magic of the moon, mountain, and lake, combined with the ‘Blood of the Unknowing’ as the grimoire had called it. It was one of the oldest incantations he had ever seen and had taken him weeks to translate. The Spell of Soul Destruction was one he had planned to use over and over, for it could be placed on its intended victims with little to no power if the magic practitioner wanted the person to slowly fade away and die a gut-wrenchingly painful death. In some ways, Andrew wished that was what he could do to his brother. However, as he had suffered a few setbacks and things up to this point were taking way longer than he wanted. He was opting for the full power version that would stun all in its path, leaving them mindless and ready for death. He had added his own special touch ensuring that the men would be hit the hardest of the clan.
The mighty Golden Fire clan would be left without their precious Dragon Guard to fade into obscurity. He would then come in and build his own clan. One that was not afraid to take what the greatest predators of the world deserved….everything. His thoughts churned of all he would do when the untraceable phone in his pocket vibrated, drawing him from his visions of grandeur. John’s message was simple, Confirming tomorrow night. Four total. Supplies located. Andrew’s smile grew. His second in command continued to exceed his expectations and as soon as Master Eaton and Mr. A were eliminated, he would bring John out of the shadows. The young wizard had more than earned Andrew’s trust and a place at his right hand.
The phone he used for everything else rang in the next minute. The name on the caller ID made his skin crawl. Mr. A, the human crime boss, was calling. One of the worst human beings he had ever had the displeasure of meeting, and definitely only a means to an end. Andrew looked forward to the day he slit the mobster’s throat. He calmed his thoughts and cleared his throat as he answered, “Good Morning. I trust you slept well, Mr. A?”
“Yes, thank you, I did,” the crook’s smoke roughened voice slid through the phone like a snake, slippery and sneaky, and made Andrew’s skin crawl. “I was just speaking with Master Eaton and he assured me everything is set for tomorrow night. I’ll be in Vegas awaiting your call when all has been accomplished.”
Andrew took a deep breath, holding back what he truly wanted to say and replied, “As you wish.”
“I understand it will be another twenty-nine days before we can execute the next step?” the mob boss asked. Andrew knew he was only checking to make sure both he and the wizard master were telling the same story. What neither of them knew was that they would be dead long before the next full moon…by Andrew’s own hand, but that was a surprise for another time.
“You are correct,” the traitor answered.
“Excellent. I will leave you to it then and look forward to speaking to you tomorrow evening.” Not waiting for a reply, the thug hung up. Andrew knew it was just one of the little power plays he used to keep up the illusion that he was in charge, an illusion Andrew was going to enjoy smashing almost as much as he was going to enjoy destroying the dragons.
~~~~~~~
Royce watched as Kyra, Aidan, and Aaron drove away, a feeling of complete and utter dread settling in his gut. The Blue Thunder Guardsmen, following in a second SUV, gave him a little more reassurance that things would be okay until he could get there. He had grilled his brethren while Kyra packed, until they both had threatened to gag him, tie him up, and dump him in the stables until they were long gone. He had stopped, but still worried that they would not be able to keep her from getting hurt. Grace touched his arm before speaking, “Now you know what we go through every time you guys head out without us. Sucks, huh?”
He knew she was trying to take his mind off being away from Kyra and it had worked. “It sure does,” he chuckled.
“Wanna come to the house for something to eat. Kyndel, Jay, Sam, and Sydney are coming to keep me company, and I’m sure their husbands will not be able to stay away for long.” She laughed and Royce was reminded how well she and Aidan worked as a couple. Just another reminder that the Universe knew what She was doing, something he had doubted before, but now knew was a hard and fast truth.
“Thank you so much, Grace, but I’m gonna head back to the house,” he touched her hand that was still on his arm.
“Well, you know where we are if you change your mind.” The beautiful attorney turned and walked in the direction of the home she and Aidan used when they were at the lair.
Royce stood staring in the direction his mate had traveled, sending a prayer to the Heavens that she would be okay until they were reunited. He knew they were a long way from reconciliation, and that he was the only one to blame for their issues, but if the kiss she had given him before Aidan had interrupted was any indication, then there was hope.
Heading towards his home, he reached through their fragile mating bond. It was already becoming second nature to constantly check on her and he was sure she was feeling it too. He had entertained the idea of explaining the bond to her, but then decided it was still too early. Because of his ignorance and hate she didn’t trust him yet, and knowing that they could feel what the other was feeling, and in some cases get glimpses of what the other was seeing, might be more than she was ready for. It made him smile to remember how much more at ease she had been around him earlier in the day. They had even joked about all her magical supplies and her significant lack of anything but blue jeans and boots when she was packing.
He had caught her sneaking looks under her long, full lashes, and more than once had stopped himself from finishing what they had started before Aaron had so rudely interrupted. Nothing could have prepared him for the way she kissed him right before she left. He had been leaning down to pick up her bags when she snuck under his arm, grabbed his face and laid her full, perfect lips to his. As she poured more passion and affection than he could have ever imagined her small frame was able to hold, he had been completely lost to her. That one kiss made him believe that no matter how long it took, she would find her way to forgiving him and they would be together.
Royce puttered around his house until he was ready to scream. There were only so many things he could do to distract himself from constant thoughts of Kyra in harm’s way and him too far away to be of any use. He wandered out to his patio and watched the last sliver of the sun disappear behind the mountains in the distance. His thoughts returned to Kyra for the millionth time. He knew they would have arrived at Sam’s cottage within the last thirty minutes or so, and that his mate and brethren would be heading towards the mountain to place the amulets. Before he knew he had moved, he was about a mile into the woods behind his home heading in Kyra’s direction.
He had no clue how long he paced along the tree line before reaching through the mating bond once again. Kyra was concentrating and he could hear the words of the Perimeter Binding Spell repeating over and over in her mind. The touch of Aidan and Aaron’s dragon magic caused his beast to growl with teeth bared and paw the ground in his mind, ready to stake his claim. Royce pushed back with all his strength, persuading his dragon that the magic he felt was no threat, but friendly. When his beast was finally pacified, Royce focused on his mate again and was immediately worried. She was tired and beginning to doubt that she could do what needed to be done. Without a second thought, he poured strength and confidence through their link, just as he had when she had spoken before the Guard days earlier. His heart soared when she accepted what he gave her without reservation, and he knew that somewhere in her heart, she knew it was him.
He stayed connected until he could feel that she was almost finished and only moved away from their connection when Devon spoke directly into his mind, “How ya holding up, old man?”
“I’m okay. Just trying to keep busy.”
“I hear ya’. Want some company?” Devon asked.
“Nah. I’m good. I think I’m gonna watch an old wes
tern and turn in early. Thanks though.” Royce absently responded.
“Alright, holler if you need anything. Catch ya in the morning.”
“Thanks, Bro. See ya then,” Royce said, and ended the conversation.
Iced tea in hand, he settled into his recliner, grabbed the remote, and started his favorite John Wayne movie. The movie picked up right where he had left off the last time he’d watched. He looked on as The Duke slid off his horse, sauntered towards his leading lady, and kissed her passionately. It was the last straw, Rayne had told him to stay away while Kyra was working her magic, but Royce was sure she was finished and tucked away in the safety of Sam’s house. The night was cloudless and darker than usual, dark enough to hide a thousand pound dragon in flight. Before he could talk himself out of it, he was out the back door and in the clearing beyond the trees. He called forth his dragon and took to the skies, using a small amount of his magic as added precaution against detection. Rayne would forgive his need to be with his mate, but not even his longtime friend would keep the Elders from punishing him if he were seen.
Seventy miles by dragon flight was over in less than forty-five minutes. He landed deep in the woods between the house and Black Lake, quickly transforming from dragon to man. Almost halfway to his mate, the sounds of paws on the forest floor sounded behind him and the scent of panther filled his senses. Standing still, he waited until he felt the telltale magic of transformation and then turned to find Juan Carlos, Max’s lieutenant, looking less than thrilled to see him.
His patience already pushed to its limits, Royce spoke, “When did you guys get here? Max around?”
Juan Carlos’ rough Latin accent reached his ears, full of judgment and criticism, “The King will be along tomorrow morning. We’ve been here about fifteen minutes. The dragons are guarding the right side and front, we took the back and left. I was told you would be coming tomorrow with the others.”
“Plans change.”
For one of the only times since Royce had met the werepanther, he grinned. It was just for a few seconds before resuming his serious demeanor but it was progress. “Well, you better get to your mate before your clan knows you’re here. You did a good job hiding your entrance but you know everyone is on high alert waiting for the traitor and they are gonna sense your presence sooner rather than later.”
“Thanks.”
Without an answer, the man turned back into the panther and disappeared into the woods. Royce shrugged and ran as fast as he could until he reached the sliding glass doors that led to Kyra. Using his enhanced strength he popped the lock on the door, and using a broom and a landscape brick he picked up off the deck, secured them once again as soon as he was inside. He followed the sound of the shower to the second floor and found Kyra in the bathroom.
Steam and the scent of patchouli and rose petals poured from the entrance, called to not only the man, but the beast. Her voice drifted to him and he chuckled as he realized she was singing ‘That Old Black Magic’. Even when he was running from her he had loved to hear her speak or laugh, the sound like a tinkling of bells ever present. Her singing voice was no different; it was beautiful, just like the woman.
He slowly walked towards his mate, not sure she would be glad to see him, just knowing he had to see her. The steam enveloped him and it was as if he was transported to another place and time where only he and Kyra existed. He drew back the curtain and marveled at the sheer beauty of the one the Universe had made for him as the water and suds flowed down her back and over her perfectly rounded ass.
Unable to stop himself, he reached out, letting his fingers trace her spine. He followed a single drop of water, suddenly parched with a thirst only his mate could quench. Kyra spun around and gasped, her hands automatically covering her breasts and the curls of her mound. “Royce…” his name a whisper on her lips as she stood staring.
“Kyra…” was all he could squeeze past the lump in his throat.
Seconds ticked by as they stood staring at one another. As if unable to resist the attraction any longer, they flew at one another. Their lips met with the fire and passion Royce had always imagined would happen when mates came together. Water soaked through his clothes, wetting his skin as Kyra climbed his body, as lost to the intensity of their attraction as he was.
She ripped at his clothes, seeking the contact they both craved. The moment his shirt hit the shower floor and their chests touched, he was lost. The sensation of her satiny skin, slicked by the water against him, broke his resolve to go slow. He could never remember wanting anything as much as he wanted to sink into the warm welcoming heaven that was his Kyra.
Sitting her on the bench at the back of the shower, he ripped the remaining clothes from his body and threw them out of the way. He fell to his knees and looked into the eyes he wanted to look into every day for the rest of his life and all through the next. As hard as it was to wait, he searched her eyes for confirmation that she wanted what was about to happen between them as much as he did. A slight nod was all the encouragement Royce needed. The need to taste her pushed his every movement as he leaned forward and drew as much of her breast into his mouth as he could, teasing her already taunt nipple with his tongue until Kyra mewled and drove her hands into his hair, holding him in place as the warm water poured down his back.
He released her breast with a pop and moved to the other. His hands traced her sides, reveling in every erotic curve and sensual dip. The suds still falling from her long tresses, sliding over her silken skin served as the paint, while his hand worshipped the masterpiece that was his mate, embedding her beautiful form to memory for all time. He kissed down her body, paying extra attention to a cluster of freckles to the right of her belly button. Kyra giggled at the sensation and then moaned as he lightly nipped and relieved the sting with his tongue.
As his hands made their way down her body, he felt a slight fluttering under his left hand. Pressing every so lightly, he felt it again, and when he lifted his hand he saw a small replica of the dragon he had carried on his left shoulder and arm since his transformation. He ran just his fingertips across the amazing marking and felt it move once again just as Kyra threw back her head and moaned, drawing his attention back to the woman in his arms.
He pulled her to the edge of the seat and slid first one and then two fingers into her weeping pussy, moving them in and out, curling the tips every so often to just graze the bundle of nerves at the top of her channel that made her tiny nails dig into his shoulders and her legs to close tighter to keep him from ever leaving her warmth. Kyra’s breathing became rapid and her moans louder as he moved faster and used his thumb to brush across the tip of her swollen clit. The contractions of her womb drew his fingers farther into her warmth, her juices flowing so freely that he felt them run down his arm. Knowing she was close to completion, he bent his fingers, rubbing her special bundle of nerves on every pass and used his thumb and forefinger to gently pinch her clit.
Kyra all but jumped into his lap as she screamed her release. He watched in awe at the sheer elegance of his mate, her head thrown back in passion, her neck bared to him, and a flush that only came from complete satisfaction working its way all over her body. His lips found the sensual column of her neck and tasted every inch he could reach while his fingers continued to slide slowly in and out of her still quaking pussy as her orgasm subsided.
Slowly, she lifted her head and Royce followed the motion by kissing up her neck. He whispered, “You are absolutely breathtaking, Kyra St. Croix,” as he kissed the outside of her ear. Before she could answer, he lightly bit her ear lobe causing her to gasp and her pussy to spasm against his fingers still deep within her.
In one fluid motion Royce removed his fingers from Kyra, stood, and carefully leaned her against the tile, tilting his hips against hers to hold her in place while his hands found her breasts and began kneading her excited flesh. He hissed as the tip of his erection brushed against the curls covering her mound, the sensation threatening to drive him back
to his knees. As coherent thought left his mind, he slammed his mouth to Kyra’s. He kissed her like she was the very air he breathed, pouring his remorse over his actions of the past, his belief that they were meant to be together, his faith in her as a person and a witch, and the growing love he felt for her and her alone, into that one kiss. It seemed to go on forever and the need to be buried deep inside his mate grew, like a wildfire fueled by the love and passion of the ages. Their love had already overcome so much and he had faith that it was one of the strongest forces in the Universe. The lure of the little witch that had captured his heart was unlike any other and would sustain him, nourish him, and let him be the man Kyra needed him to be.
Pulling back just slightly, he held Kyra in place with his hands as he rolled his hips and let just the head of his cock slide into her wet warmth. The sensation was like nothing he had ever imagined. Kyra’s eyes snapped open and he was caught by the intensity of the feelings he saw reflected there. His heart leapt for joy at the heat, passion, and affection he saw, but felt the sadness at her continued pain of his stupidity. He saw the tiniest bit of trust, like a seed trying to take root, and vowed to nurture it until it was vibrant and in full bloom.
Kyra’s legs came around his waist and the familiarity of the action was comforting, but the resulting contraction of her pussy around his cock drove his desire higher and pulled his cock farther into her channel. He slowly pushed forward, feeling her muscles stretch against his size and letting the overwhelming flow of her juices provide lubrication for their passion. When he felt the mouth of her womb with the tip of his erection, they both sighed in unison. He knew deep in his soul that the feeling of complete connection with their soul mate was what they both had unknowingly been searching for all their adult lives. A sense of belonging and completion flooded their mating bond and Kyra’s eyes widened.