He pressed her hand to his heart and said, “I am sorry, Gena. I was wrong, so very wrong. I was terribly, horribly wrong to judge you and condemn you. I did the most unforgivable thing. I hurt you. I hurt my mate! I...”
His face twisted in agony. “I thought I lost you, Gena. You...you are the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. And I pushed you away. You are not your mother. You are nothing like her...” His words were slurring and his legs couldn’t seem to work. He sank to his knees as his blood and life force drained from his body.
Gena knelt in front of him and cupped his face with both her hands. “Stay with me,” she shrieked. “Kieron, please, look at me!”
He forced his eyes open and gave her a smile. “I love you, Gena,” he said.
“No, no! Kieron!” she screamed. “Don’t you dare close your eyes! Stay with me, please. You said you’ll bring me home. You won’t leave me. Promise me you won’t leave me, Kieron!”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Gena stared at Kieron through her tears and saw that she was losing him. The gash on his neck was deep and his entire shirt was socked with blood. He tried to smile at her, but his eyes were losing focus.
No, no! She would not lose him.
Pressing her hand to his neck, she pushed her fear aside and concentrated. She could heal him. This was all new to her, but she could do this.
It was instinct. Pure instinct and intent. She wanted to heal Kieron with all her heart. She wanted him to be safe, whole and well.
“Kieron,” she whispered. “You’re my hero, my angel. You saved me, and now let me save you. Please. Please, hold on. Don’t give up. Please...”
She wasn’t going to give up on him. He needed her now. She would not fail. She owed her life to him, and she would give her life for him if that was what it took.
Gena closed her eyes and pressed her palms over Kieron’s chest. She could feel the power rising within her. A tight ball of energy unfurled deep inside her and spread throughout her body. She let the energy flow down her arms to her palms, and she directed all the healing energy to Kieron.
The gashes on his body were deep, and several large veins had been severed. The bite on his neck was particularly savage. Blood was still spurting out of his wound with every weakening beat of his heart.
Gena tried to tamp down her panic. She was so afraid of losing him. But she couldn’t let her fear win.
She would win this fight. Kieron was counting on her. So was his family. They had all been so kind to her. She would not let them down.
With a deep, fortifying breath, Gena concentrated on the most critical, serious wounds. She had to heal those first and stop the blood loss.
She could feel the heat growing and intensifying as she pressed her palm firmly against Kieron’s neck.
She could feel his warm, wet blood seeping though her fingers, and she fought down a sob.
No! No tears. Tears were useless.
She had to be strong. She would be strong for Kieron.
She kept directing the energy into Kieron’s body, using everything she had to heal him.
Slowly, she moved her hands down to his chest and over the vicious claw marks on his torso.
In her mind’s eye, she could see his muscles and tendons repairing themselves, and his skin closing over the newly healed tissue. His heart began to beat faster, stronger and his shallow, rattling breaths became quiet and steady.
She heard Kieron whisper her name, and she steeled her resolve. She was going to heal him completely.
Kieron called her again, but Gena refused to open her eyes. Not yet. She wanted to give him more of her energy. She was growing weaker as she exhausted her strength. But she refused to stop.
She would drain all her strength, all her energy and life force for him.
A white light exploded on the back of her eyelids and Gena collapsed with a cry. Strong arms caught her and held her tight.
“Gena,” Kieron yelled. “Gena!”
She sighed as Kieron kissed her forehead. Her lips curved as she listened to his powerful heartbeats and felt the growing heat from his broad, solid body.
She had done it.
Kieron was well, whole and strong.
“Gena, wake up, please!” Kieron’s voice was hoarse with fear and pain. “Gena, look at me!”
Slowly, she opened her eyes and blinked up at him. She reached up to touch his handsome face and trailed her quivering fingers down his neck. She stared at the scar on his neck and smiled. The wound had closed up completely, leaving only a red, angry scar.
“I did it,” she whispered.
“Yes, you saved me, Gena,” Kieron said, hugging her hard. “You saved me. Only you could have saved me, Gena. Only you.”
She closed her eyes, his words reverberating in her heart. Only you.
Gena felt herself being lifted up and she imagined that she was flying, soaring into the sky with her brave, fierce dragon.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Talons were wrapped gently but firmly around her. Gena looked up to see Kieron beating his wings hard, flying swiftly towards Redrock Valley.
His shimmering emerald scales reflected the light of the setting sun. Against the orange sky, his green dragon was a sight to behold. Kieron’s dragon was magnificent, proud and grand.
Gena remembered the first time she saw him. She had been so sure that he was an angel.
Kieron was beautiful, in both human and dragon form. He thought that he was unworthy of love, of her, but he was wrong. He was so wrong.
He had wounds and scars, but she loved him just the way he was. Love was a journey, and they had a long way to go. The journey would never be smooth, but it would never be boring either.
A great wave of exhaustion washed over her and she drifted off into a strange, senseless dream. The images were jumbled and vivid, and faces from her past, present and future swam through her mind.
She saw the two-headed serpent, moving and writhing, its black and white heads hissing and fighting. They represented the fight between good and evil, light and darkness. The serpent glowed and shattered into a million pinpricks of light.
Gena jerked awake. “Where…?”
She let out a small scream when she saw that she was soaring through the clouds. Kieron held her tighter, and she remembered where she was when the dragon turned its head and gazed at her. She met Kieron’s bright blue eyes and relaxed. She was safe. She was with Kieron and they were flying home.
“I’m okay,” she assured him. “I just fell asleep and I had the strangest dream.”
Gena gasped when she caught sight of the castle. “I see it, Kieron. The castle! We’re home,” she whispered.
Kieron made a gentle descent and landed softly on the lawn in front of the fountain.
Immediately, Gena heard shouts and running footsteps. Kieron shifted to human form and supported her, clasping her firmly to his side.
Alex, Lachlan, Simone, Breene and Lester were rushing out of the castle. Alex and Lachlan were running full tilt towards them, while Breene had his arm around Simone’s waist and was helping her down the front steps. Lester’s claws clicked loudly as he hurried after Alex and Lachlan.
Alex reached her first and launched himself at her. “Gena! Gena! Oh, you’re all right. Thank God! Thank God you’re okay...” he sobbed, hugging her.
Kieron’s brothers crowded around them and enveloped them in a fierce hug. Simone embraced Gena with tears in her eyes, and Lester discreetly dabbed the corner of his eye with a handkerchief. Gena went to the gargoyle and gave him a big hug.
“Mistress Gena,” Lester croaked. “We were all so worried...those wolves...”
“The Lightning wolves won’t bother us again,” Gena said. She turned to Alex and said, “Robson is dead. Miranda killed him. She’s the new Alpha of the Lightning pack now.”
“Miranda!” Alex gasped. “She tried to warn me. She told me to get out of Thunder Creek...”
“Miranda helped me,”
Gena said. “She protected me from Robson. And she wishes you well.”
Alex nodded, too overwhelmed with emotion to speak.
Gena felt Kieron’s arms around her and she leaned against him. “Are you okay?” he asked softly. “Do you need a doctor? Are you in any pain...”
Gena shook her head. “I’m fine. I’m just tired.” She looked around and said softly, “I’m very grateful to all of you. Thank you, thank you all so much for taking care of Alex and me. I...I will never forget what you did for us.” She swallowed and whispered, “I will never forget you.”
Gently, she disentangled herself from Kieron’s arms and said, “I should leave.”
“No!” Everyone shouted at once.
Gena started and stared at Kieron and his family. Didn’t they know who she was, what she was?
With a sad smile, Gena pushed her hair to the side to reveal the mark at the back of her neck. “Look,” she said softly. “I am...the daughter of your enemy. I am Vanora’s daughter...”
“Gena,” Kieron said, turning her around to face him. “Your mark is the opposite of Vanora’s. The white head of your snake is dominant. But Vanora’s mark showed the black head devouring the white head. You are not like her at all. You are good, brave, compassionate. You are a healer. And—you are my mate.”
Gena opened her mouth but no words came.
“You are my mate,” Kieron repeated. “But I was too stupid and angry to acknowledge it. I found you, and yet I pushed you away and hurt you. I am so sorry, Gena. Can you ever forgive me?”
“I have already forgiven you,” she whispered. I love you.
“I...I want you, Gena. I want you to stay,” Kieron said, his voice breaking.
Gena bowed her head. “Maybe...we should give each other time. I know how much pain Vanora has caused all of you. It can’t be easy for you to...”
“No,” Kieron said fiercely. “No. I don’t need time. I don’t want us to be apart. Not for a second! I almost lost you, Gena. I’m not going to let you go, ever. Please, be with me, Gena. Forever.”
Her vision blurred suddenly as her eyes filled with tears. Kieron cupped her face tenderly with both hands. “What do you say, Gena?” he whispered. “Will you be with me? Will you accept a foolish, broken dragon as your mate?”
Gena laughed through her tears. “You’re not broken. You’re my hero, my angel.”
Kieron’s whole family broke into cheers when he pulled her to him and kissed her.
CHAPTER FORTY
Kieron swept Gena into his arms and carried her up the stairs. She was home, at last. This was where she belonged, with him, in his life.
He bent to kiss her as he walked down the corridor towards his room. He didn’t want to stop kissing her. He needed her more than he needed air. She was his heart, his life, his everything.
Pushing into his bedroom, Kieron kicked the door shut behind him. He lowered Gena onto his bed and gazed down at her.
Her dark blue hair was fanned out around her face, and there was a faint blush on her cheeks as she looked up at him with her large, violet eyes.
“Gena,” he said hoarsely. “Will you be mine tonight?”
He wanted her so much, but he had hurt her so deeply, wounded her heart and pride.
She had every right to hate him. He swore that he would spend the rest of his life making her happy. She would never, ever know fear and sorrow again.
Gena reached for him and gently traced the lines of his face with her fingertips. She soothed away the creases on his brow and looked deeply into his eyes.
“I am already yours, Kieron,” she whispered. “My heart was yours from the first moment we met.”
Kieron bowed his head in shame and pain. “You gave me something so precious, and I didn’t cherish it.”
“That’s because you didn’t listen to your own heart,” she said softly.
Kieron swallowed. “Will you...let me love you, Gena?”
Gena wound her arms around his neck and whispered, “You hold my heart, Kieron. Don’t break it.”
He took a sharp breath. She was the most amazing, incredible woman he had ever met. After all she had gone through, she still had so much love to give. She still trusted him with her heart, her happiness, and she was willing to take a chance on him.
“Gena...” He pressed his forehead to hers. “I love you. I will love, protect and cherish you forever.”
She smiled. “Then make me yours, forever.”
Kieron bent down and took her mouth in a tender, lingering kiss. The kiss was slow and sensual, and Gena moaned softly when he deepened the kiss.
He moved his hands down her soft curves as he kissed her, teasing her with his mouth and hands. They took turns peeling each other’s clothes off, taking their time to explore each other’s bodies.
Bending down to suckle her, Kieron tormented her dark, aching nipples with his tongue and teeth. Gena began to pant and whimper as she arched her back, silently begging for more.
As he teased her breast with his mouth, Kieron moved his hand down her body and eased her legs apart.
Kieron took a deep, ragged breath to inhale the sweet scent of her arousal. He wanted his mate’s intoxicating, unique scent all over him.
Spreading her legs wider apart, he explored her wet folds with his fingers. Gena jerked when he thumbed her swollen clit and more moisture trickled from her pussy.
Kieron looked into her dazed eyes as he pushed one finger into her. Her eyelids fluttered and she dug her nails into his biceps as he stroked in and out of her.
He slid another finger into her and pumped faster. Gena gasped when he curled his fingers and stroked that sensitive spot at the roof of her tight channel.
He fucked her harder and faster with his fingers, while his tongue tormented her breasts and nipples. Gena's body began to shudder, and he felt her walls tighten around his fingers. When he rubbed her swollen clit with his thumb, Gena jerked and bit down a scream.
She shuddered and his name tumbled from her lips as she came. Kieron stared at her flushed face as he continued stroking in and out of her.
She was absolutely beautiful, and he knew that he would never have enough of her. He wanted to make love to her every single night, for the rest of his life.
Gena blinked up at him, watching him lick her juices from his fingers. “Kieron,” she whispered.
Her husky, sultry voice drove him almost out of his mind with want and hunger. His cock was painfully, impossibly hard. He wanted her, needed her so bad. His eyes glowed with the lust and passion of his beast as his dragon rose to claim and mark its mate.
Rearing up, Kieron threw Gena’s legs over his broad shoulders and pressed the head of his throbbing cock against her tight, wet entrance.
“Mine,” he growled. He was going to take her and make her his completely.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Gena lifted her hips and stared into Kieron’s glowing blue eyes. Kieron was huge, magnificent and impressive. Every inch of his body was hard and defined, and her breath caught when she saw how big he was.
She swallowed and held his gaze. She wanted to look deep into his eyes as he pushed into her body.
The veins bulged and throbbed on Kieron’s neck and arms as he inched his cock into her tight pussy. She sucked in a breath but she didn’t look away.
How was she going to fit all of him inside her?
She whimpered when Kieron gripped her hips. She could feel the sharp tips of his claws digging into her buttocks. The small pricks of pain heightened her pleasure, and she grew even wetter and hungrier for him.
Kieron nudged his cock into her, and her walls spasmed and squeezed his cock.
“Gena...” he gritted out.
His eyes were wild and feral, and he held his dragon back. The dragon was ready to mount her and fuck her out of her mind. But Kieron was determined not to hurt her.
Sliding his hands under her knees, he spread her legs wider apart and inched very, very slowly into her body.
Gena began to pant as his cock filled her tight pussy, stretching her and burning her.
It hurt, but the pain was so good, so incredibly delicious. She felt the fierce, burning heat travel from her core to the tips of her fingers and toes. The burning pain melted to pleasure, and Gena released a soft sigh. This felt so good, so amazing. She wanted more.
Gena opened her eyes and realized that Kieron was holding himself absolutely still. He didn’t move a muscle, as he stared at her with both hunger and fear.
He was afraid he’d hurt her.
Gena blinked and whispered, “Take me, Kieron. I want this. I want you.”
Kieron bent down and kissed her hungrily, possessively. He was buried to the hilt inside her, and their bodies were pressed together, her breasts pushing against his hard, solid chest.
Gena clung to his shoulders and took a shaky breath. Her heart felt so full, overflowing with love, joy and pride. This felt so right, so perfect. There was no doubt in her mind, in her heart, that she belonged with this man.
They belonged together. They had saved and healed each other. He was hers, wholly, completely, eternally.
Slowly, she began to rotate her hips, and Kieron let out a strangled sound. The glow in his eyes became more intense, and she could feel the heat coming off his broad body in waves.
His dragon was fully awakened and aroused now. Gena looked into Kieron’s burning eyes and saw both the dragon and the man staring at her with raw lust and hunger.
Gena gasped. Kieron was a dragon, a predator, and he was going to have her.
With a roar, he started to pound into her. He slammed into her, fucking her hard and deep.
Gena grabbed Kieron’s shoulders, holding on to him as he took her. She cried out as she orgasmed suddenly. Kieron kept thrusting into her, pushing her towards another violent climax.
A fierce shudder coursed through her body and Gena squeezed her eyes shut at the explosive pleasure. She wasn’t sure she was still in one piece when her shudders subsided. It felt as if she had shattered into a million pieces beneath him.
The Dragon's Match: Paranormal Shifter Romance (Hearts on Fire Book 3) Page 11