by Lili Zander
But the man has always been able to slither his way out of trouble and position the situation to his best advantage. He’s done it before, and he’ll do it again. It does not pay to underestimate Dariux.
The two Draekons—Zorux and Thrax—follow Dariux to the mansion. Zunix falls in line behind them, signaling for Olivia and me to join him. “We need to stay close to this,” he says under his breath.
We follow them into the large meeting area, and it’s only when we’re in the room that Dariux appears to notice us. His eyes narrow with displeasure, but his first words are reserved for the newcomers. “Where is the scientist? Why have you not brought her? Were my instructions not clear?”
“She’s gone,” Thrax says bluntly. “One of your exiles captured our mate and the scientist. The scientist escaped. We haven’t seen her in three days.” His expression hardens. “This same man tried to take our mate by force, and Ryanna was left with no alternative other than to kill him. Is this what you have become in exile?”
I lean forward. The threads are slowly gathering into place. “Your mate killed Jorix?”
The Lord of Rykiel nods. “It was self-defense. We saw it.”
“Raiht’vi is gone?” Dariux stands up abruptly, and his chair crashes to the floor. “You let her escape?” I’ve never heard him sound more furious in my life. “This negotiation is over. Arax and his pair-bond aren’t going anywhere, not unless you fetch me the scientist.”
“Or what?” I bite out. “You can’t transform. How long do you think you can control the others?”
Olivia squeezes my hand. “Dariux,” she says. “As we say on Earth, this is a shitshow. You healed my leg with your med-kit, and I’m grateful, and because of that, I’m going to offer you a way out.”
Olivia:
The perfect negotiation, Roman used to say, involves both parties feeling miserable and hard-done-by. I’d always thought that, even by Roman’s standards, that was excessively cynical.
Except I saw it in action yesterday when Zunix negotiated with Herrix for my life.
My two mates can’t move against Dariux. They promised him their cooperation in this matter. On the other hand, I can.
Dariux wants something. What is it? Not a clue.
But he’s looking for answers from Raiht’vi, and every instinct in my body—see Roman? I do listen to my instincts—tells me that he’s looking for something that only a high-ranking scientist would know.
We can’t produce Raiht’vi, but we have something almost as good. Zunix has a copy of the Spymaster’s ThoughtVaults. And if this Spymaster dude is anything like the CIA, he’s got the dirt that Dariux is looking for.
Zunix leans back in his chair, a smile on his face. “Do you trust me?” I whisper to him as Dariux gathers breath to answer.
“With my life, little human.”
My insides warm. They see me, they trust me. And I’m going to make them proud.
I look up at Dariux. “The others are starting to figure it out,” I tell him. “Arax was never a threat to the camp. You are. What do you think they’ll do to you when they find out you’ve been lying to them all along?”
Dariux gives me a bored look. “You must think me a fool, Olivia Buckner,” he says. “You don’t think I have contingency plans in place for this situation?”
He might be bluffing, but I don’t think so. Dariux is as wily as a fox, and if I go toe-to-toe with him, I’m not sure I’ll win. I’m handicapped by the fact that I don’t want anyone to get hurt, and Dariux has no such scruples.
“Raiht’vi is missing. Somewhere in the jungle. You have a skimmer and the ability to track her.”
He shakes his head. “Not good enough.”
I survey the man. He’s on the verge of completely losing his shit. He hadn’t reacted when he found out that Herrix and Belfox had been assembling a spaceship in secret, but I know that’s got to be pissing him off. Now, Raiht’vi is missing.
But underneath the rage, Dariux has always been coldly logical. Right now, I’m counting on that. “I’ll throw in something else,” I add persuasively. “Zunix will give you his ThoughtVault.”
Dariux’s gaze snaps to Zunix. “Really?”
I hold my breath. I’m taking a risk here. I’m taking a chance that Zunix will be more concerned with our future than his past. Will he give up his ThoughtVault, his one remaining tie back to his homeworld?
“Olivia speaks for me,” he confirms calmly.
Dariux’s eyes narrow. “What do you want in exchange?”
“You let everyone go.”
He considers the offer. The possibility of finding Raiht’vi. Unfettered access to the ThoughtVaults, without the need to cover his tracks. Take the deal, Dariux, I urge silently. It’s the only way out. The alternative is war.
The silence stretches out, and finally, he nods curtly and gives me a grudging smile. “You negotiate like you were born on the homeworld, human.” I take that for the compliment it’s meant to be. “Done. We have a deal.”
Epilogue
One week later…
Olivia:
Step 1: Fix my broken leg. Check.
Step 2: Find the others. Check again.
I wasn’t sure if the other human women would be willing to move to the other camp, but the day after I negotiated the deal with Dariux, every single one of them agreed to merge camps. So we picked up and moved to the Na’Lung Cliffs. Fluffy came along, of course.
This time, I was fully conscious as we flew through the air, and it was such a rush. I’m definitely going to be doing that again.
It was absolutely amazing to see the other women and realize that they’re okay. Fun little twist—Harper’s pregnant. The Californian swimming coach is as big as a whale, and when she’s not in the grip of pregnancy brain, she seems really happy.
Sofia’s the only non-mated one in their bunch. Bryce and she are getting on like a house on fire.
Zunix’s syn is very popular in the new Draekon camp, but it’s not all one-sided because evidently, Raiht’vi had a food synthesizer in her luggage. I’d forgotten how good chocolate tastes.
About the only person who isn’t happy is Felicity. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I get the sense that Luddux didn’t exactly tell her about the spaceship. She looks absolutely miserable, and even though she can be a catty bitch, I feel a twinge of sympathy when I look at her.
Step 3: Figure out how to stay alive.
Is it possible to die from having too much yummy sex? Because if so, it’s going to happen to me.
We’re sitting around the main living area, a small handful of us, in an unofficial conference. So much has happened in the last couple of weeks that my head is spinning, and I’m pretty glad for a chance to catch up with everyone’s adventures.
“The one thing I do feel bad about,” I muse thoughtfully, “is leaving Raiht’vi behind. She’s all alone, with Dariux looking for her.”
“I think she wanted to stay hidden,” Ryanna says thoughtfully. “She was terrified. She had a locator embedded in her arm, and it tracked her movements. I saw her dig it out of her flesh and smash it to pieces.” She takes a deep breath. “She said she was betrothed to a powerful man, and hundreds of Zoraken will die trying to retrieve her.”
“Who?” Arax asks.
Zunix sits up. “Of course,” he breathes. “It’s so obvious.” He looks at Arax. “Brunox has always been ambitious,” he says. “And the scientists have chafed at the restrictions put in place after the Great Rebellion.”
The dots connect, and the blood in my veins turns to ice. “It’s Lenox, isn’t it? Raiht’vi is engaged to the High Emperor.”
“Yes,” Zunix replies grimly. “And Brunox will stop at nothing to ensure the bonding takes place. We might need to find Raiht’vi before Dariux does.”
“And then what?” Liorax asks. “The Zoraken will slaughter us all.”
Nyx shakes his head, a small smile on his lips. “We didn’t really know you,” he says to Zuni
x. “And we didn’t tell you everything. The spaceship that Herrix and Belfox built? It’s not the only one. Three copies were dropped on the prison planet.”
“We had six of the seven parts before Arax and Nyx got attacked,” Thrax fills in. “And we went back the day after we returned to camp for the last box.”
I gape at them. “You can build another ship?”
“It’s not that easy,” Arax says. “We don’t have a technician among us. Do you?”
Zunix and Liorax exchange helpless glances. “Belfox was the only one,” Zunix says. “And he’s gone.”
“It doesn’t matter,” he replies. “We’ll figure it out.”
Viola clears her throat. “On a more immediate note,” she says. “I just want to make sure we’re all safe in the camp.” She gives my mates a hard glance. “Ryanna was attacked by a member of your batch. Dariux held my mates hostage. Three months ago, two Draekons almost tried to kidnap me.”
Zunix leans forward, his gaze sharp. “At the onset of the rainy season?” he asks. “Do you know their names?”
“Every word of that conversation is seared into my memory,” she replies flatly. “One of them was called Cax.”
Liorax and Zunix shake their heads at once. “Not one of ours.”
“It has to be,” she insists. “They said Liorax and Zunix had found a human mate. They knew I was human. Who else would know?”
“Another exile batch?” I ask my mates, unease trickling through my spine. “Someone who’s been watching you all along? Why?”
“Never a dull moment on the prison planet,” Zunix says wryly.
It appears I’m not done with my list.
Step 4: Find these new exiles and figure out what their deal is.
Step 5: Get Raiht’vi off the prison planet before the Zorahn armies come marching.
Step 6: Find out what Dariux is searching for.
Never a dull moment indeed.
Liorax pulls me toward him. “You have a certain look in your eyes,” he says. “If you’re going to do something foolish, I’m going to tie you down so you can’t leave.”
Mmm. Tie me down. That sounds like a lot of fun.
Ah, what the hell. The list can wait until the morning. I get to my feet and wink at my guys over my shoulder. “I’m about to do something foolish,” I warn them.
“More games, Olivia?” Zunix’s chuckle is rich and warm as he gets to his feet, Liorax on his heels.
A thrill of pleasure floods through my blood, and my heart skips a beat. My mates. Mine. “Admit it,” I tell them, my eyes dancing with amusement. “You wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Felicity’s story, Draekon Destiny, the fifth book in the Dragons in Exile series, will release in February 2018. Sign up to Lili Zander’s email list to receive a notification when the book goes live, as well as to receive a special Draekon Mate bonus scene.
The Dragons in Exile Series
Are you all caught up with the Draekons? Don’t miss any of the books.
Draekon Mate - Viola’s story
Draekon Fire - Harper’s story
Draekon Heart - Ryanna’s story
Draekon Abduction - Olivia’s story
Draekon Destiny - Felicity’s story - coming soon!
Subscribe to Lili Zander’s mailing list and be the first to find out when new Draekon books are released! As a special thank-you, subscribers will receive a free Draekon Mate bonus scene, guaranteed to steam up your e-reader!
The Draekons
The Fourteen Draekons of Exile Batch 5
Arax, Firstborn of Zoraht, and Nyx are mated to Viola Lewis.
Vulrux and Dennox are mated to Harper Boyd.
Thrax and Zorux are mated to Ryanna Dickson.
Unmated Draekons in Exile Batch 5:
Rorix
Ferix
Strax
Odix
Haldax
Vaarix
Shamox
Dazix
The Fourteen remaining members of Exile Batch 4
Liorax and Zunix are mated to Olivia Buckner.
Rezzix and Magnux are mated to Paige Watkins.
Yasix and Thesix are mated to May Archer
Luddux and Xanthox are mated to Felicity Rollins
Belfox and Herrix stole a spaceship to try to escape the prison planet.
Unmated Draekons in Exile Batch 4:
Dariux
Bolox
Narix
Runnax
Who’s who among the Zorahn:
Lenox. Currently High Emperor. Son of Dravex, brother to Arax.
Brunox. Head of the Council of Scientists. Raiht’vi’s father.
Raiht’vi. Highborn Scientist. Trapped on the prison planet.
Surax. Formerly Spymaster of the High Empire. Deceased.
Ru’vi. Currently Spymaster of the High Empire.
Beirax. Scientist belonging to the rogue Order of the Crimson Night.
Mannix. Technician. Deceased.
Zlatin, Crothyr & their human mate Dorothy Pitts: One-click Draekon Rescue (part of Alien Alphas) to meet them!
About the Authors
Lili Zander is the sci-fi romance loving alter-ego of Tara Crescent. She lives in Toronto. She enjoys reading sci-fi and fantasy, and thinks a great romance makes every book better.
Find Lili/Tara at:
www.lilizander.com | www.taracrescent.com
www.facebook.com/authorlilizander | www.facebook.com/tara.crescent
Email her at [email protected] or [email protected]
Lee Savino is a USA today bestselling author. She’s also a mom and a choco-holic. She’s written a bunch of books—all of them are “smexy” romance. Smexy, as in “smart and sexy.”
Download a free book from www.leesavino.com.
Find Lee at:
www.leesavino.com
www.facebook.com/leesavinoauthor
A Preview of Her Cocky Doctors
I’m going to destroy the cocky doctors.
In the town of Goat, Oregon, the two cocky doctors who run the Clinic of Love don’t just provide medical care.
Nope. These doctors are notorious for their bedside manner, if you know what I mean. Women come in desperate for a good time, and leave extra-satisfied.
Not me.
I’m a reporter. Doctors like Declan Wilde and Blake Thorpe give the entire medical profession a bad name, and I’m determined to expose them.
Even if having a threesome is prominently featured on my Bucket List.
Even if their washboard abs cause my girl-bits to spontaneously combust.
Even if I really want to make a special appointment with them, and I would love a 'happy ending' of my own.
This story is going to get written. I will destroy these cocky doctors.
PROLOGUE
Declan:
She’s naked under the thin hospital gown, lying on her back, her feet dangling next to the stirrups at the end of the examination table.
Christmas came early this year.
She’s beautiful, and she’s ours. I want her soft pouty pink lips wrapped around my cock. I want to hear her moan my name, her large brown eyes hazy with need. I want to feel her muscles tremble as we make her come, over and over again.
I exchange a glance with Blake as the two of us move inside the room. When she hears us, her breathing quickens, but she stays where she is.
“Ms. Davey,” I greet her, my gaze drawn to her round breasts. I can see the outline of her nipples under the thin robe, firm and erect, and my cock hardens in response. “What brings you in today?”
Her cheeks are pink and flushed. “I’d like the special service, Doctor,” she whispers. “Will you make me feel good?”
Make me feel good. That’s the code phrase. Lana Davey isn’t here for a routine examination. She’s here for the extra service this clinic offers. She’s here for a ‘happy ending’.
I’m delighted to oblige.
Blake moves to the foot of the
bed. Before she has time to answer, he nudges her knees apart and positions her legs into the supports, spreading her wide open. While he does that, I reach behind her back and undo the tie that keeps the gown closed. “You won’t need this today.”
“Yes, Doctor.” Her voice is barely audible in the quiet room as I pull away the gown, and she’s exposed to my gaze.
She’s absolutely gorgeous, and I can’t resist her. Cupping her plump breasts in my hand, I squeeze them, and she moans in response. “Yes,” she whimpers, throwing back her head, her hips bucking in need. “Oh God, that’s so good.”
“You know what I’m going to do, Ms. Davey?” Blake’s voice is rough with desire. “I’m going to push my cock into your wet pussy. You’re ready for me, aren’t you?” His fingers tease her slit, hovering just out of reach of her clitoris, and she bites back another moan.
“Yes Doctor,” she says again.
I squeeze her perfectly round breasts, rubbing her pert pink nipples between my thumb and forefinger. She’s so beautiful, so responsive. Running my hands over her ankles, I make my way to the space between her legs. “Are you wet, Ms. Davey?” I scold her. “Already? You’re such a bad girl.”
Blake grasps her ankles and buckles them into the stirrups. Her breathing quickens as he places her, swiftly and surely, under his control. “Somebody’s excited,” he says, amused. He bends his mouth to Lana’s pussy, and she whimpers as he sucks her clitoris between his teeth, almost jumping off the table in response.