Contents
Title
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
Dear Reader
Healed by the Dragon: Part One
Blaze of Secrets Excerpt
Author's Note
About the Author
Copyright
Revealing the Dragons
A Stonefire Dragons Novella
(Stonefire Dragons Story Arc #2.5)
Jessie Donovan
To anyone who has ever tried to make a difference in the world, thank you!
Chapter One
Melanie Hall-MacLeod brushed the cheek of her five-month-old daughter, Annabel, one more time before looking up at her sister-in-law and saying, “Remember, she’ll only go to sleep if she has her stuffed green dinosaur. And Jack needs his baby blankie.”
Her sister-in-law, Arabella MacLeod, raised an eyebrow, which also raised the scar near her temple. “Have you temporarily forgotten the last five months? You know, when I was here at least three times a week helping out with the twins?”
Before Mel could reply, the third woman standing near the door, Evie Marshall, interjected, “Give her a break, Arabella. This is the first time she’ll be away from her babies for an entire night.”
Ara replied, “Yours and Bram’s cottage is a five-minute walk from here. We could probably hear Tristan if he shouted.”
Melanie was about to set them straight when she felt Tristan’s presence at her back before he rubbed up and down her arms. His touch soothed some of her tension and she leaned back against his muscled chest. His arms went around her and she let out a sigh. The world could be ending and Tristan’s touch would still ease her worries.
His deep voice rumbled, “If you two have everything you need, then maybe you should go.”
Evie raised an eyebrow. “You are aware that we’re watching your children for free, right?”
Tristan said, “And?”
Evie shook her head and Melanie jumped in, “Ignore him. We’re extremely grateful for you two volunteering to watch Jack and Annabel. I’ve spent every moment either taking care of them or finishing my book. A night off, despite my mother-half worrying, will hopefully refresh me for the shit storm to come after the book releases next week.”
Evie tilted her head. “I don’t know if it’ll be that bad, Mel. After all, the reception of the article about mine and Bram’s mating ceremony went well. Not one attack, and if anything, more people are ‘dragon watching’ more than ever before, hoping to catch a glimpse of a flying dragon.”
Mel leaned more against her mate’s chest. “A mating ceremony is one thing, but a book humanizing, for lack of a better word, the dragon-shifters is another. Doing that might push for equality, which many most definitely don’t want. Permanent change can be scary, especially if it involves giant dragons maybe moving into your neighborhood.”
Evie adjusted the sleeping Jack in her arms. “Nothing you’re doing is breaking the law. Besides, even if people become upset, you’re safe here. Bram would never allow anything to happen to you.” Tristan grunted and Evie rolled her eyes. “Or, I should say, Tristan won’t allow anything to happen to you.”
Mel sighed. “I know, but what happens if it fails? I’d one day like my children to be able to see their grandparents and uncle.”
Tristan squeezed her gently and said, “Soon, my little human. We’ll find a way.”
“I hope so,” Mel whispered. She’d been on Stonefire’s land for a little over a year. While phone calls and video chats helped, she missed her parents and younger brother so much it hurt.
Evie gave her a sympathetic look before straightening her shoulders. “Right, then, Arabella. Let’s leave the two lovebirds alone. I’m sure they have lots of catching up to do.”
Tristan said, “Yes, so only call if it’s an emergency. I plan to keep Melanie very, very busy.”
She elbowed her mate. “My definition of an emergency and Tristan’s vary. His involves blood and dying. Mine includes things like high fevers and uncontrollable crying. Call if you need anything.”
Arabella finally spoke up again. “If we don’t know how to handle something, Bram will.” Ara looked to Evie. “Let’s go before Melanie thinks of another reason to keep us here.”
Evie nodded. As the human woman and the dragonwoman walked away, Mel shouted, “Thank you! Remember to call!”
Evie raised a hand in acknowledgment. Soon, the two women disappeared behind a cottage.
She sighed. “I hope everything goes okay.”
“It will.”
Tristan walked them back a step inside their cottage and shut the door. Melanie turned in his arms. “You checked your phone, right? It’s fully charged?”
Tristan raised a hand to her cheek and brushed her skin with his fingers. “Yes, love. Fully charged, although Bram knows what he’s doing.”
She placed a hand on Tristan’s chest. “It’s just, with Jack and Annabel gone, it feels like a part of me left with them.”
One corner of Tristan’s mouth ticked up. “If you’re like this now, what are you going to do when they’re old enough to live on their own?”
Swatting his chest, she frowned. “That’s a surefire way to ease my worry. You’re the worst, Tristan MacLeod.”
He chuckled. “And yet you’re the one who agreed to be my mate.”
His gaze turned heated and Mel’s heart rate kicked up. “You have your moments.”
Leaning down, Tristan brushed his cheek against hers. “Then I’ll make sure this is one of them.”
As one of his hands rubbed down her back and rested on her ass, heat spread through her body. “You’re not even going to try to woo me first?”
He massaged her bum. The feel of his warm, strong hands molding and sculpting her flesh sent a jolt between her legs. With each squeeze, it became harder for Mel to stand upright.
Even after being mated a year, all her dragonman had to do was touch her and she turned wet and needy. Not that she would ever give in easily to him.
With a husky voice, he said, “Who needs words when I can do this?”
He nibbled her earlobe and she leaned against his chest for support. Then he kissed his way down her neck until he bit where her shoulder met her neck. As he soothed the bite with his tongue, Melanie whispered, “I love our children and can’t imagine life without them, but I’ve missed not having to squeeze in sex in between feedings or naps.”
Tristan moved so he could look into her eyes. “Me too, love. However, our twins are in the hands of capable people and I have the whole night with you to myself.”
She batted her eyelashes. “And what in the world should we do? Maybe clean the kitchen? Or catch up on laundry?”
Her mate growled and hauled her body against his. His hard cock poked her stomach through his trousers. “Forget the bloody cleaning. My plans include devouring you properly.”
Her pussy pulsed as memories of Tristan lapping between her legs filled her mind. “Then, dragonman, you’d better get started. After all, we only have twelve hours before Evie and Ara bring the twins home.”
“I think learning to function on little sleep will work to our advantage tonight.”
She laughed. “Just make sure to feed me once in a while or I will get cranky. Not even your hot dragon self will be safe.”
He nuzzled her cheek. “Soon you won�
��t be able to say anything but my name. I think I’ll be fine.”
She opened her mouth to reply but then Tristan kissed her. As his tongue stroked hers, Melanie decided words could wait.
~~~
As Tristan explored the inside of his mate’s mouth, his dragon growled. Why are you waiting? It’s been too long. Fuck her now. She likes it hard.
Shut it, or I won’t give you a turn.
His inner beast hissed. You can’t deny me. I am stronger.
Last warning.
As his dragon sulked and retreated, Tristan hugged Melanie tighter. The way her soft stomach cushioned his cock made him even harder.
He broke the kiss and ran a finger under the band of her jeans, loving the softness of her skin. “Take these off or I rip them off.”
Melanie raised an eyebrow. “At the rate you rip off my clothes, I soon won’t have anything to wear.”
He undid the top button and slowly unzipped her jeans. “Then wear skirts with nothing underneath. I like easy access.”
“I need some barriers between me and your cock. Taking care of twins is exhausting and as much as I love you, there are moments when I don’t want anyone to touch me.”
Tristan stilled. “You’ve never mentioned this before.”
Melanie shrugged one shoulder. “I didn’t want to risk your dragon getting out of control due to lack of sex.”
His dragon huffed. I can refrain sometimes. She only needs to ask.
Cupping her face, he ordered, “If you ever need a break, tell me. I can’t take care of you if I don’t know what you need.”
His mate smiled. “Oh, Tristan. You can be sweet when you try.”
He grunted. “Don’t go ruining my reputation now.”
Melanie laughed and some of his tension eased. As much of a bastard it might make him, he very much wanted to fuck his mate senseless as soon as he could get her naked.
When she ran a hand up his chest and around his neck, she played with the hairs at the back of his head; his hope soared higher.
Mel’s husky voice caressed his ears. “Let me be very clear about tonight. I want you both on top of me and in me, dragonman, so hurry up and fuck me.”
Without another word, Tristan pulled his mate close and thrust his tongue between her lips. As he stroked the inside of her hot, silky mouth, she dug her nails into his scalp. His dragon chimed in. She is willing. Take her now.
Picking her up, Mel wrapped her legs around his waist, never pausing the strokes of her tongue against his. With a growl, Tristan walked them to the living area and perched his mate on the back of the couch. He ran his hands to her thighs and gently pushed. She opened without hesitation.
She wants us. Hurry.
Even after a year of being mated, his dragon hadn’t grown any less attached to their human.
He pulled away long enough to bark, “Put your hands on my shoulders and lift your arse.”
Melanie complied. He tugged her jeans until they were off and he tossed them aside. Slowly, he rubbed his hands up her calves, paused to brush the underside of her knee, and then rubbed slow circles up the insides of her thighs. By the time he traced the edge of her panties with his forefinger, her breathing was fast and he could smell how wet she was for him.
His dragon hissed. For us. She wants both of us.
Ignoring his dragon, Tristan ran a finger through her swollen flesh and Melanie moaned. When he lightly scraped her clit, his mate whispered, “Rip off the damn panties and fuck me already.”
He tore off the black material and leaned down to place a kiss on his mate’s lips as he continued to trace her pussy lips with his forefinger. “I’m just making sure you’re nice and ready for me, because once I start, I won’t be able to stop.”
“We have eleven hours and fifty minutes left. Stop wasting time, Tristan. Of course I’m wet and ready for you.”
He growled, “I love you,” before thrusting a finger inside her pussy. Melanie tossed back her head and moved on his finger.
Fuck. She was already dripping down his hand.
He removed his finger and Melanie let out a sound of protest. “Stop playing with me, dragonman. I want an orgasm, and I want it now.”
The corner of his mouth ticked up. “So impatient, my little human.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Two can play dirty.”
Melanie placed her hands on her breasts and squeezed. He wanted to suck her nipples hard, but they were currently off-limits because of their soreness from breastfeeding. His mate was taunting him.
Shucking his trousers and boxer shorts, Tristan placed his hands on her inner thighs and pressed her legs wider. Then he traced her slit with the head of his cock, careful never to touch her clit. Melanie wiggled to try to get the contact she craved, but Tristan moved out of the way.
She frowned. “Fine, you’ve made your point. We’ll call it a draw if it means you’ll put your cock where it belongs.”
“Belongs?”
A year ago, Mel would’ve blushed and hesitated to reply. After a year, however, she merely brushed the outside of her pussy as she said, “Here, Tristan. Your cock belongs to me.”
The sight made him release a drop of pre-cum.
His dragon roared. Fuck her. Now.
Not needing any encouragement, he entered in one swift thrust. Mel grabbed his shoulders and moaned. “Yes, now take me hard and make me scream.”
Grabbing her hips, he positioned her a little more toward him before he moved. As he pistoned his lower body hard enough for his balls to slap against the back of her arse, he never broke eye contact. He loved watching a flush creep up his mate’s cheeks as she moaned louder.
He adjusted the angle of her hips and his mate whispered, “Yes, right there. I’m so close, Tristan.”
“Hold tight to my shoulders.”
She nodded and he moved one hand between her legs to brush her clit. Mel murmured, “Harder.”
He pressed against her hard bud and Mel dug her nails into his back. As she scraped them down to his waist, he relaxed the pressure of his finger.
Mel growled. “Keep this up, and I’m going to provoke your dragon to fuck me instead.”
His inner beast preened. See? She wants me. I will take over.
No bloody way.
Tristan pulled out his cock slowly, before slamming into Mel’s pussy. Her nails once more dug into his skin and he murmured, “Your threats mean I’ll just own your pussy that much slower.”
He repeated the action and Mel hissed. “I’m going to remember this for later. The next time you ask me to suck your cock, I’m going to draw it out until you beg.”
An image of his mate licking his cock in slow, deliberate motions made his balls tighten. “If this is all it takes for that kind of torture, then prepare yourself, love.”
Slowly, he circled in and out of Mel, casually brushing her clit with each thrust.
When she clenched around him on purpose, it took everything he had to keep from coming, but the combined flush and light sheen of sweat on his mate’s skin made both man and beast satisfied.
He only wished she were naked. He wanted to caress every inch of her skin.
“Tristan, please.”
Lowering his head, he kissed her. As her moans vibrated against his lips, he increased the pressure against her clit. He broke their kiss long enough to whisper, “Come for me, love.”
Rubbing her clit hard, in a circular motion, she screamed.
Her pussy clenched and released his cock. Taking hold of her hips with both hands again, he moved faster. The pressure built at the base of his spine.
He was ready to brand his mate with his scent.
His dragon managed to get out, Yes, brand her. Then it’s my turn.
Rather than argue, Tristan kissed his mate again. The combination of her taste and her hot grip on his cock was enough to push him over the edge.
Tristan growled and stilled inside his mate as his orgasm hit him. Each spurt from his dick sent his
mate into orgasm again.
He deepened his kiss, stroking and dominating her mouth. She would have no doubt that she belonged to him.
Once she’d wrung the last drop from his cock, he pulled her close to rub her back as she came down from her multiple orgasms. The way she leaned against him for support stoked his ego.
Our mate is sated but she can take more. It’s my turn.
Ignoring his dragon, he kissed the top of Mel’s head. “You screamed, but I don’t think it was loud enough.”
“Oh, really?”
He leaned back to stare into his mate’s beautiful green eyes. The sated look made his dragon hum. Is it my turn yet? I will make her scream louder.
He brushed the soft skin at his mate’s hip. “Should I try a bit harder?”
She smiled as she traced shapes on his chest with a finger. “Only if you’re naked, first. I don’t like this shirt getting in the way.”
He ran a hand from her hip to under her top and caressed her round belly. “Only if I can lick every inch of your sexy body first.”
Some of her confidence faded. “I’m not quite as sexy as I once was, I’m afraid.”
He growled. “Nonsense.” Lifting the hem of her top, he exposed her belly and traced the stretch marks left from her pregnancy. “These are battle scars you should wear proudly.”
He pulled out before leaning down and kissing each mark in turn. Once finished, he stood again and placed a hand on his mate’s face.
As Tristan stroked her cheek, Melanie’s eyes grew wet. “There’s that sweetness again. Although, given it was two of your children, they are more like war wounds.”
“Whatever they are, you’re sexier to me now than ever before, so strip, human, so I can make you scream louder.”
And for once, Melanie didn’t fight or tease him. She merely took off her clothes.
As she stripped to reveal her gorgeous curves, Tristan was reminded how lucky he was to have Mel as his mate. He would do anything to protect her.
Turning around, his mate faced him and crossed her arms over her breasts. She gave him a deliberate once-over. “Well? Why do you still have your clothes on? You’re behind.”
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