He chuffed out a breath.
Naomi could feel his pulse in his leg. It was racing. His leg was trembling, too. He was breathing harder than normal.
The fight had taken a lot out of him. He wasn’t going to shift back to human form for her because he thought he might have to fight again.
One of the approaching bare-chested men raised a hand in greeting. He let loose a string of words she didn’t understand. She crawled out from under Col and attempted to stand at his side, but his dragon wouldn’t have it. His big nose knocked her into the snow again and he sidestepped, putting her right back under his chest.
Fine. She sighed and settled herself against Col’s leg—the inside of his leg.
The men continued to approach.
Col seemed to have settled a little after the man spoke, but he still wasn’t taking any chances.
Naomi glanced to her right and nearly puked again. The body of a black dragon lay gutted and ripped to shreds not ten feet away.
The snow was stained a deep red all around his lifeless corpse. She’d been awake for the very first part of the fight. Then all the twisting and turning and dropping had quickly sent her into a blackout. She didn’t remember anything until just a few minutes ago when she’d awoken on the snow.
She looked up. The two men were closer now. Definitely dressed like Col, with the whole barbarian bare-chested-kilt-wearing look. The tattoos on their arms were similar to her dragons, but not quite the same design. These two men had light golden blond hair and blue eyes, a stark contrast to Col’s dark hair and dark eyes. No family resemblance whatsoever.
“You know he breathes fire, right?” she called.
The dragon above her coughed and his chest rumbled.
She could’ve sworn it sounded like a laugh. If dragons could laugh.
The men paused where they were and looked at each other then looked back at her. “You are human? From this world?” Now they were speaking English, instead of the strange language they’d spoken in at the beginning.
“Yep.”
“But you scent as Dragon Tribe,” the one on the left spoke up again.
I scent as Dragon Tribe?
Honestly that didn’t surprise her. She and Col had literally spent most of their time in bed together. She’d taken multiple showers, but still, even she thought she smelled like Col.
“I’m his mate. That could have something to do with it.”
Both men’s eyes widened with surprise. “A mate? But you are human? From this world?”
“Yep, already answered that question.” Naomi crawled out from under Col’s slimy blood-covered chest.
He’d stopped trembling and shaking, but still hadn’t shifted back. So, either he didn’t want to talk to the others or he just hadn’t decided they weren’t a threat yet.
She didn’t get the sense they were dangerous. More curious than anything. She stayed right next to Col, regardless of her own sense. She trusted him to protect her.
No matter what.
“Did you glow?”
“Glow?” Naomi asked, her voice rising just a little. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Who are you?”
“Forgive us,” the man on the left spoke again. His long blond hair had several narrow braids on either side of his face, keeping his hair out of the way. The braids had leather strips and feathers braided into them as well. His face was well proportioned with a strong nose and a squared off jaw. His blue eyes were bright and reminded her of the ocean on a tropical postcard. “My name is Saul.”
“Naomi.” Her answer was quick, unhesitant.
He gestured to his companion.
The other man nodded and spoke. “My name is Kann. We are both from the Lion Tribe from the N’ra Lowlands. Same as your mate.” His hair was long as well, but shaved on the sides, also blond, but gathered into a series of ponytails and tiny braids that looked to trail about midway down his back. No cords and feathers for this guy.
He definitely pulled off the Viking look. She’d seen trailers for that History Channel TV show, and this guy could’ve seriously walked right off the set. They both could.
“Nice to meet you, I guess.” She spoke slowly, keeping an eye on Col. “You know Col?”
He was still eyeing them as if he hadn’t decided whether or not to crush them with his claw or flambé them where they stood. Her mate didn’t trust them, and he wasn’t about to let his guard down.
It made her feel all warm and gooey inside. And horny.
Geeze. Not now.
She stopped looking at her dragon and turned back to face the other two Reylean men.
“Everyone knows Col of House Li’Vhram, heir of the Dragon Lord of the N’ra Lowlands.”
Heir of the what?
Naomi flashed a glance at Col and narrowed her gaze. He’d been holding out on her. “We’ll talk about this later, Heir of the Dragon Lord.” Her words were laced with surprise and curiosity. What else didn’t she know?
Dragon Col snorted out a breath of hot air but didn’t take his attention from the two men.
“Why does your dragon hunt other Reyleans?” Kann spoke again.
My dragon.
She liked the sound of that.
Col huffed another angry breath and took a menacing step toward the two men.
Naomi put a hand on his shoulder, trying to avoid the huge smears of blood. “Hey, they just want to make sure you’re not going to attack them.”
He swung his head around and nudged her shoulder, pushing her closer to him and rumbling like an overgrown happy house-cat.
“Right?” she asked, turning her focus back to the other two men.
They both nodded. “We’ve gathered together a few of the refugees at a cabin closer to a small village called Mystery. The natives have a long unpronounceable name for it, but one woman told us most just called it Mystery,” said Kann. He seemed to be more of a talker than his buddy, Saul.
“Tukisinangitok,” she rattled off with a smile. She’d researched the small town before arriving. “It’s the Native name. In English it translates to Mystery, or hidden place.”
“We were hoping the dragons would agree to come with us. There are so few. It would be easier to make a start of it together,” Kann continued. “We are a tribal people. Even though most of us lost everyone…”
“You’re trying to build a new tribe with those that survived.” Naomi’s voice stayed soft. Empathy built in her breast like a rising tide. Col hadn’t been the only one to lose his people. “Col, you need to shift. Talk to them.”
A moment later the man she’d grown to care so deeply about so quickly—the man she loved—was standing at her side once again.
He was still covered in blood. The gash across his chest was ugly and red and blood seeped slowly from it, leaving red streaks dripping down his stomach.
“We need to get you to a doctor. That’s really bad,” she squeaked out, forgetting all about the lion shifter guys staring at them.
“I am fine, shuarra. The wound is already healing.” He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her tightly to his side. He then turned back to the two men. “I lost my tribe. I want nothing to do with any of you. I hunt the other dragons because they murdered my family.”
“Blood for blood. It is honorable,” they murmured.
“We will not interfere. But please reconsider joining us,” Kann finished.
“No.” Col’s voice boomed through the clearing.
The two men bowed quickly, then retreated, silently disappearing into the trees from where they’d come.
Naomi turned and faced Col. “Wait, that’s it? These people are from your world. And you want nothing to do with them. You’re alone too. I—”
“I have you, Naomi. You are my soul. None of the tribes were cooperative with each other. Our world was made of up many tribes, and none ever made peace with each other for long. Why would it be different here?”
Her mouth dropped in astonishment. “Do you thin
k that was a good thing?”
He shrugged. “It was our way.”
“Well, your way is selfish and lonely. You can’t just expect to live out here and never interact with anyone.” She pulled back, yanking her hand free from his grip.
He was angry and in pain, but did he really mean what he said? Did he want to remain alone? Isolated?
She’d just decided to come out of self-isolation to be with Col. Now he’d banish himself away from the only other people left from his world.
Col closed the gap between them and reached for her hand again. “Why do you push me away, shuarra?”
Naomi pulled her hand back and shook her head. “All that matters is your revenge, isn’t it?”
“Justice. Not revenge.”
She pointed to the mutilated body of Jaha. “That’s revenge. Not justice. You made him suffer.”
“I was carrying you. Protecting you. I could not be swift.” His tone was layered with frustration and fear and an unspoken hint of anger.
“You could’ve put me down. Hidden me in the trees.” She raised her voice.
He could snarl all he wanted, but she didn’t fear him. He cared for her too much. Even now, as his anger grew and boiled inside of him, he wasn’t advancing on her. Wasn’t trying to intimidate her. He was just angry.
Everyone had the right to be angry once in a while. Col was still grieving for the loss of his family. How could he not?
She knew what it was like to grieve. All too well.
“It was not safe!” he roared.
Naomi winced at the sudden outburst.
His eyes went wide, and he backed away as if she’d hit him. An instant later he was a dragon again. Huge and stomping and angry. He moved a safe distance away and took his frustration out on a clump of tall spruce trees. By the time he was finished they were a burning pile of twigs and splinters.
Col backed away from the mess he’d created. His great shoulders physically slumped. His wings drooped. Even his head hung low as if he were ashamed of his behavior.
She trudged across the clearing and put a hand on his chest. “Put out the fire, then we need to go.”
He chuffed out a heavy breath but did as she said. He turned his wings on the flames and pumped them until the burning pile of trees and stumps were completely covered by snow. The flames were out. The smoke in the sky faded away into nothing as the wind dispersed it. Then he shifted again.
Col stood silently, staring at the hill of snow and charred sticks. “I acted as a youngling. I frightened you, shuarra. I am ashamed.”
Naomi sighed and moved to stand next to him. “I forgive you for frightening me.”
He didn’t turn and meet her gaze. He just kept staring out into the distance.
“You’re grieving, Col. Believe me, I know how that feels. You lost your family. Your people. Your home. All in a matter of hours. You’re angry. Sad and hurt. Anyone would be. But I need you to take me back to my things. I have to tell my family I’m okay. I have to check in with my job. I can’t—”
“You would leave me?” he asked softly, finally turning to meet her gaze. His eyes were flickering gold. “You cannot. You are bound to me. You are my soul, shuarra. I forbid it.” His voice went from disbelief to anger once again.
“I don’t want to leave you, you, big barbarian. But I also refuse to let my family think I’m dead. I’m more worried about you leaving me. She could kill you. Then where would our souls be. Hmmm? Tell me that.” Naomi’s tone was flat and tired. The hairs on the back of her neck were standing on end. Her nerves were shot. She’d passed out, puked, met more Reylean shifters, witnessed a dragon temper tantrum, and now he was forbidding her from leaving?
She wasn’t even trying to leave!
Aaaaahhhrrrghh!
“I made a vow. Justice will be served.” Col’s tone darkened, and his eyes narrowed.
“Even if it means you die?” she shot back, struggling to hold in the tears that wanted to spill down her cheeks.
“Trust me, shuarra. I will not die.”
“Accidents happen. Look at your chest.”
He didn’t speak. Just shifted without another word, scooped her up and launched himself into the air.
Naomi shrieked and clung to the claws he had carefully wrapped around her body, cradling her against his chest. The cry was more out of surprise than fright.
Asshole.
He could’ve at least warned her.
They went over several small hills and a cliff before she recognized the landscape. Within a few minutes, they were landing again. This time, they were back in the clearing where her camera bag and snow machine were parked.
Col let her down gently and shifted back to his human form.
“Just let it go. Let her go. For me. Please.” The plea came from her lips as soon as her feet hit the ground. “Let’s just move forward together. Create a life here. Vengeance won’t bring your family back.”
He shook his head. “Blood will have blood. It is our way,” he answered.
Naomi shuddered back a sob.
Col reached for her and she backed up a few quick steps.
“No,” she murmured. “Just don’t.”
He bit off a snarl but didn’t argue. He walked to her black camera bag. It stuck out against the snow where she’d dropped it when the dragons had attacked. Col picked it up and then walked with her to the covered snow machine.
Naomi pulled the blue tarp off, rolled it up, and tied it to the back with a bungie cord. The camera bag would fit right on top. She took it from her dragon and tied it into place, too.
There was still room for both of them to ride. She’d packed light, not expecting to be out more than a few hours taking wildlife photos.
“It is not an animal. How will this move you?”
“It’s a vehicle. It burns gas to run.”
“It has no legs.” Confusion hung in his voice like a heavy burden. He continued to stare at the machine.
She swung a leg over and scooted up to the front. “Climb on behind me and I’ll show you.”
He gave her another hesitant look.
“Really? I let you carry me in the sky in your claws and you won’t trust me enough to climb on a snow machine?”
With a snort of disgust, he complied. Her dragon threw his leg behind her over the seat and slipped his hands around her waist.
All her nerve endings fired, and her core ached hungrily.
Eternally horny. That’s what you get for sleeping with an alien.
She took a deep breath and yanked the cord to start the motor. It growled and chugged but didn’t turn over.
Come on. Come on. You can do this.
She yanked again, and the engine roared to life.
Col’s arms tightened around her, but he didn’t move or say a word.
Naomi used her hand to squeeze the throttle and the snow machine lurched forward. She leaned to the right and headed for the marked trail only a few dozen yards away. It’d taken her about an hour to come up this far, so going back down should be a little faster.
The noise of the vehicle inhibited conversation, but it was nice to just feel Col behind her. Have his hands wrapped around her. The wind ruffled her curls, even beneath her hood.
Col should’ve been cold, but nothing seemed to affect him. His chest was like a heater pressed against her back.
Honestly, she was surprised she didn’t mind the cold as much as she had when she’d first gotten to Alaska. Maybe she was just adjusting.
Mostly right now, Naomi was just looking forward to a hot shower. Soap. Clean clothes. Then a call to her magazine and to her sister who was probably freaking out since she’d missed her nightly Skype call last evening.
Maybe later, Col would be willing to consider letting the vengeance thing drop. The very thought of what would happen to her if that other dragon had killed him made her ill. He called her his soul. He felt like the other half of hers.
10
His mate was sad.
Col could feel it in the tension of her body. She didn’t lean into him or desire him. Her arousal had all but disappeared from her sweet scent. He’d fix it once they were inside.
She wouldn’t be able to think about anything, but how much he adored and loved her. Naomi was his mate. She was everything.
But, she’d been right to call him angry. And he was grieving.
The death of Jaha had brought some satisfaction in the moment, but it hadn’t fixed anything. Nothing he did would bring his family or tribe back. They were lost. He’d vowed to bring his family justice. The only way to satisfy his vow was to take down Sefa, too.
Even though he’d upset his shuarra, his course would not alter. That Naomi feared for his life warmed his warrior’s heart. Col would beat the female traitor. She stood no chance against his years of training. He’d prove to his mate she had no need to fear.
He squeezed his arms around Naomi’s waist a little tighter. She was directing the vehicle toward a cabin just up ahead.
The journey was finished on the strange snow machine. Col still didn’t understand how it moved or growled when it wasn’t alive. This was a strange world to him. He had a lot to learn.
Naomi was changing, too. She had much to learn about what she was becoming.
He hadn’t realized the bond would change her, but there’d been too many instances now to ignore. The wound on her head had healed almost immediately after he’d claimed her with his bite. There wasn’t even the slightest mark on her smooth sandy skin.
For a Reylean to heal that fast was not uncommon. It hadn’t been a bad wound. She’d been shocked. Then today in the fight with Jaha, she’d been exposed to dragon fire. He hadn’t been able to shield her. Col had feared he’d failed and lost her. Yet, she wasn’t burned.
Just like…a dragon.
All Reyleans healed quickly, but only the Dragon Tribe were impervious to heat and flame. Naomi wasn’t a dragon. Her eyes didn’t flicker with gold. She hadn’t shifted. She wasn’t a dragon, but she was warmer. Her core temperature nearly matched his now.
The changes had been so gradual he’d barely noticed.
She stopped the vehicle in front of the steps to the door. The growling stopped, and Col climbed off first, then turned and offered his hand to help her to her feet.
Knock Down Dragon Out: Soulmate Shifters in Mystery, Alaska Book 1 Page 8