Obsidian Wings

by Clara Hartley

  Constance placed her hand over his shoulder and pressed tightly. She wanted to tell him not to continue, for speaking the story seemed to pain him on a physical level. But she couldn’t will herself to ask him to stop, because she wanted to know more. The fire in the hearth felt like it burned brighter.

  “I ran. I tried to fight that dragon at first, but it was obvious I was no match within seconds, and I had to flee or lose my life. So, I shifted and flew away. The dragon didn’t give chase. The tribe provided plenty of prey for him to play with. I tucked my tail between my legs and abandoned them, all the while looking back at the humans I loved get slaughtered.”

  She could feel sorrow, pain, and regret quaking through him. “It’s not your fault.”

  “It was.” His voice turned to steel. “I trained after that. I would go on long flights to test my stamina, lift boulders ten times the size of my wings. I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard of other dragons training. My kind likes to sit on their asses. I guess I was a late bloomer, too, because I became a natural at fighting. I would test my prowess against skirmishes with other dragons, and in time, I found myself getting better. Twenty years later, I found the murderer. It was easy to pin him down. I tore his throat out so he wouldn’t continue terrorizing innocents.”

  His eyes narrowed and he gazed into the distance. “At that moment, I knew I needed strength, power. I had to form a clan to protect the humans, because there is only so much you can do as one person. I realized I couldn’t join the ranks of man again. Humans are the kinder but weaker race. They would turn my power into a shadow of what it could be, and then I wouldn’t be able to stop the bloodshed.

  “I tried to do my deeds without the humans knowing, but of course they sighted the large dragon who would occasionally swoop down to stop the attacks from others of his kind. And in time they started to see me as a god. By then, it was too late to join them.”

  “So, you distanced yourself from the race you wanted to be with,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “And you oppressed your own kind for their sake.” It was no wonder Rayse Everstone wasn’t well liked at all.

  He shrugged. “I made my own path.” The anger melted away from his voice. He placed his large hand over hers. “And that’s why Dragon Keep is what it is today.”

  “It must have been difficult,” she said.

  “More than you could ever know.” He turned his head, and then his lips were right next to hers. “I shouldn’t be alone in this anymore. I’ve found my femriahl.”

  His eyes searched hers, dark as midnight. She felt his hot breath against her skin.

  Carnal desire shot through her like a current. “Rayse, I—”

  His mouth moved onto hers and then she was melting. Her breath hitched. In that instant, sensations foreign to her swirled in her mind. She fought against them. His smoky scent intoxicated her, tempted her. And then she let herself go. She ran her hands up to dig into his long, beautiful, tousled hair. She sensed the palm of his hand around her waist, slowly reaching higher.

  She could let him take more of her. He could try, and she wasn’t sure if she would be unwilling.

  He pulled back. “Little fire… you are unaware of the turbulence you cause in me.”

  Her stomach twisted with nervousness and anticipation. His words were intense—primal.

  “I’m not supposed to want this,” she said.

  “Do you?”

  Her voice quavered as she said, “I’m not certain.”

  He nodded once. Then, suppressing a growl, he pried himself away. “I can sense fright in you, still.”

  And he wasn’t wrong. The wanting of a man and the longing of his touch didn’t make any sense. It was all so new, so strange, and all too alarming. “I’m sorry.”

  A grunt sounded from him. He stood up and paced away. “There is nothing to be sorry about. I will wait until you are ready.”

  Constance felt an emptiness beside her after Rayse’s absence. She pulled her knees to her chest. “Greta mentioned you can’t sleep until we mate. She says that my not sleeping with you makes things worse because your dragon cannot be appeased.”

  “Don’t worry yourself over that.”

  Her eyes wandered to his hands. They were clenched tight. Holding back seemed to be a challenge to Rayse.

  She could tell him to have his way. But she didn’t have the courage in her to give herself up like that.

  A hush fell around them. She watched the fires dance in the fireplace. Her plate of meat lay uneaten next to her. She had no appetite.

  “I’ve shared my story,” he said, breaking the silence. “What’s yours?”

  “I don’t enjoy talking about the demons of my past.”

  “Perhaps sharing them will lift the burden off your chest.”

  She loosened the tension in her muscles and sighed. “I was born in a brothel fourteen years ago.”

  “A brothel?” His brow furrowed deeply. “Were you ever…”

  “The night we met was my first.” She still remembered the confusion of it all. “My mother made sure the men never got to me.”

  “But you fear men.”

  “One of them took my mother’s life. And they did terrible things to her. Every night. The doors would close and I would sit outside. Then I would hear her cries. Most of the time, they were fake cries of pleasure. Of course, my eight-year-old self didn’t know what pleasure sounded like, but looking back, it’s obvious. Half the time, my mother would scream out in pain. Every time one of those nights happened, she would meet me the next day with bruises all over her body.”

  “If I had known, I would never have allowed that to happen.”

  She half smiled. “Thank you. But that was not your burden. Then, one day, the wrong man took an interest in her. One would think he was normal at first glance. Looks are deceiving. He was a sick bastard. My mother was his fourth victim. Didn’t even leave her with her face when he was done.” Wry laughter escaped from her. “I don’t know why you say humans are kind. If you look hard enough, man can be just as terrifying as dragons.”

  “That man… did he meet his punishment?” The words came from his mouth as a low, threatening whisper.

  She sneered. “He’s one of the top-ranking guards in Everndale now. Not sure how many women he murdered after my mother. Nobody cares if some whore in the lower quarters gets mauled by an important figure. Plenty of other poor women to replace them.”

  “His name?”

  She shouldn’t give Rayse the man’s name. The Black Menace was known to be unforgiving, and dealt a harsh hand. “Bastion,” she said. “Bastion Wreinar. Checked up with one of the bars the last time Eduard brought me back to Everndale. Asked the bartender if he’d seen the man with the red beard and bald head. He’s well known around the lower quarters. You can’t miss his distinctive look.”

  She clutched the fabric of her dress. Rage for Bastion soared in her. Why did men like him get off scot-free? It wasn’t fair. Not all of them were like him, however—Rayse was living proof. “I told myself not to care about him and ignore my past. Curiosity got the better of me. I wanted to hear that he got strung up for his crimes or something. He wasn’t.”

  “Shush, there’s no need to cry,” Rayse said. He scooted next to her and invited her into his arms. Constance allowed herself his touch. She welcomed it, even. She sank into the hardness of his chest, breathing in his scent, and heard the beating of his heart. It matched the racing of hers.

  She reached for her face and touched her cheek. It was damp. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “Heavens, I’m crying? Forgive me.”

  “There is nothing to forgive. Never be sorry about letting your emotions out in front of me, little fire. I’m thankful for this honor.”

  Her shoulders slackened. She felt a weight lifting off her chest. The last time she’d talked about her past was years ago, and it had festered in her heart like a disease. The embers in the fireplace had dimmed. Rayse’s embrace was firm. His warmth
soothed the ache in her heart.

  She turned around and leaned back into his frame. “I ran around the streets and stole food after Mother died. I couldn’t stay in the brothel. I didn’t want to let men like Bastion get to me. I joined a street gang for a while. They had quotas and weren’t very nice. Left me hungry half the time. Then I stumbled across Eduard while trying to steal from his clinic. I was so scared that he’d report me to the authorities. He took me in instead.” She closed her eyes to imagine the quaint village she’d lived in. “I miss him. Miss Evernbrook. Gods, I wonder how that old sod is doing.”

  “Do you want to go back?” Rayse asked.

  “But you said your dragon wouldn’t allow it.”

  “Not forever. I mean for a visit.”

  She frowned. “Weren’t dragons banned? The Offering makes it seem like the girls never come back.”

  “They do, but away from the gazes of the humans. The city officials made sure I promised to not let the dragons announce their arrivals. Humans view us as gods. It would cause chaos and too many swelled egos if people felt like gods were visiting them regularly.”

  Excitement rose in her. “Can I?”

  A smile brushed his lips. “I can take you to him.”

  Chapter 12

  Rayse forced his dragon instincts down. They swirled inside him in a maelstrom of emotions. Constance was in his arms as he flew. She had trusted him to take her for a flight and not let go. His soul sang with the joy of it all. He had not met a thrill like this ever, despite his long life.

  Take her. Take her…

  He commanded the dragon to stay calm. Its thirst for his mate tired him. Already, the effects wore him down. His body felt weaker than usual, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to stay focused.

  “Look down, little fire,” he said. “You are missing so much.”

  She quivered in his hold. Her fear of heights made her breath arrhythmic. Watching her like this endeared her to him. Her leaning toward him for protection made his inner beast hum with satisfaction.

  “Are we there yet?” she asked.

  “You have no need to be afraid. I’ll never let any harm come to you. Open your eyes and take in the beauty of the skies, little fire. It’s something to be appreciated.”

  She forced her eyes open and gazed down. Her body stiffened against his. “It’s… so high up.”

  “Exhilarating, isn’t it?” He smiled. He hardly ever smiled, but with Constance, it was easy.

  She blinked. Gradually, her body unwound. “It is beautiful.”

  Beneath them, Everndale shone dimly with little dots. It was massive up close, but from so high up, it looked nothing more than a child’s toy. Pockets of civilization around the capital flickered orange in communal clumps. Above them, the half-moon glowed, and stars sprayed the sky in an endless sea of sparkling blue.

  She dragged air into her lungs. “Everything looks so small from up here.”

  “It’s stranger if you’re a dragon. Most things up close already feel small. Then you take to the skies and realize how insignificant some things are.”

  “Where’s Evernbrook?”

  “You can’t even see it from here. That hamlet isn’t lit enough at night to view from above.”

  Her brow furrowed and she looked to him. “Why do you hold the Offering there if my village is so trivial?”

  His grip on her tightened. “I’ve always felt a pull to that place. Maybe my soul already knew I’d find you there, even two hundred years ago.”

  Her lips parted. “Coincidence, perhaps.”

  “I don’t think it is.” He couldn’t stop himself from pressing a kiss over her delicate forehead. The wind today blew with a calming warmth. “The bond between us is no coincidence.” It hadn’t been long before he met his mate, but she was already beginning to seal the hole in his spirit.

  “Are you comfortable now?” he asked.

  “Yes, I think so. Why?”

  “Then I don’t have to go at the speed of a snail anymore.”

  She shot him a wide-eyed stare. “We aren’t going fast?”

  “No. I think my wings might fall asleep at this pace.” He sped up and glided through the skies. He let the familiar air currents guide him along. His mate clutched him tightly and buried her head into his chest. His body ached at her touch. He wanted more of her. But love was not about taking, and he needed to give her assurance that he would not force her against her will. Not like the men in that brothel. Not like Bastion.

  At the thought of that bastard, wrath whirled in him like a firestorm.

  He heard a laugh. The sound of her glee played like music to his ears. His anger settled. He would think about the problem of her childhood demons another day.

  He peered down and saw the wide grin splitting his femriahl’s face. He was holding the sun in his arms.

  “Oh dragons,” she said. “I’m actually finding this fun.”

  “There!” Constance told Rayse. She pointed at the rickety building.

  As soon as her feet touched familiar ground, she rushed up to her home and knocked on the door. “Papa. Papa!” She couldn’t contain her excitement. The last few days had stretched on like a century. It felt like she hadn’t seen her father in ages. She thought she’d lost her chance to say goodbye, and the joy of a second chance gleamed at her.

  The frail-looking Eduard pried the door open. Shock painted his face as he greeted her. “Constance?”

  “Papa, I’m home.” She thrust herself at him and hugged tightly.

  “But… but you were taken.” He looked behind her and saw Rayse. “By him. You brought the Black Menace here.”

  “He’s allowing me a visit.” She was grinning so much her jaw hurt, but she didn’t care. “How are you, Papa?”

  The initial shock faded from her father’s face. Surprise and delight took over. “Good, good. I thought I’d never see you again. Heavens, I haven’t been able to sleep much the last couple nights.” He hugged her back then pulled her inside. “Are you sure about this, dasher? That dragon doesn’t seem very happy.”

  She peered over her shoulder. Rayse had been joking with her mere moments ago. What had gotten into him? “He’s a grumpy fellow.”

  Eduard shot the dragon another wary glance. “All right… if you say so.”

  She took her coat off and tossed it over a chair. Rayse stepped close to her. He threw an arm around her shoulder and pressed her against him. “Rayse?” she asked.

  “It’s nothing,” he said through gritted teeth.

  That human man better keep his sticky—

  Rayse bit the inside of his mouth. He couldn’t keep the beast in check. Hurry up and mate with her. Keep your scent on her. Goddammit. The lack of control was something he had not considered. He wanted to make a good impression on the man who had raised and saved Constance, but at this rate, he’d only scare Eduard away.

  “Sit down,” the healer said. “Make yourself at home.”

  Rayse inspected the home his mate had lived in. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t curious. The entire thatched house was barely the size of his bedroom. She’d had humble beginnings. Despite the dingy interior, a pleasant scent filtered through the space. It reminded Rayse of his mate. This was where she had gotten the smell of flowers and herbs from.

  Constance sat down. “Have they given you the money?”

  Eduard nodded. “Plenty. Even more because you’re mated to the Black Menace himself.”

  “Then Evernbrook won’t go hungry.”

  “All because of your sacrifice. And Marzia’s. We have more than enough to keep us alive through the winter now. But money’s not what matters. I was so distraught when I thought I lost you. Oh, but you’re back so soon. Have you been eating well? Sleeping well?”

  “The food where the dragons live isn’t as different as what we have here.”

  “Good, good.” Eduard placed a hand over Constance’s. “Come and visit often, will you?”

  Rayse growled.
He saw red and gripped Eduard’s wrist in an instant. “Keep your hands off her.”

  Eduard’s pupils shrank. “Uh oh. Sorry ,I didn’t mean to offend—”

  “Rayse!” Constance stood up. The wooden chair screeched on the floorboard. “Stop manhandling my father.”

  Rayse couldn’t think straight. He wanted this woman all to himself. This old, unworthy man was competition, trying to claim her from him. Every male was a threat. Claim her. He pressed a hand over his temple. No. That’s not how it is. Think straight. His lungs tightened from heavy breathing.

  “I’ll be outside,” he said. He spun around and exited as fast as he could. The temperature was warmer in the lowlands. He tugged at the collar of his tunic. He had to walk off this suffocating heat.

  He heard footsteps behind him.

  “What’s wrong?” Constance asked. There was accusation in her tone. He had ruined this meeting.

  He tightened his jaw. “I can’t… control the need. Stay away.”

  She gripped his elbow. “Rayse, please calm down, you’re—”

  He whipped around and threw her against the wall of her house. His member was hard and straining in his pants. Grunting, he pressed it on her and rocked his hips. Get away. You’re scaring her. He tugged the hem of her dress aside and his mouth found the nape of her neck, tasting her delectable sweetness.

  Mine.

  The thought consumed him with a throbbing hunger. Constance shouldn’t be risked to other men. She belonged to him and him only.

  A moan escaped her lips.

  It drove the dragon in him wild. The scent of her wetness wafted to his nose. She wanted him, as much as he needed her. Her hand dug into his hair. He trailed kisses along her body and found her lips. His tongue forced its way into the crevice of her mouth. He took what he wanted, and in that moment, all he wanted was Constance.

  “Rayse, please…”

  He wasn’t going to stop. He couldn’t halt his advance until she was writhing beneath him, shaking with pleasure and crying his name like a rutting dragoness.

  She weakened beneath his touch, giving in to his desire.