Dragon Fire (The Forbidden Love Series)

by Danielle James

  All she wanted was to be with her mate. If she was honest with herself, Toni knew that Dylan was more than that to her. Yes, he was her perfect other half, and she was physically connected to him now, but somewhere along the way, she had fallen head over heels for him. Now, she was properly and truly in love with him.

  That love was going to cause one hell of a disaster. Was her life really worth it? She watched as Dylan struggled to keep the water under his control, but he was going to lose and the tidal wave would crash into Southern California with all the force of an angry god.

  No, she decided. She was not. The price of being with her mate was more than she could bear.

  Toni pulled on her magic and let her dragon form take over. In a matter of seconds, her perspective was very different as she went from human size to dragon. With one last look to her family and then to Dylan, she spread her wings and leapt into the air, soaring out over the churning waters.

  “Toni, no!” she heard her mother scream, but Toni ignored it, as well as the pain in her heart. She knew she was hurting everyone she loved, but they would live and that was all that mattered. She opened her mouth and let out a mournful cry, her goodbye to her family and to her mate.

  Toni pushed her wings harder than she had ever pushed before. She fought the wind to keep herself in the air and upright. The rain stung her face, but Toni pressed on, shrieking and roaring for all she was worth.

  Come and get me, you son of a bitch, she growled at the sea. I’m the one you want.

  In the distance, Toni saw the water begin to swirl in what looked like whirlpool. Then the center began to rise. She slowed her pace, beating her wings harder against the violent wind to stay in flight. The water rose in a pillar, then took the shape of a man.

  As the water fell from his skin, Toni didn’t have to wonder who it was. Never mind the trident he held tight in his fist or that he just rose from the sea, but he looked like Dylan. Poseidon.

  “Ah, the dragon,” he smiled as he rose waist up from the sea. “Turning yourself in?”

  Stop this storm, Toni projected at him.

  “Willing to trade your life for the lives of everyone else?” he sneered.

  Call off the storm and leave my family alone, she said, and I will come willingly.

  Poseidon grinned at her and nodded. The waters instantly settled and the wind calmed. “Human size, please,” he said.

  Toni didn’t care if her human form sank to the bottom of the ocean. He was going to kill her anyway, so she shifted in the air and allowed herself to fall. But she didn’t sink. Instead, she floated on the surface and began to drift toward the Sea God.

  “We are going to have so much fun,” Poseidon said with a sadistic smile as he took Toni’s arm and dragged her below the surface.

  25

  Dylan knew what Toni had done the instant the sea settled back into its bed. The wind calmed and the rain stopped. The clouds parted and clear skies took their place. "Toni," he breathed. "What have you done?"

  "What's going on here?" Angel demanded as he emerged from the house. "The storm has stopped."

  Dylan hung his head. "Toni went to him."

  What had that woman been thinking? She was trying to save everyone, he knew, and he admired her courage, but he was devastated that she had done it. Why couldn’t she wait for him to handle it? Because he wasn't handling it, that's why. Dylan had kept his powers in check for far too long, and now, it seemed, he wasn't comfortable using them.

  "She did what?" he bellowed.

  "It's true," Leigh sobbed. "I saw her. She dragonned up and flew out over the ocean. She must have went to him."

  Rebel put his arm around his mate. "I wonder where she gets that self-sacrificing streak from," he mumbled as he held her close.

  "We have to go after her," Leigh said into his chest.

  "No," Dylan told her. "I have to go after her. I'm the only one who can save her now."

  "How do you know she isn't already dead!" Leigh snapped at him.

  Dylan set his hand lightly on Leigh's shoulder. "I would know. I can still feel her, and as long as I have any connection with her, then I refuse to give up."

  "Well, what are you waiting for?" Rebel shouted. "Go! Get her back!"

  Dylan nodded and then turned his attention to the ocean. "Alright, Dad, now you've gone too far. You wanted me to be just like you, well, now you got it."

  He opened his arms and connected with the water. A wave rose up and barreled to the shore, stopping just short of breaking at the beach. Dylan stepped out into the water and it lifted him into the air. The water churned and flowed beneath his feet, holding him steady. He would find Toni. He would bring her back. He didn’t care how he had to do it, even if it meant killing his own father. With a look back at the family who had gathered on the beach, he nodded once before using the wave to race off into the sea.

  Dylan enjoyed the feeling of the salty sea air on his face, and even now, as he hurtled toward what would be the fiercest battle of his life, he still lifted his face to the breeze. He was born of the ocean; it was a part of him. It gave him life and strength, and Dylan soaked it up. His power surged within his body, preparing for what was to come. He never wanted to be like his father, cold and distant, selfish and petty. Dylan was none of those things. He had always thought that embracing his true nature would turn him into something he didn't want to be. Now, he welcomed it. He would do anything to save his mate. Anything.

  ***

  "You are a pretty thing," Poseidon said as he walked back and forth in front of Toni. "I'll give my son that, he has good taste in a piece of ass."

  Toni rolled her eyes, but said nothing. Why hadn't he killed her yet? When he first touched her, Toni's veins filled with ice. She barely noticed when he drug her under the surface of the water. The darkness of the ocean surrounded her and Toni had accepted the fact that she was going to die. Except, she didn't drown. It was about half way to the bottom of the Pacific that Toni noticed that she could breathe as they descended. The immense pressure alone should have killed her, but yet, she remained unharmed. Even now, as Poseidon paced what was surely his throne room, he made no effort to harm her. He had pushed all the water out of a grand underwater palace and dumped her unceremoniously on the cold floor, but did not hurt her.

  "Where shall we begin?" the Sea God asked her.

  Toni just raised a brow at him, but still refused to talk.

  "Perhaps I will have fun with you first," he said, coming to stand over her. He leaned down and touched her cheek softly, sending a violent chill down her spine. "The things I could show you," he continued. He jerked his hand away from her and stood. "But that won't be happening. You have corrupted my son and for that, you must pay the price." He went back to pacing. "I couldn't understand what it was about the world outside of the water that fascinated my son so much. I knew he dallied with humans, and I let him get away with it. For a while, I had even hoped that Dylan would be the key to undoing this damned curse that keeps me in the sea. He is not hindered by the banishment, but free and able to go anywhere he desires. He could have found a way to help his dear father. But it would appear that I have failed in his upbringing. Not only does he not want to be a god, but he is hellbent on destroying me. This, I cannot allow. You are the key."

  Toni didn't know why he was giving her the speech, but for some reason, hope bloomed in her chest. If he hadn't killed her yet, just maybe that wasn't his plan after all. Which brought up a new question. If he didn’t want to kill her, what exactly did he want?

  "I know that my son will come for you," Poseidon said, already answering Toni's unspoken question. "He will come, and he will do anything to save you from certain death. This is how my son will break the curse. He will do so, or you will die."

  "What if he says no?" Toni finally asked.

  Poseidon turned, surprised that she had spoken. "He won't. On this, he will make me proud."

  Toni felt the corner of her lip twitch in a smile. "You love
your son."

  Poseidon leapt to her and got down on her level. "Love is a weakness," he snarled. "I do not have any weaknesses."

  And that, Toni decided, was the way. She had to figure out what he loved. The Sea God wasn't so scary anymore. He loved Dylan, even if he would never admit it out loud. What else did this man love? She thought. "So, if I am to be the pawn in your little game, how about a chair?" Toni asked him, finding her courage and pushing to her feet. This man was just that. A man. God or not, he was vulnerable, and vulnerable meant that she had a chance after all.

  "This is no game, little dragon," Poseidon told her.

  "Yes it is," Toni argued. Was she insane, arguing with an Olympian? Apparently she was. "Just like in chess, you have positioned the pieces, made your move, and now you are waiting on your opponent to make his."

  Poseidon wrinkled his nose at her in distaste. "Yes, I can see why Dylan fancied you. You are just as obstinate as he is."

  "You are right about one thing," Toni told him. "Dylan will come for me. I have no doubt about that. Your game, however, isn't going to end the way you think it will. Dylan isn't going to bow down to you and play your game. He isn't going to break any curse or banishment. Your son is going to kill you."

  26

  Dylan sped over the ocean, water spraying up from his heels as he raced to his mate. He could feel the bond with her get stronger with every mile he covered. His father had taken her to his palace, no doubt, and that was where things were gonna go down.

  He was tired of trying to keep the peace with Poseidon. He was tired of living under his thumb, tired of being belittled and forced to do things he just didn’t want to do. It wasn't Toni's fault that Poseidon was banished to the sea. It wasn't Toni's fault that the man had an ego that deserved its own zip code. None of this was her fault. If anyone was to blame, it was Dylan. He should have never gotten Toni involved in all this. He should have followed his original instincts and left her alone. He should have ran the second the word mate slipped from her lips.

  Dylan gave himself a mental slap. There was no way he could have stayed away from Toni, even if he had known what was to come. He would have chanced everything for just one kiss from his dragon mate. One sigh, one look from those incredible eyes. The world meant nothing without her, and Dylan would tear it all down if that was what it was going to take. He would do anything, be anything she needed him to be. He would lay down his own life for hers if that was where the night took him.

  The wall of water that built in his wake grew as Dylan approached the center of the Pacific where he would find his father. The sea began to separate and split, recognizing Dylan for who he was. The water obeyed his every thought and every command as he descended into the depths of the ocean. Sea life scurried away as if they could sense the danger that was upon all of them. Dylan wanted to reassure them that none would be hurt, but deep down, he couldn’t promise that. He would decimate the entire ocean if need be. So instead, he told the nearby fish and sea creatures to swim away, as far as they could.

  Just as the underwater palace came into view, Arora appeared at the edge of the receding water. “Dylan, you must think about your actions!” she shouted over the roar of the water.

  Dylan looked at her, noticing her fins and the way the water danced off her body. Just like it did to him. In fact, her eyes were very similar to his. She could change her shape, just like he could. She seemed to know him intimately, like a mother would. His mother. All the pieces clicked into place in his head. Arora was his mother.

  He wanted to feel relief, finally knowing who she was. But instead, red-hot anger filled his veins. He had needed her, and where was she? She had kept herself hidden from him all this time and now she wanted to toss around motherly advice? Hell no. With a wave of his hand, Arora was sent spiraling through the water, away from Dylan and away from the palace.

  No wonder she knew Poseidon wouldn’t hurt her. She was his mate. A mate that his father had kept a secret for who even knew how long. His mate… an idea sparked in Dylan’s head and he commanded the water to bring her back to him. He wasn’t sure how, but she was going to pay the price for helping his father.

  Dylan immediately commanded the water to coil around her, binding her fins and arms, and silencing her mouth. Knowing she wouldn’t drown, the water ran over her mouth just tight enough to keep her from drawing air.

  “You’re coming with me,” he told his mother. “You will watch my father die and then you can join him.”

  Arora’s eyes widened in fear. Never had she heard Dylan speak with such disdain. With such hatred. Never had she imagined that she would be the target of his anger. She was helpless to do anything as he dragged her along by the power of his will to the palace.

  They entered without making a sound and Arora noticed that Poseidon had pushed all the water out again. Her heart sank for the few humans she knew had been inside when he had flooded it. They had all drown, no doubt, and there was nothing she could do to right that wrong.

  She floated along behind Dylan, supported by the water he used to bind her, knowing that she deserved his wrath just as much as Poseidon did. She had tried to help, but it had come too late.

  As they approached the throne room, Dylan stopped. “You’ll wait here,” he told her, forcing the water to hold Arora against the wall. “I’ll call for you when I need you.”

  Then he turned his back on her and pushed open the heavy doors. “Dad!” he called into the enormous room, “I’m here! Now where the fuck is my mate?”

  Poseidon turned, his robes swirling around his legs to face his son. “I knew you would come,” he said with a twisted grin. “It is time to fulfill your destiny.”

  Dylan glared at the man who gave him life. The man who beat him, who forced him to his will. The man who took Toni. “The only thing I am here to do is kill you,” he growled.

  “But wait,” Poseidon said. “As much as I enjoy seeing you finally embrace your heritage, don’t you want to know what has become of your dragon?” he asked, turning his back on Dylan. “It was written long ago, that the dragon fire will break the curse. You must help me unleash it. I have tried to reason with the dragon, but she is just as stubborn as you are.”

  Dylan rolled his eyes. “Did you even read the curse?” he asked sarcastically. “It’s in the scrolls. You have to commit a selfless act. You don’t know how to be selfless. All you have ever cared about is yourself.”

  Poseidon spun around, glaring. “Watch your tongue, boy,” he warned.

  “Not anymore,” Dylan growled back at him. “Toni. Now.”

  “Fine,” Poseidon sighed, waving his hand. A curtain of water dropped to the floor and Dylan saw her. She was bound and gagged, but alive. “She is quite the specimen,” he continued.

  “You will not touch her!” Dylan shouted, bringing water to his hands.

  Poseidon laughed. “Do you mean to kill me with water?” he asked incredulously. “Seriously?”

  “No,” Dylan answered. “I plan to kill you with my own hands.” He lunged for the Sea God, tackling him to the floor. Poseidon laughed and rolled them over so that he was pinning Dylan to the floor. Dylan threw his fist forward, connecting with Poseidon’s jaw. A loud crunch was his reward and he used the momentary disorientation to shove his father off.

  In a flash, both men were on their feet. “It’s like that then, is it?” Poseidon asked, making a fist with his right hand. He dropped it as if to punch the air, and his trident appeared in his hand. “I was so hoping we could come to a mutual agreement.” He pointed the weapon at Dylan, but then turned, angling the deadly points at Toni.

  “No!” Dylan shouted, leaping on to his father’s back. They wrestled for control and the trident shot liquid energy at the walls and ceiling. Dylan landed a swift kick to Poseidon’s knee, then a right hook to his jaw. In the commotion, he was able to take his father’s weapon.

  “Now you will know what it’s like,” he sneered. “Come to me now,” Dylan shouted. T
he doors opened and the water brought Arora into the throne room.

  “What–” Poseidon asked, unable to finish his sentence.

  “I wondered how this woman, this mermaid, knew so much about me. It’s because she is my mother. You kept her from me, and yet she is still alive. She is your mate.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Poseidon snapped, but Dylan had already seen the truth in the way the Sea God’s eyes widened with fear before he gained control of it.

  “I think I am being quite rational,” Dylan warned him. “Let Toni go. Now.”

  “No,” Poseidon said firmly. “I need her fire.”

  “Then you will lose your mate as well,” Dylan said, pointing the trident at Arora. He closed his heart to the look of fear in her eyes as he called on the power of the trident. Liquid power sprang from its points, like lightning flashing across the room.

  Poseidon couldn’t do it. He couldn’t let Dylan kill Arora. He sprang on his son’s back, knocking them both over. He drew his fist back and let it fly, breaking Dylan’s nose. Blood spurted over his fist and Dylan’s face, but the demigod was unwilling to give up the trident.

  Toni watched in horror as her mate fought with his own father. His mother was bound by water, a promised victim of her mate’s rage. His mother… she thought. Poseidon’s mate. He wouldn’t allow Dylan to kill her. Which meant he loved her. That was it! His weakness. Dragon fire would set him free… it all made sense to her now. Toni pushed on her bound feet and called on her dragon. The air became thick with the sounds of fighting and sulfur as she took her dragon form.

  Once the change was complete, Toni wasted no time in announcing herself to the men who were still wrestling for control of the powerful trident. She roared toward the high ceiling, making the whole palace shake under her power.