Single Red Dragon: A Dragon Shifter Fated Mates Novel (Space Dragons Seek Mates Book 2)

by Michelle Ziegler

  Eadric sat on the bed placing boots in a backpack.

  "Why aren't you getting dressed?" she asked.

  He looked up. "Dragons don't magically fly with clothing and from what I've learned humans don't trust a naked man. This is for after we get into the city."

  Oh. That made sense.

  She stood in front of the mirror a moment later and frowned. What a last memory. Someone who was plain, with messy hair.

  Eadric towered over her as he came up from behind.

  You are beautiful.

  She reached up her hands to stroke his face and caught a glimpse of something faint on her stomach.

  Pausing, she pulled up her shirt.

  Eadric's hand reached out and touched the skin. A faint glow filled in the design.

  "What, is this? It looks like your tattoos?"

  The feeling of it didn't burn, it tingled. But what the hell. When did she get tattooed?

  He flashed a toothy grin.

  This is my marking, or well the markings the goddess bestows on our mates.

  She studied it.

  "Will it be there forever? What about this?"

  She touched her shoulder where a light pink bite remained.

  His fingers traced the mark. "The bite will heal and fade. The markings remain. You carry my magic within you."

  Hold out your hand.

  She held her hand out and followed him as he brought his own up. A small orange flame danced in his palm. She didn't shy away, fire had never bothered her, her life was basically the essence of fire.

  Mesmerized, she watched as he put the flame in her hand.

  The tiny thing grew brighter in her palm, slowly taking on some blue tint as her own flame bloomed from her hand.

  Fascinating. I can't stop my own magic from joining, but I feel you. I feel your magic with mine.

  Closing her eyes, she leaned into him. Lilly closed her palm, letting the heat burn and absorb into her skin. She hadn't noticed his magic until now. It coursed through her. A different pattern running along her veins.

  The power gave her a confidence she would need.

  There are some girl things in that drawer if you need. I shall meet you at the door after you are done.

  Girl things? She didn't have things. A toothbrush, hairbrush, that was about it.

  Opening the drawer, she smiled and imagined any of these men shopping for things as delicate as a small red tube of something girly. Pulling it out, she read the word 'chapstick'. Pulling off the top, she sniffed it. Cherry. It took her a moment to remember seeing something like this in a contraband magazine from her sister.

  Placing it on her lips and running a brush through her hair, Lilly decided that this was the best things were going to get for her.

  Studying the mirror again, she smiled. She wasn't the same woman that had left that lab. Remembering who she was now might give her a fighting chance. The marking glowed as she pulled at the hem of her shirt. She was loved now.

  12

  Eadric rolled over and nuzzled Lilly. The scent of his mate making him feel more calm than he actually felt. In a little over an hour they were headed out.

  She shifted herself, pressing her ass against his dick. Fuck. That was not what he needed.

  His internal clock was going off, his anxiety hitting a new high point. One last taste of her. Just in case the worst happened might not be the worst idea.

  You better be getting up, called the voice of Nyke. Eadric would need to thank that fucker later for being a cock block.

  Eadric sucked it up and swallowed his need. His nerves were on edge, fuck he needed to calm down. The taste of his mate still on his tongue wasn't enough to send his fear off.

  She rolled over. "I know. It's time. I'm not sleeping, anyway."

  Blowing out a breath, he leaned in and kissed her shoulder.

  Yes. Time to get ready. I'm sorry, mate.

  Her delicate hand reached up and pushed a straggling bit of his shaggy hair out of his eyes.

  Do not be sorry, Eadric. Anything that happens now is fate. I'm just glad you found me.

  His heart struggled to beat. He wanted to remember every feature. He would not lose her, but until he had her back in his arms, he needed to remember every detail.

  Time was no longer their friend. Giving her a peck, he threw the blankets off before he decided to stay in bed.

  "Mate. A quick shower and then Deo found clothes similar to what we found you in. You might want to go roll around in the dirt for a little while, mind you."

  Sitting up, she shot a glance at him.

  "What? You need them to think you were held against your will, right?"

  This time she threw a pillow at him and Eadric literally had no idea why.

  "You are just ridiculous. It's the way you say things. I swear."

  He tapped into their connection and tried to siphon off the fear that hid behind her playful demur. She was terrified.

  He got up and went to her. Before he would do anything further, he would comfort her. First rule of battle was to watch over your soldiers. And she wasn't okay.

  Holding his hand out, she gladly took it. Gently, he pulled her up.

  "Mate. I will come for you. Always."

  Pulling her into a hug, she snuggled into his body and for a moment he thought maybe he'd been wrong about her fear. But then a warm trickle fell down his stomach.

  Her tears were quiet. No sound escaped as she fought to hold them.

  I just found you.

  Rubbing his fingers down her back, Eadric couldn't agree more, but there was no point adding to her pain. It was best to allow the tears and move on. This was her plan, and it was the only option. They would simply rejoice when she was safely in his arms again.

  Come. A warm shower will help.

  She silently followed as he pulled her to the bathroom. A comfortable silence remained between them while he turned the water on.

  He turned to help her in and saw her holding herself, her arms wrapped around her midsection.

  "I can't go back," she said.

  "Come," shower with me.

  She didn't move.

  Eadric carefully picked her up, hugging her to him.

  Stepping in, he didn't let her go. In here, it was just them. No one else.

  They stood there, letting the water run down their bodies. It nearly evaporated as it hit her skin.

  She was so unique, so amazing. He wanted more time to understand her.

  Breathing sucked. He could hardly handle breathing at the sight of her.

  This couldn't break her. He wouldn't allow it to break her.

  Look at me.

  She did as commanded.

  Do not look away from me. Even in the darkest place, you will always see me.

  Eadric bent down. His kiss was meant to be soft, slow, a reassurance. At first she resisted the calm of his touch, not relaxing into him, and his heart nearly stopped in regret. Regret of what he'd allowed. He needed to stop this ridiculous plan.

  Slowly though she answered, moving her mouth with his and he forgot his own anger. Her hands releasing her own body to embrace him.

  The kiss deepened, a silent goodbye.

  Mine.

  Yours, she answered.

  He couldn't let her go, not yet.

  Lifting her, he pulled her against him as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  She needed him right now. He was supposed to protect her. He was sending her into the pits of hell.

  Her kisses grew more desperate, as if she feared that tomorrow may never come, and truthfully one never knew in life.

  No regrets.

  She began to rub her pelvis against his own, and he growled in answer. Her scent permeated the shower. She wanted him. His dick grew hard in response. Always ready for his mate.

  I need you. One last time.

  Eadric tried to keep his own fears hidden as he tried to help her drown her own. She reached between them, gripping his dick and stroking
>
  "Please, Eadric."

  He couldn't say no to her, he wouldn't say no ever.

  His hands gripped her ass and lifted her, positioning her above his dick.

  She guided him in as he lowered her onto him. She moaned as he pushed deeper.

  "Yes," she said.

  Lifting her once again, he set a slow pace bringing her back down on him enjoying the feel of her. Letting her lose herself in the moment.

  More, she moaned.

  He answered by lifting her once more and bringing her down harder, faster.

  Her head lolled back in desire, thrusting her breasts toward him.

  He pressed her against the wall, freeing his own hands so he could stroke her, knead her.

  She shifted her pelvis against him, eliciting the most erotic sensation. His tongue flicked her nipple as he began to pump into her. She cried out as he nibbled.

  More, she mentally begged.

  He braced himself with one hand on the wall and the other on her waist as he started a new rhythm, more desperate, faster. They needed the release, both needed to be brought to the edge and jump.

  Urgent need. Her nails dug into his shoulders as he thrust into her one, two, three times before she started to quiver and come around his dick. His desperate need to mark her with his scent one last time had him pumping into her again and again, still taking from her what she would give until he couldn't hold back his own desperate need. She cried out again, and he kissed her until she grew quiet. The moment was quick, and all instinct. A goodbye for now without saying anything.

  Her legs were shaking as he kissed her.

  She started to climb down, but he stopped her. His dick still buried in her, he pulled her face to his.

  I will come for you, do not think I won't.

  Lilly caught her breath, but didn't say anything. She nodded, and only then did he release her to finish.

  Eadric didn't like the silence. She was thinking. He tried to understand her, but her mind was sad. Sitting alone in a small room.

  Lilly, you aren't alone.

  She nodded.

  The water ran down her skin, some drops still going up in steam.

  They washed quickly, Lilly still keeping her thoughts silent.

  Lilly?

  As she buttoned the last button on a white shirt that was so similar to her old boring clothing, she struggled to keep her panic in.

  Just breathe.

  She finally found her voice.

  Please. Don't say anything else. If you say anything else, I don't know that I can go.

  He nodded. Instead, he took her hand, and they headed out into the hall, down the corridor, and out into the early sunrise.

  His brothers were silent. A simple nod, all any of them needed. The plan was set.

  Spreading out through the sanded area, one by one they each shifted into their dragons.

  Lilly's small gasp made something in Eadric break. She had never seen them all ready for battle, and he hated that she had to.

  This was supposed to be a simple mission. Find your mate. Get out. Trouble followed the warriors wherever they went in the galaxy, it seemed. It's why so many of them had died, or why their mates had all but disappeared from their home planets. Blessed by the goddess, fuck that. They were cursed and now, if he were lucky, he'd get to pass this curse down to his own heirs. Awesome.

  Eadric kissed her once more before he too shifted. The head of his dragon nuzzled her.

  They watched as her eyes turned blank and she shifted backward, ready to mount him.

  She laid a hand on his flank and his dragon turned to look at her and nodded as she waited to get on him.

  Fuck, even his dragon couldn't bring himself to fight.

  One by one they took to the sky, flying in formation, ready for an attack that this planet couldn't even understand. Not yet, anyway.

  She sat quiet, her thighs clenching his hide tightly as they flew.

  Eadric?

  Her voice calmed the ache.

  Yes, my fire?

  He heard a small almost purr from her. She liked the name.

  I- are we going to the old lab?

  His wings soared over the wind, the sun grew brighter with every passing moment. The heat of its energy rejuvenating his power.

  Yes. Why? You fried it, but we need something there.

  He searched her mind for questions.

  You're sure they're gone? she asked.

  Eadric nodded. If the damage you did, wasn't enough, my brother also made it inhabitable.

  Her mind was quiet for a moment. So he continued.

  We are circling back, if that's your concern. We need to pick up their scent. My brothers have monitored the site for days.

  Her weight shifted.

  Okay. There's another lab. I don't remember much, but I know there's another that I was born in. It's not far. I'm sure they'd go there.

  His dragon growled, eliciting a glance from his brothers one by one. He sent out a mental warning of the lab and shared the information Lilly had just shared.

  Landing within the trees out of caution, they looked around.

  I don't sense anyone, said Deo.

  Each brother shifted while Eadric hung back remaining in his dragon form, Lilly still perched atop him.

  Shouldn't you follow them? she asked.

  He shook his massive head.The dragon refusing to be reasoned with, even if the plan had been for him to remain back with her.

  While they sat and waited, he sniffed the air. His brothers would find the scent, but there was a part of him that hated hanging back. This was his mate's life.

  She shifted and slid off of him, his dragon thrashing around, knocking over a tree while he was at it.

  Where are you going, mate?

  She shook her head and sat down on the ground.

  The dragon snorted.

  I am not going anywhere. But, remember, I need to look like I at least tried to escape?

  Right. They remembered. The dragon took his claw and ran it along the ground, churning up damp earth. She smiled and moved over, kneeling in it. As she stood, a smile crossed her face. She'd never played in the dirt.

  "I guess my clothes are enchanted to be fireproof, but thankfully not stain proof." Lilly did a little turn.

  Eadric looked around to see what else he could help with. As long as she wasn't hurting he was okay with her plan.

  Finding some leaves, she tried to think what she looked like in the alley. What she'd appeared like after having run away, again.

  He didn't actually want to remember how she smelled, or the fear in her eyes, but she needed him to recall something helpful.

  With his massive claws, he speared a few leaves from the ground and dropped them in her hair. They didn't stay and his dragon grew irritated, so he licked one and stuck it back in.

  She glared at him.

  "Really, Eadric?"

  The dragon did his best to shrug.

  You had these in your hair when I found you in the smelly, dark alley.

  "Oh. Good point."

  So instead of letting him lick any more leaves, she grabbed up a few and seemed to find a way to weave them in.

  God, I hope there aren't any bugs, she thought.

  This was somewhat entertaining, he thought.

  Should I shift and join you in the dirt?

  Stopping dead in her tracks, she laughed. Eadric.

  His dragon's deep rumble of laughter died as a snap in the forest's quiet cadence pulled them out of the moment.

  It's just me, brother, said Deo.

  He calmed.

  Did you pick up their scent? Eadric asked.

  Stepping from the trees, Deo pointed at Lilly.

  "What's with your mate?" he asked.

  Eadric went to answer, but instead Lilly came over and spoke for herself.

  "Do I look like I was just kidnapped by dragons?"

  Deo started to laugh.

  "I like you. Perhaps the ship won't seem
so dull with two mates around."

  He went silent at his own words.

  The air almost seemed thick with the possibility of two mates not returning.

  Deo cleared his throat.

  Eadric, we picked up the scent.

  Then this was it.

  Lilly came to Eadric and nuzzled his head.

  They found them? Didn't they? she asked.

  They did. We leave as soon as the others return.

  She nodded and patted him. Her touch calmed his mind.

  Leaving her would be the hardest thing he'd ever have to do. But, she wouldn't truly be alone and as soon as she had the antidote he'd cross hell to get her.

  13

  Lilly tried to focus on the wind through her hair as they started to descend. One dragon traveled close to the ground to pick up the scent, while the rest of them remained high.

  Resting her hands on his hide, Lilly felt the flow of his power running through her. What would it be to remain free, to remain with him. Dreams. Dreams she was giving up to help someone else. Nothing in the world could feel this good, except maybe once being able to forgive herself.

  She would escape, though. Eadric would come for her.

  In the pit of her stomach she worried that this might have all been a dream. A trick of her own mind, grasping at something she desperately needed.

  I am not a dream, growled Eadric.

  Oh, thank God. She needed him to be her anchor because right now, she was spiraling out of control. She needed to get that antidote. The faster the better. The question was, how?

  She racked her brain. Had she ever seen where they kept medicines? Worse yet, where did they keep things like that in the new-old lab?

  She tried to remember this place, but she'd only been here a few years as a very young child until her father got the funding for the new one. Her sister was the only reason she knew anything, it seemed. Lilly had preferred the solitude, a way to keep herself from others. Anything to not hurt more people than was necessary.

  Images of her father floated through her mind. She had done everything he'd ever asked of her, and yet in the end she was still nothing more than a pet.

  The fear that had filled her as he'd had his guards tether her to the main floor of the lab came back. Instead of being here, with Eadric, she was there. Crouching in the corner of the room. She'd been through the main entrance a few times, but she'd always been escorted quickly out, onto another alien crash site, or to a portal her father had tried to mess with. This was different. She didn't know what was coming, and they had left her alone.