by Kimber White
“Calla?”
I reached for her. My hand went right through thin air. Still a hallucination. She just seemed so real. The dragonstone changed. It was connected to something. It had a hilt. The point of it sharpened. Calla brought it up. She drew it across her chest.
“No!”
Calla plunged the dragonstone into her breast. She sucked in a great breath of air as her blood began to flow. No! I didn’t ask for this.
“Kian,” she whispered. “Don’t move.”
Too late. It was always too late.
I reared up, letting my dragon take hold. Calla was bleeding. Dying. And I was losing control.
It was a trick. Some magic. I tried to go to her. To save her. Claws ripped into me. I was dragged across the ground away from the cliff’s edge.
I raged. The beast took hold. All four of my brothers were there, pinning me to the ground. They would make me watch as Calla bled to death.
Chaos reigned. I fought. Fire on fire. Talons ripped through me. I answered each blow. Loch let go first. He spun end over end, recovering just before he hurtled into the canyon.
Xander picked up his slack and let loose a blast of flame that singed my wings. In some dark corner of my brain, I knew this was the promise. The Oath. They had come to put me out of my misery. But, the beast would not give up the fight.
Gideon dove. I took the full force of his dragon straight in the chest. My fire went out of me.
“Be still!” It was Calla’s voice. She stepped out of the fray. My brothers held me down. All four of them. One on each wing. Two at my legs.
Calla’s color had turned to ash. Blood dripped down her chest. She held the blood-tipped dragonstone dagger high over her head. As I railed against my brothers. She brought it down and stabbed me straight through the heart.
“Kian!”
Death wasn’t quiet. It wasn’t dark. It was stabbing light and noise. I opened my eyes and screamed.
“Kian!”
Calla was still covered with blood. Her hair was sticky with it. I was on the ground. She held me in her lap. She was crying. Her tears dripped over me.
“Answer me,” she said.
I blinked. I felt the ground under me. I reached up to touch her face. My fingers traced…
My fingers!
“Kian,” she said through her tears. “I swear to God if you don’t say something…”
“I...I...I think I’m going to be sick.” I rolled to the side and was.
I sat up. My arms were working. My legs were working. Calla and I were both covered in blood, but I was me again. The dragon was still there, but he was inside me where he belonged.
“How?” I asked.
“Well,” she said. “It was your mother’s idea.”
My mother. My brothers. I got to my feet. We were still on the bluffs on the Isle of Knoydart. The volcano was behind us. It was still cloaked. The town was there, undisturbed. I hadn’t turned it to ash. I hadn’t broken the magic.
My mother was crying. She rushed forward and pulled me into her arms. My brothers hung back, but I could feel their emotions along with my own. And none of it made a damn bit of sense.
“Dragon’s blood is the only thing that can heal a dragon,” Calla said. “And the blood of a dragon’s mate is the strongest thing of all.”
My mate. My love. “You came for me,” I said. “You shouldn’t have.”
Guilt washed over me. I’d destroyed everything. I’d pushed her away.
“Calla, after everything I’ve done?”
She smiled. The tears kept flowing. “Oh, Kian, you weren’t yourself.”
“No,” I said. “That’s just it. I was. I always was. I was a monster.”
“Brother,” Xander said. “You were sick. And you were the strongest of all of us. You held on. I couldn’t have done what you did. None of us could. You held on. For Calla.”
All I could see in my mind’s eye was the fire.
“Shadow Point,” I said. “It’s gone.”
“Kian,” Calla said. She looped her arm around me. “You burned some trees. And...er...a couple of buildings. No one was hurt.”
I pulled away from her. “Adam, your friend Bobby. And Owen…”
“It wasn’t you,” she said. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. It all got so jumbled up. Astor went looking for me the night Owen was murdered. He saw it. It was the bear shifter. The one you had the run-in with at the Blue Heron. He’d been stalking me. If anything, it was my fault. It’s happened like this before. It’s why Astor never wanted us to live anywhere for too long. I should have seen it coming. That bear sensed what I was.”
“Kian,” Avelina said. “You know this. You know that dragons draw other shifters. They crave our power. Calla’s been very lucky, and she’s done a lot of good. She’s managed to defuse tensions between shifters for years. She’s stopped wars before they could start. But there’s a flipside to it, or can be. It’s why they started hunting us so long ago. This bear shifter went after men he saw her with. He was coming after you.”
Calla was crying. I felt the guilt within her. “It’s not your fault,” I said. “My God. Calla, you’ve been alone. I can’t even imagine what’s that been like for you. I’ve always had my mother and brothers. Even in the darkest times, I had family.”
As soon as I said it, I saw my mother’s eyes. She knew. She’d lived for centuries before bringing us to life after my father died. I realized she shared so much more in common with Calla than I could ever fully grasp.
“I didn’t…” I could hardly say it. Could hardly believe it was true.
“Kian,” Calla said. “It wasn’t you. You aren’t a murderer. Think about it. You tried to help, I think. It’s why you remember Adam’s face when he died.”
I closed my eyes. Those haunting flashes of memory came back. Only this time, they felt less dark. I saw Adam Webster beg for his life. But, there was a shadow between us. For the first time, the shadow had form. I saw a great, black paw swipe down, slashing through Adam’s chest. I saw my fire as I tried to stop it. Adam was already dead when he hit the ground. The shadow...the bear...disappeared into the woods as I sank to my knees and blacked out.
It was there. It had been there all the time. I just refused to let myself see the whole thing. I’d been too afraid to remember it all.
“My God,” I said. “Where is he? I’ll kill him for what he did. He won’t stop trying to find you.”
Calla smiled. She’d finally stopped crying. “It’s being handled,” she said. “The bear is on the run after the fire you set in Shadow Point. You burned part of the town, but you probably saved a lot of lives. He would have killed there again. And yes. I’ve lived alone with Astor my whole life, but I have allies among the shifters as well. There’s a wolf pack in Kentucky that owes me a favor. I already reached out and gave a description. It’s better for now if I don’t go back to Shadow Point. Astor was right about that.”
“Astor,” I said. I felt that same protective rage. I’d seen how he fed his magic.
“Stop,” Calla said. “Astor is a friend. He’s been my family. And he’ll never tell anyone what we are.”
“I need to meet with him,” Avelina said. Her tone was serious, grave almost. I’d seen that look before. My mother would decide whether Astor was worthy of keeping our secret. Our eyes met. Calla wouldn’t like it, but she’d have to trust me.
“It’s time to go home,” Avelina said. “I’m sure Calla has a lot of questions.”
I knew she did. So did I. But, as my strength came back to me, something else burned through me. I felt an answering heat in Calla. She blushed. My brothers had the decency to turn away. It was only my mother standing in our way. Then, her eyes narrowed with understanding.
“Will you come home?” she asked.
“I will,” I said. “We will.”
“Good,” she said. “Calla, you have a big family to meet.”
Calla blinked hard. I knew it was a word sh
e wasn’t used to. I would show her. I would give her everything if she let me.
My brothers came to me. Each one hugged me, then Calla. Then, one by one, they shifted into their dragons, stepped off the cliff and rose high in the air, flying west across the ocean.
My mother was last. She had a knowing twinkle in her eye as she kissed me. “Don’t be long,” she whispered.
She took Calla’s hand in hers. “I remember your mother and your father, Calla of the House of Lazarus. I have stories to tell. Some will be hard for you to hear.”
“I know,” Calla said. “But I want to hear them anyway.”
“She was a good woman, Giselle” Avelina said. “Strong. Brave. And she made the right choice keeping you hidden among the mages as it turns out. Though, I have quite a few questions for this Astor. What kind of magic did he have to bring you to life?”
“He’s a talker once you get him going,” Calla said. “He’ll be thrilled, I think.”
Avelina nodded. She kissed my cheek and went to the cliff’s edge. Her shift was magnificent, as always. Her dragon rose high and arced gracefully toward town. She let out a great shriek as she banked hard and flew out of sight.
I turned to Calla. My mate. My love.
“Come here,” I said, my desire growing. She blushed.
I kissed her hard and deep. So many times I’d had to hold back, unsure of the way. But here, now, this day, I knew how hot we could burn.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Calla
“I still can’t get over how beautiful it is here,” I said. Kian and I stood in a grassy meadow overlooking the sleepy little town of Knoydart in the Scottish Isles. He said this was the place where he was born. I could feel the volcano breathing below us. When I pressed my hand to Kian’s bare chest, I felt an answering fire in him. He belonged here. His magic was of this place.
“You have a home too,” he said. “My mother said the House of Lazarus was seated in what’s now Washington State. It makes sense. It drew you and you didn’t know why. She said both your mother and father were distant cousins and came from there. We’ll find what’s left of it. You’ll grow even more powerful than you already are once you reconnect with the source of your own fire.”
I smiled up at him. It was quiet. Peaceful. At the same time, energy gathered in my core. I could sit with it for just a little while longer. But, I would not deny it anymore.
“I love you,” Kian whispered. “I’ve always loved you.”
His kiss was a gentle affirmation. I turned into his arms. His hand slid down my back, pulling me against him. The solid outline of his chest brought me new warmth. He was strong. Dominant. Fully in control. It wouldn’t last forever. He had a need inside of him that had to be sated.
“I love you too,” I whispered.
He would ask me for permission. Even now, when we both knew the cost of my decision, he would let it be my choice. I loved him for that and so many other things. Still, I knew the gravity of what we might do today.
“Calla…”
“Shh,” I said, putting a finger to his lips. He gave me a little nip that sent my heart racing. While my mind still had questions, my body had already answered.
I burned for him. Blazing heat settled in my core and spread. My sex throbbed and my knees were weak. I’d waited a lifetime for this. I’d waited a thousand years before that. The answer was in me all along.
“Yes, my love,” I said. Kian’s eyes flickered. I slid my fingers to the nape of his neck, threading them through his thick hair. I traced the tiny scars over his chest. Hundreds of years he’d fought to stay alive. Each day, each moment he suffered brought him closer to me.
The tingling began in my fingertips. Tiny sparks of green flame skittered along my arms. Kian’s eyes flashed gold. I grew bold, going up on my toes, I caught his lip between my teeth. The fire inside of me grew. A ball of flame burst from my palm and went straight into Kian’s chest. He drew in a sharp breath, absorbing the blow.
“I’m sorry,” I gasped, stepping back. Old memories resurfaced. Once before I’d gotten this close with another man. He nearly died because of it. I hadn’t been able to control my desire and fire.
Kian took my hand and pressed it flat against his chest where I’d delivered the fire. “More,” he whispered. “I want all of it, Calla. All of you.”
My heart skipped. He was so strong, so powerful. His magic rose and matched mine. He pressed his lips to mine. His fire rose, and a bolt of orange flame came from his fingers and danced down my back. Oh, God! It set off a chain reaction in me. My fire grew stronger. My skin began to glow. Power surged in me. Kian took it and gave me his in return.
I couldn’t hurt him. My fire wouldn’t burn him. He was meant for it. We fit.
I took a step back, letting my desire grow and my strength gather. It was like a countdown. A launch sequence. My hair lifted in the wind. It was now or never. I knew I couldn’t stop once we started.
Kian’s eyes flashed with dark lust. He spread his fingers, sending an arc of flame straight into the ground.
“Yes!” I gasped. God, yes! My clothes melted away. So did his. He was a work of art. Sculpted muscle, flaming eyes, and his cock was huge and hard. I bit my lip and came to him. Our eyes met and I took him in my hand, stroking him. He twitched at my touch. His own countdown had begun.
Kian lowered me to the ground. His lips were everywhere, his tongue so skillful. My nipples ached as he drew them out, swirling the tip of his tongue around each one. He spread my legs, sliding his fingers into my slick folds. I was wet, dripping. I burned the hottest for him there.
“Show me,” he whispered. I did. I let my knees fall open as Kian hovered over me. He pushed them flat, exposing me to him completely. I arched my back and began to thrust. My skin glowed. My vision went almost white. I knew my eyes blazed with green fire to match Kian’s gold.
He let out a breath and his red-gold flames swirled around us, lifting us as one off the ground. Instinct took over. My own green flames joined his. I groaned as he stroked me, priming me for what was to come.
Kian kissed me between my breasts and worked his way down. He was so hot. So perfect. I drew my legs up, holding my knees wide. He tasted me. My fire burned hot as the sun. Kian took it all in. Each blast of flame only spurred him on.
Then it was my turn. I couldn’t wait another second to taste him. I was on my knees for him as our fire intertwined and swirled all around. He filled me. I licked and stroked, loving the sense of control.
“Baby,” he whispered. When he opened his eyes, they were pure gold. Lust sparked through him. He was coming so close to the edge.
I lowered myself then laid on my back. I spread my legs wide and reached for him. We’d waited long enough. Centuries.
“Yes!” I said, but he already knew.
Kian rose above me. I slid my hands down his back, pulling him close. The fire crackled. I felt the volcano beneath us rumble. It was a dark, sensual magic. Ancient in its power. Raw in its strength.
I reached for him, guiding Kian into me. His eyes snapped open. His fire intensified. So did mine. Then, he plunged inside of me. I saw stars. Elemental fire. He was the key and I was the lock. The world seemed to open up beneath us.
Fire on fire. Skin on skin. I thrust upward, taking him in as deep as he could go. Kian let out a growl that shook the earth. I gripped his ass hard and spurred him on. We’d both held back so long. We would never have to with each other. Not ever again.
I felt my pleasure rising. So quick. Too quick. My orgasm burst from me. It was only when I crested down that I realized we were no longer touching the ground. We were in a sphere of flame. Kian’s and mine, perfectly melded.
I felt him twitch inside of me. He was ready for his release too. I bit his shoulder. Kian let out a groan of pleasure as he filled me. It wasn’t the end. It was only the beginning.
We fell to the ground together in a tangle of limbs. My laughter shook my whole body. Kian flipped me over,
keeping his hands on my hips. I rode him, loving the feel of him as he pierced my core.
“God,” he whispered. “Baby. You’re so beautiful. You’re like living flame.”
I rocked on my heels, taking my pleasure from Kian anew. He was perfect. He was everything. He was mine. I threw my head back, sending my hair into an arc behind me. Kian reached up and ran his thumbs over my nipples, heightening my pleasure.
I came again as Kian kept me rooted with his hands on my hips. I knew it was just the second of many. I knew I would let him take me in every way he could before we left this mountain.
I collapsed against him, loving the strong beat of his heart against my ear as he held me to his chest. He smoothed the hair away from my face and placed soft kisses at my temple.
“I love you,” I said, rising up to find his lips.
He laced his fingers through mine then brought them to his mouth to kiss. “Calla,” he said. “I promise to keep trying to deserve you for all the days of my life.”
“You already have,” I said. “You found me.”
“You saved me,” he answered. It was true. But, a new desire rose in me. Kian’s eyes flashed as he recognized it.
“Yes,” I said, before he could ask. Sex was one thing. Mating was another. But, I was ready. It was perfect.
Kian’s sultry growl sent a new wave of heat through me. Smiling, I kissed him once more, then slid off him. Beckoning him with my finger, I went on all fours in front of him. It was a silent offer. It was the magic of the ages.
Kian stroked himself and came up behind me. He gave me a playful slap on the ass that made me squeal. Then, he took me. As he entered me, he unlocked the last secret and the strongest bit of our magic.
Our fire rose again. This time, it was already joined. I knew that neither of us would ever breathe green or gold again. It was a new flame, shimmering with every color of the rainbow. And it was ours.
Kian came. He reached for me, stroking me as he took his pleasure. He brought me back to the brink. He knew just how long to wait, making my body answer at his command. Then, I found my release. Kian leaned far forward. His teeth grazed my neck. I arched my back to give him better access. Then, Kian sank his teeth into me. My pleasure peaked. It was impossible. Incredible. And I knew it was only the start.