Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
He enslaves my people! I show her the mental image I plucked from her mind, of the dead-eyed dragons that sit atop the barrier of Fort Dallas. They are gray-eyed because he hovers in their minds like a parasite. They are victims.
“And those same dragons ate my people,” she reminds me, her tone bitter. “I know he’s not doing anything good to them, but at the same time, if he lets them all go and they start attacking the fort again, what’s going to happen to us? The people that live there?”
We glare at each other for a long moment.
Rachel sighs. Puts her hand on my arm again. “I’m not saying it’s right. I’m just saying…it’s complicated. But I’m not on his side. I’m not on anyone’s side…but I need to make sure my friends are all right. That they’re safe. If he kicks them out of the fort…” She bites her lip, and I pick up from her thoughts that she is worried they will be forced to mate with many men just to survive. “I have to go back for them.”
I will not let you. You belong to me.
This time, she pushes at my chest, glaring up at me. “You can’t stop me.”
I do not want to stop you. I want to keep you.
That makes her pause. Astonishment blooms in her mind, followed by a reluctant pleasure. “You still want me as your mate?” In her eyes, she is maimed, and her scars make her unattractive. “I thought you left because you didn’t want me.”
I groan, leaning in and capturing her mouth. Her lips part under mine, and her thoughts are hungry and as full of need as mine. I care nothing for your scars or your hands. You are beautiful, and strong, and fierce, and proud. You have seen yourself through my eyes, have you not?
She shudders against me. I have.
Then never doubt how I feel. Ever since I scented you, I have wanted you. My spirit knew you were perfect for me. I will never look at another. I claim her soft mouth with a thrust of my tongue. You are everything.
Rachel moans against my mouth. You…you left me, though.
I did. I regret it. I did not mean to hurt you. My mind still twists up quickly. It might always be like that. If I do so again, you must help me return to myself…please. I cup her face even as I slant my mouth over hers. I never want to hurt you. Ever. I only want to cherish you.
She lets out a soft little whimper of pleasure, and thinks of the bed in the next room over. It’s not as comfortable as the last one, but she put a tarp over the old mattress and covered it with blankets, and it’s almost as good as new.
She wants me to touch her as much as I want to. I am overjoyed at her generous heart, that she will forgive me so quickly. I press my forehead to hers, humbled at her arousal, her giving spirit. I will never leave your side again, I promise her. You are mine.
I can feel that she does not entirely believe me. That is all right. I have the rest of my life to show her just how serious I am. I caress her cheek again, unable to stop stroking her lovely, small face.
I brush my lips against hers in another kiss and probe at her mind. Shall I just pleasure you? Or do you wish to mate with me?
We can…mate. Her response is shy.
I did not hurt you last time?
Her cheeks color pinker. It hurt, but it was my first time, so I expected it to hurt. Should we think about birth control this time?
Birth…control? A flash of her mind with mine shows me an image of something sliding over my cock, preventing my seed from entering her body, from making her pregnant. Absolutely not, I tell her, cupping her face in my hand so she will meet my eyes. I am going to fill you with my seed, over and over again. Every drakoni that sees you will scent me on your skin and know that you are taken, that you are claimed.
Rachel quivers, and her arousal scent blooms in the air. She gazes up at me with wide, hungry eyes.
I guide her to the bed and she lies on her back, her eyes full of trust and excitement. She wants this to work, wants the two of us to work. She wants to be part of this bond with me.
The thoughts flit through her head, full of longing. She’s both terrified and thrilled at the thought of belonging to me, and the constant press of her thoughts against mine feels like coming home again…but better. Because I am not touching minds with another drakoni, I am touching minds with my mate, my other half. We are one.