Chapter 6

Ciel had trouble even looking at him. She'd never been so openly wanton in front of anyone—not that Argenis seemed bothered. He acted like spanking her butt and doling out orgasms was an everyday event. She'd had sex before, but like in bed… In the dark. Where he's naked, too.

She knew all his parts worked. They might work too well. The bulge in his pants looked ginormous. She felt herself becoming wet again. Stop!

It was like he had the magic key to ignite her arousal. Being close to him turned her on. Wandering too far made her crave him in a painful way. The sting from her punished bottom reminded her constantly of his demonstration of his control and her reaction to it.

Now at the end of the day, she sat on the patio on a lounge chair as he met with a few employees. It was unbelievable to think of everything they relied on for their normal lives. Now, everything had to be planned and organized.

The most able-bodied men and women had moved the cattle from the far pastures to those closer to the house that day. Those less mobile had organized a storage shed. They'd found the butter and cheese making tools. Another group excavated the mill and cleaned it to grind corn and wheat. Thanks to the longevity of the estate and Argenis's elaborate collections, they wouldn't starve and could help others in Wyvern.

A loud, bellowing sound made her jump to her feet. What was that?

"Come, Ciel," Argenis called, racing back to her side. He leaned close and scooped her up over his shoulder. Holding her close with a hand on her lower back, he ran for an open space.

"I don't like this. You'll have to come with me," Argenis told her as he set her feet on the grass. "Put that on!"

"What's happening?" she called back.

"Miss. The master would like you to wear this." The man who managed Argenis's holdings held up a thick leather jacket. "This will protect you," he explained as he helped her into it. "The silver dragon's skills are needed."

A whoosh of displaced air ruffled her hair. Automatically, she gathered it in her hands as she turned to see the magnificent creature a short distance away. He trumpeted and crooked his neck as if telling her to hurry.

Ciel thrust her long hair down inside the back of the jacket as she ran to him. Another loud call echoed through the sky, and she threw herself up onto his back. Argenis helped her, giving her a boost and stability as she scrambled on his scales. When she had settled into place, Ciel tightened her arms around his neck and yelled, "I'm ready."

She closed her eyes as he surged upward. Her hands tightened on his scales to hold on as securely as possible. This was like a reverse roller coaster, she thought to steady herself. Instead of the chug upward, this had the gravity rush that the downside of a monster coaster did. Please don't let the downward ride be at supersonic speed.

When they were level, his powerful winds impelled them through the air. She opened her eyes to see the most brilliant sunset. All the colors of yellow, orange, pink and blue melting together took her breath away.

A flash of motion caught her eye. Jerking her head to the right, she almost lost her balance, but Argenis steadied her with a flex of his massive shoulders.

Steady, Little Sky. This isn't the time to play catch.

The deep raspy voice sounded inside her brain, startling her. Argenis. It could only be him.

Could she talk back to him? She thought really hard. I'm okay.

A huge bronze dragon took position next to Argenis. His jewel-like brown eye seemed to look right through Ciel. Mesmerized, she almost forgot to hold on, but caught herself as she swayed his way. She needed to stay away from that dragon, she decided.

Flames ahead drew her attention. She stretched upward to see better over Argenis's head. It was almost dark, but when the flames flared, she could see dark figures trying to get in through one of the mountain passes. Their covert actions made it clear they were not good guys.

Close your eyes!

Without hesitating, Ciel slammed her eyelids shut. Almost immediately a bright glow lit up the area around them. She squeezed her eyes closed harder as the light showed through her protective flesh. Shouts of anguish filtered up from the ground. Argenis flew pass after pass over the area until an eerie silence filled the air.

When the glow faded, Ciel dared to open her eyes. The scales on the dragon's neck were the first thing she saw. They glowed with an inner brightness that lessened as she watched. Looking at other parts of his body, she noted the same thing. Had that piercing light come from Argenis?

This time, when Argenis made a sweeping turn, he headed back toward his mountain. A thousand questions raced through her mind. Could all dragons emit light? What did it do? She looked behind her to see what had happened on the ground, but they were too far away.

She tried to think a message to Argenis, but errant thoughts kept zinging through her mind. Unable to focus, she could only wait until he was once again in human form to communicate. Whatever the threat had been, the dragons had repelled it.

The dragon landed with a resounding thud that almost unseated her. It was so totally different from when she'd ridden on his back before that Ciel slid down quickly and ran back to give him room. Almost instantly, he shifted in a dazzle of light.

"Argenis? Are you okay?" she rushed toward the man who had dropped to one knee—his posture bent toward the ground.

"I am okay, Little Sky. Just depleted."

"What can I do to help you?" she asked.

"Let's go inside. My staff will have everything I need."

Ciel wrapped her arm around his waist when he stood to support him. She could tell he was operating on sheer willpower as he moved mechanically. That athletic, smooth pace that normally characterized his walk had vanished.

He headed inside and directly to the kitchen. A feast was laid out on the candle-lit kitchen table. Argenis took a seat and began inhaling food.

"Eat, Ciel, if you are hungry," he instructed.

She helped herself to a piece of cheese and a cracker to nibble on as she looked around the darkened kitchen. "I've never been in here."

"This is my staff's space. They eat here together often. We have all become a family."

"What happened out there?"

"My apologies, Little one. Due to the mate bond, I couldn't leave you here. I would never put you at risk," he assured her.

"I wasn't worried about me. I figured it was an emergency. What were those people doing?"

"People are becoming desperate. Food is becoming scarcer as everything in freezers starts to rot. That was a raiding party. They thought by breaking through the barriers at night, we would not be able to respond."

"So… You made it… not night?" she suggested hesitantly, trying to figure this out as she talked.

"Correct."

"So, you're like a giant nightlight?" Ciel asked.

A bark of laughter erupted from his throat at that visual image. "Ciel, you delight me. Yes. That is exactly what I am."

"Do all dragons glow?"

"No. The power of the moon belongs only to silver dragons," he explained as he devoured his third sandwich.

"Does everyone else have a power?" she asked, completely enthralled.

"Dragons are the definition of power," he told her in a tone somewhere between proud and simply factual.

Surprised that she understood that statement completely, Ciel nodded as she helped herself to a piece of the freshly baked bread. She froze when he took it from her. Ciel watched him slather butter over the top of it.

"Try this," he suggested as he handed it back.

"Thank you," she said, relaxing. Even famished, he focused on taking care of her. Taking a big bite, she wiggled happily in her chair at the delicious flavor.

"Are you going to be okay?" she asked a few minutes later, amazed as he depleted the volume of food left for him.

"I'm already fine, Little Sky. Normally, I would have feasted on a cow to replenish myself. I didn't think you needed to see that," he said with a smirk.

"Oh!" A visual image popped into her mind.

"Exactly."

"I heard you in my mind," she whispered, to change the subject.

"Yes. When you're ready, we can make that easier," he commented casually.

"How? Why do I have to be ready?" she asked, confused.

"It involves opening the barrier in your mind between us."

"I don't understand," she said, shaking her head.

He scooted his chair back and plucked her up to sit Ciel on his lap. "I want to hold you for this, Little one. Close your eyes, Ciel."

When she followed his directions, he pressed a hand to her forehead. "Concentrate on the front of your mind. When you're ready, turn around to face everything behind you."

When she turned physically, he prevented her movement. "I'm sorry, Ciel. I didn't explain that well. You're going to do everything in your mind. Imagine you're following my directions and it will happen—inside."

"Oh. Sorry."

He leaned forward to kiss her forehead before leaning back. "Close your eyes and focus on that kiss."

Obediently, she followed his instructions.

"Now, in your mind, turn to look at everything behind you."

"Wow!" She couldn't look at everything at the same time. Lights flashed from all directions. It was so beautiful.

"Do you see a silver light?" he asked.

"Silver like you?" she blurted.

"Yes, Little Sky."

"There it is. Focus on that one. Follow its path through your mind. It will weave around many other colors. Don't lose your focus. It is easy to become confused."

She sensed that would be bad. Laser focusing her attention down to the silvery light, she traced it to where it ended at a barrier. "I found the end. It disappears behind a door with a three locks. One is already open."

"That happened when we met. Reach out and press your hand to the door, leaving your print on it. Remember how you got here. In an emergency, you can open all the locks, connecting our minds. Never open any other door for your safety."

"Okay," she said and heard her voice quake.

"If you're ready to connect us further, open the second one. Be prepared," he warned as she turned the deadbolt.

A rush of sensations streamed toward her. Startled, she opened her eyes to find herself gazing directly into his eyes. "Argenis?"

"Daddy. Try talking to me in your mind."

Argenis?

Daddy.

I didn't have to shout that time.

Our connection is closer now.

Pulling her gaze from his, Ciel laid her head on his broad shoulder. All the changes that had happened in the last few days boggled her mind. How could everything turn upside down in such a short time? Not just the lack of technology, but the transformation inside her. His soft kiss on her hair drew her from her thoughts.

Daddy?

Yes, Ciel.

Is this real?

"Yes, Little Sky. Is life with me so difficult?" he teased aloud. His voice sounded loud in the quiet house, making her jump.

"No. I could have never envisioned all this happening, but… It feels right."

"That is the best indicator that we are on the right path." He rubbed her back with one hand as he reached for a handful of walnuts. Popping a few in his mouth, he rocked her gently as she struggled to address everything brewing inside her.

"The dragons will continue to protect Wyvern?" she asked, still slightly frightened by the events of the evening.

"To our last breaths. Our oath was not easily given for that exact reason. We made a promise to keep Wyvern safe."

"Thank you for keeping my family safe."

"Your family is mine now."

After another minute, he told her, "I am finished. Is there anything else you would like?"

"Like that one piece of cheese?" she joked, pointing to one of the last items that had welcomed them home.

He reached forward and plucked the slice from the board it sat on. Bringing it close to her mouth, he tempted her as if he fed her. When she opened her mouth, he quickly placed the bite into his mouth.

"Hey! That was mine."

"You wouldn't begrudge an old, tired dragon a small slice of cheese. Would you?" he teased as he stood easily, lifting her into his arms.

"I can walk, Argenis. You should conserve your energy."

"Good idea." He shifted her to drape over his shoulder. One large hand swatted her bottom, reigniting the heat from her spanking. "This is totally not taxing."

She tried not to look at his firm butt as she bounced with every step he took. That was an impossible task. What she wanted to do was grab a handful and squeeze.

Gently, please.

The polite request echoed through her skull as he neared their bedroom. "You can read my thoughts?" she squeaked.

"Only the stressed or aroused ones."

Her mind whirled as she digested that. "Maybe unlocking that door wasn't a good idea."

"It works both ways, Little Sky," he shared as he lowered his torso to set her gently on the bed. "Sleep now. Then I'll show you."