Chapter 33

Falcon

He flew through the sky, searching for the dead and wounded. Falcon’s gaze narrowed on a still female body lying between two dead green dragons. The shifter lay on her side with her long, black hair fanned over the blood-soaked earth. He landed a few feet away and turned her onto her back, discovering much of her mid-section missing from a large bite. She’d likely been dead since early into the second night of battle for her to be in human form.

The rest of her body hadn’t fared much better, but her face remained unblemished. Falcon recognized her as one of the females who’d supported Nanoq during his reign. Aidan had ordered her into warrior training, believing she could become a valuable fighter.

Unfortunately, it appeared she hadn’t had enough time to perfect her skills.

He gently took her body into his arms and then took off into the air, heading west. This was the second morning he’d had to search for dead and wounded since the war began. While he understood there was no way to avoid losses, each one saddened him. If only there had been a way to prevent the bloodshed, but there’d been no negotiating with the Kandoran. They were conquerors who didn’t care for peace.

Ten minutes later, he landed outside the bunker. Aidan was setting down a dead male shifter next to the building on a sizeable camrium blanket laid for that purpose. Falcon would be adding the third of the day since one other was already there.

“It was a rough night,” Aidan said. While he hid his emotions well, a hint of sorrow flashed in his golden eyes before he covered it.

Falcon nodded. “The coalition had to limit their opening attack this time. We were overwhelmed by the enemy, and fighting them off was more difficult.”

He understood that they had to ration their ammunition throughout the war, but he hadn’t realized how much of a difference they’d made the first night with their numerous tactics. The Kandoran took fewer initial losses the second evening and remained more organized when the battle began. They were also careful to avoid the bright lights, which had given the shifters’ side a significant advantage before.

“Yes.” Aidan ran a hand through his dark hair. “I hate to think how much more difficult this war would be without all the numerous defenses the humans devised. We certainly wouldn’t last long without them.”

“Something I think neither of us would have considered before.”

The pendragon let out a tired chuckle. “True, though my mate has taught me a lot, so I trusted they would make a difference. Humans are quite intelligent and clever.”

Bailey limped over to join them with a gash in her thigh. “They’ve counted a dozen human dead so far. It was definitely worse last night.”

“You should get that healed,” Aidan said, taking her into his arms. He didn’t seem to care what anyone thought of his open affection for her, but no one seemed bothered by it any longer.

The slayer shook her head. “There’s a line in there already with people much worse off than me, and half are humans who can’t heal fast. I can wait. It’s already stopped bleeding.”

At least, that seemed to be her only significant injury.

“Very well, but you should sit down and eat something,” he said sternly.

She looked him over. “How is it you don’t have any major injuries?”

“The few I had have already healed.”

Bailey gave him an annoyed look. “It must be nice to be all big and strong now with super healing.”

Falcon couldn’t get over his pendragon’s transformation, either. Aidan had always been a better fighter than he let others believe, but the power he’d amassed in the last couple of months was staggering. His human form had only grown a little, but his dragon was a force to be reckoned with that even made the Kandoran pause. Some of them had actively avoided facing the pendragon in battle. Old texts in the library Kade had found proved this wasn’t the first such occurrence with a dragon leader, but it was rare, perhaps once every few thousand years when a major crisis occurred.

“If I can use that strength to protect my family and toriq better, it is worth it,” Aidan replied, kissing the top of her head.

Sabryn joined them. Falcon ran his gaze over her, noting a healing gash in her cheek and a swollen elbow that must have been broken and then reset. He considered telling her to go to the healer, but she’d likely react the same as Bailey. It would be a waste of his breath.

Instead, he asked her, “How are you?”

“Tired,” she admitted, rubbing her forehead. “But we have finished our sweeps of the battleground. All our dead and injured have been accounted for and collected. The Kandoran who died the first night, including the humans, have turned to dust. Moving the ones from this latest battle will waste time.”

That was interesting. Pure dragons naturally turned to dust about forty-eight hours after their deaths, but it had only been around twenty-four. And why would the infected humans do the same? There was something truly disturbing about how their enemy functioned that was completely unnatural.

“Thank you for the update.” Aidan gave her a nod. “My mate and I are going to eat and rest now. I suggest you both do the same.”

“Of course, milord,” Falcon said, dipping his chin.

Sabryn paid her respects to their leader as well. The pendragon and slayer walked away to a tent they had set up near the bunker. Falcon had a feeling they would do more than rest, but he was glad Aidan had a female who kept him happy. His power and strength had certainly magnified the most after her arrival. That was a good thing for all their people.

“I never thought I’d envy a slayer,” Sabryn said, sighing.

Falcon drew his brows together, a wave of jealousy coming over him. Did she desire their pendragon? “What do you mean?”

“Look at Bailey. She got the male she wanted, and she makes him strong and happy despite their differences. Only a fool would want to break up those two. I only wish I could find something similar.” She took a step closer. “With you.”

He could not get over how forward she behaved with him. It was unnerving, yet he was pleased she had not meant the pendragon. Falcon knew he shouldn’t care at all, but it was difficult with her.

“I’ve told you before that you deserve better.”

Sabryn shook her head. “There is no one better for me.”

Why did she persist in this? The female was a fierce warrior, beautiful, and born to a respected family. She could have her choice in males. Every time she started this conversation, he struggled even more to fight his attraction. She was everything he could want and more.

“Will you sit and eat with me?” she asked, pleading in her gaze.

He wanted to run his hands through her black-brown hair and pull her lips to his. Of course, that would be madness. He could have a meal with her, though. There was no point in them sitting apart like they did the day before, pretending not to look at each other.

He swept out a hand toward the bunker. “Yes. Let’s get our food.”

They went inside, finding no line for rations and supplies since most others had already passed through there. It was two hours after dawn. Everyone who wasn’t in a leadership position or part of the retrieval teams had already sought their rest.

They took their sandwiches and fruit outside. He led Sabryn to the east, and they walked through the shield wall until they reached what humans called a storage facility. Before the war began, they emptied the contents inside each room so that they could be used as sleeping quarters for shifters. They were constructed primarily of corrugated metal and red brick with cement floors, rendering them more tolerant to a dragon’s high body temperatures. Only burning flames would be a problem.

He had marked one of the larger units for himself since he was second in command under Aidan. Pulling up the door, he led her inside, where he had a sleeping pallet, a few supplies, and spare clothing. He was aware that she had her own place in the next building over, but for some reason, he’d felt compelled to bring her to his. Was his resolve weakening?

Sabryn studied his sleeping quarters for a moment, quirked a smile, and sat in the middle of the space. He took a position a few feet across from her. They were both ravenous after the battle and long hours without sustenance.

In less than ten minutes, they’d consumed their meal. If she were anything like him, she was likely still hungry. Their rations weren’t sizeable. Falcon moved to a bag in the corner and drew out a metal container with two dozen cookies inside. Kayla had given it to him before he left the fortress the last time. He’d intended to savor one or two a day to enjoy them for as long as possible.

Falcon handed a couple to Sabryn and kept one for himself.

Surprise filled her gaze. “Are you giving me sweets?”

“Eat,” he said gruffly. He was trying not to look deeper into his offering, but he knew it was something a prospective mate might do.

She took a bite and moaned. “Kayla made these.”

“She did.”

They continued to chew their cookies, finishing them quickly.

Sabryn wiped her mouth. “Now, I’m jealous of her.”

“Why?” He frowned. “She did the same for Aidan, Bailey, and a few others.”

“She’s grown into a beautiful young woman.”

Falcon grunted. “She is human and certainly not mating material.”

“With the new fireproof potions, I suspect that won’t be the problem it once was for our kind,” Sabryn said, worry in her gaze.

“We still don’t know if it is possible to be with them for more than a dalliance. They may be unable to bear our children even with the elixir.”

She didn’t look convinced. “If it was, would you want her or another human?”

Falcon mulled it over for a moment and shook his head. “No. None of them have ever interested me.”

She leaned forward. “Prove it and kiss me.”

He clenched his fists, wanting nothing more. How could she think he’d desire a human woman when she was everything he could want? Sabryn was all he thought about day and night.

“I shouldn’t.”

She licked her lips. “One kiss. Is that so much to ask when we’ve done it already?”

Dear Zorya, he couldn’t resist her. Falcon leaped up to pull down the door and plunged them into near darkness. Sabryn stood near him when he turned around to face her.

With a growl, he took her in his arms and pressed his lips to hers. She tasted sweet and delectable. He wanted more. Before he knew what he was doing, he’d laid her down on the concrete floor and covered her body with his. Her touch was hot as she ran her hands along his back and down to squeeze his butt. He was growing harder by the moment.

Falcon pulled back a few inches. “If this continues, I won’t be able to stop.”

“Good.” She smiled. “I want you—all of you.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Even if it means I will never let you go?”

Sabryn brought her hands up to cup his cheeks, and emotions he didn’t want to name filled her gaze. “Especially then.”

He clenched his eyes shut. Was he ready for this and all it would bring? Had he been able to think of anything else since the last time they kissed and the conversation he’d had with the pendragon afterward? There was no denying this was the only woman he’d ever wanted like this. He’d die for her.

“Take your clothes off,” he ordered.

With a spark of magic, they were gone. She’d sent them to shiggara.

Falcon studied her naked body, a blend of tight muscles and soft curves. She was absolute perfection. He ordered her to stay still as he ran his hands and lips over every inch, enjoying her moans and pleas for more. They might be tired from battle, but he intended to make this first time memorable for her.

He sent his clothes to shiggara and let her look over him. Her soft fingers roamed his sensitive flesh, making him shudder. He’d often dreamed of this, but the reality proved even better. There would be no turning back.

“I love you,” she breathed.

Surprise stilled him at her words.

He studied her gaze and had no doubt she meant it. How this amazing female could want him above all others, he didn’t know, but she’d just committed her life to him with those words. At this moment, he could still walk away, but she never could. Sabryn humbled him with her gift, and he would not give it up.

Falcon kissed her deeply until she was arching into him, then pulled back. “I love you too—mate.”

Now, both their fates were sealed.