Chapter 14

Willow gasped as her eyes flew open. She pulled her hand back from the shifter and looked around, finding Jodos and Vander staring at her in amazement.

“Did you find what we need?” Vander asked quietly.

“We did. I think I know where they were holding Delia. Not sure if they’re still there, but I know where we need to go.” Feno stood from where he had knelt next to Willow.

“What the—?” the shifter sputtered, coming to. He blinked before his gaze settled on the dragons around him. He fought and kicked to be free from Vander’s hold.

“What are we to do with him?” Vander growled.

“Do what you want. We’ve got all we need from him,” Feno announced. “In the morning, we’ll begin our search with the help of sunlight. Go get some rest. Tomorrow, we’ll hunt for Delia.”

Vander and Jodos dragged the kicking and screaming shifter away and rounded the house, disappearing from sight.

“Where will they take him?” Willow bent down to grab her grandmother’s spell book from the ground.

He could see she was visibly shaken.

He cursed, knowing she had used too much of her energy casting the spell. It probably didn’t do too well to see that her grandmother was the hostage of rogues, only keeping her alive because of whoever had paid them hadn’t offered up enough to kill her.

“Come here,” he murmured, gathering her close to him.

She melted against his chest, and he pushed some of his power into her to help rejuvenate her.

“Thank you.” Her voice was muffled against his chest.

He chuckled; her body greedily absorbed the energy he was sending into her.

“You up for a flight?” He tipped her chin up to him. His dragon was begging to take her to his castle. It was time for him to show her the hoard he had collected for over the past few centuries.

“Tonight? Where do you want to go?” Excitement lined her face, and she pulled back from him. The power transfer was interrupted since they were no longer touching.

“Let me take you to my castle.”

Her eyes grew wide at his announcement. Unable to resist the temptation any longer, he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss to her lips, then kissed her deeply.

“Fly with me.”

“Let’s go, my fierce dragon.”

* * *

Willow held on to Feno as tight as she could. His dragon was taking them up high in the night sky. She smiled and soaked in the moon, as this was the closest she had ever been to it.

Feno’s leather scales were smooth. She rubbed her hand along them. She would never tire of riding on the back of his dragon. There was not a cloud in sight as they flew through the air. A large mountain came into view, and deep inside, she knew that was their destination.

Feno’s body angled, and she moved with it. He glided toward the building that seemed to magically appear.

“Oh my,” she gasped and took in the sight of the massive castle built into the mountain.

Dragonstone Hold.

It was breathtaking.

This was the true home of her mate. She knew he kept the condo in town to be close to everything, but this was more magnificent than she could have ever imagined.

There was a massive landing pad that housed a helicopter parked off to the side. As large as the dragon was, the landing was gentle. Feno took a few steps before stopping and bent his head down to bring his body closer to the ground to allow her to slide off him. She swung her leg over and slid down, landing on her feet. She took in her oversized bronze dragon mate and backed slowly away from him.

His massive head turned to her, and she could see the hazel eyes that she had come to love. Even though he was in his dragon form, she could still make out Feno. He pushed his large head against her, and she burst out laughing.

“You want me to pet your head?” she murmured, running her hand along his nose.

Feno’s dragon closed his eyes and literally purred against her hand.

She chuckled. “I need Feno now, please.”

The dragon eased back and huffed at her. She would have sworn it flashed disappointment in his eyes when she backed away. She blew it a kiss as it went through the change. She watched, fascinated, the air around the dragon shimmering. Within minutes, Feno stood before her, naked.

She swallowed hard and took all of him in. Her core clenched. Her gaze connected with the heavy length that hung between his legs. She took a few steps and stopped just in front of him.

“Hi,” she murmured, looking up at him.

“Hey yourself.” A flicker of his hand, and he was fully clothed.

“Some of your magic tricks aren’t as fun,” she pouted.

He growled and tugged her to him, laying a kiss to the crown of her head.

“I don’t think my house staff would appreciate the lord of the castle walking around naked with a hard-on.” He pulled her behind him.

“I guess that won’t be appropriate.” Willow chuckled.

They entered through a steel door. It led them to a dark metal staircase that they went down before approaching another door. Feno placed his palm on the handle and paused to turn to her. He brought her close and covered her mouth with his. She moaned and leaned into the kiss. She wasn’t sure what it was for, but she could appreciate being kissed within an inch of her life. He moved back and stared into her eyes, as if studying her.

“What was that for?” she breathed, trying to catch her breath.

He leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes.

“I’ve been waiting my entire life to be able to bring my mate to Dragonstone.”

Her heart did a little dance at the emotions he was displaying. Her fierce dragon was not only a toughened warrior but a romantic at heart.

“I can’t wait to see it,” she murmured with a smile.

“Do you know what it means for a dragon to mate?” he asked, stepping back from her.

She could see the seriousness in the question, and she thought back to what her grandmother had told her when she was younger.

“That it is a forever commitment,” she answered.

“A dragon prepares his or her entire life waiting for the one to be presented to them. A dragon is to love, cherish, provide for his or her mate for all eternity.”

She smiled, reached up, and cupped his jaw. She loved the feel of the rough, prickly hairs that covered his face. She looked deeply into his eyes and saw he was pouring his heart out for her in the way that he knew how.

He was taking her to his dragon hoard.

“Show me the home that you’ve prepared for us,” she whispered, her heart pounding against her chest.

He jerked his head in a nod and turned the handle.