Chapter Twenty-One

Safina

I had never been morerelieved than when I spotted the distant shore as early morning sunlight barely peeked over the horizon. My wings were burning from the strain, and I worried about Gabriel. He'd been silent most of the trip, and I feared he was unwell. We circled the island until I found a deserted section. I landed carefully on the edge of the beach, spraying a cloud of sand with the slow flapping of my wings.

I reached behind me and plucked Gabriel off my back, carefully depositing him on a dune. He fell into a sitting position, his legs stretched out before him, looking as stiff as broomsticks.

I made the change into a mortal girl. Though my legs were tired, I ran up to him. "Gabriel? Are you all right?"

He silently nodded as a shiver coursed through him.

I inwardly cursed when I saw his red and blistered face. I cupped his cheeks, letting my healing magic soak into his skin. "Why didn't you tell me you were hurting?"

"Because I would have been hurting a lot worse if your mother found us." He feebly laughed.

Magic spilled from my fingers, and it didn't take long for the blisters to fade. I kissed his forehead, letting my lips linger on his warmed skin as I inhaled his earthy scent.

He groaned and leaned back onto the soft sand.

I ran my hands down his stiff legs. "Do your legs pain you?"

"Only a little."

"Liar." I scowled, sitting back on my heels.

This simply would not do, but if I healed him tonight, it would drain all my energy, and I needed my strength in case we came upon thieves or others wishing us harm.

He opened his eyes, his brow furrowed. "You look tired, too, Safi. Don't think about healing me."

"I can't leave you like this."

"Yes, you can. We can sleep here tonight. Can you gather some wood and start a fire?"

I came to my feet and made the change into my dragon form. I padded up to a tall, skinny tree with round fruits hanging from the branches and dug up the soil beneath the tree, latching onto it with my teeth and pulling it from the ground. I shook out the fruits, then tossed the tree onto the sand and sucked in a deep breath before blowing out fire. I was amazed how much flame came out. If I'd been with Mother, the queen would have scolded me for my careless destruction. But I wasn't with Mother. I was with Gabriel, and his comfort was my main concern.

After shifting back into mortal form and throwing on my shift, I picked up two ripe fruits, and walked back to him.

"That will work, too," he said with a smile.

We sat beside the fire, eating the flesh and drinking the refreshing juices of the sweet fruit Gabriel called a coconut. I went through several coconuts before I was sated. Wiping my mouth, I warmed my toes by the fire.

The pungent, sweet smell of burning wood was oddly pleasant, but the silence that stretched between us left an uncomfortable void in my heart. The only sounds were a cacophony of chirping bugs, waves gently hitting the shoreline, and the crackling of wood on the fire.

Gabriel had been too quiet during our meal, and I hoped he wasn't having regrets.

I faced him, crossed my legs, and idly dug a hole in the sand with the end of a stick. "Tell me what you're thinking." I held my breath, awaiting his answer. For though I needed to know the truth, I was also afraid he would say I'd ruined his life by stealing him away from his family.

He looked up at me, the dancing firelight reflecting in his vivid eyes. "I'm thinking I can't believe I just flew across the ocean on the back of a dragon."

I licked my lips, the taste of coconut still on my tongue. "That's it?"

"I'm sorry." He turned his gaze to the starlight and heaved a sigh. "It's a lot to process."

I let out a slow breath, preparing myself for the next question. "No regrets?"

He looked directly into my eyes. "None. You?"

Odd how at the mention of "regrets" the dragon queen's scowling image came to mind. Despite the warmth from the fire's heat, a shiver coursed down my spine, and I moved closer to Gabriel. "My mother will be angry."

He leaned into me, nudging my elbow before prying the stick out of my hands. "I know, but it was worth it. You're worth it."

I tried to look into his eyes, but the intensity in them was unnerving. And for the first time, I realized my new mate would expect coupling, something I knew little about. What I did know was that coupling produced children. How strange it would be for me to have a child when I'd only just left my mother's care.

Gabriel's groan of agony brought me out of my reverie. He dropped the stick and hunched over, rubbing his knees, as an aching pain shot up his legs, hitting me with brute intensity.

I frowned. "I need to heal you."

"No, you're too tired, and you need to get dressed." His gaze lingered on my bare legs. "Your beautiful body distracts me."

Heat flamed my face and chest. After turning from a dragon to a human several times over, I decided it would be easier if I remained in a thin shift, just in case I needed to change again. Never had I thought he would find me distracting. The notion sent a trill up my spine and warmed the center between my thighs. I squeezed my legs together to quell my growing desire.

I was torn between wanting to strip off my flimsy fabric and let his eyes feast on my nude body or covering myself up completely.

"You need to get used to my body if we are to be mates."

"I don't think I could ever get used to such perfection." He smoothed a hand down my bare arm, causing my skin to pucker and more warmth to flood between my legs. In that moment I decided I'd very much like to couple with Gabriel, but it would be difficult unless Gabriel had full use of his legs.

I leaned so close I could smell the ripe coconuts on his breath. "I need to heal you, Gabriel. I think I know a faster way. Do you trust me?"

He stroked my cheek. "Of course, I trust you, Safi."

Reluctantly, I pulled away from his heavenly touch. I picked up the discarded stick, breaking it in half. Stepping away from the fire, I threw the pieces in the sand and slipped out of my shift, tossing it beside Gabriel. I repressed a smile at his low whistle, then made the change into my dragon form.

As I stared at the broken stick, I sent a silent prayer to the Almighty Mother that my idea would work. Then I stoked the embers of my dragon's breath, searching deep within my bosom for my healing strength. I blew out a slow and steady fire, amazed when blue and crimson flames shot out of my mouth. When I was finished, the broken stick was again whole.

Almighty Mother, it worked! Now for the true test of my skills. I tried to push back the fear and doubt that cast a dark shadow over my soul. I was no longer a backward hatchling. I would not fail this time.

I turned to Gabriel, letting out a long, shaky breath. Don't be afraid, I said through thought, though the seeds of worry still threatened to sprout within my mind.

He craned his neck, blinking up at me. "I'm not afraid of you, Safi."

I didn't know if I wanted to roar with delight or weep at the trust he put in me. Take off your clothes.

He obediently followed my orders, straining and grunting as he lifted his hips, pulling his trousers down his legs. I sucked in a hiss at the sight. Though his legs looked far better than before, they were still too thin, lacking any muscle or definition, and they bowed outward, as if they'd snap if he tried to stand.

My healing magic had hardly done much good. Again, doubt crept into my soul.

What if my magic isn't strong enough? Or worse, what if he cannot withstand the heat?

"I'm ready, Safi. Are you?"

One look into Gabriel's wide, hopeful eyes, and I couldn't deny him. Closing my eyes, I summoned the magic deep within my bosom, inhaled a slow, steady breath, and then slowly released my healing fires. Gabriel made not a sound as I showered him with my strength and love. I only stopped after I had run out of air, releasing the last of my flame and sucking in a huge breath. After the smoke cleared, I was amazed at the sight.

Gabriel stood below me, flames from the bonfire casting warm shadows across his glorious naked body.

I changed to my human form. Mouth agape, I took in his beauty for several heartbeats.

A slow, languid smile spread across his face as he took one step toward me, then another. "Safi!" he cried. "I'm walking!"

"Oh, Gabriel!" I brought my hands to my mouth as tears stung my eyes.

He took a few more steps until he was standing before me, and for once, I had to crane my neck to look up at him. He looked down at his thick legs. "Look how strong I am."

I grasped his hand, lacing my fingers through his. "You're perfect, Gabriel. An angel."

He brought my hand to his lips, feathering a soft kiss across my knuckles and causing a trill to race across my skin. "It is you who are the angel." His chest rapidly rose and fell as he looked at me through heavy-lidded eyes. "Thank you, mi amor."

I squeezed my legs together as desire coursed through me, and I lost myself in his smoky gaze.

Then his full mouth tilted in a wolfish grin. He nodded to the crashing waves on the shoreline. "Beat you to the water!" He released my hand and took off at a run.

I spun around, heart dropping to the pit of my stomach. "Gabriel!"

But he didn't slow down. He hit the water with a splash, racing into the current and then diving.

I ran to the edge, scanning the water, momentarily rooted to the spot as memories of my ocean prison came racing back. The dark sounds, the endless solitude, my mother's hot, stagnant breath and heart-wrenching grief. I knew 'twas foolish, my fear of the water. I'd conquered it yester-eve when I'd rescued Pedro. But that was when I had the sun as my guide. As the moon dipped behind the clouds, the night sky was so dark, the water an inky black, just like my ocean prison.

If you can save Pedro from a shark, you can go swimming with Gabriel.

I moved forward until the waves lapped at my toes, but then I could go no farther. My breath hitched. My heart raced. Gabriel still hadn't surfaced.

I cupped my hands around my mouth. "Gabriel!"

What if he's hurt? What if he's drowning?

Fear fueled my movements as I raced into the water, pushing through the current with all my might. I screamed when Gabriel sprang up beside me, laughing as he shook droplets from his drenched hair.

"Gabriel!" My throat tightened as tears cascaded down my face. "How could you?"

Deep lines marred his brow as he grasped my shoulders. "Safi, what's wrong?"

"I-I thought you'd drowned," I wailed before burying my face against him.

"Safi, look at me." He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "I'm fine. I couldn't help myself. Forgive me." He wiped my tears as his lip turned down in a pout. "Please don't cry, mi amor."

I sniffled, nodding, but was unable to speak.

His eyes darkened as he pulled me against him. "If you don't stop crying, I will have to kiss you."

I moaned as my nipples pebbled against his wet skin. When his lips claimed mine in a soft, sweet kiss, I snaked my arms around his neck.

His hands roved my back, digging into the soft globes of my bottom and pulling me flush against his groin. Instinctively, I lifted a leg, wrapping it around his thigh.

"I know we aren't yet wed," he breathed into my ear, "but I very much want to make love to you right now."

"I want you to make love to me, too, Gabriel." I didn't care about hand-fasting or a wedding, for I knew in my heart we would be bonded after our mating.

Without saying another word, he hoisted me into his arms and carried me to the beach. He knelt, laying me on a bed of soft sand, and with a tender kiss, he sank into my welcoming embrace.

* * *

Fiona

I KNEW NOT WHERE SAFINAhad gone, only that she'd gone far, very far, for though our hearts were still tethered, the bond between us was stretched so thin, I could not see where it ended.

After I'd so foolishly slapped my daughter, I let Safina run, thinking we needed a few moments apart. Still exhausted from my powerful healing, I lay back down and shut my eyes, hoping for a few moments of reprieve. But when I awoke, dawn had broken, and I couldn't sense my daughter nearby.

Fear pumping wildly through my veins, I raced to Se?or Cortez's home, only to find him sitting in solitude on his front porch, watching the fishmongers pass by, their carts heavily laden with the morning's catch, while he chewed on an unlit pipe. The first thing I noticed was that his countenance was not sad and weary, as it had been before. His eyes were alight with something else, fear perhaps, and for the first time, I thought I read the promise of a new dawn in his crooked smile.

His satisfaction didn't bode well for me. I stormed up to him. "Where is my daughter?"

He pulled the pipe out of his mouth, looking up at me with a long face. "She's not here."

"I know that," I snapped. "Where is she?"

He shrugged. "Can you not sense where she is?"

'Twas an insult. What kind of games was this mortal playing? "You know I can't, else I wouldn't be asking you! Where is your boy?"

One bushy gray brow shot up. "Which one?"

I resisted the urge to throttle him. "You do not play the fool well, Josef. Where did he take her?"

Josef heaved a sigh before leaning back in his chair. "He was gone when I awoke. I've already sent my grandsons to find him."

A futile mission, and well we both knew it.

Just then, I spotted his grandsons walking down the road, pushing an empty wheelchair.

I clutched my throat and stumbled back, falling into a chair.

The empty wheelchair could only mean one thing: Safina had fled with Gabriel. Shock turned to sadness, and sadness turned to rage.

The oldest of the boys, tall and lean with a bushy dark mustache, warily eyed me before dragging the empty chair up the stairs and rolling it over to his grandfather. "We couldn't find them. We only found this."

I turned my face to the sky and let out a mournful wail. "Safina!"

My precious child! Drawn away from my bosom by an undeserving mortal. What had he done to her? Had he claimed her innocence? Had he bonded with her so that he might secure his own immortality?

I jumped to my feet and scowled at Josef. His image was blurred by a sheen of raging, hot tears. "Almighty Mother help him, Josef. If he used her, I swear on my royal blood, he will know the might of this dragon's wrath."

* * *

Safina

I HEAVED A SATISFIEDsigh and rested my ear against Gabriel's chest, transfixed by the steady thrumming of his heart.

I smoothed a hand up his abdomen and toyed with the fine hair on his chest. "I can feel your heart beating as if it were my own."

He kissed my forehead. "And I can feel yours." His voice was laced with wonder. "It's as if I can see into your soul."

I lost myself in his strong gaze. "And what do you see?"

He feathered a kiss across my nose, then my lips. "Everything I already knew but more so. That you are gentle and kind and frightened, very frightened." He pulled back with a frown. "Why, Safi?"

I looked away, reluctant to admit the truth, that ever since I'd left the safety of my mother's bosom, I had felt like a raft out at sea with no paddle or sail. "I'm afraid of the unknown."

He smiled, stroking the crook of my arm and sending chills racing up my spine. "You don't have to fear when you're with me." He sat up and placed a hand over his chest. "Look into my heart. See my words are true."

I couldn't help but smile, for I had already looked and seen the love of a gentle, kind soul. I threw my arms around his neck and sank into him. "Oh, Gabriel, I love you."

He tenderly stroked my back while nibbling my ear. "I love you, mi amor. I never want this night to end."

"Then don't let it end." Desire coursed through me at the thought of coupling with Gabriel again, for when our bodies were joined, I was on the precipice of heaven, our hearts and souls entwined as one.

His lips lingered on my forehead, and I could feel his heartbeat quickening as his conscience warred with desire. "You're weary. You need rest."

"Just love me once more," I begged, my hungry lips searching his for another kiss.

With a growl, he rolled me over, whispering sweet words in my ear while sinking deep inside my welcoming heat, stoking the embers of our love in a timeless dance of pleasure and passion.