Chapter Thirteen

“Best date ever!” Aras declared as we strode into the royal apartments later that night. Much later that night.

There had been many things to do before I could retire for the evening. First, I had to see the Dragon knights on their way—all those noblemen walking stiffly down an aisle formed of castle guards, carrying large satchels full of their belongings. I also had to send one of them out to collect the knights who were on one of my ships, watching for the Neraky to surface. I had them pack the belongings of those knights so that they wouldn't have to return to the castle and bother me further. A few of my Argaiv guards joined the Dragons heading out to sea, to take the place of those on duty. Their senses weren't as sharp as a Dragon's, but at least they could fly. So, if the Neraky appeared, one of them could follow him while the other flew back to alert me.

Once the knights were seen to, I appointed my new King's Guard, choosing those four gate guards to be among them. That kind of loyalty had to be rewarded and, more importantly, utilized. I decided to knight them as well. If I couldn't have Dragon knights guarding me, at least I could have loyal knights. The bonus was the tizzy it would put my dread in. Knighting men from another race? Appointing them to the King's Guard? Unheard of. It made me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I met with the Commander of the Castle Guard next—a Brandva named Fravar, who I had always liked. He was a no-nonsense sort of man who didn't put up with laziness or disrespect. I enlisted his aid in choosing the other men and women to serve on my King's Guard. I offered him a position, but he politely declined, preferring to keep his current one. It was a wise move. I may have been handing out knighthoods, but this, as I mentioned, was unheard of, and he wouldn't know how long that status would last. Plus, Fravar had command of the entire castle guard. That was just as impressive as an instant knighthood, if not more so.

With my security in place, I could finally relax and take my mate to the privacy of our bedroom. Although, he still didn't know it was our bedroom, that the castle was now his home as well. For as long as I could hold it. Outside the suite and scattered around the castle grounds were members of my new King's Guard as well as the Horns of the Castle Guard who were on night duty. A Dragon could defeat them, certainly, but I'd hear them coming and be able to prepare myself.

You'll need to prepare yourself for far more than that, the Eye said in my mind.

I'd been waiting for her to return, dreading her smug disdain. Best to get this over with. You were right, I said immediately. I should have listened. Thank you anyway for the warning. It helped.

She paused, then said, You're welcome. I was with you, Lyrandir. Your savagery is unmatched. I am very impressed.

Her support surprised me. Thank you .

“Why aren't you celebrating with me?” Aras demanded. Then his face twitched. “Oh. Right. You were betrayed.” He took my hand. “I'm so sorry, Ly.”

I blinked, coming out of my internal dialogue and processing the conversation happening outside my head. I cleared my throat. “Thank you, Aras. But I'm used to it. And I'm not surprised by the attack.”

“No, you didn't seem surprised,” he said gravely.

Lyrandir, they will send an army now, the Eye said. Those corpses will make them fear you, but that only means they will double their efforts.

I know, and I will prepare for that. Hopefully, I will find you in time to assist me. But tonight, I need to be with my mate. Can you give me a few more hours?

Yes, of course. We will speak in the morning.

Thank you. Goodnight.

Goodnight, Your Majesty.

I was surprised by the Eye's easy capitulation and respect. But she had won, hadn't she? I trusted her now. And I didn't give my trust easily.

Out loud, I said, “I was a little surprised that the attack was orchestrated by my knights. But the attack itself wasn't shocking.”

Aras shook his head. “I thought Dragons stuck together, and they were loyal to their king no matter what.”

“Maybe in other kingdoms.” I shrugged. “Dragons are like any race—they differ from region to region and from person to person.”

“You don't deserve this. You're a good king.”

“Am I?” I frowned, considering it. “I do try to be fair with my subjects. But I'm beginning to wonder if I've given them the respect they deserve. Maybe I've behaved as elitist as the nobles in my dread, just toward other races.”

“I don't know about that. Maybe you have, but not to the point of abuse. The people of Gavemor are happy under your rule. Even though there are many rumors of your savagery, there are just as many reports about the way your rule has helped the kingdom prosper,” Aras said. “Trust me, that alone speaks to your competence. I can't believe your dread has tried to kill you for no other reason than your old status.”

“Hatred, especially in the form of elitism, can be obstinate and unreasonable. I learned this very early.”

“I know. You told me. I just didn't truly understand until tonight.”

“Aras.” I took his hand and led him to the bed, but only to sit beside him on the edge. “Thank you. You showed me loyalty tonight. And bravery. I would knight you if I thought you'd accept it.”

Aras chuckled. “Thanks, but I prefer to be a ship's captain.”

“Do you own the Tiger's Claw?”

“Yes, but that means its upkeep and the salaries of all its crew are my responsibility.”

“If you could have one thing, one wish fulfilled, what would it be?”

Aras went still, staring at me. It became unnerving. And then he said, “Ly, I don't need a reward. I'm not one of your soldiers. I love that you want to do something for me, but don't do it like this. Take me out on another date, maybe something that doesn't include a battle.” He paused to wink at me. “But don't give me a grand reward for guarding your back. I was there because you're important to me. I fought for you because it was also fighting for me. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I whispered, my throat closing with emotion. “Aras, I . . . you are important to me too.”

And then we were kissing. It wasn't wild or violent or passionate. It was beautiful. Sweet. Sensual. Our lips moved gently in harmony with each other. We were sipping from a holy chalice. The touch of my mate's hand became sacred. Every movement was sublime, summoning emotions along with desire. Rolling, undulating, adoring emotions.

We moved back together, hands working without sight to remove our garments. When we were finally undressed, there was no hurry to do more than feel. Aras coasted his hands over my skin, tracing the curves of my muscles and the dip of my stomach. He bent to kiss my shoulder. Then my chest. He nuzzled me there. Ripples of delight ran outward from every spot, filling me with such joy that I thought I might die from it.

I didn't expire. Thank the Goddess, I lived to push Aras onto his back and return every caress he'd given. The happy sounds rumbling in his chest lured me closer until I had my ear pressed against him and his arms held me there.

“I will be your shield,” Aras vowed. “The armor on your back. Just keep kissing me like that. It's all I want.”

I lifted my head to meet his gaze. “I don't want you at my back, Aras. Nor do I want you to be my shield. I want you at my side. Safe.”

He grinned and sat up, his hands going to my hips to help me settle astride his lap. “I will surround you. Wherever you want me to be, I'll be.”

I sighed, suddenly remembering what he wanted. I wasn't in the mood for rough handling, but it was what my mate needed, and I would provide it. I started to reach for his throat.

“Ly.” Aras grabbed my hand and kissed it. “I see your reluctance. It's just a kink, not a necessity. We can play when we both feel like it, all right?”

Joy burst through me again. He was feeling my needs too. And he wanted to make me happy. “Have I told you how perfect you are?”

“I believe you mentioned it earlier.” Aras brushed his lips across mine. “But by all means, say it as much as you wish.”

“You are perfect, Captain Aras of the Tiger's Claw. The perfect man, the perfect lover, and the perfect soldier to have by my side. I trust you.”

Aras went serious to say, “I know what that means. Thank you, Ly. I trust you too.”

I kissed him again, this time letting passion take control. It wrapped us in warmth and tingling pleasure until we writhed against each other. With a thought, I summoned the bottle of oil I kept beside the bed, bringing it to my hand on a cloud of water droplets. Without opening my eyes or pausing our kiss, I held out my hand, and the bottle fell into it. A ribbon of water removed the cork, and another ribbon lifted the bottle to pour a little oil into my hand.

Aras pulled back to watch the bottle get corked by the water and then swept back to the table. “You are amazing with that magic.” He frowned. “But why didn't they fight back with it? They're Dragons too. Don't they have Water Magic?”

“They haven't trained with it as I have.” I smirked as I reached between us to coat his already slick shaft in oil. The extra lubrication would enhance all those delightful sensations.

Groaning, his head falling back, Aras stopped talking about betrayal and violence. When I moved atop him, he jerked upright against me, his arms wrapping around my waist so that we sat facing each other. With my legs stretched out behind him, I couldn't move vigorously upon him, but I didn't feel the urge to. I enjoyed sliding down his shaft to seat myself and just rock back and forth, feeling Aras move gently in my channel, stroking all those wondrous spots with his ultra-oiled cock. So slippery.

Aras moaned and shifted beneath me, undulating into my motions as his embrace loosened. His hands went to the globes of my ass to squeeze and pull them apart. In that luxurious way, we made love—stares locked and breath mingling. The rapture threatened to pull me higher, but love eased me back down, needing to verify that connection before we made the journey to the top.

“Ly,” Aras murmured and bent to lick my nipples.

I arched back, hands gripping his broad shoulders, and pushed into his mouth. The slide of his furred tail tickled my ass. It moved up to caress my face, and I turned toward it as I closed my eyes. The sensations of fur and flesh combined in that visual void and magnified.

I could never give this man up. If Aras left me, I would die. The thought made me panic at first, but then something released inside me, and I accepted it. I knew that death would be preferable to living without Aras. But I wouldn't lie down and die without a fight. I would do everything in my power to keep him.

Unfortunately, attaining the Eye was part of that. I wouldn't be able to protect Aras without it. I wouldn't be able to keep my kingdom and give him the life he deserved.

This left me in a precarious position. I had to keep lying to Aras. Lying. Ly. How appropriate that nickname was. I was a liar. To my mate. But it was the only way to protect him and my crown. My family too. They would suffer if—

“Lyrandir!” Aras shouted and jerked against me.

The hot rush of liquid inside me swept me away and lashed me against the rocks of relief. My climax bombarded me with such powerful rapture, so sudden and surprising, that I trembled with it. My body went into spasm. I must have looked ridiculous, shaking atop my mate, but I didn't care. I clung to Aras as we erupted together, and all thoughts of anything but him fled my mind.

Until a few minutes later, as I lay with my mate in my arms. That's when I remembered where my thoughts had been heading. They shouldn't have gone there during lovemaking. But it had been a traumatic day, and the mind wandered at will.

“Fuck!” I growled as I sat up.

“What is it?” Aras asked.

“My family.” I looked at him. “They'll be in danger now.” I shot out of bed. “I don't know how much time they have. When the nobles see what I've done to their sons, they will go after the ones I love in revenge.”

“Oh, fuck me,” Aras whispered. “I didn't think of that.” He jumped out of bed and got dressed.

“I don't know how long I'll be gone,” I said. “I'll fly to—”

“Hey!” Aras grabbed my arm. “You aren't going anywhere without me.”

I didn't try to argue this time, just nodded and pulled him into an embrace for a quick kiss.