“Parents are difficult for all races, I see.”
“Yes,” he said. “This is a universal truth.”
“Have you told them you want their support? Told your mother?”
“We do not speak about such things.”
“What things? Feelings?”
“Yes.”
“You’re speaking about them with me,” I pointed out.
“That is because you’re my mate and do not see such things as a weakness.” His gaze returned to mine, his hand drifting upward to my breast. At some whisper of magic, my bra unfastened, and his warm fingers cupped me, thumb brushing sensitive skin. Hot tingles flushed my body, and I lost all resolve to avoid sex in favor of staying alert during the night. “You are aroused by me,” he stated, his voice growing husky as I basked in his touches.
So cocky.
“I wouldn’t marry you if I wasn’t.” I pushed his robe farther open, sliding my hand along the hard muscles of his chest, then dropping my mouth to his pecs to trace his warm skin with my tongue.
“You like it when we speak of feelings, and you take great pleasure in our mating.” His other hand found the back of my head, his fingers threading through my hair and keeping me close to him. “That arouses me. This form should not appeal so much to me, but it is always so prepared to enjoy pleasure, not only the short bursts that dragons feel during mating season.” His voice lowered to a growl. “There can be pleasure all the time.”
“So you’re saying that being human has its perks,” I mumbled against his skin, shifting to lie atop him, feeling that he was indeed prepared for pleasure. I reached down and gripped him lightly, smiling as he gasped and shifted upward into my hand.
“Being with my mate has its perks. My family will come to see us wed. They will see that you are my mate and I am your dragon, and no others matter. They will respect this.”
“I hope you’re not suggesting something outré. You know I’m not an exhibitionist.”
“You will perform only for me,” he growled, his eyes flashing violet. His magic crackled around me and coursed along my nerves, this time making me gasp.
He guided my mouth toward his, but he didn’t kiss me, instead gazing intently at my face as his hands roamed my body, peeling back my clothes, even as the caresses of his magic created desire all over. A part of me wanted to protest performing for him, but his heated gaze was avid as I squirmed under his touch, and such pleasure rocketed through me that I would have cursed if it stopped. I might have screamed as I reached my climax—something sure startled the bats into flying out of the cave—but I hardly cared. If Zav wanted to give me pleasure, I wanted to take it.
Before the pulsing waves faded, he pulled my head down to his, kissing me hard, his own need pulsing in my hand. He shifted me onto my back, and I ran my hands over him as he slid inside of me, wanting to give him the same ecstasy he gave me, willing my magic to light up his nerves.
He groaned against my mouth, movements full of urgency as he dove into me. I wrapped my legs around him, giving all that I could as his powerful body rocked against mine, heating me with his friction, bringing me toward another release.
The remaining bats grew bored of our moans and cries and settled down again long before we finished, before pleasure spilled over again, flooding me with love and gratitude for the most amazing lover I’d ever known. The most amazing mate. A dragon. Who would have thought?
My mate, Zav spoke telepathically to me, warmth radiating into my mind along with the words. He kept kissing me, even after he was sated, stroking me tenderly. My mate forever.
My love, I thought back to him, stroking his damp hair. I’ll try to help you figure out a way to get your clan to come to our wedding.
I didn’t know how yet, but if he wanted his mother there to support him, I would do my best to make it happen.
He lifted his mouth from mine, but only so he could gaze down into my eyes. You will use your human wiles?
I smiled. Yeah, I will.
This pleases me immensely. He stroked my cheek and brushed my lips with his thumb. You know the nights are very long during dwarven winters?
So, we’ll get a lot of sleep?
No, very little sleep. His eyes narrowed and he kissed me.
It’s a good thing you made the cave more comfortable.
I am a handy dragon.
Yes.
25
The night was as long as Zav promised, but we still weren’t ready to creep out of our cave until well after dawn. Because it was cold out there, and because Zav had been effusive after I’d promised to help him convince his family to come to our wedding. Very effusive.
When he stepped up beside me to face the wan sun rising over the peaks, I gave his butt a pat and was half-tempted to suggest we forget this quest, go back home, and spend the weekend in bed. But as much as Zav enjoyed pleasure, he never put it ahead of duty, and after giving me a long kiss, he walked out onto the precipice and shifted into his dragon form.
That made it easier to cool my jets and turn my mind back to this mission. I was still intensely aware of his aura when he was in his dragon form, but its power didn’t make me think of sex. It made me think of flying into battle with him and slaying enemies. Though preferably not until his whole clan was here to back us up. I hoped Xilneth had made it back to warn everyone of the trouble and that a hundred dragons were already on the way. Though I knew Zav wanted to scout the area and gather helpful information for them, I worried about us being out there on our own. I’d only felt the barest touch of the lich’s power, but it had been enough to scare the crap out of me.
Unfortunately, given how the rest of the dragons seemed to regard Xilneth, it was possible they would ignore any warning he gave. The idea of Zav and me having to deal with the lich on our own was terrifying.
He looked back expectantly at me—waiting for me to get on. I climbed onto his back, reminding myself that he’d offered to send me home to safety. Staying with him was my choice.
Without fear or hesitation, Zav sprang into the air and started flying back toward Mount Crenel.
I will do my best to camouflage both of us, Zav said telepathically, but I suggest you also use your charm. A lich is very sensitive to magic and may see through my efforts.
Let’s hope she’s napping.
Yes.
As the chilly wind tugged at my clothes and my braid, I mulled over the dragon-wedding problem. It was a more appealing problem to muse about than sneaking into that mountain and possibly finding Li’s corpse hanging from a stalactite.
Have you invited Xilneth to the wedding? I asked.
Of course not.
Why not? You’ve invited everybody.
He is irritating, and he sang to you.
A criminal act.
It is inappropriate to attempt to woo the mate of a dragon.
I think he’s done with that now. He knows we’re meant to be. But maybe if you invite him and his clan, your clan will be more likely to come.
They would be less likely to come.
Not even to save you from embarrassment?
Zav didn’t typically turn his neck and head back to look at me while he was flying, but his head tilted enough that I could see one violet eye looking at me out of his peripheral vision. What do you mean?
If I invited Xilneth and his clan—