“You can not wait much longer little one.” He informed me in a voice that seemed to caress me from the inside out. “You must choose quickly.” His words were like a blur to me as I spread my fingers beneath his hand and moved just a little closer to him. “Lexi?” His voice reached me as I lifted my other hand and sent it skimming over the skin at his waist and lower back.

  “Hmmm?” I purred opening my eyes and glancing up at him. My eyes felt…strange and he looked shocked when I turned my face up to his and then a look of wonder entered his eyes and I leaned in to him and pressed my lips to his chest. My tongue flicked out and I tasted him. Talon’s hands wrapped around my arms and he set me back from him so that his eyes might search mine. I looked up sluggishly, while inside my body I began to feel…itchy.

  “You are gold!” He whispered and I murmured and tried to move closer. “Stars and seas you are…breeding.” And he reached for me and plucked me from the floor into his arms. He carried me into the cell while I buried my face at his neck and inhaled softly making happy noises at being so close to him. He seated me at the edge of the bed and went to a knee to remove my boots. I reached for him, running my fingers through his hair which irritated me because it was bound. I made dissatisfied sounds and he glanced up at me in concern.

  “Remove your hair bindings.” I told him and his eyes widened but he reached to comply. When he released his hair with a shake I smiled and sank my fingers into it while he went back to divesting me of my boots. “What do you do?” I finally asked.

  He glanced up at me and smiled slyly. “I would make you more comfortable.” Talon replied and I smiled down at him and licked my lips. When my boots were gone his fingers moved to my waist and after a small tug my sword slipped to the floor followed quickly by the blade at my thigh. Next went the lacings on my corset and when he leaned forward to push it down my arms I wrapped my legs about him and pulled him closer.

  “Hurry.” I whispered sensing I could not hold out much longer. Something inside of me was building.

  “Help me.” He replied and I reached for the straps at his shoulders, becoming frustrated after several moments when I could not release the buckles. I leaned back in distress. I needed to see him, all of him and I closed my eyes and pictured him without his clothing. He made a strange noise and I opened my eyes to find he was standing completely naked before me. With my legs wrapped around him he was pressed intimately against me and I leaned back so that I might see all of him.

  My breath caught in my throat and my hands slid down his stomach toward his proud length. I brushed my fingers over the incision I had given him earlier and my eyes fluttered closed while I whispered the word Heal in my mind and felt a tingle spread down my arm and out my fingertips. He made a low noise as my hands slid over the now perfectly smooth skin and down to the base of him. His hands dug into my upper arms and I slipped my fingers around him while he tensed and made a low urgent sound. And then my one piece was sliding down my body and he gently untangled me from his length to get my arms free. A palm in the middle of my chest forced me back onto my elbows and at his urging I lifted my hips. No sooner had the material slid off my feet then his hands were on me, gliding up my body as I arched into his palms. He crawled up onto the bed straddling me, and then wrapped an arm under my back. He lifted me against his chest then walked us to the middle of the bed so my legs were no longer hanging off the edge.

  Talon followed me down, using a knee to nudge my thighs apart and I reached for him feeling the itching inside growing stronger. My breath came in small pants and I wrapped a leg about his, lifting myself to him. “Please.” I moaned feeling something tear inside me. My back arched and I screamed and convulsed beneath him. Then he was inside me and my body stilled instantly. Around me the very air seemed to vibrate and then like a rushing it struck my body flooding me with memories and I cried out at the wrenching feeling.

  Someone was moaning softly and there was a weight upon my body, as if I was being crushed beneath something. I forced my eyes open and stared up at a finely veined marble ceiling. I turned my head and recognized the image of myself carved into the Sidhe wall showing the various stages of my shift from Elf to Dragon. Silver and white hair covered me and my back was being pressed against the hard cold floor. Breathing was difficult.

  My name was Lexi Helyanwe and I remembered…. everything. I lifted my right hand and realized my bracelet was back where it belonged. A surge of excitement filled me. “Kit!” I screamed and nearly cried as black vapor coalesced next to me. He arrived in a swirl of red eyes and black and silver hair and I felt happy tears fill my eyes at the sight of his beautiful face.

  “Mistress.” He choked his hands reaching to touch my face. “Bless you for scaring me!” This for a Demon was a foul curse indeed. He snapped his fingers and suddenly my men were everywhere. Tears streamed down my face and I reached for Gareth who shoved Kit out of the way in his need to reach me. Jace came down next to him and their faces looked… haggard.

  “Lexi.” Gareth whispered harshly and his fingers cupped my cheek. His beautiful blue eyes searched mine. “Are you hurt?” He demanded his eyes flicking to the two crushing me to the floor.

  “I am fine. I just. Oh sweet Danu I missed you…I dreamed… and my eyes shifted to Jace who looked pale, his green eyes slowly whirling as he stared back at me. I shuddered and either Roa’ or Talon moaned. Gareth and Jace’s eyes moved to the men on me and neither looked happy.

  “How did you get out here? We just left you in your room where you’ve been lying unconscious for six days! And what are you doing here with these Drakes? Where did they come from?”

  “Six days?” I replied and swallowed heavily…then more softly. “They are Drakes?” I whispered staring down at the two who were just starting to come around, and I realized what had been missing from Talon…was a belly button. Oh crap I thought, then that meant that Roa’ was indeed one of mine though how that could be, I did not know.

  “Let’s just get you…untangled.” Jace replied and I nodded then glanced at him in horror.

  “Wait…you cannot. I was…I am.” I winced, and was unable to finish my sentence.

  Gareth growled softly and there was an ugly glint to his eye as he turned to look at the two on me. It was Cursed and Cam who reached for Roa’ and pulled him off Talon.

  “Careful.” I told them. “If he wakes he will be disoriented and…he is armed.” Cursed stared down at the Drow his eyes burning.

  “We should kill him now, kill them both.” He hissed and I turned to glance at him in surprise.

  “No Cursed he is not what he appears.” Please…do not harm him. “At least until we can sort this out. I think…he is one of my ten.” My words met utter silence and I glanced at each of them in turn. The only one missing from the group was Tdem. Owen and Amras were the only ones that would meet my eyes, and both looked unsettled but pleased to see me. Kit was hovering over Gareth’s shoulder, a worried look on his face.

  Cursed glanced at Cam and the two of them proceeded to divest Roa’ of all his weapons then rolled him onto the floor at the edge of the wall.

  “Where have you been little one?” Owen asked softly. “Your mind has not occupied your body. We have been… worried.”

  I glanced at each of them and my hand reached for Talon who I sensed was coming around. I could still feel he was still within me, and if he spooked and pulled from out it was likely I’d go back into convulsions. My eyes turned to Gareth and I felt slightly sick to my stomach as I told him. “The Everlasting.”

  A roar went up in my head and I realized I was completely unshielded. Not having thought about it since I’d been gone. I did a quick check and was pleased that there appeared to be nothing wrong with my mind. Even my little red door seemed fine, after having been nearly ripped from its hinges when I’d fallen into Tdem’s mind. Several growls erupted around me, and upon my body Talon tensed as I raised my lower shield.

  “Sush, they will not harm you.” I coaxed him and he lifted his head and glanced around himself from beneath his hair. His eyes narrowed upon Jace and Dane, but none upset him as much as Gareth who he hissed at, as he moved to pull back from me. “Talon!” I gasped.

  Gareth’s eyes narrowed and his body seemed to expand slightly. “Normally I would not say this, but do not get off my Queen.” He growled and Talon flicked his eyes between the two of us.

  Talon seemed to consider his words for a moment and finally nodded. He pulled his eyes off Gareth and searched about the room. His eyes halted and widened in amazement as he gazed upon the wall and turned slowly to see the progression of me from human to Dragon. After several seconds he blinked and continued looking about until he discovered Roa’ passed out against the wall. At which point, his body stilled and tensed as if in preparation of attack.

  “He has not yet come around.” I told him before he could do something we all might regret. “He is unharmed.” His pale pink eyes swung back to me and he considered me for a moment his eyes searching my face as if….he couldn’t quite believe what he was looking at.

  “I am half Elf.” I told him. “And I do not lie.”

  “Lexi?” He growled softly his voice sounding odd.

  “We are returned to my world. These are my men. I am pretty sure we are in the tunnels near the doorway in the Sidhe.” And I turned my eyes up to Gareth for confirmation.

  “Yes. We have not left your side since….you fell.” He finished and he turned his face from me while emotion choked his voice. I reached out to touch him sensing he needed the contact. He took a deep breath and turned back to me. Tears swam in his blue eyes and I felt my own fill in response.

  “Kit…please?” I whispered and turned to him. “This floor is cold.” He nodded and snapped his fingers and I found myself naked in the middle of the huge bed in the room provided for me by my Grandmother. Jace and Gareth were with me and both were naked. Talon shook his head, likely disoriented from traveling compliments of Kit. He glanced around then growled threateningly as he caught sight of Jace and Gareth.

  “Now you may get off my Queen.” Gareth told him in a voice I’d never heard him use before. Talon responded as if slapped and bared his teeth. Jace went up on his hands and knees and moved to tuck himself around my head and shoulders.

  “Yes by all means, get off our Queen.” He too growled and the bed dipped and Dane moved toward us slowly, his powerful body gleaming in the soft light.

  “Move, or be removed ye ken.” He growled.

  I stared at the four of them silently and felt Talon’s body tense as if he might launch himself at them and lay perfectly still. If he attacked my men they would rip him to shreds. Yet there was little I could do for him as he had not declared and was therefore not technically mine.

  His pale pink eyes flicked to me and within me his body jerked and I pulled air through my teeth in response. Across the room I sensed Roa’ sit up and cautiously look around. “Talon, you were kind enough to assist me earlier. Will you harm me now?” I asked, my voice filling the silent room.

  “No, but I will not concede my position.”

  I sighed and reached to brush back his hair from his face. “My men have not seen me in six days. They are…worried for my welfare and anxious to…be with me.”

  “That may be.” He replied with a touch of steel in his voice. “But I will have my release first.”

  I glanced at Gareth who lifted an eyebrow at me and seemed to barely restrain himself from doing him bodily harm. “You want pleasure?” I asked, turning my eyes back to Talon watching as he narrowed his gaze upon me then nodded. “Then let me help you.” And I reached for him placing my hand upon his cheek. Pleasure poured from me into him and he cried out and arched his back while I felt his release inside my body. I took pity on him and fed him the same contentment I’d given to Cam and watched as his body slumped as if in feint.

  His head hadn’t even had time to hit my chest when Gareth shoved him off me and positioned himself over me. His body slid home with a sense of rightness and he hummed and buried himself as deep as he could go. He wrapped his arms around my back and rolled me onto his chest putting space between us and Talon. Jace made an annoyed sound and shifted closer. While Talon, already close to the edge slipped off the bed and landed upon the floor with a thud and the sound of limp flesh slapping hard marble.

  Roa’ yelled and lunged while my men reached to restrain him. In an instant Roa’ shifted to silver and my men scattered as he whipped his long slender tale about sending Owen and Amras into the wall. His teeth came down upon Cam who screamed and shifted into a huge white tiger. On the bed Dane shifted and launched himself at Roa’. The rest of us also shifted and the bed collapsed under our weight as we flung ourselves into the fray. In the middle of the room Dane and Roa’ were tearing each other apart and I turned to Gareth and yelled for he and Jace to push Dane back while I stepped in front of Lira and Roral who had charged into the room. My tale shoved them back and they fell against the door, momentarily blocking the rest of the guards from getting in.

  “Owen get them out!” I screamed and the room emptied of all non-Dragons while several pools of blood remained, to mark where they had fallen. Dane and Roa’ were tearing at each other, their claws and teeth ripping scales and skin. I threw myself at Roa’ knocking him sideways while Jace and Gareth used their bodies to force Dane back across the room. Roa’ struggled as I pounced on him, using my weight to hold him to the floor. He turned his head to me and our eyes met. “He is not hurt!” I yelled and in my mind I screamed it over and over. Roa’ hesitated and I gasped and settled myself more firmly upon his body, my tail wrapping around his leg and over his back. “Talon is not hurt Roa’.’” His silver eyes whirled and he swung his huge head toward Talon who was still lying upon the marble floor, his body completely relaxed. “I gave him pleasure….he is fine. Roa’ you must shift.” I told him, my voice turning coaxing as I slipped off of him and shifted. “Please Roa’, shift and you can check him yourself.”

  I breathed a sigh as Roa’ shifted back to his Drow form and I stepped back and pointed to Talon. “I am sorry, I should have warned you first.” I told him and watched as he quickly made his way to Talon’s side, his eyes keeping a close watch on the others. “We are fine.” I told Gareth, Jace, and Dane and they too shifted while I mentally called for Owen. I cried out sharply and fell to my knees as my men appeared before me.

  “Cam is in the worst condition.” Owen replied tightly as he stared down at me. I glanced at Amras who had claw marks across his chest and arms. Cursed had several lacerations upon his head which seemed to be bleeding profusely. Kit was seated holding his thigh together. The gash looked long and deep, like it might go all the way to the bone. Cam however looked…like he’d been chewed nearly in half. Roa’ must have grabbed him across the chest and torso and bit down hard. He was barely breathing and pink bubbles could be seen at his mouth.

  “No.” I whispered reaching for Cam and placing my hands upon the worst of his injuries. I dropped my shield and imagined him as he’d been in the hall when he’d wrapped his arm about my leg. I recalled his perfect face and form, and then pushed the healing down my arm out my fingers. His wounds were horrible. The heeling rebounded back upon me as his internal organs reknit and muscle and skin flowed together. I took several deep breaths and tried to ignore the pain. Cam arched off the floor and sucked a huge breath of air into his lungs and I turned next to Kit, as he was closest. He moved his hands and his thigh sprang open, exposing the muscle and bone beneath. I struggled not to cry out as I reached for him and again forced the healing out of me. He sighed softly and I turned next to Amras and took care of his injuries. Last was Cursed and he looked at me strangely his black eyes worried.

  “I am fine.” I whispered tightly and placed my hands upon him while in my mind I forced the healing once again. When I was certain he was well, I lifted my eyes to him sluggishly and felt my vision narrowing. Hands reached for me in slow motion as I listed sideways.

  I woke in the middle of my bed. My head pillowed in Jace’s lap. I blinked and then winced at the pain within my head. Amras’ face swam into view as well as my Mother’s and I glanced down my body, thankful that someone had thought to clothe me in a pale green nightgown. “How do you feel?” Mom asked and I lifted my hand to my head and groaned.

  “Weak.” I replied softly.

  “It is no wonder, since you have not eaten in a week. And we’ve barely been able to get fluids within you. Judging by the amount of blood on the floor, and the lack of injuries present…might I assume you have managed to overexert yourself?” She asked, her pale blue eyes searching my face. Her fingers reached out to stroke my brow when I nodded.

  “Probably.” I muttered then felt her touch sooth my head and sighed softly. “Thank you.”

  She glanced at Gareth who was standing next to the bed, his arms crossed over his chest and told him. “Feed her…but slowly. And…I know she requires…assistance. But go gently.” She added with a grimace. “She’s been in a coma for a week…her body needs time to heal and rebuild its strength.” And then her face crumbled and she reached for me, pulling me into her arms. Her body shook silently against mine while I held her and patted her back making soft soothing noises. My eyes met my Dad’s over her shoulder and he looked like him might be close to tears too. It must have been delayed reaction because my eyes overflowed and tears slipped down my cheeks to fall amongst the bedding.

  “I’m okay, its okay.” I whispered over and over again while she clung to me and silently cried. My men brushed her gently, giving her their strength with a hand on her shoulder or back. It was their way of sharing her pain and offering support. When she finally released me she turned to Dad who gathered her gently against his body and held her tightly.

 

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