The Dragon's Mate, page 5
What she didn’t know was how she’d ended up with Kenneth or how he’d manipulated her into believing he was her mate. The vampire must’ve been powerful, his ability to manipulate a shifter’s mind, especially one such as Asia’s beyond comprehension. As she studied the memories of Asia’s capture, she skimmed over the intimate details of her time with the male in the cage. She let out a huge gust of relief at the clear image of the young male dragon. She’d feared the mate to Asia was going to be none other than Nadim. The familiarity she’d sensed within Egypt clicked into place. She wasn’t a panther cub, but a royal dragon, maybe a mix of both. How the enclave of vampires knew was disturbing. Whoever the dragon had been, she only sensed goodness and light, so she knew the male wasn’t there of his own free will.
She hoped the news didn’t break Asia or hurt her child. Knowing the pain and torture they’d endured for years had been done based on lies and deceptions... she wasn’t sure how the cards would fall. One thing was for certain, though. Asia had never been touched in a sexual way by the male who’d claimed to be her mate. Kenneth as all vampires like him in the enclave were unable to do such. Their minds were filled with bloodlust and the need for power, but their bodies were rotting. He could conjure up the images and make Asia think all of them were true, each more horrible than the last. And yes, he had inflicted true physical beatings on her. However, sexually, the male couldn’t perform the real acts. Was that a consolation? Only time would tell.
JABARI SENSED THE MOMENT Asia was far enough away. The enclave came alive, or rather they stirred into a frenzy of motion. The Watchers got to their feet, heads tilting to the sides, listening to whatever chatter they had amongst themselves.
His internal warning came a little too late that something wasn’t right. Two sets of red eyes looked to him, hatred burning like twin flames.
“Where is our queen?”
He looked at the cage next to him. The image of his female still appeared as he had last seen her. She looked as if she were sleeping, but only he was aware she wasn’t there, or so he thought. Since he hadn’t spoken a word to any of the fuckers outside the bars in centuries, Jabari didn’t do so now.
In the blink of an eye, both watchers were at his cage. Long arms reaching for him with strength that belied their thin frames. Jabari didn’t bother to fight; there wasn’t any reason to. His collar and chains wouldn’t allow him to harm any of the males who owned him. Yes, all who bowed before the King of the enclave were his owners. They flashed him from the damp space into the open area he’d been spying earlier when Asia was with him. This time, the male he knew was King sat on his throne with the two panthers lying at his feet, their heads resting on each of his thighs. It was as if the two felines were intelligent, yet they appeared to enjoy the male.
“Ah, my pet dragon has come for a visit. I hear you’ve let your mate escape. How...tragic for you. Do you know that when mates such as your kind are separated, they go mad?” the fucker asked in an even tone.
Jabari stood as straight as he could, keeping silent.
“Tsk, tsk, pet. Not once, have you spoken to me or called me Master in all the years I’ve had you. Do you know how much that has hurt my feelings?” The Master stood, knocking the animals off his legs without a care.
Again, Jabari stayed silent. It was easy to do since he’d been doing it for so long. ‘We kill him and go free to find our mate.’
“Ah, I can see the wheels turning in that beautiful mind of yours. We could be great... partners, you, and me. What do you say? Instead of being locked in that cage, I will give you a room with a door and freedom to roam. Inside here of course.” He waved his right arm out in an arc, before pinning Jabari with his stare. “All you have to do is call your mate to you. Once your child is born, you give her to me, and I’ll let you and your mate go.”
His dragon rumbled as he fought to contain himself. “Never.”
“Ah, he speaks. See, that wasn’t so hard now, was it? Do you know why I stayed back when you were brought to the Gatherings? It wasn’t to hide, but to observe. I could see far more when I watch and watch I did, pet. However, when you say never, do you know how long that is to suffer, dragon,” he snarled.
Jabari glared at the male, then at the panthers who prowled next to him. They were shifters like his Asia. Were they from her Claw? Had they been part of her betrayal? Was that sick fuck saying he’d watched him make love to his mate? The collar around his neck burned. The chains grew heavy, pulling him down to his knees.
“I’ll find your mate, and if she’s carrying your child, it will be even sweeter. And when I do, I’ll make them both mine, pet. In every way.” The male smiled, showing teeth that were still white. The smile held no humor as row after row of dagger like teeth snapped together, ready to rip into flesh.
Holding his gaze, Jabari spat in the other male’s face. As the liquid dripped down his nose, a long-spiked tongue came out, lapping at the spit. The vampire grinned, and then he did what Jabari was used to. He ripped into Jabari’s throat, tearing through skin and muscle. He wondered if this time he’d kill him and thought at least he’d been able to get Asia, and possibly their child growing within her, away from the enclave.
‘We will not die this day.’ His dragon burned deep inside him, fighting for the both of them. Images of their mate flashed in front of them. He pictured her smiling face and what she’d look like round with their child. Darkness consumed him as he fell to the cold hard floor. His dragon roaring inside him to fight, to break the chains that bound them. They’d lived and now they’d died for their truemate. For this, he could go to the Beyond with an easy heart.
CHAPTER SIX
Two Years Later...
“They’ve been gone for two years dammit. We’ve looked and...and I feel like my heart has this huge gaping hole that’s it’s killing me every moment of every day.” Asia gripped her shirt over her chest, staring at Belle with tears running down her cheeks. Her child, her sweet little girl along with the rest of the Iron Wolves children who’d come to Fey had vanished without a trace.
She and Egypt had been living with Belle, healing thanks to the Fey Realm and the dragon’s magic for months. Her daughter had grown leaps and bounds, making everyone she met laugh and just brighten their day. She’d only recently learned that all those years of suffering had been nothing but an illusion, thanks to Belle’s mind unscrambling. She didn’t know of any other way to describe what the dragon had done to her, other than undo what had been done to her memories other than unscramble the chaos that had been wreaked upon her. She was beginning to come to terms with her new reality.
She needed her daughter back now.
“I know, Asia. Goddess, I know.” Belle hung her head.
Asia turned her back to the other female. She hated to see the dejected look on Belle’s beautiful features. Her mate Nikai entered. His presence so big she sucked in a breath. He reminded her so much of her...of Jabari, yet he was very different. The male from her memories wasn’t as dark as Nikai. He’d been sweet and tender. Not as big and as intimidating as Belle’s mate. Of course, they’d been in a tiny cell, and he’d been shackled to the floor, but still, he didn’t appear to be as huge.
A scent she hadn’t smelled in what seemed like a lifetime hit her. Her panther stirred, the animal having finally awakened a few months ago raked at her insides. She had a feeling it wouldn’t be too long before she’d be able to shift. “Ny zanaka vavy.”
“Oh my god. Is it really you?” Asia wrapped her arms around her daughter, unable to contain the shock at seeing Egypt when she’d feared all hope was lost. Her arms contracted around the slim shoulders she’d thought she’d never get to hold again, crying, shaking, unable to form a coherent sentence. Goddess, her baby was alive.
Her daughter nodded against her, holding her just as tightly. But she smelled—different.
Asia stood with her daughter in her arms for so long, yet not long enough. Hell, she didn’t know half the things that came out of her mouth. Several times they both said the same thing at the same time, making them laugh and cry. “I love you. I missed you so much.”
“Let me look at you. Are you really here?” Asia pulled back slightly, still holding onto Egypt’s arms with her hands.
Her daughter’s gorgeous brown eyes were filled with tears as she nodded. “I missed you so much. I tried to find a way back here, but Koa was determined to take me back to the dragon realm after I found my dragon. I didn’t want to go there. I swear, mama, I only wanted to get back to you. I’m sorry it took me so long,” she sobbed.
Asia listened to her daughter fire each word out like a machine gun, one after the other like she had to get them off her chest. Who the hell was Koa?
The sound of choking, or some odd noise she couldn’t quite describe, caught their attention. She yelped when she saw a tiny little creature peering out from between her daughter’s long dark hair.
Egypt lifted her hand, appearing to know the little thing. “Yikes. I forgot about you, Mina.”
She didn’t know how the little creature could be forgotten since it had been somewhere on her daughter’s person. Her panther raked at her, wanting to protect their young. Goddess, how she’d missed the animal’s presence inside her.
“Child, I think you and your mother should go inside and finish this conversation.”
Okay, so maybe the female wasn’t all bad. She wouldn’t drop her guard until she was sure, but she’d reserve the right to let Lula eat her.
Her panther snarled as the female grew, flecks of shimmering all around her. Asia put her arm in front of Egypt, unsure what kind of being Mina was.
“Goddess, Mina. Warn me next time,” Egypt yelped, jumping backward at the same time.
Asia’s arm brushed against her daughter, realizing she wasn’t pushing a teenager back, but a grown woman. What the heck? She looked at the stranger, then at her child. She inhaled, scenting Egypt’s familiar scent and more.
“Uh oh, Egypt. I think your mother has realized that you’ve been gone a lot longer in your time, than what’s occurred in her time,” Mina muttered.
Egypt’s beautiful eyes widened, looking between them. “Mom?”
Asia felt her world shifting again while she looked closer at her daughter.
“It’s been over twenty years for me, us?” Egypt questioned, her stare begging for confirmation. A confirmation Asia couldn’t give.
Tears filled her eyes, loss swamping her at the years she’d been robbed of again. “Jennaveve, get your Fey Queen ass here right this instant,” she roared, her fur popping up all over her arms, then retracting as she pushed her animal back.
The female who piggybacked in with her daughter placed herself in front of Egypt. “Do not think to harm my charge, female,” she growled at Asia.
“Mina, I thought we were friends?” Egypt asked.
Asia listened to them with half an ear. She was glad the female appeared ready to fight her to protect Egypt. However, she had bigger issues to deal with. Like the fact her baby had obviously spent twenty damn years in another realm. Alone. Goddess, the pain, and heartache she’d suffered in the two years would be but a blip to what her little girl must’ve suffered.
Mina’s words caught her attention, pulling her from the pity party, which she didn’t deserve. “Repeat that, Mina,” she ordered.
“What do you want me to repeat?”
“You said you were friends with my daughter, but that you protect the royals?” Asia crossed her arms over her chest, then dropped them.
“That’s correct. Lord Mkikoa has many Brownies. I was charged with protecting an heir of the Royal Dragons until she finds her mate and no longer needs me. If she and her mate no longer have needs of my service, then I will return to The Keep.” Mina nodded, brushing her hands down her sides like she needed to do something. Asia had a feeling the brownie hoped to stay with her daughter, more so because she was truly her friend than just her protector.
Egypt opened her mouth to talk, but like a whirlwind, Jenna appeared, sliding to a stop next to Asia.
“Okay, I’m here. What did you roar your newly released kitty head off for?” Jenna jerked backward before she caught herself, her mouth falling open. “Egypt?”
“Hello, Jenna. It’s really good to see you and—”
Jenna swooped Egypt into her arms, rocking them back and forth. Asia clasped her hands in front of her, noticing Belle stood with Nikai holding her to his side, watching them. She waved them forward. Her friends had searched high and low for their children for the past two years, unable to find a trace of them. To this day, they’d had nothing to show them they lived, but one thing each mom knew. Their children lived.
Hours passed into days. She learned so much about her daughter and the life she’d led in the last twenty years. The hardest lesson she learned was that she’d missed so very much. Goddess, her daughter lived an entire life without her.
Asia and her panther felt more secure in their surroundings. The animal growing stronger with each passing day. No doubt, having Egypt and Mina close gave them a measure of contentment they’d needed. After a month or so, she reached deep within her memories, allowing the emotions of the one encounter with Jabari to surface. He’d thought she’d be repulsed by him, but she’d seen the beautiful being he was. Beat down, broken, and bloody, and still, he was hands down the most handsome male she’d ever laid eyes on. The memory of what Kenneth had made her believe made fur pop out on her arms.
“He’s dead,” she growled the reminder to the empty room. If she didn’t get out of there and get some fresh air, she was sure she’d go insane. Picking up a large basket she used when she picked flowers or vegetables from one of the gardens, she made her way outside. Her panther rolled within her. Someday, they’d be able to shift and run among the hills and valleys. Once she reached the field of flowers, she pulled the scissors out of the basket and began snipping. After the basket was full, she lay back on the ground, letting the suns rays soothe her soul.
Belle’s dragon form flew over her, heading back to the big house they called home. She watched the majestic creature, loving the fact her child could become one as well. Egypt’s voice interrupted her solitude, bringing the familiar panic back full force. She got to her feet, hurrying in the same direction Belle had flown only minutes before. She could hear their voices carrying out through the open windows, her heart banging against her chest in an echo of fear she’d hoped to never experience again. Her child, her precious Egypt was a dragon, nothing and nobody should be able to harm her, yet her mother’s instinct wasn’t willing to listen to common sense.
“What is it, Belle? Shouldn’t you be like watching over your granddaughter? I swear, one moment she smells of bear, and the next a dragon. That little nugget is gonna rule the world one day, mark my words. Her white and pink hair is gorgeous though. Oh, we can call her a Dragerrr, you know just drag out the err.” Egypt dusted off her hands, making bits of flour fly through the air.
Asia slid to a stop, hiding her smile as Belle sneezed from her daughter’s antics.
“You do know that’s very rude to do to your elders, yes? Also, I’d like to see you say that around little Stellina.” Belle waved her hand, clearing the air in a flash of the flour and dough.
She smiled at the disgruntled look on the gorgeous female’s face while Belle huffed. “I don’t know how we didn’t know you were a dragon, when you’re clearly one with your riddles and attitude, Egypt. Fine, I was told to quit hovering, and let my little prodigy that is my granddaughter, be. Then I was summoned by Jenna to fetch you and bring you to Earth as soon as possible. That is if your mother approves, and you are willing.”
“I’m going if she’s going,” she said, putting the basket on the table. No way was she letting Egypt go to another realm, not even Earth without her.
“Of course you are,” Belle agreed.
“Are you okay, Egypt? Are you scared, ny zanaka vavy?”
Egypt shook her head, looked at her then at Belle. A slight quiver in her jaw belied her denial.
As if her heart wasn’t already beating hard enough to shatter her ribs, Asia felt it turn over when her daughter straightened her shoulders. Her baby wasn’t a child, she was a grown woman. She walked over to Egypt, wrapping her arm around her slim waist. Egypt could call her dragon easier with each passing day, just as Asia could almost call her panther, but neither of them had gone back to the place that had nearly destroyed them.
“We can do this.” She kissed Egypt’s temple. Plus, there was Mina, the fearless female who called herself Egypt’s protector and bestie.
“When do we leave?” Egypt asked, hugging her mom a little tighter.
Mina squeaked from the corner, dropping the project she’d been working on. Her big eyes looked alarmed.
“If she goes, I go,” Mina declared, hurrying over to Egypt. The brownie did everything in a hurry, yet it was accomplished so smoothly she always impressed Asia.
Belle let out a sigh, then shook her finger at the female. “Fine, but if the wolfies eat you, don’t come crying to me.”
Mina stuck her tongue out at Belle. “If they eat me, how will I be able to tell you? Oh, unless you mean eat me in a sexual way and then... Oh. My. Gawd, that is so delicious and dirty sounding. Count me in.”
Asia turned her back so the little female couldn’t see her eyes watering with mirth.
Her daughter sighed loudly. “It’s no use, Belle. You’ll run out of fingers long before she’ll run out of crazy.”
