The Guardians, page 132
“You knew my mother well and under the circumstances, she would have forgiven you as I do now. All I ask for is that you make your daughter happy.”
“That is my wish as well.”
“You will continue to stay with me until I speak with Caleb. Once Aidyn and I decide where we are going to reside, I wish for you to come with us.” She hoped with the homes available to them, her father would be welcome in at least one of them. As if reading her mind, Aidyn made an offer she never would have expected.
“Your father is welcome in all of our homes. Perhaps, when things settle down, he might prefer one location over another, in which case I am happy to see to his personal dwelling if that is his desire.”
“That is most gracious of you.” Odage bowed. “I cannot tell you how much it means to me to spend time with my daughter.”
“I know how much it means to her, which makes both of you my top priority.” He smiled at Leria. “Quadira has asked us to make our announcement.” He offered his arm. “Shall we?”
“Yes. Father, you will excuse us?”
“Of course, my dear.”
Aidyn led her to the front of the large room, and immediately the crowd hushed. She also noticed several others had joined the festivities. Marcus, Cassie and the rest of the guardians stood next to Caleb and Lileta. Everyone important to both of them was here. She leaned in to whisper in his ear.
“I also wish to announce my abdication to Caleb. Do you think I should speak to him privately first?”
“I think this is the perfect time.” Then he straightened. “Friends and family, I am honored and more than ecstatic to announce Leria has agreed to become my mate, your queen and your goddess.”
Applause and whistles filled the room. Someone yelled.
“Finally!”
They both laughed and everything about this moment felt like a dream. She would pinch herself, except she feared waking up to find it wasn’t real.
“Do you have a date set for your mating?” Zarek asked.
Aidyn looked to Leria, but before she could reply, Sabin and Lucan stepped forward.
“We have a request before you answer that,” Lucan said.
“Continue,” Aidyn replied.
“Since Sabin and I have yet to complete the bonding, it would honor us to wait until after you so we may pledge ourselves to our king and queen.”
Aidyn looked to Leria. “Do you have any objections?”
“No. I am honored they wish to welcome me in such a way.” She looked up at the man she had loved for so long but had wasted precious time being angry with instead of trying to understand their situation. “I think we should hold our own ceremony in two days’ time so they do not have to wait any longer.”
“I thought I could not be happier, I was wrong. May the next two days fly into the wind and our day be here before we know it.”
Everyone laughed.
“Now I have something to announce.” Leria faced the crowd once more and focused on two people she adored. “Caleb and Lileta, can you step forward, please?” She waited for the couple before she continued. “You two have been more than my caregivers. You have been my parents. My confidants and my rock. You have shown more patience than most would with a young, often-confused girl, and I love you more than I can put into words. While my blood father is here and has promised to walk with me on the day of my bonding, I would be honored to have you, Caleb at my other side.”
“I would be proud to walk with you.”
“The Draki love you both as they will one day love your children. You are a true and good leader, Caleb, and therefore I abdicate my place as regent to you and your heirs. The house of Dastudr now belongs to you.”
Caleb dropped to one knee. “You do me and my family a great honor. I accept and look forward to working with our new queen.”
More applause, then everyone went back to drinking and having a good time while Aidyn whisked her away.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Aidyn took Leria straight back to his home in Vandeldor. While the palace gifted to the Phoenix was beautiful, his heart belonged on the shores of the Lejir sea. He had a feeling that her heart was also in the place that had been her childhood home.
Leading her down the sandy path next to his home, he took her to his private beach. Using his magic, he had already laid out a blanket in the soft sand where they could watch the moon reflect over the crashing waves.
“I’m so glad we came back here,” she said when they stopped and kicked off their shoes. “I hadn’t realized how much I missed this place.”
“These shores are in my soul. They are part of me and always will be.” He pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck.
“Will you start the bond with me here? Tonight?”
“Is that your wish?” His fangs ached at the thought.
“It is. Whatever I am to become, let it happen here.” She dragged her nails down his back until her fingers hooked into his jeans.
“You will always be my beautiful dragon and once I take you to death’s door, you will be the most powerful dragon to ever live. Not even Quadira can shift and fly through the skies.” Tugging at her clothing, he freed her top and tossed it aside. With her breasts bare to the moonlight, he bent and sucked a nipple into his mouth. Lavished it with his tongue until she was moaning in his arms.
“Aidyn. I need you.”
He helped her to lie on the blanket, then worked on getting her jeans off. In seconds, she was naked, her skin kissed by the warm breeze and sea spray. As he leaned back to remove his shirt, he needed to know for certain he wasn’t in a dream world.
“Leria, there will be no going back after tonight. Once I drink from you, it will start our bond. The ceremony is only a formality. You will be mine and I will be yours, forever.”
She sat up, leaning toward him until she cupped his face. “Haven’t we been apart long enough? I trust you; I think deep down I always have. I was just a stupid, young girl who needed to be angry at someone and chose you to be the one.”
“You were never a stupid girl. Simply one who needed to know that I cared about you. I made the mistakes, not you.”
She laid back on the blanket. “Then let’s not waste any more precious time.”
He finished getting undressed and moved between her thighs. Rubbing his cock in her folds, her slickness showed she was ready for him. Neither of them wanted to wait another second so he slipped inside. Seated himself so deep he never wanted to break the connection they held. It was her that moved her hips against him, forcing him into action.
Claiming her mouth, he kissed her as he slid in and out. His pace started slow, but that only lasted for a few strokes. When Leria wrapped her fingers in his hair, gave a slight tug and kissed him back with demanding passion, he caved.
He thrust harder.
She moaned against his mouth. “Faster,” she cried, then deepened the kiss.
Breaking free, he grabbed her ankles and pushed her knees wider. Held her open and plunged deeper, harder until his balls were slapping against her skin.
“So damn good.” She licked her lips.
“Make yourself come,” he commanded.
She never hesitated but slid her fingers into her folds, then rubbed her clit. Her mouth opened, and she cried out. “So close.”
He released one leg and reached for her breast, pinching her nipple. It was then she came undone. Her orgasm soaked him as her muscles clenched around his cock so tightly he wasn’t sure he could move. Her entire body pulsed with energy and he was unable to hang on any longer. Joining her, he roared to the heavens as his release jetted out of him. On and on they both climaxed until their bones were jelly. Their bodies spent. There was one more thing to do, however. With the reflexes of a predator, he struck. His fangs deep in her neck. Throbbing as he finally drank in her sunshine and fire.
With every pull of her blood, they both reached new heights of pleasure. When her breathing slowed, he continued to drink. Only took his last when her heart was so weak it was on the verge of stopping. It was then he let go long enough to sink his fangs into his wrist and place it over her mouth.
“Drink, my love, and forever be mine.”
She took small gulps, but as more of his blood filled her, she drank harder until he had to stop her. When she was done, he pulled her into his arms and held her while the moon looked down on them. The hardest part was yet to come. With no idea how long before she would wake, he prayed to every god and goddess for safe passage into her new life.
Leria was so sleepy and fighting it was no longer possible. She succumbed to slumber, her body both light and heavy. But for once it filled her heart with joy. She had her father back and in much better health than he had been when he arrived. She also had her mate, and even her dragon had been content enough to slip into the darkness of a deep slumber with her. Leria had to think it meant her dragon was not afraid of what the beast might become when she mated with the Phoenix. They were both confident they would emerge stronger than ever before.
It was difficult not to think about the mind-shattering sex while she floated on her cloud of bliss. It had left her sated yet craving more. She couldn’t wait to start her life with Aidyn. To finally follow the path destiny had laid before them. It had taken a lot of time and heartache for both of them to reach this point.
Rather than floating, Leria fell. Faster into a dark abyss that she had no idea where it led, and for a moment her heart beat faster from the fear that threatened to sink its talons into her. She suddenly realized that the Phoenix soared after her. Grabbed her ever so gently and with powerful wings of fire, carried her upward.
She bolted upright. “What the hell?”
“Shhh, you’re just waking from a long sleep.” Aidyn held her in his arms.
She looked around at the darkness but noticed that the moon was no longer full. Blinking, she spoke. “How long have I been out?”
“Two full days.”
She focused on him. He was still naked, well at least from the waist down since that was all she could see. A blanket covered the rest of him.
“We are still on the beach.”
“I feared moving you.”
“You never left my side, did you?” She didn’t need to ask. Instinct said he’d not budged an inch.
He smiled. “Not a chance in hell.” He looked her over. “How do you feel?”
“Goo––Ouch!” She reached up and touched her lip. “Oh dear, I’m not used to having fangs like these.”
He chuckled. “They are bigger than what you’re used to.”
“Seriously? The only time I’ve ever had them while in human form was when I marked you, and even then, I partially shifted.” She rolled out her bottom lip. “How do I make them go away?”
“I’m guessing you need to feed.”
She checked herself and realized she was hungry. Right on cue, her stomach growled, and she looked at the throbbing vein in his neck. Listened to the beat of his heart and the blood that rushed through his veins causing her to salivate like a damn dog.
Oh this will not do at all!
Aidyn tilted his head, and it only took her a second before she was on him like he was a big, fat, juicy steak. Her fangs struck and blood filled her mouth as if she were a pro and had done this a million times. He tasted of life and love and everything delicious and after a few deep pulls she was satisfied enough her fangs retracted on their own. After swiping her tongue along his neck to get every drop, she leaned back and smiled.
“See, gone now.”
“Perfect.” He laughed then rose, pulling her to her feet. “Let’s fly, shall we?”
“I’d love to. My dragon is itching to stretch her wings.”
“I’ll race you to the mountains.”
“You’re on.” With merely a thought, she shifted. The transition faster than ever before and she figured it must be the bonding. She was curious to see what changes were in store for her and her dragon. It didn’t take long to notice one very significant difference. As she took to the sky, flames danced across her wings then reached out to a point at the tip. The red-orange color against her golden scales was a beautiful display, and it matched that of her mate as the Phoenix flew next to her. She searched for the mental link the two of them should now share.
I thought this was a race?
You’re too beautiful to leave behind.
Well then, she was going to use that to her advantage. She gave her wings a pump and took off. Her dragon was enjoying the freedom and the cool air that came off the mountains as she headed for a little-known, favorite spot. Banking left, she climbed higher, heading into the sun that peeked over the horizon, which soothed the new side of her. It wasn’t long before she spotted the snow she had been searching for. Leria knew the area so well she could navigate it without sight. Dipping, she folded in her wings and headed down. So, her mate wanted to keep to her side? She would have a little fun with him then.
As she approached the mountain, she calculated her timing. Another minute and she unfolded her wings, pushed her legs forward and slowed her descent faster than any creature with wings had ever done. Still, she came in fast enough to drag her feet along the snow and create a massive explosion of the white stuff that now coated her mate. With another flap of her wings, she gained altitude.
Well played, my love, well played.
Leria chuckled, and for the first time in many years, she was happy down to her soul. Everything felt perfect. So perfect it frightened her; so when a massive blast of snow lifted into the air, followed by a shock wave that rushed over her, nearly knocking her from flight it did not surprise her. Instead, fear gripped her as she tried to navigate her way through the angry sky and look for Aidyn. Not only were they being pelted from below, but an immense storm pushed wind and blinding snow down on top of them, and powerful magic filled the air.
Aidyn?
He didn’t respond, and the fear became an ice-cold stake in her heart. What the hell was going on? She opened her senses to locate her mate and honed in on him some distance away. There was no seeing in this madness of white, only her dragon senses and the fact she had flown in many blizzards as a child thanks to Caleb who insisted she needed to learn. Right now, she was grateful as things became even bleaker.
Another eruption knocked into her left wing and threatened to topple her. Probably would have if not for the fact she was now holding the magic of the Draki and the Phoenix. She was a goddess, soon to be a queen and determined as hell to find her king.
A thunderous roar that nearly made her scales stand on end thundered through the thick white landscape, and a blast of heat quickly followed it.
She winged harder and narrowly escaped the flames that shot from a crater in the mountaintop. Jesus, did Vandeldor have a sleeping volcano? Not possible. With her mind spinning to make sense of the madness, a blast of rocks exploded and the side of the mountain opened. When her eyes finally could adjust, she swore she was living a nightmare.
Emerging from the massive destruction was a dragon with scales as black as the earth of Vandeldor, and he was four times the size of any she had ever seen. She tried to make contact as all Draki could speak with each other, but he was closed to her. The power that poured off him was intense.
You are no Draki, what the hell are you?
The beast responded with a flap of its huge wings that sent more snow and rubble in every direction. It was then she noted the horned spikes that sat on the tip of each wing and down the ridge of his back. It was then her heart sank further because the beast before her was a legend who was supposed to be dead.
Darazor.
As if hearing his name, he focused slanted, golden eyes on her and let loose an anguished cry before something else caught his attention. Movement in the snow and Leria knew it was Aidyn. The dragon focused on Leria’s mate, snorted a billow of steam from its nostrils, then snaked its head forward. Aidyn raised his hand to throw power at the beast, but nothing happened. She felt him attempt to shift, and even his Phoenix refused to surface. Darazor’s powerful magic was apparently short-circuiting Aidyn’s.
No wonder Quadira had taken the dragon down centuries ago. Darazor had become so powerful that even the goddess had grown to fear him, her own creation. Apparently, she hadn’t finished the job because here he was terrorizing her mate.
Leria sucked in a breath and sent a blast of fire at Darazor’s head. It was enough to distract him and allow Aidyn to fight his way through the snow a few more steps away. It would not stop Darazor, however, and Leria had no idea why her own magic didn’t seem to be affected.
A bolt of fire lightning slashed through the sky and Quadira’s form hung mid-air. “There is only one now who has the power to take him out for good. Save your mate, Leria, or Darazor will kill him. The beast knows no compassion and holds enough magic to smite even a god.”
Where is the one who can slay this beast? She dived for her mate, would protect him no matter the cost to herself. Landing, she moved in front of Aidyn, wings spread, and faced the massive dragon in front of her.
“You, Leria. You are now the only one who can take his life.”
Leria sent another blast of flames at the dragon’s feet, but he kept advancing without so much as a flinch. My lady, I am not powerful enough to kill him. She wondered if the goddess was crazy.
“Child! You are a Draki who can wield the power of the Phoenix. No fire burns brighter or hotter than yours. Save your mate, take his power.”
Darazor sent white-hot heat encased in flames so red Leria was certain she would turn to ash the second it hit her, but she didn’t move. Kept Aidyn behind her and took the brunt of the pissed off dragon’s force.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Aidyn had fallen from the sky when the Armageddon of white had taken hold. Thankfully, he had landed in a patch of thick, deep snow, but he was powerless. Nothing he tried to call forth worked, and he knew it had everything to do with the oversized beast from Hell in front of them. Leria had swept in and landed to save his hide, but now she cried out in a painful scream as the dragon breathed its fire onto her scales. Anger and helplessness took hold as there was nothing he could do. Each time he tried to move out from behind her, she shoved him back.
