Defiant Dragon (16 page)

River swallowed. Fear gripped her and she clutched his hands with her own. “I can stop everybody in their tracks.”

“I want you safe. I need to know you’re okay. I can fight for both of us if you go now.” He wretched the bag over his head and settled it across River’s torso. “I’ll catch up with you,
polýtimos
. I haven’t quite lost you yet.”

The metal barrier shook.

“My Goddess! Can we get this lovey-dovey shit out the way? True story, this is why I have never claimed a mate. Move it, Jaxon.” Mags raised a leg and braced the door with her booted foot.

Harper climbed over the railing and held out his hand to River. She inhaled and her chest tightened. It hurt to breathe. She scrambled over the bannister and stood next to her dad.

Mags yanked her sword off and handed it to Harper. “Do me a favor and take this with you. I’ll collect it later.” He snatched the weapon from her hands and dove.

River watched her father slip seamlessly into the water. She turned and grabbed Jax by the shoulder. Hugging him tight she whispered, “I love you.” Releasing him, she leaped.

A streak of silver and she was jerked in the air. Talons clutched her by the waist and around her calves. She looked up at the silver scaled underbelly of a dragon. In the distance, she could hear Jax screaming. In the dying light of the sun she caught sight of a blue dragon and purple one coming at her. Her captor spun and dove to avoid the others. She was swept to the side and then jerked in the opposite direction. The motion was making her nauseous. Her stomach churned and she gagged.

Fire spewed from another beast made the night glow and she glimpsed more dragons glide through the air. The dragon clasping her dove. Air buffeted her form, tugging at her clothes, while the bags strap cut into her midsection. Blue scales filled her vision as Jax rammed into them and she slipped from one of the claws. Dangling, she grabbed the thick nail and hung on. With all the aerial maneuvers, she wasn’t sure how far she was from the water. The silver dragon shook as he was bombarded with blows from the purple creature. Each shot knocked River’s grasp looser. Another lizard grabbed the colorful dragon by the neck and flung her. The silver one holding her reared back, reversing the direction of his wings. He lifted his head and blew yellow flames, engulfing the beasts that attacked the purple one. Jax came up from under them and clipped the silver reptile across the neck with a wing. The blaze stopped and they plummeted.

Suddenly she was free. She spread her arms and legs. The darkness was deceptive, and she wasn’t sure exactly which way was up with no visual markers. She had the impression of falling into nothingness. River closed her eyes, then she was jerked up and her head snapped back. Her bag slammed into her middle. She lifted her lids to see dark scales above her.

“Jax?” she called out.

Her toes touched water as she was gently lowered into the bay. Within seconds, she’d shifted, her tail propelling her up to the surface. Jax hovered above the bay. The air from his wings sent waves flowing across the area in all directions. He curled his neck and touched the bony ridge of his head to her temple. She wrapped her hands around his snout and brushed her lips against his mouth.

“If you’re not at Fire Island when I get there, I will come looking for you, and I won’t be happy about it.” River released him and dunked below the surface.

Epilogue

Jax toed the man lying prone on the rocky shore. Water lapped at his side, rolling him back and forth against the black stones. After almost eighteen hours of sunlight, the day was finally waning. Kirill spoke via videoconference with Timur. River sat on a step cut into the cliff wall with Synda staring at him. He looked up at Mags. She kept one hand stuffed her pocket and gazed down at the unkempt man with a thoughtful expression. Her eyes were soft and she chewed on her bottom lip.

Jax narrowed his eyes. “Want to fill me in on what’s going on,
so̱matofýlakas
?

“I told you I was flying low after meeting with
your
mother and I saw him here,” Mags absently answered.

“Isn’t this the guy that got between you and Drago?”

“It is.”

“Well how did he, it, whatever the hell this thing is, get here?”

“How the fuck am I supposed to know?” She lifted her head and held Jax’s gaze. “He jumped on my back when we were fighting Drago. I could have sworn I dropped his ass off in the ocean nowhere near here.”

“I can’t tell what he is, he has no definitive odor. How the hell can he not produce some sort of smell?” Jax spoke out loud.

“Drago called him the beast,” River called out, “and he from the Tundra somewhere.”

“Whatever he is, he stays. Timur just told me Elspeth has been having the same dream every night. Something about a beast being a key and he is meant to protect who will die to free him.” Kirill shrugged. “The little seer had me at key. Now if we could only figure out the missing words on the melted gold piece you brought back from your trip. I seem to have more damn keys than actual keyholes.”

“If he’s cursed and not a born shifter, he won’t have a smell. I don’t.” Timur’s rough tone sounded gritty through the speaker.

“We can’t leave him out here. He’ll die from exposure. Pick him up, let’s get him to the house.” Synda came up behind Kirill.

“I don’t think he can die,” Mags muttered.

Jax narrowed his eyes. “Why do you say that, Mags?”

“No reason, just a feeling.” She shook her head. “Anyway, I need to speak with you, black dragon. My
Anassa
, Airla, would like to offer you the alliance of the Rafi Tribe. She is appreciative of you taking
Jaxon
under your wing.”

“I’m standing right here,” Jax mumbled

Kirill handed his phone to Synda “All allies are welcome as are any clan ambassadors. Jax is like the little brother I accidentally ate.” He bent at the waist and grabbed the arm of the passed out big guy.

Jax grabbed his other side. “Go to hell, both of you. By the way Harper left your sword here, Mags.” He tossed over his shoulder.

“Good, I’ve had that weapon since I was a hatchling. I’d hate to lose it.” Mags walked behind them.

“Apricots…peace,” the creature whispered.

“We’ll put him in Timur’s room for the time being. They are about the same size and there’s nothing in there he can fuck up.” Kirill spoke over the man’s head.

Jax nodded. The quicker he got things done, the sooner he could be alone with River. They navigated the stone stairs and, with a little maneuvering, got the large man through the narrow cave opening. Colorful wildflowers dotted the fields leading up to the house. The plants danced in the breeze coming off the inlet.

River walked ahead in a pair of yoga pants she’d borrowed from Synda. The way her ass jiggled when she moved made his heart stutter. Faint bruising still marred her skin around her eyes and on her biceps. Bali was a dead bitch walking, as soon as he could sneak away. He’d have to take River shopping. When they could get away, he planned to show her his place in Seattle. He’d also have to find them a home there or possibly on a nearby island. The small three-bedroom cabin of Kirill’s and Synda’s was starting to get crowded. Maybe Tucker could suggest where to look. That merman knew almost everything.

The thought of Tucker brought Assan to mind. “Has anyone spoken to Tucker?”

“He’s gathered the regents together. They are looking for Assan,” River tossed the words over her shoulder.

“I figured that fish was dead.” Jax hefted up the beast.

Kirill snorted, “I told Synda something was off with that asshole.”

“I said the same thing about the Mako mermaids. Why don’t women listen?” Jax coughed.

“Who knows? I’m still trying to figure them out.” Kirill shook his head.

They got the fella in the house and left him on the sofa. Jax stared at the narrow stairs that led to the second floor. There was no way in hell all three of them would get up those steps. He wasn’t sure the animal on his own steam would be able to squeeze up them. He peered over at Kirill. “I think we should leave him right there.”

Kirill gazed at the treads, then back at the man. “I agree.” He turned around and faced Mags. “I have a bottle of Russian vodka in the kitchen if you would like to join Synda and myself?

“Thank you.” Mags took another look at the big guy on the couch turned on her heel and followed Kirill into the next room.

River crossed her arms and leaned on the door jam “Alone at last.”

“We are. So tell me,
polýtimos
, now that you have me what will you do with me?” He grinned

“I was thinking we grab a three-wheeler and go for a ride.” She rolled off the wall and ambled out the door.

He trailed behind her, the scent of rosewater fresh in her absence. “Just a ride?”

“Tucker told me about a very special place on the other side of town and I want to show it to you. Don’t you trust me?” She wiggled her hips and resumed moving.

“Above all others, precious.” He ran behind and lifted her into his arms. “Why ride when we can fly?”

“Because I want to drive.” The tinkle of her laughter floated through the air. “It’s different, the way the machine vibrates between your legs. The flow of air over your body as you decide whether to go fast or slow.” Her voice lowered to a sexy hum, “It’s invigorating. The ride, that is.”

He dropped her on the vehicle’s seat. “Fine.” Jax jumped on and scooted up against her back, pressing his cock into the crack of her ass. “Be quick about it, beautiful.” He nipped her earlobe. “I want you in the worst way.”

The engine snarled to life and purred when she flexed the throttle. She flipped on the headlight and pressed her foot down on the gas. They jerked and stalled. River giggled. “Sorry.” She eased her foot down and they shot off over the dirt road.

They passed through the small town and drove into the darkness on the other side of the island. Rolling over rocks had them bouncing in their seats. They came to an abrupt stop. The sound of large waves crashing on the cliffs was ahead of them.

“Where are we?” Jax slipped off the trike.

“It’s a secret only Tucker and I know about…and now you.” She stood next to him and tangled her digits with his.

“What you want to show me can wait. I’ve developed a more pressing need.” He pulled her with him as she backed up until his legs hit the vehicle.

“Really, and what’s that?” She rubbed her hair on his chin.

He flexed his pelvis and ground his cock into her back. “You can’t tell?

“Oh, is that what that is?” She chortled as she spun around in his arms. “Umm, I think I need a visual aid.”

“I got your damn
visual aid
.” He gripped her hair by the root and yanked her head back to expose her throat.

Jax placed open-mouthed kisses along her neck and traced her necklace of scales with his tongue. He dropped down on the seat and tugged her between his thighs. Her nipples were erect points beneath the thin fabric of her T-shirt. He clutched her waist and bent her back. Greedily, he sucked on her tight buds through the fabric. His sight flipped from human to dragon and he closed his eyes.

“You have on to many clothes,
polýtimos.
” He raised his head and lifted his lids.

Wisps of her hair swayed in the wind. She’d dropped her head forward and her eyes were closed. She was leaning into him with her arms extended, grasping his shoulders. Talons erupted from the pads of his fingers and with the flick of his wrist he sliced through the front of her garments. Her shirt slid apart. He dipped his head and reclaimed her nipple, rolling it across his tongue.

His dick jumped, pushing against the zipper of his jeans as it had a mind of its own. She scraped her nails on his scalp and sent tiny tremors skidding throughout his body. He nuzzled the valley between her breasts and dropped minute kisses along her tit, sucking her aureole into his mouth. Slowly, he eased his palms under her pants and over her ass.

He eased back and stared at her. She opened her eyes and held his gaze. The side of her mouth lifted in a half smile. She caressed his jaw and trailed her fingers along his chest. Silently, she reached for his waistband. He arched his hips to give her better access to his jeans. His rod sprang free when she lowered the zipper and jostled the material away.

“Anxious, aren’t we?” She licked her lips and crouched low.

Jax looked down at his woman as she dipped her head and wrapped her lips around the head of his dick. He pushed her tresses away from her face and watched as she enfolded her palms around the base of his shaft and twisted her wrists. He went blind for a moment when his cock touched the soft tissue at the back of her throat.
God-des-sss
. The word flitted through his mind when she sucked him deep again. His pelvis came off the seat and he fisted her hair as she continued her up-and-down motion. He dropped his head back and stared at the stars, vibrant and so close he swore he could reach out and pluck one down for her. The vehicle shook beneath them and he grabbed the handle bar for balance when her lips brushed his balls. His muscles tensed and his stomach clenched as pressure built within his shaft. He yanked at her shoulder, his release eminent. She shook her head and hummed. His knees went weak. He tightened his grip on her hair, raised his chin, and roared as he came in her mouth.