dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon (42 page)

He turned and rose silently into the air again, changing direction as he reached above the height of the forest canopy. Anna watched as he glided above the green branches. She lost sight of him for a moment, but then he was back in view. She saw his eyes brighten as he turned downward towards the earth, then silently he gathered speed and plunged towards the ground. Anna gasped when she saw how fast he was going, and a roar broke through the air, shattering the silence. She could feel it in her bones and she shuddered. If she had not known it was Max she would have turned and fled in terror.

She shifted herself on the rock and tried to see him between the trees. There was furious rustling, and she sidled over some more, then stopped when he came in sight. The dragon’s jaws were clamped on a large animal on the ground, the blood seeping between his teeth. He stayed like that for a moment, and she could see his throat working as he swallowed the warm liquid. He pulled back slightly and shook his head from side to side, tearing the body apart, then used his claws to rip the animal open. He buried his snout in the bloody flesh, tearing off chunks of blackened meat with his teeth. She watched, a combination of awe and horror twisting through her. How could she love such a vicious creature? She could see the sharp horns on his head glimmering in the sunlight as he buried his head in the steaming carcass of his prey. He ripped off another piece of flesh and lifted his head, growling as his powerful jaws chewed and swallowed. He looked in her direction and his blazing eyes caught hers, holding them until he dropped his head and ripped off more flesh. She felt a clenching in her stomach as she watched, but it was no longer born of fear.

He lifted his head again as he ripped off another chunk of flesh, then stiffened as a breeze swept lightly through the air. He turned slowly to look at her, and his gaze met hers through the trees. His tail swished on the ground, raising swirling leaves and dust into the air as it flicked from side to side. He stared at her for a moment, then lifted his face to the sky and like an arrow, hurled himself up into the clouds. His wings were spread out wide as he flew higher and higher. Flames spewed from his mouth and rolled over his huge form, and as she watched, a roar ripped through the air. He turned, doubling back on himself, and she gasped when she saw he was heading straight towards her, his tail streaming behind him as he sped closer. He raced through the sky, his huge body flashing like a streak of lightning, his talons outstretched before him.

She scrambled to her feet as he drew closer, fear making her fumble. He had said he would never hurt her, but was this ferocious monster hurtling towards her really the husband she loved?

His talons clamped around her arms and she flew through the air, landing on the ground beneath him, his talons penning her in on the sides. His claws had ripped the top of her bodice and scratched her skin, bringing a few drops of blood to the surface. He glanced down at the exposed skin, then bending his head, slowly licked her. His forked tongue was long and hot, and it dragged over her skin as she shivered. He pulled back to look at her, his eyes flaming as he stared into her eyes. His tail swished against the ground, curling around her legs as it moved from side to side, and slowly, she pushed the ripped gown off her shoulders. He glanced down at her, then bent his head close to her ear.

“You’re playing with fire,” he whispered, his voice tight. She reached up her hands, and grabbing his horns, pulled him closer. They were long and smooth, and as she ran her fingers over the tips, she could feel how sharp they were.

“Then make me burn, dragon,” she whispered back. A shudder passed through him, and he growled as his tail swished harder. His snout was in her hair, and as he breathed in deeply, a rumble reverberated through his enormous chest. There was a flash of light as he shifted into his human form, and then his lips were on hers, his tongue devouring her. She gasped when he claimed her, and she claimed him, too. They flew higher than they had ever been before, beyond the clouds and past the stars until they reached the edge of heaven, and even then there was no limit to the pleasure they took in each other. Max raised himself up from her, pushing his arms straight and throwing back his head, and roared out a stream of flame that rolled down his neck and over his back. The roar shuddered through her and left her trembling to her toes. She wrapped her arms around him as he collapsed back onto her, and they lay together until the night fell.

Chapter 54

Anna and Max arrived at Drake Manor the next day. As they approached, a dragon flew towards them, and Max glanced back at Anna. “Bronwyn is coming to meet you,” he said.

“Anna!” Bronwyn shouted, speeding towards the pair with eyes bright with excitement. “When I heard you were back at Storbrook, I thought I wouldn’t see you again for ages. But here you are. And mated to Uncle Max!”

Anna laughed. “No getting rid of me now,” she said.

Bronwyn grinned. “Brilliant!” she said. She glanced at Max. “You know we have visitors?”

Max lifted his head and sniffed the air, suddenly slowing down to a hover.

“What is
he
doing here?” he said. His voice was hard, and when Anna glanced at him, she saw that his eyes were a dull, flat yellow.

Bronwyn shrugged. “He heard you were coming. I think he wants to see you, Uncle Max.”

“Who is it?” Anna asked.

“James,” Max said.

“James? Your father?”

Max growled. “No! Just the beast who left his seed with my mother.”

“What about his wife? Is she here too?” she asked. James was married to Beatrix, who was also a dragon. They had mated long after Max was born, but she was furious when she learned that James had fathered two children before they were married, abandoning both mothers before they even delivered their babies and not bothering to find a way to tell his children about their true natures.

“Yes,” Max said. He was circling the manor house, and Anna saw a small party forming at the entrance to the building. She could easily pick out Owain and Favian, with their red coloring, which meant that the other man must be James. She nudged Max with her knees.

“Are you going to hover all day?” she asked.

“I suppose not,” he said with a grimace.

He circled around one more time, then landed on the ground before the party. Bronwyn landed next to him as he nodded at the two red-heads.

“Owain. Favian. It is good to see you again.”

Owain nodded, then glanced at Anna as she slid off Max’s back. Favian gave her a grin.

“It is good to see you, Anna. I’m glad to see you have finally brought this beast to heel.” Favian glanced at his father, Owain, and with a quick gesture towards Bronwyn, they turned and walked back inside. Bronwyn rose into the air, too, leaving Max and Anna alone with James.

“Max,” James said. He was a little shorter than Max, with a slighter build. His hair was straight brown, but bronze highlights were evident when he cocked his head. His dark brown eyes regarded Max steadily.

Max nodded. “James.” 

“I was sorry to hear about your mother,” James said.

“Well, at least you spared a thought for her in death, since you never did while she lived,” Max replied.

James sighed. “I heard you had mated, and it is clear that this is the woman. Are you going to introduce us?”

Max stared at James for a long time, then bent his head down to Anna.

“Anna, this is James.” He glanced at the other man. “James, Anna.”

James took a step towards Anna. “I’m Max’s father,” he said.

“I’m pleased to meet you,” Anna said. Next to her Max snorted.

“Well, at least that makes one of you,” James said. He turned to Max. “Beatrix is inside and eager to see you again.” He turned and walked into the house.

“Why are you so angry with him?” Anna asked as James disappeared into the shadows. Max lifted Anna with his talons and flew onto the roof of the manor.

“James is
not
my father,” Max said, taking the satchel from Anna’s neck after transforming. He pulled on a pair of breeches. “He may have planted the seed that resulted in my mother breeding, but that is where his involvement in my life ended. He didn’t even stay around long enough to find out he had a son.” Max tugged a pair of boots onto his feet. “I had no idea what was happening to me when I first changed, and now he claims me as his own. But where was he when I needed him?” He pulled on his tunic and turned to face Anna. “James means nothing to me.”

“Well, clearly you mean something to him,” Anna said.

Max gave her a look of disbelief. “Are you defending him?”

“Of course not! I think what he did was terrible. But sometimes people need a second chance. Imagine what would have happened if you hadn’t given
me
a second chance.”

“That is quite different,” Max growled, turning away and opening a door that led to a staircase.

“What happened to your mother?” Anna asked as she followed him down the stairs.

“She died before I returned to Civitas,” he replied.

“I’m sorry,” Anna said.

Max paused, turning to look at her. “I left my childhood home when I was fifteen, determined to find the man who fathered me so I could learn why I was changing. I saw little of her over the years, but before she died I returned to my childhood home to see her. I had given someone my word that I would show my mother what I was. I spent a few months with her before she died.” He glanced away. “It wasn’t long enough, but long enough to tell her about you.”

Anna smiled, and reaching out her hand, traced the line of his jaw. “I’m always on your side,” she whispered. He smiled, and taking her by the hand, led her down the stairs.

Beatrix was a large, matronly kind of woman, and she immediately enveloped Anna in a warm embrace. In addition to being Max’s stepmother, she was also Aaron’s aunt. She had tawny, gold eyes, like Aaron’s, but her hair was darker. She pulled back and looked at Anna. “The poor child looks exhausted, Max! You really need to keep in mind that she is only human, and needs to stop and rest when you travel.” Max stepped next to Anna, and rested his hand on her back as he looked down at her in amusement.

“If the truth be told, Beatrix, Anna is the one who doesn’t give me a moment’s peace.” Anna slowly ground the heel of her boot into Max’s foot, smiling when she heard him shuffle slightly. His arm wrapped around her, and he pinched her side as she squirmed. “She really drives me too hard, but I cannot deny my mate,” he said.

Behind her, Anna heard Cathryn laugh, and she turned around with relief. “Cathryn, how lovely to see you!”

Cathryn grinned, then shook her head at Max with an expression of disapproval. She leaned closer to Anna. “You and I have much to discuss, like how to tighten a dragon’s leash.” She glanced around as Margaret came into the room.

“Anna! Congratulations, my dear!” said Margaret, stepping towards them. “I’m glad you both finally came to your senses.”

Max grinned, and leaned forward to kiss Margaret on the cheek. “Eventually,” he agreed.

It was a tight squeeze in the parlor, and with so many dragons in the room the temperatures soared. Anna took a seat next to Max, who wrapped his arm around her, drawing her close. His fingers trailed over her shoulder, and Anna pressed herself to his side. James took a seat across from them.

“How’s Jane?” he asked Max. Anna looked at James in surprise then turned to Max. How did James know Jane? She was about to ask him, when Beatrix took a seat beside her.

“How is Aaron doing?” she asked. “I haven’t seen him since his mating, which is quite inexcusable, really. But his uncle over there,” she nodded in Owain’s direction, “sees him every few months, and he assures me that Aaron is doing very well. You know, Aaron is a lot like his uncle, which is a good thing. Not that I have anything against his father, of course – he was my brother, after all, but he lacked the steadiness of character that both Owain and Aaron possess.” Beatrix patted Anna’s hand. “And how is that lovely sister of yours? I can see the resemblance between the two of you. And the children? They must be growing up. How old are they? Two? Three?”

“They turned five last spring.”

“Five! I remember when Aaron was that age. He and Favian were such little scamps.” Beatrix leaned back with a smile as she reminisced about the past while Anna nodded politely. She grew more interested when Beatrix talked about Max, but there was not much she could tell Anna. “He only remained with us a few months, and then he was off to the city to make a name for himself.” Her forehead furrowed, but when she saw Anna watching her, she quickly smiled.

Later that evening, James glanced around the room. “I need to go hunting,” he said. “Does anyone care to join me?”

“Not me,” Owain said. “I was out yesterday.”

“So was I,” Favian said with a glance in his children’s direction. “And Bron and Will were with me.”

Max looked around at the group. “
I
have no need to go hunting. Besides, you cannot expect me to leave my new mate.”

Across from them, Anna could see James watching Max intently. “Actually, Beatrix is right,” she said, “I’m not getting enough sleep. I think you should go.”

Max looked down at her with eyebrows raised, then bent close to her ear. “We can sleep, if you want.” Anna glanced at Cathryn, who was suddenly deep in conversation with Margaret, while Favian and Owain leaned together, talking quietly. Only James and Beatrix were watching them. She pulled back to look at Max, then brought her lips to his ear.

“That’s just the problem. I cannot sleep with you around. If you don’t go out, I’ll have to find somewhere else to rest for the night.”

Max pulled away with a scowl, and dropping his arm from her shoulder, moved away. “Very well,” he said softly, “if that is how you feel.” He leaned close to her once more, his eyes holding hers. “But I will make you pay, you little shrew!” She drew in her breath, biting her lower lip, and his gaze dropped to her mouth. She saw the flick of his tongue as a flare of heat clenched her stomach. “Sure you want me to go, darling?” he whispered. She stared at him for a moment, then dragged her eyes away with a nod.