Dragon Lords Books 1 - 4 Box Set: Anniversary Edition (59 page)

A
dusting
of flour coated Olena as she kneaded and formed the dough into loaves. Being elbow deep in Qurilixen blue bread dough wasn’t how she thought to spend the afternoon. She scowled at Yusef, hating the chore, as she grumbled, “I didn’t realize I would have to do all this. Can’t we hire a servant or something?”

Yusef, who was helping her prepare for her guests, laughed. “You’re the one who invited him.”

“Yeah, one man,” she said. “And he offered to help cook. You had to go and invite the entire brood.”

“It’s improper for a woman to extend an invitation to a man and not his wife and sons. I was saving you an embarrassment.”

“Who says I would have been embarrassed? Anyway, how was I to know?” She finished forming the last loaf. They weren’t perfect, but they would do. Yusef took them and put them in the brick oven over the low fire.

Olena jumped up to sit on the countertop. Brushing a sweaty strand of hair off her forehead with the back of her arm, she sighed. “I’m about ready to get bitten by another snake so I can lie down and let you do this. In fact, I think I’m coming down with something.”

Yusef chuckled. “Come on, you’re almost done.”

“You need a better job,” she continued to complain, though she smiled shyly at him. She pushed gracefully back on the counter, making her legs go straight. Her feet stretched over the edge, dancing absently in the air. She leaned toward her toes, folding over in half, to stretch out her back. Resting her head on her knee, she finished, “Then you could afford to pay someone to do this stuff.”

Yusef eyed her flexibility with obvious interest, as if he thought of different ways he could bend her body to accommodate him.

Men.

Olena turned her head to face her lap and closed her eyes.

“That’s why I got married,” Yusef said.

Olena gasped at his comment and sat up, scowling until she saw him wink playfully at her.

“Oh,” she huffed, taking a handful of flour and flinging it at him. Yusef ducked, laughing.

She grabbed another handful, launching it at his dark head before he could stand. It hit him and showered over his shoulder to the floor. Flinging his hair up as he stood, he lunged for her. To Olena’s surprise, his eyes flashed with gold and he hopped from the floor to the countertop in one swift motion, landing effortlessly on his feet. Bending at the knees, he crouched over her.

Olena’s chest heaved in heavy breaths. His show of power excited her. A timid laugh left her when she saw his flour-dusted tunic.

“You think you’re smooth, don’t you?” he chuckled wickedly.

Olena’s heart skipped around erratically in her chest. Yusef leaned forward. Before she could react, he kissed her. Her chuckling died down against his lips. His eyes bore into hers with a fevered heat. He jerked her forward and continued to kiss her, pulling back as her mouth opened, trying to follow.

“I know I am,” she murmured. Her voice came out husky and inviting, unintentionally changing the meaning of her words.

“Your flesh does look as smooth as cream.” Yusef’s gaze dipped down over her neck. “May I judge for myself?” He dipped his head to flick his tongue over where a little freckle dotted her collarbone. Olena shivered at the soft, tasting caress. His hand lifted to lightly brush over her neck. “Mmm, soft.”

Olena’s breath caught. She was mesmerized.

“So sweet,” he murmured in a tone that vibrated along the indent of her neck. He tasted her again, licking her racing pulse. “Delicious.”

“Ah-haa.”

“Will you let me taste more, I wonder,” Yusef said, as if to himself. “Will you let me dine on your flesh?”

Olena felt the back of his hand brush along her inner thigh, lightly moving toward her heated center. It was clear what he wanted a taste of.

His gaze trailed down, devouring her with liquid gold. She nearly swooned to see his shifting eyes. Trembling, she was scared of what he sought to do to her. Her eyes dipped to his mouth, wanting him to continue with his wicked words and knowing she should make him stop.

Impatiently, her hands pulled at his tunic, trying to strip it from his shoulders. Her body was on fire and every thought left her but one—the thought of being possessed by him.

Yusef broke the kiss long enough to toss his shirt aside. As he came to her again, her eyes were half closed in pleasure. His arm brushed the counter, sweeping the bowl to the floor. With one powerful movement, he spun her around to lay on the hard countertop, trapping her beneath his weight.

Olena gasped, liking how easily he could control her body. He tossed her around, as if she was a feather. His chest loomed before her, haloed in light from the ceiling dome. Raven locks reached down, tickling her cheek before his kiss could meet her lips once more.

She couldn’t stop. Her body melted beneath his strength.

Y
usef tasted
flour on her lips and smelled a delectable combination of dough and baking bread. Desire flooded him, pouring out of her into him and back again. It was the one thing she allowed to flow freely between them. He suspected it was because it was the only emotion she didn’t know how to mask.

He teased her mouth, pulling away so their breath mingled. Sweet lips reached for his, begging. She whimpered a soft sound that he captured within him. With a growl, he gave her what she craved. He dipped his head forward to sip from the parted offering, stealing her breath inside himself, tasting her passion. He braced his weight and held her head in his hands, dipping his fingers into the red silk locks to force the kiss deep. His tongue thrust inside her mouth as his hardened body wished to delve inside of her.

Soon she was urging him between her spreading legs and fitted her knees beside his waist. He pressed his arousal against her, grinding through their clothes. They shared a groan of passion. Olena’s eyes opened only to lazily close. Yusef refused to stop. A torrent of pleasure ran rampant through his limbs, making him weak and strong at the same time.

He pulled up her shirt to reveal the lace cupping her breasts. Without bothering to remove the undergarment, he pulled it beneath the soft globes. He devoured a nipple with his mouth, biting and licking her with growing delight.

“Ah, yes.” Olena arched against him. Her legs wrapped around his waist, gripping him tightly. She stretched her fingers into his hair, pulling him closer. Their bodies heated behind the layers of constricting material. Their breath came out in tortured gasps. He rubbed against her, mad with anticipation.

He reached between their bodies, intent on freeing himself and her. Her movements were as eager as his and he couldn’t slow. He promised himself to enjoy her more fully later, but for now he needed to end the torturous aching in his loins. He needed to find release.

O
lena gave in completely
. She tensed, mindless with need. Just as Yusef was about to free his straining cock, he stopped. Leaping off the countertop, he pulled his stunned wife with him.

Olena blinked in surprise as she flew to the floor. Her legs almost fell out from beneath her, protesting their use and she had to grab the counter for support. Her breasts were bare, the nipples budded and reaching. She frowned in confusion to see her husband straightening his pants.

Yusef grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her in front of him to adjust her shirt. He managed to cover her breasts from view just in time to see the front door open.

Olena gasped, as she heard their company coming in. Before turning, she righted her bra beneath her shirt. Yusef’s naked, panting chest rose and fell before her. His scent was still in her head, stinging her body. A loud laugh sounded behind her. Flushing with embarrassment, she turned to see Agro and his very petite wife.

Agro grinned knowingly at the mess the couple had made of the kitchen. He opened his mouth to speak. Olena narrowed her eyes in warning and held up her finger to him.

“One word from you and I’ll do more than blacken your eyes,” she threatened.

Yusef laughed, not embarrassed about being caught making love to his wife—even if it was on his kitchen counter.

Olena smiled at the amused woman by Agro’s side, “Cordele, I presume?”

Cordele nodded, speechless. She was a slender, pretty woman, and didn’t look anything like Olena would have imagined for someone who was pregnant with her twelfth child.

“Nice to meet you,” Olena answered Cordele’s nod, pushing her tousled hair from her face with as much dignity as she could muster. “Now, if you would excuse me.”

Olena walked to the bedroom and shut the door.

“
H
andled like a true princess
,” Agro said in approval when the lady couldn’t hear.

Yusef grinned and leaned over to pick his shirt up from the floor. He was sorry his wife was embarrassed about being caught in his arms, though there was no reason for her to worry.

“If you like we could leave,” Cordele offered.

“Ach, no!” Agro denied, reaching a hand around her to playfully cover his wife’s mouth. “She’s not in her right mind. Those are the female chemicals talking.”

“Chemicals?” Yusef asked.

Cordele giggled as she freed herself from Agro’s teasing embrace. “No. Don’t ask him about his theories on marriage and women.”

“It’s true,” Agro said to the prince. “Women are filled with chemicals. If you shake them they explode.” Then to his wife, he said, “You told me not to shake you on several occasions.”

“Because I’m pregnant and you’re a brute,” Cordele dismissed. Eyeing the dirty countertop, she changed the subject. “Maybe we should eat outside.”

Yusef laughed louder, nodding his head. He didn’t bother to put his shirt on, instead balling it in his fist. “Where are the boys?”

“We left them at home to fend for themselves,” she said with a dismissing wave.

“Good thing, too,” Agro said. “I’m not sure I want them bearing witness to this little stunt of yours.”

Cordele hit her husband on the arm. Tilting her head to Yusef, she suggested, “Why don’t you go and check to make sure she’s all right? We women are not so used to your bold ways when we first arrive. I’ll tend to the bread.”

Yusef took her suggestion and walked across the house to the bedroom door. He didn’t need to be told twice.

“Ach, now, make sure you don’t take too long in there, or else we might eat without you,” Agro yelled, earning him another solid punch from his loving wife. His brow lifted in innocence. “What did I say?”

O
lena gasped
for breath once she was alone. Her whole body trembled, not only from being denied, but with mortification of what she’d almost allowed to happen. She was glad Agro and Cordele had stopped it, for she hadn’t been able to. She had given no protest.

To her shame, she had been willing to let Yusef have her—
completely
.

Taking the bandage off her arm, she studied the thin pink scar. She would just have to be more careful in the future. Obviously, when Yusef kissed her with those expert lips of his she lost her good sense. Jack would be doing angry somersaults in his grave if he saw her now.

Hell,
she thought.
It’s possible he’s dug himself out and is coming to get me for betraying the code.

“Wife?” Yusef asked softly, as he had taken to calling her. Olena jumped, not having heard him enter. His voice shook her from thoughts of the past.

Her husband closed the door behind him and looked down to where she poked at her scar. Olena immediately dropped her hand.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Fine.” The look of his muscular chest did not help her inner struggle against him. Every nerve ending jumped, and her body was more than ready to resume where they had left off. She glanced at the bed, swallowing apprehensively. She lied, “I wanted to clean up. I’m covered in flour.”

“They didn’t mean anything.” Yusef went to the dresser and took out a clean shirt.

“I know,” Olena waved her hand, unconcerned at having been caught. She was angrier at herself for needing outsiders to break it up. If she had to cut her arm a hundred more times, she wouldn’t let it happen again.

“No need to clean the kitchen now. We will light a fire outside. It is a beautiful evening,” he said.

She glanced at him as the shirt fell over his stomach. Suddenly, the memory of his naked body in the tent came to the forefront of her mind, and she had the unbidden fantasy of him leaning her into a wall and taking her standing up. With an unsteady breath that was abnormally loud, she asked, “Why don’t you go start the fire pit? I’ll be out in a minute.”

Yusef leaned over to kiss her but she turned her face away. Instead, he stroked back her hair. His low accent washed over her, as he said, “I’ll see you in a moment then.”

“
W
hat I’m wondering is
,” Olena announced looking pointedly across the fire at Agro. The man cuddled his wife. The meal of roasted
baudrons
was long since finished.

Yusef enjoyed the softer light of the evening. The haze would last all night, not nearly as dark as the festival had been. There was a serene perfection to the cool breeze, warm fire, and friendly company. The men and Olena partook of a stout beer made from grains from the eastern fields. Cordele drank water, respecting her condition.

Lifting her glass, Olena continued to Agro, “Who darkened those daylights of yours?”

Yusef, who was slowly watching his wife get tipsy, smiled at her unique turn of phrase. It seemed the more she drank, the less refined her speech became. Stretching his legs before him, he leaned back.

Agro chuckled, looking meaningfully at the prince.

“Ach, lass.” Agro’s grin widened, unable to help getting a jibe in at Yusef and his brothers, especially knowing the prince wouldn’t dare answer back and reveal who he truly was. “It was one of those boorish princes, the oldest Ualan. He was irritable at the festival and needed to vent.”

“Oh!” Olena said, sitting straighter. “So he took his frustrations out on you, did he? Isn’t that just like royalty?”

Yusef grimaced, his eyes pleading with Agro to let the matter drop.

Agro, who had grown up with all four princes and could rightly call them all friends, did not heed the prince’s plea. His eyes gleamed with mischief. Shaking his head sadly, he said, “Isn’t it, though? I should set you on them, firebird. I bet you could teach them a thing or two.”

“I bet without the title behind his name and in a fair fight, you could have taken him easily,” she insisted. “I bet you’d beat all four of their royal asses—
anyway
.”

Yusef flinched. Cordele hid her face in Agro’s chest and her shoulders shook uncontrollably as she tried to bury her laughter.

Agro lifted his glass to her and drank to her words. Yusef set his on the ground and shook his head, refusing to toast his insolent friend.

“So are you a dragon, too? I haven’t seen the tendencies in you.” Olena arched a brow. “Can I see?”

Agro choked on his drink in surprise. He looked at Yusef who simply shrugged his shoulders and threaded his hands behind his head.

Olena glanced at her husband. Oh, but he was beautiful. She had been trying to avoid looking at him all night. His mouth parted at her attention, and he let his eyes flash with gold, noting her mild obsession with shifting. To his pleasure, she finished off her drink in several gulps. She was clearly as affected by him as he was her. The passion from earlier surged forward and he wanted nothing more than to lean over and kiss her, and to keep kissing her for the rest of his life. The truth of his feelings was as real as anything in his life. The gods would not have given them to each other if he was not meant to love her.

“Ach, enough of that,” Agro grouched, breaking into the lovers’ trance.

“I could say the same to you,” Yusef answered, annoyed by the interruption. The stream of fiery emotions that radiated from her eyes was almost more than his denied body could take. “What with number twelve on the way and—?”

“Music,” Cordele broke in lightly, pushing up from her husband’s arms. “Yusef, would you mind playing for us? It has been awhile and I am sure your bride would love to hear her husband’s fine talent.”

Yusef smiled at the woman’s request and nodded his head. Olena blinked in surprise, but said nothing.

“I’ll go with you,” Agro said, clearly being pushed by his wife.

Leading the way to his bedroom, Yusef pulled his
gittern
from the back of his closet and strummed the instrument’s four strings to make sure it was in tune.

Agro leaned on the frame of the door, watching quietly for a moment. When Yusef finished, he said, “She knows about the Draig, yet you say nothing about who you are. Why?”

Yusef wasn’t surprised by the prying question. He let a sad line edge his mouth and said nothing.

“So you think she would reject you if you told her.”

“You heard her opinion about royalty. What do you think would happen if I told her she was a princess?” They spoke in their native tongue to ensure they wouldn’t be overheard by the women. “There is no rush. If she asks me directly, I’ll answer honestly.”

“Your wife has fire, friend, that’s for sure. I don’t envy you that. My Cordele is as sweet and mild as any man could dream of wanting in a woman.” Then wiggling his eyebrows wickedly, Agro added, “And, oh, can she dance. Drives me nearly insane each time I see her practicing. I swear that’s why she’s pregnant more often than not.”

“I always did like fire.” A soft smile grew on his features as he thought of the challenge his nameless wife presented him. “Now, if only I could figure out what to call her.”

Agro laughed, “You know, the same thing has been bothering me.”

O
lena watched
the men disappear inside. As Yusef moved out of her line of sight, she took a deep breath. The man affected her.

When the women were alone, Cordele said, “You know, the royals here are not bad. They are not like the monarchy on other planets.”

Olena eyed the woman. Was she related to the royal family? “You’re not a princess, are you?”

“No.” Cordele laughed.

Olena relaxed and was again able to breathe. For a moment, she’d been scared the royal family would get wind of her insults. That was definitely some attention she did not need.

“I am a dance instructor,” Cordele said. “In fact, I am teaching one of the new princesses a traditional Qurilixian dance in a few days. Prince Ualan came by and asked me just this morning.”

“He probably felt bad for doing that to your husband’s eyes. You should have told him to stick it.”

Cordele chuckled. “To tell the truth, my husband probably deserved it.”

Olena conceded to the woman’s insight with a nod. “I can see how you have your hands full with him.”

Cordele eyed the door where the men had gone into the home. “I should probably apologize now for any advice my husband might give yours. He has interesting theories on women and I’m afraid I do not correct him as I should. I find his logic endearing, but never took into consideration the fact he might share that knowledge with unsuspecting husbands.”

“Unsuspecting husbands?” Agro asked as he came from the house to rejoin the women. “You’re not telling her about the time I came home and you were wearing nothing but that—”

“No!” Cordele made a high-pitched noise of embarrassment. “Stop talking. Now.”

Agro laughed, but obliged.

Olena studied the man’s face. The pure love he felt for his wife shone in his eyes.

Soft music filled the evening as Yusef played a simple melody. Olena turned her attention to him, enthralled by the movements of his fingers as they plucked deftly at the strings of his
instrument. He really was a man of many talents.

As if feeling her eyes on him, Yusef turned to her, not breaking the song as he winked in her direction. Her heart skipped a little as she blushed and looked away. Her glass was empty and so she couldn’t hide her face in a drink, as she had done all night when Yusef’s heated gaze found her.

Olena unconsciously rubbed her arm. It didn’t hurt anymore but she could feel the thin scar through the cotton shirt. Maybe if she had been left to suffer through the healing, her resolve against her handsome, barbaric husband would have been stronger. Time drifted under the melody. The song did not seem to end, but morphed from one tune into another, pulling emotions from her. The liquor relaxed her body and she simply stared at his strumming fingers. Memories cascaded through her thoughts, strange flashes of her life.

Cordele stretched and yawned. Olena knew they were going to leave soon. Almost in a panic, she wanted to stop them, but she couldn’t think of a single excuse to make them stay.

“Firebird,” Agro began. “Thank you for inviting us, but I think I should get my lovely wife home to bed.”

Cordele yawned again, nodding in agreement. “It was a divine evening.”

Yusef’s song finished and he stood. He kicked out the fire pit. Olena grew more nervous. She had seen the look in her husband’s eyes all night. He was going to want to finish what they started in the kitchen. She couldn’t let that happen.

Yusef said his polite goodbyes as the couple took their leave, arm in arm. Olena dutifully invited them back sometime. They waved, saying they would love it. Cordele’s head leaned against Agro’s shoulder and he swept her into his arms and carried her down the path with ease. She heard the woman’s soft laugh as Cordele was hugged to her husband’s chest.

Olena watched them leave.

“Well, I’m a little tired myself,” she lied when they were alone, forcing a yawn, though she was hardly sleepy. “I think I’m going to go get some sleep.”

Yusef smiled as she walked into the house. When she glanced back, she saw him finish smothering the fire and, grabbing the
gittern
, he moved to follow her inside. She quickened her pace, looking over her shoulder. Latching the door behind him, he set the instrument on the couch and left it as he moved to follow her.

The oddly seducing call of his music stayed in her head, pursuing her.

“What are you doing?” she asked, though it wasn’t necessary. She saw the intent clearly in his gaze. When his eyes flashed gold to hint at his shifter abilities, her heart leapt to dangerous speeds. His beastly side excited her. Desire warmed her blood. He let his eyes shift again, swirling with liquid gold, as if knowing what it did to her.

“I’m going to pick up where we left off.” Slowly, he took his tunic from his shoulders and tossed it aside as he stalked her.

“I’m too tired.” Even as she said it, she knew this was a man who wouldn’t be dissuaded with words. Her heart raced. “Maybe we should wait until another time.”

His nostrils flared slightly as he inhaled. “Your body says otherwise.”

Olena shivered. Now that wasn’t fair. “I drank too much.”

“And yet you do not appear to be impaired.”

She backed up as he came for her, realizing too late that he had forced her into the bedroom. She glanced around in panic, moving away from the bed.

“You’re nothing but a race of sexually charged men,” she said in dismay, trying to stop him with words but ready to fight off his pounce. Her legs shook. “Invest in a pleasure droid or something, would you?”

That brought a dangerous smirk to his face. “You didn’t seem to mind my attentions at the festival or this afternoon in the kitchen. In fact, I think you actually begged me to —”

“I was drugged at the festival,” she defended weakly. She swayed, tipsy from drinking. “I didn’t —”

“I thought you said you knew what we were doing and could fight the drug.” His tone indicated he thought this was a game and his expression said he had no problem playing the hunter. She tried to deny him, but her body ached for his with each and every tingling nerve. Her pussy called to him, begging even when her lips would not.

“I was faking it,” she lied. Yusef laughed. Olena’s hand went automatically to her hair searching for the firefly pin. He laughed harder.

“You didn’t think I would let you have that back after what you did, did you?” He shook his head, his hair splaying over his shoulders.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t need it. You couldn’t make me feel anything for you if you tried.” The words were a last resort and she hoped he would back down. She really should have known better. His eyes lit in delight. It was too late to take the words back. The challenge had been issued and he accepted it enthusiastically.

Olena jerked back as he sprang forward with a supernatural speed to lift her into his embrace. Her feet dangled off the floor. Her arms pressed into her sides. She struggled to become free but he was too strong. He let her feel the physical power he had over her, let the press of his erection mold confidently into her soft thigh. Her nipples hardened against his chest.

Don’t let him kiss you. Don’t let him kiss you,
her mind chanted. Her lashes dipped over her eyes.
Don’t let him ki—oh.

Blast.

Yusef’s lips took hers in rough possession, stealing her breath. Her battle was lost the moment she tasted him. She returned his kiss in full force, without hesitation, groaning her aching need into his mouth. She found a hold in his hair, dipping her fingers into the softness of his locks. He smelled like wood smoke, tasted like mint and felt every inch of hard man.

Oh how easily her defenses crumbled to him. As Olena melted into his arms, he set her down on the floor. Her mind might hate her for it, but her body was all his and he clearly had every intention of staking full claim. She ran her hands to explore his chest, tweaked her fingers over his nipples.

“I need you now.” He growled a low, barbaric, animalistic sound of domination and appreciation. Before she comprehended what was happening, Yusef had worked her clothes from her body, throwing her shirt and pooling her pants around her ankles. He moved his fingers to her moist center, spreading her open so he could test her. She was more than ready for him and the discovery made his actions aggressive in response.

Her hips bucked against him and her eyes grew wide in shock at the sensations he stirred with just his hand. Emboldened as her fingers roamed over his neck for support, he freed her mouth so he could incinerate her breasts with kisses. Her head fell back and she arched into his expertly sucking lips. He held her to him, licking the sensitive tips, making her quiver beneath the stroking of his hand.

Olena let her hands roam every inch of his body, his back and strong arms, his chest, neck and stomach. Hitting the barrier of his pants, she searched eagerly for the ties to free him and worked the material from his hips.

Yusef growled and did not slow his assault. As her hand grabbed hold of his arousal, he slipped a finger inside her. She cried out weakly, squeezing him painfully tight in surprise. He tried to pull back, as if wanting to study her face. She let go of him only to grip his head to her chest, as she rode his finger.