Matching Dragons Chinese Zodiac Romance Series Book 6 (12 page)

She returned his glower with equal ferocity. “Your siblings are dead, but you don’t have to punish yourself for their deaths. You deserve to live the happy life they were denied.” She stroked her finger down his cheek.

His eyes stung, so he squeezed them shut. She understood too well. A part of him had always desired the same fate as his den mates, yet he’d not permitted himself until he’d achieved vengeance.

Was she right? Could he accept this gift of peace?

Kadence’s warm fingers left his skin as she stepped forward. He lifted open his eyes, inhaling deeply to set aside his pain.

One of the Huanglong glided forward to greet Kadence. Her sly golden gaze passed from him to his pearl, settling on Kadence with piercing shrewdness. “Your Master, Lok Shenlong, has been accused of a most heinous crime. What evidence do you present in his defense?”

Kadence straightened her shoulders. “His memories of the event, and proof of the true murderer.”

The dragon opened her clawed foot and a pulse of light shot onto Kadence’s forehead. She grimaced, clenching her jaw, while the dragon probed her mind.

Lok fisted his hands. Waves of electrical zaps crested through his connection to Kadence, but she didn’t cry out, or stumble. His beautiful love stood, so certain of his innocence and his worth, that she would endure any torment to prove it to the world.

How had he ever earned such kindness? He hadn’t, but he would spend the rest of his days expressing his gratitude to her.

After a few minutes, the dragon’s examination ended, the pulse of light fading. She stepped backward and murmured among the other dragons.

Lok shot forward and scooped Kadence into his arms.

“Been through worse.” She smiled and patted his cheek. “I’m fine, Lok.”

The lead dragon broke away from the others. “Lok of the Shenlong Dragons, we hereby absolve you of the crime of murdering your den mates. Enjoy your flaming pearl.” He didn’t miss the glimmer of awe and envy in her eye before she inclined her head and departed with the flock of yellow beasts.

“That’s it?” Kadence tilted her chin to peer at him.

He swallowed thickly and nodded. Dragons didn’t stick around for formalities. If they’d chosen to execute him, they would have departed promptly after beheading him.

“So, what now?”

“Well, they will likely seek out the Jiaolong Dragons, to determine if any of Xur’s kin played a role, or—”

Kadence cupped his chin and drew his face to hers. “I meant with us, silly dragon.” Laughing, she pressed her lips to his in a brief kiss.

He clutched her tighter, nuzzling into her neck. “I have no idea. I never planned for a future.”

“Well, you’d better start. Because apparently, I’m immortal, and so are you. Which means we’re going to have a long one. Together.”

“Indeed, we are.” Easing back, he peered at this beautiful female who risked everything for him, who’d dragged him through
Dìyù
and back, only to come out on the other side. A stronger, better version of themselves.

She’d taken a tortured exile and made him capable of love.

Perhaps, that was her greatest power. Her greatest gift to him.

“Well, the deal I made with the Matchmaker is null, and since I’ve declared you mine, my claim transcends hers. So let’s put off joining the Lotus League for now, yes?”

She smiled. “Agreed. But what about Han and the princess?”

He shrugged. “If he truly loves her, he’ll have to rescue her himself. From more than just a physical prison.” Sighing, Lok pressed a light kiss to her lips. “Now, I think we should try out a human tradition.” He whipped the chain from off her wrist, sliding it over the fourth finger of her left hand. “Kadence, will you be my mate?”

She stared at their hands, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth. “Are you sure? I’m not a dragon. You might get bored with me.”

Lok barked a laugh. “From the moment I met you, you’ve spun my head and set the pace. I’ll be too busy trying to keep up with you to ever desire another. Trust me, love, you’ve slayed this dragon’s heart. And I’ll do whatever it takes to claim yours.”

“Well, in that case, I think the word you’re looking for is wife.” She laughed. “And the binding isn’t quite so literal.” She wrinkled her nose at his makeshift ring, grinning. “But yes. A thousand times, yes, Lok.” She wrapped her hands around his neck, bringing their lips together. “You don’t have to claim my heart because you’ve already won it. I’ll always be yours.”

He nipped at her lips, teasing them open. Her flaming hair flowed around her lovely face, violet eyes sparkling with love. Such a vision of beauty, she’d entranced him from his very first glimpse. And he wouldn’t have it any other way. “Oh, I know you will, little one.” He framed her face in his hands, feeling like the luckiest dragon on earth, to have met his perfect match. “Because I’m never letting you out of my sight.”

*****

nĭn hăo
– formal greeting in Mandarin

nĭ hăo
– informal greeting in Mandarin

shūshu
– “uncle” (father’s younger brother) in Mandarin

zhínǚ
– “niece” (brother’s daughter) in Mandarin

xiānshēng
– “Mr.” in Mandarin

Nonya
– a traditional blend of Chinese and Malay cuisine

chī fàn
– traditional words spoken for elders to eat first

xiǎo tùzi guāi guāi
– nursery rhyme “Well-behaved Little Rabbit”

tùzi
– “rabbit” in Mandarin

Lái Zhīdé –
Neo-Confucian philosopher who introduced the
yin-yang
symbol

sayang
– “love” in Malay, used as a term of endearment

yin-yang –
complementary, opposing forces that when in sync, result in the balance of the Earth. When out of sync, the Earth falls into imbalance.
Yin
is dark, cold, water, death, female, moon, etc.
Yang
is light, hot, fire, life, male, sun, etc.

jīng
– one of the Three Treasures; sexual energy

qì –
one of the Three Treasures; life-force energy

shén
– one of the Three Treasures; spiritual energy

qìgōng –
a practice involving coordinated breathing, movement, and awareness, traditionally viewed as a practice to cultivate and balance
qì

Iron Crutch Li
– Li Tieguai, Sheng’s ancestor and the hero of
REMATCH
. One of the Eight Immortals

Hé Qióng
– The Immortal Woman, one of the Eight Immortals. Mei and Lucy’s ancestor

Zhongli Quan
– one of the Eight Immortals. Natalie’s ancestor

Zhang Guolao
– one of the Eight Immortals. Kassian’s ancestor

Péng lái, Fāngzhàng, Yíngzhōu
– the islands of the Eight Immortals

Áo –
a large marine turtle in Chinese mythology that carries the islands of the Eight Immortals upon his back

yāoguài
– demons who live in
Dìyù
and sometimes break free

Dìyù
– Hell. It contains eighteen layers.

batik
– a traditional Malaysian fabric

wǔshù –
a form of martial arts

Kongsi
– a clan association; a secret society

Hai San
– Sheng’s
Kongsi

Ghee Hin
– the enemy of the Hai San

Wen Shen
– The Plague God responsible for the Red Death

Báijiǔ
– an Asian liquor similar to vodka

Shèhúnzéi
– “Spirit Thief”

Néih hóu
– a Cantonese greeting

Yum cha
– to “drink tea” in Cantonese

M goi
– “thank you” in Cantonese

M̀h'sái haak-hei
–
“you’re welcome” in Cantonese

Suanmeitang
– a traditional cooling tea

húli jīng
– a fox spirit

shuǐ guǐ
– a water ghost

nǎinai
– “grandmother” in Mandarin

Nüwa
– the goddess of the fox spirits

Yuánjiāo Island
- one of the islands of the Eight Immortals

Kun Peng
– a mythological creature that can transform into both a bird and a fish

Bahasa
– language of the fox spirits

saat saum
– “pretty please” in
Bahasa

arkoun
– “thank you” in
Bahasa

sthananorok
– “hell” in
Bahasa

semangat
– Malay for “passion”

Aschar Mteay
– “Great Mother” in
Bahasa

phaem
– “sweet” in
Bahasa

sapha
– “mine” in
Bahasa

Kar Svakom
– greeting in
Bahasa

Jiaolong dragons
– crocodile-like green dragons that rule the seas

Huanglong dragons
– yellow dragons; representatives of the Jade Emperor

jadie
– slang for a human who seeks out carnal exploits with those of the Jade Emperor’s world

Han Xiangzi
– one of the Eight Immortals. Famous for being a musician and the star-crossed lover of a dragon princess

Shenlong dragons
– azure dragons who control thunder and weather

Qinglong dragons
– sapphire-scaled dragons of the East

I think everyone has a special spot for dragons and I’m so excited to introduce my version of them to you in this novella. Rest assured, there are plenty more dragons to come!

Thank you to Gina Kincade and Naughty Nights Press for organizing the
Alpha Shifters After Dark
boxed set where
Matching Dragons
was first released.

Karie, my superhero assistant, thank you for everything you do. Which is pretty much everything. Hence, the superhero title. LOL.

To my awesome street team, Rachael’s Rush Hour, and my fantastic Review Team, thank you for being so amazing and supportive.

My crazy awesome beta readers, Gina, Nicola, April, Ashley, and Bonnie, your insights and enthusiasm are treasured.

Thanks again Kelley Heckart for another killer copy edit. Jeanette Palafox and NovelArt Designs, thanks for your creative work.

To my wonderful family, you are my heart. Hugs and kisses.

Lastly, to my readers, thank you for taking this journey with me.

Rachael has explored forgotten temples in Cambodia, kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, and stood inside the Roman Coliseum. She loves studying people and cultures, current and ancient. Her appetite for romance began with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s
Anne of Green Gables
, which she later nurtured with a healthy dose of Jane Austen.

As a writer of scorching hot fantasy romance, Rachael blends the lines between mythology, reality, and fantasy. In her worlds, you’ll encounter strong, sexy alpha males and the capable women who challenge them. If her heroines can’t meet their heroes toe-to-toe, then they’ll bring them to their knees.

No matter what torture she puts her characters through, true love will always prevail. Love is, after all, the most powerful force on Earth, and beyond.