The Mating Season: Werewolves of Montana Book 6 (13 page)

“I was afraid of that. Alex phoned me recently and told me he doesn’t want to wed the princess. He wants to marry for love.” Sebastian stared at the photograph of himself and Skylar. “I know what that’s like. I would not want to marry for anything but love.”

Tristan watched his former servant’s expression. “Did you know Alex gained access to the Shadow Lands only because of the power of
your
blood? He had the ability to be a Shadow Jumper, but it was muted. With your blood, it became powerful.”

“Damn! I didn’t know or I’d never have changed blood in the formal oath.”

“It is not your fault, Sebastian. Alex is reckless and impulsive.”

“No more than I was.”

“True,” Tristan agreed. “You dragons are often such.”

“You’ve got to get him out of there.”

“I shall. But this is why I need a favor.”

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. “You’re not going to hurt Drust, and get your revenge?”

He chose his words with care. “My first concern is getting Prince Alexander out of the Shadow Lands and home, where he belongs.”

True enough.

“How can you talk him into it? Alex is pretty damn stubborn. He could stay there forever.”

“Unless he is convinced his family loves him and needs him back.”

Sebastian snorted. “Good luck with that. My uncle, the king, sees Alex as a stud to procreate and unite kingdoms. But maybe you can send me.”

“No. You are needed here if you and Skylar wish to make that baby you’ve both longed to conceive. But a token from you, a blood sacrifice to convince him that he is loved and needed, will suffice.”

“Anything you need. Alex and I have been close since childhood. He’s pulled me from scrapes time and again. I’d do anything for him.”

“Good. Then I shall require one of your mate’s scales, which, unfortunately, I will have to remove from her skin. While she is conscious.”

He let the words sink in. It didn’t take long, for Sebastian bolted to his feet. “Son of a fucking lizard!”

Ah, the dragon was a little upset. Tristan crossed one leg over his knee.

“You touch her, and I don’t care if you
are
the fucking Silver Wizard, you are fucking dead.”

“I’m immortal and you can’t kill me,” he said without irony. “So will you sit down and take a deep breath?”

No use. Sebastian paced, his gaze whipping to the portrait on the wall. Tristan let him pace, let him work it out. Sebastian was devoted to Skylar and he sensed his torment.

He turned, and Tristan saw his pulse finally return to normal. “Why Sky? Why not me? Take
my
scale to free my cousin.”

“It will not work because your scales aren’t as strong,” he said bluntly. “And a sacrifice from your mate, made willingly, would convince Alexander more than anything that he is loved and cherished, for you already shared a blood bond with him.”

“How badly will it hurt? Will she be maimed? Does she have a choice in the matter or are you going to tie her down, dig it out of her and do whatever the hell you please?”

“She has a choice. She can say no. The choice is entirely up to her. I merely did you a courtesy by informing you, because I know the protective traits of shifters.” Tristan stretched out his hands and stared at them ruefully. “Myself included. But I have the means to replace the scale with something that will not only make her whole again, but endow her with powers she has never before had. She will be nearly invincible.”

As Sebastian digested this, he added softly, “Stronger than you.”

The dragon waved a hand. “I don’t care about that. I care only about her getting hurt. So this would be an extra layer of protection?”

Tristan nodded.

Understanding flashed in the dragon’s eyes. “That’s the real reason you want the scale. It’s not just for Alex, but to give Sky protection that will make her undefeatable when she is dragon.”

Though he smiled inside at his friend’s insight, Tristan didn’t blink. “Perhaps.”

“Okay.” He gave a deep breath. “I’m not crazy about the idea, but it’s up to Sky. I’m game if she is. And I do love Alex. He’s critical to the clan. I know Drust loved seeing me and having me visit and he’s so damn lonely, but Alex has to get free from there. I bet Drust is coaxing him to stay just to have someone to talk with.”

“Your great-grandfather is selfish.”

“He’s in purgatory. He was pretty damn bitter last time I saw him.”

And he will become even more bitter when I am finished with him.

Sebastian gave him a level look. “I don’t blame you for hating Drust’s guts. But that’s in your past and Alex is our clan’s future. However, if Sky says no, I don’t care if her scale can spring that whole frigging clan of mine. No is no. Deal?”

He smiled. He’d always respected Sebastian for serving him without complaint, and for his loyalty, but he respected him even more now. “Deal.”

“Let’s tell her now; let her make the choice.”

“No,” Tristan said. “Let them have their girl time. Skylar needs it as much as Nikita.”

The dragon looked surprised, then gave a wry smile. “Damn, I have been hogging Sky all to myself, huh?”

“A natural reaction among mates. Come. Grab a beer and show me around the compound while they get pampered.”

Two hours later, after Sebastian had not only taken Tristan on a thorough tour, but also enlisted his help in repairing a broken limestone wall, Skylar and Nikita emerged from the castle. Nikita looked much more relaxed, her blue eyes shining as she greeted them. He kissed her cheek, needing to ground himself by touching her soft skin.

Skylar’s expression was troubled when Tristan finished explaining to her what he required. Nikita looked ill.

“Is it truly necessary?” Nikita asked. Then she bit her lush lower lip. “I’m sorry. You wouldn’t ask if it were not.”

His mate’s reaction pleased Tristan. She was beginning to trust him.

“You can say no, Skylar. There will be no retribution.”

Tears formed in Skylar’s eyes. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t restored Sebastian after he died, Tristan. Anything you wish, it is yours. And Alex is needed by his clan. He is the heir. He is the future of uniting Clan Drakon and Clan Ciamoth.”

Sebastian kissed his mate. “You certain about this, sweetheart?”

Skylar nodded. “Let’s just get it over with. Now. The longer I wait, the more scared I will get.”

“I wish I could administer something to make you feel no pain, but unfortunately, if I do that, it will alter the scale.”

He looked at Sebastian. “It is best that you not witness this, Sebastian. Your natural instinct will be to protect your mate, and strike out at me. In doing so, you could seriously injure Skylar. Why don’t you take Nikita for a little ride?”

As Skylar shifted into her dragon form, her diamond scales glittering in the sunshine, Tristan felt his former protégé’s worry, but it was mixed with trust.

Sebastian went to the large yard and shifted into a silver dragon. He looked back at Nikita, who laughed as she climbed on his back.

“Hang tight,” Tristan called out. “Enjoy. It is better than a ride on a roller coaster.”

When they soared into the sky and were out of sight, Tristan turned to Skylar. Her huge emerald eyes reflected trepidation.

“I will not lie, Skylar. This will hurt like hell, but only for a moment, and when I finish, you’ll be stronger than ever. Strong enough to resist not only disease, but any other dragons trying to defeat or injure you.”

Skylar grinned, showing rows of jagged teeth, and nodded.

Tristan gritted his teeth and took out the crystal he had snipped off Xavier’s hair. Then he removed a small silver knife from his pocket, and coated it with coldfire, the most cleansing, and potent of fires. Only with coldfire could he penetrate Skylar’s diamond scales. The coldfire would numb the area, but only slightly.

Coldfire, his most potent power.

“One, two,” he murmured. “Three.”

He sank the blade into the chink between Skylar’s scales. She roared, fire pouring from her mouth, and inside his mind, he heard her human scream. Tristan winced and dug. No time for emotions. He worked quickly, cutting and dropping the bloodied diamond scale on the lawn. He summoned his powers and turned Xavier’s crystal into a new scale, glittering in the sunlight. Coating it with coldfire, he gently placed it upon her bloodied skin. It melded to her skin, and snugly fit against the other scales.

Stepping back, he murmured a chant and placed a calming hand on her body. And then watched, transfixed, as the sparkling glow from Xavier’s crystal engulfed her body. Skylar’s roar of pain turned into a howl of joy. Oh yes. Feel the power. Skylar would now be practically invincible in dragon form, unable to be defeated by even the most powerful dragons.

Trust. He trusted Sebastian with his beloved’s life, and he trusted Sebastian’s mate with such incredible magick.

Finally, the glow vanished from Skylar’s body. She turned and looked at him, her eyes shining as he put the bloodied diamond scale into a protective bag and slid it into his pocket. And then she shifted back, and conjured clothing as Sebastian landed with Nikita. As soon as Nikita slid off his back, Sebastian shifted to Skin, conjured clothing and rushed to Skylar’s side.

“Wow.” She beamed at Tristan. “That hurt like hell, but only for a moment. The rush of power after? Holy dragonfire, it was almost as good as an orgasm!”

Tristan laughed, greatly relieved to see her in good spirits.

“What’s almost as good as an orgasm?” Sebastian demanded.

“My touch with women, Sebastian. It is almost as potent as the pleasure you give your mate,” Tristan told him.

Sebastian growled and fisted his hands, and Nikita giggled. “Tristan, please. Stop poking the dragon in the cage.”

Skylar cupped her mate’s cheek. “Easy, big boy. I said almost.”

Judging from the way they gazed at each other, it was time to leave. Tristan slid an arm around Nikita’s waist and held out his hand to Sebastian. “Thank you, for everything.”

Sebastian looked surprised as he shook his hand, but Skylar gave a shy smile as Tristan kissed her cheek. “Thank
you
, Tristan. For everything.”

Tristan pointed to the back of the compound. “That back fence is most sturdy now. And you shall not have to worry about intruders or attacks. I warded your entire compound with my magick. It will not fade.”

Nikita said good-bye as well. Tristan waved a hand and they dematerialized.

When they materialized seconds later, she looked around with a stunned expression. “I can’t believe it.”

He had taken her back, to her home, where the portal was to the Shadow Lands.

The Blakemore Ranch. He knew she would not like what she saw.

For everything, all she had known her entire life, was gone.

Chapter 7

Nothing was as she remembered.

Tears blurred her vision as Niki walked around the lodge. The entire ranch had a feeling of disuse and even the fresh aroma of pine wafting from the nearby trees had vanished, replaced with the acrid stench of old smoke and ashes. The cabin where Nia had lived was gone, burnt to the ground.

“Aiden burnt it because he did not want to take chances with the parvolupus disease and your lab,” Tristan told her quietly. “Then Xavier destroyed the remains with coldfire to ensure the disease would never again infect anyone or the land itself.”

“Gone? That quickly?” she whispered, staring at the overgrown pasture, the corrals where horses had once pranced and played.

Weeds grew around the lodge, and as the wind rustled through the trees, she could almost hear them sigh with regret.

“I had asked Xavier to handle any problems with Lupines in my absence and when he discovered what Aiden planned, he helped. It was for the best.”

For the best. Her childhood home, her refuge, gone.

“My parents’ graves…”

“Are still in the forest.”

Tristan watched her quietly as she went to the ruined shell of her twin’s cabin. “My things…”

“I’m sorry, my sweet. I salvaged your pajamas, and Nia asked Xavier to save jewelry plus the electronic files on your laptop and all the family photographs, but everything else was destroyed.”

Everything gone. Her computer. Her diary, where she’d jotted down notes about the ranch and trying to find a cure for the disease. Her lab, all her brothers’ things that she had kept in the closet to remind her of family—like their favorite baseball mitts—gone.

Even the stuffed wolf she’d had as a child. One ear had been missing and a glass eye gone, but she’d put it in her armchair, for it comforted her on nights when she was so lonely and could not run herself as a wolf.

Niki sifted through the ashes, not caring that her hands got dirty, not caring that Tristan stood by, watching her. Her life was…gone.

Nothing was hers anymore.

“Please go away; leave me alone,” she told him quietly. “I need some privacy.”

“I cannot. It’s too dangerous.”