A solid wooden door broke the blank length of the outer wall, and I pushed at it. A square courtyard, rough-tiled and lined with similar wooden doors, lay beyond. I found a compact boiler room and a door opened onto a small breakfast room. Amanda hastily scrambled to her feet, her chair scraping against the worn tiles. She was followed by the five other people seated at the wooden table. Amanda bowed her head.
“Lady Jaime.” Her tone held respect and none of the earlier teasing. “How may I help you?”
I stopped my fingers curling into tight fists. I was the First Dragon’s mate. This was my life now. Still, it was bloody strange to have people bowing and scraping before me. “I’m exploring.” I smiled and the pride of my mythoi kept my spine straight. “Thank you for the offer, Amanda.”
She met my smile. “My honour, Lady.”
In the kitchen-populated by yet more bowing staff-I found a stone staircase that twisted up to the next floor. Thankfully, the wide landing it opened onto was empty. I let out a heavy breath and ignored the way my gryphon preened at the deference paid to us.
Light flooded in from the long windows set over the main staircase, and the large, square landing presented me with more door choices. The master bedroom, with its vast, dark four poster bed, was out. Sinon had slept there, I could feel it, and my gryphon reared at his scent. I was thankful to slam the door. I found another long, light bedroom, its bay window looking over the misted grounds.
Somewhere in the house, Kaden thrashed out his place in the hierarchy of dragons. My gut twisted at the thought, and I sought the comfort of the wide bed. If they didn’t recognize his ascension… Shit, I hated being caught up in dragon politics. I kicked off my boots and dropped my coat over a nearby chair. Damp air chilled me, and I crawled under the covers, hugging a pillow, burying my face in it and finding the soft scents of lavender and chamomile. I breathed them in, and my gryphon spread a soothing calm over me. She had no doubt about Kaden’s power. None. And her confidence let my tired body find rest.
I awoke to find a hot mouth against my neck, and the familiar scents of my mate slid deep into my lungs. I arched my spine, luxuriating in the large hands sliding down my ribs.
“You’re still dressed,” Kaden murmured, his fingers making quick work of the buttons on my trousers. “Not the gift a First Dragon should come back to.”
I opened my eyes and let my fingers tease through his dark hair. He was naked, and the smooth muscles of his back were too much of a temptation. I explored him, the heat of his skin a joy to touch. “Your meeting went well?”
I felt his smile against my skin, and my heart squeezed. “You had any doubt?” He pushed my trousers down, taking my underwear with them. “The worldwide broadcast of my battle with Sinon smoothed the way.” I heard the smirk in his voice. “Though I’ve been politely banned from using flame again.”
“Shame.” The word came out on a gasp as Kaden teased hot fingers along the bared crease of my thigh.
“And they have no idea what I am either.” His soft laughter stirred my damp skin. “Though I think they now have an unofficial ban on a dragon-gryphon mating.”
“And we’re the exception?”
His eyes held mine. “Always.”
My gryphon stirred and then surged at the presence of her mate. Their melting heat as they coalesced ran liquid fire through my blood. Kaden stiffened, but the molten want in his gaze, the desire, the love there, caught my breath. “We want you.”
I stroked his cheek, the love of this man and the mythoi bound into his blood making my heart light. They were mine, ours. Forever. Yes, the best-and most unexpected-birthday present I could ever have. I didn’t deny the bright grin that broke out, Kaden mirroring it. My mouth teased his, and satisfaction slid hot under my skin at his indrawn breath. “You have us.”
About the Author
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