Unexpected Mate (Dragon Goddess #2)

Chapter Twenty-two

I spent the next day in bed. It felt like my body was trying to turn itself inside out. I would rather grab a lightning bolt than experience another cycle. The men had teleported several large mattresses into the cave, trying to make me as comfortable as possible. I was proud of myself for not giving in to my dragon instincts since the previous morning, but also I didn’t feel confident enough in my control to stay near people yet. So, it was back to the cave for me.

The bed dipped as Leo sat next to me. He cheerfully held out a tub of ice cream as though offering food to his loving mate, and not a predator who might take his arm off along with the treat.

“Thank you, Leo,” I said politely, before snatching the tub and spoon from his hand and guarding it in the crook of my arm. His laughter eased my tension and I began to eat, still keeping an eye out for anyone who might dare to steal my food.

“I would ask how you are feeling, but I am pretty sure that’s on the list of top five things not to ask a woman.”

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“So, instead I was going to ask what you’d been thinking about. Your expression for the past several hours has been a mix of pain and concentration. Is there something else going on? Anything I can help you with?”

How had I gotten such a sweet mate? I knew my five mates loved me completely and unconditionally, but I had also picked up on their unease after the battle. They weren’t sure if I could find balance, or if my instincts would always rule my mind and my body. In some ways it was as if they were living with a bratty two year old, or an out-of-control teenager. I had to sort through my emotions and instincts; I had to learn to control them enough to ensure that others could be safe around me.

Leo had treated me the same after the battle as he had before it. Even when I felt the most out of control and my other mates were working hard to soothe me, he would casually throw an arm around me and start chatting away. It was endearing and slightly worrisome that he seemed to lack self-preservation.

There wasn’t a box I could lock my dragon side away in, keeping it under lock and key until I needed to call on that power. Beasty was no longer there, helping me to control the energy that heated my blood and made everything so much worse. Ivo thought I needed to find a way to rein in my dragon instincts, but there was no distinction. There was only me and I had to learn self-control all over again.

“The ice cream helps, thank you,” I said.

Leo smiled as I scooted up against him.

“I was trying to process the information in my mind,” I added. “There’s just so much, and it is overwhelming trying to sift through it.”

“What do you mean? What information?”

“When Beasty and I merged, I received all her memories.”

My other mates had settled themselves around me on the mattress. My heart was so full. These were my mates, my circle. We had defeated Draven and his army of mercenaries. Leo had taken out the wizards who’d betrayed us. We still needed to speak with the wizard council about what had happened, and we had to attend this ball to assure the paranormal community that we were allies. But the evil had been destroyed, and once I was ready, we could move into a home and start our lives together. That gave the greatest incentive to get my act together.

“I’m confused,” Leo replied. “My understanding was that a shifter’s beast didn’t have memories of their own? They’re born a new person, just like the human side, right?”

“I don’t know the answer to that,” I said. “I just know what Beasty told me, and what I am learning now. Beasty lived before, a long time ago. The fates used me as a vessel, and instead of being born with a brand spanking new dragon, I was given Beasty. I’m trying to piece it all together, but I think it has something to do with the whole goddess thing.”

Leo, Mithraheal and the twins nodded thoughtfully. Ivo let out a strangled sound. “Goddess? Is this another word that means something different in modern speech?”he asked.

“The word can be used in other contexts, but I am referring to the original meaning of the word. You know, the whole ‘dragon of the sea’ thing?”

I watched as he paled, quite a feat for a man with such beautiful tan skin. Why was he so freaked out? Hadn’t this come up in conversation already? Judging by his expression, apparently not.

“What’s your name?” Ivo asked.

He was getting weirder by the moment. “Tia, but you know that,” I replied. “You’ve been calling me by my name for a week now.”

He waved off my answer, “Yes, but is that your full name? Or a pet name from your parents? Dragoness, what is your name?”

My power surged up within me in response, my chin lifting into the air. My tattoos glowed and energy crackled in the air around me.

“I am goddess Tiamat, Dragoness of the Sea.”

The walls of the cave cracked ominously, and wind swirled around me.

Yep, I still had it.

Leo burst out laughing. Clearly, I had projected my thoughts in the bond .

Ivo wasn’t laughing. He stood to his feet in shock, his hands trembling, his breathing fast and uneven.

“Ivo, babe, are you okay?” I handed Levi the empty ice cream container and moved to stand in front of my handsome dragon. My fingertips grazed his stubbled jaw.

He suddenly dropped to the ground, kneeling in front of me. I backed away, really not okay with the whole kneeling thing. The last time someone did this, they stabbed a knife through my heart a few weeks later. I guess kneeling didn’t carry the same weight as it did back in the day?

“I am honored to be in your presence, my queen,” Ivo whispered, his voice intense. “I pledge my loyalty to you for as long as I draw in breath.”

I looked between Ivo and my other mates. They were just as confused as me.

“Um. I haven’t gotten to Beasty’s extensive library of sexual escapades, so I am still a bit new to the whole sex thing,” I replied. “Is this some type of kink? What am I supposed to do?” My voice was a panicked stage whisper.

Levi and Leo burst into raucous laughter, and Luke made the roughened huffing sound that was his laughter. Mithraheal took pity on me.

Love, you are a goddess. This is one of those times that you should let your instincts lead you. We are all unfamiliar with dragon customs and have to muddle our way through as we learn. Do what feels right to you.

I looked back down at my dragon mate. I wasn’t a short woman, yet even kneeling his bowed form was higher than my waist. Boy, could we pick ‘em or what? I dropped to my knees in front of him, throwing my arms around him and pressing my body against his tense muscled chest.

“Ivo, thank you for your respect, but we are mates,” I said. “You’ve seen me naked, this is silly.”

He finally met my gaze, searching my eyes, looking for something. His voice was soft when he spoke. “You really don’t know who you are, do you?”

I didn’t answer him. Beasty had made references to our title, and now I was slowly trying to sort through memories of a life lived thousands of years before.

“You were the original dragon,” Ivo continued. “You created beauty all around you. Later, you suffered at the hands of cruel people who were full of greed. I understand why you are the one spoken about in the prophecy. This is a chance to rewrite history and push back the evil that destroyed your life.”

A deluge of pain and sorrow threatened to bury me. I may not yet remember all the details, but my mind clearly recalled the heart-wrenching emotions of those long ago losses and lies.

“The weight of your power is an even heavier burden than I had imagined. I am astounded at the strength you possess to even remain standing during your transition.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I sighed. “Everyone keeps talking about how powerful I was, but instead I keep getting knocked on my butt.”

“Says the chick who literally grabbed a lightning bolt!” Levi laughed.

“I am still salty about not getting to bring it with me. It made a wicked cool weapon, definitely more effective than a blade.”

“You grabbed the lightning rod and then wielded it as a weapon?” Leo gasped. “The world isn’t ready for your awesomeness!”

I smiled. Right now, I had to focus on resting while my body grew accustomed to the sudden onslaught of power. Then I could show these boys some really nifty tricks!

Another spasm wracked my abdomen and I groaned. Ivo scooped me up in his arms and moved me onto the bed again. “Let me help you, my queen.”

I was about to protest the ridiculous title, but then he stretched me against his body. His chest clicked, growing warmer under my skin. He was a living, breathing, heating pad! I moaned in delight and pressed against him even tighter, relishing the warmth and how it eased the incessant cramping.

“Sleep now. Tomorrow will arrive far too soon.”