Chapter Twenty-three
I teleported myself back to the cave. I was eager to tell everyone I had managed to secure the herb we needed.
I was attacked and thrown to the ground the moment I materialized. I tried to use my vampire strength to fling my attacker off, but instead I was pressed harder into the stone floor. My fangs descended and I sank them deep into the assailant.
My attacker purred. I froze.
“Tia?”
“Mmm,” she purred. “Now do it again.”
As my shock wore away, I was assaulted by a scent that made mouth water and another part of my anatomy snap to attention. What was that smell? I sniffed like a bloodhound. It was Tia, my mate.
I caught a glimpse of her eyes as she moved her body against mine, kissing and sucking every inch of skin she could find. Her pupils were completely blown. I glanced around the room. Where were the guys?
My stomach sank as I spotted a limp arm hanging off the side of the bed, a set of legs poking out from behind the bed, and a body slumped, unmoving against the wall. The last body was splayed across the floor next to me, the eyes glazed over. The lifeless bodies of my circle one of the most horrific things I had seen in my long life.
Had she lost control? How would she handle the shock when she realized what had happened?
I looked back at the body next to mine. I couldn’t believe Leo was gone. Suddenly, he blinked. I screamed.
“Save yourself,” he whispered, and his eyes fluttered closed.
“It’s the heat,” Ivo said, moaning. His body didn’t so much as twitch.
I had only been gone a few hours, there was no way they could be this worn out. I snorted at their weakness and yanked my heavenly-smelling mate tighter against me. My lips captured hers in a kiss that had my toes curling. She rocked her hips against my pelvis, the heat of her body radiating through my pants. My hands roamed her body, eliciting moans of pleasure everywhere I touched. When I reached her slick folds, her body quivered. I sank my fingers deep inside her, stroking until she was frantic.
She ground down hard against my pelvis, her intoxicating scent making it hard to even think. Slowly, she pulled her lips away from my mouth. She licked my neck, her tiny fangs sinking into my skin with twin pricks of pain. She purred, the sound vibrating through my body and sending me over the edge of a climax with no warning whatsoever. My body convulsed with pleasure. I had never experienced anything like this in my life.
Leo’s voice was a croak as he answered my unasked question. “Pretty sure there’s something in her salvia and her scent right now. Instinct’s way of ensuring her mates can’t get enough of her, and that they enjoy the heat just as much as she does.”
“Ivo, how long?” I asked. “How long will the heat last?” I was worried about his answer.
“A week if she is kept sated. Longer if she is denied,” he replied.
Levi and Luke were still lifeless and silent. “Are you two okay?” I asked in the direction of the bed.
Dude! Shut up! You are going to blow our cover, Levi growled into my mind.
He clearly forgot that Tia was the one who created the mental bond. Her eyes snapped toward the bed, eyeing the shifters as they played dead.
Leo let out a wheezing laugh. “Ha, ha. Wolves playing dead. Good one, Rah.”
“Rah?” I asked.
“Your name is a pain in the butt to pronounce and spell, it’s gotta go. I’m trying out nicknames to see what fits.”
I growled in annoyance at the nerve of the imp, and Tia’s eyes snapped back to mine. Apparently, growls were a major turn on to the dragoness. She unbuckled my belt and slid my pants over my hips. My erection was back and it sprung free. Clearly it was time for round two.
Four hours later, she was curled against Luke’s chest, smiling dreamily. Damien had popped in and was handing out ice packs and electrolyte drinks. He kept up a running commentary of jokes, enjoying our misery way too much. I had never been so content, but I was thanking our lucky stars that the female dragons only did this once per year. I was going to need a month to recover.
“Did you tell them about the herb?” Damien asked.
“No, I didn’t exactly get a chance to discuss anything,” I replied.
He snickered and settled himself on the couch, shoving Ivo’s legs off one end to make room. “Mithraheal called in a favor and managed to get Ivleek,” he said. “That should hopefully relax Tia enough that her instincts will be dulled. She will get to spend the evening at the ball, enjoying her handsome men and interacting with the supernaturals who are very eager to meet her. I’ve already bumped up our blood driven security detail as much as I can without raising suspicion. With her magic and senses dulled, you guys are going to have to stick to her like glue. She will be vulnerable. I really hate this whole plan.”
“We don’t have a choice,” Tia said with a sigh. “My men will keep me safe. I don’t love it, but I have to attend the ball or risk creating new enemies. I was just gaining some self-control, but this heat is making it nearly impossible. Could you imagine the scandal it would create if I stripped off my dress, grabbed my mates and started shifting into the beast with two backs right in the middle of the ball? Or would that be a beast with six backs?”
Tia slapped her hand over her mouth when she realized what she had said. Her eyes widened in horror. Damien and Leo cackled in delight. I hid a smile behind my hand. Ivo was completely confused; the poor guy had a lot of modern euphemisms to learn. Tia tried to get the conversation back on track.
“How long will the Ivleek last?”she asked.
“We aren’t sure how long it will last in a dragon,” I replied. “In werewolf shifters it lasts about twelve hours. We assume it will only last about half that amount of time with you. But that is plenty of time to eat dinner, make introductions, and reassure people that you want peace among all the species.”
I tried to sound confident, but I had major reservations about using the Ivleek. It was a powerful plant; it made supers almost as weak as a human. The idea of Tia in a room full of the most powerful shifters in the world, while she had willfully weakened herself made me want to vomit.
“Same, bro,” Leo murmured.
“Stop worrying, you guys,” said Tia. “It’ll be fine. I can simply be the pretty girl going to her first party, instead of an avenging dragon goddess.” She had started wiggling, getting uncomfortable again but desperately trying to hide it. Her mesmerizing scent wafted across the cavern.
“And on that note, I’m out of here!” said Damien. “I’ll see you a couple hours before the ball to help you get ready.” He winked and teleported out of our nest.
The werewolves were up and had Tia tucked between them, a tangled mess of limbs. I was enjoying the sight, but I also needed a nap. Badly. It was just a matter of time until she turned her attention on me, and I wanted to make sure I was at my best. I closed my eyes and drifted off to the alluring purrs of my mate.