Chapter 16 #2
That had her grinning as she slipped her hand into the crook of my elbow, and together we crossed the drawbridge and were back inside my castle’s inner walls.
The conservatory was a little overgrown.
It always got this way in the summers—Alder, my satyr groundskeeper, always had his hands full this time of year—but I didn’t mind.
I liked it a little wild. I guided Elana along the winding path between the raised beds, pointing out my favorite specimens as we walked.
The ferns here grew in lush clusters, their fronds arching gracefully overhead to create a natural canopy.
My prized orchids occupied the far corner, which was where I was taking her.
Technically, everything here was part of my treasure hoard, but living things didn’t do well hidden inside a cave, so I’d had this built for them instead.
I’d been collecting orchids since they were considered status symbols for the wealthy.
“Wow, these are lovely.”
“I’ve been collecting them for a long time. I have some of the rarest specimens.” My eyes landed on a pink Vanda orchid. Ah, so it had decided to bloom after all. “Want to help me pollinate some orchids?”
Elana looked amused. “Sure, show me how.”
I pulled Elana closer and handed her the small brush I kept around the orchids.
“These orchids were considered quite salacious back in the day,” I murmured into her ear. “Almost vulgar.”
Elana’s eyes widened as she took in the orchid’s shape, her lips parting in realization. The flower’s ruffled lips were a light, delicate pink, its center a deeper, bolder, almost red. “Oh.” Her voice was breathy, her gaze locked onto the flower.
“Now, take the pollen and rub it right there.” I guided her hand, my voice dropping almost to a whisper. “That’s the spot,” I purred. “Mmm.”
She swallowed hard, and lust blossomed in the air as I leaned in, my chest pressing her back.
“Is this really about the plants?”
My gaze darkened. “No. But it was a very good excuse. And now you know how to pollinate an orchid.”
I caught her wrist and pulled closer. My eyes traced her tongue as she licked her lips.
“Yes,” the word was nearly a hiss. “Yes, I do.”
And it was like we both knew what she really meant. She wanted this. She wanted me.
I crushed my mouth to hers, claiming her with a kiss that left no doubt what I wanted.
My hands gripped her waist, yanking her hard against me until I could feel every curve of her body pressed to mine.
She gasped into my mouth, her fingers fisting in my hair as I walked her backward until her ass hit the potting table, making the empty pots rattle against the wood.
I broke the kiss only to trail my lips down the column of her throat.
“Even more beautiful than the orchids,” I growled against her skin, my voice rough with need.
The scent of her arousal mixed with the heady perfume of the conservatory, and I knew I wasn’t going to stop until I could taste it from the source.
My hand snuck under her sundress and up her body. She gasped as my fingers found her nipple and rolled it between my thumb and forefinger.
“Emmett...”
I dropped to my knees, my hands sliding up her thighs, pushing her dress higher. “Let me taste you,” I growled, my voice rough with desire.
Elana inhaled sharply as my fingers hooked into the waistband of her underwear, pulling them down. I stuffed the scrap of fabric into my pocket before lifting her up onto the table. Her hands were tangled in my hair as I spread her legs.
“Beautiful,” I murmured, my fingers tracing the slick folds. “Just like the orchids.”
She moaned as my forked tongue found her clit, and my fingers slid inside her. I focused my attention on her little bud, each split tip of my tongue swirling around it over and over. She was so wet now she practically dribbled with honey.
I thrust my fingers in and out of her, curling them to hit that sweet spot that made her hips rise up, bucking.
“Emmett, I’m—” she gasped, her body trembling as the pleasure built.
I growled against her, the vibration sending her over the edge. She came with a cry, her body convulsing around my fingers as waves of pleasure crashed over her, her juices coating my lips and fingers.
Ours! Bathe her in our fire and prove that she is ours!
I ignored my dragon’s ridiculous demand.
But as she came down from her high, my body tensed, a low growl rumbling in my chest. My dragon’s fire built within me, and suddenly, the sprinkler system above us burst to life, drenching us in a cold shower.
Elana gasped, her body jolting at the sudden change in temperature.
I pulled back, my eyes wide with surprise and frustration. “Damn it,” I muttered, my voice rough.
I stood, even as Elana shoved her skirt back down. The two ifrits suddenly appeared in the conservatory.
“Where’s the fire?” they asked in unison.
Elana had already pulled herself together by the time the two realized there was no real emergency.
“A sprinkler malfunction,” I lied. They hadn’t malfunctioned at all. My dragon had taken over, and so had my fire.
But Elana hadn’t even noticed the heat. Had I imagined it?
“You’re drenched!” the other one exclaimed, then the smoke from his tail drifted up and turned into a towel that wrapped itself around her.
My dragon snarled, hating that another male dared touch her, but I forced it back.
Especially when I saw the back of her beautiful sundress as she turned away.
The hem was charred. And sure enough, the residual scent of burnt fabric lingered in the air.
One of the ifrits sniffed, then pegged me with a look, but did not say anything.
The shock and realization froze me in place as the two djinn led her away. My dragon’s fire had touched her, and she hadn’t even flinched. She hadn’t even felt it. There was only one reason for that: she was my mate!