Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Emma
I knew if someone saw the look on my face, they’d say it was from fear and horror that I’d be in the clutches of those dragons. What they wouldn’t know was the truth, and that was my fear of Azar getting injured… or worse.
I didn’t want to think about what would happen if Azar got hurt or killed. I didn’t like the way that caused this heavy pressure to settle in my chest, or how my breath caught when the dark dragon tore its claws at Azar.
It looked like it was a fight to the death. I could see it, feel the violence as I watched Azar and this interloper battling in the sky. I knew which dragon was mine, even if the darkness was a stifling cloak around everyone and everything. Whereas Azar’s scales were made up of an array of colors like the rising suns, the stranger was completely black, its scales so dark they almost glowed.
I knew the moment Azar saw me standing at the entrance of the cave. His massive head whipped in my direction, his big onyx eyes trained right on me. The dark dragon looked at me and gave a battle cry. Azar turned his attention to the other dragon once more, tipped his head back, and roared. The other dragon slammed his big body against Azar, both of them flying through the air.
I covered my mouth to hide the cry that tried to come out. Gods, I was so worried about my dragon. I couldn’t see if Azar was terribly harmed, the night too dark, their bodies too fast as they collided with each other over and over again. With one deafening roar, Azar positioned himself so his hind and forelegs were outstretched, his deadly claws aimed right at the other dragon.
Even from this distance and height, I could see the moment Azar’s claws dug into the other dragon's chest, tearing flesh as they started falling through the air toward the ground. I could practically smell the scent of blood, could feel the warmth of it spraying across my face. I was so startled I gasped and stumbled backward, blindly reaching out for purchase so I didn’t fall.
There was another soul-searing roar from both dragons, and then the other beast changed direction and started flying away. I breathed out in stark relief, watching as Azar stayed in the air, his giant wings keeping him high in the sky, his focus on the retreating trespasser. I couldn’t believe I’d watched that, the fear thick in my throat, a stone in my stomach. And then in the blink of an eye, Azar was making his way toward me, his claws digging into the mountainside as he landed and balanced himself.
He was breathing heavily, the great width of his chest rising and falling from exertion. I could feel the battle rage coming from him, felt his heat spearing right into me. I stumbled back farther into the cave before stopping and watching as he took a step forward. I was so aroused I felt ashamed. Azar was in that great beast, both staring at me.
Both wanting me.
I blinked fiercely and focused on the fact that he was littered with cuts, covered in blood. And then he was moving forward. Right before my eyes, he once again shifted back into his human form before he entered the cave.
I took in the sight of him, how he was so big and strong, yet he was hiding his pain and injuries from me. It was in the tightness of his eyes and the clenching of his jaw.
“You’re injured,” I said in horror as I looked at the deep gouges that marred his chest and arms. Bright red blood made a slow trail down his golden skin, and a wave of distress filled me at the sight.
“It’s nothing. Nothing to cause my mate the fear I see in your eyes.” His words were low, gentle. His focus was on me—always, I realized. His dark brows were pulled low as he murmured, “As long as I have you with me, I’m fine. I’m perfect. My life has been well-lived.” His expression was hard and unyielding, and when he lifted his hand to brush his thumb across my cheek, I was startled by the gentleness after what I’d just seen, after what I now realized he was capable of. “I told you to stay in the cave. You could have been harmed.” There was no anger in his voice, just concern. “I couldn’t concentrate for fear that you’d get hurt.”
I exhaled roughly, hating that my presence had distracted him, that I could have caused him to get even more injured. I shouldn't have followed him out there, but I was glad I had. I was glad I’d seen how powerful Azar was. I had just been a spectator to the violence and aggression between two dragons fighting for territory. I’d been a spectator as I watched Azar protect me.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered genuinely. I looked down at my bare feet, my toes filthy from the red dirt that covered the cavern floor. I was so confused, my thoughts jumbled with all the emotions and thoughts that ran through my mind. Although logically I knew feeling this connected to another soul didn’t seem reasonable or realistic, especially not this soon, I also couldn’t lie and say this didn’t feel like the one thing I’d been missing in my life.
Nothing was forced, my emotions as real as the large dragon-shifting male in front of me. I was here of my own free will, and it felt incredible.
The gentle feel of Azar’s finger under my chin, lifting my head up, had me looking into his dark eyes. I knew he wanted me to tell him what was on my mind, wanted me to be open and truthful with him. But I was afraid of so many things, things I could not change.
“I was worried about you. Fearful.” My gaze flickered across some of the scratches that were on his upper chest and a couple on his neck. Although there was a lot of blood, the majority of it didn’t appear like it was his. I looked back up into his eyes. “So many injuries,” I murmured.
“It’s nothing. He was a threat to you. I’d take any pain, suffer any wounds, even give up my very life if it means you’re safe. I’ll take down anything that thinks of coming close to you.”
I gasped at the intensity of his words.
I didn’t know what to say, so I said nothing at all. I licked my lips and glanced toward the fire, toward the basket that was just a few feet from the flames. “I should clean your wounds.” I looked back at him and told myself to take a step away, to not be pressed so closely to him, because it was short-circuiting my brain.
But I couldn’t move, the feel of his warm chest, that he was here alive and relatively safe, keeping me rooted to the spot. “Do you have rags, more fresh water?” This burning need in me to tend to his wounds, to take care of him like he’d been taking care of me, was fierce and strong.
“You wish to tend to me?” He sounded so shocked at the idea.
I nodded, unable to stop the small smile that covered my face. He returned the gesture, and it changed his face completely, took away the hard edges and fierce demeanor that came naturally to him.
He exhaled as if in relief, as if so very grateful. Did my offer truly mean so much to him? The idea that it did had warmth blooming in my chest.
“Come,” he said softly and slipped his bigger hand into mine, gently pulling me along so I was forced to follow him.
The walk was fast as we made our way through the center of the cave and down a short tunnel. I heard the sound of trickling water before the cavern opened up. The grotto was to the left, the pool fed by a small stream that came from the corner of the rocky wall. The scent of freshness could have had me moaning with anticipation. I could also see steam rising from the pool and felt my eyes widen.
It was a hot spring. I didn’t hide my moan then.
I was very aware of Azar tightening his hand on mine.
I cleared my throat and focused on what needed to be done. “Let’s get your wounds cleaned up.” I gestured to the grotto, figuring it would be easier for him to just get in instead of me dipping a cloth in the water over and over again as I hung over the side to reach him.
He made a sound of frustration or maybe disappointment, and I couldn’t hide my amusement at that. “Go on now. Get in.”
I spotted another woven basket and walked to the small outcropping off to the side where it sat. Inside were strips of hides. I grabbed one of them, the material soft and smooth between my fingers.
I turned back and focused on Azar. I wasn’t surprised to see him watching me.
“Was that another dragon?” I asked as I walked back to him. Of course the question seemed stupid because it obviously had been. So I tacked on, “I just mean because it was different than you. It looked different.” Maybe none of them had the same coloring. Maybe they were like humans in that regard.
I lowered myself to the edge of the grotto, my feet tucked under me. I couldn’t lie and say it wouldn’t have been fantastic to get in the water. But the way Azar was currently looking at me, his gaze heated and hungry, and the way I was feeling—exactly the same way—it probably wasn’t a good idea.
But I wanted to. I really wanted to.
Azar had his gaze trained across the cavern, clearly deep in thought. I wondered if he’d answer me. It was clear he was still very much upset, the aggressive and territorial heat pouring off him so much that I felt beads of sweat line the length of my spine because of it. He seemed like he was barely reining in his control right now.
To distract myself from my thoughts, and to give him time to mull over whatever was churning in his mind, I dipped the hide into the water and brought it up to gently smooth it over the strong, wide expanse of his back. His muscles clenched from the small act, his body tightening. He slowly looked at me, his eyelids drooping, his lips parting as a harsh exhale left him.
That purring noise started up again, although it was softer, as if he were trying to hide it.
“Why do you make that noise?” I whispered, a flush moving over my body, this heavy ache settling between my thighs.
“I can’t help it, Emma. It’s the sound I and my dragon make to let you know how much we desire you. When you’re around, all rational thought leaves.”
I lifted my head so I could look into his eyes, and we held each other’s stare for long moments.
“You please my dragon and me immensely.” His voice got deeper, harsher.
I breathed out slowly, my entire chest seeming to shake from the force. More wetness spilled between my thighs, and I clenched my legs together, hoping to hide that fact from Azar. Although a big part of me wanted him to know how much he turned me on.
We were silent for a long time, and I continued to move the hide over his shoulders and down his arms, careful of the small cuts that littered his flesh.
“That was a Draco,” he finally said, answering my question about who or what that other dragon was. “I haven’t seen them in ages. They keep to themselves on the other side of our world.” His voice seemed distant but hard. “They are Dragao, but… different. A subspecies. They have evolved over the millennia so they’re able to shift into their dragons without their mate.”
I remembered what Azar said about a Dragao only being able to shift into his dragon form once they found their mate. But apparently a Draco male didn’t need to find their fated mate before they could shift. And I hadn’t thought much about it as I watched the fight.
“So his kind don’t have fated mates? They don’t have the Cord?”
He shifted his big body slightly as he got into a more comfortable seated position in the water. The steam rose up, causing beads of sweat to line my forehead and temples.
“I don’t know the answer to that. Being a subspecies, some of the rules that govern the Dragao may not apply to them. It’s said the Draco are the ones who originally brought humans into our world, taking them and forcing them to do unimaginable, unspeakable things.” Azar’s voice dropped lower, vibrating with unrestrained anger. He had his hands under the water, but I could see how tightly he had them clenched as they rested on his strong thighs.
I sensed the aggression growing from him, and I didn’t want him slipping into that mind frame. I wanted my dragon who looked at me as if I were the first breath of air he’d taken. I was startled at that thought, not understanding how I could feel so strongly about this. But it was there, moving around in my mind, and I welcomed it.
“I don’t know why he encroached on my territory, but I wasn't about to try to speak responsibly with him in my human form. I couldn't scent his intent, and he was far too close to you for me to care whether he lived or died.” His lips peeled back from his teeth, and I watched his fangs extend. “I can only assume he thought to take from me what was mine, whether that be our den or you.” The growl that left him literally shook the entire cavern, small pebbles raining down around us. “And I will not allow either.”
He turned slightly around in the grotto and lifted his hand to cup my cheek. My lips parted from that small touch, his skin so warm, his palm so large that it encompassed the entire side of my face. His gaze settled on my lips, and he leaned in a fraction until our mouths were a breath away. I couldn’t find the strength to move or stop what I knew was about to happen.
“My Emma,” he groaned a second before he pressed his mouth to mine, his kiss so gentle it went against how big and strong he was.
I made a soft, needy sound against his firm lips, the feeling of his tongue stroking along the seam of my mouth sending sparks of heat through me.
“My sweet, perfect Emma,” he groaned again. “Come in here with me. Let me hold you.”
He broke the kiss, and we stared at each other. Azar was still cupping my face, his thumb brushing my lower lip and causing tremors to move through me.
Getting in the grotto with him was a bad idea. A really bad idea.
So then why did I whisper, “Okay”?