Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Juni
“When do I get to see your dragon?” Today was the first day we’d left the bedroom. Hopefully that meant my heat was behind me after three days of marathon fucking. Not that I minded all the mating, as Kyson called it. That was fun as hell, but my ass needed a break. Figuratively and literally.
“How about now? He’d be down for spreading his wings for a bit.”
“Awesome!” I jumped up and dressed in my warmest outfit.
While we hadn’t been snowed in, we did get quite a bit of the white menace that buried my poor little car.
Not that I wanted to leave anytime soon, which surprised me.
“Can you talk to me while in your dragon form?” It didn’t take as long as I thought to get used to the whole shifter thing, especially when Kyson’s dragon tongue did all those wonderful things to me.
And the claws. They were just as magical as I’d imagined.
“Hmm, great question. I know mates can mentally communicate, but I don’t know anyone else with a human one, so I guess we’ll get to test that theory out.” Kyson hopped out of bed and kissed me. “No reason for me to get dressed so I’ll meet you outside.”
That gorgeous man strutted from the room and turned halfway through the living room. “Are you staring at my ass?”
“And if I was?” Long hair, fine ass, perfect amount of body hair. Don’t even get me started on that glorious appendage of his.
There was that sexy growl I’d grown fond of. “Ask me again later.” He winked and walked right out of the sliding door and into the snow, naked as he was the day he was born.
My worst fears prior to coming here were no longer valid.
Mating, becoming a baby maker—none of it scared me anymore.
I mean, when or if I ever get pregnant, I’m sure I’ll have a couple freak outs during it, but it was like something about Kyson calmed me, and for the first time I saw everything I’d once feared in a completely different light.
Did the mating do that? Take away all the fears?
But with that comes a series of questions, such as where are we gonna live? Do I move in with him, or would he move in with me?
Why would I stay where I am when one, I’m miserable and two, it is within driving distance for my parents. Hopefully Kyson lived far, far away. Best to make a clean break after I announce I’m mated to them. I can’t wait to see the look on my mother’s face. Serves her right.
Hell, this whole finding your mate thing may solve more than one problem for me.
Logistics, getting to know one another, the whole shifter thing. Guess we had quite a lot to work still through, no use getting ahead of myself just yet. But all that fell to the bottom of the pile once I stepped outside and saw my mate in all his brilliant dragon glory.
“Holy shit, you’re huge!”
That’s what he said.
I laughed before it hit me.
“I heard you!”
Mates.
“Is that your dragon? His voice is so deep.”
It was. He’s rather proud of himself right now and wants to show off for you.
“Can I touch you?”
Please do.
His scales were soft to the touch, yet firm. Dark blue, turquoise and a hint of a reddish purple ran down his chest and across the neck area. “You’re stunning.”
Thank you, mate.
As I walked the length of him, my hands trailed along his sides.
His tail was wicked cool and clearly meant to be utilized as a weapon, given its trident-like shape and razor-sharp edges.
Spikes ranging in various sizes ran the length of his spine.
When I rubbed the bridge of his nose the familiar smoke released as those eerie red eyes stared back at me.
“Does it hurt when I touch you?”
No, it feels amazing.
“Your fangs are gigantic and quite scary, to be honest.”
They’ll never harm you, nor will I.
Somehow, I already knew that.
Stand back, mate.
I backed up onto the porch as he took off at a run, the earth shaking beneath his weight.
Snow blocked my view when it flew in all directions as he traipsed across it then over the mountainside he disappeared.
I ran to the edge, which was further than I’d thought, and stared in awe as he soared higher and higher.
Imaging how freeing it would feel to fly and be one with the sky.
How I had lived this long and never knew that these regal creatures existed blew my mind. Kyson was spectacular, doing figure eights high above me. His wingspan was nearly the width of the football field at my old high school.
My mate was a dragon. A big, beautiful beast of one.
Ha, take that, mom!
I can feel your emotions through our connection. You’re happy. Have we pleased you?
Kyson’s dragon spoke much differently than he did. But he wasn’t near enough to hear me. I wonder if I could respond through our connection.
Very much. I swear, I could watch you fly for hours.
One day, we’ll take you up with us.
Yay! It worked. I could hear you, but wasn’t sure that it would work both ways, especially when we’re apart.
We can hear you perfectly. Stand back, coming in for a landing.
He circled a couple of times before diving down, far too fast for my liking.
I thought for sure he’d hit the ground hard and injure himself.
But he pulled up just before and into a perfect landing.
I ran to him and slung my arms around his neck, kinda.
They didn’t go all the way, but when he wrapped me in his wings I knew that was his way of hugging me back.
I don’t remember ever feeling this happy or this free in my life.
The wings fell as Kyson the man appeared and immediately pulled me into his arms and a fierce, toe-curling kiss. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For letting us show off for you. I know it’s been a few crazy, overwhelming days. I’d also like to thank you for not passing out again.”
“Smart ass,” Half-heartedly, I swatted at his chest. “I’m never gonna live that down, am I?”
“Nope,” he kissed me again. “Let’s get inside.”
Kyson put on a robe, then started a fire, and we curled up on the couch together, sipping the warm cocoa he’d just made. Not so much as an inch between us while we cuddled. This was pure bliss.
“So, how is this going to work exactly?”
“What do you mean?” he asked. “I think we already figured that part out,” he wiggled his brows in a manner he believed to be seductive. I, as the receiver of such an attempt, saw it more humorous than sexy.
“Do you move in with me or do I move in with you. I don’t even know where you’re from?”
“I live in Bellingham, Washington but my family lands are in the mountains of northern Washington along the Canadian border,” Kyson said. “Been thinking about moving back home now that I have a mate. Where do you live? Would you even want to go there with me?”
“I’m in Sacramento and the further away from my family I am, the happier I’ll be. I’m more of a city boy, but I think I could learn to adjust for the right dragon.” I slid my finger along the opening of his bathrobe.
“Do you have other dragon suitors?” Kyson was teasing, but his dragon snarled.
Mate. Ours.
“Yes, dragon,” I giggled, thoroughly enjoying when he got growly. “I’m all yours. I was just teasing.” Possessive men had never been my thing before but coming from my dragon it was beyond sexy.
“Then how about this, I follow you home at the end of our vacation and we get you packed up. Then we make the drive north. It’ll take a couple of days, but we can stop and see some sights along the way. Sound like a plan?”
“Sounds like a wonderful plan. My parents own the condo I live in so there isn’t a lot to pack.
Except for my clothes. I hope you have a big closet.
” The party life was behind me and the freedom associated with it, but the clothes were for keeps.
What I once thought I enjoyed, I now saw had been a means to keep my mind off other things, like life, and how much I truly hated mine.
I’d lived in a bubble for far too long. Now it was time to be a real, mated adult and I was excited for this new beginning.
Kyson pressed his lips to the top of my head and I swear, my heart sped up. “I almost feel like we should send Branson a fruit basket or a gift card for his fuck up.”
“Ha-ha, true. Or an invitation to our wedding. Wait, do dragons get married?” Did I want a big, lavish wedding like the one my mother envisioned me having? No, no I didn’t, though I would rock the shit out of a white pantsuit. That was her dream, not mine, and it was high time I lived my own.
“Not usually. Is that something you’d wish for us to do?”
“Um, I don’t know. But one thing I do know is that I do not want a huge, ostentatious wedding.
Maybe one day down the line we could marry legally, but for now, I’m good.
” The fire crackled and my thoughts trailed off as I stared blankly into it.
Content, comfortable in my lover’s arms. What a wonderful way to end this day.
“Juni, wake up,” Kyson sweetly stroked my hair. “It’s Christmas.”
I felt terrible not having any gifts for him, but neither of us came on this adventure with the mindset of having to worry about others. This was about finding ourselves and enjoying our downtime. Never had I been more thankful for a vacation to have gone awry.
“What?” How’d I get in bed?
Kyson turned and wrapped his arms around me. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
“Merry Christmas to the present I never thought to ask for.”
“Hmm, I’m not quite sure how to take that but I think it’s a good thing?”
“The best,” I kissed him. “Think anything in town is open today?”
“Given the fresh powder and the fact it’s a holiday, I’d say no. But I was thinking, how about a Christmas fly with your dragon after breakfast?”
My stomach chose that moment to add it’s two cents. “That would be a firm yes to both. I’m so excited!”
“We are too. Why don’t you do your thing while I whip us up a Christmas breakfast feast.”
“Mmm,” I moaned and stretched as I rolled over. “You know, all this spoiling is gonna go to my head.” Kyson nipped my butt. “Ouch! Kiss it and make it better.”
“Later. Then I’ll unwrap my present and make all of you feel really good.”
“Yes, please!” His laughter followed him from the room. The thought of going back to sleep crossed my mind until our dragon spoke.
If you fall asleep, we’ll go without you.
Snarky dragon.
Snarky mate.
“Guess I should’ve asked first if you’re afraid of heights.” Breakfast was over and I was bundled up for the Arctic trip.
“I’m not at all, though I’ve usually been secured inside an airplane while experiencing them.”
“I can assure you that you’re safer with us than cooped up in one of those tin cans.
” I wonder how much we could potentially save flying by way of dragon versus airlines.
“The plan is I’ll shift then I’ll take off at a run and scoop you up along the way.
I’ll cradle you in one of my claws and hold you close to my chest. That way you have a clear view, and the heat of my scales will keep you warm. ”
“Sounds wonderful to me.”
“Alright,” I could never get enough of his kisses. “Stand close to the edge in the same line as I ran last time.”
I wandered toward the cliff’s edge and right before I turned to see where he was at, Kyson scooped me up and I screamed.
Are you okay, mate?
Yes, sorry, you caught me by surprise.
I opened my eyes to the most wonderous sight.
The mountains and pines beneath us were covered in glistening snow.
It was a series of shimmers from this height.
The wind was insanely cold but snuggling up against my dragon was perfect.
Most would be terrified, but not me. I knew they’d keep me safe, which allowed me to appreciate this wonderful gift they were giving me.
Next time I should wear ski goggles.
Not a bad idea and what’s even better is you’re thinking of a next time.
I feel so free. I love this!
My dragon preened as we soared through the air. This was the gift that just kept giving as I caught glimpses of things I’d never before seen. Deer running in and out of the trees, a friendly game of chase or mates playing hard to get? Either way, they were having just as much fun as I was.
A semi frozen waterfall came into view. Kyson dove down and we got a closer look.
Just beneath the water’s surface the fish swam.
I often wondered if they were frozen in time and thawed in the spring when the water did.
I’d heard stories about cryogenics, guess until now I’d never realized that wasn’t an aquatic reality.
Breathtaking.
There was no other word to describe everything I saw today.
No big city encroaching on the wildlife as they roamed free.
It’s really quite sad how much we’ve taken from them, completely unappreciated and abused.
It was nice to see them in their natural habitat, going about their daily lives without a care in the world. Just the way it should be.
Are you getting cold, mate?
A little bit. The shivers hit as soon as he asked.
Landing will be tricky but know that you are safe with us.
Never doubted that for a second.
I tucked in against his scales just before we touched down. Good thing too or I’d have been covered in snow. Kyson never fell, nor stumbled, and landed like a pro.
As soon as he shifted, we raced inside, landing in a heap atop the rug in front of the fireplace. Our laughter filled the air until our lips came together.
Kyson lay over me, his intense gaze met mine. “I love you, Juni.”
I gasped and his face fell. “You’re the first person to ever say that to me.”
“Your family never told you they loved you?”
“No, never.”
“Well, get used to hearing it a lot from me.”
“Kyson,” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I love you, too.”
After a heated make out session, Kyson started the fire and snagged the blanket from the couch before rejoining me. “Now, where were we?”
This was by far the best Christmas I’d ever had. Breakfast with Kyson, our first flight, which was beyond words. Now, making love in front of a roaring fireplace.
I was in heaven.