Chapter 23
Galadon
I woke up in my dragon form with Rayna resting her head on my arm and her palm lying on the soft scales of my stomach. It said something that it was the second time I’d gone to sleep as a human and woke as a beast. I’d grown comfortable enough to trust she wouldn’t attack me while I lay unconscious and vulnerable.
Our relationship had rapidly changed since I brought her here unconscious a week ago. After what happened with the Kandoran, I desperately wanted to keep her close and safe. I didn’t understand my feelings toward her yet, or whether I could handle the truth of them, but maintaining my distance was no longer an option.
I'd spent nearly every moment with Rayna since I seduced her two days ago, and she’d reciprocated with her own assault on my body that left me reeling. It was as if I couldn’t get enough of her since I gave into my desire, and her lust was every bit as intense as mine.
The only time I left was for patrols and to obtain meals for us. My mother simply gave me a knowing smile when I came with dirty dishes and swapped them for more food. The fact Rayna and I were intimate now seemed to make her immeasurably happy. My relationship with Ujala was changing now as well. I didn’t resist when she embraced me, and I even talked with her more during my brief trips aboveground. Conversation was easy in a way it wasn’t before.
The slayer was changing me in ways I’d never imagined. I had never been so completely focused on one female that I wished I had no other duties except to keep her in my bed. Despite her weakened state from the potion, she didn’t complain and appeared as eager as me whenever I reached for her. Everything about her fascinated me, from her thick, coppery brown hair, which I loved combing with my fingers, to her adorable little toes.
I wished I could forget the rest of the world, but the bitkal would begin in five hours. For today, duty came first. I needed to squeeze in a patrol while Rayna bathed and dressed. Then, we would leave early so I could tend to some other matters at the Jakhal before the competition. It would save me the trouble of making a separate trip.
Feeling a heated gaze upon me, I looked down to find Rayna staring at me with an amused smile. “You did it again.”
She ran her fingertips gently across my scales in a way I never imagined a slayer doing. It was tender, yet taunting. A rumble of contentment ran through me. Rayna didn’t appear the least bothered by my beast form or that I took up most of the bed. The only reason she fit at all was because I’d wrapped myself around her so even my tail curled around to rest against her back.
You disarm me, najeema.
She pressed a soft kiss against my neck. “I could say the same thing about you.”
It was dangerous staying in this form with her taunting me and my beast. I rushed to shift so I could be with her in a compatible form. She didn’t flinch as my flames overtook me, and they had the added benefit of cleansing both of us of our nightly activities since she was so close. There weren’t many flammable items in my home, and nothing near my bed since that was the riskiest location.
When the fire died down, I was conveniently naked, having chosen not to garb myself yet. I ran my fingers down her arm, then stopped to trace them lazily over her hip. The feelings she evoked were enough to terrify me. Yet if I had my way, I’d never stop touching this female.
“You exhaust me to the point I don’t even know I’m shifting in my sleep,” I said, using an admonishing voice as if it was all her fault.
She shoved her hand at my shoulder and scowled. “You were the one who wouldn’t let me sleep until after dawn. What kind of slayer am I that I didn’t notice a dragon in the bed with me for hours? Twice!”
I grabbed one of her ass cheeks and squeezed. “You’re certainly failing your duties in that regard.” I let out a groan when she returned my gesture by grasping my cock. “Hmm, your hunting abilities are impressively accurate, though.”
She stroked me long and slow until I grew harder.
“Today is the bitkal, isn’t it?” she asked, fingers squeezing my head gently.
“Yes.” I leaned down and kissed her as she resumed working me exactly the way I liked. She was a fast learner. “We don’t have long before I must attend to duties before we leave.”
“Are you going to finally give me my clothes, or will I have to go there naked?” she asked, lifting a brow.
I rolled on top of her, fitting myself between her legs. She was already wet and ready, so I slid in and enjoyed watching her breath catch as I filled her. “Hmmm, what makes you think I have clothes for you?”
“You brought in a package…” She paused as I ground into her, and she let out a cry of pleasure. “Two days ago. You’ve kept me naked in your lair ever since, but I am almost certain that it was for me.”
Damn smart woman. At least she wasn’t upset about my hiding it. I had feared that if I gave her the first new outfit, she might always keep herself covered after that. Of course, I’d ruin the new garments in my impatience to reach all my favorite places on her. I made a mental note to order camrium dresses when I went to pick up her other new clothes today. At least something with a skirt would give me easier access and be less challenging to maneuver in a hurry.
“I’ll give you fair warning that if you choose to wear clothing inside my lair, it will be susceptible to destruction,” I said, deadly serious.
She lifted her hips to take me deeper, and I obliged. Her gaze was clouded with lust. “I’m not sure I’d want them on while down here with you anyway.”
Every day, she surprised me a little more. I’d known all along that I appreciated her blunt personality, but I’d hated myself for it. Not anymore. The longer I was around her, the more perfect she seemed to me.
Done with talking, I sped up the tempo. Her breaths became ragged as she accepted the hard intensity of my thrusts. We stared into each other’s eyes while I moved within her, and I reveled in our connection. For a little while, I maintained the same pace, never wanting it to end. Rayna clung to me, and our bodies became slick with sweat.
Sensing she was getting close, I rubbed her clit. She clenched her eyes shut as I worked her in just the right way to send her over the edge. In moments, she came so hard she screamed with pleasure and squeezed my cock so exquisitely I couldn’t hold back any longer. I followed her into the abyss, emptying myself into her warm depths.
It was a good thing I’d been consuming special herbs to prevent conception because what we’d done in the last two days would have likely gotten her pregnant. My desire for her was all-consuming, and I’d given up trying to resist it. Of course, that was why I’d fought so hard to keep my distance before because I knew what would happen if I gave in to Rayna.
As I lowered myself to kiss her, it occurred to me that I was thinking about a far future with her. It wasn’t even a question. I couldn’t stand the thought of her ever leaving and wanted her with me forever. So why did I hold back from fully exploring my feelings?
The answer came soon enough. The potion had temporarily taken away the one part of her I feared, and we’d yet to discuss what would happen when it wore off. I couldn’t bring myself to think of it. Right now, Rayna was safe and easy to be around. I dreaded the argument that would come, so I kept putting it off as long as possible in the hope a solution would present itself. Our mood was too good to ruin just yet. In a couple of more days, we’d have to make the hard choices.
I leaned down and kissed her, hoping to convey how much she’d come to mean to me, even if I didn’t have the words for her yet. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I wished I didn’t have to go.
Breaking away from her was always difficult, but I managed—barely. “I must go patrol, but since you know where your clothes are located, you may get them yourself.”
She sat up, not bothering to hide a single inch of her stunning body from me. “So, I should be ready to leave when you return?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “Also, Titan has spent the last few days riding Onyx down here, so you’ll have your horse back. I am told the stallion became so vocal about missing you and needing to see you’re fine that even the village humans began hearing his voice in their heads. At first, they thought the stables had become haunted with ghosts from the war until a shifter explained it was simply your mount who’d consumed too much dragon meat, and it had unexpected side effects.”
Rayna burst out laughing. “Oh, my God. That horse manages to surprise even me.”
“One other thing,” I said, hoping this would make her happy rather than upset her. “I found something of yours in the tower when I searched for you. Other than a blanket and Onyx’s things, it was all that was left.”
Pulling from shiggara, I produced a cloth on my hand with the photo book on top of it.
Her eyes rounded, and she leaped toward me, taking it with a squeal. “Thank you so much. I thought I lost it forever, and it was the only personal item I managed to keep from my life before…you know.”
“I assumed as much,” I said as she hugged me tightly, holding the photo book away from my back.
Considering we were both still naked, I had to restrain myself until she pulled away. It felt good to make her happy. Whereas I’d spent centuries in one place, she’d been alone in the world for years without staying anywhere long. I wanted to share my home with her and hoped she’d prefer the same once things settled.
Once we were apart, I donned my clothing. I couldn’t put off my early afternoon patrol any longer, especially since I’d be away much of the day and evening. It wouldn’t be long enough for me to request anyone from the Faegud to come here for a rotation, though.
“Go.” She waved me off as she settled on the bed to look at her pictures. “I’ll be ready when you return.”
“You better be, or I’ll leave without you,” I warned, though we both knew I didn’t mean it.
She rolled her eyes. Only Rayna had ever been brave enough to do that gesture with me.
I hurried outside, stopping only long enough to grab a bite to eat from my mother’s house. She promised she’d wait half an hour and be especially loud going to my lair to bring the slayer a meal. Hopefully, Rayna would be dressed by then.
My patrol was thankfully uneventful, but it took nearly an hour to do the full circuit. By the time I returned, Rayna was outside and fully dressed in her black camrium pants. Her top had a simple scoop neck, but it laced on each side to tighten to her preferences. The pants fit her hips and ass nicely, so I had to work not to stare too much. How I’d ever managed to look away from her before mystified me. It was as if I had no control left in her presence.
Did you eat? I asked telepathically since there was no point in shifting.
“Yes. Your mother made sure of it.”
Thank you for feeding her, I said privately to Ujala.
She was in her red dragon form since she planned to fly over to our cow herd to check on them. It was one of the many duties we alternated handling.
She dipped her chin. Of course, son. She is nearly my daughter now, and I’m happy to do it.
We aren’t mates yet, I said, though I was glad my mother liked Rayna so well and looked after her.
Ujala snorted. You might as well be with the way you two have been going at it. She is covered from head to toe with your scent even after bathing this morning. Her scent on you is just as strong.
I cannot help myself with her.
She swished her tail. Good. All is as it should be.
Before I could respond, she took off into the air.
I directed my gaze to Rayna and lumbered toward her. Her body went lax the moment I scooped her into my arms. I savored having my slayer so pliant against me momentarily before spreading my wings and leaping into the sky. The jakhal was about an hour and a half from my home. If we moved quickly, I could get all my business dealings out of the way with time remaining to prepare for the bitkal before it began.
Rayna was silent while I flew, resting her head against my shoulder while I cradled her closely. The only times I’d held her like this while in flight before were when she was injured. Otherwise, I held her facing away from me. With our newfound intimacy, I couldn’t bear to do that anymore. It wasn’t as if we were trying to hide our relationship, regardless. Our scents were so intertwined from the last few days that it would be impossible to deny that something strong lay between us. Zorya help anyone who said a bad word about it.
As soon as I landed, I set Rayna on her feet. The night before, I’d explained to her that I’d stay in dragon form unless I needed to fight as a human. It was best not to waste too much energy directly before a duel by shifting.
It wouldn’t affect my ability to handle my business dealings, anyway. Since over half the toriq couldn’t change forms, the jakhal was designed to accommodate dragons. Unlike the Taugud fortress, which was constructed to repel those in their beast bodies.
People stared as we made our way to the east side of the jakhal for the market area. I didn’t hold my power back at all, and one glare from me sent them scrambling far away. Rayna walked confidently by my side.
One had to know her quite well to interpret her tense shoulders as nervousness. I’d brought her—a known slayer—into a dragon stronghold while she was weakened from the potion, and that wasn’t lost on me. We’d spent a little time yesterday testing her strength and speed, verifying she was at near-human levels. She was trusting me to protect her while she was at her most vulnerable, and I appreciated that she’d extended that kind of faith.
I led her to the farthest building—a small stone structure with a wide-open front. A burnt-orange dragon sat inside it imperiously, watching the activities around him. His gaze caught on mine, and he dipped his snout in acknowledgement.
We entered, stopping several paces from the male. He couldn’t shift, but I knew he’d mated a female who could, and his two children were like their mother. It was trickier finding ways to earn income when one had to stay in their beast form all the time, but Clyde did quite well for himself.
His nostrils flared, and he turned his surprised gaze toward me. You’re not even trying to hide it, are you?
There was amusement in his voice. He didn’t judge anyone for anything, making him easier than most to be around. I made a point of including Rayna in my response. She’s mine.
He chuckled into both their heads. He pretends like we didn’t all see this coming months ago. Slayer or not, Rayna is the perfect match for you, and anyone with any sense can see it.
She frowned. But I don’t know you or most of the Faegud here.
There are many of us, but only one slayer who can wield lightning and speak mind-to-mind with dragons. Every toriq who participated in the war has heard of you, and how well the two of you fought off hordes of Kandoran with lightning storms. When the two of you work together, enemies fall in droves. It’s in our best interest to approve of your pairing.
Rayna grinned. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Clyde.
It’s an honor to meet the female who finally tamed the lone shifter, he replied with amusement in his gaze.
I snarled, not appreciating that anyone considered me tame.
Rayna set a gentle hand on my shoulder. I promise you that he is not all that tame, even in his lair.
Clyde made a chuffing sound that was the dragon version of a laugh.
We should move on to business, I said, concerned about the time.
He dipped his chin. Of course. Do you have what I requested?
I produced a rolled parchment from shiggara and handed it over. While Clyde couldn’t shift, he did have longer arms like a shifter and hands dexterous enough to hold paper while reading it. He also had a magic talent for being able to imprint words on certain mediums with his mind. It was why he chose the type of business he did because pretty much all dragons who had that ability handled toriq correspondence and contracts.
He read it over carefully before looking up at me. They finally agreed to the deal? You didn’t have to negotiate anymore?
I met with them during a patrol yesterday. Something tells me that my annoyance with their latest haggling may have been evident after I began describing how I planned to rip their heads off if they didn’t either take it or leave it. They decided you’d offered an equitable deal.
While I had my difficulties with the Takaran, I had allies within their toriq who I’d worked with for centuries on trade deals. They knew better than to ever cross me and had nothing to do with the others who tried infiltrating my territory. It benefited them far too much to stay on my good side.
Narrow neutral zones ran on either side of my land so other dragon toriqan could reach me. Since I was almost a century old, I’d begun helping facilitate trade as a neutral party. Having an intermediary with no allegiances made everyone more comfortable, and I was strong enough to hold my ground.
In this case, Clyde’s wife ran a small restaurant that catered to shifters. She wanted to expand into seafood dishes, but acquiring the ingredients meant working with the Takaran to handle transport and the humans who lived near the Gulf of Dragons to do the fishing and packing. Their prices weren’t cheap, but a couple of years ago, I’d worked out a deal between the dangerous sea beasts and the fisherman so that their boats wouldn’t get attacked anymore.
It had been one of the most dangerous negotiations I’d ever handled, but afterward, it meant I could get fresh fish and shrimp for free anytime I flew down for a visit. The humans were most generous for their part in this latest deal due to their gratitude that dragons weren’t destroying their vessels or eating their people anymore.
For the package contents to remain fresh during their travel north, those handling transport would have to move it up to their land quickly or make one of their sorcerers do a preservation spell. It also meant having a set schedule to handle the pickup at the border. In cases where parties missed each other, they had the option of using me—for a fee, of course. I also required payment from all sides for handling the negotiations.
This is why everyone with any wisdom hires you, Clyde said to me, his gaze filled with respect. You never fail to get the job done equitably. Oh, and I will make it known that your slayer won’t be an impediment to your negotiations.
I dipped my head. That would be much appreciated.
Some would wonder how my relationship would affect my business dealings, but with Clyde's help, they’d understand a slayer could help me enforce the deals I made if she chose. I’d already discussed as much with Rayna, making certain she understood this was part of my life. It remained up to her if she wished to become involved.
We left, heading back into the crowded street. The slayer said nothing as we walked, but she lightly clasped my arm as if she needed that touch to stay connected to me. I certainly didn’t mind. My need to be close to her was every bit as strong, though it was strange walking among dragons together without the animosity the two of us once shared.
I wanted to let out a sigh of contentment. It was a relief to have my most important business done, though this time of year wasn’t usually busy for me. In late spring, everything on Earth was abundant, so fewer dragons came to me, requiring a negotiator. During the summer, I stayed occupied with invitations from dragons and humans to bring rain to their lands. They’d pay me in coin, produce, or animals like cows, sheep, or chickens. I kept what I needed and traded the rest at the Faegud jakhal for other things.
I had enough credit to commission dozens of wardrobes for Rayna if I wished, and still have plenty left over. My mother had quickly discovered I could provide her with anything she wanted and was quite proud of how well I’d done for myself. I didn’t need much, but for centuries, those deals had been the main way I socialized and learned about my kind.
Rayna slowed her pace as we walked by a shop displaying weapons. It was then that I realized the Kandoran had stolen all of hers. She didn’t have anything anymore to defend herself or hunt, and I didn’t know why I hadn’t considered that, except we’d been more than a little distracted lately.
Choose whatever you want, I told her. I’ll be two shops over, picking up your clothes and ordering a few more things.
She frowned. I can’t. The Kandoran took everything, and I…
Which is my fault for letting you go out there alone when you came to me for help. Do not worry about the cost. I can more than afford it.
Rayna shifted on her feet in indecision. While I wasn’t a fan of her hunting my kind, I also knew she was a target. I will not leave you defenseless. If you don’t choose what you want—and I’m aware of exactly how many weapons you carried before—then I will select them for you.
Amusement filled her eyes. You wouldn’t.
I absolutely would.
Fine. She lifted her chin. But I’m warning you that I have expensive taste.
Excellent. That means you won’t choose poor weapons.
Rayna gave me a grateful smile and entered the shop. I hated letting her out of my sight, but we only had about thirty minutes before I needed to check in for the bitkal and begin preparations. Until then, I wouldn’t know if I would fight a shifter or a pure dragon. I wanted to strategize ahead of time for either situation.
With that thought, I hurried to the next shop, even more sizeable than the last with an open front and high ceiling. The female shifter inside gave me an appreciative look until I came close enough for her to catch my scent. Annoyance flared in her gaze after that.
I’d had Lorcan put in the order since I was still recovering from my injuries at the time, and until today, no one aside from my mother knew my relationship with Rayna had deepened. Many people would be giving me shocked looks today, and no doubt, by the end of the bitkal, everyone would know. I didn’t particularly care what they thought, though.
You have the garments I requested ready? I asked, noting the various display garments hung upon the walls on either side of the large building. Thankfully, they were widely spaced apart, so even a large dragon could fit inside.
She was currently in beast form. Next to her, a human female stood ready to help as well. She took one look at me before bending down to grab a package from under the counter. Everyone living in the jakhal could recognize me. I pulled a dozen gold coins from shiggara, placing them on the counter. She handed my order over, and I immediately sent it into my pocket dimension. It would be safe there for the time being.
You gave us too many coins, the female dragon said, confused.
I turned my gaze toward her. I have another order to place and the extra will cover the deposit for it.
Of course, what would you like?
I sent her mental images of one of the dresses I had in mind, which was purely from my imagination. For the other two, I selected the styles from the displays but with different colors. Three would be enough for now. They already had Rayna’s sizes from the previous order. My mother had taken the measurements while the slayer was still lying in a coma. We’d hated to do it without her knowledge, but it wasn’t something that could have waited since she had no clothes.
We’ll get to work on them right away. They should be ready within a week, maybe less, she said.
I’ll pay extra if they deliver them to my border, and I can pick them up there.
That was how I received Rayna’s first outfit, but I’d let the shifter who brought it know I’d be at the jakhal soon enough to take the rest when they were ready. It was worth an extra coin not to fly up here and back for one package.
We’ll be happy to do that for you, she replied, tone terse.
She was one of several female shifters who’d shown interest in me over the last few years since I joined the Faegud, but I hadn’t felt any attraction to her or the other. I’d always been able to go long periods without female companionship until Rayna. She was the first to leave me in a state of constant need, no matter what she said or did to upset me. That undoubtedly contributed to my sour mood when I was around her before she bonded herself to me.
Galadon, I need you, Rayna spoke urgently in my head.
I was out of the shop and down the street in seconds, finding the slayer with her back to a stone wall and holding a sword. I followed her gaze to two male dragons snarling at her. The reason for their behavior didn’t matter. I saw red and tore into them. They’d threatened her, and that was all the reason I needed, considering the entire toriq had already been warned months ago.
I ripped the throat out of the larger one as my first move, recognizing him as a regular troublemaker. He wasn’t worth sparing. For the second, he was the younger son. He quaked as soon as I cut my claws across his face. So, instead of killing him, I broke several of his bones and made him bleed in multiple places. It only took a minute of my time. The young male hardly put up a fight, mostly screeching and trying to avoid my strikes.
After leaving him lying panting on the ground, I glared at the crowd that had formed, many splattered with the blood spray of my battle. The slayer is mine. If anyone threatens her again, their punishment will be worse than this. Understood?
Every dragon lowered their head to the ground in submission, fear in their eyes.
I turned my back on them and checked her for wounds, relieved to find none. She turned her stunned gaze toward me. I was grateful she’d spent enough time around dragons to understand she couldn’t question what I’d done, or it would undermine my actions.
It also humbled me that she hadn’t tried to fight and called me instead. Of course, I’d made her promise when I said she could come today, but she could be unpredictable. By calling me, she’d shown wisdom under pressure and trust that I would handle the problem for her. She’d only grabbed the nearest sword from the shop in case she needed it.
Show me which weapons you chose, I said, ready to get her mind off the incident.
She nodded. Okay.
Inside the building, I had the shifter fit her with new belts, sheaths, and scabbards, as well as pay for her weapons. I approved of everything she’d chosen and was glad she had excellent taste. Rayna wouldn’t spend another minute unarmed. I ensured every blade she could wear right now was on her and that she felt comfortable with them. The spares went to shiggara. She might not have her strength back, but I had no doubt her skills remained excellent. I didn’t want her to be vulnerable again.