Chapter Twenty-Six
Five days later, I was fully mated to the Dragon King of Tabaa.
I woke to Raven setting up our breakfast on a small camp table, dressed only in a pair of pants.
Immediately, I knew it was over. Raven's expression and body language were back to normal, lacking the tension and lust that had driven him during our mating. Plus, he was wearing clothing.
“Good morning.” I sat up. “It's done?”
Raven smiled as he motioned me to the table. “Yes, the mating is settled. Come and join me.”
I got up, comfortable in my nakedness around him now—five days of wild lovemaking got me over my issues—and went to sit across from him at the table.
With my wings fully healed, it didn't bother me to curl them behind me on the rug, bending the tips.
I sat cross-legged and looked over the meal—fresh fruit, toasted bread, poached eggs, and sliced meat.
“This looks wonderful.” I accepted a mug of steaming tea from him.
“Vanoak brought supplies back with him.” His expression went grim.
“He's back? What happened with the spy?”
“It was one of my courtiers. An Okon. He's in a palace cell now, waiting for my return to decide his fate.”
“Are you all right?” I slid my hand over his on the table.
Raven took my hand, looked up at me, and smiled. He'd always been of a positive nature, but this smile was beyond any he'd ever given me. It was serene and joyful at the same time. “I'm more right than I've ever been. How are you, Mate?”
I laughed. “It's been the most wonderful, erotic days of my life.”
“You're not sore?”
“After all the massages you gave me in between sex? No, I feel incredible. Are you sore? You were . . . vigorous.”
He burst out laughing. “That's what the mating magic does to us. Although I suspect I will always be vigorous with you.”
I drew my hand away and shook my head. “The magic controlled you so thoroughly. There were times when you couldn't speak.”
“I remember.” Raven nodded. “It was the dragon rising in me. We mated you together.”
“Raven, how did you manage to think clearly enough to come after me?”
His smile faltered. “I wasn't clear-headed at all. I was in a blind rage. Need clenched in my gut. Nothing could have stopped me from finding you.”
“Because you had to complete the mating?”
“Because I had to see you safe, Eliel.” Raven let out a long sigh.
“I went wild. Transformed. My knights barely had time to shift and follow me.
But I had your scent. That bastard couldn't hide you from me. Then I saw you. The mating urge blasted through me, and my dragon nearly took over. But you were on your knees, terrified. You were trembling. Then you looked at me, and a calm came over you. Your calm calmed me, my foundling.” He reached across the table to stroke my cheek.
“Even though you had run from me, I saw the relief in your eyes. The trust. You had faith in me to save you. And my beast bowed to it. It allowed me to stay in control.”
“I was so scared,” I whispered and angled my face into his hand. “Thank the Gods he wanted to seduce me, not just rape me.”
“What?” Raven growled, his hand clenching.
I took his hand. “Nahel said his people used to abduct their spouses. It was traditional—a way to keep the tribes from inbreeding. Part of the tradition was a knowing period. I think it was meant to calm the captive by giving them the illusion of control.”
“How so?” Raven's face had gone vicious.
“Raven, I'm fine. He didn't touch me. Not intimately. It was the opposite. He wanted me to touch him. It was to familiarize me with his body.”
“That fucking bastard!” Raven shot to his feet.
“Bastard or not, it saved me. It gave you the time to reach me. I made it to his thighs and couldn't go any further. Touching him after being with you made me want to vomit. But he kept pushing me. You interrupted right before I touched his . . . manhood.”
“Motherfucker!”
“Why are you mad?” I got to my feet and went to him.
“He would have forced himself on you, Eliel.” Raven took my upper arms. “After making you touch him.
It was a deception. To calm you and make you feel as if you were a part of your own rape.
Don't you see? It's even worse than rape.
It's fucking maniacal. I will tear him apart for this. Slowly.” He cupped my face again, but this time it was to seal his vow.
“He will pay for what he tried to do to you.”
“I love you,” I whispered.
“My foundling.” With those wounded words, the King pulled me into his arms. “You're safe now. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again.”
“I love you, Raven. And I love how protective you are, but I'm not the one in danger now.” I leaned back to look at him.
“I saw his warriors. They're in pain. They're loyal to him, but I think that's part of the magic.
He's abused his own people, and who knows how many others? We have to save them.”
Raven's face twitched. “I failed them, as I failed you.”
“That's not true. You never failed me. You saved me. And you're here to save them. You're their only hope, Raven.”
“But I failed to see a traitor in my own court.”
I took his hands. “Part of leadership is failure. Everyone fails, Mate. What matters is what you do after that.”
Raven shook his head. “You are so much more than your beauty. I bless the day the Goddess brought you to me.”
“It was the best day of my life too. You helped me remember who I was and then helped me become more than that.”
“And I'm a better man because of you, Eliel.”
I shook my head. “I wish I could take credit for you, but you've always been a good man.”
“I've always tried to be a good king, yes, but you've honed me. I thought my kingdom was peaceful until you showed me the truth. You've shown a light on my shortcomings.”
I squished up my face. “That's awful.”
He chuckled. “No, it's wonderful. As I said, you've made me a better man—a better king. I'll pay closer attention from now on. I will see the things I missed before. And it's because of you. With you at my side, I'll never forget that a smiling face can hide a world of pain.”
“Ugh!” I pulled away from him and went to sit at the table. “Let's not talk about pain now. We're mated. Let's have a moment to celebrate.”
“You're right.” He sat down across from me and grinned. “You dining nude with me is all the celebration I need.”
“Perhaps we could seal our mating with one more round of lovemaking?” I suggested. “I'd like to make love to you without the magic driving you.”
Raven grinned wickedly. “Anything my mate desires.”