Chapter 20 #2
“The citizens of Pyrrhus had grown too comfortable,” he said, his words rumbling with restrained emotions. “We believed we were untouchable. We were wrong. Wendigos invaded the mountain, destroying our meager defenses before we even realized they were here.”
“You mean, it was The Dark One who attacked you?”
He winced. “Where did you hear that name?”
“From Yaga.”
“That figures.” His dark brow furrowed. “The wendigos used the mining tunnels to breach the castle. In our hunger for wealth, we’d dug the foundation of our demise.
Somehow, they’d discovered every pathway, using them to their advantage.
They knew things about our kingdom only entrusted to a rare few. ”
“I’m so sorry, Thorne.” The same monsters that devastated Nefarr attacked Pyrrhus. No wonder the brothers had been so prickly discussing them.
“I wasn’t even here when it happened. I was carousing in another kingdom when I heard about the attack. By the time I’d returned, the damage was done. Pyrrhus was destroyed and…”
“Alaric was a beast.”
“In my grief, I swore an oath to remain at his side. Swore to see him whole with my final breath. I’ve kept that promise ever since.”
“You made a mistake.”
“One that cost thousands their lives. If I had been here, two dragons together could have—”
I pressed my finger to his lips. “Shhh. It does no good to think like that. If you were here, you’d likely be dead.”
“Sometimes,” he whispered so low I barely heard, “I wish it were so.”
Oh, Thorne. His admission threatened to crack the walls surrounding my heart. Before I could comment, his infernal mask of arrogance slid into place. Without warning, he grasped my waist, barking, “Stomach, but this time kick your legs.”
I allowed the abrupt change of subject, floating on my stomach. Thorne’s firm hands supported my middle while I kicked.
“And now add your arms,” he said, and I complied. It wasn’t too difficult, now that I’d put it all together. Legs, arms. Kick and paddle. Kick and paddle.
“Far enough, Serafina,” he called out.
“What’s that?” My toes reached for a floor that was no longer there. I barked a yelp of surprise, and my head dunked under.
Fates save me, how had I ended up in the deep end? “Thorne!” I shouted, flailing.
“Right here.” His wide shoulders appeared before me, and I slung my arms around his neck, coughing and spluttering.
I wiped my eyes, glaring at him. “Where were you? I could have drowned. Again!”
“But you didn’t.” From the steadiness of his frame against me, I determined he could touch the bottom while I could not.
“Why did you let me go so far?”
“Because you were swimming.”
I peered over his shoulder, noting the distance between me and the shallow end.
“I did it?”
“You did it.”
Flooded with joy, I beamed at my instructor. “I did it!” I was unstoppable. A fierce water nymph, a force to be reckoned with, handmaiden to the goddess. And screw the Puritan haters. I had magic. Also, I could flarking swim.
Thorne smiled back, and once again, I was struck stupid by how attractive he was. Wet, dry, clothed, naked, or in his dragon form—he was never anything but devastating.
My hands slid over the dusting of iridescent scales that covered the tops of his broad shoulders, his skin hot and slick. Unable to resist, I leaned closer to breathe in his delightful smoky scent. Even submerged, he smelled of flames and fire.
Husky timbre in my voice, I said, “Thank you, Thorne.”
“You’re very welcome, Princess.”
The silken purr in his tone made my insides flutter. For once, the nickname didn’t sound like an insult.
This close, our breaths mingled—his warm and smoky, mine sharp with nerves. While the water was cool against my skin, everywhere we touched sizzled.
My gaze dropped to his lips. Lips that were often hard with mockery, now softened with something resembling pride.
Heat surged. My heart lunged before my brain could argue. I crashed forward—claiming his mouth with mine.
THORNE
Flarking hell. Who was seducing whom? I’d sought Serafina out, determined to dazzle her with my powers of persuasion, only to find myself under her spell.
From the moment I’d entered the bathing chamber and discovered her alone, my gut warned me to abandon this plan. To walk away. Not that I was one to ever do the sensible thing. The story I’d shared with her should have reminded me of the repercussions of my reckless choices.
It didn’t.
And so I’d lingered. Even offered her swimming lessons, of all things.
Swimming lessons!
Hardly the smoothest move I’d used to rid a lady of her clothes, but it worked. Too well. Damn me if my seduction hadn’t backfired, leading to me spill truths I never had with another. To Hathor’s flarking handmaiden of all people.
And now…
Now, Serafina was bare and in my arms. The thin scraps of transparent clothing she wore were more temptation than naked flesh, teasing every line of her body.
Goddess save me, I’d almost let both of us drown when she’d floated on her back. Seeing her pale breasts beneath the water’s surface, I nearly lost the battle with my dragon. He demanded I claim her, brand her, mark her as mine as I’d once wanted to in that pasture when I chased her into the woods.
And now, her mouth was smashed against mine, and I was helpless to resist.
“Sera,” I growled against her lips. Much to my detriment, some fragment of reason clawed through the haze. “I can’t… We shouldn’t…”
In that sharp, stabbing moment of clarity, seducing Serafina wasn’t a game incited by Alaric’s harsh words. It was far too real.
“You’re right,” she groaned. “This is a horrible idea.”
“The worst,” I agreed, meeting her hungry mouth with an intensity of my own.
Her lips were soft and demanding, giving and taking all at once. Her moans sparked along my spine, tripping into my psyche where she wreaked havoc. My will no longer my own, I coasted my hands beneath her curvy ass, dragging her body tight against me.
Serafina wrapped her legs around my hips, clinging to me like she feared sinking into the deep. Her hot center slid against my shaft, with only a whisper of wet fabric between us. A growl rumbled through my chest at the friction.
“Oh, do that again.” She coasted her hands over my shoulders in a delightful way that had my beast wanting to arch its spine.
“What? This?” I rumbled deeper, letting the sound vibrate through us both.
“Yes,” she moaned, shivering. “It tickles.”
“Tickles?” I uttered with a low growl that had her eyes rolling back. “I’ll have you know, warriors have been known to wet themselves when my dragon growls.”
“Mmm, yes.” She kissed a path across my jaw to my throat. “I’m terrified.”
“I can see that.” Why was everything this woman did unexpected?
She rocked her hips, grinding against my ridged length, and I nearly lost my footing. With a curse, I carried us to the shallows before we drowned.
“Sera,” I captured her wrist, groaning, “you can’t do that.”
“Do what?” She thrust against my manhood.
“That,” I bit out, though my hands refused to leave her curves.
At the side of the pool, I set her on the smooth stones.
To my utter surprise, she captured my hand, pressing it to her breast. “What good is a win without a reward?”
Flames save me. Her heat, her eyes, the sheer want in her voice… I shook my head to clear it, and the conversation with Alaric rose up to bite me, flooding me with the need to salvage my honor.
I winced. “Sera, perhaps we should wait.”
She nibbled her plump bottom lip, and my teeth ached to do the same. “If you’re worried that I’ll expect more, don’t. All I desire is to enjoy this one moment. Who knows when we’ll get another?”
Her curious fingers teased over my nipples, and I forgot why I’d objected in the first place.
Honor? I had none.
Still, I managed to say, “Serafina, are you certain this is what you want?”
She cupped my jaw, demanding my attention. “I am tired of being ordered about. A slave to what others desire. For once, I am doing what I want. Taking control. Doing something for myself because I am my own person and no goddess, high lord, or dragon can take that away from me.”
Flark me, she was beautiful like this—defiant and empowered, all fire and need.
I slammed my mouth into her like a dragon starving, her soft moan charging my senses. She shivered, whether from cold or adrenaline, I wasn’t sure. Likely both.
“We need to get you out of these wet clothes.”
When she didn’t protest, I grazed my fingers beneath her sodden top, drawing it over her chilly flesh. Sera raised her arms, eager to be free of the garment. As I drew her bottoms off, she levered back, tucking one foot on the ledge to raise her hips.
I took a moment to study her naked form.
And what a form it was. As her hair began to dry, crimson curls framed her heart-shaped face, long strands resting over her shoulders.
Plump breasts with rosy nipples begged for a man’s touch.
There was a gentle curve to her stomach and a tempting crease right above her rounded hip that urged a Draconis to sink his claws into her sweet flesh.
Serafina was soft and curvy in all the most delightful places. I was desperate for a taste.
“Would you like to get out of the water?” She patted the spot next to her.
“Not yet. I rather enjoy having you on display this way.”
As I drew closer, she captured me between her thighs, her chilly skin seeking my warmth. Goosebumps pebbled her bare shoulders, and her pert nipples grazed my chest.
“You’re cold.”
“Am I? All I feel is you.”
I placed my hand over her heart, demanding that the flame I gifted her respond. Beneath my palm, a soft light glowed.
“Oh,” Sera gasped, letting her head fall back. “What are you doing?”
“Kindling a fire in you.”
“Mmm, that’s nice,” she purred. “I feel as though I drank a steaming cup of mulled wine.”
If she thought I was done, she was sorely mistaken.
“Just nice?”