Chapter 10 Draven
TEN
DRAVEN
Draven lost himself in the fire of Lila’s kiss, his hands tangling in the silky strands of her hair as their tongues began to dance together.
Her large breasts pressed firmly against his muscular chest through the forest green dress, and he could feel his dragon stirring to life, demanding he claim what was rightfully his.
The taste of wine and chocolate lingered on her lips, intoxicating him further as every nerve ending in his body roared with desperate need.
Mine. Take her. Claim her now.
His dragon’s primal demands grew louder and more insistent, and Draven felt his control beginning to slip. His hands moved from her hair to her waist, pulling her impossibly closer as heat coursed through him like molten lava.
Then suddenly, Lila broke away from their perfect kiss, her breathing ragged as she pressed a hand against his chest.
“We should... we should really get back to the castle,” she said, her voice a little slurred. “I think I had too much wine. I’m not feeling quite right.”
Draven’s protective instincts immediately overrode his arousal as he took in her appearance. Her cheeks were flushed—though whether from their passionate kiss or the Sidaii wine, he couldn’t tell—and she swayed slightly on her feet, gripping his forearms for balance.
Damn. How much did she drink?
“Lila.” His voice held the commanding tone of a king who was used to being obeyed. “How are you feeling exactly?”
“Dizzy,” she admitted, blinking slowly as if trying to focus. “Everything’s a bit... spinny.”
Guilt crashed over him like a tidal wave. He’d been so caught up in their dinner, in the intoxicating pull between them, that he hadn’t been paying attention to how much wine she’d consumed. Sidaii wine affected humans far more strongly than dragon shifters, and he should have been more careful.
“I’m carrying you to the car,” he declared, already moving to sweep her into his arms.
“No, that’s not necessary—” she protested, but her words cut off in a small gasp as he lifted her effortlessly against his chest.
“Don’t argue with me right now,” he growled softly, his protective instincts in full alpha mode. “You can barely stand.”
After a moment of resistance, Lila’s arms wound around his neck, and she rested her head against his chest with a soft sigh. The way she fit perfectly in his arms, trusting and vulnerable, made something deep in his chest clench with fierce possessiveness.
This is right. She belongs here, in my arms.
Even as worry for her wellbeing dominated his thoughts, he couldn’t deny how perfectly she molded against him, her curves fitting against his body like she’d been made for him. Which, he supposed, she had been.
The walk to the car felt both eternal and far too short. When they reached the vehicle, he set her down gently and helped her into the passenger seat, his hands steady as he buckled her seatbelt.
“How many glasses did you have exactly?” he asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“I lost count after...” She paused, her brow furrowing in concentration. “Three? Maybe four?”
Four glasses of Sidaii wine. No wonder she’s struggling.
“Close your eyes,” he instructed, after he climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine. “We’ll be home soon.”
Home. The word slipped without conscious thought. But it felt so natural to call his castle their home somehow.
The drive to the castle passed in tense silence, broken only by Lila’s soft breathing.
Draven pushed the car faster than was probably safe, his gaze flicking between the road and her pale face every few seconds.
His dragon paced restlessly, torn between protective concern and the urge to comfort their mate.
When they arrived at the castle, Lila attempted to convince him she was fine and could walk on her own, but the way she swayed when she stood told a different story.
“Absolutely not,” he said firmly, scooping her up again before she could protest. “You’re not walking anywhere in this condition.”
This time she didn’t argue, simply melting against him with a trusting sigh that made his heart race for entirely different reasons than before.
He carried her through the castle corridors to her guest suite, kicking the door closed behind them before settling her gently on the king-sized bed. She looked small and fragile against the dark silk sheets, her forest green dress spread around her like flower petals.
“Stay here,” he commanded, moving to the adjoining bathroom to fill a glass with water.
When he returned, she was attempting to sit up straighter, though her movements were still unsteady.
“Drink this,” he ordered, pressing the glass into her hands. “All of it.”
She obeyed without question, and he watched with relief as some color returned to her cheeks after she’d drained the glass.
“Better?” he asked.
“Much better,” she admitted, offering him a sheepish smile. “Thank you.”
“I’m going to sit here for a while,” he declared, settling into the chair beside her bed. “Make sure you’re okay.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I’m not leaving,” he said firmly. “Not after letting you drink too much on my watch.”
Lila bit her lip, looking suddenly vulnerable. “Could you... could you help me get into my pajamas? I don’t think I can manage the zipper.”
Draven’s mouth went dry at the request, his dragon immediately perking up with interest. The rational part of him knew this was dangerous territory—helping his intoxicated mate undress was a recipe for losing control entirely.
But she needs help. And she trusts you.
“Of course,” he said quietly, moving to the wardrobe to retrieve one of the silk nightgowns he’d had stocked for her.
The midnight blue slip was soft as water in his hands as he returned to the bed. Lila had managed to slip off her heels and was now struggling with the zipper at the back of her dress.
“Turn around,” he instructed, his voice thickening with desire.
His fingers found the zipper, and he drew it down slowly, revealing the smooth expanse of her back inch by tantalizing inch. When she pushed the dress off her shoulders and down her body completely, revealing her black lace bra and panties, every muscle in his body went rigid.
She’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Her skin was cream silk in the lamplight, her curves even more magnificent than he’d imagined. The black lace bra accentuated her full breasts, and the matching panties rode low on her hips, revealing the gentle swell of her bottom.
His dragon roared with the need to claim her, to lay her back on the bed and worship every inch of her beautiful body until she cried out his name. The mate bond pulsed between them, hot and insistent, demanding completion.
Instead, he gently pulled the silk slip over her head, helping her arms through the delicate straps before guiding her to lie back against the pillows.
“There,” he said, his voice strained as he pulled the covers up to her chin. “Better now?”
“Perfect,” she murmured sleepily, the alcohol finally winning the battle against consciousness. “Thank you for everything tonight. It was wonderful.”
“It was my pleasure,” he replied honestly, settling back into his chair. “I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Within moments, her breathing deepened and evened out, and Draven found himself unable to look away.
She looked so peaceful in sleep, her dark lashes fanned against her cheeks and her lips slightly parted.
The stress lines that had been etched around her eyes when she’d first arrived on Nova Aurora had already begun to fade.
She’s healing too. This place, being here with me—it’s good for her.
Hours passed as he watched over her, his mind racing with thoughts of their future together. Tonight had proven that the attraction between them was mutual, and that she felt the pull of the mate bond even if she didn’t understand what it was yet.
She’s going to be mine. My mate, my queen, my everything.
The certainty settled in his chest like a warm flame, steady and sure. Whatever obstacles lay ahead—political complications, her human origins, the need to win her heart completely—he would overcome them all.
Because Lila Reyes was his destiny, and he’d be damned if he let anything stand between them.
Before he knew it, gentle hands were shaking his shoulders and Draven jerked awake with a start.
His neck screamed in protest as he lifted his head from where it had been resting on the silk sheets beside Lila, his massive frame contorted at an impossible angle in the chair.
Every muscle in his back felt like it had been twisted into knots by some sadistic torture master.
How long was I asleep like that?
But even through the physical discomfort, he felt remarkably calm.
The constant buzzing anxiety that had plagued him for weeks was nothing more than a whisper in the back of his mind.
Being in Lila’s presence, breathing in her intoxicating scent all night, had given him the most peaceful sleep he’d experienced in years.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” Lila said with a warm smile, already sitting up in bed with her dark hair tousled around her shoulders. The midnight-blue silk slip hugged her curves in ways that caused his dragon to stir with immediate interest.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, rolling his shoulders to work out the kinks.
“Much better. But I do have a bit of a headache.” She pressed her fingertips to her temples with a rueful expression. “I’m guessing that’s the price of Sidaii wine?”
“Yes, unfortunately.” He stood and stretched, noting how her eyes tracked the movement of his muscles beneath his wrinkled shirt. “We’re not leaving this room until you’ve eaten something substantial. I’ll call for breakfast.”
Before she could argue, he pulled out his communicator and contacted the kitchen staff. Within minutes, a parade of servants appeared at the door carrying silver trays laden with fresh fruit, warm pastries, eggs, and Nova Aurora bacon that smelled like heaven.