Call of the Dragon (Return to Avalore Book 1) (19 page)

“
I just need to sleep for about a month. Where’s the nearest Holiday Inn?”

“Go ahead and rest. I won’t let anything happen to you, but we have to keep moving.”
He took a deep shuddering breath.
“We’re almost at the border. We’ll stop once we cross over.”
He breathed her scent deep into his lungs, scarcely able to believe she was back. “
You need energy. One of your brothers will give it to you but they’ll have to carry you while they do it.”
He didn’t want to relinquish his hold on her, but he would, for her sake.

“
No.”
Her eyes widened and the corners of her mouth dipped low. “
I-I don’t want them to do it. Drake, please…”

He didn’t need any more convincing. He didn’t want to hand her over to anyone else anyway. Cradling her body to his chest, he stood in one fluid motion with her in his arms.

“We have to move. I’m carrying her,”
he informed Evan.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea for you to be the one to give her-”

He set his jaw, taking a step toward the cliff’s edge.
“I’m carrying her.”
If Evan wanted to take her from him, he’d have a fight on his hands. When his friend shrugged and made no move to stop him, Drake stepped into the darkness.

Evan remained close. The other men stayed back, affording them some privacy, while still being close enough if needed.

“What happened back there?”

Evan sighed.
“It’s of no consequence. Let’s just get Rhiannon home.”

“She’s your mate?”
He’d have known if he’d been mated or even named. It wasn’t something people kept quiet. Besides, Evan would have told him, wouldn’t he?

“You’re not going to drop this, are you?”
When Drake didn’t respond, he continued.
“While I was recovering from my injuries after the Radren City attack a couple of years ago, The Elders came to me and told me I was to be mated. Her name was Brienne. Brienne Roberts.”
He was quiet for a moment.
“By the time I was well enough to go to her, she was nowhere to be found.”
He shrugged.
“I guess she decided she wasn’t ready to be mated after all, or maybe it was me she didn’t want.”
He sighed as he shook his head.
“At least now I know where she is.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this?”
Drake’s jaw dropped. “
I would have helped you find her. No wonder you’re so moody and temperamental.”
He couldn’t help taking the little jab, as he tried to lighten the mood.

“You’d already left on another mission and you were gone for a few months. I figured if she didn’t want to be mated, then who was I to chase her?”
His brows furrowed.
“It never occurred to me she’d run to the dark lands just to get away from me.”
His humorless chuckle spoke volumes
.

“We’ll fi-”

“How is she?”

Drake stared at his friend for a moment before giving in and allowing him to change the subject.
“Weak. I’m going to have to share my life essence with her to bring her fully back.”
He waited for the censure to come.

“
So be it. If she won’t take it from us then I’m glad it’s you she’s chosen.”

“Thank you.”
What else could he say?

“Once we cross the border, veer off and go to the bunker. I’ll take the men to the safe house while you take care of Rhia.”

“We should stay together. They still have the scymin.”
He’d told Evan of the encounter they’d had with Wesken and pulled the crystal from his pocket, handing it over to his Commander.
“We’ve suspected a traitor for years, but a woman? I can’t fathom it. Do you think it’s possible?”

“I wish I knew. Why on earth would one of our women, a woman of the light, cause so much pain and darkness? No, it doesn’t seem possible. Perhaps he was mistaken.”
Evan tucked the pink crystal into his pocket. “
They can’t have repaired the scymin yet. The crystal is hard to find. Even if they had one, it would take a few days to fashion the piece.”
Evan’s eyes darkened.
“Only the Coalition knows about the bunker. You’ll be safe. If another attack is coming it’ll be at the safe house, and we’ll be waiting for the bastards.”

Drake wanted to go one or two rounds with whoever had sold them out, but putting Rhia in harm’s way was out of the question.

“The rest of the Coalition will meet us there. When they see all the men heading out at once, it won’t take long for them to figure out we’ve found her, and we’ll get them once and for all.
Take good care of her. That’s an order. If you hurt her, I’ll come after you myself.”
With that, Evan fell back to rejoin the other men.

Dark circles formed crescent moons beneath her eyes. Lines of strain, which hadn’t been there before, were forming around her mouth. He couldn’t wait much longer to give her his energy. He’d prefer to wait until they reached the bunker but time was running out
.

“
Open your eyes, Rhia, open them and see Avalore.”
His voice held a wistful note as he gazed upon their homeland looming like a pale oasis on the horizon.

Chapter 15

The horizon loomed before Rhia like a beautiful mirage. Red, orange and pink hues streaked across the sky as light fought to banish the darkness. Having spent so much time in the dark lands, she found she needed to blink a few times to let her eyes adjust to the brightness. Drake’s arms held her cocooned against his chest as he carried her towards the Avalorian border, making her feel safe—cherished even.

“It’s beautiful.”
More than tired, she sounded downright feeble. Try as she might, she couldn’t recall the last few hours. They must have won the fight with the beasts, otherwise they wouldn’t be flying into Avalore now.

Her heart pounded as she realized the other men—her brothers—were not with them.
“Where are Evan and the others? Are they still fighting?”
Her whole body stiffened.
“Are they…”
She couldn’t finish the sentence.

“Everyone is travelling into Avalore now.”
He pushed a lock of hair away from her eyes with a gentle finger.
“I’m taking you to a secure location.”

Drake’s arms tightened around her and he sought her gaze. “
I’m going to have to give you some energy. It’s going to feel…”
He took a deep breath and tried again.
“Your body…”

Was he blushing?
“What’s it going to do, Drake?
” She had a sinking feeling she knew what would happen.

“
Your body is going to respond to the exchange.
” His husky voice caressed her mind.
“In a sensual way.”
His body tensed as though he anticipated rejection.

“It’s okay. I’ve done it before, and it’s never affected me like that. I mean, we even did that together in New York, remember?”

“This is different. What I must give you is different. If we were family it would be like any other exchange, but we’re not. I can’t use what’s around us, and even if I could, there wouldn’t be enough to sustain you.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed.
“What I’m giving you is a part of me. My life’s essence will become yours.”

Did she want to go down this road again? The last time they’d kissed ended in disaster. The incessant shivers coursing through her weren’t because she was cold, it was the complete depletion of her energy making her quiver. What choice did they have? They were both adults. They could resist temptation long enough for her to get what she needed. Besides, she could barely keep her eyes open, much less do anything else.

When she didn’t respond, he continued.
“I’m going to go slow. If you feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed, we’ll stop, just give me the word.”

“Okay.”
She took a deep breath, or at least she tried.

She was aware the moment Drake started the slow infusion into her body. The warmth spread from his chest into hers, leaving her breathless. She sought his gaze as his deep moan reached her ears, finding him with eyes closed and his head tilted back. She cleared her throat.
“Will this affect you in the same way?” Somehow speaking the words aloud helped give her the bit of distance she needed.

His arms tightened around her as his gaze found hers, his eyes stormy. “Yes, this kind of exchange is very intimate for both participants.”

“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I’d understand,” she whispered the words so quietly she wasn’t sure he’d even heard her.

“No, but I want to. Just try to breathe through it.”

With each deep breath, she took his scent into her lungs, tantalizing her, making her want to taste him to see if the same spicy male flavor would be on his skin. It was as if he was everywhere, filling her entire being in waves of warmth and sensation. She snuggled closer, unable to do anything else.
So far, so good. I can handle it.
Sure, her body felt warm and tingled in time with the waves of his pulsing heat, but it wasn’t so bad, was it?
No, it’s fine.
She leaned her head back against his shoulder and closed her eyes again, sighing against his neck.

The tingling was getting stronger, but it was still tolerable.
Deep breaths, in and out.
Another wave washed over her.
In, and out. I can do this.
The slow trickle of warmth coming into her was becoming more intense by the minute. Her nipples tightened beneath her thin shirt as another wave slid over and into her.

She took another deep breath, trying to calm the overwhelming urge to shift and press her body against his. Her soft moan met his deeper one. It was as though he caressed her soul. Everything in her reached for him—wanted him. Her lips parted as her body thrummed with need.

“Let it flow through you. You won’t be able to stop it. Try to relax into it. Hopefully it won’t get too much more intense.”
Was he trying to convince her, or himself? His breaths quickened. Oh yes, he was feeling the effects too.

Even his voice in her mind sounded more sensual than usual. Her body responded with a small spasm deep in her core. The smouldering heat pooling between her thighs pulsed and throbbed. She couldn’t remember ever having been so aroused.

Her breaths were coming in short gasps. She had to do something—anything to keep from doing what her treacherous body was demanding. Maybe if he kissed her, just once, it would help ease the ache building inside her. It was no secret, the man could kiss, boy could he kiss.

Stop. This kind of thinking will get you nowhere fast. Think, Rhia. Think of puppies and old people, or… or sea turtles.

Another wave pulsed through her.
“Ahhh. It’s too much. Drake, put my legs down.”

Thoughts of Drake’s strong hands caressing her bare skin, his body pinning hers to a wall as he brought her to a fevered pitch invaded her mind. Her body clenched. Was it possible to have an orgasm just by thinking about him like this?

Giving in to temptation would be like touching a little piece of heaven, but she wouldn’t put him in the position to have to fight off her advances. Neither would she put herself through the humiliation of throwing herself at him and have him push her away again.

Passion sizzled in his half-hooded gaze. “You’re regaining some strength, but you need more. You were completely depleted.
”

Having his arms around her was sweet, hot torture. She wanted to wrap herself around him in every way imaginable, but she had to keep her head on straight. “
I just need to move a little, to ease the pressure a bit.”
Another little moan slipped past her lips. “
Please?”

He caught her gaze, and then groaned, as her body slid down the length of his so she was flush against him. His pupils dilated, a sultry heat burning in the depths of his eyes. Jaw clenched, he bent his head to her neck and buried his nose in her hair before taking a deep breath.

He was struggling just as much as she was. A small thrill raced through her. At least she wasn’t suffering alone.

Goosebumps rose on his neck where her short little gasps teased at his skin. She wanted to smooth them away, but didn’t dare touch him. If she did, she wouldn’t be able to stop.

“Rhia…”

Her body was going up in flames and she had no desire to stop it. He brought his hand up under her shirt to her lower back, caressing in small circles as though trying to restrain from doing more. Was he even aware he was pulling her closer with each slow rotation of his hand?

Running her fingernails through the hair at the back of his neck, she gently scraped his scalp, making him moan and press his hips onto her skin.

His soft growl teased the skin at the back of her ear.
“Rhia…”
His husky voice brushed against her mind, making her toes curl.

Her whole body was quivering, begging to be touched. It took everything she had to keep from moving against him.
“I’m sorry. I thought this position would help.”
Her lips brushed against his shoulder as she tried to stifle another moan.