Dragon Me to the Flame (Dragons of Emberside Book 2) (2 page)

* * * *

Niall ran back to the cottage at dusk, his palms sweaty. He hoped Skye had made her decision by now. He felt like his heart might burst, and he wasn't sure if he could take rejection—or what they were going to do if she said yes.

His confidence in front of her had been mostly a show. He was scared to death of his clan. As dragons went, they were all fierce, and Magnus and Roland were the most bad ass and mean of all. All our war would be anything but nice.

Niall pounded on her door moments later, the cottage gleaming in the near darkness.

No answer.

“Hey, Skye. You in there?” He bit his lip.

This was strange. He figured she would have been waiting at the door to chew him out before they made wild, passionate love.

Silence met his ears. It was too quiet. His blood sluiced audibly through his veins, his awareness heightened as it did when something was awry or dangerous.

“Where are you, my love?” Niall whispered, standing on the front steps now. He had a bad feeling in his gut as he turned and ran back to the Emberside cave. Had she left because of him—just taken her things and cleared out? He hadn't looked, but he knew in his heart that the answer was no.

Skye wanted him. She was just afraid.

“I'll find you. I'll keep you safe,” Niall whispered as he ran.

Chapter 3: Reckoning

“She's here, Niall. Don't worry. She's safe and sound.” Roland met him at the cave entrance, a smile on his face. He was in human form.

“What do you mean?” Niall gasped for breath after the fast run. He couldn't believe Skye would have shown up on her own at the cave. His gut twisted as he studied Roland's smirking face. “What have you done with her?” He clenched his fists, heat rising along his neck.

“I've tied her up, and I'm not letting her go until you let her go.” Roland crossed his arms, his muscles bulging.

He was a huge man and an even bigger dragon.

“You can't do this. She's my mate.” Niall spit the words out, fury turning his vision red.

“Oh, I can. And I have. You need to get back to Morighan, mate with her for good, and stay in your place. The future of Emberside Clan relies on it.” Roland bit his lip, his eyes shining with malice.

“I don't love Morighan. I've told her, and she's going to have to accept it. And there are other ways for the clan to work out our differences. Why does my love life matter so much?” Niall shook his head, leaning against the cool cave wall, trying to control his temper.

“Because your brother is clan leader, and I want to be. I will be. If you're wise, you'll do as I say.” Roland smiled.

“If you like Morighan so much, she's free. Why don't you mate with her?” Niall shook his head.

“Come with me.” Roland turned his back.

Niall had no choice but to follow him and pray he could overpower him to get Skye to safety. If all out war was going to happen, so be it. He knew his brother would side with him in the end—if only to keep Roland from gaining control of the clan.

* * * *

Roland was still smiling as he led Niall deep into the cave, but inside, he was a stew of emotions. Morighan. The name conjured up the tall, lithe temptress. He had always had eyes for her, but she only saw Niall, ever since Roland could remember. He had no idea what she saw in the sniveling weakling. And now, he was a cheater on top of all of it.

I would never treat her like that.

He pushed Morighan out of his mind, flaming hair, lush curves and all. Roland knew he had to focus on the business at hand—starting a war he was going to win. And he would use Niall to do it.

He grinned widely when he heard Niall's angry snort behind him. He'd caught a glimpse of Skye, all tied up. She was a pretty piece, but not his type—too American. He preferred women, like Morighan, who had lived in these highlands all their lives.

Stop thinking about her now.

“Untie her, you fire breathing prick,” Niall said next to his ear.

“Make me,” Roland replied calmly, stepping beside Skye and looking at Niall, one eyebrow quirked in a challenge.

* * * *

Niall's palms were sweaty with tension. He would have to make the other man let Skye go. He didn't know what Roland's ultimate plan was, but he had to catch the man off guard. He cast his gaze about as nonchalantly as possible, looking for a weapon. In the corner, and old ax handle leaned against a wall. It was within quick reach, and Niall was going to use it.

He decided to go for the jugular—with words first. Skye's glare cut into his very soul, but he had to do this. He would show her how much he cared about her in a few minutes. “So, I saw the look on your face when I mentioned Morighan. How long have you wanted to bed her?” He leaned against the cave wall and inched over a fraction to put the weapon within easier reach.

Roland huffed. “Whatever. I don't.” He glanced away, unable to meet Niall's gaze, obviously, because he was lying.

That was all Niall needed. He grabbed the ax handled and bound across the space between the two men.

Roland turned to look at him, but it was too late. Niall brought the ax handle down on his head, hard.

The crack was sickening.

“That's going to hurt,” Niall said, but at the moment, he didn't care. In fact, if he had killed Roland, that was all the better for everyone concerned.

Roland crumpled to the ground with a moan. He was still breathing, so no luck on the dead thing.

“Mm Humph!” Skye said, her gaze throwing daggers at Niall.

“I am, my love. Let's get out of here. He's going to come to. Meanwhile, I need to signal my brother from afar. We have to get an army together. There's going to be a battle.”

* * * *

Skye listened to Niall, enraged. How dare this idiot drag her into this mess? She didn't even believe in dragons, and now she was going to be in the middle of a dragon clan war!

He pulled the gag out of her mouth.

“You...you!” She couldn't even talk, she was so angry. Skye shook with rage.

“I know. I'm sorry. I had no idea Roland would do something like this, but I should have. He's a terrible...person.” Niall grinned at his little joke.

“Save it. Hurry up.”

Niall worked at her bonds as Skye drank in the scent of him—grass, blood, and raw masculinity. She was turned on more than she had ever imagined she could be. It seemed that the danger they were in just made Niall Gregor seem even hotter.

“Damn you,” she hissed as she stood up, stretching.

Niall gave her space, smiling at her knowingly.

“I know. You hate this whole thing, right?” He grinned.

“Yes, I do!” She stamped her foot.

“Yeah, yeah. Dragon shifters feed off of war and threats of war, even though we try to be nice to each other. It happens. It's just in our nature to fight for what we want.” Niall stepped close to her now. “We have to go.”

Skye wanted him to take her right there on the floor of the cave. Her knees wobbled, and that feeling of changing came over her. “Can we fly to where ever it is that we're going?” She looked up at him, her voice trembling.

“You mean?” He stared at her, his gaze wide.

“Yes.”

“We can. I'll make sure you get there, but it won't take you but a few minutes to get the hang of it, and it will definitely be faster.” Niall smiled.

“Let's go, then.”

They ran out of the cave. As soon as they got outside, Niall threw Skye up against the outer cave wall.

Chapter 4: First Mating

“What the--?” Skye asked. She wanted to struggle, but he had moved at dragon speed.

Niall kissed her, pinning her to the rocky wall. His lips on hers were like fire, and her blood sizzled. Her vision went hazy, and everything was just the feeling of melting limbs and incredible lust. “Stop. Stop,” she murmured.

“I want you to shift. You want to as well, right? Isn't that what you just said?” Niall asked, his mouth pressed against her cheek.

Skye could hardly think. Her brain was foggy with the impending change she had never allowed before. “Yes, I do, but just so we can...go faster.”

“Right.” Niall grinned. “Any reason is a good reason to shift. Believe me. So, let me kiss you again.”

Skye nodded and gave herself over to the sensation of Niall's lips on hers. Fire raced through her body, and she didn't fight the feeling of beginning to shift now. Her core felt like lava bubbling up, and her heart beat so hard she thought her chest might burst. Niall's tongue caressed hers, and she groaned, wanting him more than she had ever wanted anyone. With a popping sensation that put immense pressure on her gut, Skye realized she had changed. Shimmering scales lay on her chest when she looked down. She flexed unfamiliar hands—paws?--with claws at their ends. These babies could really do some damage.

“Let's go.” Niall took her hand, and she was in the air, screaming. “It's okay. I've got you. Just flap your wings.”

“Wings?!” But it was true. Skye could feel them move when she pushed, concentrating on the motion. She was flying; she really was a dragon...a dragon shifter.

They rose in the sky, and strength coursed through her like she'd never known. “Now I see why you don't mind this dragon shifter thing,” Skye shouted over the wind in her ears.

“Yes, among other reasons.” Niall squeezed her hand and then let go.

Skye squeaked in fright.

“You're okay.” Niall smiled at her—a toothy dragon smile. Pretty sexy, she thought.

She nodded as the wind went under her wings, and she flew next to him. “Woohoo!”

“You've only just begun, baby dragon shifter.” He winked, his green eye glittering. “C'mon, this way.” Niall spread his fabulous, glittering cerulean and dark blue wings, and Skye flew after him into a cave.

They landed, and she caught her breath. “Where are we?”

“A cave some distance away.” Niall gazed deeply into Skye's eyes. “I'll have to summon my brother soon and tell him that war is coming.”

Desire that was simmering under the surface reared up as she gazed into his clear, animal eyes. He was gorgeous, powerful—all dragon now. And she was, too. “Okay, but first, take me. I want you now. I don't want to wait.”

“Um, okay.” Niall looked surprised. “Does this mean?--”

“It means I want you,” Skye rasped, reaching for him as if by instinct. It was as if all the years of putting her sexual needs to sleep had come rushing at her. She was hornier than she'd ever been, but only for this magnificent, sexy dragon.

“I thought I'd never hear those words,” Niall said, his breath coming in loud puffs in the silence of the cave. “We don't have a lot of time, though.”

Skye rested her new dragon paws and claws on his shoulders. “I don't care. It's enough time to feel you inside of me.”

“Yes, it is. I'm going to claim you now, if that's what you really want.” Niall kissed her.

She broke off the kiss with a supreme strength of will. “Let's just mate—have sex, whatever it's called in dragon world. We'll talk about the rest later.” Skye pressed her lips against his again, groaning deeply.

Fire filled her belly, and every particle of her being was filled with desire. The sensation was almost overwhelming, and she grew lightheaded.

“Stay with me now, Skye,” Niall whispered, nipping at her throat. “We'll do as you wish, but it won't be the only time. I want you...for life.” He licked the nape of her scaly neck.

Skye saw stars. “This is so damned hot.”

“There's nothing else like it,” Niall said as he found her lips with his again.

“What's weird is that I haven't even done this in human form before.” Skye said and laughed shakily. “Now, I'll be doing it dragon style.”

“You will, with me. We'll do everything together. Don't worry.” His voice was a low growl, full of passion.

“I hope that's a promise,” Skye said. She realized her clothing was still on somehow, just stretched strangely around her.

Niall worked at the buttons, brushing her chest with his hands. Where her breasts would have been, scales covered sensitive areas. Jolts of fire ran through her lower body.

“What the hell?”

Niall laughed softly. “You won't just have an orgasm. It will be more like—three or five. That's why dragon mating is amazing.”

“And you?” Skye teased him as he raked his claws down her body. She shuddered with the pure pleasure of the sensation.

“I'll have at least two. Dragon shifter males can mate and then have another orgasm almost immediately.”

“That's a bonus, too.” Skye pushed against his chest, wanting him inside of her right then.

“Shut up, and let's do this. Then, we have to get Magnus.”

With all of their clothing out of the way, Niall reached down where Skye's pussy would have been.