The Dragon King (22 page)

Aaron

Randall hugged Sophia in greeting and I had to turn away to keep from stepping forward and ripping him away from my love.

I hear other shifters speak as if their animal and human nature are two souls within them, jockeying for power, but I’m always the dragon.
Always
. It would be accurate to say I’m a dragon who can take human form. Since I came from an egg and was a dragon at birth, it’s true physically as well as psychologically.

And dragons are possessive, jealous creatures with a nasty temper. You’ve heard the stories of them living with their hoard? Knowing when even one tiny piece of their thousands of pieces of gold go missing? I’ve known dragons exactly like that — true dragons as well as shapeshifter dragons.

I spoke with Isaac a few minutes, and then had to watch Sophia walk up to us and hug him as well. This was easier for me to take though, as I’d met Isaac’s boyfriend one night. I wouldn’t have pegged him for gay, but he was obviously in love with the quite talented dancer, and I was happy for them.

I’d gone through a bisexual period. Or, actually, several bisexual periods. Society is fickle, and what’s popular one century can get you put in jail the next.

Randall drew Sophia to a table in one of the private rooms, and I followed to sit beside her, though I leaned back and relaxed, trying to make it obvious she was in control here and I was an observer.

“Did you arrange for the information that your father is holding two wolves as slaves to reach the North American Alpha?”

She nodded as she told him, “I did.”

Randall’s smile was pure wolf as he told her, “Well played. He doesn’t live close, and asked me to bring my tablet so I can set up a video call between the two of you. Is this amenable?”

I leaned forward and spoke to Sophia while looking at Randall. “Your Majesty, I trust Randall to not attempt any trickery, but we have the added bonus of my having met the North American Alpha. If you believe you can get the Winter Queen to sign off on yet more wolves, you’d do well to invite him and a small entourage to your ball.”

Jonathan arrived while Sophia was on the video call, and I heard Isaac offer him a drink as he waited. I pinged Abbott, as we’d already agreed he would
talk
to Jonathan and see if the leopard had any ulterior motives. I trusted Sophia’s instincts, but she wanted this man to be special, to be an old friend who could run her security, and I worried she was too close to make a good call.

Sophia

I’d never been allowed to touch human Jonathan in any way when I’d lived in my father’s house, and I’m pretty sure his heart stopped beating a few seconds when I pulled him into a hug.

“Your Majesty, this is inappropriate!” His voice was barely more than a whisper, though he had to know the other supernaturals would certainly hear.

I hugged him a little tighter and then let him go. “I’ve learned much since my escape. I was glad you weren’t on duty that night, and please don’t tell me what my father did to the people who were.”

He chuckled. “They’re alive and well, though I suppose a
thank you
is in order for not escaping on my watch.”

I didn’t want to know any more. I knew it was bad, and I’d find a way to make it up to them when I was in control, but there was nothing I could do now. I began introductions, but soon learned he’d been here a while and had spoken with Isaac at length, and had even gone to Abbott’s office for a short time.

My head swiveled to Aaron and he gave me a guilty smile. I rolled my eyes at him, not too upset. In truth, having Abbott talk to him had been a good idea. I’d considered it, but it had felt icky so I’d decided against asking the Master Vampire if he’d vet someone for me. I needed to be able to vet my own people, after all.

However, when Abbott stepped into the main room, muscles I hadn’t realized were tense relaxed when I saw his nod to Aaron.

Jonathan had passed. He was here to help me, not to hurt me, and not to help my father get me back.

I would still be careful with information for a short time, but I breathed easier knowing the vampire approved.

Jonathan looked to Aaron and asked, “Can I ask you to set up a meeting between me and the Lion King?”

Aaron looked to me, and I told Jonathan, “I’ve already cleared it with Nathan. He knows you’re here as my guest and I’ll set up a time for the two of you to meet in the next couple of days.” As a leopard, Jonathan would need to check in with the reigning cat Alpha of the city before staying. Because Chattanooga is a tourist town, Nathan allows cats to come on vacation without setting up a personal meeting, though he does still require they check in with his beta via email or a phone call upon arriving and leaving.

Jonathan’s smile was happy as he told me, “Oh, thank goodness. Your father is convinced you’re just the mouthpiece and Aaron is actually running things. I wasn’t sure where to address my questions, but thought since it’s well known how close Aaron is to the Lion King, I’d ask him.” He hugged
me
, this time. “I’m beyond thrilled you answered, Queen Sophia.”

I hugged him back and then released him, but held his hands and looked into his eyes as I told him, “I belong to Aaron, but he also belongs to me. He’s my second in command with the Swans, I’m his second in command with the Dragons. We’re a team, though we each have to step back to let the other lead. We’re still figuring it out, but we’re getting there.”

I wouldn’t have said all that before Aaron’s talk with me a few hours ago, but I could now honestly say we were working towards it again.

Aaron’s phone chirped with the sound used for an emergency with Nathan, and I looked at him with worry as he checked it.

His face showed dismay and he looked up to say, “I’m sorry, Soph. I need to—”

I interrupted. “Go, Aaron. Make sure he comes home safe.”

Aaron had told me in the car that he’d arranged for a gateway through Faerie, so he could go in through a waterfall just over the Georgia line on Lookout Mountain and come out in Faerie near another waterfall leading to Uzbekistan. From there it was less than a hundred miles to the ISIS compound — a fifteen minute flight for a dragon.

He already had people on the ground close by, and Nathan would ride him to the site with everything they’d need in a backpack.

Tonight was a new moon, and Aaron intended to rescue the Americans being held and then burn the place to the ground. No one would live to speak of the dragon, the wolves, or the lion who killed and slaughtered people on their way in to rescue the Americans. They’d need to take out all of the ways the military could watch, and he said Washington would be pissed at losing yet another drone during a Drake Security operation, but they’d get over it. Aaron expected them to send multiple drones this time, but he could easily hear them and take them out from above, where there were no cameras.

Something must’ve gone wrong, though, because it was mid-morning in Afghanistan, probably around ten. “I’m going to be dark for probably the next fourteen hours,” Aaron told me before he turned to look at Isaac. “Jonathan’s here now, but I’d appreciate two people on her until I return?”

“She’ll be safe.”

Jonathan looked at me in horror. “He’s leaving you alone!”

“Yeah. He has his own life, other people who depend on him.”

Aaron stopped long enough to tell my new bodyguard, “She’s mine. Take care of her. I want her in one piece when I return. She tells me you offered touch when no one else did. You saved her sanity, whether you realize it or not. You’re special to her, and if you’re here to hurt her then I’ll rip out your teeth one by one, and then force you to watch me disembowel you before I rip the skin from your cock and balls. I will hurt you in ways you can’t imagine if you’re here on her father’s behalf.” Aaron offered his hand and Jonathan looked at it, but didn’t shake it. Aaron kept his hand out as he added, “If you’re here as her friend, someone she’s known a long time who can be here for more emotional support? I’ll consider you a friend as well.”

Jonathan shook Aaron’s hand with a wry smile. “I like you. I didn’t expect to, but…” He shrugged. “I adore her, and yes, I knew I was saving her sanity. I’ll take care of her in your absence.”

Aaron nodded, pulled me into a kiss that turned scorching and had me flushed and breathing hard, and then was gone.

I looked to Jonathan and said, “He can be a little, ummm,
intense
, sometimes.”

Jonathan nodded, but his face was all business. “I’m assuming you can give me a sit-rep?”

I looked to Isaac, who said, “Situation report. He’s ex-military. Aaron is, too, but he speaks English around you.” He turned to Jonathan and said, “She can, indeed, though I’m guessing she won’t tell you everything up front. Because of this, you’ll have either me or Abbott Hamilton with you until Aaron returns. You can’t protect her if you don’t know everything.”

Jonathan looked at me in question and I shrugged my shoulders. “If you were me, would
you
tell you everything right off the bat?”

His smile told me he approved. “No, Your Majesty.”

I touched his arm and said, “My name’s Sophia. The first time’s the hardest. Say it now, please.”

He shook his head but obeyed me.
Kind of
. “Queen Sophia.”

I laughed and said, “You know what I meant, Jonathan. We’ll be out in the real world and you can’t refer to me by my title.”

“It feels wrong. You’ve been the Princess in my head for so long…” He shrugged and looked sheepish. “I can shift to Queen, but to call you by your first name as if we’re…” He shook his head again.

“Disobeying a direct order so soon?” I asked with a smile, but I was only semi-joking.

“No, Sophia. I’m sorry. You’re right, I just hadn’t expected things to be so…
casual
.”

“I’ve discovered I like casual,” I told him with a smile. “I remember my lessons, and when necessary I’ll be formal. I’ve discovered most situations in Faerie require me to be the icy queen who can’t be friends with people, but here?” I turned in a circle with my arms out, and looked back to him with a grin. “There’s so much royalty around me, so many people with power even greater than mine, and everyone is casual with each other. I fit in, Jonathan. I’m
happy
here.”

His smile was genuine as he said, “I can see that, and it makes my heart sing. Let’s sit down somewhere and you can give me as much of a situation report as you’re comfortable supplying.”

Abbott let us borrow his office, and Jonathan was uncomfortable being alone in a room with me at first but soon got over it as we delved into the specifics of what I felt he needed to know at this point.

Sophia

The next few days were a whirlwind. Aaron saved the soldier, my father unsuccessfully tried to have me captured again while Aaron was out of town, and Jonathan settled into our routine.

“How do you keep it all straight?” I asked Aaron one night as we got ready for bed. He was running Drake Security, handling top secret things for the United States Government, dealing with other supernatural crap he said I didn’t need to worry about right now, and trying to help me gain my father’s crown.

“Millennia of practice, but we have other things to discuss.”

I nodded. “Jonathan told me he was going to talk to you about what he thinks is my crazy-assed idea.”

He put his hands on my shoulders and looked at me with an intensity that told me what he was about to say was terribly important. “I was there when your father sat on the nest to keep the eggs warm after your mother was shot. I saw him cry in swan form. I brought him food, talked to him, tried to help him through his grief. He had a small gathering of people close to him when he buried your mother, and then again when he buried your two brothers and your sister, when their eggs didn’t hatch. I don’t approve of the way he raised you, but I understand he made a vow to always keep you safe. The Eagle King has tried to kill you twice now, but your father is in denial, unable to accept that his close friend and confidante could even consider such a thing. Raul’s people have tried to capture you, but your life wasn’t at risk when they did. I absolutely approve of a phone or video call with your father, and then I’m willing to entertain the idea of inviting him to the ball, but
only
after you’ve slept on the decision, after your conversation with him.

“You have his email address?” I asked him.

“I do.”

“If I write the letter, will you help me finesse it?”

“I will, but my guess is what you write will be what he needs to see.”

“Yes, probably, but I need another set of eyes to be sure I’m not giving something away I shouldn’t.” He held me a few minutes and I told him, “I’ve decided to trust Jonathan with everything.”

I felt his nod as he said, “I agree.”

“Okay, then. I want shower sex before bed. You good with that?”

His eyes went dark and he pulled me into his arms as his lips crashed into mine.

We were both naked and under the warm running water within minutes, and I didn’t want or need foreplay today. I wanted his cock, inside me, and I wanted to ride him.

Sex no longer hurt, and saying I had the hang of it now would be an understatement. Aaron was an incredible teacher, and while I might still have trouble talking about it afterwards, I had no problems letting him know what I wanted while riding the high he put me on when he worked my body.

I’d also learned that while Aaron rarely did what I commanded during the day, he almost always obeyed me when he was horny. So today I worked him with my hand a few minutes before telling him, “Pick me up, Aaron. Sit me on you. I want to feel this inside me.”

He shook his head and his lips crashed into mine. He didn’t have to hold back like he did at first, afraid of overwhelming or scaring me, and I loved knowing he was giving me all of him.

With him bent to my lips I could reach my arms around his shoulders, and I used the leverage to lift myself and wrap my legs around his waist. I knew he wouldn’t let me fall, so I let go with my arms and reached back to hold him in place as I sat down on him, and heard him groan as my warmth sank around and over his hard length. It was still tight, but it only felt
good
now and I leaned back with his arms around me, savoring the spread as he filled me,
opened
me.

Aaron used his hands to hold me in place as he plunged the final few inches in, and I screamed, “Yes,” and then, “Move! God, please!”

He didn’t disappoint, and held me as he drew his hips back and then slammed in hard enough to bounce me all the way off him, but then pulled me rapidly back with his arms. I didn’t need him to position me to hit the right spot anymore, I knew how to move my own body into place, and as soon as I was there I started screaming gibberish and ignoring the fact the water was hitting my face as I looked to the ceiling and screamed in ecstasy.

The rushing water, the tile around us, everything melted away and it was just Aaron, his cock, his arms, and his hips as they slammed into me over and over.

I alternated leaning back with burying my face in his neck, and he kept up the same pace no matter my position, no matter how much I helped or didn’t.

I came four times before he did, and when we finally came together it lasted an eternity, my nails in his back, his hips grinding into me with his back arched and one long, low, rumbling growl vibrating through his chest until it was almost the roar of a dragon when it came out of his throat.

When my body finally came down from the peak, I was holding onto Aaron for dear life as I tried to catch my breath, and he sat on the tile bench and held me until my heart stopped beating triple-time. He then proceeded to shampoo my hair and body, paying special attention to my breasts both during the sudsing and rinsing portion. When he’d lovingly worked the conditioner through my hair, he turned the water off, stood me up, had me bend and put my hands on the bench, and then thoroughly occupied my time while I waited for the conditioner to do its thing.

Let’s just say my hair was
really
soft when we finally left the shower.