Page 20 of The Dragon King

My heart races, the molten fire in my belly smolders as fear and excitement mix with the chase. A sting of pain shoots up my tail, and I realize Kem has nipped me. I’m sure if I looked back, I’d see his wide grin, but I keep my gaze forward, pushing my speed.

I’m breathing hard, and my muscles are beginning to burn as I pump my wings harder and harder. I imagine I can feel Kem’s hot breath on my heels, and I take a sharp left, hoping to gain some distance.

I feel more than see him take the turn with ease. How the fuck did he do that? His size should have made that maneuver impossible. Heat curls along my belly as a ball of fire spears past me.

He’s playing with me!

The entrance to my home opens up before me, and I spear toward it. A black blur whips past me, and Kem slides to a landing just as I spread my wings and touch down. I raise an eyebrow, frustrated that he’s not even breathing hard. I pant a few breaths before saying. “I thought you were going to let me win.”

He chuckles, the sound low and rich. “I thought about it.” He stalks toward me, completely ignoring the guards standing off to the side. His head dips, and his hot breath whispers across the scales of my cheek. “But I didn’t want to give you any illusions as to your fate the next time you run from me.” I swallow as his large body rubs along my side. The contrast of his hard scales and warm body sends a shiver down my spine. “I enjoy the chase, Tatha. But next time, I’ll catch you.” His tongue licks down my small horns, and I barely hold back a groan. “I’ll show all the stars that you are mine as I take you, Mate.”

What the fuck is he waiting for?

He steps to the side, and I stand frozen with desire. Kem bows his head, seemingly unaffected, but I can smell his arousal, so I know he must be able to smell mine. I glance at the guards, realizing they can probably smell me as well.

I shove past Kem. “Come on.” I stalk into the cave, catching Kem’s wink at one of the guards who smiles back at him with a quick bow of his head. “Bastard.”

The word is mumbled under my breath, but Kem chuckles behind me, having heard me.

We make our way through my home. A few dragons linger in the common spaces, but most are tucked into their nests for the night. A little flutter of nerves dances through my chest as I make the final turn and cross into my room. It’s not as large as my father’s, but there’s natural light from a vent high overhead. Not only is my floor painted with colorful scenes of the mountain, but the art scrolls and weaves up the walls as well, cocooning me in beauty and color. Silky fabric flutters from the ceiling, swaying in the gentle currents from the vent. The pale blue fabric reminds me of the morning sky, and I smile.

I cross to the side wall, straightening the large scrolls stacked in the beautifully carved nook. Dragons love stories. We love to read, and I love it more than most. But books and dragons don’t mix well. It’s not the small print—our sharp sight easily makes out each word—it’s the pages. Trying to turn tiny fragile paper with sharp claws is nearly impossible. Luckily, there are many well-paid scribes whose only job is to copy stories from books to large scrolls made from thin, flexible metal.

Lifting the last one from the table next to the nook, I press the silver button at the top of the scroll. With a swish, the metallic paper slides into its container. I set it in its place and turn to find Kemremir watching me.

He comes to my side, his voice quiet. “It’s lovely. Your book collection is impressive.”

“My knees almost buckled when I saw your library at the castle.”

Kem chuckles. “If there are any books you wish to have copied to scrolls, just let me know. We have a dedicated scribe on staff.”

I immediately start creating a mental list, and Kem’s chuckle gets louder. “Uh oh. I think my scribe is going to have her work cut out for her.”

My claw clicks against the floor in slight embarrassment, but he nudges me. “Your room is lovely. Thank you for sharing it with me.”

I nod, unable to keep the blush from darkening my scales—not that he gave me a choice. When I step away from the nook, I notice my nest is much larger than when I left it. My blush deepens as I realize my father must have arranged for more material to be brought here after he learned Kem is my Mate.

My tail swishes back and forth over the bright paintings as I try to decide what to do. But then Kem strides past me. His snout nuzzles into my nest. His chest expands as he takes a deep inhale, and I go wet as I watch him take in my scent. He turns a tight circle, adjusting the soft blankets and plush pillows as he takes another circle, then another before lowering himself into the nest.

His eyes find mine with an expectant look. I’m drawn to him by a phantom pull from the center of my body. My feet carry me to my Mate, and I step into my nest, inhaling the heady mix of our combined scents in my space. My body both relaxes and hums with arousal.

Kem’s voice is soft. “Come, sleep with me, Mate. It’s been a long day.”

My body obeys him, and I practically flop down, curling into his side. He wraps his body around mine, his warmth seeping into me, his quiet purr vibrating against my back. His tail encircles us, and he tucks me under his chin.

I count his breaths until mine sync with his, and before I know it, I’m slipping into sleep.

* * *

The past three days have passed in a blur. Kem has stayed at my side almost every moment. The news of our Mate bond traveled fast, and looks and stares followed us everywhere.

I’m used to being looked at for my duo-chrome nature, but this attention … I don’t mind. I’m proud to be Mated, and I’m proud of my Mate. I find myself touching him all the time, and Kem is the same. If it’s not our wings brushing, it’s our tails twining, or our bodies brushing together. Every caress is comforting and arousing. Each passing day draws our bond tighter.

Still, he has yet to take me in this form. I’ve come close to just making the move myself—several times—but always lose my nerve. What if he doesn’t want me like that as my dragon? What if his desire is tied to my human form, and he’s waiting for our shift?

Before him, all I’ve ever known is the violent, rushed sex of dragons. Having sex in my human form was … I can’t find the words, but every time I think about it, the muscles low in my belly clench, and my scales darken to a deep indigo. I loved it. It was so different. My body was so sensitive beyond anything my dragon has ever felt.

But my dragon is who I am.

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