Page 49 of The Dragon King

I nod. “Seemed fitting the mighty pine of your home should be planted the year I found you.”

She rests her claw over the seed in my palm, brushing her cheek against mine before stepping back. I cross into the orchard, scooping a hole in the dark earth. Dropping the small seed, I gently cover it, patting the soil. Turning, I look over the crowd. My people sit back on their haunches, every eye on me. Ash and Rae stand next to Ziza and her wife, the couples wrapped in each other’s arms, smiling at me.

I flap my wings, lifting onto my back legs, and every dragon does the same. Magic pours from our bodies, seeping into the ground, feeding the orchard, nourishing the new seedling.

I drop to all fours, and everyone settles as I clear my throat. “Moneria is upon us. With the new year, remember you have the power to take your life in a new direction if you so desire, for the future belongs to those who believe in their dreams. Tomorrow will be the first page of a new chapter—you decide how to fill those pages.” I turn to Tatha. “Make them interesting and filled with love.”

Dragons take to the skies, Ziza and Arvun scooping up Rae and Ash this time, as we all head back to the castle.

We shift back to our human forms, and the night passes in a swirl of drinking, dancing, and laughing. Tatha walks the gardens and the patio, greeting and thanking each member of her clan for coming to the valley. The snow and ice crystals cling to her skin and dress, making her look like a dark snow queen.

I take every opportunity to kiss my Mate, tasting the whiskey I made sure was in plentiful supply tonight since I learned she prefers the amber liquid over wine. I also make sure to feed her plenty of food. She’s going to need the energy soon.

An hour later, I glance around the room from where I’m seated, Tatha nestled in my lap. Her voluminous skirts hide my erection, but I know she feels it as she shifts her ass every so often. I lean over her, kissing her behind her ear. “Where’s Rae and Ash?”

She chuckles, rubbing against me again. “They slipped away a while ago. Rae said they have the time to stay a few days, so I arranged a room.” She leans back into my chest, tilting her head back, giving me better access to the long column of her neck. Her throat flexes under my lips. I glance over, and her lips smile with a wicked intent, whispering, “I can only imagine what they’re doing.”

That’s it.

I stand, my arm keeping her pressed against me. Leaning down, I growl in her ear, “Get them out of your head. All you should be thinking about right now is how I’m going to claim every orgasm I wring from your sweet pussy.”

Her lashes flutter, and I inhale her arousal as I move us forward through the revelers. Many are too drunk to notice our passing, and I’m glad my people are enjoying the night. It’s a celebration, after all. But some smile, bowing as we pass, knowing whispers trailing behind us.

As we cross through the doors, I lean down. “How do you want me, Mate?”

Tatha stumbles at my whispered words, gasping, but I hold her up with a smirk. She’s had a bit too much to drink, and she’s adorable as she scrambles to get her feet under her and moves forward, faster now. “So many ways, but right now, I want you in the solarium.”

I can’t hide my surprise, expecting her to take us to our bed. She loves sex in her human form, and our bed has been her haven these past weeks. But I’m all for pleasuring my Heilsi wherever and however she wants. I take her hand and run down the halls. She giggles after me, at one point kicking off her shoes to keep up.

The heady scent of the solarium reaches me first, then the glass room comes into view. It’s a little barren since most of the flowers were moved to the great hall, but it’s still lush with greenery. As soon as we cross the threshold, my magic snaps out, sealing the door and the hallway, making sure no one disturbs us.

Tatha’s skirts swirl around her legs as I spin her, slamming her against my chest. My hands trail down her bare shoulders and along her arms. “You are so beautiful, Tatha.”

I lift her up my body, gripping her ass through the thin fabric of her dress. She grinds against me as our lips crash together. I lick her tongue before prodding her mouth, thrusting like I’d like to do with my cock.

But her scent is overwhelming.

“I need to feast on you, Mate.”

She moans, fisting my locs. My shadows wrap around her, lifting her higher, and her moans turn into a gasp as I shove my face between her thighs. “Wrap your legs around me, Tatha.”

Obediently, her legs drape over my shoulders, her thighs squeezing my head. My shadows hold her up, and I keep a firm grip on her ass as my shadows peel the strips of her skirt to the side, baring her to me.

I groan, nipping at her flesh. “No underwear. All night I was this close to heaven?”

My shadows slide between her folds, holding her open to me. My tongue laps at her sweet center, and she bucks into my mouth as my shadows curl deep inside her. “Yes, Kem! I’ve been so wet for you all night. Please. Please.”

I lick her again, flicking my forked tongue around her swollen nub. “Easy, Heilsi. I’ve got you.”

I eat her like a man starving. My knees go weak at her taste, and I leave red marks on her ass from gripping her so tightly. I glance up. Her body heaves with pleasure. Her chest thrusts against her dress, and her head falls back, her amethyst hair swaying against the dark fabric of her dress. Sharp screams burst from her mouth with every pass of my tongue, and I’m bewitched. I need to watch her come.

My teeth graze her clit, and she jolts against my hold, pressing her cunt into my greedy mouth. I suck … hard, swallowing her gush of release, licking her through her first orgasm of the night.

The first of many.

My shadows ease her down, continuing their strokes and pulses inside her. She pants as I hold her against my chest. “I need you, Heilsi.”

Her eyes sparkle as she tilts her head back. “Then bend me over that chair and take me, Mate.”

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