Page 38 of Dragons Of Shadow and Sea

EMBER

I drift awake to the quiet click of a door. The bed beside me is still warm, but I roll over to find it empty. As I roll back and stretch my arms over my head, there's the sound of crinkling paper. Yawning, I pat around until I find it.

Ember--

As much as it pains me to leave you, there are duties I must attend to. I will return soon. Rest--you'll need your strength...

-Malik

I shudder, clenching down inside. Delicious soreness radiates through my pussy. I'm still wet from my desire and Malik's come.

Once we gave in to the electric bond between us, we were lost to it. There was scarcely a pause between one round and the next. I lost track of how many orgasms he gave me, or how many times he came inside me. I just know that the intensity of our coupling unleashed something within me.

It wasn't more intense than my first night with Rafe and Jianyu; how could it have been? There were two of them and one of me. But there was a depth to the passion Malik and I shared. I feel as if I'm still floating within it now.

My pussy pulses, and my nipples tighten as the memories of his hands and mouth and cock wash over me. I skate a hand down my body, tweaking my sore breasts and gently stroking over my wet and swollen opening. But then I force my hand away. Malik will be back soon. I can be patient and wait.

A pang fires off in my chest.

What I can't wait for anymore is the release of my other mates. I miss them with a force that threatens to crater my chest. With my hand over my heart, I reach out to them through our bond.

I wish we'd had more time. The month we shared was fraught; we were dodging assassination attempts and attacks from every side. Our connection cemented enough that I was able to reach out to them in a moment of desperation, but now, I can only taste the flavor of their thoughts. They're safe. Anxious, claustrophobic, pissed. But safe.

What I would give to be able to talk to them. I'll have to get Malik to show me how to start a video call when he returns. But even that is a poor substitute for the physical contact I'm aching for.

I flex inside, bearing down on an aching emptiness. My skin feels raw.

What I'm missing isn't just the sex--though of course, I want the sex. I'm missing their touch and their embrace. Rafe's fiery kisses and Jianyu's slow, methodical ones. The sheer warmth and comfort of their presence. Without them, I feel on edge, and it's getting worse with every passing day.

Malik's note told me to rest, but I can't just lie around anymore. I slip across the hall to the guest room where he let me sleep the previous night. I consider taking a shower, but I had one last night, which at least got the sand and salt off my skin. There's no washing Malik's scent from my body, though. It's seeped all the way into my blood, and that's where I want it to stay.

Instead, I splash some water on my face and make an effort at combing out my hair. I pull on another set of clothes. A purple tunic and loose pants this time, both delicately embroidered with pink and blue flowers. The fabric is a whisper of softness against my skin, and I have to admit, it's a style I could get used to.

I putter around the kitchen, helping myself to a leftover pastry and a cup of tea. The gleaming counters and immaculately polished tile feel sterile, though, and before long, I take what's left of my tea with me back to Malik's room. His scent is strongest there, and I find it instantly soothing. The scent of sex hangs heavily in the air, too, though, and while that's not a bad thing, it's in danger of getting stale.

It takes me a moment to figure out how to open the drapes, but once I do, they reveal floor to ceiling glass windows and a set of French doors that lead out to a large balcony. Bright greenery flows out from artfully arranged ceramic pots, with flowers blooming on long vines. While half of the deck is shaded by the surrounding buildings, the other half is in bright sunlight.

Unable to resist, I push open the doors. It's warm and humid outside, the sky a bright, pale blue, and the air alive with the sounds of running water and birdsong. I take a step outside and twirl in a slow circle, soaking in the early morning sun.

Heading to the railing, I look out over the Water Kingdom city. Off in the distance, in the direction of the beach, fluttering shapes catch my attention. I realize after a moment that they're water dragons, diving into the ocean before flying loops up in the sky. My heart lifts. I thought I might never see a water dragon again. Maybe today, after Malik gets back, and after we have some quality alone time, and after I've had a chance to talk to my mates... Maybe he'll be willing to show me his dragon. My fingers itch, longing to touch the smooth, slick surface of his scales in the sea.

The prickles in my fingers continue up my arm, though. It takes me a second to cotton on to the fact that the tingling is coming from my bracer. I grip the cool metal, suddenly going still.

A subtle scent of smoke drifts on the air.

My heart hammers inside my chest. Still gripping my bracer, the surface going warm beneath my palm, I force myself to turn around.

Only to find a hooded figure standing, waiting in the shadows.

Chapter

Nine

MALIK

At the words "we need to talk", my mother is instantly, subtly on alert. She's good at maintaining her composure; she has to be. I don't know that I've seen her so guarded, though. Not in years.

A flicker of a memory hits me. Hushed voices in another room. My father gone, my brothers gone. My mother barely holding it together.

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