Page 22 of Tucker's Strike

Chapter Fourteen

Lake

Walking along the stone floors, I’m surprised the stones aren’t chilled, they’re surprisingly warm. I always imagined floors like this would be cold. Maybe ice cold to the touch.

Even the walls are warm, with torch scones along the walls every so many feet. I follow the torches, hearing the sound of voices as I thank whoever thought to warm the place against the chill in the air. If not for the warmth of the place, I’d be cold and looking for something to change into rather than the black silk nightgown. It’s soft and feels amazing against my skin.

The sounds of voices grow louder as I move in closer. It’s not until I’m in the doorway that I hear what they’re saying.

“Her powers are awakening,” a strange voice announces. “She’s found her mate, my king.”

“Incompetence.”

I glance to the side to see the man who spoke. The size of him alone is enough to draw fear from me. Standing nearly as tall, if not the same as Tucker, his chest wide, hair long down his back. He’s not wearing a shirt, so there’s no missing the scarslining the muscles on display. The one speaking to him called him King, but what is he king of?

“Kill the mate and bring her to me,” the King orders, nostrils flaring, smoke blowing from them.

Whoa. This has to be the Drakon King.

“It won’t be so simple, my King,” the other man states, bowing his head. Taking a good look at him, I see that he’s just a bit shorter than the King but has the same mass size and just as many scars. Where the King’s hair is jet black, this man’s is red, like blood red.

“Explain.”

The King straightens farther, eyes narrowing and heat radiating off him that even I could feel it. It’s the power coming off him, commanding the room.

“Her mate is a tiger.” Lifting his head to the King, the other man says, “I sent Xoghudy out to search for her. He found her scent, but it was already mixed with that of the tiger.”

“Then the tiger must be killed, Barrydi,” the King declares. “I will not have my plans faltered. The woman is to be mine. Just as her mother was supposed to be until that bastard, Nyx Iceclove, captured her, stealing her away into the night.”

“Yes, my King, but if not for Nyx taking the woman’s mother, this woman would not exist. She’s far more worthy than that of her mother. Once her powers fully awaken and she’s at your side, she’ll make a good queen.”

“You’re right, Barrydi, she will be, and I’ve got the perfect bait to lore her in. I just need the mate out of the way.”

I swallow, my nerves getting the best of me. My heart is thumping so loudly, I’m surprised no one else can hear it.

“Take Metu. Take care of the tiger and anyone else who dares get in the way.” the King commands.

“I’ll see to it, my King.” Turning on his heel, Barrydi stalks away from the King.

I take a step back myself as the King’s gaze turns in my direction. “See you soon, my beautiful Lake. Let me introduce myself. I’m Zurri, Bringer of Death, and as I’m sure you see, the Drakon King. You’re meant to be my queen and stand at my side. Soon enough, you will be. Don’t think you can change the outcome, you cannot.”

I jerk upright, breathing raggedly, hand clutching at my chest. I glance around realizing it was just a dream.

Just a dream.

But it felt so, so real.

“Lake?” Tucker asks, coming up off the bed next to me, his arm curling around me, pulling me into him. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“It was just a dream,” I tell him, shaking my head. Though, that’s not the only thing shaking. My whole body felt like it was shaking. “Was a nightmare. A really, really bad nightmare.” I release a shuddered breath. “It felt so real though.”

“Tell me what happened,” Tucker demands and kisses the top of my head.

I tell him everything I remember about the dream, how the Drakon King turned right to me at the end, and what he said. How he’d even given me his name.

“I don’t get what they meant by my power being awakened.”

“Because your power was awakened last night when I claimed you as mine,” Tucker answers, twisting me until I’m in his lap, my legs on either side of his thighs. My naked body presses into his.

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