Page 99 of Tempting Her Dragons

“Yes,” she responds.

“I’ve never taken it off. I used my fire to glue the ends together. Mom was upset when I wouldn’t take it off after we were safe. She didn’t like it, but she understood. I know she wanted me to get rid of it then and every day since.” I pull the remaining ropeout of my bag and stand, looking down at it. “She admitted to me years later that she kept the rest. She also wanted the reminder of how far her sons have come. I asked her to give it to me, and she willingly did.” I hold up my wrist and use my breath to singe the edges I glued together. “I didn’t think I would ever take it off, not for any reason.” The rope unravels and falls to my hand that holds the other. I study my bare skin, and a burden releases in my soul. “I wasn’t expecting this feeling,” I whisper and then clear my throat. I look into Saphira’s watery eyes. “Mav kept me alive. He gave me a purpose and a will to survive. Mom gave us a home, but I never let it go. All the painful memories and shame. I was looking at the rope in the wrong way.” I shake my head and walk to her. “Yes, it held us captive. We couldn’t escape it or the life we were forced to live after our parents’ death. It also held us together. It tied me to Maverick, in blood, in brotherhood, and family.

“Can I have your wrist?” I ask. She doesn’t question, holding it out. I hand Maverick the rope Mom gave me and start to wind mine around her wrist. “This holds our blood, fears, tears, anger, and bond. It contains everything that made us who we are.” I gently blow, and it is secured on her right wrist. I hold my left hand against hers and melt the other half onto me, leaving a small section between us. “Today, I am giving it all to you. I trust in you. I love you desperately, and will live every day basking in the beauty of your soul. You were born to be my mate. You have shown me your strength, vulnerability, loyalty, love, and kindness. I want to live forever in your many colors.” I lift my hand, hers follows, and I kiss her hand. “I want to complete the bond, but from the first night, I have been yours. My brand on your body, and yours on mine, will bind us in a way that won’t be able to be untied.” Her tears roll down her cheeks, and Maverick bows his head to hide his emotion. “Maverick.” His jaw flexes.

“King has always been my hero,” he says roughly. “Mom was my salvation.” He burns a piece from the rope. “I’ve never felt seen by anyone else. My quirks are extreme, and I have been quick to anger. I don’t like people whether they are shifters or humans. Emotion had become something I avoided at all costs. I didn’t get involved with anyone but the two of them. It took years to trust Mom. I only relied on Kingston. He’s right: he is my brother, my soul mate. We bled for years, just not on the outside. I’ve been bleeding from my heart and my soul. The images of our parents burned into it, black and oozing pain. Mom tried to heal us, and she did her best. She succeeded, but only partially.” He wraps her left wrist. “Your light is blinding to my tired soul.” Saphira gasps, her body shaking. “It was waiting for you to come out of the dark.” He attaches the threads to his right wrist. “You calm the beast living in my heart and have filled the empty, bleeding space. Every damaged, bruised inch of me is yours. The completion of the bond is just a formality because I am dedicated to you. You are what has been missing. This place, filled with family, is where I want to be for the rest of my time on earth. I will protect you, love you, and encourage you to always burn bright. I trust in us. After this day, we will burn these bindings, but we will always be tied to you. I love you, and I want to complete the bond. You are my savior.”

She inhales shakily. “I pretended to love traveling the world, but I was hiding. It seems like I have been hiding my true self my whole life. I love Micah and the life he gave me when I needed someone stable. He gave me Maddy and experiences not many people get the opportunity for. My brothers tried to make up for the years they missed, and I know they love me. I was happy to live here so close to them and the extended family they found. It was the first time I had a real home, stable and supportive. I found a purpose here. I am lucky. Even though I lost my parents, I have had plenty of others that love me. I thought I was fine. Iworked past my trauma, never forgetting, but living with it and not letting it rule my life. I channeled it in a different direction. Using my power to punish abusers saved me in many ways. Having an outlet helped me move on from the past, but my heart was just beating because I was alive, not from joy or excitement.” She looks at our tied hands. “I am honored that you both trust me to bare everything. Being tied to you doesn’t confine me, but sets me free. I’ve had this constant habit of shoving every bad emotion deep inside, fearing to burden others with my feelings. The smile on my face was permanent, and it was exhausting. Rach said something that was a revelation. She didn’t act on her plan because I looked miserable. Yesterday, it prompted her anger when she learned I had two mates, and I was happy. Maybe she was right. She saw through the mask I wore, and she saw the difference when I met you. My smile was genuine.

“I didn’t think I had an option to be weak. You allow me to embrace every side of me. My thoughts matter. Showing you my strength didn’t cause you to run away—you accepted it, even celebrate it. I didn’t want a man for protection; I can do that for myself. My mates don’t need to stand in front of me, shielding me from the evils of the world. They need to stand beside me, be my team, and attack them together. You treat me as an equal, and that let me trust you and the bond.

“I’ve never needed a man.” She brings our joined hands to her chest. “I promised myself that I would fall gratefully in the right man’s arms, and I would know it was right when I could trust. Two men found me and stirred my heart; you made it jump and hope. I didn’t know if my future included love and the ability to trust that love.” She drops her hands, and I feel her skin heat. “Maverick, I love your willingness to open your heart to me and the pain you have felt. Your loyalty for Kingston and your mom is admirable and makes me love you even more. You have every right to feel angry, but I love your quirks and your quick defenseof me. I know you would die for me and your brother.” She looks at me. “Kingston, you have held a heavyweight, and I want to be the soft place for you to unburden everything. You have been tied to the memories of the pain, and I understand. You can always come to me with all of it. I love your sincerity, loyalty, and dedication to your family.

“I want to live here with you both and build a family.” Fire flutters over her skin. The flame would melt the skin from a human, but only caused ours to react and want to join. “I’m ready to burn my brand on your skin.”

We watch in amazement as she disintegrates her clothes, leaving her completely bare.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Saphira

“Do you want me to burn yours?” I ask, grinning. I wish I had a free hand to take a picture of their faces. I figured since our hands were tied, I had to find another way to undress.

“Yes,” Maverick says. I have to concentrate to move my fire down my arms to theirs, pushing and guiding it where I want it to go.

“Fuck,” Kingston says gutturally as their clothes disappear.

“Baby, you always surprise us,” Mav says. Their words healed all the wounds in my heart, and their awe of my power pleases me.

Kingston doesn’t say anything as he wraps his arm around my waist, causing mine to follow. He kisses me, and Maverick mimics his move. I break the kiss on a gasp as I feel myself floating in the air. My mates have been hiding their power. The fun of running across the room and launching onto the bed is nothing compared to hovering in the air, completely relying onmy mates to hold me. When we slide onto the bed, they pull their arms so mine won’t be twisted underneath my body. Instead, they lay on their sides, lift their hands, and my arms hit the pillow above my head. Kingston places his leg between mine and pulls. Maverick does the same, and their thighs spread mine wide.

I am completely at their mercy, open to them and bound. I fucking love it, and the heat from the bond increases to dangerous levels.

“What is your word?” Maverick asks, gliding his hand over my rib cage.

“Collar,” I respond quickly.

“Do not hesitate to use it,” Kingston says. “If the rope gets uncomfortable, tell us. You can say stop at any time. We will always take care of your needs and soothe your fear.” He caresses my bottom lip.

“I know,” I say breathlessly.

“Are you ready, Firefly?” King asks silkily. His finger moves down my chin, to my neck, and then between my breasts.

“Very,” I groan as he circles my nipple. I try to twist, hoping he takes the hint and gives me the touch I want.

His teeth flash. “Eager,” he whispers. “I think we should play before we complete the bond. What do you think, brother?”

“Yes, we should make sure our mate is ready,” Mav says.

“I’m ready,” I assure them, turning my head from side to side. “Please.” I squirm.

“Mmm…” Kingston continues down my body and I grit my teeth. He swirls his index finger in my belly button briefly, and then slides his thumb over my hip. “We want you soaking wet for us.” I’m pretty sure I am.

Maverick follows the direction of King’s hand, and they continue to drive me mad with their soft, tempting touch. Theylean on their elbows and trickle down my legs, causing my arms to lower. Their movements dictate mine.

“Do you have a preference on where you want your brand, King?” Mav asks, and I stare at the side of his head.

“Maybe here,” King mumbles, rubbing his finger across the crease of my thigh. I swivel my attention his way. “Or here.” He touches my hip. “You?”

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