Page 28 of Unexpected Mate

Yep, I still had it.

Leo burst out laughing. Clearly, I had projected my thoughts in the bond.

Ivo wasn’t laughing. He stood to his feet in shock, his hands trembling, his breathing fast and uneven.

“Ivo, babe, are you okay?” I handed Levi the empty ice cream container and moved to stand in front of my handsome dragon. My fingertips grazed his stubbled jaw.

He suddenly dropped to the ground, kneeling in front of me. I backed away, really not okay with the whole kneeling thing. The last time someone did this, they stabbed a knife through my heart a few weeks later. I guess kneeling didn’t carry the same weight as it did back in the day?

“I am honored to be in your presence, my queen,” Ivo whispered, his voice intense. “I pledge my loyalty to you for as long as I draw in breath.”

I looked between Ivo and my other mates. They were just as confused as me.

“Um. I haven’t gotten to Beasty’s extensive library of sexual escapades, so I am still a bit new to the whole sex thing,” I replied. “Is this some type of kink? What am I supposed to do?” My voice was a panicked stage whisper.

Levi and Leo burst into raucous laughter, and Luke made the roughened huffing sound that was his laughter. Mithraheal took pity on me.

Love, you are a goddess. This is one of those times that you should let your instincts lead you. We are all unfamiliar with dragon customs and have to muddle our way through as we learn. Do what feels right to you.

I looked back down at my dragon mate. I wasn’t a short woman, yet even kneeling his bowed form was higher than my waist. Boy, could we pick ‘em or what? I dropped to my kneesin front of him, throwing my arms around him and pressing my body against his tense muscled chest.

“Ivo, thank you for your respect, but we are mates,” I said. “You’ve seen me naked, this is silly.”

He finally met my gaze, searching my eyes, looking for something. His voice was soft when he spoke. “You really don’t know who you are, do you?”

I didn’t answer him. Beasty had made references to our title, and now I was slowly trying to sort through memories of a life lived thousands of years before.

“You were the original dragon,” Ivo continued. “You created beauty all around you. Later, you suffered at the hands of cruel people who were full of greed. I understand why you are the one spoken about in the prophecy. This is a chance to rewrite history and push back the evil that destroyed your life.”

A deluge of pain and sorrow threatened to bury me. I may not yet remember all the details, but my mind clearly recalled the heart-wrenching emotions of those long ago losses and lies.

“The weight of your power is an even heavier burden than I had imagined. I am astounded at the strength you possess to even remain standing during your transition.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I sighed. “Everyone keeps talking about how powerful I was, but instead I keep getting knocked on my butt.”

“Says the chick who literally grabbed a lightning bolt!” Levi laughed.

“I am still salty about not getting to bring it with me. Itmade a wicked cool weapon, definitely more effective than a blade.”

“You grabbed the lightning rod and then wielded it as a weapon?” Leo gasped. “The world isn’t ready for your awesomeness!”

I smiled. Right now, I had to focus on resting while my body grew accustomed to the sudden onslaught of power. Then I could show these boys some really nifty tricks!

Another spasm wracked my abdomen and I groaned. Ivo scooped me up in his arms and moved me onto the bed again. “Let me help you, my queen.”

I was about to protest the ridiculous title, but then he stretched me against his body. His chest clicked, growing warmer under my skin. He was a living, breathing, heating pad! I moaned in delight and pressed against him even tighter, relishing the warmth and how it eased the incessant cramping.

“Sleep now. Tomorrow will arrive far too soon.”

Iteleported myself back to the cave. I was eager to tell everyone I had managed to secure the herb we needed.

I was attacked and thrown to the ground the moment I materialized. I tried to use my vampire strength to fling my attacker off, but instead I was pressed harder into the stone floor. My fangs descended and I sank them deep into the assailant.

My attacker purred. I froze.

“Tia?”

“Mmm,” she purred. “Now do it again.”

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