Page 64 of Dragon's Honor

“Why?”

“Without a heartstone, we can’t find our mates.”

Her brow furrowed. “Seriously? I get that’s a big deal, but…”

“Dragons aren’t meant to be without a mate for their whole life. In fact, dragons have lost themselves to something called the craze.”

“The craze? That doesn’t sound good.”

“It’s not. It’s more common for those who have lost their mates in a tragedy or had them taken from them. But there are some who don’t claim their mate and the dragon takes over permanently. The man or woman is lost forever, leaving only a dragon.”

“Can they be saved?”

“I don’t know of any that have been, but I don’t know. Most find their mates and are happy. Those that are lost are usually put down by their clan to prevent them from being unleashed on the clan and the human world. We struggle even more now to keep everything under wraps. A loose cannon dragon flying around and setting things on fire would surely give us up.”

“That’s scary.” She fiddled with the bracelet. “Why didn’t it just show up in my room or something if I was supposed to find it? Are you sure Olivia isn’t your mate?”

Ash sighed. “She’s not my mate. And I don’t know how Syrena’s magic worked. But it wouldn’t glow when we touched if you weren’t meant to be mine. It wouldn’t have reshaped for you if it were meant for another. Just as it didn’t reshape for Olivia, even if she tried it on.”

“Have any of the other heartstones showed up for your siblings?”

He shook his head. “No. Mine was the first one. My siblings all breathed a sigh of relief when Henrik told them what happened with you.”

“So, my sister found it in Brazil, brought it home to me, even though it was a giant cuff and poof we’re mates.”

“We’re not mates until I claim you.”

His dragon wanted to haul her away when her cheeks pinkened and she swallowed obviously.

“What does claiming take?”

Ash squeezed his fists trying to keep a hold of himself and his dragon. The desire to claim her was overwhelming and his dick was throbbing in his pants. He leaned forward, if he was going to be uncomfortable, he was going to make her just as uncomfortable. “When I’m buried in your tight pussy and you decide you want to be my mate, I’ll bite you, leaving my mark on you. That will begin the binding. When you’re ready, you’ll bite me, marking me as your own, and as I understand it, it should make you come hard around my cock.”

Finley blinked at him, her full lips parted. Her breasts were rising and falling with shallow breaths. “The bite…sounds painful.”

“I’ve never heard a mate complain about it.”

She nodded slowly taking in everything he said. “You’re trying to drive me crazy.” The statement was punctuated with her licking her lips and looking at his mouth.

“Just trying to even the playing field. If I’m being driven crazy by you in that dress, I’m going to make sure ends up in a puddle on my floor, then I’m going to make sure your panties are soaked.”

“Who says I’m wearing any?” Finley’s eyes glinted mischievously as she bit her lower lip, letting the bite of her teeth drag it into her mouth a little. Her voice was less sure, though, as she asked, “You’re going to claim me?”

He caught the hint of worry in her eyes and voice. “Not until you beg me to.”

She gave him a coy smile and then straightened in her chair when the server approached.

Well into their main course, Ash and Finley had settled into a comfortable rhythm of teasing and talking. He really enjoyed her company. With a little wine and a fully belly, Finley didn’t seem anxious or nervous. She talked easily, the conversation flowing from one topic to another.

Ash’s phone buzzed. He growled a little when he saw Henrik’s name pop up on the screen. “I should take this,” he muttered regrettably.

“No worries,” she said.

Ash went out through the side door to the path that lead down into the sand. He answered the phone with a growl. “What do you want?”

“Touchy touchy. I thought for sure you would’ve claimed her by now and taken the edge off.”

“I’m out on a date with her right now, so what do you want?”

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