Page 27 of Defy Me

"Yes." He nodded and looked like he was choosing his words carefully. "When you came into the bar last night, I was waiting for a magic dealer. He was supposed to give me information on how to break the curse on my brothers."

Whoa. Built in family. "You have brothers? Are they all as handsome as you?"

"You've met them. Well, some of them."

The only other dragons they'd met was the green one and the big black one that had tried to capture and or kill them. Crud. He was definitely related to that black one. Duh. He had said something about it being the King of Hell and also that he was the bastard son. Now she was putting two and two and two together. "I have, when? Is it Jakob?"

Please be Jakob, please be Jakob.

"No." He swallowed and looked at her like he didn't want to say. "The demon dragons are my brethren."

"Uh. The batstriches? Brothers from another mother, I take it?"

"We are all children of the Black Dragon, the King of Hell. Some are born beyond any hope of real life, but others, like the one who tried to kill you, I think I can save them. They still retain their sense of self, they can communicate, and they are waiting for me to begin the revolution to save them from life as a minion, forced to battle the dragon warriors in the name of Kur-Jara and his vengeance on Dragonkind."

Yvaine raised her arms in the air. "Viva la Resistance."

Jett shook his head but she saw the smile on his face too. "Let's see that map and find out where we're going tomorrow."

She handed him the brown piece of paper. "Tomorrow?"

He took it, but didn't bother unfolding it. "Yes. My brethren have waited centuries to be freed. They can wait one more night. Tonight, I'm taking you back to the Green Wyvern's villa, begging his bride for a room for the evening, where I can be sure we won't have any distractions from friends nor foe."

"Umm, because you're tired and want to rest for our journey?" He didn't look tired. She wasn't. She was invigorated and could've danced all night. And still have asked for more.

"Not even a little. Because I want you in my bed, under me, moaning my name as I make you come over and over until we are both exhausted and satisfied."

"Oh." She said that instead of a squee, which was what she was really feeling inside. Was now a good time to tell him she hadn't ever done any of the coming and moaning someone's name thing before? Probably not. He'd figure it out soon enough. Stay cool. "That sounds like...fun."

"I'm going to make it much more than fun for you, love."

There he went again calling her love. Did he love her? He couldn't. Not yet. Maybe having sex would help her figure that out. They did call it making love. She got a thrill every time he called it fucking. She really wanted to experience fucking. They could do making love later. "Do we have to wait until tonight?"

"If I could I would fly you back to the villa and be inside of you in the next six minutes. But the nature of our curses means we will be walking back. I won't have you vulnerable where there are no wards. This town is under the Green Wyr protection, but it isn't as safe as their home. When I'm fucking you I don't want to worry about demon dragons popping up. They will never come close to you ever again. Not until we have broken their curse."

"I'll race ya." Yvaine bolted through the door and took off running. She wouldn't have the stamina to last very long before she either got a stitch in her side or wore out. Even better if he caught her.

Yvaine. Don't you know better than to run from a predator, naughty girl?

Oops she must have changed him in her excitement. The shop they'd met Mr. Bohacek in was right at the edge of town and as soon as she hit the open road, she sped up to sprint as fast as she could. Living in the convent, she hadn't been allowed to run like this. It was almost as exhilerating as Jett's kisses.

Her hair whipped out behind her and her muscles woke up, the blood rushing through them, for the first time in her life. "Bet you can't catch me, dragon."

Run, my mate. Because when I do capture you, you won't be going anywhere for a long time.

Yvaine laughed with the pure joy of being in the wide open country-side, free as a bird. She felt like she could fly. Jett flew over her head and his shadow passed beside her. He swooped down like he was going to grab her up in his talons, but she darted to the side giggling like a fool. Before she knew it, the villa and its gardens came into view. She didn't want this chase to end, but she did want what was going to happen when Jett caught her to start as soon as possible. She slowed down and came to a stop in front of the main entryway to the house, bending at the waist and breathing hard.

Jett landed beside her and bowed his head. Whatever you are, running is in your blood. I truly couldn't catch you and believe me I tried.

Yvaine half laughed, half sucked in deep long breaths. She threw her arms around Jett's dragony neck and when he had lips again she kissed them. "I've never done that before. It was fun. My heart is beating so fast but I hardly feel tired."

He lifted her up into his arms and kicked the big wooden door open, carrying her across the threshold.

"Oh gosh, you can't carry me like this, I'm too heavy." Princesses got carried around, not chubby orphan girls. Secretly she loved that he hadn't even grunted with effort when he grabbed her up.

"Not even a little bit." He strolled into the main room and toward a big staircase that led up to a second level.

Ciara popped her head around the corner probably wondering if Jett was in here breaking his furniture again. Jakob wasn't far behind. Neither got to say a word before Jett bounded up the stairs.

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