Page 23 of Smoke and Lure

Amaros pulled his arms away and chuckled as Michaela’s lips pursed and tried to chase his wrist, but she was too weak.Sated.

He gathered her against him and shifted their bodies until he had them lying down on the bed, his head on the pillow and hers resting on his chest.He tightened his arms around her, enjoying the feel of her warm curves as they settled along his side.The skin of his wrist tingled as his tendons burned while they knitted themselves back together, healing fast.

He wanted to ask Michaela so many questions, but she was already drifting into sleep, the noise in her mind at rest.

Amaros couldn’t stay with his little angel long.He’d need to feed before she woke again, and the hunger drove her back into bloodlust.The cycle would continue for weeks while he trained her to control her Nature.

~YH~

“Little flame, how are you?”

Kai sat back in Aodh’s lap, wiping her face as she exhaled a shuddering breath.When her day started, she did not anticipate finding more family in the Drahk territory, losing that member, and the emotional deluge that poured down on her.

She met her mate’s gaze.His magnetic, turquoise-opal eyes held a small, canary flame flickering in them as the same shade which brightened his markings.She traced the patterns along his shoulder right at the edge of his dark vest.The man had remained beside her through it all.She’d never felt more grateful to have such a strong man supporting her.“Yes.I’m okay.Just a lot...”

He brushed a group of her coils back from her face.“It was a lot.If you need a little more time—”

Shaking her head, she offered him a trembling smile.She knew Aodh was concerned for her, but she wasn’t oblivious to those others in the Thunder who needed to see to her great-great-uncle, and it would not be polite of her to claim all the time.“I know things need to happen, and I don’t want to be selfish.”

“Be selfish.”As she still sat cuddled on his lap, Aodh caressed down her back and then up.“Mate, you were denied the time to get to know him and learn your history.A little while longer will not hinder what needs to take place this day.”

She cupped his cheek and felt the defined, chiseled muscles along his jawline press into the center of her palm.Kai leaned into the big, big man who could make her feel small and precious regardless of her thick curves.Bringing her lips down, she kissed him.Expecting it to be a brief kiss, her heart bloomed, and her desire flared when Aodh cupped the back of her head and deepened the kiss.

He licked her bottom lip, then nipped the plump flesh and caused her to gasp at the wicked spark of pain.His tongue entered her mouth, sliding along hers for a moment, just long enough for them to connect.

She heard the sigh of his dragon inside her mind.

Myhnn, it whispered in Drahk.

Aodh didn’t allow the kiss to get to the point where their lust knew no bounds, only so the heat of his strength filled and bolstered her.He pulled back.

“You ready?”

“Yes.”

He cradled her against his chest to allow himself freedom to rise.

Kai felt his bulky thigh muscles flex beneath the material of his pants before he rose with ease, her still in his arms.Once they were standing, he released her legs and let her glide down his massive form until her feet were planted on the ground.

“Let’s go.”He took her hand and headed for the door.

She glanced over her shoulder to see the stark whiteness of her great-great-uncle.His dragon still lay on the mountain of pearls, appearing peaceful in the cool hoard room, where the temperature had significantly dropped now that the flame in the cave-like wall had been snuffed with the great dragon’s death.

Say hello to Jaseena and Draig for me, Uncle Drago.

Even with her uncle gone, she hoped he could somehow hear the thoughts in her heart.Now that she knew the story of her ancestors’ profound, abiding love, she wanted to hold on to every precious moment she had with the Drahk leading her out of the room.In the short time she and Aodh knew each other, it was only a minute in their lifetime together.But, when she compared it to the extent of Jaseena and Draig’s relationship, which was short-lived, she knew she could not take any moment for granted because years were not promised to them.

“Mckenna.”Aine stood sentry at the closet door inside the room.

Kai remembered first meeting the guard outside her sister’s suite.She was grateful that the security guard had ensured she had the time she needed to be with her uncle.Seeing the female dragon-shifter made Kai think of Morlie.Her heart sank.

From the group of people taking up space in the bedroom waiting to tend to Drago, Kai understood there was a lot for the Thunder to handle this day.Drago had already passed, so there wasn’t a rush.However, first thing tomorrow, she would ask Aodh to help her contact Morlie.Even though he’d convinced her that her sister needed time to adjust to her new life with the Lupine, sharing the news about their ancestry and Drago’s death was essential for Morlie to know.

Speaking to her sister by radio would hopefully confirm that Morlie was doing well and ease Kai’s concern, even if she could not see her.

“Thank you, Aine.I appreciate the time given.”Aodh offered a brisk nod to the guard.

“It’s an honor, Mckenna.”Aine’s chest puffed out at Aodh’s praise.

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