Page 1 of The Rowan's Stone
1
ARDEN
It’s silently mocking me. Taunting, in fact. No matter what question I ask, it gives me a blank stare and refuses to answer. Clearly, the spell requires certain parameters or terms to be met before releasing additional information, but I can’t figure out how it’s even working, much less what’s required of me. I’ve asked it hundreds of questions in the last few hours, and I’m only stopping now because I’m thoroughly frustrated and my desire to crumble the parchment into a teeny tiny ball and throw it in the trash is almost overwhelming. Reluctantly, I lay the paper on the nightstand, forcing it out of my grasp for a while. I guessfind the journalsis all I’m going to get until I get to the next step. Whatever or wherever that may be.
Blunt fingers skim my naked back, causing me to shiver, and I close my eyes, savoring the pleasurable sensation, my body still sensitive from earlier.
“When are Vargas and Solandis leaving?” Valerian asks quietly. His hand trails farther down my body, mapping its curves and valleys, leaving heat and desire in its wake.
“Tomorrow,” I answer softly, already sad. “I’ll miss them terribly, but it’s not safe for them to stay too long. I’m just glad they were able to attend the ceremony and meet you and the rest of the cadre. I want them to know the life and people I’ve found here. I only wish I’d gotten a hold of Meri.”
I called Meri to see if she could come by and meet them, only to repeatedly get her voicemail. Since I didn’t want to leave a message that could be overheard, I simply told her to call me.
“They’re certainly not what I expected, given their rank and titles,” Valerian muses. “And they accepted me with only a little reservation.”
I snort, then look at him incredulously. “Are you serious? Vargas fooled you easily. The King of Dragons mated to his daughter? Inside, he was squealing like a three-year-old girl getting her first pony. He even told me to be nice to you!” I howl with laughter.
“I don’t think laughing at me qualifies as being nice,” he growls before rolling me over onto my back and covering me with his massive, incredibly sexy and very naked body. “It means a lot to have Vargas and Solandis accept me as your mate.” His eyes gleam with emotion from the demons of his past.
Sweeping his hair back from his brow, I stop laughing and assure him, “They do, I promise.” Lifting my head, I nibble his pouty lips, kissing away his doubts and fears. “More importantly, I accept you as my mate.” I continue nibbling and sucking lightly until I feel him relax. A sense of playfulness takes over, and I slide one hand between us and flutter my fingers against his side. When he squirms a little, I back off.
He drops his head to my neck and starts placing kisses along the side.
Turning my head to give him greater access, I slide my legs around and lock them behind his back. His lips hit a sensitive spot on my neck, and I gasp, unable to hold it in. Responding to me, he settles his body onto mine, and I can feel his desire returning.
I feel bad for a second, but sometimes he’s entirely too serious. So I pounce, my fingers dancing around the ticklish spots on his sides.
He roars and jerks, trying to get away from me, but my legs hold him in place. “Arden!” he shouts, laughing, then gives in to the fun, turning the tables on me, and his fingers are merciless when they tickle me back.
I squirm, trying to get away from them, but I’m locked into my own trap. Laughing and crying, I call out, “Mercy!” but my voice is breathless, so he doesn’t hear it the first time. “Mercy,” I say louder. “I surrender.”
Chuckling, he stops and wipes the tears from my cheeks. He gives me a big, boastful grin. “A bit of a miss on your strategy there.”
Aligning my body with his, I arch into him. “Is it? I don’t think so.”
Dropping his mouth to my nipple, he flicks it with his tongue while he slides into me. With shallow dips in and out, I moan at the micro sensations spiraling out from my core and dig my heels into his thighs.
“Damn it, dragon,” I curse. “Stop teasing me.”
He chuckles, and I glare up at him. “I thought you wanted to play. Just trying to give my mate what she wants,” he teases. “Are we done playing?”
“Valerian,” I state firmly, “I want you, now.”
Pushing all the way in until we’re flush against each other, he stops and stares at me, his amber eyes flickering with sensuality and heat. Another slow pull, and he glides out, then back in, setting a languid pace, causing every nerve in my body to stand at attention.
My hands skim along his shoulders and back, feeling the ripple of movement as his body moves on top of mine, each muscle working in sync to the rhythm he’s established. Sensation washes over me, and my breath catches. The pace is reflective of the slowly deepening nature of our relationship. His lips drop to capture mine in a languorous kiss, heightening the emotions sliding through me.
Our bubble is a cocoon, a buffer against the real world. We crawl toward the finish, taking time to savor the moment. My orgasm builds higher and higher, but still, I hold off, slow dancing on the edge, doing nothing to push us over, until suddenly, it’s there and I free fall. My body clenches his tightly while powerful waves roll over me one after another. With a slight pulse, Valerian falls off the cliff alongside me.
His lips leave mine, and we stare at each other, saying nothing and everything at the same time.
* * *
Early the next morning,I wake to another piece of paper. Thankfully, this one isn’t blank, and it isn’t waiting for me to solve a riddle.
Will meet you in the training room—Valerian
His single-minded focus on training is as bad as Vargas’. After a quick stretch and shower, I dress in workout clothes, grab a banana, and head toward the training room.
