Page 51 of The Lost Nation

???

Xana was suitably impressed by the craftsmanship of the sword I brought her, though she was struggling hard to conceal it. I grinned, and admired the shine of my own blade. “Demons are actually quite good at metalworking. Their weapons are some of the best I’ve seen. I could have them make you your own set.”

Her eyes gleamed at the chance to have something so unique and deadly. I had to shift myself again as my body responded enthusiastically to the idea of a woman who preferred steel and blades over jewels and flowers. The fighting leathers I gave her didn’t do much to help my situation either. It hugged her body in all the right places, and I had to remind myself tolook at her face, goddamnit.

I shook my head and assumed a defensive position. "Whenever you’re ready.”

She lunged at me faster than I’d anticipated, making a neat slice on my breastplate before spinning away before I could parry. That little minx had been holding back in her drills!

I launched my own attack, aiming for her neck despite my own reservations. My strikes were too slow, and almost clumsy.

Xana sneered. “Are you going to fight me, or continue to treat me like achild?”

I didn’t want to hurt her, but didn’t want to insult her either. My next attack came with more force, but she was too quick and once again left me lunging into thin air. It was then I realized the futility—no matter how much stronger I was than her, it wouldn’t matter if I couldn’tcatchher.

I redoubled my efforts, and she grinned wildly as we jumped and spun, dodged, and ran circles around each other. Sweat broke out across my brow, but it only spurred Xana on as she became a female possessed, her body a blur of motion as I had a hard time keeping up with her.

I took a blind thrust to my right, deciding to risk it all to catch her unawares. If I missed, I’d likely overbalance and fall on my ass, giving her leave to end the match in victory.

My sword stabbed the air as I violently twisted to the side, and I was shocked to be met with resistance. Xana snarled in fury as force of my blow knocked her own sword from her hands, and I pressed my advantage with a stupid grin on my face.

Ipressed her body up against the rocks, and Xana desperately leaned away from the point of my sword. I held it level at her neck, feeling rather smug.

“What a big,strongmale you are, defeating the emaciated, tortured female.”She sneered.

Her hand went against the flatness of my blade and pushed it away, her sultry tone fooling me for a moment before the words caught up to my ears.

I flushed in embarrassment, and pushed the blade closer. We were nose-to-nose now, panting and glaring at each other.

I jerked, inhaling her scent properly for only the second time since I'd brought her here. My inner draken twitched, noting the same shift it her scent it had first recognized at dinner.I wasn't sure what it meant exactly, but my draken instincts roared to life.I could barely think over the sudden, overwhelming urge toclaimher.

One of my hands tangled through her dark hair,Her dark hair, which felt like silk against my skin. Her blue eyes stared me down. My hands shook as I slowly, methodically, removed myself from her body.

“Your control is magnificent,” she breathed, her gaze flicking to my quivering limbs.

I gave a shaky laugh.

She leaned in close, her gaze sultry and her scent overwhelming.“I’ll enjoy it that much more when I finally break it." She whispered against my ear.

The sword clattered to the ground noisily, and my hands were uncontrolled as I grabbed her. Her unmated scent invaded every pore of my body, and I put my nose directly in the crook of her neck. My body pressed aggressively against hers, our leathers already warm from our fight.My draken form burst out to match hers, my skin shifting and my wings shooting out of my back.

“You said you didn’t want to be mated." I panted, trying to understand. Trying tothinkthrough the red haze racing through my vision. "You were afraid of the other males.”

Xanadidn’t help matters by running her hands down my shoulders, coming to a teasing rest at the base of my wing joints.She took one finger and stroked it down the middle. I shuddered, groaning out loud.

Holy fuck, I didn't realize how sensitive they were.

“I’ve never been afraid ofyou.”She whispered, her breath hot against my neck.

I couldn’t help it—the warmth of her body, the intoxicating scent, and the fingers that stroked my wings like they were my cock.

I gave in to my urges completely.

My teeth bit through the delicate skin of her neck, and her body went limp as I cradled her against me. Her fingers stroked my fingers with greater purpose, and I growled as I nearly came against her.

She came here to get away from males like you!My inner voice reprimanded.I tore myself from her with enormous effort, her blood dripping delectably from my fangs.I refused to swallow. I wouldn't.I couldn't.

Her grip around my wings tightened and twisted, sending me to my knees in pain. The agony brought a sense of clarity that had me thankful for the pain.

---