Chapter 5 Perfection

Damn, traitorous body! I had no clue it could dissolve into absolute goop at the touch of another. I had no idea I could ever feel so much heat. So much ecstasy. Every inch of my body that was plastered to his buzzed with an indescribable electricity. Distantly, I heard The Queen screaming 'no' and the sound of a struggle, but I couldn't focus on that. I could only focus on the giant holding me in his arms, solid and secure, as he devoured my mouth. I pushed my body further into his, needing to be closer. Needing to be as much of him as I was of myself.

One of his legs slipped between mine, the fabric of my dress bunching between my thighs as he pushed. When his thigh came into contact with my core a ragged moan escaped me. Dear God! What sorcery was this? Gripping his shoulders, I raised one leg, and began to pull myself up, literally climbing his tall frame. Never breaking our kiss, one huge hand gripped the back my knee, before sliding along the curves of my thigh to palm my ass and lift me. My legs wrapped around his hips, lining my heated core up with the massive bulge straining against his pants. Tossing my head back I drew in a gasp. Taking advantage he drew his lips along the column of my neck, nipping at my racing pulse. Nothing had ever felt this good. Both of his hands went to my hips and I tightened my legs around him.

"Eyes on me, little fox. I want you to know who controls your pleasure," he growled.

Obeying his command, my eyes shot to his. Still glowing and vertically slit, they demanded my submission. Expected it. And for once, I gave it freely. Willingly. With a growl deep in his throat, he thrust his hips, his erection hit me just right and I tumbled into oblivion on a silent shout. My body convulsed. My eyes rolled back into my head and Vetur went wild. Fire responded in kind, suffusing us in a divine mixture of hot and cold. With a grunt his fingers tightened almost painfully on my hips and I let out a whine. Not from pain though. This was pure pleasure. I wanted to exist in this state for the rest of my life. He ground his hips against mine. Against my neck, his breathing was labored and choppy-from the fighting or the orgasm, I didn't know. Overwhelmed and utterly exhausted, my head fell to his shoulder, my arms and legs went limp around him. He held me up. Carving a trail of sweet kisses up my neck, he stopped when he reached the shell of my ear. His lips were soft and tickled as he spoke, voice even deeper and more compelling than before.

"Perfection, little fox. Absolutely impeccable. From this moment forth, I pledge to you my heart, my soul, all that I am. I promise to cherish you, respect you, place you above all else. I am yours and no others'."

His words settled something inside of me. Something I knew had been missing all my life, but couldn't figure out how to secure it. They bound us. Somehow I found the strength to lift my head and find his eyes. Those reptilian beauties that had nearly instantly become familiar and treasured to me. Cupping his cheek in my hands, his stubble tickling my palms, I gave him my pledge.

"From this moment forth, I pledge to you my heart, my soul, all that I am. I promise to cherish you, respect you, place you above all else. I am yours and no other's."

"We are one, little fox. Rest now, I'll keep you safe from any who think to harm you."

My eyes closed and Vetur blinked out with his reassurance. My last thoughts before I succumbed to darkness-how could I have heard him so clearly when he hadn't spoken out loud.

***

Muted light graced my closed eyelids and a soft surface pillowed my body. My aching body. I tried to recall if anything I had done warranted such an ache. I wanted to slip back into sleep, but I could smell him. Feel him. The sweet, smoky scent of burning wood and the warmth of a roaring fire. I felt relaxed and as though I had slept long enough to be well-rested, but I was still exhausted.

"You will feel that way until we complete our bond. Or join, as your people call it."

Again, I could hear him. Could practically feel his voice caress my mind, but I knew what I was hearing was only in my head.

"It is the way of dragons. We can communicate with our mates without actually speaking. I can feel your emotions, hear most of your thoughts, see some of your memories. If you wanted, you could do the same."

Before I could dwell on thoughts of him being in my head, I heard Celeste's outraged shrieks.

"I am The Queen! You will remove yourself from this door and allow me to see my daughter or I will bring down my entire army on you! You are guests in my home, here only because I allow it. Do not make me rescind my hospitality!"

"You're no queen of mine and your empty threats mean nothing," a rich voice responded.

"Rescind your hospitality, we will gladly leave and take our future queen with us," another chimed in.

A shiver skirted its way down my spine and I paused when I realized it was the effect of the two voices. Valen's voice should be the only one with any effect on me.

"My brothers will be thrilled to know that they affect you so, little fox."

"I won't repeat myself again! Open this door!" Celeste shouted.

More reserved, I could hear my father's voice telling her to calm down. I also thought I could hear Kormen. I really hoped they didn't come in here, especially not when I remembered how I'd climbed Valen's body in front of everyone in the throne room.

"She will not enter unless you wish it. Konah and Brennan won't let anyone in unless we tell them to. And feel free to use my body any way you like, it's yours."

Ignoring his body comments, I followed his thoughts. From there, I knew that Konah was the blonde, Brennan the redhead. But the images of them were blurry, barely discernable. Celeste continued to threaten them, but they spoke no more.

"Open your eyes, little fox. Let me see you."

It was uttered gently into my head. Soft. Almost pleading. There was no denying the fact that it was a command though. I hadn't even realized my eyes hadn't opened and I'd been seeing everything through him. My lashes fluttered and my gaze immediately found his. He sat next to the bed, his chair pulled up as close as he could get it. He sat forward, his elbows propped on his knees, hands clasped before him. Eyes, intense and brooding, bore into me. Golden amber again, with specks of bright gold glittering throughout them and framed by unruly lashes, they were mesmerizing. His pupils and irises were back to their circular form. Normal. At some point while I'd slept, he'd changed his clothing. His muscular frame was now sheathed in a clean t-shirt, still black though. I guessed he would have needed to get rid of the clothes he'd worn before since they would've been soaked in blood. Soaked in blood. I sucked in a deep breath at the realization that I'd intentionally tried to kill my mate. The one person meant for me. The one person I needed above all others. Had I not been so shocked by him being a dragon, I would have hurt him. Dragon. My mate is a dragon! Dragons don't exist anymore. A hysterical laugh bubbled up and out of me. My hands shook.

"Relax, Cyan," Valen spoke out loud as he reached out and scooped me up, placing me on his lap. My shaking subsided and the mounting panic dissipated. "Your power recognized me long before you did. It enjoyed the challenge in the fight, but it would not have allowed you to truly hurt me."

That would explain the urging I felt to seek him out. To challenge him. To be near him. It would also explain my body's reaction to him. Why he calmed me, warmed me. God, he was so freaking warm! I felt so familiar with him, intimate. Something was missing though. I didn't feel . . . balanced? Pushing those thoughts aside and drowning out Celeste's voice, I looked at him.

"Did I hurt any of them?"

He gave a single shake of his head before he spoke. "Only their pride."

Relief poured through me, but it was short lived. "And Kormen?"

His eyes narrowed.

"What is he to you?"

"My best friend."

"Nothing more?"

I drew a blank. Of course there was nothing more. Did he think I would lie to him about something so serious?

"My suspicions do not lie with you, little fox, just him. Apparently, there was always more expected on his end."