Lana woke when the car came to a stop. Dawn was on the horizon. She sat up and yawned.
“We’re here,” he murmured.
“Are we in the woods?”
He nodded. “We aren’t quite to the town. His property is surrounded by woods, and there is a trail down to the beach. It’s hidden with wards. We’ll be safe here.”
“I’ve mentioned that I trust you, right?”
He nodded. “That hasn’t always been the case.”
“That wasn’t you. That was me, being foolish. I can’t help it. Sometimes things I think don’t bother me haunt me for life.”
“We all have doubts. But I’ll admit, it hurts to know you felt something but wouldn’t let me in. I wish I could have broken through that fear to give you comfort.”
“Yeah, but sometimes things people say stick when they shouldn’t. I know better than to listen to their words, but sometimes I can’t get past them. Has anyone ever said something you knew was wrong and it still colored your decisions and actions?”
He shook his head. “Not unless those people telling me I can’t do something pushes me to do it counts.”
Smiling, she shook her head. “No, not like this. My father said some stuff to me that made me shut down and hold myself away from a lot of things. Even from Isa to a degree, and I work with her every day. We run a business together, and I still couldn’t get past that until she sat me down and cracked me wide-open.”
“I wasn’t as successful.”
“Should have told me you were bailing before now.”
Shaking his head, he reached into the back and grabbed the two duffel bags before climbing out.
She climbed out and found herself in a hangar. Sammy was a pilot, but did he have homes everywhere? Isa had met him in Idaho, near Boise.
“What?” Lonny asked.
“Does he have multiple hangars?”
“Yeah, he does. And he flies quite a few of us on demand. Like I said, he won’t be here. I sent a text on the way, and he gave us permission.”
“Us? I hardly know him.”
Lonny rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well, he’d love to get to know you better.”
She laughed. “Does it bother you that men might want me?”
“No, not really. You’re a beautiful woman. Of course men want you. I’m not a fan of you going out with other men, but I deal with it. I know that will stop once we’re together. Until then, I deal.”
“You haven’t been with anyone all this time? You know I can’t believe that.”
He sighed. “Until Isa learned the truth, we were trying to make sure she didn’t find out about Fae. So yeah, before then I buried what I felt. After…” He let out a breath.
“That’s a long time to go without a woman.”
“Yeah, well, I was tired of pretending. I didn’t have anything serious with anyone in all that time, and I know you’ve been with your share of men.”
“Probably more men than you’ve been with women in that time.”
“Don’t remind me. I get it. We all deal with denial in different ways. And if you had come to me in the beginning, well, I wouldn’t have resisted. It always seems you are ready to lean on me when you’re broken-hearted, and that’s the last thing I want.”
“Well, I’m not broken-hearted now, and all I want is you.”
He threw the bags over his shoulder. “Let me show you the house, then we can settle in.”
He still couldn’t believe how much things had changed so quickly for them.
* * * *
To think she almost lost Lonny because she was busy being stupid about her own feelings. Something she warned Isa about numerous times.
Didn’t matter, she didn’t care what her supposed father thought. And after the spontaneous inferno, he couldn’t be her blood. So what the hell was she?
Wait, wait, wait…we aren’t thinking about that. We’re thinking about how much you need Lonny, which you do.
She did.
Lana followed him inside and was impressed by the expansive, modern look, with open windows and the view of the trees.
Lonny took everything down the hall. She rushed after him and smiled at the king-sized bed. That’s where she needed them to be. She pulled the shirt over her head before shimmying the pants down her legs while kicking off her boots.
Nothing about that was graceful, but she needed him so damned bad it didn’t faze her.
Lonny drank her in with his gaze. Then he followed suit, pulling his shirt over his head. “This is your last warning.”
He popped the button, then pulled, releasing the rest. He wasn’t wearing a damned thing underneath those pants. Her mouth watered as she walked toward him. Sinking to her knees, she gripped his base and licked over the tip.
“Shit, Lana. That’s not where I need to be.”
She smiled up at him. “No, but I want to taste you before you rob me of my senses.”
“And how do you know what I’m going to do to you?” he taunted.
“You keep telling me how you want it to be special, how you want it to be good. Let me ease your tension, and you can take your time exploring, if that’s what you want.”
“Oh, it’s what I want. But you’re going to rob me of my senses.”
She sucked him into her mouth, delighting in his pleasured hiss. Gently squeezing his balls, she slid up and down his shaft, swirling her tongue over his crown on each pass.
His fingers speared into her hair and she sucked harder. He thrust deeper and she groaned. That’s what she needed. Lonny losing control.
“Lana,” he uttered on a growl that revved her engines. She focused on the rhythm he urged, knowing he’d finally given up on pushing her away.
He had a light dusting of rainbow hair, each strand flowing from one color to the next. There was no one like Lonny. She almost lost her chance. Thankfully, she came to her senses.
She ran her fingers over his balls, taking him in as far as she could, and he came. She guided him back until his calves hit the bed and he sank onto the mattress. She climbed up beside him, pushing him back.
He looked up at her with a crooked smile. “You should have waited.”
“Why? Afraid you won’t be able to please me?”
“Oh, not in the least. I’ll enjoy learning every last thing that brings you pleasure.”
“I can hardly wait.” She lay back and looked around the room. It wasn’t at all what she expected. “Isa said he had a trailer at the other hangar.”
“Yeah, he hasn’t built much on every piece of property. He has a few places scattered around. This is one of his bigger homes.”
“But he doesn’t stay here often?” she asked.
“When he’s not with someone. But Morrigan has taken up most of his time the last couple years.” He turned to run his fingers up her torso. “Why are you thinking about another man when you have me beside you?”
One corner of her mouth quirked. “I’m giving you time to recover.”
He sat up, his brow cocked. “So you occupy it with thoughts of someone else?” The words were teasing.
“Give me a reason to stop thinking.”
He threaded his fingers into her hair and pulled her mouth to his. Her lips parted as his tongue swept across and into her mouth. He tasted unique, sweet, savory, a hint of some spice. The combination was better than anything she could imagine.
* * * *
Lana fell into the kiss, letting Lonny take control. There was no resistance, only eagerness. Talk about a relief. Knowing she was right there with him wanting his pleasure as desperately as he wanted hers tore his control away.
He trailed his fingers along her side and gently gripped her ass, drawing her against his body, showing her how ready he was for her.
“You just came,” she murmured.
He smirked. “I’m not human. Hell, I’m not much like other Fae.” At least that’s what he’d been told.
“You’ll always be ready so fast?”
“For you.” No one else mattered. He couldn’t think about anyone who came before. She was the woman he’d waited his whole life for.
Lonny rolled on top of her, spreading her legs with his.
She reached for his hard length, but he moved down, raining kisses down her delicate skin. He stopped to lick one budded nipple.
“You don’t need to do that,” she moaned as he sucked.
He winked at her before nipping at the other and promptly sucking her into his mouth. She didn’t argue, just squirmed beneath him. Gliding his hand down, he cupped her sex before running his fingertip around her clit.
“Fuck, Lonny.”
“Mmm, I plan to savor you,” he teased before licking her belly button.
“I’m starved for you. Don’t prolong the inevitable.”
Meeting her gaze, he smirked. “Relax. You’re going to experience something life-changing. I want to ensure it’s the best possible experience you can have. Let me have you my way.”
“Rip the bandage off.”
He kissed her pelvis as he settled lower, pushing one leg back. Then he bent, licking through her folds before flicking his tongue over her clit. He blew a cool breath over her heated bundle of nerves, then licked and teased until she squirmed under him.
“Lonny, don’t keep me hanging.”
He knew anytime now she would fade into bliss and into her mind. He wanted the ride to be blissful and pushed first one, then two fingers into her, working her channel while driving her wild. Her hips rocked into his hand and mouth. Then she came apart, screaming his name.
She never passed out, she continued to ride out the pleasure as waves of cold and heat washed over him. Not enough to freeze or burn, but enough for him to wonder what the hell was happening.
He’d never experienced the like.
She came again, and he moved up her body, placing his crown at her entrance.
“More,” she demanded. And he aimed to please, thrusting deep.
* * * *
Magic rippled from Lonny, through her, calling on something deep and primal from within. Ancient magic awoke, calling to power she had never imagined. She’d always believed Divad had been her father, but the images and memories flashing through her head proved that wrong.
Dragon.
She descended from the oldest fire and water dragons. That was unheard of. And yet, she knew who her parents were, but she wasn’t ready to worry about what any of that meant.
Pleasure washed through again. Lonny played her body like an instrument. She locked her legs around his hips as he undulated, his body rubbing against hers in the most delicious ways as he pushed deeper, wringing pleasure from every inch of her body.
She gripped his hair as she flew over the edge with him. She screamed his name.
Lonny fell to the side, pulling her into his arms as he soothed his hand down her back. A chuckle escaped his lips. “You may have a learning curve with the new powers. But I know why Alenathos was in the bar earlier, watching you.”
She looked into his eyes. “This is funny?”
He smiled. “I wouldn’t say funny. But so many pieces are falling into place now. I think I understand what Delnias wants.”
“How could he know what I am?” Hell, she had no clue until the moment memories started flooding her head. And forget processing it. That could come later.
“I’m sure the man you’ve called your father all your life knew who and what you are. Delnias learns everything he can about those he wants to control. He got it out of Divad somehow. And he wanted to use you against them.”
Lonny was out of bed, pacing. “Shit, he probably planned to bind you to him like Isa bound Alenathos to her.”
“But wasn’t that by his choice?”
“Sure, to break the hold Saressa had on him. Which he didn’t agree to. She tricked him.”
“Good thing the bitch is dead.”
“Yeah, but that also means he probably planned to bind you either before or after helping you through the awakening.”
She sat up. “Is that why my father—I mean…shit.” She let out a breath. “Divad. No wonder he never treated me the same.”
“Was he bad to you?”
She shook her head. “No, I think he does love me, but not as much as my sister. It’s why they didn’t try to train me as much. Probably why he didn’t fight hard enough when they wanted me to marry Maddock.”
“They wanted to control your parents through you. It’s the only thing that can supersede a master’s bond. That of blood. Control the child, and you control the parents.”
“So, how do we prevent him from binding me to him?”
“You won’t like that answer, Lana.”
“What?”
“You have someone else bind you. Someone powerful enough to prevent another bond from taking hold.”
“Are you powerful enough?”
He held up his hands. “Lana, I don’t want to control you.”
“Isadora doesn’t control Alenathos. She could, but she doesn’t. She’s only prevented him from harming Toryn. Right?”
He sighed. “Let’s think about this first. It’s not even something I know how to do. Sure, Isa knows, maybe you should have her do it.”
“You’re my mate. I trust you more than anyone. I’d rather you do it.”
He rubbed at his face. “We need to think about this. Maybe there is another way. Maybe there’s a solution that gives you as much control over me as I have over you.”
“I’m already yours, Lonny. I felt the bond take hold. I know what we are. There is no denying it now, and you promised to be there for me.”
“You’re right, and I will. But we still need a little more information to make sure the best way to deal with this. First, I don’t know the spell. Second, I need someone who knows more than I do, to make sure I’m strong enough to hold you.”
She sighed. “There you go being all reasonable.”
He lifted a shoulder and knelt before her. “Lana, you’re mine. I’m not going to let anyone take you away from me. Binding ritual or not, I won’t allow anyone to use you.”
“Which is why you should be the one to do it.”
When Lonny didn’t answer, she added, “Reance kept you watching me, knowing that tonight would push us together. He had to know we would wind up alone. Which means he expected this outcome. I’m sure he would encourage this.”
“You hardly know me.”
She lifted a shoulder. “How old are you?”
He laughed sadly. “Three hundred and some change.”
“Is it weird loving someone so much younger?”
He shook his head. “I grew up in Faery. Age is a number, nothing more. If you were a child, things would be different. But you were an adult by the time I met you.”
“Barely.” She rolled her eyes.
“I also waited patiently. If you don’t remember, you were with a man at the time.”
“How could I forget? There were more than a few nights I wished I were with you instead of him. And then you kept yourself away from me for so long I assumed you couldn’t really want me.”
“Oh, but I was waiting for you to be ready. And part of that meant Isa had to learn the truth. Especially with the way you ignored the Fae around you.”
“I was always told to fear the awakening. I don’t know why.”
Lonny shook his head. “I’m guessing Alenathos didn’t want you to know the truth until it was time? I don’t know for sure, but that makes the most sense.”
“Why?”
“Because he hasn’t killed me, and he has to know where we were heading. I haven’t hidden my desire to woo you.”
She took his hands. “What have I ever done to deserve you?”
“You’re so much more than you think. I’ve already told you this. I’ll help you find any answers that aren’t already in your head. And if I’m right, and your father is Alenathos, and your mother is Fuerah, we’ll get you to talk to them both. In fact, I bet you’re the reason Fuerah hates him now.”
“They kept me a secret, then he took me from her and hid me here after he learned he didn’t have to follow Saressa’s directions on Earth.”
“And maybe there is a way to block anyone from binding you. Wouldn’t you prefer that?”
“I told you, I trust you.”
“Yeah, well, I was raised as a slave. I was lucky enough to have good masters who sought our well-being and treated us more like family, but I saw plenty of other slaves in other families who were treated horribly. I don’t want to take your freedom away, even if it’s just a technicality.”
“But you wouldn’t.”
“People who knew of the binding would assume, with the exception of those close to us, that you were my slave.”
“Who cares what they think? And do they have to know? Can’t it just be a secret?”
Lonny caressed her face. “I don’t want to hide what we are, or our bond.”
She nodded slowly. “Because this is more than that for you?” she taunted.
“I love you. I have for a long time now, but I know we have until the end of time. That’s why I’ve waited for you to see what we could be.”
“I wish I could have seen it sooner.” She reached out to run a finger over his cheek. Then she saw her skin and her eyes popped wide.
Lana hopped off the bed, staring at her hands. “Shit, what the hell? Am I always going to look like this?”
Scales covered her body. Red, blue, purple. She ran her hands from her collarbones, down. Scales everywhere.
“You’re beautiful, but you won’t always look like this. It’s the awakening. You partially shifted. Glamour will prevent it.”
She spun to look in the mirror. Her features had shifted to look more like a lizard. Her skin flowed through colors. It took her a moment to digest the image.
“You think I’m beautiful?” she asked.
He moved behind her, placing his chin on her shoulder and looking into her eyes through the mirror. “You are as beautiful in this form as your usual form.”
Okay, she could get used to that.
Turning to Lonny, she let out a breath. “So, how do I learn what to do?”
“Well, there are two water dragons you can easily contact. Fuerah will take a little bit of work. We need Reance’s help. I doubt he’ll have a problem with that. I just fear for Alenathos when she finds out where you are.”
“They’re bound. That will prevent them from harming each other. But even though Saressa is no longer an issue, she refuses to be in his presence now. All because he took me from her.”
“Why?” Lonny asked, though he seemed to know the answer.
She sighed. “He did it to protect me from Saressa, or another master.” She closed her eyes. “He wouldn’t want you to be my master, would he?”
“I think his view may have changed, thanks to Isadora only calling him when she needs his help and he would be willing.”
She nodded. “Reance has never forced Fuerah to do anything she doesn’t want.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, Lana.”
She sighed. “He doesn’t get a say. He hid me from my mother He made choices without her. I’m making a choice with you that you would be the best person for the title. You can see if we can find some way to avoid it, but if not, you’re my best bet.”
Nodding, he shrugged. “Okay. All right.”
“That’s better. I like it when you don’t push me away.”
He sighed. “Can you blame me for wanting you to be free?”
“No, which makes me trust you even more.” She sighed. “You know, I get why he did it. I get why Fuerah’s pissed. I’m not sure there is a good solution.”
“They can work that out. How do you feel? Do you want to know both of them? Alenathos did protect you tonight.”
She sighed. “I have questions. I can’t see everything. I see bits and pieces. One thing I need to know. Why send me away?”
“Isa asked her parents that same question at first, and all I can say is they had their reasons. Right or wrong, he must have believed it was the best choice.”
“I can’t figure out what he was thinking there.”
“Some of us don’t get everything as clear as others do. My memories were murky. I tend to know what I need as I need it. I can’t usually pull it randomly. You have far more access than I ever did. And I’m full Hyter Sprite.”
“I’m full dragon,” she countered.
He shook his head. “You’re half fire dragon, half water dragon. That’s not the same. You’re mixed and have the potential to be more powerful than any dragon in ages.”
“Why?”
He sighed. “You know how Isa is special?”
She nodded. “But I only have two elements.”
“I’ve never met a dragon that inherited both. And a moment ago you were rocking both water and fire colors, plus intermingled colors.”
“What?” She looked down. Her skin had faded back to her luminescent pale skin. “Oh.”
He nodded. “I told you not to worry about that.”
Smiling, she nodded. “I have a lot to get used to. And as long as you’re there with me, I can get through anything.”
“I’m not leaving your side. You’re stuck with me, babe.”
She pulled him close and kissed his lips before leaning back. “So I’m different?”
“And special.”
She looked around. “And famished. Is there food?”
He nodded. “I made sure of that. I was planning to come here to get away from everyone anyway. It’s how I knew for sure it was empty, that I had permission.”
“Oh.”
“In fact, Sammy told me to ask you to come along already.” He lifted one shoulder. “You’re here now.”
“I’m glad. But when do we have to go back? Can we simply hide here?”
“The wards would hold. However, we might have an issue with learning anything new. When you’re ready, we need to contact your parents, Isa, and Toryn, or someone who knows more so we can figure out what to do about everything.”
“For now, let’s eat. Then we can worry about it after we sleep and make love.”
“Everyone will want to know what is going on, and who your parents really are. We can worry about that later, though. For now, you’re safe, and that’s all that matters.”
She pulled him back into bed.