Finding the Dragon (Dásreach Council Book 1) (33 page)

“Charlie’s the guy with Nat, right?” She asked to clarify.

“Yeah. He’s my best friend, has been since we were kids. Our das spent time at Tiranam Dásig in Colorado together as boys, so they kept in touch over the years. And, when they found their mates both of them moved to their family estates. Being so close together, in Scotland and England, they set up visits for us lads and our mums to spend time together. Charlie and I spent most summers either at my house or his and we attended the same boarding school. Charlie has always had my back.”

Al scrunched up her face in worry, “Are you sure that Nat and Rogue will be okay?” Her friends kept popping into her mind and she was worried about them.

Kai’s hand came up and cupped her cheek. He looked into her eyes. “Alvena, I promise you that my friends, both Charlie and Malkum, will protect your friends with their lives. They won’t let anything happen to them. I know it’s hard. It’s difficult for me not knowing if my brothers are safe and I know what their capabilities are. I’m sure once we get to Tiranam Dásig, we’ll have contact with them and you will be able to hear that they are safe straight from them. Alright?”

“Yes, okay. I don’t think there is anything else we can do anyhow. Those two are strong women. I know they can take care of themselves… a hell of a lot better than I can take care of myself even with self-defense training.” She began to look away and Kai pulled her face back towards him, keeping their eyes locked. He rubbed his thumb back and forth on her jaw.

“Alvena, you are strong in your own ways. Don’t ever think less of yourself.” He said vehemently. “You should have seen yourself back there. It was glorious the way you stood up to that man. Just like a Valkyrie, a warrior goddess, you took several of them down all on your own. Sure, you can learn more about fighting, but you were no less amazing for only having one afternoon practicing with me. I know I acted a bit of the Neanderthal back there, but that wasn’t because I thought less of you, lass, that was because… well, I think it’s instinct. I can’t explain it.” His voice trailed off.

Al sat stunned. Other than the girls, no one had ever stood up for her. Even if it was against her own doubts and putting herself down. However, if she thought back, she could remember Kai doing it several times since they had met. She looked into his face. Between the caring and conviction radiating from his eyes and the soothing motion of his thumb, Al felt her heart soften towards this huge hulk of a man. Even with what most would consider a swimmer’s build more than a body builder, over-muscled build, Kai dwarfed her and made her feel petite and small and protected. She could get used to this being protected.

“So, where was I?” He said as he turned his face away. “I answered the question about my age and where I’m from. The shifting thing is a bit more complicated, so I’ll tell you that in a minute. So that leaves my relationship status...” With a purely sinful grin and those deep blue eyes twinkling with mirth again, Kai chuckled under his breath as Al blushed profusely."…which is single by the way. No girlfriend.”

“Um… I... uh… you don’t…” Al stumbled over the many thoughts rushing through her brain. Trying to think of a way to get out of the hole she felt herself falling in.

“Now, lass. It’s alright, but you have to know, I wouldn’t be here with you if I had a girlfriend. She would be my mate, and, well… that can’t happen, because you’re my mate.” Al began to interrupt. "No, lass. You just sit back and let me tell you more about the Dásreach and myself.”

Kai began to re-tell Al the story of the first Thirteen and how the Dásreach came to be. About how all Dásreach children are born male and that they go through an Oath ceremony at the age of twenty to commit to the mission set forth by the Great Spirit. How they are given a tattoo, a gift in return for their oath, called a Warrior’s Mark. The tattoo being the representation of the oath the man made to the Great Spirit. As the Shaman tattoo’s each young man, they meditate and go to another place, and in that place they are gifted with the magic and knowledge of the shift. The spirit guardians swirl around them and through them, searching each man to see where their talents lay. When the spirit guardian chooses, it attaches to the man’s soul and comes back with him. Kai told her of his spirit guardian, the dragon, and how it seemed to be a separate entity residing inside, but also a part of himself.

“Those with a dragon spirit guardian are rare. Someone being chosen by the dragon spirit guardian only occurs every 20 years when the next Thirteen are chosen. And the man chosen is to be the next leader of the Dásreach Council. When we were 20 years old, it was the year of the choosing of the Thirteen. Charlie and I traveled to Tiranam Dásig for the Oath ceremony. We never hoped to be chosen. In a way, I wish I hadn’t been. There is so much I could have been doing for my people. Instead, I received the dragon and became the next Leader and have spent the past 19 years studying and learning everything I can to be a better leader. Thankfully the black panther chose Charlie, so he continues to protect my back and stand at my side. If I think about it, Charlie was always my beta and I was always a leader. I used to drive my parents crazy. Charlie and I were in one fight after another, since I was always finding us trouble when I stood up for what I felt was right.” Kai stopped as if drifting in some far off place in his past.

However, he soon continued to tell her more about growing up Dásreach, becoming part of the Thirteen and finding twelve men who became like the brothers he never had. About, mates and what it means to the Dásreach and the Thirteen in particular. He told her how much it hurt to watch the frustration grow in his brothers, how they grew more and more inpatient, as the very real possibility that they would let their people down became more and more a reality. He told her how they came up with a plan to allow the Great Spirit to guide them through the use of a dart.

“Sometimes you’re desperate and you’re willing to try anything.” Al could hear Kai’s uncertainty and embarrassment about the dart.

Al’s heart ached for this man. He shouldered so much, blaming himself for his brother’s frustration. Thinking if he had done something differently they wouldn’t be in the last year and a half before the ceremony to make them the next Council and still looking for their mates. She was now able to understand some of his actions with her. As with everything, Kai put her safety and welfare on his shoulders.

“Kai, you said that mates are destined, right?” Al sat up and turned to look at him.

“Yes, but…”

“No, if a mate is destined, then so is the time that you are meant to find her. I’m not saying I’m your mate. I mean I think you may be so desperate for a mate that you’re seeing things that aren’t really here. I like you, but I’m no leader.”

“But, Alvena, you should see yourself as I do.” Kai began to protest again.

But, Al had made a decision while listening to him speak about his people, about himself, and his brothers; she was going to take what she could get. She didn’t think she was a destined mate, but she could give Kai some comfort and take what she wanted from him. They could enjoy each other and then move on once the threat to her life was over. He would make her happy in the time that she could have him. She refused to admit to the feelings she was afraid she was starting to have for him, but she would admit to being in lust with him. She would give him her body and receive his in return. She would take the comfort and memories back to her real life, the life where she would never find someone as strong and honorable as Kai. Her libido had been on full speed ahead since she had sat next to him on that flight to Memphis. She was going to cave and let it have its way.

She leaned forward, placing her lips on his, and lightly brushed them back and forth. Al ran her tongue over his lips, tasting him and wanting so much more.

Chapter 23

Kai’s breath seized in his chest. After the night in the cabin, he knew that he and Alvena were friends, but after what happened at the pub and things she had said, he hadn’t thought she would ever make the first move. But, she had, she had kissed him. He sat completely still allowing her to make the decisions, allowing her to accept the attraction between them. He was confused by this change in her. His shaft was honed of steel like it was each and every time he was near her. It would be so easy to take advantage of the situation, divest them both of their clothes, and plunge into her. His cock was on board for that. But, Kai had a feeling about his mate. She was a woman of emotion. Would she regret this? As he contemplated the woman he was falling in love with, the woman he knew to be his mate, she slipped her tongue into his mouth. Her taste exploded on his tongue. And with that taste of her, he knew he was done. Kai knew he was one step from being completely and totally in love with this woman. He needed her. Not just her body, but deep down, soul deep. She was the one who completed him. She was his sweet, shy, insecure Alvena; but she was also his strong, fiery, sexy Valkyrie.

As his heart beat faster with the knowledge of his love for her, he knew he had to show her the depth of his feelings. Prove to her where she belonged – with him. He would reign in his raging body and take her gently. It wouldn’t just be sex with her, he wouldn’t fuck her, he would make love to her.
I’ll go slow damn it!

When Alvena’s fingers ran up his leg towards his cock, tracing the contours of it before flipping open the snap and grabbing at the tab to his zipper, Kai was so on board with the direction she was taking him.
No, wait. Not yet
. Kai quickly grabbed her hands. Stopping her and taking over control. If she touched him, it would be all over. Holding her hands in his, he lingered on her lips.

The passion of their kisses caused a fire to burn through his blood.
It’s a good thing I’m a dragon.
Kai laughed to himself. As the flames licked through his insides, Kai slid his hands away from hers and to the hem of her shirt. His fingers tested the texture of the fabric as a way to keep control. Determined to worship her body, he began to kiss down her jaw to her neck.
Such a delicate thing, a neck
. He nibbled his way back to her ear, sucking the lobe into his mouth and tonguing it. He felt her shiver in his arms and her hands began to move over his chest.
Not yet sweetheart.
He thought as he once again grabbed her hands. No way was she going to make it end too soon. He was enjoying his voyage of discovery. Finding out the touch and kiss she enjoyed. Even so, he needed her under him. Needed to feel her curvy body, so much smaller than his own. Those thoughts in his head, Kai laid her back on the blanket and moved over her. He placed her hands to the side of her face and held them there. She jerked her arms, o
h, how I understand the need to touch my
love, but he held firm.

“Kai.” She breathed.

He knew what she wanted. He wanted it too. But, he had to show her how good they were together. He needed to show her how much he cared for and needed her.

His lips continued to explore – behind her ear, the indent where her neck met her shoulder, and the swell of the top of her breast.

At which point he realized that they still had their clothes on.
Too many clothes.
He had been so lost in the taste of her that he hadn’t even removed any of her clothing. Well, he knew what to do to fix this. And, with that thought he reached for the hem of her t-shirt and pulled it off.

Moving her hands above her head and grabbing her wrists in one huge fist. He braced himself away from her the best he could on his other arm. He looked down at her in awe. Sun warmed skin, smooth and silky to the touch, covered every inch that he could see. A sexy lace bra barely covered her plump breasts.
Oh Great Spirit
, he loved a woman with some curves to her. He could feast on her beauty forever and never know hunger.

“You are beauty defined, lass. A true feast for the senses.” He told her before diving in for another kiss.

His cock needed relief, but he had so much to explore yet. It had swollen so much that his zipper was making a permanent indent along its length. He continued to stroke her tongue with his own while he reached down to alleviate the pressure on his confined shaft. Alvena had already undone the snap, so he grabbed the tab of the zipper and pulled it completely down. It provided some relief, but true relief would only come when he was inside her. He shoved his jeans down to his ankles where he kicked them off. Desperate to feel her skin against his, he rose up and jerked his shirt over his head, leaving him only in his boxer briefs. He then unsnapped Alvena’s jeans, slid down her zipper, and quickly pulled them off. She whimpered and reached for him with her once again free hands.

“Kai,” she moaned as he divested her of her bra and panties. “I need you, Kai.” He looked into her face, his eyes locked with hers. Vibrating with his need Kai removed the last of his clothes with Alvena tugging them off along with him.

“You’ll have me, my bonny mate, you’ll have me. But, first, I need to taste every bit of this silky skin of yours.”

He gave her an evil grin and lowered his head to her breast. He slid his tongue across the top of the plump mound, lifting it with one hand, while the other explored its neighbor. He laved his tongue around and around never hitting the place she wanted him. He felt her hand twist into his hair. She tugged, trying to tell him something, but he was beyond hearing at that point. His blood rushed through his veins so fast. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. But, he knew what he wanted and sucked her taut nipple into his mouth. Sucking until he pulled a large amount of her breast in with it. Alvena was pure sweetness. Like honey over ripe fruit. He pulled back and nibbled on her nipple, biting down slightly and pulling at it. Her whimpers urged him on. He once again laved his tongue across the tortured peak, soothing it and feeling it grow even harder on his tongue. He let it pop from his mouth and laid light kisses across her chest to the other one, so he could give it the same treatment. Knowing he would never get his fill of the beautiful globes, but wanting to taste more of her, he began moving down her chest to her stomach. Reaching her belly button, he ran his tongue around its edge and dipped inside. Her stomach jerked away from him, the muscles undulating under him as her body tried to reach for what it wanted. He moved to her hip bone, kissing and licking as he explored her hip and upper thigh. He used his large hands to part her legs, kneeling between them briefly as he took in the view of her pink and slick with her want of him. His head dipped back down, he had one more place he had to taste before he combusted.