“You asked me for my name.” He searched her face. “It’s Raiden.”
They stared at each other in silence, shock and awareness hitting her when realization finally dawned. She jumped back, scrambling to get away, but before she had a chance to do so, two strong hands grabbed her, pulling Nyra flush against an expansive chest as she twisted and kicked.
“Stop fighting me, for fuck’s sake!” Raiden’s arms locked around her again, caging her arms against her body. “How many times do I have to repeat myself? I’m not going to hurt you!”
“H–How is this possible? You’re–” she choked on air, eyes wide. “You’re human. I–I thought...But the Captain said–”
“I told you already, I’m a Raijin. We are dragon shifters, we can choose to take both mortal and beastly forms.”
“I know what it means, but–but how are youalive?” She gaped at him, disbelief taking over her initial fright. “All those history books–they’re filled with the violent butchering of the Raijin until every last one of them was completely wiped from the face of the earth. How did you survive?”
Callused fingers caressed her face, Nyra’s heart growing from the subtle sign of affection.
“They’re wrong,” Raiden said. “Not a single Raijin was ever killed. We’ve been–” he searched for the correct word, “cleverlyhidingin plain sight.”
“What?” Taken aback, Nyra could only stare at this undeniable proof of a living legend. “But so many books, they all speak of thousands of years of aggression against your kind. How have you managed to stay hidden for so long?” She froze as a new realization slithered in. “Are there more of you?”
He searched her gaze, taking his time before he answered, “Yes. But it’s not so simple, Nyra. There is a certain curse that affects us. It’s as much of a blessing as it is a hindrance.”
“I don’t understand.” Everything was unfolding so fast. “What curse?”
Streams of yellow light played across Raiden’s striking form.
“Shit. There’s no more time.” Lifting her off, his fingers wrapped around her wrist, pulling Nyra along as they ran for the spot where she had initially woken up.
Spinning around, he grabbed her face, staring long and deep into her eyes. “Listen to me. I’m ancient. Older than you can even imagine. Time has taken away my ability to shift between my two forms at free will, and because of the curse of the Raijin, I am forced to stay in my dragon form until the next Full Moon, until eventually I am no longer able to do so altogether, thus becoming a Kaminari.” Sunlight cascaded across the ground, reaching for them like greedy fingers of eerie ghosts. “Do not be afraid of me. Even in my dragon form, it is still me, Raiden, the man. The one that you’ve spent the entire night with. No matter what happens, you are safe with me. I swear to you, I will never let any harm come to you.”
The Captain’s last words to Nyra resonated in her head.
She had to know.
“Were you hunting for me? After that fire in the village?”
“Yes.” Pain laced his features as Raiden struggled to stand.
“Why? Did you want to punish me for the attempt on your life?”
Strong arms wrapped around her. “Sweet girl, it seems your hearing is impaired today. I was searching for you because you are my fated mate.”
Relief washed over her.He was never going to kill me. The Captain lied.“What does that mean exactly?”
Fingers cupped the back of her head, fisting her hair. “It means that you aremy other half, the one chosen for me by the gods themselves. The only one that can tame the beast within me.” Angling her head, his nose trailed up her throat, licking and sucking on the skin as he went along. “You’re mine to protect,” –lick– “to cherish,” –lick– “to fuck and to love,” groaning when she shuddered against him.
Feelings of shame returned as Nyra remembered how Raiden had rejected her in the pool.Maybe there’s something wrong with me.
“Yes,” he grumbled, dragging his tongue over her jaw, “you’re still talking.”
His mouth crashed down, taking away her ability to form words, erasing all doubts as his greedy hands explored her body. Tongue sweeping across hers, licking, sucking, grinding in the most primal way.
“You’re magnificent, Nyra. And if we had more time I would spend it all between your thighs, worshiping you like the beautiful creature that you are.” A cascade of emotions played in his stormy eyes, claiming her mouth one last time before pulling away. “Are you ready, little vixen?”
“For what?” she said, breathless from their kiss, swaying slightly on her feet.
“To meet the silver beast.”
Was she? She swallowed. “Yes.”
“That’s my brave girl. My good little mate.” He pointed to a spot behind her. “Stand there, and remember. You’re mine. I’m giving you until the next Full Moon to come to terms with it. Once that time is up, I will be coming for what belongs to me.”
