She was human. She did not know or understand their ways. She deserved to be courted. Deserved to be shown the world,to be worshipped in ways that had nothing to do with power or magic or fate, and everything to do with her.
She was human.
Fiercely independent.
And though her body was his, he needed more than that.
He needed her heart.
To win her heart… he had to get out of this goddamned cage.
A slow, wicked smile curved his lips as he tightened his hold on her, watching her sleep, knowing exactly what had to be done next.
She would wake up in his arms. She would wake up his. When she opened those beautiful eyes again, her world would neverbe the same. She had no idea the wealth, power and mastery of the Draquonir family, of his legacy.
He would use everything he had, everything he was, to make her fall in love with him.
CHAPTER 7
The dungeon was cold, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and ancient magic. Raven lay curled against Vector’s chest, her breathing slow and steady in sleep. The tension in her body had eased, her delicate features soft in the dim light of the flickering torches.
Vector exhaled slowly. She was safe.His mate.
Magic stirred in his blood, his dragon humming with satisfaction.
He shifted carefully, his chains rattling as he lifted his bound hands, focusing his magic. A soft glow pulsed beneath his skin, curling around them both, washing over Raven like a protective cocoon. The grime of the dungeon faded, their skin cleansed, their clothes replaced with dark, elegant garments. Raven now wore a deep blue dress, the fabric rich and soft, accentuating the delicate lines of her body. He, too, was dressed in dark, formal clothing.
She stirred, shifting closer to him, pressing her face against his chest. His dragon rumbled in approval. He wanted out. He wanted to spend time with their mate.
Not yet.
Vector forced himself to focus. Erik needed to be summoned. He had to make sure the executioner was no longer a threat.
Lifting a hand, he called forth his magic. A soft pulse radiated outward, reverberating through the dungeon walls. Erik would come.
Moments later, the heavy iron door groaned open. Erik stepped inside, his silver gaze sharp, calculating.
Vector didn’t wait. “Call off the executioner.”
Erik’s expression didn’t change. “You think lying with her is enough?”
Vector’s jaw tightened. “She is mine.”
Erik studied them both for a long moment before shaking his head. “She is not fully claimed. She must willingly and knowingly accept your dragonfire. Until then, she is not one of us. The Dark Elves would demand kill you for revealing as much as you have.”
A low growl rumbled in Vector’s chest, his dragon rising in protest. “You did not have such concerns when you took Ryker’s mate from our home.”
“I believed King Ryker had already revealed the truth. He placed his mate in danger, not I.”
“Raven is mine.”
“She is not to know what we are,” Erik continued, his tone brooking no argument. “Not until she is fully claimed. Do not put her life in greater danger.”
Vector’s fists clenched. He hated this. Hated Erik’s authority over the situation. But he understood the danger. If she knew too much without the protection of their bond, she would be at risk from forces beyond Erik’s control. Beyond Vector’s own.
Finally, he exhaled. “Release me. I cannot properly court her from here.”
Erik lifted a brow but obliged. “You seem to be doing all right.” A flick of his wrist and the chains disintegrated. “But I agree. This is no place for a female.”
