So instead of speaking, I press my face to the side of his neck and breathe him in—the warm, spicy, smoky scent of him and his Drake. I find it so comforting and I’m so tired. My eyes start to close, though I try not to let them.
Valen seems to understand how tired I am.
“It’s all right, baby…go to sleep now,” he murmurs, stroking my hair. “Just relax and get some rest. Big day tomorrow.”
He’s right about that. Supposedly I’ll be tapping into my own magical powers and making the Healing Draught for my mother. Though first I have to go through the Door of Uncertainty—whatever that is.
It’s a lot to consider, but for now, I’m too tired to think of any of it. Curling up against Valen’s broad chest, I let my sleep take me.
58
VALEN
I hold her close and watch her as she sleeps. Gods, she’s so beautiful, my curvy little Princess. A deep swell of protectiveness comes over me, followed by an even stronger wave of possessiveness.
I still don’t like the idea of her going through that fucking Door of Uncertainty, even if it is the only way to truly unlock her powers. I make a decision then and there—if she goes, she’s not going alone. I’m going to be with her every step of the way, keeping her safe—protecting her.
Inside, I hear my Drake roar with approval. We must keep our mate safe, he assures me. We cannot let her risk the magic door alone.
It occurs to me that he’s much more vocal than he ever was before we met Irena. He speaks in words now—not just feelings. He’s no longer a dumb beast—why is that?
I lick my lips and get my answer. Irena’s blood—it’s full of the magic she claims she doesn’t have. Drinking from her has changed my Drake—or maybe it’s changed both of us. Has it merged us somehow—brought us together in ways we weren’t before? Or has it simply lifted my Drake’s mental capacity and allowed him to think and articulate those thoughts?
I don’t know and to be honest, I don’t fucking care. The change has been gradual and it feels natural. I’m happy to be able to hear more from my other half than just grunts and roars. And his emotions for Irena echo my own, which is a good thing. I wouldn’t want to be fighting with the creature who lives inside me—who is me, for all intents and purposes.
I push the thoughts and speculations away for now. Soon I’m going to get up and slip away for a moment to take care of myself. The memory of tasting my little Princess’s pussy is still fresh in my mind and my cock is aching for release. But I don’t leave right away. I want to hold her a while longer…to study her lovely face, so sweet and vulnerable in sleep.
She’s mine, I think and hear a growling agreement from my Drake. I know I shouldn’t feel this way—we’ll be parted soon enough.
But for now, I want to pretend I can hold her in my arms forever and never let her go.
59
IRENA
“Now my dear, attend to me.” The Lady of Thornmere says gravely. Today she is dressed in an exquisite pale blue gown that seems to be spun of spider webs. It billows around her figure, clearly showing her breasts and sex. But for once, she’s not concerned with pleasure. We’ve left all three of her husbands outside the door to her “workroom” as she calls it and are standing together in front of the strange Door of Uncertainty.
We’re not completely without male companionship, however—Valen is by my side. Apparently he found this room on his tour yesterday, while I was taking a bath, and he absolutely refused to let me go inside without him.
“Valen, I’ll be fine,” I protested when he insisted on coming in to witness my first magic lesson.
“I know you will, because I’m coming with you,” was his growled response.
I was worried that the Sorceress might be angry with him, but she seemed amused instead.
“Very well, Master Drake, you may come,” she said with a smile. “But please—for your own safety—don’t touch anything. I practice magic that is drawn from the Divine Feminine—from the Goddess herself. Which means that, unfortunately, much of my equipment could be lethal to a male.”
I shivered when I heard that—for Valen had told me that he’d explored the whole room before he heard my cries and came to rescue me from the magical bathing flowers. Thank goodness he kept his hands to himself!
But now, here we are, standing in front of a black door edged with pale, purple light. I have to admit, it looks ominous, but I feel strongly drawn to it. It’s almost like it wants me to touch it—like it’s daring me to walk through it.
Which makes no sense, but that’s how I feel.
“What will I see—what’s going to happen to me if I go through the door?” I ask, looking at the Sorceress.
“You will see many things, my dear. Some are true and some are lies. You may see some things which have happened already…and some which may yet come to pass in the future,” she says mysteriously. “It will be up to you to decide whether the scene the door is showing you is true or not.”
“All right,” I say. I take a deep breath and lift my chin. “I’m ready.”
