His claws closed around me again and this time when he pulled, I went freely. Limp and grinning, I lay within the dragon's grasp as it drew me out of the castle like a cat digging a choice morsel from a carcass. With another roar, we fell. The sound of sliding stones came, but then water rushed around us. Great big streams of the stuff swallowed us whole. It formed a channel, a river, and the sea dragon swam up it.
As he escaped with his prize, I sucked in that glorious substance, my withered cells rejoicing in so many ways. I felt complete. Oddly complete. And it had nothing to do with thewater. It was this man. This Sea Dragon. My king. In his keeping, I could finally rest. And I did. I closed my eyes and fell into a blissful oblivion.
Chapter Twelve
I woke up underwater. Not just surrounded by water, but also in the sea. I recognized the salty tang of the ocean immediately. My body breathed it in with relief, sucking in great drafts of it through my gills and pores. I was resting on something smooth that coiled around me, cradling my body. Confused, I opened my eyes and swiveled my head. Another much larger head lifted and angled an enormous eye at me.
Entranced, I reached out a hand. The face drew closer, close enough to touch. Smooth scales pressed into my palm. Like glass, but stronger than steel. He was the first dragon I had touched. The only one I ever wanted to.
“Your Majesty,”I projected my thoughts to him. If he was open to hearing me, he would. I was certainly open to hearing him.
But King Vaxarion—it had to be him—didn't respond. He just nuzzled me and curled his strong body more tightly around me. Then, as I stroked his cheek, he closed his eyes and let out a sweet rumbling sound that vibrated through the water. It healed me as nothing else could, banishing the lingering past. I got to my knees and laid my torso against his cheek, arms extended in a hug.
“Thank you for saving me. Thank you. I don't know why you came or how you knew I was in trouble, but thank you, Your Majesty,”I projected my thoughts again.
That happy rumble slid into my mind. And then came,“Zixin,”in Vaxarion's deep, velvety voice.
“It is you!”I leaned back.“How did you know I needed you?”
“Zixin,”he repeated.
“King Vaxarion?”
“Stay.”His long, massive body unwound, and he swam away.
“Where are you going?”
“Stay!”
I stayed. King Vaxarion left. As he did, I noticed where we were. A cave. He had brought me to an undersea cave. But it had sea lanterns in it, sitting on ledges. So he must have been there before. Was this where he brought all his lovers? How strange. But who gave a shit? I was free! I was alive! I was with Vaxarion! And I was nearly strong enough to get up and do a happy dance. Not quite, but nearly. The sea revived me much faster than fresh water.
A disturbance in the currents alerted me to Vaxarion's return. I sat cross-legged on a rock shelf with a grin on my face, eager to see him again. He appeared in seconds, swimming faster than the Lu-Ken could sail, even with the strongest wind filling her sails. He came to a graceful stop, the water swaying me, and laid something before me. It drifted up from the sand.
A fish. He had brought me a fish.
Gleefully, I grabbed the dead thing and chomped into it. In my mind, I sent him a,“Thank you, Your Majesty. I was starving.”
“Vaxarion,”came his response.
I went still, pausing my meal to stare at him.“Thank you, Vaxarion.”
“Zixin. Eat.”
I ate but also frowned. What was up with the clipped answers? What was wrong with him? A Sea Dragon had the same intellect in their beast form as they did as a man, but King Vaxarion sounded as if he'd lost some brain cells.
Then I noticed the shackle. It was still on me, a length of chain coiled nearby like a snake. I jumped, dropping the fish, and yanked at it. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Vaxarion pull back, then come closer. But I was losing myself again. All I could see was that fucking iron. I needed it off. Inside my head, I whimpered.
“Zixin,”the Sea King's voice calmed me.“Cease.”
I went still but stared at him balefully.“Help me. Please. I can't be chained. Please.”
Suddenly, the water shimmered. Bubbled. The sea dragon shifted, shrinking into a Sea Dragon man. And there he was, more glorious than ever. Vaxarion's long hair streamed around his nude body in the currents created by his dragon, the lantern light turning those dark strands into a dark rainbow. He bent, grabbed the shackle at both sides, and yanked it apart. Effortless. As if the thing were made of paper. He tossed it away,the chain trailing after the broken metal, then cupped my face in his hands.
In a daze, I stared at him. Vaxarion drew closer. I rocked forward, taken to him by the water. My hands pressed against his bare chest. He continued to hold my face, but it felt as if he surrounded me. His presence was still the size of his beast, wrapped around me so tightly that I'd never get free of him. I never wanted to. Closing my eyes, I lifted my lips to his in offering.
And he accepted.
Groaning, we came together, tongues weaving, telling a story of loss and recovery. Of near death and reconfirmed life. I felt Vaxarion's joy through his kiss, and that both amazed and excited me. He wanted me. He wanted me enough to tear down a fucking castle for me! I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him closer. Fell back with him.
