My hands rise of their own accord to adjust a tie that is no longer around my neck. "Well, a dragon's mate is adorned with one of his scales. It is as symbolic as your bite is for the wolves."
Feray cocks her head left, then right, until her eyes lock on my opened shirt. "May I?" Her eyes begin to glow with the power of her wolf as she steps cautiously into my personal space. Her hand motions toward my half-opened dress shirt, and her eyes lock on my scales underneath.
Don't mess this up, meat bag, or you will never fly again...My dragon threatens me. Me, of all the beings in the world, he chooses me to be the focus of his aggression.You have denied us taking a mate for hundreds of years. Don't scare our female...I feel him retreat to the depths of my consciousness, almost to the point I barely feel him.
"Diaval? Are you okay? One minute I saw your dragon's eyes, and the next he's gone." She rests her dainty hand on my chest over my heart, and I swear the damn thing is going to explode.
"Um, yes... We are fine. He was threatening me to behave and not scare you." I stare down at her hand, and out of the cornerof my eye, I catch Torben motioning for me to put my hand over hers. I mimic his action, and Feray smiles brightly.
"Well, I don't know what you said to him, but I feel like he's not happy with you." She smiles as her free hand slowly rises and pushes open my shirt. Her eyes widen, looking at the armored scales over my chest. Hesitantly, her hand reaches out and lightly touches one.
It's then that my dragon surges forward, and she leaps back, feeling his sudden presence.
Damn it...
Did his excitement ruin our chance at being with our mate?
Chapter 12
Feray
The feelof Diaval's scales is so different from Khal's. Where Khal's are cold and hard yet smooth to the touch, Diaval's run hot and rough like sandpaper under my fingertips.nThere's a surge of power from him, and I leap back, half-shifting. My legs are those of my wolf, as are my forearms and hands. I stare at my claws and feel my elongated canines in my mouth. My tail swishes behind me as I study Diaval.
His eyes are lined with tiny black scales, and his eyes have a malevolent glow to them. "Careful, Diaval. Your dragon is close to breaking loose. Look what it did to Feray. Her fight-or-flight instinct kicked in." Easton warns, stepping between Diaval and me. It only angers his dragon further, and a deep growl escapes his lips, making my wolf whine.
I force myself to draw in a slow breath. Reaching out, I take hold of Easton's shoulder. "I'm alright. Step aside." Gently, I give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze before he moves out of the way.
"Naughty dragon..." Each step closer, I shift back to being completely human. I watch every shift of the bone plates in Diaval's face. "We understand you're excited to see us.Remember, we're probably no bigger than your largest scale when you emerge." Having no experience with an actual dragon, I can only assume he's enormous.
Diaval chuckles. "You've gone and done it now."
"What did I do?" I tilt my head as I rest both palms against his chest, looking up at him.
"You've somehow made him even more protective of you. Thinking of you being no bigger than one of his scales, he wants to place you with his hoard and burn the world to ash to make sure you're safe."
Diaval's hand rises slowly, and he cups my cheek. His warmth seems to envelop me, and I hear what sounds like a low, humming purr. "My inamorata, I need you to choose the scale you wish on your body." Diaval nuzzles my cheek, and I feel my canines break free of my gums. The taste of iron makes my eyes pop open, and I know I'm looking at him through my wolf's eyes. Shaking my head slightly, I break free of the trance I was falling under. Cautiously, I slide my hands down his chest to his open dress shirt to look at the scales again.
"May I choose a scale from somewhere else? This is far too close to your heart. I don't wish to be the reason you're left defenseless."
Diaval tilts his head, looking at me, then smiles. "He says we have chosen wisely." He steps back. "Anywhere you desire, I will shift, and you may pluck the scale yourself."
My eyes roam his body, and I didn't realize just how toned his shoulders are. Sliding my hands up his chest, I make his jacket and vest slide off his shoulders and down his arms to pool at his feet. A richer version of his chamomile scent hits my senses likea freight train. The simple act of removing his vest and jacket is turning him on.
Staring at the remaining buttons on his shirt, I make quick work of them, opening his shirt wide. I hear his breath hitch when I touch his skin, and I freeze briefly. My eyes remain locked on his shirt before I slide my right hand under it and move it off his left shoulder.
"Shift here..." I touch the thick ball of muscle that surrounds his shoulder joint.
One by one, blackened scales emerge from his tan flesh. It amazes me, watching them ripple across the muscle, giving me several dozen to choose from. Leaning in closer, I sniff at the scales, taking in their scent. If danger had a scent, it's his. The chamomile has morphed to be rougher, edged with a hint of leather and burning wood. The hairs raise on the back of my neck as I move closer and inspect the scales.
"How do I do this?" I stare at the one scale that seems battle-hardened—the one with a scar.
"Use your claw tip at the top of the scale and pull down." Diaval's tone is smooth and even as he turns his head to look at me. A gentle smile graces his lips, and for once, he doesn't look like he's scowling at the world.
Nodding, I draw in a fortifying breath and shift my index fingernail to a claw. Staring at the scale I want, I strike quickly and pluck it from his shoulder. Without thinking, I lean in and lick the wound, sealing it.
My mouth opens of its own volition, and my canines descend.Bite him... Make him ours... Pretty, pretty dragon... Strong mate...My wolf for once utters words, and I can't help but doas she desires. I strike without warning, sinking my canines into the meat of his shoulder. The burst of iron upon my tongue gives me a sense of euphoria. Panicked shouts are drowned out as I focus on Diaval's heartbeat.
Strong fingers thread through my thick red hair and pull me back, making me release his shoulder. His blood coats my lips, and before I can say anything, he mashes his lips against mine. Diaval dominates the kiss, his tongue teasing the seam of my lips until I open for him. He controls the kiss as our tongues slide and caress each other. My greedy core tries to grip something that isn't there before he slows the pace.
