"Are you sure this is what you want?" Diaval comes alongside me as I pull the t-shirt over my head.
"Are you scared?" I fire back at him and smile sweetly.
"I can't be gentle, and I am very dominant." His voice takes on that deep growl that makes my core flutter in anticipation.
A soft laugh escapes my lips as I pull on my jacket. "If a wyrm dragon isn't dominant, he wouldn't be a wyrm dragon. Weakness is killed off with your species, especially with the males. The strong survive, and the weak die. It's how it always has been and shall be." I meet his surprised gaze. "I did my reading at school. I'm well aware of your society and its rules, Diaval."
Stepping into his space, I place the bridge of my nose under his jaw in submission. "Make me yours..." I enunciate each word, feeling a shudder move through his body.
"Feray is ready to leave. You know the drill, people!" Diaval shouts, and my other three mates come up and kiss me goodbye, offering words of encouragement.
I watch my mates climb into the SUV and slowly pull away. I know it's killing Torben to leave me, but he knows what needs to be done. Khal sticks his head out the window and waves one more time before climbing back inside. My heart aches watching them go, but anticipation thrums beneath my skin.
"So, how do we do this? Where do I sit on your dragon?" I turn my gaze to Diaval.
He steps away, grabs a stick, and draws a basic outline of what his dragon's neck and head look like. "There's a space here, just behind my horns on my neck where you can sit. You may have to clean out dead scales first, but this is the safest place. If another dragon attacks, get under that ridge—it will protect you." He glances from the drawing to me, making sure I understand.
"Okay. Clean out under the ridge and take cover if we're attacked for whatever reason. Got it." I smile, trying to reassure him before he walks off. This time, I keep my eyes open as I watch him shift. It's almost like the fabric of reality opens and flexes several times before his dragon shimmers into existence. This time when I look at him, he appears twice the size he was before. Can dragons control their size? I'll have to ask Diaval about that later. Diaval lies down, and I walk over to his dragon, looking him over. His claws are bigger than my wolf. Some of his scales are bigger than my wolf. What the bloody hell was I thinking?
It's time to pull my big-girl panties up and start climbing. Extending my claws, I begin my ascent up his neck. It feels like forever when I reach the top. I walk up his neck to his head and see the dead scales he warned me about. Deftly, I preen away all the dead scales, letting them roll off his neck and down to the ground. When I feel I've done a good enough job, I find a place to sit and pat his neck.
"I'm ready!" I shout, not sure how acute his dragon's hearing is.
He rocks slightly as he rises to his feet, and it's now I truly take in how huge he really is. His head rises above the tree line, and my heart pounds from the mix of fear and excitement. His body shifts as he extends his wings, and I hold on for dear life. With several flaps of his wings, we're airborne, and my stomach is somewhere down by my feet. It's now that I take the time to look around at the surrounding area. It's amazing—the view from up here. The world stretches out beneath us, painted in the soft colors of early morning. I've never felt so small and so free at the same time.
Within moments, we fly over the top of the SUV. I see Easton open the sunroof, shift to his phoenix, and fly to catch up with us. He glides alongside me for a while, looking me over—making sure I'm alright—before he heads back to the guys. I watch him get back into the SUV, and Diaval banks to the left, heading who knows where. The one thing I remember to do is take several photos and two videos and send them to Fi. Maybe she'll get them, maybe not.
Only time will tell...
Chapter 17
Diaval
Havingmy mate on my back is the single most intense thing I've ever done in my life. She's so small and fragile compared to me in either form. I can hear her giggles as we ride the air currents, and I'm enjoying her happiness. She's sitting perfectly still where she's at, and I can only hope she's enjoying the view.
It's been a little over an hour since we left the others, and I've made a bold move—headed straight to the coast. I promised my mate she would get to see the ocean, and I fully intend to keep that promise. Being the selfish bastard I am, I decided not to squander this moment. When the first hints of salt air hit my senses, my dragon becomes excited.
We're home.
It's been over five hundred years since we last saw the ocean. Five hundred years, three months, and seventeen days since the forced mating was announced. Some things you just never forget. I land within walking distance of the ocean, behind one of the higher sand dunes on the other side of the marsh trees that can survive the salt water. Lying down, I extend a wing forward,and Feray takes the hint and climbs on. Gently, I lower her to the ground and shift back immediately.
"I have something I want to show you."
Feray arches a brow, and her eyes drop immediately to my crotch. "No, not that. Well, not at this present moment."
She giggles and steps closer. "So, what do you wish to show me?"
I pull my handkerchief from my pocket and twirl it to make a blindfold. "Come here..."
Tilting my head, I allow my dragon to surface. Again, I sense that untapped potential within my mate. Her wolf doesn't like to be told what to do. The fact her tiny wolf shows no fear amazes me. Perhaps it's because she knows I can't hurt her, or her wolf hasn't told her what she can do yet.
Tilting her head, she mimics me. With a roll of her eyes, she spins so her back faces me. "Oh, okay..."
The minute her back is to me, I wrap the handkerchief around her head to cover her eyes. "It will be worth it, I promise." Bending down, I scoop her up in my arms and begin the trek up the dune to the ocean on the other side.
"What's that sound?" The crashing of the waves can finally be clearly heard.
"Your surprise." I trudge up the sandy dune, each step taking me closer to the top. The sun beats down on my back, and the sand feels scorching beneath my feet. I can hear the rhythmic, soothing sound of waves crashing against the beach, a constant lullaby in the background. My heart races with anticipation. I've been looking forward to this moment for weeks, and now, at the crest of the dune, it's finally time.
