Chapter Forty-Six
I stood at the front of a legion of Dragons and Gods. More and more gods had been converting to my cause. Humans had quickly learned that Gods were not the generous, loving, protective deities they'd believed them to be. They could be just as self-serving as any human, and they had been around long enough to recognize a losing battle when they saw one.
But the humans weren't surrendering as I'd expected. They rallied behind each other, several nations sending their soldiers to help bolster the borders of my territory and defend the land I'd yet to conquer. I spotted uniforms from Russia, China, all over Africa, and, of course, America. Those fucking, bloodthirsty, American bastards wouldn't miss a fight. Well, they'd all be learning the futility of their resistance very soon.
Wait; did I just quote the Borg?
I shook off my strange musings and glanced to my right. Viper stood at my side as always but today, his arms were crossed and he stared stubbornly ahead at the enemy forces. Jaw set, chin lifted, eyes narrowed. Still mad at me then. I nearly chuckled. Let him stew. Viper needed to learn that I ruled, not him, and he could share my bed, but he would never share my throne. That was one piece of furniture that belonged to me alone. I was past the point of offering him a place as my king. Couples had arguments—this was the perfect example of that—and I would not have anyone arguing with me over how I ruled the world. This was my planet, everyone else was renters. Renters who would be homeless if they didn't fall in line.
I shifted into my dragon form and leapt into the sky. My army roared and followed me forward; Dragons surging into the air while Gods rumbled forward in military vehicles; metal beasts with impenetrable shells and windows for gods to safely launch their magic from. I circled down for my first strike as the armies clashed together, then drew breath to burn my enemies.
That's when those annoying ants launched a missile at me.
Missiles can't hurt me. Not even magical spears could pierce my dragonhide anymore. But the thing hit me at the juncture of my wings and exploded. My bones withstood the impact but the delicate leather tore, and I plummeted, wind whistling through the widening holes. The humans cheered, launching more rockets at me as I fell, and I hit the ground amid fire and smoke.
In enemy territory.
As I trembled beneath the shock of pain and shifted into my woman's body to heal faster, I heard one voice cry out above the others. One voice filled with fear and fury and love. But it was far away, and the humans were rushing toward me; a mass of them closing in around me. And there I was; naked and alone. A sliver of fear sliced through me before I remembered that they couldn't hurt me. Let them come. I'd—
A roar echoed down from above, making the human soldiers cringe as they searched the sky. Dragonfire roasted the ranks on my left as something plummeted to the ground before me. I gaped at Viper as he landed in an aggressive crouch, fangs bared and hands full of dark starlight. He hissed at our enemies, and they stumbled back. But they couldn't escape his light. Waves of glittering amethyst rolled over the soldiers, sending them tumbling into each other, skin melting as if acid had been sprayed over them.
Viper barely left anything for his mount to do. The dragon settled on the ground beside me, guarding my back as she enjoyed the show. The remaining troops tried to run, but my lover was already upon them; tearing into them like a madman. Necks broken in seconds and throats torn out while poison spread through blackening veins. I held my breath in wonder as Viper slaughtered every soldier who had dared to approach me.
I had never seen anything so beautiful. So savagely sensual and ruthlessly romantic. My heart softened as I watched him, my star blazing for this barbaric man. There was no greater declaration of love for a dragon. Blood is better than diamonds. By the time Viper had cleared a wide ring around us, I was shivering in arousal and adoration, reaching for him as if I truly needed him. As if he were the most important person in my life. I suppose he was.
“My star,” Viper cried in relief as he swept me up in his strong embrace. “Stop scaring me.”
I laughed softly and held him tighter. “How many times do I have to tell you?”
“I know; you can't be hurt,” he whispered as he pulled away and stared down at me tenderly. Blood covered him; a beautiful compliment to his vibrant eyes. “But I can, Vervain. I may revel in pain, but not yours and not mine. You hurt me this morning. I have given you everything—all that I have to give—and you hurt me. Then I had to watch you tumble from the sky, my star falling to earth. Do you know how that felt?”
“I'm sorry, sweetheart.” I pulled him down to me and kissed him there, in the middle of that charred ring of death. I tasted blood on his lips and savored it. “I love you too. I'll try not to hurt you again.”
Viper shook his head ruefully. “I'm sure you will, just as I'm sure I'll forgive you. But now is not the time for this.” He stood up and helped me to my feet. “It's time to end this battle, my love.”
“So it is. Let's do it together.”
I transformed into a dragon, and my forces roared with triumph. Then I lowered my head for my lover to climb onto my back. Viper grinned broadly and slid onto my shoulders, thick legs clasped tightly around my neck. I gave another roar to rally my troops and shot back into the sky with Viper's
