“It’s all right,” I cup his cheek.
As his blue eyes pierce mine, I wonder why I’m so determined to fight this. Raidyn cares for me in a way no one else ever has. He has tried to keep me safe from the moment he met me. He left his Clan behind for me. Why shouldn’t I trust my heart when it tells me that I’m falling in love with this man?
Perhaps this isn’t where my crew thought we’d settle, but for some reason, fate brought our ships here. I’ve never believed in destiny, but as I drop my gaze to Raidyn’s chest and I watch the swirling pattern of the bond glow dimly on his scales, I can’t deny that this feeling is real.
The way he looks at me with such intense love and devotion, and the warm masculine scent of his body draws me in. I’m tired of fighting this pull I feel toward him.
I stare deep into his eyes and then press my mouth to his. His tongue curls around mine, deepening our kiss.
“Touch me,” I whisper against his lips. “I want you to touch me, Raidyn.”
As if opening a floodgate, he kisses me like a man possessed. He rolls me beneath him and runs his hand down my body to cup my left breast. A soft moan escapes me as he brushes his thumb over the stiff peak.
I pull back my robes, baring myself entirely to his gaze.
He closes his mouth over my breast and I arch against him, asking for more. His tail curls tightly around my thigh, opening me as he settles between my legs.
I gasp as the hard length of his stav presses insistently against my folds when he rolls his hips against mine. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life.
“I can scent your need,” he rasps. “Please, allow me to taste you.”
Breathless, I nod and he moves down my body. He slicks his tongue between my folds and I cry out as he finds the small bundle of nerves at the top. He growls, low and aroused, concentrating his attention to my sensitive flesh as I run my fingers through his hair, holding him in place while waves of pleasure ripple through me.
I dig my heels into his back, begging him for more. When I’ve touched myself, it’s never felt as amazing as this.
“Raidyn.” His name escapes my lips in a breathless moan as he tastes me. “I need you.”
He presses one finger into my core and I arch into him, taking him deeper. He pumps in and out of my channel, creating unbearable friction as he continues to tease his tongue through my folds.
He growls again and the sound vibrates straight through me, igniting a fire deep inside. Pleasure roars through my body, so intense all the air rushes from my lungs as I cry out his name.
When I finally come down from my orgasm, he lifts his head to smile at me. I tug on his shoulders to pull him back up my body. I hug him tightly. He places several tender kisses to my face and neck as I run my fingers lazily up and down his back. His hearts hammer against mine and I know he’s still aroused and unsated.
I cup his face and meet his eyes. “You didn’t climax,” I whisper.
He shakes his head. “Your pleasure is all that matters, my mate. I want my first release to be inside you. We will wait until you are ready.”
My thighs involuntarily clench at his words as I imagine him thrusting deep in my channel.
He rolls us to the side and pulls me against his chest as he whispers in my ear, “My beautiful mate. You are perfect, my Skye.”
Chapter 20
Skye
I don’t remember drifting off to sleep, but when I wake, the sun sits high overhead and Raidyn is not in the bed beside me. I stand and pull on my robe, padding downstairs to find him.
His voice in the library catches my attention. Quietly, I move to the doorway to listen. On the screen before him, a dragon-man with dark-gray scales and deep-green eyes is displayed. I recognize his guard, Tai, almost immediately.
“Your father has completely lost his mind. Your cousin is whispering in his ear. They are searching for you. Whatever you do, you must stay hidden.”
Raidyn shakes his head. “My father would never hurt me. I know this to be truth.”
“Yes, but he is no longer making the decisions. He has left the Clan in Durzain’s hands. Your cousin wants you gone so that he may rule in your stead.”
Raidyn slams his fist on the table with so much force, the indentation stays after he has lifted his hand. “Durzain is a dishonorable male! How could my father turn our people over to him?”
Tai shakes his head. “Besides you, Durzain is the only family your father has left. And remember, he is not in his right mind.”
Raidyn clenches his jaw. “I should have forced him to abdicate long before now, but I did not wish to see him brought low. He was already suffering from the death of my mother.”
“What will you do?”
Raidyn runs his hand through his hair. “I must take my mate to find her people. Their ships were downed by Rovaran pirates, who may be still searching Drakaria for them. You know they do not give up their quarry easily.”
“Word from the Water Clan is that Varus has already found the humans. He and his warriors brought them to their capital.”
“Then I will take my mate there as well. She longs to be reunited with her people.”
“It is too dangerous for you to enter Fire Clan territory without—” Tai begins, but Raidyn cuts him off abruptly.
“Varus was like a brother to me once. I believe he will listen to reason.”
“You cannot be certain that his people will not attack you.”
Raidyn sighs heavily. “I have no
