Twilight of Embers (Dragons of Ember Hollow, #1)

by Tessa Hale

Knox’s eyes searched mine as if looking for any hint of a lie. “You’re not going to be alone anymore.”

When our kind found their mate, they had a deeply ingrained need to make sure their mate was safe and cared for. To provide for them in every way imaginable. Food was just the tip of the iceberg.

“We have to tell Cáel. He’s going to lose it.” I winced. Cáel wasn’t altogether stable. He’d been too broken for that. And I wasn’t sure what a mate bond would do to him. He might gut every man that looked at Hayden. What a hell of a mess that would be to clean up.

“Cáel doesn’t usually touch…anyone,” Knox explained. “He can’t handle the contact.”

“Did. You. Touch. Her?” Cáel snarled, baring his teeth.

Cáel’s fingers tightened a fraction. “Hayden’s under my protection. If any of you even look her way, I’ll pull your spleen through your nose.”

It wouldn’t matter if Hayden never shifted. She’d still be the most important being on the planet to me. But I didn’t think that would be a problem. “I sensed power in her. Immense strength.” Knox’s head jerked in my direction. “You did?” I nodded. “She’s an incredibly powerful dragon. She just doesn’t know it.”

“Nothing can happen to you, Little One.” Those words curled around me, comforting somehow. I hugged Cáel back, sensing he needed it. “Nothing’s going to happen to me.” “No,” he growled. “It’s not. Because I won’t let it.”

“Does he know that I’m going to take you to bed sometime soon and fuck you so hard you’ll feel me for days? Yes, Little Flame, he does. And he likes it.”

“You will always have a choice, Little Flame. But know that we were made to love you.”