Dragon Bound (Elder Races, #1)

by Thea Harrison

He stripped, slid under the covers beside her and molded his body to hers, hooking his leg under hers, one arm tucked around her. She laced her fingers with his. He buried his face in her hair.

His morning erection pressed against her hip.

He would never be a soft man. The capacity for violence lived and breathed under his skin.

I love you, she almost said. But he had already confessed he didn’t know what love was.

If she had to choose between being alone with him and being alone without him, she would far rather have what she could of him.

“You’re mine.” He opened his eyes and looked deep into hers, still shuddering. “I’m yours,” he said.

Such a funny little white dragon.

She said, Hey sweet baby. Mommy, he said, crawling fast toward her. Mommy.

She couldn’t get to the toilet in time but at least made it to the bathroom sink before she vomited until she couldn’t vomit anymore.

A tiny new life spark nestled deep inside. Betrayal filleted her. That bastard.

The urge to run was overwhelming. She fought to get past panic, pain and betrayal to think things through with some semblance of rationality.

The sound was kinda like a bomb going off in your face. It was kinda like finding out you’re pregnant when you shouldn’t be. Yeah, kinda like that.

“I am not all right.” Kick. “I need to not talk about it. I need for Dragos to leave me the hell alone.”

Dragos said in her head, Pia, what are you doing?

Don’t talk to me, she said to Dragos. You left the Tower . His mental voice was so quiet and controlled it sent a chill down her spine. You promised you wouldn’t.

She snarled, I said don’t talk to me, you son of a bitch.

What’s happened? Shut up. Get out of my head. Pia, goddammit . When she didn’t answer he roared, WHAT THE FUCK DID I DO NOW?

I’m sorry for shouting at you. He turned coaxing. Bayne and Aryal won’t say anything, just that you’re upset and they’re taking you where you need to go.

We can talk about anything that’s wrong, can’t we? Pia, please. You’re killing me here.

You don’t know . . . anything . . . about what’s going on? I swear I don’t. His response was strong and immediate. Whatever has happened, we can fix it.

Silence pulsed. Then, quiet and silken, he said, I could use your Name to call you back.

She said, Threats aren’t a good idea right now, big guy.

You have the afternoon. After that I’m com...

Then he was silent too and she was alone. Without him.

“You’re really going to give her the whole afternoon?” “Fuck, no. I lied.”

You guys are not going to go in and scare the shit out of anybody who happens to be inside, so just guard the entrances and stay the hell outside.”

“I could have left without you. I really wanted to, Bayne. Don’t make me regret trying to play by your rules.”

“Shut up,” snapped Aryal. “I’m not hurting you. You and I are going to have a talk.”

All you need to know is Dragos promised me the afternoon.” “And you believed him.” Aryal barked a short laugh. “Good one, genius girl.”

Had he lied? That hurt.

“You know, I could get over that cheerleader ponytail of yours,” Aryal said, giving her a smile that could cut glass.

You endangered the life of the Wyr lord, and by doing that, you endangered all of us, and you haven’t been punished for it. So I’ve got to admit, that one pisses me off.”

She felt off balance and stupid and completely at sea.

“What have I got no idea about—that you may or may not be Dragos’s mate?” said Aryal. “Well, cupcake, that’s the intractable problem and why I can’t just kill you.”

“I’m in shock. I can’t think straight, but I do already know one thing. I do not want to lose this baby.”

“Oh wow, you’re right, you are pregnant,” said the nurse, her eyes lighting up. “What a sweet little strong spark.”

She thought his silence was ominous, but she didn’t care as long as she could hear herself think for just a little damn while.

She put her hand on her abdomen. Stay in there, peanut.

That baby is exactly where he’s supposed to be, all snuggled in right and tight in your uterus and not in a fallopian tube or anywhere else.

She could eat a horse if it weren’t somehow cannibalistic.

Pregnant. Mate. I’m going to have a dragon baby.

Nope, that didn’t get all the way inside. Let’s say it again. I’m going ...

She was relieved not only that the pregnancy was viable but, even more, that all the evidence said Dragos hadn’t intentionally trapped her with it.

She pressed her hand over her abdomen. Oh, peanut, I always had the sneaky hope I might have a child someday, but I have to tell you, this timing sucks.

What if he doesn’t want you? He has to want you, that’s all there is to it. Anyway, I want you.

Dragos? His response was immediate and, thank God, calm. Yes.

I’m done. I’m headed home, she told him. I’ve got some news and I owe you a big apology. We can talk about whatever it is later, he said. Where are you? I’ll come get you.

“Oh, it’s you. Again.” Adela’s mouth pursed and she sighed. “I was afraid of that.”

You stupid bitch, she tried to say. I’m so going to kick your ass. If Dragos doesn’t get to you first

Use your Power, damn it. I can feel you’re there. Try hard, the imperious voice demanded. WAKE THE FUCK UP.