"Keep the archers in place," Valerian instructed. "If a dragon warrior appears to step out of rank, pin him in place."
Broderick nodded.
"There's something I must do before I meet the dragon." None of his men said a word as he strode away.
They knew what he meant to do-at least, they suspected. They were only partly right.
He exited the parapet and found an empty corner room. While he would not visit Shaye, neither would he fight the dragon king without first doing something.
He conjured his mate's pale face in his mind, saw her lips part as desire glimmered in her velvety-brown eyes. As he imagined sinking inside her soft, sweet body, he slipped a hand inside his pants and stroked the thick, hard length.
He could almost feel her hot, wet tightness. Could almost hear her breathy moans and eager purrs. He increased his tempo because she was wild with need and craved a hard slamming.
When she shouted his name in climax, he roared with his own. And with the release, came a wave of strength. It wasn't as intense as if he'd been with Shaye, but it was enough. For now.
He cleaned himself and stalked back to his men.
"Here is your shield," Joachim said. The change in his attitude was remarkable, and more than Valerian had ever hoped for. "The Skull is inside."
"Do you require your spear?" Shivawn asked.
Valerian gripped the shield and cast a glance to Darius, who now stood in the center of a half circle, warriors flanking him. The dragon held a sword. No shield. No spear. He had no need of other weapons really. He would use his teeth, his claws and the fire he spewed.
Valerian in turn would need every weapon at his disposal.
"Yes," he said. "I'll take the spear. The dragon medallion, as well."
Shivawn gathered the items and handed them to him. "May all strength be yours, my king."
Valerian anchored the necklace around his neck and slapped Shivawn on the shoulder. "I finally have something worth fighting for. I won't allow a dragon to keep me from her."
Broderick arched a brow at him. "Her? Do you not fight for the palace, our home?"
"I fight for Shaye. I fight for all of our women, nymph and human, that they might have a home."
"Half of the men should come down with you," Joachim said. "We can close the circle with your allies."
He nodded. "Excellent idea."
With a troop of nymphs marching behind him, Valerian sliced down the steps lining the edge of the wall and soon stood at the door.
"Open," he said, lifting the necklace. The door instantly obeyed, a crack forming between the white stones and slowly widening.
He and his men filed out, never relaxing their guard. The dragons remained in place, growling at them. Nymphs snarled in response.
Valerian's eyes locked on Darius, the only blue-eyed dragon in existence. Darius had a stern face, harsh and savage. Up close, Valerian could see the scar that slashed down Darius's face-a scar he himself had inflicted.
"Did you beat your shaft like it owed you money, nymph?" a dragon warrior called.
Laughter abounded.
"Three cheers. The nymph king released many handcestors today. The children never to be born because he spilled on his hand."
More laughter.
This. This was the kind of teasing he'd lived with his entire life. Nymphs were nothing but whores and jokes to most of the other races.
"Careful," Joachim said, his voice as cold as ice. "I can have every one of you begging for it within seconds." The pheromone wafted from him and carried to the dragon army.
The laughter died. Several men stepped backward, widening the distance between dragon and nymph.
"This is amusing, really," Valerian told Darius.
The male arched his brows in a menacing salute. "And why is that?"
"You took a human woman for your mate, same as I, and now you think to scold me. You are the fool. I will fight to the death-your death-to keep my woman safe."
The dragon regarded Valerian with something akin to understanding. "Long ago, I was ordered never to enter the surface and never to bring humans here." He spewed a stream of fire at Valerian's feet. "I fear you will bring the wrath of Poseidon to us all."
"Me? What of you?" Valerian leaped forward, stabbing his spear at Darius's middle.
Darius jumped out of the way at the last second, spraying more fire along the way. Valerian rolled from its path of destruction, the flames barely missing him. The scent of charred hair filled his nose.
No matter. He used the momentum of his roll, stabbing at Darius again.
The spear whooshed, hitting only air. Another miss. Darius's wings expanded in a burst, the thick length of opalescent membrane allowing him to hover.
Valerian popped to his feet and immediately had to dodge left, away from another blast of fire. He spun on his heel, pretending to lunge. In truth, he swung his spear behind him to stab forward from the opposite side. The sharp tip grazed Darius's thigh even though he still hovered in the air.