“Blessed one, we meant no disrespect,” Morgan stated.
“Of course you didn’t,” Darina replied. “I know it must be difficult to think of dragons still being around as no one has seen them in such a long time. But this is Alston, and this information stays within Alston’s boundaries forever.”
“Mother, I’m pretty sure I could have explained everything. Why are you here?” Mari asked.
“To warn you all that the coming battle will be soon. The ancients sense a great unrest looming close.” Turning to Mari, she met her gaze. “You must be able to shift completely. If you do not, then all is lost. Do you understand this?”
“There’s no way I can take down the darkness even shifted. I am not as powerful as father.”
“Mariwen, the darkness is coming for you. It has been learned that the reason it keeps attacking Alston is that it knows you will come. It has no idea where your father rests or even if it’s on this side of his territory.”
“Me? Why?”
“Because you are Alston, you are this land. You hold the key to its safety. And no, Olivia Roven cannot be brought into battle this time. She is not ready and she would not survive.”
Fear ran through her body like water thawing from the ice caps. “Then I’ll leave.”
“If you leave, it will kill all here. Is that what you want?”
“No,” she whispered, turning her gaze when a hand touched her lower back, heating her chilled flesh.
“You won’t be alone,” Rhys stated as he drew her closer. “We will help you.”
“As will I,” Triton stated.
“Mari,” Darina said as she lifted her daughter’s hands within her own. “You are never alone and you have more power than you know.”
Mari closed her eyes as her mother kissed her cheek. The electricity spiked as her mother disappeared.
“Don’t forget you come from my bloodline as well,” Darina’s disembodied voice whispered.
“What did she mean by that?” Rhys asked.
“I, I don’t know. I’ve never shown any signs of having mother’s powers. Triton?” she asked as she met the Sea Prince’s gaze.
“No idea kiddo, that’s something beyond me,” Triton said.
“Mari, if you’re the guardian of Alston, then may I ask why Olivia was chosen to be a guardian?” Gwil Roven asked.
“Livi was chosen simply because she was born of Alston lands, and since I have no child of my own, yet. A new guardian needed to be chosen in case something happens to me.”
“So, no matter that she’s a guardian; you’ll still be the guardian?”
Mari smiled. “Yes, unless I die, then all my gifts and powers will go to Olivia; unless I have a child, then they will automatically find any child of my blood and infuse with them.”
“In other words,” Triton said, “No matter what, a dragon guardian will always protect Alston and its people.”
Mari frowned as she glanced back to the council members. “Call to arms, prepare for a battle as mother said. They won’t wait to attack.”
* * * *
Mari sighed as she sat on Rhys’ bed staring out the huge picture window. She’d left the room dark on purpose so she could see the stars. A soft smile lined her lips when Rhys slipped in behind her, his warmth heating her back.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. Rhys, the reason I asked you to wait to bite me is because sometimes my blood is…hot. My body heats up with my passion and I’ve never let a vampire bite me in the middle of sex, so I’m not sure if you’d feel my fire or not.”
“Will I hurt you if I bite and feed from you?”
“No, like Triton, I’m old and powerful enough that you could bite all you like and I’ll be fine, unless we do it for days with no sleep and food.”
“Days huh?” he grinned.
Mari smiled, turning as he drew her close. “I just didn’t want you to run once you tasted me.”
“I’m not running anywhere and I plan on tasting every inch of you.”
Her head tilted as his lips ran down her neck. She parted her lips with a soundless gasp as Rhys’ hands traveled up to her breasts, his fingers finding her nipples. “Rhys,” she whispered breathlessly.
“Do you wish to feed on me?” he asked as he removed her shirt.
“No, that would be too many sensations at once and I don’t know how I’ll act.”
“Because you haven’t fed in a while?”
“Yes.”
Rhys smiled as he removed her bra. “Don’t worry, love, that’s something I know how to deal with.” Lowering his head, he gently drew her turgid peak into his mouth, her moan and movement had him lowering his hands to her waist to hold her still.