The Dragon's Vamp(20)

“Well, no, but I never thought—and you’ve hidden this for how long?”

“Quite a few centuries.” Mari grinned as she walked over to an old wooden chest. Opening the heavy lid, she withdrew her battle gear. “I haven’t had to wear these since the last time I fought the darkness.”

“I thought you said you’d been in many battles.”

“I have, but these were made special for me by my father. They’re made from his scales and skin. Very few Other Kin can break through the protection castings he’s placed, never mind the items themselves.”

“Is the darkness one of them?” he asked softly.

“Yes.” Turning, she set her hauberk down as she took his hand, leading him over to the bed to sit on its edge. “Rhys, the darkness is or was an Other Kin soul. His name was Olipisies, and he turned to the dark arts because my mother turned down his advances—way before she met my father or thought of having me, before she became an ancient. Olipisies wouldn’t stop his pursuit of her even when two ancients made it clear to him that he needed to stop. Olipisies killed them…”

“He killed two ancients,” Rhys burst out. “I thought that was impossible.”

“No, you only need to have the knowledge. Ancients, like anyone else, are susceptible to death. Olipisies went into hiding after that and emerged again years later. He’d been gathering dark powers and tried taking my mother as she was out patrolling her quadrant.” Smiling, she recalled the story as it was told. “She was fighting him and had fallen to the ground after a hit. Olipisies started yelling at how she betrayed him and his love, and that he was going to kill her. Mother was hurt badly and the other ancients were making a rush to get to her, but they couldn’t, not in time. As she watched the death blow coming, she lifted her hand to try and stop it with the little power she had left, when a monstrous roar filled the air—her words not mine,” she said grinning. “And then the ground shook as a full grown dragon landed in front of her, stopping the hit meant for her. She said he struck back, sending Olipisies flying and then went after him. His flames scorched the grounds, setting Olipisies blazing. Mother said Olipisies tried fighting father even while his skin was burning off him to the ground, but father was too powerful and they watched as he disappeared.” Meeting Rhys’ gaze, Mari smiled as she leaned forward, her lips gently brushing his before nipping his bottom one. “So now you know how my parents met and how the darkness was born.”

“So, in other words, Olipisies started this shit because he was jilted?”

“Yep. I couldn’t say anything earlier or in the council chambers because I didn’t trust the protection charms and no one needs to know our life history…well, except you, because you’re to be my mate,” she said smiling.

* * * *

Mari chuckled as she lifted the goblet of wine to her lips. They’d decided to stay at her sanctuary and have a night to themselves away from everyone. She’d made Livi go find Drake and tell him where they were so no one would worry.

Rhys lifted his hand, caressing her arm from shoulder to fingers before he lifted her to his lap.

Mari lowered her glass, sighing as his lips met hers. Slowly, sensuously, his hands caressed her back, side, arms, and thighs as he took his time savoring her lips. “Rhys,” she breathed heavily.

Rhys smiled. “Oh no, love, we go slow this night, for I plan on making love to you, not fucking you. I want you exhausted from multiple orgasms by the time I’m finished with you.”

Mari trembled at his words. “Oh, yeah?” No man had ever made her body tremble from his words or from his sex—no man other than Rhys. “So, I’m good to orgasm at will tonight?”

“Most definitely.” Lifting her with him, Rhys rose and strode to the bed. Setting her on her feet, he averted her hands when she went to take her clothes off. “No, Mari, let me.”

Mari shuddered, lips parting on a gasp as he barely kissed her neck, his hands sliding under her t-shirt, fingers gently caressing her naked skin. Mari moaned when his mouth joined his hands, kissing his way up past her breasts. She groaned with want. “My nipples, play with my nipples,” she gasped.

“In good time,” Rhys muttered, taking her hands in his and bringing them behind her back. “Slowly, Mari. I will not let you rush me tonight. I want to love you right.”

“You do love me right, Rhys.” Mari met his gaze. “I love how my body reacts to you, it’s never done that with anyone before. You’re the only one who’s ever been able to make me burn, literally. You are my soul mate, my other half. Never doubt yourself when it comes to you pleasuring me.”