The Dragon's Vamp(23)
His hands tightened for a brief moment before he let her go. “I do trust you.” Leaning down he kissed her hungrily. “I love you, so you better not get hurt damn it.”
Mari smiled as she grabbed her twin swords, swinging them up onto her back into their sheaths. “I promise if I get hurt, I’ll let you spank me.” Heading toward the cave entrance, she turned as he stepped beside her. Smiling, she stepped off, landing with one knee down on the beach sand. Glancing up when he landed next to her, she stood and met his kiss hungrily. “I’ll see you when you get back.” When he quick-stepped away, Mari walked into the ocean ankle deep, lifted her hand and slapped it to the ocean’s surface. “Triton, I call for you!” Having been in dragon mode and fed recently, she was strong enough to make the call and protect Alston from its invaders.
When the reverberation wave went out, her eyes narrowed as the approaching invaders stopped. Breathing deeply she held her breath hoping they’d turn back. Damn asses. She growled as they kept coming, and unfurled her wings; giving one mighty swoop, she was up. The salt water sprayed her face as she charged toward them. She could transform to dragon and go undersea, but it would be harder for her to fight them, and she didn’t like being at a disadvantage. Stopping half a mile from their approach, she lifted her arms and pushed down, creating a barrier of rushing water from the sea surface to its floor and back up. “If you come with the intent to do Alston and its people harm I order you to leave now!” Mari’s gaze narrowed when an Isonade came to the surface. They were a dangerous creature. They used their barbed tail as a weapon to strike sailors off ships or even people off the beach—just to kill.
“We are here for Alston. Step aside unless you want to be destroyed.”
Mari smiled with no mirth, her arms crossing over her chest. “Just who do you think you’re speaking to, fish?”
“Fish, fish—you insolent woman…”
“Silence!” Mari thundered letting her dragon self show for a moment. “I am guardian here. This is my land, my territory, and you seek to invade what belongs to me?” Her gaze narrowed when a male Selkie came to the surface speaking softly. Turning her ear, she listened and smiled. “Turn back now if you want to live. Fight for your dark master and you will die.” She interrupted them, meeting the Isonade’s gaze as he turned back.
“You are the guardian?”
Mari grinned. “Surprise, asshole.”
* * * *
Rhys quick-stepped as fast as he could with his security legion behind him, rushing to the seashore. He could see the residual light of energy discharges and heard the booms that followed. He’d sounded the alarm the moment he’d reached his manor, and Alston’s first wave of fighters was heading toward Mari. Skidding to a halt, sand flew as his gaze spotted Mari. She had her swords drawn as she fended off a harpy and a fairy, her hand lifting to shove a passel of water Other Kin back with a swell of water. “Air support, you’re needed!” he yelled as a dozen flying Other Kin soared over his head to assist Mari.
“She’s too far out, we can’t get to her,” Drake Roven said as he stopped by Rhys.
“I can,” Kalana said. “And I’ll make sure she hasn’t been injured.”
Rhys breathed easier when Kalana flew into the fray right to Mari’s side, as the others battled the Other Kin who had been attacking her when he’d arrived.
Rhys stood by Drake and their land warriors as all water and winged Other Kin went to the line Mari had drawn. When Rhys heard her giving orders of setting a perimeter, his gaze went to the warriors as they followed her word. His stare didn’t waiver from her as she came toward them. He breathed easier when she stopped in front of him, her wings going back. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah a few minor scrapes. They started retreating, probably because you guys showed up and their numbers are low. They’re tiring out. I set up a perimeter both undersea and above with normal shift changes. Surprisingly, it’s an Isonade leading them and he had no idea who I was.”
“But you showed him real fast didn’t you, baby.” Rhys grinned as he drew her into his arms. “Let’s get you fed and put to bed.”
* * * *
Rhys smiled as he brushed a strand of her hair off her shoulder, its red highlights shining with the firelight of her sanctuary. She refused to go inland, saying she wanted to stay close to the battlefield. She flew them back up here to rest. His cock twitched as the satiny curl wound around his finger. He leaned over kissing her lips lightly.