Therian Prisoner(75)
His smile was still tinged with sadness. “I’m glad that the Omni Prime has been restored, but that doesn’t keep me from mourning Esmah.”
“Was she the first woman you ever loved?”
“No.” He nipped the heel of her hand then stood up. “She was just the last.”
Devon felt as if he’d punched her. He hadn’t allowed himself to love since… Did that mean he didn’t love her? They hadn’t spoken of love, but she’d felt the intensity of his feelings when they were in bed together.
“Don’t look so devastated.” He caught her wrist and pulled her to her feet. “I should have said she was the last woman I loved until now.”
She eased her hand out of his and started clearing the table. A profession of love didn’t count when it was prompted by a devastated expression. “You don’t have to—”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her back against him. “You’ve been able to sense my feelings ever since I anchored the link. Do you need to hear the words?”
“Every woman needs to hear the words, but I don’t want you to say them because you hurt my feelings.” Another fact pushed through her disappointment and she twisted so she could see him. “If you participated in Carissa’s definition, will she be able to shift into a dragon?”
Ian laughed. He was glad for the distraction, but he wanted to fix his blunder. He’d known he loved Devon the first time he kissed her, but he hadn’t wanted to pressure her. Now she was obviously ready for a stronger commitment and he shoved his foot in his mouth.
“It doesn’t usually work that way,” he explained. “Females aren’t strong enough to manifest a dragon.”
“But she’s an Omni Prime.”
“Which is why I said usually.”
“Are all Therian raptors dragon-shifters?”
“No. That’s part of being Guardian of the Ancients. My bloodline was chosen, just like yours.”
“Does anyone you define inherit your abilities?” She sounded way too hopeful.
“Now that Dr. Garran has given you a clean bill of health, you have several options.”
“And they are?”
He smiled. He should have known she wouldn’t let it slide without a full explanation. “You could be defined with my blood, which would make you a Therian raptor. A few of my Guardian abilities might be transmitted, but there is no chance you would manifest a dragon.”
“And if I wanted to manifest a dragon?” She was clearly fascinated by the possibility.
“It takes dragon blood to create a dragon-shifter. Guardians aren’t born, they’re created.”
“All right. Now I’m completely confused.” She set the dishes in the sink then offered him her undivided attention.
“I was born a Therian raptor with a common set of raptor abilities. When I was eighteen I underwent a ritual not unlike female definition. A few drops of the ancient blood was used to empower me with my Guardian abilities.”
“Ancient dragon’s blood?”
“Yes.”
“That’s why you’ve lived so long.”
“Yes.”
“Do you have a bottle of dragon’s blood stashed away somewhere?”
He just smiled at her.
“You do. That’s why you locked the cabin even though it’s in the middle of nowhere.” Her expression was so animated that it made him smile. “And no one knows about this, not even my mother?”
“The secret can only be shared with one other and I chose Payne long before I knew your mother.”
She silently processed the facts for a second before she asked her next question. “Are you breaking the rules by telling me?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
The shimmer in her gaze told him she’d already figured it out, but apparently, she needed to hear the words. “Because you’re my mate.”
* * * * *
Zophiel screamed in pleasure as Roberto pounded away between her thighs. Each time she took him, he grew more savage and more demanding, which only heightened her pleasure. He snarled and she spotted his fangs. Damn. She didn’t have much longer with this one. She used demonic energy to form slave bonds and the longer the link was in place, the more demonic her slaves became. She’d hoped Roberto would last longer than this. He’d showed so much promise.
Her distraction robbed her of her final orgasm, but Roberto’s entire body shook as he came. She waited until he stopped convulsing then shoved him over onto his back.
“Which formula did you give the wolf cub?” She infused the question with compulsion, forcing his mind to provide accurate information.