Therian Prisoner(80)
He extended his arms as his tempo sped, separating their mouths in the process. She gripped his upper arms, crying out sharply as his energy blazed into her mind. He flowed through her, inundating her with heat and emotion. She dug her fingers into the hard muscles and closed her eyes against the intensity.
Tension built, rapidly rushing them toward frenzy. He pounded into her, Therian light making his eyes glow. Then he struck with sudden aggression, his mouth claiming hers as he crushed her to his chest.
Reality shattered and she was flung beyond the physical realm. Light and color blended in a blinding kaleidoscope. Colors rushed past and shot through her, each triggering a different sensation. Then a vast, cloudless sky opened before her, blue consuming everything in its path.
Massive gray-green wings unfurled, momentarily blocking out the sun. A low rumble vibrated through her, then the rhythmic whooshing of wings stirred the air all around her, infusing her being with ancient energy. The creature dipped, banked sharply to the side, then turned to face her.
Terror and awe twisted through her as she gazed upon Ian’s dragon self. She knew instinctively what she was seeing, yet the knowledge did little to temper the shock. His long, tapered body ended in a serpentine tail. Despite his immense size he floated before her, graceful and perfectly controlled. Pointed talons capped his claws both front and back.
She trembled, suddenly aware of the grass beneath her feet and the mountain meadow surrounding them. He landed with unbelievable agility, neatly tucking his wings against his sides. His eyes gleamed like antique coins, alight with intelligence and wisdom. He tilted his head to one side and then the other as he studied her.
Without warning his sides expanded and his throat began to glow. He opened his mouth and flames burst forth, enveloping her in heat and light.
She screamed, ducking and covering her head as the flames licked at her flesh. Heat sank into her and swirled around her, coalescing into a pillar of fire. A moment passed and then another as she waited for the pain.
She’ll do. The voice rumbled like distant thunder and then the dragon leapt into the sky and flew away.
Gradually the heat receded and Devon drifted back to reality. Her body pulsed with the final ripples of a powerful orgasm and her entire body felt limp and replete. She used the last of her energy to open her eyes and found Ian smiling down at her. His weight was balanced on his forearms and knees, and their bodies were still joined.
“Welcome back.” He kissed her forehead and then the tip of her nose.
“‘She’ll do’?” She laughed. “Is he always so affectionate?”
His smile broadened as he brushed her hair back from her face. “That’s high praise from him. He seldom bothers to speak. It’s more his style to bombard my mind with images and compulsions that make it impossible to ignore.”
“Even Hollywood’s best CGI hasn’t captured the grandeur of a dragon. I can’t wait to see him in person.”
“Soon.” With obvious reluctance, he separated their bodies and rolled to her side. “We have a thing or two to resolve before we sneak away to the cabin again.”
“Like the specifics of my definition.” She heard the wistfulness in her own voice, but couldn’t suppress a frustrated sigh.
He settled on his side, hand supporting his head. “How is Dhane? Wasn’t he given the same injection as you?”
She nodded. “The Garrans gave him the counteragent and it reversed his shift. He’s doing much better.”
“I’m glad.” He stared off into the distance for a moment then said, “We’ve wasted enough time searching for Carly Ides. We were hoping she would lead us to the backers, but that’s obviously not going to happen. Tomorrow we’re going to resume our hunt for the backers’ other facilities.”
“Good.” She rolled to her side as well and snuggled into the heat of his body, her face resting on his chest. “Now stop avoiding the issue. If we use some of the dragon’s blood for my definition will that make me a Guardian?”
“It’s forbidden. Guardians are always male. Females are not able to gather enough energy at one time to manifest a full-scale dragon. It might seem unfair, but it’s a fact.”
“When’s the last time a female tried?”
He chuckled, his chest rumbling beneath her cheek. “The purpose of a Guardian is to protect the Omni Prime and the Historian, but the title actually refers to the blood. I am Guardian of what remains of the ancient ones, the dragons.”
“That’s an interesting fact, but it didn’t answer my question.” She pushed up with her arm and looked into his eyes as she waited from him to respond.