Reawakening the Dragon Read online

  Jane’s voice interrupted his conversation with his dragon. “What is your dragon going on about now?”

  Kai paused and tugged Jane’s hand until she crashed against his body. “It doesn’t matter. Just give me a kiss to shut him up.”

  “You’re going to try to order me around until I’m ninety years old, aren’t you?”

  The corner of his mouth ticked up. “Probably. But I have other ways of getting what I want.”

  Jane opened her mouth, but Kai cut her off with a slow, lingering kiss. He was about to wrap an arm around Jane’s waist and hold her tightly when Bram’s voice boomed out. “I believe your hour was up quite some time ago, Kai.”

  Kai broke the kiss and murmured, “As if an hour is enough time to spend with my female.”

  Bram spoke as if Kai had shouted it across the way. “You and Jane are the ones who wanted to see me, so hurry up. Evie’s feet are killing her and I’d like to massage them before much longer.”

  Kai shook his head, gave Jane one last kiss, and turned to face his clan leader. “You’ve changed, Bram.”

  Bram smiled. “Aye, and for the best. Much like yourself.”

  Jane tugged Kai’s hand. “In the amount of time you’ve been teasing him, we could’ve received answers already. Let’s go.”

  Kai followed Jane’s lead, but soon he was in front and tugging her along. They reached the front door and Bram stepped to the side as he motioned toward the living room. “We’ll talk in there.”

  Kai guided Jane into the living room. Nodding to Evie, who sat in the armchair, Kai plopped onto the couch and tugged Jane into his lap. She landed with a squeak. “What are you doing?”

  He hugged her tightly. “I want to hold the female I love in my lap. It’s not a crime.”

  Jane tried to frown but ended up smiling. “There’s that hidden romantic side again.”

  Kai merely grunted and Jane laughed. However, before he could say anything in response, Evie’s voice caught his attention. “I knew it. See, Bram? Kai and Jane are in love. Kai even mentioned it. There’s no way you can’t say I didn’t win the bet. I now have full naming rights to our unborn child.”

  Bram sighed. “Aye, you do. Just don’t name our baby Gladys or Jethro.”

  Mischief danced in Evie’s eyes. “Oh, I’m sure I can do worse.”

  Bram shook his head before sitting on the arm of the chair and taking a possessive hold of Evie’s shoulders. “We can argue about it later. Kai and Jane requested a meeting, so let’s hear what they have to say.”

  Kai laid his chin on Jane’s shoulder and met his clan leader in the eye. “Jane wants to stay.”

  Jane wiggled in his lap. No doubt she was tempting him with her full bum against his cock. “Let me translate Kai-speak for you. Kai has asked me to be his mate and I’ve said yes. The question is twofold. One, will you allow it? And two, will the DDA allow it?”

  As Bram’s eyes darted between Kai and Jane, Kai’s heart rate kicked up. There were very few situations that made Kai nervous or anxious. Only because he held Jane’s body close and was surrounded by her scent did Kai not jump up, tug Bram up by his shirt, and demand an answer.

  Taking a deep inhalation of Jane’s scent, Kai waited for Bram to decide his future.

  ~~~

  Jane clutched Kai’s arms around her waist. Being surrounded by his hard chest and delicious heat helped keep her nerves calm. She knew Bram was only half-responsible for her ability to live on Stonefire with Kai, but it was the important half. No doubt, Evie could work her magic with the DDA.

  But if Bram said no or told Jane to leave, she wouldn’t have a choice.

  Kai had offered to follow her wherever she went earlier, but she couldn’t allow him to leave Stonefire. He was the clan’s best chance at a secure future.

  Bram grinned and Jane’s stomach stopped churning. “Of course my answer is yes. Jane can stay. I just like to make Kai sweat it a little since I rarely have the chance.”

  Kai growled. “That’s not bloody funny, Bram.”

  “I thought it was hilarious. But it was a test of sorts.”

  Jane frowned. “What sort of test?”

  Bram motioned toward them. “Watching the two of you hold onto to each other for support tells me volumes about your feelings for each other. Saying you love someone is grand, but actions speak the truth of a strong bond. The two of you belong together.”

  Jane relaxed against Kai’s chest and her dragonman nuzzled her cheek as he asked, “What about the DDA?”

  Evie waved a hand in dismissal. “I asked them about it last week. The special license is waiting in Bram’s study.”

  Jane jumped in. “You knew before we even did?”

  Evie smiled. “Of course. I have the best track record when it comes to guessing future mates.”

  Bram grunted. “Only when you see them together. You’ve been dead wrong about Sid so far.”

  Evie met her mate’s eyes. “She’s hard to read, but I’ll crack her yet.”

  Jane cleared her throat. “As much as I’d love for Sid to find happiness, maybe one of you could collect the special license and give it to us?” Kai squeezed his arms around her waist and she rubbed his forearms as she added, “I just want to make sure you don’t change your mind.”

  Bram stood. “Impatient, are you?”

  “Yes,” Kai and Jane said in unison.

  Bram chuckled and exited the room. Evie looked to them and tilted her head. “I somehow can’t see Kai wanting a grand mating ceremony in front of the clan, but if you two want one, maybe you can delay it a bit.”

  Kai growled. “I want everyone to know Jane is mine.”

  Jane patted his arm. “Calm down, boy. Let Evie finish.”

  Kai growled again but remained silent. Evie placed her hand over her pregnant belly. “Once you two sign the license, you’ll be legally mated. However, if I know Jane at all, she’d like to use her mating ceremony as an opportunity to help the dragon-shifters’ cause.”

  Jane raised her brows. “If I remember right, you did the same.”

  “Yes, but it was only for a handful of reporters.”

  “Not me,” Jane added.

  Evie grinned. “No, but you won the best scoop in the end.”

  Kai muttered, “Do I get a say in this?”

  Jane turned her head to meet his eye. “Don’t you want your mum and sister to be there, too? It will take some time to garner permission from Snowridge. It’s just a ceremony. You’re already mine, dragonman.”

  Bram entered and handed Jane a piece of paper. Written on it were the words, “Special Mating License.” In black ink were hers and Kai’s names.

  Her hand shook a little and her eyes grew wet. Kai moved one hand to cover hers and he whispered, “No second thoughts allowed, Janey. There’s no bloody way I’m letting you leave.”

  “As if you could prevent me from doing anything.”

  Kai’s eyes turned concerned. “Then what’s wrong?”

  Jane gave a weak smile. “I’m not having second thoughts. I’m just happy and trying not to cry.”

  Kai kissed her cheek. “You’re strong, Janey. Go ahead and cry if you like. I’ll always be there to hold you close.”

  Jane’s throat closed up. “Kai.”

  Her dragonman plucked the license from her hand and tossed it to the side. Then he half-turned her body toward him and he cupped her cheek. “I once thought I’d never love again. But you brought both man and beast back to life with your sassy attitude and heated looks. You could grow two heads and I’d still love you. Never hold back with me, Jane Hartley. Never.”

  Jane nodded as a tear trailed down her cheek. Kai gently brushed it away and she sat up a little taller. “Then kiss me, Kai Sutherland, and make me so happy tears roll down my cheeks.”

  Kai frowned. “I don’t want you to cry if you’re happy.”

  Jane laughed and lightly tapped Kai’s cheek. “Then how about we go home and you make me happy in other ways. I thi
nk you like screaming, if I remember right.”

  Jane ignored Bram’s chuckle, but Kai glared at Stonefire’s leader before looking back to Jane. “Let’s go home. And I’m impatient, so I’m carrying you.”

  “Don’t you—”

  Kai stood up with Jane in his arms. “This way is faster.”

  Jane clutched her arms around Kai’s neck not a second too soon. Her dragonman was running out of Bram’s house and toward their own within seconds.

  Laying her head over his heart, she listened to the steady rhythm and couldn’t help but smile. Kai was hers as much as she was his. And there was no bloody way she was giving him up. Even if Maggie Jones showed up, Jane believed Kai would choose Jane over the Welsh dragonwoman. Bram’s words about actions speaking volumes were true. Kai would always hold her close and never let her go.

  Not even a dragon’s bloody instinct was going to change that.

  Epilogue

  Three weeks later

  Jane eyed the seven-foot wide and four-foot tall basket with large metal ring handles and then back to Kai standing beside her. “Have any of those rings given out before? They’re only attached to the basket with a few scraps of fabric.”

  The corner of Kai’s mouth ticked up. “That’s excuse number fifteen as to why you don’t want to go up for a flight. You’re running out of excuses.”

  She straightened her shoulders. “I’m not making up excuses. I’m trying to ensure quality control.”

  Kai crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t bloody care what you call it. If you want to meet my sister, mum, and stepfather, then you need to get into that damn basket.”

  “I still don’t understand why we can’t drive.”

  “They live in the mountains near Snowdonia National Park in Wales. It’s extremely difficult to drive there. Flying is easier.”

  “Ah, but driving isn’t impossible.”

  Kai sighed. “You’re the one who wants to go. I’m content to have them come here.”

  Jane eyed the basket again. The trip was much more than Kai getting to see his family, and she knew it. Bram and Evie were pinning their hopes on the visit going well. If it did, it opened up further talks of alliances and cooperation.

  Jane refusing to crawl into the basket would be extremely selfish.

  Looking up at Kai, she reached out and placed a hand on his chest. “You promise to catch me if the basket falls?”

  He placed his hand over hers and grunted. “It won’t bloody happen. But if it does, I will always catch you, Jane. Even if it means breaking every bone in my body.”

  She smiled. “You’re turning into quite the romantic. Are you still the strong, fierce Protector I first met in Newcastle?”

  “Of course.” He tugged her close. “Even a soldier can have a soft spot for his mate.”

  “I’m not your mate, yet.”

  Kai’s pupils flashed to slits and back. “Only because you haven’t decided on a date yet.”

  She placed a gentle kiss on his lips and murmured, “Be patient, Kai. The best things are worth waiting for.”

  His look turned heated and Jane knew if she didn’t run to the basket in the next ten seconds, their trip would be postponed yet again.

  She pushed against Kai’s chest and he reluctantly let her go. Walking toward the basket, she said over her shoulder, “Aren’t you coming? We don’t want to keep your mum and sister waiting.”

  Kai merely shook his head as he shucked his clothes and tossed them into the basket. “If we’re late, it’s your fault, not mine.”

  Jane paused and then leaned against the woven basket. “I thought that a dragon in love bent over backwards for his or her mate.”

  “You’re not officially my mate, yet.” Kai smiled. “Regardless of what that scrap of paper says, you need to wear my name on your arm and claim me in front of the clan to truly make it official.”

  Jane stuck out her tongue and then replied, “You might’ve won this round, but I’m still ahead.”

  Kai walked a little further away to give him room to shift. “Only because you cheat.”

  “Hey, it’s not my fault you lost five points for punching my brother in the face.”

  Kai grunted. “He started it.”

  She placed a hand on her hip. “Still, you promised not to hit him. You could’ve pinned him with one of your special moves instead.”

  “He scolded you for ‘shacking up with a dragonman’ and then yelled at me for defiling his sister. He was the idiot who punched me. He learned his lesson in the end.”

  Jane still remembered Rafe’s black eye from the video conference a few days later. “Just be glad he hasn’t withdrawn his help in tracking the hunters.”

  “For all his faults, Rafe cares about your safety. He’ll do whatever it takes to ensure it.” Kai gestured toward the basket. “Now, stop stalling and get into the bloody basket.”

  Before Jane could reply, wings grew from Kai’s back, his nose elongated into a snout, and his arms and legs stretched into longer limbs with talons.

  It may have been a cloudy November day, but Kai’s golden hide shined even in the dim light.

  He was beautiful.

  Kai squatted before jumping into the air. A few beats of his wings later and he hovered in place to the left of where she was standing.

  Taking her cue, Jane climbed into the basket and rearranged his clothes on the floor. After she picked up the thermal blanket she needed to keep warm, she shouted, “I’m ready.”

  Kai bobbed his head before slowly lowering over the basket. Wrapping herself in the blanket to help keep out the wind from his wings, Jane sat down on the floor so she wouldn’t have to watch the ground speed past below her. She’d survived the flight with Nikki because Jane had been concentrating on Kai’s injuries. She didn’t have anything to distract her this time.

  She swore amusement danced in Kai’s eyes before he delicately gripped the rings in his talons.

  As her bastard dragonman lurched into the air with more force than was necessary, Jane closed her eyes and shrank into her blanket. He’d done that on purpose and she’d get him back later.

  For the moment, Jane focused on staying warm and keeping her eyes closed.

  The ride was smoother than she’d imagined, but the air whooshing above her in combination with the beating of Kai’s wings reminded her they were several hundred if not thousands of feet up in the air.

  Humming a popular song she’d heard on the radio, Jane shifted her mind into reporter mode and ran through everything she wanted to find out about not just Kai’s family, but Clan Snowridge as well. Bram and Evie were counting on her and Kai and she wasn’t about to let them down. Not just because Bram had approved her podcast idea, but also because Stonefire was her home and she would do whatever it took to make it a safe place for all.

  ~~~

  Kai looked down for the fiftieth time, but Jane was still huddled inside her blanket.

  Leave it to him to have a mate who didn’t enjoy flying.

  His dragon spoke up. She will. Give it time.

  Says the beast who wants to do a sharp dive and then pull up again.

  It’s fun.

  Not to Jane.

  His dragon huffed and concentrated on flying. Without his mate or dragon to talk to, his mind fell back on the upcoming meeting on Snowridge.

  It’d been a few years since he’d seen his mum and sister. Mostly because of his cowardice, but also because of the terse relations between the two clans.

  Yet the scare of the Dragon Knights and news of Stonefire and Lochguard’s alliance had reached the ears of the Snowridge leader, Rhydian, who saw an opportunity.

  Since Kai’s job was security, he’d leave politics to the likes of Bram. If something could be salvaged, Bram would do it.

  All Kai needed to do was not piss anyone off.

  Oh, and avoid Maggie.

  His beast chimed in again. Who cares? We have Jane. She is ours.

  I know and I will dru
g you unconscious if that’s what it takes to keep Jane over Maggie.

  The frenzy pull lessens with time. Nothing will take me away from Jane.

  At his dragon’s confident tone, Kai’s nervousness eased a fraction. Good, because I don’t think I could live without her.

  Neither could I.

  Content with his beast’s answer, Kai enjoyed the majestic mountains below. They were nearing Snowdonia National Park and would soon be at Snowridge.

  Unlike Stonefire and Lochguard, most of Snowridge’s clan members lived inside the mountains. The scarce flat land was used for landing areas, the main hall, and for livestock.

  Kai spotted the main landing area on the edge of Snowridge and slowed his descent. With Jane’s life at stake, he needed to be extra careful. Miscalculating the distance of a sharp rock face could injure his fragile human.

  His dragon snorted. Fragile indeed.

  Ignoring his dragon, Kai worked with his beast to slowly lower the basket to the ground. Once Jane was safe and sound on solid land again, he scanned the area out of habit.

  His mother and sister stood in human form at the far edge of the landing area.

  The sight of his sister Delia all grown up squeezed his heart. She was fifteen years old and nearly as tall as him, if he had to guess. Her previously long, brown hair was short, though. He wondered if there was a reason she cut it.

  Jane’s voice drifted up to his ears. “Kai.”

  Looking away from his sister, Kai moved a few feet over and landed. Imagining his body shrinking back into a human, Kai stood on his two feet again just as a wind blew across the landing area. Even though dragons could survive the cold longer than humans, he still shivered. “Bloody Welsh winds.”

  Jane arrived at his side and tossed her blanket over his shoulders. “There. Now you won’t shiver as you greet your mother.”

  “I could hold back even without the blanket.”

  Jane rolled her eyes and thrust his clothes into his arms. “For maybe another thirty seconds. But I rather like you in a warm, pink color. Blue doesn’t suit you.”