Rylin's Fire (14 page)

Authors: Michelle Howard

BOOK: Rylin's Fire

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“And you?” she asked in a low voice, her head down.

Ry smiled and knelt at her side. She lifted tear drenched eyes to him. “And I will love them as well.”

He stretched his arm out and touched the closest of the five he’d made with this amazing female who’d captured his heart. The shell pulsed with life and Ry sensed the Dracol within. His chest burned and he swallowed passed the lump in his throat. He concentrated and imbued a small amount of his energy from the mantle to the baby resting inside. A reciprocal spark startled him enough to drop his hand.

“Is everything okay?” Dara looked worried.

Ry shook away the odd reaction. “Fine.”

He helped her to her feet, touching the other four shells and giving them a boost. He’d never heard of what he was attempting. But for Dara, if she wanted them all to survive he would do no less to aid her.

***

As he did each morning for the last week, Ry woke alone. He sighed and dressed. Today, he needed to talk to Dara before she exhausted herself. Ry decided to speak with Mikal first. Perhaps he’d have advice to offer.

On the first floor, Quinn stopped him. “King Rylin…”

“Yes?” Ry paused halfway to the door.

“You should see your
lira
first.”

The dark look changed Ry’s direction as he sped through the castle to the lower level. He went straight to the storage room she’d converted. Dara was on her knees. Four shells glowed, as they had all week, surprising Ry and his people as they all anxiously waited for the birth in six months. The fifth egg was pale, the light fading in and out.

It didn’t matter that he expected this. Somehow, Dara had given him her optimism.

“Is he dying?” she asked. They’d both taken to referring to all of the eggs as he.

Ry joined her and palmed the top of the egg containing the distressed Dracol baby. Their child. He sent a wave of energy to the struggling life within. Unlike the other days when he visited with Dara, there was no response. No familiar spark of greeting.

His heart dropped and he sent another pulse, this one more potent.

“Rylin?” Dara sniffled.

He closed his eyes and focused on their failing offspring.
‘I can’t let you die, my sweet child. We love you already.’

A flicker. Small and almost missed. Ry continued the small stream of energy. At some point Dara wrapped her arms around his waist, lending her strength. Ry grasped the waves of love flowing from her and poured it directly toward their daughter.

Ry smiled. He could tell the shell protected a girl child. Their daughter.

A soft humming filled his mind

Ry froze

“What?” Dara whispered.

The mental touch came again. Tentative. Soft and fearful.

His daughter was scared. Ry sent reassurance. He would protect her with all his might.
‘We love you,’
he repeated.

Love
. The whisper caught him off-guard.

It was emotion more than clear word or thought. She was mimicking him.

“You did it!” Dara cheered.

Ry opened his eyes, his trembling arm falling to his side. When he tripped, Dara caught him. The shell flared bright gold to match her siblings.

“Rylin, is the baby going to make it?”

He kissed Dara’s temple and eased her around to his front. “Our daughter is fine.”

“Daughter,” she screamed, then laughed.

Ry joined her.

***

Dara cast one lingering glance to the shells she’d requested Quinn move to this smaller room. Shells. She shook her head and followed Rylin. There were a lot of things Dara believed she’d have to accept when she chose to live among aliens, but this wasn’t one of them.

The thought of having children and a family had led her to the SP, Singles Program. In her head, she imagined the joy of feeling her baby kick in her belly as she watched the roundness grow with life.

“Did you wish to call your mother?”

Dara leaned into Rylin’s side as they took the stairs toward the main section of the castle. He’d surprised her directly after their mating ceremony by showing her how to use the phone link system to call her mother whenever she pleased.

“I spoke with her before coming down. She’s excited about being a grandmother. Happy.”

“And are you?” he asked.

“Am I what?”

“Happy.” He stopped them at the top of the stairs.

“I’m very happy.” Dara leaned up to kiss him, loving the way he growled. “I love you.”

“I love you, Dara.”

Author’s Note

Dragons!
I think dragons rock and couldn’t wait for the chance to see how I could make a fire breathing hero come to life. Two cheers for Rylin because I really, really, really liked him. Much thanks to MK Eidem and JA Hornbuckle for wanting to do this project. Thanks to the readers who continue to love and support the books I write.

There’s so much I could share but I think I’ll just leave a slice of my upcoming book which is Love Like No Other. LLNO is the sequel to Mating Urge and focuses on Aran’s commander falling in love.

Love Like No Other-sequel to Mating Urge (Excerpt)

“Are you done, Commander?”

Jax tensed as a servant leaned over his shoulder and reached for his half-eaten bowl of soup. He waved it away and ignored the come hither glance as well as the press of her breasts on his back while she removed his dishware.

From the other end of the table, Cellie stared at him a crease forming between her light colored brows. Jax arched a brow in return only to have her roll her eyes and return her attention to Gaval.

Several painful hours later after dessert was served and consumed, the dinner party broke up. The Queen didn’t linger, rising gracefully from her seat and saying her farewells as she made her way from the dining room. Two guards in Jessin purple and Cellie flanked her.

Jax waited two minutes tops then signaled the men with him. His security team from the Zanian IX rose to their feet instantly.

“Keep your eyes open. We leave at first light,” he said.

They accepted his direction without question as Jax left the massive dining room and followed the royal group down a separate corridor.

Someone cornered the Queen half way down the hall, stopping the whole entourage from continuing. Cellie caught his eye the moment he approached. The other palace guards familiar with him stepped aside. Jax continued on, walking around the small gathering and took the first hall on his left. He didn’t have long to wait.

“Commander Brom.”

Jax grabbed her lush form as soon as the seductive whisper reached his ear. “Cellie.”

She dug her hands into his hair and yanked his face close. He took the hint and kissed the full lips turned up toward him. Her mouth parted on a moan and Jax tightened his hold around her waist pulling her body flush to his.

“I don’t have long,” she mumbled in between kisses.

Jax spun them, caging her against the wall and nipped her bottom lip. His hands couldn’t stop moving over her, squeezing when he reached her waist. “Tonight.”

“It has to be late. Cordie hasn’t finished packing.”

Jax closed his eyes on a groan. The Queen had a reputation for being notoriously late any time she had to leave planet side. “I need you, Cellie.”

Her hands clawed at his scalp, the bursts of pain threatening to cause him to bust the flap on his formal uniform pants. “I need you too.”

His tongue thrust between her lips, caressed hers and she sucked the tip. Pleasure exploded. Kissing Cellie was akin to manning his battle cruiser during mock fire fights. Every touch of her mouth sent flashes up his spine and zings down his shaft. He rocked against her slowly, his hips cradling hers as he found a rhythm that left her moaning.

Stars! The sound increased his need and Jax fought the urge to take her here and now. Not something she would like and he’d probably receive the biggest reprimand ever in his file if caught. He leaned back ensnared by the sight of her moist lips, puffy from his attention. Her glazed brown eyes stared back.

“Jax,” she whispered, fingers feathering over his neck.

He shivered and kissed her again unable to resist. She tasted like a dream. Sweet and full of temptation. His hands lowered and cupped her ass in his palms. Without breaking the kiss, Jax lifted her improving the angle as he nestled perfectly between her firm thighs. He sucked on her bottom lip, nipping gently and stroking along the seam.

Celli moaned, hips canting beneath the onslaught. Jax’s swollen length throbbed and the desire to consume every bit of her sweet taste overwhelmed.

Two fingers tapped his shoulder. Panic crashed into him and Jax kissed a path across her cheek and down her arched neck. He didn’t want to let her go. Another tap and he forced himself to ease his hold. His lips reluctantly left her.

“I have to go,” she murmured, against his neck.

“Hurry, Cellie. Tonight.”

She reached down and stroked his thick erection, giving it a final squeeze before smirking and darting around the corner. Jax leaned his head back against the wall, hoping the hall would be clear when he left. Otherwise his tented pants would be on full display as he hobbled back to his room.