The Fate of Her Dragon (8 page)

Chapter Ten

Day seven and Drago was still
in his healing sleep. Alicia was beginning to refer to it as his
healing
coma,
which none of the dragons were thrilled about, but she really didn’t
care. She needed him to wake up. Needed him to give her some indication that he
was still in there and not dead or dying. The young witch knew she was being
irrational. After all, she could still feel him. It was just that he wasn’t
responding and if she had to be honest with herself, he
was
doing
exactly what she’d told him to do.

Siobhan had repeatedly
explained that everything was okay but Alicia was impatient. It was day after
day, hour after hour, minute after minute of watching him lay there, silent,
unmoving, the only indication he lived the slow rise and fall of his chest. It
was obvious whatever happened during a dragon’s healing sleep was most
definitely happening with her mate. He looked so much better now than when
she’d first seen him. Then Drago had looked like something out of a horror
movie.

The poor man had been a mass
of oozing and torn flesh. Alicia hadn’t been able to find an inch of skin that
the silver chains hadn’t tried to eat away. He looked like a massive statue of
raw hamburger with long, stringy black hair and a beard of matted whiskers,
dressed in whatever tatters remained of the clothing he’d been wearing when the
wizards had locked him away all those years ago.

Alicia had wanted to cry. She
wanted to raise the previous
Draoi
from whatever pit in Hell he’d landed
in and kill him all over again. Even better, she wanted the evil wizard to
suffer the way her mate had. The young witch knew it was wrong to pray for
vengeance but couldn’t help herself. In actuality, she’d been hoping for the
destruction of the
Dorcha
for most of her life. They’d brought nothing
but lies and pain to her family.

The young witch just didn’t
understand the violence, didn’t understand why it continued all these years
later. Could not fathom why one
Grand Draoi
had done this to her mate
and another had killed her father. She thought about a quote she’d once heard.
“The evil that men do lives long after them; the good is oft interred with
their bones.” Shakespeare had never been her thing but that one quote had stuck
and reared its ugly head over and over in her life. Alicia only hoped she would
do something good that would live on after her and that the evil the
Dorcha
had been spreading over the earth for more years than she could imagine would
go with them to Hell.

Lost in thought, she missed
the sound of the door opening and nearly fell off her chair when Rayne asked,
“How’s he doing today?”

“Oh, crap!” she squeaked.

“I’m sorry, Alicia.” The
Commander smiled, trying not to laugh. “I thought you heard me.”

Righting herself in her chair
even though the grin on Rayne’s face said he’d seen her almost land on her ass
but was being nice and not mentioning it, she quickly answered, looking back at
her mate. “The same. No change.”

“The Heavens know I know how
hard it is to sit and wait for your mate to wake up. Kyndel got hurt when we
first met and I went through the same thing. It was the longest week of my
life.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “He will wake. Drago is a fighter if
nothing else. He survived a hundred years in a silver box just to find you, he
won’t give up now.”

Nodding, not willing to look
up and let Rayne see the tears in her eyes, Alicia stared at her mate. She knew
the Commander was right. Could see that in just a week what had been horrible
gaping wounds were now bright pink scars in the final stages of healing.

She could now even make out
the marking that represented his dragon. The tattoo she knew all the Guardsmen
had. Drago’s was amazing and covered the majority of his chest and his ribs on
the right side with its head just over the Assassin’s heart. Once again she
imagined what it would be like to meet his beast in person.

The young witch had washed
and cut Drago’s hair then shaved his face after Rayne commented that he’d never
so much as seen his uncle with a whisker, let alone a long, full beard. She’d
loved every minute of caring for her mate. Just another indication that they
were truly meant to be. She shook her head, smiling at the handsome man laying
before her. He was still so very thin despite the IVs Siobhan had filling him
with fluids and nutrients. But Drago was most definitely the best-looking man
she’d ever seen.

He resembled Rayne in many
ways but Drago’s air of danger, even though he lay motionless on the bed, was
as vibrant as she imagined the man to be. From the tiny glimpse she’d gotten of
his eyes, Alicia knew they were dark brown, almost black. She wished more than
anything for him to open them again so that she might see them outlined by the
full black lashes that had grown back in while he healed.

His bone structure was
nothing less than regal. Alicia could imagine him sitting upon his horse,
commanding his Force, cutting down every wizard and hunter that dared to cross
his path. He was the essence of the moniker he’d been given all those years
ago,
The Assassin
. Drago’s high cheekbones and aristocratic nose, along
with his strong jawline, looked as if they’d been carved out of granite, but it
was his mouth that constantly drew her attention. His lips were the perfect
combination of hard and soft.

She imagined them drawn in a
tight line as he shouted orders or stood over his fallen brethren, but could
also see from the laugh lines that he wasn’t afraid to smile. Alicia longed to
see that smile aimed at her. This one man had burst into her brain, demanded
her help, insisted she accept him as her mate, and somewhere along the way,
made her fall in love with him. Now, the stubborn butthead just needed to wake
up so she could stop worrying.

Rayne’s voice pulled her from
her thoughts. “Kyra found a tunnel behind the silver box Drago was in. She told
me she thought something was behind it the day we got him out.” The Commander
pointed at his uncle. “But she couldn’t get a good read because of the all the
black magic and the silver. It took us all digging around the clock for almost
five days to get the coffin out of the rock and then dig another hundred feet,
but she was right, it’s there. Early this morning, Kyra, Royce, Rian, Rory,
your mom, and a few of your sisters went down there to see if they could start
undoing all the bullshit the
Dorcha
have carved into the walls.

Your mom said she didn’t want
to bother you with it and I know I’ll probably get my ass kicked, but I thought
you needed to know. Especially if they find any of my uncle’s brethren buried
down there. I know it’ll be one of the first things he asks about.” Pausing and
looking at Drago and then chuckling, he continued. “He’s a stubborn son of a
bitch, Alicia. I hope you’re up for the challenge.”

Alicia laughed out loud.
“Well, as Melanie and Hannah keep reminding me, the Universe does not make
mistakes.”

They both chuckled but then
Alicia asked, “Do you really think any of his men are down there?”

“You’re guess is as good as
mine. Since they didn’t kill him, I’m thinking they probably didn’t kill any of
them. Killing one Guardsman is not an easy task, but to try to kill seven as
powerful as Drago and his Force was definitely more than the
Dorcha
could pull off, hence, locking my uncle away. I was pretty young when he
disappeared but I remember my father swearing he knew Drago lived. He said
there wasn’t anyone in Heaven or Hell that could kill his brother. Guess the
old man was right.” The Commander smiled a sad smile. “They don’t make them like
that anymore.”

Alicia felt bad for Rayne.
She knew what it was like to lose a father. The hole it left in your heart.
Since they were going to be family, the young witch decided it was time to stop
being intimidated by the Commander. Standing, she made her way to the end of
Drago’s bed where Rayne stood staring at his uncle and patted his shoulder.
“Sure, they do. There’s you.”

Before the Commander could
respond, a low raspy whisper sounded from the bed. “I could still kick your
ass, Nephew.”

Alicia stood silent, shocked,
unable to move for nearly two heartbeats before flying to Drago’s bedside. His
eyes were closed tightly but he was smiling. “Oh, my Goddess, you’re finally awake,”
she whispered, tears rolling down her face.

“Yes,
mo chroi’
, but I
can’t see a thing. The light is like daggers in my eyes.” Grabbing her hand, he
pulled it to his mouth and gently kissed her fingers. “But for what I have in
mind, I think I can feel my way.”  

Chapter Eleven

It had been two weeks since
he’d woken up in the home of his long-time friend, Siobhan. They talked for
hours about the trouble Gareth - her mate, Alexander - Rayne’s father, and
Drago had caused as young Guardsmen, while the Healer had continued to nurse
his wounds and pump him full of medicine. Drago felt more like his old self
every day and was regaining his sight bit by bit, but had to wear sunglasses
pretty much all the time.

Alicia never left his side.
She even more beautiful than the images he’d pulled from her mind. His body
ached to have her under him. His hands itched to explore her captivating body
and his mouth watered to taste her lips to his heart’s content. It was all he
could do not to pull her into bed and ravage her sensual curves every time she
leaned in for a chaste kiss.

Sending erotic images through
their link and watching the light pink blush creep into her gorgeous peaches
and cream complexion had become one of his favorite pastimes. He also enjoyed
talking to her through mindspeak about all the things they would do together if
he ever got her alone when others were in the room, and she was helpless to do
anything but feign annoyance and attempt to hide her embarrassment.

Looking around the room as he
sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed, Drago wondered where his
amazing little mate had gotten off to. He chuckled to himself, remembering how
many times she’d already argued with him about calling her little. She would
roll her expressive blue eyes, put her hands on her hips, and give him some
cock and bull story about her being too tall or too curvy. The Guardsman had
set her straight right away and would do it as many times as it took for her to
believe.

The sound of Alicia’s voice
shook Drago from his thoughts. “And just what are you sitting there grinning
about?”

Smiling at the incredible
woman the Universe had made just for him, the Assassin answered, “Just thinking
about how lucky I am. And that you are the most amazing woman ever created,
head to toe, inside and out. You are breathtaking, Alicia May, and you are all
mine.”

Pretending to be suspicious,
his mate slowly walked toward him as she asked, “What are you up too, Mr.
MacLendon?” Stopping just far enough away that he couldn’t touch her, Alicia
grinned and then added, “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the compliment, but I
have a sneaky suspicion you’re fishing for something.”

Laughing out loud because
he’d truly been caught trying to butter her up, Drago leaned forward, grabbed
Alicia’s hand, and pulled her onto his lap before she’d even seen him move.
Kissing her neck and enjoying the way she sighed at his touch was almost more
than he could handle. Both man and dragon wanted to make love to their mate
more than they wanted their next breath.

Kissing up her neck, he
whispered in her ear, “I want to go home, to what will be
our
home, and
I want to make love to you until we know not where one ends and the other
begins. I want to sleep with you in my arms. I want to wake up looking into
your brilliant blue eyes. But most of all, I want
you
, Alicia May
McKennon, to be my mate. I want to spend all of my tomorrows—whether they are
here or in the Heavens—with you. For without you,
mo cheann a’lainn,
there
will be no tomorrow for me. My heart will no longer beat and my soul will be
barren. For you,
mo maite
, have me made whole again.”

Needing to see her eyes,
Drago turned Alicia on his lap until she straddled his legs. He had commented
more than once about how glad he was that women now wore pants and this was
just one more reason why. Holding her chin between his thumb and forefinger,
the Guardsman lifted his mate’s head until he could look her in the eye,
thankful the lights had been turned out and the curtains drawn so he could look
at her without his dark lenses. Uncertainty, something he’d never been
comfortable with, filled him, but almost immediately, Alicia smiled her
dazzling smile and said, “They’re happy tears, Drago. You just make me so
happy.”

“Is that a yes?”

“Oh, yes, absolutely yes.”

Unable to resist, Drago laid
his lips to hers, pouring all the love and devotion he already felt for the
incredible creature in his arms into that one kiss. He
needed
her to
know how very much she meant to him, not just in word but also in deed. Alicia
immediately opened to him, giving back every emotion he gave to her tenfold.
His dragon pushed against the confines of his mind, chuffing for the man to
finally claim the woman meant to be theirs for all time.

Easing back onto the bed,
Drago’s libido went into overdrive. The feel of Alicia’s soft, full breasts
against his chest, her long silken curls cascading over his arms, and the
sensual slide of her legs as they tangled with his, was more than he could
handle. Rolling them over so that he was cradled within the comfort of her
thighs, he deepened their kiss. His hands slid under the soft cotton of her
pink T-shirt and had just touched the silk of her bra when the loud clearing of
a throat had him looking over his shoulder.

“I was just coming to see if
you wanted to get some exercise but it looks like you already are.” Rayne was
leaning against the doorframe wearing a shit-eating grin and chuckling at his
own joke. “Didn’t you tell me once to shut the door if I didn’t want to be
interrupted?”

“You were ten and complaining
about arithmetic and me being too loud. This is a little different. We’re
celebrating. Alicia has officially agreed to be my mate. Now get the hell outta
here,” Drago growled, returning his attention to Alicia, only find her hands
covering her mouth while she tried not to laugh.

“Congratulations to you
both.” Rayne sounded truly pleased for them as Drago was thinking of how best
to relieve Alicia of her clothing.

But the moment was gone.
Pretending to be annoyed, she swatted his shoulder and scolded, “Get off me,
you beast.”

Never one to be out done,
Drago covered her mouth with his, kissing her so completely they were both
struggling to breathe when he pulled away. “Beast, indeed,
mo chroi’
.
Just wait until I get you alone then you shall see what a beast I can be.”

Waggling his eyebrows, Drago
used his enhanced speed and was standing at the end of the bed giving her a
wink before his little witch could wipe the satisfied smile from her face.
Looking to his nephew, the Assassin grumbled, “I’ll deal with you later.”

“How about now? In the
training pit? Ten minutes?”

Sitting up, straightening her
clothes and chastising at the same time, Alicia argued, “No, no, no. It’s too
soon. There’s no way you’re ready to go out there and train with…with…real
swords with sharp points and just…no.”

Drago bit the insides of his
cheeks to keep from smiling. Alicia was simply adorable. The way she cared for
him and always had his best interest at heart was the best feeling
ever.
He
knew she was worried, but even though his eyesight had not completely returned
and he would have to wear his dark lenses, it was time for him to return to the
world. His little witch would just have to understand.

Looking to Rayne, he
answered. “I’ll meet you outside. Give me a minute.”

Nodding, the Commander winked
at Alicia then turned and left.

Sitting next to his mate on
the side of the bed, Drago slid his fingers through hers, lifted her hand to
his lips, and spoke directly into her mind while laying butterfly kisses on
each of her elegant fingers.
“I will be fine
, mo ghra’.
You can come
along if you wish. I simply need to get back out there. I know Kyra, Royce, and
his brothers are close to finding the
Dorcha
and I want to be ready when
they do.”

Alicia tried to interrupt but
even though they were using mindspeak, he placed the tips of the fingers of his
free hands on her lips and continued
, “I’m ready to have a sword in my hand
again. It’s one of the few things that hasn’t changed in the hundred years I’ve
been locked away. This is something I
have
to do. It may not be the same
Draoi
that imprisoned my men and me but it is still the same bloody
black magic and I am sworn to remove it from the earth. Please understand. It
is all I can do since we still have no clue where my brethren are.”

He watched a myriad of
emotions cross Alicia’s expressive face and knew the moment she’d relented to
his plea. Kissing the tip of her nose, Drago stood and made his way to the
closet to get dressed. The Guardsman knew his little witch was sitting on the
bed watching his every movement just as she’d done since the moment he’d
awakened, so he let the soft cotton pants she’d called sweats slide to the
floor and stood with his naked backside showing just a little longer than was
necessary.

When he turned, Alicia was
shaking her head and grinning from ear to ear. “Thanks for the show.” She
giggled as she raised what she’d earlier explained was her cell phone and
flashed a picture of him.

I still cannot figure out
what a phone is much less how something you are supposed to use to talk to
others takes photos.
   

“Alicia May…” Drago growled.

“Drago Magnus…” Alicia
growled right back, raising an eyebrow that made the Assassin laugh out loud.

“I see Rayne has been running
his mouth again.”

“He might have shared a few
things with me.” His mate batted her eyes and tapped her index finger to her
chin.

It took everything in him not
to slam and lock the door and make love to his mate the way he’d been dreaming
of since first touching her mind. But Alicia was finally onboard with him
returning to the training pit and not even the thought of her naked was going
to stop him. It wasn’t that he was going to let her keep him from going, but
having her blessing went a long way to making his training much easier. He knew
there would be compromises. Rayne had already prepared him for modern women and
Drago was doing his best to respect what his nephew had explained as
Alicia’s
boundaries
.

He loved her and there was
nothing he wouldn’t do to keep her happy, even if it meant changing everything
he’d ever known. She was his world…
period.