*Ember*I ran my fingers along the spines of the books feeling distracted the following morning thinking about my experience online with DracoK4u. I pulled my sweatshirt tighter around myself, shivering thinking about the intimate moment with my friend online where he helped me imagine he was in the room comforting me. I felt connected to him in a way I had never felt with anyone else. I grew hot thinking about how amazingly sexy DracoK4u was but my eyebrows furrowed as I suddenly remembered how I forgot that we had been on camera and I hadn't correctly ended the call. He had seen my glowing hands and there was no way I could try to disregard what happened. There was no way out of this, he had seen them. I remembered the way he reacted with shock and intrigue. Before he could say anything more though I shut my computer off and jumped into bed, sobbing myself to sleep. I had to remove myself from all five of my dragon forums, the safe space I’d spent years creating, because
*Ember*My attackers hadn't gotten very far after trying to pull me around, jostling me, and bruising me. I really wished I hadn't listened to that voice that seemed to be calling from the cave. It must have been them playing some kind of trick to get me to come close. But what the hell was going on?I managed to scoot myself off to the side of the cave as the new figure dealt with the hooded men. I saw his dark hair flow around him as he beat and yelled at them. I strained to hear his words but didn't register anything in English. I wondered what could possibly be going on with this strange occurrence.I thought back to Nola and how she warned me that this cave had been off-limits. The shimmering orb or whatever it was those men had come through was extremely odd. In all my dragon lore, I had come across what was called portals. This couldn't be that though. That was impossible. I was just at some old ancient castle.I winced feeling the bruises on my body starting to form fro
*Kieran POV*Holding Ember in my arms was a thousand times better than I ever imagined, more than a dream come true. She felt soft and warm against my body. Her breath was sweet as it fanned against my neck. I couldn't help inhaling the sweet intoxication of her scent. As I carried her to her room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of completeness wash over me. I didn't want to ever let her go. Whatever she turned out to be, Ember was special, more special than she or anyone else realized. I was determined to find out more about her, what she was and where she came from. I couldn't wait to peel back her layers and discover everything about her. She was even more beautiful in person and I had to restrain myself from running my hands up and down her entire body. I stared at her, allowing my pupils to dilate and burn with fire as I began to use my ability to glamor her. I took in a deep breath feeling my power emanate from my eyes and heart as I commanded her, "Ember, I wa
Chapter 7: Burn Me*Ember*I tossed and turned all night thinking about Kieran and his offer. Looking around my suite of rooms I knew without a doubt that he could protect me from all harm and danger that was out there to get me. But having his child in return? I pushed my blankets aside and wrapped myself up in my robe. My ankle was still a little sore. I still had a slight limp as I made my way to the balcony to think and look out into the vastness of the starry sky. A long time ago I had come to terms with not having children. Being on the run and constantly looking over my shoulder was one reason not to even consider it. No child deserves to live like that. And then there was the issue of my hands. I could never get close enough to anyone in order to have a boyfriend. I had never taken on a lover, not even a one-night stand for fear of hurting them with my touch. The thought of hurting my own child that way was also too much to bear. I shook my head. It was t
*Ember***Kieran ran his hands down my thighs, parting them, finding me wet and dripping for him.“Mmm… nice, beautiful,” he murmured, leaning in and latching on with his lips.I felt fire from them, all-consuming fire.“Kieran…” I moaned, my fingers tangling in his thick, dark hair.His tongue flicked out, circling my clit, then delving inside me.I cried out and bucked beneath him, but my dragon was merciless. He sucked, nibbled, and added his thumb to bring me more pleasure.If I were ever going to spontaneously combust, this would be that moment.Instead, I threw my head back and came against his mouth, shouting his name. “KIERAN!”Kieran prowled over me and gave me a wet kiss, smiling like the cat who got the cream. “Just think how it could be, beautiful. You. Me. Baby…”Baby. *****I blinked my eyes open at that thought, frowning in the early dawn light that was spilling into my upstairs apartment. It was a dream after all.Groaning, I threw my covers o
*Ember*I sat beside Rowena’s bed, holding her hand and occasionally getting up to fuss with her pillows. The hospital room was cold, and too white with its white sheets, white walls, and white decor. I was already on edge and the lack of color was doing nothing for my nerves. Rowena kept trying to get me to stop my hovering, encouraging me to go to the cafeteria after we’d been there over eight hours, but I wouldn’t budge. I couldn’t think about food. Not only was I concerned for my friend’s health, I didn’t want there to be problems if more of those thugs showed up.“Well?” I asked the doctor when he came back in for the third time, having just hemmed and hawed the first two times he’d been in the room.“Ms. Alden, do I have permission to speak with Ms. Haiven about your condition?” Dr. Patel asked.Rowena waved a hand. “Might as well. She is all up in my business, anyway.” She gave me a sharp look, then smiled it away.He nodded. “Ms. Alden has a few broken bones and
*Ember*It took less than twenty-four hours for me to be swept away from Rowena and brought back to Kieran’s castle. Less than twenty-four hours for two bodies to disappear. Less than twenty-four hours for Rowena’s bills to be paid and for her to be slated for transfer to a hospital in Boston when she was in better condition.Nola was a bright spot in my new life. She was so excited that I might be a fire mage, I thought she might grow wings and fly herself.“And look here, see? Mages can heal! Not just, you know, fry people - I know that must kinda suck in most situations - but, you know, heal them, too! And there’s all sorts of other things you can do with your magic, it’s just sooo awesome!” Nola beamed, thrusting another book into my hands.There was already a stack of at least ten sitting next to my leather armchair. “How did you get a hold of all of these?” I asked, marveling at the collection.“Oh! He has ALL kinds of books. But he only had a handful about fire mages.
*Ember*My eggs were harvested for the procedure and I spent nearly a week in bed recovering from the fatigue of it and wondering if this was still such a good idea. Finally, I felt good enough to sit in the garden and enjoy breakfast. Coffee warmed my hands through a pottery-style mug as I watched the first dim light of dawn creep above the horizon. The sky warmed up to a beautiful orange and hot pink. The morning was crisp, the air damp and soothing to the lungs.I loved this view from the balcony in the early mornings. It was quiet, and there was no one else around. Not the bubbly Nola or the brooding Zephyr. Kieran was still keeping himself scarce, except for our online chats. But that was okay. Seeing him in person made me nervous, too.“It’s beautiful isn’t it,” came the familiar voice behind me.I turned in my lounger and saw Kieran standing in the doorway of the balcony, looking at me. “The view is spectacular.”“I think so, too.” He was still looking at me. “An