“Blane is enough war for me, Ryder. I’m going to war with my husband to prevent one, which is an oxymoron if you ask me. I’m moving to a strange place filled with bad memories for everyone but me, so pain is going to happen. He’s going to go through hell when we go back there. But…he won’t hurt me. When he first took me, he was gentle, and when he placed the relic on my waist, he hated it when I made it bite into my flesh. He’s broken, damaged, and yeah, he can be rough around the jagged edges, but he’s mine. I’ve claimed that dragon, and I will claim his heart, and if I can’t? I’ll cut it out and take it anyway. Besides, I know a little about broken men, considering father broke us all and left us barely breathing by the time he was killed. I can handle the Horde, brother, and the entire Elite Guard, so one dragon? Should be a cakewalk,” she laughed nervously, not fooling her brother.
“You’re not responsible for what happens to his people,” he said fiercely as he stopped the entire crowd walking with as he turned to face her. “When father held you up and told me to choose you or my orders, I chose you. You were just a child, this tiny defenseless creature that I’d vowed to always protect. I know we’ve told the world that it could have been our brothers that I was close to because I know you carry that guilt. It’s not on you, Ciara. You didn’t choose, you didn’t do anything wrong. I chose to protect you because I had made a vow to you. I know that is why you think you have to do this now, but you didn’t make any of this happen. When the Gods play in our world, we suffer. This is on them, not us. Now, if you want to come home, I’ll take on whoever, wherever to make it happen. Do you understand? We’ve been through hell to get where we are, and we’ve survived. We didn’t come this far to lose one of us now. You’re one of us.”
“I love you too,” she said, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek, feeling Remy and Fyra’s stares on her. “But I think I need him as much as he needs me. We need each other, and I think I can reach him. If I can’t, well, we will survive this too, brother.”
She looked around him to where Remy frowned and nodded in silent agreement. Fyra, however, seemed unsettled, but dropped her gaze to the floor and then back to Zahruk with a dark look that Ciara wasn’t comfortable with. Either she wanted him sexually, or she wanted to slit his throat. It was fifty-fifty on which one she wanted to do.
“Then let’s not keep him waiting, Dragon Queen,” Ryder rumbled as he slipped his arm through hers and started walking again.
Once they reached the main entrance, she parted from Ryder, bidding him to remain inside because while she didn’t think Blane would attack, she didn’t trust Kerrigan. He gave her the creeps; his eyes seemed to look at her as if she wasn’t a living breathing creature.
Olivia handed her Fury, softly kissing the thick black curls atop his sweet smelling head. Tears filled her eyes, and she brought her palms up as Ciara started to speak. “It’s just the hormones; they’re all over the place. I have a few months left, at least, since my pregnancy is going a lot slower than anyone else around here. I’d love for you to be close when my time comes, Ciara. Ristan would welcome the family as he seems to fear the birth more than me. Be safe and know that you are loved,” she said, tightly hugging Ciara while being careful of the mewling bundle in her arms.
“Thank you,” Ciara said, without promising to come when Olivia’s time came. She was unsure of what the future held, and she refused to not keep a promise if she made it.
Outside the sun shone brightly as it beat down on them. Blane approached slowly, uncaring that he was surrounded by a courtyard of the Elite Guards. He stepped beside her, pausing to look where Ryder and Synthia stood just inside the main doors.
“They’re not walking you out?” he asked softly.
“No, I asked them to stay there.”
“You don’t trust me to keep my word?” he asked irritated that she didn’t.
“I trust you, but Kerrigan I wouldn’t trust as far as I could throw him.”
“I had a wagon emptied to carry you in comfort,” he replied, dropping it.
She drew nearer to his side, resting her weight against him as she cradled their son. It was a relief to know she wouldn’t be riding horseback so soon after having the babe. She was sore, and while her body healed faster than mortals, it was taking its sweet time to stop hurting. Eliran had packed her medical supplies along with a few items for Fury that she may need on her journey.
“Thank you; I fear I wouldn’t be able to ride comfortably or feed him should he need it while on a horse,” she admitted.
They approached the army, and the Horde stepped from the woods, swarming around them as they made their way to the castle. It was a tense moment as they realized how many enemies had been watching them this entire time. Blane shook off his shock and helped her into the covered wagon, and then frowned as a female started shouting for them to wait.
Ciara watched as Darynda rushed from the courtyard, bag in hand. “I’m coming with you,” she announced as she climbed in and sat beside Ciara. “There are no babes here to tend to, and you’ll need help with him. I’m qualified, and I can’t stay here anymore. Please, take me with you.”
“Blane?” Ciara asked.
“She’s a nurse?”
“She’s a handmaiden; she tends the queen and any children the queen shall have,” she explained with a frown. “She’s also my friend. She’ll be helpful with Fury so you can…feed me without interruptions.”
“If you intend are to spy on us, I’ll send your head back unattached from your body,” he warned coldly, and Ciara tensed as she glared at him.
She settled into the blankets he’d laid out for her, cradling Fury as he let out a loud scream of hunger. She sat back up, smiling as she adjusted him, freeing her breast to push it against his mouth. He latched on, and she yelped in pain as he sucked greedily. She peered down at him, smiling until her eyes misted. Darynda looked away while Blane stared at his son, feeding happily from his mother’s breast.
“Does he hurt you when he feeds?” he asked hesitantly as he scratched the back of his head as if was uncomfortable asking such intimate questions.
“It’s jarring at first, and they’re tender, but Darynda said it is because the milk will be coming in, right?” she asked.
“Right now it’s not a lot, but once it starts to adjust to what he needs, they’ll hurt more if he isn’t fed properly. If you feed the little beastie properly, he’ll take the pain away, but the nipples, they tend to be sore after a while. We will watch them, make sure they don’t crack or bleed. It’s the miracle of motherhood, though, feeding your child from your own body. You will have to feed more and often to keep making milk for him.”
“And if I don’t feed often?” she asked.
“You’ll feed very often,” Blane answered, his eyes heating as they held hers. “Did you feed while you were here?”
“If you’re asking if I fucked anyone else, the answer is no. You’re my husband, Blane. I may be Fae, but to me, you’re the only man I plan to feed from.”
He smirked and nodded his head as he backed out of the covered wagon. “It’s going to be a long ride to the palace. We will rest tonight and then push harder tomorrow. If you need anything, Ciara, I’ll be close enough to hear you.”
“If you’re done, I’d like to say goodbye to my sister,” Ristan purred as he climbed in and sat beside her. “Hey, minx.” He gazed at the child, pushing his fingers over his curls, oblivious to the boob the infant was greedily pawing at as he made sucking noises. She blushed and started to cover herself when Ristan snorted. “It’s as natural as the love you already feel for him, kid. You good?”
“I’m going to be okay,” she admitted.
“I know you will be because if not, I know a heart I’ll be dining on,” he muttered as his eyes moved to Darynda. “You are leaving us?”
“She needs me more than
I’m needed or wanted here. I can help her, and she won’t be so alone if I am there,” she answered as her eyes lowered from his. “I have to get away from him for a while. I can’t continue to pretend I don’t want him, and he doesn’t want me.”
“You knew when you two had your fling that it was just that to him,” he replied. “Zahruk isn’t built to love anyone. He’s scarred so deeply that it’s embedded in his soul. One day maybe, but it won’t be before you’re ready. You want a child of your own; it’s why you stay here even after your time serving has ended. You’ll find someone, maybe even a dragon.” He winked as he turned back to Ciara and chucked her under the chin playfully. “Like this one did. Remember, Fury won’t break; he’s stronger than he looks. We packed you some supplies…or a few wagons full of them just in case you needed something, or pretty much anything. Adam and I are now what you would call professional baby shoppers. I packed some of your things as well since you didn’t have time to. Stay strong, minx, and know we’re here and we always will be.”
“You guys make it sound as if I am never coming back,” she whispered as she struggled against her tears.
“It’s not like he likes us,” he said, hiking his thumb over his shoulder to where Blane stood, listening to them. “I don’t know how long it will be before I see you, but once my baby is born, I intend to visit you with the guarantee of safe passage. My child will meet its only aunt, and that’s a promise. I wish I could see your future, but without Danu, I’ve not been able to see much of anything. I guess we all have to just live it and hope everything turns out right. At least for now, right?”
“We need to start moving if we want to get to the protected camp by nightfall,” Blane said, interrupting them.
Ristan jumped from the wagon and came nose to nose with Blane. “That’s my only sister you married; you better take care of her or not even that demi blood that runs through your veins will save you from me. She’s been tortured, beaten, and abused. She needs to be treated with love and protection, and if she hadn’t convinced me that you are kind to her, you’d be dead already. You remember who she is, but while you’re loathing her for the blood that runs through her veins, remember what she’s been through to get to you. Remember your son carries it as well, and he is as innocent as her for the choice of who his parents are. She’s my baby sister, and she’s got hundreds of brothers just itching to skin you alive for taking her in the first place. Prove us wrong, dragon. Prove that you’re man enough to treat her good and protect her because every camp has vipers. She’s a target with you, remember that.”
“She’s my wife, I’ll protect her and our child with my dying breath, and I have no intention of dying.”
“Good, then welcome to the family,” he said, extending his hand out for Blane to accept. Blane stared at it a moment then gaze into the wagon at Ciara before he placed his into Ristan’s, shaking it firmly.
“We’re going,” he replied as he mounted his horse and nodded for the driver of the wagon to start moving.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Ciara was awakened to someone shaking her arm as Fury was taken from her. She came up with a start, prepared to fight as Blane grabbed her arms.
“You’re safe,” he murmured as he pulled her close against his body. “We’ve arrived at camp and the tent has been set up for us. Come with me.” Her eyes drifted to Darynda, who smiled as she adjusted the sleeping infant in her arms. Relief washed through her as she placed her hand into Blane’s as he led them to their tent. Inside, candles burned and the bed had been made up for them.
She shuffled to it and sat on the edge, holding her arms out for Fury, which Darynda gladly placed into them. She stood in awkward silence as she tried to figure out what to do next.
“Darynda will require sleeping arrangements,” Ciara said after Blane continued to just stare at Fury in wonder.
“Right, she can sleep with the other unmated women in the larger tents. One of the guards posted at the door will show you to them.”
Once Darynda exited he sat beside her and touched the crop of curls that framed Fury’s face. “He has your hair,” he murmured as he reached over, kissing her cheek. “You ran from me, Ciara,” he admonished as he took Fury from her and set him on the bed. His hand touched her throat as he pushed her over, straddling her hips as she stared up at him. “I searched the fucking woods, fearing the cold had come and taken you from me. Every thought I had ended with you being hurt or dead. I went out of my fucking mind searching for your corpse. I’d thought I had lost you and our unborn son, and I wanted to bring you back to kill you again for putting me through it.”
“You lied to me, in our bed,” she whispered thickly as she wetted her lips. “I thought I could get through to you, make you see that I wasn’t the monster you wanted me to be. I will not be your breeding mate and nothing else. I want you, Blane. I want all of you or nothing. Yes, I left, and I secured peace for your people. They deserve to live freely on their own lands. You deserve it, but mostly I left because I knew that you planned to use me to kill my family, and you thought I was weak enough to accept it. You thought I’d just remain in your bed and continue to fuck you and bear your children while you slaughtered them. Think again; I will always leave you if you intend to murder my family. What are you going to do, Blane? Lock me up and fuck me when you need to get off? That would make you no better than my father.”
He released her, moving away from her as he paced the tent. His hands raked through his hair, messing it up as he turned and looked at her with a dark piercing gaze. “When we reach the palace, a wet nurse will be located, and you will reside in my chamber until I decide what to do with you.”
“You will keep our son away from me?” she asked coldly.
“You left me!”
“I secured peace, something you and your people have not had in how long? Will you tell them your bitch queen is hiding in her room because you locked her up there, or do you already have a story worked out with Kerrigan to appease the people?”
“This isn’t Kerrigan, Ciara. You left me, and I won’t let it go unpunished.”
“Then beat me, or take it from my flesh, Blane. Don’t take my baby.”
“He’s better off with a wet nurse,” he growled.
“Because she would be dragon? I am his mother, he feeds from me. He is Fae and dragon and not more or less of the other. He needs me, not some wet nurse who can feed other children.”
“Then you will feed him, and that is all,” he snarled as he turned and left the tent, leaving her alone with her anger raging inside of her.
She should go now, return to her brothers before they reached his kingdom. Fury whimpered, and she picked him up, cradling him as she brought him close to her bosom, rocking him gently. “He has no idea what he is doing, littlest dragon. Your father is stubborn and pigheaded, but he’s got a good heart. If he thinks he is taking you away from me, we shall see what it tastes like, hmm?” she murmured as she touched her lips to his forehead as his arms shot out in surprise. They gently came back to touch her face and then he did the last thing she expected, he sucked on her nose.
She laughed and scrunched her face up as she pulled it away from him and placed him at her breast. She peered up, feeling a heavy stare and found Blane staring at her. Her smile vanished and was replaced by a deep frown as she watched him.
“He feeds a lot,” he mumbled as he moved back to the bed, placing his head in his hands as he listened to his son nurse loudly. “He’s quite the miracle you created, Ciara.”
“We created, Blane. You and I made him, but I swear to the Gods if you try to remove me from his life, I will cut your heart out of your chest and feed it to the redcaps.”
“I know you will,” he stated as he lay back on the bed. “You scared me. I’ve never felt so lost in my life, not even when I was a child, and the Fae destroyed everything. I had
this pain in my stomach that wouldn’t end or uncoil, and I’d thought I’d lost you both. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t fucking think, Ciara. I had to follow Remy because I was a fucking mess, and that cannot happen. I am the king.”
“And it’s my fault you’re falling for me?” she laughed throatily as she placed their son between them and curled onto her side, facing him.
“I’m not falling for you. I think I would know if I was having feelings other than murderous thoughts about you. I am, however, thinking of bending you over, spreading that tight, pretty pink pussy apart and fucking you so hard and deep that you’ll never forget I was there or who you belong to. So it’s a good thing you’re mending from having our son, or the entire camp would hear you scream my name to the Gods.”
“It’s too bad, really,” she purred huskily. “I’m starving.”
“Woman, do not test me right now. From the moment you walked out of that castle, the only thing I wanted to do was fuck you hard and fast until you knew where you belong and who you belonged to. Do you have any idea what went through my fucking head when it reached us that you’d returned home? Who was feeding my queen, and did she want him more than she wanted me? Was she happy to be with one of her own, or was she starving waiting for me? Then I had our son to consider, and I prayed that you weren’t hungry and that you were healthy so I could fucking destroy you myself.”
“Then I guess it is a good thing that I am Fae and not mortal,” she murmured as she searched his eyes. “I will be healed soon enough, Dragon King. I look forward to being utterly destroyed.”
He started to reach for her and their son hiccupped, drawing their eyes to him. He gurgled, kicking his arms and legs as they watched him. Her eyes met Blane’s over the tiny baby body. She smiled as he hiccupped again, startling himself.