“The vampires,” he said with a sigh. “We still don't fully understand how they got here. But they were the ancient enemy of our race. They fed on every other creature in our neighboring star systems. We had always been able to defend the others in our Galactic Collective. But as our sun began to die, we lost our strength and over time the vampires’ grew.
“When we departed, they were still ruling that part of the galaxy. Cato has run computer simulations that suggest they destroyed all the other civilizations with their relentless hunger and carnage, thus destroying themselves. At some point in time, they may have needed to escape their home planet and by chance ended up here.
“They're not the same as they were when we left. They don't appear nearly as powerful, and they have lost their technology.”
“This is all so crazy,” Everly said, shaking her head. Kian’s story made sense, but it still didn't fully seem real.
“The vampire said I’m a Dragon Soul? They called me your fated mate.”
“Yes,” he said. “You are a Dragon Soul. We ran an analysis of your DNA and it came back positive. As for you being my mate, I sensed it from the start, but I couldn't be sure. Over the years, dragons began to lose their inner senses as the sun died and our females grew rare. But I knew the rumblings of my dragon and my deep attraction for you must mean that you were my fated one. We ran the analysis, and it took quite some time because you are a human, but it came back positive. We are fated mates. You are the one for me, and I am the one for you.”
“I'm not sure what that all means,” she said, shaking her head.
She put her palm to her forehead and crinkled up her eyebrows. She was so very confused. She knew that from the moment she'd met Kian, she was deeply attracted to him. She wanted to trust him. She wanted to believe him. She loved his daughter as if she were her own, and the greatest wish of her soul was to be with this man.
She wanted to take care of him and Ember and feel the protection of his arms forever. But this idea of fated mates, it just didn't make sense to her. People sometimes talked about soulmates. But everyone knew that that was just a fantasy. Could it really be real? Could her soulmate be a dragon from a distant faded star?
“I know this is a lot to take in,” he said, looking down at his hands clasped in his lap. “That's why I didn't tell you all at once. I didn't want to shock you.”
“I understand now,” she said. “I'm not sure what I would have done if you had told me all this before.”
“I'm so glad you understand. I was afraid I had ruined it all. But then you were taken, and my only thought was to get you back.”
“Thank you, Kian,” she said.
He stood and walked to her, offering her his hand. She took it and stood before him. She could feel the heat of his body radiating off of him and every impulse in her body screamed for her to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him hard on the mouth. She wanted to accept him, but she was still so confused and afraid.
“What will happen if we don't mate?” she asked.
“That's not your concern,” he said, taking her hand and kissing the sensitive skin of her knuckles.
“Tell me the truth, Kian.”
“Very well. The truth is, as soon as we awakened, it activated our mating impulse, most likely due to the presence of Dragon Souls combined with the long stasis sleep. We all must mate soon, or it would tear us apart. Our dragons are screaming to be mated and there is no way to reverse the process.”
“What do you mean your dragon will tear you apart?”
“The mating impulse is strong. We may not survive if not mated in time.”
“But how will you protect me if you're gone?” she whispered against his chest as he held her close to him.
“I will find a way. And even if my dragon tears me apart, I will make it the duty of every other dragon on this planet to protect you.”
“But I don't want anyone else to protect me. I only want you.”
She looked up at him and placed her hands on his cheeks. She ran the pad of her thumb over his cheekbone, and he let out a long, groaning sigh.
“I love you,” she said.
“And I love you, little human,” he said, leaning in to claim her mouth with his.
“I want to be your mate,” she said as she pulled away. “I've wanted that from the start. It's what I want more than anything in the world. To love you, to love Ember, and for us to be a family.”
“Oh, my darling,” he said, kissing her again. “You are everything to me. You're everything I've ever wanted. And I swear to you, I will give you that happy life. I will give you everything you've ever hoped for.”
As his tongue slid between her lips, and he pulled her against the hard planes of his body. She knew in the depths of her soul that he would.
Chapter 20
Everly had never been in Kian’s bedroom before and was enchanted by the oak four-poster bed and the huge windows that looked out on the grounds. In a sitting room off the bedroom, he had set up a table for two near the fireplace.
She had dressed in a form-fitting red dress, put her hair up in a loose bun, and had carefully done her makeup with the products from the salon. She felt good about herself, happy and complete.
He took her hand at the doorway and led her into the sitting room. They sat at the table for two, with the fire crackling in the fireplace. It reflected in Kian’s eyes. He reached across the table and took her hand, running the pad of his thumb over her knuckles. It sent a sensation of desire up her arm and down her spine, igniting her core.
She blushed shyly and smiled. He lifted the domes off the plates, revealing a delicious gourmet meal. Her stomach grumbled in anticipation and she took a knife to cut into the perfectly cooked steak. She popped a bite into her mouth and chewed, savoring the flavor of Kian’s cooking.
“For an alien who just awakened from a million-year slumber, you certainly are a good cook,” she said with a giggle.
“I enjoy it,” he said.
They ate their meal, chatting about the past and the future. Everly learned more about his home planet and asked questions about the years he'd spent in stasis slumber.
“Did you dream? Were you aware that you are sleeping?”
“It was a deep, dreamless sleep,” Kian said. “It's almost as if not a day has passed since we first went into the stasis chambers.”
“That must be awfully strange,” she said.
“Not particularly. We never saw the time pass. We have no attachment to it. We landed on a primitive planet with no civilization and no mates and we went into stasis. We awoke to a place where there are cities and roads, and most importantly, mates for us. It went exactly as we had hoped.”
“And what about the others? What will the others do if they can't find their mates?”
“I hope for all of our sakes that their mates will arrive soon.”
“What about the vampires?” she asked.
“We have learned more about the vampires. The elder vampires are sleeping. It is a genetic capability the vampires possess. They are essentially immortal, but to maintain their mortality, they must sleep for extended periods of time to regenerate their strength. The longer they live the stronger they become. But most of the older vampires are absent from the world at this time.”
“Are you worried what they might do?” she asked, taking on the bite of steak.
“As it is now, I don't fear the vampires. They are weak and without technology. A dragon can take on several dozen of them without problem. But we can't kill them. Not directly. So, we are at a stalemate. The biggest problem is that they prefer Dragon Souls for their food. And since we are here to protect both Dragon Souls and humans alike, I don't see how we can maintain a neutrality with the vampires. We are taking it one day at a time in relation to them.”
“That seems wise,” she said.
“But enough about the war between dragons and vampires. I don't want you to worry about that. I want you to focus on Ember and your
self. I want you to be happy and comfortable and safe. The war is not for you to fight.”
“Anything that affects you affects me,” she said.
“I know it does, my love. But as long as I live, my greatest priority is to keep you safe and happy.”
“And you do,” she said with a smile.
Kian revealed two pieces of chocolate cake that he served to them as they sipped their fruity, sweet red wine. She had to pinch herself to believe that she was with such a gorgeous, protective man. It was the greatest dream of her heart. There was only one little thing missing. She hoped someday soon, she would have it too.
After the cake, Kian stood and took her hand and held her as they danced to the slow music that piped through the stereo into his bedroom.
She inhaled his spicy scent as she rested her head against his chest. He held her hand in his, his other hand cradling the small of her back, moving with her in a slow dance. She felt so safe in his arms. It was a place she never wanted to leave.
He reached down and cupped her chin in his hand, tilting her face up toward him to claim her mouth. She groaned as his tongue slid over hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Their kiss grew deeper and more intense.
“I must claim you,” he said with a growl, lifting her up off the ground. He carried her through his bedroom and deposited her on the bed as he tore off his jacket and shirt. “I can't wait a moment longer,” he said, prowling over her and resting his hardness between her legs.
“Oh, Kian,” she breathed, wrapping her arms around his neck. He kissed her deeply and sweetly as his cock pressed against her softness.
“You will be mine forever,” he said.
“What are you going to do?” she asked with a shiver of fear going down her spine.
He kissed down her chest as he unzipped her dress and revealed her lacy bra. As he tugged the dress off of her body and devoured her exposed flesh, he looked up into her eyes. His eyes shined with a kind of animalistic glow, and she could see the fire of his dragon in their depths.
“I will bite you, and then I will inject a special venom into your blood. Once I have claimed you, you will become even more like a dragon, stronger, with a longer life and new senses.”
“Will it hurt when you bite me?”
“Maybe a little. From what I have learned, the mating bite is highly erotic.”
“Oh,” she said with a gasp, as he tugged off her bra and panties.
She was naked on the bed as he dipped between her legs and ran his long, wet tongue up the slit to press between her folds to her clit.
“Oh my God,” she gasped as his tongue began to vibrate on her swollen, sensitive bud.
She ran her fingers through his hair as he devoured her pussy, sliding his tongue between her clit and her channel. The sensation built and built until he slipped two fingers inside her core, pressing upward as he vibrated his tongue on her clit.
Her orgasm broke like gushing well. She called out his name. Her pussy throbbed and clenched. The sensation enveloped her entire body. She arched her back as her nipples went erect, buzzing with desire.
“Oh, Kian,” she said again.
He growled and kissed a trail of fire up her stomach and over her breasts, sucking one nipple and then the other into his mouth, exciting the sensation inside her yet again. He drew back and pulled out of his clothes, revealing his massive cock for the first time. She gasped at the size of it, so long and thick. It almost seemed it would be impossible fit inside her. She reached up and stroked his length with her fingertips, her eyes wide and her mouth open.
“Do you think you can take this?” he growled as he crawled over her again, resting his massive shaft against her sopping wet core.
“Oh yes,” she said with a growl, arching her back.
She looked up at the ceiling as he devoured her breasts and stroked her pussy. His tongue lathed her nipples as he teased out her desire once again. He rested the tip of his cock against her opening, inching in and out with the tip. She groaned at the feeling of him, wanting him to fill her. Wanting to be so close, with no space between them.
He entered her just slightly and then pulled out again, dipping in further with each thrust. She was growing frustrated and hungrier with each dip inside her.
“I need you,” she growled, pressing up against him.
“Easy, little human,” he whispered into her ear as he licked her neck. “I'm not going to split you open. I’ll take you nice and slow. Open you up like a flower before I thrust my cock inside your depths. Over and over until you scream with ecstasy.”
“Oh yes!”
He slowly stretched her wider with each thrust of his hips. He was so thick and long, it shattered her mind. He finally found her depths and kept going, her eyes went wide at the sensation. She had never been so full, completely taken. When he rested his hips against hers, sinking all the way to the base of his cock, he held her there, allowing her body to grow accustomed to his size.
She felt impaled, opened beyond her imagining. She had a sense of oneness with him, as if they had become one being. She growled and claimed his mouth. He kissed her deeper and deeper as he rested inside her. Her body throbbed with release at the size of him, and as her pussy clenched on his length. He pulled back and slowly thrust forward again.
With that first thrust, she came again, mindless and screaming. He held her tight, rocking his hips back and forth in waves as he rode her. His tongue licked the crook of her neck, up to her ear, kissing her, nuzzling her. His sharp teeth ran over her sensitive flesh as he thrust inside her again and again.
She held him tight to her, not knowing when one orgasm ended and the next one began. It was all a blinding white light of pleasure and lust.
He growled into her ear as his teeth began to bite into her flesh. His tongue had somehow desensitized her skin and all she felt was a biting pleasure as his teeth sank deeper. She gasped as he clamped down. His cock throbbed inside her as he shot his seed deep into her core.
She held him tight, scratching her nails down his back as she came wildly and completely. Her mind shattered apart. She could feel his claiming venom running into her veins. It ignited her soul and broke her open, only to be pieced back together anew. More whole, more complete and bonded with her other half.
This beautiful alien warrior, who had come from a distant star to claim her and make her his. To make her life new and beautiful. She could see galaxies spread out across the sky. She could see their hearts entwining and their souls merging. She was lost in a vision of totality and love. She could feel his hot seed sinking into her womb. In a blinding light of lust and passion and connection, they came together.
Slowly, she came back to herself. Kian's teeth slipped from her neck as he licked her wound clean, and it healed almost instantly. He pulled himself gently from inside her. And held her in his arms under the blankets. She rested her head against his muscled chest, listening to his heartbeat. He stroked her hair and her cheek, kissing the top of her head affectionately.
“My beautiful love,” he said. “We are now mated forever.” He tilted her chin up to look into his eyes. “I will eternally worship you.”
Everly couldn't respond. Her heart was beating too fast and buzzing in her ears. Her whole life seemed to come into sharp focus. She rested against his chest, holding him close.
“This is the greatest day of my life,” she whispered.
She felt him holding her close, breathing into the top of her head, his body radiating so much affection. She could feel his mind and his heart inside her. It was like their bond had allowed her to view the depths of him. She felt him whisper inside her mind.
“I love and adore you, my Queen,” he said.
Everly drifted into sleep, filled with happy dreams of the future.
Chapter 21
Kian took Everly to the garage and stood with her in front of the six cars that were parked there.
"What are we doing here?" she asked, think
ing they were going for a ride.
"I want you to choose one of these cars for your friend Stacy.”
"Are you kidding?" she said, looking at the row of brand new cars.
"Of course not. I know how important it is to you to pay your friend back for everything she did for you after your divorce.”
"Kian," she said, putting her fingers to her lips. "This is too much."
"Nonsense.”
"You are such a wonderful man," she said, throwing her arms around his neck and reaching up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “What did I do to deserve you?"
"You give me everything I've ever wanted and more. I wonder what I did to deserve you."
Everly let out a deep sigh and smiled, lowering back down from her tiptoes to the ground. She turned and started walking down the line of cars. There was an SUV, three sports cars, a Subaru station wagon, and a truck. She crossed her arms, tapping her finger to her mouth, considering which car Stacy would appreciate the most. She had been driving a 1995 Volvo that was rusted and falling apart.
"I think we should give her the Subaru," she said, pointing at the four-wheel-drive station wagon.
"Good choice."
“How are we going to get this car to her?"
"I've asked Dax to drive it with us to the city.”
"Thank you so much. She's going to be so happy.”
Dax came into the garage and grabbed the keys to the Subaru. Kian and Everly buckled Ember into the backseat of the SUV.
"Are you sure you want to give this car away? I like driving it to the beach to go surfing."
"You can just use the truck,” Kian said. “We have something important to do for Everly.”
Dax shrugged and opened the door of the Subaru. "Well, let's do this then. Can we stop at that café? I’d like and get a triple mocha latte with extra whip cream and chocolate sauce."
"Sure," Kian said. “What’s a trip to the city without a triple mocha latte?"