The Dragon’s Mage

Dragon Mage - 1

by

Kelly Lucille

To Norma Rice for gleefully buying my first book,

…and because she’ll get such a kick out of this.

"All our efforts must tend towards the light."

Antonio Machado

Chapter 1

Morgan was in the meadow laughing when she felt it.  Her eight-year-old brother with the same dark hair and grass green eyes was buried under two of his sisters.  The girls shared the eyes, but had their mother’s fiery red gold hair that flashed in the sun.  Currently they were rolling about like puppies and shrieking in fright as Morgan pretended to be a great hernbeast after them.  In the middle of tickling Clare to hysterics, she stopped, a strange awareness creeping up.  Something was coming.

“Danger.”  She said quickly.  Her siblings, from the youngest at eight summers to the oldest at nineteen, all froze and looked to her.

“Up.  Quietly.”  She said, “Quietly.  Melly can you sense anything?”  She was whispering now and all of them were staying low to the grasses and heading for the tree line.

“Nothing.”  Melisande whispered, Melly for short.  She was five years younger than Morgan and six inches shorter at five feet two inches.  She had always been the calm center of the family.  She moved with the rest of them, keeping her head down even as she expanded her senses.  “I don’t sense any danger.”

“Something isn't right.”

As slow as they were moving they made small progress but should attract no attention.  It wasn’t enough.  She extended her own senses and felt nothing except a prevailing feeling of wrongness.  Something was out there, and coming closer.

“Clare, you and Rhune, change and head for the hide hole.  Small but not helpless.  I don’t want a repeat of the badger incident.”

“What about you and Melly?  I don’t want to leave you here.”

“Rhune is your responsibility.  Go Clare.  We’ll be right behind you.”

Clare looked from her sisters to her baby brother and stiffened her back.  She was only 16 years old and resembled a long limbed colt with her slender form and long legs.  She was young and unfinished still but, like Melly, life had somehow made her more.  She turned to her brother who was leaning against her side.

“Foxes, Rhune.”  She said overly bright.  “Stay with me?  We’re going to run for the big oak.”

Rhune nodded solemnly.  His little face serious for one so young.  Clare looked one more time at her sisters before she dissolved into a chilly mist and in her place stood a red fox.  Rhune followed, and they took off at a run, silent red flashes through the tall grasses.

“Are you sure Morgan?  I still feel nothing.”

“I know Melly, that’s what worries me.”  She looked around as she pushed her sister before her.  “It’s getting closer.”

In the past, it had always been Melisande who felt trouble coming first.  She dreamed of their adoptive parent’s betrayal, and when they ran, she felt the right paths to take them away from danger.  They had come into the wilderness when Rhune was so small he had to be carried, and Melly a thirteen year old at the time had heard the wind and headed the call of the earth.  It was no small gift.  Nor was the ability that Clare and Rhune had to become any animal they saw.  That too had saved their lives on too many occasions for Morgan to believe it the curse the villagers feared.

“Someone is coming, and I think they’re coming for me.  I want you to take the long way back to the others.  I’ll make a mist for you to hide in.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll follow soon.  Promise me you will see the others to safety.  Listen to the wind Melly, and you’ll do fine.”  The sky darkened and the perpetual spring they had been enjoying disappeared as clouds obscured the sun.

“We should stay together.”

“No.  I need you safe.  Please, Melly.  I feel strange, hunted.  Something is taking shape here.  A path I must take.  If I'm right, you must protect the others.  You’re the only one who can hear the wind.”

“Morgan.”  Her voice was beseeching, but Morgan ignored it, closing her eyes and setting her will free.  The mist rose, and like a massive fog it covered and concealed everything so that the sisters could no longer see even each other in the thick of it.

“Go to Clare, Melly, now.”

Melly went, ignoring the tears falling from her eyes.  Quiet as possible she walked out of the glen they had created with their magic.  It had been spring here for them as long as they needed it.  Surrounded by white coated winter on all sides, no one should have been able to survive.  Between them, they had kept their own small patch of sunshine and Morgan had made the flowers grow.  The majestic oak had offered shelter.  They had been happy here.  Now danger had found them.

Morgan expanded her senses and felt Melly slipping into the forest to safety.  She breathed a sigh of relief, turning to look all around her she tried again to capture the essence of what was stalking her.  Whatever it was, her blood seemed to be trying to rise up and warn her.  ‘Run.  Flee.’  It was all she could do to stand perfectly still and listen for the sound that would direct her flight away from the oily danger.

Through the mist a dark figure rose nearly on top of her, she backed up quickly her hand coming up, the wind roaring as she stumbled back and to the ground.  Her wrist was caught by a hard-calloused hand, and she was pulled off the ground struggling against the arms that came around her.  The mist cleared away, and the wind died.  She knew that black livery with the dog emblem, knew too, ones with cold dead eyes that stared with evil satisfaction.  Only one kind of creature could touch her and make her power disappear.  It was a creature right out of her nightmares.

She screamed, hearing again the cries of her mother and father as the fires burned around them.

“I’ve been looking for you.”  He kissed her, and she tasted ash.  She tried to struggle, call her power, but nothing happened.  Then she felt it.  A pulling, as if he was trying to eat her soul.  She tried to scream again, the pain excruciating, but he ate that too.

* * *

The creak and moan of the prison wagon was loud in the early morning quiet.  Even at rest, it groaned like an old man each time someone rolled over or breathed hard.  Morgan had been left with her now grubby shift and a chain for her ankle.  The leering guard made it clear that anything else she wanted would have to be paid for, and the way his eyes went over her, Morgan had a pretty clear idea what form of payment he preferred.

The shift was little enough against the harsh weather, though luckily she still had enough magic huddled inside her that she barely noticed.  At first, she hoped this meant she hadn't been utterly cut off from her magic; but as many times as she tried to pull her power, she only managed to give herself head pains.

Changes in weather never affected her as it did others.  She didn’t get cold or hot as a rule, but the boy/man clinging to her was shaking so bad she was surprised the cart was holding together.  She had realized within seconds what he was, and could only surmise, given the lack of precautions that the guards had no idea what they had.  She held him as close throughout the night and waited for her chance.

The guard, a big beefy man that smelled like old sweat, was a little too interested in watching her to give them the small moment they needed.  She waited for him to fall asleep or go relieve himself.  If he would just look away long enough, it would be done.

Blood and Sex.  Her mother, a mage healer, had said little about dragons the few years she'd had to train her children in the craft, but she did say they could feed on blood and sex for healing.  Well, she would try blood and hope it helped enough for him to escape.  His life was worth nothing if they realized what he was.  Dragons were killed on sight.  Their blood called a high price in magic circles, but it was nearly impossible to survive the attempt to collect it.

Magnulls had no effect on dragon magic.  Under the circumstances, she couldn’t help envying them that.

When the guard finally nodded off with the dawn, Morgan found again the rusty nail poking out under her shoulder.  She used it to prick her finger, then bent back to the dragon.

He should have looked pathetic curled up in her lap trying to find heat.  One of the few things that could kill dragons was the cold, and that only before they reached their first adult molt.  That would put him at less than two hundred in years, but looking at his well-defined musculature and the fact that he topped her by a solid foot and probably a hundred pounds, she figured he was close to the change.  She hoped not too close.  He would never survive the transition away from his own.

Her mother had been abundantly clear about that.  She was not sure what the dragons might need, only that it was something that could not be found outside Dracon.

If he was not at the bridge to his adult life then a little magical blood should set him to rights, at least enough so that he could escape and get himself somewhere safe.  Mage blood was tremendously powerful when given freely and dragons were especially affected.  Her mother had cautioned that the giving of blood should only be done in the strictest emergency, never lightly; this had to qualify.

Morgan took a deep breath.  If he was truly power-starved, this could go badly for her.  But she would rather die helping someone than beneath the knife of a dark mage.  She pulled his head up from where it lay against her breast with one hand while she shoved her bleeding finger into his mouth.  At the first taste of blood, he clamped down.  It stung even before he bit to hold her finger in place.  She did her best to stifle her whimpers and the nearly unbearable need to shake him loose.  He was taking a lot of blood through one small finger.  It wasn’t enough because he reared back and bit into her wrist.  She couldn’t stop the cry of pain when his teeth sank deep, and it woke the sleeping guard.

“What...”  The guard made the mistake of attempting to pull the dragon off.  He was slammed one handed into the iron bars of the cage.  He slumped to the deck below the dent his head had made.  He wouldn't get up again.  His head had cracked like an egg, and the noise had drawn a crowd.

The twenty or so soldiers that had been left to hold the caravan, while the magnulls went into town to collect any stray magic users, pulled their swords.  The man/boy looked at the soldiers surrounding the prison cart with eyes of dragon gold.  He dropped Morgan’s wrist with a final lick and studied her through glowing eyes.  She was light headed from blood loss.

“Go dragon.”  She said with difficulty.  “Before they come for you.”

“You know what I am?”  He began to change before her eyes.  Morgan’s last thought before she passed out was silly under the circumstances.

He seemed smaller when he was asleep.

Chapter 2

Morgan woke up with no idea where she was.  She lay very still even as she recognized the feel of a body shivering against her back.  She could feel the length of chain against her ankle, and for a moment she was sure she’d failed.  She wanted to cry for them both.  Then she realized the length of chain attached to air, and this was not the prison coach.

She opened up her senses and felt magic breathe through her.  They were in a cave.  She could sense no one else around.  They must have traveled a substantial distance from the magnulls for her magic to return.  How had he managed to carry them both so far in his sad shape?

No wonder he was wracked with shivers again.  Between the shapeshifting and the flight he must have used up all the energy he received from her blood.  She turned over as best she could with the dragon holding her in a vise.

Morgan put her hand up and reached for the magic within her.  Fire flared in her hand, healing the ugly bite on her wrist even as the dragon opened his eyes.  They were a cool ice blue that quickly changed to dragon gold as she watched.  His hands uncurled from her body with an effort and cupped the flame as if he would pull it into himself.  When he was not burned, she upped the wattage and pressed it into his bare chest.  He gasped and arched in pleasure/pain as his body absorbed the heat flowing from her power.  When he had taken all he could, the excess sunk into the rock beneath him.  She halted the flow.  He purred and curled up like a lizard in the sun.  He was asleep again, but this time without the life sucking cold making it unnatural.

Morgan got up and headed for the cave opening, worried he had not come far enough in his weak condition.  A hand whipped out and wrapped around her ankle before she could take two steps.  She stumbled, almost fell, but managed to catch herself.  She turned; his eyes were open, burning gold under his matted waves of hair.

“You will not leave.”

Morgan shook her foot, but he just tightened his grip.  “I’m not leaving.  I just want to see where we are.”

“We are north of the Coban River in the deep mountains.  You are safe here.”  She tried to hide her dismay.  He had brought her at least a seven-day walk from her valley.  On one hand, there was no way the magnulls would find them, on the other; she was farther away from her brother and sisters than she had ever been.

“I also need to use the bathroom and find something to eat and drink.”

“I have prepared an area at the back of the cave for your needs.  Tomorrow I will be rested and able to fly further.  I will find you food.  You will not leave my side.”

“That’s...Nice of you.  I appreciate that you freed me, so thanks, but I rescued you first, so we’re even.  Tomorrow you should continue your journey home, and I’ll do the same.”

He let go of her ankle to stand up, and Morgan was happy to see he rose easily and was steady on his feet.  At least she was until he stood to his full six-foot plus height and looked down at her with eyes of power.  Her belly rolled dizzily when she got her first real look at the dragon she had set free.

He obviously reacted well to either her blood or her fire because all his bruising was gone.  He was young, even in the woven slave trousers and with a filthy nest of hair tangled to his waist, he was beautiful.  From the sharp almost alien angles of his face to his finely honed body he was, in a word, dangerous.  Morgan caught her breath, fighting the need to step back.  Showing weakness to a dragon would be a mistake.  She stood her ground and met his golden stare with challenge.

“How did they catch you?”

His jaw locked.  “I was betrayed.”

She dropped her eyes not wanting him to see her compassion and mistake it for pity.  She was all too familiar with betrayal.  “I’m sorry.”

His hand gripped her chin lightly, pulling her eyes back up to his.  “How did they catch you?”

She debated telling him but saw no danger in it, a dragon would never work with a dark mage, and he needed to know why she was not free to go with him.

“They came to our valley, and I stayed to give my family a chance to get away.  The magnull took my power, and I was caught.”

His hand tightened painfully on her chin making her wince.

“Your family?  You had a mate who allowed you to face this danger alone?”

“Oww.”  She tried to pull out of his hurtful grip, but he wouldn’t budge.  “I have no mate.”  She said, the angry fire behind her eyes sparking.  “My young sisters and brother are my only family, and it is my duty to see them safe.”

He released her chin and snatched up a lock of her hair to rub between his fingers.  His voice had lost the anger but not the heat.  “I am sorry little one.  You are too young and soft to have such responsibilities.  You will be better off with me.”

“What does that mean?”

“You will not leave my side, and I will see to your care.”

Morgan opened her mouth to rage at his arrogance but swallowed it back and attempted reason instead.  “I am a mage.  I can take care of myself and my family.”  She took a deep breath and grudgingly added, “I do appreciate your worry for me, but it is not necessary.”

She stepped away from him, turning once again, to head for the cave mouth.  He grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

“You will stay with me.”  The grip on her arm was thoughtlessly rough, and she could feel the heat of his anger building.  Like the child he didn’t resemble he was set on getting his own way.  He was not going to listen to reason.

Morgan called her power and sent it in a flash through the hand holding her so tightly.  This time it was not fire she called, but ice.  He released her with a curse, his hand iced to the elbow.  He sent heat pulsing down his arm to combat the cold, and then narrowed angry dragon eyes at her when he could once again feel his hand.

“Be careful that you do not mistake me for powerless.  I am no dragon’s plaything.”  Her eyes flashed green mage fire in the dark, her words echoing eerily.  “I will stay with you tonight and feed you again of my blood so that you can make your journey.  But then we will go our separate ways; I will find my family.  Push me on this and I will leave you shivering in the dark.”

Every muscle in his body clenched at the threat, then released.  He pointed a big finger at her nose, anger vibrating from every cell.  “You threaten me?!  Then leave.  We will see how far you get without wings to fly.”

Morgan turned and headed for the exit.  Arrogant Dragon.  Like I need his permission!

However, when she got to the opening her stomach crashed to her toes.  They were in a cave that nature had carved out of a cliff wall.  She could barely see the ground from here and there was not even a single shrub to halt the deadly plunge to the rocky stone floor.  Unless she suddenly developed shapeshifting abilities and turned into a bird, she was not going anywhere unless the dragon took her.

She felt his radiating heat at her back before she heard him whisper in her ear.  “Perhaps it is you who will be left shivering in the cold my fierce little falcon.”

Morgan swallowed, fear causing her chin to jut stubbornly, even as his voice sent shivers down her spine.

“You will do as I say.  You will go to the back of the cave and take care of your frail human business.  Then you will come back to me.”  He nipped her earlobe with sharp white teeth and wrapped an arm around her when she would have pulled away.  “You will give me the blood and heat I need for the journey, and you will sleep in my arms, tonight and every night.”

“Wha...”  He stopped her speech with a hand over her mouth.

“No.  No arguments.  No discussions.  Do as I say.”

She wanted more than anything to put his arrogant dragon ass down, but it would be foolish.  Even if she could win the skirmish, and she certainly would, where would she go without him to carry her out?

So fine, she would do as he said for now, but the moment she was out of this prison in the clouds, she would take back control of her life.  She pulled out of his restraining arms and headed for the back of the cave.  She found his set up complete with a pile of dirt and a bunch of leaves, joy.  When she had done her “frail human” business, she decided to follow the cave farther back for a bit.  While she was lucky enough to find a small trickle of water, she couldn't chance further exploring for fear of getting lost.

After cleaning up as best she could with the slow trickle, she drank what she could get down her parched throat and headed back.

The dragon was already on the, now cooled, rock floor.  When she hesitated at his side, he reached up and pulled her down to lay facing him.  She refused to look at his smug dragon face.  He pushed the hair off her neck and touched his lips to the fragile pulse there.

“Do you give your blood freely?”  He asked just above her pulse.

Morgan grimaced, but she truly had no choice.  He needed the blood if he was going to get them off the mountain.

“I do.”  The tremor in her voice was barely noticeable.

This time he did not ravage like an animal at the kill; instead, his elongated teeth slipped ever so gently into her skin releasing the toxins he carried directly into her blood.  She gasped at the stunning heat that coursed from the bite to all her feminine places.  Her nipples beaded, and her pussy flooded with unfamiliar cream.  Then, when he had retracted his teeth from her sensitized skin, he sucked the blood from her in deep swallows.  This time she arched into him, wanting nothing more than to wallow in him and never stop.

“What are you doing to me?”  Her voice was a ragged plea that he ignored.

His hand burrowed under her dress to find naked thigh.  He shifted until she was under him, her legs encasing him, his weight pressing her into the ground until she could barely breathe.  She should care about that, but something was oozing through her blood, heating her up from the inside, as if her power were flowing free, but in a way she had never felt before.

Morgan could not think past this blinding need.  He shifted, his hands pulling her dress up and over her head so that she lay exposed before him.  She felt his tongue, a rough heat across the marks on her neck.  She cried out at the waves of pulsing pleasure that caused and mindlessly tried to get him closer, this time flesh to flesh.  Instead, he held her down, his brawny hand spanning her tiny waist entirely, and looked his fill.

Mages were born with no body hair besides what could be found on their head and eyebrows.  Morgan was no exception.  So when he ran his hand from her throat to her sweetly curved thigh it was over creamy skin and nothing else.

Her nipples were painful points in a sea of softness, and he homed in on them, weighing each breast in his palm and licking and sucking the nipples until they looked just as he wanted.  With a grunt of satisfaction, he moved down and used both hands to spread her thighs and study her sweet wet pussy.

“Look at what you hid under that ugly rag.”

Morgan tried to breathe past the pain of want bombarding her, but it was impossible.  “What did you do to me?”

“You still think to leave me.”  His hand went to her thigh to push it further up on the floor and he inhaled deeply, his eyes closing in bliss.  “I have marked you as mine.  When we have mated fully, you will not be able to leave me.  You will not want to.”

Morgan fought through the sticky web of desire he unleashed.  What was he saying?  She struggled with her brain trying to find her way back to some semblance of thought.  No.  He can’t.  “You can’t mate me.  I am not a dragon.”

“You have surprising knowledge of dragon ways for a human, but you do not know all.”  He moved to his side and yanked her down across the harsh floor until he had her snug up against him, scraping her skin in the process.

The pain helped to clear her head even more.  “You mate after your first molt, I know that, and you have not reached it yet, not if you are still passing for human.”

He spooned her frustrated body, his chest to her back, his leg over hers to hold her in place and his arm around her waist.  His hand cupped her breast as if he had proprietary rights there.  The big bastard yawned.  “Maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after.”

After one drowsy affectionate nuzzle of her hair, he fell asleep.  She could feel the satisfaction radiating off him, even as her own blood boiled in waning desire and fear.  She tried to shift away, to escape his hold, even knowing there was nowhere to go.  He growled a warning and tweaked her sensitive nipple until she settled.

Morgan lay there at the mercy of the Dragon and her own betraying body.  The heat had faded enough she could think again, and the fear was quickly replaced by anger.  She would escape, and if the dragon foolishly tried to stop her, she would freeze his ass to a rock for eternity.  Better yet, she wouldn't wait, as soon as her feet hit the ground she would freeze him in his devious dragon feet.  She would not be a slave.  Her thoughts of revenge kept her warm until she finally dozed off.

Chapter 3

After an uncomfortable night, Morgan was hustled out of bed at dawn with a swat to her posterior.  She sat up as if loaded on a spring and looked around clearly befuddled until his obnoxious laugh brought her back.  How dare he?

“Come little falcon, we fly.”

“Listen dragon I reali...”

“Ladon.”

“What?”

“I am known by Ladon, not dragon.”

She gritted her teeth.  “Fine.  Ladon.  I realize you can't help being...”

“Your name?”  He interrupted again.  She narrowed her bleary eyes at him as she tried unsuccessfully to pull on her abused dress without untwisting it first.

“Morgan.”  She stood, snapping the dress off with a huff and re-arranged it while she spoke through gritted teeth.  “I realize you can't help being arrogant and self-centered, but us lowly humans need a few minutes in the morning to feel up to facing the day.”  She finally got her dress on, her voice muffled through the fabric until it slipped with a final yank into place.  Then she looked up into the gold eyes of a fully transformed dragon and stumbled back on her bruised posterior.

He had grown to five times his normal size taking up most of the available space.  His colors, even in the dim cave, were jewel bright in iridescent rainbow hews that shimmered with heat.  His snout was long and full of sharp teeth, his ears pointed.  He was a beautiful dragon, there was no denying that, and Morgan was amazed, even awed, at the splendor before her.

We fly.  A long tail whipped out and wrapped twice around her waist.  She screamed when she went airborne, but it was abruptly cut off against his massive scaled chest.  He held her against his heart with tail and talon as he leaped from the cave into the open sky.  Morgan buried her face in his surprisingly soft hide, and felt more than saw his wings expand to catch the thermals.  He flapped, once, twice, and they were gliding.  When they didn’t crash to the ground, she loosened up enough to crack open her eyes.

Morgan had to catch her breath at the grandeur of dragon flight.  The world was a patchwork of green and brown, the wind a crisp power against her face.  It was the most exhilarated thing she had ever experienced.  She laughed at the pure joy of flight.  Ladon hearing her took her through some dizzying acrobatics that had her clinging to his chest while she screamed and laughed at the same time.  When Ladon finally landed it was at the mouth of another high cave, this one had the overpowering odor of sulfur.

“Is this what I think it is?”

“Hot springs.  We are close to my home now.  We passed the Northern Gate today.”  His voice was a surprise, and she turned to see him changed into a man once again.  He still wore the trousers, but they were so mangled that he was the next thing to naked, and she blushed to see him in the full light of day.  Even dirty and scraggly he was a remarkable sight.  It reminded her forcibly of the night before.  “If you follow the cave back you will find the hot springs and everything you need for a bath and rest.  I will return.”

“What?  You can’t be serious.”  She knew her voice was panicked, but she did not want to be trapped here.  “I’ll go with you.”

“And find myself facing mage trickery?  No better that you stay here.  When I return we will eat.  We will be mated before you leave this cave.”

Then he was gone before Morgan could sputter out a denial.

“Arrogant Dragon!”  She yelled after him.  “Unbelievable gall.  Who does he think he’s playing with?”  She muttered to herself even as she headed into the steam-filled cave.  She opened her hand, and flame shot forth, perhaps a little more than was strictly necessary for what she needed.  She tamped it down and concentrated until she had a ball of light and she sent that floating before her into the cave.

“If he thinks I’m going to be laying around waiting naked for him like some virgin sacrifice for the big bad dragon he can think again.  I’m going to get the lay of the land and then figure some way out of here, before his mightiness returns.”  Morgan realized she was talking to herself and shut up just about the time she found the entrance.

The cave opened up to a grotto, and she saw the hot springs.  An immense natural geyser threw off steam.  There was ferns and night blooming flowers.  Star blooms in their white splendor twinkled and released sweet scents and relaxing vapors into the heavy air.  It was like being in the middle of a primitive jungle.  The magic in the air was incredible, and Morgan felt it working along her skin like a hot caress from a lover’s hand.  In the midst of all that was a giant bed, a real bed, with a thick mattress and clean sheets.

Dragon magic.

She was impressed.

How Melly, Clare, and Rhune would love this place.  That brought her up short.  She found she could ignore the soft bed and the hot springs with the herbal soaps and towels stacked nearby.  The lovely soft towels that like the bed kept their cleanliness by magic.  It was magic she envied.  She could make things grow, change the weather, call on the elements, but this was making something out of nothing.  There was no way these plants were native to this cave, and to keep everything clean?  Did all dragons have that ability?  Then why was Ladon still dirty?  He probably didn’t do this himself, but then who did and why did Ladon assume an extremely powerful dragon would not show up and take exception to a trespassing mage?

She began to search the cave in earnest, using her sight and earth magic.  There were no hidden corridors or blank spaces behind walls that she could detect.  It was strange.  She felt the rock as never before as if she could pull it and bend it.  She could make her own door, she knew it.  But all the way down the mountain through solid rock?  Ridiculous.

She headed back towards the only entrance to the cave and looked down.  Once again, they were in the side of a cliff with no way to walk down.  Wings would be good here, or the ability to make a ladder out of thin air.  She leaned over until she could see the small dirty shoots of scrub.  An exceedingly long ladder.

What if he could mate her?  Dragons mated for life, she knew that, but to mages?  She'd never heard of it, but did that mean it was impossible?  She was already feeling a connection to Ladon after that little episode last night that she refused to think about.  Whatever he did when he bit her, she would not be able to say “No” when she wanted to that much was obvious.  She had to get out now.  Anything else would be unacceptable.  She was not going to tie herself to an adolescent self-absorbed dragon with control issues.  She had to find her family.

She sent her senses out into the mountain once again, looking for those protruding roots and scrubs thinking maybe if she could make them grow, she could use them to climb down, it would take forever, but it was better than nothing.  A strange thing happened when she opened her power up to the mountain; Morgan felt as if she could move the Earth itself, then she felt the wind on her face and with her powers open she felt the eddies and thermals clearly for the first time.  She pulled in more air and laughed as she felt her feet leave the ground, she landed back down with a thump.  Stupid mage, you can control the wind.  All you need is something to hold it.  She headed inside for the sheets off the bed.

Chapter 4

Ladon was not happy to be leaving his mage behind.  From the first time he opened his eyes with the taste of her blood on his lips he had known she was his.  Everything inside him roared that she was the one.  It had been explained once what a mate would feel like when he found one, but he had not expected to feel such for a human, and before his adult molt at that.

It was beyond frustrating to feel the passion in his head and heart, his blood literally burning for her, but his body unable to react.  She had writhed for him, and he could do nothing but cuddle her.  Though that had been sweet and he could still feel the slight connection he started when he injected her with the mating drug.  That was another sign he had found his mate.  His body would only produce the enzyme when his mate was near.  Now he could feel his body warming from the inside out, and his head was screaming for him to go back.  Soon it would be unstoppable.  His second molt was upon him, and he would need to breed her.  He would be mindless with it.  She was mage not dragon and fragile, so little and soft.

He needed answers and someone to help keep her safe when he went through his molt.  He would be helpless, and his mage would be alone.  Then, even when he was finished with the molt, he would be a danger to her.  He needed help and answers, but without knowing who had betrayed him, he would have to move with caution.  He could not go home.  He could not go to his family or the few dragons he called friend.  There was only one he could think of that would be able to keep his small falcon safe and had no reason to want him dead.  It was ironic.  The only person he could trust was a dragon he had never met, and the one all other dragons feared.

Ladon knew the way up the Forsaken Mountain, on a clear day you could see it anywhere in the kingdom of Dracon.  It was the highest peak and some said it housed the oldest, meanest, unmated dragon alive.  He could believe it.  With the shortage of females, it was no surprise that there were dragons who never found their chosen mate.  Most of them died of loneliness and sorrow before they reached their third molt.

Eben Kinkaid was so old even the oldest of them did not know his true age.  But while his name meant literally “river of stone” in the old language, no one would dare offer pity.  If a dragon broke sacred law, he would see Eben Kinkaid with his last breath because it was the black dragon that was the high council’s assassin.  In a race of fierce, nearly immortal fighters, Eben Kinkaid was the nightmare they were all taught to fear from hatchlings.  He was also the only one Ladon would trust with the precious life of his mate.

Ladon reached the high peak of Forsaken and landed on the closest turret.  Forsaken Mountain was actually a castle carved out of a mountain.  Few had ever entered it uninvited and returned to talk about it, but rumors said it was built by dragon dreams, just as many of their grottos and hot springs.  The imposing gates were open, so he changed to his man shape to show he came in peace.  He had not expected the gates to be open.  Dragons were notorious for guarding their treasures behind locked doors and powerful spells.  On the other hand, the open doors must mean that Eben Kinkaid was in residence and who would be suicidal enough to try to take anything of his?

“I could smell you coming a hundred leagues out.”  The dark voice was rough and dry, like sandpaper rubbed directly across the scales.  Ladon turned to face the shadows of the great hall spread out before him.  “You could not have taken the time to bathe as a simple courtesy?  You smell as if you have been rolling in null swill.”

His first sight of the powerful dragon astounded him.  All dragons were beautiful whatever form they wore.  But this one, he was spectacular.  He was a good foot taller than Ladon.  A bit over seven feet and built for strength.  He lacked the beefed look the humans could sometimes employ and instead sported ripcord muscles that allowed for both speed and strength.

He wore a loose tunic and trousers tucked into black boots.  It was the customary garb of their people when in man form.  A medallion hung from his neck with the crest of his house engraved in the ancient gold.  The dragon swimming under a sea of stars twinkled despite the patina of age.  It was his house amulet and Ladon reached for the one around his own neck before he remembered it was gone.  His had shown the river of fire under the dragon star.  He was fire, Eben Kinkaid was water.  Ladon could see that in the fluid way he moved.  His hair was black but with the iridescent sheen, his scales would carry in his other form.  His eyes were a permanent dragon gold.

Big, dark, and deadly he would never look any different than he did right now.  The only thing that showed his true age was the power that surrounded him and shot forth from his eyes.  The heavy weight of it circled Ladon like a living thing.

Ladon had gotten used to being around his tiny mage.  Her delicate form and small stature had given him an all-powerful feeling.  Now he was getting a dose of the opposite.  He did not care for the feeling of vulnerability just looking at the dark dragon produced.  He firmed his chin and looked straight into hard dragon gold.  Then the insult hit, and he could feel his neck redden showing his first molt age as clearly as if he wore a sign.

“I meant no insult.  I could not take the time to bathe.  Time is a luxury right now.”

“There is always time for courtesy hatchling.”  The dark dragon came closer, waving a hand, and every light in the house blazed on.  “And you will find when you have passed a few more cycles that time is rarely a true consideration.”

“When I explain perhaps you will...”

“No, it will not stand.”  The bigger dragon waved his hand, and Ladon felt the magic pulse around him.  Within seconds, he was clean and his hair fell in a straight curtain to his waist, once more its natural brown with just a beginning of the iridescent sparkle he would have with the next transition.  He was also naked.  If that was not distressing enough, his body took that moment to remind him he was entering his molt.  He could literally feel the fire burning in his veins when the black dragon walked closer for what could only be called an inspection.

Never mind being cleaned like a hatchling with his mother, never mind that he was naked.  Now his body decides to enter the first phase of second molt.  A hot wave of desire nearly took him to his knees.  The blood rushed to his cock and filled it with heat until his erection was nearly purple with bulging veins.  He was quite suddenly hard as a rock and standing at attention.  Here, a good hour from his little mage and before the narrowed eyes of Eben Kinkaid himself.  If he had, any blood left north of his cock he’d be blushing.

The scourge of Dragon kind looked him over like a dealer at the bazaar.  “Not bad, hatchling.”  He circled again, this time his fingers trailing over Ladon in small brushes that had his nerves jumping.  His shoulder, his hip, the swell of his ass.  Ladon gasped as the fire speared him at each casual touch.

Eben narrowed his eyes and sniffed.  “You are entering your first adult molt.”

“Yes!”  Ladon said, pushing the unsettling dragon back.  “And my mate is alone even as you waste time.”

There was a dark silence, and Ladon felt the magic build around them.  “You have found a mate?”

“That’s why I’m here.”  But before he could continue, the magic became so heavy he fell to his knees under the pressure.

“You have a mate, and you left her alone?  Unguarded?”

Ladon had to brace himself against the fury pelting him.  It was the most power he had felt in one place, and he was floored by the weight behind it.  He had no doubt that this dragon was powerful enough to kill him without ever raising a claw.

“She’s mage!”  He had to scream it to be heard above the magic funneling around him.  Then as if a switch had been thrown, it was gone.  Ladon pulled himself shakily to his feet.  Did he seriously want this dragon anywhere near his mate?  Did he have a choice?

“That’s impossible.”

“Why?  Because the famed Eben Kinkaid has never seen it?”  He knew his voice was an open challenge, but he was past the point of caring.  His body was on fire and all he wanted to do was fuck.  He had to get back to his mage.  “Look, this is pointless.  I have to get back before I change.  I came here in hopes you would protect my mate while I'm in transition.”  He was proud that his voice sounded so normal, considering his belly was on fire, and his dick was an iron spike.

“Why come here?  You must have your own house to call upon.”

“Because someone wants me dead and my mate...”  His voice fell away, and he was suddenly on the floor writhing against the pain trying to change his body on the molecular level.  He could hear roaring in his head and was too out of it to realize it was him.  When the pain eased, he felt a tail and claws wrap him up, and he was pressed to Eben Kinkaids dragon form, apparently he had finally gotten the message.

Where?  The mind speak was powerful even in his beleaguered mind.

“Last high spring before the North Gate.”  The words were torn from his throat.  He was lost in a river of pain and hunger.

Chapter 5

Morgan was still trying to perfect her control when she felt the fire.  At first, she thought she was just having flashbacks from last night.  She cursed because the flashes of desire were playing merry hell on her concentration.  Breathing steadily to balance the increased nerves rumbling in her belly she was just to the edge of the grotto when the pain started.

It took her a few minutes to realize the pain was not hers.  She lay there shivering and clutching her stomach, tears overflowing her eyes.

“Ladon?”  She whispered it, Horrified by the pain he was feeling, but with the realization that the pain was not hers she could breathe again.  There was a wave of heat so strong she was rolled by it.  She ended up next to the hot springs, and something in the mist soothed her enough that she saw it as a lifeline and rolled right into the hot water, raggedy shift and all.  The heat of the spring should have made it worse.  Instead, Morgan could think again, at least enough to assess the situation.

Ladon was coming, of that she had no doubt.  This must be the molt.  He would come and when this was over, he would be a fully-grown dragon in his prime ready to mate.  Damn it.  There was no way she could keep her concentration enough to fly when this was upon her.  Not when she could feel this need like a brand in the blood.

He would get his virgin sacrifice after all.  She only hoped she survived it.  After a while, Morgan could no longer stand the feel of her wet dress plastered against her sensitive skin and she ripped it off and tossed it away.  She palmed her breasts, but the feel of her own hands was too much against her painfully tight nipples.  At least she would get that bath.  She used the soap, cleaned every inch of her body careful of her screaming clit, and flushed nipples, trying to ignore the open nerve endings and waves of need that nearly drowned her.  At a calm moment, she used her fingers to comb out her newly clean hair.  She spread it out on the stone lip and was amazed when it dried almost immediately.

She stepped out of the pool and as soon as she was out, she was dry.  She could feel the magic working along her skin.  Even the brush of her hair was too much, so she ripped a piece of cloth from her dress and tied her hair to the top of her head.  When she couldn’t take it anymore, she jumped back into the water and sat so it was up to her chin.  The relief was immediate.  She didn’t know why, but the water seemed to serve as a buffer between the magic in the room and her yearning flesh.  The swirl of the water kept her in a constant state of need, but it was still better than the alternative.

Then the heat built again and it was so strong, Morgan knew that Ladon had arrived.  It didn’t occur to her to wonder how he could have flown in his condition until she looked up into two sets of gold dragon eyes.  One was Ladon, still in human form, shuddering in the arms of a much bigger black dragon.  She had thought when she saw Ladon's dragon shape that nothing could surpass its beauty and majesty.  She had been wrong.

Morgan swallowed hard as the Dragon form before her swirled with magic and instantly the black became a seven-foot naked man with iridescent black hair and an erection that could not have been made with human women in mind.  Too wide, too long, and it was growing before her eyes.  As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t seem to look away from that pulsing cock.

Then he was in the water with her, Ladon still in his arms.

Her eyes came to rest on Ladon, or tried to, but he sank under the water and didn’t come back up.  Morgan shot forward thinking he would drown, but before she could reach him, she was pulled into the lap of a large naked man she didn’t know.  She did what any other insignificant prey would do caught by a predator.  She froze.

“He will come up when he has finished the change.”  That voice.  It rode across her skin leaving shivers in its wake.  Her body responded by ramping up all the heat from the change into her pussy and nipples.  She arched her back and her knees opened without any conscious direction on her part.

He stood up with a splash and adjusted her one handed so that she was straddling his lap despite her new efforts to close her legs.  The more she tried to push away from him the closer he pulled her, until his hard cock was cradled up against her spread pussy.  She froze again, her eyes flying to his face.  His eyes were old gold, dragon eyes, but with an aged patina that added power and weight to his stare.  She had never felt such power, like an oversized mantle pressing down on her shoulders.

“You are no dragon.”  He said it in wonder, his eyes radiating stark possession.  “Yet you are dragon mate.  You are feeling his heat so you must be his.  But I would know you anywhere.”

She shuddered at the power building up against her skin.  Everywhere he touched her was a small invasion.

“I don’t understand any of this.”  Her voice was a soft whisper in the dark, which was not at all what she intended.  She could feel his reaction shiver up her skin and then his mouth was on hers in a hard possession that did not ask permission but took everything.  His lips and tongue invaded and his magic, the essence of the man, followed.

She lost the ability to think with the first heady taste of him.  She was lifted from the water.  She didn’t care as long as he got no further than her arms and legs could hold him.  His neck and shoulders was a hard column beneath her arms and hands.  Her legs wrapped tight around his waist and hard thighs.  They were dry before she vaguely felt the bed at her back, then he was closer, so close she was wrapped around him like a blanket and he was a heady weight crushing her down.

Her need to breathe had her rearing back with a gasp and he took the chance to run his lips down her throat.  He stopped over her pulse, and the bite that Ladon had given her.  He growled, then looked into her befuddled eyes.

“Mine!”  He roared it, reared back until he found the gate to her slick pussy, and took possession in one thrust.  Morgan screamed feeling ripped apart.  Then his teeth pierced her shoulder and his magic thrust into her soul binding them so close together she was not sure which parts were hers and which were his.

She saw her life through eyes of old gold, the death of her parents was relived in all its horror.  The faces of her family flashed before them, then the betrayal, their flight to the cold mountains.  Her capture, her fear for her family and her time with Ladon, it was all there for him to see.  Every fear she had ever had, every moment she had ever laughed or cried.

Then his long existence, which seemed to go on and on with no color, no love, no hope.  She watched him kill repeatedly, without feeling, for justice, for the belief that what he did kept Dragon kind safe.  He knew other dragons were taught to fear him and he accepted it.  He watched the millennia pass in blood and death until all dragons avoided him.  He watched them from a distance with their mates and hatchlings.  He watched and believed they were right.  That he was somehow unworthy of a mate because of what he was:  The Executioner.  Nightmare of dragon kind.  The belief that he would always be as he was.  Alone.

Together Morgan and Eben relived his meeting with Ladon.  Searching for a way to feel again, if only for a moment.  She felt the punch to his soul that he felt on first seeing her.  So beautiful, so fragile.  A gift of the light waiting in a sacred hot spring.

Where have you been?  He thought it when he first set eyes on his mate after so long a wait.  So lonely, nearly at the end of his long endurance, so unbearably cold and suddenly there was warmth on his skin.

Morgan drowned in his need.  He believed that he was unworthy of finding a mate.  He had killed so many, and he was so old, so set in his ways.  She would be better off with Ladon, he knew it, but he could not let her go.  Death would come on swift wings to any that came between him and his mate.  His Mate.  Even thinking it was a miracle.

He had nearly killed Ladon for daring to try and take her, it would have been so easy, but there was no mistaking the twine of magic connecting aura to aura.  To hurt one was to hurt the other.  So he would keep them both.

He raised his head and watched in satisfaction as his mate bite closed dragon fast.  Then he transformed one nail to a sharp talon and cut into his chest, holding her head up to the wound until the taste reached her lips.

Morgan struggled up from the hailstorm she was swirling in.  Taking blood was a dark mage trick and she had been raised to see it as heinous.  Such thoughts might have brought her to her senses but Eben had the power of ages.  A young mage had no chance against him, even enhanced by Ladon's dragon mark.  That would change with the bonding but by then she would be his in every way.  With a touch of his will, she latched on with her petal soft mouth, pulling his blood into her body as she pulled on his soul.

The flow of magic continued to circle cinching them tighter and tighter, settling soul to soul until one could not exist without the other.

He pulled her head away from the wound and took possession of her lips, licking the blood off and then plunging into her mouth to chase the taste of them mixed together.

Morgan was no longer feeling any pain but the heat of passion was rising with each taste.  He was still embedded fully inside of her.  When he could take it no more he pulled almost all the way out and plunged back in.  He showed no mercy for her untried state, nor did she ask for any, arching into each pounding thrust trying to get more of him as the pleasure built.  If she had still been only mage, he would have broken her.  But with the bonding, she was more and she needed him.

“Harder.”  The word was only a whisper attached to a gasp but he was in her mind.  He felt her need and pounded her into the bed, until with a cry, she came.  He roared his release as the pleasure burst inside them.  At one point Morgan lost control and sent a wave of mage fire outward, but he took it; absorbing it and sending it back to her in dragon fire.  She was consumed.

The flames had barely receded when she felt Ladon stirring in her mind.  She knew he had felt everything she had.  He knew as well as she did Eben's history and his dark despair.  The joy Eben had felt the moment he’d seen Morgan and his decision that both mates would belong to him.  That no one would take them from him.  Eventually it would mean something but for now, he needed.

Eben rolled out of her and to the side just as Ladon burst from the spring.  Morgan caught her breath at the look of him.  Golden bronze and bigger, in both height and musculature.  He had been beautiful before, now he was something from a dream, almost too shiny and new to look at.  Bigger than he had been, he was just under seven feet, with wide shoulders and slim hips.  His shimmering bronze hair was incandescent and showed the exact color his dragon scales would now be.

He didn't give Morgan even a moment to catch her breath.  Other than directing what amounted to a dragon hiss at Eben, he fell on her as if she was the last bit of water in the desert.  He pushed his hard cock into her and she arched up to meet him.  The mating heat slammed into her and she needed MORE!  He plunged in again and again and she met each thrust taking all he had to give aware in some small way that Eben was a part of it all.  When Ladon sank his teeth into Morgan, Eben was with them.

They saw Ladon's life, from his hatching to the betrayal.  Saw the moment he woke powerless in the cold, with chain on his ankle, his strength and magic entirely sapped out of him, and surrounded by dark mage soldiers.  The crying of his heart when he realized one of his own had betrayed him, though he knew not who.

They felt his silent rage and despair, knowing that he would die cold and alone without ever having truly lived.  They saw together the moment he opened his eyes and saw the angel who had pulled him from the cold, so willing to give her life for his.  Felt too his soul deep need to keep his mate safe, even from himself.

They saw him meet Eben, his desire and embarrassment at his lack of control.  They knew he had felt rage when Eben had touched his mate when he was brought here to protect her, then his understanding and acceptance.

They felt every second of his life and thoughts in fast forward, including his relief that he would not be the only one keeping Morgan safe.  His tiny mage, so small, but no longer so fragile and unprotected.  Eben could protect her while he hunted down the betrayer.

Denial was loud in Morgans’ head, whether hers or Ebens she was unsure but neither of them was willing to have Ladon in jeopardy.  He would not face this danger alone.  It was certainly Morgan who thought to leave.  She had to find her family, but what would that mean for her dragons?

An immediate roar went up and Morgan felt herself and Ladon flipped in a roll.  She was now on top still clutching Ladon deep inside.  Eben came over the both of them.  She felt a shot of magic flow through her ass and then Eben was plunging that big cock into her back entrance.  She screamed, rearing back, but spiked as she was by two cocks there was nowhere to go.

Eben's entire being pushed into her and the still connected Ladon, branding her as his property even as she screamed the pleasure/pain from the dual assault.  He leaned forward further, plunging into Morgan as he bit down on Ladon's shoulder, drawing blood.  Ladon roared as the magic flared forest fire hot with the three of them at the center.  Eben finally pulled back, licking the blood from his lips, his eyes on Ladons in a deep primal satisfaction.  Neither of them would be leaving him.  He would hold what was his.

Ladon hissed at him, feeling the bonds snap into place.  Eben ignored him, arching back and thrusting harder into Morgan, reveling in the feel of his mates, his family.  His to protect.

Ladon grabbed Eben's wrist and bit down.  The pull of the blood completed the circle and the flame burned hotter until they were as one.  They pounded and thrust taking Morgan in all ways until they felt her final barriers fall.  There would be no more talk of leaving, ever.  Then, with a roar that could be heard all through the kingdom, they came.  For Morgan it was too much when the final orgasm hit, she blacked out.

Chapter 6

She came back to awareness above the hot spring while Eben lowered her down into Ladons waiting arms.  He cuddled her close as he settled.  The hot water soothed over the lingering sparks of magic.  Morgan could feel her aura was back where it was supposed to be but it was changed.  Bits of Eben and Ladon clung to her, just as she clung to them.  She felt connected to the Dragon magic as she never had before and memories that were not her own still filtered through her thoughts.  It was disconcerting to be one person for so long and then wake up as someone else.  She still loved her family, but she could no more leave her dragon mates than she could stop breathing.

“We would not have let you go regardless.”  Ladon pulled her closer into his lap, brushing her hair back behind her ears tenderly.  Somewhere she had lost her tie and it fell around them like a soft cape.  She laid her head against his chest because she was just too tired to do anything else.  Later she would think about how to make her family safe.

“We will find the little ones.”  Eben stated drawing her eyes to him.  “They will be safe here under our protection.”

She stared at him, searching his face, and feeling his absolute conviction and possession.  She loved them so they too would be his.  Then she looked up at Ladon, who seemed so much more daunting as a full adult dragon, and mate.  Let’s not forget mate.  He nodded, rubbing his finger down her soft cheek as if he could not stop touching her.

“I was wrong to think you could just leave them.  I didn’t understand.  I’m sorry little falcon.  We will find them.”  She hid her face in his neck and clung to him, as she burst into tears.  For so long it had been her impossible responsibility to keep everyone safe.  To know that these powerful dragons were declaring their protection, that they now shared her burden; it was nothing short of miraculous.  She had been so alone for so long.

“Shh, little heart.”  She felt Eben rubbing her back.  “You will never be alone again.”  Ladon met his eyes over their sobbing mate.  Neither of them had any experience with the softer emotions.  Eben especially was sure he had lost those years ago.  To go from centuries of loneliness and selfishness to having a family was no small thing.  He wanted to be worthy of the honor.  On top of that she was everything a mate should be, not only beautiful and soft on the outside, but on the inside as well, courageous, loyal, and giving with a fiery passion that ate his heart.  It was beyond all expectations.

He felt Ladon's determination merging with his own.  They would find her missing hatchlings and bring them home.  No one would harm their new family; any that tried would die in dragon fire and pain.

Morgan sat up, wiping her eyes and sniffing.  “Can we go now?  They have been out there on their own for days.  I am so afraid we won’t find them before something terrible happens.”

“We’ll see you to safety at first light.  We will find them and bring them to you.  You will be safe in the castle until we return.”  Eben was so used to fearful reverence from all that he did not expect the argument he got from his new mate, nor her swift change from soft to fierce.

“You are completely deranged if you think I am going to stay behind locked in a castle while you go after my family.”

Ladon held her tight around the waist, keeping her in place on his lap.  “We will have enough to carry without one more.”

Morgan fought against his hold determined to stand.  “Clare and Rhune can fly, you need only carry Milly and me, and if I can get my wind right, not even me.”

“You will stop this experimenting at once.  You will go nowhere without one of us regardless.”  Eben said, his big finger pointing right at her nose, as if she was some child in need of sense.  “And they would be too slow as birds.  They would never make the trip at our speed.”

She smacked his hand away, utterly shocking Eben.  He could not remember a time when someone was so unimpressed with the threat he represented.

“Rhune and Clare can turn into anything they see, including big nosed dragons.  They won’t be a burden.”  She finally gave up trying to wiggle out of Ladon's lap when she felt how much he liked it.  “I’m going.”

“You are not.”  Eben barked.  “You will stay where it’s safe.”

“You’ll never find them without me.”

He growled.  “I am the best hunter alive.  I have been hunting since before your puny species discovered fire.  Three little hatchlings will not be so difficult.”

“Really?”  She crossed her arms, ignoring Ladon’s arm still wrapped around her waist.  “And what will you be tracking?  Which animal or insect for that matter will Rhune and Clare be?  And Melly is a windtalker.  Do you know what that is?  Not only will the wind send her messages of pursuit but it will actively hide her.  There will be no scent to track, even if you knew where to acquire it.  So you cannot use your nose.  What about your eyes?  Can a dragon’s eyes be fooled by a clever wind?”  This time she pointed the finger.  “You will never find them without me!”

Eben looked her over with frustration then zeroed in on Ladon.  “Why are you not speaking?  You want her out of danger as much as I do.”

Ladon smirked at the older dragon.  “I would not waste what is left of this night with talk.”  He pulled her hair to the side and kissed her neck.  “We are in her heart.  You know as well as I do that she will just follow if we attempt to leave her.  Better she be with us than flying through Dracon with a bed sheet as her wings.”

Morgan smiled, then turned her head and kissed his chin for the support.  He took advantage by kissing her fully on the lips.

Eben cursed long and loud in the old tongue but no one was paying attention.  Morgan wrapped her arms around Ladon’s neck behind her, while she arched into his hands.  Eben growled seeing her presented like a feast before him.  He was not used to being ignored.

He ducked under the water and pressed his mouth to her open pussy.  Morgan squeaked and then moaned when he licked up into her and nipped.  Ladon swallowed both sounds and the release that followed a short time later.  Then he adjusted her until he could press into her from behind.  They both groaned at the feel of her hot and wrapped around his cock.

Eben stood up and the water fell off him in rivulets.  Both Ladon and Morgan lost their breaths at the sheer masculine beauty before them.  Morgan licked her suddenly dry lips, her eyes of the male animal pulsating before her.

Eben moved forward until he was pressing his large cock with its bulbous head against her sweet lips.  Morgan licked him, found the taste addicting, and licked again, until she was learning him with her tongue and lips.  She could feel Ladon twitching with each foray of her tongue on Ebens cock.

“Suck it.”  Eben's voice was dark erotic dominance, and he reinforced it by grabbing her hair and yanking her into place.

Ladon shuddered when she clenched around the pulsating cock buried inside her.

“Oh, she liked that.”  He said, his teeth nipping at her ear.  “Do it again.”

“Morgan.”  That voice she thought ought to be outlawed gave her commands showing her what he liked.  She took as much of him as she could, working her tongue against the bottom of his shaft until he was jerking in reaction.  She sucked her cheeks hollow as he withdrew, whimpering in erotic fear as he pushed back in.

Then Ladon started moving, his hard rod rubbing a spot inside her that made her lose control.  She clamped down hard on Eben, swallowing a goodly half of him and milking the cum from his balls.  He came down her throat with a roar.  When he finally pulled back, Morgan was gasping but she only got a moment to breathe again before Ladon was pulling her chin up to his and kissing her.

He lifted and turned them both until she rested belly down over the rim of the hot springs.  It gave him the leverage for some serious pounding until she screamed her orgasm.  Three more strokes and he was roaring his own.

Sometime later they were drifting, piled together across the rock seat.  Morgan was laid across their laps side by side.  Her head on Eben’s shoulder her thighs across Ladon.

Ladon caressed her legs under the water and Eben had her snuggled up to his chest.  His fingers were making soothing circles on her back.

“Will it always be like this?”  She asked dreamily, content momentarily to let tomorrow take care of itself.

“From what I have seen of dragon mating, it will only get better.”  Eben’s voice was soft.  She sighed and burrowed deeper into him.  Eventually they made it back to the bed.

Chapter 7

The sun had not yet fully risen and there was crispness to the air that spoke of coming rain.  The land was a cool wash of grey until they crossed the North Gate and left behind the dragon mists and magic.  Entering the frost of the Northern Mountains was something of a shock after feeling the thermals of power on the Dragon side of the North Gate.  It felt like being suddenly dropped into an icy stream after basking in the sun all afternoon.

The magic has flown from these lands.  Eben said in her mind.

Is it because the dragons don’t come here?

No.  Dragons stopped coming when the magic left.

Why did it leave?

Some humans found magic inside them and it was good.  They were friends of dragon kind and we all prospered.  Then mages came that craved powers not their own.  They found ways to drink down the powers of others.

The blood rights.

Yes.  The dark mages and their blood rights.  They rose in power and the few that could have stopped them let fear rule.  They hid instead of fighting and the reign of the Dark Mages began.  The magic flew away because the people fear it.

Will it ever return?  Her words were steeped in sadness and he wished he could give her a different answer.

Things change.  One day the Dark Mages will come to their end and the humans will be free of that tyranny, but they will always fear what magic can do.  They will not want the magic to return, because they have seen what it can be.  I am afraid that the choice your people made to hide their magic will always be the way of it.

We’ll always be hiding.  She was glad that the wind pulled her tears off her cheeks before they could fall.

Not you, little heart, you, and yours are now dragon kin.  You no longer need live in silence.  You will be free to work your magic without fear of the bonfire and the mob.  You are safe.

Yes. My family will be safe.  But what about the rest?  Why did the dragons not stop the dark mages?

He didn’t want to say but she felt the answer just the same.  Dragon arrogance, the problems of mere humans were not worthy of their attention.  We reap what we have sown.

I have never felt that way.  But it is a common feeling of the council.  She felt him sigh and pull her closer.  I am sorry little one.

You forget that other things have changed as well.  Ladon mind spoke from behind them.  Dragons have found their mates among the human mages.  She will not be the last that finds sanctuary among our kind.

Eben was thoughtful as he looked to the future.

Yes.  He finally said his voice thoughtful.  This will change things.

Ladon laughed.  Too right.  What do you think the mate-less among us will do when they find out that their mate could be among the Human mages?  Human mages that are being wiped from existence?

They will be at the Councils door, demanding the right to hunt.  Eben groaned.  There will be war with the humans.

Morgans mind voice was tentative.  With the Dark Mages maybe.  The humans without power won’t fight the dragons.  Certainly not over the magic users among them, they have already shown that.  Once the dark mages are gone, all you’d have to do is ask for them.  They’d be delivered to your door.  The last was bitter, but Ladon did not notice it.

Brilliant, little falcon.  Ladon laughed again.  We’ll just pick the ones we want and send the others back.

The ones you want?  As in the ones you can mate?  There was no mistaking the anger behind the question and the wind was suddenly turning cold around them...  What if they don’t want to be mate to a dragon?  They have no say in it?  And what happens to the others? You just send them back to certain death?

His mind voice came back in a confused sputter. Eben ended the discussion.

Clearly, we will have to think on this problem.  It is not something that can be decided between just the three of us.

Will I have a say in that discussion?  This time the bitterness was more than apparent.  Will any mage?  Or will dragons decide the fate of mage kind?

If you know nothing else, know that your happiness will always be at the forefront of my thoughts.

And mine.  Ladon seconded.

And that means what?

Your causes are our causes.  You will have a voice in any discussion that is vital to you, even if it is through our lips.

Morgan felt the truth in his thoughts and could breathe again.  The winds around them warmed noticeably.  A tendril curled around them like a warm caress across his scales.  Thank you Eben.

What he said.

She laughed.  Thank you too, Ladon.

Eben was sure she had no idea of what her power was doing.  With their mating, she had grown in power so much that the elements seemed to be but an extension of her feelings.  When she mastered her control, she would be a force to be reckoned with.

When they had come far enough on their journey Morgan lifted her face to the wind and breathed deep.  They are to the South.  Far from here.  Farther than they should be.  She was worried and it was clear in her voice.  Around them clouds began to form.

Little heart you must control your magic or we will soon be drenched.

She looked at Eben, clearly surprised.  He felt her confusion and then she took a firmer grasp on her leaking magic.  It was harder than it should have been.  There was more contained inside her than ever before.

You are more than you were.  Sharing blood with dragons is no small thing.  Your powers are growing and your control must grow with it.

She concentrated hard until her magic was once again locked tight away deep inside her.  It did not sit comfortably as it once had.  Always before she had needed to concentrate to use her magic, now, it was more like she had to concentrate not to use it.

What is it you fear?

The Dark Mages reside in the Valley of Silence, far to the South.  We all know that direction is death, but it feels as if that’s where they went.

You sense them?  Can you speak to them?

No.  I do not have that power.  I can feel that they’re all in that direction and I can feel that they still live, but that is the extent of it.

Ladon sent a wave of reassuring warmth through her thoughts.  Whatever we face, we face together.  We will get them back.

Morgan pulled that warmth around her like a cloak, even as she pressed her head into Ebens soft scales.  Hurry please.  There’s no good reason for them to be where they are.

Eben pulled her in tighter, his tail a firm anchor around her middle.  She was cradled safe in his arms, but he could not protect her heart if something happened to the hatchlings.  The thought was unacceptable to both Dragons.

They wasted no more time on leisurely flight; instead, both unfurled power until their wings rode magic rather than wind.  They reached the last mountain peak overlooking the Valley of Silence before the afternoon was half-gone.  Unlike the mountains and valleys they had passed, all that was before them was flat and barren.  Even the mountains were a stark skeleton of rocks and dirt.  An eerie shadow of what should have been.

They stood together at the precipice, Morgan, with Eben and Ladon in their man forms, looking out across the desert that was once green fields.  It rivaled in many ways Ebens mountain fortress with high walls and grand towers, but where Ebens was a part of the mountain it was carved from, this castle and its walls was made of ebony glass that cut the life from the land.  There was one road tattooed across the sand that led to the first walled city of the blood mage.  None but the magnull and their soldiers crossed it voluntarily.  All others came in prison wagons to be presented, sacrifices for the dark mages power.  And this was only one of four such atrocities that scarred the land.

Morgans face had gone white, even the dragons couldn't contain their reaction.  They were repulsed by the death that surrounded the place like a cloud of evil vapor.  Such a killing of the land was anathema to their kind.  The Earth was the great mother from which all life sparked.  This was a clear rape of that life and it hurt to see it.

“I knew that the Magic had flown, but this...”  Ebens voice was rough.

“He has them.”  Morgan said flatly, her voice breaking only a little.  “He has my family in that place of nightmares.”

Ladon pulled her against his side without looking away from the death before them.  “Then we get them out.  Now.”

It took Eben another minute to deal with the rage that flowed.  That the dragons in their arrogance had allowed this to happen was offensive.  That it should continue, inconceivable.  The council had to be notified, but he could not leave an innocent within those walls for another minute.

“We will bring out your younglings.”  Eben said his voice an angry whip of dragon fire.  “Then we take this travesty to the council.  One way or another, this time of dark mages will be ended.”  He pointed to the barren wasteland before them.  “This will not stand.”  Then he turned back to Morgan.  “You will stay here.”

There was no room for argument, or discussion, they could all feel his utter refusal to have his mate enter such a place, even at his side.  He would let the world burn around them before he allowed that.  Ladon was in complete agreement.

Morgan wanted to argue, but she felt their resolve and she would not waste the time.  Instead, she pulled away from Ladon and stepped back.  “Go.  Hurry please; get them out of that place.  I'll stay here.  Just bring them back quickly.”  Ladon pulled her back into his arms for a hard kiss then carried her back so that she was closer to the rock face and under an overhang, as safe as they could make her.  He held her face against his briefly.

“Be safe.”  He whispered against her cheek.  Then he stepped to the ledge.

Eben came next.  He ran a hand down her neck until his thumb caressed the mark on her neck.  “Be good.”  His voice was a command that required an answer, so she nodded her agreement.  Then he too was at the ledge.  She watched them change in a swirl of magic that fluttered her new dress about her ankles.  Ladon had conjured it for her that morning to match her eyes.  He had been so pleased by his new powers, and the thought made her smile.  The happy thought fled even as she held the skirt in place.  She bit her lip as she watched them arch across the sky.

If either of you get hurt I’ll be coming in after you.  Just keep that in mind and don’t take chances.

The response from both dragons was immediate:

You step one foot off that rock and I’ll blister your ass.  Ladon

The thought alone is enough to get you punished.  When we reach your new home, we will see to that.  Ebens voice went very soft but the feeling behind them were hard as steel.  There is no one in these walls I will not sacrifice to see you safe.  Do not force me to make such a choice.  None of us will be happy with it.

I would never put you in that position, I said I will stay here and I will, but I meant what I said too:  Be careful, because once you both arrive, everything I love will be in that place, and you understand this, I won’t leave anybody behind here.  Not any of you.

The first attack hit them in the air before they could do more than curse her stubbornness.

The dark magic fireballs reigned through the sky.  From where Morgan stood, she could see the entire valley.  It looked as if the sky itself had exploded.  She lifted the lid on her magic thinking to help but Ebens voice roared through her mind.

DO NOT!  The Mage will be able to follow the magic back to its source!

Then Ladon was laughing in her head.  There is nothing here to harm us little Falcon, it is all just pretty sparkles.

Morgan closed the lid on her magic, and sealed it tight.  Then stop playing around and get in there.

As my lady commands.

As one, the dragons turned and dived at the dark mage’s Fortress.  They didn't bother with doors but crashed through the walls as if it was indeed the black glass it resembled, instead of rock.  Morgan lost sight of them but she felt Eben and Ladon merge thoroughly with her until she was in the castle with them.  She could feel her family.  Melisande was somewhere above, while Clare and Rhune were below.  The dragons split up.  Ladon headed down, crashing through floors and magic until he came to the dungeons of the blood mage.

Careful Ladon.  You don’t want to hurt anyone trapped there.

Ladon shifted in a swirl of magic until he stood there as a man with armor the color of a burning sun.  When the dark mage soldiers came, they found him in all his shining glory with a sword of fire ready in his hands.  Most of them ran as soon as they saw what they were up against.  The few who fought died.  Each cell he passed opened with a flick of dragon magic but there were none brave enough to try escape until he was long past.  That was, no one brave enough until he reached the last cell anyway.

He saw Rhune first.  The child stood before his taller sister as if he was a warrior grown.  He had Morgan’s fiery green eyes and a mop of dark auburn hair.  Stubborn determination was in every line of his little face.  The girl behind him had the same eyes.  She looked like a smaller, skinny version of Morgan up to the firm set of the lips and stubborn jaw.

I definitely see the resemblance, and I’m not talking about the eyes and hair.

They are unhurt?

No one would dare hurt these two.

Bring them to me.  Please, Ladon.  He could feel her worry and relief and he sent her a wave of reassurance.

“Morgan is waiting beyond the walls for you both.  If we keep her waiting much longer she will probably storm the gates herself.”

Clare stepped in front of the boy, her eyes hopeful but suspicious.

“Morgan is here?  Where is she?  We thought she was taken.  Who are you?  Where’s Morgan?”

“Yes.  She’s waiting for you outside the valley.  It’s a long story, but once I get you to Morgan all will be explained.”

“How do we know this isn’t a trick?”  This from the suspicious eight year old.

“Would you rather stay here?”

Then Clare raised that stubborn chin.  “We aren’t leaving without Melly.”

“Melly is being extracted, even as we speak.”  He hoped.

Eben had been strangely cut off for the last bit of time.  He shook that off; if anyone could take care of himself, it was Eben Kinkaid.

Before he could say anything else, a great dragon roar trumpeted above them.  Eben in a rage could not be a good thing.

“Time to go.”  He said all humor gone.

He expanded out with his power until the walls bulged outward and he shimmered into his dragon form, whipping the kids up into his clawed arms and wrapping his tail around them.  He didn't give them a chance to do anything but squeak and he was flying, hunched low to protect them from the debris.

He met blue sky and saw Eben exploding forth from the highest tower.  The sight of the fiery red tresses shining from within his arms had Ladon breathing a sigh of relief.  But Eben was still mad about something because he turned mid air and blasted the falling towers with a wave of dragon fire.  If anyone had survived his exit, they were dead now.

Ladon, Eben is closed to me.  What is happening?

He’s fine, little Falcon and I have your hatchlings.  Eben is in a rage but we are clear and heading your way.

Melisande?

Eben has her.

By then Ladon was clear of the city.  Eben took a few more flybys spitting fire at any soldiers he could find.  Whatever had set off his temper was still riding him.  Ladon was careful to keep Morgan out of his thoughts.  He was sure that whatever was making Eben kill as many as he could, it had to do with the fiery haired wind talker he was cradling in his scaled arms.  He hoped he was wrong.

Ladon reached the cliff where Morgan waited first.  He placed his small wiggling burdens at her feet and watched as they squealed and threw themselves into Morgans waiting arms.  This, come to think of it, was what Ladon wanted to do too.

They all started talking at once.

“Did they hurt you?  Are you well?”

“We thought you were taken.”

“We came to rescue you.”  That from Rhune.

“You did what?! “

He looked from her to the Dragon.  “Well, we didn’t know you had a dragon did we?”

Before they could get into that Eben landed.  He didn't set his burden down, but changed back to his man shape with her still in his arms.  His face was as blank as Morgan had ever seen it.  She swallowed hard, leaving her suddenly quiet siblings behind her she reached Eben, her hand brushing back a fall of titanium hair to show a bruised and beaten face.

“Melly.”  She said her voice a whisper of pain.  As quiet as she was the girl heard it and opened the eye not swollen shut.

“Morgan?”  The voice was a whimper of hope.  Ladon wanted to break something.  Go back and level the fortress to the ground and burn the ashes.  The little face that looked so much like his mate smiled, her abused lips broke open and bled at the movement.  Morgan took the hand she reached out to her.

“It’s me Melly.”  Then her voice broke.  “I came for you.”

“Knew you would.  Told him you would.”  She coughed and the sound was like glass breaking.  “I kept them safe, hid their powers.  I made sure he couldn’t touch them.  He...”  She started crying, great sobs of pain that had Morgan wrapping herself around her in Ebens arms.

Rhune buried his face in Clare’s stomach.  They were both crying.

“Shh, Melly,” Morgan was crying so hard herself she could barely get the words out.  Eben looked up at Ladon, and the rage firing behind dragon gold eyes matched his own.  There would be a reckoning for this, but for now…

“We must fly little heart.  We have healers among our people who are unparalleled.  In the meantime,” Morgan felt his dragon magic wrap around them, and then Melly slipped away, unconscious.  “She will feel no pain.”

Morgan shuddered one more time, wiping her eyes and stepping back.  “All right.”

She turned to Clare and Rhune.  Her chin rising as she found her inner strength.  “You think you can become a dragon for the flight?”

Clare was shaking her head.  “We can’t change; we haven’t been able to since we were caught.”

“Then you shall ride a dragon and we will leave this dead valley behind.”  Ladon said switching back and reaching for the little ones, proving beyond a doubt that the argument about having to carry too much was ridiculous.  Morgan waited for Eben to change and then stepped up, taking the unconscious Melisande in her arms and feeling Ebens dragon tail wrap around them both.  Even the feel of the wind in dragon flight was not enough to distract her from her sister’s battered face.

Chapter 8

The Dragons spared no time in play.  Eventually they passed the North Gate as a blur and were swooping into the majestic fortress growing out of the Forsaken Mountain.

The dragons placed their passengers down gently.  Eben had put out the call for the healer as soon as they passed into dragon territory and she was fast on their heels, her protective mate by her side.  Both flashed into their human bodies as soon as they landed.  Both were incredibly beautiful in both forms, and clearly surprised at the human/dragon gathering.  Then they caught sight of Ladon.

“Prince Ladon.”  The healer squawked, before continuing in more disapproving tones.  “Your family has been frantic since you disappeared.”

Morgan narrowed her eyes at the dragon healers tone and just managed to bite back a heated response at her obvious judgment when she saw how Ladon stiffened at the censure, his eyes flashing an angry dragon gold.  But it was Eben who spoke.

“Prince Ladon does not answer to you Shehar.”  He said with bite, his voice a powerful boom that had the healer cringing and her mate bristling.  “Here is your patient.”  Eben gestured to the woman still held in his mates caring arms.

Despite the obvious fear Eben inspired in the other dragons one look at Morgan kneeling on the floor with her sister across her lap had the dragon healer sneering.  “I do not waste my talent on humans.”

“They are mage.”  Eben snapped, “And mine to protect.  Refuse them and you refuse me.”

The healer paled, no small thing since she was already so pale, if her eyes had not been silver Morgan would have thought she was an Albino.  Without more than a brief worried look at her mate, she stepped up and placed her hands above where Melly and Morgan waited.

Morgan felt the dragon magic as it shimmered around her.  She held Melly protectively close, not quite trusting the beautiful healer.  Though she could feel through the bond that while Eben and Ladon were angry at her attitude they didn't worry she would do aught else but what she'd been commanded.

The bruises and cuts disappeared even as Morgan watched.  She had always been able to heal herself with her own fire but this was something greater.  To be able to heal others in such a way was a truly wondrous gift.  One her mother had carried, but none of the children had inherited.

Too bad it was in the hands of such a self-righteous bitch.  Ladon snorted at her thoughts, part in agreement and part in amusement.

Shehar is one of the oldest of us and set in her ways.  Eben’s voice whispered through her head to join Ladons even as the healer faltered, her eyes flashed sorrow as the magic intensified around Melisande.  Finally, with a sad huff she stepped away just as Melly opened her eyes.  She didn’t have a scratch on her.

“Are you all right?”  Morgan asked pushing Mellys hair back from her face.

“I feel...Fine.”  Melly said, then smiled.  Morgan laughed in relief.  Rhune barreled into his sister’s arms with a happy whoop as Clare followed.  Soon they were all laughing.  Morgan among them until she looked up and caught the pitying eyes of the healer.  She pulled out from beneath the others and left them laughing behind her.

She went to the healer who stood a whole foot taller.  “What is it?”  She whispered so the children would not hear.  It was not until Eben stepped behind her in obvious support that she was answered.

“There was much to be healed and not all of it physical.”  She said her haughty voice dropping to a low octave.  “I have blocked the memories but she has much power that is still growing.  Eventually she will remember...and she has been marked.”  The dragon looked to Eben when she said that.

“Impossible.”  Eben said immediately as Morgan felt her blood turn cold.  “Mages cannot mark as dragons do.”

“He used dragon’s blood and magic to do it.”

There was a great silence; even the healer’s mate looked shell-shocked.  Morgan tried to get through the block that was erected in Ebens head but he was too determined to keep her out.  When that didn’t work, she turned to Ladon.

His thoughts were full of both horror and anger.  But the problem was suddenly crystal clear.  The dark mage had been drinking dragon blood and he had fed his dragon-fuelled blood to Melisande to bind her, sexually.  Morgan lost the feeling in her legs and would have fallen if Eben had not picked her up into his arms.  “Was she raped?”  She whispered the abomination so that only the dragons would hear.

“No.  I believe his intent was to breed her.”

“And you can’t force a mage to bear children.”  She buried her face in Ebens neck and held on tight.  Whatever the blood mage had intended to do to Melly it was more than physical if he needed her consent to breed.

“Do you know whose blood was used?”  Eben asked, his voice a cold northern wind.

“Not the specific dragon but the house.  Yes.”  She looked pointedly at Ladon.  “It was blood from the royal house of fire.”

Ladon choked on his shock, even as he prepared to roar his innocence.

Easy young one.  You forget that we are bound.  You could not keep such from me.

But someone from my house?  I can’t believe any would do this thing.

We already know you were betrayed to the humans.  Perhaps that is not the end of the traitor’s crimes.

Then the rest of my family could be in danger.

“Ryall.”  Eben said finally.  “You will call the Council together.  There is much to be disclosed and they must hear it first.”

Ryall saluted a fist against his chest and then the ever-silent warrior dragon was pulling his mate behind him as they departed in a hurry.

“What is it?”  Melly said in an unsure voice behind them, Clare and Rhune both looking at Morgan who was holding onto Eben like a child scared of the dark.  “What’s happening?”

Pulling herself together Morgan stepped from Ebens arms and took a deep breath.  She turned to her brother and sisters.  “This is Eben Kinkaid and Prince Ladon.  They have offered us sanctuary in Dracon away from the blood mages and the nullmags.”  She drew another deep breath.  “They are my mates.”

It was Rhune with awe in his young voice that finally broke the shocked silence.  “You have two dragons?”

Chapter 9

After spending their whole lives in a place where magic was seen as an abomination, to suddenly be in a place where the very air they breathed sparkled with it, was heady stuff.  Within half an hour, everyone was enchanted clean, with a new wardrobe and their own rooms in a dragons Forsaken castle.

Finally, Morgan felt like she could breathe.  Her family was as safe as they could be.  If not for the blood mage mark on Melly, the upcoming dragon council meeting to decide the fate of mage kind and the still undiscovered traitor in Ladons family, it would be perfect.

Both Clare and Rhune had decided to sleep in Melly’s room for the night so they were all cuddled up in a giant bed that was softer than anything they had ever slept on before.  Morgan sat beside them her arm around Clares shoulder.

“Can we really stay here?”  Clare asked, her eyes going around the vast room in awe.  Everywhere she looked her eyes hit on something beautiful from the lush rugs to the silk drapes blowing at the open terrace.  Even the walls cut directly from the mountain glowed with embedded jewels and precious metals.

“Yes.  We really can.”  Morgan said, pulling her tightly against her side.  “I have to leave for a little while, but I’ll be back before you wake up in the morning.”

“You’re going to talk to the dragon council.”  Rhune said jumping up excitedly.  “Can I come?”  It made Morgan laugh and Melly had to grab him and pull him back down to the bed.

“No.”  Morgan said leaning over Clare to buss him on the cheek.  “And don’t even think about changing shape and flying out of this castle unless one of us is with you.”

He huffed, wiping off her kiss and looking belligerent.

“I mean it.”  She stated firmly.  “It’s magical here, better, but we need to be careful until we know what to expect.  For now, you have a whole enchanted castle to explore.  How about you stick with that for now?”  At the reminder that they were now living in an enchanted castle Rhune perked right up.  “Do you think there’s a real dragon treasure here?  Like in the stories.”

“You’ll have to find out won’t you?”

He smiled happily, snuggling back down between Clare and Melly.

Morgan would have said more but something was happening on the mountain that distracted all of them.  Outside the sun was setting, bathing the mist that surrounded the mountain in golds and reds as if the sky itself was on fire.  All around them, the walls started to glow with it.  When it was over Clare said what they were all afraid of.

“What if they won’t let us stay?”

Morgan was still forming an answer when Eben spoke from the doorway.  “You are family to my mate.  That makes you mine as well, I guard my treasures well.”  He said his voice a harsh growl that reassured even as it warned.  “And hatchling.”  He said directing his words to Rhune of the wide eyes.  “No one ever takes a dragons treasure.”

Come Morgan, the Council awaits.

Will they be safe here?

I will set the guard spells.  No one will be able to enter or exit the castle until our return.  They will be fine.

Morgan sighed in relief trusting Eben knew what he was doing and said her goodbyes.  She was worried about how quiet and tired Melly appeared but hoped that a decent nights rest would help.

Meanwhile she was not looking forward to meeting the council.  From what she had seen, dragons did not have a high opinion of humans.  What would their reaction be to a human mate?  Would her family be forced to leave the only place of safety they had ever found?

You will remove this worry from your mind.  A mate is a sacred thing.  The council is old and set in their ways, as am I, but they know what it is to find a mate.

And my family?  If they make them leave, I will not desert them to the world.

As I told the hatchling.  I protect what is mine.

Against your own people?  I know you work for the council.  What if it’s an order?

You need not ask, only look into my heart and you will know the answer.

So Morgan opened her senses fully and felt the conviction and absolute surety that Eben could and would protect her family against all comers.  She'd been afraid to look, she realized, afraid of what she would see.  The tension went out of her shoulders as Eben pulled her into his embrace, and off her feet, his words spoken directly into her ear.  “There is nothing that could take you from me.  To my last breath of fire I will keep you and your family safe."

Her doubt had hurt him.  She hugged him close sending him her love and faith.  "I should have more courage."

He laughed, and she felt it in her bones.  "More courage?  I have not felt fear for 6000 years, but you bring me to my knees with worry over the courage you display hourly.  Have pity on the mates that wish for nothing more than your safety and happiness.  I beg you, no more courage.  No more flying on bed sheets or trying to storm blood mage castles."

He placed her back on her feet smiling down at her while she rolled her eyes at the impossible idea of Eben Kinkaid "brought to his knees".

"You old dragons seem prone to drama.  As if anything would bring you to your knees."  She teased, rubbing her hand down his fierce face.  "You forget I've seen inside your stubborn proud head.  There is not one thing on this earth that could bring you low."

He took her hand from his face and kissed the back of her fingers.  "There is one thing."  Then his grip tightened and he used his other arm to sweep around her waist and pull her bone crushingly close.  "I will not lose you.  Shameaa."  His eyes of old gold bore into hers.  "Not your smile, not your scent,” He breathed in; his eyes closing in appreciation.  "Not the way you feel in my arms and not the way you feel in my heart.  Not any part of you.  I would take on the world to keep your family safe and you by my side."

The intensity of his deep need was as awful as it was awe-inspiring.  It buffeted her from all sides like a great tide that would drown her.  How could she, as young and insignificant as she was give this powerful being what he yearned for?  How could she be enough?  Morgan shivered out a breath and opened her heart as far as she could flooding him with her fears and insecurities, but also her wish to be all that he needed.  She felt his full body shudder and then he relaxed his grip incrementally.

And, in his love that flowed over her, she found the words to speak.  "I don't have great wisdom, or courage.  My powers may seem truly insignificant in your world where magic can be breathed like air, but I know you, Eben Kinkaid, I see you, not the nightmare of dragon kind.  I see the heart that you think has been long lost to blood and time.  I doubt myself and my good fortune to find you when life has always been so hard.  But I do not doubt you, or your strength, or your valiant heart.  It's precious to me," she said once again brushing her free hand down his cheek, “as is your smile."

His grip released further and he leaned down placing his forehead against hers.  She wound her arms around his neck and held him as he breathed her in.  "Would that you always see me thus."

"I believe I am jealous."  Ladon said, causing Eben and Morgan to look up.  He stood leaning against the wall, his well-muscled arms crossed.  He was dressed in brown leather breeches and a sleeveless tunic held almost closed over his massive chest by a wide leather belt.  There was gold threaded through the tunic marking him house of fire and his shiny black boots stopped above the knee.  He was mouthwateringly gorgeous from his leather shod feet to his incandescent gold hair.  Morgan felt her mouth fall open further and again had to wonder at her good fortune.  He was entirely too beautiful to be hers.

Ladon pushed off from the wall with a sudden broad smile.  "Never mind."

Morgan continued to gawk as he came closer and lifted her chin pulling her eyes off his amazing chest and closing her mouth.  "If you keep looking at me like that we'll never make the council meeting."

That was bad right?

"Now I believe I am jealous."  Eben said darkly, making Ladon laugh.  Eben grabbed Morgan around the waist until her back met his front.  She couldn't hide her all over body shiver when he bit the arch of her neck in warning.

"Come Shameaa.  We must make ourselves as presentable as the young princeling."  Morgan couldn't help a disbelieving sniff.  Maybe Eben would look that good but her?

Ladon stepped forward until they were nose to chest with Eben at her back.  She looked up into his suddenly serious face her head falling back to hit Ebens chest.  "You will look stunning dressed in my fire, little falcon.  Never doubt it.  There will not be a dragon who sees you that will not wish to steal such a treasure."

She felt Ebens growls resonate everywhere they touched.  "And there is not another dragon alive who could handle you."  Ladon said smiling wickedly.

Morgan rolled her eyes.  "Very funny."

He leaned forward and rubbed noses with her playfully.  "Who jokes?"  He said then, stealing a kiss, his lips soft on hers.  "Clearly the great father knew you couldn't be tamed by one measly dragon mate."

"Tamed?"  She grumbled tilting her head in clear invitation for another kiss.  "You are taking that falcon nickname too much to heart.  I'm not a bird to be trussed and hooded."

He kissed her again this time he did such a thorough job of it she had completely lost track of what he was saying.  Or that the council still had to be faced.  Or her name.  "I would have you always flying free and at my side."

"Come."  Eben said kissing the top of her head before stepping back and pulling Morgan along by her arm.  "Time grows near and there is much to do."

"Wait till you see what I made for you to wear."  Ladon laughed again at her chagrined face and grabbed her hand to follow, or keep her from escaping.  One or the other.

Why does that statement make me want to run away?  Very fast?

"You just haven't seen it yet.  My family is known throughout the dragon reaches for their impeccable style.  Just wait, you’ll see."

She looked at Eben for help.

"The house of fire is known for its flair with artifice."  He said.

"Hey, just because you never wear anything but black, black, and more black doesn't mean all dragons are so inclined."  Ladon harrumphed, rather snootily too.  "Some of us have an imagination."

That statement wasn't at all reassuring.  She was going to look ridiculous she just knew it.

It was worse than she thought.  The dress was beautiful, full to the floor in burnished gold nearly identical to Ladons hair; it came off the shoulders and hinted at her cleavage.  The sleeves were long and narrow, the waist cinched in to the top of the hips.  Her hair had been magically twirled up in a deceptively simple upsweep and shimmered.  The problem was in no way that it was an ugly dress.  The problem was the sparkling lady looking back at her was not one she recognized.

She felt like she was playing dress up.  Every dragon there was going to know she was an imposter.  Even her brown hair seemed to have an added shimmer, almost like dragon scales.

The shoes were high healed and butter soft, the same color as the dress with tiny gems embedded so that they shimmered a rainbow when the light hit them.  She kept catching herself watching them when she moved her foot.  She was forced to admit she liked the shoes.

Of course you do.  And you look amazing in them, Ladon said, the exasperation with her thoughts clear.  "But now we have to be off.  The council is convening as we speak."

"Fine, but when I trip and fall on my face I'm going to tell you 'I told you so'."

As if either Eben or I would allow you to fall.

Morgan laughed at the dragon arrogance that assumed he could stop her from tripping on her own gown.

"Come, your other mate grows restless.  We must be off."

Why do I feel like a herd beast being led to slaughter?

"Because you're a teeny tiny little human and you are going into a room with a dozen of the oldest and most dangerous dragons in existence?"

"Right.  That's probably it."

"Don't worry puny human,” Ladon said, exaggerating his deep voice and patting her on the head.  "I'll have the healer revive you if you faint from fear."

She slapped his hand away, the spark returning to her eyes.  "And pigs will fly."  She thrust out her chin and threw back her shoulders bringing majesty to the outfit that would rival any dragons.  "Let's just get this farce done so we can get back to the children."

Ladon waited until she swept out of the room before he smiled.

Well done.  Eben said via mind speech.  Now who is going to protect the dragon council from our fiery tempered mage?

I will leave that to the council’s executioner.

Sigh.  Somehow, I do not doubt that.

Chapter 10

If Morgan had not already seen Ebens home in the Forsaken Mountain, the council chambers might have been overwhelming.  But she had seen it so she knew to expect the priceless gems embedded in the walls and the magic that swirled through the air, coloring everything in shimmering waves.  At least that's what it looked like to her.  Maybe a normal human would just see the raw gems in stonewalls.  Even if that were all they could see, not having magic in their blood, they would have still wanted to gawk here.  But they would have forgotten about all the rest the second they saw the dragons.

They glowed with beauty.  Seeing so many and all together like this was almost overwhelming.  That was the only word for it.  They glowed, shimmered, and sparkled as if the jewels themselves had come alive.

There were four council members, one for each house, competing for the most ostentatious display.  The rest of the dragons were warriors, obviously there as security, or possibly just tradition because the council members breathed magic.  Morgan couldn’t imagine anyone challenging them.  Besides Eben and one or two of the warriors, they were the oldest dragons, not in physical appearance but definitely in the press of their power.

Suddenly I don't feel so overdone.

Told you.  Ladon laughed in her thoughts.

I believe they are becoming more ostentatious with age.  Eben said blandly from close behind Morgan.

Ladon laughed again and then pulled Morgans hand up to kiss the inside of her wrist.  Used to be dragons slept on their treasure, now they just wear it.

Eben sniffed his agreement and then pulled Morgans other hand to his lips to kiss the back of it.  Come Shameaa, let’s show them what true treasure looks like.

He kept hold of her hand as he led her inside the main chamber.  Ladon followed close behind them.  As soon as they cleared the door, every eye in the place rested on them.

Why do they all look familiar to me?

You have seen our memories.  I’m not sure how much of them you will retain but many things may seem familiar.

The council chamber itself was cavernous, especially considering how few dragons occupied it.  They were not always going to be in human form.  Morgan thought.  She recognized Ryall from earlier, when he had come with his mate to heal Milly.  He was guard here and stood lining the wall with a dozen others dressed in simple pants and tunics.  Those dragons were armed with swords and knives.

Why do dragons need weapons?

Some foes must be fought as men rather than dragon.  It is tradition to know all manner of battle.  What you see here are the elite.  Dragon Knights sworn into service to the Light.  They carry out the laws of the council now, but in times of war, it is General Solan who leads the dragon army.  Eben nodded to a man behind the council members.  All dragons were big imposing men but he was something all together different.

Like Eben, he favored black from head to toe.  If the council members were jewels come to life he was obsidian, all sharp edges and hard planes.  His black hair seemed to swallow the light that touched it so that it felt like you could get lost in the dark cloud.  He held it back from his face in a severe style that accented his sharp cheekbones and slightly slanted eyes.  Eyes that were quicksilver and saw everything.  Even for a dragon, he was scary.  The only part of him that seemed remotely soft was his lips, which looked surprisingly lush.  Like all the guards, he wore no amulet of his house.

He is of the warrior house now.  They give up their house when they take vows.  He was born into my house originally.

House of water then.  Morgan thought.  Vows?  Like priests?

Ladon snorted beside her.  But it was Eben who continued to answer her.

Nothing so severe as all that.  They are warriors of the Light.

That fuck everything that moves.  Ladon added blandly.  Then pulled Morgan into his side when he noticed she had started to draw a great deal of attention herself.  Try to worry less about General Solan’s lips and more on our business here.

I can do both.  She assured him, but turned to study the council members themselves.  There were four dragons sitting in throne like seats behind a slab of gold veined marble.  Each wore garments so covered in precious gems that they must clank when they walk.  They were dressed to emphasize their house so it was easy to tell which was represented and by who.

Lord Bochus is the great beast in red.  Ladons thoughts were filled with distaste.  But it was a good description as he was dripping in red gems and was as wide as he was tall.  Not fat exactly but stocky and with his gold hair and blue eyes he was still lovely, but there was an arrogant pinched look on his face that distracted from that beauty.  She didn’t like him, and she wasn’t sure if that was her own quick decision or the influence of Ladons emotions.  He really didn’t like him.  Then she caught something else.

You think he was the one who betrayed you?

The thought crossed my mind.  Everyone knows Bochus hates me and the fact that I will one day take his place on the council.

A preemptive strike? To keep his seat?

It’s one possibility.  Eben said noncommittal even in his thoughts.  There are others.

Yes.

Lord Bochus sat at the end of the table.  Beside him was a dragon dressed in sapphire.  He sat tallest of them, though he lacked the girth of Bochus he made up for it in sheer perfection of feature.  He was almost too pretty actually.  Too perfect, like you couldn’t really touch him.  He had brown eyes the color of a good wet earth.  Though his house was water.

Fahlion.  A distant relation of mine.

He sleeps through most of the council meetings.  Ladon added drily.  I always wondered why you never took the seat.

Because then I would have to come to the meetings.

Air was dressed in diamond, his hair white; his eyes were a silver fog.  He looked older that the rest, though not in years.  More serious somehow, as if he knew the answers and they weighed heavy on his mind.

The man next to him was obviously earth with its abundance of gold.  Besides the others, he was almost nondescript, at least for a dragon.  Brown hair with veins of red running through it and green eyes.  He was beautiful and powerful and seemed to disappear among his flashier council cronies.

Is he trying to do that?

I have often wondered that myself, Ladon stated.  He is always looking so harmless.  It makes me wonder what he’s up to.

Very wise.  Eben said the surprise obvious in his thoughts.  I believe it is Lord Graedon that plays the deepest game.  He has fooled many into thinking him harmless but I see him as the most dangerous.

Dangerous to whom? Morgan wondered.

Before either could form an answer, Lord Bochus spoke.

“Prince Ladon.  We had given you up for dead until Shehar gave us the happy news.”  He didn’t sound happy.  “Perhaps you could explain why you have caused all this fuss by running off to begin with and now this mate business.  You've always been quite the young prankster but this is taking things too far."

Eben answered mildly.  "Since you've heard the news from Shehar, you must have also heard that we share this 'mate business'.  Are you suggesting that I am prone to pranks as well?"

Lord Bochus looked from Ladon to Eben and paled visibly.”  My Lord?  You do not usually grace us with your presence."  He looked confused for a minute.  "Then, if it’s true, where is your mate?"

"Perhaps it would be best to have this discussion without a human present?"  Lord Graedon suggested mildly.

"Might I present our mate Morgan, mage and newest member of houses fire and water."  He looked directly at Graedon.  "And she stays as this discussion involves her as well.”  Then he went on.  "Prince Ladon was abducted from his house after someone drugged him, he did not run off.  He was taken and bled then left to die among the humans.  If Morgan had not found Ladon and saved him, he would even now be dead.  This same someone gave dragon blood from the house of fire to the blood mages for use in their spells.  Blood mages that destroy the earth we have vowed to protect.  I have been past the gate and seen the destruction.  They kill the earth to fuel their greed for power and destroy potential mates with their drive to drink mage blood.  I have called you together because this cannot stand."

The silence echoes after that little bomb was dropped.  Either the council had not shared with the warriors or no one had believed it because everyone was looking at Morgan with new eyes.  Not all of them were happy.

"Are you suggesting that you mated a human and intend to desecrate our house by breeding her?"  Lord Bochus' bellow was loud but not nearly as loud as the tension that followed.

That's what he heard in all that?

Eben and Ladon seethed beside Morgan, she expected any moment for the anger to burn.  But since he had addressed Ladon it was Ladon who answered, though she could feel Ebens desire to rip and shred right beside him.

"Speak of my mate like that again old man and you won't have to wait for the next new moon to face challenge."

"Challenge?"  Bochus blustered.

"I have reached my adult molt Lord Bochus.  As prince of my house I have the right to take my place on the council."

"Your father..."  He began, only to be interrupted by Ladon.

"My father chose not to claim his place, rather desiring seclusion with his mate.  He trusted you to uphold the family honor.  I am not my father, nor am I so trusting.  Not if that is your only concern after what Lord Eben just said."

"Perhaps we can table the family business until this other matter is settled."  Lord Graedon stated benignly.

"Quite right."  Bochus rallied.  "A human mate has never been accepted into a dragon house.  With all due respect Lord Kinkaid but even for you I do not see that changing."

Did he just say what I think he said?  Morgan was not the only one wondering that.

"Are you saying, Lord Bochus, that mates have been found among humans before?"  Ebens voice was low and intense.

"A few here and there among the magic users over the eons.  The family leaders have dealt with the matter privately.  It has certainly never been brought before the council in such a public way."

"Dealt with?"  Morgan asked.  But it was as if she didn't speak because Bochus refused to acknowledge her question.

"My mate asked you a question Lord Bochus.  How were they dealt with?"

"I don't answer to human’s prince Ladon, no matter how you dress them up to ape their betters."

"Then answer to me."  Eben said his voice gruff with rage.  "Are you actually saying that you knew some of our mates could be found among the humans and you not only kept that secret but killed them when it was discovered?"

"As I said.  It was house business how they dealt with their embarrassment.  The council was not involved."

"Besides the issue of mates,” Lord Topa interjected before the room imploded.  "We cannot allow the blood sworn to kill the Earth, nor let stand the attack on Prince Ladon.  Dragons have always been the protectors of the natural earth and all its magic.  To ignore this pestilence is to court our own doom."

"Melodramatic clap-trap.  We protect our lands, the humans have always had dominance over theirs, or we would have wiped them out long ago for their abuse of it."  Bochus brushed a hand across the problem as if it was insignificant.  "We will deal with this problem when and if they ever cross the dragon gates and come here to try their filth."

"You are a fool."

The words spoken in the soft voice of a human mage was loud and the silence after the announcement frozen.

"What did you say?"

"I said you're a fool."  Morgan repeated.  "The Blood mages drink power.  Their whole purpose is to bleed it from the land and people.  Do you think when they are bloated from destroying the rest of us that they will sit quietly in their black castles and be content?"  She was not aware that her control was slipping as she continued, but both Eben and Ladon stepped closer as the power built around them.  "You think they aren't already after the magic in your blood?  One of your own has betrayed you to the blood mages already.  They are using dragon’s blood to further their dark cause and you prattle on about human inferiority.  Are you arrogant enough to let this wound fester until the whole of the body is infected?"

"That is enough of that.  You are a human barely old enough to be called adolescent in our culture.  You think to lecture and insult us?"

"I think to lecture and insult you."  She said distinctly, her magic rising further.  "Your warriors would back Eben on this.  I have seen the dark and cold they live in waiting for the warmth of a mate that may never come."  She stepped forward and looked at the assembled nobles and their elite guard.  "Young I may be, but I am mated to Ladon and Eben Kincaid.  I have seen your warrior history through his eyes and your government through the eyes of Prince Ladon.  And I am mage, with the stories of my people passed down."  Her hair beginning to float around her building power.  "I am not an insignificant thing.  The Earth moves through me, wind speaks, and fire and ice answer my call.  The blood mage is an abomination but they are not powerless.  Ignore them; ignore us, at your own peril."

Bochus threw up his hands and gestured to Morgan but spoke to the standing guards.  "Do you really want this as a mate?  This disrespectful thing?  Even if it was possible?"

Both Eben and Ladon stepped forward, the insult plain on their faces but before they could respond one dragon stepped away from his place guarding the wall and went to stand to look down on Morgan.  She was so angry by this time her power was seeping out her eyes in mage light.  Everyone was silent, as he looked her over, his face expressionless.  Eben and Ladon moved even closer.  Morgan refused to back down.

"To hold such warmth as my own I would give much."  Then he looked at Eben.  "You have the support of the Elite Dragon Forces."  That brought many of the council to their feet.  And another roar from Bochus.

"You have no right!"  He bellowed.  "The Elite Forces fall under the jurisdiction of the council.  What you propose is treason."

The General roared and it silenced the whole of them.  "If the council is proposing that we let our mates die among the humans than it is the council that turns traitor.  To our entire race."  He turned to face the head of the council.  "She is right.  A Dragon betrays one of their own.  Dragon blood is used to fuel dark magic.  The earth beyond our borders is desecrated.  The enemy is at the gate.  We cannot pretend they are not."

"You don't have the authority..."

"I am Solan Fire-Eater."  He roared.  "General of the dragon armies and dragon knight of the Light.  I have given my oath to protect the earth just as Eben Kincaid and every warrior here.  Unless we are more human than Dragon that still supersedes politics and power squabbling."  He pulled his sword and the councilors leaned back.  But he just turned and knelt before a shocked Morgan.

"I give my oath that I will destroy the dark and protect the Light as is my duty as a dragon knight."  The rest of the warriors stepped away from the wall and pulled their own swords, they knelt as well.

"I must protest...”  Lord Graedon started.

"How?"  Ladon said looking around at the warriors.  "You have no fighting force left to protest anything."

Eben finally spoke.  "It is done."  He said ignoring the sputtering council.  "General, if you have no objections, I propose we leave now and handle the dark mage issue before the traitor can inform his conspirators.  We strike at their powerbase and we strike now.  We destroy every dark mage stronghold and free all the light mage we can find.  The soldiers, and as many of the blood practitioners as we can find, will die tonight."

The General rose and sheathed his sword, his men followed suit.

"Agreed."  He said, "My men and I will route out this abomination and end the dark mages.  The light Mage I leave to you and your lady to sort out."  He bowed low from the waist to Morgan then his hand went to the pommel of his sword.  "As of right now, we are war."

Chapter 11

It ended there for the warriors.  They left with Eben and General Solan to make war.  Morgan was left sputtering when Eben gave her formally into Ladons arms with a warning to keep her safe.  Then he was just gone.  No kiss goodbye- be safe going to war.  Nothing.

The council continued to fight amongst themselves with Lord Bochus on one side and Lord Topa on the other.  Mostly it was just Bochus continuing to bellow while Topa tried to talk sense into him.  Occasionally Lord Fahlion would wake up and contribute but from Lord Graedon there was nothing.  He merely watched everything.  Mostly he watched Morgan.

Do they not realize the decision has been made?  She asked Ladon.  So much for Dragon superiority.

Ladon laughed.  Come on puny mage I will feel better when you are safe with the hatchlings.  He pulled her into his arms.  You stay here you might start another war.

Very funny.  Then hesitantly.  Do you think Eben will be all right?

The Dragon executioner and the Dragon Elite Knights against a few pesky blood mages.  The only thing that might happen is he laughs so hard at their defenses that he falls out of the sky and breaks a wing.

Funny.  When they were at the entrance, something made Morgan turn and look back.  Lord Bochus was giving her a glare so full of hate it singed.  Lord Graedon was gone.

* * *

Eben could still hear Ladon cursing him through their bond, even this far inside a mountain of rock that overlooked the Valley of Silence.  But he didn't regret maneuvering it so that he would stay behind with their mate.  They were hardly going to leave her alone.

"You speak to your mates?"

"More like they speak to me.  They do not care for my leaving them behind and going into battle."

"What was it like?  To finally find your mate?"

Eben was quiet so long General Solan had already turned back to his maps assuming he wouldn't answer.  "Like being entombed in ice for centuries and finally escaping and seeing the sun.  It is painful and wondrous at the same time."

"Painful?”  Solan asked still bent over the maps but with his intense eyes on Ebens face.

"When feelings return it is...intense.  I find in myself a savagery that was absent before.  It is not an easy thing to love such a fragile being.  The thought of losing her is...all consuming at times.  But I would not choose another."

"And if she chose another?"  Solan had stood to his full height his face glacial in its absence of expression.  When Ebens eyes started to glow and his power pulse between them Solan spoke quickly.  "I would want no misunderstandings between us.  I am not challenging you, I ask because I...should I be lucky enough to find my mate...I doubt that any such would want what the centuries of battle have made me...I am not an easy dragon."

Eben calmed, then gave the question the consideration it deserved.  "I more than most understand this worry General.  I too have dealt blood and death to the ruleless for so long I feel painted in it.  I can only say that you are a Knight of the Light.  A bringer of death and an honorable man.  Perhaps your mate will have need of all those things."

Before Solan could say anything to that, there was a call from outside.

"Enter."  General Solan and Eben both called.  They grinned wryly at each other.  Both were used to commanding.  Eben dipped is head in acknowledgment that this was General Solans command.

"General Solan, Lord Kinkaid."  Ryall stated saluting.  "The Knights are deployed to all three of the remaining black castles.  They report their readiness, and their...disgust.  It is as Lord Kinkaid reported.  The land is dead for miles around.  Nothing could survive that did not live on death."

General Solans face was bitter as he met Ebens.  "This should have been dealt with long ago.  In our old age we become complacent and apathetic in our duties."

"I thought the same when I saw the first.  It is a hard lesson but one we must learn now."

"Vigilance."  Solan said with bite.

"And not just with our enemies."  Eben agreed.  "But that is for another night.  Tonight we have an enemy we can see."

"Then let us be done with this."  Solan turned to the soldier still waiting.  "Ryall.  The call is made, be sure that the contingent searching for light mages are ready for the rescue before the walls come down.  Then total annihilation.  I want nothing crawling away from this fight."  He turned to Eben.  "Shall we?"

"Indeed.  They call so prettily for blood and death, let’s give them what they ask for."

By the coming of dawn there was nothing left of the blood mages strongholds but ashes and poisonous black smoke.  They had been razed to the ground, no mercy shown the people there.  It was a purging.  In the melee, only six light mages were found alive.  Though thousands of bones were discovered webbed into the walls.  Finding that, the Dragons lost whatever restraint they had and not a single black rock escaped their fire.  After the destruction, all six rescued mages elected not to go into exile with the dragons.

Unable to convince the light mages they would be safer with fire breathing dragons than their own people the dragons journeyed home, victorious with nothing to show for it but the destruction left in their wake.

* * *

Morgan was in the children's playroom when Ladon came to find her.  Clare and Rhune were arguing over who was the fastest shifter now that their powers had returned.  Meanwhile Melly laughed and refused comment.  Instead, she watched them while stirring the air around her so they all stood in a cool breeze.  Ladon was unsure if she knew she was doing it or not.  Something about the magic that lived here was stirring them all up.  Strengthening their magic and loosening their control.  Or perhaps it was just that they could let loose here.  They were free to be themselves without hiding.

Morgan had changed into a simple blue cotton dress and stood barefoot.  Still she took his breath away.  She was not comfortable with the pomp and ceremony he brought to the table as a Prince and future council member, and she had such a look of sadness on her face.  He wondered if she was regretting becoming his mate, but then he hadn't really given her a choice.  Would she have been better off with just Eben as mate?  Maybe.  Right now, she was looking out the window towards the South, towards Eben.  It made him lose his smile.

He almost looked into her head to see what she was thinking but he decided against it.  Maybe he was better off not knowing she was in love with Eben and just tolerated him.

Why not?  What could he possibly add to her life that Eben Kinkaid couldn't do just as well?  Instead, he backed quietly out of the room before he could intrude on their family time.

Morgan felt Ladons withdrawal even as she was turning to look for him.  He felt...lost.

She found him on the balcony of their bedroom; one they had yet to share.  She'd seen it earlier of course, but walking through it now still had her eyes bugging in her head.  Everything was formed from stone like in the rest of the castle, and covered with opulent jewel toned down cushions and throws of the softest furs.  She felt once again her insignificance.  Would there be an echo if she called out?

When she finally made it across the cavernous room, past the bed that was big enough to hold a family of ten, a large sitting area and a fireplace big enough to roast a steer, she made it to the balcony.  The view was enough to astound her even before she breathed in the crystal clear air that simmered magic.

Eben had an amazing vista as far across as the North Gate and the Ice Mountains.  But it was hard to see any of that when Ladon was standing there in nothing but a pair of slacks and knee boots.  The wind and starlight playing through his hair like licks of fire.  His skin, moon kissed over hard muscle.

He belongs here.  She thought.  Amid all this splendor, and I so do not.

Even as she ate him with her eyes, it made her wonder about his home.

"We have not discussed where we'll live."  Thankfully, her voice was more composed than she felt.  She walked up to stand beside him.  "The rest of us have no real place but you probably have a home you value.  Will you be content living here?"

"Will I be living here?"  He turned as he asked the question his back against the low wall that separated them from open air.

The question made the bottom drop out of Morgan’s stomach.  She had to swallow thickly before she continued.  "You don't want to?"  She tried searching his feelings out through the mate bond but he was closed up tight and she lacked the time and practice needed to break through.

She licked her suddenly dry lips.  "I mean, I suppose you are a prince, you have your own castle."  She said.  "I guess I just assumed you would stay here.  With us."

"You assumed that or you wanted that?”  Still there was nothing in his voice, but she was feeling something now.

Was the great arrogant dragon insecure?  Or was that just her projecting?  It made her blink and think about how little time they'd been together.  Had it been just these past three days?  Somehow, the mate bond made it feel that they had always been together.  "Both"

"Both?"

"I both assumed you would stay here and want you to stay."  When she heard how shaky she sounded, she raised her chin, getting angry.  "But I now assume that since you've shut me out that you don't feel the same.  Well tough.  You hear me dragon?”  By the end, she had worked herself into a good froth.  "You’re the one who wanted this bond; you forced the issue and now you're stuck with it."  She stepped closer and poked him in his perfect chest.  Her ire finding new heights as the sky clouded behind them.  "I may not be dragon princess material but you made me fall in love with you, against my better judgment, I might add."  Another poke to the chest.  "So now it’s done.  You aren't getting rid of me, or fobbing me off on my other mate.  You made your bed and now you’re going to lay in it."

"My fierce little falcon..."  He whispered, before wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her high to his chest.  His lips slammed down on hers and devoured.  Lightning flashed and the dark clouds burst open drenching them in seconds.

Morgan struggled, ready to scratch out his fickle eyes just as Ladon finally opened himself up to the mate bond.  Flooded with his relief and love, she sagged in his arms.  Then with a groan was kissing him back as if she could absorb all of him through his lips.

He turned and pressed her against the stonewall, pulling up her dress even as she fumbled with his buckle.

"I need to be inside you.”  He growled.

"Yes."  She said against his lips.  His cock sprang out into her hand and she squeezed it wrapping her knees around his hips.  Then he was pushing into her.  Pressing her into the wall with his thrust.  She wrapped herself tighter around him, her head thrown back while his teeth found her collarbone and pinned her there.  He pounded into her as the rain poured down and the thunder crashed.  The pressure built on each powerful thrust until she screamed her pleasure to the storm.  Ladon joined her with a roar.

His head fell to her throat while their heavy breathing fogged in the cool night air.  As they calmed, the storm ended, the clouds dissipated and the clear night sky once again shown with stars.

She grabbed two fistfuls of his hair and yanked.  "Oww.”  He said, laughing and nuzzling her neck.

"You are an idiot."  She said with bite.

"I know that.  Now."  His voice back to its usual arrogance.  "I told you that first day in the cave you couldn't resist me."

"Of all the ridiculous, egotistical..."  Ladon interrupted her with a hard kiss.

"Enough."  He said hoisting her higher in his arms without leaving his place inside her.  He was already hard again and heading into the bedroom.  While he walked, the wind answered his call, drying their hair in a swirl of warm air.  Then on a breath of dragon magic, the rest of his clothes disappeared.  "I've a mind to go back to your suggestion."

"I've got a suggest..."  He kissed her quiet again right before he fell on the bed with her under him causing the air to whoosh out of her.

"I made my bed."  He said on a truly diabolical chuckle, ripping away the flimsy dress and looking his fill.  "Now I'm going to lay in it."

Chapter 12

When Eben flew in through the balcony, he changed in the air, so that the first step he took across his bedroom floor was on human feet.  He didn't bother with clothes, not with the naked bounty that waited in his bed.  He stopped and stared at the two of them, Ladon and Morgan entwined across his sheets.

Morgan’s dark hair and cream skin gleamed like pearl in what was left of the night.  Draped over Ladon, it contrasted with golden skin and the shimmery bronze hair that wrapped around her.  She was so small wrapped in his arms.  The curve of her hips and arch of her back so very female in comparison to his muscled form.  They looked so perfect together that he hesitated to join them.

Not you too.  Morgan laughed in his head, even as she opened her eyes and smiled at him.  I should be the insecure one in this trio.  She looked pointedly at his perfectly formed male body.  You are far too beautiful to need reassurance from a puny human.

If you could see yourself through my eyes Shameaa.  You would not doubt it.

Morgan was going to snort her disbelief but then remembered.  Her teasing smile disappeared.  You went to war without even a kiss good-bye.  You could have died out there.

I was never in any danger.  He said, sitting beside her on the side of the bed.  It was so big he would have to crawl all the way on just to reach her.  The blood mages have no magic that works against dragons.

She sat up and wrapped her arms around her bent legs.  So far.  If they are working with a dragon that could change.  Don't let your arrogance get you killed.

He reached across the bed and grabbed her ankle, pulling her down the bed while she made a little "eep" sound and struggled for balance.  Eventually he had her breathless and spread before him.  He laid full length over her until he could feel every inch of her softness against his own hardness.  I would have my kiss now.

I just bet you would.  Morgan said, smiling and grabbing his ears none to gently she pulled his head down to kiss his forehead.  There.  Happy now.

Beyond description.  He said drily making her laugh and Ladon roll over to his stomach and shove his head in the pillow.

Any other time I would just join you but I feel like I haven't slept in weeks, so could you just kiss him, then fuck so we can cuddle and sleep?

Young dragons have so little stamina.  Morgan laughed at Ebens quip, but then he shifted so that his body was a caress all along her own and it had her sighing in pleasure.  But his plan is a sound one.  Come Shameaa let me have your mouth again.

What does Shameaa mean?

He took her hand from where it rested on his head and pulled it over the heartbeat on his chest.  "My heart."  He said aloud his voice a rough growl and his eyes bottomless.

It took what was left of Morgan’s breath.  She rose up and kissed him.  The playfulness was gone and his hands were spread down her sides as he took her mouth, their tongues dueling and twining.  His hands moved back up along the curve of her body until he cupped her breasts, his thumb caressing each nipple, spearing heat through her before his lips left her mouth to trail down her neck and nip.  Then he kissed both breasts, held one up like an offering while he pulled her nipple into the heat of his mouth.

While he laved attention on her breasts, one after the other she twisted and moaned.  Her hands finding all of him that she could reach.  Her pelvis tilting trying to get pressure where she needed it most.  But his big body held her in place.  Then he was moving lower and he opened her legs and used his shoulders to hold her open while he palmed her pressing the heal of his hand in such a way that she was arching against him.

"More."  She said.  Grabbing his hand with both of hers and trying to push him harder against her.  Then he parted her seeping folds and pushed one of his fingers inside her while he caught her clit with his mouth and sucked.  That was all it took.  She was airborne, even before he started in with his tongue.  She came again screaming and then he reared up and replaced it with his cock.  He plunged in, out of control and hard with it until the pleasure was mounting once more.  Then he came, biting down on her shoulder and the primal pain seared heat through her.  She felt Ladon in her thoughts then, knew that he had joined them in pleasure from across the bed but she was too tired to turn and look.

Was it good for you?  He teased in her thoughts; his own filled with sleepy satisfaction.  It made her laugh.  She fell asleep held in the strong arms of one mate while laughing with the other.  It was a good ending to a long day.

* * *

The next morning came too quickly.  So when the door burst open they were all struggling to wake and it was only Ladon that had the presence of mind to throw the covers over them all.  Rhune was bouncing on the bed a moment later forcing Eben to swallow back an angry bellow before he could set fire to the bed.  Since she was wrapped up in both Ladon and Eben, she couldn’t have moved fast enough, if she had been awake enough to attempt it.

“Hurry up and get out of bed Morgan.”  Rhune yelled, bouncing between each word.  “I’m hungry and no one can find the food.”

“Rhune, you can't just run into every room…Oh goodness.”  Melly’s voice trailed off.  Then frantic.  “Rhune get out of there right now.”

“You’ve got a really big bed.”  Rhune said in all innocence.  “It’s way bigger then Melly’s.  We should all sleep here tonight.”

“Rhune!  Come out of there at once!”

Rhune breathed a deep aggrieved sigh.  Then bounced once down to his butt and then off the bed.  “I don’t see why you can yell when you tell me I have to be quiet.”  Then Melly was making some wordless panicked sound and dragging him out the door.

For a long time there was silence.  “Please tell me that did not just happen?”

“You mean the part where your brother and sister walked in on you in bed with two men or the part where we’re all going to sleep together in the big bed tonight?”  Ladon asked, spooning her from behind, his face pressed into her hair.  “Because I’m going to have to say it was the second that concerns me.”

She reached back and slapped his shoulder, then had to laugh.  “It’s not funny.”

Lying across Ebens chest as she was with his arms around her she felt when it started to shake.  “It’s not funny.”  She tried again as she covered her face with her hand and tried to burrow into his body, laughing and embarrassed all at the same time.  “Good Lord.  Poor Melly.”

That made Ladon chuckle too.

“It seems I need to make a few adjustments to our home.”

“You mean like bolts on the doors?”  She asked through the hand still covering her face.

“At the very least we’re going to need a cook.”  Ladon offered, snuggling his morning erection against Morgan’s soft ass.

“Not to mention a kitchen.”  Eben added dryly.  That made Morgan laugh again.

“In the mean time we will have to see to feeding the hatchlings before your brother decides to come back and bounce upon the bed some more.”

That had Morgan up like a shot hopping over Eben while he grunted at the impact and leaving Ladon floundering against the pillows.

“Morgan.”  Ladon growled, even as she was disappearing into the bath.

“Don’t just lay there.  Get up!”  She yelled.  “He could be back any minute.”

Ladon growled again and Eben sighed.  “Perhaps a small misdirection spell on the stairs to our chamber?”

“And a three headed dog on the landing.”  Ladon added shortly.

* * *

After taking care of her morning routine as quickly as possible Morgan left the bath to find the men already cleaned and dressed.  Eben was in his customary black tunic trousers with knee boots and Ladon in a brown tunic with gold edgings and some kind of supple leather pants in knee boots.  They looked like pure fantasy come to life.

Morgan shook her head at the sight they made.  When she was dressed in another simple day dress, this time with embroidery on the scoop collar and slippers that matched; they headed downstairs.

Her young siblings were in the great room.  Melly admonishing them not to beak anything as they explored.

They all stopped moving completely when Eben began to conjure a dining room table and chairs.  Then a feast was added of breakfast meats and porridge.  Soft fragrant breads and fruit of all varieties.  In under a minute there was enough food there to supply a village feast.

“That was amazing!”  Rhune whooped heading for the table at a run.  “Do something else.”

“Rhune!”  Morgan admonished as soon as she could speak over her own wonder.  “Attempt to be a gentleman.”

“But did you see…”

“Rhune.”

“Very well.”  He said will ill grace.  “Thank you for breakfast Lord Dragon.”

It made Ladon laugh, and had Morgan rolling her eyes.

“You are welcome, Lord Mage.”  Was all Eben said.  It made Rhune giggle.  They all sat down.  Clare and Melly both looked at the food as if they had never seen it before.  At least they had never seen so much at one time.  Morgan thought.  Though they had never truly starved, they had gone hungry a time or two.  It made her both sad to remember and anxious that their new good fortune wouldn't last.

While the blood mages had been defeated, there were still so many things to deal with to keep everyone safe.  The council.  The prejudice against humans here and they still did not know who wanted Ladon dead or why.

Shameaa.  You are not alone with your worries any longer.  The hatchlings will be safe.

She blew out a calming breath.  I can’t seem to help myself.

“Perhaps after we eat you would accompany me on a tour of my lands.”  Eben invited everyone.  “It would be good if you knew the boundaries and the dangers.”

Dangers?  Morgan thought, even as the others agreed to the outing with enthusiasm.  What’s dangerous to dragons?  She wondered picturing wild beasts and bottomless pits.

Nothing so scary as all of that.  Eben assured her, even as she felt his humor.

I know you’re laughing at me.  She warned.  How come you can hear my every random thought and I just hear what you want me too.

You project very loudly, Shameaa.  Eventually you will learn to keep me out, but for now, I am enjoying the advantage it gives me.

And we definitely need every advantage we can find to keep up with you.  Ladon interjected.

“I’m done.”  Rhune suddenly bellowed, making everyone but Eben jump.  “Can we go now?”

“Rhune!”  Three female voices sounded at the same time in the same exasperated tone.

Perhaps we can try that misdirection spell on the front doors while we’re outside exploring.  Ladon joked in an aside to Eben.  Or the three headed dog.

I suspect that we would only turn to find Rhune riding him up the castle walls.

Just because I can’t hear the conversation you both are having doesn’t mean I don’t know you’re having one.  Morgan interjected.

I was just remarking how good it is that I built this castle with dragons in mind.  Eben said drily.  Your brother would have a normal dwelling crashing down around our ears within days.

Morgan sighed long and loud.  That's the honest truth.

“Can we go yet?”  Rhune asked, bouncing up and down in his seat.  “I want to see the dangers.”

Eventually they went.

* * *

They spent a good part of the morning flying the boundaries of Ebens territory.  Ladon in his dragon form road herd on Clare and Rhune in their flying forms.  Clare as a gos hawk and Rhune a baby dragon.  Melly rode with Morgan on Eben and they all laughed at the antics the other three got into.

Eventually there was a messenger who showed up looking for Eben and they were forced to land.  He chose a valley beside a flowing brook.  As soon as the women disembarked, he changed so that he could read the missive and speak to them all at once.

“I have been called to council.”  Eben shared, motioning to the young dragon knight who had landed and watched them all so curiously, still in his dragon form.

“This is Balin.  He is messenger for the council.  Balin.  My mate Morgan, and her sisters Melisande and the hawk is Clare.  Her brother is the small dragon who keeps spitting at you.  Though I think he is just attempting to speak in his altered form and means no true insult.”  Eben turned back to Balin.  “Please inform the council I will be there momentarily.”

Balin the dragon bowed and then turned and launched himself back to the sky.

“Balin.”  Ladon said shaking his head.  “For a messenger he never seems to have very much to say.”

Eben hugged Morgan, understanding she was worried without her having to say it.  “Stay here and enjoy the sunshine.  I will be back in a short span.”

“Shouldn’t someone go with you?”

“They have questions about the battle.  General Solan has also been summoned.  There is nothing to fear.”  He kissed her forehead and then stepped away.  “Enjoy the valley.  I’ll be back before you have time to get bored with it.”

Chapter 13

The day was a lovely one.  In Dracon where the magic floated on every breeze, the sky seemed to shimmer it was so bright a blue.  Morgan was lying with her head in Ladons lap and watching the few clouds go by.  He was twining his fingers through her hair and watching the hatchlings play hide and seek.  It was especially funny because they had agreed to use their powers.  Right now Clare was a large red wolf sniffing the ground on the hunt for Rhune, who had changed into a hedge mouse and hid among the brambleberries.

He could see the wind swirl about where Melly was attempting to confuse the wolfs nose by fiddling with the air around her.

Ladon chuckled when a particular strong breeze wafted dandelions into Clare’s sensitive wolf nose and had her chuffing.

Morgan smiled softly whenever he laughed, but otherwise just watched the clouds.  Then they started forming shapes that had her gasping.  "Did you see that?"  She asked with excitement.  "It turned into a flower."  She pointed.  "See, now a bird."

"What is it now?"  Ladon asked just as the clouds reformed into a dragon with the most lascivious look on his face.

"Ladon..."  She warned, laughing at the trick.  "You're impossible."

As she watched, it transformed into a man with a really big...

"What are you looking at?"  Clare called having transformed back into her normal form.  She looked up, but just like that the man disappeared and a wolf was in its place.

Morgan was going to scold him but he had the most sheepish look on his face.  She burst out laughing instead.

I forgot.

Serves you right for teasing me anyway.

"Hey there's another dragon."  Clare’s voice had barely trailed off when Morgan felt a spike of pain in her chest.  She gasped and looked for Melly.  She found her in the middle of the clearing head back as wind and light swirled around her.  Morgan jumped up and started searching for the danger.

"Clare! Change now and hide with Rhune!"  She called.  Clare didn't argue, knowing that when Melly was wind called it meant trouble followed.

"What is she doing?"  Ladon asked standing up and following to stand with Morgan.

"She's wind called.  The last time this happened the villagers tried to burn Rhune at the stake."  She looked him in the eyes.  Deadly serious.  Then she pointed to the north.  "Do you recognize that dragon?”  In the distance, but coming fast, was a red dragon.

When he was close enough to recognize Ladon growled.

'"Bochus."

Melly fell out of her strange trance and fell to the ground.  Morgan ran to her, collapsing beside her and pushing back her hair.  "Melly?  What did you see?"  She asked gently but with insistence.

"He's poison."  She gasped out, tears falling from her exhausted eyes.  "He's going to kill him with poison."

"Who?  Melly is Bochus going to kill Ladon?"

"One or the other.  She gasped out.  "One or the other will die.  The Dragons will fall.  The beginning of the end."  Melly grabbed her arm so hard it would hold a permanent mark.  "Morgan, stop him!  He's too young!  Poison...”  Then she passed out.

"Melly!?"  Morgan shook her trying to revive her.  "Who will die?  Who's too young?  Melly?!"  But it was no use.  She looked around for Ladon but he was across the meadow looking very tense, talking to Bochus.  Morgan prayed, even as she ran towards them, that she could get to Ladon before it was too late.

Eben!  She sent out the mental call as loud as she could.  We need you!

* * *

Morgan was almost to Ladon when he spoke through their bond.

Stay back Morgan. He is up to something.

Poison!  She yelled in her head.  Melly said he's poison.

"It was you!”  Ladon turned with a growl.  "You betrayed me to the humans.  Stole my blood and gave it to a blood mage."

Lord Bochus looked from him to Morgan who stood a few feet behind him.  Then he smiled.  That smile said more clearly than the rant that followed he was insane.

"I had to, don't you see.  The prophesy said if you took your place of power I would die.  It was self-defense.  Now you would destroy dragon kind with this human.  No!  I'm not the traitor here.  You are."

"You gave his blood to the blood mage.  Why?"  Morgan called the question.

"That was the price, for the potion that made him weak enough to kill.  But I couldn't strike the blow myself.  If a seer were to search out his fate, it must look as if he played games with the humans and died for his foolishness.  That was the price I paid."  He was so excited it had to be unnatural.  "The blood was the price I paid."

Is he drugged?

I'm not sure but he is most certainly crazed.

"Why are you here?" Ladon asked moving so that he blocked the line of sight to Morgan.

This had Bochus blinking.  Confused and then his face cleared.  "To kill you of course.  It's the only way."

"If you wanted to challenge me all you had to do was wait for the new moon.  Why now?"

"They can't see."  Bochus looked around furtively.  "They won't understand."

"Understand what?"

I'm almost there.  Keep him talking.  The sound of Ebens words had relief pouring through Morgan.

Bochus laughed then.  "I had to be able to win."  Then he was transforming into his dragon.  Only it was something different that he became.

He retained his red color but he had grown to twice his normal size and his skin was mottled and black in places.  A spike formed on his tail and his dragon talons morphed to curved weapons.  He had two black horns on his head and his spittle hissed when it dribbled to the ground between razor sharp teeth.

Get out of here Morgan!  Ladon called before he transformed into his now tiny looking dragon between them.  Get the others to safety.

Bochus swung his spiked tail forcing Ladon to fly out of the way just as it crashed into the ground where he had stood.

Eben Hurry.  She called then yanked the earth out from under Bochus so that his talons flew up and he was rolling back away from Ladon.

He roared his rage and then flew up belching fire towards them.  Morgan called the wind sucking the air away so the fire never reached its intended target.  Ladon gave his own war cry before launching himself at the bigger dragon and using his slighter form and speed to get behind him and bludgeon him with his own tail.

Bochus went tumbling again with a wild shriek but came back fast.  Trying to grab for the much smaller dragon as Ladon flicked around him scraping him up with flashing claws.  Then with a flash of gold Ladon called his great sword and swung going for a neck shot.  But it was as if he was hitting stone.  It just made Bochus madder and madder.

He turned and swiped with his mutated talons.  He was going to connect.  Morgan knew it, knew too that Ladon would die, even as a black shadow appeared between them and Eben took the swipe into his own side.  His black talons dug into the abomination Bochus had become, and with six thousand years of dragon power behind him, he ripped off his head.

He dropped what was left of a twitching Bochus to the ground.  Turning first to look for Morgan and then seeing her standing he turned to check Ladon.  But Ladon was looking at the wound across Ebens flank.

Poison.  Ladon said meeting his eyes.  Eben felt the energy draining out.  He would have dropped to the ground if Ladon had not grabbed him and lead him down.

Morgan came running as they landed.  She gasped seeing the black stain spreading across his iridescent scales.

"No!"  She yelled falling to her knees beside him just as they both shifted to human.  "Eben no."  But she knew.  She could feel the poison spreading.

'One or the other will die.'  Melly had said.  Morgan assumed she meant Ladon or Bochus but what if she meant this?

"Eben."  She whispered, her hands going to either side of his face so she could look into his eyes.  "Don't you leave me."

His pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.  "You worry about the silliest things Shameaa.  There is no poison that can harm a dragon."  But his words were slurring and his eyes going unfocused.

"Arrogant dragon."  She cursed through her tears.  "Always think you know everything."

"I have called for a healer."  The voice was too deep and had Morgan looking up through her tears.  She hadn't even noticed General Solan arrive until now.  She looked at him through sightless eyes.  Then beside her, she heard Rhune.

"He's dying, isn't he Morgan?"  Too serious and too knowing for such a young boy.  "I can see it spreading."  Morgan looked from her brother to Eben who was now gasping for breath.

"The healer won't be in time."  Ladon said from the other side of Eben.  She looked across and saw the same devastation on his face she knew she was wearing on hers.

Shameaa.  His voice in her head was weak.  You may have been right...this once.

"I don't want to be right!"  She cried.  "I want you to beat this, like you beat everything else.  Please Eben.  Fight!"  His hand found her cheek, pushing into her hair and wiping her tears with his thumb.

"I would not give up the light so soon after discovering its warmth."  He said, and she grabbed his hand to hold it to her face as agony shook her.  He reached his other hand to find Ladon and they clasped hands.  "You will look after each other.  All that is mine is yours.”

"You don't have to ask."

“Solan."

"Here."  Came the gruff voice.

"You will bear witness that all these here belong to me.  I claim them as dragon mage of the house of water."

"I will so witness."

"Then he looked at Morgan.  "Shameaa..."  Then he closed his eyes.

"No!  Where's the healer?"  She yelled, feeling him slipping away.  "Fight!  You arrogant dragon.  Fight!"  She shook him as hard as she could but there was nothing.

Then he jerked and Morgan looked up.  A white light was swirling around him, the black shadow wound started to shrink and she blinked not understanding until Clare screamed.

"Rhune!"

She looked down Ebens body and saw Rhune with his hands on the wound.  "What are you doing?”  But she knew.  She had seen her mother heal enough wounds to know when someone was healing with magic.  Only Rhune had never had that power.  Until now.

Even as she watched the shadow wound was leaching out of Eben...and into Rhune.

'Morgan stop him.  He's too young!'  This was what Melly had been warning her about!  This!

"No."  Morgan yelled knocking Rhune away from the wounded dragon. "Hold him away.  It'll kill him!"

General Solan Picked up Rhune and turned so that he was away from the body.  Rhune was struggling and yelling but he was no match for the Dragon General.

Morgan turned back to Eben.  The shadow was smaller but it wasn't enough.  Rhune could have saved him but he was too young, he would have died unable to fight off the poison.  He was a healer.

Like their mother.

‘Blood or sex, Morgan.  That's how you restore a fading dragon.  Blood or sex.  But only use it when the need is most dire.’

Morgan reached over to the sword Ladon had dropped and slashed her hand against it.

"Morgan!"  He yelled reaching for her, but she already had her hand pressed between Ebens lips.

"Fight Eben."  She whispered pushing Ladon back when he would have taken her hand away.  "Fight!"  She yelled it directly into Ebens face.

Just when she though it wasn't going to work, Eben latched onto her hand with sharp teeth.  She cried out but it wasn't the pain.  She watched as the shadows shrank with each gulp of blood he downed.

"It’s working!”  She heard someone say right before she passed out from blood loss.

Chapter 14

When Morgan opened her eyes, she was in her bed in the Forsaken Mountain.  There was a naked man at her back.

Eben?

Here Shameaa.  The arm at her waist tightened, bringer her closer to his hard hot body.  Ladon?  Rhune?  Melly?  Was everyone safe?

Everyone is safe.  He said and she burst into tears.  Burying her head in the pillow while he cuddled against her back.  Shameaa...Eben said finally.  You break my heart.

I thought I lost you.

No, you saved me.  He said and there was something there that she didn't understand.

"What is it?"  She asked sniffling and rolling so that she faced him.

"Rhune could have died, you could have died.  I did not expect or want that sacrifice."  He placed hands on either side of her face and studied what he saw there.  "I suppose I am not used to being the one rescued."

"You were not the only one rescued."  Ladon said from where he stood watch on the balcony.  His eyes lacked their usual twinkle.  "You should not have taken that hit for me."  His voice broke.  "I almost lost you both."

"Ladon."  Morgan said with joy.  Sitting up and reaching out to him.  He came to the bed and to her hand, pressing it against his face.  "I almost lost you both.  Better to die than that."

"No.  You are here in my hand."  She said softly understanding exactly how he felt.  "We are all safe.  This is better."

"I almost lost you both."

"Come to bed my friend."  Eben said quietly.  "Come and let us remember we live."

Ladon crawled up on the bed beside the Morgan until they were both kneeling facing each other.  He pushed his hands into her hair and kissed her softly.  "Little Falcon."  He said, running his lips over her cheeks and forehead.  Then he pulled hard on her hair, capturing her eyes with a new fierceness.  "I cannot lose you."

"Ladon."  She whispered.  "I'm right here."  She leaned up and kissed his chest, running her soft lips over him wherever she could reach, wanting him to feel nothing but love.  "I'm not going anywhere.  Not without you."  Then she took a hard nipple into her wet mouth and sucked.  Nipping down with her teeth while he groaned.  She swirled her tongue around his other nipple, while her hand palmed his pulsing cock.  Her hair slipped through his fingers when she moved lower.  Kissing and nipping along his hard ridges and planks.  She had just slipped the tip of him into her mouth when she felt Eben behind her, pulling her roughly by the hips, he positioned her on her knees, her legs spread.

Ladon took a firmer grip on her hair and used it to pull her back to his cock.  She swallowed around him taking as much as she could as Eben speared into her from behind.  She groaned and it had Ladon bucking his hips mindlessly.  With Eben pushing her and Ladon pulling she had little control and went where they led.

When Ladon bellowed out his climax, she swallowed him up.  Eben pistoned harder until he was pounding a place deep inside that eventually had her coming on a whole body shudder.  Then Eben poured his pleasure into her with a dragons roar.

They lay entwined some time later.  Morgan draped over Eben with Ladon spooning her from the back.  Ebens hand was running up and down her arm as if to assure himself she was real.  Ladon had his nose buried at her neck where he could breathe her in with each breath.

There was a thump against the door that had Morgan jumping.  "What was that?"

"I believe that is the hatchling discovering the spell I placed on the door."

"When did you do that?"

"When I heard him pounding up the stairs."

Ladon chuckled into her hair.  "I suppose we should go out soon."  He said, not moving.  "They've been anxious to see you awake."

Rhune thumped against the door.  "How come they aren't answering?"  His bellow could be heard through the solid wood.

But Melly's answer was barely discernible.  "Come away Rhune.  I said she was awake, not that she was ready to get up."

"Why won't she get up?  She's been sleeping for DAYS!"

That had Morgan blinking up at Eben.  "How long have I been sleeping?"

"Three days."

"Three days?"

"Long enough for Eben to have us all declared the combined House of Fire and Water.  Long enough that the blood rights have been outlawed by the humans and all magic forbidden beyond the gates of Dracon.  Long enough that General Solan has started regular patrols to try to save as many mage as we can beyond our walls."

Morgan was on information overload for a few minutes as she digested the news, good and bad.

"It's as you said."  Morgan said sadly, laying her head back down.  "We will always be in hiding among the humans."

"Yes.”  Eben said rubbing her arm.  "Human nature has always been such.  They will always destroy that which they fear."

"Then we have changed nothing."

"Not true."  Ladon said.  "The blood rights are finished and dragons are searching among the humans for their mates.  There is hope for both sides."

The door shook across the room.  "I can hear you talking!"

It made Morgan laugh despite everything.  "You are such a brat!"  She called back.

"See Melly.  She's awake."  They heard and then.  "But I want to show her my dragon house amulet right now."

"There will be other battles to fight, Shameaa.  But not today."

"No."  She said letting herself enjoy that both her mates were with her and her family safe.  "Today the battles have all been fought and won."

There was more pounding.

"Except for one."  She amended.  "How do we keep my brother away from our bedroom?"

"We were thinking three headed dog."  Ladon said, his usual humor slowly returning.

Morgan sighed.  "He'd probably just try to ride it."

Eben and Ladon both started laughing.

"Well, he would."  She said, not seeing the humor.

"Of that I have no doubt, Shameaa.  He is too much like his sheet riding sister to do otherwise."

"One should never complain about their mate while naked in bed with them Lord Dragon."  Morgan teased, using Rhunes favorite title for him.

"Complain?"  He asked.  "Never.  But I believe I still owe you a spanking for more than one incident of 'courage' these past days."

She sniffed at his threat, a spark flickering in her eyes.  "Is it your extreme old age that makes it impossible for you to tell mates and children apart?  Spanking indeed."  She jumped up so that she was standing over them on the bed.  Hands to her gloriously nude hips.  "Try it Lord Dragon and we'll both regret what I freeze off you in your sleep."  Then she jumped down laughing, sending a whoosh of cold magic back over the dragons on the bed, before she slammed the door to the bathroom.  They heard the water start a second later.

Eben sighed.  It's as if she has no fear of me at all.

That made Ladon laugh.  They both knew that where Morgan was concerned, his threats where about as likely as a dragon giving up his treasure.  Then he too was up and headed for the bath.

Just where are you going?

To join our mate in her bath.  You can join us…or you can go deal with Rhune.

It didn't take 6000 years of wisdom to see the smarter choice there.

Epilogue

"I wondered if you would come here."  The Voice was cold even in the black of the ice cave.  "I wondered if you would really be so foolish."

"There was nowhere else."  The blood mage spat out.  His red eyes proclaiming his participation in the blood rights.  Even in the dark, they glowed with an eerie fire.  "Your dragons have destroyed everything else."  The cave had been carved deep into the mountain where no light reached.  It was a place of old power that had been corrupted by death.  "And the peasants revolt against their betters because of it."

"So you hide in the dark like a rat?"  The shadows moved but didn't part.  "Tell me Lotare, what good are you to me now?"

"I am not finished!"  The mage hissed.  "I will take back what has been stolen, and you will help me."

The Dragon laughed.  "What possible reason would I have?"

"You have your own enemies."  The blood mage reminded him.

"And your poison didn't work!"

"I can perfect it, and I will.  Then you will have the means to destroy even the oldest of dragons.  But I want something in return."

"More dragon blood, perhaps?  Tell me mage how much did you waste on that imbecile Bochus?  I sent him to you to try out the poison, not to destroy his mind."

"A means to an end."  He said waving that away as inconsequential as he paced.  "A girl is beyond the gates of Dracon.  She belongs to me.  I want her back."

"A girl?"  The voice dropped.  "Describe her."

"Young, red hair, green eyes.  Small.  She is wind called.  How many can there be?"

"You'd be surprised."  The dragon said with open disgust.  "But I have never seen a girl such as you describe."

"Find her."  Lotare snapped.  "Give her to me and I will make a poison even your oldest dragon with ten healers could not survive."

There was movement in the shadows as the dragon left the way he had come.  His last word echoed eerily through the once sacred space.  "Done."

* * *

Melly woke with a gasp, the foretelling fading from her mind even as the last word echoed.

She shivered; she was always so cold now.  She left the bed that was no comfort and stepped out onto the balcony.  It should have made her colder.  The winds blowing around her from so many far off lands.  Instead, it was a companion.  A friend that laughed through her red hair and picked up her skirts.  A playmate that made her smile, even when it felt like unholy eyes looked for her in the darkness.

Why couldn't she remember the dreams?

She could push the issue.  Talk to Morgan or ask for a healer, but everyone was finally happy now, and the truth was she didn't want to know, not really.  Not yet.

Soon, she knew there would be no choice but to face what was done to her.

Her eyes looked out into the magic filled lands of the dragons.  She closed her eyes and let the wind wipe away her fears.

Soon.  It echoed through the winds: There would be a price to pay, another battle to be fought.  But not yet.

Content

The Dragon’s Mage
Dragon Mage - 1
by
Kelly Lucille

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Epilogue