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Dragon Got Your Tongue

Dragon Guard Series #24

by

Julia Mills

There Are No Coincidences.

The Universe Does Not Make Mistakes.

Fate Will Not Be Denied.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Cover by Linda Boulanger with Tell Tale Book Covers

Edited and Proofread by Tammy Payne with Book Nook Nuts

Formatted by Charlene Bauer with Wickedly Bold Creations

Milly – THANK YOU SO MUCH! You are a Goddess!

My Readers – YOU MAKE MY DAY! THANK YOU from the bottom of my big old southern heart! I simply could NOT do it without YOU!

DEDICATION

Dare to Dream! Find the Strength to Act! Never Look Back!

Thank you, God.

To my girls, Liz and Em, I Love You. Every day, every way, always.

Index of the Original Language of the Dragon Kin

Dragon Got Your Tongue

Mo chroi’………. My heart

Mo ghra’………. My love

Mo stór………. My darling

An stór mo chroí go deo agus i gcónaí………. The treasure of my heart forever and always

Mo maité………. My mate

Mo Dragon………. My dragon

Anois agus go deo, is breá liom tú mo Dragon………. Now and forever, I love you, my dragon

Dom leómhan beag………..My little lion

Mo milis……….My sweet

Mo Bhanríon……….My Queen

Tá tú ag an stór mo chroí……….You are the treasure of my soul

The Dragon Guard

We soar the skies
Free to a certain extent,
As long as we stay hidden 
From prying human eyes.

Our scales differ in color
Our defensive weapons,
Tails, horns, talons and all,
Are never the same.

We are one with nature
We blend in with nature
The wind helps us soar high in the heavens
While the earth grant us healing strength in our hour of need.

We are one with the world
We are the guardians of our kin
When evil conspire to maim and hurt
We are protectors of this human race.

As majestic animals of fairytales
We share our beings with great men
They walk in honor and the grace of Fate,
Fate that we cannot deny.

Copyright © 2016 Melanie Williams
- This Poem is based on the Series, The Dragon Guard by Author Julia Mills.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

About Julia

Also by Julia Mills

Chapter One

“Seriously, Tessa? You have got to be kidding me. A matchmaker? What did your parents say?”

“Nothing.” Her friend shrugged. “It really wasn’t any of their business. Besides,” the Vaepanther, part vampire – part black panther, waggled her eyebrows. “You’ve seen Lenn.” She flopped back on the bed, adding with a dreamy sigh, “Gerri definitely knows what she’s doing. I’d give her a ten out of ten for prompt and thorough service.”

Savannah could only roll her eyes as one of her closest friends giggled like a giddy schoolgirl and tease, “Yeah, but he’s a scaly, old dragon. I’ve heard their domineering and bossy.”

Rolling to her side and propping her head on her hand, the Vaepanther grinned, “Oh yeah, in absolutely all the best ways.”

Throwing a pillow at her friend, Savannah shook her head and sighed. She was thrilled for her friend…. really. Tess had every right to be happy…. even though it was nauseating. She was mated to one the sexiest men Savannah had ever seen. Lennox had a wicked sense of humor and the tenacity to keep up with a crazy Vaepanther every step of the way.

But I’m a Queen. I have responsibilities. I’m supposed to mate someone of royal descent…

“But they all suck,” Tessa answered out loud. “And you deserve better.”

“Stop listening to my thoughts.”

“If you don’t want me to listen and give my opinion, then don’t broadcast them for the whole world to hear.” The Vaepanther playfully stuck out her tongue before going on. “Besides, who knows better than me? I’ve met most of the feline royalty and let’s face it, all the males are either momma’s boys or more pretentious than a beauty queen.” She sat up on the bed, holding the pillow Savannah had thrown at her. “You need a man who can make you laugh. Who sweeps you off your feet.” She threw the pillow at the same time she quickly added, “Gets the ‘I’m-a-Queen’ stick outta your ass and makes you purr a little.”

Opening her mouth to snipe back as she caught the pillow her friend had thrown, Savannah’s jaw snapped shut, she flopped into the overstuffed chair behind her, and sighed, “You know, you’re right.” She bit the inside of her cheek and thought for a minute before going on. “I’ve been the Queen of this Pride since I was eighteen.” She leveled her gaze. “And you are one of the few people who know how damn long that’s been.” Winking to lighten the suddenly serious mood, the lioness hurried on, getting more excited with every word. “It’s time I had some fun. Thought of myself…lived a little, ya’ know?” Not waiting for an answer, she went on. “Who cares if he’s of royal descent or not? Has fur or feathers or Goddess forbid, scales? It’s time I grab a little happiness for myself.”

Jumping to her feet as her friend sprung off the bed, the two women gave a loud, ‘Woohoo’ and a unanimous fist pump. Grabbing the phone from Tessa’s outstretched hand, Savannah touched the screen and listened intently as the matchmaker’s phone began to ring.

“Hello?” Answered the voice on the other end. 

“Hello. Is this Gerri Wilder?”

“Yes, it is. How can I help you, Savannah?”

Pulling the phone from her ear, the Queen looked at it like it had sprouted ears then looked at her friend who was nodding knowingly, as Tessa hit the speakerphone button and Savannah asked, “How did you know who it was?”

A laugh, so full of life that it made Savannah smile despite her trepidation, filled the room as Gerri replied, “A magician never reveals her secrets.”

“A magician, huh?” Savannah asked with raised eyebrows. “Is that how you changed Tessa from a cranky, old Vaepanther to this blissfully happy slug before me?”

“You know it,” the matchmaker snickered. “But Tessa and Lennox were an easy match. Just as I’m sure you and your mate will be.”

Holding back her laughter as her friend stuck out her tongue, harrumphed and folded her arms over her chest, pretending to be offended, Savannah questioned, “So since you know what I’m calling about, what’s the next step?”

“I like you.” The Queen could hear the smile in Gerri’s voice as she went on, “Direct and to the point – my kinda girl.” There was a pause during which Savannah could hear papers shuffling before the matchmaker asked, “What are you doing this afternoon?”

“Nothing. Why?”

“Because I’m coming over and we’ll get started. No time like the present, right?”

“Oh…well, yeah. I guess you’re right.”

“See you at two.”

“Wait, are you close to the Pride Lands? I thought you lived…”

“Darlin’, I’m close to everywhere,” the matchmaker chuckled. “See you at two.”

“Well, damn. She works quick.” Savannah blew out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

“I told you she was something else,” Tessa grinned then quickly added, “This is gonna be fun.”

“Wait…fun?” She knew that look in Tessa’s eyes. Had seen it more than once and every time they’d ended up in some kind of trouble…usually the type that required one or both of their sets of parents getting involved to avoid inter-species war.

Just like the time they were vacationing on Australia’s Gold Coast and got into an argument with two mermen about whether cats liked water or not. It had only taken four tall glasses of some fruity, alcoholic concoction and a whole crap-ton of healthy competition to make the girls change into their cats and jump into the warm, clear waters of South Straddie.

Unfortunately, they’d been so caught up in proving the mermen wrong, that the girls hadn’t even noticed the fifty or so surfers paddling around, waiting for a wave. Needless to say, after smoothing everything over with local officials, the MerKing had immediately called their parents.

For the next twenty-four hours, while sequestered in the MerKing’s underwater castle, the girls had enjoyed enough seafood to sink a small battleship while waiting for their imminent doom. Savannah would never forget how many zeroes were on the check her father wrote to the Sea Shepherd Marine Debris Campaign, the merpeople’s charity of choice, or how long she was grounded.

And I’d do it all again to have my parents back…

“I miss them, too,” Tessa nodded with tear filled eyes. “They were the best.”

“Yeah, they were,” Savannah agreed. “And that was the last vacation we took before they were… were…” She choked back the words, unable to continue.

Coming up beside her, Tessa wrapped her arms around Savannah’s shoulder and nodded, “I know, hun, I know. Sometimes, life’s just not fair.” Patting her arm before stepping back, the Vaepanther painted on a smile to hide the pain Savannah felt within her friend and teased, “Now, get outta that damned, old, ratty T-shirt and those smiley-face boxers. That’s really no way for a Queen to dress.”

Snickering despite the tears still clogging her throat, Savannah rolled her eyes for at least the tenth time since Tessa had arrived with coffee and croissants at the crack of dawn and teased, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, like your matchmaker friend cares what I look like.”

Tilting her head to the side and giving the lioness an oh-yeah-you-think-so look, Tessa scoffed, “Oh girl, are you in for a surprise.”

“What do you mean?” Savannah asked, getting more nervous with every passing second.

With a cat-that-ate-the-canary grin, Tessa raised up on her toes, spun towards the door and as she headed into the hall called over her shoulder with a chuckle, “You’ll see.” Then added, “Want some more coffee?”

“No, I don’t want coffee,” Savannah grumbled under her breath as she got ready to take a shower. “I want to have my head examined for listening to you.”

“I heard that,” came Tessa’s sing-songed reply.

“Good, I meant for you, too,” the Queen yelled back before sighing, “Good Goddess, what was I thinking?”

Chapter Two

“Sorry, I just had to take that call,” the short woman with platinum hair, dark rimmed glasses and enough power to light up Broadway on New Year’s Eve smiled as she sat back down across the table from Hayes with a smile.

“Not to worry,” the blue and gold dragon nodded. “I’m not even really sure why I’m here.” He started to get up. “I shouldn’t have wasted your time.”

“Sit right back down,” Gerri ordered, looking over her glasses like his grandmother used to when she caught him with his hand in the cookie jar. “You know exactly what you’re doing here. So, stop all the nonsense.” Shaking her head and slapping her hand against the pad of paper on the table in front of her, she continued, “You blasted dragons think you know everything. Hate asking anybody for help.” She pointed at him. “Just like Kayne. I keep telling him I can point him in the right direction, but the boy just acts like he can’t hear me and runs the other way.”

“I’m sorry. I meant no disrespect. It’s just that…”

Holding up her hand, Gerri charged on, her irritation palpable. “It’s just that you’re too damn pigheaded. It’s bred into every man on earth, but dragons get a double dose. It proves the Universe has a sense of humor.” Her mood completely switched gears as she sat back in her chair and smiled, “But just as sure as the Goddess made little green apples, I love every scale on your prickly hides. Look at Lennox and Tessa. Those two kids are happy as pigs in shit, Now, stop all this backpedaling and let’s get on with it. Deal?”

Unsure what to say, Hayes just nodded, knowing full well he was going to have to work hard to keep up with the firecracker of a woman. Picking up his glass, he had just taken a drink of iced tea when Gerri said, “Have you ever thought that you might have two mates?”

Spitting his tea across the table, Hayes coughed and sputtered, “What did you say?” Taking the napkin that Gerri offered, he quickly added while wiping his chin, “Hell no, I never thought I might have two mates.” His hands stilled and his eyes flew to the matchmaker’s as he nearly yelled, “Wait! Do you think, or know, that I have two mates?” Jumping to his feet, flinging the cloth around like a white flag, he pleaded, “Please, tell me I don’t have two mates.”

Laughing out loud, Gerri snorted, “No boy, I just wondered if you’d ever entertained the thought.” She took a breath, still grinning from ear-to-ear. “And before you spit any more tea at me, let me ask, have you ever been with two women?”

“No ma’am,” he answered, unable to look Gerri in the eye then nearly falling out of his chair when she went on, “A guy and a girl? Two men?”

Trying to keep his cheeks from turning red while having questions about his sex life asked by a woman resembling his Auntie Mae, Hayes stuttered, “N-n-no and no.”

“You’re a one man – one woman kinda guy then, huh?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And you can drop that ‘ma’am’ crap. I may be older than Methuselah, but the whole ‘ma’am’ thing grates on my nerves.” She winked. “It’s Gerri, okay?”

“Yes, ma…” he stopped then quickly corrected, “Got it.”

With a single nod, she started making notes in a language he’d never before seen as she asked, “Tell me what you want in a mate.”

Opening his mouth to speak, Hayes stopped for a second before replying, “Ya’ know? I never really thought about it. I just always assumed since the Universe would make a woman for me that when the time was right, my perfect mate would just appear.” He looked at the smiling matchmaker as she patiently waited for more of an answer. “But that hasn’t happened. I’m ready, willing and able, but still no mate.”

“And that’s where I come in. Look,” she sat back, took off her glasses and swung them in circles with the arm between her thumb and forefinger. “I’m good, but I’m still just me, not the Universe, no miracle worker, just good, old Gerri Wilder. My job is to find the girl meant for you and get you in the same place at the same time. The more you tell me, the easier it will be for me to find her and get her to you. Make sense?”

“Sure does,” Hayes nodded. “So, here goes.” He blew out a breath and then just began saying whatever came to his mind, “I want a real partner. Someone with her own mind, who says what she thinks and isn’t afraid to tell me when she doesn’t agree or thinks I’m full of sh-crap.” Coughing to hide his blunder, he immediately acquiesced, “Sorry about that.”

“No problem, Hayes. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, I don’t hold back.” Gerri slid her glasses back on, leaned forward, and patted his hand across the table. “And you should do the same. The only way this works is if you trust me.” She winked. “So, no holding back. Just go for it. Nothing is out of bounds. Got it?”

“Got it,” he smiled. “Let’s see. Where was I? Oh yeah, I remember. She needs to be strong and intelligent. Spontaneous is good, too.” He chuckled, “I’ve never been much of a planner.”

“Does she need to be a dragon? Cause you know those girls are hard to find,” Gerri laughed. “Sorry, I just couldn’t resist.” Taking a sip from her glass, she went on, “More to the point, do you have a preference whether she’s a shifter or not?”

“No,” he shook his head. “And I’m not picky about short or tall, curvy or not, the color of her eyes or the length of her hair. Heck, I don’t even care if she’s a vegetarian as long as she doesn’t lose her mind when the guys and I grill up a side of beef.”

“Good to know,” Gerri chuckled while nodding and writing. After asking about a hundred more questions, some of which Hayes had no answers for, the matchmaker simply blurted out, “What about sex?”

It took a moment for the Guardsman to answer as he tried really hard not to act shocked while thinking of an appropriate reply. In the end, he just said, “Yes.”

For the fifth, or maybe it was the sixth time since he’d arrived, Gerri laughed out loud. “I tell you, my boy, this may end up going on my list of top ten best interviews.” She sat back and laid her hands in her lap. “You really are something special. The girl that gets you is gonna be a lucky woman.”

Still smiling, the matchmaker sat back up, grabbed her pen from the table and continued, “Alright, let’s try this again since you’re a shifter and one of those hot-blooded dragons, I have no doubt that you like sex, but do you like to be in charge? Or are you just as happy letting your mate take the reins?”

“Like I said, I want us to be true partners, and that includes in the bedroom…or wherever we may be.” Hayes winked, finally feeling comfortable to be his usual cheeky self. “I know the second I meet her that I won’t be able to keep my hands off of her and I’m praying to the Heavens that she’ll feel the same about me.”

Slamming her hand on the table, Gerri whooped and hollered, “Hell yeah, now that’s the kind of answers I’m looking for.” She jumped up to her full height of four feet, eleven inches and practically skipped to the bar, coming back with a fifth of his favorite Irish whiskey and two glasses.

Pouring a healthy two fingers of the amber liquid into each glass, Gerri slid Hayes’ to him, sat down and in one gulp finished her drink before getting a refill and grinning, “Now, let’s get down to the good stuff?”

“The good stuff?” Hayes asked, feeling his eyes go wide.

“Yes, siree Bob, the really good stuff,” she chuckled devilishly.

“Oh crap, pour me another.”

Chapter Three

“With all due respect, Your Excellency, sending our trackers to gather intel on the Jaguars may be perceived as an act of aggression,” Jacques, Savannah’s most-trusted advisor, not to mention godfather, advised.

“Drop the ‘Your Excellency’ crap, Uncle Jack. It’s just us,” the Queen sighed. “You know I can’t stand all the pomp and circumstance.” Rising from her seat at the head of the long, thin conference table, Savannah walked to the window, wishing she could call forth her lioness and run free for a week or two. “And I know you’re right,” she tried to control her temper. “But those bastards struck first.”

Turning and holding up her hand, as she continued talking, her words grew heavy with fury. “And please do not try to tell me that we have no concrete proof they were the ones who set the fire on the south side of the Pride Lands.” She stepped forward. “I saw the tracks with my own eyes and caught the scent.” Savannah’s fist clenched at her sides. “It wasn’t enough to destroy a large section of the grazing land for the cattle, but the bastards actually marked their territory.”

Narrowing her gaze, she growled through gritted teeth, “And you think it right that I dine with their Prince?” Unable to control her anger, Savannah took a menacing step forward, feeling her canines lengthening as she snarled, “I cannot and I will not.”

“But Savannah, please see reason,” Jack implored, finally dropping the formal façade he presented to everyone outside the royal family. “Tensions have been high with the jags since before you were born. Your fath…”

Refusing to listen to another story of how her father would’ve handled the situation, Savannah stalked out the door, down the hall and straight out into the hot, dry air, heading straight for her sister, Makayla’s house. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be the great leader that her father, Rex, was, hadn’t been striving to lead their people since the day he’d died, it was that she couldn’t bear to relive the pain of losing them again. It didn’t matter that they had died all those years before, it was still like a knife to her heart every time they crossed her mind.

Guilt, pure and simple, there was no other explanation. Sure, all her sisters, uncles, aunties, cousins, even Jacques, had told her it wasn’t her fault, but Savannah would never forget fighting with her mother over having to be the only one of her sisters to attend a formal dinner and ignoring her father’s calls as she ran out of the house. At that moment, the young lioness hadn’t cared about formal dinners or meeting the delegation from Africa or anything to do with being the oldest daughter of the Lion King. No, all she cared about was running with her friends and breaking all the rules.

“What an idiot I was,” she scoffed to herself. “If only…”

Memories, like an old home movie, ran through her mind. Visions of Savannah and her friends, young shifters at the time, hiding out in the dense cover on the jungle side of the Pride Lands, without a care in the world, wiling away as the days, whizzed by like leaves in the wind.

“What do you want to do tonight?” Millie, Savannah’s best friend and a wolf in her animal form, asked. “We could watch movies at my house. Mom and Dad will be at the fancy dinner at your house.” Winking, she added, “Guess you’re not going, huh?”

“No way,” Savannah snorted, remembering the horrible fight she’d just had with her mother. “You’re not gonna catch me wearing some itchy, frilly dress and playing nice with the lions from only the Goddess knows where, parading around as the Heir to the Throne, pfft. No more of that crap for me. Angelica can take my place. She’s only two years younger.”

“Must be rough being a Princess,” Jamie, the coolest boy in her class and a real asshole to boot, mocked. “Living in a damned mansion, getting everything you want.” Tossing a grape above his head and catching it between his teeth, he snickered, “Real tough there, Vannah.”

Savannah hated that nickname, almost as much as she despised Jamie and his friends. They were boneheaded jocks, all different species and breeds of shifters with more muscles than brains, living in their own world where ignorance was bliss.

Refusing to jump at the bait, Savannah ignored the boys, turning towards Millie, Jane and Annie. “Let’s just make it a girls’ night. Going to your house sounds great.” Plastering on a smile, she went on, “Then I won’t even be in this Goddess-forsaken place, and my parents will have no say over what I do.”

All the girls agreed and standing in unison, got up, leaving the boys yelling after them. Giggling as they ran through the trees, free as birds, planning their evening, the girls raced straight into Millie’s empty house, grabbed all the junk food they could carry and headed to the living room.

Sometime just before sunrise, Savannah awoke from a sound sleep, her lioness growling and her heart pounding like a bass drum. Realizing it was a knock at the door that woke her, the lioness got up from where she’d fallen asleep on the floor and padded to the foyer.

Opening the door, she yawned, “What are you doing here, Uncle Jack? Has mom sent you to talk some sense into me?”

The scent of sadness and anguish swamped her as his voice cracked, “You need to come home, Princess.” He cleared his throat. “There’s been an… an…”

Refusing to relive any more maudlin memories, Savannah knocked on the door before going in and calling out, “It’s just me, Mack.”

“Hey, You,” her youngest sister chuckled. “I’m in the kitchen making cookies. Get on back here and taste my newest creation.”

Feeling better just being away from Royal Hall, the Queen followed the scrumptious aroma of homemade baked goods and grinned, “I would love to.”

Looking up as Savannah walked into the kitchen, Makayla shook her head, “Damn Sis, you look like something the cat dragged in.” Wiping her hands, she added with a wink, “Uncle Jack making you do your job again?”

“Yeah,” Savannah snorted. “Something like that.” Grabbing the biggest peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cranberry cookie on the plate, she moaned as the best flavor she ever tasted burst onto her tongue, nodding as her sister beamed, “You like?”

“Hell yeah, I like. I admit I was worried about the cranberries, but now that I taste it, these babies are fabulous,” the Queen answered, still chewing while grabbing for another cookie. “You got any milk? I really need some with these babies.”

Taking a gallon from the fridge and getting a glass from the cupboard, Mack filled it with the cold white liquid before handing it to Savannah and leaving the carton on the bar. Standing with her hand on her hip as the other leaned against the kitchen counter, the youngest of the Royal family ordered, “Now, spill. What’s got you so down?”

“Nothing.” Savannah shook her head. Setting her empty glass on the counter, refusing to look up at her sister, she reluctantly sighed, “Jack doesn’t want me to send the Scouts out to gather information on the jaguars. He says that if they get caught, it will be seen as an act of aggression.”

Leaning her elbows on the counter, Makayla drew figure eights in some leftover flour as she quietly asked, “Are you doing it because you think they’re up to something or because you’re still trying to prove that they…”

“Don’t say it,” Savannah growled.

“I am gonna say it because you need to hear it.” Mack stood up, slammed her fists on her hips and spat, “Are you still trying to prove that they are the ones who put the poison in Mom and Dad’s food?”

Glaring at her little sister, Savannah asserted, “I know they did it, Mack. Deep down to the bottom of my soul, I am sure beyond all doubt that those mangy, flea-ridden balls of useless fur killed our parents, and they would have killed me too if I’d been there.”

“Savannah, you have to let this go. It was so long ago. There was no proof the jags had been anywhere near our lands. They couldn’t have done it.” Mack came around the counter and put her arm around the Queen. “Even Uncle Jack went out looking for tracks, traces, anything to bring the killers to justice, and he found nothing.”

“I know. I was there,” Savannah grumbled. “And I’ve tried to let it go, but I can’t. Not when I would stake my crown that they are to blame.”

Dropping her hand and taking a seat next to Savannah, Mack tapped her fingernails on the granite countertop as she said, “Okay, you do what you have to do. You’re the Queen and Goddess knows I trust you with my life, just like every other lion in this Pride.” She took a cookie and after biting into it quickly changed the subject. “Onto other news, how did the meeting with the matchmaker go?”

Turning in her seat so quickly she almost hit the floor, Savannah gasped, “How did you know about that?”

Chuckling with a mouth full of cookie, Mack smiled and winked, “Oh, I happen to have bribed Tessa with two dozen oatmeal-raisin-chocolate-chip-orange cookies and a dozen blueberry muffins.”

“What a little brat. Just wait until I see her again.”

Savannah shook her head then burst out laughing as Mack added, “She says she’s praying to all the gods that you end up with a dragon.”

Now, wouldn’t that just be my luck…

Chapter Four

“What are you doing in here looking all sad and lonely?” Asked Janice, the leader of the Honey Badger Clan and owner of the shifter bar, The Sundowner.

“Nothing.” Hayes picked at the label on his beer bottle.

“You dragons don’t usually travel alone.” She wiped the water off the bar between them. “Must be something serious for you to be out on your own.”

Shaking his head, he once again sighed, “Nothing.”

“Leave him be, Mom,” Shauna, Janice’s oldest daughter teased. “Looks like woman trouble to me.” She winked, “Need a tattoo. It seemed to help Lennox.”

“How about the lack-of-a-woman trouble?” The Guardsman groaned. “I even…Oh, never mind.” He took a sip of his beer then quickly added, “And...ummmm, no tattoo for me. The one the Universe gave me is quite enough.”

Tossing a lime at him as she made a drink for another customer, Shauna raised an eyebrow as she asked, “Okay, just asking. But you can’t leave us hanging. What did you do? Come on, give it up.”

Ignoring the younger honey badgers pleas, Hayes took another swig of beer, then nearly choked to death when Janice piped up with, “Please Lord, tell me you didn’t go see Gerri.”

“How did you…” the Guardsman sputtered, wiping the beer from his chin.

“Because I know men,” the bar owner sighed. Both women leaned their elbows on the bar as Janice went on, “What is it with you guys? You know you’ve got a mate out there somewhere, why can’t you lot be patient? Sooner or later your paths will cross.”

Shaking his head, Hayes stared at the beer in his bottle, unable to come up with an answer and finally grumbled, “Hell, I don’t know. I guess I’m just tired of waiting. I’m impatient. I want a mate, someone to share my life with.”

The words were barely out of his mouth when the door to the bar opened wide, ushering in the tantalizing scent of fresh flowers and gorgeous woman. Turning on his stool, Hayes was mesmerized by the tall, curvy brunette, with hazel eyes and a smile that lit up the room.

Sliding off his stool, totally deaf to Janice and Shauna’s chuckles, the Guardsman met the lioness before she could take her seat. Holding out his hand, he asked, “Would you like to dance?”

Looking at her companion, who was smiling knowingly and nodding, the woman lifted her eyes to his and breathed, “Sure.”

Not waiting for her to have any second thoughts, Hayes swept the lovely lioness onto the dance floor, wrapped his arm around her waist and held her close as the old jukebox crooned a slow, romantic ballad. Electricity danced up his arms and down his spine as his heart stuttered in his chest, before finding a steady rhythm, in sync with hers.

Inhaling deeply, both man and dragon bathed in the scent of the only woman who had ever touched them in such a life-altering, reaffirming way. Giving in to temptation, he laid a tender kiss to the soft skin just behind her ear, trailing down her neck, smiling as she sighed, and laid her head to the side, allowing him to further explore.

Dancing her back to the darkest corner beside the backdoor, Hayes continued to taunt and torment them both, kissing and tasting, needing to make absolutely sure she was covered in his scent. Finally, reaching her lips, he paused, looked at her lovely face flushed with excitement, her heavily-lidded eyes and lips opened just slightly as she panted with anticipation and smiled proudly, knowing he was the reason.

Needing to kiss her perfectly pink lips more than he needed his next breath, Hayes gently laid his lips on hers. From one heartbeat to the next the Guardsman was swept away on a cloud of lust and desire. Teasing the seam of her lips with the tip of his tongue, he was a goner when she readily opened, moaning low in her throat as his tongue slid alongside hers.

Her nails dug into his shoulders as he deepened their kiss. His hands traveled her body like his Harley rumbling over a familiar back road, memorizing every seductive curve and erotic dip. Hayes and the lioness fit together like two pieces of the same puzzle, once lost, now found.

His fingers massaged the full globes of her ass, pulling her closer, working his hard cock against her soft, warm center. Needing more, Hayes lifted her feet from the floor, forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist as she met him thrust for thrust. Holding her against the wall with his body, the dragon slid his hands under her cream silk blouse, shivering at the sensation of his fingertips touching her flesh.

Tearing his lips from hers, he grinned as she moaned at the loss but needed to ask, “What’s your name, dom leómhan beag?”

Her answer was drowned out by the sound of growls and snarls as the huge, wooden double doors slammed off the walls where they were thrown open. Letting the lioness’ feet slide to the floor, Hayes spun around, covering her body with his as he took in the dire situation unfolding before him.

Counting five partially-transformed male jaguars, the scent of aggression and malice burnt the Guardsman’s nose. Claws elongated and fangs bared, the lead cat stepped forward, demanding, “Where is she? Where is that little bitch? I’ll gut her where she stands.”

“Stay where you are,” Hayes whispered to the woman who’d stolen his heart with just one glance. “Let me take care of this.”

Not waiting for her answer, he stepped forward, challenging, “You have no right to be here. Leave before there’s trouble.”

Taking an aggressive step forward, the tall lean jaguar growled, “Shut the fuck up, lizard and tell me where she is.” He inhaled deeply. “Her stench is everywhere.”

Meeting the cat’s gaze, Hayes leveled his stare and in a low, threatening tone, more dragon than man, ordered, “Stand down. The Sundowner is neutral territory.”

Grabbing the closest chair and throwing it against the far wall, splintered woods flying through the air, the jaguar snarled, “Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do?”

“He is dragon and we sit at the top of the food chain, Furball,” Kayne grumbled menacingly as he, Wiley, Declan and Noah appeared behind the jaguars.

Whirling around, the lead cat looked to his compatriots before snarling, “This is not over by a longshot, lizards.” He spat the word like it offended his palette. “We will find that bitch. She will pay for what she’s done.”

Not moving until the back of the jaguars disappeared into the darkness, Hayes turned to make sure his lioness was alright, only to find the space behind him empty. Spinning one way and then the other, he realized that not only was the object of his affection alarmingly absent but also was the woman who’d been with her.

Stalking to the bar, he demanded, “Did you see where she went?” Slamming his hands on the hard, wooden surface and growling at the bar owner, Hayes spat, “Where is she?” Feeling his rage at the loss of the lioness to the depths of his soul.

“Whoa, there young’un,” Kayne advised, his hand on Hayes’ shoulder. “Janice didn’t do anything. Who are you looking for?”

“The woman I was dancing with,” the blue and gold dragon grumbled, taking another look around the bar, before leaning back and wiping his hand down his face. “She was here and then those fucking jaguars burst in and now…”

Where the hell did she go? Did she really think I would let those fucking bastards lay a finger on her?

“Who was she? We’ll just go track her down,” Wiley suggested.

Turning on his brethren, Hayes retorted, “I don’t know her name. Don’t know where she’s from. I didn’t get that far.” Angry with himself but taking it out on his friends, getting more furious as they snickered, he ranted on, “All I know is that she’s a lioness and… she’s my mate.” He stalked towards the still open bar doors. “Now, leave me the hell alone.”

*****

“Why are we even here? It’s a dispute between the lions and the jaguars, two groups of friggin’ cats, what do they need us for?” Hayes grumbled, looking around the huge conference room he and Kayne had been shown into by a tall, older lion.

“I would think you of all people would want to be in the Pride Lands,” Kayne smiled. “Since your luck has been tits-up where finding your mate is concerned.” The demi-god took a sip of coffee. “And since it was the jaguars who cut your first night with her short, this is a perfect way to find out who to blame and get a little payback.”

“Yeah, well, apparently, she doesn’t want to be found. This is my fifth trip to this wretched place and the first time I’ve been let through the gates. Talk about knowing where I stand.” He shook his head. “Besides, I feel underdressed. That vase,” he pointed to the beautiful blue and white piece of art on the credenza, “Is fourteenth century Ming Dynasty.”

Looking shocked at Hayes’ knowledge of art, the demi-god immediately smirked, “How the hell did you know that?”

“The benefits of a liberal arts degree from Oxford,” the blue and gold dragon chuckled. “Not something my father would’ve condoned, but my mom always wanted me to have an education. So, I did it in honor of her memory.”

“That doesn’t surprise me,” Kayne nodded. “Merida was such an amazing teacher.”

“Yeah, she really was.” Hayes looked away, unwilling to let his brethren see how much his parents’ deaths still haunted him then quickly changed the subject.

“So, what do you know about this Queen? I’ve obviously never met her, but I hear she’s a real pain in the ass.”

“Savannah?” The demi-god shook his head. “Naw, she’s good people. I knew her parents before my time in Hell and then met her after I got back.” He took another drink of coffee, before going on. “She’s not had it easy. I mean none of us have, but she’s had it tougher than most. Her parents died when she was just barely eighteen. Poisoned at a party, right here in this very mansion.” He pointed at a huge portrait of the former King and Queen. “To the best of my knowledge, they never found the culprit, and as the oldest of five or maybe six sisters, I can’t remember, Savannah not only became mom and dad to those little girls, but also took the crown a week after the death of her parents.”

Opening his mouth to respond but stopping when the door at the far side of the room opened, Hayes plastered on a smile as the same tall, thin, older man who had shown them in walked in and held the door silently. The sound of heels tapping against the marble floors echoed in Hayes’ ears as the scent of fresh flowers filled the room.

Stepping forward as the lioness from The Sundowner, the woman he knew was his mate, stepped across the threshold and stopped dead in her tracks. Begging with her eyes for him not to blurt out what he was thinking, Hayes simply nodded.

Grinning from ear-to-ear as the lioness literally squirmed where she stood and the tall, thin man who finally announced himself as Jacques, began the introductions, Hayes snidely snickered directly into the Queen’s mind, “Well, well, well, what’s the matter, mo milis, dragon got your tongue?”

Chapter Five

“A dragon? Really?” Savannah threw her arms in the air, flopping back onto Mack’s couch. “I mean, I guess I knew that night.” Letting her head fall back, staring at the blades of the ceiling fan going round and round, she went on, “But he was so handsome and such a good dancer…”

“Not to mention, a helluva kisser,” Mack snickered, taking a seat on the other end of the sofa.

“Shut up,” Savannah glared. “You didn’t pick up on the fact that he was a dragon either.”

“Yeah, but I wasn’t the one with my tongue down his throat.” Mack winked over the rim of her glasses.

Blowing out a long-suffering breath, the Queen knew when she was beaten and sighed, “Yeah, I know.” Then turning her head to the side, “But, oh my Goddess, that man has all the right moves. He is just so…so…”

“I believe the words you’re looking for is freakin’ irresistible.” Mack set down her glass of tea and scooted closer to her sister. “And I also believe this is the second time you’ve made a hasty retreat, leaving him in your wake. So, tell me, great and wonderful Queen Savannah, what are you going to do now?”

Hating when any of her sisters teased her by calling her ‘great and wonderful’, Savannah groused, “Don’t call me that. You know I left the bar with the hopes of drawing the jaguars away from all those innocent shifters. It’s me they’re after, me who they’ve been trying to kill since the day they murdered mom and dad.”

Getting to her feet, Savannah began to pace. “Today, well, it was just too much to handle. That blasted dragon has been on my mind every minute of every day since that night. I can’t get a moment’s peace. Everywhere I look, I see his face. I sleep and dream of his kisses.” She turned towards her sister and growled, “It’s absolutely driving me crazy.”

“Then give in.”

“What?” Savannah spat, looking at Mack like she had three heads.

“Give in.” Mack shrugged. “Go to him. Call him. Have dinner with him. Do something. You obviously want to spend time with him.” Her sister stood, closed the distance between them and put her hands on Savannah’s shoulders. “You deserve to be happy. Deserve to have a man who completes you in every way, someone who loves you, and you love back.”

“Love? Have you lost your mind?” The Queen pulled away from her sister, taking a step back. “I can’t be in love. I have responsibilities, a Pride to run, lions to keep safe.”

“And you have done it very well for many years, but it’s time you have something, someone, for yourself. You know it just as well as I do, you simply refuse to admit it…at least out loud.”

“But he’s a dragon, and they are so….”

“So what? What the hell do you know except what other people have said? Tessa is mated to one and I’ve never seen her happier.” Mack stepped up to Savannah again, this time smiling as she added, “What is that saying mom used to always recite? The Universe doesn’t make mistakes. Fate won’t be denied.” She patted Savannah’s arm. “This is Fate, Sis and for once in your damn life, you gotta go for it. You’ve faced way bigger obstacles than a head-strong dragon without batting an eye.”

“Maybe…”

Sighing and shaking her head Mack backed away, suggesting, “Tell me about the meeting. How did you handle it after you heard his voice in your head? After you knew for sure that he was the one?”

Snickering despite the stress she felt, Savannah plopped back down on the couch and answered, “I ignored him. I kept it very professional and when we were done, I made an excuse then hightailed it over here like a young cub scared of her own shadow.”

Sitting up on the edge of the couch, turning towards Mack who had also taken a seat, Savannah agreed, “I know you’re right. Have no idea what I’m so scared of or why I’m stalling. It’s obvious we belong together. And the Goddess knows, I’m so damned jealous of our sisters with their mates and their kids and their happily-ever-afters that there are days I can’t see straight.”

“Then for all the catnip in the world, do something about it.” Mack swatted her arm. “Be that take-charge woman I’ve always looked up to and go get your man. This wishy-washy, mamby-pamby bullshit might work for other girls, but you, my lovely sister, are the Queen of the Jungle and as such need to get off your lazy ass and go for it.”

Jumping to her feet along with her little sister, Savannah hugged Mack before agreeing, “You are absolutely right, and I know just the way to do it.” Pulling back but keeping her hands on her sister’s upper arms, the Queen grinned, “Put on your best shit-kicking boots and your favorite jeans, tonight’s Country Music Night at The Sundowner and I’m going to lasso me a dragon.”

“Yeehaw!” Mack shouted with a fist pump.

*****

Somewhere between getting dressed and driving out to the bar, Savannah’s courage went from a hundred to nonexistent. Gripping the steering wheel of her champagne-colored SUV, she lamented, “I’m doing the right thing, right?”

“Of course, you are,” Mack emphatically agreed in a matter-of-fact tone, touching up her lipstick before adding, “And please dear Goddess, tell me that wimp that was in my house earlier this evening isn’t rearing her ugly head.” She shifted in her seat. “Because that chick makes me want to throw up. You are not a withering, little flower, so just shut the hell up and get us to that bar.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.” Savannah mock saluted. “Maybe you should have been the Queen,” she added with a snicker.

“Oh, hell, no. I would’ve had us in a war within an hour of taking the crown. Someone would’ve popped off in a meeting, and I would’ve gone all ‘Queen of Hearts’ on their ass, screaming ‘Off with their heads’!”

Laughing out loud, Savannah teased, “What does that make me, the White Rabbit?”

“No way, the Mad Hatter, my love, definitely the Mad Hatter.”

Still chuckling when they arrived at The Sundowner, the female lions got out of the SUV, the honky-tonk sounds of country music filling the night air. Walking past a row of Harleys, Savannah breathed in the warm, succulent aroma of burning cedar and male dragon. Determined to take what she deserved, what the Universe had made for her, what Fate was offering up on a silver platter, the Queen walked taller and with infinitely more confidence than when she’d stepped out of her vehicle.

Side-by-side with her sister, Savannah opened the huge, oak doors of the bar and marched in like she owned the place. Her eyes panned the crowd, a nearly packed house, until they landed on Hayes. Handing Mack her keys, she winked, “Don’t wait up,” and headed towards the tall, muscular man who made her heart beat fast and her lioness purr.

With his back to her, Savannah took the opportunity to let her eyes roam his mouth-watering physique. The longer she looked, the more her fingers tingled and her thighs trembled just remembering what it felt like to close to him.

Her breath came quicker as visions of their first kiss filled her thoughts. Her body warmed as her eyes roamed the wide set of his shoulders stretching the cotton of his plaid shirt to its limit. Taking in the long lines of his torso narrowing to his waist and the way the worn denim of his jeans lovingly caressed his ass before perfectly outlining the powerful muscles of his thighs, she couldn’t help but smile.

Reaching out to tap her dragon on the shoulder, Savannah gasped when Hayes turned, spearing her with his brilliant blue gaze. Not willing to let this moment pass, the Queen dropped her hand and smiled, “How about a dance?”

With a shit-eating grin and a twinkle in his eye signaling he was most definitely up to something, the blond Guardsman bowed before looking up and answering in an extremely exaggerated Southern accent, “Why I’d be delighted, Miss Savannah.”

Placing her hand in his, electricity raced through her veins, landing in the center of her womb, heating her body to near boiling. Leaning into him, loving the feel of being wrapped in his arms, Savannah shivered as Hayes’ voice once again flowed through her mind, “Sweet Goddess, mo chroí, you smell like Heaven.”

Mom was so right, Fate will not be denied…

Chapter Six

Every ounce of anger and frustration Hayes felt over being left high and dry on the night they met and Savannah’s disappearing act during their meeting evaporated the second he looked into her eyes. Nothing could have prepared the Guardsman for how he would feel once he held the woman meant to be his in his arms and the second time was infinitely more powerful than the first.

Sure, he’d heard all the stories, listened to the old dragons telling tales of the first time they’d gotten a glimpse of their mates, but absolutely nothing compared to the real thing. Savannah was the light to his soul, his reason for being, simply everything he and his dragon needed to live a long, blissfully happy life.

He’d seen in her action, running the meeting with not only her Guards and Trackers in attendance but also, he and Kayne. She was smart, cunning and from what he’d witnessed, had more than earned the respect she was given. Her quick wit and sarcastic sense of humor, even when discussing strategies for protecting her Pride, was absolutely intoxicating.

Holding her close, their hearts beating as one, Hayes worked hard to control his instincts as his dragon roared in his mind, demanding he whisk Savannah away and claim her as their own once and for all. But that wouldn’t do for his Queen, nor for the Guardsman. He wanted a partner, an equal, someone with whom he could share every aspect of his life down to the most minute detail.

Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, “You are driving me mad, mo ghrá.”

“Then do something about it.”

Leaving nothing to chance, Hayes took a step back, gave his mate a playful wink as he slid his fingers through hers, immediately leading her out of the bar when he saw that she was just as serious as he. Pulling Savannah into his arms the second they reached his jet-black Harley, the Guardsman crushed his lips to hers, pouring everything he already felt for her into that single, life-affirming kiss.

Smoke flew from his dragon’s snout as their lioness opened completely, baring not only her body but also her heart and soul to him. Craving more, needing to mark every inch of her silken skin with his scent, Hayes reluctantly broke their connection.

Looking down at Savannah, his heart soared. Not only was she the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, but just the sight of her kiss-swollen lips, the lust in her eyes, and the flush on her cheeks once again assured the Guardsman that she wanted him just as much as he wanted her.

“Let’s get outta here,” Hayes suggested, not waiting for her answer, instead placing his hands on her waist and lifting her onto his motorcycle before climbing on in front and starting the engine.

Racing towards home, the wind in his face, his mate’s arms wrapped around his waist and her body pressed tightly to his, Hayes was in heaven. His erection pushed hard against the zipper of his jeans as Savannah placed butterfly kisses behind his ear and down his neck.

Roaring through the back entrance, the Guardsman sped to his ranch style log cabin at the far corner of the Blue Thunder Lair. Parking next to the house, Hayes shut off the engine, jumped off the bike and had Savannah in his arms within seconds.

Fumbling with the doorknob as his mate tortured him with whispered innuendos and more kisses on his neck, in his haste, the dragon pulled the brass fixture from the wood.

“In a hurry there, big man?” Savannah chuckled against his skin.

“Yes, ma’am,” Hayes growled lovingly as he threw the doorknob over his shoulder and crossed the threshold.

Letting Savannah’s feet slide to the floor, Hayes could wait no longer. Slamming his lips to hers, he dominated her mouth like he one day hoped to dominate her heart. He could feel her desire growing, racing like a roaring fire through every fiber of her being.

Deepening his kiss, Hayes slid his hands between their bodies, pulling at the buttons of her western style shirt. Tearing her lips from his, Savannah looked him right in the eye, playfully batted away his hands and with a sexy growl sending shivers up his spine, purred, “This is how it’s done, dragon man.”

Buttons flew in every direction as his lioness ripped the plaid material from her body and threw it to the side. Winking, she added with a sexy smile, “Now, it’s your turn.” And within the span of a single heartbeat removed his shirt in the same fashion before passionately returning to her lips.

The arousal already racing through his veins caught fire. Hayes was a man on a mission. He would have his mate or die trying. Grabbing Savannah by the waist, the Guardsman was shocked when she spun away, instead grabbing his hand and heading down the hall.

Walking straight into his room, turning towards him as she approached the chair beside his bed, Hayes’ heart beat double time as Savannah pulled him close and with a twinkle in her eye, murmured, “Sit down, lover,” before lightly kissing the tip of his nose.

Shoving aside his need to be buried deep inside his beautiful mate, as well as the growls and snarls of his dragon at having to wait, Hayes did as he was told, loving his mates’ adventurous spirit and strong will. No sooner had he landed on the soft leather than Savannah was reaching behind her back.

The silk straps of her bra slid lovingly off her shoulders and the band around her ribs went slack as she held the cups in place with her free arm, her hand lightly cupping one of her full, round breasts. Hayes’ watched with rapt attention as Savannah’s hips erotically swayed to the sensual beat of their hearts.

Fists clenched at his side, his cock so hard he had no doubt it would rip through the denim of his jeans at any moment, Hayes nearly jumped from the chair when almost faster than he could track, Savannah tore the silk from her breasts, raising her arms above her head, teasing him with her hard, rosy nipples. His heart beat stuttered as she danced closer, lowering her hands and placing them over her breasts, following the images racing through his mind, massaging them lovingly, letting those tantalizingly swollen tips peek through her fingers.

Unable to move, caught in the snare of Savannah’s seduction, Hayes’ eyes followed her long, elegant fingers skimming her ribs and gliding across the swell of her stomach, working their way to the snap of her jeans. Lowering the zipper with the maddeningly precision, revealing more of the silken skin he wanted to touch, to kiss, to mark, his lioness continued her deliciously erotic torture by slowly rubbing the tips of her fingers in and out of the lacy waistband of her panties, whispering, “Like what you see?”  

“Savannah,” he warned with a growl.

“Yes, Hayes?” Came her lusty chuckle. “Something wrong?”

Unable to answer, his want and need riding him like the waves of a tsunami, Hayes quickly shook his head, not willing to look away, the love he had for the one the Universe made for him multiplying with every heartbeat. Holding onto the armrests for dear life, the dragon lost all control when Savannah turned her back to him, pushed the soft denim over her beautifully rounded hips and with slow, maddening precision, leaned forward and with a tiny wiggle of her ass shed the offending material.

Flying out of the chair as if shot from a cannon, Hayes shed his remaining clothing with the speed given to him by the Universe as he closed the distance between them. Digging his fingers into Savannah’s hips, he pressed the tip of his cock against the silk crotch of her panties wet with her arousal, mercilessly teasing her pussy as she had taunted him. Growling through gritted teeth, the dragon grumbled, “Enough is enough, mo Bhanríon.”

Sliding his hand under the fabric covering her hip, he ripped the panties from her body, entering the heaven that was his mate in one smooth motion. His groans of satisfaction joined her carnal moans of fulfillment as he held perfectly still, afraid even the slightest movement would cause him to explode like a randy teenager on prom night.

Throwing her long dark mane to the side, Savannah looked over her shoulder, her eyes now that of her lioness and demanded in a low, husky growl, “No more teasing, mo Dragon. Take me now. Make me yours.”

The look in her eyes, the heat of her body and the way she spoke in the language of his kin shattered the last shred of Hayes’ control. Pulling back until only the head of his cock remained within her, the dragon answered through gritted teeth, “Your wish is my command, mo ghrá.”

Thrusting into her hard and fast, the Guardsman repeated the motion again and again his heart soaring as his Queen met him stroke for stroke. Leaning forward, he placed his hands over hers, where she held tightly to the intricately carved footboard of his king-size sleigh bed.

Caging her in, his chest against her back, his dragon reaching for her lioness, Hayes reveled in the feel of their bodies together as one, just as Fate and Destiny demanded. Over and over, faster and faster, they raced towards ecstasy.

“Oh, my Goddess…yes, Hayes…yes. I need…I need…”

Knowing what she desired, feeling it in the depths of his soul, Hayes rolled his hips, changing the angle, tormenting the sensitive bundle of nerves buried deep inside her center. Savannah roared his name, her head falling forward, baring her neck to him as her pussy squeezed tight around his cock.

Kissing and nipping the spot where her pounding jugular beat just under her tender flesh, Hayes held back his climax, needing to reach that perfect moment of harmony with his mate. His hand skimmed the silky-smooth skin of Savannah’s ribs, slid across her stomach until he could run his fingers through her wet curls. Teasing her swollen clit with his thumb and forefinger, the dragon lavished his mate’s neck with his tongue and teeth until she was frantic with desire, the claws and fur of her lioness pushing through her skin.

“You are the sun, the moon and the stars…everything that is perfect in this world, mo Bhanríon, and you are mine,” he growled just before pushing the long, sharp canines of his dragon into the smooth skin of her neck.

Roaring their release in unison to the Heavens, their hearts beating as one, that final missing piece of Hayes’ soul, the one containing he and Savannah’s combined Destiny, slid into place. Releasing his bite, the Guardsman licked the mark that would show the world she was his, already looking forward to their formal mating ceremony when the Universe would mark them both with matching mating marks.

Continuing to slowly move in and out of his mate as she floated back to earth, Hayes wrapped his arms around her waist, holding tight as her legs nearly gave out. Reluctantly pulling his cock from her body, immediately regretting the loss of their connection, the dragon lifted his lioness into his arms, walked to the side of the bed and after pulling down the covers, gently laid her onto the mattress, following her onto the light blue cotton sheets.

His arm around her waist, his fingers intertwined with hers, Hayes spooned Savannah, simply enjoying the feel of his mate in his arms. Kissing the tender skin behind her ear, his eyes growing heavy, the Guardsman whispered, “ayTá tú ag an stór mo chroí.”

Rolling in his arms and placing her hand on his cheek, Savannah smiled, “And to think, I didn’t want a dragon for a mate.”

Opening his mouth to speak, Hayes’ words were cut off by the crash of shattering glass. Jumping out of bed and pulling on his boxers, he ordered, “Stay there. I’ll go see what it is.”

Out of bed before he’d finished his command, Savannah grabbed his robe from the end of the bed and wrapped it around her body as she followed him out the door, grumbling, “Fat chance, dragon man.”

Refusing to fight with her after what they’d just shared, Hayes groused, “Then at least stay behind me.”

Reaching the living room side-by-side, the couple inhaled sharply, taking in the shards of glass hanging from the metal frame of his sliding glass door, along with the huge rock surrounded by broken glass in the middle of the tile floor. Pointing towards the stone as he turned to Savannah, Hayes implored, “Please stay there. I don’t want you to get hurt.” He pointed. “It looks like a piece of paper is attached to the rock.”

Nodding in agreement, Savannah irritably snorted, “Helluva way to send you a message.”

“No shit.”

Sliding his feet into his tennis shoes by the front door, Hayes carefully made his way to the rock. “But it’s not for me.”

“Who then?”

Removing the folded paper from the stone, he returned to Savannah, handing her the note. “You, baby.”

He watched as she took the message, unfolded the paper and immediately gasped, tears filling her eyes before she growled menacingly, “I’ll rip that son of a whore limb from limb.”

Grabbing the note from her hand, as his mate spun on her toes and headed down the hall, Hayes read the words written in blood aloud, “An eye for an eye. A sister for a sister.”       

Chapter Seven

Putting on the T-shirt Hayes had given her since her shirt was a casualty of their voracious lovemaking, Savannah reached for her jeans at the same time her mate’s hand wrapped around hers, “Wait just a second. Tell me what’s going on. Let me help.”

Snatching her hand from his grasp, the Queen snarled, “It’s my family, my business, my problem.” Getting louder with every word, she added, “It’s none of your concern.”

No sooner had the words crossed her lips than she wished them back. Looking up, opening her mouth to apologize and explain, the breath was stolen from her lungs by the fury burning in his eyes and the pain she felt rolling through his heart and soul. The bite, his mark, on the side of her neck stung as his eyes flashed from crystal blue to the deep gold of his dragon.

“None of my business?” He raged. “None of my fucking business?” He bellowed. Grabbing her upper arms and pulling her close, their chests touching with his every ragged inhale. “How the hell can you say that after what we just shared? After what we pledged to one another?” He leaned closer, the tip of his nose nearly touching hers and added through gritted teeth, “You are my mate. You wear my mark. Your fight is my fight. I go where you go.”

Pushing forward, bumping his chest with hers, Savannah challenged, “Wanna bet?”

Spinning towards the door with plans of making a dramatic exit, the Queen was instead hoisted off the ground and thrown over Haye’s’s shoulder. Kicking his stomach and punching his backside, she ordered, “Put me down you stupid, arrogant dragon.” Kicking harder, refusing to give up despite the pain shooting through her toes from striking his rock-hard abs, Savannah continued to yell, “I demand you put me down! NOW!” Giving her feet a rest, she switched to beating on his ass with her fists, adding, “I command you to put me down.”

A slap to the butt, followed by a cool breeze had Savannah pushing her palms against the small of Hayes’ back and raising her head a split-second before shrieking, “What the hell are we doing outside? I’m nearly naked!”

“Going to your house.” The chuckle in his voice irritated her as much, if not more, than being manhandled, but when he added, “And that, dom leómhan beag, is your fault,” was the final straw.

“Why you… you…” She stammered before resuming her assault and screaming, “You beast! I am not your little lion!”

“You most assuredly are, just as I am your arrogant dragon.” Quickly sitting her on the seat of his Harley, Hayes plopped the helmet on her head, took the seat in front of her and added, And there is not a damn thing you can do about it.” He revved the engine then added directly into her mind, “So hush up and hold on.”

Before Savannah could think of a snappy comeback, they were roaring through the Blue Dragon’s Lair, heading towards the back entrance they had arrived through a few hours before. Holding on as Hayes took the corners of the narrow, winding backroads leading to her home like his motorcycle was on rails, the lioness gave up being mad and focused on trying to reach Makayla.

“Mack, honey, you there?”

Savannah counted to ten, each second of deafening silence feeling like days, before calling out again, “Mack? Dammit, answer me.”

“Savannah?” Came a groggy reply. “I-is th-that you?” Her sister’s voice sounded tiny and hollow.

“Yes, sweetheart, it’s me. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

“I-I d-don’t know. My head hurts and my mouth is so dry. My hands and feet are shackled with silver,” her voice cracked. “It really burns.”

Savannah could hear the tears in Makayla’s voice as the younger lioness added, “What is going on? Who is doing this? Why me?”

“It’s the jaguars,” the Queen growled. “More to the point, Simon, their Prince, you know, the biggest asshole of them all. I’m guessing he wants to use you as a pawn to force me into giving him access to our Pride Lands and to make me pay for the death of his sister.”

Rage flowed through the bond Savannah shared with her sister as Makayla, suddenly wide awake, snarled, “You had nothing to do with that fire. Hell, none of us did. We weren’t even in the country. I swear, I’m gonna kill that mother…”

“Stand in line,” the Queen interrupted. Hurrying on, vowing revenge on the bastard who’d dared to lay a hand on her little sister, she asked, “Can you see where you are? Smell anything that would give a clue where to start?”

“No, not at all. It’s so dark not even my lioness’ enhanced vision can see the hands in front of my face and whatever they used to knock me out is still burning the inside of my nose and throat. I can’t smell anything but chemicals.”

“I am so sorry, Mack,” the Queen apologized. “This is all my fault. If I had just…”

“Stop that shit! This is not your fault. This is Simon and his fucking merry band of misfits’ fault. You did what you thought was right, protected our family, our Pride and the memory of our parents to the best of your ability.”

“Thanks, Sis, but he has you and…”

“And, nothing! I know you’ll save me, just like you have for my whole life.”

Feeling humbled by her sister’s words, Savannah focused on their bond and the sound of her sister’s voice, praying to the Goddess she could pick up on Mack’s location or find a clue that would tell her where those fucking jaguars were holding her little sister. “You are such a brat. Leave it to you to take care of me when I should be doing the same for you.”

“We make a good team.”

“Always have, sweetcakes, always have. Hey Mack, hold on, we’re here at the Hall.”

“Okay, but…” Her sister’s words were cut off as anger and fear flooded the bond between sisters.

“Mack! Mack, where did you go?” She waited a second before mentally screaming, “ANSWER ME, MAKAYLA! PLEASE, ANSWER ME!”

Trying to control her fear, Savannah mentally cried out to Hayes, “Something’s happened. Mack just stopped talking. She won’t answer. It’s like someone severed our connection.”

“Hold on, mo ghrá,” was the only warning she got as the Guardsman revved the engine and together, they flew down the road as fast as the wheels would turn.

Pulling off the helmet Hayes had stuck on her head and waving to the guards to open the gates, the Queen used the magical trail left in the wake of her sister’s voice like a beacon as the couple roared straight towards Royal Hall.

Stopping right outside the huge doors with the royal crest of the Leonidas Pride etched into the six feet panes of glass, Hayes jumped off the bike before immediately helping her down. Throwing her jeans over her shoulder, Savannah reached for the lion’s head door handle when Jacques burst on to the scene, screaming, “Oh, thank the Goddess, you’re here.” Shoving the phone into her outstretched hand, he screeched, “It’s Simon! He has Makayla!”

With a single nod, Savannah put the device to her ear and sneered, “Simon.”

“Savannah, darling, how are you?” The Prince of the Jaguar’s nasally, sniffling voice grated on the lioness’ every nerve as he went on, “Anything you’d like to ask me?”

“Where. Is. My. Sister?” She ground out, her nails lengthening, drawing blood as the stabbed the flesh of her palm, her clenched fists pounding against the side of her leg. It surprised her that Jacques’ cell phone didn’t crack from the grip of her other hand.  

“Your sister? Which one?” Simon asked, his smug tone making it hard for the Queen to think.

“Cut the shit, you, stupid bastard!” Savannah bellowed, so furious she could feel her canines lengthening and the fur of her lioness pushing through the skin on her arms and the backs of her hands. “You or one of your fucking henchmen took Makayla, and I want her back, NOW!” She roared.

Knowing what she needed, before she did, Hayes laid his warm, strong hands upon her shoulders and placed his chest against her back, siphoning off some of her red-hot rage, allowing her to think. “He wants you pissed. He wants you angry so that you make mistakes. Give all that shit to me,” he whispered as Simon prattled on about all the injustices he had suffered at the hands of the lions.

When the bastard finally took a breath, Savannah, now able to think after her mate had taken nearly all her rage, calmly asked, “What do you want, Simon? What will it take to get Makayla back?”

She could hear the surprise in his voice at her serene demeanor and had to smile as he stuttered, “W-we… that is to say, I-I want… I want…”

“Yes?” She challenged, throwing as much sarcasm as she could into her tone. “What is it that you want?”

“You… dead.” The Prince spat back.

Before she could answer, Hayes, snatched the phone threatening in a low, gravelly tone full of wrath and contempt, “You first, asshole.”  

Chapter Eight

“What the hell was that?!” Savannah shrieked as soon as Hayes disconnected the call, throwing the phone to Jacques. Grabbing his arm before he could mentally call to his brethren, his mate shook the appendage like a dog with a bone, adding, “You said to keep calm. Not to get angry. Then you go and hang up on the rat bastard.” For the second time in as many hours, his feisty lioness pushed up on her toes, challenging him on every level as she growled, “If he hurts my sister because of what you’ve done, I’ll…”

“Do you really think I’m that much of an asshole?” Hayes tore his arm from her grasp, leaning down until they were eye-to-eye. “Do you think I would put Makayla in danger?” He scowled. “Your sister?” Lightly tapping the tip of his index finger against her temple, he continued, “Stop and think, Savannah. Use your brain.”

Moving his hand to her chest, he murmured, “Listen to your heart.” Taking her hand with his free one, he placed it over his heart. “Let yourself feel what is happening between us.” Letting his forehead touch hers and lowering his voice, he added, “For better or worse, we are in this together, forever.”

Holding his breath, waiting for his head-strong mate to come to terms with his words, Hayes breathed a sigh of relief when she slowly nodded, “Okay, dragon man, I’ll trust you, but this is the Savannah Show. We do it my way, or I do it by myself.”

Stealing a quick but passionate kiss, the Guardsman grinned, “Lead on, my Queen, I am yours to command.”

“Oh, brother.” Shaking her head and grabbing his hand, Savannah turned and walked into Royal Hall, asking, “Can you call the other dragons? Will they come?”

“Absolutely. That’s what I was trying to do when you tried to rip my arm off back there,” he chuckled, trying to relieve some of the tension. “And I’m guessing it’s a secret since we’re talking this way?”

“Give that dragon a gold star,” Savannah snickered, entering the office with the large, carved, wooden door at the end of the hall before quickly shutting and locking it behind them. Hurrying across the room, she first slid on her jeans, sat behind the mahogany desk and instantly began typing on the laptop.

Turning the computer towards him, she pointed at a location with a day and time beside it– West Delivery Gate, Saturday, 01:25 AM. “That’s the only entrance on that side of the Pride and it also happens to be the closest one to Mack’s house.”

“Holy shit that was just a few hours ago. About forty-five minutes before the rock went through my window.”

Looking at him, her eyes filled with unadulterated wrath, Savannah slowly nodded. “And the dragon gets another gold star.” Then with a steely tone, she asked, “You know anybody who delivers plants at one in the morning…on a Saturday?”

“Nope and I’m guessing you don’t either.”

“Not a chance.”

“So, you think this was an inside job, or at the very least there’s a rat amongst the lions?”

“Exactly!” She jumped up, came out from behind her desk and began pacing. “How else could they get into the Pride, into Makayla’s house and escape without anyone seeing them? It’s the only explanation.” She stopped beside him. “Unless you have something better.”

“I learned a long time that the simplest solution is usually the right one.” Closing the distance between them, he wrapped his arm around her, pulling Savannah to his chest. Kissing the top of her head, he whispered, “But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck. Betrayal is the worst kind of hurt. It not only stings like a bitch, but also makes you doubt yourself, your intuition, hell, just about fucking everything.”

Raising her head, Savannah asked, “Sounds like the voice of experience.”

“Oh yeah, but we’ve got time for those stories later. Right now, we need to find your sister and skin a few dozen jaguars, which means, you and I need to head over to the Lair.”

“Lead the way.”

Exiting Savannah’s office, Hayes was forced to swerve to the left to avoid running headlong into Jacques. With a look of shock and surprise on his wise, old face, Savannah’s advisor asked, “Is there news? You two look as if you’re hurrying off somewhere.”

“We have a few leads,” Hayes answered with Savannah immediately adding, “Stay by the phone. I’ll call you as soon as I know something.”

Patting her arm, the old lion nodded sadly, “Please do. I am just sick with worry.”

Walking out the way they came in, Hayes suggested, “I think we need to go to your sister’s house first. See what we can find out there. Something tells me Simon is too smart to get his hands dirty.” Holding the door for Savannah, he asked, “Is it far from here?”

“Not at all.” She pointed to her SUV. “Let’s take mine. It’ll be easier if I drive.”

“You’re the boss,” Hayes teased aloud, laughing out loud when Savannah answered back, “And don’t you forget it, Beast.”

Sliding into the passenger’s side, the Guardsman chuckled while waggling his eyebrows, “I’ll show you how much of a beast I can be just as soon as we find your little sister.”

“Deal.” The Queen replied with a wink as she started her vehicle and backed out.

Getting the lay of the land while they cruised through the populated areas of his mate’s Pride, Hayes made mental notes of all the dark alcoves and hidden trails the kidnappers could have used to escape without being seen and was frustratingly coming up with nothing. Sure there were an abundance of hidey holes, but only those who lived here would know where they were and none led to an exit.

“There’s just no way someone without intimate knowledge of the landscape and setup of this place could’ve made it out without being noticed,” he commented. “The damn place is a maze with a lot of dead ends.”

“Yes, it is. That was my grandfather and father’s plan. They wanted it to be beautiful but impenetrable with places for our people to hide in case of attack.” She gave him a quick glance before taking another turn. “Looking more and more like an inside job, huh?”

“Damn sure is,” Hayes sighed.

“You think we’ll find anything at Mack’s?”

“It’s a long shot but something my brethren will ask about and who knows, maybe the asshole was careless. I know I would be shittin’ bricks if I’d done something to piss you off,” Hayes snickered, just barely moving his leg in time to miss Savannah slap.

Opening his door while the engine was still running, the Guardsman’s feet hit the ground running, as he jogged to open Savannah’s door for her. Walking hand-in-hand in silence, the couple entered the small white cottage with black shutters using the Queen’s key. Opening his senses wide, the Guardsman looked for anything that would lead him to either confirm or deny it was indeed the jaguars who had kidnapped Makayla.

The house felt comfortable, lived in, and was filled with some of the best scents he’d ever smelled. Apple pie, home baked cookies, and rolls of every variety made his stomach growl and his mouth water.

“Does your sister own a bakery?” Hayes laughed to cover up the loud rumbling of his stomach.

“She wants to, why?” Savannah asked then quickly added, “You hungry?”

“Hell, yeah, I’m starving and the smells in this house are making me crazy. Your Makayla is an amazing cook.”

“She is the best. I swear her peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cranberry cookies are to die for.”

Holding his stomach and acting as if he might faint dead away, Hayes feigned a groan and pleaded, “Please tell me there’s some leftovers in that kitchen somewhere.”

“Look first, then food. Got it?”

Giving Savannah a mock salute, he headed down the hall, starting in Mack’s bedroom. Looking at all the photos covering almost every available inch of wall space, Hayes smiled at how happy Savannah’s family looked in each shot. Counting the number of little girls with long dark curls, dressed in matching yellow dresses, standing in front of the gorgeous garden across the street from Royal Hall, the dragon called out, “How many sisters do you have?”

“Four,” Savannah answered from the living room.

“Including Makayla, right?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Just making sure,” he chuckled. “Wanted to know how many interrogations to expect.”

“Just one,” she laughed out loud. “Mack is the only one who still lives here. The other three are mated to lions from other Prides, who are already Kings or the next in line to take the throne, so the girls moved in with their men.”

“I see,” Hayes replied. “It sucks, but I understand.”

He could feel how much Savannah missed her sisters and saw in all the family photos what a close-knit family they were. Smiling to himself, the Guardsman made a mental note to make sure to invite them all back for a family reunion as a surprise for his lioness.

Looking away, Hayes began his inspection. He concentrated on every detail, every scent, hair and fiber he could find, but continued to come up with nothing but traces of male and female lions. Moving slowly through every room, checking each closet, even the medicine cabinet in the bathroom and pantry in the kitchen, he met Savannah back in the living room where in unison they exclaimed, “I got nothing.”

“I don’t understand,” the Queen sighed. “Not a trace of anyone who doesn’t belong. How could that be?”

“They could’ve used magic to mask their identity.”

“But we would feel the traces,” Savannah looked up. “Wouldn’t we?”

Shaking his head, Hayes thoughtfully answered, “Not always. Some witches are really good at hiding their trail. Of course, most that are that strong are mated to my brethren and I know for a fact they don’t have Makayla.”

“Wizards?”

“None, I know. In my experience, there’s always a trace of black magic somewhere.

“Well, shit. Then how are we gonna find her?”

The sound of heartbreak in Savannah’s voice nearly ripped Hayes’ heart from his chest. Closing the distance between them, opening his arms wide, the Guardsman was overjoyed as his mate walked into them without pause. Holding his Queen close, the dragon poured love and support through their mating bond while reassuring, “We’re gonna call in the cavalry.”

Looking down into his mate’s upturned eyes, Hayes chuckled as she teased, “Only your cavalry uses wings instead of horses.”

“Oh, never fear, my darling lioness, we’ve got horses, too.”

Chapter Nine

“We will approach the jaguars from the South,” Hayes instructed, pointing to a map he’d hung on the wall. “This will put us downwind, give us the cover of Winter’s Forest, and let us utilize the high ground advantage.”

Hayes was amazing. Not only was he handsome and chivalrous, but he also possessed a brilliant mind and was a charismatic and confident leader.

No one better to be my King…

“Where do you want us?” Leopold, the lion who headed up not only the Royal Bodyguards but also Security for the entire Leonidas Pride, asked. Leo had been Savannah’s father’s First Beta and now was hers.

“You will be here and here,” Hayes pointed to the left and right side of the Jaguar’s Pride. “We’ll be flying in to ensure we have their attention, allowing y’all to sneak right in there.”

“Do we know for sure Makayla is in their Lair and not being held somewhere else?” Leo asked Savannah, who looked to her mate, not wanting to steal Hayes’ thunder.

Nodding, her dragon confidently replied, “I am ninety-nine-point-nine percent sure that’s where they’re holding her. Simon’s a coward. He hides behind women, throws rocks through windows and skulks in the shadows. There’s no way he would keep her somewhere that his mangy hide wasn’t completely protected.”

“I see what you mean,” Leo’s low rumble of approval sounded. “One more question and then I’ll let someone else have a turn.”

“Go ahead,” Hayes grinned. “We’re all family here.”

It warmed Savannah’s heart to see her Pride working so well with the Dragon Clan. She’d had so many misgivings about the winged-warriors, specifically her mate, that were all being disapproved the more time she spent with the revered shifters. Hayes was still as arrogant as the day was long and more stubborn than a mule, but he was hers, and she was falling in love more every minute she spent by his side. Looking up, Leo’s question pulled the lioness from her thoughts as she once again listened carefully to both sides.

“Are we sure this is in retaliation for his sister’s death?”

“That’s what the note said, although I don’t know the details,” Hayes replied.

Looking to her, Leo waited until Savannah gave him a single nod to explain. “Almost a year after the Queen’s parents were brutally struck down, every Pride of Big Cat was struck with violent acts of vandalism. Most were small fires set in the outlying brush of their Lairs. When investigated, there was always evidence that whoever was doing it had attempted to force the fire into the heaviest populated areas of each Pride with a trail of accelerant.”

The tall, muscular man with long, blond hair that surrounded his face like a mane, stood and began walking around the large wooden table in the middle of what the dragons referred to as the ‘War Room’ while continuing to speak. “After several weeks, we caught up with the culprits and placed them in custody in our Pride. A group of us had found the loners, cats who’d broken away from several Prides in the States and run over here to hide, red-pawed. They had gas, matches and petrol-soaked rags hidden right outside the Pride of the Cougars on the far side of the mountain range.”

“Then came the call. The pastures to the north of the jaguars were on fire and it was spreading fast. By the time we got there, several of the homes near the wall were ablaze. It looked like the whole damn place was gonna go up if we didn’t act fast.”

“Maximillian Prentice and his Pride showed up with sand bags and walled off the unaffected areas while we pumped thousands of gallons of water directly onto the fire. Finally, damn near seven hours later, we got it out. Several were hurt but none dead, at least that’s what we thought. Then Simon came stumbling across the field carrying his sister, Sandy, in his arms. Somehow, she’d been cut off by the flames, unable to get through to anyone, telepathically or otherwise, and had perished in the flames.”

“Of course, we all mourned at the loss of one of our own. No one liked Simon, he’s been an asshole from birth, but not Sandy, she was sweet and kind, just like her parents. The day of the funeral, as we were all standing next to her funeral pyre, Simon burst onto the scene, drunk as a skunk and screaming about how the lions had done this. He said we had purposefully misled everyone by imprisoning the loners and that we were trying to take control of all the Prides.”

“Thankfully, everyone thought he was crazy. Most ignored his words. But as time went on, the bastard kept up his accusations, going so far as to allege that Savannah had killed her own parents to shift the focus from himself. Sadly, most of the jaguars eventually bought into his lies and have been estranged from any and all dealings with us.”

“Wow, that’s harsh,” Kayne chimed in. “I mean, it sounds like the guy is batshit crazy and sharing his meds.”

“Oh, it gets worse,” Savannah spoke up. “He’s gone so far as to show up at diplomatic dinners, inter-Pride conferences, anywhere I am with a crowd of people just to slander my name and that of my Pride’s.” She stood and walked towards Hayes, continuing, “I just never thought he would go as far as harming another, especially Mack.” She stepped into Hayes’ waiting arms and faced the table going on, “But he has and I cannot thank you enough for helping to get her back.”

“It is the least we can do,” Maddox, the dragon her mate had introduced as the mad dragon, grumbled. “You’re taking Hayes off our hands. Hell, I’ll be forever indebted.”

The room erupted in laughter with Hayes yelling, “Maybe it’s me that’s getting rid of you, ya’ crazy old man.”

When the ruckus died down and they got back to business, the sun was already high in the sky. Walking arm-in-arm in companionable silence with Hayes, Savannah asked, “What happened to your parents?” Feeling him tense at her side, the Queen rushed to explain. “Sorry to be so blunt. I felt how upset you got when Leo told the story of Sandy’s death. I mean, everyone was sad, but yours was different, more personal. I know you’ve been betrayed, that was obvious by your comments earlier. I just wondered if it had anything to do with your family.”

She stopped, stepping in front of her mate and making him look at her. “If you don’t want to talk about it, I understand. It’s just that…well, I feel your pain and it’s killing me. I hate that you hurt. I hate it even more that someone hurt you. My lioness wants to spring forth and tear whoever dared touch you or anyone that you cared about to shreds.”

Getting on her tip-toes, she kissed his cheek and placed the palm of her hand on his warm, stubbled jaw. “I just want you to know that I’m here. I care and I…” She stopped, took a breath and said the three words she’d needed to say since their first kiss. “I love you, Hayes.” She kissed his other cheek. “Even if you are a damned, pigheaded dragon.”

Strong arms wrapped around her waist as Hayes’ lips found hers and he lifted her off the ground, swinging the lioness in circles as he sang, “You love me. You really love me.” into her mind. “And I love you, too, so very, very much.”

Breaking their kiss, Savannah swatted hom on the shoulder and pretended to scold, “Put me down, you, crazy man.”

Setting her feet on the ground but still holding onto her waist, Hayes gave her a hard and fast kiss before laughing out loud, “You’re right! I am crazy, crazy about you.”

Looking deep into his eyes, the Queen sighed, “Hush, goofball. People are sleeping.”

Standing tall, her mate slid his hands from her waist and wrapped thread his fingers through hers while nodding, “You are so right, but I don’t care. They’ll all know soon enough that I’m in love and gonna spend the rest of my life making you the happiest lioness that ever lived.”

Leaning against her mate, keeping in step with him, Savannah had to smile. She knew Hayes was hiding his pain with humor and sarcasm but figured he would talk when he was ready, besides, she was happy for the time to think and try to reach Mack.

Deep in thought, letting Hayes lead the way, Savannah was surprised to inhale the beautiful fragrance of flowers as an expertly maintained garden full of a myriad colorful blooms and blossoms came into view. “What are we doing here? I thought you were hungry,” she asked, taking a seat beside him on the wooden seat of the rot-iron framed bench.

“I am starving,” he quickly agreed. “But I wanted to answer your question before we go any further.”

Hearing the intensity in his voice and feeling his frustration and pain, Savannah tightened her grip on his hand, rubbing little circles on the back with her thumb and murmuring, “Okay, but please don’t think…”

“I don’t think anything, love. I want to tell you everything, share every detail of my life, even the crappy ones. I just thought we needed to get Makayla back first, but since we have some time until nightfall, I want to answer your question.”

“I see,” was all she could say. For the second time in the same morning, Savannah was humbled by the words of someone who held a piece of her heart, first Mack and now Hayes. It was overwhelming but also incredibly wonderful. Opening not only her mind but also her heart and soul completely to her mate, the lioness simply waited patiently until her dragon began to speak.

“I was off on a mission. The lads and I were cleaning out a coven of wizards hell-bent on world domination.” He smirked, “But then again aren’t they all?”

“Anyway, we’d just finished and I was washing up in a nearby stream while Noah, Wiley and the others were clearing the carnage. Out of nowhere, my sister Amelia’s voice blast through my mind. She was screaming and crying. I could barely make out a word. All I picked out was ‘Mom and Dad, attack, and fire’.”

“I called back, screamed and yelled, but just like earlier when you were cut off from Mack, the link between my sister and I was just gone. I tried to get my mom and dad and my younger brother, but everyone had just vanished.”

“Jumping on my horse, I raced home with Noah and Wiley right behind me. We made a five-hour ride in under three, but were still too late. All that was left was the smoldering remains of the house and barn.”

Hayes stopped and stared straight ahead, holding onto Savannah’s hand so tightly her fingers hurt, but she refused to let go, giving her mate the support he needed no matter what. Almost two full minutes later, he began again, this time his voice was low and rumbly, filled with hate and if she wasn’t mistaken, tears.

“We found the remains of my family in the woods, hanging by the neck from ropes soaked in silver.”

“Oh, my Goddess, Hayes. I am so sorry.” Savannah’s heart broke, tears flowing freely as the images of what he’d seen swam from Hayes’ mind to hers.

Patting their joined hands with his free one, the Guardsman continued as if on autopilot, his tone taking on an eerie, almost lost quality while his eyes stared forward as if the visions in his head played over and over on a scene before him.

“After we paid our respects and released their souls into the Heavens, I went to work, searching for their killer. Since there was no trace of anyone being at the farm who shouldn’t have been, I was at a loss. Who could’ve done this? My family had no enemies. Had never side a cross word to anyone.”

“It took me nearly a year of looking, searching and following dead end leads before I finally heard someone gossiping in a dark corner of a back alley pub about some dragon turning on his people.”

Shaking her head and wiping away her tears, Savannah couldn’t hide her shock. It went against everything she’d ever heard of Hayes’ kin. The dragons were not only the most fierce, but also known as the most loyal of all shifters. To think one would betray his own people took the idea of betrayal to a whole new level.

Hayes started again, his voice now stronger, angrier. “I listened for a name, a color, anything to tell me who the traitor was and just as the bastards who had been laughing about the death of my family got up to leave, the old hyena shifter laughed, ‘Yeah, that asshole Abraham better watch out. Those dragons will descale his black and blue hide like a trout if they ever find out what he did.’”

“I couldn’t believe my ears. Abraham, the only black and blue dragon ever born, was one of my dad’s oldest friends. He was always at the farm, helping out and weaseling an invite to dinner because he’d never found his mate and was a horrible cook.”

Her dragon’s head fell forward, his voice was little more than a whisper as he said, “But then I remembered the look Abraham had given my dad when he thought he wasn’t looking. When it happened, I chalked it up to being tired, but in that moment in that dive bar, I realized what it really was, pure, unadulterated jealousy. That bastard, who had his feet under our dinner table, been there when each of us was born, had even helped my dad in the fields, was so consumed by envy at what my father had that he killed my entire family.”

“What did you do?”

Turning towards her, taking both her hands in his, Hayes looked right into Savannah’s eyes and promised, “I hunted him down and took his head. Just like we’re gonna do with Simon.”

Pulling her hands from his, the Queen wrapped her arms around her mate’s shoulders, holding him tight as she whispered, “I am so very sorry you had to go through all of that. Know that I am here, whatever you need, always.”

Leaning back, Hayes smiled sweetly and in a tone so full of love it once again brought tears to her eyes said, “I love you, Savannah, from here to eternity and beyond, always and forever.”

Kissing her dragon until they were both breathless, the lioness broke from their embrace and after catching her breath winked, “And one more thing before I take you home and feed you.”

“Yes? What would that be?” Holding up his hand, Hayes teased, “Wait! Don’t tell me. I got this.” He grinned, “You want to ravish my body?”

“No, silly dragon, that comes later, remember?”

“Oh yeah, that’s right,” he chuckled. “Then what?”

“I’m glad it’s not me you’re after.” She kissed the tip of his nose. “Because man oh man, you’re one scary dragon when you’re pissed off.”

Standing up and pulling her along with him, Hayes raised a single eyebrow and with a grumbly rumble promised, “You ain’t seen nothing yet, my love.”

Chapter Ten

There was absolutely nothing better than having Savannah in his home, even with the looming threat of rescuing her sister hanging over their heads. Hayes couldn’t help but be happy that if they had to go through something so terrible, they were in the whole bloody mess together. He’d made a promise to his mate and he damn sure intended to keep it. In just a few short hours, when the sun set, the lions and dragons would be fighting side-by-side to bring down the bastard who dared to hurt his Queen and her family.

He could feel the tension and fear eating away at Savannah. Her eyes were glued to the large windows at the back of the house, waiting for the darkness to come. He’d tried to distract her, had even cooked the only thing he knew for certain he was good at – steak and eggs. Finally, sitting on the couch, Hayes pulled her into his arms and said the one thing he knew for certain would calm her fraying nerves, “Tell me about Makayla. I want to know everything.”

Waiting in silence, listening as his mate gathered her thoughts, Hayes felt the relief roll through her as she started to describe her baby sister. “Mack has always been the kindest, funniest, most giving one of us all.”

She chuckled, “I remember the day mom and dad said I was gonna have another little brother or sister. I had just turned sixteen and a pain in the ass. I sulked for days, complaining about having another sibling to look after, knowing that he or she would be spoiled rotten from the moment he or she popped into the world.”

“After about four months, the day came. The Royal Hall was all aflutter with the excitement of yet another heir coming into the world. I had heard Uncle Jack and Dad talking about how great it would be to have a boy. That if this child was male, the other Prides would finally stop making preparations to take over the Leonidas Pride in the event of my father’s death.”

As she turned in his arms, Hayes could see a myriad of emotions in the depths of Savannah’s beautiful eyes as she smiled and continued, her voice filled with love, “But then Makayla came into the world. No screaming or crying, just a happy little coo and a twinkle in her eyes.”

“It was love at first sight.” She began shaking her head. “Now, don’t get me wrong, I love all my sisters with all my heart, but Makayla was different…special. I knew it the moment I laid eyes on her, she was the best parts of all of us. Ya’ know what I mean?”

“I sure do,” Hayes nodded with a grin while gently massaging some of the knots out of Savannah’s shoulder.

Nodding, his mate went on, “Everyone who came to see her felt better, happier, full of life, and all from simply being in her presence. As she grew, it was obvious Mack was a true Empath, with abilities far greater than anyone had ever seen.”

“Dad said we needed to keep her powers a secret, then he was killed when she had just turned two and the responsibility of raising her fell to me. I was just barely eighteen with the duties of a queen along with the obligations of being both mother and father to my four sisters. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. Uncle Jack took on the role of diplomat while Leopold stepped up from First Beta to Head of Security and Defense and we had nannies, but I still tried to always be there for dinner and bedtime.”

“Time seemed to fly by, soon Mack was a teenager with immense abilities and no way to channel them. Thankfully, Sierra, a strong Beta female who had served as Household Manager for at least three generations recognized Mack’s need and took her under her wing.”

“It was kismet. Makayla took to baking like a cat to a tree. Everything she made was fantastic.” Savannah’s smile grew. “And the longer she did it, the better she got. I guess she’d been doing it about a year when I realized every time I ate one of her wonderful creations, I felt better, lighter, happier.”

Savannah beamed with excitement as she continued. “She was unknowingly baking her extraordinary power right into her sweet treats.”

“That is awesome, hun,” Hayes encouraged Savannah to go on.

“It really was, but of course, it also made it harder to keep her secret. That’s why I’ve waited until now to let her start her shop. I had to be sure she could control her abilities, but I’m afraid word got out.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know for sure. It’s just a feeling here,” she laid her hand over the snap of her jeans. “Like a furball in the pit of my stomach. Simon took Mack for more reasons than just to hurt me. If he’d wanted that, he would have killed her in her bed and left the body for me to find.”

Jumping up off the couch, she slammed her fists to her hips and growled, “That fucking jaguar somehow knows about her powers and wants to exploit them. It’s just further evidence of a traitor among us.”

She began pacing. “But who? Who would do this? Only the people I trust the most in the world know our family secrets.” Savannah stopped, spun around and speared Hayes with a look of defiance and betrayal. “People who have been around for at least a hundred and fifty years. Why would they betray us now?”

Standing, Hayes crossed the living room, stopping in front of his mate. “Because they think they can. They think you are vulnerable or distracted and that you will do whatever it takes to get Mack back, even if it means giving up your throne.” Reaching for her hand, he held tight, adding, “But, oh baby, do we have a surprise for them.”

Bending at the waist, he looked her in the eye and with all the conviction in his heart and soul promised, “We will get your sister back and rid the world of that fucking jaguar and everyone loyal to him, of that you rest assured.”

“Ya’ know,” his lovely mate reached up and cupped his cheek, sending the explosive electricity of their connection shooting through his body. “I have no doubt you are the man for the job.”

“What?!” Hayes roared, as a sudden knock at the door shattered their beautiful moment.

Stomping down the foyer, he slipped his finger through the hole where the knob used to be, threw the door back and glared at Wiley as the jerk snickered, “Hate to interrupt, but Rian called us all to the Great Hall and since you have the mental blocks of steel, I was sent to get you.”

“Hey, Wiley,” Savannah greeted Hayes’ friend. “We’ll be right there.”

“Yeah,” Hayes grumbled. “What she said.”

Laughing out loud, Wiley pushed past the couple and took a seat in Hayes’ favorite recliner. “Maddox and Kayne said to wait.”

Hayes growled as Savannah chuckled, “Just let us put some shoes on and we’ll be ready to go.”

Once again Hayes’ only reply was, “Yeah. What she said.” Then using the unique mental connection he shared with Wiley, the Guardsman added, “Just wait til you find your mate. Paybacks are a bitch.”

Chapter Eleven

Watching the dragons in action was amazing. The entire group had met with their leader, Rian, who by all accounts was a straight shooter with an amazingly strategic mind. He’d agreed wholeheartedly with Hayes’ plan and expressed how happy he was to be working with the lions, despite the situation.

Savannah was shocked when he personally came and found her after the briefing to assure her his Clan would do everything they could to bring her sister home safely. “I have all the faith in the world in my men,” the tall dark-haired Dragon Leader stated. “I’ve seen them at their best and their worst and these guys never cease to amaze me.” He shook her hand. “I am pleased to have you as part of our Clan. Hayes is one of the best. I wish you both all the happiness in the world.”

“Thank you so much,” Savannah smiled. “I think I’ll keep him.” As the two chuckled in unison, she added, “And congratulations on your mating. I can’t wait to meet your Audrey.”

“Thank you. She is just as excited to meet you. I’m sorry she’s not here, she and my younger brother Rory and his mate, Claire have gone to the Phoenix’s mountain on business.”

“Please send them my regards.” Savannah was just saying as Hayes appeared out of nowhere and with a twinkle in his eyes and a barely contained grin warned Rian, “Hey, you may be the boss, but this is my girl. Hands off.”

Chuckling and shaking his head, the Dragon Leader held up his hands in surrender and laughed, “No worries. I know the rules.” He shook Hayes’ outstretched hand and ordered, “Now, go give ‘em hell and get our girl back.”

It was amazing to Savannah how open and welcoming everyone was not only to her but also to her family whom they hadn’t even met. She’d always been told the dragons were unlike any other shifters ever made and had thought it was all a bunch of hype. But now, seeing it with her own eyes and it was such a reassuring experience.

Patting her waist where he held her close, Hayes kissed the top of Savannah’s head while quietly asking, “How you doin’? Need anything?”

“No, I’m good.” Savannah shivered from the sparks of their attraction skating up her arm, making her heart beat faster and her body warm as her dragon moved his arm from her waist and slid his fingers between hers, giving a little tug.

Following the others out of the Great Hall, the Queen looked up at the starry sky and for the millionth time tried calling out to her sister. “Hold on, Mack. I promise, we’re coming for you.”

When no answer came back, Savannah held back her tears and focused on where Hayes was leading her. Glancing at the huge pasture before her, she asked, “What are we doing out here?”

“Oh, just wait and see.” Hayes spun her towards him, giving her a hard, fast kiss before pulling away and winking, “Stay right there and be sure to keep your eyes on me.”

Watching her mate walking away, unable to keep from smiling at his cocky swagger and the thought that he was hers for all of eternity, Savannah suddenly felt magic in the air. The longer she watched, the stronger the magic became, lightly touching her bare arms, hands and face like a plethora of butterfly kisses. 

Then, in the blink of an eye, the men standing in the meadow miraculously turned into beautifully majestic dragons, each with their own unique sparkling scales and gorgeous wings. Shining gold, brilliant brown, along with every hue of blue known to man gave a spectacular vision into the magic of the Universe. However, it was the dragon with navy blue scales overlaid with golden flecks, glittering like stardust in the moonlight who caught her eye. Struggling to take him all in, her eyes bounced from the golden horns atop his head and down his spine, to the glistening gold decorating the underside of his wings, to the huge dark talons jutting from the ends of all four of his paws.

“You are magnificent,” she breathed into Hayes’ mind.

“Thanks, mo chroí. You aren’t so bad yourself. Now, get on over here and climb aboard.”

Jogging towards her mate, Savannah watched closely as he lowered his massive body to the ground, leaning slightly towards her and instructing, “Use my paw, knee and wing like stairs to climb onto my neck.”

Doing as she was told, shocked that the skin between the spines of his wings felt like silk and the underside of his scales were so smooth, Savannah got onto her dragon’s back, holding onto the horn at the base of his neck like she would the saddle on a horse. Once she was settled, she chuckled as Hayes snickered, “Hold on, mo ghrá. Put your seats and trays in their upright position, cause we are ready to take off.”

Not wanting to miss a minute of the coolest thing she’d ever seen, the Queen held on and looked straight ahead, marveling at the way the dragons took off one at a time with no more than a few steps and a single flap of their mighty wings. When it was their turn, Savannah admitted to herself, if no one else, that her excitement was mixed with a healthy dose of fear. Had her father been there, he would’ve been saying, “Savannah, my girl, lions climb dreams, they do not fly.”

To which she would quickly reply with a huge smile, “Maybe, but I’m riding a dragon, dad, my very own legendary dragon.”

Holding her breath as Hayes’ massive dragon took exactly three steps and flapped his wings, she smiled so much her cheeks hurt. Feeling the air rushing over her skin and blowing through her hair was exhilarating. Within seconds they were just under the clouds, flying amongst the stars as their exaggerated shadows shown across the landscape below.

“This is simply amazing, Hayes,” she beamed. “I know we’re about to be in a fight for our lives, but I just can’t help feeling like I could conquer the world from up here.”

“And conquer we shall,” came her mate’s grumbly reply.

In no time at all, they were landing at the peak of the ridge about five hundred yards from the home of the jaguars. Waiting until Hayes laid his huge underbelly on the ground and tipped to the side, Savannah got down the same way she had climbed aboard.

“Head over to where the others are. I’ll put the big guy away and be right there.” She could feel the smile in Hayes’ voice as she jogged backward, wanting to watch every moment of her mate’s transformation back to a man.

“Fancy moves,” her mate chuckled, running to catch up with her.

Together, they walked up to the crowd of Guardsmen where Hayes asked her, “Can you check with Leopold to make sure the lions are in place?”

“Sure,” Savannah quickly answered.

“Hey, Leo, everything good to go?” She inquired telepathically.

“The lions are in place on both sides,” came his quick reply.

“Great job. Thank you,” she responded before telling Hayes, “Leo and the lions are ready and waiting.”

“Good,” he nodded then turning towards his brethren instructed, “The lions are good to go. Take your positions. Wait to transform until I give the signal.”

“You got it, Chief,” Kayne winked.

“I can’t believe I’m taking orders from a whelp,” Maddox grumbled with a smile.

“We’ll be waiting,” Noah and Wiley nodded in unison as everyone else chimed in while walking to their assigned spot on the ridge.

Waiting was the hardest part. For the better part of an hour, Savannah tried hard not to bite her nails or pull her hair out as the crescent moon slowly made its way to the other side of the Jaguar Pride, casting the shadows they needed to take the bastards by surprise.

When the time finally came, Savannah was ready for the feel of the magic filling the air and as she climbed back onto Hayes’ dragon’s back, both woman and lion were more than ready for battle.

“Give your lions the call. Tell them to move out,” Hayes instructed.

“Leo, time to go,” Savannah called to her Beta.

“Aye, aye, ma’am we’re moving in,” Leo immediately responded.

Watching through Leo’s eyes, using the connection they shared as Queen and Beta, Savannah waited until the lions had breached the wall of the Jaguar Pride before telling Hayes, “They’re in and moving towards Simon’s castle.”

“Did you say, castle?” Came her dragon’s disgusted reply.

“Yes, my love, I said castle. Simon is nothing if not pretentious.”

“Damn, I probably should have asked early. Guess, that’s what I get for assuming all lion Prides were the same.”

Grinning as her mate shook his massive head from side to side, Savannah once again slid her hands around the horn at the base of his neck and held on tight when he called to his brethren while letting her listen in, “Time to fly. The lions wanted the lead and they’ve taken it. Remember, Rian says we’re on a rescue mission. Only use lethal force as a last resort. Herd the ones you can towards the lions and let them take them into custody.”

The lioness couldn’t help but laugh out loud as Kayne asked, “And if my dragon just happens to breathe a little fire?”

“I’m all for doing what you have to do to get the job done,” Hayes quickly answered, adding, “I’m just repeating what I was told.”

“Aye,” Came the unanimous, although blatantly insincere response.

“I get the feeling that your brethren are gonna fire first and ask questions later.”

“Give the Queen a gold star,” Hayes barked with laughter. “You’re catching on quick. I think Rian just says that shit to cover his ass. He knows we’re gonna do whatever it takes to save your sister.”

“Thank you.” Was all Savannah could say as they flew into battle.

Still calling to her Makayla, the Queen tried not to worry when her calls went unanswered. The closer they came to their target, the more restless her lioness became, pacing and roaring, attempting to push through the confines of Savannah’s soul. Even the beast felt the tension in the air and wanted to do anything she could to help recover the Queen’s sister.

No sooner had they flown over the north wall than Savannah could hear the snarls and squeals of fighting cats. Using her preternatural sight, she took in the sight below her, proud of the way her lions were overtaking their enemies. The bodies of jaguars covered the ground, with even more being held at bay by another larger group of roaring, sneering lions.

Landing on the roof of Simon’s castle, the Queen slid off her dragon’s back, jogging out of the way as he changed back to a man. Running up beside her, grabbing her hand, Hayes shouted over the noise, “Which way?”

Pointing to a huge wooden door with enormous brass hinges like she’d seen in movies from the Dark Ages, Savannah explained as they headed in that direction. “Through there. Once we’re in, I’ll be able to follow Mack’s scent.”

Savannah’s mouth dropped open when Hayes didn’t even try the knob on the door, but instead simply let go of her hand, raised his foot and kicked it in then motioned with a wave of his hand while grinning, “After you, my sweet.”

Racing down three stories of the ornate, circular stairway, Savannah opened her enhanced senses wide, searching for her sister. Touching down on the bottom floor, she turned left with Hayes right behind. Following Makayla’s scent, her heartbeat and hope growing stronger with every step, the Queen burst through a set of thin wooden doors, bellowing her sister’s name.

Stopping dead in her tracks at the sight of her sister’s favorite nightshirt draped over the back of a chair in the center of the room. Savannah read the words, ‘PUSH THE BUTTON’ aloud from where they had been scrawled in thick black marker onto the piece of white paper stapled to the neck of the shirt. Her eyes followed the downward arrow to find a recorder on the seat of the chair.

“Son of a bitch! I was sure they would be here,” Hayes roared as Savannah sped forward.

Picking up the tiny device, she pushed the play button. Simon’s nasally whine filled the room. “If you’re hearing this then you’ve made it to my office and realized that you’ve been outsmarted.”

The asshole had the gall to laugh out loud before going on, “When will you realize that I will always be one step ahead? That I have the superior mind? That you are little more than a weak female, who happened to be the first born of a weak king?”

Savannah wanted to wrap her hands around the Jaguar Prince’s neck and squeeze with all her might until the life slowly bled from his body, but she had to wait. Had to restrain herself and listen to more of his useless chatter. Had to put up with his shit in order to save her sister.

On and on he prattled until finally, just when Savannah thought her ears would surely bleed, Simon said, “Here’s your test, your chance to prove you’re not as worthless as I’m sure you are. Go to the place where you, as the heir to the throne of the Leonidas Pride, had to tell your little sisters that your piece of shit parents were dead. You have until one AM. If you make it, you get a chance to save Makayla, but if you’re late, I’ll gut her like a pig.”

Shaking with rage, ready to tear Simon apart limb to limb, Savannah waited, listening to the bastard breathe into the tape. Knowing he wasn’t done. That he had to have the last word.

Then after nearly thirty seconds, the bastard cackled, “Toodeloo, see you soon.”

 Throwing the recorder against the far wall, the Queen roared, “I will see him dead! Burned on the ridge for all to see! Simon LeGrange will die for daring to touch my sister.” Looking to her mate, she growled, “You in?”

“Oh, hell yeah. Time to kick ass and fuck that taking names bullshit.”

Chapter Twelve

“So, where are we headed?” Hayes asked, following Savannah back up the spiral staircase. “Simon’s message was kinda cryptic.”

“We’re going to my house,” she called over her shoulder. “Top floor, the Playroom is what we used to call it. It was where we all went to hang out, cause trouble and basically be regular kids instead of the King’s daughters.”

“Gotcha. Guess we’re flying,” he commented to Savannah’s back as she raced back out onto the roof of the Jaguar Prince’s castle.

Stopping short, his mate spun around and asked, “Do you mind?” He stepped forward as she dropped her chin to her chest and sighed. “Sorry to just assume. I…”

Sliding his finger under her chin, Hayes lifted her head until he could look into her eyes before reassuring with conviction, “Assume away. We’re in this together. Anything I have is yours and that includes the big guy.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Now, stay right here while I get the old guy out here.”

Calling forth his dragon for the third time, Hayes could feel how happy it made the beast and how useful the very old soul felt at being able to help the woman who owned them both – heart and soul. Feeling Savannah riding on his back, strengthening their connection, knowing how much she trusted both man and beast to not only take care of her but also her family was one of the best feelings in all the world for both of them.

Calling to his brethren as Savannah updated Leo on the latest news, Hayes wasn’t surprised to get an immediate response from Wiley, “Noah and I will follow. The jaguars are down for the count. The others can handle it.”

“Alright, but if Kayne or Heavens forbid, Maddox try to kick my ass when this is over, I’ll be looking for you two,” Hayes stressed.

“They’re good to go,” Kayne interjected. “The lad’s right, the jags are as good as done.”

“Works for me. Thanks,” Hayes acknowledged.

“Just give ‘em hell, kiddo,” the demi-god chuckled.

“Will do,” the Guardsman readily agreed before speaking to Savannah. “Where’s the best place to land? I’m all for front and center, but this is your fight. I’m just the muscle,” he snickered, trying to ease the tension he felt racing to a boil within his mate.

“I’m with you. As my dad used to say, in for a penny, in for a pound. Let’s make a grand entrance.”

“Oh Lordy, woman, I think I love your mind almost as much as your body,” Hayes’ dragon laughed out loud – a low gravelly rumble that resembled thunder. He loved that Savannah laughed along, adding, “Ditto, you great big wonderful dragon, ditto.”

Swooping down, Hayes pointed the snout of his dragon right at the opulent entrance to Royal Hall and glided down, stopping only when his paws touched down. No sooner had Savannah’s feet hit the ground than she was racing towards the door. Changing back to human form, the Guardsman followed his mate, knowing his brethren would soon be on his heels.

Taking the stairs two at a time, sprinting towards the top floor, Hayes continued to pour love and reassurance towards his mate. He needed her to know that no matter what happened in the next few minutes, they were in it together…forever.

Not missing a step, gaining speed as she reached the top, Savannah roared, throwing her entire body against the door, landing on her feet right in front of her sister. Glaring at Simon, the Queen spat, “Let her go. Your fight is with me.”

Pushing the silver blade further against Makayla’s jugular, the Jaguar Prince smiled an evil smile as he tittered like a little girl, “Oh Savannah, my fight was with you, but that was before you ignored me, disgraced me and made me look like a fool to all the other Prides.” He paused, staring at Hayes’ mate with pure malice burning in the depths of his putrid green eyes then added, “Now, I’m going to make an example out of you and all your blasted sisters, starting with our dear little Makayla here.”

The fucking jaguar had the audacity to sneer while pressing the razor-sharp blade against Mack’s neck with the precise amount of pressure to make a thin line of bright, red blood slide down the young lioness’ neck. Hayes warned, “He’s baiting you. Remember what you told me. He doesn’t want to kill her,” as rage, hot and wild and determined, rolled through Savannah.

“She’s my sister, Hayes. What do you expect me to do?”

“Exactly what we talked about. Keep him talking. Let me get the boys to come around through the other door.”

“Alright, but I don’t know how much longer I can stand to see the pain in her eyes. It’s killing me,” the sob in Savannah’s voice broke Hayes’ heart even though what the Guardsman knew what he was telling her to do was the right thing.

Speaking to Wiley and Noah, Hayes kept his eyes on Savannah as she growled, “So, you want to kill the entire Leonidas line. I don’t get it, but then I never have understood a damn thing about you.” She stepped forward. “I do, however, have one question before you kill my sister and I and go on a rampage tracking down the others, how did you get in here? How did you know where, because of you, I had to tell my younger sisters that their parents were dead?”

Taking another step forward, the Queen mocked, “At least tell me who the hell sold me out before I die because I know you’re not smart enough to have figured it out.”

Silence filled the room as Simon’s lips curved with a malicious grin. Taking the knife from Makayla’s neck, the Jaguar Prince tapped his bottom lip with the tip of the blade while giving an overexaggerated, “Hmmmmmmm, should I tell you or should I send you to Hell without ever knowing?” He walked a complete circle around Mack, before stopping behind her, still using the young lioness as a shield and sighed, “Oh, okay, I’ll tell you.”

Immediately clapping his hand, giddy with excitement, the idiot looked like a little boy having his first taste of ice cream as he called out, “Come out, come out wherever you are.”

A door to the side of the room opened, revealing not only the bathroom but also Jacques, Savannah’s most-trusted advisor and godfather. Anguish swamped his mate’s heart, filled her soul to the brim with pain that only added insult to injury with the anger and fear she already felt, creating one scary Queen of the Jungle.

Throwing her shoulders back, Hayes watched as Savannah took a single deep breath, turned to the man she’d been calling Uncle since the day she could speak and in a low, threatening tone asked, “Why?”

The sneer on Simon’s face grew as the color drained from Jacques’ face while Savannah stood perfectly still, waiting for an answer. If the situation had been any different, Hayes would’ve laughed out loud at the way his mate expertly handled the two assholes before her. Unfortunately, lives were at stake and people had to die, but later, when they were alone, the dragon promised to be sure to tell his lioness how awesome she truly was.

  Finally finding his balls or at least mustering enough chutzpah to speak, Jacques cleared his throat, threw on a mask of courage and in his usual haughty tone spouted, “You are unfit. It takes a man to rule a Pride, a man to do what must be done and a man to make the hard decisions. I have repeatedly tried to tell you this since the day I placed the crown on your head, but you have refused to see reason.” He stepped forward. “You left me no choice, Savannah.”

“Left you no choice?” She screamed. “Are you fucking serious? Who else was there to take over leadership of our kin when this bastard,” her arm shot out from her side as she pointed right at Simon, “poisoned my parents? Who, Uncle Jack?” She spat the words like they burnt her tongue.

“Why me, of course,” the male lion answered in a tone so smug that Hayes wanted to rip his head from his neck.

“You?” Savannah laughed out loud. “You cannot be serious.”

Looking insulted and more than a little disturbed by the Queen’s sarcasm, Jacques’ sulked, “I am most definitely serious. I have been the top advisor to two of the best Kings the Leonidas Pride has ever seen. I have the experience and the knowledge and I am a male. I deserved to be King when your father died.”

“Wait one minute,” Savannah challenged. “One Goddess damned minute,” she repeated, stalking towards him, stopping only when she was a few inches from the traitor. “You’re the one who let that bastard,” she threw her thumb over her shoulder at Simon, “in here the night my parents were murdered, aren’t you?”

She stepped even closer, making Hayes nervous at her proximity to the man who’d been lying to her for her entire life. Punctuating every word with a poke to Jacques’ chest, Savannah spat, “You were complicit in their deaths and the kidnapping of my sister.”

Stepping back, Savannah asked telepathically, “Are your friends ready?”

“Yes, but we’re about to have company in the form of ten pissed off jaguars.”

“No problem,” she growled. “Kill them all and be sure to save my sister.”

Hayes had barely processed the words when Savannah turned into a spectacular, tawny lioness, Noah and Wiley burst through the back door and ten snarling male jaguars, still partially transformed. came running into the large, nearly empty room. Pulling his sword from the scabbard on his back, the Guardsman went after Jacques as the asshole tried to make a hasty exit through the door Hayes’ brethren had just come through.

Out of the corner of his eye, Hayes could see Savannah stalking Simon, pushing him slowly into the corner as Noah kept the jaguars busy. Using his long blade to block the claws of Jacques partially transformed paw, Hayes bellowed, “Wiley, get Makayla out of here!”

“No!” Simon screeched just as Savannah’s lioness stood up on her hind legs and with one well-aimed swipe of her paw separated his head from his neck.

Seeing that his mate was taking no prisoners, Hayes stopped taking it easy on Jacques and with a few strategically placed thrusts and a strong jab, stabbed the traitor in the heart. Pulling the blade from Jacques’ chest and ignoring the falling corpse, Hayes spun to help Noah dispatch the last of the jaguars. From one heartbeat to the next, the room went from complete chaos to a deafening silence.

Turning in a slow circle, Hayes immediately spotted Savannah, back in human form and staring at the corpse of the man she’d called Uncle Jack. Making his way to her, the Guardsman wrapped his arms around her, turned her away from the carnage and walked her out of the room.

“Come on, mo ghrá. Let’s go check on Makayla.”

Stopping at the top of the stairs, Savannah turned towards Hayes, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his lips to hers. His heart sang as she whispered into his mind, letting an abundance of love and appreciation flow from her soul to his.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better man than you to live eternity beside. My dreams came true, the day you asked me to dance. I love you Hayes Gregory with all my heart, now and forever more.” 

Chapter Thirteen

A week had passed since Savannah, her dragon and his brethren had saved Makayla from the grips of the man they were all now referring to as ‘the idiot’ and the world seemed like a better place without him. Also in that time, the Queen had appointed Leo to look after and reorganize the jaguars that were left and had completely abolished the position once held by the traitor. She figured the Universe had picked a great man to stand by her side and his advice would be all she needed.

Pulling the covers back over her head for the fourth time, Sannah cringed as Makayla yelled, “Get up sleepy head. If you’re not careful, I’ll swoop down and steal that sexy dragon from you.”

“Whatever,” she hollered back. “I saw the way you were looking at Wiley. I’m thinkin’ you found a dragon of your very own.”

“Shut up and mind your own business,” Mack grumbled then quickly changed the subject. “For the last time, get out of bed. We’re running out of time and I still have to do your hair and makeup.”

Throwing back the comforter, the Queen sat up, letting her feet fall over the side of the bed and groaning, “Why in the hell did I agree to a formal feline mating ceremony? I must have been high.”

“On love,” her youngest sister sang as she danced into the room, grabbing Savannah’s hands and pulling until the Queen stood up with her.

Rolling her eyes, Savannah sighed, “I’m up but I’ll be darned if I’m dancing. Look,” pointing towards the window she grumped, “Even the sun just got up.” She looked around the room then grumbled, “And where’s my coffee? You promised me coffee.”

“Let me grab it. If I had poured it the first time I called, it would be ice cold by now,” Mack laughed, running out of the room and down the stairs.

Shuffling her feet in slow motion, Savannah had just made it to the bathroom when her sister came dashing back with a steamy cup of her favorite hazelnut coffee with lots of cream. Taking a sip, she moaned, “Oh my Goddess, you make the best java in the world, Sis.”

“Why thank you, ma’am.” Mack did an over exaggerated curtsey. “I put an extra shot of espresso in it to put some pep in your step. We’ve got lots to get done and little time to do it.”

Okay, okay, I can take a hint. I’ll hurry,” Savannah raised a single eyebrow and pretended to glare over the rim of her mug. “Only because you’re gonna nag me to death if I don’t.”

Swatting her arms, Mack rolled her eyes and teased, “Pfft! This is your mating day! You should be bouncing off the walls.”

“I am,” Savannah smiled as visions of Hayes floated through her mind, reminding her how much she loved his smile and the cheeky way he had of always making her feel better. Her mom had been right, the Universe does not make mistakes. Her dragon was her perfect match in every way.

Laying her hand on her heart, she added, “Right here. Where it counts.”

“You know, I think that arrogant, old dragon is the best thing that’s ever happened to you and I couldn’t be happier. No one deserves this more than you, Sis. I love you.”

Setting down her mug, Savannah pulled Makayla in for a hug, squeezing her tight as she gushed, “I love you, too, so very, very much.”

Stepping back, Mack wiped a happy tear from her cheek and grinned with a swat to Savannah’s butt, “Step to it! Let’s get you more beautiful than you already are for your big day.”

Looking in the mirror, the Queen chuckled, “The first of two.” She slapped her palm to her forehead and groaned, “What was I thinking? Two mating ceremonies. Oh, my Goddess, I really have lost my marbles.”

Popping around the doorframe, Mack looked at her in the mirror and winked, “You were thinking you love that dragon like crazy and would mate him over and over again.” She gave Savannah another tap on the butt and begged, “Now, please, get yourself in the shower. We have less than three hours.”

“I’m hurrying, Brat.”

“That’s Miss Brat to you,” came Mack’s giggled retort.

Two hours and forty-five minutes later, Savannah had showered, had her long, brown waves done up in a beautiful up do with little wisps of hair framing her face and her makeup looked great. Not only was her little sister a fantastic pastry chef, but she was also a damn fine stylist.

Standing in front of the mirror, the Queen carefully slid the long, ivory, silk, sheath dress over her head, loving the way it flowed down her body, accentuating her curves and highlighting her olive skin. The seamstress had done an amazing job. It was just what Savannah had ordered, from the light blue and gold crystals that decorated the scoop neck and the spaghetti straps, to the tiny navy-blue flames embroidered around the hem. Her only regret was that her mom and dad wouldn’t be there to celebrate her big day.

Letting her chin fall to her chest, the Queen closed her eyes and whispered, “I love you guys. I know you’re looking down on us. Thank you for being the best parents I could have ever hoped for.”

Raising her head, she saw Mack standing behind her, her eyes filled with tears. “I hate that I never really got to know them.”

Turning, Savannah hugged her sister, reassuring, “Just remember, they are always with us.”

“I know, and I thank the Goddess every day for you.” Stepping back. Mack shook her head and blew out a quick breath. “Now, enough of this. Let me look at you.” Holding up her hand, she drew a circle in the air with her index finger.

Slowly turning until she was once again looking at her baby sister, Savannah chuckled as Mack furrowed her brow and tapped her chin, saying, “I am trying to think of a word better than gorgeous.” She snapped her fingers and smiled from ear-to-ear. “I know! You are fabulously spectacular!”

Laughing out loud, Savannah beamed, “Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Aww shucks,” Mack grinned. “You’re already beautiful, I just added a little pizzazz.” 

The chime of the grandfather clock in the hallway signaled that it was time to go. Slipping into her satin ballet flats adorned with crystals and flames to match her dress, Savannah grabbed Mack’s hand and together, they made their way down the stairs and out to the Peace Garden across from Royal Hall.

Turning towards her sister, the Queen smiled, “Thank you for everything. You have always been there for me, through thick and thin, no matter what and I want you to know how very much I love and appreciate you.”

“You’re just saying that because the other girls couldn’t get here,” Makayla teased.

“Whatever,” Savannah sighed. “They’ll be here soon enough and Royal Hall will be chaos.” She squeezed Mack’s hands, “But seriously, thank you again.”

Giving her a quick hug, Mack stepped back. “I love you, too. It’s my pleasure. Now, you’ve thanked me enough. Just be happy, that’s all that matters.”

Savannah watched as her sister looked through the branches of the tall holly bushes before looking back and winking, “There’s a seriously handsome dragon, looking hotter than the noonday sun in July in his tux, standing up there waiting for you. I think you better get a move on.”

The words were barely out of her mouth before the music started and together, the Queen and her sister walked down the rose-petal-covered white carpet towards the man of Savannah’s dreams. She was sad her other sisters and their families couldn’t make it, but with all the smiling faces looking up at her with so much love and support, Savannah couldn’t help but feel blessed beyond all measure.

The garden looked absolutely breathtaking, decorated with massive bouquets of red and white roses in large golden urns adorned with navy-blue satin ribbons and silver bells. She marveled at the smaller sprays of blooms decorating the end of every row of chairs and the smaller baskets placed lovingly around the fountain where Hayes was waiting.

Stepping up beside her dragon, she waited as Levi, the Spiritual Elder of her Pride asked, “Who gives this Queen to be mated to this dragon?”

“With all the love in my heart and hope in my soul, I, Makayla Leonidas, do.”

With a single nod, the Elder smiled, “Thank you, Makayla. You may take your seat.”

Reaching for Hayes’ outstretched hand, Savannah shivered as the power of their bond filled every fiber of her being with wonderful sparks of love and adoration. Looking into the eyes of the man the Universe had made for her, seeing his unending love and adoration, the Queen was overwhelmed and humbled to have him in her life.

Clearing his throat to get everyone’s attention, Levi began, his low, commanding tone filling the garden and touching every soul in attendance. “I admit to taking a few liberties with our usual mating ceremony as I feel the union of our Queen, Savannah Leonidas, to the mate of her soul, Hayes Gregory is a unique and thrilling event. One that demands a bit of improvisation and exultation.”

He paused, glancing out into the audience before looking back at the couple. “We are here today, with these two beautiful souls to not only witness their union but rejoice in the blessings the Universe has bestowed upon each and every one of us. For in Her infinite wisdom and grand design, She has seen fit to join this lioness with this dragon and this man with this woman as reassurance that each of us has that perfect someone somewhere in the world just waiting to be found.”

“Each of us in this sacred place can feel Savannah and Hayes’ undeniable connection. We know in our hearts they truly were made for each other and their mating has been blessed by the Goddess. This lioness and her dragon are two great warriors brought together by the magic of Fate and Destiny. Their profound spiritual connection is like a beacon in an otherwise dark and hazy world, exemplifying the promise of a bright tomorrow and hope for generations to come.”

“We as lions have always been the Royalty of the Jungle, the predator - not the prey, just as the dragons have always been the Rulers of the Sky, the hunter – never the hunted.” He placed one hand on Savannah’s shoulder and the other on Hayes’ as he continued, “And today, we witness the powerful union between two commanding shifters that no one, not even the Universe, can ever divide.”

Dropping his hand from Hayes’ shoulder, Levi focused on the Queen and asked, “Do you, Savannah Leonidas, acknowledge your miraculous gift of a mate and accept Hayes into your heart and soul, giving all that you and your lioness are to him with no reservations?”

Savannah’s eyes met her mate’s as she whispered, “With all that I am and all that I will ever be, I pledge my undying love and devotion to you, Hayes Gregory.”

The love glistening in her dragon’s eyes combined with the adoration she felt coming from him, filling her soul to overflowing. Never in her life had the Queen thought she could love someone as much as she loved her mate.

Removing his hand from her shoulder, Levi turned to her dragon and began, “Do you, Hayes Gregory, acknowledge your miraculous gift of a mate and accept Savannah into your heart and soul, giving all that you and your dragon are to her well-being with no reservations?”

“With all that I am and all that I will ever be, I pledge my undying love and devotion to you, Savannah Leonidas.” Letting go of her left hand, Hayes reached into the jacket of his black tuxedo jacket, revealing a small blue velvet box.

Opening the lid, he took out the most spectacular piece of jewelry Savannah had ever seen. The heart-shaped, sapphire surrounded by smaller canary diamonds sparkled in the noonday sun as her heart beat wildly.

Sliding the platinum band onto her finger, Hayes whispered into her mind, “I love you, Savannah, from now until the end of time…forever and always.”

Levi’s voice sounded once again as his hands returned to the couple’s shoulders and he announced, “What the Universe and the Goddess have brought together let no man nor beast tear asunder. Hayes, you may kiss your mate.”

With the Elder’s words still hanging in the air, Hayes pulled Savannah into his arms and kissed her as if she was the very air he breathed while their guests clapped and cheered. Opening completely to her dragon, baring all that she was to the mate of her heart and soul, reveling in the passion burning like fire into every fiber of her being, the Queen spoke in the language of her dragon’s kin in the manner the Universe had always intended, “Anois agus go deo, is breá liom tú mo Dragon.”

Chapter Fourteen

He’d had enough. It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate everything everyone had done for him and Savannah or that he didn’t like a good party, because he did. It all came down to one simple fact, Hayes was ready to be alone with his mate and nothing or no one was going to stop him.

Marching across the dance floor, zigging and zagging to miss all the dancing guests, the Guardsman slid up behind his lovely lioness, wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered, “Wanna get out of here?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” she murmured in return, leaning her body against his, teasing him with a little wiggle of her ass that made his already hard cock jump against the zipper of his tuxedo pants.

Lifting her into his arms and making a mad dash for the back staircase he’d discovered during his inspection of Royal Hall, Hayes ignored the cheers, clapping and catcalls, especially Kayne’s chuckled, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Taking the stairs two at a time, having a hard time concentrating as Savannah kissed his neck and lavished the sweet spot behind his ear, Hayes kicked open the door to her suite with the toe of his shoe. Crossing the threshold, he then slammed it shut with his elbow before making a beeline for the large four-poster bed in the middle of the room.

Gently pulling his arm from under her legs, Hayes shivered at the currents of their combined energy fueling the fire in his soul, filling his entire being with light and love as his lioness’ body slid against his. Slamming his lips to hers, the Guardsman licked the seam of her mouth, sucked on her bottom lip and drove his tongue alongside hers, fueling their arousal as she pushed the jacket from his shoulders and began ripping the buttons from his shirt.

Tearing his lips from hers, Hayes gasped as he pushed her hands from his bare chest, grabbing the silk covering her hips and pulling her dress over her head. Her nipples, already irresistibly hard, tempted the Guardsman more than a chest of gold, but he wanted, no needed, to taste his mate, to take her juices into his body, to mark her from the inside-out, so summoning all of his strength, he resisted. Instead shredding his shirt, lifting his mate off the floor and laying her on the soft ivory coverlet with her butt on the very edge of the mattress, Hayes dropped to his knees.

Sliding her shapely legs over his shoulders, the dragon looked deep into Savannah’s eyes, inhaling the sweet scent of her arousal as he groaned, “You smell like Heaven.”

Kissing up the inside of one thigh and down the other, ignoring the heat of her pussy as she lifted her hips from the bed and grabbed for him, Hayes smiled against Savannah’s silken skin while she moaned, “Please…please…”

“Please what?” He cooed, teasing her pussy through the damp silk of the crotch of her panties with the tips of his fingers.

“Please…” She gasped as he pushed harder, rubbing the tip of her hot, throbbing fabric-covered clit. “Please…l-love m-me.”

Unable to resist any longer, Hayes ripped the silk from her body and thrust his tongue into her wanting pussy. Multicolored bursts of light, like fireworks in the night sky, sparkled behind his closed eyelids as her taste, so fresh, so unique, so completely Savannah, fed the excitement roaring through both man and dragon as nothing ever had.

Her hands dove into his hair, fisting the curls, guiding him where she needed him most until the Guardsman thought he might be bald. But Hayes, couldn’t care. Loving his mate, giving her pleasure as only he could, was the realization of a lifetime of hopes and dreams.

Driving his tongue in and out of his mate, the dragon curled the tip, teasing the tender bundle of nerves at the top of her center, holding her hips as they rocketed from the bed. Pulling out, he paid special attention to her clit, licking and sucking until Savannah was screaming his name to the Heavens.

Feeling his mate teetering on the edge of her powerful climax, Hayes thrust two fingers into her quivering sex. Fucking her with his fingers until her arousal was at its peak, he took her clit between his teeth and gently bit down, working his digits in and out of Savannah as her screams of release echoed off the walls of the room.

Slowing his motion, gently bringing his mate back to reality, Hayes smiled as Savannah’s body went limp. Sliding her legs from his shoulders, massaging her shaking muscles, the Guardsman got to his feet, shed his remaining clothes and picking up his lioness, followed her down to the mattress.

Opening her eyes, Savannah crooked her index finger in a come-hither motion. Leaning forward, Hayes was pleasantly surprised when her lips met his in a blissfully erotic kiss. In a single beat of his heart, their embrace turned wild. Tongues mated. Hands groped. Bodies pressed together as if they were one.

Savannah’s hands wrapped around his rock-hard cock, her tongue in his mouth imitating the motion of her hands on his erection. Up and down, in and out, his mate drove him wild with her seduction. Rolling her over onto her back, Hayes loomed above, looking deep into her eyes as he pulled his cock from her grasp, immediately thrusting deep into her warm, wet pussy.

Holding perfectly still, reveling in the feel of their bodies joined as one, their hearts beating in sync and their souls intertwining as Fate intended, Hayes saw double as Savannah’s body tightened around his cock, her pussy contracting repeatedly as her body was already racing towards her second orgasm.

Pulling out until he almost fell from the heaven of Savannah’s body, the dragon lifted her knees, pushing them forward as he drove back into her beautiful body until he could go no further. Over and over he repeated the motion, his Queen meeting him thrust for thrust as his dragon reached for her lioness, the sounds of their lovemaking filling the room with the most beautifully sensual sounds.

Letting go of her legs and leaning forward, his palms landed on the bed next to her head. Hayes growled in pleasure as Savannah’s legs wound around his waist and her heels dug into the small of his back. The claws of her lioness dug into his shoulders and slid down his back as she wailed, “Yes…yes…Oh my Goddess, Hayes…yes!”

Ready to explode, losing all control, the Guardsman reached between their bodies, slipped her clit between his thumb and forefinger and commanded, “Look at me, Savannah. Look at the man who loves you more than all the stars in the sky.”

As her eyes snapped to his, Hayes gave one final thrust at the same time that he gently pinched her clit between his fingers. Savannah screamed, her hips bucking against his as the Guardsman emptied himself into her with an earth-shattering roar.

Coming again and again along with his beloved mate, bathing her insides with his scent as her juices marked his body, Hayes slowed his motion, bringing them both down from the high of their lovemaking. Slowly pulling from her body, groaning in unison with Savannah at the loss, the Guardsman moved his lioness to the head of the bed, placing her head on the pillow before he laid down facing her.

Hayes couldn’t help but smile at Savannah’s heavily lidded eyes, the flush on her cheeks and her kiss-swollen lips. Speaking from his heart, he grinned, “Have I told you lately that I love you?”

“Yes,” she happily sighed. “But I will never tire of hearing it.”

Kissing her slowly and deeply, Hayes whispered into her mind, “I love and adore you more with every heartbeat, Savannah Gregory. You are an stór mo chroí go deo agus i gcónaí.”

Leaning back, his Queen, the woman who had stolen his heart, cupped his cheek and with more love than he ever imagined possible, murmured aloud, “I have no idea what I ever did to deserve someone as wonderful as you, but I thank the Goddess that I did.” Kissing the tip of his nose, she added with a twinkle in her eye, “Even if you are an arrogant, pig-headed dragon.”

THE END

(For Now, Anyway…)        

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HER DRAGON TO SLAY

Check Out the One that Started It All for the Dragon Guard

Dragon Guard Book #1

FREE ON ALL RETAILERS

Sassy and stubborn have gotten Kyndel through everything life had to throw at her. Will her moxie help when destiny falls at her feet? 
             Hundreds of years of loyalty to Dragon Guard have made Rayne a fearless leader. When the long-foretold pull of his mate rocks the Commander’s world to its core will he be able to save her from his enemies in time? 
              The chemistry between this strong-willed curvy girl and fierce warrior makes all the difference in the world where nothing is as it seems. The existence of an ancient race of honor-clad, tradition-bound protectors might be hard to accept but now the dead are coming back to life and holding a knife to her neck. 
Can these fated mates defeat their greatest enemies and get their happily ever after? 
Fate Will Not Be Denied!! 

Available on AMAZON.

ACHILLES: Soul of Her King ~ Kings of the Blood ~ Book 3

Available Now

“I am only here to keep you from getting us all reduced to ash,” Bain sighed, drinking his orange juice and staring at the clouds out the window.

Rolling his eyes for the umpteenth time, Lee grumbled, “I am well aware of why you are here and as I have said before, you didn’t have to come.”

Shaking his head and throwing another disapproving look at Lee, the tall, bald, normally silent one of their group, refused to respond, making the archer wonder why on earth he put up with any of his brothers.

“You put up with them because they are your brothers and you’d be lost without them.” He mumbled to himself, knowing full well that Bain had heard him and was once again choosing to be ambivalently silent.

Settling back into his seat, Achilles tried to relax and think of anything other than the fact that he had not been able to make contact with Juliette since leaving Roman’s mansion almost four hours ago. His only communication had been with the excavation crew he’d had his contacts on that side of the world round up and at last call they had just arrived at the site. With at least thirteen hours more in the air until they reached Mumbai and then another four over treacherous terrain by jeep to reach Juliette’s dig site, the archer was about to lose what little was left of his mind.

Listening to the whir of the engines of Viktor’s private jet, Lee let his mind wander, thinking about the first time he’d ever heard the term, fýlakas tis kardís mou and understood what it truly meant to him… 

Achilles pushed through the earth and sand, unaware of his surroundings. The burn in his lungs unbearable as the need to take his first breath drove his every action. Bursting into the abrasive night air, his rear end hit the sand as he gulped in the beautifully fresh, clean air.

Looking at the night sky for several long minutes, the archer jumped to his feet as the true gravity of his present situation came bursting into his mind. Running first one way and then another, he stopped dead in his tracks as a chuckled, “Do you always run naked through the desert, Achilles? I thought I had taught you better than that?” Reached his ears.

“General?”

Stepping forward into the light of the crescent moon, Romanus nodded, “Yes, Achilles, it is I. Now, come, cover yourself. We have much to discuss.”

Covering himself with one hand while cautiously making his way towards what appeared to be his long-dead General, the archer snatched the tunic, pulled it over his head and took two quick steps backward. Watching Romanus, he asked, “I was not dreaming? You are not a mirage?”

His mentor stepped forward, stood with his feet shoulder width apart and put his hands behind his back just as Achilles had seen the General do so many times before then with his usual tone of authority stated, “I am as you always knew me, Romanus of Athens, General of the mighty Grecian army and the man who saved you from certain death.”

Looking for any sign of subterfuge, the archer asked, “If you are as you appear to be, how many arrows did I break on my first attempt at the bow?”

Smiling like a proud father, Romanus answered straight away, “None.”

“And when asked to shoot a dove and a raven what did I come back with?”

“Two ravens,” the General shook his head. “You told me that doves were a sign of peace and your blessed mother’s favorite animal and that I could whip the skin from your hide but you would never willingly kill a dove.” Romanus took a step forward. “It was then I knew you had the makings of not only a great archer but also a leader of high esteem.” A sad look crossed the General’s face then he added, “I am only sorry I missed that part of your illustrious career.”

It was getting harder and harder to deny that the man, ghost, specter, whatever it was standing before him was not the man Achilles had thought of as his surrogate father since the first day they met. Needing one more bit of proof, the archer asked, “Where did we bury the bodies of my mother and my sisters after…” He took a deep breath, anger still raging through him at their cruel deaths even after the passage of so much time. “After the Persian scum brutally murdered them?”

Bowing his head, as he had always done when they discussed Achilles’ family, Romanus answered in a low, reverent tone, “We did not bury them. Your beloved family was burnt on a funeral pyre to prevent the final resting place of their mortal bodies from being disturbed by vagabonds.” The General raised his head, took a step forward and added, “You were the bravest child I had ever seen. Never shedding a tear, demanding to collect all the wood for the fire yourself and finally, taking the flame to the wood while offering a prayer to the gods for the safe delivery of their souls to the afterlife.” 

Holding back the tears, Achilles gave a single nod and whispered, “It is good to see you again, my General.”

Many hours were spent explaining what Romanus and on very few occasions, Viktoras, called his ‘new life’. It was incredibly confusing and more than a little disturbing to think he would need another’s life essence to survive but his General had been very specific and did not falter as he explained the minute amount the archer would need to remain alive and that the donor was to be willing and unharmed. The longer he listened, the more honored Achilles felt. His General, the one man he truly held in high regard, had chosen him to be one of Zeus’ mighty warriors.

After his first taste of blood, Romanus had taken him out into the night. They had walked for miles, the General explaining that his renewed body needed to be exercised, his muscles stretched and his heart and lungs made to work to their full capacity. It wasn’t long before they reached a rare patch of desert grass with a tall petrified tree casting a shadow in the sand.

Motioning for Achilles to follow, Romanus took a seat on the stiff, brown lawn and began to speak. “In his infinite wisdom, the father of the gods knew that no man can live an eternity alone, especially one who must face the rigors of a life such as ours. So, for each King of the Blood, he created a mate, your fýlakas tis kardiás mou, the keeper of your heart. This woman, above all others, will captivate your soul from the moment of her birth. She, and she alone, will have the power to save your doomed soul and breathe life anew into your heart that until the moment she appeared on this earth, had felt cold and barren. Her light will brighten even the darkest corners of your soul. There will be nothing you can hide from her or her from you. Together, you will create one perfect being, the strength to one another’s weaknesses and the answer to one another’s unspoken prayers. She will be a blessing unlike any other you have ever received but you must heed my words, Achilles, follow them to the letter less you be struck down by Zeus’ lightning and your ashes strewn to the four corners of the Universe.”

The archer leaned closer, hanging on every word from his mentor’s mouth. His heart beat like the drum in the coliseum and sweat rolled down his spine like the great River Nile as he waited for what was to come. When Romanus finally continued, it was with conviction and power that can only come from absolute faith. “No matter how much your heart may pull you to her and your soul cry out for what only the keeper of your heart can give you, it is imperative that you wait for her to come to you, to recognize you as the other half of her soul, on this, the King of the Gods is unbending. Your fýlakas tis kardiás mou’s heart and soul will lead her to you when, and only when, the time is right. It will then be your responsibility to indoctrinate her in the ways of our kind and prepare her to become immortal, so that she may stand by your side throughout all time.”     

The General smiled and patted the archer on the shoulder before adding, “The mating must be completed before nightfall of your three thousandth year or you will cease to exist. You will return to the ether from whence you came, ashes to ashes and dust to dust. You will enter the Elysian Fields and live a hero’s afterlife.”

Romanus stood, “But I have no doubt the keeper of your heart will come long before three millennia have passed and together you will leave a legacy blessed by the Pantheon.”

Jumping to his feet, emotion unlike any other he’d ever felt filled his soul to overflowing, Achilles, in an uncharacteristic gesture, hugged his General and whispered, “I shall live every day of my life to make you proud for choosing me to this blessed life. Thank you, sir.”

Pulling back, the General chuckled, “See that you do, Achilles. See that you do.”

Available on AMAZON or with Kindle Unlimited.

COMING SOON

Her Dragon’s Treasure

Sitting on the rocks, sunning herself under the waterfall, Talullah, or Lulu as her sisters had called her since she was a little girl, waited for a ship or whale or anything to pass by and break up the monotony of just another day of the same old crapola. She’d left the house before dawn, needing to be anywhere but in the vicinity of her six sisters and her parents. The last few sleepless nights had left her restless and cranky and basically unwilling to deal with the everyday hassles of being the youngest.

The only place she felt like herself anymore was in the water. She knew it was something all the females of their kind went through, however, during all the endless lectures about maturity and mating, no one had ever warned her about the crazy dreams she’d experience. It would’ve been nice to have a heads up that she could expect nightly visions of a man with long, scraggly, auburn hair and gorgeous violet eyes begging for her help. The man, whether he be real or a figment of her imagination, had Lulu tossing and turning like baby sea turtles in the undertow. Every morning she would awaken, more tired than the night before, more irritable than the day before, and needing the comfort of the water to soothe her frazzled psyche.

“Did you really think the Falls was a good hiding place, Lulu?” Nessa, the middle daughter of the O’Halloran pod asked as she made her way down the side of the cliff. “You always come here. It’s no secret.”

“Wasn’t hiding?” Talullah rolled her eyes and harrumphed.

“Then what are you doing here, not in the water but with your tail on, looking out at the sea?”

Nessa was the least offensive of Lulu’s sisters and usually easy to get along with…well, usually. On this occasion, however, it appeared she was going to do her impression of a reporter and ask endless questions.

“I’m thinking. Okay? Just thinking,” Lulu sighed, running her hands through her long platinum hair and wondering what it was going to take to actually get some alone time.

“Whatcha thinkin’ about?” Nessa asked before adding, “Those dreams you’ve been havin’?”

Turning on her sister, Lulu asked through gritted teeth, “Have you been pokin’ around in my mind again?”

“No!” Nessa quickly replied, rubbing her arm. “I still have the mark from where you hit the last time.”

“You better not be.” The youngest mermaid threw a scowl with a narrowing of her eyes at her sister to make sure there was no mistake that she meant business. 

Reading minds was just one of the many talents that came naturally to mermaids. It helped them talk to the undersea life in their daily interactions and kept them apprised of danger in the deep dark waters they frequented, but using it on one another was a huge no-no. Not that it stopped any of the O’Halloran sisters from taking advantage of their gifts. A gift that for Lulu was a double-edged sword since she’d been born with what her mother called ‘an extra dose of mind power’. It allowed the youngest of the O’Halloran pod to hear anyone’s thoughts, at any time, with about a thousand-mile range, without even thinking about it.

She’d embarrassed her oldest sister just before her first real date by saying, “You’re right, Ailbe, he does have a nice butt.” She’d caused her mother to find a new butcher by repeating, “Your pork chops look like pig slop,” just after her mother had thought it. But the kicker had come while they were attending a picnic with the humans her parents insisted they get to know. The afternoon had been going pretty well, except for a group of teenage boys who kept harassing Ciara and Daireann, sisters two and three. It seemed the girls’ long yellow-blonde hair and bright Kelly green eyes were too much of a lure for the pubescent buttheads to resist, so they had begun chanting, “Freak! Freak! Freak!”

Hearing her sisters’ distressed thoughts, Talullah had screamed. “Do it, Ciara, just do it. Turn them into sea slugs!” And to make matters worse, when her sisters only reacted with a gasp and a shake of their heads, Lulu dipped her hand into the fountain, tapped into the magic of the water, and did it herself.

Needless to say, the O’Hallorans gave up their attempts to appear normal, moved to the cliffs overlooking the sea, and that had been their home for almost two hundred years. It was safer. They didn’t have to hide their abilities or their tails and it meant no more swimming in the bathtub.

Yeah, moving to the shore had been great but it hadn’t stopped Talullah’s abilities from growing stronger with each passing year. Not only could she read anyone or anything’s mind at any time, if she was asleep or distracted or let her mental blocks slip just the tiniest bit, her sisters could listen to hers, too.

Luckily, she led a boring life and the worst thing that had happened had been when she fell asleep watching Terminator and Nessa heard her thinking about the caves under the reef where they were forbidden to go. Of course, her sister had shouted, “Lulu’s been to the caves.” Which had resulted in three weeks of being grounded and two additional weeks tending the nets for her father’s seaweed business. From that night forward, she only dared to sleep in her room with the wards her grandpop had taught her to put in place.

Hoping that ignoring Nessa would get her to leave, Lulu soon groaned in frustration when her sister quietly asked, “I promise I haven’t been snooping but I still gotta ask. Who is that guy and why does he look so creepy?”

“He doesn’t look creepy,” Lulu unintentionally spat, staring at Nessa for daring to say the man who haunted her dreams was anything less than perfect. “He’s been hurt or something. I think he’s trapped.” She looked back at the sea. “I can feel his pain.” The mermaid rubbed the spot on her chest just over her heart and added with a whisper, “And his anger.”

Shaking her head, she decided to tell Nessa more. Turning back to her sister, she grabbed Nessa’s hands and looked her in the eye. “He keeps begging for my help. He calls my name like he knows me, like I’m the only one who can help him.” She let go and turned toward the water again. “I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. My heart hurts. It’s just a bunch of emotions all tangled in a ball making me crazier by the minute.”

Finally saying it out loud, Tallulah immediately knew what she had to do. Without a second thought or a glance back at her sister, the mermaid jumped off the ledge into the cool water of the falls, diving straight for the bottom of the pool and the underground cavern that led to the open waters of the sea.

“What the hell are you doing, Lulu? Where are you going?” Nessa’s scream sounded in her mind.

“To save the man from my dreams. You coming?” 

COMING SOON

Dragon in the Mist

One small voice in the dark…

One tortured plea for help…

Two hearts beating as one…

Two lives hanging in the balance…

Three seconds to decide between life and death…

Three words that changed his life…

“Please help me,” she cried. Now, it’s out of the mist and into the fire.

Fate Will Not Be Denied.

About Julia

Find all my stories on Amazon!

Hey Y’all! I’m Julia Mills the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Dragon Guard Series. I without a doubt admit to being a sarcastic, southern woman who would rather spend all day laughing than a minute crying. Living with my two most amazing daughters and a menagerie of animals, keeps me busy but I love telling a good story. Now, that I’ve decided to write the stories running through my brain, life is just a blast!

My beliefs are simple. A good book along with shoes, makeup, and purses will never let a girl down and no hero ever written will compare to my real-life hero, my dad! I’m a sucker for a happy ending and alpha men make me swoon.

I’m still working on my story but I promise it will contain as much love and laughter as I can pack into it! Now, go out there and create your own story!!! Dare to Dream! Have the Strength to Try EVERYTHING! Never Look Back!

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Thank you for reading my stories!!!

XOXO Julia

Also by Julia Mills

Find Them All on Amazon

*****

The Dragon Guard Series

Her Dragon to Slay, Dragon Guard #1

Her Dragon’s Fire, Dragon Guard #2

Haunted by Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #3

For the Love of Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #4

Saved by Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #5

Only for Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #6

Fighting for Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #7

Her Dragon’s Heart, Dragon Guard #8

Her Dragon’s Soul, Dragon Guard #9

The Fate of Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #10

Her Dragon’s No Angel, Dragon Guard #11

Her Dragon, His Demon, Dragon Guard #12

Resurrecting Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #13

The Scars of Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #14

Her Mad Dragon, Dragon Guard #15

Tears for Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #16

Guarding Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #17

Sassing Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #18 (Sassy Ever After Kindle World)

Kiss of Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #19

Claws, Class and a Whole Lotta Sass, Dragon Guard #20(Sassy Ever After Kindle World)

Dragon with the Girl Tattoo, Dragon Guard #21 (Paranormal Dating Agency Kindle World)

Dragon Down, Dragon Guard #22 (Part of the Fire Kissed Box Set)

Twinkle, Twinkle, Sassy Little Star, Dragon Guard #23 (Sassy Ever After Kindle World)

Her Love, Her Dragon: The Saga Begins, A Dragon Guard Prequel

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The ‘Not-Quite’ Love Story Series

Vidalia: A ‘Not-Quite Vampire Love Story

Phoebe” A ‘Not-Quite’ Phoenix Love Story

Zoey: A ‘Not-Quite’ Zombie Love Story

Jax: A ‘Not-Quite’ Puma Love Story

Heidi: A ‘Not-Quite’ Hellhound Love Story (Magic & Mayhem Kindle World)

Lola: A ‘Not-Quite’ Witchy Love Story (Magic & Mayhem Kindle World)

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Kings of the Blood

VIKTOR: Heart of Her King ~ Kings of the Blood ~ Book 1

ROMAN: Fury of Her King ~ Kings of the Blood ~ Book2

ACHILLES: Soul of Her King ~ Kings of the Blood ~ Book 3

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CAUGHT: A Vampire Blood Courtesan Romance

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MARROK: A Wolf’s Hunger

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Out of the Ashes: Guardians of the Zodiac: Pisces ~ Book 1

Scorched Ember: Guardians of the Zodiac: Taurus ~ Book 2