Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series
Her Elemental Dragons: Embrace the Dark: Chapter 15

In the morning we had a nice breakfast with Zain’s family, and then we stepped outside so he could shift into a dragon for the first time. Everyone applauded and cheered as blood red scales covered his body and grew into wings, and then he launched into the air. He had a moment where he took a dive and nearly fell, but Erroh and Carth were there to lift him up with some wind magic and give him a few pointers.

We returned to the palace that evening, and Parin rushed out to meet us when we returned. His face showed obvious distress, and I quickly slid off Zain’s back and asked, “What is it? Is something wrong?”

‘I’m glad you’re back so soon,’ he said. “We have a problem.”

As my other mates returned to their human form, they gathered close. “Tell us,” Zain demanded.

“A large delegation of elementals was supposed to arrive this morning from Divine Isle. They’ve been visiting each Realm, trying to continue to foster good relations between the humans and the elementals, as your mother requested.’

“Let me guess,” Carth said. “They never arrived.”

“Indeed. No one has heard anything from them in days.”

“Perhaps they’re simply delayed,” Erroh said, though he didn’t sound like he believed that.

‘Have any of my parents returned yet?” I asked, as my stomach became leaden with dread. We all knew what had happened to the elementals, even if we hoped that wasn’t the case.

“Unfortunately, no,” Parin said.

My mouth twisted into a grimace. “We’ll have to handle this on our own then. Is there anything else you can tell us? How many there were? Where were they coming from?”

“They were coming from the Air Realm. I believe there were about twenty-five of them.”

“That’s twenty-five more people who could have magic soon,” Zain said.

I turned toward my three bonded mates. “Do the three of you feel up to flying again?’

Erroh puffed out his chest. ‘I could fly all night long without a problem.”

Carth rolled his eyes. “We’ll be fine. We can investigate the elementals’ journey, retrace their steps as best we can, and see if we replace anything.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Are you sure you’ll be all right?”

All three men swore they were fine and would leave immediately after grabbing some dinner from the kitchen. Flying made you very hungry.

My heart sank a bit as they walked away. I didn’t like the idea of being away from them, but it was necessary to replace anything we could about that missing delegation.

I turned toward Parin. “I’m going to visit Varek and see if he’s learned anything new.”

Parin’s brow furrowed. “Would you like me to come with you?”

“No, although I appreciate you asking, instead of demanding you’re going to protect me.”

“You’re a formidable woman, Sora. I’ve come to realize that over the last few days.”

His words gave me a bit of hope. Maybe he no longer saw me as just a little sister anymore?

“Besides,” he continued. “Although I don’t approve of Varek’s lifestyle, he has proved useful. We need whatever information we can get from him.”

“I agree.” I tentatively reached out and took his hand. “Thank you for taking care of things while we were gone.”

Parin glanced down at our linked fingers, and then gave my hand a squeeze. “I’m happy to help however I can.”

I leaned close and pressed a light kiss to his check. “Please stay here in case the elementals or my parents arrive. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

I didn’t waste any time rushing out to replace Varek. An entire envoy of missing elementals was enough to make my blood run cold. If the Unseen took all their powers, we would be vastly outnumbered in a fight. The delegation had to be found immediately.

Remembering Varek’s words about being discreet, I went to the back door of the Lone Wolf Pub, the one he’d led me out of last time. Once there, I knocked sharply, keeping my head down and my hood pulled low over my face. I couldn’t risk getting caught alone by the Unseen.

Varek’s sister, whose name I vaguely remembered was Wrill, opened the door with a sneer. I was starting to think that was her permanent expression. “The princess has returned.”

“I need to speak with Varek.”

She stepped aside to let me in. “We knew you’d come crawling back for more.”

“He is my mate,” I snapped. What was her problem with me? “I didn’t choose him, but I have to make the best of it. As does he.”

She tossed her black hair. “Go on then. You know where to replace him.”

Ignoring all the other doors, I headed straight for Varek’s office. I considered going right in, but took a deep breath and knocked instead. Just because Wrill was rude and condescending didn’t mean I needed to be too.

‘Enter,’ he barked.

I stepped inside, and saw him standing beside his desk. He was shirtless and slightly sweaty, rubbing a cloth along the back of his neck, and I was momentarily stunned by the sight of all those muscles and tattoos. I had the strongest desire to run my hands down his chest and trace every dark line of ink.

When he saw it was me, a slow grin spread across his face. ‘A visit from the princess. Is it time for our bonding?”

‘No, although I’m sure you wish it was.’ My gaze snapped back to his face as I tried to focus on why I was here. “A delegation of elementals went missing, and we suspect the Unseen have taken them. Have you heard anything about that?”

“I have not.”

I sighed and tried again. “Have you learned anything new about the Unseen since we last spoke?”

“No, but my people are still working on it.” He tilted his head and studied me. “That’s not the real reason you came here though, and we both know it.”

The way he said it sent heat to my core, but I refused to let him affect me that way. “It’s time you moved to the castle and became one of my mates in more than just name. We need your help with the Unseen, and that will be easier if you’re beside us.”

He stalked across the room, until he was standing right in front of me, and I couldn’t help but look at his naked chest again. “Or maybe you just want me near you.”

“It wouldn’t hurt for us to get to know each other better,” I admitted.

“We know everything we need.” His hand reached up and slid behind my neck, and I thought he would pull me in for a kiss, but he only gazed into my eyes. “I’ll make you a deal. Fight me in the ring. I want to see if you’re as good as the stories say. If you win, I’ll move to the palace and be the good little mate you want.’

That sounded too good to be true, considering it was unlikely he’d win. ‘And if I lose?’

‘You get on your knees and suck my cock until my seed spurts down your throat. Then you call me your king.”

My eyes widened at his vulgar words and shocking demands. His fingers tightened in my hair and his dark eyes roamed down my body, making it clear he planned to win. I tried not to show the way my body responded to his rough, demanding touch, and to the thought of wrapping my lips around his cock. I shouldn’t have wanted him so badly, but I couldn’t help myself.

“Deal,’ I said, my voice breathless.

A wicked grin crossed his lips as he let go of me. “Follow me, princess.”

He led us to the door I’d peered inside the first time I came to his bar. The door opened into the massive room, where two men were fighting while a small crowd watched.

“Everyone out,” Varek’s voice boomed. No one argued or even hesitated. They grabbed their things and headed out the door, only pausing to give him nods of respect.

When the last person had exited and we were alone, we both stepped into the ring painted on the floor. Torchlight flickered across Varek’s chest as he faced me. I loosened my shoulders and rolled my head, ready to fight. I couldn’t lose this one.

“No weapons, no magic,” he said. “We fight until one of us concedes defeat or is forced out of the ring.”

“Agreed.”

Varek went immediately on the offensive. He ran straight for me but was easy to dodge. We spent a few minutes going back and forth that way, each of us easily ducking and darting away from the other.

I spread my arms, taunting him. ‘We can’t do this all day.”

‘Indeed.’ Without warning, he changed his tactic, rushing toward me with impressive speed and force. I barely managed to avoid his blow, but I was able to use his momentum to spin around and kick him in the face. He stumbled back, then wiped a tiny spot of blood on his lip with a grin.

Then it got interesting. He’d been toying with me before, but now he truly came after me. I had to admit, his abilities were a real test of my skills. I’d previously thought only the best of the Silver Guard was a match for me, including Erroh. Now I had to add Varek to that short list too.

As we moved around the ring, exchanging blows and occasionally grappling with our bodies pressed close together, I began to wonder if I was going to lose. Would I have to return to my mates knowing I’d sucked the cock of the city’s number one criminal?

That couldn’t happen, no matter how excited the thought made me. I redoubled my efforts, flinging Varek to the ground and landing on top of him as I tried to get a grip on his arms.

But he threw me off, and the next thing I knew, it was me on the bottom. His bigger size pinned me down, and his hard body pressed against mine. A slow smile crept across his face, and his lips came down to my ear. “I think you like this a little too much.”

With a grunt, I swung my leg around and wrapped it around his neck, twirling both of us until I was on top again. Straddling his waist, I fought the desire that rushed through me as I held him down. “Submit.”

“Never.” He gripped my hips, rubbing his cock against me once, and then shoved me off him.

We both scrambled back to our feet, breathing heavily, and not just from the exertion. When we faced each other this time, it was with hunger in our eyes too. My gaze fell to the large bulge in his pants.

Maybe losing wouldn’t be so bad after all.

He used my distraction against me and managed to grab my waist, lift me up, and nearly throw me out of the ring. I got away just in time, then launched a series of sharp kicks and blows against him. When he came at me again, I back up right to the edge and used a move Jasin had taught me, dropping down and sweeping my leg under Varek. He toppled over, knocking me down with him, but only he was over the line. We both saw it at the same time, and a huge grin spread across my face.

I stood and offered him my hand. “I win.”

He stared at my hand for a second, before taking it and letting me help him to his feet. Then he yanked me toward him and captured my mouth in a rough kiss. His other hand gripped my behind and pulled me hard against him, while my heart raced. My fingers gripped his muscular upper arms, squeezing them, while he ravished my mouth. I wondered if he would do the same to my body when the time came.

“I let you win.” He took my chin in his hand. ‘But one day you’re still going to suck my cock and call me your king.”

I stared back at him defiantly, even as my body arched toward his touch. “Not likely.”

“We both know you want it as much as I do.” He released me and called out, “Wrill!”

She stepped into the room and glowered at me. “Yes, brother?”

He wiped sweat off his brow and stalked toward the door. “I’m moving into the palace tonight.”

“You…what?” She blinked at him.

“The princess needs my services.” He rested a hand on her shoulder. “Though it pains me to leave the Quickblades, I’m placing you in charge of them.”

“Brother, this is madness. You built this organization. You can’t leave it now for some…woman.”

“The Death Goddess chose me, and I have to accept my role as Sora’s mate. I’ll make sure no one questions your command, and I have faith that you will lead the Quickblades well.”

She stammered, but then nodded with a grim set to her features. “I’ll do my best.”

Varek turned back to me. “I need to take care of a few things here tonight, but I’ll have my things brought to the palace in the morning. Does that suit you, princess?”

“That’s fine.” I was shocked he was actually fulfilling his part of the deal, and going beyond it at that. I’d asked him to move into the palace, but hadn’t said anything about giving up the Quickblades. Maybe he was finally starting to realize he had a higher purpose as one of my Dragons.