Zarin Read online

  Chapter 13

  Zarin coughed and tried to sit up, but there was a weight on his stomach holding him down. He opened his eyes slowly, relieved when there wasn’t any ice attached to him and he was no longer cold. He saw Willow laying on him. Her eyes were closed, and her small hand was wrapped around his shirt. He was home—for real.

  “Willow,” he whispered, “wake up.”

  Her eyes shot open and widened, and she sat up next to him. “You’re awake!”

  Before he could respond, he scented Cai just as the boy landed on him right where Willow had just left. “I thought you were going to die, too.”

  He lifted his arm, again happy when he didn’t have to force it to move, and laid his hand on Cai’s head, ruffling his blue hair. It was softer than he thought.

  Strange.

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “But you were somewhere else.”

  He shuddered. “Yes, I was, but thanks to Willow, I’m home.”

  It wasn’t long before he heard footsteps and Sophie crying.

  “I knew she’d do it.”

  Willow stared at him around Cai. All he wanted was to be alone with his mate, just for a little while before they had to face reality. He wanted to hold her in the real word. He wanted to kiss her in reality.

  Cai pulled away with a frown, and Zarin realized he was projecting his thoughts too loudly. “Sorry, but don’t listen in then.”

  “I know, I know. Ilias is supposed to help me create a way to block out everyone’s thoughts.”

  “I’m not mad, but let’s make that a priority, okay?”

  Cai smiled and hugged him. “I’m so glad you’re back.” Then he hopped off the couch and left the den babbling about something Zarin couldn’t quite understand. Having a kid around was going to take some getting used to, but he was happy Cai’s face was one of the first he saw. That said something, right?

  “We are all glad you’re back. You had us worried there for a minute,” Aris said in that gruff voice of his that meant he was emotional but didn’t want to show it. Funny thing was, that’s how they all knew if their king was distressed.

  “Thanks to Willow, I’m back.”

  Aris turned to her. “How’d you figure it out?”

  “Something Max said.”

  Zarin was curious to know, too, but she didn’t seem to open about it, and when he looked at Max, the silly brother he was used to wasn’t there. The man was the funniest and most alive of them all until something bad happened, then he was a completely different person. He held up his hands. “I just told her she needed to either buck up or tell us we needed to find another way to save you.”

  He didn’t believe him for a moment. Max wasn’t that much of an ass; that was his job. But he let it go, hoping Willow might tell him later. He wanted to find out how she was able to come to him. He didn’t want to think about that horrid place any longer, but he needed to make sure he was never forced to go back.

  Aris left it alone, thankfully. He always seemed to know when to not push. Sophie gripped his hand, pulling on him. “Why don’t we let them have some time alone?”

  Zarin liked that idea a lot, but he didn’t want to stay in the house where everyone could hear anything they did—or didn’t do. “I want out of this house. I need to feel the sun on my skin after that.”

  He sat up, fully relieved that he was able to move at all and tossed the blanket off. He cringed when he smelled his body odor. “But first, I’d like a shower.”

  Aris chuckled. “Sure thing, just use the big one.”

  Zarin went to stand and teetered to the side. But then, surprisingly, Willow was there with her arm wrapped around his waist. She wasn’t that big, but she sure had some strength to that tiny body. He allowed her to lead him away from the couch. “Just down the hall.”

  She didn’t say anything, and neither did anyone else. He didn’t like needing help, but his equilibrium was off. They turned the corner and made their way down the hall to the spare room. It was the guest room, and both Andrea and Sophie had used it. Now it would be Willow’s if she wanted it.

  “So, Bev did this to me, huh?”

  Tension rode through Willow, and she kept her eyes down. He didn’t like that at all. “Hey, I’m just wondering what happened. I don’t remember much.”

  He opened the door, and her arm fell from his waist when he walked into the large room. He hadn’t spent much time in it other than setting it up for Sophie when they’d first learned about her.

  Willow stepped in the room but stayed by the door, looking at the floor. Zarin sighed, worried he scared her. He closed the distance between them and cupped her jaw, lifting her eyes to his. “Hey, I’m not mad, okay? Maybe at Bev, but not at you.” He rubbed his thumbs along her soft skin.

  Tears filled her eyes, and his heart broke a little. “I’m sorry that I was so stubborn. None of this would have happened if I had just listened the first time you tried talking to me.”

  “It’s no big deal. I knew you’d fight. It’s part of your nature.” And he clenched his jaw. “And from what I’ve seen, you’ve been fighting a long time.”

  She let the tears fall, and it was like a damn broke. Zarin hated that she was so upset, but it also meant she felt safe enough with him. “Oh, sweet Willow, you never have to worry about being hurt again.”

  “I’ve always been hurt. My whole life.”

  Her voice was quiet, but he was able to pick up what she said.

  “No more, though. You’ve got me and the tribe.”

  Forgetting the stench of his body, he pulled her into him and hugged her. On her part, she didn’t say anything, but he really needed to make a better impression. He pulled her back and smiled.

  “Why don’t you relax, while I go get cleaned up?”

  She nodded and looked at the bed with such longing, he wondered how long it had been since she slept.

  “This room is yours if you want it, by the way.”

  He stepped into the bathroom and shut the door. As happy as he was to be home and have his mate, he couldn’t get that face out of his head. He wondered how long it would be before he was able to close his eyes and never see it staring back at him.

  ***

  He was being so nice to her, and the feel of his arms around her was the safest she’d felt in such a long time—if ever. She didn’t even care that he smelled like a sweaty man who hadn’t showered in days. She wrinkled her nose, thankful he was taking care of that problem.

  Maybe she cared a little.

  Ever since he kissed her in that other realm, her body had been on fire. Sex wasn’t something Willow had ever thought about in a good light. In fact, she hated the nights when Jeremy would come home and want to use her body. She felt the shame every time, but it got to a point that she could shut off and just let him do what he wanted. Got it over with. But now, she felt the stirrings of arousal, and it was both exciting and terrifying.

  Willow sat on the edge of the bed when the shower came on. Her face flushed as she tried to imagine what he looked like without any clothes. She knew he had to be muscular. She’d felt his strength more than once.

  She stood and went to the bedroom door, shutting it and then clicking the lock in place. Before she stopped herself, she pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor. Her pants and panties came next. When she was completely naked in the room, she shivered and bit her lip.

  Willow didn’t want to be afraid anymore. She took the few steps to the closed door and paused when her hand wrapped around the handle.

  Could she really do it? Could she go into that bathroom and shower with him, knowing what would happen if she did?

  Yes.

  Her heart thumped, but she didn’t fear him. The only thing that worried her was the fact that she’d never been able to finish. Jeremy always complained. She shook her head, banishing the thoughts of him. Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about the man who made her hate herself so badly. Zarin wasn’t him.


  Willow found her backbone and pushed the door open. The room was hot, and the steam swallowed her. She closed the door to keep the warmth in and then tiptoed to the shower. He had to know she was there. She hadn’t been quiet.

  “Zarin?”

  She heard a low rumble before he responded. “Yes, sweetheart?”

  “Can I come in there with you?”

  He cleared his throat. “Of course, you can. If you want.”

  She took a deep breath and gripped the shower curtain with shaking hands and pulled it back. She didn’t look at him when she stepped inside and let the curtain fall closed again. Warm water sprayed on her, and she let out her breath. It felt good on her healing body. Zarin reached out for her, but stopped short of touching.

  “Come under the water.”

  She stepped in closer and turned her back on him standing in front of him. The water washed over her, soothing her. His large arms came around her, and his hands rested along her stomach. He tugged her back against his body, and she gasped when she felt his arousal for her. But it was more than that. He was so warm and large compared to her. She tilted her head to the side and felt his lips along her neck. He pressed light kisses from her shoulder to behind her ear where she giggled.

  “You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “I’m so glad you’ve accepted me.”

  And she had, even if she hadn’t said the words she longed to say. It was too soon for that, and she wasn’t sure if she knew for sure what she was feeling. If she did love him, it wouldn’t hurt to wait a bit longer to say something. She turned toward him and ignored the spray. “You’re perfect the way you are. Don’t ever become what I saw. You don’t need to punish yourself anymore.”

  He frowned, and she wondered if she’d said the wrong thing, but then he pressed his lips to hers and she stood on her toes, trying to feel more of him. His arms held her up and pressed her tightly against his body. The kiss went from soft and sweet to something more primal, sexual, and absolutely perfect. She did her best to keep up and played her tongue against his, loving how he explored her whole mouth.

  When she pulled back, his eyes were shifted. One was the flames, and the other was gold, the same she’d saw when the other dragon took over and spoke to her—the black dragon, her dragon. She didn’t turn away not even when her body heated from more than just the water.

  Zarin’s body started to shake, and he cried out.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “She’s coming to you, Willow. Sorry, can’t stop it.” He dropped his arms from around her and pushed her back. She stumbled, but was able to hold herself and pull back just as a black, ghostly thing pulled from Zarin’s body. His eyes shut, and he leaned against the shower wall, breathing heavily.

  “Fuckin’ shit that hurts…”

  The dragon almost fully materialized in front of Willow. She was black with the brightest red scales, brighter even than her hair. Willow gasped at her pure beauty. “She’s so perfect, Zarin.”

  He looked at them, and even though he was in pain, he nodded. “Just like you, sweet Willow.”

  The dragon floated and swarmed around her and over her. Willow tensed when the sting of the dragon’s touch shot through her. She bit her lip. This wasn’t the time to be a wimp, but her ribs weren’t fully healed, and it freakin’ hurt. She forced her eyes to Zarin’s, and they locked together. The air became stifling hot as the magic filled the air. In the tiny shower, it felt hotter than a sauna.

  The dragon whipped around the room so fast the curtain flew open and just as Willow thought her dragon was going the wrong way, she shot back around and came right at Willow.

  The dragon dove right into her body. Willow’s body bowed forward, and she screamed a long, blood-curdling scream. It felt like the dragon was ripping her apart as she settled inside of her. Her body shook as the magic of the Black Dragon soared through her, changing her from human to beast in a matter of seconds. It was the most painful, yet exhilarating, thing she’d ever felt.

  She shut her eyes and took the pain. She cried, and her body shook in pure agony, but she tried to remember all the horrible things Jeremy had done to her—and she’d survived that. She could handle this. She was made for this dragon, and even though it felt like a fiery blade was shoved into her body, she knew she’d be all right.

  ***

  Willow opened her eyes to find that she was laying on something soft. She looked down her body and saw the thin sheet covering her. Her throat was sore from screaming, but now she realized she no longer hurt. Not even her ribs or her eye. She sat up too fast, and the world spun. But Zarin was there next to her.

  “You’re good?” he asked.

  She thought about it and closed her eyes, searching for the presence she knew should be inside of her now. She was other; she had consumed the dragon. She felt the dragon pace.

  ‘We are one; it’s time to complete the bond.’

  Of course, she knew what that meant, and her body wouldn’t let her ignore it. She was hot and flushed. She licked her lips and stared at Zarin. Her eyesight was perfect, and to her, he was the ultimate prize. The dragons were already mated and longed for one another; now it was time for their humans to mate.

  “Yes,” she purred, and then gasped when she realized how she sounded. Even her voice was different.

  Zarin raised a brow, but as soon as he scented the air, his eyes shifted. “We don’t have to.”

  She wouldn’t hear it. The dragon wanted the bond complete, and so did she. She felt the magic and a string tying her to him, but it wasn’t quite there yet. They needed to finish it, and her body was more than ready. “I want to.”

  He didn’t need to be told twice. He tackled her back to the bed and ripped the sheet from her body. He pressed her into the mattress and kissed her, while at the same time he pushed her legs apart. When he settled between her legs, she felt him, and for a second she had some fear. But then he rubbed himself against her, and her lips tried pulling him in. She lifted up against him and shivered when the head rubbed her in the most intimate way.

  She pulled back from his bruising kiss. “Now. I don’t want to wait.”

  He didn’t move as he watched her for any sign of discomfort or fear. Her heart raced, but other than that, the arousal was the most overpowering thing she’d ever felt in her life. “Really. I want this.”

  He pushed slowly. She sucked in a breath and froze. Her body was small, but she knew it would be okay. She spread her legs further and lifted her hips to accept him. He groaned when she forced more inside.

  Slow and steady, they worked as one, and when he hit a wall, he froze.

  “Sweet Willow, how you make everything so much better.”

  She smiled and held on to him. She was full, and her body soared. She felt the bond in its completion. She felt the weight lift from his mind and heart. It raced against her as he moved, taking his time.

  She whimpered when he pulled back, but then he thrust in and out, and her body shook. She felt a warmth form in the pit of her stomach, and a tingle shot through her. Breaths became pants, moans became groans, and whines became whimpers as he took her.

  There was no doubt about it now. She was his in every way, but he was hers, too. He growled against her, and his body shook as his pace went from slow and steady to fast and erratic. She dug her nails into his back, holding on as he rocked into her to his completion. She felt the heat of his cum seep inside of her, and that triggered her. Her walls convulsed around him, and he yelled out in shock. Her nails dug deeper and deeper, drawing blood, but he didn’t seem to care as they rocked together as one, completing their bond.

  He held her as their bodies came down. When she could breathe normally, she whispered, “I love you, Zarin.”

  Chapter 14

  Ten days later…

  Everyone was on edge. Things had been quiet—too quiet–since their mating. Willow was on edge, waiting for these nymphs to come wreak havoc on their family and try to take Cai from them. As a
new dragon, her emotions were nearly out of control, and she was struggling with her feelings of doubt from her past as well.

  Zarin threw open the door and came into the house as if a tornado had hit. He was loud at the best of times; at the worst, he was boisterous. She loved him dearly, but he really irritated her sometimes. “It’s almost done, sweet Willow.”

  She looked up from the book she was reading (college education on her part). She was exhausted from working a double at the diner, but she couldn’t let her schoolwork go just because she was tired. Zarin told her she didn’t have to work, but she insisted. She would never be in a situation where she didn’t earn her own money. She figured he knew that. She hadn’t shared much about her past with Jeremy, but she’d told him enough to let him know she would never let anyone fully take care of her again. It gave them too much control, and she would never lose it again.

  “That’s great. I’ll bet they’ll be glad when we move. I don’t see how they put up with you.”

  He smirked and sidled up to her. Before she could stop him, he leaned in and placed rough kisses over her face. He hadn’t shaved, and the hair on his face was rough. She slapped his arm but couldn’t help laughing. He always knew how to make her smile.

  “Stop it.”

  “Oh, come on. You love it when I do that.”

  She didn’t deny it. There was something so teenage-like about it. She didn’t want to be an old married couple—ever. She wanted to embrace and be passionate forever. She pressed her lips to his cheek, acknowledging him without out getting too sappy, something that had started happening a lot lately. “Cai do okay today?”

  Zarin stepped back and sighed. “He’s a mess, really. He’s so scared all the time, Will. I don’t know how to help him relax. I know we’re on edge, waiting for the nymphs to find him, but what about the idea that they don’t even care about him? What if it doesn’t matter to them that Cai exists?”

  “The goddess wouldn’t have sent the vision or sent him to us would she, not if it wasn’t going to be a big thing?” Willow tapped his nose. “It’s wishful thinking that they won’t come. Now, it’s just a matter of when and being prepared.”