Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series

That night I sought out Kira below deck after giving her a bit more time to recover. As I stepped down the ladder, she was staring at Auric’s map of the four Realms, her finger resting near the Air Temple and her brow creased in thought. Her red hair hung loose around her shoulders, framing her graceful neck and that beautiful face I could stare at forever. Mine, something inside me whispered with satisfaction.

Though I knew she’d bond with the other men soon, I took great pride in being her first mate. She’d been hesitant to trust me at first, between my past as a ladies’ man and a soldier in the Onyx Army, but eventually I’d won her over and proven my devotion to her. And a good thing too, because I’d realized before we even reached the Fire Temple that I was in love with her. I’d never felt so strongly about any woman before, and now I couldn’t imagine a life without Kira in it.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, when she glanced up at me.

“Better, thanks.” She pushed the map aside as I moved behind her and began massaging her shoulders. With a soft sigh she tilted her head back, relaxing under my firm hands. “That feels nice.”

“Good.” I brushed aside her hair and slid her dress down her shoulders so I could better knead her soft skin. “When you collapsed in front of us I was so worried. The other guys were too. Don’t do that again, okay?”

“I’ll try not to, but I can’t make any guarantees. I’m still testing the limits of these new powers and I have a lot to learn. ”

“Just be careful. I’ve never seen Slade so upset before.”

She turned her head toward me. “Slade was upset?”

“Very. All of us were. Even Reven.” I pressed my thumbs into the spot between her shoulder blades where I could tell she was extra tense. “At least I could still sense you through our bond so I knew you would be okay. The others could only trust my word on that.”

“I understand. I can feel you through the bond too.” She leaned back into my touch. “I can sense where you are and sometimes feel your emotions.”

I chuckled softly. “Not sure I’m thrilled with that aspect of the bond.”

“Why, are you hiding something from me?” she asked in a teasing voice.

“Not at all. Just as long as you can’t read my thoughts. Although if you could, you’d see all the things I’d like to do to you now that we’re finally alone.”

“No mind reading, I promise.” She stood and turned toward me with a seductive grin. “But maybe you can show me some of these things…”

“Are you sure? You’re still recovering.”

“I’m all right. Besides, we can test out the theory that touching gives me energy in return.” But as soon as she stepped into my eager arms, she swayed a little and I found myself supporting her weight. She pressed a hand to her forehead. “Sorry, I got a little lightheaded there.”

I held her tight against me as concern overcame my desire. “How about we just relax together instead?”

She nodded. “Probably a good idea. I’m sorry though.”

I pressed a kiss to her lips. “Don’t be sorry. All I want is to be by your side.”

“Thanks. I wish I had the strength to do more. I’d like to continue what we started in the Fire Temple.”

“Soon. Once we’re on dry land again maybe.”

Together we climbed into the hammock and she curled up in my arms. A sense of satisfaction and peace settled over me as she tucked her head against my neck. Before I met Kira I’d been the type of man who had a new woman in every city I visited, and I’d only spent a single night with each of them. Cuddling with a woman was out of the question—that was how people got attached, and that was the last thing I’d wanted. Until Kira.

“Auric will want to join us too,” she mused, as she played with the collar of my shirt idly. “Are you sure you’re all right with that?”

“I don’t mind. I’ve shared women with other soldiers before, and if it makes you happy then I’m all for it. Even if Auric isn’t my favorite person.” I wrapped a strand of her red hair around my finger. “Although he’s not my least favorite person anymore either.”

“No? Who is?”

“Reven.”

She snorted. “I think the other guys would probably agree with you.”

“He left us when we needed him most. I’m not sure I’ll ever trust him again.”

“He came back at least,” Kira pointed out.

“He should never have left in the first place.” Why was Reven even here, when he didn’t seemed to care about Kira at all? He wasn’t good enough for her. At least Auric—annoying though he may be—was a prince, and he obviously loved Kira as much as I did. Even Slade, who avoided Kira as much as possible, obviously had feelings for her he wasn’t ready to admit yet. But Reven? I couldn’t tell what he wanted, and I worried he would only hurt her in the end.

“I have to believe the Gods chose all of you for a reason,” Kira said.

As I held her close I stared up at the ceiling, the hammock creaking under us, matching the roll of the ship on the waves. “The Fire God said they chose us to help bring out certain aspects in you.” For me it was bravery and passion, but I wasn’t sure what the others were supposed to be helping Kira with. All Reven brought out in Kira was frustration, and Slade wasn’t much better. It would be up to me and Auric to keep her happy during what came ahead, which was why I’d agreed to share her with the prince more than any other reason.

Kira was going to face a number of obstacles in the future and she needed people by her side she could trust, who would support her and help keep her strong no matter what she faced. I’d already pledged my heart, mind, and soul to that task. I had no doubt Auric would too. But would the other two, when the time came?