Finally, saving the best for last, I took in the goods. His cock was more than half-mast, and my fingers itched to wrap the increasing length.

  He cleared his throat. “Eyes up here, Dawsyn. I’m not fucking you in frigid water.”

  “That doesn’t mean we can’t play.” I smirked and ran toward him, naked body be damned. I leapt into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist and holding on to his neck. “Let’s go in together.”

  He groaned. “You’re going to kill me before we’re even bonded.”

  “Possibly, but at least you’ll die happy.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  CILLIAN

  For the briefest of moments, I’d thought I was going to lose Dawsyn. That there was nothing I could do to save her. That her death would be my fault.

  Those thoughts had paralyzed me until I remembered that was a lie.

  Using my lightning energy should have been second nature to me. I didn’t know what had caused me to panic, but it couldn’t, and wouldn’t, happen again.

  Holding her in my arms was the only thing that had calmed my racing heart. Though, having her naked and clinging to my body kicked things right back up.

  The desire to take her right there on the cold ground was so fucking strong. I wanted to sink right into her warmth and never come back from the euphoria I knew I’d find there. Yet, I couldn’t forget that she was still bonded to Knox. Even if he’d never touched her, it felt…not right.

  I wanted Dawsyn to be all mine when I claimed her. Not just her heart, but her body and most importantly, her soul.

  I carried her to the water, my balls feeling like they’d been shoved up to my throat as soon as they were submerged in the iciness. Though, not even the nearly freezing temperatures could stop my dick from trying to reach Dawsyn’s ass.

  Her smile took my breath away as I inched her into the water. At least until she was finally wet. Her nails dug into my shoulders. “Mother shittery shit! Just dunk me!”

  There was a fleeting thought that I’d pay for this later, but I did as she asked, and she flailed in my arms.

  As her legs still clung to me, I used my hands to rub over her skin, cleaning her as well and quick as was possible. She scrubbed her hair, tilting her head back and giving me a full-frontal view of her chest.

  I couldn’t help myself. I had to make sure every inch of her was clean. I palmed her breasts and squeezed, pinching her hardened nipples between my fingers.

  Her ankles tightened around my waist, and she groaned. “I think I just forgot how fucking frigid it is in here.”

  I dipped my head forward, doing exactly what I said I didn’t want to do. My mouth covered one of her pert nipples and sucked hard before letting my teeth lightly scrape over the sensitive skin.

  “Fuck me,” she muttered.

  I grinned, because I had a feeling that she was speaking both literally and figuratively.

  Even though I wasn’t keen on having sex with her for the first time while she was still tied to someone else, that didn’t mean I couldn’t fuck her in other ways.

  I walked us back toward the shore until only my legs were still immersed in the pond. She shivered in my arms, leaning her head back against my shoulder. “I need all your body heat now.”

  “Everything that’s mine is yours.” My lips pressed over her forehead, and I slipped a hand between us.

  Her hold around my waist loosened and she lifted her head. “Whatcha doing down there?”

  “Sharing my body heat,” I replied, my fingers brushing over her folds that were already plenty warm.

  “Hmmm.” She licked her lips. “I don’t oppose.”

  “I didn’t think you would.” I pressed further down, pushing one finger inside her. She instantly contracted around me.

  “Fuck,” she hissed, shifting her hips to give me more room.

  My left arm was wrapped around her ass, my palm splayed out to help keep her up while I let my other hand have all the fun.

  My finger moved in and out, slow and steady. She was tight, but wet and ready.

  She held on around my neck, beginning to rock against my hand in time with my movements. “More,” she groaned.

  I wasn’t sure if she meant another finger or faster motions, but I gave her both regardless.

  Using the hold she had around my waist, Dawsyn leveraged her body and then came back down on my hand. “Fucking hell. I don’t think anything has ever felt so good.”

  Her body was covered in gooseflesh, but she didn’t seem the least bit bothered by the cold any longer.

  “This is only the beginning,” I promised, whispering into her ear just before I skimmed my teeth over her lobe.

  My fingers continued to pump in and out of her, and she rode my hand like it was a grand champion horse.

  The inner walls of her pussy began to twitch, and her head fell back once again. Using my thumb, I applied the slightest amount of pressure to her clit, and her eyes shot open while the rest of her body tensed within my hold.

  Her mouth formed into an O, and she cried out, grinding harder against me.

  I kept up the dual motions, fucking her with my hand and reminding myself of my earlier words. This was only the beginning of us. I had the rest of our lives to devour this beautiful woman. This right here would be enough. For now.

  She came apart in my arms, her body becoming dead weight against me and forcing me to hold her with both hands.

  I guided her upper body back up and pressed her head against my shoulder as I walked us out of the water. My legs were nearly numb, but the rest of me was on fire.

  Bending down, I reached for my shirt and used it to begin drying her off. At least, I did until she took it from me.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, tone accusing.

  “Uh. Helping you get dressed before you freeze to death.”

  At the mention of the cooler weather, she shivered in my arms. “We’re not done here.”

  I grinned and kissed her quickly. “Yes, we are.”

  She reached underneath her legs, her fingers wrapping around my cock. “He says otherwise.”

  “He is more patient than you seem to think.” At least, I hoped so. Two hard-ons with no relief in a matter of hours wasn’t ideal.

  “What if I’m not?” Her mouth downturned, and she squeezed harder around me.

  I pushed her shirt over her head. “You’re going to have to figure that out on your own. I’m not fucking you out here.”

  She snorted and pulled the clothing from her face. “You sort of just did.”

  “And if I let you touch me anymore, I’m going to really did.” I gripped her chin. “I’d prefer you to be all mine when I claim you. Do you understand?”

  She leaned into my touch and released my cock from her grip. “I do. I don’t like it, but I do.”

  My hand smacked over her still-wet ass. “Good. Now, let’s get you into some fresh clothes.”

  She wiggled out of my hold and stood on a rock next to us, using my shirt to dry off the rest of her body as well as she could. I handed her underwear and jeans over, and she shivered. “These clothes aren’t near as warm as you are.”

  I smiled and nodded, fighting through the desire to strip her naked again. “They will be in a few minutes.”

  While she finished dressing, I did the same minus my shirt that she was now using to wring the water from her long hair.

  “I hope you didn’t need this.” She dangled the black material between us once she was done.

  “I have more back in the caves.”

  She raised a brow. “More black shirts? I’m pretty sure that’s all I’ve ever seen you wear.”

  “Makes getting dressed every day easy. Though, I think I have a grey one somewhere.”

  She brushed past me. “You’re such a guy.”

  My hand found her ass again. “And now you match me.”

  Her eyes cast down, and she groaned. “I do. Please tell me that not all dragons wear black.”

  I wanted to lie and say yes just to mess with her, but I couldn’t keep a straight face. “No. We’ll get you something different once we’re back.”

  She frowned. “I don’t want to take anything from the others. Maybe I can have Beatrix help us bring other stuff back that we need here and couldn’t get earlier.”

  That was something I should have thought of. I was touched that Dawsyn had.

  She might have run from her pack, but she cared about people much more than she let on.

  “That would be really appreciated, as long as your family doesn’t want to kill me any longer,” I said as we started walking back toward the cave.

  Her fingers wrapped around my arm, and she leaned her head against my shoulder. “They’re smart enough not to piss me off that much.”

  I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I had a feeling one day I would find out.

  We got back to the tunnels, and I headed for the space I’d claimed as mine first so I could get a shirt. My blood might have run hot, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want to be clothed most of the time.

  “Clearly, you’re not fucking anything here,” Dawsyn muttered, likely not approving of the sheets for walls and blankets subbing as a mattress.

  “No, definitely not here,” I said with a chuckle.

  Her eyes met mine and she shrugged. “Didn’t mean to say that out loud, but at least we’re on the same page.”

  With a shake of my head, I reached into my bag, grabbed a new—also black—shirt, and slipped it over my head. “Let’s go find Lykem. We’ll see if they intend to send anyone out to check on the fires.”

  Dawsyn rubbed her hands over her face. “I completely forgot about that.”

  “We needed a moment out there.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pressed my lips to the top of her head.

  She looked back up at me, eyes bright. “We really did. At least I did. I don’t stink anymore, and I got dessert.”

  Lykem came around the corner, nearly running into us. “Did you bring me dessert?”

  Dawsyn laughed and nudged my side with her elbow. “I don’t know. Did you save any dessert for your friend?”

  “No.” I deadpanned, not enjoying her sense of humor in the slightest.

  “Sorry, Dragon Boy,” Dawsyn joked. “Maybe next time.”

  “Maybe never,” I muttered.

  Lykem seemed more confused than ever, but thankfully let the conversation end there. “We’re going to go back out there. Do the two of you want to come?”

  Dawsyn answered first. “Yes. Are we checking on the structures?”

  He nodded. “And getting some flour for Greta. She’s out and says we won’t have food tomorrow without it.”

  “Best not to piss off the cook,” I agreed.

  “Oh, and Ceera gave me this for you.” Lykem handed Dawsyn a bag.

  When she opened it, I got a glimpse of a toothbrush and a comb. The latter was in her hand before she even finished saying thank you. “My hair was going to be a rat’s nest tomorrow if I didn’t brush it.”

  Lykem glanced at me. “Wolves are weird.”

  “She could still kick your ass,” I said as Dawsyn quickly untangled her hair.

  He barked out a laugh. “We’ll have to test that theory soon.”

  My chest rumbled. No, we wouldn’t. I didn’t think my dragon would survive seeing another man put hands on our mate anytime soon. Even if it was all in good fun.

  Chapter Sixteen

  DAWSYN

  Outside of the annoyance caused by the tie I still had to Knox, I was finally feeling like myself again. The dragons were kind, and helping them brought me a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years.

  Peace like I used to have in the pack before my “help” began to feel forced…expected. Through reflection in the few weeks I’d been away from home, though, I understood that most of it had been on me and not the pack. Or even my parents.

  I had allowed myself to be labeled “the alpha’s daughter.” I could have changed things without leaving, but I didn’t regret my choice. Even with all the hell that had happened, I had found my mate and understood more about who I wanted to be, all within the short time I’d been gone.

  After we’d saved one building, we found the others that had been hit were a lost cause. The group of six that had come this time decided to split up, and I gladly stayed with Cillian, especially after he suggested we stop by his house to check for any useful supplies.

  It was only a few blocks from where we’d been, and when he’d pointed to the small structure, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.

  Cillian felt bigger than the whole world to me at times. He commanded so much attention and space. Yet, his home was more of a cottage and not at all what I expected.

  The tan exterior was framed by dark wood, and there were two windows centered outside the wooden door. Grass grew tall within the yard, threatening to take over the stone pathway, but there were no flowers or bushes. That part at least made sense to me.

  He opened the front door and stepped back for me to go in first. “After you.”

  I entered his home to find minimal furniture and open spaces. There was a living room on my left. A fireplace surrounded by dark stone filled the middle of the main wall, and only one couch sat in front of it. A coffee table was positioned between them with a deck of cards on top.

  “You play games?” I asked, intrigued by this fact.

  He shrugged and glanced to my right. “Before all this, it could be boring here at times.”

  He was embarrassed. That was adorable.

  My eyes went toward a small kitchen, one not much bigger than what was in the dorms. “Not much of a cooker, huh?”

  “Noodles don’t require much to make, and I barbeque my meat out back,” he answered.

  Carbs and protein diet. Wasn’t surprised about that either.

  Moving on from there, I walked through the living room to the only door I could see. It led straight into what I assumed to be the master bedroom.

  A king-sized bed was front and center when I entered, covered with a chocolate-colored comforter and cream pillows. At least he knew how to match things.

  To the right of that was a sliding door that led to the patio. I could see the barbeque he mentioned sitting out there and wondered how often he merely relaxed under the stars.

  On the opposite side of the room were two more doors, which I assumed led to his bathroom and closet, but I’d done enough invading of his space and didn’t bother to inspect those areas. Instead, I jumped onto his bed, letting my body sink into the mattress.

  It was like a cloud. Every muscle inside me relaxed, and I briefly closed my eyes. “I’m not leaving this spot.”

  Cillian stepped forward, pushed my knees apart that were draped over the edge of the mattress, and stood between my legs. He leaned forward, placing a hand on both sides of my ribs. “I wish we could stay, but I’m just going to grab a few things we could use in the caves, then we need to get back.”

  I leaned up on my elbows. “Because we have no idea where the next fireball is going to strike?”

  He nodded. “Given what we know now, I’m surprised my house is still standing.”

  There was an odd emotion in my chest, but I ignored it. “Maybe we could just stay a little while longer…”

  I’d have loved to continue what we started in the water, which wasn’t going to happen back in the cave.

  I sat up further, bringing my hands in front of me and placing them on Cillian’s chest. His muscles rippled under my touch, so I continued, lowering my hands until they could travel beneath his shirt.

  “What are you doing, Dawsyn?” His words held that delicious growl I enjoyed so much.

  “Exploring.”

  As soon as the word left my mouth, there was a sharper pain in my chest. I sucked in a breath and squeezed my eyes closed as I tried to figure out what was happening.

  It’s Knox, my wolf said. He’s trying to get to you through the bond.

  Fuck.

  “What’s wrong?” Cillian asked, gripping my shoulders as I folded in on myself.

  I held up a finger so I could sort it out with my wolf first.

  I thought that was a fated mate thing. Chosen mates aren’t supposed to have all the added benefits.

  A downfall of not being patient enough or trusting fate to put you on the path to the one meant for you.

  You’re right, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t trying. I can sense him everywhere. Almost as if he’s getting closer.

  He can track us. I’d known that about mates. I should have remembered that. Damn it!

  We need to go, she said, but I was already pushing Cillian back, telling him the same thing.

  “Why? What’s happening?” he asked, not moving as quickly as I would have liked.

  “Knox. You were right to want to wait for anything with me until I was no longer tied to him.” Saying those words gutted me. I wanted my fated mate and only him. The fact that I couldn’t have him because of that psychotic dragon had murderous thoughts running rampant through my mind.

  He grabbed my shoulders and forced me to slow down. “Hey. What he did changes nothing. You are still mine and I’m yours.”

  “Yeah. Well, your brother isn’t too pleased about that,” I said. “I think he’s trying to find me.”

  Cillian’s lip curled up in disgust. “He’s not my brother.”

  Poor choice of words on my part, but that was the least of our worries. “We need to go before he finds your house and destroys that, too.”

  I grabbed his hand and pulled him to the front of the house, but he stopped just before the door. “What if we waited for him?”

  My head turned back. “Fight him now? Just the two of us?”

  He nodded, and I couldn’t deny that the idea had merit. Yet, there was something bothering me.

  Knox had no control over you before, my wolf said. But he’s using some sort of magic to strengthen your bond. We have no way to know the ramifications of that.