“You’re really okay?” She wasn’t sure he’d tell her if anything was wrong if he thought she’d worry.

  “I will be.” He peppered hot kisses along her jawline, working his way up to her ear. He caught the small hoop in her ear and tugged, sending shivers of desire racing down her arms. “There was something more in the scroll I mentioned.”

  “Not some weird ritual, I hope?” When he paused, she pulled back. “Please tell me I don’t have to run naked through the woods or howl at the moon or anything like that.” Talk about a mood killer.

  His solemn gaze worried her. “I’m afraid it’s far worse.”

  “Crap.” She squared her shoulders, prepared to do whatever she had to. If he was brave enough to risk his life for her, she could do no less. “If I managed to cheat death, I’m sure I can do whatever it is.” Faster it was done, the better.

  His lips twitched, and he couldn’t quite meet her eyes. Her gaze narrowed. “You’re putting me on.”

  “I am, but there is something that was left undone.” He traced a finger over the swirl at her neck, following it down to her breast, where it circled into her nipple. He flicked the taut bud, sending sensual heat flooding through her.

  She licked her lips, getting an inkling of what it was they had to do. “We shouldn’t leave anything undone.”

  “Is it wrong that I love seeing my mark on you?” If the glow of his eyes was any indication, her drakon really, really loved it.

  “Not wrong. Possessive. But that works both ways, buddy. You’re mine.” His low growl of pleasure vibrated through her. “It covers only half my chest to my waist and halfway down my arm. Is it on my back, too?” She twisted, trying to see.

  He groaned and she became very aware of something hard poking into her side.

  “Yes. It’s on your back. The mark means you have part of me, but the scroll said it should be done while making love.”

  “We definitely need to follow through.” They’d cheated death. It was time to release her old life and embrace the one she’d been given. She’d been given another chance and wasn’t about to squander it on second thoughts or regrets. She wrapped her fingers around his thick cock. It pulsed, hard and hot against her palm. “Wouldn’t want to leave the job half done.” She pumped up and down, running her thumb over the tip, spreading the wetness all around.

  Her skin began to tingle. It started at her heart and radiated outward. “Something is happening.” She hoped it wasn’t a side effect, or worse—the return to that burning sensation. “I’m not going to die again, am I?” Because that would truly suck.

  “Tell me exactly what you’re feeling.” He ran his hands up and down her arms, worry etched on his face. “Talk to me.”

  “My skin is really sensitive.” It was as though someone had turned a light on inside. “I can see…everything.” Minute details of her room came into sharp focus. She concentrated, trying to catalog every little thing. “I can hear cars going down the road beyond the property. And there’s someone outside. How can I know that?”

  “The person outside is the male Maccus sent.” His slow smile increased her tingles, sending them straight to her core. “Your senses are enhanced.”

  She shook her head, trying to dim the cacophony of sound. It pummeled her, relentless and unending. “It’s too much.” She pressed her hands over her ears. “Make it stop.”

  He caught her face and stared into her eyes. “Listen to me, Raine. You can control it. Picture a dial in your head. One that controls the volume.”

  “I can do this.” It was either that or be continually bombarded by noise. That would eventually drive her crazy. Building the image took a little time, but she did it. Focusing on the button, she turned it to one side. When the world quieted, going back to normal, she gave a sigh of relief. “I did it.”

  “I never doubted it. With practice, you’ll have total control.”

  “Is this temporary or will it last?”

  His huge shoulders shrugged. “Only time will tell.”

  She took a deep breath and winced. Sight and sound weren’t the only enhanced senses. “I smell rank.” Sweaty and sticky, a sure way to turn a man on—not.

  “You smell perfect.” He started to kiss her, but she turned her head to one side.

  “Not happening until I shower.” She was drawing the line at that.

  Giving her a grin worthy of any pirate, he stood with her in his arms and carried her toward the bathroom. “We can complete the ritual anywhere.”

  …

  It worked! It had been a last-ditch effort on his part. Shockingly, he wasn’t diminished in any way. If anything, his drakon was stronger.

  He hit the light switch with his shoulder, illuminating the room. There was no way to start the shower unless he put her down, something he couldn’t bear to do. The urge to keep her close, to protect her, had kicked up to a whole other level. Having lost her, even briefly, was something he’d never forget. It made him want to cherish her all the more.

  “Is there a problem?” she asked after about a minute.

  “Yes.”

  A few more seconds. “Care to tell me what?”

  “No.” He could do this. Had to do this. No way he’d be able to begin to relax until the ritual had been completed the way it’d been written. She seemed fine but he wasn’t taking any chances.

  That was the impetus to get him moving. It took some maneuvering to get them both in the stall, but he managed. It hadn’t been built for two, especially when one of them was as big as him. “Turn on the water.”

  She kissed his neck before reaching out and turning the knobs. Water blasted down on them. Raine shrieked and then began to laugh, swiping at her eyes.

  “Crap.” He angled her away from the worst of the blast. “Sorry about that.”

  “Everything okay in here?” a male voice called.

  “Do not take one step through that door,” he thundered. It would be a shame to have to kill the male who helped him, but that’s what would happen if he saw Raine naked. His dragon growled in agreement.

  “I heard her scream. Just checking to make sure some angel didn’t sneak past me. I’ll be outside.”

  There were no footsteps, but he sensed the male getting farther away. Raine’s face was buried against his neck, her entire body shaking. “Don’t be afraid. He won’t harm you.”

  When she tilted her head back, it wasn’t fear making her shake, but laughter. “Oh my God. Can you imagine if he’d burst in here?” She slapped at his shoulder and went off into another peal of laughter.

  He shook his head, unable to scold her for her inappropriate humor. His own lips twitched.

  “Come on, it’s funny.” She patted his arm. “You have to put me down sometime.”

  He hated that she was right. Reluctantly, he released her legs, waiting until she was stable before removing his other arm from around her shoulders. The small space meant they were crowded close, their bodies still touching.

  She tilted her head back and smiled up at him. “Hi.” There was no one else on the planet who lightened his soul as she did. “Come here often?” she continued.

  The gold swirls wrapped lovingly around the left side of her torso. If it hadn’t worked, he would’ve lost her.

  He dropped to his knees and buried his face against her stomach. His arms went around her, chaining her to him. That’s what he’d done. He’d tethered her to him for all time.

  “It’s okay,” she whispered, as she caressed his head and rubbed his shoulders.

  He pressed his lips against her water-kissed skin, capturing a droplet on his tongue. The muscles of her stomach contracted. “There wasn’t any way to ask. I took the choice away from you.” That was something he’d have to live with.

  “Listen carefully. I’m never going to regret what you did. This is new territory for both of us. What the fallout from this will be, only time will tell, but I’m grateful to be alive. You saved me. You took a huge risk not knowing what it might do to you. I’m sure we’ll hit some bumps along the way, but that’s what being part of a couple is about. And, hey, how many women can say they were saved by a drakon? None.” Her brow furrowed. “Maybe a couple. There are other drakons in the world, but you know what I mean.”

  The corners of his lips twitched. Her forgiveness and acceptance loosened the knot in his stomach. The tension in his shoulders eased. His Raine was back, her clever mind taking all sorts of interesting turns.

  With that settled, his mind turned to more basic things. He shot to his feet and crowded her against the wall.

  She sucked in a breath, her back arching. “The tiles are cold.”

  “I’ll warm you.” He took the bar of soap off the shelf and rubbed it between his hands until it lathered.

  “I’m cold all over.” The sultry tone of her voice, the spicy scent of her arousal wafting above the perfume of the soap, called to him, luring him closer. Blindfolded, he’d pick her out of a crowd of a thousand women. Ten thousand. She was his mate, his perfect match in every way. All her little quirks made her even more unique, precious.

  And even though she had concerns about what changes there might be to her body, to her life, she hadn’t blamed him. She could have easily cursed him, shunned him. A shudder went through his big body. That would’ve been almost as bad as losing her to death.

  “Hey, you okay?” She pressed her hand against his chest, right over his heart.

  “I will be.” Starting at her neck and shoulders, he lathered her skin, washing away the stench of desperation and fear that lingered, traced his fingers over the swirling tattoos that covered half of her torso. Primal satisfaction made his chest swell. His cock was as hard as dragon scales. His balls hung low and heavy, but he didn’t want to stop, didn’t want this moment to end.

  Her lips were parted, her breathing ragged. “Don’t we have to complete the ritual?”

  Her blatant attempt at getting him to hurry made him laugh. “You’re in a rush.” He massaged her breasts, cupping them and running his thumbs over the tempting nipples. “I’m not.”

  That was only a partial lie. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold out. Touching her was the sweetest torture for them both. He smoothed his hands over her hips and delved between her thighs, stroking and caressing before dipping one long finger inside. Her gasp was music to his ears.

  Have to taste her. Going down on his knees, he buried his face against her cleft and inhaled her spicy, sweet scent. There really wasn’t enough room in the stall for this, but he wasn’t about to let that stop him. He lifted one of her legs and draped it over his shoulder, opening her wide.

  She was pink and wet and welcoming. He dragged his tongue over her slick folds, paying particular attention to the bud at the apex. Her heel dug into his shoulder as the steam rose around them.

  When he smelled blood, his head jerked up. She’d bitten her lip hard enough to make it bleed. He reached up a hand and rubbed his thumb over the small injury.

  “Don’t want to yell.” She was panting heavily. “Don’t want unwanted company.”

  He wanted to curse and laugh but ached too much for either. She was right. This wasn’t the time to linger, even if they did have a guard to watch over them. While Maccus had called off the angelic hit squad, there was no telling what might come at them next, and the ritual wasn’t complete until they’d made love.

  Cursing himself for indulging his whims, he lowered her leg and rose to his full height. He lifted her off the floor and pressed her firmly against the wall, angling his back toward the water to protect her.

  Her smile was tremulous as she pushed his wet hair away from his face. “This is going to be fast,” he warned. He was too on edge—physically and emotionally—to last long. Her heat bathed the head of his cock as he notched it at her opening. Swallowing hard, he eased inward, not stopping until he was fully sheathed. His lungs expanded as he dragged air into them. Energy pulsed through him from his head to his toes. His tattoos throbbed.

  They needed to do everything right. No way was he going to miss a step and lose her down the road. He manifested a claw and dragged it over his heart. “Just a drop more of blood. You’ve already had more than you should have.”

  With a solemn nod, she dipped her head and dragged her tongue over his skin. His orgasm hit him hard and fast. On a roar, he tilted his head back, shocked by the intensity. Her cry mingled with his, her sex rippling around his cock. A rainbow shower of light exploded around them before sinking into their skin, adding an extra sizzle of pleasure.

  Head tilted back, she stared up at him and blinked. “Holy shit.” She slapped her hand over her mouth and began to laugh. He nudged her hand aside and kissed her, tasting her desire, devouring her love.

  Her laugh turned to a sweet moan as he began to flex his hips, moving in and out. The first release had only whetted his appetite. Tongues tangling, bodies moving in harmony, he rode her to another release and followed her over.

  The water rained over their heated bodies, cooling them. Raine leaned in and licked his neck. “You taste different now. Spicy and salty.”

  He caught her chin, tilted her head back, and smiled.

  “I’m not sure I like that look.”

  “Your eyes.”

  “What about them?” She shimmied against him, trying to get him to set her down. All it succeeded in doing was driving his still hard cock deeper. They both groaned and stilled. “You can’t be serious.”

  “Drakon,” he reminded her. He might not need a break, but after all she’d been through, he didn’t want to push her. And as pleasant as it was to be alone with her, it was time to focus on the big problem still hanging over them. They still had no idea who was behind all of this.

  “The gold of your eyes has changed to the color of the tattoos and they’re rimmed with pink.” They were his colors. Enthralled, he couldn’t look away.

  “You’re determined to brand me. First tattoos, now this.” He might have been worried if she wasn’t playing with his hair and smiling. “Seriously, you have to let me down so I can see.”

  They washed and rinsed quickly in the cool water before shutting it off and stepping out. Raine stared at herself in the mirror. “Wow, I really look different.” She poked at the tattoos and leaned forward, studying her eyes.

  Standing behind her, he put his hands on her shoulders and stared at their reflection. “You are still the beautiful woman who woke me from my eternal sleep.”

  “Thank you for saving me.” She turned and pressed both palms against his chest. His erection brushed against her stomach. She glanced down and grinned. “I don’t think that guy outside will wait a whole lot longer, and I, for one, want to know who he is and what he knows.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Raine was surprised to find the stranger seated at her kitchen table, but that wasn’t nearly as shocking as discovering a corner of the roof was missing and a portion of the front wall of her living room caved in.

  Obviously, she’d missed a few things after she’d died.

  His gaze missed nothing as he studied her from head to toe, making her glad she’d worn a turtleneck sweater to hide her new tattoos. Maybe he already knew. Maybe he had super hearing like Lucius.

  Hers was driving her crazy, coming in and out, like someone was playing with the volume. She hadn’t mentioned it, not wanting her drakon to worry. It would take time for her to become accustomed to having amped-up senses. Like everything else she’d achieved in her life, she wasn’t afraid to put in the work. Not when the reward was worth it—a life with Lucius. The tattoo was cool. The change in eye color a bit disconcerting, but she’d deal.

  “I’m Sven.” He was big and broad-shouldered with light hair that was cut short. His blue eyes were as cold as ice. A huge battle-axe was propped against the wall behind him. This guy reminded her of Thor from the movies, only much harder and tougher, and his weapon was no prop.

  “Ah, thanks for the help earlier.” She had no memory of it, but without him, things might not have worked out as well as they had.

  Lucius pulled out a chair for her. If he wasn’t with her, she might have run. Sven was not a man to cross. He reeked of badass.

  Standing beside her, arms crossed over his chest, Lucius nodded at their guest. “You said Maccus sent you. You remind me of someone I used to know.”

  One corner of his mouth twitched. Or maybe she’d imagined it. This did not seem like a guy who smiled on a regular basis.

  “I am Sven Knutson. My father is Bjorn Knutson.”

  “You claim to be the Viking’s son.” He leaned forward and planted his hands on the table. It groaned but held under the pressure. “Bjorn’s family was all slaughtered centuries ago.”

  The corners of Sven’s eyes tightened and his jaw clenched. “My mother made a deal with the goddess Freya. Eternal servitude in exchange for her children getting a second chance at life.”

  Now that was badass. It was also unfair. “I’m sorry. About your mother.”

  His hard gaze softened. “All is well. She is with my father now.” He glared at Lucius. Or maybe that was his normal expression. He wasn’t exactly a lighthearted soul. “Maccus did not tell you?”

  “We had other problems to deal with. There was no time to catch up on the news of the Brotherhood.” He headed to the kitchen. “I need coffee and food.”

  Considering the condition of the front corner of her home, she was grateful they had power. Must’ve missed the power line running into the house. Good thing, as she’d kill for coffee and chocolate. Her secret stash. Her chair skidded against the floor as she shoved it back.