Jord Read online
Page 8
Jord yelled into the skies to tell the dragons to go back, go home.
Sure enough, her presence in the past called for the retreat of the dragons.
But Jord knew that it wasn't because she heard herself. No, it was because she was about to make the sacrifice that would be the last time she truly felt her dragon.
"No!" Jord was screaming as the Jord in the past ripped open a gate into the Earth Realm and the fey who survived raced into the dark forest on the other side.
The dragons had retreated, and the portal to the dragon world was closing.
"Go home! You can be with your sons! Don't do this!"
But the version of herself from the past couldn't hear her. She turned and took the Vernomi on. They flocked to her. Tens and then hundreds gathered, biting into her flesh and ripping away her soul. Jord was already weakened from the battle and opening the portal for the fey.
She tried to fight them, but she had known before she ever came that something terrible would happen, and now that she was in it, there was nothing she could do.
The Jord from the present stood watching, tears streaming as Jord from the past was literally ripped to shreds. They couldn't understand why she didn't die. The Vernomi were puzzled and left her for dead. Jord went to her own body and wished she could cover it with something. Her hand went through every time she tried to touch her former self. Her hands shook, and the tears wouldn't stop. She cried for all of the things she had lost, her family, her home, nearly her life.
"Jord," Freya's voice came from the sky, "your dragon is here; you must find her."
Jord blinked. She had forgotten how she had ended up in this place. As she closed her eyes, she called to her dragon. There was nothing. Not one to give up, she tried again and again.
It wasn't until the Vernomi came back to check her body and tried to take it that Jord went slightly insane. With everything that was in her, she clawed at them, beating them with her fists.
Smoke began to rise from her nostrils, and Jord continued to fight for all she was worth. Her body from the past was hardly recognizable. But Jord felt when a hand grabbed hers. She felt her soul surge and her dragon flare to life. In shock, she looked at her former self, who smiled faintly. "It is done."
Chapter 21
"To defeat your enemy, you must know them."
Andar and Flora turned to see Jord entering the throne room. She looked a thousand times better than the last time they had seen her.
"Mother." Andar got to his feet and went to greet her. "How are you feeling?"
Jord smiled and took his hands into her own. "My son, I am feeling better than I have in longer than I can remember."
Flora had also gotten to her feet and dipped into a low curtsey. "Your Highness."
Jord was standing proud, with her back straight and her eyes clear. It was true her body was still far too thin. But she felt the stirrings of her dragon and knew that she was on her way back to where she needed to be. The strength that she had been missing was returning to her.
She gave Flora a regal nod. "Please, dragons are not so formal; you may address me as Jord. I understand that you and my son are going to attempt to enter into the lands of the fey again."
Flora flushed, her hair turning a beautiful shade of pink. For a moment, Andar was transfixed. His mother cleared her throat, and he remembered what they had been about. "We would appreciate your advice for dealing with the Vernomi."
Jord moved to the center throne that had sat empty for all of these years. The four dragon kings each sat in one of the four points of the room indicating north, south, east and west. But the central throne was reserved for the dragon queen.
Andar cleared his throat, surprised at the emotion that had gathered there. Just as he was about to speak, Titus and Cane entered and saw their mother sitting on her throne.
Flora felt as if she were intruding on something very private. The brothers were all moved by the site of their mother taking back her throne. It was empowering, and Flora felt a twinge of something that she feared had been lost—her heart.
Losing her husband, Jason, and her family had been very difficult. When she was banished from the Earth Realm, Flora had shut down emotionally. It had been too much, too hard, and she found that if she didn't feel, she could possibly bear it.
Seeing this family, who had also been ripped apart just as hers had, brought all of those fresh wounds to the surface. She choked and, for a moment, felt that she needed to be anywhere but there. She stumbled from her seat, making some kind of excuse that, to her own ears, sounded garbled, and fled.
Andar turned to his mother who waved him on without a word.
He caught up with the fairy as she broke free from the throne room.
"What in the devil is the matter with you?"
One look at her face, and he saw that this was far more than just a feminine whim. She wasn't crying, but she looked stricken and lost. He didn't bother to question her further, only gathered her into his arms and, within seconds, had transformed into his beast.
Flora's hair once again turned the violent shade of red that matched his deep, gleaming scales. She didn't question the dragon king, not when he shifted with her, nor when his massive wings beat the air and they took flight.
One would think that the passageways were too small for dragons, but they had been made just large enough so that a fully transformed beast might fly directly through them to their destination. In truth, it was rarely ever used. Only the dragon kings transformed inside the main hoard.
For another dragon to be so presumptuous would be to challenge their place. Needless to say, such things never happened. Flora felt the night air on her face before they sailed out into the starry night sky. She hadn't spent much time out of doors.
Everything was bigger here, the mountains were craggy, and the winds were colder than she was used to. However, Andar's dragon was warm, and his claw covered her enough to keep her warm. He flew with great determination, his large body formidable against the night sky.
Flora felt some of the emotion that had threatened to overtake her start to abate. He flew due south, and it seemed that he might go on forever, but after a time, he pulled up. The air was warmer here than it had been at the dragon's fortress. It reminded Flora of the humidity that she felt on hot Georgia nights. Instead of making her sad, it was a comfort to her.
Andar transformed once again into his human form.
"We are near my castle, but there is a spot not far from here that I go to when I need to think."
He reached out a hand, and Flora slipped hers into it. He was so much larger. His body seemed to be carved of stone. She felt strange looking at another man in such a way. She had loved her husband, Jason.
And yet Jason had spoken to Flora at length about the choices they'd made. They could have chosen to live with the fey, and he would still be alive, just as Clarence was. But Jason hadn't wanted that for his children, nor had he wanted it for himself.
Flora loved him enough to respect his wishes, but at times, she secretly wondered if he hadn't loved her enough to do what it took to stay with her. This is something that she kept locked in her heart, a truth that was too painful to admit aloud. But as a Truth Teller, she couldn't lie to herself.
Andar led her through some trees, along a path that wasn't well kept. She struggled to keep up, but as the space began to open up, she saw a massive waterfall falling from three tiers. The plants looked like something out of the Garden of Eden. The smell of flowers, fresh earth, and Andar touched her nose.
"This is amazing." Her hand reached out, and she unconsciously touched his arm.
Andar looked down at the small woman's hand and tucked it into his own.
"Come, there is a flat rock that we can sit on that overlooks the pool below."
He lifted her onto the rock and then jumped on with an agility she couldn't help but admire.
"I thank you for not hounding me about what happened. But I am certain you are wonder
ing what caused my flight."
Andar shrugged. "Everyone needs to get away sometimes. My brothers can spend some time with Mother. I have to say; her recovery is astonishing."
Flora looked at his strong jaw and handsome features, "How old were you when you lost your mother?"
His amber eyes met hers. "Little more than a child, maybe my seventh or eighth year?"
"Do you remember much about those times?" Flora asked.
Andar looked at the small fey woman. He had thought her heart was made of stone. And yet the woman in front of him was one of a myriad of emotions.
"I remember little things. My mother would sing us to sleep and come and watch us in the yard. She refused to allow us to be cruel to each other and, as boys, we were always fighting. She was a fierce queen and a devoted mother."
Flora nodded and then looked away. She wondered what her family remembered about her. She and Jason had seven girls. They would be long since passed, but her grandchildren should still be alive. A shuddered breath left her throat.
"I can't imagine being ripped from my family."
Her gaze shot to his. "I beg your pardon?"
Andar didn't speak, just pulled the fey woman into his arms and held her. It was purely comfort, one individual giving of themselves to another. It had been so long since Flora had been held like someone cared about her. The ice around her heart began to melt.
Chapter 22
As the sun began to sink lower in the sky, Andar decided it would be best to fly to his castle to spend the night. They could return to everyone in the morning. As they took flight again, Flora allowed herself to take in the beautiful terrain. From the jagged rocks to the mossy jungles, it was majestic, wild, and unlike anything she had ever seen before.
The castle seemed to be built straight into the mountainside—a mixture of modern architecture and dragon's lair filled with cavernous tunnels. Flora was enchanted.
They landed on a high alcove, and Andar, once again, shimmered back into his human form.
"Come, we will get something to eat, and you will find some rest."
Flora was more than happy to take his hand and allow the handsome dragon king to show her around his home.
The southern dragons were happy to see their king. A royal feast was prepared, and soon, Flora was feeling the effects of a full stomach and too much wine.
Andar wrapped his hand around her wrist and pulled her to her feet. His dragons were in awe as they watched her hair changing color as the dinner had progressed. But that was nothing compared to when it changed to the color of their king's scales.
The dragons roared their approval, and Flora flushed, leaning into Andar and whispering, "I take it my hair is red again?"
Andar's eyes sparkled. "Very."
"I don't have any control of it. Do you suppose I should tell them? This is the third time they have applauded."
Andar chuckled. "I doubt it would matter. They like you, and they are probably likely thinking that you are flirting with me."
Flora blanched. "Flirting? Why would they think that?"
Now his eyes were fairly dancing. "Are you certain you want me to answer that question?"
"Of course, I do!" Flora snapped.
He leaned in close, their cheeks touching before he whispered into her ear, "Remember that dragons have a keen eye and excellent sense of smell."
Flora's face heated, and she jerked back. "What do you mean by that?"
Andar laughed, his craggy features softened by his boyish grin. But it was those knowing eyes that held all of the intelligence in the world that simply had her knees going weak.
"I wasn't flirting," she insisted, although she was certain the statement was true, something made her feel uneasy. Unconsciously, she rubbed at her chest, not liking what she was feeling.
Andar's intelligent eyes missed nothing. He moved closer to her once again. His hand slid from her wrist to the back of her arm and then around her slender waist, anchoring her to him.
Flora's breathing had hitched up to an uncomfortable degree.
The large man, dragon, was almost too much for her smaller frame. But instead of feeling fear as one would suppose, she felt desire starting to flame inside of her. Her stomach was a mixture of butterflies and molten lava. Her mind refused to clear. It felt like a thick, heavy syrup was clouding her better judgment.
And for some inexplicable reason, she loved the way his lips were formed. The top was just a little smaller and easy to spread into a smile. At least, it seemed that way when he was looking at her.
Andar took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with flames. He could sense the desire washing off of her in waves. Flora was an utterly sensual creature. One could only see her and know that. But what surprised him was that she didn't see it, herself, or that she didn't allow herself to see it.
Flora was a Truth Teller, but Andar wondered how many untruths she told herself. She was a mass contradiction wrapped up in the most delectable package imaginable. He pushed a strand of hair that had fallen on her cheek back behind her ear.
His voice was low and his eyes intent. "You can protest all you want, Flora. But I can smell you just as well as the other dragons can. Your body doesn't lie."
Flora was flustered. "I don't lie. I am a Truth Teller. It is literally impossible for me to lie."
His smile widened. He could see how riled she was getting and loved the way he was challenging how she saw things. More importantly, how she saw herself. He moved so that there wasn't one inch of space between them.
Flora's heart was beating wildly, and she prayed he wouldn't ask her if she was attracted to him. Because that truth, was one she didn't want to say aloud.
Andar had her a little unhinged. She hadn't felt this much emotion in a long time. In some ways, it was uncomfortable and even a bit humiliating. But in others, she felt more alive and freer than she had in longer than she could remember.
She wanted to be with him, fuck him. Her body longed for the release. It had been forever since she had lain with a man. Not since Jason got sick and even then, in his later years, it was nothing like it had been when they first married.
Flora wasn't looking for a white knight, or dragon, in this circumstance. However, she saw the desire he had for her and knew what was blazing for him in her gut. She didn't have to wait or worry about what would happen next because Andar filled in all the empty spaces.
"We are going to my room. There, I will strip every inch of clothing from your body. If you fight me or try to cover up, I will spank your ass until it's as red as your hair."
A fresh wave of arousal hit her, and his eyes darkened.
"Or perhaps if you are a very good girl, I will spank your gorgeous ass. Once you are good and ready, I will fuck you within an inch of your life until you don't know where I end and you begin. You won't worry about any of the pressures that are plaguing us. Tonight, Flora, you are mine. I will own every inch of you, and you will love surrendering it to me. Do you understand?"
"Yes!" The answer flew from her lips unbidden.
The heat of him was searing through her clothes. Flora's nipples tightened into fine points and desperately wanted his touch, his mouth on them, worshipping them.
Andar turned abruptly, still managing to keep Flora tucked firmly by his side. He escorted her from the banquet room back to the king's royal quarters. Before opening the door, he pushed her up against it, their bodies aligning perfectly. His massive hard on fit the juncture between her thighs and they both knew there was no turning back from this moment.
"Do you want this?"
He was giving her one final time to cry off, to say that this was too much, too soon, or not at all what she needed. But it would have been a lie, and they both knew it.
He pressed harder into her. Her breasts were smashed, and she felt the tip of his cock hard against her belly.
"Yes, please, yes."
It was the please that unlocked the beast. Her breathy tone pleaded with him to help h
er escape, to give her the release and the loving she had been missing in her life. It was vulnerable and fucking sexy. Andar was powerless to ignore it.
Savagely, he took her mouth in a kiss.
Chapter 23
Andar's hand cupped the back of her head, angling her so he could deepen the kiss. Dragons weren't known for their gentle natures, and he worried that Flora might not know what she had gotten herself into.
Her taste was like a fine wine and honey, the stroke of her tongue, he felt all the way to his cock, and he knew that he had to get things in hand.
Breaking the kiss, he held her in firm hands. "You will remove your clothing and come and kneel at my feet. Do you understand?"
Flora blinked. "Yes, you want my submission?"
Andar growled, "I need it. But if you cannot give it freely, I will attempt to do without. I want you, Flora. But I would never force something that you weren't willing to give."
Flora felt her insides clench. She had seen plenty of examples of this in the different sex clubs over the years but had never participated, herself. She had once brought it up with Jason, but he thought it degrading and abhorrent. He couldn't understand why she would wish to kneel before him.
Flora had felt embarrassed for bringing it up. It wasn't that she thought males were superior or that she felt she wasn't of worth. To Flora, her offering her full submission had been a gift, one that her husband hadn't understood.
Moving out of his embrace, Flora slowly removed her clothes. She kept her eyes averted as she slipped her panties off and then moved to kneel in front of Andar. Her body was tense, and she had to take a few deep breaths for courage before she pushed her thighs wide and placed her hands behind her.
She knew what the position was to look like but hadn't ever attempted it. In this state, he could see every inch of her. He could see her pussy, the way it glistened with her desire. He could see the ring of her ass. And he could see the way her nipples had tightened into hard points jutting out toward him.