Page 8 of Dragon Enchanted (Secret Kingdoms: The Draquonir #1)

CHAPTER 7

T he dungeon was cold, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and ancient magic. Raven lay curled against Vector’s chest, her breathing slow and steady in sleep. The tension in her body had eased, her delicate features soft in the dim light of the flickering torches.

Vector exhaled slowly. She was safe.His mate.

Magic stirred in his blood, his dragon humming with satisfaction.

He shifted carefully, his chains rattling as he lifted his bound hands, focusing his magic. A soft glow pulsed beneath his skin, curling around them both, washing over Raven like a protective cocoon. The grime of the dungeon faded, their skin cleansed, their clothes replaced with dark, elegant garments. Raven now wore a deep blue dress, the fabric rich and soft, accentuating the delicate lines of her body. He, too, was dressed in dark, formal clothing.

She stirred, shifting closer to him, pressing her face against his chest. His dragon rumbled in approval. He wanted out. He wanted to spend time with their mate.

Not yet.

Vector forced himself to focus. Erik needed to be summoned. He had to make sure the executioner was no longer a threat.

Lifting a hand, he called forth his magic. A soft pulse radiated outward, reverberating through the dungeon walls. Erik would come.

Moments later, the heavy iron door groaned open. Erik stepped inside, his silver gaze sharp, calculating.

Vector didn’t wait. “Call off the executioner.”

Erik’s expression didn’t change. “You think lying with her is enough?”

Vector’s jaw tightened. “She is mine.”

Erik studied them both for a long moment before shaking his head. “She is not fully claimed. She must willingly and knowingly accept your dragonfire. Until then, she is not one of us. The Dark Elves would demand kill you for revealing as much as you have.”

A low growl rumbled in Vector’s chest, his dragon rising in protest. “You did not have such concerns when you took Ryker’s mate from our home.”

“I believed King Ryker had already revealed the truth. He placed his mate in danger, not I.”

“Raven is mine.”

“She is not to know what we are,” Erik continued, his tone brooking no argument. “Not until she is fully claimed. Do not put her life in greater danger.”

Vector’s fists clenched. He hated this. Hated Erik’s authority over the situation. But he understood the danger. If she knew too much without the protection of their bond, she would be at risk from forces beyond Erik’s control. Beyond Vector’s own.

Finally, he exhaled. “Release me. I cannot properly court her from here.”

Erik lifted a brow but obliged. “You seem to be doing all right.” A flick of his wrist and the chains disintegrated. “But I agree. This is no place for a female.”

Vector stood, careful not to jostle Raven as he gathered her in his arms. She barely stirred, her body still tucked against his as he carried her from the dungeon, away from the cold, away from the danger.

Raven awoke to warmth. Comfort. The soft embrace of silk sheets, the familiar smell of cedar and spice surrounding her.

She blinked, her mind sluggish, then stiffened.Vector.

He was beside her, fully clothed, watching her with that same unreadable expression. But there was something different now. The chains were gone. He was no longer a prisoner. They were lying on a massive, king-sized bed, soft light filtering through a series of tall windows. She was wearing soft, dark blue clothes that weren’t hers. She had no idea where they came from, or how he’d managed to get her into them without waking her.

He held her, his arm draped loosely around her waist.

Her pulse kicked up.

“Where are we?” she whispered. “What’s happening?”

Vector’s lips quirked and he dropped a quick kiss on her lips. She instantly wanted more. “We’re leaving.”

She sat up abruptly. “Leaving?”

“We are going to spend the day together. I have plans, my lady. To spoil you.”

She frowned. “Why?”

A shadow crossed his face. “Because I want to.”

Something about his certainty sent a shiver through her. He acted like she was precious. Like she belonged to him.

Like the madness that happened in the dungeon was more than just sex.

She swallowed. “I?—”

His fingers brushed her cheek, tilting her chin up so their eyes met. “Let me take care of you.”

Her heart pounded. “Why?”

His gaze darkened. “Because you are mine.”

By the time Raven was dressed, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air. She followed Vector down a long hallway into a grand dining room where sunlight streamed through the massive windows, glinting off the polished silverware. A lavish spread was arranged on the table—flaky croissants, fresh fruit, smoked salmon, eggs cooked to perfection, and steaming cups of rich espresso.

Erik was already there, standing near the window, his gaze fixed on the sprawling landscape beyond. He turned as they entered. “Welcome. I see Vector is taking good care of you.”

Vector moved close, his eyes trailing over her with a slow, assessing look that sent heat curling low in her stomach. “I intend to.”

“Eat,” Erik said, motioning to the table. “I have business to attend to.”

When they were alone, Vector guided her toward the table and held out a chair. “You should take our host’s advice. You’ll need your strength.”

She hesitated, eyeing the extravagant spread. “Do you always eat like this?”

His lips quirked as he took a seat. “When we have company.”

She slid into the chair, pleased when he gently settled her in place and took the seat next to hers. She lifted a steaming cup of coffee to her lips, savoring the bold, rich flavor. “And what exactly do I need my strength for?”

Vector sat as close as possible, his movements measured, controlled. “We have a long journey ahead of us.”

Raven cut into a piece of buttery croissant, watching him carefully. “You still haven’t told me where we’re going.”

His gaze locked onto hers, something unreadable flickering in the depths. “Does it matter?”

She set her fork down, leaning toward him while batting her eyelashes. “It does to me.”

A beat of silence stretched between them. Then, with deliberate slowness, Vector lifted one hand to brush his fingers over her sensitive lips. The touch was fleeting, barely there, but it sent a sharp jolt of awareness through her.

“You’ll see soon enough,” he murmured. “Don’t ruin the surprise.”

Well, dammit. When it put it that way, how could she resist?

They ate in companionable silence. When she couldn’t eat another bite, the door opened, and Talon stepped inside, his expression unreadable. “The helicopter is ready.”

Vector glanced at her over his shoulder, a slow, deliberate look that sent heat curling through her belly. “Trust me.”