Page 25 of Ink Sworn (Greatdrakes #3 | The Fae Universe #24)

P ure power burst over the launching platform, smashing the breath from Yelena's body. She could only stare as the black dragon roared its way out of Valentine's body.

"Yelena! Get back!" Taranis called out in fear for her.

She held up a hand to him. "No, he won't hurt me. He needs me."

The dragon roared again. It had bone spikes down its spine and tail. Two larger scales sat at the base of his neck. The dragon scratched at them, and a thrill of fear and awe shot through Yelena's veins.

"He's not done," she said, turning to the others. "He's not done!"

They were all staring up at the creature before them, faces pale. Owain and Emyr looked grim, and they had seen him before, but everyone was staring slack-jawed.

Yelena turned back to the dragon. Its head whirled toward her, scarlet eyes burning.

"Do it, Valentine! I'm here. Let it out!" she shouted at him .

The dragon made a frustrated whining sound, and threads of scarlet magic appeared around its throat.

"I see it. I can get them. Let me help," Yelena said, stepping toward it. It keened softly and lowered its head down to smell her. "It's okay, Valentine. I'm here. I'll get it for you. Hold still, a stór ."

Yelena's magic danced in silver gray and threaded around his. The dragon shivered and snorted. It was like a bird caught in a fishing line, and she handled it like the hurt creature it was.

"There now. I'll get it. Please don't be mad at him. He didn't know what he was doing when he made this, and he was so scared."

She knew that the dragon was listening and that it was unhappy. Her magic tightened around the last bind, and she tugged. Silver cut through scarlet, and the dragon reared back like she had slapped it. The scales on his neck shuddered, and flesh tore. Two more long serpentine heads ripped free.

Yelena stumbled back, her hands to her mouth. " Oh . Oh, Valentine. There you are!"

She laughed, a high, wild sound, and all three of his heads roared in reply.

A wave of stunning, furious alpha power pulsed out of him, and the dragon inside Yelena roared out in joy.

Cries of pain and surprise had her turning in time to see Emyr, Owain, and Vidar shift in surprise. Taranis was holding onto Reeve, and Quinn had pulled Charlotte away. Reeve thrashed, and Taranis's power soothed over him. It didn't help.

Valentine's three heads swivelled to his brother and roared again. Reeve screamed, the dragon inside of him pulling free until only a copper dragon remained.

"Yelena! Get him out of here before he terrifies the whole mountain!" Taranis shouted, his eyes burning like he was about to shift too. "I have to help Reeve! "

Yelena tossed some of her magic at Valentine, turning the massive dragon's attention back to her.

"Catch me if you can, sorcerer," she shouted at it and started to run. She laughed as she flung out her arms and jumped off the side of the mountain.

Wind roared around her, and Yelena enjoyed the thrill of falling before a flash of silver magic transformed her into her dragon.

A shadow fell over her, and she knew Valentine was following. She could feel his power rolling through the air towards her. Yelena reached out telepathically, searching for his mind. He was like a burning red flame behind her.

You are magnificent, Valentine. You don't need to hide. I see you, and you are perfect.

Yelena , the dragon growled back. It threw her a scattered jumble of emotions and longing. She knew that feeling. It was the same one when she looked at him.

I know. I feel it too. I'm here. Follow me. We are close , she sent back.

Yelena flew out of the canyon and sailed over the forest. She could sense the thrumming call of the black monolith.

She had always gone to be alone there and to practice, where no one could see or be afraid.

It was her place, and she wanted to show it to him.

She banked, tucked her wings in tight, and landed lightly back on her human feet.

Valentine roared above her, shifted mid-air, and landed in a crouch.

He looked up, feral eyes burning through her.

Yelena grinned and ran. Valentine bolted after her, and she may have slowed her steps just enough for him to crash into her and tackle her to the grass. She laughed as he pinned her down.

"I knew there was more to you than being a normal dragon. I knew it!" she crowed in delight .

" Mine ," Valentine snarled, still more dragon than man. " Caught you. Mine ." His mouth crashed down on hers, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

"Maybe I let you catch me," she said between breathless kisses.

"Mine," he repeated, his dragon refusing to let go. Valentine's hands pushed under her shirt and curled over her breast.

Yelena moaned, heat and desire making her wet and aching for him. Somehow, she knew she would never get enough of him. She clawed at the laces on his shirt, and he let her go long enough to pull it free from his shoulders.

There were no wounds on his chest, but three scars ran through what remained of his binding sigil, like he had been raked with claws.

Yelena licked them, the hot taste of his magic still scorching his skin. Valentine pulled at her clothes, and Yelena used her magic to make them vanish for fear of him ripping them. Valentine groaned and bent his head to her breasts, kissing and sucking her nipples into stiff peaks.

"Mine. So beautiful," he whispered fervently.

Yelena buried her hands in his hair. "We'll see about that."

She couldn't answer him with a claim of her own, not when he was wild from a change, and she didn't know if he was ready for what her dragon kept telling her. Maybe his beast knew more than his sorcerer side did.

Yelena cried out as Valentine's mouth closed over her pussy, driving all other thoughts from her mind. Her fingers tightened in his hair.

"Oh, fuck. Oh, gods. Valentine." She had never had anyone go down on her before, and she didn't know what to do except lie there and enjoy it.

"So sweet," Valentine whispered against her. He sounded almost back to normal. Yelena looked down and nearly came at the sight of him with her legs over his shoulders. His eyes were scarlet, but they were no longer glowing.

"There you are. Welcome back," she said with a smile.

Valentine nipped the side of her thigh. "Your cunt is magic in more ways than one, it seems."

Yelena choked on her laugh as he lowered his mouth back down and swirled his tongue over her clit. "Right there, Val."

Valentine slid a finger inside of her, and her hips lifted in surprise.

"Get inside of me properly," she begged.

"Not until you come," he said and pumped another finger into her. He pressed his tongue to her clit and flicked his fingers against her G-spot.

Yelena's body shook, and she moaned his name as her orgasm surged through her at his command. She was still trying to catch her breath when he pulled his dick free of his pants, lifted her hips, and plunged into her.

"Fuck, Yelena. You are so hot, so tight," he gasped as he filled her to her limit.

"More. Don't be gentle." She needed him wild, wanting him to take her until they were both wrecked. She raked her nails down his back, making him snarl and fuck her harder. He gripped her around the side of her throat, his other hand shredding the grass beside her head.

"Yes, Val. That's it. So close..." Her legs pushed up, meeting him thrust for thrust until she was screaming his name loud enough to scare the birds out of the surrounding trees.

Valentine gripped her neck and sank his teeth into it as his own release left him shaking, filling her and leaving them both spent and breathless.

Yelena threaded her fingers into the strands of his damp hair.

Valentine's mouth released her and licked over the bite mark, soothing the sting.

His body started to shake, and for a moment, she thought he was crying, but a tired laugh broke free from him.

Yelena held him tighter and laughed with him, the sense of joy and elation rolling out of him and into her.

"I told you it would be amazing," she said.

He lifted his head and scowled. "Just once, I'd like you not to be right."

Yelena grinned. "You'll get used to it."

"So cocky, aren't you, baby girl?" Valentine flicked her nose.

"That's because I have a big, hard cock in me." Yelena lifted her hips and thrust against him, making him groan.

"Such a brat." Valentine laughed again and kissed her. He bit her bottom lip before breaking the kiss and slowly moving off her and onto the grass beside her.

"Fucking hell," he murmured, staring up at the clouds.

Yelena rolled onto her side and propped her head up on her hand. "Sooo, did you know you had three heads?"

Valentine covered his face with his hands. "Gods no. Who the fuck has three heads?"

"You do, apparently. I've heard legends of three-headed dragons but never seen one for myself." He hadn't removed his hands from his face. She pinched his nipple, making him hiss. "You just can't help being the super special and unique one, can you?"

Valentine slid his hands so he could glare at her. "You are one to talk. Your dragon is…"

"Oh, no. We are talking about you right now. You made the knights panic and shift. You made Reeve shift, too."

"I did? Fuck. Was he okay?" Valentine sat up, and she grabbed his hand to pull him back down.

"Taranis was with him, and he seemed fine. His scales are coppery gold like an autumn leaf," Yelena said, and he sank back to the grass.

"Shit. He's going to be furious. They all are. I scared everyone..."

"Surprised. Not scared. If Taranis stayed in his fae form, it was because he knew there was no threat in you.

He wanted you to leave so he could stabilize Reeve, but that was all.

" Yelena placed a hand on his chest. "You shifted back when you needed to.

You are more in sync with your dragon than you think you are. "

"Maybe we were both eager to catch you," he said, narrowing his eyes.

"Maybe I made sure I was excellent prey," Yelena replied and pulled a face at him.

Valentine grinned. "If you say so. Now, are we going to practice some magic with your hand before we need to head back, or are we going to just lie here?"

Yelena tucked her hands behind her head and closed her eyes. "My hand is fine. I only said that so I could bring you here without everyone else." She yelped when he dug his fingers into her ribs, tickling her.

"You sneaky little thing! I thought this whole damn exercise was to get help with your hand!" Valentine growled as she giggled.

Yelena pinned him down and ran her finger down the length of his nose. "Silly male. This whole damn exercise was to help you get over shifting and to let your dragon out. If I had made it about you, you would still be grumbling back in the city."

Valentine only stared at her. "I think everyone should stop worrying about whether I'm going to turn mad and into some dark sorcerer and start worrying about your clever schemes," he huffed finally.

Yelena fluttered her lashes. "But I'm only using my clever schemes on you, so they won't care. "

"Pure evil," Valentine said, running his fingers up her spine. "But fair is fair. I showed you my dragon, and while we are out here, I want to see yours."

Yelena kissed him and sat up. "Okay, but once I show you, you are not allowed to freak out on me."

Valentine pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yelena, you just watched me turn into a bloody three-headed dragon, what could possibly be worse than that?"

Yelena only laughed. "Oh, so many things, my sorcerer."