Page 9 of Merry in Moonvale (Moonvale Matches #3)

CHAPTER 9

Kizzi

I twirled the magnifying glass in my fingers, making sure I inspected every single inch of the two remaining dragon eggs. I held the green one up higher, seeking a better angle.

There were hairline fissures, sure, but those were nothing new. They had been there since the first time I examined the scaled eggs. And a few tiny, shallow scratches that might have been a figment of my imagination.

The eggs were not going to be hatching. Not right now, at least.

And thank the Old Gods for that. One dragon was hard enough to wrangle.

My familiar was doing most of the heavy lifting. Hex, the purple sludge, was a surprisingly adequate babysitter, all things considered. They kept the dragon occupied by slithering around the room, popping bubbles, and, when necessary, physically restraining the little creature.

I refused to let myself think about how adorable it was, because it could have been a ticking time bomb. Quite literally.

Casper, fluffy as ever, curled up on my lap, her tail swishing idly back and forth. I couldn’t tell if she was entertained by the baby dragon or irritated by it. Probably both.

“What are we going to do with these monsters, Casper?” I asked as I set the egg back onto the counter. “They’re taking over.”

Casper meowed quietly in response.

“I know right. It’s madness.”

I had spent my morning finishing up the Merry Day gifts for my friends and trying my best to keep Ember entertained.

I was tired . I ached for a nap, a cup of hot tea, and a warm pastry.

Like my wishes had manifested themselves, a muffled knock sounded on the door.

“Oh! Sorry, my friend.” I nudged Casper onto the floor, where she scurried away, looking disgruntled. “Coming!” I called to the door, unsure if anyone could actually hear me through the protection enchantments.

As quickly as I could, making sure to glance over my shoulder to glare pointedly at Ember so the sprites would keep him in check, I tugged the door open.

Tandor, looking as bright and handsome as ever, quickly scurried inside, letting in a small burst of frigid air. “Delivery,” he said warmly.

He clutched a sack in one hand, and two mugs in the other. The scent of ice, warm pumpkin, and berry tea drifted in beside him. It was almost as comforting as Tandor’s clean rain scent. I inhaled greedily. “Hi.”

“Hi, little witch. I’ve come with gifts. Green tea with blueberry and Mitz’s fresh pumpkin muffins.”

I happily snatched the sack from his hand while he set the mugs aside. “Pumpkin, my favorite.”

He grinned. “I know.”

Tandor slipped his arm around my waist, tucking my head under his chin and squeezing his body to mine. I let the sack of pastries drop to the table and wrapped my arms around his middle, squishing my face into his chest. “I love you,” I muttered, the words muffled against the fabric of his cloak. “You always know exactly what I need.”

“As I love you, my beautiful, dragon-wrangling witch.”

“Did you finish your Merry Day gifts?” I asked.

“I did. Now it’s just a waiting game.”

“I wonder what it is,” I joked.

He squeezed me. “Don’t ruin the surprise.”

Ember approached, timidly butting his head against Tandor’s ankle. He flinched, pulling me with him as he jumped. “Oh! Hi, small dragon!”

“He has a name,” I reminded.

“I know he has a name.”

“Just saying.”

“Has he just been hanging out here?”

I stepped away to get a better look at the small creature. “He sure has. And the place is still standing.” I was strangely proud of the little dragon. It was a pretty low bar to praise the creature for not causing catastrophe but… wins were wins.

“You are the Hand of the Dragons, after all. It makes sense.”

“Arbitrary title,” I grumbled.

“You underestimate yourself.”

“I do not. I think very highly of myself, thank you very much.”

He planted a kiss on top of my head. “Of course, princess. I’m just saying. You’re incredibly powerful. You’re capable of bringing inanimate objects to life—a dragon would surely sense that power.”

My cheeks warmed but I brushed him off. “Whatever. I think he’s just tired from chasing around sprites all morning. Fiella and Redd should be about ready. Think you can wrangle the monster into a secure enough grip to transport over there?”

Tandor considered the small beast. “I should be able to manage that.”

I glanced around the room. “Sprites? Think you can help us?” I peered into the broken cauldron, too. “Hex? We’re going to need the whole team to help with this one.”

“Of course, Godsblood. Whatever you need.”

I sighed through my nose. It seemed the name would be sticking. “Thank you.”

This should be easy enough.

T he short trip to Fiella’s was an absolute nightmare.

Ember had kicked and squirmed and spat hot air and sparks like his little life depended on it. He really wanted to explore the town again.

Not on our watch.

Tandor, fates bless him, was quaking with the effort of containing the small beast. His sleeves were singed, his face was flushed, and I could hardly even see him through the swarm of sprites perched all over him, trying to help.

And Hex, too, was curled up in his grasp, trying to squash the dragon into submission.

It was a rough journey.

After what felt like hours, and after several close calls, we finally arrived at Fiella and Redd’s cottage on the edge of the Greenwood Forest.

I pounded on the door. “Open up, vampires! We’ve got a special delivery!”

The door opened just a crack. Fiella’s honey-gold eye was hardly visible. “Oh! Kiz! I didn’t expect you.”

I shoved on the door, trying to ram her out of the way. “Yes, you did.”

“I must have forgotten! It’s really not a good time, why don’t you come back later?—”

“I know what you’re doing. Quit stalling.” I pushed on the door harder, but my witch strength was no match for her vampire muscles.

I could hear the timbre of Redd’s voice from somewhere inside, but I couldn’t make out his words. Whatever he said must have worked, though, because Fiella let out a deep, heaving sigh and finally stepped out of the way.

We flowed inside like a river breaking through a dam. First me, and then Tandor and his swarm of sprites. The door slammed shut behind us.

Fiella and Redd stood in the kitchen, both of them looking pale and nervous in the dim lantern light. The curtains were drawn, and I could feel protective magic humming in the air. Miraculously, it seemed they had set the enchantments up correctly.

Fiella gulped audibly. She twisted her fingers into her blouse. “You brought Ember.”

“We did,” Tandor grunted out. “He put up quite a fight. Have fun.”

Fiella tilted her head. “Have fun? Wait! We’re not ready?—”

But it was too late, because Tandor had already knelt to the ground and released the wriggling bundle onto the floor. The sprites went too, leaping from Tandor’s arms and shoulders and spreading throughout the room. There were more than I had seen in a while—hundreds, I guessed.

Many of the tiny folk surrounded the dragon, while a few others settled around the cottage, taking up protective stances.

Hex, too, followed Ember across the floor, heading to the back of the cottage.

I felt a twinge of disappointment that Hex had chosen to follow Ember instead of sticking with me. It seemed they were finally following my orders.

I couldn’t decide if I was offended or proud.

I looked at Tandor quickly, raising my eyebrows in a silent question.

He pursed his lips. Shrugged.

“Good luck!” I shouted.

And then we bolted out the door, leaving Fiella and Redd to deal with the situation.

Giggling, ignoring the panicked shouts of the vampires behind us, we ran back to my shop.

They would be fine. With the sprites and Hex there to help, they didn’t need us.

We had a moment of respite.

“ H ow much time do you think we have before they come back?” Tandor asked huskily as he yanked the cloak from his shoulders and tossed it aside.

The shop was blessedly empty. Not a single sprite, familiar, or cat remained.

I loved the shop when it was crowded, but sometimes we just needed our alone time.

I yanked at the laces on my boots and tugged them off one by one. “Enough time. At least an hour.”

Tandor swept an arm behind my knees, knocking me off my feet and hoisting me up to his chest in a cradle hold. I squealed in surprise.

“An hour? I think we need the whole night.”

I laughed, waving a hand in the air to check the protective enchantments. They felt secure. “I could lock the place up, just for one night.”

He grinned wickedly. “Do that. I’ve missed you, Iittle witch. You’ve been too busy for me lately.”

“I’m never too busy for you,” I murmured. The air huffed out of my lungs when Tandor tossed me onto the bed, knocking fluffy pillows onto the floor.

He crawled over me, his knees on either side of my hips and his hands planted above my head.

He looked so big from this angle—completely surrounding me.

I slipped my hands around the back of his neck, trying to pull his mouth down to mine.

He resisted, chuckling. “Want something?”

I pouted. “Kiss me.”

He dipped, quickly pressing his lips to my forehead before pulling away from me again. His grin was so broad, his small lower tusks were visible in the lantern light.

He was so beautiful. From his full lips, his eyes so dark they could swallow me whole, to the silky black hair that flopped over his forehead, I could stare at him all day.

I feasted on him with my eyes.

I still couldn't believe that this orc was mine. Mine .

“Fine, when you look at me like that , I can’t resist,” he growled.

Finally, he dipped his head and pressed his lips to mine. I sighed against his mouth.

His lips were warm, and comfortable, and perfect. I could drown in them if he let me.

His tongue stroked along my bottom lip, and I opened my mouth, granting him entry, desperate for whatever he was willing to give me. My blood burned with desire.

Tandor’s tongue danced with mine, melting me, turning my body molten. I craved more. I craved everything .

I dropped my hand between our bodies, allowing my fingers to slip into his trousers and dance over his cock. He was so hard; he was practically throbbing. His skin was hot to the touch and deliciously smooth, a sharp contrast to the ring that pierced the tip, that was almost cold in comparison. I circled his cock with my fingers, stroking him as far as I could reach from the restrictive angle.

He groaned and grabbed my wrist to halt my movements. “Slow down,” he pleaded.

I shook my head, meeting his gaze. His dark eyes bored into mine. Ensnared me. “I don’t want to wait anymore,” I said quietly. “I want you inside me. Now.”

He shuddered, breaking my gaze to drop his head down to my neck. “That mouth of yours is going to be the death of me,” he mumbled against the skin of my throat, but he released his hold on my wrist only long enough to yank his cock free and shove my skirts out of the way.

He didn’t even bother to remove our clothes—I knew he was as desperate as I was.

His cock teased at my entrance, the piercing cool against my wet, flushed skin. I hooked my legs around his waist and dug in my heels, urging him forward. “Please,” I begged.

He obliged, sinking into me in one fluid motion. We both groaned at the sensation. He filled me so thoroughly, so completely, that my body almost couldn’t handle it.

It was a delicious agony.

As he moved, fucking me in a fast, desperate rhythm, I clung to him, unable to do anything but hang on.

He fisted my hair and tilted my head back so he could devour my mouth in a frantic kiss as well, our lips clashing, our tongues tasting.

The orgasm was swift and brutal, building in my stomach and tearing through me before I could even scream Tandor’s name. My body shuddered, my mouth dropping open into a silent shout as my core clenched around Tandor’s length, milking him.

He found his release immediately, a strangled shout escaping his throat as his rhythm faltered, his pumping hips struggling to keep moving through his bliss.

When the waves of pleasure released me, I laughed at the situation, at how Tandor and I were both disheveled, flushed, and still fully clothed.

The second time we came together, we made sure to remove our clothing first.

Later, as we laid sweaty and tangled in each other, a distinct sound rang from the front room.

Crack. Pop. Pop.

Tandor and I sat up immediately.

“ Fuck .”