Page 12 of Tempting Her Dragons (Embracing The Bond #10)

Chapter Twelve

Saphira

“ O f course she can stay,” Sally says. “You can’t have sexy time with your mates with their mom in the house.”

“Sally, that’s not the reason,” I deny, but thinking about how it felt to be with them this morning tempts me.

“Sure it is, don’t lie,” she scolds. “You need time with them without someone hovering over your every move. I haven’t had another rabbit around in such a long time. I can’t wait to meet her. Are you ready to meet the mom?”

“Shit, I don’t know,” I moan. “I’ve never met someone’s mom. What if she doesn’t like me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You are amazing. Who doesn’t like you? You are the best and a perfect match for her sons. I’ll make sure to talk you up,” she says.

“You don’t have to do that,” I say, pacing my room.

“She’ll love you, regardless. Do you know why?”

“No,” I whisper.

“You are going to love her sons,” she whispers.

“How do you know?” I whisper back.

“Sweetheart, you already feel it.”

“Shit,” I mumble. I go into the bathroom and turn on the sink. I hear the timber of their voices in the kitchen, but I’ve been dimming my hearing. I hope they have, too. “I’m scared,” I admit.

“Of course you are,” she says softly. “It’s scary to open your heart.”

“Sally, there are things you don’t know.” I swallow harshly. “Things they don’t know.”

“We all have things in our past that hold us back,” she says, and I lean on the counter. “I see visions. I know more than I should.”

“You’ve seen me in your visions?” I ask, rolling my lips.

“Sometimes.” She lowers her voice even further. “I know what happened to you.”

I press my hand to my head. “You do?” Tears fill my eyes.

“I will say this,” she says. “Your experience doesn’t make you weak. The man who violated you was weak. You are so fucking strong.”

“He didn’t rape me. He didn’t get that far.” I close my eyes, and I can see his face above me.

“It doesn’t matter,” she growls. “Your trauma isn’t less because he didn’t. You have put on a brave face for years. I see it. I see you, the real you. My advice is to allow them to see the real you.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

“Of course you can. Those men are already dedicated to you. You have used your power to help others who can’t. It’s your time to help yourself get the love you deserve,” she says.

“How do you know so much?” I ask, sniffling.

“I’m observant. Kingston and Maverick will take care of your big heart; you just have to let them.”

“Fuck, you should be a therapist.” I snort.

“I tried it once,” she sighs. “It’s not much fun.”

“Sally,” I giggle. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. You want to know the best thing that’s happened to me?”

“Yes.”

“I opened a restaurant and met Saylor. When I moved here, I found a family. The day I met you was one of my fondest moments. You hugged me tight and said you loved rabbits.” I remember the day and was thrilled to have her in the group. “The day I met your mates, they said the same thing. Everything happens for a reason. Your past is shitty, but you wouldn’t be the woman you are today if it didn’t happen. We all wish it didn’t, but we can’t deny it. You have to move on. They will help you.”

“Dr. Sally has a nice ring to it,” I laugh. She always knows the right thing to say.

“It does,” she cackles. “I would rather be a Mrs. Doctor. He could do all the work and spend his money on me. Plus, love me desperately.”

“I want you to find your happily ever after.”

“Girl, I’m my own happily ever after. I don’t need a man for that,” she scoffs. “But it would be nice to snuggle up to someone that wasn’t plastic.”

“Sally,” I gasp.

“What? A girl has needs.”

“You’re the best.”

“I know.” She blows out a breath. “I can’t guarantee their mom and I won’t raise hell.”

“I’ll bail you out,” I offer.

“Thanks, it’s good to know beforehand.”

“When she gets here, I’ll call.”

“I’ll drive out to get her. You need to nest with your mates.”

“Nest?” I wrinkle my nose. “That sounds weird.”

“Not the way I would do it,” she quips. “Bye, Sugar.”

I stare at my phone, shaking my head. Yes, we are all lucky Sally found her way to us. She’s right. The bond connects you to your mates but can’t make you love. The pull is strong. At first, it’s just a yearning to be around someone in a sexual way. Their touch is needed to put out the fire in your body. As the minutes pass and I learn about them, the urge to learn more is massive.

This morning showed me that we are compatible sexually. The attraction is fierce. I respect their work. I had no idea they rescued people. My heart squeezes at the thought of that poor girl. I can relate to her, and I have to open up to them. My time in a cage is a memory I try to shove as deep down as possible. I was young. I’ve beat myself up about the incident for years. The what-ifs are many. I should have fought harder.

Why do we blame ourselves for others’ bad behavior?

I kill men, and never once have I blamed the victims for what happened to them. It’s so easy to defend others and not yourself. It wasn’t my fault. I didn’t ask for his hand down my pants. I’m fucking angry. I’m angry at the man who thought he could touch me without permission. I’m angry at myself for freezing at the moment.

Sally is right. My mates will understand. They will listen, and maybe I can finally move on.

It won’t stop me from doing my work. Killing the abusive does heal me a little at a time. Those women don’t have anyone fighting for them, and I will continue to do what I can to even the scales. It’s not much, but the ashes on the side of the road are their justice. They will still live with the scars, but hopefully, like mine, they will heal over.

The cabin is quiet, and I shut off the water. I dry my tears and stand straight. I’m going all in. I want my mates and their love. The asshole coming for them doesn’t know what is waiting for him. Once I fall, I won’t let go. If he thinks he can take them from me, I will love to prove him wrong.

I’m not just a girl.

I grin into the mirror.

I’m a woman, and I breathe fire.

I leave the room with determination and breeze through the bedroom door. My feet falter when they turn their attention my way. It’s powerful to be the focus of these two gorgeous men.

“Will you go somewhere with me?” I ask before I lose the nerve.

“We’ll go anywhere with you,” Mav says, and they move toward me as a unit. All they need is to be in slow motion with a breeze and their shirts off.

“Lead the way,” King says, holding out his hand. I take his offer and pull him toward the door. Every time he holds my hand, he stares at our joined fingers for a moment; it makes me wonder why.

I don’t say anything as I walk around the house and through the backyard. Mav threads his fingers through my other hand, and we enter the forest behind my cabin. Even though I’ve had my reservations, it feels natural being with them. I concentrate on the roughness of their hands, their scent, and the peace that comes over me.

The natural sounds of the woods surround us, as does the crunch of the path of our feet. Everything is green and beautiful, and the closer we get to our destination, the pounding of the water rings out.

“I found this place shortly after the cabin was built.” I swing our arms slightly. “Sometimes, my mind is filled with noise. Being here quiets my thoughts. I don’t mind being alone. I love my family, but they can be a lot, and it’s tiring to put on the mask I sometimes wear.”

“Why do you wear the mask?” King asks, lifting my hand when I hop over a fallen tree.

“It’s expected,” I say. “I’m the bubbly one. The one who lifts the mood.”

“You don’t have to be that way with us,” Mav says.

“I am beginning to believe that,” I whisper. We come to a stop by the stream and waterfall. “This is my favorite spot.” I pull on them, urging them closer. I stop under the huge tree hanging over the water’s edge. I let go of their hands, sit, and stretch out on the grass underneath it. I smile up at them. “Join me,” I encourage, and they drop beside me. “I love listening to the water.”

“It reminds me of our land,” King says, lying on my right, his arm pillowing his head. “I hate listening to the noise of vehicles and people in town.”

“It’s quiet,” Mav says on my left. “Except Mom.”

“I’m nervous,” I admit.

“You have no reason to be,” King says, turning to his side. “She’s going to love you.”

“I’ve never met someone’s mom.” I stare into his eyes. “Someone who matters.”

“You will matter to her,” he says, brushing my hair behind my ear.

“I hope so.” I yearn for a mother-daughter relationship. Maddy was taken too soon. “She loves you both so much, so I want her to approve.” I get lost in his light eyes and the need he shows in them.

“She already does,” he says, sliding his hand over my waist. The heat flares at his touch and they can smell my need. I can picture us together, naked, making love on the edge of the water. “Do you need something, Firefly?” he asks. His instinct is to relieve it, and fuck, I want him to.

“Yes,” I rasp.

He slowly leans in, kissing me lightly. I close my eyes and sink into the kiss as I feel Mav pressing against my other side. I love being close to them, even for just a kiss. King urges me to open my mouth, and I welcome him. He swirls his tongue with mine, again and again, before pulling back. My body tingles with anticipation. Mav nudges my chin with his finger, and I eagerly give him my lips.

King’s hand pops the button of my jeans, and that’s when it happens.

Maybe it was because I planned to tell them what happened in the Games. Or perhaps it’s because we are lying in the grass, in a similar place.

The man’s face flashes in my mind, and I flinch. “Collar,” I gasp. I squeeze my eyes tight, and they pull away quickly. “Please, collar,” I repeat, covering my eyes. My breath is stuck in my throat, and I hear my heart pounding in my ears. My mouth is dry, and a sheen of sweat covers my skin. The air hits the moisture, causing a shiver of dread to race over me. The man reached roughly for the button of my pants, and I was frozen in fear. All I could do was stare as he lowered my zipper.

“Saphira,” King growls. “Open your eyes. We aren’t touching you anymore. You’re safe.”

“We won’t touch you again,” Mav says. “Look at us. Fuck, King.”

“Stay calm,” King tells him. “Firefly, it’s alright.”

I lower my hands and slowly open my eyes to see them crouched at my feet, their hands held up. “King,” I swallow. “Mav.”

“Yeah, baby,” Mav says. “We never want to scare you. We wouldn’t on purpose. Do you want to talk about it?”

“Shit,” I say, licking my lips. I push up and lean against the tree.

“Take your time,” King says, and I let out a harsh breath.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, looking between them.

“Fuck, baby, you don’t need to be sorry,” Mav says, lowering his hands and sitting.

“That is the reason you have a word.” King mimics his brother. “Anytime you feel afraid or unsure, you use it.”

“It’s silly.” I hug my thighs to my chest. “You weren’t doing anything wrong.”

“It was wrong if it caused you to be uncomfortable,” King says. “What caused your reaction? We don’t want to make the same mistake again.”

“It was because of the button,” I say.

“Can you explain?” Mav asks.

“I brought you out here to tell you about something,” I admit. “It’s hard for me to talk about. Will you listen?”

“Of course,” King says.

“You can tell us anything,” Mav says. I stare at the waterfall, dreading going back to that time but knowing I need to if I want to move on.

“I loved living and traveling with Maddy and Micah, but I missed my brothers. Bishop and I would pick a place to meet. I was a teenager, but I was mature. I had seen the world, and lived in the magic of it, so they didn’t worry if I traveled by myself. They taught me how to defend myself, and I had my dragon fire. What could go wrong?” I glance at them quickly and away. “We picked a field in the middle of nowhere since we liked to shift and fly together. I was so excited to see him,” I smile. “He was a great brother. We planned to track down Laken and demand he come back to us. Laken was on a mission to kill the men who murdered our parents and refused to live with us and put us in danger. I understand, but we missed having him around. I thought we would be stronger together.

“Bishop got there minutes after I did, but it was too late. It was dark, but we planned it that way. I didn’t pay attention to my surroundings, so eager for our reunion, and there were men hiding in the forest. It was my fault. I should have known we were not alone. Bishop had been denying his dragon gifts. He was living without relying on them, suppressing them for years.” I swallow harshly and look at them. “I hadn’t. I practiced every day. As I saw Bishop appear at the edge of the field, several men ran at me, and I was confused. They surprised me enough that they were able to shock me with some kind of prod. The electricity, combined with the suddenness, caused me to drop to the ground.”

“What the fuck?” King snarls, his eyes turning pure gold. His dragon is reacting.

“I remember the anger and distress on Bishop’s face as he ran toward me before my eyes closed.” I tear my eyes away and look down at my knees. “I woke up in a cage. Did you hear about the Games?”

“Yes,” Mav answers.

“I was a participant in the first Games. River, the wolf shifter you met, was there. His uncle was the man who started and developed the operation. River was the first they tried their sick games on. He started them again months ago and kidnapped Ava, River’s mate, to try to get to him.”

“Shit, that was talked about throughout our world,” Mav says. “We didn’t know about the previous Games.”

“Not many people do,” I say, resting my cheek on my knee. “I met River the next day. He was in a cage three cages down. I woke up with a collar on my neck.”

“What did it do?” Kings asks.

“It would shock the shit out of you if you tried to escape or fight back. I tried to stay calm because when I looked beside me, Bishop’s expression was distraught. I don’t know what happened while I was passed out, but they got him, too.”

“He’s never told you?” Mav asks, and I raise my head.

“No. In my gut, I know he could have gotten away. He could have run, but he would never leave me. I think he let himself get captured for me. So, I tried to be brave and calm. On the inside, I was terrified,” I whisper.

“Of course you were,” King growls. “Anyone would be.”

“Maybe,” I mutter. “The Hunters would chase us through the woods for sport. It was less organized than the second time, which was good in some aspects. They would let us out together most of the time, so we had an opportunity to work together. Yet, they were more unpredictable. They weren’t very scared of River’s uncle. He was experimenting with it and didn’t have the power or screening process for the men who paid to attend.”

“What would they do if they caught you?” Mav asks.

“Whatever they wanted,” I exhale harshly.