Page 50 of The Dragon King’s Claw (The Dragons of Serai #17)

I opened my mouth just as the carriage came to a stop.

I would have worried about a knight opening the door, but then that essence hit my tongue, and I couldn't think about anything beyond Tor'rien.

He came in my mouth, over my face, and down my throat before he lifted my legs and set them on the benches, wide apart.

A tearing sound came as he ripped a back cushion off the wall and shoved it under my hips.

And then he was inside me again, moving steadily. His hand went to my cock.

With the feeling of his warm grip, my hips instantly arched off the cushion, and I shouted in bliss.

Spurts of cum fountained forth, dripping down my belly.

I didn't care. My head rolled in wild joy and rapture.

My whole body seemed to gyrate through it.

With the feel of Tor inside me in multiple ways, my orgasm became a climbing thing that eventually took flight.

I couldn't feel what was beneath me for a few wild moments, and then I was back beneath him.

Other sounds started to seep into my awareness—movement around the carriage.

The horses were being led away. People were drawing back.

I smiled to myself, imagining the King's carriage in the middle of the courtyard with his knights forming a ring around it to keep us safe.

Us and everyone else. Dragons would know what was happening inside.

And they'd know how volatile their king would be if someone dared to disturb him.

Because of me.

I shouldn't have felt giddy about that, but it was hard not to with him turning me over to cover me in more of his essence.

Lying there, recovering so I could join him in what would be a second round for me but a continuing of the first for him, I pondered on how much my life had changed and how much more it would change very soon. And how unafraid of it I was.

Because of him.

I looked over my shoulder at Tor'rien, and he met my stare. That connection broke through the beast's hold, and he gave one last grunt, one last release before falling on top of me. He rolled us at the last moment so that we both lay on our sides.

I started laughing again. This time, he joined me.

I turned in his arms to face him. “Did you just mate me in a carriage?”

“I did.” Tor'rien nuzzled my nose. “And I haven't finished yet.”

“I seem to remember you refusing to have sex with me in a carriage.”

“That was our first time.”

“And this is our mating.”

“Yes.” He chuckled. “If I'd known it was our mating, I would have waited until we were in our apartments.”

“Our apartments?”

“Yes. This is your home now too, Tekhan.”

“Call me Tek.” I kissed his cheek. “Do you think we'll be able to make it to your apartments now?”

He growled and bit my lower lip. “Doubtful.”

“All right.”

“No protests?”

“I'm rather enjoying this.” I slipped out of his embrace to lift a little corner of the curtain and peer out the window. It was indeed as I thought. “Your knights are guarding us. There's a good fifty feet between us and them. The castle guards are very curious.”

“I'm sure they'll figure it out.” He pulled me back into his arms and kissed me.

After a few seconds of that, I felt him hardening against my thigh. I jerked away and lifted my brows. “Already?”

“Don't worry. You'll soon have my immortality boosting yours. You won't tire.”

“I wasn't worried. Just excited.”

“Ah.” His gaze lowered to my lips. “And thirsty?”

I paused.

Tor'rien cocked his head. “What is it?”

I thought to question him about the rumors that Dragons could sense things about their mates.

Because if he could, he might be able to sense that I could control him after taking his blood.

But I reconsidered the question. It would alert him to my deception.

If I confessed after that, he'd assume I only did so because I had to.

Better to just tell him now and pray that our mating bond would keep him from doing anything to hurt my people.

“I have to tell you something. Before you give me blood again.”

Tor'rien's stare shifted over my face. “What is it?”

“You must promise me that you will never tell anyone else about this. The survival of my race depends on it.”

He sat up and then helped me up. “Tekhan, I would never hurt you or your people. Tell me. Now.”

I hesitated.

“Is this part of the reason you were reluctant to be with me?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

Tor nodded and took my hand. “You can trust me. Especially now.”

“The blood . . . when an Eljaffna takes blood from someone who isn't of our race, we can temporarily control them.”

“You can what ?”

“Control them.”

“How?”

I shrugged. “I don't know how it works.”

“No, I mean, in what way can you control them?”

“First, know that I never used your blood to control you. I never tried. Not once.”

“I know.”

I blinked. “You know?”

“Yes. I imagine I would have sensed it.”

“No, you wouldn't have. You would have thought every command I gave you came from your mind—that it was your idea.”

“Even if you spoke it to me?”

“I wouldn't have to speak it to you. The connection is through the blood. I would have controlled you through that connection.” I grimaced. “I wondered if maybe I had summoned you when you showed up to save me from those dream dealers.”

I saw the moment he worked it out. My mention of those Eljaffna probably helped. His expression went from ponderous to blank and then to amazed. I prepared for the worst, but he surprised me again.

“That's why they tortured you!” Tor exclaimed. “That's the influence they wanted you to use over me!”

“Yes.”

“And you refused.”

“Of course.”

“Tekhan,” he whispered and cupped my cheek. “The Goddess has done well by me. I'm very lucky.”

“Why do you say that? You have a mate who needs blood. You either have to feed me yourself and risk me controlling you or you must deal with me—”

“Don't say it!” Tor hurried to cut me off. “I can't hear that right now. You'll rouse my beast.”

“Oh. Yes. Of course.”

“And I believe I'm lucky because even while tortured, you remained true to me.

You wouldn't control me, not even to save yourself.

And that was before you loved me. Now, I'm absolutely assured of your loyalty.

You're practically a Dragon. Technically, once my dread accepts you, you will be a Dragon.”

“You . . . you're not upset? Afraid?”

“I'm blessed by the Gods. Why would that upset me?”

“I love you,” I whispered.

The Dragon King grinned. “I know.”

Grimacing, I pushed at him and started to get up.

He yanked me back down and pulled me beneath him. “That conversation took all of my control. I need you again, Mate.”

“Then say it.”

“I love you.”

With a big grin, I spread my legs, bracing a foot on each bench. “Then finish claiming me, Mate.”

“Oh, I won't finish this for several days.”

“I know. I'm looking forward to it.” I pulled him into a kiss.