Dark Storm (Dark #23)(63)
Author: Christine Feehan

Dax stepped back, taking Riley’s hand. "Be safe, all of you. If you call to me, I’ll hear you, but I may be too far away to give much aid," he warned.

Jubal gave him a small salute. "Just get us those flowers. We’ll handle this."

"Don’t be cocky, Jubal," Dax said. "Mitro is unlike any vampire you’ve come across. I’m a skilled hunter. Even while tracking Mitro, I executed many vampires, none of whom held anything close to Mitro’s power."

"Believe me, Dax," Jubal assured. "When it comes to vampires, I’m always ready to pass on them. Any of them, let alone this one. I’ve seen what he does. I have no desire to meet him, especially without you to back me up."

Dax nodded his head and turned abruptly, as was his way. He was still a little uncomfortable in the presence of so many people, but he liked both Jubal and Gary. They both were men of integrity and they’d fight with him if needed. He read their determination to protect Riley. They also understood the lifemate bond. Riley didn’t fully comprehend yet, but she was willing to try with him and he couldn’t ask for more.

He tugged on Riley’s hand, bringing her under his shoulder. "So are you ready to be a dragonrider?"

Riley’s impossibly long lashes lifted and her eyes met his. His breath caught in his lungs. Her eyes glowed at him with excitement. Her cheeks were flushed beneath her flawless skin. She looked more beautiful than ever.

"I can’t wait, although I’ll admit I’m a little afraid. You’ll talk to me the entire time?"

That was his lifemate, ready to meet each adventure head-on. He brought her knuckles to his mouth and nibbled gently. "I’ll be with you. The Old One regards you as his family. He won’t allow anything to happen to you, either. You’ll be safe."

"I know." Riley made it a statement.

Dax walked with her beneath the protection of his shoulder, her hand pressed against his heart while he took her away from the camp and the prying eyes of the others-especially Weston, who had no idea he was placing himself in danger every time he turned his leering, all too hungry gaze on Riley.

Her body moved like liquid grace against his. Flowing. Sensual. The taste of her was still in his mouth. His pulse leapt at the close proximity. He had always known the lifemate pull was strong, he’d witnessed that powerful force between couples, but he hadn’t expected the need to be so intense. Still, he was determined that Riley make her own choice. He wanted her to save him because, to her, he was worth saving.

Once they were out of sight of the others, he lifted her in his arms and took to the sky. He needed a large clearing where the dragon could take off and land. He could feel Riley’s excitement, the faint trembling of her body, the shimmer of anticipation running through her, and found himself smiling. He couldn’t remember experiencing shapeshifting for the first time, or flying, or just being happy. Now that he was with her, he was learning all over again to laugh, to feel. He really was just as genuinely excited for her as she was.

She turned her face up to the wind and laughed out loud. The sound resonated through his body. He could feel the Old One stirring as well. Her laughter was so contagious, that not only was he affected, but so was the dragon. Setting her gently in the tree line at the edge of a meadow, he strode into the center of the large field.

At once he felt the Old One stretch deep inside of him. Strangely, this time, instead of feeling apart from the dragon, he felt a part of him, feeling the intense emotions much more vividly than before. Dax wasn’t certain if it was because Riley had restored his own emotions to him, or if he was merging with the dragon to the point they were becoming one and the same. He knew once he made his claim on Riley and said the ritual bonding words, their two souls would be forged together. Could that be happening with the Old One?

None of that mattered. Riley was waiting, and he couldn’t wait to share the experience of flying a dragon with her. She could barely contain her excitement, jumping from one foot to the other like a small child. Her eyes shone and her face was flushed. Her lips were slightly parted, an invitation he forced himself to resist. Once they were alone on the mountain, among the field of night star flowers, he would take advantage, but not now, not while she was waiting and anticipating. He wanted to give her this gift.

It is a gift, she said softly, her voice filling his mind with-her.

She had a way of pouring into him like warm honey. She gave him a feeling of joy, and he’d never known what that was before. She admired him, respected him, and thought him beautiful and extraordinary. Now that he’d found his lifemate she would know his heart’s desire and would always be aware of his every mood.

I feel the same way. Her voice was shy. It’s nice to know I’ll always have someone who’ll defend me.

You have both of us, Dax assured. The Old One and me. He’s a part of us, and you’re his family now. Like me, he’ll defend you with his life. It was important to him that no matter what happened, how bad things got, she would never have to face any danger alone.

He summoned the Old One, sinking his spirit deep to allow the other freedom. The dragon would have been reluctant to emerge had it not been for the fun of allowing Riley her first dragon ride. His time was long past, and he’d spent centuries content with hibernation in the warmth of the volcano.

Riley held her breath as Dax shimmered into transparency so that she could actually see through him, and then he disappeared altogether. Red and gold flakes sparkled in the moonlight, floating toward the ground all around where he’d been standing. She thought of Dax like that, moonlight and flame, fire and ice, glittering gold and fiery red. He was beautiful. His heart was beautiful. His soul.

Someone else stirred in her mind and for a moment she tensed, looking around her, but the feeling was far too familiar. Too much like Dax.

Our soul. The voice was matter-of-fact. Ancient. Modern. Timeless. A hint of humor crept into her mind.

I see you can still speak, Old One, Dax said. And you prefer to do so with Riley.

Now she felt the dragon’s laughter vibrating through her mind. He was very amused at Dax’s expense.

She loved that Dax found the entire thing as amusing as she did. Nothing ever seemed to ruffle him, and in truth, they were all three very connected.

He is the strong silent type until he gets in a fight and then all thought process goes out the window, Dax informed her.

Riley laughed, the sound taking wing in the night sky. She loved to hear Dax sound so carefree. All he’d known was duty, and, although he was determined to find and destroy Mitro, he took time with her to enjoy the moments they shared together.

The dragon shimmered into solidity. Huge, his great bulk settled, giant wings outspread and fanning, creating wind. Riley clasped her hands together and pressed them hard against her fluttering stomach. The Old One craned his long neck toward her, and even though she was still partially in the trees lining the meadow, his wedge-shaped head nearly touched her. He stared down at her with his opalescent eyes-eyes as multifaceted as Dax’s, although where Dax had a volcano’s flame flickering behind the gemstones, the dragon’s eyes appeared golden in color.