Did all mated couples feel like this? Did they have the same overwhelming need whenever they were together?
But then Seraphina knew from experience that the other Arcadian Draki didn’t respond this way to their mates. In fact, the females of her tribe, even those already mated, had been drawn to Maxis in a way that had viciously pissed her off. Any time they thought they could get away with it, they’d cornered him and called it “curiosity” over the fact that he was Katagari and they’d never been that close to a Katagari Drakos before outside of battle, especially one in human form. They’d claimed they only wanted to see if there was any difference between his kind and male Arcadians.
It was that very thing that had led to their first real fight when she’d returned to her village from a hunt to find him gone. Her tent empty.
No sign that he’d been there at all. Something that was a viciously rude public slap in the face, as it was expected for mates to receive their warriors on their return. He should have been there with the rest of the males and children and elder villagers to celebrate as the returning war party rode in a parade to Nala’s tent. Since Seraphina was the queen’s champion, he was supposed to be waiting outside Nala’s tent to greet both her and Nala.
As her mate, his absence was well noted, especially since they’d left a space of honor for him to stand.
Instead of cheers, smirks, and snide innuendoes had greeted her.
A quick interrogation of her neighbors and she’d learned Maxis had left her village just after her raiding party had ridden out. No one had seen him since.
Angry and concerned, Seraphina had headed into the woods, with her tribe’s wild speculations about his activities ringing in her ears. Everything from he’d gone hunting humans, to he was practicing the black arts and conjuring foreign gods.
Because they were mates, she had no problem picking up his scent to track, even though it was days old. It was the same ability that had enabled her to locate him here in Sanctuary.
Unless Maxis blocked his scent and used his powers against her, Seraphina could find him with ease.
That was also the first and last time she’d seen him as a dragon.
Without thinking, she’d tracked him into a dark cave where he’d taken refuge to await her return. Because it was a full dragon’s den where he’d placed his own belongings without her knowledge, she hadn’t realized it was his.
Until that moment, she hadn’t given any thought to the fact that Maxis had come to their marriage with nothing more than the dragonslayer’s sword he’d taken from his brother’s killer, the clothes on his back, and the horse she’d given him as a wedding present.
As she’d stumbled upon the sleeping dragon, she’d unsheathed her sword, intending to kill the beast. His ears had twitched as he detected the subtle sound of metal scraping.
With the fierce rumble that said he was preparing to let loose fire, he’d opened his eyes and turned toward her with a vicious, feral growl. His deep blue scales had turned bright red – a battle color… then green as he focused his gaze on her and relaxed. He’d folded his wings down to lay against his back, and slid his tail beside his rear left foot – a dragon’s position of peace and acceptance.
“Sera?”
The shock and horror, as she realized this was what the gods had mated her to, had claimed her so fully that she really didn’t remember the next few minutes. Only that when she returned to her senses, Maxis was human and holding her against his chest as she sobbed violently. Something that wasn’t in her nature.
“I’m so sorry.” He’d kissed the tears on her cheeks as he sought to soothe her. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
Once the shock had worn off and her mind worked again, she glared at him.
He’s a dragon. A full-blooded, horrific dragon.
A dragon.
Yes, she knew how stupid that sounded. She’d known what he was.
But knowing and seeing…
It was so different.
He was one of those awful, murderous things that had brutally slain her entire family. Her mother and sisters. Without regard or mercy. One of the animals that held no care or concern for her people. Who preyed on them as if they were cattle.
As if they were nothing.
And as she’d glanced around the dark cavern and saw his trunks of treasure and lair – the things he valued – she’d realized that this was what he considered his home.
Not her tent. Not her tribe.
Not her.
This was his home. His den.
He’s an animal. The pile of straw on the floor attested to that. Straw like what her horse slept upon. No bed or pillow. Or blanket.
He even had a trough of water.
Disgusted, she’d shoved him away and risen to her feet as the brutal reality slapped her hard.
His expression shocked, he stood. “What’s wrong?”