A Mate for the Dragon Read online

  Stefan bristled, but he forced himself to stay silent. He wanted to hear how Erik had been able to find them. If he didn’t know, then he couldn’t guard against it in future.

  At least, assuming that he managed to walk away from here at all.

  If I have to trade my life for Holly and Darklis, then so be it, he thought. Whatever I have to do to protect them, I’ll do it.

  “An interesting woman, your mother,” Erik continued, musing. “She did what she could. She hid her children from me – as well as whatever parts of the Novak hoard she could escape with. We found some of it hidden with your sister here. I added it to my own, of course. But the hoard still remains connected to itself, even when it’s separated into pieces. It wants to be whole. It calls to itself. And so, when you claimed your mate, as dragon ritual dictates…”

  Stefan’s heart dropped.

  If only I hadn’t had to claim her, he thought wretchedly. I should have known that claiming her and crowning her was too good to be true…

  A dragon was connected to its hoard. Erik had been able to sense where they were because part of his hoard had once belonged to the Novaks, and it had responded when he had claimed Holly.

  Somehow, Erik had been able to sense their location. He had no doubt, however, that there would be very few limits to the abilities of a dragon as powerful as Erik Lukich. And Erik was right in one sense: that Stefan was ignorant about many things to do with dragons. He’d simply been too young to have learned everything he needed to know when his mother had been forced to hide him.

  But he knew that no matter what, he had to make things right.

  “Let them free,” he said. “You’ve found me – and I’m the most senior dragon of the Novak Clan now. Darklis was only a child when this started, and Holly has nothing to do with it. Let them go. I’ll willingly submit to you, if you promise not to harm them.”

  “Stefan, no!”

  From the corner of his eye, he could see Holly struggling against the man who held her, but he knew it was useless. There was no way a human could overcome the strength of a fully-grown dragon.

  But he knew what he had to do. If he had any chance of saving them, he had to take it.

  “You know it’s reasonable, Erik,” Stefan continued. “You have no argument with them. It’s me you want.”

  For a long moment, Erik seemed to be thinking it over. “Well, I can’t say I’m not charmed by your offer of heroic self-sacrifice. But I’m afraid it’s just not good enough. No – not nearly good enough. Not for the ones who took my daughter from me.”

  Stefan sucked in a shocked breath, his eyes widening.

  Took his daughter? Is that what the blood feud has been about, all these years?

  He shook his head. He could scarcely believe that someone from the Novak Clan could have harmed another dragon without a reason. But the pain and fury in Erik’s voice couldn’t be denied.

  “I’m sorry for your daughter, Erik,” Stefan said, sincerely meaning it. He had always imagined that Erik Lukich was a monster, who had started the blood feud on some flimsy pretext or other – he had never known its true cause. But now he realized that perhaps he had been wrong. He was a grieving father.

  It didn’t excuse what he had done to Stefan’s family – to his clan – but Stefan was surprised to find the smallest seed of sympathy had wormed its way into his heart.

  “Truly, I’m sorry,” he said. “But please – this doesn’t need to go on any longer. There’s only me and Darklis left. Let her go. And let Holly go – she’s a human, and she has no part in this.”

  Stefan, please. Please. I’m not going anywhere without you.

  Holly’s voice in his head was clear. The strength of her emotion lent it a clarity and force it hadn’t had before. Stefan had to close his eyes as the feeling of her pain and fear swirled in his chest.

  Holly, please understand. This is my fault. I never should have dragged you into this. I’m the one who has to make it right.

  But if Stefan had held out even a small amount of hope that Erik would agree to exchange their lives for his, it was dashed as soon as he looked into Erik’s snarling face.

  “Didn’t you hear me?” he growled, his eyes glowing red. “I said no. None of you are walking away from here alive, as long as I’m the leader of the Lukich Clan. Do you hear me?”

  In the fearful silence that followed, the man holding Darklis’s arms shifted uneasily. “But Erik,” he said, his voice soft. “You told us we wouldn’t hurt the girl – she’s just a kid. She didn’t know anything about –”

  Hissing, Erik turned on him. “A blood feud is a blood feud! I promised I would wipe every last Novak from the face of the earth! And I intend to keep my word.”

  “No. You won’t.”

  Stefan’s voice was barely more than a low growl, but it caught everyone’s attention. His dragon had risen up inside his chest, breathing fire, filled with fury.

  Any fleeting sympathy he had had for Erik was now gone, swallowed up by the rage he felt. He had threatened his mate – and the only family he had left.

  He cannot be allowed to do this.

  “Erik, I will fight you if I have to, but you will not harm them.”

  Erik stared at him a moment, his eyes flaring red, before he laughed. “So be it, then. You’ll die first. And your sister and your mate after you.”

  Stefan gasped as a roar erupted from Erik’s mouth as he began to shift. Skin became green scales, his fingers lengthening into massive claws, as sharp and curved as sabers. His wings unfurled, stretching across the sky, and his teeth…

  Stefan! Stefan, you have to shift! Now!

  Holly’s desperate voice shook him out of the instinctive paralyzing fear he had slipped into when facing a dragon so much more powerful than himself.

  Gritting his teeth, he executed the fastest shift he had ever made in his life – and even then, he was still only just in time to leap back from the deadly snap of Erik’s jaws. Just an extra moment’s hesitation, and Erik’s teeth would have been sinking into his relatively fragile human form – and he would have been no more.

  Now, as a dragon, he reared back, roaring his rage and determination to protect what was his into the night sky.

  Erik Lukich, I challenge you – if you harm them, it will be over my dead body!

  Erik lowered himself onto his powerful forelegs, dragonfire licking up from between his teeth.

  Then so be it, he said, before lunging forward, eyes blazing.

  Chapter Twelve

  Holly

  Holly didn’t notice she’d forgotten to keep breathing until the burning sensation in her chest had almost overwhelmed her.

  She felt like she was trapped in a dream – no, in a nightmare.

  But a nightmare she knew she had no chance of waking up from anytime soon.

  No, no. Don’t think like that, she told herself. Stefan could beat Erik. She knew it in her soul. He’d protect her. She had no doubt whatsoever about that. Taking a deep breath, she tried to pour all her love and trust and belief in Stefan into the link between them.

  He would need it.

  She had thought that Stefan was a large dragon, but Erik was absolutely hulking. He was both larger and more heavily muscled, but if she had assumed that this might make him a slower target, she quickly realized she was mistaken. Despite his size, Erik Lukich moved with the swift grace of a cat.

  And Stefan has already had to fight one dragon today…

  Holly bit her lip, fear boiling in her belly.

  But she knew that if she doubted, or if she allowed herself to feel that everything was lost, Stefan might feel it through their mated bond. She couldn’t let him think she had lost faith in him.

  So instead, she drew herself up, ignoring the tight grip of Erik’s man around her upper arms.

  I believe in you, Stefan. I know you can do it. I know you can beat him!

  As if he had heard her, Stefan let out a mighty roar. Holly gasped, feeling the ground
beneath her shake with the power and fury of it. Then he launched himself forward, steel muscles coiled beneath his red scales, his wings spread wide.

  The sound of impact as Stefan threw himself bodily into Erik’s larger form made Holly catch her breath. She could scarcely believe what she was seeing was real: two massive dragons – real, winged, fire-breathing dragons – circling each other, snapping their jaws, and charging without warning.

  She didn’t know anything about how dragons fought, but it seemed to her that Stefan and Erik were sizing each other up, looking for weaknesses, testing each other’s strength and resolve.

  Stefan’s resolve was clear. Despite Erik’s larger size, he never backed down from his charges, snapping and clawing and fighting him off, forcing Erik back. Holly could see scratches, dripping with blood, on both their bodies.

  Erik growled, the sound seeming to rattle the stones on the ground. It was the only warning Stefan had before Erik launched himself forward again, claws flashing in the moonlight. Stefan was only just fast enough to avoid the charge, sweeping his wings up and propelling himself away, his jaws snapping at Erik’s neck.

  Both of them found their mark: Erik’s claws slashed at Stefan’s side, dislodging scales and opening wounds. Stefan’s mouth closed on Erik’s neck, his teeth tearing at the soft skin on its underside, blood dripping.

  Rearing back, Erik roared in pain, twisting in Stefan’s grip. His eyes blazed, and Holly saw the glow of dragonfire surging at his mouth.

  “Stefan!”

  Stefan released his grip and leapt back just in time – a moment later and he would have been scorched by the white-hot flame that erupted from Erik’s mouth. It poured from him like a wave, turning the stone of the driveway black beneath it. Stefan opened his wings, turning in mid-air to return the blast with one of his own, catching the side of Erik’s body in his flames.

  Snarling, Erik writhed away, body sinuous, wings flapping.

  Evidently, Stefan catching him in his fire had angered him, because there was nothing cautious or testing about his next charge. It was a full-on attack, furious and wild.

  Their bodies crashed against each other, twisting and turning in the air, jaws snapping, claws raking over each other’s bodies. Short puffs of fire spewed from their mouths, singeing and blackening their scales.

  Holly bit down on her lip so hard she tasted blood. She felt utterly helpless – what could she possibly do to help Stefan in this? There seemed to be nothing. Even if she wouldn’t have been killed with one snap of Erik’s jaws, she couldn’t shake herself free of his henchman’s grip. Dragons were strong even in their human forms, and his fingers dug into her upper arms like twin vises.

  You can believe in him.

  The voice suddenly flashed into her head, and after a moment Holly realized it was Darklis, speaking to her with her dragon’s psychic abilities.

  Dragons draw strength from their clans and families. Send him your strength! He’ll feel it. He’ll know. And it’ll help him. I can’t – we’re still shielded from each other. But you – you can do it.

  Quickly, she glanced over at Darklis, and found her looking at her steadily, her eyes fearful, but also full of hope.

  You can do it, she repeated, nodding slightly, encouraging her.

  Holly nodded back. I’ll try. I promise I’ll try.

  Gathering up all her strength, Holly gritted her teeth, sending her love for him through their bond.

  She had no idea how it would work – or whether it even would. There was still so much she didn’t understand about dragons.

  Stefan, know I believe in you. Know I love you. Know that I’m your mate, no matter what. You’re the only one I want. The only thing I need. And I know you can do this. I know it!

  Chapter Thirteen

  Stefan

  Stefan’s muscles burned with exertion.

  Exhaustion tore at him, sending pain shooting through every tendon, every sinew in his body. Erik was larger, more powerful, and weighed far more than he did – and he clearly intended to press every advantage to its fullest extent.

  It had become clear to Stefan early in the fight that Erik would use his superior weight to tire him out. He wasn’t looking for a fast, clean fight. He was happy to draw things out, to slowly wear Stefan down – and then, when he could fight no longer, to finish him off. He knew that Stefan had already fought Castel today, and had flown a long way to find Holly. Erik, by comparison, was fresh and rested, ready for a fight.

  But every time he felt himself slipping, Stefan remembered what he was fighting for.

  For Holly. For Darklis. This isn’t about me. This is about them.

  There was only one thought for him now: to protect his mate. He had to beat Erik, or she would be lost.

  But even as he knew this, Stefan felt fatigue tearing at his body. He couldn’t keep on fighting like this for much longer. He had to try to finish things quickly – but Erik was simply far too seasoned a fighter for that. He dodged every blast of flame, wrestled his way out of every grip Stefan tried to confine him with. Stefan had landed some devastating blows and managed to wound Erik with his claws and teeth – but that had often come at the cost of being wounded himself.

  He could feel himself growing weaker. But Erik still seemed just as strong as he had been at the beginning of the fight.

  But I’m fighting for my mate, Stefan reminded himself. My mate, and my clan. And that gives me strength.

  Just as he thought it, he felt a sudden warm surge of renewed power wash over him. The pain in his muscles eased. His aching wings felt light once more.

  It’s Holly, he realized with a jolt. She’s sending me strength through our bond.

  He and Darklis were shielded from each other, so Holly was the only possible source. The strength of her belief in him bolstered his resolve, his blood pumping in his veins. He knew he could keep going.

  Holly’s own strength supported him. If she had been a weaker person or had wavered in her resolve, he would have felt it – and then, he would have been lost. But there was no doubt, no hesitation here. Like a golden ribbon stretching between them, the mated bond surged with power and strength.

  It was what it was for. Mates could draw strength from one another, help one another, and protect one another.

  He could protect her in this fight – but she could protect him, too. The strength of mind and determination required to send him her power was extraordinary, especially for a human. To dragons it came somewhat naturally, though it was still difficult. But for Holly, who hadn’t even known dragons existed until yesterday, it was incredible.

  She believes in me. I can’t let her down.

  He promised her – and himself – that he never would.

  New power surging in his veins, Stefan roared, spreading his wings wide and propelling himself forward.

  He must have caught Erik off his guard, because the larger dragon twisted awkwardly in the air, exposing his soft belly to Stefan’s claws. Stefan wasted no time in slashing at him, making Erik roar in pain and fury. But then Erik collected himself, raking Stefan’s side and opening up a long wound in his flank.

  But Stefan didn’t loosen his grip. His claws still buried in Erik’s belly, he ducked his head before directing a blast of dragonfire at Erik’s wings. Erik had enough foresight to fold them away before they could catch the full blast, but his movement sent them both plummeting toward the stone driveway below.

  It was a gambit to try to make Stefan let go of him – if he didn’t, they would fall together, and falling from this height would grievously injure even dragons.

  Flapping his wings furiously, Stefan tried to keep them airborne, but it was no good.

  I’ll have to let go. I can’t keep us both in the air…

  He knew he was panicking. His mind was clouded by desperation and fear, and the knowledge that the ground was rushing toward him…

  Stefan, twist your body! Turn yourself so that he’s beneath you!

  The mes
sage from Holly was loud and clear, and all at once, Stefan knew what he had to do. He had very little time to execute the move, but Holly’s willpower gave him the determination he needed.

  Grunting with effort, he curled his wings, wrenching his body around so that Erik was positioned beneath him, his claws still lashing Stefan’s side.

  In the moment before impact, Stefan saw Erik’s eyes widen, as he suddenly realized what was happening. But it was too late – together, they collided with the ground with a sickening thud, Erik’s large body taking the brunt of the impact. Stone shattered beneath them, and the manor house shook on its foundations. Stefan heard one of the windows shatter, and parts of the front entrance shook loose, crashing to the ground. Erik’s men, standing on the front steps, were forced to leap out of the way as part of the house fell down around them.

  Holly…!

  I’m okay – don’t worry about me. Focus on Erik!

  Pain pulsed through Stefan’s side as he rolled away from Erik’s supine form. Despite the fact the larger dragon had absorbed most of the impact, Stefan had still felt his teeth rattling in his head as they landed. He felt slightly dazed, his joints jarred and aching.

  But however bad he felt, it was clear that Erik had come off far worse. The huge dragon lay in the crater that had been created on impact, eyes blinking, one wing trapped below his body and twisted at a strange angle.

  A broken wing, Stefan thought as he crouched, panting, trying to figure out if he had any broken bones himself.

  For a moment, he felt elation rising in his chest.

  Maybe he won’t get up. Maybe he’ll concede…

  But then, clearly drawing on the last of his strength, Erik began hauling himself to his feet, and Stefan’s hope died as quickly as it had risen.

  Don’t give up, Stefan – he’s badly injured. Please! Just hold on a little longer. He’s almost beaten…

  Lowering his head, Stefan drew sustenance from the bond once more. Holly’s strength was his strength. He could keep going.