ENCHANTED WORLD SERIES BOOK 3: THE DRAGON'S KEEPER

Maya groaned inwards as she opened her drapes and discovered it was raining outside. She had planned to get out and do something, staying out of Drake’s hair because she felt as though she was getting into his nerves. Her heart sank and tears burnt behind her eyes when she recalled how he chased her out of his room last night. She was so drawn to him and by far he was the only one who could chase away the nightmares. In the beginning when she ran into his room it was to seek out comfort but when he kissed her again, she couldn’t resist. The fires in her raged, wanting him with an intensity that terrified her. It was not natural to want someone like the way she wanted him. She could tell that he felt the same because she tasted it in his kiss and felt it in his touch. Every part that he touched throbbed with an ache that she couldn’t describe. She didn’t want him to stop because all she could think about was how great he felt around her. Every part of him was assaulting her senses; from the way his mouth fed off hers to the way his arms tightened around her and how his fingers caressed her to finally the way his breath rasped against her skin.

Maya fought away the shiver as her body stirred awake with the memories. She rubbed her arms and moved away from the window. Could she bare to see him again after what transpired between them last night? She remembered he told her that he wanted her to meet a certain couple but Maya couldn’t see herself standing in front of him without feeling devastated about last night. When he barked for her to leave, Maya felt cold and lonely even though they were in the same room. She felt unworthy being in his presence. This was several seconds after she felt him trying to push inside her.

She was momentarily dazed by his command because she thoroughly believed he felt the same for her and that she was ready to lose her virginity to him. The shock in his eyes got her defensive. Was it because she had never been with a man that disgusted him? She did hear of men who preferred women who had been with other men because these men lacked the patience for virgins. Was Drake the same?

A hot tear ran down her cheek and she wiped it away angrily. Why was she crying for something that had already happened? At least she knew what to expect from him, so she didn’t have to deal with it again. The more she thought of it, the angrier she became.

There was a short knock on the door before Karlie entered and bobbed lightly.

“Good morning, Maya.” She beamed.

Maya quickly turned away not wanting the woman to see her tears and tried to sound cheerful. “Good morning, Karlie.”

Karlie frowned lightly and asked. “Are you alright, Miss?”

Maya turned to her and smiled softly. “I am fine—and what did I tell you about calling me Miss?”

Karlie’s cheeks turned red as her hand flew to her lips. “I am sorry but I find it a little uncomfortable calling you by your first name.”

“Well, get used to it.” Maya sighed softly.

Karlie nodded though she still looked uneasy. “Alright, I will try my best. I came to tell you that you are having breakfast in the sun room today with the Commander’s guests.”

Maya’s face paled as she thought about appearing in front of others at the raw state that she was in. “What?”

“Are you ill, Miss—Maya?” Karlie peered at her warily.

Suddenly Maya felt like she really was ill. She settled back on her bed and touched her heaving stomach. “Yes, I feel a little sick at the moment.”

“Ooh!” Karlie rushed across the room and touched her forehead. “It must be fever of some sort. You have been in and out of the infirmary like nothing before! I don’t think the enchanted world likes you so much. Why don’t you jump back in your bed and I’ll get you something to help you with your stomach?”

Now that everyone learnt that she knew of the enchanted world, no one cared to hide anything from her. They talked to her more freely.

Maya sighed and stood up. “No. I will go down for breakfast.” She needed to get it out of her system before she lost her marbles completely. She was going to go through the breakfast without breaking down. She took in a deep breath and turned to Karlie. “Let’s go.”

Karlie nodded though she still had concern written on her face.

Maya and Karlie made their way out of the room and down the stairs. The entire house was quiet with several guards and helpers loitering about. The closer they got to the dining room the heavier Maya’s heart became.

Finally they reached the room and Maya could hear muffled voices behind the closed doors. She took a deep breath before Karlie opened the doors and let her enter. When she entered, every eye turned towards her. She scanned the room taking in the four men who stood up the moment she entered and two women who were still seated. Her attention was momentarily snared by the large man with piercing eyes and tattoos around his neck and down his arms. He wore a sleeveless t-shirt so his carefully crafted tattoos were out for everyone to see. He gave a soft grunt and a wicked smile spread on his lips as his eyes went up and down her body. Maya felt naked to his gaze and quickly turned to the woman sitting beside him. Her eyes held a secret smile as she unconsciously rubbed the man’s arm lightly. The woman with chestnut tresses down her shoulders watched her pensively and she too had a smile gleaming in her eyes. Another bulky man stood next to Feror. His brown skin glowed with vitality and he too had tattoos peeking from his black muscle top but they were not as intense as the first man’s. Feror quickly winked at her and grinned.

Maya stiffened as her eyes turned to Drake’s. “Good morning.”

They all greeted her back but Maya was momentarily struck dumb by the hunger smouldering in Drake’s eyes. Seriously, that man was confusing her! She thought in frustration.

“So,” The first bulky man eased back on his chair and the others followed. “You are the female they call Maya?”

She watched as his fingers tangled themselves in the woman’s blonde locks and her stomach clenched. She didn’t know why but she too longed for that sort of affection for someone. Her eyes instinctively turned to Drake who had forgotten his coffee and was staring shamelessly at her, his hunger for her clear as day.

“Yes.” Maya stuttered as Feror reached beside her and poured a cup of coffee for her. He then pushed a plate of fruits then settled back and watched her intensely.

“I am Tegan and this is my mate—my wife in your language—Sophia and my sister Leanor. This is Magnus, my close friend and a great healer—a doctor to you.”

Maya smiled softly. “Nice to meet you all. Are you all Dragons like Drake?” She couldn’t help but wonder.

They chuckled softly but Tegan barked a laughter out loudly. “I wish!” He said. “I’m no serpent, sweetheart. Reptiles give me the creeps.”

Feror chuckled softly.

“He is a pony.” Drake answered softly and Maya’s eyebrows arched up in surprise.

How could that big and dangerous-looking man be a pony?

“Centaur.” Tegan placed his hands on the table and eyed Drake maliciously. “We are centaurs like Feror.”

Maya’s eyes widened as she turned to Feror. “You are a centaur? Like the half man half horse with hooves and stuff sort of centaur?”

Feror cringed at her definition of him but nodded. “Yes.”

“Cool...” She breathed in softly.

“It is cooler when we call for the change.” Feror wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Colour painted Maya’s cheeks but she loved Feror’s carefree personality. He was easier to get along with than Drake yet she was more attuned to Drake and at that moment she felt his frustration beating at her like a second heart.

“I am sorry to hear about your amnesia.” Sophia’s voice chimed in and she smiled sweetly.

Maya envied the woman’s hair. It looked radiant and...and it was hiding what looked like a tattoo on her neck. Like husband, like wife. Maya thought. She pursed her lips and looked down at her cup. “I am beginning to remember a few things from back home like my friends, my grandmother and the accident.”

Sophia’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You remember your accident and how you ended up here?”

“Not really, just seeing myself falling from a plane then catching fire...and that’s it.” Her hand unconsciously sought out the place on her chest.

Everyone turned to Drake whose mood was foul suddenly.

“You don’t say...” Tegan muttered knowingly.

“You might have crossed a gateway during your accident. It could be the reason why you didn’t burn to your death.” Sophia thought loudly. “I had a different experience though...” Her face brightened as she turned to Tegan.

“Uh?” Maya asked looking at the woman.

Sophia grinned. “I am human too—like you.”

Maya’s mouth fell open as she eyed the woman with brand new eyes. “But how?”

Sophia shrugged. “Everything has a way of solving itself I guess.”

“You should have seen her face when she discovered she was no longer in the human realm!” Leanor’s voice was finally heard as she laughed.

“But I am—was a scientist so discovering this new world was scary and exciting at the same time. It is too bad that I can’t share what I have discovered here with the human world. Diseases, infections and cancers would have been a thing of the past. It’s a shame that everything loses its abilities when you cross it over to the human world.” She said sadly. “You see, our world can not handle anything enchanted. It disintegrates the moment it crosses over; plants rocks and small animals.”

“How did you cross over?” Maya asked.

Sophia breathed in hard and said, “Me and a few colleagues of mine were conducting a research in the Amazon forest in South America after we caught on with the rumours that a mysterious creature was spotted by the natives. We were what you would call myth busters because we believed that everything had an explanation and logic. My first thought of the creature was a mutation of some sort. That sort of thing occurs all the time—just give the embryo the right conditions at the right time and it could turn out something entirely different.

Sophia sighed, her fingers linking with Tegan’s and continued. “So, we went down there and for the first week we got nothing. There were no radiation readings, the waters and plants didn’t have any substances that could prompt the mutation—everything was just normal. We had almost given up until one night when we were packing up to leave when suddenly I saw these ambers eyes glowing in the bushes, watching intelligently and cunningly at what we did. The moment they saw me, they disappeared and I heard ruffling in the bushes. I took a torch and followed whatever it was deep in the forest. My best guess was it could be one of the many cats in the jungle.

“Every once in a while I caught sight of it hopping from one bush to the other and leading me further away from my colleagues but I didn’t think of how much distance I was covering and how dangerous it was for me. Finally, the creature hopped into a clearing and basked in the moonlight beams shining from the sky. That was when I realised it was not a normal cat. It looked at me, moving backwards as if wanting me to follow it. I had never seen anything like it!The sheer size of it was beyond me. I was so excited and terrified at the same time! I couldn’t believe that the rumours were finally true and I had been waiting for such a break for a long time.

“Suddenly the cat stood on his hind legs and his body took form of a man!”

Leanor chuckled but Maya was too drawn to the story to pay attention to anyone else. Her heart was hammering in her chest.

“The fur rippled away and human skin took its place. He was incredible! I remember him telling me that if I wanted answers then I should follow him. Of course I wanted answers! A living-breathing mythical creature was right in front of me and the scientist in me urged me to follow him. He turned his back and went through what looked like a watery wall. I had no idea what was on the other side but I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity and so I went through coming out to a world similar to ours yet different. I felt the difference in the air, in the sounds and in the surroundings. And now, here I am.”

“Who was the cat?” Maya asked softly.

A sad expression appeared on Sophia’s face as looked up at Tegan then Magnus.

Now, it was Magnus’ turned to talk. “His name is Angelus and he is the clan leader of the Cheetah or the Duma race. The Duma race is a dying race of beasts and no one knows of the reason as to why. Angelus believed by bringing Sophia here, she would figure out why they were dying and their cubs barely saw two months.”

Maya felt her heart throb. “That’s terrible.”

Sophia nodded. “But I haven’t given up hope. I am still conducting a series of experiments for them. So far a handful of cubs were able to survive thanks to a new nutrient filled milk-alternative I created but the numbers are still not satisfactory and still haven’t pin-pointed the source of their dwindling numbers.”

“And how did you meet your mate?” Maya couldn’t help but steal a glance at Drake. He was tentatively listening to Sophia as well.

“The Duma live in the same highlands as us so they are under the Brotherhood’s protection from rogues and rebels.” Tegan said. “Rumours came to us that there was a human female living amongst the Duma conducting some sort of experiments. Our first thoughts were that we needed to protect the enchanted world secrets from the humans. The last thing we needed was a bunch of human scientists turning us into guinea pigs! But that wasn’t the case because the moment I laid my eyes on her when we got there, I knew she belonged here in this world with me.”

Again, Maya’s heart heaved as Sophia snuggled closer to her man. “You could imagine how terrified I was when I first saw him but something in me recognised him almost immediately. Tegan came in his human form and it was only until several weeks that he transformed in front of me. I think I passed out when that happened.” She laughed.

Maya smiled seeing the full acceptance glittering in her eyes. It didn’t matter to Sophia that Tegan was not human. The love they had for each other was unconditional and it radiated to the point that Maya felt its warmth surrounding her. But the smile slowly faded from her face. “Do you ever miss home? Your family? Can you ever go back?”

Sophia’s eyes turned to the table as she pensively pondered her questions. “I do miss home sometimes but I don’t think it is wise to go back for me because the time here is different from the time back home. Everyone must have thought me dead and I think it is an easier thing to deal with than seeing me again, still young since the ageing process here has reduced tremendously. So many questions would be buzzing in everyone’s head and the enchanted world would be under threat. It is something that had to sacrifice for the greater good. Besides, I have a new family now and it is all that matters.”

Maya bit her lower lip. She wanted to go back home and see her family and friends. She missed them terribly even though she couldn’t remember all of them.

“You have a new family here now.” Sophia’s voice filtered through her hazy thoughts. “This is where you belong.”

That didn’t settle well with Maya because she still couldn’t put aside the way Drake treated her last night. She didn’t want to be caught in a relationship with a man that was disgusted by her. Maya suddenly pushed her chair back and got up, making all the men get up after her again. “Please excuse me for a moment.”

“Maya...” Drake’s voice sounded wretched.

Maya ground her teeth to keep her tears at bay as she smiled softly. “It was nice meeting you all. Excuse me.” She turned on her heels and walked out.

“Go after her.” Tegan grimly turned to Drake.

Drake didn’t wait to be told twice as he got up and stalked after his mate. He saw the terror in her eyes when Sophia told her that it was better if she tried not going home. Maya hadn’t fully accepted being there because she didn’t enter their world willingly like Sophia. She was drawn into that world somehow so the feeling of not belonging there was great. Drake also didn’t make it any easier for her because although he tried to point out that they were mates, he didn’t treat her well. Last night, when he discovered she was virgin, his body went cold with fear. Being taken by the raging beast for the first time was not a pleasant thing. She had a fragilely structured body and it would not endure the onslaught of a beast, especially the largest beast of all; the dragon. Though Tegan had tried to reassure them that her body was not as fragile as he thought, Drake still had his doubts because he didn’t know any dragon that was mated to a human. It had never happened for the longest time that he was alive.

Another thing that worried Drake was when Tegan told him that something had happened to Sophia right after he claimed her. Her body underwent some changes that had her bedridden for several days. When Sophia finally got up, her ageing rate matched that of her mate and also her body was structured differently. Her human characteristics were enhanced to allow her to cope with life in the enchanted world.

“Maya!” He called to her as she made her way towards the door leading outside. “Wait!”

Her small shoulders stiffened as she stopped abruptly but she didn’t turn to him. She kept her eyes cast down to her feet.

“Maya, I need to explain this to you--”

“No, you don’t have to.” She said tightly. “I understand perfectly.”

“No you don’t.” Drake ground out in frustration. “Last night was not meant to happen like that.”

Maya turned to him, her eyes blazing and her mouth set in a tight line. “Let’s not talk about last night ever again. I don’t know why I thought it would have been different with you. I don’t know why I am so drawn to you! I can’t help it but I will not stand here and let you tear down the last thread of dignity I have in me.”

Drake was taken aback. “What are you saying?”

“I am going home, Drake! I don’t want to be here! I don’t want to be around you.” Tears thickened in her throat to the point that her breath came out in short bursts. Tears swam in her eyes as she backed away from him.

Drake’s body tightened and his heart clenched mercilessly in his chest as he watched his mate break down in front of him. “I will not let you go, Maya.” He drawled warningly.

“You have no choice. I have the last saying here because this is for me, not for you. I—I—need to get out of here before I go crazy! Stay away from me, Drake. It’s evident that you are disgusted by me but I will not let you humiliate me further in front of your friends! I will not have you strip me naked for everyone to see just how useless and helpless I am in your world!” She exclaimed.

Drake couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of Maya’s mouth. Was that what she thought he was doing? She thought he was disgusted by her and was purposely flaunting her in front of his friends because of it.

“That is not the case, Maya!” He found himself roaring. “How could you even think that? I sought out Tegan and Sophia because I know no one else who has had a human mate before. Maya, I am terrified of being your mate because I feel that I might hurt you and you will not survive it! Is it so wrong of me to try and protect you? Is it so wrong of me to consider your well-being knowing fully well how delicately structured your body is that it might not endure being taken by a pure-blood dragon?”

Maya’s tears ran down her cheeks as she yanked the door open and ran out into the rain. That was the wrong thing to do because Red took it as a challenge and took over. Drake’s body arched back and an ear-splitting shriek escaped his lips as his eyes changed and a subtle pattern of scales rippled on his skin.

Red, stay down! Drake commanded the dragon warningly but Red was far too gone to heed any of his keeper’s words.

Mine! He hissed as his wings ripped out from Drake’s back making him wince and groan in pain.

“Red!” Feror’s voice came through but Drake knew the dragon was not letting Maya go this time around. “Calm down boy!”

“Mine!” The hiss escaped Drake’s lips as he turned to the male and a fireball sizzled its way towards him.

Feror ducked and rolled away. Even the helpers and guards moved away from the raging half beast half man.

Red took the the sky, following the running female in front of him. Drake felt the stirring of his body and knew what was about to happen but he was helpless to do anything about it. He was at the mercy of his dragon.

Red caught up with Maya before she could get away, grasping her gently in his clawed arms. Maya yelped in surprise and turned. Her face paled when she saw him.

“R—Red?” She stuttered in surprise.

Again, Red rolled his head up and roared.

His roar was answered as two fully turned dragons that took to the sky behind him. Red recognised them; the marine blue coloured dragon was Ryuu and the emerald coloured one was Uther, another half-blood dragon in the army. Red turned to them, lazily floating in the air. Even in his half form, Red was still very intimidating. He snarled at the younger dragons and they stopped in mid-air.

Let the female go, Red. Ryuu’s voice filtered into Red’s head.

No and if you know what’s good for you, you will not follow me. Red snarled.

If you take the female in the state that you are, she will not survive it! Uther boomed.

The longer this is prolonged the more dangerous it gets for her. Red assured them.

Red--

Before Ryuu could add anything, Red reprimanded them with a hiss that a dominating dragon made to make the younger ones heel.

Both Ryuu and Uther cast their heads down and moved away. Red turned around leaving the two dragons and everyone else watching after them.

Red carried Maya deep into the forest. It was surprising that Maya wasn’t putting up a fight as if she too recognised how much danger she was in if she did. Her body was stiff against Red but she didn’t push away. Instead she kept her eyes down at the passing landscape.

Finally Red landed deep in the forest where very little light and rain penetrated the thick foliage. There was patches of light on the ground where the light seeped in but the rest was dim. The moment Red landed, Maya scrambled from him, putting distance between them. He could smell her fear in the air. It was like repellent mingling with the scent of wet soil and damp leaves, keeping him at bay but he was too far gone.

“Come here.” He hissed.

Maya took a step back holding up her trembling hand to ward him off. “No. If—if this should happen then I want Drake, not you.”

Red smirked. “My Keeper was merely prolonging the inevitable. We are of one body, one mind and one soul. I cannot survive without him just as how he cannot survive without me so whatever happens between me and you, mate, my keeper has full control of it.”

Maya swallowed visibly and Red’s eyes caught the undulating movement on her throat. A purr of longing escaped his lips. Her skin glowed in the light, beckoning him to her. All he wanted was to rip every offensive wet garment off her and just take her on the forest floor. They outlined everything for him.

“Bring Drake out!” Maya cried.

Red rolled his serpent eyes and sighed. When he took possession, he was more of the bad boy, the one who took actions first and asked questions later but deep inside him, he knew he couldn’t rob Drake’s right to his mate. “Fine but this happens here. Today! I protect my Keeper and whenever I feel him hesitate in his decisions I take over. The next time I take over, we will not talk much.” A wicked smiled appeared on his face as his violet pupils widened into those of man and the scales rippled away with the claws disappearing under Drake’s nails.

Drake was surprised Red gave up so easily. Under different circumstances, Red would have never let him out—not until the danger had passed.

Thank you, Red.

Don’t irritate me like that again, Keeper. Red droned.

“Drake?” Maya’s eyes glittered with hope and relief.

Drake nodded meekly. It was quite embarrassing that he let Red do what he did. Now, they were in the middle of the forest and Red was not going to let him leave until he claimed Maya.

“Oh God!” She exclaimed rubbing her arms up and down, quivering from the cold atmosphere now what she was thoroughly wet. “Your dragon is a psycho!” Drake caught the shudder that passed through her body. “Why didn’t you warn me that this could happen? How does it even happen? It’s like you have split personalities!”

Drake shrugged uncomfortably. He couldn’t explain co-existing with Red to someone but he was willing to try for Maya. “Red is my protector and I am his Keeper. He and I co-exist but we have one body, one soul and one mind. Whatever I feel, he feels and when the situation is dire he emerges to protect me.”

“He seems to have a mind of his own if he can take over whenever he feels you are not doing a good job.” Maya stated still offended by the way Red acted with her.

“He tends to be a little impulsive--” Maya arched her eyebrow at him and he sighed. “Fine, he is very impulsive but whatever he does is to make sure I am protected.”

Maya crossed her arms over her chest and shifted from one leg to the other nervously. “So, what happens now?”

“He will not let me leave until I claim you.” Drake said, his expression tormented.

Maya nodded. “He made that very clear—but you made it clear too; I disgust you.”

“You don’t disgust me!” Drake exclaimed running his hands through his wet hair. “I am terrified for you!”

Maya bit her lower lip and stuttered. “But Tegan and Sophia managed to mate.”

“Tegan is a centaur. I am a Dragon. Dragons are the largest and strongest beasts in the enchanted world.” Drake assured her.

Maya’s eyes skittered to his. She was nervous, frightened and frustrated at the same time. Drake could smell the raging hormones in her and it was only going to turn for the worse when the pain became physical. He saw it from Lady Lyrah when she tried to stay away from her mate and he didn’t want his mate to go through the same when he was around.

“We’ll take it slow.” Drake tried to give Maya a measure of comfort.

Maya gnawed her teeth on her lower lip, an action that tightened every muscle on Drake’s body. She didn’t know what she did to him. He was barely holding himself from bolting to her and tease that lip from her teeth with his.

“Will you reject me again?” She asked.

“I never rejected you, Maya. I was foolish for chasing you away like the way I did. I am sorry.”

Maya blinked away the tears that were glazing her eyes and pursed her lips. “Promise?” She whimpered softly holding up her pinky finger.

Drake grinned as he approached her. He hooked his pinky finger with hers and turned her so that she faced him, her body flushed against his. “Promise.” He tipped her chin and drew down then placed a kiss on her lips.

Maya’s eyes drifted closed as she moved closer to him, her small hands going around his waist. Drake threaded his fingers into Maya’s thick and wet hair, holding her head in place as he explored her mouth. She tasted heavenly, like milk and honey. Even her innocent scent wafted and teased each part of him. Drake’s entire body throbbed at the sensations that she made him feel. Most of them were new and very exciting. Her body was soft and pliant against his hard one. She fitted perfectly in his embrace and she was right where she belonged. Fiery desire licked his insides, setting fire to his blood and letting it flare right through to the very core of his being. Just a slight touch from her fingers and the fires within him erupted like the volcanoes of the dragon mountains. She had no idea what she did to him. It was a miracle he still had his sanity.

Drake fed of Maya’s mouth with an urgency that rivalled her own. Moans escaped her lips as her hands tightened around him, holding him closer and her body ground against his. Drake felt every bump and every valley on her body. Her nipples had budded tightly and were rubbing against his chest. Her stomach was clenched with her urgency and eyes glazed with undiluted desire. She tilted her head slightly to the side and gave him more access to her. Drake’s hands ran down to the zipper of her wet dress. He pushed it down and soon the back of her beautiful emerald green dress gaped open, revealing her enticing skin to him. Drake caressed the tight short sleeves from her shoulders down and the dress hung around her amply flared hips. Drake drew back and looked down at her full breasts cupped in her sexy bra while raindrops splotched against them and ran down into the valley in between. He breathed in and looked up at her.

“You are beautiful in every single way.”

She didn’t look convinced and was still as nervous as ever. “Even my C-cup and my big ass?”

Drake chuckled lightly and just to show emphasis his hands snaked down and pushed the dress down her hips, letting it pool around her ankles then his hands rested leisurely on her butt. “Especially your c-cup and your big ass.”

Maya stood on her tiptoes and placed a shy kiss on Drake’s lips, coaxing him to continue kissing her before she lost her courage and dash into the forest. Drake shed his shirt and felt the spikes down his spine unfurl in awareness. He hefted her off the ground, her legs automatically going around his waist as the kiss turned ferocious. Rain fell around them but they were oblivious to the current weather forecast. The only thing that they were thinking about was the desire they felt for each other. Drake placed his shirt against the tree to prevent Maya’s skin from being abraded by the bark. Maya anchored her warms of Drake’s shoulders as his lips created a fiery path down her neck to the centre of her breasts. He searched for the bra hook at the back and undid it, spilling Maya’s breasts for him to gorge on and devour. Drake slurped one chocolate brown nipple into his mouth and a purr escaped his lips. Red’s too echoed in his brain. Drake wanted to remain there forever because of the muffled cries that escaped Maya’s lips as he tantalised her body. His hand found the twin nipple and his thumb teased it.

“Oh Drake!” Maya cried suddenly and Drake’s body zinged with profound energy.

Her pelvis ground against his and her arousal infiltrated every part of him, maddening the beast in him with want.

Drake clamped Maya’s nipple lightly with his teeth and she took a sharp breath then purred and arched forward, trying as much as she could to get closer to him. Drake grazed his teeth lightly at the sensitive bud knowing fully well what sort of sensations it caused. Maya’s body tightened and clenched around him, her cries headier and louder.

Drake gave her other tight bud the same treatment before he unhooked her legs from his hips and trailed kisses down her flat stomach to the small dip of her navel.

Maya muffled a cry behind her fingers. She was feverish with pleasure. Everything that Drake did to her body made her so tightly wound that she thought she would break. She felt everywhere around her, fending off the chill that came with the rain. He assaulted her senses with his loving. He didn’t leave any place untouched. Finally she felt him grabbing her waist and pulling her away from the tree. She stiffened when she felt him peeling away her thong and placing kisses on the dark tuft of curly hairs shading her sex. She didn’t expect him to be down there. Now that she was thinking about, colour painted across her cheeks. She grabbed his shoulders to stop him.

“Drake, no!” She whimpered.

“Yes.” Drake rasped.

Before Maya could protest, Drake’s tongue had already snaked its way between the swollen folds of her sex to the bud of nerves that was raging like crazy. A hoarse cry of surprise and pleasure tore through Maya’s throat as she pushed closer to him. She felt his tongue slither down to her entrance and shuddered in pleasure.

“Just how long is your tongue?” She managed to passed between the shudders and looked down at him only to discover his tongue was that of a dragon’s; long and forked.

“God, Drake!” Maya whimpered feverishly grabbing her breasts tightly in her palms. “You have to stop doing things like that.”

Drake chuckled as his tongue slithered between her again. “I want you to feel more desire than you can ever imagine. I want you staggering by the time I am done with you.”

Maya was barely standing up straight. Her fingers instinctively kneaded her nipples, a tight knot of pleasure building up in her core.

Suddenly Drake lifted her left leg and hooked it on his shoulder giving him more access to her. He teased the bud of nerves, pulling in his mouth and sucking it until Maya saw nothing but stars blinking in front of her. All the while his fingers had found the entrance to her and were lazily caressing the sensitive lips around it.

Shivers streaked down Maya’s spine and rattled her body. She felt him push his thumb inside of her and her body greedily clenched around it.

A growl escaped his lips as he continued teasing her with his forked tongue.

“I can’t wait any longer, Maya.” he groaned, the timbre of his voice sending ripples down her skin.

“Then don’t.” Maya whispered, her thoughts hazy and her body tight.

Drake got up and shed his pants, his erection springing out in the dim light. Maya’s eyes widened when she saw it. She kept on chanting a mantra that Drake was not going to hurt her but fear still crept in and settled uncomfortably in her gut.

“Don’t look down there.” Drake framed her face with his palms and turned her attention towards his face. “Look at me—see the honesty in my eyes.”

Maya managed a light nod as Drake hooked her leg on his hip and she felt him sought out her entrance. She stiffened in his arms.

“Maya, relax for me. Please baby. Just relax for me.” Drake cooed to her nuzzling her face and neck. “The pain will be over before you know it.”

Maya’s hands gingerly went around Drake’s neck and she buried her head between his shoulder and neck. Drake held her head there and pushed deeper into her. A small whimper escaped her lips. There was a discomfort and burning around her entrance. Maybe he was too thick, she thought. Again, she felt him inch inside her and bit hard on her lower lip fighting away the tears that threatened to escape.

Finally Drake took a deep breath and rammed into her. A strangled cry escaped Maya’s lips but Drake drew her head back and muffled it with a kiss. He began to move inside of her, slowly as first so as to give her time to get used to his invasion.

The pain slowly gave way to a pleasure streaking up and down her spine leaving her legs rubbery and her mind hazy. Maya’s head lolled back as she let out a sigh of pleasure and relief. The rain kissed her face like the way Drake did.

The thrusts became harder and deeper, building up that tight knot of pleasure in her core. Maya tightened her hold on Drake’s neck, her moans growing louder and ragged around them. She was racing towards something that she didn’t know existed. She held onto that little spark of fire and let it flare into the inferno that threatened to burn her alive.

Drake growled and when Maya looked at him, she discovered that a fiery-like haze was radiating from his body. He was full of surprises so she wondered what was she into now. His eyes turned back to Red’s just as Maya splintered in his arms into shards of ecstasy! She cried out his name as the orgasm carried her to an unknown land where everything was peaceful and enchanting. It was not long until Drake threw his head back and roared as he too climaxed.

His body burst into a whirlwind of flames, licking against Maya’s skin. Maya yelped in terror. This was how her nightmare was.

Drake’s cried out in pain his body contorted. It was as if Red was fighting to rip right out of him. Fiery wings opened up behind him and Drake roared in pain.

“Drake!” Maya screamed as Drake collapsed in front of her.

The fiery wings flapped and a head emerged from Drake’s back. The fiery dragon ripped out of Drake’s body and hovered above the writhing man on the ground. Maya moved away from the dragon but he caught sight of her and reared his head back before he shrieked loudly then took to the sky.

It felt like time had stood still and Drake looked dead on the ground.

“Drake?” She called to him but he was deathly quiet.

The flapping of wings brought Maya’s attention back to the sky as the fiery serpent raced back down towards her. It changed into a ball of flames and streaked towards her. Maya’s scream echoed in the forest as the fireball entered her chest, engulfing her in a fire like no other.

Both Drake and Maya writhed on the wet forest ground, fiery veins glowing on their bodies. They were oblivious to the two Mage hovering above them. Shancy and Bryon landed beside the couple and while Shancy draped Maya in her cloak, Bryon did the same for Drake before carrying them back towards the royal residence