Autumn stared down at Kruba, uncertain of her ability to land in the enclosed courtyard.

"Kirall?" She looked at her mate who was flying next to her.

"Let’s land between the turrets," he told her gently nudging her toward it. "It is where Razeth would have landed."

"He would have?"

"Yes, there is always a private landing space for the Keeper of the Lair."

"Keeper of the Lair?"

"It is what the one who infuses the Lair with its power is called. It is what you are now."

"I am?"

"Of course. You are Razeth's heir. His magic and power have recognized you and allowed us entry. I am but your mate.” His Dragon’s lips turned up as best they could in an attempt at a smile. It was something Dragon’s didn’t do. “Now feel the air currents and work with them."

Autumn nodded, and after several minutes and one failed attempt, her claws dug into the solid stone. Folding in her wings, she’d barely shifted into her Other form before she felt Kirall’s arms surround her, bracing her against the worst of the wind.

“Come, let's get you inside," he urged, moving her toward the archway on one side that concealed a massive door. He put his shoulder against it thinking he would need a great deal of force to open it. After all, it had been thousands of years since anyone had entered here. Instead, it opened as easily as if it had been used only yesterday. When she would have walked in, he pulled her back.

"What?" she asked, giving him a questioning look.

"Stay behind me."

"Why?"

"Because it is my job to protect you and we don't know what's in there."

"How could anything be in there? Razeth's protection is still intact. Didn't you feel how the boundary welcomed you?"

"Oh, I felt it alright."

The way he said it had her giving him a questioning look. "Why do you say it like that?"

"While it allowed me through, I wouldn't say it welcomed me." His jaw tightened as he remembered the jolt the boundary had given him. "I don't think it was very pleased that you arrived alone."

"Allowed? You talk as if the boundary is a living, thinking thing."

"In a way it is. It's an extension of you and reflects your thoughts and feelings."

"You mean because I was upset with you…"

"It let me know it. Hey!" He reached out, gently cupping her cheek. "I’m fine, and I deserved it."

"No, you didn't. Well, maybe a little," she gave him a slight smile as she tipped her head into his hand. "But I would never knowingly hurt you."

"I know, but you are right. The boundary wouldn't have allowed anyone else through, especially not with you sleeping so near its edge. So it's safe. Come on."

Autumn stepped in front of him as he gestured her forward and she entered her new home. The first thing she noticed was that there were two sets of clothing hanging from pegs on the wall. One held a beautiful, long-sleeved, emerald green gown and the other, buff-colored pants and a black shirt. On the floor below each outfit was footwear.

"It seems your Lair is providing for us," he told her and reached for the gown, helping her slip it on before turning for his own clothes. He wasn't surprised to find they fit perfectly.

"Providing for us?" she asked as she ran her hands along the form-fitting gown and enjoying the velvety feel of the fabric before lifting the hem to slide her feet into the matching slippers.

"It is said that if a Lair is especially pleased with its new Keeper, it will provide for him or, in this case, her. You. You know I don't think I've ever heard of a female being the Keeper of a Lair before. Not even among the Supremes." He pulled on the soft leather boots then straightening, he felt his heart stutter at the vision before him. The scooped neckline of the emerald gown was deep enough to show tantalizing hints of her cleavage before it flowed down to hug her lean frame. "Kur, you are beautiful. No wonder Kruba is so generous."

Autumn stilled at his words, her gaze going to his. What she saw had her breath catching. Kirall had been half dressed when she'd first met him, and since she'd made him her mate, none of his clothing had fit him properly. Now, because of the magic of Kruba, everything he wore fit his new size perfectly. The pants hugged his muscular thighs but weren't skin tight, while his boots encased his feet and calves but weren't restrictive. If she had a complaint, it was that the beautiful black shirt he wore covered up too much of the massive chest she had grown used to seeing, even though its laces were loose. Reaching out, she put a hand on that chest.

"I think you’re confused."

"Really?" he asked covering her hand with one of his. "What am I confused about?"

"That Kruba is my Lair. It isn't. It's ours, and maybe that's what has it so pleased. Because we’re here. A mated pair. It’s been a long time since Kruba has had that. Since before Razeth."

"My mate is as wise as she is beautiful,” he said leaning down to gently kiss her lips.

"Thank you," she said returning his kiss. "But I'm not."

"Not what?" he asked, still nibbling on her lips.

"Beautiful. I have scars, remember?"

Kirall's entire body tensed and when he jerked back, it wasn't just him that growled, displeased at her words. Lifting her until they were eye to eye, he spit out. "Your scars don't detract from your beauty. They add to it. And if I ever hear you talk about yourself that way again, I will take you over my knee and blister your ass."

Autumn's eyes widened surprised at his rage, then realized she shouldn't be. He'd said that to her before. Not that he'd blister her ass, but that he found her scars beautiful because they meant that she was a survivor, not someone who'd failed to protect those she loved.

"You didn't fail them," he told her and realized she hadn't known she'd spoken out loud. "You did everything a ten-year-old possibly could, even a Supreme."

"But…"

"No buts. You loved your family so much that you sacrificed yourself for them. That's what your scars show. Your love. That's why they're beautiful to me."

"I still have nightmares," she whispered.

"I know," he told her shifting his grip, so his arms enfolded her in comfort and love. "But I'm here for you. Whenever they come, you can turn to me. You aren't alone any longer, Autumn. You have me, and while I know you don't believe it right now, you have my family too."

"You're right. I don't believe that." She gave him a small smile. "But you do, and since I love and trust you, I'll keep an open mind. Now, shall we go see the rest of our home?"

 

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

 

Autumn couldn’t believe how beautiful Kruba was. The hallways were wide, and every room was beautifully furnished, although not all were to her taste. Thick rugs covered the stone floors, and light poured through the crystal-clear panes of the windows, highlighting the intricate tapestries that adorned the walls. Each one told the story of each Dragoon that had once been the Keeper here. She knew this because the tapestries explained it to her as she ran her fingers over them. It was the same with every piece of furniture and every portrait that lined the stairwell that curved down to the next level. The history of Kruba came pouring out of them along with what it meant to be a Supreme Dragoon.

It was amazing, enlightening, and draining.

Kirall silently watched as his mate explored their new home. He wasn't sure what was going on between her and the Lair, but he could feel the magic flowing between them every time she touched something. And while it didn't seem to be harming her, she was becoming paler and paler after each episode.

"This is where meals were served," she said as they entered the next room. It reminded her of the one in Kirall's parents' Lair. While the room and table were similar, there was just a single chair at this table. It made her sad when she realized that for a very long time only one person ever ate here. Razeth. How lonely he must have been.

The room had Kirall realizing just how long it had been since his mate had actually eaten. Evening meal hadn’t yet been served when she’d stormed out onto the balcony. So that meant she hadn’t eaten since back on the Inferno before they’d left on the transport. "Autumn, let’s find a room for you to rest in and then I’ll go hunting."

"Hunting?" she asked turning to look at him.

"You haven't eaten in over a day. I will get us some food."

At his words, the room glowed a brilliant white, blinding Kirall for a moment. When he could see again, the table was laden with food.

"It seems Kruba is providing for us again," he said testily.

"Why aren't you happy about that?" she asked, frowning at him.

"Because I'm your mate. I'm supposed to be the one providing for you."

She looked at the small apple-like fruit she was about to take a bite of and put it back in the bowl. "Then go hunting, and I'll keep exploring the Lair until you get back."

Shame filled Kirall. His mate was hungry, and he was denying her because of pride? Moving to the table, he picked up the green-speckled applee and handed it back to her before pulling out the lone chair and waited.

"Kirall?" she asked, slowly sitting.

"Eat."

"But I thought…"

"You're hungry. What kind of mate would I be if I didn't feed you when food was readily available?" Crossing the room, he brought a chair back to sit next to her and began filling a plate.

“What is all this?” she asked looking at the array of food he’d put in front of her.

“What you hold in your hand is a piece of fruit called a green-speckled applee. It has a firm flesh that is tart, yet sweet. It can be eaten raw or cooked. This,” he pointed to what looked like chunks of meat to her, “is called Fossa. It is a small creature that lives deep in the forests. It is extremely tender. Next to that is Fis. It's only found in the high mountain waters. And this…”

“Kirall," she put a gentle hand on his. "Let’s just eat. I'm not a picky eater. Haven't you learned that about me by now?"

He had. For two weeks they'd traveled on the Inferno and no one, including him, had thought to bring food from Earth with them. She hadn't complained once, just eaten what had been available.

"I have, but now I want you to have a choice."

“As long as none of this is super spicy or extremely sour I'm going to be okay with it.”

“None of this is.”

“Good, then let’s eat.”

 

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

 

Autumn found herself smiling as she and Kirall traveled deeper into the Lair. After mid-meal, they'd explored more of the floor until they'd come across the Keeper's Suite, as Kirall called it. It was an immense room that she couldn't wait to explore and make their own but that was for later. Right now, Kirall was leading her down a spiral staircase she wouldn't have known was there if he hadn't shown it to her.

"I can't believe you knew this was here," she told him, glad that the magic of the Lair had lit it for them.

"The entrance to the Keeper's Hoard is always in the Keeper's Suite. It is the only entrance, and only the Keeper can open it."

"Every Lair is like this?"

"Yes, but…" he paused as he reached the bottom of the stairwell, his head turning to look behind them.

"But what?" she asked moving to his side.

"I've never seen one this size before."

"Really?" She let her eyes travel over the cavern taking in the height and width of it. It stretched out in front of and behind the stairwell. Along the sides were arched openings to more caverns and what appeared to be jewels spilling out of them, but something about them wasn't right. "Why don't they shine in the light?"

Kirall move to the closest cavern then leaned down to pick up a large, cloudy jewel. "This is a White Breath Diamon. They are very sought after because they're able to store an enormous amount of power. They should also be clear and reflect the light."

"Then why aren't they? Any of them?" She moved on to look into the other archways.

"They must be completely drained." His gaze traveled over the huge piles of opaque jewels in the other caverns, unable to fathom the amount of power it must have taken to infuse such a hoard let alone accumulate it. "Your Razeth must have been an extremely powerful Dragoon."

They stepped over the jewels that tumbled out of the side caverns as they moved toward the only one that still had glowing gems in it. It was by far the largest of them.

"My God," she whispered looking at the softly glowing jewels. Not only did they cover every spectrum on the color chart, but the pile touched the ceiling before cascading down to cover the floor before them.

"I have never heard of another Dragoon doing this," he murmured.

"Doing what?" she asked turning toward him.

"Hoarding jewels of every color."

"Isn't that what Dragoons do?" she asked smiling teasingly at him. "Hoard jewels?"

"Yes," he returned her smile. "But they tend to favor one color. The one of their Dragon."

"You mean because Razeth was a Red, you expected the majority of his Hoard to be that color?"

"Yes."

Autumn tipped her head at him. "So exactly what jewels did you Hoard as a Black Prime?"

"While my Hoard contains Black Breaths and obsidian, I tend to favor any dark shade of jewel."

"Really…" she asked turning toward him. For some reason, seeing him surrounded by the glowing Hoard filled her with a primal desire.

"Yes." He frowned at the look she was giving him. "Why?"

"Well, I was just wondering if you still prefer the darker shades." She slowly began pulling her gown down off her shoulders. "Or if you were starting to like things that are in a lighter, paler shade."

Kirall's eyes turned silver as his mate's gown fell away. The glowing Hoard transformed her pale skin into every color of Dragoon. It instantly filled him with a desire unlike any he'd ever felt before. Without another thought, he tore off his clothes and pulled her flush against his body and fell back onto the Hoard.

"I desire any shade, as long as you are a part of it," he growled as he pulled her mouth down to his for a hot, hard kiss.

Autumn lost herself in the kiss not noticing that her claws had extended and were digging deep into his shoulders as she straddled his lean hips. Her dripping channel hugged his rock-hard cock for only a moment before the need overwhelmed her and her hips started to move, coating him with her juices.

"God, Kirall!" she exclaimed, ripping her mouth from his as he moved his hips lodging the head of his shaft at her entrance.

"Take me, Autumn," he demanded, his hands shifting to her hips. "Into your private Lair. To that place where there is only us. One heart. One soul."

Autumn's eyes widened at the need in her mate's words because they echoed precisely how she felt whenever they joined. It was more than just the joining of their bodies. He touched her in a way that no one had, and it wasn’t because she’d never had sex before, but because he saw her, needed her, loved her. They may not have been together long, but that was something she knew deep down in her soul. Kirall loved her.

Easing her body back down his, she took him in until there was nothing left to take then reversed the motion.

"Kur, yes," he groaned, his claws sinking into her giving flesh as he began to thrust. Already he could feel his balls starting to pull up tight against his body. Her hot, snug channel gripped his engorged cock as if unwilling to release him even long enough for him to thrust back inside.

Autumn felt her mate's claws penetrate her skin, but the slight pain only increased her pleasure, and she wanted him to feel the same way. Her gaze flashed to her Mating mark on his neck. Driven by an instinct older than time, she sank her teeth into it, his taste filling her mouth.

Kirall's roar echoed through the Hoard as his mate's fire burned through his system. His thrusts became more powerful, more brutal. They had him sliding across the Hoard as his heels dug in for more leverage, until his seed erupted forth, bathing her womb in its fiery heat.

"Kirall!" she screamed, her hands sinking into the jewels, as wave after wave of ecstasy exploded through her system. It was too much. Too powerful to be contained even by two Supremes and it flowed out from them and into the Hoard.

 

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

 

Autumn wasn't sure how long she lay there listening to Kirall's heartbeat calm, her body utterly boneless on top of his. Every time was like this with him. An amazing, life-altering experience. But this time, this time it had been even more. Lifting her head, she saw the relaxed, fulfilled expression on her mate's face.

"Well aren't you looking very satisfied with yourself," she said propping her chin up on the hands she crossed over his chest.

Silver rimmed eyes opened to gaze up at her. "I am. Are you saying you aren't?"

"Oh, I'm definitely satisfied." She gave him a saucy smile as she wiggled her hips feeling his cock start to come back to life inside her. "Especially since I did most of the work."

"You did?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Oh, yeah." Her smile grew as his cock did. "But I'm getting used to that."

"You are, are you?"

Her laughter filled the chamber as she suddenly found herself on her back, her thighs held snuggly against his hips, his cock still lodged deep inside her.

"Still enjoying yourself?" he asked, as he slowly started to rock his hips.

"Perhaps." She couldn’t help but taunt.

"Perhaps? Oh, that will never do." Bracing himself on one arm, he slid back just far enough so that his cock remained inside her while his lips nipped their way along the underside of one of her breasts. He smiled when he felt her suck in a sharp breath. Continuing around the firm globe, he worked his way up until he reached its beautiful, taut nipple. Lifting his gaze, he made sure she was watching as he latched onto her, sucking the nipple deep into his mouth.

"Kirall!" she cried out, the pleasure shooting straight from her nipple to her channel. Her heels dug into his ass as her fingers sank into his hair, pulling him even closer. God, she loved it when he sucked her breasts. Nothing ever felt as good as Kirall loving her.

The passion and desire in his mate's eyes was something he'd never get tired of seeing. Wanting to keep it there, he slowly pulled back holding the tension on her nipple until it escaped his mouth with a pop. Before she could even gasp, he thrust forward capturing her other breast and gave it the same attention. As his mouth worshiped at her breast, his thumb rubbed her swollen clit, knowing how sensitive it was going to be after their first joining.

"Kirall!" Her back arched up off the jewels that supported them as wave after wave of pleasure swamped her.

"That's it, baby," he growled releasing her breast, but his thumb continued its assault on her clit. "Give me your sounds. Let me hear how much I please you."

"You do! God, you know you do!" she exclaimed her eyes flashing to his.

"Then give me more!" he demanded, his voice deepening as his Beast began to emerge.

Autumn’s breath caught as she realized what was happening. Kirall’s Beast was loving her. That had never happened before. When Kirall, his Beast, and his Dragon had claimed her, they’d believed she was an Other, and because of that, they had held back their full strength and size from her. On the Inferno, Kirall had also held back because she'd still been recovering. But now that they knew she was not only healthy but Dragoon, his Beast wanted to make her his too, and knew her body could handle him.

“Yes!” she encouraged even as his Beast-sized cock stretched her channel nearly beyond its limits. It ratcheted up the tension in her body even more, and her claws extended sinking deep into his back. "Show me how much you love me!"

His deep growl filled the chamber as his Beast-powered thrusts drove into her again and again and again. Until they returned to that place where it was only them, and they were one.