Kirall's chest was heaving, and his limbs trembled, but somehow he still managed to remember to roll onto his side so he wouldn’t crush his mate after their amazing climax. She might be Dragoon and a Supreme, but she was still a great deal smaller than him.

When he could finally speak, he asked, "So who did all the work this time?"

Autumn was silent for a moment then started to chuckle. She loved her mate's sense of humor. It hadn't been there in the beginning, but then Kirall had believed he'd been through an unnatural Joining Heat, and hadn't found anything humorous about it. Then she had nearly died because of Bonn, and he hadn't found that funny either. It had only been on the Inferno, after he was sure she was completely recovered, that it finally began to appear. Then they reached Mondu, and he'd become all serious again. She was glad to have it back.

"I can agree that this time it was you and I couldn't have enjoyed it more," she said turning her head to smile at him.

"I wasn't too rough?" he asked, propping himself up on an elbow so he could run a gentle hand along her cheek.

"No. You've never hurt me, Kirall, not in any of your forms."

"I did our first time… your first time." Regret filled his words.

"Shhh." She put a finger to his lips, silencing him. "Stop. I'm not going to lie. Yes, that time hurt but you thought I was Kristy and we both know she wasn't a virgin."

"That doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does," she insisted. "You have nothing to feel guilty about. You don't," she interrupted him as he opened his mouth, her hand cupping his cheek. "It happened, and neither you, your Beast nor your Dragon have hurt me since. In fact, I've never felt more loved and protected. I have no regrets, Kirall, and I don't want you to either. If that hadn't happened, we never would have met. I wouldn't be here now with you, and it's the only place I want to be."

Kirall closed his eyes as the power of her words flowed through him, sinking into the very depths of his soul lightening the weight of that memory. Opening his eyes, he found so much love and belief in her gaze that it humbled him. Leaning down he gently kissed her lips, silently vowing to do everything in his power to make sure she never lost any of it, and that meant he needed to take better care of her. To protect her from any threat or discomfort, big or small, starting with her not lying on a Hoard of jewels. No matter how beautiful she looked surrounded by their glow.

A glow that was becoming more and more intense.

Pushing himself away from her, he jumped to his feet landing in a crouch, making sure he was between whatever was happening and his mate.

"Kirall?" Autumn sat up, curling her legs beneath her as her senses went on high alert, but Kirall's broad back blocked her view. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Reaching back he pulled her in close under one arm as he nodded his head toward the rest of the Hoard. "Look."

Autumn gasped in shock as her gaze traveled over what before had been an opaque, lifeless Hoard. Now it was filled with clear, sparkling jewels that pulsed with so much power she could actually feel it.

"Oh my God, Kirall. How?"

"I… I'm not sure," he admitted. "There's a legend about how some hoards are empowered."

"And?" she asked looking up at him.

Leaning down he kissed her upturned lips then murmured. "The power of a Hoard is directly related to its Keeper's lineage and age."

"You mean that a Prime Dragoon's Hoard is inherently more powerful than a Minor’s?"

"Yes, but it’s more than that. It also varies depending on the Dragoon's color and the original color of his parents."

"So a Green Prime has more power than a Blue Prime because Blue is the base color for every level of Dragoon; Minor, Prime or Supreme."

"Correct. But the offspring of two pure Green Primes would be more powerful than those of a Green Prime that mated with a Blue Prime or any Minor color."

"That's why you are so powerful. Both your parents were Blacks."

"As were theirs. It's the only reason I was able to establish my Lair as soon as I reached adulthood. Normally a Dragoon has to go through his second Heat before he can transfer enough power into his Hoard to protect a Lair."

"So that's the legend?"

"No. All that I've just told you is commonly known. It is why those like Tove argue that lineages should remain pure."

"He sounds like a real jerk."

"Jerk?" Kirall still wasn't familiar with all the Earth terms she used.

"Asshole? Idiot? Someone who is totally stupid and annoying?"

"While I agree that Tove is annoying, he is far from stupid. He is a very powerful and influential Elder."

"If you say so. Now tell me about this legend."

"Many don't believe it."

"But you do."

"I do now," he told her.

"Why?"

"Because of this," he gestured to the brilliantly glowing Hoard. "The amount of power needed to infuse a Hoard this size… especially when it was nearly depleted… Only in legends of the Original Dragoons were there even whispers of it being possible."

"What was whispered?"

"That when mates whose love has been blessed by Kur himself become one, on their Hoard, the power of their love will flow out from them empowering everything around them."

"So you’re saying we did this?" She looked at the brightly, glowing chamber. "By loving each other?"

"Yes."

"It's how all mated couples, like your parents, empower their Hoard?"

"I…" Kirall found himself uncomfortable at the thought of his parents acting like he and Autumn just had. He knew they regularly mated, after all, they had seven offspring. It was another reason he'd left their Lair as soon as he could, but that didn't mean he wanted to think about it.

"Are you blushing?" Autumn couldn't help but tease as a red flush started to travel up his neck. "You are!"

"I just prefer not to think about my parents mating, especially as they will be arriving soon."

"What?!!" She jerked back, her face losing that teasing look.

"Can't you feel them approaching?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Close your eyes," he instructed then waited until she did before continuing. "Now feel the power of the Hoard. You are one with it. Listen to what it is telling you."

Autumn closed her eyes but didn't expect to feel anything. After all, she wasn't a full or pure Dragoon, as Tove would have said.

‘No, you are more.’ A deep growl vibrated through her. 'You just don't know it. That is why I am here. To help you understand. You have been tested more severely than any other in your line because Razeth accepted my challenge. A challenge every other Supreme refused. It is why his line has returned to Mondu. You are the last of that original line, and if you and your mate don't succeed, then all will perish.'

'Succeed? Succeed at what?’

'Stopping the plague that is trying to infect my people.'

'Your people? Who are you? I thought you were the Hoard.'

'No, I am the source from which all hoards receive their power. I am the Creator of the Dragoon. I am Kur. Now be still, and you will understand.'

Autumn felt a volt go through her and suddenly she understood what Kirall was talking about. Even though they were still several hours away from the boundary, she could feel Kiran and Niccele approaching from the air and a group of Others on the ground. She could also feel the life pulse of every creature, large and small, within the boundary. It was as if they were one.

'You are. They will protect and serve you. As you and Kruba serve and protect them. It is as it was always meant to be. One only survives when the other does. Neither more important than the other. Remember this.'

'No!'

 

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

 

Kirall's eyes began to fill with silver. He was the one that had encouraged Autumn to close her eyes so she could connect with the Hoard, but the moment she had, a vise-like grip had wrapped around him keeping him immobile no matter how hard he struggled.

'Calm.' He was ordered by a voice so powerful it made the Hoard’s seem puny. 'No harm will come to your mate.'

'Release me!' Kirall roared even though he couldn't open his mouth.

'When I'm ready.'

'Now!' Kirall demanded and calling on the combined strength of his Beast and Dragon began to shift only to have a blast of power stop him mid-shift. Who could possibly be powerful enough to control a Supreme?

'Your creator and God. Now remain silent, or I will silence you!' The power holding him continued to increase until Kirall cried out in pain.

'No!’ Autumn's outraged voice filled Kirall's head. 'You will not harm my mate!’

Kirall fell to his knees as his Autumn opened her eyes and the crushing power surrounding him disappeared.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice full of concern as she dropped down beside him.

"Of course, he is."

They both looked up in shock to find a glowing orb floating several feet away from them. Kirall immediately jumped to his feet putting himself between his mate and the orb, unconcerned about his nakedness but blocking Autumn's.

"As a good mate should." Came from the orb. "But it's something you could do yourself."

Kirall suddenly felt the constraints of his clothing against his skin and couldn't stop from looking behind him to see that Autumn was also now fully clothed.

"It is a skill you will learn as you mature."

Kirall's gaze swung back to the orb and watched as it began to take the shape of a huge, very strange-looking male. Iridescent strands of hair with white, black, and silver laminae at the ends flowed out from his head, glowing with power. His skin was the same multitude of colors Autumn’s had been in the glow of the Hoard. And his eyes, that were focusing in on them swirled the way the universe did.

"Who are you?" Kirall demanded.

"As I have already told both of you, I am your creator Kur.” Finally completely formed, the male shook himself as one did when they were shaking off a cold rain before speaking again. “Ka-renza! It’s been ages since I’ve taken this form.”

“I don't care who you are!” Autumn partially shifted, her claws extending, as she moved around Kirall. The pain this ‘God’ had caused her mate still fresh in her mind. No one hurt what was hers.

“Autumn!” Kirall wrapped an arm around her waist using her forward momentum to swing her away from Kur. “Stop. You can’t attack a God.”

“I can when he’s an asshole that's harmed my mate!” she spit out over his shoulder, her eyes blazing at Kur.

“Asshole…” Kur murmured, his swirling eyes widening when he realized what she was referring to.

Kirall prepared to shift and defend his mate when Kur tipped his head back and began to laugh.

“Asshole,” Kur repeated when he was finally able to contain his amusement, his gaze going to Autumn. “I can’t remember the last time I was insulted. You please me, little Supreme.”

“I please you because I called you an asshole?” She stopped struggling in Kirall's arms and gave Kur a confused look.

“You please me because you gave me your honest opinion. It's something I rarely receive."

"Well, I'll give you more than my opinion if you ever harm my mate again."

"Autumn…" Kirall hissed. "You're talking to a God."

"So? That doesn't give him the right to hurt you. I felt your pain, Kirall," her voice broke as she remembered it.

"Autumn…" Kirall pulled her close.

Kur moved forward and dropped down onto one knee before her, bringing him to Autumn's eye level. "My sincerest of apologies, Autumn. I forgot how strong the mating bond is between Supremes, especially after they'd just empowered their Hoard."

"I am fine, my Autumn," Kirall reassured her. "You know that. You can feel that I am."

"That still doesn't make it right."

"No, it does not," Kur agreed. "And I will do my best to make sure it never happens again."

After several long moments of Autumn and Kur just staring at each other, Autumn nodded, and Kur stood.

"Normally I don't directly involve myself in the lives of my people," Kur began.

"Why not?" Autumn interrupted.

"Because there are things they must learn and achieve on their own. As any child does before it can reach its full potential."

"Then why do you involve yourself in my mate's life?" Kirall demanded.

Kur raised an eyebrow at Kirall's tone. It seemed he wouldn't hesitate to challenge a God when it came to his mate either. Exactly how a Supreme should be.

"Because your mate is unlike any Dragoon female the universe has ever seen, and there is much she needs to learn. Things you already knew at her age like knowing how to connect to her Hoard."

"I was teaching her that."

"Yes, but she needs to know more. Now. If she and you are going to survive what is coming. I was able to give her that."

"What did you give my mate?!!" Kirall growled his eyes turning silver.

"What she needed," Kur growled back.

Autumn found herself stepping between two angry Dragoons; one a Supreme, the other a God, placing a hand on each rumbling chest.

"Stop it! Both of you!" she ordered then addressed Kur first. "Stop baiting him. You might be a God, but that was a jerk move." When he just looked at her in shock, she continued. "You said you liked honesty so just deal." She then turned her attention to her mate. "And you. You were right there the whole time. The only thing he gave me was knowledge, nothing more. I would never let another male touch me like that, God or not, and if you think I would then you don't know me at all."

Kirall could feel the anger in her words and knew he deserved it, but he could also feel her underlying pain. Pain caused by his jealousy and that, she didn't deserve.

"I'm sorry, my love. I didn't mean it that way. I know you would never allow something like that because I do know you." He pulled her up against him and kissed her until he felt the stiffness leave her body. "Forgive me. Having a mate is still new to me, and I'm going to have to get used to other males being attracted to your beauty."

"You are so full of shit, Kirall," she said smiling against his lips.

"And why would that be?" he asked nibbling his way along her jaw.

"Because we both know I'm not beautiful." She'd closed her eyes and tipped her head to the side to give him better access to her neck when he jerked away and gave her a hard shake causing her eyes to fly open.

"Stop talking about yourself that way!" His rage roared around the chamber. "Do you hear me? You are the strongest, most beautiful female the universes have ever seen! And I vow that before I meet Kur that I will get you to believe that too!"

"Ahem." Kur cleared his throat drawing their attention to his amused expression. "I believe you’ve already met me."

“I meant when I meet my Maker!”

“Again, you already have.”

“Kur!” cried Autumn. It’s just an expression,” she continued. “What is it with you? Why do you so enjoy antagonizing my mate?”

Kur shrugged his shoulders a little sheepishly. “I suppose it’s because I so rarely get to do it. As I said, it’s been eons since I’ve taken this form and even longer since I stretched my wings and took to the skies.”

“Why?” Autumn asked honestly curious. “As a God, you can do whatever you want.”

“One would think that, wouldn’t you, but that’s rarely the case.” He didn’t phrase it as a question.

Autumn didn’t know if it was because of all the information now jammed into her head or just female intuition, but she suddenly realized that Kur, the Creator of the Dragoon people, was lonely. No one saw him as anything but a God. It’s how they talked to him. How they treated him. Just like on Earth where no one ever saw her as anything other than a crazy, damaged victim.

Until Kirall. He saw and understood her.

Maybe they could be the ones that did that for Kur.

“Well, I guess you’ll just have to go flying with us some time then.” She ignored how both males’ jaws dropped. “But I’m warning you, I’m pretty fast.”

“I…” Kur couldn’t remember the last time he’d been surprised like this. This little Supreme, barely born, was offering him something no Dragoon ever had. Her honest friendship. “I think I would very much like that, little one, but unfortunately it will have to wait.”

“Why?”

“Because Kiran and Niccele are waiting for you to allow them to pass your boundary.”