Dax inched deeper, stretching her walls with excruciating pleasure. He was so big that her mind could barely fathom what was happening to her body. But somehow, inch by mind-boggling inch, he sank to the base. He fit inside her like a long sword slipped into its sheath. She groaned and held tight to him as he rested against her, kissing her forehead and whispering softly in her ear.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Oh yes,” she groaned, running her hands up and down his hard-muscled back. “Better than okay.”

She gasped, throwing her head back. She felt so good to be this close to him. Deep inside, she knew she’d wanted this from the start. Finally, they were together in the most intimate way possible.

“You feel so good,” he said, kissing her face gently.

He growled into her neck and slid his hips back slightly, pulling out of her as he tilted away. And then he slid forward again, slapping gently against her pelvis. She groaned as her body released. Her pussy clenched around his massive shaft. She wailed, and he caught the sound in his mouth, kissing her deeply and enveloping her with pleasure. She panted as he drew his mouth away. Her body continued to vibrate around him.

“You feel like heaven,” he said. “I could watch you come for the rest of my life. You're so beautiful. Like an angel in my arms.”

“You are my angel,” she said, running her hands down his back and cupping his behind.

He was her angel. Her hero. He had saved her from her kidnappers and brought her into a new world. He’d helped her discover her strength and her passion. And through his innocent bumbling, he had shown her that it was okay to be different. She now understood it was okay to not quite know what to say or what to do. She knew that her power was useful for good in a much bigger way than she ever imagined. She had a whole new understanding of herself and her place in the universe. All thanks to him.

He slid back again thrust over and over into her. He caressed her breast and kissed her neck, nuzzling into the back of her ear. He held her so gently and so close, cradling her like a treasure in his arms.

His growl rumbled in her ear, and she felt his long sharp teeth brushing against her skin. His shaft pumped into her body, drawing out the pleasure and heightening it with every stroke of his cock.

She didn't come down for a second. She stayed in that elevated state of pleasure, rolling on waves of climax as he worked her body. It was magnificent, perfect. It felt so right. She wanted to be with him forever, to be his, to find their way in life together.

“I need to make you mine,” he growled into her neck.

“I need to belong to you,” she whispered, holding him close.

His teeth brushed against her neck, and his tongue slid over her jugular, numbing the space where his fangs would bite. When his teeth clenched down on her neck, all she felt was pleasure. His cock stiffened, and jets of hot seed pumped into her core.

She groaned as her pussy contracted around him, throbbing with desire. His teeth injected his mating venom. She felt it sink into her veins. Her mouth dropped open as the world ignited. She felt herself bloom like a flower, coming alive against the black night of the cosmos.

Stars spread out before her as she looked into the void. All she saw was Dax, walking toward her, handsome, strong and protective. With that subtle sense of vulnerability that only she could touch and make whole. He saw her and ran to her, gathering her in his arms. He kissed her deeply, he cupped the back of her head in his hand.

“I love you so much, my little bird,” he said.

“And I love you, my warrior.”

He picked her up and twirled her around as they danced across the universe. And just like that, she was back in the bed with him holding her so close. His fangs deep in her neck and his cock pumping his seed deep into her womb. He carefully slid away, and they held each other close, panting and sweaty from their mating.

She was speechless for long moments, still trying to fully comprehend what had happened. As she rested against his chest in the dim light of his bedroom, she felt his heart under her cheek. She still felt him inside her. This big, strong man who was also so kind and sensitive. She treasured him and wanted to keep his heart safe, next to her own.

She felt like such a fool for suspecting him of wanting to use her. Nothing could have been further from the truth. He kissed the top of her head and caressed her back.

“I hope you forgive me for accusing you yesterday,” she whispered.

“There was nothing to forgive,” he said, stroking her arm. “I should have thought about my words before I said them.”

“I don't want you to ever feel like that again. You can tell me exactly what you're thinking without any filter. You don't have to hold back with me. Your words don’t have to be perfect for my ears. I know what’s in your heart.”

“Human words can sometimes be difficult,” he admitted. “But I never want to hurt you. Just the idea of it kills me.”

“You don’t have to worry about hurting me, Dax,” she said, kissing his full, soft lips. “I can feel your heart. I know your truth.”

“It would be a relief to not have to think so much,” he said with a chuckle. “I wonder if I can walk around the house without a shirt on now.”

“Well, I think Kian might have a problem with that.” She giggled. “But I certainly wouldn’t.” She ran her finger down his chest.

“But why would he care now that he's mated with Everly?”

“I don't know. Something about manners.”

“I hate manners. They're stupid.”

“I’ll help remind you when it’s important,” she said.

She lay against his hard, muscular chest, loving his good nature and his sweet heart. He didn't have to pretend with her. And she would always be there for him, to help him through whatever sticky situations might arise.

He was the love of her life, her soulmate. Her fated one. She felt so lucky in that moment to have found him. Dax was everything she wanted and more. The silly things that others may have seen as flaws, she now saw as strengths. He said when he thought he didn't like nonsensical rules. It made him honest. And she loved that about him.

She only wished she had never doubted him. But that was in the past now, and they could move on together into the future. She couldn't wait for their life together to begin.

Now that she knew her song strengthened the dragons and allowed them to make contact with the vampires, it turned the tide of the war in the favor of the dragons. Even if the vampires had awakened one of their ancient ones, her dragons could now defeat them. They had a new weapon. And it was her.

She had never seen her song as a weapon before. A while ago she would have been mortified at the idea. But after being kidnapped by the vampires, she knew what the stakes were. She knew why the dragons needed her help. And she was here with Dax, ready to fight with her song, with her heart, and with her love. She snuggled in beside him, and he kissed the top of her head.

“Hey, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep yet. You want to play moto-racer?” he asked, sitting up in bed.

“That sounds awesome,” she said, sliding out of bed with him. She pulled on one of his oversized T-shirts, and they sat on the couch drinking beer as they played moto-racer together. Somehow, she managed to pull ahead of him and won the race. Her mouth dropped in shock.

“It looks like being mated with a dragon is already paying off for you,” he laughed, nudging her arm.

“I had no idea.”

“Yeah being a dragon mate should make you stronger. Cato already ran the analysis. It happened for Everly. She got pregnant almost immediately after she and Kian mated. She's wanted a baby for a long time.”

“Do you think I'll get pregnant right away?” she said.

“It depends on if you want to or not. You have more control over things like that now,” he said, absently starting a new game. “At least, that’s what Cato’s computer analysis said.”

“I think we should wait a while. There is so much work to be done in the fight against the vampires. And I’m just starting to understand my power.”

“It's probably a good idea,” he said, rounding the corner with his racecar.

“I'm glad you think so.”

“I do want babies, though,” he said as she pulled ahead of him.

“So do I,” she said, biting her lip and pushing her car further ahead.

“I am not letting you win,” he growled.

“You don't have a choice,” she laughed, pushing her car to its highest speed. “Then we are in agreement, we fight the vampires together, and wait to have our first child.”

“Sounds good to me. But I'm gonna win this game,” he said.

“I do not agree with you on that,” she said.

He growled and pushed his car to the maximum speed as they both flew across the finish line together. Aria was only centimeters in front of Dax and won the round. She yelped and jumped to her feet, dancing around, pumping her fists.

“You distracted me with all that baby talk,” he said standing up and enveloping her in his arms. He twirled her around and kissed her deep on the mouth.

“Excuses, excuses,” she said, running her hands down his chest. “Are you angry?” she asked.

“Never. You can beat me all day and night. And I would never begrudge you your victory. But first, I’m taking you back to bed,” he said, lifting her up off the ground and carrying her back to his rumpled bed sheets.

“I think we’re both in complete agreement on that.”