Margery flopped down on the bed and allowed the exhaustion to wash over her. Remy paced around the room. She admired his long legs and his tight-fitting jeans.

“You’re making me tired just looking at you.” She threw her arm over her eyes.

“What was that all about with Bella?”

For a moment, she considered blowing off the question. But Bella had shocked her, and she needed to talk it out. “I needed her advice.”

“Oh, really?” Remy turned a chair around and sat straddling the seat then leaned his arms on the back of it.

“Bella and I connected a long time ago because we’ve got a lot in common.”

Remy grunted. “I don’t see that at all.”

“Aside from the fact that we were both sky dragons that couldn’t shift—not that we knew that at the time—we came from similar backgrounds. We both had a mother who was an addict. Hers was a drunk. Mine was a druggie.”

“I didn’t know,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

“How could you have known? It’s not something I talk about.” She sat up and leaned against the large fluffy pillows on the headboard. There was a pot of tea on the bedside table, and she poured herself a mug. Sniffing appreciatively, Margery recognized a delicate coconut scent. Taking a sip, she smiled. It was one of the finest white teas she’d ever tasted. Being a Queen definitely had its advantages. “What was your mom like?” she asked, to give herself a little more time to enjoy the tea before she talked about the unpleasant stuff.

He grinned. “She was a typical mom.”

Margery took a long swallow of tea for strength. “A typical mom for me shoots up in the kitchen, sticking the needle in her eye so it doesn’t leave track marks. Then she watches television all day until her boyfriend of the week comes home to bang her, and if it’s a good day, not smack her around.”

“Right.” He blew out a sigh. “My mother was the Loch Ness monster. She liked to play practical jokes. She taught me how to navigate the lakes and seas. We spent a few hundred years in the oceans just exploring.”

“She’s not still in Scotland?”

He shook his head. “If she’s been free all this time, she’s hidden herself in Atlantis or deep in the Mariana Trench. Although I’ve searched both places and didn’t find a single clue she was there.”

“Atlantis?” Margery asked. Another story she could break. She liked this dragon stuff.

“I’ll take you there once you learn to swim.”

“How am I going to breathe underwater?” She shuddered.

“I’ll help you breathe, chérie. It’ll require a lot of mouth to mouth.” He winked at her.

“That doesn’t sound so bad.” It actually sounded pretty good. She poured him a cup and brought it over to him. “Why is your mom hiding?”

“I think the curse scared her, and she went somewhere safe.” He took the cup from her and ran a possessive hand down her leg. “Is that what you and Bella were talking about? Your families?”

She shook her head and felt the heat rise in her face. “No, I was asking her about the sky dance.”

Remy’s hand froze on her ass. “Oh.”

She eased away from him and poured herself another cup before climbing back into bed. “Casimiro had it right. We can only mate in the sky. As in create a baby. Of course, Bella already had a baby from the drug. But for me and you, I can only conceive in flight.”

He swallowed hard. “Then what we did...” He waved his hand around. “On the plane. Could you have...I mean, is it possible...?”

“It’s possible.”

Remy slapped his hand over his face. “I didn’t know. I didn’t think.”

“It’s okay.” Margery let out a deep breath. “All of this is new. If it happens, we’ll deal with it. The learning curve on this Queen thing is a bit steep.”

“Right,” he whispered. “I don’t want you to feel trapped in a relationship with me.”

“I don’t feel trapped. I feel happy. Are you happy being with me?”

He gave a short laugh. “Happy’s not the word. I’m afraid of losing myself in you.”

“That doesn’t sound so good.” She went back to her tea, trying not to feel hurt.

Remy groaned. “It is good. It’s more than good. I want you all to myself so we can explore the consort bond better, but I don’t want to be a selfish bastard about it.”

“The airplane ride and being with you healed me. I can fly. I can never thank you enough for that.” She held out her hand to stop his glare. “I can say thank you in private, damn it.”

He chuckled. “I guess the appropriate response is ‘as my Queen commands.’”

“I told you to knock that shit right off.” But he made her smile. “I’m not going to be a Queen like Bella.”

“You better not. Did she know why you kept passing out when we weren’t in the sky?”

Margery shook her head. “She had no clue. My guess is that I just needed time to recover. And I think Casimiro flying with me to Quebec kick-started my healing. I started feeling stronger as I escaped from the hotel. I sensed you. Is that a consort thing?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been a consort before. But I sensed you, too.”

Margery blew out a shaky breath. “This is pretty freaky.”

“You’re a dragon. A creature of magic. It’s only going to get crazier. We should talk about building you a castle like this one.”

She snorted. “With what money?”

Remy’s jaw clenched. “With tributes from studs and visiting Queens. I am also not without resources.”

His formal voice was cold and remote.

“I messed up again, didn’t I?” Am I ever going to get this Queen thing down pat?

“Impossible. Queens don’t make mistakes.” But there was a softening in his eyes that made her feel they were all right again. “What is the thing you need most in your castle?”

“A cell tower,” she said.

“I was thinking more along the lines of guardians.” He shook his head in exasperation. “You saw how Rathin infiltrated Reed’s compound, and Reed’s the most paranoid bastard I know. The only reason Mei Hua is safe is she’s ass-deep in Dragon Slayers in a fortress. But I still wouldn’t let down your guard. I don’t know. Something about this place gives me the creeps.”

“You’re a dragon. You’re surrounded by Dragon Slayers. I can understand the paranoia.”

“Smythe can fly. He can drop a bomb over this village and wing away before it hits the ground.”

Margery snorted. “I saw the antiaircraft guns on the roof. Good luck to any hotshot that wants to go up against that.”

“They’re not firing depleted-uranium rounds. It’s a bluff. Any fast-flying stud would heal the damage before it dropped him out of the sky.”

That didn’t sound good. “So we’re sitting ducks?”

“I didn’t say that.” Remy sighed. “The Order of the Dragon Slayers didn’t survive this long without having a few tricks up their sleeves. I just don’t trust them.”

“We’ll leave right after dinner.” Margery wasn’t keen on staying here, anyway. Too many rules and too much court politics.

Remy nodded. “That’s a good idea, my Queen. The sooner you’re back in my territory, the better I can prepare for Smythe’s next attack.”

“Do you think there will be one?”

“Bet on it.”

“Maybe we should take the fight to him?” Margery didn’t like just sitting around waiting for things to happen.

“And fight a stud on his own turf?” Remy shook his head. “Suicide. The best offense is a good defense. We’ll get you guards. But you’re right. A cell tower would be nice for surveillance...and streaming in American football. You’ve got to get it past the conservation clubs, but I think you can charm your way through.”

“It’s all just temporary,” Margery said.

“What do you mean?” he snapped out.

And there she was back in hot water again.

“I mean, we’re all going to get reassigned a territory next year at the Queens’ conclave. I don’t want to put down roots if I just have to move again. Been there, done that since I was fifteen.”

“You’re a Queen, and Vermont is my territory. If you want to stay, you will stay.”

“It’s not worth you fighting and getting hurt over.”

“What makes you think I’m the one who’ll get hurt?” He got up and stalked over to the bed. “I’m useless as tits on a bull in an aerial battle. But protecting what’s mine on my turf? Nothing will survive the attempt. Get me?”

Margery shivered at his intensity. He could give Reed a run for his money right now. “I get you.”

“So you have roots.”

“I guess I do.” She wiped away the happy tears before they could leak out of the corners of her eyes. “I’ve never had anyone take care of me before. Not even my mother, if you can believe that.”

“Why?” he asked.

“She wanted drugs more than she wanted a family. But eventually, she found a guy willing to marry her. He knocked her up and taught her how to steal. No one searches a pregnant lady. Then my sister came along and followed in her footsteps.”

“What about these uncles that Bella was talking about? Did you have one of those?”

Margery tucked her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, hugging herself. “Her husband had a brother who’d just turned twenty-one. I was fifteen. My sister was eight. He would babysit us.” This was harder than she’d thought. “He wasn’t a good person.” She looked up at Remy to see if he wanted her to go on.

His jaw was clenched. “Is he still alive?”

Margery nodded. “He’s in prison, last time I bothered to check. Grand theft auto instead of diddling little girls. It was too late for my sister. Just like it was too late for Bella and her uncles.” She rested her cheek on her knee. “I told my mom. What would your mom have done in the same situation?”

“Killed the guy.”

Margery gave a half laugh. “Mine beat the shit out of me. And then let her husband kick me around, too.”

“Are they still alive?”

She smiled without humor at his bloodlust. “She’s also in prison. For selling drugs. I don’t know where the hell he is. My sister is the only one I can stand. She should have finished school, but she was in and out of juvie so many times I don’t think she ever did. Larceny and stuff like that.”

“What did you do?”

“Emancipated myself. Her husband threw me out, and I never looked back.”

“You’re looking back now,” Remy said. “Do you want to start issuing death certificates like Bella?”

“No.” Margery shook her head. “I think living their lives are punishment enough. As long as my mother and Joe are out of mine, I don’t care what happens to them. Do you think that’s weak?”

He sat down and hugged her. “No. But I will end them if I ever see them. It’s my job.”

She gave a watery giggle and sniffed back any tears that she had left in her, which wasn’t much. “Sorry for dumping all that on you.”

“The more I know, the better I can protect you.”

A knock on the door startled them. Remy bounced off the bed, fast and deadly. He was at the door just as it opened.

A maid squeaked a bit at the sight of him and curtsied. “The Queen has provided dress clothes for dinner tonight.”

“That was kind of her,” Margery said, getting up to stand next to Remy. “We could have just magicked up our own duds.”

Remy stepped aside, and the woman hung up a beautiful gown that looked like it was spun from sunbeams and diamonds.

“Wow.” She couldn’t stop herself from petting the fabric. The maid hung Remy’s dress jacket next to it, along with a belted kilt in the same colors he’d shown her in his truck.

“What time is dinner?” he asked, fingering the plaid.

“In three hours. Queen Mei Hua said there would be honored guests at the banquet that you will enjoy seeing. A servant will come for you and bring you down when it’s time.”

“Thank—” Margery broke off at Remy’s glare. Right. No thanking. Was she ever going to get used to this Queen stuff.

After the maid left, Margery said, “Who do you think she’s invited? Smythe?”

“I doubt it’s a dragon stud.” He fingered the fabric. “They got the plaid right. I’m impressed.”

“Well whoever the guest is, I hope they have some answers for us about the origins of the BabyDragon pill.” She went back to her laptop. “I don’t suppose you have the wireless password?”

Remy pulled out his phone. “I’ll turn on my hot spot.”

Once she was set up and connected, Margery spent the next hour answering email. Casimiro was all right. Although pissed about being left behind, he made plans to meet her back in Vermont. Reed was also not thrilled, having been called in to quell the dragonstruck fans at the hotel.

Her sister emailed back. The subject line was “Dragons R Cool.”

“A-r-e,” Margery spelled out. “It’s only two more letters.”

“What?” Remy asked.

“Nothing.” She sighed. This time the email wasn’t so pleasant.

So I heard that pictures of dragons go for like a grand. Can I take a bunch of pictures when we get together? I can get a new car and maybe a lease on an apartment. And if you can come to my new job, I’ll be the shit. Everyone can’t believe I have a Queen for a sister. Say you will! Please! Can you come next week?

This was more like the Carla she remembered. Margery deleted it without answering.

There was another email, with only a video attached to it. When she played it, it showed a movie of someone walking through the inside of her old New York apartment.

“Yeah, like that’s not creepy,” she said. She blocked the email address and sent a copy to Reed, just in case it turned out to be something important.

“Huh?” Remy asked.

“Never mind.” No sense getting him all worked up and protective if it was just one of Reed’s goons doing inventory or something. Still, it didn’t feel like that. It felt sinister, and it made the hairs stand out on her neck. But Margery couldn’t pinpoint a reason why.

“Still no word from Rathin,” she said.

“That means no word about Lisa.” He pounded a fist on his knee. “Nidhogg damn it.”

“Reed’s started a file on her. She’s twenty-one and a nursing student. She’s in good health. Maybe she’ll be the exception to the rule.”

“What about Frieda?” Remy asked. He’d filled her in about his adventures on the plane during round two—or was it round three of their lovemaking?

“Can you rub my shoulders?” she asked, pulling her hair off her neck. She was getting a crick hunched over the laptop. And thinking about how they tore up the sheets on the plane made her anxious for his touch.

“I’ll rub anything you want,” he said.

Remy’s hands were strong and talented on her neck and shoulders.

“Mmm,” she sighed. “You have the magic touch.”

She enjoyed the rhythmic motions for a moment before remembering she was gathering research. “Your friend Frieda is carrying a dragon egg. They’re trying to obtain her permission for a C-section before it grows any bigger. She’s resisting, but once she realizes she can’t deliver it, she may change her mind. If they get the baby into an incubator and sew her up, they could both live.”

Remy’s hands tightened, but it still felt good. “I’m going to kill Rathin with my bare hands.”

“Get in line,” Margery said. “I think Reed’s first. He won’t forgive him for breaching his security.”

“I won’t forgive him for harming you. Where’s the connection between him and Smythe, aside from that stupid doll? Who hired the drakes?”

“Rathin.” She pointed at the screen. “Reed was able to find the mercenary company he hired.”

“What about the attack in Quebec?”

Margery nodded. “Yup. They’re interrogating the survivor now to see if he can lead them to Rathin.”

She leaned her head back and reached up to bring him down for a quick kiss that sizzled through her nerve endings.

Remy trailed his fingers into her blouse. He captured her nipples and rolled them. “I don’t want to talk about studs attacking you anymore.”

Suddenly, Margery didn’t, either. She vanished her clothes and heard his shuddering intake of breath.

“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” he said.

She closed her eyes in bliss when he bent to trail biting kisses down her neck. “Not a plucked chicken?”

“You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen, in either form.”

Margery stood up and wrapped her arms around him. “You’re wearing too many clothes.”

“If I vanish them are you going to put a collar around my neck?” Remy cocked his head at her.

“Try me and see, but I guarantee you won’t be sorry.”

As he pulled her in for a kiss, he made his clothes disappear. Her taut and sensitive nipples were crushed against his chest hair, and his big hands cupped her ass. Their mouths slanted together and shared sweet kisses.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for a while,” she said, breathless from his relentless lips.

“Kiss me while naked? Any time you want, chérie.”

“I meant this.” Sinking to her knees in front of him, she rubbed her chin against his thigh.

He held his breath.

Margery lowered her mouth down the length of his cock and wrapped her hand around the base of it.

Remy hissed. He entwined his fingers in her hair and pushed her head down. “Just like that.”

Margery took him deep in her throat, sucking hard. She looked up at him. His head was thrown back, and the feral noises coming out of his mouth made her wet. His hips twitched as he used her mouth to get off. The feel of him sliding in and out of her mouth made her desperate to taste more of him. She licked at the tip when she could and tried to get her teeth out of the way when she couldn’t. Her nipples rasped against his coarse leg hairs, and she enjoyed making him lose control.

So far she wasn’t feeling like she had to faint. Which was good. Real good. Having to wait until she was on a plane in order to get laid would be inconvenient. Now that she had the ability to shift, she supposed if worst came to worst, she could grab him and jump out the window and continue what they started after he shifted, too. It was a silly thought, but it was good to have a contingency plan, because she did not want to stop.

“Your mouth is so sweet,” he groaned.

She moaned back, liking that the vibration shook him and made his legs tremble. Reaching between her legs, she played with herself in time with his pumping hips.

“Do you want me to come down your throat or on your tits?” He pulled out of her long enough to ask. His cock was hot and wet from her ministrations, and she answered him by putting the length of him between her breasts.

“Fuck, yeah,” he said in between ragged breaths.

Margery bent her head to lick the tip of him as he thrust upward.

“You taste so good,” she said, her voice husky from him being down her throat. She caught some precome on her tongue.

“Oh,” he groaned, looking down at her. “I want you so much, my Queen.”

“Make me yours,” she purred, loving what he was doing to her.

He came hard then on a cry that was part passion and part declaration. “Margery!”

She felt a feminine satisfaction when all he could do was stare down at her and stroke her cheek lovingly. Lying back on the carpet, she spread her legs and beckoned him to join her. But he surprised her by picking her up and carrying her into the bathroom.

Margery gaped at the luxurious room. “I could fit my entire New York apartment in here.”

Candles were everywhere, in all shapes and sizes. The bathtub was a recessed pool filled with heated water. It wasn’t just big enough for two. It was big enough for a dragon. Eucalyptus and spearmint scents rose from the steam. There were containers of rich oils and creams all over the counter. Mirrors reflected both the bathtub and the view of the buildings of the city from the windows.

He set her in the water. It was hot enough to soothe her sore muscles, but not enough to be uncomfortable. Remy gathered a few of the canisters from the counter. Margery looked her fill at her handsome consort, admiring his fine ass and his half-hard cock.

“I want that back in my mouth,” she said, crooking her finger.

He nearly dropped the jars he was carrying. “Are you trying to kill me?”

“I just want it hard again so you can fuck me with it.”

“Choose which one you want me to rub all over your body, and believe me, I’ll be hard enough for you.”

She picked up each jar and smelled. “I don’t know which one to pick.”

Remy slid into the water next to her. He put a cushioned pillow behind her head.

“Do you think I’ll pass out if we have sex when we’re not flying?”

A smile broke out of his face. “I’ll keep you from drowning if you do.”

She grabbed a jar of liquid soap. After filling her hand, she smoothed the suds over his chest and arms, loving the rasp of hair against her palm and the curve of his muscles. She massaged his shoulders this time, and he stretched like a big cat.

“I like your touch,” he said, opening his eyes partway. They flew open when she straddled his lap. His cock stirred to life, getting harder under her. She took one of his big hands and filled it with soap.

“Clean me off.”

Remy rubbed the soap all over her front, making lots of suds over her breasts and nipples.

“Oh.” She pressed in close to his touch. “I want you to play with me for hours.”

“We only have an hour until dinner.” He moved his hand in between her legs.

Margery gasped when he rubbed her clit with soapy, slippery fingers. She dug her fingernails into his shoulders as his mouth claimed hers in a hot, wet kiss. His fingers went faster. She grasped his hair and held him close to keep the kiss going. Quick-fire pulses of pleasure shattered over her as her thighs clamped around his hand. She was growling in his mouth, because the quick orgasm was not enough.

“Don’t worry, chérie,” he said, flipping her on her stomach so she was bent over the side of the pool. “I’m going to make the most of that time.” Then he thrust inside her so hard that she wailed as she clamped down around him. The water in the pool thrummed against her clit.

“What’s that?” she gasped. It felt like a thousand little tongues on her sensitive bud. She backed up against him so he would move that fat cock more.

He laughed softly. “Well, my Queen. It looks like I can control the water.”

The water still thrummed against her most erotic place, and he fucked her hard enough that she thought his fingers would leave bruises. She still moved back against him, though, because it wasn’t enough. She wanted more.

“This is new,” he panted and held her as he stayed deep. “I’m using the water like a vibrator on that cute little button of yours. All I had to do was think about it, and there it is.”

“Remy,” Margery wailed again.

He spread her ass cheeks wide, and she felt the water pound into her.

Speech fled as she was reduced to panting. He filled her with his pumping cock while buzzing the water against her clit and pulsing in her ass. Remy put his hand on her shoulder and kept the pace fast and hard.

Frenzied, she thrashed back at him. “More, give me more,” she cried as pleasure like she never knew pulled as if she was on a leash down a roller-coaster ride of sensation.

“Come for me. And only for me,” Remy said. His tone was dark and menacing and sexy as hell.

Water cascaded over her back like a sharp sting that quickly became another erotic sensation. It was like getting fucked by the ocean, wild, powerful. Margery was boneless when her orgasm took her breath, stopped her heart, and then flooded through her until her whole body was shaking. And still it went on.

“Remy,” she cried.

“Tell me I’m your only lover. Tell me you’ll take no consort but me,” he growled and turned up the buzz and pulses. His hips slapped into her, and water was flooding the bathroom.

“Yes,” she keened.

“My Queen,” he shouted and came deep inside her.

Margery had heard the phrase “the earth shook,” but she hadn’t understood it until now. He’d not only rocked her world, he’d nearly drowned them both, and she would have let him. Gladly.

He pulled her unresisting form up, kissing her neck.

She was still shivering from the aftershocks of her orgasm. He floated them back into the water, and the warmth covered her like a blanket.

“I like this new power,” he said.

“I’m a fan of it, too,” she giggled, reaching up for another kiss.