Chapter Seventeen

The recognition of the approaching Dragons as friendly barely registered as Asher refused to leave his mate. Grinning as the human detective who’d treated Willa with such disrespect went up in flames, Asher concentrated on Taranis. Playing an intricate game of cat and mouse, the traitor worked to get close to Willa, something the Berserker would die before letting happen.

Knowing the moment two of the other Guardsman, Pearce and Murdock, had touched down in human form, Asher turned his full attention to his twin, leaving the others to deal with the old Gypsy King. Spitting fire as cover, the Berserker charged towards Taranis, launching his hefty form at the traitor’s chest, plunging the poisonous, serrated tips of his talons deep into his brother’s flesh.

Blood sprayed the ridge as locked together the Baines Brothers fell over the side of the cliff. Breaking through the surface of the choppy, white-capped waters, Asher shoved copious amounts of poison into Taranis, ripping them from his flesh the split-second his feet touched the ocean floor.

Grabbing his twin by the throat, shaking him until his eyes rolled back in his head, Asher squeezed his fist closed, the sounds of crushing bone riding the waves as bright red blood rippled through the water. Palming the top of Taranis’ skull, he ripped the head from the traitor’s shoulders with a triumphant roar. Dropping both pieces of his brother’s corpse, he watched as a school of Great White Sharks descended upon what was left of Taranis before turning and leaping back to the surface.  

Climbing the jagged rock-face, he bounded onto the ridge he’d only moments before vacated, stopping dead in his tracks as he saw his mate, rage etched in every inch of her stunning visage as she sat astride the Romani King’s chest, repeatedly punching him in the face as four Guardsman stood at the ready. Releasing the magic of his Berserker, settling back into his human form, standing perfectly still until the last remnants of the Warrior’s rage was expelled from his system, Asher finally crossed the jagged terrain, stopping beside Murdock, the only brethren he could remember from before his capture.

“I told the guys she needed this,” the multi-natured Dragon explained. “The bastard is all but dead. Pearce there,” Murdock went on, motioning towards the Guardsman Asher vaguely remembered from his time at the Lair. “Had already hit the son of a bitch with one hell of a bolt of magic before your girl there jumped on top of who I’m guessing she knows.”

Nodding, if possible even more impressed with his formidable mate, Asher slipped into her mind, smiling when he saw what she had planned. Standing perfectly still, looking at only his Willa, the Guardsman waited with rapt anticipation as she pounded her fists against what little was left of Bogdi’ face exactly three more times.

Raising up on her knees, Willa slammed her palms onto the old bastard’s chest, glowered down at him and growled, “This is for Mars, for my mom, for my dad and for the others you tormented. May you burn in Hell for all eternity.”

Primeval and ageless, the mysticism of her ancestors imbued with the power of the Goddess magic whipped in hundreds of miniature funnel clouds circling the entire group. Sparks flew. Electricity floated on the airwaves. Scales, those the radiant ruby of Solveig, slid up her arms, covered her décolletage, and wound delicately around her neck. Bright, golden, alluring in its purity, Willa’s aura was blinding as the body of the narcissist king imploded beneath her hands, his ashes swept up by the vacuum of the mini tornadoes.

Panting, still bathed in the golden glow of the Queen she was meant to be, Willa’s head fell forward, and her arms began to shake. Rushing forward. Asher scooped her off the ground, held her tight to his chest, running as fast as he could down the far side of the cliffs and through the dark, dense forest.

Sure he wasn’t being followed, the Guardsman called to Murdock, “Make our apologies and explanations to the Elders. Tell them we’ll be back when the time is right. And be sure the one called Mars knows that Willa is well.”

“Aye, a bheith go maith mo dheartháir. Go dtí go gcomhlíonfaimid arís.”

“You also, my friend, you also.”

Hours later, Willa still sleeping in his arms, Asher walked into the cave he would always think of as theirs. Walking straight back to the grotto, he headed to the smaller cavern at the back, using his magic to prepare a bed of fur pelts for his wonderful mate.

Removing their clothes with only a thought, he gently laid Willa down, following her onto their bed, fitting his body behind hers, inhaling the intoxicating scent of all they were together. A slight hitch in her breathing as he kissed across the top of her shoulder signaled his mate had awakened.

Smiling as she rolled over until they were face to face, Asher laughed out loud when Willa teased, her voice still groggy, her eyelids heavy, “Did you really bring me back to the cave?”

“Indeed, I did.” Kissing the tip of her nose, he went on, “We deserve time alone and since I do not have a home and yours will be filled with the members of your Clan chomping at the bit for you to take charge, I made the executive decision to come back here.”

Snickering as his feisty mate tried to keep from smiling while slowly nodding, Asher continued, “Besides, I made sure that Murdock will tell Mars you’re okay before dashing off.”

“Thank you so much, Asher. I’m sure he’s gonna have a few choice words for me when we get back.”

“I doubt it,” he reassured. “From what I picked out of the other Dragons’ minds, your friend is loving life at the Lair. He’s working with Marcus, the Elder of the Guard, on the focus and control of his magic.”

“Oh good,” she quickly answered as Asher hurried on, tired of talking about the others and wanting to focus on his mate and her happiness. “Look around, I wanted to be sure you were comfortable in our little piece of paradise.” Motioning behind him with a nod of his head, he added, “There’s even food, drink and maybe some of those M&M’s you like.”

Kissing him soundly, she pulled back, giggling like a little girl, “How did you know I liked M&M’s?” Answering her own question, Willa tapped her temple. “You went diggin’ around up here, didn’t ya?”

“I did.”

“Well, M&M’s will get you out of a whole lotta fixes, Mr. Baines.” Kissing him again, she added, “You really are a keeper.”

“Well, if you like all this then you’re really gonna like your other surprise, Mrs. Baines.”

“There’s more?” She gasped, her excitement making what was to come all the more special for Asher.

“Oh yeah,” He answered, reaching under the mound of pelts and producing a small black velvet box.

Handing it to Willa, holding his breath as she opened the lip and squealed in delight, Asher took the teardrop-shaped ruby ring from the box, finally took a breath and as he slipped the ring onto his mate’s finger beamed, “Willa Baines, I know we are already mated. Our hearts beat as one, our souls are intertwined, and we shall spend eternity side-by-side, and still I would like to ask that you wear the ring of Solveig’s Queen, Aednat. So very many centuries ago, they pledged their love to one another. It is both the Dragon King and his Queen’s greatest wish that you wear this token of my love, an outward sign to all that you own me – body, soul and heart – forever and always.”

“Oh, Ash,” she cried, holding tight to his hand as she looked at the gorgeous ruby on her finger. Looking up, unshed tears making her eyes glisten in the firelight, Willa smiled so sweetly his heart skipped a beat as she pulled him closer, laid her lips to his and whispering in his mind, assured, “Forever and always my Warrior Dragon. That’s how long I will love you.”

“And I love you, my Warrior Queen, with every beat of my heart.”