I Married A Dragon (Prime Mating Agency)(41)

“Sheesh. You’ve certainly given me a lot to think about. But it’s great to finally talk with someone who understands what my role is meant to be,” I said sheepishly. “Speaking of which, I do have a question for you. How much say do I have when it comes to the way others interact with Cedros?”

Her eyes widened in surprise upon hearing my question. “I’m not quite sure what you mean.”

I recounted the market incident with the freeloaders asking for portals.

“Oh Gods! Tell those stingy leeches to get lost. When it comes to the welfare of her Shadow Lord, the word of an Ejaya is the law. Be as viciously protective of him as you deem appropriate. No one will challenge you. It is your right and your duty.”

“I’m loving the sound of that,” I said with an evil grin.

Trinit chuckled in approval.

“Tell me, do you have a career, or is being an Ejaya a full-time role?” I asked.

“I do have a career. I’m an educator for younglings, which makes me the perfect mentor for you. One of my specialties is preparing them for the Shadow Trail. Speaking of which, I came here to give you some rift training. On your feet, my dear. It’s time to get you lost in the void.”





Chapter 12





Cedros





My head spun as I opened the portal home. The most virulent toxin coursed through my veins from fighting the aqrats and other fiendish void creatures. The roots of my scales burned like a thousand fires. I wanted to claw them off my flesh. After only a few days of bliss with my Kaida, I had forgotten just how excruciating the aqrat toxin was.

Rovain had been right in warning me of just how dangerous the Vessant sector had become. The pilgrims had lured an absurd number of beasts, many of them getting grievously injured. It would take at least a couple more days to track down and eradicate all the roaming threats in the area. But now wasn’t the time for me to dwell on it. Anyway, I couldn’t focus enough for it.

I emerged from the portal on the terrace of my lair. The large glass doors lay wide open. The scent of sizzling meat wafted to me, but my brain only registered Kaida’s divine aroma. Through the fog of my pain, it struck me like a boulder to the head. My knees wobbled, and an almost vicious growl rose from my throat as a rabid hunger surged through me.

Flapping my wings, I dashed forward to capture my salvation. I barely processed the presence of the green Derakeen female sitting on a stool.

“Oh, shit!” Kaida whispered, her eyes wide with shock and a sliver of fear as I swooped down on her.

She took two steps away from the cooking plate where she was preparing her meal before I grabbed her. In my debilitating need, I nearly crushed her in my arms, my protective instincts reining me in at the last minute. The oddest sound trickled out of my throat, part whimper, part purr, and part growl as I rubbed my face all over hers.

The feel and scent of her immediately sent my glands into overdrive. My nezarone hormones began running through my veins, dampening some of the pain. But it was too little, a mere trickle. I needed more… much more.

Through the painful haze, I realized those wretched coverings she wore were the cause. With a will of their own, my claws shot out, and with a savage roar, I tore the obnoxious fabric to shreds. I vaguely heard a distant gasp, but my own strangled moan of ecstasy at the contact of her bare flesh against mine buried it. My knees wobbled again, and I fought to keep my eyes from rolling to the back of my head.

With the floodgates now fully open, my nezarone rushed through me, making me dizzy. My skin tingled, and my head swam. Feeling drunk, I started stumbling out of the kitchen.

A familiar feminine voice chuckled behind us. “By the Gods! Someone is in serious need!” the female said with amusement. “I will leave you both to it, then. See you in the morning for your next training, Kaida!”

At the same time she flapped her wings to leave, Kaida’s voice calling my name pierced through my daze.

“Cedros! The food will burn! Let me at least take it off the cooking plate! Cedros!”

I waved a hand towards the cooking plate, my kinetic powers tossing aside whatever had been cooking on top of it onto the counter.

“But… it… ugh…”

Whatever Kaida had meant to say, she apparently gave up. Anyway, I wouldn’t have been in any state to respond. I carried her to my nest, half-running, half-flying. As soon as we landed on the cushion, I wrapped myself around my Ejaya, rubbing my body and my face all over her. I couldn’t seem to get close enough to her. I ended up resting my face between her breasts, where her divine scent was strong. Feeling groggy, I fell asleep to the sound of her single heart beating and the gentle caress of her delicate fingers in my hair.





A fluttering sensation brought me back to awareness. I almost opened my eyes, but remained still when I realized Kaida’s fingers were gently tracing the grooves of my abdominal muscles. It slightly tickled, eventually drawing a smile from me.

“You’re awake,” Kaida whispered, without stopping the motion of her hand on me.

I opened my eyes to look at her. “I am now. I’m sorry I so brutally grabbed you and damaged your coverings,” I whispered back, sheepishly.

She smiled. “It was quite the dramatic entrance, one that my poor clothes will sadly not recover from. But it’s okay. I could see that you were in pain.”