Kiss of Frost (The Dragon Stone Saga Book 1)(22)

I shake my head. "Desmond told Beck that they've had his little sister, Isobel, all this time. That's how they found Kay and her family. They've got a dragon."

Ann gasps. "Oh, no."

"Yeah. I don't know how they're using her though. Beck was obviously upset." I run a hand through my hair. "He kind of froze Desmond into a human Popsicle after he told us."

"Can't say I blame him for that." Ann rubs her hand down my back as we head into the kitchen. "How long do you think it will take for him to defrost? Once he does, we'll get more answers out of him."

"I've got no idea. Beck is incredibly powerful. Could be a few hours, maybe a day?" I shrug.

"Well, in the meantime, let’s make some tea and go help Jem."

"Sounds like a plan." It seems trivial but when there's nothing you can do for the moment, sometimes stepping back and clearing your head can mean all the difference.

I grab the mugs out of the cabinet as Ann selects the tea and puts the kettle on the stove. The familiar actions soothe my frazzled nerves. We've done this thousands of times over the years. And I can't imagine not doing it a thousand times more. Beck must be in an emotional hell. He's been trapped, and for a man of action like him, that has to be one of the purest forms of torture. "Did you make enough water for me to give a cup to Beck?"

"Of course. I think he could use it." Ann buzzes around the kitchen and I scoop the loose-leaf tea into the metal tea diffuser balls we have, plopping each of them into the bottom of the cups. "Ivy, did Desmond say how they captured Isobel? Or how they're able to use her to do their dirty work?"

I shake my head. "No, he didn't get much out past her name before Beck freaked out."

"Perhaps I'll try to talk to him alone when he thaws out."

"Beck or Desmond?" I ask curiously. I'm not sure that Beck would open up to Ann. He only seems to open up to me because of our mate bond. And even then he's weary. My poor dragon.

"Desmond, of course."

"That might be best." The kettle whistles and Ann pours the water, dropping a sugar cube in her cup before grabbing it and a second one for Jem.

"I'll go work with Jem on the last of the invoices. Why don't you take this up to Beck and talk with him? He could probably use someone to listen to him right now."

"Thanks, Mom." I stand and hug her. She clucks at me in a motherly way before leaving the room.

I head up to my suite, walking slowly as I balance the full cups of hot liquid in each hand. I mutter a few words, opening the door to my rooms ahead of me and kicking it closed. I wander through the sitting room but don't see Beck. I place the mugs down on the nightstand in my bedroom but still don't see him. I can sense him, I just can't see him. I frown, checking the bathroom and my closet. Still nothing. I head out to the only other place he could be. The balcony. I pull the slider door open and peek my head out. Beck's sitting with his back against the wall. His knees are bent, his arms crossed on them, his head resting there. Misery pours off of him, permeating the air around us.

"Beck?" I mutter his name softly, not sure if he wants to be left alone of if he'd accept my company right now. He raises his head and his eyes are red. My heart breaks for him and the pain he must be feeling. I drop to my knees next to him and rest my hand on top of his. "Tell me how I can help you and I will."

"You are helping me, mate. You're here. You're searching with me." He pulls me into his embrace with his hand at the back of my neck and cradles me in his lap. His arms are tight around me and I squeeze him back as hard as I can.

"I brought you some tea if you want to come inside?"

"I can't be inside right now. I've had enough of being cooped up to last me ten lifetimes."

I wince. "I know you have. I'm sorry. I'll go grab it for you."

He tightens his arms around me. "Just sit with me for a little while longer."

I nod and snuggle into his larger form. I don't know how long we sit there, but it seems like an eternity. The sun sets and the air cools outside. Finally, Beck stirs. He stands with me still in his arms in a quick movement, and I tense, waiting to fall on my ass.

"Holy crap! You scared me!" I bat at his chest.

"I'm sorry, mate. I didn't mean to. I thought you were asleep. I wanted to put you on the bed so you'd be comfortable."

"I'm wide-awake. I don't think I can sleep just yet. Not with everything going on."

Beck licks his lips, his gaze focused on my mouth. "I've got ways to tire you out, little witch. Plenty of ways to distract you."

"Oh, you do, do you?"

"Mmhmm." Beck places me on top of the mattress and steps back, pulling his shirt over his head and baring his upper half to me.

"Give it your best shot, dragon."





Chapter 9





"Take off your clothes, Ivy. I want you bared before me." Beck growls the order and I jump up, eager to do as he says. Every second I'm around him, it's like our bodies crave each other more and more. Every touch is just enough to appease the craving for a little while longer, but until we fully connect, the longing only builds.

"I want to look at you too. Take off your pants. It's my turn to play, handsome."