Page 20 of Dragon King's Cursed Mate

“Look. Deeper.”

Then, the whisper faded, leaving only stillness behind.

His heart finally calmed enough so he could go back to bed, although he still couldn’t fall asleep right away. When he finally did, it seemed like it was only a few minutes before the day started.

Most of the morning was spent meeting with the brotherhood. Their strike against the wagon train had been a success. Even if it had been too easy, the oracle was able to cleanse any malicious, dark magic from the supplies. They decided that hitting those was a great starting point.

That afternoon, he checked in with Jasmine and Lily. They reported that the newcomers were fitting in with the rest of the people well. They’d taken on some of the communal duties, and none of them had even made a motion like they would try to leave the ruins.

With nothing else to do at the moment, Dain went in search of Seraphina. He told himself he wanted to know if she’d had any other visions, but deep inside, he knew that he wanted to spend time with her, talk to her, and hold her.

When he couldn’t find her, he asked the guard at the entrance. “Jamison, have you seen the oracle?”

“Yes. She had a bag with her and said she was going to the creek because it had been too long since she’d had a proper bath.”

Worry and irritation flashed through Dain. “What in the world is she doing? Doesn’t she know how dangerous it is outside of these walls?”

Jamison shrugged. “She’s the oracle, Sir. I assume that she knows very well when there is danger around.”

Dain glared at him but then shook it off. Jamison was right. She could protect herself with her magic. The only reason that she’d been captured by Malakar’s guards was because she’d allowed it to happen.

Knowing that didn’t make him any less anxious or upset.

“Thank you, Jamison.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Dain walked through the woods toward the creek. He stopped when he saw her, standing in the middle of the rushing water. The vision stole his breath away.

The water swirled around her bare skin, which glowed as the afternoon sun shone down on her. For a moment, she didn’t look like a real woman made of flesh and blood.

His dragon inside of him stirred, his stomach tightening with a coil of heat.

Seraphina’s silver hair clung to her damp shoulders. She looked up to the sky, her body perfect, and she looked like the goddesses painted by the masters in ancient portraits.

Mine.

The word echoed in his mind and soul.

“Hello, Dain. Are you going to hide in the woods all day?”

Her beauty and very essence called to him. Forgetting about ancient curses and the whispers that made him think he was mad, he kicked off his boots and quickly undressed, throwing his clothes next to her tunic.

He walked into the cold creek and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight to him. Their bare bodies touched and the heat exploded, shrouding them in a mist of aching want and need.

Lowering his head he captured her lips in an all-consuming kiss. He was instantly aroused and knew he had to make love to her, here and now.

9

Seraphina

Large, rough hands framed her face. He traced her cheek with his thumb as he gazed deep into her eyes as though searching for something.

Dain claimed her mouth with a raw, aching need that ignited a searing heat that melted her insides. She arched against him, her bare skin sliding against his hard, muscular body. The sensation of their bodies touching, skin to skin, sent a shockwave of desire coursing through her body.

A primal, hungry sound rumbled in the back of his throat.

She tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened. The world disappeared around them. It was as though all the elements of the Earth had combined and exploded around them. The kiss was untamed and magical. He tasted like the air after a heavy storm and wild mint.

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