Again, I feel his thoughts go dark, and images of ravens sweep through my mind. Not this one.

Even this one. I continue to stroke my hand along his scales, even as Tate watches. I know he must be thinking awful things, but I don’t care. I’m bargaining for his sorry life. You have no idea how many people died in the After, Dakh. All of humanity was destroyed. I don’t want his death to be my responsibility. I don’t want to live with that.

But I will be the one killing him.

Yes, but you’re doing it for me.

Also for me. There’s a shot of pleasure in his thoughts.

I laugh despite myself, then shake my head. I know, but I still can’t let that happen. I’m sorry, Dakh. Please understand. I’ll give you whatever you want.

All I want is for my mate to feel safe. His thoughts are growly and brusque, but I feel warm hearing that.

I do feel safe with you, but I feel safe when you’re at my side, not when you’re gone all day hunting this creep. If you want to make me feel safe, stay with me. And let me stay with you. Don’t leave me. I don’t like to be left behind.

I would take you with me, always, my Sasha. He presses his nose against my hand, like an oversized cat wanting petting. But I must leave to hunt for food. I will not steal yours.

Then take me with you, I suggest. Let’s make me a saddle like Claudia had and I can fly with you.

Perhaps. I want you to be safe, though. If it is not safe, we will not do it.

Agreed. I gesture at Tate. And you’re going to let him live as a favor to me?

I do not want to. His thoughts are like ground glass, and his eyes go dark again. Nothing displeases me more.

I can’t live with his death on my conscience. You wouldn’t even know he existed if it weren’t for me. I continue to stroke his nose. Please, Dakh. Don’t make me beg for this asshole’s life. I think for a moment, and then offer, we can have sex again.

The dragon’s head rears back, and his eyes go black. Not if you will not enjoy it!

It’s not like I’m actively trying to hate it! It just happened, okay? I freaked out.

I do not want you to freak out. I do not want sex if you are just “enduring” my touch. If you go to another place in your mind. I want you there with me. I want your cunt full of your mating juices. I want your mind filled with pleasure. The big head lowers again, and he gazes at me, right in the eye. Those are my demands, my Sasha. You want this sniveling piece of rotten flesh to live? There is nothing you can promise me that will make me want to release him.

Immediately I think, Well, there’s one thing.

His eyes flare a deeper gold. You would do that to save him?

I can feel myself blushing. I’ll do it. At least, I’ll try. But I can’t guarantee I’ll enjoy it.

I demand you enjoy it! The eyes whirl again.

It’s a little absurd that I’m arguing with a dragon over whether or not I should have enjoyable sex. Then you have to make sure it’s good for me before going on, okay? And if it’s not, we stop!

He relaxes a bit at that, and his eyes slide back to that languid gold. I can accept that. You will let me pet you and you promise to enjoy it?

I’ll do my best. How’s that? I’ll try really hard—

And I shall try really hard not to kill this one.

“The claws,” Tate howls as one digs into his back. “Sasha, help me!”

I sigh at Dakh. You’re impossible.

I want a mate in all ways. I want you in all ways.

It might take a few rounds to figure things out, I tell him. Meanwhile, I’m inwardly trying to figure out ways I can enjoy it. Masturbation? Getting really drunk? There has to be an option. Somehow.

I am fine with practicing, Dakh tells me, and his eyes gleam with pleasure. He leans in and nuzzles me with that enormous head of his.

And I feel a little like I traded with the devil…for Tate, of all people. Ugh.

21

SASHA

When Dakh finally lets Tate up, he’s not the least bit grateful.

In fact, he’s kind of a shit.

He picks himself up off the asphalt, straightens his uniform, and then scowls at me like I had something to do with this. “Is this where you’ve been all this time, Sasha? Cavorting with the enemy?”

“Don’t start,” I say, tired. “I was snatched away, just like you. I didn’t choose any of this.”

“I find that hard to believe.” He examines a tear in his sleeve and pulls away fingers wet with blood. The disgust on his face is obvious.

“I just saved your life,” I point out to him. “How about you cool it for a few minutes? We’re taking you back home, all right? This should never have happened, and I’m sorry it did, but I don’t control him. Dakh’s got a mind all his own.”

Tate’s brow furrows as he studies me. He’s very careful not to look over at the dragon nearby, which would almost be funny if the whole situation wasn’t so stressful. “His name is Dakh? Is he the one that’s been attacking the city? The king dragon? I thought Claudia was fooling around with him.”

“There’s more than one dragon that attacks Fort Dallas,” I tell him patiently. “As for Claudia, I don’t know where she’s at or who her dragon is. All I know is this one. And of course he has a name. He’s a person.”

The look Tate gives me is skeptical. “He’s a monster.”

And he is not? Dakh retorts.

Let’s just ignore him, okay? I beg Dakh as he nuzzles my hair again. He’s not worth the effort.

Are you sure I cannot tear him apart?

Tempting, but I’m sure.

Then let us return him to his hive so we can be rid of him and I can go about pleasuring my mate.

Eek. I feel a little apprehension as he tells me that, but I’m going to keep an open mind. If Claudia’s happy with her dragon, surely I can be happy with mine. Maybe I can learn to appreciate sex despite my past with Tate. I’m skeptical but willing to give it a shot. How shall we do this, then, Dakh? I don’t think you should leave me here, just in case you need a translator.

There is a wry note in Dakh’s mental voice. And you do not trust me not to rend him limb from limb.

Well, that too.

Tate’s watching me intently. After a moment, he asks, “Are you talking to the dragon? Telepathically?”