The (Not) Satisfied Dragon - Colette Rhodes Page 0,105
“That would be amazing. Maybe we could go to Leodis? I actually need to visit The Alchemist. If that’s okay.”
I nodded, attempting to organize my features into a smile. I wasn’t sure if it worked, but Shira stifled a giggle, so at least I entertained her.
It only took a few minutes to fly to Leodis, even without shifting fully. Shira’s face was bright with excitement as she took in the scenery below us.
We landed on the outskirts of town and retracted our wings, Shira waiting next to me as I pulled my shirt on. She slipped her small hand into mine and my heart stuttered in my chest.
“Thank you,” she breathed as we passed the town walls. “I needed that. The idea that I’m actually free, it’s so foreign.”
“Not just free. A Councilor. All but untouchable,” I added, squeezing her hand.
“I don’t know if that’s a good thing,” she chuckled. “But yes. It’s a heady feeling.”
Shira led us confidently through the winding back streets, finding The Alchemist’s little dungeon store with practiced ease. It was a good reminder of how independent she’d been after she’d escaped us. While we sat around, panicking about her safety, Shira had been building powerful alliances all by herself without even realizing their significance.
“About time,” The Alchemist grumbled from the doorway of her shop. “Come in, then. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Shira laughed airily, not bothered by The Alchemist’s prickly attitude. I stuck close to my mate’s side as we entered the cool, dark space. Fortunately, she didn’t have any customers, not that she ever seemed to.
“Have you come to thank me?” The Alchemist asked smugly, leaning against the counter with her arms crossed.
“I had,” Shira teased, cocking her head like she was thinking about it.
“You’re in a good mood,” The Alchemist observed. “Messy reunion last night, was it? Five males must mean a lot of fluid.”
“Gods,” Shira choked, instantly losing her bluster.
“There’s a decent amount of fluid on the female side, too. If you’re doing it right,” I put in, giving my flustered mate a chance to recover.
“You’re my new favorite,” The Alchemist declared with a slow, terrifying grin.
“Right,” Shira interjected. “Now that everything is sufficiently awkward, I just wanted to thank you for yesterday. Things would have gone very differently if I’d had the tincture.”
“You’re most welcome,” The Alchemist said, puffing out her chest. “No favor comes for free, of course. But we can discuss that in due course.”
“Can’t wait,” Shira deadpanned. “There was, er, one more thing.” Shira glanced nervously at me before returning her gaze to The Alchemist.
The old goblin didn’t even ask, just disappeared behind the counter and returned with a small hessian sack that she handed Shira. Lover’s Leaf. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a handful of coin that The Alchemist accepted cheerfully.
“Definitely my favorite,” she added, looking at me appreciatively.
“We’re going,” Shira announced, angling herself possessively in front of me. “See you later, The Alchemist.”
“Algea.”
“What?” Shira asked, turning back at the threshold.
“You wanted to know my real name. Algea. You can see why I go by The Alchemist.”
Shira’s face softened, and I got the impression that there was a bond between the two of them that ran deeper than the rest of the flight understood.
“I know that. Be on your way, little dragon. I’ll be seeing you soon.”
Shira laughed as she tugged my arm, leading me out of the store. I pried the lover’s leaf from her hands and tucked it into my pocket. She watched me warily, like she thought I might throw it away.
“Ready to go home?” I asked, training my gaze on my beautiful mate.
“So ready.”
✽✽✽
I wished I could extend the flight home. I was tempted to detour just to make it last longer. Not because I was enjoying the physical act of flying like I usually did.
No, I wanted to fly longer because my mate was a few feet above me, and I could feel the heat of her gaze on my back muscles. Maybe I’d passed some hidden test this morning, helping her get the lover’s leaf. Or maybe her inhibitions were coming down. Whatever it was, Shira was checking me out.
Fuck.
The urge to claim her had already been riding me hard, but her reciprocating had made the sensation almost painful. I’d never flown with a hard on before and it was agonizing. Plus, I was flexing my muscles like crazy, putting on a show for my girl. Everything was