them,” Lucas explained. “Plus, we don’t trust the targets from the Elven realm to not seek vengeance for the part of the mission that was completed.”
“We can figure something out,” Maya offered softly before turning to Marco, her eyes filled with understanding and concern. “They seem like they need help, Marco.”
Anna scoffed as I snarled, her eyes darting away. Marco examined Maya’s face before he nodded. “When we get back, arrange for them to take the portal with us.”
I immediately made a mental note to figure out lodging for them and to talk to Atlas about maybe putting them on some type of security rounds for smaller clients. I wasn’t against taking another younger flight under our wing, especially because it sounded like they’d been sent on a goddamn suicide mission, but it wasn’t fantastic timing with everything going on.
The concept of failed missions and the pressure put on young teams had me transitioning into a place in my subconscious that wasn’t nearly as welcoming as my present circumstance, where Maya was curled up on my lap. My blood boiled as I recounted the hundreds of times I’d been put in dangerous positions purely because of the possible ‘benefits’ it could serve for my future. How it would make me stronger. Better. It was also how I had ended up with this fucking eye injury to begin with. A low growl broke from my throat at that concept.
The worst part? I knew the crown wasn’t completely to blame. Sure, they had allowed the military culture to thrive, but dragons in general were aggressive, and it was only made worse by the lack of ‘true mates’ to balance out all of it. There was a rough hardness to the entire situation that didn’t foster a healthy environment for children. Most dragon shifters, by the time they were thirteen, were mentally and emotionally as capable as human adults, and physically it was about fifteen when they were far stronger than even the strongest Earth realm shifters. We were born to be fighters, and it made it all that much more difficult to change the pattern that had been occurring for so long.
Suddenly, and jostling me from my thoughts, Maya squirmed on my lap, her ass rocking against the bite mark that she had left on my thigh. I felt my entire body tense as everything hardened. My cock was practically begging me to slide into her, pushing up her dress and bouncing her up and down on me until I was buried completely into her tight heat. I let out a small groan, looking at the stunning vixen in my lap, her pupils dilated as she watched me with a concerned and heated expression, her teeth biting down on her plush lip and making me want to do the same.
“You’re growling,” Maya whispered softly.
Shit.
“Sorry, sweetheart.” I inhaled sharply as she wrapped her arms around my neck, allowing me to bury my nose in her sweet-smelling hair. I absolutely loved how easily she fit in my arms, and as usual, the woman had a way of calming me down and working me up to a point that was rivaled by none. It was impressive and terrifying. Even now, despite our company—or maybe because of it and the mood they were unfortunately inspiring—I found myself wanting to ravage her.
“Henry,” she murmured, wiggling against me again. I pulled away from her hair and examined her bright pink face. I knew she could feel how much she affected me, and maybe it was because we were both so over this conversation, but I didn’t bother tempering my reaction. There was no point anyway. If Maya was around, I was hard. It was literally that simple.
“Can’t help it.” I nipped her ear as a shiver ran over her skin. I was suddenly very glad that Marco and the others seemed so invested in their conversation regarding the other flight. Although I highly doubt anyone could miss the scent of Maya’s desire saturating the air. The thought of them experiencing that had a possessive feeling roaring up inside of me. I pushed back in my chair, adjusting my suit coat before I stood both of us up, her frame swaying against mine as she offered me a heated and excited look.
It was far better than the one Anna had put on her face minutes ago.
“We are going for a walk in the garden,” I explained briefly. “Just let me know when our food arrives.” Marco shot me a