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  Cage reluctantly let her go and Azy groaned as she scooted to the side of the bed. She sat there for a moment before pushing herself up and crossing the small room.

  His lover moved like she was exhausted. A sucking hollow formed in his chest at the thought of his mate suffering. Cage got up and waited outside the door of the little water closet and the second she stepped out he lifted her up into his arms.

  She didn’t even fight him, only curled her head into his shoulder and let him carry her all two meters back to their bed.

  “Is this why you called me back, my love? Are you ill, is there something wrong with the babies?”

  He hadn’t noticed any aroma of disease on her, only the distinct scents of the two small lives growing inside of her.

  The wall of leaves that surrounded the treehouse opened and a soft white glow pushed through. A beautiful woman in the flowing white robes of a nun and a dozen or so necklaces hanging around her neck that faintly glowed red, blue, gold, and green walked in and stood at the end of the bed. “Azynsa is fine. It’s hard work growing dragon babies, and these two are in a hurry to get born.”

  A thousand conflicting thoughts shot through Cage’s mind.

  He and Azy were both naked.

  Who was this woman?

  Was she a threat?

  Didn’t he know her from somewhere?

  He’d meant to growl the questions, but they stopped in his throat. The fear and anger rolling around inside calmed as if it were nothing more than a warm summer breeze.

  Azy touched his cheek drawing his attention back to her. “Cage, meet Senora Boh. She’s a midwife…for magical beings.”

  Huh. “I didn’t even know that was a thing.”

  “Let’s see how you’re doing today, mamacita.” She motioned for Azy to lie on the bed. Then a gentle wind lifted the sheets and pillows, arranging them so Azy was covered and somehow Cage’s pants ended up in his hand, so he put them on.

  “You’re a wind witch?” He should have guessed that a magic midwife would have some powers over the elements herself.

  She ignored him, which was fine since her focus was entirely on Azy and his babies. The witch measured Azy’s belly by moving her hands from finger to thumb and counted. “No wonder you’re exhausted, these babies are growing like weeds. Adorable little weeds. But it’s tiring them out too.”

  She pressed her ear to a couple of spots and listened through the sheet. “Aw, there you are, little man. Now, move your bum off your mama’s bladder. She needs her rest.”

  A visible bump moved under Azy’s skin and she sighed in relief. If she hadn’t, Cage would have been freaked the hell out by that sight.

  “Good boy. You two take care of each other in there.” That same soft white light emanated from the witch’s hands and seeped under the sheet. “There. I’ve given them a touch of magic to help them sleep in a little while. It will give you two a chance to do some bonding.”

  Bonding sounded good. He’d do whatever the midwife-witch told them too if it would help his new family.

  She stood and summoned a large cupped leaf on a vine over to Azy and filled it with a stream of water out of thin air. “Make sure you’re staying well hydrated, mermaid. The water isn’t just for you, your babies like it too.”

  As Azy drank the witch turned her attention to Cage. “They would also like to go flying.”

  “They would?” Talking to unborn babies must be a midwife thing.

  “Yes, and anything you can do to make them happy, healthy, and strong will help.” She waved him to the bed next to Azy and Cage sat as instructed.

  “I’m not going to sugar this up for the two of you. It’s been several hundred years since we’ve had a dragon son born, and decades since a dragon and a mermaid have mated. Your two little ones have taken up the challenge and are growing at more than twice the rate they should be. That’s making for a difficult pregnancy, and it’s only going to get tougher.”

  Azy took Cage’s hand. He swallowed, shoving his own fears down. She was the one bearing the stress for the last month, worrying and growing the babies. The least he could do was pretend he wasn’t scared shitless by the tone of the midwife’s speech. “What can I do to make it easier for her?”

  Senora Boh tipped her head and smiled at him. “Anything and everything to make your bond stronger. I suggest starting with a lot of sex.”

  Cage coughed and Azy had to pat him on the back. “Sex?”

  The midwife had a definite twinkle of mirth in her eye. “Yep. Preferably in your elements. Good thing you moved your Wyr to the beach. Plenty of water, sun, and a lovely breeze here, don’t you think?”

  Cage lifted Azy’s hand to his lips. It was no hardship on him to make love to his luscious mate, but he’d thought she wouldn’t be in the mood. He’d been prepared to sacrifice and have blue balls for the next several months.

  Azy had said she wanted him earlier but had also put him off. He slid one hand into her long curls, loving the touch of her, wanting to touch more. But only if she was up for it. He didn’t want to hurt her. “Are you okay with this plan?”

  Azy laughed and snuggled into him. “Dude. Why do you think I sent the message that you needed to come home ASAP? I had every intention of jumping your bones no matter what Senora Boh said after the appointment this morning.”

  Fuck, yeah.

  “That is my cue to leave. But, Azynsa, you need to be connected to more than just your mate. I know you haven’t always been able to make friends, but I want you to reach out to the other dragons’ mates. Your happiness and well-being are the best thing you can do for your children.”

  “Uh. Okay, will do.” The scent of untruth floated right out of Azy’s mouth.

  Cage should have warned her you can’t lie to a dragon. Why would she not want to do as the witch instructed? He’d thought she was on friendly terms with… uh-oh. Cage couldn’t think of anyone Azy was friends with here in Spain.

  The witch clucked her tongue. “Good try. But I’ve already sent for reinforcements. They’ll be here later today.”

  What a douchcanoe he was. He should have thought to invite her Mami Wata sisters, or at least asked Ciara and Jakob to stay a while after they’d postponed the wedding.

  No wonder she’d called him back from the hunt for Geshtianna.

  His little mermaid lover wouldn’t be lonely anymore. He was here for her now.

  Azy sat up straighter in the bed, any calm she’d been holding onto totally gone. “Wait. What? Who?”

  The witch smiled and made her way to the break in the leaves she’d come in through. She split them open wider and stepped out, floating in the air. “I’ll be back in a few days to check on you. Oh, there’s one more thing that can help. It will protect both your life and the babies, even more than great sex.”

  Cage shook his head. The witch was really stuck on the whole sex thing. She began drifting away, like a weird flying nun. “Find the ring.”

  The Ring

  First, Azy had been gifted Cage’s soul shard necklace, then the White Witch had given her another one with the miniature replica of her mother’s mirror, and now she needed a ring.

  Eyeroll.

  Dragons and their shiny object hoards.

  She pulled on Cage’s arm and pulled him into the bed with her. “What’s this ring thing about?”

  Senora Boh couldn’t mean a wedding ring. Cage had entire treasure chest full of shiny golden rings. He could pick any one and give it to her.

  No, the way she’d said “the ring” had a certain, well, ring to it.

  Cage frowned and stood. He grabbed her hands and pulled her up too, letting the sheet slide to the floor. “Come on, my love. I’ll tell you all about it later. First, I intend on following instructions to strengthen our bond.”

  He leaned in and nuzzled her neck, then ran his tongue over the mark of the gold dragon she had on her skin there. No matter how many times he did that, it always sent her girly parts into party mode.
r />   The midwife had said an increase in libido was a natural part of pregnancy. She didn’t think she could want Cage any more than she already did, until he flew into the treehouse early this morning.

  She was quite literally aching for him right now.

  “I’ll let you get away with avoiding that answer for now, mister. But only because you promised me some orgasms.”

  “And orgasms you shall have.” Cage stepped out the same break in the leaves Senora Boh had and she heard the soft beat of his wings as he shifted into his gorgeous dragon form. Come, my little mermaid, let’s see who’s wetter, you or the ocean.

  “You are a serious cornball.” Which she loved about him. He didn’t let that side of himself out that often. The destruction of his home in The Netherlands, the move to Spain, the hunt for the succubus queen, and rebuilding the Wyr all weighed heavy on him.

  She would do everything she could not to let anything stress him out even more. Even if that meant pretending, she wasn’t freaked out about becoming a mother or that the midwife had invited people to their home.

  Azy simply wanted to bask in the warmth and love of her dragon now.

  She went to the ledge of their secluded treehouse and climbed into his outstretched claw, holding on tight to his leg. He cupped her gently and flew in long arching circles toward the beach below. She still wasn’t entirely over her fear of heights, but as long as she concentrated on being in Cage’s care instead of how far down the ground seemed, she enjoyed flying with him.

  A warmth spread across her belly. Joy, like a soft giggle spread through her and she couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Senora Boh was right. The babies love this. Go a little higher.”

  Cage gripped her tighter and caught an updraft, soaring toward the sun. With every foot they gained in altitude the happiness of the babies pulsed through her until she felt she could fly herself.

  I feel their little spirits as if they were flying here beside me. It’s incredible. Cage’s voice in her head was filled with awe.

  They flew through the clouds and were joined by several other gold dragons who appeared to be both enjoying the flight and also surrounding them in a protective pattern. After about a half an hour, the excitement and wiggling of the babies inside of her settled down.

  She rubbed a hand over the swell. “I think they’ve fallen asleep.”

  Hmm. His tone had gone dark and husky. Then, it’s time for mommy and daddy to have their fun.

  Cage took them down and glided low over the water. Azy reached her fingers out and skimmed them through the cool ocean waves, then dove in, shifting from legs to her gold and white scaled tail in a breath. She already knew the water calmed the babies and she spent hours in the ocean every day, especially when her emotions got the best of her and she missed having Cage by her side and in her bed.

  Those days she’d swim to the little secluded cove they’d found one of their first weeks here. She headed there now, because for the first time in a month, she wouldn’t have to be there alone.

  Her dragon was floating on his back sunning himself, his wings dangled down into the water. Azy swirled around, tickling the fine skin with her tail. His rumbling laugh reverberated through the water.

  Come up here and let me tickle you. With my tongue.

  Azy popped her head up right next to his ear. “Dirty dragon.”

  They both shifted into their human bodies and swam the few yards toward the shore. The second they reached the large smooth rocks that formed submerged benches, Cage grabbed her up into his arms and licked and kissed his way from her neck to her breasts.

  Azy pushed her fingers into his hair and reveled in the feeling of having his mouth on her again. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  He growled a response, sending vibrations from her nipple straight to her clit. Then he reached between her legs and stroked her, making her gasp at his perfect, sensual touch.

  His hands knew all the right places to set her on fire, to make her need him even more than she already did. Her body was so hungry for him, so needy.

  Cage sucked and pulled on her nipple, then switched to the other one, tugging and licking it. She was so sensitive she could probably come just from that. But then he slid two fingers inside of her and found her g-spot, driving her soaring toward orgasm.

  “Ooh, yes, Cage. More. More.” Not like she had to ask, he knew how to make her come. Which was exactly what he made her do when he flicked his thumb over her clit. Azy arched her back and let the orgasm wash over her in waves as strong as an ocean storm.

  Cage licked his way back up her neck and whispered in her ear as she shook. “That’s it, love. Ride my fingers. Fuck, you’re beautiful when you come.”

  He didn’t stop stroking her, drawing the orgasm out, until her body went limp and she curled into his shoulder, spent.

  “Mmm. I think you needed that even more than I did. I’m sorry I was gone so long. I won’t be again.” Cage settled back against the rocks and placed her on his lap.

  “If that’s how you apologize, I just may send you away more often.” She wasn’t mad. He was a warrior and a leader. He had more than only her to take care of, she understood that. It had been the same with her father. When it was time to serve and protect, that’s what men like the two of them did.

  Didn’t mean she wasn’t lonely when he was gone.

  Azy let the water soothe and re-energize her then reached between them and found Cage’s hard cock. “Now, let me show you how much I missed having you around.”

  She slipped off his lap and under the water. Being a mermaid had its advantages. The water filled her lungs, just the same way the air did, and she took him into her mouth, using her tongue to tease and tantalize him.

  Even through the water she could hear his low, deep groan. She licked and sucked on him until his legs were shaking. She loved that she could turn him into a quivering pile of lust and give him as much pleasure as he did her.

  “Azy, come back up here and let me fuck you before I explode.”

  How could she say no to that?

  He didn’t wait for her response and dragged her body up his, wrapping her legs around his waist. They both had to maneuver a bit to accommodate her round belly. He leaned back so that she was straddling him cowgirl style.

  She didn’t even have to move. Cage pushed in, a long, slow, deep thrust, filling her, making her cry his name.

  “Cage, God yes. Fuck me.”

  His cock filled her, pushing her body toward another orgasm. “Say it again, Azynsa. I love your dirty fucking mouth.”

  “Fuck me, lover. Make me yours.”

  He dug his fingers into her hips, as he thrust up and into her over and over. “Yes. You are mine. All mine. Mine.”

  She loved hearing that. She loved being his. Loved him.

  That made this so much more than fucking. They might get kinky, they might be dirty, but they both knew they were making love.

  “Your pussy is squeezing me so tight. I’m fucking close, but there is no way I’m coming until you do again.”

  “Make me, dirty dragon.”

  Ooh. That glint in his eye told she was in trouble now. The best kind of trouble.

  Cage pulled out of her and flipped her around, so she was facing the rocks. “Put your hands on them and don’t move unless I tell you to.”

  Cage was the only person who she’d ever let boss her around like that. She secretly loved when he took charge and got all dominant and alpha on her. He enjoyed their roles just as much when she wasn’t completely submissive to him. Her dragon loved a challenge.

  “Make me.”

  He rumbled low and pressed his body up to her back, grabbing her wrists and shoving her hands flat against the rocks, caging her in with his arms and chest. “Naughty mermaid. Now, show me that juicy ass of yours.”

  She wiggled her butt against his erection and in response he leaned in and bit her shoulder, right at the mark. That shot spikes of pleasure through her. He bit and suckled
as he slid into her pussy from behind and began fucking her hard. She’d pushed him into claiming her again and she reveled in his possession of her, the recreation of that bond between them.

  Soon she was gasping for breath and moaning uncontrollably. “Come on, Cage. Explode for me. Make me—”

  He gave her on final nip on her neck and then lifted his head and whispered in her ear. “Oh, I’ll make you come.”

  His hand slid over her ass and he pressed a finger into her tight ring of muscles, thrusting in and out in time to his cock in her pussy. She cried out and her body burst into an intense climax.

  Cage roared and pushed into her pussy as far as he could go, spilling himself deep in her body. They stayed locked together floating in the bliss they’d brought each other until Cage picked her up and carried her to the shore. He settled them under a tree, wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling her hair.

  “I didn’t mean to be so rough, love. Are you okay?”

  Uh. Duh. She was great, and she loved when he lost his control like that, lost himself in the moment. “It was perfect. I’m pregnant, but I’m still the tough girl from Chicago who knows how to punch a lionfish in the face. You won’t break me, Cage.”

  He laughed. “Not a shark?”

  “No, they’re like big dumb meat-eating cows that happen to have sharp teeth. They’ve got a bad rep is all. But lionfish are stuck-up nasty little mother-fuckers who will sting you out of spite.”

  “Aww, that mouth.” He kissed her until she was ready to get busy with him again.

  But first, while she had him all relaxed and pliant, she wanted to know about that ring…and why he’d avoided the subject.

  “You want some more fun, big guy, first you tell me about the ring.”

  Cage pursed his lips together making a face at her.

  She knew how to make him talk. Droplets of water clung to her skin and she swirled her fingers through them, gathering the water and wet first one nipple, then the other. Cage’s scowl turned to interest at the way she was playing with herself, and he reached for her.