A Dragon Revealed by Dahlia Rose

clothes. Her panties were soaked with her own juices and so were her jeans. She washed them out as best she could and left them over the tub to dry before crawling into bed. Tiredness engulfed her and she turned over sleepily. She would ask Valencia in confidence tomorrow to speak to one of Paladin’s healers. She was a warrior and while she longed for a mate and family now was not the time. Especially when there were no takers and the one who set her soul ablaze belonged to another. Mursi craved his Larissa. He frustrated Michelle and insulted her, but apparently even so she wanted him. Well this sucks , was her last thought before she fell into a deep but troubled sleep.

Chapter Four
     
    Days passed before there was a meeting of the warrior court. Orin said it was so Michelle could get acclimated to Paladin and regain her strength. He saw her training in the dark when no one was around. She looked more than fine, and she was magnificent.
    Finally, he was summoned to a meeting of the Warrior court and Mursi sat in his usual seat thrumming his fingers against the marble and stone table. He was the first there and he knew soon Michelle would be walking in. They were supposed to be discussing what they knew about the Shen, and she in turn would explain how she had been fighting them alone for so long. But his mind was on that kiss and how she felt in his arms. His bed had been empty since Larissa and while his body ached for Michelle his guilt and honor still lay with the woman that had been his mate.
    Let me go….
    He heard the whisper of Larissa’s voice. He growled softly and pretended not to hear it. Fine, if she wanted to be free of him then he would take Michelle to his bed. Is that what you want, he mentally goaded. Do you want her in my bed instead of you?
    Not in anger, you’ll hurt her, yourself, and me.
    Mursi sighed. That was pretty much the gist of it. Michelle would know he was using her body and the mating wasn’t true. She’d probably detach his balls from his body with her family sword for being such an ass if he tried it. He was essentially trapped between a rock and a hard place.
    “You’re here early.” Bior walked in and sat in his usual seat. “I feel invigorated today, how about you?”
    Mursi cast him a glance. “Why are you so happy? You’re the surliest person I know.”
    Bior grinned. “You now have that distinction. What’s not to be in a good mood about, the air is crisp, the sky is blue, I had a great night’s sleep.”
    “Did you see Michelle?” Mursi asked, instantly jealous at the thought.
    “And if I did, why would it concern you? You said you didn’t want her or your destiny. She is stunning,” Bior drawled. “So fiery, those bronze scales capture the sunlight and she certainly planted you firmly on your ass. So lithe… Mmmm.”
    “You’ll kindly stay away from her,” Mursi said calmly even though he wanted to beat Bior with a club. Usually he could take the egotistical attitude of Bior but not at that point.
    “I’ll kindly do no such thing,” Bior responded, mimicking Mursi. “After the meeting I plan on taking her to the waterfall for a swim. The air is warm enough and then maybe we’ll shift and fly the skies.”
    The other dragon warriors filed in before Mursi could respond. Orin looked from one to another and rolled his eyes.
    “Are the two of you being children again?” Orin asked. “Don’t we have enough to deal with instead of this bickering?”
    Bior shrugged. “I did nothing, sire, he is trying to tell me that I cannot pursue the lovely Michelle.”
    “My king, she is in the beginning of her heat, her choices won’t be the best ones,” Mursi explained.
    “And you’re the best choice, hmm?” Bior said. “How about we let her decide for herself who she wants to mate with?”
    “I thought it was Mursi’s destiny to be with the Michelle we have not yet met?” Raul asked as he sat down. “I’m curious to see why she is causing such a stir