The Impatient Lord by Michelle M. Pillow Page A

he had no power to control it.
    As if sensing him, she glanced in his direction. The woman stiffened and gave a small gasp of surprise. Her eyes swept down the length of him. He realized he was still shifted into dragon form.
    Mirek let the shift fade from his features. “ Don’t be frightened.”
    The woman remained stiff, but he didn’t sense fear in her at his physical change. Quietly, she said, “Where did you come from? I didn’t hear…hear…green.”
    Light brown eyes found his. Her mouth continued to move, but no sound escaped her as she stared at him. She was perhaps the most stunning creature he’d ever seen. How had he missed her during the ceremony? Just her nearness sparked a rock-hard interest between his thighs. No, it was more than lust. He felt her inside him. The energy between them snapped and pulled. He leaned toward her, drawn by her eyes, her scent, the pant of her breath. Her lips parted. Her eyelids fluttered.
    “ Really green.” She reached for his face, staring at his eyes. The touch of her hand was like heaven. It warmed him and sent a chill through him at the same time.
    “ How did I miss you?” he wondered aloud, moving to caress her cheek as she did his.
    “ I don’t know,” she whispered, as dazed as he.
    “ Do you feel?” he asked.
    “ Yes,” she sighed.
    Her lips were right there, waiting. Mirek moaned softly, unmindful of where he was. He kissed her hard and she let him. The magnetic pull between them grew, crushing their bodies together. Somehow , he knew he stole her breath and he forced himself to let go. She gasped for air. Her chest heaved against him. The taste of her tongue was in his mouth. Impatient hands begged him to rip her clothing from her. He flexed his fingers.
    Seeing a soft glow against her jaw, he looked at his crystal. The stone gave off a brilliant light. He’d found her. His blessing.
    The sound of voices drew him back to reality —at least enough to where he could reason about what was happening. As much as he hated to, he let her go for the sake of propriety. The memory of her body against his still burned into his length.
    Urgency filled him. He ’d taken his mask off the night before. This was all wrong. It wasn’t happening the right way. Tradition dictated they spent the night together in a tent. She was supposed to remove his mask, a symbol of her acceptance of him, and then they would talk and explore each other without consummation. In the morning, they made their commitment known by going in front of the council and crushing the crystal, thus cementing their bond. Only then could they come together in the most glorious of lustful acts.
    He couldn ’t wait another year for her. Already he felt as if he would explode. Surely the fact all his brothers and cousins had found mates meant this was his time as well. A lot could happen in a year. She might not want to wait for him. His body could not wait to claim her, not with the memory of her willingness and the taste of her kiss to haunt him.
    “ What is your name?” Mirek demanded. Desperation filled him. He had to act.
    “ Riona Grey.”
    “ I will make it up to you, Riona,” he whispered, “but I cannot wait a year. Surely the gods meant for me to find you this year like the others found their wives. I feel you deep in me.”
    She blinked, not answering. Her attention turned to the crystal and then back to his face. The glassy-eyed look meant the crystal’s power was taking a fierce hold on her.
    “ Come,” he said impatiently.
    Mirek took her by the hand and led her to the stage. He didn ’t stop to think. How could he? He’d spent the entire night convinced he’d be forever alone. Now that he found her, he wasn’t letting her go. He’d figure out the rest later.
    The king was absent as Mirek led her up to the stage. He pulled his bride before his aunt. “Queen Mede, may I present my bride, Lady Riona Grey.”
    The queen eyed the woman’s bridal attire curiously. It was not