Dragons claim, p.1
Dragon's Claim, page 1
DRAGON’S CLAIM
Shifters of Arizia 10
VICTORIA VALLO
A POISON GIRL PRESS BOOK
Copyright © 2022 by Victoria Vallo
Edited by Howard Moore
First Publication: November 2022
Cover design by Covers by K Designs
All cover art and logo copyright © 2022, Poison Girl Press.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue
The World of Arizia
About the Author
Also by Victoria Vallo
Renn spent years preparing for the moment he would confront his father and take his rightful place as the crown prince of Arizia. He didn’t plan on finding a mate along the way, and he feared his desire for Simon would distract him from all his other plans. He’s held back for so long, scared to reveal everything about himself. As the day for him to make his claim approaches, he sees he’s neglected his mate, who is far more precious than the prize he seeks. Simon has been so patient with him, and Renn realizes he’ll never find fulfillment in anything unless he has Simon at his side as his true mate. He’s dreamed of sharing everything with the man he loves, and when he finally does, he can only hope the fates knew what they were doing when they set all of this into motion so many years ago…
According to the priests of Arizia,
the first shifters were once only beasts,
not human at all.
They took human form because of lust.
They stayed in human form because of love.
CHAPTER 1
As he rounded the final bend in the road, Renn urged his horse on, ignoring the discomfort in his side. He could see his mate standing in front of the cottage, and more importantly, he could already detect his scent on the air. Too many months had passed since he was near his mate. His body reacted, despite his present weakness. Simon looked up and came running to meet him, and Renn felt relieved when he saw the joy on Simon’s face. His mate had been forced to wait for so long, and if all went well, that waiting would soon be over. As Renn brought the horse to a stop, a wave of dizziness came over him. He blinked, noting the look of concern on Simon’s face. Then the world tilted, and he slid off the horse. Simon moved in to catch him, but Renn’s weight overwhelmed Simon and sent them both to their knees. Renn’s long white hair was drenched with sweat, and he struggled to breathe all of a sudden, his head pounding and his vision blurring for a moment. He clung to his mate, taking comfort in his scent.
Another familiar scent came, and Renn’s brother Christopher skidded to his knees, landing beside them. Renn pressed his forehead to Simon’s and gave his mate’s arms a reassuring squeeze. Simon pushed Renn’s hair off his cheek and forehead and then felt for the pulse in his neck. Renn lifted his head and stared down into Simon’s eyes a long time. His breathing grew steadier, and just looking at Simon made him feel better. “Thank you,” he said in a soft voice. “I’ll be all right now.”
“What happened? Where are you bleeding from?” Simon asked, fumbling with Renn’s shirt in an effort to find the source of the blood.
Renn drew his shirt open and revealed his wound, which had already been stitched up. “I was healing well enough aboard ship, but the ride from port was too much. The pain isn’t bad, but it was bleeding for a while before I realized a couple of the stitches had popped. I’m weak, nothing more, mate.” He hated that the sight of blood had caused Simon to panic, and he squeezed Simon’s arm again, trying to reassure his mate he wasn’t as weak as he appeared.
Simon pressed a quick kiss to Renn’s lips, and Renn went still. His eyes widened as he looked at his mate, who had never initiated that kind of contact before. Renn longed to pull Simon closer for a long, searching kiss, but now was not the time. Simon went on as if what he’d just done wasn’t at all out of the ordinary as he pulled Renn to his feet. “I’ll stitch you up right now and clean the wound. We can’t take any chances. How did it happen originally?”
Renn grunted as he straightened up and began walking with Simon’s help. “A tavern brawl in port before we set sail from Elan. Half a dozen drunken louts antagonizing the bartender and getting handsy with the serving girls. They were shorthanded that night, so the bartender was outnumbered. I wasn’t going to let those men smash the place up or hurt anyone.”
“Always the hero,” Simon said, a look of admiration on his face.
“Have no choice,” Renn said, trying not to show how much his mate’s praise pleased him. “So many people are selfish, useless shits.” He finally turned his gaze to Christopher. “You look well, little brother.” Christopher’s scent carried a subtle difference, and Renn had a feeling he knew why.
“I am, and I’m happy to see you,” Christopher said.
Another man came running up then. “What’s happened? How can I help?”
Renn halted and went still, looking the man over for a long moment. A surge of protectiveness came over him, but he did his best to push it down. “Just a few popped stitches.” He stood up a little straighter and said, “I’m Renn, Christopher’s brother.” He extended his hand after adjusting his hold on Simon.
The man clasped his hand. “Glad to meet you. I’m Dash. I’ve heard good things from him and your mate.”
Silence engulfed them. Renn was surprised, yet very pleased that their matehood had been acknowledged. Having someone besides Christopher know about it seemed to make it more real. Renn had other plans for sealing his claim, but they would have to wait a day or two at least. Renn almost laughed at his little brother, who was holding his breath as he tried to look at Simon and Renn without being seen looking at them.
“They are both rather fond of me,” Renn said. He nodded to his stallion. “It would be a help if you could see to the horse. He’s had a long, hard journey, and I’m much heavier than the man I bought him from.”
“Be glad to,” Dash said, moving off right away.
Renn pointed to the cottage. “Let’s get me to something more comfortable than an old saddle.”
Christopher and Simon exchanged a quick glance, but neither man said anything as they made their way to the cottage. Again, Renn fought the urge to laugh. Christopher was obviously anxious to know what Renn thought of this man he was sleeping with.
The slightly cooler air inside the cottage was a relief. Once Renn was seated on a bench at the foot of the bed in the front bedroom, he looked to Christopher and said, “I was curious about the change in your smell but not sure how to ask. But my question was soon answered for me when Dash came running over.” He glanced to the window and then back at Christopher. “That man’s your mate.”
“He is.”
“Is he good enough to be your mate?”
“He’s a good man and very devoted to Christopher,” Simon said as he peeled Renn’s ruined shirt off and tossed it aside.
Renn’s skin tingled everywhere Simon touched him, but he focused his attention on Christopher. “You like him enough to have his scent all over you. Have you accepted him?”
“Not officially. We’re together, and he’s helping us. That’s all I care about. We haven’t discussed anything beyond that,” Christopher said.
“Dash practically chased him down,” Simon said before going to the dresser and pouring water into a basin.
Christopher glared after Simon, which again made Renn want to laugh. Christopher cleared his throat and said, “He’s a former highwayman. The pull between us was strong, so we didn’t ask too many questions at first. I was upset when I found out, so I ended things with him.” Christopher paused. “I kept things from him, too, though.”
Renn chuckled. “He didn’t know he was fucking a prince?”
Christopher said, “He didn’t. He found out after I left him.”
Simon watched Christopher closely, and Christopher seemed uncomfortable under his friend’s gaze. Renn wondered what the source of the tension might be. “I’m sure that gave him some pause.”
“It did, but he persisted.”
“When you say former, how long are we talking about?”
Christopher looked concerned as he said, “He only stopped within the last few weeks. Me leaving him made him reexamine his life. He’s stopped, and he’s even made the effort to return some of the things he stole, which I never would’ve expected him to try to do. We were reunited when he tracked me to Aron’s wedding.”
Renn grinned at the happy news. “Aron’s married?”
“Yes. He took the mate vow less than a week ago. A man named Ramsey who lives in Gateshead.”
Renn nodded, thoughts of Jalal filling his mind. He felt a kinship with the exiled god, whom he’d secretly been praying to for several years now. “Ah, near the Red Temple. I’d love to go there one day.”
Bringing over the basin and some supplies, Simon knelt beside Renn and began washing his wound. “Time enough for all that after you’re fully healed.”
Renn looked down at Simon, loving both the confidence and the note of protectiveness he heard in his mate’s voice. “It’s not that bad. It was deep and caused me a lot of pain at first, but there’s no p
The air in the room shifted, and everything except Simon faded into the background.
You’re mine. Soon I’m going to claim you, and then I want the whole world to know how blessed I am to have such a perfect mate.
Simon felt that familiar surge of desire coming from Renn. What was the man thinking? Why didn’t he ever say anything in these moments? He didn’t expect Renn to throw him down on the bed in his present state or make a passionate confession of love in front of Christopher, but how could the man stay silent while looking at him as if he wanted to devour him?
“I’ll go help Dash. Call us in if you need anything,” Christopher said, moving to the doorway.
Renn said, “I’m well attended. Go to your fox. I’m sure he wants to know whether I approve of him or not.”
“Do you?” Christopher asked after a brief hesitation.
Renn tilted his head. “You seem less restless than the last time I saw you. I like that.” He looked out the window again briefly. “But do remind him I’m a dragon and that I’ve ripped men apart for hurting you before.”
“I doubt he needs reminding. I told him all about that.”
Simon felt a different kind of power coming from Renn. The dragon’s purple eyes grew even brighter as he said, “Remind the man anyway.”
Christopher nodded and left the room hurriedly.
“Don’t tease him like that,” Simon said. “He looks up to you and wants your approval.”
“I can’t help it. I’m very protective of those I love.” Renn exhaled loudly. “It’s been far too long since I saw you, mate.”
Simon gazed up at the beautiful, heroic man who often seemed too good to be true. At times, Simon even worried that he’d dreamed his image of Renn up. But time and again, the man proved how amazing he was. “It has been. I’ve missed you very much.” They didn’t usually talk like this, or spend more than a few moments alone, and Simon found himself feeling flustered. “I’m very happy you won’t be going back to Elan this time.”
“Assuming all goes well.”
Simon’s stomach churned at those words. “Even if the king refuses to recognize you, he can’t make you leave. You belong here. With Christopher. And with me.”
“I know I belong with you. No matter what, we won’t be parted again.” Renn leaned forward, but then he winced.
Simon put his hands on Renn’s shoulders to urge him to be still. He brought over a cup of water and stood there watching until Renn downed it. Then he refilled it and waited for Renn to drink that as well. There was an almost playful gleam in Renn’s eyes as he handed the cup over. Simon returned his attention to Renn’s wound. Part of him wished Renn would tease him about hovering or mothering him or something like that. Serious as he could be, Renn often showed his affection for his little brother by teasing him, and at times, Simon felt left out. Simon had never been good at flirting or bantering, but he felt he’d enjoy doing either with his mate. Seeing Dash and Christopher laugh and joke together had made him long for Renn’s arrival even more. “Hold still until I get this attended to.” As much as he wanted to know what Renn was about to do when he leaned forward, he wanted to take care of his mate even more.
“I’m fine. Seeing you has made me so happy I forgot I was even wounded.”
If you’re so happy, why haven’t you kissed me yet? You couldn’t have looked more shocked when I kissed you earlier, and that was only a quick peck. “I think I like you wounded. You aren’t running away from me, and you’re even letting me touch you,” he said as he cleaned the wound.
“I never meant to hurt you. I certainly never wanted you to think I didn’t want to spend time with you. To touch you. Now that I’m here, we can talk. I can explain why I held back before.”
“You have a great deal of explaining to do,” Simon said. “But it can wait a little while.”
Renn sighed, and Simon focused on his work, enjoying the intimacy of the act and the way Renn’s intense gaze made him feel. As confusing and frustrating as the past years had been, he felt today was truly the start of their life together. And once Renn was healed, Simon planned on being claimed once and for all, even if he had to tie his dragon down to make it happen.
He smiled to himself, loving the image but also feeling sure he wouldn’t have to go as far as that.
Renn gazed up at the stars, enjoying the quiet and the feel of the grass beneath him. Christopher came outside and stood looking down at him a moment before lowering himself to the ground to sit cross-legged beside Renn.
“Are you and Dash ready for tomorrow?” Renn asked.
Christopher nodded. “Yes, we’re all packed, and I’m sure you and Simon are ready to be alone.”
Renn looked over at him. “All is well between us. You shouldn’t worry. Now that I’m no longer concerned about father’s spies and don’t have to sneak around or rush back to Elan, I can begin courting him properly.”
“You won’t need to do much of that. He’s yours. He just needs more assurance that you’re his.”
Renn’s chest ached. He longed to go inside and crawl into Simon’s bed, but he didn’t dare. Although he’d be content just to hold the man all night, he could sense that Simon would want more as soon as they touched. And he could deny his mate nothing, so it was best he wait. “I made mistakes, but I intend to make up for them. From now on, no one will doubt it, especially not him.”
“Good.”
“Nothing in my future will have any meaning without him. He’ll be at my side through all of it, even if I fail.”
“Even if father denies your claim, there are other options. You could easily defeat Edgar, especially if we work on winning the support of the people.”
“I know we have many paths available to us if my claim’s denied. I’ve spent years thinking about all of them. Making plans for every possibility. I told myself Simon would distract me, but I should have taken him back to Elan with me after that first meeting. I regret it, and I plan to make it up to him every day for the rest of our lives.” He paused, thinking about his conversation with Dash earlier. He considered Christopher’s relationship with Simon and wondered if he should confide in Christopher. But then he had to press his lips together to keep from laughing.
What am I supposed to say? Hey, little brother, do you think Simon will be all right with the fact that I have two cocks?
As Renn imagined the expression on Christopher’s face, he couldn’t hold his laughter in any longer. He lay there shaking, tears forming in his eyes, as Christopher stared at him. As much as he loved Christopher, this was something he simply couldn’t share. If Simon ever told him about it, that was another matter entirely, but he couldn’t imagine there was ever a right moment to tell anyone but a lover something like that.
“Are you all right?” Christopher said, looking ready to start laughing as well.
Renn pressed his lips together again and nodded, finally getting his laughter under control. “Yes. I’m fine. It’s just been so long. I’m so glad we’re nearing the end that I can’t help being a little giddy.” He reached over and took Christopher’s hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about,” Christopher said as he squeezed Renn’s hand. “I love you, and it’s wonderful to see you laugh and smile. You do both so rarely.”
That sobered Renn a bit because he knew it was true. He tried to keep a smile on his face as he said, “I love you, too, Christopher. I came to your rescue out of a sense of duty. Imagining how frightened you might be and how those men might hurt you made me furious. When you ran into my arms, I finally saw the value in family. I thought the memory of my mother was all I’d ever need, but I was wrong. Even though you were still scared, you were so happy when I said I was your brother. I’ll never forget that moment.”
