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"I'm quite delighted to be in your bed, and I wouldn't have any qualms about spending the night with both you and Morio, however…" I looked over at my youkai lover. "Morio is part of my relationship with Trillian. They complement each other, they've accepted one another. They are my men. And you're trying to cut Trillian out by inviting Morio to play with us."
That was it; that was what felt wrong. This was Smoky's way of sliding in between Trillian and me.
The look on Smoky's face told me I'd been right. I tensed. Was he going to blow up because I'd figured him out? Retaliate, perhaps?
Morio smoothly stood and put himself between the dragon and me.
Smoky gave him an icy stare. "Move. Now."
"Not until I know you aren't going to hurt her." Morio stood his ground.
Smoky looked like he wanted to send him flying but, after a quick look at me, he let out a long breath and relaxed. "Then it looks like Camille will be the only one sharing my bed," he said, his voice cool. "You shouldn't try to cross the land in the dark. I know you're a talented shifter, but there are energies stirring in the wild with which I do not recommend tangling. You may sleep on the sofa. Don't interrupt us."
Morio looked back at me. I nodded. "It's okay. Everything will be fine."
He was at my side in an instant. "Enjoy your night. I have no doubt that Smoky will ensure you are both safe and satisfied." As usual, he remained calm and collected. Thank the gods for small favors. Trillian would have been duking it out with Smoky by now.
As Morio closed the door behind him, I felt a little jump in my heart and realized how much I loved the youkai. Trillian was my oath mate, bound to me for the rest of our lives even when we wanted to smack each other silly. Morio had won his way into my heart through a quieter—but no less potent—way. When the time came, I'd tell him how I felt. I suspected he already knew.
Smoky watched the door shut and then turned to me. "Camille, I want you to listen to me. Don't answer. Not yet. I know you love them. I know you refuse to choose between them and that each one brings something to your life the other can't. But, Camille… I'm offering you the whole package, in one person. One man."
"One dragon," I said, shivering. "Please, can we talk about this later? If you force me to choose, I guarantee you won't like my response. And neither will I, because I don't think you'd take it very well."
But as I gazed into his frost-shaded eyes, a flicker of uncertainty made me wonder. "Smoky, I don't even pretend to understand why you've chosen me to be your mate. You're… a dragon. I can't give you children, I'll die long before you. Look at everything you've seen and experienced."
"Your father loved your mother," he said simply.
I swallowed. That was true, but this seemed so… so different. "All I know is that you're incredible. When you touch me, I forget where I am. I forget what's going on out there with the demons and the war, and everything that's horrible." I pointed toward the door.
"And that's a bad thing?" he asked, looking confused.
"No!" How could I explain so that he'd understand? Or maybe he did, and just didn't want to acknowledge it. "Smoky, I feel safe around you in a way I've never felt before, even if I don't particularly feel safe from you. Don't make me choose. Don't try to break my oath to Trillian, because I don't want to walk away from you. And I will, if it comes to that."
"Then let me make you forget your worries. For now." He leaned down and kissed me, and all words were forgotten as my dragon took me to bed and made love to me again, and again, and again.
When I woke at first light, Smoky was sitting in a chair in the corner. He was staring at me so intently that I thought something might be wrong. But when I asked, he just shook his head.
"Just watching you sleep," he said.
I climbed out of the tangled bedcovers and stretched. Smoky held out his arms, and I walked over and slid onto his lap. I thought he was going to suggest another romp between the sheets and tried to think of an excuse. He'd worn me out the night before, and I felt like I'd be walking bowlegged for days. As much as I enjoyed sex, I didn't think I had it in me for another go this morning. But instead of motioning to the bed, he just pointed to my bag.
"Pack. While you dress, I'll make breakfast." And then he was out the door, shutting it softly behind him.
By the time I washed up and dressed, Smoky had fried up eggs and sausage and more potatoes. Morio was setting the table, and he glanced at me. I gave him a wan smile. If this had been one day with Smoky, I couldn't imagine what a solid week would be like. I'd probably forget my name by that point. After we ate and returned to the living room, Morio wandered over to the edge of the cavern.
"Where does the cave lead to?" he asked, staring down into the ravine.
Smoky shrugged. "To a series of underground tunnels. There's an exit that I can fly out from in my natural form. And if I should choose to alter the vibration of the portals, I can enter other realms from there."
"All of your exits and entrances are protected, aren't they?" A sudden image of demons storming Smoky's lair assaulted me.
He gave me a look that asked if I'd gotten up on the blonde side of the bed. "Don't worry yourself about it. And don't even think about trying to strengthen them for me. I've seen the results of your magic," he added with a smirk.
"Hey, I'll have you know, I'm pretty formidable when it comes to death magic," I said, shaking my head. "Listen, you were going to tell us what you knew about the Raksasas, by the way."
Smoky nodded. "Last night, while you slept, I transcribed what I learned so you can show your sisters. Let me get my notes for you." He bounded away into the bedroom.
Morio leaned forward and whispered, "He plugged directly into the Energizer Bunny?"
