Legion: Alpha Dragon Shifter Romance (Dragon Rules Series Book 1)

a monster?”
Legion sighed. “I don’t know. Devlin will have warded her mind. I cannot show her our history, like I did with Natalie, until Devlin is dead.”
Mara looked up. “His wards die with him?”
“Yes. When he dies, his dragon magic will return to me.”
“Why do you take a fallen dragon’s magic?”
“So, I may pass it to the next generation,” Legion said.
“You said that before, but what if something happens to you?”
“Someday, there will be fledglings to take up the mantle if I fall, but until then, my species dies if I do.”
Mara hugged him. Her compassion, a gift beyond any other. He never realized how much he missed her. Needed her. Wanted her. He cursed under his breath when he felt Conner land on the ground outside. “Conner has returned. Why don’t we see what he’s found out about Tempest?”
Mara released him. “Can’t you just talk to him telepathically?”
Legion put his hand on her neck. “Yes, but until you bond with me and are comfortable using my connection with my clan, we will speak aloud. I want you to be a part of all decisions from now on. You must understand that we are together in all things.”
Mara ran a hand along his cheek. “Thank you.”
He stood up and helped her from the bed. Conner was pulling on a t-shirt as they entered the living room. He winked at Mara. “Good evening, Lass.”
Mara’s eyelashes fluttered. “I see why Natalie thinks you’re such a charmer.”
Conner’s eyes lit up. “She has good taste, that one.”
“Did you find out about Tempest? Where she is?” Mara asked.
Conner nodded as he buttoned his jeans. “Aye. Tempest Night is registered as Devlin’s daughter. He legally adopted her. She lives at his uptown estate and rarely leaves the property. It’s well fortified, and Devlin is not the only dark dragon living there.”
Legion frowned. “The darks are living together, sharing druid blood?”
Conner’s eyes flickered. “It appears so.”
Legion frowned. “They have not united since the great war. What would make them do so now?”
Mara looked between the men. “If I had to guess. A common enemy.”
Legion nodded. “They are stronger together for sure, but their ego and self importance have always averted such a unification. I will ask Devlin what spurred this change of ideals, before I kill him.”
Mara appraised him. Her green eyes rimmed with blue as her magic surged. He felt her admiration. Her conviction. His own magic rose to meet that of his mate. “Conner, get Draco and devise a plan to infiltrate Devlin’s estate with the least resistance.” He scooped Mara into his arms, taking the steps three at a time as he bounded up them.
Mara took a stuttered breath. “What is happening?”
“You are twenty-three and in the presence of your mate. Our magic is merging.”
Mara clutched his shoulder. “What if I don’t want it to happen?” she whispered.
Legion lay her on the bed. “Then it would not be happening. I did not start the merge. You did.” His dragon growled his anticipation as Mara’s eyes flared.
Mara connected with the power inside her. It was different now. The intermittent trickle was now a flowing river. It seemed endless, but she knew the consequences of such a misconception. She understood the flow and ebb of the magic inside her. Siphon off a small amount and the river runs unaffected, but utilize its entire power and it takes time for the river to return. The power emanating from the man holding her was not a river. It was an endless sea and just as lonely.
She wound her arms around his neck.
He adjusted a pillow behind her head as her eyelashes lifted. The torment in his eyes was met with love and acceptance. Power and reverence. Everything she had belonged to him, and she put it all into that look.
“I don’t deserve you, but I will do anything to keep that look on your face.” He nuzzled her hair. An action that seemed rare and comforting from a creature as powerful as Legion. He had appeared as arrogant and untouchable as a pagan god, yet as he held her, she understood the error of her assessment. He had the weight of all living creatures on his shoulders. If he failed, humans, druids and colored dragons would fall at the talons of the dark ones. His burden was an endless struggle to maintain an impossible balance. She was the only living creature to bring him low. To make him doubt his conviction. His leadership. His shame was like an iron cage around her heart and the need to console him, more powerful than any magic. “I’m sorry, I made things hard for you.”
Legion stilled as his arms tightened around her. She relaxed into the heat of his body. Her body reacting as her softness met the hard plane of muscle. His smile was slow in coming. “I like it when you make things hard for me.”
Mara’s eyelashes fluttered. “Was that dragon flirting?”
Legion laughed. “I admit, I have never flirted. I promise to work on my skills.”
Mara pulled his face to hers. “Maybe it’s one of many skills we could work on together.”
Legion’s pupils reflected the fire behind them. “I would like that.” He kissed her.
The pressure on her lips was as possessive as it was endearing. He claimed her in that kiss. There was no going back for either of them. She had wanted nothing more. Her magic was brittle next to his. He could shatter her into a million pieces with a single thought, yet he protected her in a warm blanket of power, love and admiration. She doubted she deserved such devotion, but she would try to live up to the namesake Adara had ordained. Trust was a precarious power. How did one fight for that?
He pulled her close, melding his body to hers. She wasn’t sure if he unclothed her, or used magic to wish their clothes away, but his hard length pressed against her stomach. The hot shaft pulsed against her sensitive skin,