Healed by the Earth Dragon Prince: Dragon Shifter Romance (Elemental Dragon Warriors Book 4)

nests,” he tells me as he fluffs two blankets together. “Hopefully, this one will be satisfied.”

Chapter 20
Kaj
My mate has such a tender heart. I finish making the creature’s temporary nest for recovery. When I turn back to Anna, I find her cradling the camali to her chest. Gently, she runs her hands over the scales as she coos lovingly.
“You’re going to be all right, angel. Yes, you are,” she murmurs. “Kaj is making you a nice, fluffy bed to sleep in.”
A smile tugs at my lips. If she cares so deeply for a camali, I am certain she will be an excellent mother to our fledglings.
She walks over to me. “What should we name him?”
“This camali is female.” I grin.
“Oh.” She chuckles. “Then how about ‘Callie?’”
I arch a brow. “Is it a human custom to name creatures you rescue?”
She laughs again and shrugs. “Kind of. My grandparents once rescued a tabby cat named Callie after she was attacked by another animal. This camali reminds me of her.”
I glance down at the small predator. “Callie,” I repeat the name as I gently stroke her head.
Although she is still unconscious, the camali instinctively flexes her paw around two of Anna’s fingers, revealing several long, dark claws. Despite the lethal talons, Anna coos again then looks at me. “Maybe we should let her sleep with us.”
My mate is brave. “Although camali are only dangerous when threatened, I would not think it wise to bring one to the bed,” I gently caution. “She will be fine down here.”
Anna sighs and carefully places Callie in her makeshift nest.
A sharp pain stabs at the center of my chest as I turn to my linaya. She allowed me to pleasure her, but she still has yet to accept me as her mate. Memories of our time by the waterfall float through my mind.
I want to claim her and fill her with my essence. To release inside her until my seed takes root deep in her womb, filling her with my child. I want every male who sees her to know she is mine and mine alone. None may ever touch her but me. I desire no other female by my side.
However, if I want a future with my linaya, I must convince her that I will be a good mate.
I curl my fingers reflexively into my palm, remembering the feel of her petal-soft skin. I long to touch her again. I want to pleasure her beneath the stars until she cries out my name as she finds her release.
But I must wait for her to approach me. She trusted me with her secret, and I realize that she must be the one in control so that she feels safe after all she has been through.
Anna breaks through my thoughts. “Should we start dinner?”
She loved the cookies, as she called them earlier, so we make another batch for dessert. When dinner is ready, she checks on the sleeping camali one last time before we head onto the balcony to eat.
When we are finished, she curls up on the bench beside me. I wrap an arm and wing around her, hugging her close to my side.
She releases a small sigh of contentment as she snuggles into me. “I love this,” she says. “Just being here with you like this. It makes me feel happy and... safe.”
My chest fills with pride that my mate is so pleased to be with me. Her trust is a gift that I vow to cherish and never break.
“I enjoy spending time with you as well, Anna.”
She lifts her gaze to mine. “Kaj, I... wanted to tell you something earlier today... at the waterfall.”
I tip my head to the side to regard her. “What is it?”
“I love you,” she whispers. “And I trust you. I know you would never hurt me.” She lowers her gaze. “I’m sorry I pushed you away in the beginning.”
My hearts soar as happiness blooms in my chest. I place two fingers up under her chin and tip her face up to mine as I stare deep into her beautiful green eyes. “I love you too, Anna.”
A stunning smile curves her mouth. She cups her hand to the back of my neck and pulls my lips down to hers. I open my mouth and deepen our kiss as she pulls herself into my lap.
She wraps her legs and arms around me, and I fold my wings over her. “Will you be mine, Anna?” I ask between kisses. “Will you accept me as your mate?”
She dips her hands beneath the collar of my robe and slides it back from my shoulders. Her heated gaze holds mine as she removes hers as well. “I want you, Kaj. I want to be yours.”
Her scent is intoxicating, driving me mad with desire. I flare my nostrils and draw in a deep breath, inhaling her delicate, heady fragrance.
My stav presses insistently against the inside of my mating pouch, seeking her warm entrance. Gritting my teeth, I will my body to relax, but it is no use. I long to bury myself deep inside her.
She squeaks as I wrap my arms and wings tightly around her, pulling her close so that there is no space between us. She opens her mouth to speak, but I capture her lips in a kiss. My tongue strokes against hers the way I long to stroke my stav into her channel. She moans into my mouth as I cup her breast, gently rolling the peak between my thumb and forefinger until she is writhing in my lap.
My stav lengthens and extends from my mating pouch. Her warm, wet heat seeps through the thin scrap of fabric that separates me from her core.
She gasps as I extend my claws and carefully slice through her bra and underwear so they fall from her body.
I groan as she grinds her hips against mine and her slick folds envelop my length. I have never desired anything as much as I want