Heart of the Dragon Page 7

  "I've read them before, Kiana," I admitted.

  "Not like this," she rasped.

  "I'll read them, I swear." The promise was as much to myself as it was to her. The insistence that I read them had me curious.

  "Ahem." We both looked toward the door and Lennon was standing at it. My heart plummeted as he held out his hand for her.

  She looked back at me and kissed my cheek. "I love you," she said against my cheek.

  I swallowed hard before speaking, "I love you too." Looking up at Lennon, I walked Kiana toward him. "Promise me you'll take care of her, Vanlith."

  "I will. You will too." He smiled and winked before guiding Kiana out of the cell and locking me back in with my dad.

  I scratched my head, "What just happened?"

  "Looks to me like you got some quality time with the woman you love," he laughed and I looked over my shoulder at him.

  "And then she left with him," I replied.

  He nodded and walked over to the papers, picking them up and handing them to me. "Read," he ordered.

  "Yes, sir." I reached out and grabbed them. I had to do this for myself. For Kiana. For the sake of my sanity.

  I had to wipe tears from my eyes as we headed back to my room. "Two weeks," he whispered, rubbing my back.

  "That seems like a lifetime away since I can't tell him," I told him.

  "I know it does, so after I handled Jaco, I put some things in your room that might help the time pass." I looked over at him and the smile on his face couldn't be ignored. It was infectious.

  I pushed the door open and saw a stack of what looked like magazines on the bed. "What are those?" I asked, walking toward the bed, gasping before he even answered me.

  "Bridal magazines. It won't be huge, but whatever you want, it's yours. I'll make sure Carri is here too."

  I stared at the stack of magazines. "What about Miranda, Max, and Liz?"

  "If you want them here, I'll make it happen. I'll have to enlist Sam's help likely," he answered and my heart soared.

  "This is serious, isn't it?"

  He didn't say anything right away, soon he was turning me to look at him, "Very. You are the crown princess and I want you at my side. You are the glue this society needs. You are the glue I need."

  "Where does Kelvin fit in? He was marked a traitor," I frowned. It would be hard for people to accept him as my husband with the branding.

  "I'll make things right. Everyone will know what he did. Everyone will know the real Jaco. I promise it'll be okay."

  I exhaled and hoped he was right. "Can I pick a few dresses and then have them brought here to try on and choose?" I wanted to talk about happy things. I didn't want to focus on the what ifs. I needed to smile for a little while.

  "Of course. However many you want."

  "You're amazing, Lennon."

  He winked, "But Tank is better." I laughed at his comment and nodded. Kelvin was the only guy I’d ever seen, even if it did take me a while to realize what we truly could have.

  Lennon kissed my cheek and headed for the door, stopping just short of it, "I don't want you to feel like a prisoner, but I need you to stay in this room."

  "Jaco is lurking," I replied.

  "Yes," he answered before exiting the room and leaving me alone with wedding magazines. I looked to the door and decided to lock it, happy to find a chain I could put on the door as well, but I didn't latch the chain just yet. Something was telling me not to; still, I felt safer with the door locked and settled into the bed to flip through the bridal magazines.

  I sat in a corner, trying to get as much privacy as I could. I read over the marriage bond three times and saw nothing I hadn't read before. "Fuck!" I slammed the papers down and heard my father sigh.

  "Are you okay?"

  I shook my head, "I've read all this," I growled.

  "Maybe you're missing the important parts," he said calmly.

  I didn't agree with him, "I don't see how when it's the same damn thing I've read my entire life."

  He put his hand on my shoulder, "Do yourself a favor and take a break. Your emotions are raw right now from everything. Get some rest and come back to them with fresh eyes tomorrow."

  I rolled my eyes, "That isn't going to change the words on the paper."

  "No it won't, but you're missing something." I stared at him. Had they told him something I didn't know?

  "What are you saying?"

  "I'm saying get some sleep, son. You've barely slept in a few days, so sleep and look at these with fresh eyes tomorrow." I shook my head.

  "I can't sleep," I groaned.

  "You need to," he ordered. I knew he was right and I didn't argue further, but sleep wasn't something I felt capable of.

  It was frustrating attempting to dodge Jaco and making sure Kiana trusted me. I had every intention of going through with destroying the Kindra until I met her. That night, after I scared her, I went home and looked back over the papers mom had left.

  I slowly crept back to the cell chamber, aware that Jaco was likely monitoring my every move. As I entered the cell, Tank and Sam both looked like they were sleeping, so I quietly decided to leave them be.

  "What do you want, Vanlith?" he groaned and I looked his way.

  Why did I come here? "Just checking on you."

  "Well, I'm miserable."

  I sighed, I couldn't watch this. Kiana was always in tears and Tank was losing his will to fight because he thought Kiana was marrying me. I needed two weeks, but I could trust Tank with the truth now because he had kept it to himself since he was a kid that she was the Kindra.

  "Want to take a walk with me?"

  "Not really," he muttered.

  "To see her," I pressed.

  "Why are you pushing your fiancée on me?" he hissed.

  I walked toward him so I was close enough that I could whisper, in case I was followed. "Because she's not my fiancée. She's yours."

  He blinked a few times and got up to pace. "What do you mean?"

  "Kiana is my sister." His eyes snapped to mine and then he looked down at the stack of papers. "You haven't seen the clues yet."

  He shook his head, "No and I'm tired." I smiled.

  "I can't take your dad, one of you must stay here, but I know what might help you sleep."

  "Is she safe, Vanlith?" he asked, his voice cracking with emotion.

  "Come find out yourself." He nodded and went to Sam, gently shaking him awake and whispering something. Sam looked up at me and back to Tank smiling.

  "I need two weeks, Tank. Hang in there just a little bit longer," I pleaded.

  "For her, I'd do anything." I knew he meant every single part of that and I walked out with him behind me. He couldn't sleep because he was worried about her, but he needed sleep. Needed strength. He needed it all if we were going to pull this off.

  I heard whispering outside my door and I froze. Looking away from the magazines, I watched the door slowly open as Lennon walked in ahead of Kelvin. I gasped seeing him there, a smile on his face. I studied the look on Lennon's face, waiting for one of them to say something. "I told him, have a good night, you two." He turned to leave and patted Kelvin's shoulder as the door shut.

  "We should lock that," I breathed, still transfixed by him.

  His eyes don't leave me as he reaches behind him and locks the door. "Locked," he muttered. He looks slightly upset and I swallow hard as he walks toward me. "Hi."

  "Hi," I squeak. His eyes pierce me and all I want to do is have him hold me.

  "So..." he says and I can't stand being so far apart from him anymore. I need him to hold me just like he did when Lennon brought me to his cell. I launch myself his way and he catches me.

  "I..." I choke on the words, wrapping my arms around him.

  "Love you," he finishes in a whisper. I nod against his chest, the words stuck in my throat.

  Finally, I pull back, watching him carefully. "I..." I stumble again, unsure of what to say.

  "You're sorry, but
you couldn't tell me."

  "You know?" I answered in shock. Lennon had said he told him, but I wasn't sure how much he knew.

  He nodded, "Lennon told me. I couldn't find anything in the papers. I'm exhausted, Kiana." The look of pain was across his face.

  "I wanted to tell you." He took my hand and gently kissed my knuckles. "Kelvin," I sighed.

  "Baby, I love you." The tears filled my eyes. I wasn't sure what would happen when he knew I was his. I thought he was mad at me, but now I could see the love in his eyes again.

  I walked around him, grateful I didn't latch the chain earlier, but I was latching it now. Kelvin had locked it, but now I was securing it. Tonight was ours and no one would interrupt us.

  I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. As I watched her fasten the chain on the door, I finally exhaled. She was mine. She hadn't given herself to someone for me. "You're mine," I rasped, knowing I was going to be swallowed whole by emotions.

  "I've always been yours," she said softly, still facing the door. I turned her to face me and saw worry in her eyes.

  "What's wrong?"

  "Are you mad at me?" I started to shake my head but stopped. Was I mad? I really wasn't. I was just letting everything sink in.

  "No, I'm not mad." I shrugged, "I don't know what I am, honestly." I hated that I couldn't tell her what I was feeling, but I didn't know myself.

  "I'm glad he told you." I closed my eyes and nodded at her words. I hadn't proposed. It had been decided for me. For us. That was my issue. I didn't get to do this my way.

  "We can't get married," I told her before opening my eyes. She stared at me and then slid down the door to the floor. When her face went into her hands, I heard her sobs.

  "I'm...I'm..." She hiccupped and I went to her, wrapping her in my arms.

  "Kiana, listen to me." She shook head. "Please," I begged.

  "I knew it was too late. When Lennon told me I couldn't tell you..." I carried her to the bed. She crawled to one side when I released her and faced away from me.

  "Kiana?" I called, but she didn't answer. She swiped at her face angrily. "I love you."

  "So you say, but you still don't want to move us forward," she hissed.

  "I didn't say that," I growled.

  "Then why...why can't we get married?"

  I walked around the bed and dropped to my knees, taking her hands in mine. "We can't get married because I haven't proposed."

  "What?"

  "I don't have the ring I've been saving for this moment, but Kiana, you are everything to me. You have always been my everything. I want nothing more than to marry you. I have wanted that my whole life. Kiana Hughes, will you marry me?"

  She choked on a sob and then chuckled before wiping at her eyes. "Yes, Kelvin." When the words left her lips, I leaned forward and kissed her. I only wanted her. Only needed her. Her hands trailed down my back and I winced when her nails dug into my back where Jaco and Maniac had shown no mercy.

  When he winced at my touch, I pulled back, "What's wrong?"

  He shook his head, "It's nothing, baby." I knew it wasn't nothing, I remembered his voice the night he told me they hurt him.

  "Let me see," I demanded. I wanted to know. I needed to know.

  He sighed and lifted his shirt over his head, turning his back to me. I gasped at the sight of him. "I'm okay."

  "No, you aren't," I replied hoarsely, gently running my fingers along the bruises that coated his back. "What did they do?"

  "Kicked me in hopes I would break," he answered softly.

  "Oh Kelvin," I sighed, placing light kisses along his back.

  He exhaled under my kisses, his muscles stretching. "That feels good."

  "I knew you had been hurt, but this..." I couldn't even imagine what had happened.

  "I wouldn't give you up." His voice vibrating with emotions.

  I stopped kissing his back and placed my hands around him, resting my cheek gently against his back. "I can never repay you for what you've done for me. For what you've endured."

  He moved my hands away from his body and turned to face me. He linked our hands together and squeezed gently. "I would do anything for you. Endure anything for you." He leaned forward and kissed me briefly, "But I'm really glad I don't have to endure you marrying someone else." He chuckled and I laughed with him.

  "Me too. I hated the thought, but I couldn't sleep after talking with you and knowing you had been hurt. Max wouldn't tell me how to help, but Liz slipped me the papers. I called Lennon instantly."

  He dropped my hands and cupped my face, "I didn't want that."

  I nodded, "I hated the idea too, but I couldn't stand you being hurt because of me. When we got here, Lennon told me the marriage wasn't to me and I felt so betrayed. He had promised your release for marriage."

  "What happened?"

  "I questioned him and then he told me who I was marrying. He told me I was his sister. I asked if I could see you and he brought me to you." I watched as he took in my words. I waited for his response.

  "I wish I knew right away."

  I caressed his face, "I wanted to tell you. I'm glad you know now." He took my hand and kissed my knuckles, blowing gently on my ring finger.

  "I have a ring for you."

  I smiled, "I don't need a ring, I have you."

  "It would've killed me to let you marry another, but I would've always been there for you." The tears fell from my eyes again at his declaration.

  I threw my arms around his neck gently. He kissed my neck and his tongue began to run along my skin. "Mmm..." I moaned into him.

  "Baby, I need you," he breathed against my skin.

  I turned my head and muttered close to his mouth, "I need you." He leaned forward, kissing me softly but possessively. As I melted into his kiss, I finally felt like nothing would break us apart this time.

  Hearing her tell me she needed me went straight to my heart, bringing me a peace I had only dreamed about. Kiana had always been my soul. Without her, I wouldn't have survived. Without her, I would have nothing to fight for.

  I pulled back from our kiss and stared into her eyes. "I wouldn't have been able to live without you."

  "I didn't want to live without you either." I could've questioned her. I could've asked why she agreed to marry someone else then, but I knew the answer. I protected Kiana our whole lives and she was now protecting me.

  "It worked out," I smiled.

  She ran her fingers through my hair. "It did." Her smile lit my world.

  "Baby, I want you." I yawned while saying that. I was exhausted, but I wanted us to have this moment.

  She frowned, "You're hurt and you're tired. Kelvin, we have a lifetime." I understood her concern and I appreciated it, but I wasn't going to let anything stop me.

  "Baby, we have a lifetime, but we only have this moment." She smirked at me and I knew I had won in more ways than one.

  "Make it quick, Tank," she ordered through a giggle and I shook my head. I wasn't rushing this moment. I wasn't rushing something I knew would impact me for the rest of my life. Kiana and I had sex before, but I knew, deep down, nothing was going to come close to this moment.

  "I love you," I said against her mouth, savoring her warm breath as she sighed. As I kissed her again, I made sure she understood how important she was to me. I had sent mixed signals in order to protect her, but no more; she was mine. Now and forever.

  The movement of his mouth on mine told me this was not going to be quick. I didn't really want it to be quick, but he was hurting and he was tired. I tried to pull away, keeping in mind he wouldn't stop us so I had to.

  "Kelvin," I panted.

  He brushed his fingers against my cheek, "Please don't stop this moment."

  "You protect me, but who protects you?" I asked.

  "You've protected me. You cherished me. You accepted me. God, Kiana, you are the only person in the world I can be myself around."

  "Really?" I was shocked by that because he kept so much from me.
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  "I know I kept secrets, Kiana, but I thought I was protecting you. I thought I was protecting you from me, from my lifestyle. From a world that wanted you destroyed. I was always myself with you, though." His words sunk me and I leaned back, wiggling myself out of his arms so I could strip.

  His eyes became hooded and I could see the desire in them. It wasn't the first time he looked at me this way, but it was definitely my favorite time. Nothing was going to tear us apart. "You like?" I squeaked. I wasn't embarrassed, but the way he was looking at me had my insides doing cartwheels. I couldn’t think straight.

  He removed his jeans and boxers, in one move, before moving back toward me. Pulling me back into his arms where I wanted to stay forever, he kissed my nose. "I absolutely like."

  I shuddered at the sound of his voice, knowing that this moment might have never happened. I agreed to marry someone else to save him. I would've gone through with it if I had to, but having him like this, in front of me, giving me his everything. "Kel...Tank...please," I stuttered.

  One of his hands moved down my body while the other stayed firm on the back of my neck, guiding another kiss between us. I couldn't breathe, but I didn't want to. I wanted everything he wanted to give me.

  He pulled away and I whimpered. He pushed gently on my stomach, guiding me to the bed. When I laid down, he crawled over me. "Nothing is taking you from me, Kiana." I shook my head as an errant tear slipped down my face. He kissed it away before slipping inside of me.

  "Mmm..." I moaned, moving along with him when...

  "I'm entitled to my privacy!" Lennon's voice boomed from the other side of the door.

  "Not when you are keeping secrets from me, boy!" Kelvin flashed me a look of terror.

  "Jaco," he whispered.

  I nodded, "Can you change?" He nodded and changed quickly. I picked him up and carried him over to my dresser, kissing him before I set him in a drawer. I gathered my clothes and put them on, not sure what I was going to do.