Dragonmark by Sherrilyn Kenyon Page A

without his human. Edilyn was his Achilles’ heel.
    She, alone, left him vulnerable.
    And when Edilyn came a moment later, calling his name, he found a special level of paradise he’d never known existed. Smiling, he kissed her as he found his own release.
    Breathless and weak, he picked her up and carried her back to the shower so that they could rinse off.
    Edilyn paused as she caught the peculiar expression on Illarion’s face. “What’s on your mind?”
    Pardon?
    â€œYou look worried?”
    Not worried … I was considering something.
    She waited for him to elaborate while he gently bathed her. When it didn’t appear he was going to, she prompted him. “And that was…?”
    Foolish. Suicidal. All kinds of stupid. Would you be interested?
    She laughed, until she realized he was quite serious. “What are you proposing?”
    Something forbidden. Something I know I shouldn’t do. It’s an act in the face of the gods that will defy them and piss them off to no uncertain end. And yet I don’t give a shit. It would ensure that I never lose you. That we are forever bound together. It would make you forever my dragonswan.
    â€œI thought you said only the gods could bind us.”
    There is another who can do it. If he can be persuaded, and he does owe me a favor. But I won’t ask it unless you’re in full accord. Because once this is done, there’s no way to undo it. We would be forever linked. My life force to yours. A single strand of life.
    â€œI’d be able to have your children?”
    He nodded.
    â€œNo one could divide us?”
    Not even death. But my enemies could use that bond to track you down and use you against me, as you would become the deepest part of me. Indistinguishable from my soul.
    She reached up to cup his cheek. “Don’t look so fretful, my dragonswain. The irony is that I may not have been dreaming of this, but you are everything I wanted for my future. You will bring me into your world and I will show you mine. Humans aren’t as bad as you think us.”
    You’re sure?
    â€œAbsolutely.”
    Then I will go to Savitar alone and ask.
    Edilyn frowned at that as trepidation filled her. “Alone? Why? Should I not be with you?”
    Definitely not. He set fire to the last beast who asked this of him. In the event he has another similar hissy fit, I’d rather be the only one he comes after. I’m harder to set ablaze than you are.

 
    7
    Much like Hybrasil, Neratiti was an island that couldn’t be found unless the one who called it home allowed it to be seen. It was kept shrouded and sacrosanct from the world because he who reigned here had even less tolerance for mankind and fey and gods than Illarion.
    In fact, Savitar made Illarion appear downright extroverted in comparison. But Illarion was a little different from most, and the blood flowing through his veins could find the elusive island even through Savitar’s powerful shields.
    It was something that seriously pissed off the ancient being who was lying adrift on a surfboard not that far from the island’s shore.
    With one leg bent and resting on the board while the other dangled into the water, Savitar groaned out loud the moment he saw Illarion in the sky above him.
    â€œYou better be doing a flyby, dragon, and not planning to drop in and destroy my zen.”
    Illarion disregarded the warning and lightly skimmed the water so as not to make large waves until he came to a gentle rest beside the cranky Chthonian. Floating on top of the surface, he remained in his full dragon form and tucked his wings in at his side. He towered over Savitar, and while that might intimidate someone else, it didn’t do anything other than annoy the former protector for Atlantis.
    Just think of me as your personal giant rubber duckie.
    â€œHeh.” With his entire muscular body covered in colorful tattoos, Savitar was a complete enigma. No