The vision unfolded with clarity.
Ligon found himself in a tavern thick with noise. Mugs slamming, laughter spilling, the air alive with smoke and the sour bite of ale.
In the far corner, a fight erupted. A tavern maid squaring off against a burly warrior.
"Say that again, you disgusting oaf." Her voice cut through the noise. Calm. Icy.
"Oh come on, sweetheart," the man slurred, leering. " I just said I'd love to ram you right here. Hard and rough. Don't act like you're innocent. I've seen how you serve, your ass to the crowd. You want it that bad huh"
His cronies laughed, eyes greedy and insolent. "We could pass you around, show you a real ti...."
Wham!
The tavern went silent. Every mug froze midair.
Splinters rained to the floor—what was left of the wooden chair lay in ruins. Blood trickled down the burly man's temple as his face twisted in disbelief. He staggered upright, fury burning in his gaze as he raised his hand to hit her.
"How dare y—"
He never finished.
The woman moved like lightning.
She caught a jagged shard from the wreckage and struck low, mercilessly between his legs.
The man's roar tore through the tavern, raw and guttural, a sound ripped from somewhere deeper than his lungs. He folded in on himself, knees slamming the floorboards, breath stuttering in broken gasps.
Dark stains spread across the wood beneath him. His eyes went wide and glassy, his pride and fury draining away in the same crimson pulse.
"I like that you like it hard and rough," she said, voice soft enough to make the silence ache. "I hope I've been able to satisfy your cravings, customer."
A slow whistle cut through the stunned air. Her tone hadn't risen once. She simply bent, gathered the splintered wood, and tossed it into the hearth. Flames licked higher.
Then she caught the man by the collar and hurled him through the tavern door as if he weighed nothing. The impact rattled the walls and gasps followed.
She turned, brushed the dust from her apron, and walked back toward the door behind the counter. Unbothered and unhurried.
No one moved until the door stopped swinging.
That was when he saw her face.
Valia?
The fire's glow caught the curve of her cheek, the same impossible calm he remembered. But her gaze slid past him as if he were no one.
She doesn't recognize me.
The tavern's noise swelled back to life as Ligon slipped through the door, following her as she disappeared behind the door at the back.
The narrow corridor smelled of oak and spilt ale. He pushed the door open just as she entered the small room beyond, the soft thud of her boot the only sound between them.
"Can I help you sir? or would you also like to ride, rough and hard" her tone dry as she removed the second boot.
"No," Ligon said softly. "You just… reminded me of someone."
"Then remember her elsewhere," she snapped, though her breath faltered. Sweat glistened on her temple, her hand trembling as she reached for her collar.
"To be honest I felt the heat all the way here. Are you all right?" he asked, stepping closer. Concern in his eyes
"I'd be much better if you weren't here," she snapped, shooting him a glare as she tore off her hat.
"I doubt that," Ligon countered, voice low. "You look like you're about to faint."
"Leave." Her breath hitched, rough and uneven, as she fumbled with the buttons of her gown. The air had grown thick, heat curling off her skin.
"Let me help you," he said, stepping closer despite her warning.
"I said leave," she hissed, voice cracking. Her pupils dilated; her skin shimmered faintly with scales.
The air between them hummed like softly.
"I can help you," he murmured as he took few strides closer
She turned, eyes glowing faintly a mixture of blue and green, and for a moment, he thought she might strike him. But instead, she ripped the gown clean off, the sight stopping him mid-stride. Her naked body standing boldy in his gaze
"Is this what you wanted to see? You want to help me? You can help me by letting me jump you. Can't do that right? Then scram" Valia's eyes were now hazy as she struggled to stay on her feet.
Ligon had never seen anything like it. Her body was lithe and her curves sumptuous. Her breast full and tapered at the end with now erect pink nipples, her narrowed waist widened into the lush curve of her hips, her legs long and slender seemed to go on forever. Her buttocks full and round, inviting him to plunder.
Beautiful. The word echoed in his mind before he could stop it. His muscles tightened, every instinct fighting for control.
He stepped closer, his presence filling the room like stormlight. "I said I'd help you," he murmured, voice low, unshakable as he crashed his mouth unto hers,
Her body arched against his, scales scrambling up to the surface, heating under his palms. His lips trailed fire down her throat, his teeth grazing the edge of her pulse. Her fingers raked his back, not to wound but to anchor. Their breaths tangled, harsh and hungry.
It was primal, consuming. His Alpha pheromones wrapped around her scent—ripe persimmon—like chains, and she welcomed them.
Her dragon core burned hotter, lightning dancing across her skin as his hands claimed her hips, pressing her closer. His fingers slid between her folds—hot and slick. She moaned causing a stir in his groin. He ground against her as he laid her on the bed.
His lips found her folds and lapped. Her body shuddered as she arched into his mouth. The scales retracting as his tongue sought her, deeper, harder.
"Put it in. Now. " Valia's command, low and demanding
"Your wish is my command" Ligon's chest heaved as he plunged into her, each thrust, hard and demanding.
The dream was so vivid it broke the veil of sleep.
Ligon jolted awake, panting, the scent of his own release thick in the air. He cursed under his breath, shame and raw hunger twisting inside him. His pants were damp, his body trembling from the force of it. He stood abruptly, fists clenched, and left the room before he did something reckless.
Behind him, Valia stirred.
Her eyes snapped open, her breath ragged. She sat upright, scrubbing her face, trembling as sparks of lightning crackled at her fingertips. Her body was alive with fire and fever, her womanhood pulsing with an ache she didn't understand. The dream felt so real...
"What… is happening to me?" she whispered into the empty chamber.
And though she didn't see him in the corridor beyond, Ligon already knew their minds had touched. His heart thundered with certainty.
She was his mate.
And he would do anything. Everything. To claim her.