Ice Dragon's Holidays Ch5

ICE DRAGON’S HOLIDAYS

BY AVA WARD

A Royal Dragon Shifters of Morocco CHRISTMAS NOVELLA

CHAPTER FIVE – GIFT

It was like a dam Layla hadn’t even known she had crashed open to Fury’s kiss, sundering to his recollections of ice and snow. One moment Layla could only channel fire and heat; the next, her Desert Drakaina understood cold—her golden scales spiraling with an ice-white shimmer for the very first time. The taste of snow was on her tongue as she roared to the skies.

The beautiful feel of winter in her heart.

Tremendous icy wings unfurled from Layla’s shoulders, and she felt them stretch wide. As her Desert drakaina roared at the skies, something inside her flooded with the pure, crystalline joy of wintertime. Those wings buffeted the air as Layla let her heart crack wide open to Fury’s amazement with snow and ice. The Ice Dragon part of her, born of her father Ruslan, an Ice Dragon King, flashed through her every sinew.

Blasting out from those tremendous wings and heaving up into the sky.

Every drop of rainfall suddenly burst open. Snow exploded all around Layla as she heaved her Ice Dragon power into those stormy skies, pushing her love of winter through all her drakes until it made them sing like clarion chimes on a snowy mountaintop. As snow shed down all around them, Layla heaved their Bound power into the clouds. Pushed by Fury’s immense drake, back with them in the Bind, the conglomeration of their magics concussed.

And seethed through the clouds, transforming their heavy darkness into a fluffy sea of white.

Snow shed down all around them now as Layla’s mates shifted back down from their Dragon-forms. A chorus of whoops and shouts filled the afternoon as everyone celebrated, Layla’s human friends included. As Layla’s drakaina trumpeted her triumph to the clouds, she could feel Rhennic, Adrian, Reginald, even Dusk cease heaving their power through the storm; it wasn’t necessary to control it now with Fury smoothing everything to such a calm, beautiful tide through the sky all around them. 

Fury was directing their magic now, in a way Layla could barely express, weaving and braiding them all into one seamless flow that channeled wide out over the entire city of Seattle and the Puget Sound. As Layla felt that power flow through her, she knew her Dragon-form was no longer necessary. Her body condensed down with a snapping of bones and a rush of sinews, and she was soon back to human, breathless and beaming. As she and Fury came together in the most beautiful kiss, human now, he smiled against her lips.

“You did it.” He grinned, the Bind’s pleasure beaming all through him.

“I did it! Snow!” Layla squeed with delight as she did a little happy-dance in his arms, carelessly naked now in the falling snow from her shift and loving it. Layla beamed with joy, feeling their Bind all together at last as Fury wound her in his arms. Rake André moved forward with a fluffy red and white robe of Layla’s, helping her into it as Rikyava got Fury into one of Adrian’s cobalt silk robes. As her other friends got robes to her drakes, Layla cuddled back into Fury.

“I’m sorry I was away so long.” Fury murmured as the snow poured down all around them in big, fluffy flakes. Layla’s human friends and even her drakes were celebrating in it now with laughter and hugs as she smiled her heart out. The cloud mass was grey and white and calm up above now, snow cascading over the city as a lovely blanket of white stuck in the emerald grass.

“You arrived just in time.” She beamed as he held her. “You only missed dinner. But Adrian and Dusk made plenty of leftovers.”

“Still. Sorry I almost missed Christmas.” Nuzzling her nose, Fury’s somber self tried to come back, but Layla lifted up and kissed his lips, making his sober blue eyes light once more. “I could feel how much it meant to you I wasn’t here. Your sadness swamped me through the Bind when I was up near Alaska. I’ve never swum so hard in my life, to make it here. My Dragon’s scales were about to peel right off through the water.” 

“What about your world tour?” Layla asked, amazed he had gotten here so fast but worried perhaps he wasn’t doing what he needed to come here and be with her.

“I’ve ended my world tour early.” Fury smiled sweetly now as he lifted one of her hands, kissing her fingertips. “I thought I would travel and see the sights. But what I actually found was that I missed you—all of you. When I felt you call me here for Christmas, I knew it was time. We can always travel around the world later, together.”

“Well, that sounds nice.” Layla grinned against his lips, everyone’s good mood infectious as the snow piled up, coating the grass and trees. “I’m glad you got here all Fast and Fury-ous style.”

Fury laughed then; a free, chiming silver laugh that made everything inside Layla burst into glee. He’d never laughed like that before. She beamed at him, winding her arms solidly around his neck as he palmed her waist in her fuzzy robe.

Something had changed in him since he’d gone world-traveling. Something really superb, as Layla felt moonlight beam through her from his adoring midnight-blue eyes.

“Hey asshole. Don’t miss the holidays next time.”  Dusk grinned like a brigand as he clapped Fury on the shoulder.

A grin Fury returned, as he laughed again.

“I don’t plan to. Now that I understand what having us all together means to Layla.” He said as he nuzzled her nose. As Adrian came to them, shaking Fury’s hand, Rhennic stepped into their group as well. Sometime lovers, Rhennic and Fury shared a sweet kiss before chastely parting. 

As Reginald moved in, Fury tucked Layla to him in an unselfconscious way. As the twins gazed at each other, Layla felt an ancient understanding pass between them. Reginald’s gold-gray gaze passed over Fury as if reading everything about him.

The most beautiful smile haunting Reginald’s full lips.

“Brother. You look good.” Reginald said with outright pleasure.

“I feel good. Best of my life, even.” Fury nodded, peace radiating from his every pore as he cuddled Layla to his side. Forge-hot as always from his Royal Silver Siren, Fury was more calm than Layla had ever felt him, though she could still feel the depth of his power surging below the surface. But he was like a peaceful ocean now rather than a furious storm.

Everyone could feel it through the Bind as they gathered around, grinning like assholes.

“Good.” As Reginald clapped Fury on the shoulder now, the silver twin pulled the golden one in for a tight embrace. They squished Layla in the middle as they hugged, the brothers long estranged but with so much healed between them now.

Healing further, as they held each other tight.

“Well, I think this calls for celebrations.” Dusk’s baritone voice was decisive as the twins parted. “First: snow dragons. Then drinks and fuckery back inside!”

“Snow dragons!” With a laugh, Layla pulled back to see him. “What in blazes is a snow dragon?”

“Observe!” Dusk spoke brightly now as he gave a cheeky wink and strode off into the snow. Heavy now, it was as if the storm had transformed completely into snowfall, that would last hours. Once Dusk was in the middle of the lawn, the grass covered with a good two inches of fluffy white, he turned and grinned. He spread his arms wide as if to fall back and make a snow angel.

Then undid his robe, making a show of stripping it off.

“Oh, god. He’s getting naked again. Typical.” Rhennic laughed now as he stood with their other friends. Everyone had copious snow in their hair, cheeks ruddy from the cold and breathless with delight. “Rake, I think I need another drink for this.”

“Already made.” With a fresh round of drinks deposited into their hands that smelled distinctly of cinnamon, cardamom, and rum, Rake winked. In the lawn, Dusk had finished stripping, then shucked his robe to the snowy grass. Naked, he laughed in his robust, roguish way as everyone grinned, shaking their heads.

“One, two, three… snow dragon!” 

Before anyone could even say Dick the Halls, Dusk surged up into his massive Crystal drake. Enormous, he filled the middle of the lawn as fiercely serrated scales of diamond and sapphire bristled from his body once again. His power shook the ground as he roared, shuddering the surrounding snow in waves as he raised a mantle of diamond-light spikes from his blocky skull and shook them at the sky. As his armored tail whipped, he was a mountain of splendor, and everyone caught their breaths. Then, with a roguish twinkle in his diamond-blue eyes, the gargantuan Royal Crystal drake winked.

And heaved over on his back, rolling in the snow like a puppy.

Layla laughed. Everything inside her soared, so bright as everyone laughed around her, the joy in the Bind surging. Love and celebration filled her as she flopped down in the snow with her friends and the rest of her men, all of them making snow angels and laughing like crazy at Dusk’s exuberant thrashing. Hauled back up, Layla was in Adrian’s arms now, kissing him with abandon as her drakes surrounded her, kissing her and some even kissing each other in their celebration. 

As the beautiful snow fell, Dusk’s exuberance, Fury’s homecoming, and Rake’s drinks combusted their hearts. Layla suddenly didn’t know whose lips were whose as she kissed and celebrated with her friends and lovers.

Enjoying every moment of her perfect winter day.

* * *

At last, it became too cold, and they all hustled back indoors. Hot buttered rum and more of Rake’s amazing drinks followed the snow as the party really cranked up post-dinner. The levity lasted all evening, everyone laughing and chatting and decorating Dusk’s gingerbread house, then mercilessly smashing it and eating it, pretending to be Godzilla. 

Drunken games courtesy of Rikyava had them playing a raunchy version of hide-and-seek, actually a drinking game that gave way to slurred caroling as they ripped open presents and laughed in the living room, having hot buttered rum and spiked cocoa. The party turned amorous as the hour went late; everyone was completely inebriated by Rake’s concoctions. 

And the beautiful snow still falling outside.

It was only Layla and Adrian left now, cuddling in the pillows before the dying fire as they kissed deep into the night. As she enjoyed Adrian’s soft lips for the hundredth time, Layla indulged in the feel of his long, lean body. Cradling her with iron strength, Adrian was almost too warm as his body blazed with drink and the heat of the dying embers.

And the passion they had shared tonight. 

Everyone had peeled off into couples as the talk had finally died; Luke and Rikyava had taken the main basement guest bedroom while Celia and Charlie now shared the other one downstairs. Rake had disappeared surreptitiously with Arron, while Dusk and Fury had gone off together, and Reginald and Rhennic had quietly separated from the group to have their own revelry tonight. 

The house had resounded with the fiery passion of lovemaking for hours, as Layla and Adrian had shared their own blissful time together before the fire. Orgasms had come and gone in wild, rolling waves through the Bind as Layla and her primary mate had taken part as well. 

Now she and Adrian snuggled before the fire, watching it burn low. Layla heaved a contented sigh as she pulled back. As she gazed out the tall living room windows, she could just make out dark flakes swirling down beyond the porch’s light, snow thick upon the fogged window sills.

“What an amazing Christmas.” She said as she found Adrian’s lips once more. “Thank you.”

“Thank you.” He said as they kissed. “None of this would have happened without you. Especially the snow. You make this world special, Layla Price. And I’m so very glad.”

“Likewise.” She nuzzled noses as they parted, cuddled in a pile of cushions and throw-blankets. “It seems everybody had a good time tonight.”

“Good time doesn’t even begin to describe it.” Adrian’s hot turquoise eyes shone with flecks of gold in the fire’s light. “I think I felt Dusk alone have like six orgasms from whatever he and Fury were doing. I don’t even want to ask.”

“Prude.” Layla gave a laugh; her primary mate was still cagey about being in group sexcapades. Adrian wasn’t homophobic, he only had a strong preference for women in his bed. 

Though like all Dragons, he could get behind the sensuality of the act, whatever they got up to.

“Hey. I have something for you. Hang on.” With a motion for her to stay put, Adrian rose from the cushions in his lithe, impressive glory. Layla ogled the cut muscles of his impeccable height as he moved to retrieve something from his suit jacket, hung up in the front closet. A small box, it wasn’t something he’d put beneath the tree when they’d exchanged gifts earlier. As he settled in the cushions, drawing a chenille blanket over his lap, he proffered the box, wrapped in shiny gold paper with a white silk bow. 

“Open it.” 

Adrian’s green-blue eyes were deep as he held Layla’s gaze; she tucked a throw blanket around her nakedness as she sat up, brushing her sex-mussed hair back behind her ear as she received the box. It was flat, like a small jewelry case; as Layla slid off the ribbon and ripped open the paper, intrigued, she felt her drakaina rush through her in an eager wave of fire. 

As she opened the small box, she glanced inside. Within was a lovely necklace, made of a fine platinum chain with what looked like two talons or fang pendants inside, each encompassed in a lovely platinum filigree. One piece was inset with beautiful silver runes that Layla couldn’t read, the other with a similar runic inscription in gold. Tipped in platinum, both pendants matched as Layla lifted the necklace from the box.

One fang draping low towards her heart as Adrian helped her put it on.

“Wow. Adrian. It’s gorgeous.” She admired the intricacy of the work on the two fangs. As she held them to the firelight, she saw the golden fang shimmer with a luminous color, while the darker one shimmered with a sensual power. “What are they?”

“Bones of your forebears.” Adrian gazed at the piece with her, his visage complex. “They’re talon-tips from your parents, Layla. The gold one is from Mimi, and the black one is from Ruslan. Apparently, there’s a bone-returning ceremony Nadia knows, to turn a Dragon’s bones back into their actual Dragon-shape after they die, so they can be buried at Wahdi Atlamenta in the sacred boneyard there, where we had our last battle against Hunter. I hope you don’t mind, but I had Mimi’s remains moved there and laid to rest by Ruslan’s—both of them changed back into their Dragon-forms by Nadia. To rest in peace together… and let you have a token to keep with you.”

“Adrian…” Speechless, Layla stared at the incredible necklace. Its power was potent now, as if she could feel her parents’ magic pouring through her. A mighty talisman, Layla felt love and peace sing through her bones now; the bright, effervescent feel of Mimi laughed through her as the slow, deep love of Ruslan grounded her. It was incredible; with a soaring heart, Layla glanced up.

Loving Adrian to the ends of her heart as she gripped her parent’s talons in her fist.

She kissed her true mate—hard. It went on a long time as heat careened between their bodies again. Breathless in each other’s arms, they parted to a light step coming down the stairs.

“Are you two going to stay here all night? Or are you coming to bed?” Dusk’s low rumble was well-satisfied and cheekily amused as he stood halfway down the stairs, looking tremendously fetching in a midnight blue silk men’s robe with gold lapels. 

“I thought you were in bed with Fury?” Adrian grinned like a rascal now as he turned Layla to him, cuddling her close as his hands massaged her breasts.

Dusk’s glance dipped to her breasts as Adrian kneaded them, lecherous. Heat rose between them all now, scalding as their libido rose through the Bind.

“Fury can take care of himself if he wakes.” Dusk lifted a cheeky eyebrow now as his sapphire eyes burned with heat. “Besides, he snores. I’d rather sleep with you two renegades. Or not sleep. Maybe just sneak a little sleep before I get up and make everyone coffee. And unveil our stockings.”

“You didn’t.” Layla shook her head at Dusk.

“I did.” He spoke cheekily with a fire in his eyes as he moved down the rest of the stairs, coming to them.“Everyone gets a small, ridiculously expensive prezzie in their stocking, and a piece of fruit, because it’s traditional. A tree ornament and copious chocolate, because of course there must be chocolate. Special cordials courtesy of Rake, and a gag gift surprise so I can watch you all blush. And then I cook eggs Benedict. And we have our coffee with eggnog and bourbon. Or rum. And get drunk until lunchtime.”

“You always think of everything.” Layla said as Dusk sank to his knees before her and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Adrian was still massaging her breasts as Dusk leaned in, his ultra-fit, rock-hard body brushing her as he grinned like a brigand and sucked her neck, making her moan.

“Add in bed to that phrase, to make a very merry Christmas.” Dusk sucked and bit at her neck. “I think of everything… in bed.”

“Okay.” Delight filled Layla now as her most beloved drakes kneaded her, pressing her close between their forge-hot bodies. 

“Upstairs.” Adrian kissed the other side of her neck with a growl, biting it darkly.

“Now.” Layla hummed with renewed energy as her Bound drakes pushed her.

“As milady commands.” As he scooped her up into his powerful arms, Dusk claimed her lips, Adrian following them up the stairs. Weightless in Dusk’s arms, Layla floated on a thousand clouds as Adrian pushed the door to the master bedroom open, allowing Dusk to take her inside. As Dusk tumbled Layla to the bed, kissing between her breasts, Adrian crawled onto the fluffy white duvet like a predator, lowering himself down at her side and biting his kisses into her neck.

As everyone crawled backwards onto the bed, the heat between them careened.

In a fire only Royal Dragons could make.

“Time for a very merry Christmas.” A fervent promise gleamed in Dusk’s eyes by the low light of the bedside lamps.

“Ho, ho, ho.” Layla surrendered to Dusk’s kisses as Adrian pushed her back to the bed. She fell down, her hair spilling out over the coverlet as she clutched her throw blanket. And then her last remaining cover was being lusciously hauled away by her most beloved drakes. As Adrian’s beautiful turquoise eyes alighted on his gift dangling between her breasts, he smiled. 

Adrian lowered down to kiss her, as Dusk slid all the way down, kissing somewhere else.

Making it a far from Silent Night, but very merry, indeed.

* * *

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