Free Blood Bought: Cruentus Dragons Book Two by Brynn Paulin

portals, but Riven had no problem following with Laurinda since he was part Dragon.
    The queen hissed in anguish as she was dragged through the magic barrier that kept Djinn and Elvish outside the Cruentus walls. Had Riven not kept a firm hold on her, his tacit approval of her entrance allowing the passage, the enchantment would have killed her rather than merely causing pain. Once inside, she seemed to recover quickly. After the energy surge she’d used on Athena’s leg earlier, Jonah couldn’t feel sorry for her discomfort, though now, after she’d helped them escape, he realized that she’d use the lowest grade power she could. Apparently, her intention hadn’t been to harm his mate. So what was her objective? Why had she helped them?
    He’d dwell on it later. Athena had passed out, and he needed to attend her quickly. He placed her on a nearby settee. Transforming to human shape, except for one hand, he knelt beside her then slashed a claw over his wrist. He pressed it to her lips. It wouldn’t change her. He needed to ingest her blood within minutes of her taking his in order for that to happen, but it would take away the pain his children were causing within her womb.
    Children… He was going to be a father. He’d known all along that this would happen. It was a main purpose to the mating call. Procreation. Furthering his species. The concept was far removed from the terrifying, awe-inspiring reality. His sons grew inside his mate…
    He stroked Athena’s hair from her face with his free hand. He wanted to share the moment with her, to tell her how pleased he was and how much he wanted to spend eternity with her. His emotions roiled inside him, and there was nothing he could do but wait for her to wake. When she did, he’d beg her forgiveness for being so stupid and for casting that awful spell. He’d destroy it as soon as he dared leave her side. No Dragon would ever again cast such hideous magic.
    On the other side of the couch, Riven set the queen on her feet, keeping her within his embrace. She didn’t appear overly upset at being ripped from her home. Nor did she seem to care she was in Riven’s arms.
    “Well played, beloved,” she said.
    Beloved? Had Riven tricked him?
    Her head leaning on Riven’s chest, she smiled at Jonah. “You are quite safe, Dragon Jonah. I hate this war, and I have no quarrel with the Dragons, save for certain laws…” She sighed and looked up at Riven. “Thank you for saving me from Albus.”
    “I would not leave you with him.”
    “You didn’t marry him for love?” Jonah asked.
    “I didn’t willingly marry him at all. I wasn’t even there.”
    Such a thing was a travesty!
    “Yes, it is,” she agreed.
    “You can read my mind?”
    She nodded. “And your delightful mate’s as well. I’m afraid she may try to kill me at first opportunity. I apologize. I had to make the escape appear real. I would never have involved either of you if I’d had a choice. Riven and I had another plan…”
    “Then why? She could have died.” Jonah pulled his wrist from Athena’s mouth and used his thumb to tenderly wipe away a drop of blood from the edge of her lips.
    “Albus learned of her location and he was determined to cripple your clan by making you useless to your leader. You are his scion. He needs you, as you need Athena. Bringing her to the warren was the only way I could keep Albus’ army from killing her. He’d sent too many warriors for you to defeat.”
    “It makes sense,” Athena said weakly. Her eyelids fluttered then she stared up at Jonah. Her smile warmed his soul. “Your spell didn’t work.”
    “It should have.”
    “Hmm…” She looked around, her brows drawing together. “We’re back here,” she said with some censure.
    “Riven brought us.”
    She nodded and made a face, obviously remembered her few hours here. “It needs redecorating…starting with your harems’ quarters.”
    “Blood letters’ quarters,” he corrected, referring to