Fury of Fire (Dragonfury Series #1)

Everything.
    The thought scared him. He hadn’t told her the whole truth, and her reaction to his omission wouldn’t be fun. But he wasn’t a coward. He’d created the mess. Time to man up and take the poison pill.
    “Myst?” Not wanting to startle her, he skimmed his hand over her shoulder, down her arm, enjoying her soft skin way too much. “Bellmia?”
    She hummed, rousing with an enticing stretch. He swallowed, watching her breasts rise and fall, nipples tight as she turned onto her back. Coming up onto his side, he cupped her cheek, ran the pad of his thumb over lips swollen from his passion. Hmm…he’d kissed her so much last night. Deep and hard. None of the kisses soft or gentle like she deserved. Dipping his head, he brushed his mouth against hers.
    Her lips parted to accommodate him. “Again?”
    “No. You need to sleep and…we need to move.”
    “Uh-uh. Let’s stay here. Play a little more.”
    “Insatiable.” Hiding a smile, he shook his head and kissed her again. “And no can do. We gotta go.”
    With another stretch, she half-groaned, half-growled, and opened her eyes. Bastian sucked in a breath as he got nailed with her sleepy violet gaze. Unable to help himself, he kissed her again, slipping into her, tasting her with his tongue. Her hands slid into his hair, cupping the back of his head, holding him close, accepting him as she had all night.
    In-fucking-credible.
    Unbelievably beautiful.
    Myst was more than he deserved.
    He flicked the corner of her mouth as he pulled away. He should tell her right now. Rip the lid off his sin like a Band-Aid. Let her get angry. Explain everything to her…Rikar’s theory about the energy-fusion and that Bastian might be able to protect her throughout the pregnancy—and when she went into labor with his son.
    Bastian closed his eyes. Might. It was one helluva word, wasn’t it?
    “Bastian?” Myst stroked her fingers through his hair. “What’s wrong?”
    Unable to force the confession past his throat, he shook his head.
    “Don’t lie to me,” she said. “I can feel your sadness. You’re in pain. Tell me why.”
    “I…last night…” he trailed off as his throat went tight. “It’s nothing.”
    She went still beside him, her gaze sharpening on his face.
    Shit. She was reading him, using their connection to ferret out the truth. He slammed his mental doors, trying to shut her out, protect her and himself until he found the best way to tell her. But that was a load of BS. There was no best way.
    He cleared his throat and shifted to get up. She tightened her grip, keeping him in place. In full panic mode, he reached for an excuse. “Daimler will be here soon…to start breakfast. My warriors will be coming in, too. We should move.”
    She didn’t budge, holding firm. “No secrets, remember? Tell me.”
    “Fuck,” he said. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you.”
    “You’ve never hurt me.”
    “I did last night. I did—”
    “No, you didn’t.”
    He took a breath, feeling like he was suffocating. “I don’t want you to hate me. But, it’s done and I can’t undo it. I can’t—”
    “Bastian.” Concern in her eyes, she stroked his cheek, trying to calm him. “Just tell me.”
    “I didn’t tell you the whole truth about the realignment. God forgive me, baby…you’re pregnant,” he rasped. His hand fisted in the blanket beside her, his chest heaved. But the physical meltdown was nothing compared to the emotional trauma and, as Myst’s eyes went wide, he knew he would never forgive himself. “I got you pregnant. I’m sorry…Jesus…I’m sorry.”
    “Love, listen to me,” she said, her voice soft. “I’m on birth control. My periods have always been screwed up. I get a shot every few months to help regulate it. So I can’t be—”
    “You are.” He spread his hand over her belly, filling the space between her hipbones. “I can feel him already…quickening inside your womb.”
    She shook her head. “That’s not possible. I’m…” she trailed off and sat up. Planting her palms on the floor, she scooted backwards, away from him. “No. I can’t be.”
    He reached for her.
    She retreated faster. Grabbing a blanket, she held it in front of her like a shield, warning him away.
    Desperate to make her stay, he tried to explain. “I can help you, Myst. Because of our bond…the energy-fuse…there’s a good chance you’ll survive the—”
    “Survive?” Shock flared in her eyes.
    “ Bellmia ,