4.75 stars
Another great book by Thea Harrison. My favorite of the series so far. I have to admit Pia and Dragos haven't really imprinted on me as a couple in Dragon Bound. Here, though...
XOXOXOXOOXOOXOXOXOOXOXOXOOXOXOXOOXOXOXOOXOXOOXOX
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 !!!!!!!!
I loved Pia. And Dragos. And Pia&Dragos. And Peanut!
"Even though feeling like a drama queen sucked donkey’s balls, it was still true—leaving Dragos and New York behind was one of the hardest things Pia had ever done."
And so it begins. Pia is starting her journey to the lanod of the Elves, but even more importantly into the land of being The Big Deal and Dragos's partner and mate in full. She's meeting the Elven High Lord and his consort to start negotiations with them regarding Dragos's pesky banishment from their lands. If there's one thing the dragon lord sucks at, it's diplomacy. So, she'll do this for him. Or so she thinks... But, pretty soon, the situation gets complicated as she gets deeper into an Enchanted Forrest(which has a fancy name, but I like this one:D) and an old power resurfaces, looking to destroy everything in sight... Independence is great and all, but there are times when an ancient, huge, powerful dragon of a mate can be a bit useful. And this is definitely it.
And why'd he stay behind? Well there is the issue of replacing two of his Sentiels. And he does this by holding *drumrolls please*
THE SENTINEL GAMES
Tell me that doesn't sound cool.
"With all the paperwork and formalities out of the way, the Sentinel Games had just one objective: beat your opponent by any means possible. One fight, Wyr to Wyr. No weapons, no second chances, no holds barred.
There was just one rule: don’t kill anybody.
At least not on purpose."
I loved the idea. And I love the two new sentinels (On that note, I'm pretty sure I know who's gonna be Aryal's mate. And me likey). I just wish more attention was put on them. That would be even cooler.
So, Dragos is separated from his beloved and in his usual domineering, alpha nature he isn't handling it well. But Pia's training is evident, too. He says Please. And doesn't say I allow/forbid you. Girl power! They're dream-meeting and texting(aye, texting!), but it is not enough. And luckily for Pia and the Elves, Dragos found gave in to his impulses and went to her in exactly the right time.
Romance, blood and magic follow... In this great addition to the series!
So, back to all I love. I love Pia and her spunky, independent, yet reasonable and smart self. She fights for her rights and place in the relationship, yet doesn't become too headstrong to accept help when it's needed. True partnership. I love her humor and quirkiness and her interactions with the Peanut. Awwww. And the way she teases the Big Bad... More awww.
Dragos is... Dragos. He is commanding and scary and so. Fricking. Adorable. He is really starting to unwind, give a little, WITHOUT losing that which makes him the Lord of Beasts. It's so clear what he feels for Pia and the baby transcends all else.
And together they're even better!
I like Pia's guard and Eva. I'm intrigued by the Seninel's fates and their eventual HEAs. I like the world and all its possibilities. Not to mention all the diverse characters . So, basically I loved this.
The few tiny things that bugged me (a little)
1. I expected to see more of the Sentinel Games
2. I also expected to see more of Dragos and Rune, considering how important it it/was.
3. The resolution with the bad guy felt a bit too easy after all the problems and death.
4. And just a question... After everything was done, Dragos summoned the Elder tribunal and one of the Djinns came almost immediately. Why not get them to help in battle?
All of that, however is not that relevant in the scheme of two great Wyr I came to love... I can't wait for more!
Some quotes
"As far as she was concerned, there were only two things that made living in Cuelebre Tower worth it. One of them was the peanut—and she really had to stop calling him that, because the little fetus was already so smart, she could tell he thought his name actually was Peanut.
The other was Dragos, who was primitive, powerful, domineering, calculating, manipulative, infernally clever and tactless, and who she adored with all of her heart. Dragos, who created as many problems as he solved, and who loved her too, fiercely, so much so he had mated with her. Their lives had become inextricably entwined, and they had to work together for things now."
"Laughter creased his features. She smiled as she stroked his face, glad she could lighten his mood for a little while. He was such a hard male, and sometimes that hardness bruised others, but sometimes it bruised him most of all."
“Now, honey,” she said. “You’ve got to stop getting so worked up, or you’ll have a heart attack when you hit middle age.”
“Because it’s my birthday, and I think I’m going to like cake. Don’t worry, Mom. Everything is going to be fine. I’ll make sure of it.”
She pointed the spatula at him. “You are not supposed to say that to your mommy. Your mommy is supposed to say that to you.” The peanut gave her a sunny, innocent smile.
She plunged awake.
-------------
From the doorway of the bathroom, Dragos said, “Good gods, you’re putting on makeup.”
He hadn’t bothered to get dressed yet. Even though she was in the middle of labor, his nude, muscled body was worth a moment of reverent silence.
“What?” she said, turning back to look at herself in the mirror and holding her lips stiff as she stroked on lipstick. “It’s our son’s birthday. I want to look nice.”
LOL. Didn't I say I love these wacky beings?