“I take it it didn’t go well?”
“Shut up,” Edilyn snapped at her brother. “Go scare an old man.”
Virag tsked at her. “You are in a foul mood.”
“Why shouldn’t I be? I’ve had one dream the whole of my life and no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to make it real. Have you any idea how frustrating that is? Nay, you do not. You snap your fingers, use your magic, and everything you want is done.” Edilyn clenched her eyes shut to hold back her tears of frustration.
She’d worked so hard.…
And for what? To be hidden in this cave until she died?
The dragon might covet that existence, but she didn’t.
With a ragged breath, she glanced around the elaborate bedchambers. They were actually quite luxurious. Still, that didn’t make her feel better.
A gilded cage was a cage nonetheless!
“What is this place?”
Virag laughed. “I’m thinking our little dragon wears the guise of a man more than he lets on.” He lifted a corner of the bedcovers, that were made of some fabric the likes of which she’d never seen before. Much like the walls of the room where Illarion slept, it shimmered in the light. “This is silk from a future time period. The sheets? Egyptian cotton.”
“Beg pardon?”
He nodded. “Aye, love. Come feel it. The mattress is memory foam.”
“What language are you speaking?”
Virag laughed. “Oh the things you miss being a mortal bound to one time period.” He tsked at her.
Wrinkling her nose at him, she stepped around his surly form to inspect the bed. He was right. It was like touching a cloud. “What is memory foam? How does it remember things? Does it have its own brain?”
Virag laughed even harder. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Suffice it to say, it’s something future man will thank modern science for. There’s also a toilet in the bathroom.”
“A what in the who?”
“Exactly. You are going to die when I show that to you.”
She scowled at him. “How do you know of such things?”
“Unlike you, sweet sister, I’m not locked into this time and place. I don’t have to live linearly. Just like I don’t have to keep this body or size. I choose to be here because I want to stay with you, and I’m forbidden to take you from here.”
“Forbidden by whom?”
“The law of my people.”
Strange that he’d never mentioned that to her before. While she knew he had great powers and the ability to shapeshift, he’d never mentioned that he could travel through time.
Suddenly, a loud rumbling sounded. The walls around them shook.
Gasping in alarm, Edilyn caught herself against the bedpost as some of the ceiling fell in.
Were they being attacked? Terrified of the answer, she rushed from the chambers, down the narrow corridor to the main cavern where she found Illarion.
“What was that sound?”
Illarion used his massive head to indicate a passage on his left. I made an opening for you to the world outside. You are no longer trapped here. Now you can come and go as you please.
Her jaw went slack at his kindness. Especially after his earlier words. “Isn’t that dangerous for you?”
He didn’t answer. Rather, he headed back for his inner den.
Edilyn exchanged a perplexed frown with Virag. Why would Illarion expose himself so needlessly?
Curious, she went after him.
“Illarion?”
He expelled an exasperated breath as he settled back down to rest on his straw. Aye?
She moved to stand in front of his giant head. “Why did you make a doorway into your cave? What if someone finds your lair?”
Let them come. I could use the protein. He closed his eyes.
She snorted at his dry response. Then she popped him on his nose.
Startled, Illarion opened his eyes to stare at her in complete disbelief. Did you just hit me?
“Playfully so. Aye.” She wrinkled her nose at him. “You deserved it for that nonchalant comment. It wasn’t amusing.”
He pulled his head back to stare down at her with the most adorable grimace. I can’t decide if you’re the bravest woman ever born or the most foolish.
“My father always said it was a very fine line between the two. And one I walk constantly.”
He made a peculiar sound.
“Was that a laugh?”
I think it might have been.
“You think?”
Illarion had to pause to consider it. Laughter is a rather foreign concept for me.
And that broke her heart for him. Laughter shouldn’t be foreign to anyone. Not even a surly dragon.
In that moment, she made a decision that she would probably regret one day. “Get up, Lord Dragon.”
Pardon?
“You heard me. Rise and make my saddle for me.”
Why?
“Because I wish to ride.”
His pupils narrowed to threatening slits as smoke billowed out from his nostrils. I’m not your beast of burden to heel at your command, he growled in a low, deadly tone, letting her know she’d touched a nerve with him.
But she refused to be intimidated when she’d meant nothing by it. “Didn’t say you were. I’m talking to you as I would a friend or my brother. You’re moping about and I’m dragging you out the door for fresh air. Now get your lumbering arse off the floor, saddle up, and let’s get out of this depressing place for a while. It’ll do you good, I think.”
And you wish to ride me? He quirked a brow at her.
She tucked her chin to her chest and gave him an evil grimace. “Get that look off your face. I’m afraid of flying. Terrified of dragons. It’s time I buried both those fears. Let’s do this.”
Do you always face your fears?
“Of course. Don’t you?”
Don’t know. Never really had any.
“Well, I guess when you’re the size of a castle, ’tis a luxury you can afford.” She watched as the saddle appeared, along with the reins. “Thank you.”
He inclined his head to her, then lowered his wing so that she could climb into place.
With a deep breath, she slowly began ascending his large body.
Illarion closed his eyes at the warmth of her supple skin sliding over his scales. Earlier, he hadn’t noticed just how soft a caress it was. Mostly because they’d been under attack and he’d been more focused on other things.
Now …
The feather-light weight of her body against his left him breathless and he was well aware of every feminine curve. In particular, her large breasts as she scooted up over his back and struggled to get into the saddle.
And when she finally straddled his spine, it was all he could do not to roll over and strip her bare.
“Are you all right?”
His breathing ragged, he fought for control. Aye. Why do you ask?
“You seem really tense and stiff.”
She had no idea. Especially when her hands swept against him to gather the reins. Damn, it’d been far too long since he’d been inside a woman. This was sheer torture. The last time a human had ridden on his back, it’d been under duress. They’d forced him to it and he’d been hell-bent to get away from his master.
Now, her touch soothed him in a way nothing ever had before. There was a calm peacefulness he couldn’t quite explain. And at the same time, every nerve in his body was fired and alert. Acutely attuned to her.
He felt every breath she took as if it were his own. Every heartbeat. For the first time in his life, he wasn’t defiant or angry. He actually wanted to please her. To make her laugh and see her smile.
What is your choice, my lady?
“No idea. Where would you like to go?”
There’s a waterfall in the valley nearby.
“Really? I’ve never seen a waterfall. Is it pretty?”
I’ll let you judge for yourself. Hold tight.
Edilyn had no idea what to expect as Illarion carefully picked his way through the cave and out through the opening he’d made. But the moment she saw exactly where his home was, she gasped and latched onto his neck as utter terror claimed her. His cave was high atop a mountain with a narrow pass leading to it. From her vantage point, she looked down on the clouds. “Where are we?”
Hybrasil.
“Hybrasil? I’ve never heard of such a place.”
It’s an island, off the coast of your homeland. One that can only be seen when I allow it. Or I’m too wounded to hold my shields in place.
“No wonder the others fear you so. You are the most powerful of your kind.”
She felt him scoff under her.
Nay, my lady. My powers pale to those of my older brothers. Either of them could spank me with little effort.
“You have family?”
You are surprised that I have brothers?
“A little bit.”
Well, don’t be. I have many. And sisters, too.
“Really? How many?”
More than I can count. Even more who have died. But of the hundreds over the centuries, I’ve only been close to a few.
“Their names?”
Maxis, Falcyn, Sarraxyn, Hadyn, and Blaise.
“Do you ever see them?”
Rarely. We don’t congregate like humans. It tends to scare the natives and cause them to do stupid things. He flexed his wings and turned his head to look back at her. Are you ready to fly now?
Cringing, she glanced down at the clouds and felt her stomach lurch at the thought. “This is much higher than we went before.”
It is, indeed.
And as he’d done for the fight, he used his powers to make the saddle straps rise up to wrap around her body and secure her in place. The fact that he took such care caused a wave of warmth to surge through her. It also made her feel a bit better about this perilous venture. “I’m ready when you are.”
I won’t let you fall, Edilyn. Remember that I’ve done this for thousands of years. For me, flying is as natural as breathing. Do you trust me?
Edilyn hesitated at the sight of the clouds that obscured the ground so far below. Always terrified of heights, she’d never dreamt that she’d ever be this high above anything. “I trust you. But if I scream, don’t take it personally.”
With a soundless laugh, he spread his wings wide and fell forward into the sky.
Her stomach sank like a stone as her breath caught in her throat and strangled her with absolute terror. The winds whipped against her skin and hair, more akin to talons than some unseen natural force. It was actually quite painful. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Yet for all that, it was exhilarating.
Spectacularly beautiful.
The sky was far bluer up here than when she was in the fields where she worked. The sun brighter. Below her, everything was a mesh of unidentifiable greens and browns. She couldn’t tell what was what. Nor could she see any people or animals. The world looked nothing like she was used to.
Are you all right?
“I am. But how do you know where you are? Everything’s indistinguishable.”
I have magnetoreception that allows me to see the earth’s magnetic fields and magnetoreceptors in my ears and snout for contour and altimeter tracking.
That made as much sense to her as memory foam and the other nonsensical terms her brother had used. “What language are you speaking?”
He laughed under her. My drakomai vision is different from that of a human. I can see shadows rising from the earth that allow me to know and determine cardinal directions. They guide me like phantom spirits, pointing me to the right path. Likewise, I have different nerves and senses in my ears and nose that tell me how high I’m flying and what is below me even when I can’t see the ground. So even on the darkest night, during storms or fog, I know exactly where I am and what’s around me. Ergo, I shouldn’t accidentally fly us into the side of a mountain … at least I hope not.
She let out a squeak over something she hadn’t considered. “Is that truly a possibility?”
It only happened once. Most of the scarring healed … after a few centuries.
Her breathing turned ragged as total fear claimed her.
Illarion laughed even harder. Relax, Edilyn. I’m jesting with you. I’ve never hit the side of a mountain. And while I have crashed into a few trees, it was only because I was wounded in battle and brought down from it.
That made her feel better. At least that he’d crashed from the fight, not that he’d been injured. “Have you seen many battles?”
Not by choice, and I’ve no wish to speak of it. Such discussions turn my mood sour.
And with that, he began to lower them through the clouds toward the ground at a speed that left her gasping.
Only this time from joy and not fear.
True to his word, the waterfall was gorgeous. It fell like a majestic veil in the sunlight to splash down into a tranquil oasis. She’d never seen anything more beautiful. The air around her was scented with the most delicate fragrance. It reminded her of the stories her brother had told her of his fey homeland that could only be reached by his people.
He unwrapped the leather from her body and knelt so that she could dismount.
Impishly, she slid down his wing like a slide, to land on her feet.
Illarion arched a brow in stunned surprise at her actions as she gave him a proud smile. No one had ever been so playful around him. At least you’ve conquered your fear of me.
“Not entirely.” She flounced away, toward the pond where he sometimes went to bathe.
Beguiled by her, he followed and watched as she explored his favorite place. He still wasn’t sure why he’d brought her here to share it. Not even his brothers knew about his private spot. It was his own haven that he’d reserved from everyone.
Edilyn went to sit on a rock that jutted out over the crystal-blue water and pulled off her worn shoes. Wiggling her toes, she plunged them in, then leaned back on her arms to sun herself.
Would you like to swim?
She tilted her head to cast him a wistful pout. “I don’t know how.”
It’s not deep.
Her look turned doubtful. “For you, the man? Or you, the dragon?”
Point taken. He moved closer to her. I could teach you to swim. It’s not hard.
She wrinkled her nose at him. “Should I wet these, I’ve no other clothes to wear.”
One corner of his lips curled up into a roguish grin as he considered that. You could swim naked.
She tsked at him. “Ah, the truth of you, now.”
Her words rang with a veracity he wanted to deny. If only he could. But he wouldn’t mind watching her frolic naked in the water.
Instead, he changed forms before he’d even realized what he’d done so that he could join her on her rock. He wanted to be close beside her and he could only do that in a human body. Otherwise, he might inadvertently harm her.
If you wish to swim, I’ll get you more clothes.
Edilyn didn’t miss the way his voice in her head had dropped an octave. Nor the light in his blue eyes as he watched her. “Why do your eyes change color when you become a man?”
Sadness replaced the heat. When he started away, she reached out and stopped him. “I’m sorry if that hurt you. I was only curious. You really do hate your human form, don’t you?”
He nodded.
She couldn’t fathom why. He was unbelievably handsome. Far more so than any man she’d ever seen in her life. His features were perfectly sculpted. His brownish-red hair unlike anyone else’s. Up close, she could see that it wasn’t a single hair color. Rather it was made up of all of them. Even random strands of blond were laced through it.
And though she’d never kissed a man before and she knew deep inside that they were supposed to be enemies, she couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to taste his lips. While she’d never coveted the thought of being with a dragon before, she didn’t mind being with him.
“Teach me to swim, my dragon lord.”
He gave her an adorable grin as her clothes turned into the strangest outfit she’d ever beheld. Gasping, she tried to cover herself with her hands.
“What is this you’ve done to me?”
Put you in a wetsuit. It’ll keep you warm and dry in the water.
“It’s so tight!”
True, and it sadly covers you from head to toe.
“But leaves no mystery!”
I beg to differ. Should we peel it off and compare?
“Nay!”
Shaking his head, he redressed himself in something a lot more scandalous. While her black suit as he called it did cover her neck to wrist and ankle, his was barely more than a scandalous breechcloth.
They’re called board shorts.
“I only understand half of what you say to me.”
With that adorable grin in place, he took her hand and led her to the water.
She bit her lip and hesitated. “Is it cold?”
He shook his head before he released her hand and dove beneath the small waves to swim with an ease she envied. True to his word, he was quite accomplished. That gave her more confidence to wade into the sparkling depths, which were incredibly warm. There must be a spring here to keep it heated that much.
When the depth reached her waist, she paused to look around. Illarion had been under for quite some time. Much longer than he should have been.
Had he drowned?
The thought terrified her. “Illarion?”
He rose out of the water to stand in front of her. His eyes twinkled with merriment. I can breathe underwater.
“I cannot.”
Smiling, he brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, then gently kissed it. I know. Have no fear. I won’t let anything happen to you. Now lie back in the water and I’ll keep you afloat.
Not quite trusting him, she reluctantly obeyed.
Illarion bit back his amusement at how tense she was—as if she expected him to let go of her at any moment. Relax, my lady. Feel the water’s movement. Let it carry you.
She slowly began to trust him. “It’s very soothing, isn’t it?”
Normally, he’d agree. But right now …
All he could focus on were the parts of her body that protruded from the water. He should have put her in a bikini. Had he not feared sending her into a screaming fit of protest, he would have.
And before he could stop himself, he placed his cheek against hers, pulled her back to his chest, and lifted his legs so that he could cradle her with his full body.
Edilyn gasped at the sensation of Illarion pressed against her as he swam in the water for the two of them. “How are you doing this?”
Most true drakomai are amphibious. We’re even stronger in the water than we are in the air or on land.
There was a little-known fact about his race. And as she felt his muscles rippling, she realized just how powerful and strong he was in both incarnations.
How lethal.
She lost track of time as he gently taught her how to swim, and while she lacked his abilities, she was rather proud when she was able to stay afloat and make progress on her own. Best of all, Illarion stayed right beside her, ensuring her safety as he’d promised.
As the sun moved lower in the sky, they left the water. On shore, he conjured a blanket to wrap her in. Are you hungry?
“A little. You?”
He cast a bashful, longing look at her. Not for food.
When he started away, she caught his hand and pulled him back toward her.
He arched a questioning brow.
Edilyn bit her lip as she debated the sanity of what she was about to do. It was all kinds of stupid. She knew that. And once done, there would be no going back.
This was a major decision that would forever alter her life and she knew it. All she’d ever wanted was to be a member of the brenin’s army, and she’d been thwarted at every attempt.
The last thing she’d desired was to be bound to a dragon.
Now …
It didn’t seem as horrible as she’d imagined. And before she could allow her common sense to take root, she rose on her tiptoes and captured his lips with hers.
* * *
“Where did you get this?”
Virag glanced around the drab gray Adoni court where no color was allowed except for the vibrantly red gown that adorned the great queen bitch of the fey—Morgen. He’d always hated the duplicitous role he was forced to play. But if he didn’t, both he and Edilyn would fall to their mother’s stupidity. Damn her for the bargain she’d made with Morgen that had cost them all so much.
“That I can’t tell you. But if it’s not enough, there’s more treasure. Chambers and chambers filled to overflowing.”
Morgen le Fey, the queen of all evil, the bitchtress who’d brought down the legendary King Arthur himself, sat on her ebony throne eyeing him like her next meal. Dressed in a gown that seemed to bleed, she passed the ornate peach stone in her hand off to her most trusted servant—Narishka duFey. Every bit as beautiful as the demon she served, Narishka was blond and dressed in black—like all the other Adoni members of Morgen’s Circle. “It was a dragon’s lair you found, you say?” Morgen asked.
“Aye.”
“And this island?”
“Hybrasil, I think.”
That set off a round of gasps through the Adoni around him. A beautiful race of fey, they were lethal and cruel to an unholy level. None of them could be trusted, except to betray and to lie.
And kill without mercy or compassion.
It also got Morgen’s full attention and brought her to her feet. “You found the hidden lair of the son of Ares? Plundered there and lived to tell it?”
Virag’s stomach shrank at the way she asked that question. “Aye?”
She let out an evil laugh as a slow, insidious smile spread over her breathtaking face. “Oh, I’m impressed with you, little sprite. That took great balls.” Crooking her finger at him, she motioned for Virag to approach her. It seemed like a profoundly bad idea, but not approaching seemed like an even worse one.
So he took a deep breath and obeyed.
“You and I need to speak in private,” she whispered. “There is something else of his I want. You do this and I’ll give you what you want.”
Virag knew this was going to be bad, especially since Morgen and Narishka led him from the hall, down a dark, cold, eerie hallway that was lit with the glowing guts of disemboweled fey creatures.
Something he really hoped his own internal organs didn’t do.
Morgen led him into her room, then closed the door with an ominous thud. “This dragon will have a mark on his hide. I want you to bring it to me.”
“The dragon? The mark, or his hide?”
Morgen grimaced as if he were daft. “Kill him, you fool, and carve the mark from his body. Bring me the skin of the mark. More than that, if he’s who and what I think he is … he will be the guardian for the Halter of Epona. Find it! You bring me that, and I will grant the freedom you ask. You fail and I will feed your heart to my demons.”
Virag winced at her harsh words. Illarion had done them a favor. And how was he to repay it?
With treachery.
It figured.
But what choice did he have? It was either the dragon’s heart, or their heads on a pike.
Or the worst of all …
Eternal slavery to this wretched bitch.