by Bianca D’Arc
Still, Reynor was a special being and she’d felt desperate as she watched him grow weaker. Unable to stand by and watch him die, she’d done what was necessary to get help for him. The queen was reputed to be a strong dragon healer, though Lucia could see Reynor’s eyes cloud with agony as the woman worked. He twitched with pain, but his knight held him and comforted him as best he could.
“I only wish I’d gone to the castle sooner.” Her words whispered out on a tragic sigh. She became aware of the green dragon’s head looming next to them. Linea, it seemed, refused to be left outside.
“Will he be all right? Marcus, do you know?” In her agitation, the female dragon was broadcasting her worries to Lucia as well.
“The queen has said nothing yet, but she doesn’t look too worried to me,” Marcus replied. “Judging from her expression I’d say he’ll live, though whether he’ll ever fly properly again is in the hands of the Mother, I’ll wager.”
“It always was,” Linea answered. “The injury was bad enough in the first place, but now those two fools have let it get out of hand!” The dragon seemed infuriated if the twitching of her tail was any indication.
“May I ask…” Lucia’s words were a hesitant whisper. “How did it happen?”
“It was stupid, really.” Marcus’s hands tightened on her waist, fingers digging into her hips before he seemed to realize what he was doing and released her. “Have you heard about the fighting on the border?” When she nodded, he continued, “We were involved in a skirmish the last time out. Sometimes with these kinds of engagements, you get caught low, within range of ground weapons. It happens.” He shrugged. “I saw Rey dodge an arrow. He lost altitude and came within sword distance of a group of cavalry. In such instances, the knight can engage with his own weapons, which Kaden did—and very well too—until one got past his guard and a wild swing took a chunk out of Reynor’s wing, down near the joint. It’s one of the few places not well protected by scale—it needs to be flexible, you see. A freak of luck for the adversary, though Rey’s blast of flame took care of him and his horse soon enough. Still, Rey barely stayed aloft and we had to practically tow him back here. The queen saw to him that night, but the kind of healing he needs is tricky. It’s not simply a matter of sewing together something that was torn. A wedge of his wing was actually cut out.”
Tears flowed down Lucia’s face as she heard the tale, watching the beautiful young queen try to banish the raging infection. Turning in Marcus’s loose embrace, Lucia sobbed quietly against the man’s chest. She knew she was overreacting, but she couldn’t help herself. Rey was so special. He was such a good and kind dragon. She couldn’t imagine him crippled for life. It was too painful to contemplate.
“I’m sorry.” She sniffled as strong arms settled around her. She wasn’t above accepting comfort from Sir Marcus. Men of his station never looked twice at her now that she was a serving wench, though once upon a time…
But fairy tales wouldn’t put food in her belly. She’d learned that the hard way when all she’d ever known was cruelly ripped from her grasp. She didn’t have much faith in people, but the knights she’d seen in Draconia had begun to make her think maybejust maybethere were a few good men left in the world. It was her friendship with the dragons that started her thinking about the men they chose as partners. Surely such noble, magical creatures could see into the hearts of the men they chose to fight alongside.
Lucia dried her tears and cautioned herself to restrain her emotions. Coming apart at the seams did nobody any good. She straightened away from the knight, averting her eyes in embarrassment.
“I’m sorry, Sir Marcus. Please excuse my behavior.”
He tipped her chin up until her eyes met his. She was mortified. She just knew her face was blotchy and her eyes were probably red. Oh, why did she have to look like a watery hag when faced with masculine perfection given life?
“You are a puzzle, madam. You look like a tavern girl, but you speak like a lady.”
She read curiosity in his lovely eyes. Curiosity and a flicker of interest? Surely not.
“The riddle is easily solved, sir. I am a tavern girl now, but I was once a lady.”
A deep, whining moan from the dragon ended their ever-so-slightly flirtatious conversation. Lucia whipped her head around to see what was wrong as Linea shot past, her large green head hovering over her mate. Her long tongue licked out to smooth his ruffled scales with loving attention.
Lucia saw the queen sway on her feet as her power dimmed. Rushing over, Lucia brought a chair for the woman, realizing only then that the owner of the tavern and a few of the other staff were watching the scene from behind the bar. Lucia left the chair ready for the queen and went to the bar.
“Is that lady—?” one of the other girls ventured.
“The queen.” Lucia nodded, bustling about as she poured a stiff, restorative ale.
“Imagine that. The queen in our bar.” The same girl stared as if star struck.
A commotion near the large door meant for dragons caught Lucia’s attention. The silver dragon was trying to fit through the doorway, but he was larger than the others and the place was built to house only two or three regular-sized dragons at any one time. With Rey and Linea already inside, their third, larger friend would be a tight fit.
Lucia went over to him on her way back to the queen. She bowed low, holding her laden tray steady with the impeccable balance that had been trained into her as a child.
“Welcome, Sir Tor. I’m Lucia. I’m sorry, but I don’t think you’ll fit inside right now. Perhaps you could sit in the yard and crane your neck through the doorway?”
The silver dragon cocked his head toward her. “Can you hear me?”
“Yes, milord.”
“Great! I’m Tor.” Lucia couldn’t help but smile at the young dragon’s enthusiasm. “Could you help Lana for me? She’ll be awfully weak after healing Rey.”
“I guessed as much. This drink is for her. I will aid her in any way I can.”
“You’re nice. Thanks.”
“It’s my pleasure to be of service.” With another bow, she left the giant dragonet in the doorway and moved back to the queen. She was sitting in the chair now, looking exceptionally tired. Lucia approached in a respectful way. “For you, milady. It’s the best ale we have. I hope it’s to your liking. Or I could get you something else.”
Queen Lana reached out with shaking fingers and lifted the glass, drinking deeply. She smiled, her every move dripping with fatigue, as she placed the half-finished drink back on the tray Lucia still held. “Thank you. It’s delicious.”
“Can I ask? Will Sir Reynor be all right?”
The queen tilted her head, quizzing Lucia with her gaze. “He’ll live. Whether he flies again or not is in the hands of the Mother.”
“All is in Her hands.” Marcus’s deep voice came from just over her shoulder. The man could move silently when he wished, it seemed. He swept to one knee before the queen. “Thank you, milady. Lucia told me Reynor and Linea are mates.”
With what Marcus had told her about how dragons and knights mated, if Reynor died, Linea might never find another mate. And if she didn’t, in all likelihood, neither would her knight. So more than one being’s future depended on Reynor’s recovery.
Queen Lana reached out and stroked Marcus’s hair in a familiar way that annoyed Lucia. Jealousy blasted through her. She’d never felt such immediate, violent possessiveness about anyone before. And certainly not a man she’d only just met. Sure, she’d cried on his shoulder, but that didn’t mean she owned him.
Lucia backed away, needing to put some space between herself and the unreasonable reaction. She stopped, though, at the sight of the other knight, sitting now at Reynor’s side. He held onto the dragon’s neck with one arm, embracing him, offering comfort. Rey’s jeweled gaze had more fire now and had lost that worrisome, unhealthy dimness.
Kaden stopped her, catching her hand in his. She looked down at him, surprise
d by his warm touch.
“Rey told me what a good friend you are, Lucy. I can’t—” He broke off, looking away as he blinked rapidly. “I can’t tell you how much what you’ve done means to me. I can never thank you enough.”
Seeing the depth of this man’s feelings for the dragon touched something deep inside. She had to get a hold of her own emotions before she started crying again. She stiffened her spine, fighting back the empathy this man evoked with his sad blue eyes.
“Just you take care of each other,” she said in a harsher tone than she’d intended. “No more of these misunderstandings.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Kaden let her go and stood, towering over her, much as Marcus had done. Impulsively, she reached up to move a lock of golden blond hair back from his face. She gasped when his arms came around her. He hugged her close, crushing her against his muscular chest.
“You’re a special lady, Lucy.” His gruff words drifted past her ear. “Thank you, sweetheart.” He surprised her yet again when she felt his lips pause in front of her ear, kissing softly, just once, before he let her go and stepped back.
Lucia looked up at him, feeling the tears gather behind her eyes again, much to her dismay. Before she could let them fall, the dragon nudged her with his snout, breaking the spell. Reflexively, she reached out and stroked his scaly head.
“Are you all right now, Rey?”
“I’ve been better,” he quipped.
“He can’t be moved for now. I don’t want to undo everything I’ve just done.” The queen stood beside Lucia, speaking to the dragon, the knights and—shockingly—Lucia as well. “Can you work around him?”
Lucia scrambled to answer the queen of all Draconia. “He’s been here all week. I know Sir Reynor enjoys the music in the evenings, and many of the customers talk to him, though none can hear him.” She lowered her eyes modestly.
“Except you.” Marcus spoke from her other side.
She nodded. “Except me.” She’d never come out and said she could speak to dragons before, though she knew many in the tavern suspected.
“Then, if it’s all right,” the queen glanced over to the nodding tavern owner who watched from behind the bar, “I’d like Rey to stay here for a few more days. Will you be here to nurse him and bring water and food to him?”
Lucia curtsied. “Yes, my queen. I would be honored.”
“I hope you’ll come to the castle and visit with us after Rey is feeling better. There aren’t many women who can speak with dragons.” The queen sounded tired, but Lucia heard the hint of order in her tone.
She inclined her head politely in acknowledgement. “If you wish, Your Majesty.”
“I do.” Green eyes sparkled with laughter. “And I want you,” the queen turned to Kaden, “to stay with Reynor and work out this guilt between you.” She touched both males on the head, joining them with her small, healing hands. “Neither of you are to blame for this. Work it out. Partners should communicate better than this.”
Both heads bowed and the knight flushed with embarrassment. “Yes, milady.”
The queen sighed and released the males, turning away. She headed for the doorway where the silver dragon waited, pausing only to stroke her hand once over Linea’s pale green scales. A few moments later, the young silver dragon was gone and the queen with him.
Chapter Three
Kaden moved into the tavern that very afternoon, paying the innkeeper a few days in advance for room and board for himself and his dragon. Marcus and Linea stayed near as well. The two dragons lay quietly together, side by side, their necks entwined. Reynor had to be cautious in his movements, but he seemed to do better with Linea at his side.
Lucia went about her business, tending the customers who frequented the tavern. At one point, Sir Kaden left on some sort of errand, but Sir Marcus stayed behind with the dragons. Quite a few busybodies came in to see why all the dragons had flown in that day and why, especially, the queen’s easily recognizable Ice Dragon had been to visit. Lucia let the other serving girls gossip, but took no part in it herself. She felt self-conscious enough with Sir Marcus’s penetrating gaze following her about her duties. She didn’t want to make it worse by gossiping about the situation.
Sir Marcus was a handsome devil, but as she learned more about him, he began to remind her painfully of all she had lost. His courtly manners and polished appearance made her think of things better put away. She could never regain her past. It was better to just forget that, once upon a time, she had been a noble lady with every expectation of marrying a man much like Sir Marcus.
Oddly though, he didn’t seem to mind her fall in stature. To be sure, he was curious about her. That much was obvious from the way his eyes followed her every movement. But he didn’t seem to be mocking or judgmental. Mostly, he seemed inquisitive. She feared the questions he would ask given half a chance and did her best to avoid him, but inevitably, he cornered her at the end of the bar during the usual afternoon lull.
“Tavern work is harder than I realized.”
She was polishing glasses when Marcus spoke, surprising her so badly she fumbled the costly glass in her hands and would have dropped it. Marcus caught it before it could shatter, placing it back in her hands with a lingering caress. He didn’t immediately let go, making her keenly aware of his warmth and the unexpected calluses on his warrior’s hands.
“What?” She’d lost his words to the shock of his appearance. He gazed so deep into her eyes, she thought he might be able to see all the way down into her soul.
“I said you work harder than I thought, here in the tavern. I never considered before how much there is to the job.”
She pulled away and put the glass behind the bar with its clean fellows. Her limbs trembled as she lifted the next glass for inspection and polishing.
“I know you’ve been watching me and frankly, Sir Marcus, I don’t enjoy it.”
Marcus stepped back, appearing surprised by her outburst. She’d surprised herself with the bald truth, but she had never been one to play games.
“I’m sorry if I offended you.”
She tilted her head, considering the glass and avoiding looking at the handsome knight. “Offend is too strong a word, but I accept your apology.”
“Please,” he edged closer once more, the heat of his presence causing tingles of awareness in her body, “isn’t there some way I can make it up to you?” His words sent shivers down her spine, making her think of how his cultured voice would sound in passion. The low, persuasive tone, coupled with his devilishly handsome face should be outlawed. It made a girl think of sex—truly pleasurable, scream-the-house-down sex—all too easily. “I’m already in your debt,” he went on, “for the service you preformed for Rey and Kaden. I’d hate to think I owed you even more for my own inept attempt to make conversation.”
Gathering her courage, she rounded on him. “And why in the world would you—a knight of the realm—want to make conversation with me? Sir Marcus, I know just how far apart our stations in life are.” Lucia fought not to let her emotions get the best of her.
“Stations in life?” He seemed genuinely puzzled before realization dawned and he drew closer. “Sweet Lucia, social rank means very little here in Draconia, and to me, personally. It’s the measure of the person that really matters. I don’t know how it was where you come from, but surely you’ve seen how it is here? I may have been born of a wealthy family, but there are no expectations about whom I make conversation—or other things—with.” His smile was downright sinful and she knew full well he meant to be provocative. He succeeded too. Her abdomen rippled with awareness.
“Sir Marcus,” she forced herself to step away from him, “I haven’t been in Draconia long but even so, I know the difference between a knight and a servant.” She raised her chin with a hint of the pride she’d never lost.
Marcus didn’t give her a chance to retreat. Right there, in full view of the few people in the tavern, he stepped up and took her into his arms. Before s
he could protest, his lips covered hers in the most arousing kiss she’d ever known. He conquered her, plunging his tongue into her mouth. His taste was rich and divine, the feel of his strong body against hers like heaven.
But it couldn’t last. He reminded her too sharply of the past that was gone forever.
When he eased up, there were tears in her eyes. Hurt and recrimination entered his gaze when he saw her expression, but she didn’t want him to feel guilty for something that wasn’t his fault.
“I can’t apologize.” The words were torn from his lips as he held her in his arms.
“I don’t want you to, but…”
“What is it, my sweet? Why do you look so sad?”
“It’s not your fault.” She sighed, resting against his hard chest for just a moment out of time. “It’s complicated.”
He nuzzled her hair. “Why don’t you try to explain it to me?”
“I’m not sure if I can.” She pulled away from him and turned so she wouldn’t have to look at his too-handsome face. “It’s just— You remind me of things, Marcus. You represent a part of my life that’s gone forever and it hurts to think of those days, now long over.”
When she looked back at the knight, his stiff posture and the muscle ticking in his jaw indicated he hadn’t taken her explanation well. Still, she thought she knew him well enough not to fear him. Lucia only regretted the hurt in his eyes.
“I apologize, Lucia.” His words were terse. “It was never my intent to bring back your sorrow and I have no idea how to fix it, but know this…” he moved in close, his words for her ears alone, “…I will find a way. I want you, Lucia and I mean to have you.”
Lucia tried not to let his ardent words affect her, but they seemed to go straight to her womb. Luckily her trembling knees were hidden by her skirt, but she fought to control her breathing which had grown betrayingly shallow. One thing was clear though, she had to fight fire with fire. This complex man wouldn’t take anything less.