Firedrake

by Bianca D'Arc

  Drake was pleased to see the enclosure had been festooned with Jinn tapestries in bright colors, donated for the cause by Krysta’s clan. Her eyes filled with emotion the moment she saw it, and Drake was glad such care and thought had been put into their wedding bower. No doubt, Riki and maybe even Lana had a hand in the decorations. He’d have to remember to thank them.

  Drake had already been informed there would be another party the following night with the entire Wayfarer Clan as well as those of the Black Dragon Clan who were already living in Castleton, to celebrate the joining of Krysta and Drake. Mace would be adopted into both clans and made Jinn by marriage as well. Judging by past experience, Drake figured that party would last for days.

  But that night, as the dragons trumpeted their joy to the heavens, coiled together in bliss, so too were the human partners in the family. They were all swept up in the driving pleasure. Drake felt spurred on by the amazing bond with the dragons. Golden sparks of fire enveloped them all, heating their blood but harming none—a magical display of Drake’s power brought on by intense emotion.

  Krysta was left gasping after the first round. It had been hard and fast, with few words but a wealth of emotion passing between the three humans and the dragons whose lust pushed them. Now that Wil was home safe, Jenet and Nellin had warned Krysta that she would get little sleep that night. She’d thought it a joke at the time, but after the second, intense round of dragon-inspired lovemaking, she began to wonder.

  Drake lay panting on one side of the soft bed, Mace on the other. Krysta crawled over to a low table near the entrance to the enclosure and began to nibble on the delicacies that had been prepared for them. If they were going to keep up this pace, she’d need some nourishment. A grin passed over her face as she ate, watching her two gorgeous husbands watching her.

  “What puts such a devilish smile on your face, lovely Krys?” Drake beckoned to her with one finger. She took a small plate of pastries back with her as she rejoined him on the mattress.

  “I was just thinking we should eat while we can. One cannot live on love alone, after all.”

  “Says who?” Mace sat up to nibble on her shoulder. “Personally, I find you delicious and very invigorating.”

  Krysta felt the dragons stir in the back of her mind. Joined as she was to the men, she had felt echoes of the dragons’ passion in her own body even as her men drove her higher with their love. Judging by the sensations, the dragons were gearing up for a third round of aerial love.

  Placing the plate on the small ledge behind Mace, she leaned over him, only to be caught in his strong arms and pulled down for a kiss. The kiss turned to a thorough exploration that made her senses swim. By the time Drake came up behind her, she was ready for anything these two might want from her.

  Mace drew back and pushed her head downward. She knew what he wanted. She wanted the same.

  As the dragon fire burned hotter, she took Mace’s thick cock between her lips, playing with him at first, before sucking him deep. At the same time, Drake lifted her hips off the mattress, settling behind her as she rested on her knees. He entered her slick channel, pushing her forward onto Mace’s cock. He drew out and pulled her back. He repeated the motion, increasing his pace, essentially fucking them both as his motion pushed her back and forth on Mace.

  Gazing upward, she saw Mace’s head drop back on his shoulders, his eyes shut as pleasure swamped him. Drake increased his pace yet again as the dragons spiraled higher, trumpeting to the heavens along with their fellows. Many knights and dragons were celebrating in pleasure with them this night.

  As the dragons reached their peak, so too did their human counterparts, Mace coming in her mouth while Drake’s seed flooded her womb. Krysta’s whole body clenched in bliss, riding the waves of ecstasy for long moments as the dragons rode the air currents toward the earth far below.

  As Drake had predicted, the Jinn party did indeed last for days. Krysta was excused from her duty as a Guard while the knights enjoyed the usual respite from their work as well. Newlyweds were given a week to enjoy their married state before having to go back to work.

  For Drake, the end of their honeymoon signaled the beginning of a new life. He’d never expected to be welcomed back to Draconia in such a fashion—being partnered with Jenet was a boyhood dream come true and being married to Krysta was every fantasy he’d ever had. She was inventive in the bedchamber and a true partner in the life he saw unfolding before his eyes. It was a life he’d never expected, but one that promised great joy.

  The rest of the Lair kept their distance during that initial week, though both sets of parents had contributed to the basic decoration of the set of rooms assigned now to Mace, Drake, Krysta, Nellin and Jenet. Krysta had brought a load of gifts from her family as well. Her brother had attended both ceremonies—the public part of the Lair wedding and the full Jinn ceremony performed a day later. Unexpectedly, Drake discovered the new leader of the Wayfarer Clan, a lovely gray-eyed woman named Malin, was also Krysta’s sister, the eldest of the three siblings.

  Rulu, the aged former leader of the Clan, was her father, and he delighted in giving both Drake and Mace dire, half-hearted warnings about how to treat his baby girl. The Jinn weren’t used to three-partnered marriages but were more open-minded than other peoples, having traveled in all lands and seen all kinds of customs and traditions.

  During that week, the dragons had mated almost continuously every night, making up for lost time they claimed when they paused long enough to speak. They all slept deep into the morning, only stumbling out for sustenance around noon each day to the teasing grins of the Lair folk. A few times, the human side of the family would have to go running for their chamber when the dragons unexpectedly took to the sky. They didn’t always make it, but the Lair folk weren’t easily shocked. Dragons were exhibitionists after all, and more than a few of the knights took after their brethren of the skies.

  Nico and Riki came upon them in a darkened hall as Drake fucked Krysta’s mouth while Mace plowed into her from behind. Nico grinned and settled in to watch the show, fondling his mate through her blouse while he met Drake’s eye. It was only fair, he realized, since Drake had stood as witness to the royal’s Jinn wedding ceremony, even helping in the marital tent later that night, as was custom.

  The dragons peaked, bringing all three mates to completion as the royal couple watched, though only Drake knew they were there—until Drake, Mace and Krysta broke apart, all three of them righting their clothing. When Mace and Krysta turned toward the arch to the stairs, they stopped short, seeing Nico and Riki standing there, smiling at them.

  “Felicitations on your union.” Nico winked as he held his wife against him, both arms around her waist as they faced the red-faced trio. Well, Mace and Krysta were blushing, but Drake knew he’d gone well past the blushing stage with this particular couple. Nico was like a brother to him and Riki was a very special woman he would protect with his life, though his heart was fully Krysta’s now. “Don’t mind us,” Nico went on, “we were just on the way to our quarters.”

  “My liege—” Mace halted, confusion clear on his face. Drake stepped in to save his brother-in-arms.

  “We hope you enjoyed the entertainment.” Drake bowed mockingly low and both royals laughed at his antics, while Krysta gasped.

  “You always were a showman, Drake. I’ll give you that.” Riki’s voice drifted to them as Nico turned her away, back toward their apartments. “Thanks for the reminder.”

  When Nico and Riki were out of earshot, Krysta turned on Drake. “Reminder? Please tell me you haven’t bedded the Jinn queen! I knew you were a scoundrel, but honestly, Drake!”

  “Sweetheart.” Drake tried to take her shoulders in his hands, but she evaded him, turning to Mace instead. “Please try to understand. I was part of their mating ceremony. Their Jinn ceremony.” She seemed unconvinced. “I never actually bedded Riki,” he mumbled, knowing this was something Krysta might never forgive. Already, they were off to a
rocky start.

  But Krysta surprised him, taking his face in her hands and kissing him soundly. “You don’t know how glad I am to hear that. I don’t think I could compete with royalty.”

  “Sweetheart.” He kissed her back. “There is no competition. You’re the only woman I will ever love, the only woman I will ever bed. And it’s been that way from the moment I first saw you.”

  “You do have a silver tongue.” She smiled as she stepped away, taking one of his hands in her own. She took Mace’s hand as well, leading them toward their chamber. “Now let’s find a bed so you can show me again just how talented it really is.”

  Drake looked over her head at Mace. The knight’s expression held a mixture of shock, envy and rekindled passion as Krysta dragged them along, but they were of one mind when it came to their wife. Mace nodded at him and they each took one arm and one leg, lifting Krysta off her feet and running the last few steps to their chamber door.

  The dragons were flying again.

  Epilogue

  Drake of the Five Lands stowed his wagon and hung up his minstrel’s garb—for the time being at least. One never knew when the bard’s persona might come in handy once more, but Drake of Draconia had to learn how to be a knight first. He spent every day training with Jenet and Mace, welcomed home at night into Krysta’s loving arms.

  She’d changed her schedule to the day watch and continued to work, though she too had much to learn about Lair life. She wasn’t the typical lady of the Lair and before long she’d inspired many of the other women to start some basic training in arms as a way to keep fit and prepare for any contingency. All the knights thought it was a good thing, though they didn’t communicate their worries about impending war too broadly.

  Krysta led classes for the women, teaching them simple ways to defend themselves. A few were more gifted, and she invited them to study with the Guards when it was her turn to teach. All in all, they were settling in to a beautiful life in the Lair.

  Then came the magic training.

  Drake relied on Mace to help temper his volatile emotions when dealing with Sir Declan. Nico, and even Roland, sat in on those first few sessions when Drake began to call on his fire, hoping to show Declan how to do the same.

  Dec wasn’t the only one astounded when the fire came much easier to the older knight than it had to his son. Declan was a natural and the dragons confirmed what Drake was astonished to learn. Declan’s fire was even closer to the surface than it had been in Drake. It explained a lot about Declan’s temper and the tight control under which he’d always lived.

  Now that the fire was released, Declan’s disposition changed as well. He was much more easygoing than ever and began to see the humor in life as well as the struggle. It was a positive change for them all.

  Drake took his place at his fathers’ sides as a close counselor to the king. Declan and Ren had always been valued advisors, but now with magic more prevalent in the kingdom, Drake and Mace were called upon to offer their expertise as well. They spent part of each morning with Roland, often with Nico and some of the other royal princes present as well, going over communiqués and talking strategy.

  It was on one such morning when a near breathless messenger arrived from one of the southern cities. He rushed into the throne room, then fell to one knee before Roland.

  “My liege.” The man breathed hard, as if he’d run all the way from Tipolir to Castleton. “News from the south. A flight of gryphons with mounted warriors heads this way at a slow pace, though they can’t be more than a few hours behind me.”

  “From whom did this news pass?” Roland asked

  “The news started with a messenger from Tipolir, thence to Bayern, Hallowet, Sewell and on, but I saw them myself, my liege. They overtook me on the road and shadowed me for a time, but let me pass unmolested.”

  “How many would you say?” Nico helped the man to his feet, handing him a glass of water since the poor man looked well-worn from the hard ride.

  “A dozen that I saw. The reports stated twice that many, but I only saw twelve gryphons—each with a mounted rider, though the riders blended so well with the gryphons’ golden plumage, they were hard to make out. My liege, I never thought to see the like.”

  “Thank you for making haste to give us this news,” Roland said, calmer than Drake would have credited. He signaled to Nico and the Prince of Spies led the man from the room, questioning him quietly as he led him to the great hall where he could rest and have a meal. Drake also saw Nico pass the man a few coins for his trouble. Nico had never skimped on paying for good service. It’s what made him such an able spymaster.

  Roland turned to Drake and Mace, a raised eyebrow enough to make Drake share his thoughts.

  “I think it’s safe to bet these could be some of Gryffid’s folk.”

  Drake sent a quick message to Jenet. “Sweetheart, are you with Wil?”

  “He’s flying out near the southern edge of the new town with some of the others. He’s safe.”

  “Gryphons are coming, Jen. They’re close to Castleton.”

  “My brother Wil is flying to the south,” Roland confirmed, informing the rest of the gathered advisors. “I’ve asked him to wait, but I doubt that will hold him.” Roland stalked toward the door. “If your partners are near, mount up and fly with me. I’m going out to meet them.”

  Drake, Mace, Ren, Declan and several others of the king’s advisors were hot on his heels. The knights raced for the ledges where their dragons waited, ready to fly. Roland, Nico and a few of the other princes shifted and took to wing as black dragons, the large contingent heading south to meet the wizard’s emissaries.

  About the Author

  Bianca D’Arc has run a laboratory, climbed the corporate ladder in the shark-infested streets of Manhattan, studied and taught martial arts, and earned the right to put a whole bunch of letters after her name, but she’s always enjoyed writing more than any of her other pursuits. She grew up and still lives on Long Island, where she keeps busy with an extensive garden, several aquariums full of very demanding fish, and writing her favorite genres of paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi romance.

  Bianca loves to hear from readers and can be reached through Facebook, her Yahoo group or through the various links on her website.

  Website:

  www.biancadarc.com

  Yahoo Group:

  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BiancaDArc/join

  Look for these titles by Bianca D’Arc

  Now Available:

  Brotherhood of Blood

  One & Only

  Rare Vintage

  Phantom Desires

  Sweeter Than Wine

  Forever Valentine

  Wolf Hills

  Tales of the Were

  Lords of the Were

  Inferno

  Dragon Knights

  Maiden Flight

  Border Lair

  The Ice Dragon

  Prince of Spies

  Wings of Change

  FireDrake

  Dragon Storm

  Resonance Mates

  Hara’s Legacy

  Davin’s Quest

  Jaci’s Experiment

  Grady’s Awakening

  Gifts of the Ancients

  Warrior’s Heart

  String of Fate

  Cat’s Cradle

  StarLords

  Hidden Talent

  Print Anthologies

  Ladies of the Lair

  I Dream of Dragons Vol. 1

  Brotherhood of Blood

  Caught by Cupid

  Coming Soon:

  Dragon Knights

  Keeper of the Flame

  Can the master of stealth master a maiden’s fragile heart?

  Prince of Spies

  © 2012 Bianca D’Arc

  Dragon Knights, Book 4

  Nico is known as the Prince of Spies for a reason. He’s a cunning shapeshifter able to take the form of a dragon at will—the gift of his royal heritage.

>   Riki lives in misery, chained up to serve a mad king’s perverted magic. Forced to use her draining healing skills to keep him alive, Riki is a shadow of the woman she should be.

  Nico knows Riki is the woman he’s been searching for the moment he sees her sad, beautiful face. He wastes little time breaking them both out of the enemy palace, beginning an adventure that will take them across two countries, through peril and danger, and the discovery of an undeniable love and mutual respect.

  With the help of an old friend and ally, Nico teaches her the many varied and exciting ways of pleasure. Riki teaches him a thing or two in return—including the fact that he should never underestimate her. Will Nico have the courage to let her fly free, trusting she’ll return to him, or will his love smother the fledgling beauty who is breathing free air for the first time in her tragic life?

  Warning: Contains a princely scoundrel who enjoys a little exhibitionism when the mood strikes. He’s also not above asking a friend to help pleasure his lady. Be careful, lest the dragon’s fire singe your senses.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Prince of Spies:

  Nico woke to the rich scent of woman in his nostrils. Unsure of his surroundings, he immediately noted the soft, female form snuggled at his side. She was thin and shaking with cold, clinging to him for warmth. He opened his eyes and was startled to see the girl there, her elfin face resting against his heart.

  Something inside him twinged at the sight. The sleeping dragon inside him woke, possessively pulling the small woman closer as if to never let her go. Nico noticed then the energy flowing between them, from him to her and back again, making them both stronger. Already he could see a bloom of healthy color on her pale cheeks and a new vibrancy to her previously pasty skin.