Firedrake

by Bianca D'Arc

  He took a moment to savor and examine the connection. It was like nothing he’d ever experienced before, but he’d heard of it surely enough. In the ancient texts of his ancestors there were tales of this kind of sharing, and his own brother had mentioned just such a phenomenon when he’d met his new wife. A dragon healer might be able to absorb and reflect the massive power of his dragon half, strengthening them both in the process.

  He looked more closely at the beautiful waif in his arms. No wonder he’d been so drawn to her when all other females left him cold. This half-starved woman was almost certainly his new sister-in-law’s twin, though she looked far different from the robust woman his brother had just married. No, this poor creature had been starved and tortured for months, perhaps years, but there was still a marked resemblance to the healthy woman she should be.

  There were her eyes, for one thing. Nico had been struck by the luminescent green of her eyes right off. Royal green, some in Draconia called the color, since many of royal blood had just that shade, unlike himself. Nico was the rarity among the royal princes, with his tourmaline gaze. Most had the deep emerald of this woman’s eyes.

  Her hair would probably be a deep, blazing auburn if it were healthy. Even under her pallor and the sad state of her clothing, it shone with reddish highlights, very much like her sister’s. She was the same height as well and had similar bone structure, though this woman’s features stood out much too prominently, her body mere skin and bones.

  She stirred in his arms as if she felt his close study and her eyes opened. Nico caught his breath, knowing this poor girl was the reason he’d come to Skithdron. When he thought his mission utterly failed, she’d come to him as if the Mother of All had brought them together.

  And indeed, perhaps She had. Nico had no other explanation for the set of dire circumstances that had led him directly to the girl. She blinked and tried to move away but Nico held her firmly, though not harshly, his gaze gently questioning.

  “Arikia?” He breathed her name, watching reaction jolt through her. She recognized the name, he felt it immediately from the tremor in her spine. His quest was at an end.

  “How do you know my name?” Her whispered words tugged at Nico’s heart. This was the first time he’d heard her speak, and the sound of her quiet voice lanced through him.

  “I came to Skithdron looking for you. Your sisters Alania and Belora, as well as your mother Adora, were recently found and reunited. They miss you, Riki.”

  Tears flooded her eyes and he pulled her gently closer, raising one manacled hand to soothe the hair back from her face as he crooned to her. His hands were bound together with strong chains, but he wasn’t worried. The dragon inside him would break them easily enough.

  “No one’s called me that since I was little. No one knows my name.”

  “Except your family,” Nico said softly, “and those of us who have been searching for you. I’m glad I was the one who found you.”

  Her beautiful eyes widened with hope, but then disillusionment shattered her expression. “But what good is it? We’re both prisoners here.”

  Nico was glad to see some spirit still flared within her battered soul. She was of royal blood, after all—as was he. Nico knew firsthand how hard it was to keep one of their kind down for long.

  “Did Lucan say when he’d come back?”

  “Not ’til morning. We probably have only a few more hours of peace at most.”

  “That’ll be more than enough.” Nico smiled at her confusion, a little hesitant about how to broach the next thing he must tell her. He decided to start off slowly. “Riki, your sister recently discovered she can, well…change. Do you know what I’m talking about?”

  Riki shook her head. Nico didn’t know if she was merely protecting herself or if she truly wasn’t able to shift from human to dragon like her twin. But then, if she’d discovered how to shift, she would most likely have escaped long ago.

  “All right. Promise not to scream. I’m going to shift just a little bit and it might frighten you, but I would never hurt you. Neither man nor dragon in my homeland would ever harm you, Riki. Do you believe me?”

  “Dragon?” She paused. “My mother told us stories of a dragon she once knew.”

  “Ah yes, the infamous Lady Kelzy.”

  “Yes! Kelzy. That was her name.” Riki smiled with obvious delight at the small memory of her youth returned to her.

  “My name is Nico, and if you sit tight, I’ll have us both out of these chains in a moment. Do you trust me enough to do that?”

  Sitting up and hugging her knees, she nodded, though she was nibbling on her lips in worry. Unable to resist, Nico bent forward and kissed her forehead quickly. She jumped a little, but seemed encouraged by the small, comforting gesture. Moving back, Nico called forth the change and allowed the black mist to envelop his human form.

  Strike a match, light the candle…and fall into the spell.

  Shadow of the Wolf

  © 2012 Dana Marie Bell

  Heart’s Desire, Book 1

  Christopher Beckett is from an ancient line of wizards, but with one aspect that sets him apart. His wolf. Right now that wolf is howling for a mate. Knowing it’s only a matter of time before the wolf’s needs override everything else in his life, Chris casts the spell all the Becketts have used to call their mates to them.

  His wish list is short: She must be of a lineage at least as old as his own. And she must accept his wolf. When his mate appears, he realizes his list should have been one item longer.

  Alannah Evans, a powerful witch of the Evans Coven, has no problem with Chris’s wolf. It’s the wizard part that sticks in her magical craw. Witches and wizards have always been at odds, so by rights, she and Chris shouldn’t be striking sparks of attraction this bright. But Chris will not be denied, and gradually she finds herself trusting him—then falling into the fire of desire.

  When it becomes clear an old enemy has targeted them both for death, Chris charges into a duel that could cost him his life. Or worse: Lana.

  Warning: Product contains explicit sex, graphic language, magic, mayhem, and a wet, naked wolf shifter bearing hot chocolate. Mmm…chocolate.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Shadow of the Wolf:

  Lana stopped, a strange sense of both safety and vulnerability flashing through her. That way. She started to turn to her left and shrieked.

  Lightning flashed, thunder rumbled, and the dark shape of a man stood before her. His eyes gleamed in the flash of lightning, his grin triumphant. He reached out toward her and tried to grab her arm.

  Her entire being shuddered away from him. Lana stepped away from the man. “Why have you been following me?”

  The man tilted his head. “Isn’t your car broken down on the road? I thought you could use some help.”

  His voice was a pleasant blend of concern and attraction. Lana’s eyes narrowed, bringing up her second sight. Usually she could conjure up a person’s aura fairly easily, but this man’s was somehow shielded. Unfortunately she got just enough of a feel off of that shield to know what she was dealing with.

  Damn. A freaking wizard. Figures.

  No way did she want to engage in a magical dance with a wizard, especially when she couldn’t tell how strong he was. Lana took a step back. Every instinct she had pushing her away from the man in front of her.

  “I’d be careful too. There are rumors of some kind of wild animal in these parts. Found a few dogs mangled in the woods.”

  The concern in his voice was false. A flash of black and sickly green surrounded him, the colors murky and muddled, before he shielded himself once more. Something was off about those colors, but she was too cold and tired to figure it out now. “Ah, thanks for the warning.” Lana took another step away from the scary stranger, her instincts screaming at her that her only safety lay behind her, somewhere in the shadows.

  The man matched her, moving forward a step. “You really should have waited in your car for a cop or somethin
g, Miss…?”

  Lana put her hands behind her, feeling for trees and branches. She continued to move away from the menace she sensed in front of her. If she could reach the safe harbor she felt behind her, everything would be all right.

  Only if she could reach it, though.

  Then again, the Lord does help those who help themselves. Her eyes were drawn to the branch swaying dangerously above his head. And the Lady provides the means.

  The stranger dropped all pretense of helpfulness. He shook his head at her, his expression annoyed. “Are you going to make this difficult? It doesn’t have to be painful, you know.”

  “What doesn’t have to be painful?”

  “Your death.”

  With those words several things happened at once. A long, menacing growl erupted out of the darkness. One of the shadows hurtled through the night, knocking the blond man onto his ass.

  And the branch he’d been standing under snapped, helped along by Lana and the force of the wind, hitting the blond on the top of his head and knocking him out cold.

  The shadow animal turned, its golden eyes trained on Lana. Slowly it stalked toward her, its body moving with a supple, lethal grace.

  A black wolf. In rural Pennsylvania.

  Lord? Lady? No freaking way that’s safe. Lana gulped, and wondered if, somewhere out there, Fate was laughing its ass off at her.

  Christopher’s heart was still pounding in his chest. He turned toward his mate, scenting her for any injuries. He relaxed a bit when all he smelled were scratches, most likely from her flight through the woods.

  When Cole had threatened her, it had been all he could do not to rip out the bastard’s throat. The only thing that had saved him had been the falling branch and his mate’s horrified gasp.

  She was brave, his female. She stood there and watched him coming toward her with big, chocolate brown eyes wide with fear and…

  Yes. Fascination. Good. Much better than the fear he’d sensed coursing through her as Cole threatened her.

  He approached her slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. When he reached her side, he gently stroked her thigh with his massive head, unable to prevent the rough, happy grumble that leapt to his throat.

  “Oh boy.”

  Her soft whisper sent shivers down his spine. His tail curled in pleasure, waving back and forth. Her hand came to rest tentatively on his broad back, her fingers digging into his fur.

  With a yip he turned. Gently he gathered her hand in his mouth, careful of his sharp teeth, and tugged her toward his home.

  “Um, okay. Go with the big doggie. Got it.”

  He rolled his eyes but did his best to ignore her words. The breathy, scared tone of voice matched her scent—frightened, wary and brave. Christopher felt pride in his mate. She followed his lead, barely sparing Cole a glance. It pleased him that she made no move to give his enemy aid.

  Certain now she followed, Christopher let her hand go and stalked into the cold, wet night.

  I’m following a wolf through the woods in rural Pennsylvania after it attacked a man who told me he was going to kill me, and somehow my inner warning signal is okay with that.

  Lana pinched the fleshy part of her arm hard. “OW!”

  The wolf stopped and looked at her curiously, its head tilted to the side.

  “Nope, not dreaming.” Lana rubbed at her arm, hoping it wouldn’t bruise. She hadn’t meant to pinch quite that hard.

  The wolf huffed and turned, heading off once more. Of the two strangers she’d met in the woods tonight, Lana considered the wolf far less dangerous, at least to her. The way the big wolf had acted after she’d hit the man on the head with that branch had been surreal, but not very frightening at all. The sense of safety she’d been heading toward had centered itself on the wolf, and she’d felt compelled to follow wherever he led.

  The big wolf led her through the woods, his footfalls silent and sure. The few times she lost sight of the wolf he returned, tugging on her hand to lead her forward.

  I hope wherever we’re going I can take my boots off. My feet are killing me.

  “Are we there yet?”

  Up ahead the wolf gave a strange chuffing cough.

  “And I’m sure I’d understand that if I spoke fluent woof.”

  The wolf stopped, staring at her again. “What?”

  The wolf gave a shake of his head before moving forward once again.

  “Yup, you’re male.”

  Once again that proud head turned toward her. She could almost sense the question he wanted to ask.

  “You haven’t once stopped for directions and you don’t make a lick of sense.”

  Those golden eyes narrowed, almost as if… Nah. Not possible. Grammy had told her a long time ago that shapeshifters were a myth. Although he could be someone’s familiar. That would explain how he seems to understand me. But even familiars didn’t have the level of intelligence this wolf seemed to possess, unless he was under a compulsion spell of some kind.

  And anyone who put a compulsion spell on someone else wasn’t someone she wanted to meet.

  She felt the magical barriers before they passed through them, early enough that she stopped before going in. “Wait.”

  The wolf, on the other side of the barrier, yipped impatiently.

  “No way. I have no clue what’s on the other side. For all I know you actually work for tall, blond and dorky. You could be luring me into his evil lair.” Not that she actually believed that, but for some reason her instincts were telling her that crossing that border meant nothing would ever be the same again. She wasn’t certain yet if it was a good thing or a bad thing, since her insides were currently filled with butterflies doing a crazy, half-scared, half-excited mambo.

  The wolf lowered his dark head, golden eyes closed. She could almost hear the pleas for patience.

  Guess that answers that question. A familiar, then. At least she knew for certain now she was dealing with someone magical. “Besides, judging from the look and feel, whoever’s on the other side is a wizard.” The wolf’s head snapped up. “Not sure I’m so eager to meet up with another one of those any time soon.” The wolf slowly shook his head. “Well, what would you do if you were in my—” she looked down at her feet, “—boots?”

  The wolf snorted.

  “Yes, I know, Pup in Boots, doggie drag, call it what you will. The question remains. Would you put your life into an unknown wizard’s hands?”

  The image of the wolf blurred until a tall, wet, naked man stood in front of her.

  “You already did.”

  Lana blinked. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out, other than a whimpered “Ugh.”

  The man’s lips twitched. “Are you coming through or do you like getting rained on?”

  Lana squeaked.

  Hot, wet, naked male, with dark hair and golden eyes. Golden eyes.

  The same eyes as the wolf who’d led her through the forest.

  Sorry, Grammy, looks like you were wrong.

  FireDrake

  Bianca D’Arc

  Will the fire within burn them all to cinders?

  Dragon Knights, Book 5

  Years ago, Drake left everything behind for a life in the shadows. While it broke his heart to leave his grieving dragon behind, serving his land as head of a network of spies suited him better. Far better than never quite measuring up to Mace, the “perfect” knight his father wished he could have been.

  Mace has always done his duty. Drake, his childhood friend and rival, had been the charmer who effortlessly stole every woman who caught Mace’s eye. Some things never change—not one day back in town, and Drake’s already putting the moves on Krysta, the woman Mace has been courting.

  The three of them take on the dangerous task of rescuing a kidnapped prince. Each day that passes on their perilous journey, Krysta sinks deeper into the complicated relationship between the two men and their meddling, matchmaking dragons. Mace is clearly the safer choice as a mate, yet Drake tantalizes her wi
th that unpredictable gleam in his eye. When the three of them come together, any sense of torn loyalty burns away in their fiery passion.

  The safety of the stolen prince hanging in the balance, Krysta accepts the challenge to unite two strong men—and their dragons—into a real family.

  Warning: Features an intensely magical ménage between two former rivals and a woman bold enough to take them on. Heated bickering and explosive love scenes may cause your senses to ignite.

  eBooks are not transferable.

  They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

  11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B

  Cincinnati OH 45249

  FireDrake

  Copyright © 2008 by Bianca D’Arc

  ISBN: 978-1-61921-398-2

  Edited by Amy Sherwood

  Cover by Angela Waters

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: May 2008

  Second Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: December 2012

  www.samhainpublishing.com