by Bianca D'Arc
“All right,” she said in a weak voice. Was the weakness from shock or blood loss? Hugh needed to land in order to find out.
He looked around for a likely spot and found something usable not far. He landed more rapidly than before, with less finesse, but more speed, absorbing the shock of meeting the ground with his elbows and knees. The lady tumbled from his back, followed by the gryphlet who glided downward using her fluffy, baby wings. She would be fledging before long, Hugh thought absently as he shifted form and knelt at the lady’s side.
She was pale, blood flowing down the front of her dress. Hugh cursed and examined the wound, glad to see it was not as deep as he’d feared. He could heal this and in time, she would regain her strength.
All dragons had magic. Most had healing abilities. Hugh had trained his healing powers so that he could help humans and dragons alike should there be need. He blessed his teachers now for their preparation as he laid his hands over the lady’s neck, summoning his power.
A fog surrounded them as the Dragon’s Breath came at his call, enveloping her and healing her wound. Miss was sitting at her side and batted at the magical fog in curiosity but didn’t back away. She seemed to bask in the magic that Hugh called and he was glad for it. He hadn’t had a chance to see if any of the blood on the kitten’s fur was her own. He thought not, but he didn’t want to take any chances.
If she was injured, the Dragon’s Breath would work to heal her as well. If not, it would still be good for her to bask in the magic he’d been feeding her in much smaller doses since they first met. As a growing creature of magic, she should have gotten such influxes of magical energy from her parents. Hugh had been acting as a surrogate of sorts until finally the baby gryphon’s energy level was just about where it should have been for her age.
At length he drew back, recalling his healing power. The lady’s eyes blinked open and she stared up at him with confusion.
“Are you feeling better, milady?” Hugh asked with a small grin, hoping to calm her and ease the shock of the startling news she had learned in the vineyard.
“A little dizzy, but better. What was that?”
“The Dragon’s Breath. It is a healing mist most dragons can call. Some stronger than others.” He tried to shrug off his very potent ability.
He was wasspan>Hevery close to her. So close, he had only to lean in a little farther in order to touch his lips to hers.
Following the impulse he’d had since almost the first moment he’d seen her, Hugh did just that.
Chapter Four
Warm, firm lips covered hers and she was powerless to resist. This man—this dragon—had quite literally swept her off her feet. Twice.
And he’d saved her life just as many times. In less time than it took to sit through a state dinner, he’d dispatched assassins with almost careless ease. And now he was kissing her. As if his life depended on it.
She would deal with her cousin’s betrayal later. Though it shocked her to have confirmation of her worst fear, she could not think of anything beyond Hugh’s strong arms that made her feel truly safe for the first time in a long time.
One thing was certain, he was definitely the best kisser she had ever known. Much better than the man she’d briefly considered making her life partner. Even better than the rebound fling with a flattering bard that had come after.
She’d never kissed a warrior before. Or a man so imbued with magic that he could transform himself into a dragon and back with seeming impunity.
What manner of man was he, really?
And why did he make her insides melt with the slightest touch? The slightest look?
Oh, yes, he felt so good against her as he deepened the kiss.
But this was all wrong. He was an outlander. A mage of some kind. Something her land had never seen before. He could be dangerous.
But he felt so good…
When the kiss ended it was because he drew back, not through any willpower of her own. In fact, she wanted him to stay, for the kiss to go on and go farther. She wanted to be naked beneath him and learn what he felt like in true passion.
Instead, he drew back, separating their mouths and their disappointingly fully clothed bodies.
He sat on the ground at her side, holding her gaze for a moment that felt significant, silence stretching between them before he turned his attention to the baby gryphon.
Blessed Lady. How could she have forgotten the baby?
“Are you all right, sweetheart?” He held one hand out to the gryphlet. She moved a step forward to snuggle her cheek in his palm and lick his wrist.
“Good, Hoo.” She sat on her haunches, her wings tucked behind her. “Yummy magic misst.”
Hugh smiled, petting the kitten. “You liked that?”
“Felt good,” she agreed, nodding her little furry head.
“I’m glad.” Hugh looked around as if he really could see in the utter blackness that surrounded them. “I’m going to make things more comfortable for you both,” he said, rising to his feet. “I’ll be within hearing distance if you need me, but you should be safe enough here.”
“Where are we?” She struggled to sit up, but her head was swimming.
“Out beyond the hills, on the sand flats,” Hugh answered shortly. “Behind a boulder and small rise that should hide a fire, if I can find enough wood or something else to burn.” He looked around, peering into the dark night. “Rest easy. I’ll be back shortly.”
She didn’t like him leaving her alone iickn the inky darkness, but she had the gryphlet nearby and she discovered that she trusted him. He’d already proven himself her protector twice over this night. Surely he wouldn’t leave her out here to die alone. He wasn’t that cruel. If he’d planned to let her die, he would’ve just let the Eyes take care of it.
No, Hugh would be back.
She must’ve dozed, for the next thing she knew, a small fire leapt at her side, throwing off enough light that she could see a bit of her surroundings. Hugh was there, kneeling by the fire. If she believed the evidence of her eyes, he’d started the flame with nothing more than a touch of his hand.
She supposed it was possible. His magic was potent and he was half dragon, after all. In his other form he was probably able to breathe fire. If anyone could call flame, it would be him. The thought intrigued her.
“Handy,” she commented, nodding toward the cheery fire.
Hugh’s small smile made her tummy clench when he turned the full force of it on her.
The gryphlet stirred, fanning her wings out once before settling them snuggly against her back in neat rows of feathers. Which reminded her…
“I am in your debt, brave Miss.” She reached out to the gryphlet, gratified when the baby gryphon walked over and sniffed her hand, then rubbed her cheek along her fingers. “Thank you for saving me.”
“Hoo helped,” Miss said, settling on her haunches.
That response made the lady smile, even through the pounding in her head. She was weak from blood loss and knew she wasn’t thinking entirely clearly, but she knew the gryphlet had done an incredibly brave thing and deserved praise.
“Hugh is as brave as you are, little one.” She sent him a smile across the short distance of the fire. “We really need to find you a better name. Do you have a preference?”
The baby gryphon tilted her head. She didn’t understand the word.
“Are there any names you especially like? Something you’d like to be called?” she tried again.
“Don’t know namess,” Miss answered in a sleepy, slightly puzzled voice. “Like Misss.”
The lady gave up. “I guess that’ll do for now.” She stroked the kitten’s ears as the baby settled down, resting her head on her front paws, her wings folded along her back.
“Speaking of names,” Hugh said as he sat down near enough to touch. “If I’m to keep you safe, I can’t keep calling you milady.”
“Will you keep me safe, Hugh?” She hadn’t meant for that to come out so serio
usly, but it was the thought that weighed most heavily on her mind at that moment.
Hugh drew closer, reaching out to cup her cheek. His impossibly green eyes flickered in the firelight, seeming to delve into her soul.
“I’ll do my best.”
She already knew his best was better than at least three master assassins.
“That’s good enough for me.” She gave him a fleeting smile, even as her head spun. “You can call me Lera.”
“Lera,” he repeated, making her nickname sound exotic and mysterious. She liked the way it rolled off his tongue.
Hugh moved closer, his big body leaning over her, warming her with his inner heat. His lips touched hers as he breathed her name once more againsor more at them and she’d never heard a sweeter sound or felt a more delicious touch.
As he deepened the kiss, he lay her down on the ground and she realized that he’d been busy while she’d dozed. A soft wool blanket was beneath her and as he rolled them both fully onto it, she recognized the size and shape of it as the compact bedroll that had been tied to his pack. The same pack she’d held on to while he flew her off into the night from the inn’s roof. The same pack she had a vague memory of Miss dragging with her teeth as she’d clambered onto the dragon’s back the second time that night in the vineyard outside her cousin’s palatial estate.
If they were to camp, she was glad they hadn’t managed to lose the pack. If only for the small cushion of the blanket between her back and the sand. Hugh made a warm cover on top of her. Getting warmer by the second as he kissed the breath out of her.
Her life was so confusing right now. Her cousin had hired the most dangerous assassins in the world to kill her. They would try again. Hugh had promised to protect her, but what if he failed? What if they struck when he wasn’t nearby?
She could easily die tomorrow, but if this was to be her last night of life, she knew one thing. She wanted to spend it with him. The dragon who had saved her life not once, but twice. Damn the possible consequences. This wasn’t about her position or her land. This was about need. Her need as a woman to be with a man that stirred her senses as no other had before.
She pushed at the cloth and leather covering his shoulders. He was wearing too many clothes. Too much leather that didn’t allow her to feel the true contours of his massive body.
“Hugh,” she breathed against his lips as he let up slightly.
“What is it, sweet Lera?” He drew back fractionally, as if he couldn’t bear to let her go fully. She liked that.
“Take off your clothes,” she whispered.
He twitched, and she guessed she had surprised him. Well, good. She was through being taken by surprise for the night. It was time she doled out a surprise or two of her own.
Hugh’s head swiveled to the left and he looked into the darkness. Lera realized he was checking on the baby gryphon. Good thing one of them was paying attention. How could she have forgotten the child’s presence yet again?
Simple. Hugh crowded out every other thought from her mind. Every duty she owed to her land and people. Everything else but the sheer magnitude of his presence and strength of his body.
She couldn’t focus on anything else when her body yearned for his warmth. She was glad he had thought to check, but very little would stop her from, at the very least, sleeping in his arms and taking what comfort she could from his nearness. At best, she wanted to share her body with him and learn his in return. She would leave it up to him, what would happen that night, but she’d do everything in her power to help things along.
“Is she asleep?” she asked hopefully.
Hugh refocused his lovely green eyes on her. She could just see him in the flickering firelight, though he seemed to have keener vision than she did.
“Fast asleep. The Dragon’s Breath topped up her magical reserves, but physically it’s still been a very long day for one so young. She will no doubt sleep deeply for many hours.”
“Good.” Later, Lera would have time to praise the misborn gryphlet as she deserved, but for now, all Lera wanted was Hugh. His lips on hers. eseps on hHis warmth heating her. His body joining with hers. She leaned upward and nibbled on his stubbly jaw. “Then what are you waiting for?”
“Are you sure about this?” His tone was breathless, which meant she was doing something right. Her hands roamed over his body, seeking the closures of his tunic and the leather pieces he wore over it.
“I want you,” she whispered, enjoying the little growl that rumbled through his chest at her bold words.
He struggled with the lacings on his leather vestment even as she tried to help. Their hands tangled but managed to get the job done, though it took longer than she wanted. He paused when the lacings were undone, slowing his movements and capturing her attention. She read hesitation in his green gaze, along with regret.
“Lera, I know you’ve had a shock today. Two shocks, in fact. I don’t want you to regret what comes next.”
“The only thing I’ll regret is if you stop now, Hugh. I’m not a maiden, if that’s what has you worried.” She felt her cheeks heat with the frank words, but hoped it was too dark for even Hugh’s half dragon vision to discern.
“That’s a relief,” he admitted boldly, inserting his legs between hers as they lay on his bedroll. “It means I can worship your body as you deserve.”
Lera’s blood heated at the promise in his gaze and the fire in his touch. She wasn’t altogether certain if she should be insulted or gratified by his response, but either way, she was going to have him. Really, nothing else mattered. Just him. His body, on hers, in hers, as soon as they could manage it.
Hugh shrugged out of his shirt while his lips traced patterns down her neck. He paused only briefly to help her with the bodice of her fine lawn gown. The dress laced up the front so she could put it on without assistance. She used the plainer fabrics for times when she wanted to go out without an entourage. When she wanted to be as incognito as possible.
It didn’t always work. The innkeeper had recognized her, for one. And the assassins had found her. But she’d been able to dress herself and get out of the palace alone. That, in itself, was a feat.
And the outfit was just as easy to take off as it was to put on. Hugh made short work of her lacings and she almost purred when her breasts fell free, into his waiting, warm hands. She liked the way he paused to examine her as if she were made of the finest porcelain.
He rubbed her nipples, making her squirm with arousal. As she’d expected, Hugh showed all the signs of knowing his way around a woman’s body and she was glad he was here to share this night with her. For all she knew, the assassins would find her soon enough and Hugh might not be there—or he might be a split second slower—and she’d be dead. Just like that. She would enjoy this time with him while she could.
There was nothing like a brush with death to make a woman value the important things in life. A warm bed and an even hotter man to make her go up in flames.
Hugh’s mouth covered first one nipple, then the other, sucking and licking, making her temperature rise. All the while his hands lowered to the tapes at her waist, releasing the skirt and pushing it downward. She helped, kicking her feet until the fabric was clear. Clever man, he’d undone all her bows and she was able to get free of skirts and undergarments in one move. Now there was a man after her own heart.
Hugh’s hands traced the curves of her body as his mouth suckled and kissed its way over her skin. One hand dfel. One helved gently between her legs and found the little button that sent her senses spinning. She stifled a moan, not wanting to wake the baby gryphon. She had to be quiet considering they were outside where anything—or anyone—might hear them.
Just the thought of it sent a forbidden thrill through her as Hugh’s fingers moved on, seeking entrance to her wet passage. She was primed and ready. It wouldn’t take much to set her off.
“Come into me now, Hugh.” Her softly spoken words brought his gaze up to meet hers.
Sur
prise turned to deviltry in his expression. “Impatient, are you?”
“Needy,” she corrected with a soft smile. “It’s been a long time for me and I don’t want to wait.”
“But anticipation increases pleasure. Haven’t your previous lovers taught you that valuable lesson, Lera?”
He was definitely fishing for information, but she saw no reason to keep her sexual experience—or lack thereof—from him. If anything, such knowledge might help him satisfy her.
“There were only two and neither for very long. It was several years ago. Since then, I’ve lived a quieter life. Less dangerous.”
“Dangerous?” Hugh grinned. “Playing fast and loose with your favors is something you would consider dangerous to your position, then? I can understand that. Many a court lady has lost her standing and the respect of her peers due to loose morals. But I never expected that of you, Lera.” His gaze turned serious and he removed his hands from her body. “That’s not what I was implying. Forgive me if it sounded as if I was insulting you. That was not my intent.”
He was drawing away and that was something she did not want. She grabbed one of his hands and tucked it against her skin, close to her heart.
“I never thought that, Hugh. Don’t leave me like this. I want you.”
“So you say, but you’ve had a rough night. Much as I want to be with you, I do not want this to happen for the wrong reasons.”
“I want this for all the right reasons, as far as I’m concerned.” She stroked his hand. “You’ve saved me twice this night, Hugh.”
“Do you think giving yourself to me is some sort of repayment?”
Damn. That hadn’t come out right and she was losing him.
“Never,” she replied. “I meant that I know I can trust you. Above all those in Helios at this hour, I am certain only of you, Hugh. My savior. My protector. And I hope…my lover?”
The fire rekindled in his eyes and hope blossomed in her heart. Had she said the right thing? His actions would tell.
“I am honored by your trust and will not abuse it, Lera.” He moved closer once more.