Tears of the Dragon

by Cyndi Friberg

  “I want to feel your pleasure and taste your cream.” His head dipped, his tongue stroking over her nub while his fingers filled her again and again.

  Rowena tightened her inner muscles and tangled her fingers in his hair. Spasms of pleasure exploded through her, driving all rational thought from her mind. She could only hold on to Dominic and experience the wonder.

  The sensations had only begun to recede when he moved up and over her. She bent her knees, drawing her legs up high along his sides. He entered her in one long, smooth thrust. She found his mouth and kissed him wildly as she arched up to meet his downward movements.

  “I love you. I love you.” They repeated the words over and over, passing them back and forth with their heated breath until they were simply too breathless to speak.

  They made the journey together now, and the experience was all the more fulfilling. Rowena felt reality fall away, but Dominic still held her. She hugged him tight, feeling his body moving deeply within her own. Lifting passion-heavy lids, she found his dark blue eyes burning into hers. It was still a bit overwhelming, the fierceness of his desire.

  They were beyond words. Rowena reveled in the possessive fire. He wanted her, needed her, and loved her.

  The pleasure became so intense Rowena had to close her eyes. Colors erupted behind her lids. She clung to Dominic with her arms and legs, burying her face against the side of his neck. His embrace was just as insistent. They trembled and gasped for breath, too weak to do more than hold on to one another.

  With an audible groan, Dominic rolled to his side, taking Rowena with him. One of his arms was beneath her neck, the other encircling her waist. Their legs were tangled, and miraculously his shaft was still sheathed in her body.

  “I never want to leave this bed,” he whispered. “In fact, I want to remain inside you forever.”

  She smiled and snuggled a bit closer to him. “You will get no argument from me.”

  “Good,” he mumbled against her damp hair.

  She was warm. She was content. Her entire body felt flushed and lazy.

  After long leisurely minutes, Rowena stirred. She brought her mouth to Dominic’s ear. “Would it please you if I were to have a child?”

  He eased away from her, just far enough to see her eyes. “Are you certain?”

  She smiled and shook her head. “It’s too soon to know.”

  “But you suspect?”

  “I have no rational reason, but I had the strangest dream while I was ill. I saw Fair Fiona.”

  “What has this to do with our baby?”

  “Patience,” she chided playfully. “She asked if I were brave, if I were ready, and if I were worthy. I have no idea what that means. But she also said that our son was safe within my womb.”

  He did no more than study her expression for a moment. “I will be thrilled if you are indeed carrying my son. But this legend nonsense is making us all act like fools. I even imagined that I heard her laughing at me from the trees.”

  Rowena smiled and pressed her cheek once more against his chest. “I suppose it does sound a bit odd, my lord.”

  He chuckled and wrapped her tight in his arms. “It is not that I dislike the title, Rowena, but I much prefer the sound of my name on your lips. Say it for me.”

  “Dominic,” she sighed. “My love. My life. Dominic.”

  “Oh Rowena,” he growled, and closed his eyes.

  She was not sure what she had done to cause his reaction until she felt his body swell within her. She laughed, delighted by his ready response. “I wish I had known the secret to seducing you was to simply whisper your name.”

  Shoving against his chest, she soon had him flat on his back.

  “You no longer need to seduce me.” He chuckled, swept up in her playful mood.

  Straddling his hips, she lightly ran her fingernails down his chest. “What I need, Dominic, is to feel you moving inside me.”

  “I live to fulfill your every need.” With slow, tantalizing thrusts, he gave her exactly what she had requested.

  * * * * *

  Despite Thora’s frequent insistence that a lady didn’t get her hands dirty, Rowena reached down and pulled a weed from among the scraggly herbs and tossed it onto the rapidly growing pile. She didn’t care if it was ladylike or not. She loved her herb garden. She loved the rich, verdant smells and the feel of sunlight warming her face.

  She couldn’t stop smiling. The knowledge that she’d been grinning like a fool for a fortnight did nothing to erase the expression. Her entire body tingled each time she thought about her husband. Dominic. Just his name had the power to speed her pulse and melt her insides.

  Waking in his arms each morning moved her in ways she had not expected. The security of knowing he was there, knowing he would always be there, left her purring like a contented cat. Life would teach them many lessons, she had no doubt, but with Dominic at her side, she was ready to learn.

  When she looked into his beautiful blue eyes and saw devotion and tenderness shining back at her, she wanted to shout from the ramparts that she loved her husband, and he loved her.

  Dominic loved her. Her husband loved her!

  With a happy smile, she returned her attention to the garden. Rowena moved a sprig of parsley to one side so she could extract the weed attempting to choke it out.

  “Milady.”

  She offered Ephraim a distracted wave then her head snapped in his direction. “What are you doing here?” Struggling to her feet in the uneven dirt, she wiped her hands on the cloth tied around her waist. “Who is with…our guest?”

  “Our guest promised to remain in his room until I returned. He is desperate for the sound of God’s Holy Word, and I am unable to deliver it.”

  Moving closer to the young man, she lowered her voice. “What does he want?”

  “Sir Dominic thoughtfully included a small book of scriptures when he last brought supplies. It has tormented our friend because…”

  “You are unable to read to him.”

  “Would you please come read to him?” He squared his shoulders and looked her in the eyes. “He told me he taught you the skill, so it is only fitting that you use the skill to comfort him.”

  Rowena laughed. “Those were his exact words no doubt. I must inform Dominic of my destination and change my tunic.”

  “If it pleases you, I will find Sir Dominic while you attend to the other matter.”

  “Very well. I’ll meet you in the stables.”

  * * * * *

  Fiona drifted on the breeze, greedily absorbing the currents of energy passing through her body. Her strength depleted so quickly here in the human realm. The rhythm of the energy was different, alien to her system, harder to assimilate. Even her father’s agreement to release her Fairy abilities hadn’t stopped her weakening. This curse was siphoning her essence, fading her to the point of frailty. It must end soon or it would be too late.

  They had come so far.

  They could not fail now.

  Rowena and Dominic had found each other. Their love was growing. She smiled. Figuratively and literally. But everything within the universe had its equal and opposite counterpart. Light balanced darkness. Good balanced evil. And a riddle balanced her curse.

  Without solving the riddle the curse would never be broken—and Rowena didn’t believe in the riddle.

  A horse and rider drew her attention from her troubled thoughts. She hissed and twirled out of sight, following Edwin of Llangly as he picked his way through the forest.

  Finally, the weasel ventured out. She fluttered from tree to tree, high above his head. No one had seen this creature for nearly a fortnight. She lost interest in where he’d been hiding as she realized where he was bound.

  Dashing ahead, Fiona flew into the monastery. Brother Leland sat in silent meditation in one of the monk cells. Knowing time was of the essence, she intensified her Fairy brilliance to devastating intensity. Any other human would have whimpered in pain.

  “Who�
�s there?” His voice trembled and his bony hands swiped the air in front of him.

  Come with me now! Follow the light. She sent a subtle compulsion along with the words to ensure the friar obeyed.

  As if in a trance, Brother Leland rose and followed her down the corridor and into the decrepit chapel on the opposite side of the cells.

  Fearsome Dragon! I need you. I need you, now!

  The friar followed her into the storeroom and obediently sat down. Her guardian appeared in the doorway.

  What is it, Your Highness? You sounded frantic.

  Spread your wings, my friend. Conceal us completely. Edwin cannot be allowed to find us.

  It is done. He turned his back and spread his mighty wings, making the wall appear unbroken by a doorway.

  Fiona flitted nervously. How could she keep the friar quiet once the action began? Not often could she see into the future, but she sensed important events were about to unfold.

  Hovering near his ear, Fiona made her voice sound like the musings of his own mind, and began her tale.

  * * * * *

  Rowena swung down from her horse and rested her arms lightly on the saddle of her palfrey. “I only have one question?” She made her tone dire, her eyes narrowed.

  “What, milady?” His ruddy cheeks drained of color, and he gazed at her unblinkingly.

  “How did you bear climbing up the latrine?” She shuddered and then laughed at the relief in his expression.

  “Don’t tease me so. I thought I’d displeased you, and if I displease you, I answer to your husband.”

  “Nay, Ephraim, you’ve been delightful and helpful. But you didn’t answer my question.”

  “I breathed through my mouth and climbed as fast as I could. It honestly was not the most unpleasant thing I’ve ever done. Would you like to hear about the time I—”

  “Nay! If it is less pleasant than—”

  An arm wrapped around her waist, yanking her back against a tall frame. She screamed and jammed her slippered foot down on her assailant’s instep, clawing at the arm banding her waist.

  Ephraim drew his dirk and raced toward her, but Rowena felt her head jerked back and a blade pressed against her throat. “Don’t come any closer.”

  Edwin!

  The lad froze, his terrified gaze darting to hers.

  “You’re going to get back on your horse and ride as fast as you can back to the castle. Tell Dominic if he waits too long, there won’t be enough left of her to rescue.”

  “I’m not leaving her!”

  “Do as he says, Ephraim.” Chances were far greater that Edwin would hurt Ephraim than her. Rowena wanted the boy gone, safely away from the danger.

  “But, milady—”

  “Don’t argue with your mistress. Get!”

  Why did Edwin want the alarm sounded? Why did— He spun her around and pressed her against the side of her horse, ending her speculation.

  “I’d almost forgotten how beautiful you are.”

  Her stomach heaved, and she turned her face away. Why hadn’t she grabbed a weapon? Why hadn’t she been better prepared for… His hand stroked her cheek, his fingers outlined her mouth, and she tasted bile in the back of her mouth.

  “Edwin—” She broke off. How could she hope to reason with him? He was obviously mad. What should she do?

  “Let’s go settle in, shall we?” His hand encircled her wrist, and he pulled her toward the monastery.

  Brother Leland! She couldn’t let Edwin take her into the monastery. “Nay. You sent Ephraim for Dominic. Let’s await him out here.”

  “What’s the matter, Rowena? Are you afraid of ghosts?”

  “Aye. Please, I don’t want to go up there.” She tried to sound pathetic, not panicked, but he didn’t seem to care either way. She kicked out at him and jerked against his hold. “I cannot go up there.”

  He ignored her protests and her struggles. “The only thing haunting this decrepit ruin is an equally decrepit friar.”

  A new, more virulent wave of panic swept Rowena toward hysteria. Had Edwin killed Brother Leland? Dear God, not now, after all that he had endured.

  Edwin said nothing as he tugged her along behind him. There was no railing on either side of the stairs, and his grasp on her wrist was unbreakable. Rowena had no choice but to climb.

  The front room was empty, as Rowena had expected. Edwin quickly lit a torch and motioned toward the cells with an insistent nod. She shook her head in mute horror. If Edwin had murdered Brother Leland, she had no wish to view his handiwork.

  Edwin’s hand clamped down around her upper arm and he gave her a shake. “Call out to him,” he whispered. “Identify yourself and tell him all is well.”

  Hope unfurled with sickening intensity. The friar wasn’t dead. When she didn’t immediately comply, he twisted her arm up behind her back. Rowena gasped and made a small squeaky sound.

  “Now!”

  “Brother Leland.” Her tone was uneven and raspy. “It’s Rowena, you need— Run! Danger! Edwin is with—” Her last warning was cut short by the back of his hand. Rowena landed on her hip, the force of his blow knocking her sideways.

  “You stupid bitch! Where will he run? There is nowhere to hide.”

  Despite the pain throbbing through her head and now her hip, Rowena smiled. She hid the expression behind trembling hands and sat on the stone floor. Edwin stomped toward the cells, the torch held high. He stepped into the first cell, but his sharp curse indicated that Brother Leland was not within. Similar curses followed as he checked each cell. He had to be hiding. There was only one way into or out of the monastery.

  “Where is he?” Edwin demanded as he returned to the main room.

  “They moved him yesterday,” Rowena lied, struggling up from the floor. She was as surprised to find him gone as Edwin. “His condition was much improved, so Dominic had him taken to another location.”

  “Then why did you cry out to warn him?”

  “I’d forgotten, but he’s obviously not here.”

  Edwin seemed to ponder her information for a moment as he anxiously paced the room, the torchlight dancing dizzily as he moved. “No matter. There is nothing he knows that you cannot tell me.”

  Rowena didn’t like the sound of his conclusion, but for the moment Brother Leland was safe. He placed the torch in a wall sconce and returned to her side.

  “Edwin it’s over.” She refused to reveal the terror ripping through her. “I’m happily wed, and you cannot change that.”

  “You are wrong,” he said simply. “I’d hoped to woo you in my own time, but you have made it impossible.”

  She held perfectly still when his hand cupped her cheek. “In the eyes of the Church you are my father.” She spoke calmly, absolutely.

  “Only so long as I was married to your mother. You see, I figured it out. If I have my marriage to Yvonne absolved, I will be free to marry you.”

  He was mad. His convoluted schemes had no end. Turning her face away, she stepped back. “Your marriage was not only consummated, but Mother gave you a son.”

  “She gave me a dead son!” He paused for a breath, regaining his composure. “But you will give me fine, strong sons who will rule Pendragon Castle long after we are gone.”

  “I will give you nothing. If you hurt me, you will know no peace for the rest of your days.” She narrowed her eyes to emphasize the threat.

  Fear flickered through his stare. “Do all of the ladies of Pendragon spout curses so easily?”

  She didn’t respond to his question, but his obsession gave her a weapon.

  “Tell me the answer to the riddle, and I will let him live.”

  “You could never lay hands on the Dragon’s Tears even if I did tell you the answer. Do you still not understand? Fair Fiona spoke the curse to protect me from such as you.”

  His eyes turned wild, his head swayed from side to side. “Then it is true. It is all true.”

  Rowena shivered. Madness shone clearly in his too bright gaze. “A
ye.” Carefully, she watched his progress across the room and back for any sign that he would turn on her. “Fair Fiona has aided and protected me many times. Why do you think Gaston never touched me? She would not allow it. She speaks to me in dreams.”

  “Does she?” He stopped pacing and stepped in front of her, his hands coming to rest on her shoulders. “What does she look like? Is she passing fair?”

  “She is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen,” Rowena whispered, and it was no lie. “As I lay struggling for life, she came to me and comforted me, encouraged me to fight against the poison.”

  His fingers tightened painfully, and his lips curled back from his teeth in a fierce snarl. “I would have avenged that wrong if the stupid bitch hadn’t fallen from her horse.”

  “The past does not matter now. We need only concern ourselves with the future. Fair Fiona told me I should accept my marriage to Dominic, that it is right and true. She told me our love was strong enough to end the curse for all time. You cannot interfere with that. You would invite the wrath of Fearsome Dragon.” Not trusting his reaction to her exaggeration, she didn’t mention the probability that she was carrying Dominic’s child. She suspected the knowledge would enrage him.

  For just a moment, Rowena’s heart pounded with triumph. His expression was confused and then almost sad.

  He believed her!

  Just as suddenly as the emotions had come, they departed, leaving only hard, cruel determination. “You have ofttimes scoffed at the legend, Rowena. Am I now to believe that you have become a disciple? You mock me. I am not so easily fooled.”

  One hand moved from her shoulder to the nape of her neck, and he drew her toward him with steady insistence. Automatically, Rowena’s arms came up to press against his chest and she turned her head away to avoid his mouth. The Church was right. It felt perverse to be held intimately by a man she had once called father.

  “Cease this now!”

  He molded her body to his. “I’ve not even begun,” he promised in a throaty whisper.