"Of course," Brida said. "It's the least I can do."
"We would have a lifetime to know each other," Cynric said a moment later. "If things were to take that route. Is it still so unappealing?"
"I never said it was to start," Brida said softly. She hoped the blush on her face wasn't terribly noticeable.
"I'm glad to hear it," Cynric said. He shifted on his pallet. "Though I think your father will be less than pleased."
"He will realize that things could have been far worse," Brida said. "He's a sensible man, but he fears what he doesn't understand. Most men do."
"If it were a simpler thing to understand I would make an attempt to explain it to him. Still, in a few days’ time I will be well, and once I have the payment agreed upon, or a suitable replacement, then I will return to my home."
"Where do you live?" Brida asked. "Not in a cave, I hope."
"No," Cynric replied, amusement tinging his voice. "A cottage, secreted away, though clearly not well enough if a mere captain could so easily find me."
"Alfred's a very talented man," Brida replied.
"I'll not argue that."
"I have another question," Brida said carefully. She continued when Cynric hummed. "If Father doesn't have the money to give you and you decide to take a different form of compensation, would you remain here?"
He rolled his head to fully look at her. "If it would make you happiest," he replied. "It would be bad enough to make you marry a stranger, but even worse to take you from your home."
"Why do you wish to marry at all?" Brida asked.
"Why any man does," Cynric replied. "I am a man, despite whatever 'powers' I may possess."
"I bet you looked magnificent," Brida said before she could stop herself. She was rewarded with a grin from Cynric that made her stomach squirm as though someone had released butterflies into it.
"You're not afraid," he said. "Why is that?"
"Dragons in stories are always beasts of great wisdom," Brida replied, "with scales as golden as any coin, who could make the sun jealous with their beauty."
"They're frightening as well," Cynric said. "I'm glad you do not fear me."
"I am as well." Brida cleared her throat. "Now, if you'll help as much as you can, I need to clean and check your wounds for any infection."
"They're fine," Cynric said. "Infection isn't something I'm prone to."
"Are you a healer?" Brida asked.
"Are you?" Cynric replied.
She opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by her brother Eldric's voice from a few feet away.
"Father wishes to speak to you," he said.
Brida turned to face him in time to catch the wary look he threw at Cynric, but was surprised and pleased to see there was only curiosity in his eyes.
"Very well," she said, then turned back to Cynric. "I'll return tomorrow."
"I'll watch him sister," Eldric said. "I'm very curious about our guest."
"Be kind," Brida said warningly as she passed.
Eldric chuckled. "Am I ever anything but?" he asked and took her place.
As Brida removed herself from the tent she heard Eldric quietly ask Cynric how he was feeling, and Cynric's easy reply. The pleasant fluttering in her stomach turned to a heavy weight as she thought on what her father could want from her. She had a feeling she already knew the answer. War was never cheap, and it had been a long time since Ulric had seen peace.
A soldier directed Brida to a small study on the ground floor where Ulric did work when he wished to be left in peace. Brida closed the door gently behind her and took a seat across the large oak desk. Ulric had a small smile for his daughter that failed to hide his exhaustion. He poured her a cup of wine.
"I know what you're going to say," Brida said.
"Do you?" Ulric replied. "Enlighten me, then."
"You don't have the money to give Cynric the price you promised."
"No, I do not."
"And you're going to offer him me instead."
"I am," Ulric said. "Does that upset you?"
"It should," Brida said, "but you and Eldric and Edmund have already done so much for our family. It's my turn now."
"It needn't be anything extravagant," Ulric continued. "A simple blessing by the priest and you will be given the room in the tower, properly furnished this time."
"As you say, Father," Brida replied. "I only ask that you allow Cynric time to heal."
Ulric nodded slowly and sighed. "I know not what kind of man he is, but your brother persuaded me that he is to be trusted, and he did offer us his aid when he could have easily refused. He is owed what I promised." He reached across the desk and Brida placed one of her hands in his. "I'm so glad you understand the importance of this."
"I do, Father," she said. "Is that all you wish to speak to me of?"
"Yes," Ulric said. He leaned back in his chair. "Yes. Go, you should rest. You have spent a long day tending to our men. Cynric will be fine with your brother watching him."
Brida left her wine untouched and stopped to kiss her father's cheek before taking his suggestion and retiring to her room for the night. She tossed and turned, thinking on what was to become of her life, and before she slept came to the conclusion that Cynric had the ability to make her a very happy wife indeed, and help her give her father many strong grandchildren to dote upon.
*****
In a few days’ time Cynric was well enough to stand with the help of a cane similar to the one that Edmund still needed to use. It was amazing that he could sit, let alone do anything else, but aside from some stiffness in his movement he seemed perfectly fine. His fever was gone and color was back in his face, his hair dark and sleek and his eyes bright and sharp. He was slowly pacing the field outside the hospital tent when Brida came to find him.
"Have you heard?" she said by way of greeting.
"I have," Cynric replied. "It's to be this afternoon." He smiled. "And here I am without proper clothes."
“I don't have a dress,” Brida replied. “Or a dowry. Only myself.”
Cynric smiled at her. “Something tells me that's enough.”
“I'm glad to see you walking,” Brida said.
“I told you I would heal quickly. Don't be afraid, you will not have an invalid for a husband.” He laughed shortly. “Is that thought as strange to you as it is to me?”
“I've been prepared for this moment my entire life,” Brida replied. “It's not as strange as you might think.”
Cynric glanced up. “I suppose not.” He cleared his throat. “Is it not bad luck for me to see the bride before the wedding?”
Brida blushed and giggled. “I just wished to see that you were well, and you are. I'll see you this afternoon?”
“You will,” Cynric replied. “I promise.”
She left him to continue his rounds, glancing over her shoulder as she walked back to the keep, seeking comfort in the garden. She wasn't afraid, but she was nervous. Knowing what to expect was different from actually experiencing it. She had never missed her mother more than right then, but Brida knew that she would have been proud.
Furniture that had long sat in storage was cleaned and painstakingly taken up to the tower room that had been granted to Cynric while Brida prepared for the blessing and binding of their hands in marriage. Judith's presence was comforting. She did up Brida's hair, loose enough that it wouldn't prove too much trouble that night when she and Cynric were alone, and laced her into a dress of pale yellow, the closest to white she had.
There was no pomp or ceremony, just a small gathering in the chapel, including Brida's brothers and father to bear witness. She was shaking as she approached Cynric at the altar, wearing clothes that looked borrowed from Eldric and leaning lightly on his cane.
He took her hand in his, his fingers warm. “Do you always feel this hot?” Brida asked before the priest spoke.
“You could call it a perk,” Cynric replied. He squeezed her hand, and looked like he was going to say something mor
e, but the priest began reciting verses and they both fell silent.
Brida threaded her fingers firmly through Cynric's and took a deep breath, in through her nose and out through her mouth. Cynric rubbed his thumb against the inside of her wrist, just once, but it was enough to still her nerves. To keep the event as quiet as possible there was no feast to be had after, but there were rings to be exchanged, two simple bands of gold. Brida's fit snugly on her finger and was as hot against her skin as Cynric's flesh. His kiss missed her lips just by a hair, landing just at the corner but making her whole body tingle.
“There's food waiting for us I think,” Cynric said. “I'm famished. Shall we?” Brida could only nod.
A fire had been started in the room and a rug laid out. Some of Brida's things had been brought up, but the most impressive feature was the large bed that dominated the room and was covered in blankets and furs. A small table with two chairs by the fire held two plates piled high with meat and potatoes, complimented by a bowl of fruit. Cynric pulled her chair out for her and in a surprisingly companionable silence the two of them ate. Cynric finished his food quickly and threw back a cup of wine.
“Are you feeling all right?” he asked.
“I'm fine,” Brida replied. “Nervous, perhaps.”
“There's no reason to be,” Cynric replied. “All the gold in the world couldn't add up to how much you are worth to me. I'd never lay a harsh finger on you.”
“No,” Brida said and watched Cynric get to his feet. “No, I know you wouldn't.”
He smiled at her and held out his hand. Brida hesitated, only briefly, then took it and let him pull her to her feet. Slowly he reached up and took the pins out of her hair and set them by their plates, then ran his fingers through her hair. Brida's eyes slipped shut. She felt Cynric kiss her cheek then pull away. When she managed to open her eyes again Cynric had removed his tunic, revealing the already healing scars on his torso. The taut flesh glinted in the firelight.
“Oh,” she murmured, and before she could stop herself her fingers were crossing the distance between them and tracing along the scars. His muscles rippled under her touch, and she met his eyes again.
He was nervous, too. She could see it in the way he moved to pull her closer against him, feel it in the gentle kiss he pressed to her lips. Somehow, his gentleness settled her own nerves, and she reached up to sink her fingers into his hair, stroking softly. Cynric grunted at that, a deep, throttled sound, and she shivered.
“Come to bed,” he murmured, and within moments his fingers were undoing her dress, letting it pool onto the floor, along with the rest of his clothing. In the dim light of the crackling fire, she was tempted to hide herself under the blankets... but then Cynric’s hands were on her, running up her hips, over her stomach. A soft moan tumbled from her lips, and he smiled into her skin.
“Your hands...” she began, then faltered.
“Hmm?” The word was not so much heard as felt, rumbling against her neck.
“They’re so warm.”
He chuckled, and pressed the full length of his body against hers. Brida gasped softly into his lips as he kissed her again. The heat in his skin seemed to coil in her stomach, streaking lower like lightning. He was ready, and with every kiss she knew she was ready too.
Cynric’s hands stroked her thighs, parting them gently. His eyes searched hers, waiting, and she nodded. When he hesitated further, she reached down and touched — it was true. He was hot as a blazing iron, even there. Her fingers wrapped around his manhood, squeezing, and he groaned, hips canting forward.
She could wait no longer — the next time he kissed her, she flicked her tongue, urging him on, and wrapped a leg around him. He drifted down, pressing up against her, and Brida rubbed against him, testing.
“Careful...” he murmured, “I don’t want to hurt...”
“Shh,” she said, kissing him again. “I know you won’t.”
It began slowly, and true to his word he sought not to hurt her. He entered her, agonizingly slowly, and after a long, slow thrust Brida pressed against him, urging him on. The heat rose in her stomach as every breath caught in her chest, she released them with moans and sighs that matched Cynric’s.
She could feel the end too quickly, the heat boiling over, desperately clinging to him with every thrust, and at long last crying out into his shoulder. He followed quickly after, kissing her roughly, desperately, until at last he lay still on her, nose nestled in the crook of her shoulder.
Her fingers found his hair again, stroking gently. He pressed his lips to her shoulder.
“I have many regrets in this life,” he said as he rolled to the side and Brida curled up and pressed her ear to his chest to listen to his heart. “This is not one of them. I hope you feel the same.”
“I do,” Brida whispered. She traced a finger along the line of Cynric's scar. “I never thought this is where my life would take me, but I do.”
Cynric kissed her brow and pulled her closer, enveloping her with his warmth. “I will always protect you,” he said. Brida groped for Cynric's hand and held it tightly, letting the beating of his heart send her to sleep.
THE END
Bonus Story 40/40
Jewels of the Dragon’s Heart
Sapphira Logan came to the top of the path looking down into a desolate valley. It seemed strange considering they were surrounded by a luscious green forest. Looking over the edge showed a very long drop to gray and brown rock. She looked over at Ty Tucker, the mountain guide who was leading the expedition, and sighed. He had taken off his shirt. His lean body was heavily muscled and it went well with his longer golden hair and esthetically handsome face. He could get a woman’s motor running that was for sure. Fortunately for Sapphira she had another desire that was stronger right then. She looked back over her shoulder as her two assistance labored up the path, Christy Talon and Matt Lowery. Neither of them had been out of the city before, yet they had insisted on coming along on her hunt for stones.
Precious stones were Sapphire’s greatest love. She traveled the world looking for the very best. She had acquired a collection that was well-known, but there were better ones out there. She could feel it and she was on the hunt for a rumored place called Carnelian Valley. This place was supposed to yield the biggest and the best stones. Ty was the only guide who would even consider a trip to look for the valley. It was thought by many to be like looking for the fountain of youth, chasing something that did not exist. But Sapphira knew this hidden place, this Carnelian Valley was real. She could feel it.
She started to turn away from her assistants back to Ty, who had moved up the path, when she felt the ground shift under her feet. Her whole body vibrated and a crunching, echoing sound erupted around her as she realized the edge she was standing on was sliding away. Before she could do anything she went over the side of the cliff! She screamed and heard answering screams and cries from her assistants. She was falling looking up, and her long blond hair came out of its ties and was whipping around her face. Time seemed to slow. Then she saw the guide Ty leap over the cliff like he was doing a swan dive.
He fell right above her with his arms spread and his wonderful chest for her to see. He seemed to get closer to her despite the fact that all things fall at the same speed. She saw his arms begin to lengthen as his body widened. He expanded and changed into a dragon! Then everything seemed to speed back up. She was still screaming as she fell farther and farther and the dragon was dropping closer to her with claws outstretched to grab her. She experienced a flash of ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, and aquamarine like a strobe light around her. Shifting from gem colors to silver gold and platinum. Just as the dragon cupped both claws around her with a mighty beat of his wings the lights seemed to explode all at once in her eyes and she passed out.
Sapphira awoke slowly as if in a fog. She remembered falling off the cliff but not much else, and as the fog cleared she opened her eyes. She was reclined on a couch? No, a divan. She was in a fiel
d with cliffs on both sides and a bubbling stream about twenty feet away. Next to the stream in front of her were her assistants Christy Talon and Matt Lowery. They were sitting in regular, comfortable looking chairs with a small table between them. A bottle of wine with two glasses sat on it; the bottle looked about half full. They saw she was awake and stood up to approach her, but stopped about ten feet away.
“Hey Sapphira, it is good to see you up. We have been worried sick, it has been a couple of hours since you fell,” Christy told her. Sapphira frowned trying to remember anything beyond the fall. Christy was staring at her and she returned it. Christy was a petite woman with brown hair. Well, petite everywhere but her large breasts. It made her look a little off balance. Matt was a tall, skinny, office rat who was very good at organizing, so she had hired him away from another company. They were both starring at her with relief and fear. Why fear?
“What happened?” she asked them, swinging her feet off of the divan and putting them on the ground. They looked at each other a moment.
“You fell Sapphira. You don’t remember falling off the cliff?” Matt asked. Sapphira shook her head.
“Of course I remember that, but not much else. How come I am not dead?” she asked, logically she thought.
“Uh, Ty saved you, remember?” Christy told her. Sapphira thought about it and then remembered Ty coming off of the cliff after her and then something else she could not remember.
“I am not remembering much. I thought I saw him come over the cliff after I did, but then some weird stuff happened, and I think I passed out,” she explained. “Where is Ty anyway?”
They both pointed behind her. She turned at the waist to look behind her and with a scream jumped off her seat. She backed towards her assistants until she was up against them shaking.
She was looking at a dragon. It was a real dragon, golden and shimmering like a gem. The scales shifted as the dragon lifted its head looking right at her. The long snout smiled and a forked tongue flicked out and licked its lips. The eyes were a shining sapphire blue that shifted to an incredible ruby color and back to sapphire. Sapphira was briefly beguiled by the vision, but snapped quickly out of it as the huge beast chuckled.
In the Arms of the Dragon Princes Page 128