by Bianca D’Arc
Seth was polite. Cordial, even. He thanked them for stepping into the breach and helping Bronwyn deal with his absence. He answered their questions about some treatment he’d helped with on one or two of their chronic patients, but he could see they were asking more out of kindness than any real lack of knowledge. He could almost see the pitying looks in their eyes.
He had to get out of there.
“Forgive us, ladies, but Sir Hrardorr and I need to move on. It was very pleasant meeting you both, and thank you again for taking such good care of Bronwyn and our friends here in the Lair.” Seth made all the right noises, trying to be as gracious as possible, while inside, he was dying a little.
They let him go with little more fuss, and he led Hrardorr upward toward one of the lesser ledges where casual fliers launched from for practice or pleasure flights. It was empty now, just as Seth had hoped.
Night had fallen outside, and the stars were out in their multitudes. Peace lay over the land outside like a warm and accepting blanket. For now.
Seth knew it was a deceptive calm. The battles would rage again before long, and somewhere, out in the darkness, evil plotted. His personal troubles, by comparison, were nothing. He knew that. But, to him, they were everything.
Still, coming up here was good. It helped him get a little perspective.
He sat near the edge of the opening in the rock wall, gazing out at the stars. Hrardorr had sat behind and to one side of him, resting his head on his outstretched forearms, right next to Seth. They both had the same view of the vast inky blue sky crowded with little points of light.
“I’d forgotten how beautiful the sky is at night,” Hrardorr said quietly into Seth’s busy mind. “How peaceful. How limitless.”
“I need a little peace right about now. I’m sorry to have cut your tour short. I just couldn’t…”
Seth trailed off, fearing Hrardorr would think him cowardly for not wanting to see any more how the Lair had gone on happily without him. As if he’d never been there at all. As if they were better off with him gone.
“It’s not easy to feel useless.”
Seth turned to look at the dragon, his eyes wide. “How in the world did you know?”
Lazy puffs of smoke curled upward from Hrardorr’s nostrils. “It takes one to know one.”
Seth realized, of all the dragons in the Lair, Hrardorr was uniquely qualified to understand Seth’s predicament. He just shook his head and returned his gaze to the stars.
“By the Goddess. We’re a fine pair, aren’t we?”
Seth didn’t expect an answer to his rhetorical question, but Hrardorr surprised him yet again.
“Did you ever think the Mother of All may have put us in each other’s path for a reason? Perhaps this is it. No one can understand better how you are feeling right now, Seth. And now, you understand how I’ve been feeling for a long while. Perhaps we are meant to help each other find meaning in our new situations. I know you have already helped me a great deal. I could not have accomplished any of what I have done since coming to the Southern Lair without your unfailing faith in me. I see that now. And I thank you for not giving up on me. Now, perhaps, you must not give up on yourself either.”
While Seth was elated with Hrardorr’s praise and positive attitude on his own behalf, he was less enthusiastic about his advice for Seth’s problems. He didn’t know how to do what the dragon suggested. He needed guidance. Help. Someone to tell him what to do next without messing up his life even more. Maybe…maybe Hrardorr was the one who could do that.
“You know, maybe you’re right, my friend. And, while I thank you for your kind words about my role in your heroic deeds, it was tiny compared to what you found within yourself. You are an amazing being, Hrardorr. Never forget that. Sighted. Blind. It makes no difference to the heart of you, which is pure and true, and the most courageous I’ve ever known.”
Seth was not shy about heaping praise on the dragon. It was his own life that was messed up beyond repair. He couldn’t help but feeling that Hrardorr was on an upswing while Seth was heading downward. He would never begrudge the dragon his good fortune, but it was hard to be positive about his own life when the downturn had only just come to light. He needed some time to adjust and regroup.
“I’m just not sure what to do next. I mean, for the next little while, I’m with you, obviously. But, when the spell wears off and you don’t need me anymore, I have no clue what path I should follow. It’s obvious Bronwyn doesn’t need me anymore. She has more, and better, help than I could ever be. Yet, I’m not a knight—much to my parents’ disappointment—and cannot help fight from within the Lair. I’m not really cut out to herd animals or serve in the many other ways needed in the Lair. I can’t cook. Wouldn’t do well as a server with everyone looking down at me. It hurts too much to see the pity and derision.”
“Like Trevalian. I should have bit him,” Hrardorr said in a disgusted tone.
That startled a laugh out of Seth. “Nah. The dragons aren’t bad. Sir Trevalian was just a little rude, but that’s not the worst I’ve had. His sort of dragon only finds worth in knights. The rest of us are just non-entities to ones like him. Fortunately, I’ve not run across too many like him, but there are a few. Just like there are rude people in the world. Only there are a lot more rude people than rude dragons, in my experience.” Seth sighed. “I suppose I’ll have to leave the Lair after this. Maybe I’ll go back to Gryphon Isle for a time, if Gryffid will allow it. I felt like I could really contribute there.”
“It is a good place,” Hrardorr said quietly. “But I will admit to a selfish wish that you would remain nearby. I would find it…hard…to not be able to talk to you and be your friend, Seth.” Hrardorr paused for a moment, then went on, “I have never had a human friend before who was not also my knight. I confess, perhaps I’ve been a bit more like that blasted Trevalian than I care to admit, but you’ve shown me—you and Livia both—have shown me that true friendship doesn’t care whether it’s a dragon or a human who wears that soul. When two souls are meant to share a friendship, all that matters is that they be together and let the friendship blossom. You taught me that, and I am forever grateful for the lesson, though it was hard learned. I am still a stubborn dragon, I will admit. And I’m glad you didn’t give up on me. There were so many times when you could have—should have. I made it very difficult to be my friend, yet you persevered.”
“You’re worth it,” Seth answered simply. “And it would be really hard not to be around you on a daily basis too. I might not have the courage to simply hitch a ride with one of Livia’s merchant vessels to the island. I might just end up licking my wounds here. I suppose if you’re around, it could still be tolerable. But I still have no idea what I’d do with my time. Bronwyn doesn’t need me anymore.”
“You have many talents and skills, Seth,” the dragon replied. “But, if this Lair is too confining for you, perhaps I will go with you to Gryphon Isle and beg indulgence from the wizard and his folk. We could both be of help there, with the new Lair.”
“And you could be with the sea dragons,” Seth said, thinking over the idea. It was a good one, actually. “Though I would miss home and the people here. My family. Livia. Still…” Seth hated to think of his future and Livia’s role—or lack of one—in it. “If she’s destined for others, it would be hard to be here when she finds them.”
“It’s hard for me to believe that the Mother of All would be so cruel to both of us, but perhaps there is a lesson in this for us somewhere,” the dragon commiserated.
“Both of us? Hrardorr, have you found a female that calls to you as well? Genlitha, perhaps?”
Seth didn’t want to tease Hrardorr. He understood the pain of love all too well now.
Hrardorr merely grumbled, the vibration of the sound filling the cave opening while smoke puffed from his nostrils and headed for the sky. The dragon wasn’t talking, and Seth had to respect that.
They sat quietly for a long time, Seth watching the st
ars, Hrardorr watching them through Seth’s eyes. Finally, Hrardorr stirred a bit and spoke again.
“If I wasn’t so tired from the long day we’ve already had, I’d say we should take a flight through the darkness. See if we could touch the stars, maybe.”
“I’d love that, but perhaps we should postpone it until tomorrow when we’re both rested. You’re right. It was a big day.” Seth got up and dusted off his pants. “But this was a good way to end it. Shall I walk you back to your quarters?”
Hrardorr stood and stretched carefully. “Yes. I think we’ve packed all we can into this day. It is time to sleep and renew ourselves for another one tomorrow.”
“Nicely put,” Seth said as he and Hrardorr began the trek through the Lair to the dragon’s private wallow.
When they got there, Seth took a good long look around for Hrardorr’s sake. He kept in mind that this was the first time the dragon was actually seeing the places he’d spent the past few months.
“Seth…” Hrardorr seemed unnaturally hesitant. Seth turned his gaze to the dragon and waited to hear what he wanted to say. “I would be honored if you would stay here tonight, in my chambers. There is a room for a knight, though it’s never been used. I believe it was kept in readiness, though. If you find it acceptable, I’d like for you to use it… While the spell lasts.”
Seth looked down, feeling tears behind his eyes that he refused to let fall. This was too close to being a real knight. But it was for Hrardorr. And Seth would do anything for this particular dragon.
“I’d be honored.” Seth went to check out the accommodations and found all he’d need to bed down for the night. Someone had even stowed his traveling pack in the corner of the bedroom.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Hrardorr said in a quiet tone. “I know it was rather presumptuous of me to ask them to do that, but I had hoped you would stay close while we are sharing your eyes.”
Seth steeled himself and turned to face the dragon, who had craned his neck into the archway that connected the human-sized bedchamber to the dragon wallow outside. “Not at all,” Seth told him. “It makes sense to stay close, and I told you I was yours for the duration. Thank you for thinking ahead. This will do very nicely.”
And just like that, they were back to being more formal. Perhaps they had bared too much of their souls to each other tonight. Maybe it was safer to hold back. Seth wasn’t sure, and he was too damned tired to think any more heavy thoughts tonight.
He made sure Hrardorr was safely in his wallow and then collapsed on the bed. Thankfully, someone had put clean sheets on it and freshened the pillows. Between that thought and the next, Seth fell fast asleep.
*
“Livia? Are you still awake?” Genlitha’s voice came to Livia as she was preparing for bed.
Livia was finally back at her home, having spent the hours since arriving back on the mainland, first working with Mr. Stuart, and then instructing the staff back at the office on her wishes for disposition of the goods she’d brought from Gryphon Isle. There were many questions asked by the planners and buyers. Most of them, she couldn’t yet answer regarding ongoing contact between her father’s company and the fair folk of Gryphon Isle.
A lot would depend on if the book could be found and what would happen in the larger world, if it couldn’t be retrieved. If the worst happened, they’d be preparing for a war unlike any that had been seen in centuries. If not, it still might mean war, which would disrupt trade—as such things always did. And her father’s commitment of armed ships meant he’d probably want to fight rather than trade as his first priority.
And wasn’t that a surprise? She’d learned so many things on Gryphon Isle, it was still hard to process it all.
“Yes, Lady Genlitha, I’m awake. Is anything wrong?”
“No, dear. It’s just…” The dragoness paused, uncharacteristically hesitant. “I think Gowan has been feeling a bit left out. You’ve spent so much time with Seth lately, I think maybe Gowan feels as if he’s no longer required—or desired.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth!” Livia was shocked and upset that she might’ve been neglecting Gowan’s feelings in all this. She’d been insensitive, and that hadn’t been her intent at all. She had to fix this. “Where is he?”
“He said he wanted to take a walk and made me let him off down by the docks. I’m no good at stealth in the dark, but I’ve been trying to keep an eye on him. I think he’s outside your house. Down in the courtyard. I think he has some idea about keeping watch over you, even though we have to be up for a dawn patrol tomorrow morning.”
“Silly man,” Livia huffed, going to the window and throwing it open. It took her a moment for her eyes to adjust enough so that she could see him, sitting in the shadows. At least he wasn’t standing, but that was all that could be said for his actions. “Just what do you think you’re doing out there?” She utilized the silent speech so as not to alert the whole neighborhood to the goings on in front of her house.
Gowan stiffened, getting up and walking out of the shadows. “I…just wanted to make sure you’re safe.”
“Wouldn’t that be easier if you were up here instead of down there?” she challenged, a smile on her face that he couldn’t miss.
“I didn’t want to presume…”
“Gowan, I love you, but you drive me crazy sometimes.” Exasperation made her speak before thinking through her words. He stilled, and she realized what she’d said.
“You what?” He moved closer, standing right beneath her window. The trellis seemed to be highlighted in the moonlight, advertising a quick, easy way up to her room. Heaven knew, she’d used it enough time to climb in and out of this very window when she wanted to be free of the constraints of being Lady Livia.
She decided to be bold. “Come up here, and I’ll tell you again.” With a saucy wink, she turned away from the window, leaving it wide open, the long gauzy curtains drifting in the gentle breeze.
Faster than she thought humanly possible, Gowan must’ve climbed that trellis, because he was behind her only moments later, his arms going around her waist as he pulled her back against his chest.
“Tell me again. Like you promised.” His gruff tone sounded next to her ear, sexy and exciting.
“You make me crazy, Gowan,” she teased, meaning the words in a completely different way as his hands roamed her body, pausing to cup her breasts, his thumbs rubbing over her nipples.
“The other part,” he prompted before biting down gently on her earlobe with just a hint of a sting to let her know he meant business. He would not be denied the prize he’d come to claim.
Thank the Goddess.
“I love you,” she whispered. “Surely, you know that by now.” She turned in his arms, lifting her fingers to the back of his neck, tangling them in the short hairs at his nape. “I wouldn’t give myself so completely unless I was in love with you.”
“And Seth?” he asked, seeming to measure her words.
She nodded. “And Seth,” she confirmed. “Though I haven’t told him yet. Of course, neither of you have told me what you’re feeling yet either, so I’m being the brave one here.”
“No need for bravery, my love. My heart has been yours for a very long time. Probably since the first moment we met. Never doubt my love for you, Livia.”
She felt happy tears gather in her eyes. He loved her. She’d thought maybe he did, but she hadn’t been quite sure. Now, despite the problems still in their lives, she had hope that somehow love really would conquer all.
Livia kissed him, reaching up on her tiptoes to capture his lips with hers. She poured all her wild emotion into the kiss, loving the strength of his arms around her, the warmth of his lips against hers, even while his clothing—still cold from the outside—made her body shiver in delightful ways.
But he was wearing too much. She pushed at his shoulders, making room for her fingers to undo the lacings. Within moments, she had what she wanted…warm, bare skin. His manly, muscled ch
est rippled under her palms as his arms wound around her, his fingers tangling gently in her hair as he took her lips again and again with his own.
When they were both naked, he placed her on her back and trapped her legs against his chest. They were raised, and he held them together when she tried to part them. She had no idea what he had in mind, but was willing to do whatever he liked.
Gowan didn’t disappoint. He showed her something new, sliding into her with her legs held together against his shoulder. The fit was tight, the feeling incredible. She moaned on each slide in and out of her aching body.
When she was nearing the brink, he pulled out.
“Gowan?” she asked, hating the whine she couldn’t quite hide in her voice.
“So impatient,” he whispered, moving her body around on the bed, positioning her just the way he wanted. “You’ll get what you want, but first, I have plans for you, my love. Big plans.”
She wanted to cheer when he spread her legs wide, coming down on the bed between them, but he didn’t enter her. Instead, he just looked. Then, he touched. He pinched her skin, ever so lightly, increasing the pressure until she squeaked with a new thrill she hadn’t felt before.
“You have a very pretty pussy, did you know?” he said, almost conversationally. “So responsive. So slick.” He rubbed his fingers through her moisture, then delved into her with first one finger, then two. All the while, his gaze stayed on what he was doing to her body, only occasionally rising to meet her eyes.
She was fascinated by the single-minded concentration he showed as he looked at, fondled, and invaded her most private place. Never before had anyone examined her in such detail.
“Tell me, do you like it when I do this?” He thrust into her, his thumb moving upward to slide over her clit. She sucked in a breath, her body quivering with need. Gowan smiled. “I can see that you do like it. Hmm.” His voice held approval and consideration. “What about this?”