Dragon Mates: Dragon Knights (The Sea Captain's Daughter Trilogy Book 3)

by Bianca D’Arc

  “Truly?” Hrardorr sounded very unsure of himself. “You have seen it?”

  Gryffid nodded. “I have. Furthermore, I will give you one more hint of your future, as a gift to celebrate your bonding.” Gryffid leaned closer to Hrardorr and spoke so that only the dragon could hear him.

  When the wizard stepped away Hrardorr’s head shot upward on his long neck—a clear sign of shock. Seth had no idea what Gryffid had told the dragon, but it had to be something rather surprising to elicit that sort of response.

  “Now, I believe your lady friend has something she wants to say.” Gryffid turned to Genlitha and bowed graciously, smiling all the while.

  Gryffid stepped back and let the scene unfold while everyone watched.

  “Do you mean to tell me that you chose Seth as your knight last night and neglected to mention it all day?” Genlitha’s tone—for those who could hear it—was outraged.

  “It was all rather sudden, and we were flying most of the night to get here. There wasn’t a good time to—” Hrardorr tried to explain but Genlitha cut him off.

  “Don’t be even more ridiculous than you have already been. Are you ashamed of him?”

  “Of course not!” Hrardorr’s angry response made Seth feel a bit better.

  “Are you ashamed of me?” Genlitha asked in a somewhat more subdued tone, though she was still quite angry.

  “Never!” Hrardorr replied at once. “Don’t ever think that, Genlitha. You are my best friend. My heart…” He trailed off, seeming unable to finish the thought, and Genlitha seemed to calm down a little, her head lowering to be nearer his.

  “My heart is yours, Hrardorr,” she said softly. “It has been for a very long time.”

  “And mine is yours, but—”

  She twined her neck with his in a clear sign of affection, cutting off his protest.

  “Then, you must see this is what the Mother of All intended from the very beginning. You and me. Together as mates.”

  “Mates?” Hrardorr’s tone was incredulous as well as happy. “Will you take me as I am, dependent on Seth to see?”

  “Hrardorr, you are the love of my life. I would have you in any condition, under any circumstances. That you have a fine man like Seth at your side, willing to lend his sight to you, is a great thing, but you and I were destined to be together—blind or sighted, whole or not. If you are in this world, I belong flying at your side, and vice versa.”

  Hrardorr was silent for a long moment as they sat there, necks entwined in draconic affection. When he finally spoke, his tone was as gentle as Seth had ever heard it.

  “I love you, Genlitha. I don’t deserve you, but if you’re sure we belong together, and truly don’t mind my limitations, then I can no longer deny the love in my heart, the yearning in my soul. I want you to be my mate, for now and for always.”

  “For now and for always,” Genlitha repeated, like a vow.

  Yes, Seth thought. This was how it was supposed to be. He looked over at Gowan, and they both nodded. If their dragons were mates, Gowan and Seth would spend the rest of their lives as fighting partners, living in the same suite in whatever Lair they were assigned to and sharing the same wife.

  Livia. Seth followed Gowan’s gaze to her. Her beautiful eyes were full of tears as she looked at the dragons.

  Seth went over to her and knelt at her feet. Gowan followed suit. She looked down at them in surprise and dawning understanding.

  “Will you, Livia O’Dare, do us the great honor of being our mate and completing our family?” Seth asked, remembering the formal words all Lair children were taught.

  Gowan, not raised in a Lair, added his own sentiment. “If you can stand living with us—all of us—you will make me the happiest of men. Say yes, Livia. My heart is yours and will be for all time.”

  “Mine, too,” Seth added. His heart ached, waiting for her answer.

  She was smiling. Crying too, but mostly smiling, which had to mean she was happy, right?

  “How can I say no? My heart has been yours for ages. I love you both, so much. And I love Hrardorr and Genlitha like family already. We five will make a happy home together. It is my fondest wish, and has been since I first became aware of the possibility. Thank the Goddess my stubborn friend Hrardorr finally came around.” She laughed then, leaning down to encircle their necks with her arms as she kissed their cheeks and any other parts of their faces she could reach.

  Applause broke out in the great hall as Seth was shaken back to reality. They’d just had a very public proposal, which wasn’t something he’d intended. It had just sort of…happened.

  Thank goodness she’d said yes!

  The simple dinner in their honor had turned into an impromptu mating feast, much to everyone’s delight. It wasn’t exactly the party Livia had envisioned when she’d dreamed girlhood dreams about getting married, but she wouldn’t have changed it for the world.

  This was more like an engagement party would have been, she supposed. She wondered what her father would say. He’d outright forbad her to get involved with her knights, but that had been when there was no reason to believe Seth and Hrardorr would ever come to terms and legitimize their relationship, which in turn would allow for a fully legitimate and recognized-by-the-crown, Lair-style marriage for the three humans. Perhaps her father would change his mind now that things had changed so drastically.

  Livia certainly hoped her father would see the light. She loved him, but she wouldn’t give up her two mates or the new family they were creating together with the dragons, for anything…or anyone. Even if her father chose to never speak to her again. She’d be sad, of course. She’d mourn, but she’d learn to live with it, if she had to.

  She hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Surely, when her father got to see how much her two mates loved her and cared for her, he’d relent. Maybe the dragons would be able to convince him, if she asked them to have a little chat with him? Genlitha might have the right touch, Livia thought, to talk around the stubborn sea captain.

  Regardless, she wished her father was here—or that she knew for certain where he was and that he was safe at this moment. She would have loved to have shared her happiness and this celebration of it with him, but as usual, her father was off on the high seas, sailing and searching, leading a fleet of fighting ships she’d had no idea he’d collected, in defense of Draconia.

  She was incredibly proud of him, but deep inside, she was still a little sad that he’d missed so many of the important milestones in her life. She’d been lonely a lot, with him gone all the time. She understood it now, of course, but she still missed him.

  Gowan and Seth had helped heal her heart, and between the two of them, they had eased the loneliness she’d felt for so long. The dragons had helped too. Hrardoor had been her friend first, after all, and Genlitha was becoming something of an older, much wiser sister. Livia looked forward to the family they would create—the five of them—together. Dragons and humans living in parallel, creating two families that would blend into one, in crucial ways.

  So much love. So much joy. It was hard to contain her happiness, and this party was a good start to a life that promised to be full of both challenge and bliss.

  Seth had assured her that there would still be a Lair ceremony, and another party, so his family could celebrate with them, and the entire Lair could bear witness. Livia wanted that for Seth. He’d been discounted by so many in that Lair since he’d made his decision to follow his kind heart to apprenticeship rather than the sword. She wanted them all to see that he was every bit the knight and Hrardorr every bit the dragon. She wanted them to have to accept that they’d been wrong about both of them. So very wrong.

  She knew Seth didn’t really care. He’d grown so used to disdain and poor treatment from some at the Lair that it didn’t even faze him, but if she was going to be taking up residence among those people, she wanted it clear from the get-go that Seth was their equal, and they owed him a big apology for treating him so badly all those y
ears. She wouldn’t tolerate any less. She wanted her men treated well, and she would see to it that they were recognized for the heroes they were.

  She watched fondly as Seth and Hrardorr took a moment aside to talk privately. They’d had harsh words the night before and it was time to mend that fence and start fresh. From the look on Seth’s face, coupled with Hrardorr’s ear and neck movements, as well as the way his eye ridges tilted and jaw softened, she thought they were having a real heart-to-heart. Seth’s spine had relaxed and a moment later, he’d hugged Hrardorr’s neck with his whole body, a sure sign that they had forgiven, forgotten and filled their hearts with love and friendship once again. Livia smiled, watching them.

  “Congratulations, my dear,” Gryffid said to her, leaning over to refill her glass with wine, causing her to look away from the dragon and focus her attention closer to hand. “I wish you a very happy life with your new family.”

  “Thank you, milord. I believe we all owe you a debt of gratitude for helping us find our way. And especially for helping Hrardorr. None of us could be happy if he was not.” She realized the deeper meaning of her words as she spoke them.

  Hrardorr had been the crux of it all. He’d befriended her first, bringing her to the attention of the Lair folk. He’d been so sad and so angry at his circumstances. His blindness had been the sticking point for it all—both the thing that made him explore the water as he never really had before, discovering the sea dragons and his own augmented abilities along the way—and it had been the thing that had blocked him from accepting all but those most determined to be his friends and companions. Herself and Seth.

  Hrardorr was the one who tied them all together. His ability to accept his fate and act the hero so many times, despite the troubles in his life, had also allowed him to finally accept the love they offered him so freely. The love of friendship from Livia and Seth—and even Gowan—and the love of a mate from the only female dragon to understand his true worth despite outward appearances.

  If Hrardorr had been unable to come to terms with his blindness, none of this would have been possible. They had all played a role in helping him adapt, but Livia suspected it was the wizard who had done the most good.

  Gryffid seemed to truly care, and for that, Livia would always respect him. He might be a great wizard inspiring awe in the rest of the world, but to her, he had the wise counsel of a father or grandfather—tough when called for, stern when needed, and always taking into consideration what was best for the being he was counseling.

  Livia reached out to the wizard, daring to touch his hand. “Thank you for all you’ve done for us. I will never forget your kindness or your patience.”

  Gryffid surprised her, taking her hand in his. She could feel a little tingle of magic where they touched, reminding her that the wizard was not human, though outwardly he looked like an ordinary man. In fact, he was a being of great power of a race long lost to this world, destroyed by their own awesome magic.

  “You are worth it. You are all worth it.” He smiled kindly at her. “Be happy in your life, Livia. That is my fondest wish for all of you, and my prediction. Your lives may not always be easy, but I can guarantee that they will be filled with love and laughter. Joy and hope.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  It wasn’t how things were usually done, but then again, nothing about the courtship of Hrardorr and Genlitha, or their human counterparts, had been exactly by the book. The proper mating ceremony and feast would be conducted back at the Lair, but the dragons—and the human part of the family—had agreed. They didn’t want to wait that long to experience their first mating flight.

  Gryphon Isle was where they’d found the freedom, courage, and magic that made their union possible, it was only fitting that the marriage of the dragons be consumated there. Besides, Livia guessed that Hrardorr was probably a little concerned about doing a blind mating flight in front of all those other dragons back at the Lair. Here, there was no one to judge—or at least, nobody who would dare critique or make fun of the blind dragon’s first attempts to join with his mate.

  The party started in the great hall. Gryffid said a few words, and then, everyone came up to the dragons and humans of the newly forming family to offer their congratulations. A few brought gifts, and the bards, of course, gave the gift of their music. One had already penned a song about the blind dragon and his fearless rider that brought tears to Livia’s eyes, even as Seth blushed.

  Hrardorr was a good sport about all of it, and Genlitha just seemed to glow with happiness. They sat side by side, surrounded by friends. A number of gryphons had joined them for the party, as well as Xander and Shara.

  And, when, after hours of revelry, the dragons finally left the great hall to take to the air, more than one mated pair of gryphons joined them in their midnight mating flight. Xander and Shara were much younger than Hrardorr and Genlitha, so even though they were already mated, there would be no rude commentary or teasing for the newlyweds, for which Livia was grateful.

  It was Seth who grabbed Livia’s hand when the dragons started out of the great hall. Though some of the other guests wanted to waylay the human side of the family, Gowan came up on Livia’s other side and made polite, but rather urgent, excuses to those who didn’t understand the gravity of the moment.

  There was a tension about her men that Livia found exciting. As the dragons disappeared out of the hall, Livia was propelled after them by Seth and Gowan. She just caught a glimpse of Genlitha’s tail as she exited the keep before Gowan lifted Livia into his arms and ran up the stairs, the sound of Seth’s pounding feet right behind them.

  Livia could feel it somewhat, but she wasn’t joined to the dragons the way her knights were. She’d heard stories about how the dragons’ passion influenced the knights, and though she had made love to both men many times, there was something vastly different tonight. They were both knights now. Both joined to dragons. And those dragons were about to mate for the first time after years of denial and solitude. Livia could only imagine what sort of emotional storm was bleeding over from the dragons to their bonded knights.

  Gowan literally ran down the hallway with Livia in his arms. They barely made it into their suite of rooms before clothing began flying in every direction. Within moments, the men had stripped her and themselves enough to do the job. Gowan pressed her against the wall just inside the door to their room, kissing her deeply as his passions rose to a level she’d never seen in him before.

  Seth had the presence of mind to close the door so any random passersby wouldn’t be treated to a rather scandalous show. Livia heard the door click shut somewhere in the back of her mind, though she was kept busy by Gowan’s skilled kisses and even more learned hands.

  As soon as the door closed, Seth came to her side. He fondled her breasts while Gowan moved back, making room for Seth. She wasn’t sure where he was taking her, but Gowan held her securely and she trusted he wouldn’t ever drop her.

  The two men acted in concert, their movements unpolished, but very effective. Seth kissed her while Gowan went farther into the room. She didn’t know why he’d left her until a moment later when she felt him behind her again and smelled the distinct fragrance of the herbal salve Seth kept at the ready. Gowan’s fingers dipped between her butt cheeks, spreading the warm lubricant, positioning her according to his whims while Seth licked his way down her torso.

  Seth used his fingers to expertly draw moisture from her channel, gauging her readiness while his tongue traced maddening circles around her nipples. She cried out at a small completion and would have fallen had both of her men not been there to prop her up.

  After that, she left everything up to them and just hung on for the ride of her life. It wasn’t long before Gowan slid into her from behind, going as slow as he could under the circumstances. She could feel the connection to the dragons riding the men, pushing them toward completion at a pace that was brutal, but sublime.

  Once Gowan was fully seated, Seth left off playing w
ith her clit and began the process of working his long, hard cock into her sheath. She cried out in pleasure at the feel of them both filling her. The connection to the dragons seemed to be spilling over to her a bit, and she thought she felt the moment when the dragons joined for the first time—it was a shared moment, for that was the same instant that Seth came into her fully, completing their three-way union to perfection.

  As the dragons strained toward the stars, locked in yearning and overpowering desire, the men felt the same need, the same drive, and the mental connection that allowed them all to communicate seemed to also let Livia in on the overwhelming emotions and passion that connected them all. It wasn’t a conscious thing. It was more primitive. Some sort of primal knowing that joined them all, though they remained separate beings, in separate encounters.

  The humans were merely feeling the spillover of emotions that the dragons could not contain during their moment of triumphant connection. It was majestic. It was beautiful. It was something Livia had never thought to experience, but even as she did so, could not imagine living without. This…was what she had been destined for, since the day she was born. These two men. Those two dragons. This life. This passion. This love.

  As the men strained toward completion along with their bonded dragons, Livia felt a connection like no other. She wasn’t just a member of the family. She was the binding agent—the crucial pivot point that tied them all together. In that moment, she felt her worth to them all and was awed by the grand design of the benevolent Goddess that had blessed the dragons and knights in this way. The Mother of All surely knew what She was doing when She’d created this arrangement. Livia felt touched, somehow, by the hand of the Goddess, even as she caught a glimpse of the stars from close up before shattering back to the ground, held safe in the arms of her mates.

  The dragons climaxed in unison with the human side of the partnership, and the ecstasy was like no other. It was as if everything that had come before had been amplified by the dragons. Livia finally began to fully understand the reason Lair families were so successful. Pleasure like this—the baring of souls and hearts mixed with the greatest physical pleasure a human could likely experience—was something to hold precious.