Tall, Dark, and Medieval

by Barbara Devlin

  “I’m not afraid.” She turned back toward him, hands on her hips and surveyed him in the pool. He stood in water up to his waist, the flicker of the torches casting dark shadows over his eyes. Here stood the Dragon’s Son, dangerously handsome. She was alone with him, and he was naked.

  “Nay, I don’t believe you are. But you’re afraid of me, aren’t you?”

  Her lip trembled and she longed to tell him it was true, but wouldn’t admit it. She had to stay strong, hold her ground. If she admitted her weaknesses, he’d be sure to use them against her. Her father taught her this since she was very young. Once your enemy knows your weakness, you are doomed. Protect your secrets at all costs.

  “Nay,” she lied. “I am not afraid of you.”

  “Then prove it. Come join me in the pool.”

  Her heart skipped a beat and she felt her face flush. She couldn’t join him in the water. He was naked, and most likely excited.

  “I don’t have a change of dry clothes.”

  “Then take them off. I don’t fancy my wife wearing peasant rags to begin with.”

  “I . . . I couldn’t.”

  “Oh, that’s right. You are not only afraid of me, but the water as well. I’m surprised you were brave enough to even think of leaving the castle without me by your side.”

  “I don’t need your protection. I can take care of myself. I always have and I’m not a helpless damsel that needs a man to survive.”

  “Brave talk from a woman who’s fully clothed and out of my reach. I dare you to say that to my face. Up close.”

  “All right, I will.” She started toward him.

  “Without your clothes.”

  She stopped, heart thumping loudly.

  “With your body in the water,” he finally finished.

  “That would be convenient, wouldn’t it? Then you could have your evil way with me right there in the pool. No one would hear my screams or be able to stop you from taking me.”

  “I thought you didn’t need anyone to come to your rescue.”

  She’d played right into his hands on that one. She had half a mind to strip naked and jump in just to prove him wrong.

  “If you’re that eager to bed me, then just say so.”

  “I told you I wouldn’t touch you again against your will, Brynn. Though my body’s always willing, I don’t want you if you don’t want me.”

  “Good. Then I guess that’s settled.”

  “’Tis.”

  There was an awkward moment, neither of them speaking, Brynn just standing there wondering what to do next.

  “If you don’t join me in the pool, I think I’ll float on my back.”

  “No!” She held out a hand to stop him. “Don’t do that.” It’d be much easier if he just stayed under the water. “I’ll join you.”

  “Good,” he said with a smile, and swam to the edge of the pool, resting his chin on his arms to watch.

  “Turn around while I disrobe.”

  “Have you forgotten? I’ve already seen your body naked.”

  She hadn’t forgotten. She remembered quite well how he’d stripped her charred clothes from her the day he’d saved her from the dragon. Also, how he’d bathed her body, probably touching every part of her while she lay unconscious in his arms. The thought of it sent a heat coursing through her. It was a heat of a woman wanting the comforts a man could give her. She couldn’t help but think of how they’d made love in their dreamwalking states and wondered if it would feel as good in the physical state as well.

  “Turn around,” she repeated, and he did. She stripped out of her clothes, and put them in a neat pile by the edge of the pool. Then, taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and jumped in.

  And sank straight to the bottom.

  Her eyes popped open and she felt herself suffocating. She needed air. Needed breath. She needed Drake.

  She grabbed for him, her hand reaching for his leg. When she realized it wasn’t his leg she touched, she let go in horror and tried to swim the other way. Her eyes closed, her head spun. She felt dizzy and nauseous all at once. Her lungs burned, ready to explode. She never should have jumped into the water. She was sure she was going to die.

  Then two strong arms grabbed her around the waist and lifted her from the water. She released the breath she was holding, gasping for air.

  “Relax,” she heard Drake’s deep voice in her ear. “Relax and enjoy it.”

  “I can’t. It’s too deep. I can’t swim! I’m going to drown.”

  He raised one brow, and a grin parted his lips. “I don’t think so.”

  He released her and she started to sink. She reached out, begging him silently to save her.

  “Put your feet down, Brynn.”

  Just as she went under the water again, his arms scooped her up and this time when she broke the surface she wrapped her arms around his neck so he wouldn’t let go.

  “Don’t do that again. Don’t let me go. I need you.”

  “No, you don’t,” he said.

  “Yes, I do,” she screamed. “I lied when I said I didn’t need you. Now please, don’t let go of me again.”

  “You really are afraid of water.”

  She hugged him tightly, very aware of her bare breasts pressed against his chest. She was also aware of his need for her, as he stood hard and ready, waiting for her.

  “Put your feet down, my lady. The pool is shallow. As you can see - I’m standing.”

  She suddenly realized he was right. The water was only up to his chest. Her legs were wrapped around his hips, holding on for dear life.

  “Unless, you’d rather we stay this way. ’Tis a wonderful position for coupling. Just say the word that you want me.”

  She did want him. The thought of coupling in that position in the water made her body swell for him. Her breasts longed to be suckled and her burning desire made a path between her legs. All she needed to do was to say she wanted him and they’d be making love just as they’d done in their etheric forms. She longed to feel her release with Drake. To be his wife in the true sense of the word.

  “Don’t you trust me?” he asked. “I trust you.”

  That was all she needed to hear. Suddenly her passionate desire turned from fire to ice. He trusted her in this form, but on the dreamwalking form he knew better. She hadn’t been honest with him. If she made love with him now, it just wouldn’t be right. She put her feet down and released her hold around his neck. With it went the warmth, the passion, the fire that burned between them. She could see the disappointment in his eyes and knew she needed to say something to explain herself.

  “I - just can’t. Not yet.”

  “Then when?” he growled, lifting himself from the pool. The water splashed from his body, and she could see his full form in the flickering torch light. He was beautiful. She was really seeing her husband for the first time, and she wanted nothing more than to drink him in and remember this forever. The water ran in rivulets down from his dark hair, making a crooked path over his broad, sturdy chest. He held a longing for her in his eyes that was masked by his own disappointment. He stood before her like a god, and she wanted nothing more than to lick the water droplets from his body. His hands were on his hips, his legs spread in a stance. His personal sword was at the ready, and she wanted this dark warrior to do nothing less than ravage her body.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “I just can’t.”

  “Then stop devouring me with your eyes,” he said, turning to put on his hose though his legs were wet. “I don’t want you looking at me with wanting in your eyes and then telling me you can’t lay with me. You’re taunting me and I don’t like it. You’re trying to gain control over my desires and emotions.”

  “Nay, I am not. You don’t understand.” She didn’t want control over his desires or emotions. Just over Thorndale Castle.

  “I guess not.” He pulled on his boots and stood before her in hose, boots and nothing else. It was a tempting sight. His hose stretched over his hi
ps like a second skin, and she wanted to be in his arms once again. His eyes said so much to her. They told his frustration, his will, his anxiety. They told her he was a man who needed to be loved and held and cared for, just as much as she needed those exact same things. He pulled on his tunic and braies and strapped on his belt.

  “You’re leaving me?” she asked, when he donned his cape. A sudden wave of anxiety coursed through her body.

  “Did you want me to stay?”

  She licked her lips, contemplating his words. What was he really saying? What was he asking and how should she answer?

  “I’d like you to stay to see me back to the castle. Nothing more.”

  The sound of the cold metal slipping into his scabbard as he replaced his sword echoed the coldness in his eyes.

  “I will do that, my lady. In the morning.”

  “The morning?” Her voice trembled at the thought of spending the night with him inside the cave.

  “The drawbridge will be up by the time we get back to Thorndale. I don’t fancy sleeping in the rain. We’ll stay here till daylight. Now, I want you out of the water and dressed by the time I return with game for our meal.”

  He left her in the water by herself. Suddenly, she felt very foolish. The water wasn’t going to hurt her. Neither was Drake. Because she’d hurt herself more tonight than anyone or anything ever could.

  THE DRAGON AND THE DREAMWALKER

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Brynn’s hands shook as she tied the laces of her bodice. Why had she even followed Drake to begin with? She should have stayed at the castle and confronted him there, where she always had somewhere to go - away from him. Now she was forced to spend the night with him, and she didn’t know if she could do it.

  She looked toward the mouth of the cave. It was very dark out there. The rain poured down and she couldn’t help but think of Drake out there trying to hunt up something for their meal. She pulled on the worn leather shoes that were a bit too snug for her feet. She longed for the comfort of her own clothes. Her mother’s clothes.

  She was tying the laces when the noise from the pool startled her. She looked up quickly, noticing the fog that had settled over the warm water. The torches on the walls still burned brightly, and in the mist she thought she saw a man’s form. She jumped back, hands against the cold stone wall behind her, too scared to move or she’d have run for the entrance of the cave.

  “Come,” she heard a deep voice calling to her.

  She looked around, scanning her surroundings, wondering if Drake had come back, but somehow knowing it wasn’t him.

  “Come to the water,” the voice whispered.

  “Drake?” His name feebly fell from her lips.

  No answer.

  “Drake? I demand you answer me!”

  Then she saw the bluish-white light swirling in the mist, dancing in the air. She felt compelled to get a better look, and went toward it. The light lured her closer to the pool, sparkling, glowing, calling to her with silent pleas. She reached out for it, wanting to touch the light. It reached toward her, she reached toward it. Closer, warmer, luring, calling. Then just as her finger was about to touch it, it disappeared in a flash, leaving her cold, startled and alone.

  “I’m here,” came the same deep voice. She looked down into the pond and saw the face of a man. He was dark and angry, like Drake. He had the same ebony eyes and looked similar to Drake of Dunsbard, but much older. Wrinkles crinkled in the corner of the man’s eyes. His skin looked rough and weather-beaten.

  “Wh - who are you?” Brynn’s mind told her to run away from there, but her heart told her to stay. Her curiosity was aroused and she wanted to know more about this man, just as she did about Drake.

  “You don’t need to know who I am,” he told her. “I can only appear to you for a short while. ’Tis important I get this information to Drake. You can relay my message.”

  “Are you a demon?” she asked.

  “Not anymore than you are,” he answered.

  “Why can I see you in the water? Are you a sorcerer of some sort?”

  “There’s too much to explain. I don’t have time.” His words were clipped and his brows furrowed. “I need you to help Drake.”

  “Why?” She crossed her arms in front of her.

  “Blast it, woman, you are stubborn. I don’t know how my son puts up with you.”

  “Son?” She stepped back, startled, all the while trying to focus on the man’s reflection in the pool. “You are Drake’s father?”

  “I told you to stop asking so many questions.” His jaw twitched just like Drake’s when he was mad.

  “Aye, I see the similarities now. You are his father. Can I see his mother as well in this pool?”

  She must have asked the wrong question, because the man’s eyes grew even darker and the anger in his face couldn’t be disguised. There was so much Brynn didn’t understand.

  “Tell him he can’t kill the dragon with weapons. He must not try to strike it down or -”

  His voice was fading as well as his image. The light was dancing in the mist above the pond again, but this time it was red and orange.

  “Or what?” Brynn leaned closer to the water, trying to hear him and to keep him in focus. The light swirled above her head, and she felt the intense heat emanating from it.

  “He must not - ”

  His voice was cut off by a loud roar that echoed off the cave walls. His face disappeared, and in the water she could see the reflection of a dragon directly above her. She looked up to see a huge green and grey beast hovering over her, tail lashing back and forth, eyes burning in its head. Its teeth were even bigger than the Dracus’s, and so were its clawed talons, reaching out for her.

  “Brynn, get away!” Drake’s voice came from the mouth of the cave. He stood in the doorway with a rabbit dangling from the end of a rope. His cape and clothes were soaked. His wet hair clung to his shoulders, dripping water down his half-exposed chest.

  When Brynn tried to back up, the dragon’s tail swished past her, knocking her off balance. As she fell into the water, she saw Drake dropping the rabbit and pulling out his sword. The water covered her head and filled her nostrils as she sank to the bottom. All was quiet, but looking up she could see Drake slashing at the dragon with his sword. With each swipe the dragon only got bigger. Her lungs burned and she struggled to get to the top, but something was holding her down.

  She turned to find the dark-eyed man, Drake’s father, holding on to her gown, shaking his head. Though he didn’t move his lips she could hear his words.

  Help him defeat Dracus. If you don’t, he’ll be consumed by the dragon. It’ll be too late to help him after that.

  The man’s hand let go of her clothes and reached upward. The dragon came down into the water, heading right toward him. That’s all Brynn saw before a strong hand grabbed the back of her clothes and pulled her to the surface.

  She came up gasping for air, and choking on the water that had invaded her lungs. Drake held her like a bitch carrying her newborn pup by the scruff of the neck. Her body in one hand, sword in the other, Drake, her savior, pulled her to the edge of the pool. If she wasn’t mistaken, he held a trace of concern in his eyes.

  “Dammit, woman how many times do I have to tell you? Put your feet down. The pool is shallow. You won’t drown if you stand on your own two feet.”

  Brynn did as he asked, and took a minute to catch her breath.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure. Mayhap you should remove yourself from the water.”

  Without waiting for her answer, Drake hoisted her up with one strong arm, pulling her toward him. Her arms automatically went out to him and she found herself clinging to his shoulders. Her face was close to his. Her lips even closer. Neither one of them moved, and though she still trembled in fear from her episode, she felt the need to kiss him. She leaned forward and did just that. His lips were stiff and he didn’t respond.

  “I told you I�
�m done playing games, Brynn. Don’t kiss me unless you mean it.”

  When she didn’t respond, he released her, but their eyes still stayed interlocked.

  “Drake, where did that dragon come from? It wasn’t Dracus. It was a different one. Now we have two dragons to contend with?”

  He looked to the pool, shaking his head. “I don’t know. But it’s gone now. I’m not at all sure it’s even real.”

  “What is this place?” she asked. “Why did you come here in the first place?”

  He looked away, obviously not wanting to answer. “I have a rabbit for our meal,” he said instead. He cleared his throat and busied himself with getting it from where he’d dropped it at the entranceway. He also picked up a saddlebag and brought it with him into the torchlight.

  “Drake, I need to know. I don’t understand any of this.”

  “I’ve got some branches at the mouth of the cave. I’ll make up a spit and we’ll roast this over the fire. ’Tis not much, but it’s all I could find for now. Until the rain lets up.”

  She couldn’t believe he was ignoring the fact they’d just been attacked by a dragon that may not have even really existed. She wanted to tell him about seeing his father, and his warning to Drake, but she knew he’d just ignore that as well. She wasn’t going to get any answers out of him tonight. Why had she thought by following him she’d learn more about him? All she did was become more confused, as more questions came to the surface.

  She would play his game if that’s what he wanted. But sooner or later, he was going to answer every question she had in her mind.

  He removed his cloak and ringed out the water just outside the cave. Then he pulled a dry rag from the saddlebag at his feet, and wiped down his blade.

  “I was lucky to get this saddlebag off of Gollimer before he broke his rein and ran off.”

  “Gollimer’s gone?” There went her last hope of leaving this awful place this night.

  “He’ll show up back at the castle eventually. Either that or he’ll be waiting for us outside the cave by morning. He’s like a homing pigeon. He won’t go far. He must have sensed the dragon.” Drake looked back toward the pool as he dried his blade. “I’ve never seen him so scared. Not even when we encountered Dracus.”