Dragon's Lair

by Denise Lynn

  He deepened his thrusts and brought them quickly over the edge to fulfillment.

  Alexia went lax beneath him. Once her breathing evened out, she smacked his arm. “That wasn’t fun.”

  Nearly unable to move, he whispered against her ear, “I don’t know, I kind of enjoyed it.”

  “You weren’t the one being tortured.”

  “I don’t know about that. I feel like I was.”

  She sighed, then pushed at his shoulder. “You’re getting heavy. Go take a shower.”

  He slid to her side and wrapped one arm around her rib cage. “Later.”

  She plucked at his hand, trying to remove his arm. “What are you doing?”

  “Nothing.”

  The way he said nothing made her realize he had something on his mind. “What?”

  Braeden slid his palm down to cover her stomach. “Twins?”

  “So says your aunt.”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  Alexia’s heart pounded. She didn’t want to give strength to the fears she harbored by talking about it. “I’ve actually tried not to think about it.”

  “Why?”

  “You know why.”

  Braeden angled his chest over hers, and resting on his elbows, he captured her gaze. “Nathan won’t hurt them. Trust me, Alexia. He won’t get the chance.”

  Her throat seemed to close, but she forced the fear out into the open. “As much as you want to, you can’t guarantee that. Braeden, what if…what if we lose them, too? I don’t think I could bear it again.”

  His fingertips ran soothingly over her cheek. “Shh, baby, don’t look for trouble. We’ll all be fine. Trust me. Trust us. We can get through this.”

  He’d said we as if the two of them were some kind of team. But they weren’t. Not by mutual choice. As far as he was concerned, they were only together because he’d ordered it. And he’d only done so because of the babies. Alexia choked back the emotions building in her throat.

  Still holding her gaze, Braeden frowned, asking, “Lexi, what are you thinking about?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing.”

  “Don’t.” His voice lowered to a warning pitch. “Don’t do this now.”

  “What? I’m not doing anything.” She tried turning her face away from his burning glare, but he grasped her chin, holding her in place.

  “Tell me what you’re thinking about.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Like you tell me what you’re thinking about?”

  He matched her expression. “Falling back into old habits isn’t the way to start things off.”

  “Start what? You mean our marriage? The one you ordered me to keep?”

  “This is a waste of our time.” Braeden pulled away and sat up. “Why don’t you just go file for a divorce and be done with it?”

  Shock, loss and unbearable heartache slammed against her all at once, taking her breath away. Alexia slowly sat up, drawing whatever slender thread of strength she could find inside along with her. “You’d let me do that?”

  He didn’t turn around, but answered, “If it’s what you want, yes.”

  She reached out hesitantly to touch him, then pulled her hand back. “Braeden, I…”

  Alexia didn’t know what to say, what to think. She only knew that the dark emotions raking her heart were unbearable.

  He glanced over his shoulder, then sighed as he turned to face her. “Alexia, file for a divorce so I can hunt you down and court you all over again.”

  She kept her attention riveted on her knees. “Why?”

  “So you know that my intentions aren’t directed solely toward the babies.” He lifted her chin with the side of his hand. “While their existence may have forced the issue, it’s their mother I want, not just them.”

  “Are you certain?” She closed her eyes for a minute before adding, “Because I’d rather raise them alone than force my presence on you.”

  “Force your presence on me?” Braeden shook his head before sliding his hand across her cheek to thread his fingers into her hair and pull her closer. With his lips against hers, he whispered, “I want you. Babies or no babies. You. Can you believe that?”

  Alexia slipped her arms around him, holding him tightly. He hadn’t said that he loved her, only that he wanted her, and she wondered if that would be enough.

  When he finally broke their kiss, she sniffed, fighting to gather her courage, and blinked away the gathering tears before pushing him away. “You need to go make certain Sean is all right.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. If I could summon that protection shield while my mind was hazy with lust, I’m certain I could do the same if I was afraid.”

  “I don’t have to go.”

  “No, Braeden. I’m sorry I acted so weak. Go.”

  He studied her eyes and found no fear, no nightmares haunting her gaze. “There’s nothing weak about you.” He captured her lips for another kiss before heading to the bathroom for a shower.

  Chapter 18

  Alexia slid up the bed, propped her back against the pillows, then tipped her head back and closed her eyes. Now that her heart didn’t pound with fear—or desire—she wanted nothing more than a nap.

  Even though she was thoroughly exhausted, she had to admit that Braeden’s unorthodox method of training worked. Although, if he ever mentioned training someone else she’d have to object—violently.

  “Alexia.”

  She sat bolt upright, opened her eyes and looked around the room.

  “Alexia.”

  It was Danielle’s voice. Why would she be trying to contact her, instead of Braeden?

  A vision formed in her mind. Alexia frowned. Danielle was chained to a wall in…a dungeon? She shook her head. Why would that image appear?

  “Alexia, help me.”

  Danielle tugged at the manacles around her wrists. Alexia heard the clank of chains.

  She leaped from the bed, scrambling to gather her clothes while yelling, “Braeden!”

  He swung open the bathroom door. Shampoo was lathered in his hair, water sluicing from his body. “What?”

  While pulling on her jeans, she said, “It’s Danielle. She’s in trouble. She’s…” Alexia paused trying to make sense of what she’d seen. “It looks like she’s chained up in a dungeon.”

  He rubbed his temples. “You concentrate while I rinse off.”

  She sat on the edge of the bed tugging on her socks and shoes. Unable to call the vision back, she whispered, “Danielle, talk to me.”

  The woman’s voice was weak and Alexia had to strain to hear it. “Help me. It’s Nathan.”

  Braeden came out of the bathroom wearing jeans and a shirt. He looked at her. “You aren’t coming with me.”

  Alexia got to her feet. “Nathan has Danielle. You can’t face him alone.”

  Braeden grabbed her shoulders. “Listen to me. Cam is more than able to help me. I don’t need to be worrying about you and the babies while I’m trying to rescue Aunt Dani.”

  “You have no reason to worry about me and our babies.”

  “Why? Because you’ve learned a few tricks? Danielle is far more experienced than you are, yet she’s being held captive by Nathan.”

  “And Danielle admitted herself that she has no powers other than those enabling her to communicate telepathically and cast a few spells.”

  “And you think you’re stronger than she is?”

  Alexia nodded. “I know I am.”

  Braeden sucked in a breath, then whistled low and soft. “You’ve gotten a little arrogant in the past few minutes, haven’t you?”

  She jerked back as if slapped, but held her ground. He was trying to piss her off so that she’d stay here. A couple more comments like that and he’d succeed.

  “Damn it, Alexia, promise me you’ll stay here.”

  She pretended to give in. Willing to play along—for now. “Fine. I promise…”

  He disappeared before she finished her sentenc
e. “…not to make you worry about me.”

  Braeden paused at the head of the stairs leading down to the basement of the Lair. Cam stood behind him.

  Luckily Sean had suffered nothing worse than a split lip from hitting the pavement facedown. Right now he was up in his suite nursing a bruised ego, completely oblivious to what was happening.

  Both Braeden and Cam preferred it that way. By the time Sean was ten, he’d refused to finish his lessons, claiming magic and wizardry existed only in fairy tales. They’d given him a hard time about it for years. But lately, neither of them bothered anymore.

  The last thing they needed right now was an uninitiated wizard anywhere near Nathan.

  Braeden glanced over his shoulder. “Ready?”

  Cam nodded. The two of them transported themselves to what they knew was a dark corner of the basement behind a partition.

  Braeden glanced around the makeshift wall and saw Danielle seated before a table. If she’d been chained to a wall, she wasn’t now. Two men flanked her at the table.

  Nathan was nowhere in sight.

  Cam whispered, “I don’t sense him.”

  Braeden agreed. The wizard wasn’t there. So what was this about?

  “I have no idea where she is.” Dani’s voice rose with anger. From her animated hand gestures, it was obvious her patience had reached its limit.

  The one man grabbed the front of her blouse and jerked her up from the chair. “You better get her here. Now.”

  Braeden swallowed a growl. These idiots wanted his wife? That wasn’t likely to happen.

  He stepped out from behind the partition. “Get your hands off her.”

  Both men pulled jewel-encrusted daggers from their boots. It was a fair guess that Nathan had sent them. If one wanted to kill a wizard, a nice, sharp, spelled blade would be the perfect weapon.

  The blade would not only cut through flesh, muscle and bone, it would also cut the wizard’s powers. As Drakes, Braeden and Cam had known that from the time they were old enough to learn their lessons. Which is why they were well trained in the use of blades.

  And there was no doubt it was the same with the Learneds.

  Braeden heard the rush of air behind him as Cam procured weapons.

  He held up his hand and flinched with surprise when Cam slapped the hilt of a battle sword against his palm.

  “Overkill, don’t you think?”

  Cam stepped to his side. “Why waste time with little toys?”

  Braeden snorted. His brother had been longing for a sword fight for some time. But every time they so much as mentioned a mock battle, Danielle went into hysterics. Obviously Cam wasn’t about to miss this opportunity.

  They approached the two men. Braeden asked, “Did Nathan send you?”

  The shorter man nodded. “Yes, our uncle asked for our help.”

  Excellent. Not only did these men work for Nathan, they were most likely wizards, too.

  To prove that as fact, the taller man shook his dagger, and it was transformed into a sword.

  Cam made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a growl. Braeden resisted rolling his eyes and held out his sword. He beckoned the men forward with his free hand. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

  Danielle bolted from the table and rushed toward him and Cam. “No, don’t do this.”

  “Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Braeden grabbed his aunt’s arm and swung her behind them, out of harm’s way. “Stay out of this.” He pointed toward the steps. “Go upstairs.”

  The rebellious look she shot him before heading for the stairs spoke volumes, but with the other two men approaching, he didn’t have time to be distracted.

  Braeden stepped away from Cam, giving both of them room to move. Prepared for the blow, Braeden only laughed when the taller of the two men swung his sword and made contact.

  He heard Cam defend himself against the other man. Sword clanging against sword echoed in the nearly empty basement.

  His own opponent was defeating himself by using brute force to strike at Braeden again and again. At this rate, the man would soon be winded.

  Until then, Braeden had only to dodge the blade and keep the man moving.

  Apparently the man came to the same realization. He stretched out his free hand and a ball of fire rose from his palm.

  Braeden shook his head. “You need to do better than that.” In the next heartbeat he set the sprinkler system on high. The heavy spray of water put out the fire.

  A curse ripped from the lips of Cam’s opponent as he slipped and fell on the now wet concrete. His curse turned to an agonized scream followed by the clatter of a sword falling, then bouncing on the floor.

  The taller man’s eyes narrowed and his lips thinned as he rushed Braeden. Ready for him, Braeden sidestepped and used the hilt of his sword to whack the man on the back of his head as he rushed by.

  Braeden glanced at Cam, who shrugged. “This wasn’t all that fun.”

  Both of Nathan’s nephews disappeared.

  Braeden headed toward the stairs. “Don’t be too disappointed. I don’t think this is over.”

  “Where are you going?” Cam was on his heels as they sprinted up the steps.

  Danielle and Sean met them at the top. “He’s here.” Dani looked away, hesitating.

  Sean said, “He has Alexia.”

  Braeden’s heart stumbled. “That’s not possible. She’s at Mirabilus. He can’t materialize there.”

  Cam put a hand on his shoulder and looked at Danielle. “She’s here, isn’t she?”

  Dani nodded.

  A string of curses ripped out of Braeden’s mouth before he asked, “Where?”

  Alexia materialized at the edge of the woods behind the Lair. She swore. Braeden had warned her that she could end up in the wrong place.

  Nathan’s laugh rippled across her cheek before he whispered, “Finally.”

  She turned around and stared at him, ignoring the sudden racing of her heart. He wore a long robe that billowed around him in the night’s breeze.

  The light of the full moon illuminated his eyes, making them appear to glow an evil shade of gold.

  “What do you want?”

  “Why, Alexia, I want what I’ve always wanted. The translation to the grimoire.”

  She held out her hand. A sheaf of papers appeared. “Here, take them.”

  He snatched them from her hand and quickly scanned the first page. With a bark of vile laughter he tossed it to the ground. Then did the same with the next page and the next.

  Finally he threw the rest of the pages at her, letting them blow across the open yard. “Is this your idea of a joke?”

  She shook her head. “No. I told you before it’s nothing more than a diary.”

  Nathan glared at her. His eyes narrowed. As if just realizing what she’d done, he asked, “Where did you get powers?”

  Alexia shrugged. “We don’t know. The book maybe?”

  He pulled a small wooden box from the inside of his cloak. Holding it up to the moonlight, he asked, “Aelthed, what trickery is this?”

  She stared in amazement as the cube levitated slightly and spun just above Nathan’s hand.

  “It is no trickery, you fool.”

  A voice she’d never heard before rang loud and clear from the box.

  “That was the secret, Nathan. My powers were woven into the pages of a seemingly useless grimoire. It was never an instruction manual. It was nothing more than a vehicle, a storage place to hide my powers until one deserving of them came along.”

  Nathan pointed a shaking finger in her direction. “And you gave them to her? A mere mortal? A woman is more deserving than I?”

  Alexia could feel his rage at being thwarted yet again. She stepped back from the heated anger emanating from his body.

  “I will not have it, Aelthed. They were mine. They’ve always belonged to me.”

  “It is too late, Nephew. They have been given to one far more deserving than you.”

&nbs
p; She wasn’t at all certain about the deserving part.

  Nathan screamed, “No! They are mine.”

  He turned to her. “I will take them from you. I will drink your death and have what is rightfully mine.”

  Drink her death? He’d lost his mind. Alexia turned to run, but he grabbed a handful of her hair and jerked her backward so hard she fell to the ground.

  Moonlight glinted off a dagger in his raised hand. Her breath stuck in her throat.

  The little wooden box spun out of control and slammed against the side of Nathan’s head. He instantly released his hold. Just as quickly, Alexia scrambled to her feet and raced toward the Lair.

  Her pulse pounded in her ears. Her breath came hard and ragged from her chest. A spot on her upper thigh burned like fire.

  Without stopping her race for safety, she reached down and felt the spot. The dragon pendant in her jeans pocket was burning her flesh.

  She pulled the emerald beast from her pocket and gasped. It glowed.

  “Alexia!” She stopped running as Braeden came to a near-breathless halt at her side.

  He grasped her wrist and she lifted the pendant. “Wait. I think he wants to help.”

  Braeden stood behind her, his strong arms wrapped protectively around her as they turned to face Nathan, who was still a few yards away. Holding out her hand, she placed the dragon face up on her palm and gently stroked the beast with a fingertip.

  The wings unfurled as the beast stretched its head, back and tail.

  Alexia pleaded with the growing dragon, “Faster, please. Before he gets here.”

  Braeden cupped one hand beneath hers and whispered over her shoulder, “Let me help.”

  She leaned harder against his chest, willingly accepting his offer.

  “I am the Dragon, little beast. My power is yours. Use it.” At Braeden’s command, the dragon shook itself, then quickly rose up from her palm and took flight.

  Braeden’s hold around her waist tightened and they watched the beast together.

  The dragon grew until it towered at least twelve feet. Its wingspan was enormous. And while Alexia knew any sane person would be terrified, she was awed at the beauty and power before her.

  Nathan had stopped dead in his tracks and now stared up at the dragon making slow circles around him. It dove toward him once, made another circle, and on the next graceful dive, reached out with long, sharp talons and grabbed the wizard.