The Captain's Dragon

by Bianca D’Arc

  “I wanted to talk to you about your virkin friend,” the wizard said, surprising Liam with the topic. “She is very young, but at some point in her life, you will have to bring Ella back to Elderland to see if she can find a mate. She is a brave lass, and such traits would be good to pass along to a new generation.”

  “When, milord? When would be a good time to take her? I mean… I don’t know much about how long virkin live or any of that,” Liam admitted.

  “Oh, they are very long-lived. That’s part of why Dranneth based his dragons on them. That, and he had a few clutches of very adventurous virkin who wanted to be bigger, and do bigger things, as they put it. Dranneth helped them get bigger with each generation until they evolved into the dragons you know today with his help. They are as much magical as miracle, if you ask me,” Gryffid added with a chuckle. “Beautiful creatures, but quite different from my own gryphons. I took two animals and put them together. The virkin—as you know from your dealings with Ella—are not, strictly speaking, animals. Not in the sense of the lions and birds I used, who have little self-awareness in their original states. Dranneth was tinkering with intelligent beasts. I started with wild animals, and true intelligence came after much input on my part. Dranneth’s dragons were smart from the beginning.”

  Liam was fascinated by the wizard’s words. Dragons came from ancient virkin? He’d had no concept of such an idea. He’d bet even the dragons didn’t know, based on how they reacted to Ella.

  “I should think your Ella might start seriously considering mating in about fifty years, give or take. You should plan to bring her back to her homeland then, and see if she goes for it,” he advised.

  Liam’s thoughts ground to a halt. “Milord, I’m already middle aged for a human. If I make it another fifty years, I will be a very old man. Too old for a sea journey to Elderland.”

  Gryffid laughed, his eyes twinkling. “That is not the future I see unfolding before you, my good captain.”

  “I don’t see how—” Liam began to protest, but Gryffid held up a hand to stop the flow of words.

  “Did you ever wonder how dragons extend the lives of their knights?” Gryffid asked, surprising Liam with what appeared to be a slight change of subject.

  “I wasn’t really aware that they did,” Liam admitted. “I am woefully ignorant of what happens between knights and dragons. I always had my eyes set on the sea and distant lands. I never thought I would get involved—or that my only daughter would get so deeply involved—with dragons and the people who work with them.”

  “I would advise you that it was somewhat shortsighted of you to avoid the creatures so completely. Especially when you are one of the rare ones who can hear them speak. Perhaps, deep down, you knew that that would make you eligible for choosing as a knight. Perhaps your thirst for the ocean was greater, and you were so determined not to be sidetracked by some flying lizard that you turned away from the topic completely,” Gryffid mused. “But yes, it was shortsighted,” he went on. “Dragons who bond with knights give some of their magic to their chosen partners. It just happens. And it extends the lives of the knights and their bonded mates for several centuries beyond normal human life spans. Of course, the knights lead dangerous lives. Not all make it to old age.”

  Liam’s head was spinning. His daughter was going to live for centuries because she had married a knight pair? When was she going to tell him that little nugget?

  “I can see a bond has already formed between you and your virkin friend. Remember, her kind is the ancient ancestor of the dragons. If Ella stays with you—and I see no reason why she wouldn’t—she will definitely have an effect on your lifespan,” Gryffid opined. “Now, if, perchance, you were to bond to a dragon in addition to the bond you already share with Ella, that would increase the magic flowing into you, thereby increasing your life again.”

  “But Skelaroth is a sea dragon. He will not take a knight the way the land-based dragons do,” Liam said.

  “Ah, yes. But I sense he has already bonded a bit to you, as well. Captain, you are like a magnet for these deep bonds that can only benefit you in the long run.” Gryffid chuckled at his own words. “You may have run the other way from dragons and their magic all your life, but you have not escaped. They’ve found you anyway.”

  Gryffid paused a moment while he laughed. Liam didn’t really see the humor, but he kept his peace, not wanting to argue with the wizard.

  “And that includes, by the way, the beautiful lady who arrived with you,” Gryffid added, gesturing toward where Rivka was smiling and laughing. She was dancing with one of the fair folk warriors who had found the courage to ask her to dance.

  “Rivka and I…” Liam didn’t really know what to say, and his words trailed off awkwardly.

  “Yes, Rivka and you,” Gryffid repeated in a significant tone of voice. “You are a good match, my boy. Though I know you both bear scars on your hearts. You humans love fiercely, but often in vain. But Lady Rivka is only half-human. If you mated with her, her dragon side would extend its magic to you, as well. She is strong. Stronger than any human female. She would not leave you, and she is very hard to kill. You could take a chance on loving her, if you’re brave enough to try.”

  *

  Gryffid had invited them to stay the night in his keep. They would go back to the mainland in the morning, though how they would travel remained in question, since Skelaroth had taken off soon after greeting the wizard and had not been seen since.

  Rivka had danced with many dashing fair folk males, but she really only had eyes for Liam. The dark and brooding sea captain had captured her heart entirely. Drat the man.

  Gryffid left the great hall at one point, though the music continued. The evening was winding down, and the music reflected that, getting slower and softer. No more rambunctious reels or line dances. The dancing now, was more intimate.

  Rivka didn’t want to dance so close to any of the fair folk men who had led her through the country dances. No. She only wanted to be in Liam’s arms.

  As if he heard her thoughts, he appeared behind her, holding out his arms for her to step into. Without words, she did just that, and he swept her around the dance floor in perfect time to the music. Liam, surprisingly, was a wonderful dancer, and she would hold this memory close to her heart forevermore.

  A magical night in a wizard’s castle with a band of the finest musicians in all the lands playing just for them. Or, so it seemed. Rivka had found her home in Liam’s arms.

  After a few songs, they went upstairs, hand in hand, to the suite of rooms that had been prepared for them. Their packs were already in the drawing room and two chambers were open off of the central sitting area. Without words, they chose one, and both went in. There would be no need for that second room tonight. One room. One bed. Two bodies and two hearts. That’s all they needed.

  Ella had flown into the suite with them but chose a soft chair to make a nest. They were in their own private little world in the beautifully appointed bedroom. The bed itself was huge and hung with golden draperies. A fire was laid in the hearth, but they would make their own heat.

  If they woke cold in the nighttime, Rivka could always get the blaze going with little fuss. Sometimes, it was handy being a dragon.

  “Someone’s thought of everything,” Liam murmured as he glanced into the large bathroom that was situated between the two bedrooms in the suite.

  Rivka walked over to where he stood by the door and looked in. The wide tub was half-filled with steaming water. A few rose petals floated on top, sending up a gentle scent.

  “That looks inviting,” she mused. “Want to share it?” She gave him a flirty sidelong look.

  He nodded, and she went into the large bathing chamber, undressing as she went. Liam followed her, doing the same. Her mouth watered as he lifted his shirt over his head and his muscles rippled. He was built on the large side, and every muscle was sculpted to perfection by the physical lifestyle he led. He might be the captain of his ship,
but he didn’t shirk hard work, and his fighting skills were sharp. Nobody stayed that good with a blade without constant practice. She knew that from first-hand experience.

  She undressed and placed her clothing on the bench that ran along one wall. As she straightened, Liam’s arms came around her waist, tugging her back against his hard body. He was as naked as she, and she felt the evidence of his desire against her backside as he lowered his head next to hers to nibble on her neck. Shivers of delight went down her spine, and he turned her in his embrace so that they faced each other.

  His lips found hers, and the next moments passed in a fog of pleasure as the moist air in the room began to feel sultry and the subtle scent of the flower petals complimented their languorous kiss. When he finally ended the kiss and pulled back, Liam picked her up in his strong arms and walked the few steps to the large tub, setting her down gently. He let her dip her toes into the water and kept watch over her with gentle care that was altogether endearing.

  “Too hot?” he asked.

  Rivka chuckled. “I’m a dragon, remember?”

  Amusement washed over his face, and he chuckled with her. “All I see, right now, is a luscious woman I want to make love with.”

  Touched, she reached up to cup his rough cheek in her hand. “That’s the sweetest thing any man has ever said to me.”

  His gaze darkened for a moment. Was it the reminder that she had known other men? Surely not.

  “I can see I’ll have to think of sweet phrases to get you used to loving words. You’re a beautiful, sensitive woman, Rivka. Any man who doesn’t treat you like the princess you are isn’t worth your time.” Now, he sounded almost angry, but she thought she understood. He…cared.

  The thought floored her. She’d thought he was too wrapped up in his own grief and the woman he’d lost, but maybe—just maybe—there was a little bit of room in his battered heart left for someone else. Oh, how she wanted it to be her!

  “You’ve been so good to me, Liam. I’m glad I met you,” she told him honestly.

  He kissed her once more before lowering her completely into the steamy tub. Then, he knelt beside it, trailing his fingers over the surface of the water as she got comfortable. The hot water against her sore muscles felt like bliss. The only thing that would feel better was if Liam’s hard body was in the water with her, sliding against her…and inside her.

  “I’m glad I met you, too, princess. The last few days have changed my life forever,” he admitted.

  “Me too,” she whispered back. The steamy room seemed suddenly filled with intense intimacy. The flickering flame of the lamp that provided the only illumination made the large space feel smaller than it was, as if there were only they two in the entire universe. “Come into the water, Liam,” she invited, wanting to touch him body to body more than anything in that moment.

  He ran his fingers over her shoulder, his gaze boring into hers for a long moment before he complied. He stood and, with an economy of motion, slid into the water next to her in the wide tub. She immediately went into his arms as the water sloshed around them. Some wise soul had only half-filled the tub. With both of them in there, the water level rose to cover them nicely in its warmth. Liam just held her for a long moment as the hot water relaxed her muscles.

  “This feels so good,” she told him, feeling the warmth penetrate her overused shoulder joints.

  Seldom did the strain of flying so much carry over to her human form, but she’d flown farther and harder in the past few days than she ever had in her life. Now that they had time to rest and recover, she was becoming aware of all the aches and pains she’d dismissed while the quest was still uppermost in her mind.

  “Mm,” he agreed, his arm around her shoulders as they lay side by side, soaking.

  “You’re not going to fall asleep on me, are you?” she asked, only half joking. Sleep sounded so good to her, right then, but making love with Liam would feel even better, she knew.

  “Never,” he responded quickly but quietly. “Just enjoying the moment.” He tugged her closer to his side. “I’ve experienced so many new things with you, princess. You’re a special woman.”

  Aw. Now, that was sweet, too. Why was he suddenly saying things that stole her breath and made her feel all mushy inside? Where had her tough-as-nails, take-no-prisoners sea captain gone? Not that she was complaining. She liked this side of him, and as a woman, she was somewhat starved for compliments from a lover. She’d just expected he would draw away and distance himself from her, now that the quest was done, but he seemed to be doing the opposite. Dare she hope…?

  No. She was being ridiculous. She shouldn’t get her hopes up that he could change the habits of decades and make room in his heart—in his life—for a difficult woman like herself. Though, just thinking about a possible future for them together nearly took her breath away. It would be so amazing to be in Liam’s life on a long-term basis. He was such a considerate, passionate, intelligent man. He was perfect for her, really. In every way that counted. If only he could see that.

  “Come here,” he said, surprising her out of her thoughts as he wrapped one arm around her middle and tugged her over him.

  The buoyancy of the water aided her as she flipped around to face him, her legs naturally straddling his middle. She felt the hardness that hadn’t abated rubbing lightly between them. Her mouth went dry as she looked deep into his eyes and saw the flames of desire reflected there. He might not be a dragon, but Liam had a fire within him that felt familiar.

  “Do you want to ride?” he asked, a devilish hint of a grin lifting one corner of his mouth.

  He was in a playful mood, apparently, which suited her. Rivka reached between them and took him in her hands. He was ready. She was more than ready. No sense playing around. She positioned him and began a slow, torturous descent, watching his face as she teased him into submission.

  When she finally had him fully inside her, she stopped, allowing the water to cradle them both, enjoying the sensations. “Is this what you had in mind?” she asked him with a hint of challenge.

  “A little more motion, perhaps,” he rasped out, strain making his voice rough.

  “All in good time, Captain. Have a little patience. I assure you, I’ll make it worth your while,” she promised him. And then, she began to move, riding him gently at first, with scant motion that barely rippled the water around them.

  The walls of the tub were high enough and the water level low enough that she didn’t worry too much about swamping the room around them as she slowly increased her pace. Liam’s hands cupped her hips, guiding…encouraging. But she needed no real encouragement to take the pleasure he offered so freely.

  Little by little, increment by slow increment, she increased her pace until she was riding him like a racehorse at full gallop. She moaned as he hit spots within her that drove her wild. He gritted his teeth and tried to hold out against her increasing passion, but when she cried out and came hard, he joined her a split second later.

  The water around them rocked and rolled with their speeding hearts as they clung to each other in the slippery tub. When they finally disengaged, cleaned themselves up and stepped out of the tub together, only a little bit of water had escaped to wet the tile floor. That was somewhat miraculous given her loss of control toward the end, but at least the tiles would dry on their own. They’d already pulled the plug in the drain, and the water was sliding away, emptying the large tub.

  Liam lifted her into his arms, again, surprising a small squeak out of her as he carried her into the bedroom. He lay her gently on the soft bed and came down next to her. She expected, based on their past experiences, another bout of lovemaking, but he seemed quiet, and it looked like he was searching for words.

  That was new. They hadn’t talked that much during their intimate times, so far. Was he going to try to let her down easy? Was he going to end things between them? Her heart clenched in her chest as she waited to hear what he would say.

  CHAPTER TWEN
TY-THREE

  “I have to be honest with you,” Liam began, not sure what he was going to say until the words came out of his mouth. “I don’t really know what I’m doing, anymore. My life has turned upside down. But I’ve come to realize one thing. I don’t want to lose you, princess.”

  She was looking at him with such wide eyes. He didn’t know if she was happy or disgusted by his admission, but he went on anyway.

  “My wife is long gone, though I held to her memory longer than most men would have, I’m sure. Now that justice has been served and Fisk is dead, I feel finally at peace with her passing. I think it was the need for vengeance that kept me going for so long,” he admitted, laying it all on the line. “But that’s over now, and I’m not sure where I go from here. I just know my life would be poorer if you weren’t in it. I…” He hesitated but figured he had nothing left to lose and a great deal to gain. He had to be brave. “I’ve come to love you, Rivka.”

  “You have?”

  Was that a smile turning ever so slightly at the corner of her lips?

  Liam nodded solemnly. “I love you.”

  “Oh, Liam!” She reached for him, and he took her happily into his arms. “I love you, too.”

  “You do?” He was stunned. He’d hoped, but he had tried not to have any expectations. “When did that happen?” he mused, running his lips along her temple in tender kisses.

  “Almost from the first,” she admitted, raising her head a trifle to find his lips with her own. She kissed him soundly, pouring all the love she had just declared into the tender assault. He was completely charmed and utterly destroyed by the honest passion in her kiss.

  When they broke apart, gasping for air, he met her gaze. “There’s just one last thing I need to know...”

  He stroked a stray curl away from her cheek, loving the feel of her skin against his fingertip. Loving her. With every fiber of his being. This was a grown-up love. A mature love. It didn’t diminish what he’d felt for Olivia, but it was as different from that young love as day is from night. Both beautiful in their own ways, with their own mysteries.