by Bianca D’Arc
That seemed to convince the fair folk as nothing else, and skepticism soon evaporated into a healthy eagerness for the celebration to come that evening. But if Leo was getting married, then that meant Seth was going to have to make some preparations. There were gifts to be acquired, if at all possible, at the very least.
Seth asked a few pointed questions about local marketplaces where he might be able to find suitable gifts and was rewarded with a wealth of information he would put to good use later that day. He finished breakfast and was ready to go when Livia finished talking with Hrardorr. She had gone from hugging the dragon to sitting beside him, curled against his side and almost tucked under his wing.
They made a touching tableau, Hrardorr on one side with Livia, Genlitha still sleeping on his other side, closer to the fire and away from the bustle of the great hall. Livia stroked Hrardorr’s scales as she and the dragon communed silently. The image brought a pang of emotion to Seth’s tender heart. It was clear the woman had gotten to the dragon’s bruised and battered heart and found a way in to soothe Hrardorr’s damaged soul.
Likewise, the blind dragon had become a source of comfort and strength to Livia, whose very foundations had been shaken by all that had occurred. Hrardorr was her safe port in the storm that had become her life of late, and Seth was pleased down to his toes to see it. They’d let each other in, and Seth knew that meant a great deal toward Hrardorr’s continued improvement.
Training for the day was abbreviated, but still commenced that afternoon for the dragons. Seth, Gowan and Livia took an hour to visit the local marketplace and shop for gifts for the happy couples. Livia, of course, was quietly taking stock of the local wares with an eye toward later commerce, but for now, there were presents to be found, and Livia had brought a purse of gold and silver with her, just in case.
She was glad that she had come prepared. The wares available for sale were simply lovely. Exotic to her eyes, but of the highest quality and craftsmanship. Of course, fey craftsmen had centuries to learn and perfect their skills, unlike the shorter-lived humans. Here, even the journeyman’s wares were equal in quality to a master’s at home.
Livia bought practical gifts for both the dragons and their two-legged companions—colorful fabrics to feather their nests, so to speak. The dragons were going to select a suitable cave near the beach where the sea dragons liked to gather and use that as their home until a better structure could be built. The tall cliffs surrounding that beach would be perfect, Livia had thought, for a Lair, but it would do as well for one dragon pair, especially since one of the pair was a sea dragon. Easy access to the water was important for Lady Shara, though she hadn’t been allowed to dive too deeply just yet with her healing injury.
Seth had supervised her flying for the past day or two and pronounced her to be coming along fine. In fact, he had cleared her flying, just not deep swimming yet, since he wasn’t sure what the pressure at depth would do to her newly forming scales. She’d been flying more and more each day, though, making a fine sight in the skies over the water, with some of her friends.
Sea dragons didn’t often flex their wings in the air—especially during the day when their dark coloration made them stand out against the blue sky—but they’d been making more of an effort while they trained. Some flew patrol with the gryphons over the island now, learning the way of things. And even Genlitha had been asked to help with the afternoon’s flying lessons, since the sea dragons were much more used to water currents than air currents beneath their wings.
Gowan had bought gifts of wine and delicacies to be delivered to the happy couple tomorrow. He’d also ordered bushels of fruit and melons for the dragons. Thoughtful, useful gifts from a practical fighting man, Livia had thought. Seth, on the other hand, had gotten them jars of balms and ointments for various uses. A first-aid collection any home would be proud to have—for both the human-fey home and the dragon Lair. He’d also selected finely scented soaps and cleansing products for the home and those who lived in it. Livia noticed he added some of the dragon-specific items he’d brought with him to the basket of jars and bottles, each labeled with its uses and ingredients.
In fact, Seth had spent some time talking with the best of the apothecaries they had visited, discussing blends and recipes that were especially useful for dragon hide. He’d made some contacts and promised to show a few of the fey how to make some of the items they discussed if there was time before Seth left the island. Livia knew Seth wanted to pass on his knowledge so that the dragons wouldn’t have to do without simple things that could make their lives more comfortable.
That night, just at sunset, the two couples—dragon and fey-human—were joined in a beautiful ceremony on the beach. As the last rays of the sun kissed the sky, a happy cheer went up from those gathered to celebrate the new unions.
The fair folk were there in force, much to Livia’s delight and surprise. Fine bards played lively tunes, and laden tables of food and drink were shared by all. Sea dragons frolicked on the beach and in the surf, having stood solemn witness to the union of Lady Shara with Sir Xanderanth.
The dragon leader had come to speak words of approval and blessing over them before letting loose with a trumpeting cry echoed by every dragon present. The gryphons had sent representatives, too, clacking their beaks with approval before they took flight in joyous celebration.
Many mated pairs were flying already, enjoying the celebration as only two mated behemoths could. In a Lair celebration, every mated dragon pair’s passion would be sending their bonded knights into a mating frenzy of their own, shared with their mates. Here, the gryphons and sea dragons were free to share passion among themselves without worrying about how their actions might affect any two-legged beings they were bonded to—except for Xanderanth and the other land dragons…and now, Lady Shara, as well, since she was part of a Lair family now, even if it wasn’t the typical five-personed structure.
No, in their case, they would only have four beings in the family structure, but the wizard had assured them all it would work. He’d told them that, in private, and he reiterated it before starting the ceremony over which he’d presided that bonded them forever as mates.
That Gryffid had come all the way down to the beach for the ceremony meant something very special to Livia. It meant that he had welcomed Xander and Leo to his island and into the flock of beings that gathered around him. Gryffid was both grandfather, elder statesman, benevolent protector and respected teacher to every soul on his island, and he had just publicly acknowledged the addition of two more. That meant a lot to Leo and Xander, Livia knew. It touched her heart, as well.
With the music came lively dancing. Livia was partnered first by Seth, then later by Gowan, and even later, as the party wore on and alcohol was consumed in abundance, both men in dance patterns designed for trios in the Lair. They weren’t very good at it, but they did a creditable job of showing the fair folk how it was done, much to the delighted whoops and hollers of the fey dancers and musicians.
When Xander and Shara finally jumped into the sky for their very first mating flight, the human-fey couple had already been shown to the bower created by the fey woman for just that purpose. Atop the cliffs, there had been built a shelter that would protect the young couple for the next few days. It featured a large bed, covered in the finest satin sheets, and enough food, water and wine to last them a week at least.
Lizbet had wept when she’d seen the place, hugging those who had built it and thanking them profusely. Gryffid had announced just before the ceremony that he’d approved the building of a permanent home on the site, to house the newlyweds. He had already set his finest builders to work on the plans and would give it to the new couple as his wedding gift.
To the dragons, Gryffid had promised to build a sand pit like those in the Draconian Lairs, using his magical skills to assure it was always heated, like the Lair wallows. All they had to do, he told them, was select the spot where they wanted to nest and he, and a team of the fi
nest stonemasons on the island, would do the rest.
Handsome gifts, to be sure. And many others followed. In addition to the items Livia and the men had arranged earlier that day, the fair folk had brought a bevy of beautiful gifts for the new couple. Livia knew more presents would come to them once word went back to Dragonscove and Leo’s family, but for now, she was happy that the newlyweds were receiving such a warm welcome from the fair folk.
Livia had enjoyed shopping for them and had even started filling the boat her father had left behind with a few purchases she’d made both for herself and for the company. When she finally set sail for home, she’d have some tangible goods to show for her sojourn on Gryphon Isle. She wasn’t a merchant captain’s daughter for nothing.
The music was the finest Livia had ever heard, and it went on long into the night. Even after the happy couples left to start their honeymoon, the fey remained on the beach with several gryphons and sea dragons, who seemed to be enjoying the two-legged creatures’ antics and especially the music.
Livia was surprised to recognize many of the tunes the musicians played. Had they come from the mainland or been imported there by fey who traveled in disguise among humans?
“That song,” Gowan had told her at one point when they were talking on the topic, “was written by Sir Drake when he was a traveling bard. It was the talk of Castleton when he was chosen by Lady Jenet as a knight.”
“Then, Sir Drake really is Drake of the Five Lands?” Livia had asked. “And he’ll be running the Lair once Prince Nico and Princess Riki leave?” She admitted to feeling a little excited by the prospect of seeing the famous bard in Dragonscove, should he venture down from the Lair.
“He and the rest of his family unit. Sir Mace is a steady fighting man and their mate, Lady Krysta, was a guard. I know they’ll be of great help fortifying the town against further attacks from the sea. But yes, Drake is that Drake. The famous bard.” Gowan rolled his eyes in a comical way, but humored her. “And if at all possible, I’ll see that you get to meet him. Even if it is against my better judgment.”
“Why?” She loved it when Gowan unbent enough to tease her, and she could see the merriment in his dark eyes now.
“Because Drake is a charmer. As handsome as he is talented, and before meeting Lady Krysta, he was a terrible womanizer. I wouldn’t introduce any female I cared about to him back then. Now, though, Krysta has made an honest man of him, and though silly females might still throw themselves at him occasionally, he is devoted to his mate.”
Livia didn’t take offense at Gowan’s words. Instead, she thought about how nice it must be for Lady Krysta to know that her mates were hers and hers alone. Committed, acknowledged and part of the fabric of Lair society, their relationship was something Livia wanted…but would probably never have. At least not with Seth and Gowan. The thought made her sad, but she resolved not to ruin the happy occasion with unhappy thoughts. There was too much to celebrate tonight.
As the dragons trumpeted high in the sky, consummating their new union in the darkness of the heavens, the rest of them partied below on the beach. Livia had her two favorite men with her and her two favorite dragons were nearby, chatting with sea dragons and gryphons alike. Everybody was having a great time, and the sorrows and fears of the past few days were pushed to the side for a few hours to celebrate the new life their four friends would have with each other.
It was the start of something new. Something precious. Something worth celebrating.
While Captain Fisk was still out there with Gryffid’s dangerous book, Livia’s father was hot on his trail, and the Prince of Spies himself had everyone in his network looking for news of both the book and the pirates, there was time yet to step back and be glad for Leo and Lizbet, Xander and Shara.
Livia was content in the company of her men and her friends, new and old.
Hrardorr was happy enough to sit on the beach, talking with Genlitha and the sea dragons, plus the occasional gryphon. They were good creatures, all of them. Particularly Genlitha.
The mating of young Xanderanth had been a bittersweet thing for Hrardorr. It had reminded him of what he had vowed never to seek when he’d been blinded. He’d sworn to never choose another knight or seek a mate, but then, he’d been reunited with Genlitha, and the old attraction had come back to him.
She was the only female he’d ever felt this way about. And yet, how could he sentence her to sharing her life with a blind mate? That wouldn’t be fair to her. And how could he choose a knight when he couldn’t even see?
The past two battles had proven to him that he could still fight, at least. That was something. Something momentous, in fact. But it wasn’t enough. His only ability to fight now was from underwater, where no knight could join him. And he didn’t dare join his life to another human. He’d barely survived the loss of his last knight. It had broken him. Inside.
He couldn’t open himself to that kind of pain again.
Then, there was Gryffid and his offer. He’d given Hrardorr a temptation unlike any other. The promise of even a partial restoration of his sight was better than never seeing at all, but the price was too high.
Hrardorr was too afraid to join himself to another knight, even if it meant being able to see through that man’s eyes…wasn’t he?
If that man was Seth… Hrardorr tried to stop the thought before it could form, but it would not be denied. If Seth bonded to Hrardorr and Genlitha could be convinced to mate with a blind dragon—which Hrardorr doubted she would ever do—then the five of them could form a family.
The scenario teased him. It could be so good for all of them. Or it could be a total disaster.
What if Hrardorr took the chance and bonded to Seth, but the wizard’s magic was unsuccessful? Or what if, after all that, Genlitha spurned him? There were too many variables in this situation and absolutely no guarantees.
If Hrardorr took the wizard up on his offer, it would be the biggest leap of faith he had ever taken—probably would ever take—in his entire life. And it might all come crashing down and leave them all worse off than they’d been before.
Or, it could really work. If Hrardorr could just get over his heartache. He just didn’t know if he could manage it, or if it would be fair to Seth and the rest of them.
The wizard had left Hrardorr in turmoil that wouldn’t right itself anytime soon. So the dragon brooded, and spoke quietly with those who sought him out at the party. He tried to forget the terrible decision facing him for a few hours to celebrate the unions of four beings he had come to call friends.
Mostly, he succeeded, but when Genlitha settled next to him in the warm sand, he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to feel her warm body next to him always…
*
Thanks for reading Dragon Fire (Dragon Knights ~The Sea Captain’s Daughter #2). If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review.
The next Dragon Knights story is called Dragon Mates. Scroll down for a sneak peek…
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EXCERPT FROM DRAGON MATES
©2016 Bianca D’Arc. All Rights Reserved.
Livia O’Dare laughed as she raced down the beach, playing a game with Flurrthith, the young gryphon. Flurrthith had become a good friend since they’d traveled together from the mainland to Gryphon Isle. He’d been such a brave messenger for his people, who were under attack. He’d been the only one they could send, who could make it out, running the blockade of ships and pirates armed with deadly diamond-tipped weapons.
Small and agile, Flurrthith had not only made it past the pirate fleet, but he’d flown all the way to Dragonscove to summon help for his people. The leadership of the dragon knights, the men who had run the Lair until very recently, had turned him down, but Livia and her friends had answered the call
. Since then, she and the two men—the apprentice healer from the Lair, named Seth, and a knight named Gowan—and the dragoness Genlitha, along with another knight and dragon pair, young Leo and Xanderanth, but most of all, the blind dragon, Hrardorr had been on the island, helping out.
Hrardorr was part sea dragon, and despite his disability, he’d been instrumental in taking down the pirate fleet. He’d also befriended a group of pure-blooded sea dragons who had helped considerably, attacking the ships from below. They couldn’t breathe fire like Hrardorr and the other land dragons, but they definitely did their part as they unseen enemy attacking from below, where the enemy could not combat them.
“Flurrthith! Give it back!” Livia cried out, laughing as she ran after the young gryphon who had teasingly made off with her scarf. It blew in the wind, clasped carefully in his beak as he pranced away from her over the sand.
Flurrthith passed her scarf off to a young sea dragon child and Livia had to chase the other youngster who was using her little wings to help propel her along. She was almost a baby, but Flurrthith let her play with him. He had a kind heart, did Flurrthith, and the baby sea dragon was utterly adorable. Her name was Zeranelia, Zera for short, and she was the baby sister of Xanderanth’s new mate, Shara.