Dragon Lust

by Kelly Armenta

  I couldn’t help wincing on his behalf. “She sounds… scary,” I told them. “Why is she coming?”

  “We received word that she’s taken up with Valentine Loveless, our resident bad guy Vampire.”

  “Nice name, did he think that one up all by himself?” I commented, chewing at my lower lip.

  “Probably, who knows what his real name is.”

  “You don’t suppose she’ll invite me out for tea or anything do you? You know, compare Jace stories?” I smiled, trying not to show my concern.

  “I seriously doubt it. She’s not going to like you one little bit,” Jace growled. “This is why we have decided to dress you up as an Elf, with Kit around your neck, just as he was on the Courthouse steps.”

  “We’re hoping his scent will throw her off and we can get through the evening without exposing you as a Dragon. Also, Owen will accompany you in his wolf form.”

  I was nodding as he spoke. It made sense. Cursed and Amras would play up my Elf appearance, while Owen and Kit would remain with me but in disguise. There was much to be said for hiding in plain sight. I thought about it for a moment and remembered something. “We need Owen,” I told Jace, and he frowned but left quietly, coming back with Owen in tow. Both men moved into the room and everyone looked at me. “You said you’d been to a Sidhee before right?” I asked, then smiled when he nodded. “As a…Minor God, did you perhaps attend any formal affairs?” Gareth and Jace frowned down at me no doubt wondering where I was going with my questions.

  “Several,” Owen agreed.

  “And were the women dressed richly?” I asked, and smiled when his dark brown eyes turned nearly liquid with memories.

  “Yes indeed. More beautiful than anything I’d ever seen,” he agreed.

  “And could you work with Areth to recreate something similar? For me?” I asked. “If I’m to be Elfin, then I believe I should be Elfin in appearance too.”

  “Brilliant,” Gareth breathed, his blue eyes shining. He bent to my ear and whispered softly, “Both Jace and I have also been inside a Sidhee… but we’ll leave Owen to work this out with your Gnome.”

  I stared up at him in surprise, a million questions running through my mind which I’d have to leave until later. Instead I called Areth and asked her to work with Owen. The two of them went to the far side of the room and put their heads together. I watched for a minute then turned back to Gareth and Jace. “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”

  Gareth shook his head and Jace muttered, “You took that much better than I thought you would.”

  If I didn’t know better I would swear he looked like he was pouting. “Jace, whom would you prefer in your bed, Belinda or me?” I asked, tilting my head to look up at him.

  He looked slightly horrified and quickly responded, “You, of course you.”

  “Then why should I feel jealous?” I replied calmly.

  He frowned and then smiled at me, “No reason, no reason at all.”

  I chuckled and leaned forward to whisper, “Besides I know something she doesn’t.”

  “And what is that?” he whispered back.

  “I don’t have dangly parts.”

  Gareth laughed suddenly and so did Jace. Across the room Owen looked up and gave us a curious smile before he turned back to Areth.

  Jace turned serious and gave me an odd look. “Whatever happens, she can’t find that out. If she does there won’t be any stopping her. She will try to kill you.”

  “I figured,” I told him, no longer smiling.

  “I already warned the others,” Jace assured me. I took a deep breath and tried to regain my smile. In the end I slipped into his arms, letting him hold me while I tried not to think about how many things could go wrong.

  Fifteen minutes later I was sitting on a chair Areth had conjured for me in the bathroom, while she worked on my face and hair. Jace was seated on the tub and Gareth was leaning against the wall behind us. Owen had gone off to bathe in his own chambers, leaving the four of us alone. Jace was running through last minute details while Gareth watched Areth transform me in the mirror and brooded.

  “Areth can you provide clothing appropriate for Lord Amras and Cursed?” I asked, and the little woman nodded.

  “It’s already done, Mistress,” she assured me. The Elf shall be dressed as befits an Elfin Lord, and they have been provided the appropriate festive clothing for a Royal Guard of the Faerie. “Snick is assisting them.”

  “What about us?” Jace asked. “What do we get to wear?”

  Areth glanced at him in the mirror, her black eyes dancing. “Did the Master wish leather or fine garments?”

  Jace thought about it for a moment. “I’ll wait to see what Lexi is wearing.” And I bit my lip trying not to smile.

  Areth nodded thoughtfully and wove more curls into place. A good third of my hair was piled on the top of my head which added height. I was short for an Elf, something Areth was working to correct. Thinking about it, I suspected I’d be stuck wearing high heels tonight. Nothing like a nice pair of four inchers to raise me up to normal Elf stature.

  When she was done, the three of us followed her into the bedroom. I couldn’t help gasping in awe at the dress laid out on the bed. It looked like light and air shot through with golden threads I suspected might be real. At first glance it appeared to be a pale cream color which would surely accentuate my golden hued skin, but as I got closer the color changed, bled to a richer almost golden color with touches of wine and green and blue. The fabric was nothing I’d ever seen before, and nearly looked alive as it whispered across the bed when I brushed it with my fingers.

  I pulled off my dressing gown and Gareth assisted me into the dress, something that made me smile since it was usually the other way around. Areth stood on the bed, hands on hips, watching with approval as I eased it onto me. No underwear again and possibly for the same reason, as this dress was quite low in the front with a cut out scooped neck that exposed my breasts almost to the nipples. Below my breasts, the dress was fitted across my ribs and stomach to my hips, where it flared to the floor. There was a yoke across the top of my shoulders front and back which buttoned to the high collar, then nothing to the base of my spine. The bodice was covered in delicate embroidered flowers which flowed down the sides of my breasts and ended in a ‘V’ between my hips. My long flowing sleeves nearly brushed the floor and the skirt was very full with a short train. There was more than ample material to hide the fact that I was missing dangly parts.

  For all that, the dress must have contained five yards of material, but it was light and shimmered and flowed around me like air. When I glanced at the back of my dress the embroidery continued and I could see a multitude of extremely detailed flowers which started at the base of my spine and flowed down and across the back of the dress, wrapping round at the hem in the front. I looked closer and noticed the flowers seemed to be of all types and shapes and were embroidered in very pale colors, their detail so fine I felt I could pluck one and smell its sweet fragrance.

  Gareth buttoned my high collar and stood back to look at me. He smiled and I licked my lips. feeling very feminine from the gleam in his eye. “Exquisite,” he breathed.

  Jace turned to Areth and simply said, “Not leather.” Areth nodded and waved her arm and the men’s clothing appeared on the bed. Then it was my turn to watch as the two of them changed into their slacks and shirts. For this evening Areth had opted for finely woven linen instead of the normal silk. and both men’s shirts were in their signature colors.

  Areth provided Jace with cream colored slacks that matched my dress when you looked at it from the front. Gareth’s pants were the darker color my dress appeared when you turned your head slightly. Both had high collared jackets that matched the overall theme with gold threads woven into the fabric at the cuffs and collars. Down the front of both jackets Areth had added embroidery to match mine. only instead of flowers they had Dragons in flight. The embroidery was so very fine, I couldn’t help r
unning my fingers over the miniature figures which seemed to actually move with the men’s motions.

  “Wow!” I breathed. “Areth, you’ve outdone yourself! Thank you.”

  She smiled proudly and waved her hand again. “Do not forget your shoes,” she told us and then she was gone, leaving the three of us to pull on our footwear and gawk at each other.

  When we were all dressed and ready to go, Gareth pulled open the drawer in his nightstand and took out two black velvet boxes, one large and one small. He handed the large box to Jace and turned the smaller one to me. “We would be honored, Lexi, if you would wear this,” he told me, his voice sounding very serious. I leaned forward as he opened the box and found myself captivated. There nestled within the velvet was a beautiful golden ring. Miniature replicas of Gareth and Jace in dragon form circled a large red-orange multi-faceted cut stone, and looked up at me out of emerald and sapphire eyes. The workmanship and detail was exquisite and I lifted a finger tracing the perfect figures.

  “It is beautiful,” I breathed. Gareth nodded and pulled the ring from its holder. He held out his hand to me and I gave him my left, and watched in pleasure as he slipped it onto my fourth finger. Jace made a pleased sound and his teeth flashed pearly white when I glanced at him.

  “Now this one,” he told me and stepped forward. “We thought it would be appropriate to provide you with a weapon for this evening.” And he cracked open the box so I could stare in wonder at the beautiful dagger. It was resting next to a dark sheath of leather which was decorated in fine carvings. End to end the knife was about nine inches long. Its hilt was inlaid with emeralds and sapphires, and the blade looked very sharp.

  “Could you lift your dress?” Jace asked, and I couldn’t help the wicked smile I sent him while I pulled my dress out of the way and offered him my right leg. He laid the box on the bed while he strapped the hilt to the outside of my calf making sure it wouldn’t slip before he stood. He then lifted the blade to me giving me a minute to feel its weight and balance. I leaned down, lifted my dress and slid the blade home, liking the way it had felt in my hand.

  “Thank you,” I told them both, and stepped forward to hug first Jace who was closest, and then Gareth.

  “Let’s get out of here before we do something rash and end up missing the meeting,” Jace urged.

  The other four were waiting in the living room and I took a moment to admire Amras and Cursed’s attire. Amras looked like every girl’s vision of an aristocratic Elf, all sumptuous in his well tailored black and amethyst coat, which reached to mid thigh. His pants were black and fit him like a glove, showing off his thighs. He had a silver handled blade belted at his side. His pants disappeared into knee high black boots which were shined to high gloss and looked like they could reflect a person’s image. His hair was loose and hung down his back like fine pale silk. At his brow was a coronet of finest silver inlaid with amethysts the exact color of his beautiful eyes. He bowed to me and I smiled and turned from him to Cursed, who stood as we approached.

  My Goblin looked like a portrait of beautiful death, the sight of him nearly stole my breath. His clothing was solid black on black, and like Amras’, was well fitted and showed off his body to perfection. His leather coat was long, nearly brushing his ankles. Around his waist he wore his sword and I could see the hilt of a blade peeking out the top of his high black boots. His shirt was open at the neck and looked like silk. He looked dark and serious… deadly. He too had opted to leave his hair down and it swung around his hips like black thunder clouds. Across his forehead sat a thin circlet of finely woven silver.

  “My Lady,” he acknowledged me, bowing low at the waist before standing.

  “Gentlemen,” I greeted them all, my eyes moving to each one in turn. “Shall we go?”

  Owen stood and shifted, turning into a huge white timber wolf with large brown eyes and a beautiful jewel studded collar. “You look incredibly lovely,” he told me.

  “Thanks in no small part to you,” I told him and he nodded his great white head and flashed his canines.

  Kit was still sprawled across his chair and I could feel his black eyes following my every movement. His face looked intense and just a tad mischievous and I hoped he’d behave himself tonight. “No Little Johnny jokes,” I warned and nearly groaned when he simply lifted an eyebrow in response. He shifted to his miniature black and silver Dragon form and launched himself into the air, flapping his beautifully barbed wings as he led us down the hall toward the elevators.

  We crowed in and I pressed back against Jace, who wrapped his arm about my waist. Kit settled onto Owen’s back and I heard the wolf sigh. He was standing next to my leg and I buried my hand in his ruff letting him know I appreciated his patience. At which point he chuckled and sat, causing Kit to slide onto the floor with a bump and an indignant cry.

  The doors opened onto the lobby for the conference room and no one moved, none of us wanting to step on Kit. Cursed took pity on him and leaned down to offer him his left forearm. Kit turned his head his little black eyes, whirling as he jumped onto Cursed who winced slightly as the tiny claws dug in.

  “Behave,” I hissed at Kit, who seemed to hunch in on himself as he wrapped his long barbed tail about Cursed’s forearm.

  “I am trying, Mistress” Kit informed me stiffly.

  I wasn’t certain what was the matter with him but now was not the time to discuss it as Cursed stood and led us out into the foyer. There were guards on either side of the elevator doors and at the entrance to the conference room. Another two were at the entrance to the living quarters. We stepped out and I caught the smell of wolf, as well as leopard and bear. Two of the guards glanced sharply at Owen and it was almost as if they were struggling not to react to his presence.

  “What is their problem?” I whispered to Jace, who’d taken my arm and was leading me through the conference room doors.

  “I don’t smell like wolf,” Owen replied as he walked at my side, his head swinging from left to right as he surveyed the room. He left me then and made a circuit of the table, his nose twitching as he checked out everything.

  Jace led us just a little way down the table before he turned us to face the foyer. From where we stood we had a good view of the doorway and would be the first thing anyone stepping into the room would see. His arm slipped around my back beneath my hair and I could feel his fingers gently stroking my skin. I suddenly felt nervous and rolled my ring round my finger.

  Owen came back to me and sat quietly on my right side, his head level with my waist. My fingers slid into the soft hair at his ruff and rested there.

  Gareth was standing at the door speaking into his communicator and I suspected our guests were about to begin arriving. How nice of them to be on time.

  Like Owen, Cursed and Amras made a circuit of the room, no doubt walking off the steps and checking to ensure there were no hidden doorways from which someone might spring out and attack us. They both gave the bathroom corridor a thorough search.

  Out in the hall we heard the elevator start up and Amras and Cursed crossed the room, slipping in behind us to either side. Cursed lifted his arm and Kit hopped to my shoulder opposite Jace. I stood quietly while he rumbled softly and rubbed his head and body against my cheek, his tail draping about my neck. Perhaps he was picking up on my nerves and trying to soothe me.

  “Here we go; lift your shield and think happy thoughts,” Jace whispered, and I snapped my crystal shield into place.

  “Both?” I asked.

  “No this is fine for now. I trust you’ll know when or if the other is needed,” he replied, his eyes focused on Gareth who turned to nod at us as the elevator dinged and we heard the sound of the doors opening.

  Chapter 35

  A tall thin man wearing a dark overcoat over a grey shirt and pants stepped into the foyer, followed by two Dwarves. One of the Dwarves was dressed in brown leathers while the other wore dark red and black. Gareth stood at the door and greeted each of them by name.


  “Milos,” Gareth’s deep voice broke the silence. “Good to see you. And Eldal,” he continued as the red clad Dwarf stuck out his hand to shake. “Dten,” he responded when the other Dwarf simply nodded and stepped around Gareth. Everyone’s eyes moved to my little group and Gareth cleared his throat and introduced us. “I believe you all remember Jace, and this is Lexi and her guard. Lexi, may I present Milos the Skilled, Eldal Orral and Dten Kilmalk.” I nodded to each of them in turn.

  Eldal and Dten grumbled something, then ignored me while they moved to seats on the other side of the room. Milos on the other hand seemed very interested in Kit and wandered over to get a better look at him.

  His aura was a very pale dark orange and I was making a mental note to ask Kit later what that might mean when he slipped his muzzle into my ear and whispered, “Deceit or distrust.” I smiled as Milos stopped in front of me and held out his hand to me. Beside me Jace immediately reached out, pulling Milos slightly to the side.

  “An interesting specimen you have there,” Milos muttered, his eyes swinging back to Kit who turned his head and hissed at him, while the tip of his tail flicked warningly. I reached up and gently brushed my fingers down his body, causing him to press in against me.

  “Thank you, he is very precious to me,” I replied and smiled up at the Wizard. Kit rocked from foot to foot on my shoulder and I stroked him again.

  Out in the hall the elevator door dinged again and Jace stepped in front of me, swinging his arm toward the table and inviting Milos to have a seat. The Wizard went slowly, his eyes glued to Kit, who then leaned in and flicked his tongue in my ear causing me to stiffen and growl softly in my throat. His tail stilled on my shoulder and we prepared ourselves as a small Asian woman swept through the door, followed by a tall clean cut giant of a man who carried the sent of wolf before him.

  Gareth bent low over the woman’s well manicured hand as she glanced about the room, her eyes narrowing as she caught sight of me. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts … that’s what I was thinking as Gareth turned to shake hands with the other man and urged them both on toward Jace who had rejoined us after seeing Milos seated.