Charles waited no more than a split second before he too started forward with the company of men following him. He signaled them to spread out and begin scouring the woods to flush out the culprits responsible for this heinous assault on Lady Bianca and Lord Draco.
From his position beneath his lady, Draco moved tentatively testing his limbs. In the heavy armor, he had not been able to fall as gracefully as he would have wished. But his greatest concern was for the woman who now lay sprawled across his chest.
“Are you hurt, Bianca?” His words sounded winded as he fought to regain his breath. A small, mumbling groan was his only answer and when she raised her head to look down at him he laughed a bit shakily when he noticed she could not answer with the filthy gag in her mouth. He reached up and pulled the offending rag from about her head and she spit out the gag.
“Oh, Draco. You should never have risked yourself like that.”
“I could do no other than I did, sweet lady,” he whispered hoarsely. His voice sounded so strange that Bianca looked down at him questioningly.
“Are you in pain, my lord? Did the arrow hit you? Is there something I can do for you?” She wriggled around searching for any injuries. But her very movements brought another groan from his throat and he lay breathing heavily beneath her.
“Do not move, sweet Bianca. I can stand no more. You…your knee is…no, no do not move! Oooh, Mother of God! You are about to unman me, woman. Please move away for a moment.” As his words were forced between clenched teeth, Bianca realized that her leg and knee were pressed into his crotch. Blushing red with embarrassment, Bianca rolled off his chest and lay at his side wanting to bury her face in her hands, but unable to.
“I am so sorry, Draco. I did not realize.”
Draco came to his knees and removed his helm and gauntlets. He glanced down the trail in the direction Charles and his men had disappeared on the heels of the outlaws. From the fading sounds of shrieking men and thundering hooves, it was obvious they would be alone for a while.
Kneeing for a moment or two, drawing in gulps of air, he fought to regain his breath. He glanced at Bianca; his relief at rescuing her was short-lived and his anger washed over him as he took in the bonds that still held her captive.
“No one shall ever harm you while I have breath in my body, Bianca.” His words were spoken a bit harshly as he drew his dagger and sliced through the bonds around her wrists and ankles.
His hot defense of her life and honor warmed her heart and as soon as her hands were freed, Bianca threw herself into his waiting arms. Draco held her close, feeling her slight body trembling for delayed shock. He silently rejoiced that he had been there to save his lady from the horrid schemes of a madman.
His armor made it impossible to properly embrace him, so Bianca settled for running her hands over his neck and arms. It was not until she raised her hands to cup his face that she saw the fresh red blood that covered her left hand, and she cried out in horror.
“Oh, dear God! You are hurt, Draco!”
“That arrow but grazed across my shoulder. A small slice, nothing more.”
At his careless words, she practically climbed over him to get to his back to see how badly he was wounded. The world wavered for a moment between light and dark when she found the fresh blood oozing from a wound in his shoulder. He had worn only his breastplate and leg armor over his chain mail. His shoulder had been a vulnerable spot, unprotected. With all the blood she had expected to find an arrow embedded in his back.
Frightened by the amount of blood that poured down his back, soaking his tunic, Bianca frantically ripped the bottom of her kirtle for bandages. As she worked to stanch the flow of blood with trembling hands, she worried her bottom lip between her teeth. What would she have done it he had been seriously injured? This was all her fault and she would never forgive herself for his being so close to death. If she had not been so impetuous and ventured from the safety of the castle, Lord Draco would never have had to rescue her and risk his life in the process.
As if reading her thoughts, Draco took her trembling hands in his and raised them to his lips to place a tender kiss within each palm. His warm breath on her skin left her weak. She raised her violet gaze and found that the Dragon watched her with eyes hot with his own desire. Her thoughts flew back to the night before and what they had almost shared. Heat pooled in her stomach and lower. Her gaze dropped to his lips and she heard him ask her, “What are you doing this far from the castle?”
“I…I had a premonition that something horrible was about to happen. I wanted to find you and warn you.” She dropped her gaze to her hands. “I feel very foolish now. It seems that the only one in danger was me and Jabulani….Oh, God!” Her words trailed off as she remembered the fate of her beloved giant. “Oh, God, Draco! They killed him. They killed Jabulani! What have I done? Oh, God, what have I done?”
She jumped to her feet, but before she could dash off, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, halting her in her tracks. “Hush, love.” He drew her slight, trembling body against him, surrounding her with his warmth. “You are not responsible for your servant’s death, Bianca. It was a plot thought out well ahead of time. You were the intended target of a ruthless scheme and you are fortunate to have survived it. Jabulani died defending you, did he not?” At her slight nod, he turned her in his arms and forced her head up with his hand.
“He loved you, Bianca. He gave his life for you. Do not let that sacrifice appear less than it was by blaming yourself for his death.” Draco could not let her continue to take the blame for something that could not be changed. He cupped her face between his calloused hands and lowered his head and pressed his lips to her trembling mouth. It started as a tender sign of peace, but she parted her lips and he found he could not refuse the open invitation. Soon they were lost in a world of their own, in a passionate kiss that left them breathless as a few moments later a discreet “ahem” brought them back to their surroundings.
Charles had come back to the clearing and waited at a discreet distance for the lovers to finish with their reunion before interrupting them. It was Draco who first became aware of his presence.
“Did you find anything?”
“No. We swept the entire perimeter of the area, but found nothing. It is as if the man simply vanished into thin air. He left no tracks to follow.”
“Like the troublemakers last night,” Draco murmured. When he felt Bianca attempt to move away he frowned down at her and captured her hand. He led her to where Inferno had stopped to graze on a clump of grass and lifted her up, gently setting her in the saddle. After glancing around the glade one last time, he vaulted into the saddle behind her and lifted her onto his lap, pressing her to rest against his chest. He turned his mount and joined Charles, who mounted his great white steed as well. He stopped for a moment. “The rogues that raided the croft vanished without a sign as well. Do you think there is a connection?”
“I have thought on the matter as well. It would not surprise me if we were dealing with the same rogues.”
“Come, there is no use wasting time looking for a ghost. We should be able to make it back to the castle before it grows dark. Have the men keep a look out for the servant, Jabulani. Bianca informed me that he was killed in the attack when she was taken. It could be that he managed to escape with only a few injuries.”
“I will send a few men to search for him. The rest will escort us safely back to Castle Neige. When we reach there, I will send more men to help in the search.”
“Do you think he could still be alive?” Bianca asked, her hand clutching at Draco’s arm.
“If he is, we will find him, Bianca. I swear it.” He turned to give one last order to the men.
“If you find him I want to be the first to know, understand?” Draco did not want word to reach Bianca’s ears if the man was found dead or worse. She was distraught enough as it was, she did not need the added pressure of hearing disturbing news of her servant. He wanted discretion concernin
g the matter.
His men nodded their understanding before leaving the glade. Not one of them would think to displease his liege lord. They respected the great knight they had followed into many a battle. And feared him.
Chapter Ten
Bianca made her way to Galen’s tower room, her feet dragging with reluctance as she thought of the task that awaited her. She had gone in search of the elderly healer but had been unable to find him in the castle. Now she realized that she could wait no longer. Bianca hesitated at the door, stifling a nervous laugh when her gaze found the very large, very intimidating Lord Draco d’Ensoleille standing at the window, waiting patiently for her to return. He treated the blood that seeped from the deep gash in his shoulder with callous disregard, but the sight made her stomach roil with queasiness.
“Have you decided to stitch me back together, perchance? I promise not to scream out or faint dead away when the needle pricks my flesh.” The amusement in his voice angered her. He had no right to enjoy her obvious discomfort.
“I would hope a great warrior such as you would have more stamina than that, my lord. I would find it most disappointing if it proved otherwise.” Her sharp retort pulled a chuckle from him.
“I would hope that I could conduct myself with proper decorum in this situation. It would not set well for my reputation if it got out that I wept at a wound as trifle as a pin prick.” Coming away from the window, he moved to the worktable in the center of the room where he sat on a tall stool to await her pleasure.
Having no idea what was needed other than needle and thread and perhaps some hot water, Bianca opened Galen’s medicinal cupboard to view the kinds of herbs and extracts and distillations he had on hand.
There were all sorts of things that looked like they might work, but having really no idea, Bianca decided to add a few good possibilities to her hot water. A few drops from the blue bottle and then a touch of the crushed yellow flower, a splash or two and dash of other concoctions, and Bianca figured she had likely got at least one of the curatives Draco might need. And if he suddenly found himself lacking an ailment that had bothered him before, well then he had only her to thank for it.
The large knight gave an appraising look at the variety of items Bianca placed on a fresh towel at his side. “I see you have done this sort of thing before.”
“Well, as a matter of fact, no, I have not.” At his raised brow, she rushed on. “But I have watched Galen many times as he stirred up a potion or two for his patients.” Bianca’s hands trembled as she arranged and rearranged the items on the table, stalling for time. She glanced at the doorway, praying that Galen would make a sudden appearance. But finally, she had to admit that it was not to be.
“Do not worry so, Bianca. If you are unsure about how to go about it, I will instruct you. I have sewn up many cuts on the battlefield. Trust me, you will do fine.”
Bianca could do no more than nod her head even as she worried her lip with her teeth. He raised his hand and gripped her shoulder encouragingly and said through clenched teeth, “Just remember to keep the stitches small and even.” He then released her and caught the hem of his tunic and pulled it up and over his head.
All of her former doubts were forgotten as Bianca watched him remove his tunic, leaving his upper body bare. The sight of so much male flesh had her heart fluttering as she stared unabashed at the broad shoulders displayed before her. Several long scars crisscrossed the massive bronzed muscles of his shoulders, one running down the length of his arm. It was clear that he had not come away from battle unscathed. The thick sinew rippled beneath his darkened skin with his every movement. It was not until he turned to face her that she realized she had been holding her breath and she gasped for air. Her curious eyes moved over his broad chest. It was covered in a black pelt of hair that tapered to a narrow line, disappearing beneath the waistband of his breeches.
In the dim light of his chambers, she had caught only a small glimpse of his bare chest. But now in broad daylight, the sight left her yearning to run her hands over his large body, to explore the planes and angles of his hard-hewn form. It was disconcerting to find that his nakedness had such an effect on her.
“Are you ready to proceed, my lady?” A smile broke across his face and Bianca wondered what amused him. Her tongue flicked out as she licked her bottom lip. Bianca felt like a cat that had just found a bowl of cream and was getting ready to feast. She could not seem to pull her gaze from the broad expanse of skin before her. His eyes widened as she boldly stepped between his thighs and placed her hands on his shoulders to splay her fingers over his warm, smooth skin.
“You are so hard, so warm,” she murmured as she slowly moved her hands down his arms, her eyes riveted on the hard brown discs that peeked out from the mass of black hair on his chest. She had never seen anything so beautiful as this man’s body. Tentatively she traced his nipple with her fingertip.
A deep rumble started in his chest and a groan escaped his throat at the feel of her small, soft hands moving over his skin. The sound startled Bianca and she snatched her hand back as her gaze flew up to meet his. “I am so sorry, my lord. I did not mean to hurt you. Please forgive me.”
“No!” Draco caught her about the waist when she attempted to step back. He drew her soft body close and, lowering his head to her shoulder, he nuzzled her neck.
“Do not stop,” he whispered hoarsely in her ear as he took her hand and placed it back on his chest. “I want you to touch me.” Then he cupped her head and captured her parted lips with his hot, hungry mouth. The kiss he gave her turned into a passionate invasion of his tongue, thrusting in and out as he sought to show her just how much he wanted her.
With a small sound of surrender, she threw her arms around his neck and pressed her soft, round breasts to his hard chest, returning his kiss eagerly, fervently. His hands moved to caress her back, and lower until he cupped and kneaded her soft, round buttocks, drawing her closer until she could feel the evidence of his desire for her.
Bianca was lost in a world of ardor and longing. Her body burned with need. She wanted to climb into him and absorb his very being.
She was unaware of the small whimpering sounds that she made as she returned kiss for kiss, caress for caress, but Draco was. Bianca was the most passionate woman he had ever encountered in his life.
And he knew that he could have her then and there. But he reluctantly told himself that he would not. She deserved better. After a moment of fighting with his conscious, Draco drew back and placed a light kiss on the tip of her nose and then her forehead.
“I think that we had better stop now,” he whispered hoarsely against her soft hair. “It would be very uncomfortable for you if I took you on this table or the cold stone floor.” He smiled at her whimper of denial as he put her from him. “Make no mistake. I want you, Bianca, but I will wait.” His words came out in a hoarse plea for understanding. “For now, it would be best if you finished the task you set out to do.”
By the confused expression on her lovely face, he knew that she was still recovering from their kisses. He reached out and caressed her flush cheek with his knuckle. “I am bleeding, Bianca. You were about to take a needle and sew my flesh back together, remember?”
“Yea, my lord,” Bianca murmured as she struggled to pull her thoughts back together and ignore what had just happened between them. She picked up the needle and made an attempt to thread it. Her hands trembled slightly and it took two attempts to get the thread through the small eye of the needle. Bianca had been a master at stitchery for years and had never had such problems simply threading a needle. But then again, she had never had to apply a needle to human flesh.
How did he expect her to sew him up when her mind was otherwise distracted? Perhaps she should get a blanket and cover him up. But the thought left her mind as soon as it entered. He would think her a complete fool if she tried to do that. She would just have to concentrate on the task before her.
Convincing herself that this was
no different than plying her needle on her tapestry, she placed a hand to Draco’s taut skin and gently pressed the two ragged edges of his torn flesh together. Her stomach nearly turned over and she had to fight back the bile that rose in the back of her throat. She took several deep breaths to calm her stomach. Then she took one more deep breath and stuck the point of the needle into his firm flesh for the first time. She stared down at the small metal spear as it lay buried in flesh and nearly lost the contents on her stomach. She gasped and tears filled her eyes, spilling down her cheeks. She glanced up to see if he was in pain.
“It is fine, Bianca. You hurt me very little. I promised not to cry out, did I not?” he said to comfort her when he heard a small groan escape her lips and noticed her hands had stilled. “Please, continue. I am in little pain. Finish the task.”
“Yea, indeed, my lord.” Her words were so low, barely spoken aloud, but with trembling hands, she proceeded.
After the first stitch was complete and Bianca took a deep, refreshing breath, she glanced up to see how he took her prodding. Her gaze collided with his and for a breathtaking moment, neither one looked away. She could feel his pulse throbbing beneath her fingertips and soon, hers mirrored his.
Kiss of the Dragon Page 17