BDArc-HiddenDragons

by CSM

  “Talinor is a kingdom across the sea from Helios,” Sir Sandor said, his voice reaching them all. “In the last briefing from Prince Hugh, he stated his belief that the assassins called Eyes were from that land.”

  “Eyes?” Isabelle was startled into speaking. “Cleef Mantell has an eye-shaped tattoo on his chest, right in the center.” She pointed to her own sternum. “It was the talk of the village several seasons ago when his shirt ripped open during harvest. Everyone saw it and several dared to remark on it to him. He said he’d gotten very drunk one night when he visited the city of Tipolir and woke up with it. Claimed some tart had made off with his coin and left him only a weird tattoo to remember her by. He also claimed to be from the south, near Tipolir, but my mother always thought he was lying about that. She stayed far away from Cleef Mantell and counseled me to do the same.”

  “It sounds like your mother was a wise woman,” Kelzy offered. “Growloranth tells me she is no longer with us—my condolences—and that Tildeth believes she carried the blood of the Fair Folk.” Kelzy’s large head loomed over the table, her jewel-like eyes looking directly at Isabelle. “You have the scent of their magic about you, though it is faint. And you can bespeak dragons, which argues in favor of you carrying a small trace of their magic. Do you know where your mother came from? I understand you were not born in Draconia.”

  “My mother came here from over the northern border. She chose this land because she thought I would be safe here. She also said my future was here. Sometimes she had visions of the future and when she foresaw my destiny was in Draconia, she decided to give up the life of a traveling bard and settle here. I was very small, but I remember her singing to large crowds of people when I was little. She was celebrated—or maybe that’s just my memories. She often joined with groups of other bards and played with them. I remember brightly painted wagons and dark haired people who were always smiling and played the most beautiful music.”

  “The Jinn?” Lord Darian theorized. “Maybe we should contact Prince Nico or see if Sir Drake is anywhere near.”

  “I remember a young man named Drake,” Isabelle volunteered. “He had a strong voice and the people we traveled with were teaching him. He was golden blonde and could play many instruments.”

  “That sounds like our Drake,” Jared said with a grin. “I think we had best send him a message. He may be able to tell us more about your mother,” he said, not unkindly. “But for now, we must concentrate on the village and its traitorous headman.

  What followed was some of the most intense questioning of Isabelle’s life. They wanted to know the layout of the village, which she, Growloranth and Robert supplied. They wanted to know who lived in each house and what their jobs were in the village, also if they were likely to side with Mantell. Isabelle answered each question as best she could and was amazed by the drawing Princess Belora made on a large parchment laid before her on the table. It was an exact map of the village, with notations stating who lived where and what they did.

  Isabelle was glad her mother had taught her to read and write, so she did not look quite so ignorant in front of these important people. She sent up a prayer of thanks to the Mother of All and her own mother, who had brought her here to these good people, able to help defend the land that she had been raised in and had come to love.

  When the meeting finally broke up, Robert escorted Isabelle back to the great hall where lunch was being served. They dined together and she was amazed by the wide selection of foods that were available. Robert explained that dragons routinely flew between Lairs and often brought supplies in from other parts of the country.

  “By the way…” Robert said, reaching into his shirt to withdraw the chain he still wore about his neck, “…I promised to return this to you.” He removed the necklace and handed it back to her. “It worked just as you said. Mrs. Nethins would not speak to me until I showed her the pendant. And then she insisted on questioning me to within an inch of my life about your wellbeing. Finally, I had to point out where Growly was hiding before she would believe who and what I was. After that, she cooperated. She sends her good wishes, by the way. And she said you should never forget where you came from, whatever that means. She made me promise to repeat it exactly like that.”

  Isabelle took the necklace and put it back on. She had felt it missing these past hours, but knew Robert would keep it safe. She trusted him as she had trusted no one since her mother had died.

  “Thank you. I’m sorry she gave you a hard time, but she is a good woman. I knew she would help you if she knew she could trust you.”

  “You were right about that, milady. I could not have gotten the evidence we truly needed without her help.”

  He changed the subject and they talked of less worrying things while they ate. Robert greeted a few people who passed their table. It was easy to see that he was popular among his contemporaries. She wasn’t surprised. He was a very nice man, in addition to being incredibly charming.

  As they left the great hall, Growloranth caught Isabelle’s attention, chatting about their suite and asking if she liked it. She was conversing with the dragon when Silla approached. Distracted by the dragon, Isabelle saw the healer slip something to Robert, which he tucked into his pocket. She thought little of it until they arrived back at his suite.

  Chapter Seven

  “I have it on good authority that you might be a little sore today,” Robert announced when they arrived back at his quarters. The sand pit was empty and they had the place completely to themselves. “Lady Silla gave me strict instructions on how to treat you.”

  “Oh, she did? Did she?” Isabelle challenged him in the same playful tone he had used. He stalked her around the oblong circle of the sand pit, but she wasn’t scared. Robert was at his most charming and playful. “What did she tell you to do to me?”

  The tension that had built between them all through lunch was coming to a head. Isabelle didn’t really recognize herself at the moment, but she liked the new freedom she felt to play these new grown-up games with Robert. Or Bear. Or both. It didn’t seem to matter. Both men held a rather large chunk of her heart already.

  She would have been afraid of her newfound horniness, but her desire was limited to Robert and Bear alone. None of the other knights she had seen had roused any sort of response in her, though many of them were handsome and all were fit specimens of manhood. No, only Robert and Bear flipped her switch and made her want to have her way with them—or have them have their way with her.

  Since both men, and their dragons, seemed to think that was perfectly all right, she couldn’t really question her response too much. Apparently this was as it should be for knights and their lady.

  But was she really going to be their lady? The thought still managed to boggle her mind. She had made love with Bear not really acknowledging the idea that she might be able to live this dream of having them both in her life on a long-term basis. But now Robert seemed to want her. If she let him have her—and she was leaning heavily toward jumping his bones before too much more time had passed—then she might have to consider their proposition more seriously. Maybe this could work. Maybe she could be the woman for these two knights.

  Only time would tell. But now she was more open to the possibility that this strange relationship might actually work. She’d seen other triads in the Lair now, and they had all seemed happy. Silla had even discussed her own mating with Isabelle and she thought she understood it all a little better now.

  “Come with me, sweetheart, and let me take care of you,” Robert said, the teasing replaced by a caring smile that warmed her heart.

  Almost without conscious thought, she found her feet moving toward him. He held out a hand and she took it. She let him lead her to a room opposite of the one she had lain with Bear in the night before. The room he chose was also a bedroom, but this one was clearly Robert’s. It held mementoes that fit his personality. Gear for Growloranth lay neatly piled in one corner and a polished metal mirror abov
e a chest of drawers sat against another wall. The dominant piece of furniture, just like in Bear’s room, was the bed.

  He led her to it and they both sat on the side of the wide expanse, side by side, tilted slightly toward each other. Robert kept hold of her hand.

  “I know you and Bear were together. He’s had all the firsts with you so far and though I love him like a brother, right now I’ll admit, I’m jealous as hell.” Robert squeezed her fingers. “Will you let me take care of you, sweetheart? I promise we won’t do anything you aren’t ready for. I just want to touch you and kiss you, and hold you while I sleep. Will you indulge me?”

  She was touched by his words. “There’s nothing to be jealous of, Robert.” She reached up and placed one palm against his cheek, enjoying the sensation of his beard stubble against her skin. “While I might not be up for everything, I promise I’ll let you know how far we can go. I’d like to lay with you, even if it’s just to cuddle,” she admitted. “I am sore, but maybe Silla’s medicine will help with that.” She lowered her hand from his face and held it out for the small package Silla had slipped to Robert earlier, but he refused to give it up.

  “Oh, no, my dear. Lady Silla gave me explicit instructions. It will be my pleasure to act as your doctor in this instance.” He winked at her and she felt her cheeks heat. Did he really intend to doctor her injuries there?

  “Now, my pretty patient,” Robert said, rising to his feet and motioning for her to rise as well. “I believe we should start by removing all your clothes.” His businesslike tone made her hesitate, then want to giggle after she saw the dancing merriment in his eyes. “Are you shy?” he asked with pretend concern. “Well then, we can’t have that. Perhaps it will make you less shy if we both removed our clothes. Then you wouldn’t be the only one naked.” His teasing made her blush grow deeper, but she was also excited by the idea of being naked with Robert. “How about I remove your dress while you work on my tunic?”

  Emboldened by the dare in his gaze, she reached for the hem of his tunic and pulled slowly upward. He stood still, letting her do as she willed. Thankfully, he had rid himself of his sword belt and gauntlets earlier. There was no impediment to her pulling the well-worn fabric up over his head.

  And then she got to look at the play of his muscles over his broad chest. He had magnificent shoulders and she found her hands drawn to them, caressing his skin, tracing the faint lines of scars that were a testament to the fact that he was a fighting man.

  “Now your turn,” Robert said after a moment, his breathing a little faster than it had been before.

  He reached down with both hands and gathered the fabric of her dress in his hands, lifting it upward an inch at a time. He moved closer, his hands moving from her sides a little more around her back. His fingers rubbed against her backside and when the hem reached his fingers, he held it with one hand while the other caressed her bare buttocks, rubbing and squeezing.

  Then he lifted the dress higher and held the fabric at her back while his other hand rubbed upward, against her ribcage. His fingers teased the undersides of her breasts and she was glad she hadn’t had a chance to unpack her bags before he’d come in. She’d simply thrown her dress on after her bath and there were no under things to get in his way.

  He held her gaze as his fingers grazed upward, over the peak of one breast. She gasped when he paused, his thumb and forefinger squeezing her nipple. Bear hadn’t done that. His touch had been gentler, less demanding, though just as exciting.

  “Seems you like that,” Robert whispered, moving his hand to her other breast. “How about this?” He rubbed little circles around the tip of her breast, flicking the taut nipple with his fingertip.

  Her knees almost gave out and he grinned. Then the dress whooshed up and over her head in one quick move. Before she could even miss him, he was back. Both hands covering her breasts now, squeezing and teasing the tips. He held her gaze as his head lowered and she nearly swooned when his mouth opened over her breast, licking, nipping and then sucking in a way that made her throw her head back and moan.

  “Oh yes, you definitely like that.” She lifted her head and opened her eyes to find him grinning.

  And then he bent, scooped her into his arms, and deposited her on the bed, coming down to rest at her side. He didn’t stop kissing her skin, paying special attention to her straining nipples, even as his hands lowered and spread her legs apart. His fingers rubbed delicate circles around the little nubbin at the apex of her thighs, causing her to squirm. She felt the soreness that hadn’t quite left her all day and it did temper her reactions a bit.

  No way would she be able to take him inside her. Not with the residual pain that made her feel so raw inside. She wanted to, though. She wanted so much to feel his possession as she’d felt Bear’s last night. She wanted to know them both in the most intimate way possible.

  Robert worked his way down her body and she nearly screamed when his tongue flicked over that little nub between her thighs. Then he was kissing her there. It seemed impossible. Unlikely, at best, but he was doing it. Teaching her all new things about her body and what drove her wild.

  He moved down on the bed, positioning himself between her spread thighs. He worked at her clit until she came hard against his face and while she was still reeling from the unexpected orgasm, he sat up between her thighs and spread them even wider, placing one of her knees over each of his.

  He still wore his pants and he reached into the pocket, removing the small jar Silla had given him. He opened it and the pungent fragrance of rare herbs she recognized hit her. Oh, yes. That would numb the pain and begin the healing nicely. But was Robert really going to administer it? It certainly looked as if that was his plan.

  If she wasn’t still enjoying a magnificent buzz from the intense pleasure he’d just given her, she might have objected. As it was, she let him do as he willed. She watched, her desire rising again—much to her surprise—as he dipped one long finger into the jar, coating his digit with the salve.

  “Now just relax and let Doctor Robert make you all better,” he teased, lowering his finger to her core. “Be a good girl and later, I’ll give you a treat.”

  She wanted to giggle at his words, but just then he slipped his finger into her sore passage. Almost immediately the soreness abated. Then other sensations began to take over. The feel of his long finger exploring her recesses, spreading relief and a bit of renewed excitement wherever he touched.

  His thumb rose to tease her clit as his finger massaged her passage, spreading the lubrication of the salve and her own juices liberally. She wanted…more. Desire riding her, she wanted to feel him inside her, even if it wasn’t the wisest course of action.

  “Robert… I want you…” she choked out.

  “Well, you can’t have me. At least not this way. I’m under strict orders,” he replied, making her want to growl in frustration. But something he’d said caught her attention.

  “What other way is there?” she asked, curious and wanting.

  Robert laughed and the sound held a promise of sensual delight. “There are many ways, sweetheart. Many, many ways. And if you are willing to try something new, I will show you one of them. Do you trust me?”

  There was no question in her mind. “Of course I trust you. What sort of question is that?”

  Robert laughed at her impatience. “Right, then.” He removed his finger from her pussy and sat back. “Flip over,” he ordered curtly.

  She was confused. She looked at him and he made a little turning motion with one finger, his gaze filled with both encouragement and amusement. She complied, watching him over her shoulder as she presented him with her back.

  “Tuck your knees under you and show me that pretty ass of yours.” His tone was sinful, making her hesitate, but the promise of pleasure and her trust in him made her comply.

  When she was propped up on her folded legs, her butt in the air, his hands returned. The finger that was still coated with salve residue rimmed he
r back hole, shocking her. And then he pushed inward, making her squeak in surprise. Did he really mean to take her there?

  “Relax, sweetheart. Calm down and let me in. I won’t hurt you. It’ll feel good, I promise, and if you’re scared or you don’t like it, I’ll stop. Just tell me, all right?” His crooning words penetrated her shock and she nodded. She trusted him. He wouldn’t hurt her.

  She began to relax and then things started to change. Shock turned to pleasure and as she calmed, she began to realize the sensations coming from his actions were strange, but kind of amazing too.

  He let her get used to the sensations before adding a finger and stretching her. And then, after she was about ready to beg, he finally moved over her and began to claim her with his body. It was much more intense and she caught her breath as he paused only part-way inside.

  “All right, sweetheart?” he asked, his own breathing ragged.

  “I’m good. Keep going,” she urged. “Just go slow.”

  He bent over her, placing a kiss on the side of her head. “You’re amazing, Isabelle.”

  She felt amazing as he moved deeper into her. The feeling was so strange, yet oddly pleasurable. She knew she wouldn’t like this with anyone other than Robert or maybe Bear, but with the two men who held pieces of her heart, she was willing to try almost anything.

  And then Robert began to move. He went slow, as she requested, and gradually built up speed. It was never fast, but it was more than enough to push her over the peak into a hard, fast climax, which took him with her. He pulled out and she felt the splash of his climax pulse over her backside. He gripped her hips with one hand and she looked back to see his other hand wrapped tight around his cock, still spurting against her. She leaned back a bit to rub against him, liking the way he groaned.