“Leave him, Drystan,” Catriona said, laying a gentle hand on his arm. “This scum isn’t worth bloodying your knuckles over. Besides, we will need his testimony for thecouncil.”
Drystan exhaled. “You are right,” he said, gathering his composure. He stalked out of the cell and ordered the guards to lock it up behind him. “Let us call a meeting now. It is time to drag those useless bastards’ heads from the sand and make them confront therealenemy.”
32
Dareena wokethe next morning to bright light streaming in from the cave entrance and two hard, warm male bodies pressed up against her. Smiling, she ran a hand down Alistair’s muscular arm, marveling at the way it had perfectly healed. There was no scar, not even the faintest trace of a line to indicate that Arolas had severed it. Her dragon prince was good as newagain.
Alistair made a pleased sound in his throat, emboldening Dareena. She slid her hand down a little farther, over his hip, to grip his hardening cock. Gently, she stroked him, savoring the feel of his hot, velvety skin sliding against the palm of her hand. His member flexed in her fist, and as Alistair moaned, Lucyan moved in closer, his lips trailing along the back of Dareena’sneck.
“I must say, this is a nice way to wake up,” he said, nudging his cock between her legs. Dareena gasped as he entered her from behind, her back arching, and she instinctively tightened her grip around Alistair’s cock. The three of them moaned in unison, and Dareena quickened her strokes as Lucyan moved insideher.
The three of them made love, then washed off in the hot springs, where they made love again. Dareena’s cheeks ached from smiling so much, and yet, there was an ache deep in her heart for Drystan. Their merry band wasn’t complete without him. He was back at Dragon’s Keep, probably worried sick about them all, dealing with the crushing burden of running the kingdom without any of them tohelp.
Alistair and Lucyan mirrored Dareena’s sentiments—they did not linger after finishing their bath, but shifted back into dragons while Dareena donned her maid uniform. She climbed on Alistair’s back this time, and the three of them took to the skies, determined to get home and reunite with theirfamily.
Alistair could still hardly believehe was flying. The wind whipped past him, clouds brushed the tips of his wings, and below, the landscape rushed by, far faster than he could ever travel on foot or even horseback. He’d thought it would take him longer to get used to flying, but he’d taken to it like a duck to water, executing flips and turns mid-air, loving the way his muscles sang as they propelled him through thesky.
He also loved the feel of his mate sitting between his shoulder blades, her curvy body pressed against his hide. Her sweet scent wafted around him, warming his blood, filling his heart with contentment. No longer was he a useless wretch stuck in bed while she took on the burden of caring for him. He was a fearsome, fire-breathing dragon, capable of protecting what washis.
And he was wholeagain.
Lucyan and Alistair carefully stuck to the clouds. Even though they were back in their homeland, spies were everywhere. There was no need to tip off their enemies that all three of them could shift, and lose the element of surprise. But as Alistair scanned the landscape through the cloud cover, he noticed somethingodd.
Lucyan,he said slowly, using mind speech to get his brother’s attention.Do you see those men downthere?
Lucyan turned his head to where Alistair was looking.A nobleman, traveling with mercenaries. All heavily armed. What are they doing with all thosemules?
Alistair dropped lower to get a better look. Five mules all carrying empty sacks.My guess is that he’s here to collect something,he saidwarily.
“Is…is that Count Kianor?” Dareena asked. Alistair twisted his head to see her looking over his shoulder, her green eyes wide. “I was told he was on his way back toShadowhaven!”
Count Kianor?Lucyanasked.
He was a warlock envoy at Elvenhame’s court,Alistair explained.I don’t see how he has any legitimate business in our realm.That a warlock was moving freely through Dragonfell was not a good sign. They must have used magic to sneak past the borderguards.
Lucyan growled.Let’s follow him and find out what it is he’safter.
The two of them stuck close, staying out of sight while making sure not to lose track of the warlocks. As expected, the party did not head for Paxhall, but instead headed north. The count seemed to be following directions—he had some shiny device in his hand, perhaps a sort of magical compass, and glanced at itfrequently.
I believe we’re headed for the Black Mountains,Alistair finally said. The mountain range loomed close, only an hour away by horseback. Either the mountains were their destination, or something that lay beyond. Butwhat?
Isn’t that where Drystan said Father went off to?Lucyanasked.
Damn,Alistair swore.We can’t bring Dareena this close to danger. One of us needs to take her back to Dragon’s Keep and warn Drystan about theseintruders.
“You’re not taking me back to Dragon’s Keep!” Dareena cried, startling them both. Lucyan and Alistair whipped their heads around as one to look at her, and she glared back at them, defiant. “I may not be able to read your thoughts, but I know you both well enough. I want to find out what Count Kianor is up to. Perhaps I may even be of some help in stoppinghim.”
Lucyan and Alistair exchanged looks.She’s pregnant,Alistair protested.She shouldn’t be anywhere nearFather.
Normally I would agree with you, but she is also the only one among us who can use magic,Lucyan said reluctantly.The least we can do is see this through, find out what is going on. If things get too hot, you’ll head back to Paxhallimmediately.
Agreed, they continued, following the warlocks to the base of one of the mountains. Alistair and Lucyan hung back as they watched the warlocks begin the laborious ascent up a particularly steep one, using ropes and pitons to dig into the rock. Alistair followed the trail they were ascending and narrowed his eyes when he saw where it ledto.
Do you see that cave up there?he asked Lucyan as his heart beatfaster.
Lucyan followed Alistair’s gaze.The opening is quite large,he said, echoing Alistair’s thoughts.Do youthink…?
A ferocious roar echoed from the inside of the cave, cutting off Lucyan’s thought. Dareena gasped as Dragomir shot out of the cave, spewing fire from his gaping maw. Even from this distance, Alistair could feel the waves of fury rolling off his father, and he cringed inwardly, as though he were a child rather than a full-grown dragonhimself.
