chapter Seventeen
The music wound to a final crescendo, and Krysta stopped all movement, her final pose one of complete abandon. Her legs were parted, showcasing her moist folds, her arms thrown up and back, lifting her ripe breasts like offerings. Her mouth was open, lips pouting and wanton, and her eyes flashed desire at her mates.
Mace was too far gone by that point to do anything other than drag her down onto the bed. He mounted her swiftly, driving his cock home into her yearning passage. She cried out at the force of him, as keyed up from the dance as he was.
Drake placed the lute aside and watched, undressing as Mace pounded into their mate, enjoying the view. He’d participated in group pleasure several times before with the Jinn—most recently standing as witness for Nico and Riki’s marriage—but this was so much different than the casual joinings he’d enjoyed before. This was forever. This was his woman, his wife. And Mace was his fighting partner, the only man in the world Drake would ever consider sharing Krysta with, for he knew if anything should happen to him, Mace would be there for her. It was a comforting thought, though Drake wouldn’t have believed it before.
This joining was just for them. The dragons were not driving him and Mace with their lusts. The dragons lay by the fire in the hall, necks entwined as they suppressed their own desires in favor of sleep. They knew they’d need all their strength for the long flight tomorrow. It was tough on the newly mated dragons, but Drake had the feeling they’d all be making up for it when they were finally home and safe. Chances were they wouldn’t leave their suite for a week while the dragons flew almost non-stop, making up for lost time.
But this joining was special in another way. This was the first time Krysta had initiated intimacy. She was a powerful woman and this blatant display proved beyond doubt that this—her two mates—were her choice, and her pleasure.
She moaned as Mace increased his pace. Drake knew by looking at them, this first time would be quick. Drake was already hard as a pike as he shucked his leathers and drew closer to the bed. Kneeling on one side by Krysta’s head, Drake felt his cock twitch with need when Mace lifted off her prone form to dig into her p-ssy with short, quick, deep strokes. Drake watched his friend’s staff spear into their woman and felt himself tremble as Krysta’s little hand reached around his cock and drew it to her lips.
Refocusing on her face, Drake saw she’d turned her head toward him, those pouty lips open and wanting as she tugged him forward. Drake went willingly, watching as Krysta’s tongue peeked out to swipe at the tip of him. She smiled and he felt his knees go weak. When she opened her mouth again, she took him inside and Drake was powerless to control the thrust of his hips as she encouraged him to f*ck her mouth as Mace f*cked her p-ssy.
Judging by the pace Mace set, it wouldn’t be long now. Drake reached down and palmed her breast, glad when his fighting partner worked in concert, raising one hand to tug at Krysta’s other nipple. She moaned around Drake’s cock, the vibrations shooting right up his spine. She followed that with a hard suck that almost made him shoot his load right on the spot. Drake stilled, his cock loving the warm, wet place and agile tongue stroking it.
“You do that too well.” Drake’s voice was full of admiration. The Lady had truly blessed him when She’d brought Krysta to him—in so many ways. Not the least of which, at the moment, was the fact she was some kind of sex goddess. Drake held her gaze as she blinked up at him, temptation in her gorgeous gray eyes.
Mace groaned, drawing his attention, and Drake looked over to see the knight gasping as his crisis drew closer. Mace held both of Krysta’s legs up and out now, pushing into her from a sitting position that allowed Drake to watch every thrust. It made his mouth water and his dick twitch.
Krysta was near the edge, but not as close as Mace. Drake could see it in her lovely eyes, hear it in her whimpers of pleasure. She needed a little something extra if she was going to come with Mace. Luckily, that’s where Drake could help.
He reached down and stroked his fingers through the sparse curls at the juncture of her thighs. Like most warriors, she trimmed herself there. How Drake would enjoy helping her the next time she felt the need to barber herself. But that thought was for another time. Right now he had to concentrate on ratcheting her arousal up another few notches, so she’d be ready to fly when Mace was. Judging by the look of the man, that would be any time now.
Drake withdrew his cock from the hot cavern of her mouth and got down on his stomach, partially over her as he kissed her sweet lips. Their tongues dueled as her body shivered with Mace’s pounding thrusts. Drake left her mouth, using his hands and lips to trace down her body, pausing for a delicious moment at her breasts.
He sucked her nipples into his mouth one by one, plumping and teasing her with nimble fingers. His teeth nibbled gently on her delicate skin as her breathing increased. One hand strayed downward to reclaim the womanly curls at her apex. Dipping lower, Drake ran one finger down into her folds as Mace hesitated only briefly before continuing his assault on her feminine core.
Drake turned his head to look up at the knight. Mace nodded shortly, his expression one of fierce concentration. They were of one mind in that moment. Mace didn’t want to come until Krysta had. And Drake was just the man to help them both.
Delving deeper, Drake found the hard nubbin of flesh that made Krysta squirm with excitement. Palpitating it with one long finger, he turned back to watch her eyes dilate and felt and increase in her slick fluids near his fingers. Mace groaned as Drake smiled.
“You like that, Krysta? You like my fingers on your p-ssy while Mace f*cks you senseless?”
Her dazed eyes opened and stared up at him. It was a look he’d never forget. “Yes!”
“Would you like it more if I licked you while Mace f*cked your p-ssy?” They both stiffened slightly. “I’m not sure how our friend Mace would like it, but I’d do anything for you, Krysta. Anything at all.”
He tugged on her * then, using two fingers and coming close to touching Mace’s thick cock as he made short digs into her warm body. He rode the razor’s edge.
Drake tugged rhythmically on her * and bent to whisper in her ear. “My tongue on your * while Mace’s cock strokes in deep. What do you say, Krysta?”
“Yes!” She exploded then, writhing in his arms as Mace stiffened. Drake kept his hand on her *, stroking her through the powerful climax while Mace drove home and stayed, his cock spurting within her hot depths in a series of pulses. Drake could feel it all through his fingers as they climaxed together.
When Krysta finally came down from the high plateau, Drake patted her p-ssy a few times in praise before withdrawing his hand. Mace caught his eye as he withdrew also and dropped down at Krysta’s side on the wide bed. Mace turned her away from Drake as Mace kissed her gently, his hands stroking down over her soft skin as if in thanks.
Drake could be patient while they cuddled, but only to a point. He was a man in need and he knew he could bring Krysta up to that peak of pleasure again. In fact, it was his new mission in life. He’d see to it she was stuffed with cock every moment of the nights they shared together, screaming their names as she creamed around them and came at least ten times a night. It was a goal to work toward, and one he’d spend his life enjoying.
When he could wait no more, he tugged her hips backward, breaking them apart just enough to place her on her knees, ass in the air. She had a lovely ass. Muscular and round, smooth and firm, she was perfectly formed for long riding and double penetration—a good thing in the wife of a set of knights.
But Drake wanted her p-ssy now. It was slick with Mace’s come and her own juices, an easy glide for his abused cock. He’d been hard for hours, it seemed, and he knew it wouldn’t take much for him to shoot his load, but he wanted her to come with him. He’d hold out as long as he could to make that happen.
Drake pushed in with little resistance, glad of the welcome of her tight body. He began a languid rhythm, wanting to stoke her fires slowly, to bring her to peak with him.
But Mace had other ideas, apparently.
Mace lifted her to her elbows, positioning his head beneath her body so he could suck on her hanging nipples. Drake paused only a moment to lean over and see what the other man was up to and received a cocky, satisfied grin in return. Drake had never seen the sober knight smile in just that way, and it boded well for Krysta’s pleasure this night.
Drake thrust into her with renewed energy, knowing Mace was there to help him as he’d just helped Mace. This partnership business had unforeseen benefits, indeed.
Krysta’s excitement built as Mace worked her nipples with his tongue, teeth and lips. Mace slid the fingers of one hand into Krysta’s curls, seeking her *, much as Drake had done, only this position put the other man perilously close to Drake’s own arousal. He didn’t mind. He’d done this before once or twice with drunken Jinn, but this was the first time he’d been part of this kind of excess with two people who really mattered in his life. Two people he’d spend the rest of his days with—living and working side by side. The thought was staggering.
Mace did something that made Krysta clench, and Drake looked down to find they’d readjusted their position. Mace lay to her side now, one hand pinching her nipple, the fingers of the other on her *, his hard cock sticking up near her mouth. Even as he watched, she lowered, increasing the angle of her p-ssy on Drake’s cock as she took Mace into her hot mouth. The thought of that wet heat had Drake increasing the pace. He was close now. He could feel his balls draw up, his seed boiling inside.
“Pick it up, Mace,” he ground out between clenched teeth.
Krysta came hard around him, clenching and tugging at his cock with her powerful, inner muscles. Drake came a moment later, spewing inside her.
As they calmed, Mace turned on the wide bed, making room for Drake to collapse, which he promptly did after long, long moments of bliss inside his woman. When Drake was finally spent, Mace was there to take Krysta in his arms, and place her gently on the bed. Drake was glad. The will was strong, but his flesh was weak. She’d wrung him out and left him nearly unable to move.
“Sweet Mother!” Drake whispered his shock at one of the best orgasms of his life.
Krysta rolled to her side, snuggling into him as he lay on his back. He brought one arm around her shoulders, enjoying the feel of her next to him.
But Mace wasn’t done. He cuddled behind her, stroking one hand between her legs as Drake propped up on one elbow to watch. Mace drew their wetness from her p-ssy back to the tight hole of her ass and Drake’s gaze shot up to Mace’s.
“I want to come from behind this time.”
Krysta wiggled in renewed arousal at Mace’s possessive words.
“As you wish, brother.” Drake wasn’t going to argue. Mace was on a roll and Drake didn’t mind following his lead one bit.
What followed was a long night filled with what could only be termed debauchery. They tried all sorts of positions and combinations, free from the dragons’ influence. The dragons enhanced their pleasure, to be sure, but also directed their actions on some basic levels. Without the dragons’ pleasure riding them, it was purely up to them, and Drake was amazed to find Mace had some rather creative ideas on how to pleasure their woman. The knight definitely knew how to operate as part of a team.
They took her together and separately, used the scarves to tie her to the bed frame in various positions until she screamed in ecstasy.
The early morning light bounced off the waves as they rolled ashore on Gryphon Isle. A small party set out for the beach. Two dragons, two knights and their mate, two fey warriors, a set of gryphons, the prince and the wizard Gryffid.
Lilith and Gerrow would fly on Herorthor’s and Llydiss’s backs as far as the shore of Draconia as honor guard. They would not trespass on Draconian soil, but would turn back for home as soon as they saw the dragons reach their homeland. From there, it would be up to the small party to make their way safely back to the capital city and William’s family.
Lilith and Gerrow took their leave of William first, then passed a few words of farewell with the Draconian party. In particular, Lilith presented Krysta with a set of matching, incredibly beautiful fans. They looked normal enough at first glance, but when opened in a certain direction, they could be lethal. The intricate metal work was breathtaking and Krysta thanked Lilith profusely for the thoughtful gift. The fair warriors took their leave and positioned themselves near the gryphons, ready to fly when the dragons were.
Drake had mixed emotions about leaving. On the one hand, he needed to return to the castle, to fulfill his quest and his promises to Roland, Nico and especially to Declan. On the other, a whole new world had opened up to him and Drake wanted to explore it more fully under the wizard’s tutelage. The magic still mystified him, but it also intrigued him. Now that he knew it was there and how it felt to access it, he wanted to do it more often. He wanted to master this new skill and experiment with ways to use his fire.
But that would come, in time. Gryffid had been clear it was a matter of practice now that Drake was aware of his magic. Jenet had promised to help, as had Nellin, and Drake was looking forward to his next attempt to call his hidden fire.
“Practice, Sir Drake.” Gryffid walked up and clasped him on the shoulder. “Your fire is your birthright. Be wise in its use and learn to temper its ferocity and you should do well.”
“Thank you, my lord. This has been one of the strangest, and most enlightening few days of my life.”
Gryffid laughed at that. “You started on your quest a simple bard and return home a hero, a knight and a mage. I think you should write a song or two about your travels before some of your former colleagues get their hands on the tale and start to elaborate.”
Drake laughed, knowing just what the wizard meant. Bards were known for taking a tale and twisting it so that it seldom resembled the actual facts. Drake was careful to stay true—as much as he could—to actual events when he wrote his songs, but others were far less circumspect.
“Thank you for everything, my lord.” Mace came up beside them. “Most of all for returning Wil to his family.”
“He was never mine to keep, Sir Mace,” Gryffid replied. “I only wish I hadn’t had to do it this way. His family will be displeased, I fear, but there was no alternative. Please express my regrets to the royal family. I was an ally of their progenitor and that alliance stands firm. I and my fellows will stand with the dragons and knights of Draconia, and all the descendants of our ancient pact, should the worst come to pass.”
“We’ll do all in our power to prevent that, Gryffid.” Wil put his hand on the old man’s shoulders. He’d taken his leave of the fair folk and now moved to say goodbye to his mentor. Drake moved back, giving them some space.
Wil hugged the wizard tightly, and Krysta was touched to see the genuine affection on the wizard’s face as he returned the gesture.
“That’s just amazing.” Krysta marveled as the black dragon took to the sky. She’d never seen the change before, though she’d known about the shapeshifters of the Black Dragon Clan for some time as spymaster for the Wayfarer Clan. They’d acted as her conduits on occasion for information to pass between her clan and the leaders of all Jinn.
“You’re not too surprised, though, are you?” Jenet’s head butted Krysta companionably in the back as her voice sounded through all their minds.
“No. I’ve heard about black dragons before, though I’ve never seen it with my own eyes.”
Krysta turned to face the dragons, expecting more questions, but Drake scooped her up and threw her onto Jenet’s back without so much as a by-your-leave, and the moment was lost. The dragons didn’t seem too concerned with her knowledge, though Mace wore a bit of a frown between his dark brows. Drake took pity on the knight and explained.
“The Black Dragon Clan has quite a few shapeshifters among its ranks, Mace. Our mate is one of the best spies in all of the Jinn clans. I’d be disappointed if she didn’t know about them—and a whole lot else. I have a feeling her knowledge and contacts will come in handy in the years to come.”
Krysta reached back and kissed him. The confident words and the pride she felt from them bolstered her heart.
“She’s a spy?” Mace asked.
Drake nodded. “A master spy.”
“Sweet Mother,” Mace groused good-naturedly as he mounted Nellin’s back, “I’m surrounded!”
They laughed as they took to the skies after Wil, sparing a moment to wave to those left behind on land. Two gryphons took to the air nearby, with Lilith and Gerrow on their backs.
As they neared the shore, the gryphons veered away, the fair warriors on their backs waving in farewell. They made no sound, probably to preserve what little stealth the dragons could claim as they made their way back to their homeland. Drake wasn’t sure what dangers might await, though the wizard seemed certain the return trip would not be as easy as it seemed.
Gryphon Isle lay off the shore of the mainland, at a point that rested on the border of Draconia and Skithdron. They were very near the border even now, which wasn’t the safest place to be, but it would take some travel before they were deeper within Draconia.
Drake kept an eye out for anything that might look suspicious, but he had little experience with aerial reconnaissance. He’d never thought he could accept Jenet’s offer of knighthood.
“I’m counting on you, my friend,” Drake broached the topic, bridging the gap to Mace’s mind and including the rest of their party in the conversation. “I’ve never trained for this kind of work.”
It was a hard admission to make, but Drake needed to be up front with them. They all knew he wasn’t a trained knight, but they’d been too kind to point out his deficiencies. It was about time he faced facts.
“Don’t worry, you more than make up for it, Drake. I haven’t written any songs or lobbed any fireballs lately.” Mace’s tone was dry, but Drake felt the humor in his words.
“That may be, but right now I feel at a distinct disadvantage not knowing what I’m looking at from the air.”
“Nellin and I will keep watch with Mace and Prince Wil. If we see anything,” Jenet assured him, “we’ll point it out. It’s the only way you will learn.”
“Ah. We are home.” Nellin’s deep voice communicated his satisfaction as they crossed over the point where the sea ended and the beach began. The dragons began their descent. They’d all agreed to take a quick break when they reached the shore, even as close as they were to the winding border with Skithdron. The flight between Gryphon Isle and the mainland was a long one. The dragons could have gone farther, of course, but it was better to let their riders dismount and stretch their legs a bit every few hours.
Plus, it was nearing midday and the fair folk had given them more than enough provisions to make their way back. It would be good to eat something before they began the next leg of their long journey.
The inhabitants of Gryphon Isle also gave them warm cloaks and kitted Drake out with a spare shirt and leather leggings as well as a pack to keep them in. The garments and tack, made by their best artisans, were of the highest quality.
Drake had felt odd accepting such costly gifts at first, but the people had insisted, gifting them all with matching bags. Krysta especially loved the delicate designs on the leatherwork. She’d preened like a sparrow when she saw one of the packs was meant for her and thanked their hosts effusively.
The riders dismounted and Wil changed form so he could join them for a bit of lunch. They didn’t spend a long time at it, but ate well and quickly, stretching their muscles before remounting.
“It’s good to be back on Draconian soil,” Wil said contemplatively as he lingered over his last bite of seed bread. “I feel the land welcoming me. It’s a good feeling.”
“I know what you mean.” Drake nodded. “I finally returned just last week. I was dreading the meeting with my family, but it still felt good when I crossed that last border. Even though I knew I had to face my fathers.” Drake laughed wryly at his own fears.
“I feel some of that. I’m a little worried about how Rol will react,” Wil admitted with a shrug. “But all in all, it’s good to be home.”
“On the way down we camped, but I think we can stop in the town of Bayberry Heath for tonight,” Mace said. “As I recall, they had a nice inn with good food, for all that it’s close to the border.”
“I think the royal treasury would cover that,” Wil said with a facetious grin. “Or Drake could always sing for our supper.”
Drake laughed. “Most landlords will cover my own room and board in exchange for a few songs—maybe my lady’s too—but the rest of you are on your own.”
“Now is that any way to treat your brothers-in-arms?” Wil nudged Mace in the ribs, grinning. Mace even cracked a smile, making the ribbing all worthwhile.
“Regardless, I still have some coin that ought to cover a decent bed and a hearty dinner.”
“Nellin and I have been to Bayberry Heath before. It’s a nice little town, though it was attacked when the Skithdronian army came through a few seasons ago. They’ve rebuilt well since then and they have accommodation for dragons. They’re used to patrollers from the Border Lair stopping by every week or so. We might be able to get news of what’s been going on since we left.”
“It’s a good plan,” Drake agreed.
After lunch, they all remounted and Wil transformed back into the black dragon that was his birthright. They launched from the hard-packed sand and took to the sky as the noon sun started its slow descent toward the horizon. They would have an hour or so of light left when they reached Bayberry Heath.
Krysta rode with Drake, for which he was grateful. He liked having her warm body next to him. Liked being able to touch her as they flew along on Jenet’s back. He just liked everything about his new life, though he never would have imagined it when he’d left home so many years before. Here he was now, a knight, married to an incredible woman who was his match in almost every way, and partnered with a man he’d respected and liked since they were boys.
Life couldn’t get much better.