chapter Nineteen
Gareth and Lars, along with Belora, Kelvan and his mate, Rohtina, escorted them back to the castle. It was quite an honor guard for one black dragon and a newly joined family. Word spread quickly, and Drake wasn’t surprised to find a crowd gathered on the landing platform when they arrived. Jenet and Nellin landed first, making way for Wil between them. They weren’t taking any chances with his safety. They all knew what a shock it would be for his family to find him so changed.
Drake helped Krysta down from Jenet’s back and Mace met them, flanking her other side as they faced Roland. The king was understandably confused.
Drake bowed. “My liege, we found your brother, but he’s a bit…” Even the golden-tongued bard was at a loss for words, it seemed.
“I’m older than they expected.” Wil’s voice carried from behind the trio. Drake moved aside to allow William—now clad in black fighting leathers—to walk forward and face his brother. William didn’t bow, but he did nod his head in respect to his king, his brother. “I know it’s shocking, but for me, five years have passed, while for you it’s been five days.”
“How in the world…?” Roland looked to Mace for an explanation. Mace was the steadiest of the lot and stepped forward, making his bow as well.
“We traveled to Gryphon Isle and met the wizard Gryffid.” The dragons who gathered all around hushed, as did their knights. “He had your brother abducted in order to train him with his army of fair folk.”
“What you’re telling me sounds like a fairy tale,” Roland said with disbelief clear in his voice as he gazed at Wil.
Mace nodded. “I know, my liege. But every word is true. And there’s more, but I think it should wait ’til we are more private.” Mace shifted his eyes to the attentive audience all around and Roland sobered.
“Good idea.” Roland stepped forward to face the tall young man clad in scarred black leather. “Wil? Is it really you?”
William nodded, clearly choked up. “It’s really me, Rol.”
Roland reached out to his little brother, cupping the side of his head. A flare of power from each of them met and held as they recognized each other. Roland knew the flavor of his brother’s magic and knew in that moment—somehow—his brother had grown up.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Wil said, breaking the silence.
“Stars!” Roland whispered his amazement as he drew his youngest brother into a crushing embrace. “It is you!”
Drake followed everyone into a private chamber big enough for Nellin, Jenet, Kelvan and Rohtina to join them and give their version of events. Roland, Lana, Nico and Riki listened to every detail of the chase and discovery of William on Gryphon Isle.
“I spent five years there, training with the fair folk” Wil picked up the story where they’d left off, “and learning the legacy of our line. Rol, there’s a lot we didn’t know—a lot the dragons were charged to remember for us—and Gryffid thinks the time is coming when we’ll have to settle the ancient feuds once and for all. That’s why he took me.”
Drake saw Roland’s eyes narrow in anger. “He could have asked. He didn’t have to kidnap you and grievously injure two of our best fighting pairs in the process.”
“He did apologize for that,” Drake put in with a raised eyebrow. “Apparently, the mercs he hired to do the job got a little overzealous. Still, I agree, he should have just asked. Then again, would any of us really have believed one of the wizards still lived?”
“Good point.” Roland nodded in Drake’s direction. “So what’s the dire news from your new wizard friend?”
“There’s a place in the far North. It’s called the Citadel.” The dragons perked up as Wil spoke.
“I’ve heard of it. Recently, in fact. Salomar was giving King Lucan of Skithdron safe passage through the Northern wasteland for his search parties in exchange for diamond blades to take down our dragons. They were looking for the Citadel.”
Wil’s expression grew dark at his brother’s words. “So Gryffid feared.” Wil seemed to take a moment to gather his thoughts. “When the wizards left this realm, some stayed behind. A few, like Gryffid, voluntarily exiled themselves. Some were exiled by force—imprisoned in the ice at the top of the world—in the Citadel. It’s likely that our neighbor, King Lucan, is looking to free the worst of the worst of our enemies from the ice. Probably hoping they’ll reward him for his efforts. Roland—” his voice dropped low with deadly seriousness, “—the wizard Skir was imprisoned up there after he created the skiths.”
Silence reigned for a long moment while everyone digested this awful news.
“And the dragons knew this?” Roland looked to the dragons gathered behind the human party. Four large heads nodded.
“So we were taught,” Jenet responded. “It is our place to remember where our human friends do not. It is our task to be ever vigilant and ready to defend the lands should any of the entombed wizards seek to escape their punishment. Ours, and the Guardian’s.”
“What Guardian?” Roland demanded.
“We know not,” Jenet said sadly. “We only know there is a Guardian in the North. A being of great power, born to watch over the Citadel.”
“A hereditary Guardian, then. A human?” the king insisted, echoing the concern Drake saw in everyone’s expression.
“Perhaps a human born of wizard blood,” Nellin mused. “Like you, my liege. It would make sense.”
“That’s only a theory,” Jenet groused.
“But a good one, I’ve always thought,” Nellin countered.
“You two bicker like a married couple.” Nico’s voice was laced with suspicion.
“That’s because we are,” Jenet answered, sticking her tongue out at the Prince of Spies, much like a human child would.
Drake was a little appalled the dragons would choose that particular moment to reveal the truth of their mating…and all the implications for their humans that entailed. If it had been up to him, he would have chosen a less tense moment for their news. After they’d settled the question of why Wil had been taking and what their enemies were up to.
“My congratulations to you!” Nico walked over to Jenet and touched her neck, now entwined with Nellin’s. “I’m very happy for you both.” He turned to the human part of the new family. “And you three as well.” Nico winked and slapped both men on the back. “It’s about time you claimed your rightful place, Drake.” Drake accepted Nico’s back-pounding hug and felt the warmth of acceptance as Nico turned to give Krysta a kiss of welcome.
The others added their congratulations and Drake was a little amazed at how easily everyone accepted him as a knight. He’d thought for sure there would at least be some doubtful looks, if not outright denial of his ability to fulfill the new role.
It was a joyous moment, but it was overshadowed by the serious issues they had yet to discuss. Nico moved to Riki’s side, taking his wife in his arms and pulling her back against him so they faced the rest of the discussion together. Drake liked the way the other couple fit together and hoped that in time, he, Mace and Krysta would be as comfortable as the Prince of Spies and the Queen of the Jinn were now.
“So you found Wil on Gryphon Isle…” Nico prompted so they could resume the story. Drake was just as glad to have the attention taken off himself and his new family.
“We met Gryffid and his army of fair folk.” Drake shifted uncomfortably, thinking about the revelations still to come.
“And Gryffid advised Drake of his heritage,” Mace said, spilling the beans. Drake threw his new fighting partner a dirty look, but Mace only grinned at him. “Seems our Drake is descended of the wizard Draco, through Sir Declan’s line and possibly the fair folk, through his mother’s.”
“You’re joking.” Riki’s eyes widened as she looked at Drake. Everyone was looking at him again, much to his chagrin. The master bard was uncomfortable being the center of attention. What a joke.
“I’m afraid not, milady.” Mace continued, a light of humor in his eyes that was new to the usually serious knight. “More than that, the wizard Draco gifted his descendants with fire magic, and through our new bond, I seem to have gotten some of it too.” Mace opened his fingers to display a plume of flame, conjured in his palm.
“Sweet Mother!” Lana breathed.
“Firedrake!” Kelvan said with awe.
“What in blazes is a Firedrake?” Roland wanted to know.
“Apparently, I am, my liege.” Drake smiled ruefully, glad now that the secret was out. “As is Mace now, and perhaps my blood-father too, if we can show him how to tap into the flame.”
Mace closed his fingers, making the fire wink out. “Drake has already used this magic in battle against skiths in the village of Bayberry Heath on our way back from Gryphon Isle. As a weapon, it is formidable.”
“And a little uncontrollable at the moment,” Drake admitted. “I need a lot more practice, I’m afraid.”
“Astounding,” Roland said. “And it’s effective against skiths?”
“Burns them to ash quicker than dragon fire. And Drake can selectively target what he likes. He can flame the skith and leave everything else unharmed,” Mace added.
“Now that sounds familiar.” Nico turned his gaze to his lady wife. “Riki can do that too.”
“Only against evil,” she reminded her husband, then turned back to the group. “I did it once, when I was cornered by a skith. I can’t call flame in my fingers like Mace just did.”
“Drake becomes a pillar of flame,” Krysta added with some pride in her voice. Drake felt the warmth of her regard down to his toes. “It’s very effective.”
“I bet.” Roland looked over the newly made knight with interest. “So you’re more than a pretty voice and glib tongue, eh?”
Drake liked the way Roland took all this news in stride. He especially liked that Roland felt at ease enough to tease him. Drake had spent a lot of time away from home, but already, Draconia and the people in it were coming to know him again as he learned their changes. It felt like he had picked up where he left off with the king, and that easy camaraderie they had once shared was renewing itself as the days passed.
“I pray I prove to be a credit to your service, my liege. I know…” Drake hesitated briefly. “I know I’m not exactly knight material, but now that the deed is done, I vow to do everything in my power to live up to the expectations of knighthood.”
Roland chuckled and shook his head. “You already have, my friend. You were ever blind when it came to your own stature. You are the best—the only—partner for Jenet. We’ve all known it for as long as we’ve known you both. As for being worthy of being a knight…” Roland grasped Drake by the shoulder. “You’ve always been worthy, Drake. Your love for Jenet, your loyalty to the land and people of Draconiaeven as you traveled far and wideyour honor, your courage. All of those things make you one of the champions of this land. You found Wil, as you promised. You’re more than worthy. You’re one of our elite, just like Mace. A better matched pair, I’ve never seen.”
Drake was floored by the king’s words. He was actually stunned speechless, which was a rare condition for the master bard. Before Drake could come up with a reply, Roland had turned to Krysta.
“Welcome to the family, Krysta. Your brother and I had a long talk while you were away. We’ll be glad of your skills in the coming days.”
So the king had exchanged intelligence with his Master of the Guard. Good. They would need all the help they could get if the battle Gryffid feared really did come to pass.
“Thank you, my liege.” Krysta replied, bowing with her gaze kept on Roland’s in a show of respect.
She said nothing about her brother for the moment. She would not speak Jinn secrets for all to hear. She was still a spymaster, with all the cunning and caution that implied, and Drake loved that—and so much more—about her.
Hours later, Drake, Mace and Krysta had a hastily prepared wedding celebration and their dragons flew in a mating flight, long anticipated since that first time they’d been together. Even Drake was astounded by the speed with which they’d been able to get the party together. It was a mix of Jinn and Lair traditions, with Prince Nico and his wife Riki standing as witnesses, though all agreed neither Drake nor Mace needed any guidance in making love to their wife as was custom for newlyweds in many of the Jinn clans.
After feasting and dancing, they were shown to a small enclosure on the battlements traditionally used for such celebrations. The party was held up there so the dragons could join in the festivities and be near their human counterparts until the very last moments before they took to the sky.
Drake was pleased to see the enclosure had been festooned with Jinn tapestries in bright colors, donated for the cause by Krysta’s clan. Her eyes filled with emotion the moment she saw it, and Drake was glad such care and thought had been put into their wedding bower. No doubt, Riki and maybe even Lana had a hand in the decorations. He’d have to remember to thank them.
Drake had already been informed there would be another party the following night with the entire Wayfarer Clan as well as those of the Black Dragon Clan who were already living in Castleton, to celebrate the joining of Krysta and Drake. Mace would be adopted into both clans and made Jinn by marriage as well. Judging by past experience, Drake figured that party would last for days.
But that night, as the dragons trumpeted their joy to the heavens, coiled together in bliss, so too were the human partners in the family. They were all swept up in the driving pleasure. Drake felt spurred on by the amazing bond with the dragons. Golden sparks of fire enveloped them all, heating their blood but harming none—a magical display of Drake’s power brought on by intense emotion.
Krysta was left gasping after the first round. It had been hard and fast, with few words but a wealth of emotion passing between the three humans and the dragons whose lust pushed them. Now that Wil was home safe, Jenet and Nellin had warned Krysta that she would get little sleep that night. She’d thought it a joke at the time, but after the second, intense round of dragon-inspired lovemaking, she began to wonder.
Drake lay panting on one side of the soft bed, Mace on the other. Krysta crawled over to a low table near the entrance to the enclosure and began to nibble on the delicacies that had been prepared for them. If they were going to keep up this pace, she’d need some nourishment. A grin passed over her face as she ate, watching her two gorgeous husbands watching her.
“What puts such a devilish smile on your face, lovely Krys?” Drake beckoned to her with one finger. She took a small plate of pastries back with her as she rejoined him on the mattress.
“I was just thinking we should eat while we can. One cannot live on love alone, after all.”
“Says who?” Mace sat up to nibble on her shoulder. “Personally, I find you delicious and very invigorating.”
Krysta felt the dragons stir in the back of her mind. Joined as she was to the men, she had felt echoes of the dragons’ passion in her own body even as her men drove her higher with their love. Judging by the sensations, the dragons were gearing up for a third round of aerial love.
Placing the plate on the small ledge behind Mace, she leaned over him, only to be caught in his strong arms and pulled down for a kiss. The kiss turned to a thorough exploration that made her senses swim. By the time Drake came up behind her, she was ready for anything these two might want from her.
Mace drew back and pushed her head downward. She knew what he wanted. She wanted the same.
As the dragon fire burned hotter, she took Mace’s thick cock between her lips, playing with him at first, before sucking him deep. At the same time, Drake lifted her hips off the mattress, settling behind her as she rested on her knees. He entered her slick channel, pushing her forward onto Mace’s cock. He drew out and pulled her back. He repeated the motion, increasing his pace, essentially f*cking them both as his motion pushed her back and forth on Mace.
Gazing upward, she saw Mace’s head drop back on his shoulders, his eyes shut as pleasure swamped him. Drake increased his pace yet again as the dragons spiraled higher, trumpeting to the heavens along with their fellows. Many knights and dragons were celebrating in pleasure with them this night.
As the dragons reached their peak, so too did their human counterparts, Mace coming in her mouth while Drake’s seed flooded her womb. Krysta’s whole body clenched in bliss, riding the waves of ecstasy for long moments as the dragons rode the air currents toward the earth far below.
As Drake had predicted, the Jinn party did indeed last for days. Krysta was excused from her duty as a Guard while the knights enjoyed the usual respite from their work as well. Newlyweds were given a week to enjoy their married state before having to go back to work.
For Drake, the end of their honeymoon signaled the beginning of a new life. He’d never expected to be welcomed back to Draconia in such a fashion—being partnered with Jenet was a boyhood dream come true and being married to Krysta was every fantasy he’d ever had. She was inventive in the bedchamber and a true partner in the life he saw unfolding before his eyes. It was a life he’d never expected, but one that promised great joy.
The rest of the Lair kept their distance during that initial week, though both sets of parents had contributed to the basic decoration of the set of rooms assigned now to Mace, Drake, Krysta, Nellin and Jenet. Krysta had brought a load of gifts from her family as well. Her brother had attended both ceremonies—the public part of the Lair wedding and the full Jinn ceremony performed a day later. Unexpectedly, Drake discovered the new leader of the Wayfarer Clan, a lovely gray-eyed woman named Malin, was also Krysta’s sister, the eldest of the three siblings.
Rulu, the aged former leader of the Clan, was her father, and he delighted in giving both Drake and Mace dire, half-hearted warnings about how to treat his baby girl. The Jinn weren’t used to three-partnered marriages but were more open-minded than other peoples, having traveled in all lands and seen all kinds of customs and traditions.
During that week, the dragons had mated almost continuously every night, making up for lost time they claimed when they paused long enough to speak. They all slept deep into the morning, only stumbling out for sustenance around noon each day to the teasing grins of the Lair folk. A few times, the human side of the family would have to go running for their chamber when the dragons unexpectedly took to the sky. They didn’t always make it, but the Lair folk weren’t easily shocked. Dragons were exhibitionists after all, and more than a few of the knights took after their brethren of the skies.
Nico and Riki came upon them in a darkened hall as Drake f*cked Krysta’s mouth while Mace plowed into her from behind. Nico grinned and settled in to watch the show, fondling his mate through her blouse while he met Drake’s eye. It was only fair, he realized, since Drake had stood as witness to the royal’s Jinn wedding ceremony, even helping in the marital tent later that night, as was custom.
The dragons peaked, bringing all three mates to completion as the royal couple watched, though only Drake knew they were there—until Drake, Mace and Krysta broke apart, all three of them righting their clothing. When Mace and Krysta turned toward the arch to the stairs, they stopped short, seeing Nico and Riki standing there, smiling at them.
“Felicitations on your union.” Nico winked as he held his wife against him, both arms around her waist as they faced the red-faced trio. Well, Mace and Krysta were blushing, but Drake knew he’d gone well past the blushing stage with this particular couple. Nico was like a brother to him and Riki was a very special woman he would protect with his life, though his heart was fully Krysta’s now. “Don’t mind us,” Nico went on, “we were just on the way to our quarters.”
“My liege—” Mace halted, confusion clear on his face. Drake stepped in to save his brother-in-arms.
“We hope you enjoyed the entertainment.” Drake bowed mockingly low and both royals laughed at his antics, while Krysta gasped.
“You always were a showman, Drake. I’ll give you that.” Riki’s voice drifted to them as Nico turned her away, back toward their apartments. “Thanks for the reminder.”
When Nico and Riki were out of earshot, Krysta turned on Drake. “Reminder? Please tell me you haven’t bedded the Jinn queen! I knew you were a scoundrel, but honestly, Drake!”
“Sweetheart.” Drake tried to take her shoulders in his hands, but she evaded him, turning to Mace instead. “Please try to understand. I was part of their mating ceremony. Their Jinn ceremony.” She seemed unconvinced. “I never actually bedded Riki,” he mumbled, knowing this was something Krysta might never forgive. Already, they were off to a rocky start.
But Krysta surprised him, taking his face in her hands and kissing him soundly. “You don’t know how glad I am to hear that. I don’t think I could compete with royalty.”
“Sweetheart.” He kissed her back. “There is no competition. You’re the only woman I will ever love, the only woman I will ever bed. And it’s been that way from the moment I first saw you.”
“You do have a silver tongue.” She smiled as she stepped away, taking one of his hands in her own. She took Mace’s hand as well, leading them toward their chamber. “Now let’s find a bed so you can show me again just how talented it really is.”
Drake looked over her head at Mace. The knight’s expression held a mixture of shock, envy and rekindled passion as Krysta dragged them along, but they were of one mind when it came to their wife. Mace nodded at him and they each took one arm and one leg, lifting Krysta off her feet and running the last few steps to their chamber door.
The dragons were flying again.