Prince of Spies

chapter Eight

Riki couldn’t believe what was happening. Nico was thrusting his tongue in and out, driving her wild, while his devilish friend nibbled on her nipples. She’d never felt so wanton—or so excited—in her entire life. Admittedly, her experience was nil, but she’d seen all manner of things in Lucan’s rooms. This, by far, was the most exciting.

Drake stared deep into her eyes as he lifted up just slightly, tugging at one nipple with the barest graze of his teeth. His blue eyes flashed so brightly, they reminded her of the precious blue gems in some of Lucan’s crown jewels. Sapphires, she thought they were called. Drake’s sapphire eyes were filled with devilish amusement, daring her to join in the fun.

But her senses were completely overwhelmed by Nico’s skillful tongue working its magic below. With a whimpering cry, she came hard against his tongue, flying higher than she had before, soaring above the earth as she experienced the greatest pleasure she’d felt yet under Nico’s skillful direction. He licked her and sucked lightly throughout, holding her at the pinnacle for a timeless moment, stretching the pleasure out.

When she finally settled back to earth, Drake was watching her, his handsome face mere inches from her own, his smile wide and genuine.

“I thank you, milady.”

“Um.” She spoke softly, embarrassment flooding her cheeks with heat. “I think that should be the other way around.”

Drake chuckled as Nico finally rose from between her legs, peering over Drake’s shoulder as he caressed her thighs with his big hands, soothing her. She liked the way he watched over her, caring for her safety and pleasure above his own.

Drake moved down and Nico growled. But Drake only shrugged as he placed a light kiss on Riki’s lips, a soft salutation of friendship and respect. She felt all that in his kiss, just as she felt Nico’s possessive grip on her thighs tighten until Drake moved back, rising to his feet beside the bed. He moved casually to the things he’d dropped on the table and chair by the door and Riki took a moment to catch her breath. There was still Nico to deal with and she could feel him staring at her naked form.

She couldn’t quite meet his eyes yet and like a coward, she shut her own, hiding. It took her by surprise when she felt Nico kiss the small scar on her waist—the deepest one among many from Lucan’s skith venom torture sessions. She knew the wound was ugly and tears came to her eyes when she felt Nico kiss each and every one of her scars on his way up her body. At length, he settled over her, blanketing her with his warm length.

“Look at me, sweetheart.”

“I can’t.”

“You must.” His voice cajoled, teasing her into doing his bidding. “Or we will lie like this all night and in such case, I cannot guarantee you will wake a virgin.”

“Nico!” She gasped at his blatant teasing, knowing Drake could hear everything, and opened her eyes directly into Nico’s hazel gaze.

He was smiling so beautifully, she felt it in her knees. He really was the most handsome man she had ever set eyes on. And the most giving.

“Drake knows, sweetheart. He knows how you’ve been treated, and he will protect you, just as I will.”

“I trust you, Nico.” Her words seemed to affect him greatly. His jaw clenched and something like hope burst in his gaze, only to be tamped down as he rolled slightly away.

“Are you all right with what just happened?”

Riki ducked her head, embarrassed to talk so openly about the scandalous things she’d just let them do to her body. But Nico tipped her chin up, forcing her gaze to meet his.

“Don’t hide, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to rush you, but you were so sweetly responsive in my arms, I couldn’t help myself. It’s perfectly normal to enjoy what we did. I only regret if I pushed you too far. Did you enjoy it?”

“You know I did.” The admission was forced from the depths of her embarrassment.

Nico beamed and kissed her deeply, rubbing himself lightly against her. When he let her up for air, she was panting once more. The man was potent.

“Good. You’ve made me very happy, Riki. Thank you.”

She knew he was talking about her daring actions before Drake arrived and she was glad Nico didn’t go into specifics with the other man present, no matter what they had just shared. Some things were meant to be private, between herself and Nico alone.

“You’re welcome.”

Drake laughed from the corner of the room. “You two are more formal than my granny.”

Nico threw a pillow at Drake, but levered himself up from the bed, tugging at his leggings as he went, covering himself. Riki felt a pang of regret when he was all tucked away. With some shock, she realized she actually wanted to see a man’s cock, wanted to lick it, wanted to own it. Not just any man’s, but Nico’s in particular.

But there was work to be done.

Riki watched Nico saunter over to the table, picking up the sword Drake placed before him. Expertly, he tested the balance as Riki scrambled to a sitting position on the bed, tugging her clothing down over her body and pulling a blanket around her shoulders for good measure.

She wasn’t normally comfortable showing her body because of all the scars. The minutes before had been an aberration caused by extreme pleasure. Pleasure so intense, her cheeks flooded with heat and her p-ssy with cream, just remembering it.

Nico inhaled deeply and turned to wink at her. His smile was downright wicked. Riki began to wonder just how acute dragon senses were. Could he actually smell her renewed arousal? It certainly seemed as if he could.

“This is a fine blade,” Nico nodded at Drake. “Good choice.”

Drake nodded, passing a set of knives to Nico. “Try these. There’s a fairly good swordsmith in town, willing to work quietly and not ask any questions.”

“Ah, the best kind,” Nico agreed, testing the weight of each of the blades with a critical eye. “These are fine too. Your smith is a good one. Did you manage to get anything for Riki?”

Drake grinned broadly and with a flourish, produced a bright red dress with yellow trim and enough frills to make Riki blink twice. It had a wide, tiered skirt, and a neckline that would scoop low over her breasts, but the sleeves would probably come all the way to the middle of her forearms, hiding the worst of her scars and providing some warmth. It was flamboyant but beautiful, and Riki could barely believe it was meant for her.

Nico took it from Drake with gentle hands and walked over to the bed, sitting at her side. He draped the dress over her legs.

“I want you to wear this, sweetheart. I know it’s a little showy, but we’re posing as Drake’s cousins from the Jinn. Most of the Jinn women dress in very bright colors and it will help to camouflage you.”

It touched her that he would worry over whether she liked the dress or not, but he didn’t truly understand her apprehension. Somehow, she needed to make him understand.

“It’s a beautiful dress, Nico,” she said softly. “Neither the color nor style bothers me. It’s just…I’ve never worn something so pretty. Or so new.”

Nico reached out and pulled her into his arms, rocking her close to his solid chest.

“You will have rooms of new dresses and gowns when I get you home to Draconia. I’ll see to it myself. Nothing is too good for you, Riki.” His fervently whispered words brought tears to her eyes as he rocked her ever so gently. “Put on the dress, sweetheart. Let’s begin your new life with this small step.”

He pulled back slowly and unwrapped the blanket from her shoulders. She let him. Tugging her old dress up, he pulled it over her head, but the light in his eyes was only partly sexual. No, his heat was tempered with care, gentleness and something she couldn’t quite name, but the flavor of it humbled her. Holding her gaze, Nico dropped the new dress over her head and tugged it down over her breasts and against her small waist.

“Stand up, sweetheart.” Gingerly, she got to her feet at the side of the bed, allowing the material to swish down around her legs. The dress fell nearly all the way to the floor, swirling around her ankles, delicate as moth’s wings. Nico moved behind her to tie the sash that would fit the dress around her waist snugly, and for the first time in her life, Riki felt feminine and pretty in the soft red dress. She spun and the voluminous, light skirt trailed a few seconds behind her movement. Experimentally, she tried moving a bit more and delighted in the swish of the silky material.

“It’s so beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful,” Nico breathed, watching her. Her eyes flew to his and she read hunger in his gaze—hunger and admiration that set her knees to wobbling.

“I agree.” Drake spoke from behind her, breaking the spell. “You look like a Jinn princess. It’s a perfect disguise. All it needs is this around your beautiful hair.” Drake produced a matching red-patterned scarf with lovely long fringe all around. He moved close to place it in her hand and Riki sighed at the whisper soft material that met her touch. “Silk, from the eastern shores, for the Jinn princess, and golden bangles for your arms.” Drake produced three thin gold bracelets and held them up before her with a devilish smile.

“They’re perfect, Drake.” Nico stepped forward to examine the jewelry, holding out his hands for more. “What else did you get?”

Drake handed Nico a few other items, but Riki couldn’t see what they were and she was too entranced by her new dress to really care. The men were the experts at this spy game, she was just a new player who must work hard to keep up.

Nico turned and captured her hand, surprising her for a moment. Gently, he slid the bangles onto her arms, then placed a plain gold band around her finger, holding her gaze all the while. She knew in some lands such rings were meant as mating gifts and it touched her that he would place such a mark on her finger. She noticed then, looking down to admire the ring, that he wore a matching band on his own finger.

“We’re mated,” he said shortly. “Nick and Ari from the tribes of the Jinn, come to visit and travel with our cousin Drake.”

“Wouldn’t it be safer just to stay hidden?”

“It’s always better to hide in plain sight,” Nico assured her, caressing her hand before letting go. “And I far prefer being your husband.”

“But we’re only pretending.”

“For now.” He agreed, but his eyes held a deeper message she was almost afraid to read.



“What do you know of the Jinn?” Nico tried to coach Riki—or Ari, as he should call her while they wore these roles—about the part she’d be playing. He’d be with her every step of the way, of course, but Nico believed in preparation for all contingencies.

“I know very little, I’m ashamed to admit. I think many of them make their living telling stories and playing music. Lucan had some of them entertain him every now and again until his…change became too great. I liked their songs.”

“We are nomadic,” Drake continued taking items from his satchel and placing them on the table as he spoke. “We go where life leads us and prefer to remain a mystery for the most part, which will serve your purpose well.”

“We?” she asked, uncertainty on her face.

“I was adopted by one of the Jinn clans after performing a…service for the head family.”

Nico was still amazed by some of the things Drake had gotten involved in during his time abroad. Few men could claim adoption by the secretive Jinn. Though Drake had never divulged the details of what he’d done to earn the rare honor, Nico had spent not a little time trying to puzzle it out. But this was one secret even the Spymaster of Draconia hadn’t learned. Still, he knew Drake’s contacts among the Jinn could be vital in their escape from this Mother-forsaken land.

Nico took the colorful silk scarf from Riki’s hands and showed her the way Jinn women traditionally folded their headscarves. Luckily, he’d undressed his share of fiery Jinn wenches in his time and knew well how they assembled their clothing. This he taught to Riki, pleased when she proved to be a quick study.

He tied the scarf at a jaunty angle. The tendrils of fringe framed Riki’s beautiful features, hiding her lustrous hair. Her luminous eyes looked even bigger, if such a thing were possible, and Nico wanted nothing more than to take her back to bed and claim her fully as his own.

But he couldn’t. Not yet. Not ’til she came to him freely. Nico was a patient man, but the dragon in him seethed, wanting its mate.

“We’ll enter the tavern with Drake. He’ll handle the performing.”

“Won’t the people expect all of us to perform?”

“Not me. I’ll be wearing the marks of a warrior.” Nico liked that she was asking questions. Overall, she seemed to be calmly absorbing everything they threw at her.

“The Jinn learn how to defend themselves and their women from a young age,” Drake added. “No one will be surprised if Nick doesn’t sing or dance. Not with his war face scaring everyone away from you, Ari.”

The newly shortened version of her name made her start a bit, but not as much as it could have, Nico was pleased to see. “As for you, Ari…” Nico emphasized the new nickname to get her more used to it, “…we’ll claim you’re too tired from the trip. Perhaps we can say you’re pregnant. It would give us an excuse to retire early and explain your pale skin.”

The more he thought about it, the more Nico liked the idea. Not just for their disguise, but for real. He’d love nothing more than to plant his child in Riki’s womb, see her swell with it and watch it being born. He’d never before wanted to be a father, but suddenly, it was one of the most important goals in his life. Soon, he promised himself, soon Riki would come to him and he would take her and they’d make babies together. Soon. The dragon side of his nature could hardly wait.

But for now, Riki was blushing furiously at the idea of being pregnant, charming him but worrying him at the same time. If she couldn’t handle the role, people would become suspicious.

“We don’t have to say that if it embarrasses you, sweetheart,” he gave her the option.

“No. It’s all right. If it’ll help, I say let’s do it. It sounds reasonable. It just took me by surprise.”

“Right then, Ari, my love.” He clasped her hands in his. “You’re only just realizing you’re pregnant. Just a few weeks into it, so you’re still thin, but feeling the effects of morning sickness at all times of the day. If things get too rough for you in the common room, pretend to feel ill and I’ll take you out, but it’s important we make a short appearance at least, so no one will be surprised when we leave in Drake’s wagon tomorrow morning.”

“I won’t let you down, Nico. I promise.”



The common room of the tavern was raucous when they entered. Drake was greeted with a cheer and he held up his instrument of choice—a large, metal-stringed lute—with a smile of triumph. Curious glances were sent their way as they entered behind the blond man, but Riki held her head high and smiled at the people who cheered for Drake.

Drake escorted them to his reserved table near the fire and turned to the crowd, quickly introducing his cousins from the Jinn and launching into a song before anyone could ask questions about them. He was good. He was actually damn good, Riki quickly realized. On par with or better than many of the famous bards who had entertained Lucan in the palace.

She recognized some of the tunes he played and found herself tapping her toes and humming along. Riki had always loved music of almost any kind and had hidden her enjoyment carefully from Lucan. He often had musicians play for him in his chambers, though it was more for effect than any true enjoyment, Riki secretly thought. Lucan was always too busy eating and plying his many lovers to bother listening to the music he demanded be played in the background. Only Riki truly enjoyed the soaring melodies and clever rhymes. One or two of the musicians had noted her interest, but were keen enough to keep their knowledge well hidden from the vindictive king.

Riki saw the pitying looks they gave her, though, as they entered and left the chamber where she was kept chained. A few would smile at her kindly when nobody could see and some would play songs she particularly loved—sometimes she thought they played them just for her. Lucan could care less what ballad or dance tune was played, as long as there was music to accompany his pathetic seductions.

It was rather disgusting, really, but Riki never associated the music with the heinous acts she’d been forced to witness. No, the music had been her savior at such times, allowing her to focus on something with her ears, even while her eyes were forced to watch something abhorrent to her.

And Lucan made her watch. When, in the beginning, she’d tried to turn away, he’d had guards tie her and beat her until she complied with Lucan’s desires. It seemed because he couldn’t have her, he enjoyed taunting the virgin with his vile acts of sexual possession. Everything she knew about sexual perversions she’d learned from watching Lucan, but as long as there was music, she could focus on that, even while her eyes remained open and watching Lucan’s disgusting tableaus.

The music was her salvation, her solace and her strength. No one knew just how deeply she loved it.

Drake launched into a sad ballad known as “Arundelle’s Lament”. It was a mythical tale about how the river bordering both Skithdron and Draconia in the north got its name. It told of the sad wizard woman, Arundelle, who lost her mate in the days when wizards still roamed the lands and magic was everywhere and in all things.

Riki loved Drake’s version of the song and her eyes filled with tears at the particularly poignant verses. It was a long ballad with many stanzas and Riki sat entranced through each and every one, as did most of the room. Drake was truly gifted.

When the last note sounded, silence reigned through the crowded room. Seconds later, thunderous applause filled the air. Coppers and even a silver coin or two flew through the air to land in the pot at Drake’s feet as he smiled and bowed to the cheering crowd. He picked up the pot of coins and set it on the table between Riki and Nico as the applause died down.

“Thank you my friends,” Drake addressed the crowd with a humble smile. “I must take a break now, but I’ll play more for you after I’ve wet my whistle.”

Groans and cajoling rose from the crowd, many trying to get Drake to play some more, but he politely declined, pulling out the big chair reserved for him. He drank heartily of the tankard a pretty lass placed before him. In fact, drinks were delivered for Riki and Nico too, simply because they were with Drake, so popular was he.

A burly man came over, wiping his hands on his apron, and Riki realized this must be the landlord or one of his family, at least. Drake stood and shook the man’s hand, introducing him to Nico and then briefly to Riki as Jonas Brewer. He seemed a pleasant sort of fellow with a kind smile, but Riki saw he had a shrewd eye for business and he ran his establishment with keen awareness of efficiency and potential for profit.

“Won’t your cousins favor us with a song?” Brewer asked with a jovial smile. There was an undercurrent of urgency as well and Riki was instantly on alert for why the man seemed a bit anxious. Nico and Drake must have felt it as well, for both sat a little straighter in their chairs and Nico’s gaze roved casually around the place, pausing only briefly by the door.

That was enough to make Riki look, and what she saw in her brief glance nearly gave her a heart attack. Four soldiers in uniform stood by the door surveying the crowd. Their uniforms signaled they weren’t from the actual palace, so they wouldn’t recognize her, but they were definitely looking for something. In fact, they were probably looking for her.

Riki remembered what Nico had said about hiding in plain sight and an idea formed in her mind. Gathering her courage, Riki looked over at Nico. His gaze was shifting casually around, noting exits and potential routes they might take, she realized, if things went badly. She had to do something to save herself. Nico had done everything to this point and she needed to take a more active role in her escape. It was fast becoming a matter of pride.

“I can sing.” Riki spoke those words privately to Nico alone, testing the waters before she jumped in.

Nico’s gaze shot to hers, questioning.

“You don’t have to do anything. Let me take care of you, sweetheart.”

“That’s all you’ve done is take care of me. I can do this, if it will help. If you need me to, I can sing, and rather well, so you won’t be embarrassed. Though I’m nowhere near as good as Drake.”

“Are you sure?”

Riki smiled at him as he reached across the table to take her hand in his. To anyone looking at them they seemed a young couple in love. Only they knew of the life or death situation they were in and the dire plans being hatched silently between them.

“I can do it. If Drake will play for me.”

Nico raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly as his gaze moved subtly to the doorway. The soldiers were moving closer, she could see them out of the corner of her eye. It was time to act. Nico nodded slightly and turned to the landlord.

“My wife will sing a song for you while our cousin rests, if that is your wish.”

Riki was impressed with the slight Jinn accent and foreign phrasing Nico used and her smile was genuine as she looked up at the landlord. Thankfully, Jinn women were seldom heard to speak to strangers, though they were rumored to be quite vocal among their own people.

“Are you sure, Cousin Ari?” Drake asked with concern. “You don’t have to if you feel ill.” His hand shot out to take hers as she rose slowly from the table. The message in his blue eyes was clear. He worried for her, but she knew she could do this. It was about the only thing she could do to help herself—and these wonderful men who were protecting her.

“It’s all right,” she told him softly. Drake squeezed her hand once, then let go, reaching for his lute, but Nico’s hand closed over the instrument’s long neck first. Riki was surprised, but the dancing light in Nico’s eyes warmed her.

“I will play for my lovely wife. We are still newlyweds, after all.” Nico’s laughter was echoed by Drake and the landlord, and soon the other tables around them were cheering as Riki and Nico faced the crowd.

The landlord faded back to the bar area. Riki could easily see the soldiers stopping, watching them speculatively for a moment before moving on. All she had to do now was sing convincingly enough and they would have no idea the prize they searched for was right under their noses.

“What song, my love?” Nico asked her softly.

Riki thought quickly of the many songs she’d committed to memory over the months she’d been subjected to Lucan’s imprisonment. She needed something relatively short, that she could do well. After just a few seconds of deliberation, she thought of one the crowd would probably like as well.

“How about ‘The Siren’?”

Nico looked surprised for a moment, and then smiled his devastatingly handsome smile. She was certain his smile alone charmed half the women in the room. Nico really was the most delectable rogue.

“Anything for you, my love.” She heard several women sigh at the interplay while Nico stood at her side, one foot resting on a chair while he held the lute against his middle, propped on a raised knee. He began with a few introductory notes and Riki realized he had a great deal of skill with the instrument. Of course, he was a prince. He was probably schooled in all sorts of things most regular people never learned.

When he got to the part where she began to sing, a hush came over the room. Many recognized the popular tune, apparently, and wanted to see how the young Jinn lass Riki was pretending to be would do with it. She opened her mouth, fear nearly overpowering her for one dark moment before she found that place within herself where the music lived. It was the place she had retreated to when Lucan had done his worst to hurt her, to ridicule her and break her. It was the place only music touched and it formed the basis of her soul.

Touching that vast power, she began to sing, knowing nothing could harm her while she was in that magical place.