Border Lair (16 page)

After a long, joyous moment, he moved back, keeping her on his lap while he searched around them.

“Darian! Thank you, brother, for the good catch, and you, Sandor. I can never repay either of you for saving my life.”

“Think nothing of it.” Darian winked at his fighting partner. “I expect you’ll do the same for me someday.”

Jared laughed shortly, then his eyes sharpened. “How goes the battle?”

Darian’s broad smile was answer enough, but he stepped back to let Gareth and Lars move closer. Both younger men were flushed with excitement, fresh from the battle and high with their victory. Gareth stepped forward, the usual spokesman for the duo.

“Whatever you two did, it did the trick. Just before Sandor and Kelzy burst into the sky, the ranks of skiths lost focus and started to scramble.

They turned on the Skithdronian army and started fighting them as they fled across the border for their home rocks. Their forces, both skith and human, are in retreat, running for the border as fast as they can.”

A cheer went up from the knights surrounding them now and all were smiling. Adora put her hand over Jared’s shoulder when he tried to stand, she and Darian supporting him as he faced his warriors.

“You’ve done well this day, my lads!” Again they cheered as he buoyed their spirits. “Send out patrols to watch the retreat and make certain no stragglers remain on our side of the border. Gareth and Lars, you’re in charge of the patrols for now. I have some recuperating to do with my family.”

Many of the knights stepped forward to pat him on his good shoulder as he passed. Adora noted that just as many offered congratulations and a respectful hand on the shoulder to Darian. All of them talked about the brave and magnificent save Darian and Sandor had performed by plucking Jared out of freefall and flying hell bent for leather back to the Lair. They’d saved Jared’s life and unwittingly earned the respect of many a knight that day.

When they reached their private suite, Darian and Adora helped Jared to bed. Adora undressed him, surprised to find his cock hard and wanting as she uncovered it.

“What’s this?” she teased, dipping her head to kiss the tip of his erection.

“It’s what always happens when you touch me, my love.” He reached for her hand, pulling her onto the bed. “Dar, she’s wearing too many clothes.

Can’t you do something about that?” Jared’s deep blue eyes twinkled up at her as the knights amused themselves with a lighthearted seduction.

“Are you sure you’re up to it, Jared? You just almost died.”

He dragged her down for a deep kiss. “No better time to reaffirm life than when you’ve almost lost it, Adora. The question is, are you up to it? You expended a lot of energy healing me. Do you need to rest, or can I make love to you first?”

“As long as I can sleep sometime tonight, I’ll be just fine.” She tugged his head down to hers. “Make love to me, Jared. I’m so grateful you’re alive.” She kissed him deeply, cooperating with Darian as he moved around them to remove her clothing. When she was bare, Darian turned to leave. Adora stopped him with an outstretched hand.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Jared asked, his voice rough with desire and strong with the vitality of returning health.

“You should celebrate together.”

“Not without you,” Adora said softly.

“I thought we’d settled this already.” Jared sighed loudly, clearly exasperated. “She’s right, Dar. You’re part of this family. This is for the three of us to share together.”

The other man looked truly touched as he stood silent for a moment, clearly caught off guard. Adora tugged him closer so that he stood between her legs as she sat on the edge of the bed. With slow, deliberate hands, she undressed him, easing his leather leggings off and sucking him deep when she uncovered his hard cock. Darian’s head dropped back, his beautiful eyes closing as her lips closed around him.

Jared knew the ecstasy Darian felt. He didn’t envy his new brother the love of their mate—instead he reveled in it. Adora was theirs to pleasure, theirs to protect, and she in turn would pleasure them and give them all the love they needed. It was a rare gift and one he would never deny again.

“Enough, wench!” Darian called out with a laugh when she would have sucked him to release. Stepping back, he dove for the other side of the bed, careful not to jostle Jared’s injured shoulder, but eager now for more loveplay.

Jared caught Adora gently by the neck and turned her to face him. “Give me some of what you just gave him, little one.”

Her eyes flamed brightly as he pushed her head down near his straining erection. Without hesitation she took him deep and wide, her eyes holding his as she positioned herself to take all of him—all the way to the back of her throat. Adora was truly talented that way, Jared knew, thinking again what a lucky son of a bitch he was.

“She really likes sucking cock,” Darian observed from beside him, leaning negligently against the headboard as he fingered his long, stiff rod. “She’s got a talent for it, I think.”

Jared couldn’t answer around the rumble of pleasure rising from his throat as she swallowed around the tip of him. With a groan, he brought her off his dick and urged her face up to his.

“Ride me, little love. Ride me hard and fast.”

She did just that as Darian moved to the side watching her ass jiggle up and down on Jared’s thick cock. When she slowed, Darian slapped her butt cheeks, making her yelp and clench around Jared. When Darian inserted his wet finger into the tight spot between her cheeks, she nearly shot off the bed.

“Do you want him in you too?” Jared asked as she writhed on him. “Do you want him up your ass while I’m in your pussy?”

“Yes!” The scream was torn from her throat as she came hard over him.

Jared nodded and jerked his chin over at Darian. The other man wasted no time positioning his quickly lubed cock at her rear entrance. He eased in, not wanting to hurt her, but they both knew by now she liked the little edge of pain this position put her in. They wanted to bring her as high as they could, to show her how much they both loved her. They were of one mind in that moment, with their willing mate writhing between them. No words needed to be spoken, they simply were connected, hearts and souls.

When Adora came again, she brought both her mates with her in a glorious fireball of ecstasy that had all three of them gasping and collapsing into a dreamless sated sleep, side by side by side in the huge bed.

The next morning the dragons woke them. Kelzy nudged the huge bed with her chin, her long tongue reaching out to playfully tease her humans awake while Sandor watched and laughed in his dragonish way, smoking up the vented dome above their sandpit.

“Go away, Kelz, can’t you see I’m injured here?” Jared groused as a ticklish tongue prodded his foot.

The children are coming to visit. They have news you will be happy to learn and can’t hide it any longer. Do you want them to find you lounging in bed, naked as the day you were born?

“What children?” Darian asked sleepily as Adora slid over him, pausing only to kiss him good morning on her way to the bathing chamber.

“I think she means my daughter, Belora, and her mates.”

And our son, Kelvan, and his mate, Rohtina, Sandor added with just a hint of fatherly pride.

“They’re all coming here?” Jared finally sat up and scratched at his chest.

“What for? Is there a problem?”

Not a problem, worrywart, Kelzy laughed at her knight. Get dressed and you’ll find out shortly.

Darian decided to stop trying to fight the inevitable. He stood and joined Adora in the bathing chamber, cleansing himself before dressing for the day, stopping a few times to tickle and fondle her because he just couldn’t help himself. She was so sweet, so womanly, so much of everything he had always wanted in his life. He only wished he had found her sooner, but Fate apparently had other ideas.

He realized by joining with Adora, he had also inherited an extended family in her daughter, Belora’s mates, and their dragon partners. He’d gone from being all alone in the world to having a large, loving family almost overnight. The gods must be smiling down on him, indeed. Darian didn’t know what he’d done right, but it must have been something big for them to grant him such happiness.

After they were all dressed and Adora had the morning tea going, the promised guests arrived with a spring in their steps and sparkles in all of their eyes. Belora rushed over to hug her mother, her face sporting a wide grin.

“What is it, baby?” Adora asked her youngest child.

“Make that babies, plural,” Gareth joked, reaching out to clasp hands with Jared, then Darian as Lars did the same.

Adora’s eyes drew together in suspicious delight. “Are you?”

“Mama, I’m pregnant!”

Adora shrieked and hugged her baby girl close. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, the prince told me.”

“Nico?” Jared asked quickly, a grin splitting his face as well. “Was he here again?”

“No, he told me days ago but things were too hectic, and then I didn’t want my news to overshadow your wedding. I had morning sickness and the prince calmed my stomach with his healing gift. Then he told me…” Her eyes grew wide with tears of joy as Lars pulled her back against his broad frame in comfort. “He told me I was going to have twin boys. One from each of my mates. And they were both going to be black dragons.”

Jared sat heavily, his knees seeming to crumble at the startling news, but Darian and Adora were both puzzled.

“Black dragons, praise the Mother!” Jared spoke softly from his chair.

“What?” Adora pounced on him for answers, her eyes bright with suspicion, her mood happy but uncertain. Darian felt the same uncertainty reflected in her beautiful eyes. He sought Jared’s gaze for answers, reassured by the happy expression he found there.

“Dar, since you’re part of the family now, I guess you’re allowed in on the secret.” Jared looked over at the dragons for confirmation and both Kelzy and Sandor’s heads went up and down in oversized nods of agreement. “Well, the royal lines of Draconia are descended from Draneth the Wise.”

“What’s ancient history got to do with my grandbabies?” Adora wanted to know. Jared took her hand and pulled her onto his lap with a smile.

“Patience, my love.” He kissed her cheek before continuing. “Draneth the Wise was the last of the wizards. He made a deal with the dragons who allowed he and his heirs to live peacefully with the dragons forever after, by becoming one of them.”

“One of what?” Darian cocked his head, trying to follow.

“Draneth became part dragon. As are all his heirs. You, my dear,” he squeezed Adora, “and your lovely daughter, are descended of Draneth. Your sons will have his gifts as your daughters will most likely have the gift of healing dragons.”

“What were Draneth’s gifts?” Darian was intrigued now.

Jared smiled broadly. “Draneth was the first black dragon. Only the males of royal blood have the ability to change form from human to dragon and back again. Only they are black of all the dragons in our world.”

“My grandbabies will be dragons?” Adora’s eyes shot to her daughter excitedly.

Belora came over and grasped her mother’s hand. “Dragons and human, just like us, only they’ll be able to change back and forth, like Prince Nico. He said he showed you, Mama, like he showed me. Isn’t it great?”

“It’s amazing.” Adora’s voice trembled, her expression stunned.

“By the gods!” Darian was shocked but it was more than just hearing about the impending arrival of grandchildren. Learning the secret of the royals of Draconia suddenly made it all clear to him what Lucan was trying to do. He looked over at his new fighting partner. “Jared, this is what Lucan is driving at.”

“You mean like what we saw in that tent with Venerai? You think that was the result of him trying to emulate Draneth the Wise?”

Darian nodded grimly. “In his twisted mind he probably figures he can be just as great as Draneth, can conquer the entire world, if only he has the power of the skiths on his side.”

“That’s insane!” Gareth stepped forward, taking Belora protectively in his arms. Lars stood beside them, a united front.

Darian nodded at the younger warriors. “Lucan is insane. Last year he brought in a witch from the north and closeted himself with her for over a month. We all thought he was just screwing her brains out but when she emerged, she was no worse for wear and he’s notoriously hard on his bed partners. Then he started canceling audiences and has since gone into semi-seclusion within the palace. Only his favorites are allowed in to see him and they ferry messages and orders back and forth. He appears in public only rarely, and only when he can wear ceremonial robes that hide most of his body, come to think of it.”

“You think he’s like Venerai?” Jared asked shrewdly.

“Probably worse. Venerai was normal the last time I saw him at the palace, only two months ago. What we saw had to have been done to him in the last weeks. Lucan was with the witch over eight months ago. I hate to think what he might look like now.”

“Who is Venerai?” Gareth wanted to know.

Jared shook his head. “He was the leader of the enemy army. We killed him when we went behind their lines. His skin was…changed somehow. Like scales. And his eyes weren’t human. They were slitted like a skith’s.”

“Lady Kelzy, did you destroy the head yet?” Darian turned to ask the dragon.

It is over there. She pointed with one wing to the bloody sack in a far corner.

“Keep the ladies here.” Darian nodded and went over to the corner, taking Lars with him. He handed the grisly burden to the other knight with grave eyes. “We need to show this to the king. I want you to keep it safe for now.

Devise a case out of treated leather for it that will keep it from harming anyone. Don’t touch the blood. It’s probably as venomous as skith blood.

When you’ve got it in a case, have your dragon partner burn this sack and anything else that could be contaminated. I don’t want a single trace of this left anywhere in this Lair, do you understand?”

Lars nodded solemnly as he took the gruesome burden and walked briskly out of the suite, followed by his dragon partner, Rohtina. Darian shook off his fears for the future as he made his way back to the small gathering.