Border Lair (9 page)

He sat up, his eyes narrowed. “I’ve since learned that Lucan is sending massive shipments of diamond blades from the mines in the south to Salomar. I fear the worst.”

Both men knew that a diamond blade was just about the only thing that could slice through dragon scale as if it were butter. Jared sat heavily in the chair at his friend’s side.

“This is bad, Darian. Very bad.”

“I know. It’s why I came. You have to warn your dragons, Jared. I believe the human army will try to use their new weapons to drop the dragons from the sky and let the skiths do the rest. I wouldn’t wish that sort of death on even my worst enemy, and I’ve never considered the dragons of your land or any of your people to be my enemies or the enemies of Skithdron. It’s Lucan who’s started this war and as far as I’m concerned he is the real enemy here.”

Jared stayed by Darian’s side, talking quietly and thinking through the dire news until the other man fell into a restless sleep. Adora had been more worn out than he liked her to be in healing the dragons who had come under attack that day. She had dropped off into an exhausted sleep moments after he’d put her to bed and would sleep for many hours yet.

He covered Darian with a blanket where he lay on the couch. He didn’t have the heart to wake the injured man just to move him to a bedroom.

Tomorrow was soon enough.

Jared wanted to seek his own bed, but he feared sleep would not come so easily to him. Not after what he had just learned. He stood, stretched, and walked over to the edge of the dragon’s wallow. Kelzy and Sandor lay side by side in the large tub of heated sand, each looking at him with troubled jewel eyes.

You heard?

We did. It was Kelzy who answered into the minds of all three.

We must send word to the king right away, but we need more information if we’re to train against this new threat.

Sandor elevated his head so that he was on a level with Jared’s eyes.

Though I have no knight partner at present, I wish to stay in this Lair and train with your ranks, Sir Jared. Kelzy and I have worked well together in the past. I would do so again, if you agree.

You’re most welcome to stay, Sir Sandor. Right now, I think we need all the help we can get. Thank you for volunteering.

Sandor settled back down beside Kelzy as if he meant to stay right there in her wallow with her, but Jared didn’t question it. His mind was too preoccupied with more desperate concerns than where a new dragon chose to sleep. If Kelzy didn’t throw him out then who was Jared to say anything?

On his way to his own chamber, he stopped to look in on Adora. He almost wished he could talk to her about these troubling developments, to share his burden with her in some small way. Such thoughts were dangerous and skated too close to intimacy for his comfort, but they would not be denied. Adora was a bright, intelligent woman and he valued her insight.

That’s all these strange feelings were about, wasn’t it?

He shook his head in disgust at himself as he walked silently away from her doorway. He was a damned fool. Already half in love with the woman and unable to work up the courage to do anything about it. Too afraid of being hurt again to even try.

z z z

“How are you feeling, Lord Darian?”

Adora sat beside the man’s bed the next day, as soon as she finished checking on the dragons who had been hurt the day before. Jared had given him a room on the other side of the suite from hers that was similar in design and layout. There were several of these guest chambers in the large suite since Kelzy and Jared were the leaders of this Lair and often entertained guests and visitors.

“Much better today. Thank you, Princess.”

“Please, call me Adora. I didn’t grow up as a princess and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the idea.”

His blue eyes twinkled as he smiled at her. “Far be it from me to argue with royalty. I will gladly call you Adora if you will call me Darian, or Dar if you prefer.”

She couldn’t help but smile. This man was charming, that was certain, and so handsome he was almost hard to look at. Straight white teeth shone in contrast to his tanned skin. He had hair black as a raven’s wing and startling, almost ghostly, blue eyes that smiled easily and sincerely at her, though he was still in a bit of pain, she well knew.

She busied herself looking over his leg injury. It was still swollen, but healing nicely now that he was off his feet. “Well then, Darian, how are you feeling?”

“Much better now that you’re here.”

She laughed. “Much friskier too, I see. Were you born a flirt or did you perfect the art over time?”

“Actually…” His eyes grew serious. “I’ve been a confirmed bachelor all my life but I think that’s about to change.”

“What makes you say that?” She dared not look up to meet his gaze as she changed the dressing on his leg wound.

It had been so long since a handsome man had flirted with her, Adora couldn’t be certain she wasn’t reading something in to Darian’s words that wasn’t truly there. Certainly Jared had paid quite a bit of attention to her—

and reminded her what pleasure truly felt like—but it felt almost as if it were against his will, or his better judgment at least. By contrast, Darian was very honest about his desire to make her smile. In short, he was a flirt and she almost didn’t remember how to deal with a man on that level. Still, it was exciting to try.

Darian’s hand covered hers, forcing her gaze up to his. Even the air stilled, waiting as their eyes met.

“You, Adora. You’re the reason.” There was no easy smile now, no sign of amusement. No, this was a man puzzled by his own reactions but willing to risk…to trust. What she saw in his earnest face nearly stopped her heart for a moment.

“I don’t understand it, but I think I’m falling in love with you, Adora. It’s like my heart was waiting for you all this time, and now it sees what it’s wanted all along.” She was at a loss for words but he wouldn’t release her hands. His eyes implored hers. “Say something, sweetheart. Let me know if I at least have a chance.”

“A chance?” she repeated, stunned witless.

“A chance to win your love. I want you, Adora. My life is a mess right now. I have little to offer, I know, but my heart is pure and it’s yours if you want it.”

“Darian, I’ve been alone a long time.”

“Don’t say no only because you’re frightened. I’ll do all in my power to alleviate your fears. Just say you’ll give me the chance to try to win your heart. Give me hope, Adora. I beg you.”

Her eyes grew moist as he held her gaze, tenderly stroking her hands.

She realized in that moment, regardless of her growing feelings for Jared, this man was open in a way Jared could probably never be again. This man, brave enough to leave his life behind for the good of her people, was offering his heart on a platter—and it touched her in ways she didn’t quite understand.

She barely knew him but she knew his nobility—his courage and his honor—

and admired him greatly for it.

Could she know his love as well? She wasn’t sure, but a part of her really wanted the chance to try. Another part of her longed for this kind of offer from Jared, but sadly knew it might never come. Should she turn down her chance with Darian because of the attraction she felt for Jared that might never be realized? Or should she take the chance of getting to know this sweet, noble, handsome man who seemed so ready and open to her?

Something about him had fascinated her from the start. He was good looking, yes, but there was also something in his make-up that spoke to her on a much deeper level. He had an energy about him that drew her in and she was powerless to pull away.

“I’m not saying no, Darian. I’m saying…maybe, I guess.” She smiled crookedly. “I was married young and lost my husband young as well. I raised my daughter alone, on the run. I haven’t had a man in my life, or in my bed, for a very long time.” She blushed a little at her own boldness but she wanted to be frank with the man. She owed him her honesty at least, as he was taking the risk she would refuse him outright. “I honestly don’t know if I’m ready for that again. My children are grown and I’m at a crossroads in my life.

But I like you, Darian, and I’m willing to call you friend. Perhaps lover, but friend for now. Is that all right?”

He beamed at her as he brought her hands to his lips, kissing them soundly.

“It’s wonderful, Adora. For your sake, I’ll try to control myself, but you’re damn near irresistible. You’re a special woman and I’ll do everything in my power to remind you of that every day.”

She felt her cheeks heat with a blush at his impassioned words while his gentle smile warmed her heart.

z z z

That night, after all were abed, Adora went to check on her new patient.

Darian was restless, his swollen leg healing well, but still a bit uncomfortable at just about any angle. She caught him trying to reposition it on a little mound of pillows with a frustrated expression on his face.

“Can’t sleep?”

She advanced into the room, her voice calm as she moved to his leg and gave just a touch of her healing power to ease the ache.

“You shouldn’t spend your energy on me, milady.”

She sat on the side of his bed. “It’s nothing to me if it will help you rest, Darian. I meant to do a more thorough job of your healing before, but I was too tired that first night because of all the energy it took to deal with the dragons. Let me do what I can for you now, all right?”

Darian lay back, watching her every move as she placed her hands on his leg. The warmth of her power swept through her fingers and into his injury, mending the strained muscles and tendons, coaxing the fluid swelling the area to recede. It would take a while to do so, but she knew he would be out of pain now, and probably good as new by morning.

She smiled as she lifted her hands away. It hadn’t taken all that much energy after all, and he would be fine now. She was glad of that.

Darian reached up and stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers.

“You’re a compassionate woman, Adora, and a beautiful soul.” His gaze searched hers. “Why did you come here, to me? Couldn’t you sleep either?”

This was it. This was her moment of truth.

“No, I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about what you said about…us.” She sought reassurance from his almost ethereal, sky blue gaze. “You got me thinking, Darian, wanting things I haven’t wanted in a very long time.”

His hand turned to cup her cheek, then moved down her neck to her shoulder. He sought permission before moving further.

“Do you want me, my love?”

“I want—” She sighed as his hand moved lower, parting her robe. She was bare beneath it. Her voice trembled as she forced the words out. “I want you, Darian. I want to be a woman again.”

“You’ve always been that, Adora. You are a desirable, beautiful, brave woman.”

He sat up to meet her as she sat on the side of his large bed. With gentle hands, he pushed her robe from her shoulders and moved to meet her lips with his own, taking her in a tender kiss that spoke of desire, passion, and respect. He deepened the kiss and she went with him, following him back down to the bed, her robe hanging open so that she was bare to his roaming, worshiping hands.

Darian kissed her, steadily increasing the pressure on her lips, delving his tongue into her sweet mouth to catch her breathless sighs as his hands caressed her breasts, tweaking the hard nipples, luxuriating in the softness that was Adora. He moved one hand lower, up over her back under the satiny robe and down to her taut butt. She had a muscular body from living off the land and working hard all her life, but she was supple in the places that really counted. Womanly soft and womanly warm, Darian thought, and more welcoming to his lonely soul than any woman had ever been.

She sighed as he rolled her gently on the large bed, pinning her beneath him, the pain in his leg forgotten in her enticing arms. He tugged the robe down over her shoulders, trapping her arms in the thin fabric.

“Say you want me, my love, my beautiful Adora.”

“I…” Her breathy voice trailed off as her luminous eyes met his. He watched carefully for any sign of fear, but found only an almost maidenly hesitation that soon disappeared as she made her decision. “I want you, Darian. Make love to me.”

He smiled at the soft look in her eyes. She was such a wonder to him, reaching out for what she wanted, what she needed.

“I need you so much.” Darian’s voice whispered through the dim chamber.

He nibbled on her neck, kissing his way across her body, down to the sweet valley of her thighs. He lingered there, spreading her legs, licking at her tender folds, noting every reaction and cataloging every shiver of delight he brought her. It made him feel so good to see her writhing in passion beneath his hands and mouth. He paused only to pull the long, borrowed sleep shirt over his head and toss it across the chamber, reclaiming his place between her legs with a barely repressed growl of need.

Biting gently, he focused his tender assault on her clit until she came apart under his mouth. She gasped as her body shook through a long, powerful orgasm. This little woman was so needy. He loved the idea that he was one of very few men to bring her such joy—for he could tell this beautiful, shy woman was not too free with her charms—and vowed in his heart this would not be the last night he would pleasure her. He would have her in his bed come morning and every day thereafter, as soon as he could convince her to tie her life to his. She deserved better, it was true, but he was just selfish enough to take her and claim her and spend the rest of his life dedicated to her happiness. He knew he could bring her that at least, if with nothing else but his body, his hands, and his clever tongue.

Darian had never fallen in love before—never felt such immediate, stirring desire for a woman in his life before—but he knew this was the real thing.

With a conviction in his heart, he made plans to make her his own. He knew he could no longer be complete without Adora, and only Adora. No other would do ever again.

He moved back up her trembling body, plying her with kisses as he went, bringing her back up to an even higher peak of desire before claiming her mouth and rolling so she was on top of him. He positioned her beautiful, slender but muscular legs on either side of his hips, encouraging her to cocoon his aching cock in her tender folds. Her eyes met his as she gasped and pulled slightly away.