Ice Dragon (17 page)

the perfect queen, the perfect mate, his perfect love for the rest of their days. The Mother of All had truly blessed him when She’d sent him Lana and young Tor. He loved them both, deeply and true.

Roland continued to teach Lana how to fly over the next few days.

Trey and Collin remained close, flying out with the reconnaissance patrols to see what the remnants of the Northern army were doing. So far, they remained quiet in the foothills, neither retreating, nor advancing. Roland felt an itch between his shoulders warning him something was brewing up there.

Salomar wasn’t done yet and they’d have to be on the lookout for renewed attack. For the time being, he decided to stay in the Northern Lair, sending Wil back to the palace both to keep him safe and as a messenger. Some messages were too important to entrust to anyone but family.

Through Wil, Roland dispatched his brother Nico out to the east to see what Skithdron was up to while he dealt with Salomar. Nico was his right hand, his eyes and ears in foreign lands. Prince Nico, the Prince of Spies, would safeguard the east while Roland was preoccupied with the clear and present threat in the north.

Right now, it was a waiting game, but Roland knew something would have to give soon. Until then, he would keep his eyes and ears open and keep his eldest twin brothers near in case there was trouble. Both were proven warriors, only a few years younger than himself. They were good men to have at your back in a fight and he would trust not only his own safety, but that of his betrothed to their care.

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With Wil safely back at the castle, Roland found a little time alone each day with Tor and Lana to continue her flying lessons. They’d found an idyllic little glade in which to practice her moves and she was getting a little steadier every time she flew, though she often over-thought her movements and ended up flailing awkwardly. She was at her best when she just moved without thinking and Roland tried his best to get her into that zone whenever possible.

That morning, Roland and Tor, with Lana on the dragonet’s back, landed in their secret glade and all hell broke loose. Diamond-bladed arrows shot out at them from the surrounding trees, and Roland knew he had flown into an ambush, regardless of the fact he’d had patrols out scouting the area before he and Tor ever left the Lair.

Trey! Collin! We need you now!

Roland called to his brothers and trumpeted for help as he threw himself in front of Tor. The baby dragon was fast, but he’d already taken one hit to his foreleg from a lucky arrow as Lana scrambled off his back.

Roland flamed the trees, catching one of the archers, judging by the yelp of pain that followed, but the others were behind rock or otherwise protected. Using his powerful tail, Roland cut a swath through the vegetation, taking out any cover the villains might have. It was a small force, but dangerous enough with their extra sharp weapons.

If the dragons took to the air, all the most tender parts of their hides and delicate wings would be exposed. It was too risky. They had to hold on until help arrived. Roland’s anger blossomed as the smelly Northerners threatened his family. With anger in every movement, he stalked the greasy men, sniffing out their hiding places and flaming everything in his path. His rage knew no bounds.

But rage blinded him to a very real threat. Thankfully, Tor had grown up evading such attacks and knew well what to do. Lana knew too. She’d www.samhainpublishing.com 169

faced these same barbarian warriors while in human form and with a sword at her side, but Roland felt the disturbance of wings flapping awkwardly at his side and he knew she’d shifted to dragon form. Roland cursed inwardly. She was all too vulnerable in the larger form until she was more comfortable in her hide.

Lana, stay back.

No, Roland, he’s behind you!

Roland twirled on his talons, facing the new threat. He immediately saw the hate-filled face above the sparkling, diamond-tipped arrow, knocked and ready to slice into Lana’s heart. It was Salomar himself.

With a bellow, Roland pushed Lana aside as gently as he could under the circumstances, throwing himself between her and danger. The arrow pierced his shoulder, but he barely noticed, stalking forward as the self-proclaimed king of the Northlands knocked another arrow he would never get a chance to fire.

Tor came from the side and snatched Salomar about the torso, gripped in his strong talons. One stuck through Salomar’s shoulder as the Northern bully writhed in pain, blood dripping down his side.

I got him, Roland!

Good job, Tor.

Roland ferreted out the remainder of Salomar’s ambush squad. Only one remained alive and he surrendered when Roland advanced on him with death in his eyes. A moment later, the twins arrived with a mob of dragons and knights, ready for battle.

Sorry we’re late. I see you’ve got this well in hand.
Trey landed with his twin in the small clearing.

Nice of you to join us,
he
thought to his brothers. Turning his attention to the company of knights, he noted the interested gazes pinned to the somewhat awkward black dragon at his side.
Jures, take
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Salomar and his friend into custody and pen them up at the Lair. I’ll have
questions to ask them both later.

Aye, my liege.

“Looks like you have some questions to answer as well, sire.”
Hal rolled his curious eyes over to Lana.
“Bless my soul, is that...? Praise the Mother, I never thought I’d ever see a female black dragon.”

Well now you have,
Lana fumed, nearly tripping over her tail as she craned her neck to look closely at Roland’s wounds,
and I suggest you get
over it.

Roland barked a smoky peal of laughter and spread one wing over his smaller mate while the knights stared in wonder. Jures signaled two of the other knights who took custody of the prisoners and tied them securely before slinging them over the backs of their dragons.

Lana, my love, go easy on them. They’ve been laying bets for weeks on
the identity of that third black dragon. I’d say none ever imagined it could
be you.

Oh, there was one, sire,
Rue put in with a smoky chuckle,
and he has
just become a very rich man indeed.

We need to get back to the Lair so I can treat your wounds.
Lana’s voice was edged with worry and he cuddled her under his wing to reassure her. They spoke privately, just between their minds on an intimate pathway that was theirs alone.

Don’t worry, the arrows didn’t hit anything important. It just hurts a
bit. But you’re right. We need to get to the Lair. Are you well enough to fly
or do you want to change back first?

Tor’s hurt too. I’ll fly, but you’d better tell them not to laugh at my
landing if I tumble ass over tea kettle.

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As it turned out, Lana made a decent, if not absolutely perfect landing. Roland breathed a sigh of relief since he knew how important it was to her to make a good impression on the knights and dragons alike.

He knew they’d love her no matter how she flew or landed. She was the first female black dragon in centuries, the first to bring a wild northern Ice Dragon to their number, the female with a warm, open heart who had mothered the orphaned dragonet and claimed their king’s heart. For all those reasons, they would love her, as well as for her kind, brave soul.

He knew the dragons would chuckle good-naturedly as she learned to fly—she was, after all, the oldest fledgling they’d ever seen—but she was sensitive and he didn’t want her to feel badly this first time out in public.

The moment she landed, she scrambled behind Tor and shifted back to human form. He knew she hid because thinking her clothes back onto her body was still somewhat problematic, but he was relieved to see this time, the clothing came back with her as she stepped out to tend to their wounds. A worried frown marred her lovely features and he couldn’t wait to shift so he could kiss it away.

Studiously ignoring the knights and dragons gathered ‘round to watch, he felt her lay her hot little hands on his wounds and pulse healing power into the shallow cuts. They healed quickly with her attentions.

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Thank you, my love. Go help our boy. He’s being very brave, but I
know the arrow that grazed his foreleg must’ve stung like a hornet.

Roland walked over to the dragonet, changing as he moved, so he could catch Lana about the waist with one strong arm and stroke Tor’s long neck with the other as the youngster shivered with a bit of pain. Of the two, Roland had gotten the more serious wound so he understood why Lana had tended him first, but he knew she was torn seeing the two males she loved most in the world both hurt and needing her help.

“It’s all right, sweetheart, Lana’s here,” she crooned. “You were very brave.” She placed her hands over the baby dragon’s foreleg and healed him with just a slight jolt of her expanding power.

“Stars above, she’s a powerful dragon healer.” Collin’s whispered words were loud in the pronounced silence of the Lair’s landing ledge. A crowd had gathered to watch, including Roland’s twin brothers, now changed into human form.

“And a sister of the skies, as well,” Trey confirmed with pride in his voice, speaking loudly so all could hear his amazing words.

Roland knew Lana’s little secret was well and truly out now. The dragons would spread word of a female black dragon far and wide among their kind, and the knights would talk about her among themselves and with their dragon partners. He hugged her close to his side as they straightened and faced the assembled knights and dragons.

“As most of you saw, Lana recently discovered she can fly.” A great cheer went up from knights and dragons alike at his pronouncement, and he felt Lana tremble at his side, but one look at her flushed face told him it wasn’t in fear. She was game, and he was damned proud of her.

When they quieted down a bit, he continued. “We haven’t announced it officially yet, though we’ve told most of my brothers. I’d like you, the www.samhainpublishing.com 173

knights and dragons of the Northern Lair—the place I spent a good deal of my youth—to know first. Lana has consented to be my wife.”

The cheering doubled, joined by the dragons’ triumphant trumpeting.

It seemed everyone came out to the open area of the landing ledge to wish them well and Roland included Tor in the circle of love, encircling his silvery neck with one arm, clearly claiming the baby dragon for all to see.

“As soon as we can arrange a formal ceremony, Draconia will once again have a queen,” Roland said as his brothers came to stand beside them.

“And this queen, unlike any in centuries,” Collin said to the crowd,

“will rule the skies along with the land.”

The cheering renewed and intensified, if that were possible. Roland knew these good people needed a reason to celebrate after the stress and losses they’d suffered in the recent battles. He and Lana enjoyed the congratulations of the gathered knights for a while longer, but it had been a long day, even though it was still only mid-afternoon, and Roland wanted some time alone with his wife-to-be. It had been too long since they made love. Too long since they’d affirmed the life they’d almost lost that morning.

Roland guided her through the crowd, asking Rue and Tilden silently to look after Tor for a bit. The youngster was already seeking out his little friend Rena for playtime, and Roland figured the dragon deserved a bit of frolic and fun after the rough time they’d all had that morning. Roland felt like frolicking with a certain pretty girl himself—but in a much more adult way.

“Ready for some alone time?” His words were for Lana’s ears only as they moved through the dispersing crowd.

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She looked up at him with sparkling, mischievous eyes. “I’m always ready for you, Roland.”

“Are you now?” He looped one arm around her shoulders as they walked. Off to their left, he watched Tor and little Rena take off from the ledge, followed closely by Tilden and Rue “Seems to me, you told me something like that once before.”

“Glad you were listening,” she murmured, her small body fitting perfectly into his side as they walked down the wide hall toward their suite.

“Too bad we’re not at the castle,” he mused as they turned a corner, closer now to their chambers. “I’d show you my dungeon.”

Her brows scrunched together in delightful confusion. “Your brother said something about that once before, but why in the world would I want to see a place like that? Salomar’s dungeons were icy, cold, barbaric places.”

“Ah,” he squeezed her shoulders comfortingly, “you’re thinking of an altogether different kind of dungeon. We don’t have torture chambers in my land—at least not the kind of torture you’re thinking about.”

“What other kind of torture is there?”

He smiled down at her as he pushed the big door to their suite open wide and ushered her inside. “The best kind of torture there is—sensual, sexual torture, my dear.” She gasped as she moved past him into the suite and he closed the massive door. Turning, he caught her around the waist and pushed her up against the nearest wall, tucking his knee right up between her legs. “My dungeon is a place of pleasure, where I will tie you up and make love to you for long, long hours, keeping your senses on the brink of ecstasy. You’ll love every minute of it. I promise.”

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“I—” She stuttered a bit, her lovely green eyes wide with excitement and the unknown. “I don’t know what to say, Roland. I had no idea such things existed.”

He leaned down and kissed her gently, hoping to still her fears while keeping her eagerness for his touch high. He pulled back, glad to see the tiny wrinkle of anxiety recede from her expression.

“They do indeed exist, and I’ll teach you all about them. In time. You need never fear anything we will do together, Lana, or anything I might ask of you. I will push your boundaries, but never exceed them. I vow it.”

He held her gaze with serious intent. “I will never hurt you.”

All tension left her expression as she smiled softly. “I know that, Roland.” She reached up and kissed him. “I love you,” she whispered against his lips.

He would never grow tired of hearing those words from this special woman—the one who would be his wife, and his queen. He knew his land and people could do no better than to have Lana as their mistress and he could have no better partner in passion than she. He needed her again, even now. It seemed he was in a perpetual state of readiness whenever she was around. Hell, his cock got hard when he simply thought of her, never mind when she was near.

Moving decisively, he backed away from the wall, swung her into his arms, and strode for the bedchamber. He needed a bit of privacy for what he intended. It was time to start pushing her boundaries just a bit.

Lana was thrilled by Roland’s display of power. After seeing him hurt and healing his injuries, she’d run a full gamut of emotions—terror, agony and then blessed relief when she knew he would be all right. The events of the morning had brought home to her just how precious he 176

was, and how much a part of her heart he held already. She’d been ready to die for him, but he’d jumped in front of an arrow meant for her.

She would never find a braver, more honorable, or sexier mate than the one the Mother of All had brought her in Roland. He was her other half. He completed her, and she suspected—no, she knew—he felt the same. She had confidence in his declaration of love. He’d proven himself time and again, and she trusted him with her body, and her heart.

He shouldered open the door to the bedchamber and kicked it shut forcefully behind them. With no warning, he bounced her onto the wide bed, following her down onto it almost immediately. He spared no time for niceties, the fire in his emerald eyes brighter than she’d ever seen it.

Roland seemed almost out of control as he ripped at his shirt, literally scattering buttons in all directions.

Lana tried to sit up, but he pushed her back down and straddled her hips. He moved up her torso, kneeling step by kneeling step, until his leather-clad crotch rested somewhere between her breasts and her chin.

“Undo the knot in my leggings, Lana.” His eyes smoldered as he looked down at her.

She moved awkwardly to bring her hands up around his muscular thighs, but he caught her wrists and held them at his hips. With deft fingers, he spread her palms until they cupped his ass.

“Don’t move your hands,” he chastised. “Now, undo the knot, Lana,”

he paused slightly, “With your teeth.”

Her breath caught on a gasp as she read the challenge in his gaze.

Apparently this was a bit of that boundary-expanding he’d been talking about just a minute ago, and damned if she wasn’t excited by the forceful way he pushed her to new experiences. She already felt the slippery slide of excitement between her legs.

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Lana leaned up, stretching her neck to reach the tie that held his leggings together. She knew well he was bare beneath and could see the outline of his hard cock under the supple leather even now. Lana licked her lips in anticipation and tried to do as he commanded. It wasn’t easy, but after a few fumbles, which she knew he enjoyed by the gasps and growls issuing from his throat, she managed to tug the knot free and work the lacings loose until his cock sprang out. Roland wasted no time, moving forward so that his hard cock was directly in front of her mouth.

“Open, Lana. Take me in your mouth.”

She read the excitement in his eyes as her own passion burned hotter. She loved pleasing this man, no matter what he asked. She opened her mouth and sucked him down deep, loving the way he filled her. His aggressiveness nearly overwhelmed her at first—but in the most exhilarating way.

“That’s it, love. Tongue me. Lick me up and down. All over.” His breathing came in harsh pants as his balls tightened. He began to thrust lightly, all the way to the back of her throat. “Suck it now, love. Suck it hard!”

He increased his motion as she followed his orders, and when he exploded, she struggled to keep up. Roland saw her distress and immediately backed off. He climbed off her and rolled to his side on the large bed. Watching her, he caressed her cheek with one big hand and caught a spilled drop of his liquid. With his thumb, he stroked his essence into her skin

“I love you more than life, Lana. There’s so much I want to show you.”

Lana’s body still hummed with eagerness, but Roland was done.

What now? she wondered.

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Roland wasn’t done with her. Not by a long shot.

The beast within sated for the moment, he could now devote himself to his lady’s pleasure in devious and delicious ways. He had plans for Lana. Plans that included giving her as much pleasure as she’d just given him…and more. As much as he could possibly give.

His strength returning after a mind-bending orgasm, Roland shifted to his knees at her side. He grasped the edges of her dress in his hands, near the collar, and tore the garment down the middle in one swift move.

Lana shrieked and he liked the sound. It was surprise, not fear, and he vowed to surprise her again and again as her taught her the kinds of games he knew she would enjoy.

Roland continued ripping the fabric until she was bare beneath him and threw the shreds of fabric away over his shoulder, never taking his attention away from the female flesh before him. He did keep a few little peices of the soft cloth nearby, though, for later use. When she was naked, he pushed her legs apart forcefully, liking her gasp as he manhandled her just a bit.

“Do you like that, my sweet? Do you like it when I touch you with a little edge of roughness?”

Wide-eyed, she nodded.

“You must answer aloud when I ask a question, sweetheart. Say, ‘yes, my liege,’ or ‘no, my liege.’ Do you understand?”

She hesitated only a moment as he spread her arms wide above her head. “Yes, my liege.” Her voice trembled, but he knew it wasn’t in fear.

Deliberately, he picked up one of the shreds from her dress and looped it around her wrist. Her luminous eyes grew even wider and he had to suppress a chuckle.

“I’m going to tie you up, Lana. I want you at my complete mercy. Is that all right?” He had to ask. He had to have her with him in this game.

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It was imperative to bring her with him every step of the way, lest some fear or misunderstanding mar this experience.

At length, she nodded and he tweaked one rosy nipple. “Remember what I said about answering. Aloud, Lana.”

She was quicker this time. “Yes, my liege.” Her tone was breathless with eager anticipation.