“Kill the dragon,” Kafe commanded as he took a step back. The forest erupted. Men poured from behind the trees and climbed over rocks. Swords glinted in the moonlight and the whiz of arrows filled the night sky.
Kafe pushed Lorran toward a soldier. “Keep her. I want to see this.” He folded his arms over his chest and watched as his men began to beat on the dragon. Lorran struggled in the warrior’s grip. He squeezed her wrists in his strong hands, the pressure growing as his eyes widened. Nekane was moving closer. The swords hacking at his skin had little effect. Arrows bounced off his tough hide as nothing more than minor irritations. But there were so many of them—too many men fighting the enraged dragon.
A wall of men attacked his side. Nekane turned and opened his mouth. Flames blasted across the night sky followed by the wails of pain. But more men followed, approaching him from behind. The creature twisted, trying to shake off the soldiers. Nekane’s screams of fury turned to pain as a sword bit through his tough hide. He swung his tail—knocking the attacker into the brush.
Lorran twisted her head to the side, pulling and sliding the gag down. She had to get to Nekane. Had to get him away. They were killing him. She felt the strap give. She spat out the cloth they’d shoved in her mouth.
“Nekane, no! Go. Get away.”
“So, the beast has a name,” Kafe mocked. “No matter what you call it. It’s a dragon. Kill it,” he ordered again.
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Dragon’s Kiss
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The man holding Lorran pulled her backwards, drawing Nekane deeper into the mass of warriors and archers. Tracks of blood began to drip down the dragon’s hide. One brave soldier raced forward and crammed an arrow into an open sword wound. Nekane’s scream echoed through the trees. An arrow pierced his neck. He stretched his neck up and bellowed. Fire burst from deep inside his throat.
“No!” Lorran fought to get to him. Tears flowed down her cheeks and clogged her throat. They were killing him. “Leave him alone.”
“Mine!?”
The word was clear and distinct above the crack of swords against the solid dragon hide. Pain and confusion rang through Nekane’s voice as if he didn’t understand what was happening. Another warrior broke through, slicing into Nekane’s front leg. The dragon reared back, his massive wings flapping, knocking over men and swaying trees.
“Don’t back off. After it. Kill the creature.”
Men continued to attack with swords followed by knives. The dragon roared. Lorran gasped as the sound penetrated deep into her mind. Nekane tensed, crouching low, then jumping. His massive legs threw him into the air and the powerful wings lifted him. Arrows chased as he escaped. Lorran watched, praying for his safety as he turned and flew out of sight.
“The dragon is vanquished!” Kafe raised his clean sword in victory. “We will celebrate. Lay out the feast. We have banished the dragon.”
“We?” Lorran tore free from her captor and rammed her bound hands into Kafe’s chest. The large man rocked back on his heels. “You didn’t do anything except set him up, you weasel. He’s your brother.”
Hatred reigned in Kafe’s eyes. “He’s a beast and if you want to be known as anything more than a dragon’s whore, you’ll watch what you say.” Kafe put his knife back in its scabbard. “I might have use for you in my household. My brother seemed to enjoy your talents. I’m interested to find out what you did to him that was so special. You must be one incredible fuck.”
Days of no sleep and the pain of watching Kei’s final change had thinned the line of Lorran’s control. Without thinking, she swung her tied hands. Her knuckles connected with Kafe’s mouth. Blood splattered as his lip split.
“You bitch! Guards, take her. She’s attacked the Crown Prince.”
Hands immediately landed on her arms and shoulders. Lorran didn’t struggle. Her hand throbbed but she was satisfied. Kafe would bear her mark.
“Take her to the dungeon. Don’t hurt her. I want her clean and begging me for release.”
“I’ll die first.”
“That’s always an option, yes.”
* * * * *
Lorran sat on the edge of the filthy cot. She’d been here for two days. At least, that was how she calculated it based on the meager meals they brought her. Tielle St. Clare
Dragon’s Kiss
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She was unharmed, just alone in the almost complete darkness of the cell. No one had touched her or even spoken to her.
Nekane was out there. Somewhere.
Alone.
The memory of that day had kept her awake. The poor creature hadn’t understood what was happening. He’d only wanted to protect Lorran—to get to the woman he considered his…his mate.
Her heart stuttered.
Could that be it? She’d seen a dragon’s strength—and the rage and anger that permeated the creatures. Then she remembered Nekane calming, relaxing when she touched Kei.
It suddenly became clear. Nekane stayed calm, let Kei take the lead, as long as Lorran was near. And safe. She shuddered. She could still hear Nekane’s screams as he tried to get to her. To protect her.
She stood and began to pace the room. She quickly went through Nekane’s appearances. He’d made himself known three times—when he’d been denied access to Lorran’s sex, when another man had touched her, and when she was threatened. Everyone assumed dragons were indiscriminate in their search for sex. Nekane hadn’t been interested in the woman Lorran had brought from town. What if the dragon was searching for much more than just a fucking partner? What if he was looking for a mate? And all the women were merely candidates until he found the right one?
Could that be it?
Nekane was an oversexed, jealous, protective creature who had claimed her as his own. If she could convince him she was safe, wouldn’t leave him and wanted him, was it possible he would retreat and let Kei return?
She sagged against the back wall. “And how am I supposed to convince a dragon of all that?”
She looked around the cell. The first thing was getting out of the dungeon. She had to get to Nekane.
Light entered the room in a streak across the floor. It took Lorran a minute to realize the door had been opened and bright lanterns carried in. She blinked and pulled back from the light.
Instead of the guards she’d expected, three matrons walked in.
“Good morning, mistress. We’ve come to help you with your bath.” The woman’s tone was courteous and humble. A far cry from the growls of the guards as they brought her meals.
“What’s happening?”
“The Crown Prince, soon to be His Majesty, asked us to assist you with your bath and take you to him.”
Lorran felt her cheeks pull up in a facsimile of a smile. Kafe had obviously discovered who her parents were. No one had informed him that she’d been disowned when she’d taken up the study of dragons.
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Dragon’s Kiss
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As much as she would have liked to disobey Kafe, she had a better chance of helping Nekane if she were out of the dungeon.
Lorran followed the women out of the cell, silently thanking the Goddesses who were obviously watching out for her. She could only hope the Gods were doing the same for Kei.
Lorran hurried through the bath. After dressing in a fine silk gown with thin straps that left her shoulders bare, Lorran was led to a large door. Her escort bowed before turning and walking away.
This should be interesting, she thought as she walked into the Great Hall. Kafe waited at the far end, talking with an older couple. Lorran tensed as soon as she saw them.
Her parents.
Her steps slowed as she reached the end of the room. She hadn’t seen her parents in years. They hadn’t changed much.
“Ah, there she is,” Kafe greeted with a smile. He held out his hand to her. “Did you have a nice rest?” He said the words distinctly, obviously warning her to keep quiet about the fact that she’d spent the last two days in a dungeon.
“It was fine. I’m rested enough to go home.” If he didn’t want her parents to know she’d been locked up, perhaps she could use that to her advantage. She needed to get to Nekane. The beginnings of a plan were forming.
“Nonsense, my dear, your parents are here. To celebrate our nuptials.”
Laughter broke from Lorran’s mouth. She recovered enough to stare at him. “Are you insane?”
“Daughter, that is no way to speak to a King.” Her father’s correcting voice brought back years of memories—sitting properly, listening to his lectures on the appropriate behavior of a princess. “I’ve given my approval for the marriage. You will be wed.”
“Hello, Father. Mother. I’m sorry you came all this way for nothing.” She looked at her parents. “I’m a widow, Father. There will be no wedding between Kafe and myself. I’d rather die. And Father, he’s not a King. His brother is King.”
“Not for long.” Kafe folded his arms over his chest and smiled tightly at Lorran.
“The Kings’ Council is on its way. As soon as they arrive, Kei and that beast he’s become will be declared outlaws, and everything he’s done will be undone. I’ll be listed as my father’s heir.”
“Lorran, this is a good match. You’ll be a Queen.” Her mother’s soft voice evoked a new set of emotions. She’d seen her mother subservient to her father all their lives. It was expected. Lorran had modeled herself after her mother during her own marriage. But she’d learned strength and independence after her husband had been transformed into a dragon.
“Where’s Riker?” she asked Kafe, ignoring her mother’s pleading. Kei had trusted his younger brother. Lorran needed to talk with him.
“He’s not here.”
“Where is he?” she asked again.
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Dragon’s Kiss
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“Gone.” He paused and she saw again that excited cruelty in his eyes. “Dragon slaying.”
She suddenly found it hard to breathe. Of course. Riker had gone to kill Nekane. It was what Kei would have wanted.
“You bastard.”
“Me?” Kafe opened his eyes wide and looked at her with excessive innocence. “I’m not the one climbing a mountain to kill my brother.”
“You’re stealing his Kingdom instead.”
Kafe’s face turned hard—all trace of mockery or teasing gone. “I don’t have to steal what should have been mine in the first place. It will be over when the Kings’ Council arrives in two days.”
“Well, until that happens, I think I’ll stay in my room.”
Lorran turned and walked away.
“She’ll come around,” her father said confidently.
“She’ll have to,” Kafe added.
Lorran stepped into the hallway and her confidence melted away. She didn’t have much time. Kafe was right. As soon as the Kings’ Council arrived and declared Kei an outlaw, everything would revert to Kafe. Riker would be banished and she’d have to marry Kafe.
Despite her strong words, marriage to Kafe was a definite possibility. It wouldn’t take much. She wouldn’t even have to agree to it. Kafe could simply declare her his wife by King’s Right.
She kept moving, walking until she found the garden. Just beyond the wall, the forest stretched for miles. Where had Nekane gone? His escape would have been tracked. A wounded, screaming dragon wouldn’t have passed unnoticed. If Riker had gone there to kill Nekane, surely she could find it. She had to try. To see if they could do the impossible and have a dragon release his hold.
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Dragon’s Kiss
97
Chapter 9
Finding a dragon proved ridiculously simple. Villagers had traced Nekane’s progress. They looked at her with suspicion and then issued dire warnings about the appetites of dragons.
“I’ll be fine,” she responded, following their directions and ignoring their advice. The afternoon sun was harsh as she finished the climb up the mountain. Nekane had chosen a cave nearby. She’d told Kei that dragons were dangerous to their home territories. This dragon was obviously no different.
She just hoped she was in time. Riker’s horse waited in a small clearing about twenty feet from the cave opening.
“Riker?”
“Lorran!” Riker spun around, his battle leathers half on. “What are you doing here?”
“Riker, you can’t do this.” She didn’t realize how close she was to tears until she saw him preparing to kill Nekane.
“Lorran, go back. You don’t want to be here for this.” She didn’t move. “Kei wouldn’t want you here.”
She saw the sadness in his eyes and had to speak. “He’s your brother.”
“He’s a dragon.” Riker’s voice was cold and hard. She knew that Kei had taught him that—taught him to separate his emotions, to crush them when a job needed to be done.
“I can bring him back.”
Riker paused for a moment then shook his head, as if afraid to believe in her words.
“No one’s been able to reverse the process. Not once the transition is complete.” The resignation in his voice pulled the strength from Lorran’s body. What if she was wrong?
What if Kei was gone forever? “And let me tell you, that’s a full grown dragon in there.”
Lorran looked toward the cave. Kei was in there, locked inside a furious dragon. And she had to get him out. Or she had to try.
“Riker—“
“I spent hours today, calling to Kei, trying to get him back. There is no way he can beat the dragon.”
She shook her head. “No, he can’t.”
“Then I have to do this.” He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. He looked so young, so brave. And so unhappy. He knew what he was doing—killing his own brother—but he also knew he had no choice. “Kei wouldn’t want to live like that.”
Lorran had to struggle not to agree. Riker was right. Kei would rather die than spend his life in a dragon’s form, but if she could bring him back…
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Dragon’s Kiss
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“Let me try.”
“Haven’t you been listening to me?” Riker took her shoulders in his hands and gave her a quick frustrated shake, tension finally cracking the stoic face.
“Yes. Kei can’t defeat the dragon. No human can. But what if the dragon retreats?”
“How?”
Lorran shook her head. She couldn’t tell him she planned to seduce a dragon. “Give me one day. What can it hurt?”
“You. That beast will kill you.”