Border Lair (8 page)

Jared turned to the man at his side, looking him up and down before reaching out a hand in welcome. Absently, he noticed Adora hovering near one of the injured dragons some yards distant, a strange look on her face as she watched them. She’d avoided him since that night he’d brought her to climax with his mouth and fingers, just as he had avoided her.

“I’m sorry for their behavior, Lord Darian. They’re young and inexperienced with real war.”

The other man sighed as they shook hands. “Would that I were the same, but I’ve seen too much in my years, Jared. I don’t blame them.”

Jared growled. “I do. I command here and their ill behavior reflects poorly on my leadership. I apologize.”

“No problem. I didn’t expect to be welcomed with open arms, but I had to come. I thank the gods that I got through and that you’re here, of all people, to hear what I have to say.”

Both men’s expressions grew grim. Jared realized many ears were craning to hear what they would say to each other.

“Come with me where we can talk privately. I’ll also ask our healer if she will see to your wounds, if you like.” He looked over at Adora and with a slight motion of his head asked her help. She waved a hand and nodded in agreement, and he knew without words that she would join them as soon as she finished her work with the badly injured dragon. He could count on the fact that she was a truly dedicated healer to bridge the icy gap that had grown between them since the night he had lost control of his senses.

Jared winced as he watched his old friend limp down the corridor with him. Kelzy followed behind with Sandor. The break from his own people, the skith attack, being snatched up by Sandor and flown here in the dragon’s fist, and the beating from the young knights had left Darian with a pronounced limp and assorted cuts and bruises. But true to his character, he didn’t complain. Jared respected the man. Always had. Of all the Skithdronians he had met as counselor to the old king, this was the man he’d dealt with the most, and the most successfully.

Darian winced with every step but couldn’t complain. He was alive and luckier than he had a right to be. He’d hoped to get to someone in power who might believe him and take his message higher, but he never expected to see his old friend, Lord Jared, riding atop a dragon. When Darian had lived near the palace, serving as the newly appointed ambassador from Skithdron to the old king’s court, he and Jared had formed a close friendship. As a bachelor, he was often invited to spend holidays with Jared and his family.

Darian knew the new Skithdronian king had been behind the attack on Jared’s family but didn’t know how in the world he would ever break such news to his old friend. Besides, that was in the past and Lucan had gotten his wish—Lord Jared, the keenest of the old king’s advisors had been a broken man after the deaths of his young wife and child. He had left the old King’s service and retreated into obscurity for a long time. In fact, Darian would bet none in Skithdron yet realized just who commanded the dragons on this part of the border.

Jared led him to a large chamber that had at its center a massive oval pit filled with sand. The dragons who followed close behind made for the sand pit and sank in with what Darian would have sworn were dragonish sighs. They rolled slightly in the abrasive sand, which seemed to brighten their iridescent scales to a glossy shine even as he watched.

“Be welcome in our home, Lord Darian. As you can see, everything is designed around Lady Kelzy’s comfort here.” The other man gestured toward the beautiful blue-green dragon he had been riding.

Darian knew enough about dragons to make as deep a bow as he could manage toward the large heads that watched him carefully.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Kelzy.” He turned to the copper dragon then. “And thank you, sir, for your timely rescue.”

You’re welcome. Though I’ve yet to decide if you were worth risking my neck for.

Darian’s eyes widened as he heard the booming voice echo through his mind. It could only belong to the huge copper dragon whose garnet eyes twinkled down on him with a sly sort of merriment. Tentatively, Darian sought the way to the dragon’s mind with his own thoughts.

I can only hope that after you hear what I have to say, you’ll be convinced.

The dragon gave a smoky chuckle and turned back to the sand and his grooming. Apparently neither Jared nor the female dragon was aware of the silent communication that had just taken place between Darian and the big copper.

“Sir Sandor,” Jared spoke again as he led Darian to a long couch, “is an old friend of Kelzy’s. He’s newly arrived to our Lair and without a knight at present.” Darian sat with only a small grunt of pain but Jared grimaced when he looked at him. “Our most gifted healer will see to your wounds as soon as possible.”

“Don’t worry about me, Lord Jared. There are things I need to tell you.

Things you need to hear—”

At that moment, he broke off speaking as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen walked through the main archway. She spared a smile for the dragons and it lit her entire face. Even from a distance he could see the glint of deep green in her wide eyes and it drew him in. She was a goddess come to earth and he would gladly worship at her feet, if she would but let him.

The very idea of it shocked Darian right down to his toes. He’d long ago given up on finding a woman to share his life. No woman had ever evoked such a violent or immediate response in him. Darian knew deep inside, just from looking at her, this was a woman he could spend the rest of his life with.

As simple and startling as that, Darian knew he was looking at his destiny. Never one for overly romantic thoughts, Darian was laid low by the seductive sway of the woman’s hips, the gentle glide of her dainty feet across the stone walkway.

The woman turned her head, spotting them, and it was as if his prayers had been answered when she made her way directly to the couch where he sat. As she drew closer, he could see she was no young maiden, yet there was a freshness about her that made her appear much more innocent and younger than the wisdom in her startlingly beautiful eyes betrayed.

Jared stood stiffly and Darian noted the longing that entered the other man’s eyes as he gazed on the beauty who approached. Darian realized Jared was not unaffected by the woman’s grace. The knight wanted her, it was plain to see, but Darian questioned whether Jared—after the devastating losses in his life—would ever act on it. Darian’s eyes were drawn back to the stunning woman and he noted more than a flicker of interest as she looked at him. But the dewy admiration in her eyes was for Jared alone as she passed him.

There was something there, on both sides, but he knew Jared was probably too wounded emotionally to be a good match for this delicate flower.

If Darian could, he would have her—take her and cherish her in the way she deserved to be cherished. He knew in his heart he would be better for her than pining away after Jared—a man who might never be heart-whole again.

Darian would make her forget the impossible longing for Jared that showed in her every movement. Darian would teach her the delights she’d find in his arms and the love he would give freely, if she would but accept it.

“Princess Adora of the House of Kent.” Jared made formal introductions, but Darian could see from the woman’s start of surprise that she wasn’t comfortable about something. “May I present Lord Darian Vordekrais of Skithdron, former ambassador to our land during old King Jon's reign.”

The woman stopped in front of him and smiled, nearly taking his breath away.

“I’m not big on formality, milord. I’m a healer and would help you if I could. May I?”

“Princess Adora, you may do whatever you wish with me. I’m yours to command.”

The woman blushed so prettily at his daring words he almost wished he could spend the rest of the day making her smile, but he had come here for a reason. He had to get his message out and Jared was just the man to use his information.

She directed him to lie back on the couch, pulling a wicked looking knife from her waist and setting to work cutting her way through the ruined leather boot and leggings that contained and constricted his swollen foot, ankle, and leg. She was efficient and so gentle he felt little pain.

Darian shook himself, focusing on his task. No matter the distraction of the woman tending his wounds, Darian knew he had to deliver his message.

He’d given up his home and country to deliver his warnings, and they had to be heard as soon as possible.

“Jared, you’ve got to get word to your king. Lucan has gone completely

‘round the bend.”

The knight dragged a chair closer and sat, leaning forward to catch every word. Darian also noted the dragons had craned their necks over near them and listened intently as well.

“I’ve heard rumors about him, Darian, but nothing concrete.”

“Jared.” He grabbed the man’s wrist, trying desperately to make his old friend understand the urgency of his news. “I’ve seen it now with my own eyes. Lucan has sunken into dark magics that have twisted him into something not quite human. He keeps skiths as pets and trains them. They are far smarter than I ever gave them credit for being. Jared, the ones he trains go out and teach the others. They’re learning to hunt in packs, in orderly groups, to work together. What you’ve seen so far on this side of the border is nothing. Lucan had them test and train on some of our own villages.

Every human and animal for leagues around the villages of Vorkrais, Hemdan, Pennrin and Sokolaff are now gone. Skith food.”

The woman gasped, drawing his eyes. She was white with fear and Darian regretted immediately putting such a look on her lovely face. He let go of Jared’s wrist and—almost without realizing he was doing it—moved to cup her cheek, offering what comfort he could from such dire news.

“I’m sorry, Princess, to have distressed you. I should have waited to speak.”

“No.” She surprised him by reaching up and taking his hand in her own.

He felt a spark between them and his gaze was glued to hers as she spoke.

“Jared needs to hear what you have to say. I thank you for your selfless act in coming here, breaking with your people and subjecting yourself to the Lair’s questionable hospitality.” She made a face at his swollen and bruised leg. “It’s just that I was chased by skiths not too long ago and almost didn’t make it.”

His hand tightened on hers. “Thank the gods you got away. I would hate to think of what could have happened.” Darian fought back the amazing attraction that flowed between him and this woman. He had a mission to complete. He had to impart his information. Only then could he concentrate on the gorgeous woman who ministered so tenderly to his wounds. “Jared, Lucan has found a way to communicate with the skiths and I believe he’s made some kind of bargain with them.”

“Sweet Mother of All!” Jared rocked back in his chair.

“As you probably know, wild skiths are solitary creatures. They hunt and live alone, usually in wilderness areas. They aren’t much trouble unless you blunder into their territory or they try to take up residence near a village or something. But Lucan, he’s organized them! They’re working together, fighting together, living and hunting together. I’ve never seen the like. He’s formed an army of the creatures, and they’re coming this way. They will kill every man, woman, and child in Draconia, sweeping through your lands with the help of the human army Lucan has at his command, until they take it all.” His voice rose with the passion of his words. “Jared, Lucan doesn’t want to just conquer your land, he wants to destroy it utterly. He plans to kill every last human and dragon and allow the skiths to breed and multiply to numbers we have never before seen.”

“That’s insane.” Adora's shocked whisper brought his eyes back to hers.

“Sadly, you’re right. Lucan has gotten involved in sinister magics that have warped his mind. It is said he drinks skith venom and bathes in blood.

He’s consulted a foreign witch who some say managed somehow to allow him to communicate with the skiths. They say that’s how he’s been able to convince them to do things they never have before. He can control them.”

Jared’s scarred face was very grim. “I can’t thank you enough for risking your life to come here and tell me this. You have my guarantee of sanctuary and a place in my House for as long as you need it.”

Darian realized it was a generous offer and more than he had expected when he set out on his dangerous quest. To have the protection of Lord Jared’s ancient and distinguished House meant quite a bit in this land or any, for that matter.

“I am deeply honored, Lord Jared, and thank you.”

He hissed then, involuntarily, when the woman shifted his injured leg. All eyes moved down to appraise the damage she had revealed by removing the boot and cutting his legging up to mid-thigh.

“You won’t be running anytime soon, but slow walking with a stick to help support you is allowable. I’ll do what I can with poultices and what healing energy I can spare.” She shook her head sadly. “I’m sorry to tell you I must save most of my energy for the dragons.”

He was shocked. “You heal dragons?”

The princess nodded, her gentle hands already ministering to his painful leg. He waited patiently, amazed at the tingle of her healing gift when she put out a tiny bit of energy to mend his abused muscles. With that little head start, he knew his healing time would decrease significantly.

She swayed just a bit when she stood and it was Jared who caught her, betraying his concern over the small woman. He steered her to a chamber in the suite, disappearing inside with her for a few minutes while Darian fought off sleep. There was more he had to tell Jared, but he hadn’t the heart to speak the worst of his news before the tender creature who had done her best to heal him.

When Jared returned, his expression was thoughtful.

“Tell me the rest.”

Darian chuckled wryly. “You know me too well, old friend.” He settled back against the arm of the couch. “Lucan has been sending envoys to that heathen Salomar in the north. They are working together to develop weapons that will take down dragons. I saw some drawings of one briefly but it was too fast for me to get much detail. What I did see, though, gave me nightmares.”