Dragon Lords Books 1 - 4 Box Set: Anniversary Edition (69 page)

O
lena sat curled on a chair
, fully clothed, chewing absently on her thumbnail as she watched Yusef. Her body ached in a hundred different ways, all of them a testament to how much he had recovered. Only after the third time coming together on the white fur rug before the fireplace, did Olena climb from on top of him and demand he go to bed and rest.

When he lay down, his body worn out and past all imaginable limits, he reached for her to join him. To his obvious dismay, she refused, using the excuse of his injuries not to lie intimately beside him while they slept, lest she hurt him when she tossed in sleep. Making herself a bed on the white couch before the roaring fire, she had inevitably drifted off into the nightmarish world of her dreams.

Now that it was morning, she felt the weight of her world bearing down on her. Doc Aleksander wouldn’t wait long for her compliance. Comforting herself with the fact that Doc was a family man—so much so that he wouldn’t cheat on his wife, no matter how hot his desire was—Olena tried not to feel guilty. Surely the man would welcome his daughter with open arms, taking her back into the protective fold of his powerful world. Besides, the reasons why the woman left him in the first place were a family matter, best resolved between them as a family.

Her reasoning did not settle well inside her.

Yusef stirred, drawing her thoughts. He’d grimaced a few times in his sleep, but his body stretched out and his arm didn’t lock against his chest in pain. He came awake, and turned to her as if automatically sensing her presence in the still room. A soft smile curled his features briefly.

“I was about to wake you,” Olena said. “It’s early, but you have to meet with the war council.”

Yusef had confessed as much to her the night before—in between orgasms. King Attor was being given the right of defense, as per a truce set before the Draig and Var nobility years ago. If the king was responsible for Morrigan’s poisoning and Yusef’s attack, then there would be justice and possible war.

Olena could do nothing about the war. And the bloodthirsty, vengeful side of her nature would gladly see justice done on Yusef’s behalf. But this was a matter for the Draig royal family. Even though she was technically a part of their family, she knew she could take no real stand with them. She wouldn’t be staying to see any of her hotheaded declarations through, and she wouldn’t be the cause of a battle she couldn’t fight herself.

Olena also understood she wasn’t to leave Yusef’s house this day. He told her spies were most likely in the palace. Whoever had stabbed him knew the back passages well enough to escape through them without being caught. King Attor himself had been far enough away to shield him from direct responsibility for the attack. Unless the Var king confessed, many nobles would be hesitant to escalate the war without solid proof. Yusef admitted they remembered all too well the losses the last resurgence had brought. Many had died and no one had won.

“Come here,” he said in a near whisper.

Olena unfolded her limbs and climbed off the chair. He was naked beneath the coverlet. His bare chest tempting her forward. She stood beside the bed, studying his handsome face. He didn’t move to sit up.

“Come lie with me,” he urged.

Olena wanted to. Oh, how desperately she wanted to. “No. You should get ready. I imagine with your wounds it will be slow going as it is. I can walk you to the war council—”

“No.” He grimaced as he forced himself to sit.

He threw the coverlet from his body and Olena instantly glanced down to see the condition of his cock. It was half erect, just at the edge of filling. If she were to touch it, it would rise eagerly in her fingers ready to pleasure her.

“It isn’t safe for you in the halls, he said. “You must stay inside.”

Olena nodded and Yusef looked surprised when she did not protest the order.

“I mean it, firebird,” he insisted.

“Fine,” she stated with a stare that hardened her face. Then, relaxing just as quickly, she went toward the closet. “Which tunic do you want?”

Yusef moved his arms slowly to stretch the muscles in his lower back. “The council tunic is black with a silver dragon embroidered within a shield.”

Olena flipped through his clothes. A light flashed within the closet and she paused. It was a gold encrusted bracelet, fitted with rubies and emeralds. It was big enough to fit Yusef’s bicep. Now that was a prize worth stealing.

“Did you find it?”

Olena shook herself to her senses, and lied, “I’m just looking for boots that match…ah, got them.”

She carried his war tunic and shoes to him. Olena helped him don the tunic. It fitted snugly over his chest. If he even dared to look at her with his bedroom eyes she would have pushed him over and climbed on top of him. She quickly retrieved his pants.

Olena kneeled before him, looking up as he made a small sound. It was a mistake. His eyes had lowered as his member had risen. Her breath caught, as he said, “I don’t have to leave right away.”

Olena read his intent. Would this man never get enough? He was insatiable. As her body stirred to desire, pooling her midsection with hot moisture, she wanted to groan. Would she ever be sated?

“Come,” he said. “Climb on my lap.”

Olena hesitated. She had worked one foot into his pant leg.

“I promise you won’t regret it.”

Olena’s gaze again went to his arousal, engorged to the point she saw the distinct trailing of veins.

Yusef reached a hand to her, helping her to her feet. Her will was weak and she let him guide her. When she was standing, he latched his fingers into her waistband and jerked her pants off. Olena kicked the material from her feet.

Then, turning her so her ass was before his face, he growled. Olena shivered, wondering what he was up to.

Yusef leaned forward and nipped a cheek. Olena jerked. He pulled her firmly onto his lap. His legs nudged hers apart as she sat facing away from him.

“Lean forward,” he commanded with a growl forming in the base of his throat. “That’s right, just like that.”

Yusef explored her back, as if he memorized every curve. When her body tightened with desire, he backed up so that his calves were pressed firmly to the bed’s side.

“Bring your knees to the bed,” Yusef told her. Olena obeyed, using his knees for support as she leaned forward over the bed. The unsecured position made her heart race, knowing she could plunge helplessly to the floor if he released his hold on her hips.

Olena looked up, noticing how the mirror reflected her sordid reflection back to her. She watched her body squirm. Yusef’s hand curved around her shoulder to pull her back onto his awaiting arousal.

“You look so beautiful like this.” His eyes lit with fire as he watched their bodies join. “Like a wild wood sprite I want to tame.”

Olena loved it when he said naughty things to her, as if they hid the secret from the rest of the world. At his urging, she lifted and fell in repeated thrusts against him, driving him deep inside her body.

“Yes,” she whispered as he controlled her. A passionate rhythm was struck up between them.

Her hips beat fast, as he said, “You’re so hot and tight around my shaft.”

Olena trembled before he could get out another sinful phrase—though he undoubtedly had plenty more he could say to her. She worked her body faster until she was too overcome with pleasure to move. She cried out softly and his body jerked in instant response.

Weakly she climbed off of him, keeping her eyes down as she pulled on her pants. She hid her face behind her hair. When she finished, she helped him to dress. She then ran her hands over her face to secretly wipe the tears that fell, swiping the moisture across her face to her hair as she pulled the heavy locks off her neck.

“Olena…?” Yusef began part in demand, part in question.

“You’re going to be late.” She affected a bright smile. “Go see to your justice.”

Yusef nodded. “I need my crown.”

Olena retrieved it from the closet and set it gingerly atop his head. She brushed his hair back from his face, lightly combing down the dark strands with her fingers.

Wearily he stood, and sighed. She knew he did not look forward to his task. Leaning over, he kissed her cheek. Then, taking his sling from the dresser, he wrapped his arm and strapped it behind his neck as he walked to the front door. Turning for one last look, he said, “Don’t wait up. These things can take all day. A servant will come around with food. Have him drop it off at the door and wait before you open to retrieve it. Don’t let anyone in.”

Olena obediently nodded.

With a stiff command to the door, he strode from the house to do his duty.

K
ing Attor denied all charges
. Yusef hated the smug look on his face, almost as much as he hated the pretense of having to convene the war council. Of course, he would never say this to his family. He respected tradition. He also knew the Var ruler wouldn’t admit to anything. King Attor was a liar and a coward. And, as the cat-shifter was under the protection of the convened council, Yusef couldn’t call the man such to his face.

Zoran was in charge of military matters, representing the Draig, with a Var warrior of equal ranking opposite him. Olek presided over the whole affair, doing his best as ambassador to keep the peace, though all the brothers knew he would like nothing more than to spill King Attor’s blood for his insults to the royal Draig family.

Yusef sat in silence through most of the day, as did Ualan. Nothing was accomplished during the seven hours of talks. But, then again, nothing had been accomplished in the centuries of fighting that had occurred between the two kingdoms.

After the meeting, it took another four and a half hours to make certain King Attor and his men did not linger in the palace. A thorough search of the castle revealed nothing and the high alert was taken off the village, so that the villagers could again leave their homes.

Yusef’s back pained him, but he did not let the discomfort show. The night of passion was beginning to catch up with him, and by the time he went home, he was too exhausted to walk straight. Olena was asleep on the couch, her hair spilling over the side in beautiful contrast to the white. He left her there, her parted lips in his memory as he went to bed alone.

O
lena smiled
at the gathered warriors, watching them interact with each other. They shouted and punched and called manhoods into question. The sight made her miss her crew, the comradery of those she could trust.

She looked at her companions—the three other princesses. They all wore the same dark breeches and tunic shirts. It had been Pia’s idea that they gather outside near the soldiers’ training field to throw knives at a post. The woman had received knives from her husband and, eager to try them out, invited the princesses to join her for a little sport. Never one to turn down tips for self-protection, Olena had agreed.

Besides, a day out of the house was the perfect remedy from the melancholy of being trapped inside during King Attor’s visit. Yusef was agreeable to the exercise and escorted her to the field so he could watch. Olek and Zoran were there to give their support. Prince Ualan was still in bed, according to Morrigan, who merely blushed at the confession.

Olena was the first to throw. She wasn’t a novice when it came to the blade. Although her targeting wasn’t dead center, she could strike close enough to subdue or even kill.

She did fairly well, as each knife made it into the post, near the center mark. The gathered soldiers clapped and stomped. She glanced at Yusef, trying to act like she didn’t seek his approval. A white bandage slashed across his arm but he looked so much better. He smiled widely, very handsome in his approval, and nodded his head. Olena refused to react, but she knew what that look in his eyes meant.

Nadja was hopeless, missing the target completely on all five tries. She glanced at Olek in embarrassment. The men applauded anyway. Morrigan managed to hit the post on her turn, though they weren’t centered. She curtsied as she received her cheers.

“Maybe you ladies should let a man show you how it’s done,” called a voice from the crowd.

Morrigan rolled her eyes at the others, retrieving the silver blades for Pia’s turn.

“Ach,” Agro cried. “You’re hardly a man, Hume!”

Pia flashed a grin at Hume, who immediately crushed his hand over his heart. Olena watched the antics with a stifled chuckle. She saw Zoran’s face cloud ever so slightly in jealousy. She was glad Pia Korbin wasn’t Doc Aleksander’s daughter. She would hate to see that possessive warrior on her trail.

Pia took up her new set of knives, weighing them carefully in her hand as she tested them. Getting to the third one, she lifted it and studied the blade. Frowning, she went to her husband and handed it to him. Zoran uncrossed his arms and took it from her hand before she grabbed a replacement blade from his waist.

At his curious glance over the replacement, she announced loudly for all the men to hear, “You need to check the balance on that one. It will pull a fraction to the right.”

With hardly moving a muscle, Zoran threw the blade over her shoulder. It stuck just to the right of the target. The men laughed heartily in approval.

Olena was too busy pretending to listen as she watched Yusef from the corner of her lash-veiled eyes. He was laughing light-heartedly at his brother. His look of pleasure twinged her heart. Her mouth went dry, and she was glad no one talked to her because she wouldn’t have been able to speak.

Pia announced, “Told you.”

Olena blinked rapidly, forcing her attention back to the sport at hand.

Going before the target, Pia took a deep breath. She tossed the first of the blades at the post. Not waiting to see it land, she rapidly dropped to the ground to throw two more in a roll. Then, coming to kneel, she threw the last two. The fourth blade struck against Zoran’s to knock it free, before sticking in its place. On the fifth, she turned her arm and it missed the post completely. The warriors watched in stunned silence, their gazes following the path of her last throw. It was a foot before Hume, sticking hilt up and tipped toward the man.

“You missed,” Hume said, to break the silence. The men went wild cheering. Pia took a graceful bow. The princesses jumped in excitement, basking in Pia’s victory.

Morrigan gasped and Olena followed her eyes towards Prince Ualan who was storming onto the field. “Careful,” Olena teased Morrigan, moving close to the woman. “Or else we might think you actually like the barbarian.”

Morrigan blushed, turning her eyes away. Pia handed Olena the blades for her next turn.

Olena glanced at Yusef and he nodded his head in acknowledgement. Pia, seeing the look, quietly said, “It would seem Rigan isn’t the only one enamored by her warrior husband.”

“We’ve got a bet going. All I have to do is hit this post with these five blades and I win.” Olena let a mischievous smile light her eyes. It had been her roguish husband’s idea. He seemed to think that, since she was so confident that she’d hit near her mark, she should put her blades where her mouth was, so to speak. His terms were simple. If she won, she got to request one thing from him. If he won, he got to do the same from her—no complaining.

“Come,” they heard Prince Ualan say.

Pia and Olena turned around to watch Ualan leading Morrigan off to the forest. They shared a look.

“Zoran tried to lead me around like that.” Pia shook her head in disapproval. “I kicked and screamed and I nearly got away, too. I did get a few good punches in.”

Olena laughed, “I hid in the forest for a night, but broke my arm. Yusef had to come rescue me.”

“We’re waiting!” came a cry from the crowd.

Pia turned to glare good-humoredly at Hume. Wryly, she called, “Don’t make me aim higher, Sir Hume.”

Pia meant his chest, but the rowdy warriors were only too ready to guess something much lewder.

Pia looked in confusion at the snickering men. Olena laughed, understanding the joke all too well. As a slightly worried Pia went to consult her husband, Olena threw her blades. The first four landed fairly well. But, then, in an unexplainable effort to gloat, she looked at Yusef. He winked his dark eyes at her and blew her a kiss. She faltered mid-throw. The knife hit, but went too far to the side and instantly fell back out with the weight of the hilt.

Yusef grinned. Olena inhaled sharply to the sound of cheering. She forced herself to retrieve the blades for Pia.

“We need a blindfold,” Zoran said to the men. The call was answered as one was passed forward. He tied it around Pia’s head. Then, smacking her hard on her backside, he directed her to begin her turn.

During the commotion, Olena sidled near Yusef.

“I believe I won,” he gloated.

Olena blushed. “I hit the mark. You said nothing about the blade sticking.”

“Make your throw!” Zoran yelled. Pia lifted her arm and threw.

Hearing the blade land on wood, Olena glanced at the post before turning back to Yusef.

“Do you try to renege?” Yusef’s brows rose in mock surprise. “Where is your honor?”

Pia threw the second and third time. Each blade landed in the post. Suddenly, a loud cheering came up over the crowd. Zoran grinned as he motioned the men to make noise.

Yusef and Olena ignored it, concentrating only on each other, while pretending not to.

“I have never backed out of a bet. A deal’s a deal. I will honor it,” Olena said. Only too late did she realize he’d meant his words as a joke, but she’d taken the bait.

“Oooo,” shouted the men in unison.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Yusef murmured with a meaningful growl, “for I’ll enjoy collecting my prize.”

“Zoran!” came a panicked shout. “Olek! Yusef!”

Olena was lost in Yusef’s arduous eyes to register the shout right away. Yusef’s eyes turned from her and she frowned as she followed his gaze to where Morrigan and Ualan had disappeared into the forest.

“Was that your brother?” she asked, confused. “Is he in trouble?”

Zoran motioned to Agro to keep the men at the field. He ran toward Prince Ualan’s voice, drawing the sword from his waist. Yusef touched her arm briefly before he broke away to run after Zoran. He nodded to one of the men, who tossed a blade. He caught it with his good hand and then his body blurred at his great speed. Olek was right behind them.

Pia tore the blindfold from her head and ran. Olena was spurred into action. The warriors murmured, but followed Agro’s command not to give chase. Olena glanced at Nadja and they were soon both chasing the others.

Twelve light blond Var warriors pursued Prince Ualan from the trees, over the forest path. Fur grew over their bodies as they shifted into the vicious, snarling features of wild cats. Had she not seen them for herself, she might have suspected Doc Aleksander had something to do with the attack. She glanced over the trees, searching for him, but saw no one.

Ualan dragged and unconscious Morrigan with one hand. A dart stuck out of her throat. The prince had shifted to his dragon form and used his natural armor to deflect the enemy’s blows as he fought them off with his free arm to protect Morrigan. Soon his brothers were by his side, shifting into Draig as they fought against the Var. The one-armed Yusef bravely hacked forward with his sword, giving Ualan time to get Morrigan to safety.

Ualan dropped an unconscious Morrigan on the ground. Olena pried her eyes away from her battling husband to Morrigan. Ualan turned back to join the fight against the attackers. Pia didn’t hesitate as she ran to join the men, throwing her blade into a cat’s throat. As Zoran swung his arm, she ducked beneath him to grab the knife from his belt.

Olena heard Nadja’s feet grind to a halt. She looked up to the woman. Olena was used to fighting and death, and had been afforded more than enough views of both shifting species, not to be alarmed. But, as she saw Nadja pale in horror, she knew the woman had no clue what she had married.

“Nadja,” Olena yelled to get the woman’s attention. Seeing Morrigan, she knew her best use was to drag the fallen woman to safety. Besides, she had to get the pasty Nadja away from the battle before she too fell unconscious to the ground. She couldn’t carry them both. “Help me!”

Shaking herself, Nadja darted forward to the fallen princess. She hesitated to see a dart sticking from Morrigan’s throat.

Olena lifted one of Morrigan’s arms. Nadja shivered, as her eyes darted around to look into the trees.

“Help me.” Olena tried to pull Morrigan away from the approaching fray.

Nadja and Olena dragged Morrigan down the path to safety. Olena kept glancing back at Yusef in worry until she could no longer see him. The sound of fighting rang out all around them. When they were far enough away, Nadja stopped. She dropped down to her knees.

“Should we pull it out?” Olena asked. Surely Doc Aleksander’s daughter would know what to do—more so than a pirate.

“No,” Nadja answered. Again she looked at the trees. “Don’t touch it.”

Olena wondered how someone with such a devious father could be so squeamish during a fight. Maybe, after seeing her reaction to Olek’s dragon form, she would really be doing the refined woman a favor in giving her over to her father, so the man could take her off this planet. Anyone as doted on as Nadja apparently must have been, was more than likely protected as a child.

Nadja narrowed her eyes and examined the wound.

The sounds of fighting lessened. Olena heard someone say, “They retreat.”

The brothers and Pia returned down the path. Olena let loose a long sigh to see Yusef unharmed.

Olek froze when he detected Nadja’s pale features. The dart was still embedded in Morrigan’s neck and the woman wasn’t moving.

Nadja jerked when Ualan came close, still dragon-shifted. He immediately changed back to a man. She suspiciously eyed Olek’s human features. Nadja turned back to her patient. Olena noticed it too, and it strengthened her resolve to take Nadja to her father. She almost convinced herself that Nadja would be grateful for what Olena was going to do.

Ualan reached for his wife.

“Don’t.” Nadja’s tone was raw with fear. Ualan drew back in surprise, but Nadja only nodded at his arm where red blisters were forming on his skin. “She is poison to you.”

Ualan tensed, but he held back. Hearing her calm, eerie tone, Olena had no doubt Nadja was the seed of Aleksander. Olena had seen that exact expression before in the Doc.

“You can’t move her yet.” Nadja obviously tried to remain calm.

“But, the poison…” Ualan began, desperate to help his wife.

“Quiet,” Nadja ordered.

Zoran and Pia hung back, quiet. Nadja refused to look any of them in the eye. Her hands shook. Olena saw the pulse jumping beneath Nadja’s skin.

“Let me think. I need to concentrate.” Nadja made a small noise and then decided, “Give me your knife.”

Nadja held her hand out to Pia. The woman instantly handed a blade over. Taking a deep breath, Nadja cut into Morrigan’s throat where the dart was embedded in the skin. Instantly, green liquid began to drip and ooze from the wound, mixed with blood. Soon, Nadja had dug out the star tipped points of the dart.

Nadja dropped the blade and continued to bleed the poison out. When she had finished, she quietly told Ualan, “Try touching her.”

Ualan did. He was left unharmed.

“It’s as I thought,” Nadja breathed. The knowledge didn’t appear to bring her pleasure as she again looked frantically to the trees. I’ve seen this kind of poison before. Usually jealous old lovers do it for revenge. If you had torn the dart out of the skin, it would have released a poison into the blood stream. She would have lived, but you would never have been able to touch her again. It’s ironic really. That way, it is the current lover who poisons the woman, sealing their fate.”

Olena followed Nadja’s lead and examined the trees. She wondered if she considered running or if she was scared the Var warriors remained hidden within them. Or did she detect her father nearby? Shaking her head, Olena knew there was no way Nadja felt her father’s presence. She most likely considered running. Olena almost wished she would run away on her own. It would save her the trouble of a delivery.

“You should get her to a doctor,” Nadja said, her tone lowering to a mere whisper. She stood, warily trying to edge away from the dragon-shifters to go down the path where they’d come from. Olena watched her carefully, unsure if she should do something to help her.