Also by Bertrice Small
The Kadin
Love Wild and Fair
Adora
Unconquered
Beloved
Enchantress Mine
Blaze Wyndham
The Spitfire
A Moment in Time
To Love Again
Love, Remember Me
The Love Slave
Hellion
Betrayed
Deceived
The Innocent
A Memory of Love
The Dutchess
“The Friarsgate Inheritance”
Rosamund
Until You
“The O’Malley Saga”
Skye O’Malley
All the Sweet Tomorrows
A Love for All Time
This Heart of Mine
Lost Love Found
Wild Jasmine
“Skye’s Legacy”
Darling Jasmine
Bedazzled
Beseiged
Intrigued
Just Beyond Tomorrow
Vixens
Anthologies
Captivated
Fascinated
Delighted
I Love Rogues
BERTRICE SMALL
THE DRAGON LORD’S DAUGHTERS
KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com
All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.
Table of Contents
Also by Bertrice Small Title Page Dedication Prologue - ANCIENT BRITAIN BEFORE THE DARK AGES Part One - Averil
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6
Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12
Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18
Epilogue ABOUT THE AUTHOR PURE SILK THE BOOKSELLER’S DAUGHTER Copyright Page
For Sophia Patricia Small,
when she is old enough
Prologue
ANCIENT BRITAIN BEFORE THE DARK AGES
The Enchanter looked directly at Lord Ector. “Arthur may not marry the girl,” he said.
“But why?” Lord Ector protested. “Her father and I have made an agreement that Lynior and Arthur will wed at Beltaine. She is already ripening with his child. It is a good match for a nameless foundling. Lynior is her father’s only child.”
“You should have consulted me first before you made any life-altering decisions for the lad,” the Enchanter said quietly.
“Consulted you? You have not been back here since the night you brought Arthur to my wife and me as a newborn infant,” Lord Ector said. “We don’t even know who you are, but since you appeared in our hall in a puff of smoke we assumed you came from the Fair Folk, and it would have been dangerous for us to refuse an emissary of the Fair Folk.”
“I am Merlin,” the Enchanter said quietly.
“The king’s Merlin?” Lord Ector was impressed, and perhaps just a little afraid. Merlin, half fairy, half human, was known to be a most powerful sorcerer.
The Enchanter nodded. “I was in Uther Pendragon’s service once, but the king died thirteen years ago, Ector of Gwynedd. Since then Britain has been at war with itself, as you must surely know. The lesser kings cannot agree on a High King. Now I have called a council to be held in London at the time of the Winter Solstice, which the Christians call Christ’s Mass. The new king will be chosen then by my hand, and you must be there with your fosterling, Arthur, and your son, Cai. You cannot refuse me.”
“Nay, I cannot,” Lord Ector said, “but why do you forbid Arthur his marriage to Lynior? What difference should it make to you?”
“Come to London at the Solstice, and you will see,” Merlin replied quietly.
Lord Ector sighed. “Lynior’s father will be very displeased, especially considering his daughter’s condition.”
“Tell him that Arthur will, at the proper time, recognize his child, and that neither his daughter nor his grandson will suffer for it. I will personally see that the maiden is given a husband of good family who will cherish her and her child. Tell him that Merlin the Enchanter has made this promise.”
“I will,” Lord Ector said, nodding, and then he blinked hard, for Merlin was gone. Shaking