Still, a very uneasy alliance had developed among humans and dragons over the last thousand years or so. It used to be if you left the dragons alone and ignored the occasional stolen cow or destroyed battalion, they stayed away from the villages and the humans. Those humans looking for glory, who broke the unspoken pact, usually brought the dragons’ brutal wrath swiftly on some poor kingdom and king’s head.
In the last few years, however, rumors had begun to spread through the small towns and villages. Rumors of more and more dragons seen taking to the skies. Although still no talk of any destruction or violence, fear had taken root and spread. Especially in Madron where Lord Hamish ruled with a brutal fist. The few rumors he allowed in her tiny village were that the dragons were once again killing randomly, destroying towns, villages, anything that might annoy them. But the armies of Madron were preparing for some kind of war against dragons…as if the humans could win. All humans truly had in their favor was their number. One of her teachers back in Alsandair compared humans and dragons to fleas swarming over a wolf. Enough could cause unbearable torment, but usually a good bath would wash them off.
Talaith never thought she’d ever see a dragon much less be taken by one. Taken so he could bed her. Clearly he didn’t get out of his cave much if she was the best he could do. Perhaps she should speak of commitment and really scare him back to his lair. She almost smiled at the thought, but she knew her tongue would get the better of her.
He irritated her. Greatly. And when anger ruled her head that meant her mouth took over. Woe to those who ended upon the wrong side of that.
But who knew a being could be so bloody arrogant? And demanding? And rude? And gorgeous? And so well-endowed, he reminded her of a warhorse?
Lord Hamish roused his best men before the two suns rose. He had them dressed in travelers’ robes, their weapons hidden, and divided into several groups so they could cover more area in the shortest amount of time.
“I want the little bitch back before the next full moon. Am I clear?”
“Aye, Lord Hamish,” they answered as one.
“We’ve failed our goddess once. We’ll not fail her again. Not if you hope to live.”
They had failed her. Nine years ago. They’d failed her and he’d been attempting to make it up to her ever since. What surprised him was that she didn’t kill him when she’d discovered his failure. Instead, she’d forgiven him and told him if he continued to do her bidding, she’d reward him with more power than any human could ever hope to obtain. Since then she’d protected him from the Mad Bitch of Garbhán Isle. He shuddered to think he almost wed that demon-stain. She probably would have slit his throat while he slept. He never thought he’d meet anyone more insane than her brother. But she was more insane and the last three years of her rule proved it.
No. He’d never fail his goddess again. If for no other reason than Arzhela would be the only one who could protect him from the Blood Queen of Garbhán Isle.
“And the dragon with the woman, lord?” one of his men asked.
He didn’t hesitate. “Kill it. But she lives.”
And that’s all he had to promise his goddess. He didn’t understand what she needed this woman for. A peasant, from what he knew. A peasant and nothing more. But the goddess wanted her back and that’s all he needed to know. So his men would bring her back alive.
What they did with her between Dark Plains and here…not really his concern as long as she returned breathing.
Chapter 5
Talaith thought for sure the goddess would come for her during the night. Of course, the sad truth remained she couldn’t decide which was the lesser of two evils—the goddess or the dragon.
She wouldn’t worry about that now, though. The suns had begun to rise and she knew the dragon would want to leave soon. Still, she felt safe and warm. Of course, now that she thought about it, that seemed strange. Because she fell asleep the night before with chattering teeth and her body pulled into a tight ball. It got so bad she almost called out for the dragon, but she couldn’t. Her pride simply wouldn’t let her.
Talaith forced her eyes open. Trees swayed over her as the wind blew. A storm was coming, she could smell it. Then why wasn’t she freezing—or already frozen—to death?
She glanced down and realized a thick, shiny mane of silver hair covered her entire body. Her entire naked body. Glancing to her left, she saw the human form of the dragon stretched out next to her. Stomach down, one big muscular arm thrown over her waist; he’d pushed his own body right up against her side, his handsome face even more so in sleep.
He’s got the longest eyelashes…oh, good gods, Talaith. Get hold of yourself.
Before she panicked, she closed her eyes and used the tiny bit of Magick the goddess allowed her to keep to search for anything the dragon might have done to her while she slept. After a few moments, she knew he hadn’t done anything besides lay next to her all night. No spells cast. No charms of lust. And he definitely hadn’t fucked her.
Knowing he hadn’t broken his promise to her, she felt confident enough to turn and say, “Get your bloody hands off me!”
Without moving from his apparently comfortable position or opening his eyes, he calmly replied, “Don’t get snappy at me, wench. I had to do something. Those chattering teeth of yours would have kept me up all night…and don’t pull my hair.”
She snatched her hand back before she got a firm hold on the silver strands. “Let me go.” She squirmed, trying to get him to release her.
Instead, he groaned.
“You really need to stop doing that. Or, do it more.”
“Doing what?” she demanded absently, desperately trying to reach the blade he’d left tied to her leg. Did he leave it because he knew how much safer she felt with it on? Probably not. That would require him to think about someone or something other than himself.
His grip tightened on her waist and his eyes opened, devastating her with one look from that heated gaze. “Stop squirming, woman, or I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
Eeek! “Oh. Sorry.” She winced, realizing she’d apologized to the big oaf. “If you let me go—”
“I don’t want to let you go.” The hand on her waist now slid up and down her side, caressing her skin. “You’re soft. All over.”
This could easily get out of hand. Especially when she had to fight her own desires. It had been a long time since she’d been with her husband or any man. If only the dragon were ugly or somehow repulsive. But he wasn’t. Even his dragonform, which horrified her, still didn’t disgust her.
“I think you need to—”
“You know”—he kissed her shoulder and she had to close her eyes and grit her teeth to stop from moaning—“you would have frozen to death last night if it hadn’t been for me.” His tongue flicked out and licked a small scar she had on her shoulder blade. “That’s twice I’ve saved your life.”
Her nipples peaked, and she had the intense desire to slap herself in the face. “This time doesn’t count. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”
He propped his head up with one arm while his other hand continued to move along her flesh, making her think things she knew for a fact were morally wrong. “You’d prefer I left you in that tiny trash heap you call a town?”
“No. But you could have dropped me off at any larger town between here and there.”
Yawning and closing his eyes, he rubbed one leg against hers, which she was starting to find a tad disconcerting. “And leave such a sweet young thing to the tender mercies of those harsh streets? What kind of dragon hero would that make me if I did that?”