Kiss of the Dragon (17 page)

Draco slowly turned her around to face him. He lifted a
trembling hand to push aside the gold veil that hid her face and tentatively up
at him as her hands slid up his chest and she encircled his neck with her
slender arms. Accepting her invitation, he gathered her close. She lifted her
mouth and whispered, “Kiss me, my Dragon.”

Needing no further evidence of her desire for him, his mouth
descended to capture her soft lips in a passionate kiss that went on and on,
his lips, teeth and tongue ravaging the sweetness of her.

It was no longer just a simple melding of breath and lips as
in their first kiss. This time there was great desire and his need for physical
gratification was too great to be denied. Bianca could feel his urgency in the
way he held her, caressed her body with his great hands and especially in the
way he kissed her. Her heart jumped in response, her blood pulsating with
pleasure and desire so fierce that she nearly climbed his frame to get closer.
She moaned into his mouth as his hands moved down her back and over the curve
of her hips to cup her round buttocks and lift her, pressing the junction of
her thighs intimately against the heavy bulge of his arousal.

Draco cupped her full breast and his fingers grazed her
nipple through the thin fabric, Bianca nearly screamed with the amazing
sensations that shot through her entire body. She arched into his touch wanting
more, but not quite sure exactly what it was she was asking for, only knowing
that she trusted him to understand her needs. When his mouth left hers, she
whimpered at the loss. But then she sighed when his tongue lapped the lobe of
her ear. She tilted her head to the side to give him better access to the
sensitive slope of her neck. She moaned again at the extraordinary sensations
that thrummed through her, not realizing that the filmy scarves that had once
covered her body were now lying in a pool of gold and silver silk at their
feet.

Placing his hands at her lower back, Draco slowly dipped
Bianca back giving him a tempting path of snow-white flesh over which he
scraped his teeth in small, nipping bites, only to smooth the rough play with
his warm, wet tongue. He licked and kissed his way down to her swell of her luscious
breasts.

“You are so beautiful, Bianca.” His deep voice purred as he
took the tip of one succulent globe and then the other into the hot cavity of
his mouth and slowly tormented her with his fire.

Finally, he simply buried his face between her breasts,
molding and kneading them tenderly. His body trembled beneath her hands as she
caressed his shoulders and arms for several moments before he finally raised
his head and looked into her violet eyes.

“You will be the death of me, sweet. Never have I wanted a
woman as badly as I want you. But I am not certain that you know what you are
doing by being here.”

Breathless from his passionate loving, Bianca could think of
nothing to say. But she suddenly feared he would change his mind and send her
away as he had done before. She would die if he did, simply die.

“I know what I am doing, my lord. I came here of my own free
will. I want you to make love to me.” Her bold declaration seemed to echo
through the room.

Her words nearly brought Draco to his knees. He brought her
slender body close and once again lavished sweet torment upon her lips as he
pressed one strong leg between her thighs, drawing her up to the rock-hard
evidence of his own desire.

She gasped at the intimate contact of the solid heat of him,
it was so shockingly sensuous. She moved her hips, seeking to get even closer.
Bianca had never before felt the like of it and as if in answer to her unspoken
plea, Draco began to grind his hips against hers, his tumescence seeking her
most private of places.

“Oh, God, Bianca! Tell me now if you want to stop. If we let
this go any further there will be no going back,” Draco warned in an oddly
hoarse voice, barely able to get the words out. He was so far gone with desire,
his control slipping fast.

“Please, Draco, I do not want you to stop,” she whispered
against his neck.

Her sweet assent was all that he needed. He swung her up in
his arms and carried her to the bed where he laid her down so gently as if he
feared that she might shatter. He lowered his long, hard body to cover her
small soft one, claiming her mouth in a searing kiss that left them both
breathless. As his hands moved over her body slowly, intimately, he left no
part unexplored. She moaned and writhed beneath his tender assault, her feet
sliding up and down his calves. His hand came between them to find her wet and
ready for him. He deepened his kiss and then eased back to remove his remaining
clothing.

“No, Draco, do not stop!”

“Do not worry, dearling, we have only just begun.”

But just as his hands gripped the top of his leggings to
pull them off, there came a heavy, insistent knocking at the door.

“Draco, come, open the door! There is news!”

Not believing the timing of his young brother, Draco swore
heartily under his breath; making dire promises he would pummel the little
whoreson for daring to disturb him at this hour of the night. He glanced down
at the naked beauty sprawled on his bed her eyes glazed with passion and thrust
his hand through his hair, leaving it to stand on end.

“It is my brother, Cynric. I will get rid of him quickly.”

Bianca’s eyes widened when she finally understood what he
said. She scrambled to cover her nakedness with the bedcovers as Draco moved to
the door. She realized that there must be something very wrong or Draco’s
younger brother would not be disturbing him. A shiver of apprehension skittered
down her spine and she quietly slipped off the bed and hid in the shadows of
the room adjacent to the door.

As soon as the latch lifted on the door, it was not only
Cynric who stood there but his cousin, Charles as well. He burst into the room
without invitation and before Draco could stop him.

Cynric followed more carefully, glancing quickly at the bed.
He knew that Draco had a female visitor arrive earlier at his door. He had come
around the corner of the corridor in time to see her knock. He had stepped back
to give her privacy and only after she had entered and his brother had closed
the door and barred it had Cynric turned and returned to the ballroom, giving
them some privacy. Now he wondered what happened to the mysterious woman.

Draco did not miss the direction of his brother’s gaze and
followed it to find that Bianca had slipped from the bed and had hidden herself
somewhere in the room. He was relieved. At least her reputation was safe, for
the time being.

“What is it? Why are you pounding at my door this time of
the night?”

“The Duke de Neige has requested our assistance. Word has
just reached Castle Neige that there is trouble near the southern border of his
holdings. I assured him that we would join our men with his for reinforcement.
What say you, cousin, are you ready for a little excitement after so many days
of boredom sitting around on our arses? Get dressed; we leave almost
immediately. Dawn is only a few hours away and the Duke wants to be on the road
by the time the sun comes up.”

“Yea, brother, it looks to be a small skirmish but it will
be good exercise for the men. What say you to a little sport? Are you game?”
Cynric added in his youthful eagerness. Shaking his head at his brother’s
enthusiasm, Draco sighed heavily.

“Yes, yes. Give me but a moment to get dressed. We will meet
you at the stables, Charles. Have the men ready.” Knowing that the mood of the
evening was completely shattered by the news of this latest violence, Draco
glanced toward the bed longingly. A chuckle drew his attention and he found
both his relatives grinning broadly at him.

He frowned fiercely and as he turned to gather his clothing,
he caught a glimpse of a small foot in the shadows. His frown deepened into a
scowl as he realized that he had nearly seduced the beautiful Lady Bianca. As
he thought about his loss of control, he felt like kicking himself. What had he
been thinking? Or perhaps that was the problem. He had been thinking, but not
with his brain. He caught his sigh of frustration before it passed his lips.
Perhaps it was a sign from above that they had been interrupted when they had
or he would have taken her innocence and then he would have felt obligated to
offer for her. He wanted her, but not as his wife.

Draco had been a hardened bachelor too long to foist himself
onto an innocent like Lady Bianca de Neige. Fortunately, it had not gone that
far and she had slipped away. Now there was nothing left for him but to ride
into battle for her father and when he returned he would have it out with her.
He would be riding away, leaving her to marry a younger, more suitable man.

“What are you waiting for, Charles?” His voice was testy as
he rounded on the bearer of the disturbing tidings. “Cynric, help me with my
armor.”

“Yea, Draco. It is a shame that this came up. It seems that
you had more…delightful things to keep you occupied this night.” Charles’
half-smile and sly glance toward the bed was enough to tell Draco that his
cousin was aware that he had been entertaining a woman.

“Get the men ready, Charles. And know you can never
apologize enough for disturbing me this night.”

Grating laughter followed the blonde giant out of the door.
Draco cursed his ill timing. He gathered his things together. At least the cool
night air would help him with his raging ardor. It was then that something on
the bed caught Draco’s eye. He strode to the bed. There, glittering in the
candlelight in the midst of the rumpled bed covers lay a translucent golden
veil. It was the only evidence that his small gypsy dancer had even been there.
He lifted the silky cloth up to his face and inhaled of her exotic scent. He
would wear this precious token close to his heart. It would be the only
personal item of hers that he would allow himself. The next time he saw her it
would be to say goodbye.

“What are you waiting for, Draco? We have to ride. There is
trouble to the south.” Cynric’s voice broke into his thoughts, dissolving
Draco’s reminiscent mood.

“Yes, brother, help me dress.” He accepted his brother’s
ministrations as he dressed. “What kind of trouble are we riding out to face,
Cynric?”

“I arrived in time to hear only part of the report, Draco. A
peasant, nearly dead on his feet arrived with the message. I know that Lord de
Neige would usually have enough men to take care of the situation, but Duchess
Heloise took a good number of his guard with her to visit the neighbor estate.
Let a woman lead an army and they go the wrong direction, eh, Draco?” Laughing
at his own jest, Cynric did not notice Draco’s contemplative mood or that he
did not respond to the jest as he usually did.

* * * * *

Suitors came from near and far, all unacceptable.

Her dreams of true love and happiness seemed forever
whimsical.

But still she persevered, her dreams intact,

Until the one she awaited rode up to the gates on horseback.

Massive, and intimidating, though he may have been,

Her heart beat fast for the love she found there and then.

She had discovered him, he had come for her at last.

But alas, he wanted no wife, his heart once broken like
shattered glass.

When Bianca awoke to a new day, her emotions were a melee of
confusion, ranging from excitement to sensual longing. The feeling stayed with
her all through her morning chores. It was a strange euphoria that clouded her
mind and made her oblivious to the harsh words of her stepmother as she was
assigned an outrageous number of tasks to complete before the noon meal. Bianca
left that meeting pleasantly agreeable for the first time that anyone in the
household could remember. Several servants stared at their young mistress in
disbelief as she stood and took the duchess’s orders and snide comments without
so much as a raised brow.

As distracted as she was, Bianca ignored the usual
criticisms and went about her duties with a dreamy expression on her face. She
did not notice the speculative look her stepmother gave her. If she had, she
might have had some doubts about her future happiness.

By the time Bianca and Modesta accomplished every task
assigned to them, it was luncheon time and they retired to the ladies’ solar to
spend the rest of the afternoon sewing. Soon Leia arrived with a tray, which
the two cousins shared. But Bianca found that she had little appetite and absently
picked at the simple fare.

“I so enjoyed the ball last eve, Bianca. It is the first
time I have not wished to be somewhere else. In fact, the evening ended far too
soon. It was so wonderful.”

Her admission stunned Bianca and she turned to look at her
cousin.

In truth, because of her shyness, Modesta declined to make
an appearance at most social gatherings. It seemed that Lord Charles’ patience
and gentle persuasion had brought about a marked change in her shy cousin.
Bianca had noted that Modesta had indeed been enjoying herself at the ball,
dancing and flirting mildly with Lord Charles. She had heard several
whisperings among the older matrons that it was obvious there was a romance
blossoming between the two.

Now, as she gazed at her cousin, a delicate blush colored
her creamy cheeks. Bianca smiled. Modesta glanced up from her sewing and saw
the smile causing her blush to deepen to a rosy red. It was easy to tell whom
her thoughts were on as she reminisced about the evening before, but Modesta
was too disconcerted to admit it.

“Lord Charles is a very handsome man and I think that he
might have a tendre for a certain young lady.” At her announcement, the healthy
color in Modesta’s cheeks faded and she stared at Bianca in horror. Had some
other maiden caught his eye?

“Who?” Her whispered plea was so low that Bianca barely
heard her.

“Who else, indeed, silly girl? I am speaking of you. I heard
that he danced with no one else last evening, that he could not keep his gaze
off you. In fact, he spent so much time at your side that it started many
tongues wagging.”

“Oh, Bianca, I hope not. I do not want people gossiping
about Lord Charles or myself. Please say that it is not true.” Modesta’s
distress was obvious and Bianca instantly regretted her careless words.

“Do not worry, cousin, I was but teasing you. The only
comments I heard were about how lovely you looked and how handsome Lord Charles
was.” She would not repeat the speculation of their possible romance. Instead,
she reached out and touched her cousin’s hand. “Please forgive me for my unkind
teasing.” Modesta’s only response was a nod and a tremulous smile as she fought
back the tears that threatened.

For several moments, neither spoke as they sat in
companionable silence, Modesta working on her embroidery while Bianca sewed
tediously on her tapestry. But as her thoughts went back to the night before,
she smiled slightly and then began humming the tune she had danced so brazenly
to the previous evening. She was so occupied with her reminiscence that if took
a moment for her to hear the small sniffling sounds that were coming from
Modesta.

“Modesta, what is it? Has my careless tongue upset you so
much?”

“Oh, no, cousin. It is not that.” She paused to wipe her
sleeve across her eyes. After a moment she raised her head. “I am so worried
about Charles. What if he is injured or, God forbid, killed while he is away. I
could not bear it. I just could not!” Then she buried her face in her trembling
hands and wept as if her heart would break.

“Modesta, what are you talking about? Where has Lord Charles
gone?”

Uneasiness crept into her mind. What had she missed? Her
thoughts flashed back to the night before when she had been with Draco. When
Lord Charles and his brother, Cynric, arrived at his chambers and disturbed
them, she had not waited around to find out what all the commotion was about.
She had been so concerned that they not find her in his chambers that she had
slipped away as soon as their backs were turned. She had gone straight to her
chambers and to bed, ignorant of the late night activities that woke the rest
of the castle.

“I hope they return soon,” Modesta continued between
sniffles, as if she had not heard Bianca’s question. “It would be unfortunate
if they could not return for several days, even weeks. I am sure that we would
all miss their company.”

“What are you talking about, Modesta?”

“Have you not heard the news, Bianca?” She looked at her as
if she had lost her mind. “Everyone in the castle has talked about nothing else
all morning. Were you not listening?

“His Grace sent Lord Charles and Lord Draco and their
garrison of men out early this morning on an important errand. Your father had
to ask this boon of them because he lacked a sufficient number of men-at-arms
to protect the castle and see to the defense of his demesne. Word came that
there is trouble on the southern border.” A deep, shuddering sigh escaped
Modesta as she fought for control of her emotions. “I pray they are able to
return unharmed before the day is out.”

Why had he not come to her and informed her that he was
leaving? Dumbfounded, Bianca sat, staring blankly at the tapestry in front of
her, not really seeing it, her hand raised with a needle poised to stab into
the fabric.

“What was the trouble?” Even as she asked, Bianca dreaded
hearing the answer. A premonition of danger crawled into her mind and she
suddenly found it hard to breathe.

“I overheard several comments being passed about the kitchen
servants while I did my chores. It seems that a crofter arrived very late last
night with the message. He was given a meal in the kitchen and then departed
very quickly to get back to his home. Cook said that it was very strange that
the man seemed not to know as much about what had occurred when he was
questioned. She said he was nervous and in a great hurry to be gone.”

“Yes, that does seem odd.”

Something was wrong! Bianca could feel it in her bones and
she was helpless to do anything, except pray that they would all return safe
and unharmed.

The two cousins lapsed into convivial silence, each finding
comfort in the other’s company. But Bianca could not concentrate on her work
and ended up having to rip out her stitches time and again. As her mind wandered,
her stitches seemed to follow suit. Her efforts cost her most of her precious
thread. So much so that she had to stop and move to the spinning wheel in the
corner of the room. But even that task proved to be too much for her distracted
mind. The even thread that she fed onto the spindle kept breaking and she had
to start over time and again.

“Did you not rest well last night?” Modesta asked after
glancing in her cousin’s direction several times and catching her staring
absently out the window.

A moment of panic assailed Bianca as she thought that
perhaps Modesta had somehow found out what she had done last night. “What makes
you ask such a thing?”

“You have yawned so many times in the last quarter hour that
I fear you and your maid, Leia, might share the same sleeping sickness.”

Bianca had not been conscious of her actions but it was true
she felt a little weary. She smiled and then nodded in agreement. “I fear that
you have guessed my secret. I slept poorly last night. Perhaps I will go and
lie down for a bit.” Her words where barely out of her mouth before another
yawn caught her unaware. As she raised a hand to stifle it, she clumsily
pricked her finger on the sharp point of the spindle.

“Ooow!” She popped her offended finger in her mouth and
sucked the trickle of blood from her fingertip. “How heedless of me. I think I
will retire to my bed before I cause myself further harm.”

“I think you are right. I will tidy up here and then retire
to my chamber as well.”

“Thank you, Modesta. You are so good to me.” She hesitated
before she turned to leave the room. “Promise me, that if you hear any further
news of the barons or my father, that you will wake me at once.”

“I will, I promise.” Modesta gave Bianca a gentle shove
toward the door.

As she slowly made her way down the corridor, Bianca glanced
down at her aching finger and the drop of blood that had beaded on her
snowy-white skin. The sight sent a sudden chill skittering down her spine and a
sense of foreboding descended over her like a black cloud. Before she realized
that she had changed directions, she found herself making her way to the
stables, an impromptu plan forming in her mind. A deep need to get to Draco
consumed her every fiber, her every thought.

“What is your great hurry, Beauty?” Jabulani appeared at her
side at the door of the stable as she waited impatiently for her horse to be
saddled.

She turned misty eyes on the huge man, swallowing her tears.
“I have to find him, Jabulani,” she declared in a low, trembling voice.
“Please, do not try to stop me. I cannot bear the waiting. I have to do
something.”

“I have no intention of dissuading you from your purpose,
Beauty. But I think it best that you have an escort. I will accompany you.” His
intense black eyes sparkled with anticipation for a little adventure. With a
wide smile, he gave her a wink that was purely conspiratorial. The giant
servant was her friend as well as her guardian and he would give his life for
her if need be. It was a certainty that she could talk him into almost any
adventure and he would merely shrug his massive shoulders and ride at her side
no matter the reason. Her heart’s desire was his duty.

“Thank you, Jabulani. Thank you.”

“Hurry, Beauty. The day withers even as we speak.”

Glace was brought around for Bianca. She was a beautiful
white mare with a long, flowing mane that had been woven with ribbons into tiny
braids. The Spanish leather sidesaddle had been a present from her father on
her sixteenth birthday and she treasured it. The small horse was gentle but had
the strength and stamina of a much larger animal. She was a true kindred
spirit, and Bianca loved her deeply, but now she needed her strength and speed.

Jabulani mounted a great chestnut stallion that stood
eighteen hands high and was the only horse in the stable strong enough to hold
his mighty form. He grinned down at Bianca on her dainty steed and laughed
aloud. “It is a strange spectacle that will be riding across the countryside
this day. The mighty giant will ride guardian over his small beauty.” The
thought of it seemed to tickle his fancy, for he chuckled all the way across
the outer bailey and through the front gates. Bianca could not help but smile
at his good humor.

But as they rode out of sight of the castle and turned
south, the feeling of urgency that she had felt earlier became more and more
weighty on her mind. Jabulani never questioned her about her destination, but
he had no intention of letting her ride into danger either. He kept a steady
pace that was not too difficult for her to follow, pushing the horses as much
as possible without tiring them.

* * * * *

Tired and weary from being out since this side of midnight,
the large garrison of fighting men made their way back toward Castle Neige at
an unhurried pace. It had been a fool’s errand they had been sent on. Roused
from their beds in the early hours of the morning, they rode out anticipating a
battle with band of outlaws only to find when they reached their destination, a
burned out croft and a cold trail that led into the deep woods only to disappear,
untraceable.

A contingency of men was left to bury the dead while the
rest went in search of the foe, a task that proved pointless. Upon their return
to the croft, they had taken time to help rebuild several huts for the
remaining survivors. With so many hands helping, it had not taken long. Feeling
somewhat deflated they started the long journey home. They moved at what seemed
a snail’s pace, stopping only for an unsatisfactory midday meal before moving
on.

Draco was in a foul mood. It had not been his decision to
return to Castle Neige. He did not consider that the task they had set out to
do was yet accomplished. But the Duke de Neige had given his man at arms
specific instructions on what he wanted. And apparently that knight considered
it pointless to continue the search for the raiders who had done minimal damage
to the croft. In his opinion, it was just a small band that raided along the
southern border. A long-standing feud between the Duke de Neige and a minor
noble to the south, whom it was rumored harbored more than one band of outlaws,
was the source of these problems. The two nobles often had words over the
outlaw bands allowed to roam freely over the border onto de Neige’s land where
they attacked at will anyone to fall prey to them.

“I have orders to leave a small contingency of the duke’s
guards here to patrol the border. That should quell the raiding for the time
being.”

Draco had to be satisfied with that and, with Charles
motioning him to hold his tongue, they set out for the castle, leaving the men
to follow.

“He has his orders, after all. If he is satisfied that the
outlaws have been contained there is nothing we can say or do to change his
mind.”