Kiss of the Dragon (42 page)

* * * * *

Happily Ever After…

At last from his lips came the words the Fair Maid longed for,

With his declaration of love he offered her so much more.

His pledge wrung tears from ever eye of those around,

Her Knight held her close and kissed her most sound.

She told her true love he was her hearts burning fire,

And Truelove replied that she was his one and only desire.

At the Castle of the Sun, the marriage between Lord Draco
d’Ensoleille and Lady Bianca de Neige was a small, but elegant affair. It took
place on the Cliffside Pavilion overlooking the blue-gray sea just as the
golden orb of the evening sun set into the distant mysterious depths of the
sea. Bianca and Draco stood side by side and pledged their love for each other
in the company of both family and friends who had made the long journey to see
the joyous union.

Lady Modesta and Lord Charles, along with Cynric and the
rest of the Black Dragon’s men who had been left behind, arrived first,
practically on the heels of the happy couple. It was not long after that
Bianca’s father arrived bringing with him Sir Galen, Leia and Theron who had
healed enough to make the journey.

The great hall of the Castle of the Sun filled with a
never-ending parade of friends, family and servants who insisted on coming to
see their own Beauty wed her Knight in Shining Armor. The tale of her
kidnapping and rescue had become a favorite story to be told and retold
throughout the household. When Bianca heard it embellished with added details,
she smiled in wry amusement. It was truly a better tale than the reality had
been, she had to admit.

But it was the arrival of Jabulani alive and well that left
Bianca speechless, tears filling her eyes. She ran across the great hall and
threw herself into his arms to weep all over his chest she was so overjoyed.
Draco followed Bianca across the room and stood by, watching his wife weep all
over her giant bodyguard. His eyes met Jabulani’s and he nodded his
understanding. After a few moments, Jabulani extracted himself from Bianca’s
embrace and set her from him.

“I have something to tell you, Beauty.” He reached for a
young woman standing at his back and pulled her around and into his arms. “I
would introduce my wife, Lina.” At the surprised look on Bianca’s face, he
explained. “We have only been wed a short time, but I will be staying with her
people.” A sad expression crossed his face. “You no longer need me, Beauty. You
have the Dragon to keep you safe. Live your life well.” And then he motioned
for Draco to come take his wife. Bianca turned into Draco’s arms and hid her
face as she wept for the loss of such a great friend.

“He will always be your friend, sweetling.” And he kissed
the top of her head before leading her away to the privacy of their chambers
where they spent the evening and night making love.

The arrival of her friends and family left Bianca living in
a world of joy and love but something was missing. One morning as she sat in
the rose garden taking in the early morning sun she looked up and saw an old
woman walking toward her out of the swirling mist of the nearby woods. She
recognized her grandmother at once and, with a cry of pleasure, jumped to her
feet and ran to meet her. As the two women hugged and kissed each other, Draco
appeared at their side his sword in hand. He heard Bianca’s cries and had come
to her aid, only to witness the happy reunion between them.

Veryalda had made the long, tedious journey to bless the
couple with her own very odd ways. The old ways, she explained.

The only family member who was obviously absent from this
special gathering was her father’s wife, Heloise. Galen explained to Bianca
that the duchess had disappeared the same night that Bianca had been kidnapped.
It was rumored she had been behind the plotting because she had been so jealous
of her stepdaughter and she had not been seen or heard from since.

“Do you think she is dead?” Bianca asked Draco several days
later as they walked in the gardens, watching the sun drop from the sky, giving
them a splendid show of beautiful colors before disappearing into the sea.

“That, we may never know, sweetling. If she lives, she would
be wise never to come here. I would not welcome her no matter what her plight.”

“Dear husband, I know that you will not agree, but I cannot
find it in my heart to hate her. After all, if not for her intervention, I
would never have met the great Black Dragon of Normandy.”

Draco stopped and turned to look at his small, compassionate
wife. He was stunned at what she said, and slightly amused at her naiveté. For
several moments, he tried to think of a way to enlighten her to the harsh reality
that her stepmother would always be jealous of her. Not wanting to spoil her
innocent ideals with his cynical world-wise views, he said nothing. Instead, he
clasped her in his arms and drew her close, kissing her on the forehead and
then he released her and they continued walking until they reached their
favorite bench overlooking the breeze-swept sea. Wrapped in each other’s arms,
they sat and watched the brilliant hues of gold and red that colored the fast
fading sunset.

After a while, Bianca sighed and leaned back in her
husband’s arms. “Trust me, my love. If Heloise had found even a pinch of the
happiness that we have found, then she should be content for the rest of her
life.” She raised her lovely face to look up at him. And Draco found that he could
not dispute her reasoning. For in truth, they had found more happiness than
they could have ever imagined. He lowered his head and brushed his lips over
hers tasting the sweetness of his new bride.

“I love you, my Beauty. More than I can say.” The kiss
deepened and they were lost in the passion of true love and dreams come true.

The End

Christina James is an avid reader of all types of romantic
fiction and has been for many years. Her love of writing has evolved into much
more than just a hobby. She currently resides in the beautiful central Idaho
mountains surrounded by the family and friends she loves and who support her
efforts. Kiss of the Dragon is her first published novel

Christina welcomes comments from readers. You can find her
website and email addresses on her
author
bio page
at
www.ellorascave.com
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Kiss of the Dragon

ISBN 9781419941313

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Kiss of the Dragon Copyright © 2013 Christina James

Edited by Victoria Reese

Cover design by Fiona Jayde

Cover photography by hotdamnstock.com

Electronic book publication July 2013

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