Dragon Master (Dragon Collector Book 2)

by Simon Archer

  “What the…?” I began but trailed off when I noticed the water felt like a warm and heavy blanket, smothering me in a comforting burrito. It felt freeing, almost akin to flying up in the air on Ffamran’s back.

  “Go under,” Sayles hinted slyly. “I promise it gets better.”

  I opened my mouth to respond but decided against it. Instead, I did as I was told and ducked my head under the water.

  The world exploded against my senses. The colors, once murky and dark, brightened under the glittering light from the surface. I could see the details of the bottom, with glistening rocks and underwater plants that Maria would have killed to explore. The sand sparkled as if each individual grain shouted, “Look at me! Look at me!”

  My sense of smell returned with a flood of earthy and organic scents. A sweet sap tickled my nose, and I wiggled it uncomfortably. As I did this, I noticed for the first time that I was breathing as easily under the surface as I would have above it.

  Freaked out, I swam backward and opened my mouth. While no words came out, the water that inevitably entered didn’t choke me. I covered my mouth with both hands, and my eyes grew to twice their size in complete and utter shock.

  “I can breathe underwater?” I thought to myself.

  “It was the only way I could share the wonders of my home with you,” a melodic voice responded in my head.

  I whirled about, bubbles swirling up around me as I did so. Behind me, Sayles swam like a mermaid would, gliding his body up and down along the water. He sent me a triumphant smile, and I returned it with my own.

  “And now we can communicate in our minds, like Ffamran and me?” I asked, testing out the signal.

  “Only under the water,” Sayles explained. “I do not feel like clogging your mind when you are above the surface. You have too much going on when you are up there.”

  “Thanks?” I said, unsure if that was a backward compliment or backward insult.

  “I want this to be another place of bliss for you, as your painting is,” Sayles went on. “You have so much pressure up there, with so many people relying on you and expecting much. I know you and Ffamran fly, and you escape through your paintings, but swimming with such freedom and ease, you might come to enjoy it.”

  I stared in awe at the white dragon. For the first time I had ever seen Sayles, the creature looked serene. His entire body relaxed as it coasted through the water, his jellyfish-like skin glowing translucent. It allowed him to bob and float with a beautiful grace. It seemed to heal him, to be surrounded by and in his element.

  “Thank you,” I said softly. “I recognize what a gift this is, and I appreciate it. Really.”

  “We are here to help you, my lord,” Sayles reminded me. “A little faith goes a long way.”

  I nodded, unable to form what felt like an appropriate response. Sayles seemed to recognize it on my face or in my heart and decided to circle around me, creating a pleasurable whirlpool.

  “Come now, Martin,” Sayles said with a playful grin. “Let’s go swimming.”

  21

  Rebekah

  The strangest thing happened during one of my routine patrols. I had the mindset that one couldn’t be a good leader unless they led by example, so I had several days where I patrolled the perimeters alongside the other soldiers.

  “Rebekah!” The shout of my name caused me to tense, my hand that was resting on my sword tightening before I turned to address whoever was calling me.

  Above me, Altair let out a small shriek, and I let myself relax, knowing that it was someone Altair trusted if he wasn’t coming down to attack or defend. True to that logic, it was Bailey-Sue who rounded a corner of the royal gardens.

  The Zoo caretaker, while not a close friend, was close to Alona and Diana, and I had found myself in her company more than once, especially more so since Martin had entered our lives.

  “Hello, Bailey-Sue. What brings you to this side of the palace today?” I was curious to know her reasons since not many came this far out in the royal gardens. The stone wall perimeter stood imposing behind me, casting its shadow over the rows of bushes and flowers that littered the area.

  Once Bailey-Sue was only a few feet away from me, she slowed, and I could see the light dusting of blush across her cheeks.

  Now that was interesting. What reason would she have for blushing?

  “Um, so I actually had a question for you, and Korey pointed me in this direction saying you were on patrol. I know I could have waited, but I have been putting this off for a while already, and I did not know if I would have the courage to ask you again if I did not--”

  I broke out into laughter as Bailey-Sue rambled, her words blurring together as she spoke faster and faster. Thankfully, my laughter caused Bailey-Sue to break off mid-sentence, though her face became downcast.

  “Make no mistake. I am not laughing at you, Bailey-Sue,” I was quick to reassure the woman, “merely that you speak too fast for me to understand.”

  That made her smile softly as she looked up at me from underneath her lashes.

  I gestured for her to take in a deep breath and then asked her, “What is it you wished to speak to me about?”

  She opened her mouth, paused, closed it, opened again, and then paused again. Finally, she pinched her eyes shut tightly and had her hands clenched beside her as she finally spoke, loud and fast.

  “Will you teach me how to kiss!?”

  That made me practically freeze as I stared at the emerald-haired beauty before me.

  “I am sorry, Bailey-Sue, could you please repeat that?” I just wanted to be sure I’d heard her correctly.

  She opened her eyes, the paleness of them striking in the shadows as they glowed a soft violet from not being completely in the dark. “I know your gift has a… sexual nature to it.” That charming pink blush was back on her cheeks as Bailey-Sue maintained eye contact with me. “And, as I wish to learn how to kiss properly, I could think of no better teacher.”

  I tilted my head to the side, making sure to keep my face neutral as I looked at her. It was no secret what my gift was. Sure, it was not spoken aloud or mentioned by any of the nobles, as its nature was considered somewhat… scandalous… no matter how many times it had served the kingdom… but it was a known fact.

  Still, to have Bailey-Sue come up and ask for instruction on how to kiss was not something I had ever predicted.

  “This would not have anything to do with a certain man who recently entered into your life, would it?” I just had to tease the assistant caretaker, watching that pretty pink blush deepen and darken as her eyes darted away from me. That was all the confirmation I needed.

  “Okay.” My one-word answer had her shooting her head back straight towards mine, eyes wide.

  “Okay?” Her mouth opened and shut a few times in astonishment before she pulled herself together and gave a decisive nod. My attention was more focused on her lips, full and plump. “Okay.”

  My own lips twitched up into a smirk as I raised an eyebrow. “Well?”

  A pout graced those full lips as Bailey-Sue looked at me. “Well, what?”

  “Are we to have this lesson out in the open where anyone can stumble upon us?” I laughed and gestured around us.

  She stuttered unintelligibly before she turned around and briskly began walking away.

  With a laugh at her response, I whistled and called for Altair. He flew down to me without a moment’s hesitation. “Could you please grab Korey? She will understand to finish the patrol with you.”

  Altair let out a shrieking cry of understanding as he shot back up into the sky, flying towards where I knew Korey was finishing up her part of the patrol.

  I most definitely did not run to Bailey-Sue’s room near the Zoo, the place where all caretakers lived. No one was around to dispute that either. But as I was making my way towards where Bailey-Sue stood anxiously outside her room, I saw another figure come towards us that I did not expect.

  “Alona?” Her name escaped my
lips before I could stop myself, and the sound of it caused the brunette to jerk up, her glasses sliding down her nose at the same time. Pushing her wire-frames back up, she continued walking until she stood among Bailey-Sue and me.

  And that was when I noticed Bailey-Sue was studiously avoiding my eyes, looking everywhere but where I stood. Crossing my arms, I pinned the two women with my best captain’s glare, a look that made many soldiers quake in their boots.

  That finally cracked them after a minute of use. Surprisingly, it was Alona who broke first.

  “I asked Bailey-Sue if I could join in on your… lesson.”

  Then Bailey-Sue piped up from her spot. “We both wish to learn how to kiss.” She licked her lips, nervous, “Because if the chance ever occurs where we might kiss Martin, we wish to be able to make it pleasurable for him.”

  I breathed out through my nose, but I could not find it within me to be frustrated with the two women. They were both beautiful in their own ways, both looking shy and pretty as they walked into Bailey-Sue’s room, still avoiding my gaze. And I understood their reasoning.

  Bailey-Sue’s room reflected the owner of it perfectly. Dark colors abounded in the decor, with soft lights in the corners. Along one of the walls was a cubbyhole with a tiny entrance, most likely the bed of her Merkin, Zander.

  Both women were obviously shy as they stood around the room, clearly unsure of how to continue from here.

  “You both wish to learn how to kiss so that you may be able to kiss Martin and give him pleasure should the occasion ever arise,” I said to break the silence. It was not a question since they already told me, but both women looked at each other and then me before nodding their heads.

  And so I decided to dive right into it. Two beautiful women wanting me to kiss them? I had no problem with that.

  “Bailey-Sue.” As I said her name, I crooked a finger towards myself, indicating she should come up towards me.

  I kept my eyes on hers, locking her pale gaze with my burning eyes, letting my desire show through. Gently gripping her chin in my hand, I tilted her face up towards mine and moved until there was barely an inch between us. I could feel her breath fan over my face, and I could smell the hay and subtle hint of smoke on the Zoo caretaker as she licked her lips, her eyes dropping to mine.

  “First lesson of kissing,” my words, while nearly a whisper, startled the woman whose eyes darted to mine, “is to build up the suspense before going in.”

  I moved back a bit to look over at Alona, who was watching the proceedings with wide eyes, looking as if she wanted to be the one in my hands. I smirked.

  “The rest of our lesson will be tactile, so make sure that you’re taking notes, Alona.” And with those parting words, I surged forward and captured Bailey-Sue’s gasp of surprise as it left her lips.

  She tasted of wood smoke and cherries, and her lips were soft and pliant as she matched my intensity. I could tell she was inexperienced, but she made up for it with her desire.

  I swiped my tongue across the seam of her lips, and with a silent gasp, she opened them up to me.

  My hand moved from her chin to the small back of her head as I slotted our lips together and allowed her to explore the sensuality of the kiss that I showed to her. I could not lie, though. My own face was heating up, and the softness of the woman in my arms made that heat zap down and tighten in my core as the kiss went on longer.

  It could have been only a few minutes or a half of an hour, but eventually, Bailey-Sue and I pulled apart.

  Chest heaving and pupils wide, Bailey-Sue raised a shaky hand up to her lips and ghosted it with her fingers as she stared into my eyes. I carded the hand that was holding her head through her hair as I trailed it down her cheek until pulling away.

  Turning, I let Bailey-Sue pull herself together, and looked to where Alona stood staring with an open mouth, a furious red blush on her cheeks.

  Eyes flashing with a mischievous light, I lifted a hand to point at Alona, “Your turn.”

  Almost like she was in a trance-like state, Alona walked up to me. I stepped aside from Bailey-Sue and grabbed ahold of Alona’s hand.

  Alona was actually someone I spent a lot of time with through the years since she had a past with my second-in-command Diana. Even with their strained relationship, I knew the caretaker well. I could not deny her attractiveness as I tugged her hand, causing her to stumble up against my chest.

  “Whoa.” She raised her other hand to stabilize herself, resting it on my left breast. Her eyes darkened, and she looked up at me with a soft smile. “Hello.”

  “Hello,” I returned her soft word as I breathed in deeply.

  Glancing over at Bailey-Sue, I held down a chuckle at the glazed expression still plastered over her face.

  “Bailey-Sue,” The sound of her own name shocked her, and she turned to look over at where Alona and I stood intimately embraced with each other. I did not mistake the look in her eyes as she gazed at us with fiery desire and lust.

  It seems I awoke something within the normally reserved caretaker.

  “Why don’t you share with Alona here what you learned during your lesson?” I tilted my head down and nuzzled softly against her neck, causing the woman in my arms to stiffen before relaxing with a moan.

  “Uh,” was Bailey-Sue’s eloquent response.

  “I think Bailey-Sue needs a moment to gather her thoughts. While we wait, why don’t I show you what I taught her.” I whispered against the shell of Alona’s ear, making the woman shiver.

  I moved my hands up to cup Alona’s face and moved in until my lips brushed up against hers. Soft, butterfly kisses, each one causing the girl in my hands’ breath to catch.

  I was sure my smile was visible against her lips as I kept just barely kissing her… until she seemed to lose her patience. Alona’s hands came up and gripped my red hair tightly in her grasps as she tugged my head and smashed her lips against mine.

  Eager little thing. I let her have that one moment of control before I abruptly took it back as I skillfully twisted my mouth to slot perfectly against hers and captured her tongue with mine.

  Her moan in response was more than enough to encourage me to continue with this lesson.

  And that was how I found myself spending the rest of the afternoon, taking turns kissing two beautiful women, and watching them kiss each other with more and more expertise and enthusiasm.

  22

  I approached my chambers that evening with damp hair and a wide, satisfied grin. The twilight hours had been spent with Sayles exploring the depths of the lakes throughout the Marked Woods. They were intertwined through a series of water-filled catacombs. It was like its own hedge maze down there.

  I never expected to enjoy swimming so much, especially after that harrowing experience with the mermaids a couple of months ago, but being able to see clearly underwater and breathe made the whole endeavor much more enjoyable.

  Still lost in my own thoughts and the memories of the evening, I didn’t notice the figure leaning up against my doorway.

  “Good evening, Martin,” King Atlus said from his shadowed perch.

  “Jesus, Atlus!” I exclaimed with a jump. I held my heart to my chest and tried to breathe through my nose in order to calm my heaving lungs and rapidly beating heart. “What are you doing here?”

  “I was waiting for you,” he admitted as he pushed himself off the wall and approached me. “I truly did not mean to scare you. I am sorry.”

  “It’s fine,” I said with a wave of my hand. “I didn’t see you there.”

  King Atlus chuckled, and the response surprised me.

  “What’s so funny?” I asked of him.

  “I am the most recognizable man in the kingdom,” the king explained. “I am not used to being unnoticed.”

  “Well, when you’re lurking in the shadows like that, it’s hard to believe you wanted to be noticed,” I argued, gesturing to the place he’d just been. “It’s dark over there.”

  “You sho
uld get a torch or lantern outside of your door,” King Atlus advised. “That would help with the shadow problem.”

  “I can see the flickers underneath the door, and it bothers me when I try to sleep,” I replied honestly. Suddenly, I caught myself, unsure why I was talking about my odd sleeping habits with the king of Insomier. Surely that was not the reason he was loitering outside of my door. “Did you need something from me?”

  “Why is your hair wet?” Atlus asked, completely bypassing my question. I knew he’d heard me, and I wondered why the king was stalling, refusing to give me an answer. I didn’t feel like playing his game, so I repeated my question.

  “Sire, what did you need from me?” I tilted my head and shot him a curious look. “I definitely know it wasn’t to ask me about my day.”

  “What if it was?” Atlus said, a weak attempt at a challenge.

  “You never have before, so that would be utterly weird. And suspicious.” I added for good measure. “I thought we agreed early on in our arrangement that my movements would be my own and not monitored by the kingdom in any way, shape, or form?”

  “We did agree to that,” Atlus said with a sharp nod. “I swear I was not prying. The question was an attempt at small talk, some politeness before I requested something of you.”

  “Request something of me?” I tilted my head the other way, the conversation growing curiouser and curiouser.

  “Yes,” Atlus admitted. “If you had a harrowing day, I was going to come back another day and ask something of you. But if your day was light and perhaps you were not too tired, you might be more inclined to accept my request.”

  “Which is what?” I asked openly.

  “I do not wish to trouble you,” King Atlus said hesitantly, reminding me of a schoolboy about to show his school drawing to his parents for the first time. If I hadn’t been so annoyed, his nervousness might be sweet.

  I sighed and resisted the urge to say, “Too late.” Instead, I straightened my back and reminded myself that I needed to stay on this guy’s good side. He was king after all, and if appeasing him was needed, that’s what I would do. Up to a certain point, of course.