by Bianca D'Arc
Their game had brought them back around the room toward Hugh when the door opened to admit a highborn lady, if Hugh didn’t misjudge the quality of her cloak. She paused to gaze at Miss with a measuring look Hugh didn’t care for, then sought out Hobson for a lengthy chat.
Hugh felt uneasy and was glad when the children resumed their place near the fire at his side. They’d tired themselves out and were rolling the ball quietly back and forth as they both sat on the floor at opposite ends of the hearth. Miss was on the side closer to Hugh’s chair, for which he was grateful. Should he need to protect her for any reason, she would be close at hand.
Hugh’s gaze strayed often to the quiet corner of the bar where the lady spoke in hushed tones with Hobson. The innkeeper seemed to defer to her quite a bit, which only confirmed Hugh’s guess that she was someone of a higher social class.
When their conversation finally ended, the woman turned and walked toward the fireplace where Miss and Tomlin were still playing quietly. Hugh watched her. Her gaze was focused on the gryphlet, sparing him only a furtive glance as she’d turned.
He didn’t know what to make of that glance. Was it shyness that caused her to stop short of meeting his gaze? Or was it arrogance? He had no notion of her motivation at the moment, but if she came any closer, he would. He’d make a point of it before she got too near the little one.
He thought Miss understood the use of her claws a little better now, but he still doubted she’d know when and how to use them effectively. For now, Hugh had to be her defender no matter what. His honor demanded no less. He’d taken her in. Placed her under his protection. He would defend her against all comers.
Even pretty ones with flowing hair and luminous eyes that refused to meet his.
The woman walked closer and Hugh could see her eyes were a lovely shade of light hazel brown. He noted something else as well. Something that set his teeth on edge. As she reached out one hand toward the gryphlet, she was gathering her power. Magical power. And she intended to direct it toward Miss. Her actions could brook no other interpretation.
“What is your name, little one?” she asked even as her hand rose and her power released.
Hugh stood abruptly, placing himself between the woman’s outstretched hand and the baby gryphon. He took in the strange flavor of her magic and absorbed it. His dragon strength allowed not one smidgen of the questioning magic to return to its owner.
For that’s what it had been, he realized now. A magical summons. A question. A request for compliance.
No way was he going to let this strange woman—fine lady or not—use such a thing on Miss. She was only a baby and didn’t understand much about magic. She’d most likely give the woman anything she wanted, including her obedience.
Hugh believed such a thing should be earned. Not coerced by magical means. Or any other means, come to that.
“She does not have a proper name yet, milady.” Hugh’s tone was polite but firm. “We simply call her Miss.”
The shy gryphlet rubbed against his leg, her head peeping around his thigh so she could gaze up at the womans oat the . Miss was trembling again, probably picking up on Hugh’s tension. He reached downward with one hand and stroked her neck, trying to ease her nerves. She was very highly strung after the ordeal she’d been through, though she was bouncing back bit by bit with the ease of the very young. Hugh would be damned if he’d let this woman scare the gryphlet back into the state she’d been in when he’d found her.
“What did you just do?” The woman’s unguarded words betrayed her shock as her wide hazel eyes sought his gaze.
“I will allow no harm to come to this child. She is under my protection.” His words were pitched low so that only the woman could hear him.
“I intend her no harm.” She drew herself up with indignation, though she was still a head shorter than him.
“Then you will not touch her with your magic. I do not know its origins or intent and I will not allow it to influence her one way or the other.” His words challenged her authority and he could see by the fire in her gaze that she didn’t like it. Highborn as she was, she probably wasn’t used to it.
“And what of you? Are you not influencing her? You are an outlander here. What right have you to one of our citizens?”
“Outlander I may be, but I recognize an outcast when I see one. Your people did not help her when they should have. You do not deserve her.”
Something in her deflated at his words. For a split second he almost regretted the harsh truth he’d just spoken. Then Miss’s intensified trembling got through to him and he bent to lift her into his arms. Let them see how easily he could carry her. Let them realize he could protect her from all comers.
It was an irrational thought but one that would not be denied. His brother Nico could send another spy to Helios to complete Hugh’s mission. One better suited to stealth than a lone dragon in a land dominated by feathered wings instead of scaled ones. Miss’s fate was more important at the moment.
“Don’t fight,” Miss said as her clear eyes gazed up at him with fear in their depths.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He crooned to the child, rocking her slightly. “Sometimes grownups have differences of opinion, but it’s nothing for you to worry about. You’re safe, little Miss.”
She nuzzled her furry head under his chin and settled down in his lap as he reclaimed his seat near the fire. The woman—stronger of will than he had expected—sat opposite them at the scarred wooden table. Her cunning gaze took in everything about the way Miss relaxed and sought shelter in his arms. Tomlin stood at his side, fear on his young face.
“Tom, would you fetch refreshments? There’s a good lad.” He sent the boy off with a reassuring wink though Tomlin looked back over his shoulder several times as he made his way across the common room toward his father and the kitchen entrance.
Hugh continued to stroke Miss’s neck and back, trying to reassure her. It was clear she did not like the tension in the air and Hugh regretted scaring her. She was a very sensitive youngster.
The woman watched, saying nothing for several moments. That surprised him. He would’ve expected any other woman to launch into a barrage of questions or criticisms. Instead, this foreign beauty simply watched him with a measuring gleam in her fascinating hazel eyes.
Tomlin arrived with a tray that held finer crockery than Hugh had seen in the inn before. No doubt Mrs. Hobson was pulling out all sening outthe stops for the high born lady visiting her humble establishment. Tea and cakes on a dainty plate were placed in front of her by Tomlin’s shaking hands. Something about this lady had even the boy on edge. When Tom had finished setting out the teapot and cups, he took his leave faster than Hugh had ever seen him move. He headed back to his father on the double and stayed there, watching their table with wide eyes.
Miss’s head rose and she eyed the goodies on the table. Hugh didn’t know if gryphons ate sweets, but he figured a little sugary treat wouldn’t hurt her. He picked out a fruit pastry and held it for her. She sniffed at it curiously before her little tongue licked out and took a swipe of the fruit spread on the surface.
Her eyes lit with pleasure a moment before she practically pounced on the rest of the pastry, taking it between her paws as she sat curled on Hugh’s lap. Hugh was very aware of the lady sipping her tea and watching them with a deliberate, measuring gaze. He was also careful to monitor the level of magic in the air around her, but so far she hadn’t made another aggressive move. She seemed more into watching him than making another move toward Miss. Which was fine with Hugh. He wanted to know more about her.
Not for any personal reason, he assured himself. True, she was gorgeous in a foreign sort of way and there was a sparking intelligence behind her dreamy gaze. There was no doubt she was a beauty of the first water. Not that it mattered to Hugh. If she posed a threat to Miss, he’d take her down just like he’d take down anyone or anything that threatened the youngster.
“Mr. Hobson tells me you c
laim never to have dealt with a gryphon before. Yet you are very good with her.” The woman’s soft voice sent a shiver down his spine, shocking him. Since when did nothing more than a sexy female voice have the power to make his cock twitch with interest?
“Is that merely an observation or a question?” He sat back in his chair, keeping careful hold on Miss even as he moved instinctively away.
“Mr. Hobson says you are from Draconia.” She changed her tactics as she took a dainty bite out of a pastry. “What brings you to Helios?”
“With due respect, milady, that is my business.”
Her eyes narrowed but she held whatever her first instinctual words would have been. For a moment she focused on the food before meeting his gaze once more. A challenging light was in her eyes.
“What is the source of your magic?”
A direct question. Hugh had to admire her nerve.
“I was born this way,” he countered, stroking Miss’s flank with a subtle, deliberate slowness. He noticed her gaze following his hand and liked the way her mouth opened. He could do things to that mouth. Oh, yeah. Very naughty—very pleasurable—things.
“How did you absorb my magical probe?” Her head tilted to the side and he liked the way her gaze measured him. Something odd was happening here. He’d been set to dislike this woman but instead was finding himself strangely attracted to her.
Why? He’d been around courtiers all his life. Many graceful women had visited his bed. Why did he find himself so attracted to this one? Especially when she was so determined to find fault with him and could possibly pose a danger to Miss?
“It is one of my talents.” He smiled, unwilling to tell her more.
Most dragons were able to absorb or deflect some magic. Hugh had a little extra dose of that kind of skill. Of all his brothers, he wathers, s the most skilled at absorbing magical energy and redirecting it. If he’d wanted to, he could have done that to her. He could’ve turned her magic back on her. But he didn’t know who she really was or what she wanted with the baby gryphon. He wouldn’t hurt her—or betray the level of his magical skill—unless it became necessary.
“Did you come here looking for a gryphon for some reason?” The suspicion in her voice didn’t change its effect on his libido. The more he talked to her, the more he wanted to hear that sexy voice screaming his name as he drove her to ecstasy.
“No, milady.” He had to chuckle as he stroked Miss’s fur. “She found me. It was the magic, wasn’t it, little Miss?” He included the child in the conversation, unwilling to discuss her as if she wasn’t there.
“Hoo iss magic,” she confirmed with a little nod.
“Who?” The lady repeated the sound, clearly puzzled.
Hugh wanted to kiss away the tiny frown between her eyebrows. Damn. Why in the world was he attracted to her? Antagonistic, suspicious and possibly a danger to the baby. She wasn’t the sort he should be attracted to. Not now. Not when Miss’s very existence could be at stake.
“My name is Hugh,” he explained. He didn’t have to go into detail about how the child couldn’t quite grasp the nuance of how to pronounce his name. A small lift of the lady’s full, kissable lips made it clear she was amused by his words.
“So you followed his magic? Is that why you went with this man, little one?” The lady spoke to the gryphlet in calm tones but Hugh sensed no magical attempt to influence.
“Wass cold. Hoo warm. And magic,” Miss clarified, as if that was all the reason she needed to follow a complete stranger through the back alleys of the city. “Hoo nice. Ssafe,” she added after a moment’s pause. She licked her paws, having devoured the pastry in little bites, before lowering her head and resting more fully in Hugh’s lap.
The lady studied him. A lesser man would have been intimidated, but Hugh was a dragon prince. One of the biggest, baddest, most dangerous and magical men in any land. It would take more than a hard look from a pretty bit of fluff to intimidate him.
Especially when almost all he could think about was how she would look naked and stretched out on his bed, tied hand and foot, awaiting his pleasure. Would she moan or cry out when he trailed his tongue down her stomach? Would she buck or shiver when he lapped at her sweet cream?
“You are a puzzle, sir,” she said at length, drawing his attention from the dangerous paths his imagination had taken. “A man magical enough to attract the attention of a young gryphon, and not a citizen of this land. You do not travel as a mage, so I must believe you are here under false pretenses. Yet the child trusts you and I have yet to meet a gryphon who cannot see to the heart of another. They do not trust just anyone. Her opinion of your character counts a great deal and must be considered.”
“I mean no one of this land any harm,” Hugh unbent enough to explain.
“But you do mean harm to people of other lands?” One slim eyebrow rose as she picked apart his wording. Hugh had to chuckle.
“Only the people who would threaten Draconia.”
She sat back in her chair, a slight smile gracing her lovely face. “Now we come to it. You are a soldier of Draconia. It is no use denying it. You carry yourself l ofy yoursike a warrior.”
“A warrior I am. I make no effort to hide it.” He had given up trying to hide his stature when he’d taken Miss to the inn. He hadn’t been very good at subterfuge anyway. Nico would be disappointed, but he’d also be the first to acknowledge that being a spy just wasn’t in Hugh’s nature.
“No, someone of your size and stature would have trouble pretending to be anything else. Unless maybe you wanted to pose as a blacksmith. You have the muscles for it.” Hugh noted with interest the way her gaze roved over his body.
He had little doubt she liked what she saw. Most females liked his shape and appreciated a well-built man. He took that as his due. But the flare of something more volcanic in her gaze heated his blood.
Was he imagining that little frisson of heat that went from her to him and back again? It almost felt like a caress…the way her energy reached out to him.
Her magic.
Damn. She was probing him magically and he hadn’t done anything to stop it. Well, that would end. Now.
As before, Hugh absorbed her magic, not allowing the energy to return to her with whatever information she had sought. He didn’t slap her down, merely allowed her energy to seep into him where it would not return. Her eyes widened and he grinned. She knew she’d been caught, so she backed down for now. He got the distinct impression she was only forfeiting this minor battle, not the war.
“Not fair, lady. I have made no effort to use my magic on you, yet you persist on trying your luck with me and those I protect.” He wagged a teasing finger in her direction.
She shrugged and sipped her tea. “You can’t blame a girl for trying. You pose a unique puzzle to me, sir. One I would solve before I leave a child such as this in your care.”
“And what right do you have to decide her fate?” Hugh really wanted to know. It was clear this woman held some kind of authority other than her high birth. The fact that she’d come here to investigate Miss’s circumstances and the way the Hobsons deferred to her said as much.
“I work for the government. Specifically, it is part of my duty to right wrongs where the magical creatures of this land are concerned.” She looked with compassion on Miss, who was dozing on Hugh’s lap. “We have heard rumors of this little one for more than a week now. We’ve been searching high and low for her. Finally, today, Mr. Hobson was able to send word she was here and safe. I was greatly relieved.”
“Then you are one of the caretakers of the gryphons in this land.”
She looked uneasy, but nodded. “Yes, that’s one of my responsibilities as Keeper of the Flame. I oversee those whose calling it is to help our feathered friends.”
“And find those they reject,” he said softly, saddened by Miss’s situation. “You’ve come to take her away?”
“No! Sstay wif Hoo!” Miss hadn’t been sleeping after all. Hugh grimaced
at the fear and tension in her furry body. She was trembling again as her paws dug into his thigh. Her claws wouldn’t damage him too much, given his own magical nature, but it did sting a bit.
“It’s okay, little one. I won’t let anyone take you anywhere against your will.” He was quick to reassure her, stroking her neck and drawing her close against his chest. Even her wings bristled, the feathers sticking up at a low angle as he tried to soothe her.
dth="22">The lady watched them closely, a small glint of kindness in her expression. It gave Hugh hope that Miss’s fate would be good, not bad. Of course, he would take the child away before he’d let anything bad happen to her. “There are others like you, little one. Not many. Just a few. They serve the Doge directly and live in the palace. You could live there, with them.”
“Want Hoo.” Her front paw kneaded his forearm.
“And what does Hugh want?” The lady’s attention focused on him once more.
“I want her safe, no matter what. If it means taking her with me on my travels, then so be it.”
“You would adopt her?” The lady seemed truly shocked by the idea.
“If that’s what it takes, yes.” Hugh was firm in his decision though it had only just crystallized in his mind.
Sure, he’d decided almost from the first to take her in and bring her to Draconia, if that’s what had to be done. But adoption? How could a dragon shifter adopt a gryphlet? Then again, who better? At least he could teach her to fly and there was none better to guard her in the sky or on land.
“She will have special needs as she grows,” the lady sputtered.
“I know all about it. Remember, I hail from Draconia. Baby dragons are common enough in Castleton and around the other Lairs. I know what mischief little things that can fly can get into.” He smiled to soften his words, petting Miss indulgently.
“I have never seen a dragon—fully grown or otherwise. Aren’t they quite different from gryphons?” She seemed embarrassed by her lack of knowledge.
