Prince of Spies

by Bianca D'Arc

  “You’re so beautiful, my Riki,” Nico whispered as he knelt on the side of the bed.

  He had it all wrong, she thought. Nico was the beautiful one. Apprehension filled her as he levered himself down on the bed and folded the covers back, exposing her bare body to his hungry gaze.

  “I want you so badly. I’m a desperate man, sweetheart.” Nico chuckled at himself. “But I already care far too much to rush you.” He smoothed one large hand down from her neck, over the rise of her breasts, pausing to tease one hard nipple and then lower, tracing the curve of her waist. “I need you like I need my next breath. Give me this,” he whispered, his lips against her mouth, “just this, so I can go on living.”

  Nico kissed her then, his tongue probing gently at her lips, parting them and sweeping inside. Riki shivered, the feel of his tongue, the warm cinnamon taste of him firing her senses as his hard body covered hers, his arms imprisoning her in welcome warmth and spiraling tendrils of desire. His tongue played with hers, daring her to follow where he would lead.

  There was a playfulness to Nico’s lovemaking. A fresh sense of wonder filled her. This man made her feel cherished. It was a secure feeling, one that begged her to give everything she had in return.

  But she couldn’t. Her very life was at stake. She’d be a fool to trade her life for a moment’s pleasure. Even with Nico.

  He moved then, pulling back to look down into her eyes as his hands moved on her body. One hand cupped her breast, massaging gently as her desire peaked. His other roving hand found her core. Nico held her gaze as he slid a finger inside her channel, teasing, testing, tantalizing her almost beyond reason. His thumb played over her clit, making her squirm as passion threatened to overwhelm her.

  Then he lowered his head. Nico’s warm breath feathered over her nipple a moment before his mouth closed over the taut peak. A moan bubbled up from her throat as pleasure radiated from her nipple to her womb. At the same time, his fingers were sending shockwaves of sensation from her clit and that dastardly finger started pulsing in and out of her tight channel.

  Riki couldn’t take much more.

  “Come for me, sweetheart.” Nico’s whispered words encouraged her as she came with a little cry, captured by his lips against hers.

  The pleasure peaked higher than before, lasting long, long moments as he continued to pet her damp body. She was wrung out utterly when at last the sensations died down. Nico kissed her long and with a tenderness that brought tears to her eyes.

  “Sleep now, sweet Riki. We have a long day ahead of us.”

  “But what about you?”

  He kissed her forehead as he moved back. “This was for you, sweetheart. To show you how much I care. To prove you could trust me.”

  “But I do trust you.” She protested lightly when he spooned her from behind, his hard cock settling into the crack of her ass as if it belonged there. “I don’t want you to suffer for my pleasure.”

  Nico chuckled, low and sexy in her ear. “Does it feel like I’m suffering?”

  She had no answer to that as he pumped his cock through the warm crevice of her butt cheeks. He purred in her ear, surprising her as passion stirred a bit within her.

  “Go to sleep, Riki. I’ll be fine.”

  “But—”

  “Sleep.” He cut off her protests with a gentle squeeze of her waist, his hand moving to cup her breast and pull gently on the nipple. “That’s an order.”

  She felt him settle behind her, but Riki’s restless mind kept her awake. Nico was such a special man. She doubted any other man would have put her pleasure above his own. Nico was a prince—both literally and figuratively. She had to smile at the thought as she snuggled back against him. He was asleep, but even in sleep, he cradled her body gently, his still semi-hard cock nestling against her.

  Riki wished she dared take him fully, but she was so desperately afraid. She wanted him, of that there was no doubt, but she feared what would happen after she gave herself to him. Would he desert her? She thought not, but she really had no way of knowing for sure. Even more importantly, would they be recaptured by Lucan? If so, her purity was the only thing saving her. Could she give up her one protection?

  Riki just wasn’t sure. In fact, she wasn’t sure about anything. Her heart was in turmoil. Strange new feelings were churning within her for this special man who held her so close in the night, with little thought for his own comfort. It would be so easy to fall in love with Nico. Riki was afraid she was half in love with him already. But did he—could he—love her in return?

  Nico was a prince, and no matter what he claimed about her heritage, she was just a runaway slave. From the moment she’d been stolen from her home and family, she’d been a possession, a plaything, a pawn to be traded and bartered among men more powerful than she. Riki would never go back to that, but she knew all too well, she might not have any choice in the matter. If she was recaptured, all her options would be gone.

  It really all boiled down to this moment, and this man. Riki turned in his arms, looking her fill at his handsome face, relaxed now in sleep. He really was beautiful, both inside and out. And he was caring and selfless as well. She’d learned that firsthand.

  Nico had been so kind to her, so gentle. Oh, how she wished she could make love to him fully. She knew he would be a generous, kind and caring lover. The longing for his cock welled within her, dampening her pussy and making her squirm.

  She dared not take him where she wanted him most, but she’d already sampled his come and wanted more. Looking down between their bodies, she saw he was still semi-erect. It would take little, she guessed, to bring him back to full hardness and then to the same height of pleasure he’d given her.

  Gathering her courage, Riki worked her way down his body with her mouth and hands, placing little kisses here and there, licking and lapping at his hard ridges and the flat nipples, making her way to the ultimate goal.

  Nico’s eyes shot open as he felt a soft tongue swirling around his nipple.

  Riki.

  He spied just the top of her head, working downward on his body as Riki kissed and licked him awake in the most delightful way. The little princess was an adventuress.

  “I hope you know what you’re getting into.”

  His voice seemed to startle her. Riki stopped, her soft hands around his cock, and looked up at him. Nico nearly groaned at the glazed passion he read in her lovely green eyes. The light was dim, but his vision was keener than most humans. Being half dragon had its advantages, after all.

  “You don’t mind, do you?” Her sultry voice teased his senses.

  “Mind?” His breath hitched as she moved back down, her hands tightening on his hard cock a moment before she reached down with her tongue to lick the tip. Nico stifled a groan. “I don’t mind at all.”

  He reached back and grabbed on to the rails in the headboard—anything to keep from grabbing her and pinning her under his body while he took her. He wanted to fuck her desperately, but he’d made a vow. She would come to him willingly or not at all.

  Riki smiled up at him before returning her full concentration to the matter at hand. She took his cock in one dainty hand, guiding it into her hot, wet mouth, while the fingers of her other devilish little hand massaged his balls. Fire shot from his groin, pleasure filling his senses as she found the spot just behind his heavy sac that brought him even higher.

  “Riki, love, you’re killing me.”

  Riki took him all the way down until the tip of his cock nudged the back of her throat. Then she sucked, strong and long, and he nearly lost it. Nico tangled his hands in her hair, trying to raise her up, but she only followed his lead so far. No, this little vixen knew what she wanted and she wanted it now.

  Who was he to deny her?

  Nico lay back, leaving one of his hands in her hair simply because he liked the feel of the soft strands under his fingers. Riki moved on him, increasing her tempo as she massaged his balls, positioning herself between his legs on her knees
for better leverage. Then the little witch moved one of her clever hands downward, massaging his ass. Nico thought he would die when one of her wet fingers found the tight hole there and pushed within.

  Riki set up a gentle, driving rhythm with her mouth on his cock, one hand squeezing his balls and one finger delving within his ass, massaging from the inside. Nico knew he was lost.

  He groaned deep as he came in her mouth. Riki swallowed every drop, catching the overflow on her tongue and licking him down deep with every spasm of his pleasure-wracked body. Never had he come so hard in a woman’s mouth.

  Nico knew in that moment she’d well and truly ruined him for any other woman. And he didn’t mind in the least. It was Riki or no one, from this moment forward. She was his and he was most definitely hers, in every possible way.

  Nico panted, trying to catch his breath as he came down from the highest peak he’d ever reached with just oral stimulation. Riki purred contentedly at his side, stroking his body even as she snuggled into his form, tired and sated almost as if she’d needed his come to make her complete—to allow her to relax and sleep.

  The thought warmed him as he held her close.

  “Thank you, my darling Riki,” he whispered, bending to kiss her sweet, puffy lips. When he pulled back, she blinked up at him, sleepy, with lazy, passion-glazed eyes.

  “It was my pleasure.” Her smile told him that indeed, she had found joy in pleasing him and Nico counted himself among the luckiest men in the world in that moment. His mate cared for his comfort. She was choosing him, whether she realized it or not. This was one big step closer to his goal. She would be his! Sooner rather than later, if this was any indication.

  “Sleep now, sweetheart.” He turned her in his arms and she was asleep before he settled. Her trust in him was that complete.

  Nico fell asleep once more—deeper this time—replete with the knowledge his mate was coming to trust him, maybe even love him as much as he already loved her.

  They set out at first light in Drake’s shiny blue wagon. He had a team of gorgeous, matched white horses to pull the wagon, which was closed in on the sides and back, with a locking door at either end. Inside, Riki found a sumptuous living space with a giant, down-stuffed mattress and a multitude of soft pillows in bright hues.

  Drake’s clothes took up one cupboard, while musical instruments were packed carefully all around. Food and cooking items were in another few cupboards and extra blankets and furs filled another. All in all, Drake seemed well-stocked for any contingency. This was truly a home on wheels and Riki had never seen the like.

  The men rode up front on the plank seat, leaving Riki to the inside of the wagon, both to hide her as they rode out of the city, and because Jinn women were usually well-hidden in the light of day. The men dealt with the outside world while the women ruled the roost, or so the sayings went. Jinn women were usually only seen in a professional capacity, as singers, musicians, dancers, fortune tellers and the like, and then always watched carefully by their warrior males. Jinn men were very protective of their women, which worked to their advantage in trying to get Riki out of the city without raising any suspicion.

  They left the city gates behind with little fanfare. A few of the guards asked Drake when he thought he might be back, indicating they enjoyed his music and would welcome a return visit. The usual stuff, she supposed, as she listened from within the safety of the wagon, holding her breath to see if they would be stopped and searched.

  But luck was with them and they left the city behind easily enough. It was almost anti-climactic after what they’d been through to get this far, but Riki thanked the fates that allowed her to get even this distance from Lucan. Every step of the horses took her farther away from his madness and closer to freedom.

  After an hour or two, Nico knocked on the little door at the front of the wagon, directly behind the plank seat. Scrambling to open it, Riki peeked out, curious about their location.

  “Are you all right in there?” Nico asked quietly, his eyes searching hers.

  She nodded. “It’s very comfortable.”

  “You could leave this door open now, if you want some fresh air. We haven’t passed anyone on this road in a while. Chances are the traffic will be light from here on out. Not much comes down from the north this time of year.”

  “Where are we going?” Riki asked, smiling as she secured the door back so it wouldn’t swing shut with the swaying movement of the wagon.

  “North to the Jinnfaire,” Drake answered. “It’s a gathering of the Jinn near the northern border of Skithdron. This time at least. It’s in a different place each time.” Drake shrugged. “Word came down a few weeks ago that the Jinnfaire was being called and where. It works to our advantage right now, so that’s where we’re going.”

  “Do they gather often?” Riki fought her fatigue as the wagon swayed.

  “No, not at all. This is the first Jinnfaire called in more than a decade.” Drake smiled at her then turned his attention back to the team of horses.

  “Why don’t you get some rest, sweetheart?” Nico caught her yawning and motioned her back into the wagon. “We’ve got quite a ways to go and you’re still recovering.”

  “There’s lots of food back there too,” Drake piped in. “Feel free to eat anything you like. We can get more and I usually carry enough provisions for several months. It will only take a day or so to get to the Jinnfaire.”

  Riki yawned again. “I think I’ll do that. Wake me if you need me, all right?”

  The men agreed and she sank back into the shadowed interior of the wagon, heading straight for the fluffy, inviting bed.

  Chapter Ten

  Riki collapsed into exhausted sleep in the back of the wagon while Nico and Drake rode up front. She was safe back there, Nico knew, well hidden from anyone who might pass.

  “She’s got the magic, you know. I recognized it the moment she started singing last night.” Drake’s voice was contemplative as he drove the wagon in the silent morn.

  “There’s something…but I don’t know what it is exactly,” Nico finally admitted.

  “It’s the Jinn magic. Some of them have it, but I’ve never felt it as strongly as last night. She can influence people with her song. It’s a secret among the Jinn, known only to the bards among them.”

  “Which is most of them,” Nico put in as Drake nodded in agreement.

  “True, but it is still a secret. Did you never wonder why Jinn musicians are so sought after? It’s their ability to sway a crowd or even a single listener in whatever way they wish. Last night, your girl had every last person in that common room under her spell, to do with what she willed. It’s a dangerous and amazing gift.”

  “She’s not even aware of it, I don’t think.”

  “Then it’s even more dangerous. We need to get her to the Jinnfaire for more than just her physical safety. I can teach her a little, but I don’t have a strong gift—not like the real Jinn. They’ll be able to teach her how to control it and use it. Most especially, how to use it safely.”

  Riki surprised the men by sleeping through the entire day. Nico checked on her a few times, pausing to brush her lovely hair back from her face. The poor waif was just exhausted. Lucan had kept her starved, beaten and without much sleep for far too long. Her body was catching up, eating well for the first time in years, not having to deal with new bruises every few days and sleeping her fill.

  Nico lingered, watching her breathe. He’d fallen for this small woman so deeply, so instantly, even he was a little surprised by the intensity of his feelings. Still, he knew how it was for dragons and knights. They invariably knew almost from the moment they met their destined mate and dropped hard and fast into love that lasted a lifetime. Nico hadn’t thought he’d ever find the woman who could do that to him, but he was happy to find he’d been so gloriously wrong.

  He had been a little envious of his older brother, Roland, when he’d first seen how happy Roland was with Lana. But Lana hadn’t had th
e effect on Nico that Riki did. No matter that they were twins—it was Riki’s bright, unique soul that made him love her.

  “She still sleeping?” Drake asked with sympathy as Nico climbed back onto the plank seat from the back of the wagon. He let the curtain drop in front of the little door so the fading sunlight wouldn’t bother Riki as she slept.

  “She needs the rest.” Nico nodded as he got as comfortable as he could on the padded seat.

  “I heard rumors from other Jinn about her, though I didn’t know who she was at the time. The Jinn have been keeping an eye on her, holding her in their prayers. She’ll be welcome among them for what she suffered, if nothing else.”

  “That’s a hell of a reason to be welcome.” Nico sighed heavily.

  “What’s most important now is that she’s safe with you. We’ll get her across the border with the help of the Jinn.”

  “Will we?” Nico let the despair of their situation nearly overwhelm him for a moment. He tried so hard to keep a positive attitude—especially in front of Riki—but every once in a while he had his doubts about how he’d keep her safe during their attempt to cross the border.

  “We will.” Drake faced him, his eyes hard. “Of that, have no doubt.”

  “I hope your Jinn brethren will be as sure, and as helpful as you believe.”

  “If worse comes to worst, Nico, I’ll stand for you. My word has some pull with the Jinn. At the very least, they’ll have to let us leave unmolested if they become hostile. They have rules among the Brotherhood and well I know them.”

  Nico clapped his old friend on the back. “I’m glad you’re here, Drake. I couldn’t ask for better help on this journey, and I’m not too proud to admit my lady and I may need every bit of your skill and aid before this is all over.”

  “It’s what I’m here for,” Drake smiled. “I serve the kingdom—and you, Nicolas. When I swore myself to your service, it was for life, and it was not done lightly.”

  Nico nodded, touched by Drake’s heartfelt words. “It was not taken lightly on my part either, Drake. Your home is in Draconia and it will always be.”