by G. A. Aiken
Bram decided retreat was his best option, so he headed back to the room he shared with Ghleanna.
But before he could make his escape, the Empress tossed at him, “I’ve heard that your Low Born has gotten rather chummy with the other soldiers.”
Bram stopped. He knew that Helena was a conniving, vicious sea-viper, but he couldn’t help the swell of jealousy he immediately felt.
“The soldiers do seem to like her. I’m guessing she’s very friendly when you’re away.” The Empress eased around him, smiling sweetly. “I’m sure she’s more comfortable with them. Her own kind and all that.”
“She is my kind, my Lady. Remember? Barbarian Land Dwellers. That’s us.”
Bram bowed his head and walked out. He made it to the room he shared with Ghleanna, but when he walked in, he found her gone.
Bram tossed his travel bag and papers into a corner and stalked out of the room and onto the walkway. The guards were gone as well. He headed back the way he’d come, trying to catch a glimpse of Ghleanna somewhere.
The Empress’s palace was a marvel of Sea Dragon engineering built inside a vast series of underwater caves. Air breathers could easily survive inside its ocean-colored stone walls for centuries. They had access to fresh lake and river water, and fresh air from the land above. How the Fins managed to get it all down here, Bram didn’t know. And he didn’t even think to ask, he was so concerned with finding Ghleanna.
Bram heard a roar down a long hallway, watched large-sized Fins heading in that direction. He recognized them as soldiers. His eyes narrowed and he followed, pushing through the dragons until he reached a chamber. Two Sea Dragons in human form battled against each other with spears while their comrades stood around them in a circle and cheered them on.
And, sitting on top of a boulder was Ghleanna. She wore another long shirt and dark blue leggings and her arm was still tied down under her shirt. Not surprisingly, she cheered right along with the other warriors — when she wasn’t stopping to chat with the generals who stood around her in their dragon form.
One male slammed another onto his back by using the staff of his spear and Ghleanna called out, “No, no, no!” She held her free arm out and — to Bram’s astonishment — one of the generals hauled her off the boulder and carefully placed her on the ground.
“You keep fighting like that, lad,” she admonished, “and you’ll be on your back a lot when you’re human.”
She waited until the dragon was on his feet. “You’re not paying attention to the way he’s coming at you,” she instructed. “You’re so busy staring at the tip, you miss the way his body’s moving. Human bodies hide nothing, but that spear tip can change on you in a second and you won’t have a chance to get out of its way.” She shrugged and lightly patted where she’d been stabbed by that sword. “Take my word on it.” The Fins laughed and she went on. “But if you pay closer attention to your opponent, you can watch what he does, and he’ll show you which way he’s going. I know very few human soldiers or dragons who don’t signal their move long before they make it. You just have to watch for it. Understand?”
The soldier nodded and Ghleanna slapped his shoulder, which didn’t seem to offend him. “Good. Good. But don’t worry. You’re doing well. Just need more training is all. I’m betting all of you need more training to fight as human.” She flicked her hand. “So get to work.”
The Fins went back to sparring and Ghleanna saw Bram and walked to his side.
“Hello there.”
“I leave you alone for a few—”
“I was bored. What did you expect me to do? Sit on my ass and count the algae on the walls.”
“That’s a design motif.”
“And again you lost me.”
“You should be in our room, Ghleanna.”
“You mean hiding? Why? I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Not hiding. Resting.”
“I’m fine.”
“You took a sword to the chest!”
The room grew silent and Ghleanna rolled her eyes. “If you’re going to make a big deal out of it.”
“You all right, Captain?” one of the soldiers asked.
“I’m fine. Going to take a rest. You lot keep up the work. I’ll check in later.”
She walked out and Bram realized that the soldiers were now all staring at him. “It’s for her own good,” he insisted. “She needs her rest.”
There was some grunting and they all turned away from him.
Letting out a frustrated growl, he followed Ghleanna.
“Do you enjoy doing that?” Bram demanded once he’d closed their bedroom door.
“Enjoy doing what?”
“Turning those soldiers against me?”
“What are you talking about?”
“A few days ago, they didn’t even know of my existence. Ten minutes with you”—he threw his hands up—“and they all hate me.”
“You’re mad. I was doing nothing but talking to them.” She lowered her voice, “Do you know they have absolutely no say and no representatives in their own government? That sea cow rules it all!”
“I know. That’s why I need you to leave the soldiers alone. Stop talking to them.”
“I don’t see why that upsets you so. You’re arranging a truce anyway, so they won’t be our enemies for long.” She walked up to him, leaned in close, and whispered against his ear, “Besides, it gives me a chance to find out how they fight on land and in the sea. You know. . in case your truce falls apart and I and my kin need to kill them all.”
She leaned back and smiled, sure she’d made her point.
“You’re bloody mad,” he said, shaking his head and gawking at her. “All of you. Every damn Cadwaladr in this world is bloody mad except your mother and your sister Maelona.”
“What are you bringing my sister up for?”
“Because I’m relatively certain she wouldn’t be running around after getting a sword through the chest, trying to teach Fin soldiers new fighting techniques.”
“That’s because she doesn’t know any fighting techniques. But if you think so highly of her, I’m sure I can arrange a proper introduction between you two.”
Bram glared at her for a few seconds before he reminded her, “Besides living with your kin, I also attended school with Maelona for years. When I returned to your parents’ home it was usually as Maelona’s guest.”
“Oh.”
“Tell me, was there ever a time when you noticed me? Or did I not exist for you at all?”
“That’s not fair.”
He dismissed her with a wave of his hand. “Forget it. I’m tired and I need sleep.”
“So you’re just walking away?”
“Looks that way.”
“Bram—”
He growled at her — growled! — and reached over his shoulders to gather up his cotton shirt and pull it over his head. He shook out his silver hair, tossed the shirt onto a chair, and dived face first onto the bed.
“This conversation isn’t over, peacemaker.”
“Yes it is,” he said into the fur covering. “I’m tired of being reminded how little I’ve ever meant to you.”
“You’re acting like a hatchling.”
He lifted his arm from the bed, raised his hand, and gestured at her with two of his fingers.
Ghleanna’s mouth dropped open. “You rude bastard!” “Sleeping!” he yelled into the bed.
So unbelievably pissed, Ghleanna paced around the room for nearly a whole minute until she yelled, “This discussion is not done!”
Snarling — at her! — Bram pushed himself off the bed and stormed over to her. “What, Ghleanna? What is it you just have to say now? At this moment?”
“Kiss me.”
He took a step back. “What? Why?”
She had absolutely no clue! “Because I said so.”
“ No.”
“Are you going to tell me you don’t want to?”
“Maybe I don’t.”
&n
bsp; “Liar!”
“I don’t need this.” He headed to the door.
“Scared, are you?”
Bram stopped. “What?”
“I asked if you’re scared. Frightened. Like a little mouse.”
Bram again faced her. “The only thing that scares me is how Rhiannon uses me to torture your brother, because he’s a murdering bastard.”
Ghleanna walked across the room and stood in front of Bram. “Then kiss me if you have the—”
Before she could even finish her challenge, Bram had slipped his hand behind Ghleanna’s neck and yanked her in until their toes touched. But he only stared into her eyes, not making any further move.
“What are you waiting for, peacemaker?” she asked, a little breathless.
“I’m waiting until I am ready.”
“So I’ll be waiting until the end of time for you to do something so simple?”
“There is nothing simple about you, Captain Ghleanna. And let no one convince you otherwise.”
Bram couldn’t believe Ghleanna. Such a maddening cow! And the worst part was that he’d wanted to kiss her for half a century at least! Now he had her but he was so mad at her he couldn’t see straight. And, if he were to be honest with himself, he was incredibly jealous. She was so comfortable with other soldiers, how could he ever hope to get close to her when they had so very little in common? When he’d dropped down on the bed, he’d figured it was over. His obsession for her. His quiet waiting. Waiting for her to notice him. And if all this wasn’t over, he’d make it over. He had to. How else was he going to live the next few centuries without her if he didn’t?
But he should have known. Ghleanna would never allow herself to be ignored. To be pushed aside. Not the Captain of the Dragon Queen’s Tenth Battalion.
And yet who was Bram? The peacemaker. The merciful one. The one who didn’t eat humans passing him on the road just because he’d missed his morning meal.
So, was he really going to let his peace-loving and, at times, non-violent nature stop him? Him? Bram the Merciful?
He, who had traveled all over the Southlands, Outerplains, and Desert Lands, on foot. As human.
He, who’d escaped the Sea Dragon Emperor’s dungeons with all his parts intact and wits about him?
He, who’d managed to not only survive Queen Adienna’s reign but the takeover of her daughter?
That dragon wasn’t going to take the kiss that was being offered to him because Ghleanna didn’t know what she had right in front of her.
He was many things, but Bram the Merciful was not a fool.
With his hand still gripping the back of Ghleanna’s neck, Bram leaned in, tilted his head to the side, and placed his lips against hers. He pressed his tongue to her mouth, stroked her lips until she opened to him. He pressed further, allowed his tongue to slip inside and he tasted what waited there. Gods, so wet and warm, he could almost taste the flame burning inside her.
Ghleanna slid the fingers of her free hand into his hair, leaning her body into his naked chest. He could feel her nipples harden under the soft cotton of her shirt, feel her pulse race under his fingertips.
And he knew in that moment that he would never be over Ghleanna. Not ever.
Ghleanna gripped the silver strands of Bram’s hair in her fist and melted against his body as she’d never done before with any male.
Good gods, this dragon had a mighty kiss. Yet what she found fascinating was how slowly he took it all. His lips easing around hers; his tongue lazily dipping in, swirling. The dragon took his time and she appreciated that. It was a rarity with most males, she’d found. Especially in her world, where everything was about moving fast and getting things done. Even fucking. Even a kiss.
Deciding to follow her instincts, Ghleanna pulled her hand away and lowered it to Bram’s groin. She reached for his cock, ready to play with it through his leggings and then play with it without them. But he caught her hand, held it.
“No.” He stepped away from her, looked around the small room. Ghleanna tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn’t release her. Instead, he yanked her over to a desk tucked into a corner. He pushed her up on it, keeping her legs dangling. He gripped her leggings and yanked them off her body. She wore nothing underneath since she’d had nothing to put on and Bram stood there for several moments, his hand gliding up her thighs, brushing against her pussy, stroking it with his fingers.
Ghleanna reached for him again with her free arm, but Bram said, “No.”
And then she understood.
She placed her hand against the desk, palm flat against the wood. Her free arm kept her propped up so she could watch, but otherwise she relaxed back and let Bram take the lead. Because for once. . she didn’t have to.
Chapter 13
Bram slipped a finger inside Ghleanna and watched her. She stared back, panting, her bottom lip catching between her teeth.
Gods, she was so hot. . and wet. He couldn’t believe she was already wet. From arguing with him.
He turned his finger, curling the tip and rubbing a little spot inside her. He watched her, enjoying the way her back arched, listened to the groan she let loose.
“I should leave you alone,” he murmured while he slipped another finger inside her, continued to play with her. “You need your rest. You’re still healing.” “Don’t you dare stop.” Bram grinned and pulled his fingers out of her. “But I have to stop.” Ghleanna groaned again, but this time there was real frustration.
“I’m fine,” she told him. “I swear. I feel great.” “You sure?”
“I’m sure. I am extremely sure.” “Lie back, Ghleanna.” She did. “Close your eyes.” She lifted her head. “Why?” “Because I told you to.” Her eyes narrowed a bit and Bram was certain she was going to argue with him, but she again stretched out on the desk and closed her eyes.
“Now do me a favor,” he murmured. “Just relax.”
And exactly how was she to relax? But she kept her eyes closed and waited.
“You aren’t breathing, Ghleanna.” “I’m not?”
“No. But you should.” “Of course, of course.” She forced herself to breath and continued to wait. Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long. She felt Bram’s mouth press against the inside of her thigh, teeth grazing the skin. She shuddered and tried to spread her legs wider but he held her legs in his arms, and he was controlling how far she could open or close them.
The thought made her shudder.
“Are you in pain?” he asked, his breath — but not his mouth — brushing her pussy.
“What? No. No. I’m fine. Really. Fine.” “Just checking. We don’t want any relapses.” “There won’t be.” And she knew she was begging. “I promise.” “Good.”
Ghleanna still had her eyes closed, was still stretched out on the desk. Then she felt Bram’s mouth pressing against her, his tongue sliding inside her. And, as he’d done with that kiss, he took his time, rushed nothing. He used long, sweeping strokes of his tongue to carefully lick out her pussy. She moaned, unable to stay still on the desk, her body writhing underneath his mouth.
She should have known, shouldn’t she? That he’d have this talent. That Bram would know how to bring tears to her eyes and pleasure to her body. He’d be as careful and determined with her as he was with everything else in his life.
Ghleanna gripped the back of Bram’s head, her fingers digging into his hair.
“Bram,” she begged through her panting. “Bram. . please.” He didn’t reply but his finger returned, pushing up inside her, twisting and turning until it found that spot he’d discovered earlier. Ghleanna choked out a gasp, her body beginning to shake, her legs fighting to close. But Bram never lost control. Not of her, not of the situation. Without moving her from that spot, he twisted her around and tore her apart until Ghleanna came hard, her fist shoved in her mouth to stifle her scream since she had no intention of entertaining every Fin within hearing range.
When the climax had passed through her, B
ram was moving up her body, kissing and licking his way across her flesh, spending extra time on her scars. Maybe Addolgar had been right — Bram did seem to enjoy her scars.
His lips moved over her throat, past the gold collar she wore until he slid over her jaw and took her mouth. Ruthless. There was no other word for the way he kissed her. There was nothing merciful in that kiss. He must keep his merciful side for every place but his bed.
And she had to admit — she really liked that about him.
Bram felt the way Ghleanna kissed him and he knew she wanted him. And the gods knew he wanted her. He wanted to be inside her so badly. But giving her pleasure by enjoying her pussy was vastly different from fucking her. He couldn’t fuck her. Not until she was better. . right?
Making up his mind, he pulled back but Ghleanna came with him, her free arm around his shoulders, her chest lifting from the desk.
“What are you doing?” she demanded.
“Leaving you alone.” He took a breath, tried to steady his legs. “You’re wounded and it would be wrong to—” She tore off the material keeping her arm tied to her body and reached for him.
“Ghleanna, what are you—” “Don’t leave me like this, Bram. Please.” “But—”
She licked his throat, nipped his chin. “You can’t leave me like this,” she whispered.
“I can,” he reminded her. “I should.” “Please don’t.” She kissed him again and by the gods her tongue was talented. “We both know that once won’t be enough for me,” she reminded him when she pulled away. And it was true. She-dragons were demanding of their lovers, why should Ghleanna be any different?
“And if I hurt you?” “You won’t.” She grinned. “I’m incredibly sturdy. It’s in the bloodline.” She reached down and gripped his cock through his leggings and they both gasped, her hand stroking the length of him.
Bram began panting, his legs shaking. He caught her hand, held it.
“Evil vixen,” he accused her.
