Dragon Mates: Dragon Knights (The Sea Captain's Daughter Trilogy Book 3)

by Bianca D’Arc

  Her knees went weak as Gowan looked his fill, and then, Seth moved his index finger over her clit, and she sank back against his strong body as her legs shook. Seth held her upright, rubbing her clit until a small climax took her, and her eyes shut tight as sensation overcame her senses.

  The next thing she knew, Seth had laid her face down on the tall bed, her butt up in the air, her legs hanging off the side. She was standing—sort of—as he spread her butt cheeks, slathering something between them as he prepared her.

  Only…it wasn’t Seth. While she’d been enjoying her little thrill, he’d silently switched places with Gowan, she discovered. Seth stroked her hair back from her face when she turned her head toward him. He was sitting at her side while Gowan stretched her tight hole.

  Gowan was impatient, but not so much that he didn’t make sure she was ready to take him. He was always cautious with her, even when he was ordering her about the bedroom, and she knew he would never hurt her. Never in a million years. He loved her.

  And she loved him. And Seth. She vowed she wouldn’t keep the words bottled up anymore. If the moment came and she told them both how she felt, well…that was all right. She was certain of Gowan. Come to think of it, she was pretty sure about Seth, as well, though he hadn’t said it in so many words.

  “Get on the bed,” Gowan said from behind her. The roughness of his voice told her how excited he was. Almost as excited as she was, probably, which was to say, very. She didn’t know how much longer she could take this. He touched her so intimately, his voice and his hands stroking her in ways that made her want to come apart in ecstasy at the least provocation.

  Livia climbed up onto the high bed, Gowan’s hands helping her. The bed was large and fluffy with sheets and blankets. Seth was waiting for her, reaching out to hoist her over him. Somewhere along the line he’d taken off his clothing and now lay naked in the center of the big bed.

  “Climb over him,” Gowan coached her. “That’s it. Straddle his thighs and take him inside when you’re ready. That’s my girl.” His voice pitched low, stroking along her senses as she did as he asked. Seth remained quiet, though he made a low, sexy, grunting noise when she grasped his hard cock and slid down over him.

  “Get comfortable,” Gowan told her. “I’m going to join you in a moment. When you’re ready.”

  He was? Oh, goodness. She liked the sound of that.

  She held Seth’s gaze as she stroked over him, loving the feel of his long hardness filling her. And then, she felt the bed dip and Gowan’s presence behind her. She didn’t dare look for fear of coming too soon. Instead, she shut her eyes and gave up to sensation as he took up position behind her.

  He tested her with his fingers, delving into the dark hole he had already prepared. All the while, Seth was inside her, waiting. She was waiting too—to be filled to overflowing in the way she’d come to crave.

  Then, Gowan removed his fingers, moving closer still, replacing them with something wider and longer, and much, much harder. Sliding within carefully, he took the utmost care with her as he claimed her fully. As they claimed her fully.

  All was motion and fury as they began to make love to her in earnest. They seemed to be working in time with each other. One would retreat while the other advanced, over and over. Touching her so deeply, she knew she would never be the same.

  Her ardor built, peaked, and crashed over her in waves of fulfillment…and still, they moved. She came and came and came. Multiple orgasms kept her at a height of ecstasy that stole her breath even as it sent electric jolts of joy through her body. She was a slave to the sensations her men evoked within her, and she never wanted it to end.

  It lasted a long time, but eventually, as all good things did, it had to end. She came again with a keening cry as first Gowan, then Seth stiffened within her. Seth growled her name. Gowan groaned and held her hips in a hard grip that only sent her passion higher.

  Gowan disengaged first, then Seth. They lay still for a while, breathing hard, but eventually, Gowan got up. She was too wrung out to even look at what he was doing, but he came back with a moist towel he used to clean her with such gentleness it brought a tear to her eye. He was such a kind man, even if he did get off on ordering her around in the bedroom.

  “You’re so good to me,” she whispered as he took care of her. Her body was boneless after all that excitement, and he moved her around like a rag doll. “You’re both so good to me.” She reached out and captured Seth’s big hand with her much smaller fingers, squeezing. He was watching her, and she met his gaze. “I love you,” she whispered. “I love you both so much.”

  Livia saw the answering emotion in Seth’s eyes just before she drifted off to sleep. Unable to keep her eyes open any longer, she missed his declaration in words, but carried the loving look in his eyes with her into the oblivion of sleep, her heart light and filled with joy.

  The next morning, Seth was different with her. More tender and even more solicitous than he’d always been. He stopped her before they left the bedroom for the breakfast that was waiting in the sitting room by taking her hand. He looked so serious, staring down at her, but she thought she understood.

  “I love you too, Livia,” he said in a deep voice that wasn’t much above a whisper. “I just wanted you to know.”

  Livia reached up and kissed him, her heart as light as it had been the night before. Even though they had a serious task ahead of them, she was secure in the love of her two amazing men.

  Gowan came and got them before they could wind up back in bed. He ushered them into the sitting room where breakfast was, indeed, getting cold. They ate and discussed their plans for later that day.

  The dragons would fly in covertly and secret themselves on the roof of the inn’s barn—where they could watch the action in the yard between the inn and the rest of the property from a discreet location. They would wait and act as backup to the humans who would be overseeing things from inside the taproom.

  Gowan was in his disguise as a guard working for a rich merchant woman. Since Livia had been told most of her life that she looked a lot like her mother, she had to disguise her features. She padded her clothing to change her figure and made up her face to look quite different. The addition of a theatrical wig Seth purchased at a shop recommended by the minstrel worked wonders to make Livia look a lot less like herself.

  Gowan would be closer to her while Seth sat on the other side of the room nearer the door, pretending to be the visiting healer in search of a good meal away from the Guild Hall. Between the three of them, they would keep sharp eyes on Fisk and the foreign agent. And they’d be ready to take action when needed.

  Livia didn’t want to count on any sort of help from the minstrel, but she was glad to know that he was also watching. It seemed he lived at the inn and was their resident bard, playing at all hours when there were guests to entertain. She didn’t know what to expect from him in the way of assistance, but she certainly believed that he was committed to seizing the book so it could be returned to Gryffid’s safekeeping as soon as possible. He couldn’t have faked that.

  At the appointed hour, everyone was in position. Livia had picked an out of the way table along the side of the wall so as not to draw too much attention. There were a few others dining early, and she and Gowan were mostly unremarkable among the crowd of similarly situated travelers.

  Seth was out in the courtyard, lending his eyes to Hrardorr so the dragon could make a stealthy approach from above. Seth would join them inside as soon as the minstrel gave Livia the nod, which would mean Fisk had entered. She had arranged with the minstrel to give her at least that much. He would identify Fisk to her and then back away to an observation point. Beyond that, she had no promise of his services, but she was confident that was enough. If she, two accomplished swordsmen and two dragons couldn’t stop one man, then they were a sorry lot indeed.

  Seth grew concerned when Hrardorr dropped out of the sky with a lot less grace than he had displayed since the wiza
rd had done his spell. Seth kept his gaze trained on the dragon and the roof of the inn’s barn that was his destination for landing. It was a delicate maneuver because not only did Hrardorr have to land silently, but also directly on the mark.

  Any clatter of his talons scrambling for hold on the roof tiles, might alert people below, and this operation depended on stealth. Genlitha would land behind Hrardorr, deep in the shadows where her light color would not be seen so easily.

  They’d chosen the barn roof because the inn’s courtyard was ringed with torches, keeping the area dimly lit in the dark night. The inn’s roof was lower, and therefore closer to the source of light. Also, the sound of dragons perching on the roof might possibly be heard by the guests of the inn. So the barn it was. There weren’t many people inside, and the horses were unlikely to raise an alarm. Most of the nags were tired from the day’s work or too old to care much about stray noises from above.

  “Are you all right?” Seth sent to Hrardorr as he wobbled a bit on his descent.

  “No. The vision is fading in and out,” Hrardorr revealed, his thoughts filled with frustration.

  This was the first time Hrardorr had admitted what Seth had begun to suspect on their journey here. The wizard’s spell was fading faster than either of them had expected.

  Hrardorr made a last lurching fall toward the barn roof and, at the last minute, was able to pull out a landing. It wasn’t very graceful, and certainly not up to his usual standard, but he was safe, and that was enough for Seth.

  Troubled, Seth paused in the shadows of the eaves, needing a moment to talk with the dragon, but he couldn’t really afford the time. The plan had been set in motion, and he was needed inside. It couldn’t wait, though. He had to tell Hrardorr…

  “If the spell dies at the wrong time and you need to see, speak the words of Claim, Hrardorr,” Seth told the dragon urgently.

  “I don’t see what good that will—”

  “Gryffid told me. Even if the spell ends, if you speak the Claim over me at any time in the future, his spell will spring back into life immediately, powered by the bond between knight and dragon.”

  “The wizard said nothing of this to me.” Hrardorr sounded outraged at the omission.

  “That doesn’t matter now. He told me, and now, I’m telling you. If you need me—at any time—I’m yours, my friend. I have been, almost from the moment you set foot in the Lair.”

  “Think about what you’re saying, man! You would have me tie you to me for the rest of your days? Are you insane?”

  “No, Hrardorr. I’m not crazy. And you’re not blind. Not if you don’t want to be. I think…” Seth took a deep breath and said what was in his heart. “I believe you’re my destiny. I will never be a knight—unless it is as your partner.”

  A man approached the inn from out of the darkness and went straight for the door. From the description provided by the minstrel, and the furtive way he moved, it was very likely Fisk. Seth’s time was up. He had to go into the inn and be ready for action.

  “Look, I’ve got to go. I think Fisk just got here. I’m going in. Remember what I told you and don’t hesitate. I’ve already made up my mind. I’m yours if you want me.”

  Seth moved toward the door to the inn, making haste, but Hrardorr wasn’t done yet.

  “It’s not a matter of not wanting what you are offering, Seth. It’s that I fear I want it too much.”

  Seth didn’t have time to argue anymore. The mission was on, and he had to get his head fully in the game, or there might be hell to pay. He went inside and took up his position near the door, across the room from Gowan. It was time.

  Gowan watched Livia. In her disguise, she looked nothing like the sweet young woman he’d come to know. Much would be decided here tonight…if all went as planned.

  Seth came in, a troubled look on his face, but nobody seemed to take any special note. Good.

  Gowan had already checked in with his dragon partner and knew both she and Hrardorr were waiting on the barn roof should they be needed. Gowan had the sneaking suspicion that all hands—and claws—would be needed to apprehend Fisk and rescue the book. He was glad to have the dragons there, waiting to assist them.

  He was aware when a man fitting Fisk’s description walked in and took a seat at the table where the Skithdronian agent had already ordered ale. Fisk joined the man as if they were old friends, and nobody took any notice of them—except the three who did their best to pretend not to notice anything out of the ordinary.

  Gowan knew he had to keep an eye on everything—and that included Livia. Since her father had told them about Fisk and his involvement in her mother’s death, Gowan had been concerned about this moment. What would Livia do if she ever had the opportunity to confront the man responsible?

  If Gowan knew his lady love, he’d bet she would want to look that man in the eye and take his measure. Probably spit in his face…or worse. Whatever she was tempted to do, Gowan had to see to it that Livia didn’t follow her instincts. Firstly, it was just too damned dangerous. Fisk was a pirate. He probably wouldn’t balk at sliding a knife between Livia’s ribs before she even knew what was happening. Maybe that’s how her mother had gone too, for all Gowan knew, and he didn’t want history repeating itself. Not on his watch.

  Secondly, if she confronted the man in the inn, the possibility that they might miss their chance to retrieve the book grew. The best plan they’d come up with was to confront the men as they left. In the courtyard, where the dragons could act as their backup. Even a pirate like Fisk had to pause when faced with two angry dragons.

  They wanted the book, regardless of who had it when they hit the courtyard, but they also wanted Fisk. The pirate had to be stopped and made to answer for his crimes—both here and on Gryphon Isle. The book was the first priority, but capturing Fisk came in a close second.

  Gowan saw Livia make a move as if to rise from her seat. He couldn’t allow that. Not now.

  “Sit down, Livia,” he sent to her silently, his words carrying all the command he knew how to impart.

  “I want—”

  He cut her off. “I know what you want, and now is not the time. It may well come, but not right this second. The book, Livia. We must know that he has the book before we make our move.”

  Thankfully, Livia subsided. She sat back down and pretended she was just adjusting her position. Good girl.

  It was then that Gowan noticed the man seated at a table just visible over her shoulder. A fighter, if Gowan had ever seen one. And he was watching Fisk’s table with obvious interest. Almost a protective interest, if Gowan was any judge.

  Dammit. Fisk had brought backup and stationed them in the taproom ahead of time. Three more probable pirates entered as Gowan looked around, sizing up all the patrons for possible concealed weapons. Fisk had brought a bloody army with him to this meeting.

  “There are a passel of pirates in here with us,” Gowan sent to all the members of his little group—Livia, Seth and the dragons.

  “It won’t matter if he didn’t also bring the book,” Seth reminded them all.

  “He brought the book,” Livia said, her tone soft.

  Gowan looked back to the table where Fisk sat with the foreign agent, and lo and behold, he’d taken a parcel out of his bulky coat. He pulled back the cloth covering to display the ancient book.

  “We need a distraction,” Seth mused.

  Livia stood. “Leave that to me.”

  Gowan cursed under his breath and moved into a position from which he could back her up. Pretending to want to warm himself by the hearth, he loitered there, holding his hands out to the flames, all the while keeping an eye on Livia’s approach.

  He saw Fisk hand over the book and receive a heavy pouch in return. Fisk opened it slightly, and from his vantage point, Gowan could just see the faint gleam of gold inside. Quite a hefty payment for the wizard’s book.

  “Hello, Captain Fisk,” Livia said in a bold voice that carried through the room. Many heads
turned to see what was happening.

  Fisk looked up at her, narrowing his eyes. He was angry at the interruption, but also surprised at being recognized.

  “Who are you?” The man’s voice was as ugly as his soul, Gowan decided, not liking the way Fisk’s raspy nasal tone grated on Gowan’s ears.

  “Oh, you don’t recognize me?” Livia removed her hat and the wig she’d worn. “Perhaps you know me now. I’m told I look like my mother. Of course, I haven’t seen her in the many years since you killed her. You bastard.” Livia picked up the pitcher of ale and slung it straight into Fisk’s face.

  Every eye in the room was on them now, and Gowan sensed the readying of weapons. Things were about to get ugly. Gowan wondered how Fisk would handle this. He had a vested interest in getting out of here with as little fuss as possible. The sack of gold in his hand was going to hinder him if it came to a fight.

  “You have me mistaken for someone else. I’ve never killed a whore in my life.” Fisk’s words were calculated to insult.

  Livia reached out and slapped the bastard across the face. “My mother wasn’t a whore, and well you know it. She was a lady. Olivia O’Dare would have put you in your place. That’s probably why you saw fit to murder her.”

  Fisk stood, shaking ale from his hands, and pushed past Livia—or tried to. Gowan was there, blocking him. But then, Gowan was flanked by two of Fisk’s goons, and he had no choice.

  “Livia, run!” he sent to her right before he took on the closest of the two, throwing him in Fisk’s direction.

  Unfortunately, Fisk didn’t go down. He sidestepped his man’s uncontrolled flight rather adeptly and headed straight for the door. Livia took off after him, but was waylaid by the melee now taking place in the middle of the taproom. Every ruffian who had been posing as a patron had joined in the fray, starting a lively brawl that Gowan would have appreciated at any other time. Now, though, it only served to slow him down in his pursuit of Fisk…and the Skithdronian agent, who had followed close on Fisk’s heels.