“Felipe is in the Czech Republic this week, Mamma. And lord only knows where next week. He doesn’t have time to chat much less visit. He is off to Argentina next.”
“I suppose the High Marshal sent him there,” Anna made it a question.
“If he did, Felipe didn’t mention it. He said he had to talk to some bankers.” She shook her head. “He asks for my advice and then he ignores it.”
“Oh. Well, of course, he wouldn’t tell you if he had been sent by the Marshal. Not if it was a secret mission. Your father was just as closed mouthed when he left. At least Felipe calls, I haven’t heard from your father in two weeks.” Lady Severn got up and crossed to the window seat. She hugged Christina. “It’s frightening when they go off like this,” she said consolingly, “But they’ll soon be home safely and you and Felipe can plan your wedding.”
“Sure.”
“You’re bored.”
“I have been since Christmas, Mamma.”
“You have your work to do,” Anna said.
“Managing the Lindorm Fund is not a full-time job. I did all that needs doing before lunch. Why don’t we take the helicopter and go to Helsinki? Visit a spa, get a massage, and have our hair done?”
“There is no one to go with us, you know that. Victor has taken Ingrid to the doctor. Gunnar is at school. Your father is away. Theo is probably fathoms deep on some submarine.” Anna blinked hard.
“I’m sorry, Mamma. I just have cabin fever.” Christina tried to smile.
“I’ll speak to the Eldest about your going skiing,” Anna promised. “But he is strangely short of sword bearers this month. I don’t know who he will find to guard you.”
Christina laughed. “They are all off on secret missions having the time of their lives. Fortunately, I don’t need guarding,” she said, although she knew quite well it was useless to protest. “I’m a dragoness. No one messes with me.”
“Your uncle wants you kept safe until your wedding. He won’t let you go anywhere unless you have bodyguards he can trust. You are a prize, my dear, and when the High Marshal’s own wife has been threatened, he is quite right to insist on precautions.”
“Of course, Mamma.”
Anna clucked her tongue. “Sometimes I think you don’t know your own worth, Christina of Severn! You are the first dragoness of the House of Lindorm in memory. And likely to be the last.” Mamma continued.
“I know. Gunnar was supposed to be my sister!”
Anna shook her head. “Don’t say that, even in jest. I would have been delighted to give your father a dozen sons, but we are not a fertile race. Which makes you doubly precious my dear.”
“Always nice to know my family considers me a brood mare.”
* * *
“I want you to go to Ukraine. See if you can locate Vladimir the Enforcer and Landor,” Roland told Ivan. The High Marshal was speaking from his safe room on Tarakona. His left arm was in a sling.
“Vladimir the Enforcer? Is that some sort of a gag?” Ivan responded lightly.
“Do you think I would be bothering with a joke when my island has been attacked and my wife and son endangered?” Roland shot back. His big body loomed bigger on Ivan’s monitor.
“Um, probably not. So who is this Vlad the Enforcer?” Ivan asked.
Roland looked around as if he expected to see someone spring out from behind the sleek modern furniture of his safe room on Tarakona Island. “I interrogated the Russian bear – the one who tried to abduct Aidan on Ngaire. He claimed to have been hired by a dragon called Vladimir the Enforcer. A shadowy figure who was big in the Kiev mafia.”
“Sounds like this guy told you a fairy tale,” Ivan said skeptically. “He was probably just hired by Vadim.”
“That’s exactly what I want you to determine, Ivan,” Voros said patiently. “We need to know whether Vadim or Maximilian of Landor was the bear’s employer, or if it really was some Ukrainian crime lord. I tell you, whoever hired this guy was scary. That bear was terrified to tell me anything — even after I promised him safe passage to America. But equally he didn’t know much. And since he’s dead, I can’t question him further.”
“If he was scared shirtless, Ro, he wasn’t hired by Landor. That little pipsqueak wouldn’t scare real bad guys. Maximilian of Landor is not the ruthless type.”
“Yeah. Did Hugo tell you that the Russian dragons who attacked Kayla killed themselves rather than be interrogated?” continued Roland. “And the bear was slated to be killed, only my men interrupted the assassin.”
“No. He didn’t. What do you want me to do, Ro? I am at your disposal,” Ivan said all levity erased.
“I want you to start in Kiev and sniff around until you find something. Spread some money around. Make it plain you will pay well for good intelligence. If the Council won’t settle with you, I will. Those bastards attacked my wife and child and I want the guy behind them found.”
“I hear you, Roland. I will see what I can find out.”
“Be careful, Ivan. Those guys play for keeps.”
Ivan chuckled. “If all else fails, Roland, I will deploy my shuriken and slice those Russians into pieces.”
Voros laughed. “Have you ever used your secret weapon, Ivan? Or do you just hope that in need it will serve you?”
Ivan put his head back and laughed. He showed his friend his fingertips. They were covered with thin scars. “The blades of the dragon are sharp and bite deep,” he said. “I have thrown it many times, sometimes even without cutting myself. But I hope I never have to in a real battle. Drawing it is like having surgery and almost as painful and draining.”
“It’s good to have backup in a tight corner,” Roland said, “No matter what the cost.”
Ivan rubbed the tattoo in the small of his back where a multicolored dragon coiled. Every spine a razor sharp edge that could kill. The birthmark was rare even in his house, and a dubious gift. Using it was almost worse than not. He grinned at Roland. “Let’s hope I can avoid those.”
* * *
March had come before Ivan returned to the Schloss Sarkany. There was still snow on the Swiss mountains that surrounded the castle. The Schloss was still encased in ice. He was no further ahead on his Mate Hunt. And if finding Vladimir the Enforcer was his goal, his mission to Ukraine had failed.
His phone chirped in his pocket. “I’ll call you back from the safe room,” he told Roland before going deep into the bowels of the castle to talk.
“Report,” said Voros of Dreki and Tarakona grimly.
“It’s good to see you too, Lord Voros,” Ivan said dryly. “I ladled out cash — US cash and Euros — all through Ukraine. Nada,” Ivan informed Roland via video.
Roland nodded, his face grave. “It’s not just you, my friend. From Moscow all through the Stans. Shifter after shifter hands back a king’s ransom rather than speak of this dragon. Doesn’t matter if it’s tigers or bears or vipers. No one is willing so much as to make up a story about Vladimir the Enforcer in order to relieve a stranger of his money. Whereas there are endless rumors and lies about Landor, and Vadim is openly acknowledged to be dead.”
“That’s what I found, Ro,” Ivan told his friend. “Lots of shifters claimed to have seen or heard of Maximilian of Landor, but none of their stories panned out. All the rumors were just rumors. No two the same. I think Cousin Max is dead.
“Even when I tapped into a network of Mafioso,” Ivan continued, “I could learn nothing of Vladimir. I was told a bunch of tales about the oil oligarchs, and assured Landor had been seen in Uzbekistan and Georgia. But as soon as I mentioned Vladimir, my contacts melted away. I came back to Switzerland when I was attacked myself.”
“What happened?”
“I was in a dark alley that turned into a tight corner. I had to use my shuriken and the resultant mess cost the earth to clean up,” Ivan said cheerfully.
“Report, Sarkany?” Roland snapped.
“I went into one bar too many tracing rumors. Some bastard ambushed me as
I came out. Fortunately, my instincts were on red alert. I had my coat open and my shirt undone.” Ivan held up a hand and showed Roland the deep cut in his forefinger. “Missed the handle. You know if my ancestor was going to make a deal for concealed carry, he might have bargained for a gun.”
“I don’t think that is how it works, my friend. You’re all right?”
“Bled a bit. And I felt like I’d been kicked in the kidneys for a week.”
“And your opponent?” Roland asked.
“Dead. But for a price he disappeared into the sewer,” Ivan reported. “Which is where he intended to dump me.”
Roland nodded gloomily. “I’ve ordered all the dragons I sent out home. In their place, I have sent a couple of Ukrainian bears to nose around. They don’t have the cleanest of hands, but they are cagey. I don’t like using such people, but the Grand Council cannot permit a dragon to kill and plunder with impunity as this bastard is doing.”
“Agreed. It is the duty of the Guild to deal with renegade dragons. I hope your bears have better luck than I did.”
Roland released his breath slowly. “I may have just sent them to die,” he returned quietly. “But we cannot sit on our hands with the prospect of further attacks on our race.”
“Agreed. By-the-bye, have you any news of Landor?” asked Ivan. “As I said, I heard little more than lies. Nothing that led anywhere. Maybe our cousin is dead? He did fall into the sea off Isle Balaur when he attacked Leah and Hugo. He probably died last summer — drowned or eaten by sharks.”
“I smelled his spoor on Tarakona,” Roland said flatly.
“You didn’t mention that before,” gasped Ivan.
“I told the Council. And your brother. I have had my Maori sword bearers tracking him through the antipodes without success. They’ve had a whiff or two, but that bastard son-of-a-sky-worm has the luck of the devil. I for one don’t believe he’s suddenly died.”
Ivan changed the subject abruptly. “How’s your marriage going?”
Roland beamed. “Kayla is pregnant,” he said proudly. “Aidan is excited. Once his brother is born, I’m sure he will behave like any other displaced first born. But for the moment he is practicing to be the bestest big brother in the world.”
Ivan chuckled. “Congratulations. Having a brother is a fine thing. I’m sure Aidan will adapt. Will you be bringing Kayla to France when the Council convenes?” Ivan asked.
“That’s up in the air. On the one hand, Kayla never likes to be too far from her lab, and her research is going well, so she will be even more reluctant. With this situation still unresolved, she is probably safest on Tarakona where my sword bearers have full control. On the other hand, I owe her a proper wedding on Dreki. What about you, Ivan? Will you be declaring your Mate Hunt before the Council this year?”
“I will,” Ivan said. “I went to the Severn Isles on my way home. Alney and Denny are pretty enough, but I met no one younger than forty, male or female. I think I could use the help of the entire Guild to find my mate.”
“I thought you were content to wait for destiny to put your bride in your path?” Roland taunted gently.
“I am and I’m not.” Ivan was solemn. “I can’t get Te Kanewa’s scorn out of my head. And I’ve seen how Hugo’s beloved reacted to his history. Leah was unimpressed to say the least. It took Hugo nearly dying to convince her he truly loved her. I been trying to clean up my act, before I announce my Mate Hunt.”
Roland turned red. “Good idea. Kayla had issues too. She seemed to think my past foretold my future.”
Ivan so did not want the details of Ro’s sex life. “Do you think Te Kanewa really has the scoop on where my bride is to be found?” he asked.
“Probably. I think that old dragon has the gift of second sight. Remember what he said about Kayla and Aidan being in danger? While I was off getting elected High Marshal, Vadim tried to have my son abducted. If my sword bearers had not been alert, he and his mother might both have been kidnapped or killed while I was on the other side of the world.” He paused. “Have you thought of asking Lord Lindorm directly where his brother Severn lives?”
“I have. But if there is some sort of secret, I think that would be best done in person. Now that I’m not searching for Vlad the Enforcer, I intend go to Lind Island and see him.”
“Hasn’t Lindorm asked you to his house party at Chateau Lind?” Roland said surprised. “He always asks all the Mate Hunt bachelors.”
Ivan brightened. “He has. I just thought I would speak to him in advance. I’ve heard that being a guest at his Mating Bash guarantees a dragon finding a virgin.”
“Better not let Lord or Lady Lindorm hear you calling their house party a Mating Bash. The Lindorms are pretty straitlaced.”
“I’ll say.”
“Be careful, Ivan,” Roland said looking worried. “You’ve made yourself a target. I regret asking you to look for Vladimir.”
“It was my duty, High Marshal,” protested Ivan.
“Yeah, but you and Hugo are the last of your line. Watch your back, buddy. It would be appalling if either of you got wiped out. “
“Just another reason to find my mate and get my nursery started.”
CHAPTER FIVE
The exhilaration of the steep downhill run was nearly as good as flying. But only nearly. Nothing in the world was better than flying. But right now this was the best substitute she could have. Christina Lindorm bent her knees and tucked her ski poles even closer to her body to ensure another burst of speed. She was rewarded by a powerful surge that thrust her ever faster down the twisting piste.
Joy filled her. This headlong rush always made her heart soar. She blanked all extraneous thoughts and concentrated on surviving her almost two hundred kilometer-an-hour journey down the side of the St. Moritz. She became one with her skis and the hard packed snow. One with the rushing wind and the snow spray that flew up from her skis and covered her goggles. One with the danger and exertion.
Braking at the end of the run was almost an anticlimax. Cousin Gustave stood impassively watching by the gate as she swiveled her body sideways. The sweeping arc of her skis showered him with snow but he maintained his unmoving, silent vigil. Christina winked at his blank face as she went past carrying her skis and poles. She let the gondola catch her behind her knees and lift her back up the mountain so she could repeat the run.
* * *
The ski lift dumped Ivan Sarkany in solitary splendor at the very top of the highest piste. The tightly packed snow extended in a tortuous trail to the foot of the mountain. This particular run was so steep and twisted that few of the patrons of the St. Moritz cared to risk their lives on it.
Ivan adjusted his goggles over his helmet and automatically checked both his bindings and the straps on his poles. He pushed off with his massive arms and let the thrill of acceleration suffuse his being. Far below him, his dragon vision zeroed in on a blue clad figure expertly taking the curves and zipping away from him. A fellow adrenaline junkie.
Racing down the slopes, risking disaster with every curve, was the next best thing to flying. The skier ahead of him clearly agreed. She leaned hard into her turns and sped up with every movement. Ivan closed his eyes briefly and imagined he was really flying. But skiing this particular run with eyes shut was hazardous — even for a dragon. Besides, he could clearly see the other skier was a curvaceous female. Pretending he was in hot pursuit of a nubile athlete added another level of spice to this dangerous sport.
He made a rapid seven-minute descent, a few seconds better than his previous run. But when he braked, throwing up a small cloud of snow, the female skier was already in the gondola heading back up for another run. Ivan boarded the ski lift himself, and let his breathing return to normal as he was slowly transported back up the mountain.
He never did catch up to the woman. Her bright blue form remained tantalizingly out of reach all afternoon. Which was just as well. He was a reformed dragon. No more casual affairs for Lord Ivan. He was now in
the market for a wife. Only a fortnight remained before his making a formal declaration before the Council. And almost certainly the sheltered maiden he required was not going to be found risking her virginal neck on a Swiss ski slope.
But it didn’t matter. He was bound to love his future wife so long as she was a virgin bride — all the stories said so. And who was he to call his ancestors liars?
* * *
There was someone else taking the Devil’s Slide ahead of her. Half-way down the mountain, a broad shouldered, narrow-hipped man with the thick thighs of a skier, bent at the hips, as he navigated the tight turns and steep slopes of the piste. Christina enjoyed the sight of his tight red butt and powerful thighs as he pulled away from her. Superior distance vision was one of the upsides to being a dragon.
She pushed off again and once again flew down the slope. By the time she reached the bottom the male skier was already half-way up the mountain in the ski lift. Altogether she made the run seven times, and never came close to meeting the other skier or catching up to that tantalizing butt. And what could she have done if she had, surrounded as she was by sword bearer bodyguards?
“You should try the Devil’s Slide. It’s by far the most invigorating run here,” Christina said to the dark-haired man waiting for her with Gustave. She grasped her ski poles more securely in her left hand and made sure her skis were correctly balanced on her shoulder as she fell into step beside Cousin Hector and headed back to the hotel.
Hector didn’t return her smile. “We’ll talk in our suite,” he said curtly. His black ski suit was unzipped at the neck to reveal his damp red undershirt. He had pushed his goggles back on top of his helmet. Christina could see his bare face. Her cousin was sweating, and his square jaw was clamped hard. What the hell was going on?
“If you wish,” she said agreeably. What was the matter with Hector? He was normally the most placid of men and the most good-humored. On either side of Hector two tall skiers casually positioned themselves to effectively seal her off. Christina continued to pretend she had never seen Gustave or his brother Rudolf before. Hector dropped casually back, so that he strode half a pace behind her, his big body a barrier between her and the world. It was a maneuver the four of them had practiced endlessly in the last week.
Dragon's Pleasure (BBW / Dragon Shifter Romance) (Lords of the Dragon Islands Book 3) Page 4
