by Meara Platt
He hoisted a crossbow, quiver full of arrows, and a small pouch packed with provisions over one shoulder. He’d already secured his battle axe and dagger to the belt around his hips, and was about to open the door and walk out when to his surprise, Georgiana took hold of his hand.
“You know your way through these darkened passages, but I don’t.”
He nodded. “Stay close. Hold onto me. Keep up.”
They moved silently down the stairs and kept to the dark shadows along the great hall before turning down another hallway. He paused at the third door on the left and released her hand to quietly open the door. He’d ordered Thomas to oil the hinges earlier, and breathed a sigh of relief that his reliable steward had attended to it at once. “This way, Georgie.”
He felt her nod against his shoulder.
“My library,” he murmured, taking her hand once more to guide her to the bookshelf that hid the secret passageway.
“Do you have many books in here? I wish I could see it.”
But she couldn’t, and he was not about to light a torch to show off his collection. The room was black as pitch, for he’d also ordered Thomas to draw the heavy, dark green velvet curtains.
“Another time, perhaps,” she said.
He said nothing.
The last thing he wanted was Georgiana back in the Underworld and prey to Brihann’s madness.
The bookshelf groaned as it opened, causing him to curse softly. Had anyone heard? It was unlikely. He’d closed the library door behind him and all the windows were sealed. The noise would be mistaken for any of the common creaking floorboards and groaning rafters that could be heard throughout the fortress.
Fortunately, the bookshelf was much quieter as it slipped back into place once they’d passed through it. “Still with me, Georgie?”
“Right beside you.”
Her casual assurance sliced through him like a knife. All at once, the memory of the little girl with rosebud lips he’d kissed to seal their betrothal rushed to the fore. The kiss was a gesture that she was too young to understand at the time, and he was of an age that kissing a girl was an unpleasant chore rather than something in which to take delight.
In that long-ago time and place, had he not chosen to follow his little brother into the bowels of hell, everything would have been different. He would have become the Duke of Draloch, and Georgiana would have stood beside him as his wife.
But he’d made that fateful choice, and now Georgiana was betrothed to another. He would have her beside him for another two days, perhaps three at most. These few days would have to be enough to get him through his entire dragon lifespan.
“Is something wrong, my lord?”
He took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. “No, Georgie. Everything is perfect.”
They spoke no more as he led her through the forest surrounding his fortress. Hidden deep within the woods was a waterfall, and beside it, a sheltered glade where they could camp during the day, undisturbed.
They’d sleep by day and travel by night. Only by night, for they couldn’t risk being seen even by his own subjects.
Georgiana uttered not a word of protest even though they’d now been walking for almost four hours over uneven terrain. He was used to the warm, clammy air, but she was not, and he knew she had to be tired. But the two moons were rising over the horizon to signal the break of day and their hike would have to end shortly. They weren’t far from the glade. However, they would have to step up the pace to reach it before the townspeople living nearby began to stir. “Only a little longer, Georgie,” he said, wrapping an arm around her waist when she stumbled. “Are you all right?”
She nodded. “Just a little worn down. I’ll keep up. Lead on, my lord.” But she held him back a moment and took a deep breath. “It smells like a pine forest, the same as we have back home.”
Bloodaxe smiled. “It is a pine forest. There’s much in my realm that will remind you of England.”
“Will I have the chance to see more? You mentioned that not all souls passing through here are sinful or doomed. I’m curious to learn about them.”
He pursed his lips in thought, for the temptation to introduce her into his life was compelling. But it would serve no purpose. She needed to return to her home. The sooner she climbed the Razor Cliffs, the better.
Moonlight began to fill the glade as they stepped into the clearing. The whoosh that could be heard nearby was the sound of water streaming down a precipitous, rocky slope, and the plunks that followed soon after, were that same water hitting the bottom of the slope to gather in a circular pool. They could wash and slake their thirst from the cascading stream. “Are you hungry, Georgie?”
“A little. But I’m hot and sticky and would love to wash first.”
He tucked his crossbow and quiver down on the grass behind a fallen tree and placed the pouch of food on a flat stone out of sight beside his weapons. “Then I’ll take you to the waterfall first. I think you’ll enjoy it. Do you swim?”
She shook her head. “No. My father didn’t believe it was necessary to teach me.”
“Then keep to the edges to rinse away the dust of a night’s travel. I’ve packed a cake of soap for you. Best to use it now, for we won’t camp in such pleasant surroundings tomorrow. This will be your only chance to bathe.” He reached into the pouch and withdrew a lavender soap. “Here, Georgie. I’ll walk you to the pool and show you the spots to avoid. But you go first. Don’t take too long. I’ll return in ten minutes.”
Georgiana beamed when she saw the waterfall glistening in the dawning light. “It’s beautiful.” She walked around the pool’s edge and knelt from time-to-time to study the flowers along the bank. “These are lilies. And is that honeysuckle? What are these?”
“Starfire daisies. Touch your finger to the petals.”
She eyed him warily. “Will they turn into sharp-toothed creatures and try to bite me?”
He knelt beside her. “Look, I’ll touch them.” As he did so, they took on a fiery gleam. “They glow like candles in the night. I come here to swim sometimes. These starfires provide a beautiful light, gold like the English sun that used to shine on my face when I was young.”
“Do you often think of England, my lord?”
He nodded. “More now that Brihann is intent on decimating it. He won’t be satisfied until he controls the world of man.”
“But you’ll stop him.”
“I don’t know, Georgie. The prophecy speaks of two black dragon who will unite our worlds. I cannot deny that the urge to return to the place of my birth compels me. But the sun burns me now. I am not the human I once was. I can endure no more than an hour or two under its glare. Whether I will ever be capable of surviving in that light has yet to be determined. I doubt it, though. It is more likely that I will unite with Brihann and return to the place of my birth as a conqueror.”
“Like William the Conqueror when he sailed from Normandy into England and changed the land forever. Why would you do such a thing?”
He studied the soft green of her eyes. “I do not wish it, but every day I become more like Brihann. He knows it and is determined to push me harder toward that end. He needs me to join him, for he knows I am the only one who can fulfill this destiny.”
“The only black dragon. I thought you mentioned there was a third.”
His expression turned as grim as his memories. “That third dragon is my brother and he’s sworn to kill me on sight. For that reason, I doubt he and I shall be the two dragons who unite to fulfill the prophecy.”
He turned away and shook his head. “Take your bath, Georgie.”
Her gaze remained on him as she began to unlace her gown. “Tell me more about your brother.”
“Not now. Perhaps I’ll speak of him when we settle down to eat.”
She smiled. “I must admit, I’m hungry.” She peered into the water. “Are there fish in there?”
“No fish. No dangerous creatures of any sort. You’ll be safe enough.
Just don’t wander into the deep end.”
“I won’t. I can wash up just fine right here.” She pointed to a shallow spot immediately beside the waterfall. Still smiling, she waved him off. “I’ll be careful. I promise.”
Reluctantly, he turned away. Ten minutes was all he dared give her. He knew this place was safe, but what if Georgiana accidentally slipped into deep waters? What if someone wandered into the glade or saw her by the waterfall? What if that someone was one of Brihann’s demons?
“Bah,” he said and walked away. He would have picked up the scent of Brihann’s demons if any were about.
He laid out their cloaks to serve as blankets on an area of flat ground that was devoid of rocks. It also provided a good hiding place, for it was sheltered behind shrubbery and the trunks of several fallen trees.
The day was already warm enough so that no fire needed to be set. Good thing, for the smoke would carry for miles and be a beacon to anyone tracking them. They were safest dining on cold fare, on the bread, fruit, and cheese he’d brought along for their journey.
He shrugged out of his shirt and removed his boots. He heard her humming as she bathed, so he waited the ten minutes and a few more, then made his way to the waterfall. About to call out to Georgiana, he stopped when he saw her step out of the water, naked with droplets of water casting her skin in a silver glow under the brightening moonlight. Her newly washed hair was clinging to her shoulders and swirling over the rose-tipped peaks of her breasts. “By the Stone of Draloch,” he muttered, his voice a choked rasp.
Had that monolith purposely gifted him with this unexpected moment? Indeed, it was a gift and at the same time, a moment of agony.
He turned away to catch his breath, for he’d responded as any man would. Indeed, he needed several deep breaths to bring his body under control. But he was no ordinary man. His loins were hard and throbbing, his body longing to mate with hers. Dragon scales began to form along his skin. Dragon lust surged through his body like a ball of fire. “Georgie, dry yourself off and get dressed.”
His voice sounded harsh to his own ears, but he was desperate for her to hurry. His control would only last so long. He needed to dive into that cold water to cool his dangerous ardor.
“I’m out,” she called from behind a row of shrubs.
“Stay there. Don’t move.” His voice was still harsh as he stripped out of the last of his clothes and dove into the water.
He swam along the floor of the pool, the sparkling blue water so clear, the moon’s rays shone straight through to the bottom. After a moment, he realized that Georgiana might worry if he did not come up for air. Dragons had a great capacity for holding their breath and could do so for ten or twenty minutes with little difficulty.
He broke the surface, swam toward the bank, and then stood in the shallow water, careful to keep the lower part of his body hidden below the water. He combed his fingers through his hair while searching the shrubs where Georgiana had been dressing, and then chuckled when he saw her peeking back at him. Her big, green eyes were as wide as saucers.
While he had accidentally come upon her undressed, she had just been caught purposely spying on him and there was no way she could deny it. “Like what you see, Georgie?”
She blushed furiously. “Must you always ask me that? Are you so uncertain of your good looks?”
“No, my beauty. I know my body is desirable to women. I like that you admire it.”
She edged closer, taking a seat on one of the flat rocks beside the waterfall. “You don’t need me to tell you that you’re handsome. Your nymphs, no doubt, tell you every night.”
“They do. But it is your opinion that matters to me.”
“It does?” She tucked her legs under her and leaned forward. “I did not realize that the tail of the dragon painted on your back extends below your hip and wraps around your thigh.”
“You saw that much?” Mercy, she must have been watching him closely.
She changed the subject. “Here’s the soap.” She tossed it to him.
He caught it in one hand and began to lather his hair with it, then worked the soap over his chest and shoulders before quickly lathering the rest of his body. He tossed the soap back onto her lap and then dove deep to rinse off. He swam to the other side of the pool and climbed out to grab the clothes he’d left on one of the overhanging rocks.
Georgiana gasped. “You might have warned me!”
He bothered only to don his pants before returning to her side. “Come along, Georgie. Time for a light repast, then sleep.”
She took the hand he held out to her. “You really ought to have warned me.”
He arched an eyebrow and grinned. “You could have looked away.”
Her soft laughter filled the glade. “But where would be the fun in that? I’ll need some sensational stories to tell my friends when I return to… If I ever make it out of here.”
“You will.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll miss you. It isn’t often we have an innocent in our midst. You’re quite a special girl.”
“My lord, please tell me how we know each other. I know we’ve met before, it must be so. My heart feels at ease when I’m with you. My heart knows yours. Please don’t deny it, for I know it is so.”
“Very well, I’ll tell you when we’re on the move tonight. I won’t tell you now. You won’t sleep if I do. I need you well rested to reach our next stopping point. We walked a mere four hours today. This next leg requires us to walk for eight hours, perhaps more.”
They returned to the fallen trees where he’d hidden the pouch and weapons. He broke off a chunk of bread and wedge of cheese, then handed both to her. He motioned to the small sack of water he’d also brought along. “Care for some?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Have as much as you wish. I’ll refill it at the waterfall before we leave.”
They ate in silence, and when they were done, Bloodaxe stowed away their supplies and then stretched out on his cloak. He’d placed the cloak he’d brought along for Georgiana beside his own. To his relief, she settled on it without protest.
To his surprise, she drew her cloak close and nestled her body against his. “Sweet dreams, my lord.”
He knew they would be, for he’d dream of her. “To you as well, my beauty.”
Chapter Eight
Georgiana fell asleep wrapped in Lord Bloodaxe’s arms. She awoke hours later to find herself alone, for his pallet was empty. All that remained were shadows caused by the fading moonlight and an indentation on the grass where he’d slept. Her heart shot into her throat. Where had he gone? “Don’t panic, Georgiana,” she said, hoping to convince herself that there was a logical explanation for his disappearance.
She had the presence of mind not to jump up and start shouting his name, though inwardly she was crying out for him like a lost lamb for its mother.
Don’t leave me.
But she was no child and had to keep her wits about her in this dangerous land. She rolled to her knees and carefully peered over the fallen tree trunks that had served as a barrier to hide them from anyone walking through the glade.
She saw nothing but an empty glade.
She turned around to search for their provisions. Were his weapons and food pouch still here? A glance revealed the pouch had been left by her side but his weapons were gone. He’d also left a dagger tucked under her cloak. Did this mean he was going to return?
Or had he abandoned her to fend for herself without so much as a farewell?
No, he was her protector. He wouldn’t simply sneak off.
Besides, he had agreed to tell her more about himself and his realm as they walked to their next destination. “Please come back. Please come back,” she repeated in a whisper as she tucked the dagger into the belt at her hip and then shook the dust and grass off her cloak. “Georgie, you’re awake.”
She gasped, dropped her cloak, and whirled to face Lord Bloodaxe who had come up behind her so silently that she had
n’t heard so much as a twig snap. “You didn’t leave me.” She threw her arms around him and hugged him fiercely.
“What’s this?” At first, he appeared confused by her behavior which was no doubt cowardly and ridiculous. But she was no warrior, nor was she quick witted or experienced enough to live off the land. She was the daughter of a duke, and had never fended for herself.
He gave a short laugh and shook his head as realization struck. Prying her hands off him, he took a step back to study her face. He cupped her cheek and his expression turned sober. “I’d never walk away from you without warning. I merely went for a swim and did not wish to wake you. In truth, I expected to have difficulty waking you upon my return, for you were so soundly asleep, you didn’t so much as flinch when I sneezed.”
“Demons sneeze?”
His expression lightened once more. “Yes, at least this demon does. Although it is not at all pleasant when it happens in my dragon form. It tosses my dragon body off balance and causes me to lose the lift of air beneath my wings. I begin to plummet to the ground, and as if that isn’t bad enough, the sneeze also causes fire to snort through my nostrils instead of my mouth. Have you ever munched on a chip of ice and felt the sudden freeze shoot straight upward into your brain? That’s how fire shooting through my nostrils feels.”
She winced, but at the same time managed a hearty chuckle. “Oh, dear. Not pleasant at all.”
“Fortunately, I don’t feel the urge to sneeze very often.” He glanced around the empty glade. “Do you wish to eat before we begin our trek? I’d like to get away from here as soon as possible.”
“Then let’s go. I’m not hungry. But I do need to… take care of myself. It will only take a moment.” She searched around for a suitable place to relieve herself.
He’d had a swim, but she’d washed thoroughly earlier by waterfall and would manage with just a quick washing of her hands and face before they started on their journey.
“Here, take the soap.” He handed it to her and watched her as she walked away. She felt the heat of his gaze upon her all the while, only broken when she walked around the bend to seek her privacy.
