by Bianca D’Arc
They would stop for the night in the coastal town before heading out over the open ocean for the island. Rivka had never been to Gryphon Isle before, and she was looking forward to seeing it. Skelaroth would be their guide to reach the large island far offshore. He knew the seas and the terrain well, since it was in his domain as lord of the sea dragons.
Rivka was a little apprehensive about the potential of meeting the last of the great wizards of old. Gryffid was said to be a reasonable being, but she’d never encountered a being of such power before and she was a little frightened of what he would make of her. He would no doubt see her dual nature immediately.
While it was said he had some experience with the royal family of Draconia, she wasn’t sure if any of her Jinn brethren from her Clan, who had the dragon spirit within them, had yet encountered Gryffid. She would observe all and report back to her Clan, of course. She wondered if the wizard realized that was the obligation of all Jinn—to report what they learned and saw to their Clan leadership.
Sometimes, that caused friction in certain places. Which was why the Brotherhood was so secretive. She didn’t usually advertise exactly who and what she was. Being so out in the open in Draconia was a new development, and something most Jinn hadn’t gotten used to, just yet. She would revert to her old ways of watching, and playing her own cards close to her vest, when it came to visiting the wizard in his lair.
The group made Dragonscove by nightfall. Liam directed them to land on a wide dock, just below his house. Skelaroth managed it, let Liam off his back, and then promptly dove into the water, seeming happy to be back in his chosen element.
“Oh, that is much better,” he said to them silently. “It feels good to wash the dust off.”
“I bet,” Rivka agreed, watching the sea dragon below the water line as best she could. He really did look at home in the water.
“We can do the same. My house is just above. Livia doesn’t live there, anymore, of course, but the house is kept in readiness on my orders. There is a deep tub that can be filled with heated water, and while you soak, I’ll send out for food from an inn I know. We can sleep in featherbeds tonight and really rest before the next leg of our journey tomorrow,” he told her.
“Sounds like you’ve thought of everything,” she observed with a raised eyebrow and the hint of a grin.
“I’ve thought of little else since we started out today. Flying and camping is fine for a while, but I’m not used to it. I’m not all that used to sleeping on a bed that doesn’t roll with the tide, either, but it’ll be better than another night on the ground.” He laughed. “I’ve gotten soft in my old age.”
She knew from firsthand experience that he was neither old nor soft, but she dared not say it quite that way. “Don’t worry. I like my creature comforts too. A feather mattress sounds like heaven, right now. And a hot bath? Absolutely divine.”
“Then, follow me, milady,” he said with an exaggerated bow. “My humble abode awaits.”
“After my swim, I would like to use your boathouse for my rest,” Skelaroth informed them. “Sir Hrardor used it, I understand, and I’d like to check out the advantages, as well as be nearby so we can continue our journey without much delay in the morning.”
“You’re very welcome to the boathouse,” Liam called behind him as he began moving toward the stairs that led up to the house. “If you could fit through the door, you’d be welcome in the house above, as well.” Liam chuckled tiredly as he motioned for Rivka to precede him up the stairs.
“The spirit of your offer is well appreciated,” Skelaroth replied, humor in his tone, “but I will decline. I will fly up to the Lair and ask for guards in the night that you both may sleep. I’m sure they’d be happy to assist.”
“If you think that’s wise,” Liam said as he climbed the stairs behind Rivka. She could tell from his tone that he wasn’t quite sure about asking the Lair for help.
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Rivka put in. “And, if I wasn’t so tired myself, I’d like to think I would have thought of it.” She chuckled and trudged up the stairs. It had been a long day.
Skelaroth exploded out of the water of the harbor many yards distant in an awesome display of his power. He flew in the direction of the Lair, the water on his wings quickly dispersing to rain gently down on them as they reached the back door of Liam’s house. He produced a small key from one of his pockets and opened it, shaking his head at the sea dragon’s passage.
“Looks like we’ll have both a shower and a bath this night,” he said as he opened the door for her.
The house was dark, of course, but there was a lamp laid ready at the side of the door. Rivka took it in her hand and lit the wick with a touch of her inner fire. It wasn’t quite full dark outside, but the shadows were already reaching to cloak the insides of the structure.
Liam led her through into the front area of the house, where there was a parlor and various other rooms where guests could be entertained, including a cozy library. He didn’t bother much other than to point out the rooms as they passed, leading her, instead, upstairs to a bedroom with an attached bathing chamber. Quite a luxury compared to the way most people lived, but then again, the O’Dare shipping empire was vast, and Liam had told her he’d built this house for his daughter’s comfort.
“I’ll go light the fire under the cistern upstairs, and we should have hot water in a few minutes,” he told her.
“That soon?” she asked, surprised.
“The bottom of the cistern is fast-heating copper, and except in the cold of winter, it warms up the inside of the barrel fairly quickly,” he explained.
“Where does the water come from?” she asked, fascinated by the lengths he’d gone to in equipping this house for his daughter.
“It is rainwater captured from the roof that gets sifted through a screen, then a tub of charcoal, and finally a pot of sand, to remove any debris or impurities.” He paused in the doorway. “I modeled it after a system I saw in Elderland. It’s very efficient, and all we have to do is clear the screen occasionally, plus change out the charcoal and rinse the sand about twice a year.”
“That’s ingenious,” she complimented him.
“Each bedroom on this floor has its own bathtub fed from the same system,” he went on. “I’ll go get the heat started, and I’ll knock on your door as I pass on my way down, so you’ll know when you can start checking the water temperature.”
“Sounds good to me,” she told him, already dreaming of the hot bath she was about to have.
“There should be a supply of soap and towels in the little cabinet. If you need anything else, just call.” He headed out the door and made for a staircase at the end of the hall that led upward.
“Where will you be?” she called after him.
“Next door down,” he said tiredly, pointing to a door in the opposite direction from where he was headed. “My room. I plan to have a bath, too.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to suggest they bathe together, but her practical side won out. The tub was likely too small, and she really was dirty. She’d rather save the fun and games for after she’d gotten herself fully clean for the first time in days.
The bath was everything Rivka had hoped. The water was nice and hot, and she discovered there was another tap with unheated water that she could use to achieve just the right temperature. She stayed in that bath for longer than she probably should have, then dressed in the last of the clean spare clothes she had in her pack and went in search of Liam.
He wasn’t upstairs, but she thought she could hear him moving around downstairs. She descended the stairs, only realizing about halfway down that someone had brought food and there were voices in conversation coming from one of the rooms on the first floor. A dining room, as it turned out. Rivka found Liam there, also in fresh clothing, his hair slicked back, still a bit damp. He was sitting at the table with two other men. They all stood, politely, when she entered the room.
“Drake of th
e Five Lands?” The words came out of her mouth the moment she got a good look at the blond man now standing by the table. He grinned and shook his head in charming chagrin.
“I am forced to admit I went by that name for many years. You are Lady Rivka, I presume.” He smiled at her, and even though her heart was firmly attached to Liam, she felt the impact of that handsome rogue’s smile. His voice had a magical quality that some Jinn bards cultivated. Of course, Drake of the Five Lands was a notorious bard who had been a master spy among the Brotherhood for many years before returning to his homeland and being claimed as a knight.
“Sir Drake,” she amended her words, adding a small smile. “Your reputation precedes you.” Let him make of that what he would. She turned her gaze on the other newcomer. “I am Rivka of the Black Dragon Clan.” She held her hand out to the dark-haired man who had not spoken. He took it, shaking it politely.
“I’m Mace,” he said, his voice as husky as his partner’s was smooth.
“Sir Mace, a pleasure to meet you,” she replied politely.
“They are the new leaders of the local Lair,” Liam told her, pulling out a chair at his side for her to be seated. “I’ve just been speaking with them about security arrangements for tonight.”
“Good. We’ll need to rest if we are to make the journey to see the wizard tomorrow,” she said, looking at the newcomers as everyone was seated again. “I expect Liam told you that we retrieved what we believe to be the page from Gryffid’s book. Only he can tell us for sure, of course, which makes getting it to him for proper inspection as quickly as possible the highest priority.”
“And its safety while in our possession critical,” Liam added.
“The dragons have been talking. Lord Skelaroth delivered an account of your travels to Jenet and Nellin, our dragon partners, and they left the Lair at once, demanding we come along.” Drake’s words were tinged with humor. He really had a most persuasive voice and manner. No wonder he’d been such a successful bard. Such a successful spy, as well.
Liam and Rivka filled in the new leaders of the Lair about their quest and its outcome over dinner while the dragons kept watch outside. Liam hadn’t had to send out for dinner. The knights took care of it, sending word through one of the local stable lads of what they wanted delivered to Captain O’Dare’s house from one of the finest inns in the town. Drake confided that the owner of the inn was currently trying to convince him to perform there on a regular basis, now that he was living up at the Lair.
“I probably will spend a few evenings there,” Drake admitted later, as they consumed a delicious meal. “First, the food is awfully good.” Drake’s grin invited everyone to join in. He had a truly magnetic quality about him. “Second, I like performing. It’s in my blood after all these years, and it’s hard to give up. The folks in the Lair are getting sick of me, I think. A new audience would be welcome.”
“And no better place to pick up information than in a busy tavern,” Rivka said knowingly. She was Jinn, after all. She knew how the spy game was played.
“Exactly so, milady,” Drake agreed.
They went on to talk about the Jinn innkeepers that deserved mention for their assistance on their quest and gave a detailed account of the different places they had stopped. Mace promised to send a flyer to Waymeet to check on progress there. He and Drake seemed to complement each other well. Mace was quieter, but while Drake shone bright, Mace supported his partner with his steady ways. With these two men in charge, Rivka thought the Lair was in good hands.
“I’m sorry our lady couldn’t come this evening,” Drake told Rivka as they were preparing to take their leave. “Our Krysta would have enjoyed meeting you. She is of the Wayfarer Clan.” Rivka had wondered if they would get around to mentioning their Jinn bride.
“I have heard good things about her,” Rivka told them. “Please pass along my greetings. Perhaps, when we return from the island, there will be time to meet.”
They left not long after that, having arranged dragon and knight guards all around the house for the rest of the night. It was still somewhat early, but Rivka and Liam had traveled a long distance and were both ready for bed. As Liam locked up for the night, Ella suddenly reappeared. She had gone off with Skelaroth when he’d left earlier and hadn’t indicated where she was going.
Liam had frowned when she took off, but she was her own creature. Liam shrugged and had said that he knew he could not hold her if she didn’t wish to be held. Rivka had agreed, knowing his attitude was a wise one to adopt. Still, she could tell he was concerned about Ella. He’d kept looking out the windows during dinner, and when Ella came back, she knocked on the front window with her little talons while she hovered in mid-air on her fluttery wings.
Liam opened the window and let her in, clearly relieved that she had come back in one piece. She flew to him and landed on his shoulder in her preferred spot, while he closed and locked the window once more.
“Looks like you found something to eat,” Rivka said, smiling at the virkin. Her belly was rounded with food.
“Skel showed me where little fish live in beach pools,” Ella said proudly.
Her sentences were getting longer as she spoke more, Rivka realized. The virkin was evolving almost before their eyes.
Ella’s gaze went to the overstuffed couch with its myriad soft cushions, and she launched herself off Liam’s shoulder to land amid them. She took a few moments to rearrange the pillows into a sort of nest then lay her head down and almost immediately shut her eyes.
“Well, I guess she’s going to sleep there,” Liam murmured, watching his little friend for a moment before shaking his head ruefully. “Shall we go up?”
Rivka agreed and preceded him up the stairs. She wasn’t sure how the next part of the evening would go, but she knew how she wanted it to end. With Liam and her in one of those big fluffy beds. Together. All night.
When he would have left her at her door, she took his hand and invited him in. He drew her close and kissed her, all without saying a word. At length, he lifted his head and looked down into her eyes. It was dark up here, except for the lamp he’d placed on the table beside her door, but she could see him clearly.
“Are you sure?” he asked simply. She nodded.
“I want this. I want you, Liam,” she admitted.
His gaze seemed to sharpen, and a flare of some deep emotion showed in his gaze for a brief moment. Then, he lifted her in his arms and strode down the hall to the room he had indicated was his and kicked open the door, which had been slightly ajar.
The bed was bigger in here, she noticed at first glance. Good choice. She smiled up at him as his lips descended to hers once more.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Liam lowered Rivka onto his bed with a gentleness that took her breath away. Then, he paused. He rose above her, leaning on his forearms, just staring down into her eyes, his own clouded with some kind of painful emotion.
“It’s all right, whatever it is,” she told him in a soft voice, stroking his shoulders, his hair, whatever she could reach.
At length, he spoke, and it was as if each word was pulled from his being. “I think I told you that built this house for Livia. For her to grow up in. Away from where we had lived and where Olivia had died. I wanted no sad memories for my daughter. I stayed here when I was on land, but it wasn’t as often as it should have been,” he admitted. “I just want you to know. I’ve never brought a woman here. In fact, there have been no other women… Until you, Rivka. You did something to me. You changed something profound.”
He didn’t sound as if he liked it, but at least he had admitted it. She felt that was a big step. A positive move forward, into the new future before him.
“Believe it or not, you changed something in me too, Liam. I don’t usually go around falling for every handsome sea captain who crooks his finger at me.” She chuckled to lighten her own admission, and thankfully, he joined in her amusement.
“So, you think I’m handsome?” he aske
d playfully, his mood lightening.
“Oh, come on, Liam. You know you are.” She punched his shoulder lightly.
“Not like that blond popinjay with the silky voice and smooth manners who fawned all over you during dinner,” he said, surprising her with the clear note of jealousy in his voice.
“He’s married,” she retorted immediately. “This girl doesn’t go after married men. And besides…” She stroked her hands over Liam’s broad shoulders. “He’s not you. He’s far too perfect. Too polished. A woman would have to be mad to want a man like that in her life on a permanent basis. I mean, he’s so…decorative. I’m sure he can fight, too, but I, for one, don’t want to be with a man who is prettier than I am.”
“Well, thank the stars for that!” Liam joked. “The last thing I ever want to be described as is pretty.” Both of them laughed at that.
“No, you’re handsome as sin and twice as tough,” she told him, the mood growing sultry again, as she stroked his muscular arms. “I’ve seen you fight. It got me excited,” she admitted.
“Now, that’s not something a woman’s ever said to me before,” he said, cocking his head to one side as if considering. “I think I like it.” He grinned down at her before lowering his head to place nibbling kisses all over her lips. “I’ve seen you fight too, milady, and it made me hard,” he whispered against her lips before taking them in an all-consuming kiss.
When he let her up for air, her breathing was ragged. She wanted their clothing off, and she struggled until he let her up, rolling to his side. She made short work of her clothes, stripping off as she knelt above him on the wide bed. She loved the way his eyes followed her movements and just before she bared her breasts, she slowed her motion, smiling at him in a coquettish way she’d never quite felt before. She’d never been playful with a lover. Liam brought all sorts of new feelings and experiences to her each time they were together.
