Dragon Lust

by Kelly Armenta

  He frowned at me but the tips bled back to their normal red-gold color.

  “And the length?” I reminded him.

  He shook his head at me his eyes twinkling. “The consensus is that we like it longer.” And he waved his hand at the other two men. “The length stays.” Then he reached behind him and ran his hand under his own hair, letting it cascade over his arm and shoulder and into his lap. It was a very erotic move and made my eyes widen slightly.

  I frowned at him and was about to make a rude comment when he leaned forward and waggled his finger in my face. “Make one comment and you’ll find it dangling about your ankles,” he told me sternly.

  “Fine!”

  “See that wasn’t so difficult,” he told me happily, clapping his hands like a child that had gotten their own way. “Now that we’ve settled that you’re august presence has been requested on the training floor upstairs… post haste.” He jumped from the bed and yanked back the covers exposing me to everyone in the room.

  I hissed at him, which only seemed to amuse him even more as I did some jumping of my own and headed for the bathroom. I didn’t exactly run but it was a near thing.

  “There is no shame in nudity,” he called after me and I was pretty certain I heard Amras choking.

  I stretched out my stay in the bathroom as long as possible until Owen stuck his head in and asked if I needed assistance. I was sitting on the edge of the tub dressed in my training outfit my hair pulled back in a braid. I got up and walked to the door, following Owen down the hall and into the elevator. Kit swirled in behind us and the four of us proceeded up. At one point I glanced down and noticed my outfit was shrinking. I gritted my teeth to keep from yelling at Kit who gave me a mischievous look. By the time we got to the second floor my one piece had shrunk to a jog bra that barely covered my nipples and a pair of nearly indecent spandex shorts in black and silver. When I growled at him and refused to leave the elevator he sighed and added back some material. We reached a compromise and I followed Owen’s large back down the hall.

  Somewhere just after the turn Owen’s guard uniform of black on black disappeared and all he was wearing was some tennis shoes and a pair of shorts similar to Kit’s except they were hot pink. I placed my hand over my mouth but couldn’t completely stifle the laughter. Behind me Amras grumbled and I looked around to find him wearing lime green. Which given his coloring didn’t look all that bad. Owen simply waved his hand and his shorts grew longer and turned black. Unfortunately fashion design wasn’t Amras’ thing and he was still grumbling when we left the hall and took the stairs out onto the floor.

  Cursed was waiting for us on the mats and he gave Amras a double take. Amras lifted his hands and shrugged. Nick stood next to Cursed with the black haired number who’d wrapped herself around Jace yesterday. My fault entirely, but it still made me nearly miss a step as I looked at her and felt an emotion I’d never experienced rear its little green head.

  “Mmmm…” Kit responded edging closer to me and putting his hands behind his back. “Our little Princess doesn’t like competition,” he whispered at my ear.

  I waved him off and continued walking toward Nick, pasting a smile on my face and trying to ignore Kit’s observation. I slammed my shields shut and watched as Cursed’s eyebrows nearly disappeared in his hairline. Owen and Amras both looked at me sharply and Kit just laughed an evil little laugh.

  Oblivious to the mental energies swirling around him, Nick stepped forward drawing the woman with him. Owen, Amras and Kit stopped a few steps back and all crossed their arms over their chests, varying degrees of anticipation showing on their faces. Cursed just stared at me as if I’d grown a third set of horns his eyes slightly annoyed, likely because I’d closed all my shields and he had no idea why.

  “Ah there you are Lexi, I’d like to introduce you to El she’ll be assisting you in the training classes,” Nick said and I couldn’t help noticing that El was busy sizing up my men. I stepped in front of her effectively cutting off her view and stuck out my hand.

  “They belong to me,” I replied sweetly, looking up at her and wanting to make sure she didn’t mistake my meaning. “And just so we’re all clear,” I continued while her eyes grew wider and she froze in place. “I don’t share.” I was leaning in slightly and nearly growling by the time I finished my little speech. Inside me I felt Goldy’s nod of approval. Around me my four stood a little straighter and I was glad I’d raised my shields because I was afraid I’d just confirmed their status, not just to little miss grabby hands but most importantly to myself.

  I think she murmured something and quickly stepped back, turning to Nick as if looking for a life preserver. Nick was looking at me like he wasn’t sure how to proceed so I smiled at him. “Give me twenty minutes on the track,” I told them calmly. “Then we can run through some forms. And maybe do some sparring.”

  Nick nodded and I turned away, taking my entourage along with me. Cursed was the first to speak as we set out on the track at a slow pace in deference to my shorter legs. “What was that all about?” he whispered to Amras. The two of them were in front of me with Owen. Kit, who’d shifted to wolf and was loping along with his tongue hanging out of his mouth, was looking extremely happy bringing up the rear. Cursed turned to give me a strange look, which I ignored.

  Amras muttered something too low for me to hear and Cursed grunted. Behind me Owen started whistling a happy tune and I clenched my teeth and jogged just a little faster.

  The four of us lapped the cavern seven or eight times before I pulled us up. I’d forgotten to bring water and I glanced around looking for a fountain. Owen watched me carefully and must have realized what I needed because he snapped his fingers and handed me a bottle just like the one I’d had yesterday. I thanked him and headed out to the mats. Nick was still there waiting for us and he pulled me to the side so we could chat briefly.

  Folks wandered over until they were milling around waiting for me to begin. I glanced at El and gave her a nod and she started them off with a first level while I watched from the sidelines. Nick wandered off and I removed my shoes and watched the forty or so people out on the mats noting their strengths and weaknesses. Behind me Kit carried on a running commentary which was too low to follow but succeeded in distracting me until I turned around and gave him a look then sent him to the opposite side of the mats. Cursed and Amras each took a side and that left Owen at my back.

  “If you want them to follow you as they did yesterday, you will need to drop your shield.” Owen told me softly. I chewed my lower lip and thought it over. Had I been projecting the moves to them, and was that why they’d been able to keep up? Nodding thoughtfully I dropped my upper shield and felt Owen’s mind surrounding mine with warm contented thoughts. He took a step closer and was softly pressing against my back his body molded to mine. Leaning down he whispered, “If you will be patient with me, I will endeavor to be more light-hearted.” And his lips brushed the tip of my ear. I nodded once and leaned a shoulder against his chest to let him know I understood then stepped onto the floor and took up a position at the head of the class as they moved on to a second level kata.

  Nearly an hour later we finished and I turned to bow to the class which was about half the original size. The rest of the folks had dragged themselves off the mats and were watching from the sidelines. I smiled at those still standing, noting Mark was in the group toward the back. I called him forward and asked if he’d be willing to assist in a demonstration. He looked a little worse for wear and I wondered if Jace had been at him, but he seemed game so I motioned Owen over and explained to him what I wanted. A few minutes later the rest of the class had cleared a space in the middle of the mat and Mark was looking at me over the blunt edge of a very large knife or perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a small sword. In my hand I had a matching blade and while he tossed his sheath to the floor, I reversed my along my forearm and held it close using it as a small shield.

  Mark and I walked the class thro
ugh the motions and at the end I bowed to him and invited him to spread out amongst the students. Owen provided weapons all around and I wandered amongst the class giving advice and demonstrating moves. El shadowed me and I finally became annoyed and sent her off to spar with Mark, hoping the two of them might hit it off and leave me and mine alone. As I wandered around the mats I passed my men and each time I came within range I felt their overall approval. Cursed seemed rather wistful and I couldn’t help wondering when the last time was he’d sparred given that he’d been left to his own devices so long in Faerie. As I passed him I stopped and looked up at him with a question in my eyes. “I’ve never seen an Elfin warrior fight, would you be willing to provide the class with a demonstration?”

  He bowed low and let out a high pitched whistle which caused everyone on the floor to turn and stare. He looked down at me for a second as if debating something then reached for my shoulders and leaned down to kiss my cheek. “Thank you, My Lady,” he whispered and there was a weight of relief in his voice I’d never heard from him. Then he was waving for Amras to join him in the middle. Amras glanced between us and his face lit up. He seemed nearly as eager as Cursed and jogged over to Kit who was closest to him. They chatted briefly and Amras came away carrying a long curved sword which he hefted several times. People flowed back from him as he gave it a couple of swings. He turned back to Kit and his lime green shorts were replaced by snug dark grey leather pants which molded to his thighs and hips nicely. His chest was left bare and I couldn’t help but admire the play of muscles under his skin which seemed to glow from within.

  In the middle of the mats stood Cursed who’d picked up his own slightly curved sword from Owen. He was still wearing his leather clothing from last night; apparently Kit hadn’t gotten around to his wardrobe. Owen had apparently provided guards for his wrists which laced tightly halfway up his forearms. Both men were barefoot.

  Amras carried two long strips of leather onto the floor and tossed one to Cursed who stared down at it as it lay in his palm with a strange expression. Amras knelt on one knee and placed his sword on the floor then using the strip of leather he knotted his hair into an intricate binding that smoothed it back from his face and neck and shorted it to mid shoulder. He picked up his sword and walked to Cursed who continued to stare at the strip of leather as if it might bite him. Amras placed his hand on Cursed’s shoulder and gently squeezed. Cursed lifted his eyes to him his face filled with such longing that it made my chest tighten. Amras nodded and held out his hand but Cursed stepped back and went to one knee just as Amras had done. In less than a minute he was back on his feet, his sword gripped tightly in his hand. And like Amras his hair was pulled back from his face tied in the same intricate tail.

  A grin split Cursed’s face and he leapt, his sword striking Amras’ with a loud clash. Amras parried and grinned back at Cursed as he slipped the blade and pivoted on his foot. I bit my lip and stood tensely on the sideline, watching their movements with awe. I had never seen anything as beautiful or fluid as their dance as they hacked at each other with the speed of immortals.

  “Your Elves are fairly handy with a sword,” Gareth whispered in my ear and I sighed and leaned back into his chest. His arms wrapped round me as our eyes continued to follow them across the mats. Cursed was definitely the stronger of the two in brute force, but Amras appeared more nimble on his feet and was able to slide in under Cursed’s attacks. Neither drew blood as that would have been an instant loss. A clumsy sword wielder is very dangerous; to nick or injure your opponent in a test of skill is dishonorable.

  And just as quickly as it began it was over and I was surprised when Amras proved the winner. Cursed bowed low to him and came up smiling. The two men grasped forearms and Amras leaned in to say something to Cursed that caused him to throw back his head and laugh. Across the room several women turned to stare, drawn by the purely masculine sound. Both men walked to us, chatting and smiling.

  “That was quite impressive,” Gareth told them, his voice conveying an admiration for their exhibited skills.

  “I’m afraid I’m a little out of practice,” Cursed admitted.

  “Nothing that a few training sessions won’t correct,” Amras offered, his eyes darkening slightly before he forced a smile and replied, “And then he’ll wipe the floor with me. If he wasn’t so big and clumsy he would have had me several times.”

  Cursed just grinned and glanced around. Owen and Kit stood about five feet to either side of us watching the crowd as they broke into twos and began hacking away at each other with the blunted swords. Apparently the Elves’ skill had inspired them and I watched as Nick wandered onto the floor and turned to smile at us. He seemed pleased at the progress and renewed incentive we’d provided today. Nice to know we were earning our keep.

  Cursed wandered over to Kit and when he came back he was sporting a thick leather strap and scabbard at his hip. He handed one to Amras who took a moment to belt it on and sheathed his sword. “I think we’ll keep these,” Cursed remarked. “It feels good to have a blade at my side again.”

  “So did you just stop by to make sure I wasn’t causing trouble?” I asked Gareth.

  He gave me a hug and kissed the top of my head. “I came to see if you wanted to go out for lunch. Jace and I need to run some errands and I thought it might be nice if we brought you along with us.”

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea? After last night?”

  “We’ll be fine,” Gareth assured me.

  I thought that might be a little optimistic but was willing to take the chance if it meant spending time with them. “That sounds great but I’m going to need to shower and change first and I’d prefer to do it downstairs.”

  Owen wandered over to us and nodded. “I’d like to remain if that is acceptable.”

  “Me too,” Kit informed us. “There is this red head over there…”

  I stiffened in Gareth’s arms and glared at Kit who chuckled and pointed to a very large red haired man who looked like he was trying to tie another man into a pretzel. I winced and flared my nostrils at him and he walked away laughing. Damn Demon!

  Gareth glanced at Cursed and Amras and the three of them had a little non verbal conversation which I was not able to follow. I suddenly felt like a third or was that fourth…wheel and shifted anxiously in Gareth’s arms. He absently kissed the top of my head again and I forced myself to stand still. “Well that’s all settled,” Gareth replied as Cursed and Amras dipped their heads and wandered off toward the locker room.

  I had no idea what he was talking about but I kept my mouth closed and let him lead me off the floor toward the stairs and eventually the elevator. Besides I was busy thinking about my lesson plan for tomorrow and how I was going to convince Cursed or Amras to teach me to fight like they did. I wasn’t totally inept with a sword, I just didn’t have their finesse yet. The real question was, would they teach a female. I didn’t know if ladies in Faerie wielded swords and wasn’t certain they’d share their secrets with me.

  Jace was in my room waiting for us. “No problems?” he asked, his lips twitching slightly. I suppose I deserved that, considering I hadn’t gone twenty four hours since I’d been there without causing a stampede or an orgy. Good thing they had a sense of humor or I might have found myself thrown out on the street, trouble maker that I was. Of course I had saved Jace’s life last night so maybe that counted for something.

  He snorted and held his arms open to me. “You taste salty,” he told me as he buried his lips against my neck while I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.

  “Don’t ever do that to me again!” I warned him.

  “I’m sorry. I did make it up to you… or don’t you remember?”

  I leaned back in his arms and gave him a saucy smile. “I’m not sure I know what you mean,” I teased, and then laughed as his mock hurt expression.

  “You wound me to the quick!”

  Gareth came up behind me and hugged us both. “Lucky for
us Lexi has more power than she knows what to do with.”

  “Yeah,” Jace grimaced then leaned back and pulled his shirt up. In the middle of his chest was a perfect hand print, my hand print. It looked like it had been burned into him. I stared at it in horror. “Now don’t worry, it will go away as soon as I shift,” he teased. “I just thought I’d keep it to show you how lucky I am and you seemed a little distracted this morning.”

  I bit my lip and glanced into his eyes, worried he might be sugar coating it for me. “Are you sure it will go away?”

  He grinned and shifted just his chest, when he was done the hand print was indeed missing and I sighed and threw my arms around his so I could hug him again.

  “Who were they? And what took you so long?” I asked, wondering where they’d been until early morning. I hadn’t liked going to bed without them and hadn’t planned to fall asleep, healing Jace must have taken more out of me than I thought.

  Gareth pulled me into the bathroom while Jace ran the bath and stripped off his clothes. I smiled and kicked off my shoes and ankle socks. Gareth helped get me out of the jog bra and I assisted him with the buttons on his shirt. The three of us piled into the warm water and I wrapped my arms around Jace’s neck giving him a kiss. Gareth reached for the shampoo and then I was being soaped up and down and hmmm all around. There was water all over the floor by the time we’d finished and my hair was squeaky clean and smelled of flowers. Gareth and Jace were wearing happy smiles and I know I was feeling sated…for the moment, as I leaned back in Gareth’s arms and ran my fingers over Jace’s upper thigh.

  “They were human,” Jace began. “Your Demon tracked them across town to Hunters Park over by the abandoned shipping yards. There are several warehouses over there that are used…for unhealthy activities. By the time we got there everyone was long gone, it looks like it was a hot operation. Get in, do whatever damage possible and get out.”

  “Would the poison have actually killed Jace?” I demanded, my thoughts whirling unpleasantly.