Read Online Prince of Spies by Bianca D'Arc - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Bianca D'Arc
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let’s get out of here.
Riki kissed his dragon cheek before doing as he asked, surprising him with the soft gesture. She climbed up on his bent leg and settled against his back with easy familiarity, tying herself to the harness as he’d instructed. A few moments later, he lifted into the air, glad to feel the wind under his wings once more. They were safest in the night sky—at least until they could get out of Skithdron.
Riki wrapped the voluminous cloak around herself, tucking in the edges and securing the hood over her head. It was so beautiful up here in the sky, skidding along with the wisps of cloud and riding so close to the twinkling stars. She’d never forget this experience as long as she lived.
The sheer delight of dancing
among the stars on a dragon’s back was breathtaking and she sat back, simply enjoying the incredible moment of freedom, savoring the peace she had never before known.
How are you doing back there? Nico asked warmly in her mind.
I’m fine, Nico. Just enjoying the night air. It’s so exhilarating.
If you get hungry, there’s fruit in the basket and more bread and cheese.
Riki was used to hunger pangs, but knew she needed to get her strength back. Reaching into the basket, she pulled out an apple. It had been so long since she’d had fresh, unblemished fruit. The sight of the dark shape in her hand, as they flew through the starlit night, brought tears to her eyes.
The past hours were like a dream, but she was living the reality of it. This man—this dragon—and the wonderful, thoughtful gestures he’d made. He was already so special to her. Nico somehow filled her heart with light, and a hope that hadn’t been there for many, many years.
Riki? Are you all right?
I’m fine, Nico. Just admiring one of the apples you bought for me. She tried to sound as normal as she could, though her trembling emotions threatened to boil over.
Good. His voice sounded through her mind with a rumble of satisfaction. I asked the innkeeper to pack his finest and freshest for you. That basket and everything in it is yours, Riki. I want you to eat well and often, to keep your strength up on our journey.
But what about you? What will you eat?
The dragon beneath her chuckled smokily. Leave that to me, sweetheart.
Dragons are hunters, you know. I’ll find game and supply you with fresh meat at the same time. And I can cook it as well.
Again came the smoky chuckle and she had to laugh too. You certainly are handy to have around, Nico.
I’m glad you think so.
They chatted as she munched on the apple and a lovely, ripe pear.
Do you know how far we are from the border?
A day more at least. I’m trying to cut a little northwest, Nico told her as he banked on a gust of wind. She absolutely loved the feeling of flying, being buffeted by the air currents and swimming among the stars. We have a good chance of connecting with some of the dragons and knights from the Border Lair if we can get close enough. Still, I’m concerned Lucan may have already sent word to the border region and we might find it hard to get across.
Hard, in what way?
The armies that have attacked Draconia from both the north and east over the past months have been armed with dragon killing weapons. Giant crossbows designed to fling diamond-bladed bolts up into the air. Diamond is about the only thing that can slice through dragon scale with ease. We lost a few dragons during the fighting, and my brother Roland almost died when three bolts hit
him. Those weapons are nothing to fool with and they have a lot of them. I’d prefer not to fly anywhere near them if we can help it.
Riki thought back on the many things she’d heard Lucan rant about and some of it began to make sense.
Lucan was supplying Salomar with diamond blades. I remember him saying that more than once.
Thankfully, Salomar’s dead. But you’re right about the diamond blades.
Salomar used them against our forces when he tried to invade from the
Riki kissed his dragon cheek before doing as he asked, surprising him with the soft gesture. She climbed up on his bent leg and settled against his back with easy familiarity, tying herself to the harness as he’d instructed. A few moments later, he lifted into the air, glad to feel the wind under his wings once more. They were safest in the night sky—at least until they could get out of Skithdron.
Riki wrapped the voluminous cloak around herself, tucking in the edges and securing the hood over her head. It was so beautiful up here in the sky, skidding along with the wisps of cloud and riding so close to the twinkling stars. She’d never forget this experience as long as she lived.
The sheer delight of dancing
among the stars on a dragon’s back was breathtaking and she sat back, simply enjoying the incredible moment of freedom, savoring the peace she had never before known.
How are you doing back there? Nico asked warmly in her mind.
I’m fine, Nico. Just enjoying the night air. It’s so exhilarating.
If you get hungry, there’s fruit in the basket and more bread and cheese.
Riki was used to hunger pangs, but knew she needed to get her strength back. Reaching into the basket, she pulled out an apple. It had been so long since she’d had fresh, unblemished fruit. The sight of the dark shape in her hand, as they flew through the starlit night, brought tears to her eyes.
The past hours were like a dream, but she was living the reality of it. This man—this dragon—and the wonderful, thoughtful gestures he’d made. He was already so special to her. Nico somehow filled her heart with light, and a hope that hadn’t been there for many, many years.
Riki? Are you all right?
I’m fine, Nico. Just admiring one of the apples you bought for me. She tried to sound as normal as she could, though her trembling emotions threatened to boil over.
Good. His voice sounded through her mind with a rumble of satisfaction. I asked the innkeeper to pack his finest and freshest for you. That basket and everything in it is yours, Riki. I want you to eat well and often, to keep your strength up on our journey.
But what about you? What will you eat?
The dragon beneath her chuckled smokily. Leave that to me, sweetheart.
Dragons are hunters, you know. I’ll find game and supply you with fresh meat at the same time. And I can cook it as well.
Again came the smoky chuckle and she had to laugh too. You certainly are handy to have around, Nico.
I’m glad you think so.
They chatted as she munched on the apple and a lovely, ripe pear.
Do you know how far we are from the border?
A day more at least. I’m trying to cut a little northwest, Nico told her as he banked on a gust of wind. She absolutely loved the feeling of flying, being buffeted by the air currents and swimming among the stars. We have a good chance of connecting with some of the dragons and knights from the Border Lair if we can get close enough. Still, I’m concerned Lucan may have already sent word to the border region and we might find it hard to get across.
Hard, in what way?
The armies that have attacked Draconia from both the north and east over the past months have been armed with dragon killing weapons. Giant crossbows designed to fling diamond-bladed bolts up into the air. Diamond is about the only thing that can slice through dragon scale with ease. We lost a few dragons during the fighting, and my brother Roland almost died when three bolts hit
him. Those weapons are nothing to fool with and they have a lot of them. I’d prefer not to fly anywhere near them if we can help it.
Riki thought back on the many things she’d heard Lucan rant about and some of it began to make sense.
Lucan was supplying Salomar with diamond blades. I remember him saying that more than once.
Thankfully, Salomar’s dead. But you’re right about the diamond blades.
Salomar used them against our forces when he tried to invade from the
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