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Authors: Bianca D'Arc
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Lucy? Me and Rey?”
“I’d be leaving behind the only security I’ve known in years, Kaden. You’re asking a lot.”
He hugged her. “I promise you’ll always have a place in the Lair, whether it works out between us or not. A woman who can hear dragons is rare and special. The Lair folk will welcome you with open arms. Trust me.”
“I do trust you, Kaden, but it’s an awfully big step.”
He spoke no more of it over the next days. Each evening Lucia would sleep in Kaden’s arms, making love with him deep into the night. Each day, she would care for the dragon who was quickly becoming the center of her world. Marcus was there most days, following her with his eyes and making her uncomfortable with his pointed stare. She felt conspicuously like a mouse being sized up by a hawk on the hunt. Given her earlier run-in with Marcus—and the scandalous thoughts he’d planted in her head about lying between the two men⎯the fact that she 46
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Wings of Change
continued to be Kaden’s lover made her feel self-conscious in the extreme. She knew without doubt all it would take was one word from her and she’d have two knights in her bed, when she was only just getting used to one!
The troublesome idea plagued her, refusing to be put completely from her mind. She served in the tavern during the day, comfortable with Kaden’s easy-going treatment and hyperaware of Marcus’s continued scrutiny. She couldn’t deny she was attracted to both of them. Marcus’s courtly manners still brought back memories of times past, though as she got to know him and observed him with Kaden and the dragons, he became more familiar to her and less a reminder of her sad past. Kaden, by contrast, didn’t remind her of those things, but kept her with him—firmly in the present. He was good for her in that way, and he was a considerate lover.
Lucia also agonized over Reynor’s slow progress and wondered if there was more she could do. Each day, she offered solemn prayers that Rey would heal on his own. Marcus had asked what she was doing on the first day when she placed wildflowers as an offering in the small window above Rey’s place on the stone floor. She prayed according to the teachings of her youth, which were different from the way things were done in Draconia. Marcus asked pointed questions, but the next day brought beautiful hothouse blooms from the queen’s own conservatory to add to the small vase she’d placed in the sun.
Each day after, he brought a new flower for her offerings—rare orchids and lilies, simple daisies and roses. Each day a new flower and a presence at her side while she offered her prayers over the healing dragon.
Silently, he’d stand with her while they added the blossoms to the growing collection, weeding out wilted flowers each time new ones were added. She was touched he would respect her beliefs in such a way and glad he didn’t push for more than friendship, though she knew he hoped for far more. Still, there was Reynor to consider. Lucia decided to take the chance of moving to the Castle Lair with Kaden. For one thing, she was falling in love with the rugged knight. She already loved Rey and wanted to be on hand to help him work through his recovery. She couldn’t imagine being left behind when the dragon left the tavern.
And so, with some trepidation, she let the owner know she’d be leaving the tavern when Reynor and Kaden left. The other girls didn’t seem surprised when Lucia packed her few belongings, and each of them wished her well. She was touched by their friendly gestures and the small parting gifts they gave her. A ribbon for her hair from one girl, a
www.samhainpublishing.com 47
Bianca D’Arc
carved comb from another. They were small gifts, but dear to her for the true friendship they represented.
When Reynor was able to walk for short distances under his own power without causing more damage, the knights arranged for his removal to the Castle
“I’d be leaving behind the only security I’ve known in years, Kaden. You’re asking a lot.”
He hugged her. “I promise you’ll always have a place in the Lair, whether it works out between us or not. A woman who can hear dragons is rare and special. The Lair folk will welcome you with open arms. Trust me.”
“I do trust you, Kaden, but it’s an awfully big step.”
He spoke no more of it over the next days. Each evening Lucia would sleep in Kaden’s arms, making love with him deep into the night. Each day, she would care for the dragon who was quickly becoming the center of her world. Marcus was there most days, following her with his eyes and making her uncomfortable with his pointed stare. She felt conspicuously like a mouse being sized up by a hawk on the hunt. Given her earlier run-in with Marcus—and the scandalous thoughts he’d planted in her head about lying between the two men⎯the fact that she 46
www.samhainpublishing.com
Wings of Change
continued to be Kaden’s lover made her feel self-conscious in the extreme. She knew without doubt all it would take was one word from her and she’d have two knights in her bed, when she was only just getting used to one!
The troublesome idea plagued her, refusing to be put completely from her mind. She served in the tavern during the day, comfortable with Kaden’s easy-going treatment and hyperaware of Marcus’s continued scrutiny. She couldn’t deny she was attracted to both of them. Marcus’s courtly manners still brought back memories of times past, though as she got to know him and observed him with Kaden and the dragons, he became more familiar to her and less a reminder of her sad past. Kaden, by contrast, didn’t remind her of those things, but kept her with him—firmly in the present. He was good for her in that way, and he was a considerate lover.
Lucia also agonized over Reynor’s slow progress and wondered if there was more she could do. Each day, she offered solemn prayers that Rey would heal on his own. Marcus had asked what she was doing on the first day when she placed wildflowers as an offering in the small window above Rey’s place on the stone floor. She prayed according to the teachings of her youth, which were different from the way things were done in Draconia. Marcus asked pointed questions, but the next day brought beautiful hothouse blooms from the queen’s own conservatory to add to the small vase she’d placed in the sun.
Each day after, he brought a new flower for her offerings—rare orchids and lilies, simple daisies and roses. Each day a new flower and a presence at her side while she offered her prayers over the healing dragon.
Silently, he’d stand with her while they added the blossoms to the growing collection, weeding out wilted flowers each time new ones were added. She was touched he would respect her beliefs in such a way and glad he didn’t push for more than friendship, though she knew he hoped for far more. Still, there was Reynor to consider. Lucia decided to take the chance of moving to the Castle Lair with Kaden. For one thing, she was falling in love with the rugged knight. She already loved Rey and wanted to be on hand to help him work through his recovery. She couldn’t imagine being left behind when the dragon left the tavern.
And so, with some trepidation, she let the owner know she’d be leaving the tavern when Reynor and Kaden left. The other girls didn’t seem surprised when Lucia packed her few belongings, and each of them wished her well. She was touched by their friendly gestures and the small parting gifts they gave her. A ribbon for her hair from one girl, a
www.samhainpublishing.com 47
Bianca D’Arc
carved comb from another. They were small gifts, but dear to her for the true friendship they represented.
When Reynor was able to walk for short distances under his own power without causing more damage, the knights arranged for his removal to the Castle
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