Firedrake - By Bianca D'Arc Page 0,100

were exhibitionists after all, and more than a few of the knights took after their brethren of the skies.

Nico and Riki came upon them in a darkened hall as Drake fucked Krysta’s mouth while Mace plowed into her from behind. Nico grinned and settled in to watch the show, fondling his mate through her blouse while he met Drake’s eye. It was only fair, he realized, since Drake had stood as witness to the royal’s Jinn wedding ceremony, even helping in the marital tent later that night, as was custom.

The dragons peaked, bringing all three mates to completion as the royal couple watched, though only Drake knew they were there—until Drake, Mace and Krysta broke apart, all three of them righting their clothing. When Mace and Krysta turned toward the arch to the stairs, they stopped short, seeing Nico and Riki standing there, smiling at them.

“Felicitations on your union.” Nico winked as he held his wife against him, both arms around her waist as they faced the red-faced trio. Well, Mace and Krysta were blushing, but Drake knew he’d gone well past the blushing stage with this particular couple. Nico was like a brother to him and Riki was a very special woman he would protect with his life, though his heart was fully Krysta’s now. “Don’t mind us,” Nico went on, “we were just on the way to our quarters.”

“My liege—” Mace halted, confusion clear on his face. Drake stepped in to save his brother-in-arms.

“We hope you enjoyed the entertainment.” Drake bowed mockingly low and both royals laughed at his antics, while Krysta gasped.

“You always were a showman, Drake. I’ll give you that.” Riki’s voice drifted to them as Nico turned her away, back toward their apartments. “Thanks for the reminder.”

When Nico and Riki were out of earshot, Krysta turned on Drake. “Reminder? Please tell me you haven’t bedded the Jinn queen! I knew you were a scoundrel, but honestly, Drake!”

“Sweetheart.” Drake tried to take her shoulders in his hands, but she evaded him, turning to Mace instead. “Please try to understand. I was part of their mating ceremony. Their Jinn ceremony.” She seemed unconvinced. “I never actually bedded Riki,” he mumbled, knowing this was something Krysta might never forgive. Already, they were off to a rocky start.

But Krysta surprised him, taking his face in her hands and kissing him soundly. “You don’t know how glad I am to hear that. I don’t think I could compete with royalty.”

“Sweetheart.” He kissed her back. “There is no competition. You’re the only woman I will ever love, the only woman I will ever bed. And it’s been that way from the moment I first saw you.”

“You do have a silver tongue.” She smiled as she stepped away, taking one of his hands in her own. She took Mace’s hand as well, leading them toward their chamber. “Now let’s find a bed so you can show me again just how talented it really is.”

Drake looked over her head at Mace. The knight’s expression held a mixture of shock, envy and rekindled passion as Krysta dragged them along, but they were of one mind when it came to their wife. Mace nodded at him and they each took one arm and one leg, lifting Krysta off her feet and running the last few steps to their chamber door.

The dragons were flying again.

Epilogue

Drake of the Five Lands stowed his wagon and hung up his minstrel’s garb—for the time being at least. One never knew when the bard’s persona might come in handy once more, but Drake of Draconia had to learn how to be a knight first. He spent every day training with Jenet and Mace, welcomed home at night into Krysta’s loving arms.

She’d changed her schedule to the day watch and continued to work, though she too had much to learn about Lair life. She wasn’t the typical lady of the Lair and before long she’d inspired many of the other women to start some basic training in arms as a way to keep fit and prepare for any contingency. All the knights thought it was a good thing, though they didn’t communicate their worries about impending war too broadly.

Krysta led classes for the women, teaching them simple ways to defend themselves. A few were more gifted, and she invited them to study with the Guards when it was her turn to teach. All in all, they were settling in to a beautiful life in the Lair.

Then came the magic training.

Drake relied on