Firedrake - By Bianca D'Arc Page 0,46

Krysta. You truly are the most amazing woman.” He squeezed her around the middle, and Krysta felt the affection in his words. He was such a good man.

But then, Drake had been charming her for days now, and she felt torn. How in the world could she choose between them? Something in her heart would be ripped apart if she hurt Mace, but she didn’t want to hurt Drake either. There was a depth to the bard she hadn’t expected. He was an honorable man too, with skill and bravery he kept hidden most of the time. He loved his family too, especially the dragon who so obviously adored him. That spoke well for him. Dragons were judges of men. Only very special men were befriended by dragons, and that Drake and Mace both had gained the trust and respect of two such noble dragons argued well for them both.

So the problem remained and only grew more complex the more she learned of both men. How was she to choose?

Chapter Ten

Drake seethed, watching Mace hold Krysta on Nellin’s back as they led the way across the sky. Nellin followed the kidnappers’ path, keeping his sharp dragon eyes on the telltale signs dug into the surface of the earth below.

Drake had little say in the matter when Jenet decided to speed up a bit, bringing them alongside the other dragon. They pulled even just in time to watch Mace cup one of Krysta’s spectacular breasts in his hand. Drake could have happily cut off the knight’s arm just then, had they been on the ground.

Drake had never been a jealous man, but in that moment, he was never more envious of his friend. Mace had the woman of Drake’s dreams in his arms, and Drake could do nothing but watch. And want.

When Krysta drew away, Drake silently applauded.

Drake’s mouth watered, thinking about getting Krysta alone. He hadn’t had much opportunity to woo her or touch her as he longed to do. He wanted her desperately. Like he’d never wanted another woman in his entire life.

The thought was sobering. And frightening.

“Looks like they’re getting along.” Jenet’s wry voice sounded through his mind.

Drake growled low in his throat. “We don’t have time for this. Finding Wil is our priority.”

Jenet perked her neck up, chastised. “You don’t have to remind me, you big grump. But we’ve a long way to fly first and there’s nothing you humans can do but be baggage until we find the kidnappers.”

Drake knew he was being unreasonable, but seeing Mace cuddling the woman he wanted above all others set his jaw on edge. It also—strangely—set him afire. Krysta looked…right…in Mace’s arms. Somewhere, deep inside, Drake registered that realization, even as his unaccustomed jealousy reared its ugly head.

Jenet’s smug voice intruded on his troubling thoughts. “You know, you could have her too, if you became my knight.”

“What are you talking about?” Drake felt the bottom of his stomach drop. “Are you planning on mating with Nellin?”

“Nellin is my mate, it’s true. But we’ll wait for Mace to find his own mate—and for you to come to your senses and accept me as your partner.”

“You’ve got to be kidding!”

“No, Drake. Search your heart. You hear the truth of my words. You know I was born for you. You’ve been my knight since the moment I hatched and as long as you live, I will have no other. I love you.”

Drake felt the truth of her words all the way down to his soul. He remembered the precious little creature that had busted out of a giant shell after hours of labor, and the first meeting of their eyes. He remembered talking to the baby inside the shell long before she hatched, making friends with her even before she was free to roam about the Lair with him, his constant companion. He remembered too their parents’ indulgent smiles and encouragement.

All except for Declan.

The man whose opinion mattered most in Drake’s young life had always seemed to expect more of him than he could give. Declan had demanded perfection when Drake could give only mediocrity. He’d failed time and again at the tasks Declan had set for him, meeting with grim disapproval and reminders that he’d never be good enough for Jenet if he didn’t work harder.

Declan had said those actual words only once, but Drake had taken his sire’s warning to heart. Drake loved Jenet too much to stick her with an inferior knight, and Drake knew he was inferior in every