Firedrake - By Bianca D'Arc Page 0,83

to your wounds. Lilith’s will heal momentarily, but you are human.” He shrugged to punctuate the observation.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lothar. I’m Krysta.”

“Yes, I know. And Sir Mace.” Lothar’s gaze met Mace’s, radiating assurance. Mace could see this man was much older than he appeared. The youthful face and eager gait to his step hid ancient eyes that held far more knowledge and power than a mere youth could, or should, have.

“I would be grateful if you could assist my lady,” Mace said in the formal way of these people, nodding to the man.

“They’re only scratches.” Krysta tried to protest but Lothar was in front of her and Mace behind. She wasn’t going anywhere until her wounds were healed.

“It will take but a moment, Lady.” Lothar reached out one fingertip and drew it over the worst of the cuts—the one on her thigh. Mace felt a crackle of electricity along his skin as if the air itself reacted to the man’s power. Mace stared as the wound healed before his eyes, sealing up as Lothar’s finger passed over it. He did the same with the other small cuts on her arms and legs. In all, it took only moments, but the effects were startling. Krysta was as good as new, though a little bloodstained.

Mace had never seen the like. True healers often took long moments of concentration on their task for only slight improvement to their patient. Never had Mace seen a wound heal so completely, so quickly, with no apparent drain to the healer.

“Your power is amazing,” Mace said, unable to keep the astonishment from his voice. “I thank you for helping my lady.”

“It’s always a pleasure to assist a lovely woman—” Lothar winked at Krysta, grinning, “—and a skilled warrioress.”

“Thank you, Lothar.” Krysta’s voice was softer than Mace liked when she spoke to another man.

The fair rogue lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it before departing. Mace gritted his teeth and held back a growl, but Krysta must have sensed his mood. She turned to hug him, reaching up to kiss his cheek before twirling away to clean off the blood and get back into the ring.

Mace decided to work off his momentary anger in training and spent the rest of the day pummeling someone or being pummeled in return. It was an altogether satisfying day, spent learning from some of the finest warriors in all the world. Mace settled down to learn and felt, by the end of the day, he’d come out wiser.

Dinner that night was a quieter affair than the night before. The minstrels played for a shorter time, and most of their songs were sad. It was clear the fair folk would miss William when he left in the morning.

Some brought him little gifts as they left the hall for the night, pressing kisses of farewell on his cheek, and some of the more motherly women shed a tear or two for his departure.

Several gave gifts to Krysta and her mates, and a few had things for the dragons as well. Most were small gifts that could be easily carried on their long journey, and some were practical gifts that they could use along the way. Krysta amassed a collection of colorful silk scarves, finely woven to the consistency of a spider’s web. They were huge swaths of fabric, but folded up to mere nothings and would travel well. The weaving of the fair folk was reputed to be nearly indestructible as well as gorgeous.

The colorful silks gave her an idea she decided to put to use later, after they retired for the night. She asked Margan, the pennywhistle player of the night before, covertly, if the loan of a lute could be arranged. The woman was more than happy to assist with Krysta’s little plan, promising a lute would be waiting in their room when they went to bed.

True to her word, the lute was lying across the covers when Krysta entered with her men. Drake saw it immediately and went to pick it up, strumming the strings contemplatively.

“What’s this?”

Krysta shrugged. “Just a little something I arranged. Would you mind playing for me tonight?”

“You know I’ll play for you anytime, sweetheart. Anywhere.” The drawl of his voice fired her senses as she went behind the screen to set the stage.

“Good, then warm up a bit. I want your fingers to be nice and loose when you play the velorania for me.”

Drake reclined on the large bed, smiling broadly. “We’re in