Prince of Spies - By Bianca D'Arc Page 0,13

man. She wanted to know him—to know what his lovemaking would feel like. He stirred things in her she’d thought long dead and curiosities better left alone.

Chapter Four

Riki stepped from the pond to stand before him and Nico’s mouth went dry. She was so beautiful, even skinny and hurt as she was. Her poor little, battered body touched something deep inside him. Nico knew what she would look like when her wounds were healed and she was healthy once more. He had, after all, seen her twin sister Lana naked in the bath with his older brother, Roland.

While he’d admired Lana’s smooth curves and womanly form, she didn’t stir him like this. No, there was something special about Riki. She affected him like no woman ever had before, on so many different levels. She was malnourished and bruised now, but he saw the beauty of her soul, the purity of her spirit shining through those lovely green eyes. He knew, given half a chance and some time to heal, Riki could easily make him her willing slave.

Not allowing himself a moment’s more temptation, Nico handed her the dress and shifted to dragon form. If he stayed in his human form, he’d drag her into his arms. He simply didn’t trust himself not to ravish her, and he could see from the hesitant curiosity in her eyes that she would welcome his advances—or at least he thought he could make her welcome them with a little coaxing.

It was one of the things Nico did best, coaxing people to do his bidding, but he refused to take Riki that way. No, if she came to his bed, she would come of her own volition, of her own free will. That was the only way he could be sure of her, certain she would be completely his.

And suddenly, that was the most important thing in his world.

Sucking in a deep breath, Nico puffed warm air over Riki’s wet skin, admiring the way her little nipples stood at attention. She was so beautiful. After a moment of shyness, Riki held the dress out to her side so his warm dragon breath could float over her whole body. She turned around so he could dry her back and he had to appreciate the sight of her pert bottom.

There were lash marks, too, crisscrossing her back, that fired his anger. Lucan would pay for what he’d done to this woman. His woman.

“Why are you growling? Is something wrong?” Riki craned her neck around to look at him and Nico knew he had to get his rage under control.

“It’s nothing,” he answered in her mind, glad when she pulled the thin dress over her head. He shifted quickly to human form, pulling her back into his arms, hugging her tight. “No one will ever beat you again, Arikia.”

The words shivered through him, a vow he would not break. His arms trembled as he held her against his chest, trying to be as gentle as he could as he held her around the waist and shoulders.

“It’s all right, Nico.”

Her voice soothed the raging anger in his soul. Nico kissed her damp hair with tender desperation. What he was feeling inside was bigger than anything he’d ever felt before. His dragon soul was roaring for its mate while his human heart trembled in awe at the thought this delicate creature might actually be the woman he had searched for all his life.

“I’m not much of a healer, Riki, but when we’re out of danger, I’ll do my best to see those marks are removed and every last scar healed. I only wish I could make it so you had never suffered at all.”

She turned in his arms, surprising him by her sudden movement and testing his control. It was all he could do not to kiss her and take her to the ground beneath him. He wanted her desperately.

But her safety and comfort had to come first. This was no time for Nico to let his base desires overrule his common sense. He had to remain alert for any danger. This was Skithdron after all. Danger came in many forms in this land.

Lucan was also sure to be looking for them. The crazy king would not suffer their escape lightly. No, he would send his guards after them. He would spread word throughout the land, searching for them. The borders would be reinforced against their escape.

Nico had to be on guard. Certainly, in his role as Spymaster of Draconia,