Prince of Spies - By Bianca D'Arc Page 0,50

it had to do with him.

Guzzling the last of her port, Riki stood somewhat awkwardly from her seat by the fire.

“I’m going in. Goodnight, Drake. Nico.” They’d discussed earlier how she would sleep in the back of the wagon while the men would take turns on watch and sleeping in the front.

Riki knew she was being a coward, but she had to think this through. She had to reevaluate her decisions in light of this new discovery. Love changed everything. At least it did for her. She’d never been in love before, and it colored all her perceptions of what was most important.

Nico.

Nico was the most important thing in her life. Not her safety. Not her worries about being recaptured by Lucan’s men. Not anything else but Nico and making him happy.

And she knew just how to do it, but she was still afraid.

Only the fear had shifted from the possible consequences of making love with Nico to the actual act itself. She was a virgin and though she’d seen Lucan take his lovers in every which way, she’d never experienced it herself. She was afraid it would hurt. And she feared looking like a fool.

Though she knew Nico would be patient and kind, she still didn’t want to disappoint him with her lack of experience. She’d quickly given up on the idea of remaining a virgin. That seemed so insignificant now, when faced with the possibility of never making love to the man she loved. No, she wanted Nico more than anything—her own safety, her healing powers—anything.

“Riki?” Nico came to her inside the wagon, concern on his handsome features and she knew she was lost. “What’s wrong?” He took her in his arms as she trembled, her decision made.

“Make love to me, Nico,” she whispered in his ear, nibbling softly on his earlobe. “I don’t want to be a witch anymore. I want you to make love to me.”

Nico pulled back, shock clear on his face. Shock and a tender blooming passion in his eyes.

“You’d give up your only protection from Lucan for me?”

“I’d rather die than not be with you.”

The breath caught in Nico’s chest. He felt it too. He needed her so badly, he would give up anything—his home, his title, his family, even his life—just to be with her. Nico wanted her with a passion unsurpassed by anything else in his life. She was his. It was just that simple.

“I want you so desperately, my Arikia.”

His stark words seemed to stun her as her eyes filled with tears. But they were tears of joy, Nico knew, because he was feeling the same wonder as their souls reached out to each other, forming tentative bonds that would only grow stronger with time.

“Oh, Nico!” Riki reached up to kiss him so deeply, so tenderly, it touched his very soul. When she pulled back, tears were streaming down her face. “I need you too. So much. I never thought…”

Nico crushed her to his chest, reveling in the moment. Never before had he wanted so desperately to hear those words from a woman. In fact, he’d never said them before to any woman of his acquaintance. Until this moment—this woman—he had never truly loved before. It was all perfectly clear. Riki was his destiny, as he was hers. Together they would face the rest of their lives, however long or short that may be.

How he wanted her! And he would have her, but she had to know the truth first.

“Riki, my darling, I’m honored you would willingly give up your power and your only protection, for me. You’ll never know how much that gift means to me.” He stroked back her hair tenderly. “But you need to know, you won’t lose anything except your maidenhead when I take you. Your gifts will remain and will only grow stronger with time.”

She blinked up at him skeptically.

“Are you certain? Lucan always said—”

“I don’t know where that maniac got the idea, but it’s totally false. Your sisters and mother are married and certainly not virgins, and their powers are among the strongest in the land. You won’t lose your gifts, believe me.” He kissed her forehead, unable to resist nibbling on her soft cheeks.

“But Loralie the witch told him it was so.”

Nico straightened but didn’t release her. He would never let her out of his arms again, if he had his way.

“Loralie seems to be involved in much where the safety of Draconia is concerned, but whether for good or ill, ultimately, I