Dark Lord of Kismera: Knights of Kismera (32 page)

“Try to eat it slowly. It’s when you eat it too fast that it will give you that headache.” Drace looked at Penny, who was indeed checking out Ki’s eyes.

Ki tentatively tried another bite of her vanilla. Luckily she had set it down before grabbing her head. Going at it with more caution, she finished the ice cream.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully and the ride back home was quiet as Autumn fell asleep, exhausted from her fun day. Drace carried her up the stairs and into Penny’s apartment, depositing Autumn into her own bed. He gave Penny a chaste kiss on the cheek and thanked her for inviting them.

Drace had a lemon herb rotisserie chicken in the fridge, which he warmed up and they ate that with some streamed asparagus with butter.

Ki helped him clean up the kitchen and then they sat in contentment on the sofa for a while, Ki nestled against him. He had turned off all the lights and they relaxed in the darkness. Drace rubbed her arm in lazy strokes and he felt her sigh against him.

“Hmm?” he gave a questioning hum.

“I was just thinking how nice today has been, but somehow that it feels as if I have sinned.”

Drace stopped his stroking of her arm. “And why is that?”

“All my youth I had been raised with the training to be head of our clan. Then when that time came I was always busy with that responsibility. These few days with you I have felt sinful in that I have had no one to worry about other than you or I. Does that make any sense?”

Drace pulled her braid off her shoulder, found the end and began to undo it. “Yes, it does,” he answered her. “Feels good too, I expect.”

“Oh yes. It feels very good.”

Drace had most of her braid undone and was fanning it apart with his fingers.

“Do you ride tomorrow?” Ki asked, feeling distracted by the fingers that were now trailing up and down her neck.

“No, I have tomorrow off as well,” he informed her, and explained his schedule for the next two weeks, ending with the plan for the final show. “The black knight will be retired then and the show will be handed off to Joe. He’ll get a new opponent, I think, and finally get to be the good guy. Joe and I are going to work on some new moves Monday.”

Ki finished shaking out the braid Drace had undone. She leaned her head back against his shoulder, enjoying the sensations of his touch. He didn’t seem in any hurry to further them however, seeming a bit preoccupied.

Drace stretched, wiggling his butt deeper into the sofa. “When did you get the leg wound?” he asked bluntly, but kept his voice mild.

Ki gave a deep sigh. “The same day that you went back to this world.” The memories came to her as she began to tell him of what had happened after the magic faded and he disappeared. He and Pride had simply vanished, but Drace’s scream had echoed in her head for a long time afterwards. It had haunted her dreams for many nights as well, bringing her awake, shaking.

She had felt like an undead thing, walking and breathing, but yet cold with the touch of the grave. She had asked for release from Lexin’s hold and found her sword near the body of the slain dragon. No one had tried to stop her as she walked onto the battlefield. Those of the enemies’ army that had fallen, but were not dead, received no quarter from her that day.

Ki shuddered at the memory of the brutality that had come over her, her blade running the blood of those she finished. Never had she been that ruthless, and it still frightened her that she had been so.

There had been one that she had misjudged in her blind grief and he had fought back in desperation, his sword catching her in the leg as he went down under her own weapon. “I did not feel it at first,” Ki told Drace. “Perhaps it was because I was numb.”

Lexin had found Ki on the field and told her that someone had located Cearan and that her brother still lived. She went back to camp and removed everyone from his tent and then told him of Drace’s lost. Together the two had wept with grief. Cearan had come to love Drace as a brother.

Ki did not tell Drace how she had cried as if her heart had been ripped from her and Cearan had held her, even weak as he was from his wounds.

After Cearan’s injuries had been tended and he fell into an exhausted sleep, Ki had cleaned the slash on her thigh herself and stitched it closed. As she finished, she was violently ill, nearly fainting from the ordeal.

Many enemy soldiers had fled over the sides of the valley of Hopa and disappeared into the lands of Kismera. In the days that followed, Ki and her people, along with their allies, hunted them down. Those that surrendered were taken to an outpost as prisoners to be sent back to Sunnon. Each carried a mark that would identify them as having been defeated by the Werren. The scars on each prisoner’s face were the claw marks of a lion, and served as a warning to others of the Werre’s strength.

“It was as I told you before; in those times I was not careless, but I welcomed death if it chose to find me. I did not shy away from the risk.”

Drace held her tightly for a moment, feeling her trembling with emotion. Similar tremors ran through him. “I feel so helpless Ki, because I can’t fix this.”

She stopped him with a finger to his lips. “Remember our agreement on this.”

Drace stood up from the sofa and took her hand in his, helping her to rise. “Then I think we should make the most of our time.” He scooped a hand behind her knees and swung her up against his chest then carried her to the bedroom.

DRACE WOKE WITH his right knee throbbing. As he woke further, he realized he was alone in his big bed. With a groan he swung his legs over the side and sat up, shoving his fingers into his dark hair. He took a deep breath through his nose and caught the scent of rain.

He limped his way into the living room and saw Ki standing in the open doorway of the small balcony. She was wearing the white t-shirt he had discarded earlier and the slight breeze was playing with the length of her hair. She stood very still with her eyes closed but Drace knew she felt his presence even before he came up behind her and slid his hands onto her hips. She leaned back against his warmth.

Water dripped from the eave of the balcony roof. There was a low growl of thunder in the distance.

“I heard the storm,” Ki explained, her accented voice low.

Drace wrapped his arms further around her. He felt his gut clench with fear. “You feelin’ alright, hon?”
Not yet,
he thought.
Please God, not yet.

“I am well, love. The rain woke me and I wished to smell fresh air. That is all.”

Drace could have wept with relief. He shifted his weight and felt the nagging twinge of pain. He gave her a little squeeze and kissed the top of her head, then went into the kitchen for some aspirin.

He came back a few moments later carrying a glass of water. Ki closed the door and Drace flipped the lock and closed the curtain. She took the glass from him and drank some of the water. The restlessness she had felt was dimming, leaving her sleepy. She yawned behind her hand.

Drace followed her into the bedroom and lay down. Ki knelt beside him and placed her hands on the sides of his knee. Her thumb traced the scar along the inside of his leg.

“I do not have the magic of healing, but I know a little of battle wounds.” She carefully worked her thumbs along the muscles of his knee, both above and below.

He grunted as she hit a tender spot. Slowly the tension left him and the pain lessened as she worked. He still had some soreness but the throbbing had about disappeared. That seemed to be relocating as Ki worked her way up his leg. Just before she touched him, she moved to the other leg, starting at his calf and gently kneaded her way up. Again she stopped short, leaving him hot and hard. He groaned and reached for her.

“No,” Ki denied him. She bent and touched her mouth to the scar on his knee, kissing away any lingering hurt. She followed the same path as her hands had taken moments before.

Drace had propped up on his elbows, watching her, but his head went back and he bared his teeth when she finally took him in her mouth.

“Oh Jesus,” he ground out.

Drace’s elbows were threatening to give way when she finally quit torturing him. She moved over him, straddled him, and slowly sheathed him. She cried out softly with pleasure and rocked her hips, settling a rhythm that brought sighs from both of them.

Moments later, Ki was collapsed on top of him. “How does your knee feel?” she murmured against his sweat-dampened chest.

“What knee?’ Drace whispered against the top of her head.

K
i was roused by the smell of bacon cooking. She showered and then put on one of Drace’s college t-shirts over a pair of blue lace panties. She turbaned a towel over her wet hair then padded to the kitchen.

Drace looked at her curiously. “Every woman I’ve ever known wraps a towel on their head that way. I’ve even seen Autumn do it. Are you girls born with that ability?”

Ki giggled and came closer to sniff over the frying pan. “That smells wonderful,” she said blissfully.

Please, step away from the eggs, lady. I’d rather not burn these and you are a distraction.” He slid the omelet onto a plate. “Coffee or orange juice?”

“Coffee, please.”

Drace handed her a steaming cup then fixed both of their plates and set them on the table. “What do you want to do today?” he asked

“I would really like to see more of this Las Vegas.”

“Best eat up. There’s a lot of walking.”’

“How is your knee this morning?”

“Ki, you have the touch. It feels great.”

She gave him a wicked smile as a flush grew on her cheeks.

After breakfast they headed out the door. Drace wore faded denim shorts, and a pale blue polo shirt, with his worn deck shoes. Ki wore white shorts and a bright red t-shirt, and her tennis shoes. She had pinned some of her hair up and left the rest loose.

Drace’s hair was long enough that Ki braided a warlock on each side of his face and tied them back behind his head. When she stepped back to observe her work, he bared his teeth in a snarl, trying to look ferocious, causing Ki to snort with laughter.

T
heir first stop was the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. The museum had taxidermies of wild animals from around the world, including the animals from the Serengeti of Africa, but Ki was drawn to the dinosaurs, marveling over the Tyrannosaurus Rex. They reminded her of the dragons she knew. She listened intently as Drace read the information on each card and pondered the possibility of the dragons and dinosaurs being related.
That would be a question for Nimbus,
she decided.

Drace decided that a trip down the Las Vegas Strip would be a good way to introduce Ki to the different aspect of the United States and Europe and they went to New York New York, Paris, Luxor and the Venetian. He saved the Bellagio for last, just as it grew dark. Hand and hand they strolled the Promenade by the fountains. Ki stood leaning against him, transfixed as the fountains went through their program.

The fountains were starting their program over when Drace’s cell phone rang, “Oh, hey Joe.”

Ki was intrigued by the voice coming from the little box in Drace’s hand.

“We’re not that far from there now,” Drace said into the box. “I’ll grab a taxi and see you in a few. Yeah, bye.”

“That was Joe. He and his girlfriend, Candy, are heading over to Hennessey’s Tavern. He wanted to know if we wanted to grab a beer and throw a few rounds of darts. Do you want to go, maybe get something to eat?”

She did not understand everything he said and just responded with, “Yes, I think that might be nice.”

They moved in front of the lobby doors and Drace hailed a cab.

His luck was with him and he was able to hail a cab quickly. The taxi dropped them off in front of Hennessey’s Tavern.

The place was already crowded when they went inside. Drace heard a whistle; he turned and saw Joe and a cute little blonde at a corner table close to the dart boards.

A waitress stopped them for a drink order as they made their way over. After ordering a couple of beers, they continued to Joe’s table.

“Hey, Drace, old buddy. Lady Ki,” he greeted as he stood, taking Drace’s hand in a warm handshake. “This is Candy. Candy, Drace, and Ki. She’s head of some country I’ve never heard of.”

“Oh,” Candy gave a little squeal of excitement. “Real royalty! How exciting!”

“Joe!” Ki scolded. “I am on holiday, remember?”

“Sorry. Come and sit down.”

The beers arrived and a fun evening began. Drace and Joe taught Ki how to throw darts and with her natural eye, she gave the others a run for their money.

Ki watched Joe and Candy dancing to a song with a fast rhythm. Candy moved in a sensuous way. Candy caught her watching and invited her out on the floor with her.

Joe came over and sat down. “Go on. That girl’s wearing me out.”

Ki looked at Drace who motioned for her to go if she wanted. Ki went out on the dance floor with Candy and she followed the other woman’s motions.

Drace sat listening to Joe talk about a ball game when he over heard two touristy looking guys at the next table. It took a few minutes for Drace to catch the gist of their conversation.

“I’d like to get a piece of that one,” the short, balding man said to his friend.

“You reckon they’re friends or a couple?” the taller of the two asked.

“Does it matter?” They both laughed and continued their degrading comments.

Drace poked Joe and got his attention on the men beside them. They listened to more of their neighbors’ conversation. Finally, they’d heard enough. With a nod of his head to signal Joe, they rose and stood. Drace tapped the nearest guy on the shoulder. The man looked up and saw a very big, barbaric looking man who didn’t appear very happy. Another big guy with blazing red hair and a temper to match joined him.

“A gentleman wouldn’t speak of a lady that way,” Joe growled and folded his arms over his chest. Drace copied his motions and they stood ready.

“I would appreciate you two not speaking of my wife like that,” Drace added.

The two men sized up the strength and demeanor of guys and one said, “Uh, man, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

A slow song started and Drace uncrossed his arms, causing the bald man to flinch.

“I believe I’ll go dance with my wife,” Drace said and left to gather Ki in his arms. She looked at him in surprise at the angry expression that showed briefly on his face before he bent his head to kiss her quickly.

Joe followed suit, spinning Candy around before settling in to dance. When Drace looked over at the tables, their neighbors had made a quick get away.

Joe caught his attention. “Wife?” he mouthed the question. Drace shrugged and Joe decided it was just a tactic to scare the two idiots who had disparaged Ki.

Drace and Ki decided to call it a night, so they said goodnight to Joe and Candy. They decided to walk back to the parking garage on the strip. Drace only had two beers, but he thought it best to clear his head. Ki had had a few more and while she wasn’t skunk drunk, he could tell she was extremely happy and relaxed.

They were barely inside his door when she began peeling off his shirt. Hers quickly followed and he grabbed her by her butt as she leapt into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. They tumbled onto the sofa and she laughed a husky, aroused sound.

Drace reached back and pulled her tennis shoes off, flinging them against the door. He kicked his own off and lay back on top of her, enjoying her bold mood. “You want it, baby?” he growled against her neck.

She arched up underneath him and bit his shoulder, causing him to hiss in a breath. “Oh yes,” she moaned.

The lights came on and two pair of startled eyes closed against its glare. Drace’s head came up quickly and he squinted against the light.

“Drace, what are you doing?” A voice asked from behind the guest bedroom door.

Drace peeped over the back of the sofa. “Cerise?” he asked in surprise.

“No, it’s Santa Clause,” came the sarcastic reply. “Are you holding someone down or have you grown a third hand?”

“What?”

Ki smacked him on the head with the extra hand in question.

“Oh, yeah.” Drace looked down at Ki. “Am I holding you down or did you volunteer for this position?”

The humor of the situation caught Ki and she burst out laughing.

Drace moved off her and found their shirts. He flung Ki her red one then pulled on his own. He suddenly felt nervous.

Ki wiggled into her shirt then peeped over the back of the sofa. She recognized Drace’s aunt immediately from his pictures.

Cerise rested her weight on one leg, crossed her arms over her chest, and gave Drace a demanding look. “I don’t understand you, Drace MacKinnon. How could you bring that woman into this house?”

That
got his ire up. “Last time I checked it was my house!” he snapped.

“The last time I was here, you were still upset over that Ki woman. Guess she was easier to replace than I thought. I thought you were a better man than that!”

Drace’s spine stiffened and his fine brows drew together. He looked ready to explode. Before he could, Ki decided to intervene.

“Excuse me,” she said, kneeling on the couch and looking over the back. “I am still in the room.”

Drace extended a hand to her as he continued to glare at Cerise. “Cerise, I would like to introduce to you Lady Ki Lionblade, head of the clan Lionblade,
ruler of Oralia in Kismera, and wife to the Dark Lord MacKinnon, yours
truly.”