Dragon Wife (20 page)

Huroth’s body shuddered as if struck by lightning. Orwenna could feel the energy spiraling up from him, through her, and back again. This was a powerful magic, earth and fire energy, locked in a dance as old as time.

Huroth sat partway up, even as he moved inside her. He brought his mouth to her nipples, teasing them with his tongue. They tightened, and he nipped them lightly between his teeth. Pathways of liquid flame raced from her breasts to the point of their two bodies joining.

As Huroth came, spilling his seed deep within her, Orwenna contracted around him, pulse after pulse of pleasure taking her, drawing her over the edge into rapture.

By the time they were done, she was shaking. None of her times with Ayf had been like this.

She lay down in Huroth’s embrace, enjoying his arms enfolding her, his kisses falling soft on her face, her hair, her throat.

“That was amazing,” she said, snuggling closer, resting her head against his shoulder.

“It certainly was.” Huroth’s lips pulled back in a contented smile. “You are a woman of many talents.”

“Well, I have an excellent partner.”

A hawk circled above them, riding the invisible updrafts of air. Its flight looked so effortless, Orwenna felt an immediate kinship with it. Things could come easily and naturally for her as well. Love didn’t have to be a struggle. It could be soaring and graceful as a bird.

Her stomach grumbled loudly and she giggled.

“Sorry. It’s been a long time since I ate.”

“No apologies needed,” Huroth said. “I have just the thing.”

He got up and went to his cloak. Out of an inner pocket, he retrieved a bundle wrapped in cloth.

“Bread, cheese, and dried cherries,” he said, offering her the food.

“You came prepared.”

“I can’t have my mate wasting away from lack of sustenance, now can I?”

“Definitely not.”

They sat in comfortable silence, eating. Even though it was simple fare, no food ever tasted more scrumptious.

The flavors were particularly compelling, as were the vivid colors and textures of the world around them. Orwenna felt as if she’d come fully awake, after having spent much of her life dozing.

“Wen, is there a chance you might give our mind link another try? You know, now that things are good between us.”

His question caught her off guard. He’d left the issue alone, all this time. Why did he have to bring it up now?

“I don’t see why we need to link minds, when our mouths work perfectly well.”

“It’s not a matter of functionality,” Huroth responded. “I want to know that connection with you again. It’s a different sort of intimacy.”

“I don’t think I experienced it the same way you did. For me it was uncomfortable, frightening even.”

“That’s just because you aren’t used to it.”

“I don’t want to get used to it.” There was a sharp edge to her voice, she hadn’t intended.

Huroth frowned.

“You still don’t fully trust me.”

“That’s not the problem,” she insisted, though a part of her wondered.

“I think it is.” He looked unhappy.

“Do we have to do this now?” she asked. “Isn’t it enough that I love you? That I’ve given myself as your mate? Why search for ways to be dissatisfied?”

Huroth looked away from her, gazing out toward the eastern horizon. A cloud passed overhead, temporarily robbing the afternoon of its warmth. Orwenna shivered, going to put her clothes on.

Soon, he joined her, pulling on his pants, and then his shirt.

“Forgive me,” he said. “I was just being greedy, wanting all of you.”

“You have all of me.”

Huroth seemed on the verge of disagreeing then simply nodded.

“You’ve been generous with your gifts,” he said. “Don’t think I’m unappreciative. I value everything we share.”

He straightened, looking her in the eye.

“I’ll honor your wishes, Wen. We’ll never speak of the mind link again, if you don’t want to.”

She was about to thank him for his thoughtfulness, when three monstrous creatures broke from the edge of the forest. They were at least twice as tall as Huroth, and built like razor-back boars.

As they thundered along, their bodies leaned forward, bulky arms dragging low. Their backs, necks and heads were massive. Great chunks of rock-like armor covered them, seeming an integral part of their dull grey skin. Small red eyes peered out above snout-like noses, and yellow tusks curved from their gaping mouths.

“Trolkin!” Huroth cried. “Run fast, and find somewhere to hide.”

He was already shifting, rushing to engage the creatures. Orwenna started to run, but then she looked back over her shoulder. Even in drake form Huroth was clearly outmatched. How could she stand by and watch him get crushed?

He lunged at one of the Trolkin’s throats, smashing his tail into another’s legs. Unfortunately, the third raised a wicked looking club, ready to bash it down on Huroth’s skull.

Time slowed for Orwenna, as she saw the whole scene playing out. There had to be something she could do. Her gaze skimmed upwards, to a large boulder, hanging precariously off the edge of the bluff. That was it!

Without time to question her actions, she drew on the life-force circulating within her. She flung it out at the boulder, shouting the true commanding words for breaking and movement.

Crack! The boulder jerked, springing into the air. It crashed down on the Trolkin’s head, knocking the creature over. Its heavy club fell useless to the ground.

Orwenna sagged, the world spinning, dark spots whirling in front of her eyes. She’d drained herself too far. It was a risk with potent and spontaneous magic. Unlike her healing work, most types of energy projection exacted a price.

She stumbled a few steps, trying to heed Huroth’s warning to find a hiding place. It was too late. One of the trolkin grabbed her up like a rag doll, holding her out toward the black dragon as he charged.

“Halt or she dies,” the trolkin bellowed.

Huroth froze instantly.

“Don’t stop!” Orwenna yelled, seeing the other two trolkin lying motionless behind him. He stood a decent chance against this last one.

“Quiet,” the trolkin boomed, shaking her so hard, her teeth rattled.

“Put her down,” Huroth ordered, shifting back to eldrin form. “She’s human, You have no quarrel with her kind.”

“But I have a quarrel with you, dragon. Your people slaughtered my family.”

“And yours butchered most of my clan. When are we going to stop this? We have no more cause to be enemies. My clan never tried to enslave you or steal your treasures. Those were the crimes of the dragon lords, far to the east. Why must we keep paying?”

The trolkin’s body went still, as it appeared to ponder his words. Then it shook its gigantic head.

“Dragons are tricky,” it grumbled. “They say day is dark, and night is not. But trolkin are no fools. We know what is and what was. You will pay.”

“All right. Just let the woman go. She has nothing to do with this.”

Orwenna pushed weakly against the trolkin’s grip. She didn’t like where this conversation was headed, but it was no use. She barely had the energy to stay conscious, much less break free.

“I let her go, if you wear this,” the trolkin said, reaching into a dirt-encrusted satchel, slung from its shoulder. It pulled out a twisted metal collar, and tossed it at Huroth’s feet.

Orwenna guessed immediately what it was, and she tried to protest. She couldn’t let Huroth do it! The trolkin clamped a broad finger over her mouth and pressed another to her windpipe.

There was nothing she could do. Any magic she attempted would only cause her to black out, becoming utterly useless. It was an impossible situation.

If Huroth wore the collar, he couldn’t shift to drake form. He would be dwarfed in fighting the trolkin, and he wasn’t even armed. His sword lay with his belt and shoes, beside the pool.

“If I put this on,” Huroth asked, “will you swear not to harm her? Not now, and not later.”

“I swear.” The creature stretched its head forward, glaring at Huroth. “Not like dragons. Trolkin speak truth.”

“I know.”

Huroth bent down to pick up the collar. Orwenna could see the revulsion on his face. When he put it on, he would be sacrificing his freedom, his dragon powers, and most likely his life. He gave her a long look then snapped the thing around his neck.

Something inside Orwenna transformed. All this time she’d held onto seeds of doubt, questioning Huroth’s motives, wondering how much he really cared for her. Now, that vanished. He was willing to give up everything, just to keep her safe. There was no greater proof of his love.

The trolkin set her down and released its grip.

“Run away, little woman,” it said, pushing her several steps toward the forest.

Orwenna wobbled a few paces more, before her legs gave out. She pitched forward, rolling to a dizzying stop. With effort, she pulled herself around till she could see Huroth and the trolkin.

They faced each other, eyes glinting with ancient hatred, hands curled into deadly fists. Huroth looked like a child next to his hulking opponent. The outcome wasn’t hard to predict.

With her last ounce of energy, Orwenna did the only thing she could think of. She pictured the dragon clan, and then sent a call to them, straining to make the connection.

We need your help! Please find us.

She tried to send an image of where they were, in the valley by the falls, but her focus shredded, as her vision clouded, and she lost consciousness.

Chapter Eighteen

Orwenna drifted in inky darkness. There was nothing to hold onto, nothing to give her bearings or help her find a way out. She tried to breathe shallowly, for each inhale drew the surrounding blackness into her.

She was dissolving, becoming a wraith, made only of shadows. Her vital essence was seeping away bit by bit. If this went on much longer, there would be nothing left.

Wen. Listen to me. I have to link with you, to bring you back.

It was Huroth’s voice, distant at first, then she recognized his unique presence, his strength flowing into her. It was tremendously welcome.

I need you to trust me,
he sent.

I do.

His warmth surged through her, so much that she glowed, illuminating the coiling mists around her. As their mind link increased, she began to see through Huroth’s eyes and experience his emotions.

He was kneeling on the ground, by the pool, cradling her head in his lap. There was such tenderness in him, such love for her. It was overwhelming.

Follow the link to me,
he sent.
Use it like a compass.

With each passing second, that grew easier. They were a part of each other, two sides of the same talisman. It wasn’t difficult to find him, and in doing so, she found herself.

Orwenna opened her eyes and looked up at Huroth. The connection of their mind link still hummed between them.

Thank you for leading me back,
she said.

Thank you for trusting me.

A river of gratitude, understanding, and peace flowed between them, washing them both clean and making them new. There was nowhere left for fear to hide.

“Huroth claims you used magic, to split that trolkin’s skull open.” It was Thalos speaking, leaning over the two of them, interrupting their reverie.

“I did. Though it almost finished me off.”

“You are full of surprises,” the old dragon said, actually cracking a smile. “I have to admit, I underestimated your potential.”

Orwenna felt no small satisfaction, seeing the respect in his steely eyes.

Huroth supported her, as she sat up. The rest of the clan was gathered nearby. Only two trolkin bodies were visible on the ground. There was no sign of the third.

“Did the other trolkin get away?” she asked.

“No,” Huroth answered. “Once the clan arrived, I chose to let him go, in exchange for removing the collar. You know, I’d prefer it if these pointless hostilities ended. They’ve gone on far too long. I thought a good faith gesture from a dragon might help.”

“So, you’re wise, as well as handsome,” Orwenna said. “Will wonders never cease?”

“Apparently not.”

Huroth kissed her, despite the fact the other dragons were there.

“Sheesh!” Harith said. “Can’t you two at least wait till we get back to Dragonvale?”

“Someday, when you take your mate, you’ll understand,” Tallok told him, slapping him on the back.

“If you say so. But I can’t see Ayelet going for this sort of thing. She almost had a fit when I held her hand.”

****

Orwenna woke early the next morning. She went out onto her balcony to witness the dawn. It was glorious, streams of gold pouring over the mountain peaks, tinting the clouds with amber and rose.

“Will you be able to feel at home here?” Huroth asked, coming up behind her. He stood close, wrapping his arms around her waist, and kissing her hair.

I’m sure of it.

She sent the words directly into his mind, wanting him to know that she was no longer afraid.

Then I’m perfectly happy.

Me too.

The mind link swelled, filling her with Huroth’s energy and awareness, just as her essence flowed into him. It wasn’t a disintegration of self, but an expansion. Her clarity wasn’t diminished by this connection. Quite the opposite. It enhanced her perceptions, lending Huroth’s acuity to her own.

Do you wonder what it would be like, to join our bodies and our minds, at the same time?
Huroth asked.

There’s only one way to find out.

I like the way you think.

That’s fortunate.

Huroth led Orwenna back inside, and they climbed onto the bed together, floating in the currents that rippled between them. They took their time, exploring, savoring every aspect of the experience. For each touch, each caress they shared awareness. For every action they were both giver and receiver, lover and beloved.

The sensations were magnified, the sweetness and completion of it beyond anything either of them had imagined. By the end, they were both undone, wholly opened, radiating bliss.

****

Orwenna stood in the large stone kitchen, peeling and chopping potatoes for stew. It bubbled in a cauldron over the open fire, smelling delicious. At a second counter, Tirza kneaded bread, her expert hands turning and pressing, the same as she’d done a thousand times before.