Prince of Spies (7 page)

in their herds. Don’t go up there unless you need to, all right?”

She nodded as understanding sank in. The tree was a good ten yards from the edge of the field. “So you

want me to stay here in the corn until I sense danger, then sprint for the tree and then the roof. Right?”

He beamed down at her, brimming with approval. “You’re a quick one.”

“Not really.” Riki felt her cheeks flush and ducked her head as Nico cupped her cheek.

“You’re a beautiful, intelligent woman, Arikia.” He spoke so earnestly, she had to look up into his sparkling eyes. “Don’t ever doubt that.”

He kissed her sweetly then, not taking the kiss deeper, just a tender salute to her lips that meant so much to her bruised, battered heart.

Releasing her too soon, Nico stepped back and watched her, his gaze nearly burning her with its intensity.

“I have to go, but I’ll be back within an hour. I promise.”

Fear set in as she watched him backing away. “Hurry back, Nico.”

His expression softened for a moment. “I will. Stay safe and be alert. I’ll be back before you know it.”

And with that, he melted away into the darkening stalks of corn.

Leaving Riki in that cornfield was one of the hardest things Nico had ever done, but he could see no other way. Backtracking quickly, he headed for the road, glad full dark was almost upon him. Nothing could delay him with Riki waiting in the cold, dangerous gloom of a Skithdronian eve. He had to move fast.

Nico offered up a silent prayer to the Mother of All for Riki’s safety and his own as he took the path to town, out on the road in the open for the first time in days. Nico was taking a very great risk, going into a town where he knew Lucan’s soldiers had already, no doubt, spread word of their escape.

Holding his breath, Nico was pleasantly surprised when he made it past the sleeping gatekeeper with little fuss. People were walking back and forth through the large gate without anyone questioning who they were or what they were doing in the fortified town.

Gates and walls around towns were standard in Skithdron to keep out the skiths. Unchecked, a skith could ravage a town like this in short order, but the resourceful people of this land had learned to build their homes in clusters, leaving strong, blank walls around the place, composed of the backs of buildings with huge log fences in the spaces between. They were uncommonly good at keeping skiths out and people in, hence the need for a gate. The gatekeeper was supposed to watch for skiths and drop the heavy door at first sight, sealing the town and raising the alarm. The side effect, of course, was that a nosey gatekeeper could also regulate who went in and out of the town.

This gatekeeper, however, seemed more interested in watching the insides of his own eyelids than the road or environs. He was snoring softly as Nico passed, sprawled in his chair next to the rope and pulley system that would lower the gate swiftly if danger threatened.

Moving unobtrusively, Nico found a likely tavern in short order. The innkeeper was a rotund man with red cheeks and an overall jolly look to him. He eyed Nico suspiciously at first, but brightened when he saw the silver coin Nico offered for fast, efficient,
discreet
service.

Nico ordered a large basket of food. He surveyed the room, spying a worn, black, woolen cloak hanging in a corner behind the counter.

“That looks to be a warm cloak.” Nico kept his voice low so as to not be overheard. “I lost mine on the

road and was hoping to find a replacement. Is it for sale?”

The man’s gaze shot to the bar across the room and Nico’s followed. Two young men manned the long bar, both sharing the innkeeper’s strong features. Undoubtedly, they were his sons and the cloak probably belonged to one of them.

“Losing one’s cloak is a sorry thing,” the man said, pursing his lips for dramatic effect as he frowned. Nico palmed another coin, allowing the innkeeper to glimpse the gleaming gold in his hand. “But I believe we could come to an arrangement, seeing as how the days are growing colder.”

“Do you have any sturdy rope? I could use some of that as well.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “I have some in back.”

The man was not only shrewd, but a bit opportunistic. Nico didn’t want to risk asking for clothes for Riki. He’d done well enough for now. He watched the room as the innkeeper bustled around behind him, packing the basket with food and the other items.

The innkeeper seemed more than happy to earn such a large sum for comparatively little and hustled everything together in record time while Nico tucked in a quick, hot bowl of stew. He was about halfway through with the meal when two of Lucan’s castle guards came stalking through the door, taking seats at a table just a few feet from Nico.

He took the opportunity to listen in on their conversation, doing his best to appear calm and nonchalant. When the door had first opened, Nico thought he was done for, but the guards seemed more interested in eating and drinking than rousting the patrons of the tavern. Thank the Mother.

Nico breathed a sigh of relief when the guards set into their hearty meals and the landlord returned with the cloak and basket. Making a strategic retreat, Nico calmly left the tavern, one gold coin lighter, but richer in both provisions and information. He’d heard quite a bit of the guards’ grousing and knew with certainty now the alarm had been sent up from here to the border.

Lucan’s fast action spelled trouble for their ability to cross the border, but Nico decided to take things one step at a time. First he had to supply them for the journey as best he could, then he would see about getting them out of Skithdron.

Spying a likely clothesline, Nico also took the opportunity on his way out of town to pilfer a bit of clothing for Riki. She had to have been frozen after the long, cold ride the night before. Leaving a silver coin in payment, Nico felt no guilt for taking the unknown peasant woman’s dress.

He circled back cautiously through the cornfield, knowing darkness brought out predators in Skithdron the likes of which they didn’t see in his native land. Still, Nico was traveled enough to know how to avoid the worst of them, and he used all his skills now as he made his way quickly back to Riki.

Nico arrived back at the spot where he’d left Riki, but she was nowhere to be found. Panic threatened until a rustle of leaves in the tall tree ten yards away caught his attention. Riki smiled back at him from between the leaves of a low branch. She hopped to the ground and ran to him.

Nico dropped the basket and caught her in his arms as she entered the camouflaging rows of corn. Hugging her close, he placed little kisses all over her upturned face.

“You scared me, sweetheart.”

“I was too afraid to stay in the corn and I figured I could hide in the leafy part of the tree if I was careful.”

“Brilliant, Riki. That was good thinking.”

She beamed at him and he felt his heart expand. But they were in terrible danger from predators on the ground—both human and not. Nico lifted the basket and led her away from town as quickly and safely as possible, rerouting only once to avoid a large predator eating its nightly kill.

When they were far enough away and out of the corn, Nico stopped.

“I have something for you.” He produced the peasant dress with a flourish and was gratified to see tears of happiness in her eyes. She took the dress from him and held it up to her skinny form. “Put it on over what you’re wearing for now. It gets cold in the night sky and I want you to be as warm as possible.”

Riki tugged the dress on with his help and his breath caught at her beauty.

Her gorgeous auburn hair was coming back to life as her energy built with each passing hour of freedom. Riki was beginning to bloom like a flower after long winter, and she was just as enchanting.

A healthy flush lit her pale cheeks. Nico felt better as well after the way their energies fed off each other and multiplied while they slept. He was just glad Riki was starting to regain the health she should have had all along.

“Thank you, Nico!” Riki stretched up to kiss his cheek and the innocent little kiss sang through him. He pulled her into his chest and took her lips with his own, saluting lightly at first, then pushing in with his tongue.

When she didn’t resist, he took the kiss deeper—a long, slow exploration of her flavor that drove him nearly wild with desire. Riki clawed at his chest, her hands digging into his muscles, kneading him in a way that made his cock harder than stone. Warnings shot through his brain. He wanted to ignore the little voice that told him he was taking too much, going too far, but he had to listen. For Riki’s sake. Her safety depended on him and he had to put her first.

Nico pulled back, placing soft, nibbling kisses on her full lips.

“You are so beautiful, Riki.”

The blush on her cheeks enchanted him. He kissed her softly, mustering all the tenderness he felt for this little, lost princess. Gathering himself, Nico stepped away and lifted the basket once more. He removed a serving of cheese and bread piled together as Riki fussed a bit with her new dress.

“Eat this, for now, and we’ll get underway.”

Riki did as he asked, silently eating as Nico pulled the length of rope from the basket and set about knotting it just so. Riki watched him quizzically as he worked, but her mouth was full as she chewed and she didn’t ask him what he was about. She’d find out soon enough.

Riki was nearly finished with her light meal when Nico swept the black cloak over her shoulders, tucking it up under her chin, glad to see the heavy material enveloped her from head to toe. There were loops and buttons down the front of the well-made cloak and a large hood that could be tied in the upright position. He’d done well with that landlord and Nico would remember the man if they ever made it out of Skithdron.

Buttoning her into the cloak while she finished eating, Nico couldn’t help but notice when the backs of his fingers found the swells of her breasts.

She gasped, sucking in air as he touched her. Daring greatly, he lingered over the softness of her, allowing his fingers to move slightly from the button between her breasts, experimenting with how far she would let him go.

“Nico—”

He moved back at her breathy protest, though he didn’t want to. Still, they were in danger every moment they stayed on the ground. They had to get moving.

“That’s for a later time, my lovely.” He winked and grinned, enjoying her flushed face in the uncertain light of a crescent moon. “For now, we should be going.”

“What’s the rope for?” She seemed desperate to change the subject and he let her. For now.

“You’ll see,” he promised. “You’ll have to hold the basket steady, but it’ll be worth it when you’re hungry. Feel free to eat as we go. I can hunt when we’re on the ground, and in dragon form I can eat almost anything, so don’t worry about saving anything for me.”

“Nico—”

“Don’t argue. Come now, we have to go.” He moved a short distance away, allowing the change to come over him.
Pick up the rope,
sweetheart, and put the large loop over my head.

He watched understanding dawn over her face. “Won’t that be uncomfortable for you?”

No, sweet. But it would make me very
uncomfortable
if you were to fall
off my back or lose our basket of goodies. Come now, tie it on and let’s
get moving.

She complied with only a few murmurs of protest, but he shushed her lovingly and she followed his instructions. Soon he had a harness of sorts around his chest and forearms that would allow her to tie the basket handle—and herself—securely to his back. Riki wasn’t an experienced rider and Nico had worried about her safety last night, but had no recourse.

This would work, and it would help ease his mind about her safety in the sky just a bit.

Mount up and let’s get out of here.

Riki kissed his dragon cheek before doing as he asked, surprising him with the soft gesture. She climbed up on his bent leg and settled against his back with easy familiarity, tying herself to the harness as he’d instructed. A few moments later, he lifted into the air, glad to feel the wind under his wings once more. They were safest in the night sky—at least until they could get out of Skithdron.

Riki wrapped the voluminous cloak around herself, tucking in the edges and securing the hood over her head. It was so beautiful up here in the sky, skidding along with the wisps of cloud and riding so close to the twinkling stars. She’d never forget this experience as long as she lived.

The sheer delight of dancing

among the stars on a dragon’s back was breathtaking and she sat back, simply enjoying the incredible moment of freedom, savoring the peace she had never before known.

How are you doing back there?
Nico asked warmly in her mind.

I’m fine, Nico. Just enjoying the night air. It’s so exhilarating.

If you get hungry, there’s fruit in the basket and more bread and cheese.

Riki was used to hunger pangs, but knew she needed to get her strength back. Reaching into the basket, she pulled out an apple. It had been so long since she’d had fresh, unblemished fruit. The sight of the dark shape in her hand, as they flew through the starlit night, brought tears to her eyes.

The past hours were like a dream, but she was living the reality of it. This man—this dragon—and the wonderful, thoughtful gestures he’d made. He was already so special to her. Nico somehow filled her heart with light, and a hope that hadn’t been there for many, many years.

Riki? Are you all right?

I’m fine, Nico. Just admiring one of the apples you bought for me.
She tried to sound as normal as she could, though her trembling emotions threatened to boil over.

Good.
His voice sounded through her mind with a rumble of satisfaction.
I
asked the innkeeper to pack his finest and freshest for you. That basket
and everything in it is yours, Riki. I want you to eat well and often, to keep
your strength up on our journey.