The Dragon's Lover (24 page)

The dragon's feet touched down and it disappeared
into a blinding flash of yellow light. From the light emerged a
stunningly beautiful older woman with silver hair and golden eyes.
She moved with an elegant saunter that was reminiscent of the
dark-haired beauty she approached. She brushed her fingers lightly
over Idonea's cheek as she passed, a gentle acknowledgment.

“Not bad, my dear,” Weynild said in her low, sensual
voice.

“Thank you mother,” Idonea murmured with feigned
obedience, pleased despite herself.

The silver-haired woman approached Raine, whose
sudden longing was like something alive. She drank in the sight of
her lover, every inch of her supple curves, the grace of her
features, the depths of her golden eyes flecked with red. Weynild
pulled her to her, crushing her in her embrace, kissing her long
and deeply. Raine could not get close enough to her, even with
every inch of her body pressed to her.

The kiss lengthened as the others gaped, and the
utter sensuality of the two together was stunning.

“By my Ancestors,” Lorifal murmured, and Dagna turned
in question to Idonea.

Idonea watched the kiss extend. “Yes, yes,” she said,
“My mother is a dragon and Raine is the dragon's lover.”

Dagna's mouth dropped open further, if that was
possible. “Your mother is Raine's lover?”

Idonea looked at her in exasperation. “Out of
everything I just said, that is what you find odd?”

“Well, no,” Dagna said, embarrassed, but then could
not help herself. “But really, your mother and Raine?”

The kiss finally ended but the two did not separate.
Raine knew she would have to part with her lover a while
longer.

“There are a few loose ends I need to tie up,”
Weynild said. Raine looked askance at her, then quickly shook her
head.

“Never mind, I don't want to know. I would not
abandon my friends at this point, anyway. I must get them safely
back through the Empty Land.”

“I knew your sense of honor would require that. I can
accompany you, if you wish, but then I would have to part from you
again.”

Raine shook her head even more vehemently. “No,
finish your business, and when I see you again, I will not allow
your parting for a decade.”

Weynild raised an eyebrow. “Only a decade my love? I
am not letting you go again for at least a century.”

They kissed again, this one as prolonged as the
previous, and Weynild quickly transformed, fearful that if she
stayed with her lover a moment longer she would not be able to
leave.

CHAPTER 15

The small band was surrounded by wood elves some
distance out from their camp, but this time it was a far more
cordial greeting. They were welcomed by Y'arren's people, who had
been expecting them. Rumors had rippled across the land of the
success of this group of heroes, and the sudden disappearance of
the Hyr'rok'kin gave confirmation to those tales. Y'arren herself
had meditated greatly on their acts, pleased with the outcome. And
when her beloved Arlanian strolled into the camp, accompanied by
her cocky fellows, she went out to embrace each of them
personally.

Raine smiled. They had made far better time on their
return then their exodus. They had dispatched a few Hyr'rok'kin
stragglers, but had met little resistance. The imperial army had
arrived, albeit a bit late, but their presence was welcomed
throughout the holds in the villages and towns. The companions had
agreed to travel to Y'arren's people together, where they would
disband.

As Y'arren stood before the altar where incense
burned, offering thanks, she was unsurprised at the shadow that
passed over them. She turned upward at the sound of the great
leathery wings as the magnificent dragon glided into the camp
clearing, then dissolved into a flash of yellow light. Weynild
emerged from the light, her red armor glistening, her golden eyes
gleaming. Y'arren and all her people went to their knees, and
Raine's band slowly followed suit. Even Idonea deigned to offer a
deep bow to her mother. Only Raine stood tall as her lover
approached.

“And will you not bow before me?” Weynild asked,
amused.

“I gladly kneel before you,” Raine replied, “but you
know what that will lead to.”

Weynild laughed and took her lover into her arms,
kissing her hungrily. She broke the embrace, however, simply
because she did not wish to tarry long.

“Talan'alaith'illaria,” Y'arren said respectfully,
returning to her feet, but again bowing deeply. “You honor us with
your presence.”

“Respect to your people,” Weynild said in Elvish,
“wisdom and long life.” Y'arren again bowed, accepting the
blessing.

“To you as well,” she replied.

Raine turned to her companions, individuals a few
months prior who had been strangers to her, reluctantly adding her
to their quest. She disliked goodbyes intensely, so determined to
make the parting quick. She approached Lorifal and placed her hands
on his shoulders.

“You are welcome for a drink at my hearth any
time.”

Lorifal beamed. “I will take you up on that
offer.”

Raine moved to Dagna and Elyara, who had become
inseparable. “I wish you two the greatest happiness.”

Both women gave Raine a quick hug, and she moved to
Gunnar and Bristol.

“You do the sons of men proud,” she said. She
addressed both of them, but looked to Bristol at her next sentence.
“You fought bravely.”

Bristol blushed as red as his hair, and Gunnar
beamed. Both clasped forearms with her in the traditional
parting.

Raine moved to Feyden, and they stood eye-to-eye,
saying nothing. Finally, Feyden just smiled and Raine laughed,
clasping his shoulder. “Until next time, my friend.”

At last, Raine came to Idonea, feeling the need to
say little. “And I'm sure I'll be seeing you again, since you're my
step-daughter, or something like that.”

Idonea rolled her eyes. “Oh dear god,” she said, but
there was no bite to her words and a smile played about her
lips.

Raine last came before Y'arren. “Warmth in winter and
cool in summer, my friend.”

“You will return in the spring?” Y'arren asked.

“Of course,” Raine said, nodding respectfully.

Weynild had watched patiently but her patience was at
an end. She transformed in a brilliant flash of light and her
immense form draped off the platform, causing those too near to
step back. The sinewy neck weaved back and forth as she stretched,
preparing for flight. She leaned down as Raine approached.

“That is always so arousing,” Raine murmured to
her.

“Do not push me, girl,” the dragon rumbled. “Or I
will transform again and put you on your back on this altar.”

“I'm sure that would give Y’arren’s people a show
they would not soon forget,” Raine said, pulling herself onto
Weynild's neck. She stroked the supple skin beneath her. “I wonder
how far I will make it this time.”

The dragon laughed and leaped toward the sky. The
monstrous beast climbed skyward, lifted by strong wings and a
favorable breeze, and the two soon disappeared over the
horizon.

Weynild glided into the skylight opening of her
mountain keep. Raine had maintained her composure on the flight,
but only barely. She could not get her clothing off fast enough and
Weynild, as soon as she had transformed, assisted by shredding her
remaining garments with nails that retained talon-like
sharpness.

Raine's fear was that she would climax immediately.
She had been away from her love for so long and was so inflamed she
thought she might explode. But Weynild's lips were so skillful, her
hands so attuned to Raine's body, she found ways to heighten
Raine's pleasure even more. They were locked together, moving as
one, as if they had been fused into a single whole. Something Raine
feared would last minutes instead lasted hours in a reunion far
more epic than even Dagna’s vivid imagination could envision. In
the end, they were only one, as joined by the intense sexual act as
they had been by the ceremony of binding. Indeed, it seemed that
one was merely the physical manifestation of the other.

Raine lay on her stomach with her head beneath
Weynild's breasts. Weynild traced the blue and gold markings that
stood out in bold relief on her back, and Raine sighed with
pleasure at the touch. She would not, however, keep her thoughts to
herself.

“This isn't over, is it?”

Weynild continued to trace the intricate pattern.
“No, my love. I fear it is just beginning.”

The admission did not surprise her, and she thought
back to the black dragon’s words, his inadvertent confession. “So
who is powerful enough to give orders to an ancient dragon?”

“The same one who has the most to gain by opening the
gate to the underworld.”

Raine lifted her head slightly and looked up at
her.

“Hel.”

A cold chill passed over Raine as she suddenly saw
the face in the midst of the Membrane, the same face that was on
the gates themselves. She thought of Ragnar's words, that she was
to be “escorted” into the underworld. Weynild could feel the change
in temperature of her lover's skin, and pulled her close. She
turned her head and blew out a great gust of fire, lighting the
wood in the pit next to them. The heat was wonderfully warm on
Raine's skin, and she relaxed in her lover's embrace as Weynild
continued.

“I knew you would become the object of her desire
once she saw you,” Weynild said, eliminating any doubt in Raine's
mind regarding the meaning of the black dragon's words, “but now
that she knows you are mine, you will become the object of her
obsession.”

Raine propped herself up on an elbow. “Why do I have
the feeling there is some history between the two of you?”

Weynild's golden eyes gleamed in the firelight.
“Because you have such remarkable instincts, my love.”

Raine could not generate even mild annoyance at her
lover's withholding of information. She knew that Weynild had her
reasons and she would become privy to them when the time was right.
She rolled back on top of the silver-haired beauty in playful
domination, an action so far removed from reality it made Weynild
smile.

“Feeling the need to be on top, are we?”

“Yes,” Raine said.

And so the dragon let her.