Dragon Wife (16 page)

“Lucky me.” Now she didn’t just have dragons to consider living with, but hostile, resentful dragons.

“Wait…damn!” His mouth tightened, and his eyes blazed with frustration. He turned away for a moment, regaining his calm before facing her.

“That was a stupid thing for thing for me to mention,” he said. “You shouldn’t worry about it. Most of the clan is supportive, and they’ll welcome you gladly.”

“And the ones who don’t?”

“They’ll have to deal with me.” His expression was dark and serious.

Orwenna knew he’d follow through on that promise, but in the end, it didn’t matter.

“All this assumes I’ll marry you,” she said, “which still isn’t in the cards.”

“Wen, please. Hear me out.”

“All right. Since you’re being so nice about it.”

She realized the effort it must have cost Huroth to swallow his anger and return. He was making himself vulnerable to another rejection, just for the opportunity to change her mind. Perhaps he really did have feelings for her, beyond acquisitiveness and lust. Not that there was anything wrong with lust. She quite enjoyed it.

“I can understand you having doubts,” Huroth said. “But words alone won’t make the difference. The only real solution is to visit Dragonvale and see what it’s like. Get to know the clan, and give me a chance to prove my sincerity. I’m not as heartless as you think. Let me show you that I’ll be a good mate.”

Orwenna didn’t know how to respond. Her mouth was dry, and her palms were sweating. Was she actually leaning toward accepting his offer?

Huroth saw her uncertainty and pushed forward.

“Wen, you must know, I would never mistreat you.”

“I do know that.”

“Good.”

She heard the small note of victory in his voice, and it worried her.

“But Huroth, what if I decide I can’t live at Dragonvale? What if traveling there, and taking more time, alters nothing?”

“Then I’ll bring you back to Mirra Muir, and leave you in peace.” He stepped closer, taking her hands in his. “By Aurek’s blood, on my honor as a dragon, I swear it. If you choose not to be my mate, I’ll respect your wishes, and that will be the end of it.”

There was weight to his words.

“And I don’t have to decide that now?” She wanted to make sure she understood correctly.

“Just come with me,” he said. “That’s all I ask. You can take as long as you need to decide about our union. I won’t pressure you. Just stay a while with me at Dragonvale, and give us a chance.”

There was no resistance left in her. He was meeting her halfway, and she adored him, more than ever.

“Yes. I’ll come with you.” The words tumbled out of her mouth, sweeping away a world of regrets.

Huroth grinned. He lifted Orwenna and spun her in a joyful circle. She laughed, throwing her arms around his neck.

“You won’t be sorry,” he promised, still holding her high. She rested her face against his hair, breathing in the wonderful scent of him. How could she ever be sorry for this?

Slowly, Huroth lowered Orwenna, sliding her down the length of his body, till her feet touched the ground. He gave her one luxurious lingering kiss and then released her.

“The challenge will be, keeping my hands off you,” he said ruefully. “That’s going to be easier said than done.”

“Why would you try?”

“Because, my sweet Wen, until you decide to be my mate, I have to practice restraint.”

“Are you sure?” She wasn’t enthusiastic about the idea.

“I would love nothing more than to join with you. But we can’t bring a life into the world, with our commitment uncertain. It would be intolerable to lose both you and our baby, should you leave me. I won’t risk the possibility.”

“That’s fair. I hadn’t thought it through.”

“I wasn’t thinking either, a few minutes ago. Unless thinking can occur from the waist down.” He laughed. “In that case, I’ve been something of a philosopher, lately.”

“What am I going to do with you?” she teased.

“I can think of all sorts of marvelous things.” He gave her a wicked grin. “Of course they’ll have to wait till you agree to be my mate.”

“Oh, I see. This is all part of your cunning plan.”

“Devious aren’t I?” He swept a quick bow and offered her his arm.

“That you are.” She smiled, looping her arm through his. They walked together happily, back toward the manor house.

Chapter Fourteen

The journey to Dragonvale was pleasant and uneventful. There was only a brief rain shower the first evening, and then the weather stayed clear. When Huroth and Orwenna reached the foothills, they met up with Harith, on his way home from Whiterock.

Orwenna was struck by how much he resembled his father. He had the same mass of dark hair, a similar bone-structure to his face, and a smile almost exactly like Huroth’s. His eyes were the only striking difference. They were burnished black, like a starless midnight sky.

He exhibited no belligerence toward Orwenna, but seemed genuinely friendly and curious about her. She began to share Huroth’s confidence that Ayelet was bound to grow fond of the lad. It would be difficult not to like him.

Harith was understandably shy about discussing the princess. He did speak with enthusiasm about the entertainers at the banquet and how he’d received a lesson in horsemanship from the king. It appeared his stay in Whiterock had been a success.

Orwenna wished the rest of the dragon clan were as good-natured as Harith, but she already had warnings to the contrary. Thord, Abeah, and Thalos sounded like the ones who might cause trouble. Huroth told her to ignore any unkind comments they made. He assured her that, with time, they would accept her presence.

As they neared Dragonvale, Orwenna grew increasingly nervous. She wanted to make a good impression but wasn’t sure how. Huroth’s insistence that she should just relax and be herself wasn’t helpful.

It was evening when they arrived, just after sundown. The mountain valley lay in deep shadow, but Orwenna could still appreciate the rushing stream and scattered patches of wildflowers. The setting was breathtaking, with high peaks all around, but the valley floor remained low enough for verdant plant life.

A wonderful scent wafted through the air, a mixture of cedar, cool earth, and wild roses. Great thorny briars, all in bloom, lined the bottom of the cliff in which the clan’s quarters were carved. Orwenna imagined how the bushes would appear in the fall, covered with glossy red rosehips the size of cherries.

Looking up, she saw lights shining out from the dragon dwelling. It was different from any home she’d seen, but appealing nonetheless. There were several balconies, formed from parts of the cliff face that jutted outwards. One particularly large one was set lower than the rest, only forty or fifty feet above the valley floor.

“That’s off the main hall,” Huroth explained, following her gaze. “It’s wide enough for us to land and take off in drake form. Up there are the dragon caves.”

He pointed high on the cliff where she could see gaping dark openings in the rock. She shuddered involuntarily, struck by how alien this all was. The beings who lived here were dragons…fire-breathing, bone-crunching dragons. Was she crazy to contemplate living among them?

Huroth put his arms protectively around her, bringing his forehead down to touch hers. With his physical presence, he formed a barrier between her and the circling anxiety. It felt lovely.

“I’m going to be right here with you,” he said quietly. “You have nothing to fear.”

She liked how safe she felt, standing close to him. Safe and a bit randy. It was a good distraction from her worries.

“Well, are we going in or not?” Harith asked impatiently, standing by the large double doors, which were the lower entrance to the dragon dwelling. “We don’t want to be late for supper.”

“Spoken like a true adolescent,” Huroth said. “The age when food is all important.”

“I seem to recall
someone
talking about eating an entire mountain goat, in one sitting,” Orwenna said. “Harith’s not the only one with a hollow leg.”

“I do have my appetites,” Huroth agreed, grinning. “But there’s hunger, and then there’s
hunger
.” He dropped his voice to a husky whisper, leaning in to nip lightly at her neck, his breath hot on her skin. She felt her whole body respond, like flames to dry tinder.

“Sheesh!” Harith rolled his eyes. “I’m going in without you two. Better hope somebody saves you a plate of food.” He picked up the baggage and opened the door.

“Offspring,” Huroth said. “You’ve got to love them.”

They followed Harith in through the heavy doors, up a curving flight of stairs, and along a corridor. Through arched openings in the bedrock, Orwenna caught glimpses of a substantial kitchen, steamy baths, and what looked like a library.

She was pleased with the appearance of the interior. She’d thought it might be gloomy and cavernous, but it was surprisingly homey. The stonecutters, who carved out Dragonvale, had taken pains to make it pleasant. The furnishings, though simple, complimented the clean spacious lines of the rooms.

Before Orwenna could properly prepare, they walked through a wide arch into the main hall. The clan was all there, in eldrin form. Some were standing in a group by the fireplace, while others had started their meal and were already seated at the long stone table. Every pair of eyes turned her way, with the exception of baby Valla, who was asleep in a blanket, slung from her mother’s shoulder.

There was an extended moment of silence. Time froze, the clan all staring at Orwenna, and her staring back. Then Huroth stepped forward to introduce her.

“Everyone, I’d like you to meet Orwenna. She’s going to be staying with us for a while, and I’m sure you’ll make her feel at home.” He placed particular emphasis on the last phrase, his gaze sweeping over the clan.

Orwenna could have sworn she saw two dragons sneer. One was the beautiful she-dragon mother. The other was a male, with long gold hair and beard, intricately braided. From Huroth’s earlier descriptions, she guessed these two were Abeah and Thord.

“We’re so happy you’re here,” said an old she-dragon, with hoarfrost hair and a lined face. She came to Orwenna, her hands extended in welcome.

“You must be Tirza,” Orwenna said, gratefully. “I’m glad to meet you.”

That broke the ice. More dragons approached. First came Tallok, a solid looking male with ash blonde hair and quick, intelligent eyes. Orwenna got a good feeling from him, as if he truly wished her well.

Close behind him was Okii, the newly arrived she-dragon. Nelek followed, slighter than the other males and dun colored. There was a meekness about him, not typical for a dragon. It made Orwenna wonder if that came from losing his wife and baby, or if he had always been so.

Thalos gave her a terse greeting. He was more intent on inspecting her, than being gracious, his grey eyes taking in every detail from head to toe. She tried not to squirm under his scrutiny. He was an intimidating individual, as powerfully built as Huroth, but older, his shaggy hair mostly silver, his skin like leather. Orwenna wondered if he ever smiled.

Lastly came Rhourik, dragging the reluctant Abeah with him. They made an attractive, if somewhat mismatched, pair. He had an amiable warmth to his manner, whereas she was chilly and remote.

Something in her indigo eyes gave Orwenna pause. As the she-dragon looked up at Huroth, there was a flash of longing on her face, so brief, it would be easy to miss. But Orwenna saw and understood. Abeah didn’t just resent her because she was human. The she-dragon had feelings for her chieftain and was jealous of the woman he’d chosen.

Who could blame her? Even in a room full of dragons, Huroth drew the eye. It was more than just his appearance, though that was reason enough. There was an aura of authority and self-assurance about him which couldn’t be ignored. It marked him as a leader, without the need for a crown or badge of office.

A surge of possessiveness surprised Orwenna. She hadn’t even agreed to be Huroth’s wife, yet here she was feeling her hackles rise at Abeah’s heated glance. If it wasn’t such an uncomfortable realization, Orwenna might have laughed at herself. So much for her hopes of winning Abeah over. She’d do better to focus on other members of the clan.

Thord was the only dragon who refused to acknowledge Orwenna’s arrival. He remained seated at the table, eating his supper and drinking from a massive tankard. Huroth frowned in his direction, but said nothing.

Food was laid out on one side of the U shaped table, along with plates, napkins, and cutlery. Huroth explained that Tirza oversaw the kitchen work, but all the dragons took turns helping with cooking and cleaning.

Not till Orwenna began filling her plate, did she realize how hungry she was. Though meat made up most of the meal, it smelled delicious. There appeared to be some sort of roasted birds, possibly grouse, and slabs of darker meat with an herbed sauce and red potatoes. Loaves of dense nutty bread, and a few tossed greens made up the rest of the selection.

“This’ll no doubt be your first taste of mountain goat,” Rhourik said, pointing to the largest platter of meat. “There’s nothing finer.”

“I look forward to trying it.” Orwenna gamely speared a chunk and moved it onto her plate.

She started to comment to Huroth then realized he was no longer beside her. He’d left the table and was talking with Tallok, by the fireplace.

“So, you won’t turn your nose up at our plain fare?”

The gravelly voice startled her, and she jumped a little, turning to see Thord close upon her right. She was so surprised to find him speaking to her, that she stumbled over a response.

“I...uh...of course not,” she managed to say. “Why would I?”

“You’re used to fine feasts with the king of Rhelaun. This must seem humble by comparison.”

“Not at all.” She tried to give him a smile, but couldn’t quite pull it off. There was something ominous in the way he loomed over her. His features had a cruel cast, his eyes mocking, and his nostrils flared. He smelled strongly of ale.

Before she knew what was happening, he’d reached out and grabbed her. He twisted her hand, palm up, then drew her exposed wrist to his mouth. Orwenna’s shock was so great that she dropped her plate, the clatter ringing through the hall. Thord tightened his grip, running his tongue along her skin.