Prince of Spies (19 page)

Riki was overwhelmed by the Jinn women’s generosity. They helped her dress, showing her what pieces went where and laughing at her shy attempts to figure them out on her own. They were kind to her and their welcome nearly reduced her to tears several times, but then one of the women would start singing a happy tune and her mood would lighten.

When she was suitably dressed and prepared, the women brought her to a large clearing in the center of the encampment. There were hundreds, perhaps thousands of people standing all around a raised platform. As they drew closer, she could see Nico and Drake waiting on top of the platform, watching as she came forward. Somewhere a group of minstrels struck up a tune that carried through the happy crowd and smiles lit each and every face.

Riki’s nerves faded away to nothing when she saw Nico there, waiting for her. Eagerly, she climbed the make-shift steps, holding out one hand to Nico as she drew closer. He not only took her hand but pulled her in close for a quick hug. The crowd cheered loudly and she moved back, a little embarrassed to be in front of so many people, but their song was so happy, it did away with most of her fears.

Arabetta strode forward with several other Jinn elders, all standing with them on the large platform. The crowd grew quiet and the song faded away, leaving joy in its wake. Arabetta stopped in front of Riki and Nico, facing them.

“Who stands witness for this joining?” the old woman asked formally.

“I stand for the bride.” Estella moved next to Riki, smiling as she took a place at her side.

“And I stand for the groom.” Drake spoke from Nico’s side.

Arabetta nodded and began to sing. Or perhaps chant would be a better word, Riki thought, as she felt the magic of Arabetta’s voice like a living thing. This was powerful magic, indeed, channeled through the ancient words. Riki didn’t understand the ancient tongue, but the meaning was clear. She actually felt ethereal bands of magic swirling around herself and Nico, twining them together where their hands were still joined, up and around both of their bodies and souls.

When the chant ended there was an expectant hush in the air.

Arabetta turned to Riki.

“Do you, Arikia, promise your heart and soul to Nicolas?”

Not knowing what else to say, Riki opted for simply saying, “I do.”

Then Arabetta turned to Nico.

“Do you, Nicolas, promise your heart and soul to Arikia?”

“I do,” he stated in a firm voice, leaving no doubt as to his strong intent.

“Then kiss and be one.”

The crowd cheered as Nico bent to kiss her, taking her in his muscular arms. The noise of the crowd faded away as Nico sealed their promises with a binding kiss. Riki felt the magic twining them together, joining their magics and making them more powerful. It was an amazing feeling, and like nothing she’d ever experienced before.

When Nico released finally her some time later, the crowd was singing and cheering happily. Arabetta looked at them both expectantly.

“It is customary among Jinn to wear rings of marriage. The ones we arranged for Drake to acquire in Plinth were made especially for you two.

They are plain enough for a spy on the outside, but if you look inside the bands, they bear the mark of the Black Dragon Clan. Welcome to the Brotherhood of the Jinn. We’ve been long awaiting you both.”

Arabetta hugged first Riki, then Nico and the congratulations spread from there. Riki was hugged and congratulated by all the people on the platform, including Estella and Drake. As they made their way off the platform, she and Nico were bombarded with well-wishes from everyone near them.

Estella led them to a private tent where a large dinner was laid out, ready and waiting. Estella and Drake were the only ones to join them, which surprised Riki. The sounds of revelry could be clearly heard through the thin tent walls.

Drake sat with Estella on one side of the low table. Colorful cushions were spread all around. This tent was different from the other Jinn tents Riki had been in. For one thing, this tent had few furnishings besides the low table and a multitude of pillows. There were ropes hanging in one corner, though Riki could see no use for them. Likewise, she didn’t understand some of the other odd accoutrements on the table.

Estella began eating from the sumptuous feast before them and something about her manner piqued Riki’s interest. Some deeper game was being played here, but she had no idea what it was.

“So how did you like your Jinn wedding ceremony?” Estella’s eyes sparkled as she nibbled on a fruit in a way that made Riki think of nibbling on Nico. She didn’t know why, but that’s what she immediately thought of, and it shocked her a bit. And excited her.

“I thought it was beautiful, actually.” Riki accepted the plate of delicacies Nico set before her with a smile. He was so thoughtful, and the fire in his eyes promised a passionate night ahead.

“Short and sweet, then we get to the good part,” Drake agreed with a laugh from the other side of the low table. “Nick, I have to thank you for choosing me as a witness.” Drake leered playfully at Estella and Riki got the impression there was something more to this witnessing business than just standing before the elders with the bride and groom.

“What does that entail, exactly?” she asked boldly.

Estella and Drake chuckled naughtily while Nico narrowed his eyes at them both. Riki knew he would protect her from anything she was uncomfortable with, Jinn tradition or no. That knowledge gave her the courage to press the issue. She waited expectantly for an answer and finally Estella seemed to take pity on her.

“The witnesses stand before the elders. We also ensure your first joining as man and wife goes smoothly.”

“And that you fuck like bunnies until morning,” Drake put in, earning an elbow to the ribs from Estella.

“The Jinn tend to marry very young. Having witnesses is meant to help the younger couples, who are often virgins. Most often, the witnesses are a married couple who guide the youngsters on the path. How much they participate is up to the individual couple being joined.” Estella shrugged.

“Since your Nico chose Drake—an unmarried man of some rank—to be his witness, it was only logical I stand for you. Drake and I have shared pleasure before.”

Riki was shocked by the casual way Estella spoke of such private acts.

True, she’d seen all kinds of things as Lucan’s prisoner, but this wasn’t deviant in the way Lucan had been. There was no pain or suffering involved here—just the sharing of pleasure for mutual enjoyment. She could even see how an inexperienced couple might find solace from having friends there to help them.

But Nico was far from inexperienced and having already been his lover, Riki didn’t think she needed any help from either Estella or Drake, though having them watch did sound exciting. Riki remembered that time in Drake’s room at the Silver Serpent when Nico had invited his handsome friend to touch her and look at her while Nico pleasured her. It had been wild, exotic, and incredibly erotic. Riki had learned then, she liked being watched.

“There is also the fact that sometimes among the Black Dragon Clan, a wedding night could include a mating flight,” Estella went on as she continued to enjoy her supper. “Especially when dealing with young dragons, the older ones stand by ready to catch them if they fall too far, too fast. But we don’t have to worry about that tonight, since you can’t fly yet.”

Riki liked the confident way Estella said “yet”, but Riki doubted she’d ever be able to shift into dragon form. That was a dream for another time.

Nico moved close to her, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips.
If you
don’t want them here, just say the word, my love. I don’t give a damn if it’s
Jinn tradition or not. We do what we want, and all I want is your happiness
and comfort.

Riki stroked his cheek, smiling up at him.
I love you so much, Nico. Would
you be shocked if I said I was…intrigued by the idea of having them
watch?

No, love, it wouldn’t surprise me at all. We dragons are exhibitionists at
heart.

Nico chuckled as he lay her hand in his lap, directly over his steely erection, leaving her to eat with only

her right hand. She didn’t mind at all.

“Oh look, they’re already making gooey eyes at each other.” Drake snorted as he threw one arm

around Estella’s shoulder.

“You be nice, Drake,” she warned. “They’re in love. Don’t you remember what that’s like?”

Drake seemed to think about the question, a light entering his eyes that made Riki feel a sudden and

sweeping sympathy for the rogue. He looked so lost in that moment, it stunned her, but then he smiled,

wiping the distressing expression from his face. Playfully, he tugged Estella into his lap. “I don’t claim to ever have been in love, sweet.” “That is so sad.” Estella teased him as she cupped his cheek and planted a hot kiss on his agile lips. Riki

got hot just watching.
Do you like watching them?
Nico’s voice sounded through her mind.
They are a handsome couple,
don’t you think? Yes, they are. Shall we watch them as they watch us? Or
should we ask them to join us perhaps? What’s your
pleasure, milady?

Riki was torn. She didn’t know what she wanted. She only knew her temperature was rising with each sweep of Drake’s tongue into Estella’s mouth. Drake’s hands were busy too, roving over Estella’s voluptuous figure, removing her clothing while she tore at his.

What about it, sweet? What do you want?
Nico asked again.
Whatever you
want, Nico. I’ll do whatever you say. Oh, I like the sound of that, but
remember, my love, if anything makes you uncomfortable at any
time, all you have to do is tell

me.

All right, Nico.

He kissed her then, sweeping his tongue inside her mouth and taking her down into the nest of pillows behind the low table. Nico worked at her clothing until Riki was bare, all the while kissing her as if he would never get enough of her sweet taste.

Nico craved Riki like his next breath. He worked the buttons on the beautiful dress with eager fingers, wanting to feel her skin on his with an urgency he’d never felt before. This woman was his now in every possible way.

The dragon inside him trumpeted in triumph while the man fumbled with little buttons and feminine undergarments, all designed to drive him crazy.

He heard a tear and knew he had to slow down. The dragon was urging him to take and claim his mate in the rough way of their kind, but Riki was human too, and she needed him to be tender.

Especially in this new situation.

Nico had fucked his share of women. Hell, he’d even shared a woman or two in his youth with Drake and others, but even though Estella was more than just pretty, Nico only felt real attraction for his new wife. He finally understood what his friends had gone through when they’d found their mates. He finally knew the wonder of claiming the one woman whom you would love and honor for the rest of your days.

“I told you they didn’t need any help from us.”

Drake’s teasing words penetrated Nico’s mind as if from far away. Nico looked up to find his grinning friend and a very naked Estella smiling down at them.

“Go away. Can’t you see I’m busy here?” Nico growled before turning back to his wife.

Wife.

She really was his wife now, in the eyes of the Jinn at least, which was good enough for him. The Jinn, like most Draconians, believed in the Mother of All and had joined them before Her. That was enough. Riki was well and truly his wife now. Nico still couldn’t believe his good fortune.

“So you’re in a hurry then?” Drake continued to annoy him. “I thought we’d give some of the toys in this tent a try, just for the sake of completeness.”

The reminder of the way the Jinn had equipped this particular tent for them lit a fire in his belly. Nico held Riki’s gaze as he removed the last of her clothing and sat up. “That’s the best idea you’ve had all night, Drake.”

When Drake didn’t answer, Nico looked around to find his friend had already moved to the corner with the ropes. At that moment, he was busy tying up the lovely and very cooperative Estella. Her fleshy ass faced them as Drake smiled over to make sure they were watching. He smacked Estella’s butt cheeks with a loud clap of his palm and she squealed, but it wasn’t in pain.

Riki jumped in Nico’s arms and he soothed her, bending close to lick her ear. Nico knew some of this might be hard for her considering the things she’d probably witnessed with Lucan, but the goal here was to free her of those past horrors. She needed to see how pleasure could come of safe, sane play between consenting adults. Drake was just the man to demonstrate while Nico explained to his new wife all the possibilities.

Knowing she was half-dragon, he knew the rougher edge of sex would more than likely be what she needed. Nico gauged her reaction, watching the flare of her eyes and the increase in her breathing. She was excited—

not scared—and it would be up to him to keep her that way.

“Sometimes a spanking can be very enticing,” he whispered in her ear.

“Really?” The word was a breathy whisper as Drake’s hand came down on Estella’s ass once more, followed by the Jinn woman’s feminine moan of pleasure.

“It can be a loving give and take of dominance and submission. Among dragons, the male dominates his

partner in the mating flight. They say the female revels in her mate’s power as he does in her submission. It’s the way of things.” He licked a trail down her neck. “For dragons.”

Drake was more aggressive now, interspersing stokes of Estella’s generous curves with slaps to her ass and thighs. The Jinn woman moaned and begged for Drake to continue his sensuous torture, clearly loving every minute of it.

“I’m half dragon, my love, as are you. Don’t you want to submit to me in every way? Doesn’t your inner dragon long to be mastered by mine?”

Riki’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes mesmerized by the most erotic thing she’d ever witnessed. Nico’s hands and words inflamed her senses while Drake’s mastery of the Jinn woman was titillating her desire.