Dragon Actually

Annwyl could easily spend the rest of her life right here. Right on top of this enormous beast. Her legs straddling his neck. Her hands buried in his mane of black hair. She wondered what it would be like to ride with him into battle. To feel his strong body soar through the deep blue skies of Dark Plains.

But would she be happy? Could she give up her life as a leader and a woman to spend the remainder of her days in this cave with this dragon? Her dragon?

The knight had opened a new door for her. She never trusted anyone enough to let them get that close to her. He hadn’t made love to her, as she’d heard the kitchen maids call it. What they had was much more primal. Much deeper.

Could she give that up to stay with her dragon and be no more than a friend? That’s all the dragon could really offer her and there would be no guarantee he wanted to give her even that much.

And although the knight gave her insurmountable pleasure, it was the dragon that she wanted to talk to when she awoke in the knight’s arms.

Perhaps her father had been right. Maybe she did go out of her way to make things difficult.

“Annwyl?”

She realized that the dragon waited for her answer, but she really had none to give.

Annwyl stood on the dragon’s back and stretched. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

“Then what do you want to talk about?”

Annwyl, on a whim, did a handstand.

“What are you doing back there?”

“Nothing to worry yourself about, dragon.” She balanced her body and proceeded to move across the dragon’s back, inch by inch using only her hands. “Tell me more about your family.”

Fearghus stretched out and Annwyl let out a squeal of surprise as she lost her balance and landed heavily against his back. Ignoring her, the dragon rested his enormous head on his arms. “I cut the tip of my brother’s tail off once.”

Annwyl sat up with a laugh and wondered what the hell she was going to do.

Chapter 11

Hysterical laughter. Why did he keep hearing hysterical laughter? Fearghus opened one eye to stare at his two siblings. They were practically falling over each other they were laughing so hard. They woke him up from a sound sleep for this?

“What?” His current mood wouldn’t allow for this. And definitely wouldn’t allow for him.

Gwenvael choked out an answer. “She braided your hair, brother.”

“Like a horse’s mane,” his sister added.

He growled and watched Gwenvael snatch their sister out of the way before the stream of white flame hit them both.

Of course, that didn’t stop the laughter.

“If that’s how you feel, you should tell him.” Morfyd tossed two apples to Annwyl. “But you can’t hide in here all day.”

“I know.” Annwyl looked at her friend. “I’m just not sure what I should say.”

“Whatever feels right.”

Annwyl nodded and left the chamber. She passed Gwenvael as she walked out of the dragon’s lair. “How’s your neck, Gwenvael?”

He glared but said nothing. Although she noticed he moved as far away from her as possible.

She bit back a smile and headed out in search of her knight.

She was so confused. And she wasn’t used to that feeling. She made life and death decisions every day. Even before she took over the rebellion, she risked her life and her brother’s wrath to help innocent people trapped in the Garbhan Isle dungeons. But her feelings over two males were making her completely useless.

But she would talk to the knight. Tell him how she felt. And most likely end it. Her heart didn’t belong to him, even if her treacherous body did.

She found him crouching by the stream, much as Gwenvael had done the day before. Unlike Gwenvael, however, the sight of his body sent a thrill through her that knocked the air from her lungs.

She forced herself to walk up to him. To face the man and tell him exactly what she thought. She knew he sensed her presence, his whole body tensed at her approach. Waiting. Waiting for her. She stood behind him for several long moments. Neither speaking. Annwyl crouched low, her body close to his.

Before she realized what she was doing, she slipped her arm around his shoulders and kissed the side of his thick neck. His whole body suddenly loosened up at her touch and he turned his head to look at her. He gave her the perfect opportunity to say something. To tell him the truth. But she couldn’t stop staring at his full lips or wondering what it would be like to have him inside her again.

She kissed him and his moaning growl set her body on fire. Wanting someone was one thing. Knowing he wanted you just as much was something else entirely.

Tomorrow, she thought as he ripped the shirt from her back. I’ll tell him everything tomorrow.

* * *

Tomorrow. I’ll tell her everything tomorrow. Only a twinge of guilt needled his heart as Annwyl eagerly pulled his chainmail shirt over his head. Morfyd convinced him that morning that he should finally tell Annwyl the truth. Tell her that her dragon and her knight were one.

He promised himself he’d do it, too. He could feel her standing behind him and he had his speech all prepared. Then suddenly her arms were around him and her lips were on his neck. With those simple gestures all logic disappeared and all he could think about was burying his head between her thighs.

It seemed like they were both naked in a matter of seconds. Fearghus licked his way down her body, loving the feel of her hands on his skin, and in his hair. He settled between her thighs, her legs on his shoulders, and ran his tongue between the lips of her sex. He marveled at how wet she already was, how clearly she wanted him. He dipped his tongue inside of her and her body arched off the ground. She tasted so good, felt so good. He realized, as he slowly dragged his tongue across her clit, that she was everything he wanted and more.

He couldn’t give her up. He wouldn’t let her go. There had to be some way to keep her. To prove to her that they were meant for each other. And he would risk absolutely everything to make that happen.

Lorcan stared at his advisor. “I’m sorry. Could you repeat that?”

Hefaidd-Hen spoke with his usual measured slowness. “Your sister is being protected by a dragon, milord. Perhaps two. The vision was not clear.”

“I don’t understand. How is she protected by dragons? People like her are eaten by dragons. I’m confused!” he bellowed.

“I can’t explain the relationship, Lord Lorcan. I can only tell you my vision.”

Lorcan rubbed his head. “Am I asking too much to want the little bitch dead? Am I? ” It seemed Hefaidd-Hen learned long ago not to answer certain questions. “All I want is for her to suffer a painful, horrifying death. And for her head to be on a spike in front of my castle. That’s all I want.”

“We can still achieve that.”

“Go up against a dragon . . . or two? I think not, Hefaidd-Hen. I’d rather my last memory not be of flames.”

“Trust me, lord. I can find a way to get your sister and all that you desire.”

“How?”