“I didn’t know it was significant to you. I mean, I knew King Alric would be investigating as soon as I reported back, but I was just glad to have made it here. I never thought to regale you with the trouble I had making it to your door.”

  “I see.” Lady Adain’s voice was understanding, yet firm. “I expect you’ll be more forthcoming from here on. As you now see, even the slightest detail could be important. By seeking alliance, our fates have become entwined.”

  Rebuked, Lilly bowed her head in respect. “Yes, milady. I apologize if I have offended you.”

  “We are not offended,” Luc said in a kind tone. “But it helps to know what’s come before as we prepare for our journey ahead. One good thing is that we’ll be flying back. The normal two-week land journey will only take less than a week with Shilayla’s help. But we’ll need to stop at villages or farms for food and rest periods. You and I, Lilly, will have to be on guard at those times.”

  Lilly nodded agreement, her gaze going from Luc to his dragon partner. It was going to be an interesting journey, that was to be sure. Lilly had never flown before and was a little apprehensive at the idea, but she admired Shilayla. The dragon was truly magnificent and seemed to be a kind and loving companion from all Lilly had observed.

  “We will all keep watch for each other,” Shilayla added, her big head bobbing up and down twice in an endearing way.

  “From all portents, the journey back to King Alric will be even more dangerous,” Dela said. “Any time you’re on the ground, you must all be alert. Even in the air, Shilayla will need to be careful.”

  “Of what?” Det asked, his eyes narrowing on the seer. “Little can challenge a dragon in the sky.”

  Dela cringed. “We haven’t been able to see what the danger is exactly, but there is danger. Something new. Something we’ve never seen before. Something that can harm dragons in flight.”

  Those around the table grew tense, and Shilayla’s head rose with determination. “I will be cautious, but nothing will stop this quest. It is too important. And, after we succeed, Luc and I will have proved ourselves worthy of the Guard.”

  Luc started in surprise but put one hand on Shilayla’s neck in support as he looked to his brother. Detlif seemed to measure both of them, eventually sighing as he sat back.

  “If you return successful, you will have indeed proven yourselves and will be welcomed into the Guard.”

  “Then, Roja and Bruuk can take our place as Scout Captains and representatives to the Council.”

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Det held up one hand, forestalling his younger brother. “First, go to the Blind King’s Court and return in one piece. That’s the most important thing now.”

  “There’s more to consider,” Dela said, elevating the tension around the table. Unexpectedly, she turned to Lilly. “Will you recount the vision of your city?”

  Lilly sat straighter in her chair as she began to tell them what she’d heard in the Seer’s Hall. Her beloved city under attack, the river running with flame, the Alchemist’s symbol on the opposing army’s standard. They listened intently with grave expressions. Dinner was forgotten in the intensity of the moment.

  “When I left, Winter was coming to an end, though it will be some time yet before it thaws enough for the lower reaches of the mountains to be green,” Lilly told them.

  “Perhaps, those battle plans are the reason behind the constant delays in your path here, Lilly.” Shilayla voiced the idea that had only just occurred to most of them.

  “And you can be sure the enemy does not want you to return in time to warn your King,” Det added, stabbing a piece of meat with his fork. The others began to eat again as they considered Lilly’s words.

  “My fear,” Lady Adain spoke for the first time since the discussion began, “is that the goal of the enemy has changed for you, Lilly. On the way here, they merely sought to delay you. If they had killed you, Alric would have just sent another messenger. But now that you’ve made it to us, the enemy must prevent your return to Alric at all costs. They will not play as nicely with you this time.”

  “Very astute, Grandmother,” Det agreed. “We will kit you all out from the armory and escort you as far as we can with both scouts and guards. It’s time my guardsmen got out of the Veil more and took a look around. If I thought it wouldn’t make more trouble, I’d go with you, Luc.”

  “More trouble?” Lilly asked, unsure of what the big man meant.

  “A bigger target, for one thing,” Det answered. “One dragon can hide better than two, and scouts have more recent experience of the outside world than we guards do. Though, that is something I will change starting tomorrow. I’ll work with Roja to have some of my men trail along with the scout patrols so they can reacquaint themselves with the nearest villages.”

  “A good idea,” Lady Adain supported her grandson’s idea. “Time was, the people in those villages were our allies and friends. I would see those ties reaffirmed and strengthened, if possible.”

  Lilly liked the sound of that. In her opinion, the fair folk had been isolated too long if they hadn’t even realized their foreseers were being slowly nullified by foreign magic.

  The dinner went on for some time as they discussed the most likely route to take. Luc and his brother made plans to go over some maps he had in his office the next day. Lilly was invited to contribute her knowledge of the current lay of the land, and Shilayla would join them to learn of the landmarks she would have to help look for from the air.

  By the time the sweets were served, Lilly was feeling the effects of her long day. She’d learned much about the fair folk, and about Luc especially. She felt turmoil roil within her each time their eyes met, and she feared for her heart. The man was potent and charming when he was at ease.

  When she’d eaten the sweet custard and drunk a small portion of honeyed wine, Lilly was at last able to excuse herself. She said her goodnights and made for the room that had been given her during her stay, glad to escape without further contact with that very disturbing man.

  But Luc cornered her in the hall, right in front of her door. The rest of the family had already gone to other parts of the house, so they were effectively alone.

  “One more thing, Lilly.” Luc stopped her when she would have fled into her room. “I didn’t want to discuss this in front of company, but Lady Vi wants to examine Petr tomorrow.” She couldn’t tell whether Luc was accusing her of something or merely curious.

  “I’m sorry if I spoke out of turn, but my healing gift rises every time I’m in Petr’s presence.” She should have realized something would come of her discussion with the healer. She sighed, hoping the family wouldn’t be too angry with her.

  Luc seemed to consider her for a moment before speaking. “I wasn’t complaining, but you should know my brother was furious at the suggestion there’s something wrong with his son. Petr is a sore spot with him.”

  “If you don’t mind my saying, your brother seems to be one giant-sized sore spot. He growls more than my father’s guard dog.”

  Luc smiled at that, their footing changing in one short moment. A tingling hum filled the air around them. Luc stepped closer as she backed away, grasping for the handle of her bedroom door.

  “Good night, Luc.” She opened the door and tried to flee, but he placed his hand on the heavy wood above her head.

  Their eyes met and held, a mystical energy floating between them. Joining them. Enticing them. A magnetic pull drew them together, though she fought against it.

  Luc moved closer and his lips met hers as his knee rode the seam between her thighs. Lilly wanted to object, but the moment his mouth settled on hers, all thoughts of denying herself this pleasure flew right out of her head. No other man’s kiss had ever felt so right or so magical, from her very first taste—was it only this afternoon they had first kissed? It felt like she’d known his touch for a lifetime.

  Her lips actually tingled where his joined them, and when she gasped, he took quick advantage, thrusting his tongue within. Lilly had been kissed by more than a few men in her time. Fellow guards, students at her father’s school and even the prince of a neighboring realm had tried to court her, but she’d never felt the sensations Luc imparted with a simple kiss. She thought she’d learned her lesson earlier in the day, but this conflagration burned even hotter than that first explosion of passion.

  She’d almost been lost in the garden. This was even worse. This was mind-numbing, heart-pounding need made flesh. His body ground against hers, his forearms flat on the wall on either side of her head as his calloused hands cradled her head.

  “Lilly,” he whispered as he broke away from her lips to trail his open mouth down past her ear to her throat and beyond. The light shirt she had on was no hindrance to his questing hand as laces came undone and buttons unbuttoned. Soft air currents wafted across her bare skin, followed closely by Luc’s hot, moist breath, and then his lips and tongue.

  He licked the hollow above her collarbone, and her whole body clenched. He nipped her skin where her breast just began to rise, and her knees went suddenly weak. As his head moved lower, she gasped, and her head twisted in an agony of desire against the hard wall behind her until, finally, his tongue swathed over and around one turgid peak.

  “Luc!” She cried out as his mouth tortured her with a devilish suction, making her want unattainable things. She’d never wanted so badly, so fast, or so unwisely.

  She moaned as he moved even closer, his powerful thigh putting pressure on the sensitive apex of her thighs as he moved to her other breast. Luc pulled back just slightly at the sound, his gorgeous blue gaze glazed with passion as he looked deep into her eyes.

  “You want this, don’t you?”

  “God help me, I do.” Her whispered words let something loose inside her. Something that had been chained but was now free. The thought gave her pause and brought a hint of fear in its wake. “But this is wrong.”

  Luc bent to kiss her skin once more, whispering his denial against her body. “How can anything that feels so beautiful be wrong?” He nipped her neck playfully as he moved back up her body to reclaim her lips. Pausing with his open mouth over hers, their breaths mingling, he looked deep into her eyes. “I’ve never felt this before, Lilly. I want you more than anything.”

  She held his gaze as his words ran sluggishly through her mind. He wanted her. The feeling was very mutual, but was wanting enough? Never before had Lilly been so tempted to disregard her own standards, but she wanted more than to just scratch an itch. After her first fumbling encounters as a youth, Lilly had decided never to give herself without at least some kind of feeling. She had to care for the men she took to her bed and wanted them to feel affection, at least, for her in return. That was her rule, and it had stood her in good stead while making her living working and living among men in a mostly male profession.

  So, why was she so tempted now? She’d known this man—this elf—for just a day, and her body wanted nothing more than to surrender to the pleasure she sensed he could give her, but doubts lingered.

  What was she doing? This wasn’t like her at all. She needed time to think. Or some sign from him that he cared for her, as unlikely as that would be given their short acquaintance, at least a little. And the fear uppermost in her mind was that he was only out for the novelty of being with someone so different from his own people.

  “Why?”

  Luc paused, drawing back slightly, still holding her gaze. “I don’t honestly know, but I’ve never been attracted so strongly before to any woman, be she fey or human. I look forward to our journey together.”

  Alarm bells started clanging in her mind. He’d been doing well until that last reference to their trip. Was he making his move now, so he’d have a bedmate on the road? Many soldiers had tried that with her before they all headed out on campaign. She was wary of that kind of thing as a rule. No good ever came of it when the journey was over, and the man walked away from her without a backward glance. She’d succumbed to handsome army rogues twice in her life and vowed it would never happen again.

  Though Luc was also a warrior, Lilly had been trained by the best. He’d let up the pressure on her body just enough for her to get a knee between them. She used it to her best advantage, brushing up warningly against the large bulge that, in another time and place, would have impressed her. As it was, he was damned lucky she didn’t cause him permanent damage.

  “Get your paws off me, elf,” she sneered, “or you’ll be singing soprano for a week.” Blue eyes widened as she applied pressure in his most sensitive area. Luc backed off so fast, it could have been comical, but she was in no mood for laughter.

  “That’s the second time you’ve called me that, Lilly. I assume you know how insulting it is.” His expression had gone from desire to anger in seconds as she tugged the ends of her shirt together.

  “About as insulting as you wanting to bed me simply because I’m a human novelty and a traveling companion. Well, not to worry. When you get to King Alric’s court, I’m sure you won’t lack for human bedpartners. Until then, just leave me alone.”

  She turned her back on him, deliberately insulting him in a way only another warrior would understand. By damn, he’d treat her with more respect. She wasn’t easy, despite her moments of weakness, and she wasn’t up for his kind of game. Not now. She was still on a mission, and it was vital that she complete it. Her King was counting on her.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The next morning, Lilly broke her fast with Lady Adain. She’d once again followed the scents of food toward the dining hall and found two places set at the table, one occupied by the Lady.

  “Join me, dear,” the Lady invited. “The boys have already gone to start their day. They rise earlier than I because of the warriors’ schedule rotation. And Luc has to set things in motion, so everything is in order while he’s away.”

  Lilly sat, and within moments, Belinda had brought a plate in for her from the kitchen. That see-through fireplace had more than one use and had to be handy for the staff to keep an eye on the needs of their employers.

  Lilly was ill at ease, all alone with Lady Adain. This woman wielded great power, but it was more than that. Lilly was used to being in King Alric’s presence and counted him a friend, but this woman was something else again. Magical, through and through, like all fair folk, Lady Adain was even more fearsome than Elira, the head mage. There was something about this woman and her ancient eyes that made Lilly pause.

  Not to mention the fact that both Lilly and Alric had seen Lady Adain well before they ever met. Alric in his prophetic vision of the future and Lilly in dreams. Lilly hadn’t really spoken about the dreams that had filled her with such conviction that she must undertake the journey to find this woman. Now that she was here, she was at a loss. She didn’t know what she was supposed to do.

  “A vision sent you here,” the Lady said, inviting a reply.

  There it was. The root of the problem out in the open. Lilly felt a mixture of relief and dread. On the one hand, she was relieved to discuss her strange dreams, but on the other, she was afraid what they might mean. She would have been content to leave without discussing them at all but knew, in her heart, that would have been the wrong course. She’d have worried and wondered about those strange dreams all the way back home and ever after.

  “King Alric saw you in several visions. I also had a few odd dreams and happened to mention them to my liege. He was the one who understood the significance and said I’d find you here.”

  “When did the dreams start? Was it before or after your healing talent manifested?”

  “Shortly after, milady.” Lilly fidgeted a bit in her seat.

  “Had you ever had prophetic dreams before?”

  “No, never, milady.”

  “Any since?”

  “No, milady.”

  “Tell me, what was I doing in these dreams?” The Lady changed tactics, it seemed.

  Lilly thought back to those hazy visions of the woman who now sat before her. “I saw your face, rippling as if reflected in a pool of water. What I remember most was the sparkle of what I thought was ice in your hair.”

  “Ice?” the Lady mused. “Interesting. I wear the diamonds of my station out of habit, and in memory of my husband and son, now gone. Feodren, my husband, gave me these jewels as a wedding gift.” Lady Adain touched the glittering gems in her hair as a wistful smile passed over her face. Lilly could tell she’d loved her husband a great deal, and her heart went out to the widow.

  “They are beautiful, milady,” Lilly said in a quiet voice.

  “He was a handsome man with a beautiful soul, and our son, Feodor, was just as pure of heart and strong of character. He passed that on to his sons, Detlif and Lucassian. Of course, their mother was a good woman, of good family, as well. When Feodor and his wife passed on, I took them in. Detlif was already a knight. He’d passed beyond scouthood. But Luc was still a boy. Shilayla was just out of the shell, and they were both so lost. I thank the Mother of All that they had each other in those early years.”

  Lilly’s heart went out to the boy Luc had been. “Shilayla and he are very close.”

  “They’re heartmates. It’s the way we bond with our dragon friends. Not as close, in some ways, as humans bond with other kinds of dragons, but snow dragons are different than their more colorful cousins. They are wilder, and their magic is very close to the surface. My own heartmate and I have been together since I was just a girl. We are friends and colleagues. We help each other and support each other’s magic. We can draw from each other’s power resources when need arises. That is something humans cannot generally do.”

  “I’ve heard bards speak of the dragons in Draconia, who bond with knights to fight, but I’ve never heard of those dragons bonding to share magic.”

  “That’s because magic is never as close to the surface in humans, as a general rule, as it is in our people. The Draconian Lairs are for fighting. Those dragons bond very closely with their partners, extending their knights’ lives well beyond that of a regular man. We have no need of the snow dragon’s magic for that. Instead, we share our magics with our heartmates when needed, as they share theirs with us in return. It is a different relationship that has different consequences. My own Feodren, for example, didn’t have a heartmate. He was the Lord of House Adain. When he sought a wife, he chose me, probably because I was already bonded with Mena” The Lady looked fondly toward one long window where the sandy courtyard and a pair of white dragons were visible, lounging in the sun. “All Council members must be partnered. It is our law. Seven dragons and their seven partners shall sit on the Council to guide the rest. When I married into House Adain, I gained a great deal of political power, but I had to have power of my own—magical power—or Feodren would never have chosen me.”