Keeper of the Flame: Dragon Knights, Book 7 Read online

  The warrior priests who had paired with gryphons stayed at Portu’s also to act as guards. The emissary had questioned each and every one of Portu’s people and found a few sympathizers she judged to be dangerous to the harmony of Helios. The manor house had been partitioned so that a few windowless rooms were used to hold prisoners and the others housed the warrior priests and the knights and their lady.

  Those servants who had no knowledge of Portu’s treachery were allowed to stay on, if they wished, to serve those who used the house and stables. The temple gryphons had made nests fo {madhe houser themselves in the disused barn and had helped Nellin make a place for himself and his mate, poor, injured Jenet. The dragons and gryphons were working together quite well, from all accounts, as Lera was pleased to learn when she finally woke up and was able to read the reports being sent back three times a day.

  Much to her disappointment, when she and Hugh had finally woken a full day later, she was not allowed to laze in bed with her new mate. No, there had been a full schedule waiting for her of things that absolutely could not wait. Hugh too, had been occupied from almost the moment they woke until dinnertime.

  Reliendor, the gryphon from Gryffid’s court, had needed to see Lera to obtain a formal reply to his message. He’d flown off as soon as he got it, leaving the fair folk ambassador, Liam, as the beginning of a delegation from Gryffid to Helios. Lera had spoken briefly with Liam and thanked him for assisting in the search for Sendra. She’d been surprised to find that Liam and one of the temple elders had struck up a friendship and were teaching each other different ways to access and use magic.

  Then there was the matter of the prisoners to deal with. There were a few here in Alagarithia proper and even more on the outskirts of the city, at Portu’s estate. The manor house and farmland was forfeit to the crown for Portu’s treason. He didn’t have much family and those few who had been living with him were now imprisoned in their former home, having been found guilty by the emissary of aiding in the treason by the emissary.

  The temple petitioned and was granted the buildings and grounds as a training facility and possible housing for the newly formed partnerships between priests and gryphons. The emissary had suggested it and after some consideration, Lera saw the benefits of the scheme. The peasants who lived on the land would continue to farm it, only instead of coming under the jurisdiction of a minor nobleman, they would now turn to Father Gregor and the elders put in charge of the estate.

  Lera also had to draft formal documents to send back to Draconia with the twins, whenever they decided to leave. She also wanted to include a more personal, informal letter of greeting between herself and her new extended family, explaining a bit about what had happened and how Hugh had helped. She also wanted to explain privately—outside the diplomatic documents—that Helios could be depended on as a steadfast ally now that the traitors had been dealt with.

  Hugh had helped her all through the day. He’d had to write a few letters back home as well, so they did that together. But he’d been out around the palace as well, seeing to the Guard and making changes in her security. He’d trained with the Guard that morning and used the time to not only exercise, but also to evaluate those men he’d been able to observe and spar with.

  Hugh was in his element and Lera was only too glad to let him do as he willed where the warriors were concerned. Over time, she hoped, they would find things he was suited to more than she, and they would divide up their tasks and areas of responsibility, sharing the burden of rule between them. Theirs would be a true partnership.

  Lera had a million other items on her daily agenda that had piled up while she’d been away, fighting for her life with Hugh. She tried to get through as much as possible with her private secretary’s help. She was a conscientious leader and didn’t like making her people wait on decisions that could be made quickly. She listened to as many of the petitions as she could, but eventually, she had to give up and leave the rest for later. There was much too much to do all in one day.

  It was only later, after Lera and Hugh had f {nd of the peled the public areas of the palace and locked themselves into Lera’s bedroom that they finally had some alone time where both of them were conscious and had the energy to play.

  “Should I even ask how your day was, my love?” Hugh asked as they ate a private meal together in her chambers.

  “You saw most of it. It was every bit as difficult as I supposed it would be. It’s always hard for me to take time off, even when I prepare for it. This time, there was no preparation, no clearing of my schedule. As a result, everything just piled up and it will take some time to untangle the confusion and get back on track.” She speared a green bean with her fork. “But you were a great help to me today, Hugh. Thank you for that.”

  “Anything I can do, I will.”

  “I know.” She paused a moment to smile at him. “And I love you for it.”

  “Just for that?” he prompted, making her smile turn playful.

  “For that and for a few other things.”

  “Maybe one thing in particular?” He waggled his eyebrows as he coaxed her over to sit on his lap. He fed her the last of her meal—a few final string beans, which were to be followed by a chocolate custard.

  When she would have reached for the custard dish, he pushed it just out of her reach.

  “Not fair. That’s the best part of the meal.” She pouted playfully.

  “I know how to make it even better.”

  “Oh, really?” she challenged.

  “Most definitely, milady. If you’ll carry the dish, I propose we adjourn to the bedroom for desert.”

  He stood, holding her in his arms. He dipped her close enough to the table that she could grab the two dishes containing chocolate custard. Each had a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream on top. She was also able to snag a single spoon before he lifted her up again and whisked her into the bedchamber.

  Once there, he lowered her to her feet next to the bed and took the two dishes and spoon from her hands, placing them on the night table next to the bed. Hugh moved close and lowered his mouth to hers, seducing her with his expert kisses while he undressed her.

  Lera worked on the fastenings of his clothing as well, but she was much less proficient than he was. She managed to get him bare from the waist up in the same amount of time it took him to strip her naked. She figured he deserved some sort of reward for his ingenuity, and she had the perfect thing in mind.

  Lera’s fingers went to the fastening of his leather pants and unbuttoned the fly, pushing them down around his thighs, freeing his hard cock. She moved back to admire him for a moment, reaching out to snag some of the whipped cream off one of the custard dishes on her finger.

  She brought it back, stroking the fluffy white concoction over his rigid length, smearing him liberally with the sticky cream. She held his gaze, gratified when she saw his eyes flare with excitement as she dropped to sit on the edge of the bed. It put her at the perfect height to lick him clean.

  Lera leaned forward, taking her time, teasing him with light strokes of her tongue. She watched his face from under her lashes, knowing from prior experience how he liked to be touched. She had learned her lesson well over their relatively short time together and knew how to please him. She employed all her knowledge to bring him to the edge of pleasure, taking him deep into her mouth and making sure all of the whipped cream was cleaned { waoyed aoff by her efficient tongue.

  “Damn, sweetheart. Any more of that and the party will be over before it even started.”

  Hugh pushed her away gently, using a little more force to lay her back on the bed. He lifted her and positioned her in the center of the big four-poster bed. Only then did she notice the cords tied to each of the posts. He must have put them there sometime before dinner.

  “Hugh?” she asked, uncertain, when he took one of her ankles and tied it to the corresponding bedpost.

  “Ssh.” He dropped a quick kiss on the arch of her foot. “Don’t wo
rry. You’re going to love this. I promise.” He moved to tie her other ankle to the opposite post.

  She tested the hold and realized he’d tied her with something soft that wouldn’t abrade her skin. He also hadn’t tied her so tightly that she’d never be able to get out. She was secure, but with some concentrated effort and a little time, she could wiggle out if she had to. That reassured her.

  When he moved to her hands, she went along with his plans willingly. He looped the soft cord around one wrist, then the other, tying them to opposite bedposts until she was spread-eagled, naked, before him.

  Hugh stepped back to admire his handy work and smiled. It was the smile she had come to know and love from him. It was the smile that meant she was in for a really amazing few hours of pleasure. It was the smile he reserved for her alone and it meant the world to her. This was her man. Her life. They would be together now and for all time and she knew in her heart, he would never stray. His inner dragon wouldn’t allow it. They were mated for now and for always.

  She was finally free to give her heart, knowing it would never be rebuffed. Knowing he would never knowingly harm her in any way. He had her trust and her love, forevermore.

  Hugh took one of the dishes of chocolate confection and sat on the bed at her side. Holding her gaze with promises in his eyes, he scooped some of the chocolate custard onto his finger and placed it on one of her nipples.

  The slightly chilly sensation of the wet custard made her jump and her nipple puckered into a tight pebble. He smiled at her reaction and repeated the action, placing a small dollop of the desert on her other nipple.

  She lay there, waiting for him to do more, anticipation making her insides quiver.

  “Have I ever told you how much I’ve always loved the flavor of chocolate?” Hugh asked conversationally as he licked the residue off his fingers and placed the dish back on the bedside table. “There is a place in Castleton called Pritchard’s Inn on the High Road. They have the most amazing chocolate confections and sticky buns. As youngsters, my brothers and I used to go there whenever we could to buy treats from Mrs. Pritchard.”

  Why was he telling her all that when she was lying there dying of anticipation?

  “I thought I’d tasted every kind of chocolate dessert there was to taste. Little did I realize they would all pale in comparison to this.” He leaned over her and licked the custard off one nipple. She tensed.

  “Mmm. Just as I thought. It tastes even better when licked from your skin. You were the missing ingredient,” he whispered as he kissed his way across her chest to arrive at the other nipple.

  He opened his mouth over her breast, sucking her in and tonguing her with concentrated effort. Oh, yeah. He knew just what she liked and how far to push her. Lera felt close to a peak from just this contact alone {conwith. Being tied up and unable to touch him was adding an extra little jolt to the experience that she hadn’t expected.

  The vulnerability. The trust. It all heightened her senses, which was something she didn’t know would happen. She’d never allowed anyone to restrain her before. And no one had ever eaten dessert off her body before either.

  Hugh’s hands moved out of her sight while his mouth never left her skin. He sucked her nipples until they were sensitive to his slightest touch. He nipped the undersides of her breasts playfully, not hurting, but letting her know he was there. He swirled his tongue over her skin and then she felt the cool wetness of more custard being dropped onto her abdomen.

  The difference between the heat of his mouth and the coldness of the custard made her shiver as he worked his way downward. He lapped at an increasing trail of custard all the way down her belly. One dollop at a time, he set her on fire. And she was unable to move. Unable to think beyond the pleasure that started to build inside her.

  “Hugh,” she pleaded as he moved between her legs, settling there, spreading her pussy so that he could place his mouth over her clit.

  Her hips lifted involuntarily, reaching for more. Hugh didn’t disappoint. His teeth nibbled gently on her most delicate and sensitive skin, holding her in place for his talented tongue. Lera almost came up off the bed as pleasure broke over her in a short, fast climax that was only the beginning. Hugh rode her through it and two more like it, all the while working his wiles on her with fingers, t

  eeth and tongue.

  After her third small peak had come and another was building within her straining body, Hugh finally moved, taking his mouth back up her body as he replaced his fingers with what she really wanted. His thick cock slid inside her and immediately went to work. He stroked deep and hard, increasing both the speed and pressure as he went until she was swept up in the passion they shared.

  “Hugh, I can’t take much more,” she warned as the biggest climax yet started to peak.

  “Don’t hold back, Lera. Come for me now,” he coaxed, driving harder and faster even as the words left his lips. With each pulse he treated her insides to a loving friction that rubbed her in all the right places.

  She screamed his name as she came and only dimly heard his answering shout as his seed jetted into her. The feel of his come heightened her pleasure and it went on and on as she lay under him, needing him, loving him.

  She must have passed out at that point because the next thing she was aware of was sitting naked in Hugh’s lap in bed as he spooned what was left of the custard into his mouth. When he realized she was awake, he fed her as well, alternating with her as they shared the single spoon.

  The bed was a bit of a mess, but she could honestly say she’d never had a better dessert in her life.

  Epilogue

  Weeks later, after everything had settled down and all the traitors had been dealt with, the twins had flown back to Draconia. Prince Nico and his wife, Riki, had arrived to perform a royal state visit. Nico was the Prince of Spies and also a talented diplomat. He’d managed to charm both Lera and her courtiers, and his wife, Riki, was just as popular, though she was by nature a quieter sort of person than the larger-than-life Nico.

  Hugh and Lera were settling in, each day discovering some new facet of their relationship and learning how best to divide their public duties. Hugh had taken over the training and ~cover deployment of the palace guard. He’d also found many different areas in which Helios could benefit from his warrior skill.

  Every night they spent together and every day they worked out how their new lives together would be spent. One important facet of their life was Miss. She continued to thrive under the emissary’s watchful tutelage and Hugh and Lera’s unrestrained love.

  Lera worried about the gryphons of Helios. Something had to be done to renew the bonds she’d thought they had. Something also had to be done about Miss’s insecurity. The baby often had worries about where she fit in, though she seldom discussed them unless coaxed into it.

  Hugh and Lera had decided to formalize their adoption of Miss as a way to help the child with her fears and hopefully begin to repair what had been done to her. Miss’s mother was still alive, but imprisoned. There might one day be a chance for reconciliation between them, but for now the baby needed a stable family. Hugh and Lera could provide that.

  And that’s why they were gathered in the throne room with all the dignitaries and courtiers present. Today Hugh and Lera would officially become Miss’s parents, and they’d name her as well. Miss didn’t know it, but Lera thought she had a solution to amend the child’s name. She would try it out today.

  “I, Valeria, Doge of Helios, Keeper of the Flame, adopt you, Miss, as my daughter for all time and through all obstacles. I love you and will protect and provide for you until you are of an age to take care of yourself.” Lera couldn’t deny, there were tears in her eyes as she spoke the words in front of the assembly, the gryphon standing before her, trembling with excitement.

  “And I, Hugh, Prince of Draconia and mate of Valeria, adopt you, Miss, as my daughter for and through all obstacles. I love you and will protect and provide for you until you are of an age
to take care of yourself,” Hugh repeated, adding a wink for the nervous gryphon.

  “Do you agree, Miss? And do you accept Hugh and Valeria as your adoptive parents from this day forward?” The emissary was officiating the ceremony and stood between the child and those who would adopt her.

  “Yess!” Miss almost shouted her joy and bounced up and down on her front paws. Her little wings spread to balance her and she made a beautiful sight, all unconsciously. “Want Hoo and Lera to be mama and papa.”

  “Then so it shall be,” the emissary said with finality. They could all feel the magic in the air at her pronouncement, sealing the ceremony with the blessings of the Lady. “Go to your parents, little one.” Jalinar pushed Miss with one of her wingtips, but Miss needed no goading to run up the steps of the dais on which Lera’s and Hugh’s thrones stood.

  Hugh bent and caught the child in his arms, hugging her as he stood. Miss ran her little tongue over Lera’s cheek in kitty kisses as the three of them hugged each other with joy in their hearts. The court around them applauded the making of the family for some time.

  When the noise settled down, Lera and Hugh sat. Miss sat between them, in a space deliberately left for her between their thrones. Hugh hadn’t been officially crowned yet, but the state wedding was in the works and it would only be a matter of time before he became her official consort. Lera saw no reason why he couldn’t sit with her on the dais now, since he was royalty already, albeit from an allied land.

  One or two of her advisors had wanted to stand on formality, but Lera had dismissed their concerns. The court had gotten used to the arrand tspangement after the first few days and had seemed to accept the new order. They would accept Miss too. She just knew it.

  To that end, she had one more thing to take care of.

  “Miss,” Lera began in her public voice. The courtiers listened, knowing she was addressing them as well as the baby gryphon. “We have to do something about your name. I believe I have an idea, but it is up to you to decide if you like it or not.”