King's Crown: Chronicles of the Dragon-Bound: Book 3, page 19
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Several minutes later Frieanna returned to the room where Dax sat. She was wrapped in a voluminous floor-length robe woven with patterns of color. Her hair, unpinned, swirled to her shoulders. Dax could not tell whether the robe had a repeating pattern or whether it might portray a scene of some sort. He could not decide, because he was consumed by the question of what Frieanna might have on under the robe. Had she taken the time to take off . . . ?
Stop that! he told himself sternly.
Instead of taking the room’s other chair, she swept over to the couch and motioned for Dax to make room. She sat down next to him, and Dax caught the aroma of fresh flowers. “Now, let’s talk about sex,” she said with an impish smile.
If he had been awkward before, his previous embarrassment paled in comparison to his feelings now. He reached to tug at his collar, but he turned the gesture into a thoughtful stroke of his chin. A drop of sweat trickled down his ribs. He cleared his throat to get his voice working. “Uh, yes.” He took a breath. “I think we should be cautious in developing a physical relationship until we get to know each other.”
Frieanna leaned away from him and looked at him archly. “Are you one of those men who is not attracted to women? Is that what you are trying to say?”
Dax laughed. Once started, he found it difficult to stop. Finally he got himself under control. “No,” he said firmly and shook his head with a sigh. “No, that is not a problem at all. Truly, I see the problem as quite the other way.” He shook his head again. “Whenever I’m with you”—and now he looked at her and held her eyes—“I find it difficult to think of anything else because I’m so attracted to you.” She smiled at that and was going to say something, but Dax held up his hand. “Please. I really want to try to get this out correctly.” He took a breath to steady himself, but he could not meet her eyes again. He looked down and saw her bare feet peeking out from under her robe. His eyes lingered on her delicate toes, but he forced himself to look at her directly. He had to express his concern. “I’m afraid if I follow my instincts and go rutting after you like some buck deer, I may damage the possibility of having you love me in return.” He glanced away, but looked back. She sat quietly. He had said what he had to say. Now he wished she would say something.
Finally she did. “Why would you think that? I thought all men approached sex like rutting bucks.” She smiled a little as if to encourage him.
Thinking of a way to explain himself, he thought back to his adventures after he had left the castle, and how he and Treyhorn had been waylaid on their way to Iron Moor. While they recovered, they had lived with Orrysa, who ran an inn and way station, but it was also one of the finest bawdy houses in the North. He had been a young boy, and all Orrysa’s women had welcomed him and treated him as one of their own children—especially Cella, Scarlet’s mother. While there, he had heard the women talk about the men who paid for their favors.
He struggled to find the right words so Frieanna would understand his worries, yet not force a long digression before he could make his point. “On the way to Iron Moor after I escaped, I lived in a bawdy house for a time.”
Frieanna arched her eyebrows. “Not that I’m not interested in your whole story, but this part sounds intriguing. I was under the impression you were inexperienced.”
His face was on fire. “I was a ch-child when I was there,” he stuttered. “They treated me like a member of their own family. They . . .” He stopped when he saw she was laughing.
“Dax,” she said, still chuckling, “I apologize. I can’t seem to keep myself from teasing you.” She leaned forward and patted his leg. “Please go on. I want to hear what you have to say.”
Although she probably meant her reassuring gesture to settle his nerves, when she had leaned forward, she had revealed that she had nothing on under the top of her robe. He tried to put the image of the flash of skin out of his mind. It took all the control he could muster. Where was his dragon determination? After a deep breath, he had settled his nerves enough to continue. “I heard the women talk about the men they were with. They were cold and cynical about the ones who just used them for pleasure.”
The words were inadequate, but true enough. He went on. “There was one older man whom all the women wanted to be with. He was a retired school master who had been widowed. The women even introduced me to him. He came two or three times a week, most often not to pay for their favors but to just talk to any of the women who were not working. Sometimes when he did pay, he would sit and talk with the girl the entire time. He was lonely. He liked the women, and they liked him.” Frieanna looked at him and did not say a word. He would have welcomed an interruption. “I want us to get to know each other, to develop a relationship, before I . . .”
“Rut like a buck deer?” She blinked her eyes innocently at him.
Dax had to smile back at her. “You make fun, but the dragon-bound have great . . . needs. I am afraid that if I start, I may hurt you or frighten you. Does that make sense?”
Frieanna’s eyes were wide and warm in the flickering firelight. “You are a gentleman to a fault, Dax, and I appreciate your concern.” She leaned against the back of the couch and toyed with a lock of her hair. “If you were any other man, I would seriously consider what you say because I’ve had my own thoughts about this. However, ever since we met, you have seemed so . . .”—and now Frieanna had trouble finding words—“. . . so right, so natural a person to be with.” She shrugged. “Does that make any sense?”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Right is exactly the correct word. I recognized you in the tent that day when we arrived in Tazzelton for all the reasons I said, but the first thing I noticed—the very first thing—was how right you looked to me.”
She leaned against him and looked up into his eyes. “Dax the dragon-bound and husband-to-be, how great are your needs?”
Dax saw nothing in the room but her eyes. “It could take all night,” he mumbled as he leaned closer.
“Sounds wonderful,” she groaned as her lips met his.
They fit together perfectly. The kiss went on for long time. Finally Dax pulled back a little because he wanted to see her face. He ran the backs of his fingers along her chin toward her ears and noticed a peculiar, dual sensation. He felt her skin under his fingers, but he also sensed what Frieanna felt as he stroked her skin. He let his fingers wander on. He traced the perimeter of her ears and roamed down her neck to her shoulders. He returned to caress the spots that had given her the greatest sensations.
“Oh,” she murmured, “that feels nice.”
Emboldened by her response, he let his fingers trail down to her shoulders where they were hidden under the robe. Her skin was velvety smooth—and responsive. She shifted position, but it was not to stop him. Now her robe was loose across her shoulders.
Frieanna reached up to stroke his face. She stopped and looked at her fingers, her eyes wide with surprise. “What’s happening?” she whispered.
“I’m not sure,” Dax mumbled nuzzling into her hair, “but I think I like it.”
They rejoined their kiss with perfect synchronization. He rubbed her shoulder, and her robe came free. The soft skin of her breast nudged against his arm. She gasped while they kissed, but Dax did not need the cue, because he knew what she felt.
Frieanna broke the kiss and started pulling at Dax’s clothes. “Help me get these off you.”
Dax stood up and took her hand. “I think we need to go somewhere more comfortable and quiet.”
Her eyes were bright as she stood up. Her robe fell open unnoticed as she took his hand. “Hurry” was all she said. They went into her bedchamber, and Dax closed the heavy door behind them.
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Much, much later, they lay curled together in the middle of her large bed. Dax had gotten up three times to put more wood on the fire burning in the fireplace, and now the dimly glowing embers signaled need for another trip.
From behind, Frieanna reached around and rubbed her hand on his chest. “Mmm. Still damp,” she murmured.
“It seems to take a lot of work to satisfy you.” He turned and kissed her before he got out of bed. He put three pieces of split maple and a small chunk from an apple stump on the fire. Back in bed, he shivered and pulled a blanket back over the two of them. “Cooler in here when we’re not working.”
She laughed and tangled her arms around his neck. “Does Kahshect do that every time?”
“I’m not sure,” he said, “but I’ve heard him roar every time except the first.” He gave her a soft little kiss, and she purred in response. “The first time we were both making so much noise I couldn’t hear him.”
She laughed again, and they chatted about nothing in particular. Finally Dax asked, “I’m curious how you knew I was the long-lost boy king. All the time I thought I was being so careful.”
“You were careful,” she answered, “and that was one of the clues. Every time we got close to a topic having to do with West Landly, your history, your life . . . all those things. Anyway, I could tell you were thinking before you said anything. You would hesitate just a little.”
“The mask you said I always wore.”
As the new wood caught, the light flickered brighter, and he saw her nod. “And when you didn’t think, you sometimes knew too much. The first time I felt something strange from you was on our carriage ride up to the castle when I told you about the offerings to the boy king on the house windowsills.”
He traced the line of her eyebrows, then kissed her nose. “I had not been in this city for maybe fifteen years, and I was already awash in memories and reminiscences. Can you imagine how the idea of those offerings moved me?” He sighed and used his finger to trace her nose down to its tip, where she bobbed her head up and captured his finger with her lips. “That really happened, you know.”
“What?”
“Leaving the rewards. For the food, I mean.” She looked puzzled. “When I left the castle, I took some gold and silver coins just in case.” He chuckled. “It turns out, a street urchin has trouble spending even a silver in this city.”
“You’re not kidding about that, because you are dragon-bound, but I can scarcely believe it.”
“I got thrown out of places for being a thief and a criminal. No one would touch my ill-gotten gains. Unless, of course, it was to steal it for themselves.” He shrugged. “A number of folks in the city gave me food out of the generosity of their hearts. I used the coins to reward their kindness.”
“You are an amazing person.” Her statement had a double meaning, because while he was talking, her hands had wandered south and found evidence of his renewed interest in her. She threw a leg over his and rolled him onto his back. “My turn on top,” she mumbled as she kissed him. There were no more words until after the dragon roared again.
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Dax heard the door open and shut. A chatty voice said, “Now look lively, little missy, our royal highness. I know you probably didn’t sleep much last night. Nobody in the castle, and I dare say the whole of Tazzelton, slept a wink with that nasty old dragon roaring on and off all night long, for goodness’ sake.”
There was a rush of sound as the curtains were pulled, and sunlight flooded into the room. Frieanna stirred groggily beside him. Dax turned, blinked into the light, and recognized Stephette Blum just at the moment the woman turned to see the tableau of their two naked bodies on the bed.
Mistress Blum gave an inarticulate cry and lunged toward the bed. The next thing Dax knew, she was pummeling his back with her fists. “You wicked, wicked man!” she cried. “Take advantage of our queen, will you? Just let me get my hands—”
“Stephette!” He heard Frieanna call her servant’s name, and the bed shifted as Frieanna twisted around toward the woman. “Stephette, stop that!”
Dax uncurled and turned his head to look. Frieanna had a grip on the woman’s forearms, and they struggled. Stephette tried to go after Dax again, and Frieanna pushed her away.
“Stephette! Look at me!” The tone of command in the queen’s voice was unmistakable now. The older woman stopped trying to lunge at Dax. With a deep breath, she turned to look at the disheveled, naked queen.
“We talked about this before,” Frieanna said, her voice now calm and soothing. “Dax and I are getting married. We just started a little early.”
The woman was still upset, but now she was focused on the queen. “But it was still evil of him to take advantage of you,” Stephette blustered. “It was wicked to come into your rooms and take you, seduce you . . . Just wrong!” She appeared on the verge of tears.
“Wrong?” Kahshect’s thought intruded. “Seemed to me you were both having fun.”
“Stay out of this, please,” thought Dax desperately. Could Frieanna hear the dragon too? He saw a smile flickering on her lips.
“Please, Stephette, relax. He did not take me against my will.” Now she did smile. “No, it even took some encouragement on my part.”
Stephette looked scandalized, but she relaxed, and Frieanna let go of her arms. “Well, that doesn’t surprise me.” Stephette sniffed and pulled back. “You have always plunged into everything without thinking.”
“I love you for your concern, Stephette. Don’t ever change. However, Dax is part of my life now.” Frieanna reached for a blanket on the bed and wrapped it around herself. Dax took the hint and pulled the covers over himself as well. With another thought, he pulled a pillow over his head. If he was not going to be attacked, he was going back to sleep.
After a few minutes of muffled conversation, Frieanna crawled back into bed. She snuggled up to him and put her arms around him. He pulled his head out from under the pillow, and she pecked him on the cheek. “We can sleep a little longer.” She sighed and settled in close to him. “Stephette will get us up. We do have a reception for the nobility early this afternoon. After that is the rehearsal this evening.”
He made a noise in reply, but he was already happily fading back to sleep.
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Dax thought it was only a moment later, but Mistress Blum rapped firmly on the bedroom door and announced it was time to get up. Dax’s eyes were sandy, but they opened. He reached over and prodded Frieanna, who showed no signs of responding to the call.
After a time and a second prodding, she rolled over and looked at him. “I don’t feel like getting up. Can’t we just stay in bed all day?” She rolled closer and snuggled up to him again. Playfully, she dragged at the sheet that covered him and reached for his manhood. “Did I wear it out?” she giggled as they cuddled.
Dax rolled over onto his stomach. She sighed in disgust and gave him a swat on his fanny. She pulled the sheet the rest of the way off him, but this time she rubbed his back. He sighed. Yes, he wanted to stay in bed too.
“What’s this?” Frieanna asked, pointing to the birthmark on Dax’s left buttock.
“It’s a beauty mark. Why?” When Frieanna did not reply, he said, “It’s a birthmark. My father told me it’s where the Goddess spanked me for being naughty.”
Frieanna continued to rub his bottom but said nothing more. He turned to look at her. She had a strange expression on her face. She saw him looking at her, and in a hoarse voice she said, “Let’s get dressed. I have to show you something.”
Groggy and puzzled at what might have caused her sudden change of mood, Dax rolled out of bed and fumbled for his clothes. As he pulled them on, he admired Frieanna’s slim figure as she dressed hurriedly in front of her closet. He smiled. Last night had been amazing. His worries about their future relationship were no longer a concern. She had been more than a match for him.
When they were both ready, he opened the door to the anteroom where Mistress Blum was readying the queen’s wardrobe for the day. Instantly she began fussing over Frieanna and insisted she change into a fresh tunic top before she went out.
Frieanna pushed her away. “Please, Stephette, not just yet. We have to do something first right here in the family quarters. I will be back in a moment to dress for the day.”
The woman acquiesced, and Frieanna turned to the door. Dax followed her into the hallway. Stephette grabbed the back of his overtunic and tugged it down straight before he went out the door. He turned and nodded a thank-you. She gave him a weak smile but did not meet his eyes.
In the hallway there were guards on duty, but Frieanna ignored them. She took Dax’s hand and led him to another room. The chamber was one of the smaller bedrooms, and it was unused. Fabric sheets covered most of the furniture.
“My old room,” she said simply.
That was all she said. Dax could not read her mood. Her eyes glistened with moisture, and she just stared at him. Dax was puzzled. Something troubled her, but he had no idea what it could be. Finally he asked, “What is it you wanted to show me?”
She said nothing and walked to the bed. Leaning down, she flipped the cover back. There was a small cloth figure lying at the head of the bed between two pillows. She sat down on the edge of the bed and leaned in to retrieve the toy. For a moment she cuddled it to her chest, then handed it to Dax. He held it in his hands and looked at the threadbare and worn stuffed rabbit.
Mrs. Pibb.
Dax recognized his tattered old toy immediately, but he looked at it in disbelief. It had been years since he had thought of the soft comfort toy his mother had made for him. The memories came rushing back. He had been a young boy when he had fled the castle. There were two things he had to take with him along with his supplies—the dragon’s egg and Mrs. Pibb. The dragon’s egg had hatched Kahshect, but he had given Mrs. Pibb to . . . to . . .
“Anna?” The name fell from his lips in disbelief.
He said the name again and looked at Frieanna. She looked back at him with tears coursing down her cheeks. She sobbed and choked out, “Leith?”
