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FireDrake
Enough to do it again? I mean, he stumbled a bit, would you share another
meal with me? Tomorrow, or the next day, perhaps? I really want to see you
again.
She nodded, the lovely smile still in place on her plump lips, and his heart
lifted. I d like that, but I m on duty all day tomorrow. How about the day
after? I could meet you for lunch again. Or dinner.
Dinner!
Nellin counseled.
After dinner you can take her for a moonlit stroll or a night flight, if
she s game.
Dinner would be perfect. Shall we come for you at sunset? Nellin and I know a
great little inn on the outskirts of Castleton where he can have as good a
time as us, chasing his dinner with the other dragons who frequent the place.
Pushing it, don t you think?
Nellin s worried voice sounded in Mace s mind.
What if she s still afraid of me?
She s not. You should see the way she looks at you. She wants to keep you as
a pet, Nel. Trust me on this.
You mean& ride on the dragon s back with you?
Mace liked the way her eyes lit up as she shifted her gaze back to where
Nellin lay, lounging in the sun with his flock of childish admirers.
If you re not afraid. As you can see, Nellin and I are pretty much a pair.
Where I go, he s usually not far behind. Mace tried to look sheepish, but the
excitement in her gaze reassured him that his fears on this topic at least,
had been unfounded.
I m not afraid of dragons, she said, and he inwardly crowed. I haven t been
around them much, I ll admit, but I m not afraid of them. I m actually kind of
fascinated by them, I think. She turned to look straight at Mace with those
lovely grey eyes of hers.
I d love to fly with you and Nellin, if he s willing to carry me.
Do you have to be anywhere this afternoon? Mace pounced.
She shook her head. I was just going to do some chores. Washing and such. But
that can wait.
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Then how about we get the proprietor to pack two sweet rolls and some mead
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for us, and Nellin can fly us out to a little meadow we know where there s a
nice shady grove by a bend in the river. We can have our dessert picnic
style.
And the little lady can get to know us better. Oh, you are much more nimble
than I
gave you credit for, Mace. Good work.
Nellin s congratulatory words sounded in
Mace s mind.
I think that would be amazing. I d love to go with you and Nellin. Once
again
Krysta peered out the window to the square, her gaze lighting on the reclining
dragon with both admiration and awe. Mace thought it was a very good start
indeed.
Who was this knight, after all? Just when Krysta thought she had Mace figured
out, he surprised her. She d just about decided he was shy and somewhat staid
when out of the blue he suggested a spontaneous picnic by the river and a
dragon flight to get there.
He d surprised her in a totally wonderful way.
Not that she didn t like steady men. Krysta actually craved a bit of solidity
after the years she d spent roaming with her Jinn family, but there was
something to be said for spontaneity as well. Still, she would never have
pegged Mace for the type to come up with such a plan, and it thoroughly
enchanted her.
He was such a dear man. So thoughtful and strong in character. That a dragon
such as Nellin had chosen him spoke volumes about his commitment to duty and
to serving the people and dragons of this land. All knights were special men,
but Krysta had felt drawn to Mace from the moment she d first seen him.
Tall, dark and handsome with a solid build and muscles that hinted at enormous
strength, he had kind eyes and a tender manner with his dragon partner and his
friends.
He also moved well, like a well-trained warrior should, and she admired the
fluidity of his steps. He d be an excellent fighter& and a talented lover, if
she were any judge.
They finished their after-meal drinks while the proprietor packed up dessert
for them and Mace tipped the woman well for her good service. Within minutes,
they were heading out into the square. To the waiting dragon.
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FireDrake
Nellin rose to his haunches as Mace made the introductions. They d met
formally once before at the Guard House, but it had been a rushed occasion
with many others around. This time, Krysta was well aware of the dragon s
scrutiny as she bowed politely and he lowered his head in return.
I m pleased to see you again, Sir Nellin. Thank you for consenting to let me
fly with you and Sir Mace.
Mace cocked his head, smiling, apparently listening to the dragon before he
turned to her. Nellin says he likes your dress much better than your uniform,
though the grey of the Guard s tunic does match your eyes. He looked over at
the dragon. Really, Nel. I
never knew you were so keen on fashion. Krysta chuckled as Mace teased his
dragon partner. He also says he s happy to show you what it s like to fly.
Mace winked at her.
He likes taking first-timers up in the sky. We spend a lot of our days off
ferrying children around to give them a taste of the air currents. It s one of
his favorite things to do, since he loves flying and feels sorry for those of
us who don t have wings of our own.
Mace s tone was joking, but Krysta recognized the truth behind the teasing.
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With another bow, she addressed the dragon. I think it s a beautiful thing to
do. We who have no wings thank you, Sir Nellin.
Mace chuckled as Nellin dropped down to all fours so he could mount. Save
that for after you ve been aloft. Some people hate it, while others can t get
enough. We ll soon find out what kind you are. Mace swung up onto the
dragon s back with practiced ease and held out a hand for her. Use his elbow
as a stepladder, he advised.
Krysta took Mace s big hand and stepped on the dragon s bent front limb. His
scales were slippery under the leather of her boot, but solid and firm.
Boosting up with the help of Mace s strong grip, she found herself seated
before the knight, just over the dragon s shoulder, where his long neck met
his wide body, the gorgeous wings stretching out behind. Already, she felt
more alive than she ever had, but whether it was the dragon beneath her or the
hard-muscled embrace of the man behind her, she knew not. Mace was proving to
be every bit as exciting and unexpected as his dragon partner.
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Still waters did indeed run deep with this complex man. Krysta couldn t wait
to discover all his hidden facets.
Flying on the dragon s back was like nothing Krysta had ever experienced
before.
She d thought she might feel a bit insecure with little to hold onto, but the
ridge where shoulder met neck on the dragon made a natural saddle that felt
more secure than she would have credited. Mace s strong arms around her added
to the feeling of surety and
Nellin flew with obvious care not to frighten her.
What do you think? Mace raised his voice to be heard over the rushing air as
they leveled out over the city.
This is amazing! Krysta drank in the incredible view of the city far below,
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