Page 81 of Wings of Frost and Fury
The first woman to approach me is tall, with the muscle definition of a warrior and coloring similar to mine. “Welcome, enchantress,” she says. “You are Thelise, yes?”
“I am.”
“I’m Bryenne, former knight of the Crown. We’re so pleased you could join us. We have much to thank you for.”
Relief drains the tension from my shoulders. “I take it you found a pleasant companion with whom to weather the storm?”
She smirks, biting her lip. “Three of them, in fact. Jaerix, Runaris, and Zaedian.”
My eyes widen. “Three? Fuck me. Are you—do you need healing? During the mating heat, that must have been… intense.”
She laughs. “I’m perfectly fine. When I’m tired or sore, they fuck each other.”
Ashvelon makes a choking sound and we both turn to look at him.
“I think you’ve shocked him,” I say sidelong to Bryenne.
“No,” Ashvelon protests. “Surprised, not shocked. I didn’t know that Runaris and Jaerix—that is to say, Zaedian always—I’m delighted with any arrangement that is pleasing to everyone. Did any of the males breed you?”
I clamp a hand over his mouth. “You must forgive Ashvelon,” I tell the knight apologetically. “He is working on mastering the poetry of words, but it often eludes him, and sometimes he blurts out things that are quite inappropriate.”
Ashvelon raises an eyebrow at me as if to accuse me of the same thing. I only smirk and return my attention to Bryenne. “I’m pleased you weathered the storm well.”
“We did. And yes, there are three eggs in our cave. One of my mates is watching over them. His stomach was unsettled after the hunt, and he preferred to stay behind.”
“And the other two?”
“There.” She nods to a pair of dragons who are sharing a cow carcass. “Come to the fire. We have far more palatable food, including some of the venison that Ashvelon brought, I believe. It’s been well-seasoned and roasted to perfection.”
My mouth is already watering with anticipation, and when she brings me a trencher of the meat, I can’t help moaning a little. I sit on a chunk of a fallen tree, digging in with my fingers, heedless of the hot grease. Bryenne smiles and leaves me to enjoy the food.
Ashvelon stands nearby, his eyes on the venison, licking his lips.
I look up at him innocently from beneath my lashes. “Do you want some of this, pet?”
He nods.
“Sit at my feet, then.”
To his credit, he doesn’t hesitate, even though we’re surrounded by proud dragons who might think him foolish for debasing himself before me. He sits at my feet, lifting his blue eyes to mine.
I dip my index finger in the venison juices and trace his lower lip. “Open.”
He obeys, sucking on my finger.
“Good boy.” I pull off a small chunk of the meat. “Open wider.”
When he complies, I place the bite on his tongue. He chews, never taking his eyes from me, and I relish the seductive motion of his mouth.
I lean down to him, my lips close to his ear. “I wish I could fuck you right now.”
His breath catches and a muscle along his jaw flexes. “Don’t tempt me, Thelise,” he murmurs. “I will pick you up right now, carry you into the forest, and take you against a tree.”
“Enticing,” I whisper. “But my hunger for the venison is more compelling, I’m afraid.”
His voice deepens to a growl of dark promise. “Later, then. May I have another bite?”
“If you’re good and quiet, you may.”
