Page 13 of Hidden Dragons

Robert helped Isabelle clean up from their meal. After the dishes were washed and set to dry, he opened the large sack Bear had brought in earlier, putting things away in Isabelle’s kitchen as if it was nothing out of the ordinary. He saw her wide eyes as he uncovered each new item. There were wheels of what looked like good, hearty cheese. Baskets of dried berries. Small jars of spices and salt. Larger flasks of oil and vinegar. Fruits that would keep well into the winter, and vegetables that would do likewise. The more perishable items Robert left out for Isabelle to deal with, since they would have to be used sooner.

“How long do you plan to stay,” Isabelle asked, eyeing the mountain of food Robert had unpacked. Her gaze shot to his as she realized that her question could be thought of as rude. “I didn’t mean—”

Robert held up his hands, palm outward as he smiled. “Be at ease, milady. We only have a few more days to complete our mission here, but we cannot in good conscience leave you anything but well-stocked for the winter.”

“But this is all too much. The chickens were already too much, but this is…” She looked at the vast array of food items Bear had brought and seemed at a loss for words.

“This is only the beginning. Now that we know where you live, we will be back,” Robert warned in a teasing tone. “Of course, you could always come with us when we leave. Women like you, who can speak with dragons and do not fear them, are always welcome in the Lair.”

“You said something like that before, but what would I do? How would I earn my keep?” She looked worried and uncomfortable. “What would be my role?”

Robert moved closer to her. “You could come back with us as our mate.”

“Both of you?” She seemed shocked, which worried him. He had hoped she already understood.

“Yes.” There was no way to sugar-coat it. He had to be honest with her about their intentions, even if it scared her off. He had to try to explain it better to her, so that she would understand. “We are bonded on a soul-deep level with our dragons. And our dragons are mates. They already have two children who are grown and have knights and mates of their own. Their first knights died many years ago, and both Tildeth and Growloranth mourned their loss for decades before returning to pick another set of knights—Bear and I—to share their lives with. The thing is, because of our bond, the dragons cannot consummate their relationship again until Bear and I have a mate of our own. The spillover from a dragon mating flight is intense, from all accounts. If the knights bonded to the two dragons do not have a mate of their own to share in the deep love and passion, it can drive them mad. Which is why the prohibition was instituted long ago, that bonded dragons cannot mate until their knights have found a woman of their own, to love and share their lives and passions.”

“So until you and Sir Bernard have found such a woman, your dragon partners cannot come together,” she repeated, seeking his confirmation.

Robert nodded. “They have been very patient with us, and they will wait as long as they need to, but the sooner we find our mate, the sooner they can be together again as mates. Bear and I think that maybe you could be the woman for us.”

“Why only one woman? Why can’t you each find a wife of your own?”

“It doesn’t really work that way,” Robert admitted. “And I’m not entirely sure of the reasons why. Having never experienced a dragon mating through the bond I share with Growloranth, I can only speculate. But from what the mated knights have said, the spillover running through the bond is too intense. Only the triad joining seems to account for the closeness needed between the knights while their dragon partners’ passions are running through them.”

“I have never considered such a relationship,” Isabelle admitted. He admired her honesty, though it pained him to hear her words. “Frankly, I had given up on finding even one man who would be willing to have me as his wife—or that I would consider as a husband. To suddenly be faced with two men vying to share my affections, not to mention two amazing dragons who would be reunited if I agreed…” She ran a hand through her hair as she leaned back against the kitchen counter. “It’s all very confusing and kind of unbelievable.”

Robert moved closer. He didn’t want to push her too fast, but she needed to know where he stood in no uncertain terms. Bear had made himself clear earlier that morning. Now it was time for Robert to do the same.

“It can be simple,” he said softly, drawing her gaze as he stopped close in front of her. She looked up into his eyes and he felt his heart stutter. She was so delicately beautiful, she stole his breath. “It is said the Mother of All guides us in these matters, more than other men. Knights often know very quickly if they’ve met the woman meant for them. We feel it—in our hearts. In our souls. I felt something profound when I first saw you in the forest. I feel it every time I’m in your presence.” He moved closer, putting his hands on the counter behind her, one on either side of her hips. When she didn’t object, he moved closer still. “I’ve never been in love before,” he admitted. “I would like the chance to discover if what I’m feeling could be that most magical of all feelings. You are a very special woman, Isabelle. I think it would be very easy to fall in love with you.”

“Is that what it would be? Love?” she asked, whispering.

“If you agreed to be our mate, we would settle for nothing less. If you cannot love us—both of us—then we are not the knights for you. All we’re asking is that you give us a chance.” He whispered the last words against her lips as he moved in for the kiss he’d been craving ever since he first laid eyes on her.

He took it slow, simply rubbing his lips against hers at first, keeping the kiss delicate and gentle. He wanted to savor this first kiss. The first of many, he hoped.

When she didn’t pull away, he deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking entry, which was granted, much to his satisfaction. From there, he took things one step at a time, taking on the unexpected role of teacher and coach. He could tell from her shy responses that she was unused to kissing, and that nearly tore a little hole in his heart. How could such a special, desirable woman not know how to kiss?

It was his honor and privilege to show her all the ways a simple movement of lips and tongues could spark the flame he hoped to fan to an inferno at some point. Not today, perhaps, but sometime soon…when she was ready. And when he and Bear weren’t embroiled in the middle of a demanding covert mission.

It was incredibly difficult, they were learning, to properly court a woman when most of their attention had to be on their job. With any luck, they’d be able to finish their observations soon, give their report to their superiors and come back to put serious effort into luring Isabelle away from her cottage on the edge of the woods, to their home in the Lair.

Robert wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close to his body. She was so soft. So unbelievably feminine. So perfect.

Her small hands crept up to his shoulders and explored the sensitive area near his neck. He was wearing only a simple woven shirt this morning and he was truly glad there was so little between her seeking fingers and his skin. When one of her hands dipped inside his collar, he groaned, loving the feel of her touching him.

But the sound seemed to alarm her, and he cursed himself for having made it. He let her draw away, breaking the kiss, but he didn’t let her out of his arms. She drew back, looking up at him, searching his gaze. Her cheeks were flushed and she had a dewy look in her eyes that made him want nothing more than to kiss her again, but he knew he shouldn’t rush her.

“You are amazing, Isabelle,” he whispered, wanting her to know just how special she was.

Her gaze widened and any insecurity he had seen there disappeared. That she needed his reassurance, touched him deeply. She was innocent. Unsure of her own value. That was something he would do his best to change over the course of their relationship. He would tell her and show her every day, he vowed, just how special she truly was.

“I’m not used to—” she began, but he stilled her words by placing one finger gently across her lips.

“I know. I’m sorry I rushed things. My only defense is that I’ve been wanting to take you into my arms since the first moment I saw you. I’ll respect any boundaries you set, Isabelle, but please don’t ask me not to at least try to kiss you every time you give me the slightest chance.” He smiled, hoping she understood the teasing nature of his words.

He mentally held his breath until she returned his smile with a shy one of her own. She seemed more stunned than alarmed, and he took that as a good sign. There was hope for them yet.

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