Page 6 of Embrace of Dragons

She wished she knew how to help them. How to help all of the men in her new extended family.

It was her idea to travel the old-fashioned way, the human way, around Great Britain. For one, it naturally extended the time they’d have to spend in each other’s company; flying by dragon-back would be much quicker, but that was more for speed missions. This was not the purpose here.

Secondly, she was personally looking forward to exploring the cities and sites where the men used to live. She’d never been to Europe before, and she hadn’t gone on the quest with Ben when he was there, nor with Ere, Sorin and Rui before.

Granted, the lands they were visiting now were modern, not the Dark Ages when her friends visited because of the Jade Emperor’s quests. But she knew there would be well-preserved castles and villages to see, nonetheless, and she was really looking forward to it.

Plus, her DNA genealogy test said that her ancestors hailed from the British Isles. Maybe they had even been druids or powerful mages. Annie was still discovering her powers as a fire witch. Surely, she’d find ample inspiration on this trip.

“All good?” she murmured to Merlin beside her, the seat divider lowered between them so that she could reach across and tangle their fingers together.

He was reading a book, as usual.

Annie found the contrasts in her male extremely sexy. He was a rough-hewn warrior dragon. A big, brawny, scarred man. But he was sensitive and deep feeling and nerdy. Well, an erudite, to put it in his terms.

He loved to read and learn new things. He enjoyed history, astronomy and philosophy the best. Every day, she discovered something new about Big Red. And every day, she thanked her lucky stars that he was hers.

He met her eyes, and his own bright citrine gaze shone with tenderness and endless love. She could stare into them for hours.Days.

“Aye,” he replied, squeezing her fingers. “Thank you for suggesting that we make this journey together.”

She smiled a dopey, I’m-so-in-love-I’m-sick-of-myself-but-I-can’t-help-it smile.

“It’s kind of like a honeymoon for us,” she whispered. “I can’t wait to get you all to myself. I went all out for the hotels we’re staying at. No luxury spared.”

He crinkled his eyes at her.

“And what would you do when you had me, Little Flame?”

Gah! Shelovedit when he called her that!

She scooted closer and snuggled into his side while he wrapped one arm around her. She liked to doze against him while he read.

“Hmm,” she murmured. “Use your imagination…But, love?”

“Aye?”

“Reality will be even better.”

His chest rumbled beneath her with contented humor and a bit of breathless anticipation at her teasing, and she drifted off to sleep in the cozy warmth of his arms.

~ * ~* ~ *~ * ~* ~ *~ * ~

“Lance” might be an apt moniker for the faithful knight sitting behind him, Arthur thought.

It was more suited to this modern age, and to the modern man that Lancelot had become, at least physically. Since settling in the Yukon Territories, the warrior had wandered into town one day, on one of the rare afternoons that he spent apart from Arthur, and returned with his hair completely shorn.

Arthur had been taken slightly aback by his appearance.

He’d never seen Lancelot without his waist-long platinum white tresses, either free-flowing, pulled back from his face with small braids winding from his temple, or tied up in a long, thick braid down his back. He’d never seen the knight with a beard on his face either; he even thought that the preternaturally youthful countenance wasn’t capable of growing stubble.

Lancelot with hair buzzed close to his scalp and a trimmed beard emphasizing the sharp cut of his jawline and cheekbones looked like an entirely different person. One that Arthur almost didn’t recognize. He seemed older, harsher, impenetrable, indecipherable.

Not that Arthur could claim knowing him. Not anymore.

Not since Guinevere came between them.

Once upon a time, Lancelot had been a brother to him. Best mate and confidante. He’d been the closest to Arthur’s heart. He’d thought that nothing and no one could come between them.

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