Free Ice Dragon by Bianca D'Arc Page B

will work for the time being.” The other woman smiled in her friendly way and stood, motioning for Lana to join her. “Come with me, my dear, and we’ll see what we can find in my closet.”
    Lana went with the other woman, comforted by her easy manner. The dragons were still out of the suite and she looked curiously at the big, empty oval of sand as they skirted it on their way to another of the many rooms arranged around the sand pit.
    “I’ve never seen so much sand in one place before,” Lana commented.
    Lady Candis appeared surprised but smiled warmly. “The dragons love it. The fine grains polish their hides and the warmth appeals to them, of course. Our rooms are built around their wallow and as you can see, the arches are wide enough that they can lay their heads in the doors of most of our rooms, so we can all be together almost anywhere in this suite.”
    “It’s ingenious.” A moment later, they entered a big room with a huge bed at its center. The walls were hung with rich fabrics so colorful they brought tears to her eyes. “Oh, this room is beautiful!” Lana’s words were heartfelt as her eyes absorbed the lovely mix of colors and textures.
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    “Thank you,” Candis said quietly, watching Lana with interest. Lana knew her reactions must seem strange to the other woman, but she just couldn’t help herself.
    “It’s just that…” Lana tried to find the right words to express herself.
    “I’ve been on the run for a long time, living in the wild with Tor. I remember a little from the time before, when I lived with my mother and sisters, but it’s been so long, and we never had such fine things.” Her voice trailed off as her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Candis surprised her by placing a sisterly arm around her shoulders, hugging her comfortingly.
    “Come on, Lana. Let’s find something gorgeous for you to wear.” She pulled her toward the large closet along one wall. “I bet I have just the thing to bring out your beautiful eyes and impress the heck out of Roland.”
    Lana felt her cheeks heat with a blush. “He’s seen me at my worst already, Lady Candis. I doubt anything could change his opinion of me.
    Besides, he’s much too grand for the likes of me.”
    “Nonsense!” Candis swept a shining green dress out of the closet, splashing the full skirt across the bed. Lana caught her breath at its beauty. “He’s smitten with you already. I can tell. This will finish the job, and luckily it’s cut well enough that it will fit you properly, even though you’re a bit shorter than me.”
    “Oh! I couldn’t wear that.” Lana backed away from the temptation of the gorgeous satin dress.
    Candis picked it up and draped it against Lana’s shoulders. “Of course you can. What’s more, it’s yours now. A welcome gift from me to you. I hope you wear it in happiness.”
    Lana held out her hands to gently fend her off, but Candis draped the dress over her arms, not taking no for an answer. Lana protested a bit www.samhainpublishing.com 71

     
    more, but Candis eventually got her way, ushering Lana out of the chamber, the new owner of a lovely, green satin dress.
    Before she knew it, Lana was walking beside Roland through the corridors of the Northern Lair. The few people they passed bowed slightly as they passed, making her feel a bit self-conscious, but there was real respect in the people’s eyes, not just formal obedience, which impressed her. She realized Roland was royalty, probably a prince, though he hadn’t told her exactly what place he held in the kingdom and she was too flustered to ask.
    They made their way to the landing ledge and Lana found herself scanning the skies for any sign of Tor. There were so many dragons! It was a breathtaking sight to see. Tears came to her eyes as she spotted Tor frolicking through the air, his scales glistening brighter than any other. He was playing a game of tag with his little friend Rena, slowing his flight, she knew, to