Free Border Lair by Bianca D'Arc Page A

dragons on this part of the border.
    Jared led him to a large chamber that had at its center a massive oval pit filled with sand. The dragons who followed close behind made for the sand pit and sank in with what Darian would have sworn were dragonish sighs. They rolled slightly in the abrasive sand, which seemed to brighten their iridescent scales to a glossy shine even as he watched.
    “Be welcome in our home, Lord Darian. As you can see, everything is designed around Lady Kelzy’s comfort here.” The other man gestured toward the beautiful blue-green dragon he had been riding.
    Darian knew enough about dragons to make as deep a bow as he could manage toward the large heads that watched him carefully.
    “Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Kelzy.” He turned to the copper dragon then. “And thank you, sir, for your timely rescue.”
    You’re welcome. Though I’ve yet to decide if you were worth risking my neck for.
    Darian’s eyes widened as he heard the booming voice echo through his mind. It could only belong to the huge copper dragon whose garnet eyes twinkled down on him with a sly sort of merriment. Tentatively, Darian sought the way to the dragon’s mind with his own thoughts.
    I can only hope that after you hear what I have to say, you’ll be convinced.
    The dragon gave a smoky chuckle and turned back to the sand and his grooming. Apparently neither Jared nor the female dragon was aware of the silent communication that had just taken place between Darian and the big copper.
    “Sir Sandor,” Jared spoke again as he led Darian to a long couch, “is an old friend of Kelzy’s. He’s newly arrived to our Lair and without a knight at present.” Darian sat with only a small grunt of pain but Jared grimaced when he looked at him. “Our most gifted healer will see to your wounds as soon as possible.”
    “Don’t worry about me, Lord Jared. There are things I need to tell you.
    Things you need to hear—”
    At that moment, he broke off speaking as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen walked through the main archway. She spared a smile for the dragons and it lit her entire face. Even from a distance he could see the glint of deep green in her wide eyes and it drew him in. She was a goddess come to earth and he would gladly worship at her feet, if she would but let him.
    The very idea of it shocked Darian right down to his toes. He’d long ago given up on finding a woman to share his life. No woman had ever evoked such a violent or immediate response in him. Darian knew deep inside, just from looking at her, this was a woman he could spend the rest of his life with.
    As simple and startling as that, Darian knew he was looking at his destiny. Never one for overly romantic thoughts, Darian was laid low by the seductive sway of the woman’s hips, the gentle glide of her dainty feet across the stone walkway.
    The woman turned her head, spotting them, and it was as if his prayers had been answered when she made her way directly to the couch where he sat. As she drew closer, he could see she was no young maiden, yet there was a freshness about her that made her appear much more innocent and younger than the wisdom in her startlingly beautiful eyes betrayed.
    Jared stood stiffly and Darian noted the longing that entered the other man’s eyes as he gazed on the beauty who approached. Darian realized Jared was not unaffected by the woman’s grace. The knight wanted her, it was plain to see, but Darian questioned whether Jared—after the devastating losses in his life—would ever act on it. Darian’s eyes were drawn back to the stunning woman and he noted more than a flicker of interest as she looked at him. But the dewy admiration in her eyes was for Jared alone as she passed him.
    There was something there, on both sides, but he knew Jared was probably too wounded emotionally to be a good match for this delicate flower.
    If Darian could, he would have her—take her and cherish her in the way she deserved