Dragonfae & The Soul Catcher (10 page)

Lumos chuckled. “A Faerie’s kiss holds a potent aphrodisiac, little one. My kiss will make you want me and I need your decision not to be one driven by lust. I want you to come to me freely, when you are ready to take that step, or not at all.”

“Then I promise to do as you say. Gods, you are an honourable man, Lumos.” Thalia patted Lumos’ thigh.

Gods, I’m trying to be.

* * * *

In the stables beside the tavern, Thalia rested one finger on her chin in thought, Thalia walked around the two horses. The black warhorse tossed his head and eyed her suspiciously. She turned to the horse trader.

“A warhorse holds allegiance to his owner. How did you come by this beast?”

“I found him on a battlefield standing guard over a knight. Both were injured. I tended the knight but he died. I’ve had this beast ever since. He is sound but needs a firm hand… A man’s hand.” The horse trader glanced at Lumos. “This is not a safe horse for a woman, good sir.”

“He will suit. We’ll take the pair of them.” Lumos reached for his purse. “Then we have a deal?”

“Aye, good sir, we do. I’ll have them and your other mounts ready to travel by first light.”

Thalia pointed to Brew. “This is my cat. He’ll stay with the draught horse. He’ll rid your stable of rats this eve.”

“Well then, he’ll be most welcome.”

Thalia gazed at the leathery-skinned man, his old disfigured hands swollen with arthritis. If she had planned to stay in this town, she would have been able to help him. She turned away and grinned at Lumos. The Fae wore his hat pulled down over his pointed ears, his long hair tied neatly back in a braid. An ankle-length black cloak covered his unusual leather clothes. With a crooked smile, Lumos took her hand, and led her towards the tavern. Thalia drew in the scent of him and revelled in the heat pouring into her from his hot flesh.

The town bustled with people. Cattle and sheep moved up and down the street, going to and from a noisy livestock market. Women carried chickens by their feet or herded geese into the auction ring. They had arrived at an opportune time—the monthly market provided them with a good variety of necessities, from water flasks to saddlebags, and blankets. The noise of men arguing over the price of wool rose and fell in the packed tavern. Inside, hot air spilled from the kitchen, bringing the delicious aromas of fresh bread and roast meats to mingle with the heavy smell of ale and men.

Thalia followed Lumos through the crowded room to the polished wood bar. Secure under Lumos’ arm, she marvelled at the way the Fae instantly gained the landlord’s attention. The ruddy-faced proprietor wiped his hands on a filthy cloth hanging at his waist and came forward.

“I need two meals and a room for the night.” Lumos placed a silver coin on the bar.

“We don’t have anything available. All my rooms are booked. You see, with the markets like they are, the merchants come here regularly every month.” The landlord smiled. “The meals I can supply, and you can sleep in the stable with yer horses. No charge.”

“I must insist.” Lumos offered a gold coin. “My wife cannot sleep in a stable. It’s not safe with so many men around. Would you have the loss of her good name on your hands?” He rested his hand in the small of Thalia’s back.

Thalia lifted her chin and gave the landlord her best innocent expression. “I would be most grateful, good sir.”

“A woman yer say?” The landlord blinked at Thalia and rubbed the whiskers on his chin. “Well, far be it for me to allow danger to befall such a young one.” He took the gold coin. “Top of the stairs, turn left, room number six… One night only, mind.” He looked at Thalia and ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll send up the meals. You are correct, sir. If these men drink any more this will not be a safe place for her, either.” He swallowed. “I’ll get the maids to fill a bath, too.”

“I’d be much obliged.” Lumos smiled. He gazed down at Thalia and winked. “Pull the hood of your cloak over your face, my dear, and I’ll take you up to our room.”

They climbed the creaky wooden steps and walked along the narrow, dark passageway. Thalia noticed stains on the wooden floor and dark red splashes on the walls.
Gods, someone has been murdered here.

“Here, number six.” Lumos threw open the door. “Hmm…it’s small but clean.”

A glowing fire heated the small room. The pinecones crackling in the hearth barely covered the stink of the previous occupant. The accommodation was spartan, furnished with only a narrow bed, two upright wooden chairs and a scarred oak table. The room had one small window overlooking the stables. Thalia walked to the casement and wiped a hole in the condensation. Her stomach fluttered. Goddess, she would sleep beside Lumos tonight. How would she react if he touched her? Would she run screaming from the room or give in to the desire throbbing through her? He would not kiss her, he had said as much. Did he feel the same tingling sensations at her touch as she did every time his hand accidentally brushed her skin? Or had he left his love in Drakka? He had only mentioned Lucinda once. How many lovers did the Fae have?
I bet you kissed all of them.

Turning at a knock on the door, Thalia gathered her wits and smiled at Lumos. He had unpacked her nightgown and laid it on the bed. He threw her a boyish grin and opened the door. The smell of hot food wafted inside. Thalia’s stomach rumbled. A maid placed a large tray on the table and was followed by two young women carrying a tin bath, which they placed in front of the fire. Thalia sat on the edge of the bed and watched the maids trek back and forth with pails of hot water. Finally, she was alone with him. She stood and joined Lumos at the table.

“Ah, this looks good.” Lumos took the plates of meat pie and potatoes off the tray. “And we have a jug of ale.” He turned to Thalia with a mischievous grin. “I do hope you drink ale, little one?”

Thalia licked her lips and picked up a fork. “Aye, I do but it makes me a little muddle- headed.” She slipped a portion of meat pie into her mouth and sighed. “A bath would be wonderful. It has been a long time since I had the pleasure of a hot bath.”

“Then I’ll let you go first, as long as you use a little magyck to reheat the water for me. The water is so cold against my hot skin.”

You intend to bathe here in front of me, and I must be naked in front of you? Oh my.
Thalia chewed slowly and reached for the ale. She had seen him naked before—why must she make an issue of this now? The image of Lumos rising from the pool flashed into her mind. She swallowed hard and examined the man before her. Gods, he looked so wonderful. She loved the way his silky, black hair framed his deliciously handsome face, and those stunning eyes could trap a woman forever. He would be sleeping with her.

Holding her.

Touching her.

Stop acting like a fool. If he had meant to hurt me, he would have when we were alone, not here in a crowded tavern.

“I think perhaps I should sleep in the stable.” Lumos regarded Thalia over the rim of his tankard. “You have that look again, sweetness, as if you think I’ll force myself upon you.”

How do you know these things?

Thalia shook her head. “No, of course not! Don’t be silly. I do trust you, really I do.” She glanced at him. “Tell me about Lucinda…your lover. Does she pine for you in Drakka? How long have you been lovers? Have you kissed her?”

“Uh-huh… Oh, little one, do I feel a spark of jealousy?” Lumos grinned. “You have so many questions about Lucinda. Must I supply you with the names of all my lovers to placate you? I’ve lived a long time—gods, it will take all night to remember a quarter of them. Very well, my sweet butterfly, yes, Lucinda and I were lovers for about a year, and aye, I kissed her. In truth, I’ve kissed many Faeries, made love to hundreds. Don’t look so shocked, my love, it’s what we do. I cannot compel Fae with my kiss. Lucinda and other Faeries visited my bed often but I refused all of them after I heard your song. Does she pine for me? I doubt it. She’ll have other lovers by now.”

“This doesn’t concern you?” Thalia’s face grew hot. Lumos’ obvious pride in his conquests made her squirm. “Don’t you feel a little used?”

“Not at all. She is free to bed whomever she pleases. It’s not as if I loved her. I cared for her as I do for all of them but love…no.” Lumos covered Thalia’s trembling fingers. “Fae only fall in love once and that love lasts forever.” He squeezed her hand. “I told you, the Fae have intimate relationships before they take their life mate. We enjoy what the gods have given us, an insatiable desire, and the freedom to love, to give and receive pleasure.”

Thalia pushed the food around her plate. She did not intend to become one of Lumos’ many lovers.
I wonder, how many children has he sired?

“This freedom, does it produce many by-blows? Do you have many children, Lumos?”

“No.” Lumos chuckled. “Fae can control their child seed—we only give a child to a true mate and, before you ask, I’ve never had a Nomag or a witch for a lover. I want you to know, you are very special to me, Thalia.”

“Is that what you want from me…to be your new lover until someone else comes along?” Thalia straightened her back.
If we were lovers, the pain of losing you would be too much to tolerate.
“I would be hurt if you cast me aside for another. I’m not a Fae, Lumos. I’ve different feelings about love and commitment. In my world, a lady only gives herself to her husband after marriage.”

“If you became truly mine, little one, I would never cast you aside. Fae mate for eternity.” Lumos sighed. “Although, you must understand, I don’t want you just as my lover, but, at the moment, you’re not yet ready to give yourself to me completely. Your experiences with men have ruined your trust and you know nothing of the delights of lovemaking…
Lovemaking
, not a male satisfying himself by using your body for his own lust.” He brushed Thalia’s cheek. “I could give you delight without entering your body or kissing your lips, although the idea of loving your body haunts my dreams.” He ran his thumb across her bottom lip. “In truth, even if you begged me to plunge into your soft, wet heat, I would refuse.”

A sharp pain stabbed Thalia’s heart. She ached for his love, his friendship, or just to feel his strong arms around her. His silken tongue had done little to calm her nerves. Doubts swirled in her mind. He had made it perfectly clear he did not intend to consummate their relationship. Her heart twisted. It would seem, after trusting him with the intimate details of her ordeal, Lumos thought her too soiled to love, just as she had suspected.

“Why? Don’t you want me?”

“Of course I desire you, but you know me as Lumos, a simple male. Tell me, Thalia, will my true self appal you? Will my wings frighten you? Can you, in truth, stand before the Nightdragon and not tremble in fear? I am Lumos, a Dragonfae. I’m
not
a man.” Lumos met her gaze and held it. “You must accept all of me, man, Faerie and dragon, for us to be joined in body and soul. There can be no turning back once I kiss you, little one.” He sighed. “For now, let me hold you and perhaps show you the delights of love. Then, when the dragon is free, you can decide.”

With a shrug, Thalia resumed eating. The delights of love—really? Nothing in the grunting, slobbering, and rutting she had experienced had given her any delight whatsoever. She had no idea how a man might give her delight, although she knew exactly how a man used a woman’s body for his own selfish pleasure. Oh, yes, that particular delight had well and truly engraved itself in her memory. Lumos had made his position very clear. In truth, the thought of him morphing into a massive black dragon made her heart race. Could this really be possible? The Faerie wings would, without doubt, mesmerise her. If what he had said was true, did she have enough love inside her to care for a dragon, too? She must, for as the goddess was her witness, she had fallen deeply in love with Lumos—the man.

Chapter Eight

Lumos pushed the key in the lock and turned to gaze at Thalia. His little witch sat in the small copper bath in front of the fire, her long hair hanging down limp over the back of the bath. He placed the jug of ale on the table and flung off his cloak. “I think it’s going to snow. Apparently this is quite normal for this altitude.” He spread his cloak over the bed. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you warm.”

“I know you will.” Thalia reached for a thick linen sheet, stood and wrapped it around her body. “The water is hot and, although the soap smells like horse dung, it does the job.” She wrinkled her nose and stepped from the tub. “Why are you always so hot?”

Pulling his tunic over his head, he chuckled. “The dragon supplies the heat and, when he gets angry, steam rises from my skin and pours from my nose.” He removed his boots and peeled off his pants. “Although I am biased, I have to say the Nightdragon is a beautiful creature. His skin is as a sky at midnight and we have the same eyes. I hope you will like him, little one, because he cares deeply for you.”

“I hope so, too.” Thalia cleared her throat. “Although seeing you naked is… Well, I have to say, my heart is pounding so hard I think it will break through my ribs and bounce across the floor.” She tightened the linen around her chest. “If you affect me so, I’ve no idea how I may react to the Nightdragon.”

Lumos blew out the candle. “There. Now you can’t see me.” He stepped into the water. “Use the spell I taught you to dry your hair and get into bed.”

“I will dry your hair, too. Where is my nightgown?”

“You don’t need it. I’ll keep you warm. Now do get into bed before you catch a chill.” Lumos washed himself swiftly and stepped from the bath. “My hair is dry, little one.” He picked up a linen sheet and dried off.

In the glow of the fire, Lumos noticed the fear in Thalia’s eyes, the set of her jaw. He walked around the narrow bed, lifted the covers and slipped in behind her. The witch’s back remained rigid and he could make out her ragged intake of breath. With a gentle touch, he ran a hand down her arm. Thalia’s soft skin shimmered under his palm. “Turn over and rest your head on my shoulder. The same as you do when we are in the wagon. I want to hold you close.”