Dareena itched to run her hands over his tense shoulders and soothe him, but now was not the time or place.
“I will need to inform the council of all this,” Drystan continued. “Some of them will balk at the idea of forming an alliance with the elves, but we need to put an end to the enmity between us. It is high time we focused on the real enemy instead of killing each other over a lie.” His jaw clenched briefly. “Any questions?”
There was a beat of silence. “Do Lucyan and Ryolas really have to go alone?” Dareena asked. “I realize you can’t carry more than one person yet, Lucyan, but surely Shadley can send some spies along with you.”
“I already have an agent within Inkwall,” Shadley said, “but I can send a few more, if it pleases you.”
“It would,” Dareena said firmly. She met Lucyan’s gaze and raised her chin, daring him to challenge her.
He only smiled. “I don’t see any harm in having an entourage,” he said. “I could use more eyes and ears, and I know your spies will be discreet.”
“I’ll have them rendezvous with you at the Green Mermaid,” Shadley said.
“While you’re there,” Tariana said, “is there any chance you can get your hands on more of those protective amulets? We have enough for the officers, but we could use more for our strike forces. If I could outfit the entire Dragon Force, I would.”
“I’m not sure I can bring back quite that many,” Lucyan said, “but I should be able to get my hands on a few dozen.”
“Good,” Drystan said. He stood up from the table, his chair scraping loudly against the stone floor. “Now let’s get to work.”
2
By the time Lucyan made it back to the royal suite, night had fallen. He’d spent the entire day with Shadley and Ryolas going over the plan and preparing for the journey ahead. Though it would only take a few hours of flying to reach Shadowhaven’s border, the three of them agreed it would be best to leave at night. Flying under the cover of darkness would ensure no sentries spotted them.
Though it was late, neither his brothers nor his mate were in the suite. Alistair was with Tariana, discussing the strike force they were putting together, and Drystan was dealing with the council and various matters of state. Lucyan did not envy his older brother at this moment; while things were infinitely better now that they were reunited and the treasure had been recovered, there were many headaches to sort out.
Lucyan lifted one of the candles perched on a side table and blew a thin stream of fire over it to light the wick. Holding it aloft, he went to his chamber, then dug out a leather pack and stocked it with clothing and supplies. He made sure to leave room for the provisions the cook had already prepared—dried meats, cheese, and bread waited in the kitchens for him.
He was nearly done when the door creaked open and soft footsteps pattered on the carpet outside.
“Dareena?” he called softly. His heart, still heavy with the loss of Taldren, lifted as he caught her scent.
“Lucyan?” His door swung open, and Dareena stepped inside. Her long, dark hair was loose around her shoulders, and her gown flowed over her curvy form. Lucyan’s chest twinged with guilt at the sadness in her large green eyes; he wished more than anything that he didn’t have to leave her.
But he wasn’t leaving quite yet.
“Come here,” he said softly, holding his arms out. She went to him, curling into his embrace like a long-lost kitten returned home to her master. Lucyan sank his nose into her hair and took a deep whiff, letting her scent soothe him. Her sweet fragrance calmed him, but combined with her lush curves pressing against him, it also aroused him. His cock hardened, pressing against her belly.
A belly that would soon be round with their child.
Dareena lifted her head, her lips parting. Lucyan thought she was going to speak, but she only ran her tongue across her lower lip, a clear invitation that made him suck in a sharp breath. His little minx had grown quite comfortable in her sexuality, he thought as she leaned into him, pressing her breasts against his chest. Lucyan caught her mouth in his, pulling that lower lip gently between his teeth before sucking on it.
Her moan awoke the beast inside him, and his hands flew to the laces at her back. Dareena cried out in shock as Lucyan used his nails, sharper than the average human’s, to slice through them, as well as the petticoat beneath. Her gown sluiced to the floor, and Lucyan skimmed his hands over her silken, bare flesh, savoring the feel of her lush body.
But Lucyan’s hands weren’t the only ones busy. As he plundered her mouth with his skilled tongue, Dareena’s fingers worked at his trousers, undoing the buttons and pushing them down. She wrapped her small hand around his cock, and he groaned as she squeezed.
“I want to taste you,” she whispered against his mouth. Slowly, she sank to her knees, sliding her body down his front. Lucyan hissed as she cupped his balls and massaged them gently. He watched with anticipation as she parted her lips, then slowly, ever so slowly, slipped the head of his shaft between them.
“Gods.” Lucyan’s eyes nearly rolled back in his head. Her hot, wet mouth sent a surge of intense pleasure through him. Dareena’s mouth opened wider to accommodate his girth as she took in more of him, filling herself up with his cock. Her tongue slid along the length of him, tasting, exploring, driving him mad with need.
“Suck on it,” he rasped, grasping her hair.
She did, once, tightening her mouth around him and then releasing. Lucyan gripped the back of her head, pushing himself even farther into her mouth. She gasped, nearly gagging, but a few seconds later she relaxed, taking more. The sight of her staring up at him with those large green eyes, his cock almost completely buried in her mouth, was nearly enough to make him come.
“More,” he commanded.
Dareena obeyed. At first, she was a bit awkward, clearly inexperienced with the act. But her innocence in this area was incredibly arousing, and Lucyan patiently coached her, murmuring encouragements. Soon enough, he found himself gasping, clutching the footboard of the bed behind him as she sucked him, bringing him so close, so close to release…
“Lucyan? Dareena?”
Lucyan’s head jerked up at the sight of Drystan standing just beyond the doorway. Blast it, he hadn’t even thought to close the door, and he’d been so caught up in Dareena he hadn’t heard his brother enter the suite. Their gazes met over Dareena’s head, and Lucyan saw the conflict in his brother’s eyes. He was not thrilled to see the two of them together, but the lust Lucyan saw blazing inside his brother could not be denied.