The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume II

on her full lips, savoring the taste of her on his questing tongue at last. Slowly she relaxed her struggle but did not respond. He enfolded her in his arms, pulling her into his lap, twining his fingers in her silky hair.
    Her mouth opened a fraction as her arms stole around his neck.
    Heat invaded every pore of his body, filling him with passion.
    “Are you two going to come up for air?” Lyman asked.
    “No.” Quinnault stole a quick gulp of air and renewed his kiss.
    (Are you certain you wish to spend the rest of your life with this headstrong woman and no other?) Shayla asked.
    Quinnault looked the dragon in the eye as he breathed deeply, trying to control his raging passion for the woman in his arms.
    Shayla’s penetrating gaze made him squirm as she examined his motives. He looked from the dragon to the islands in the Bay, back to Katie, then returned once again to the port, thinking furiously all the time. He had so many questions. Was his love for her enough to overcome them?
    Katie drew his eyes like a lodestone to iron. Finally he had his emotions under control and could speak in a normal tone of voice.
    “I have no choice, Shayla. I have to marry her.”
    Thwack! Katie slapped him again as she squirmed to be free of him.
    “I thought I didn’t have a choice either. But I’ll be damned if I put up with this. I thought we could care for each other, but you are as selfish as every other man in my life.” She fought his grasp with fists and kicks.
    He clung tighter to her, desperate to rectify the misunderstanding. “Katie, I meant that you are the only woman I want. I can’t choose another after meeting you.” He put all of his feelings into his eyes, staring at her. Willing her to believe him.
    She glared at him. He held her gaze. Gradually the truth penetrated her stubborn mind.
    “Oh, Scarecrow,” she sighed and kissed him as passionately as he had kissed her only moments before.
    (You have my blessing, King Quinnault Darville de Draconis. Enjoy!) Shayla bunched her muscles, took two running steps, and launched herself into the sky. (Tonight I shall fly with my consorts as will you. We will both conceive, though the seasons are not quite right. The future of Coronnan and of the nimbus is assured.)
    “Where are you going, Shayla? Won’t you stay for the wedding?” Quinnault asked. He kept a tight hold on Katie, afraid she’d disappear in a puff of smoke now that she was his.
    (I have my own celebration to attend.) The dragon blasted their ears with a high-pitched screech that announced her triumph and her passion. As she circled the courtyard, the outlines of five male dragons joined her.
    Quinnault picked out red, blue, green, yellow, and orange along the wingtips and veins of the consorts.
    “The more fathers, the big and stronger the litter,” he quoted.
    “Not for this princess, King Quinnault. You are the only one allowed in my bed,” Katie retorted. She reinforced her statement with a resounding kiss that left him light-headed.
    “Well, at least wait for the nuptials and some privacy,” Lyman laughed. “Don’t we have a banquet to prepare?”
    “Go ahead. We’ll be right with you,” Quinnault waved them away and pressed his mouth to Katie’s once more.
     
    Nimbulan walked closer to Myri, slipping his arm around her waist, a subtle support before she stumbled again. She didn’t lean into him, but she didn’t pull away either. He was too tired to think about the tangled mess he’d made of his personal life.
    Maia still presented a big problem.
    What to do with her? He owed her a home. She’d never be allowed to return to her clan. Without them, she had nothing. Unless Televarn was still manipulating her through his mind link.
    How far away must Maia be to get beyond Televarn’s reach? Had the Rover Chieftain survived the knife thrust?
    He turned his mind back to watching his steps rather than thinking about how much women complicated his life. The bachelor life of most magicians seemed inviting.
    But if he hadn’t married Myri, loved her so desperately, he’d not have his daughter. His very beautiful daughter.
    “Let me take the baby, Myri. She must be very heavy for you.” He lifted the tiny bundle of life out of her make-shift sling.
    Myri’s hands grabbed for her child, resisting separation. Nimbulan saw her emotions play across her face even as he sensed them. “You won’t lose her if you let me hold her for awhile. I’m not Yaassima. And I’m not a