The Dragon Master: Tales of Tuathmair by Mallary Mitchell
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental. The Dragon Master: Tales of Tuathmair COPYRIGHT © 2008 by Mallary Mitchell All rights reserved. This is an "unedited" as is title. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Contact Information:
[email protected] Cover Art by The Wild Rose Press The Wild Rose Press PO Box 706 Adams Basin, NY 14410-0706 Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com Publishing History First Faery Rose Edition, 2008 Free Read Published in the United States of America
The Dragon Master Tales of Tuathmair Gryffyd Southerlyn reached out his hand. “Don’t you trust me?” He spoke with a slight Scottish brogue that always made Lexi melt. He gave a crooked little grin. “Come on, Lex.” Moonlight twinkled in his turquoise eyes. How could she say no? She was taking a chance by being with Gryffyd. He was mage and she was faery. Such relationships were frowned upon by Tuathmair society. Yet in her final week at the university, here she was risking graduation to be with him. She hesitated only a moment before taking his hand. Lexie stood in the opened window of her dorm room. The screen had been pushed out the first time Gryffyd had come calling two years ago. It was then she’d started dating her roommate’s brother. “You are going to get me expelled.” “You’ve only got five days and you’re out of here. Besides—” his grin was infectious “— you have to see something.” She tried not to smile back at him and failed 1
Mallary Mitchell miserably As they stood on the window’s stone landing, he pulled her to him and kissed her. His soft lips covered hers, stealing her breath and giving it back all in the same instant. “You love the danger, admit it.” She pursed her lips in a rueful smile and ruffled the dark curls at the nape of his neck just before she once again met his lips with hers. “If we don’t hurry and get on the bike. I’m not going to be held accountable for my actions.” His breath tickled her cheek. “I have a roommate.” She attempted to sound outraged. “Who will not wake up until after you return in the morning…” His eyes sparkled with wicked innuendo. Gryffyd was a bit of a rogue, even among mages. “Come on, love.” “But someone might notice I’m not in my bed.” He’d never asked her to sneak out overnight. She bit her lip He raised his brows and looked to her bed. Reaching out his hand he focused on her sleeping cat. Immediately, Pyewacket took Lexie’s form. “You can’t do that to my cat!” “Methinks the lady doth protest too much,” he grumbled. “It’s a Cinderella. It wears off in a few hours, like something a faery would do.” Gryffyd winked and she was lost. “I think I should resent that remark.” Lexie was of the Fairfolke. Not that she could turn cats into people…that was far too complex. “Let’s go.” “Wait. Do you mean at midnight my cat turns back into my cat?” “No, at sunrise. But I promise to have you back way before then. Let’s just hope Pyewacket doesn’t wake and feel the need to bathe or go to the litter box. Otherwise people will think you’re a bit odd, Lex.” There was that wicked grin. Heavens, the man was handsome. She followed him out the window and made the downward climb on the trellis to the grassy lawn of the women’s college. “I never should have roomed with your sister. My 2
The Dragon Master parents said only bad things could happen when one dealt with a mage.” “You and Lora were best of friends.” He pretended to be hurt. “We still are. You’re the problem.” “They should be happy the most talented mage around has his eye on you.” “If it were only your eye, maybe they could handle it.” Again, he kissed her. This time she curled her fingers into the cloth of his shirt. Gryffyd was a very bad influence, indeed. He pulled back. “There you go distracting me again. Phaedra’s eggs hatched. You have to see the baby dragons. Climb on.” “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” She mounted the shiny bike. “I wanted to surprise you.” Riding with Gryffyd on his motorcycle through the countryside was one of the most frightening, yet exhilarating experiences. She didn’t fear for her safety though. He drove with some sixth sense. He never went under the speed limit, yet he never had an accident. Like everything else, his driving ability was amazing. When they reached the cliff side where his cottage was located, he lifted her off the bike and led her to the dragon’s cave. Phaedra was actually a rather large beast. She had flown off a few months back and almost two fortnights later had produced five large eggs. Like the mother and father, the babies would live perhaps thirty years and reach a height of six feet. “Look.” He picked up one baby of about ten inches. “Phaeda gave me four of her children, but not this fellow.” Phaedra, his lovely spiked dragoness, was nuzzling her babies. She looked up at Lexie with her triangularshaped head and closed her eyes slowly, looking every bit the proud mother. “They’re adorable.” They were quite cute at this stage, before they had sharp spiky teeth. “I’m glad you like them. My sister is terrified of Phaedra.” “Phaedra bit her.” “I told her not to tease the dragon. Did she listen?” 3
Mallary Mitchell Gryffyd edged closer to Phaedra. She caught his scent and butted her head against his shoulder. The mother puffed out her chest as her babies tottered up to examine the new visitor. Phaedra looked to the smallest of the lot—the little male Gryffyd had just set down—and pushed him forward toward Lexie. “She wants you to be his master.” “Really?” Lexie gasped. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought she’d have a dragon. Fairfolke didn’t have dragons; only mages could control such a powerful beast. “She says you will not disappoint her.” Gryffyd spoke as if reading her thoughts. Lexie looked at the baby then at Gryffyd. What an honor to be chosen. “You knew this was going to happen?” “I had an idea. I know Phaedra and she’s a good judge of character.” The little dragon walked up to her and bleated. Lexie bent down to pick him up and cuddled him close. She rubbed his forehead and spikes then stroked his scaly hide. “So what do you say?” Gryffyd sat in the midst of the beasts. She looked him over thoughtfully. “He’s beautiful.” The little dragon squirmed and she returned him to the rocks at her feet so he could run to his mother. “I have something else to show you.” He took her hand in his and led her toward the steep winding path to his home. “And what would that be?” His eyes twinkled, but the mischief was subdued. “You’ll have to wait and see.” The cottage was high on the cliff overlooking the turbulent sea. It stood solitary and isolated, like so many of the other mage dwellings. Reaching the cottage door he leaned over and scooped her into his arms. “Close your eyes.” Lexie held him tightly as he ascended the familiar narrow staircase leading to the second floor of his home. A wave of realization washed over her. She knew what he was doing. 4
The Dragon Master “You can look.” He spoke in a soft tone and set her on the hardwood floor of his bedroom. She took a swift breath inward. Thousands of flower petals were scattered on his bed. She looked up to him and he bowed before her. She knew of Mage tradition. “I ask you to be my wife.” “Gryffyd…”she whispered. She loved him with all her heart but Gryffyd was a mage and she was a faery. Yet here she was risking all to be with him—because she couldn’t exist without him. “Of course I’ll marry you.” She bowed her head and offered her hand in an age old gesture of the Fairefolke. He had but to take it and he would be her mate. He smiled, taking her hand in his. He knew the significance of her action just as she’d known his. They were bonded. “I take you as my bride now and forever.” The passion in his voice flowed over her. Was it magic? If so, it was a very special kind. “I take you as my groom now and forever.” Lexie waited for his kiss to touch her tingling lips. Instead he brushed her neck and shoulder then finally claimed her lips. They fell into the petals as the world around them faded. Tonight was hers and Gryffyd’s. And it was the first of many.
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