Dragonmark by Sherrilyn Kenyon Page B

he was quite accomplished. That gave her more confidence to wade into the sparkling depths, which were incredibly warm. There must be a spring here to keep it heated that much.
    When the depth reached her waist, she paused to look around. Illarion had been under for quite some time. Much longer than he should have been.
    Had he drowned?
    The thought terrified her. “Illarion?”
    He rose out of the water to stand in front of her. His eyes twinkled with merriment. I can breathe underwater .
    â€œI cannot.”
    Smiling, he brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, then gently kissed it. I know. Have no fear. I won’t let anything happen to you . Now lie back in the water and I’ll keep you afloat.
    Not quite trusting him, she reluctantly obeyed.
    Illarion bit back his amusement at how tense she was—as if she expected him to let go of her at any moment. Relax, my lady. Feel the water’s movement. Let it carry you.
    She slowly began to trust him. “It’s very soothing, isn’t it?”
    Normally, he’d agree. But right now …
    All he could focus on were the parts of her body that protruded from the water. He should have put her in a bikini. Had he not feared sending her into a screaming fit of protest, he would have.
    And before he could stop himself, he placed his cheek against hers, pulled her back to his chest, and lifted his legs so that he could cradle her with his full body.
    Edilyn gasped at the sensation of Illarion pressed against her as he swam in the water for the two of them. “How are you doing this?”
    Most true drakomai are amphibious. We’re even stronger in the water than we are in the air or on land .
    There was a little-known fact about his race. And as she felt his muscles rippling, she realized just how powerful and strong he was in both incarnations.
    How lethal.
    She lost track of time as he gently taught her how to swim, and while she lacked his abilities, she was rather proud when she was able to stay afloat and make progress on her own. Best of all, Illarion stayed right beside her, ensuring her safety as he’d promised.
    As the sun moved lower in the sky, they left the water. On shore, he conjured a blanket to wrap her in. Are you hungry?
    â€œA little. You?”
    He cast a bashful, longing look at her. Not for food .
    When he started away, she caught his hand and pulled him back toward her.
    He arched a questioning brow.
    Edilyn bit her lip as she debated the sanity of what she was about to do. It was all kinds of stupid. She knew that. And once done, there would be no going back.
    This was a major decision that would forever alter her life and she knew it. All she’d ever wanted was to be a member of the brenin’s army, and she’d been thwarted at every attempt.
    The last thing she’d desired was to be bound to a dragon.
    Now …
    It didn’t seem as horrible as she’d imagined. And before she could allow her common sense to take root, she rose on her tiptoes and captured his lips with hers.
    *   *   *
    â€œWhere did you get this?”
    Virag glanced around the drab gray Adoni court where no color was allowed except for the vibrantly red gown that adorned the great queen bitch of the fey—Morgen. He’d always hated the duplicitous role he was forced to play. But if he didn’t, both he and Edilyn would fall to their mother’s stupidity. Damn her for the bargain she’d made with Morgen that had cost them all so much.
    â€œThat I can’t tell you. But if it’s not enough, there’s more treasure. Chambers and chambers filled to overflowing.”
    Morgen le Fey, the queen of all evil, the bitchtress who’d brought down the legendary King Arthur himself, sat on her ebony throne eyeing him like her next meal. Dressed in a gown that seemed to bleed, she passed the ornate peach stone in her hand off to her most trusted servant—Narishka duFey. Every bit