Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [201]
Gentle! I flung out the thought like a desperate lifeline. Be gentle!
It was not gentle.
It eased enough to spare my life, but it was not gentle, and I have no words to describe it. There was no place in this coupling for tenderness or artistry. It was like the great storm at sea, savage and powerful, terrible and beautiful. Her hands tore at my robes and hers—to no avail, I tried to slow her, tried in vain to find a measure of gentleness that the dragon's unleashed desire superseded. Gods, she was strong! Unnaturally strong, dragon-ridden. Her whole body shuddered when I slid my hand between her thighs, slid two fingers deep inside her. Slender limbs, dragon-strong, coiled around me.
Yes! That is what I awoke to. That is the gift I restore!
Not exactly, I thought—but close enough. And riding above us like the storm above the sea was a dragon's memory of mating, filled with clouds and rain and thunder, gleaming coils intertwining, flashing in the bursts of lightning.
Snow Tiger cried out loud, pressing against me so hard I thought my wrist would break or my ribs shatter.
And then it was over.
The dragon sighed, content. The storm had passed, leaving only a few clouds drifting over the moon, the seas calm below.
The princess released me and pulled away, withdrawing into herself. She sat cross-legged at the foot of the bed, gazing through the open doorway at the twilit garden beyond, her slender back fiercely upright. I stayed where I was, wishing I had the faintest idea what to do or say.
"Thank you." Her tone was unreadable.
I inclined my head, unseen. "My lady."
"Dragons mate in the skies, don't they?" she mused. "It was fearful, yet lovely."
"You saw it?"
"Yes." Her shoulders moved. "Through you, I think. You and the magic you summon. Tell me again, what is your name, Master Lo's pupil?"
"Moirin."
Her head turned slightly, revealing her delicate profile. "Moirin. It is late, and you should go. I cannot know what harm I might do in my sleep. I will summon an attendant to release you."
The dragon stirred. I would never harm you. He said—
"I heard. I am learning to hear in this twilight of yours. Still, I would prefer that you go."
I wondered if it were for my sake or hers. "As you wish, my lady. I will have to release the twilight."
"Ah, of course." Snow Tiger rose in one impossibly fluid gesture, then stood still a moment, looking around the room. "The world is beautiful, isn't it? I'd almost forgotten." She stooped and picked up the fallen blindfold.
"My lady, wait, please." I climbed out of her bed, my body aching as though I'd fallen down a mountainside. I opened a clothes-press and found a sleeping-robe, unfolding it for her.
"A wise thought," she said dryly.
"It's not that." I gathered my torn, scattered clothing. Snow Tiger waited with patience while I dressed, the scarf dangling from one hand. The dragon reflected in her eyes roiled slowly, peacefully, dreaming of clouds and rain. "You did not choose what happened here tonight," I said, taking care with my words. "Therefore, I do not know if Naamah's blessing may be upon it, though desire be sacred to her. But my gods sent me here, and I consented to this. Let us pray that it is blessing enough, my lady. And I promise, if I may serve you and the dragon within you in any other way, I will."
She touched my lips—gently. Very gently. "Moirin."
"Aye?"
"You should go." Snow Tiger tied the blindfold deftly over her eyes. "Banish the magic."
I'd held it for longer than I'd done since leaving Terre d'Ange, longer than I could remember. Now I let it go, and the world came rushing back,