Knights of Desire [Flights of Fancy 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read Online Free Page A

slipped in the gooey drool of his mount, and he went to one knee. Sayid gave the squire credit for a good, smooth recovery.
    The messenger bowed his head, his chest heaving rapidly. "Your Majesty, a message from Sir Landis." He held out a tattered paper.
    Sayid took the parchment and waved for footmen to assist the messenger and his animal. He opened the paper and read Landis's clearly hurried writing.
     
    My Lord, King Sayid:
     
    Strangers now visit the land of My King. These unknown men came from the sky in a machine of metal, riding on thunder before which even the sound of the wings of the lizards' pales.
    These are a strange people, and they speak through magic boxes they carry on their belts. They hold what are clearly weapons, but Clemmons and I have yet to discern their manner. The men have offered no harm, but they are watchful.
    More to follow.
     
    Sir Landis
     
    Sayid wondered if he should go personally to meet these strangers, but that would not only be unseemly for a king, but it might be a trick of the dragons.
    Best to stay here until Landis and Clemmons learned more.
     
    * * * *
     
    Clemmons was far more outgoing than he, and Landis knew it, so he was content to stand by while the woman and Clemmons taught her box to talk. He busied himself for a few minutes, sending a quick message to the king.
    The woman's box was talking better now, and she made appropriate replies, so he guessed she could understand them, as well.
    Clemmons laughed casually. "We mean you no harm."
    She hadn't removed her helmet or even raised her visor. Her soldiers maintained their watchful vigil over the men in the weeds and paid no attention to them or the woman. Landis thought that meant they believed this woman could take care of herself even when facing two knights of the realm.
    She nodded. "And I mean you no harm."
    Landis decided the machine was doing well enough for him to jump into the conversation. "Perhaps then you can tell us your name and where you come from."
    "I'm Sergeant Rawls, and I'm from the Empire of Mankind."
    "Well, Sergeantrawls, maybe you could show your face." Clemmons rubbed his bare chest with his hands, grabbing Landis's attention. "After all, I'm not even covered!"
    "No, not 'Sergeantrawls'." She took a deep breath. "Sergeant is a title. My last name is Rawls."
    Landis laughed. "We understand a title, but last name? You have more than one name?"
    "Yes, my first name is Shane."
    "So what do we call you?"
    She seemed to sigh. "Just call me Shane. That will save time."
    Clemmons nodded. "Alright, Shane. Maybe you can show your face."
    She paused for many seconds, finally calling to one of her comrades. "Degnan, cover me."
    The man turned, his weapon not quite pointed at them. "Yes, Sergeant."
    She leaned forward, and Landis heard a soft buzz as the visor rolled up into the helmet. She pulled the helmet from her head and stood up straight again, facing them.
    He'd been imagining she would be attractive, his imagination perhaps running away with him, filling in the blanks the black suit and covered helmet created. She was a small woman, short and slender, except for the ample breasts the skin-tight suit served to highlight.
    But nothing prepared him for her face.
    Short hair the color of golden sunlight bouncing from ripe flax framed a pretty triangular face. As she shook her head, her hair formed a golden halo around her head, but her eyes never left him and Clemmons. His first thought was that the eyes were the color of flax blossoms, blue with purple tints, that would compliment the color of her hair perfectly, but Landis soon realized he was mistaken. The eyes were the color of sapphires, dark blue with a depth to infinity and hints of flashing white his overactive imagination told him would sparkle like the sun on quartz when she smiled.
    The tanned skin of her face told him much, and Landis knew a warrior when he saw one. The woman, this Shane, was in excellent physical condition, trained and sharpened