Prince of Spies Read Online Free Page A

the border.
    Nico gained altitude as the night wore on. He knew the cold at this level was difficult for Riki, but better that than risk being seen. A dragon over the skies of Skithdron—particularly a royal black dragon—would bring out their enemies in force. He poured on the speed, hoping to go as far as possible before the sun rose too high in the sky. It was a long way to the border, but black dragons were the fastest of all dragons and Nico had trained himself to fly faster and longer than any of his brethren. Such skills were important in his line of work.
    How are you doing, Riki?
    I’m a little cold, but I’d rather be cold than dead.
    Nico admired her spirit. He knew the heat produced by his body kept her warm for the most part, but she was poorly dressed for the altitude and much too thin as well. He would have to find her something better to wear during the daylight hours when flying would be too dangerous.
    Snuggle in close to me, sweetheart. My body heat should help a bit.
    Oh, it does. You’re like a furnace, Nico. My own personal hot water bottle, on a giant scale.
    Anytime, Riki. Again, he found himself chuckling. I’ll warm you anytime. All you have to do is ask.

Chapter Three
    As they flew through the night, Nico thought back to the mating flight he’d witnessed between his oldest brother, Roland, and his new queen. Lana was the first female black dragon in centuries and although she’d come to her wings later in life than most royal blacks, she trained hard and was flying beautifully by the time she and Roland tried to mate in dragon form.
    Lana didn’t know it, but Roland had asked Nico to stand by in the shadows, watching in case Lana didn’t come out of freefall in time.
    Roland had convinced him the pleasure of being with his wife in any form was enough to overwhelm his senses and he was afraid her new flying reflexes weren’t strong enough to save her should they wait too long to pull apart after climax. Roland wanted Nico there, as backup. So Nico watched as the first mated black dragon pair in centuries took their first mating flight, soaring to the stars together, joined in body and mind, then plummeting hard and fast to earth as they basked in the climax of their pleasure.
    It had been beautiful. Wondrous. And it had sparked a tiny flame of jealousy in Nico’s heart, though he refused to acknowledge it. Nico wanted that. Oh, he didn’t think he’d ever find another female shapeshifter—Lana was the first in many generations—but he wanted that kind of love, that kind of bond with a woman. He and Roland were closer than most brothers, and he knew the extent of the bond between Roland’s soul and his new wife’s. Nico envied that bond. Not in a malicious way, but in a wistful, wishing sort of way.
    Lana was a special woman, and a wonderful wife to his often lonely eldest brother. She was also proving to be a magnificent queen. Her heart was open and giving, her soul pure and deep. The people loved her as she was coming to love them and the dragons revered her like no human woman in centuries.
    And Riki was her twin.
    If any woman could survive the deprecations of being in Lucan’s grasp, it was Riki. Though truthfully, Nico feared for her sanity. She seemed well enough, but he could only guess at the horrors she had seen and experienced as Lucan’s captive. His heart nearly broke just thinking of it, and his was not a soft heart to bleed for every poor creature. Nico was a compassionate man, but not overly demonstrative. He kept his generosity well hidden, lest people try to curry favor with him simply because he had the ear and trust of the king.
    Second in line to the throne of Draconia was a strange position. Nico had learned over the years to play his cards very close to his vest. He aided his brother where he could as provider of information, Spymaster and staunch ally. Roland had gained the throne so young after the brutal deaths of their parents. There was no question of