Prince of Spies Read Online Free Page B

Nico wanting such responsibility for himself. If, Mother forbid, something happened to Roland and Lana, Nico would step up to the challenge, but he didn’t want it. He would much rather support his brother’s reign.
    Roland was a good and just king, surrounded by enemies in difficult times. Nico would put forth all his skills to see that Roland not only succeeded in protecting the lands, people and dragons of Draconia, but kept his family and loved ones as safe as possible while doing it.
    Bringing Riki home to her family was just one of the tasks Nico had undertaken. It might prove to be the noblest thing he’d ever done, but only time would tell. He already knew it was the one thing he’d done, so far in his life, of which he felt proudest.

    Oh, he wasn’t taking credit for stumbling over her, but rather he felt pride and wonder in her . Riki was down and beaten, but she clearly had never given up. He was glad he could fly, allowing them to escape easily from the nest of vipers Lucan called a palace. Nico was proud he could help her and amazed by the courage of the small woman clinging so desperately to life and probably to her sanity.
    Nico flew on as long as he dared, but when dawn kissed the sky to the east, he knew it was time to find a safe place to land. His black wings would stand out too greatly against the day-lit sky. Plus, he was still somewhat drained from the torture session and beating the day before.
    While Riki had managed to heal the worst of his hurts, he was not fully cured. Muscles protested each sweeping downbeat of his wings while recently healed slashes and burns pulled at his skin both on the surface and beneath. He’d had very little sleep and fatigue was creeping up on him no matter how hard he fought against it.
    Riki was probably tired as well and would need a break. Nico had to find a safe place for them to pass the hours of daylight. Until they were able to leave Skithdron behind, they would travel by night, when his black dragon form would help them hide safely in the dark sky.
    Nico kept a careful eye out for a likely place to rest and, before long, found a village. Not quite large enough to be considered a city, the place was still big enough that they could blend in with relative ease. There were also small fields with crops growing all around that would make good places to hide. There were only a few rocky outcroppings on the otherwise flat plain and the small tributary that wound through the area allowed some crops to be grown.
    Nico picked a rock cluster, knowing most of the skiths that normally lived in such places had already been herded toward Draconia. He didn’t see signs of the nasty creatures from the air, so he weighed his options as the sun peeped more fully over the horizon. He had to land. Quickly.
    Setting down as gently as he could, Nico searched the rock formation fully while still in dragon form. As a dragon he could fight any remaining skiths and probably win, but if he were caught in human form, it would be difficult indeed. Finding no skiths, he scraped his belly along the ground to make it easier for Riki to climb down off his back.
    Riki was bone weary as she stumbled down off the dragon’s broad back.
    She’d been tired before, but not like this. This was a good kind of weariness that came after the greatest exhilaration Riki had ever known.
    There was a stir of movement behind her and then two strong, human arms came around her, steadying her as she wobbled on her shaky legs.
    Nico. Her savior and her protector. A dragon in human form and a spinner of tales about her family. A bringer of hope.
    But what manner of man was he, really? Riki had been too badly deceived by those she’d trusted before. So far, Nico had been all that was good and kind to her. Fierce when necessary, he was also gentle with her when she’d had so little gentleness in her life.
    “Drink first,” Nico said softly in her ear. She blinked open her sagging eyelids and saw his hand