Read Wings of Change for Free Online Page B

could handle being their wife.
    “You too?”
    Marcus sighed and propped his head on one hand, elbow on the table. “In the tumult of the past days, I didn’t realize it at first. It just felt so good to have her around. It felt right to have her caring for Rey and talking with him and Linea. Like that was the way it always should be. And then I realized…it probably was. But she fears me, Kaden. Or rather, she fears the memories I bring back.”
    “How’s that?” Kaden was shocked by the sorrow in his friend’s tone. Marcus was one of those knights who always seemed sure he could overcome any obstacle. His positive attitude was something Kaden aspired to, but never seemed to achieve, and here Marcus was, as down as Kaden had ever seen him.
    “I kissed her yesterday.” Marcus rubbed one hand over his face. “Actually, I propositioned her, and grabbed her butt. Damn, she has a fine ass.” He seemed lost in reverie for a moment while Kaden seethed. “She nearly ran from me, Kaden. She came right out and told me I reminded her of all that she’d lost and tried to leave. Then I became a barbarian and grabbed her ass.”
    Kaden laughed. He couldn’t help it. It just sounded so ridiculous coming from Marcus in those cultured tones of his.
    “It’s not funny,” Marcus snapped.
    Kaden tried to wipe the smile from his face. “Sorry. All right. What happened then?”

    www.samhainpublishing.com 31
    Bianca D’Arc
    “She seemed intrigued, but in the end she ran away.” Marcus sounded so glum, Kaden could almost forgive him for making the first move on Lucy.
    “So how do we get her to agree to be our mate?”
    “You court her. Woo her. Do whatever it is human males do to show her how good you will be for her.” Linea spoke to both knights. She was resting quietly with Reynor, who slept on, but her jeweled eyes followed the knights.
    “Good idea, milady,” Kaden said, “but most human women don’t expect to have two husbands. The idea of it might be unsettling to her.”
    “Judging from the way she kissed you both, I think she’s more open to our ways than you believe. Still, it couldn’t hurt to show her the Lair. Let her talk to some of the other women. Maybe you could have some of your friends visit here and bring their mates so she can meet them. I doubt she’ll want to leave Reynor here while he’s still so sick.”
    “You are a clever strategist, Lady Linea,” Kaden acknowledged, toasting her. “We’ll do that.”
    32
    www.samhainpublishing.com
    Wings of Change
    Chapter Five
    The next day, they put their new plan into action. Several knights and their mates came to visit Rey and Linea throughout the morning and afternoon, the dragons craning their heads in the special, large doorway to see their comrades in the small space. The tavern became more popular than ever, with folks coming in for lunch, dinner and evening entertainment, and to see the dragons and knights up close. It was a treat, even for those who’d lived their whole lives in the shadow of the castle. Reynor was doing much better physically and seemed to enjoy the attention and well wishes from people he didn’t even know. Lucia was kept busy delivering fruit people sent to Rey and Linea as well as drinks they bought for the knights. It was a kind gesture they gladly accepted and returned.
    Lucia watched the other knights and their wives, astounded at first by the casual way the threesomes came and went. They were comfortable with each other in a way that spoke of love and deep understanding. Lucia had seldom seen such obvious commitment among lovers, and each new trio seemed happier than the last. After her initial shock, Lucia scrutinized them when they weren’t looking, wondering if their apparent happiness wasn’t some elaborate hoax. It seemed odd to see so many three-partnered relationships with nary one unhappy member or any hint of discord, but that’s exactly what she saw. The thought gave her pause.
    “Lucia.” Marcus