To Kiss in the Shadows by Lynn Kurland Page A

to reach some kind of inn before the sun sets completely.”
    Lianna looked at Jason. “How much farther?”
    â€œTo Blackmour? At least four or five days. These lads have ridden hard to catch us. But I promise you a goodly rest there on that second most comfortable goose-feather mattress I spoke of. And I have passed a night or two on it—by myself,” he threw at his brother. He smiled at Lianna. “You’ll feel comfortable there. You’ll see.”
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    It was indeed another five days of travel, but the road was pleasant and the weather fine. Lianna watched Blackmour’s men with Jason and saw the respect they accorded him, even though he was much younger than they. She found that by the time they had reached the keep, she had even stopped taking Jason and Kendrick’s barbs seriously. There had only been a minor skirmish or two, but Kendrick had very solicitously avoided damaging anything she might find useful.
    For herself, she found that being wed to the Dragon’s kit was more of a joy to her with each day that passed. He was kind and gentle, and he looked at her with love in his eyes.
    What she did find curious, however, was that none of Blackmour’s men made any mention of Jason’s dark reputation. She had only jested of it once, and by the complete lack of expression on all the faces surrounding her, save Jason who had smiled, she decided that ’twas a subject better left undiscussed.
    Except, of course, for the brief moment of privacy she’d had with her husband the morning before they’d arrived at Blackmour when he’d led her off into a small copse of trees for a private kiss or two. When she’d managed to gasp in a breath, she looked at him seriously.
    â€œHave you cast spells?” she asked bluntly.
    He blinked, then half of his mouth quirked up in something of an embarrassed smile. “One or two.”
    â€œDid they work?”
    â€œWe’ll have to look at Maud in a year or two and see what’s left of her.”
    She shuddered to think what sorts of torments he had left in place for the women who had dared harm her. Perhaps ’twas best not to know.
    â€œHave you brewed potions?” she asked, determined not to be distracted.
    â€œAye.”
    â€œStudied dark arts?”
    He paused. “In a manner of speaking.”
    â€œIn a manner of speaking?”
    He considered for a moment or two. “I have walked blindly into the darkness,” he said finally, “and studied art there with my master.”
    â€œHave you indeed.”
    â€œAye. Swordplay and such. When you meet him, you’ll understand.”
    â€œHrumph,” she said, unconvinced. “I vow the only magics you’ve worked on me are best left for the privacy of our own tent.”
    â€œThen you don’t think I brewed a potion to make you love me?” he asked, reaching up to tuck a bit of her hair behind her ear. “Or to make you wed with me?”
    She pulled him to her and kissed him thoroughly. “Mayhap you brewed aught for me, but my heart was given the moment I saw you, and where my heart was given, my hand was destined to go. Or didn’t you know that my father cast his own kind of spell and bound that upon me from an early age?”
    â€œI’ll thank him when next we meet, after you and I have spent a very long lifetime together.”
    â€œAye, my beloved nightshade.”
    He laughed and pulled her close. “Is that how you think of me? What will your people say to that?”
    â€œThey’ll think me enormously brave to partake of you,” she said. “And isn’t that your damned brother bellowing for us to return?”
    He looked down at her and smiled fondly. “I love you, Lianna.”
    â€œAnd I you, my lord. Now, let us return before I propose a wrestle to silence him myself.”
    That had been the morning before and she’d found herself too nervous