by Delta James
“Come, Míorúilt, and sit with me. I would try and allay your concerns about what is to be.”
“I don’t want any part of the future you envision for me.”
“That, my beloved, is not your choice, nor is your giving up your immortality. Now, come here to me.”
“I don’t want to.”
“That too, is not your choice. I told you to come to me. That is no longer a request. If I have to come and get you, you will find yourself face down over my knee again, feeling the sting of my disapproval across your backside.”
Kellan reached for her hand gently. He would prefer not to have to spank her again before he bedded her, but she needed to learn to obey him and that started now. Besides which, he mused, he intended to pleasure her long enough and hard enough that any discomfort she felt on her backside would be negated at his skillful hands. He was confident that come sunrise, his mate would revel in his embrace. Never had he failed to bring a woman to orgasm multiple times, and he had considerable experience in taking a woman’s maidenhead.
He watched as her conflicting thoughts danced across her face. He knew a part of her wanted to continue to defy him and another feared doing so. But her greatest concern seemed to be about that part of her that shuddered when he commanded her, that instinctively recognized him as her lord and master and wanted to obey.
“Now, Míorúilt,” he said in voice that indicated he would brook no further defiance on her part.
She took a tentative step toward him.
“That’s a good girl,” he crooned. “Come and sit with me.”
Míorúilt walked to him and seemed vastly relieved when he helped her up on his lap and wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace.
Kellan had heard that the discussion surrounding one’s mate giving up her immortality could go badly when broached even with one who had been raised amongst her kind. Not knowing how little she knew and fearing that it was next to nothing, Kellan wanted to proceed in a way that would cause her the least distress when he impregnated her.
* * *
The fabric of his breeches was soft on her bare and punished backside. She couldn’t understand the power he seemed to have over her. When he had left her in the cell, she had railed against her captivity and would eagerly have fought him to the death to be free. He expected her to just submit to him and his will without so much as a by your leave. His arrogance was only exceeded by her arousal in response to his presence. Never in her life had she felt so open and alive. It was as though he had opened the floodgates of her sensuality and desire. She feared the night ahead and the loss of her virginity. She had heard tales from those who had once been, or were still, a part of, the Sanctuary, that it was painful and few of the women she knew enjoyed the act of love. Many talked about feeling trapped beneath the man or being held down while he repeatedly pounded within her, grunting and groaning as he did so before gushing his sticky essence into them.
Kellan had seemed so arrogant and commanding before, but as she sat in his lap, he held her close, rocking her gently as a soft rumble that reminded her of a purr emanated from deep within him to take up residence in her being. She had been on her own for a very long time. Since the death of her parents and the establishment of the Sanctuary, it seemed her only solace could be found when she soared above the clouds. Those with whom she shared a life depended on her for protection and provision. She was the one who engineered and performed all the trading; she was the one who did most of the hunting. She didn’t mind, but there were times it was exhausting. Míorúilt began to softly cry for no reason she could discern.
“Shh, beloved. I am here. You are my true heart and we will happily rule together over our people.”
“What if I don’t want to?” she queried.
“Do you not feel my staff beneath you throbbing with need? Long have I waited for you—long before the great battle and all during my slumber, I used to dream of you. In my dreams you were as naughty as you were earlier today and I had to discipline you, but you always managed to elude me before the dream reached a satisfactory resolution.”
“And what would that have been?”
“With my having you beneath me while I pleasured us both before planting my seed in your womb. Make no mistake, Míorúilt, before the next sunrise, you will be mine in all ways.”
“What if I don’t want that?”
“That is no longer your choice. The gods sent you to this place and woke me to return to my people and claim you. We will begin the long journey back to reestablishing a dragon dynasty.”
“What did you mean I had to give up my immortality? Am I immortal now?”
“You are. What do you know about the circumstances surrounding your birth?”
“Not much. Looking back, my parents were very vague. I know that before coming to live on our farm they had lived with others in what you have called the Cave of Tears, When we reclaimed the Sanctuary, we created a special place in the small annex at the rear of the cave system for the shards of what I now think must be eggs. My father had one fashioned into a pendant for my mother. It was one of the few things I brought with me when I left that place.”
“Where is it now?”
“It is among my things at the Sanctuary.”
“I will retrieve it when I prepare the Cave of Tears to be sealed.” Changing the subject, he continued, “So, your mother knew then that you were a dragon and she raised you as her own.”
“My parents loved me...”
“Past tense?”
“Yes. They were murdered several years ago by a rogue pack of wolves. It was in wanting to avenge their deaths that I found I could breathe fire and then found that I could shift into a dragon.”
Kellan hugged her close when she shivered as she spoke of her parents. When she relaxed deeper into his body, he seemed pleased and the deep, soothing rumbling increased.
“You are dragon; that means you can shift into any form you choose so long as that form has a heart... and you have been immortal. Have you not noticed that you are rarely sick and any wounds you receive heal quickly?”
She nodded. “I didn’t know. Why didn’t my parents tell me?”
“Most likely because they didn’t know the specifics about being a dragon. Do you have any siblings?”
“No. My parents were older and called me Míorúilt because I was the miracle child they thought never to have. So... I... we will never die?”
“No. A drakaina gives up her immortality once her mate’s seed takes root in her womb.”
“Then I can die, and you can’t? Hardly seems right,” she said, her sense of fairness creeping into her voice.
“I too will give up my immortality once you have given birth to our egg and the child emerges from the egg.”
“I won’t give birth to a baby?”
He shook his head. “How little you know, my mate. Drakaina carry their offspring for a shorter time than humans. They then give birth to an egg, which has a baby within. The child’s parents keep the egg warm until the child emerges from the shell. Once it has breathed its first air and suckled at its mother’s teat, its sire experiences the loss of his immortality as well.”
The impact of what a dragon sacrificed to bring children into the world hit her with full force and effect.
“And you want to die?”
“Not any time soon,” he teased gently. “But I have an overpowering need to breed you and watch your belly grow with the children I put there. To watch our heirs and daughters grow into fine examples of our kind and reclaim what was lost to the hunters, wolves, and mutants.”
“But why me?” she persisted.
“That was not my first thought upon waking,” he teased. “I thought to have numerous concubines with whom I would sire many offspring.”
Míorúilt began to struggle. She would not be part of some harem for his pleasure. He strengthened his embrace and the low vibrato that spoke to the deepest part of her increased.
“
And then I inhaled your scent and knew that I was to be gifted with my true heart. The one soul who completes my own and all thought of other women disappeared like a dandelion’s white crown when you blow on it. From that moment forward, no other existed for me, as no other will ever exist for you.”
“But what if I don’t want you?” she persisted.
He rumbled loudly at her. “As I have said, drakaina are fierce and independent beings and often rail and grumble at their need to submit to their lord and master.”
“I will not submit,” she snarled.
He surprised her by laughing. “Said as a true drakaina. You may never submit willingly, but you will learn to obey or will come to know the feel of my sword belt when applied to your behind.”
Kellan stopped speaking as they both heard the sounds of someone overhead. He helped her from his lap as he stood listening intently.
“It would seem my men have arrived. I shall leave you to consider all we have talked about and to prepare to take your vows in front of two of our men who will stand as witnesses.”
Míorúilt looked down at her nude body. It struck her as odd that she had become so comfortable in that state in his presence.
“Would you have them see me in my current state of undress?”
Kellan growled. “No other man will ever see you such. I will give you something with which to cover yourself. Do you have any gowns at your Sanctuary?” She nodded. “Then I will have one of the women fetch one before I remove them all.” He started to leave but then turned back. “Not that it matters overly much, but are all of your women human?”
“At this time...”
“Good. That will make finding them a mate easier. Fionn told me that most who live in our territory are human, with a smattering of various shifters.”
“Remove them from the Cave of Tears if you must, but leave them be. Do not force them into a bonding as you plan to force me.”
“Bah, females are far better off and happier when paired with a strong male to love them and give them structure and support,” he said as he exited the cell and closed the door behind him.
She ran to the front of the cell. “Kellan, no!”
He stopped, but said nothing before continuing on.
Chapter Seven
Kellan emerged from the dungeon into the bright light. The days were getting longer but he was glad there was more darkness than light at this time of year. He thought his mate might find it easier to learn the ways of pleasing him without the glare of the sun her first few times. Gods, he ached for her. He seemed to be in an almost perpetual state of arousal in her presence. He needed to get the women in the cave down and into the capable hands of his men as well as have Míorúilt take her vows so that he could take her beneath him and begin to ease his lust. His mate would be well plowed and most likely pregnant come morning.
The two warriors assigned to the task of building his bridal bed asked where he wanted it and agreed that in front of what had once been one of the great fireplaces was a good spot. He asked that once they had completed construction of the bed and its soft mattress, that they lay the makings of a fire for his use that night. With the men beginning their tasks, Kellan removed his clothing, shifted, and took off to join the remainder of his men on the beach below the Cave of Tears.
“My lord!” called Fionn. “They are aware we are here.”
Kellan did not bother to shift. “They will be even more aware as I pluck them from their cave and deliver them into your hands,” he quipped. “Where are Lorcan and Donnacha?”
“I set them up above the cave on the bluff. If, as we have long suspected, there is a secret entrance into the cavern, they will be there to catch them as well as learn of its location so that we can seal it up to prevent anyone violating the cave again. I can recall them if you like, but the three of us should be able to deal with them.”
Kellan shook his head. “No. Your reasoning is sound. We can bind the women so that you should have no trouble getting them back to the stronghold. And once Donnacha and Lorcan have rejoined you, our four warriors should be able to handle the women. Although from this point until they are mated, no man save yourself or I will be allowed to punish them. I would have you join the others on the island to bear witness to my exchange of vows with my mate. Am I understood?”
The men all nodded.
“And has your mate settled herself with the idea of being your mate?” asked Fionn.
“I think she may be accepting she has no choice, but regardless it will be done and I will have her claimed fully this night. I don’t believe I have ever had a greater need to bury my cock in a woman. I am almost mad with the wanting of her.”
“They say that is the way of true hearts or fated mates. Let us see to this,” Fionn said, indicating the women above, “so that you can move on to the more pleasurable tasks at hand.”
Kellan beat his wings and rose majestically up front the ground straight up so that he hung suspended in midair directly in front of the entrance to the cave. All four women were gathered there.
“I am Kellan, dragon lord of this domain. From this time forward you are my responsibility until I have given you in marriage to a man worthy of your hand. You will be taken from this place by my warriors and housed in their citadel.”
“What did you do to Míorúilt?” one of them called.
“Míorúilt is no longer your concern,” Kellan replied.
“She is our friend and protector...”
“And my mate,” he bellowed, quickly losing patience with Míorúilt’s women. “I have taken my mate in hand and this evening we will exchange vows. Your belongings will be collected and returned to you in due course. Ready yourselves and remain here at the opening. I will not take kindly to any woman I have to chase down.”
“You arrogant bastard! We’re not going anywhere with you,” called a woman brandishing a sword.
Kellan flapped his wings and landed on the edge of the precipice. As he had thought they would do, all of the women stepped back. Without another word, he knocked the sword from the woman’s hand, picked her up along with another one standing right beside her, and then fell backward, gliding down to the sand with the women clinging to his claws for dear life.
“Fionn, here are the first two. The dark-haired one seems to have some knowledge of weapons.”
He thrust the two women toward his men and then returned to the cavern. One of the others had fled, but one remained.
“Your friend will not escape. I have men waiting at your bolt hole. She will be captured and rejoin you shortly.”
He snatched up the other female and deposited her with Fionn and the rest of the men. He returned to the lip of the cave but could not see the last female. She must be trying to escape via the bolt hole. Kellan would ensure that Fionn had the three he had taken from the cave under his control then go aloft to ensure the other female had been caught.
Landing, he saw that Fionn and the two men with him had made short work of the women’s histrionics and attempts to evade being take into their lord’s custody. What the hell had happened to women while he slumbered? They seemed to have forgotten their place. The women from the cave were beautiful, by any standards, and with a dowry provided by him, it should be easy enough to find them a mate. Watching his men, he was certain that one or more of the women from the Sanctuary would soon be mated to a warrior in his service. He hid his smile as he realized that Fionn seemed to be paying particularly close attention to the woman who had seemed capable with a sword and not because he feared her prowess. Unless he was badly mistaken, his second in command was going to have his hands full with a new bride in fairly short order.
“It appears that you have them well in hand. I will go up to make sure the other one has been caught. If not, I will return to the cave, shift and find her. She will feel my displeasure at her behavior before they are brought to you,” Kellan growled.
Using his powerful wings, Kellan rose to the top of the cliff and then
began to fly a grid pattern. It didn’t take long for the woman to emerge and Lorcan and Donnacha to apprehend her. Kellan took charge of her, instructing Donnacha and Lorcan to join the rest of the men as quickly as possible. Taking the struggling woman in his powerful claws, he flew her directly to his waiting men. By the time the two warriors from the top of the cliff joined them, all of the women had been secured and were seated on a horse with one of his men.
Kellan and Fionn exchanged glances. The woman with the sword was tied and sitting within the circle of his beta’s arms in as foul a mood as he had ever seen a woman.
“I take it you would prefer to return to the citadel to take charge of these females, and in particular the one that now sits in front of you?”
Fionn grinned at him. “I will entrust this one’s care to Lorcan until after I have witnessed your vow ceremony and can return with those you left at Raicleach.”
“While I appreciate the sincerity of your gesture, I would not ask you to take leave so soon of your mate after having just found her.”
“Again, my lord... I found her again. Brenna had been promised to another when I could not take her to wife because of my duties within the order. Instead of obeying her father, she ran away. Had I known she had fled to the Sanctuary, I would have found a way to breach its entrance and bring her home. And now that you have relieved us of having no wife or family while we serve, I will approach her father and tell him my intentions.”
The woman called Brenna might have protested except for the fact that Fionn had already rendered her speechless with a gag.
“Tell her father that as he could not control his daughter, I have taken over the responsibility for her care, as well as the others, including finding them mates and providing them with a dowry.”
Brenna struggled.
“My lord is as generous as he is great. I thank you, my lord.”
“Fionn, take the men and this group of rebellious females back to the citadel.” He turned to the women. “Hear this... from this time forward you are in my care. It is obvious to me that those who should have cared for you in the past did not. You have been too long without the structure and support that can only be provided by a man who truly cares for you. My men will take you to the fortress until such time as I find you the proper mate. I will turn my hand to that as soon as I bring my own mate to heel... and I can bring myself to leave our bed.”
