Dragons Don't Forgive

by D'Elen McClain

  They draw closer and I notice someone on Roxanne’s back. Maybe Ashrac has come, though it will be hard to resist teasing him for not flying himself here. The person is small and sits upon Roxanne like they belong. I admire Roxanne’s beauty. Her glorious blue is fitting as Laryn’s mate. At a hundred yards away, the person on her back becomes clear. How did I miss that wild hair?

  My heart stops.

  No blood pumps through my veins.

  I stand frozen and no air enters my lungs.

  Roxanne is the only one who lands. The rest hover, though I barely notice. My eyes stay glued to the woman I love.

  “No,” I shake my head as she bounds down off of Roxanne’s back. “You can’t be here. No.” I want her so bad, I’ve dreamed of seeing her again, holding her, loving her. But this can’t be happening. She stops a few feet from me and I glare at the dragons. “Why? Do you hate me so much that you would have her die?” I yell at them.

  Roxanne is the one to speak. “We forgive you, Sarn, and we love you.” Her wings expand and she launches herself into the sky. They fly away without looking back. And Sierra stands before me with tears streaming down her face. She’s never looked more beautiful. My dreams could never do her justice.

  I’m actually hoping this is another of my dreams and then she speaks. “I love you, Sarn, and I wish to stay here and pass to the Summerlands with you.”

  My tears fall and she reaches her hand out and touches me. Her energy flairs and it travels inside of me and swirls around my heart. It beats again and blood thunders through my veins.

  She’s in my arms and I’m hugging her so tight that I can only kiss the top of her head. Her scent cleans my soul and washes away all the pain. She’s here. She came to me when all was lost.

  I push her back enough that I can grasp her cheeks within the palms of my hands. I need her lips and I take them. Home. It isn’t my lair or my realm. It’s her. Her lips are the sweetest. I skim my hands down her sides until I can reach beneath her shirt and feel her bare flesh. It’s not enough and I break the kiss to pull the shirt over her head. Mine comes next. I must have her heartbeat against mine. I lift her slightly and hug her again.

  “I love you, Sarn. I love you,” she repeats over and over.

  I can’t get a word out. I feel if I do, this dream will turn into a nightmare. I cannot wake without her in my arms. I lift her up and cradle her as I walk into my room. I lay her on the bed and quickly remove her pants. She’s naked and she lifts her arms. My pants hit the floor in seconds and I’m in those arms.

  My long hair surrounds us and mingles with hers. I inhale her scent. She is really here; this is no dream.

  “Take me, Sarn, don’t waste another second.”

  I don’t. My cock finds home too. I kiss her temple, her cheek, and rediscover her lips. She clenches me tight within her body and takes everything I give her. I can feel the energy of her wolf as we mate. It doesn’t matter that she isn’t a bride, wasn’t a virgin, or has no possibility of transcending. She. Is. My. Mate.

  I want to slow down and cherish this moment forever, but my body has other ideas. My balls tighten and I spill my seed before I’m ready. It doesn’t matter because she’s right there with me. Her inner walls constrict as a soft moan escapes her lips. We are both too overwhelmed to shout our pleasure.

  I don’t withdraw my cock. I start kissing her again as her hands explore my back and move down to my ass. I manage to roll so she’s above me and her hands go to my chest. I must see her, and now it’s her hair cocooning us.

  “Kiss me, Sierra.” These are the first words I speak since bringing her to my bed.

  “You are a greedy dragon,” she whispers as her lips meet mine.

  She has no idea how truly greedy I am. My cock is swelling once more and she begins to move in a slow, rocking motion that burns in the best way.

  “I love you,” she says again.

  “I love you,” I reply against her lips. Our eyes are locked together and I drown in the pools of brown that I’ve missed like no bride I’ve ever had. “I love you.” I say it again.

  She quickens her pace and takes what she needs. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I gather her hair so I can see her riding me. Her breasts sway as our bodies dance. Her inner muscles tighten again as do my balls. We ride the waves together, as it should be, as only she and I can. Her energy rolls through me again and I bathe in her light. It might not shine like a dragon’s, but it’s there. This time we both cry out and the sound of our release echoes off the walls.

  She’s cuddled in my arms a few minutes later. I move a few strands of hair from her cheek so I can see her face. Her tears are flowing freely.

  I prop myself up on one arm and gaze into her eyes. “You shouldn’t have come. I only wanted you safe and happy.”

  She stares with watery eyes and shakes her head just a bit. “I’ve been in hell since the day you left me.”

  Her words kill me. “I’m so sorry.” More sorry than she can ever know. I left to give her a chance.

  Her hand lifts and one finger presses to my lips. “No. You could not know how I would feel as I do not know how you felt. I see the suffering in your eyes, my poor dragon. We have but a short time and I want no apologies or guilt or anything negative. I only want love.”

  My tears fall over her cheeks and blend with hers. “Everything I can give you is yours,” I whisper before kissing her again.

  When the kiss finally ends, she smiles. “I want to fly, dragon.”

  “As you wish.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sierra

  I ride naked as he shows me his realm. It’s more beautiful than any place I’ve ever seen. He flies me through the mountains, across great rivers, and over the ocean that he says separates his realm from Laryn’s.

  As the sun rose this morning, Roxanne took me to her castle where the other dragons waited. They made me eat before taking me to Sarn. I met Ashrac. He was such a handsome boy and full of questions.

  “You are part wolf?” he asked with excitement dancing in his eyes.

  “Yes and you are part dragon,” I replied.

  His chest puffed out. “I am all dragon.”

  I smile at the memory as the wind flows through my hair and my legs clasp Sarn’s neck. He lands in soft grass and shifts once I’m down from his back. We make love for hours. It’s only my rumbling belly that finally calls a halt to our activities.

  “I can offer nothing but meat,” he tells me. “I must hunt and we can build a fire to cook it.”

  “I wish to hunt with you. You be my eyes and we will find our dinner together.” I shift to wolf and Sarn to dragon. We make a good team as he spots a herd of deer and leads me to them with telepathic prompting. The doe I catch is young. I drag her down and end her life quickly. Sarn lands a bit away and watches me.

  “Why have we not hunted together before?” he asks.

  “I don’t know.” I tear a strip of hide off with my sharp teeth so I can get to the tender part. “Do you need yours cooked?” I ask.

  He shakes his goliath head. “No, I will share if you are offering. If not, I will be back shortly with my own.”

  “Don’t leave me for even a second, dragon. Please join me.”

  If anyone could see us, it would have been the strangest sight. A wolf and dragon sharing a kill. To me, it seemed the most natural thing on earth. Or realm, I guess. We made short work of the doe with Sarn eating the majority after I could no longer stuff myself.

  We shift and swim in a nearby lake. And then we make love. It’s almost frantic by the time the sun sets. I don’t want to think of the following day, though I accept it. I will never live without my mate again.

  Sarn flies us back to his castle. All but his bedroom is a rundown mess. It shows me his pain. I’d seen Roxy’s castle. When we flew up to Sarn’s, she explained that his was once just as majestic. It is so sad to think of his loneliness, so I shake the thoughts aside.

  We don�
��t sleep during the entire night. Our bodies join again and again. We speak little, but the “I love yous” fill the room when we are able to get words out. Even though I don’t want sad thoughts intruding, I think of all the years we’ve missed out on. Sarn wanted to make a clean break and limit my pain. I understand, but know he did exactly the opposite. His unhappiness during our years apart almost kills me.

  He holds me as the sun gently rises and shines through the window. Sadness fills me, yet I am at peace with my decision. Sarn’s voice at last fills the room. “I will love you forever. You must keep that in your heart.”

  I squeeze his hand. “We will be in the Summerlands together, Sarn. I believe that deep in my soul.”

  His finger draws circles on my belly. Then his palm settles and his hand moves up until he covers my heart. “Forgive me, Sierra. Please forgive me.”

  I lay my hand on his. “There is nothing to forgive, Sarn.”

  A noise from outside Sarn’s window makes me look that way. Roxy’s large dragon head pokes in the window. Sarn leaves the bed and Roxy enters and shifts.

  “Take her back. I will go to the claiming,” he says.

  Roxy nods.

  I am too stunned to even move for a moment. Then I jump from the bed and face Sarn. “No, dragon. You cannot do this. I will not allow you to do this to me again!.”

  He walks toward me and I angrily push him away. He grabs me and pulls me close not caring that my fists strike his back. I’m sobbing and yelling at what he means to do. “Shh, Sierra. I will claim my bride and when she is gone, I will come for you. I can’t let you die. You promised to forgive me and I am begging you to keep your word.”

  I scream, I cry, and finally, I settle within the warmth of his arms. I push my head from his shoulder and stare into his red-rimmed violet eyes. I take a deep breath and release the anger from my soul. This is what true love is. “You must promise me one thing, dragon.”

  “Anything, Sierra, anything.”

  “You must love her so I know you are happy. Love her each day and do not think of me. Be happy, Sarn, or I cannot do this.”

  He doesn’t speak for a long time. His forehead leans against mine and he whispers against my lips, “As you wish.”

  I fly away astride Roxy’s back. Only the saddle keeps me on. I cry with tears of the deepest sorrow imaginable. “You knew, didn’t you?” I finally manage to ask her.

  “There is no greater love on earth than a dragon’s. Though, a wolf’s comes close. I promise we will watch over him until he returns to you. And you will be as happy as you possibly can until that day. It won’t be easy, but somehow you will manage.”

  “Yes,” I wipe the last of my tears away. “I will manage.” I can’t help thinking of what I will do if the Goddess sees fit to grant him a mate. It will be the final nail in my coffin. And I’m selfish enough to hope it will be thousands of years from now. That means each century I will have twenty-five or more years with my dragon. I will live with that thought because I have no choice.

  The pain of the realm crossing is nothing compared to the pain I still carry in my heart. Sarn must be happy. It’s all that will keep me alive.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Claiming…

  Sarn

  I fly to the village without the usual burning joy that I’ve always felt before. The white gowns of the brides flutter in the light wind. My heart doesn’t increase its pace at the sight. I don’t want one of these women, I want Sierra.

  I wait for the crashing sensation that usually tells me who the one special bride is. And I wait. I fly over once, circle, and fly over again. Sierra wants me to love this bride. Those were her final words. I stop fighting fate and open my heart to my next bride. “I will try,” I tell the wind.

  I’m not sure what’s happening when the clouds above me begin to spin. Several humans are walking toward the center of town where they will kneel to me as I claim my bride. They stop walking. No, they actually freeze in mid-step. Everything but the clouds swirling above my head stops. Not even the gowns of my brides move with the wind.

  A beautifully winged Pegasus carries a woman as they charge from the clouds. I shake my head and look again. They’re real… I think.

  Her mouth does not move as her words enter my head. “Sarn of the family of majestic purple dragons, greetings.”

  It’s a Goddess. I should be kneeling at her feet, though that is impossible when we are suspended in air. “Greetings,” I say in a low voice, more in awe than anything else.

  She offers a gentle smile. “You have come to fulfill your destiny, though your heart belongs to another.”

  The heart she speaks of has picked up pace until I’m afraid it will burst from my chest. I don’t answer. I can’t.

  “You have a great choice to make this day. I cannot undo the curse, but I can offer you an alternative. The price of your love for this female wolf shifter is your dragon’s form. If you choose this, you will live within the earth’s realm and never return here. You shall live as a man without wings or the gift of flight. But you will have eternal life with the one you love.” The wind picks up as her arms rise in the air. “I will have your answer now.”

  I am dragon. There is no choice at all.

  ***

  Sierra

  The day of claiming passed a week ago and I know my dragon has his new bride. My wolf doesn’t even offer a jealous growl at the thought. We are too devastated to do more than struggle with each breath through our tears. I’ve decided to give myself this last day to grieve. Tomorrow, I will begin living my life to its fullest. I will do it for Sarn.

  I’m in bear territory in the cabin Sarn and I shared. I’ve spent each night in our bed crying and smiling over sad memories and happy ones. I’m not ready to return home, though I’ve sent word that I’m okay. I can’t handle my family’s pity right now. The bears surprisingly understand and give me this time. I eventually drag myself from the bed and manage to drink a cup of hot tea. When finished, I shift to wolf and head to the tall grass where I plan to spend the day.

  It is exactly as I remember. I know the spot Sarn and I made love. I sit and then lie back and look at the sky. How many people find a love as great as ours? I doubt anyone. It goes completely against beastkind nature to share that love. But I will share Sarn with his new bride. I just want him happy. I close my eyes and remember the sweet times we spent here. There were not enough, but it’s all I have and I shall cherish those memories.

  A cloud must have moved in front of the sun because the warm rays are no longer touching my skin. I open my eyes and the daydream I’m having appears real. It’s Sarn. He’s standing over me with the most incredible glow in his purple eyes. I smile and lift my arms. He kneels. I want this dream to continue forever.

  “It shall, sweet Sierra, I promise,” he whispers into my mind.

  Then he’s in my arms and my life begins again. I run my hands over his shirt and wonder why my dream has him clothed.

  “Because this isn’t a dream and you did not give me time to remove my clothing.”

  He’s staring at me and something in his eyes makes me try to sit up and shake away the cobwebs in my brain.

  “You cannot shake me away, sweet Sierra. I will never leave you again.”

  My wolf whines and that’s when I realize I’m not dreaming. “Sarn?” I ask.

  “Yes?”

  “No wait.” I begin struggling until he stands and pulls me up. “What is going on?” I’m insane, I know I am.

  He reaches forward and smoothes the hair from my cheek. His palm cups my face. “The Goddess has gifted me life here in the earth realm. I can never return to my realm, but I am here with you and we have many lifetimes to heal the ache we carry from these past years.”

  “It’s you.”

  He smiles and then begins laughing as he pulls me against his chest and squeezes me so tight I can’t breathe. His arms loosen a moment later, but he doesn’t release me. “There is more I must tell you,” h
e breathes into my ear. “I no longer have a dragon form. I am but a man, though an eternal one. I have no home… no family or clan. I have only you, if you will have me.”

  I shake my head as I pull away. “No wings to fly?” I ask with horror and guilt. “No, Sarn, you must go back. You must have your wings.”

  His smile is glorious. “You are my wings.”

  “No.”

  “Yes, my love.” The tip of his finger touches my chin. “The Goddess gave me the choice, but it was no choice at all. Wings mean nothing without love…”

  “No...”

  “Let me finish, love. I flew from the claiming field until I reached the dragon realm crossing. I shifted and walked to Bastian’s castle. I needed to say goodbye and I needed a ride to the earth realm crossing. I gave up my wings before I ever reached you. They are of no consequence. I am still a dragon in my soul as long as you are there with me.”

  I can’t stop my tears. He patiently wipes them away until I control myself. “You would give up your wings for me?”

  “Yes, you are my heart and my soul. I would give up everything for you.”

  I wrap my arms tightly around him and begin crying again. We fall to the grass and Sarn slowly spreads my hair around my head. “You cut your hair,” I say in a dreamy voice.

  “Acasia did. She wouldn’t allow me to return to you looking like a savage. Her words.”

  I laugh with pure joy. “I will take the savage. The man. The dragon. Love me, Sarn. Love me and don’t ever stop.”

  “As you wish,” he says as he leans down and kisses me.

  He’s here. He’s mine and I am his forever. Our kisses turn from sweet to hungry. I need him inside of me. I want his fire consuming me. I begin tearing at his clothes so we are skin to skin. He helps, but the clothes rip with our need. He enters me and it’s like the first time—perfect. I can’t control my wolf who scrapes his back with my nails. Or maybe it’s solely me and not my wolf. I want the world to see my marks on him. He bites my throat then licks the marks he leaves behind. His thrust into my body is wild and savage. Lack of his long hair that I can hold onto changes nothing.