by Missy Lyons
There is more than one way to skin a dragon, Alyssa thought darkly. Desperately, she tried to search her memories, recalling anything that might help in hand-to-hand combat. He had every advantage, being nearly twice her size.
There was a certain skill to taking down large immovable objects. It was a skill that required an understanding of propulsion, movement, and balance. It also required taking the large unmovable object by surprise. Which Alyssa was sure she could do once, maybe twice, but pinning him? It would be nigh impossible with someone of his size and strength against her.
She would have to knock him out and she had disarmed herself. Getting near him would be the dangerous part. The handle of her dagger would have worked, if it were inside the circle. There could be no regrets now. It wouldn't have been fair to keep her weapons when he had none.
She would have to find a way to cut off the blood flow to his brain. If she blocked his artery from his brain it would cause him to black out. Too long and he would die, too short and he would have the handkerchief by such close contact in no time.
Alyssa stepped into the circle. She would accept the match. Determination held her back straight and her hands ready to block his. Her eyes were tiny daggers of ice, until he melted her with his heartwarming smile. She smiled in return before she could stop her lips from betraying her feelings.
Alyssa circled him, letting him take the first move. He lunged for her in a bear hug. She evaded him by ducking and running behind him. He reached for her again and she danced around, biding her time to make her move. It was like a drug to see his powerful body in action.
She could feel a heat rising in her that was not from the heat of the day or the exercise, but from her own unfulfilled desires. She almost wanted to feel the strength of his arms on her. For a moment she was tempted to let him win without fighting so very hard. His strength surpassed hers, and she knew in her heart he would probably win without help from her.
With his stomach exposed, she could do damage to a kidney. She could try to kill him. She probably should just surrender now. The fact that she could not kill him, even if she wanted to tore at her heart.
He was right. She cared about him. She loved the man.
All of this time she fought him, denying herself physical love, too afraid she would fall in love, when she already loved him. It was a turning point for her. She loved him with all her heart and she felt ready to accept everything he would offer as her mate and her lover.
Alyssa came for him, stepping into his reach quickly. She locked her ankle behind his, to aid in her takedown, and twisted his arm in an unnatural direction, throwing him to the ground.
She knew it was partly luck, partly from him being taken unawares. It may not be doable a second time. Nor did she try to pin him. She had felt his hand briefly touch her breast before he went down, but he did not have time to think about grabbing the handkerchief. Did he? What did it matter when she was on the verge of surrender?
She wanted to scream out a victory crow, seeing the white lace edged material in his hands. She even risked a glance at her own chest to verify it was indeed actually removed from her. Her chest was only covered by the thin blue dress. It was her handkerchief.
The gathered soldiers gave a cheer and even Alyssa felt like cheering, her spirits soaring. It startled her to feel how good it felt to lose. Her mate. As promised, he conquered her, and she was finally ready to accept him and all his love. To accept what her own heartfelt. He was smart, and strong; he offered his protection and his love. Why did she deny him for so long?
She had expected to lose, but never this quickly. She felt a happiness in her that he had won and a warmth grew in her stomach. She felt a spurt of moist warmth between her thighs. She would finally know what it was like to explore every inch of his body.
Xanther came to his feet winded, but grinning from ear to ear. He handed the handkerchief back to her. Without a word of explanation he picked her up and slung her over his shoulders like a bag of potatoes and carried her to his room.
Only Alyssa didn't feel like a bag of potatoes. She felt an incredible pressure and a tight coil of desire building, quite breathless at the thought of where his careless hands had gone. He had one arm firmly locked over the back of her knees and the other hand splayed smack between her two cheeks.
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Chapter 15
His control vanished. Where had his will gone? The master of control that would tease her beyond endurance, breaking her defenses? Xanther dropped Alyssa onto his bed with an inelegance that reminded him of a sack of wheat. The beast had taken over and it hungered. Hungered for a sustenance long denied. He licked his lips, reigning in the carnal hunger he felt. He felt like an animal and she had made him this way. Weeks of waiting and waiting, his patience was at an end. He was dangerously close to throwing her down, just taking her in an animalistic fashion.
She sat up in the bed, nervously fingering the material of her tattered dress, sensing his wicked intents. He longed to rip it from her shoulders, rendering it useless, but tamped that urge down. Instead, he bared one shoulder, trailing kisses down lower as her shoulder was bared and then one breast. He kissed it, making a circle with his tongue before suckling hungrily. It lit a fire to her core, and forced a restrained moan from her lips. Xanther smiled as he repeated the same technique with her other breast.
Xanther undressed her as quickly as possible, pulling the tattered dress from her body. His groin burned with his need for her. He pulled her up to him, so that her bare breasts were pressed up against his chest.
He didn't need to know she wanted him with every fiber of her being. She wasn't sure if she was ready to share her feelings with him yet, but her body she was ready to sacrifice on this altar of love. Her body ached for him as she ached for no man before. But there was still a part of her that feared the pain. She was an inexperienced virgin and this was new to her. Openly loving a man, letting her own lust free of its chains. She had been taught it was wrong to be a wanton, to make love outside of marriage, yet this felt so right.
She knew he had fought her in an attempt to win her love and trust. Not to hurt or humiliate her. He could have hurt her or killed her, mayhap not easily, but he didn't want to. He refused to even use a weapon against her.
He stood up, letting the dress drop from his fingers to the floor. A delicious shiver lit through her at his ravenous gaze. She felt like a captive female. A virgin offering in front of a dragon about to feed on her flesh. His fierce gaze fed her own need for him.
He removed one boot, letting it hit the stone floor with a thud. “I like the way you look in my bed. You look like an angel dropped from the heavens, better than a feast laid on my tables, you look like you're waiting for—"
"The dragon to devour me?"
"Oh yes, angel.” He groaned. He let the other boot thud to the floor.
"That's what I feel like, too.” She laughed.
He hurriedly removed his breeches, to rejoin her again in the bed. He whispered in her ear, “I would love to devour every inch of you.” His hot breath lit her veins on fire, rivers of warmth spread through her body. She felt hot and needy—a knot of tension was already building in her stomach.
"Why Xanther, you are positively wicked!” Her body quivered under his touch, delighting under his every rakish lick.
"Only with you. But you have nothing to be afraid of with me, ma Kerima. You are the other half of my heart. There will only be pleasure for you with me."
"I'm not afraid. Not with you,” she whispered, locking her arms around his neck.
Xanther showered her face with kisses before finally Alyssa framed his face with the palms of her hands and pulled him down to meet her lips, opening herself to him fully.
Alyssa was bound by a raging passion, enflamed by Xanther and his magic hands and tongue. The man had a magic tongue. It was the only way she could explain the way he made her body feel. Where his fingers explored, his tongue followed, dripp
ing kisses the entire length of her body. It lit a fire in her she could not quench with water. So this was what it felt like to make love? To be in love? To be loved? She wasn't sure why she ever wanted to stop him. It was undeniable pleasure.
He kissed her with such a fierce passion it made her head spin. In that one kiss he showed her how hungry he was for her. His erection grew hard against her thigh, and Alyssa wanted to gravitate towards the heat of it. She wanted to fit it against her crotch. He spread her legs with one knee and Alyssa satisfied herself with his thigh, rubbing the tip of herself on his hard thigh, sharing her ache for him.
He held her, with one hand guiding his member to her wet entrance. She felt the tip of him enter and stop at a barrier.
"Alyssa, put your arms around my neck. There is going to be a little pain but only the first time. I would never hurt you if I didn't have to."
"I know. Go ahead. I am ready.” No shyness left her awkward, just a hunger and desire to join her mate. She wrapped her arms around his torso, pulling him close to her body. Slowly he eased himself in, pushing past the barrier. Once inside, he stayed motionless.
Alyssa held her breath, waiting for him to move; the need had not left her. A slight pain had not dampened her desire. Experimentally she wriggled slightly, under his body. Alyssa felt she needed something more and tried to wriggle again under him. “I hope we're not done."
"Done? I would say not."
"Good.” She arched her hips into his, reveling at the sensations it stirred with him inside of her.
He grimaced, pursing his lips tight. “I was trying to take it slow and easy your first time. If you don't stop that I won't be able to control myself.” His voice was a low growl at the end, stilling her movements with his hands.
"I have had enough of slow and easy with you, Xanther. I want you hard and fast."
"At last, a woman that knows what she wants.” He drew himself back out and pushed back in. Out. In. Deliciously slow.
"I think I have wanted you since the first time I saw you."
"And we could have been doing this from the first day if you told me.” He tweaked a nipple.
"If I had only known...” She gasped. She could see a monster in his eyes. But it didn't frighten her as it should. It waited and it watched, but it was there. She knew it mirrored her own reflection. She felt the powerful beast awaken at the onslaught of her lust.
For the first time in her life she didn't try to lock the beast up behind a wall, pushing it away from her. She knew it was there lurking in the shadows, hiding in the recesses of her mind. It was a part of her as much as she wanted to deny it. It fed on this desire as much as her own body, used the sensuous waves to build a fire of passion. Her inner beast wanted Xanther with an undeniable hunger. A craving as strong as and as driven as an animal is to its mate. Her mate.
"That feels so good, Xanther."
She wriggled her hips to meet his tempo—she felt that snake in her belly leap up every time he thrust into her. His heat and warmth seeped into her, and she moaned in frustration, needing more. The monster in her, the one she always hid, wanted out. It wanted to get at Xanther. In her heart she knew it would not hurt him. Like the rest of her it wanted to share in this pleasure.
"Do you surrender, Alyssa?” he growled.
"I do. I surrender,” she whispered, her hot breath fanning his neck.
"All of you, Alyssa."
"I am yours.” she sighed. “Completely yours.” Oddly, admitting his right to possess her didn't make her feel trapped but free. Completely free.
"You will always be mine. Not just tonight but always."
"Yes, Xanther. Always."
He held her, slipping himself deep inside of her. He began to move, steady and insistent, a pulsing beat that did nothing to assuage her need. It only built the fire, wrapping her up in the flames, driving her need higher. He pounded her flesh with an unrelenting claim, “Only me.” He thundered into her.
Wave after wave of erotic sensations went through her until she came moaning in his ear, “Oh God yes! Yes ... yes."
His body jerked into hers, shuddering at her entry in response, his breath coming fast until he sent his seed into her wet, tight cavern. “Only me.” The last words were a breathy whisper, as he held her body close, not withdrawing from her.
They just stayed like that for awhile, enjoying the pleasures of the flesh. The closeness of their bodies entwined to become one.
He was her life mate, a companion she would love for her entire life. Her eternal lover. There was no going back now. He was hers, as she belonged to him. Completely.
Afterward they lay in each others’ arms, and Alyssa let her mind wander on the day's events. Xanther soon slipped into a peaceful slumber, one arm thrown possessively over her side. To think that he was capable of bringing her body to such peaks of desire thrilled her. A fact she would have never known if she had killed him or hurt him in the circle. She could have killed him. She could have gone for a move to break his neck or hit another vital organ, but Alyssa had never wanted to harm him. Alyssa would have never let him win their challenge if she didn't love him.
The thought shocked her, but it was true. She did love this man. She never understood love before and this time she didn't try to do anything more than accept it.
"I do love you, Xanther. With all of my heart,” she whispered in his ear, hoping the words wouldn't wake him. She burrowed closer to him, reveling in his embrace.
* * * *
She woke to his roving hands arousing a hunger in her newly awakened body. Delicious warmth spread through her at his touch and the fires of her loins grew with renewed vigor, as she anticipated his touch and the pleasure it could bring. The pastel colors of dawn painted the morning sky and the light of the sun began to fill the room with light from the arched window.
"You can stoke my fire anytime you want.” She chuckled.
"The thought pleases you? You have only to say what pleases you and I will give it to you. If I had known, I would have kept you awake all night."
"Making love to you pleases me. All night, I thought perhaps your stamina—"
"I didn't want to wake you, thinking you would be sore and needed your rest, but if you are ready again so soon—"
"Stamina is something I pride myself in."
Xanther laughed before kissing the tip of her nose. “I want to lock the door and keep you here for a month while I grow accustomed to your body.” His cock was now fully awake.
"Sounds good to me,” she responded.
"Aren't you supposed to be fighting me?"
"Oops. I forgot.” She laughed. “Now when are you going to get around to making love to me again, Xanther?"
Xanther rolled his body over hers and proceeded to do just that.
* * * *
A knock came at the door, breaking the idyllic paradise the couple created for themselves.
Xanther pulled the bed sheets protectively up to cover Alyssa's free breasts, before saying, “Sorry dear, that's the drawback of being a royal—no privacy."
"I don't know if I like having an audience, Xanther."
"I know, dearest. I will try to get rid of him, but no one would ever say anything. No one would dare question my choice of mate, or criticize her.” He tucked the edge of the sheet under her arm.
"Prince Xanther?” A man's voice asked gruffly and then knocked again. “Are you awake?"
"Yes—yes. What is it?” Xanther answered curtly.
"Your grace.” The door opened to reveal a neatly groomed valet. “Excuse me, but I thought you should know this morning there has been quite a stir. A body has been found. He was dressed as one of your soldiers, and I knew you would want to be notified."
"Indeed, you were right of course.” Very little crime took place on the island, but with the ever increasing population of humans, life became less predictable. “Who is it?"
"I do not know, my liege."
"Was it one of the elite guards, Jonny?” Xant
her jumped from the bed, oblivious to his nudity.
"Nay, my lord."
"Thank God for small blessings.” Xanther muttered under his breath. He moved to the wardrobe swiftly, already looking for the change of clothes he should wear today. “Very well then, where was he found?"
"The moat sire. They fished him out and he's lying in the bailey now. They have called your magistrate to deal with it."
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Jonny. We will be down shortly."
"May I help you dress this morn?” Jonny asked, a whisper of joy on his face at being able to serve his master in this small way.
Xanther looked over at Alyssa, who was still abed, with the sheets pulled up to her chin. He took his cue from there. “Not today, Jonny."
Jonny's head dipped dejectedly and a long sigh was heard.
"But if you would do me a service? See my father knows of this news."
"Oh yes, sir. At once, sir,” Jonny piped up immediately, jubilant again at being useful to his master. He shut the door with haste and Alyssa jumped out of bed to join Xanther in dressing.
"I thought he would never leave. Do you think it was one of the men I fought yesterday, Xanther?"
"Perhaps. Whoever it was, he was human and not dragon."
"How do you know that?"
"My elite guards are all dragons and Jonny would have recognized any of his cousins that served in the guard."
"Xanther.” Alyssa pulled a silver-blue dress from the closet, after putting her pantaloons on. “I know this is not the time, but I want a new wardrobe. I am not a dress kind of girl and these slippers ... They are really not good for anything."
"I seem to remember you wearing a scarf outfit that could be remade for you here easily enough."
"Well, I can see where your mind is this morning.” Alyssa pulled the dress over her head, and hastily put the dainty slippers on.
"Every time I look at you, my mind wanders.” He had that wolfish grin on again. He had his breeches on, and he was holding his button down shirt in his hands.
"Okay—okay.” Alyssa took the shirt from him, holding it open for him to slip his arms in. “I can see we won't get anywhere this morning unless I bring this up later.” When he did slip his arms in, she brought the front panels together and began buttoning the shirt.
