“Ready?” I asked, reaching for her hand.
She nodded. “Ready as I ever will be,” I said.
The public part of the ceremony involved her being welcomed into the clan by two witnesses. Three others would have to step forward and offer her their blood. I was one of them, so I just needed two others to volunteer. And I just hoped that I would have them. I didn't think everybody would be on board with the changes I was making. I just hoped enough of them were that it would be okay.
“We need two more members for the bloodletting ceremony,” I asked. “Do I have any volunteers?”
“I volunteer,” called a young woman near the front of the group.
“I'd be honored,” a voice called out from the back of the crowd.
A familiar face appeared as my best friend, Cameron, came forward. Cocky and arrogant, as always, he smirked at me as he walked to the front. The young woman fell into place near me. But my eyes were focused on my best friend – a best friend who was supposed to be sitting in jail because he'd tried to commit a murder. Allegedly. How had he gotten out?
“Cameron, how did you –”
“It's a long story, but for now, let's get your girlfriend initiated,” he said with a wink.
I handed him the dagger and he cut into his wrist with nary a flinch. The girl followed suit, and then she handed the dagger back to me, and I did the same. I held a cup under our bleeding wrists and glanced at the moon, which happened to be full. Not that it needed to be, that was merely a myth. But I felt it was symbolic and special. The three of us held our wrists over the chalice, letting our blood mingle together.
Poor Rose looked like she might be sick as I held the chalice to her lips. “You only need a sip,” I said calmly.
She nodded her head and drank from the chalice, taking the blood down into her. That alone wouldn't be enough to make her a bear, it just made her strong enough to heal from what was about to happen next – the good part of the ceremony.
“Have fun, you two,” Cameron said as he stepped off the dais.
I picked her up and carried her inside the cabin, which was to be our home now. I could hear the raised voices and shouts of joy begin outside as the party got started. The Ceremony was meant to be a celebration – and if there was one thing to know about bear culture, it was that we loved our celebrations.
I carried Rose up the stairs and into the master bedroom. Our new room. Kicking the door shut behind us, I laid her down on the massive bed gently. She stared up at me, looking slightly afraid of what was going to happen next.
“This might hurt,” I said. “But I promise you, I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure it doesn't and that you're comfortable.”
She nodded. “I trust you.”
I stripped her bare of the furs, laying her against them before I removed my clothing as well. Climbing on top of her body, I kissed her mouth, her neck, running my fingertips up and down her body, relishing in the feel of her soft skin.
Sex wasn't necessary, but it helped the pain a lot. It was a terrific distraction. And when you were going through the change, you wanted as much distraction from the pain that you could get. Which was why sex had evolved to become part of the Ceremony. If you could overwhelm somebody with a pleasure intense enough, it could make things better on them. It was why I chose that method when somebody was going through the change. And I never wanted to hurt Rose again, not for as long as I lived.
She moaned, pulling me toward her and I so badly wanted to be inside of her. But I wanted her to be ready – truly ready – for what was about to come. With the tip of me barely inside of, she thrust herself upward and forced me to penetrate her. Lowering my head, I bit her neck, causing her to cry out. I couldn't tell if it was from the pleasure of me being inside of her or the pain from the bite. I figured it was probably a mixture of both.
I sank my teeth into her skin hard and kept going until I tasted blood. The only way to truly turn a human into a bear was through biting and scratching. And because not all bites and scratches would be deep enough or get the job done, more than one was usually required.
As I moved my hips, sliding myself in and out of her body, I continued biting down on her neck. I'd know when she changed, I would be able to feel her change beneath me. Until then, I kept up my rhythm, kept driving myself into the warm, wet center of her.
Rose's body would heal from the wounds I was inflicting, and I knew she'd grow stronger. And yet, despite half a dozen scratches and bites, no sign of either occurred. But that was okay because I was enjoying being inside of her – as I always did.
She gasped as I dug my nails into her hips and I plunged myself deep inside of her. As I pushed deep at the same time she thrust her hips upward, I almost lost control of myself. She caught me off guard and I almost let loose, filling her with my seed before the deed was truly done. I needed to keep going. I needed to make her feel good, to mask the pain of what else I was doing to her body.
Rose was writhing beneath me, crying out. “Asher, Asher, yes... yes...”
I rolled over so she was now laying on top of me. Grabbing her, I pulled her firmly down, forcing her to slide down harder and harder onto my cock. She rode me, grinding her hips wildly, as she called out my name. She planted her hands on my chest and thrust her hips up and down with a ferocity that turned me on like nothing else. I moaned loudly as I buried my nails into her back. She screamed out again as my nails opened small wounds on her back, the blood rolling down in rivulets.
Just as I was afraid I wouldn't be able to bring about the change, I saw something in her eyes.
A glow within them. Her eyes changed color, briefly, as she stared down at me. A slow smile curled her lips as her body moved against mine with a new force, a new strength, driving me even closer to the edge. She rode me hard now. Rode me with a newfound confidence I'd never seen in her before. I watched and smiled as the wounds on her neck healed.
It was done.
The muscles in her hot, wet opening twitched around my shaft, pulsing from her impending orgasm, and that was all I needed. I felt my body stiffen and my shaft begin to pulse as I shot my seed deep within her. Together, we came, our bodies writhing in ecstasy as we rode out the waves of pleasure together, staring into each other's eyes.
Rose was stronger, more confident and less afraid. I could see the change in her face as she fell against my body, dripping with both sweat and blood.
“That was amazing,” she said. “You never told me that sex as a bear felt better than sex as a human.”
I laughed. “I don't think that makes a difference,” I said. “I think it all depends on who you're with and how comfortable that person is.”
She stared me deep in the eyes, and I could tell she was happy. Truly happy.
So was I.
“So, tell me,” I asked. “How does it feel to be Queen?”
Epilogue
Rose
Being married to the Chief sure came with a lot of perks. As I sat on the throne, the afternoon breeze cooling my skin, I couldn't help but feel content. For the first time in my life, I was in control. Over everything. My life, my career, anything I wanted in life. And to think, not all that long ago, Asher and I had talked about running away together. Starting a new life somewhere else.
I was beyond glad that our plans had been thwarted.
Speaking of my career, several months after I'd become the bear Queen, Mary retired. She'd asked me to take over the bookstore, opting to sell it to me, rather than a stranger off the street. Asher agreed that it was good for me to have outside interests, something other than the cannery which brought in our fortune.
I loved working at the bookstore – the same bookstore that brought he and I together in the first place. For that reason alone, One More Chapter would always hold a special place in my heart.
I looked over at my Chief, handsome as always, loving the way he smiled back at me. Shortly after I became a bear, we officially tied the knot. In a small, n
atural ceremony in the woods behind the cabin, of course. Underneath the stars.
And the wedding couldn't have come at a better time either.
Resting my hand on my belly, I felt the life growing inside of me. With me being a bear now, it meant our child would be as well. And today was the naming ceremony for our child – the future prince of Q'lapa.
“Welcome everyone,” Asher said, beaming like the proud father-to-be that he was. “Thank you for joining us for our child's naming ceremony. As many of you know, we are having a boy –”
Shouts of, “Congratulations!” filled the air.
“Thank you, everyone,” Asher said, taking my hand in his. “Today, we are announcing our son's name. As the future prince of Q'lapa, he needs a name that's both strong, but also traditional. A name with natural roots. Which is why Rose and I have decided that his name will be Cade Asher Blackwood.”
“Beautiful name,” someone shouted from the crowd.
Cade meant small battle or spirit of the battle, which was perfect considering everything we'd been through. And Asher, well, that was in honor of his dear old dad, of course.
“Thank you,” I said, feeling like I was on cloud nine.
Had you asked me a year ago if I'd be happily married with a baby on the way, I'd have said no way. I would have said you were crazy to even suggest it. But there I was. And I couldn't be happier.
Life has a funny, yet strange way of working out sometimes. But, I wasn't one to argue. I was simply enjoying the ride for a change.
THE END
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21. No Such Thing as Dragons (Series Preview)
Saved by a Dragon (Book 1)
Prologue
Many Centuries Ago...
The world around me seemed like it had erupted in flames and smoke. Everywhere I looked was fire. Destruction. Death. The world was littered with bodies that had been ravaged. Torn open. Split apart.
The War of the Three Stones had been raging for what seemed like forever – but in reality, had been just over a year. But the war, being waged between three of the major Clans – Fire, Ice, and Sand – had ravaged our world of Chondelai.
And for what?
There had been very little gain for any of the Clans. Nobody had gained or lost territories. Nobody had pushed any of the Clans’ major houses into exile – or wiped them all out.
We'd been fighting, killing, and dying for over a year with no real gain.
I stood upon the ramparts of the castle, looking out at the land below. What had once been lush, green, beautiful land, was now scorched, and dying. Everything below seemed like it was on fire and through the smoke, I watched as the winged shapes of my brothers swooped and dove, cleaning up the last of the stragglers – the air around me vibrating with the deafening roar of dragons, and the pained screaming of men –bringing this skirmish to an end.
It had been a small force from the Sand Clan who'd tried to storm the castle. They were simply testing our defenses, seeing if this war of attrition had weakened us enough to justify sending a bigger force.
It was a tactic we'd all used. And to that point, all our defenses remained stout. Sooner or later though, one of the Clans was going to have to break if this damn war was ever going to end.
“Jyta, what are you doing up here? It's not safe.”
I turned and looked into the face of my best friend, Klont. He was a good man. A good soldier. I valued him above all others.
“Relax, brother,” I said. “The men are cleaning up the last of the Sands. I'm as safe here as I am anywhere.”
I turned and looked back out at the world below. I was the King of the Fire Clan and Commander of the Golden Legion – my clan's fiercest warriors. Klont was my second in command. My right hand. There was nobody in our entire army I would have rather gone to war with.
“A scout just returned,” he said. “The Sands are bringing in reinforcements. They'll be here any minute.”
I nodded and sighed. Clearly, we weren't done fighting for the day. “Gather the men,” I said. “Have them ready.”
“Right away.”
I watched Klont turn and walk away to round up the men. I turned and looked at the carnage on the field before me. Our once beautiful world, torn asunder by greed and unchecked ambition; I felt nothing but revulsion and disgust. Chondelai had been a beautiful place once. A paradise.
But we'd gone and destroyed the whole thing. Even when this war ended, I had no idea how long it would take the scars from our fighting to heal. Or if they ever would. More than that though, I had to wonder what kind of world Chondelai would be once the war was over. That, I supposed, depended upon who won.
I sensed the beast before I saw it. Looking up, I saw the massive dragon descending from the thick columns of smoke before me. The beast was right on top of me and getting lower. I was just about to shift into my own dragon form, ready to fight, when I noticed that the Sand dragon was alone.
If this was all the Sands had in the way of reinforcements, they were in a world of trouble.
I was curious. Curious as to why one of the Sands would choose to show up – alone. I held myself back from shifting, trying to quench the fire and lust for battle that burned through my veins.
The dragon descended, lowering itself onto the ramparts of the castle, and shifted into his human form. We stood about ten feet apart from one another, staring at each other in silence for several long moments.
“I'm not sure whether it's the height of bravery or the depth of foolishness for you to come here alone,” I said.
“I am Uldor,” he said. “Commander of the Scorpion Brigade and I do not come to fight. I come to have a conversation with you, your Majesty, nothing more.”
Uldor was tall, a head taller than me, and had long dark hair. With his broad shoulders, powerful arms and a thick, wide chest, he radiated power and strength. I wondered how I would fare against him in hand to hand combat. Wondered if I even stood a chance against him in our dragon forms.
Klont and half a dozen other warriors arrived on the ramparts, still armored, carrying spears and swords. I held my hand up to stop them from advancing.
“Lower your weapons,” I said.
My men did as they were told, but Klont stepped up beside me, sheathing his sword. He gave me a look that told me he wanted to say something, but he wisely held his tongue.
“What is it you want, Commander?” I asked. “Why do you come to my castle alone? Especially after your raiding party killed two of my men. Your raiders were wiped out, by the way.”
He sighed and looked to the ground, shaking his head. “They were instructed to relay my message,” he said. “I had heard they did not do that and acted on their own – which is why I am here of my own accord.”
“You Sands have killed a lot of our brothers and sisters,” Klont hissed. “Give me one reason why we should not strike you down where you stand.”
Uldor looked up and I saw the flash of anger and defiance in his eyes. “We've killed no less than you of the Fire Clan have,” he said. “War is a terrible, terrible thing that costs many lives. Far too many of them. But let us not compound that tragedy or dishonor our dead with hypocrisy.”
Klont looked to me but fell silent. I looked at the man before me, my curiosity only growing stronger. It was quite a risk for an enemy to show up uninvited – and alone. The fact that he was one of the Sand's key commanders only compounded that risk. It made me wonder what was his real agenda.
“Speak,” I said. “What is it you want?”
“I am taking the risk I am because some things are more important than our living or dying,” he said.
I smirked. “I can't think of anything more important to me than living, Uldor,” I said.
He eyed me carefully, his expression inscrutable. Unreadable. I found myself intensely curious about what the man was thinking.
“Is your life more important than the lives of all of the dragonborn living in Chondelai?”
I cocked my head and looked at him. “What are you talking about?”
“King Wotul,” he said. “He's gone mad. He's going to break our world if he is not stopped.”
I cocked my head and stared at the man, not sure what he was going on about. Wotul had been the one who'd started the war and had taken to killing the other dragonborn with such zeal. I knew his greed and lust for power were insatiable – but breaking the world?
“I don't even know what that means, Uldor,” I admitted.
The man looked at me with an urgency that bordered on madness himself. His entire body was tense – though not like he was about to strike. His madness was born of fear. But what could he possibly fear so badly?
“The Shongtal,” Uldor said, his voice low, intense. “He's speaking of releasing the Shongtal to aid him in his fight.”
I felt a knot form in my stomach and constrict painfully as he spoke. I looked to Klont who stared back at me with wide eyes, reflecting the fear I was sure were in my own.
“A – are you certain of this?” I asked.
Uldor nodded and then looked away, hesitant to speak for a moment. But then I saw his jaw tighten and his hands clench into fists at his sides.
“I know this because I accompanied my King to a meeting with Wotul,” he said. “An alliance was discussed for the purposes of defeating you.”
I chuckled and shook my head, though Klont tensed up beside me and placed his hand on the palm of his sword. I clapped him on the shoulder giving him a look of fierce pride.
“I shall take that as a badge of honor, Commander,” I said. “That the Ice and Sand Clans would need to marshal their forces together to defeat us. I think that speaks very well of my army – and its commanders.”
Rocor (Dragons of Kratak Book 5) Page 108
