by Suzie Ivy
Where my bravado came from, I don’t know. “I will not beg. Eat me.”
He reared up on his hind legs, his wings spreading out. I didn’t move, waiting for death—embracing it. The air moved when his wings flapped. For ten seconds he hovered and then he rose until he rested on a ledge hundreds of feet up.
He peered over his shoulder and said, “I will eat you tomorrow.” With a last look at where I stood, he went over the side, out of my view. His roar thundered through the air and he was gone.
Chapter Three
Acasia
I stood there for quite some time wondering what the hell just happened. It took me a while to examine my surroundings because I kept thinking he would return. Stone spiral stairs circled inside the tower walls and stopped at an arched exit I could barely see. The tower rose higher still, but to access the columns, wings were required. I walked around the carcasses. Breathing deeply made me nauseous again so I tried using shallow breaths. I took the first steps of hundreds of stairs and began climbing.
Soon, my breath was coming in heavy gasps. I stopped to rest and looked over the side. The bottom of the tower was nothing but a large circle littered with bones of partially eaten animals. Nothing looked human, which I was thankful for. I may have thrown myself over the side if something other than dead animals were below. Maybe he swallowed humans whole.
I began my climb again and reached the arch about twenty minutes later. A giant platform hung over the tower past the stairs. I assumed it was so the dragon could land, but I didn’t see how he could fit through the door’s arch. A long hallway stretched past the opening, and I followed it. The rotting death smell deteriorated, but my own unpleasant scent increased. The hallway opened to a monstrous combination library and sitting room. I could see three doors at one end and another arch and hallway at the other. Bookcases lined the tall walls, with ladders attached to rails resting to the sides so a person could reach all the books. I’d never seen the like. I had to be dreaming, but not even my imagination could visualize something so incredible.
Slowly, I walked across the room and opened one of the far doors. It was a bedroom with a huge bed taking up the majority of the space. Gold objects from urns to figurines covered every surface. They gleamed in the soft light cast from large open double doors. From the sunlight streaming in, I guessed it led outside. I wanted so badly to investigate but suppressed my curiosity, closed the door, and walked to the next.
This one was decidedly feminine. The bed wasn’t as large and had a princess canopy with soft flowing white gauze draping down from four tall posters. More gold decorated the room with jewels laying here and there—red, blue, yellow, and clear stones, shining and gleaming. It was hard to accept them as real, but I was betting they were.
I was in a dragon’s lair and this was his treasure.
I backed out and opened the third door.
No bed, this room was his hoard. Piles of gold, jewelry, and gemstones covered every inch of space, some stacks higher than I was tall.
Holy Hades.
I couldn’t get out quickly enough. I practically ran through the arch, away from the rooms. I reached a closed door at the end of the hallway. It was locked. I beat against it, but the solid wood only gave a soft thud. Backing away, I returned to the library. Of the three doors, I chose the least intimidating and entered the feminine room again. To the side, I noticed a door and walked through. It held a bathing room unlike anything I’d ever seen. A soft, luxurious bathrobe made of an unknown cloth hung from the back of the door. I looked down at my soiled gown and back at the largest bathing tub I’d ever encountered. I walked to the gold handles and spout checking for water. It spurted out—crystal clear, warm water. It took only seconds to shed my gown and walk down the steps into the tub. Bottles of thick liquid with sweet-smelling soap rested on a shelf. I scented them all and decided on roses.
Though I wanted to, I didn’t linger in the warm water. This place didn’t belong to me and someone might come in at any moment. The door didn’t lock, and there was no covering over the bath. I grabbed a soft white cloth from a folded stack resting on a side table, dried myself and put on the bathing robe. It smelled fresh and clean, though anything would in comparison with the white sheath sprayed with vomit.
There was a side door on the bathroom that I hadn’t checked. It held a large garment room. Unusual garments hung from poles, and the shoes rested on shelves. They filled every nook and cranny. Another door opened into the first room I’d seen. I heard a slight noise, which sounded like a door closing. I left the bathing room and re-entered the library. The smell hit me at the same time my stomach growled. Food. I looked around and saw no one, but there was a tray on a long table to the side of the room. Walking over, a glass of clear liquid drew me first. I picked it up and sniffed. Water. I took a long drink, downing most of the glass. Uncovering the tray, my stomach growled once more when I saw the fruits, vegetables, and meats. A small loaf of bread completed the feast made for a king. Strike that, queen. Someone was taking care of me, or possibly fattening me up.
Sitting down, I ate until my stomach could hold no more. Was it stupid? Probably, but everything was delicious and far tastier than anything I’d ever had. I rested my knife to the side of my plate and glanced around at the books. Was all this for me? It couldn’t possibly be.
Weariness overwhelmed me. I stood, swaying slightly. I don’t think I’d slept well since I entered my name as a claiming bride. I perused the books. I’d never seen any of the titles or authors. I didn’t even know so many books existed in the world.
That thought stopped me. I was no longer in my world. I was in the dragon realm, far from my friends and family. Would I ever see them again? None of the claimed brides had ever returned. I put the book I held back in its place and headed to the room with the canopied bed. Pulling the robe tightly around me, I lay on the soft down, pulling the covers to my chin. I couldn’t help the tears that rolled down my cheeks, and soon sleep took me away.
Chapter Four
Bastian
She wasn’t like Bethanne. She didn’t cringe from me or cry. My new bride was fearless, or maybe crazy. I’d actually laughed when she threatened to puke on me again. She didn’t know it was a laugh, which I was grateful for. But nonetheless, I threw back my head, bellowing like a fool. I believe it’s been hundreds of years since a bride entertained me so much on the first day I’d claimed her.
This one was different, and if I didn’t guard my heart, it would break again. I couldn’t live through that pain. But, gods, I was lonely.
Acasia. I said the name in my mind. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Her hair was so blonde it was almost silver. Her tiny body reminded me of a pixie. Her face, delicate with small features, made her blue eyes seem larger and almost disproportioned. But it worked, making her even more desirable. I’d felt her as I flew nearer to the claiming field. The pull toward this one human woman. My mind zeroed in on hers. It was always like that. One stood out… one chosen for me. I couldn’t stop it any more than I could stop my heart from beating. Though I tried. I swore I wouldn’t show at that field, wouldn’t claim my bride.
But loneliness drew me there, to her. Gods, she wasn’t my true mate, and I would mourn her someday like I mourned the others who came before her. The thought was a crushing weight. I flew through my kingdom high above the trees, mountains, and lakes. I spotted a herd of bison. Their hide was tough, but tongue, heart, and liver succulent. A gurgle of fire exploded with my laugh. I didn’t know what the female would do when I brought one of these hulking beasts into my eating tower, but I wanted to find out.
***
Acasia
Warmth trailed along my skin. It almost tickled. I knew I was dreaming because billowy clouds surrounded me. A startled gasp escaped my lips when I saw the man. His brown hair long, his dark eyes intense, the line of his jaw perfect with a slight showing of scruff. He was huge, his shoulders massive with defined muscles rippling as he moved. H
e slid his hand away, leaving coolness behind.
“Who are you?” I asked the man.
“Your dream only,” he answered.
“Why are you here?” I realized the white billowing gauze wasn’t the clouds. It was the material hanging from the bed, but my thoughts were hazy and the dream effect remained.
“You smell divine; your scent attracted me.”
“Is he here?”
His eyes changed and anger lanced his words, “Is who here?”
“The dragon.”
Momentarily, his gaze left me. “No,” he said after he turned back.
I looked down at myself and realized the partially open robe bared most of my breasts. The bedding was pushed down to my waist, displaying my naked flesh. I looked back up. His eyes were now on my breasts. He leaned over me, touching my bare skin, breathing hotly against my breasts. This time his fingers were hot, too hot, and I sucked in a breath.
“Do you like that?” he asked in a voice that sent chills across the same skin he’d just heated.
“Do it again.”
His top lip curled upward, and I wanted both his lips on me. On my breasts, my nipples. Oh, gods, what was wrong with me? I swatted his hand away without thinking.
Now his startled eyes flashed red. Intense crimson. Dragon’s eyes. I opened my mouth to scream.
“Sleep.”
***
Acasia
His roar woke me from my nap. The dragon had returned. I threw back the covers and hurriedly pulled my robe tighter, belting the sash and wishing I had something else to wear. The roar sounded again. I actually started running. The noise came from the tower where the dragon had first taken me. The smell was horrible and increased as I drew closer.
I stopped at the top of the stairway and looked down into the deep cavern below. A large quivering animal faced the dragon. Its breath came out in huffing gasps. The dragon stepped closer, talons clicking against the stone. The animal didn’t back up, standing its ground as it faced death.
And death came.
The dragon’s sharp teeth captured the animal by the head and ripped it off with one crunch of its powerful jaws. Blood sprayed as the dragon’s front claws landed on the body. The head flew ten feet away. He pulled off a front leg and chomped it between his savage jaws. He spit the bones aside and flipped up the carcass with his nose, swallowing it whole. A bulge from the large beast outlined in the dragon’s throat as he devoured it.
I thought I might be sick again, but before I looked away, his red gaze settled on me. Blood ran down his chin, a piece of something stringy falling from his mouth. This is how he would eat me.
Tomorrow. I was the meal.
I climbed over the stone separating the stairway from the dragon’s perch. I walked to the very edge. I did not intend to die the same death I’d just seen. I inched to the side and peered over. I noticed the dragon, but my eyes fastened on the stone floor below. “I’m sorry, mother, I cannot make you proud.” I jumped.
His roar swelled and almost burst my eardrums as I fell.
“Stupid woman named Acasia.” The yell bellowed as soon as the roar tapered off.
Talons grabbed me from the air and brought me close to the dragon’s chest. The shiny red scales were soft, not hard like they looked. He’d saved me. Would he eat me now? He settled me down in the middle of the blood from his snack, or dinner, or whatever the hell it was.
I looked up and up until I gazed into his eyes. “I do not wish to die that way, dragon. Now I will plead. Make it quick, get it over with.”
“You would kill yourself for a faster death?”
I heard the uncertainty in his voice “’Tis not the death, ’tis the torture of it and the waiting.”
A great hulking arm came toward me and his nail flicked out, connecting with my side. I flew back a few feet. He did it again and I stumbled farther. After the third time, my back was to the wall, and the dragon dropped his neck, turning so one eye glared into mine.
“I do not eat humans, silly woman. Your taste is unpleasant.”
At his words, my feet gave way and my ass hit the stone floor hard. His eye dipped, moving down to stay level with mine. His nostrils flared, hot air blowing my hair back. He breathed in, his long snout running indecently along my body, actually touching the robe.
“I do not like the smell of your fear.”
I sat on my sore bottom, stunned. My anger rose. Never in my entire life had I felt so furious. I pulled my arm back and my fist flew. Instantaneous pain. “Ow, that hurt.” I swear his nose was made of iron.
This time when his head flew back, his throat arching and fire flaring outward, I knew what he was going to do.
The damned dragon laughed at me.
Chapter Five
Bastian
Cursed female. I paced in my chamber. She slept in the adjoining room, put asleep with magic because I needed time to think. She’d tried to kill herself. Never in all the years of claiming my brides had one tried taking her life.
It shook me to my core.
One hundred years before another companion and she would take herself from me.
I’d waited what seemed like eternity since Bethanne’s passing. This female, who I almost didn’t claim, would leave me within hours of coming to my kingdom. And on top of that, she’d struck me. Damaged her hand while trying to hurt me. Death was not an option for her, not yet. She would live at least another fifty years and keep me company. Entertain me. Make me laugh.
I looked around my chamber. I could chain her in these rooms with some of my treasures. But I knew in my heart the restrictions would slowly kill her. I’d learned from former brides that human females needed some freedom. After they settled into their life with me, I took them with me to other realms. Allowing them freedom to walk among their own kind. Through the long hours of discussion with Bethanne, she’d told me her needs and made me understand. Each bride had different ones and it could be years before I understood what this one wanted most.
In the years since Bethanne’s death, I’d forgotten. I brought my anger to the claiming field, letting it burn. It continued even after Acasia first awoke. I’d threatened her life as I flew away—“I’ll eat you tomorrow.” And she’d jumped over the side—embracing death—thinking to leave me alone.
My human roar was nowhere as loud as my dragon’s, but it helped me gain control. When my anger settled slightly, I walked into her chamber. I whipped the covering back and saw the curve of her breast. I craved her full nakedness. I examined every inch that I could see knowing she would sleep through my perusal. Even beneath the material, her incredible form curved in all the right places. Her breasts were full, and I had a small glimpse of one nipple, small and rosy. I wanted to suckle, flick the tip with my tongue. I arranged my cock beneath the human jeans. I should have put on looser material. I focused my gaze on her face. Soft in sleep, beautiful in innocence. I wanted this woman. Needed to slide into her body and bury myself within her sheath. One of her hands curled beside her head. I uncurled her fingers, seeing the slight bruise and swelling from hitting me. If she touched me slowly, my scales would give way. Only in violence did they turn to armor. She’d hit me violently, making me laugh. But now, I pictured her body twisted, bleeding, and lifeless if I hadn’t caught her.
I sat on the side of the bed, running my fingers through her hair. I would not touch her flesh unless she awoke and I saw desire in her eyes. But I could touch her hair, run my fingers through the strands and bring them to my nose. Her heavenly scent made my cock throb harder, thicker.
***
Acasia
I dreamed of him again. Touching my hair, leaning over me, scenting me. My thighs pressed together, a need I’d never felt building. Sexual yearning, I knew exactly what it was. My girlfriends had told me about the electrical throb, but their explanations fell flat.
I opened my eyes.
“Woman named Acasia get out here.” The roar filled my ears, hurting my eardrums.
I tightened the robe, walking from my room, into the library, through the arched door and down the long hallway. He stood on the ledge at the top of the stairs clicking his talon. I cast my angry gaze at the offending appendage. He stopped. Smart dragon.
“We must talk,” the words were slightly less harsh, but still echoed loudly within the circular stone walls.
“Do you like to converse with your food before you imbibe?”
“Stupid woman named Acasia. You tempt my anger.”
“My name is Acasia, not stupid woman named Acasia.”
Smoke came from his nostrils. I guessed it signified his anger.
I needed to know. “Why did you save me?” I asked softly.
The smoke dissipated and his heavy breathing slowed. “I have come to apologize.” Each word seemed pulled from his throat.
“For saving me?”
“Quiet,” he thundered.
I was thinking of punching his nose again, but just fisting my hand hurt. I looked down and saw the swelling and bruising.
“You try to injure a beast covered in scales, stupid female na…” He stopped himself.
My lips curled up slightly.
“Do that again.”
I looked over my shoulder, thinking he spoke to someone else.
“Smile for me,” he commanded.
What? “No. You’re a beast—mean, threatening, a bully. Why would I smile?”
“Because I demand it.”
If the walls were anything but stone, they would be shaking. The stupid beast. “Well you can take your demand and shove it up your red, fire-breathing ass.” My entire body trembled with slow-rising fury.
“I apologize and you rebuff me?” His tone finally lowered and I could hear his puzzlement.
I sighed and gave half an inch. “I asked my question first and you didn’t answer. Answer me and I’ll consider accepting your apology.” Oops. Smoke floated from his nose as soon as I finished my statement.
