by Crystal Dawn
“I choose the shield of Icengard.”
“What weapon do you choose?”
“I choose the Ruckspin.”
“Very well. Guards fetch both items. While we wait, are you aware of the rules for battle?”
“I am.”
“For the benefit of the assembled citizens, I will cite the few rules there are. The warrior who challenges the white dragon is allowed one item for defense and one weapon. They may use their magic freely. No outside forces may act on their behalf. The dragon will use no weapons, only the powers it has which include breathing fire. The fight is to the death. The survivor wins.” Her father explained and finished with a chant that opened the gates that contained the dragon.
The audience was taken aback when the dragon appeared. He was as white as ivory and had beautiful blue eyes. His wings were the only part not white and only on the underside where they were red like blood. A roar came out of his throat that shook the ground. If he meant to intimidate, he succeeded. For the first time in her life, Serena felt truly afraid.
A guard returned with the shield and the other followed with the sword. They relinquished the items to her and she felt the strength radiating off both of them. The dragon turned a baleful gaze on her but she felt more confident with the weapons she’d chosen.
The arena was spelled to safeguard all but those in the fighting area. Serena knew that, as did most of her people, but some had moved to the higher seats to get further from the dragon. Flint and Ender stayed put, even though they were clearly nervous. Things were about to get worse because her father was going to start the battle.
A sense of excitement came from the dragon and it was just her luck that he’d be bloodthirsty. He took a step before he’d been given the order and her father glared at him. The white dragon bowed his head and looked at the floor. That was amazing to see such a huge creature acting like a naughty child.
Her father chanted again and this time he released the dragon into the battle. Every step he took toward her made the ground shake. Speed and agility would aid her. He was almost to her and she ran and jumped under him raking her sword across his soft belly before rolling away which wasn’t easy to do with a sword and shield in hand.
The dragon roared angrily and tried to hit her with his long pointed tail. It struck her shield and the dragon’s tail recoiled as if it was hurt. Maybe fire didn’t like ice. Serena moved around to the front of the dragon and it sent a stream of its fiery breath at her. Icengard sent the fire back to him.
The dragon was getting incensed now. He examined her with his heated stare, looking for weaknesses. She hoped he wouldn’t find any. His wings spread out and he beat them in her direction and she realized he was trying to make her fall. She backed up to where she was leaning on the magical wall surrounding them. Its support was enough to keep her on her feet.
Instead of waiting for him to attack again, she sent a spell his way that put a blindfold over his eyes. He shook his head in a frenzy, but it stayed stuck like it was glued to him. Once he started to wear himself out, his movements slowed. She rushed in and cut his underbelly again. At this rate, it would take forever for either of them to gain the upper hand.
While the dragon couldn’t see, she needed to hit it with all she had. She rolled under scraping her sword against its underbelly, then rolled out the other side. Serena rolled back and scraped it again but she needed a better strike. Her sword was damaging the dragon and even with superior healing, it was hurting him.
It wouldn’t be long before the blindfold would be gone, the spell was only temporary. She chanted and put a muzzle on the dragon. That would stop him from making her a crispy critter but the blindfold was gone so he could see now.
Serena had never been one to step back from a fight. Instead, she decided to rush in and try to end it. Head on, that was her way and she stood below the dragon who was staring down at her in discontent. He didn’t like the blindfold before and he liked the muzzle even less.
Smoke puffed out of his mouth as he tried to breathe fire but the muzzle suffocated the flames before they escaped. She poked his nose with her sword and he backed up. In and out quick, that was her plan, and she ducked under his nose and took her sword slicing it across the underside of his neck. Blood sprayed out furiously and he began to thrash about.
Trying to dodge him was impossible and he hit her with his snout sending her flying into the magic wall, stunning her. The dragon wasn’t interested in her now because he had a mortal wound and no way to stop the bleeding. It was painful and messy, but since he was trying to kill her she couldn’t feel any sympathy for the huge beast.
His thrashing was only making his neck bleed faster and now he was slowing because he was running out of blood. Slower and slower, the mighty dragon was slipping away. He fell to his knees and he couldn’t keep his head up. She watched, still unable to move or think too clearly but aware that his demise was a necessary thing for her survival.
Finally the dragon crashed to the ground shaking the arena itself to its core. The audience was stunned into silence as they watched the dragon take his last breath. The body disappeared magically, no doubt resurrected in the place he was kept. Her father yelled for a healer, was that for her? Serena slumped to the floor, her work was done and it was time to rest.
She could feel herself being moved and Flint had grabbed her hand. It was almost an out of body experience. That was something she’d never had before but there were no limits to magic. At least, there weren’t any she was aware of. They carried her away, probably to the castle so she could sleep and heal. Serena knew she’d hit the wall hard. It was the price paid when a dragon was annoyed.
Waking hours later, she was in her room with Flint lying next to her asleep. It looked dark outside, so she assumed it was the middle of the night. Her stomach rumbled and she worried that it would wake him.
“I think you’re hungry.” Flint said.
“I’m starved, to be honest.”
“Let’s go downstairs and grab a bite.”
“I’m just hungry enough not to refuse that offer.”
“Come on.” He said, holding out his hand to help her up.
They made their way to the kitchen, interrupting a retelling of the battle she had fought just yesterday by a young kitchen helper who had watched the whole thing.
“And she stood up seeming to grow almost as big as the white dragon. She said, ‘Damn you back to your place in hell’ then she cut its throat and the white dragon’s head came off and rolled on the ground. Its eyes stared right at me where I sat at the edge of the magic wall.”
“Cordus, did that really happen that way?” A child asked.
“It did. Why?”
“Lamic said she flew up to face the white dragon eye to eye.”
“Well who are you going to believe, your brother or Lamic?”
“I like your story better.”
Flint cleared his throat and all eyes fell on them. “Could a hero and her mate get a bite of breakfast?”
Everyone scattered, and the table was soon filled with a feast. Serena smiled and thanked everyone. They began to eat and Ender soon joined them. “I’ve heard three versions of your battle.” Ender whispered. “How long before it all ends?”
“I suspect these tales will be told for a good, long while.” Flint answered. “It was an incredible fight, although I’ve no desire to see my mate go through that again.”
“And I’ve no desire to do it again nor is there any need.”
“No, there is no need.” Her father said from the doorway. “We will have a mating ceremony and people will come from far and wide to see our princess mate her fated one.”
Epilogue
Two weeks had passed since the great battle had been won. It was still being discussed by everyone and probably would be for a hundred years. Serena had done her part and the rest was up to the others. She was happy with her prince and he was adjusting to the ways of her people better than expected.
>
Ender had adjusted best of all and he was working with great teacher to study the history of her people and test for any magic that might be present in his line. He had met all of her sisters and it looked like nothing was going on there. She thought it might be for the best. Serena loved her sisters, but none of them were what she’d call nice.
“Good morning, Sweetheart.” Flint said as they woke up.
Flint was hot in every way. Serena’s hands began running over that sexy muscled body. She saw in him so much more than looks. Flint was smart, loyal, and capable. Serena never thought she’d say so, but she was happy to be mated to a human since that human was Flint.
Her body released some honey just thinking about making love to him. It would help ease his way inside her. Flint moved on top of her moved like a warrior claiming his prize then sliding down her body to take what he wanted. It just happened to be what she wanted, too.
He bit her breast lightly, before moving past it. His tongue ran down her abs and her stomach until he was just much lower. His hot breath hit her nether lips and drove her crazy. She wanted to beg for his touch, but knew from experience he’d hold back if she did. Her whole body ached for him and her awareness was all on that one part of her body that he was staring at. As she watched him waiting for him to touch her, he licked his lips with that big hot tongue. Damn him! She almost came from that
He was playing her like a violin and it drove her crazy. It was his way of using some control and giving out a punishment to her. That was working only too well. Her hips were dying to push up and put her needy pussy in his face. If she thought it would work, she already would have done it. No, she tried to act like it didn’t matter to her if he ever licked her there. Even though he knew better, she thought it was getting to him.
His tongue licked her and she nearly jumped out of her skin. A moan was drawn out of her, deep and needy. A finger moved to her channel, filling it and finger fucking her with abandon, as his tongue glided over her clit sending awareness and tension through her. He added a finger and sped up. Serena knew she wouldn’t last long as his fingers were working in fast in unison with his wicked tongue. Her legs opened wider as she arched up toward him open for him to do with as he pleased. Sex was always amazing with Flint.
Quicker, harder, and deeper his fingers, now three of them, slammed into her and his tongue slid over her bundle of nerves as his mouth sucked it in and released it. She was close, she rode at the edge of a climax, needing just a little push to go over the edge and ride it down into her release. When he scraped her nubbin with his teeth, it pushed her over. Serena screamed Flint’s name as she pushed her pussy into his face and pulled his hair so he couldn’t escape. Flint finger fucked her faster and ate at the nectar that came from her channel.
She lay back in bed, not sure if she was worn out or invigorated. “Good morning, indeed.” Every day started with the hottest sex ever!
“Are you ready?” Flint asked and she knew he meant for the ceremony that would take place in the afternoon.
“Only if we are joining naked. I’d better get up and go where my sisters will be helping me to get ready.” Her sisters had been oddly excited about her joining. It would be the second most talked about event in her lifetime because nothing could top the battle with the white dragon.
There was no time to eat, so she went straight to the library which was the room her sister Esmerelda had selected for her to prepare in. Marion, Katerina, and Belle all stood waiting with Esmerelda. “We brought you breakfast, just in case you didn’t have time to eat.” Katerina explained. She was the nicest of her sisters and she had a passion for the palest blond males. Among their kind, there were few of those but in the light fae kingdoms, there were many.
The dark and light didn’t refer to their coloring, but to the type of magic they used. A light fae’s magic was bright, sometimes blindingly so. A dark fae’s magic was darker. It didn’t mean her people used black magic, few did, but they were more likely to go to the dark side.
Her sisters curled her hair and fixed her makeup while she tried to eat from the plate they’d fixed for her. This was the first time since they were grown that she could remember the five of them getting together like this.
Her dress was gold and her hair was in curls down her back flowing freely. Her silvery hair contrasted with the dress and her sapphire blue eyes shone with excitement. Her sisters had emphasized her eyes, making them appear bigger and darker. Her lips were pink and inviting and she wondered what he would think about the way she looked.
She was ready to meet her mate and her father would perform the ceremony that would join them, body, heart, and soul until the end of time. Never again would she be alone, Flint would be part of her for eternity.
Her sisters would all follow her, it was a reversal of the way humans did things. Ender and their guards would follow Flint. The ceremony would take place in the arena. It was selected so they could share the occasion with as many people as possible.
As they stepped out of the door at the castle, she could hear the roar of the crowd. By the time the procession, her and her sisters, had made it to the arena, the crowd began to quiet. When she stepped into the area she would be joined to Flint in, the people became silent. She and her sisters took their places just before Flint and his guys entered.
Her heart froze for a second as her tall, dark, and handsome man came into view. He wore the traditional joining clothes of her people. His suit was dark green velvet with gold stitching and piping. His shoulder length hair, nearly black, was also worn loose and she just wanted to run her fingers through it.
Flint led his men to where they needed to be. Now, he was so close she could scent the smell of soap and man. She had to stay where she was and her father had just arrived. Otherwise, she would have thrown herself into his arms and kissed him passionately.
Her father stood in front facing them and the crowd of people that had gathered for the wedding of the century. The ceremony was simple and each joining slightly different.
“Welcome! I’m glad so many of you could be here as my eldest daughter joins her true mate. That is what I wish for all my daughters, all my people, that they find the one meant only for them.” Her father paused as the crowd roared their approval.
“This is the first ceremony I have conducted in more years than I can remember.” That drew a laugh from the crowd. “But, it is the most important one I will ever do. I am not just joining the princess, your princess, to her mate. I am also giving you a prince, a human one. This will change our people forever, in a good way. You will now all be free to pursue your fate, if you so decide to do so. Now I will proceed.”
Her father looked at her and Serena thought for the first time she saw love and pride. It brought tears to her eyes, but she blinked them back. No way did she want to ruin her makeup and end up looking red faced.
“Flint, do you accept the princess, Serena, to be yours for all time to protect and cherish?”
“I do.”
“Serena, do accept Prince Flint, to love and care for, forever and always?”
“I will.”
“Join hands and let the magic happen.”
They joined hands and Serena felt the magic take her soul and his melding them together in a way that would never be undone. What had been done this day, was bigger than the two of them. Her kingdom had been changed in ways that would only be revealed over time.
Serena had resented Allendra for her high handedness, but maybe good had come out of the actions she had set into play. Maybe more good would come of it all over the many worlds her chosen came from. Love after all, was the greatest thing in any world.
Flint was tugging at her hand and she looked down to see he now had the matching tattoo, the crescent moon and the H. It represented the combining of human and dark fae. Those humans in this kingdom would now find equality had come their way and strangers would find more acceptance, regardless of their heritage or race. Something great had happene
d here and Serena hoped it would continue so her children, starting with the one growing in her belly already, would come into a fairer world than the one she’d grown up in.
Don’t forget to look for the other books in this series by other great authors!
SURRENDERING SAUL
* * *
Surrendering Saul: Fated & Forbidden
By Holly Trent
Part of the Fated & Forbidden Collection. Each book stands alone. Read about Allendra and the story that starts it all in The Challenge by Kallysten via instafreebie.
If Saul Ade had known that stepping into his sister’s life would make him a player in the goddess Allendra’s unforgiving game, he would have never left the shadows. If he doesn’t accept the mate she has chosen for him by the rise of the next Blood Moon, the Sídhe will become human. Unfortunately, the woman he must make his love is a mermaid who once tried to drown his sister’s human best friend. If he’d wanted a mate at all, reckless Laurel O’Cuilinn wouldn’t be it.
Laurel’s devastated to learn that Saul would rather cede Allendra’s challenge than to be with her, but she’s too practical to sulk. Four weeks isn’t much time to make Saul cast aside his grudges, and she’ll do what she must to help the Sídhe retain their magic—even if it means turning on some of the mermaid charm her fated mate finds so repugnant.
Allendra’s not the only one who can play games. But unlike the goddess, Laurel plans to play for love—not with it.
DARK BURN
* * *
Dark Burn: Fated & Forbidden
By Decadent Kane
The challenge wasn't meant to be easy. They were set up to fail from the beginning.
Priya's the last of her kind...
