by Eden Redd
The lord and dragon parted, hands on each other’s hips and heads bowed to one another. The heat of their bodies spoke volumes even if their lips didn’t move. Dorian’s throat tightened, wanting to speak of the love he always held. Nypha sighed as she wanted to undress the handsome lord and let him explore her body. Thoughts stormed on before Nypha took in a small breath and began to speak.
“I will see you to your room, my lord,” Nypha said as she pulled away.
Dorian let his eyes take in her beautiful form as she turned away and stepped to the door. A tug at his heart flared before soothing away. Weariness took hold and the lord realized he was still coming down from such a life and death experience. Walking by Nypha’s side, the pair made their way into the hallway and toward a stone staircase.
The climb up was quiet. The sounds of celebrating reignited as laughter, music and song floated up from deep in the main keep and the streets outside. Dorian was happy that the celebration could continue but dark streaks of the politics he would face the next day dampened his joy. Soreness bled into muscles and a dull ache circled his wrist. Despite being healed, it was not complete. He had learned in his studies, clerics can heal but the body had to rest. He knew the pain would subside in a few days but it brought little comfort to him now.
Dorian glanced at Nypha as she climbed the stairs, silently at his side. In a few hours she would be free of him and that only caused his heart to sink lower. The pair reached the private royal level of the upper tower and Dorian grasped at a memory from earlier that day.
“Will you still accompany me on my minor quest?” Dorian asked as he stepped past the guards and into the main tower hall.
Nypha looked to him and smiled, “I could not leave your side for such a dangerous quest.”
Dorian smiled, “I don’t think it’s that dangerous…..” The lord trailed off.
Nypha turned to him as the guards closed the double doors behind them, “Lord Lockwood….My mother may still attempt to pull me away. After tomorrow…..”
Dorian’s expression remained bright, “We can talk about it while we travel. I will want us to escape the castle early before Lady Astor and Lord Pitt try to hunt me down.”
Nypha nodded in agreement with a small smile, “Then we should rest. I will be in my bedroom across from yours.”
Dorian’s mind slipped to a dark place, thinking it was an invite. The temptation swirled but he knew he was in no condition to act on it. Soreness crying out, sleep was the only option he could take, despite the cries of his desires.
Nypha stared at Dorian, mentally berating herself. The words came out but they weren’t what she meant, at least she thought so. It sounded like she was inviting him to her room, though she wasn’t completely against the idea. Thoughts bubbled up of Lord Lockwood slipping into her room and forcing himself on her. In her vision, they danced and teased as she tried to keep a straight face. The thoughts caused heat to flood her body. She hoped Dorian didn’t notice. Turning away, she moved down the short hall to her bedchamber door.
Dorian did the same, walking to his door. The pair turned and looked to each other, a comfort filling their eyes. Without another word, the two stepped into their rooms and closed the doors.
Lord Lockwood stepped into his chamber, the crippling soreness growing louder by the moment. Dorian removed most of his clothes in short order, gritting through the pain. When he was down to his small clothes, the lord stepped to the edge of his bed and fell backwards onto it. Comfort swelled as Dorian lay, thoughts swimming in the images of a certain green dragon.
Long moments spun on and just as eyelids closed, Dorian’s eyes shot open. A presence filled the room and the lord lifted his upper body and looked around. A shadow writhed and parted from the wall, taking a basic humanoid shape. The shadow continued to morph and shift until a robe appeared, along with pale skin, blonde hair and pointed ears.
Xoli bowed her head and stepped toward the mostly naked lord. Dorian did nothing to cover up but looked to the sorceress with concern. Xoli stood before him, eyes dark and cast downward. An internal struggle played even in her smooth features.
Dorian’s mind touched on his desires but only briefly, “What brings you to my chambers?”
Xoli’s lip wrinkled before she spoke, “My lord…..” She trailed off.
Across the hall, Nypha stood at her closed door, listening intently. Heart pounding in her chest, she wanted to leave her room, cross the hall and rip Dorian’s door wide open. A crazy possessive insanity had taken hold and she was hanging on by a thread.
Dorian let out a small huff before looking to her with kind eyes, “I don’t think I can play our game tonight.”
Xoli was silent as she gazed in Dorian’s eyes.
Lord Lockwood continued, “I believe we may have to end our game. It has been unfair to you to indulge in such a fantasy for so many years. I am grateful but I cannot use my power to feed my perversions any longer.”
Xoli’s lips parted, “My lord….I live to serve.”
Dorian gave a gentle smile, “Yes…but you live to serve as my court sorceress, nothing more.”
“I…I cannot agree,” the high elf said sternly.
Dorian raised an eyebrow.
Xoli continued, “I cannot deny my feelings for you, my lord, but I know better than anyone, your heart desires Nypha. She is powerful, beautiful and your protector. I was happy to fulfill your fantasy, knowing I could never truly be her and I never regretted a moment of it…but you said some things last night….Things I never heard you say before when we were together.”
Dorian’s brow softened, “The wine had…”
“No, it didn’t,” Xoli said with a firm tone. “You spoke from your heart. You spoke to me the words you have wanted to say to Nypha for as far back as I can remember. I came here tonight, not to play our game. I came here to encourage you to say those words to Nypha.”
The lord sat, unsure what to say.
“She needs to hear them. I cannot in good will encourage you to keep them silent. The way you took me and spoke of your love for her….it touched me. It is only right she knows.”
Dorian sighed, “I want to tell her but it may be out of my hands. Her mother has come to take her away and she seems powerless to stop it. Besides, she is a dragon and I am a human lord. I’m not sure the kingdom would understand for she will continue to rule long after I am gone.”
Xoli’s eyes glistened as she spoke, “Vala is slowly returning to this world. Your people will begin to embrace her ways once again. Even my people have sent me letters, telling of small shrines appearing. The hate that filled the lands from the last Rage War have begun to dim. The people see Nypha and speak with admiration where once they spoke with fear. You must speak of your love, for both of your sakes.”
Dorian stood up before the high elf, “You have been an entrusted advisor to my family for three generations. Your word has always carried weight in all matters. I know you wish to do what’s right but I cannot pursue my desires until I have properly earned my place in the kingdom.”
Xoli looked up to her lord, “You earned it taking care of your people. You earned it when you stopped the orc raiders on the travelling paths. You earned it when you defeated Yypith and now, you are earning it by speaking what your heart truly desires. We will follow you wherever you wish to lead…but a lord needs a lady. I cannot think of any other than Lady Shadowfyre.”
Dorian eyed the beautiful elf before shadows covered his eyes, “I will take it under advisement. Thank you Lady Greenlore, that will be all for the evening.”
Xoli bowed her head before stepping back.
“Strike at the heart…and you will know victory,” Xoli said plainly.
Shadows rose, touching her robe and crawling upwards. The high elf gave one last kind gaze before the shadows consumed her and she faded from sight.
Nypha’s heart continued to pound in her chest. The heat she felt before never dissipated and wild urges crashed into frayed ner
ves. Listening, she could hear Dorian move to his bed and lay down. The dragon let her fingers wander to her open robe and down her smooth stomach. Wet heat filled her and she gently touched herself but her sensitive ears picked up the slightest vibration as Dorian lay in bed.
Lord Lockwood laid, eyes on the ceiling and a heat filling his body. Years of Xoli visiting him had conditioned his body to respond in a certain way. Not looking down, his manhood strained against his small clothes, begging for release. Dorian knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep, not after Xoli visiting and nothing happening. Memories painted the lord’s mind of Nypha when she used to visit, naked and annoyed at wearing any kind of clothing. Hand snaking down, he took hold of his manhood and stroked it slowly.
Nypha’s mouth hung open, taking long heated breaths. She massaged herself once again, hearing the lord pleasure himself. The low sounds created images in her mind and it spurred the dragon to increase the tempo. She fought every bit of temptation to cross the hall and force herself on Dorian. Where taboo thoughts prevented her from acting out her desires, they now fed her imagination. She remembered how he went out of his way to hug her. The bright eyes when he saw her. How he lovingly followed her around while she spoke with his father.
The mood turned darker as she was closer and closer to orgasm. She remembered how he called out her name as he stroked himself. It was several times a night at times but it never failed to warm her heart. Now, she wanted him to whisper it in her ear. The mere thought of it flashed through her body and a violent shudder took hold.
The dragon listened at her door, massaging her throbbing clit until nerves glowed and exploded. The feeling burned deeper as she heard his groan and a faint whisper of her name being called out. Breasts and limbs trembled as the orgasm wrapped around every nerve in blissful light.
Stumbling away, Nypha flopped onto her bed as ecstasy burned low. She buried her face into the furs and blankets, a gloomy feeling falling across her spirit. The dragon tried to tell herself that she couldn’t go to him but it carried less weight then it did before. The evening had taken a strange turn, however, and she knew it wasn’t the right time. Instead she plotted her future moves to the sound of Dorian falling asleep filling her ears, whispering her name once again.
***
Yypith walked through the full streets of Uboria. People danced, sang, drank and performed lewd acts in full view but the dragon walked on with indifference. Even in his half dragon form, barely anyone looked his way as he wandered on, lost to the celebration at hand.
A foul and sad mood had taken root in the dragon as he walked. Cindrar’s words echoed through this hollow mind, unable to grasp how he could have lost to a human and his magic sword. His pride caused him to lose the duel and now he would move on, back to his sandy beaches, soaking in the bright sun. The blue dragon shook his head as he walked, knowing that his urges had befuddled his thoughts. The temptation of the older dragon was enough to steer him from rational thought. He knew there would be females that would hunt for him and beg to have their bellies filled with his seed but losing Cindrar caused him to retreat to an inner place of defeat and a need to lick his wounds.
Turning down a street, the dragon looked up to see an entrance gate leading beyond the city walls. The dragon could have changed his form and flew off but the walk and night air helped cleared his thoughts. Stars blinked in the sky and the moons glowed with supernatural light.
Yypith made his way to the gate. The guards looked to him for a moment before returning to their conversation. The dragon could hear them whisper about the duel and his head tilted forward. News travelled quickly and by now, the entire kingdom knew.
The dragon didn’t care for human gossip. Not long from now, he would be flying back home and never have to step a clawed talon in this wretched human city. Home brought some comfort as he stepped through the gate threshold and out onto the road. To his right and left was a small refuse moat, filled with putrid water and small stone pipes spilling foul waste.
Yypith sighed. He managed to walk out the side of the kingdom where their waste emptied out. Increasing his pace, he continued to walk and find a small field where he could spread his wings and take off in his true form. Thoughts buried in murky gloom, he didn’t notice a figure emerging from the waste moat, moving silently across the grass.
The dragon pushed away at foul thoughts of defeat and stretched his wings. The trees parted and a large field lay before him. He took one step into the field when something wet touched his neck.
Yypith turned his head to see the vague shape of a naked woman standing by him. Slimy fingers caressed his neck as it made an expression that looked like an inviting smile. Heat rose up the dragon’s throat as he lifted an arm to knock away the gelatin hand touching him. When his arm came into contact with the slime, it latched onto his arm and didn’t let go.
“Leave me, slime, or I will burn you to….” Yypith never finished as the slime’s other hand came up and slammed into his mouth.
Eyes bulging, the dragon struggled as slime extinguished the fire in his throat and crawled further in. The slime’s serene smile turned into something wicked and dark as it shoved its arm further down the dragon’s throat. The edge of Yypith’s mouth stretched and ripped, dragon blood spilling out and slime snaking in. Yypith swung his entire body, slamming an arm into the slime and shattering it into giant blue globs.
The dragon stumbled away, trying to regain his breath but part of the slime’s arms was still inside him, moving and ripping at his insides. Coughing and hacking filled the field as Yypith tried to summon the strength to reignite the flame in his throat. Panic bloomed and the wide eyed dragon tried to change his form amid his struggling body.
Figures emerged from the forest and began to run toward him. The dragon fell to his knees and then elbows as he fought for a breath. The figures converged on the choking dragon, red eyes and white teeth glowing in the moonlight. Yypith made a gurgled cry as the figures descended on him, fingers raking across his flesh and pulling at dragon scales along his arms. Several slimes joined the savagery, letting their bodies smother the dragon and crawling into his open mouth.
The primal fight continued for a long moment before Yypith fell. A gnawing and ripping of flesh filled the clearing as bodies moved with intent, the glow of the twin moons filling the night sky.
Eleven
Cool night air drifted in through the open window. Lantern light filled the bed chamber with a comforting glow. A robed figure sat with her hood down and dark pointed ears bare. Red eyes stared out the window, lost to inner thoughts and a silence in her soul.
Jyda let her mind wander as the moonlit sky brought a deep peace. The forest scents drifted in with the small breeze, reminding her that she would never again step out beyond the kingdom walls. A dull ache caressed her senses as she pushed the thought away. Content to have a window to the outside world, it was a small privilege to her incarceration. Nightly thoughts floated up, wondering about her father, mother and family living beyond the Demon Pass. She hadn’t heard from them in some time and often looked out the open window to reflect on the mountains beyond.
The shadow elf let out a small sigh, her mind shifting to the celebration in the streets. Pointed ears picked up the euphoric craze that had taken hold of the kingdom. A small part of her wanted to join them but she knew her presence would dampen their glee. It was better for everyone if she stayed in her room and let them have their fun. The last six years had been odd to say the least but she did have a room, warm bed and a small freedom to move about the castle grounds. The hateful stares ebbed a little and Lord Lockwood had softened toward her over time. The shadow elf smiled to herself and wondered if in another six years, she might be able to visit her family for a time.
As she stared out, a flutter of black wings appeared at the window edge. Jyda was to her feet and stepping over. A raven landed on the edge and cocked its head to the side. The shadow elf moved to the black bird, fingers reaching for a rolled up not
e attached to its leg. A small thrill filled the shadow elf as she gently pulled the small string and took the note. To prevent suspicion, she would receive small letters this way. At most there would be one to three letters a year but it did bring her joy to receive them without anyone else reading them first.
The shadow elf whispered a thank you as the raven flew off into the night sky. Moving to her desk, she put the note down and began to unfurl it. A sound at her door caused her red eyes to widen. Quickly, Jyda hid the note amid her piles of scrolls and books just as the door to her bed chamber slowly opened. Turning around, her eyes returned to normal as a white haired man stepped in and closed the door behind him.
General Strum stepped in, shadows covering his eyes and a heat flowing off his body. Jyda looked to him innocently as he took a few steps toward her.
“General Strum; pleased to see you on such a celebratory night. I trust Lord Lockwood is enjoying himself.”
Strum looked up sharply, a hunger brewing in them, “Lord Lockwood retired to his tower a few hours ago.”
Jyda looked up to the general, the smell of mead on his breath, “What brings you to my quarters? I assumed the celebration would continue until the morning. Who will watch over the guests?”
Strum’s face remained grim, “My captains will keep the order and watch the guests. I thought I would stop by and ensure you were taken cared of since you did not join the celebration.”
Jyda kept her innocent gaze as a knowing heat filled her dark cheeks, “I am well, simply enjoying the nightly breeze and thoughtful dreaming.”
