The Dragon's Oath: A Dark Fantasy Romance Adventure

by Eden Redd

  Dorian gritted his teeth as a branch slammed into his shoulder. Rolling with the blow, he barely stayed on as his horse galloped through the woods, Nypha’s horse close behind. The countryside around him became a blur as he whipped the reins. Towers of Uboria appeared through the trees to his left. Glancing up again, he watched as Nypha dived and landed at her cave entrance above the Demon’s Pass. Dorian stared as she folded her wings and crawled inside.

  Looking down, Dorian held the reins tight as his horse galloped at full speed. The world around him lost all meaning, for he only had one purpose. Heart beating wildly and a conviction taking root, he pressed on.

  Trees began to part and the young lord could see the opening to the Demon’s Pass not far up ahead. Pulling on the reins, his horse slid to a halt, sending dirt and debris into the air. Dorian brought his leg over and dismounted. Pain blazed along his ribs when he landed on the grassy floor. Ignoring his side, he reached into his saddle bag and pulled out an item wrapped in cloth. Stuffing it into his side pouch, he slapped the horse’s ass hard, clicking his tongue to send the loyal steed home.

  The horse galloped off, followed by the other one. Dorian looked up at the mountain, steeling his resolve. Without a second thought, he stepped to the twisting and rocky slope and began to climb. Heart beating with purpose, he grabbed each outcropping and planted his booted feet to secure himself before moving up. Tender ribs cried out but the young lord ignored their pleas, his heart leading the way.

  The early afternoon sun shined bright as Dorian continued his ascent. Anger, fear, passion and love propelled each rock hold, eyes staring at the top of the mountain and legs pushing him up, closer to a dragon’s heart.

  Fourteen

  Nypha crossed the threshold of her home on all fours. Sad eyes peered down as her body began to morph and shift. Scales slid under her skin, horns twisted to the sides of her head while the ends pointed forward and her body shrank. Four dragon legs turned into two arms and two legs. The dragon in half dragon form stood up as wings shrank down to a size befitting her frame. A glow from the end of the cavern touched her senses and she sighed with sad comfort.

  Tail lazily whipping from side to side, her thoughts spiraled down. Clawed feet kicked a gem on the floor and then another as she walked along. The siren call of her private lake sang to her like an old lover. The waters would bring her solace but only temporarily. The inner workings of her heart moaned their displeasure and her mind conjured images of the handsome lord she failed.

  To Nypha’s left were two large thick metal doors and the glowing lake ahead of her. She stepped to the edge of the lake and peered down at the milky white waters, heart breaking with each tiny passage of time. Staring at her reflection, she tapped a clawed toe in the water, sending ripples out and obscuring her defeated expression.

  Foolish thoughts stabbed at her, the last nine years were a farce she tried to excuse as honor. She fell for the charms of a human lord, playing his games and listening to him speak of his son and kingdom. She saw through it even then and wondered if she stayed because she was bored. The people of the land fascinated her but only in a way one would be fascinated by a cat, mouse or insect. Her kind once flew with the god kin of Navarr. Now, their numbers scattered and small, she didn’t know when she would find another suitor to raise a family.

  The dragon smiled to herself. How different her children would be if Vala blessed her union to Dorian. They would appear just as she is now in her half dragon form. They would likely never achieve the true form of either race and would never look like Dorian’s fragile people. They would truly be stuck in-between and would need to either breed with dragons or humans for their children to achieve a passable purebred form. Not that her love would dim for such beautiful children.

  Nypha let out a small laugh, daydreaming of children that will never be. She had fallen into the land of wishes once again, lost to their seductive story. Her once noble race would die out like many races before to the kingdoms of men and monsters. It was the oldest tale in creation. The powerful succumb to time while the weak rise to become powerful and take their place. Her mother told her stories how men dwelled in caves while her kind built cities. Now the dragon cities are gone, replaced by new kingdoms and new rulers. The once proud race reduced to waiting until they become legends and stories in a new era.

  “Vala…….What should I do?” Nypha asked with a whisper.

  The cavern remained silent. No words of wisdom were spoken. No other worldly spirits came to comfort the dragon. The emptiness pressed down on Nypha’s senses until she sighed. Turning to the large doors, she stepped toward them. Clawed hand reaching up, her smaller form took hold of a massive door and pulled it open with ease. No other creature, save a giant, could do such a feat. Stepping in, she looked to her home and her heart warmed.

  The single chamber was larger than the entrance and the lake combined. Ancient shelves lined the walls. A molten stream of hot magna poured from a hole and into a sunken area of the cave, surrounded by intricate stonework. The heat in the room was comfortable for a dragon as Nypha strolled in. The book shelves covered three of the four chamber walls, with piles of gems and coins nearly covering the entire floor. A large round bed took up part of the chamber, made up and neat with furs and silks.

  Nypha remembered back to when Lord Harris Lockwood peered in. He insisted he give a home warming gift and would not take no for an answer. One evening, Nypha found piles of neatly folded furs and silks in the cavern entrance. Smiling, she took them in and laid them over her immense bed. She thought she could sleep anywhere but once she bed down for the night on those magical furs, she slept better than she had in ages. The lord tempted her with modern comforts and it solidified her curious nature to know more about them. Where humans were once a playful distraction, honor and duty rose up to give her purpose, cataloging and recording what she knew for prosperity in her journals.

  Nypha gazed at the bed and a feeling of loss overcame her spirit. Her mere presence tipped the scales to the human kingdoms along the Tower’s Edge, a mistake that could cost the lives of Dorian and his people. They had grown comfortable and she had become a caretaker of sorts, not just for Dorian but for all of Uboria. The dragon wanted nothing more than to ignore the time she spent with them but deep down, she knew she could not.

  The dragon woman stepped to the shelves, serpent eyes looking among the many rows of books. Some were her recorded histories and musings. Other books were ones she collected from her travels, when she travelled. Stepping along the shelves; she eyed the books containing recorded events in Uboria. Reaching up, she took a leather-bound book from the shelf and opened it. Eyes moved from left to right as she read her own writings, recording attacks from the Demon’s Pass and celebrations. Dragon text spoke in her mind as she recorded every kernel of cruelty and every bit of distilled bliss. Chaos and order spun together to form the web of the kingdoms of man and the fascination touched her like a blanket. Closing the book, she slid it back into place, turned and walked to her oversized bed.

  Nypha flopped backwards onto the bed and let her mind wander, caught in a tide of uncertainty and heartache. Thoughts of leaving floated along but the image of Dorian caused her heart to quicken once again. How could such a man cause her to feel things she had never felt before? The beginning of her cycle close, she again tried to blame her need to mate. Deep down, she knew it didn’t matter if her cycle was coming or not. Thoughts of the man had always sent a familiar thrill through her body, and intimate needs whispered in her mind. If he was here, she could no longer deny herself and that was why she must stay away. Thoughts flowed into planning, thinking of moving her treasure horde and books to a new location, maybe further up north in the Burning Lands. She would seek out an active volcano and make it a new place to rest her head and forget the beauty of such a fragile man.

  A faint grunt touched Nypha’s sensitive ears. Lifting her head, she listened. Another growl and grunt floated up the mountain side. The sound
was much too familiar. The dragon woman sat up, listening as Dorian climbed the side of the mountain toward her. Part of her was surprised and another part flooded with heated temptation. She abandoned him but it seemed he did not abandon her.

  Standing up, the dragon woman walked out the open doors to her private chambers and into the lake cavern. Turning, she faced the entrance and a small moment later, a hand reached up and clamped onto the edge. Instincts caused her clawed foot to take a step forward, wanting to help him into her cavern but she stopped herself from going further. She must be stern and tell him it was a fool’s errand to come here. Their love could never be. A pang ran through her, for she knew those words did not ring true.

  Dorian climbed up to the edge. With one final heave, he hauled himself onto the outcropping and rolled onto his back. Nypha stayed her ground, watching from the dim lake light. The lord let out an exhausted gasp before turning onto his stomach and pushing off the ground. The young man stood to his full height and stared into the cavern. Eyes locked on the feminine humanoid form of Nypha and he took a shaky step forward, followed by another.

  Nypha’s heart beat with resounding power, unable to keep the shock and love from filling her eyes. Dorian glared at her, weakness and anger mixing with an undeniable heat. He walked into the dark cavern, breathing heavy, and each step with purpose. Time sped up until they stood before each other, silence between them.

  Dorian eyed the now nude dragon woman as she stood, her robe long torn asunder and gone when she changed into her true form. Nypha did nothing to cover up for it was her natural state. Large, ample breasts defied gravity as she stood. Scales ran along her sides but pale flesh glowed in the lake light. Dorian let his eyes wander down to her hairless valley before sliding them back up to her beautiful face. An ethereal glow surrounded her smooth features. Almond shaped eyes blinked as emerald green hair flowed down her shoulders. Lips parted as if she wanted to speak but no words were said. Dorian knew what she was saying. Nypha knew what he was saying without him uttering a single word.

  Nypha eyed the beaten and bruised lord. Dirt covered his face and his clothes had small rips from the climb upwards. Serpent eyes moved to his strong neck and wide shoulders. Looking up, she gazed into his hungry green eyes. The last shred of resistance fell away and she could not deny the power between them.

  A stab of weakness caused Dorian to sway forward. Unable to deny his wants and desires any longer, he reached out with both hands and took hold of her shoulders. A wave of heated weakness splashed against her glowing nerves, his touch sending her heart ablaze. She leaned into his grasp and their lips touched.

  Fear, doubt and pain washed away with tides of their beating hearts.

  Tongues slid between parted lips. Nypha lost herself to his touch and Dorian groaned his need. Arms took hold and they embraced each other fiercely. To the couple, it felt like the long night had finally passed.

  Dorian was first to break the kiss as his knees buckled. Nypha wrapped her arm around his waist and turned her body to be side-by-side with his. Despite the impassioned moment, the young lord had pushed himself too hard. Helping him along, Nypha walked slowly to the edge of the lake, eyes filled with protective purpose.

  “I’m sorry I left you,” Nypha said in a low tone.

  “I’m sorry I never truly told you how I felt,” Dorian said in a ragged breath.

  The dragon woman smiled, “I always knew how you felt.”

  “Was climbing the mountain my test?” Dorian said with a weak smile.

  “The kiss was our test, together,” Nypha said with a shy smile.

  Dragon feet and human boots touched the glowing lake. Nypha knelt to help Dorian sit. The lord gave a small painful grunt but his eyes were on the dragon.

  “I wish I was in better condition,” Dorian said with wanting eyes.

  Nypha reached for the strap to Splitter and pulled the sheathed sword from his shoulder. Placing it on the cavern floor, scaled hands took hold of the lord’s leather jacket and pulled it off.

  “I will take care of you, my handsome lord,” Nypha said dutifully.

  Dorian looked down to her green and black scaled hands. The palms and fingers were soft as they undid buttons. Her long black nails had retreated into her fingertips and smooth, snake like scales ran along the back of her hands and forearms. Being on her knees, the lord could not take his eyes away from her voluptuous chest.

  Nypha could see the lustful glint in his eyes and she could not deny the wetness blooming between her thighs. She continued her task of undressing the lord as he admired her hourglass form. Nothing was hidden in body and spirit and soon the lord was naked at the glowing shore of the lake. Nypha looked down as his manhood stood under its own power, thick and throbbing. Dorian felt no shame as he eyed the dragon woman.

  Nypha slid into the glowing waters, her hands taking hold of Dorian’s hands. The lord moved with her until he was sitting on a small ledge, the glowing waters to his chest. Energy touched the young man as he sat, gentle life filling his bruised body.

  Nypha stood as the glowing waters touched the bottom of her breasts, “The Lake contains healing properties. Soon, your wounds should be completely healed.”

  Dorian nodded but noticed Nypha’s eyes would glance down every few moments. The wanting need was there but he knew she was afraid she would hurt him further.

  “Are you afraid?” Dorian asked.

  A shy smile bloomed and she moved closer, “Only that I may hurt you.”

  “You could never hurt me,” Dorian said with smooth confidence.

  Nypha stepped closer in the glowing waters, her hips between his parted legs and hands on his strong, muscular thighs. Temptation roared but she kept it chained.

  “I have dreamed of you since I first met you,” Dorian said as he gazed into her radiant eyes.

  “I cannot deny….how I felt and continue to feel for you….” Nypha trailed off as memories filled her mind.

  Smooth fingers moved along his thighs, grazing the young lord’s manhood and causing it to bounce to her touch. Dorian acted as if nothing had happened but the burning need was there. It nearly blinded him and his gaze wandered again to her chest and pointed nipples.

  Nypha eyed him, natural urges pushing at her. She could not hold back her secrets any longer. She knew she had to say something or perhaps he would never forgive her.

  “I heard you….when you called out my name. I heard you when you played with Xoli.”

  Dorian’s brow wrinkled slightly, “You heard me?”

  Nypha nodded. “My kind have very good hearing. I tried to block it out but the way you said my name when you spilled your seed. I never heard anyone filled with such passion.”

  The lord relaxed in the warm waters, “When you walked around naked, I could not deny your beauty. When Xoli came to me, we played but I knew she was not you. I wanted to be with you and only you.”

  Nypha’s fingers coiled around Dorian’s hard member, stroking slowly as she never broke her gaze, “I admit, I could not stop myself from pleasuring myself to your moans.”

  “It must have been many times,” Dorian smirked.

  Nypha returned his smirk, “I have listened and witnessed your people make love for a long time but I have never performed the act with one.”

  “I have never made love to a real dragon. We could explore it together?” Dorian said as a playful vibration filled the waters around them.

  “Perhaps,” Nypha said with a wicked smile. “For now, you must rest. I shall ensure you are comfortable.”

  Dorian eyed the dragon woman as she kept hold of his member and slowly began to sink down. Serpent eyes watched him as the dragon woman’s body slipped further down into the water. At first, Dorian wasn’t sure what she meant until water closed around her head and horns. Nypha looked up through the glowing water as Dorian stared down at her. Hand stroking him, she turned her attention to his throbbing manhood and moved closer.

  A small hiss drifted into the a
ir as the dragon woman opened her mouth, lips closing around his cock. Healing energy blazed as the lord watched the beautiful dragon suck on the tip seductively. Eyes closing, Nypha was lost to his taste as tight lips moved over raised veins along the shaft. When he pleasured himself, she would smell a glimpse of his scent and even underwater, his cock tasted delightful. Pointed tongue ran along the shaft while she took inch after inch.

  Dorian watched as Nypha’s head began to move back and forth under the clear water. Bliss bloomed as Dorian watched her. A faint thought filled his mind on how she could breathe but it quickly fell away as it didn’t seem to disturb her at all. The healing energy of the lake soaked into his skin and muscles but Nypha’s seductive kiss sent the young lord on edge.

  Lips parted, Dorian could feel the sudden urge of wanting to release, sending him into a panic. It felt too good and he worried he would be done before they even started. Taking a deep breath, he tried to control himself but it only caused him to harden further.

  Nypha took his manhood to the hilt and slowly moved her head to a comfortable tempo. A drop of his seed touched her tongue and the dragon’s hunger grew tenfold. The salty drop caused her to up the tempo, trying to coax the rest out. Animalistic wanting caused her hands to grab his hips and take long stokes with tight lips. Dorian felt pinned to the underwater ledge as Nypha had taken complete control. How often he pictured her on her knees, pleasuring him and now that it was happening, he was overwhelmed with ecstasy.

  “Nypha….” Dorian managed before he lost all control.

  The dragon woman’s eyes remained half closed as thick spurts of seed struck the back of her throat. Drinking it down, she was assaulted with another few spurts. Heat blooming; the water around the man and dragon seemed to boil. Dorian pushed with all his internal strength and Nypha suckled every drop from his manhood.