Blood covers us both. My bride stands still, inhaling deeply, which causes her breasts to rise and fall rapidly. She’s never looked more beautiful. She turns suddenly and kneels by the woman. I know we are too late because I heard her last agonizing breath. The men had literally beaten her to death.
I reach for my bride’s arm, but she jerks away as she takes the woman’s lifeless hand. “Why? Why would they do this?”
Nothing I say will help, but I try. “This land is ungodly. I told you I hate it here and this is only one of the many reasons. I am sorry you saw this.”
She looks up at me with tears streaming down her face. “I am not sorry. I wish I had more men to kill.”
She’s glorious.
The words slip from my lips before I can stop them. “What is your given name, bride?”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Roxanne
He asked for my name. My brave, brave dragon. He took me to steal my first treasure and had no qualms about me fighting bad men with swords. In his eyes, I’m as capable as a man. I love him more than I can ever put into words. It’s hard to remain unselfish and not want his love in return.
We have many good years ahead of us. Great years. I just can’t help worrying about what will happen when I die. My heart breaks over the thought of any pain he will suffer. To wait thousands of years for a mate to transcend is cruel. The time he has already waited crueler still.
I gather my hair back and prepare for a visit from Acasia and Ashrac. My stolen piece of jewelry proudly adorns my throat on a piece of leather that matches my outfit. My dragon likes the stone and I enjoy seeing pride in his eyes when I wear it.
Sir Orifice only had one goal and that was to remove my dress and fuck me. Hitting him over the head with a large vase from the nightstand beside the bed was easy. Repeatedly stomping his fingers beneath my boot satisfying. My thirst for blood began as a child when I planned to kill the dragon. I will never be a normal bride. Had never been a normal child. Somehow the gods matched me with the one man who would see my savagery as a bonus.
Bastian and Laryn are planning to fly around and discuss dragon business during my visit with Acasia. Laryn gave permission for me to use a section of the castle I’d never seen before. He also explained that his servants wouldn’t speak to me. I was to inform them of what I needed and they would obey instantly. The entire discussion was difficult to come to terms with.
Certain humans from the earth realm give up their children to save them from a fatal illness. Bringing them into the dragon’s realm cures them but takes away their voice. They owe servitude to the dragons and live their lives fulfilling the debt.
I’m not sure how I feel about this and plan to discuss it with Acasia. I also have another train piece to add onto Ashrac’s engine. Laryn wanted me to give it to the child. He loves the boy. I see it every time he speaks of him. I never point it out, though. Laryn needs to keep his heart free of love for me. If thinking he can’t love at all helps, so be it.
They finally arrive and Laryn’s manservant, Peter, fetches tea and sweet cakes for me and my guests. I hold off giving Ashrac his new toy until he jumps around from one piece of furniture to the next. He brought his train engine and the combination of the engine and new gift gives his mother and I a chance to speak in hushed tones.
“I had many questions about the earth humans too,” Acasia replies to my first question honestly. “It seems so strange that they lose the ability to speak. If I hadn’t seen it with the child we carried over from earth’s realm, I too would have trouble comprehending what happens.”
I can accept this without actually bringing a child across but I must ask about what bothers me most, “Did Bastian hide his servants as Laryn has?”
She takes my hand and squeezes it. “Yes, he did. It’s very difficult for brides at first. I do not understand all the strange rules of this land and I’ve been here twenty-five years. I may be dragon, but I am still a bride. The ability to shift to another form has not changed my mind on many things. When I was restricted from entering my home realm, I had a temper tantrum to rival any Bastian has thrown.”
I can’t help laughing. “Your dragon throws tantrums?”
“Worse than his son if you can believe that after witnessing Ashrac kicking Laryn.”
We both laugh.
Acasia looks to her son with a loving smile. He’s across the room making train noises and driving the engine and new car through strategically placed pillows. She turns back to me. “I was lucky not to get several dragon traits after I transcended. I do not need to steal in order to maintain the sense of superiority that the male dragons live for.”
I finger the piece at my throat.
“It’s gorgeous.”
“I stole it,” I say unable to help the pride in my voice.
Acasia spews her tea and places her hand at her throat. “Please tell me it wasn’t from Sarn or Tahr.”
“No. It came from another realm, the coffers of a Sir Orland Locksy to be exact.” My grin widens when I say his name.
“I’ve heard of him. Laryn truly took you to steal your own treasure?”
I nod. “I’ve found that my dragon does not enjoy sharing. He says I must steal what I wish for, which I would have done with or without his permission.”
Acasia begins laughing. “You have wrapped your dragon around your fingers.” Her gaze sweeps over my outfit. “Your clothing and attitude suit him. I found Laryn quite childish before you came along. He’s changed with his love of you.”
I immediately stop smiling. “Laryn does not love me and he won’t.”
The grin on Acasia’s face disappears. “What nonsense is this? Of course he loves you. I see it in every glance he casts your way. The man would die without you.”
I shake my head knowing this will be difficult to explain. “No. He will not die without me. He will live to choose a new bride. I don’t want him suffering great pain when he loses me. We have developed a friendship that will be hard enough on him when it’s my time to die.”
Acasia’s eyebrows arch in thought. “But that is not the curse.” She glances toward Ashrac. “My son may suffer the same curse. We do not know. What I do know is that I will teach him to love with all his heart. He must. It is the only way to spite the Goddess who placed the curse. Love and live on. Search for the one who will transcend and be with you for all eternity.”
I refuse to think of young Ashrac paying for the sins of some unknown dragon. It angers me greatly. Give me this Goddess and I will cleave her head from her body. An internal awareness tells me to never speak these words aloud. I just shake my head. “No. I can’t wish that for Laryn. I also want you to promise that you will watch over him after I am gone.”
Acasia’s long, steady gaze makes me feel uncomfortable. “I have a soft spot for Laryn. I think the both of you are foolish. You should love while you can. With that said, I give you my promise to watch over him.”
The remainder of the visit isn’t as solemn as the beginning. We go to the highest ledge of the tower so Ashrac can show me his new skills at breathing fire. Apparently, this trait is a celebrated rite of passage in a young dragon’s existence and the true extent of the ability will not manifest until he reaches his one-hundredth year. It saddens me that I will not be around to see it.
I watch the small, red dragon dive and swoop through the clouds while expelling occasional puffs of smoke. I finally send him to the kitchen for the cookies Laryn ordered cooked in anticipation of Ashrac’s visit.
“What did you think of my fire?” he asks me in his haughty way with arms crossed and head held high.
“I think you will be the mightiest fire breather of all the dragons if you continue to diligently practice your finesse. I doubt Laryn had the talent you possess when he was your age.”
Ashrac turns to Acasia. “You hear that, Mother? She is a lady who knows a magnificent dragon when she sees one.” He shifts once more and flies down to the kitchens as we hold back
laughter until he’s inside the castle.
“I also didn’t inherit the arrogance of dragons. It’s sad that I must put up with two of them.”
“Sad indeed. One is enough for me.”
We both laugh until our sides hurt. All in all we have a wonderful visit. I’ve never had a female friend in the village. The other brides avoided me. They didn’t want to be in a position where they felt guilt over my father’s inability to provide for us. I didn’t care. I even understood. The village was at the mercy of the dragons. What I hadn’t understood was that the dragons were at the mercy of a vengeful Goddess.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Laryn
“My bride has no fear. She’s like all the brides rolled into one without the incessant whining,” I say to Bastian.
He doesn’t reply immediately. I’ve spoken of my bride for an hour and not shut up. Finally, he responds with more reserve than usual. “I don’t understand why she’s sleeping in the tower room, Laryn. This truly baffles me.”
A touch of spite enters my tone. “Of course you don’t. You have Acasia for eternity. You can love her without risk of heartbreak. I don’t have that luxury and I refuse to lose myself again when this one is gone. She’s all I could ask for in a friend and bed companion, but it goes no further.”
We lazily glide through a canyon until we spot a herd of deer. It’s an easy capture and we both have our own tasty lunch within a few minutes. This is what I’ve missed these last years of separation from my friends—hunting, laughing, the occasional treasure run. My sharp talons tear through the hide like it’s paper. I need to teach my bride to hunt. I know she will enjoy it. The woman is as savage as I am. That’s what I love… like about her. She had no problem dispatching those men—actually relished the thrill and the spray of their blood.
Bastian looks up with a large strip of sinew hanging from his sharp, white teeth. “You know you love her, right?”
The dead carcass is no longer appetizing. “Stop, Bastian.”
He says nothing more about my bride. I eat but only because I refuse to waste the life of the deer. I cannot love her.
We spend the remainder of our time discussing rumors of a chalice that Bastian began searching for many centuries ago. The legend says it belonged to Belus, son of Poseidon. I would give my left nut to get my hands on it before Bastian. Not because of whom it belonged to but because Bastian covets the piece, which makes it a greater acquisition.
“You know I will help you search,” I tell him with levity that I don’t feel at the thought of getting my hands on his precious chalice.
He’s not fooled. “Steal it you mean.”
I laugh and a burst of flame pours out in front of us. “You know my saying—if you can’t hold onto it…” I’m pushing my luck. I’ve never joked about stealing his bride.
“Don’t finish that thought or I will need to blacken your eyes before I return you to your bride.” He laughs and we fly through a larger burst of fire from him.
An hour later, we return to my lair. Bastian collects his bride and son and they leave for their home, though I request they stay for dinner. Acasia hits Bastian in the arm when he turns me down. “My mate has unfinished business in the bedroom for losing a wager.”
I laugh and my bride does the same. I turn and look at her rosy cheeks and swirling hair that she left unbound today. She appears relaxed. I look forward to our own time in the bedroom this evening.
Our guests depart and I wrap my hands around the bare skin at her waist. She’s increased her lean muscle with our training and exercise. I have the greater strength with a weapon while she’s quick and has a way of deciphering my intent. It gives me great pride that she can and will defend herself. She has no chance against me in dragon form and never did. Facing a man, any man, and she will give them a fight. If a dragon’s head is removed from his body in human form, he’s dead. Or at least I see no way of coming back after such a strike. I’ve imparted this wisdom to her. I want her to have all the knowledge she needs if Sarn or even Tahr find her alone. I never think clearly in the time following a bride’s death. I know my friends cannot be trusted.
My bride lifts her hand and slides it across my jaw. “So serious, my dragon. Did you not have a good time?”
I bite her thumb and watch as her brown eyes turn glassy and gold streaks sparkle. “Are you hungry, bride?”
She moves in closer and I lower my head so our lips are almost touching when she speaks. “Only for my dragon.”
I lift her up and her legs wrap around me. “I want a soft bed beneath us, so hold on.” I climb the stairs, walk through endless hallways, and turn many corners until I’m finally in my rooms. She holds on while kissing and nipping at my neck and shoulders. We are both laughing with sensual delight by the time I lean her back on my bed.
I admire her long legs with the thigh boots almost adhered to her skin. These are a new gift and made of a lighter shade of leather. I begin separating the buckles at the top of one leg. She watches me and now her eyes are a lighter shade of brown as they flood with desire. The change in the color of her eyes has always intrigued me. They grow dark with anger and lighten with love. I know she loves me. I also know she’s incredibly perfect for me and understands why I cannot return that love.
I slowly draw the boot from her foot and toss it over my shoulder. A husky giggle escapes her throat as I start on the next one. Her skin is so soft while her determination in everything else is hard. She’s a contradiction of warrior and woman. My warrior. My woman.
She reaches for a buckle at her wrist. I shake my head. “No, bride, allow me.”
Her smile displays the dimples I love to see. “You are moving too slowly, dragon. I only wished to hurry you along.” I pull her leg up and twist her over to her belly. The sharp slap I land against her ass makes her squeal in surprise.
“You are at my mercy, bride. I plan to take my time with you.”
She glances over her shoulder and I almost come undone at the raw look of need in her eyes. “Have your way, dragon, but remember I will have mine before this night is through.”
“With pleasure, bride.” I lift her foot and kiss the instep. She’s back to giggling until I kiss a path up her leg to her delightful bottom. I lift her slightly and unbuckle the front strap at her waist. I peel the leather away slowly. My handprint shows on one ass cheek. I kiss there first. Her sigh thrills me as I add just a bit of teeth and turn the sound to a moan.
“You are so needy, my beautiful bride,” I murmur against her skin.
“I am, dragon. I need you like a sword needs a sheath,” she replies breathlessly.
I turn her over and my mouth is at just the right place. “Watch me,” I tell her with a bit of demand.
Her eyes flutter open and I kiss the part of her that calls to me even while I sleep. Her female lips are red and swollen. I dip my tongue to absorb their taste and silkiness. She’s perfect. I could stay down here for hours and tease her until she begs. Though, I don’t wish her to beg. I want her screaming her release a thousand different times because I’ve brought her there in a thousand different ways.
I slide a finger through the silky liquid her body releases in preparation of mine. She pushes closer to my mouth wanting more. My bride takes what she desires. And I feel it all the way to my soul. The craving to possess her is so strong I can’t hold back. Coming up quickly over her, I bury my cock in one thrust. She’s watching me and I smile before kissing the sigh from her lips. My bride, my other half. I slowly glide in and out until none of my coaxing makes her open her eyes again. She’s lost in what I make her feel. I’m lost in how exquisite she is—the noises she makes as her release draws near. The clench of her fingers on my ass. The dig of her nails because she wants me to increase my pace. Her body trembles as I drive her crazy. Her knees draw up alongside my legs and finally her heels bury against my ass.
I stop all movement and wait for her eyes to open.
She’s angry and frustrated
all at once. “What are you waiting for, dragon?”
“This!” I lift up and slam down inside her body, pouring mine into hers as blue light encases us. It’s hot and cold. Peaceful and serene. Hard and soft. It swirls around us in lazy strokes of blue, lustrous glory.
She lies curled within my arms, the glow still surrounds us. I draw languid circles on her now-bare shoulder. I tend to lose myself too quickly to remove all her clothing at once. That’s what she does to me.
“Thank you, Laryn,” she breathes against my neck.
I tug on a tendril of her hair. “What are you thanking me for, bride?”
“Everything.”
I lean up so she sees my eyes. “You are the best friend I’ve ever had.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Roxanne
Friends.
I want to kill him as badly as I wanted to that first day. It’s the day after we became such great friends and I’m running the tower stairs to get such thoughts from my mind. A friend is a good thing. It is! I’ve run six-hundred and twenty-seven stairs and I’ve yet to convince myself.
He told me before that he wished us to be friends. I didn’t know how badly the word would hurt.
Damn dragon.
“Bride of Uncle Laryn, what are you doing?”
I’m so startled I miss a step and bang my shin. “Damn, ouch, darn…” I cut off the rest of my tirade because it’s more frustration with Ashrac’s uncle than actual pain. “What are you doing here, Ashrac?” I try to temper my question. From the look in his eyes I failed.
“I wished to visit you.” His lips tremble and I instantly regret my less-than-pleasant tone. I sit on the stair that jumped up and bit me and rub my shin. “Please shift to your human form and sit down to tell me what you’re up to today.”
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