by Freya Garth
‘Do the men do all the cooking?’
‘Most of it, and tend the dragons. The farming, too, down in the valley, although we help with that as well. We do most of the cleaning and sewing, but everyone does everything, and mostly people do what they prefer. Ricco, over there, does quite a bit of sewing.’ She pointed discreetly at a dragon rider whose body looked as strong as Goril’s even though his dark beard was streaked with silver. ‘He says he finds it relaxing.’
‘Do you… do you have a favourite dragon rider?’
Mabbi’s eyes darted around the cave. ‘We’re not supposed to,’ she said quietly.
‘But you do.’
‘Two favourites,’ she said matter-of-factly. ‘Ricco is one, and Adsel, sitting next to him, is the other. I go with them together.’
Adsel was a huge, fair-haired man. How could Mabbi be with both of them? Did they take turns? Doraya longed to ask more questions but didn’t know how to frame them. She put another small bite of food into her mouth to save herself from needing to talk.
Most of the places at the tables were filled now, but there was still no sign of Goril. What if he’d flown away again on Fiami? Doraya’s spirits sank at the thought. She longed to see him, but his unruly head of hair wasn’t visible anywhere in the cave. Why didn’t he come?
There he was, striding in, looking straight at the women’s table, his golden eyes singling out Doraya. She remembered what Mabbi had said and smiled at him. He stopped in his tracks momentarily, his eyes burning into hers. Then he seemed to remember where he was and sat down at the nearest table, still looking at Doraya. The dragon rider next to him saw the direction of his gaze, nudged him, and made a comment Doraya couldn’t hear. Goril laughed and began to converse with the others on his table as they ate, but his eyes returned to Doraya over and over again.
Now that Goril was here, Doraya was content. She didn’t eat any more, but sipped her wine, listening to the conversation around her, which was mostly about domestic matters and looking at the dragon riders. They were all ages, including one boy of about ten years old, but most were tall and every man was well muscled, even the oldest greybeards.
Although the women sat separately, Doraya noticed various flirtations between women and some of the dragon riders. Also, one or more women would sometimes leave the women’s table and go to sit with the dragon riders for a few minutes, to discuss an issue or settle an argument, and at one point Ricco stopped by the women’s table to offer Saban help with making more tunics.
Mabbi pulled at his sleeve, and he turned to her, a question in his golden eyes.
‘If you do too much sewing, Ricco,’ she said in her pert voice, ‘you might get a little prick.’
Doraya covered her mouth with her hand and giggled, amazed at Mabbi’s daring.
‘I’ll be dealing with you later, young woman,’ Ricco said with a grin.
‘Ooh, promises!’ Mabbi looked pleased.
When the meal was finished, four dragon riders cleared the tables, and nobody seemed in a hurry to leave. Doraya didn’t want any more of her wine. Her head felt slightly fuzzy, and while that was quite pleasant, she didn’t want to feel any fuzzier. Although she’d never had wine before, she’d seen people at the castle falling-down drunk, staggering and slurring their words. She didn’t ever want to be that way.
A greybeard dragon rider rose to his feet, using a staff for balance. He lifted his staff and banged it twice on the bench.
‘That’s Alda,’ Mabbi whispered, ‘senior dragon rider. He’s Goril’s father.’
Silence fell within the dining cave.
‘We have a new woman.’ Alda’s voice was rich and sonorous.
The dragon riders and their women broke into spontaneous applause. Doraya felt the familiar blush creeping up across her chest and neck.
When the noise abated, Alda said, ‘I am told that her name is Doraya.’
‘Welcome, Doraya,’ everyone called, and clapped and cheered as the blush reached her face.
‘Doraya,’ Alda said, ‘you are indeed welcome. We are starved of the young and the beautiful.’ He winked at Mabbi, who pouted back. ‘Goril, who brought you to us, wishes to make his claim.’
* * * *
Goril stood, determined to win the argument he knew he faced. ‘I brought Doraya here, so I have first rights.’ His eyes challenged the room, but the only responses were nods, which didn’t surprise him, as this was their custom. However, he wanted longer than usual, so he began to prepare the ground. ‘She belongs to all of us, but she will need time. She is completely inexperienced and has been badly used, hurt, and underfed.’
Muttering rumbled around the room. Some of the dragon riders looked furious. None of them looked pleased.
‘Saban,’ Alda said, ‘can you confirm this?’
Saban stood. ‘Yes, Alda. She is covered in bruises, very thin, and often afraid.’
Goril saw Doraya’s look of dismay, and his heart went out to her. She tried so hard to hide her fears. It seemed she hadn’t yet learned that this was not a sign of cowardice but of bravery.
‘I can also confirm,’ Saban went on, ‘that she shows considerable potential.’
Her eyes were twinkling now, and her statement was greeted by cheers and stamping from the dragon riders.
‘But I agree with Goril that she will need gentleness and time.’
Saban sat down again.
‘I claim her for a month,’ Goril demanded.
The room erupted. Dragon riders were on their feet, shouting, banging their goblets on the tables. Alda stood, impassive, watching the melee. Goril wondered whether they would agree to his demand. The usual period granted was no longer than two weeks, so he was asking for a big concession. Doraya was whispering with Mabbi now, which probably meant Mabbi was explaining their system. Good.
Some people seemed to think two weeks would be plenty, others that it would be better for everyone if Doraya was thoroughly trained and accustomed to the dragon riders’ way of life by someone she knew and trusted. Goril let the debate rage for a while before he began to argue fiercely for the second point of view.
‘We take care of our women here.’ He banged his fist on a table for emphasis. ‘We do not maltreat women, and we do not let others maltreat them.’
‘That’s true.’
‘You have the right of it.’
‘That’s what we do.’
‘And we must take care of Doraya,’ Goril said. ‘Yes, we all have needs, but if we rush her, then we are as bad as the people she came from.’
‘How do you know she needs a month?’ asked Adsel.
‘I don’t know, for sure, but I think she could need that long.’
‘I have a suggestion.’ Saban was on her feet again.
‘We will be glad of your wisdom,’ Alda said drily.
A mischievous look flashed in his golden eyes, which Saban returned with a grin.
‘Why don’t we give Doraya to Goril for two weeks to begin with. Then let him return her to the women for a day, and we will assess her. If we deem her ready, we will say so. If not, we will return her to Goril for a further week before assessing her again, with the option for a final week with Goril if we still think she’s not ready. That way, she will get the training she needs, and he won’t have her for longer than necessary.’
There were slow nods at each table, with some murmured conversation leading to more nods.
‘I think,’ Alda said, ‘if we follow your suggestion, Saban, you will need to be able to make a full assessment after two weeks.’
He lifted one eyebrow at Goril, who growled, ‘Agreed.’
‘Does anyone dispute Goril’s claim?’
There was still a little muttering here and there, but nobody did.
* * * *
‘Before you take Doraya away,’ Alda said, ‘we need to show her how we punish our women when they misbehave.’
Mabbi shifted excitedly in her seat and squeezed Doraya’s hand. ‘I hope it’s
me,’ she said.
Doraya couldn’t believe that anyone would hope for punishment.
Ricco and Adsel were striding toward the women’s table. Ricco beckoned to Mabbi.
‘You were cheeky to me just now,’ he said sternly, although Doraya was sure there was a twinkle lurking at the corner of his eye. ‘Come and take your punishment.’
‘I’m so sorry, Ricco.’ Mabbi stood, her eyes down, the picture of a demure young woman.
‘Insulting one dragon rider insults us all,’ Adsel said. ‘Small prick, indeed!’ He saw Doraya trying to conceal a giggle at his outraged tone and nudged Ricco. ‘There’s someone else who looks as if she’ll need some punishment in a month or so.’
Ricco gave Doraya an appraising look, and she felt her nipples harden against the soft fabric of her dress.
‘You’re probably right, Adsel,’ he said, ‘but in the meantime we have this minx to deal with.’ He held out a hand to Mabbi, who went with him and Adsel to the centre of the room.
Ricco put one foot up on a bench, his leg bent at the knee. ‘Over my knee, girl,’ he said firmly.
‘Please don’t be too hard on me,’ Mabbi begged, but Doraya could see the light in her brown eyes and knew this was some kind of game.
‘You’ll get what you deserve.’ Ricco put his hands on his hips, his stance indicating that he would brook no argument.
Mabbi bent herself across his well-muscled thigh. Adsel flung her dress over her head, exposing her pale brown bottom to the room.
‘Feet apart, Mabbi,’ Ricco instructed.
Doraya saw Mabbi’s pretty quim appear as she parted her feet. Sighs came from around the room. A quick glance showed Doraya that everyone’s eyes were fixed on Mabbi.
‘Six, I think, Adsel, don’t you?’ Ricco said.
Mabbi squeaked, whether in fear or anticipation, Doraya wasn’t sure. She knew her own quim was growing wet in sympathy.
‘I think six would be just right.’ Adsel pushed up his shirtsleeves.
Ricco put one arm across Mabbi’s back, pushing her down further. He looked at her naked bottom, evidently enjoying the view.
Adsel’s strong arm swung, and his big hand connected to Mabbi’s buttocks, leaving a rapidly reddening imprint.
Mabbi made a little mewing sound.
Thwack! The second blow fell, then the third and fourth. Doraya was fascinated by the sight of Mabbi’s blushing behind.
Mabbi was wriggling now.
‘Be still and take your punishment,’ Ricco snapped, and she became motionless over his thigh.
Adsel stroked the tender skin of Mabbi’s bottom for a moment, winking at Ricco, making Mabbi moan with longing. Was she longing to get the punishment over, or was there something else in her tone? Judging by the visible wetness of her quim, perhaps it was the latter.
Thwack! Thwack! The fifth and sixth blows fell in quick succession. Ricco spun Mabbi over his thigh and lifted her deftly into his arms. She buried her face in his chest, and he strode toward the men’s quarters, rapidly followed by a grinning Adsel who acknowledged the riders’ applause, bowing to the left and right as he left the cave.
The party was evidently breaking up, with people getting to their feet and chatting in small groups. Before Doraya could do more than notice that each of the women was being claimed by a rider, Goril was at her side, taking her hand in his unbreakable grip.
‘Let’s get out of here,’ he said, and drew her behind him through the dining cave and into a tunnel that looked very similar to the one on the women’s side. They walked through several side tunnels and eventually reached a cosy, well-appointed cave.
‘Can I get you anything?’ Goril asked.
‘May I have a goblet of water?’ Doraya touched her throat. ‘I had a little wine, and I feel thirsty now.’
‘I’ll be back in a moment. Make yourself at home.’
Two comfortable chairs were placed on either side of a fireplace where a blaze burned merrily. A large canopied bed stood at the far end of the cave, and there was a worktable with a bench to one side. Doraya sat in one of the chairs. Goril returned with two goblets of water, gave her one, and took the other chair for himself. He raised his goblet.
‘Here’s to the next two weeks.’
‘Maybe even the next month.’ She smiled and raised her own goblet.
‘You’re looking better already.’ His golden eyes lingered on her cleavage, then returned to her face.
Doraya sipped her water, happy to be alone with Goril after such a bewildering day. So many new people, so many changes to take in. He, too, seemed content to take a moment of quiet by the crackling fire.
‘What happens next?’ she asked.
Goril quirked an eyebrow at her with half a grin. ‘I’m trying not to think about it.’
Doraya frowned in puzzlement.
‘I need to explain one or two things about dragon riders.’ He set his goblet down on the floor. ‘Our lives are not entirely our own. We are partly ruled by our dragons.’
‘How so?’
‘Our dragons are our own. Dragon and rider are born close together, bonded from birth, and usually die on the same day.’
‘What do you mean, bonded?’ Doraya remembered Goril speaking to his dragon. ‘Does Fiami understand what you say?’
‘Not the words, but the feeling behind them. They sense their rider’s emotions, respond to their feelings, and the rider senses the dragon’s emotions, too.’
‘All the time?’
Goril nodded. ‘Except when they’re asleep. Even then, sometimes, if I feel something strongly, that will wake Fiami, or the other way around.’
‘What is Fiami feeling now?’ Doraya asked.
‘Sleepy. Full. Content.’ Goril smiled softly. ‘But if I start thinking of you and me sharing pleasure, she’ll wake up and want to join in.’
Doraya’s alarm must have shown on her face because Goril chuckled.
‘Not literally,’ he said, ‘through her bond with me. She’ll encourage me to do more, faster and harder. She’s like that. I can control my own lust, but trying to control hers as well—it’s hard to hold back at times.’
That made some sense of what had happened the previous day. ‘So when we were in the castle,’ she said, ‘did you start that, or did Fiami?’
‘Me,’ Goril admitted. ‘I’d seen you before and, well, you’re so attractive, I always looked for you when I went to King Panac’s.’
‘I tried so hard not to be attractive.’ Doraya’s voice was low.
‘It didn’t work, little one.’ Goril came and knelt by her chair, taking her hand in his. ‘Charms like yours take more than dirt and rough cloth to hide.’ He bent forward and kissed her softly on the lips.
* * * *
Goril wished he could make love to Doraya slowly, knowing that would enhance her enjoyment, and his, but he could feel Fiami’s growing awareness of his throbbing erection as his tongue explored Doraya’s soft, compliant mouth. He stroked her breast through the sheer fabric of her dress, her nipple hardening at his touch, knowing his dragon would urge him on for her own vicarious pleasure. It was already really difficult to think about anything that wouldn’t directly stimulate his cock.
He separated his mouth gently from Doraya’s and groaned from pleasure and frustration.
‘Fiami?’ she asked.
He nodded mutely, catching a flash of anger from her eyes. Her spirit pleased him, although he didn’t want his woman and his dragon at war with each other. That had been known to cause problems in the past. Before his lust-befuddled brain could work out a sensible way forward, Doraya spoke again.
‘What shall we do?’ she asked.
Goril pulled back to look at her face and saw understanding and willingness there. He was so grateful for her kindness and patience that the strength of his feeling momentarily cleared his mind, and he leapt up and pulled her to her feet.
‘Have as much fun as we can,’ he said, and lifted her tunic dress over her h
ead. ‘Let’s get you out of these dry things and make you all wet.’
* * * *
Goril sucked air in through his teeth as he saw her body. Doraya couldn’t see his face, so she wasn’t sure whether he was expressing appreciation or dismay. A touch on her bare stomach made her jump, and she fought her way out of her clothes as Goril’s hand stroked downward. Tingles shot through her like shooting stars, making her blood sparkle and fizz in her veins.
Goril quickly undressed, his body as muscular and his erection as proud as she remembered, and led her to the bed. She lay on her back and Goril lay beside her, propping himself up on one elbow while his other hand traced patterns around her belly and breasts. His touch aroused her, and she moved her hips restlessly, coming into contact with Goril’s erection. He pressed his cock against her hip with a gentle back-and-forth motion that she found strangely irresistible, reminding her of Benka and Paleen in the pool. Goril moved his hand down between Doraya’s legs, which she opened for him, relishing the feel of his fingers on her pussy. He stroked her throbbing clit and she thrust her hips up against his hand and found one of his fingers pressing at her entrance. Her hymen stretched uncomfortably, then broke with a small gush of blood and a stab of pain.
‘Ow!’ she said.
Goril took her in his arms and kissed her hair, his erection pressed hard against her belly. ‘I won’t hurt you anymore.’ His voice had the strained sound she remembered from the tower.
‘Do you need to—’ She didn’t know the word.
‘I need to come, soon. Fiami is pushing me.’
‘Let me take you in my mouth,’ she said.
He drew back and looked at her with lust-dark eyes, tracing her lips with his finger in a familiar gesture. ‘Yes,’ he said.
Doraya leaned down and held his cock in her hand. Her fingers could barely encircle its girth. The purple head oozed pre-cum and smelled salty and clean. She licked at the tip, and Goril gave a groan, so she took the head of his cock in her mouth and rolled her tongue experimentally around. He groaned louder.
‘Take me deeper,’ he panted.
She moved more of his cock into her mouth, a little at a time. There was no way she could take it all, no way in the world, but if it felt good to Goril, she was determined to take as much of his cock into her mouth as she could.
