Curse of a Dragon's Claim

by Ciara Lake

  Reluctantly, Arianna stood. She clutched part of her sheet in front of her to hide her nakedness. Also, she attempted to cover herself with her long hair.

  “Very good. I do like obedience.” Amuliana regarded her, inspecting her from head to toe. “You are a beauty to be plagued with the dregs of mortality.”

  In the next moment, Arianna was clothed in a white gauzy gown. It was sheer but provided her with modest covering.

  “There, this is much better than the dress of your world. This era really is demoralizing to human women.” Amuliana smiled, waving her hand toward Arianna. “We immortals don’t stress about our nudity, this you will become accustomed to. Now as I was saying, you are a beauty, as you should be for a male such as Clayne MacDagon. He’s a powerful immortal. If you don’t realize yet, I will see to it you soon will. You will be the envy of all unmated women for capturing him. I believe he has mentioned me to you?”

  Arianna nodded.

  “Excellent.” Amuliana turned to walk to the seating area. As she walked, her hips swayed seductively. Sensuality incarnate, she was over six feet tall. With elegant grace she strolled toward the chairs. Candles magically ignited as she passed by, lighting the room in a soft, yellow glow. She turned to observe Arianna. “Clayne has told you of your heritage?”

  “Yes.” Arianna followed her to the seating area.

  “Good. Make no mistake, I know he has, I’m just confirming with you for conversation purposes. So you have been told you have immortal blood? You are aware I am your goddess?” Amuliana’s stance was arrogant. “Sit.” She directed Arianna with a wave of her hand as she sat in the chair. “I must compliment you, all of the women of your family. They’ve done an excellent job safeguarding Queen Maudhnait’s jewels. It’s only fair you are rewarded with a mate such as Clayne. If you are as clever as you give the impression, you will choose to love Clayne MacDagon fiercely, with your body and your heart. Only a foolish female would not. An intelligent female would fight for him, offering herself fully. Are you clever, Arianna?” Amuliana gazed in the direction of his sleeping form. “Like I said, he’s a wonderful male specimen, feared by his enemies. Is it not outstanding to have all that power between your legs?” Amuliana laughed sensually as she crossed her legs, relaxing into her chair. “Now, let’s have a look at Maud’s jewels. I’ve not seen them in ages.”

  As if in a daze, Arianna stood to fetch the jewels.

  “Be seated, child. I see they’re on the dresser.” With a wave of her right hand, the jeweled tiara materialized in her grasp, and the ring appeared on her finger. “They are lovely.” She closely studied the jewels. “These were finely crafted, like no other jewels I have ever seen. Unfortunately, the magic isn’t for me to wield, another must brandish it. Thus, I have summoned you. Yes, I sent Clayne to fetch you.” Amuliana paused, watching her. “You’re the one who must control this magic. It has been predestined.”

  Arianna felt the tiara materialize on her head, followed by the ring on her finger.

  “You would make Queen Maud proud.” Amuliana regarded her. “The magic’s use won’t come easy. It must be earned, learned by you alone.” The goddess’s eyes flashed a brighter silver. They were as bright as the stars. “The magic’s use may have a price if not wielded properly with the right motives. Axel, the troll who fashioned these, is a remarkable male, with extraordinary talents.” Amuliana licked her lips as if signifying something delicious. “Axel’s aptitude with magic is beyond the reach of most immortals. No creature is as magical as a troll, except a god or goddess.” She studied Arianna. “Trolls love puzzles. They’re especially good at creating things which aren’t as they seem. Illusion is their trademark. But I’m not here to talk of trolls.”

  “Why are you telling me this? What are you here to talk about?”

  “Child, you are my tool. As such, I expect you to listen to what I’m telling you. Do not argue or be insistent with me.” Amuliana’s eyes flashed again then darkened to full black. It filled her entire eyes. No white remained. “You are my servant as is your mate. All immortals are my servants. Fortunately, for you all, in return I am benevolent. Now, don’t interrupt me while I speak. Stand up, come here, take my hand. I’m going to show you things I wish you to see.”

  “Oh, we’re going to flash someplace like Clayne does?”

  “Not the same. I’m a goddess. My magic is much superior. You will find my transport less disconcerting.” She straightened her back, standing regally, and held her hand out for Arianna to take it. “Come here, child.” Arianna took hold of her hand. “You must learn this essential skill of teleportation for yourself. You will when the time is right. All will be revealed to you in time if you are worthy.”

  The noise was deafening. Arianna clamped her hands over her ears. Screams erupted from all over. Piercing screams of agony, as none Arianna had ever heard. The heat of blazing fires washed over her, nearly baking her where she stood.

  “Where are we?” Arianna screamed over the deafening sound. “Why have you brought me here?”

  “You are witnessing an historic battle. This is the day after Clarisa MacDagon’s death, Clayne’s twin. Be silent, observe. Your mate is about to make his exceptional appearance. No one can see us, nothing will harm you.”

  A fleeing crowd rushed toward them. Women holding their children in their arms ran as if demons from hell were after them. Arianna prepared herself for impact, but they passed through them as if spirits. Behind the women, red-eyed men with fangs bared followed. They were horrid, frothing at the mouth as blood ran down their faces. These demons relentlessly followed the women. They did not rush, apparently assured of their success in capturing their victims. In seconds, the demons appeared directly in front of the running women, stopping them dead in their tracks. Sheer terror showed on the faces of the women. Again, crazed screams erupted, nearly shattering Arianna’s ears.

  “Bitches, shut the fuck up. I don’t like such racket from my dinner,” one red-eyed demon coldly stated just before he ripped open the neck of the plump female he had caught in his arms. As he finished with her, he snagged another young girl as she tried to escape.

  Arianna screamed.

  “Hush, child. This is ages in the past. Your screams will achieve nothing. There’s no need to add to the noise level. Be strong, look upon this history of your people…mortals, vampires, and dragons. You are a mix of all three. It is important you understand the seriousness of this history.”

  “These aren’t demons, these are vampires?” Arianna turned to Amuliana. “These are vampires feeding?”

  “Yes, they are Saltar’s men. These were vampires soon to be forsaken if they lived past this day and the days to follow. This is part of your ancestor’s clan. They are destroying an entire village of humans while in their blood lust frenzy. They are high from the power of the hunt and greedy for more blood.” Amuliana pointed skyward. “Look above, here comes your mighty mate along with his warriors.”

  Humungous winged beasts soared above. They were giants, blowing fire upon the wooden structures, destroying the town. The crackling sound of fire became louder, the smoke thicker. Arianna coughed as it became harder to breathe.

  “Why can I feel the heat, smell the smoke?” Arianna could not see the dragons clearly. The blaze combined with smoke clouded the dark sky. Nevertheless, she saw some. Their scales were iridescent, reflecting the moonlight. They were huge from their heads to their dangerously large talons. Two swooped down, grabbing two vampires, taking them into the air. The infuriated vampires screamed in fury. A ripping sound echoed out as one beast ripped the body it held in half. Blood rained down on the ground below. The dragon released the vampire, but before the carcass hit the ground, flames engulfed it, like a fireball. The nauseating stench of burnt flesh filled the air. Arianna pushed down her desire to retch.

  “I thought the additional sensory to this scene would be more impressive.”

  Arianna looked at the goddess, seeing fully her lack of humanity.
“What are the dragons doing? They’re burning the whole town.”

  “The dragons are slaughtering these rebellious vampires as well as the witnesses to their blood lust. This was done on my order. The destruction needed to be complete to maintain order.” Amuliana’s eyes flashed silver again as if daring Arianna to challenge her.

  The smoke was thick, clouding the air. Tears ran down Arianna’s face.

  “No mortal needed to remain to tell of this story. Although some did escape. Thus, we have the folklore of this day among other days such as this one. Many vampires teleported away, only to temporarily avoid capture or termination. I could not allow the vampires to kill all of the humans by drinking them dry. It would have given them excessive power. Saltar as their leader had too much power. Besides, death by instant incineration was a better alternative for the humans.”

  A couple hundred feet from where Arianna stood, an enormous blue dragon landed. His leathery wings folded close to his body, and in seconds he transformed into a large, naked human male, sword in hand. Tall and muscular, his golden hair hung to his impressive shoulders. Wielding his sword expertly, in one swipe, he took off three heads, two of which were vampires in the midst of feeding. The third had been their helpless victim. As the warrior swung his broadsword, he turned, gazing right into Arianna’s eyes.

  Surprised, she nearly choked. Clayne stood armed, naked, all his glory exposed. He’d been the dragon who’d scooped up the vampire, ripping him in half and incinerating him as he fell to the ground.

  He stood strong, proud as he took on the vampires approaching him from all sides. They swarmed him. He mowed down a dozen attackers. When they lay headless around him he raised his powerful arms toward the sky, holding his sword in triumph. Roaring a war cry, he transformed into the magnificent blue dragon. He roared louder cries of war in his dragon form. When his huge mouth opened, she could see razor sharp teeth. The sound stirred astounding fear within Arianna. This beast made the vampires seem minuscule, harmless in comparison.

  The dragon walked about, monstrous yet attractive, full of grace in its unique way. Its blue eyes shone like jewels as it gazed over the horrendous scene, immense intelligence in its reptilian gaze. The dragon gulped in air, and Arianna realized what was about to follow. Fire blew directly in her direction. Heat seared her. She surrendered to it, expecting death. Arianna closed her eyes in anticipation of her eternal rest. However, a wave of coolness washed over her. Surprise glided through her as she opened her eyes, she stood in a lavish hallway, ornate and splendid. Sounds of a furious male voice caught her attention.

  “Goddess be damned.”

  “You were forgiven, my dragon,” Amuliana spoke beside her.

  “I’m fucking done with the vampires. I’m going after the entire fucking Saltar clan. Damn bloodsuckers will die for what they’ve done to my sister. Every one of those leeches shall die. I will deliver their deaths.” Anger poured from him. Fisting his hands, he shook with fury. “I’ll rip them apart, every one of their damned souls. I’ll torch them as the sun.”

  Arianna stood mesmerized, watching him furiously threatening his wrath. His rage was evident as his face reddened and his eyes glowed brightly, like hot blue diamonds.

  Krilata was on her knees, weeping uncontrollably over the body of a female she embraced. Her anguished cries tore at Arianna. Bright red blood covered Krilata’s dress. It coated her hands and arms, even her face where she had hugged the body close. Behind Krilata stood a man who resembled Clayne, silent fury on his face. His expression had the capacity to freeze the very sun.

  “So you see…” Amuliana interrupted the scene, turning to look at Arianna. “This was the day just prior to what we witnessed in the village. Never had Clayne been so ruthless. Never so furious or so impassioned to kill. Driven by his fury, he killed hundreds of vampires as well as anyone who stood in his way. It was nearly thought he and his father were lost to their rage forever. The fury in Clayne festered for centuries. Miraculously, the last ounce of rage left him when he met you. The swiftness in which it occurred astonished even me.” Amuliana played with her hair. “At least the rage appears to have left him. Clayne is a complex creature. It seems he has fully embraced your mating, causing him to soften his heart. Perhaps it’s because you are a dracvipen. Despite your vampire blood, the Forsaken’s blood, your dragon blood has allowed him to care for you. The dragon is powerful within you too.”

  “Why have you shown me all of this?” Arianna demanded. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she shook with unrestrained emotion.

  “You needed to see the vampires for what they can be, at least Saltar’s group. I wanted you to see your mate’s anguish over his sister’s death. His awesome power when he decides to use it.” She turned to look directly into Arianna’s eyes. “You see, child, emotions enhance our powers. Since this time...” She pointed to scene behind her. “Clayne has tried hard to harness his emotions. With no emotion, there is no pain. He has not even allowed sexual passion to stir him. All he has done for these ages is train with passion, increasing his prowess.” Amuliana took her hand. “All I have shown you will help you understand as things are more fully revealed. There is nothing better than actually witnessing the events to make an impact. You’ve had an up close history lesson.” She turned back to look at the dragons as they stood over their fallen loved one. “Clarisa’s death was foolish of the vampires. Yet it did serve me in my fight to bring them under control. It elicited the dragons’ help like nothing else could have. It was pure madness for the vampires to bring the dragons’ fury down on them. Their foolishness was caused by the frenzy they felt from the blood they gorged themselves with. Gorging on blood made them feel invincibly crazed.” She shook her head as if still astonished. “I’ve imprisoned Saltar, yet his confines grow weak over the ages and he grows stronger. This must be stopped. There are Saltar followers who are free, unknown, and not of his clan. They wish to restore the vampire’s ability to gorge upon humans, unrestrained in any way.”

  Amuliana’s eyes turned completely black again. Terror raced through Arianna as she watched her transform into something obviously inhuman, perhaps cruel.

  “Why didn’t you kill Saltar or make him Forsaken?” Arianna asked in a weak voice.

  “Are you questioning me?” Amuliana’s voice thundered. “I’m being questioned by a dracvipen who is still mortal.” A hideous laugh escaped from her. It rang in the hallway.

  “Goddess, I just want to fully understand.”

  “I have my reasons is all you or anyone need know. Now, I grow bored with you.” Her eyes returned to silver. “I am going to be off, leaving you to cherish your mate as you should. However, I will return. I’ve much to do with you. Plus, you do amuse me.”

  Shocked, Arianna found herself in the bed under the covers as if tucked in.

  Amuliana stood near the bed. “Know this, Clayne has set aside his hate for your ancestors and willingly made you his mate. Even Krilata has greeted you with welcome. Both of you have experienced the dragon heat between mates, the intense and special passion you both feel for each other. It’s a blessing. He does not appear to hold any harsh feelings toward you. Not only has he made you his mate, he has demonstrated affection for you and freely given you his seed.”

  “Perhaps it is just sex? He is a male,” Arianna boldly responded.

  Again the goddess laughed, this time a more musical tone. “No, child, I recognize mere fucking when I see it. He would have fucked you with the coldness he can exhibit like none other. Used you then cast you aside after his satisfaction was fulfilled. Even I could not have made him behave differently. However, Clayne has declared you his. Instead of stealing you away from your home, as dragons are apt to do, he married you in the mortal custom in front of your loved ones. He has loved your body well, sharing his heat instead of his coldness. Do not take him for granted or this opportunity to embrace your immortality will be lost.” Amuliana stepped back away from their bed. “I command you to learn your s
pecial magic. Learn the secrets of these jewels. Do you understand me, child? I’m counting on you to do so.” Her voice boomed in the room. Yet Clayne did not move, the sleeping spell evidently still fully in force. The jewels magically returned to the dresser.

  Darkness overtook Arianna. She fell into sleep tucking into her lover’s arms.

  Chapter 7

  “Arianna, are you sleeping?” Clayne kissed her face as he moved closer, covering her with his larger body. “Wake, my mate. Let’s make love.” Nuzzling her neck, he made her giggle. “Like my whiskers scratching your face?” He chuckled. “I’m feeling playful this morning. I like waking next to you.”

  “What time is it? I’m sleepy.” Arianna moaned, wrapping her arms around him, her eyes still shut. Clayne kissed her eyelids.

  “It’s morning, after eight. We’ve slept late.” He pressed his erect cock against her. “I’ve something for you.” He positioned himself between her legs, pressing his cock near her entrance. Wetness escaped her pussy, coating the tip of his cock. “Oh, darling, can I take you? You can relax as I have my way with you.” He fondled her breasts. “I can’t wait. I dreamed of you.”

  “Yes, Clayne.” Arianna kissed him back. Her kiss was passionate, unrestrained. As he plunged into her tight core, she squeezed him with her pussy’s muscles.

  “Oh, sweet girl, you’re nice.” Shutting his eyes, he inhaled her feminine fragrance. “You’ve learned well to please me like no other.” Clayne continued his rhythmic dance, his cock surging into her. He pushed himself up, holding himself over her, watching her as he fucked her.

  She stared up at him. Their gazes remained connected until they both reached their climaxes. Arianna’s beautiful face completely relaxed, her expression indicated ecstasy as he spilled his seed into her.

  “You’re lovely.” Encompassed in heat only mated dragons shared, Clayne enjoyed the orgasm as it overtook him, pleasuring every part of him. “I still can’t get enough.”