by Amy Sumida
The boys had just reached manhood, but they had been raised by good parents, and they were more than ready to earn their own living. They hated leaving their father, and so promised to return to him in four years. To each other, they made a pact to meet at the local crossroads when those four years were up. And it was at those very crossroads that the brothers went their separate ways.
The eldest brother was called Robyn. He had barely traveled a mile when he came across an old man in dark robes and a hood. The man stopped him and asked where Robyn was headed. Robyn told the man that he was off to find work. The old man smiled and immediately offered him a position as his apprentice.
“What do you do?” Robyn asked him.
“I am a master thief,” the man replied.
“No, I cannot steal,” Robyn swore, his dark eyes full of honesty. “It would break my poor, dead mother's heart. And surely, I would end my life swinging like the clapper of a bell, at the end of a hangman's rope.”
“I will teach you to take only the things no one wants or knows how to get a hold of,” the old man swore. “And I will show you how to go undiscovered. Your mother will be proud of you. I swear it.”
So Robyn allowed himself to be persuaded. He became the man's apprentice, and after four years, he was such an expert thief that nothing was safe from him. Anything he wanted, anything he set his mind to acquiring, became his.
The second brother was named Hugin. He also met a man on the road, who posed to him the same question that was given to Robyn. Hugin replied in the same way, that he was off to make a living for himself. This man offered Hugin an apprenticeship as a stargazer. He told Hugin that it was the grandest job in the world. The heavens would open up to him, and the secrets of the world would be revealed.
Hugin needed no further convincing. He had always been curious, always listening and watching everyone around him avidly. He gladly accepted the position as the man's apprentice and went to learn his secrets. After four years had passed, Hugin became an expert stargazer, and his master could teach him no more. So the master set him off on his own, to be his own master, and gave him a gift upon parting. It was a telescope.
“Through this telescope, you will be able to see everything that happens in the sky and on the earth,” the old man told him. “Nothing will be hidden from you.”
The third brother was Arnet, and just like his older siblings, he met an old man on the road. The old man posed the same question to him, and Arnet answered the same as his brothers. This man offered to train Arnet to be a huntsman. Arnet accepted and became the finest huntsman who ever lived.
Upon leaving his old master, he was given a gun. The old man said to him that the gun would never miss its mark. It would hit anything Arnet aimed it at, without fail. (Yes, a gun. Guns have been around since the 13th century, you realize.) Arnet thanked the old man and headed back to the crossroads.
Finally, there was the youngest son who was called Barret. Barret met a man, just like the other three. This man offered to teach Barret the art of tailoring, with which he could make a fine living. Barret accepted and became an expert tailor. When he finally left, after the four-year apprenticeship was up, Barret's master gave him a silver sewing needle as a parting gift. The old man swore to Barret that the needle could sew anything together, be it soft as an egg or hard as steel. And whatever he stitched would be sewn together without a seam, to be as one whole.
The brothers met up at the crossroads, embraced, and went to find their father. Their father had done well without the extra mouths to feed (four large men could eat a lot), but was delighted to see his sons. They had a warm reunion, during which Bayard told his sons of the recent tragedy in the kingdom. The Princess had been abducted by a dragon, and the king was offering a reward for her safe return. The reward was the Princess' hand in marriage.
And this is where I come in.
Chapter Two
“Your Highness,” the low voice had a bit of a hiss to it, but that was to be expected of a dragon-shifter. It didn't bother me. What upset me was the familiarity in the tone.
“Prince Saunder,” I nodded to him and tried to step by.
The dragon kingdom bordered ours, and they were strong, mainly because they were ruled by dragons. If their prince cared to visit, we had to accept him. It was just the politics of the time. What I didn't have to accept were his advances, and when he stopped me from passing, by grabbing me around the waist, I screeched and slapped him. To take a princess by the hand was gallant. To take her by the waist, uninvited, was criminal.
Saunder smiled wickedly, not even flinching from the strike, as his golden cheek turned red with the imprint of my hand. He didn't let me go. In fact, he pulled me in closer. So close, I could smell the raw meat upon his breath, rotting in his teeth. So close, I could feel the excessive expanse of muscles his towering frame was covered in. Every ridge and curve pressed into me menacingly. So close, I could see the pupils in his eyes flare from reptilian slits into pointed ovals. If only they would grow large enough to cover the crimson color of his irises. He may have been less repulsive then. Well, then again.
“Let go of me, Prince Saunder,” I growled. “Or I will scream.”
He closed his eyes as if he were savoring the thought, “Oh yes, my sweet Adelysia. I would love to hear your screams.”
I opened my mouth to do so, and his descended, claiming mine and drowning out my cry for help. He drank down the sounds of my protest, his tongue filling my mouth with the taste of carrion and ale. I gagged, and he released me. He smiled wider when I spat his flavor out onto the floor.
“Enough of this, Princess,” Saunder murmured. “I've played your human games for weeks now. I've tried to make you mine honorably. But now I grow weary of the chase. I will simply take what's mine.”
I didn't truly fear him then. It wasn't until he tossed me out of the nearby window that I thought to be scared. I screamed as I plummeted, but then suddenly, there were massive, curving talons encircling my body, and I was flying through the air, within the grip of an enormous dragon. I pushed the sunset strands of my hair out of my face and stared up a muscled leg into the eyes of a monster.
The beast's eyes were the same shade of red that the Prince's had been. His scales were the same dark green I'd seen highlighting Saunder's ebony hair. It was him. Definitely Prince Saunder in his dragon form. What was he doing with me? Where was he taking me? I peered into the direction he was heading and saw the deep blue strip of the sea. Beyond that sea, several days journey by ship, lay his kingdom. But we weren't traveling by ship were we? Saunder would probably get us there much faster.
That's when I knew I had made a fatal mistake. I should have run in the opposite direction every time I had seen Saunder. I should have spoken to him only when courtesy demanded. I should have told my father of the liberties Saunder had tried to take with me on several occasions. I should have started carrying a dagger to defend myself against him. I should have done so many things. I wasn't the simpering princess many thought me to be.
But all I had done was underestimate Saunder. Now, the chance for resistance had passed, and any opportunity to deny him was gone. I was to be the dragon's bride. If I was lucky. Saunder may not even marry me. I was his captive. He could simply take what he wanted without the bond of matrimony. I would most likely end up as nothing more than the dragon's whore.
Had I been made of less sterner stuff, I would have cried. I may have even begged Saunder to take me home. But I'd accepted my lot at a very young age, thanks to a stout nursemaid of mine. She'd taught me to be humble, telling me that a princess was nothing more than a slave in pretty clothes. I must act a certain way. I must speak a certain way. I must shine as brightly as I could for the honor of my parents and my kingdom. And then I would be sold like any other precious jewel, my body in exchange for an alliance.
I had always known I'd become a whore, one way or another. The fact that it was to this deplorable dragon wasn't even that much of a surpris
e to me. All men had the potential to be monsters. This one just happened to be more honest about it.
So instead of crying or screaming, I settled back within Saunder's claws and went to sleep. I had a feeling I would need my strength at the end of this journey.
Chapter Three
I awoke in a soft bed which smelled of lavender and chamomile. The pillows were full and cushioned my head perfectly. The blankets were thick and warm. A canopy of rich, blue velvet hung above my head, swathed with gold cords. Across from the bed, mullioned windows looked out on a stormy sea, waves pummeling the boulders which dared to stand steady in the shallows.
I sat up and noticed that someone had removed my outer dress. I was sleeping in my cotton shift. No matter. I was still covered, and I wasn't in any pain. It was unlikely that anything nefarious had been done to me while I slept. That was something to be thankful for, though perhaps I would prefer to be asleep when the time came for my deflowering. I swallowed hard, pushing that thought away resolutely, and got out of bed.
There was a pitcher of water sitting within a basin, on the far side of the room. An oval mirror in a gold frame hung over it. I went to wash my face and revive myself, wiping off the water with one of the linen towels stacked beside the basin. I looked up into my reflection and took stock.
My skin was even paler than usual, with dark smudges beneath my eyes and within the hollows of my cheeks. My eyes, normally a bright green, were darkened with anxiety. My hair seemed darker too, nearly mahogany instead of its usual flaming auburn. It fell around me in wild tangles. So I took up the wood comb laid out beside the basin, and put my unruly locks back in order. Vanity? No. A princess had to use whatever she could to survive, and her beauty was high on that list. I would have to use my charms to soften the beast as much as I could. And so I needed to look my best.
I found my dress draped over a chest at the foot of the bed. I slipped it on but had no one to tie the laces for me. So I sat in a high-backed chair beside the window and waited. Hopefully, they would send a woman to help me dress. I folded my hands in my lap and tried to be patient. Outside, the storm continued to grow steadily stronger, and I wondered if we had flown through it. But no, my hair was dry. Surely it would still be damp if we had come through that weather.
“Adelysia,” the hissing purr seemed to creep up my spine. I stiffened as Saunder walked into the room. “Did you have a nice rest?” He smiled, absolutely amused that I could sleep through my abduction.
“Well enough,” I stood to face him. “I require some assistance with my laces. Would you be so kind as to send a lady to help me?”
“Would I...” he blinked at me in surprise, and then burst into laughter. “Ever the princess,” Saunder shook his head. “I'm afraid you must rely on me for all your needs.”
Saunder strode over and turned me around briskly. But then I heard his intake of breath, and his hands gentled upon me. He carefully pulled the heft of my hair over into one mass, and draped it across my shoulder. Then I felt Saunder's lips at my neck, his breath tickling my skin. The urge to squirm was nearly impossible to resist, but I managed to stay still. I had to win him over if I wanted any chance at happiness.
Saunder moaned when I didn't pull away, and eased his bulk closer to me. Thick hands, as large as my head, crept over my shoulders and held me firmly in place. I felt the warm wetness of his tongue flick out to taste my skin, then he trailed it down to the edge of my shift. I closed my eyes and pretended to be somewhere else. Then his hands shifted to my hips and pulled me back against him. I felt the massive length of his shaft press into the crevice of my backside as he ground himself into me.
I fought the urge to vomit.
“Adelysia,” Saunder said into my ear, “I have dreamed about you naked beneath me, writhing in pleasure. I can give you that. I can make you scream in ecstasy instead of fear.”
“Will I be your wife or your whore when I do this screaming?” I asked calmly.
Saunder chuckled and pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around my waist. “I will have you for my wife,” he promised, and I relaxed a little. “You thought I would debase you? I love you, Adelysia. Besides, we would have to war with your kingdom if I made their princess into a whore. And as much as I love war, my father has grown weary of it. So we shall be married, rest easy, my sweet.”
“So be it,” I sighed. My father would have married me to a prince anyway. What did it matter if the choice was taken from him? A prince was a prince.
“You've made me so happy.” Saunder eased around to my front and lowered his lips to mine.
At least he had cleaned his teeth since the last time he'd kissed me, and this time Saunder tasted of mint instead of meat. Maybe this wouldn't be so awful, after all. I tried to relax against him. But then he pulled my dress down, and I gasped, yanking away from him.
“Easy, Princess. I'll offer you no harm. I just want to look upon what's mine. Something to tide me over until our wedding night. Unless you'd like to submit to me now?”
“Look your fill,” I ground my teeth together and dropped my arms. But then he started to pull up my shift, and I snatched at his hands again.
“Just a look,” Saunder promised, his blood-red eyes gleaming. “And maybe a little taste.”
“No,” I ground out. “I'll allow you your look, as long as you don't touch me.”
“Bargaining already,” Saunder smirked. “Very well. I find myself in a generous mood since you have pleased me by accepting our engagement. Remove your shift.”
I pulled the dress over my head and stared at the floor as he stared at me. His hand reached out, and I jerked my angry eyes up to his. Saunder held up his hands in a surrendering gesture, smiling wickedly. But he wasn't surrendering. He was taking everything he wanted with his stare. Saunder looked me over lazily, walking around me in a circle, and then finally, he took the shift from me and helped me back into it. Then he lifted the gown around me and laced the back. When I was fully dressed, Saunder pulled a ring from his pocket and slipped it onto my finger.
“I have claimed you now,” he kissed my cheek. “By might, by sight, and by right. You are mine.”
He left me without another word. I looked down at the ring upon my finger. It was a thick band of gold with a shield shaped crest on top. The crest had a dragon carved into it, filled in with black enamel, wings spread wide. It was Saunder's house crest.
“So, a dragon's bride it is,” I sighed and went back to my seat at the window.
Chapter Four
The days went by slowly, filled mostly with waiting. The boredom was preferable to the company of Saunder or his parents. They were delighted that he'd chosen a bride, not at all upset in the manner by which he'd accomplished it. I was treated as if I were an honored guest. As if I were truly Saunder's betrothed by choice. His mother, Queen Meara, brought me silks to choose from and seamstresses to construct my wedding raiments. Meara loved dressing me, combing my hair, and generally playing with me like I was her personal porcelain doll. Through it all, she would lecture me on ways to please her son. Disgusting suggestions which never should have passed a queen's lips, especially not in the presence of her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. I abhorred Queen Meara, and turned a deaf ear to most of what she said.
Saunder's father, King Malcolm, was usually quiet. I suppose that was better than his wife's endless filth spewing. But within his silence, King Malcolm constantly cast thoughtful looks at me. Speculating looks which made me feel like prey. I wasn't sure what those looks meant. If he was assessing me as his future daughter-in-law, in terms of the wealth and land I could add to his kingdom. Or if he was thinking about the children that would surely come from the union. Whatever it was, it was creepy, and I tried not to look at King Malcolm at all. So between Saunder's parents, I was deaf and blind. I tried to be mute as well, saying very little unless spoken to directly. It seemed the best way to survive the situation.
The wedding plans would take a month, but during that time, Saunder
intended to have a daily look at his prize. I became used to it. Every morning he would enter my bedroom and help me dress... after he undressed me and stared his fill. Saunder was getting more and more intimate during these morning sessions. He started with fluttering touches which progressively became bolder. It was only a week until our wedding, and Saunder had advanced into full on groping sessions.
Our latest session ended at last, and Saunder kissed me deeply, bending me back over his arm and kneading at a breast through my dress. I slid my arms around his neck, giving him the barest of encouragement so that he would go away pleased. It was better than the alternative. Saunder did finally leave, smiling widely at me as he closed my bedroom door. The bastard actually thought I wanted him.
I dropped into my usual chair and gave a deep sigh. I would not cry, not even now, when I had come to the realization that I was becoming an accomplished whore without ever losing my maidenhood.
When I looked up from my rare moment of self-pity, I saw him. He was standing before me, a cocky smile on his pale face, his dark hair wind tossed within the shadows of his hood, and his even darker eyes staring at me like I was a piece of treasure he wanted to steal from the dragon's hoard. Behind him, the window was missing three panes of glass. Yet I hadn't even heard a whisper of sound. That was the magnificent skill which Robyn possessed.
He dropped to his knees before me and bowed his head briefly, “I am Robyn. I've come to rescue you, Princess Adelysia.”
“What?” I stood up in shock. “How?”
“Just take my hand,” Robyn stood as well, and extended his hand to me.