Bound by the Ice Dragon

by Alyx X

  Then the music that Tessa had insisted on began to play, and an audible gasp sounded from the crowd at the unusual sound. In front of me, Vike entered the sunken circle of grass first, a beaming smile across his face as he fought not to run down the short aisle to me. His quickened walk brought a smile to my face, and pride filled my heart. Jari entered behind him, the hand of a foot-stamping and wobbly Luka held in hers, but her young face was happy and tension-free. She’d come a long way and matured so much in the time Tessa had been in our house, but she’d also been able to rediscover her childhood, and gratitude joined pride in my chest as I watched my three happy, healthy children approach me.

  Lastly, Tessa appeared at the entrance to the small tunnel, and the crowd all around and up above us cheered. They clapped their hands and stamped their feet until I thought they might bring the entire place crumbling to the ground, even though it had stood for thousands of years and witnessed many grand occasions.

  She paused for a moment, the white dress she’d had made for today seeming to float around her like it was lighter than the air we breathed. The smile on her face made my heart beat faster, my dragon could hear it, and it was steady and sure.

  Her mother joined her, ready to escort her to me, and Tessa gave her an affectionate smile as she hooked her hand through her mother’s elbow. I’d laughed when Tessa explained that her mother had to ceremonially pass ownership of Tessa from herself to me, the symbolism tightening my chest now. I owed her mother a steep debt of gratitude.

  Tessa’s Mom had arrived almost six months ago, and her health had improved every day. My doctors claimed it was due to the easier lifestyle or just the Hydronian air, but I preferred to believe it was simply the renewed proximity to her daughter. I grinned and ducked my head, determined not to let my thoughts wander too far from my beautiful bride and the precious cargo she carried.

  I watched as she walked toward me, certain no Hydronian male had ever known the kind of torture I was feeling now where he had to wait alone to receive the woman he loved. My gaze dropped from her face to the proof of our love, and when she reached me, I touched first the delicate curve of her cheek then the more pronounced curve of her belly where my fourth child grew. My dragon strained against the confines and formality of the day as possessiveness wound through us both. Our woman, our child.

  Yoshen cleared his throat after I nodded that he could begin. “Welcome, all of Hydronia, to the marriage of King Izon Hurric to his chosen mate Tessa Banks.”

  He paused to allow the cheering to swell again before it quietened to near silence. Then he recited the ancient Hydronian laws relating to marriage and we made the pledges Tessa had written and made me write, binding ourselves to each other for the rest of our lives.

  “I promise,” I whispered, after I finished the last words of my pledge, and Tessa smiled up at me, her skin almost glowing in the dappled sunlight. I could hardly keep from touching her, reassuring myself she was there.

  “I do,” she corrected and chuckled as we completed the human part of our ritual.

  Then her face turned nervous as the ceremonial claiming grew nearer, and I squeezed her hand to try to calm her. Her heart rate had picked up, and I could hear a tiny echoing fast heart rate joined it.

  “Now, in the traditional way of Hydronia, King Izon will claim Tessa as his own while all of you serve as witness to the moment.

  We’d practiced this moment several times, always stopping just before the claiming bite itself. Once it was done here, in front of everyone, I could bite her whenever she allowed. It was particularly exciting during sex, and just the thought of being able to bite her, claim her in that way, while we made love sent a pulse of desire to my cock. I wanted to experience it with my beautiful human.

  I lifted her hand to my lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Trust me?” I asked.

  “Always,” she answered, and her eyes glinted.

  She tilted her neck, exposing more of the pale skin that always reminded me of moonlight and I brushed aside a few of the delicate curls that had escaped from her hairstyle. Then I lowered my head and pressed my lips to her neck, signaling the place I intended to place my bite.

  My gums ached as my fangs descended. My dragon was ready for this moment, eager for his time.

  With the greatest of care, I pierced Tessa’s skin, my sharp fangs sliding in with no resistance, and I stroked her hand as she flinched. I took the smallest amount of her blood—a mere drop. My dragon would have to be sated by ceremony for now, and purring resonated from my chest.

  As my fangs retracted, I flicked my tongue over the tiny, precise bite mark, healing her.

  “Was that it?” Her eyes widened, and I smiled at her surprise.

  Then I regretted her anxiety. Maybe I shouldn’t have made her wait. Plenty of people claimed their mates before marriage these days., using the formal claiming as ceremony only.

  “It was.” I nodded. “But we can do it again later, if you like? There can be a little more to it than I can show you here.”

  Someone laughed in the crowd. Hydronian ears had picked up a conversation not meant for them, and I waved a dismissive hand in the direction of the amusement.

  “There are sides of your King I do not wish you to see,” I said, and the crowd laughed as one.

  Tessa looked like she might say something, but Yoshen spoke first.

  “With the marriage and claiming complete, there is only one last duty to perform,” he said, and I turned to look at my parents, my mother wiping away a tear, and my father unbending and inflexible looking.

  I passed Tessa’s hand to Yoshen and stepped back, gathering my children to stand by me as we watched.

  “Tessa Hurric,” Yoshen said, his voice somber.

  Her eyes widened at the first use of her new name.

  “It is my understanding you wish to be recognized as Queen of Hydronia. Is this true?”

  Her gaze flashed to me like she was seeking reassurance, and I nodded.

  She looked at Yoshen. “It is.” Her voice was clear and confident as she spoke.

  “Do you promise to protect the planet of Hydronia and put the needs of it and its people before your own needs? To treat the people as members of your own family, and swear loyalty to your King?”

  She looked at me, and this time amusement glowed in her eyes. “I do,” she proclaimed.

  “I promise,” I whispered, and she corrected herself, laughing.

  Then Yoshen placed a simple silver crown onto her head and turned to the crowd. “Please stand for your new Queen, Queen Tessa Hurric.

  A sudden rush of emotion brought unexpected tears to my eyes, and I swiped them away. When I had first met Tessa, I’d thought I’d wanted a new nanny. As I had gotten to know her over the course of the next few weeks, the last thing I had expected was to find the next Queen of Hydronia. Now, looking at her swollen belly and shining eyes, I knew I had made the right decision. She would be a magnificent Queen, with no one to argue or dispute her position. With this marriage, I could finally be with her without guilt.

  She was my Queen, and I would love her forever.

  Now Cumming By Alyx X

  A prince with a crush, and the human girl who is ready to overthrow his regime.

  An Alien with an abduction plot, and a girl who has no interested in submitting.

  Alien Vampires are a thing, and Melany is their new food source.

  This dragon shifter warlord needs a nanny, and the human slave he’s purchased is far from perfect.

  About the Author

  Alyx X is not a real name. But I am a real person. A real person who doesn't need my Nana figuring out that my fetish for super hot aliens, shirtless men, and soaking wet sheets has taken a turn for the awesome!

  Climbing, camping, and dwelling in Denver, CO, I thrive on nature, my adorable kitty, Sasha, and coffee. All the coffee.

  Love Aliens like me? Come on board my spaceship and let's get you off... planet.

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  Alyx X, Bound by the Ice Dragon