by Suzie Ivy
My talons clicked on the stone. Sucking in air, I noticed the putrid odor of decaying animals. My thirty-two year period of mourning had turned me into a slob. I gathered the first pile, which was harder to pick up now that I’d smashed the bones. I flew my garbage out of the upper parapet. It took hours, but I cleaned the tower and finally sanitized the floor and walls with fire.
Black soot now coated the room, but the odor was more pleasing. My anger dissipated while I swam in the closest lake and removed the smell of death that clung to my scales. Cleaning my mess gave me a clearer view of what I wanted, and a certain young human was at the top of my list.
Chapter Eight
Acasia
I lay in bed working to keep my breathing even. Where did he stay while I slept? For my plan to work he needed to stay in the room next to mine. It was hours later that I heard someone open my door. It closed softly. I waited another hour before slipping through the bathing and garment rooms, entering his chamber. In the soft glow of light from the moons, I could see he slept on his side, facing away from me, a powerful arm cast over his head. The bedding dipped at his waist, and a firm ass cheek caught my attention. This was only the second time in my life I had seen a totally unclothed man. Him standing naked and watching me in the bathing chamber being the first. As a claiming bride, the male body was hidden from me. When older women spoke quietly of erections and the changing male body, I could only imagine the phenomenon. It was almost like I was born with a brand on my forehead.
No self-control; cannot see naked man.
He was beautifully muscled. I’d seen strong male arms and even a stolen glimpse of a male chest, but nothing like what I was looking at. My mouth watered. If I wasn’t careful, I would drool.
I crept closer until I could see the rise and fall of his chest. I lifted my knee to the bed, my hand tentatively going out. Before I touched him, his body came alive and my shriek filled the room. I was now on my back staring into the darkest eyes I’d ever seen.
“What are you doing here female?”
His full lips spoke in my dragon’s voice. I hadn’t accepted the notion before because my mind didn’t understand the magic, didn’t accept the impossible.
“I ca… came to see you.”
I was naked. His eyes raked down the upper part of my chest. The bottom half of his body covered me below and I knew he could feel me. And I felt the hardness of his cock against my belly.
His gaze lifted and red sparks sizzled in his dark eyes. “You should not sneak into the chamber of a strange man,” he said gruffly.
I put as much helpless female intonation in my next words as I could, “I need your help.”
“My help?” he replied in a husky whisper.
“Yes.” My hand moved off the bedding to his cheek, and I ran my thumb over his bottom lip, surprised by its softness. I had to clear my unsettled thoughts to speak again. “Your help. I wish to escape the dragon.”
His body froze. I could see the anger flash in his eyes, brighter red sparks giving his true identity away again.
Now, I heard irritation in his voice. “You play with fire.”
Fighting down my laughter, I trailed my hand across his face and thread my fingers through his hair. I moved my lips a hair’s breadth from his and lowered my voice to a soft purr. “But it’s you I want to burn me.”
“Why?” he asked with a throaty growl.
“The dragon will never mate with me and I crave a real man between my thighs.” This was going further than I planned, but feeling him pressing against me… it’s what I wanted now, this instant.
The burning intensity in his eyes was almost my undoing. “He will kill us both.”
I moved my body closer so my breasts rubbed against his chest. “Not if you help me escape and go with me.”
His tongue came out, running over his upper lip, lightly licking across mine. “Why would I wish to go with you?”
“To be my lover.” I pushed my lips against his, but it was him who took my mouth, ravaged it. I couldn’t breathe as his tongue delved across my lips, past my teeth, searching my inner recesses. He sucked deliciously, making me groan deep in my throat. He cupped one breast, squeezed a bit too hard… just right. A delicious heat pooled at my center. I wanted this man so badly.
He pulled his lips away. “Fair lady, what do you trade for my assistance?”
I had him. “First, your name.”
“Bastian.” He breathed out on a moan as I wiggled beneath him.
“I cannot give you my virginity, Bastian.”
His eyebrows cocked, his eyes growing even darker still. “Then what can you give me, fair lady?”
“You misunderstand. I’ve already given my virginity away and had too many other men to count. But I can fuck you, Bastian, of that have no doubt.”
It took two seconds for my words to sink in. He exploded from the bed, leaving me bereft. His eyes glowed completely red—dragon red. I wondered if he could spew fire as a human.
“You desecrate the claiming,” he yelled, his hands balling at his sides, chest heaving.
For a second, I allowed my eyes to peer at his center. Even thinking me deflowered, he still wanted me. “I didn’t choose to be a claiming bride.”
He stared at me for a long moment before stalking from the room. Doors slammed in his wake and I smiled. Served him right.
Foolish dragon.
Now I just needed my body to calm. I wasn’t exactly sure whom I just punished.
Chapter Nine
Bastian
She took the gift of her virginity from me. How dare she! I jumped from the landing at the end of the hall into my eating tower. My roar was loud; the burst of flames and smoke would incinerate anything in its path. My wings pulled me up to the parapet and out to the open sky. The moons shone bright, and I flew fast, heading for her town. Because she didn’t know how many men despoiled her, I would kill them all. The crash through realms was painful. It didn’t need to be, but I craved this pain, relished it.
The town slept, the lights off. I swooped in low, my wings grazing the tops of their houses, and I roared. She made me crazy. I wanted death, blood, a fight. Killing these humans would give me two of the three. With a burst of flame to their public building, it exploded. Humans poured from their homes, women screamed, children cried. I made one last pass before changing my course. Was anyone inside the burned building? A small part of me didn’t want a human death on my hands. Acasia’s words made it a smaller part than usual, so I refused to feel guilty.
I flew to Laryn’s territory after crashing through the realm again. “Fight me, you no good motherfucker,” I bellowed from above his lair.
He didn’t keep me waiting. His claiming bride died recently. He covered his grief well, but I knew he burned with sadness on the inside. His roar thundered through the air, his smoke and fire close behind.
“You dare enter my territory without invite. I will kill you, Bastian.”
“You will try, you lily livered blue bastard.” I expected the impact, needed more pain. Something to take the ache from my heart.
Our clash knocked me back, spinning us both through the sky, our talons locked into the other’s scales. No serious damage done, but it hurt and yet felt wonderful at the same time.
“You moron dragon, I thought you claimed your bride this week. Has she rebuffed you so early that you run from her with your tail between your shaking talons?”
My roar exploded as I twisted free and rose higher. I dove, taking him from above, carrying us both downward. He tore away, but managed to slice my wing, ripping a large gash in the unprotected inner flesh. I could still fly, still fight, but my anger receded with the agony. I landed in the soft grass, hanging my head.
Laryn shouted from above, “It’s no fun killing a pathetic dragon. Is there something I can say to bring your anger back?”
I watched him land twenty feet away. “Why are females so difficult?” I mumbled.
His blue head f
lew back, smoke and fire shooting from his mouth, bellowing laughter. “To expect anything different, Bastian, makes you a foolish dragon. Go back to your female and talk her to death, woo her, as is your want. But stay out of my territory.”
I shook my head, softening my armor, going out of fight mode. “Are we on for cards next week?”
“Yes, Sarn’s place, same time. Bring your female so I can meet her.”
I gave a grumpy growl. “Steal her, you mean.”
“If you can’t protect your bride, then it’s always a possibility.” His blue eyes shone brighter.
“Humph, you could try. You would die.”
“Save your poetry for your bride. You will need it, you ugly, red-spawned demon from hell.” He turned away and flew off.
The sun was full up when I saw my lair in the distance. I pulled magic within me, healing my wing and alleviating the pain. She wore a long flowing gown of white similar to her claiming dress but far more luxurious. She stood on the edge of my perch outside my bedroom. My heart dropped. I was too far away to catch her if she jumped. I pumped my wings, eating up the space between us.
“Do not jump, Acasia,” I shouted. It was a plea, but I didn’t care.
“Did you kill them?” Her sadness swelled within me.
“I killed no one.” At least I hoped I didn’t.
“Can I trust you, Bastian?”
I was closer now. Close enough to catch her if she jumped. My brain registered her use of my name at the same time she dove over the side.
What the hell? The woman was crazy, no… insane.
I caught her easily, my talons closing around her body, pulling her close to my chest. “You stupid female,” I growled.
She actually giggled. “I knew you would catch me. I lied last night. No man has touched me. I was angry and wanted to pay you back for keeping the truth from me. I realized after you left that you would kill them. All the men. But none of them ever even looked my way.”
I took us higher, my heart swelling with joy. “They looked at you, silly female. I wanted to kill them but couldn’t. I may have left a building at the center of town in flames, though.” She burst into full laughter and made my heart swell near to bursting.
Her palm opened against the scales on my chest. “You used my name earlier. May I stop being ‘female,’ ‘human,’ or any of the other things you call me?” She caressed me with her fingers as well as her voice.
I would give her anything at this moment. “Yes, Acasia, I shall use your name unless you are acting like a stubborn woman, stupid human, or foolish female.” I flew us to a clearing with soft grass, gently spilling her from my hold before landing far enough away not to hurt her.
She dusted specks of dirt and grass from her dress, eyes alight with merriment. “Why did you throw a fit and trash your filthy tower last night, Bastian?”
She’d seen my rage, didn’t run from it even after tempting me to murder. Definitely insane. But more beautiful than any bride I’d ever known. “I was jealous of your finger.” I huffed it out, the thought still making my anger rise.
“My what?” It took her a moment, but then I watched her cheeks heat, turning a bright red. “Oh.”
“I want your pleasure. I want to be the first.”
She looked down and mumbled softly, “I never placed my finger past the barrier.”
I came closer, lifting her chin with a talon bigger than her head. “Thank you, Acasia. I will treat your innocence with care.”
Her gaze burned into mine. “I do not wish to remain innocent any longer, dragon, or I will be forced to use my finger.”
Oh, my stubborn lady. How could I not laugh at her demands? I felt my armor slide away, freeing my cock as it grew. If she’d watched last night, she’d seen me at full mast. The way she looked at me this moment made me want to blare my mating shout. The sound I could only give when taking my mate in dragon form. I’d given up ever finding a dragon mate, but I could make this female my true bride.
I pulled in the magic and shifted.
I stood tall, proud, and human in front of her, my cock on full display. She looked at me, her gaze traveling my body before slowing returning to my eyes.
Her voice quivered. “Will it hurt?”
Her uncertainty was precious. “But a moment of pain—a lifetime of ecstasy.”
She looked around the field. “Will you take me here?”
“I leave the choice to you. Here, or in ten minutes, a bed.”
Her smile grew and I would swear it blocked the sun. She was my sun… bright, beautiful, mine.
“Here, dragon.”
“My name is Bastian.”
“Here, Bastian. I fear this, let us get it over with.”
I walked forward and cupped her face, my thumb running across her chin. Soft… calling to me. I stepped closer so only inches separated us. Lowering my hand, I used both to lift her gown over her head. She was bare beneath.
“So beautiful.” Each curve was soft and delicate.
Desperation showed in her eyes. “Hurry, Bastian, please.”
I would not give in until she was ready. “No, my sweet. Your first time is better slow. Did you like your finger?” I loved the red flush that traveled over her breasts, up her throat, blossoming on her cheeks.
I would never forget her look of need. “No… it wasn’t you.”
I turned away for one moment to spread her gown on the soft grass while trying to gain control over my body. Never had I wanted a bride as I desired Acasia. I took her in my arms and slowly lowered her to the silky material.
“Was she beautiful?”
I had no idea of whom she spoke. “Who?”
“Bethanne.”
Only a slight twinge in my heart came from hearing her name. It was always this way. One bride replaced the other and the memory of loss softened. I smiled. “Not as beautiful as you.”
Her grin flashed again. “I bet you say that to all your brides.”
My lips twitched. “My brides’ mouths are usually too busy doing other things and we are not conversing at this moment.”
“Then why don’t you kiss me?”
“Impudent female.” I closed the mere inches separating us, kissing her honeyed lips, licking the outline before delving within. Her dainty tongue flicked against mine. I drew it into my mouth, sucking her sweet taste into my bloodstream. My hands roamed her creamy flesh. So soft and smooth. I remembered watching her pinch her nipples the night before. If she liked it, I could do it better.
I swirled the tip of one nipple between my thumb and forefinger and kissed my way down her throat. The swell of her breasts was lovely in my hand. My tongue flicked out, swiping the stiffening tip. She shuddered, her entire body one avenue of pleasure. I finally sucked her nipple into my mouth, lapping with my tongue. Her fingers sank into my hair, pulling me closer. I bit down harder than I would with another female. She cried out in pleasure. I moved to her other nipple as her fingers tightened.
“You like that, Acasia?”
“I love that, Bastian,” she said between heaving breaths as my teeth nipped her again.
“Then you will love this too.” I kissed down her body, moving my hands lower. I loved the feel of her delicate flesh beneath my rough hands. I smelled her arousal, her passion making me intent on sliding my cock deep within her center, but not yet.
Moving my entire body lower, I spread her legs wide and looked at her pink folds. They glistened with desire for me. I bent my head and licked her essence.
The cry she gave made birds rise up from the long grass to the side of us and fly away. I gazed at her as I made another swipe with my tongue. Her head moved from side to side, eyes closed, cheeks flushed. I wouldn’t use my fingers this first time, my cock got that honor, but I dipped into her center with my tongue.
“Dragon, I feel strange. It hurts.”
I knew it was the sweet pain of delayed pleasure. I could help her with that. My tongue delved deeper, and using my fingers, I
found her clit and rolled it between them like I’d done her nipples. A heavy moan escaped her lips as her hips rose from the material beneath her. This time her cry was guttural… overflowing as her release traveled throughout her body. I watched, studying her pleasure, for all brides were different. Her fingers finally relaxed, my hair slipping from her hold. I moved up her body with small nips and kisses. Her eyes fluttered open when I lay full length above her.
“Is that all?” she whispered.
Oh, gods, she made me laugh. “Not even close, my lady.”
Her thighs had closed slightly, so I spread them open with mine. I placed the tip of my cock at her entrance. The trust on her face momentarily stopped me. I throbbed with need, longing to have her sheath my cock. Her silky wetness beckoned me.
“I am sorry, Acasia.” My hips drove forward, breaking her ring of virginity in one long thrust.
Her scream held no pleasure. I stopped all movement once I’d seated myself fully inside her. “Breathe, sweet lady.”
“It hurts.” I watched tears spill from her closed eyes and roll down her cheeks.
“For only a moment. Breathe.”
Her soft breaths pushed her breasts more fully against my chest. I gritted my teeth; I needed to move but denied myself for her. I licked the delicate path of her tears. Her eyes finally opened, and she gave me a quivering smile.
“It is better now, Bastian.”
“Then hold on, because I can wait no longer.”
I tried going slow, but her legs curled around my hips, clenching me, driving me on. Magic built inside, centering in my balls. I hoped she was ready for the orgasm of a dragon, because I couldn’t hold back.