by Tamsin Baker
His nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. His conflict, obvious.
“Whatever you think will work, please offer it with my blessing.” Tattiena said, her eyes alight and bright with happiness.
“Are you sure you want this, Tattiena?” Paneer asked.
Kalvis’s heart began to pound like an anvil on a forge. What would this mean for him? Should he be trying to talk Tattiena out of this?
Though…when, ever, had that worked?
Tattiena clapped her hands together. “Yes. Definitely. I want to meet her very much, and I also wish to help the population of dragons on Limea. They have been endangered for far too long and with Nargoya’s babies here, we know a re-population is possible.”
He had to say something. This was lunacy. Bringing back a wild woman who’d never known civilisation. Who obviously couldn’t stand to be in the same room as him.
“Dragon rider…I…”
The princess turned her gaze over to him, an eyebrow raised.
“Yes, captain?” Her tone was ice and power.
He snapped his mouth shut. There was no point going against Tattiena when she wanted something. And despite his beliefs that he should stay unattached and focused on his role as captain of the guard, it seemed that his future was already written.
Chapter 3.
His hands were all over her. Pressing into her swollen breasts. Her vibrating arse. He was everywhere. All at once.
Fire burst out along her skin like a wildfire, all consuming. Intense and overwhelming.
Oh please. Please!
She writhed on her back and he slid on top of her. His huge body blocking out the sun. His weight, a heavy presence against her breasts.
His hard cock pressed against the inside of her thigh and she bit her lip to stop from screaming out.
The hunger in her belly was too much. It hurt. And ached. Demanded his possession.
He bit down on her neck with sharp teeth that skated the line between pleasure and pain. She cried out and wrapped her legs around his naked hips.
He shifted his weight and the head of his thick, long cock nudged her. Touched the aching, slick folds between her legs.
Oh yes. Yes. Now!
She dug her nails into his shoulders and lifted her pelvis. Demanding his action.
Her breath caught in her throat as he froze above her, poised to take her and yet not moving.
“Come for me.” He said as he groaned into her ear.
He slammed forward and her eyes sprung open, his cock splitting her in half and making her whole in one move.
“Yesss…” She clung tighter to him as he pulled back and slammed forward again. Thrusting and rolling his hips in an ancient rhythm that called to her.
Her belly tightened and exploded, lights flashing inside her brain as pleasure poured through her core.
Her lover kept moving. Thrusting harder and harder. Slamming her into the floor beneath her.
She lifted her pelvis higher, his sweaty back beneath her fingers.
Her teeth sunk into his shoulder and she began to come again. Ripples flowing through her belly as her clit pulsed harder.
A groan ripped through his chest as he threw his head back.
He slammed his cock into her, deep and hard. His seed pulsed into her. Pure life force and vitality.
Her throat hurt from screaming as her orgasms crashed over her, over and over.
Nakeeri came awake with a sweat film covering her body and the quaking of her still rippling orgasm clenching her inner thighs.
“Oh. God. Stop! Please, stop.” She clasped her hands over her burning face and tried to force the dreams back into the dark where they belonged.
“Why do they keep torturing me like this?”
She had fallen asleep against Teramessi, as they had for most of their lives.
But now that she was awake, she could see that her dragon was on the other side of the cave. Obviously getting away from the writhing and screaming coming from her stupid dreams.
She needed to cool down and clear her head. If the lake was closer, she’d jump straight in.
She forced herself to her feet. Her legs shaky and feeling like they were filled with liquid.
The sunshine called and she staggered outside, holding onto the cool, rough rocks of the cave until she stood in the sun. The warmth of its rays on her face. She took a strong, steadying breath of fresh air. Letting her body relax and encouraging her rapid heartbeat to calm down.
The sun had risen. It was a new day, and yet she remained haunted. Her horrible, erotic dreams were still invading her sleeping hours and she had no idea why it was so.
It was unfair and cruel to torture her so when she had no mate. And no future possibility of one either.
The most frustrating part was that she didn’t know what these dreams were, or what their purpose was.
Although, her reaction to that beautiful man she’s seen yesterday at the castle yesterday was indeed terrifying. She’d had an orgasm right there on the grass. Fully clothed.
It had been both wonderful, and horrifying to live through one of her dreams in real time. Awake and trembling with pleasure.
That had never happened before with anyone, so the cause had to be that man. The guard. With the intense blue eyes and the warrior physique.
He’d done something to her. Put a spell on her perhaps? Or had it simply been too long since she’d had any human contact? Because it had been years. More than she wanted to count.
A movement in the distance caught her eye and she shielded her gaze from the sun.
There was a dragon flying towards her.
“Teramessi. Quick. Come.”
Her dragon was by her side in moments. Snorting and stomping on the ground in a territorial dance. She blew fire into the air in warning, then stopped suddenly.
The dragon in the distance grew bigger until he descended, landing with majestic grace on the rocky surfaces before her. The green-tipped dragon was a friend and Teramessi rushed over to greet him.
“Paneer!”
The green-tipped dragon crouched low and Paneer slid off his back with ease. Happiness filled her heart like sunrise over the darkened landscape. Despite declaring her need for solitude, she found herself desperately lonely sometimes.
Teramessi and Lordip began to play like children. Fighting and rolling in the grass.
Paneer stepped forward and greeted her with a hug. This time, she softened for his embrace more than last time, forcing herself to relax and not fight it.
When he pulled back she assessed his pensive face. “Twice in two days, my friend. To what do I owe the honour?”
He gave her a strange smile that made her heart pound like a drum in her chest. She now knew that this visit had to do with her behaviour yesterday. She’d gotten their attention with her ridiculous reaction and hopefully she wouldn’t regret it.
“I’ve come with an offer from Tattiena. The female dragon rider who gave birth yesterday.”
That surprised her. She’d never even met the woman and she’d never had any female friends. Even as a child. The townspeople casting her out of the town early in her childhood had made that impossible.
“What does she want?”
“She wants to meet you, rather desperately. Before me, she’d never met another dragon rider, and desires very much to form a friendship with you.”
“Ah…why?”
He chuckled. “Because she too has been alone for much of her life. She is a fierce warrior, and practises her skills daily. Though this babe may slow her down for a day or two. I have trained with her, and the king’s guard also. They are great fighters and I have learnt much. I thought you may like to meet them, train perhaps.”
She took a step back. Unsure of what to say to that.
“Tattiena offered gold or currency as an inducement as well. She doesn’t want you to worry about your comfort while you’re with her.”
That surprised her again, and she hated the idea
of being bought.
“My friendship for money? I’m sure you know what my answer is, Paneer.”
He chuckled. “Yes, I told her as much. But Tattiena is the bastard daughter of the king of Gregorick. She is the new bride to the Prince of Davuno. She is a powerful and wealthy ally, my friend. And a good person. To that I can attest. She means no insult and I would counsel you to take this offer of friendship. Step out of your cave for a short while. See what is on the other side of Limea.”
Paneer’s words moved her and she began to walk around, unable to stand still while she was so uncomfortable with the decisions before her.
“You know I need to stay close to the city, Paneer. I am loyal to the king here.”
“Why though, I do not know. You deserve to be treated a lot better than you are, Nakeeri.”
She dropped her gaze and stared at the stony outcropping.
It was true. She knew that her life would be a lot more comfortable if she was fighting for another king. But she’d sworn her allegiance, and that could not be undone.
“I…”
“Come just for a day. Two. Surely the kingdom won’t need you in that time. Send word, a letter if need be to tell them you are going to the birth of new dragons. Whatever excuse you need.”
It was a tempting offer and forming an allegiance with other dragon riders would not be looked down upon by her king.
“I can send word to the king that I’m visiting Gregorick for two days.” Or she may leave the details of the kingdom out of the message. The last thing she wanted was trouble with this king.
“Great. Do you want to follow now? Or do you want me to wait for you?”
No. She needed time to set this up properly. The last time she’d gone missing without word, the king had needed her, and she’d been whipped soundly for her abandonment. “No, you go, and I’ll leave word. I’ll be an hour or two behind you.”
Paneer clasped his hand on her shoulder. “You’re making the right choice, Nakeeri.”
Paneer whistled to his dragon, slid up onto Lordip’s massive back and flew off with the grace of an experienced rider. He used a small saddle, which made things easier, but his strength and fluidity was enviable.
Nakeeri took a slow, steadying breath. This was dangerous for her, on several fronts.
Firstly, the king of Tumurk was a possessive, nasty creature and would not like her visiting another kingdom. She would have to make another excuse.
And secondly, she would have to see that man again. The one who had induced a round of belly clenching orgasms on sight.
Surely that wouldn’t happen again? Only one way to find out of course, and that chance itself was causing her belly to ripple.
She grabbed her spare change of clothes, packed them into the only bag she had and set off to the city. When she arrived, the king was too busy to see her, and relief shot through her like a cold rain. The last thing she wanted to do was see him.
So instead, she sent a note to the king telling him she would be away for a few days and then grabbed Teramessi for the flight. They flew the same way they had yesterday, her dragon seemingly excited as she trembled beneath Nakeeri’s body as they flew to Gregorick.
Poor girl, never has any dragon company.
As they flew over the kingdom that she now knew was Gregorick, the familiar ache in her loins intensified and her heart beat with enthusiasm.
What was it with the man who resided here? Why did she have such an intense attraction to him?
Nakeeri shook her head and pushed away all other thoughts as Teramessi landed and she slid off her Dragon’s back.
Teramessi tucked her wings into her sides and ran straight inside the barn. A happy laugh left Nakeeri’s lips. Usually quite timid and shy, her dragon would normally stay close to her.
But as she stepped into the barn to see Teramessi nudging one of the hatchlings with her nose, the reason for her enthusiasm became clear.
The mother dragon’s gaze lifted and met her own.
Nakeeri turned towards her properly and bowed deeply. “They’re very beautiful.”
When she stood up, the mother dragon had lay her head back down, obviously understanding that Nakeeri was no threat to them.
“You came!” Paneer’s voice made her turn and she was confronted by the sight of not one man, but a three man greeting party.
Her belly began to cramp and she backed away from them all.
“No. No! Make him go away.”
She panted hard, trying to get control of her breathing. Her body. Her will. The desire to climb on top of him was far too strong, the images of her erotic dreams playing in her mind.
This man…the king’s guard, took all control away from her and she hated the feeling.
She put a hand to her trembling belly and bent in half, focusing on the hay-strewn floor and forcing herself to breathe deeply.
There was wrestling sounds and a door slamming. Instantly, the painful tugs in her womb decreased and finally she could stand straight again.
She glanced to the side to see Teramessi ignoring her, blissfully playing with the babies.
Yeah, thanks for the help.
Teramessi puffed smoke at her playfully.
If she’d been a human, Nakeeri could imagine the dragon grinning smugly at her.
Paneer came towards her. “He’s gone, Nakeeri. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know the heat was so bad.”
Sweat droplets had formed on her brow, and she wiped them away with the back of her hand.
“The heat? What are you talking about?”
Paneer and the big, regally-dressed man in front of her shared a concerned look.
“Ah…right. Well, forget about that for a moment. Nakeeri, this is Prince Leonide of Davuno. Prince Leo, Nakeeri.”
She nodded at the man who gave her a gentle smile and nodded back. She frowned. He seemed unlike any other royal she’d ever met.
“He is quite different to your king and his family. You’ll find Prince Leo, and the king of Gregorick to be very kind and hospitable.”
Leo grinned at her with relaxed posture. “Please call me Leo. Just stay away from the king’s son. He is a parasite, and someone who puts the name, prince, to shame.”
She knew many of that calibre and wasn’t surprised to find a prince who was a true leech.
“I will try to stay away from him, although I doubt that will be a problem. I don’t intend to enter the castle.”
The men looked between each other again, and laughed.
“What’s funny?”
Paneer smiled at her. “Oh, well, we’ve come to take you straight to the castle, actually. Tattiena is dying to meet you and she is in the royal healer’s rooms, resting from her birth.”
No way. “I will stay here.”
“Then she will come to you.” Leo said, inclining his head. “I don’t think she should be up and about yet, she lost a lot of blood through the birth yesterday. But you know you dragon riders. Wills of iron.”
His face turned down in sadness and his expression tugged at something deep within Nakeeri. She knew how treacherous childbirth could be, and the last thing she wanted was to cause stress to the princess dragon rider.
The men turned as though they were going to go back to the castle.
“No. Wait. I’ll come with you to meet the other female dragon rider. I don’t wish for her to be…hurt.”
Her own mother had died on the day she was born, and she had been brought up relying on the kindness of strangers.
Oh which, there had been very little.
“Oh, thank you,” Leo responded and again Nakeeri was struck by the unusual calibre of this prince. There was no haughty arrogance to him. No disdain. A simple strong confidence which he wore well.
Chapter 4.
The two large men stood on either side of her and together they walked out into a large green field and headed towards the castle.
A lump rose into Nakeeri’s throat, and she pushed it down; there was n
o need to fear.
“Will Teramessi be alright here?” she asked, suddenly realising that she’d left her dragon without a word. Something she would normally never do.
Paneer waved a hand to dismiss her question. “Yes, of course. There are always stable hands about, and they are kind men. Lordip has become quite a spoilt dragon here.”
They crossed the large paddock and when Leo swiped his hand over a plate, the door whooshed open.
Nakeeri jumped back and Paneer put an arm around her.
“Do not be afraid. They have technology here that most on Limea do not. But they have a no weapons policy, so you will need to check your sword here.”
There was a large basket by the door and Nakeeri stared at in disbelief.
“Are you kidding me?”
They both shook their heads and Leo twirled around, showing he carried nothing on his belt.
“You can’t enter, armed. I’m sorry.”
She did not want to surrender her sword. It was the only possession she had of any value.
“No. I can’t.”
Paneer put a hand out to her.
“How about I hold it and stay here, and await your return. I don’t need to see Tattiena again. You know I won’t take it.”
That was true, but still…
“Leo! Is she here?” A woman called out down the long, polished hallway.
Nakeeri turned to look. Before her walked a striking woman of a similar age with long, golden blonde hair and a face belonging to an angel. She held a swaddled babe in her arms and even this soon after birth, she was wrapped in training pants and a flowing top.
“Tattiena, you were told not to get up.”
The princess gave her husband a withering stare, then turned to look at Nakeeri.
“I so wanted to meet you. Will you come sit and chat for a while. The men can stay out here.”
Before Nakeeri could answer, the princess took her arm. Paneer reached over and put his hand on Nakeeri’s sword hilt.
She grabbed at his hand. This was all happening too fast. “Please…” I can’t lose that.
The princess patted her on the arm. “Don’t worry about your sword. Believe me, it’s in safe hands. Come.”