by Lisa Daniels
“So, teach me,” was her response.
“With pleasure,” he replied, bending to kiss her hand. He looked so proud in that moment, standing by her side. Admiring the spirit inside her body. Allowed to be a part of her life, by a choice of her own making.
She knew full well the path she now chose wouldn’t be easy. She knew Kalgrin, despite his jovial manner, his casual way of dipping himself into dangerous situations, might die any day. One mistake when he crept into an isolated lordling’s home, and she’d no longer have a lover returning home. But, well, if a bloody dragon wanted to risk his life for humans, then surely, she could do the same in return. And support him in any way possible.
A few of the former plantation slaves had chosen to settle in Tarn, enjoying the simple, vibrant life of a small town where people ended up sticking to one another like glue. Others had run away into the wilderness, not being able to handle the truth. Likely they would have died or been recaptured.
Something, Anya decided, is very wrong with everything. If what Kalgrin said was true, if humans once used magic to rule the world, then lost it... had the wyrms originally started enslaving humans out of revenge? And did they never let go of that hate, even though the humans born centuries later no longer remembered what it was they did?
She really didn't like that the wyrms might have a valid justification for what they did. No. It's not valid. It's never valid to treat people like they don't deserve to live.
But it did feel like fighting a difficult, uphill battle. One where she wasn't sure if humans could ever reach the top.
He said humans had magic, though. And it might be possible that many under our noses can use it, but never reveal it. She decided that for Kalgrin, she'd pay attention to the serfs and slaves they helped, and see if any of them had the spark of magic.
She scheduled a letter to send to her mother. Just her general thoughts and feelings, and confirming that she did get together with Kal, and worked closely with him on a number of projects. The scribe had glanced at her a few times, a little surprised to hear she came from a plantation, but otherwise kept impartial to the matter. Likely she heard all sorts of interesting things in her effort to transcribe speech.
Anya wandered through the little town of Tarn afterwards, thinking hard on where she wanted to aim her life. Perhaps she could go to the northlands in time, without fear of the wyrms. Maybe not to a fort town – she suspected life in those to be uniform, with everyone having their set routines and cautions in place.
She settled at the inn once more and saw Seon, strangely morose, taking her time cleaning out the insides of an already glistening jar.
“What's wrong, Seon?” Anya ventured over to the bar counter, and sat with her arms folded as Seon continued polishing the glass.
“Oh, nothing.” She gave a wry smile when Anya appeared less than impressed with her answer. “Okay. It's something. I'm just a little worried because I've been seeing more of a wyrm presence in the area lately.”
“Really?” Anya had only seen a few in the whole time living here.
“Yes. You just don't get wyrms here, you know? But for some reason, they're insisting on regular patrols through the streets. Drakes and humans might hiss at them, but we can't legally stop the idea of community protection from the city. But it seems like they're looking for something.”
A chill went through Anya's heart. Are they chasing me? Kalgrin? The feeling lingered, before Seon said, “Don't worry. I don't think it's anything to do with you or Kalgrin. That happened far away in some little rural place nobody cares about. They'll likely assume the slaves revolted. So don't worry about that.”
Anya deflated slightly. “Sorry. I keep thinking... having nightmares that they're still coming after me.”
“I suspected as much. No. I don't know what they want. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.”
The way Seon kept polishing that glass, though, told Anya that maybe she did have an idea of what they wanted, but didn't plan to tell Anya. Perhaps in time, with some more trust.
“So,” Seon said, “did you do the thing with Kal yet? I'm waiting.”
Anya blushed brighter than a ruby. “Uh... yes? We did the thing.”
The barmaid cackled in delight, now finally putting that glass away. “Okay, this I have to hear. How did you get around to it?”
“We just... did. I turned up at his door, dressed in a way so he saw a hint of what I looked like under the clothes... and I guess we're a couple now.”
“Good. You two make a good one. He's a good man. Drake. Whatever. You have enough spine in you to not let yourself be completely walked over. And you're going back to places that you have every right to not even want to touch, ever again. I admire you. Just keep at it, okay?” Seon gave Anya a pat on the back, and the two women shared a smile.
She returned back to Kalgrin's house later in the evening, giving a small knock, hoping he'd be in. When he answered, she stumbled into his arms and planted her lips upon his.
“Mmf,” Kalgrin said, gray eyes amused. Anya removed her lips from caressing his. “I could get used to that. I'll feed you if you want, just don't expect anything more than tomato soup.”
Anya smiled. “That will be perfect.”
“Obviously. I'm a perfect guy. Well, since you're here, I don't have to knock on your door about it. Fancy coming to see my parents tomorrow?”
“Uh...” Anya blinked rapidly. “Is that necessary?”
“They don't bite. My mother, I bet, would love to see you. She sent me a letter a few days back, asking when I'd be coming over, asking if any nice ladies had wandered into my life. Bet she'll love to hear how we met.”
Anya laughed, though she ran a hand nervously through her brown hair. Kalgrin's parents wouldn't be like human ones in the plantations. Likely they gave him a wonderful upbringing, a balanced one without him needing to work before he became the right age to do so. “Sure. But I admit I'm kind of terrified they won't like me.” Or me them.
“I don't mind. I want to introduce you to them eventually. It can be tomorrow, or it can be a little longer if you're uncomfortable.”
She grasped his hand with her own. Steeling her stomach. This is Kal. If he turned out like this, his parents aren't likely to be monsters. “I'll do it. Can't be scarier than running from a wyrm, right?”
He grinned before ruffling her hair and seizing her in another kiss. During the kiss, Anya forgot how to breathe. He looped his arms around her waist and pulled her up with him until her feet left the ground.
“Hey,” she gasped, the sound vibrating on Kalgrin's lips. “Put me down.”
In response, Kalgrin lifted her higher, pretending not to hear. She flailed her legs and he grinned, holding her at arm's length before him.
“Look at you. Small thing.”
“I'm not that small,” Anya grumbled. She wasn't – she hit about average height with other women. Kalgrin wasn't even that tall, either. He just wanted to show off his strength. Anya punched the air ineffectually.
“Oh, what fun we’ll have together…” Kalgrin purred, giving her a rather sultry gaze, gray eyes darkening in lust.
Anya twitched a smirk of her own.
That seemed to be the trigger, for Kalgrin hugged her close and dashed towards the bedroom, the tomato soup apparently forgotten. Clothes found their way to the floor fast, and their naked bodies entwined with one another as they lost their minds to the moment.
Anya wanted so much more of this. Her body had a lot of catching up to do, sure, but now that she knew for certain that Kalgrin desired her, and she desired him back, she needed to make up for lost time.
She arched her body, shivering as he glided into her, his length hitting her sweet spot, over and over. She gasped and moaned, and his hands seemed to be everywhere. Touching her cheeks, neck, breasts, hot and leaving a ghostly trail in her mind. She imagined all her skin that had been touched by his hands to glow a different color.
His mouth grasped her nec
k, licking and sucking hard, until a dull throb spread across it, next to where her pulse beat madly. Marking her. Those gasps of pleasure kept eliciting themselves out, and she wanted him to never stop.
Not just to feel his body moving over hers, to see those eyes dark and glazed, to see that smile upon his face or to hear those soft grunts of pleasure. She wanted him to never stop loving her.
Maybe a tall order, but she clutched him as if he were a life raft. In a way, he was. The one who pulled her out of that dark sea, before it swallowed her below water and snaked into her lungs.
The one who brought her the keys of freedom, allowed her siblings to be named early, and wanted her with all his heart.
The orgasm hit her hard, spreading a heated path through her veins, sinking her into bliss. Her contractions caused him to orgasm with her as well, and they lay side by side.
Yes. Anya snuggled up into him. Still not intending to eat just yet. I could get used to this...
The End
To read the rest of the books in this series click here for the 4 book set: https://www.amazon.com/Found-Dragon-Book-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B078XBDMDV
Table of Contents
Rescued by Ryland
Rescued by Emery
Rescued by Silas
Rescued by Alaric
Annora’s Dragon
Bree’s Dragon
Kerensa’s Dragon
Noely’s Dragon
Preview of Taja’s Dragon
Dragons Take a Princess Complete 7 Book Collection
Shifters of the Bulgarian Bloodline Complete 7 Book Collection
Anya’s Freedom