by Eric Vall
“Can your dragon be trusted?” the leader asked as he narrowed his navy eyes. “They are evil creatures bent on destruction. The Flame would give him the power to conquer the world and become a god.”
“Without a doubt,” she replied certainly. “He has already saved more lives than you could imagine, and he will continue to do great things for Rahma. He is your future king.”
More whispers erupted among the sprites until the leader held up his hand to quiet them.
“You may enter our waters, dragon,” he said. “But you must not contaminate them with any impurities. You can only enter in your purest form.”
I raised an eyebrow and looked at Alyona.
“You must be naked,” she explained in a whisper, but then she paused and furrowed her brow. “Actually… I think you might need to be in your draconic form. You are a dragon, after all, my love.”
“Oh,” I chuckled. “Got it.”
I pulled off my boots, trousers, and tunic and laid them on the beach. Then I spun in a circle with my arms out to show them I carried no weapons and nothing to contaminate their water. All that remained on my body was the black scales of my dragon form that decorated my forearms like tattoos.
“You may continue,” the leader murmured.
I nodded, shifted into my dragon body, and gently stepped into the crystal-clear water. The water was warm, and it felt amazing on my scales as I walked further down the slope into the lake. Just before my head was submerged, I took a breath and plunged under the surface. Then I opened my eyes, and the glow of the Eternal Flame was nearly blinding underwater.
I slowly began to paddle closer to the Flame, and my lungs started to burn with the need for oxygen. I sent a wave of healing magic inside myself, and the burning ceased as I continued to swim.
When I was only a few feet away, I could see the Flame was enclosed in a clear cylindrical case with a rounded top. The Flame flickered and danced behind the glass, and it seemed to reach out for me as I got close enough to touch it. It licked the glass as I put one claw on the case, and I wondered if I could open it for a moment. If the gods couldn’t destroy it, surely it would be fine underwater.
No! Miraya ordered. It calls out to you just as the Bow did. You must resist.
I started to argue, but it was kind of hard to talk underwater, so I gritted my teeth and shook my head to clear my thoughts. Then I curled my claws around the Flame’s case and swam back to shore.
As I emerged from the water and shifted back into my human form, Alyona and Laika gasped at the sight of the Eternal Flame.
“It reaches for you,” the sprite leader observed.
I looked down to see the Flame leaned to the side I carried it on, and it was nearly flat against the glass as it tried to touch me.
You already know fire.
I won’t hurt you.
I stared at the flickering light for a moment, and then Laika cleared her throat.
“We should probably get back now, my lord,” she suggested.
“Uh, yeah,” I agreed as I shook my head and looked at the sprites, who still hovered over the water. “Thank you for your understanding. We will keep this safe.”
“You must also keep yourself safe, dragon,” the sprite leader warned. “It is not easy to let the Flame go once it has called for you.”
“I’ll be fine,” I huffed as I set the case down next to me and pulled on my clothes.
The fabric stuck to my still-wet skin, but I was ready to get out of here. The water sprites had started to give me the creeps.
The sprite leader nodded, and the fairies floated back down to the water and disappeared under the surface.
Then I picked up the case and stomped through the sand past the trees. As the women hurried to catch up with me, I glanced at the case in my hand and back to them. I wasn’t sure how to hold it while in my dragon form, and we couldn’t just walk back to Kana.
“I’ll hold it, my love,” Alyona volunteered. “You shouldn’t put it in your spatial storage again.”
She’s right, Miraya agreed before I could answer. The Flame seems to be even stronger than the Bow. Let her carry it.
“Fine,” I grumbled as I handed her the case. “Just be careful.”
The Flame flickered in my direction again, and then it returned to a normal shape as Alyona gripped the case.
I grunted and transformed into my dragon body, and as soon as my wings took shape, Laika and Alyona climbed onto my back and held onto my spikes. Before I took off, though, I craned my neck back to get a glimpse of the case.
“I have it, my lord,” the princess reassured me. “Don’t worry.”
“I know,” I sighed. “I just feel like we aren’t done yet.”
“Well, we still have to find the Sundex,” Laika pointed out. “We have two of the three pieces.”
“I’d bet my last dollar Milo has it,” I grumbled.
“So, now what do we do?” Alyona asked.
I turned back to look out onto the sand.
“Now, we get it back.”
And I took off into the hot, desert sky.
Chapter 16
As we flew over the gate into Kana, I could see small groups of lizard Demi-Humans work together to rebuild their homes and buildings. Even the homes that had caught fire were already being cleaned out, and boards had been nailed over broken windows. The streets were clear of dead bodies, too, though the sickly smell of burnt flesh still lingered.
I shook my head and continued down the road to land on the warm sand in front of the castle, and Laika and Alyona slid off my back to the ground. Then I shifted into my human form and reached for the glass enclosure that held the Eternal Flame.
Alyona pulled the case back and gave me a sideways stare.
“I can carry it now,” I chuckled and reached out again.
“You shouldn’t,” the princess replied in a cautious tone. “The water sprite leader even said it would be hard for you to let it go, so you have to let me help you.”
I agree, Miraya murmured from my spiritual sea. The Eternal Flame is not to be trifled with. It knows of your power and will try to entice you.
“Okay, I’m outnumbered,” I said with my hands up. “Just be careful. I don’t want you to have to deal with it, either.”
“Of course, my lord.” Alyona smiled and tucked the Flame’s glass case under her arm with her robe draped over it. “I’ll be okay.”
“Yeah,” I grunted before I turned to lead them in.
We walked through the front door of the castle, and Vallen paced nervously around the great hall. His hands twisted together as he flitted from one art piece to another, and he whirled toward us when the door opened.
“Lord Evan! My ladies!” the lizard leader squeaked as we walked inside. “You have returned! And you were able to obtain the relic?”
“Yes,” I confirmed. “We have it. Where is everyone?”
“Oh, the dryads and Ravi are upstairs taking a bath,” he replied. “And Lord Nikolaus and Lady Naomi just went into their rooms to get ready for lunch.”
“Lunch sounds great,” Laika sighed and licked her lips.
“What about Lady Aaliyah?” I asked.
“She wanted to help one more family,” Vallen answered. “She should be back any minute now.”
“Okay, we’ll go over everything once the whole group is back,” I decided. “I’d rather not repeat myself. I’m going to take a shower while they’re preparing lunch. I need to get this weird lake water smell off. Then we can talk while we eat.”
“Whatever you’d like to do, my lord,” Vallen said with a nod.
“And what should I do?” Alyona raised an eyebrow and looked down at her arm.
Tell her you can take me.
You know we should be close.
Think of what we can do together.
“You should hold on to it for now,” I replied after I took a deep breath. “It doesn’t seem to affect you like it does me. And no one else should test
it out.”
“Do you think I could put it in my spatial storage?” she wondered.
“If it’s not calling to you already, I think it’s safe,” I said. “Miraya?”
Miraya started to answer in my head, but then she shook her head before she disappeared from the sand in my mind’s eye. With a brilliant flash of light, she appeared in the great hall next to us. Her white hair fluttered in the breeze she’d created, and she stared at the flame. She moved her face closer to the glass cylinder, but the Flame didn’t react. It didn’t push closer to the transparent covering as it had when I was close to it.
“I agree, my lord,” she said without moving her gaze. “The Flame does not reach for anyone else. Very interesting.”
“Very,” Alyona agreed as she slid the case into her spatial storage. “I don’t know why it is so interested in you, my lord, but it is. We should be careful.”
I nodded as the seam to her magical storage stitched closed.
As soon as the Flame was tucked away, I could no longer hear its voice call out to me. It was a bit of a relief, and I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Ignoring the Flame was much harder than ignoring the Bow.
“I’ll stay with the princess while you bathe, my lord,” Miraya volunteered. “I’d like to ensure the Flame continues to leave her alone. I cannot see her spiritual sea if it gets disturbed, but I can stay close just in case.”
“I’ll keep an eye on her, too,” Laika added. “Don’t worry, my lord.”
“Perfect.” I nodded. “I won’t be gone long.”
As I turned toward the dormitory hallway, the dryads and Ravi skipped into the room, and they each had a new flower tied into the long braids that dripped down the backs of their robes. The sisters wore violet robes and matching flowers, while Ravi’s orange robe contrasted with a bright blue flower twisted into her fiery orange hair.
“You’re back!” Marina sang.
“And not torn apart by water sprites!” Trina pointed out with a grin.
“So, you have the Flame?” Polina added.
“Yes,” I chuckled. “And I’ll tell you all about it after I clean up.”
“We just finished our bath,” Trina pouted.
“Or we would join you,” Marina agreed.
“And help you get nice and clean like your last bath,” Polina giggled.
My cock pressed against the seam of my trousers at the memory, and I cleared my throat before I responded.
“My timing must be off,” I replied with a wink. “I’m sure we’ll meet in there again soon.”
The dryads nodded, and then the women and Vallen headed into the dining hall. So, I took a deep breath and headed to the bathroom.
I walked into the large open room and headed straight for the tub on the far end of the space. It looked more like a shallow hot tub, and it had enough room for four or five people. The stone exterior held in the heat well, and I was looking forward to staying in the hot water for a little while.
Then I started a scorching hot bath and watched as the coils of steam rose into the air. As soon as enough water had filled the tub, I climbed over the edge and sat down. The warm water rushed over my body, and my muscles started to relax almost immediately. I hadn’t realized how tense my body was until I was submerged in the hot liquid.
I sighed and thought I could lay here for days.
I slid down into the water until it touched my collarbone and spread my legs out in front of me.
This part was much better than Earth. No tiny ass tubs that made you choose between your legs staying underwater or your torso. I took deep breaths and let the water turn my skin pruny as I relaxed. I dozed in and out for close to twenty minutes before I snapped awake, because I could feel the heat of someone standing behind me.
Suddenly, I felt two clawed hands on my shoulders, and I jumped before I heard the lioness in my ear.
“Feeling tense, my lord?” Aaliyah purred as she kneaded the muscles in my shoulders and upper back.
“Oh, gods,” I groaned with each dig of her muscular hands.
“I can give you a little more relief if you’d like,” she murmured into my ear.
“I always enjoy that,” I agreed.
I turned to see the lioness was already naked, and her coppery skin glistened with sweat from her work in the city today. Her long, dirty blonde hair was twisted back into a braid that swung just above her round ass. Her brown nipples stood at attention, the apex of her thighs was already slick with desire, and her golden tail flicked around behind her as she patted the ledge of the tub.
I raised an eyebrow and rose to sit on the edge. Then I caught a glimpse of magenta hair near the doorway, and I had to squint through the steam in the air to see Naomi. The lizard Demi-Human stood just inside the bathroom door, and her nipples pressed against her robe. Her belt was askew, and the front of her robes revealed the swells of her bosom and the tops of her inner thighs. Her hand drifted from her side to her mound, and she rubbed her clit in circles as she stared at us.
Naomi watched as Aaliyah got down to her knees in front of me and slid my hard cock into her mouth. Her rough, cat-like tongue flicked against my shaft, and she dragged her lips from the base to the tip.
“Fuuuuck,” I groaned as I leaned down to massage her round tits while I stared at Naomi.
The lizard Demi-Human continued to play with herself as she watched us, and my cock throbbed at the thought of her enjoying the view.
Aaliyah purred on my cock as I thumbed her nipple, and the vibrations tightened my balls as my dick jumped in her mouth. Then she moved back and forth to take my whole erection in and out of her mouth. She licked the tip again and then shoved her head all the way down as she took my sack in her hand and massaged my balls. The combination sent me over the edge, and my body stiffened.
I climaxed into her mouth and poured my seed down her throat, and the lioness drank it down with greedy gulps. After my body shuddered with the release, I grunted as I pulled her up to her feet and slid off the edge. I winked at Naomi, bent Aaliyah over the side of the tub, pushed her shoulders down, and then I growled as I slid my wet cock into her slick tunnel.
“Gods!” the lioness shrieked as I entered her.
I thrusted my hips back and forth as her tail flicked around in front of my face. I grabbed it and stroked her furry appendage as I shoved my cock deep inside her over again and again.
“Lord Evan!” she squealed before her pussy walls tightened around my cock, and her orgasm rippled through her. Her clawed fingers dug into the side of the tub until I thought they might crack as the waves of her climax racked her body, and I felt a gush of her juices splash against my thighs.
Then I sensed my own orgasm coming, and I grabbed her hips to lift her just enough to plunge my cock all the way inside her. I thrusted my hips back and forth until I hit my limit.
“Yessss,” I moaned, and I dumped a load of my dragon seed into her dripping pussy. The orgasm came in waves as I poured more and more of my essence inside her, and Aaliyah purred as she took in my sperm.
“Our bond strengthens,” I growled into her ear as the last drops of my cream filled her womb. “You are mine now, can you feel our soul connection?”
“Yes, Lord Evan,” the lioness panted. “I think I can. This is amazing. It is like I feel your passion wrapped around me. Thank you for giving me your seed. It feels so warm and wonderful inside me. I want to keep it there forever. Just like this new bond you have captured me with.”
“Well,” I chuckled, “I can fill you up whenever you need, don’t worry.”
“What if I need more now?”
“That can be arranged.” I grinned.
Aaliyah took a few deep breaths before she turned around to face me and pressed her lips to mine. Then she became more aggressive as she nipped at my lip and shoved her tongue into my mouth. I ran my hands up and down her back as we kissed long and hard, but then she slowed down.
“Come sit down in the tub,” s
he murmured against my mouth.
I gave her a devilish grin and followed her directions. As I stepped back into the warm water, she climbed in after me, and I could feel my dick harden at the sight of my seed dripping down her inner thighs.
Then Aaliyah slipped into the water and put her knees down on either side of my legs. She wrapped her arms around my neck and leaned in for another kiss as she slid down onto my cock.
“Fuck!” I gasped into her mouth as she began to ride me.
Her tits bobbed up and down in my face as she lifted her tight pussy up and down, and I could feel every inch of her dripping canal. The water rippled and bubbled around us, and I slid my hands around to feel her thick and muscular ass bounce up and down on my thighs.
“Mmmm, yes!” the lioness cried out before she climaxed again. “Lord Evan, fill me up again! Please! I need your seed. I need to be overflowing with it.”
Her walls tightened around my cock, and I gripped her ass and felt the waves of her orgasm as she shuddered against me. Then she changed direction and grinded her hips back and forth. The change in direction sent tremors through my dick, and I moved my hands up to her hips to push her harder against me.
“Oh, gods,” I groaned, and I could feel myself close to the edge again as my cock went deeper and deeper inside her. Then I couldn’t hold back, and I released my orgasm with another load of dragon seed into her sopping wet pussy.
After I finished, the lioness leaned over and pecked me on the cheek.
“Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” she purred.
“I am, too,” I laughed. “I can smell some of that rabbit meat from here.”
“Lunch is ready,” Naomi’s hoarse voice called out from the doorway.
“Great news.” Aaliyah put her elbows on the side of the tub and let her wet tits hang against the edge. “Thank you, Lady Naomi. Care to join us?”
“I’ll take my bath later,” the lizard Demi-Human huffed as she straightened her robes.