Bastian
She wasn't like Bethanne. She didn't cringe from me or cry. My new bride was fearless, or maybe crazy. I'd actually laughed when she threatened to puke on me again. She didn't know it was a laugh, which I was grateful for. But nonetheless, I threw back my head, bellowing like a fool. I believe it's been hundreds of years since a bride entertained me so much on the first day I'd claimed her.
This one was different, and if I didn't guard my heart, it would break again. I couldn't live through that pain. But, gods, I was lonely.
Acasia. I said the name in my mind. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Her hair was so blonde it was almost silver. Her tiny body reminded me of a pixie. Her face, delicate with small features, made her blue eyes seem larger and almost disproportioned. But it worked, making her even more desirable. I'd felt her as I flew nearer to the claiming field. The pull toward this one human woman. My mind zeroed in on hers. It was always like that. One stood out... one chosen for me. I couldn't stop it any more than I could stop my heart from beating. Though I tried. I swore I wouldn't show at that field, wouldn't claim my bride.
But loneliness drew me there, to her. Gods, she wasn't my true mate, and I would mourn her someday like I mourned the others who came before her. The thought was a crushing weight. I flew through my kingdom high above the trees, mountains, and lakes. I spotted a herd of bison. Their hide was tough, but tongue, heart, and liver succulent. A gurgle of fire exploded with my laugh. I didn't know what the female would do when I brought one of these hulking beasts into my eating tower, but I wanted to find out.
***
Acasia
Warmth trailed along my skin. It almost tickled. I knew I was dreaming because billowy clouds surrounded me. A startled gasp escaped my lips when I saw the man. His brown hair long, his dark eyes intense, the line of his jaw perfect with a slight showing of scruff. He was huge, his shoulders massive with defined muscles rippling as he moved. He slid his hand away, leaving coolness behind.
"Who are you?" I asked the man.
"Your dream only," he answered.
"Why are you here?" I realized the white billowing gauze wasn't the clouds. It was the material hanging from the bed, but my thoughts were hazy and the dream effect remained.
"You smell divine; your scent attracted me."
"Is he here?"
His eyes changed and anger lanced his words, "Is who here?"
"The dragon."
Momentarily, his gaze left me. "No," he said after he turned back.
I looked down at myself and realized the partially open robe bared most of my breasts. The bedding was pushed down to my waist, displaying my naked flesh. I looked back up. His eyes were now on my breasts. He leaned over me, touching my bare skin, breathing hotly against my breasts. This time his fingers were hot, too hot, and I sucked in a breath.
"Do you like that?" he asked in a voice that sent chills across the same skin he'd just heated.
"Do it again."
His top lip curled upward, and I wanted both his lips on me. On my breasts, my nipples. Oh, gods, what was wrong with me? I swatted his hand away without thinking.
Now his startled eyes flashed red. Intense crimson. Dragon's eyes. I opened my mouth to scream.
"Sleep."
***
Acasia
His roar woke me from my nap. The dragon had returned. I threw back the covers and hurriedly pulled my robe tighter, belting the sash and wishing I had something else to wear. The roar sounded again. I actually started running. The noise came from the tower where the dragon had first taken me. The smell was horrible and increased as I drew closer.
I stopped at the top of the stairway and looked down into the deep cavern below. A large quivering animal faced the dragon. Its breath came out in huffing gasps. The dragon stepped closer, talons clicking against the stone. The animal didn't back up, standing its ground as it faced death.
And death came.
The dragon's sharp teeth captured the animal by the head and ripped it off with one crunch of its powerful jaws. Blood sprayed as the dragon's front claws landed on the body. The head flew ten feet away. He pulled off a front leg and chomped it between his savage jaws. He spit the bones aside and flipped up the carcass with his nose, swallowing it whole. A bulge from the large beast outlined in the dragon's throat as he devoured it.
I thought I might be sick again, but before I looked away, his red gaze settled on me. Blood ran down his chin, a piece of something stringy falling from his mouth. This is how he would eat me.
Tomorrow. I was the meal.
I climbed over the stone separating the stairway from the dragon's perch. I walked to the very edge. I did not intend to die the same death I'd just seen. I inched to the side and peered over. I noticed the dragon, but my eyes fastened on the stone floor below. "I'm sorry, mother, I cannot make you proud." I jumped.
His roar swelled and almost burst my eardrums as I fell.
"Stupid woman named Acasia." The yell bellowed as soon as the roar tapered off.
Talons grabbed me from the air and brought me close to the dragon's chest. The shiny red scales were soft, not hard like they looked. He'd saved me. Would he eat me now? He settled me down in the middle of the blood from his snack, or dinner, or whatever the hell it was.
I looked up and up until I gazed into his eyes. "I do not wish to die that way, dragon. Now I will plead. Make it quick, get it over with."
"You would kill yourself for a faster death?"
I heard the uncertainty in his voice "'Tis not the death, 'tis the torture of it and the waiting."
A great hulking arm came toward me and his nail flicked out, connecting with my side. I flew back a few feet. He did it again and I stumbled farther. After the third time, my back was to the wall, and the dragon dropped his neck, turning so one eye glared into mine.
"I do not eat humans, silly woman. Your taste is unpleasant."
At his words, my feet gave way and my ass hit the stone floor hard. His eye dipped, moving down to stay level with mine. His nostrils flared, hot air blowing my hair back. He breathed in, his long snout running indecently along my body, actually touching the robe.
"I do not like the smell of your fear."
I sat on my sore bottom, stunned. My anger rose. Never in my entire life had I felt so furious. I pulled my arm back and my fist flew. Instantaneous pain. "Ow, that hurt." I swear his nose was made of iron.
This time when his head flew back, his throat arching and fire flaring outward, I knew what he was going to do.
The damned dragon laughed at me.
BastianCursed female. I paced in my chamber. She slept in the adjoining room, put asleep with magic because I needed time to think. She'd tried to kill herself. Never in all the years of claiming my brides had one tried taking her life.It shook me to my core.One hundred years before another companion and she would take herself from me.I'd waited what seemed like eternity since Bethanne's passing. This female, who I almost didn't claim, would leave me within hours of coming to my kingdom. And on top of that, she'd struck me. Damaged her hand while trying to hurt me. Death was not an option for her, not yet. She would live at least another fifty years and keep me company. Entertain me. Make me laugh.I looked around my chamber. I could chain her in these rooms with some of my treasures. But I knew in my heart the restrictions would slowly kill her. I'd learned from former brides that human females needed some freedom. After they settled into their life with me, I took them with me t
AcasiaHis fingers sliding across my arm woke me up. I didn't open my eyes; I knew it was my dream man. "Is it really you?""Do you want it to be?"A touch of recognition in his husky voice startled me, but this had to be a dream. "Yes, I do.""May I touch you?"I sighed, aching for his warmth. "Please."His hand moved up past my shoulder to the curve of my neck. I moved my head, giving him better access. A roughened finger trailed lightly across my skin, skimming over my jaw until it ran along my lower lip. I caught the finger between my lips and heard his sharp intake of breath. I opened my eyes slightly."Do not. Leave them closed, my lady."His insistent voice was almost pleading, and for some reason, I obeyed. I remembered what he looked like, and fantasized that he moved downward, touching me lower."Like this?" His fingers left my lips and traveled to my breasts.I covered my eyes. Oh, gods, no; in my dreams he could hear my thoughts. He cupped my flesh, laughing huskily at my
AcasiaA meal waited for me. I needed to ask him who cooked. The door at the end of the hallway remained locked. My only contact was with my dragon; my dream man didn't count. I fisted my hand and stretched it a few times. It was still a little sore from hitting the dragon's nose, but it didn't keep me from eating. I noticed a jar of cream and a missive at the other end of the table. After the meal, I read the note.Rub this in where you need it most.The dragon must have had the note delivered when I changed my clothes. I couldn't help wondering who wrote it for him.Standing from the chair and walking to the end of the table had given me an idea of where I needed the salve most. I could feel heat rise in my cheeks. I made my way to the bath, shed my clothes, and submerged myself in hot water. I couldn't help the sigh of relief for my tender backside.In just two days, I was falling for a dragon, no longer thinking of him as my enemy. I soaped my hands and ran my fingers over my brea
AcasiaI lay in bed and practiced keeping my breathing as even as possible. Where did he stay while I slept? I wondered. 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. I completely froze. The door 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 m
BastianShe 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 hand
BastianHer 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 turn
BastianShe passed out, which was usual for the first time. I should have warned her, but I was too impatient to make her mine. I stood up and moved away, shifting to dragon so I could fly her back to my lair. I lifted her, snagging her dress in a talon and taking off. She stirred as I entered the tower."You cleaned it," she said in a dreamy voice."I did. It was time. The smell repelled me."I loved her laugh. So full, so perfect. I released her on the perch at the top of the stairs and shifted to my human form. "Are you hungry?""Starving.""I shall eat with you."She gave me a quizzical look. "You can eat human food?"I laughed at her funny face. "Yes. I like to hunt as dragon, but I like the finer foods also.""Do you cook?"I shrugged. "No, I have servants for that.""You mean there are other dragons here?""No." I removed a piece of grass from her hair. "They are human.""Human. You have humans here?"She wouldn't like this. Most of the brides did not. "They serve me and now yo
BastianI watched her read, her legs curled on the settee, pillows propped behind her shoulders. "Do you play chess?"She gave me another treasure I hoarded-her smile. "I play checkers.""Humph. Chess is the game of kings. I do not play a child's game."She innocently gazed around the room not looking at me. "I see no kings here."That was why I enjoyed her so much. She liked teasing me and keeping me on my toes, or talons depending on my form. "I shall teach you and maybe in twenty years, you shall be competition.""Twenty years?" she scoffed."It will take at least that long to train your human brain in the game of warfare.""Only if I may teach you checkers.""Humph, when you beat me, I shall learn your silly game."We moved to the table holding my chess set. The pieces were heavy gold and silver, the board black and white marble. I'd stolen it from a king in a faraway realm. The fool thought he'd captured a dragon. I challenged him to a game for my freedom. He'd agreed, and I won.