Bastian
Cursed 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 to other realms. Allowing them freedom to walk among their own kind. Through the long hours of discussion with Bethanne, she'd told me her needs and made me understand. Each bride had different ones and it could be years before I understood what this one wanted most.
In the years since Bethanne's death, I'd forgotten. I brought my anger to the claiming field, letting it burn. It continued even after Acasia first awoke. I'd threatened her life as I flew away-"I'll eat you tomorrow." And she'd jumped over the side-embracing death-thinking to leave me alone.
My human roar was nowhere as loud as my dragon's, but it helped me gain control. When my anger settled slightly, I walked into her chamber. I whipped the covering back and saw the curve of her breast. I craved her full nakedness. I examined every inch that I could see knowing she would sleep through my perusal. Even beneath the material, her incredible form curved in all the right places. Her breasts were full, and I had a small glimpse of one nipple, small and rosy. I wanted to suckle, flick the tip with my tongue. I arranged my cock beneath the human jeans. I should have put on looser material. I focused my gaze on her face. Soft in sleep, beautiful in innocence. I wanted this woman. Needed to slide into her body and bury myself within her sheath. One of her hands curled beside her head. I uncurled her fingers, seeing the slight bruise and swelling from hitting me. If she touched me slowly, my scales would give way. Only in violence did they turn to armor. She'd hit me violently, making me laugh. But now, I pictured her body twisted, bleeding, and lifeless if I hadn't caught her.
I sat on the side of the bed, running my fingers through her hair. I would not touch her flesh unless she awoke and I saw desire in her eyes. But I could touch her hair, run my fingers through the strands and bring them to my nose. Her heavenly scent made my cock throb harder, thicker.
***
Acasia
I dreamed of him again. Touching my hair, leaning over me, scenting me. My thighs pressed together, a need I'd never felt building. Sexual yearning, I knew exactly what it was. My girlfriends had told me about the electrical throb, but their explanations fell flat.
I opened my eyes.
"Woman named Acasia get out here." The roar filled my ears, hurting my eardrums.
Damned dragon.
I tightened the robe, walking from my room, into the library, through the arched door and down the long hallway. He stood on the ledge at the top of the stairs clicking his talon. I cast my angry gaze at the offending appendage. He stopped. Smart dragon.
"We must talk," the words were slightly less harsh, but still echoed loudly within the circular stone walls.
"Do you like to converse with your food before you imbibe?"
"Stupid woman named Acasia. You tempt my anger."
"My name is Acasia, not stupid woman named Acasia."
Smoke came from his nostrils. I guessed it signified his anger.
I needed to know. "Why did you save me?" I asked softly.
The smoke dissipated and his heavy breathing slowed. "I have come to apologize." Each word seemed pulled from his throat.
"For saving me?"
"Quiet," he thundered.
I was thinking of punching his nose again, but just fisting my hand hurt. I looked down and saw the swelling and bruising.
"You try to injure a beast covered in scales, stupid female na..." He stopped himself.
My lips curled up slightly.
"Do that again."
I looked over my shoulder, thinking he spoke to someone else.
"Smile for me," he commanded.
What? "No. You're a beast-mean, threatening, a bully. Why would I smile?"
"Because I demand it."
If the walls were anything but stone, they would be shaking. The stupid beast. "Well you can take your demand and shove it up your red, fire-breathing ass." My entire body trembled with slow-rising fury.
"I apologize and you rebuff me?" His tone finally lowered and I could hear his puzzlement.
I sighed and gave half an inch. "I asked my question first and you didn't answer. Answer me and I'll consider accepting your apology." Oops. Smoke floated from his nose as soon as I finished my statement.
"I've forgotten the question, stupid female," he huffed.
I didn't think it would be a good idea to laugh at him. "My name is not stupid female. Try Acasia... A-caa-sh-a."
A slight spark may have flashed in the black smoke. "Names are too intimate. I will not use your name."
I controlled my need to stomp my foot. The obstinate brute. "Then try calling me female, if you must, but if you really want to apologize you might take 'stupid' from the beginning."
"You are crazy." His wings flapped.
"You are stubborn. I asked why you saved me. That was the question and I'd like an answer." I waited as his wings settled again.
His neck extended, his head moving closer. I backed up a step. He breathed in noisily. He must like my scent, because he'd done it before. My dream man did it too. It must be the roses from the bathing soap.
"I do not wish you dead." The husky words left goose bumps on my flesh.
I understood nothing about this beast. "Then why kill the helpless animal in front of me?"
He blinked. "I wanted to scare you."
"To death?"
"Humph. No, I crave entertainment. You are interesting. I wanted to see what you would do. I did not foresee you throwing yourself over the ledge."
He couldn't possibly be this simpleminded. "I chose the quicker death, but..." I straightened my back a little more hoping he didn't think me weak. "I do not wish to die."
The lids of his red eyes blinked again slowly. "Good, I do not wish to chain you. Bethanne said it saddens human females."
Bethanne. I knew that name. She was claimed by this dragon one hundred years ago. We studied her in our history lessons. "How long did she live?"
His front legs came out, landing a short distance from me. He flopped down, his head resting on his huge feet. His nose almost touched my robe. Sadness spiraled throughout every inch of his body clear to his tail, which circled around and settled over one of his legs.
Desolation dulled his usually bright red eyes. "Thirty-two years I have lived without her. She was twenty when she came, and she lived to be eighty-eight. Sixty-eight years is not long enough to keep someone when dragons live forever."
My breath caught. I wanted to cry. It was his voice-depressed, mournful, completely devastated. His mammoth teeth no longer scared me. I reached out and touched his nose with my left hand because my right one was still sore. Soft, so incredibly soft and warm.
"A dragon needs no pity," he snapped half-heartedly.
I pulled my hand back. "It's empathy. I studied Bethanne when I was young. Hers was one of the more popular claimings."
He made that sound again. "Humph. She was feisty like you, but different too. She cried for months and I hated her tears. I stole the books in the library for her."
"You stole them? From where?" How could anyone with books allow someone to steal them?
"They belonged to another realm. A place with more books than your realm has people. Will you smile for me again?" His half-hooded eyes caused my blood to pump faster.
I fought within myself because I wanted to give him what he asked. "Why would I smile for you?"
"What would you like? I can steal you anything."
I didn't think about my answer. "You don't need to steal what I want most. Freedom. Take me home."
A spark of anger flared in his eyes. "Anything but that."
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.
AcasiaSarn's lair was different. Not as comfortable as Bastian's, barren actually. Calista, his bride, welcomed me with a soft melodic voice. She was much older than I was, her hair long and grey, her face wrinkled but the beauty she once held was still evident. It was surreal meeting a claiming bride whom I'd studied in school. The other, Megan, belonging to Tahr. She was middle aged, with graceful beauty and still full of life. The dragons seemed relaxed, friendly, and curious of me until Laryn arrived. I received a sharp jerk to my hand, which brought me closer to Bastian's side within seconds of the devastatingly handsome man's approach. With gentler and more subtle moves, Sarn and Tahr brought their women nearer too.Laryn nodded his head in greeting. "Tahr, Calista, Sarn, Megan." He looked at Bastian, but then his eyes wandered to me.Internally, I winced. Not from the leer he half-heartedly gave me, but from the pain I saw deep within his dark eyes. They had a blue spark; wher