AcasiaI felt as if I won a major battle. Finding the sketchbook was heartbreaking and eye opening. Bastian's pain was so incredibly deep, and I would do anything to ease it. He needed to trust that I knew what was best. Stubbornness was the way of men and it didn't matter if they were human or dragon.We ate lunch in the library and I realized something else was wrong. He wouldn't look at me when he finally spoke."I am going away with Laryn. We will be gone a few days and you are staying behind."I calmly rested my fork beside my plate. "Where are you going?""We are raiding a neighboring realm."Fear made my voice tight. "And I have no say in this?""It is the way of dragons. A bride's place when her dragon goes hunting treasure is at the hearth. You will do as told."One step forward and one-hundred steps back when dealing with a pigheaded idiot. "When do you leave?""In an hour."I wanted to hit him, and I could tell by his refusal to look at me that he postured for the sake of h
BastianLaryn had trouble keeping up with me on our return home. He would pass through my territory before continuing to his lair. Our hunt had been successful, our bags full of gold. Laryn seemed in better spirits and I was glad we'd gone. I was not glad to be away from my bride.Approaching my lair, I noticed the gold and jewels thrown from my perch. If this was the worst of it, I would have her in my arms, and minutes later, my cock buried deep in her warmth.The rooms were silent when I walked through them naked. I needed my bride. I searched everywhere before making my way to the hallway leading to the remainder of my castle. I unlocked the door, throwing it open. Maxwell stood on the other side. I could immediately tell he was upset."Is she here?" I thundered.He shook his head and pointed to the front of the castle away from my private rooms."When did she leave?"He stared at me in a panic.I took a breath knowing I had to ask yes and no questions."Did she leave today?"He n
AcasiaI woke up in a soft, unfamiliar bed. It took me a few minutes to remember what happened. I looked around. There seemed to be only one room and one bed. I could smell the dragon, but it wasn't my dragon. This was no good.The door slammed open against the far wall and Laryn entered carrying a stack of wood. There was a fire in the hearth and a cool current of air passed through the room from the open door.Where the hell was I?I pulled the covers closer to my neck and waited for Laryn to turn my way.He didn't smile and his voice was surly. "How do you feel?"Should I answer?No, not yet.He walked closer and I gripped the covering tighter.It didn't stop him. He grabbed a handful of the material and whipped it from the bed. I screeched involuntarily. The only thing I was thankful for at this moment was I still had my clothing on from earlier. Or yesterday. I had no idea where I was or how long I'd been here.Tears swelled painfully behind my eyes as I tried to stop them.Laryn
BastianThree days and there was still no sign of Acasia or Laryn. Sarn and Tahr helped me search. If they hadn't fed me, I wouldn't have eaten. My moods switched from rage to overwhelming sadness and back to rage. Mostly I was angry with myself.Besides our monthly poker games, we usually spent very little time in the company of other dragon brides. Tahr brought Megan to Sarn's lair to help Calista. When we weren't scouring territories, I observed their relationships. It took no time for me to realize we were at the mercy of our brides. If they were happy, we were happy. As dragons, we postured, but the bottom line was we loved our brides deeply. This knowledge did nothing to help my situation, so I stored the information.This was the third night, and Sarn had taken it upon himself to make sure I was drunk enough to sleep. The females had gone to bed an hour ago and we were on our second bottle of whiskey."I think Laryn took her out of the realm," Tahr said before upending his gobl
BastianLaryn took her to another realm. I no longer had any doubt, and I could no longer keep Tahr or Sarn away from their brides. My head pounded from lack of sleep and too much alcohol. I told them that if today's search failed to uncover my bride, Tahr and Sarn would return to their homes and I would return to mine.Alone.Sarn, offering his lair, saved my sanity over the past few days. But I had to find a way to go home, though I wasn't giving up my search. I needed another plan. One was contacting Dmitri and having him make inquiries throughout the earth realm.The sun had gone down, but the moons showed the gold and jewels that littered the area under my perch. I didn't care; there was no treasure worth more than the one I'd lost. My dark room just added to the gloom. Her smell overwhelmed me and I almost turned around and left when I heard a slight rustling from the bed. It had to be my imagination, but something drew me closer. My feet hit a hard surface then something wet sl
AcasiaI loved him before, but somehow that love grew. Buried deep in the back of my mind was the longing for my family and friends, but it was a small spark. Bastian was my family and my best friend. Our lives had changed. He talked to me about dragon business, or dragon theft as it truly was.He explained about the magic from my old realm and how it was misused, so the dragons took it. I had no reason to doubt him, knowing the goodness in his heart. We spoke for hours and slowly made our way through his bride illustration book. I was never jealous and loved hearing him laugh. He told me stories about all the legend brides from my old realm. I made him promise that when I was gone, he would speak of me and remember me. I noticed his anger, but he eventually made the promise.He told me he wished to go on a treasure hunt with Tahr. And if I was willing, I could stay with Sarn, his bride, and Tahr's bride, who would also stay with Sarn.Before I could answer, he placed his finger on my
BastianIt would have been a better trip if I hadn't worried about the trouble I knew Acasia was capable of finding. Tahr teased me endlessly because I moaned and groaned about how long we waited before sneaking into the castle we'd planned to steal from.We'd stolen from King Sturpas before. I'd had my eye and thoughts on one of the crown sets I hadn't managed to steal before. Our patience paid off and I had what I needed for Acasia's one-year bride anniversary. Tahr also gathered some items to make his journey worthwhile.I worried about Acasia until I wrapped my arms around her the afternoon of the third day. We said our goodbyes to the others and left so I could get her home and into my bed. Three days was too long, and I needed her. I flew as quickly as I could."Bastian?"I didn't like her tentative tone. "Yes, female." I knew using the word female would bother her.Just a touch of the angst I'd grown to appreciate entered her voice. "Laryn came to Sarn's lair."Rage exploded wi
BastianI'd been afraid to keep her asleep because I needed to know how bad she hurt. But I could no longer take it. I carried her to the realm crossing and placed her back asleep when she woke up directly before we entered the earth's realm. Brunya waited and didn't waste time with greetings. She drove us to the airport, and then an airplane flew us to a place known as Texas. This was followed by another car ride. I held Acasia the entire time, fear burning in my gut. This was wrong. Her illness was entirely wrong.Acasia woke up in the car and because we were so close to our destination, I didn't put her under again. I needed her able to speak with the doctor. Dr. Stevens waited; a middle-aged, small female with an air of confidence that I badly needed.I followed her to a small room. "Lay her down here. It would be best if you waited outside."There was no way I could breathe fire in the room, but I put enough anger in my voice to burn her. "Stupid female, I will not leave her."Th