Acasia
I stood there for quite some time wondering what the hell just happened. It took me a while to examine my surroundings because I kept thinking he would return. Stone spiral stairs circled inside the tower walls and stopped at an arched exit I could barely see. The tower rose higher still, but to access the columns, wings were required. I walked around the carcasses. Breathing deeply made me nauseous again so I tried using shallow breaths. I took the first steps of hundreds of stairs and began climbing.
Soon, my breath was coming in heavy gasps. I stopped to rest and looked over the side. The bottom of the tower was nothing but a large circle littered with bones of partially eaten animals. Nothing looked human, which I was thankful for. I may have thrown myself over the side if something other than dead animals were below. Maybe he swallowed humans whole.
I began my climb again and reached the arch about twenty minutes later. A giant platform hung over the tower past the stairs. I assumed it was so the dragon could land, but I didn't see how he could fit through the door's arch. A long hallway stretched past the opening, and I followed it. The rotting death smell deteriorated, but my own unpleasant scent increased. The hallway opened to a monstrous combination library and sitting room. I could see three doors at one end and another arch and hallway at the other. Bookcases lined the tall walls, with ladders attached to rails resting to the sides so a person could reach all the books. I'd never seen the like. I had to be dreaming, but not even my imagination could visualize something so incredible.
Slowly, I walked across the room and opened one of the far doors. It was a bedroom with a huge bed taking up the majority of the space. Gold objects from urns to figurines covered every surface. They gleamed in the soft light cast from large open double doors. From the sunlight streaming in, I guessed it led outside. I wanted so badly to investigate but suppressed my curiosity, closed the door, and walked to the next.
This one was decidedly feminine. The bed wasn't as large and had a princess canopy with soft flowing white gauze draping down from four tall posters. More gold decorated the room with jewels laying here and there-red, blue, yellow, and clear stones, shining and gleaming. It was hard to accept them as real, but I was betting they were.
I was in a dragon's lair and this was his treasure.
I backed out and opened the third door.
No bed, this room was his hoard. Piles of gold, jewelry, and gemstones covered every inch of space, some stacks higher than I was tall.
Holy Hades.
I couldn't get out quickly enough. I practically ran through the arch, away from the rooms. I reached a closed door at the end of the hallway. It was locked. I beat against it, but the solid wood only gave a soft thud. Backing away, I returned to the library. Of the three doors, I chose the least intimidating and entered the feminine room again. To the side, I noticed a door and walked through. It held a bathing room unlike anything I'd ever seen. A soft, luxurious bathrobe made of an unknown cloth hung from the back of the door. I looked down at my soiled gown and back at the largest bathing tub I'd ever encountered. I walked to the gold handles and spout checking for water. It spurted out-crystal clear, warm water. It took only seconds to shed my gown and walk down the steps into the tub. Bottles of thick liquid with sweet-smelling soap rested on a shelf. I scented them all and decided on roses.
Though I wanted to, I didn't linger in the warm water. This place didn't belong to me and someone might come in at any moment. The door didn't lock, and there was no covering over the bath. I grabbed a soft white cloth from a folded stack resting on a side table, dried myself and put on the bathing robe. It smelled fresh and clean, though anything would in comparison with the white sheath sprayed with vomit.
There was a side door on the bathroom that I hadn't checked. It held a large garment room. Unusual garments hung from poles, and the shoes rested on shelves. They filled every nook and cranny. Another door opened into the first room I'd seen. I heard a slight noise, which sounded like a door closing. I left the bathing room and re-entered the library. The smell hit me at the same time my stomach growled. Food. I looked around and saw no one, but there was a tray on a long table to the side of the room. Walking over, a glass of clear liquid drew me first. I picked it up and sniffed. Water. I took a long drink, downing most of the glass. Uncovering the tray, my stomach growled once more when I saw the fruits, vegetables, and meats. A small loaf of bread completed the feast made for a king. Strike that, queen. Someone was taking care of me, or possibly fattening me up.
Sitting down, I ate until my stomach could hold no more. Was it stupid? Probably, but everything was delicious and far tastier than anything I'd ever had. I rested my knife to the side of my plate and glanced around at the books. Was all this for me? It couldn't possibly be.
Weariness overwhelmed me. I stood, swaying slightly. I don't think I'd slept well since I entered my name as a claiming bride. I perused the books. I'd never seen any of the titles or authors. I didn't even know so many books existed in the world.
That thought stopped me. I was no longer in my world. I was in the dragon realm, far from my friends and family. Would I ever see them again? None of the claimed brides had ever returned. I put the book I held back in its place and headed to the room with the canopied bed. Pulling the robe tightly around me, I lay on the soft down, pulling the covers to my chin. I couldn't help the tears that rolled down my cheeks, and soon sleep took me away.
BastianShe 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 o
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