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 oth
His 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
A 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 breasts.
I 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 man, mig
She 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 hands. Acasi
Her 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 t
She 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 no
I 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.