RoxanneI had everything planned perfectly. Climbing the village tower was easy. Listening to my parents calling out for me-gut-wrenching. I hardened my heart against their pleas because I knew I had to fulfill my destiny.I hid beneath the shadowed eaves of the tower and watched as the brides lined up to await their fate. They couldn't help themselves. All the diatribe fed to us from birth made them think they played a special role in village life. They could not see the larger picture. Their life mattered for something bigger than a sacrifice they have no control over. I alone was not blind to the injustice of it all. I would sacrifice my life for theirs by killing the dragon.I saw him approach and gave pause at his regal beauty. My mother had told me of their allure, so I thought I was immune to what came toward us. I was wrong, and for just a moment, I wondered if I could do it. My entire body shook with apprehension and I gripped the blade tighter. I would never back away from m

LarynAshrac almost changes my mind. And, "Give her time," are the nearly forgotten whispered words from my last bride. "She will love you sooner and you will have more years to enjoy one another."I shake my head, which sends water flying from my freshly washed hair. The dragon who held and loved sweet and innocent Maleah no longer exists. Twenty-five years of loneliness have hardened all feelings of love. If I don't love my new bride, it will hurt less when she dies. I have a plan to keep love from happening. Sarn is a fool and his grief for his deceased bride, Calista, a waste of his time. I vow to hold my emotions back and take from my bride only what I need to stay sexually satisfied. Nothing more. She will learn quickly and bow to my iron will before the sun goes down this day.I've set up the tower room to hold her. It will keep her away from the inner castle and from my sight as much as possible. I will take her out into the sunlight occasionally for her health. That is all. M

RoxanneI'm standing in front of the mirror, washing my face, and fuming. He actually said fucking! I don't care that his blue eyes are incredible. Or give me a mallet and I can play a tune on the muscles of his belly. The girth of his biceps is larger than my waist. And his face is more than pleasing. I may need to kill him just because he is too good and it's hard to tear my eyes away from him.Fucking, really?!I broke a chair over his head and I'm the one with the wound. It's because there is nothing inside his skull but rocks. No, that's an insult to rocks. Worms, that's better. They've eaten through the brains he might have been born with and passed them through their system as compost. Mushy... smelly... compost.I'm beyond furious. My virginity is a very sore subject. If we are the dragon's chosen bride and it's discovered we are not a virgin, the lives of our entire family are forfeited. Along with the lives of the man who took a bride's virginity and his family too. No villa

LarynShe's priceless.I should be angry that she thinks she will dictate about fucking, but I'm not. There is nothing better than a good game of shark and little fish. I know she's a virgin. All the brides are virgins. She's also afraid. Unlike my former brides, she hides it behind bravado. I like that. I like her.I've seduced brides many times. Once they settle, their frightened mouse persona fades and their true female nature shows. They become cross at some small transgression and I seduce them from their sour mood. I enjoy that game and I always win.It only makes it more thrilling this time because my new bride is different. She doesn't wail and beg. She doesn't use tears to dissuade me from my course. She uses a chair and even her small fist. She's a warrior and this should be fun.What isn't fun is the stiff burden of my cock. I head to my chambers and mentally send a message to my manservant. "Deliver a tray of fruit and cheese to my bride. Take care that she doesn't kill yo

LarynMy human weapons master stands to the side of the door as my bride walks through the large chamber. I watch her admire each piece with complete wonder. You would think she was examining the finest jewels. She returns several times to an overly large halberd. I love the weapon, though it is much too large for her. I walk over and lift it from its stand."It's quite sharp, a good weapon, but not a proper size for you. The halberd is deadly and takes a master to wield it proficiently." I step several yards away and sweep the air in front of me. The blade whooshes through the air and makes a unique sound.She's captivated."Armorer, you will have one made for use by my bride no later than next week." Unable to speak aloud, he nods. My gaze travels to my bride. "Choose a sword more suited to your size so we may practice today." I place the halberd back in its stand."You truly mean to do this?"I have no idea why she's confused. "I said I will train you and I don't go back on my word