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  I look at Sarn, who no longer needs anyone holding him back. He appears embarrassed. We will finish this discussion outside. The matter needs to be dropped once and for all. I gaze at Tahr. “Do you need to come outside with me and Sarn and take part in our time-out?”

  Tahr doesn’t answer, he just walks to me and wraps his arms around my shoulders and pulls me in for a quick man-hug. “No, brother. I’m good. The two of you go out and we will comfort your bride while she meets the rest of us.”

  I grin and nod her way. “Don’t let her size fool you; the last thing my bride needs at this moment is comfort. She’s quite upset we didn’t start a small war that she could finish.”

  All eyes go to my bride. She slowly removes her hand from the sheath strap. “I wouldn’t mind attending your time-out and teaching your… friend a few manners,” she says while casting an angry gaze at Sarn.

  “But Bride of Laryn… you must stay in here. You are in no trouble.”

  She looks down at Ashrac. “You’re right, oh mightiest of warriors. But if the two of them don’t behave, you can help me knock their heads together.” She glares back at Sarn over the young boy’s head.

  What a fine bride she is!

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Roxanne

  He doesn’t know my name and it hurts.

  After the opening introduction and the extended time-out for the two dragons, Laryn returns. His and Sarn’s clothing are slightly disheveled but if there was blood they cleaned it off. Laryn remains by my side for the rest of the evening. I know of Calista, Sarn’s bride. Her name and that of Meagan and Acasia as well as all the past brides are spoken of with reverence. To sacrifice yourself to a dragon is the highest honor a woman in my village can achieve. Of course, everyone believes they go to their death. It doesn’t matter what they say to keep the brides from living in fear of the claiming. The village sacrifices the few to save the many. I had hoped by killing the dragon, the villagers would see what they do as wrong. The brides have no true life until one of them is chosen. The tradition is horrible and must be stopped.

  Meagan is old and frail. I don’t question Tahr’s love for her. You can see it in the attention he gives her. In only a short time, he will be as Sarn. I do not want that for my dragon. I love him, but he must never love me.

  Ashrac goes to bed when he begins yawning, and his mother and father tuck him in. The train engine never left his hands the entire time he stayed with the adults. The card game begins. I’ve never played, so Laryn teaches me. Meagan plays and every once in a while Tahr assists her when she’s not sure what she’s doing.

  “No, darling, you want this card.” She smiles at him and I see the beauty of her youth. When Tahr smiles at her, I see in his eyes that she’s never changed.

  Laryn notices me watching them and squeezes my hand beneath the table. I play my trick and take the hand. My dragon has given me gold coins to play with. My pile stays about the same throughout the evening while his grows a bit. Sarn says very little. His sadness is a black rain cloud in the room. I could have easily killed him when we first arrived. Now I realize it’s what he wishes. He doesn’t want to live without his bride.

  Acasia takes most of the gold with a burst of laughter on the final hand. This upsets my dragon slightly but he still smiles at her promising to take it back the next time. I’m emotionally exhausted when we finally leave. Laryn doesn’t go straight to his castle. Several times he breathes fire and I think it’s to relieve his aggression that I’ve felt the entire evening. He and Sarn might have put aside their differences, but my dragon is not happy. He takes us to the cliffs high above the ocean. I’ve noticed he does this when he’s unsettled. Or I’m unsettled. I tuck myself into his large legs while he stays in dragon form. Under the glow of the moons we absorb the sound of untamed water striking the rocks.

  I say nothing as we stand and stare far out into the night.

  “What I did to Acasia was wrong. I’m sorry you witnessed Sarn’s reaction. Neither Sarn nor Tahr has spoken to me since it happened. This was our first meeting.”

  The heat from his body warms me, though his words leave me cold. “I know the story, Laryn. Acasia told me. Sarn’s pain is great. I don’t hold it against him, though I would have killed him if need be. I never want that for you, Laryn. When I am gone, live wild and free until the next claiming. Don’t waste the first days with your next bride with your overbearing pride. Treat your bride well and enjoy your time together.”

  He doesn’t answer. A few moments later, he tells me to mount. He locks the door to my room when we get home and I spend a very lonely night thinking of my dragon.

  Laryn is mostly quiet the next day at breakfast. I can’t see inside his head and know what he’s thinking and he won’t speak of it. When I finally meet him to train, he seems to have shaken off some of his bad mood.

  “If you hold onto the halberd today, I’ll pay you a boon.” He offers the first smile I’ve seen since last night.

  “I have jewels and gold. What else could I want, dragon?”

  His eyes go wide. “You have no jewels or gold. Those belong to me.”

  He’s quite easy to tease. “I’m your bride. What’s yours is mine.”

  He shakes his head. “It doesn’t work that way. You must steal your own treasure.”

  Hmm, that gives me an idea. “What if the boon is that you take me somewhere that I can steal a treasure?”

  Laryn stares at me with his mouth open in shock. “You wish to steal something?”

  “If I hold onto my halberd, it’s what I want for a boon.” I can see sparks of silver flash in his blue eyes. He’s excited. I have my old dragon back.

  Then, he tries to kill me. Or at least it feels like it. I fall and roll before he brings his much larger halberd down. Sweat drips down my back and between my breasts. The weapons are sharp. I know he wouldn’t mean to hurt me, but I know it can happen. I focus on his legs and belly. The muscles in both bunch immediately before he strikes. He said I had to hold on. He didn’t say I couldn’t cheat.

  As I turn away from him I unbuckle the front of my top. I don’t have time to draw the leather completely down, so I must wait until he gives me another opportunity. The next time, the entire piece comes undone and dangles from around my neck, my breasts hanging free. I can feel that it wouldn’t be comfortable to fight like this, but it serves a purpose. Laryn drops his guard and I bring my weapon down. I pull it back at the last second. “You are a dead, dragon,” I say with a huge grin.

  His eyes are still on my breasts. He finally looks up and desire burns between us. “You win and shall have your boon, but you will give me one first.”

  “You’re lucky I’m feeling charitable after defeating you, dragon.”

  He takes my hand and jerks me against his chest. “I’ll make sure you don’t regret it, bride.”

  My hand goes to the front of his jeans and I squeeze his member. “You know that thing you do with your mouth between my thighs?”

  “I love that thing I do between your thighs with my mouth,” he says with a grin that matches mine.

  I feel suddenly shy. “Can I do that thing to your thing?”

  He chuckles gruffly against my lips. “I wouldn’t dream of stopping you.”

  His mouth devours mine and I’m no longer shy about what I want. I move his zipper down slowly and love the sound my dragon makes when I free his member. We are out in the open and wind cools the sweat on my body. The heat from my dragon’s eyes keeps me warm as I sink to my knees. My tall boots protect my skin from the rough surface. Not that I actually care.

  Laryn’s hands go to my hair that I tied tightly back to keep it out of my way when I train. He unties the leather and threads his hands through it until it whips across my face. Then he wraps the hair around his fist and holds me still. I gaze up the length of him. My mouth waters at the sight. “Please tell me what to do.”

  His eyes flash. “You know what to do, bride.”

  I do.r />
  I lean forward. Laryn controls my head, but he gives me the ability to do as I wish. A small drop of liquid pearls at the tip of his member. I want it. My tongue flicks out to taste him. My dragon. He’s salty and sweet at the same time. His eyelids flutter and I think he will close them. He doesn’t. He wants to see what I do. I wrap my hand around the width of him and kiss where I’ve just licked. He likes to put his mark on me and I want to mark him as well. I kiss down the length adding suction as I go.

  “Holy fuck,” he all but shouts into the breeze.

  He so likes that word. I’ll take it as encouragement. I close my mouth around him and he adds a slight amount of downward pressure to my head. Hmm, I go ever so slowly even when he presses a bit harder. His soft groan is my reward. I like this. Like the control and taking what I want. I flick my tongue and receive another groan. The sounds in his throat encourage me and I love that he enjoys what I’m doing. I increase my speed as his fingers become almost painful in my hair. He’s lost in what I’m doing, so I’m surprised when he suddenly pulls away and slips from my lips. His hand goes to his member and he pumps his fist up and down until his essence spills against my breasts. He slides his member through the white substance he’s leaving behind. I’m enthralled by what he’s doing.

  After he pulses the last bit onto my skin, he puts his hands beneath my arms and pulls me up. Our lips meet, our chests slide together, his essence transferring from me to him. If the brides knew the ecstasy that happens after they lose their virginity, none would be virgins even with the threat of death.

  He pulls back and lifts me. I place my hands around his neck as he carries me to his rooms. My precious dragon owes me a boon, but I plan to give him a few before he needs to pay up.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Laryn

  Sir Orland Locksy is a weasel in every sense of the word. I hate him and I hate the realm he lives in. Mucky skies, putrid air, and immoral people. I call it hell’s realm. It’s also my favorite place to collect treasure. My dragon brothers and I have been many times. It’s always a challenge and, best of all, dangerous. I should feel apprehensive bringing my bride here, but what I feel is exhilaration clear to the tip of my dragon’s tail.

  She’s dressed in the manner of the day for women. I played the lady’s maid and helped with the heavy makeup and putting a hot iron and pins to her hair. There were several advantages to playing a lowly servant to get her ready. I told her that I could only perform the artistry needed while she was unclothed. The sparkle in her eyes let me know she didn’t believe a word. She uttered no objection, though. It took much longer than we planned and now we are late for the ball.

  Smelly people all. We’re in a large chamber filled with gluttonous humans. The candles have coated the walls with black halos of soot. The perfume of the guests only adds to the rancid smell of the place. My dragon’s nose may never be the same.

  My bride is holding up well. She’s curious and mystified at the same time. I had to give her a quick course in realm jumping then answer close to a million questions. No, we are not alone. The realms are endless and each a unique experience. Vast lands and civilizations caught in time. After thousands of years of exploration, I’m quite bored with them. Until I hear of a special treasure that cannot be stolen. Dragons live for the unattainable.

  I’m also proud that my bride handled jumping realms so easily. It can be quite painful. Many brides refuse to do it. My new bride was too excited about the pending theft of her own treasure that impatience was her only response.

  I peer down at her.

  “Where is this Sir Orifice you spoke of? I feel faint from all the bad smells coming from the people,” she says in a hushed voice.

  I glance over her head and see our target and host heading over. “Behave,” I whisper. She will slip and call him Sir Orifice at the worst possible moment and I’ve warned her of this. I can’t say more because he’s upon us.

  I immediately hear the tension in his greeting. “Lord Maccabee, to what do I owe the honor of your visit? And I do not see your brothers in attendance. Have they by chance been arrested?”

  I ignore my bride’s raised eyebrows and answer Locksy in a bored tone. “My brothers are well and I have no idea why you would think them arrested. If that is a joke, it’s in quite poor taste.” I know damn good and well that Locksy suspects us of stealing from him. I turn to my bride and take her hand. “This is my sister Guinevere. She’s of age and I promised her a celebration for her birthday.”

  I clench my jaw as Locksy stares at her breasts. Her cleavage hangs over the ruffled trim of the low-cut gown. He takes her hand from mine and kisses the backs of her fingers. “A pleasure to meet you, my lady. I was not aware Lord Maccabee had a sister. You look nothing alike and must tell me how someone as fair-skinned as Maccabee could have a sister with your fire.”

  My bride’s tinkling laughter is quite perfect. “Well, Sir, you ask of a delicate matter that is very ungentlemanly of you. May we leave it at we are half-brother and sister with him on the titled side of the blanket?”

  Locksy’s guffaws turn the heads around us. He looks to me. “I promise to show your sister a good time.” He places my bride’s hand on his arm and stares at me with cold eyes. “A rare treasure of mine went missing the last time you visited. Would you know anything of that, Lord Maccabee?”

  I flick unseen dust from my tailored coat and reply in an uninterested fashion. “I have all the treasure I need, as do my brothers. You are holding the arm of our rarest, gem, so do be careful with her.”

  He stares at her breasts again. “I will be exceedingly careful. Please enjoy all my party has to offer, Lord Maccabee, and I will see that Guinevere has an exceptional celebration for her birthday.”

  They walk away as my anger simmers. I knew this part of our charade would be difficult. I didn’t know that I would want to incinerate Locksy with dragon fire on the spot. My bride can handle herself and, after all, she needs to steal the treasure to call it her own. I am merely here to assist.

  Over the next hour, it becomes apparent that Locksy has several men watching me. It makes the next part of our plan more difficult. I try to keep an eye on my bride when a lady, and I use that word loosely, demands my attention. In a split second, I lose sight of my bride. She must get into Locksy’s rooms above the stairs and there is only one way that will happen. I also know I will kill the weasel before departing.

  It’s twenty minutes before I give my guards the slip. The lady who stole my attention from my bride is waiting for me in her chamber preparing herself for a night of debauchery. She will be quite disappointed when I don’t show. Even if I didn’t have my bride with me there aren’t enough jewels in this land to entice me between that lady’s thighs.

  I make my way to Locksy’s rooms and listen at the first door. I don’t hear a sound from within, so I turn the knob and enter. A small light comes from his bedroom and I quickly cross to the threshold.

  “What took you so long, dragon?”

  Locksy is passed out on the floor, a large chalice resting beside his head along with a small slash of blood. I gaze at my smug bride. “It seems you didn’t need my help.”

  She holds up an elegant jeweled bauble with a bright blue stone in the center. It will look lovely hanging at her throat. I also know Locksy has larger, more valuable pieces. The arrogance in my bride’s eyes tells me so much and pride envelops me. She has the undeniable heart of a dragon. She has chosen her first treasure because the blue stone calls to her soul.

  “Is he dead?” I ask with delighted optimism.

  “Bad dragon.” She gives me a naughty grin. “He will have a great headache when he awakes. The man is all hands, and I fear that I broke a few of his fingers after I hit him over the head.”

  I look down. The mangled fingers save the miserable man’s life. I smile at my bride. “It’s time to leave. I can stand not another moment in this cursed realm.”

  Getting out is easy. My bride leaves her
gown behind and we scale the walls with her in her warrior leathers that she wore underneath the dress. I can’t get over her choice of prize. The finest treasure is always in the eye of the beholder.

  We gather our larger weapons from a small alcove located in the back of an alley then run through the streets laughing. A woman’s screams bring my bride up short and I lose her hand at her sudden stop.

  “Ignore it, bride, there is nothing we can do.” I grab her hand again, but she wrenches it away.

  “No, that’s a woman. We cannot leave her, Laryn.” Her use of my name gives me pause. The next sound we hear is fainter and I fear we may be too late. I sigh and head in the direction of the screams. Around the next corner a group of men stand over something in the street.

  “Well, well, well,” a man calls out and all eyes turn our way. “Another fine piece to whet our appetites, gentleman.”

  My bride gasps and I’ve guessed that she sees the woman lying at their feet. She’s bloody and bruised and chances are good she’s no longer alive. A man stands from between her legs and secures his pants. No one is safe here and I truly hate this realm. The laws protect only those with money. The more corrupt you are, the more wealth you hold.

  My bride slowly releases the loop that holds the blade of the halberd and pulls the grip from its sheath. The men start laughing.

  “Your blade doesn’t scare me. I have one of my own.” The leader grabs his crotch in a lewd gesture. There are five of them total. They all carry swords and each but the man to speak has pulled his.

  “What say you we end their worthless lives, bride?”

  “I thought you would never ask, dragon.”

  I’m unconcerned they will have time to ponder our words. None will leave this place alive. My warrior bride charges first. I have about two seconds to admire her ability before dispatching the man stupid enough to grab his cock instead of his sword. My bride’s first strike is true. I give no consequence to the blood that sprays me from her attack. Two men come at me with swords above their heads. Their mistake. Two heads roll to the ground. One man left. I watch as my bride dodges his blade, spins, and strikes beneath his raised arm nearly cleaving him in two.