Chapter 6

Acasia

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 embarrassment.

"So soft," he whispered against my hands, his warm breath causing a tremble to run through my body.

I moved my arms down, and his breath eased over my cheek. He nuzzled my ear, the hair behind it with his nose, inhaling deeply. It reminded me of him, the dragon.

"Sleep."

***

Bastian

They always wanted to return home at first. Settling them into dragon life was difficult and in some cases took many years. Eventually this one would come around too. She'd forget her family and friends. Forget home and think of my kingdom as her home.

I turned to the next blank page and sketched Acasia as she looked while sleeping. I never went back to the previous pictures of past claiming brides. The pain was too great. I'd filled almost the entire book with drawings of the women I'd claimed. Their faces as they aged, so beautiful, but each passing year, the lines took them closer to death. I hated this book, but wanted the images for some reason. Seventy-eight women, seventy-eight-hundred years, seventy-eight heartbreaks, and Acasia was the seventy-ninth. The centuries in front of me stretched endlessly.

When I heard her stir, I put the book on the highest shelf. I couldn't share my human side with her because I needed to maintain distance to keep my heart from breaking once again. Her thinking me a dream was the easiest way. But I lusted-desired her sweet warmth. I wanted to whisper her name and hear her cry mine in surrender.

I walked naked to the window in my bedroom and threw myself over the side. I spiraled downward, nose first. Close to the ground, my wings burst from my body, the pain of shifting a deep ache I craved. I pulled myself up until I rested on the ledge outside her window. I stuck my head into the room.

Sitting up, she clutched the thin bed covering to her body. "You are a rude dragon. I need to get up, but must cover myself with the robe."

I refused to look away from her delectably bare shoulders, smiling internally over undressing her in her dreams. Remembering that she always slept in her robe. "Why have you not used the clothes in the garment room?"

She looked toward the room I spoke of before turning my way again. "They are for me?"

I couldn't move my head far within the window's frame, but I looked around as much as I could. "I see no other stupid human females in here. Who else would wear the clothing?"

Her lips pursed in vexation, but she managed a level tone. "They are strange."

"So you've examined them."

She appeared embarrassed, but I knew not why. "A little."

I could no longer take the pale show of skin and snapped, "Chose something, stupid woman, and ride with me."

"Ride?"

"On my back... or are you afraid?" I challenged.

Her excitement showed clearly in her voice and it thrilled me. "You're serious."

"Yes, hurry, my patience wears thin." I put just enough disgust in my voice so maybe she would move quickly.

"Close your eyes."

I allowed my outer lids to drop. She had no idea that only my inner lids blocked my view. I watched her jump up, her luscious ass jiggling as she ran to the garment room, slamming the door behind her. I flew to my own room, shifting to human form, and grabbed the saddle that hadn't been used since Bethanne. I tossed it from the window and jumped out, diving into the neck and wing loops in human form before calling my wings. After circling my lair once, I swooped upward and headed back to her window.

She walked out, covered in a flimsy pair of loose leg coverings and one of my tunic shirts, which was too large for her. I was hoping for tight jeans and a similarly tight t-shirt. On the morrow, I would toss out the clothing that I didn't want her wearing and I would just go naked so she couldn't wear my large clothes. Though she looked delicious in my shirt, it was inappropriate for a female.

"Those clothes will not protect you from the hard ride we shall take."

She blushed delightfully, smoothing the pants and glaring at me. "What is wrong with them?"

I wondered about the blush, then answered. "My leather saddle will rub against the loose material. The choice is yours."

I saw her work through the dilemma in her mind, her lips forming a hard line. And she called me stubborn. I knew her answer before she gave it.

"These will do."

"Humph, go into my room and wait at the doors. Do not go outside until I am there."

"Pushy bastard," I heard her mutter as she walked from the room.

Normally, I would take my time, but seeing her throw herself down into the tower the day before made me hurry. I saw her peering out the double doors, and for once, she obeyed and waited.

I landed and moved closer. "Here, cinch the leather tight and buckle it at my neck then my chest."

I craved her hands on me and this was a start. "Tighter. You don't want the saddle slipping." She grunted, but got it latched properly. "I will turn and you will climb up my tail into the saddle."

"What if I fall?"

She sounded almost thrilled at the idea, and I shuddered. "You can't fall more than ten feet while we're on the ledge. Once we take off, have no fear, I will catch you, trembling female."

"Do all dragons have your ego?"

"Humph, I would hope. We are the dominant species of our realm and yours."

The little female tapped her foot, looked down at it and back up. "I'm waiting on you."

I was hard-pressed not to laugh and expel smoke and fire. I turned my body around lowering my tail until it was in front of her. The end of my tail was narrow compared with the upper part, but her balance was good, and she scrambled up and into the saddle.

"There's no safety harness," she whined.

I rolled my eyes. "Place your feet in the stirrups and hold the upper pommel; you don't need a harness." Her wiggling while she adjusted the foot straps almost killed me. The armor covering my cock became much too tight. The sight of my unsheathed dragon's cock would scare her for the next fifty years. I'd learned that with one of my first women. Thankfully, Acasia couldn't see it from her seat. I eased my forescales back and gave myself a little relief.

"I think I'm ready," she said, her voice trembling.

"Hold on." I unfurled my wings, moved to the edge, and dove off. I loved this part with a new bride.

Her scream was louder and longer than I remembered the others being. Of course more than half the females passed out, lost their seat, and I had to catch them. I noticed when her scream changed and became laughter. I swooped upward in disbelief, catching a tailwind gliding on the current.

"Again-dive again, dragon."

Amazing. Acasia wasn't afraid. Many of my woman never rode unless forced. I made this dive sharper, and her cry rang through me-exhilarated. I knew she smiled even though I couldn't see it. I flapped my great wings and pulled from the dive. The lake came into view and I went in low, skimming the surface with my claws, water spraying over us.

"Cold, you ass," she shouted, though I could still hear her glee.

There was no stopping my laughter this time. Smoke and fire exploded from my mouth. Turning sharply, I avoided flying her into the flame. I'd learned that the hard way too. Human females didn't heal easily from burns.

The heat warmed her, and we continued our flight. She held on, her strong legs grasping my neck within the saddle. I loved every minute. Occasionally, I felt her petting me. I don't think she realized it. Then, I heard her stomach growl. I was hungry too.

"What part of my eating habits repulse you, female?"

"Argh. You play with your food. I understand the need for sustenance, but make it a quick kill." She spoke aloud, not knowing she could communicate inside my head. Her human voice echoed her mind voice and I liked it.

I swooped down over a herd of deer. Dropping my legs, talons extended, I swiped with the front ones and grabbed with the back. Quick and efficient. A perfect kill.

Her hand ran across my scales. "Thank you, dragon."

I puffed up, feeling proud at her softly spoken words as I spun and headed back for my lair.

"Will you leave me at the window? The smell of your uneaten dead plays with my stomach and I would like to eat too."

"As you command."

"I like that, dragon. You may get a smile from me yet."