*Kieran*I made my way to the kitchen wanting to surprise Ember with a hearty breakfast. I had read online how embryo implanting can cause some cramping and discomfort for females and hoped to make the start of Ember's implanting day a little easier. After all, she was doing this for me and the future of our kingdom and deserved to be spoiled. For years I had been controlled by others and my bloodlust as a dragon was out of control. Building this castle and village had been an escape for myself as well as many others trying to run from the oppression in our homeland. I had a violent past, and I had made awful choices in order to survive. I took in a deep breath thinking about the past once again, knowing how much it haunted me.As I grew older and years passed here in the human world, I had come to the realization that I would not let my future be anything like my past. Others such as therapists and friends had tried to convince me I deserve happiness.I knew they were righ
*Ember*With my hand over my still-flat belly, I walked the grounds of the castle a few days later, careful to steer clear of the caves. I thought one attack might be enough for all of us for a while.I passed some lovely gardens, but was more drawn to the sounds of scuffling in the castle courtyard. Walking as quietly as I could, I peeked around an arched doorway to see what was going on.In the courtyard, my dark prince Kieran was fighting shirtless with the odious Norse god Zephyr. I wondered, briefly, if I should go intervene, then realized they were sparring.They circled each other, which was a shame, because really I only wanted to see Kieran. Zephyr’s tall form kept getting in the way.When Zephyr wasn’t in the way, I managed to catch glimpses of the intricate red dragon tattoo, with gold highlights, snaking across Kieran’s back. It rippled when he moved, the gold tints in it flashing in the sunlight. It was by far the most beautiful tattoo I’d ever seen.And Kieran
*Ember*After the awkward dinner, I couldn't shake the feeling of doubt that had crept in. Kieran's dismissal of my input hit me hard, making me question my place in all of this. I couldn't help but wonder what my role would be in this child's life. Would I just be the surrogate, the vessel that carried the heir to the throne, or would I have a say in how they were raised? Would I be nothing more than a distant memory while Kieran took the reins of their life?I found I really hated the idea of that and tried not to let the dismay it caused consume me. I'd known what I was agreeing to; it wasn't fair for me to get tangled up like this and make a mess of everything just because it wasn't how I imagined having my first child would be.I walked through the castle corridors toward my room, my mind swirled with conflicting emotions. The walls seemed to close in around me, amplifying my sense of uncertainty. Was this what I wanted? To be forever bound to Kieran? I couldn't deny the att
*Ember*I blinked in surprise. Kieran wanted to have dinner with me? I couldn't believe my ears. Had they deceived me?"You want to have dinner with me?" I asked, betraying the shock I was feeling as my voice quivered slightly. "Yes," Kieran smiled with a sheepish grin. "As a way to apologize for my earlier behavior, but also I think it may help us get to know each other better."I couldn't help but admire his dreadfully sexy looks as he grinned at me. How could I say no to a face like that? I still felt a little cautious after his snappy behavior but it wouldn't hurt to get to know each other better. I wouldn't mind that actually."Sure, I'd like that." I said with a smile realizing I was a bit famished. "We should head down to eat then, I ordered pizza and a whole bunch of yummy sides," Kieran said standing. "That sounds healthy," I jabbed teasingly as I stood with him and he led me to my room door. "Oh yeah, so healthy," he answered back sarcastically as he opene
*Ember*I felt a flicker of fear earlier but Kieran had promised me we wouldn't go all the way until I was ready. I could see the spark of arousal in his eyes when he walked into the bathroom grabbing a sash from his bathrobe. But my curiosity got the better of me when he walked back over to the couch we had been sitting on in front of the fire. The glow of the fire accented the muscles on his arms as he came around the couch and knelt down in front of me."I have an idea," he said, wiggling his eyebrows at me. "What is it?" I said curiously, licking my lips and watching the passion in his eyes heighten as he looked into mine. "If we bind your hands behind your back, you won't have to worry about hurting me with them. And we can still have a good time." Kieran answered with a mischievous look. "Anyways, you might find you enjoy it. There's no harm in exploring."I bit my lip as I contemplated the idea, "All right. What happens if I don't want to continue?""Then tell m
*Kieran*I brushed my teeth thinking about touching Ember. I found a way to get past the whole glowing hands thing… at least for now. And I had been able to give Ember a pleasurable moment without her worrying that she'd hurt me. I felt accomplished and couldn't help grinning at myself in the mirror thinking about how her thighs had felt around my head. Mmm… yum… I spit the toothpaste in the sink and ran my mouth under the water washing the rest of the toothpaste out of my mouth. The more I got to know Ember, the more I liked her and wanted to be with her at all times. I couldn't help but wonder if she had power over me or if it was just how my mind was working the more time I spent with her. Fuck, I splashed some cold water on my face trying to regain my composure. If my thoughts were filled with Ember one hundred percent of the time, I'd never be able to focus or get things done. I turned off the light in the restroom and padded across the carpet toward my large bed with r
*Ember*"You seriously think that's something you would crave if you were pregnant?" I said as I laughed so hard I clutched my chest and squinted my eyes shut."Yes! Jalapenos and ice cream! I mean both are amazing, why not pair them together?" Nola answered my judgemental toned question laughing along with me. Nola had taken me to the game room which was just around the bend from my favorite room which was the library. She said that taking a mental health break was just as important as taking time to study and practice. We ended up eating popcorn, playing board games, and currently we stood around a pool table trying to figure out how to play. "I'm not sure I understand. I hate spicy food. No jalapenos for me!" I said scowling at the thought of adding extra spice to my favorite dishes. "Okay okay, but when you become pregnant what do you think you'll want to eat?" Nola asked me with a pointed look as she brushed her hair behind an ear. "Um… I haven't really thought abo
*Ember*I surveyed the ingredients I had laid out before me hoping I had everything I needed for the homemade beef lo mein dish I wanted to make. I had been craving it and desiring some Chinese food lately. Back in my old life, I couldn't afford to be seen frequenting fast food restaurants so I had made my own beef lo mein and crab rangoon recipes. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I had done a mighty fine job.I was looking forward to spending some time on the recipes I had come to love. It had been a while since I had cooked them, and it made me think of home. I blinked the tears away thinking about home and wondering how Rowena was doing. I owed her a long phone call and chat. We had texted back and forth but I still wanted to hear her voice.Shaking my head to dissipate any feelings of homesickness I started writing down a few instructions on a sheet of paper so I could stay focused while making the meal. There was plenty of ingredients to make a meal fit for an army. Making