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Chapter 30: Family Ties Come Unraveled
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The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 31: Stealing into Town
Saffron pulled back from his kiss, her heart hammering. "I was worried about you as well, which is why I left." Elric chuckled and shook his head. "Only you would follow me into a snow storm. I was angry about Kingsley. It took everything I had to not hunt him down and rip answers from him. Instead, I took it out on the axe. Which we might now need a new one," he said. "Wonderful. I will grab one when I head into town," she replied slyly. His eyes narrowed. "I need to go into town, Elric. We need food if we are to survive. Also, there is my grandmother's journal. I would really like to have it." She said, toying with the front of his shirt. He softened. "Alright then. As long as you swear to me that you'll be safe," he said gently and ran a strand of her hair through his fingers. "I promise. I'll leave as soon as the storm passes," she said with a sigh and laid her head against his chest. His arms wound around her and held her close. #### She left as dawn crested over the
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 32: A Baron Spurned
"Wassa," Saffron said and took a small step back, surprised to see her guardian here. Wassa rarely stepped into the apothecary. "How did you know…" Wassa waved her hand, cutting off Saffron's question. "I was alerted by a guard that someone was breaking into my property," she replied with a sneer. Her face would be pretty if it didn't have a perpetual scowl, Saffron thought as she stared at her. "So, I came to see. I figured it would have to be you. Who else would break in here?" she glared around the small room. "I just came for a few supplies and now I will be on my way," Saffron replied and tried to walk past Wassa, who gripped her elbow as she passed. "Tread carefully. The Baron is none too pleased that you ran away from your marriage. It would be a pity if someone told him that you were back." Wassa hissed. Saffron's stomach filled with ice. "You wouldn't." "Oh, I would. You made me look like a fool! I had arranged that marriage to improve both of our stations and yet y
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 33: The Sweet Taste of Vengeance
Saffron's nail broke as she dug it into the seam of the barn door, trying to pry it open. She cursed and stuck the injured finger into her mouth. Abbington had left over an hour ago, leaving her bloody and beaten on the floor. Her back ached with every movement. She could feel the dried blood tug against her skin as she tried the door again, but it was to no avail. She was locked in. With an anguished groan, she slid to the floor, her muscles quivering with fatigue and pain. The Baron had made sure to not hurt her face too badly, but her back was raw. He had lashed her until she fainted. The floor was sticky with her blood. Tears ran down her swollen face and dripped onto the ruined dress below. #### The main house was dark as Elric stalked around it. He assumed that they were keeping her in the barn where they had held her before, and he had noticed two guards earlier. He did not think that they would respect his title while he was alone. That was just as well, he thought as his
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 34: A Home at Last
The doors slid open and a shaft of moonlight illuminated the tacky floor. He saw her golden hair spilled out around her, her hand outstretched towards it. He collapsed near her and stroked her swollen face, being careful to not hurt her. Her breathing was shallow. His fingers trailed down her arms and ribs. Nothing felt out of place. She stirred and groaned. "It's okay. I'm here. You are safe now," he whispered. He slipped his arm under her head to lift her so he could carry her back to their home, but her body wrenched away, and she lay on her side whimpering. The moon cast a bright white light that shone onto the carnage that was her back. Tears sprang to his eyes as he saw the damage that had been done to her. If he could kill the Baron again, he would. A hundred times over. Mindful of her back, he gently lifted her and carried her into the forest. He had tied Huxley there after he followed her from the apothecary earlier. They left the town of Gilramore, Saffron cuddled close t
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 35: A Glimpse
"There has been no sight of them?" Ishild asked her son, who paced before her. He shook his head. "Nothing. After he revealed his dragon form, they seemed to have disappeared into thin air," he replied angrily. Elric…and Saffron had been within his grasp. He had underestimated his brother's affections for the mender. Well, his brother had continually underestimated him, and he nearly had his cocky, older sibling. "They cannot have gone far. Give me but a moment," she said. The blue in her irises began to bleed into the white; soon her entire eye was consumed by a white, shifting cloud. Kingsley hated it when his mother used her Vision. It had always made him eerily aware of her omnipotence. She stared, sightless, at him. "They are at Avolire," she said, her voice distant. "They have just arrived. I cannot see into the estate. It is guarded." A tangible chill shivered through the room as her eyes returned to normal. "I believe they will eventually return here. We must be ready."
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 36: An Icy Welcome
Dread filled Saffron's stomach as they climbed the marble steps to the cold palace. "Something feels off," she murmured to Elric. He looked at her. "What do you mean?" he questioned and stopped. She shrugged. "It is hard to put into words. There is just a…feeling I have," she replied, her brows furrowed. "I'm sure it is just from the last time that we were here," he said consolingly. "I'm sure you're right," she said, sounding unconvinced. "Come now! We will get through a few days here, be married, and leave. We will forge a new life at Avolire and leave this mess to the vipers known as my sisters-in-law," he said and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, towing her forward. The instant the door swung open, Saffron knew that there was something wrong. There was an emptiness to the castle that hadn't been there before. She could tell that Elric sensed it too; his primal instincts had kicked in. She saw him sniff the air slightly. "Strange," he murmured. "Let's see if we ca
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 37: The Queen of Ice
"What are you speaking of?" The king roared, the light catching the razor-sharp point of his blade. "Oh please, you cannot tell me that you don't remember me?" she asked coyly. "I hadn't met you until we were introduced after Maeve's death," he retorted, looking suspiciously at his wife. She threw back her head and laughed. Her laugh was musical and tinkled prettily, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "Oh, darling," she drawled. "We met long before that. Do you not remember that serving girl that you took to your bed when your wife was pregnant?" His face blanched. "I do not know what you are speaking of," he stammered. She cackled. "My, my. Well let me jog your memory, shall I?" She said flatly, her eyes boring into his, a terrifying smile upon her lips. She caressed her long white hair, starting at the crown of her head and down. Where her hands passed, the white bled into an inky black. The king gasped and took a staggering step backward. She crossed her hands in front
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 38: A Bargain is Made
Ishild watched the life leave her husband's eyes before turning to look at the others in the room. They all stared at her, eyes wide. The princes had stopped struggling against their bonds, instead, staring at the lifeless body of their father. Two of their wives had fainted, sagging against the black magic that held them upright. Gwendolyn glared at Kingsley who looked blankly at her, his own eyes swirling with blackness. "Now," Ishild said quietly, commanding their attention. "Let us get back to the matter at hand." She swept her arm out dramatically, her long sleeves brushing the ground. She settled into her seat next to the dead king. His lifeless arm leaned on her chair. She pushed it away with a snort of disgust. "Now that the king is dead, the throne will go to the next in line. Unfortunately, I want my own son there. Sorry boys, no hard feelings of course, but you are just in the way. Kingsley, will you do the honor?" her voice was soft as she commanded the death of the pri
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The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 50: The New King
"Mira," Elric nodded. She stared down her long pale nose at them before inclining her own head. "We have been expecting you," she replied and swept away, her long black cloaking trailing a path through the snow. Saffron and Elric exchanged a smirk before following the princess up to the castle. The castle was as cold and distant as it had been during their first visit. They were led to the drawing-room where a familiar couple sat on the settee. August jumped up and pulled his brother into a hug, pounding his back with his fist. "It's good to see you back to yourself. Not that your scales weren't formidable," he said, a giant smile on his face. Elric snorted. "It's good to be back. Now, let us not waste time. Do we have an army?" Elric asked, his green eyes glittering. #### Saffron stood outside of the large black castle, watching as the snow fell lightly to the earth. She loved winter, but would hate to spend most of her days in its cold embrace. Footsteps crunching on the fro
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 49: An Army Gathers
"I have to get in there?" Elric grumbled as they stood next to the glacial river that ran from the Bluffs. "At least you have scales," Saffron retorted as she shivered violently next to the small fire she had built. She was constructing a small fan of leaves to smudge Elric after he was in the icy water. "True but if this works, I won't for long," he retorted and sniffed at the water. "Well that is why I brought furs," Saffron replied impatiently. Her nerves were threatening to get the best of her. What if it didn't work? She couldn't think like that. It had to work. It had to. "Well get in! I need to get the smoke going and I don't want it to all be swept away in the wind," Saffron commanded. Elric growled as he tentatively placed his foreleg into the icy deluge. He hissed as it licked at his scales. "How far in?" he asked. "All of the way," Saffron replied after consulting her journal. She heard him cursing as he strode further in. "There is ice floating past me," he sa
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 48: A Spell is Found
Oda shuffled through the stack of parchment she had pulled from the thick leather-bound book in her study. The piece she was looking for fluttered from her hand and drifted down to the floor. She stooped to pick it up and her breath caught in her chest. Their likenesses were uncanny. Her heart leapt as her finger traced the lines that her daughter had drawn so long ago. #### "I, unfortunately, do not have all of the answers but I do know that what Ishild is doing has been foretold. According to what Maeve saw, there are only two outcomes. She is defeated and the kingdom sees peace for the first time in centuries. Or, she is defeated and the kingdom falls into ruin. In both outcomes, Ishild will fall, but it is who takes the throne after she leaves that determines the fate of the kingdom," Havardr said. He looked at his grandson, still trapped in his dragon form. Elric snorted derisively. "I do not want the throne," Elric retorted. Saffron watched the exchange warily, her own mind
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 47: The Prophecy
They stared at her as she sat in shock. She glanced at Elric whose green eyes were turned on her. "Are you alright?" he thought and only she heard. She shook her head once, her eyes still wide with disbelief. "How is this possible?" she voiced aloud. Oda smiled at her again, gently. "It is in your blood. I can see that your line travels far back…perhaps even as far as the dragons. You are a Mender, yes?" Saffron nodded. "I thought so. You have The Gift, my dear. No one in your family spoke of this?" Oda asked, her brows drawn together in concern. "I learned Mending from my grandmother but my parents passed away when I was very young," she replied quietly. Oda's eyebrows shot up and she glanced at her husband. "It is as it was written," she murmured. His own eyebrows rose and he looked back towards the dragon and beautiful young woman that sat across from them. "This has been an interesting turn of events," he replied with a deep chuckle. "What do you mean 'it is as it was
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 46: The Bluffs
The sharp edges of mountains came into view through the thick clouds, their black tips shearing the sky. "Are those the Bluffs?" Saffron asked aloud, her eyes tracing the jagged range. "They are. Æðelfrið said we would know we have arrived when we see the mountain that looks like a rook," Elric replied, his thoughts clear even as they soared through the darkening sky. Saffron peered down and shouted, her hand outstretched. "There!" Breaking through the overcast sky, a mountain rose above them, its relief the shape of a large rook's beak. "I see it," Elric thought and shifted his wings slightly, sending them up towards the large mountain peak. They did a few arcs around the mountaintop before coasting onto a large overhang. The rock was worn smooth; Saffron surmised that it was from dragons landing similarly to how they were. She wondered how many dragons lived here at the hold. The thought of being surrounded by these magnificent creatures sent an icy thrill through her. Elric
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 45: When Blood Comes Calling
"I feel ridiculous," Elric grumbled, his thoughts tangled with embarrassment and frustration. "It is the only way to keep her from slipping off. It is a long journey and I have a feeling that she would not appreciate dangling from your talons like a field mouse snatched up by an owl," Æðelfrið said with a grin. Elric grumbled again but held still as Æðelfrið tightened the straps. "It should feel the same as riding a horse except you won't have to kick this one…as much," Æðelfrið said with a wicked grin to Saffron who smirked. "I shall keep my spurring to a minimum," she consoled Elric as she hoisted herself onto the saddle. Æðelfrið had crafted the saddle himself to fit the proportions of Elric's body. He also added longer stirrups so she could climb more easily onto the seat. She settled into the seat and secured the belt around her waist. Æðelfrið had also added saddlebags filled with food and other items that Saffron could need while traveling. She had packed her grandmother
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 44: The Rook and The Dragon Prince
"You can open your eyes," Elric thought. "I do not want to. I believe if I open them, I will see my body smashed upon the ground," Saffron replied stubbornly, her eyes still squeezed closed. She heard a halting grumble which she took to be him laughing. "Go on," he nudged her with his snout. She cracked one eye open. She was lying sprawled on the ground from when she slipped off of his back once they landed. Snow drifted down lazily onto her face and her back was soaked from the snow. With a groan, she pushed herself into a sitting position. "Where are we?" she asked, still a bit dazed. "Look around," he replied and looked over her shoulder, his golden scales shimmering in the feeble sunlight. She squinted her eyes and realized they were in the gardens of Avolire. Æðelfrið was walking across the grass towards them, a blanket draped over his arm. "Welcome home," he said and passed the blanket to Saffron. #### Saffron sipped the hot cider that Æðelfrið had pressed into her h
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 43: Two Paths Diverge
August and Gwendolyn just stared at Saffron as she finished explaining what Kingsley had told her, mouths agape. "So, she is a daemon?" August asked, running his hands over his shorn hair. Saffron nodded. "In a manner of speaking. She sacrificed her soul for her power," she replied and leaned heavily against Elric. "And he is trapped?" August asked, looking at his brother who glowered from the corner. "Yes, brother. I cannot change back," August was startled as Elric's voice entered his mind. "How?" August exclaimed, his eyes wide. "We don't know. I am not sure how to help. Whatever magic is infecting him, is beyond any of my skills," she said apologetically. "I am not well versed in magic either. Politics, yes. I would not even know where to turn to find help," August replied. "Udril, perhaps?" Gwendolyn offered, her face and voice tired. "Udril?" August asked and looked towards his wife. She nodded. "They are magic practitioners, are they not?" she retorted. "Well
The Dragon's Coveted Wife Chapter 42: An Escape is Offered
"I'm not sure what to say," Saffron said when Kingsley finished explaining. "There is nothing to say," he replied, placidly. "Why are you telling me this?" she asked, aware that they had both moved closer while they were speaking. He looked at his hands for a while, toying with his fingers. "Because when she feeds…she loses control of her power. She is lost in the devouring. She will be feeding soon. She is preparing the body now and within the hour she will begin the ritual," he stated. "But why?" Saffron asked again. He smiled up at her sadly and caught a strand of her hair between his fingers. His lips were inches from hers and she wanted so badly to capture his mouth with hers and this desire frightened her. She must just be tired. She shook her head slightly to clear it. He lifted his eyes to hers and a pang of desire rang through her. He smirked and leaned forward, his hand gripped the back of her head. He kissed her passionately and she responded with a pang of despera
