All Chapters of The Dragon's Coveted Wife: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

"Hold him still! This is going to hurt like hell but if we don't hold him down, I can't get it out!" Saffron yelled to the young soldier next to her. He nodded and restrained the thrashing man on the table before them. Fresh, hot blood spurted from the wound in his leg, a large arrow protruding from the gash. She held the victim's face in her hands. "Look at me." She crooned and his wild eyes found hers. "This is going to hurt but once it is out, I can heal it. You cannot move." She said. He nodded once, tears and sweat mingling on his dirty face. "Bite down on this," she said and placed a rolled-up bandage into his mouth. She instructed the soldier to tie a rope tight around the man's upper thigh. "I'm going to remove it after the count of three. As soon as it is out, I need you to place the cloth there. Got it?" the soldier nodded, looking queasy. "I do not have time for you to fall ill as well. Are you able to do this?" she asked him impatiently. He took a gulp of air and nodd

"Could you tell me what color these berries were?" Saffron asked as she followed the man. They had been walking for a few minutes and still, she did not see any strange fruit. The bells that had lately begun to ring in her mind when she was in danger began to chime lightly now, slowly growing louder the longer she followed the man. She stopped suddenly, ready to bolt when he turned to her. "Here they are. Those dreadful things!" he declared and pointed to the bush ahead of him. She felt relieved; perhaps her own anxiety had caused the bells. She gave him a small smile and bent to inspect the berries. They were gooseberries. "Ah yes, these will definitely cause an ill-feeling. You should recover fine; I would just recommend some broth and water. I have some herbs that will help with the stomach pains," she said and dug around in her bag. When she found what she was looking for, she looked up and the man was gone. Perhaps he had to be sick and wanted some privacy. She would wait a

"A dragon? Are you sure?" Saffron exclaimed. Elric gave her a look. "Well, it sure as hell wasn't a bear. Yes, I am positive it is a dragon. Although, I was not aware that they had a dragon working for them," he replied grimly. "What can we do?" she asked, remembering how hard it was to stitch dragon hide back together. She couldn't imagine it would be easy to kill a dragon. "There is only one option," he replied, resignedly. She shook her head. "You can't. You told me that no one can know. Plus, people still believe that dragons are evil. What will happen?" she asked, wringing her hands. "If I don't shift, many of my men will die. After they die, the dragon could turn its wrath onto the citizens of the country. I cannot let that happen. I will not let people die in my stead, due to my fear. To hell with the consequences. I am what I am." He replied, passionately. "Okay," Saffron replied quietly. Elric paused. "Okay? You have nothing else to add? You fight me on everythin

They had been traveling for what felt like weeks, even though Saffron knew really it had only been a day or so. She wasn't sure how much longer she could go on. While fall had only been creeping upon them at the camp, it now made its force fully known.The horse plodded along in the quiet forest; fat flakes of snow drifted lazily from above. Wintry wind whispered through the trees, biting at their skin beneath their thin clothes. Saffron had to find shelter soon. Elric would not heal well in the back of a wagon; he needed hot food and a warm bed to heal the more serious of his injuries. She led the horse to a small creek, breaking the cover of ice with the hilt of her dagger. She and the horse both drank thirstily, the water soothing her sore throat. She bent to fill her water skein when something caught her eye. Narrowing her eyes, she peered closer. It appeared to be a small cottage, just on the other side of the water. It seemed to be abandoned. Now she just had to find a way to

"Are you sure?" Elric said quietly as Saffron walked towards the bed. She turned and looked at him for a long moment before untying her dress and letting it slide down her body, pooling at her feet. She stood in her shift looking up at him as she unbound her hair and let it fall freely down her back. He could see the shape of her curves beneath the thin material and felt his body lurch in response. He wanted her. He had since the first moment he had seen her, but he had waited. It had never been the right moment but now, the way she was looking at him, he wondered if this was it. "Are you waiting for an engraved invitation?" she asked, quirking her eyebrow. He smirked and shook his head. "I'm just admiring what is before me. Are you sure…you're ready?" he asked again. "If you have even the slightest doubt…" she silenced him with a kiss and pushed his shirt over his head, her fingers trailing against his skin. Pleasure rippled through him as she traced her fingers down his sides. He