Chapter 31: Twenty-four years later: Laryn

I admire my nakedness in the looking glass, flex my muscles and watch them ripple with undeniable power. I am more than a mere human. I'm faster-stronger-deadlier.
I am dragon.
"Why are humans so inferior?" I ask myself aloud. Their weak bodies give them no advantages. And they are ugly, even their females. Their puny appearance and sickly skin tone only enhance their frailty. At least some of the women are decent companions if they don't nag too much. I grumble loudly. Chances are I'll be stuck with a whiner again. I'll not put up with it and I'll quickly teach her to fear me.
As amazing as I am in my human form, it holds no comparison to my dragon, which is superior to all others. My mind flashes to Acasia, Bastian's mate. Yes, she is beautiful, but all her damn rules ruin it. It doesn't matter that she is the only female dragon in existence. Today, I choose my new bride at the claiming ceremony. The bride's training will begin immediately after our return to my lair. The sooner she stops the waterworks and settles in, the better it will be for her.
I turn and walk through the large doors of my bedroom and stand on a rounded stone ledge looking over my kingdom. I gaze down at smaller mountain tops, valleys, and higher mountains in the distance that block the view of the ocean. The wind whips across my naked body and blows hair into my eyes. It needs trimming. I will gift my bride with the privilege, if she cooperates. It will be her first reward, well... after I fuck her, of course. Fucking always comes first. Bastian had no clue how to control a human female and now he's stuck with Acasia. I always show the bride who's boss and immediately put them in their place. My way works best.
I spring from the ledge and dive off headfirst in my human form. I pull in the magic and my dragon bursts free-the small amount of pain completely overshadowed by my majestic form. I spread my wings and admire their fifty-foot span of beautiful blue against the morning sky. Fire erupts from deep in my chest and shoots more than one-hundred feet in front of me. My roar echoes through the canyon and reverberates off the cliffs.
In all my blue glory, I fly to claim my bride.
***

Roxanne
I sharpen my two-foot steel blade before holding it up against the morning sun. The light shines off the blade, which fractures it into multiple beams of brilliance. Soon it will bathe in blood-the magical blood of a dragon. I will clean off the gore using my white bride's dress and dance in the red puddles after I kill him. No sister of mine will become a dragon's bride today. My death for this deed will be satisfying-the ultimate sacrifice.
I've spent most of my life preparing. No one in the village knows my true intentions. My parents think I'm reconciled to my fate. I was born during the span of years that established me as a claiming bride. A week ago, a proclamation went up throughout town informing the brides that our time has come. Our duty to keep the peace between dragons and humans demands our presence at the claiming. Today.
Early on, I used my family's need for fresh meat and my father's disability as the reason for learning to hunt. Every minute of every day that I could safely get away from home, I sharpened my skills. If the men of my town won't defend the women, I will.
Slipping off my dreary daily garments, I don the beautiful, white, sacrificial gown required to entice my enemy. I secure the sword into the hidden back sheath knowing I can remove it and use it before anyone stops me. The virgins of this town will truly have something to celebrate tonight. I adjust my dark hair so it completely covers the blade's grip. I walk from the glade with my shoulders back and my head held high refusing to acknowledge my racing heart and shaking knees.
I have a dragon to kill.
***

Laryn
From the distance, I see the white gowns of my frightened brides. My tail twitches in anticipation. Only one is the chosen and I almost feel sympathy for the ones who will continue their dreadful human existence without me. Almost, but not quite. I'm waiting for the inner epiphany that declares my bride.
Finally, an indescribable thrill travels across my scales. It shoots into my gut with the intensity of a hurricane. It's been one-hundred years since I felt it last. I will know my true bride the second I see her.
There are four dragons remaining and twenty-five years separates each bride claiming. The village has grown since my last quest for a bride. I swoop down low and watch gleefully as the villagers cower in fear. My brides stand shivering as I make another pass expecting to zero in on one blessed bride. It's strange that I have not singled her out yet. Suddenly, I feel a jolt to my right leg. I can't see the goliath appendage beneath me, but I feel a sudden downward tug. A flash of billowing white swings up from a rope that must be attached to my foot. I'm so surprised that I don't react.
The delay costs me nothing as a sharp blade hits my scales. I would laugh at the puny attempt to wound me if I wasn't so instantly furious. Who would dare? I will kill them slowly and roast the flesh from their bones with my dragon fire.
The villagers scream and run for their homes leaving their bride daughters behind. Not that running will stop my wrath. I will kill them all.
"Die, you blue demon from hell, die!" is shouted from my back. I can just make out a white gown flapping around me as I gain altitude. My heart lurches and the thrill that enraptures me settles. My bride is riding on my back.
She is also trying to kill me.
So great is my surprise that I let out a blaring roar of fire with my laughter. One of the human homes goes up in flames and I watch as they run out to seek safety where none can be had. Stupid humans, you cannot go far enough. I would find you even in hell.
I stop all thought of having a human barbeque when my bride stands on my back and creeps up my neck. Does she not know that my scales stop any feeble attempt she makes to cause me harm?
"Desist, you foolish woman," I blare into her head.
She drops to her knees and I know it's because I did not temper my voice. She slams her blade against my neck.
"Why won't you die?" she screams, her frustration clear.
She's misbehaved quite enough and my patience is at an end. I point my large nose to the clouds. As we rise, she grips me tightly with her legs. I'm angry and impressed. My past brides have all worn saddles to ride me. And even with a saddle it can take years of training before they are comfortable. And then there are the ones who refuse entirely and I must carry in my claws. I fight rolling my eyes at the thought of these shameless weaklings.
With a flap of my giant wings, I pivot my neck and flip upside down. As I planned, she can't hold on. With gleeful delight, I watch her arms and legs flail as she falls. Turning sharply, I grab a chunk of material from the back of her gown within my teeth. She thrashes around incessantly. I look down at the village and wonder if I should go down and kill a few people while I'm in the mood. It would serve them right.
The tight hold my bride keeps on her blade changes my mind. This one is feisty and I anticipate an exciting night of sexual games. My cock swells and I release it from its armored sheath below my belly. Sadly, I can't do the many things I want to with her while in dragon form. And sadder still, she can't see my cock to praise its glory. The spear between my legs is magnificent in both my forms and my bride will kneel before me begging for its attention. I give a last satisfying roar and turn toward home.
I am the mightiest of dragons and I hold my new bride within my talons.