Chapter 48: Laryn

Each night that passes and she isn't in my bed, the yearning builds. She shares an hour or two with me before falling asleep. She tries to stay awake. I push her hard during the day for this reason. She's been with me for two weeks now. She's settled so quickly that it feels like two years. In my life the brides are but a blink of time. If just once time would stand still.
She's feisty and funny. Grumpy on occasion and a smart-ass on others. She's not whiny and isn't given to tears. It's refreshing in a bride. I hate to think that Bastian might have the right of it. They come to us with no knowledge of what a new life will hold and worried that they may be a dragon's evening meal. Not that my new bride wanted anything more than to kill me. She is far different than all the others. My little warrior.
Tonight we travel to Bastian's realm for cards. I've missed Ashrac and know his parents keep him away to give me time with my bride. The little red hellion has burrowed into my heart. Unlike a bride, he will live forever. I will never suffer the pain of losing him.
I've given my bride a new set of leathers to wear tonight. They are a little less revealing with an added gauzy material that splits on the sides and enables her to fight if needed. She's in her bathing chamber changing while I impatiently wait.
A gentle blush covers her cheeks and the tops of her breasts when she comes out. She's breathtaking. Her hair is down as I requested. The material shimmers around her legs without showing too much flesh until she walks closer. The white leather belt that holds the material has only thin strips at her hips. The skirt parts and shows bare skin on the sides of her thighs. The breast piece is the same white leather with jewels surrounding the edges that barely cover her. I want the dragons to see my marks and know who she belongs to.
"Do I not look as what you want?" she asks timidly. It's so unlike her.
She's nervous about meeting the other dragons. I step forward and enjoy the skirt even more when I'm able to touch the bare flesh of her upper thighs and bring her closer. "You are more than I hoped. Tomorrow we will spend the day in bed so I may prove it to you." It's a joke between us. Several times we've had that intention. My bride enjoys our bedroom play but she becomes antsy after a few hours and we always end up flying or training.
"You truly like it?"
I have no idea where this shyness comes from. "You are radiant. I have something else for you."
Her smile lights up her face. "What is it?"
I've brought my saddle bags so I can stow clothes to change into. They also hold her surprise. I pull out another sheath for the halberd in the same fine white as her outfit. I want my brother dragons to see my warrior bride and know she is no one to trifle with.
"Oh, Laryn," she breathes huskily.
She's never spoken my given name aloud. It hurts to hear it pass her lips because I want to hear it endlessly and not just during her human lifespan. I rein in my emotions because they have no place in our future.
"Turn around and I will help you put it on." We've all but given up on plain sword training. My bride is a halberd girl. She's good with it-deadly, in fact.
The sheath fits perfectly. I drop the handle through the leather and adjust everything so it's tight and the weapon readily available. I hastily remove my clothing and fold it for the saddle bags. I heft the large bags over my shoulder and head for the door.
"I'm not happy about a saddle."
A burst of laughter escapes me and I wink at her. "Tomorrow I shall examine your inner thighs to see what it is that makes you love wrapping them around my dragon form so much." I've never seen the shade of red that settles on her cheeks and my laughter explodes. She punches my arm and laughs too.
We're halfway to Bastian's when I bring up Sarn. "He's the one I'm worried about. Stay close to me and if for some reason we are separated and he tries anything, don't hesitate. Kill him."
She's shocked. "You want me killing your friend?"
"I've never seen him grieve as he has with his last bride, Calista. The fool loved her deeply. Too deeply. When Acasia transcended, Calista was still alive. He begged the Gods and Goddesses for her life. It's harder now that we know turning a bride into a dragon is truly possible. I'm a realist, though. It took thousands of years for one of us to break the curse. It will be thousands more before it happens again. Sarn is angry and lonely. I can tell you from experience that it's a lethal combination. Yes, if you have no choice, kill him."
My bride is quiet after this speech. This needed to be said, though I'm sorry it has upset her. We finally arrive. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, quite ready."
I'm glad to hear excitement in her voice.
After I'm clothed, we enter the front door, which is rarely used. A servant lets us inside. I've seen him before. As with so many of them, I have no idea of his name or where he's from. My bride seems a little taken aback when she greets him and he doesn't speak or look at her. The silent humans are hard on the brides and I haven't covered why they are as they are. I will broach the subject another time in the near future. Not tonight. This evening is for merriment and winning back gold I've lost in previous games.
We are the last to arrive and everyone stands when we enter the large den. I'm surprised when Ash runs past me and launches himself into the arms of my bride. She laughs as he fills the room with his child's voice. "Mother and Father would not allow me to visit. I had to swear on my new collection of gems that I would not travel to Uncle Laryn's. Is he being nice to you or is he still a mean old ogre? Do you wish to see my gems? I stole them myself."
I pry his arms from my bride and toss him into the air and catch him. "You must allow her to make the acquaintance of the others, Little Ash."
"Uh, oh," Acasia says.
I have no idea what upsets her until Ashrac hits me in the nose. "I am not little. I am the deadliest dragon in the land. I will smite you with fire and dance in your ashes," he yells into my ear.
I set him down and place my hand on his forehead to keep him from kicking me. "I see. I must agree that you are not as small as I remember. I'm shaking in my boots that I have insulted a dragon as great as yourself. If you will forgive me, I have a present for you in my bag."
He stops trying to connect with my shin. "I will judge whether to forgive you based on the gift, Uncle Laryn. You must remember to fear me as you would any great dragon."
It's nearly impossible to keep from rolling my eyes. He's always been a handful. This is why I care for him so dearly. He runs to my bags, which I set down just inside the room with the others. I turn to my bride and see the smile playing on her lips. She actually winks at me and I want to depart now and take her to bed.
"Introduce us, please," Sarn requests in a businesslike, stern voice that is so unlike him. I bristle. He's angry at the world and I try to let it go. Taking my bride's arm, I draw her closer. "Bride, this is Sarn."
His gaze leaves her and he turns to me. "She does not have a name? You call her bride?"
Smoke drifts from my nostrils. I've never asked for her name. "Bride of Laryn will do," I snap back.
He turns back to my bride and takes one step too close. "If you are ever tired of this oaf, let me know and I will show you what a real dragon does with a bride."
I shove him away so hard he flies against a cabinet and knocks it over. Bastian and Tahr are between us before I knock Sarn's teeth out.
"That's enough," Bastian shouts as Sarn takes his feet and comes at me. Tahr grabs him.
"Why do you think your bride deserves to be safe?" Sarn spits out. "You stole Acasia and there are no longer rules."
That pisses me off more. "There have never been rules, you idiot. If you can't keep your woman, then she's fair game."
"Enough," Bastian blares. Now he's angry at me too. I turn to my bride. Her hand rests on the handle of the halberd. She nods her head and all the fury leaves my body. She's willing to take on a room full of dragons with no questions asked.
Acasia approaches Sarn and places her hand on his arm. "It's over, Sarn. Has been over for a long time. My son watches you."
We all turn to Ashrac. He holds a small jeweled train engine in his hands. I've had it for years. I knew he would enjoy it. I walk over and place my hand against his back. "Uncle Laryn and Uncle Sarn needed to get that out of the way, Ashrac. It is the way small-minded dragons behave. Even though your mother is a fierce dragon in her own right, it's your job to protect the women. Chivalry demands we take care of them before ourselves." I know Acasia will forgive me for making her appear weak. As badass as I know I am, I'm no match for a mother dragon.
Ashrac gives me his most serious look. "You and Uncle Sarn need a time-out. When my temper gets the best of me, that's what I must do."
I look at Sarn, who no longer needs anyone holding him back. He appears embarrassed. We will finish this discussion outside. The matter needs to be dropped once and for all. I gaze at Tahr. "Do you need to come outside with me and Sarn and take part in our time-out?"
Tahr doesn't answer, he just walks to me and wraps his arms around my shoulders and pulls me in for a quick man-hug. "No, brother. I'm good. The two of you go out and we will comfort your bride while she meets the rest of us."
I grin and nod her way. "Don't let her size fool you; the last thing my bride needs at this moment is comfort. She's quite upset we didn't start a small war that she could finish."
All eyes go to my bride. She slowly removes her hand from the sheath strap. "I wouldn't mind attending your time-out and teaching your... friend a few manners," she says while casting an angry gaze at Sarn.
"But Bride of Laryn... you must stay in here. You are in no trouble."
She looks down at Ashrac. "You're right, oh mightiest of warriors. But if the two of them don't behave, you can help me knock their heads together." She glares back at Sarn over the young boy's head.
What a fine bride she is!