Chapter 52: Laryn

"My bride has no fear. She's like all the brides rolled into one without the incessant whining," I say to Bastian.
He doesn't reply immediately. I've spoken of my bride for an hour and not shut up. Finally, he responds with more reserve than usual. "I don't understand why she's sleeping in the tower room, Laryn. This truly baffles me."
A touch of spite enters my tone. "Of course you don't. You have Acasia for eternity. You can love her without risk of heartbreak. I don't have that luxury and I refuse to lose myself again when this one is gone. She's all I could ask for in a friend and bed companion, but it goes no further."
We lazily glide through a canyon until we spot a herd of deer. It's an easy capture and we both have our own tasty lunch within a few minutes. This is what I've missed these last years of separation from my friends-hunting, laughing, the occasional treasure run. My sharp talons tear through the hide like it's paper. I need to teach my bride to hunt. I know she will enjoy it. The woman is as savage as I am. That's what I love... like about her. She had no problem dispatching those men-actually relished the thrill and the spray of their blood.
Bastian looks up with a large strip of sinew hanging from his sharp, white teeth. "You know you love her, right?"
The dead carcass is no longer appetizing. "Stop, Bastian."
He says nothing more about my bride. I eat but only because I refuse to waste the life of the deer. I cannot love her.
We spend the remainder of our time discussing rumors of a chalice that Bastian began searching for many centuries ago. The legend says it belonged to Belus, son of Poseidon. I would give my left nut to get my hands on it before Bastian. Not because of whom it belonged to but because Bastian covets the piece, which makes it a greater acquisition.
"You know I will help you search," I tell him with levity that I don't feel at the thought of getting my hands on his precious chalice.
He's not fooled. "Steal it you mean."
I laugh and a burst of flame pours out in front of us. "You know my saying-if you can't hold onto it..." I'm pushing my luck. I've never joked about stealing his bride.
"Don't finish that thought or I will need to blacken your eyes before I return you to your bride." He laughs and we fly through a larger burst of fire from him.
An hour later, we return to my lair. Bastian collects his bride and son and they leave for their home, though I request they stay for dinner. Acasia hits Bastian in the arm when he turns me down. "My mate has unfinished business in the bedroom for losing a wager."
I laugh and my bride does the same. I turn and look at her rosy cheeks and swirling hair that she left unbound today. She appears relaxed. I look forward to our own time in the bedroom this evening.
Our guests depart and I wrap my hands around the bare skin at her waist. She's increased her lean muscle with our training and exercise. I have the greater strength with a weapon while she's quick and has a way of deciphering my intent. It gives me great pride that she can and will defend herself. She has no chance against me in dragon form and never did. Facing a man, any man, and she will give them a fight. If a dragon's head is removed from his body in human form, he's dead. Or at least I see no way of coming back after such a strike. I've imparted this wisdom to her. I want her to have all the knowledge she needs if Sarn or even Tahr find her alone. I never think clearly in the time following a bride's death. I know my friends cannot be trusted.
My bride lifts her hand and slides it across my jaw. "So serious, my dragon. Did you not have a good time?"
I bite her thumb and watch as her brown eyes turn glassy and gold streaks sparkle. "Are you hungry, bride?"
She moves in closer and I lower my head so our lips are almost touching when she speaks. "Only for my dragon."
I lift her up and her legs wrap around me. "I want a soft bed beneath us, so hold on." I climb the stairs, walk through endless hallways, and turn many corners until I'm finally in my rooms. She holds on while kissing and nipping at my neck and shoulders. We are both laughing with sensual delight by the time I lean her back on my bed.
I admire her long legs with the thigh boots almost adhered to her skin. These are a new gift and made of a lighter shade of leather. I begin separating the buckles at the top of one leg. She watches me and now her eyes are a lighter shade of brown as they flood with desire. The change in the color of her eyes has always intrigued me. They grow dark with anger and lighten with love. I know she loves me. I also know she's incredibly perfect for me and understands why I cannot return that love.
I slowly draw the boot from her foot and toss it over my shoulder. A husky giggle escapes her throat as I start on the next one. Her skin is so soft while her determination in everything else is hard. She's a contradiction of warrior and woman. My warrior. My woman.
She reaches for a buckle at her wrist. I shake my head. "No, bride, allow me."
Her smile displays the dimples I love to see. "You are moving too slowly, dragon. I only wished to hurry you along." I pull her leg up and twist her over to her belly. The sharp slap I land against her ass makes her squeal in surprise.
"You are at my mercy, bride. I plan to take my time with you."
She glances over her shoulder and I almost come undone at the raw look of need in her eyes. "Have your way, dragon, but remember I will have mine before this night is through."
"With pleasure, bride." I lift her foot and kiss the instep. She's back to giggling until I kiss a path up her leg to her delightful bottom. I lift her slightly and unbuckle the front strap at her waist. I peel the leather away slowly. My handprint shows on one ass cheek. I kiss there first. Her sigh thrills me as I add just a bit of teeth and turn the sound to a moan.
"You are so needy, my beautiful bride," I murmur against her skin.
"I am, dragon. I need you like a sword needs a sheath," she replies breathlessly.
I turn her over and my mouth is at just the right place. "Watch me," I tell her with a bit of demand.
Her eyes flutter open and I kiss the part of her that calls to me even while I sleep. Her female lips are red and swollen. I dip my tongue to absorb their taste and silkiness. She's perfect. I could stay down here for hours and tease her until she begs. Though, I don't wish her to beg. I want her screaming her release a thousand different times because I've brought her there in a thousand different ways.
I slide a finger through the silky liquid her body releases in preparation of mine. She pushes closer to my mouth wanting more. My bride takes what she desires. And I feel it all the way to my soul. The craving to possess her is so strong I can't hold back. Coming up quickly over her, I bury my cock in one thrust. She's watching me and I smile before kissing the sigh from her lips. My bride, my other half. I slowly glide in and out until none of my coaxing makes her open her eyes again. She's lost in what I make her feel. I'm lost in how exquisite she is-the noises she makes as her release draws near. The clench of her fingers on my ass. The dig of her nails because she wants me to increase my pace. Her body trembles as I drive her crazy. Her knees draw up alongside my legs and finally her heels bury against my ass.
I stop all movement and wait for her eyes to open.
She's angry and frustrated all at once. "What are you waiting for, dragon?"
"This!" I lift up and slam down inside her body, pouring mine into hers as blue light encases us. It's hot and cold. Peaceful and serene. Hard and soft. It swirls around us in lazy strokes of blue, lustrous glory.
She lies curled within my arms, the glow still surrounds us. I draw languid circles on her now-bare shoulder. I tend to lose myself too quickly to remove all her clothing at once. That's what she does to me.
"Thank you, Laryn," she breathes against my neck.
I tug on a tendril of her hair. "What are you thanking me for, bride?"
"Everything."
I lean up so she sees my eyes. "You are the best friend I've ever had."