Confronting The Dragon

Lucian's restlessness consumed him as he paced his bedchamber, his hands pressed against his head in a desperate attempt to maintain control. That little piece of fabric was the only thing keeping his untamed dragon blood at bay. It was a small but effective fix that subdued his insatiable addiction to his most desired slave. The mere scent of her was undeniably arousing, intoxicating him with its stimulating effect.

Was it the mate bond? Or perhaps, it was her irresistible allure, her captivating beauty, and her soft, sensuous body that felt like the finest silk. Maybe, it was the way her skin resembled sweet, melted caramel, or the influence of her bewitching Lycan blood. After all, Lycans were renowned for their seductive nature and enticing pheromones.

Lucian was certain that it was a combination of all these elements, entwined into one irresistible temptation. These past few months had pushed him to the brink of madness as he fought against his primal desires. Frustration welled up within him, knowing all too well that resistance was futile.

He questioned whether he could restrain himself from taking her as he had that fateful night. Yet, he also acknowledged that he didn't want it to come to that point again. The haunting memories of her cries, the bite marks and bruises he had left upon her delicate body, and the pain etched in her every movement plagued his conscience.

Lucian had never had to take anything before. As a Prince of his status and the son of the Emperor Dragon, he had always effortlessly obtained whatever he desired. Women literally begged him to bed them, and perhaps he should have indulged in their desires. However, he had chosen to save his virginity for the one woman who had no desire to be in his bed. He had arrogantly believed that when he found his complement, she would willingly worship him like a god.

He found himself questioning what he was supposed to do. Should he demand that Visenya give herself to him whenever he pleased? That's exactly what his father had done with his mother. However, his mother was a compliant slave who had been conditioned all her life to obediently follow orders. She was so completely conditioned that one would think she wanted nothing more than to please her Emperor Dragon. The woman was always seeking his father's love and praise.

Here's the corrected version:

Visenya was not like his mother, though; he was more than certain that she hated him and could care less about gaining his approval or attention. What did he expect from a damn princess? Or Queen, he corrected himself. However, there was something he could use as leverage to get what he wanted out of her. The question was, was he desperate enough to use it? The answer was yes... yes, he was.
———

Visenya meticulously scrubbed the last of the pots and pans, knowing that it marked the end of her daily chores and signaled the arrival of much-needed rest. Another uneventful day with the dragon had passed, and she pushed aside thoughts of how much longer this monotonous routine would persist. Instead, she focused on the tranquility that had settled over her days recently, relishing in the peace.

Although, Marienne didn't contribute much to the chores, she provided company, and Visenya appreciated that. She would never betray Marienne by reporting her lack of productivity. As Visenya prepared to retire for the night, the kitchen door swung open, and a sobbing Emi rushed in, seeking solace in Visenya's comforting embrace.

With concern etched on her face, Visenya gently rubbed Emi's back, trying to console her. "What's the matter?" She asked, her voice filled with empathy.

Emi looked up, her eyes red and swollen from crying. "I just wanted to say goodbye," she choked out between sobs.

Visenya's confusion deepened. "Goodbye?" She repeated, her voice tinged with worry. "Where are you going?"

"The Dragon Lord is sending me and twenty other slaves to King Lazarus. We leave in the morning," Emi replied, burying her face back into Visenya's shoulder, overcome by another wave of anguish.

Visenya's anger surged. "What?!" She exclaimed, her voice laced with frustration. "Why?!"

"I don't know... but I do know how they treat their slaves. I'll be used and abused night and day there," Emi sobbed.

Visenya firmly grasped Emi's shoulders and locked eyes with her. "Emi, listen to me... nobody is going anywhere. I will sort this out, alright?"

Emi's voice trembled with hopelessness as she asked, "What if you can't, My Queen?"

Visenya exchanged a troubled glance with Marienne, uncertainty clouding her expression. However, Marienne stood her ground, silently reminding Visenya that it was time to shed the facade of powerlessness.

"As I said, nobody is leaving this castle," Visenya declared with steady conviction.

With determination fueling her, Visenya swiftly left the kitchen and ascended the stairs to Lucian's bedchamber. Without hesitation, she knocked on his door, her urgency palpable.

"Go away. I don't want to be disturbed," Lucian demanded.

Visenya felt a wave of defeat wash over her as she shrank back, her confidence waning. Slowly, she stepped away from his door, her heart heavy with disappointment. But as she turned around, her eyes fell upon Marienne standing by the stairs, her eyebrow raised in a challenging manner. It was a silent encouragement, a reminder not to surrender.

With renewed determination, Visenya turned her gaze back to Lucian's door. Straightening her posture, she fixed her eyes on the doorknob, a glimmer of defiance in her eyes. Ignoring the voice of doubt in her mind, she took a deep breath and boldly strode into his room, uninvited.

The door closed behind her with a soft click, sealing off the outside world. Standing in the midst of Lucian's domain, Visenya could feel the weight of his piercing glare. It was a mixture of surprise and annoyance that etched lines on his face. He had never expected her to have the audacity to enter his sanctuary without his permission.

He strode towards her with the grace of a lion preparing to pounce on its prey. "How dare you defy me," he growled.

"I... I'm sorry. I needed... to speak with you," she stammered, her words barely audible amidst her nervousness.

"Get out," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

"Please, master... just a moment of your time is all I ask," she pleaded, her voice quivering with desperation.

Lucian walked purposefully to his desk and settled into the chair, exuding an unexpected calmness. "You have sixty seconds. Make it count.”

She swallowed hard, her anxiety mounting as she approached his desk. "Please, master... I implore you, spare the slaves from being sent to Lazarus.”

"My business arrangements with Lazarus are not your concern. End of discussion. Leave," Lucian declared firmly, his gaze cold and piercing.

"Master, please..." Visenya pleaded.

"Did you not hear me?" Lucian snapped. "I said, end of discussion. Now get the hell out before I punish you."

Visenya didn't move a muscle. She stood there before Lucian, with her feet planted firmly on the ground and an ever-growing impulse to stand up for those who desperately needed an advocate.

"No," Visenya asserted. "I am not leaving this room until you rescind your arrangement with that leech."

Not only was Lucian stunned, but it shocked the hell out of her too. It felt like a lifetime since she spoke so boldly, and it felt good. She knew she was probably getting thrown in the hole for this, but she wasn't going down without a fight.

This was certainly not how Lucian imagined this would go. He expected her to be on her knees, begging and pleading with him by now. Instead, she was challenging him, which only made his dragon blood boil. He dug his fingernails into the armrests of his chair, fighting the instinctual need to dominate her just like he did that night.

Then, she astounded him even further by doing the unthinkable: she untied the laces on the front of her dress, slowly pulled it all the way down, and gracefully stepped out of it. She slipped off her underpants and boldly tossed them right on top of Lucian's desk, openly taunting him. Standing before him, completely naked, she exuded confidence and power.