“Are you going to kill him if we find him?” Sarn was looking at me.
“Yes, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes, but I’m getting close to a time when I won’t have Calista. It makes us crazy. Is Laryn really at fault or is it the curse?”
I slammed down my cup and stood. “I don’t give a damn. He’s a dead dragon when I get my hands on him.”
Tahr stood and handed me my drink then tipped his cup against mine. “I agree. You touch my bride, you die.”
I clicked his glass, finished my drink, and went to the room provided for me while I was here. Sleep did not come.
***
Acasia
I’d been here three days. All I thought about now was Bastian—not escape, not food, or even what Laryn would do to me.
Bastian.
Laryn didn’t come near the bed again. Once, I asked about the private facility and he smiled like keeping me from it might have me talking. I didn’t ask again. Hours later, he took me outside to an outhouse. I didn’t thank him or even look at him. I crawled back into the bed when I returned.
The need for an outhouse was beyond me today. I was lightheaded from lack of food and liquid. Nothing mattered but Bastian. My poor dragon. I lay thinking about him—loving him and his sharing his world with me. I slept in fits dreaming about him holding me. I opened my eyes and jumped. Laryn sat in the chair, which he’d pulled close to the bed again.
His voice was softer this time. “You aren’t going to eat are you?”
I stared without answering. I woke up this morning no longer hungry; food didn’t matter.
“I’ll make you a deal.” He waited, but I didn’t respond.
“You eat and talk to me for a few hours today. I’ll take you back tomorrow.”
I shook my head. I didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him.
“You must eat, Acasia. I’m sorry I took you. It’s easy to blame it on grief, but I was also selfish. Bastian’s different with you. I was so jealous it hurt. If you won’t talk, I will. I’d like to tell you about Maleah.”
He started talking. I didn’t want to listen. He began at the claiming ceremony and went on from there. In some ways, Maleah was like me and in others completely different.
Laryn’s voice was laced with sadness, “She hated growing old and me staying young. I found myself in dragon form more and more as she aged. It didn’t bother her as much to see me like that, and I wanted her happy. She loved to ride. Even when she was so old and her muscles and bones hurt, she would insist I take her flying. Towards the end, she was in pain all the time. That bothered me more than her eventual death. I hated seeing her in agony that I could do nothing about. She begged me to end her suffering, but I couldn’t. One more day with me was one more day I wouldn’t be alone.”
He stopped talking and looked down. Finally, he lifted his head to meet my eyes. “She couldn’t sleep and would take short walks around our chamber. I would listen for her, but leave her alone because I knew she suffered. The night she died, I must have nodded off. She jumped to her death.”
My body was so dry from lack of water that I didn’t think I could cry, but tears rolled down my cheeks.
“I won’t watch you die or suffer. We leave tomorrow. Bastian will kill me, but I want you to know I’m sorry.”
“I forgive you,” I whispered.
He didn’t acknowledge my words.
We left in the morning. I was too weak to ride even if he’d brought a saddle, which he didn’t. We passed through a realm because he warned me about the pain coming my way. The pain was worse than when I passed the earth realm; I wondered where he’d taken me, but I didn’t ask. If he managed to escape Bastian, I couldn’t tell Bastian where to look for him.
Eventually, through the gap in his talons, I could see things I recognized—the lake nearest the lair, the stream that I walked to the first day Bastian left. It was such a relief, but something else bothered me. What would Bastian do? Killing Laryn would be first on his agenda, but after that, would Bastian believe Laryn never touched me? I’d seen Bastian’s rage when he thought my own finger might have ruined my virginity. And I knew the story of Drakon and Eileithyia—Drakon killed her. As weak as I was, I cringed over what I might face.
“If he’s here, he’ll come out quickly.”
Bastian didn’t show and part of me was glad.
Laryn released me from his talons and I managed to stand while leaning against his leg.
His blue eyes jerked around watching for Bastian but they also showed wary concern. “Can you make it to the door?”
My head spun, but I had the door in my sights and I thought I could manage.
“Yes. Fly away quickly, Laryn,” I whispered.
“Thank you, my lady.”
I took a tentative step and then another. Laryn waited until I leaned against the door. He turned away and his wings sent enough air my way that I almost fell over. I turned the large handle and pushed. The door opened easier than I expected and I fell into the front hall.
It took me a few seconds to open my eyes. Maxwell stood over me.
“Water,” I croaked.
Someone placed cool water to my lips a minute later. I drank too much and nausea rose in my stomach. I knew I looked the complete fool, but I managed to gain my hands and knees, then my feet.
“I don’t think I can make it to my chamber without help.”
Several younger men practically carried me to the library. “Bastian’s room please.” I needed his scent surrounding me. I had no idea when he’d return, but I wanted a reminder of him, now, this instant. I hadn’t bathed since leaving, but I had no strength to get in the bath and needed to lie down. “Please bring me soup and more water.”
They placed me at the edge of the bed and made a hasty retreat. I looked around before shedding my smelly gown. I lay down and waited for food or Bastian.
Fifteen minutes later, Maxwell placed a tray with soup and water in front of me. I drank most of the water before taking a few spoonfuls of broth, not daring to try the chunkier bits. It stayed down. My hands shook as I placed the tray on the floor and fell back on the coverings. Though I fought it, my eyes wouldn’t stay open.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Bastian
Laryn took her to another realm. I no longer had any doubt, and I could no longer keep Tahr or Sarn away from their brides. My head pounded from lack of sleep and too much alcohol. I told them that if today’s search failed to uncover my bride, Tahr and Sarn would return to their homes and I would return to mine.
Alone.
Sarn, offering his lair, saved my sanity over the past few days. But I had to find a way to go home, though I wasn’t giving up my search. I needed another plan. One was contacting Dmitri and having him make inquiries throughout the earth realm.
The sun had gone down, but the moons showed the gold and jewels that littered the area under my perch. I didn’t care; there was no treasure worth more than the one I’d lost. My dark room just added to the gloom. Her smell overwhelmed me and I almost turned around and left when I heard a slight rustling from the bed. It had to be my imagination, but something drew me closer. My feet hit a hard surface then something wet slopped against my legs as I tripped over whatever it was and fell on the bed. On my bride.
“Bastian?”
Her sleepy voice was the sweetest music in the realm. A dream. This couldn’t be happening. She was in my arms held against my chest before I took another breath. It was her. I stood, refusing to release her, kicked the spilled items away, and carried her out to the perch where I could see her in the moonlight.
I lowered my face into her hair, running my nose over her neck and absorbed her scent.
“I smell.”
She shook against my chest, her tears soaking my shirt. “Wonderful,” I breathed against her ear.
“I need to bathe.”
I gently pulled back so I could see her face. Beautiful. I wasn’t letting go. “Forgive me for fail
ing you, Acasia.”
“No, Bastian, I failed you. I was punishing you, I…”
I kissed her, refusing to listen. Pulling away a few moments later, I breathed her in again—running my hand through her hair.
“Please, Bastian, you can bathe with me, but I can smell myself and I need to be clean.”
I could smell her too and him, but it wasn’t the smell of sex. He’d brought her back, carried her, but hadn’t touched her intimately. A part of my heart eased. If he raped her, it was on him, but my own failure would have been complete. My rage at Laryn continued to burn beneath the surface, but it could wait. Killing Laryn would wait.
I carried her into the bathing room and finally set her on her feet. I didn’t mean to scare her, but I ripped the clothes from her body. She stood shivering, her head turned away.
I tipped her chin around, but she wouldn’t look in my eyes. “Acasia.”
She gazed up and what I saw broke my heart all over again. “He didn’t touch me. He didn’t, I swear.”
She was afraid and it tore me to shreds. “Shh, I know he didn’t. Do not worry, I’ve got you now.”
She leaned against me and began sobbing. I kept ahold of her while I turned on the water and adjusted it, pulling her in and sitting down as the water filled. She cried against my chest while I held and soothed her.
“Shh, I’m not leaving you again.” It was a small lie. Laryn had to die, but it could wait.
She calmed and I began washing her from head to toe. I took my time combing the tangles from her wet hair. Her shoulders began shaking again; she took a deep breath, fighting for control, and won. I knew exactly why Laryn returned her. He couldn’t fight her internal strength. I smiled against the top of her head. She was strong, far stronger than my previous brides. And precious, the most prized of my treasures.
The only one who truly mattered.
I lifted her from the tub and dried her with a soft cloth as she clung to me. “What have you eaten?” I whispered against her cheek.
“Just broth.”
“When did you last have a meal?”
I felt her tremble and moved away slightly. I pulled back on her hair gently, making her look up at me. “Acasia?”
“Not since he took me.”
I would kill him slowly. I sent a message to Maxwell for a full meal. I placed a robe around her, picked her up, and carried her to the library, releasing her long enough to light the lamps. She pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. She looked so small on the overly large couch. I did something I would never have imagined. Going to my knees, I sat back on my calves and pulled her feet into my lap. I started massaging the arch of one foot. She smiled.
“Tell me, Acasia, let us talk about what happened.”
Her eyes closed and I didn’t make her look at me. I waited.
“He found me in the cave.” Her voice was surprisingly strong. “I don’t know where he took me, but we crossed a realm and stayed in a one-room cabin.”
I had her foot in my hand and had to remind myself not to flinch or show my fury in any way.
“He tried to feed me, but I would not eat.”
I closed my eyes; it was killing me to think of her suffering. I continued rubbing up her foot to her ankle before taking her other one and massaging it too.
“I stabbed him.”
Shocked, I opened my eyes and saw she stared at me with such intensity. It was the first time I took a good look at her face. A fading bruise outlined her cheek.
“I’m going to kill him, Acasia.”
She shook her head and my anger grew.
“Yes, he needs to die.”
She touched my face, leaning forward so her fingers skimmed down to my jaw. “His greatest punishment is loneliness. He seeks death. I feel sorry for him, but mostly for you, Bastian. I fear for the time you are like him, waiting for your next bride. I promise if you leave him be, I will fight to live every day of my life as long as possible.”
I couldn’t speak. The anger clenched inside of me, but my heart swelled. If any bride was capable of being my mate, it was Acasia. To think I would lose her in fifty years was unbearable. I didn’t know if I could keep my hands off Laryn. I actually knew it impossible.
“You promise?”
“I do, Bastian.”
Our food arrived. “Do not move. We shall eat here.”
She drank water first and asked for more. I knew she had also denied herself liquid. I watched her eat slowly and her eyelids grow heavier. “Two more bites and I’m taking you to bed.”
“I thought I was no longer hungry, but for that I will gladly eat another two bites.” Desire showed in her eyes.
“Silly female, you need your sleep.”
Her eyes twinkled and a soft smile played on her lips. “Silly dragon, I need you.”
I carried her to bed and pulled back the covers. I removed her robe and lay her down memorizing each detail of her perfect body. Her arms lifted, but I pushed them down to her sides.
“I wish to look.”
She blushed.
I leaned in and ran my finger across the bruise on her face.
Her words were so soft. “It doesn’t hurt.”
“It hurts me.”
“Make love to me, dragon, so I may forget that I was stupid and almost lost you.”
I pulled back. “I would have found you.” I kissed her, learning her mouth again, cherishing her taste. Thrilling at each sigh she gifted to me. I moved over her, my body covering hers. Her softness and warmth drawing me in. She wrapped her legs around my hips while lifting hers.
“Take me, dragon.”
I tried to enter her passage slowly, but her arms settled on my back, her fingernails digging into my flesh. “I wish to be gentle,” I groaned out between my teeth.
“No. I want everything you can give to me. Now.”
And like so many times before, I couldn’t deny her request. I pulled almost out before thrusting back in, over and over. Her sighs turned to moans, her moans to a cry as she let go. Two more strokes and my body released. I was home; she was my lair.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Acasia
I loved him before, but somehow that love grew. Buried deep in the back of my mind was the longing for my family and friends, but it was a small spark. Bastian was my family and my best friend. Our lives had changed. He talked to me about dragon business, or dragon theft as it truly was.
He explained about the magic from my old realm and how it was misused, so the dragons took it. I had no reason to doubt him, knowing the goodness in his heart. We spoke for hours and slowly made our way through his bride illustration book. I was never jealous and loved hearing him laugh. He told me stories about all the legend brides from my old realm. I made him promise that when I was gone, he would speak of me and remember me. I noticed his anger, but he eventually made the promise.
He told me he wished to go on a treasure hunt with Tahr. And if I was willing, I could stay with Sarn, his bride, and Tahr’s bride, who would also stay with Sarn.
Before I could answer, he placed his finger on my lips. “The other choice is that I not go. It is your decision and I will honor it.”
I felt truly loved and part of him now. “I’m sure I can pull Calista and Megan into some type of trouble without you around to guide me.”
“Imp. I see you as my guide.” He pinched my nose.
“I would love some time talking to other women, but I shall miss you.”
“Fly with me today, and we will leave for Sarn’s lair tomorrow.”
He took to me to our glade knowing it was my favorite spot. I quickly undressed while he watched. When my last piece of clothing hit the tall grass, I turned and ran. He waited until I was a ways away before giving chase. He loved this game. I tried hiding, but it did no good because I couldn’t stop giggling.
“Got you.”
I squealed in pretend fright, though a few minutes later the noises I made were from his mouth at
the juncture of my thighs. He continued a slow steady assault on my body.
“Bastian, please take me.”
“I don’t want you forgetting me, Acasia. Let go so I can start over again.”
He was killing me, but it was a death I gladly accepted. He brought me to fulfilment again and again before the glade lit up with the red burst of dragon light as he gave me what he had taken. It was a glorious afternoon and one I would never forget. Curled tightly in his arms that night, I thanked the gods for the gift of my dragon.
We left early the following day, and for once, my excitement had me ready to leave before Bastian was.
“I would think you are looking forward to being away from me.”
“Silly dragon, I shall cry myself to sleep each night and be a poor friend to the women. They will want your return almost as badly as I.” I could see he didn’t believe a word I said, but I would miss him.
We arrived at Sarn’s lair, and it was hard to tamp down on my excitement, though saying goodbye to Bastian was difficult. I wiped my tears as I watched him fly away. Calista and Megan held my hands. They were older, and they told me they rarely had this opportunity to share openly with other brides. In just a short time, we began driving Sarn crazy with our giggles.
“May we cook for you, my lord?” Calista asked.
“Yes, be gone so I may find peace, but do not over tire yourself.”
I could not imagine calling Bastian my lord; the thought made me chuckle. Calista showed us the way to the kitchens. The humans we passed smiled at us, behaving much differently than Bastian’s.
“Why did you giggle?” Megan asked me once we entered another long hallway with no one around.
“I do not call Bastian ‘my lord’ and thought it funny that Calista referred to Sarn as such.”
“Oh.”
Calista spoke up. “I am much older and things are changing. I argued with Sarn for years to allow me time in the kitchens. I use the term ‘my lord’ when it’s something I want badly. He’s grown to understand.”
“I like it,” I said. “Your humans are friendly with you.”
I could hear her breathing grow ragged and we slowed to allow her time to catch her breath.