Fire Chronicles

Chapter 9: Bastian

She took the gift of her virginity from me. How dare she! I jumped from the landing at the end of the hall into my eating tower. My roar was loud; the burst of flames and smoke would incinerate anything in its path. My wings pulled me up to the parapet and out to the open sky. The moons shone bright, and I flew fast, heading for her town. Because she didn't know how many men despoiled her, I would kill them all. The crash through realms was painful. It didn't need to be, but I craved this pain, relished it.

The town slept, the lights off. I swooped in low, my wings grazing the tops of their houses, and I roared. She made me crazy. I wanted death, blood, a fight. Killing these humans would give me two of the three. With a burst of flame to their public building, it exploded. Humans poured from their homes, women screamed, children cried. I made one last pass before changing my course. Was anyone inside the burned building? A small part of me didn't want a human death on my hands. Acasia's words made it a smaller part than usual, so I refused to feel guilty.

I flew to Laryn's territory after crashing through the realm again. "Fight me, you no good motherfucker," I bellowed from above his lair.

He didn't keep me waiting. His claiming bride died recently. He covered his grief well, but I knew he burned with sadness on the inside. His roar thundered through the air, his smoke and fire close behind.

"You dare enter my territory without invite. I will kill you, Bastian."

"You will try, you lily livered blue bastard." I expected the impact, needed more pain. Something to take the ache from my heart.

Our clash knocked me back, spinning us both through the sky, our talons locked into the other's scales. No serious damage done, but it hurt and yet felt wonderful at the same time.

"You moron dragon, I thought you claimed your bride this week. Has she rebuffed you so early that you run from her with your tail between your shaking talons?"

My roar exploded as I twisted free and rose higher. I dove, taking him from above, carrying us both downward. He tore away, but managed to slice my wing, ripping a large gash in the unprotected inner flesh. I could still fly, still fight, but my anger receded with the agony. I landed in the soft grass, hanging my head.

Laryn shouted from above, "It's no fun killing a pathetic dragon. Is there something I can say to bring your anger back?"

I watched him land twenty feet away. "Why are females so difficult?" I mumbled.

His blue head flew back, smoke and fire shooting from his mouth, bellowing laughter. "To expect anything different, Bastian, makes you a foolish dragon. Go back to your female and talk her to death, woo her, as is your want. But stay out of my territory."

I shook my head, softening my armor, going out of fight mode. "Are we on for cards next week?"

"Yes, Sarn's place, same time. Bring your female so I can meet her."

I gave a grumpy growl. "Steal her, you mean."

"If you can't protect your bride, then it's always a possibility." His blue eyes shone brighter.

"Humph, you could try. You would die."

"Save your poetry for your bride. You will need it, you ugly, red-spawned demon from hell." He turned away and flew off.

The sun was full up when I saw my lair in the distance. I pulled magic within me, healing my wing and alleviating the pain. She wore a long flowing gown of white similar to her claiming dress but far more luxurious. She stood on the edge of my perch outside my bedroom. My heart dropped. I was too far away to catch her if she jumped. I pumped my wings, eating up the space between us.

"Do not jump, Acasia," I shouted. It was a plea, but I didn't care.

"Did you kill them?" Her sadness swelled within me.

"I killed no one." At least I hoped I didn't.

"Can I trust you, Bastian?"

I was closer now. Close enough to catch her if she jumped. My brain registered her use of my name at the same time she dove over the side.

What the hell? The woman was crazy, no... insane.

I caught her easily, my talons closing around her body, pulling her close to my chest. "You stupid female," I growled.

She actually giggled. "I knew you would catch me. I lied last night. No man has touched me. I was angry and wanted to pay you back for keeping the truth from me. I realized after you left that you would kill them. All the men. But none of them ever even looked my way."

I took us higher, my heart swelling with joy. "They looked at you, silly female. I wanted to kill them but couldn't. I may have left a building at the center of town in flames, though." She burst into full laughter and made my heart swell near to bursting.

Her palm opened against the scales on my chest. "You used my name earlier. May I stop being 'female,' 'human,' or any of the other things you call me?" She caressed me with her fingers as well as her voice.

I would give her anything at this moment. "Yes, Acasia, I shall use your name unless you are acting like a stubborn woman, stupid human, or foolish female." I flew us to a clearing with soft grass, gently spilling her from my hold before landing far enough away not to hurt her.

She dusted specks of dirt and grass from her dress, eyes alight with merriment. "Why did you throw a fit and trash your filthy tower last night, Bastian?"

She'd seen my rage, didn't run from it even after tempting me to murder. Definitely insane. But more beautiful than any bride I'd ever known. "I was jealous of your finger." I huffed it out, the thought still making my anger rise.

"My what?" It took her a moment, but then I watched her cheeks heat, turning a bright red. "Oh."

"I want your pleasure. I want to be the first."

She looked down and mumbled softly, "I never placed my finger past the barrier."

I came closer, lifting her chin with a talon bigger than her head. "Thank you, Acasia. I will treat your innocence with care."

Her gaze burned into mine. "I do not wish to remain innocent any longer, dragon, or I will be forced to use my finger."

Oh, my stubborn lady. How could I not laugh at her demands? I felt my armor slide away, freeing my c**k as it grew. If she'd watched last night, she'd seen me at full mast. The way she looked at me this moment made me want to blare my mating shout. The sound I could only give when taking my mate in dragon form. I'd given up ever finding a dragon mate, but I could make this female my true bride.

I pulled in the magic and shifted.

I stood tall, proud, and human in front of her, my c**k on full display. She looked at me, her gaze traveling my body before slowing returning to my eyes.

Her voice quivered. "Will it hurt?"