Bride of Dragons (The Dragon's Virgin Tribute) (2 page)

The shouts and applause grew even louder, until she had the urge to cover her ears. She put her arm down. Then her gaze shifted to the fight still taking place far below. A huge dragon with golden scales fought a smaller beast, the blue-black color of obsidian.

Ylissa had seen the dragon-form only a few times outside of paintings and books, and always at a formal occasion or ceremony, where her duty was to sit silently and be seen. Watching these dragons now, locked in furious action, took her breath away.

They fought with tooth, claw and the buffeting of wings. They audibly snapped their jaws and thumped the ground with their long muscular tails. The golden dragon was powerful, but the obsidian was fast, lithe and sinuous. They circled each other, coming together and breaking apart. Both had wounds, ranging from minor to bloody.

"How long have they been fighting?" Ylissa asked no one in particular.

"For hours." Mira told her. "All of the hundred lords have fought now, my lady. The winners now battle each other."

One of those dragons below might be her mate. A queer feeling clenched her stomach. Ylissa turned her head away. "I do not wish to watch. Take me away from here."

"But-"

Ylissa looked to the tallest of the guards, who she knew to be senior. After considering for a moment, he nodded and stepped away from the doorway. Ignoring her maid, Ylissa picked up her skirt and hurried through.

The guards guided her to her chambers – the rooms she had always thought to share with her husband after the wedding. There was a sitting room, where she kept an extensive library, and comfortable benches and cushions. A fire-pit was kept perpetually stoked, for like other dragons, Ylissa preferred the warmth. The stone floor was covered in thick carpets and on the walls hung rich tapestries. Depictions of human history and romantic tales, of battles, myths and legends.

Though a large doorway she could see the bedchamber. It was huge, with room for at least two in dragon form. Small windows let a little light filter in when un-shuttered. There was a balcony. Well, really it was a landing ledge – though of course Ylissa didn't use it for that purpose.

Even though she couldn't fly, she was unafraid of heights. Sometimes she sat out here, when the sun was on the right side of the mountain. Looking out now, she could see birds perched on the rough stone railing. They were her frequent visitors. Sometimes, Ylissa liked to feed them crumbs from her breakfast.

She walked through and found that her bed had been replaced. The new bed was human style as she was used to - but much bigger than her old one. Fitting, she supposed. It was neatly made, with layers of soft blankets.

"My lady," the guard said in parting, "we will return to fetch you when it's time."

"Yes, yes." She snapped. "Leave me."

They did, and she heard the barring of the door from the outside. With a sigh, she sat heavily down on a bench, and irritably pulled the golden circlet from her hair. She tossed it toward a cushioned corner, and it bounced and rolled against the wall.

She waited, for who knew how long. At first her nerves made it hard to sit still. She paced the floor, and when she tired of that she sat, wringing her hands and jiggling a foot. She tried to read a book, but couldn't concentrate on the words. Finally she leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes.

T
he door opened, and a guard came in. Ylissa looked wearily up, expecting more attendants and news of some kind or other. But no one else entered. A quick glance at the high barred window told her it was the dark of night. It was extremely unusual for a guard to be alone with her, especially at this hour. Something about this made Ylissa nervous. "Where's Mira?" She asked. Her maid was always around, acting as chaperone.

The guard only offered a brief bow, then held the door wider. To Ylissa's astonishment, a young man entered.

He had the unmistakeable look and rich dress, the quiet arrogance of a dragon lord. He was tall and lean, with a look of wiry strength. His hair dropped forward in a black silken sheet as he bowed low in greeting. His horns were short and black, angling back from his head. When he stood back up, straight, she saw his dark eyes, and his smile. He had a purple bruise on one cheekbone, marring a startlingly handsome face.

Ylissa leaped to her feet, clutching her book against her chest as though it could shield her. "Who are you?" She exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

The man held a finger to his lips in a gesture of quiet. "I came to see
you
." He said. "Unofficially, that is. I only have five minutes."

"How did you get in here?"

The corner of his mouth turned up into a smile. "Why, bribery of course."

She shot a dark look at the guard, who stoically ignored her gaze, staring straight ahead. Why had he snuck in here alone – for what evil purpose? She felt strangely vulnerable, and wished she had something to cover her transparent gown. She held the book tightly against her breasts.

"What are you reading?"

Ylissa realized she was staring with her mouth open. She set her jaw and held her head high, glaring at him.

"A human history tome. It's written in the common tongue. I'm sure you can not read it."

"Well, no." He admitted, with another disarming half-smile. "But I should like to learn. Or perhaps you could read it to me."

She raised an eyebrow, hoping to discomfit him. "In five minutes?"

"No, no..." He gave a low laugh, refusing to be mocked. She heard a sound like a flame crackling in his voice. "We will have the rest of our lives, my Queen. You can read to me later."

A jolt of cold went down her spine. She regarded him silently, looking him up and down. "So you are... one of my consorts?"

He nodded, and took a step toward her, extending his hand. He had rings on all his fingers, and his claws were long. She stared at him dumbly, unmoving, and finally the lord reached closer and took her hand in his, boldly raising it and brushing his lips against the back of it.

From her books, she knew it for a courtly human gesture - one unused among dragonkind. For a moment, her breath caught in her throat. Had he learned that for her?

"I wanted to see you," the dragon lord murmured, in a low, confidential voice. "And speak with you, before I commit to a lifetime as your mate." He still held her hand in his, as though reluctant to let go. "Luckily for me, you are most beautiful. A worthy Queen."

The guard at the door gave a discrete cough. Her suitor straightened up, letting go of her hand. He stepped back, smiling again. "I look forward to our next meeting." And his eyes roamed downward, over her body, making Ylissa feel naked and exposed. "Very much indeed."

S
he huddled in the middle of the huge bed and cocooned herself in soft blankets. After a long while she managed to sleep.

It must have been very early when her door burst open and a pair of guards entered. Ylissa sat up, rubbing her eyes. Seeing the guards, she frowned. In her half-awake state she wondered how they dared burst in on her sleeping.

"What is it?" She asked.

"It's time, Princess. Your mates are waiting," a guard answered.

Now she remembered where she was, and realized what he meant. She pulled the blankets up to her chest, frowning at the guards. "You have awakened me," she said. "You can give me a few minutes to refresh myself." She had no choice but to go with them, but she they could at least afford her basic respect.

After a moment's indecision, the guards agreed, and left.

She got out of bed and cleaned up, straightening her clothes and washing her face. Her hair was teased and messy from tossing and turning in bed. Bitterly, she pulled it out of its bindings and ribbons, and combed it with her fingers as best she could, letting the long dark tresses hang loose to her waist.

In another small act of rebellion, she left off the uncomfortable golden slippers they had dressed her in and left her feet bare. Why should she look beautiful for these strangers, anyway, who she had no part in choosing? Briefly, she thought of her nocturnal visitor. He had been kind enough - or at very least he knew how to flatter her. Would the others be like him?

The guards soon returned to unbar the door. Ylissa was sitting on a bench, back straight and hands in her lap, trying to look regal and hoping they couldn't see her knees shake. She wanted to retain as much composure as she could.

But when she saw the chains in their hands, she felt her eyes go wide. “There is really no need -” she tried to keep panic from her voice.

“It is the tradition.” The guard said.

“A tradition from thousands of years ago!” she retorted. How long had it been since the last female dragon, anyway?

They took hold of her wrists. She tried to resist, spitting all manner of insults at the men. But of course they were stronger, and all she achieved was the loss of her dignity as they dragged her kicking and shouting across the floor.

They threw her on the bed. As they clamped the manacles around her wrists, she tried pleading. “I will not run,” she said. “I promise. Do not chain me.” Tears spilled from her eyes as she begged. Why did they have to do this? She knew her duty – she did! And it wasn't like she could escape anyway. She couldn't fly, like everyone else.

They quickly had her secured, and turned to leave without a word. Ylissa hissed more insults at them, twisting in her chains. They were long enough to let her move around, but short enough to keep her on the bed.

She had struggled herself breathless when she heard wing beats. Immediately, she stopped still, and stared up at the sky. A shape blocked the morning light from the landing ledge. Gusts of wind picked up the ends of her hair, as a dragon descended.

The dragon was huge, silver-grey and scarred. Its clawed feet touched down on the ledge. Before it had finished furling its wings, another smaller, bronze dragon alighted beside it. Briefly, the beasts snapped at each other. Ylissa drew her legs up and cowered at the head of the bed. The beasts blocked the entrance to her room, then stalked inside, squeezing one by one through the opening.

Up close, they were terrifying and magnificent. Their scales shone in the light of the numerous candles set around the room. When one hissed at the other, she saw its teeth, long as daggers. Their eyes glowed, fiery red-orange.

The sound of wings again. A final dragon landed, and made its way inside. This one was small and dark and lithe. It looked like the small dragon she had seen fighting in the pit – but it was impossible to tell. It shook its great head and looked over at the Princess, nostrils flaring. A long, forked tongue flicked out as though reaching to taste her from across the room. She shivered.

As though now realizing she was there, the two larger beasts swung to face her.

Ylissa swallowed hard, looking into their glowing eyes. She held her chin high. “I would have you face me in man-form,” her voice cracked on the last note. The dragons terrified her. At least in human shape they could not rip her apart with one swipe of a claw. “I... want to see what you look like.” She explained.

She watched them change one by one, the transformation quick and effortless. Three men stood, naked. They approached her bed-altar, and stood with ceremonial stiffness to make their introductions.

The first was a man older than Ylissa, strong and in the prime of his life. His thick arms were roped by muscle and old scars. The scales on his muscular legs were golden. He had small, pointed horns, and his face was quite handsome, though there was a cold look in his eyes and his expression revealed nothing.

"I am Lord Thress of Althmoor," he said. "Known as the Eternal Fire. Champion of the Last War. Duke and Protector of Althmoor." He gave the smallest of bows, holding Ylissa's eyes all the while.

At her father's insistence Ylissa had studied the noble dragon families extensively. The titles and names were familiar. Clearly this was an impressive man. Yet she did not like him, at first glance.

Another man stepped forward, tall and dark-skinned. With one look at him, she could tell he had come from far away. His skin was tattooed with intricate winding designs which blended with his dark scales. His dark hair hung in ropes to his shoulders and was adorned with small charms. He had large horns, sweeping back from his head.

He spoke with a thick accent. "I have the honor to be Prince Sudreth, son of the King of the Jural Isles and heir to his throne." A place she had heard of, but of which she knew little.

The Prince bowed deeply, his amber eyes glowing, as a dragon's often would when excited. He smiled hungrily at her, and she imagined sharp teeth behind his lips.

"Princess,” interrupted a voice. “I am Lord Vaermax of Lyrroth."

With this short introduction, Ylissa's gaze was drawn to the final suitor - last night's visitor.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance," he said, just as though they had never met. He gave a little flourish as he bowed.

Ylissa looked at him, astounded. Now that she had his name, she knew exactly who he was. A minor lord! A minor lord had managed to best all the others - save these two, of course - fighting for her hand? This man had no titles or accomplishments to his name. He was a second son – not even an heir to any land worth mentioning.

Smaller and leaner than the other two, his body nonetheless spoke of a wiry strength. His eyes were alert, dark pools which seemed to drink in the sight of her.

He smiled, snapping her back to the present. She nodded, acknowledging their introductions, which felt ridiculous while she was chained to the bed and they were naked. She tried fervently to avert her eyes from their bodies. All three had erect cocks standing in readiness. She had never seen a man naked, outside of paintings – and paintings did not look like
that
.

Her heart was pounding. She fervently hoped her consorts couldn't see how nervous she was.
Please, just let it be over quickly.

T
hey came close to her bed. Like a pack of predators, they surrounded her. Why did they all have to be here at once? Images flashed in her mind. She imagined intimate acts with one while others watched. She'd always imagined such deeds to be private. Her face went hot as she blushed, and she tried not to look at any of them.