Dragon Lords Books 1 - 4 Box Set: Anniversary Edition (76 page)

T
he torches had begun
to dim when Pia took the fur coverlet from the sconces and pulled it around her naked body. Zoran lay on the bed, his ankles crossed and his hands threaded behind his head. He looked thoughtfully at her and gave her a slight, interested smile.

“Any chance you are planning on spending the night outside this tent?” she asked dryly.

Zoran’s grin widened. He clearly wasn’t going anywhere.

“Any chance you’re going to share that blanket with me?” he questioned instead. His eyes lit with meaning as they dipped over the fur.

“Not on your life.” She lay down next to him, though far enough away that he couldn’t touch her without making an effort.

“What if I said I was cold?”

“Sorry,” she answered without a moment’s consideration. She turned her back on him, snuggling into the warmth. Giving a contented sigh, she said, “I’d have to tell you to quit being a baby.”

“I’d share with you.”

Pia stiffened. His voice had drifted closer though she hadn’t felt him move. The bed hadn’t shifted under his weight. She closed her eyes, concentrating on him while pretending to fall asleep.

Gradually, she felt the light caress of a hand on her hip, running softly up her side over the fur. Her arms were buried beneath the blanket so he didn’t meet with flesh. Slowly, he worked his fingers into the bun in her hair, loosening the strands and combing them out with his fingers. Pia shivered, starting not to mind her hair for the first time since growing it. When she didn’t scream, Zoran grew bolder, edging closer so his body curved along hers.

She felt a tender kiss on her neck as his face buried into her locks. He breathed deeply.

“I want to make love to you,” he whispered boldly. “I’ve wanted to since the moment I first saw you.”

Pia scrunched up her nose in disbelief. Some men would say anything for sexual release.

Zoran discovered an opening in the fur and dipped his hand in to find her bare stomach. He kissed her again, nudging the fur down over her arm. Pia couldn’t move, could barely breathe. She tensed against his expertly searching caress. Since first walking into his tent, she’d felt a wondrous fog tempting her. It now threatened her tired mind, and she didn’t fight him as hard as she should have.

Zoran’s fingers bumped the long scar on her ribs. He trailed down it and found her navel buried in her flat belly. He dipped his hand lower only to pause on her stomach. She tensed beneath his fingers.

“Turn around,” he urged against her long neck. “Let me kiss you.”

Pia didn’t move. His kisses dotted insistently behind her ear.

“I want to look at you,” he said, his voice husky with desire.

Skeptically, she asked, “Why?”

“Because it would give me pleasure.” He massaged her stomach in little agonizing circles. His callused palm felt so good against her skin.

Pia did turn, but it wasn’t to receive his kisses. “Do you think you’re funny?”

She grabbed his hand and threw it back. What had she been thinking, marrying a complete stranger? Oh, right, it was either this man or being skinned alive.

At least being skinned has a definite ending,
she thought, wondering what it was going to be like living out the rest of her days with this gigantic frustration next to her.

“Pia—?” Zoran asked, confused.

“You want to see?” Pia fumed, tearing and kicking out of her blanket. She was completely naked except for her underwear. “Now will you leave me the hell alone? Huh?”

Zoran’s eyes unabashedly roamed her skin

“Have you had enough of a laugh, Zoran? Or do you want more?” Pia grabbed her underwear, tugged them down and kicked them off. They flew off the end of her foot. Outrage blazed in her heated gaze. “Is that enough? Have you seen enough?”

Pia didn’t stop there. She tore up from the bed, holding her hands out to the side before twirling in one angry circle. Her hair whipped around her shoulders.

Zoran’s eyes swept to the part between her thighs. Unconsciously, he sat up, a smile beginning to line his mouth.

Her lips trembled and her eyes pooled with moisture. Quivering, she snatched up the fur and wrapped it around her arms. With jerky movements, she stomped around the bed and lay down on the opposite side.

The way he had looked at her and the smile on his face, had torn at her soul. He was so handsome. Even if he seemed pleased with her now, even if she could believe his touch wasn’t meant in ridicule, in the morning it would be different. He would be ashamed of her. How could he not be? She was ashamed of herself.

Z
oran frowned
. Rolling over, his hand lifted to touch her, only to hesitate. His wife was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Aside from the long gash down her ribs, she was smooth and tanned. He itched to explore her. His mouth longed to taste every inch of her. She was gorgeous.

He had been enjoying her twirling performance. The hair between her thighs was trimmed short and instantly drew his attention. How could Pia mistake his look of desire for amusement?

“Pia,” he began, undaunted as he reached to touch her. She jerked her arm away and moved to the outermost edge of the low bed, so far she nearly fell off. Zoran lurched forward and grabbed her hip, holding her up. He forcibly dragged her into his embrace and turned her face to his. He stroked her cheek. Her wide hazel eyes stared back at him. They were the loveliest shade of brown and green, perfectly combined.

The crystal glowed softly between them, urging his lips forward to kiss her pain away. His mouth was gentle. His hands were searching, as he slowly peeled the fur aside to find her flesh.

Zoran wouldn’t make the mistake of calling her beautiful again. But she was beautiful. So beautiful that it was inconceivable she didn’t know it. So, he just assumed she did know and had been hurt because of it.

He stroked along her neck, happily feeling her racing pulse. He glided through the valley of her breasts and down her stomach. When he turned his fingers, moving to cup her between the thighs, she jolted.

“Ah,” she moaned, trying to close her legs. It was too late. He had his hand pressed to her sex and had no intention of moving it away.

“Shh,” he whispered into her mouth, keeping her dazed with his soft kiss. “Don’t think, Pia. Just feel me. Just feel my hand. I’m not going to hurt you.”

To his relief, her fingers lifted to his shoulder and lay still, tentatively holding him to her, but poised so she could push at any moment.

His words were soothing, as if taming a wild animal. “Close your eyes.”

She obeyed.

“You are my wife,” he stated, so there would be no mistake. “I’ll look at you. I’ll have you look at me. Do you understand?”

Weakly, she nodded.

“I’ll kiss you, Pia,” he murmured, deepening his kiss slightly before pulling back. He lifted his hand from her thighs to touch her neck. “And I’ll touch you.”

Pia moaned when he moved his hand over to her breasts, circling his thumb around a sensitive nipple.

“I’ll touch you here.” Zoran caressed the other breast in his palm, taking his time.

She kept her eyes closed.

“And I’ll most definitely,” he continued, trailing his hand once again to her thighs, “be touching you here.”

As Zoran said the word “here”, he let his finger slip into her moistened folds. Pia’s hips jerked. Inside he groaned with satisfaction, outside he kept his voice calm. It wouldn’t do for this wild mare to buck him off quite yet. He had every intention of taming her.

“Zoran,” she whispered as his stroke deepened.

He took the sound into him, relishing it.

“Do you understand what I have told you?” Zoran’s voice left no doubt that he was in control of their situation and that he was in control of her. He stroked a little deeper, staying on the outer rim of her sex. Her hips tentatively moved against him.

“Yes,” she breathed.

“Yes, what?” he insisted, not wanting to mistake her pleasure for an honest answer.

“Yes, I understand.” She moaned loudly, biting her lip.

Zoran’s cock begged for freedom. Pia’s sex convulsed tightly around him. The warrior in him couldn’t resist as he explored her, probing deep. She was so snug, as if it had been a long time since she’d been with a man.

“Take the fur from my hips,” Zoran instructed her. Again he stroked her, dipping ever so slightly deeper inside her moist pussy. “Look at me, Pia. Look at your husband. I want you to touch me, feel me.”

Pia pulled the fur loincloth. It fell to the side. She hesitated, her hand stopping near his stomach.

“Touch me,” Zoran demanded, needing more than anything to feel her hands on him. He closed his eyes so she couldn’t see the golden evidence of his dragon-shift coloring his gaze. He growled. “Lower.”

Pia dipped her hand lower.

“Lower,” he insisted. “Take me in your hand.”

Her hand journeyed down at the heated request. He tensed in anticipation. When her hand bumped the tip of his hot erection, she jerked back in surprise.

“Argh,” Zoran growled. Removing his hand from her, he guided her fingers to wrap him. All the time he continued to ply kisses to her face. “Just like that. Oh yeah, just like that.”

Zoran resumed stroking her and his mind became numb to everything but release. He slid his finger inside her.

“You’re so tight,” he said. “Have you been with a man?”

Pia innocently shook her head, evidently past the point of lying or caring.

The admission was more than he could take. The conqueror in him needed to lay claim to her. The sweet smell of her, the taste of her mouth, it was all blessed insanity. Maybe she’d been right, maybe he was insane. He didn’t care.

Before Zoran could stop himself, he was above her, opening her thighs, poising to drive into her. A moan escaped her followed by a ragged pant. She wanted him. She wanted his touch. He knew she did.

Zoran brought himself to her, felt her moist fire calling to him. Suddenly, he got a hard jolt to his chest. The crystal was fading fast. He looked at Pia’s face.

Pia’s wide eyes stared at him. Her chest heaved. She’d felt the sensation, too.

With a grimace, Zoran pulled away from her. He couldn’t take her. Not tonight. The crystal’s strange reaction had to be a sign. If he took her, the council elders would know. She would be sent away and he would have to live out his many years all alone.

Pia’s body was poised, open to him.

“I can’t.” Zoran was nearly mindless with the agony of his body’s denial. “Not yet.”

“It’s fine,” she said softly. “I know.”

She rolled away from him, giving him her back.

Zoran took the fur and put it tenderly over her shoulders. His hand actually trembled as he drew it away. The sight of her naked back was pure torture.

P
ia curled into a humiliated ball
. He couldn’t pretend. He couldn’t force himself to have sex with her. Silent tears poured bitterly down her cheeks but she held perfectly still.

She understood perfectly what was happening. He’d given it a valiant effort, but could she really blame him? Even as she hurt, she forgave him. She knew what she was. She wasn’t pretty. She wasn’t anything. She felt Zoran wasn’t a mean man, she saw it in the tender way he’d looked at her. He’d tried. She would give him that.

Pia took a deep breath, knowing he couldn’t look at her anymore. She lay quietly for a long time, barely drawing breath as she tried not to move. Even when she finally felt his even breathing, Pia didn’t turn around to look at him. She was unable to sleep throughout the long night. Her body ached too badly. Never had being ugly hurt so much. Her tears were silent and she sucked them inside, burying her pain. Even in his sleep, Zoran didn’t touch her again.

M
orning came
slow to the planet of Qurilixen and Pia was awake to watch the sunlight as it crept under the tent flap. Slowly, she stretched her arms, pushing quietly upright as she suppressed a yawn.

Her tired eyes glanced over Zoran and she felt a little resentful at him for the ache in her loins that wouldn’t go away. Taking the fur coverlet with her, she walked over to the table. Her stomach churned with hunger and she picked out a couple pieces of fruit and ate them. Eyeing the feast, she wished there was something else besides chocolate and cream sauce and, lest she forget, the disgusting wine.

Suddenly, she heard a quiet shuffling at the door. Her arms stiffened. Was this it? Were his friends coming after all to have their peek at her? She swallowed, angrily crossing over to the tent flap.

The servant on the other side jolted in surprise to see her irritated face. Pia forced her expression to go blank as the young man recoiled from her.

“My lady,” he mumbled to Pia with an awkward bow. “Your clothes for the ceremony today. King Llyr and Queen Mede request your presence.”

“Ah, thanks,” she answered, taking the bundle from him. The man bowed his head, but scurried away from her. Pia glanced down at the black and red clothing she’d been given. The dark material was of a fine quality with red stitching that suspiciously matched the tent walls.

Frowning, she carried them inside. Zoran still slept, so she went back to the table and laid the clothes out on a cushion seat. She found a tunic shirt and breeches, obviously made to fit Zoran. There was a pair of leather boots in the stack, also his. On his tunic shirt, a red dragon was embroidered with fine hand-stitching.

The second outfit was a long dress. Pia frowned. If she was going to stay, it was time for their little custom of women in dresses to change. The gown was finely made, but very heavy. The black material would fit tightly to her body. Red trim parted the front to show more red beneath the split in the floor length skirt, and a red dragon was embroidered on the center of the chest to match his. There was also a hairpiece. Looking at its ribbons and straps, Pia frowned. She had no way of knowing how to work such a contraption.

Eyeing Zoran, she grinned. The servant handed her the clothes, so it was only right she got first pick. Dropping the fur around her ankles, she slipped his tunic shirt over her head. It was fairly large, but with a roll of the sleeves, it worked just fine. Next, she pulled on his breeches and tucked the waist, before making herself a belt out of the hair piece. She rolled the legs up and smiled. There, much better than a dress. His boots were too large so she decided to go barefoot.

Now, didn’t the servant say something about her presence being requested by royalty? Oh, that’s right. She had to go before them with Zoran to proclaim her marriage. The imaginary gremlin on her shoulder did a little jig of mischievous pleasure.

Going over to Zoran, she kneeled down and touched his shoulder to shake him awake. He was so commanding, everything about him whispering of power and strength. Pia had never been a woman who could be easily controlled, but this warrior had done something to her the evening before. She didn’t like it. She wanted her control back.

“Zoran,” she said softly, waking him.

Her imaginary gremlin giggled.

Instantly, Zoran’s eyes were open. Seeing her face leaning over him, surrounded by the waves of her blonde hair, he smiled.

“The king and queen wish to see us. I’ll be right outside.” Pia stood before he could react and was out of the tent.

Z
oran sat up
, scratching his stomach. He’d spent the night dreaming of family. He wanted children desperately, many fine warrior sons that would make both parents proud. The evening before he had decided not to press the issue of children with his wife, as there would be plenty of time for that, but apparently his dreams had not let the matter go so easily.

What did matter was that his life had transferred into her, connecting them. Maybe not completely, but it was a start. Soon their souls would join and he would be able to feel her as if she were his own heart beating inside his chest. And they would be able to telepathically speak to each other, even over long distances. Such was the way for dragon-shifters. His life was now hers. It really was that simple.

He absently grabbed a shirt from the pile of clothes on the bed next him. Blinking as tried to pull it on, he realized it wasn’t a shirt at all, but Pia’s dress. He frowned to discover his boots on the floor and none of his other clothing.

He was wrong. There was nothing simple about the woman he’d married.

“Pia,” he called, keeping his fur loincloth on as he crossed to the tent’s opening. His little bride was nowhere to be seen.
By all the gods!
“Pia!”

P
ia smiled
and kept walking as Zoran yelled her name. A light bounce entered her steps. Heading toward the campgrounds, she ignored the other tents. Soon, she was where the giant bonfires had burned so brightly the night before. The flames were low, almost out.

Grinning like she didn’t have a care in the world, she ignored the stares she received. Somehow the adverse attention was comfortingly familiar to her. She was at ease under the obvious scrutiny and judgment.

Pia found the platform in the front of the crowd. Councilmen stood to the side of the royal couple, who were seated in the middle. King Llyr and Queen Mede’s crowned heads shone pleasantly. They were dressed in matching purple tunics.

Noticing her attention, the king stopped in mid-sentence and bowed his head regally at her. His eyes clouded in confusion as he took in her attire. Soon all the council was staring at her too. Pia slowly stepped up the stairs and bowed while tugging up the waist of her oversized breeches. Her bare feet poked out and she tapped her toes absently on the wooden planks.

“Where is Zoran?” the queen asked, after taking in the woman’s masculine attire.

Pia smiled and gave an impish shrug. Her voice clear, she said, “In bed. I guess he overslept.”

The crowd laughed. The king muttered, sounding discontent. The queen stiffened, her brow knitting ever so slightly in worry.

Pia’s smile wavered at the sound of amusement. She expected to be amusing at best, but the sound of the crowd’s laughter was becoming mocking. She glanced behind her at them and then back to the king and queen. The crowd grew quieter, edging closer to hear anything she might say. “I was told I was to come and—”

“There he is!” someone shouted behind her.

Pia closed her eyes, suppressing the grin that tried to spread over her features. She wondered if he wore the dress. When she had control over her expression, she turned to see. He still wore the loincloth. His armband sparkled in the sunlight to contrast his tanned flesh.

“Excuse me,” Zoran announced, giving a quick wave to the crowd. They cheered him like he was a hero, even as their laughter turned to good humor. He stepped up arrogantly to join his naughty wife. He eyed his tunic on her.

“We will be back to report in a moment,” Zoran announced. The crowd laughed louder, enjoying the great comedy of the morning event. The king’s eyebrows shot up in question and Zoran gestured dismissively. King Llyr looked at his wife. Queen Mede’s eyes widened and she tossed her hand. She shook her head, as if at a loss for words.

Zoran gave his wife a bemused look. Then, with a decisive grunt, he leaned over, picked her up off the ground and threw her over his shoulder. Pia yelped, her shout of displeasure causing the members of the crowd to fall over each other with laughter. The sound of merriment grew by leaps and bounds until all teasing was lost in a sea of gasping breaths and sharp sighs.

Zoran didn’t say a thing as he carried her back to his tent. Through the tunic, she felt the press of his shoulder to her stomach. If he turned his head, he could take a playful bite of her tender hip.

Before Pia knew what he intended to do, he dropped her to the ground and stripped the tunic off of her in one swift movement. His eyes gleamed as he looked at her naked breasts. Pia frowned, turning to hide them from him. Zoran instantly pulled the loose breeches from her hips to bare her backside.

Pia gasped in outrage. She would’ve run, but he pulled her to him, causing her to tremble and weaken. He was naked and pressed intimately against her backside. The hard length of his morning arousal burned into her flesh.

“I’ll have to punish you publicly for that stunt, wife,” he said darkly into her ear before biting the tip. She shivered anew. His nearness stirred and heated her blood. “It’s a matter of honor.”

“Do and I won’t finish the ceremony,” she swore, hardening her tone to hide her body’s reaction to him.

“Oh, you’ll finish it wife,” he promised, bending his knees and nestling his arousal into the cheeks of her ass. “Then, we’re going back to my home and we’re finishing what we started last night.”

“I would rather die.” She was frightened by the strength in him. Pia had seen his anger, barely constrained beneath his simmering surface. “I’m not going back out there with you and I’m not putting on that dress. I hate dresses. I want my own clothes.”

“Either you put that dress on, or so help me I’ll drag you out there naked,” he swore. Zoran set her away from him. Despite his affectionate caresses, he was clearly furious.

When Pia peeked over at him, his face was red with contained anger. She shivered and hurriedly put on the dress. Zoran took the tunic for himself.

“Come,” Zoran ordered, as he tugged on his last boot.

“No.” Pia was outraged, too, as she thought of what public humiliation he might plan. Suddenly, she saw that thin ties were in his hands. “I don’t want to and you can’t make me.”

Zoran leapt, pouncing on her as he tackled her to the bed amidst her cries of protest. Within seconds, he had her bound and gagged. She cursed him, a muffled sound full of fire and vinegar. He ignored her, smiling down at her with a terribly aggravating sweetness.

“You must be punished,” he said by way of an explanation. “I’ll not have my reputation destroyed because you hate dresses. I’ll not be humiliated by my wife.”

Z
oran eyed his handiwork
, but didn’t feel pleasure in it. Pia wore the gown he’d ordered for her, a gag, and ties around her wrists and ankles. He hated the necessity of his actions and knew this was not the best way to privately start their marriage. However, publically, it was what needed to be done. He couldn’t have her threatening not to finish the ceremony, or pulling any more stunts that would question his honor and his manhood.

Pia glared insolently at him. As she stood before him, she looked positively miserable in the gown and black dress slippers. Her jealous eyes had looked at his boots in longing. After today he would buy her a thousand pairs if it made her happy. Though, he doubted boots would make up for what he was about to do.

Zoran lifted her up and threw her over his shoulder before carting her back out of the tent. Pia tried to kick and jerk free. Zoran was glad he’d gagged her, for her words were heated as she muffled curses at him. Her arm hit into his temple, trying to strike him any way she could. He leaned his head to the side, away from her wrath.

It appeared as if no one had moved away from the platform in his absence, as the crowd waited for Prince Zoran to return with his bride. He knew they would be most anxious to see what he would do to her, and they were not disappointed. A tittering laughter resumed amongst them.

Zoran came through their depths carrying his bride. A smile shone widely on his face, a joy he did not feel deep inside. He waved politely to acknowledge the crowd before turning around to wink at his mother. She shook her head in maternal disapproval. The king chuckled despite himself, causing the queen to turn her look on him. Zoran took the stairs as if his burden were no heavier than a leaf.

With a measured toss, he set his wife on her feet before the watching Draig. Her hair bounced and flew around her head. Pia glared at the crowd. They laughed and pointed at her.

“Queen Mede. King Llyr. May I present Lady Pia of the Earthen people,” Zoran introduced loudly, twirling her around to face them. To the crowd’s growing merriment, Pia tried to bounce away across the platform. Zoran grabbed one of her ties to keep her still. Her body jerked to a stop and she growled.

The queen waved her hand regally for him to proceed.

Slowly, Zoran reined his bride back to his side, twirling the tie in one hand. Pia growled and shot daggers at him with her eyes. He winked back at her causing a long, muffled string of curses to be thrown at his head.

“Allow me to help you,” he murmured gallantly to Pia.

Zoran smiled as he took the crystal from his neck and dropped it on the ground. Then, lifting his angry bride up, he brought her tied feet down on top of it and forced her to smash it. She swayed as the stone broke and the fog of the crystal was lifted from her mind. She stumbled to the side with a little hop. Zoran steadied her.

The queen looked at the king, who just shrugged his shoulders and motioned for her to continue.

“Welcome to the family of Draig, Lady Pia. I hope you will enjoy your new home,” the queen said, her voice not as strong as it usually was.

Pia nodded at her before blinking rapidly. She swayed on her feet.

“She says thank you, queen,” Zoran said. “Now, if you would excuse us?”

With a weak moan, Pia blacked out. Zoran caught her in his arms and held her.

“Certainly,” Queen Mede said, still shaking her head at her wayward son.

With little effort, Zoran carried his bride from the platform. Her eyes were closed and her bound wrists bounced limply on her chest as he walked. He nodded to the crowd. They nodded back, smiling at their leader and his audaciousness. He continued away from the tents to the front gate of the mountain palace and didn’t stop until he reached his wing of the castle home.

Q
ueen Mede looked
at her husband, using her thoughts to communicate with him so none of their people could hear them. “You need to speak to your son when this is over.”