Chapter 5

He carried his mate over the threshold. A sense of rightness settled over him. Argenis could protect his mate anywhere, but having her in his lair satisfied the dragon inside him.

"This is your home?" she asked as soon as he'd set her feet on the beautiful wooden mosaic floor.

Watching her turn a slow circle around in the foyer to appreciate all the treasures he'd collected over the years elated him. "This is my public space. My dragon's inner sanctum is much more protected."

"There are things in there that need to be safeguarded more? Is that a Van Gogh?" Ciel asked, walking toward the large painting that dominated the space.

"He was a tortured soul, but shared my love for the moon. He overindulged regularly in absinthe."

"Of course. That explains why you have a priceless painting in your foyer. Are you just rolling in money?"

"Are you asking to see my bank accounts?" he said with a smirk.

"No. I don't want to see them," she said, shaking her head quickly. "Wait. Are you like an art dealer? How did you know Van Gogh drank absinthe?"

"I sat next to him at a bar one afternoon. The bartender knew him well and enjoyed gossiping. I settled his bar tab in exchange for the picture."

"You were at a bar with Van Gogh and paid his bill? How old are you?" she asked, looking so confused.

"I am as old as the mountains that surround Wyvern. Perhaps it's time we talked, now that you have rested."

"You think?"

"There are consequences for your actions, Ciel. Be careful. Let's go sit in the parlor."

He could hear her repeating the word parlor in a mutter under her breath. His mate delighted him.

"Now that we're in the parlor , tell me what's going on."

"This is the second time, I'll warn you to not speak to me in that tone," Argenis warned, sending her a steely look that made her flop into a chair.

"Let me see if I can wrap history up in three sentences. Dragons rule. Your ancestors promised their daughters to the dragons who protect Wyvern. You are my mate."

"So, I'm your first mate?" she asked.

"No."

"I don't want to be part of a harem."

"A dragon only loves one woman at a time. His longevity helps lengthen his mate's life, but humans are fragile. When one mate dies, the dragon grieves their loss."

"But another mate is coming," Ciel insisted. "When I die, you'll just move on to the next."

"That is not correct. Do you think of Maureen's mother?"

"My grandmother? Of course. She was the sweetest. I loved to sit on her lap."

"Will you forget her with time?" Argenis probed.

"No. Are you saying you remember all your mates?"

"And treasure their memories," Argenis confirmed. "It is the curse of living a long time. You are forced to say goodbye to those you cherish."

"Tell me about your last mate."

"Everly was fifty when I found her. Her parents had moved away to another country when she was young. On a lark, she returned to visit where they had lived. When she drove through the mountain pass to enter Wyvern, I spotted her."

"How long were you together?" Ciel asked, leaning forward as if he'd captured her attention.

"At our first meeting, I knew she was ill. Dragons bring health to their mates. It is rare that any suffer from human diseases. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done. She would have lasted months if we had not met. As it was, we had five years together." Argenis reached up to wipe away the tear that streamed down his cheek.

Ciel stood and walked to his side. Her expression of exasperation disappeared and turned to concern. Argenis scooped her into his arms and sat her on his lap to hug his precious mate. Dragons learned quickly to focus on the now. The past held pleasant memories. The future? Unknown.

"That's really sad. Do you ever think having a mate isn't worth the habitual heartache?"

"No. Losing one makes me treasure the next even more."

He hugged her tight before sitting back slightly. "It also makes me establish rules to keep you happy and healthy."

"Rules? Like what? No running inside," she scoffed.

"If you wish to run, I will be glad to chase you outside," he suggested. "Dragons have a high predator instinct."

She stared at him with wide eyes for several seconds before whispering, "I just remembered I don't like to run."

"Smart," he said, knowing his smile was a bit dragonish. "You will follow my directions immediately, without question."

"That's harsh, don't you think?"

"No. You will allow me to care for you. A well-kept secret is that all mates identify as Little."

"Submissive?" she asked.

"Yes, but more specific. Little is spankier."

"Spankier?"

"A very good consequence for a mate."

"You're going to spank me if I don't follow your directions?" she looked at him as if he were crazy. Ciel wasn't able to control her expression completely. He could see the spark of sexual heat in her eyes and feel her body temperature rise.

"Yes."

"I don't think my ancestors agreed to that," she tried to dismiss the idea.

"Oh, they did. I'll be glad to show you in the contract."

That earned him a second look of disbelief.

"You rested and ate before we left your mother's house. Let me show you around our home."

Originally built to take advantage of the mountain breezes and natural light, Argenis's home was comfortable without the support of electricity. He led her through the main rooms and encouraged her to explore. Along the way, he introduced her to his staff. Everyone welcomed her warmly.

"Where does everyone live?"

"Some have relocated into the houses on my grounds. Others live in town. The groundskeeper collects everyone who doesn't wish to walk here, in a cart in the morning, and delivers them at home at the end of the day."

"People just moved here?"

"Yes. There were a few who lived outside the mountains ringing Wyvern. It is not safe there. I allowed their family to come here and found jobs for all," Argenis assured her as he walked past a heavily fortified metal door with old-fashioned locks along one side.

"What's in there?"

"My treasury. Dragons are collectors of all things precious. My wealth resides there."

"What if someone robs you?"

Argenis laughed and patted himself on the chest. "Dragon, remember?"

"That doesn't mean you're indestructible."

"Close. Let's worry about my demise on a different day. Here is our room," he said, waving her into the extensive suite.

Decorated in ice bluish-white colors with silver accents, it sparkled. Ciel walked inside and turned in a circle. "It's gorgeous. Did your last mate design it?"

He understood her true question. "This room, as well as many others in the house, is redesigned to welcome a new mate, no matter how long it takes for her to appear. I will change anything you wish. Your things have already been unpacked and Silly is in the adjoining room."

"Really? What's in there?"

She rushed forward to the door he'd nodded to, coming back to link her arm with his and drag him forward when the mate bond kicked in. "Come on."

He heard her gasp of shock when he opened the door. "What is this place?"

"It is your space. You can read, play games, nap, whatever you like," Argenis explained as he waved his hand toward different areas of the room.

"Does that say naughty chair ?" she pointed to a wooden chair with no cushion facing the undecorated corner.

"Yes." He loved her shiver and knew she wasn't aware she had reacted so deliciously.

"I think it's time for your first spanking," he announced.

"What? Why? I didn't do anything bad."

"Come here, Little Sky." He walked into the room and guided her with a hand to her lower back to the big chaise lounge set up in her reading area. He sat on the long extension and drew her between his legs. Without explaining, he unfastened her jeans.

When she twisted away, he smacked her sharply on the bottom, shocking her into freezing in place. "This is a good girl spanking, but it can become more severe if you need it to be."

"Why are you taking off my pants?"

"Spankings require bare bottoms."

He had her jeans and panties lowered to her knees as she digested that fact. She didn't squirm again until he lifted her and draped her over his lap on her tummy. Her struggles were useless, but so very enjoyable.

Argenis held her in place easily and stripped off her shoes and the crumpled clothing around her ankles. Rubbing a hand over her bottom, he devoured the sight of her displayed over his thighs.

"Argenis, stop!"

"Daddy," he corrected her absentmindedly. "You can lie to yourself if you wish, Ciel, but never to me. I can smell your arousal." He traced the cleft of her bottom to her pussy, drawing her attention here. "How long have you wondered what a spanking would feel like?"

"Never! I never wondered that!"

"Careful, Little Sky. Dragons can also smell lies."

He swatted her lightly as a test. She froze in place for a split second before struggling to get away. Delivering a second firmer slap, Argenis was pleased to see her freeze and inhale deeply. That was it.

Keeping the impact at that level, he concentrated on bringing a uniform pink blush to her beautiful skin. Ciel continued to wiggle for a short time before her body relaxed and dangled. To reward her, Argenis delivered the next spank directly on the seam of her pussy.

"Ah!" she gasped, lifting her torso in reaction.

"You're alright, Ciel. Daddy knows all your secrets."

"Damn nose," she muttered.

"No cussing," he corrected her cheerfully as he moved her thigh to spread her legs. When she pulled them back together, he swatted her a bit firmer. "None of that. Back into position."

He continued to deliver harder strikes until she relented and followed his directions. "Good girl," he praised her and rewarded her with another light slap to her pussy. Her groan went straight to his cock, testing his control.

Argenis altered light spanks with deepening caresses between her legs. Completely wet, Ciel's small whimpers and moans guided him in balancing pain and pleasure. When he heard a small sob, Argenis knew she'd reached the turning point to surrender to him.

"Daddy can't believe you're his, Ciel. Can you feel my cock pressing against your hip? You look absolutely ravishing stretched over my lap with a beautiful blush on your sweet bottom. Daddy's going to punish you often. Sometimes, he won't allow you to enjoy it. This time, I'm going to make you come so hard, you let him see the real Little girl inside you."

He traced around her drenched opening and pressed two fingers deep inside. She was not a virgin, but not experienced. The silky walls of her tight passage clamped down on him. He couldn't wait to be buried deep inside her.

"I'm going to be here, Little Sky. Are you going to be brave and take me deep?" He scissored his fingers inside her to stretch her slightly. Giving her a slight bite of pain that he'd discovered she liked with pleasure.

She moved her head in a combination nod and shake that made him smile. Ciel was still trying to hide from him. He treasured her shyness. There would be so much to teach her to enjoy.

Brushing his thumb over her clit, Argenis watched her still and then gasp. Her body shook hard as her pleasure burst inside. He continued to stroke her until she hung limp over his lap.

"Come here, Ciel. Daddy needs to hold you."

He gathered her into his arms and rocked her slowly as he pressed his lips to her hair. "Precious mate. You please me."

"Argenis," she sighed.

"Daddy," he corrected.

"Daddy," she whispered.

"Good girl. That deserves another."

Her eyelids flew up, and she searched his face. He knew she was checking to see if he was joking. He leaned forward to capture her lips. Kissing her with all the surging passion inside him, Argenis showed her exactly what he thought of his mate.

As his mouth seduced hers, he slid his hand under her T-shirt. Rubbing his fingertips over one lace-covered breast, he loved how she lifted her ribcage to press herself closer. He rewarded that behavior with a light pinch to the beaded tip pressing against the lace.

Her delighted gasp made him deepen the kiss. He stroked over her abdomen to glide over her soft mound. To his delight, she widened her thighs, allowing him greater access. Teasing her inner labia, Argenis memorized all the small sensitive spots that made her inhale sharply and repeatedly returned to push her arousal higher and higher.

"Daddy, I need you inside me."

"Soon, Little Sky. I'm going to fill you so full," he demonstrated, pushing two fingers back inside her body. Easing them out, flicked his thumb over her clit lightly before repeating their entry faster.

Urgently straining against confinement, his cock felt like it would tear a hole in his pants. He wouldn't rush their union. He could wait until she was sure of her new reality.

He could feel the fluttering contractions of her inner walls and knew her orgasm was hovering. Releasing her lips, he leaned slightly to the side to whisper into her ear. "Now, Mate. Come now!" His bite to the curve where her neck and shoulder merged was the final stimulus she needed. With a cry, she came, clinging to him for support.