Epilogue

EPILOGUE

brIAR

My heart pounds in my chest as I look about the field, watching the children race about, playing all sorts of games. They look so peaceful, so tranquil, so… happy. Despite feeling a thread of joy winding around my heart, something feels missing.

I know it’s not the lack of a child. With as much as Philip and I have been engaging in all sorts of carnal acts, it’s only a matter of time. This is something else, something that’s been gnawing at me ever since my mate rescued me from the last of the witch’s curse.

“Your Highness?” Celestina slides over, curtsying, before sitting next to me. “I cannot help but sense your unease. Are you still unhappy with being a dragon’s mate?”

Heat burns my cheeks as I hang my head in shame. Once Philip and his dragon freed me from the wall, I remembered everything, especially the anger and hatred I had towards the dragon race.

Patting her hand, I once more look over at the children, smiling at their antics. A couple of boys tug on a girl's pigtails, only to have her turn and breathe fire at them. If this was even a handful of months ago, I’d no doubt be scandalized by their actions.

“No. That was the witch who twisted my thoughts. I can’t see myself ever being unhappy about being the mate of a dragon. Not really.”

“Then what is it? If I may be so bold as to inquire?”

With a sigh, I turn and watch as men and women embrace, showing their affection out in the open, with no one to condemn them. “I’m not like you, a dragon. I’m a human. As such, I can’t… I can’t…” My words falter as my cheeks burn for a completely different reason.

Though my mate is the king, we all act more as equals than anything else, but that still doesn’t make it easy to confide in her my failings. This time, it’s she who pats my hand and gives me a conspiratorial smile.

“I hear you loud and clear, Your Highness. Allow me to set your mind at ease.”

Leading me over to a nearby house, she raps on the door, and we wait to be let in. Isobel smiles up at us and ushers us in before curtsying and shutting the door.

“How may I be of service to Your Highness?”

Celestina grins and pulls me forward, as if about to reveal a massive secret. “Isobel is a human like you.”

With a gasp, I put my hand over my heart. “Truly? I’m not alone?”

She smiles at me and nods. “We are the rare ones, but that doesn’t make a difference to my Devlin.”

“And do you… that is… I mean to say…”

“She wants to know if you fuck your husband as a dragon,” Celestina cuts in, her chuckle tempering the horror slashing through my heart.

“Celestina!” I chide, hitting her playfully, the embarrassment still making me wish I could disappear into the floor. “One does not simply blurt out something like that.”

Isobel laughs and tosses her head back, her eyes twinkling. “Fear not, Your Highness, your secret is safe with us. But to answer the question, yes. We enjoy our intimate moments together in all forms.”

The wheels in my head churn as I think about the logistics. “But how does he not crush you? I’ve seen him and Philip sparring and he’s no small dragon by any means.”

“No,” she teases, her eyes glinting. “He certainly is not.”

“I- Um. And you don’t break?”

“To be the mate of a dragon,” Isobel confides, “means your body was made for his, created for him. He would not be able to mark you if it were not so. Trust me, your body will accommodate. As for not crushing you…”

She leads us into her bedroom, where an enormous bed takes up most of the room. Next to it, an odd piece of furniture, just as big, rises to the ceiling. It looks like an elevated table with arms that stick up from the base and jut into the air.

Without saying a word, she climbs up and lies down, resting her feet against the smoothed-out points in the arms. “If you prefer to be on your back, you can lie like this. The metal will keep the bulk of his weight off of you while he has full access to everything else.”

Pulling her legs down, she turns around and gets on all fours. “It works this way as well. Whichever you decide.”

My body flushes as I take it in. “And where can I procure one of these? I- I think it would be a delightful surprise for Philip.”

Both Isobel and Celestina smile. “I suppose you haven’t had much time to really explore your new home,” Celestina says. “There should be a dragon tapestry near your bed. Pull it back, and you will find a door to a room built for such activities.”

My heart pounds in my chest, drawing Philip’s attention. Are you well? Shall I come to you?

I shield my thoughts, wanting tonight to be a surprise. All is well. Just sharing a laugh with some friends.

His love bursts in my chest, leaving me nearly breathless. So much pain and hurt lay between us from both of our actions. But maybe this is the way to mend things once and for all. But before I can truly allow my mind and body to be free, there is another matter which holds my concern.

“Why have you not revealed yourselves to be dragons before now? I have seen Devlin as I grew up and didn’t know.”

The two share a look before Celestina sighs and shakes her head. “Life was not easy or simple, Your Highness. Our kind were hunted until near extermination. Those you see in this village are the last of our kind. Master Balcom was our king by birth and merit. Now King Philip has taken his place.”

Sorrow lances through my heart as I mull over her words. “And his mother?”

Isobel lowers her gaze to the floor. “The good queen was kind to us and loved us as if we were her family. The dragon in Master Balcom recognized her as his. But he never bonded with her. They shared their life as two separate people passing by each other, stealing moments when they could. I and several other servants did our best to make their meetings happen. It wasn’t easy, but we helped as we could.”

With a soft smile, Celestina takes my hand and squeezes it tightly. “You are our queen now. Such sad thoughts shouldn’t plague you. Not when you have a dragon to woo. Enough sorrow and blood have tainted this land. Put these musings far from you. We know you to be kind and true.”

My heart pounds in my chest as I look at my new friends, a familial love blossoming as we embrace. Though my mother is no longer with me and my father, or rather what’s left of him, lies scattered upon the ruins of the kingdom of Godwin, I don’t feel so alone.

* * *

Philip steps into the bedroom, his brows knit with concern. It’s no surprise, seeing as I’ve been keeping my side of the bond silent. As he comes over to me, he growls as he takes me in his arms.

“Well, wife, how have you occupied your day?”

Now that I’ve spoken with my new friends and purged the sorrow from my heart and mind, I can greet my husband with a smile. Smothering a giggle, I lean up and kiss him softly before leading him over to the tapestry. I say nothing as I pull it back and open the door, revealing the room to him. After meeting with Celestina and Isobel, I’ve spent hours cleaning and polishing things, making it fit for a dragon king.

He drops my hand and walks about the space, his eyes widening. “Is this what I think it is?”

“Yes. And I was hoping you’d do me the honor of breaking it in with me?” I detest the tremor to my voice, but I can’t seem to keep my emotions out of the conversation.

Unfortunately, Philip misunderstands. “You do not have to force yourself, my love. I am fine with what we have.”

“But I am not. I want you, Philip. All of you. The man and the dragon.” His eyes turn molten as he stares me down. “Love me, Philip. Love me with all of you.”

Striding over, he slides his hand up the back of my head and kisses me hard. My breath stills in my throat as he ravages me, forcing my lips to part as his tongue sweeps in. After several moments, he pulls away and drops his hands to his armor.

“Last chance, my little Briar. Once I release the dragon, you will be his plaything. I cannot guarantee he won’t break you.”

Emboldened by his haggard breathing and the lust I feel pouring through the bond, I undo the clasp to my dress at the nape of my neck and let the fabric puddle at my feet.

“Break me, Dragon King. I beg you.”

“Up on the dais,” he hisses, his tongue already elongating.

I scramble up and rest my back against the cool surface. From here, I see everything. Philip slowly strips, teasing me with each piece of clothing he removes. Once he’s naked, his body erupts into movement. Scales explode over his skin as the dragon takes over.

The beast is massive, filling most of the room. Compared to him, the sex throne seems small, as if it won’t hold him. For the first time since concocting this idea, fear winds its way into my heart. From the bond, I feel Philip there, soothing me as the dragon prowls forward.

It’s as if both are here with me—the human to give me comfort, and the dragon to ravage me. In front, the dragon snorts out a bit of flame, warming the space. Despite my unease, arousal gathers lower as my body aches with need.

That’s it, my little wanton , Philip whispers in my mind. Give in to us. Spread your legs so we can see your pretty little cunt. You’re so wet for the dragon right now, aren’t you? Don’t even think of lying. Through his eyes, I can see how you glisten.

The dragon rises, putting his weight up onto the metal arms. They don’t even creak or groan. They hold still, not allowing him to crush me. My breath flows out in a whoosh, allowing me to finally relax. My legs drop to the side as I spread them wide, placing my feet in the hollowed-out spots.

God, you’re soaking. Such a good queen to open her body up to me like this. We’re going to fuck you so good, my little Briar. Just relax and breathe.

His dirty words bolster my courage as I force my back to rest against the surface. However, the moment I look down between my legs, I jump back, pulling my legs up with me. The cock is massive, far bigger than anything I’d be able to take.

But the dragon doesn’t care. His scaly claw grips my ankle and tugs me forward. In my mind, Philip tries to soothe me, but I’m too frightened. Bending low, the dragon nudges my pussy with his snout, maneuvering me into position. With his other claw, he grabs my other leg, spreading me open for his tongue.

Poor, frightened little thing , Philip murmurs in my mind. I thought this is what you wanted. To be at the mercy of my beast. I warned you, little Briar. Now be a good girl and relax for my dragon. Let him make you feel so fucking good. Because know this, he is going to fuck you. And you’re going to let him .

My eyes widen as the dragon leans back in, his tongue sliding over my skin. First, he wraps the tip around my nipple, squeezing hard. Pleasure explodes over my body, blocking the fear for a moment.

That’s right, my dirty little queen. You like this, don’t you? You like the dragon searing you with his hot breath as he tastes you, committing you to memory?

The dragon dips lower and flicks his tongue over my clit, making me bow up.

Don’t you want to be a good girl for him and offer your body like a nubile sacrifice? Come on, Briar, he cajoles, his words nearly a purr against my brain. Open for him. Put your feet in the hollows and offer him your perfect, tight, little cunt .

My body trembles as the dragon puts my ankles down and steps away. Both he and Philip want me to do this. Willingly. Can I? Can I be brave enough? My legs quake as I place my heels into the hollowed spots. Forcing myself to breathe, I watch, unable to look away as the dragon strokes his cock.

Its base is a deep red like his scales, moving up to a lighter shade at his tip. Thick veins and ridges twist and turn around the length of him, with bumps and bulges I’ve never seen before. Even when Philip combined himself with the dragon, it never looked like this.

My breath stills in my chest as the massive beast comes forward again. I close my eyes and clench, waiting for the searing pain which morphs into pleasure. But it never comes.

“Look at me,” the dragon rasps, his voice deep and guttural, like stone being ground into smooth powder. “Look upon the beast who claims you, who makes you his in all ways.”

At his command, I’m unable to disobey. I watch as he climbs onto the piece, his cock dragging against my skin. It’s far softer than I imagined, and not at all rough or scaly like his skin. My breath comes out in a whoosh as I explore the dragon’s cock, my pussy spasming at his deep groans.

It takes both of my hands together to actually caress him, but even then, my fingertips don’t touch. Not even barely. Again, that tinge of fear niggles its way into my brain, but Philip is there to keep me calm and sane.

Fuck, yes, Briar , Philip groans in my head, the sound filthy and decadent. Keep stroking him. Just like that. God, your hands feel so good. Bring his cock down to your pussy, and the dragon will do the rest.

The moment I guide him forward, the dragon reaches down and wraps his claw around my neck, cutting off my air. I can no longer think or even breathe. Down below, he uses his free claw to spread me open.

His tip doesn’t even fit, but the harder he chokes me, the wetter I become. Soon, he pushes forward, opening me, breaking me apart as he slides his massive cock deep inside. The moment he releases my throat, keening wails pierce the air.

But not from pain. Never from pain. The most exquisite agony races along my skin as I feel my body open up for him, stretching in a way I didn’t know was possible. Isobel was right. My body was made for this, made for him.

Deep in my brain, Philip groans, the lurid sounds filling my ear. Each breath is consumed by the dragon forcing me to open for him, taking every inch he has and then more. The ridges glide along my inner walls, making them quiver and clench around his girth.

Minutes tick by like hours until finally I feel the dragon’s scaly underside scrape along my sensitive flesh. I gaze up at the beast, wonderment in my eyes as he stares down at me. Though more animal than human, it’s as if he’s smirking at me. Like he knew I could take him all along.

And that’s when he moves.

He pulls out of me with agonizing slowness, only to slam back in. The sex throne holds firm against the strength of his thrust, but I’m nearly unseated, pushed back along the smooth surface. Again, he grabs my throat, holding me still as he fucks me.

The whole time, Philip is in my head and heart, feeling everything the dragon does. It’s as if our arousal is combined, heightened, and brought to a new level of pleasurable agony. Cries bounce around the room as the dragon fucks me, taking me in his savage, primal way.

Arousal drips out from around his massive shaft as he glides in and out. Over and over, he pounds into me, making my vision blur with each overwhelming thrust. With a roar that shakes the entire room, he surges in again as his knot spreads me open even further.

My nerves are raw, stretched thin as his knot hooks behind my pelvic bone. Hot cum surges from thick cock, bathing my insides until I scream with relief. My orgasm shatters over me as shards of painful pleasure undulate through me, filling me up and depleting me all at the same time.

The dragon rocks back and forth, grinding his knot against some secret spot deep inside that makes my body quake and writhe. My voice is hoarse from how loud and long I shout, but I don’t care.

Every ounce of pleasure is wrung out of me until I lie there limp as the dragon transforms into Philip once more. He peppers my face with kisses as he holds me close.

“Good girl,” he murmurs, running his lips over my temple. “Good fucking girl. Never forget, Briar, whether awake or asleep, you are ours. You will always be ours until the end of time.”

As my eyes flutter closed as sleep overtakes me, my heart pounds in time with both Philip and the dragon. My love, my mate, my king.

The End