Chapter 6

Chapter6

Sol

Idon’t fancy myself particularly unrestrained, but this strange little human woman is testing my limits already. She stands here in one of our holiest of holy springs, her white dress transparent as the water licks at her pink nipples and has the audacity to stare at my cocks with something resembling desire.

It was easier with the other humans. They came to me with their intention already negotiated—bargainer demons treat a good negotiation almost like foreplay, I swear. There was no need for careful circling of each other. I enjoyed my time with them and went on my way afterward.

This is different.

Briar isn’t a human looking for some fun for a night. In a few moments, she’ll be my wife. More, even in the short time we’ve spent alone, I can’t deny there’s something startlingly fragile about her. As if by moving too quickly, I might bruise her.

I stop short of the waterfall and hold out my hand. I’ve been too abrupt with her, but there’s no point in taking the words back. They’re true, after all.

To her credit, she doesn’t flee. I don’t know what I’d do if she did. Chase her, yes. But only because I can’t have a terrified human wandering my lands. There are predators far scarier than me in the woods surrounding the keep, let alone farther afield.

The rationalization feels like a lie. I am not a beast, but I desire this woman, and sometimes instincts go a little funny. Especially after a marriage ceremony. Even now, my people are mostly clearing out of the keep. Only those essential to the running of this territory will remain. Marriages of convenience aren’t customary with my people, and none of us are quite sure what will happen after this ceremony. Normally, a careful courtship evolves into a marriage if both parties are happy with the relationship. I’ve only entered into one courting relationship, and my parents put a stop to things with Anika before we were able to decide for ourselves if it was something we wanted to make permanent. For their part, Anika didn’t seem particular broken up to have the courtship cut off, though we’re still friends.

If I were anyone else, even a younger child, I could marry for love. But my happiness is not worth sacrificing the health of an entire territory for. The last leader of the bargainer demons kept the borders closed and her resources fiercely guarded. Azazel took over sometime after I was born, and by the time I reached maturity, my parents made it clear that I needed to seek out a human bride if at all possible.

No matter what I personally wanted.

This relationship, if it can be called that, isn’t mirroring a normal one. I have no idea if the mating frenzy will be a factor at all the same way it would be with another dragon. We’re all playing cautious, though. Just in case.

Even so…

“Don’t run from me.”

She pauses in the middle of reaching for my hand, her brows winging up. Reading human body language is not natural to me despite the time I’ve spent in their company. Dragons are simpler. I know instantly if another dragon is approaching in threat, though we don’t engage in the dominance plays some of the other types of demons do. We’re civilized.

When Briar speaks, there’s a strange thread in her voice that I can’t quantify. “What will you do if I run?”

The truth likely isn’t the answer she wants, but I don’t lie. Even when it would serve me. “I’ll chase you.” I do not allow myself to picture what that would be like. The only path forward between us is a careful dance as I win her over. Nowhere in that exchange does it include chasing her down and ripping her clothing off with my teeth. She’s already terrified out of her mind. I clamp down on every instinct I have to ensure I don’t make it worse.

“I see.” She places her hand in mine. “I won’t run unless I want you to chase me.”

There’s nothing I can say that will be even remotely appropriate, so I turn us toward the waterfall. “The waters here are our goddess’s tears.”

“Tears at a wedding. How apt,” she murmurs, almost too low to be heard over the water.

“Tears are transformative. They aren’t only for sad times.”

“I wouldn’t know.” This time, I’m certain she didn’t intend for me to hear that.

Something strange and almost protective stirs to life inside me. The humans I’ve interacted with to date seem happy with their bargainer contracts and live a life free from worry about anything but giving and receiving pleasure. Not all of them engage in sexual activities, of course. But on the rare invitations to Azazel’s castle, he very intentionally opens the doors to those who are happy and willing to play.

Briar is different. I didn’t notice it during the auction, but she carries herself as if she’s wounded, though I can scent no injury on her. If I thought he’d answer truly, I’d ask Azazel what the price of her contract was. I have a feeling it would be illuminating.

“We entered separately.” I tug Briar beneath the waterfall. The cascade instantly soaks her red hair, plastering it to her neck and shoulders, and she has to grab for her dress to keep it in place. I almost tell her there’s no point—the fabric has long since gone sheer—but if it makes her feel better, then I won’t be the one to ruin that.

We stand there for three beats. She’s right that normally there is more ceremony for a ritual like this, but ultimately the only thing required is two—or more—willing parties and the spring itself. Everything else is extra.

We emerge from the waterfall together, and I attempt not to look into the fact she doesn’t immediately drop my hand. “We leave as one.”

Walking up the stairs next to her feels strange. Even as I command myself to look away, I can’t help studying the body revealed by the now-sheer dress. She’s tinier than I expected, and despite my earlier assurances, I wonder if I will fit. Maybe others’ tastes run to pain, but that’s never been my preferred flavor of pleasure. I suspect the same is true for this woman.

Getting ahead of yourself.

Without thinking, I sweep her into my arms. This time, she doesn’t tense. She simply melts against me in a way that makes my chest feel strange. It’s not trust; we don’t know each other well enough to justify something as foundational as trust. But it’s something.

The few of my people left in the keep make themselves scarce as I carry Briar through the doors and up the stairs to the rooms that were supposed to be ours. Hopefully they will be in the future, but even if the woman doesn’t look at me with fear and revulsion, she’s hardly ready for any kind of bed sport. Even now, tiny tremors work through her body, and I can’t begin to tell if it’s because her wet dress is causing her to be chilled or if it’s a renewed fear.

Still, it takes more control than I’ll ever admit to set her carefully on her feet in front of the bedroom door. “You’ll find everything you need through here. I’ll have supper sent up shortly.” I pause, belated concern flaring. “Do you have dietary restrictions?”

She stares up at me, her eyes slightly glazed. “Are you going to serve me raw meat or something poisonous?”

“I wasn’t planning on it.” Or at least I’m not now. I don’t know what is poisonous to humans. Obviously there is food in our realm humans can eat, or the bargainers wouldn’t be able to have humans staying on in a long-term contract, but while my people might have common ancestors with Briar’s people, that doesn’t change the fact we are obviously different in a number of biological ways.

“Then no. No dietary restrictions.”

I’ll ensure that before having food sent up. “Good. Rest.”

She opens the door but doesn’t step through. “Sol.”

Goddess, but it affects me to hear my name on her lips. I hold perfectly still. “Yes?”

“In the contract, it says you can seduce me…”

I have to lock down every muscle to keep from doing something to spook her. I may not be an expert on humans, but even I can tell she’s not entirely sure what she wants my answer to be. That’s better than pure fear. I can work with that. “Rest, Briar. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I force myself to turn and move away from her, though my senses are keen enough that I know she doesn’t enter the bedroom until I’ve rounded the corner of the hall. Watching me leave? Or ensuring that I don’t follow her into the bedroom?

It doesn’t matter. I can be a patient hunter.

The prize is more than worth a little discomfort in the meantime.