Dead Sexy Dragon

Chapter Five

Cora woke to the annoying beep of an alarm. She squinted at her unusual surroundings. The chainsaw snore of the man draped along her back cleared her fuzzy mind. She glanced down at the tanned arm curled around her waist. The bizarre orange coloring had fled with daylight. She swept her fingers over the skin and tried to reconcile the unreal experience of the night prior.

Stig was a dragon.

The statement was no less surreal now. The man she’d loved from afar for so long was a creature of myth and fantasy. It should have freaked her out, but she found it oddly fascinating and exciting. More importantly it was a secret Stig had shared with her and no other human. That he trusted her enough to tell her such a thing spoke volumes. It was a confidence she wouldn’t dare break.

He stirred behind her. His deep inhale ruffled the fine hairs along her neck. She shivered as his soft lips trailed gentle kisses along the curve of her shoulder. His hand slid around and tenderly clasped her breast. He caressed the nipple with the pad of his thumb until the peak stood at attention. When he nibbled her earlobe, Cora moaned and pressed back against the erection jutting between the cheeks of her bottom. An illicit thrill shook her core. They hadn’t done that yet but it was definitely something she wanted to try.

Stig chuckled low, his voice still a bit raspy, and nipped at her shoulder. “Let’s go upstairs. Do this someplace a bit more comfortable.”

Cora wholeheartedly agreed with his suggestion. A night on the cold stone floor left her body stiff and a bit sore. It was nothing a nice hot shower with Stig wouldn’t cure, though.

Stig shed his cuffs and helped her stand. Hand in hand, they made their way upstairs, Cora one step behind him. She wished it wasn’t so damn dark. The view of his flexing backside would have been unbelievable from that angle. She didn’t hold back the urge to reach out and pinch him as they stepped into the kitchen. Stig yelped, spun around with superhuman speed, and tossed her over his shoulder. He playfully swatted her derriere, eliciting a squeal from her. She tried to wiggle free but it was no use. Once Stig clamped that big hand across her ass, she was his prisoner. There was nothing to do but allow him to cart her upstairs.

He carefully set her down in the bathroom. Cora looped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a long kiss that led to another and things got heated quickly. Amid the groping hands and sighs of pleasure, Cora managed to squirm free long enough to turn on the water and adjust the temperature.

Stig scooped her up again and placed her in the shower. The hot water felt so good pounding against her sore muscles and joints. Stig’s big hands felt even better as they kneaded her shoulders. His lips skimmed her neck and cheek. She turned into his searching mouth and found his kiss. He seemed gentler and less aggressive this morning as he sensually devoured her lips. Apparently his dragon form affected his libido and demeanor. Cora liked that he could be animalistic and wild one night and sweet and tender the next morning.

They spread soapy suds along one another’s bodies. She enjoyed running her lathered mitts over his muscled chest and arms. Last night had seemed so fantastical and otherworldly. This hot, steamy shared shower seemed much more real. No wings, no scales, no snout, and no chains. They were a normal couple enjoying a morning tryst.

She closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation of Stig’s fingertips gliding over her skin. His hand probed between her thighs. His slick fingers slid between the folds and teased over her clit. She pushed back against him in encouragement of his exploration. He strummed just enough to get her worked up and then carefully directed her beneath the shower spray.

Cora protested with an annoyed groan. Stig pressed a kiss to her pout. “Patience.”

She didn’t much care for that answer but she rather liked being toweled off by him. Stig blotted her skin with one of his super-soft bath towels and made sure to trail his warm lips over the areas he’d just dried. He ghosted a kiss over her bare mound. She leaned back against the counter and widened her thighs, allowing him better access. His tongue swiped the length of her pussy before slowly circling her sensitive clitoris. He sucked and licked until the little pink button distended.

Cora gripped the counter and rose on tippy toes to press her pulsing sex against his tantalizing mouth. He slid a pair of fingers into her and pumped them in a steady rhythm. Flutters of ecstasy rocked her core. Every lick drove her nearer to the edge. Every thrust of his thick fingers in her slippery channel sent shock waves straight to her clit. “Stig. Oh, God. Please. Please!”

Stig’s firm tongue flicked faster. Coupled with his thrusting hand, it sent her rocketing over the precipice. Head thrown back, Cora came with a scream. Her bottom bounced on the countertop as she tried to wring every last second of pleasure from his mouth and hand. When she could take no more, she collapsed back against the mirror, her head bumping a little too hard. She winced. Stig chuckled and kissed the inside of her thighs. Annoyed at his amusement, she lightly tugged his earlobe.

“Ow.” Stig playfully nipped the side of her knee. He rose to his feet and wrapped his big, strong arms around her waist. He nuzzled close to her ear. “Your pussy tastes so fucking good.”

Cora shivered with wicked delight at his dirty words. She melted into his dizzying kisses. It was such a naughty turn-on to taste herself on his lips. She pressed her breasts to his chest. The crisp hairs rasped her sensitive nipples and made her groan with need. “Take me to bed.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. He swept her up and with a few long strides deposited her in the center of his bed. Stig crawled onto the mattress and hovered over her naked body. She was struck by his similarity to a sleek, prowling cat. He stared down at her, his eyes dark and hungry. She blushed beneath his intense gaze.

“You’re so pretty when you go pink like that.” He smiled and brushed a soft kiss over her mouth. “Don’t move.”

Cora watched as Stig slid from the bed and walked over to the closet. His pert ass looked absolutely yummy, the muscles flexing with each step. He disappeared into the closet and reappeared a few moments later with a handful of ties. Cora’s eyebrows lifted in curiosity. “Ties?”

Stig smiled wickedly as he climbed back onto the bed. “Last night I was in chains.”

“So this morning I’m in silk ties?”

“Exactly.”

Cora’s tummy did a wild flip at the prospect of being bound and at his mercy. She happily lay back and waited for the whisper-soft fabric to touch her skin. Stig started with her ankles and bound them to the corners of the slotted wooden footboard. Her thighs were wide open but not uncomfortably so. He captured her wrists in one strong hand and expertly wrapped them in the silken lengths. With a few quick knots, he bound her to the headboard.

She gave a little tug to test the bonds. They were tight but if she tried hard enough, Cora figured she could get loose. The knowledge she could free herself if necessary gave her the sense of security she needed to enjoy the experience in full.

Cora’s eyelids lowered. She enjoyed the wonderful sensations Stig evoked with his mouth and hands. His lips skimmed her collarbone and rode the curve of her full breasts. He sucked the taut peak between his lips and lightly bit down. She shuddered at the quicksilver bite of pleasure and pain. Stig’s fingers found her clit. She bucked against his stimulating hand. He continued his sensual torment of her breasts. The biting and licking and suckling inflamed her aroused body and made her wild with need.

Stig released her nipple with a noisy pop and nuzzled his mouth between her breasts. Cora wanted to touch him but the silk ties kept her wrists firmly above her head. She arched her back in an attempt to press closer to his southward-venturing mouth. He set her body on fire with his teasing, ticklish kisses and caresses. Her toes curled as Stig’s tongue outlined the lips of her sex, flicking over her clit but not lingering. He continued moving farther south, nibbling her thighs, knees, and calves.

“Oh!” Cora yelped with surprise when Stig sucked her big toe into his mouth. She’d never been particularly keen on the idea but the real-world experience was much different than she’d imagined. It felt a bit kinky and thrilling. She giggled and squirmed as he continued to tease her. He seemed to sense when she’d had enough and kissed his way back up her legs. She still shook with laughter as he nibbled her calves.

Stig pressed his soft lips to her lower belly. His warm hands caressed her thighs and stomach with long sweeping strokes. The sensation of his rough palms moving over her skin felt so incredibly relaxing. Stig worked magic with his fingers and made her sigh with pleasure.

He sat back on his heels between her legs and slid his hands a little lower. He massaged her inner thighs, lightly petting her pussy. His thumb stroked between the slick lips of her cunt, brushing over her highly sensitized clitoris. She inhaled a sharp breath and lifted her hips. She wanted more of that, right there, and he knew it.

Stig licked his fingers and carefully penetrated her. His thumb continued to manipulate her clit in lazy circles. He seemed to know just how much pressure and just the right pace she needed. Cora pumped her hips and rode his hand as she chased the promise of a shattering climax.

It seemed Stig had other plans. As Cora crested the first wave of the buildup to an orgasm, he slowed the thrusting fingers and massaging thumb. Cora cried out with frustration. She dug her toes into the mattress and lifted her hips. “Stig!”

“What?” She could hear the smile in his voice as he rubbed his lips over her belly button.

“I’m close.” She squeezed the inner walls of her pussy in a desperate attempt to find the little bit of stimulation she needed, but it wasn’t enough.

“Patience.” Stig gently removed his fingers and she whimpered at the loss of fullness. Her eyes widened with lust at the sight of her lover licking the glistening juices from his fingers. He fisted his cock with the other hand and rubbed his balls. His thick penis stood erect, ready. She simply couldn’t wait to have him inside her mouth or pussy—she didn’t care. She just wanted him.

“Let me suck you.” Cora licked her lips in anticipation. Stig groaned at her husky request. He carefully moved over her until his knees were planted right below her arms. The ruddy crown of his cock traced the fullness of her pout, and she greedily accepted his penis into her mouth. The submissive nature of their pose made her so hot. She practically vibrated with excitement and arousal.

His penis slid along her velvet tongue. Cora relaxed her jaw and allowed his rock-hard cock deeper with each stroke. Stig’s fingers sifted through her still-damp locks. They tightened a bit and tugged at her scalp. It sent a wild shiver down her spine. This was something she could get used to, a little rough loving.

Stig’s breathing increased and he pulled back suddenly. His chest heaved as he fought for control. She wished she could reach out and touch him, to run her hands over his muscled chest or stroke his quivering cock. He was still close enough to torment with her mouth. She flicked her tongue along the head of his penis, which elicited a hiss of surprise.

With a low chuckle, Stig moved back a little farther and then shimmied down her body. He knelt between her thighs and took hold of his cock. He used the blunt tip to draw circles around her clit. The hot, hard head felt so good against the stiff little nub. In no time at all, Cora begged Stig to take her.

When he finally slid between her legs, Cora let loose a nearly feral growl of desire. He clutched his throbbing cock and brought it to her sopping entrance. Her swollen sex glistened with readiness. Stig thrust deep and hard, knocking the breath from her lungs. She pulled at the silken bonds holding her hostage and wished her hands were free to roam, touch, squeeze.

Stig took her with fast, rough thrusts and she loved every minute of it. He held tight to her hips and snapped his pelvis. The bed shook with the force of their mating. Cora’s cries and moans ricocheted off the walls and ceilings. Stig panted and growled as he went wild with lust.

“Stig! Oh, God. Harder. Harder!” He did exactly as she asked. It took only one touch of his thumb against her clit to send her reeling into the stratosphere of orgasm. Her pussy clenched with spasms of ecstasy and clutched at Stig’s jackhammering cock. He couldn’t hold off a second longer and thrust deep. His cock pulsed as he came and spilled his hot seed.

They shuddered with the enormity of their coupling. Stig collapsed atop her, his forehead resting on her shoulder. She wanted to wrap her arms around him, to hold him close, but couldn’t. She settled on turning her face and pressing her lips to his stubbled cheek.

“I love you, Cora.”

The words were muffled and soft but there was no mistaking them. Cora went still at his stunning revelation. He loved her. Stig, her shape-shifting dragon, loved her.

She nuzzled close to his cheek and whispered against his ear, “I love you, too.”

The tension melted from his body. He turned and claimed her mouth in the sweetest, gentlest kiss they’d shared. Holding his tender gaze, she asked, “How long?”

“Have I wanted you?” Stig nuzzled his nose against hers. “Since the first moment I laid eyes on you.”

His words filled her with bubbling warmth. “That long, huh?”

He chuckled and let his fingertip outline her jaw. “I think I felt the first spark the first time I heard you laugh. Hector’s story had you laughing so hard you snorted and had tears running down your face. I remember thinking it had been a long time since I’d seen someone so alive.”

She marveled at Stig’s ability to make the simplest retelling sound so romantic. He proceeded to untie her wrists and ankles, massaging them before cuddling up beside her. Cora placed her head against his chest and listened to the steady thump of his heartbeat. In a moment of wonder, she realized that heart had been beating strong for hundreds of years.

And now it belonged to her.

Stig held Cora close as she dozed. Although he felt more settled and happy than he ever had in his life, Stig worried he’d made a big mistake. He’d succumbed to his lust, desire, and his forbidden love for Cora without a second thought for the consequences. Ignatius would be furious when he learned Stig had found his mate and that she was human. It simply wasn’t done. There were rules about that kind of thing, rules he’d agreed to follow when he’d pledged his allegiance to the Brotherhood. Dabbling with human females was at the top of that list.

Farther down that list? Taking a mate, period. Ignatius wouldn’t allow mated males to remain in the Brotherhood. A man shouldn’t be torn between his duties to his wife and family and his duties to his Brothers. Ignatius had drilled that into his head. Cutting ties with the men he considered family wouldn’t be easy but one glance at Cora’s sweet face and he was ready to make that call to confess.

But it wasn’t just the very real possibility he’d be discharged from his duties as a Brother of the Green Hide for taking a mate that troubled him. He was worried about Cora.

The fact that her touch had provoked such a profound change in his dragon form convinced Stig she was meant to be his mate, but what did that mean exactly? It wasn’t natural. If she’d been a human of the witch variety, he wouldn’t have been so spooked, but he’d never heard of anything like this happening with other men and their mates. And what would the others say when they saw the effect her touch had on him? Would it be viewed positively or seen as a scourge?

Stig didn’t know and it terrified him. He had to protect Cora. He’d been rash in his decision to introduce her to his secret world. He’d been cavalier in surrendering to his primitive needs last night. He’d put Cora in a position with consequences she likely couldn’t fathom.

So what to do now?

Stig still pondered that question when Cora woke a little while later. He didn’t want to upset her, so he pushed aside his worries and kissed her tenderly. They eventually got dressed and made their way downstairs for a very, very late breakfast. He hung back long enough to send a quick text to Ignatius, who had called numerous times and left half a dozen messages. His belly twisted with guilt as he typed the message assuring Ignatius he was fine. He’d broken their covenants and now lied about it. Love and lust were doing strange things to him.

“What did you do before building the holding cell down there?” Cora wondered as they noshed on her delicious food a little while later. “I mean, that’s relatively new, right?”

Stig nodded, glad for the discussion, since it gave him something to think about other than his betrayal of the Brothers. “I’ve made modifications over the last fifty years in terms of security. Before the cell, we built cages in one of the caves at a training camp and kept watch over one another. If we were away from the camps, we had clavigers to keep an eye on us during the mating phases.”

“Clavigers?”

“Human caretakers and servants.”

“Weren’t they vulnerable? I mean, these Knights you talk about seem pretty evil.”

“There are old laws that kept them safe. This house and the land it sits on, for instance, are unapproachable. My perimeter is marked by old magic, painful magic, to keep the Knights at bay. Their homes are much the same.”

“Why are they after you, Stig? Why do these Knights want to hurt dragons?”

Stig inhaled slowly and sat back in his chair. “A long time ago, a young male dragon fell in love with a woman and got her pregnant.”

“Oh! Scandalous.” Cora smiled mischievously and sipped her coffee. “How long ago? Like Jesus times?”

Stig shook his head at her choice of description. “Before Jesus, so, yes, a long time ago.”

“So, what? She had a dragon baby and all hell broke loose?”

“No. She never had the child. She was killed.”

Cora’s smile faded. “That’s awful.”

“Someone saw a winged creature with red scales hanging around her home. When the news hit that she was with child, the hysteria started. Her village became convinced she’d been impregnated by the devil or some other demon. They accused her of witchcraft and murdered her.” Stig drew lazy shapes on the tabletop. “That’s how the war began.”

“Her family…?”

He nodded. “Her brother, a blacksmith, forged a sword that he prayed over and imbued with the blood of his murdered sister and his own tears. He used that sword to kill the dragon.”

She hesitated. “Did you know that dragon?”

“No.” Stig picked up his coffee mug and took a long drink. “That was before my time even. That dragon, Sixtus, had an older brother, Ignatius, who founded the Brotherhood of the Green Hide to avenge his brother.”

“Avenge what?” she dared to ask. “Both families were in pain and hurting. Why not just let it go?”

Stig shrugged. “Why did the Hatfields and McCoys let the theft of a pig lead to the ugliest blood feud in the history of this country? It was a different time, Cora.”

“And now you’re all locked in this vicious war? The rules you talked about, the ones about where you can fight, is that why this feud keeps going? I mean, if you can’t attack them when they’re vulnerable and vice versa…”

“It’s part of the problem.” He paused and wondered if he should continue. “I’d considered asking Hector to accept a position as my claviger.”

“But?”

“I waited too long.” There was no hiding the sadness in his voice. For the rest of his life, he’d always wonder if taking Hector under his wing, so to speak, might have saved his friend’s life. “I wasn’t sure whether I wanted another claviger. I haven’t had one in such a long time.”

“Do the other Brothers have them?” Cora started gathering up their dirty dishes, so he rose to help her.

“Some do. It’s one of the traditions falling by the wayside. Now that we have the benefit of technology, we don’t really need someone standing outside our cells keeping guard.”

“So the death of a human woman started your war but you relied on humans for protection in your weakest times?”

Stig smiled. “Our fight isn’t with all humans. We’re just concerned with descendants of the original family. They’re the only ones who can wield the swords that can slay us.”

“Swords?”

“Yes. We’re incredibly strong and impervious to most other weapons. At one time, there were nearly fifty of them. We’ve found and destroyed all but seven. We know a handful of other swords were melted down to make other weapons. My time in Afghanistan and Iraq actually allowed me to hunt down two swords and some useful first-person accounts of battles between dragons and Knights that had been lost to history.”

“A gun won’t hurt you?”

“Not in dragon form, no. In this human form?” He ran a hand down his chest. “I can be severely wounded but that’s about it.”

With a pensive expression on her face, Cora rinsed off the plates. “You know the story of St. George that they teach in Sunday school?”

“I’m somewhat familiar with it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be a smart-ass.”

He laughed. “What about it, Cora?”

“Was he one of the descendants?”

“He was,” Stig confirmed. “The sword he used, Ascalon, is still missing. It’s the first sword and the most powerful and dangerous.”

“Um, speaking of dangerous things, what about me?”

Stig frowned. “You?”

“I’m human, Stig. Is that…is it a problem?”

He wanted to lie but couldn’t. He couldn’t keep any more secrets between them. “It might be.”

“Might be?”

“When I swore my oath to the Brotherhood, I also swore to stay away from human women. Other dragons have taken human brides but never the Brothers.”

“So we—”

“Are fine,” Stig said firmly. “We’ll figure it out, Cora.”

She looked like she wanted to argue with him but didn’t. On the way back to the table, she dragged her fingers across the basement door. “Without a claviger, you’re all alone, Stig. What if something goes wrong down there? You’d be stuck until morning.” Concern clouded her eyes. “Do you have some kind of backup plan when you’re in the chains?” She chewed her lower lip. “Maybe I could be your claviger.”

Stig’s heart soared at her suggestion but he let her down easily. “I’m touched you’d offer but I don’t think it’s the right job for you.”

“I just want you to be safe, Stig.”

“I am, Cora. Always. And anyway I have other ideas about a certain position you might be right for.”

“Oh?”

“Later,” he said, and kissed her forehead. “Come out to the workshop with me. I think you’ll enjoy it.”

“All right.”

Stig took her hand and led her outside. He gave her a tour of the shop and explained how the various saws, drills, and planes worked. She soaked up the information like a sponge. Her eyes lit up as she explored her creative side with a piece of scrap wood and a jigsaw. He left her to her own devices and picked up where he’d left off on his current project.

Cora appeared at his worktable some time later. He sensed she wanted to help and decided she could be trusted with the sanding and some of the more simple cuts. It had been so long since he’d shared his workspace with anyone. He found he enjoyed her company immensely. Teaching her various woodworking techniques and tricks proved to be even more fun. She approached learning with such gusto.

Hours passed as they worked side by side. It was a little before five when Cora glanced at his watch and exclaimed at the late hour. They discovered they were both starving, so they cleaned up their workspaces and headed back into the house. After a quick shared shower—and a little frisky play—they made their way to the kitchen. Side by side, they started a simple dinner of pasta and salad.

As Cora stood at the island slicing the crisp veggies, Stig noticed she rolled her shoulders and made an annoyed face. Had she hurt herself out in the workshop? Some of those pieces of wood were bulky and difficult to maneuver. “You pull something?”

She shook her head. “I think it’s the tag in my T-shirt. Sometimes they irritate my skin.” Cora reached back and tried to scratch the offending area. “It itches something fierce.”

“Let me see.” Stig put down his slotted spoon and crossed to her side. She presented her back for his inspection. He lifted the thin cotton tee out of the way for a better look.

The bottom dropped out of his stomach. His mouth went dry and his head spun. He blinked a few times to try to reconcile what was right there in front of his eyes.

Scales. Bright orange with black edges formed a diamond-shaped pattern between her shoulder blades.

Cora was actually growing scales.

“What’s wrong?” Trepidation colored her voice. Had she sensed his fear? Had she experienced the quiver of panic piercing his belly? With the uncertainty of the depth of the bond they’d forged last night, he couldn’t be sure. Had she been a dragon, she’d feel everything he felt but she wasn’t a dragon.

At least not yet.

There was no other way to say it. “You’re growing scales, Cora.”