Page 74 of In the Embrace of Dragons

“Stay,” I murmur, wishing I could bring my captain back, too, but knowing he’s already made up his mind. It cannot be solved by chasing him down the hall.

“But...” She chews her lip. “But I liked him being here.”

“I know.” I tug her back down to the bed, encircling her in my arms. “I’m sorry.”

“What did I do wrong?” Her voice shakes.

“Nothing. Nothing at all. He is simply... made differently.”

It’s all I can think to say, and she settles reluctantly intome. I’m not insulted, though. Her trust in me is still tentative, while Ragnakor brings security. It simply shows me where I will need to grow to better take care of her.

Hmm. I like the sound of that. When I tighten my hold, Nissia presses her back to my front so I can spoon her better. My cock nudges at her ass, but it’s not an urgent, pressing need, not anymore. Now she’s covered in my smell, and I feel sated all the way through, from my throat to my feet.

I awakethe next morning to someone wriggling beside me.

“I’m sorry,” I hear Nissia whisper as she tries to squeeze out from under my limbs. “I have to pee.”

I snort as I release her, and then she scurries out of the room. I wait for a time for her to return, and when she appears naked in the doorway, her dark brown nipples hard and her hair bound up in a scarf, I spring to my feet as if I’ve been awake for hours. I push her up against the wall, conquering her mouth as I spread her thighs and then hike her up to my hips.

She welcomes my cock eagerly, her head falling back against the wall as I take her, my body intent on emptying inside her again and again until she’s big and swollen with my dragonling. Even then... the thought arouses me more, and Nissia wails as I pry a climax out of her before releasing.

As much as I want to drag her back to bed for more, I have pressing matters. There’s always work to be done. But first, both of us are slick with our sweat and sex.

“Share a bath with me?” I ask, kissing her shoulder.

She furrows her brow. “Mine’s not big enough.”

“There’s another one. A big one. I can show you.”

“What?” She perks up at the suggestion. “Yes! Show me.”

We slip on our robes and head out the door, whereQuillion is waiting for us. He arches his unscarred eyebrow when I appear beside her, a smirk pulling at his lip.

I lead Nissia by the hand to one of the hallways that guides us deep into the mountain. “There is a hot spring,” I explain as we descend some steps, the hall lit by torches. “We can only use it for a short time, though.”

“Why?”

“It’s hot, even for a dragon.” I wink. “But we have a shallow pool that should be a good temperature for you.”

Nissia grumbles about us thick-skinned dragons as we reach the hot springs. Quillion steps aside at the entrance, taking up his position.

The pools are inside a cave that’s been carved out with a high ceiling, the walls lit by torches and the waters reflecting them. My queen pauses at the entryway, and her mouth forms an O.

“Wow. Gorgeous.” She peers up at the ceiling. “I can’t believe this has been here all along and I had no idea.”

I lead her down toward the pool I had in mind, admiring the way her small hand fits inside mine.

“I’m sorry. I should have shown you sooner.”

“You should have.”

I cringe. Yes, I have been an inferior husband until now, and she has every right to hold it over my head.

Finally, we reach the water. We’re alone in here today, but given how early it is, I’m not surprised. Nissia sheds her robe and slides in, resting on the natural rock formations under the surface.

“This is wonderful,” she murmurs, leaning back so she’s enveloped by the pool.

I step in beside her, relishing the heat of the water on my scales. It’s been some time since I used my body so vigorously, and my muscles ache in strange places. Seating myself beside Nissia, I sling an arm around her back and let it drop downuntil my hand rests on her perfectly pert rear, then lean in close so I can whisper in her ear.