I loved him before, but somehow that love grew. Buried deep in the back of my mind was the longing for my family and friends, but it was a small spark. Bastian was my family and my best friend. Our lives had changed. He talked to me about dragon business, or dragon theft as it truly was.
He explained about the magic from my old realm and how it was misused, so the dragons took it. I had no reason to doubt him, knowing the goodness in his heart. We spoke for hours and slowly made our way through his bride illustration book. I was never jealous and loved hearing him laugh. He told me stories about all the legend brides from my old realm. I made him promise that when I was gone, he would speak of me and remember me. I noticed his anger, but he eventually made the promise.
He told me he wished to go on a treasure hunt with Tahr. And if I was willing, I could stay with Sarn, his bride, and Tahr's bride, who would also stay with Sarn.
Before I could answer, he placed his finger on my lips. "The other choice is that I not go. It is your decision and I will honor it."
I felt truly loved and part of him now. "I'm sure I can pull Calista and Megan into some type of trouble without you around to guide me."
"Imp. I see you as my guide." He pinched my nose.
"I would love some time talking to other women, but I shall miss you."
"Fly with me today, and we will leave for Sarn's lair tomorrow."
He took to me to our glade knowing it was my favorite spot. I quickly undressed while he watched. When my last piece of clothing hit the tall grass, I turned and ran. He waited until I was a ways away before giving chase. He loved this game. I tried hiding, but it did no good because I couldn't stop giggling.
"Got you."
I squealed in pretend fright, though a few minutes later the noises I made were from his mouth at the juncture of my thighs. He continued a slow steady assault on my body.
"Bastian, please take me."
"I don't want you forgetting me, Acasia. Let go so I can start over again."
He was killing me, but it was a death I gladly accepted. He brought me to fulfilment again and again before the glade lit up with the red burst of dragon light as he gave me what he had taken. It was a glorious afternoon and one I would never forget. Curled tightly in his arms that night, I thanked the gods for the gift of my dragon.
We left early the following day, and for once, my excitement had me ready to leave before Bastian was.
"I would think you are looking forward to being away from me."
"Silly dragon, I shall cry myself to sleep each night and be a poor friend to the women. They will want your return almost as badly as I." I could see he didn't believe a word I said, but I would miss him.
We arrived at Sarn's lair, and it was hard to tamp down on my excitement, though saying goodbye to Bastian was difficult. I wiped my tears as I watched him fly away. Calista and Megan held my hands. They were older, and they told me they rarely had this opportunity to share openly with other brides. In just a short time, we began driving Sarn crazy with our giggles.
"May we cook for you, my lord?" Calista asked.
"Yes, be gone so I may find peace, but do not over tire yourself."
I could not imagine calling Bastian my lord; the thought made me chuckle. Calista showed us the way to the kitchens. The humans we passed smiled at us, behaving much differently than Bastian's.
"Why did you giggle?" Megan asked me once we entered another long hallway with no one around.
"I do not call Bastian 'my lord' and thought it funny that Calista referred to Sarn as such."
"Oh."
Calista spoke up. "I am much older and things are changing. I argued with Sarn for years to allow me time in the kitchens. I use the term 'my lord' when it's something I want badly. He's grown to understand."
"I like it," I said. "Your humans are friendly with you."
I could hear her breathing grow ragged and we slowed to allow her time to catch her breath.
"It took years. They have separate lives, and at first when I was around it interrupted their joy. They don't mind me now."
I had to ask, "Have you been to the earth realm for children?"
Sadness passed over her features. "Yes. It helps the transition in bringing them here, though I no longer attend. The pain from crossing has grown since I've aged. My last time was five years ago, and I spent days in bed afterward."
"I'm sorry." I looked at Megan. "Do you attend?"
She also looked sad. "I cry for days afterward, but Tahr continues to take me. It is the hardest thing we do."
"I've been on the human side of Bastian's lair, but have seen no children. Do either of you know if they're cared for properly?"
Calista stopped walking. "If we turn left up ahead, it takes us to the children's wing. If it worries you, it might help to see them."
"Oh, could I? Bastian wishes me to stay out of his humans' lives and I haven't pushed it."
We turned left. The rooms we entered were quiet, and I saw toys on the floor before I noticed a large table where five children sat coloring. I walked closer and one looked up and smiled. She drew a tree with a bird flying above. The picture startled me when I realized it was a purple dragon like Sarn, not a bird at all. I smiled at her.
A young woman across the room rocked a baby in her arms. I felt better. The silence was difficult, but the children were well cared for and seemed happy.
We went to the kitchen. I hadn't cooked in almost a year now. In three days it would be the first anniversary of my claiming. I wondered if Bastian remembered.
We laughed and talked while preparing the meal. Calista and Megan kept me too occupied to miss Bastian. But that night, as I shared a bed with Megan, I longed for him. I didn't cry, because I didn't wish to wake my bedmate, but it was a long night filled with little sleep.
The following day, we were playing cards when Sarn bellowed from the other room. Calista rolled her eyes and we waited.
Sarn marched in clearly agitated. "Laryn enters my territory. I have a feeling he knows Tahr and Bastian left their brides with me. Bastian needs to kill him or I might."
Sarn's anger scared me even though I'd become accustomed to Bastian's. "My lord," I said, "Laryn is lonely and he did not harm me while I was in his care." It was only a small lie.
"I will see what he wants. Stay in this room until I return." Sarn kissed Calista's weathered cheek and strode away.
"I worry about Laryn." The women looked at me strangely, so I continued, "I fear for the time I am gone and Bastian is alone."
I could see they understood, and Calista spoke in her gentle way, "I always resented the claiming until I understood the price the dragons pay. To live forever and lose Sarn would be harder than dying first. I worry for him too, and it shall not be much longer. If I am lucky, maybe five or ten years."
I couldn't keep my feelings to myself. "The dragons are very selfish in not helping each other, though I know Bastian tried. He could do more for Laryn. They could do more for each other."
Megan added her knowledge, "Tahr once told me it is in a dragon's blood to collect treasure. If someone does not protect what's theirs, the dragons have a compulsion to take it. They fear each other and for good cause-Laryn kidnapped you." She gave me a hard look.
The women hadn't asked about what happened with Laryn but I felt compelled to defend him. "He wanted companionship only. Wished for me to talk with him. When I wouldn't, he spoke to me and told me of his lost bride. I was angry at him because I worried for Bastian, but I felt great sadness too."
Calista looked at Megan. "After I am gone, you will be the age I am now. Do you think Tahr would allow you supervised time to speak with Sarn? I would rest easier knowing he had someone when things are at their worst."
Megan gave a soft smile. "I will try, and usually in the end, I get my way."
We laughed. It was the same for all of us.
A few minutes later, Sarn returned, his agitation even stronger. He paced the length of the room before turning and gazing steadily at me.
"He wished to know how you fared. He's aware Bastian and Tahr return tomorrow and he wished to speak with you. I could not grant that for it is Bastian's decision."
I nodded. "You are correct, my lord. Bastian would be displeased. I will discuss it with him upon his return. Thank you."
This seemed to calm Sarn. I turned to the women, and Calista winked at me. If "my lord" worked for her, I had no problem using it with the disgruntled dragon. We returned to our card game and talked Sarn into playing with us. He finally handed equal numbers of gold pieces to each of us. A few hours later, I'd won them all.
"You are most definitely the cause of Bastian's luck," Sarn spoke while shaking his head.
"No, we just make a good team."