While Satin was getting ready for the day, he went downstairs to meet with his father. His knuckles rapped on the solid wooden door.
“Come in.”
Pushing the door open, he found his father seated behind his large desk working on his comm set. Seeing that it was Drayce, he swiped at the holo, closing the system down for their discussion.
Drayce nodded in acknowledgment to his father, his brother, and Artemis their faithful friend and Warlord.
“Drayce, how are you son?” Zorander rose shaking his hand. “Sit.” Pointing to the chairs where the men stared silently at the fire.
“Have you thought any further on the issue we discussed the other day?” Drayce anxiously waited for his father’s answer.
“I have. And I see where you’re coming from, it’s not going to be an easy task, especially with your new wife, but it’s one we have to move forward with, I’m afraid.”
He had hoped for a different answer but knew that what Zorander said was true. As the Commander of the Planet Trexotera, his father never let emotions interfere with what was necessary to protect the citizens.
Of course, as Commander of the Dragons, Drayce’s task would be quite different, and as far as his wife was concerned, the prospect of relaying this news to her had his heart almost failing.
War. War with Zelora, Satin’s home planet.
His father went to the bar area and fixed both himself and Drayce a tumbler of the golden amber alcohol, basilisk. He handed it to his son before sitting down next to him again.
Swirling the liquid in the glass, Drayce contemplated how he would break this news to his wife.
“We have no choice, son, Zelora wishes to take over our planet. We can’t allow it. This war is just plain foolishness on their part, they’ll never win against our army, and they have nothing that can destroy our dragons. The battles will be bloody with many casualties, and there’s a risk that Satin’s family could be destroyed in the process. I won’t rule it out. You both need to know that.” Zorander gulped down the rest of the basilisk, squinting his eyes as the fluid went down.
Cloven, for once, was serious. “Hey, I’m sorry, Drayce. This can’t be easy with a new bride. But what would we do if the Tempest army came and stole our dragons, our best dragons? The ones we keep here on our estate are the most prized possession we have. They could form a dragon army of their own, it’s not a risk we can take.”
Drayce replied, “Thank you, brother. It’s not going to be an easy task breaking the news to Satin. It’s her family—her father. But I’m not stupid; strategically we have to attack first, keeping the battle on their land, keeping them as far away from our territory and planet as possible.”
Artemis shook his head. “Onyx and I have had many battles and been through many troubling times. This won’t be easy, but I won’t risk losing that large dragon. It’s imperative that we finish this, fast.”
Drayce agreed. “I know this. My mind knows this. But we’ve just gotten to know each other. It’s only been a couple of weeks, and now I have to tell her this?” Expelling the air from his lungs, Drayce shook his head in disgust. He and Satin had begun to trust each other and were bonding well. That didn’t mean they didn’t have their misunderstandings or spats, but they’d been solved the way most couples did with compromise…or a sore bottom.
Satin enjoyed the benefits of an unequal power dynamic, enjoying the dominance and discipline for reward instead of punishment. She loved nothing more than receiving a good girl spanking and the added benefits that came with it for her good behavior.
“I know. Being newly married comes with its own complications, battle won’t help, especially a battle with her home planet. As the others have stated, Drayce, I won’t wait for the to attack us first.” Zorander’s lips were thinned with anger.
Drayce knew that what his father said was true, and as a Commander himself, he wouldn’t wait either.
Leaning forward, clasping his hands between his spread knees, Zorander looked at Drayce with furrowed eyebrows. “There’s another issue.”
Gulping, Drayce prepared himself for something even worse.
“Your wife wishes to be a warrior, a Dragon Warrior. It was the main reason we had hoped you’d marry Thistle. Satin’s sister is meek and mild, she would have stayed at the estate supporting you, but Satin may decide to hop on a dragon and fight alongside you.”
“Oh, hell no. It won’t happen, I won’t allow it!” Drayce slammed the glass tumbler on the table in front of them, stalking away and pacing the small room. He knew that’s how Satin felt, she had admitted it to him more than once, and it was the main reason he hadn’t allowed her even to visit the dragons yet.
Will I have to assign a guard to stand at our door and the barn door?
He’d do whatever was necessary to keep her away from war. It’d be one thing to be injured or die, but to worry about his small, blonde haired beauty sitting abreast a dragon. He shook his head; there was no way he’d ever allow it.
Cloven laughed. “If you don’t mind me say—”
“—I do mind, but don’t see that stopping you, brother.”
Canting his head, Cloven shot Drayce a fiendish smile. “You appear to have enough trouble keeping her in line within the confines of your bedroom suite; it’ll be a sight to behold watching you contain her on the battlefield.”
“Shut it, Cloven!” The older man’s golden eyes glared at his son, and to add to his warning he pointed a long forefinger in his direction.
Zorander redirected his attention to Drayce. “You’ll have to do your best to convince her to stay here. We can’t allow the Princess of Trexotera to actively participate in the war.”
“I’ll take care of it, Sir.”
Nodding, Zorander smiled at his son. “I’m sure you will.”
Walking into his bedroom, Drayce stopped midway through the doorway, frozen in place by Satin’s attire. His heart hammered in his chest, and his cock sprung to life instantly.
Satin stood in the middle of the floor, dressed in a dark blue velvet jacket and riding pants. She had dark brown boots and a matching dark brown belt at her waist. The soft fabric hugged every curve. Her hair was held in a ponytail at the nape of her neck with a thin piece of leather, and her white hair shimmered against the dark suit.
Drayce wanted to throw her onto the floor, rip her clothes off, and fuck her senseless.
She can’t leave the house looking like that.
He felt guilty thinking that way, but his jealousy came to the forefront and keeping her as his treasure, locked in their suite of rooms seemed to make the most sense to him right now. But then he quickly came to his senses realizing that it wouldn’t be fair.
“Is something wrong?” Her small white teeth nibbled at her bottom lip.
Crossing the room, he kissed her forehead, tugging her pouty lip from her teeth and then kissing her gently. “No. You look gorgeous. I’m just not sure how ready I am to introduce you to anyone looking so ravishing.”
“We’re still meeting the dragons today, right?”
Damn!
“Oh…yeah, I forgot. We can do that.” Looking out the window, he could see that some of the beasts were in the field, but the others must be in the barn. His girl, Scarlett, would be in the barn. Clapping his hands together he said, “Let’s go see them. I’m anxious to show them off.”
Placing a hand on the small of her back, he guided her out the door and down the hallway. Once at the bottom of the stairs, his father appeared having just left his office.
Zorander did a partial bow. “Milady, how are you today, Satin?”
She smiled cheerfully. “I’m well, Sir. You?”
“Splendid. Where are you two off to?”
Drayce cleared his throat, feeling sheepish after the discussion they had just had about keeping his wife out of battle. “We’re going to the barn so that Satin can meet some of the dragons. I promised her last night.”
His father’s brows furrowed for a moment. “Oh…Is that…have fun. Be safe and listen to your husband, girl.” He wagged his finger at her before climbing the stairs.
Opening the door, Drayce ushered Satin through it—the cool fall air greeting them.
“What did your father mean by his warning?”
“Just what he said. You’re to listen to me and do as I say immediately. Any delay or defiance could very well mean your life…or mine. These dragons are fierce. They’re battle trained and easily triggered. Although we train them, and they’re as domesticated as they’ll ever be, we still cannot override their natural instincts. What is natural for them is breathing fire onto their enemy, destroying them within seconds. Don’t ever mistake them for a pet. They’ll never be a pet to you, no matter how docile they appear.”
Her back stiffened under his hand, her lips thinning. “You don’t have to be so condescending, Drayce. I’ve told you many, many times before that I’ve been studying these animals for years. I’m well aware of the dangers.”
Holding her by the elbow, he halted their progress. “And don’t you forget how to address me, especially in public. You’ll keep a civil tongue and be respectful. Clear?”
Her eyes widened, glistening with a hint of tears. “Yes, Sir. I’m sorry.”
“Last warning. As for your perception that I was condescending, I’m sorry that’s how it sounded to your ears, that’s not how I meant it. At all. I know you’ve studied, but what you’ve learned in books in no way is even remotely similar to the dangers and triggers associated with these dragons in real life. Any warnings or orders given in this regard are for your safety, and in no way are meant to be insulting. I only say them for your protection. Does that clear up any misunderstanding we may have?” He canted his head watching her face soften.
“Yes, Sir.” She nodded her head, looking at the ground for a moment before looking at him directly. “I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t react hospitably.”
“No, you didn’t. You fire up easily, girl.”
“So, I’ve heard.”
Nudging her forward they continued walking toward the barn in silence. He left her mulling over his warnings, hoping she would heed them well. Drayce didn’t doubt that she’d been talked to about her temper, she had a fiery one and had been punished for it several times since coming to the Quinn household.
He wondered if he’d ever contain her temper fully. Drayce mused that using his dragon whip on her would probably be the best attack against her conniptions.
“Stay behind me, and follow my orders immediately.” He grasped her hand, leading her into the barn. Per his instructions, Scarlett, the red dragon and Azure were in their stalls. The placid, easy going brown dragon, Tawny, was roaming around the barn watching the hands clean out the stalls and doing their daily chores.
Approaching calmly, Drayce said in a calm voice, “Tawny-girl, we have a visitor.”
Her long head turned at the sound of his voice, and he swore he saw a smile at the corners of her mouth. No one would convince him. Otherwise, most animals conveyed their emotions, just as they did.
Tawny plodded along, approaching them, her body language slow and easy, which meant there was no concern or worry on the animal’s behalf….or Satin’s.
“Stay still. Don’t move a muscle.”
Satin expelled a long slow breath behind him, and when Tawny leaned down to nudge Drayce on the neck, he reached up to pet her nose. “Morning Tawny. Such a good girl. Are you having a good day?” He scratched her ear, and the brawny beast purred low in her belly.
Pulling Satin forward, he covered her hand with his own and they both petted the scaly skin. Instantly the animal’s eyes opened, and she leaned down to bury her nose in Satin’s neck, and Drayce swore he’d never been more proud to see his girl stand perfectly still, barely breathing. Once Tawny pulled away and sniffed Satin’s long blonde hair, her purring increasing, it was then that Satin reached up to pet the dragon.
Drayce kept an eye on them all. Scarlett, his dragon, and Azure watched carefully, taking in Tawny’s reactions, both of them intrigued by the new person in their barn. Not many people could approach these giants and receive such a congenial reaction. Tawny’s purring continued, and she even nudged Drayce away to monopolize all of Satin’s attention.
“Hey, watch it, Tawny.” He put an edge of warning into his voice. After years of training, his dragons responded well to the tone of his voice. In response, the brown dragon moved a bit aside, allowing Drayce his personal space once again. He did not doubt that they could smell his scent on Satin, making her introduction less stressful.
“She’s a delightful girl, Drayce.”
“That she is. And she’s a good girl as well, but let me warn you, this creature that seems so docile, killed over three hundred people last year alone. Again, girl, heed me well, these are not pets.”
Rolling her eyes, Satin huffed in exasperation. “I’m not a fucking idiot; you don’t have to keep repeating things to me.”
His eyes widened, and he glared at her. “Later.”
She’d been with him long enough to know that meant she’d be in the corner, writing lines, or getting spanked for her insolence. “Yes, Sir.”
“You’re a good girl, Satin. You’re just too sassy.” He patted the dragon. “Come along, Tawny, let’s introduce Scarlett and Azure.”
Zayvoc came forward out of the shadows in the barn. “Commander, Azure has been a little skittish today, we think he may be responding to some of the females that are in heat.”
“Thank you for the warning; I’ll keep my whip handy.” Pulling his dragon quirt from his belt, he held it in such a way that the beasts could see it, taking it as a warning that they’d better behave.
What he didn’t anticipate was his girl shivering beside him, her eyes widening in a healthy respect for the implement.
“Indeed, Satin. It’s a warning for all my trainees to behave.”
“Yes, Sir.” She nibbled on her lip and unconsciously covered her ass with her clasped hands, and he fought the urge to smile smugly.
Dominance has its rewards.
He went to Scarlett’s pen first since she’d already met Satin previously, but since she was his dragon, she tended to be territorial. “Wait until I give you permission to touch her.” Drayce stroked Scarlett’s neck, her red scales softer than Tawny’s. “Hey, Scarlett. I missed you, my pretty girl.” She licked him on the side of his face, pulling back with a small roar.
Drayce laughed wiping his face with his arm. “You got me, naughty girl.” The dragon stomped playfully, the chains that had her bound to the stone wall clanged. She loved sneaking wet kisses onto him.
“She’s happy. You can reach up to pet her, let her approach your hand on her terms.”
Satin tentatively put her hand up into the stall, and as he directed waited for her long neck and head to droop down, running her skin along Satin’s small hand. The big green eyes stared intently at his wife. And with no warning, Scarlett licked not only Satin’s cheek but her right shoulder as well.
Before Drayce could even speak a word of warning to the red dragon, Azure in a nearby stall reared up, roaring, snorting through his nose.
“Go.” Drayce pointed to an empty stall across from them. “Crouch in the corner. Don’t move!”
Satin was a blur running to the corner, and Tawny ran out of the barn, heading toward the paddock outside where the other dragons were.
“Azure. Down!” He smacked the dragon quirt on the blue dragon’s ankles. “Calm down, boy. Stop.” Drayce patted the beast’s neck while his whip lashed the beast on the legs. Although the dragon quirt was extremely painful for his girl, the dragon’s skin was thick enough that it barely felt like a tap, the whip was more of a symbol of control and dominance than an actual punishment.
“Shhhhh! It’s okay, boy. Calm down.” Lowering his voice, cooing and murmuring the animal calmed down immeasurably. “My goodness, Azure. What was that about? Bad dragon, bad boy.” Drayce exaggerated his facial expressions, furrowing his eyebrows and glaring at the dragon. Azure blinked slowly and dropped his head, leaning his forehead against Drayce’s chest in a show of apology. He patted the blue scaly skin. “You were a bad boy. No-no.”
Pulling his long neck and head up, Azure looked across the barn toward Satin and whined loudly.
“No. You can’t meet her today, maybe tomorrow.” Drayce shook the dragon quirt in front of Azure like a pointed finger, wagging it in a motion conveying the word No.
“Are you going to be a good boy tomorrow? If you’re a good boy, you can meet Satin.”
“Drayce, maybe I should meet him now.”
“I said no. Don’t interfere, Satin. I know what I’m doing. I’ll not reward bad behavior. If he behaves tomorrow, you can pet him and enjoy him then.”
“It’s so mean.” Satin stood with her hands on her hips, her lips in a full pout.
Pointing his dragon quirt in her direction he growled. “Don’t you dare defy me. I just calmed him down.”
Her throat worked to swallow, and then finally she nodded her head in agreement.
“Zayvoc, we’ll be leaving for the day. Please keep Azure in his pen for a couple more hours and bring Scarlett to the paddock. It’ll do the bad boy some good to be alone for a bit.”
“As you wish, Commander.”
“Come, Satin. Let’s go before we wear out our welcome.”
She walked out of the stall, and hesitated in front of Azure’s stall and he didn’t doubt that she fought the urge to pet the blue dragon, but with a warning look from Drayce, she moved forward out of the barn, deciding she wouldn’t press the matter, especially since he still had the quirt in his hand.