Chapter 9

^THE NEXT DAY^

MADELINE

Lochness takes to the sky, and we’re on our way home. The Requiem Mountains are just faint outlines on the horizon. He starts our peaceful journey back to the horde by flying us in the…in the ~opposite~ ~direction?~

“Nessy?” I call out, patting his glossy, midnight scales. “Hey, Nessy?”

Lochness doesn’t answer.

I glance back at Little Rock, and I can still see the tower he locked me in not too far away. This morning, Lochness seems unusually cheerful. More cheerful than I’ve ever seen him.

I just assume he is eager to get home. But, of course, I am just projecting. He isn’t normal.

He is a rogue. He prefers solitude. And he’s acting like it again.

I wonder if taming him has somehow made him worse? What the hell? I continue to nervously stroke his scales, pondering this dilemma.

If being a submissive and perfect mate has made him more determined to keep me all to himself…then I’m going to have to start changing tactics. Before I can think any further, Lochness swoops down. He flies fast when he’s in the sky, and we’ve already found a new destination.

I look over the expanse of his wing to see a sprawling swamp. There’s a small village built over the wetlands. As we get closer, circling around, I see him redirecting to a little fishing boat, with two men.

“No, thank you! I don’t feel like fish today!” I shout. “Or frog—or anything like it!”

Lochness grins, showing all his teeth. His mental silence is now a hard block so I can’t feel what he’s feeling.

I wonder why for all but two more seconds. He dives down so fast I’m screaming—and my scream is the only warning for the unsuspecting fishermen.

Lochness snatches one screaming man up in his jaws. He throws his head back and in two large crunches, he swallows a fully grown man whole and flies back up into the clouds.

Splatters of blood fly back and hit my cheeks and my arms. I scream again when I notice that.

~Cry baby,~ Lochness teases, as he finally redirects us back to the Requiem Horde.

~You can’t just eat people,~ I yell at him through the bond. ~Lochness, they are fishing for their families. They have loved ones.~

~I was hungry,~ Lochness growls back, ~and I’m looking after you, pipsqueak.~

~I am not your pipsqueak.~ I hit him with my closed fist, and in doing so, I see his neck bulge out and thin down…as the body slowly moves into his stomach.

~Ew, ew, ew!~ I wipe at the blood on my skin and it just smears. ~I need a bath in Deep Cavern. Take me to the baths immediately. Please—I have human blood on my skin!~

~Did you get some of the mess?~ Lochness sounds genuinely remorseful about this. ~My apologies. I didn’t mean to involve you, little rat.~

“Oh, don’t worry, I suppose I’ll be covered in the blood of dragons one day,” I grumble as I roll my eyes. “You eat people? Then I’ll eat dragons! And we’ll see how ~you~ feel!”

Lochness looks back at me with a look that spells out disbelief, rather than shock and horror.

~You’re annoying me,~ Lochness growls.

~You’re annoying me!~ I yell back.

~Would you rather walk home?~ Lochness starts to dip again.

I don’t respond. I won’t respond to empty threats.

He goes as far as landing on top of an exposed hilltop, right next to a traveling gypsy cabin filled with a small family; mother, father and two kids, a daughter and son.

They all drop their things and gawk at the Black Hearted Dragon, as he curls a tail around me, lifts me up and drops me onto my feet. He turns around and looks at me in all his magnificent glory, tilting his head…waiting to see if I’ll break.

“Can you please—take me home,” I say quietly with embarrassment as the family looks on. Lochness, seemingly unimpressed, turns and takes off into the wind, flying away with a flap of his wings—some trees break beneath the gale he creates.

It blows back over me and I get knocked off my feet, landing on my butt in the grass. “~How dare you abandon me!~” I scream out. “Come back right now!”

I wait for Lochness to respond.

When I reach for him, his mental block is deliberately impenetrable.

“P-princess Madeline?” I hear the father call out to me and I turn around, facing the family. “We were just given instructions to help you to the Horde?”

Oh, Lord.

“Oh? Are you going that way?” I ask as I get to my feet.

“Yes.” The father nods. “Please, Lochness said—if we don’t deliver you by nightfall, he’ll eat our children alive.”

“Oh, ~did he?~” I ask as the children start crying and running to their mother. ~You cruel dragon,~ I yell at Lochness through the bond, ~making innocent children cry!~

Lochness laughs. ~So?~

~I promise you, Black Heart. You won’t see another submissive bone in my body for the next ten years!~ I laugh haughtily back at him, mimicking him.

He doesn’t reply but I feel a dull, loving achey warmth in my brand.

Like he’s pleased.

About that.

He wants me to be a brat again that bad, huh?

Impossible rogue!

“I’m sorry for the trouble.” I move down to the family. “Please don’t cry,” I beg the kids but they hide in their mother’s skirts.

“We must go at once,” the mother tells me, now managing a smile. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”

“Thank you.” I jump up into the cabin, and it’s filled with pillows.

I lean against some, while the father links up their horses to move the cabin.

The mother comes up and sits opposite me while the kids opt to sit with their father.

The mother is more happy now, twirling her finger through her long brown hair. “My name is Quinn. I’ll tell you a secret? I always fancied dragons when I was a girl. I thought they were the stuff of fairy tales.”

I force a smile.

“Can I ask? Is he charming when he’s a man?” She motions to my pregnant belly.

“‘Oh, Lochness? Charming?’” I grin bigger, my mouth hurting as I fake it.

“Yes?” Her eyes widen with anticipation of a romantic story.

“I can’t even begin to explain,” I manage to say, my gaze fixed on the sky. I can see his silhouette as he circles back, never taking his eyes off me.

~Are you going to plead with me or not?~ Lochness teases in my mind. ~My filthy slave.~

“In your dreams,” I retort, my eyes still fixed on the sky. “I’m only filthy because of you and your unbearable, monstrous dragon cock.” I snap my mouth shut. I realize I’ve spoken out loud.

I turn to apologize to Quinn, but she’s already looking away, seemingly unnerved by my apparent self-conversation. Well, what can you do? At least I can avoid small talk for the next…nine hours until nightfall?

This is going to be a long journey. But at least I’ll see Hael at the end of it. And he can finally save me from Lochness’s twisted games.

***

^Dusk^

We’re all worn out. Quinn and her family have set up camp at the foot of the Requiem Mountains.

I’m so exhausted I don’t even have the energy to bathe, let alone call out to either of my twin mates. The family unrolls blankets and I find a spot on one as their father starts a fire.

“I’ll get the water here,” I say, picking up a sack before the mother can do any more work. I head to the nearby creek. After a short walk, I squat down to fill up the water bag, then I tie it shut.

I hoist it over my shoulder and start the trek back to camp. I’m tired, dirty, smelly, my hair looks like a bird’s nest, I’m covered in sweat and flea bites—and I can’t catch a break.

Hael and Lochness appear naked in my path, materializing from the mountaintop. Their eyes are sharp.

I take a deep breath and then exhale, noticing how the setting sun illuminates their flawless skin, their muscles, their well-groomed hair, their erect cocks. They’re perfect specimens I want to fuck and…kill, honestly. It’s the Slayer in me, I guess.

“She’s actually doing a hard day’s work,” Hael murmurs to himself. I continue on my way, pushing past them and heading back to the camp. I mutter annoyed nothings under my breath. I can’t deal with Nessy’s smirk right now.

I deliver the water and head back into the trees, where Hael and Lochness are waiting for me. I try to face them, but somehow, with their synchronized movements, Hael ends up right in front of me.

Lochness presses into my back, his hands roaming over my belly, under my skirt. He buries his nose in my hair, above my ear, inhaling deeply—like he’s savoring his meal.

The tip of my nose brushes against Hael’s torso as I look up at him, while his hands gently caress my hip and my arm. “Did you learn your lesson?” Hael asks me, curious.

“What lesson?” I respond.

“Hmm.” Hael glares over my head at his twin. “You told me Madeline learned true submission.”

“I gave that willingly!” I shout, twisting into Lochness’s front, pounding my fists into his chest. “You didn’t teach me it!” I yell louder, losing my temper. “You didn’t teach me anything!”

Hael wraps me in his arms and pulls me back, pinning my arms to my sides. “~Maddie~—” Hael growls.

“No!” I try to kick at Lochness, but he just steps back gracefully and disappears, his green eyes twinkling with mischief—his smile as warm as ever. “He never cares. He only cares to upset me!” I cry out as Hael holds me still.

“You need to calm down, little love,” Hael says in a deep voice, trying to sound calm, but I can hear a hint of annoyance. “It’s time to go to bed.”

“To my bed, my bed in the Horde. Please—!”

“No, mouse,” Hael growls into my ear now, his voice dropping. “Your chamber is separate from the rest. Madeline… you know it’s for your safety. We can’t put you or the twins in your belly at any risk.”

As I tremble with hidden tears, Hael unexpectedly softens his tone. “I’m sorry.” He kisses my ear multiple times. “I’m sorry it’s a burden, little one. You’re a target now.”

I just cry and turn around into Hael, holding him in a tight embrace. “I missed you,” I whimper as I hold him. “~Augh~.”

“I know.” Hael kisses both my cheeks. As I look up at him again, he makes me smile. “You’re the most high-maintenance slave I’ve ever owned,” Hael adds, giving me a stern look. “…little Slayer.”

I giggle, and then I stop, feeling embarrassed for giggling. Hael smirks and transforms by the creek, scooping me up in his tail and taking me for another flight.

~I knew you couldn’t handle him,~ Hael scolds me. ~You do realize you can ask me for help anytime, mouse?~

~You’ll kick that rogue’s ass if I ask you to, Dragon Lord Hael?~ I ask, all sweet and innocent. ~You’ll come rescue me if he scares me…or kidnaps me again?~

~Of course, anytime.~

~Thank you…Master.~

~You’re welcome, brat.~

With that exchange of words, I suddenly feel a lot better. And I can even feel Hael’s delight in the bond too—as I give him a small taste of my “true” submission. Just calling him Master willingly and with love has surprised him.

Heheh. Now…although temporary, I have cast my spell on Lochness for one night. I wonder if I can do it again…for that level-headed master of mine?

Maybe. But if that bloody rogue shows up? Well. Honestly. I don’t know if I can hold my temper.

Hael is formidable—but Lochness is impossible. And with the two of them, I have my hands full. And if they both have me all night, I can’t even walk! Augh.

~Does making love so often intimidate you? It’s your only job; pleasure.~ Hael has been reading my thoughts this whole time? Damn it. I blush.

“I don’t know, it’s whatever,” I grumble back as we land on top of the birthing chamber. I feel my brand throb with heat.

~Don’t worry, mouse—and don’t be scared of what comes next. I got you.~

“What? What comes next?” I ask as Hael’s tail wraps around me and drops me down into the hole. I land on my feet, and my eyes adjust to the dim light coming from the lamps. The birthing chamber has been…um. Redesigned.

Lochness is already present, positioned between a cage and a table equipped with restraints at each corner. What kind of torture chamber have I stumbled into?

“No, no…no,” I stammer. “What on earth is all this for?”

“Shh,” Lochness murmurs, his eyes narrowing as he stares too intently. He’s a psychopath.

Suddenly, Hael materializes behind me, his hand curling around my throat, forcing me to look up at him as he tightens his grip. I gasp for air. “What’s t-this?” I manage to choke out the question to Hael.

His firm hand eases its pressure and I gulp in a breath. Hael is pushing me. He’s testing my limits.

He’s both intimidating and resolute. He’s probably still angry about the whole escape attempt, I guess. A smirk plays on Hael’s lips.

“You think you won’t face consequences?”

Then… Hael’s response comes in a more direct form as he leans down to kiss me passionately, whispering against my lips, “My turn.”