Chapter 2

DIMITRI

The night breeze brushes against us as we make our way back to Mount Errigal. The woman in my arms clings to my waist as if it’s her lifeline.

My smile widens as I glance at her. I’m ready to claim her once we reach our destination, but she looks frightened, even bewildered.

~“Dimitri, what’s your plan?”~ Damian asks. I can feel the others watching me.

~“We’ll see. I need to understand her better,”~ I respond, ending the conversation.

Growls echo through the night as the palace comes into view.

“Welcome home, my captive,” I say, looking down at her.

She shyly turns her head to take in the grand palace. Our home is built on the highest mountain peaks, with a cave at the base.

The structure, made of gold and white rocks, looks puzzling from a distance. It appears like an ancient, ruined palace.

But that’s just to deter intruders, even though every human knows Mount Errigal is ours, the Dragons of Errigal. No one dares approach unless we invite them.

Our clan has resided in these mountains for eight centuries. Generations of dragons have ruled and waged countless battles here. My reign has been one of the most powerful and enduring.

The dragon clan of Errigal consists of 280 dragons. We also have human mages and sorcerers living with us, assisting us with our needs.

We respect humans, but if they’re traded or used against us, we kill them. After all, we’re seen as heartless monsters by humans.

Finally, as the cave entrance comes into view, we land. Dismounting from my brother’s back, I extend my hand to help the woman.

“Here, let me assist you,” I say, reaching out to her. Her hair is a tangled mess, and she looks terrified.

I don’t want to frighten her, but my patience is wearing thin, and her sluggishness is irritating.

My brother Damian looks restless, shifting his body with a low growl. Valkyrie reaches for my arm and, with a small cry, dismounts.

“There you go,” I say, smiling. Valkyrie glances at the dragon behind her. Damian’s dragon form is silver, while mine is pitch-black.

“Don’t worry; my brother won’t hurt you,” I whisper. “Unless you want him to.”

That makes her jump and spin around. The moment our eyes meet, I take a deep breath. I hadn’t noticed before, but now that the light illuminates her face, I see her eyes.

~“Wow, her eyes. She has heterochromia,”~ Damian whispers in awe.

Indeed, her eyes are two different colors, and they’re unique. I’m captivated. It’s as if I can see into two different worlds.

But then, realizing we’re staring too much, she looks away, a blush spreading across her pale skin.

“Report what happened. I have other matters to attend to,” I command. Damian nods and leaves.

Taking her hand, I turn right and head toward the palace. All the way, she looks around, her eyes widening as she notices the unique structures.

Finally, reaching the first floor of the palace, I call for a servant. “Bring female clothes and food. Also, some medicine,” I say as I walk.

“W-wait!” Valkyrie calls, pulling me to a stop. I turn to her with a slight growl. She fidgets with her skirt.

“What?” I growl.

“W-where are you taking me?” Valkyrie asks, meeting my gaze.

There’s something about her. When she looks at me, her eyes take my breath away, making my body tremble.

“I’m going to help you with your wounds,” I say, my gaze landing on her thighs. “Especially that one. I don’t like seeing my mate in this condition.”

Her eyes widen instantly. I can feel her hand tighten around mine.

“Let’s go,” I say again.

We reach my chambers, and the golden double doors creak open. Her eyes roam around the room curiously.

“Wow,” Valkyrie whispers.

A massive dome-like cave with golden pillars offers a breathtaking view of the entire chamber.

Furniture is scattered tastefully around the room, and a large canopy bed covered in various furs sits in the middle, near the open balcony.

Long drapes sway gently in the night breeze, offering a serene view of the mountains. My chambers are simple. As a dragon, I have a fondness for gold, but my chambers are the least adorned with it.

Releasing her hand, I point to an opening on the left. “Go, there’s a natural hot spring. Wash up,” I instruct.

Valkyrie stands in the middle of the room, nervously nodding at my command, before disappearing into the indicated area.

I walk over to a table and open a small wooden box. I take out a necklace and lay it on the table.

There’s a knock at the door. I recognize the scent of food and the servant. I let out a soft growl, signaling him to enter.

Two servants appear, one carrying a tray of food and the other holding several female garments.

“Put that down, and where’s the medicine?” I ask as the servants bow.

“Your Majesty, the mage is on his way. He said he would come personally,” the servant replies, his head bowed.

I dismiss them. I catch a scent: cinnamon. Distracted by it, I hear a soft cough. I whip my head around.

There she is, Valkyrie.

She’s wrapped in a cloth, water dripping down her face and onto her shoulders. The scent is coming from her, and it’s driving me wild. Snapping out of it, I look at her.

Our eyes meet.

“Um, I’m ready…,” Valkyrie mumbles.

“Yes,” I respond, clearing my throat. Then, moving to the table to get Valkyrie some clothes, I sense the mage’s presence at the door.

“You may enter,” I say, frowning.

The double doors swing open and in strides the mage. His long legs carry him to me in a few strides, and he bows. His gaze immediately shifts to Valkyrie.

“Oh,” he murmurs, wonder in his voice.

“Michael, meet Valkyrie,” I introduce them.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Michael says, straightening up.

I watch as his gaze travels from her face to her thigh.

“That looks bad,” he comments, frowning. “How long has it been?”

Valkyrie quickly covers her wound with the cloth draped over her damp body.

“I lost track,” she admits after a moment. “I’ve already cleaned it.”

“No, that needs treatment, and now,” Michael insists, grabbing her wrist and guiding her to the bed. He bends down to examine the wound. “You’re lucky it isn’t infected,” he says, his hands glowing with a blue light. “She needs to rest. Less walking for a few days at least.”

I pick up a white dress and hand it to her. “Wear this for now,” I instruct. Valkyrie nods quickly in response.

“Wait,” Michael interrupts, his eyebrows furrowing. “What’s all this?”

I follow his gaze to the thin red lines crisscrossing Valkyrie’s body. Some are fresh, others old.

“She’s a slave,” I mutter. Michael frowns at me.

He gently examines each scar until he reaches her hands. She pulls them away abruptly.

“Please don’t!” Valkyrie pleads, fear in her eyes.

“I need to check those. Your hands are bruised,” Michael insists.

“I said no! You can’t…,” Valkyrie protests, her voice strained. Anger flashes in her eyes.

Knowing Michael is right, I reach out and take her hands. She gasps and tries to pull away.

“Calm down!” I command, holding her hands tighter. “Just let us check.”

Tears well up in Valkyrie’s eyes.

“Please…p-please, I’m begging you, you’ll get hurt,” she pleads, confusing me.

“What do you mean? I’m fine, can’t you see?” I say, holding her hands in mine.

“Wait!” Michael suddenly exclaims, grabbing my arm. “You…what are you?”

He slowly turns his gaze to Valkyrie. She tries to pull away from my grip. She tugs hard. Finally, I let go, and she shields her hands against her body.

“You’re not a normal slave, are you?” Michael asks.

“What are you talking about?” I snap. “She is a slave!”

“No, she isn’t,” Michael counters, making me growl in frustration. “She has powers. Valkyrie, what are your powers?” he asks.

Valkyrie averts her gaze and lowers her hands to her lap; she grimaces.

“I-I don’t know. But I can hurt someone by touching them, burn them,” she explains.

“Were you a mage?” Michael asks.

“What? No!” Valkyrie exclaims, shaking her head. “I-I’ve always been a slave.”

Michael looks confused. A small, worried expression crosses his face. He doesn’t say anything else.

He instructs Valkyrie to take some medicine and tends to some of her scars. Once he’s done, he asks to speak with me alone. We leave Valkyrie to change and exit the chambers.

“What is it?” I ask Michael as we walk down the hallway.

“King Dimitri, may I ask who she is?” Michael asks, frowning.

“She’s my mate,” I reply as we stop walking.

“Your mate?” Michael echoes, surprised. “But she’s a slave.”

“And?” I challenge, “Is there a problem?”

“No, King Dimitri,” Michael says with a sigh. “It’s just… She’s not normal. According to her, she can hurt someone, but you can’t be hurt by her touch.”

He was right; I had touched her the moment we met. Her hands had been all over my body, and I hadn’t felt any pain. But why?

“Let me look into this,” Michael suggests, bowing. I agree to his request and watch him leave. Sighing, I head back to my chambers.

I open the doors slowly and find Valkyrie standing on the balcony, her arms wrapped around herself.

“The night is cold,” I comment as I approach her.

Valkyrie nods quietly, her red hair swaying in the chilly breeze. Her cinnamon scent fills my nostrils. I stand there watching her, but she never meets my gaze.

Then, she turns and walks past me. I snap and growl, grabbing her arm.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I demand.

Valkyrie flinches at my growl. Her arm trembles in fear. Noticing this, I let go, and she hurries back inside. I take a deep breath and look out at the view. Once I feel calm, I head back inside to find Valkyrie sleeping on one of the fur rugs.

“What are you doing?” I growl, loud enough to wake her.

I grab her arm and pull her up. My grip is so tight her skin turns red. I like how it looks under my touch. Pushing away the inappropriate thoughts, I focus on her.

“Why are you on the floor?” I snap.

“I-I’m sleeping,” Valkyrie stammers.

“Sleeping? You’re my mate! You should be in bed!” I say angrily. I scoop her up and carry her to the canopy bed.

A small scream escapes her.

“Put me down!” Valkyrie yells.

Ignoring her, I toss her onto the bed. She scrambles backward, looking up to find my face close to hers.

Our lips are inches apart. Her scent is intoxicating. I grip the bedsheets, trying to control myself. My restraint is hanging by a thread.

“Mate,” I murmur, “remember, you’re my mate. That makes you my queen!”

“Your queen?” Valkyrie echoes, surprised. “You must be mistaken!”

“Really?” I question, my body hovering over hers. The white dress she’s wearing doesn’t do her any justice.

I raise an eyebrow, my gaze dropping to her chest. Her nipples are hard, the pink hue visible beneath the thin white fabric.

My tongue darts out to wet my lips as I take my time, drinking in the sight of her.

“I’m just a slave,” Valkyrie says again.

Hearing her refer to herself as a slave makes something inside me snap. I can’t stand her using that term.

“Enough!” I command, my eyes flaring. “You’re mine. Don’t refer to yourself as a slave again.”

Her eyes shimmer with an emotion I can’t quite decipher. As I hold her gaze, I feel an unexpected pull. Swallowing hard, I reach for her wrist, bringing it to my lips for a gentle kiss, followed by a soft suck.

“S-stop…,” Valkyrie stammers, her cheeks turning a rosy hue.

“Do you want me to stop?” I question, my tongue tracing her finger before I suck it into my mouth.

A soft moan escapes her full, red lips. Her arousal stirs something within me, making me hard. I need her; I want to be inside her. I close my eyes, trying to rein in my desire, and reluctantly lift my lips from her wrist.

I turn away, taking a seat on the edge of the bed, and draw in several deep breaths.

“Go to sleep,” I instruct, standing up and heading for the bathroom. A low growl escapes me as I submerge myself in the large hot spring.

“Damn it!” I curse, reaching below the water’s surface and leaning against one of the rocks.

I’m painfully hard, and I need relief. So, I unzip my pants and start to stroke myself, seeking the release I crave.