Dragon Rider's Woman

Dragon Riders

Dragon Rider’s Woman Doraya escapes a life of drudgery thanks to attractive dragon rider Goril and his sexy dragon Fiami. Then she discovers that throwing in her lot with Goril and Fiami means she has inadvertently become the sexual property of their whole tribe. Doraya joins seven other women who live with the thirty--five dragon riders and are shared fairly between them. The riders are desperate for more women to join the tribe, but the traditions of their land make this almost impossible. Each rider is good-looking and kind, but it is Goril who Doraya adores. Doraya’s unexpected mind-meld with Fiami threatens her mental health but ultimately brings her closer to Goril. Can Doraya solve the riders’ problem, and in so doing win Goril’s love as well as his lust? Genre: Fantasy Length: 47,369 words

DRAGON RIDER’S WOMAN Dragon Riders

Freya Garth

EROTIC ROMANCE

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Erotic Romance

DRAGON RIDER’S WOMAN Copyright © 2011 by Freya Garth E-book ISBN: 1-61034-911-3 First E-book Publication: October 2011 Cover design by Jinger Heaston All cover art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers Dear Readers, If you have purchased this copy of Dragon Rider’s Woman by Freya Garth from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book. The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment. This is Freya Garth’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Garth’s right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

DEDICATION For Debi Alper, because life is full of surprises.

DRAGON RIDER’S WOMAN Dragon Riders FREYA GARTH Copyright © 2011

Chapter One Doraya failed to dodge a blow from the head cook’s ladle, which thumped into her shoulder and splattered gravy across her cheek. “Useless lump!” Berato yelled. “No dinner break for you. Get upstairs and clear the trenchers from the dining hall as the diners finish.’ A calculating grin spread across her face. ‘You can do it alone. Perhaps that’ll teach you not to be so clumsy.’ The other kitchen wenches, already seated around the table, elbowed each other, sniggering and casting smug looks at Doraya. She trudged out of the kitchen and up the honey-coloured stone stairs toward the dining hall, wiping gravy from her cheek with her sleeve. It wasn’t so bad to clear alone. At least it left her free from kitchen bullying for half an hour, even if it did mean she went without dinner again, which wasn’t fair. Hot tears rose to her eyes at the injustice of her plight. She hadn’t even been clumsy. The tray of bread from the oven was too hot to hold, so she’d put it down for a moment. Berato herself had turned and knocked it to the floor. Berato was a mean, horrible woman, and Doraya wished she could impale her on one of her own spits and turn her slowly over a blazing fire. Imagining how much grease would drip from the cook’s fat body helped her tears recede. If only Doraya could leave this

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place—but she had nowhere to go, no way to make a living. All she could do was work as hard as she could and hope to be head cook herself one day. Not that she would bully and starve the youngest member of her staff. Her kitchen would be a happy place, with wellfed, cheerful workers. The dining hall was full of warriors and noblemen sitting at the long tables, eating from wooden trenchers beneath richly embroidered tapestries showing the castle’s history. Nobody had finished their meal, so Doraya stood at the wall, feet apart and hands clasped in front, in a servant’s invisible stance. Having a moment to watch and listen in peace was pure luxury. King Panac was at the top table as usual, and Doraya gave an involuntary gasp as the handsome man on his right turned to speak to the person next to him, showing one golden eye in a chiselled profile. She hadn’t seen Goril for ages, maybe half a year. ‘Tain’t no use gawking at the dragon rider, girl.’ She flinched at the barrack’s stink as Merlan took up his guard pose next to her, one hand on his upright spear. ‘Tisn’t a dragon rider’s woman you’ll be.’ Doraya gasped. How could he know her secret fantasy? ‘You’ll be my woman when I ask the king for you.’ His free hand shot out and squeezed her breast hard enough to bring tears to her eyes, then went to rub his own crotch while he grunted in pleasure. ‘I have to clear.’ She hurried away, relieved to see that a couple of diners had finished. If only she could be a dragon rider’s woman. Then she would never have to set foot in this castle again. Maybe a dragon would eat her, like the rumours said, but she didn’t care. It would be better than staying here, bullied in the kitchen and harassed by soldiers. Merlan wasn’t the only one who wanted her for his own, although he was the most insistent. And the worst-smelling. She would be close to Goril tonight, if only for a moment. Doraya’s spirits rose at the thought. Really, Berato had done her a favour. Except he’d never notice her when she worked so hard to hide

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her attractions, leaving her hair matted and wearing ill-fitting clothes made from rough materials. Not that she had much choice, but many of the castle wenches did the best to display what charms they had, while she did the opposite. The idea was to keep the soldiers from bothering her, but now she would have no chance to look good for Goril. Not that it would make any difference if she could. For some stupid reason he couldn’t say anything to her. She had to ask him, if she wanted to be a dragon rider’s woman. And what was the point? All she would achieve would be to embarrass herself in front of the whole dining hall, and she’d end up being the butt of even more jokes, wed to a stinky soldier who would know she didn’t want him, and mother of a passel of barrack’s brats. Of course that was going to happen anyway, but at least, as things stood, she could pretend to care for her soldier and maybe he wouldn’t treat her too badly. As long as it wasn’t Merlan. Doraya’s spirits had sunk to the soles of her bare feet, but they rose a little when she saw a chunk of meat left on a trencher. She was supposed to throw it to the hunting dogs, but she quickly put another trencher on top, and then another on top of that. At least she wouldn’t have to go without food tonight. When she had a pile of trenchers as high as she could carry, she made her way back down the stairs, stopping halfway to find the piece of meat. Her deft fingers delved in between the trenchers. There it was, cold and greasy in her fingers but nonetheless making her mouth water. She pulled gently, trying to tug it free, but the pile of trenchers wobbled alarmingly. Doraya swayed from side to side, trying to keep them balanced on her arm, but to no avail, and the pile crashed down the steps with a loud clatter that echoed mockingly in the stone stairwell. **** Goril ate slowly, savouring the good food of Panac’s kingdom.

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His mind-meld with his dragon let him sense Fiami’s happiness, too, from where she was comfortably curled on top of the dragon tower with a tray of roasted fowl. If only that kitchen wench was near, the one with flame-coloured hair and eyes dark green as a dragon’s coat. His cock gave a throb at the thought, and he adjusted it for comfort under the table, sensing interest and hope from Fiami. It had been too long since he’d had sex, and that wasn’t fair on his dragon. He would need to take one of the women as soon as he got back to the caves. If only he could say something to the kitchen wench, but tradition forbade the dragon riders from ever approaching women in any of the three kingdoms. In the old days, they’d always had first pick, which had created so much resentment that they had agreed to let women make their own decisions and had promised not to entice women to join them. His ancestors had agreed easily, certain that women would be drawn to them as they always had been. Nobody had realised how many difficulties would ensue as rumours grew over the years about life with the dragon riders. Goril needed to find a way to solve that problem. But he’d thought around it so many times that it made him dizzy to contemplate, so he put it from his mind and turned to resume conversation with King Panac. **** Berato screeched so loudly and cuffed Doraya so hard that her head rang like a bell. ‘I’ll clean up,’ she said, raising her hands to ward off further blows. ‘Too right you will. And then finish clearing.’ Luckily, Berato was too interested in returning to her dinner to hand out any further abuse, and she lumbered off back to join the other women at the table, grumbling about Doraya’s uselessness. Doraya picked up all the trenchers and put them in the big kitchen

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sink, then scoured the steps free of grease, before starting back up to the dining hall. At least she’d managed to save the piece of meat, which she retrieved from the dark corner where she’d flung it on impulse. It was gritty with dust, but at least it was a couple of mouthfuls of food. That was all she’d get tonight, unless she could scavenge more scraps. Two tears ran down her cheeks, but she blinked back the others as she climbed the last few steps. If any of the kitchen wenches saw that she’d been crying, the bullying would only get worse. She had to stay strong. Just a few more hours, then she could rest on her pallet. Most diners had finished, and the hall had an untidy look. Grabbing empty trenchers from the nearest tables, Doraya ran back down to the kitchen, dumped her load, then hurried back up to the hall. Goril was still at the King’s table, his back to her, strong shoulder muscles clearly visible through his hide jerkin, unruly brown hair that she longed to touch. She cleared more piles of trenchers, moving faster, hoping she could reach his table before he left. Then there was only the King’s table to clear, but they were still picking at the leftovers, talking politics. She chose a piece of wall with a good view of Goril where she could stand, still and unobtrusive as every servant should be, and watch him for a few pleasant minutes. **** ‘Why do you think Tinis’s people can be trusted?’ King Panac looked doubtfully at Goril. ‘They’re not interested in conflict.’ Goril jabbed the air with a fowl bone for emphasis. ‘They’re only interested in learning.’ ‘And what’s the point of that?’ King Panac sat back and poured himself another goblet of wine. ‘Learn, and learn, and learn, and die. Much better to enjoy life.’ He looked as satisfied as if he’d won an argument. Goril valued both enjoyment and learning, but he’d never been

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able to persuade either king. He looked around for inspiration, and his eyes locked on to the dark green eyes of the kitchen wench. His cock jumped to attention, and he felt Fiami purr with pleasure. How long had the wench been there? She looked wary, and her dusty face was streaked with tear tracks. Too thin, as well, but her gaze was burning into his soul. Rage built in Goril’s broad chest. Someone had been illtreating her. He wanted to take her away and keep her safe, although actually, if he was honest, more than anything else he just wanted to take her. Fiami sent a mischievous dart of encouragement into his mind. He was a dragon rider, wasn’t he? Brave and handsome? Shut up, Fiami, he thought, even as his cock throbbed harder. He wanted the woman. His dragon wanted him to take her. He could control his own lust, but when Fiami added hers into the mix, it became very difficult indeed. ‘Goril, are you listening to me?’ ‘Sire, I do apologise.’ He tore his eyes away from the kitchen wench. ‘My dragon—’ ‘Not going rogue, is she?’ King Panac looked alarmed. ‘No.’ Goril’s tongue felt thick. It was hard to form the words. ‘She needs—’ ‘Is she hungry?’ ‘Yes.’ It was true, in a way. ‘She has had some food, but not enough. May I leave you for a moment? This kitchen wench could help me.’ King Panac waved languid permission. ‘By all means.’ He looked at Doraya. ‘Make sure the dragon rider has everything he needs.’ **** Doraya bobbed a curtsey, unable to believe her luck. Goril rose from the table and took her wrist in an unbreakable grip. She had forgotten how tall he was. Her head barely came up to his shoulder. She had to trot to keep up with him as he headed for the

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steps to the kitchen, but when they got there, he turned right, up the steps to the chambers. ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘the kitchen is downstairs.’ ‘I know.’ He stopped at the top of the stairs and pulled her round to face him. ‘What is your name?’ ‘Doraya, sir.’ ‘Doraya,’ he repeated, and ran his thumb gently along her jawline, his touch sending shivers through her body. ‘It’s not actually food my dragon needs.’ His statement puzzled her, but she ignored it because she had just realised they were alone. ‘Sir.’ She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. ‘Goril.’ His face was impassive, but she didn’t let that stop her taking the only chance she’d ever had, probably the only chance she ever would have, even though she could barely get the words out of her mouth. ‘I want to be a dragon rider’s woman.’ A lightning flash of emotion appeared in his golden eyes but disappeared too fast for her to identify it. Joy? Contempt? Triumph? The impassiveness was back as he stared into her eyes, not speaking. Embarrassment began to sour her belly, a flush of shame creeping upward across her breasts, neck, and face. At least there had been no witnesses, and dragon riders didn’t gossip. She dropped her head and waited for him to extinguish all her hopes. Instead, his fingers stroked her cheek and came to rest under the point of her chin, tipping her face back up to look into his golden eyes again. ‘That,’ he said softly, ‘is the best news I’ve heard in a very long time. Come on.’ The grip around her wrist was back as he hurried her along the corridor, up more stairs, then more corridors and stairs, and finally up a stout wooden ladder, which led to a large open trap door. Doraya could see a square of night sky studded with stars. As her head emerged into the warm night air, Goril’s huge dragon shifted her bulk and turned her big golden eyes on Doraya.

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‘This is Fiami.’ Goril helped Doraya up the last few steps and out onto the large wooden roof which was encircled by a low parapet. She was breathless with climbing and terror. Fiami was huge. Dragons didn’t look that big when they were in flight. At such close quarters, Doraya could see that Fiami’s body was covered in darkgreen fur, with fine-boned wings furled close to her body, making her look like a giant bat. Fiami was making a low growling sound in her long throat. ‘What does she need?’ Doraya whispered. ‘Fiami, wait!’ Goril closed his eyes for a moment and groaned. ‘Not like this. Can’t we get back to the caves first?’ The big dragon’s growl intensified. Doraya could feel the vibrations through her bare soles and up into the most intimate part of her body, which was a strangely pleasant sensation. ‘All right!’ Goril said roughly. ‘Doraya, I didn’t want it to be this way.’ He pulled her to him and ripped off her shirt, then growled himself with rage as he saw the livid bruise on her shoulder and Merlan’s dark finger marks on her breast, as well as the older bruises that patterned her slender body. ‘Who did this to you?’ She took a step back, quailing at the fury darkening his golden eyes. ‘Different people…’ Her heart sank to her ankles. Probably he wouldn’t want her, now that he could see what other people thought of her. ‘I should—’ He took a step toward the trapdoor. Was he going to take her back into the castle? Then he seemed to think better of whatever he’d had in mind. ‘No, it’s not the time.’ Goril ran his fingers through his unruly hair. The dragon’s growl was now producing steady vibrations throughout the top of the tower. ‘If we don’t meet Fiami’s needs, she’ll explode. Take the rest of your clothes off.’ Doraya hurried to obey, grateful for the reprieve, and couldn’t help noticing that Goril was also pulling off his own jerkin and shirt, boots and breeches. His body was superbly muscled, with an erection

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as thick as her wrist that reached up to his navel. The sight sent an electrical pulse straight to her quim, and she felt wetness gush onto the tops of her thighs. She flushed with shame again and hoped he wouldn’t notice. ‘Come here.’ He took her in his strong arms, and she could feel him vibrating like the dragon. Although she had no idea what was going on, she had never felt so safe in her whole life as she felt in his embrace. Looking up, she felt her mouth covered by his, a sensual tongue flicking across her lips and probing between them, gently at first and then more roughly as a groan came from the back of his throat. His erection was so hot against her skin, and she wriggled to feel it better, pressing her breasts against his muscular chest and eliciting another groan. ‘I need to fuck you.’ He sounded strained, as if he was exerting every sinew to maintain control. ‘Fiami needs it.’ ‘I’ve never—’ She blushed, swallowed, and looked away from the shock on his face. If this was what he needed and she didn’t know how, surely he would send her away? She didn’t want to leave his embrace. She didn’t ever want to leave that shelter again. He held her tight with one arm and stroked the other hand down her flat belly and in between her legs. ‘You’re so wet,’ he said in wonder. Thank goodness he didn’t seem to mind. The feeling of his hand there was warm and strange and wonderful, so Doraya pushed her hips forward to feel it better. Goril’s probing fingers met resistance. ‘Ah. I see,’ he said, and turned to his dragon, his fingers still gently stroking Doraya’s pussy and making her gasp with pleasure. ‘Fiami, I will not take Doraya’s virginity like this. I will satisfy you as best I can.’ The volume of Fiami’s growling abated slightly, which Doraya guessed must mean assent. Goril took his fingers from her pussy, and she couldn’t help moaning at their loss. ‘In a minute, little one,’ Goril said. ‘I must satisfy myself and

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Fiami first.’ He pressed his erection against Doraya’s mound, and her whole body quivered in response. ‘Of course,’ she whispered. ‘Please tell me how to help.’ Goril traced her lips with a finger, making her tingle all over. ‘Such a sexy mouth. Have you ever had a man in your mouth?’ She shook her head, suddenly longing to taste his cock. He took his hand away reluctantly and began to stroke his throbbing erection. ‘Then I shall begin with your breasts. Kneel for me.’ Doraya knelt at his feet. He placed his cock in between her ample breasts, and she instinctively used her hands to raise and press them together around his erection. ‘Oh, you little darling,’ he panted, thrusting his cock back and forth between her breasts, his pre-cum providing useful lubrication. He grabbed a handful of hair at the back of her neck to hold her against him, and Doraya fleetingly wished she’d had the chance to wash and comb it first. ‘I’m close, little one,’ he gasped. Close to what? she wondered, but she didn’t have to wait long to find out. A gush of warm spunk shot out and hit the underside of her chin. Goril shouted his pleasure into the night, and Fiami, too, lifted her head and roared toward the stars. Another gush came, as Goril looked at Doraya and saw the pearly liquid running over her breasts and his own purple cockhead clamped between their white softness, which stimulated one last gush before he dropped to sit on the ground, his back against the dragon’s heaving flank. ‘Is that what Fiami needed?’ Doraya asked. ‘It’ll do for now. Come here.’ Goril patted the ground at his side. Doraya moved to sit beside him, but he lifted her onto his lap. She could feel his semi-hard cock against the base of her spine. ‘I think you need a little pleasure, too,’ he said conversationally, and put his hand back between her legs, stroking with a sensual rhythm that made her want to buck her hips and beg. His other hand

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slid gently across her unbruised breast, kneading her flesh, rubbing her nipple to hardness. Feelings she had never experienced raced through her body, and all she could think was that she wanted more. ‘Please—’ she gasped, not knowing what she was asking. Goril’s hand slowed, and his hot breath caressed her ear. ‘Yes? What can I do for you?’ Then she did know. ‘Please. Don’t stop.’ She heard a throaty chuckle from behind her as his hand speeded up again. Her whole being was expanding and contracting, the focus of sensation radiating out from and into the intense delight at the core of her being. The thought crossed her mind that dragon riders really were something special, and then she almost lost consciousness beneath a wave of peaking pleasure which swept through her again and again. She cried out in ecstasy, barely aware of Goril crooning soft words of appreciation in her ear. Her body juddered to a stop, but strong aftershocks pulsed through her, making her shiver. She felt another new sensation in her mind, the brief mental touch of a huge happiness, which disappeared as quickly as it came. Goril swung her round, one arm under her knees, and held her close to his broad chest. ‘Doraya,’ he said softly, as if her name felt good in his mouth. ‘Doraya. I wish it could have been different.’ ‘It is perfect,’ she said, and, on impulse, reached up to touch his cheek. He looked down at her, surprised again. ‘You have excellent manners for a kitchen wench.’ Goril rose to his feet with her still cradled in his arms. ‘Wait until we are in the caves. It will be so much better then.’ Doraya rested her head on his strong chest, tired now, unable to imagine how anything could be better than this. ‘I can’t let you sleep yet, little one.’ He put her carefully down on her feet and steadied her until she had her balance. ‘We need to dress and ride.’

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‘On Fiami?’ Doraya wished she could swallow the words back as soon as they had left her mouth. Of course they would be riding Fiami. This was what she wanted. If only she wasn’t so frightened. Fiami turned her huge head to inspect Doraya with her enormous golden eyes, then laid her head down flat on the ground and nudged Doraya’s toe, very gently, with her chin. ‘Doraya.’ Goril sounded awed. ‘I think she wants you to stroke her head. In the middle, between her eyes.’ Doraya leaned forward and stroked Fiami’s smooth green fur with repeated strokes, gently at first, then a little harder. Fiami half closed her eyes and relaxed. Doraya sank to one knee by the great beast’s head, so she could stroke harder still. Goril pulled his clothes on and then knelt behind her, raised her hair and kissed the back of her neck, which was distractingly pleasurable. ‘I have never seen,’ he said, still in that hushed voice, ‘any dragon take to a woman like that.’ ‘She’s beautiful,’ Doraya said. ‘So are you. We need to move.’ Goril pulled her to her feet. Fiami’s eyes snapped open, and she flicked her tail in disgust. ‘Life is not all fun time,’ Goril told his dragon. ‘Although now we have Doraya, there will be more fun than before. Doraya, is there someone you want to say good-bye to?’ She shook her head. There really wasn’t anyone. Goril looked oddly sympathetic for a moment. ‘Then you must dress. It will be colder while we fly.’ He picked up her clothes and handed them to her, wrinkling his nose in disgust. ‘I promise this will be the last time you wear such wretched garments.’ Doraya pulled on the familiar rough-textured clothes and was glad of their warmth. ‘I must make my farewells,’ Goril said. ‘I am sorry to leave you, but I will be as quick as I can. You will be safe with Fiami.’

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He was gone through the trapdoor and down the ladder before she could draw breath. With him gone, Doraya realised she could hardly believe what was happening to her. It seemed her long-held wish had come true. Fear twinged in her belly as she realised she knew nothing about the dragon riders, only the stories she’d heard all her life. Really, she’d wanted to escape from her life of drudgery at the castle more than she’d wanted to be a dragon rider’s woman. Except that Goril was so attractive—and, apparently, so kind. That was a stroke of luck, anyway. But what kind of a life was she going toward? She hadn’t given that much thought. Still, just minutes ago she had been a kitchen wench here at King Panac’s castle, bullied and harassed with nothing to look forward to. Whatever life held as a dragon rider’s woman, it couldn’t be worse than the life she was leaving. And she didn’t believe Fiami would eat her. The size of the dragon still awed her, but Goril had told her she would be safe, and Doraya believed him. Then she heard him climbing back up the stepladder, and he emerged from the trapdoor, a small hide sack in one hand. His face was back to its former impassive expression, but Doraya thought she detected a hint of satisfaction. ‘How do we ride?’ Doraya asked. As if in answer, Fiami bent her foreleg backward so they could mount. Doraya hesitated. ‘Won’t I hurt her?’ ‘She is very strong,’ Goril said, and Fiami lifted her head proudly. ‘She will barely feel us once we have mounted.’ Doraya put a tentative foot on Fiami’s warm leg, which did indeed feel as strong as a tree trunk. She climbed up onto the dragon’s back, helped by Goril, who settled himself close behind her, tied his sack beneath Fiami’s wing, and put his arms tightly around Doraya’s waist. The next thing she knew, Fiami was moving toward the edge of the tower, putting her front feet on the parapet, and jumping into the air.

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Doraya’s stomach fell away, then jerked back up like a child’s toy on a string with the first swooping beat of Fiami’s enormous wings. The dragon seemed to be exulting in her element, and jinked and swerved until Doraya began to feel sick. She tried to find something to look at, but the ground below was dark and she couldn’t see the horizon. Her head flopped back onto Goril’s chest, and she groaned. ‘Fiami!’ he called, sternly through the wind of flight. ‘Doraya is new to dragonback. Fly straight, please.’ The dragon grumbled, but obeyed. Her straight flight was smooth, with just a ripple at every wingbeat, and soon Doraya was feeling more like herself, but so sleepy. Her head nodded forward, and she jerked it back up again. What if Goril let go of her and she fell off? ‘Sleep, little one, if you wish.’ His lips brushed her ear with fleeting warmth. ‘I am a trained dragon rider, and I will not let any harm come to you.’ He tightened his arms around her for a moment as if to add emphasis to his words. Doraya closed her eyes gratefully and sank into sleep. **** Goril clasped his precious burden close. In other circumstances, he could easily have become aroused again by Doraya’s proximity, but Fiami’s fierce joy in flight was dominating his mind. Plus, it wasn’t a good idea to distract a flying dragon. Flight was always so enjoyable, largely because his dragon found it such fun, but a small corner of his spirit couldn’t wait to get back to the caves with Doraya. His tribe would be surprised and delighted by her arrival. She would take some of the pressure off the other six women, too, which would be no bad thing. They coped admirably, wonderful women that they were, but the tribe needed more. Even seven women to thirty-five men was still nowhere near enough, especially when those men were healthy, active, and highly sexed dragon riders.

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When would another child be born? Tadus had seen ten summers now. Surely it was time for another child in the tribe. Or would Tadus be, as many of his fellow riders feared, the last? Goril sighed. It seemed such a shame for the dragon riders to die out. Then again, there wasn’t exactly much for them to do. In the old days, there had been borders to patrol and invaders to repel. Of course he was glad of peace in the land. It was much better for everyone, but he wished the riders had something more constructive to do, a real role like they’d had in the centuries of war which preceded the peace. There wasn’t much for fighters to do in peacetime. Not that it was much of a peace—the three realms had stopped fighting, but they didn’t like each other and only communicated by dragon rider. Goril was fed up with being a messenger. He and Fiami deserved a more dynamic role, yet there seemed no way to make that happen. His thoughts went round and round in a horribly familiar pattern as Fiami flew on into the dawn. **** Doraya woke and unpeeled bleary eyelids to see a huge mountainside approaching fast. Her stomach leapt into her throat and she screamed in terror, eyes snapping wide, body pressing back against Goril in an effort to get away from the smash that seemed inevitable. ‘Hush, little one.’ He wrapped his arms more tightly around her quivering body. ‘We’re nearly home.’ Fiami swooped and banked around a spur of the mountain, then plummeted into a tunnel that seemed so narrow, Doraya held her breath for fear the dragon would hurt her wings on the rock walls. The big beast was slowing her wingbeats as they slid into an enormous cavern and came to a stop. Goril helped Doraya down from Fiami’s back. Every muscle in her body felt stiff, and she swayed against him.

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‘Saban!’ he called. ‘Where are you?’ Several women came running, and she felt gentle hands detach her from Goril’s grip. ‘This is Doraya,’ he said. ‘Take very good care of her.’ There was a warning note in his voice. ‘She’s had a rough time. And she’s mine.’ ‘Understood, Mister Dragon Rider,’ said a pert voice. ‘Goril?’ Doraya’s voice quavered. She was terrified of going into the unknown without him, especially with a group of women. What if they bullied her like the kitchen wenches did? Had she jumped out of the frying pan, only to land in the fire? A familiar finger traced her jawline and lifted her chin to make her look at him. ‘These are dragon riders’ women, Doraya,’ Goril said softly. ‘They will look after you. I will see you again soon.’ She remembered how he had praised her manners on the castle’s tower. She was a dragon rider’s woman herself now. Doraya did her best to stand straight. ‘Thank you,’ she said, and was pleased that her voice sounded steady. He smiled briefly and was gone, striding away across the cavern. An older woman took Doraya’s hand. ‘I am Saban,’ she said gently. ‘Welcome to the world of the dragon riders.’ ‘And their women,’ said the pert voice. Doraya saw a shapely woman with nut-brown skin and eyes, her curves accentuated by a clingy tunic dress with a deep cleavage that accentuated her high breasts. ‘I am Mabbi.’ She took Doraya’s other hand and wrinkled her nose. ‘You need a bath.’ ‘I’m sorry,’ Doraya said. ‘There was no time.’ ‘Don’t worry,’ Saban said. ‘We’ll go straight to the grotto.’ The two women led Doraya across the cavern in a different direction from that taken by Goril. Doraya wondered how long it would be before she saw him again. They entered a tunnel that twisted and turned, rising and falling with other tunnels leading off to the left and right, illuminated by soft globes of light. Would she ever find her

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way around? Other women fell in behind them, chattering in soft tones of excitement. Doraya couldn’t follow much of the conversation, but she did gather that the arrival of a new woman at the dragon riders’ caves was a rare event and a source of joy. Her spirits lifted, although she wished Saban and Mabbi weren’t rushing her along so fast. Did all dragon riders and their women always go everywhere at top speed? ‘This way,’ Saban said, turning into a side tunnel. ‘Nearly there.’ The tunnel seemed to be widening gradually, and they were heading downhill. The air was still fresh, even though they seemed far inside the mountain now, and the floors were swept clean. Then the tunnel opened out into another cavern, and Doraya gasped as she took in the sight before her. A large pool was on her left, twin waterfalls fell from an outlet high in the back wall of the cavern, and a shallow stream ran in a rocky bed from beneath the waterfalls to an outlet under the cavern wall on the right. The whole cavern, like the tunnels, was lit by globes, which gave a warm, diffuse light. ‘This is where we bathe.’ Saban pointed to the pool. ‘We wash ourselves under this waterfall,’ she continued, pointing to the lefthand one, ‘and rinse our clothes under the other.’ ‘Do you wash your own clothes?’ Doraya asked. ‘We wash our own clothes,’ Saban said. ‘You’re one of us now, Doraya.’ ‘One of us.’ The other women pressed close, wanting to welcome Doraya, now that they were in the grotto. She counted six of them, all older than her except for Mabbi, all wearing flattering tunic dresses in beautiful colours, some with beads in their hair. They began to remove her clothes, stripping her naked, then gasping at her bruises. She saw that Saban’s lips had set in a tight line. ‘Did Goril see these?’ the older woman asked. Mabbi rolled her eyes. ‘Of course he did,’ she said. Doraya nodded dumbly. ‘Good,’ Saban said. ‘Dragon riders don’t like it when people hurt

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their women.’ ‘I wasn’t a dragon rider’s woman then,’ Doraya said. ‘Doesn’t matter,’ Mabbi said. ‘Goril will want revenge.’ Doraya’s spirits sank. She didn’t want anything more to do with Berato or Merlan, or anyone else from King Panac’s castle. Yes, she had wanted to hurt them while they were hurting her, but they couldn’t hurt her now. It had been such a relief to let go of her past and fly away on dragonback. She didn’t want to think about those times ever again. But there was hardly time to think about anything because Saban and Mabbi were leading her toward the left-hand waterfall. She did manage one quick thought, impelled by the vulnerability of her nakedness. ‘Do the dragon riders come in here?’ Doraya flung a glance over her shoulder to the entrance of the grotto. ‘No,’ Saban said, ‘they have their own grotto on the riders’ side. This is the women’s side, so only women will be here.’ Mabbi thrust Doraya underneath the waterfall, and she hissed at the chill of the water on her sore, aching body. It wasn’t freezing, but cold, sparkling, and invigorating, tasting of mineral salts on her tongue. Saban and Mabbi rolled up their sleeves and picked up smooth stones, each fitting comfortably into a palm. ‘Let us wash you,’ Saban said. ‘It’ll help you relax.’ Doraya tried to relax, but it was impossible. The stones were slightly abrasive, making her skin come alive beneath the softly falling water. Saban and Mabbi were gentle, but there was so much to feel in her recently awakened body. Even the soreness of her bruises felt enlivening. When Mabbi began to stroke the stone gently between Doraya’s buttocks, she jerked away, only to be held in place by Saban. ‘We must wash you thoroughly,’ Saban said. ‘Be still and let us do our work.’

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‘More like fun, if you ask me,’ Mabbi said. ‘Can I do her breasts next?’ She flicked a wink at Doraya, who blushed as red as her hair. ‘Ooh, look, everyone, we’ve got a live one here!’ The other women clustered around Doraya, admiring her blush, tutting at her bruises, soft hands touching here and there. Their touches and words were gentle and encouraging, so different from the women in Berato’s kitchen. The common view seemed to be that Doraya was beautiful and sexy but much too thin. She enjoyed the sensation of warm hands touching her flesh under the cold running water, particularly Mabbi’s, which seemed more deft and sensitive than anyone else’s. Could Mabbi do what Goril had done on the towertop, give her that same pleasure? She felt her quim moisten at the thought of leaning back against the other woman’s bouncy breasts, and was glad she was standing under a waterfall so nobody would know of her arousal. Then Mabbi slid a gentle hand between Doraya’s legs, and she let out an involuntary gasp. ‘Bit turned on, are you?’ Mabbi spoke softly, her eyes dancing with amusement. ‘I won’t use the stone, then, just my fingers. And I would advise you to keep quiet. We’re not supposed to amuse you before Goril says we can.’ Doraya quivered at Mabbi’s touch, but managed not to let out any more gasps, although it wasn’t easy. Every stroke of Mabbi’s fingers sent ripples of delight through Doraya’s body. She felt herself reaching for her peak of pleasure, but then Mabbi’s fingers withdrew, making her moan which she swiftly turned into a cough. ‘Enough cold water for you,’ Saban said firmly. ‘Into the pool.’ ‘All of us.’ Mabbi pulled off her dress, and the other women followed suit, each of them naked beneath their tunics. ‘Wash first,’ Saban reminded them. The water in the pool was deliciously warm. The ground sloped down gently into the pool, and Doraya found it wonderfully comfortable to lie fully submerged with her head resting on the poolside. All her aches and pains seemed to disappear when her body

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was buoyed up by the warm pool water. As other women climbed into the pool, small waves surged against her inflamed clit, and she opened her legs a little to get the full effect, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the sensual feeling. Then she heard a wet sound she couldn’t identify and opened her eyes again to see two women on the other side of the pool, one on top, sucking the other’s nipple, each with the other’s thigh between their legs, rocking back and forth. The woman below had her head thrown back in abandon, an expression of ecstasy on her face. Doraya had never seen anything so arousing, apart from Goril’s muscular body, but here and now she longed to join in with the women’s activity. Mabbi slid into the pool beside her and followed her gaze. ‘Benka and Paleen never miss an opportunity,’ she said. Doraya wasn’t sure if Mabbi’s voice held contempt or envy. ‘I wouldn’t either, if I had the choice,’ she said boldly. Mabbi looked at her face, a cool, assessing look. ‘I’d be inclined to help you,’ she admitted. ‘In fact, I think I might enjoy it, but I can’t. I have to leave you for Goril.’ Doraya twisted in frustration, letting out a huge sigh. Goril better come for her soon. Her experience on the dragon tower had felt like the start of something. She didn’t know what, but she was hungry for it, whatever it was. Saban lowered herself into the pool on Doraya’s other side. ‘Saban,’ Mabbi said, across the top of Doraya’s head, ‘our new woman has needs.’ ‘I’m sure she does, but we can’t help her with them until Goril gives us the go-ahead.’ ‘How about if I held her and she did it herself?’ While Doraya waited for Saban’s answer, she thought how different this was from the last time women spoke about her in her presence. The kitchen wenches called her bitch and slut, although she’d never had a man. She’d never had a woman, either, and until

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today she hadn’t even known such a thing was possible. These dragon riders’ women were trying to find a solution to her very present problem. Her quim, which she had barely noticed before today, felt like a hungry animal, searching this way and that for its quarry. ‘I think that would be all right,’ Saban said slowly. ‘Doraya?’ Mabbi asked. ‘Do you want to?’ She could hear the excitement in Mabbi’s voice, knew Mabbi wanted her to do whatever it was she was suggesting. The trouble was, Doraya wasn’t exactly sure what that was. ‘I want something,’ she said. ‘What was it you had in mind?’ ‘I can’t arouse you,’ Mabbi said, sounding regretful. ‘But I can hold you. You can lie here in the water’—she pointed to the space between her open legs—‘and rest against me, and touch yourself as much as you like.’ Doraya saw Mabbi’s little nipples standing stiff atop her breasts, and realised Mabbi wanted her much as Goril had wanted her. It was so nice to be wanted. She, too, was full of wanting, much more for Goril than for Mabbi, if she was honest, but Mabbi had been kind and her hands had been skilful. ‘I’d love to,’ she said, and slid across to Mabbi. The water took some of her weight as she lifted herself on to Mabbi’s cushioned body, and Mabbi’s hands helped her, too, lingering near her breasts and hips. ‘Now touch yourself.’ Mabbi’s breath came quickly. Doraya slid a hand down between her own legs and found slickness there, a different wetness from the wetness of the water. Oh! So that was how Mabbi had known she was aroused. She found a little nubbin which seemed to be the source of sensation, and began to stroke, swaying her hips instinctively to increase her pleasure. Women crowded around her in the pool, watching, touching each other. ‘Show us, Doraya,’ Mabbi encouraged her. ‘Show us your pleasure,’ another woman said.

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‘You’re beautiful, honey,’ said another. Doraya worked her hand down her slit as her hips came up, then up as they went down, back and forth, pumping faster as her excitement grew. ‘Come on, baby,’ Mabbi whispered in her ear, pushing her own pubis up against Doraya’s back. ‘She’s nearly there,’ someone said. Slurping sounds told their own stories of women exciting each other or themselves. Doraya remembered Goril on the towertop, his purple cockhead appearing and disappearing as he thrust his rigid cock between her breasts. ‘I’m close,’ she muttered, and then let out a long moan of ecstasy as her climax washed over her, pulsating through her pussy and making her whole body quiver in Mabbi’s soft embrace. Saban leaned over and stroked a strand of Doraya’s hair away from her face. ‘You’re a perfect treasure, Doraya,’ she said. ‘I hope, when Goril gives us the go-ahead, you and Mabbi will put on a show for us sometime.’ ‘I’m sure we’d love to,’ Mabbi said. Doraya nodded, not yet ready to speak, not sure what she was agreeing to, but happy to do anything that might repay the kindness of these women. ‘Now,’ Saban said, in a no-nonsense voice, ‘we have to get Doraya back under the waterfall and untangle her hair.’ Doraya must have looked dismayed because Saban grinned at her disarmingly. ‘Don’t worry,’ she said, ‘you can have another rest in the pool afterward. Switching from warm to cold and back will help your bruises heal. Come on.’ She stood up, water sheeting from her body, and held out a hand to Doraya. Most of the women seemed to help untangle Doraya’s hair. It took ages, but they were gentle and didn’t pull much. The cold of the water caused more discomfort, her nipples standing out like little stones and

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her skin beginning to turn blue by the time they had finished. ‘Back into the pool with you,’ Saban said, and hurried her across to the welcome warmth of the still water. The feeling of her hair, loose and clean now, floating around her shoulders, was delightfully sensual. Doraya lay, half sleeping, until Saban chivvied her out of the pool and wrapped her in a soft, warm blanket. ‘Now we need to feed her,’ Mabbi said. **** Once Goril had washed away the dust of travel in the men’s grotto, he went to search for his father. He found the old man in his bedcave, sitting too close to a roaring fire, lost in thought. ‘You’ll singe your beard, Papa,’ Goril remarked. His father’s head shot up, delight in his golden eyes, and he pulled himself up with his staff to hug his son. Goril winced as a fist pounded him on the back in greeting. Papa might be old, but he was still strong. ‘How was Panac?’ Papa gestured to Goril to take a seat by the fire, and reclaimed his own. Goril rolled his eyes. ‘The food was good.’ ‘Isn’t it always?’ Papa sighed. ‘But nothing else.’ ‘There was one other thing, actually.’ He couldn’t help a grin spreading across his face. Papa’s expression was a comical mixture of hope and disbelief. ‘Tell me.’ ‘I brought a new woman for us.’ ‘My son, that is wonderful news!’ Papa banged his staff on the floor to emphasise his words. Then his brow furrowed in concern. ‘Did she come willingly?’ ‘Of course!’ Goril was hurt by the implication in his father’s question. ‘I’d never bring a woman any other way.’ ‘I know, my son, I know.’ Papa held out his hands, palms upward

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in apology. ‘It’s just so unusual.’ ‘She’s an unusual woman.’ The thought of Doraya excited him so much he was on his feet and pacing. ‘Papa, wait till you see her. She’s stunning.’ ‘You’ll enjoy the next two weeks, then.’ Papa winked at Goril. ‘The next month, if I have my way.’ Papa’s eyebrows rose. ‘She’s completely inexperienced. And she’s been beaten and halfstarved.’ The angry glint in Papa’s metallic eyes reminded Goril that the old man was emotionally as well as physically strong, but Papa only said, ‘I’m glad she asked to come to us.’ ‘Me, too. She’ll need very gentle handling. Do you think the tribe will agree?’ Papa shrugged. ‘Worth a try.’ **** Doraya felt too tired to eat, but went with the women to a warm cave where a fire was lit and cushions strewn around low tables. She sat close to the fire, still wrapped in her soft blanket, and the women brought her a bowl of savoury soup, some fresh bread, and some fine old cheese. She ate half of the soup and a little of the bread, but couldn’t manage more. Saban tutted, and Doraya was afraid of her displeasure until she realised it wasn’t her Saban was cross with. ‘Stupid people,’ Saban muttered, leading Doraya away from the firelight. ‘Working you so hard, treating you so badly, half starving you. What were they thinking?’ She took Doraya to a small cave with two bedsteads bearing haystuffed mattresses and pillows covered in warm blankets. Doraya’s eyes almost fell out of her head. She’d only ever slept on a thin pallet on the floor. Saban turned down the blankets on one of the beds.

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‘In you get,’ she said. Doraya slid between the blankets and lay there in wonder. She had never been so comfortable in her whole life. This was something to relish, not something to sleep through. There was no way she was going to miss a moment of the time she spent in this fabulously comfortable bed. The next thing she knew, she was opening her eyes with the realisation that some time had passed. The low light in the cave hadn’t changed, and the other bed was still empty, but her body was more relaxed than she ever remembered it being before and she knew she must have slept. Being alone was an interesting experience in itself. It had rarely happened at King Panac’s castle, and when it had, she always knew where other people were and what she should be doing. Here, she had no idea where anyone or anything was. Should she get up and go to find someone? Or should she wait here until someone came? Before she had time to decide, Mabbi tiptoed in and then saw that Doraya was awake. ‘Hello, Doraya.’ Doraya was surprised to see that Mabbi looked a little shy. ‘Hello,’ she said. ‘How are you feeling?’ Doraya stretched experimentally. ‘Fine,’ she said, and then, to her own surprise, ‘hungry.’ Mabbi’s face lit up with an impish grin, her even, white teeth shining against her brown skin. ‘Good! I’ll call Saban.’ She left the cave again and soon returned with another bowl of the savoury soup, a smaller piece of bread, and no cheese but a large piece of cake instead. Doraya’s eyes bugged out again. ‘Cake is only for high-ranking people,’ she blurted, repeating the phrase that Berato had used so many times. ‘We all eat cake here,’ Mabbi said. ‘Especially people who need to put on weight.’ She fixed Doraya with a spearing look. ‘Dragon

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riders are high ranking. So are their women, even if we never go anywhere. Now see how much of this you can eat.’ Doraya managed the soup, some of the bread, and half the cake before she had to admit defeat. ‘Now you need to dress,’ Mabbi announced, and passed Doraya a pile of clothes. ‘Try these on for me.’ Doraya tried three before she found one that fitted, in a beautiful shade of pale green. The dresses had soft cups inside which held her ample breasts in a comfortable display. Mabbi stood back admiringly. ‘That does wonders for your eyes,’ she said. ‘And your hair is so beautiful.’ Doraya pulled a strand over her shoulder to examine it. She couldn’t remember last time she’d been so clean, and she didn’t think she’d ever known that her red hair was streaked with gold. The harsh soap she used to wash, back at the castle, whenever she got the chance, always left her hair and skin feeling dull and rough. She tossed her hair back over her shoulder and smiled at Mabbi. ‘Do you know,’ Mabbi said, ‘that’s the first time I’ve seen you smile? You should do it more often. It suits you.’ She hugged Doraya affectionately. ‘I’m so glad you came. It’s lovely to have another young woman to talk to.’ ‘Aren’t there other young women here?’ ‘No, just the women you’ve met.’ ‘How many dragon riders are there?’ ‘Thirty-five.’ Mabbi wrinkled her nose. ‘They made some stupid pact, whole lifetimes ago, not to try to attract women.’ Doraya thought of Fiami’s needs. ‘How do the dragon riders who don’t have a woman manage?’ ‘They always have a woman when they need one, honey.’ Doraya didn’t understand, and it must have shown on her face because Mabbi explained further. ‘We belong to all of the riders. Any rider can call for one of us when they need a woman.’

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Chapter Two Mabbi escorted Doraya to the dining cave, chattering all the way, but Doraya couldn’t take in any of Mabbi’s words. She was trying too hard not to show her shock at Mabbi’s revelation. So she was not one man’s woman? She belonged to thirty-five men? Yet Goril had told Saban that Doraya was his, and Mabbi had said they mustn’t touch her until Goril gave permission. So Goril must have some claim on her. The dining cave was spacious and pleasant with a table for the women and several tables for the men, several of whom were already seated. The buzz of conversation intensified as Doraya entered, and she found herself the focus of many interested golden eyes. Her cheeks burned, and she hurried to sit down by Mabbi. Dragon riders brought trays of food into the dining cave and placed one on each table, serving the women first. The tray held thick, juicy slices of meat and steaming tubers, but Doraya wasn’t hungry. ‘Try to eat a little,’ Mabbi coaxed her, so she took a couple of bites, but her mouth was dry and it was hard to swallow. A goblet in front of her held liquid, so she took a swig and found it warm and rich on her tongue. ‘What’s that?’ she asked. ‘Good red wine,’ Mabbi said, smacking her lips. ‘Do the men do all the cooking?’ ‘Most of it, and tend the dragons. The farming, too, down in the valley, although we help with that as well. We do most of the cleaning and sewing, but everyone does everything, and mostly people do what they prefer. Ricco, over there, does quite a bit of sewing.’ She pointed

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discreetly at a dragon rider whose body looked as strong as Goril’s even though his dark beard was streaked with silver. ‘He says he finds it relaxing.’ ‘Do you… do you have a favourite dragon rider?’ Mabbi’s eyes darted around the cave. ‘We’re not supposed to,’ she said quietly. ‘But you do.’ ‘Two favourites,’ she said matter-of-factly. ‘Ricco is one, and Adsel, sitting next to him, is the other. I go with them together.’ Adsel was a huge, fair-haired man. How could Mabbi be with both of them? Did they take turns? Doraya longed to ask more questions but didn’t know how to frame them. She put another small bite of food into her mouth to save herself from needing to talk. Most of the places at the tables were filled now, but there was still no sign of Goril. What if he’d flown away again on Fiami? Doraya’s spirits sank at the thought. She longed to see him, but his unruly head of hair wasn’t visible anywhere in the cave. Why didn’t he come? There he was, striding in, looking straight at the women’s table, his golden eyes singling out Doraya. She remembered what Mabbi had said and smiled at him. He stopped in his tracks momentarily, his eyes burning into hers. Then he seemed to remember where he was and sat down at the nearest table, still looking at Doraya. The dragon rider next to him saw the direction of his gaze, nudged him, and made a comment Doraya couldn’t hear. Goril laughed and began to converse with the others on his table as they ate, but his eyes returned to Doraya over and over again. Now that Goril was here, Doraya was content. She didn’t eat any more, but sipped her wine, listening to the conversation around her, which was mostly about domestic matters and looking at the dragon riders. They were all ages, including one boy of about ten years old, but most were tall and every man was well muscled, even the oldest greybeards. Although the women sat separately, Doraya noticed various

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flirtations between women and some of the dragon riders. Also, one or more women would sometimes leave the women’s table and go to sit with the dragon riders for a few minutes, to discuss an issue or settle an argument, and at one point Ricco stopped by the women’s table to offer Saban help with making more tunics. Mabbi pulled at his sleeve, and he turned to her, a question in his golden eyes. ‘If you do too much sewing, Ricco,’ she said in her pert voice, ‘you might get a little prick.’ Doraya covered her mouth with her hand and giggled, amazed at Mabbi’s daring. ‘I’ll be dealing with you later, young woman,’ Ricco said with a grin. ‘Ooh, promises!’ Mabbi looked pleased. When the meal was finished, four dragon riders cleared the tables, and nobody seemed in a hurry to leave. Doraya didn’t want any more of her wine. Her head felt slightly fuzzy, and while that was quite pleasant, she didn’t want to feel any fuzzier. Although she’d never had wine before, she’d seen people at the castle falling-down drunk, staggering and slurring their words. She didn’t ever want to be that way. A greybeard dragon rider rose to his feet, using a staff for balance. He lifted his staff and banged it twice on the bench. ‘That’s Alda,’ Mabbi whispered, ‘senior dragon rider. He’s Goril’s father.’ Silence fell within the dining cave. ‘We have a new woman.’ Alda’s voice was rich and sonorous. The dragon riders and their women broke into spontaneous applause. Doraya felt the familiar blush creeping up across her chest and neck. When the noise abated, Alda said, ‘I am told that her name is Doraya.’ ‘Welcome, Doraya,’ everyone called, and clapped and cheered as

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the blush reached her face. ‘Doraya,’ Alda said, ‘you are indeed welcome. We are starved of the young and the beautiful.’ He winked at Mabbi, who pouted back. ‘Goril, who brought you to us, wishes to make his claim.’ **** Goril stood, determined to win the argument he knew he faced. ‘I brought Doraya here, so I have first rights.’ His eyes challenged the room, but the only responses were nods, which didn’t surprise him, as this was their custom. However, he wanted longer than usual, so he began to prepare the ground. ‘She belongs to all of us, but she will need time. She is completely inexperienced and has been badly used, hurt, and underfed.’ Muttering rumbled around the room. Some of the dragon riders looked furious. None of them looked pleased. ‘Saban,’ Alda said, ‘can you confirm this?’ Saban stood. ‘Yes, Alda. She is covered in bruises, very thin, and often afraid.’ Goril saw Doraya’s look of dismay, and his heart went out to her. She tried so hard to hide her fears. It seemed she hadn’t yet learned that this was not a sign of cowardice but of bravery. ‘I can also confirm,’ Saban went on, ‘that she shows considerable potential.’ Her eyes were twinkling now, and her statement was greeted by cheers and stamping from the dragon riders. ‘But I agree with Goril that she will need gentleness and time.’ Saban sat down again. ‘I claim her for a month,’ Goril demanded. The room erupted. Dragon riders were on their feet, shouting, banging their goblets on the tables. Alda stood, impassive, watching the melee. Goril wondered whether they would agree to his demand. The usual period granted was no longer than two weeks, so he was

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asking for a big concession. Doraya was whispering with Mabbi now, which probably meant Mabbi was explaining their system. Good. Some people seemed to think two weeks would be plenty, others that it would be better for everyone if Doraya was thoroughly trained and accustomed to the dragon riders’ way of life by someone she knew and trusted. Goril let the debate rage for a while before he began to argue fiercely for the second point of view. ‘We take care of our women here.’ He banged his fist on a table for emphasis. ‘We do not maltreat women, and we do not let others maltreat them.’ ‘That’s true.’ ‘You have the right of it.’ ‘That’s what we do.’ ‘And we must take care of Doraya,’ Goril said. ‘Yes, we all have needs, but if we rush her, then we are as bad as the people she came from.’ ‘How do you know she needs a month?’ asked Adsel. ‘I don’t know, for sure, but I think she could need that long.’ ‘I have a suggestion.’ Saban was on her feet again. ‘We will be glad of your wisdom,’ Alda said drily. A mischievous look flashed in his golden eyes, which Saban returned with a grin. ‘Why don’t we give Doraya to Goril for two weeks to begin with. Then let him return her to the women for a day, and we will assess her. If we deem her ready, we will say so. If not, we will return her to Goril for a further week before assessing her again, with the option for a final week with Goril if we still think she’s not ready. That way, she will get the training she needs, and he won’t have her for longer than necessary.’ There were slow nods at each table, with some murmured conversation leading to more nods. ‘I think,’ Alda said, ‘if we follow your suggestion, Saban, you will need to be able to make a full assessment after two weeks.’

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He lifted one eyebrow at Goril, who growled, ‘Agreed.’ ‘Does anyone dispute Goril’s claim?’ There was still a little muttering here and there, but nobody did. **** ‘Before you take Doraya away,’ Alda said, ‘we need to show her how we punish our women when they misbehave.’ Mabbi shifted excitedly in her seat and squeezed Doraya’s hand. ‘I hope it’s me,’ she said. Doraya couldn’t believe that anyone would hope for punishment. Ricco and Adsel were striding toward the women’s table. Ricco beckoned to Mabbi. ‘You were cheeky to me just now,’ he said sternly, although Doraya was sure there was a twinkle lurking at the corner of his eye. ‘Come and take your punishment.’ ‘I’m so sorry, Ricco.’ Mabbi stood, her eyes down, the picture of a demure young woman. ‘Insulting one dragon rider insults us all,’ Adsel said. ‘Small prick, indeed!’ He saw Doraya trying to conceal a giggle at his outraged tone and nudged Ricco. ‘There’s someone else who looks as if she’ll need some punishment in a month or so.’ Ricco gave Doraya an appraising look, and she felt her nipples harden against the soft fabric of her dress. ‘You’re probably right, Adsel,’ he said, ‘but in the meantime we have this minx to deal with.’ He held out a hand to Mabbi, who went with him and Adsel to the centre of the room. Ricco put one foot up on a bench, his leg bent at the knee. ‘Over my knee, girl,’ he said firmly. ‘Please don’t be too hard on me,’ Mabbi begged, but Doraya could see the light in her brown eyes and knew this was some kind of game. ‘You’ll get what you deserve.’ Ricco put his hands on his hips, his

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stance indicating that he would brook no argument. Mabbi bent herself across his well-muscled thigh. Adsel flung her dress over her head, exposing her pale brown bottom to the room. ‘Feet apart, Mabbi,’ Ricco instructed. Doraya saw Mabbi’s pretty quim appear as she parted her feet. Sighs came from around the room. A quick glance showed Doraya that everyone’s eyes were fixed on Mabbi. ‘Six, I think, Adsel, don’t you?’ Ricco said. Mabbi squeaked, whether in fear or anticipation, Doraya wasn’t sure. She knew her own quim was growing wet in sympathy. ‘I think six would be just right.’ Adsel pushed up his shirtsleeves. Ricco put one arm across Mabbi’s back, pushing her down further. He looked at her naked bottom, evidently enjoying the view. Adsel’s strong arm swung, and his big hand connected to Mabbi’s buttocks, leaving a rapidly reddening imprint. Mabbi made a little mewing sound. Thwack! The second blow fell, then the third and fourth. Doraya was fascinated by the sight of Mabbi’s blushing behind. Mabbi was wriggling now. ‘Be still and take your punishment,’ Ricco snapped, and she became motionless over his thigh. Adsel stroked the tender skin of Mabbi’s bottom for a moment, winking at Ricco, making Mabbi moan with longing. Was she longing to get the punishment over, or was there something else in her tone? Judging by the visible wetness of her quim, perhaps it was the latter. Thwack! Thwack! The fifth and sixth blows fell in quick succession. Ricco spun Mabbi over his thigh and lifted her deftly into his arms. She buried her face in his chest, and he strode toward the men’s quarters, rapidly followed by a grinning Adsel who acknowledged the riders’ applause, bowing to the left and right as he left the cave. The party was evidently breaking up, with people getting to their feet and chatting in small groups. Before Doraya could do more than

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notice that each of the women was being claimed by a rider, Goril was at her side, taking her hand in his unbreakable grip. ‘Let’s get out of here,’ he said, and drew her behind him through the dining cave and into a tunnel that looked very similar to the one on the women’s side. They walked through several side tunnels and eventually reached a cosy, well-appointed cave. ‘Can I get you anything?’ Goril asked. ‘May I have a goblet of water?’ Doraya touched her throat. ‘I had a little wine, and I feel thirsty now.’ ‘I’ll be back in a moment. Make yourself at home.’ Two comfortable chairs were placed on either side of a fireplace where a blaze burned merrily. A large canopied bed stood at the far end of the cave, and there was a worktable with a bench to one side. Doraya sat in one of the chairs. Goril returned with two goblets of water, gave her one, and took the other chair for himself. He raised his goblet. ‘Here’s to the next two weeks.’ ‘Maybe even the next month.’ She smiled and raised her own goblet. ‘You’re looking better already.’ His golden eyes lingered on her cleavage, then returned to her face. Doraya sipped her water, happy to be alone with Goril after such a bewildering day. So many new people, so many changes to take in. He, too, seemed content to take a moment of quiet by the crackling fire. ‘What happens next?’ she asked. Goril quirked an eyebrow at her with half a grin. ‘I’m trying not to think about it.’ Doraya frowned in puzzlement. ‘I need to explain one or two things about dragon riders.’ He set his goblet down on the floor. ‘Our lives are not entirely our own. We are partly ruled by our dragons.’ ‘How so?’

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‘Our dragons are our own. Dragon and rider are born close together, bonded from birth, and usually die on the same day.’ ‘What do you mean, bonded?’ Doraya remembered Goril speaking to his dragon. ‘Does Fiami understand what you say?’ ‘Not the words, but the feeling behind them. They sense their rider’s emotions, respond to their feelings, and the rider senses the dragon’s emotions, too.’ ‘All the time?’ Goril nodded. ‘Except when they’re asleep. Even then, sometimes, if I feel something strongly, that will wake Fiami, or the other way around.’ ‘What is Fiami feeling now?’ Doraya asked. ‘Sleepy. Full. Content.’ Goril smiled softly. ‘But if I start thinking of you and me sharing pleasure, she’ll wake up and want to join in.’ Doraya’s alarm must have shown on her face because Goril chuckled. ‘Not literally,’ he said, ‘through her bond with me. She’ll encourage me to do more, faster and harder. She’s like that. I can control my own lust, but trying to control hers as well—it’s hard to hold back at times.’ That made some sense of what had happened the previous day. ‘So when we were in the castle,’ she said, ‘did you start that, or did Fiami?’ ‘Me,’ Goril admitted. ‘I’d seen you before and, well, you’re so attractive, I always looked for you when I went to King Panac’s.’ ‘I tried so hard not to be attractive.’ Doraya’s voice was low. ‘It didn’t work, little one.’ Goril came and knelt by her chair, taking her hand in his. ‘Charms like yours take more than dirt and rough cloth to hide.’ He bent forward and kissed her softly on the lips. **** Goril wished he could make love to Doraya slowly, knowing that

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would enhance her enjoyment, and his, but he could feel Fiami’s growing awareness of his throbbing erection as his tongue explored Doraya’s soft, compliant mouth. He stroked her breast through the sheer fabric of her dress, her nipple hardening at his touch, knowing his dragon would urge him on for her own vicarious pleasure. It was already really difficult to think about anything that wouldn’t directly stimulate his cock. He separated his mouth gently from Doraya’s and groaned from pleasure and frustration. ‘Fiami?’ she asked. He nodded mutely, catching a flash of anger from her eyes. Her spirit pleased him, although he didn’t want his woman and his dragon at war with each other. That had been known to cause problems in the past. Before his lust-befuddled brain could work out a sensible way forward, Doraya spoke again. ‘What shall we do?’ she asked. Goril pulled back to look at her face and saw understanding and willingness there. He was so grateful for her kindness and patience that the strength of his feeling momentarily cleared his mind, and he leapt up and pulled her to her feet. ‘Have as much fun as we can,’ he said, and lifted her tunic dress over her head. ‘Let’s get you out of these dry things and make you all wet.’ **** Goril sucked air in through his teeth as he saw her body. Doraya couldn’t see his face, so she wasn’t sure whether he was expressing appreciation or dismay. A touch on her bare stomach made her jump, and she fought her way out of her clothes as Goril’s hand stroked downward. Tingles shot through her like shooting stars, making her blood sparkle and fizz in her veins. Goril quickly undressed, his body as muscular and his erection as

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proud as she remembered, and led her to the bed. She lay on her back and Goril lay beside her, propping himself up on one elbow while his other hand traced patterns around her belly and breasts. His touch aroused her, and she moved her hips restlessly, coming into contact with Goril’s erection. He pressed his cock against her hip with a gentle back-and-forth motion that she found strangely irresistible, reminding her of Benka and Paleen in the pool. Goril moved his hand down between Doraya’s legs, which she opened for him, relishing the feel of his fingers on her pussy. He stroked her throbbing clit and she thrust her hips up against his hand and found one of his fingers pressing at her entrance. Her hymen stretched uncomfortably, then broke with a small gush of blood and a stab of pain. ‘Ow!’ she said. Goril took her in his arms and kissed her hair, his erection pressed hard against her belly. ‘I won’t hurt you anymore.’ His voice had the strained sound she remembered from the tower. ‘Do you need to—’ She didn’t know the word. ‘I need to come, soon. Fiami is pushing me.’ ‘Let me take you in my mouth,’ she said. He drew back and looked at her with lust-dark eyes, tracing her lips with his finger in a familiar gesture. ‘Yes,’ he said. Doraya leaned down and held his cock in her hand. Her fingers could barely encircle its girth. The purple head oozed pre-cum and smelled salty and clean. She licked at the tip, and Goril gave a groan, so she took the head of his cock in her mouth and rolled her tongue experimentally around. He groaned louder. ‘Take me deeper,’ he panted. She moved more of his cock into her mouth, a little at a time. There was no way she could take it all, no way in the world, but if it felt good to Goril, she was determined to take as much of his cock into her mouth as she could. ‘Oh, Doraya,’ he moaned, rocking his hips back and forth. ‘Oh, Doraya.’

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She sucked and slurped at his cock, suddenly loving the sensation of power. This big, strong dragon rider was at her mercy, his pleasure dependent on her actions. ‘I’m close,’ he grunted. Doraya remembered the gushing liquid that had covered her chest on the castle tower. She forced another fraction of his cock between her willing lips, and he groaned more loudly than ever as he pumped his cum into her. The first gush hit the back of her throat, and her eyes watered, but she managed not to gag or cough. Swallowing was pleasant, soothing her throat, and seemed to provoke the next gush and the third. She licked his cock clean, very gently, then placed it on his belly and lay alongside Goril. His chest was still heaving as he restored air to his lungs, but he reached for her hand and held it until he could speak. ‘Are you sure you’ve never done that before?’ ‘I think I would have remembered,’ she said drily. He chuckled. ‘You’re a natural, little one.’ She felt a rush of happiness. ‘Did it excite you?’ he asked. Doraya had been so focused on his pleasure, she’d forgotten to think about her own, but now he mentioned it, that questing animal between her legs was back. ‘Yes, very much,’ she said. ‘Let me see.’ He rolled over and slid his hand between her legs. ‘So it did.’ His deft fingers stroked her clit. It felt good, but not good enough. Could she ask for more? He had, so perhaps it would be okay? ‘Harder. Please,’ she gasped, opening her legs wider. Goril responded, and she began to thrust her hips rhythmically against his hand and moan. Then she felt a new sensation, his other hand joining in, a finger probing her entrance. ‘This shouldn’t hurt you now,’ Goril said, ‘but tell me if it does.’ Slowly and patiently, he inserted one finger a little way. It felt so good, yet everything he did made her want him to do more. Doraya thought she might burst with frustration. Was this how

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Fiami felt? ‘Please,’ she said. ‘More.’ He pushed his finger further into her. She bucked against his hand, forcing his finger in as far as it could go. ‘More?’ he asked. ‘Yesssssss!’ she hissed. He inserted a second finger alongside the first and began to work them in and out, rubbing her clit steadily all the while. ‘Ohhhhhhhhhh… ohhhhhhhhh…’ She tossed her head back and forth, wanting to find something, get somewhere, but she wasn’t sure what or where. ‘Come for me, little one,’ he coaxed, and lowered his head to take her nipple. The feeling of his mouth sucking on her breast was more than Doraya could hold, and she yelled out her release as wave after wave of pleasure crashed through her slender frame. Goril took her shuddering body in his arms and held and soothed her through the aftershock. She couldn’t help noticing that he was fully erect again, and although she had just come herself, she was sure she could enjoy more stimulation. ‘Is Fiami satisfied?’ she asked. ‘No,’ Goril said reluctantly. ‘But I can hold her back more easily after the first one.’ Doraya looked up at him from under her eyelashes. ‘I think we should give her more of what she needs.’ ‘I’m surprised you’re not exhausted.’ ‘I slept all day.’ Doraya felt revivified. ‘I want to do more. Learn more. Feel more.’ Goril kissed her hair again. ‘You are such an asset. I thank the day that brought you to us.’ ‘Thank the dragon that brought me.’ Doraya boldly took hold of his cock and began to stroke it. ‘I want you to put this inside me.’ ‘Doraya!’ He sounded shocked. ‘You’re not ready.’

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‘I feel ready,’ she said. ‘We could try, anyway.’ Goril hesitated. ‘You’ll probably feel Fiami’s mind, her emotions, if we fuck.’ ‘When, not if,’ she said. A small voice in the back of her head asked where her newfound confidence had come from and who she thought she was anyway, but she ignored it. ‘So dragon riders’ women feel their dragons’ minds?’ ‘Not always. And only when they fuck.’ ‘That’s a terrible way to try to put me off.’ She grinned at him. ‘Now I really want to know what it’s like.’ He hesitated again. She poked a finger into his chest. ‘Do you want to keep Fiami all to yourself?’ ‘It’s you I want to keep to myself,’ he said roughly. ‘I won’t be able to if you keep stroking my cock like that.’ Doraya took her hand away, and he groaned at the loss of sensation. ‘Let’s try,’ she said softly. He rolled on top of her, his weight pinning her to the bed. ‘Tell me if it’s too much,’ he rasped, and placed his cockhead at her entrance. The feeling of it nestling there was almost unbearably exciting. Then he began to push. At first, Doraya thought she had made a mistake. His cock felt so huge, perhaps her body couldn’t fit it in any more than her mouth could. Then she felt an incredible stretching sensation. Her body was yielding to accommodate him, and her mind was stretching, too, to accommodate something huge. She remembered the enormous happiness she had momentarily felt on the castle tower. This was the same, but more complicated. Lust, anticipation, and excitement, all mixed together and irresistible. ‘Yes!’ she cried, beating her fists on Goril’s back. ‘Give it to me!’ He began to thrust, trembling with the effort to keep it gentle, but she met him thrust for thrust, jamming her hips against his, clawing at

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his buttocks now to pull him in more tightly. He gave up his resistance, slid a forearm under the base of her spine and slammed into her, wonderful friction inside her building heat in her body until it burst into flame. She cried out, wave on wave of pleasure like a swooping dragon, his cries meeting hers, and that huge presence in her mind expressing enormous pleasure and satisfaction. They clung together, slick with sweet-smelling sweat, Goril’s heart beating so hard Doraya could feel it in her own chest. Her body was contracting around Goril’s cock, which made him groan a little. She moved her hips experimentally, and his cock slid out of her. Doraya felt enormous regret. ‘Oh,’ she said, with huge disappointment. Then she realised it was Fiami’s emotions she was feeling, with her own contentment buried somewhere beneath. ‘When does it stop?’ she asked. Goril looked puzzled. ‘We have stopped.’ ‘No, I mean Fiami. Oh good, she’s losing interest. When will I stop feeling her feelings?’ Goril sat up. ‘You’re still feeling Fiami?’ ‘She’s thirsty now.’ ‘That can’t be,’ he breathed. Doraya put her hands to her head. ‘She’s too big to be inside me all the time.’ ‘Wait here. I’ll get Papa.’ Goril was off the bed and pulling on his clothes. ‘If it’s difficult to manage, count something. Anything.’ He looked around the cave. ‘The logs in the woodpile.’ He threw one onto the fire and wrapped a blanket around Doraya. ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can find Papa.’ Doraya clung to a bedpost, trying to make herself small. She didn’t feel safe with Fiami’s huge presence inside her mind. It felt as if Fiami might blot out her consciousness. The dragon’s mind and emotions didn’t feel malevolent, just colossal, making it hard for Doraya to understand the relevance of her own feelings and thoughts. Count things, Goril had said, but she couldn’t remember how to

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count, or what counting was. Her name was all she could hold onto. Doraya, Doraya, I am Doraya, she said to herself, over and over in her mind, and longed for Goril to ride her or at least to stroke her fur as she flew. **** Goril raced through the tunnels and burst into Papa’s bedcave. Alda and Saban were lying on the bed, fully dressed, holding hands and chatting. Alda was startled, and his nostrils flared as he took a deep breath to admonish his son, but Saban placed a warning hand on his arm and stood with an agility that belied her years. ‘What troubles you, Goril?’ ‘Doraya. We—’ He ran his fingers through his unruly hair while he tried to find some words, not wanting to spell out what had happened between himself and Doraya. It felt too private, too intimate, but Saban was nodding as if she knew what he was trying to tell them, which gave him the courage to speak. ‘She’s still sensing Fiami.’ Saban’s eyes widened in horror. ‘Alda—’ ‘Go, you two.’ He began to heave himself up with his staff. ‘I’ll be there as soon as I can.’ Goril raced back through the tunnels with Saban close behind. Beautiful, hot little Doraya. He couldn’t bear to lose her now, so soon, when they’d only just met. How could they help her? Dragon riders grew up with their dragons’s young consciousness in their minds. They learned how to manage the mental relationship as they learned how to live. Doraya had no previous experience, and her mind had just been invaded by a huge, mature dragon’s mind. Could she retain her own personality? Her reason? Goril’s skin chilled at the thought. He leapt across the threshold of his cave and found Doraya clinging to a bedpost as if her life depended on it, her eyes tightly closed.

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‘Doraya,’ he said, and put his arms around her rigid body. ‘Doraya,’ she repeated. ‘Doraya.’ ‘Doraya.’ Saban knelt in front of her. ‘Look at me.’ Doraya opened her eyes, and Saban gasped. ‘Goril—’ ‘I see,’ he said. Doraya’s eyes were expressionless. And golden. Alda arrived and took in the situation at a glance. ‘I’ve heard of this before,’ he said, ‘although it hasn’t happened in my lifetime.’ ‘Do you know how we can help her?’ Goril asked, willing his father to have an answer. Alda shook his head. Goril groaned in disappointment. ‘There must be something we can do.’ ‘We’ll do everything we can.’ Saban’s voice was soothing. ‘When Fiami sleeps, it might be easier.’ ‘She’s sleepy now,’ Goril said. ‘So let’s wait until she sleeps. Then we should be able to help Doraya.’ Goril cradled her body in his arms and waited, trying to still the turmoil in his own mind for fear of disturbing his dragon. Their dragon? Sleep, Fiami, he thought. Sleep long, sleep deep. **** ‘Doraya? You need to wake up now.’ She didn’t want to wake up. So tired. But the voice was insistent. It was a woman’s voice that she recognised, but she was too sleepy to think whom it belonged to. ‘Come on, Doraya, wake up and talk to me.’ That was a man’s voice. She knew the man. He was important, so she needed to remember. Goril. That was his name. Maybe she could wake up for Goril.

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She opened her eyes and tried to focus on his face, but everything was blurry. A finger traced her jawline, reminding her of something, she wasn’t sure what. ‘Hello, Doraya,’ he said. ‘Goril,’ she whispered, and wanted to smile, but there was something big in her mind that got in the way. ‘Doraya.’ It was the insistent woman’s voice again. ‘Do you know who I am?’ Another blurred face appeared next to Goril’s. ‘I know you,’ whispered Doraya. ‘My name is Saban. Can you say my name?’ ‘Saban.’ Of course it was Saban. ‘Mabbi.’ ‘You remember Mabbi?’ The voice sounded pleased. ‘Good girl.’ Doraya wasn’t sure she did remember, but it was too complicated to explain. ‘Doraya, listen,’ Saban said. ‘You’ve melded with Fiami.’ She didn’t want to listen. Sleep was all she desired, and anyway, she didn’t know what Saban was talking about. ‘Fiami’s mind is in your mind,’ Goril said. ‘She’s in danger of blotting you out,’ Saban continued. ‘She doesn’t mean to. Fiami just doesn’t know her own strength.’ ‘You need to resist.’ There was a pleading note in Goril’s voice. ‘Don’t let her consume you. Remember who you are, Doraya.’ Their voices sounded further and further away, as if she was falling slowly into soft, dark sleep. ‘Stay with us, Doraya.’ ‘Doraya?’ **** Goril laid Doraya’s unconscious form gently on the rumpled sheets, sat down beside her, and put his head in his hands. ‘We’ve lost her,’ he said, his heart contracting painfully. Saban put her hand on his shoulder. ‘We don’t know that for sure.

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She’s sleeping because Fiami is sleeping, like children and young dragons.’ ‘I’d forgotten that,’ Goril said slowly. ‘What happens when she wakes?’ ‘We don’t know that, either.’ Alda stood behind Saban, leaning on his staff. ‘We’re most likely to be able to get through to her during her waking moments, or it might be possible to wake her a little before Fiami wakes.’ ‘I will stay with her.’ Goril raised his head, a resolution forming in his mind. ‘I will not sleep. Then I can sense Fiami waking, and try to talk to Doraya.’ ‘We will stay with you,’ Alda offered, but Goril shook his head. ‘Thank you, but no. I have brought Doraya to this point. I will bring her out of it, if I am able.’ Saban looked as if she disagreed with him, but she clamped her lips tightly together and turned to Alda for a decision. ‘Then we will visit again in the morning, if that is agreeable to you,’ Alda said. ‘I would be grateful.’ ‘Call on us if you need us in the meantime,’ Saban said. ‘I will.’ Goril made sure Doraya was warmly wrapped in the blanket and threw another log on the fire. At last, some time to think. He recalled everything that had happened between him and Doraya since he saw her in King Panac’s dining hall just one short day ago. Yes, she had chosen to come with him. She had asked of her own free will just as women were supposed to do, but how much free will did she have, really, being beaten and half-starved? Was it in fact the act of a desperate woman? As part of the dragon riders’ agreement not to seduce women, they had agreed not to say anything about the conditions in which their women lived. Goril knew some of the absurd rumours that had developed about dragon riders and their women, and it was galling to

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be unable to correct them. Doraya turned in her sleep and flung out an arm. Goril was at her side in a heartbeat, but she showed no sign of waking, and he could tell that Fiami was still fast asleep. He made sure Doraya was fully covered, tucking the blanket around her slender frame before sitting down again by the fire. There was no getting away from the feeling that Doraya’s plight was his fault. She hadn’t known what she was asking for when she said she wanted to be a dragon rider’s woman. Goril banged his fist on his knee in frustration. There had to be a better way. Then again, to be fair to himself, Goril hadn’t known this could happen to Doraya. Alda, he remembered, had said he’d heard of it before. Goril made a mental note to ask Papa, next time he saw him, what he knew about the phenomenon. For now, he had a job to do. He built up the fire, undressed, and slid under the blanket, moulding his body around Doraya’s. At least with Fiami asleep it was easier to ignore his desire for the beautiful woman in his arms. Plus, he’d never been turned on by someone unresponsive. That was one of the many wonderful things about Doraya. She was so quick to respond to his overtures, and had even begun to use her initiative. Thinking such thoughts, he reproved himself, would not help him ignore his desires. He kissed Doraya’s cheek where her long lashes lay. Her green eyes had been so mesmerising, by turns watchful, mischievous, and dark with desire. Goril missed those eyes, and he didn’t think he would ever see them again. It was imperative, then, that he brought expression back into her golden ones. Goril settled into a comfortable position and set himself to wait through the long night. **** The first thing Doraya felt when she awoke was a pressure in her

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head. Perhaps she could massage it away with her fingers. As she made her first drowsy movement, she became aware of something warm and comforting behind her. ‘Are you awake?’ It was Goril’s voice, speaking quietly. She realised she was naked beneath a blanket, and so was he. A flush of surprise and embarrassment warmed her chest and face. She had never woken up with someone else before. ‘Doraya?’ ‘I’m awake…my head…’ She raised her fingers to her temples and tried to relieve the pressure. ‘It’s Fiami,’ he said. ‘Try to stay calm, and then we won’t wake her.’ ‘I want her out of here.’ Doraya rubbed her forehead in an attempt to erase the dragon’s looming presence from her mind. ‘She’s waking. Don’t reject her. Welcome her, Doraya. Accept her, and hold on to your self.’ ‘How?’ She felt enormous sorrow, and tears pushed their way over her eyelids and down her cheeks. ‘You are strong, Doraya.’ His voice was urgent now. ‘You have endured terrible things in your life. Find a way. I’ll help you in any way I can.’ Doraya didn’t know how to hold on to her self. She didn’t even know who she was. A kitchen wench, bullied and bruised, tired and hungry. Hungry. ‘You’re hungry,’ Goril said. How did he know? ‘Hungry,’ she said. ‘I’ll bring you food.’ Goril slid away from her. She tried to listen, to work out what he was doing, but the effort was too much, with hunger clawing at her belly. There was nothing but hunger. The whole world was made of hunger, and then someone put some food to her lips. She chewed and

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swallowed greedily and opened her mouth for more, feeding until she was sated. Familiar voices were speaking. ‘At least she’ll put some weight on.’ ‘I must tend Fiami. Will you stay with her?’ ‘I won’t leave her side.’ Doraya could have understood them if she’d made the effort. But why try? There was nothing she needed. She was comfortable now. **** As Goril went to the dragons’ cave, he didn’t feel the usual anticipation of a physical connection with his beloved dragon. His mind was on the beautiful woman lying unconscious in his bed. ‘Oh, Fiami.’ He stroked the soft fur on her head, and she closed her golden eyes in delight. ‘What have we done?’ He went through their daily grooming routine, bringing contented sighs from Fiami as he brushed her fur and cleaned her claws. The familiar actions brought him some comfort until he remembered Doraya and felt a pang of guilt. Still, she was probably enjoying the grooming, if nothing else, he thought ruefully, and tried even harder to make Fiami feel good. Then another thought made his heart gather pace. What if he and Fiami needed to fly? He couldn’t leave Doraya in this state, nor could he take her along. But she’d never cope being so far from Fiami. A rider and his dragon couldn’t be parted, and if Doraya had melded, too, she would need to go everywhere he went. Not that he’d mind having her with him. In fact, the thought was decidedly pleasurable, Goril realised, as he groomed Fiami’s back, where he had sat just a couple of days ago with Doraya’s cute arse fitting snugly between his thighs. Fiami picked up on his lustful thoughts with a flicker of interest. Goril cursed himself for his carelessness and concentrated on the

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brush in his hand, trying to think of something really boring. The selfsatisfaction of King Panac sprang immediately to mind. Yes, the food in his kingdom was excellent, but Goril much preferred the company of the ascetic King Tinis. He might eat bread and drink milk, but his conversation was intelligent and he had a good sense of humour. When would Goril travel next? And where? He hadn’t been to Bokol’s kingdom for a while. Some music would be most welcome, or one of the old tales. It was no good. Fiami was still sensing Goril’s potential for desire. Or could some of it be coming from Doraya? The bond would be twoway. Now that Doraya had eaten, perhaps she wanted him. Fiami purred encouragement. Goril finished her grooming, trying to ignore his rapidly growing erection, and went back to his bedcave. **** Doraya felt small tingles and prickles zapping around her body, up the backs of her thighs, through her torso into her nipples, over the curve of her breasts, along the insides of her upper arms, across her pubic bone and down through her labia. It was an enjoyable feeling, one to nurture. She pressed her legs together as her clit throbbed and rolled languorously back and forth on the bed. A man’s voice was speaking, a wonderful voice, a voice which enhanced her pleasure. ‘Thanks, Saban. I’ll take it from here.’ The woman’s answer was rich with amusement. ‘Looks like you’re exactly what she needs.’ Then, strong hands were touching Doraya, one warm on her breast, one sliding between her thighs. She moaned and pushed herself toward the hands, wanting more, but they were abruptly removed. She tried to replace them with her own hands, but they were caught and held together in a single hand too strong for her to escape. ‘You need training.’ The voice sounded annoyingly pleased with

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itself. ‘That’s how I can get you back.’ The other hand returned, tying something onto her wrists then lashing them to the bedpost. She tried to wriggle away, but the hands were too strong for her. ‘Now listen, Doraya. I can please you.’ Fingers brushed her nipples, and she gasped. ‘But you have to work for your pleasure. Say my name.’ She opened her eyes, trying to look at him, but everything was still blurred, so she closed them again. ‘Say my name,’ he repeated. ‘Goril. My name is Goril. Say “Goril.”’ ‘Goril,’ she whispered. ‘Doraya. Say “I am Doraya.”’ ‘Dorayaaaaaaaa,’ she moaned, writhing, desperate for release. A hand moved down her belly. ‘I can help you.’ His voice sounded ragged. ‘But you have to help, too. Say “I am Doraya” and I promise I will stroke your clit until you come.’ What he asked seemed too difficult, but her need was so great, she had to try. ‘I am,’ she whispered. ‘Good,’ he whispered back, his hand massaging her pubic bone. ‘I am Doraya. Say it for me.’ ‘I am. Dorayaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!’ **** One touch on Doraya’s clit sent her into orbit. The sight of her, wrists tied to the bedpost, screaming and kicking in joyous release, almost made Goril come on the spot. He felt Fiami’s delight intensifying his own feelings, and knew it would be the same for Doraya. He wanted nothing more than to be buried hip-deep in her willing body. Fiami added her wanting to his, and he couldn’t resist, although a small corner of his mind was saying ‘no, don’t, it’s not fair

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when Doraya is not herself.’ But she was so wet and so hot. She was part of this now, part of his life with Fiami, and he knelt between her legs, wanting to celebrate that wonderful bond as he plunged his rockhard cock into her yielding flesh. ‘Goril,’ Doraya said. ‘Can you hold back?’ ‘Nnnnngggggggggg.’ He slowed his pace. ‘I’ll try.’ How come she was making sense all of a sudden? ‘Me, too.’ She seemed to be holding her body as still as she could. ‘I’m not sure what’s happening. Weren’t we just doing this a moment ago?’ ‘Yesterday. You melded with Fiami. Can you feel her now?’ ‘With you inside me, it’s like she’s still there, but a manageable size.’ ‘Doraya, you have to find a way to get her to feel that way when I’m not inside you. We can’t fuck all the time, however much we might wish we could.’ Moving slowly inside her while she was lashed to his bedpost was exquisitely pleasurable. Evidently for her, too, as her golden eyes were glazed and she was breathing fast. ‘I’m close,’ he said despairingly. ‘Goril?’ She thrust her breasts up toward his chest, as if to grab his attention. Which she already had, one-hundred percent. ‘Please, will you fuck me as often as you can?’ A beautiful, naked woman tied up on his bed was begging him to fuck her often. He felt his orgasm build with irrevocable intensity and began to pump his rigid cock rapidly in and out of Doraya’s pulsing cunt. The change of pace gave him a moment’s respite, but Doraya pushed her eager hips up to meet his and he was lost, shouting his ecstasy as she sang out her own, Fiami contributing thrills to enhance the pleasure for all three of them. Over the next few days, Goril worked tirelessly to help Doraya manage the presence of Fiami in her mind. He cajoled, demanded, soothed, and fought by turns. When Doraya hungered or thirsted with

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Fiami, he made food and drink into rewards for small victories, like saying a coherent sentence. And of course, he spent as much time as he could with his cock deep in Doraya’s cunt. They found the best position to talk was with him sitting crosslegged on the bed, Doraya facing him with her legs around his waist, impaled on his erect cock. As long as they’d already fucked a couple of times that day, this position let them maintain arousal by rocking back and forth a little, now and then, without Fiami becoming too insistent for them to stay in control. Goril found that Doraya was an excellent companion, quickwitted and compassionate. Her shyness and reticence were still in evidence, and she frequently blushed, something he found so attractive that from time to time he couldn’t resist gently provoking her embarrassment. She was fascinated by his tales of the dragon riders’s lives and their history, and of the three kingdoms in the land. He was interested in her life at King Panac’s castle, but she saw that as very boring compared with his experiences and refused to talk about it much. They spent much time working on the problem of Doraya and Fiami. ‘Goril—’ Doraya dropped her eyes, which Goril now knew was a sign of slight embarrassment. Perhaps he could elicit one of her enticing blushes. He put a finger under her chin and lifted her face so he could look into her golden eyes. ‘What’s on your mind, Doraya?’ ‘As a dragon rider’s woman—’ The pretty flush began to spread across her chest and up to her neck, but she swallowed hard and continued, ‘I will be expected to mate with every dragon rider. But…’ Goril wanted to help her find the words. ‘Does the prospect worry you?’ ‘No. Yes. Kind of.’ Doraya rocked a little in his lap, making his cock stand to attention inside her. ‘To tell you the truth’—she dropped her eyes again as her blush deepened—‘the thought can be

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quite exciting.’ ‘So don’t think about it too much right now.’ ‘I guess.’ She sounded regretful. ‘Hussy!’ he teased. ‘You might be due a spanking soon, you know.’ He longed to know whether her bottom would blush under his hand as readily as her breasts and face did from his teasing. She rocked again. ‘You’re not helping.’ ‘Neither are you.’ With a heroic effort, Doraya stilled her body and looked him in the eye. ‘There is something worrying me, though.’ He smiled encouragingly. ‘Tell me, little one.’ ‘What if I meld with someone else’s dragon, too?’ Her fear showed in her beautiful golden eyes. ‘I can barely cope with Fiami. I’d be lost with two of them in my mind.’ ‘I’ve never heard of it happening,’ he said slowly. ‘You’d never heard of this happening either,’ she pointed out. ‘Maybe it could. I’ll ask Alda.’ ‘Thank you.’ Doraya chewed at her lower lip. ‘There’s something else, isn’t there?’ Goril asked. ‘Well—’ He stroked her hair. ‘Let’s have it.’ ‘This meld thing,’ she said. ‘You and I aren’t melded, are we?’ ‘Not with each other. Both of us with Fiami.’ ‘So, because we are both melded with her, we know quite a bit about how each other is feeling.’ ‘Like, if she’s hungry, we’ll both feel hungry.’ ‘And if one of us is feeling sexy with someone else, then Fiami will join in and the other one will know what’s going on.’ Her golden eyes were anxious as Goril followed the flight of her thoughts. ‘I see what you mean,’ he said. ‘Other people might not like that.’ ‘We need to tell people, I think,’ Doraya said. ‘It may be more of a problem than you know.’ Goril resisted the

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temptation to fondle Doraya’s breast. Damn, this was hard to talk about without getting more turned on. ‘How’s that?’ Her voice was sharp with anxiety. ‘Part of the training for a dragon rider’s woman is in learning to delay men’s arousal. To balance the push from their dragon. But that’s practically impossible for you because Fiami encourages you, too.’ He closed his eyes to shut off the stimulus of Doraya’s beautiful face, her cheeks and lips reddened by her own arousal, but it was too late. She was rocking harder in his lap, clearly unable to help herself. ‘Fiami’s noticed us,’ she gasped, pushing his shoulders backward and straddling his body. He stretched out on the bed, eyes still closed and hands firmly by his sides in hope of lasting a little longer, but he couldn’t lie still with Doraya bouncing up and down on his cock and moaning in delight. He had to match her movements with pelvic thrusts of his own. ‘We—need—to—learn—to—delay,’ Doraya panted. Goril shook his head. ‘Can’t withstand a determined dragon.’ He opened his eyes for a moment to see Doraya, head thrown back, redgold hair tumbling over her shoulders, hands stimulating her own nipples as she fucked him. The sight propelled his lust. Fiami added gleeful pressure, and he peaked together with Doraya, her powerful contractions drawing every last drop of spunk from his cock. She fell on top of him, her body so relaxed it felt almost boneless in his arms. The sweet scent of her filled his nostrils, but his joy was tainted by the knowledge that she had already withdrawn from him, that there would be no more conversation until they were fucking again. Right now, even though he was still inside her and feeling the pleasurable aftershocks, it didn’t feel as if that would be anytime soon. So it was back to the cajoling and fighting and slow, slow progress. Still, if that was what he had to do, that was what he would do. The knowledge that, from time to time, they could fuck and talk for a short while, was comforting.

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Goril held Doraya in his arms, his precious, fragile burden, and vowed that he would do whatever it took to help her manage her meld. **** Doraya thirsted. Her throat was dry, a great length of dryness inside her long neck. ‘Water,’ she croaked. ‘Say “good morning” for me, Doraya.’ ‘Can’t. Too dry.’ ‘Good!’ A hand tilted her chin, and a welcome draught of cool fresh water trickled down her throat. ‘More,’ she said. ‘Say “please may I have some more?”’ Doraya felt grumpy and sulky. She didn’t want to say those words. She wanted water, lots of water, and then maybe to stretch her wings. Wings? Did she have wings? ‘Goril,’ she said. ‘You’re fighting well now, little one.’ More water was at her lips, and she sucked greedily. It still wasn’t enough, but it helped. ‘I’m so proud of you.’ The voice cracked. That was odd. It made her want to do something, to reach out her wing, no, her arm, to touch. A warm hand met hers, and she heard him swallow hard. ‘Doraya, this is real progress. Can you talk to me?’ ‘Not yet,’ she said clearly, and knew she was gaining control. The huge presence in her mind reminded her of the kitchen wenches at King Panac’s castle. Yes, it was difficult to deal with, and sometimes she could barely withstand the onslaught, but it wasn’t personal. Doraya had never realised that about the bullies. She knew she wasn’t as worthless as they made her feel, but she’d thought she

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must be fairly worthless or they wouldn’t have bullied her. With Fiami’s alien presence in her mind, she completely understood that the difficulty she had in managing was not Fiami’s intention. Fiami just wanted to have fun. So had the bullies, in a way. They probably never even thought about how it affected her, just like Fiami didn’t. Couldn’t. If it wasn’t her, it would have been someone else. That made her heart hurt. She didn’t want anyone else to be on the receiving end of those bullies. Fiami, now that was different. She was getting to know the dragon and her five main priorities in life, which were food, drink, sex, sleep, and flying. Fiami was always focused on one or another of those. Sleep took up much of her time, and Doraya hadn’t yet learned how to stay awake when Fiami was sleeping. The big dragon so enjoyed falling asleep that it was hard to resist. The urges to eat, drink, and have vicarious sex were pretty much impossible to resist. Luckily, Fiami was trained to fly only with her rider, so while the dragon sometimes yearned for flight, she didn’t act on her longings. But when Fiami was thinking about flight, all Doraya wanted to do was spread her wings, no, her arms, step off a high place somewhere, and swoop into the air. Goril was right. She was making progress. At times she could think her own thoughts, particularly when Fiami was resting, although communicating with others was more difficult. It was important to try. She must remember to try. Now. She should try now. ‘Want. Talk,’ she said. ‘I’m here.’ The voice was close to her ear. If only she could see, it would help. Doraya opened her eyes. Was it her imagination, or was the world becoming a little less blurred? ‘See. You.’ His face came into view. Eyes, nose. Not at all clear, but clearer. She closed her eyes again. ‘Trying,’ she said. ‘I know you are.’ Supportive arms held her close. ‘You’re doing a wonderful job.’ ‘Going. To. Win.’

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‘You will. I’ll help you all I can.’ She was so tired. Sleep, she needed to sleep with Fiami, and fall into soft unconsciousness. Later, she woke again, feeling almost like herself. Drowsily, she put out mental feelers and realised that Fiami was still asleep. Opening her eyes, she saw Goril lying next to her, and although her vision was still blurred, she could make out that his eyes were closed. On impulse, she leaned over and kissed him on the lips. His eyes shot open. ‘Doraya? Are you okay?’ ‘Ssshhh!’ She laid a finger on her own lips. ‘You’ll wake Fiami.’ ‘You’ve woken before her. That’s great!’ ‘I’m really getting somewhere,’ she told him. ‘It’s easier inside my head.’ He shifted, pulling her closer, sliding an arm under her shoulders so that her head lay in the crook of his arm. ‘That’s wonderful news. It may be a long haul, but we’ll get there.’ ‘How long has it been so far?’ ‘Four weeks.’ She sat bolt upright in the bed. ‘Four weeks? I was supposed to be public property by now.’ Goril sat up, too, and put his arm around her shoulders. ‘Everyone knows what’s happened. They all understand. Saban and Alda have been visiting you daily, do you remember?’ ‘I think so,’ she said doubtfully. ‘It’s going to take a while longer yet, but don’t worry. The important thing is the incredible progress you’re making.’ ‘Have you told them—’ Doraya felt the familiar warmth spread across her breasts and up across her neck as she thought of the technique they’d devised for fucking and talking. ‘Nobody needs to know about our private life,’ Goril reassured her. Although her eyes were closed, the way he shifted the blanket told

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her his cock was hardening. It must be her blush that did it. She’d always felt silly for blushing, but Goril found it so sexy that she was beginning to appreciate it herself. The warmth certainly felt good on her skin, like the warmth of Goril’s body next to hers. Whoops, she shouldn’t be thinking like this, but it was too late, Fiami was waking to their shared sensuality. Goril knew instantly and began to run his hands over Doraya’s body. ‘Let’s try to talk for a while,’ she whispered. ‘If we both resist, perhaps we can hold her off.’ ‘I don’t know how,’ Goril confessed. ‘I never had to try.’ ‘You always let the women do the work,’ Doraya teased, poking him in the chest with her forefinger. ‘That does it.’ Goril sat up, grabbed Doraya, and threw her over his knee. ‘You’ve been cheeky once too often. It’s time you had a spanking.’

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Chapter Three ‘Not—sure—I—can—’ Her voice was thick. Without his cock inside her, Fiami was harder to resist. ‘If I fuck you straight away, little one, we won’t last long.’ His voice was gentle while his hand stroked her bare buttocks and delved into her pussy, making her moan and shiver. ‘Anyway, we need to try different things.’ Doraya couldn’t speak. Fiami was huge in her mind, urging her to seek satisfaction. How could they last long anyway? The mental pressure was irresistible, the size of the wanting impossible to resist. Thwack! Goril’s palm stung Doraya’s bottom into feeling. The sting was so sudden, so acute, that it made Fiami recede a little. Doraya remembered Mabbi being spanked by Adsel in the dining cave and understood why she’d wriggled her bottom. She longed to do the same, whether to get away from Goril’s hand or move toward it, she wasn’t sure, but Goril had one arm across the small of her back, holding her in place. Thwack! He slapped her hard, then again and again, making her bottom tender and warm. Juices from her quim ran down the inside of her thighs. It felt as if Goril and Fiami were battling for dominance within Doraya’s body and her mind. She heard Goril’s ragged breathing and knew Fiami would win, as the dragon always did. Goril pushed her off his lap, moved around behind her, and plunged his cock into Doraya’s yearning quim. Her mental world came back into focus, but conversation was not going to be an option, not with Goril clutching her hips and pounding into her like a man possessed, not with the sensations flooding her body. His pelvis

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rammed her burning bottom as his cockhead rammed the neck of her womb, and she gave herself up to wave after wave of release as he spurted his spunk inside her, shouting out his pleasure with Fiami mentally cheering them on. **** Goril collapsed next to Doraya in a sweaty heap. Reaching for her hand, he expected the unresponsiveness he’d grown used to over the last four weeks, but to his amazement she curled her fingers around his and squeezed gently. He pulled her into his arms and eased them both into a snuggling position, pushing Doraya’s hair back from her damp forehead to make her more comfortable. Fiami was drowsy now, and Doraya’s breathing slowed, her head growing heavier on his shoulder as she sank back into sleep with their dragon. Their dragon. When had Goril begun thinking that way? It was true, though, up to a point. Doraya wasn’t a dragon rider, but she would have to go with him everywhere. She wouldn’t be able to bear separation now that she and Fiami were melded. Neither would Fiami, come to that. But the other dragon riders weren’t going to like him taking one of their women away for days at a time. Maybe they would demand he spend no time with her when they were back here in the caves. Goril’s heart sank as he considered the likelihood of that outcome. He would have been arguing for it himself if another woman had melded with a different rider’s dragon, but he didn’t want to give up Doraya any more than he could help. She was different from the other women, different from any other woman he’d met. Her spirit was so strong, so vital. It nourished him. Goril tightened his arms around the sleeping woman, determined to hold her and protect her for as long as he could. He didn’t feel sleepy himself. His head was too full of problems. How would they all cope with travelling to castles together? Would Doraya even be willing, after the terrible time she’d had at King Panac’s? The other

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option was for Goril and Fiami to stay forever in the caves, but he couldn’t see Fiami settling for that, and the prospect made his own heart sink. Goril knew this wasn’t the most pressing of his problems, but thinking about travelling saved him from having to think about the nearer future. Doraya was definitely recovering now, which was wonderful, but that meant she would need to be assessed soon for full participation as a dragon rider’s woman. Would she be safe? He longed to keep her by his side, to be sure. There was still a way to go. After all, he hadn’t even begun to train her arse. Now that was a consoling thought. An arousing one, too, he realised, as his cock stood to attention. He’d need at least a week to get her used to anal penetration, and he couldn’t even start until Doraya was more fully recovered, so they’d have another fortnight or so together. At least. **** Over the next few days, Doraya made strides in her recovery. Her vision cleared, and she became able to hold simple conversations with Goril, Saban, and Alda. There were a couple of embarrassing moments when Fiami seized on a passing lustful thought of Doraya’s, and Saban and Alda had to leave the room in a hurry. Slowly, bit by bit, Doraya learned to manage her relationship with the big dragon. She was still completely unable to stay awake when Fiami wanted to sleep, and she could only discuss more complex issues while impaled on Goril’s cock or when she woke before Fiami in the mornings. Yet that was happening more and more often. One morning, for the first time, Doraya woke while Goril was still sleeping. She leaned up on her elbow and looked at his face, which seemed even more handsome in repose. The sheet had slipped down from his broad shoulders, leaving part of his muscular chest exposed. It wasn’t often that she got a really good look at him, and she made the most of the opportunity, taking in everything from the little

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hollow in his shoulder to the sharp plane of his cheekbones. With Fiami also still asleep, Doraya relished the chance of a little time on her own, the first she’d known since that first day with the women. When would she see them again? Soon, probably, for this mysterious assessment. Doraya felt a little nervous at the prospect, but they had been kind before. Surely she didn’t need to worry. Goril’s golden eyes opened and looked straight into hers. His face creased into a sleepy smile, and he pulled her into his arms. ‘Something to tell you, little one,’ he murmured into her ear. She breathed in the spicy scent rising from his warm skin. ‘Yes?’ ‘I may not have much time. It’s such a turn-on even to think about this.’ That sounded good. ‘What is it?’ ‘I need to start training your arse.’ He reached around behind her and stroked her buttocks before inserting an exploratory finger between them. Doraya yelped in surprise as Goril’s finger touched her pucker. ‘Training it for what?’ ‘For penetration. By me.’ She felt his cock, stiff as a stone against her thigh, and sensed Fiami waking with her arousal. ‘And by others,’ Goril went on, his voice catching as he felt Fiami’s glee. ‘But for now I’m going to have to fuck you in the usual way.’ He moved his hand to wrap around his cock, moving it lasciviously up and down as he caressed Doraya’s breasts with his other hand. Doraya had no idea what arse training involved. Right now she didn’t care, either. The sight in front of her, and Fiami’s encouragement, meant she could only think of one thing. She gave herself up to their three-way lust. ‘I want you inside me,’ she said, knowing her words would inflame Goril further and lead to the satisfaction she craved. Sure enough, he pushed her back on the bed and thrust himself

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into her in a single movement that rocked her to her core. With his cock inside her, her thoughts became clearer. She was torn between the desire to slow him down to find out more about this arse training, and the longing to meet him thrust for thrust and soar directly to orgasm. However, Goril evidently had plans of his own. He slid a hand between their bodies to coat a finger with her juices, then reached around behind her again to stroke around her pucker. With the lubrication, his caress felt astonishing, unexpectedly vivid. Doraya gasped, trying to process the sensation, and Goril slid his finger gently a little way into her anus. It felt so full, so arousing, that she had to wiggle her hips, wanting the sensation of his cock moving in her cunt to augment the feeling of the finger exploring her arse. ‘Oh, little one,’ he breathed, and began thrusting in perfect accordance with her desires. The finger pushing slowly but inexorably further into her arse made her keen a long, wailing cry born of overwhelming sensation. ‘So tight,’ Goril gasped. ‘So hot.’ His spunk shot in warm jets over her cervix, and the pulsing of his cock sent her over the edge, making her sob from the collision of longing and release as her body convulsed again and again in his arms. By the end of the day, Doraya was craving Goril’s finger in her arse. It didn’t seem to matter whether he was fucking her or rubbing her clit or nipples, or whether she was sucking him. Whatever they were doing, a finger in her arse increased her pleasure. Three days later, her arse was ready for his cock. **** Goril was worried about taking Doraya’s arse too hard. If only there was a way to make Fiami hold back. He’d been trying to assert his will over his dragon’s, but it was about as easy as trying to push

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his body through a rock wall, and about as successful, particularly as he also longed to feel that tight virgin arse around his throbbing cock. The very thought made him stiffen, even though they’d already fucked six times that day. Doraya was sleeping in his arms again, and he kissed her hair softly, noticing her sweet smell as he did so. Her bruises were healed now, and a few weeks in bed, being loved and well fed, had put an attractive covering of flesh on her slender frame. Saban had had to bring a new dress for her, as the first one she’d worn no longer fitted. Her ample breasts, always attractive, had filled out beautifully, and the curve of her hips was alluring. Maybe the way to take her gently was to begin when she was sleeping, and Fiami, too. If he didn’t think about it more than he could help, maybe he wouldn’t wake the pair of them. Goril shifted Doraya’s body a little, as if to make them both more comfortable, and insinuated himself in between her thighs. For all he was trying not to think too much, his cock was throbbing with the knowledge of what he was attempting to do. He slid his erection carefully into her wet and ready cunt, just for the lubrication, thinking hard about cold night flights between castles, trying not to enjoy fucking Doraya too much. This is only the warm-up, he told himself, but couldn’t resist a couple of slow and gentle thrusts. Then he made himself pull out and turned Doraya on to her front. She began to rouse, murmuring a sleepy question. ‘Hush, little one,’ he said quietly. ‘Let’s try not to wake Fiami.’ He positioned himself behind Doraya, held her hips, and pulled them backward to bring her to her knees. The sight of her arse, ready for him to fuck, sent a jolt of lust to his loins, and he felt Fiami began to stir. Determined they would have this moment to themselves, Goril put the tip of his well-lubricated cock to Doraya’s pucker and felt unbelievable delight as she pushed back toward him. ‘That’s right, little one,’ he panted. His rock-hard cock entered her, little by little. The sight and feeling of his cock disappearing into her arse was almost too much.

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Fiami woke fully, and, for the first time, he forgot to think about Doraya’s needs. A moan from her reminded him. ‘Noooo… it’s too big…’ Doraya moved a hand down between her legs, and he thought for a heart-sinking moment she meant to push him away. Instead, she began to stroke her clit, her fingers slurping between her labia in the juices flowing from her cunt. This woman was so unbelievably special. He knew he wasn’t supposed to have a favourite woman, but after all they’d been through, and when she was so astonishingly sexy, he didn’t see how he could help himself. Watching Doraya frig her own clit while his cock pumped in and out of her arse was one of the most erotic sights Goril had ever seen. The extra stimulation seemed to help her, judging by the way she was bucking her arse up and down on his cock. It felt incredible. She moaned again, but in pleasure this time, rubbing harder and more wildly, calling out his name as she came, her contractions pulling on his cock. He felt his own cum shooting from his tight, hard balls up the full length of his cock to spurt deep into her arse, stimulating Doraya to a final screeching, shuddering climax. **** The day came when Doraya and Goril had to part. He sat crosslegged on the bed, holding her hips to help her lower herself onto his cock. His golden eyes held sadness that she felt mirrored in her own. Even Fiami felt subdued. ‘So this is how we do it,’ she said, trying for a light tone. He raised a questioning eyebrow. ‘We just have to be miserable and Fiami calms right down.’ Goril smiled, but Doraya could see his heart wasn’t in it. ‘I’ll see you again.’ She wondered why she was trying to comfort him when she felt so sad herself.

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His arms tightened around her. ‘It won’t be the same.’ ‘We can’t stay in here for the rest of our lives,’ she pointed out. ‘Don’t see why not,’ he said grumpily, which made her laugh. He did smile then, in response, and traced her lips with his finger. ‘I love you, Doraya,’ he said seriously. Her heart felt as if it might burst from her body. ‘I love you, too,’ she whispered, and buried her face in his chest as he stroked her hair. **** Saban escorted Doraya through the tunnels to the women’s caves. They met several dragon riders on the way, each of whom greeted them politely and looked Doraya up and down with frank interest. She was wearing her new dress, a shimmering turquoise which she knew would set off her red-gold hair and creamy skin. Each man’s direct gaze ignited her usual blush, but that didn’t embarrass her any more, although it did make her miss Goril with a pang of longing for his physical presence. How long would it be until she saw him again? Could she cope with the life that lay ahead without him at her side? And what was this assessment she was about to face? Saban had refused to talk about it, saying only that it was nothing to worry over, which did nothing to allay Doraya’s fears. She was relieved when they reached the women’s caves. Mabbi embraced her with a warm hug. The women clustered around her and exclaimed over her changed appearance. ‘You’re so beautiful!’ Paleen exclaimed. Benka’s hand ran down Doraya’s back and over her hip. ‘They’ve been feeding you. It’s done you good.’ ‘Your eyes!’ Obadji gasped. ‘Look this way so I can see?’ Doraya turned this way and that, giving herself up to the enquiring faces and hands which looked, felt, and caressed. ‘We need to conduct Doraya’s assessment,’ Saban said firmly. ‘To test whether she’s ready to become a dragon rider’s woman. What

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do we test for?’ ‘Willingness, responsiveness, initiative, and control,’ the other women chanted, as if it was a lesson long since learned. ‘That’s right,’ Saban said. ‘Although the “control” part may be more difficult for Doraya, as she is melded with the dragon Fiami. We don’t yet know how this will affect her, or Fiami’s rider Goril, so we will proceed slowly.’ Mabbi took Doraya’s hand and led her through the tunnels. Doraya thought they were heading for the grotto, but she didn’t have a chance to ask Mabbi, who kept up an endless flow of questions. ‘What’s it like, being melded? Did you get on well with Goril? Is someone looking after him now, in case the meld affects him badly?’ She explained that Alda would be with Goril, and then they reached the grotto. Doraya looked appreciatively at the twin waterfalls, the stream, and the large warm pool, all glistening in the soft light from the glowing globes. ‘Mabbi will lead Doraya through her assessment,’ Saban said. ‘I’m sure you all remember the routine.’ Doraya waited to see what would happen next. Her nerves had disappeared now she was back with the women. They were so friendly, so caring. She trusted them almost as much as she trusted Goril. Each woman took off her dress, and then Mabbi helped Doraya with hers. ‘Don’t worry,’ Mabbi whispered, as she pulled the dress over Doraya’s head. ‘It’ll feel good. Just enjoy yourself.’ Fingertips brushed Doraya’s skin in the lightest of caresses, touching her everywhere but her most intimate parts. She stood proud and accepting of her physicality among the naked women intent on exploring her body, remembering Mabbi’s words, shivering just a little as their hands found sensitive spots behind her knees, above her elbows, at the sides of her breasts, on the nape of her neck. ‘Your assessment is conducted by women,’ Mabbi said, ‘because

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women understand other women’s bodies. We know, better than men, how and why a woman responds to a touch. Our job today is to assess whether you are ready to serve the dragon riders.’ Mabbi’s words seemed to serve as a signal because the women’s fingers changed direction, brushing Doraya’s nipples, her lips, sliding in between her thighs and buttocks. Her body responded, and she felt Fiami begin to pay attention. It felt different from when she was with Goril, perhaps because the other women were not melded themselves. Or perhaps because she was being caressed by a group of attractive women who she felt safe with, but who did not inspire in her the passion that Goril could elicit with a single quirk of one eyebrow. Either way, it felt easier to manage than when Fiami was inflaming her own lust and Goril’s at the same time. ‘Willingness so far?’ Mabbi asked. ‘Good!’ the women replied. ‘I think we need to test her responsiveness further.’ Doraya saw a mischievous twinkle in Mabbi’s eyes. ‘And her willingness, too.’ Before Doraya could protest, the women had lifted her bodily and carried her to the edge of the pool. They laid her on the cool stone floor with her legs in the warm water, carefully positioned apart so the edge of the water lapped against her inflamed labia. Doraya wasn’t sure whether it felt soothing or arousing, but then the women’s hands became insistent, which was definitely exciting. Fiami reared up in her mind with glee, and Doraya gave herself up to sensation, remembering Mabbi’s injunction to enjoy herself as her nipples were tweaked and pinched and sucked, her lips gently kissed with soft tongues inserted to meet her own, her clit rhythmically stroked and her cunt and arse penetrated by enthusiastic fingers. It felt so wonderful. She had never been so thoroughly caressed, and she could not help a moan of pleasure escaping. That seemed to spur on the women to redouble their efforts, and with Fiami adding encouragement, Doraya rose to a screaming, splashing peak. Knowing fingers continued to press and twiddle and drew from her quickly a

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second, higher peak, and she almost lost consciousness for a moment, aware only of Fiami’s huge delight in her mind. Gentle hands stroked and calmed her, and voices murmured approval. ‘Willingness and responsiveness?’ Mabbi asked. ‘Good!’ As Doraya returned to herself, she wondered how Goril was faring. She had no sense of him, only of Fiami. Would he know how she was feeling, like he did when they were together? She would have to wait to find out, as the women were once again beginning to arouse her sensitive body. ‘Next,’ Mabbi said, ‘the tests of initiative and control.’ ‘These skills,’ Saban added, ‘are essential for a dragon rider’s woman. However, we must remember that they may be more difficult for Doraya, melded as she is with the dragon Fiami.’ Doraya was only half listening as the women’s touches made her body tingle from scalp to soles. Slowly, they began to draw a response from her again, although she felt dreamy, a little disconnected from the world, as if she was drunk on sensuality. She wasn’t sure whether she could respond fully once again, but didn’t feel the need to worry about it, just floated on down the river of sensation. That river grew wider and deeper and began to undulate, and just as Doraya began to work her hips, all sensation suddenly stopped as all the women’s hands were removed at once. Fiami protested in Doraya’s mind, and Doraya’s eyes snapped open to see Mabbi sitting next to her at the edge of the pool. ‘This is the initiative test,’ Mabbi said. ‘You need to choose the way you want to reach satisfaction. Any of us here will help you.’ The other women were positioned around Doraya, nodding and smiling. At first Doraya wasn’t sure what to do. With Goril and Fiami, she hadn’t needed to use much initiative. Their mutual desire always pointed them to where they wanted to go. Then she thought back to

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the times when she had asked for what she wanted, and remembered the accompanying feeling of power. Would that be the same here? She would have to find out, not so much because of the assessment, more because Fiami was beginning to nag. What did she want? She thought back to the last time she’d been in this pool. ‘Mabbi, come here.’ Doraya gestured over her shoulder. ‘Behind me, like before.’ Mabbi eagerly obliged, sliding in behind Doraya, moving them both down into the warm water, which took some of Doraya’s weight. Mabbi’s curvaceous body cushioned Doraya’s own, her nipples hard against Doraya’s back. ‘Now stroke my clit,’ Doraya said, parting her legs to allow easy access for Mabbi’s hands. The other woman’s arms reaching down across Doraya’s body felt enticingly like and yet unlike her own. Mabbi’s fingers danced around her clit, tracing different paths and rhythms than those she had learned to choose for herself. It was exciting, could have been enough on its own, but Doraya had all the other women to command. That seemed like an opportunity not to be missed, although there wasn’t much time, with Fiami exulting in Doraya’s arousal. Doraya quickly directed one woman to suck and lick each nipple, another to penetrate her cunt, a fourth to kiss her gently, and then she asked Saban to put a finger in her arse. By this time, Doraya was almost blinded by the incredible sensations coursing through her body, but she registered a flash of approval from Saban’s blue eyes. The women were astonishingly skilful. With Goril, Doraya would have climaxed by now, but the women tantalised and teased, seeming to know exactly when to lighten their pressure on her sensitive spots to prolong her pleasure. She wanted to come, and she wanted this to last forever, but she didn’t know how to ask for that, so she gave herself up to the wonderful feelings evoked by the women’s touches. Mabbi was whispering words of encouragement in her ear, telling her

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how well she was doing, how sexy and desirable she was, how all the dragon riders would adore her. Doraya felt as if she was riding a wonderful wave of bliss, soaring on a flight of ecstasy that could go on forever, suspended in perfect delight. She had no idea how long it was before Fiami nudged her mentally, wanting more, and she began to rise toward her peak with little moans and cries that let the women know where she was heading. They took her there slowly and steadily, intensifying their caresses little by little, responding as her hips began to buck, ignoring the water splashed by her kicking legs and staying focused on her approaching orgasm. Doraya screamed as she came and lost herself for a short while, as if she had scattered into a thousand tiny fragments. Mabbi held her close, and the other women stroked and patted her tenderly, murmuring appreciative sounds, and little by little she came back to awareness of her surroundings and her companions. ‘Initiative?’ Mabbi asked huskily. ‘Good!’ ‘Let’s take a break before we assess Doraya’s control,’ Saban said. She got out of the pool, beckoning to Paleen and Obadji to join her. They left the cave while the others stayed with Doraya, holding and soothing her for a few minutes until the other women returned with trays of cakes and long, cool drinks. Doraya wasn’t hungry, but she was ready to leave the pool and glad of a drink. Her companions fell on the cakes with delight and chattered happily while she took a moment to relax and wonder how Goril was faring. She didn’t have long to wonder, as Saban came back and made straight for her. ‘Goril is doing well,’ the older woman said, smiling with reassurance. ‘He has some sense of what is happening with you through Fiami, but he says with Fiami’s focus on you alone, it’s easy enough for him to manage.’ ‘That is good news.’ Relief washed through Doraya, as refreshing

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as her cool drink. ‘Thank you.’ Saban smiled again and went to get herself a drink and a cake before drawing the other women together to sit in a circle with Doraya. ‘Now we need to consider control,’ Mabbi said. ‘As dragon riders’ women,’ Saban said, ‘it is our job to help our riders to prolong their sexual pleasure.’ ‘It’s hard for them because of the dragons joining in,’ Mabbi said. ‘Although sometimes we’d like our sexual pleasure prolonged, too. We can experience that with each other, if we choose, but with the men we have all the responsibility.’ ‘Doraya,’ Saban said, ‘we have wondered how that worked with you and Goril, as you’re both melded. Were you able to control yourselves?’ She had a sudden and vivid memory of sitting on Goril’s lap in the middle of his bed, impaled on his cock, rocking a little and looking into his beautiful, golden eyes while they talked and held each other. That wasn’t an experience she wanted to share with anyone else, but all the women were looking at Doraya with hopeful expressions, so she was going to have to say something. ‘It wasn’t easy,’ she said slowly, ‘particularly at first. Fiami is insistent, and when she’s encouraging both of us, it’s really hard to resist. We both had to try hard to hold back, and often we just couldn’t.’ Mabbi leant forward eagerly. ‘Did Goril try, too?’ ‘He had to, especially at the start when I couldn’t control the meld.’ Doraya described the overwhelming feeling of Fiami’s presence in her mind. ‘It’s still not easy, but at least I can see and hold a conversation now. Mostly.’ ‘That’s so interesting,’ Ropana said. She put out a hand and touched Doraya’s arm. ‘I confess I felt envious of you when I heard you were melded. It seemed to make you more equal with the riders. But now you’ve explained what it’s like, I’m not envious at all.’

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‘Me neither,’ Mabbi said. The others shook their heads and made sympathetic noises. ‘I did tell Goril, once,’ Doraya said, ‘that I thought he’d grown lazy because of you all doing all the work.’ ‘What did he say?’ Mabbi was agog. ‘I got a spanking,’ Doraya confessed, with a blush that rose from her breasts to cross her neck and warm her face. The women giggled and nudged each other. ‘Looks as if she liked it,’ Ropana said. ‘Bet it made her bottom blush just like her face,’ Mabbi said, causing a general laugh. By this time, Doraya’s face felt as if it was on fire, and she hastened to change the subject. ‘How do you assess control?’ ‘We practice control every time we’re with a dragon rider,’ Saban said, ‘so we usually please ourselves when we’re here in the women’s caves. Assessments are the exception. We’ve all been practicing our own control today.’ ‘It’s not easy,’ Ropana said, ‘watching you have such a good time without joining in.’ ‘So for the assessment of your own control,’ Mabbi said, ‘you need to please one of us without taking pleasure yourself.’ Would Fiami allow her to do that? ‘I’m not sure I’ll be able to,’ Doraya said. She saw understanding in Mabbi’s eyes. ‘We know,’ Mabbi said, ‘but you need to try, as best you can, so we can assess your ability. You can choose whichever of us you like.’ Doraya hesitated. Maybe it would be easier if she chose someone she was less attracted to, but Mabbi had been so kind, had led her so gently through the assessment, and Doraya wanted to give her some pleasure. ‘I choose you,’ she said, and was rewarded by a beaming smile. ‘Would you like to return to the pool or stay here?’ ‘Here, please,’ Mabbi said. ‘Feel free to take your time.’

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The other women chuckled, moving back to give Doraya and Mabbi space. ‘I will, as best I can,’ Doraya said, echoing Mabbi’s earlier words. She reached out to caress Mabbi’s breast, feeling it full and heavy in her hand. Mabbi’s nipples were large and suckable, and her lips were full and kissable. Which to taste first? Doraya leant forward and brushed Mabbi’s lips lightly with her own, flicking with the tip of her tongue to tease and tantalise, gently pinching the other woman’s nipple at the same time. She heard Mabbi’s sharp intake of breath and felt Fiami’s interest begin to grow. It hadn’t occurred to Doraya that watching her assessment would be a turn-on for other women, but she couldn’t help noticing from the corner of her eye that they were all caressing each other now while they watched Doraya arouse Mabbi. She moved down to lick and nibble Mabbi’s nipple before taking it into her mouth. Mabbi clutched Doraya’s head, pulling it toward her. ‘Harder!’ Mabbi gasped, and Doraya obliged, pinching the other nipple as she sucked with all her strength. ‘Oh! Ohhh!! Ohhhh! Don’t stop!’ To Doraya’s astonishment, Mabbi began to writhe in an unmistakable fashion. She had no idea that some women could reach orgasm simply through having their breasts stimulated, but she was a quick learner, and continued to suck and pinch until Mabbi reached her peak. It was an astonishingly erotic experience, and Fiami was urging her to find stimulation for herself, but she resisted and moved her hand down to Mabbi’s pussy, determined to exhibit as much control as she could. Soft noises of arousal were coming from all around. Kisses, moans, and quiet sounds of pleasure. Mabbi was unbelievably wet, and Doraya stroked her fingers back and forth across the other woman’s clit, which was big like her nipples. Doraya wondered what it would be like to suck, but didn’t get the chance to find out, as Mabbi leaned over to suck Doraya’s breast. A jolt of arousal shot

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through her. It was no good. Fiami’s lust was too large now, so she would have to do something about herself. If she only had a free hand… but one arm was around Mabbi, the other working furiously now in Mabbi’s pussy. If she could only rub her clit with something, even if just for a moment… Doraya moved one leg so that her thigh lay between Mabbi’s, and Mabbi’s between hers. Mabbi’s mouth on her breast was so hot. Doraya swayed her hips back and forth, rubbing her clit on Mabbi’s thigh as she used her own thigh to add pressure to her hand in Mabbi’s cunt. Mabbi rocked her own hips in rhythm with Doraya’s, clearly enthusiastic about this development. Doraya was nearing her peak and couldn’t help moving faster, even though a small voice in a corner of her mind was exhorting her to slow down, not to come before Mabbi. She could hear little cries of desperation, then realised they were coming from her own throat. Mabbi began to writhe again, evidently close to her own peak, and Doraya let go of everything and gave herself up to the wonderful sensations of their rhythmic movements. The sweet scent of Mabbi’s arousal filled her nostrils, and Mabbi’s moans of pleasure rang in her ears. Wave after wave of ecstasy surged through her body as they came together, with Mabbi’s juices gushing over Doraya’s hand in irrefutable proof of her delight. The two women rocked slowly to a stop and held each other close as aftershocks pulsated through their bodies. Then Doraya was surprised by a scatter of applause from the onlookers. ‘Control?’ Mabbi whispered. ‘Pretty good, in the circumstances,’ Saban said, and the others murmured agreement. ‘Worked for me,’ Mabbi croaked, which made everyone giggle. By common consent, they all moved back into the pool and lay in the shallow water. Mabbi kept hold of Doraya’s hand, which Doraya found oddly comforting. Her body felt as if it glowed, and the warmth of the pool was relaxing. Then she had a thought and lifted her head to look at Mabbi and Saban.

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‘So did I pass the assessment?’ she asked. Saban’s blue eyes were kind. ‘I think so,’ she said. ‘If you were not melded, I might say you needed a little more work on your control. As it is, I think you did very well.’ ‘It won’t do the riders any harm to have to exert some control themselves.’ Mabbi’s pert voice was back, and her brown eyes held a mischievous twinkle. ‘Quite,’ said Ropana, with deep feeling. ‘Doraya, I think your arrival may be the best thing that has happened here for a very long time.’ ‘So tonight,’ Saban said, ‘you will go with Alda. As senior dragon rider, he has precedence after the rider who brought you here.’ Doraya was glad her second rider would be someone she knew a little. Alda had been so kind to her. Yet her heart fluttered at the thought of pleasing a new man. ‘What will he want from me?’ she asked, hoping her voice didn’t betray her nervousness. ‘He is an old man,’ Saban said, ‘and you will have noticed that he has an infirmity.’ Doraya nodded. ‘He may ask you to massage his back, which is often stiff and painful, and he will want to talk. That’s all.’ At first Doraya felt relieved, then another worry hit. ‘What if Fiami…’ ‘If you have any problems,’ Saban said, ‘tell Alda. He will find a way to help you.’ ‘And the next night? How will I know who to go with? How do they choose?’ ‘The riders decide between themselves,’ Mabbi said, ‘who will have a woman each night. It depends on the level of their need. For example, if a rider has been on a long trip away from the caves, he is more likely to have a woman when he returns.’ ‘They will let us know,’ Saban said, ‘and we will tell you what

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each rider likes.’ ‘All the riders are kind,’ Ropana said. ‘And hot,’ Mabbi added, grinning. ‘It’s the work they have to do,’ Saban said. ‘Caring for dragons, and riding them, is a very physical job. It keeps them in good condition.’ ‘But Alda—’ ‘Alda’s dragon is also old.’ Saban’s face clouded. ‘They will not be with us for much longer.’ The older woman looked so sad that Doraya didn’t have the heart to ask more questions. **** Goril knew that Doraya must have finished her assessment when the tingling in his loins subsided. It hadn’t been too bad, almost pleasurable. In fact, it was only really noticeable because he was alone in his bedcave thinking about her. It would have been easy enough to ignore if he’d been otherwise engaged. Luckily, it hadn’t made him quite horny enough to attract Fiami’s attention away from Doraya’s activities. So far, so good. And she’d be with Alda tonight while he enjoyed Mabbi, so they could work out how it affected her when he became aroused. He missed Doraya and longed to see her again, but at the same time, the thought of a night in Mabbi’s company appealed to him. She was so friendly, with her nut-brown eyes, caramel skin, and wide white smile, and her curvaceous body was always a pleasure to encounter. He wondered what role she’d taken in Doraya’s assessment. With luck, he could persuade her to tell him about it. He’d always wished he could see into the women’s caves. They were quite open about the fact that they pleasured each other there if they felt so inclined, and that was something he’d love to watch. He knew how much Mabbi enjoyed her nights with Ricco and Adsel, and he

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envied her. If the dragon riders had more women, maybe he’d be able to frolic with two women at once. Goril’s mind turned to the old conundrum, and he thought again around the well-worn paths, but found no new destination. Ah well, he should count his blessings. He’d just had weeks with Doraya, and although some of that time had been very difficult and worrying, much of it had been highly enjoyable. By rights, he should have gone without a woman for a week or more, yet because of Doraya’s meld, he could look forward to a night with Mabbi. Really, he decided, life wasn’t at all bad. **** Doraya was glad to reach the dining cave. Fiami was hungry and so, therefore, was she. Goril was hungry as well, she realised, as she caught his eye. He put his hands together and pulled a face as if begging for food, which made her laugh. Dragon riders soon brought trays bearing quartered fowl and root vegetables roasted together, with big jugs of thick gravy, and Doraya’s mouth watered so hard at the savoury aromas that she had to swallow repeatedly. Luckily, it was only moments before she was seated in front of a large trencher of food, which she attacked with gusto. Mabbi nudged her. ‘You’ve got more appetite these days. That’s good to see. Wine?’ She didn’t wait for an answer, but poured some ruby-red liquid into Doraya’s goblet. When the sharp edge of Doraya’s appetite had been smoothed down and she was able to eat more slowly, she took a few moments to look at her surroundings. Goril was involved in animated discussion with Alda and some of the other riders. She wondered whether they were talking about her, then decided it was unlikely. They must have plenty of other things to talk about. The dining cave was as spacious and pleasant as she’d remembered, lit with the same globes which

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were everywhere inside the caves. The other women were such easy company. They were engrossed in a debate about the best way to cook tubers, and Doraya considered joining in but decided she’d rather take the time to sort out her thoughts. Then she realised with a shock that she was beginning to feel as if she belonged. Which was just as well, given that she was likely to be here for the rest of her life. It was an unusual feeling, although not at all unpleasant. In fact, quite the reverse. These women were so kind, so caring. As were the men, it seemed. She hoped that was true, and from everything she had experienced since her arrival at the dragon riders’ caves, it seemed likely that it was. She would be glad, she thought, when she knew all the dragon riders. Although maybe getting to know them would be fun. Were any of them better looking than Goril? She scanned the cave critically. Some could be thought so, if someone felt strongly about, say, a swarthy complexion or a barrel chest. Although most of the dragon riders were good looking in one way or another, she decided that she preferred Goril’s lean and muscular frame, and his chiselled, angular face framed by a mane of golden hair. Most people had finished eating, and riders were beginning to clear away the empty trays and trenchers. The discussion between Alda, Goril, and the others seemed to have been settled. Ropana was claimed by a rider, then one of the other women. Mabbi touched Doraya’s arm to attract her attention. ‘I’m going with Goril tonight,’ she said. Doraya felt a moment’s envy, although she wasn’t sure of whom. Then she felt silly. After all, she knew full well that Goril would be with each of the women at times, just as she would be with each of the men. Wasn’t she looking forward to that? She was nervous, yes, but it was also an exciting challenge. When she thought about it, she felt glad that her girlfriend and her lover could find enjoyment together. ‘They decided I should to find out how it affects you,’ Mabbi

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went on. ‘Alda will take care of you. He’s very kind.’ ‘Thanks for telling me,’ Doraya said. ‘The way things are with you and Fiami’—Mabbi gave a wry grin—‘I reckon you’d have worked it out quite quickly.’ ‘I probably wouldn’t have known it was you, though,’ Doraya said. ‘And I’m glad it will be.’ Mabbi gave Doraya a quick, affectionate hug as Alda reached their table. ‘Doraya,’ he said, in his rich deep voice, ‘I believe I am to have the pleasure of your company tonight.’ He held out his hand, and she took it and rose from her seat to accompany him. He led her through the dining cave and the tunnels to his bedcave. It was very similar to Goril’s, with a comfortable canopied bed and two chairs either side of a blazing fire. A small table stood to one side bearing two jugs and two goblets. ‘Sit down, my dear,’ he said. ‘I can offer you wine or water. I shall have wine. I find, with age, that it intoxicates me less and soothes me more.’ He smiled at her, and she smiled back, feeling at ease with this kindly old man. ‘I’d like water, please,’ she said. ‘I had some wine with dinner, and I think I’ve had enough.’ Alda looked pleased. He poured her a goblet of water and handed it to her with a courtly gesture before pouring wine for himself. Sitting down took him a few moments, and then he stretched his legs out by the fire and sighed with relief. ‘You know, when I was a younger man, I would have told you I couldn’t live without women, without intimate relationships.’ He looked at Doraya with penetrating blue eyes. ‘Actually, what I miss most is flight. My dragon feels her age as much as I do, and her wings are as creaky as my legs. It’s no longer safe for us to travel, so we stay here, warm and well cared for, which makes us lucky. Yet I’d love one more flight with her. She could fly so far without tiring, soar

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higher than anyone else. She is a queen among dragons.’ He gazed back down the years, and Doraya sat quietly, not wanting to disturb his memories. Then he shook himself and frowned. ‘Here I am, rambling like an old idiot, while I should be hearing from you.’ His kindly smile was back. ‘Can you manage your meld now?’ ‘Mostly. I think.’ Doraya wasn’t sure how to say what was in her mind, so she felt her way. ‘I might know more after tonight.’ ‘Ah, yes. Goril and Mabbi.’ So he knew what she was thinking. His face was full of reassuring sympathy. ‘Be sure to tell me,’ he went on, ‘as soon as you feel any discomfort or anything unusual. I’m sorry it happened to you, but we had no way of knowing it might. It makes no difference to how highly we value you.’ ‘Because you have so few women,’ Doraya said. ‘No, no, child.’ Alda wagged a finger at her. ‘Because you are beautiful and spirited and brave.’ She opened her mouth to argue, then looked at his stern face, shut it again, and inclined her head to acknowledge the compliment. That earned her another smile. ‘But,’ she said, ‘you do need more women.’ ‘That’s true.’ ‘I don’t understand, sir—’ ‘My name is Alda.’ ‘Alda, then. The life here is so good. I had no idea. All I’d heard were stories about dragons eating women, and women being enslaved, and so on. I’m sure many women would love to come here if they knew what it was really like. Why can’t you tell people the truth?’ ‘That is a good question.’ He steepled his fingers. ‘It has a long answer. Are you happy to listen?’ She nodded. He explained the history of the dragon riders, how they had been

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glamorous fighters, protecting the borders of the kingdoms, adored and desired by many women. Peace had been obtained between the kingdoms, and the dragon riders’s role had changed. Women had still been very attracted to the dragon riders, but other men had come to resent that and had eventually extracted a promise from the dragon riders that they would not make any effort, through word or action, to catch the fancy of a woman. If a woman approached a dragon rider, without enticement, that would be acceptable. The dragon riders agreed to make this promise because they could not imagine a situation where too few women would approach them. There had never been such a time. Now, generations later, with their role reduced to a little message-carrying, they were in exactly that situation and could see no way out. Alda’s expression was grave as he finished speaking. Doraya didn’t think it was a good time to tell him about the tingling which had begun in her most sensitive parts as he’d spoken of the dragon riders’ promise. Anyway, although he’d been so kind, she felt shy about sharing something so intimate with him. She decided to try to control herself. ‘I can see you’re in a difficult position,’ she said. ‘Can’t you talk to people, explain how things have changed?’ ‘We’ve tried,’ Alda said. ‘Believe me, we’ve tried everything we can think of. There’s nothing in it for them.’ ‘There would be for the women.’ ‘But we can’t speak to the women.’ Frustration rang through his voice. ‘That’s the whole problem.’ Doraya hesitated before voicing the idea which had been growing in her mind over recent days. ‘I could.’ Alda looked at her with hope dawning in his eyes. ‘You will have to travel with Goril.’ ‘Either that or we’ll both have to stay here for ever.’ He shook his head. ‘Nobody would condemn Goril and Fiami to that. It would be a waste of their lives.’

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Doraya wriggled in her seat. She wanted to ask Alda more about how she might be able to help the riders, but she desperately needed to suppress the sensations from her pussy, which now felt as if it was burning.

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Chapter Four ‘Are you having a little difficulty there?’ Alda asked her kindly. ‘I need—I can’t—’ She could no longer form sentences. ‘Do whatever will help you most,’ Alda said. She didn’t need telling twice, nor could she move away from his gaze. She simply hauled up the skirt of her dress, parted her legs and jammed her hand into her sopping wet cunt, pressing her wrist onto her throbbing clit as she frigged herself as hard as she could. ‘Aaaaaaaahhhh!’ The relief of being able to acknowledge and respond to her arousal was immense. She thrust herself onto her hand over and over again, vaguely aware of Alda sitting calmly across from her with an appreciative smile on his face, no longer caring about exhibiting her need in front of him. Her peak was close now, and she moaned, spreading her legs wide as if to receive a lover, Fiami’s encouragement suffusing her mind as delight suffused her body and she came, peaking three times in quick succession as if she was intimately linked with Goril. As she returned to her senses and realised what she’d just done and where, she felt the inevitable warmth rising from her chest to her face. ‘How beautiful you are,’ Alda said softly. ‘I had heard about your blush, and I am glad of the chance to see it for myself.’ He’d seen rather more than that, she thought, but if he wasn’t going to mention it, neither was she. Reaching for her goblet of water, she composed herself, hoping that Goril was satisfied and she could resume her discussion with Alda, who obviously felt the same, as he

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said, ‘You are going to have to travel with Goril. The question is how to manage it.’ ‘What does he do?’ ‘Conveys messages between the kingdoms.’ ‘That doesn’t really need two people.’ Alda nodded agreement. ‘Yet there may be a way for you to develop a role. It will be important for you to get to know the people you meet, to find out what matters to them. Then you and Goril can exchange your impressions and perceptions. That in itself may generate ideas.’ ‘It sounds a bit vague,’ Doraya said. ‘Probably because it is.’ Alda’s eyes twinkled. ‘To some extent, my dear, your role will be what you make it. Much like it is here.’ It hadn’t occurred to Doraya that she had a part to play in defining her role with the dragon riders. She felt as if she’d been shoved from one thing to another, mostly outside her own control. The women, the men, the meld, the assessment. Although, of course, it had been her own action which brought her here in the first place. Maybe now it was time to use a little more initiative. ‘Saban mentioned,’ Doraya said, ‘that you might like some massage for your back.’ ‘That would be most welcome,’ Alda said. He rose stiffly from his chair, with the aid of his stick, and moved to the bed. She helped him undress, then carefully kneaded his back, finding knots of tension and pressing them away with determined fingers. Her pussy began to tingle again, then burn. ‘I’m sorry—’ she began. ‘Do what you need to do,’ Alda said. ‘We’ve got all night.’ Doraya frigged herself to orgasm, more slowly this time, then finished Alda’s massage. ‘If you could throw a couple of logs on the fire,’ he murmured, ‘and lie down with me.’ She did as he asked and slid beneath the sheet. He reached for her

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hand and held it. ‘I think,’ he said quietly, ‘you will need to stay in the women’s caves when Goril is with another woman. Unless, or until, you are able to develop more control.’ Doraya felt downcast, as if she’d been found wanting. Alda must have realised, because he went on, ‘This is not a criticism of you, but I think the mismatch between your urges and a rider’s might be difficult for some of our men to handle.’ He turned his head to look at her across the pillows. ‘Although when you have got to know the men, you may want to try it with one or two of them. That shall be your choice.’ It seemed there were to be a lot of choices and judgements in Doraya’s near future. This felt so different from her life as a kitchen wench in King Panac’s castle, where she had to do what she was told from morning to night and try to stay out of trouble. She hoped she could rise to the challenges of her new life. ‘I guess this is a big change for you,’ Alda said. She was beginning to wonder whether he could read minds. ‘If anything troubles you,’ he went on, ‘and you want advice, please feel free to come to me.’ On impulse, she leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. ‘Thank you.’ His eyes twinkled again. ‘Doraya, I think you will be very good for us.’ If only she could relax and rest with him now, but there was no chance of that, as the tingling had started once more. Perhaps Alda was right about her staying in the women’s caves when Goril was with another woman. The sensations weren’t unpleasant. She could manage by herself, and Alda was so kind and accepting that it wasn’t embarrassing with him, but being with another man could be very difficult. ‘Alda, guess what.’ She rolled her eyes, making him chuckle. ‘It’s quite fun for me to observe,’ he said, ‘even though I have no

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wish to join in. Make yourself at home, young lady. This is your home now.’ Doraya felt a rush of gratitude almost as great as her lust. If she could ever do anything to help Alda, she decided, she would. When she had climaxed again, she put her hand back in his, and they drifted off to sleep. In the morning, Doraya woke first. She lay in the comfortable bed, luxuriating in the warmth and quiet, turning the events of the previous day over in her mind. Today she would try to use her initiative more. Tonight, presumably, she would be with a new rider. She wondered who it would be, but her speculation was unrewarding, as she only knew a few of the riders by name. When she had the chance, she would talk to Goril about Alda’s suggestions for their travels together. Dear Alda. He must be sleeping very soundly. His breathing was so quiet. She held her own breath to listen, but couldn’t hear, as he was lying on his side facing away from her, so she leaned over to touch his shoulder, but there was no response. Then she heard keening, a beautiful, sad, alien sound with harmonics that squeezed her throat and brought tears to her eyes, and simultaneously felt a great wave of sadness from Fiami. Surely that would wake Alda. He was so still. Dread began to gather in Doraya’s stomach as a heavy weight of dismay and anxiety. Before she could think what to do, Saban burst into the room and ran to kneel at Alda’s side. ‘Oh, my dear, my dear.’ She dropped her forehead to his shoulder, and then Doraya knew for sure that he was dead. Saban’s shoulders heaved in stark contrast to the unmoving body of Alda. Doraya slid out of the bed as unobtrusively as she could, walked around to Saban, and stroked the older woman’s hair. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said quietly. Saban raised a tear-stained face and took a deep, shuddering

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breath. ‘It’s not your fault.’ Doraya felt humbled by the effort Saban was making to control her emotions. ‘Alda and I,’ Saban went on, ‘had said everything we needed to say. We both knew this moment was near. It’s just so… final.’ She reached for Doraya’s hand, and they gazed at Alda’s peaceful face, eyes closed, head resting on his pillow, as if he was still just sleeping. The keening grew, not louder, but more intense. ‘It’s the dragons,’ Saban explained. ‘Alda’s dragon has also died, and they grieve.’ ‘I can feel it from Fiami.’ Doraya placed a hand on her solar plexus where a huge emptiness had settled. Then, other dragon riders began to arrive, and the women. Everyone wanted to say their good-byes to Alda, and Doraya stood by the wall, feeling awkward and out of place. When Goril came into the bedcave, her heart rose and she took a step forward to greet him, but he didn’t even see her and sought out Saban’s arms for comfort. Tears were streaming down his face. Doraya stepped back again, automatically taking up her invisible servant’s stance from her castle days. People hugged each other as they wept through their initial grief and shock. There hadn’t been a moment for Doraya to sort out her own feelings. Maybe she could slip away, go back to the women’s caves, get some time to herself. Little by little, she sidled out of Alda’s bedcave, feeling her own first pang of loss. While she had only known Alda for a short time, she had become very fond of him. He had said so many things to her last night, and she tried to remember them all as she made her way through the tunnels which resounded with the dragons’ keening, every voice now taking part from the shrillest treble to the deepest bass. It was evident that the dragons were taking comfort in their harmonising as the humans took comfort in their hugs. However, this was the first time Doraya had walked through the

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tunnels alone, and she soon realised that she was lost. For the first time ever, she felt a pang of homesickness for King Panac’s castle, where she might have been ill-treated, but at least she knew where everything was. A familiar scent drew her through a small entrance, and she found herself in a messy kitchen. Berato would never have stood for such disorder. She was a mean, horrible bully, but she knew how to keep her kitchen clean and well run. It looked as if people had left in a hurry, dropping things down anywhere. A porridge pot still sat over the fire, its contents dried to a crust. Automatically, Doraya began to tidy up, putting clean utensils away first, scraping pans and trenchers into the garbage, then washing the dirty things and cleaning the surfaces until everything sparkled. A bigger door led into the dining room, which was also in disarray, so she cleared and cleaned that, too. The dragons’ keening made a poignant backdrop to her work, and she found an odd kind of comfort in the familiar activity, in doing something where she was skilled and knew her way. When everything was clean and tidy and the fire made up to a good blaze, she drank some water and considered what to do next. Grief did odd things to people’s appetites. She didn’t feel hungry herself. The emptiness inside her couldn’t be filled with food, but everyone would need to eat at some point. The best thing would be food they could pick at, which would keep. Doraya thought hard, and then the answer came to her. Spiced berry buns. People could eat them with butter and honey, or with meat, because they worked as well for savoury as sweet fillings. If she used egg in the mix, they would be richer, and some salt would help them keep. All the ingredients were close at hand, and the first batch was steaming on the cooling shelf when Saban came in and stopped short. ‘You did all this?’ A sweep of her arm indicated the whole kitchen. ‘Dining room’s clear, too.’ Doraya finished shaping a bun and dusted flour from her hands. ‘Want a spiced berry bun? Nice and hot.’

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Tears came to Saban’s eyes, and she blinked them back. ‘You dear, dear girl.’ Her voice vibrated with emotion. ‘This comforts me more than I can say.’ ‘Alda told me, just last night, that I needed to use my initiative more. Well, he didn’t exactly say that, but I think that’s what he meant.’ Saban’s chin quivered. ‘Yes, that’s the kind of thing he would say.’ She drew Doraya into a long hug, then held her away by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. ‘We need to find time today to hear all that Alda said to you last night. Under normal circumstances, he would have told me himself, but—’ Her face crumpled like a child’s, and she abandoned the effort to maintain control. Doraya guided her to sit on a bench and held her tightly until the storm of tears abated. ‘I’m sorry.’ Saban wiped her eyes and tried to smile. ‘I guess it was bound to happen.’ ‘Perhaps best here,’ Doraya said. Saban nodded slowly. ‘Perhaps so.’ ‘Eat this.’ Doraya got up and brought a warm bun to put in Saban’s hand. ‘It’ll soothe you. Just take a little bite while it’s so fresh.’ She coaxed the older woman as if she was a child, and before Saban knew what had happened, she’d eaten the whole bun. Then Doraya brought her a glass of fresh water, and she drank thirstily. ‘Better?’ Doraya asked. It was nice to be able to look after someone else for a change. ‘Yes.’ Saban sounded slightly surprised. ‘Thank you.’ ‘What will happen now?’ ‘The dragons will take the bodies soon. We must choose a new senior rider.’ ‘Will it not just be the oldest one?’ ‘Age is part of it, but it need not be the oldest.’ Saban cocked her head, listening, and Doraya heard the dragons’ keening intensify.

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‘They are preparing to take the bodies. We must go, Doraya, you need to see.’ She led Doraya through the tunnels to a massive cave, far bigger than any Doraya had seen so far. All the dragon riders and the women were clustered inside the entrance, and it was a few moments before Doraya saw anything other than the huge roof of the cavern above them with a hint of daylight at the far end. Saban ushered her through the crowd, and she caught her breath at the awesome sight of the dragons gathered in their cave. They were all as beautiful as Fiami, in a range of glowing reds and greens and blues. There was a smaller red one, which must be Tadus’s dragon, and she could see Fiami’s green hide, and a white dragon lying still on the floor next to a man’s body. Alda. Doraya’s eyes swam with tears. The other dragons were circling around the bodies, still keening, but more softly now. One, then another, touched the bodies with their noses, moving as gracefully as their bulk would allow, as if they were showing respect. Then, wing tips came together to touch the bodies, slide beneath, and lift, carefully, two dragons for Alda and several others for his dragon, the rest acting as escorts as they all trod slowly away from the riders, bearing their heavy loads. Fiami was helping to carry Alda’s dragon, and Doraya could barely feel her now, presumably because she was concentrating on her task. The dragons reached the far end of the cave, spread their wings, and took off in formation, those carrying the bodies in the centre of a V of dragons flying away into the sky. As she watched the beautiful sight, Doraya remembered with a pang Alda’s wish for a final flight. Then she felt a tug at her solar plexus, as if she was being pulled by a rope through her middle. It grew stronger, and she took a step, then another, clamping her hands to her belly as if to hold herself back. Everyone was talking together. A boy wailed. The pull was growing stronger still. She didn’t know what to do, except that she had to follow it, and she broke into a run, a shout bursting from her throat. ‘Fiami!’

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It was unbearable. She must find the dragon, had to follow— Strong arms gripped her from behind and hurled her to the floor. ‘Let me go,’ she gasped, ‘I need to fly—’ ‘You need to stay right here.’ Goril turned her around and gripped her chin so that she had no choice but to look into his eyes. ‘It’s the separation. You’re not used to it.’ Doraya was aware of his body against hers, his strong arms around her, but his proximity didn’t have its usual effect. The tugging sensation in her belly was too strong. ‘When will it get easier? Can you feel it, like a rope pulling?’ ‘You never get used to it.’ Goril’s voice was almost harsh, and Doraya noticed the lines of strain in his face. The boy wailed again, and she peered over Goril’s shoulder to see Tadus trying to kick his way out of a circle of dragon riders. She noticed that the light globes had darkened, and only daylight lit the dragons’ cave. ‘Like everything else with dragons,’ Goril went on, ‘you learn to control the feeling. You need to remember not to give in.’ ‘What would happen if I did?’ ‘You would run over the lip of the cave and fall to your death,’ he said. Doraya went cold at the thought. ‘You—you just saved my life.’ Goril’s lip quirked, a stark contrast with the sadness in his eyes. ‘Can you look after it yourself from now on?’ She nodded soberly. ‘Thank you,’ she said, and kissed him chastely on the cheek. It was true, too. Now she knew the danger, her mind could override her urge to follow Fiami. The tug in her belly was still there, still uncomfortably strong, but she would not give in. Goril got to his feet and held out a hand to help her up. ‘My mind is more my own,’ she said, surprised to realise it was true. ‘Fiami is busy, and far away.’

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‘Where do they go?’ ‘Nobody knows for sure. We think to the sea.’ He escorted her back to the dragon riders, looking around for someone, then spotted Saban and beckoned her to join them. ‘Let’s go to my bedcave,’ he said. ‘We need to know what you and Alda discussed last night.’ They felt their way through dark tunnels, and when they reached Goril’s bedcave, he banked up the fire. By its flickering light, Doraya told him and Saban as much as she could remember of the previous night’s conversation. ‘So he wanted you to travel with Goril,’ Saban said. Doraya wanted to, too, but she just nodded, and then noticed Goril smiling for the first time that day. Her heart soared like a dragon in flight. It seemed he wanted to travel with her, as well. ‘How did you manage while Goril was with Mabbi?’ Saban asked. Doraya looked at the floor. ‘It was…difficult,’ she said. ‘Alda told me I should stay in the women’s caves when Goril is with another woman.’ ‘I see,’ Saban said. ‘Then that is what you will do.’ ‘He said maybe in the future, when I know the riders better—’ ‘Yes. Then you can judge.’ Doraya was grateful for Saban’s calm acceptance. Although the tug in her belly was still causing her much discomfort, it was pleasant to have a sustained conversation without Fiami’s desires dominating her mind. Then she felt a strange sensation in her midriff, as if a fist was kneading her inside. Goril placed a hand on his own solar plexus. ‘She’s turning—’ ‘It’s done,’ he said. ‘They’ll be back by nightfall.’ Doraya shared a long look with him, a look of understanding. **** Goril was delighted by the news that Alda thought he and Doraya

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should travel together. Of course they didn’t really have any option, as the separation from one’s dragon was so much harder to manage individually than collectively. He wasn’t quite sure how it would work out because he was so used to travelling alone, but he’d caught a twinkle in Doraya’s eyes when she’d told of how Alda thought they should share their ideas and experiences. Maybe it had been a trick of the firelight, but he thought she was looking forward to the prospect of having her company on his travels. And she would keep his bed nicely warm at night. Before Doraya and Saban had returned to the women’s caves, Saban had pointed out that they couldn’t travel until she had spent a night with each of the other riders. That was true, but the wait felt hard for Goril. He longed to get going, to leap away on Fiami’s back with Doraya in his arms. However, he also knew that all the riders needed to be in the caves for the next few weeks, while the new senior rider settled into their role. So it wasn’t bad timing, in a way. Who would be the new senior rider? Goril thought over the possible candidates and decided the three oldest riders would each do a good job. Lumik’s strength was in organisation and logistics, Jefat understood dragons better than any other rider, and Caraden was the best at dealing with people. As Alda had been. Goril felt a knot of misery in his guts as he realised that Alda’s quiet wisdom had gone forever. Going to Caraden with his problems and concerns wouldn’t feel the same, although he was sure Caraden would listen carefully and give whatever support he could. Because the more Goril thought about it, the more sure he was that Caraden would become senior dragon rider. But Caraden wasn’t, and never would be, Alda. That was another reason a few weeks in the caves would be good for Goril, he realised, because he needed time to grieve. If only they had enough women so that he could at least have company at night. Maybe in time, he and Doraya would solve that problem. At the thought, his spirits lifted again. The emotional ups and downs were beginning to exhaust him, and he longed for Fiami’s return and the

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more familiar drivers of food, sleep, and sex. Actually, some food wouldn’t be a bad idea. Had he eaten today? He didn’t think so. Goril got up and made his way to the kitchen, where he found a mountain of spiced berry buns. He split two, filled them with cold fowl, poured himself a goblet of wine, and went into the dining cave where he found other dragon riders talking quietly. The atmosphere was subdued, Goril thought, and likely to stay that way for some time. **** Doraya couldn’t follow the process of choosing a senior dragon rider. It was done in the dining cave, simply by discussion, which had many nuances she didn’t understand. Still, it seemed fair, with everyone given a voice, and everyone’s opinion heard, weighed, and valued. They even asked her to speak her mind, but she demurred, saying she didn’t know enough of the riders yet to judge. It took a long time, and during the process she felt the tugging in her belly lessen and eventually stop, while Fiami’s presence grew again in her mind. Although, oddly, it seemed easier to manage now that she’d had a break. It was noticeable how the riders relaxed as the dragons returned, and she herself felt easier in her skin once they were safely back in the caves. In the end, a tall, grizzled man called Caraben was chosen as senior dragon rider. He rose to his feet to speak. ‘Do you all accept this choice?’ His voice was a light tenor, lilting and pleasant, but Doraya missed Alda’s sonorous baritone. Caraden looked around the cave, making eye contact with everyone in turn. ‘This is your last chance to speak before I accept it myself. If any one of you is unhappy, even in the smallest measure, please do not keep your trouble hidden.’ He looked around again, waiting, but nobody spoke. ‘Then I accept your choice of me, with thanks and with a heavy heart, for I would have Alda back if I could

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freely choose. Tomorrow we will feast, as is our tradition. Tonight, find comfort as best you can.’ His eyes found Saban’s, and he strode away from the table to meet her, took her hand, and led her into the men’s caves. Doraya wondered what she should do and looked around for guidance, but all the other women were busy, so she sat and waited until a rider came to claim her. She’d seen him talking to Goril. Tall and slim, with sad eyes beneath a mop of tousled hair, he introduced himself as Nuriot and took her into the men’s caves. As they walked through the tunnels, her heart beat faster. The women had promised to tell her what each rider liked, but they hadn’t had a chance today with everything in such disarray after Alda’s death. Nuriot didn’t speak to her as they walked, which made him seem a little forbidding. Her heart beat faster still. Nuriot’s bedcave was very like Goril’s, with two comfortable chairs by the fire and a large canopied bed. He gestured Doraya to take a seat, brought her a goblet of water and one for himself, threw a log on the fire, sat in the other chair, and heaved a gusty sigh. ‘I am sorry, Doraya, this is not the welcome I had planned for you.’ His golden eyes were bleak. ‘Death cannot be planned,’ she said. ‘I will miss Alda all the days of my life.’ His voice was quiet. ‘From my own stupidity, partly. Others, more sensible than I, faced the fact that his life was coming to a close. I chose to ignore that because it felt too painful to me. I preferred to believe that he would always be here with us.’ Doraya hid her surprise. Her role here was to give comfort. ‘I’m sure you did that for the love of him,’ she said. ‘I don’t think I did him a good service.’ Nuriot’s voice was lower still, as if he could barely speak the words. ‘He tried to tell me, to talk with me of his hopes for us after he was gone. I wouldn’t join with him in that. I–I couldn’t.’ He held out his hands toward Doraya, palms up in a gesture of

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helplessness, golden eyes swimming with unshed tears. She wasn’t sure what to say. If only she knew him better. ‘How can I help you, Nuriot?’ ‘I don’t know.’ He dropped his hands between his knees and bowed his head. She thought back to the previous night. ‘Would you like a massage?’ ‘That would be kind,’ he said slowly, getting used to the idea. He stood and pulled off his shirt and boots, showing a lean, well-muscled torso, and went to lie facedown on the bed, still wearing his breeches. Doraya joined him and placed her hands on his shoulders. His body was thrumming with tension, his face turned away from her, and she realised he was weeping steadily. ‘There is no shame in tears,’ she said firmly, and began to massage his back with equal firmness. Nuriot wept quietly for several minutes as she worked through the tension in his muscles, and as he began to relax, his weeping slowed and stopped. She continued working on him until his back and shoulders were completely relaxed, and she saw that he had cried himself to sleep like a child. Moving quietly, she covered him with a blanket, placed another log on the fire, took off her dress, and slid under the blanket next to Nuriot. Poor man, he was grief-stricken. How was Goril faring? Knowing he would be alone, Doraya wondered whether she could creep out of Nuriot’s bedcave and visit him, but as soon as she’d had the idea, she dismissed it from her mind. Goril was no doubt every bit as sad as Nuriot, and she wished she could comfort him, but she had a duty to all the dragon riders and her place was here. Once her mind was settled, Doraya realised she was very tired herself. Within minutes, she was fast asleep. She half woke some time in the night and reached out for Goril, muzzy headed. The bed was empty, and as she sat up, the blanket clutched to her breasts, she remembered where she was. Nuriot was sitting in one of the chairs gazing into the fire. Doraya wasn’t sure

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what to say or do, but then he turned and saw her. ‘Did I wake you?’ he asked. ‘I don’t think so. How are you feeling?’ ‘Much better, thank you. Just’—he shrugged his shoulders—‘not sleepy.’ Doraya thought of Alda talking to her about judgements and choices. If only she’d had a chance to find out what Nuriot liked. ‘Can I help you with anything?’ she asked. ‘I didn’t like to bother you when you were sleeping.’ ‘I’m awake now.’ She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, intending to join him, but he stood up and came over to her. ‘There is something you could help me with, actually.’ He looked down and Doraya followed his gaze to see his erect cock making a tent of his breeches. Nuriot stepped closer, and Doraya, following her instincts, reached to undo the drawstring at his waist. A line of fine hairs led from his navel downward across his taut belly. His breeches dropped to the floor, and he sighed with pleasure as Doraya took his long, slim cock in her hands. She stroked his shaft, and he pushed himself toward her, then groaned in delight as she touched her lips to his cockhead. Nuriot’s cock was slimmer than Goril’s, so a little easier to suck, and rock hard. He tasted clean, and, judging by his groans and his fingers tangled in her hair as he rocked her head back and forth on his cock, he was enjoying their interaction even more than she was. She was enjoying it quite a lot herself, her nipples hardening and cunt throbbing in response to the erotic sensation of having power over his pleasure. In fact, they were generating enough enjoyment to wake Fiami. Uh-oh. Fiami’s presence had been so muted for the last day or so, what with everything else going on, Doraya had forgotten the difficulties her meld might cause. It was odd being with a rider who had a different dragon. Unlike with Goril, Doraya had no idea what Nuriot was feeling, apart from being very turned on, of course—she

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could hardly fail to notice that, with his cock working back and forth in her mouth like a piston. Her own desire was mounting fast, but she couldn’t tell Nuriot because her mouth was full of his cock, and she didn’t think she could get a hand to her pussy. Maybe a foot, though. She shifted a little and curled one leg up underneath her on the bed so she could sit on her heel. The skin contact on her steaming pussy was a compelling combination of relief and frustration. Still sucking hard on Nuriot’s pulsing cock, she writhed her hips around, rubbing her clit on her own foot until, with Fiami’s encouragement, she peaked in waves of pleasure, barely managing to remember not to bite Nuriot’s most sensitive body part in her ecstasy. His balls were now as tight as if they’d been stuffed, and his desperate moans suggested that his peak was imminent. Doraya longed to follow up her own with a good fucking, but she didn’t know whether Nuriot would mind if she changed tack, and he was certainly enjoying her attentions, so she decided to continue sucking his cock. Good decision, she thought a moment later, when he spurted into her mouth with a yell of release, his cum so copious that some of it oozed from the corners of her mouth and dribbled down her chin. Nuriot drew his cock from Doraya’s mouth and sagged onto the bed, breathing heavily. He pulled her up beside him, and, as he did so, his muscular thigh grazed her mound. She couldn’t help pressing herself onto his leg and letting out a small moan of desire. The questing animal between her legs was awake and alert and determined to find satisfaction. How would Nuriot take that? He leaned up on one elbow and looked at her with interest. ‘You are dragon-driven, too, I’ve heard,’ he said. ‘She knows what she wants.’ Doraya’s hand was straying down across her belly as if it had a life of its own. ‘Looks like she wants you to touch yourself.’ Desire made her bold. ‘Or you to touch me.’ ‘I’ll just watch for a moment while I get my breath back.’ He

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touched her cheek in a tender gesture to show he had taken no offence. It seemed that having men watch her frig herself was going to be a major part of her life from now on. The women had enjoyed it, too. Maybe one day she’d get to be the person watching, although if Fiami knew what was going on, she wouldn’t get to watch for long without becoming involved in one way or another. Doraya sank her fingers into her sopping cunt with a groan of relief and began to move her hips, rubbing her clit against her hand as her fingers thrust into her pleasure centre. If only they were just a little longer, like Nuriot’s cock. She raised her head to see him enclose his hardening shaft in his fist to give it some encouragement. Watching Nuriot wank as she frigged herself sent an erotic charge fizzing to her core, and for a moment she entertained the idea of carrying on that way until they reached their peaks, but really she wanted a good fucking. Nuriot raised his eyes to her face and caught her looking at his cock, now hard once more. He stroked himself a little slower, lasciviously, moving his hips in rhythm with his hand. ‘What do you want, beautiful Doraya?’ She remembered how it had excited Goril when she asked for his cock. Begging and pleading had felt oddly humiliating, and yet that had excited her further. It would be fun to try that again. ‘I want your cock inside me. It’s so long and luscious.’ She fluttered her eyelashes at him and was rewarded by a fleeting smile flickering around the edges of his sensual mouth. ‘I really need you to fuck me. Please, I want to feel your cock pounding into my cunt.’ She spread her legs wider to emphasise her point, feeling utterly wanton, and, with Fiami’s encouragement, suddenly close to her peak. ‘I’m close now. Please fuck me when I come, please, I’m begging you, aaarrrggghhhhhhhhhhhh...’ Nuriot pulled her hand away from her pulsing, spraying cunt, and she moaned in protest, but he swiftly replaced it with his cock, which

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seemed to penetrate her more deeply than she had ever been penetrated before. As he gave her the pounding she had begged for, he murmured soft words in her ear. ‘I’m going to fuck you so hard, beautiful Doraya. Especially as you asked me so nicely.’ ‘Yes, please, fuck me harder,’ she gasped. ‘You really want my cock, don’t you?’ Somewhere amid the maelstrom of her desire, Doraya realised that Nuriot wanted her to keep begging, even though they were fucking about as hard as she could imagine people fucking. ‘I really want you to fuck my cunt with your hard cock,’ she panted. Her words seemed to inflame Nuriot’s desire, and he redoubled his efforts. ‘Please, fuck me harder, fuck my cunt harder,’ she continued, enjoying the way the words both distracted her from, and enhanced, her excitement. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep going, but she was determined to do her best. ‘Give me the whole length of your cock in my cunt, fuck me deeper.’ Nuriot was letting out a loud groan now, with every thrust. Doraya raised her knees to increase the pressure on her clit as he fucked her. She could feel her peak approaching. ‘I want you to come inside me,’ she panted. ‘I want to feel your spunk shoot deep inside my cunt.’ Nuriot thrust wildly as he shot his load, pressing down on her shoulders and lifting his head in a howl of ecstasy. ‘Ohhh, ooohhhh, Oooooohhhhhhh!’ A moment later, Doraya reached her own peak, pumping her hips to meet his and maximise her pleasure. Even as she came, she knew she wanted more. She wanted that slim cock in her arse. Would Nuriot be able to satisfy her? Or would she have to frig herself again? Maybe she could penetrate her own arse. That was an interesting thought. What if Nuriot’s dragon had lost interest now and gone in search

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of food or sleep? It was hard to tell as he was lying on top of her, cock still in her cunt, their bodies still now. She could feel his heart hammering against his ribs and her own. His face was buried in her hair, and she could hear his ragged breathing. Doraya moved her hips, just a little, by way of an experiment. Nuriot raised a hand to stroke her head. ‘My dragon is still interested,’ she whispered. ‘Mine, too,’ he whispered back. ‘Just give me a moment.’ She rocked her hips gently back and forth, a small movement, just enough to stimulate her clit and enable her to feel Nuriot’s half-hard cock slide around in her cunt. ‘I can stand that,’ Nuriot whispered. She caught the edge of humour in his voice, and felt glad she’d been able to help him move on from his remorseful weeping grief of the previous evening. The rhythm of her rocking was providing enough pleasure for now, but soon she would need more. ‘There’s something else I want,’ she whispered, and felt his attention sharpen. ‘If you ask nicely, I might just oblige you,’ he whispered back. Their sharing felt so gentle, warm in the night with firelight flickering on the walls, that for a moment Doraya was reluctant to take the next step, wanting to hold on to this softness. Nuriot stroked her head again, tenderly. She had never imagined how many different moods could be part of lovemaking, but Fiami was prodding in her mind, and she needed to move. ‘I want you to use your gorgeous cock to fuck my arse,’ she whispered. Nuriot grew hard inside her, which was such an erotic sensation that she gasped and slammed her hips into his. Raising himself above her, he gripped her face with his hand. ‘You didn’t say “please,”’ he said. ‘I will punish you for that, minx.’ He withdrew from her, eliciting a moan of protest. ‘Be quiet now,’ he said. ‘You’ll get your arse fucked when you’ve

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had a good spanking, and not before.’ He turned her over, his arms surprisingly strong, and raised her onto her knees so her arse was in the air. ‘What a beautiful arse,’ he said, running his hands over her globes. ‘Please hurry,’ she said. ‘I need you to fuck me again. Please.’ ‘I told you to be quiet,’ he said. ‘That’ll be a longer spanking for you.’ If only he would get on with it. He was still caressing her buttocks and thighs, occasionally brushing his fingers across her pussy in a teasing gesture, which made her whole body shiver. She was desperate for some stimulation. Then she realised she could cup her hands around her breasts, underneath her body where Nuriot couldn’t see. Thwack! Doraya gasped at the unexpected sensation, which flooded from her buttocks through her whole body. Her nipples hardened into pebbles, and she rubbed and kneaded them to enhance the feeling. Thwack! Thwack! Her cunt was flooding now, pulsating as Nuriot spanked her. No wonder Mabbi had craved punishment. It was a fabulous feeling, mixing so many physical and emotional sensations: pain and pleasure, joy and apprehension, humiliation and eroticism. She longed for and dreaded each blow, longed for and dreaded the end of her spanking. Most of all, she needed to peak. Nuriot was spanking harder now, making her moan in pain and pleasure. She wanted to frig herself, but didn’t dare, so instead she pinched her nipples. That sent an electric jolt fizzing straight to her clit, so she pinched harder and harder still, until she peaked, sobbing into the pillows, yearning to be fucked. Her bottom was boiling now, hot and throbbing. Nuriot stroked her buttocks again, making her whimper and twitch. ‘Ask me nicely, beautiful Doraya.’ His voice was thick with lust.

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‘Please,’ she croaked. ‘Please fuck my arse.’ ‘Cunt first, I think,’ he said, ‘for a little lubrication.’ He slid his cock into her cunt, which was pleasurable enough but not what she really wanted. ‘That’ll do.’ He slid it out again, and she felt a welcome nudge at her pucker, but then he stopped. ‘Ask me again. Tell me what you want.’ ‘Please, I want your cock in my arse.’ Nuriot began to slap her pucker and her flaming buttocks gently with his erect cock. ‘I think you need to beg a little harder than that.’ Doraya felt as if something broke and re-formed inside her, making the world a slightly different shape. ‘I need your cock in my arse. Please. Please, I’m desperate. I’ve got to have your cock in me. I need to be fucked.’ Tears bled from her eyes, and she sobbed out her words, yet she’d rarely felt happier in her life. ‘Please fuck my arse. I can’t wait much longer. I need you to help me. Please. Fuck me now.’ ‘Yes.’ His voice was low, that one word full of promise. She felt that nudge at her pucker again and held her breath, unchecked tears streaming down her cheeks, cunt juice streaming down her thighs. Nuriot pulled her buttocks apart, his fingers cruelly pleasurable in her stinging flesh, and began to penetrate her arse. The feeling of fullness claimed her and her clit throbbed as Nuriot pushed his cock deeper and deeper into her arse. She wondered fleetingly what it would be like to have another cock in her cunt at the same time. Was that what Adsel and Ricco did with Mabbi? Doraya urgently needed stimulation on her clit now, but she thought she’d better ask Nuriot nicely rather than just pleasing herself. ‘Please,’ she gasped, ‘please may I touch myself?’ ‘You want to frig yourself while I fuck your arse?’ He sounded enthusiastic. ‘I need to… your cock feels great in my arse, but I need more… yes, please, please let me frig myself while you fuck my arse.’

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The feeling as she begged for her release was such an erotic combination of humiliation and pleasure that she knew she was going to touch herself any minute now whether he agreed or not. ‘I think I can allow that,’ he said. ‘It will be a joy to watch you pleasure yourself while I fuck your sexy, tight arse.’ Doraya rammed her hand into her cunt and frigged herself hard, while Nuriot fucked her arse with the perfect combination of gentleness and force. It was only a few thrusts later that she peaked in a massive explosion of ecstasy, her cries and contractions causing Nuriot to pulse his spunk into her and cry out his own release. Sweaty and exhausted, they fell on the bed in a heap. Doraya was glad to feel Fiami’s attention turn away. Much though she enjoyed lovemaking, she was ready for a rest. **** Around the time Nuriot’s cock entered Doraya’s arse, Goril, who was also having a mostly sleepless night, gave up the attempt to ignore Fiami’s delight. It was easier to ignore when it was focused on Doraya’s actions rather than his own, but nevertheless still very noticeable, particularly when he had no other distractions. His cock had begun to demand attention, so he decided to comply, curled his fingers around his shaft, and began the long slow stroking motion, from balls to cockhead and back, which gave him so much pleasure. He would have preferred to have Doraya with him, but knowing how it felt to go for a long time without a woman’s company, he didn’t begrudge his fellow riders their fair share of her charms. Images of her were in his mind, though, as he moved his hand a little faster on his engorged cock. He remembered how she looked when she was tied to his bedpost, the sound of her voice as she begged him to fuck her, her beautiful big breasts, the heat of her cunt when she sat on his erection, and the tightness of her virgin arse around his pumping cock. Goril tightened his grip on his cock and wanked

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harder, trying to simulate the feel of her arse on his cock, but it was no use because it was still only his hand. Not that his own hand was unpleasant, far from it, but it wasn’t in the same league as Doraya’s gorgeous curved arse. Goril rolled his head from side to side on the pillow and let out a moan, part frustration, part sensuality. He wondered what, exactly, Doraya and Nuriot were doing. If only he could watch. Maybe one day that would happen, if they could persuade Doraya. He envied Ricco and Adsel with Mabbi. They, like he and Nuriot, had been lovers when they were young and still spent the occasional night together when neither of them had a woman. Nuriot was probably plunging that long, slim cock of his into Doraya’s arse. He was a great arse fucker, and Goril should know. It had been too long since he’d had a cock in his arse, he thought, remembering the intense sensations and wishing he had one in there right now to enhance his pleasure. Pre-cum was flowing from his purple cockhead, and he knew his peak was close. What were they doing? If Nuriot was fucking Doraya’s arse, she’d probably be frigging herself. Goril closed his eyes and pictured the way Nuriot would look kneeling behind Doraya, slim cock thrusting in and out of her tight pucker, Doraya rubbing frantically at her pussy as they both moaned in ecstasy—and Goril’s cum shot from deep in his balls to spurt high in the air, his hips jerking on the bed, grunting uncontrollably as his fist squeezed two more jets of cum before he fell back onto the sheets, tingling from head to toe. His beloved Doraya could take his mind off his grief even when she wasn’t there. He was glad she was with Nuriot tonight, because he needed comfort even more than Goril, daft man that he was, refusing to accept that Alda was nearing the end of his life. Still, he’d get his head around it as he always did. Goril was glad, too, that Fiami had lost interest now. Perhaps he could sleep a little before the next day began.

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**** ‘Thank you, Doraya.’ Nuriot felt for her hand and held it, his grasp warm and comfortable. ‘You’re welcome,’ she said. ‘It was a pleasure.’ Turning her head on the pillow, she was pleased to see his eyes twinkle in response to her light humour. ‘I’m glad you’re feeling better.’ ‘It’s different with a dragon-driven woman,’ he said reflectively. ‘I have had some experience with other riders, so it wasn’t a total shock.’ Ah, so it wasn’t only the women who pleased each other. ‘But,’ Nuriot went on, ‘when someone has a body like your own, you’re better equipped to know what they want, how they’re feeling.’ Maybe when you’ve got some experience, Doraya thought. ‘I think us riders have become lazy,’ Nuriot said. ‘We’re used to the women maintaining control for us. I haven’t had fast and furious sex like that since, well, I can’t remember when.’ ‘My control is probably even worse than yours,’ Doraya said. ‘I’m not very good at managing Fiami yet.’ ‘It’s exciting, though,’ he said. ‘Different. Good for taking your mind off things.’ Nuriot stretched luxuriously. ‘Today will be better than yesterday. The dragons help. They grieve hard and fast. The keening, the flight, the separation, the return—those all form part of their grief. By the next day it’s behind them, and they’re back to mostly thinking about food, sleep, and sex.’ Doraya realised she’d known that from the changes in Fiami’s presence in her mind, but hadn’t spelt it out to herself. She was drowsy now, like Fiami, floating on the edge of sleep. Nuriot leaned over and kissed her cheek. ‘Rest, beautiful Doraya.’ Feeling thankful, she slipped over the edge into the sea of dreams. Over the next few weeks, Doraya spent one night with each of the dragon riders. Her introductions to the men were easier with advice from other women about who liked what. Some things were

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surprising, like the rider who wanted her to rub his cock with her feet and the one who liked to feel her fingers in his mouth as he fucked her, but nothing was troublesome. To her slight disappointment, Ricco and Adsel saw her separately rather than together, although both of them assured her they would soon get around to spending a night as a threesome. Most of the riders were relaxed about her mindmeld, and several shared Nuriot’s opinion that making love with her was exciting and different. A handful said they preferred to be with women who could help them maintain sexual control, but none of them were rude or unpleasant or made Doraya feel anything but welcome and wanted. She was happy that they were honest with her, and anyway, she agreed with them. Being with a different rider every night didn’t leave much time or energy for fun in the women’s caves, but now and again she and Mabbi found time for a little mutual exploration, and Doraya admired and learned from Mabbi’s skill in delaying her orgasms while enhancing the pleasure for them both. Yet none of the riders took her thoughts away from Goril for long. Her heart leapt whenever she saw him in the dining cave. Now and again, he would catch her eye, smile, and wink mischievously. When he did that, she was sure he was thinking about the more intimate aspects of their time together, and the heat of the memories that evoked would make her blood run warm beneath her skin. During the occasional solitary night she spent in the women’s caves, while Goril was with another woman, her mind was full of pictures of him even when she wasn’t being forced to frig herself by Fiami’s amplified lust. By the time Doraya had only a few more riders to meet, she began to wonder when she would be with Goril again. She thought she’d increased her levels of sexual control, but it was hard to tell when she was with a different man each night. She figured she’d find out for sure when she was back with Goril. At last the day came when she only had one rider left to visit, and he was Caraden. She hadn’t seen much of him since he was chosen as

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senior dragon rider. He was usually closeted with other riders, discussing everything from provisions to politics. Tonight, though, he would be with Doraya. Then she would have spent time with every rider. Would she be with Goril tomorrow? Or the next day? She was more experienced now, with more to offer him, and she couldn’t wait to share some of what she had learned and to revisit the ecstasy of making love with a man who was melded to the same dragon as her. When Doraya went to wash before dinner, she found Mabbi lounging in the pool. She sluiced herself down quickly under the waterfall and joined her friend, greeting her with a kiss which lingered and turned into several more kisses. ‘I’m with Ricco and Adsel tonight.’ Mabbi’s smile was full of happy anticipation. ‘Want to help me get in the mood?’ ‘You’re always in the mood,’ Doraya teased. ‘Takes one to know one.’ Mabbi slid her hand slyly between Doraya’s thighs, making her jump. ‘Who are you with?’ ‘Caraden. What does he like?’ ‘Caraden already.’ Mabbi flicked Doraya’s nipple, making her jump again. ‘Isn’t he the last of the riders for you?’ ‘Yes, I’ll have been with all of them then.’ Doraya tried to ignore Mabbi’s wandering hands, wanting to practise her control, but it was becoming more and more difficult. ‘In some ways you’ve saved the best for last. He’s got the best control of all the riders. It’s been a lifetime project for him.’ ‘Is there anything I should know?’ Mabbi shook her head. ‘He’ll lead you. Just go with it. Being with him is like a rest for us because we don’t have to manage all the control. I don’t know how it will be for you, but I’m sure you’ll have a good time.’ She gave Doraya a lascivious look, brown eyes twinkling. ‘A little practice wouldn’t hurt, though.’ Doraya leaned over and took the weight of one of Mabbi’s bouncy breasts in her hand. She rolled Mabbi’s nipple gently between finger and thumb, which made Mabbi throw her head back and groan. There

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was one thing Doraya hadn’t tried yet that she wanted to experience, and this seemed like the ideal time, particularly as Fiami’s attention was elsewhere for the moment. ‘I want to lick your clit,’ she said. ‘All my dreams just came true,’ Mabbi said dramatically. ‘Out of the pool, then, or I’ll drown.’ Mabbi hauled herself onto the edge of the pool and lay with her legs apart. Doraya kissed her slowly, delving into Mabbi’s soft mouth with her tongue. Then she moved down to lick and suck each nipple in turn, using her fingers to tweak the nipple her mouth couldn’t reach, knowing how sensitive Mabbi’s nipples were. It wasn’t long before Mabbi was bucking and moaning, which was such a turn-on for Doraya that her juices ran and Fiami began to take notice, so she moved on down, leaving a trail of kisses over Mabbi’s belly. Mabbi was begging incoherently now, and Doraya could smell her appealing scent of clean musk. Mabbi’s quim was soft and delectable. Doraya licked along each of Mabbi’s labia, then around the entrance to her cunt, determined to take her time despite Fiami’s insistence that she seek satisfaction. Mabbi, too, was feeling an urgent need, pushing her hips toward Doraya’s face and pleading for Doraya to suck her clit. Doraya pushed a finger into Mabbi’s sopping cunt, then another and a third. She had never been so close to a woman’s intimate opening, and she thought perhaps Mabbi could take still more, so she tried a fourth finger, then her thumb. It was tight, but not too tight, so very slowly she pushed her whole hand into Mabbi’s cunt. Mabbi’s hips stilled, and her whole body quivered as she gave low, guttural moans. Doraya, ignoring the questing animal between her own legs, gently rotated her hand, and gave Mabbi’s clit an experimental lick, which made Mabbi’s moans intensify. Her clit was large and distended, so Doraya took it gently between her lips and began to nibble and suck on it as if it were a nipple. Mabbi’s moans intensified further, and Doraya knew her peak was near. She fought down thoughts of her

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own arousal and continued to suck and lick Mabbi’s clit and rotate her hand in Mabbi’s cunt for a few more moments until Mabbi came in waves as strong as a dragon’s wingbeats, screaming in ecstasy and contracting so hard around Doraya’s hand that Doraya wondered whether she would ever get it out again. As soon as she could, she withdrew her hand and began to use it to frig her own cunt. Mabbi was lost in her aftershocks, eyes halfclosed, and Doraya wanted to hold her but couldn’t keep Fiami’s urging at bay any longer. She compromised by stroking Mabbi’s face and kissing her friend’s forehead. ‘I’m sorry, Mabbi,’ she said, her voice ragged. ‘I have to—’ ‘Do what you need,’ Mabbi whispered. On impulse, Doraya lifted one of her own breasts to Mabbi’s mouth. Mabbi’s head turned, her mouth opened, and she sucked on Doraya’s nipple as if by reflex. Doraya watched the delightful sight of her friend’s lips and tongue working on her ample breast as she continued to frig herself, knowing her own peak was approaching. ‘Oh, Mabbi, yes, please, keep doing that. It’s perfect. I’m so close now, oh, oohhhh, oooohhhhhhhh!’ Doraya bucked her hips against her hand as she came hard and collapsed next to her friend, her head on Mabbi’s shoulder. Her movements slowed with her breathing until she was just rocking her hips gently back and forth. Mabbi lifted her head and turned to look at Doraya. ‘You’re not done yet, are you?’ ‘Fiami’s still very interested,’ Doraya said apologetically. ‘Doesn’t sound like a problem to me.’ Mabbi grinned. ‘Let’s get back in the pool.’ They slid into the water together and embraced, kissing each other’s mouths and cheeks and eyes, hands stroking hair, breasts and thighs meeting in the warm rippling water. Doraya enjoyed the sensual feeling of her friend’s body on hers. Mabbi seemed to have curves in all the right places. She was stroking Doraya’s breasts now,

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brushing her nipples lightly, teasing and cajoling unfamiliar sensations from beneath Doraya’s skin. Doraya inserted one of her thighs between Mabbi’s and pressed her pussy onto Mabbi’s leg, moving her hips to achieve maximum stimulation on her clit while Mabbi did the same. She loved this mutual action, knowing that Mabbi would be feeling much the same, remembering and now understanding what Nuriot and others had said about how they could be surer of themselves sexually when they were with someone of the same gender. Mabbi’s hands were on Doraya’s buttocks, stroking and kneading. That felt good, so she did the same for Mabbi, whose buttocks felt surprisingly strong and muscular. Then she squeaked in surprise as Mabbi slid a finger between her cheeks and placed it on her pucker. Suddenly she wanted to be penetrated there, in her arse, more than anything. ‘I’ll do yours if you’ll do mine,’ Mabbi whispered in her ear. Doraya felt around Mabbi’s buttocks and found her pucker, like a little tight ring between her cheeks. Mabbi was ahead of her, penetrating her arse, which made her squeak and move her hips more quickly in search of greater stimulation. Doraya pushed her finger gently into Mabbi’s arse and found it tight at the entrance and more open inside. She pushed her finger in as far as she could, which made Mabbi moan with pleasure, then began a gentle out-and-in movement. Mabbi’s moans intensified again. Doraya didn’t know where to focus. One minute she was concentrating on her own pleasure, the next on Mabbi’s beautiful arousal. She could feel Mabbi’s pebble-hard nipples pressing into her own breasts. Fiami’s lust was huge in her mind, and she knew she was close, but even so, her orgasm took her by surprise, washing through her like a sudden storm. This time Mabbi took a little longer to come, and Doraya enjoyed her own aftershocks as she continued to pleasure her friend, until Mabbi’s body clenched on hers and she screamed with delight as she came. Sneakily, Doraya slid her free hand in between Mabbi’s legs and

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stroked her clit, immediately eliciting another orgasm from her friend who collapsed into her arms, laughing and begging her to stop. ‘Enough!’ Mabbi gasped. ‘And you won’t often hear me say that. I hope you’re done yourself?’ ‘I am.’ Fiami had turned her attention to food, so Doraya could rest. Mabbi pulled Doraya close with a contented sigh, and they lay back together in the warm water. ‘I’m so glad you came to us,’ Mabbi said. ‘Me too.’ Later, at dinner, Doraya watched Caraden as he talked with other riders. He was a handsome man, muscular as all the dragon riders, with broad shoulders, slim hips, and thick, silver hair which complemented his tanned skin and golden eyes. Goril and Nuriot were deep in conversation at the same table, their mops of hair close together as they discussed something with great seriousness. Ricco and Adsel bantered and laughed at another table. She knew all the riders now and enjoyed watching the interactions between them. When dinner was over, Caraden came to escort Doraya into the men’s caves. As she walked with him, she caught Goril’s eye and he flashed her a twinkling smile. Tomorrow, my love, or maybe the next day. Surely no longer. **** Goril returned to his bedcave, warmed by his sight of Doraya and his knowledge that the next day they would be together again. How lucky it seemed now that she had melded with Fiami, although he remembered with a shiver how it had terrified him at the time. Now, though, it meant that he had several nights with her to look forward to, and that felt like luxury. Most of his nights had been long and lonely since Alda died. Fiami’s basic attitude to life did help, but still he missed his Papa’s wisdom and affection so much, particularly

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when he was alone. Talking with Nuriot or Saban about Alda always helped, but everyone else seemed to have moved on. Spending a few days with Doraya, and travelling to King Tinis’s castle, would take his mind off his grief. Goril’s heart lifted at the thought of flying again with Fiami and Doraya. He felt Fiami’s longing to fly and sent her a mental message. Soon, Fiami, soon. Tomorrow, in fact. How would Doraya manage the politics of travelling as a dragon rider’s woman? There was no precedent, at least not in living memory. Should he ask King Tinis for information from the archives? Goril rubbed his chin while he considered this, and eventually decided not to. Better that he and Doraya make their own standards. They would need time to talk on the way. Goril thought through the route and decided where they would stop, by a tarn where Fiami could drink. Also, that would give them time to become reacquainted with each other. As Goril considered the form he would like that reacquaintance to take, his cock began to harden pleasurably. He stretched out his legs and ran his hands down his body to release the drawstring of his breeches, thinking of all the things he would like to do with his beautiful Doraya.

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Chapter Five Caraden’s golden eyes didn’t twinkle, but his gaze was warm and affectionate as he took the chair across from her by the fire in his bedcave. ‘So, Doraya, we have quite a lot in common, you and I.’ ‘We do?’ She was surprised. He nodded. ‘We have both experienced big changes in our lives without looking for them.’ ‘I wanted to be a dragon rider’s woman,’ she said. ‘I know, and I am glad of it. You didn’t seek the mind-meld, though.’ Doraya opened her mouth and shut it again. She’d got so used to living with Fiami in her mind that from time to time she actually forgot about the huge dragon’s presence. ‘It must have been very difficult for you,’ Caraden went on. ‘I think you have managed admirably.’ ‘I’ve had a lot of help,’ Doraya said. He smiled. ‘You are modest.’ ‘It’s true,’ she insisted. Caraden held up his hands with a grin. ‘Peace. We’ll leave it there. Instead, let’s talk about your travels with Goril. Tomorrow I want the two of you to fly to King Tinis’s castle.’ Doraya sat forward, excitement growing inside her. ‘Isn’t that in the mountains?’ ‘It is. What else do you know of Tinis’s kingdom?’ ‘Goril told me about it, and Alda did too. How they value learning.’

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‘That’s why I want you to go there first. They will be interested in you, and they may know why you melded with Fiami when other women didn’t meld with any dragon. And then’—his gaze was serious now—‘there is our great need for more women.’ ‘I hope I can help.’ Doraya’s seriousness matched his own. ‘I will do whatever I can.’ ‘Thank you. I cannot advise you, and neither can Goril or any of us, because we have never spent time with the women in any of the kingdoms. But you have, and as you are also a woman yourself, I hope you will be able to help us change this situation.’ Caraden leaned forward, elbows on his knees. ‘The essential principle, though, must hold true. No woman must be coerced into coming here.’ ‘I wouldn’t think of trying,’ Doraya said. ‘Everyone here seems to get on so well, I think that could be spoiled if people were forced to join us.’ Caraden relaxed visibly as she spoke. ‘You are wise beyond your years, young Doraya, and beautiful, too.’ He dropped his gaze to her ample breasts, cupped by her dress into a pleasing display. ‘I have taken advantage of your mind. Now it’s time I took advantage of your body.’ He stood and held out a hand to pull her up to join him. Taking her face in between his hands, he bent to possess her mouth, his kiss demanding, exploring, controlling. Doraya responded hesitantly, unsure whether she should be responding at all, except that her body wanted to, more and more with each passing moment. Without warning Caraden took his mouth and hands from Doraya’s face, leaving her shaken and confused. He brushed the back of one hand across her nipples, making her flinch and quiver. She looked at him, open-mouthed with surprise, and saw him clench his jaw muscles to stop himself from smiling. ‘I love to see a woman off-balance,’ he said. ‘It’s one of the sexiest sights in the world.’ Before Doraya could reply, he possessed her mouth again, and as

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quickly withdrew. Her body was in turmoil, but she didn’t seem able to move. ‘Take off your dress,’ Caraden ordered. As soon as she had lifted her garment over her head, Caraden’s hand was around her long red hair, drawing it together at the nape of her neck and wrapping its length around his hand to hold her steady. With his other hand, he began to caress her breasts. Her nipples hardened, and her thighs quivered. She pressed them together which led to delightful sensations in her clit, and she couldn’t help but wriggle. ‘Be still!’ Caraden was stern. ‘Feet apart.’ ‘I can’t—’ ‘You will find that you can if you just do what you’re told. If you don’t, then your punishment will be worse.’ ‘Please—’ ‘Quiet and still. That’s your task until I tell you otherwise.’ Doraya tried to remain motionless and silent, but when Caraden slid one finger onto her clit, she couldn’t help but shiver. He rotated his fingertip gently, and she let out a tiny moan. ‘You are not given to obedience, are you, Doraya?’ Anger boiled inside her. That wasn’t fair. She was doing her best. ‘Fiami—’ ‘I have a dragon, too, don’t forget,’ Caraden said. ‘I am every bit as turned on as you.’ He pressed his hips against her side for a moment, and she could feel the outline of his big, cock hard beneath his breeches. ‘It is possible to learn control.’ He possessed her mouth again for a moment then leaned down quickly to flick one nipple with his tongue, making her shiver again. ‘Although I have to say, young Doraya, that I’m in no hurry for you to learn.’ His finger was still providing gentle massage for her clit, and she thought she would sink to the floor if he was not holding her up by her hair. ‘It’s actually more fun tormenting you than the other women who have had to learn control.’

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Doraya tried to stay angry, but her arousal was too great. She thought she might liquefy from sheer desire if he didn’t do something more than tease her soon. She could barely breathe for the weight of wanting something, anything, which would take her nearer to the satisfaction she craved. Unfortunately, Caraden seemed disinclined to help. Then her knees really did give way, and before she knew what was happening, he had released her hair and scooped her up in his strong arms to hold her tightly against his muscular chest. She could feel his heart beating hard beneath his shirt as he carried her to the bed. ‘You are a temptress, young Doraya,’ he said. ‘I will have to restrain you, for your own good and for mine.’ He dumped her unceremoniously onto the bed and pulled a long strip of soft leather from his breeches pocket. ‘Hold your arms out in front of you like this.’ He crossed his wrists to demonstrate. Doraya complied, and he bound her wrists together, then lifted them over her head and tied them to the bedpost before standing back to admire his handiwork. ‘Very nice, young Doraya.’ His voice was slightly husky. ‘You’re a beautiful sight. Now, where were we?’ He sat down beside her and began caressing her body again, with feather-light touches here and there, which disrupted her thoughts and distracted her body so that the questing animal between her legs didn’t know where to look. Fiami was more insistent than Doraya had ever known her to be, her presence threatening to take over Doraya’s mind as it had done in the days after the meld was made. ‘Caraden—’ Her voice was thick. It was hard for her mouth to form his name, although the soft syllables felt sexy on her tongue. She didn’t want to give in to Fiami, but she needed some guidance. ‘Help me—’ Caraden began stroking her clit more purposefully, and she sighed in relief, trying and failing to keep her hips still.

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‘Keep trying,’ Caraden said. ‘You’re doing well. Remember, your dragon can’t harm you now that you’ve learned to manage the meld.’ His voice was conversational, and Doraya struggled to pay attention to his words rather than her sopping quim. ‘You can do this, it just takes practice, and the practice is such fun.’ But Doraya had reached the point where she couldn’t stay still any longer. She bucked her hips against Caraden’s hand, desperate for release, but it had the opposite effect. He pulled his hand away, and she moaned loudly, her legs thrashing on the bed, body writhing, control completely lost. ‘You will turn over,’ Caraden barked, and threw her onto her front, twisting the leather strip that held her to the bedpost. ‘Kneel.’ He pulled her hips into the air, forcing her to bring her knees beneath her body to balance herself. Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! The hard, stinging blows brought Doraya to her senses for a moment, like a bucket of cold water. Caraden continued to beat her bottom relentlessly, and there was pain, stinging harder, making her want to escape, to make it stop. She wriggled her bottom desperately, but wherever it went, Caraden’s spanking hand followed. Doraya could hear cries of pain, and then she realised they were coming from her own throat. Then she was flying like a dragon, out beyond the pain, which had become an utterly desirable sensation, melding with the yearning from her clitoris, just as Fiami’s mind and hers had melded. Caraden’s continued spanking of her bare arse intensified the throbbing in her clit until she peaked and screamed and peaked again. She was vaguely aware that Caraden had jumped from the bed and was pulling off his clothes. He joined her again before she had fully come back to herself, and lifted her hair to kiss the nape of her neck. ‘I have never seen that before.’ His voice was ragged now. ‘I have never seen a woman peak simply from a punishment. Doraya, you make it very hard for me to maintain control. I feel such yearning for release as I have not felt in a very long time.’

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‘Perhaps you have not allowed yourself that feeling,’ she whispered. ‘Turn over, woman.’ Although the bedsheets were soft, they seemed to scrape every nerve ending in her sore buttocks as she turned obediently onto her back. Caraden was kneeling beside her, stroking his long, thick cock with determined slowness. ‘I am going to fuck you in my own time, at my own speed. If you start wriggling those cheeky hips of yours, I swear I’ll find a way to tie you bodily to this bed so that you can’t move at all, and then I’ll do this’—he pulled his fist all the way to the head of his cock, and then back to the base—‘for as long as I can, until I peak, without even touching you. Apart from perhaps tweaking one of those delectable nipples now and again.’ His other hand flashed out with lightning speed and did that very thing. With an almost superhuman effort, Doraya managed to stay very nearly still. ‘Good,’ he said. ‘You have taken your punishment well. Now, if you continue to behave, you will get your reward.’ He knelt between her legs, positioned his cockhead at the entrance to her cunt, and stayed there for several heartbeats. Doraya thought she might pass out from the combination of her desperate desire and the effort of keeping still. Then he began to enter her with exquisite, tortuous slowness. He was breathing hard but moving carefully, and it seemed like hours before he was fully sheathed in her welcoming cunt. If only she could squeeze her cunt around his cock, she felt sure she would peak on the spot, but she didn’t dare. As soon as he was entirely inside her, he began to withdraw, the friction between his cock and her cunt like nothing she had ever experienced before. Once again, she felt as if she was in flight, but this time soaring calmly through an endless sky on untiring wings, a wonderful sensation, much more sensual than erotic. Caraden kept up his slow, careful movement for what seemed like hours, and she only returned to

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herself when he began to move a little more quickly. Then the wanting slammed back into her body as if she’d hit a cliff, and she could no longer hold back the movement of her hips or the moans of her arousal. Caraden increased his pace to match hers, and she knew her peak was approaching, yet it seemed to approach quite gradually although they were fucking frantically now. Doraya began to fear that she might never reach her peak, but then it was upon her, and she was spasming, bucking, and yelling, until her throat was raw, peaking again and again as Caraden thrust relentlessly into her. When she was a quivering heap of post-orgasmic jelly, he finally allowed himself to climb to his own peak and shoot his spunk into her willing cunt with long-drawn-out groans of ecstasy. Caraden reached up and deftly untied the leather strip that held her wrists together, then gathered her into his arms for a long, tender embrace. ‘Young Doraya’—his lips were against her hair—‘it is a very great pleasure to make your acquaintance.’ She wanted to reply with an amusing quip, but was unable to connect the words in her mind with the muscles that moved her mouth. Caraden seemed to understand and held her close, murmuring endearments, giving her time. Fiami was falling asleep now, and Doraya longed to join her, but thought she should try to stay awake for her host. Despite her best efforts, she fell into a momentary doze and then jerked awake. ‘Is your dragon sleepy?’ Caraden asked. Doraya nodded. He shifted them both into a more comfortable position on the bed. ‘Then sleep, young Doraya. I will sleep, too, soon enough.’ ‘Thank you,’ she whispered, and slid gratefully into slumber. In the morning, Caraden was businesslike, telling her what he knew of King Tinis’s castle and urging her to do her best for the dragon riders. Back in the women’s caves, she collected her few possessions into a sack and went to the grotto to bathe. A sense of

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urgency was quickening her blood, not like lust, more like the feeling when there were fifty warriors and noblemen already seated in the castle hall, and the food late in cooking. Saban was in the grotto, doing some laundry in the stream, and Doraya washed herself under the waterfall and chatted happily about her forthcoming trip with Goril until she realised that the older woman was unusually quiet. ‘Saban, is there anything wrong?’ ‘You’re every bit as bad as the riders.’ Saban’s voice was angry, and Doraya was surprised to see tears in her eyes. ‘You all act as if Alda never existed.’ She held up a hand to forestall Doraya’s opening mouth. ‘I know, I know. Your precious dragons have moved on, so you have moved on, too. It’s not so easy for some of us who don’t have dragons to help. I wish you’d take the trouble to remember that.’ ‘It’s not always that easy having a dragon in your mind,’ Doraya snapped back. ‘At least it helps in some ways.’ Two tears rolled down Saban’s cheeks. ‘Nothing helps how much I miss Alda. Do you hear me? Nothing.’ Two more tears followed the first two. ‘Caraden seems a good leader, and—’ Doraya had been planning to say, ‘maybe you should talk to him about this,’ but she never got the chance. ‘That’s not the point!’ Saban was pacing the floor with long strides as if she couldn’t bear to keep still. ‘He can never replace Alda, for me. You wouldn’t understand that. You’re so selfish, you dragon riders. Before you came, at least the women’s caves were a refuge from such selfishness. Now there’s no getting away from it, and it’s all your fault!’ Saban stamped out of the grotto, leaving Doraya stunned and speechless. What had she done to upset the other woman so badly? All she could remember from Saban’s tirade was that Saban thought she was selfish and that having a dragon made life easier. She felt angry herself, then, because she didn’t think either of those was true. Even so, Saban had been so upset. There must be more behind her

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outburst. Alda. She’d spoken of Alda. Doraya remembered the closeness between Saban and Alda. Like herself and Goril. With a horrible sinking feeling, she realised how selfish she had been, chattering on about her happiness and anticipation while Saban was still grieving for Alda. It was hard to remember, with Fiami’s urges to manage as well as her own, but that was no excuse. She must try. In the meantime, she should find Saban and make peace. Doraya dried herself quickly and went to look for Saban, but instead she was herself found by Mabbi. ‘There you are,’ she said. ‘Goril is calling for you. Fiami is desperate to fly. He says he’s surprised you can’t feel it.’ The urgency fizzing in Doraya’s veins suddenly made sense. ‘I can. I’m coming now. Oh, but, Mabbi, I must find Saban first. There’s something I have to tell her.’ Mabbi gave her a sympathetic look. ‘I’m sorry, but she’s gone down to the farmlands with Lumik on his dragon. They won’t be back for ages. It’s probably just as well. She didn’t look in the best of moods. Can I pass on a message?’ ‘Could you tell her,’ Doraya thought fast, ‘that she’s right, I’m sorry, and I’ll try?’ ‘She’s right, you’re sorry, and you’ll try,’ Mabbi repeated. Her face was full of curiosity, but Doraya just nodded. ‘That’s it.’ Mabbi sighed. ‘Keep your silly old secrets, then.’ The last thing Doraya wanted was to fall out with another of her companions, but she didn’t want to gossip about Saban’s misery—or, if she was honest, about her own failings. She chose her words with care. ‘I don’t think it would be fair for me to tell you everything before I have the chance to talk to Saban.’ ‘Fair enough.’ Mabbi’s face returned to its usual understanding expression. ‘Anyway, you’ve got to go.’ She hugged Doraya. ‘Have a good trip. I hope you manage to bring us back some women.’ Mabbi grinned. ‘Pick the good-looking ones!’

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Doraya kissed Mabbi, her eyes suddenly misty. ‘I’ll miss you.’ ‘You’ll be back before you know it. Now go! Goril is in the dragons’ cave, waiting for you.’ He was, and pacing impatiently alongside Fiami. Doraya’s heart sank. She didn’t want him to be cross with her, too. Then he turned and saw her. His smile lit up his face, and he held out his arms. She ran to his embrace, and he held her hard against his chest as she kissed him for a long, perfect moment. ‘We must go, little one,’ he said. Fiami bent her foreleg backward and cocked her head in a get-onwith-it gesture which was so nearly human that it made them both laugh. Doraya climbed nimbly up onto Fiami’s back, followed by Goril who sat behind her and held her close as before. This time, Doraya could feel Fiami’s anticipation and joy as the huge dragon lumbered across the floor of the dragons’ cave, between sleeping dragons and grooming riders, to the lip of the cave where she spread her wings and dropped like a stone before catching the air and soaring up and away. The earth at the foot of the sheer cliff was impossibly far below them, yet Doraya felt none of the fear and nausea she remembered from her first flight with Fiami. Instead, she felt the exultation of a dragon flying as it was designed to do and loving every moment. Goril whooped in her ear, and she whooped, too, blissfully happy to be sharing this experience with him. Fiami soared and swooped over forests and lakes, moorland and rivers, her joy huge and delightful in Doraya’s mind. Doraya had no idea how long they’d been flying when Fiami began to descend toward a grassy landscape scattered with rocky outcrops and a couple of small tarns. They hadn’t reached the mountains yet, and there was no castle in sight. Why were they landing here? She tried to ask Goril, but the wind of their descent sucked her words away. His arms tightened reassuringly around her waist, and she leaned back against him, figuring that she’d find out

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soon enough. Fiami landed by one of the little tarns and bent her foreleg so her riders could climb down. The turf was springy underfoot with tiny white flowers scattered among the grass. Fiami lumbered over to the water to drink, and Goril pulled Doraya into his arms for a long hug. ‘So how did you like your first proper dragon flight?’ he asked. ‘Can’t wait for the next one,’ she said, jigging with excitement, which made him laugh. ‘I missed you, Doraya,’ he said, nuzzling her hair. ‘I missed you, too.’ She ran her hands over his muscular back as he bent to kiss her. One kiss turned into several, slow and leisurely, as if they were getting to know each other again. This had been worth waiting for. Grassland birds peeped and tweeted from the air around them, and Fiami finished slurping water from the tarn and flopped onto the grass, wings outstretched to warm in the sun. **** Goril savoured the feeling of Doraya’s lips on his and the alluring scent of her red-gold hair. He felt as if he’d been waiting forever for this moment. The firm curves of her body enticed his hands, but he didn’t want to rush. He was proud of everything he’d learned from knowing Doraya. Each of the other women had praised him for his heightened levels of sexual control, and he wanted to show off to Doraya a little, confident that he would compare well in this respect with the other dragon riders. Although if she kept wiggling her hips against his erection like that, it was going to be more difficult. The sun was so warm that they didn’t need clothes. He reached down and took handfuls of her skirt to lift it over her head. As he did so, she knelt and released the drawstring of his breeches, and before he knew what was going on, she had taken his hard cock into her mouth. Goril gasped in surprise and pleasure as she licked and

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nibbled his cockhead. He wound his fingers into her hair and followed the movements of her head as she slid her lips up and down his shaft. Fiami was loving this, whipping her tail gently back and forth and purring with delight. They hadn’t made love in Fiami’s physical presence since the very first time. Goril remembered seeing Doraya’s bruised and skinny form for the first time, on top of the dragon tower at King Panac’s castle, under the night sky. Looking down, he could see such a difference now, her skin unblemished and her breasts and hips curving beautifully as she knelt, attending to his cock. Then again, her breasts were the one part of her that always had been ample and rounded. Doraya withdrew her mouth and placed Goril’s cock between her breasts, pushing them together to provide stimulation. She looked up at him with a mischievous expression. ‘Remember?’ she asked. So she had been thinking the same thoughts. He looked down at his purple cockhead thrusting up between her soft white breasts and almost came on the spot. ‘Nnnnggggg,’ he said, through gritted teeth. ‘Not yet you don’t.’ She pulled away and rose to her feet, placing one palm flat on his chest and pushing gently. ‘Lie down on your back.’ Goril realised that Doraya had very definite ideas about what she wanted right now. It seemed she had changed, too, in the time they had been apart. No sense in arguing with a determined woman, he decided, as he lay back on the comfortable, springy turf and felt the sun’s pleasant warmth on his erect cock. **** Doraya looked at Goril lying at her feet, his cock hard and proud, his broad-shouldered body muscular, and felt a huge throb of desire deep in her cunt. She wanted to impale herself on that cock. Fiami

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yearned for satisfaction now, and so did Goril, whose eyes were dark with lust. Just one moment, she was determined to wait, and she saw acquiescence in Goril’s face. In a moment, she would give herself, and him, and their dragon, the satisfaction they all craved. In a moment. She would take that moment to feel the sun’s warmth on her naked body, the cunt juice trickling down her thigh, and the grass soft beneath her bare legs. Doraya looked again at the sexiest man she’d ever seen, lying supine and waiting for her next move despite his very obvious high level of arousal, and his desire and hers and their dragon’s all came together, blazing in her belly. There could be no more waiting. Doraya straddled Goril’s lean hips and sank her cunt onto his cock, crying out with the delight of being so thoroughly penetrated. His cock seemed to reach even deeper inside her like this, plus she could grind her inflamed clit onto his body. She rode his pole hard, but wanted even more and lifted his hands to her breasts so that he could squeeze and tweak her nipples. ‘Oh, little one,’ he groaned. ‘Hold on,’ she gasped, knowing he was close. ‘Just a moment.’ She wanted to tell him how much she loved to fuck him, but she didn’t think that would help. His body was so tense beneath her, his cock so hard, Fiami urged them on, and she felt her peak approaching. ‘Watch me,’ she ordered, and stopped with his cock halfway into her cunt. His golden eyes were riveted to her body. She put one hand to her clit and began to frig herself with his cock still inside her. This was going to take seconds. Goril’s eyes were bulging, his lips parting on a great in-breath as the veins stood out in his neck. Her peak crashed through her like a thunderclap. She pulled her hand away and fucked Goril as hard as she could while her legs were shaking in ecstasy.

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‘Oh yes,’ he gasped. ‘Yes! Yesssss!’ Her cunt spasms drew spurt after spurt of spunk from his thrusting cock. Fiami roared with delight, and Doraya was lost in bliss, falling into Goril’s warm embrace. They began to move against each other more slowly, enjoying the aftershocks that shook and teased their bodies. Goril was still halfhard inside Doraya, and she massaged his cock gently with her cunt muscles, eliciting little groans of pleasure. ‘Do you want more?’ she whispered in his ear. ‘You know the answer,’ he whispered back, ‘because you do, too. Hussy.’ He slapped her bottom hard, making her wince and wriggle from the pleasure of the sting. ‘Mmmm, that feels good,’ he remarked. ‘Might have to do it again.’ Another slap, on the other side, made her wince and wriggle some more. This was interesting, just for the sensation, not as a punishment. Yet the associations of previous spankings from several dragon riders made her feel instantly more submissive. That was probably what Goril wanted, given what she’d just inflicted on him. He hadn’t seemed to mind, but he was bound to feel the need to reassert his masculinity. She had no objection to that. None whatsoever. ‘I’m going to spank you some more,’ he said conversationally, ‘and then I’m going to fuck your arse while you frig yourself.’ Which suited Doraya perfectly. When they were finally sated, they lay in each other’s arms and drowsed in the sunshine for a while. Doraya, drifting in and out of sleep, became aware of a creeping unease in her belly. They had a formidable task ahead, and she wasn’t sure she was equipped to do her part. ‘Goril?’ she whispered. ‘Mmmmm?’ ‘What’s it like at King Tinis’s?’ He rolled over and leaned up on one elbow to look down at her. ‘The castle is very similar to King Panac’s, except the stone it’s made

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from is grey, not honey-coloured. The layout is much the same. You should be able to find your way around.’ ‘I could find my way around the kitchen and the dining hall,’ she pointed out, ‘but I know nothing of life on the upper levels.’ Goril rubbed his chin, thinking. ‘You’re a dragon rider’s woman now,’ he said, ‘and that’s what’s important. Which reminds me’—he leapt up and went over to Fiami—‘Saban packed up some robes for you.’ ‘Saban did?’ Goril, fiddling around beneath Fiami’s wing, caught the note of surprise in her voice and gave her a piercing look. ‘What’s up?’ ‘We had a–a sort of—she was angry with me,’ Doraya said. ‘She was upset about Alda, and she said I was selfish.’ Tears filled her eyes. ‘I wanted to tell her I was sorry, but I didn’t have time before we left.’ Goril came back to her with a leather sack, dropped it on the ground, and put his hands on her shoulders. ‘Why did she say you were selfish? Do you know?’ ‘She said I was, um, just like the dragon riders.’ Doraya’s face flamed as she realised her statement implicated Goril, too, but when she looked up at him, he was smiling wryly. ‘We are, in a way,’ he said. ‘All the women tell us so at times. Except you because you’re one of us.’ He kissed her forehead tenderly. ‘You understand what it’s like to be melded. How for you and I, Fiami’s hunger, thirst, lust, or tiredness can be almost impossible to resist. You also understand, better than any rider, what it’s like to live without those pressures.’ Doraya felt as if she could barely remember what life was like before she’d joined the dragon riders. Actually, she didn’t want to remember, because it had been so unpleasant living as a bullied and abused kitchen drudge at King Panac’s castle. But she realised that Goril had a point. She had the potential to bridge the two groups of people in the caves, just as she had the potential to bridge the gap

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between dragon riders and others in the three realms. That felt like a very weighty responsibility. ‘Goril, I’m not sure I can do what everyone needs me to do.’ She placed her palms flat against his chest. ‘It’s too much.’ The thought of it all was beginning to cramp her belly with terror. He put his arms around her and drew her into a close embrace. ‘If you think about it all at once,’ he said, ‘it is too much, but you only have to do one part at a time.’ His voice was soothing, as if he was talking to a frightened child. ‘Today we go to King Tinis’s castle. We’ll both wear our finery and act like important people.’ ‘I’ve never been an important person.’ Her voice squeaked in panic. ‘Doraya, Doraya’—he rested his chin on the top of her head— ‘you have been an important person ever since you became a dragon rider’s woman. Nobody knows what a dragon rider’s woman is like, so nothing you do can be wrong. Anyway, being important in a castle is easy. You’ll be with me all the time. Just watch what I do and what the others do, and do the same.’ ‘You won’t leave me?’ ‘Little one, I will never leave you.’ His voice rang with sincerity. ‘We’ll have time to talk together when we’re in our chamber, so if anything’s worrying you, we can sort it out then.’ Doraya wasn’t entirely reassured, but she knew there was no way out. ‘I’ll do my best,’ she said. ‘Your best is very impressive.’ He hugged her tighter for a moment. ‘Remember, all we have to do is try to find out why you melded with Fiami, and see if we can recruit a new woman or two.’ ‘And not upset anyone.’ ‘That won’t be a problem.’ ‘Saban—’ Goril held her away from him to look into her face, his grasp warm on her shoulders. ‘Saban is grieving. It’s too easy for us melded ones to forget that, and there are bound to be glitches with you being

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different from the other women. I’m surprised nothing like this has happened before now. Anyway, Saban is a forgiving woman. Every now and again she has an outburst, but she gets over it quickly. I reckon she’s probably giving herself a hard time about it now, wanting to say sorry to you.’ ‘I left a message for her with Mabbi,’ Doraya said. He smiled. ‘That was kind of you. Now, let’s get into our finery, and then we can fly!’ Fiami lifted her head, and Doraya felt again the urgency of the dragon’s need to fly sparkling in her bloodstream. They quickly pulled the robes from the sack and Goril helped Doraya to dress. ‘This is too hot,’ she objected, as he held out a pair of embroidered slippers. ‘You won’t think so when we get there,’ he said. ‘Now, I need to put on my best breeches and jerkin, and then we must go.’ Doraya folded their other clothes and put them away in the sack. They climbed onto Fiami’s back, tied the sack in place under her wing, and she took off from the hillside with great pounding wingbeats. The joy of flight filled Doraya’s mind, leaving no room for worry about the ordeal ahead. She nestled against Goril’s strong body and revelled in the sensation of soaring through the sky with the two beings she loved most in the world. If only this wonderful feeling could go on forever. It seemed too soon when she saw a grey stone castle on a mountaintop and Fiami began to fold her wings for their descent. The top of the tower was almost identical to the one at King Panac’s. The low stone parapet, wooden floor, and trapdoor brought back vivid memories for Doraya as she slid from Fiami’s back. The huge dragon curled up, resigned, to wait for their return. Goril helped Doraya through the trapdoor and down the ladder. Her feet felt strange in the unfamiliar slippers. She felt like a sulky, rebellious youngster, dressed in clothes she didn’t want to wear.

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As they walked side by side through the castle’s top corridor, a young page ran up to them, panting, and bowed low. ‘We are honoured, dragon rider.’ He looked at Doraya uncertainly. ‘Lady.’ She saw his Adam’s apple bob. The knowledge that he was afraid of her sent a shock through her body. Nobody had ever been afraid of her before. She didn’t want anyone to be afraid of her. ‘Please,’ the page said, ‘follow me to the dining hall for refreshment while we prepare your chamber.’ He turned and paced down the corridor ahead of them. Goril’s arm was strong and reassuring under Doraya’s hand. She looked up, and he gave her a quick wink. One thing at a time, she reminded herself. The dining hall was empty, apart from a drudge sweeping the floor. It looked very similar to the hall at King Panac’s, although the tapestries told stories that Doraya didn’t know. The page led Goril and Doraya to the top table, and called to the drudge to bring spiced milk ‘for the dragon rider and his lady.’ The drudge gave them one wide-eyed, terrified look before running down the stairs to the kitchen. Doraya couldn’t believe she was sitting at the top table of a castle dining hall as an honoured guest. She felt as if she should go and pick up the drudge’s broom and finish the sweeping. ‘I will tell King Tinis that you are here,’ the page told them. ‘Then if there is nothing else you need, I must attend to my duties.’ ‘Thank you for your service,’ Goril said, with a nod of dismissal. The page looked relieved and scuttled out of the hall. ‘The whole castle will know about us before long,’ Doraya said. Goril raised his eyebrows. ‘How so?’ ‘The drudge will have told all the kitchen staff by now. Someone will find an excuse to go to the store so she can pass the news to anyone she sees on the way. The page will be telling everyone he meets. Soon everyone will know, in the barracks and the stables, the

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gardens and the laundry.’ ‘I never thought of that,’ Goril said slowly. ‘You’ve only ever been in dining halls and chambers. Castle staff thrive on gossip. At least, King Panac’s did, and I expect it will be the same here.’ The drudge returned with two steaming goblets of spiced milk and placed them on the table, then returned to her sweeping, darting occasional glances at Doraya. ‘It’s usually me they look at,’ Goril grumbled. Doraya caught the mischievous twinkle in his eye and laughed, some of the tension in her belly easing. A tall, hollow-cheeked man strode into the dining hall and over to the top table, his hands outstretched to greet Goril. ‘Good to see you, it’s been a while.’ ‘Thank you, sire.’ ‘You haven’t come alone.’ King Tinis turned his attention to Doraya and did a double take as she smiled at him. ‘My goodness! Are you a dragon rider?’ ‘No, sire,’ she said demurely. ‘But you’re melded—’ ‘To my dragon,’ Goril said. ‘Fascinating, fascinating.’ The king tapped a long bony forefinger on his temple, thinking. ‘I may have read something about that in an old scroll.’ ‘We were hoping you might be able to tell us why,’ Goril said. ‘Alda said he had heard of it, but it had never happened in his lifetime.’ ‘How is Alda?’ Goril’s jaw tightened. ‘I’m afraid he is no longer with us.’ Doraya saw shock, disbelief, and acceptance cross King Tinis’s face in quick succession. ‘I am sorry for your loss,’ the king said formally. ‘Alda was a great man, an exemplary dragon rider.’

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‘Thank you.’ Goril cleared his throat. ‘He was very concerned about Doraya. She didn’t have an easy time adjusting to the meld. I know he would have been grateful for your help.’ ‘Of course, of course. I will search the scrolls later. First, please, tell me all your news.’ Doraya sat and watched and listened while Goril and the King discussed people and politics. The hall slowly filled up with people, several of whom came to sit at the top table, greeting Doraya with a bow and joining in the conversation. Doraya was glad that nobody addressed her directly. Drudges began appearing with trenchers of food, serving the top table first. Again, it seemed strange to Doraya to sit and be served. She felt as if she should be helping to serve, getting the food to people as fast as possible, as she’d always been told to do. Her trencher held a hunk of bread, a piece of cheese, and a spoonful of preserve. Jugs of water and goblets were placed on the table, and her neighbour poured some for her. Goril’s knee was touching hers under the table, which felt oddly reassuring. She kept her eyes down and concentrated on her food. While it seemed sparse after the excellent fare in the dragon riders’ caves, the bread was fresh, the cheese well flavoured, and the preserve had a pleasing tang. When they had eaten, King Tinis called a page to take them to their chamber. ‘I have arranged for a woman to attend your lady, and Banic here will act as your page during your visit,’ he told Goril. ‘If there is anything you need, he can bring word to me. I will search the scrolls now, and I hope to find an answer for you by evening.’ Doraya was pleased to see that Banic looked older and less nervous than the page who had greeted them when they first arrived. He led them confidently through the corridors to their chamber and showed them around the spacious apartments. There was a central bedroom with a large bed and a blazing fire, and a separate dressing room on each side, one for Goril and one for Doraya. In each dressing

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room was a bath full of steaming water, and next to Doraya’s stood a stout woman wearing an apron, her hands on her hips. ‘Banic, I don’t know what you’re doing letting the Lord Rider’s bath go cold while you moon around the chamber,’ she scolded. ‘Now go and attend to him, and I’ll see to the Lady.’ She shooed the men out, pulling Doraya behind her into the central bedroom while Banic took Goril into his dressing room. As soon as the door was shut behind the men, she said, ‘My name is Narvi, Lady, and I’ll attend you while you’re here.’ Narvi was speaking loudly, as if she wanted to make sure the men could still hear her. ‘Come, let’s get these travel-worn clothes off so you can bathe.’ Narvi opened the door to the corridor, put her finger to her lips to indicate that Doraya should be silent, and pulled her through, closing the door quietly behind them. She bustled Doraya down the corridor, murmuring, ‘Quickly, come now.’ ‘Where are we going?’ Doraya gasped. Narvi hurried her down a flight of steps that Doraya recognised as leading to the kitchen. Instinctively, she began to pull back against Narvi’s lead. ‘You’re safe, my lady, don’t worry.’ What was going on? Was she being abducted? Should she call for help? ‘Here we are,’ Narvi said, ushering Doraya into the castle kitchen. Women were working at the spit and the sink and the table, and it looked so like the kitchen at King Panac’s castle that Doraya quailed. Narvi clapped her hands. ‘I’ve rescued the dragon rider’s woman,’ she said loudly. ‘She needs sanctuary.’ The kitchen women clustered around Doraya, touching her dress and hair with greasy fingers, murmuring endearments. ‘Pretty thing.’ ‘Safe now.’ ‘We can hide you.’

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‘No dragon should eat such a beautiful lady.’ Doraya swallowed her panic. If only Goril would come – but she knew nothing could bring him here. What could she do? ‘When the dragon rider has gone,’ Narvi said, looking earnestly into Doraya’s eyes, ‘we can give you work.’ The thought of being back in a castle kitchen galvanised Doraya into speech. ‘I don’t need rescuing. Goril is my love. He is kind to me.’ ‘She is in thrall to the dragon rider,’ Narvi said sadly to the other women. ‘We will have to hold her until his spell breaks.’ How was Doraya going to get out of this situation? If only Goril knew what was happening, he would fix it in a minute. However, as he didn’t know, she was going to have to sort it out herself. ‘I am not in thrall.’ Her voice became commanding, as if it sprang from her very core. She spared a moment to wonder how her voice could sound so certain when she wasn’t entirely sure herself. ‘I am a dragon rider’s woman.’ Goril had told her that made her important. Maybe that was why her voice sounded so defiant. ‘My dragon rider is my mate.’ The kitchen women were agog, waiting for her next words. This could be her best chance to present the dragon riders’ case. Doraya launched into the history of the dragon riders and the problems they were facing, her confidence increasing as she spoke. The kitchen women listened with interest, varying degrees of doubt in their expressions. ‘You could still be in their thrall,’ one of the kitchen women said. Her face was an almost comical combination of suspicion and anxiety. ‘I am my own woman,’ Doraya said. ‘I adore my rider, and our dragon. I went with them willingly, of my own free choice.’ Would they believe her? If only Goril was at her side they couldn’t have a moment’s doubt. ‘You can’t always detect ill-use,’ Narvi said hesitantly, ‘if it

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affects a person’s mind, or their feelings.’ She met Doraya’s gaze without flinching. ‘Your eyes, Lady. They are strange, like the dragon riders’ eyes.’ Doraya explained about the mind-meld while Narvi’s own eyes grew rounder and rounder. The other women were also looking astonished and disbelieving. Doraya realised that she would have to give more of herself if she was to convince them. The thought almost paralysed her with fear, and she felt Fiami stir in response to her strong emotion. The last thing she needed was Fiami going rogue. There was no way out but through. ‘Before I was a dragon rider’s woman,’ Doraya said, ‘I worked as a lowly kitchen drudge at King Panac’s castle. I was the one everyone picked on. Perhaps you have someone like that in this kitchen.’ A few heads swivelled, and Doraya noticed a girl she hadn’t seen before, dressed in rags and cowering beside the hearth. ‘One of the castle soldiers wanted me. I didn’t want him.’ She wrinkled her nose as she remembered. ‘He was crude, and harsh, and he stank.’ The eyes of the ragged girl were fixed on Doraya as if they could never look anywhere else. ‘I couldn’t see a way out. In desperation, I asked my dragon rider if I could go with him. I thought I might be eaten, but it seemed like a gamble worth making.’ She noticed with satisfaction that some of the kitchen women were looking ashamed of themselves. ‘It has turned out so well for me. I am loved,’ she said simply. The door to the kitchen slammed open and Goril burst through, looking wildly around. ‘Doraya!’ he called. ‘I’m here,’ she said calmly. ‘We’ve been having a chat.’ He strode across to her, pushing women out of his path, and took her in his arms. ‘Are you hurt?’ he demanded. ‘I’m fine,’ she said. ‘These women have been very careful of my

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safety.’ ‘They’d better have been,’ he growled, and kissed her as if to assure himself of her well-being. ‘Fiami picked up on your fear. She guided me to you.’ He kissed her again and she could feel his relief, and Fiami’s, vibrating through his lips. ‘Lady.’ Narvi’s voice sounded worried. ‘Please forgive me.’ Doraya broke away from Goril and put her hand on the older woman’s arm. ‘There is nothing to forgive, when my safety was your first concern.’ She smiled reassuringly. ‘Thank you,’ Narvi said. ‘If there’s anything I can do for you, please, just ask.’ ‘You all know what our problem is.’ Doraya saw with satisfaction that Goril was surprised at the way her voice rang around the kitchen. ‘If any of you can help us solve it, I will be very pleased to hear from you. And in the meantime, Narvi, I was looking forward to that bath.’ She was bustled back to the chamber and into the hot tub in short order. Narvi was clearly ashamed of herself and much less talkative than usual. That suited Doraya, who was glad of a little time to recover from her ordeal. When Doraya was dressed to Narvi’s satisfaction, they joined Goril and Banic. Doraya walked straight to Goril and held up her face to his. He gave her a lingering, affectionate kiss on the lips, and ran his finger down her jawbone. ‘Narvi has looked after me so well.’ Doraya turned, her hand on Goril’s arm. ‘She could not have been more helpful.’ Goril gave Narvi his best crinkle-eyed smile. ‘Thank you, Narvi, for looking after my lady.’ Narvi dimpled and curtsied. ‘It is my pleasure, sir.’ ‘We will rest now,’ Goril announced. Banic and Narvi both bowed. ‘I will be in the corridor if you need anything, sir,’ Banic said. ‘Banic can fetch me in a moment if you want, Lady,’ Narvi added. ‘I will be back to help you dress for supper.’

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They left and closed the heavy chamber door behind them. Doraya turned to Goril, but he put his finger to his lips and took her in his arms. ‘They may be listening,’ he whispered. ‘How did it go with Narvi?’ ‘She wanted to rescue me from you,’ Doraya said demurely. ‘From me?’ The look of outrage on his face made Doraya giggle. She touched his lips to remind him to be quiet then told him briefly, in a whisper, what had passed between her and the kitchen women. ‘I didn’t exactly explain how things work at our caves, with the women and the men. I thought that might come as something of a shock. It did to me.’ ‘Did it?’ Goril let go of her and paced to the window and back. ‘I suppose it seems normal to me because I’ve grown up with it, but I know things work differently in the castles.’ **** Goril knew Saban had been right. He was selfish. The realisation seared itself into his mind. It had never occurred to him that it might be hard for new women to find themselves the property of so many men. None of them had seemed to mind—but then, had they any choice? Once they reached the caves, there was nowhere for them to go. Just because he and his fellow riders treated their women so well, wanted them to be happy, didn’t mean they necessarily were content. ‘Doraya.’ He looked at her beautiful face in its frame of red-gold hair, golden eyes lifted questioningly to his. ‘Are you happy, now, as a dragon rider’s woman?’ ‘I don’t know.’ Her answer surprised him. ‘I haven’t had time to think about it,’ she went on. ‘I’m not unhappy, like I was before.’ She dropped her eyes and raised them again, and he knew there

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was something else she wanted to say. He stepped closer and took her hands, raising an eyebrow in a silent question. ‘I’m happy with you,’ she said softly. ‘Are you unhappy with others?’ ‘Everyone is very kind, very caring.’ Her luminescent eyes were fixed on his face. ‘Perhaps I should have said I’m happiest with you.’ His heart danced with joy, and he bent to kiss Doraya, trying to convey from his lips to hers the feelings he found hard to put into words. She returned his kiss with surprising passion, as if she, too, had unsaid messages to express. A fire grew between them swift as dragon’s breath, and sure enough, Fiami was there, too. This time, there was no pretence of control. Goril was already achingly hard and desperate to reach Doraya’s soft, warm body through her layers of ridiculously complicated robes. ‘These castle clothes are stupid,’ he growled, undoing ties and pushing back fabric with clumsy fingers. Doraya struggled with his breeches and finally managed to free his throbbing cock. Her hands on him soothed for a moment, but then made him crave her cunt even more. A low groan escaped from his throat as he finally found her skin. His touch made her convulse. ‘Please,’ she gasped, ‘fuck me now. I can’t wait. I need you inside me.’ He threw her onto the bed and dove on top of her, plunging his rock-hard cock deep into her cunt. Clothes tangled around them, but there was no time for him to miss the feeling of her skin on his. The pounding of his cock into her cunt was all-consuming. Judging by the way she was working her hips against his, she felt the same. Fiami was urging them on with great delight, and, with his face enveloped in Doraya’s soft hair, Goril flew unerringly toward his peak. His woman’s moans in his ear, her mouth on his neck, her fists beating on his back, all combined with the thrusts of her hips and his to create a perfect explosion of ecstasy. The pulsating spurts of his hot spunk splashing into her cunt brought Doraya to her own peak, and her cunt

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spasms drew more spunk from his cock than he would have thought possible. **** It was lucky, Doraya thought, that they were soberly dressed and sitting by the fire when Banic knocked on their chamber door and ceremonially announced the arrival of King Tinis. They stood to greet him, but he waved them back into their seats. Banic brought a chair for the King and then returned to his post in the corridor. ‘I hope you don’t mind me coming to you here,’ King Tinis said, ‘but I have news and, well, I thought it better to discuss it in private.’ Doraya’s palms were damp, and she ran them over her skirts as if to smooth the fabric. ‘Lady,’—the King turned to her—‘it seems one of your ancestresses must have had a, er, liaison with a dragon rider.’ He looked at Goril. ‘There are so many questions I have never thought to ask. All my life, dragon riders have appeared from time to time, performed useful services, and disappeared again. I know the history, but until I met your lady here, it never occurred to me to ask you how life is with the riders now.’ ‘And we have been too proud to tell,’ Goril said, ‘but it is time, I think.’ ‘How many riders are you?’ ‘We are thirty-five.’ ‘And,’ Doraya said, ‘seven women.’ The King’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Children?’ ‘We have one boy halfway to manhood, and men of all ages. When I was young’—Goril’s expression turned inward, remembering—‘we had more women, and more children. As the women grew old and died, fewer and fewer young women came to replace them.’ ‘Dragon riders don’t often sire children,’ said the King.

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‘Those we do sire,’ Goril said, ‘are mostly sons.’ ‘Your ancestress’s liaison,’ King Tinis said to Doraya, ‘probably resulted in a girl child. It is quite possible that nobody even knew her father was a rider. The old scrolls say that you must have rider’s blood to meld with a dragon. It’s rare, for a woman, but it has been known.’ Doraya’s heart soared. So she really did belong with the dragon riders. ‘King Tinis,’ Goril took a deep breath, ‘the dragon riders are in danger of dying out.’ ‘Tsk, tsk, tsk.’ The King’s brow was furrowed. ‘We can’t have that. I know the custom dictates that you can’t approach women, but you’re a fine-looking bunch of chaps. Very active. Some women seem to like that kind of thing. Why aren’t they approaching you?’ ‘There are so many rumours, sire,’ Doraya said. ‘When a woman goes with a dragon rider, usually she is never seen again. So people believe that women are eaten by dragons, or enslaved, or used and abandoned and left for dead.’ She had both men’s full attention. Goril looked horrified, while King Tinis wore his usual fascinated, intent expression. He pointed a finger at her. ‘But you are being seen.’ ‘Because of the meld,’ she said. ‘Yes. You have to travel with Goril. So you will be seen everywhere in time. That may help to dispel these rumours.’ ‘And then’—Goril leaned forward, elbows on knees—‘more women may begin to approach the riders. Which would be very helpful for us, but wouldn’t it cause dissent elsewhere?’ ‘Not in my castle,’ King Tinis said firmly. ‘Plenty of women here. We can spare you a few if that’s what they choose.’ He stood to signal that the interview was over. ‘I’ll see you in the dining hall at supper.’ They stood, too, and bowed to the King as he departed. When Banic had closed the heavy chamber door, Doraya saw that Goril was

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grinning like a boy. ‘We’re flying now!’ He punched a fist into the air. ‘You were so nervous about all this, but you’re doing so well. How does it feel?’ ‘Easier now it’s real people to talk to, and things to work out,’ she said, ‘instead of something I couldn’t imagine.’ When Narvi came to help Doraya change into her evening robes, as soon as the dressing room door was closed, Narvi spoke. ‘Lady, I’ve found you three women.’ Doraya’s mouth fell open in astonishment, but Narvi was fiddling with her robes and didn’t notice. ‘There’s the chief cook’s third daughter. She’s always looked to the horizon. Then there’s a drudge who says she fancies one of the riders, although she doesn’t know his name, but she’ll know him when she sees him. It’s not your rider, Lady, I asked her.’ Doraya felt a glow of happiness at hearing Goril described as ‘your rider.’ If only it was true. She hoped the drudge Narvi spoke of was the ragged girl she’d seen earlier. ‘Also there’s an older woman. I don’t know whether you’ll want her, but I said I’d ask. She’s a good friend of mine and a fine worker. Her husband was a guard until he died of the failing sickness last year. She has two daughters, near to womanhood. The younger one would want to go with her.’ ‘She sounds perfect. And as for you’—Doraya placed her hands on the older woman’s shoulders—‘you are a miracle.’ Narvi blushed and dropped her eyes. ‘Nothing of the kind.’ She wriggled away from Doraya’s touch. ‘Just like helping folks. Anyway, we need to get you ready for supper.’ Doraya longed to pass on the news to Goril, but had to sit through a supper of plain roots and unseasoned fowl, tedious political discussions all around her, without showing her impatience. Finally, they were alone together in their chamber. Goril pulled her into his arms. ‘Castle life is not my favourite,’ he said. ‘I’m happier in our

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caves, but I do like being able to spend every night with you.’ He began to kiss her face, but she put up her hand to stop him. ‘Goril, listen, I have news.’ She told him what Narvi had said, and watched his eyes widen. ‘Three? And a girl approaching womanhood?’ Seeing his expression lighten with pure joy, Doraya wondered how she could ever have thought his face impassive. ‘That’s more than I dared hope,’ he said. ‘My darling Doraya, you’ve done this.’ ‘We’ve done it together,’ she said, and kissed him to emphasise her point. **** Goril and Doraya spent half the night up discussing how to manage the transfer of the new women to the caves, then fell into bed exhausted. Fiami was already sleeping, and they were happy just to hold each other for once. Doraya dozed off almost immediately, her head on Goril’s shoulder, red-gold hair streaming out across the pillow. He had been so glad of her keen intelligence in helping him solve some of the problems they would face the next day. Fiami could carry six people seated in a row. They had decided that Goril should be at the back and Doraya at the front. A length of rope could be made into a foot loop to help the women mount Fiami. Doraya would talk with the women before they left, to answer any questions they might have about life with the riders. Each woman would be given the opportunity to change her mind if she wished. It felt exciting to be developing a new process, and delightful to be doing so with the woman he loved. Goril went over their plans again in his mind to make sure he’d got them straight. He decided to talk it all through once more with Doraya in the morning, in an attempt to make sure they hadn’t forgotten anything. She murmured in her sleep, and he leaned close to listen, but could only hear the

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word ‘Fiami’. Goril’s heart expanded with love for his beloved woman and his beloved dragon. How lucky he was. How lucky. Goril kissed Doraya’s beautiful face, softly so as not to wake her, and settled himself for sleep. **** Doraya and Goril were woken by Banic and Narvi coming in with goblets of hot spiced milk. Narvi wanted to know about their plans, so Goril explained while Doraya sipped her drink. Then, Narvi bustled her out of bed to dress, and after that, the day seemed to whiz by in a blur. Odd moments stood out with clarity. She had spoken to the women who wanted to join the riders, and seen with relief that the ragged drudge, Abalee, was among them. Her eyes had met Goril’s in a look of mutual consternation as the women, saying good-bye, promised their families and friends they would be back to visit—but then, Doraya thought, why not? She and Goril had set a precedent that others would follow. Helping Abalee put her foot into a loop of rope, and steadying her slender body as Goril began to pull her up Fiami’s flank, had been a poignant moment, reminding Doraya of her own departure from King Panac’s castle. She was proud to sit in front of the women on Fiami’s back, feeling the familiar stomach-lurching sensation as Fiami’s wings began to take the strain. This was so very different from the last time she left a castle on dragonback. When Fiami swooped into the entrance cavern, Doraya looked over her shoulder and caught Goril’s eye. ‘We’re home,’ she mouthed, and he smiled agreement. She’d never known what ‘home’ felt like before. It was secure and welcoming, like Goril’s embrace. ‘We’re back!’ she called, exultant, and slid down Fiami’s flank. The women came running, Saban at their head. Doraya met her with a warm embrace. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘You were right, I was selfish.’

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Saban returned her embrace with equal warmth. ‘I was wrong to lose my temper.’ She kissed Doraya. ‘It’s good to see you again.’ ‘Doraya!’ Mabbi’s pert voice rang out. ‘How many women have you brought us?’ Saban and Doraya turned to look where she was pointing, at the row of people sitting patiently on Fiami’s back. Saban gasped and clutched Doraya’s hand. ‘Four more women? Doraya, that’s marvellous!’ She kissed her again, quickly, on the cheek. ‘We’ll talk later.’ The dragon riders’ women clustered around Fiami to help the new women down and welcome them. Goril was the last to dismount. He drew Doraya to one side, his arm around her shoulders, and they watched the dragon riders’ women guide the new women away towards the women’s caves. Abalee looked anxious and hesitant, reminding Doraya of her own first arrival at the caves. How different was this homecoming. She looked forward to bathing in the grotto, flirting with the women, bantering with the riders, and eating in the dining cave. First, she would have a little time with her beloved Goril before they had to say goodbye. She was in no rush for that moment to arrive. ‘We’ve done well, little one,’ he said, and gave her a loving look. ‘We’ll do better,’ she said boldly. Goril smiled, but then his expression changed. ‘I’ll miss our nights together.’ She would, too, but it couldn’t be helped. ‘There are lots of new women for you to get to know,’ she said, trying to lighten his mood. ‘I won’t get near any of them for weeks,’ he grumbled. ‘Maybe we’ll fly away and find some more before then.’ His face lightened and he kissed her again. ‘Maybe we will, at that.’ ‘We need thirty-five women, at least.’ ‘That would be one each.’ Goril looked as if he could hardly imagine such riches.

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‘And I would be yours.’ She put her fingertips to his cheek. Understanding dawned in his eyes, and a look of elation spread across his face. ‘That’s what I want, too,’ he said softly, and bent his head to seal his declaration with a kiss so tender that her eyes filled and her heart melted. She slid her arms around his broad shoulders as she returned his kiss with all her love for him, holding him close, determined to do whatever it took to make the bond between them complete.

THE END WWW.FREYAGARTH.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Freya Garth comes from good Celtic stock with a genetically useful mix of Irish, Welsh, and Scottish ancestors. At her birth, the fairies gave her a lively imagination, a positive outlook, and a great deal of determination. She lives in a sleepy English market town with her beloved partner and their three adorable cats. When she is not writing about imaginary worlds, her favourite occupations are reading, cooking, socialising, and confounding stereotypes.

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