ɮʟօօɖ ǟռɖ ɢօʟɖ ·ï¡÷¡ï· ɮʊռռʏ♥ʝǟƈɛ ᶰᶳᶠʷ

[Bunny]

It had been expected that this human girl, an oddity in the realms of the Tarragon, would be the fated mate of their king, Oryn. It had been prophesied that the one to mate with a child of man would be Fire Blessed. The eternal fire, from which all Wyrms were born and would one day return. To be blessed by the fire was to be akin to a god. Blessed, chosen… Many words described it, very few did the blessing justice. Being Fire Blessed was a sign that you were meant to rule. Some, in the past had used the blessing to conquer other lands, to submit all to their rule. Others created a haven, strong, secure for their people. It depended on the Wyrm who was blessed.

The mating with a human, rare as they were, gave one power. Humans, unable to access the power they’d once wielded, it could be given however, to a Wyrm. Furthermore, not all humans possessed this power to offer, the eons having slowly drained them of their mystical abilities. Some races, like the elves, felt it fair that such a barbarous race be stripped of such power and that any power left be given to the Wyrm. Elves viewed them as near gods as it was, almost sycophantic in their worship of them.

Oryn the Golden was revered for his goodness. The holiness in which he ruled. Those who served him, served with a fanatical zeal that at times was frightening. Atrocities could be performed in his name, and because of the way the realms viewed him, they were swept under the rug, a necessary evil to ensure only good.

What would the realms care that that human, who had been so publicly paraded around was now chained to the wall in a dungeon. That her screams rent the air with each land of the thick, braided leather upon her back? The high Priest had never liked her. He’d been cruel, when given the chance.. But now that she’d failed Oryn? He took pleasure in her pain.

When the mating bond had failed to fall into place upon her eighteenth birthday, they’d given it a week. When the golden lily had appeared on her back, the symbol for a rival kingdom, Corvina had been tossed in the dungeon cell without a second thought. At first, she’d wondered if they’d forgotten her. Meals came randomly and in various forms of edibility. It had only been a few days, but she’d already given up hope that her words were falling on anything but deaf ears.

She couldn’t control who she was bound to. That even with the mating bond etched into her skin, she loved her King. She loved Oryn. It became clear though, that he did not return that affection.

Liar. Traitor. Whore.

The words had been slung at her with venom in the myriad of voices that spoke to her. It was the cold voice of the High Priest that scared her the most. There was more than venom in his voice.. There was true hate. When he’d ripped the back of her flimsy tunic, the wet sound of fabric had made her flinch, curling closer to the cold wall. The beating’s had started innocently enough, if one could call beatings innocent at all. Slowly he’d become more creative..

·ï¡÷¡ï·​

Sagging against the manacles that held her wrists, Corvina's breath came in raspy little puffs. The cold air bit into her lungs with each inhale, like shards of jagged glass. Close your eyes, Little Raven She’d heard this voice for days, warm with barely controlled anger. It had scared her at first, this voice curling through her mind. It was always there, when things were at the worst. The whip sounded behind her and she closed her eyes, as commanded. While the words had been gentle to her, the command had been there. She still felt the pain as the leather bit into her back, over barely healed wounds. She screamed, unable to help the wounded sound leaving her raw throat. It bounced against the stone walls, a cacophony of sound. She’d not even finished the sound before the whip sliced into her. Forehead against the stone, she kept her eyes closed. She could feel the rage with each bow that landed and it scared her almost as much as the Priest. Almost.

Blood trailed down her back, warm in the freezing cell. She felt his hand press against the ragged scraps of skin as he admired his word. It was that touch more than anything that enraged him. For that voice was a him and even in her near delirious state, she knew who’s anger she felt. Pain flared through her back and she gritted her teeth, her eyes slowly opening. He was almost here… She coughed out a laugh, barely able to stay conscious.. “You are a dead man..” Her laughter was unhinged, raspy and filled with a deep unabating satisfaction. He always had been, from the moment he’d laid hands on her.. But this final cruelty would be his last.

Her mate was here…

They may have destroyed the mark that claimed her as his, but he'd destroy them all...

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

Deres was basking in pleasure, each hard thrust inside rewarded with tight walls clinging to every inch of him, hugging every curve of his cock. Almost more importantly, he was getting little spikes of pain to go with it. Her sharp little human teeth dug into his shoulder as she let out noises that made him growl in reply. Her nails were dragging down his back, leaving puffy red trails in their wake. No one hurt him like this. No one could make him feel things that he did not intend. His magic always kept him safe.

Corvina was dragging him to the surface, out of his magic and into her grasp. It was all instinct now. They were connected in every way imaginable and there was no hiding from one another. The pair were bonded, linked at their very souls. Now that they had given in, only the most basic parts were left. So, while she scratched and bit, Deres fucked her with all the intensity she desired.

The little change in the sounds she made was minor. Her eagerness was just a drop in the ocean of pleasure they were drowning in. But, the Wyrm heard it loud and clear. Then, he said his name again. That was all it took to throw him over the edge again. He watched, almost hypnotized as she licked the vine, embracing it for what it was, a part of him. Instead of letting her play with it, though, he growled with animalistic lust. The vine pulled away and Deres instead caught her mouth with his own again. If she wanted to have something play with her mouth, his tongue was happy to oblige.

The vine beneath her, however, was ready to do what had been asked of it. With a small push, it slid through the impossibly tight entrance of her ass. As she wrapped around it and squeezed, the slick sap poured out in even greater amounts. It seemed almost shy compared to the continuous slamming thrusts of his cock. For every thrust into her pussy, it would barely move, curiously exploring the first few inches of her insides.

With his long serpent tongue playing with her own, the vine exploring her ass, and the rough thrusts of his cock followed by the slow withdrawal, Deres had completely filled Corvina. He was content with that, with having claimed every hole and doing what no one else had done for her. All that was left was to enjoy his mate to their satisfaction.

Except, the vine that pushed inside of her ass had an unintended effect. He could feel it. Could feel the pressure of it through her walls. It felt incredible. So incredible, in fact, that it demolished his control like a rock through glass. The rounded bulb pushed her against the underside of his cock and every time she let out sounds of pleasure, she squeezed even harder around him. Deres was melting in bliss and reason was dissolving rapidly.

The first sign was the heavy and panting groans he was letting out. They were becoming so intense he had to make space between their lips to breath. The next was the slow loss of his teasing rhythm. The time between the slow withdrawal and hard thrusts was becoming shorter. Finally, he was swollen and hot beyond belief. She was tight around him, milking thick drops of precum with every movement, the bulb that teased her ass almost milking it from his cock with pressure.

When he felt the pleasure start to crest, there was only a desperate need to cum left in his mind. His grip stayed tight on her ass, but his hips changed their movement completely. He bent forward, hot skin on hot skin. His angle shifted, his cock now going straight from her entrance to her back walls. But, he no longer pulled all the way out to her entrance. Instead, each thrust was barely half way out before he slid back to the base. His thrusts became ragged, needy. Finally, all at once, he let go.

His lips sealed her down again and the groan he let out was nearly a roar. The thrusts stopped completely, his hips barely sliding back and forth as he grinded deep inside, drowning in the feeling of her hot pussy tightening around the base even as pulses of his seed became to pump into her.

Derestraz the Wyrm was the one fucking Corvina now, an ancient creature of unimaginable power brought down to the level of a human by his need. He filled her with his cum in heavy streams, the heat of it splashing against her insides and rushing to fill every empty space. For a brief eternity, it seemed like he would never stop cumming in her. He filled her until their mixed pleasure was running down his balls and dripping to the floor under them. The vine in her ass stroked the underside of his cock, forcing it out until he was shuddering with the feeling. When he finally finished, finally began to soften inside, he still refused to pull out, growling into her mouth, heavy breaths escaping through his nose.

 

[Bunny]

She wasn’t aware of how their magic mingling affected the bond. That he’d never felt the sweetness of pleasure and pain as they met almost violently. There was no way Corvina would have known of such things either, a virgin.. Raised almost like a nun. Her instincts drove her actions as did the need to feel grounded as pleasure swept along her nerves and mind. If she let go, a small part of her worried what would become of her in the face of the storm that was Deres and his lust.

The points of contact, be it large like his cock slamming into her or small, the tips of her nails biting into his back, were agonizingly sweet and desperately needed. She needed more, wanted more. The tantalizing lick against his vine had drawn a growl from him, before his mouth captured hers. There was no sweetness, not tenderness as he claimed her mouth just like he claimed her body. Her tongue collided against his, not willing or rather unable to be timid or shy now. There was no fruit being passed between them and Corvina could taste him. Deres, undiluted.

Her nails bit in hard against his back as the vine pushed into her rear.. Her cry of pleasure was muffled by his mouth alone. This was the first gentleness in their mating. Unlike his hands, mouth and cock, this vine was gentle as it rested inside her. She could feel the vine and him as they moved within her, different sensation, different pleasures..

She could feel where they met. Deres and his vine.. There was so very little between them and yet all at the same time much. Full. The word seemed inadequate to describe the feeling. It was what sent her not tumbling but crashing over the edge of pleasure. Her body tightened around him, if that was even possible. Milking his cock, milking that vine as her body quaked with it. She could feel it in every heart beat, in her thighs as she came. Corvina felt as he pistoned himself in and out of her, desperate for his own release.

His roar of pleasure couldn’t be muffled, not even as their tongues still danced. Ropes of his seed filled her and spilled from her.. Dripping from between them and hitting the floor beneath her. She clung to him, arms around him and had her legs been free, she’d have wrapped them around him. Even as Deres softened in her, she wasn't ready for him to pull from her. Her body still quivered with aftershocks of pleasure and she slowly felt her body relax in the vines that held her to the wall, to him..

The nails that had been biting into his back relaxed.. She kissed him now tenderly. Not ready to break this moment of truce. She could perhaps think of something snarky to say.. But she felt too good and didn’t want to shatter the bliss she felt. She shifted against him slightly, far from the restless need of before. Her movements languid. A sweet ache slowly building.

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

There was one overwhelming feeling in the moments after their shared climax. It was a deep and powerful satisfaction. There was the physical relief, of course. Everything about Corvina made him want her regardless of how he felt. Finally ravaging her like this was sating a need he had never truly confronted before. There was more, though. The bond was satisfied, the old magic finally done pulling them toward one another. That was what this was all about, after all. Punishing them until they did what the magic wanted. Unfortunately, there was one problem.

Deres could not pull himself away from Corvina. Physically, he could. But the desire was nonexistent. Right now, the puffy red lines down his back and the deep nail indents from her climax were still stinging. His cock was so sensitive, her hot insides still moving around him as she came down from her orgasm. Most of all, her body pressed close to him was impossibly comfortable. It was all brand new to him, likely would be new to all of his kind save the extreme few who had been mated before. Those could be counted on one hand. He realized that this was a rare gift. Despite her attitude and mouth, Deres had a mate who could offer him this complete satisfaction.

Slowly, the vine began to withdraw from inside of her. Not that it was difficult. She had squeezed so hard that the bulb has poured sap inside her, like she had given it a climax of its own. When it finally slipped free, the sap ran down to her thighs and joined the seed that escaped from where they met.

Deres knew, unfortunately, that there were only two choices. He could very well pour magic into his human form, use it to ignore the regular rules of biology and become so painfully and blissfully hard inside her. He was even tempted to turn her around and try her ass, to see if she would feel even better that way. He would have, if Corvina were not still weak and malnourished. The fruit would help immensely, crafted from scratch to give her what she needed, but it would still take time. That left rest as the only option.

First, his tongue extracted itself from her mouth, a small string of saliva connecting them as he panted and stared into her eyes. Next, he pulled his hips back slowly. This was agonizing, the movement sending little bolts of pleasure down his spine and begging him to simply ravage Corvina until one of them was too tired to move. When he finally escaped her folds, the cum that poured from her nearly embarrassed him with the volume. He had truly found something unique with this human.

The vines were next, uncoiling from every inch of her one at a time, letting all her weight slowly settled onto Deres' hands and body. When her legs were released, they did so slowly, letting the muscles gently relax as they rested on Deres' hips. She was all his now. So, Deres let himself fall.

It was a brief fall, the tree rising up with soft vines of its own to catch them. It formed a simple frame right then and there, lowering them into a crisscrossing hammock of vines even as it finished creating it. Deres, surprisingly, kept his human cradled close, his fingers keeping a tight grip on her ass.

What surprised him the most was that he did not feel a sudden lack of anything. He had expected their magic to part and yearn for one another. It had been so obvious the moment those two sparks touched that this was right in some way. That rightness did not go anywhere. He could still feel Corvina's Fire, like he had left a bit of himself behind with it.

Closing his eyes, Deres decided that it was time to break their silence.

"Despite you having an abysmal attitude and a mouth to be expected from a primitive creature like you, you will not be going anywhere. I hope you understand that. Whatever that was, I plan to keep it. And, it seems to be a perfect way to stop your complaining. I'll use it regularly. In fact, if you have any requests, I might even have the grace to tend to them. I can easily alter this form, after all."

 

[Bunny]

His warmth washed over her and Corvina found it so soothing. She wanted to curl on his chest and sleep.. Ideally with him still between her legs. She knew she would miss the sensation of him filling her to the brim and for a moment she couldn’t remember what it felt like to not have him inside her. The vine slipped from her rear first and she made a soft sound. It sounded almost like a pouting noise as she felt it pop free. Sap joined their mingled fluids, dripping from her slowly. She flexed slightly, feeling the sap still inside her and an incidental action, she flexed around him. Groaning softly she lifted her hips as far as the vines would allow.

It wasn’t just Deres that wanted more. She would have willingly been fucked into oblivion. Odd, considering everything. Yet her mate thought of her health first.. Something she was unaware of. His mouth left hers and reluctantly she allowed him to pull away from her. His hips retreated next and Corvina whimpered as he slipped from her. His cum slid down her thighs and the puddle beneath them grew as his seed poured from her.

The vines then slowly began to uncoil and she fell against him gently. His hands held her up, and she curled into him. Her mate was incredibly careful with her. Did he realize how gentle he was? Corvina noticed and it made her heart ache. This is what she’d wanted from a mate. Yet, something deep inside her told Corvina that she wouldn’t like him if he was just tender. She’d get bored. She needed to be challenged and in return challenge.

The magic was still mingled, though she only felt his magic in her. He’d not taken from her. Rather gave a part of himself to her. It was comforting to feel his magic brush against her own. Something she couldn't access herself. Corvina didn’t mind that though. Gently the house cradled them in a hammock, her body rested almost on top of his. Cradled in the crook of his arm.

The groan was not lust filled and a hand rose and fell to his chest. Inch by inch it moved up his chest. Finally she covered his mouth. “Do me a favor and shut up.” He was ruining the moment. His words made her anger slowly flicker back into life. “I am not a pet, you insufferable worm and you don't own me..” The word said intentionally. When he moved to speak, she dug her nails into his skin slightly. “Please.. Just.. sleep.” Yawning, she cuddled closer. They could fight when they woke up.. She felt too good to fight just yet.

They both knew that this one instance of bonding wouldn’t stop them from being who they were. He’d already proved that. Her last words were mumbled against his chest. He might have heard them, but the tree did. A blanket of flowers and vines slowly draped over them, the hammock rocking slightly.

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

If Corvina had said a single word to indicate it, his resolve would have shattered and he would have spent his time filling her until they were both sated. He would go until he was exhausted, but his magic could sustain his dragon form indefinitely. This human body would never become exhausted. It was, however, very content and satisfied. Having her eagerly lay against him, pressing her face to his chest, he found this to be dangerous. He could not let her control him.

Then, her tiny hand covered his mouth and he let out a small sigh as his words were eaten. It seemed she had no intention of changing either. Still, the sharp press of her nails made his thoughts flash back to moments before, to their shared climax and exactly how perfect it was. Even as she went limp in his arms and sleep took her, Deres felt like he had to get in the last word.

"It seems, little raven, that we both own the other now. For better or worse."

It felt like a victory. He needed one right now. Deres was well aware of how he treated her, like his lover and not something to sate his need. It had all felt so right. Now, he felt like a fool. But, that did not stop the comfort that was reaching every corner of his body, making him relax. His eyes drifted closed and, so slowly, he fell asleep.

---

The sky was dark when Deres opened his eyes. Corvina was still happily curled against him, likely having the first proper sleep since she had left that dungeon. Something about that annoyed him. Worse, there were intruders in his territory. He could feel them, even now, stomping along the roots of his trees in their metal boots, flying low over the tree tops to avoid being spotted. They were coming for Corvina again, for the magic inside her.

Having no intention of disturbing her first comfortable sleep, Deres grabbed a tight hold on his magic. He focused, trying to he ever so precise. All at once, his body dissolved into the vines of the hammock and a pillow of blood lily petals in his rough shape were all that remained. They would lack the warmth of his body, but the petals were soft as silk.

Deres joined with the tree, moving through the wood until he reached the edge. One moment there was nothing, then the Wyrm was there. Not the human form that had been in the bed, but the translucent white dragon. No one entered his forest without permission. No one brought a promise of violence to his people. He was a false God, but they were still his worshipers. Foremost in his mind, though, were the screams of the girl he had left sleeping. They would not take her back.

Using his magic, he lifted himself into the air. The flapping of his wings would be too loud for the girl. Soon, though, he was airborne and traveling quickly through the sky. The cowards were trying to avoid being seen. He wanted them to know he was coming. This was his forest and it was as much a part of him as any other bit of his magic.

The men on the ground were stomping in a quick march, axes and swords ready. For them, this was enemy territory. Each one was paranoid, twitching at every broken branch. Naturally, when the sound of three loud crashes just ahead met them, some went so far as to drop their weapons. It was a suicide mission and they all knew it.

The horror that washed over the soldiers' faces when they breached into the clearing was one that assured one thing. They were going to die.

Before them, in his mortal form once again, stood Derestraz. His face was covered in a deep crimson, almost black in the moonlight. Below him lay a red Wyrm, fighting against the vines, just like the other two the Old Wyrm snatched from the air and bound with branch and vine. Except, the Wyrm below him was moving strangely. It twitched and thrashed while the others tried to lift themselves. Then, the pool of red spread into their sight. The same arterial red that stained Deres. In the dark, they saw him drop a jagged chunk of meat from his teeth, the wet slap on the grass the death toll.

"The first one to reach the border gets to live and tell your pathetic little king what I did here. Tell him that the next time I cross the border between our kingdoms, it will be to burn his lands to ash and rip him apart one tiny piece at a time. Now... run."

---

As the sun began to creep over the edge of the horizon, Deres entered the tree. In his hand was a large ceramic plate. It was covered in a buffet of food, real food. Eggs, sausage, buttered bread, along with perfectly sliced pieces of the gelatinous fruit. The tree provided a table for him as he sat on the edge of the hammock, making it shift and sway slightly.

Setting the plate down on the makeshift table, Deres felt a sudden and overwhelming desire. He threw the blanket off of Corvina, placing a hand on one of her shoulders before dragging the tip of his fingers down, ever so slowly. He traced down her spine, took small detours along her shoulder blade and finally ran along the curve of her ass before grabbing a complete handful of it.

"Wake up, Corvina. Verity insisted I give you something besides just fruit now that you are eating. Her expertise exceeds mine, so I deferred to her suggestion."

 

[Bunny]

Sleep was deep, peaceful and dreamless. It was the first time she’d not woken in the night drenched in sweat, terrified. The words he’d spoken softly over her as sleep had claimed her, had been missed. Though, he was right. For better or worse, they were bound.

When he left her, she didn’t know. The pillow of petals in the shape of him was still comforting. Had she woken, she might have been hurt and then upset. To find herself alone and without him. Used.. Stupid. Those emotions would never come to pass though as Deres protected his people.. Her.. from the invaders. In truth, Corvina wouldn’t have understood why they would want her back. They clearly had little regard for her. She had been bound to Deres.

Little did she know that her power could still be stolen.

The first thing to stir her to wake was the touch of his fingers along her back. Trapped in sleep she shifted slightly and made a sound in her throat. However as she came to the feeling of his fingers along her back sent panic through her. His hand grabbed her rear and she pulled away tumbling out of the hammock, her eyes wide, tears in them. “Don’t..” She had almost said don’t touch me. But it wasn’t him touching her that caused the panic.

Corvina’s back was healed, but it was no longer smooth, beautiful as it had once been. His mark was mingled with the torn flesh. Distorted, gold with the rougher pink skin of the scars she’d bear forever. Trying to control the rising panic she shook her head. “Don’t touch my back, Deres.” The words were a tremble of sound, the panic still barely contained.

Looking around, Covina desperately wanted a shirt, anything to cover her back. The tree heard the desperate plea. Vines slowly slid along her back, weaving together to cover her back from view. He’d be able to see as the vines slowly slid along her skin, gentle as they made a dress for her. Leaves and flowers creating the skirt. The panic had started to subside as the tree began to cover her. Hugging herself now that she was clothed, she looked at Deres.

There was still the lingering panic in her blue eyes. Shivering she nodded to the plate. She didn’t want to linger on this. Didn’t want him to make some stupid comment that would only cause her pain. “You brought me breakfast?” Her voice was softer now, she.. Was trying. It wouldn’t last. If they made it through breakfast she’d be surprised.

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

Deres had managed the mortal dignity of wearing his usual incredibly plain brown trousers, blessedly free of blood from the night before. His mood, despite the distractions of the night, was high. It was not often a creature like him would find a new distraction. Corvina could be a pleasant one. That was why he had thrown the blanket off, had touched her.

It had been met with chaos. The human rolled away from him, sending the hammock into a fit, swinging back and forth. Deres was forced to his feet and, not understanding what was happening, his hackles were up. His eyes were wide, the pupils turning to slits as he reached for the strength of his Wyrm body. If there was a threat, something he had missed, he would tear it to shreds.

Instead, there wad a different kind of fear. It was not the primal fear one used to keep yourself alive. This was deep emotion, above instinct and into the soul. That single weak word... Don't. It somehow reached into Deres and choked the positive feelings, threatened to kill them. It was not until she gathered enough sense to finish the sentence that he understood. At least, in the vague way he was capable of understanding. Trauma was a foreign concept to something so far above the rest of the food chain.

This was something to be sensitive about, then. Deres barreled through things because he did not mince his words. Truth led to results much faster than playing little emotional games did. However, there was merit in tact. Just as he did not simply wipe out the lesser races in his lands so that they could tend his forests, he could keep his claws to himself when it came to obvious weakness in Corvina. She was strong in so many ways. Attacking where she was weak would be too easy.

Instead, Derestraz remained silent as the tree did its work. He was finding himself rather proud of the plant now that it had given up on open rebellion. It was impossible to harness the wild magics that made up the very basis of the world. Things like the bond could not be controlled. Strictly by accident, he had connected the tree directly to Corvina, his blood letting the thing ride that deep magic and become almost like a second set of hands for her. Like a companion. It was annoying at worst, but a triumph of his skill with his own power as far as he was concerned.

With clothing settled, Corvina chose to bring the original matter to the fore. Breakfast.

"I am delivering you breakfast. The preparation was done by the Elf, Verity. She seems to have developed a fondness for you. Or she has riddled out our exact connect and wishes to earn my good grace. Either is acceptable, I think."

With a nod of his head, Deres directed her to the tray. If he was to straighten things out with this trauma, this fear, it would have to be with something he knew. Restrictions on touch were unacceptable at this point. So, he would give her what he was best at. Brutal retribution.

"They come for you, you know. The fool keeps sending men. To what end, I don't understand. At this point, I must have killed over a hundred of them. Wyrms and Elves both. I'm beginning to think I may need to solve this problem more permanently."

 

[Bunny]

The focus on the food rather than her fear and shame, Corvina smiled slightly. “I would prefer one over the other, " she admitted as she moved closer to the try. It had more than the fruit they’d been trying to force her eat. Though, it was the fruit that she picked up first. Delicate slices of it had been cut and she slipped a slice into her mouth. Corvina was unsure if she could ever taste that fruit and not rhino of how she’d been fed it. She shifted slightly, her body was sore, deliciously so. Yet.. she wanted him still. Was this what being mated was like?

Corvina had been reaching for another slice when he spoke. Her hand faltered and she looked up at him. There was horror in her eyes. It wasn’t of him, though likely that might have been all he’d see. It felt like her heart was contracting.. Breaking. Breathing was difficult.. The panic and fear that she’d felt moments before was back and somehow worse.

He’d sent people for her? Why?? He clearly hadn’t wanted her. She closed her eyes and she felt Deres’ fingers on her skin from moments ago. He’d left her in the hands of that.. Monster. Allowed him to beat her. To break her. To leave his fury in her skin. He now sent men and wyrm’s to their death. Her skin had taken on an unwell hue and she shifted in place the contents of lack thereof churning within her stomach. What would drive him to throw men after her. If so many were dying.

A soft tremor had taken over his fragile human mate. She could seem to stop shaking. Rather than look for comfort from the tree, she moved toward Deres. Her arms went around him, and she curled into his heat, his warmth. Her face was hidden against his chest, the soft trembles slowing but not subsiding as she clung to him. His power. His heat. He protected her for his own reasons. She knew this. It wasn’t because he cared. But she would take whatever she could get. Even scraps of affection. Her back was safely covered from touch and view.. So he could hold her. Soothe her. If he had any idea how to offer such comfort.

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

Deres was not well versed in body language. He was not well versed in emotion. There was not, really, anything relating to being in a relationship that he was well versed in. So, while Corvina ate a small bite of fruit, he had simply kept talking, tried to offer her exactly what he believed she would like to hear. Despite his lack of knowledge, the Wyrm knew what the face she made meant. He had caused it enough.

It was fear. At first glance, he assumed that it was a fear of him. Deres had admitted to killing over a hundred of the people that had seen her as their kin and future queen. That, he could stomach. If she wanted to be afraid of him because of what he had to do, then so be it. Nothing would change his actions, not even Corvina's disgust and hatred. It was the next action that confused him.

Corvina staggered closer, her skin pale as she looked ready to vomit or run, possibly both. Then, those small arms went around him. Her trembles slowed and she seemed to be finding comfort in his presence, not fear. It made little sense for her to want him for comfort, but he understood her fear. While the appearance of her back did nothing to change his view of her physical beauty, it must have been horribly painful. This, he could deal with.

"You have no reason for fearing him, little raven."

A hand moved to rest on her head, cradling it against his chest. There was a small spike of magic in the air as he partially shifted his form, a long and powerful tail sweeping out behind him. It wrapped around them, curling right under Corvina's rear. Then, with a gentle pressure, it lifted her against his body. Not much. Just enough for him to sit down on the edge of the hammock before settling her into his lap.

"Regardless of feelings we have, I made a decision. You are absolutely and irrevocably meant to be my mate. Not just because the bond makes us crave one another. When we were together, I felt your magic. You are a human, with time you could be something more akin to myself than another Wyrm or Elf."

Unsure of how to comfort her with his body while he spoke, Deres decided to go the other direction. He found touching her skin to be pleasant, so it likely was the same for her. Grabbing her elbow with the hand that did not cradle her head, Deres unwound one of her arms. He pulled it higher and pushed her fingers into his long pure white hair. If he could not give, she could take.

"He is afraid of you. Of us. Afraid I would take that power like he wanted to and conquer his kingdom. Not that I need more power to do that. The man inflates himself. He wants to take you from me. I have decided that no one may do so. If he keeps pushing me, testing my patience, I would leave his whole kingdom as a smoking crater before I let him have you. So, do not fear him. Pity him."

 

[Bunny]

She choked back a sob laugh and hid her face against his chest. He thought she was afraid of them. Deres wasn’t like her. Wasn’t like the elves. He was very black and white.. He might learn in time, but Corvina wasn’t going to try and change him. It would be like trying to change the path of a river or a storm. Beyond her. Yet, he seemed to understand she wanted comfort. A hand cradled her head to his chest and his tail joined and she was lifted up, so he could sit, placing her in his lap.

He was trying and that alone made a small part of her heart melt for him. Thai stubborn, old Wyrm was trying. She wouldn’t point it out, only for him to withdraw. Her arms linked around his waist and she cuddled into him once more. Inhaling his scent and letting it and his warmth soothe her. Another strangled laugh mingled with tears left her and she shook her head against his chest slightly. She was his. Not because of the bond. It.. was more than he’d been willing to give her before. Her voice was muffled against his skin. “So we are equals?” Something he had vehemently denied that she’d ever be his equal.

He pulled one of her arms free and pulled it into his hair. She pulled back slightly, looking up at him. There was confusion in her eyes.. But her fingers slid through his silky white hair. She shifted slightly and moved her nails to his scalp, gently scratching. Wondering if he’d find it pleasing. He didn’t let anyone in, the world of touch all but foreign to him.

“Deres?” His promise made her scared. Not of him.. No, he had never scared her. Much to his chagrin. “Can you do it without killing his people?” This was a soft plea. “For.. for me. If it comes to it?” She feared for the innocents. The people he’d wipe from the earth just to weaken Oryn. Her fingers had stilled in his hair. This was clearly important to her. She knew asking him to not harm those who came to his lands would be futile. This maybe, this maybe he could give her.

Turning her head to the side, the tree moved the platter of food back to her. Taking a slow deep breath she lifted some more fruit to her lips. She took a deliberate bite. See I am a good girl. Do this for me.

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

Corvina underestimated exactly how foreign affectionate touch was to him. Even among his own kind, even with his parents, such attention would be considered little more than coddling. It was seen as a weakness to need anything from someone else, much less to need their affection. The Old Wyrms ruled their territories and only interacted out of necessity of rule or, when one of their number passed on, to increase their population. So, the feeling of her nails dragging on his scalp, the gentle way she touched him, it made him let out a soft gasp. He did not, however, care for her implication they were equal.

"I am most definitely not saying we are equal. You have potential to become something I would consider useful. I doubt you have the physical aptitude for magic or the raw talent to be my equal. Even among my kind, I have no equal."

What truly confounded the Wyrm was her next request. There was a genuine concern in her voice as she asked about the innocents from her old home. This was something that he could not fathom. He would not willingly give up information about himself, about his thoughts, but he needed to ask questions to understand.

"I could. Easily."

As he spoke, it was obvious that sparing casualties was not even a thought.

"I fail to see why you would care. None of them came to that dungeon to rescue you. They did not question you disappearing. The Elves and humans did nothing to stop your king. They could have torn his castle to pieces if they stood together. Instead, they were in their homes, cooking meals and smiling, when I came for you."

It was when she tilted her head to eat the fruit that Deres found himself distracted. She meant it to show her good behavior. A sign of good faith so he would listen. Deres found the curve of her neck and shoulder much more interesting. The flower dress covered much of her, but her shoulders were nearly bare. She had been naked only a few minutes before, yet now this little bit of skin intrigued him. So, he leaned his head down and ran him tongue along her collarbone.

It required him to tilt his head far to the side, his curling horns threatening to jab her if he was not careful. One hand still held her close, though it dropped from her head to her back. The other moved to her shoulder, brushing the flower and vine strap of the dress off. He kissed her then, pressing his lips to the nape of her neck. Then, he licked. Not with the needy urgency of sex, but a gentle teasing with the tip. Her taste was interesting and her scent was washing over him, making him lightheaded.

"You are making me hungry as well, Corvina."

 

[Bunny]

Her nails still scratched at his scalp, the gasp too precious to ignore. She wasn’t surprised when he denied that they were equals.. But the way he went about it made her anger flare. Her hand withdrew from his hair. Cute or not, his mouth was going to ruin everything. “Useful?” She repeated and her eyes flashed with that building anger. She exhaled through her nose and bit back several retorts. So she changed the subject, focusing on something that helped calm her temper.

“Well, as you love to put it.. What chance would they have had?” A brow lifted sardonically. “We are all beneath your kind.. Even one who you could easily trounce.” She’d picked up fruit and taken a bite. His own taste of her skin made her shiver but she wouldn’t let lust cloud her mind.. “He had me tied up and tortured. He is their god, when a god says that someone is a traitor, even if you don’t believe what choice do you have?” She growled in his ear, even as his mouth trailed over her skin. “Gods are not to be trifled with.”

She pushed at his chest and danced out of his reach, taking her plate of food with her. “You claim yourself a god to these people. Or allow them to think of you as such. Do you think they would be brave enough to stand up to you, if you were a monster?” She placed the plate to the side. “But that doesn’t mean they are not innocent.” Crossing her arms Corvina met his eyes. “That is why I asked for his people to be spared. What could they have done? For someone they never knew?”

Apart from him, able to breathe in without inhaling his scent she looked at him, her chin tilting to one side slightly. “And mate of mine.. I suggest you figure out how to use your hand.” She picked up her food. “Because you will not be sharing my bed.” She gave him a saccharine smile. “Gods forbid the horny old Wyrm debase himself with someone so unworthy..” She smirked then. “I am really saving you from yourself, you know. You're welcome”

A toss of her raven hair over her shoulder, her endless blue eyes darkened. “You may leave, Deres..” He was dismissed, as if he were a peasant and she a queen done with him. She climbed a set of stairs that formed for her, a murmur of thanks given to the tree as a doorway formed and she vanished through it. Curling in a nest of branches and leaves, she began to eat in truth.

She would prove him wrong, them all wrong. He’d once told her he could teach her to harness her magic. She’d be his equal. If it killed her. That meant she couldn't starve herself. So she’d eat the damned fruit, the other food too. Gods he was frustrating! He’d causally said she might someday be useful.. Then he’d started to kiss her.. She wasn’t just a cocksleeve for him.. And he would learn that one way or another…

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

For someone like Deres, the idea of being useful was of the utmost importance. After all, emotional attachment was overrated, a weakness. He had meant it as a genuine compliment. It was not his fault that Corvina seemed to read into everything with her human sensibility instead of looking at it from his perspective. So, he already found her tone to be frustrating. It was when she compared him Oryn that his temper began to flare again.

"Absolutely not. I won't allow you to assume I am anything like that gnat who conned your people into thinking him powerful. He could be taken down with spears and blades. But, I agreed to your terms, why are you being so...?"

She seemed to be on the warpath again when she moved to his desire for her. Now she was making assumption about his value for her. He felt his lip curl up to show the long fang, animalistic in his reply. He had just accepted that she had potential and she was throwing it all back in his face. Corvina seemed ready to slide back to the confrontational and angry place they had been the day before. Worse yet, the tree seemed happy to help.

"Little..."

He was dismissed with all the pomp and circumstance of a commoner and as he watched her ascend the stairs, he felt like he was going to quickly join her in giving up on their bond for the day. Instead, he bared his teeth again and turned to walk outside. He refused to allow the girl or the tree to control the pace of this. Instead, he shifted his wings into existence and lifted himself to the top of the house portion of the tree with a single flap. Opening up his magic again, he sank into the tree, the wood strangely accepting of his power despite its lack of loyalty.

He dropped from above, his eyes glowering with a little anger and a large amount of indignation. She would not tell him how to live or how to treat her. Yet, here she sat, calmly eating food he had brought her.

"You little... What do you think I see you as? Do you think that I would just lay with you because I had a need? Or that I think less of you for it? Do you think I give others the deference and freedom I give you? My entire existence with you has been me giving you everything I thought you would need."

With a flex of his hand, the branches shifted and forced her to look at him. He was done trying to force Corvina to do anything. However, Deres also refused to be ignored.

"You seem to make a lot of assumptions based on what you think I think. I do not think you are some thing that I can use. After last night, I have chosen to accept you as my mate. We suit each other, I think. You twist my words to make me your enemy. I told you as much, yesterday. I am your mate and you must accept that."

 

[Bunny]

There was just a disconnect between them. They’d both adjusted their views but not enough to avoid bumping heads like this. He thought he’d made his point clear, that she’d be of value and yet his words had said otherwise to Corvina. She hadn’t expected to prick his temper by comparing him to Oryn and yet she had. She took a deep breath and inclined her head. How were they meant to know the difference?

When his fangs bared she lifted a brow at his show of temper. Oh, this she understood, but she found it hard to care. Might have potential. Might be considered useful. She wasn’t the damned elf.. She was his mate. If he could only possibly see use for her later on, he could take care of his own damned needs. Had she thought fucking him would change things? Maybe.. And that bothered her. She'd so easily believed that he’d changed. It felt foolish, like the girl who had believed another would love her.. Only to find herself chained in his dungeon.

It was maybe this that led her to dismiss him. That and her simmering anger. Curled in the branches of the tree he’d given her, Corvina carefully picked at her food, the tree rocking her ever so lightly in place. Soothing her and giving her the comfort her mate found so hard to give. When he landed on the thick branches of the tree she spared him a glance before looking away. His question earned him a slight shrug. When the tree obeyed him and turned her face toward him she snarled, a feral act.

She laughed, the sound harsh. “I don’t twist your words. I see them as anyone who isn’t some pompous ass would see them. Who isn’t in love with you as their god.. As a normal person would see them.” She shifted and pushed from her cradle of branches to stand, the tree accepting the plate she shoved towards it.

She might have been so much smaller than Deres but she moved within a few inches of him and glared up at him. One slender finger poked him hard in the chest. “I might be of use someday?” She repeated. “You see that as a boon, something for me to aspire to.” Another rough poke. “It is condescending, Mate of mine. You wouldn’t ever consider that I am your equal. I will always be beneath you. That isn’t a bond I want or will accept.” She bared her teeth at him again. “If you think I am going to just be a cock sleeve for your need, when the bond pulls at your desire, you are mistaken.”

Corvina shoved at his broad chest now. “I am not something beneath you. If you want to think that fine, but something decided we are mates. Think about that.” Whoever or whatever it was had a sick sense of humor. He would have been happy with some sycophant.. She wasn’t and would never be one. She had done that once before and bore the scars from it. "And then take into consideration, I will never accept it, Deres. If you want someone subservient, hold your breath till she appears."

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

Deres had a bit of a temper when confronted. It was partially exactly what she thought. He was seen as a God in these lands and being contradicted was irritating to him on the simplest level. But, there was something else to it. The only other creatures who dared act this way toward him were the other Old Wyrms. They did not scrap over territory or try to actively recruit worshipers. The lands they controlled provided them with endless magic. They needed nothing else. But their egos, those were sharp stones to be fought with. When someone pressed him like this, stood in opposition, he needed to meet it. To squash any kind of competition he had. It was the fact that Corvina felt like an equal that he bristled so fiercely.

The poking was worse. She prodded his chest and, for reasons he still did not quite understand, he felt it completely. It was like another Wyrm had just shoved his chest in his true form. She poked again and he felt his body almost stumble back. Then, her flat hand shoved him and he truly took a step away, forced to plant a foot to maintain his balance. Instinct flared and the wood around his feet rippled like water as magic poured out of him. If he did not rein this in, it might turn into another incident between them.

For a moment, all Deres could do was close his eyes and try to think. If he kept looking into Corvina's eyes, his animal instinct would fight for Dominance. No, this was not some stupid squabble for lands. This was going to be his future and Corvina would be a part of it. Even if they never truly loved one another, the bond would make them starved for each others' company. They needed to at worst be friends. The next words were measured and slow.

"Do not call yourself that. You are my mate, not a sleeve or a toy or something to bury my cock in. This morning, I saw your bare body when I pulled the blankets away. The bond did not force me or my thoughts. I still thought what I saw was beautiful."

Now sure that he would have to he the adult in their fight, sure he needed to take things back a step and get to the place they were last night, he took hold of her wrist. If she pushed him again, it might unravel everything. The wood was slowly going from ripples to normal flat.

"The things I say are not to hurt you, Corvina."

The name came out a little differently. It was soft and there were hints of affection. It was the name that came to him from seemingly nowhere. He knew her instinctively, the part of him that tried to fight also wanted to keep her close.

"Despite what you think, I do not place value only on power. Your potential is for magic, but you are already enough for me. I find your anger and obstinance to be... endearing. You fight me when I do something you dislike. Ask yourself. Do you really think I would want some weak willed worshiper to be my mate?"

His free hand moved behind her head, burying in the ebony locks and tangling into her hair. He pulled a little, mostly unintentionally, but also gently dragged his finger tips on her scalp.

"I accept you as my mate because you don't care if you are my magical or martial equal. That makes you worthy of being my partner. You would rather die than be trampled. And my kind do not take kindly to trampling."

Once it was all out, Deres seemed to come back to himself. He turned his head to the side and there was an unmistakable flush of embarrassment on his cheeks.

"I also have no intention of apologizing for wanting you. Last night was unique in my existence and I think it would be foolish to not want more."

The last was more gruff, a pathetic attempt to cover the vulnerability he had just shown.

 

[Bunny]

His eyes closed and for once, Corvina allowed him the moment. Her anger still rode her however. His words though made that anger stutter. It gave her pause as she looked up at him. Her lips parted and some of the fire left her eyes. His mate. He didn’t think of her just for sex. She wasn't sure if she’d really believed that herself and yet she knew she wouldn’t let him think of her that way. He didn’t. Her cheeks flushed with something beyond anger. Beautiful? This was a word she might have once associated with herself, but after Oryn’s priest had whipped her.. And what her back now felt like.. She could only imagine what it looked like.

His hands slipped around her sides and another little flame of anger died. She was silent as he spoke. Taking his words in. The softness of his voice. The way he said her name. His hand slipped behind her head and pulled her close. His hand tangling in her hair. The flash of pain was not taken as aggression and she took another step into him.

Her laugh was breathy and she shifted, laying her head on his chest. Her ear over his heart. “You seem to want to at times.” She answered him truthfully when he asked if he wanted a weak willed worshiper. She didn’t speak with anger now. “Because I dare to call myself equal to my mate.” She closed her eyes and listened to the tempo of his heart. “I don’t think I am as powerful, Deres.” She matched the way he’d said her own name. “I may never rival you for power.” This she accepted. “That is not what I mean by equal.” She hugged him tighter, trying to think of how best to explain it. “You say I am worthy. To me that makes me equal to you. Not in power.” She repeated this. “But equal because I am your other half. That we were placed together.” Peeking up at him she smiled. “I like fighting with you. I do not wish to be angry though.” Her chin rested against his chest. “Nor do I wish to be hurt by your words. I know you don’t see things the same. Perhaps we make a deal?” She pressed a kiss over his heart. “You try harder to understand me and I try harder to understand you.”

"Deres?" His name was a whisper “Do you really think I am beautiful?” This was asked without meeting his eyes and one hand left him to gesture behind her. “Even.. scarred as I am?” There was worry there. Corvina was not vain, she could live without being beautiful. Yet.. to think that he was as repulsed by her scars as she was.. Might have broken her.

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

Deres found this whole thing to be a bit degrading. It was so... domestic. Why should someone like him have to argue with his mate. He barely took this kind of irritation from his own kind. Yet, looking down into Corvina's eyes, feeling the heat of her skin pressed to him, it all made him feel... softer. All he could think of was how different things felt when he was alone with her. Mostly alone. The tree was still watching.

"So, we agree that there is something between us. That we have built at least enough affection to not look down on or hate the other. I don't see value in you for power. I find you... amusing. Not like a toy. I simply find myself enjoying out conflicts, despite how I act."

His hand had been rough more out of lack of experience than intention. He held her close to his chest and ruffled her hair, finding her need for proximity to be soothing. Her question, however, caught him off guard. That was what she worried about?

"Corvina, you seem to misunderstand me again. I am not human. I understand that you are conventionally beautiful among the other races. I see it and admire it. But, you attractiveness is something different for me. I am a Wyrm and you are my mate. The most beautiful thing about you is what I felt when we were connected. You have old magic in your soul. Though, I do admit there are physical things I am interested in."

Deres was gentle as he turned Corvina, pushing her forward a little so that she made her way to the seat the tree had already formed for her.

"Stay still for me. I won't hurt you."

He moved Corvina so that she knelt on the seat, putting hands on her shoulders. Slowly, he slid the straps down her shoulders. He did not move them far. Just enough to reveal the top of her scars, the very edges of his symbol. Deres leaned down, slightly annoyed at the very idea someone might deface his familial symbol. He did not let it distract him, however. Corvina did not need that right now. So, instead, he ran fingers over the spiderweb of scars in her skin.

"I find you beautiful, Corvina. Very much so. These scars do nothing to change that for me. I found the view I saw earlier to be quite enticing. Being with you has been on my mind since the moment we went to bed last night."

 

[Bunny]

“Yes.” The answer was simple and she nodded as he said they would not look down upon one another. She’d never looked down on him, but she understood his point. He didn’t value her for her power and he found her amusing. She took his words at face value, for such things seemed to come with difficulty for him. She wasn’t a toy.. He enjoyed fighting with her as well. Deres pulled her closer to him and she closed her eyes.

It was a start. For someone who bent to no one, bending to some of her demands and complaints. He was trying and she could do the same. To not pick at him and his words. To try and hear what he meant and not how it came out. It would take time and there would be fights over it in the future. Neither of them perfect. She least of all. Her back a ruined mess of flesh. She had never even been able to admire her mate’s mark on her back.. Shock and anger had come first. Worry and disgust. Pain and then disgust at herself.. She’d never seen his mark for its beauty and she never would see it written in her flesh as it once had been.

Oryn had stolen that from her.

His words made her body go rigid against him. It took almost everything she had to not pull away as she worked through Deres’ words. Conventionally beautiful. Admired it. It wasn’t the same for him. The longer she took, the less she struggled and she softened once more. Her magic was beautiful.. He was interested physically. She inhaled through her nose and closed her eyes tightly. Deres was being honest.. Explaining it to her. It wasn’t the words she wanted, needed.. But he tried.

When he pulled away, her brow furrowed and her breath hitched. Did her mate understand how close to breaking she was? He guided her to the seat, but her front towards it. The tree shifted for her.. Making a perch for her to kneel on. Stay still. I will not hurt you. The words were the biggest warning and when he pulled the tip away from her body her hands clenched along the wooden front of her seat.

He didn’t reveal her whole back, but the top of the scars and his symbol. His words drew a sob from her. Her eyes hot as the tears that fell to her cheeks. Her body shook some and she clung to the bench. That's what she needed. Those words. Her crying would likely confuse him and that thought alone made her laugh mid sob. Turning she flung herself into his arms. Her hand slipped around the back of his neck and into his hair as she pulled him to kiss her. The top slid back into place on its own. The tree understanding that while he might see her, others might not.

She pulled back from the kiss and whipped at her cheeks. “Sorry..” A watery smile curled on her lips and she brushed at her lashes again with a quick movement. “Will you share breakfast with me, mate?” The seat behind her shifted and became large enough to hold him and her side by side, though Corvina had no plan to sit anywhere but his lap.. The tree adjusted and soon it was large enough for only Deres.

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

Corvina was absolutely correct that the sudden tears confused him. Deres was certain that he had made another lethal mistake, taken another step that would set them back to the beginning. His hands pulled away like he had touched fire and for a moment, he was expecting another wooden blade to come for him. The mighty Wyrm nearly flinched when she turned on the stop and came for him. Except, there was no pain. There was only the soft press of her face to his chest again.

He felt her hands move to his hair and this he recognized. Their repertoire for affection was slim so far, their exchanges mostly consisting of insults, but the way her fingers tangled in his hair was familiar. Deres was ready to meet her lips as they rushed to his, holding the kiss and once again tangling his own fingers behind her head, though he was much more gentle now. Be it the bond or the novelty, Deres found the kisses to be very pleasant.

What confused him more was when she apologized for her reaction. Wyrms were above most things, but they were not oblivious. Had Corvina seen how he treated the soldiers that trespassed on his territory, she might understand that he was a dab hand at inflicting torture and fear. He knew what Oryn and his priest had done to her, had felt the echos of it. Tears were not something that was so strange.

So, he tilted her chin up and, in a strangely animal gesture, nudged a tear away with his nose. He replaced it with a soft press of his lips on her cheek, tasting the salt. Then, he moved to her ear.

"No apologies from you, little raven. Payment will be rendered for what was done and you will not be the one to give it."

An invitation to breakfast was a genuine first for the Wyrm. For one, he sustained himself mostly off of the magic of the land. His blood lilies gathered it, turned bright red when they were full, and he simply absorbed that power. When he ate, it was usually wild game hunted in his true form. In truth, Deres doubted that any of the food would really do much for him at all. Still, he made no argument. It seemed a foolish route to take at this point. Instead, he sat on the wide seat.

The tree, more sensitive to his mate's needs than his own, pulled him over toward the table, leaving only one spot for Corvina to take. This he found agreeable. If there was one thing he enjoyed about this bond the most, it was the thrill that closeness with her brought him. So, he wrapped his arms around her thin waist and pulled her to his lap.

"On the topic of appearance... Is there anything specific you desire? I take this form from instinct. My natural abilities translate me to a similar form whenever I shift my shape. I can make changes. Shift appearance to match your tastes. Perhaps increase or decrease my size for mating?"

There it was. A stupid comment right on time.