Chapter 4
brIGID
Matty runs her tongue through my folds, licking one firm line along my pussy.
I shut my eyes and will my residual shyness to dissipate, wanting to impress the Dragon Queen.
She’s much different from what I thought she’d be.
Of course, she’s as charming as everyone says, but she’s also patient and caring.
She even sounded genuine when she mentioned her search for her fated mate. Her admission caught me so off guard that I laughed, but I can’t stop thinking about her earnestness as she licks me again and again, teasing my swelling clit without giving it the direct attention I’m craving.
“Is that how you like it?” she asks, lifting her head to check in.
“Yes.” I try to mimic her casual attitude about sex while her touch is igniting a brand new feeling inside me. “It’s even better than I thought it would be.”
“You’ve already thought about how it would be with me?” she hums, feathering the tines of her tongue against my clit in a quick motion that makes my eyes roll back.
“Not specifically.” I wiggle my hips, wanting more of this sensation even if it’s so intense it kind of makes me want to crawl out of my skin. “I meant with anybody.”
She stops what she’s doing, and I realize my error as she circles a claw on my inner knee. “Are you saying you’re a virgin?”
I thought I could skate by without her noticing, but now I’ve gone and given myself away. Feeling decidedly uncool, I clamp my knees together, accidentally trapping her between my legs.
“Technically, but every witch knows virginity is an outdated concept meant to keep us from embracing the full depth of our magic,” I say, trying to brush it off.
“And it’s not like I don’t have any experience—I have a charmed moonstone dildo that vibrates magically in my nightstand drawer back at the Academy.
It has to be charged beneath a full moon, though.
It would die on me at the worst times if I forgot to leave it out, if you know what I mean. ”
She smirks without saying anything. Cauldron spirits, smite me please. What an awkward hole I’m digging.
“Please forget I said that!” I burst out.
“How could I forget such an adorable story?” Her claws keep stroking my legs gently, but my lower belly clenches, wishing she’d return her attention to the wet, aching space she’s abandoned. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Anticipation simmers beneath my skin. Sure, I’ve shared a few sloppy kisses in a broom closet with an alchemist, but I’ve only dreamed of being touched like this. “Yes!”
A line of fire bursts from the pit, signaling my enthusiasm. She smirks as she nudges my inner thigh, opening me up again. “That’s right. There’s no need to hold yourself back with me.”
With that, she flickers the thin grey strip of her tongue over my clit so fast that it’s practically vibrating. The sound of her wet lapping mixes with my moaning, the noise of being thoroughly eaten out filling the dome as the fire pit crackles louder, growing along with my desire.
Soon my whole body is humming with the need for a release, my magic building alongside my pleasure. I writhe on the floor as her tongue snakes down to my slit and circles right back up to my clit before starting that torturous cycle all over again.
It’s been so long since my body has been exposed to my element, and I’ve been waiting forever to be touched like this.
A storm of magic builds inside of me, powered by the rush of attention, affection, and hot energy.
It breaks as I’m close to climaxing, and a roar of air wooshes around us as the flames in the fire pit jump halfway to the ceiling.
Oh no.
This can’t be happening. I cannot be burning everything when the Dragon Queen is so confident in her fire flooding technique.
Matty moves on top of me, the flames reflected in her eyes, turning them into two suns as she scoops me up in her claws and spreads her wings.
“You’re just getting a little excited, love,” she laughs and flies us up to one of the trapezes hanging on the ceiling.
She places me on the lower bar and grips the metal outside of my thighs, bracing me when it swings from the movement.
“But nothing’s going to stop me from licking you until you come. ”
Matty’s biceps bulge beneath her tunic as she pulls herself closer, burying her face between my thighs.
She brings me back to the edge of my orgasm, sparing no time to toss me over it as smoke swirls around my calves and her body.
I throw my head back as pleasure shatters through me, watching the grey plumes exit through the vents cut into the ceiling.
She licks me until my inner walls stop fluttering and throws her wings out to grab me around the waist. I fall into her arms, boneless, knowing she’s got me.
“Come on, little hellcat,” she says. “Let’s cool you down for a little bit.”
“Where are you taking me?” I ask, holding onto Matty’s neck.
“To the castle to get some proper shoes for your pitiful feet.” She dips me in her arms, and I squeal as she points her chin at my toes. “Look at those things. They look like they’ll snap off from a cold breeze.”
Our laughter and conversation is the only noise as we walk outside. The world is calm and sleepy beneath a blanket of untouched snow glistening in the dim early morning light. It melts in puddles beneath Matty’s clawed feet as she carries me toward the Firecrag Fortress.
No portrait could do its size justice.
The dark rock structure extends out in both directions, its walls vanishing into a snow-capped forest as if it’s a part of nature, a conveniently-designed mountain.
I crane my neck to scope out the tower spires spearing up past the tallest trees.
The building is all harsh edges and sharp angles, but those are softened by thick red banners tied around towers, candlelit wreaths in frosted windows, and lush fir garlands woven through the battlements.
Tales of vicious monarchs have led me to believe that the castle walls would be covered in the skull and bone trophies collected from the dragons’ enemies, but the truth is that it’s decorated quite sweetly, with shiny tinsel and silver bells that chime in the breeze.
It’s rather heartwarming.
“There’s a private entrance this way. We should be able to get inside without too many people crowding us,” Matty says, greeting another golden dragon standing guard near a side building. “Everyone will have a million questions, and I want you all to myself for a while.”
I’m sure she doesn’t want anyone important to see her canoodling with one of her flings, but I appreciate how polite she’s being, coming up with an excuse to avoid hurting my feelings.
We’re a few yards away from the entrance when I feel her stiffen. I follow her gaze to the blue dragon streaking through the sky.
“This is inconvenient,” she mutters as the enormous creature shifts into a winged man and swoops down to meet us.
“Your Majesty,” he greets her, dusting snowflakes from his black suit jacket.
His voice is familiar. I recognize him as the dragon who carried the chest away with Matty.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you. The council is still wondering what possessed you to skip your scheduled meetings to run off with the witch who set your throne room on fire last night. ”
He gives me a pointed look, and Matty raises me in her arms like she’s showing off a fancy dish. “Daniel, this is Brigid,” she says. “Brigid, this is Daniel, my cousin.”
“How do you do?” I wiggle my fingers in a shy wave. It’s awkward to be caught out here like this—sneaking around with mussed hair and glowing skin after a tryst—but I’m with the Dragon Queen, and I’ll never see this man again. His opinion doesn’t matter.
In a few days, he’ll probably forget I even exist.
He ignores me anyway, turning his attention to Matty.
“That doesn’t exactly explain who she is or how she got here.
If I recall correctly, you were alone in the throne room when I left you to open the Royal Chest.” The pale blue scales on his forehead bunch up in a frown, but it somehow makes him look more amused than concerned.
“Is there a chance she used an invisibility spell to sneak in? Could she have bewitched you?”
“She didn’t cast a spell. I’m not bewitched,” Matty clips out. “She was in the Royal Chest.”
“She was in the chest,” Daniel says to himself, then sniffs the air, his cobalt eyes darting between us. His jaw unhinges to add something, but Matty shakes her head.
“Hmm.” He swallows his words at her silent command, feigning a cough into his hand. “Well. That’s interesting.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Matty takes a step toward the castle’s entrance.
“Anyways, I’m spending the day with Brigid.
Would you be a dear and fetch someone to bring a dress up for her?
Oh, and while you’re at it, please tell the council I’ll see them at the ball tomorrow evening.
I need some time away from court before every aspect of my love life is subjected to public scrutiny. ”
“You can’t do that,” Daniel sputters. “What about all of the noble families who are visiting? They’re chomping at the bit to talk to you before the event.”
“They’ll have to wait,” she responds. “Aren’t you always telling me to take a break?”
“Yes, but I don’t mean right now.” He throws his arms out. “Not with these feral nobles vying for your attention. You can’t leave me alone with them!”
“I’m sure you can handle this,” Matty calls back as the guard opens the door. “Have I told you you’re my favorite cousin lately?”
Daniel folds his arms over his chest. “Well, you’re not mine. You’ve been demoted to third place. Below Raven and Anthony.”
“Raven? Have you forgotten about that one summer when she destroyed your miniature model of the Wing City?”
Daniel grunts. “Fine. You're my second-favorite cousin, then, but you’re definitely worse than Anthony.”