Page 25 of In the Embrace of Dragons

Zephalatut-tuts as she heads to the door and opens it. On the other side is... Captain Ragnakor.

My heart leaps into my throat. We stare at each other, and slowly I get up out of the chair. The captain’s face is unreadable, as I’ve found it often is. Zephala arches an eyebrow as she glances between us.

“Queen Nissia,” Ragnakor says, bowing in greeting.

“Captain.” I’m genuinely surprised to see him here, as we haven’t exchanged a word since coming to Selvumrrest. “What can I help you with?”

“Well, I was hoping thatIcould helpyou. You said you like swordplay. You wanted to train.”

So he remembers the conversation we had, did he? I would never have guessed it happened at all.

“Yes. And you agreed to train me.”

“I thought I might invite you to a session, like I promised.” He speaks in a contrite tone, his shoulders hunched. “Perhaps tomorrow evening?”

The request takes me so aback that I simply stare at him, blinking. “Why?”

Ragnakor furrows his heavy brow. “Because I thought you might enjoy it. You said that it brought you pleasure, and you wanted to get better.”

“I do.” I peer up at the captain of the guard, all seven feet of him. What has changed between our trip to Selvumrrest and now? “Tell me, though. Are you playing a game of some kind with me, Captain?”

Behind me, Zephala gasps, and Ragnakor’s brows lift.

“A game?” he asks.

I stand up straight and huff out a breath. “First you are kind to me, keeping me company when I needed it. And then you are cold to me, speaking only the barest words. Now you’re being kind again. Pick one, will you?”

The captain opens his mouth as if to argue with me, but as his eyes search mine, he closes it again and sighs.

“The king is... difficult,” he says at length. “You understand that already, don’t you?”

I can’t disagree, so I nod.

“Then you’ll also understand why I tread cautiously, especially around his future bride. But now he has claimed you, so there is no reason why we can’t enjoy a friendly spar.”

I like the sound of a little jousting for fun, perhaps learning a few things from a much more talented fighter. What I don’t like the sound of is that King Vizariosclaimedme. He might have done... whatever it was with his scentglands, but he’s made it clear he doesn’t care for me as a person at all, and that there’s nothing between us.

I shouldn’t think about that right now. I have the opportunity to get out of this room, to make a friend again, and I won’t ignore that chance.

“All right.” I pull the last pin out of my hair and then let it all down, running my fingers through it. When I look up again, Ragnakor’s eyes are boring into me, his gaze suddenly intense. “I’ll train with you.”

He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. “Thank you for accepting my invitation, Queen Nissia. I look forward to working with you.” He bows. “Tomorrow after dinner?”

I nod agreeably. “My pleasure.”

And it will be my pleasure. The captain intrigues me. There’s something hiding under there, something I’m sure must be fascinating to learn. I wonder what it would take to uncover it.

RAGNAKOR

I never understood why humans have hair on their heads until I saw Queen Nissia dragging her fingers through hers with what can only be described as raw sexuality. I thought back instantly to how she had gripped King Vizarios like he was the last log of a raft splitting apart, her entire body rising and falling as he thrust into her.

I think she is a sensual creature, and it will perhaps make her a good sword fighter.

When I return to my own quarters, I finally pull off the last of my clothing and sit down on the edge of my bed. This time, though, I bid the memory of the throne room to theforefront. I’ve been craving release for hours now, and at last, I will grant it. I fist my hand around my cock, pulling the foreskin to the head and back, rubbing over all the bumps and ridges.

In the silence of the wardens watching, I can still hear the sound of the king sliding in and out of Queen Nissia, his balls slapping her ass, and it made a beautiful wet sound. My strokes grow faster as I picture it again, how he had pressed her down to the pillows and plundered her, his gaze sharp and focused.

I have never seen him so dominant, so powerful, and I’m squeezing harder now with every pump of my hand. His teeth grit, his claws gripping the side of the pedestal to keep himself rooted, and underneath him, Queen Nissia is moaning and crying out, her legs wrapped tight around his hips to bring him in even closer.