The Ruby Empire

Astarot the Dragon

Female Reader x Male Monster

The dragon had long been dormant. For years the people in your village whispered that he would never come out again. Perhaps he had died. Or maybe he had never existed at all. Kids often played near the mouth of the cave, threatening and daring each other before they all scampered away scared.

Everyone in the village was content until the day the dragon woke. It was as if everything became frozen. People gazed and gaped as the dragon's shadow covered the village. He soared above the town, flying off into the distance. Once he was gone everyone scrambled. The elders met to discuss what to do. Everyone hid in their homes, children screamed, women wept. The men threatened to kill the dragon once he went back into his cave.

The elders agreed the best approach was to show the dragon that they wanted peace. Most villages often had dragons as protectors as long as they kept them appeased. As such, over the next few weeks the elders discussed what to do. Once a day the dragon soared overhead and later returned to his cave. Everyone cowered in fear. Worried that one day the dragon would decide flying so far was too tiring and instead attack the village.

One day, the elders emerged from their meetings and announced their solution. They would see if the dragon would take a girl from the village as trade for the security of the town. The town went silent, shocked by their decision and praying it wouldn't be their daughter or sister. You were alone in the village. You mother had died during childbirth and your father has passed away only a few years ago. You stepped forward, volunteering in order to spare the rest of the women in the village.

You were lauded a hero but everyone still looked upon you with sorrowful eyes. The Elders took you to the edge of the cave and they stepped back. You look inside, never having come this close before. Inside you can see the glow of fire. You also smell something warm and spicy. You take a deep breath and still your pounding heart. Your hands are shaking but you grip them until the knuckles turn white.

"Astarot," you call out the dragon's name.

There's a breeze that comes from the cave and the elders duck and hide. You hear breathing and then he stands in the entrance. He's massive, his dark scales glinting in the sunlight. He's well over ten feet tall. Then again, you've never really come across something like this. He lowers down his head and looks at you.

"Yes?" He growls.

You take deep, fast breaths. "In return for the safety of the village...I am yours."

He growls, tilting his head at you then gazing beyond you, seeing the elders quivering behind rocks. "Are you here of your own free will."

"Partially," you answer, the truth slipping out with fear. "I volunteered."

He snarls low and you whimper. He picks you up. "The village was never in any harm. But I will take what has been given to me." He says so the elders can hear. He turns away, carrying you inside his cave.

He sets you down inside on a pile of books and blankets. "You weren't forced?"

You shake your head. "They said they were going to give you a woman in the village. I'm alone so I figured no one would miss me."

He nuzzles to your cheek. "Fear not," he rumbles into your ear. "I don't eat humans. Your village was never in any harm from me."

You sniffle and nod.

"Hush," he touches your cheek with a gentle hand. "You're safer here with me than with those elders."

You wipe your eyes. "I'm just...I'm relieved," you hiccup.

Astarot turns and scoops a handful of fruit from the corner. He offers it to you. "Make yourself at home. I am actually grateful for the company."

You take a pomegranate and he squishes it open for you. "You are? I thought dragons were solitary."