The Dragon's Consort

Chapter 13

ZARA

She hadn't realized she'd fallen asleep, but she had awoke on the same bed as last night. Zurden stood at the foot of the bed, a stupid smile on his face. She then realized she had never rebound her breasts, thank the gods they were hidden under her shirt and jacket.

She went to sit up, but a harsh pain pounded in her eyes and she let out a guttural snarl. Hissing she held her head, even as the morning light that poured through cracks in the walls burned her eyes. Was this what being hungover felt like? She'd have to reconsider ever drinking again.

She hadn't realized how beautiful he was. Or maybe she had just forgot. But how could she let herself forget? He remained a tanned pillar of regal masculinity enveloped in a layer of magnificent muscle. His face was more refined than the rest of the rugged males in the brotherhood.

"Morning princeling, how was your night?" he chuckled. There was an odd glow to his presence, looked as if he had just walked out an old painting. There were stories of how dragons had life and energy breathed into them everytime they lay with another, but she had dismissed it as old wives tales. Perhaps there was some truth to it. Not to mention the fact that he was not hungover in the slightest.

Zara just groaned, rolling so that her face was hidden in the various feather pillows. She felt a sharp pull at her ankles, until they hung off the bed, Zurden had a shit-eating grin. Did he just manhandle her?

"Get up before I drag you out of bed," he chuckled.

She huffed, sitting up, and once again realizing her breasts were unbound, "give me a moment."

"One moment, then I'm dragging you out," he smirked. She growled, and he just ignored her, making a large deal of slamming the door shut.

She quickly took of her shirt, and found the bindings, and started tightly wrapping it around her. She gasped when she got to her left ribs, she vaguely remembered falling off the table a few times, must've broken a rib. Her natural healing slowed by the alcohol. She looked down to see a deep purple bruise. She finished binding her chest, before inspecting the rest of her.

There were bruises all over her knees and elbows, and when she looked to the large mirror hidden in the corner of the room, she saw an odd mark on her neck. What did she do at that damn bar?

She then got herself redressed, even as her skull complained. Her clothes reeked of yesterday; of humans and ale and brothels. They were also covered in dirt stains, and she looked like a rabid beast.

She somehow pulled herself from the bed and made her way out the door, where Zurden clapped her on the back, before guiding her out of the building. It was far emptier now, she guessed that the brotherhood were the only customers allowed to spend the night. Perhaps the fact they'd grossly overpaid.

Her eyes burned as Zurden paraded her down the streets, and she hissed in the sunlight like a cursed undead found caught in the day. He just laughed at her, before shoving her into the inn where she knew they'd stashed Kev the night before.

He sat her down at a large circular table, the entire brotherhood gathered around it, all pictures of robust health, glowing with power. All except Qaris, who had stayed behind with Kev. But he didn't need an additional boost of strength, he was already a pillar of pure masculinity. She wasn't sure she wanted to see him any stronger.

They all stared Zara down, a silent agreement between them not to say a word. Kano and Illy giggled, eyes darting to the odd mark on her neck. She eyed their matching ones right back. Was there a blood sucking demon that had a penchant for attacking drunk dragons?