The Noblewoman's Bargain with a Dragon - Chapter 4

Later that evening, Emilia was finally able to relax for the first time that day. She had been on edge from the moment she fled Granitehall right up until the moment Lord Xathias met with her. But knowing that Xathias was willing to offer her safe harbor had certainly assuaged her nerves somewhat.

Not entirely of course. Her thoughts still dwelled on Lucien. She could not even imagine what horrors he was currently being faced with, trying to defend their home from the invading orcs. Part of her felt guilty being even in a safe stronghold while he was out there fighting. It made her feel impotent, knowing that she could do nothing more than what she had already done in evacuating her people from Granitehall. As well as what she was attempting now.

Lord Xathias had not been quite what she was expecting. The tales she’d told him had prepared her for the possibility of a monster who she half expected to eat her outright, let alone hear her out. Instead, he’d proven himself surprisingly cordial. It shattered her expectations toward the elusive dragons in general.

Even if he was still not outright agreeing to aid her and Lucien’s cause. Putting aside her own frustration, she couldn’t exactly blame him. He had been right; what she asked of him offered him very little benefit. Truth be told, it wasn’t as if she and Lucien had coffers overflowing with gold, even before the invasion.

Still, she appreciated the warm sanctuary she found herself in. Looking around the guest bedchamber that had been set up for her, Emilia couldn’t help but be impressed. She found herself sleeping in a large bed with lavish violet-colored sheets that matched Xathias’ chest scales. The chamber was also complete with her own bathtub and a balcony, even if the surrounding landscape of the valley left much to be desired as far as picturesque views were concerned.

She heard a knock at her door. Emilia sat up from the bed, wrapping her blue gown around herself. Feldham had been kind enough to provide her more clothing aside from what she’d worn for her journey. She did not know where the gowns and dresses came from considering the noticeable lack of any other women in the castle, but she wasn’t about to question Feldham on it.

“Come in,” Emilia said.

Feldham entered the chamber, carrying a plate of food. The older man smiled and bowed to her politely. “Good day, Lady Emilia. I hope I am not intruding.”

Emilia smiled and shook her head. “Of course you aren’t, Feldham. Thank you.”

“I brought you breakfast, milady. May I?”

Emilia nodded, and Feldham set down the plate onto the nearby table. Tying the sash of her gown around herself, Emilia walked up to the table. She was impressed at the spread of cured meats and fruit that had been prepared.

“Oh Feldham…this looks wonderful. I must admit I’m a bit hungry after the journey. May I?”

“Of course, milady. You do not need my permission.”

Upon hearing this, Emilia quite ravenously began tearing into the plate in an unladylike manner, having barely eaten in two days. Feldham had a glimmer of amusement on his face, but she could not bring herself to care.

When she had eaten a few bites she looked back at Feldham, thanking him again. “If I might ask, milady. Do you feel you made an impression on my master?”

Emila set aside the plate, brushing a blond hair from in front of her face. “I suppose he would’ve thrown me out if I had made a bad impression.”

Feldham smiled. “Perhaps. Perhaps not.” The servant began clearing away her plate now that she’d finished her meal. “And what else?”

She rubbed the back of her neck. “I was not expecting him to be so…” Emilia began, looking away sheepishly before she could finish.

“To be so…?” Feldman asked.

“...to be so small. For a dragon, I mean.”

Feldham blinked and then began laughing. “That is not his true size, milady.”

“It isn’t?”

Feldham shook his head. “He is much larger. He chose this form to be less…intimidating for you.”

“That was less intimidating?” Emilia asked with disbelief. “He towers over even the burliest human man I’ve ever seen. How are you not intimidated by him, Feldham?”

Feldham stroked his goatee. “I suppose I was in the beginning. But he makes it clear where he stands with you.”

“Just as he did with King Lorath?”

Feldham looked at her, surprised. “Ah, so you have heard the stories. King Lorath wounded my master deeply all those centuries ago. Lord Xathias could’ve reduced Lorath’s entire kingdom to ash, but he chose to spare his life and make peace instead. That should give you some idea of his temperament.”

Emilia hesitantly nodded. “I suppose I will find out. In the meantime, I am grateful for his hospitality. And for yours, Feldham.”

Feldham bowed. “Think nothing of it.” He retrieved the plate he’d given her and walked toward the door. “Lord Xathias will join you shortly. In the meantime, you may make use of our hot springs for a morning bath, if you’d like. I’ve already taken the liberty of leaving some clothing there for you.”

“Hot springs? In the castle?” Emilia asked with disbelief. The modest estate that she and Lucien had built at Granitehall did not have such things, nor did the home she’d lived in before her marriage. Her father’s treason had made her a noble in name only, for most of her upbringing. She could’ve had it much worse, but she was hardly familiar with many luxuries anymore than many of the common folk were.

“Indeed. Within the mountain that Darkhold Castle is built into. Quite a marvel, I must say. You may find it down the corridor and then one flight of stairs down to the next level. Would you like me to bring you?”

Emilia nodded as she put on a pair of slippers that had been left out for her. “That is quite generous, thank you, Feldham.”

He smiled and nodded, leading her from her chamber and down the winding corridors. As he led her, the noblewoman watched the older gentleman with keen interest as he walked in front of her gracefully with his arms tucked behind his back.

“Feldham. May I ask you something personal?”

“Of course, Lady Emilia.” He kept his pace as they talked.

“What is your story, Feldham? I mean no offense, but it is rather unusual, is it not? A lone human man serving a dragon.”

Feldham stopped and turned to face her. Emilia was worried for a moment that she had crossed a line. “My apologies…you don’t need to answer that.”

He put a hand up reassuringly. “It’s quite alright, milady.” He ran a hand through his salt and pepper hair. “The truth is, I was the sole survivor of my family. My village was burned to the ground by raiders. I found my way here, and Lord Xathias took me in. He saved my life, and gave me purpose.”

Emilia listened to this, looking at him sympathetically. “It seems you and I may have something in common.”

Feldham nodded with a sad expression. “I do believe your husband is still alive, Lady Emilia. He has not suffered the same fate as my family, not yet.” Emilia looked away, fear tugging at her heart at the thought of Lucien. Feldham noticed this and quickly changed the subject. “In any case, I owe Lord Xathias a life debt that can never be repaid. So I continue to offer my service.”

Emilia processed this for several moments, rubbing her hands together. “And…if you wished to leave?”

“Then Lord Xathias would allow me to.”

Emilia looked skeptical, but slowly nodded. “Thank you for telling me that, Feldham.”

The servant smiled and bowed. “Come. The hot spring is just ahead.”

Feldham took her down the small flight of stairs he’d mentioned earlier, and it opened up into a cavern that was carved into the mountain itself. Emilia was taken aback by the sight. Sure enough, the cave was lined with several steaming pools and the walls of the cave were composed of a dazzling obsidian not all that dissimilar from Lord Xathias’ scales. The light reflected off of the obsidian stone walls, giving off a beautiful and serene aesthetic.

“Amazing,” Emilia said breathily. If only Lucien could be there to see something like this with her.

“Is it not?” Feldham replied. “My master would spend a great deal of time here. Though not as often these days.”

Emilia looked at the steam permeating from the pools. “Feldham…is it truly safe for me to bathe in these pools? A dragon surely would not be bothered by it, I imagine. But what about me?”

Feldham smiled. “It is perfectly safe, I can assure you. I know this because I have bathed in them myself. The pools are hot, but soothingly so. You will see for yourself. I took the liberty of leaving out a change of clothing for you for when you are finished. May you be needing anything else?”

Emilia shook her head. “No, thank you, Feldham. I very much appreciate this.”

He nodded. “Enjoy your bath, Lady Emilia.” With that, he turned and left the chamber, leaving Emilia alone.

Now alone, Emilia hesitantly kicked off her slippers and slowly shrugged her gown from her shoulders. Though she knew she was alone, she was in an unfamiliar castle with nobody familiar there to help her. And though Feldham seemed to be a trustworthy sort, she could not help but be cautious. Lucien would’ve likely advised her to act the same.

Her gown fell to her feet, leaving her naked. She stepped out of the gown and walked up the surface of the pool. She gulped, seeing the steam coming off of the water. Feldham had assured her that the water would not harm her, and indeed the water did not look like it was at boiling temperatures. She doubted this was all some elaborate scheme to deceive her and get her to burn herself, but she couldn’t help her feeling of trepidation.

Slowly, she extended her pale, slender leg downwards, dipping her toe into the water. Emilia let out a sigh when she felt that the water was hot, but not scalding. Emilia took a deep breath as she lowered herself into the hot pool. Already she could feel herself relax and some of her worries melt away from such a luxury. This was leagues above a simple bath in a wooden tub with water drawn from a well.

The noblewoman let out a long sigh as her body was soothed by the hot pool. She settled into a small rock crevice within the pool, akin to a seat. She leaned her head back, her long blond hair draping over the ledge of the pool.

As she soaked herself in the water, she thought back to Lucien. Not of his current struggle, but of the last night they’d shared before hell had arrived at the borders of their province. She and her new husband had made love like they never had before. He had used his mouth on her like he had done many times before, making her toes curl as his tongue dipped in and out of her sex, his eyes peering up at her all the while. She did not know where he had acquired this skill prior to marrying her, and she was not about to ask. Either way, she was reaping the benefits, being given purposeful pleasure in the form of a sex act that had been completely unknown to her prior to marriage.

She had then returned the favor to him, taking his length sweetly into her mouth. It was an act she was still new too, but she could not deny how enjoyable she was starting to find it. Especially fresh off of a climax given to her by Lucien’s talented mouth. Drawing masculine grunts and moans of pleasure out of her war hero husband had given her a feeling of power and satisfaction in itself. And she was beginning to understand why he did the same thing to her each time they bedded each other.

Their night of passion had, naturally, culminated in him pushing himself inside of her, the passionate kisses muffling their moans as their hips moved together. Aside from the initial pain of her defloration on her wedding night, she had fully grown to not only accept his cock inside her, but also enjoy it. The sensations he was able to draw from her each time he pumped himself in and out were a thing of beauty.

During that last night, they’d made love in several different positions; Lucien had begun exposing her to more recently. Her personal favorite with him was on her side, her dainty leg raised up and her back pressed against her chest while he slid in and out of her. That was how their night of passion had ended, with her climaxing again and him filling her with his seed. They had thoroughly tired each other out in the best way possible, their naked bodies glistening with sweat. Neither of them were clairvoyant, but it was as if they knew that it could have been their last night together for a long time, and they had made love accordingly.

Although her thoughts still dwelled on how scared she was for her husband, the memories of her last night of blissful intercourse with him came to the forefront. And it was beginning to have an effect on her. She felt herself growing wet beneath the surface of the water.

Though there was a risk of Feldham returning at any moment, Emilia reached down beneath the water and began to touch herself. She didn’t know what prompted this. Perhaps the sheer need to cut loose and relieve some of her own tension. Or perhaps she had simply become accustomed to such pleasures. Lucien kept her well satisfied on a regular basis, and this only made her yearn for him even more.

As she pressed her finger into her pussy beneath the water, and closed her eyes and imagined Lucien’s handsome brown hair bobbing back and forth between her thighs as his tongue worked its magic on her. She curled her finger, dipping it in and out of her own sex while she bit her lip, imagining that her own finger was Lucien’s cock. It could not compare to the real thing of course, but just imagining being filled by her husband’s member was making her more and more aroused.

“Mmm…Lucien…” she whispered with bated breath. Her arm moved back and forth beneath the steaming water as she fingered herself. Her thoughts went to Lucien fucking her at a nice, smooth pace on her hands and knees. It was such a tawdry position, and one that she had come to enjoy a great deal. His toned hips - chiseled from many battles - clapping against her pert bum as he spread her open with every thrust. The thought of it was bringing her to a scandalously quick climax.

“Oh…gods…yes,” she sighed as she reached her peak. The water kicked up and splashed around her slightly in the throes of her orgasm. The hot bath combined with her sweet release both succeeded in giving her a feeling of contentment that she had been craving, albeit briefly.

“Lady Emilia?”

Emilia’s eyes snapped as she heard a familiar, deep voice from the entrance of the cavernous chamber. “L- Lord Xathias?!” She quickly extracted her finger from her sensitive pussy. Instinctively, her arm moved up to cover her breasts.

“May I speak with you?” Emilia could hear the dragon’s voice but did not know where it was coming from.

Emilia blushed, looking around the room. “I am not decent, my lord.”

“I have urgent news about your husband. I can come back later.”

Emilia’s eyes widened. “No! No, please…I just…one moment!” She considered getting out of the pool, but did not wish to dry herself and don her gown again. Given that there was news of Lucien, she did not have the patience for that anyway. Instead, she opted to simply sink herself a bit deeper into the pool so that her breasts were submerged and hidden beneath the surface, her naked shoulders and head the only thing visible about the water. “You may enter now, my lord.”

She heard the sound of footfalls echoing through the room, drawing closer and closer until Lord Xathias stood before her again. The towering draconic lord looked at her in the pool, smiling. She was feeling very exposed and vulnerable, with him towering above the pool and above her, and her being completely nude. Even if he could not clearly see any of her naked body submerged in the bubbling pool, she still couldn’t help but feel as though he could see everything.

“Good morning, Lady Emilia. You look positively glowing today, if I may say so. The hot springs are quite relaxing, are they not?”

Emilia gulped, clearing her throat. “Oh, yes. The…pool is very relaxing, Lord Xathias. Thank you.” She hoped that he had not heard the sound of her climaxing. Try as she might to muffle her own noises, she had no idea how precise a dragon’s hearing was. She blushed with embarrassment, hoping he wouldn’t catch on. “What news do you bring?”

Xathias crossed his arms behind his back. “Your husband and his regiment have established a defensive position at Carver’s Mill.”

Emilia blinked. She wasn’t even going to question how the dragon knew all this. “Carver’s Mill? That’s only thirty miles from Granitehall,” Emilia said, putting a hand to her mouth. “And the orcs?”

Xathias stroked his chin with a claw. “From what I can gather, the bulk of the main force is engaging your husband and his force at Carver’s Mill. Elsewhere, bands of orcs are ravaging the outlying villages.”

Emilia paled, looking down at the bubbling water of the spring. In that moment, even it wasn’t capable of soothing her any longer. “How long do you think he can last?”

The dragon sat himself down on a sheet of bedrock, looking across at her. “He’s in a fairly defensible position. He has placed his men at the end of a narrow pass. Any orcs that come into the pass will die in large numbers to get to him.” This gave Emilia a brief moment of hope before Xathias continued. “However, orcs are brutal and ruthless by nature. And they come in large numbers this time. Your husband may hold out for a time, but he will eventually be overwhelmed without allies.”

Emilia took several moments to process this. The fact that her husband was still alive was a relief, but knowing that he and his men were facing nearly the entire orcish invasion force on their own was terrifying, to say the least. Where was the royal army?! Why had the king not sent a force to help them yet?!

“Is there any hope for him and his men?” Emilia asked softly, a crestfallen expression on her face.

The black dragon gave her a look of sympathy. “I don’t know Sir Lucien, my lady. But he seems to be a capable strategist from what I’ve seen. Resourceful.”

Emilia nodded unconvincingly. She knew that the odds were stacked against him, even if he would do better than most.

“Lady Emilia,” Xathias said, getting her attention again. She prepared herself for more bad news, ready to fall into complete despair at her inability to do anything to save Lucien from his fate. His next words, however, came as a complete shock to her. “I have decided to help you and your husband.”

Emilia gaped at him, nearly at a loss for words. “You…have?!”

Xathias nodded at her.

“What made you change your mind?”

Xathias sat and contemplated for several moments. “Let us just say that I know what it’s like, my dear. The type of loss that you face.”

Emila sat back against the bedrock behind her, unable to hide the smile she had on her face.

“There are several conditions, Lady Emilia. I cannot fight this war for you.”

Emilia nodded. This was understandable. Truthfully, she didn’t see this invasion coming to an end unless the king sent an army. It may even require their elf allies to send support as well.

“And I will only venture out at night, when I have the advantage. The darkness is no hindrance to me. I intend to strike where the orcs are weakest; the outliers. In doing so, that might divert attention away from your husband. I will begin tonight. Is that satisfactory?”

Emilia eagerly nodded. “Yes, Lord Xathias. You have no idea what this means to me. H- how can I ever repay you for this?”

Xathias smiled. “I will think of something.”