Surfacing Ch. 39

Her thoughts churned as her lower belly tightened in desire the longer she inhaled his scent. *I can't. I shouldn't. I should leave. Even if it balanced anything, would I be tempted to say nothing if he did not Wake? Would I choose to get away with it without his knowing? Or would he know and I would have to confess, as I haven't yet confessed to him about Isboern back in the Manalar prison...?*

Jael whimpered, her heart pounding. She looked around, felt the threat in the wall at her back. The Ward was still there, and Auslan wasn't here to touch her, to try what they'd just done again. She swallowed.

*Uh-oh. How do I get back out?*

*******

The Dragonchild had called the Lord of Ice Heart here, and Indrath was willing to bargain in a place no one without Morix's particular mix of blood had been allowed to go. Now the To'vah-krav was required to make clear what he wanted to buy, and Indrath would make clear what it was worth to him to trade it away.

"Son of Lethrix, what do you seek from your kin in this penultimate of Birthright Dreams?"

It was hard to concentrate on exactly what that was. Morix's genitals were still heavy from the presence of Indrath's Daughter and Heir. Not just a witness, she sought to be a distraction, a temptation, or a pressure on his temper, any of which would benefit her Lord-Father. Her unspoken invitation, her poise, ownership, and comfort in her own nudity told him she was used to males blaming her for their own lack of control...and she taken advantage of those weak moments many, many times before.

"You hesitate, Dragonchild," she said with a slow, hypnotic smile. "My Lord-Father has opened negotiation."

Her voice was lovely, and her scent was stronger as she moved her hips, smearing feminine fluid over her dark, swollen netherlips. If she touched him, or tried to force her will on him, it would be such a mistake...

Yet Kran stood in protection of her, and it was Morix looking at him—at the Human Yungian servant who had walked beside him all this way—which reminded Morix why he was here.

*Do you serve her by choice? Is she worthy of your loyalty...?*

A slave would be afraid of speaking against the worthiness of his mistress, but there was no fear at all in Kran standing beside her.

There was only love.

Morix rumbled softly, assuring his spines lay flat and any thoughts of either sex or violence against the naked female were banished from his mind. Either was beneath him.

*Because I am to protect her, as I protect what is important to this world...*

He shook his head, unfamiliar with the thought.

*It is...not that simple.*

"So he has, Lady Indra," Morix said, his voice rougher for the erection that remained, and seemed to be growing yet he did not understand why. "I..."

She was watching him, admiring him. Her own clawed fingers reached to lightly comb through her deep purple curls, dipping between moist labia.

"Do you need release first, Morix, to clear your head for the bargaining?"

Though Lord Indrath chuckled—very softly—and that offer stung in its own way as it sounded like a good idea, again Morix would not allow himself to grow fearful or angry. He reminded himself that this Fey'ri's primary goal was not to seduce him but to keep him from digging deeper into Miurag's history. She did not want this Dragonchild learning more about Ice Heart and Vintern Hjem, about her Father's secrets.

Indra's own desires were no more than a frank appreciation for the size of his cock in his Dream form. He knew she would willingly kneel down or bend over, would move her barbed tail to one side and enjoy a good coupling—and all the advantage her Lord Father gained from it—if Morix himself gave in and mounted her.

The Lady's aura was tempting but no threat as a potential bond-mate—not as Queen Innathi's had been, and he recalled how she had delighted in making him very angry. Morix could tell the difference now; he could even still feel the pull of Jael's claim over anything the Devilblood coaxed within him. It would always be Jael he wanted between the two.

Indrath's Daughter, he told himself, was not here to attempt to rape him. She would abide by the rules, understanding that the Ice Lord did not want to make this To'vah-krav into an enemy, and Kran...? He was here to protect his Mistress, as he'd been doing for decades already. Anything more threatening was an insubstantial shadow; it was Morix fearing his own judgement and giving up his power to them. He could not judge them in return for being willing to accept it if he gave it away.

Yet, still. He was not in a frame of mind he trusted to deal with one as powerful and dangerous, and manipulative, as the Ice Lord. While he struggled, he was sure Father and Daughter had been exchanging their own thoughts on the matter without a word spoken aloud between them.

"A pity 'it' cannot be part of the discussion," Indrath spoke, his voice laced with charm and friendliness. "We might have been able to help untangle some of this, Morix, so we know where we stand."

"I will not retract that condition," he replied tightly.

"I was not asking that you do so. I hazard to say, however, that you may not have much time before you are Called Awake."

The thought filled him with dismay, and he knew it could be true. If it happened before they made a Bargain, he would have failed, then. Soul Drinker would still need to be hidden away, starved and ignored, until he could try again—if the Ice Lord could even be coaxed to come to deal again. Lord Indrath would certainly be better prepared, and what if some other Change prevented Morix from ever trying again? He did not truly know what the next five years or decade or more would bring. Ever since Sirana had surfaced, the Changes had been coming quickly.

"I seek Soul Drinker's True Name," Morix stated, opening the Bargain though he also noticed how Indra nonchalantly tweaked a nipple, how she allowed her magic to flow and fill the chamber.

Lord Indrath smiled slightly, raising a brow. "To what purpose?"

"There is only one purpose for such knowledge among Dragons."

"But you are not a Dragon, Morixxyleth. You would be vulnerable to corruption if I gave you such knowledge. Likewise, perhaps I am not ready to have the Dragons remove one of my pieces in such a way."

"The red rune dagger would remain on Miurag as it was when it arrived," the Dragonchild said, a deepening ache rising in his crotch. "It is the Eternal Hunger, the Heart bound by you to this realm as the gatekeeper to the Elsewhere...this is this demon which is not welcome."

Indrath frowned slightly. "By whose judgment?"

"By that of my blood, extending the moment Cris-ri-phon gave Soul Drinker to Queen Innathi," Morix said, the frustration of his loins adding more force to his voice as he turned to fully face the Lord, looking down at him as they all stood in a triangle to the darkness.

"Not just the Dragons of my blood," he continued, "but the Elves. House D'Shauranti of the Blade Singers and House Ja'Prohn of the Royal Guard, each supporting and protecting the Queendom of the Red Sands. I ask this is on behalf of all the Baenar who accepted mixed blood long before the Noldor, embraced mixed families *you* likely had a hand in creating, Lord of the North and Son to the Tilabil."

Morix's heart pounded, and his breath wanted to shake when he wasn't speaking aloud. He made one more statement for what he sought in this journey of his spirit.

"I Bargain now to make it my task, and mine alone, to expel this imbalanced, unquenchable source of destruction. I will do this to prove to my Fathers and Grandfathers I am worthy to stand in their Council one day. It will heal part of what's happened here, and the relic will no longer plague the Dark Elves as some return to the Surface."

The Ice Lord listened, his eyes shimmering a crystalline white, and Morix detected a willfully granted excitement in hearing what he'd said.

"You speak this to me freely, and with intent," Indrath mused, tilting his head with his red-bronze arms crossed over his sculpted chest. "The Baenar are soon to return? Are you sure?"

Yearning pleasure gathered low in his gut, yet still Morix nodded, trembling from the passion of his Words coupled with the unwieldy state of his aura so near an attractive and willing female.

"Within decades, they will," he said. "Sirana succeeded. Ishuna and Innathi are finally accepted within Miurag's embrace, the Spider Queen's suffocating web burned, Her Agent denied sanctuary even in the Underdark."

Several lines and curves in the Ice Lord's form seemed to soften as he bowed his horned head thoughtfully.

"I see. You have addressed my concerns without being coy, Morix, you have only to hear my price for such knowledge." His eyes slid over the black Dragon's body, as intimate and admiring as his Daughter's. "But then, you do not have time to be coy, do you? Something is happening in the Waking world. Isn't it?"

********

Jael couldn't get near the wall without feeling sick—she'd done something to it, to the protections, perhaps—and she couldn't hear Auslan. She didn't even know if he was still there, or if he could hear her as she'd tried to call for him over a quarter hour.

In that time she had realized there was not any water or food in this den at all; nowhere to eliminate waste, nowhere to wash...it was clear Morix was in true hibernation. He wasn't "living" here; none of the usual requirements for spending any amount of time awake were present. She might as well be stuck in a pit in the middle of a forest, waiting for someone to find her before something came along to eat her.

Auslan would get help. Someone knew where she was.

And yet...the one signal that her mate may be able to respond to her—that erection which had not diminished and remained so tempting—brought her closer to his bed for comfort. His scent became stronger, better, as she lay down beside him, taking to her side to face him, close enough to trace his patchy, scaled skin with her fingers.

She kept going back and forth about touching him in his Sleep. Would he be angry with her, or feel violated? Would it give him the release he seemed to need? Did he want her to be cautious and let him handle everything...?

Or did he want her to made some choices on her own, so be it the consequences?

Jael knew which one Sirana would have chosen in the Sisterhood. Not even a year as a novice, her older Sister had asked Elder D'Shea for forgiveness over permission, more than once. Qivni had often talked about that.

Jael's hand was bare, and tentatively she reached out to touch his stiff prick. Lightly. The Sleeping Dragonblood shuddered on a long, slow exhale; just barely. He smelled good, and she just wanted a taste...

Scooting herself down on her side, pushing coins and gems along the way in a jingle of sound, Jael positioned herself so that Morix's beautiful, large cock could be mashed between her pert breasts if she got close enough. She remained clothed for now, however, and reached out again to take the scalding, turgid member between her bare hands, cradling it and sighing in a small tingle of ecstasy as their auras met.

*Oh my Goddess...Oh my fucking...! Yes...I've missed you.*

Jael leaned forward, opening her mouth to stick out her tongue. She gently ran it along the underside of his erection, warm spice and unbathed musk filling her nose and mouth, making her drool as she brought her lips forward in a kiss just beneath the triangular crown. The Sleeping Dragonblood twitched, his breath paused for a moment; the end of his tail flicked, just once, shifting a gold piece from its place.

*He knows I'm here?* she thought—she hoped—so excited.

Her breath shuddered as well as she licked her lips and prepared for a deeper taste, as she tugged on his organ tenderly with both hands, watching a drop of pearly pre-cum forming at the tip. She leaned forward again to lick it off, the gooey-stretchy quality preparing her for the tingle on her tongue and that drugging rush of his magic when he was most like his Sire in his desires, when the restraints were loosened, and Jael saw those tantalizing hints of just how primal their fucking could get, if only...

If only he would let go!

*I'll ask forgiveness,* she thought, *I'll tell him, I won't keep it secret, we'll talk...I'll tell him about Manalar and the Godblood, too...*

Jael opened her mouth a lot wider and fit the head of his prick into her mouth, swirling her tongue around the fragrant, salty head as her lips tightened down. She sucked, tasted, pulled him out through lips reluctant to release him, and the moan she "heard" was felt within her jawbone rather than tantalizing her keen, pointed ears.

*Yessss,* she moaned to herself, jerking him, marveling at the texture sliding between her palms as she sucked and slurped with more confidence, more enthusiasm, as Morix's pre-cum continued to seep out of his wonderful cock, giving her taste after taste until her entire mouth tingled and burned a little from the potent magic.

She loved it.

Jael took one hand away from her work to impatiently loosen and push down her work-out bottoms, writhing on the coins as her hips and bottom were exposed, her skin pressing flush against the Dragon hoard without barrier. As Jael opened her legs with need, her pants around her knees, she gasped as it felt as though wispy, invisible fingers were stroking and prodding at her most delicate skin, as if the treasure itself had an aura it might use to spread her, to penetrate her...

*Ohhhhh...!* she cried inside her mind, arching her back and maintaining her silence in the quiet den... but only because she couldn't wait to get her mate's cock back inside her mouth, as far back as it would go.

She'd suck him until he shot his cream straight down to her belly. She'd frantically rub herself the entire time. She didn't mind facing how much of a whining, needful slit she was, she kind of liked it! No one could see her, no one would witness her squirming about like a blind kitten begging for milk. She had her mouth on what sustenance she needed and her fingers on that which would be ready for him the moment he wanted to use it.

The moment he locked inside her and filled her with his magic five...or six!...times after such a long, long dry spell...

*I'm so thirsty!*

Less than what seemed a mere few moments of bliss, Morix's bulb had fully formed, his wings stretched and his white spines extended out as he quivered. His tail lifted, darted straight for her and coiled itself around one open thigh, the tip questing for her drooling snatch even as her fingers fully occupied it.

For a split instant, the world was perfectly still. She lay in suspension, and she had that minute chance, that bit of clarity to wonder what would happen now, given what she had done?

Then finally, finally, his cock started spurting. Thick, spicy cum coated and drained slowly down her throat, overflowing to drip off her lips and chin and onto his happy and cuddling hoard.

Jael could hear him, with her ears instead of her bones, as he growled, hissed...

As his aura surged, the Ward protecting his hoard broke.

And he opened one, golden eye.

*********

Morix had to sit down on his haunches despite the fact that only drew attention to what ailed him. He was trembling, and he couldn't look away from Indrath's eyes.

"What will you barter?" he asked the Ice Lord. "To give me this test. It will cost you nothing if I fail."

The Fey Lord hummed. "Not 'nothing,' I would say. All would depend on the 'how' of your failure. It always does. I would feel it regardless, much as I might wish otherwise, and if it corrupted you...? Quite a few on Miurag would have a significant problem on their hands."

"Yet I have chosen, and Lethrix left Soul Drinker to me."

"True. I do find that point most curious. Nothing need be done at all if the black dagger went into his hoard. It may never be heard from again." Indrath looked a little suspicious. "Was he given something else in its stead?"

"Is that your barter, Lord?" Morix asked, keeping his mind only on Indra's appealing scent as a defense, and after a pause the other chuckled.

"Ah, alas. No, it is not."

A roll of pleasure passed through him, and Morix groaned softly. Indrath and Indrath both took a step back as if surprised.

"Father?" she asked, breathy, as if she'd enjoyed Morix's aura pushing back against hers filling the chamber.

Indrath shook his head once in silent answer; it was not his doing. "So we must decide, my children, as your own Lady is not giving us the luxury of a full dance, though my Daughter has enjoyed herself thus far. Beyond enjoying various magical subtleties, however, I know what I would ask in exchange for what you seek, Morixxyleth."

"Great," he managed, his throat tightening, and he wasn't sure if he was able to listen to the fiendish trick within the phrase he knew was coming. He was on the cusp of climax without allowing anyone near him, and he could not see Indrath not taking full advantage in sealing the Bargain in the middle of it.

Abruptly, Kran spun in surprise, backed up a step and turned to spring into action. He take hold of Lady Indra, fully embracing her and jumped through the nearest shadow. Her Lord-Father did not protest, though Indra herself had cried at him, "Wait—!"

The next moment, the effects of her aura were disrupted and Morix could breathe a little easier. He and Indrath each fixed their eyes upon the shadow behind Kran, and watched as something rose up from some impossible depth. A creature darker than shadow and without any scent lifted itself soundlessly up. It had a silver dagger peace-bonded with bright red cord and wore a pale, jovial mask.

Indrath was frowning, well aware the balance had just shifted and could not be recovered. Still, he bowed regally to the messenger.

"Shae'goth," he acknowledged. "You are late to be claiming to answer any summons."

It bowed back, its mask almost making it look like it was smirking, or chuckling. It possessed other masks on its body, showing different emotions.

"The Mistress's contract with the Dragonchild's Guild is threatened by this," it said simply, the voice soft and sibilant.

"I have not said what I was to ask," Indrath replied smoothly.

"She knows what it was. Better it not be spoken." The Shae'goth's voice began to distort a bit, as if the voice came from a handful of other shadows as well. "Choose something else, says She, or you threaten as well any invitation from the Herald to the Ley Tower."

The Fey Lord growled softly—a first in Morix's presence—and lifted his chin proudly, looking up at the To'vah-krav.

"I told you once before of her," he said with a smile, "as devious among the best of us when she wants to be. Best refresh your mind of that agreement when you Waken, Elf-Son. Just a suggestion."

Morix could not give that niggling doubt even the barest of attention now.

"What do you ask for barter, Father of Elves, in exchange for Soul Drinker's True Name?" he repeated himself, grateful for the fog which had lifted in this moment.

Indrath glanced at the second witness, turning his head to locate his own. Lady Indra and Kran were farther up on the stairs now, listening carefully but keeping their distance from the Greylands assassin. He took a few moments to think of a new price, but did not delay unnecessarily.

"In exchange for Soul Drinker's True Name and for you, Morixxyleth, to be only one of two beings on Miurag able to silence, control, or exile the Heart demon within this Greylands relic," the Ice Lord began, his detail very precise as his ancient aura now swelled with power, preparing to make the agreement binding if accepted. "I want access to Tamuril's brother, Marikoth, Chancellor Priest to Queen Yivon of the Noldor worshipping 'The Husband.'"