Waking the Dragon Ch. 01

Bane's hand flashed from the water, gripping Gwen's wrist in a tight vise. Gwen's eyes moved to Bane's face. Bane's eyes were narrowed in fury. "Don't go places you don't want to know, little girl," Bane snarled, pushing Gwen's hand away.

"I'm sorry," Gwen whispered, dropping her eyes to concentrate on the towel and soap at her side. She lathered the cloth and began scrubbing the grime of sweat and desert dust and blood away from the warrior's body. Bane watched the girl for a few minutes, anger still burning in the dark green depths. Certain that the girl would not resume her exploring, Bane again relaxed, though not as much as before. Gwen could feel the tension in the warrior's muscles where none had been before. The young girl moved the lather over the warrior's breasts and stomach and legs, even touching briefly the bald mound at the center of the Dragon's body.

As the bath began to lose its heat, Gwen helped Bane to rise. The young girl examined the wound, content that it would heal without bandages. She patted Bane's body dry. Bane allowed the gentle treatment, enjoying the pampering. The tenderness reminded Bane of Nyte. When Gwen finished, Bane went to the sack and pulled out a silk robe. The base color was sky blue and the multi-colored dragons in the design matched the mark on Bane's shield. A sash secured it around Bane's slim waist, folding the lapels together and hiding the hint of her breasts. Bane bent to give the wolf a little attention, not paying attention to Gwen's presence. "Are you always this quiet?" Gwen finally asked, unable to bare the weight of the silence.

"Aye," the Dragon answered. "The wolf doesn't need words to know what I am thinking." Bane stood, looking at Gwen. With the pain seeped out through the hot water, Bane had a fresh look. Green eyes softened until they were a hazel shade studied Gwen. Bane had come across girls being raped before. Gwen's strength was a testament to the girl's character. Gwen had not cowered, but had taken the initiative among her family members to show her appreciation to their rescuer.

The bodice of her simple smock was splattered with water. Bane's eyes lingered on the way the wet material clung to Gwen's curves. Gwen sensed a hunger emitting from Bane, though the warrior's expression never changed. Gwen felt a blush in her cheeks but did not attempt to cover herself. Instead, she reached up and unbuttoned the bodice, allowing the sleeves to slide down her arms. Her skin was dark from working in the fields with her father, but her large breasts were pale with pink nipples. She stood in the filtering sunlight, allowing Bane to drink the view. She felt excitement shoot through her as Bane's eyes darkened. Gwen found herself wishing that Bane would comment or at least smile in approval.

Embarrassed at her boldness, Gwen turned her back and pulled the bodice back into place, bending to take care of emptying the tub. When she turned back around, Bane was gone. The girl sat on the side of the bed for a moment, fighting her tears. She tried to tell herself that the tears were a culmination of the emotional turmoil of the day. When the soldiers had appeared that morning, she really had not expected her entire family to live through the day. However, Gwen knew her tears did not originate from the rape. The tears pooling in her eyes came from Bane's rejection.

Gwen pulled her emotions in order and hurried down the steps. The bodies had been removed from the front room and all traces of blood scrubbed away. Mother and her sister were in the kitchen, preparing a feast to honor the hero. Bane was outside with the wolf, the evening wind whipping long black hair to the side. Bane walked passed the barn toward the far field where Roane and Jem had dragged the five bodies. Bane helped them toss the last one into a deep pit and cover the five soldiers with straw. The farmer stuffed homegrown tobacco into the bowl of a clay pipe, lit it, and tossed the match onto the dry straw. Jem poked a stick into the straw, stirring the flame to a roaring blaze.

The trio watched the smoke rise above trees for a long time in silence. Jem's eyes kept moving to the Dragon in awe and worship. He squared his young shoulders in an effort to appear bigger and braver. Roane finished his pipe and tapped the ashes into the pit. "Why are you here, Dragon?" he questioned thoughtfully.

Bane studied the Forest, wondering how far away the nearest settlement was and if the neighbors would see the fire. Jem did not give the warrior an opportunity to answer. "Are you here to defeat the Queen?"

"Your Queen is no interest of mine, boy," Bane answered harshly. "I am only passing through."

Roane sighed, tucking his pipe into jacket. "We will need to work all night to clear the southern field. We can pile the stalks on top of the pit and have a reason for the fire. We'll use the harvest as our offering when more soldiers come to collect." He looked at Jem. "The first group was never here, and neither was the Dragon." Roane bowed to Bane. "Gwen will attend to all of your needs tonight."

Bane watched as Roane and Jem faded into the rows of corn. The fire continued burning, the flames licking at the clear sky. Bane lifted green eyes to the moon, breathing deeply of the scent and wondering if Nyte would make an appearance. Bane felt certain that the quest did not end here and did not know why they had been sidetracked by the soldiers and this family. The wolf seemed in no hurry to leave, so Bane trusted the guide. Bane had trusted the spirit of Nyte and the wolf for many years.

Only Gwen tended to the Dragon at the evening meal. They ate the meal in silence. Gwen sat to Bane's left, picking at her food and not looking into the Dragon's hypnotic green eyes. Bane enjoyed the cooked vegetables fresh from the fields and the fried chicken. Bane had heard Roane's wife throttle the chicken while Gwen had administered the bath. Gwen wrapped the leftovers and took them to the fields where Roane and the other women would spend the dark night stripping corn from the stalks. Jem would follow his family with the bloody sickle, slicing the stalks to the ground and dragging them to the bonfire.

Bane removed the kimono and laid it across the foot of the bed. Gwen folded it, her hooded eyes watching the naked warrior. The girl pulled the quilt away from the feather mattress, preparing the bed for the hero. Gwen again inspected the spot where the arrow had pierced the armor. Content the wound would continue to heal, Gwen backed away from the warrior, admiring the Dragon's glorious body. Her eyes again fell to the puckered scar on the left breast. Gwen felt more confident now that the mark was a brand. She had helped her father brand the calves one spring. She remembered clearly the crackle of the fire, the red glow of the R that claimed the herd, the cry of the babies, and the smell of searing flesh. She had been sick by the time it was finished and her father had never asked her to help again.

Someone had branded Bane. Someone had held the Dragon down and tried to place ownership on the warrior. The fierce fighter had been young when it had happened. Gwen decided that from the way the brand had healed. She tried to make out the shape of the brand, wanting to know who had held Bane still long enough to think they could possess the Dragon. Gwen did not have to bend far to steer her lips toward the stain. She puckered her lips, closing her eyes as she moved closer to the scar, thinking that this time Bane would allow the touch.

For a few brief moments, Bane was mesmerized by the wet lips of the young girl. Bane longed for Nyte's lips. Nyte's lips and Nyte's hands had been the only ones to ever touch the blemish. Bane could hear the familiar sounds of the castle, feel the pain of the fresh wound, and smell Nyte's natural scent of lilacs. Bane was hungry for a moment, but only for a moment. As Gwen's moist lips came closer, the present flooded Bane. The warrior placed strong hands on Gwen's shoulders, thrusting the teenager away, disgust burning in the deep green eyes.

Gwen stumbled backwards, lifting her blue eyes, feeling as if Bane towered above her. Her eyes were filled with fear and hurt. Just as suddenly as Bane had pushed the girl away, the warrior's hand grabbed the back of Gwen's neck, hauling the moist, pouting lips against the Dragon's. The kiss was vicious. Bane ground teeth and lips against Gwen's, drawing blood before their tongues entwined in an intimate duel. When Bane pushed Gwen away, the warrior's expression had not change. Gwen fell to her knees, her skirt billowing around her on the floor. The teen brought her fingers to her mouth, examining the blood on the tips. "How old are you, girl?" Bane demanded.

"Eighteen," she whispered, her breathing ragged. She took a deep breath and looked up at the Dragon. She could feel her young body yearning for Bane's attention, despite the wrath the girl saw burning in the Dragon. Her breasts were heaving as she gazed up Bane's naked body.

"Do you want to be in my bed, or do you feel obligated to be there?" Bane quizzed, still glaring at the girl.

Bane's black hair flowed around the warrior's body, framing the soft face and strong arms. Bane's eyes never wavered, unwilling to allow Gwen to look away. If Gwen looked away, Bane would not see into the girl's soul. Gwen could lie if Bane's eyes would release her. She could say that she felt obligated and Bane would send her away. She wouldn't have to give into the desires the day had created. Bane's eyes would not release Gwen, though. The warrior demanded the truth. "I want to be there," she answered in a hushed voice. Bane turned away, releasing the prisoner. Gwen dropped her eyes, her heart wrenched with the admission.

Bane sat on the edge of the bed, studying the girl. Her head was bowed, her brown hair hiding her face. "Come," Bane ordered. The anger was gone, but there was no tenderness in the tone, either. Gwen lifted her head, her eyes swollen with tears. Bane did not reach for the girl. The Dragon sat on the edge of the bed, face expressionless, waiting for the teenager to obey. Gwen rose to her feet, moving shakily forward until she stood only inches in front of Bane.

Bane's hands were steady as they opened the buttons of the simple bodice, peeling the material back to expose Gwen's breasts. Bane leaned forward, licking each of the nipples until they stood stiff and long. Bane's tongue circled the nipples, bathing the puckered areola. A soft moan escaped Gwen's throat. She wanted to hold Bane's head in place but did not dare touch the Dragon. Bane sucked one of Gwen's breasts in, closing red lips over the full flesh and suckling softly. Bane's eyes were closed, the warrior's face content. Gwen looked down at the Dragon, seeing the warrior fade away to the human woman underneath.

Gwen hesitantly lifted her arms, trailing her fingers down Bane's hollow cheek as the older woman drew nourishment and comfort. Bane did not open her eyes, unwilling to allow Gwen to see through the windows of her soul. Gwen held the lonely woman, offering what solace she could. She could feel pinpoints of pleasure spiraling from her sensitive breasts. Bane's mouth was hungry and her tongue teasing. Gwen leaned forward into the warm mouth as it switched to the other peak.

Bane's hands were at Gwen's hips, bunching the skirt in her fists, lifting it inch by inch over the girl's legs and thighs. Gwen felt the material brushing against her thighs, the sweeping sensation sending electric jolts through her ultra-sensitive skin. Bane's mouth was tugging at her breast, her teeth gripping the bud. Bane pulled back, stretching Gwen's full flesh. Teeth scraped against her nipple and Gwen moaned softly.

Bane took encouragement from Gwen's sounds of pleasure, grabbing the girl's waist and pulling her onto the bed. In one fluid motion, Bane had Gwen on her back and was over the girl, pinning her to the soft quilt. Gwen trembled eagerly, her breath quickening. Bane extended her arms over Gwen, her dark eyes taking in the heaving breasts, smooth stomach, and shapely legs. The girl was rugged from hard work, but her body was well-formed. Her stomach was soft, not hard, with a slight swell from being a member of a well-fed family. Bane bent and touched her lips to the round stomach, dragging down to dip her tongue into Gwen's navel. Gwen sighed at the tender touch.

Bane continued her journey down the farmer's daughter's body. One day, the girl would marry another farmer from the surrounding area. She would give birth to babies and her stomach would be marred with marks where her skin stretched to contain them. Her breasts would swell with milk. Her body would become familiar with a man's and eventually take on that used but loved relaxation. Today, though, she was a child with barely eighteen years of living this hard life. It had not taken its toll on the girl yet. Now, she was innocent, her eyes clouded with the sensations that Bane's slow moving mouth created, her body yearning for touches it had never experienced before.

Bane's hands tugged the skirt over Gwen's full hips. Those hips were made for baring children, Bane' thought, admiring the flare of the girl's pelvic bone. The hips were also made for cradling a lover. Bane smiled as she pulled the skirt over the girl's smooth legs, knowing she wanted to feel those legs that had walked a hundred miles between cornrows wrapped around her waist. Bane bent, kissing slowly up the inside of Gwen's leg. Gwen inhaled sharply as Bane's mouth moved over her knee and began working along the soft inner flesh of her thigh.

Bane could smell Gwen's rising desire. The girl trembled as Bane's mouth caressed her mound with the soft, gentle warmth of her mouth. She placed kisses in the thick brown bush, avoiding the glistening slit. Her scent was strong, bringing Bane's animal instincts to the surface. Bane growled low in her throat, her teeth scraping Gwen's swollen flesh. Gwen cried out, lifting her hips in a plea for more. The tip of Bane's tongue glided along the slit, tasting the salty flavor of Gwen's arousal.

Gwen's legs came apart, opening for Bane's tongue. Bane delved deeper, lapping at Gwen's moist interior. Her tongue scooped against the walls, avoiding the button that begged for attention. Gwen started shifting and stirring, trying to direct Bane's tongue to a spot that would relieve the terrible tension building in her body. Bane could tell by the girl's movements that she did not know her body. Her movements were not directed but random. Her hips thrust up and down and her hips wiggled from side to side. She was whimpering as Bane's tongue continued to tease. Bane could sense Gwen's desire and eagerness growing, so she continued to avoid that special spot. Bane's tongue darted from side-to-side and from top-to-bottom but did not land on the hard nub.

Gwen was panting with her effort. Bane looked up the young body, over the large breasts, to see the flushed face of the girl. Finally, the Dragon's tongue touched the nub, barely putting pressure on it. The touch was brief. Gwen thrust up, her sound a cry of relief and learning. There was the place where her body yearned to have Bane's quick tongue. Bane, pushed in and out with her tongue, sending blips through Gwen's system with each tiny movement.

When Bane changed her method, dragging her long tongue along the bud, Gwen's scream exploded from her throat. Her body arched and she tilted her head back, her hips coming off the bed as she offered herself to the Dragon. Bane took the offering, her teeth closing around the extended nub. Gwen melted as Bane started sucking, tugging on her clitoris. Gwen's body began throbbing, pulsing with the pleasure radiating from Bane's mouth. Bane's ministrations were quicker and faster, sending Gwen along the crest of a tidal wave that would not break.

Bane listened carefully to Gwen's reactions, sensing the girl grow tighter as the Dragon's mouth pushed her closer to the edge of the wave. Gwen's cries of pleasure were growing louder and shriller with each lap of the talented tongue. Bane seemed to know how to change speed and direction to send Gwen's body, heart, and head into chaos. Bane knew when she could no longer control Gwen, when the body would give over to its own desire and release the farm girl from the prison of her human body.

The Dragon stopped short of allowing Gwen that ultimate spiritual and physical release. The warrior pulled back, hearing Gwen whimper at the loss of sensation. Bane took in Gwen's aroused body. Her breasts were pert and the nipples thick, her face and chest flushed. Bane could see the tiny muscles in the girl's stomach rippling. Gwen's legs were spread wide, open and inviting for her lover's tongue. When Bane did not return immediately, Gwen slipped her finger into place, only hesitating a moment before finding the button that Bane had woke.

Bane reached into her sack, running her hand over the wolf's muzzle when the canine lifted its head. Bane pulled out a leather harness that the she fastened around her waist. Protruding from the harness was a thick, curved staff. Bane curled her long fingers around the shaft and stroked it as she watched Gwen trying to satisfy herself.

Missing Bane's nearness, Gwen managed to pry her eyes open. They only came about half-open at first, heavy with her desire for the warrior and for completion. When they landed on the long rod poking beneath Bane's powerful torso, they widened more. Gwen pulled her finger from her opening and came to a half sitting position. Bane saw the unease flash across the young woman's face. The warrior quickly returned to the bed, stretching out beside Gwen and urging the girl to lie back down. Bane's fingers stroked through Gwen's long hair, whispering soothing words to the nervous girl.

The need burning in her body overcame Gwen's trepidation. Urged by Bane's gentle hands, Gwen relaxed, giving herself to the Dragon's fire. Bane's mouth moved over Gwen's neck and chest, her fingers circling and teasing the straining nipples. Gwen moaned softly, pressing into the touch and forgetting her fear. Bane rolled to press her host into the quilt, her mouth settling onto one delicious pink nipple. The warrior's fingers moved to Gwen's slit, parting the swollen lips and teasing the girl's button again. The animal took over Gwen, her hips rising to meet Bane's stroke. Bane moved her hand from Gwen's clitoris to the opening of her canal. Her mouth never eased the suckling pressure on the daughter's full bosom. As Bane slid one stiff finger into the wet tunnel, Gwen moaned low and long. Bane rubbed the inner walls with the pad of her finger before adding a second finger. She felt Gwen's inner muscles stretching and adjusting. The Dragon began moving her fingers. They glided easily in and out of the wet passageway. At the same time, she intensified the pressure of her mouth.

Gwen felt the double sensation and thought it might drive her mad before it stopped. Her mind was concentrating so hard on the attention from Bane's mouth that her eyes widened with surprise when she felt something larger than Bane's fingers probe and push into her opening. She had no time to resist as Bane pushed her hips forward and filled Gwen completely. Bane met a barrier but was unable to stop, tearing through the membrane. Gwen screamed as the barricade was breached. Bane eased her motions until Gwen's breathing had changed from the short, sharp gasps of pain to the long, low draws of desire.

Bane extended her arms, hovering over Gwen. She wiggled her hips, adjusting the rod in the girl. A low moan escaped Gwen's throat as Bane rested her hips in the cradle. She waited until the girl was steady before she made the first slow thrust. Gwen groaned, lifting her body to ease the pressure building inside her body. Bane pulled out, then drove the staff back home. The shaft sank deep into Gwen's body, her lips stretched around the hard beam.