Long ago, in a mountain village, there lived a man named Elias who was handsome but poor and had no one with whom to share his life. He longed for wealth and power, as he surmised these qualities would attract a suitable mate. He’d heard stories of a treasure hidden in the woods and became obsessed with the idea of discovering it. He was tired of working hard to survive with very little to show for his efforts and was even more frustrated by feeling so alone. With riches such as these, surely, he’d be important and influential!

Driven by his ambition, Elias ignored the warnings of the elder townspeople, who spoke of others before him who had tried and failed to claim the treasure, as its purpose was to protect the village. He ventured deep into the forest, where ancient spirits were said to dwell. Once there, he discovered a vat of gleaming gemstones guarded by an otherworldly being.

“Turn back, Elias,” he heard the spirit say. “No good can come from this. Your village will suffer if you claim that which does not belong to you.”

He paused momentarily to consider the possible consequences of his actions. However, tempted by greed, Elias seized one of the stones, angering the gods.

When Elias returned to the village that evening, a perilous storm erupted in the sky. The massive storm surge destroyed many homes, as raging water rushed through the town, turning the streets to mud and leveling trees that had stood for centuries.

He wept bitterly, ashamed of his recklessness, wishing more than anything that he could somehow make amends. However, the ethereal figure from the woods appeared before him, her eyes glimmering with anger and grief. Setting a curse upon him, she said, “For your selfishness and disregard, you shall be punished for your greed.” In a dazzling burst of light, Elias changed into a mighty dragon, his scales glittering with the brilliance of the stolen gem. From that day forward, he roamed the mountains as a dragon, forever longing for redemption and haunted by the consequences of his actions. It was a lonely existence indeed.

Many years later, in a nearby land, a fair maiden named Freya needed desperately to escape the unwelcome fate of being given to a man not of her choosing.

“You need to learn your place, Freya,” her stepmother said crossly. “You traipse around the countryside without a thought to your future. It’s time you stopped acting like a petulant child and became a wife. You’ll wed Lars within a fortnight. Once you belong to him, it will be your duty to spread your legs and let him breed you. If you do all that he commands, he will see to your well-being.”

She’d been furious upon learning of her betrothal to Lars, but no amount of pleading would change her stepmother’s mind. It galled her to be given away so callously, as if she were a piece of property. And she had no intention of letting that grotesque man empty his seed into her womb! Not to mention the other atrocities he planned for her to endure.

“When you’re mine, little slut, you’ll do as you’re told,” Lars had told her. “Your front hole will be mine alone, and I will use it every night. But your back hole and your mouth will be used to entertain my friends as often as I see fit. If you don’t behave properly, you’ll be whipped until you learn your lesson.”

She’d rather die than submit to him and his decadence! But rather than take her own life, she left the only home she’d ever known under the cover of darkness. Taking with her only the clothes on her back, some bread and drinking water, the sword her father had left her upon his death, and the little bit of coin she had secreted away, she moved swiftly, hoping to put enough distance between herself and the monster to whom her stepmother had sold her.

After traveling on foot for many exhausting hours, she spied a small wooden boat abandoned along the seashore. Her heart leapt with joy! The vessel wasn’t much to look at, but to Freya, it presented a means to continue her quest for freedom. Before getting into the tattered pram, she walked beyond the sea, making it seem as though she’d continued on land. She retraced her footsteps carefully, then, snapping a leafy branch from a tree, she brushed away any evidence that would give away her hasty water departure.

Adrenaline pumping through her veins, Freya paddled fiercely, guided only by the light of the harvest moon, until she was sure she could not be seen from the shore. Setting the oars carefully inside the boat, she took the bread and water from her knapsack. Unsure of when she’d be able to replenish the food and drink, she took only a few small sips of water and a small chunk of bread. She longed to lie down in the boat and close her eyes, but she knew she didn’t dare to be so careless.

As dawn began to break, Freya felt weakened, and her body ached. The sea had tossed and turned her little boat, and yet, she’d survived the night. But what now?

She chastised herself for being reckless; she’d planned the getaway but hadn’t thought beyond leaving about what her next steps would be. Still, her need to act quickly had necessitated a hasty retreat, so she tried not to be too critical of herself. She was intelligent and brave; she would figure out a plan soon enough.

But once the sun was overhead, she became overheated, hungry, and thirsty. Though she rationed her water and bread carefully, what would she do if it ran out before she spotted land? Just when she felt panic beginning to set in, she heard the sound of gulls crying in the sky. Where there were birds, surely there would be land!

Although she was beyond weary, she willed herself to paddle until her little boat was near the shore. Sticking an oar into the water to gauge the depth, she discovered she’d reached the shallows and eased herself into the sea. The coolness soothed her parched skin as she placed the oar back into the boat, held on with one hand, and, submerging herself, allowed the water to wash away her fatigue.

When she popped back out of the water, she spotted a cave up high on a cliff. Dragging the pram behind her, she found a spot among the trees to keep it hidden from sight. She wasn’t sure if she’d reached her final destination or if she’d need to venture further, so she tucked it away in the brush.

Grabbing her sword and knapsack, she set out to climb until she reached the safety of the cave. As she ascended the bluff, she decided she would spend the night in the cave and figure out her next move come morning.

By the time she reached the top of the cliff, she was exhausted and in need of sustenance. After setting her things down, she took a swig of water and left the cave in search of edible plants and some kindling with which to make a fire. She was delighted to find bog bilberry bushes just a short distance from her temporary shelter. She picked enough to have some for now and some for later. Then she gathered sticks and a bundle of grass and carried them back to the cave.

With just enough light left as the sun was setting, she made quick work of rubbing the sticks together to catch a spark and ignited the grass and branches to build a small fire. She pulled several handfuls of berries and a chunk of bread from her satchel and forced herself to nibble slowly, washing them down with a few meager sips. Tomorrow, she would set about finding a source of fresh water.

With her hunger sated for the time being, Freya stared into the flames and felt herself settle for the first time in many hours. Allowing herself the luxury of feeling safe, she leaned back against a large boulder to rest.

Suddenly, she heard a growl that startled her out of her relaxed state. Looking in the direction of the sound, she saw a pair of glowing eyes that pierced the darkness from the depths of the cave. Trembling in terror, she found herself unable to move. Though she tried to will her legs to stand up and run, she was frozen with fear.

The growling grew louder as the glowing eyes moved toward her. Freya was certain that this beast meant to kill her. Where was her courage now? Closing her eyes to shield them from the frightening vision, she reached for her sword. Once her fingers closed around the hilt, she opened her eyes again and scrambled to her feet. Danger might be closing in, but she’d be damned if she’d give in without a fight.

“Stop!” she commanded as she raised the sword in the air. “Do not come any further, or I shall slay you with my sword!”

Suddenly, flames shot across the cave, landing on the makeshift fire and tripling it in size. Freya’s eyes flew open wide as she saw the silhouette of the beast on the stony wall.

It’s a dragon! she thought incredulously. Dragons aren’t real! I must have fallen asleep, and this is a dream or, rather, a nightmare!

You’re not dreaming, a deep voice spoke in her mind. I am, indeed, a very real dragon, and one that breathes fire at that. Put down the sword, and I might let you live.

How can I hear you in my mind?

I know not why. But unless you intend to slay this dragon with your sword and die trying, you’d be wise to do as I commanded.

Freya felt anger rise within her entire being. She refused to be terrorized by his ferocity.

No one commands me to do anything! Do you think you can scare me with your fire? I managed to escape becoming the property of a man I loathe to avoid doing the disgusting things that he commanded! Do not think for one minute I’ll simply lie down and let you intimidate me with your fiery breath!

Though the words in her mind were formidable, it took every ounce of energy not to faint where she stood.

The dragon tilted his head and looked at her. What a sight she was with all that outrage; her flowing red locks reflecting the light from the fire, her dark blue eyes sparkling with anger, and her curvy bosom heaving, poised to fight with the sword held high. Such bravery! She was standing up to him—a fierce, fire-breathing dragon! He found it unexpectedly arousing.

Sit down, child.

“I’m not a child,” she said out loud. “I’m a grown woman who can defend herself. My father taught me to use this blade.”

What kind of a man teaches his daughter to fight, then hands her over to a lecherous man to be owned and abused?

Freya frowned. “My father passed away several months ago. He would never have agreed to such an atrocious alliance. It was his second wife, my stepmother, who saw fit to line her pockets by selling me to a grotesque man more than twice my age.”

As she spoke, she felt her eyes well up with tears. When one fat tear escaped and rolled down her face, the dragon changed his pose from an aggressive stance to one less terrifying.

You’ve suffered much loss. Where is your mother?

Freya hastily wiped the tear from her cheek and said, “I never knew her; she died in childbirth. My father did the best he could to raise me on his own. But eventually, he was lonely and took a woman to his bed. She convinced him to marry her and played the part of a concerned stepmother until he passed. Once she realized he had no fortune to collect upon his death, she set about finding a mate for me—someone who would offer her a tidy sum for a young, red-haired virgin to serve him.

“Lars offered her the most money; he had plans to keep me chained and continuously plant his seed in me to give him many sons. He made it clear I’d be expected to clean his home by day, warm his bed by night, and allow his friends to have their way with me. It was not the life I dreamed of.”

He felt her pain.

Being a dragon was not the life I dreamed of, either. I envisioned myself as a man of great wealth and power, with a beautiful mate by my side. But my greed was my undoing.

“A man? I did not know that dragons dreamed of being human.”

I wasn’t always a dragon. I was cursed to be in this form for all eternity as a penance for my selfishness.

“For all eternity? That’s nonsense. There must be a way to break the spell. No one deserves to be punished forever.”

It was not a spell cast by a witch. It was a curse bestowed upon me by the sacred spirits who protected my village. That was many years ago. Apparently, when I transformed into a dragon, I became immortal. I’ll live forever as a dragon to be feared and loathed.

“It seems amiss that you were not given any way in which to redeem yourself. How can that be fair?”

The dragon was stunned by her sense of decency and kindness. What is your name, child?

“I’m Freya, and I’m twenty years old—hardly a child. What name do you go by?”

I had a name once. But that was so long ago, I’ve forgotten it.

Freya’s heart stirred with pity. “Then I shall call you Dreki; it means dragon,” she said, laying down her sword. “Are you hungry? I have some berries I can share with you.”

Are you no longer afraid of me?

No, should I be?

I think not. But would you be so kind as to continue talking aloud to me? The sound of your voice soothes me.

“Of course, Dreki. I’d much rather soothe you than slay you. Come closer and sit near me. Since you have no fingers, you can eat the berries from my hand.”

Why do you trust me? Why are you being so kind?

“If you were going to incinerate me, you’d have done so by now. That is why I trust you. As for being kind? I’m simply repaying the kindness you’ve shown me.”

What kindness have I shown you, Freya?

“I’m still alive, and I have a safe place to stay.” She paused for a moment, then asked, “If danger came lurking, would you protect me?”

Oddly, yes, though I can’t explain why. But that doesn’t make me kind. If anything, I’m merely reflecting the kindness I see in you. You laid down your sword, and you didn’t run from me.

“I’ve no need to run. You’ve made it clear that I’m safe with you.”

A warmth stirred within Dreki, a feeling so foreign, as it had been eons since he’d felt this way.

It still puzzles me that you can hear my thoughts. But I’m beyond grateful that you can. You have no idea how I’ve missed being able to communicate with anyone.

He hung his head low.

I’ve been unbearably lonely for so long. I’ve wished to die many times. But it appears that is part of my curse; I can’t die.

Freya’s heart squeezed.

“You’re not alone anymore, Dreki,” she said wistfully. I was meant to find you, she added silently.

Come close, Freya, and I will shelter you under my wing. I’ll keep you safe and warm. You must rest.

Freya climbed under his wing and felt protected for the first time in a very long time.

Well into the afternoon of the next day, Freya still slept. Dreki began to worry that she had taken ill. It was odd to care about something other than where his next meal was coming from and how to avoid arrows from the bows of men in the surrounding villages, meant to cause him harm. When his patience had reached its limit, he nudged her with his snout, taking care not to singe her with any stray embers.

She seemed startled at first, wiping the sleep from her eyes and trying to get her bearings as to where she was.

“You’re real?” she asked, suddenly very much awake.

Yes, I’m real. And I’m very relieved.

Freya smiled sheepishly. “Were you worried about me, Dreki?”

Aye, I wasn’t sure if you’d ever wake up. But I imagine your travels wore you out. Why are you smiling?

“It’s been a while since anyone has worried about me. Did you manage to sleep as well? I hope I didn’t keep you awake.”

Aye, I slept better than I have in ages. It was…pleasant to have your warm body next to mine.

“I found it comforting and pleasant as well.”

She looked down at her feet and bit her bottom lip. She felt a fluttering in her stomach that was unfamiliar. Was it gratitude? Relief? Maybe it was joy in having someone, or in this case, something, care about her well-being.

“I should probably go out to find fresh water to drink and pick some more bilberries,” she said shyly. “Then, I was wondering, would I be able to stay here at least another day? It would be nice to have another day of rest before I continue my journey.”

Dreki felt sadness creeping in. He didn’t want her to go. But what could he do or say to make her stay?

You are welcome to stay as long as you wish, Freya.

Her smile took his breath away.

“Thank you so much, Dreki! I promise to be no trouble. I’m going to go berry picking now, but I will return soon.”

If you walk a bit beyond the bog bilberry bushes, you’ll find a small stream. The water is fresh. You may even find some fish to catch.

“Thank you, Dreki,” she said, patting him on the back and offering a small peck on his cheek.

It made him feel warm inside, but he couldn’t help but worry that he would never see her again. After all, she’d left nothing behind…except him.

But, sure enough, Freya returned in a little more than an hour with her canteen filled, her satchel full of berries, and several fish impaled by her sword.

Dreki was surprised by the feeling of relief that she had kept her word and returned. He used his fiery breath to rekindle the flames from the previous evening so she could cook the fish.

Once again, Freya offered food to him. He realized as they shared the meal and conversation that the longer she stayed, the harder it would be to let her go. And yet, he couldn’t bring himself to ask her to leave.

“What’s wrong, Dreki?” she asked gently. “Though your words are cheerful enough, your eyes give away your sorrow. Won’t you tell me what is causing your misery?”

He hesitated at first but felt compelled to be honest with her.

I’m sad at the thought of you leaving. Besides the welcome opportunity to talk with someone after years of silence, I also feel a strong connection with you. I know you must leave, but I don’t want you to go.

Freya frowned. “I don’t have to leave. I could stay here with you. I didn’t want to ask because I didn’t want to impose. But I have no reason to go.”

There are no people here for you to interact with.

“People are overrated. You’ve given me comfort and asked for nothing in return. I could be happy here with you.”

I have nothing to offer you, Freya.

Her eyebrows furrowed. “Can you fly, Dreki?”

He scoffed. Yes, of course I can fly.

“Then you offer me freedom.”

You humble me, Freya. I wish… I wish I were a man so I could hold you and… but I’m not, so I can’t. But you can climb on my back, and I will fly you anywhere you wish to go.

“Will you bring me back with you after we fly off to explore?”

If that’s what you wish.

“How could I not wish to return with you? We are connected now, Dreki. I was meant to find you, and you were meant to protect me.”

They spent the next week exploring the mountains and crags. The feeling of her on his back, trusting him to fly with her and keep her safe, was beyond anything he’d experienced in life, even before he became a dragon. Had he met someone like Freya when he was still human, he might have been spared the poor choice he’d made.

Then again, there wasn’t anyone like Freya. She was fierce and strong, yet tender and soft. It didn’t take long for him to realize he was falling in love with her. He could tell she was fond of him, too. But could she love a dragon?

Several weeks went by, and their connection became stronger. He would take her high above the trees and soar through the sunlit sky while she hugged him tightly, her arms around his neck. She made up stories about the woodland creatures, and Dreki found them so fanciful that he lost his desire to eat them. Thank goodness she had no tales about the fishes!

It was wonderful to be with her, and he felt it was his duty to protect her should anyone dare to come looking for her. However, he began to doubt the wisdom of letting her hide away from the world with him. He’d become so attached to her, and his fragile ego wondered if she would grow tired of their odd but lovely coexistence.

One night, as she lay next to him, under his wing, Dreki sighed heavily.

“What’s the matter, Dreki? Are you not happy with me here?” Freya asked tearfully.

You seem to know my every emotion, Freya, and that both warms my heart and scares me so. We are bonded; this much I know is true. But what happens when you start craving the touch of a man?

“I’ve never wanted or needed a man to touch me. Not in the way you mean, anyway.”

You’re young, so that is understandable. But your feelings may change over time. If you stay with me, you’ll never know the love that a husband and wife share, and you’ll never be a mother…

“I hear your concerns, but you need to let me decide what I want and what I’ll never miss. We are bonded. So, unless you turn me away, you’re stuck with me.”

I couldn’t send you away if I tried. So, I guess you’re stuck with me, too.

As they drifted off to sleep, Dreki dreamed for the first time in a very long time. In his dream, he was transformed back into a man and was able to touch Freya in ways that he’d envisioned since the day he’d found her standing in his cave, sword held high.

Having fingers again, he used them to tease her body into a frenzy until she was begging for him to make love to her. He entered her slowly and enjoyed the sensation of her wet, silky walls against his stiff shaft. Eventually, he pumped into her frantically until they climaxed together.

He woke up startled and was disappointed to realize it had only been a fantasy. Freya’s virginity was still intact, and he remained unable to love her like a man. He held her closer as she slept, grateful she was not awake to see his tears.

The next day, Dreki told Freya to climb on his back so he could take her on an adventure. They flew to a clearing that butted up against a thick forest.

When Dreki landed, Freya asked, “Are we stopping here to have a picnic?”

No, this is where I let my greed cloud my judgment. This is where the spirits cursed me to live as a dragon for the rest of eternity.

“Why did you bring me here?”

I don’t really know. I suppose I needed to show you where I threw my life away so that I could tell you how much I wish…

He felt his heart squeeze.

I wish I could find a path to redemption so I could love you as you deserve to be loved.

“You love me?” she asked as her heart fluttered. “That’s a very good thing, because I love you, too.”

But I can never love you as a man. I can never touch you, taste you, make love to you…

“I’ve told you that doesn’t matter. We don’t need physical love to be together. We care about each other in ways I’ve never known were possible. That’s enough for me, Dreki.”

He wanted to say it wasn’t enough for him. But the alternative was not to have her in his life at all. And the thought of that was unbearable.

Then it’ll have to be enough for me, too. I want you to know that I’d give anything, do anything to be the man I feel you deserve.

Suddenly, a bright light appeared at the edge of the forest. The trees parted magically, and a spirit appeared.

“Mighty dragon, many years ago, a curse befell you because of your greed and selfishness. You acted impulsively and caused great destruction in your village. But as you stand before me today, I see a heart filled with regret for the past, kindness in the present, and hopefulness for the future. You’ve caught me in a weak, yet generous moment. If I were to consider granting you one wish, what would it be?”

I wish, more than anything, to make Freya happy and to keep her safe.

The spirit seemed puzzled. “You could have wished to be transformed from a dragon back into a man. Why didn’t you do so?”

Freya says that loving each other is enough; that we don’t need to have a physical relationship for her to be happy. And though I wish I could offer her that, too, I know that I can provide freedom and safety, which are very important to her. So, I made my wish based on her needs, not my own.

The spirit turned to Freya and said, “What would you wish for?”

“I’d wish to understand why I can hear Dreki’s thoughts and why we were drawn together.”

“You’d choose that over him being able to love you as a man loves a woman?”

“He already loves me and cares for me. What more could I want?”

The spirit pondered things for a moment.

“You have been drawn together because this dragon wished in his heart for a path to redemption. And, Freya, you wished in your heart for someone to love you without demands or expectations. You can hear his thoughts because your heart is so pure. And, dragon, you could hear Freya’s thoughts because you chose to listen. You were meant to find each other. And because I am not without pity, I will grant you one night together as man and woman.”

As much as I want that, I’m worried that once Freya has experienced carnal relations with a man, she will no longer love me as a dragon.

Freya put her hand on his scaly back and said, “Nothing could ever stop me from loving you.  I’ve never wanted a man to touch me that way. But if that man were you, I’d give myself to you willingly. However, if that is more than you can bear to have and then to lose after one night, then let us both walk away from this wish and continue loving each other as we already do.”

Dreki thought hard about what to do. In the end, he would have to trust Freya.

Trusting does not come easily for me, Freya. But I trust you. If you say you will love me forever, no matter what form I take, then I believe you.

Then he turned to face the spirit.

Part of making Freya happy is showing her that I trust her. If it’s not too late, I’d like to be a man for one night so that I may show her how a man loves a woman. Her past experience is that men are lecherous beasts who wish to abuse her. I want to show her that a real man would cherish her mind, body, heart, and soul. Even if she decides afterward that being with me is not enough, it would warm my heart to know she understands how she deserves to be treated. Her happiness and safety are all that matter to me.

“I shall grant your wish; for twenty-four hours, you shall be a man again. Do with that time what you will. Leave this place and return home. When you land, you shall change into human form. Be gone before I change my mind. It’s not normal for me to amend a curse. But your heart has shown me that you have learned much during your exile. Do not squander this gift that I am giving you.”

The spirit dissipated into thin air. Dreki looked at Freya and saw her smiling at him.

“Let’s go home, Dreki. Let’s not waste a moment.”

She climbed on his back and felt desire course through her veins. It was unfamiliar yet titillating for her to crave the pleasures of the flesh. Her arousal caused tingling in places she’d never felt before. It made her giddy.

True to the spirit's word, the moment they landed near their cave, the majestic dragon turned into a very handsome human being.

He stood naked before her as a man, the desire in his loins on display for her virgin eyes. But instead of being embarrassed by his nakedness, she quickly removed her clothing and bared her body and soul for him.

“You’re beyond stunning, my darling,” he said, speaking the first words aloud in decades. “I long to touch you as a man touches a woman, but I’m uncertain that I remember how…”

“Your body has not forgotten,” she said, smirking. “It appears you are quite ready to mate if I understand correctly.”

“Aye, I’ve never wanted anything more. But are you ready?”

“Aye, I’ve never wanted anything more,” she said, repeating his words. “You’ve created a longing in me that I don’t understand and surely can’t explain. But I know that I need to feel you inside me.”

“There are so many places I want to touch you and taste you. Will you be patient and allow me to feast upon your body before I take your prized treasure?”

She nodded and whispered, “Yes.”

“How do you like to be touched?” he asked.

Freya blushed and turned her head to the ground. “I am unschooled in the ways of what happens between people during mating. Lead the way, and I shall follow.”

Taking her by the hand, he led her to a grassy knoll that was lush and green and beckoned for her to lie with him. She trembled not in fear, but with a desire she hadn’t experienced ever before.

“You must promise me, Freya, if anything I do causes you discomfort in any way, you will tell me to stop.”

“I promise.”

Her skin was so soft, it made him ache to touch her like this forever. He kissed her gently, then moved his lips to her neck. He traced the curve of her jawline with a finger and whispered, “I have a rule…”

“Rule?” she asked inquisitively.

“A rule…if I touch it, I must kiss it.”

Her lips curled into a sly smile. “Well, if it’s a rule, then…”

He planted delicate kisses along her jawline and neck, then proceeded to move down the swell of her breasts until he captured a pert nipple between his teeth. He searched her face, as if waiting for her expression to give him permission to continue. Her eyes fluttered, and she moaned softly.

“And sometimes the rule says I might nibble…or bite.”

Her hips moved involuntarily, and her moans became louder as he took the other nipple into his mouth and gave it equal attention. Satisfied that she was enjoying, he kissed a trail across her stomach until he reached a sea of soft, strawberry blonde curls between her legs. Rubbing a finger along her wet slit, he said, “It’s obvious from my hard shaft that I am ready for you. But I need to make sure you are ready for me.”

She nodded in agreement, her eyelids flickering, as she braced for his next move. When he slipped a single finger inside her, they moaned together, discovering she was drenched.

He put a second finger inside her, then pulled both digits out. He licked one clean, then offered the other to her so she could follow suit.

“I taste…sweet. I wasn’t expecting that.”

“God, yes, you are sweet!” he said gruffly as he repositioned himself to be able to feast upon her. “Let your legs fall open for me, Freya. Let me taste your delicious nectar and bring you pleasure like you’ve never known.”

Without hesitation, her legs parted, offering him full access to her glistening sex. He wanted to dive in and devour her. But he wanted her first time to be romantic and memorable. He held her legs apart and planted soft, wet kisses along her inner thighs and was delighted by the way her body responded to him. Once he felt her need become urgent, he used his tongue to dance along her juicy, pink folds. She was eager and willing under his touch, and he took great pleasure in how easily he could turn this fierce warrior into a wanton slut.

He nibbled and licked; he sucked and he bit until her hips were bucking and her back arched.

“Oh, my God, Dreki! Yes!” She screamed as he flicked the sensitive pearl beneath the curls, “Oh, yesss! Yesss! Yesss!”

Her body convulsed as sweet liquid flooded Dreki’s mouth. It was a heady feeling to know that he’d brought her such pleasure.

“Oh, my God, Dreki! I’ve never experienced anything like that,” she panted. “I need you inside me. I don’t know how I know that, but I crave it more than anything right now.”

Grinning, Dreki grabbed his manhood and rubbed it along the silky slit before dipping the head inside.

“I want to warn you, my love, that there will be pain when I push all the way in, but it won’t last. After the pain, there will be so much pleasure, I promise you. Do you trust me, Freya?”

“I trust you, Dreki,” she said as she gazed lovingly into his eyes.

“Elias,” he said quietly. “My name was Elias before I was cursed.”

“Elias is a good, strong name, but I feel like Dreki suits you better. Whatever form you take, you will always be my dragon. Make love to me, Dreki; take what I offer you, my body, heart, and soul.”

He kissed her as he pushed past her hymen, hoping to distract her from the momentary discomfort. He felt her tense up and then let go with a wistful sigh.

“Oh, God, Dreki! You fill me up so completely!”

“You’re good for my ego,” he said, smiling at her. “Has the pain subsided?”

“Yes, and the pleasure is exquisite.”

He moved slowly, deliberately, and gently as he could. She felt exquisite on his throbbing manhood. Panting beneath him, her body moving in sync with his as if they were always meant to be lovers.

Eventually, however, she grew impatient and needy. “Please go faster!” she begged. “Faster, and harder, and… Oh God, deeper!”

He was happy to oblige her, as his own need was so great. How many years had he waited for this, for her? And now, he was joining with her so intimately and erotically that he felt swept away by his emotions.

He pumped into her ferociously, his hardness opening her up again and again.

Growling with lust and need, he cried, “I need to pull out; I’m going to...”

“Don’t you dare pull out! I feel like I’m on fire, and I need…”

“If I don’t, I could end up planting my seed in you and…”

“I don’t care! Don’t stop!”

He couldn’t stop now if he tried. “Mine!” he cried out. “Always mine, only mine.” His sac tightened, and he growled again as he emptied himself deep inside her.

As he did so, she cried out, “Oh, God, yesss!” and fell over the edge again once more.

They collapsed on the bed together, and Dreki pulled Freya into his arms. “I love you, Freya; I will always love you.”

“I love you, too. Can we… um… can we do that again?”

Dreki laughed. “You’ll need to give me a few moments before I can recover.”

Freya nodded. “Dreki, how does a man use a woman’s mouth for pleasure? I wish to do so for you. Please?”

“Oh, God, Freya, you delight me. You can start by using your tongue…”

“I think I can figure it out,” she said, smiling demurely.

She took his spent manhood into her hands and licked the remains of their lovemaking from his shaft and sac. Instinctively, she took him into her mouth and was astonished by the feeling of him growing hard again.

It was her turn to see his eyes roll back in his head and listen to his moans as she licked and sucked as if she’d been born to do so. Her hands cupped his sac as her tongue swirled around, driving him mad.

“I need to have you again, Freya. But this time, I want you to ride me.”

“Like I ride on your back?” she asked.

He laughed. “Nay, my love. Here, let me show you.”

He lay back, guided her down onto his rigid pole, and watched her face as it revealed her immense pleasure. Grabbing her hips, he pulled her down repeatedly until she was panting and moaning.

He pulled out, much to her dismay. But then he quickly lifted her like a rag doll, positioning her on her hands and knees. He grabbed her hips again and plunged into her dripping sex, thrusting deeply until he felt her tighten around him as a wave of orgasms ripped through her body. Her climax triggered his, and he came hard, filling her with his seed.

They alternated resting and making love until dawn. Freya could tell Dreki was starting to worry about when he’d have to return to dragon form.

“Don’t worry, my love,” she said softly. “I want you to know that I will be yours forever, no matter what.”

“And I will be yours forever, too, Freya. Thank you for giving your most precious gift to me, allowing me to be your first.”

“My first and only, Dreki. No other man shall ever touch me the way that you have.”

“Even if I can never touch you that way again?” he asked pensively.

“Even if,” she said, kissing him softly on the cheek.

Dreki hoped and prayed that the spirit would allow him to stay in human form. But sadly, when the time was up, he changed back from man to beast.

Miraculously, Freya stayed. And she truly did not pine for the physical touch of a man. She seemed content to lie next to him and share her warmth. He considered it an incredible blessing that her declaration of love had not been empty words. She loved him, and he was enough for her as Dreki.

Several weeks later, Freya became ill. She could not keep food down and was deathly pale. He helped her up on his back and carried her while he flew to the forest. Setting her down gently at the edge of the forest, he summoned the spirit.

Please, I beseech you, please help me save Freya! Please make my love well again.

The spirit appeared, observed the redhead lying on the grass, and smiled. “Freya is not ill. She is with child.”

Dreki felt relief and misery all at once.

I’m grateful to know that she is not dying. But how can I be a father to my child as a dragon? How can I be a helpmate in raising him? I shouldn’t have spilled my seed inside her, but she begged. Please help me, oh spirit.

The spirit pondered this for a long while. On one hand, she had made it clear that the curse was for all eternity. But on the other hand, she’d been moved by Freya’s pure heart, and so she had allowed Dreki to become a man and mate with her. Now her own actions were responsible for the creation of a child who would never know his father. It was quite a conundrum.

Looking over to where Dreki sat, forlorn, she felt a twinge of guilt. However, a curse was a curse, and even she could not break it.

But when she saw tears in the eyes of the mighty dragon as he wrapped his wings around Freya, she knew she needed to amend her misstep.

“Dreki, I cannot lift the curse,” she said, sighing.

He nodded, resolved to accept that fate. He’d simply have to do his best as a dragon to help Freya raise their child.

“But…” the spirit continued, looking quite pleased with herself. “Although I did say you’d be a dragon for the rest of eternity, I didn’t specify that it had to be one hundred percent of the time. I shall grant you the ability to become human until the boy is old enough to fend for himself. After that, you will return to dragon form; that’s the best I can offer.”

Of all the things the spirit said, Dreki heard only that he was having a son.

The child is male? I’m having a son? Spirit, rather than allowing me to be human, can I wish for my son to grow up having the heart and wisdom of his mother? I’d give anything, even my chance at transforming back into a man, to help him avoid the mistakes I made so many years ago.

The spirit smiled at Dreki’s selflessness. “The way I see it, you’ll need to be human for a while to help make sure that happens. Take Freya back to your cave, where you shall transform into a man. Be attentive to her and build her a proper home. Profess your undying love to each other and live as man and wife. Be gone now; do not bother me again. You have all that I will give you.”

Quickly, my love, climb onto my back and hold on.

Dreki flew carefully, as he could feel that Freya had fallen asleep. He wanted to bring her home safely. Once there, he did, indeed, become a man as the spirit had promised. When Freya woke, she was no longer on his back but in his arms.

“How is this possible?” she asked, her brows furrowed.

“The spirit showed me mercy when she learned we are going to have a son.”

“A son? I’m with child? Oh, Dreki, that’s wonderful!”

“It’s why you’ve been so sick, my love. Our child grows within you.”

“So, the spirit took pity and broke the curse?” she asked hopefully.

“Not exactly. She claims she cannot break it since it was meant to last for eternity. However, after thoughtful contemplation, she made some adjustments to the curse that will allow me to be a proper father. I will, at some point, be relegated to dragon status again. But not until the babe can walk and talk and…”

“Well, then, we must have many babies!” Freya said excitedly. “Surely that will delay your transformation. In the meantime, I must make you some clothes. If your manhood swings naked like this all the time, I’ll never want to do anything besides mate. Although maybe that’s a good thing.”

“That’s ingenious, my darling! Surely the spirit will allow me to remain human to see all of my children grow.”

As Dreki took Freya into his arms, he thanked the spirit silently for her mercy. While he would have been content to live as dragon and maiden, he was grateful to be given the chance to live as man and wife and to be a father.

Across the land, deep in the forest, the spirit was both amused and impressed that the lovely redhead with the pure heart had found a way to keep her man in human form for longer than intended. Many babies, indeed; what a clever girl!

It appeared the formidable lass had found redemption for Dreki after all.