Dragons Don't Cry by Suzie Ivy Page A

to look at them. I draw a sketch,
but never look back. I did not think it something you would
like.”
    “That’s so sad, Bastian. They are beautiful
and deserve your memories. I saw my picture and someday there will
be another ahead of me.”
    Anger began to simmer deep within me. “Do
not say that,” I replied harshly.
    “Why? Maybe I’m selfish, but I want you to
remember me. I know you’ll love again, but I still wish you to
carry a small part of me with you. I think you owe it to all your
brides.”
    I could not take her mentioning the time
after her death. I exploded and swiped the book from in front of
her, sending it flying across the room.
    Anger sparked in her eyes, but her voice was
calm. “Do you feel better, dragon?”
    Smoke came from my human nostrils; I had
very little control at this moment and could feel the fire build in
my chest. I turned away.
    “Bastian, even death is not stronger than my
love for you.”
    She said it so quietly, I almost kept
walking, but I turned back toward her. Tears rolled down her
cheeks. My fury deflated. “Talking of this hurts, Acasia. Thinking
of you dead is more than I can stand. With all my posturing and
ego, I am but a man with a human’s heart. Losing you will break me
completely.”
    She stood up, but instead of coming to me,
she walked over and picked up my sketchbook. She carried it to the
couch we usually shared and sat down. Her eyes met mine. “Sit with
me, Bastian, and tell me of your brides. We don’t need to travel
all the pages in one afternoon, but you need to talk about them.
Remember them. I know they loved you as I do.”
    What could I do? I could refuse her nothing.
I walked over and sat down. She turned to the first page of the
book and ran her finger over the sleeping face of my first
bride.
    “That is Tarita.”
    “Tell me something about her. What was her
favorite food?”
    The thought of her favorite food broke
something open in my chest where I’d buried her memory. “She loved
apples. Green only. I had to look far away to find a green apple
tree to plant here.”
    Acasia turned the page. It was Tarita naked,
lying back on the bed looking at me with hungry eyes.
    “Did she know you drew this?”
    “No. She would have hit me upside the head
with a great log.”
    Acasia laughed, and against my will, I could
feel my lips tilting up. “She had an awful temper.”
    “You drove her to tantrums, I’m sure.”
    Other memories came forward. We spoke of my
first three brides before I finally asked to stop.
    Acasia laid her head on my shoulder. “Thank
you, Bastian. We will talk of the others another time. We have many
years.”
    I lifted her from the couch and carried her
to our room, the book forgotten. Slowly, I released her as her body
slid down mine. I removed each item of her clothing, kissing every
inch of her body until she was standing on tiptoes and clutching my
shoulders.
    “You are torturing me, Bastian.”
    I kissed her thigh and looked up. “I’ve only
begun, bride.”
    “I cannot take any more.”
    I stood, lifting her at the same time. “Wrap
your legs around me.” I carried her through the double doors,
outside to my perch.
    “We cannot do this out here.” She giggled,
and I knew she would do it anywhere I took her.
    “Hold on.” I impaled her on my cock,
supporting her back while rocking my hips. She was wet, tight, and
perfect. I loved when she raked my back with her human claws, and
she never disappointed in giving me what I wanted. The fire grew
inside me, the energy building as I felt her body quake. She threw
her head back, screaming her ecstasy so even the gods could hear. I
roared, fire exploding from my human mouth, the red glow bursting
from both of us.
    “I love you, Acasia. Thank you for being my
greatest treasure.” I held her tightly to me, my cock still within
her warmth, my fingers threading through her hair.
    “I didn’t know you could breathe fire in
human form.”
    “It doesn’t happen