Page 21 of Bred By the Dragon

“He’s... not paying you?” Sarah asks again, bafflement on her face, and I huff in exasperation.

“Yes, I told you that. I don’t want him to pay me. He doesn’t have any money now.”

She’s still perplexed. “What do you get out of it, then?” she asks. “You’re basically donating your body. And you still have to work to pay all your bills.”

I don’t like to think of it that way, though. I’m donating the continuation of a dying species. Not to mention that getting fucked by Zakarion every few weeks isn’t that big of an ask.

“It’s just... it’s the right thing to do,” I finally answer. Maybe it won’t satisfy her, but it’s the best I’ve got.

Jared arches an eyebrow. “You have been sleeping with him for the last, I don’t know, seven months?”

“So?” I ask. I can do basic math.

“So, that’s a long time.” He gives Sarah a Look, one of those couple things where they can talk to each other with their eyes.

“Do you think maybe you feel more for him than just... provider and client?” Sarah asks, picking up the torch where Jared left it.

I’m getting double-teamed.

“No,” I say, at the same moment I think, yes. I feel quite a bit more for my mellow, commanding dragon, who also cares so much for my comfort and pleasure, than just provider and client. But I’m going to try to play it safe, even if it means lying to my friends. “Guys, I’m helping an endangered species. That’s a worthy cause, isn’t it?”

“Sure,” Sarah says. “That’s definitely the only reason you’re doing this. Not so you can keep having mind-blowing sex or anything.”

I cross my arms and pout, because I know nothing I say will dissuade them. And besides, they’re not wrong.

“He’s hundreds of years old,” I say eventually. “Even if I did feel anything for him, he’s going to outlive me by... I don’t know, centuries. Many of them.” I’d looked it up online, and there were stories of dragons over a thousand years old who had only died recently. “It doesn’t make sense to get attached to someone who will outlive you ten times over.”

“Honey,” Sarah says, patting my leg, “Might be a little late for that.”

nine

ZAKARION

My head is light and fluffy as I fly home, and it remains that way when I lie down in my nest to sleep for the night. I dream of nothing but Sammy, her legs wrapped around me, her face smiling, her bouncy hair radiant around her head.

I decide to stay in the city, hoping I might hear from her soon, even if it’s just an update. I know we don’t need to see each other until her next ovulation cycle, but I hope she gives me an excuse to visit her sooner.

I wouldn’t mind lounging in the grass with her on a nice fall afternoon, curled around her under the sun.

I was so dazed when I left Sammy’s that I forget why I was avoiding my house in the city. Early the next morning, there’s a rapping on my door.

Blinking wearily, I climb out of my nest. I’m still yawning as I open it, without considering who might be on the other side.

I’m greeted by an immense gryphon, with a razor-sharp beak and hard little eyes. Next to him—and rather lower to the ground—stands a woman in a sharp blazer, wearing sunglasses.

“Zakarion the dragon?” says the gryphon, and I recognize his voice.

Hell. It’s the guy on the phone.

“Yes?” I ask, sounding tired to my own ears. “What can I do for you?”

“We’re here to find out what else you know about Rodney’s activities. What other priceless artifacts you’ve sold to him.”

I scowl at her. “None.” It’s a blatant lie, but I don’t think they’d be standing here asking me questions if they had proof of anything. They’re trying to intimidate me, forgetting that I am a ten-foot-tall dragon.

The gryphon sighs and massages the bridge of his beak. “Look. We’re not here to arrest you or anything. We’re trying to get information about Rodney’s trafficking operation so we can track down these valuables and return them to their rightful places.”

“Trafficking?” I ask, baffled.

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