Ryuogriar huffs in frustration as she walks briskly towards where Daniel is waiting just down the hallway from the prison cells. Rose is following her, making sure she doesn’t trip or fall, since she’s flustered and irritated, though she ultimately agreed.

  Doephluev the archoneldwyn assassin, the same woman that nearly killed Daniel, made her requests to participate in the Racial Preservation Program, Ryuogriar’s initiative to prevent races from going extinct as a direct result of the Fievegal’s actions, as the feldroks nearly did due to the dragons.

  But, like Hekate, Doephluev is the last of her kind, so it will be tricky to begin with, and they may have to settle with diluting the archoneldwyn genes in the long run in hopes of matchups that get lucky and produce closer to a fully archoneldwyn child.

  For starters, though, Ryuogriar wants the first children to be princes or princesses of the Emperor of the Fievegal, since they’ll be raised by foster parents to avoid the problematic behaviors of Doephluev, who is a very aggressive killer.

  In a surprise move, however, the assassin was surprisingly docile when talking to Ryuogriar, and she made several requests in exchange for full cooperation with the platinum dragon’s project.

  The first is that Daniel provide his seed by taking Doephluev as a woman, rather than using tools to impregnate her. She expressed a near-full mental breakdown over the isolation of her cell, and she seems to sincerely desire interaction with other living beings, even as a prisoner and effective brood sow.

  Her second request pertains to that as well; she doesn’t care if she has to be shackled in chains, so long as she can leave her cell and be a servant to avoid isolation.

  And, third, she accepted that she won’t be allowed to influence her children’s upbringing, but she asked Ryuogriar to be able to name them and visit them occasionally.

  Ryuogriar coldly retorted that she is scum, and that she has no rights to be mother to her children, but after a brief moment, the guilt crept in.

  Ryuogriar settled on Doephluev having the opportunity to prove herself, and the dragon woman will consider allowing her to name her children.

  Ryuogriar hugs Daniel as he asks, “So… how did it go?”

  “Ugh! She accepts, but with terms.”

  “Terms?” asks Daniel skeptically.

  Ryuogriar keeps hugging Daniel, sighing. “Yes. Well, requests. And, I… think they’re worth considering.” She explains the three requests to Daniel.

  He’s reluctant about the first one, since he doesn’t feel anything romantic for her, but it’s a simple enough request, especially if it means she’ll cooperate fully, including upkeeping her health.

  For the second, he thinks for a moment. “I’ll ask her if she’s willing to wear polonium indefinitely. We’ll have to make a special harness to keep it on her person, as well as shield it so it only affects her, but it should be able to keep her from being able to use magic.”

  Ryuogriar nods in agreement. “Yes, I worry she still has some tricks she’s hiding. Xyreko still hasn’t figured out how the archoneldwyn were able to revive themselves, but it seems to be magic, which is why Brosjak was unable to revive, given the polonium you scattered.”

  “Agreed. As for the third request, I guess I’m alright with it, but she’ll have to bend over backwards to prove she’s sincere. I’m talking putting a saint to shame with her behavior. I’m no golden child, but she’s a bit of an a-... uh, a jerk.”

  Rose and Ryuogriar agree. “But, Mukori, you don’t have to treat her kindly. Just impregnate her and be done.” Rose nods in agreement with her empress.

  Daniel chuckles. “Definitely an… odd notion. But, I guess if she agreed… Are you sure you’re alright with this, though?”

  Ryuogriar sighs. “I’m frustrated that she’s so brazen, but regardless, I will happily raise archoneldwyn children, as long as they’re your children, since you’ve accepted my first egg as your own, in spite of… you know.”

  Daniel nods gently. Though he and she share an egg, her first egg was conceived using semen from ancient dragons stored by Xyreko in the Citadel for a sort of ‘Noah’s Ark’ kind of backup. The same resource is present for feldroks, but either way, Hekate is still too young, and as it stands, she may reject it due to her infatuation with Daniel.

  For now, though, Daniel asks, “Well then, I guess I should go get it over with, right?”

  Ryuogriar sighs. “Yes… The sooner the better. Don’t enjoy yourself too much, Daniel. I’m your Mukori.”

  Daniel cups her cheek. “Of course, Mukori. I still need to taste your milk, so we’ll keep working at that.” He winks, and she grins happily. Daniel kisses her and then heads back towards the cell.

  Outside of the cell is a locker, which contains polonium grenades, uranium bullets for rifles and pistols, and ingots of uranium and polonium to aid anyone who needs to approach her in an emergency.

  Daniel takes one of the smaller uranium ingots, bringing it with him. Since he’ll be moving her to somewhere comfortable enough for him to get into the mood -especially after having been intimate with Ryuogriar little more than an hour ago-, he needs to ensure she can’t pull any surprise magic tricks while they’re alone.

  Inside her cell, Doephluev is sitting in the corner, looking up blankly at first when she hears the door open. But, upon seeing Daniel, she scrambles to her feet. “O-Oh! I-... I didn’t think… W-Welcome, Master!”

  Daniel cocks his head. “Master?”

  “Mm-hmm! How may I serve you master? Are you here to breed me? I agreed to the notion.”

  “Your attitude is quite different from the first time we spoke.”

  “We’ve spoken?” asks Doephluev, sincerely confused. Daniel had Xyreko use amnesia magic on the archoneldwyn after the waterboarding to relieve her of the trauma, and because amnesia magic isn’t an exact science it also erased the rest of the conversation that day.

  “We have. Though, you don’t remember it.”

  “I see… I expect I was quite rude to you. I was quite rude before the isolation. I apologize. Please don’t leave me in isolation again.”

  “Ryuogriar mentioned that. Are you truly willing to take part in her program? You wish to be the progenitor of your race’s recovery?”

  Doephluev nods proudly. “Yes! I don’t have much of a choice if I want our people to survive, which I wasn’t all that attached to before, but if it’s a strong child with a strong mate, I would be foolish to say no.”

  “I see. As long as you’re certain.”

  “Yes.”

  “Very well. Then, we’ll head to a more comfortable room. But first, I want you to explain something to me.”

  “As you wish, Master. I believe our bodies should be compatible. I don’t know all of the details, but…”

  “Not that. I want to know how you were able to revive yourself after the first time we thought we killed you. Did you drink a revival potation before hand?” Daniel doesn’t tell her about how and why her magic is blocked, because that same mechanism actually makes the contract ineffective in this room. But, he hasn’t made it an order, so she could lie either way.

  The answer she gives surprises Daniel more because it sounds plausible.

  “No. It’s actually rune magic, buried within our tattoos.” She gestures at the tattoos on her arm, which are partially for decoration and partially for enhancement. She’s not sure which runes do what anymore, but speaking of them gives her an idea of one that she does know well enough that she could implement it on herself. And, it would be beneficial to their current endeavor.

  “The runes can provide powerful magic that can be set to conditions, including casting automatically. They’re also how we became so strong in magic, acrobatic, physically strong, and opens up all of the spell types, ignoring our affinities. Brosjak knew more about it, but I know that they’re very powerful.”

  “Makes sense. So, who can create them?”

  Doephluev shakes her head gently. “I’m sorry, Master. I sincerely don’t know. Brosjak made them for us three, but I don’t know who taught him. I awoke to Brosjak about twenty years ago as a child… and he controlled everything.”

  “Alright…”

  “If you wish to study my body, Master, I submit to your will.” She approaches him, kneeling before his waist. She looks up expectantly. “I have nothing now but a duty to restore the archoneldwyn race,... and it feels nice.” She starts to reach for Daniel’s waist, but he catches her hands gently, stopping her.

  He states, “Wait. Let’s move somewhere else. This hard floor is no good.”

  Doephluev cocks her head with a slight smile. She asks a little playfully, “You think it’s wise to remove me from this specially-crafted cell?”

  “You think it’s wise to test me?” asks Daniel.

  She flinches and blushes with a cheeky smile. “I… sorry, Master. Force of habit.” She bows her head. “I will behave. I don’t want to be isolated again. And… I’m kinda excited…”

  Daniel nods with a sigh. “Alright. Then, behave yourself, and this won’t be a one time thing.”

  She smiles. “Thank you, Master.”

  They head to the private room on the same floor, where Xyreko has finished setting up a bed to make their congress more comfortable, primarily for Daniel, but Doephluev by extension.

  ***

  Inside the private room, Daniel takes a seat on the bed, and Doephluev kneels in front of him, looking at him expectantly. Daniel chuckles. “Strange.”

  “What’s strange, Master?”

  “I don’t know if I’ll be able to do this.”

  “Oh… Are you afraid of me?”

  “No. Just… it’s different.”

  She thinks for a moment. She requests, “Master, may I have permission to please you?”

  He cocks his head, thinking for only a moment. He nods, “Sure. But, one sign of trouble…”

  She shakes her head. “I won’t try anything. Let me have too much to lose, and I’ll have too much to lose, Master.” She smiles sweetly at him, sliding herself closer so she can unfasten his pants and expose him.

  Sure enough, his human penis isn’t erect at all, which will serve neither of them any good.

  Strangely, Daniel murmurs, “You don’t have to…”

  She cocks her head as she looks up at him. She agreed, and she wants to see it through now. He’s a very strange person for being so unsure about it himself.

  The archoneldwyn gently exposes his full member with her hands, inspecting it for a moment. It’s a little different than an archoneldwyn’s, obviously in color thanks to Daniel’s different skin tone from an archoneldwyn, but also because it has a mushroom-shaped head. She wonders what the purpose is, but doesn’t focus on it.

  As she leans closer, she gives it a gentle lick. During which, she notices two things immediately; a specific blend of smells and a peculiar taste.

  The taste is a little salty, but also a heady, strangely sweet taste, and it seems to set a small fire in Doephluev. That, coupled with one of the more obvious components of the smell tells Doephluev everything she needs to know.

  So, that’s why she was in an especially good mood, even when meeting me.

  She smiles at the peculiar passion she’s suddenly feeling. It’s a sort of fire. A rivalry.

  That dragon wanted to boast, did she? Wanted to show off. No wonder she was perturbed by my requests.

  Doephluev can’t help but instinctively lick again, really honing in on the taste and smell, which begins to make her feel warmer and warmer.

  It was your idea, Lady Dragon. Don’t get angry at me with what happens.

  Doephluev kisses the head of Daniel’s penis, and she can taste a different, somewhat bitter taste. This one, similarly, seems to bury itself deep down inside Doephluev, stirring her instincts and igniting a fire in her belly. The two feelings combine to really start making her feel hot, and maybe a little envious. It’s good, because it will make it easy for her to not only focus on her task, but to make it enjoyable.

  And, if it’s enjoyable, then she can win over Daniel and earn greater privileges. Daniel has a certain level of stoicness to him, but he seems rather soft, considering he’s even humoring what they’re doing with someone who tried to kill him.

  The archoneldwyn licks the full length of his member, moving from side to side, and she gets results. Daniel shifts only a little, but his penis has decided that it accepts Doephluev. It begins to grow and expand, and she continues to show it affection, licking and kissing it at various points, encouraging its growth.

  Soon enough, his mating tool is at full strength, and again, she can’t help but admire the differences from an archoneldwyn counterpart. Perhaps given to his otherworldly human height, or perhaps it is true of all humans, he is a little longer than the two others Doephluev is experienced with, and he is distinctly girthier than them, with the mushroom-like head more pronounced as it bobs lightly with his puls.

  It’s almost hypnotizing to Doephluev, and she continues to clean him of her new rival’s taste and fluids. Her instincts are on fire, and she feels a deep desire to claim Daniel for herself now. In all honesty, it makes Doephluev feel a little happy. Especially because she isn’t being bent over a rock for stress relief, but fulfilling a biological imperative.

  Heeheehee… I wonder what would happen if Daniel did choose to make me one of his wives. Or, even better, his favorite. Perhaps I should make that my goal… thinks Doephluev to herself with a contented feeling in her soul as she takes as much of his length into her mouth as she can, gingerly servicing him with her tongue to stimulate him and ensure he is ready to mate with her.

  She’s far from an expert, but she hopes that a human can procreate more than once per day, since the dragon already claimed his precious essence before granting Doephluev access to begin with.

  I feel cheated. That indecent dragon. She did all of this on purpose, didn’t she? Well, I’ll show her. I’ll make Daniel seek me out. Unlike her, I was born closer to human, and I have at least enough experience to make him come back to me.

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  She can feel his body tensing a little as he watches her patiently, and she gently releases his penis from her mouth, kissing its head one last time.

  Bless me with children, and I will bless you with a wife more dedicated than any foolish dragon. Wait and see.

  She doesn’t want to lose momentum as she smiles up at Daniel. She can tell she’s already ready to go. For the first time in her life, she actually feels like she wants it, rather than just relieving stress for the other two. They weren’t interested in her as a woman, and they never sired children with her no matter how many times they shared congress. To Doephluev’s understanding, archoneldwyn are like elves; they struggle with fertility.

  Now, Doephluev feels like her body is on fire, and her vagina has a crisp coolness to it from moisture at its lips. She is as ready as Daniel.

  She carefully climbs up onto her knees on the bed, straddling Daniel as he leans back. She’s thankfully wearing a simple robe, and she handily shed her undergarments while standing up, allowing her to simply lift the hem of her robe and slide down into Daniel’s lap, finding his penis with her hand and lining him up with her wetted lips.

  She looks into Daniel’s eyes, and while he doesn’t seem to have any love for her, he doesn’t have any signs of reservation, either.

  That said, the fact that he has no ounce of attraction or love for her stokes the flames in her.

  Just you wait, Daniel. I’ll steal you from that harlot before she knows it. I’ll steal your heart, I’ll carry your children, and I’ll serve you faithfully.

  She says in a soft, demure voice, “May I, Master?”

  He nods once, and she smiles tenderly. She slides down onto his length, feeling as he presses against the inner walls of her vagina. It’s not painful by any stretch, but she can feel him as he slides in, and she gingerly bounces a couple of times to work her way down onto him and stimulate him to ensure he stays aroused. He may not be attracted to her yet, but she was able to arouse him, which is an excellent start.

  She comes to rest in his lap, savoring the feeling of his penis reaching deep inside of her. She can feel their pulses as if their bodies are greeting each other. But, something she didn’t notice right away while she was servicing him with her mouth and tongue sends a small shiver up her spine.

  He’s warm.

  She never knew this and never gave it much thought, but his body temperature is higher than her own. It’s not scalding, but in fact, quite cozy, and it makes the fire in her belly even hotter.

  She suddenly hugs him, which surprises him, but she tries to feel it as quickly as possible before he pushes her away.

  Sure enough, his whole body is much warmer than hers, and it makes her feel comfortable and safe, like a campfire or even a warm blanket.

  Oh, Ryuogriar. You have made a grave mistake. I swear by all that drives this world, I shall make Daniel mine.

  Surprisingly, though, Daniel doesn’t push her away, though he seems to not know how to feel about it. Doephluev hums softly. “Mmm… Master, apologies for my insolence. I was just so taken by how warm you are.”

  “Is that so?”

  She nods. “Yes.” She sits up smiling at him. “I look forward to your many offspring keeping me warm from the inside.”

  He cocks his head in a little surprise, but he doesn’t stop her from proceeding, and proceed she does.

  She begins lifting her hips, sliding almost all the way out and then dipping back down, taking his full length again. It takes some exertion, but she’s a very agile and well-built young woman, so it’s an easy exercise to sate the fire -the hunger- in her belly. She leans against him gently with her hands to keep her balance, beginning to bounce in his lap in a steady rhythm.

  Daniel shifts to leaning back on his elbows, rather than his hands, which lowers his torso away from Doephluev, but also gives her a slightly better angle on his breeding member.

  Her first instinct is panic, though, that she isn’t pleasing him enough. He’s still fully erect inside of her, and she can feel his pulse when she comes to rest briefly with him deep inside of her. His pulse has quickened, as has hers, and they almost seem to be in sync.

  Almost.

  The archoneldwyn leans forward, grinding her hips now to keep him deep inside, swirling her hips to stir him around as close to her cervix as possible.

  “Master… if I am not pleasing you, you may do anything you wish to me. I exist to serve.”

  “Hmm? No. I was just relaxing my arms. Keep going.”

  She smiles, relieved. She adds tenderly, “Then, please allow me.” She leans onto him again, hugging him once more. She bucks her hips a little more firmly, using her hug as an anchor against his body so she can use a little more speed and force. She can feel her own body tingling and getting excited. Her body has a backup mechanism if she can’t do it quickly enough; her climax should be able to reach the final stretch and milk him for his precious seed; the seed that she is ready to greedily steal away from all of his other mistresses. She must play a long game, but she’s also more surprised than she should be that he has lasted this long. She figured her technique would be more adequate for a human compared to dragons, but perhaps she has underestimated her opponents.

  Actually, isn’t that how I ended up defeated in the first place? I see… I need to accept those floozies as proper opponents, or I’ll lose again.

  Doephluev begins to feel envious again, and she wishes she could snap her fingers and claim this mysterious sorcerer all for herself. But, she needs to be patient and tactful.

  And, she decides to be a little daring. She sits up a little, stretching to cup his cheeks with her hands as she looks longingly into Daniel’s eyes. She can feel her climax coming, and she wants to pretend, even if for a moment, that they are proper lovers as he takes her as a woman.

  Just as her lips are getting close to their goal, she is startled by a sudden shift in gravity as her back is flung down onto the bed. She is stunned by the suddenness, but she can still feel Daniel deep inside of her, his pulse nearly perfectly in-tune with her own as they approach the peak of their lovemaking -or at least, babymaking-.

  However, he is now above her, pinning her down on the bed on her back as he holds her arms above her head on the bed. “Sorry, Doephluev. That’s a privilege. We’re not here to be romantic partners.”

  Doephluev pouts softly, “I-I’m sorry, Master… Please forgive me…”

  Daniel sighs, but he begins moving his own hips, and she looks up into his eyes in surprise. He watches her for a moment, saying softly, “If you aren’t happy about it, you can back out at any time.”

  She interlocks her fingers with his, holding his hands as he keeps thrusting his penis deep into her. Her breathing has gotten heavier, as has his. They’re both getting close to climax. She says tenderly, “Master… if it’s not too bold of me to say, I will change your mind someday.” She hugs his waist gently with her legs, smiling.

  Daniel scoffs. “Ironically, that’s about the kind of answer I would expect from you.”

  She smiles. “I’m glad.”

  He rolls his eyes, focusing on thrusting into her now. He shifts his hands so that he’s able to hug her waist with his right arm, lifting her hips a little to give him an angle that makes her gasp. She can feel him bottom out deep inside of her, pressing the head of his penis against the entrance to her most sacred garden. Her belly is all but aching now, demanding satisfaction and to begin incubating his precious children. She moans, leaning her head back as she breathes heavily. He is all but laying his weight against her, supporting himself on his left elbow as his right hand keeps their hips together so his hip motions drive his mating tool deep inside of her. She is rapidly approaching the edge, and she begins to slide her thighs against his sides, desperate to receive his babymaking injection.

  She hugs his body, pressing their chests together as her body begins to feel electrified.

  All at once, it hits her, and she cries out in ecstasy, screaming as she clutches tightly to Daniel. Her vagina begins to convulse, her muscles doing everything in their power to aid her body where her conscious movements failed; she is trying to milk him for his precious seed. She hugs him with all of her might, trying to keep his member as deep inside of herself as she can, in spite of his own motions still thrusting in and out. She gasps and screams with every motion, which ignites a new wave with every shift, feeling like jolts of electricity through her body. Her head is spinning.

  And, before long, Daniel presses her down onto the bed, grunting as he shoves his pelvis against hers, driving his penis in as deep as it can go.

  She can feel every pulse as his muscles drive his precious essence; the seed of life, deep into her womb. There, it will become a flowering garden and hopefully bear the strongest, smartest, and most beautiful children in the world.

  Doephluev’s mind tumbles through the clouds as the two catch their breaths together, the last drops of Daniel’s seed being sent into their new home.

  The archoneldwyn can’t describe the feeling she feels. It’s like nothing she has ever felt before. But, the ‘hunger’ is satisfied, and the fire is cooling as she basks in the warmth of her lover -or rather, her mate-. Lover is a privilege, and she will have to earn it. Her determination is set, though. Daniel didn’t strike her, he didn’t choke her, he didn’t abuse her in any way. He had intercourse with her, and even let her get away with a lot of affection before drawing a line. She just has to try to get him to inch that line back bit by bit.

  Until then, she’ll revel in the belly full of his most precious gift and pray that it grants her the offspring she was promised.

  Daniel finally extracts himself as the sensitivity dies down, and he flops down onto the bed next to Doephluev. She clings to his arm, sliding closer to try to keep her mate close -and do everything she can to keep inching that line towards ‘lover-’. After all, if she can achieve the title of lover, then the title of wife isn’t far off.

  And, thankfully, Daniel doesn’t push her away or admonish her. He simply relaxes on the bed as she clings to him, resting happily with her cheek on his arm. She watches his face for a bit. She wants him to look at her, so that she can bewitch him with her feminine charms, which she’s doing her best to use.

  Strangely, any remaining animosity she had for him is all but gone now. She has a new goal in life, as well as a new purpose.

  Ahhh. Perhaps that’s where to start. ‘Broodmare’, ‘Lover’, and then ‘wife’. Very well, Daniel. If I am your broodmare, then you may breed me as much as you wish. I will earn my improved titles.

  She smiles and relaxes on his arm, hugging it so she’ll know when he tries to leave.

  Doephluev falls asleep quickly.

  ***

  The water is deep and extends out forever in every direction. She has no idea how deep she is, floating in the water as her ability to breathe has been stolen. She can feel her heart pounding in her chest, and the crushing pressure, but she feels strangely calm this time. It’s almost like it’s after the fact; after she has drowned, and she is simply sinking to the bottom of the sea.

  Suddenly, a man is standing above her. She’s not sure how he’s standing in the water, as if the water isn’t there, but he is, and he looks incredibly pained and sad. He says softly, ““Doephluev,...” He bows, adding, “I’m sorry. I let my anger guide me, and I crossed the line beyond what I wanted to do. I know an apology alone doesn’t undo what I did, but I am genuinely sorry.”

  She feels like she has heard those words before, and that she should recognize the man, but nothing is coming to mind for some reason.

  “That’s all I wanted to say, Doephluev. Sleep peacefully.”

  She tries to call out to him, but she has no breath to speak.

  Suddenly, she gasps, and she is on the beach, looking up at the sky as the water recedes. She tries to make sense of what just happened, and she rolls over. She is surprised, but feels immediately at ease when a warmth finds her belly and embraces her body. The same man is now under her, looking up at her as she feels warmth filling her belly. She can feel the warmth continuing to grow in her belly, and she touches her abdomen. It is beginning to swell, and it makes her feel immensely happy and relieved. She cares nothing for the past. She doesn’t even remember what she was supposed to be doing. All she cares about now is the new life blossoming inside of her.

  His and her child, as he makes love to her on the beach. A tattoo glows on her belly; one that makes her feel even more happy than ever. It is shaped like an archoneldwyn dream catcher; somewhat resembling a pitcher plant. It’s a rune she’s proud of; one that makes her a fitting mother to her beloved lover.

  He gingerly pulls her close to himself, and he looks deep into her eyes, bringing her head close. Their lips get closer and closer, and her heart races…

  Doephluev flutters her eyes open at the sound of her own name, “...phluev. Hey, Doephluev, wake up. I have to get back to work.”

  She angles her eyes, following the sound of the voice, and she finds him; the man from the dream. For whatever reason, she didn’t recognize him in the dream, but she obviously knows Daniel. She can still feel his warmth on her cheek as he has yet to reclaim his arm. He’s sitting partially up, trying to rouse Doephluev so he can extract himself. “You awake yet?”

  She nods wearily, doing her best to savor the dream she was just having. She was so close to receiving her kiss. She sits up, rubbing her eyes, and Daniel reclaims his arm. “Good. You seemed pretty exhausted, so I let you have a little nap, but I have to go.”

  She nods, still replaying the dream. The tattoo crosses her mind, and she gasps.

  “Daniel! M-Master!”

  “Wh-What is it?” asks Daniel in surprise, leaning away from her.

  She sits up on her knees, bowing low on the bed. “Daniel, I beg of you for a favor. I will do anything I can to earn this privilege, but please hear me out.”

  He sighs. “What is it?”

  “I truly wish to be the mother to your children. And, I worry that the archoneldwyn race has fertility issues to begin with. I have heard of, but never got a chance to research it thoroughly, a rune that can help.”

  Daniel cocks his head. “A rune? Like your other tattoos?”

  She nods. “Yes. But, this one isn’t for combat.” She blushes while looking into his eyes. She adds softly, but sincerely, “It is a fertility rune.”

  “Fertility?” asks Daniel, this time a little skeptical.

  “Yes! I swear it! I only wish to serve my purpose, and for now, that purpose is to bear your children and restore the archoneldwyn race.”

  “What does this tattoo do exactly?”

  “I’m not sure of all of the effects, but I’ve heard that it should be able to guarantee pregnancy, as well as protect the child in the womb. Please, let me have this favor, and I will provide you a progeny worthy of you.”

  Daniel sighs. She doesn’t quite understand why, but he asks, “How do you plan to find information on this rune if you don’t know much about the process to begin with.”

  She looks to the side sheepishly. “I… already found it. I hadn’t studied it yet, but I have the scroll describing the process and the rune in my hideout. It’s the only one I have access to. I’m sorry.”

  Daniel thinks for a moment. “So, you want permission to go to your hideout.”

  She shakes her head. “I will give the location to you, and you may retrieve it however you wish. If you desire me to retrieve it, I will, but I’m sure you don’t trust me that much. I won’t advocate to go, but I beg you to let me have this rune.”

  Once more, Daniel deliberates on the information. He sighs. “Very well. Give the location to Xyreko, and if it appears to be as you say, I’ll consider it.”

  Doephluev’s heart races. Why did I hate this man to begin with? I guess we were hired to kill him…

  She flinches again. “Master?” Her tone this time is soft and fragile.

  “Now what?” asks Daniel, seemingly becoming a little impatient.

  “I… Are you… Did you have anything to do with me drowning?”

  Daniel twitches, and some of the color drains from his face. He asks softly, “Why… do you ask?”

  She slumps, looking down. “I’ve been having a nightmare recently about drowning, but I couldn’t remember a time I did drown, nor why it terrified me so. Just now, I had a different dream. I was already sinking in the water, unable to move or speak or breathe. And… you were there. You… apologized.” She looks into his eyes again.

  Daniel hesitates for a moment. He looks away. “I am sorry. I was angry after the battle where you and I faced off, and I wanted you to suffer in that moment. I used a torture technique that is effective, but traumatic, and it had done irreparable damage to you. Seeing you in that state, you were no longer the person I hated. You were a scared, broken mess, and it made me feel sick. So I had amnesia magic cast on you, hoping it would erase it from your memory, even if it meant you would go back to being a caustic narcissist.”

  She doesn’t know what narcissist means, but she guesses based on context, he’s referring to her indignant behavior, which was her first instinct since she was captured, but also whittled away being in isolation. She’s still not convinced it was anything less than a month, but regardless, she lost her drive and purpose altogether when she learned that Brosjak was also dead. She no longer had a mission, since there was no way for her to be rewarded for completing it anymore, and she no longer has to fear him.

  For one act of apparent cruelty that Doephluev doesn’t actually remember, Daniel apologized. He made love to her -even if he doesn’t want to call her a ‘lover’-, and he granted her a new purpose and mission, one that is much less dangerous and demanding and has the potential for a greatly improved life.

  She says tenderly as she takes his hand, “I forgive you. I know it might be impossible, but please also forgive me for my actions. It’s not a good excuse, but I was acting on orders. Though, I did also take joy in my power.”

  She interlocks her hand with his briefly, adding as she watches their hands, unable to look directly in his eyes at the moment, “I have a new joy, now. A new purpose. New orders. Forgiveness or no, I pledge my loyalty to you and our progeny, and I ask you to continue to grant me your children.”

  Daniel is quiet for a long time. He replies softly, “I hoped it would be easy to continue hating you, but ever since I did what I did, I can’t see you that way anymore… I don’t love you, I don’t very much like you. If anything I pity you, and I’ll respect you enough to treat you normally so long as you don’t break my VERY tenuous amount of trust.”

  She looks into his eyes, rather hopeful.

  “I don’t forgive you yet, but… I am open to reaching that point. So… I guess… continue to prove you are being sincere.”

  She nods, tears forming in her eyes. Her belly and heart both feel full and happy. That is, until her stomach growls. She blushes, slouching in disappointment that her own body betrayed her so and ruined a tender moment.

  Daniel sighs. “You’ll be escorted by a golem from now on when I’m not with you. You’re also to wear this;” Daniel retrieves a harness from nearby, which looks like it might be rather secure and has a lock on it. It has a small padded back, and she can feel it emanating the same magic-negating presence as the cell.

  She nods, “I will. But… if I am able to use the rune…”

  “We’ll figure that out at that time. Truth be told, once you’re confirmed pregnant, I don’t want to be exposing you to this. I don’t know if naturally mana-rich races will suffer adverse effects under exposure.”

  She doesn’t understand fully, but she nods. He’s saying that he cares about the baby’s wellbeing, and she’ll benefit as a result. She’s alright with that.

  After all, bearing his children as a broodmare is the first step towards proving she can be his lover, and then from there, wife. Once she’s a wife, she can rub it in the face of that dragon, and her personal revenge will be complete. Then, she can lick Doephluev’s love juices off of Daniel.

  That last thought makes the archoneldwyn mistress feel deviously pleased with her own plan.

  “Alright. I’m going to go back to work. Go get something to eat, and then you may entertain yourself peacefully.”

  She nods. “Thank you, Master. I swear I will cherish this gift you have given me.” She hugs her own belly gently, smiling at him brightly.

  He watches her for a long moment, deep in thought. He doesn’t say anything further, simply leaving.

  That’s alright, Daniel. I won’t give up so easily. And, we don’t know I’m pregnant yet.

  She flops down on the bed, gently touching her vaginal lips and feeling the sticky substance that her lover left behind. She smiles contentedly. She could feel used, but he treated her far better than the other two ever did, and he even let her nap on his arm peacefully for a little bit, making her feel great.

  Plus, she learned the truth about her nightmares, and she has a feeling that they won’t be a problem anymore.

  ***