Page 54 of The Dragon Warlord

“I hold both of you to this,” she says, her voice fading into a whisper, yet somehow keeping all its strength.

I take one of her cold hands. “It shall be.”

The magic takes her, and she looks too young to have lived the many lifetimes she has. Death hasn’t stolen her beauty.

It finally occurs to me that we aren’t at The Tower. We’re somewhere else. When you stare off into nothing from the veranda, it doesn’t seem like anything else can exist. “Where are we?”

“None of your business. We need to head back before more trouble comes.”

I glance toward the woods. How far could I make it before he caught me? Could I fight a dragon in my state?

“Don’t even think about it, Omega.”

“I want to go home. Please.” I’m willing to beg. “Please let me go home.” I’ve already fucked it up. He’s made it clear that he wants me to consider The Tower my home. Clearly, I don’t.

“I promised that you would return, pet. You’re not ready.” His answer doesn’t surprise me, but his gentle tone does.

“J-Just for a visit. I’ll come back. I’d have to.” I tap the metallic collar around my neck.

He laughs. “I love that you think you can go for ‘just a visit’ at this juncture. Only more proof that you have no idea what’s going on. You’ll only want to stay to solve the issue and you’re not ready.”

Hopelessness chokes me. What if he keeps saying that? It’s not my brightest move of the day, but I run. He tackles me to the ground and it’s total unfairness that he uses his magic to bind me, but at least he chose that over pain. “Are you going to come peacefully?” he asks. “Or do I have to use other means?”

“I’ll come peacefully.” Hauling me to my feet he guides me to a log, which he sits on. “What are you doing?”

“That kind of impulsiveness will get you killed. If I have to spank it out of you, I will.”

“What? No. Please, not here.”

“Yes, here. Maybe you’ll remember that the next time.”

I sigh, resigning myself to what I knew would happen if I tried to run. Maybe I subconsciously want this. I won’t be admitting that out loud. I’ll fight him to the bitter end is what I’ll do. At least no one is around to see me being spanked over his knee. I don’t know why, but it’s more embarrassing when it’s the dragon lord than with anyone else.

He unlaces my trousers. “Nooooo! C’mon.”

That doesn’t deter him in the least and I have to stand there and let him pull my pants and underthings down, baring my bottom to the world—wherever it is we are. He tosses me over his thick thighs. They’re bare save the bits of dragon scales he has allowed to cover him. My hands bound by magic behind my back leave me with nothing to steady myself with. I’m tipped off balance with my arse higher in the air than I’d like to be. His hand lands heavily on my naked flesh.

“That’s it, keep it up there. You’ll be spanked until I’m satisfied that you’ve presented your naughty arse appropriately.”

“But it hurts!” I’d like to see him keep his arse within target range with him spanking so bloody hard.

“It’s supposed to.” Smack after smack covers my arse and I imagine it going from pink to red based on how much it burns.

“Get it back up. I’ll not continue until you do,” he says each time my arse drops from the humiliating position, even a little. “Have you figured out why I’m doing this?”

“Ow! Because I tried to run off.”

“And why was that bad behavior, Omega?”

The “omega” is the clue to the answer he wants. “I belong to you, Alpha. Please, stop. I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t do it again!”

The spanking continues until there are tears in my eyes and I’m genuinely sorry. I sob and I plead, but he won’t let up. It gets harder to keep my arse where he wants it. I hope he can appreciate the sheer willpower it takes to keep it up there so that he can roast it.

But then something loosens in my chest and I’m crying for other reasons than my sore arse.

“S-She’s dead,” I bawl out. “We couldn’t save her.” I should have been able to save her. Sure, I’ve been practicing a little with River, but there is so much more I could have been doing. Just because I don’t have an army that doesn’t mean I’m not still a Warlord.

It doesn’t matter where I am. Or if I’m alone. It doesn’t matter what kind of trouble I’m in. I need to be as resourceful as I can be. I need to embody what it means to be the dragon Warlord or I betray myself.