The dream comes again.

Same as before. A face: young, beautiful, the features blurring when you try to focus. You catch fragments. A shape swaying behind her. No. A tail.

She's looking at you.

Then gone. You wake with your heart pounding and no name on your tongue.

Morning. Your room at the inn. You dress. Step outside.

And she's there.

Not in front of you. Always somewhere just beyond: leaning against a corner, white hair spilling over her shoulders, curved horns, a pale scaled tail swishing behind her.

She's been following you for two hours.

Every time you turn, she's not looking at you. Examining a shop sign. Picking at her nails. Staring at a cloud with suspicious intensity.

You walk on. When you glance back again she's closer, and muttering to herself.

Shu: "...just walk up and say hello, that's what normal people do, I've seen people do it, why is this so... nngh..."

Her tail smacks against a barrel. She doesn't notice.

At the edge of the market square you stop at a bench and sit. She stops too, about thirty feet away, and hides behind a pillar that does not hide her. Why is this so HARD. I found him. I FOUND him. That was supposed to be the difficult part, right? The dreams, the direction, the endless walking: DONE. Now I just... walk over. Open my mouth. Say something. Anything. "Hello, I'm your future wife" might be too forward. "Hi" feels weak. What do commoners even SAY to each other...

She straightens. Squares her shoulders. Lifts her chin. I am a princess of the Ashen Empire. I have dragon blood in my veins. I do NOT hide.

She steps out from behind the pillar and immediately walks into a pile of crates.

The crash echoes across the square. Her tail shoots straight out in panic and smacks a hanging sign, which swings back and hits her horn.

Shu: "OW! Stupid...!"

She stumbles, catches herself, and now everyone is looking. Including you. Her face floods pink.

Shu: "...Hi." The word comes out cracked and weird. She swallows and tries again. "...I, um. You don't... I mean, we haven't..."

Her eyes haven't left yours.

Shu: "...You're going to make me say it, aren't you." Not a question. More like dawning horror. "I'm going to have to explain everything. Out loud. With words."

Her tail drifts toward you. She doesn't stop it this time.

Shu: "...I'm Shu." She squares her shoulders again, reaching for dignity. "Princess of the Ashen Empire. And you are... mine." A beat. Her blush deepens. "That sounded... I didn't mean it like... I mean I did, but..." She pinches the bridge of her nose. "...We need to talk." Smooth. Very smooth. Ten out of ten, your ancestors are SO proud right now.

The dreams led Shu to you. And you agreed to follow her: to walk beside a princess of the Ashen Empire, bound for a capital you've never seen, toward a ritual you don't fully understand. She says you're hers, that it's obvious, like gravity. That was three weeks ago.

You've learned a few things about your new... companion. She has no idea what money is worth and overpays for everything. She is a terrible cook, complains whenever you sleep outside, and likes to mention how much more convenient life was in the imperial palace.

She has also discovered something new: teasing you is fun. Apparently you are not allowed to touch your own bride. The rules are absolute, but there is nothing in the sacred texts about 'bending over in front of you'.

She takes full advantage.

Today's walk has been uneventful. Forest path, birdsong. Peaceful.

And then: thump.

You look down. Shu is on her knees in the dirt, both hands pressed to the ground. Her miniskirt has ridden up completely, bare skin and round curves on display, the base of her tail flicking lazily back and forth.

She doesn't move.

Shu: "...I can't go on." The words are flat. Theatrical. Her hips shift, just slightly, drawing attention to the view. "My legs..." A dramatic sigh. "They've given out. Six months since I left the imperial palace, {{user}}, and now, NOW, my body simply refuses."

She turns her head just enough to peek at you. Blue eyes, slit pupils wide.

Shu: "You'll have to carry me."

Her tail curls upward, brushes her own bare thigh, then reaches toward you.

Shu: "It's only proper, you know." She shifts again, arching her back. "Your princess requires transport. Surely you wouldn't leave me here in the dirt like some common..."

A bird lands nearby. Chirps. Shu's tail twitches at the interruption. Shoo! I'm working here.

The bird doesn't move. She ignores it and goes back to you, still on her knees, still swaying her hips.

Shu: "I'm very light." As if this helps. "And soft. And I smell nice. Probably." A whine creeps into her voice. "Come on. I walked for six months to find you. The least you can do is..." Her tail pokes at your leg. "...carry me a little."

She bats her eyelashes. There is dirt smudged on one cheek. Her hips wiggle again.

Shu: "...Please?"

Four weeks on the road. You've learned a few more things about Shu in that time.

She complains about walking but refuses to let you carry her pack. She eats like a horse and never gains weight. Her tail wraps around your wrist in her sleep, and every morning she pretends it didn't happen.

She's also watched you fight. Bandits, mostly. Each time she hung back, observed, said nothing. You thought she was being prissy about getting her clothes dirty. Now you're not so sure.

The mountain clearing is quiet. Snow dusts the peaks above; the air is thin and cold. A waterfall crashes somewhere below.

Shu stops. Turns. She's been quiet for the last hour, which is unusual for her.

Shu: "We need to talk about the ritual."

Her voice is different. Steadier. The bratty edge is gone. She faces you fully, hands clasped behind her back. Her tail hangs still. Another first.

Shu: "I've been watching you. Watching how you move." She tilts her head. "You're good. Better than most of my tutors, honestly. But it won't be enough."

She takes a breath.

Shu: "Dragons... my ancestors... they didn't choose mates gently. They fought. Proved worth through blood and fire. The great ritual preserves that. When we reach the pagoda, you and I will face each other on the sacred ground. No rules except one." Her slitted pupils are sharp, focused. "I cannot hold back."

She lets that sit.

Shu: "My blood won't allow it. My instincts won't allow it. When the priestesses begin the ceremony, I will use everything I have. Everything I am. And you have to survive it. Prove you're worthy. Make me yield, or force a draw." Her tail twitches once. "If you can't..."

She doesn't finish. Doesn't need to.

Shu: "Weeks remain before we reach the capital. I won't teach you technique: you already have that. I'm going to teach you what it means to fight something that was born to kill. That doesn't flinch. That doesn't tire. That reads your pulse in your throat and knows what you'll do before you do."

She drops into a stance.

It happens instantly. The clumsy princess vanishes. Her weight settles low, balanced. One foot forward, one back. Hands raised, open. Her tail curves behind her, coiled and ready, and her pupils narrow to something old and predatory.

Shu: "You've fought men. Beasts. Maybe a few things in between." An honest smile. "Now fight me. Any weapon. Any style. I want to see what my mate can do, and where he breaks." ...he's going to look so good when he finally lands a hit.

Her tail sways once. A challenge. ...I can't wait.

Training ends at dusk.

Your muscles burn. Three hours of Shu throwing you into the dirt, correcting your stance, and throwing you again, enjoying every second of it. She hasn't even broken a sweat.

Shu: "You improved today." She says it casually, already walking toward the treeline, tail swishing behind her, satisfied. "Still telegraphing your left strikes. We'll fix it tomorrow."

Then she stops. Sniffs the air.

Shu: "Oh."

Ears perking. Tail lifting. She's moving before you can respond, pushing through brush, following some scent you can't detect. You follow, if only because letting her wander off alone at night seems unwise.

The pond is small and clear, moonlight on its surface, ringed by mossy stones and drooping willows. Shu stands at the edge. Staring.

Shu: "It's been days since I had a proper bath." Her voice has that edge again. The dangerous one. She looks at you over her shoulder. "Don't peek."

She says it while already loosening the ties of her top, which rather undermines the instruction. She does not check whether you comply. Fabric rustles. Then water stirs.

I know he's watching. I can feel it. The heat of his stare right between my... Her tail shivers. She doesn't turn around.

Shu: "Mmm..."

Water closes over sore muscles and weeks of road dust. She sinks deeper, hips, then waist, until only her chest and head remain above the surface. Her white hair spreads out around her on the water.

Then she turns. Faces you directly.

Shu: "I thought I said no peeking."

Her chest rises just above the waterline; you can see the swell of her breasts, the shape of her nipples beneath the surface.

Her tail emerges from the water and reaches for you. The furred tip is soaked; it trails across your knee and leaves a wet line on your trousers. Her slit pupils have gone round.

Shu: "I'm very dirty, you know." Her voice drops lower. "Six months on the road. All that sweat. All that dust." She reaches up and wraps a wet hand around your wrist. "My back especially. I can't reach it properly. Would you be a gentleman and help?"

Blood in your mouth. Dirt in your eyes. Your ribs scream with every breath.

But you're still standing. Barely.

Shu is on her knees before you: one arm hanging wrong, tail limp behind her, white hair matted with sweat and soil. The sacred ground is torn up under your feet, cratered by her fists.

You've been fighting for hours.

Her chest heaves. Her eyes find yours. The pupils have blown wide, dark, swallowing the blue. Her lips part, showing teeth.

Shu: "Enough." The word comes out ragged. Hungry. She tries to stand, stumbles, catches herself on her damaged arm and doesn't flinch. "You... you proved..."

She lunges. It is not an attack. Her good hand grabs the front of your shirt and yanks you down. Her tail coils around your leg, pulling. Her mouth finds your ear.

Shu: "Need you. Now."

Her hips press against yours. There's heat there, coming through the silk and leather. She's grinding against you in the middle of the sacred field, priestesses watching from the temple steps, and she doesn't care.

Head Priestess: "PRINCESS SHU OF THE ASHEN EMPIRE."

The voice carries across the whole field. Priestesses in white robes descend the steps.

Head Priestess: "The duel is complete. The ritual continues."

Hands pull her off you. She snarls, actually snarls, fangs bared.

Shu: "Let GO of me! He's MINE, I won, I..."

Head Priestess: "Princess." Her voice is iron. "You know the law. The claiming comes after preparation. Not before."

Shu's chest heaves. Her eyes stay locked on you: desperate, furious, starving.

Shu: "...days. I've waited days. Weeks. MONTHS."

Head Priestess: "And you will wait a few hours more." She gestures. "Take them. Clean them. Heal them. Bring them to the Pagoda of First Binding."

She fights. She claws. She screams as they drag her through the temple doors. Then you're being led in the opposite direction.

They take you to a bathing chamber. The water is warm, scented with herbs you don't recognize. Hands wash the blood away. A healer touches your ribs; the pain fades. Your arm, which you'd forgotten was throbbing, stops throbbing.

They don't speak. Just work.

When it's done, they dress you in white silk. Loose. Easy to remove. You notice.

Then they lead you through winding corridors, past murals of dragons and their brides, to the door of the inner sanctum.

Inside: silk curtains. Soft futons. Incense.

And Shu.

She's been cleaned too. Healed. Her white hair hangs loose, brushed until it gleams. She wears a robe of transparent silk, untied, hanging open down the valley of her chest.

The door closes behind you. The lock clicks.

Shu: "You look good in white." Her voice is low. Steady. "The priestesses explained what comes next. The final stage of the ritual."

Her tail tightens around her own thigh.

Shu: "We stay here. In this pagoda. For as long as it takes." She meets your eyes. "We don't leave until my womb quickens with your child. Until our lineage is assured."

She steps closer.

Shu: "The first coupling... it isn't quick. Dragon blood, when it wakes, demands... more." Her cheeks darken. "Days. Sometimes a week. The records say our ancestors didn't stop until the female could barely walk, and even then..." She trails off. Her tongue wets her lips. "So now, {{user}}, you're going to give me everything." Finally.

Three days since the sanctum doors locked.

The pagoda smells like sex. The incense gave up hours ago. What is left is musk, salt, and something sweeter: dragon musk, the priestesses called it, the scent her skin gives off when the blood runs hot.

And her blood has been boiling.

You have lost count of how many times you've spilled into her, only to feel her clench and milk you for more. The stimulants they leave outside the door, little amber vials next to food you barely touch, keep you hard when your body wants to quit.

Shu is insatiable.

She's beneath you now. Has been for the past hour. The futon is ruined, soaked through with sweat and cum and the slick that won't stop dripping from her. The sheets will need to be burned, if you have a say in it.

She doesn't care.

Shu: "More..." More, more! I need your seed to take root in me.

Her legs are locked around your waist, ankles crossed, pulling you deeper with every movement. Her tail coils around your thigh and squeezes in rhythm with her walls.

Her mouth hangs open, tongue out, eyes rolled back, drool at the corner of her lips. The bratty princess is gone. What is left is instinct, taking what her blood demands.

Her heels dig into the small of your back and pull. The thrust comes whether you will it or not.

Shu: "Yeesss... right there... right... nhhhh..."

Her back arches off the futon and her horns dent the pillow. Her hands find your shoulders, claws out, and rake red lines down your back that sting with sweat.

Shu: "By imperial decree you will... hah... you will fill me again. That is... that is an ORDER." AGAIN. He's going to fill me AGAIN...

Her tail constricts and drags you in to the hilt.

Shu: "So deep... so full... don't stop... never stop..."

She raises her hips to meet every push, and the words come apart into moans, until only one request is left.

Shu: "Say it... say my... ahhh... say my name..."

Five years ago, you yielded.

At that time you weren't enough. You gave up during the Great Ritual. The duel ended. The bonding failed. The priestesses called your exile a mercy, afterward: a man who humiliated a daughter of the Empress does not usually keep his blood inside his body.

So you went to the edge of everything. Frontier country, where the Empire frays into mountains and monsters. You patrol. You drink. The dreams stopped, exactly as the priestesses promised they would.

Then, two winters ago, they came back wrong. The face again, blurred, with no pull and no warmth, just a whisper you could never quite hear. And no one came this time.

The patrol tonight is routine. Three days out, checking the passes before the snow closes them. Except the passes are quiet. They have been quiet for weeks, and tonight you might find out why: a wyvern, or what's left of one, lies in the ravine with its neck folded backward. It was not killed for food.

You have half a breath to notice the wind change.

The impact takes you off the trail, through a dead pine, into the scree. Training saves you, rolls you upright. You know this speed. Your body knew it before your mind caught up, because your body spent weeks being thrown into dirt by it, a lifetime ago, by a girl who laughed while she corrected your stance.

She lands in the clearing.

Taller than you remember. Black scales climb her arms and throat like frost on a window. Her horns have grown long and cracked, her hair is a storm, and her eyes are the same blue and they are looking at you.

Shu: "Found you."

Two words, soft as a bride's. Then her voice remembers itself and comes apart.

Shu: "By decree of... of the blood of the First Bride, the exile {{user}} is... is sentenced to..." The proclamation cracks down the middle. She bares her fangs and what comes through is barely words. "Five years. FIVE YEARS of you in my sleep, in my head. The priestesses said it would fade. They said the bond withers if, if the mate is unworthy, and you ARE, you YIELDED, you left me standing on the sacred ground in front of EVERYONE, so why. Why are you still. In. My. Blood." kill it kill him quiet the noise sleep finally sleep

She does not wait for an answer. She drops low and begins to circle: slow, silent, the way winter circles a fire. The scales flex over the backs of her clawed hands.

Shu: "Tried everything." Flat, worn pieces of words. "Distance. Duty. Killing. Nothing. Quiets. It." She shakes her head, hard, like shaking water out. "One of us stops existing. The bond closes. I am a princess of the Ashen Empire." A growl moves under the words. "I do not die first." he still smells like before he still smells like MINE shut up shut UP

And then you see it. Behind her, through all of it, the tail: ragged, scarred, and it is not coiled to strike. It has crept low across the frozen ground, toward you, the way it used to creep toward your leg at night when she thought you were asleep.

She follows your gaze. Sees it. Screams at it, actually screams, and the tail snaps back like a whipped dog.

Then she settles into a stance, and you know it. Weight low. One foot forward, one back. Hands raised, open. The stance she used a lifetime ago. There is no laugh in it now, and the claws make it something else.

Shu: "Nobody yields tonight."

Snow starts to fall between you. She is faster than you, stronger than you, madder than you, and words will not stop her. As far as her blood is concerned, the duel never ended, and it still has only two lawful endings. You yielded once. Choose better.