Free Bride of Dragons (The Dragon's Virgin Tribute) by Madelene Martin Page B

head away, but there was a shine of tears in her eyes.
    Ylissa drew on her silk robe and followed the maids. They prepared a bath, with water heated by the hot pools that ran under and through the caves. They poured water over her hair, and washed every inch of her. They shaved all the hair from her body. They rubbed fragrant oils on her legs, her neck, her breasts. Ylissa wasn't accustomed to such an intimate touch even from her maids, and blushed, feeling even more nervous.
    "You are lucky, my lady." Mira, the youngest handmaiden, was her friend and spoke to her often.
    "Lucky?" Ylissa raised an eyebrow, holding still so that the two other girls could work her hair into its intricate style.
    "Of course." Mira's eyes were shining, and she was clasping her hands together. "You will be the mother of queens."
    "Hmm." Ylissa muttered non-committally. It was a pity Mira couldn't have the honor. Right now, she felt like she would happily change places. But of course Mira was just a commoner, a human peasant. And it was the royal blood that was important. A commoner could never carry a dragon's egg.
    The girl continued happily. "Why, even now the Lords are competing, to select those who will have the honor of mating with you."
    Ylissa's brow furrowed. She turned her head to face Mira, frustrating the two maids who were working on her hair. "What do you mean, 'those'?"
    Mira paused, sensing she had said something she shouldn't. She drew away from Ylissa. "Well - I mean to say..."
    "Spit it out!" Ylissa did her best imitation of the commanding tone her mother had used with the servants.
    Mira blanched. Reaching up to adjust Ylissa's diamond necklace around her neck, she stuttered. "I... They have decided, my lady, out of respect for the oldest families, and to increase your own chances at producing many eggs, the three strongest, fiercest, most skilled of the lords will become your consorts."
    "Three!"
    "Yes, my lady." Her eyes were downcast, anxious. But Ylissa didn't reprimand her. She was speechless. Three! How could she be expected to bed three men?
    The romantic tales her mother had told her, tales of betrothal and blossoming romance between a Princess and her new husband - of belonging to him and him only for life - it felt as though they had been ripped away from her.
    The promises of romance had been the only thing that sustained her - the hope that she might find the same happiness as her parents... Was she instead to be chained to three males and forced to service them all? To be treated as nothing but a brood mare?
    Her mind fell blank. She stood still, numb, while Mira finished with the necklace then scampered away to fetch Ylissa's wedding clothes.
    The dress was filmy, translucent white, and long enough to just brush the floor. The handmaidens belted it under her breasts, with a golden belt. They draped a heavy white cloak around her shoulders, and placed a dainty golden circlet on her head, taking care not to disturb her elaborately arranged hair. Ylissa had to hold her head very straight, feeling as though the whole thing might slip sideways.
    It was time to be paraded out in front of all the visiting nobles of the kingdom, and the neighboring kingdoms. Her husband – husbands? She corrected herself – were in that crowd. She took a deep, shaking breath.
    Mira took hold of Ylissa's hand. "Please," Mira urged, patting it nervously as she started leading her from the room. "Remember to smile, my lady."
    A pair of dour guards joined them outside the door. They took her down many passages - hallways Ylissa had never walked before - and out onto a balcony of sorts, overlooking a huge cavern.
    The roof of the cavern was open, high above. It was a dim day, but even so the light was dazzling to Ylissa, who did not get much time in the sun. She squinted and shielded her face for a moment, then slowly looked out over the rocky expanse
    Hundreds - maybe thousands - of dragons in human form, stood along the tiers and in the