Flames and Royal Blood (Dragon story)

[PennyLane]

                Autumn leaves crunched beneath their boots. This time of year always seemed to leave the forest painted orange. Funny how so much beauty could be born from all the death.

                “Ng’xxkt!!”

                “Bless-“

                “Shut up,” His response received a disapproving glance. “Ugh, if you got something to say Princess, spit it out.”

                “I’m simply questioning if you are fit to accompany me today. Seems you are a bit… preoccupied.” She smirked then, gesturing to the knuckle he was subconsciously rubbing under his nose.

                That was their relationship: Knight and Princess. He was ordered by the king to be a dog at her side day and night. Not that Princess Anika needed much protecting; aside from Declan, she had the highest ranking of any of the royal guards: Second in archery, second in fencing, second in horse riding- always second to him.

                “It’s beyond me why you always stifle like that. You’d feel much better if you just sneezed it all out already.”

                “I’m not doing this out of politeness, and you know it. Everything in Autumn is so brittle and dry and flahh… ah… hammable.”

                Flammable. With all that was dead on the ground, one spark could set the forest into flame. Or… one sneeze. Along with being the kingdom’s best Knight, Declan had also made history being the first, and only, dragon. He was unassuming in his human state, but under those leathers burnt the heart of a wild, fire-breathing dragon. All that remained of his dragon form was his pair of glowing ember eyes.  

                Anika observed him then- Declan wore fighting leathers that fit tight to his well carved body, along with a myriad of weapons strapped along his frame. Her own leathers were quite similar, if not for the crest of the kingdom that sat on his left breast. Nothing on Anika gave away her royal blood, not unless you smelled the fresh bath on her compared to the grime that covered the rest of the soldiers.

                “HHHhhihh? Heh…. HUM’KKCHTT!!”

                “Your stifles are getting worse.”

                “It’s not my fault, dammit,” fiery temper, as always, “the longer I’m out here, the more dead foliage and pollen I have to breathe in. Are you quite satisfied with your hunt, Princess?”

                She dragged him out here at least once a week so she could sharpen her technique. Three rabbits and a squirrel hung dead from a bag on Anika’s hip. The meat was nothing to her, being that she had food waiting at the castle, but she was glad to donate it to the chapel every week to feed those less fortunate than herself.

                “Quit your whining, fire boy, I’d say you’re just intimidated. If my archery remains as skilled as it was today, I’ll be taking your spot as number one by next moon.”

                He laughed at that. A true belly laugh. Anika would’ve taken offense had it not been the first time she’d seen him smile all day. “Keep up that little dream of yours, your highness. Your competition is a lot more entertaining than any of the attempts my men have made.” She laughed at that too. the joy seemed to ricochet off the neighboring trees ana echo through the whole forest.

                It was short lived. From a nearby thicket cracked the voice of a low, lumbering man. “Well well well, lookie what we have here. Mind if we join in on the fun, Princess Anika?” The male who stepped out was decorated with the crest of their enemy kingdom, probably a general.

                Declan grabbed Anika by the waist and swung her behind him, unsheathing the sword from its holster on his side. “You’re an awful long way from home. Where are your men?”, Declan bantered with a smirk that screamed arrogance and the promise of death, “or did they leave you here all alone? I wouldn’t blame them, of course. I’d do the same if I had to look at your ugly mug all day.”

                The man’s responding laughter was booming. He stepped closer to Declan now, almost within the sword’s reach. “It just so happened that my men followed my ugly mug all the way out here. Right at your kingdom’s doorstep.” A dozen men stepped out from the thickets. Then two dozen, three dozen. What looked like forty men surrounded them, all covered head to toe with weapons of every sort.

                “If I were you, I’d drop that sword.” Declan surveyed all the men, searching for any weak spot in their formation… but found none. He inwardly cursed as he dropped the weapon to his side, allowing the rest of his weapons to drop with it.

                Panic was threatening to settle over Anika. There was no running, and the two of them certainly wouldn’t last in a fight. She was about to give up hope when she spotted a large, particularly pollen filled orange leaf stuck to the leather on Declan’s shoulder blade. A way out.

                “Oh! Whatever shall we do???? Save me my Knight! I’m so scarred!” Anika threw herself at Declan’s side, earning a confused look from him as well as a round of sinister chuckles from a few enemy soldiers. She used the movement to pluck the leaf from her Knight’s back and swiftly bring it under his nose.

                “Deep breath”, she whispered into his ear. Declan’s ember eyes bulged in protest, but the princess’s hand was unmoving as it held the leaf in place. Slowly, cautiously, the dragon took in the pollen. His nose sucked the particles in greedily, almost desperate to get every speck inside. The last step was for her majesty to stroke the leaf across his nostrils before letting it fall to the ground, content with the havoc her actions were about to inspire.

                True to her plan, Declan’s yellow speckled nostrils flared wide, they trembled and wriggled at the foreign invader’s that had so easily entered the sensitive membrane. Glowing ember eyes fought to stay open but fluttered shut against the battle he was surely losing. Anika watched as Declan’s mouth formed an irritated snarl, opening the gateway to the hitching breaths beginning to tumble out.

                “Is that your plan?”, the enemy general bellowed from his position among his men, “You’re going to have your knight huff and puff and blow us all away?” Thunderous laughter erupted from the men surrounding the thicket.

                “HHHHHhhhhhuhh…. Snf! Heh… Ah-Anikahhh… Hah?! Grahh-b onto my back, and… ahhhnd… AND AHHHAHH???!!! SNFFFF!!! Don’t… let… GO!”

                The princess immediately obeyed, wrapping her arms around the small of his back and pressing close. She turned to the general, smirking, “Yeah, I suppose you could say my plan was something like that.”

                Declan braced a hand on Anika’s clasped hands, securing her to his abdomen. She felt his torso shake with the last crumbling effort to hold on.

                “Gonna… gh-ghonna!! HAH?! AAIIIIIISHOOOOO!!!! HAHT’SHCHOOOOOO!!” Fire burst from Declan’s mouth and nose. The flames traveled across the thicket and landed on the forest floor. He tried his best not to hit anyone directly, but Anika smirked at the few soldiers who yelped at their newly singed shoes.

                “I…H’TCHHHIEWW!!! I…HEHhhehhHEHehh…HAH!!! HIIEEEEESHHHHHHEWWWW!!! I CAN’T STOP!!! HAT’CHHHHHH-HE’IEEEEEESHHHOOOO!!!”

                Fire and flames enveloped everything. The air was slowly filling with black smoke. Anika couldn’t see much past the bright flames, but she could hear the footsteps of all the running soldiers. Even amid the screaming, she still relished in the loud cursing of the enemy general fleeing somewhere nearby.

                Trees were beginning to fall around them now. If they didn’t get out of here soon, they’d be crushed by the falling debris.

                “DECLAN!!” The princess moved around his figure to face him in a momentary gap between sneezes. “WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE!!” His eyes were squinting and pleading at her. She couldn’t tell if it was the fire around them or the flames within them, but his eyes were glowing brighter than she’d ever seen them before.

                “I… I don’t… hih! I don’t think…I… can… hihhhihhihh… stop! EH?? I’m-I’m ghonna…GONNA SNEEZE!!!”

                In a momentary lapse of panic, Anika grabbed hold of his nose between her fingers. It was nearly too hot to hold, but she kept her grip firm.

                “HEhehEHEH???? NG’XXXXT!!! EH’GSST!! NGT! NGT! NGT! NGT! NGT! NGT! OHhhhhhhh..”

                They both knew the relief could be fleeting. Declan wordlessly unleashed a pair of powerful wings onto his back, covered in red scales and larger than she was tall. With Anika’s fingers still pinching his nose, the knight picked her up and launched into the sky.

                The princess peered down from her bridal-style hold and beheld the absolute wildfire they had created. The flames were spreading like, well, wildfire. Soon a quarter of the whole forest would be engulfed. Declan peered down where she was looking. He cursed under his breath, drawing Anika’s attention back to him. Ember eyes observed her fingers still grasping his nose, then returned to their path through the sky.

                “Your father will have me beheaded for this.”

                “Not if I get to him first.”

[starpollen]

Oooh this is luuurrvley.  I’m gonna camp out right here 🔥 where are my marshmallows?… 

[Akahana]

Beautiful!!  What a delicious scenario, and I love all you're descriptions ❤️

[Just Older]

This is a great story! Love it!

[FireFlower3013]

adore this! Cant wait for more! 

[Serendipity]

Very nice, love this so far! 

[MiraKarat]

Absolutely loved this story! You definitely have to write more about this couple, they are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing with us❤️

[sweetnerd32]

I love this I can’t wait to see more of them if you plan on doing so 

[Kolen]

I am in love with your characters. No doubt about it. Whenever you're ready, please please PLEASE continue!!!!😁😁😁

[Aiko]

Please..continue the history:3

[emi]

this is so cute I love their dynamic

[sneezyfeather338]

OMG! That was awesome! If you ever make more about these two, I’d love to read it. 😍🥰😘

[starpollen]

Same. Sequel?  Pretty please with a cherry on top? 😍❤️😊👍🏻🤩

[Care]

I would love to have more ! Please !

[PennyLane]

On 8/12/2021 at 12:43 AM, starpollen said:

Oooh this is luuurrvley.  I’m gonna camp out right here 🔥 where are my marshmallows?… 

@starpollen here have some of mine

On 8/12/2021 at 6:08 AM, Akahana said:

Beautiful!!  What a delicious scenario, and I love all you're descriptions ❤️

@Akahana thank you~

On 8/12/2021 at 11:28 AM, Just Older said:

This is a great story! Love it!

@Just Older glad you enjoyed!

On 8/12/2021 at 1:17 PM, FireFlower3013 said:

adore this! Cant wait for more! 

@FireFlower3013wait no more

On 8/12/2021 at 8:02 PM, Serendipity said:

Very nice, love this so far! 

@Serendipity thanksssssss

On 8/17/2021 at 5:24 AM, MiraKarat said:

Absolutely loved this story! You definitely have to write more about this couple, they are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing with us❤️

@MiraKarat of course! i love writing these ❤️

On 8/17/2021 at 9:34 AM, sweetnerd32 said:

I love this I can’t wait to see more of them if you plan on doing so 

@sweetnerd32 i wasn't honestly, but yalls positive feedback convinced me otherwise

On 8/17/2021 at 3:16 PM, Kolen said:

I am in love with your characters. No doubt about it. Whenever you're ready, please please PLEASE continue!!!!😁😁😁

@Kolen thank you for your patience!

On 8/18/2021 at 12:22 AM, Aiko said:

Please..continue the history:3

@Aiko it shall be done :3

On 8/25/2021 at 1:11 AM, emi said:

this is so cute I love their dynamic

@emi me toooooo!

On 12/8/2021 at 7:47 AM, sneezyfeather338 said:

OMG! That was awesome! If you ever make more about these two, I’d love to read it. 😍🥰😘

@sneezyfeather338 here you go lovely

On 12/8/2021 at 9:21 AM, starpollen said:

Same. Sequel?  Pretty please with a cherry on top? 😍❤️😊👍🏻🤩

@starpollen fine, but only because you asked so nicely

On 12/12/2021 at 12:54 AM, Care said:

I would love to have more ! Please !

@Care ask and you shall receive             

 

                Booming sound echoed across the grand ballroom. The human senses were overflown with stimuli at every turn. Glittering champaign glasses and chandeliers caught the eye, while the scent of delicate cakes and finger sandwiches and…something else filled the nose.

                It was that mystery scent Declan was trying to identify as he stood mingling with some young duchesses. News of a dragon in the royal court had traveled across the neighboring kingdoms, and unfortunately always drew a crowd. Their well-endowed chests nearly lept out from their corsets to kiss his cheek as the girls all twittered and giggled around him.

                “Is it really true you’re a dragon? Where’s all your scales and wings?”

                “Well, in this from I am no less human than any of you, besides my eyes. You’ll see no scales on me unless a dire situation urged me to transform.”

                “But you can still breathe fire?”

                “Yes.”

                “Can you do it for us now?” One of the ladies had grabbed hold of his arm, pressing her cleavage onto him, and attempting to nuzzle the nape of his neck. The whole situation was entirely uncomfortable, and inappropriate, but it would be rude to leave the company of the duchesses without a proper reason.

                Declan was about to feign lightheadedness when he again caught a whiff of the mystery fragrance. Where is that smell coming from?

                A quick scan of the ballroom seemed less than fruitful, until he caught a glimpse of his princess, Anika. The royal blue ballgown that flowed from her figure was such a stark contrast to the fighting leathers she usually dawns in the morning when hunting with him. Even then, she was still herself. Her face held such a quiet sternness and rage that it amused Declan to see who would be brave enough to strike a conversation with her. It seemed tonight’s contestant was a duke from a kingdom to the north, wearing a lilac boutonniere…

                Lilac…so that’s what I smell.

                Not good. Not even in the slightest. Although Princess Anika would rather die than admit it, she has a horrid allergy to lilac. Last time the two when hunting around their blooming season, Anika had scared all the game away with her insatiable sneezing fit.

                “Please excuse me ladies, I do believe it is time I attend to my royal duties.”

                “That’s not fair, I wish I had a strong dragon like you to protect me~.”

                Declan left the gaggle of women whimpering in protest as he walked away and toward the princess. A closer inspection confirmed his suspicions: her nose was red.

                “Good afternoon Princess Anika, Duke, I regret to inform you that I must take her royal highness away now for a formal meeting.”

                “Meeting? Sniffle I know nothing about a meeting-“

                Declan’s hand braced the small of her back, applying a pressure that implored her to go along with what he said. She gave him a reluctant side eye before turning to the Duke at last.

                “It seems my memory is failing me, I do have a meeting at this time. Sniffle It’s been such a pleh- hehhheh sniffle a pleasure talking with you tonight.”

                With that Declan pushed Anika by the small of her back, weaving her through the crowd of ballgowns and suits, into a side kitchen outside the ballroom. While her highness stomped to the nearby table, her knight shut the door behind them and began rummaging through his pockets.

                “You had better have a good explanation for what you pulled back there! I was in the middle of a very important diplomatic conversation! Livestock and land and treaties and… look at me when I’m speaking to you!”

                Amber eyes gazed up and caught her stare for just a moment before returning to the search. He was about to give up when it was found at last: a handkerchief. Delicate, a soft blue, and decorated with the crest of the kingdom, the fabric traveled with Declan across the room as he joined Anika, leaning on the table. The dragon stopped inches away from her breath, just missing the slight tremors of the princess’s uneven, hitching chest.

                “You’re gonna need this.” Declan smirked down at her, enjoyed the scowl his remark had produced.

                “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.”

                “Him.”

                “Who?”

                “The Duke.”

                “What about the bloody Duke?!”

                “He was wearing this.”

                That’s when he revealed the lilac boutonniere. Elegant petals dusted with a soft pollen that made Anika’s nose quiver at the sight.

                “When?”

                “Hm?”

                “When did you get that?”

                “I snatched it when both of your backs were turned. Come now Princess, we’ve hunted often enough you should know the master of my silent hands.” He could see how her eyes were locked on the flora, anxiously watching how his hand moved it back and forth in front of her face.

                “I’m not even sure why you stole it. Serves no purpose to you”

                “I wanted to prove a point.”

                “What point?”

                “That you, Princess,” he caressed the bridge of her nose with the tip of the bundle, “are horribly allergic to lilacs.”

                Anika huffed and began marching toward the door, royal blue swishing on the ground behind her. Declan chuckled from the table.

                “Where are you going? If my estimates are correct, which they are, you’ll be hopelessly sneezing in about five minutes.”

                Her gloved hand hovered above the doorknob. For a moment she stood completely still, drinking in the statement. When she turned around, she saw Declan grinning ear to ear like a poised cat. Both his hands were outstretched, one holding the flowers and the other offering the handkerchief.

                “I’ll stay with you,” jeweled shoes clicked as she walked back to the pompous knight, “only to prove that you are wrong. I am not allergic to lilacs. In five minutes, when I’ve not sneezed even once, I will march out that door and back into the ballroom, and you will follow like the dog you are.”

                “Woof”

                So there they sat. her royal highness hiked up her gown to sit criss cross on the wooden table, directly facing Declan, who sat the same way on the opposite end. He began whistling, playing with the flowers between his fingertips. At the end of his tune the knight presented the bundle.

                “Take a whiff.”

                “What? No-“

                “How can you expect to prove you aren’t allergic by hiding from it?”

                “I’m not hiding.”

                “Oh yeah?”

                “Yeah.”

                “Smell the flowers, highness.”

                Ice in her eyes, Anika leaned down to the presented flora. Her nose hovered just above, taking in the powdery scent, when at once the petals and pollen were shoved into her face, and practically up her nose.

                “Wha-hhht in the WORLD?!” Yellow specks fell from her nose as it began to take a life of its own. Nostrils grew to an angry size and stretched in protest to the invading irritant. Declan cackled from the other side of the tabletop.

                “Oh princess, you should see yourself now!” His howling laughter echoed across the room. Anika wanted to scold him, wanted to reprimand the childish brute but oh…oh her nose tickled.

                “Dear me, princess, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were about to sneeze,” all Anika could muster in response was a glare through her slitted eyes, “Yes. It does look like you need some relief. The itchy eyes. The pink tip of your nose. Those flaring, trembling nostrils. Why even your chest is hitching so much your breasts-“

                He stopped. Dead still. Declan turned toward the door, straining his ears to hear some far sound.

                “Ihhhh-hih! SNF! If you’re just going t-to snf mock mbe, thehhhhhn I’m-“ the dragon cupped his hand over her mouth. Her majesty tried to protest, but he only pushed harder on her mouth. The urgency of the situation began to creep into her. When even Anika could hear the impending footsteps, her guard leaned into her ear.

                “Listen close: you are in no condition to fight right now, and the guests tonight are too important for me to slay them on your behalf. We need to hide you”

                Protest wasn’t an option. Declan picked up Anika’s body bridal style and carried her to the nearest hiding spot- the pantry. On a normal day, the two of them would have a tight squeeze fitting inside together. With the addition of her ballgown, it was nearly impossible. They were able to fit with Declan pushing the princess onto the wall and stuffing her dress in behind her before he climbed in. When the door was shut, they were chest to chest.

                Outside the pantry door they heard somebody come into the room, followed by someone else. Declan was straining to hear what was going on, but couldn’t think past Anika’s chest that was rapidly pressing into his abdomen. As much as he hated to admit it, her torso from this angle was… flattering… to say the least.

                He’d have to store those feelings somewhere else for the time being. For now, telling by her erratic breaths and small, hitching moans, Anika was about to lose a bet.

                “Declan I- ih hih I! I hahhh.. I have… to… eh ehihihhh!?? Sdeeze!”

                They didn’t have much time. Her eyes looking up to him were desperate for help, and relief. Pink, irritated nostrils stretched widely before him, twitching to a ticklish rhythm. The princess’s breasts were pressing so firmly against him, he could feel every hitch, and in this proximity he could also here every desperate moan, each getting higher pitched with desperation.

                “HIH!! EH… highhHHGH??! H-help! Ghonna…hihhhhhh… GODDA SD-HEEZE!!”

Fighting for control, Declan fished his handkerchief out from his breast pocket. In one swoop he cupped the fabric around Anika’s dripping nose and pulled her head to press into his chest. She took his lead, throwing her arms around his torso and bracing.

                “HEH-MMPHH!! NGTXXX-CHH!! IGT! IGGGGNCHH! HUH!! HUH-mmpxxt-CHU!!”

                Every release rocketed her into him more, pressing his back against the pantry wall. Declan did his best to press her head against him, as to muffle the sound. Even through the handkerchief and his formal attire he could feel the goring warmth and wetness growing from her allergy attack.

                “Hhh-nxxt!! Heh-nxt-shhh! Tch-sheww!!!”

                Thankfully, as Anika’s ability to stifle decreased, so did the intensity and volume of her sneezes. They became soft explosions onto his chest, and Declan could feel the princess start to slump with exhaustion in his arms.

                That was when he heard the outside door open, and then shut. Silence.

                “Alright highness, it’s safe to go out now.”

                The pantry door was opened and the two stumbled out like drunkards from a bar. The knight did a quick room inspection while the princess sat at the table, tending to her nose.

                “They’re gone. No telling who they were or why they came in here.”

                “Dodn’t kndow, dodn’t care.”

                “Oh come now, highness, don’t be short just because you lost the bet.”

                Her eyes were daggers. She would usually look quite intimidating, if not for how red and swollen her eyes now appeared. All the kingdom both loved and feared Princess Anika, the powerful, the beautiful…

                Declan clicked his tongue and hoisted his princess over his back like a sack of wheat. Though she would usually fight back, tonight she lay limp, and let him take her to her bedroom to sleep off the sting of defeat.

[starpollen]

*Accepts marshmallows and threads them onto gilded tongs bc let’s be honest we’re all princesses ogling the hot dragon… See what I did there? Hot ... dragon?...    Takes marshmallows and sits a little further away from the normals...*
 

Do go on.  And on.  And on… 

Edited January 11, 2022 by starpollen

[riverevanss]

I was looking for stories to read, and ahhh, I'm so happy that I find this one. I really love the charcters's dynamic, and God, the spelling of the sneezes are just cheff's kiss. For someone who is into male and female sneezes as well, this story was a dream. I loved it, please continue when you have time.

[Kolen]

I randomlychecked at four AM aaaand!

HERE WE ARE!! YAY

Thank you so much!!

[Care]

This duo is really great. I really hope you will write more !

[MiraKarat]

What a gift, a new part! I'm absolutely in love with these two!❤️ thank you sooo much!❤️

[sneezyfeather338]

Beautiful!!! I can’t wait to see what you come up with next. 😍🥰😘