The dragon's harem

Nina sighed. She didn't want to even bother. From what she heard, this little fairy was with Aella for a while, even though her intimate life with Arad, Zephyr would usually be around, albeit asleep most of the time in the corner of the room.

When Nina thought about it for a while, that was a bit strange. Zephyr had no reason to stay close, like Doma did. The latter is locked inside Arad's body without a way out.

No matter how Nina looked at it, an ancient spirit like Zephyr must have a reason in the back of her head. What is the reason for her to show up with Nina as well? Aella was certain that Zephyr stayed close to her because she was her herald, but it seems like there is a deeper reason if she wants to stay by Nina's side.

But the more Nina thought about it, the less sense it made. There were no similarities between Nina and Aella. This had left Nina with one logical conclusion: that she can't understand anything. What was left is one old tradition of the barbarians: to trust in nature, the ancient, the old, and the wise.

Zephyr was of all four, so Nina sighed and replied, "Fine, do whatever you want."

Zephyr looked at her with a surprised face.

"Really? I… well, now that I thought about it, the barbarians have that tradition and such." Zephyr flew close to Arad's head. Hearing her words made Nina certain that Zephyr isn't acting without a reason. She even guessed why Nina decided to trust her.

"Arad, you've got many wives. It is a tall ask to want them all to change for what you want, but not that hard for you to be the one changing. The void is nothing if not malleable and ever-changing, it always twists to fit whatever space its in."

Zephyr spent several moments explaining how Arad should try to be the barbarian husband for Nina, as she might not like a gentle one like Aella does, or a passionate one like what Merida might prefer.

After that, she flew to the corner of the room and conjured a bed of green winds. There she fell asleep without saying another word. Arad checked her thoughts, and she was indeed fast asleep. The only thing that'll wake her up is a violent clash of monsters.

While Nina still didn't understand why Zephyr was already here, Arad already had a guess. The stages of freeing Nina were to feed her, give her a safe place, and the last one that a tarrasque would look for is mating. Arad had no idea what would happen afterward, whether Nina would remain in control or not. To be honest, he didn't expect her to regain her sanity after the second stage.

That's why he is still here and not in the castle with her. Just in case she went on a rampage again. But… if she went on a rampage in the middle of it for some weird reason, he would be caught off guard. Zephyr was here for that reason. And she probably isn't saying anything to not put stress on any of them.

But anyway, this wasn't the time for worries. It was Nina's time, and he had better focus on it. It won't be easy for her or him.

For a moment, Arad remained frozen. This wasn't just anyone, Nina was one of the first women he met, no, she was the first. At that time, she was far stronger than he, so strong that he couldn't even see himself winning against her. But here he is now, after months, sitting -somewhat alone- with her in a desolate cave in the middle of a faraway desert.

She was just sitting there, looking at him and waiting with hopeful eyes.

Arad had won their fight; she expects him to take the lead. But to be honest with himself, he now suddenly can't figure out where to start. The fact that she kept staring at him was driving him mad. Can't she look away for a second and allow him to think for a bit?

The burning light in her eyes shimmered for a bit; her gaze remained fixed on his face. Arad has an inkling that what she wanted was for him to just do anything he wanted… he wasn't sure about it. What if he was wrong? That might put her off by a lot, it'll have far bigger…

But before he could keep thinking, Nina giggled. "What? Are you flustered now?" She leaned on him, putting her ear on his chest and listening. She could hear them, two hearts beating like an engine.

Arad sighed, "A bit, yes. Sorry, I know I should take the lead and start, but I'm not sure if you'll like it or not." He scratched his chin, "Especially when you say do whatever you want."

Nina looked at him with a chuckle, "Sorry… I just remembered when Merlin got in a bad mood, and I asked her what she wanted to eat. She just said whatever. But when I brought the food, she got angry."

"You're in the same spot… so fine, I'll pick." Nina thought for a second and replied with a blush, "I'm quite strong, not that many things can hold me back… So, if you can, pin me down and get at it. It might be fun to be unable to resist once in a while."

Arad smiled and grabbed her by the hands. "If that's what you want." He then helped her stand, lifted her up, and suddenly the bed disappeared. "That's quite an expensive one, so I'd better find a more durable alternative." And with a flick of his fingers, a larger black bed that he picked from the abyss appeared.

The large bed was made of dark brown wood and obsidian. The fluffy sheets were of black hide that's both soft and rough, it smelled slightly of smoke and firewood, and the pillows seemed to be made of a strange leather that Nina didn't know. Considering she was a veteran adventurer and a guild receptionist, she thought she knew monster parts well.

The bed, on the other hand, was made from demon parts, ones so rare and durable that probably no one else would afford or find. It was in Sawless's castle after all.

Thus, the night started.