Ruby stared at the future king in amazement.

This wasn't anything that had ever crossed her mind.

He was really serious about taking her to bed?

"I don't think so," she said, "You won't force me."

"Won't I?"

Ruby glared at him, "I will kill you first."

Zeba gasped as men and dragonoids drew their swords, but Dante waved a calming hand.

"No need," he laughed, "I like them feisty."

"You're a bastard and a cad and someone should overthrow this throne!"

"I could get used to your fierceness, little human," he said, "Come with me."

"Where to?"

Ruby stepped back as Dante grabbed her hand, "We're going to fly."
"I don't want to."

"You've no choice," Dante smirked, "Fly with me and I'll leave you alone for a few days."

Ruby didn't believe that in the least, but Zeba was insistent.

"Go," her friend whispered, "Before he does something worse to you."

Dante overheard her and grimaced. His father had been cruel to the humans, but he hadn't known them to be massacred or murdered at his command unless it was necessary.

"You know nothing!" Dante howled at Zeba, "Keep your mouth shut or I'll put it to good use later."

Ruby shook her head, "No you will not. I'll fly with you, but you will never touch a hair on my friend's head or I'll cook your scales for dinner."
She watched him transform into the beautiful black and red dragon that he was--his dark hair fading, his green eyes still very much an emerald tone even when he turned.

"Get on," he said.

"How?" Ruby frowned, "Do you see how big you are?"

Dante chuckled, "You should see what else is big.."

"Gods...I can't even with you.."

Dante scooped her up with his red wing and gently placed her on his back.

"Straddle me or you'll slide away."

"Another perverted quip?"

"That was all you, human," Dante said, "But I liked it."

"Don't let me fall."

"I am not finished with you at all, little one," he said, "I don't intend on letting you slip away so easily."

"Where are we going?"

"I haven't decided yet," Dante said, his voice a lot lower than his normal one--and that was pretty deep, "Maybe I will drop you off in the next volcano."

Ruby gripped Dante's scales tighter as the idle threat lingered and Dante chuckled.

"What did I say? I am only joking, little one."

"Stop calling me that."

"What? Little one?"

"I am not a little girl."

"You most certainly are not," Dante said, "You're all woman and I can feel your heat nestled perfectly on my spine."

Ruby rolled her eyes, trying to shift her weight so she wasn't leaned against him, but she couldn't help it.

And..for some reason..

His scales felt good.