Disclaimer: Fairytail and its characters belong to the amazing manga artist Hiro Mashima. I own nothing but this plot.

Summary: This is the chapter were their roles were reverse – making the dragon a captive in his own lair.

Cover: Made by the wonderful Elie Lou! I was crazily fan girling when i saw it! Please visit her deviant - she's one heck of an amaaaazing artist! This chapter is for youuu!


CHAPTER 6: Prisoner in Paradise


"There is something about words, in an expert's hands –

Manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner, wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk

and when you are so enthralled you cannot move.

They pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your thoughts.

Inside you, they work like….Magic."

-Dianne Setterfield, The Thirteenth Tale


"My words coming out of books and scripts?" four year old levy had squealed sounding very eager at this sudden revelation. "Then how about materializing iron dragon, enchanted roses and captive princesses like in fairytales?!"

She remembered when she was just a little girl, she had looked at the world with unconcealed joy and awe. Life for her was magical – thrilling. She was fascinated by the sunrise, a simple drop of snow, the blooming of flower, and how the stars seem to twinkle in the heavens.

Her imagination knew no limits and never had she thought in her wildest dream that her deepest yearnings could materialize bringing forth more than just an enchanted castle but a DRAGON.

Precisely – an IRON dragon just like she had uttered way back fourteen years ago.

And the captive princess?

As luck would have it, fate decided to materialize her wish and let her participate in her whimsical fantasies. Judging from the series of unfortunate events that had already transpired, it's kind of hard to even hope for a happy ending.

Silly little girl. How naive could she have been to believe in such fairytales?

Levy McGarden didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She never intended her wishes could materialize with just a single yearning. How could she realize her words would come to life –like a magician materializing an object out of the thin air?

She had wished with all her heart to make the dragon fall for her yet it seemed it was she who had fallen for him. Her lips set in a grim line- the bitter taste of their kiss still lingered like a painful remnant of a scar.

"Would kissing you take away the spell you wanted so badly to get rid off?"

The words echoed, tumbled and rang out like old bells – like a hollow sound haunting her for her fanciful childish desire to experience even a bit of magic.

Amidst the darkness of the night, she felt rather than saw every sculpted contours of his features, every rigid hard plains of his body, smooth as silk yet hard as steel. Muscles rippled reminding her of a mythical creature she had only seen on books and scripts.

His lips were soft and warm as any lips of a mortal could have been. Yet it wasn't his lips that drew her to him. It was the pressure in his kiss – the primal hunger she had seen in his gleaming eyes as he struggled to keep his hands away from her.

It was that desperation – the resistance she saw in his eyes that made her bold, daring and even brave to kiss him back with equal intensity. Never had she felt a man's lips caressed hers until now.

How foolish she was for trying to tame a proud dragon with her sensual kisses?

Perhaps, the dragon may set her free now that he had no use of her. A broken laughter escaped her lips as she realized the last part bitterly. Where will she go? For all she knew, her guild has already given up on searching for her. Biting her lips, she realized she might be as good as dead.


The dragon lurked into ruins of his iron castle. He doesn't need any human companion – particularly not as infuriatingly beautiful as the witch he kept in his lair! His desire went up in flames – consuming him, his animal instinct threatening to take over.

Gajeel could still remember the night was she brought here, trussed up in a stake like some sort of sacrifice. It was still vivid as he remembered bringing her to his bed. He sought only to warm the girl – yet as he started to shed the drenched gown from her shivering form, something feral awakened deep inside him.

As the last garment fell on the cold marble floor, his breathe hitched - unable to look away. Never has he seen a maiden's body bare from any form of clothing until now.

The woman was beautiful…

She might as well be conjured from his darkest dream and deepest yearning.

As moon light flittered over her body in a white-silver glow, his eyes trailed over her closed eyes lid, to the tempting pout of her lips, the small yet proud curvatures of her chest, the dip of her tiny waist and down until it reach …

Gajeel abruptly grabbed the linen cloth and covered her up.

He had to look away as he clenched his teeth knowing fully well what he'll see if he dared look down further. Has he sunk so low as to LITERALLY take advantage of a vulnerable woman? He couldn't bloody look at his reflection in a mirror anymore – afraid to see if he had become the monster he feared to be.


An alluring woman stood up from a throne carved from what could only be the remains of an extinct saber tooth.

"Pity…"

Like an apparition from an old era, the deity descended down to him like an ancient Japanese courtesan – her robe flowed out like cascading water behind her. The faint sound of bells twinkled with each foot step. But none of those held his attention. His gaze was only focused on her painted beautiful face which highly resembled that of a geisha.

Frightening but indisputably astounding, her beauty was mesmerizing as a porcelain doll…

A goddess among mortals.

"But the iron dragon gets the maiden before you could even do, didn't he?"

For a moment, the air grew tense before she flashed her breathtaking smile.

SLAP!

"Tell me, Dragon of the Night; are you worthy of being called a warrior of the Saber Tooth?" Blood trickled from his chin as he realized what had just transpired. Her face was impassive - betraying no emotion as she mocked him for his failure.

The black knight immediately fell to his knees – ready to apologize when she spoke again.

"Oh~ right! Kurogane Gajeel didn't need to even lift a finger. The stupid villagers could have offered her to the YOU. Seriously, Rogue, with your shadows you could have pretended to be him but NO! Why have you have failed me!"

" Forgive me, Minerva-sama but taking a sacrifice from another dragon could result to bloodshed-"

"SILENCE!" the goddess bellowed.

A dent was formed in the walls of her abode. She was supposed to be the deity of strategy and wisdom – yet the woman used her knowledge for the manipulating people into doing her bidding.

That or she will be force to manipulate their minds… or perhaps something drastic.

"Need I remind you that I HOLD the valuable life of your precious feline?"

Blood suddenly drained from his face.

It was a blur, but not a second has passed and a lump of quivering pink bundle appeared on the maiden's arms. The same hands that had struck him was now caressing the shaking animal.

He knew that hand has also the power to take Frosh's life in an instant.

"Now, now…" her honeyed voice soothed the poor trembling cat. "What shall I ever do to you if your master doesn't obey me?"

"NO! Don't harm Frosch!" The urgency on his voice was clear and it was all Minerva needed to hear. Rogue needed to prove his worth to the Sabertooth or Frosh will –

Frosh w-will -

No! He refused to think what could happen if he failed.

Minerva smiled, loving every sickening, stricken expression that crossed the shadow dragon's usual inexpressive face. It's amazing how the once reserved warrior could be manipulated with a simple thing like danggling the life of his cat.

Tch. These dragons are vulnerable.

Long bony hands reached out to cup his face. "Can I trust you with your words, Shadow Dragon, that you are stronger than these…" her fingers trailed over his face before hurling him out of the way. " -First generation Dragons?"

Failure isn't an option.

He needed to win at all costs.

Rogue Cheney will face other dragons even if it meant war. Lives might be at stake, sacrifices must be made.

In the end, the only important thing is to have Frosch live.

Looking at those obsidian slanted eyes, he glared at her with concealed hatred. "Grant me one more chance and you'll see you won't regret."

All he needed to do for now is seek assistance from his twin dragon –

The white dragon… Sting Eucliffe.


The iron dragon lived for the thrill of fighting striking his opponent head on but never has he been elated as now as this maiden fought him not with swords but with kisses and lingering caress. He might as well surrender willingly for it promises sweet torture to those who yield.

How ironic that while he held her captive in his tower, it was actually he who was enslaved to her every beck and call.

Yet he had no idea what this little nymph is up to – or who she really was. Was she the fragile helpless woman he had met tied to a stake? or the adamant warrior who had fought him fearlessly even if she was held captive?

He can smell her scent through the breeze- warm, and innocent and pure – so beguiling it was almost seductive. Every sound, every single syllable that had spilled out of her lips had dropped like a honey, sweet and inviting.

The way how she bit her lips, those plump luscious lips that might as well beg to be trap again between his –

Oh, damn it…

Gajeel knew of what it was to be hungry – for food, for glory, for power. Oh, he reveled in such fortunes, placing himself above the others as he acquired his every yearning yet…

Yet never had he wanted – even desired this much.

The moment they bounded her to the stake, the time when she had foolishly wished her doom in a desperate move to harness her magic– it made her legally his.

His to take, to claim – to fulfill any yearning as he desires.

But he knew deep inside, a kiss even just a touch from her was forbidden. Her safety is far more important than his needs. Her gaze had frozen him – captivated him, touching his soul, stirring up his deepest yearning and desires… Desires that would soon turn into dreams and plague his sleepless nights.

In his mind, he sought to take her in every way known to man – to offer her bliss no mortal could ever hope of giving her...

At this moment, the girl was in his lair, in his chamber… in the very bed he had painstakingly built for years. The very image taunted him – teasing him of this opportunity. His dreams can become a reality just by striding back in the lair.

No! He would not seek pleasure, nor lay a hand on her white delectable skin. He tried to restrained himself. Clenching his teeth, he snarled trying to get rid of those golden eyes staring at him as she asked in a quivering voice if the kiss change anything.

He had locked her up in his lair hoping the rusty metal door would serve as barrier for both of them. He was concerned about her safety, but with him prowling just out of the room, and waiting for just for the night to settle down ~

It did nothing to his already troubled mind.

Then he bitterly realized, he was, in every sense… a prisoner in his own castle.


"Already regretting her wish?" He doesn't need to know who followed him in this place. Fuck his cat and his damn meddling habits.

"What the fucking wish are you yapping about?" The dragon growled.

"Didn't you tell me you had risk yourself, letting her wish anything for a lifetime with – "

He cut him off snarling like a feral animal. Deep inside, he wished he didn't play into her wicked sorcery that had made him look like a complete utter fool.

"Tch- you seriously believe that? It's no wonder why those heathen bastards trussed her up in a stake. The fairy couldn't even fucking materialize anything but her solid script!" Gajeel snorted in derision.

"Ah yes… I remembered reveling on her enchantments." Came the teasing remark. "Everything I could have yearned, she could materialize it in an instant. Oh sorry, I forgot you saw it and how deliriously jealous –"

It was then his arm turned into a metal pole – his eyes blazed in absolute rage "S-SHUT IT! Damn it, cat – just SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

He kept telling himself he wasn't affected by the kiss she bestowed upon him.

NO! and no amount of pathetic magic or ANY kiss could make him succumb to her will. He kept telling – tried convincing himself he didn't want her – he just wanted to help her since both of them had been used for abilities they didn't even want in the first place. He was in no way being a possessive and domineering bastard. Locking her up in his lair is the safest way to keep her away from a beast like him.

He. DID. NOT. want her!

Raking a hand through his hair, he took a deep breath. He didn't even know if she's safe – with him lingering around playing with the rusted keys that could open the door.

The feline was left speechless, seeing how seriously tormented the dragon was. Lily had caught in Gajeel's eyes the desperate attempt to tame the beast within him.

Any trace of teasing him was erased that moment. After he calmed his ragged breathing, the exceed decided to speak.

"Release her then."

"W-what?" The advice was so sudden he had a hard time comprehending it.

"And let those bloody dark guilds come for her? Not a fucking chance."

The comrade he knew had never thought of anyone but himself. The panther smiled wryly. "What's it to you if they abduct her? You don't need her, do you?"

"They offered her to me – making her legally MINE."

It was then he realized his mistake. It was a mere slip of his tongue – something he didn't intend to say aloud. He didn't need to explain further. From the way his companion smirked knowingly at him – he knew he was already screwed.

Damn it all.


The night after, he decided to visit his captive only for his (almost dislocated) jaw to drop.

Gajeel knew his cat was meddlesome. Pantherlily had done a lot of dreadful things in the past that had irked him – but this... this time, he had done something abominable that made EVERYTHING else pale in comparison.

And of course! It just had to involve the blue haired witch.

His eyes twitched at the morbid sight before him. What in the world was his cat thinking when he purchased that – that- that odious, revolting clothes?! It did nothing to hide those beguiling legs …oh and that skirt only enhanced that ample curve of her -

STOP IT.

This was bad… considering the girl has already a short stature; the dress was ridiculously small even for her size!

"LILY…." He gritted through his clenched teeth.

"Why, I just took out your orders! You told me to pick the smallest one of them!" Lily defended.

"And what size would that be?"

"…XXS"

For all he knew, his cat could have bought it in a children's apparel store and he wouldn't even know the difference!

The dragon couldn't do anything but pinch the bridge of his nose- and stare. Yes… STARE. Damn. His cat knows how to pick up a dress. If the torn bed sheets did nothing to hide her generous curves, how the heck would this skimpy yellow dress even cover a portion of the temptress's body?! And as his gazed went toward to the oblivious sprite, it took all his will power to…

Breathe.

Yes, that's it. Relax. Just take a breath in. Then, breathe out. Breathe in – FUCK! and he unknowingly held his breath as she twirled around her dress, the skirt unknowingly hiked up tormenting the dragon even more.

Levy was dressed in that short yellow gown with only a flimsy bow of ribbon to hold it up. Her shoulders were bare, offering a glimpse of those alluring skin, tempting a man to feel even the slightest temptation of her touch. A piece of clothe serve as a cover to those dainty arms.

It was SUPPOSED to shield her limbs from his prying eyes yet it did nothing but persuade him- even tempt him to slip his finger through it to unveil more of her tender flesh.

He was only a beast, and his- his raging desires couldn't be more fueled that what this naïve maiden has unknowingly offered to him! The upper portion of that revolting clothing was painfully, even dangerously low giving him a teasing view of her small but well shaped chest, that luscious curve of her hips and flowed down in a silken rumple on her mid thi-

Just breathe! Damn it!

The sprite felt him standing near the door.

"Oh! Gajeel~!" he could only stand in silent wonder with the way she unguardedly smile at him as she turned around.

Had she seduced any mortal like this? If she had so, was she playing the role of the temptress or the naive angel?

He growled nefariously at the thought.

Levy abruptly stopped – her smile faltering as she remembered what had transpired the night before. With a mixture of nervousness and uneasiness, her cheeks reddened. The fairy averted her eyes, unable to meet his gaze. Gajeel couldn't fathom how she could wear such a revealing dress fit only for a seductress yet exude this – this BLOODY innocence at the same time…

Fidgeting, she raised her eyes, cheeks flushed and…

Good grief, she looked like innocence personified.

His instant reaction was to ground his teeth, and all he could do was turn his head away.

"Umm… Th-thank you, Gajeel…" his gaze went to her full lips forming every darn syllable .He find it hard to breathe as each word had been uttered so soft, so teasing and when she had finally spoken his name…

It took all his will NOT to groan out loud.

Lily was enjoying too much of this. He could hear every sharp intake of the dragon and how deliriously tormented he already was. Women… they did nothing but bring trouble! He had enough! Even a mortal would already have gone mad living with a nymph as beautiful as her. And she claimed she wasn't a seductress?!

He was seriously beginning to think her magic was working.

The lady was no doubt a witch. Or perhaps an enchantress– yes! That must be it! She had done everything in her power – in that manipulative wish - to bewitch and break that aloof demeanor he had painstakingly built for years!

Never had he blushed less stuttered like a school brat. What will she do next?

Kiss him again and change him, this time, into a feral roguish prince?! While the idea may have its merits, it didn't make him smile in the very least. He took her hand abruptly as he led her toward the door. "G-Gajeel? Where are we going?"

"To butcher who ever sold that clothe to you and trade it with a more decent dress!"

An audible gasp was heard. "y-you think it was offensive? Why, Lily had already bought me a whole apparel!"

"Then why did you choose the smallest of them?!"

"… Umm… all of them have the same sizes."

"LILY! You freak-!" He growled like the beast he was as he tried to grab the highly amused exceed.

However, much to his chagrin, the cat got away while the small sprite got IN the fucking way.

It was all Gajeel could do but shout a mouthful of profanities.

Panther lily has to cover his mouth to keep from laughing as the dragon complained how women and cats are so troublesome beings. There's one thing for sure, this gloomy castle would change sooner or later because of the arrival of a certain blue haired angel.

Without a warning, the dragon grabbed the said angel by the hand and led her out of the room.


"Oi! Oi! Check this out!"The flame went up in a series of sparkling twirls. The fire twisted and danced and spin. A blaze of hot trickling fiery orbs, as exuberant and jovial as the fire dragon, dance across his skin as if they are a part of him.

In a way, the flames are a part of his whole being. Fire is his element.

Then there was the celestial spirit maiden – with a hair spun of gold it was almost as bright as the sun. There in her hands, she holds the keys that could open thousands of realm – worlds different than theirs – where pixies and fairies in all sorts of forms reside- where no mortal had ever thread before.

Juvia looked to her right and there he was… the man who had absolute control over water- her element – just as he had (unconsciously) control over this emotion she didn't know what to do with.

He sprouted ice with the tip of his fingers, his hands dancing over as it called to the mist, creating images of frosted water out of the thin air. Gray noticed someone was looking at him and turned around.

It was the weird water sprite.

"Oi~! Stop being so gloomy. We'll get our comrades back. Master just have to –" The ice mage have to stopped speaking as a dark aura made its presence known.

A single black feather flittered right before her very eyes. Juvia froze.

A dark guild… And there was only one guild in which they could see this kind of symbol.

As if the night had spawned him, a man in thick velvet robe appeared from the shadows. Obsidian feathers – as black as the night had scattered all over the place as the man walked toward their guild master.

A languid smile was all he cast before his face broke into a sinister, malicious grin.

"Hello, Father. I heard you lost a little blue fairy."


The dragon led her to a series of hall ways. Twin graceful iron columns took the form of dragons looming over them.

The faint light casted by the moon were their only companion. The hand that held hers was undeniably rough and large, yet as he guided her through a series of halls, his hands were firm yet gentle around hers. He never said a word, but just his hand enclosed around hers gave her security and refuge even in this dark.

They came to another lair, this time abound with treasure chest each bigger than the last. The full moon emitted a silver light through the splintered glass of a broken window – giving the lair a mystifying ancient look. Curious, she was about to ask the dragon when she saw the look in his eyes.

"G-Gajeel?" His features were hidden by the shadows, yet as she heard him draw a forlorn sigh, she knew this room were filled with memories he'd rather not look back. Oddly enough, they came across a small worn out casket and she saw the way his fingers had trailed over its cover almost... tenderly.

Taking a deep breath, his hands smoothed the cover before he lifted the lid of the trunk.

There in the chest were layers of gowns and velveteen robes made with the finest silk and adorned with the rarest ornaments and pearl.

He let his hands stroke it before he roughly handed her a luxurious long sleeve gown fit only for the royal princess of the empire.

"Wear this right now." His voice was gruff and stern as he waited for her to take the offered dress. The dragon held up an elegant violet gown interlaced with a few silver ornament. Thin golden embroideries were intricately woven throughout the silken dress.

"And this. And this." He carefully picked them out of the treasure chest, making sure it was long enough to hide those beguiling legs. He laid (more like threw them carelessly) to her feet.

Levy wasn't finished admiring the gown when another dress was thrown at her. This time, embellished with crystalline beads of pearls, the dress flowed down the floor like liquid silk. Thin layers of satin dress came next - adorned with the rarest jewels in the form of... dragons.

Holding her breathe, her hands trembled from a mixture of disbelief and wonder - just by feeling the silken sheets beneath her hands were enough to question if she was dreaming. Every dress he presented to her was tailored and fit for only a princess.

Something clattered on the floor. Its color glistened from the moon light's faint glow before the man gathered it up. Wordlessly, he strode nearer to her revealing fragmented silhouettes of his face.

"G-gajeel?"

The girl stepped backward yet he paid no heed. Just as he was about to secure the necklace around her neck, he hesitated for a moment.

His hands were marred with blood. He lived as a warrior, a survivor - taking thousands of lives. Sometimes, as much as he hated to admit it, he didn't even know whose life he had taken... There were so many - it was impossible to even keep track.

Gajeel couldn't imagine his filthy hands roaming over her soft porcelain skin – yet that single moment when his fingers accidentally touched the nape of her neck, every self restraint shattered.

Tilting her face, he bent low as if to grant her a kiss. She might be able to resist, if he had use brute force or kiss her right there, but it was his irresistible touch he used against her. Stroking her chin, he reveled in the pleasure brushing his thumb down the hollow of her neck. His hand wandered aimlessly until he could feel the pulse beating wildly against her throat. The dragon smelled her fear:

The fear of being consumed in his terrifying thrall.

The fear of all the dark pleasure he could show her and most of all~

The fear ... of how she would come, even willingly to him, betraying everything she thought and believed was right.

He decided to withdrew his hand before he do something they will both regret."Keep it. It's the only gift my father gave to my mother - well, aside from the bed chamber..."

Small hands instantly flew to the pendant. It was the shape of a dragon soaring up in the sky.

She might not know anything about this man before her. His face, his motive, his sole identity – she knew nothing about him yet she felt as if she could see even a glimpse of who he was. A kind, generous beast who sought to hide his generosity beneath his aloof brusque mask and devil may-care attitude.

Instead of a sacrificial altar, he had laid her on the soft velvet cot of his chamber.

Instead of treating her prisoner, he treated her like a princess - indulge her with books and clothes granting her every desire.

Such fineries were seldom seen, less even wore in the vast land of Fiore. When and where had the dragon acquired such fortunes? And for whom? She idly wondered. Then her fingers trailed to the almost tattered hem of the gowns. It was well kept but undeniably, these had belonged to someone else before.

Levy felt a bitter pang in her chest as the harsh realization dawned upon her that…These might have belonged to someone else before her.

Lips quivered as tears gathered in her eyes. Closing them,she shook her head – refusing to believe but she had already a hunch to whom this might have belonged.

"Y-you can't just give these to me…"

He looked at her with disbelief. In a split second, his face morphed into a wounded expression before it was masked with indignant anger. "Yes, I can. And right now, I'm ordering you to wear it instead of that awful short dress!"

She turned her head. "These… these clothes… they belong to someone else... don't they?"

His deafening silence was more than she could bear.

After a while, he gravely nodded, wishing that the simple movement was enough to explain everything.

"Yes." He affirmed again. The way he said that single word was unbearably painful– it stole her breathe, making her lungs constrict. His eyes held that distant look as if reminiscing his past.

.

..

...

"They had once belonged to the only woman I have ever loved."

It was then Levy felt her world came crashing down.


Authors lame note and excuses:

Dear readers,

The reason why I haven't updated for a looooong time is because...

"Plotting is like ... sex. Plotting is about desire and satisfaction, anticipation and release.

You have to arouse your reader's desire to know what happens, to unravel the mystery, to see good triumph. You have to sustain it, keep it warm, feed it, just a little bit, not too much at a time, as your story goes on. That's called suspense. It can bring desire to a frenzy, in which case you are in a good position to bring off a wonderful climax."

— Colin Greenland

If that sexy quote didn't turn you on, I don't know what'll be the next plausible naughty excuse I could come up with.

(Naughtily yours) Sincerely yours,

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

IronandPen


This author wanted to thank everyone who gave their time to read and review. It made me happy more than you'll ever know guys. I truly want to thank every one of you.

Pumpkin bells, Phenylephrine, amuto1000, Guest, Elby-Tiadoroppu, itsME , Youth-With-Habits , Demon-Art-Lover1, misstress0, HeartGold12,Ulcaasi to the wonderful Elie Lou - who has given me her time, and her drawing for this story, Aralys, pikinanouart, My sincere gratitude to RomanticVoltaire, Daisukii08 and Thinkette - your words, your stories have become my main inspiration for this story. It's you guys who i looked up to! piranha pk, Levina , Vampireninja101 , Xeylah, xSilentTomorrowx, MsSlicingClaws, Lunawolf354.

With these chapter, I hope - in some ways I have made you guys smile like how you plastered this huge goofy grin in my face.