Mature content ahead. Again, I know some of the language is not authentic but... I'm human. And I don't own anything. Marvel does.


Look at the moon in the sky, not the one in the lake.

By the time they reached the Keep, Pepper was exhausted. She dimly recalled meeting Jarvis, assuring him and Lord Stark that she was fine and falling into her bed, to sleep. The next morning, she ran down for breakfast and ate like a horse because she was starving. Lord Stark was busy repairing his armor in the workshop and she didn't see him the entire day.

She thought about his secret identity, the Iron Knight. His myth portrays him as a being to fear but he saved me. Why does he become the Iron Knight? Money? Notoriety? Or is he crazy? She decided to find out more from Jarvis.

Come nightfall, she sat in her room and brushed her hair. She had taken a bath and finally felt clean. She realized that she wanted to show Lord Anthony how grateful she was. The events of the previous night haunted her. She could still feel the coarse rope around her neck, the groping, moist hands on her thighs, the fetid breath of the Leader on her neck... she took a deep breath and forced herself to focus on the task at hand. Which was to show the lord of the keep, how grateful she was.

Her conscience whispered piously, The only worth a woman has is her maidenhead. She answered shakily, That's why I am going to give it to the Iron Knight... because I have nothing else of value and I owe him.

It is nothing but a simple physical act, she told herself. Just lie back and let it happen. Women did it on the marriage bed all the time.

She rubbed crushed lilies all over her body and combed her hair, then left it open. She slipped on the white sheath dress that Magdalene managed to dig up from somewhere. No doubt another leftover clothing item from one of Lord Stark's "lady friends".

To strengthen her nerves, she poured herself a glass of the red wine on the table and drank it in one gulp. Then another and another and finally, she was ready to face Lord Stark.

x-x-x-x

Tony pensively stared into the fireplace as he sipped his glass of mead. Jarvis had made him a warm poultice and from time to time, he gingerly pressed it against his throbbing forehead. Tigliath lay across his feet and Tony absently stroked his big black head, eliciting a deep purr of pleasure from the big cat. He mulled over the events of the previous evening. He was now responsible for a runaway slave. A beautiful, nubile slave with eyes the color of the ocean and hair like spun strawberry gold silk.

Maybe you should have just left her to her fate... since you are clearly overthinking about your actions. hissed the dragon.

NO! I could never have done that!

He could not explain what had come over him. All he knew was that he desired her and could not bear to see her taken away. He wanted her for himself. It had been so long since he had felt this way. When he cared for someone with passion. Have I ever felt this way? And why am I feeling this way?

He groaned and cradled his head in his hands. He did not like the way he had gotten emotional and gone on a killing spree. Yes, they were slavers but he could have left them alone. He performed small acts of heroism and avoided killing others if it could be helped. But when he saw her with those damn men, chained to the tree and the leader manhandling her, he had willingly succumbed to the blood lust and destroyed their camp.

And I would do it all over again. I regret nothing.

Perhaps he had been celibate for too long. Perhaps it was just his lust, manifesting itself in violence. He remembered his battles, from his time with King Leoric. Looking back, there seemed to be little difference between the heady rush of war and spilled blood and the thrill of lust and passionate sex. Indeed, both acts always ended with a victor and the conquered.

But this time, his victory had left him with a bittersweet prize. He did not want attachments. He did not want to be responsible for another human being. And definitely not her. She was innocence, everything he wasn't and was meant for a man with noble intentions and goodness in his heart. Not a monster with fire in his chest, who left blood in his wake and who had a drinking problem.

His musings were interrupted by a low knock on the door.

It must be Jarvis with some more mead.

"Enter".

Instead, the object of his thoughts slowly stepped into the room. From his seat, Tony stared at her wide-eyed. She was wearing a knee-length, flowing sheer sheath with full sleeves. She had let down her hair and it softly fell around her shoulders. She looked at her feet. "My lord, is there anything you desire that I can provide?" she said and finally raised her head, looking straight at him.

Yes, the dragon whispered in his head, I desire you, body and soul.

Tigliath grunted and rose from his comfortable seat at Tony's feet, to rub himself against her lovingly. She smiled and gently patted him on the head.

Even your beast wants her touch, Anthony. What do you want? The dragon whispered.

He was curious to learn why she had really come, so he drained his glass and said, "Pour me a glass of mead, please. The flagon is on the mantelpiece".

She turned to the fireplace and stood on tiptoe, to reach the flagon. Tony swallowed hard as the light from the fire illuminated her slender frame perfectly, making her thin dress transparent. He could see her shoulder blades, the deep hollow of her back and the delicate curve of her behind. She turned with the flagon and took the glass from his hand, then slowly poured some mead into the glass.

She was now standing right in front of the fire. He wanted to say something but at the same time, he didn't want to. He could see her small but firm breasts with their darkish nipples, her firm and taut belly and finally, the patch of reddish brown curls at her woman hood. The sheath ended at her knees and he continued to gaze at her endlessly long, lean legs with creamy thighs, firm calves, finally tapering to thin ankles and delicate feet. It had been too long for his libido and he felt himself harden painfully at her innocent baring of her body.

She handed him the glass, looking deep into his eyes with that piercing gaze of hers. He took a deep sip, controlling himself and looked at her. Her right cheek was still bruised but it just enhanced her overall air of fragility.

Time to be nonchalant. "It is very late, why are you still awake? After the ordeal you suffered, you should rest." He said.

She bit her lip and said "I wanted to thank you, my lord, for saving me. I cannot express how grateful I am. You saved me from a fate worse than death." Her eyes started to shimmer and he took her hand in his, to comfort her.

"They deserved what came to them. Any man would have done what I did." He said gruffly, idly rubbing his thumb over her fingers. She looked at his hand.

Uncomfortable with her gaze and her gratitude, he let go of her and leaned back in the chair. He took another sip and said firmly, "You should go to sleep, Pepper."

She swallowed hard, looked straight at him and said "My lord, I want to repay you for your kindness. But I have nothing to offer you in return. Nothing... but myself".

He stared at her in shock. All his blood seemed to flow from his brain to his balls and his cock jerked painfully at her words. Was she offering herself to him? He clenched his fists as the dragon started roaring in his head and his chest started to pound.

"Pepper .." he said hesitantly. He should refuse. He should be noble and turn her down. She didn't owe him anything. But you are not noble, Anthony and you want her so badly. Take her and let her burn in your desire. Damn dragon. He clenched his fists and she shuddered at the small action. Then she seemed to steel herself, looked straight at him and stepped between his legs.

God's teeth, she wants to repay you, you want her. His brain screamed at him. She nibbled at her her lip again and this spurred him into action He pulled her onto his lap. Mine, mine,mine, echoed through his head like a prayer as he touched her lips with his.