Page 110 of The Exiled Dragon

Osirus sat on a massive throne. Another sat by his side that should hold Melina, but she was sitting on his lap, playing with his hair. Her eyes lit up once I entered the room. Trying to jump down to greet me, Osirus wrapped his arm around her waist, slapping her thigh.

Melina giggled, kissing his cheek.

“Duke Mortus has been taken to the prison,” Osirus boomed. The warriors that stood on the sides along the walls and around the room's columns cheered. A sizeable crowd had gathered, species I wasn’t even sure existed. Some looked like gnomes, small in stature, robust, and constantly had some sort of bug flying around their heads. The Fairy, which I hadn’t seen in their normal attire, fluttered around above the throne room, looking on.

“The Duke is second in command of the Rogue Army that has been planning these attacks on outlying territories away from the palace. Those with limited connection with any electrical devices should be warned by traditional hawk lettering or magical mirrors. Women who are not warriors and children will be taken into account and put behind the palace walls the best we can, but even a palace as a fortress can only hold so many people.” Osirus huffed out a breath, his wings darkening.

“Make no mistake, if any people betray me or the Moon Kingdom, you will be put to death on the spot. We have the numbers for this war, but we are dealing with a power that is not known, and with the betrayal of Alpha Adam from the Toboki Tribe and its Elders, we face great peril for the unforeseen future.” The crowd grumbled and whispered to each other.

“Dismissed.” The throne room filtered out. I held onto Creed’s arm, who walked towards Osirus.

“He will not be assembled just yet, my friend.” His voice now turned into a cheery tone. “I would say by nightfall, you can have some fun while we question him.” Creed’s stance was rigid. Peeking between the two Alpha men, my voice squeaked.

“He won’t be able to get out, right? I don’t have to see him?” I was terrified of seeing that man again. It was a different kind of fear he put into me. The helpless little mouse I was back then. Now that I have magic, I still didn’t know if I could use it in front of him. His face only appeared in my nightmares when Creed was gone those few nights, bringing back a load of terrible memories.

“Not possible. He won’t be able to leave the cell we have him in. The UV light is the same outside the palace walls.” Sighing in relief, Creed squeezed my hand. His rough thumb continued to rub across my knuckles.

At least he was captured, and soon he would be no more.

Chapter Sixty-Four

Odessa

Osirusgaveaknowinglook to Creed, who only stiffened, giving a curt nod, leading me out behind the throne to a secret passageway, bringing me down a dark corridor that could only look like where Disney characters go to pop out at their new destination. Feeling the wall, his fingers found a seam, pounding it on it several times; it opened, leading out into thick, lush bushes taller than himself.

“How did you?” I went on to say, only to see that wonderful smile he just gave me.

“I could smell the honeysuckles outside.” His velvet voice had me melting. Grabbing his hand, he led me through the small unused path and into an untamed garden. It was overgrown, the vines creeping up the side of the palace walls, the flowers standing out amongst the lightened brick with their deep blues and purples. Pixies grabbed the nectar from each flower, poured it into a small vial, and kept it to their chests.

We walked further on the stony path, feeling the small stones between my slippers and the overly extravagant dress I wore. The silk on the bottom only pulled at each small stone, fearing I would cause ripples in the silk. I held it up, not to ruin Melina’s sweet gestures of clothing me.

For a palace garden, I would expect to see everything immaculate, with trimmed trees, bushes, and flowers. Each plant has its place, but this garden was wild and feral. It reminded me of the mountain I first climbed to escape the Duke.

I had missed the place that I now called home. It was silent except for the sounds of nature that thrived there. I almost heard Fluffy digging into the dirt, trying to find a buried bone or two to bring home to dinner.

The craving for home was what fueled me. The cave that we called ours, the nest that I recently found out, he finds as his special place. Feeling honored that he would have put me in that nest when he first found me gave me those warm feelings all over again. Dragon Shifters were very much animalistic, like all the Shifters of this world, taking on those characteristics in their human personalities.

The fountain in the middle had a wolf and Fae playing in the surrounding trough, water flying from the Fae’s hands as the wolf pranced around her. It was beautiful and looked new with how crisp the lines were in the stone.

Creed led me to the edge, sitting down, only to pull me into his lap. His fingers brushed the side of my face, moving my unruly curly hair. His eyes, deep and dark, had me wanting to dive into his soul. Our Dragons sang to each other. I could feel our pull, the bond that made us perfect for each other.

“It isn’t over yet,” Creed whispered. I only hummed, understanding what he meant. Something much larger than the Duke ordeal was trying to take me away. I knew it was just the last piece of the entire world I lived in that had to take action.

The bright suns rained down on me, feeling the warmth of the light finally baking into my skin. I wished people, or any beings that lived in this world, could understand how beautiful their world was, stop the fighting, stop trying to take control, and just appreciate it.

“The Duke will be pieced together soon, and I will make him suffer.” Creed's guttural growl had me stiffen. I didn’t even want to hear about the Duke anymore. “That is the first step for this war to unravel. Once he tells me who is in charge of the whole rebellion, it will be much easier to stop it.” My heart rate quickened, feeling the heat from his chest. The fire that sat in his torso grew almost too hot to touch.

“We must stay here awhile, and I need to help them.” Creed’s voice now grew somber. Hands wrapping around my waist, he laid his head on my shoulder. “I’m the current Alpha in the Dragons’ eyes, and I have to protect the tribe until I speak with my father.”

My lips brushed his cheek, giving him the confidence to continue. “Your father?” I questioned.

“Yes, I am going to ask my father to be the Alpha of the tribe. He is wise, and his skills are unmatched in combat. He was born an Alpha Griffon. My mother also holds a female Alpha line. It would make perfect sense to make them the leaders since now we are to be a hybrid race.”

“When are you going to ask him?” Creed’s nose went into my neck, tickling the base of my throat.

“Tonight, after I do away with the Duke. Mother, I’m sure, will force my father’s talon to accept it.” He chuckled. “She has experience at being the Alpha Female. She ruled the tribe well when she was in that role.”

“Whatever you think is best, Creed. I don’t know about this world or how things work. Whatever you ask of me, I’ll do it.” Taking his cheek in my hand, my nose nuzzled into his face. “As long as you are doing what you want, if you want to be Alpha, I’ll stand beside you and help.” My eyes fluttered to his. Goodness, I would do anything for this man.

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