Page 31 of The Exiled Dragon

Amora crossed her arms. “I’m ashamed of this,” she threw her hands at both of us. “Ondi, sweet Ondi, wanted you both to get along.”

“If Creed had returned from patrol sooner, they would both still be alive!” Adam yelled, causing various Dragons to look on with whispers. Amora’s body slumped, clutching her chest at the enormous emerald that hung around her neck. Adam loved her. He showed her by his hoard of gold and jewels he fought just for her. If only he could see Amora just craved for her childhood friends to recognize that this was foolish.

“Please let me talk to him.” Amora’s anger fled, tears now sprung to her eyes. Both hands rubbed up and down her arms. Adam’s stiffened body from yelling melted.

“If it would please you, I cannot deny my mate. I would prefer if I were present, however.” Amora nodded, her eyes glancing toward me. We both wanted to speak with each other alone, but this was all we would get. My hand clutched the parchment in my pocket. She would have to read it on her own time, and I would travel back to get my answers.

Amora rushed to me, engulfing me in an enormous hug. Her hand reached into my cloak, my hand grazed hers, and I handed my parchment to her. Luckily, Adam was scowling, throwing a hatchling tantrum to notice the exchange. I was not expecting a note of my own.

“All right, Amora. That’s enough.” He pulled her away, glaring at me like I was the one to pull her into my body. “Now, please, let me speak to him. He needs to leave.” Amora’s eyes told a story. She wasn’t happy with this, but there was nothing she or I could do. Adam’s heart was charred black, his Dragon obsessed with power.

“Come,” he commanded. His Alpha command didn’t work on me. He thinks it does, but my Dragon was superior, much larger than his red Dragon. He never transforms when I am in my Dragon form, knowing others would notice the subtle differences in our scales, size, and sheer magnitude. I didn't want to challenge for the Alpha position. I didn’t want any of it. Why would I when they all shunned me away for so many years?

Adam led me to an empty tent. Spears, leathers, and storage baskets littered the area. Adam turned, his arms crossed and eyebrows in a furious scowl. “You need to show your Alpha respect.” I stood there, continuing to hold the cloak over my head. “Especially in front of the elders. Do you want to fight me?”

Of course, you don’t. I’d crush you like a boar with the underside of my claws.

“Brother,” he growled, stepping towards me. Nose to nose, he yelled into my face what a worthless piece of Dragon I was. That my scales dampened the light source sky, my finger-like claws on my wings, an abomination to the entire Toboki Tribe. That I should have died at birth. His father was weak for letting me live that I caused nothing but trouble for everyone.

A waste of air space.

As much as I wanted to claw at his throat so he could feel the pain I endure every day, my thoughts returned to Odessa. Her sweet voice, how her eyes light up when I come back even from just a moment to gather more wood. The soft pattering of her feet as she takes off her shoes near the fire and hops into our nest. My Dragon unintentionally calmed thinking of her.

“Are you even listening?” Spit ran down the side of my cheek. I blinked, returning to the present, only to see Adam’s infamous vein gorging from his neck. My finger wiped the spit away, blinking a few times to let him know I was listening.

“The Dark Fairies mentioned they are missing Duke Mortus’ aide. His name is Enoch. You are to find him, take him back to Vermillion. Do you understand? This is the duty you must fulfill to my tribe!”

Mother’s tribe, step-father’s tribe. This tribe should have never been yours, Adam.

I nodded, agreeing to the madness. It was a good thing I didn’t have my voice. Otherwise, I would just tell him I swallowed the demon just days ago. I turned my back, leaving Adam in the dark tent. One for theatrics. He stormed out, throwing the leather cloth out of the way. “And stay away from Amora! I don’t need you trying to steal my mate as well!” he yelled, taunting.

Adam wanted a rise out of me, to defy him in front of the others. To show I was a monster, that I deserved to be killed. If I tried anything, I would be swarmed by the entire tribe. No matter how strong I was or how lethal my Dragon could be, if fifty Dragons tried to kill me at once, they could succeed. My head still looked straight ahead. My head would never bow in shame, and I would never show respect to Adam. Not as long as there was a fire in my beast.

“Pssst.” Amora popped out from behind a large tree. That woman was going to get herself in trouble. Her head poked out, waving me over. Looking around me, everyone was going along with their business. I continued my steady pace until I rounded the tree.

“Creed, you can write English?!” Her eyes lit up. Part of my lips curled. Her gasp had her hand cover her mouth. “Smile? Did Creed just smile?” Rubbing my forehead, I looked away. Odessa had a brighter light than Amora in her eyes, but the reaction still reminded me of her.

“Oh, Creed.” Amora’s light laughter stopped. “You... you…” She pointed. Shaking my head, I waved my hands in front of her. She couldn’t speak it aloud; she couldn’t say anything.

“I won’t. I would never.” Amora had read my thoughts. Was I that loud?

“You are extremely loud right now. I can pick you up better than one of those TVs the Werewolves use. You have a lot of emotion going through all that.” Her finger swirled, pointing to my chest. “Especially in here.” Her finger tickled my heart.

“I can’t explain mates to you here. We need to meet somewhere. Adam will travel to the Cerulean Moon Kingdom to visit Princess Clara and Alpha Kane for a few days. I’m staying here. Let’s meet at our old hot spring just to the north. I can’t go to your cave, or I’ll stink of your scent.” I nodded. Amora’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

“I’ll bring some things, for, you know.” Her eyes winked, knowing she was talking about my Odessa. Amora hopped from behind the tree, sauntering back to her large tent-like nothing had occurred just seconds ago.

Odessa

Once Creed left, I sprang into action. I had a long to-do list in my head to keep me busy for the day, and the first thing to do was start dinner. It was still early in the morning, but the dish I wanted to prepare would take hours upon hours, especially since I wasn’t sure how to adjust the temperature of the fire.

Several logs sat in the corner. I rushed over and stuck them under the small embers, making the fire come alive once more. The smaller caldron hung up by a metal pole was quite heavy, so my job was to not even try to pick up the massive cookware. My goal was to have it like a crock pot, where I can put the meat and a few vegetables on the table inside. Instead of having the meat chewy, I hope it will fall apart in our mouths as we eat.

The spices in the corner had me sniffing each glass bottle as I gathered them on the kitchen table. Running to the back, Fluffy silently followed me wherever I went, intently watching the smallest of moments. A few times, I had to nudge the gigantic animal to move away so I could rummage through the massive storage room of salted and fresh meats. The far back of the cave where the meat was held was cold, almost like an icebox. In the winter, I’m sure things froze over to keep the meat lasting even longer.

Grabbing a few rabbits, the poor helpless rabbits with huge bite marks from fluffy were flung over my shoulder. They were already skinned and gutted. Thank heavens for that. My poor stomach couldn’t handle doing it myself just yet.

After meticulously taking the meat from the rabbits, making sure no bone would be thrown in, I inspected my work. Rabbit was hard to cook. It took long hours for the meat to be broken down enough to have it as a savory dinner. This slow cooking method would be sure to capture the deliciousness of the meat all while tenderizing it.

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