Page 49 of The Exiled Dragon

“Creed, faster!” Daine squealed again, mocking my voice. My face burst red with embarrassment. He heard everything?! Matteo pushed Daine to the side, whispering into his ear.

“Did you do this on purpose?” I turned and pointed to my neck, squinting my eyes playfully. Creed’s lip curled in enjoyment, the light in his eyes glowing. “Are you staking a claim?” I giggled, still trying to pull my dress over the extensive marks. It was useless. The dress wouldn’t allow it.

“Sorry, Odessa. Daine has always been a loose cannon.” Lura snickered. Shaking my head, we all went to sit and eat at the large picnic-like tables. Elves had begun to scatter, doing their daily chores, and children ran into the forest. Daine plopped down beside us, pulling another elf to the table.

“I’m sorry for embarrassing you earlier,” Daine said with sincerity. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Smiling sheepishly, I said, “It’s all right. I just didn’t know it was there. There wasn’t a mirror in the tree house.”

“That’s because we hear the Black Dragon hates mirrors…” The Elf beside him nudged his side, causing Daine to grunt in surprise. Creed still had a grip on my thigh while he ate, ignoring the loose cannon known as Daine. “Anyway, this is my mate, Tangle.” Creed again squeezed my thigh, his head now looking across the meadow and into the forest. He looked lost, tightening his jaw. My suspicions have to be right.

Now I’m worried. He reacts negatively every time someone brings up a mate. This means… I’m probably not his mate.

“Nice to meet you, Tangle.” His long brown hair was braided down his back. Beads that matched Daine’s were tangled in the braid. Tangle was definitely more rugged than Daine, sporting calloused hands and a few days old stubble. His muscles were larger, his bow strapped across his chest even while he ate.

“He’s a warrior for the tribe. I’m just a tracker that seldom gets to go out. That’s why I was so excited when I met you yesterday. Nothing ever happens here, and you were the perfect surprise for all of us.” Tangle chuckled, stabbing his fork in one of the honey-coated flowers on his plate.

“We haven’t mated yet, as you can see.” Daine pulled down his shirt, showing a clean shoulder. I cocked my head to the side, not understanding the meaning. Tangle again elbowed Daine, who squealed. “It’s because Tangle was a bit of a horn dog. I want to make sure he was serious and wanted me because I obviously waited for my mate!” Tangle’s eyes softened. Regret filled him as he heard Daine spill their entire relationship to me.

Tangle was older at one hundred and twenty, while Daine was just forty years old and lived in the territory next to this one. Daine understood being that old, he would slip a few times, but Tangle actually tangled in the sheets a lot. Worst of all, he kept it a secret from Daine, who almost immediately let him be marked without knowing. Which I still wasn’t sure about.

“Daine, I’m sorry, but maybe you could be a little nicer to Tangle. He seems really sorry.” Tangle gave an appreciative smile, but Daine’s sadness poked me harder. He had been extremely happy in the short time I’ve known him, and now his sorrow would make me a weepy mess. I went closer to give Daine a hug when hissing and growling hit me. Creed pulled me back, holding me close to his body in a crouching position. Daine and Tangle were the same. Daine and I looked on in confusion as both Elf and Dragon continued circling.

“Oh, oh, it’s all right!” Annabelle ran up to get between the almost brawl. “Everyone has their claimed ones. Now, let’s back up a little. Okay?” Her sweet voice calmed Tangle, who only put his face into Daine’s neck. Daine became extremely giddy at the newfound affection from his mate; however, Creed stood stiff.

Twisting my body, I leaned into Creed. “Hey.” I cupped his face. His eyes finally came to mine. His Dragon’s fiery eyes looked back at me. “I’m here, and I’m only yours, okay?”

Seriously, only yours.

Creed’s dark eyes softened, his nose going straight into my neck. “You may not know this.” Annabelle walked up to us, still maintaining her distance. “But when two mates have found each other like Daine and Tangle and have not,” she cleared her throat, “completed their vows to each other, they can become territorial.” I wanted to argue that I was a girl, and it shouldn’t matter, but how was I to know such things?

“You were lucky Creed was there to save you, again.” She laughed. “Odessa, you didn’t know, don’t worry, all right?” The motherly head tilt had me relax. I would have to be more careful then.

“Can we go somewhere, Creed?” I whispered. “Where we can be alone and talk?” Annabelle heard my words, her eyes looking to the south.

“There is a swimming hole to the south. No one will be there right now. Why don’t you both go relax?” Annabelle smiled, pushing a hair behind my ear. “Maybe talk about some things?” She winked. Glinda stood behind one of the trees behind Annabelle before disappearing into the forest again.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Creed

“Comewithme,Odessa.I might have some swim clothing you could borrow.” Annabelle, Zaos’ mate, extended her hand to Odessa, who looked to me for approval. She could do what she wanted. Then again, she might look to see if I deemed Annabelle and the rest of the Elven people trustworthy. I found no malice in their words. In fact, they had been more accommodating than anyone I had ever met. I could not smell mischievousness as I could with my brother; they had kept her safe when I was away. Even if they did supposedly dart her. My Dragon roared within me.

She is still close, I told my Dragon, who was pacing in my chest. There was no need to worry. My claws continued to itch to grab her and not let her go, but my human side understood it was important for Odessa to trust others.

Razak roared playfully as several children attacked him., rolling on the ground with glee as they scratched his underbelly. My fierce companion for years was now succumbing to my fawn and a few Elven babes.

Touching my forehead to hers, she smiled and ran to Annabelle, grabbing her hand. As much as I didn’t want her to leave my side, I had to understand there would be times I had to be away from her. She would need friends, and the Elven people would give her that, knowing my tribe would not welcome her with open arms. Watching her retreating figure, I heard a clicking sound from the far side of the opened grasses; it was faint enough for my ears to pick up on while many Elves continued to walk across it.

My Dragon, pulling me in the direction, I walked over, ready for anything that might cause danger to my Odessa. Looking back, she was still at a small treehouse situated on the ground, giggling with Annabelle.

As I traveled deeper, the clicking stopped, and a green cloaked woman adorned with gold and silver threaded flowers walked out. Her hood covering her face, she unshielded herself. “Black Dragon,” she whispered. “I have little time. I don’t wish to cause your intended trouble.” She heaved a solemn breath. “I’m Glinda. I’m part Witch, formerly full until I mated with my Elven mate. I still harness most of my powers, which are important for the Elven territory to help them thrive.” Glinda’s head glanced from side to side, her eyes focused on everything but me.

“She knows, Dragon. She knows very little, but she understands mates or soul mates are commonly found in this world. I needed to tell you this. Your communication is limited, but it is your right to know. Odessa, being human, has the ability to change. This means she has a mate somewhere.”

My Dragon let out a cry while my own whimper left my lips. The pain in my soul was pulled to the darkest of places. Odessa had a mate, a soulmate, while I was to remain mateless and alone. Could I steal her away from someone that would make her so much happier? Their bond would be stronger than anything we had created in just a short amount of time.

“Shh, Dragon,” the Witch whispered, her hand daring to touch my forearm. The soft look in her eyes bared truth and a hint of hope. “With Zaos believing Odessa, it makes me think there is a lot more to you than we all realize. I would like to test a theory, but I must gather supplies.” My soul, still feeling the emptiness that my fawn might not be ours, plummeted. “Odessa cares for you deeply. I don’t think she would let go of you so easily…” Glinda’s lips tightened, unable to speak.

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