Page 56 of The Exiled Dragon

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Lura had Creed and I got ready at her tree house. She lent me another dress, just as beautiful as the others she had presented me. I kept telling her repeatedly that she didn’t have to, but she was too gracious to let me say no.

Creed sat on the pillows, watching me from afar. He kept glaring at Daine, sometimes sticking his tongue out to smell the area. He was brooding and my heart felt a little sad for him. I don’t think he liked it when I was away from him. It made me itch to go back and sit with him.

“How much longer?” I groaned. Lura and Daine were braiding my hair, putting in an intricate, almost Celtic looking design. It was half up with beautiful pink and purple flowers weaved through my hair. My dress matched, holding a deep purple with gold trimmings and leaves adorned on the bottom.

“Almost, then you can go back to your mate,” she sang. “How does it feel? Having a mate to love?” She sighed like it was the greatest thing.

“Great.” I stared at my hands. “I’m just glad we can be together.”

“You’re lucky.” Daine grabbed a paintbrush to paint a gold design on my skin. “You get to pick whom you get to love and mate.” My hand grabbed Daine’s before the paintbrush touched my skin.

“Tangle seems like a nice Elf. He follows you everywhere, but you pay no attention.”

“Huh?” Daine cocked his head like a puppy.

“You seriously don’t notice?” Lura put one hand on her hip. “He’s outside right now. He peeks in the window all the time.” Daine’s face fell.

“I thought he didn’t care. He doesn’t talk much. Only telling me he was sorry.” I stood up, sitting him in the chair.

“Maybe he is intimidated by your large personality. You are loud and you don’t listen to anyone.” Lura laughed loudly.

“Told you! See, Odessa has known you for a day and she’s got you figured you out.” Creed’s growl came from the corner, staring him down.

“Okay, I’m sorry!” Daine huffed, looking longingly out the window.

Creed

While Lura and Daine decorated each other with gold paints on their skin, Odessa sat with me on the large pillows adorning the corner. Her skin was clean of any dirt, painting with gold designs. Her name was written somewhere on her skin; Lura said I would have to find it as it is a game among mates. I would have much fun finding it later.

Odessa brushed out my hair, the equivalent of preening, something I saw my mother and stepfather constantly do to each other, every evening before nesting. It was an intimate gesture, the brushing, the braiding. Odessa had no clue.

My Dragon vibrated, feeling her tiny fingers braid the top of my head into tiny rows. It was the best I’ve ever had. They were so tight it would last for several full moons. Her fingers even massaged my shoulders, causing my tight posture to loosen. My tiny fawn knew exactly how to make my Dragon purr like a feline.

Once she placed the final bead on my tied-back hair, I pulled her to my lap. Her eyes were painted blue, purple, and gold, her lashes decorated with black paint, making them look impossibly longer. My thumb brushed against her cheek, her settling into my arms.

“Do I look okay?” My lip curled. My forehead touched hers, leading into a long kiss. I pulled her closer, closer to my beating heart. My lips became restless. Hungrier than they were once before. My Dragon urged me to continue the push forward. My hand trailing up her leg and her dress falling back towards her hips, revealing more of the intertwined designs.

“Let’s go!” Daine called from the bedroom, “Or all the good ale will be gone!” Odessa pulled away, panting.

“He’s kinda irritating, huh?” Odessa giggled. Her laugh brought a new energy. She was happy, and happy is where she would be forever, with me.

***

Night had fallen, the feast was large and this time, many types of meat were brought to the table. Queen Melina had a hunger for beef so two large cows were brought in. I made sure the Queen had her fill before I devoured the rest. The red meat sat in my gut better than the white meat of fowl they had brought earlier this morning.

Queen Melina waved towards me, smiling brightly. “So, my Siren singing doesn’t work on you?” I shook my head. A month ago, she tried to command me to take her to my village, but I would have taken them anyway. Amora told Queen Melina she was utterly embarrassed because her commanding song was in the tune of an old nursery rhyme on Earth, “The Wheels on the Bus.”

I did not know what a bus was, but it sounded interesting.

Daine kept pushing ambrosia drinks towards Odessa. She sipped a few times until she found one flavor she loved. Gulping it down quickly, she reached for another, but I put my hand in hers, pulling it to my lap. She smiled up at me, swaying at the music. If she could look at me the way she was now every morning, I would be one happy Dragon.

“No fun,” Daine mouthed to me as he continued drinking. Tangle was beside him now, Daine’s hand in his. I internally smiled, thinking about how Odessa had scolded Daine. He deserved it and if she doesn’t put him in his place, I know my Dragon will.

One more interruption from him, and I don’t think I could hold back from knocking him on the ground.

“Let’s dance!” Melina pulled Odessa’s arm. At first, she pulled her hand back, but Melina put her hands on her hips, flapping her wings violently. “Come on now, have a little fun. Osirus and Creed will stay here. I need a dance partner.” Odessa squeezed my hand, kissing her lips I nodded for her to go.

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