Page 57 of The Exiled Dragon

Our hands slowly left each other, the fire disappearing from our fingertips. The enormous bonfire had many Elves jumping, playing flutes, and banging the drums. It reminded me of the many times my tribe had their bonfires full of dancing. At the end of the night, all the mates would gather and dance together for one last dance.

“Black Dragon.” Glinda took Odessa’s seat. My claws extended, upset that Odessa’s smell would now fade faster with the Witch’s scent there... “I’ll be fast,” she said, sensing my frustration. “Drink this.” The cup was full of a tea-like substance, thick with cream inside. Sniffing, I smelled no poison to harm me and I drank it down in one go.

Glinda took the cup quickly, throwing a white powder where my lips grazed the cup. Immediately, my bottom lip imprint turned black. “I knew it,” she hissed. “You have black magic in your system. You need to meet me at our same meeting spot from this morning once Odessa is asleep. Come alone; we do this quietly, understand?” Before I could answer, she was gone faster than the black clouds that surrounded my Dragon.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Creed

TheWitchleftmein a trance. Who would put black magic on me and when could this have happened? Rubbing my chest, I realized it could be none other than my brother, but I could not speculate so quickly. It would take a Witch to procure the spell, and for however long this spell had been upon me, I wasn’t sure.

Was it a spell that blocked a mate bond or another spell entirely? I growled outwardly, causing Elves to jump in their seats. I softened my eyes the best I could to keep the Elves from becoming too distressed. They were jumpy creatures besides their leader, but now they have just become more curious about Odessa's and I’s relationship.

I’ve heard the many whispers, especially the ones directed towards me.His face is hideous. What does that human see in him? He’s powerful, but he isn’t powerful enough to catch a human of her beauty.I was used to people talking behind my back. They no longer stung as they did in my former years.

Now that I was hearing talks of Odessa, my Dragon became angry and possessive. “I bet I could steal her away,” one Elf at the far end of the table raised his ale. “She likes the dangerous type and I am one of the best warriors! Look at my scars! If I show her one, like the scar on my chest, she would melt into my palm!”

“Well, I think it’s silly,” another Elf whispered. “She is giving up her chance at a true mate bond. What if this Vampire is sorry? What then?” My body flinched; my one foot already planted into the ground to raise to my full height until Daine spoke.

Of course, he would.

“You all are a bunch of idiots!” he slurred his ambrosia. His mate was holding him steady as he rose to his feet. “You seriously think that after all the abuse and shit she went through for six months that she would crawl back to the blood-sucker? The whole thing screamed red flags! ‘I’m sorry, baby,’” he acted out with his partner. “I didn’t mean to suck your blood, make you feel pain, give you scars, and throw you in a dungeon. Be my mate, and I’ll treat you better!” Daine put his hands together, pleading.

Daine stood up, changing his demeanor, and flipping back his hair. “Oh yes, baby, I forgive you!” he speaks in a high pitched voice. “That, my friends…” He pulled a large glass up to his face to drink another. “Is what we call an abusive cycle because if he hurt her once, he could hurt her again. Now, mind your own damn business before I spill all of your…” he hiccupped, “… gossip so Creed can have a laugh!” The Elves retreated, grumbling obscene things to Daine, who had not a care in the world.

“You treat her right.” Daine raised his glass again. “And kill that motherfucker.” I chuckled, nodding as I sat back down on the cushions. Maybe Daine wasn’t so terrible after all.

***

Odessa continued dancing with Melina, the ambrosia taking full effect of her. She was no longer stiff like she was before around the crowd. Now she danced freely among the others. Most of the Elves showed kindness, teaching her new dancing techniques, and she learned them easily.

My fawn was graceful. She floated around the fire as if she were one with it. Her dress would blow up to her knees, showing the beautiful painted gold pattern on her legs. Her eyes now sparkling with mischief as Leaf, the small boy with the unruly hair, demanded he dance with her. She picked up the small thing, swinging him around in her arms. They both laughed as she tried to scold him about his hair.

As soon as she put him down after the song, he pulled on her arm, causing her to bend over. The sweet kiss the boy left on her cheek made her blush furiously, almost as much as my kisses did. The little boy ran away screaming, “Lore! I kissed her cheek!” Lore began laughing, waving at Odessa while she stood there with her mouth hanging open.

Odessa, kicking up the dirt around the fire; her feet finally hitting the lush grass, came up to me. “I need a drink!” Daine’s attention was immediately diverted from his mate he was passionately kissing.

“Have this!” he winked, returning to Tangle, who pulled Daine to straddle his lap. Odessa looked inside, first with both, then one eye, focusing on the liquid. She shrugged her shoulders and gulped the whole thing down. I pulled the cup away from her quickly, realizing it wasn’t ambrosia but an Elven drink that would surely have her sleeping soon.

“Creed!” She giggled excessively. “You are so handsome. Did you know that?” My body stiffened as she straddled my lap. Her hands ran through my pulled-back hair and around my shoulders. “I thought you were a Viking God when I first saw you. So tall, handsome, rugged.” She thought I was so appealing, even with my scars.

No one had told me I was handsome, yet she continued to do so.

“And you have the biggest thingy I have ever seen!” It was my turn to blush, feeling not the heat of my Dragon but of my face. “I mean, I haven’t seen many, just yours actually, but I think you are above average. No, wait, well above average. In fact, I’m not sure if it would even fit me!”

Gods, I didn’t think of that.

What if it doesn’t?

Odessa giggled louder, pecking my face. “Silly Lizard, you worry too much. Women can push a baby out, why could you not put it…” she threw her head back, pointing between our lower bodies, “in?” Odessa’s breasts heaved heavily, the music picking up once more.

Her eyes fluttered back to the fire.

“Dance with me?” Many mated couples, children, and their families came around the fire. A final fire dance I used to be left out of as a child. Not even the other male children asked me to join in a warrior dance with them while the mated stayed together. This would be my first; my first time dancing with my mate.

My lips curled as Odessa stood up from my lap, pulling on my arm. “Come on now, Prince Charming, don’t leave your damsel in distress all distressed-like!” Her dilated pupils glistened with the light. Her dress hugged underneath her teats as both her arms pulled mine. My heart lightened seeing her so carefree, I would be sure to give her the life she has always wanted to see her like this all the time.

Standing to my full height, I towered over not only Odessa but the Elves as well. Many watched as I approached. I became nervous as people stared at me, but I had to remind myself this was for Odessa. I would have to use my body to seduce my mate.

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