Page 59 of The Exiled Dragon

The surrounding wind picked up, the leaves swirling us in a small tornado. Lighting struck above Glinda’s head, all while blue smoke trailed around it. The lightning spat from the cloud, clenching the black matter and pulling my chest upward.

The pull was equivalent to having my vocal cords ripped from me so many years ago. My Dragon roared in pain, remembering the pain I felt as a child, and he could do nothing. I could see his body wrapping around itself, rolling in a tantrum, trying to push the lightning away from my body. The continued pull could be felt through my chest and down to my toes. My Dragon pulled on my torn cords, trying to scream to stop, causing blood to spit from my mouth.

“We should stop. He’s bleeding!” one Witch yelled over the roaring wind and my screams. My fingers dug into the dirt, feeling it push up into my skin.

“No, we rip it out. Prolonging it will make it worse!” The wind picked up, the bolt of light still pulling. Glinda began chanting again and her sisters joined. The pain became too much; even my Dragon couldn’t pull on my cords. There was nothing left now. I was sure my Dragon couldn’t force my damaged voice to work for the rest of my life.

Sweat beaded up on my body; the black sludge that coated my chest was cleaned by the bolt, pulling it away from my heart . The pain subsided, causing a sigh to leave my lips. “This is interesting,” Glinda said, panting. “All magic has a marker, a marker where you can find the origin of the magic, but I see none here. We really won’t know who cursed you.” She silently cursed to herself until one last pull came from the light, pulling a red ball from my body.

No openings of wounds appeared on my chest. My hands finally released; I felt my chest from the pain I had felt earlier. It was gone and, in fact, I felt lighter than I had once before. The three Witches stared at the red orb on the ground, scooping it up and putting it in a small cauldron. “We will find what it is made of, Glinda, and return to you.” The three Witches vanished into thin air, leaving the scene that was now wrecked with rocks, sticks, and debris.

“Excellent job,” she smiled. “Now, I want you to take a deep breath.” Looking at her questioningly, she gave a bright smile. Taking a large breath, I could smell Odessa as if she were standing beside me. The warmth in my chest and the desire in my loins was unquestionable. I wanted to claim her. I wanted to hold her body next to me. Her smell and touch made me become obsessed in seconds. My head darted from tree to tree, looking for my fawn, my Dragon clawing at my chest where the blockage of dark magic had sat.

“She isn’t here.” She smiled.

If Odessa wasn’t here, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if I were in her presence. My beard tickled my chest as I glared at Glinda. It wasn’t the most friendly, but my facial expressions were limited. “I was right. She is your mate. You can smell her, feel your desire for her...” Clutching my chest once more, my Dragon pushed into my chest, causing me to fall.

“Go to her, Creed. It’s about damn time to sate that beast.”

Not looking back, I barely stood at full height because I continued to trip over fallen branches. My excitement overpowered my abilities to think and walk straight while my barely-there smile took up the entirety of the side of my face.

I was out of the woods in near seconds. All was quiet and even the bonfire had been laid to rest, the smoke twisting up to the night sky. Running across the meadow, her smell only intensified, causing my Dragon to step forward. He was trying to control my mind, a feeling he had never once done before.

Waiting for the pulley system of the platform, I ruffed in annoyance and released my claws. I climbed the entire tree where my fawn lay sleeping. Each claw mark was quickly healed by the magic that lives within the trees. Once I pulled up, swinging the door open, Razak stuck out his tongue; cocking his head in worry. I strode over to the bed. She was already awake, her elbow lifting her body off the large cushion.

My desire for her could no longer be held back. I had to take her, and I was going to do what my Dragon has been wanting to do the past few hours. For me to sink my teeth into her neck. “Creed, are you all right?” Even her sleepy voice was erotic as she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

Picking her up from the bed, I ran out the door. I would not mate with my fawn in a strange place. Her place was in the nest that I had prepared for her. “Creed, what are you doing?” she whispered, not trying to wake the entire territory. “It’s the middle of the night!” Odessa had slept off the remaining ambrosia, thank the gods, because I could not have her sleeping with what I was about to do.

My smoke twirled around my body, changing into my Dragon as I jumped off the platform. Odessa didn't scream, she just held onto my neck and slung herself on top of me. She gripped the feather-like hair on my back as tightly as she did before. “Creed!” she squealed as I broke through the top of the trees of the territory. The moon was high in the sky as I journeyed back to our cave, where I would take her as mine. Where she could yell and scream all she wanted in pleasure while I filled her with my seed.

Gods, she was my mate. All these years I cursed them, asked why they would even allow me to be born if I was to not have a mate. Only more questions continued to arise in my mind. Who would curse me, why deny me something so precious as my mother had? Now was not the time. I would figure it out when I didn’t have my mate strapped to my back, ready for me to take her.

Arriving back at the cave in record time, I ran down the entrance, my Dragon shifting back into my human while carrying Odessa. “How are you doing this!?” Her body clung to mine, afraid I would drop her. I would never do such a thing to my fragile little mate.

As we entered, it was dark. With one spit of fire, I lit the lantern on the table. It lit the room just enough so I could see her face, her body, and the reactions she would have while me and my Dragon had our way with her.

“Would you stop!” She squealed, her voice frantic. “You are worrying me. Why are we back here?” Laying her gently on the bed, I kissed her passionately. She silenced only to return the favor, humming into my mouth. “Prince Charming, you have to tell me why we are back. Get the pen…” I pulled the vial from around my neck quickly, breaking the braided chain. It was dark green with a small cork on the top. I pecked her lips again and downed it all in one go.

“What are you drinking!?” Odessa squealed again. “Let me get a piece of leather!” She tried to get up, but I only straddled her, waiting for the potion to coat my throat. It was foul-tasting, but I would taste it over and over if it would work. Odessa squirmed beneath me, so I held both her hands above her head.

“I demand to know!” she huffed. Her brows knitted together. My Dragon loved the feisty attitude she displayed.

Then I did it. I felt the air flow through my throat and out of my mouth. “Odessa.” My smooth, deep voice came from my lips, surprising me. I rubbed my throat, now feeling the vibrations of my cords.

Odessa stared at me, her mouth hanging open. “Creed? Did you just say my name?”

“Yes.” My thumb brushed her cheek.

“You can speak!?” Tears came to her eyes, both hands escaping from over her head, cupping my face. “Oh, say it again!”

“Odessa.” I curled my mouth into a smile.

Odessa

The knot in my throat caused me not to speak. How ironic. He said my name. Creed said my name. The dream of him ever being able to do that just came true. It was so smooth, much smoother than anything I ever thought would leave his mouth for his appearance. It was gentle, warming, and filled with so much love.

“I love you, Odessa.” The waterworks came, tears gently tickling my cheeks. “Don’t cry, my fawn. I hate to see you cry.” My arms clenched around his neck, pulling him close to me.