Page 66 of The Exiled Dragon

“I’ll take my leave now.” Glinda nodded to both of us. Her arm crossed over her shoulder, bowing at Amora. “Alpha Amora, a pleasure. Let me know if your accommodations are not to your standard.” Amora smiled, bowing back.

Amora took a seat beside me. “I was hoping to meet you under better conditions, but the gods have a funny way of changing intentions.” Her solemn face finally looked at mine. “I’m so glad Creed has you. He, of all people, deserves to have a mate.” A tear ran down her face until there was another knock at the door.

Heckers, how am I to remain a secret if all these damn people come up in here!

“Come in,” her soft voice trailed while sniffing quietly. A large man, who I felt was another Dragon, came in with swords and a shield on his back. He stepped forward, handing Amora a handkerchief. “Thank you, Nicholas.” His hand grazed Amora’s arm, his eyes flashing between his Dragon and his blue ones. My stare at him only intensified until he caught me red-handed.

“Oh, this is my bodyguard, Nicholas. He pledged his allegiance to me when I first became Female Alpha. Not even Alpha Adam can deter him.” She giggled, putting her hand on his. “I’ve told him he needed to go find his mate, but he has refused.”

“An oath is an oath, Alpha Amora. I shall not break it.” Amora gave a grateful smile. “I’ll leave. I just noticed your distress and was checking on you. We should also leave soon, so Adam doesn’t grow suspicious.” Amora gave a grateful nod, watching him go out the door.

My Dragon was curious. I felt her tilting her head from side to side at the interaction between the two. “What are you going to do now?” I wanted to ask if she would leave her mate for the sake of Creed, but that would have been terrible to ask. That was her mate, and if she feels the same way I feel about Creed, it would be cruel.

“My Dragon wants to protect Creed, and I will listen to her. She’s never steered me wrong.” The thin line of her lips showed creases in her skin that aged her, a hard thing to do in this world. “I am going to look in the history archives, try to find something amiss about Creed’s mother. I’ve got a hunch, and I will not stop until I find some answers.” Amora stood from the bed, pulling her cloak around her. “Even if it means betraying the tribe that has held me dear.” Her smile turned to that of a frown.

“Your Dragon will shift, but I’m not sure when. You are the first human in my lifetime who has received full Dragon powers.” My Dragon did somersaults in my chest. Rubbing it tightly, Amora gave her first smile, showing her fangs.

“Creed will help you. Don’t be frightened, sister.” Amora’s forehead met mine. Clutching the sheet tightly, I watched as her back disappeared from the doorway.

Creed continued breathing heavily. My fingers grazed his beard, trying to detangle the mess of hair. Biting my lip, I headed to the washroom to clean up. If I really had been in bed for days, it would be for the best.

The cottage held that of modern facilities, except for a twist. Everything was made of natural woods, stones, and fibers that the trees themselves seemed to create. The make-shift shower held a giant leaf with holes in the top to let water stream down. It wasn’t the warmest, but it felt good to get rid of the muck on my skin.

Thankful for toothbrushes, I sighed and moaned at how great it was to brush my teeth with actual bristles. My teeth were now slick, and it made me miss having a toothbrush. Maybe I could grab a few to bring back to the cave.

Creed still laid lifeless, his body covered in dirt and even blood. Luckily, it didn’t look like any of it was his. Grabbing a few leather cloths, I procured a tub filled with soap to wash him. He took such good care of me while I was sick; it was now my turn without having him wake up in the middle of it.

Each swipe of the cloth filled the bowl with dirty muck. Emptying and refilling often was the only way to go until his body was completely clean. Soft groans and purring left his chest, my chest now making the same sounds, making me giggle along with our Dragons.

I wondered when my Dragon would make an appearance. She was so beautiful, and I would love to feel the wind on our bodies as we took flight. Creed would have to teach me to fly, or does my Dragon already know?

My thoughts continued to wander, my fingers now brushing Creed’s hair and pulling it back the way he loved it. Taking a sharp blade to his beard, I trimmed it, smiling that I wasn’t doing a horrible job. My Dragon continued to rumble in my chest, not sure if it was to comfort him or for just her own selfish desires, wanting to do more.

How I got through cleaning him and not jumping him while he slept, I didn’t know. His body was so muscular and cut, even when he wasn’t flexing trying to show off. My hand was being taken over by the devil himself, wanting to grip his muscular behind. I bit my lip, trying to remain innocent, but who was I kidding here?

Crawling into bed, the blankets covering him from the waist down; I saw he was already, ahem, ready. He was ‘ready’ the entire time I cleaned him, and it was hard not to linger around that one particular spot.

Heckers, I feel so naughty.

My hand trailed up his abs, my fingers brushing up against his hips. Little goosebumps trailed up his body as I sunk lower. A growl left his chest, and his hips moved forward. Was his Dragon egging me on? I giggled again, getting closer but not yet touching the one spot he and I both really needed.

A rough grab to my wrist caught me by surprise, my head darting to Creed’s face as his black eyes bore back into me.

Whoops.

Chapter Forty-One

Creed

Adam'snostrilsflared,theveins in his neck pulsing with every breath. Two of his warriors flanked his sides, each wearing furious looks. "You have not reported to me in three days. You haven’t relieved any of the posts of my warriors. I gave you two days to do what you wanted after killing those dark Fairies, yet you continue to test my patience."

The warriors flanking him looked to their Alpha, then to me, upset that I would leave those Dragons sitting in their spots for hours. Guarding the territory was easy. Your Dragon takes over, and he watches for any incoming unwanted species. Adam was acting like I left in the middle of a battle.

"If I didn't make that stupid promise to our mother," he sauntered closer, his muscles rippling across his chest. The other warriors gave a crooked smile, thinking they would get a show.

There was no promise to our mother, I wanted to shout at him. He let her die thinking he would never agree to such a thing. I was the only one who promised to try, get along with my half-brother and be there for the sake of the tribe. Now Adam, a snake with his words, turns them like he always does.

"Let's go, Creed, a good lashing to show your respect to your Alpha might do you good. I've been more than lenient over the years, and you know it."

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