Page 101 of The Exiled Dragon

I sighed heavily, taking a step from the platform to find her, only for a harp and string music to start playing. Fairies began their wind instruments, causing a peaceful tune to entrap the audience.

At the end of the aisle, Daine and Tangle had Odessa beside them. She wore a beautiful ivory dress encrusted with gold threading and small blue flowers around the bodice. A corset held her hourglass figure tightly, and her hair laid beautifully curled on one side of the head with braids. A full white lily decorated the side of her ear.

I was considered the most beastly Dragon for so long that I would not cry or back away from a fight unless it was my brother. Now my knees felt weak, wanting to fall to the ground and thank the Gods for blessing me with such a creature.

Odessa’s face glowed, her small smile giving me no sign if she was laughing or crying. Gods, I wanted to cry because she saved me. She saved all of us. Adam would not have been defeated unless I had her. The slow walk towards me felt like an eternity. Her hair blew in the wind as the Whisps gathered it around her face. She giggled, keeping her eyes on me.

My hand automatically reached for hers. She took it gladly as Daine and Tangle stood below the platform. “Do you Elves, Tangle, and Daine give away Odessa, once human, to this Dragon?”

Daine stood forward. “We do.” Daine, for once, kept his sentences in short exchange and sat down at the front of the crowd as Odessa squeezed my hand.

“This is amazing, huh?” she whispered. “I never thought I had enough friends to think something like this could happen.” Odessa sniffed, wiping away a tear. My knee weakened, finally hitting the floor.

Melina, sitting in the front row, gasped, pulling at Osirus’ arm. “He’s going to propose!!”

Osirus looked at me and at Melina, completely confused. At least one other human knew what I was doing.

“Odessa?”

Her heart leaped in her chest, her Dragon purring passionately. “Yes?” she whispered.

“You have given me a reason for living. A reason to see the light in the world I thought was so dark. I am but a lonely Dragon. I have no riches. I have few friends. All I have is a cave with a nest. I promise I will love you and be with you in good times and in bad. Strive to protect you and keep you safe from harm. Will you, Odessa, be my mate forever?” She giggled, her eyes warmed with tears, threatening to fall.

“I think I already agreed to it,” she sniffed, laughing. “This mark is proof enough, but I think I love you even more, the way you have made this feel like a proposal.” Standing up, I held her in my arms, the crowd clapping, some mated couples kissing each other.

“Now that is out of the way,” the Witch laughed. “How about we get onto the blessing?”

Our eyes never left each other. My arm stayed placed around her waist, keeping her close. Odessa’s head leaned into my breast as we listened to the Witch drone on about mates and their importance to this world. That our fate has been intertwined, reaping the best benefits of Bergarian.

“I now bless you both,” her eyes lit up to a bright blue, “with the power of Hecate herself, the blessing of perseverance, loyalty to the land, and the return of the Dragon lineage. You may go in peace, feel the spirit of Hecate, and listen to her words.” The Witch’s eyes glowed brightly until they finally dimmed. Looking at my Odessa, her eyes glowed just as bright, causing me to jerk back.

The Witch smiled, closing her book. “Now get out of here and go party, you bunch of kinky freaks,” she cackled.

We were led back inside the palace, where we were to be the most guarded. Osirus didn’t want to take any chances with the Vampires still running around the territory and not seeing a visible pattern of what they were doing. They were faster, and stronger, and who knew what other powers they could possess?

The entire ballroom was transformed into a dancing area. Faes, Dragons, Elves, and Fairies danced with each other, the lights glowing brightly only to be dimmed out more as the song progressed.

Many came to congratulate us on our mating; tribe members made it a point to come to talk to me, all individually. Many of which I could recognize their faces and remember their names. Of course, I knew the majority, meaning they tortured me the most. I remained at Odessa’s side, not leaving her for a moment.

With so much partying, I worried about Odessa's safety. She was so happy, laughing and playing with the little Fairy children. I wanted her to remain this way, carefree. Anyone could come inside to steal her away from me, and the Vampires thought they could get away with it considering the powers they held.

Osirus continued to look out each window, not even drinking with his mate. His back was rigid, speaking to each guard he passed, whispering in their ears. My hand tightened around Odessa’s hand, sparking her to pull me down and kiss me on the cheek.

Her laughs with the little male fledglings had my Dragon purr. He was ready for fledglings, but we would wait until we were ready and had our time together and my willingness to share had arrived.

Father stood in the corner. He drank several drinks, just watching the dancers go by. Alaneo was chatting his ear off, no doubt wanting to know how old he was and how he managed to live this long. Alaneo’s face faltered when he saw my father excuse himself, heading straight towards the large open, aired balcony.

Pulling Odessa with me, she didn’t question when I led her away from her conversation. She followed with just as much enthusiasm as I did. “Are you all right?” she babbled. Once we reached the outdoor balcony, Father stood at the end, looking down. We were many stories up, and I worried about what he was about to do.

“Father,” I called out. Odessa ran to him, pulling his arm back. His sad eyes looked down at her, a finger brushing her cheek.

“Yar Dragon reminds meh of ‘er.” Odessa’s face softened. “I swear I t’ought ye were ‘er when ya landed.” His voice cracked. “I cannae do it no mor’.” His tears sobbed. “Knowin’ ‘he ain’t here, it kills meh.”

“Da, I’m so sorry.” Odessa held onto him. I also followed Odessa, holding onto him. I wasn’t sure if my father showed emotions to others so openly, but he must have. His arms wrapped around both of us, holding us tight.

“I ‘ave to go to ‘er,” he sobbed. “’he’s waitin’ fer meh.” Odessa shook her head.

“But you have Creed here! He’s wanted to have some family for so long. I wish I could do something. I wish we could bring her back somehow.”

---