Page 3 of The Exiled Dragon

Squatting to the ground, I held out my hand. I was too far away to touch her, not that she would let me. She glanced at Razak, asking for permission until he licked her cheek again. A slight smile, showing some of her blunt teeth, showed through. She wasn't a Shifter then.

She squeezed out of the hole ever so slowly, wearing nothing but purple rags. At one time, they would have looked expensive. Purple was a hard color to come by in this land, even to the south of us. Where could she have come from? Once she squeezed out of the hole, she pressed her ankle while she winced. It was twice the size of the other. Her body was covered in mud from the night before, and her hair was matted. Breathing ragged, she huddled her legs closer to her body to protect herself. Shivering, she rubbed her body up and down with her hands.

"You won't hurt me, will you?" Her voice was faint, and I shook my head slowly. I must treat her like a newborn fawn, with slow and steady movements. Her body relaxed, Razak nuzzled closely to her thigh, licking the mud from her leg. Scratches littered her body, and there was a mixture of old and new blood on her skin.

The overwhelming need to take care of her was strong, a feeling I had never felt before. However, I knew she could not be my mate. All the elders had spoken of this many times to my mother and me. I was conceived without a bond; I was conceived of rape. My mother should have gotten rid of me, and fed me to the wild, but she didn't have it in her heart.

Her tender soul couldn't do it, after the many warnings and was chastised for many moons, maybe I inherited her compassion for those hurting.

Keeping my crouch low, I approached slowly. The fawn's weary eyes never left me while I came closer. Her body was shivering in the cold, and I cursed myself for not bringing a cloak to wrap her in. The water skin attached to my side was untied instantly; I put it to my lips to show a drinking motion and handed it to her. I was still an arm's length away, and she showed no signs of distress. My efforts were rewarded as she gripped it and closed her lips around it.

While she drank, I looked at her ankle. She wouldn't be able to walk on it. Scratches from an animal ran up her leg. It had crusted over, but it was at risk for infection. She wasn't healing like the people of this land usually do. She was without an animal inside her, like a hollow shell. I would have to use roots and herbs to clean it.

Taking the water skin from her lips, she looked back at me and put it into my calloused hands. She didn't hold the fear like many of the other Dragon fledglings did when faced with me. This little fawn looked at me like any other person. For the first time in many years, the worry of scaring another , especially someone as sweet as this innocent girl, dwindled.

"C-can you tell me where I am?" Her eyes lit up. The light sources hit them at an angle you could see the sparkle reflect from the iris mimicking the Whisps of the forest. Shaking my head, my hand went to my neck where the massive scar lay. Could I speak to her? I could, my Dragon could force its vocal cords to open, but the harshness would be too much for her delicate creature. I couldn't scare her; it would break my heart into pieces if it did.

"Oh." Her head bowed. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean..." Razak licked the fawn's cheek, releasing a giggle. "Can you tell me if I am in America?" America? I had never heard of such a place. Not unless it was the realm of the humans. A land where most humans resided after the gods created this world for all the supernaturals.

Dragon Shifters stay away from the world of Earth. Many moons ago, young Dragons were hunted by men who praised taking down newly shifted Dragons. They could never take down a full-grown Shifter, just those who had not been trained to fight. The gods saw the wickedness of their ways and created this world, Bergarian. Filled with supernaturals that were in a body like the humans but gifted powers such as shifting, magic, and other abilities. Not only that, but Elves, Fairies, Whisps, and many other creatures moved here to be protected.

Could this little fawn be from that world? What is she doing here?

Before shaking my head, no, the woman I have dubbed the name Fawn rested her head against the tree. Her eyes had shut while Razak frantically paced and whined.

Our most regular morning turned into one of new beginnings.

Chapter Three

Creed

Fawn's eyes closed delicately while I stared at her longingly. When was the last time I had been this close to another being? I couldn't remember the last time I touched any other living thing unless I killed for food, fought for gold, or defended myself. This woman is helpless, and she shows no fear in my disfigured body.

This wasn't her world; she was stuck in a land where this was nothing but Fairy tales to her. A strong feisty spirit must inhabit her body to have kept her alive this long. The journey into the mountains is not an easy one. There were rumors that humans had started to come into Bergarian; the different species were finding mates. All the humans had come in willingly. However, this girl did not. She was forced; the anger built up inside me as I watched her sleep.

Her body was tiny, obviously starved, and given just enough food to survive for whatever purpose she was obtained for. I prayed to the gods that it was nothing too terrible. The way she ran, I believe it must have been appalling.

Picking up my leathers, bag, and game, I came back to her; I couldn't very well leave her here out in the open. I had a responsibility to take care of her. My Dragon even agreed, blowing smoke in my ear that this one was special. Special to me, how? I wasn't even sure.

My Dragon huffed again in my ear. He liked her spirit. She wasn't afraid. Whether it be my face or false reputation, the Pixies that tend to nature were fearful of me. That was saying a lot because they could be relatively dense about things.

Razak sniffed her hair, no doubt because she smelled of the wet soil and grime from the days of her travels. One arm under her legs and one behind her back, I cupped her head so it laid on my hairy chest. Soft pants of her breath tickled me while her warm face nestled closer.

Instantly I felt her warmth, a feeling I hadn't felt since the gods took my very own mother from me. My nose immediately went into her hair. I shouldn't be doing this, she is not mine, but my Dragon demands it. A soft moan left her lips as her cheek warmed my breast.

Clicking my cheek to Razak, we headed back to the cave. No longer looking for game but going back to take care of a human. Passing by a nearby stream, I trudged through the water instead of jumping over, ensuring she would stay dry and not wake her. The tatters in her dress drug behind restlessly while picking up the pace.

The cave was the same as I left it; upon entering, the cool breeze that came from it gave Fawn a chill on her skin. The caked mud and dirt would have to be cleaned, her wounds tended to, and food in her belly once she woke.

Gently laying her in my nest of furs, I made sure she was comfortable, so I could strip off my leather straps, weapons, and prey. The rabbit would make a fine stew with the stone fruit I had gathered but a week ago.

Walking further back into the cave, I light the way with a series of torches. This mountain held many secrets, one of which I found the day I moved out of the tribe. This cave keeps me warm in the winter and cools in the summer because of the spring that hides within.

The water is warm, the perfect temperature to help bathe her to get her clean. Razak's head poked around the rock, studying me, tilting his head in confusion since I left the little Fawn on my bed. Did he really think I would leave her to bathe myself? I scoffed, petted his head, and came back to her. Her body was the same as when I left it; her exhaustion from her journey had weakened her body.

My Dragon growled at that.

Fresh furs were pulled from large baskets that I had to weave with my own hands. Something a woman does, but when one doesn't have the gold, you learn to make do. The fresh furs will be placed on the bed once she is fully clean.

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