Page 71 of The Exiled Dragon

"We were so worried when we heard Creed's roar; I'm glad we got to you in time." Creed's arm tightened, pushing more red meat into my mouth. Chewing with a huge mouthful, Daine continued to explain how they snuck me out of the cave without being seen.

"I swaddled you up like an Elven baby just leaving the womb with nothing but banana leaves. No one could tell we took you with all the Yellowcress roots we sprinkled on you, but of course, your Dragon found you no problem." Creed ignored him, still stuffing his face.

Creed had one arm wrapped around me, and his, ahem, was still poking me. Does it ever go away now? Creed moaned when I tried to move elsewhere, but he pulled me closer, rubbing his thingy right on me again. My face flushed red, obviously liking it too much myself, until Zaos interrupted everyone's lunch.

"Everyone listen up." His voice carried with authority. He held a letter in his hand with a falcon on his shoulder. "We have received news from Alpha Amora. As we all suspected after having two witnesses attest to the attack on our new alliance with Creed…." Daine elbowed me.

"He's talking about Tangle and me." Tangle hushed his lips with a kiss, continuing to listen.

"The alliance between the Dragon Shifters and us is over. Alpha Adam has attacked Creed for no reason other than not leaving the cave with his mate. Alpha Adam of all Dragons should know trespassing in a Dragon's home is a death threat in itself, then attacking said home is vile." Many Elves talked amongst themselves, whispering their own opinions about the situation.

"Now, there is more evidence coming to light. Alpha Amora was falsely marked as a true mate." Gasps and yells picked up with the wind. The trees swayed, and the translucent canopy of leaves knocked out the sun. "The King and Queen of the Cerulean Moon Kingdom will hear about this. Their laws demand justice. Wrongfully marked mates is a death sentence. We are now on lockdown. Every warrior to your post." Elves rushed around the territory going to assigned posts, pulling up ladder’s and closing up the doors to their homes.

"Creed, Amora wishes you and Odessa to meet her in the Golden Light Kingdom. With the Dragon Shifters residing on Cerulean Moon Kingdom Territory, Adam will go to Cerulean Moon first to refute the charges. Until Odessa can take care of herself, you must go to Amora, and Melina will keep her safe." Creed stood, picking me up with him.

The bond showed bravery in his heart. "He wants to stay," I spoke softly. "He wants to keep you all safe." Zaos smiled, shaking his head. "We can take care of a few Dragons. We outnumber them ten to one. Besides, we have enough Yellowcress Root to knock out both of your smells; they won't know you were here. Do not worry." Zaos put his hand on Creed's shoulder. "My friend, this is a dawn of a new leader. If you can defy an Alpha order, it means you have a strong Alpha line. Take that into consideration the next few days." Creed stood still, eyes not leaving Zaos. "The gods must wish it." He nodded to him, now backing away.

"Here, I've gathered a few supplies." Lura held up a bag. "Amora left these clothes for you, and I put in a few pieces of parchment and a quill, so you both don't have to carve into that nasty leather," she giggled. "You both are adorable, and I can't stand it."

"Thank you, Lura, for everything. You too, Daine."

Daine stood up proudly, throwing his colored hair over his shoulder. "Anytime, baby girl," he winked. "Once the king has a harsh word with Alpha Adam, I'll come to the Golden Light Kingdom myself and let you know. Then we party! I heard they have killer parties out there." Tangle twirled Daine's hair, kissing him on the cheek, pulling him by his pinking finger.

"All right, I'm coming." He waved, Tangle walking away.

Creed pulled me to the center of the meadow, handing me his leather pants and tunic. He was still sporting that thing right out in the open. Could he not tie it down or something? Creed's plumes of smoke came around his body while shifting. Everyone was watching.

"Daaaaamn, I knew he had something under there. Did you see that? It was like a damn two-foot-long filled bamboo husk!" Tangle pulled his mate by the ear, laughing at his mate.

***

My face was still red, riding on the back of Creed. We had left the Elven territory and were now heading to the Golden Light Kingdom. It was the same area we had circled just a week and a half ago, but now I had a name. Each territory had a different theme, and this one was full of light, bright spaces, with nothing but fluttering Faes and Fairies. The bright colors descending from the stained glass windows onto the marketplace below were beautiful. The little Fae children fluttering around, learning to fly.

Creed landed just outside the palace steps. Gently letting me off, King Osirus and Queen Melina walked out with Amora holding Melina's hand. Amora's relief as she saw the both of us walk to them flooded her body, hugging Creed and me. "I'm so glad you are here," she half sobbed. "I was worried he would have found you already."

"No, there wasn't any sign of him. Zaos and Annabelle said they had it under control. They used that Yellowcress Root?" I questioned myself, looking at Creed. Amora sighed her hand over her heart.

"We will send some of our warriors, just in case. They had left just as you arrived," Osirus said, standing tall. He was wearing a long white jacket over his bare chest; bits of gold threading and expensive-looking leaf jewels stood out on the neck of his collar, all the way down to the bottom of his jacket. Melina wore something similar, except a tea-length dress and a low-cut top.

"We will have a lot of fun. We can do a spa day. Remember when we did that, Amora?" Amora nodded slowly, her heart still clutching her chest.

"Hey, it's all right, we are going to figure this out." Melina went to Amora, holding her close.

"How could he? I feel so used, so dirty," Amora broke down in sobs. I didn't know Amora well, and knowing she had been subjected to a forced mating was horrible. I didn't understand how she wouldn't know it was forced.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what is going on," I spoke quietly. "But if it is because of what Adam has done to you, I'm truly sorry. He has been cruel to Creed and cast him aside, lied about everything. I can't imagine what you are going through being subjected to his abuse for so many years." Creed walked up to Amora, looking at her in the eye. His forehead went to hers and let down a silent tear.

"Creed, it's all right." Amora rubbed his back. "I should have known the moment he cast you out, but I was too blind. The bond pulled me towards him. I'm ashamed." Creed shook his head, fists tightened. The veins in his forearms were stretched tightly across his skin.

"Brother, it will be fine," Amora wiped away a tear. "We will take away his Alpha rights; the Cerulean Moon Kingdom will see to it." Creed's Dragon growled, pulling away from her. Amora, still visibly upset, was interrupted by a groan from Creed. His body shook, and he immediately reached out for me.

"What's wrong, Prince Charming?" His crotch immediately rubbed against my backside. Oh, dear.

Osirus chuckled, his fingers going to his mouth, tickling his lips. "Congratulations on your mating, by the way." He snickered. “I see that you’ve been bitten, but he has not yet?” I shook my head.

“My Dragon hasn’t come out yet.” Osirus laughed again, which earned a shove from Melina.

“You nasty King, what are you hiding? Stop playing around; the poor man is hurting.” Melina came closer to inspect. Creed growled loudly, holding me closer to his body. His thingy was now driving into me tightly. Trying not to get aroused, I stood there, letting him rub himself on me.

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