Page 110 of Finding Love with the Fae King

“Ah, inertia is a bitch.” Everett laughed while I chuckled, taking the pack off.

“We will have to wait here until the storm clears before heading deeper into the forest,” Osirus spoke as we entered the cave.

“Are you sure, Osirus? It is only drizzling. We should keep going,” I pushed. Something didn’t feel right being in this cave. It was dark but mostly dry. Meaning it could be a perfect place for someone or something to live in.

“We need a rest. We have flown two hours straight,” Finley said, not worried in the slightest. Since I was just a newly planted Bergarian, I figured it should be all right if two mighty warriors said it was. I sat down on a small mat, leaned against the cave wall, and shut my eyes.

Osirus was speaking to Finley, who had a map of the dragon tribes and which one they should visit since we didn’t have time to see them all. It was decided to visit the largest, the one with the ultimate Alpha dragon, Adam. His wife was a fae which gave us the upper hand if the dragons didn’t appreciate our intrusion. Fae tended to favor other fae.

Letting out a gigantic sigh, I felt the wall behind me move. My eyes flew open as I felt behind me. It wasn’t a cold cave wall like it should have been. In fact, it felt warm. I rubbed it again, and a slight rumble came out. Sitting up, I looked behind me now that Braxton had a fire lit and staring back at me where two gigantic black eyes with a flicker of light from the fire.

Screaming like my pants were on fire, I ran up to Osirus and pulled his tunic while he stared at me in shock. The beady eyes kept staring as I couldn’t come up with the words to spill out of my mouth. “The w-wall h-has eyes!”

The men all pulled out their swords, ready to attack with the wall came to life. It wasn’t a dragon. It was scarier than that. Instead of Horus and his beautiful white and gold scales, these were pitch black, covered in scars. The wings were bat-like for webbing but had thin feathers from the top of its head down to its tail. Eyes were as large as dinner plates, and the hind legs were large with foot-long talons.

It never growled but grunted while its white fangs came over its bottom jaw. Nothing in the storybooks I had read could help me figure out this creature. I had stopped screaming and now looked at it in awe. It was huge, and its head raised to the top of the cave. Osirus stood still, waiting for an attack, but there was none.

Large bouts of smoke came from its nostrils as it circled him, and black glitter sprung forth to engulf the creature as it covered its shrinking body. A few seconds went by and when the smoke cleared, it was a gargantuan man. Scars littered his chest, along with several tribal and dragon tattoos. His dark hair was long, down to mid-back. A large scar went down his face, going straight through the eye. If he didn’t have the scar, he would have been a beautiful man. Even with the scar, the aura of power he leaked was stifling. Four fae could never bring this beast down in the full form.

“Who are you?” Osirus put his sword away, and everyone followed. The man just folded his arms while the cloth covering his private parts swayed as the wind blew in the cave. To break the awkward silence, I stepped forward.Maybe listening to a woman might help?

“Um, hello?”Yeah, the confidence was out the window now.Great job, Melina. “I’m Melina, and this is King Osirus. We have news to take to Alpha Adam, maybe you have heard? Dangers are coming this way, and it affects the tribes.”

The brooding man stood there, taking in our words. He looked everyone up and down as his arms stayed crossed over his raging muscles. “You shouldn’t have told him anything. He isn’t a dragon,” Everett said, and that was when we heard a loud growl from the monster.

“He looks dragon enough to me,” I said honestly. The man’s eyes softened for only a second before he turned cold. “Sorry to bother you. We can leave.” I motioned for everyone to pack up, and Osirus agreed but dragged me with him by the hand.

“Melina, what were you thinking, talking to that thing?” Osirus whispered.

“He’s a person, Osirus. He lives up here with the other dragons, so he has some relation to them. Why not ask for help?” Osirus’s jaw ticked.

“Don’t speak to these dragons, darling. They aren’t like the elves and the wolves, you know. They are more animalistic, if that were even possible.” He threw his hair over his shoulder to get it out of the way while I glared at him, and he motioned for everyone to leave.

I let out a huff and turned right around back up to mister scary guy and gave a little bow. “We are just trying to save the women and children from the witches coming over the border and warn your people.” Mister scary man didn’t move or show any easement of his stance. Pausing, I came up with a brilliant idea. Singing as light-heartedly as I could, I sang to the tune of “Wheels on the Bus.”

“Please lead us to Alpha Adam’s tribe, Adam’s tribe. Will you please lead us to Alpha Adam’s tribe? We would be forever grateful.”

This was not my proudest moment. I was sure Lucca would roll on the floor laughing if he saw me.

I heard Osirus growl at me while I turned around and gave him an enormous tongue to stare at.Big fae meanie.Mister big scary man nodded his head, uncrossed his arms, and led us out of the cave while we followed. Grabbing my bag and glaring at Osirus, I followed closely. I didn’t know if it was my siren powers or the fact I just looked like an idiot. I would never know.

“Oy, you are in for it, eh?” Everett laughed as I heard a slap on Osirus’s back. “She tamed a wild beast all on ‘er own! Must be da siren blood.” I looked back at Osirus, who looked like someone slapped him with a stupid stick.

Mister scary man led us through the forest and in no time, we reached a small village. The area was primitive but also secure and safe. Instead of homes in trees like the elves, the dragons had huts on the ground made of mud as hard as concrete. Several of them had smokestacks coming out, with one hut looking to be the largest of them all.

As we entered slowly, mister scary man held out his arm for us to halt until a beautiful fae woman walked out. She must have been Alpha Adam’s mate. Her hair was long and blonde and had a sheen of red highlights in her hair. She smiled warmly once she saw our guide and whisper-yelled, “Creed!”

That’s nice. Now we have a name.Creed just gave a curt nod as she engulfed him in a hug. “As great as it is to see you Creed, you better go. Adam is in a foul mood.” Creed did a small bow and kissed her hand as he turned to us and walked past.

“Thank you!” I called to him, but he didn’t even turn around. He continued walking down the path he led us down.

“King Osirus, to what do we owe the pleasure?” She curtsied lowly. Osirus came forward, his kingly stoic face was slapped on, and I couldn’t help but internally groan. He was pissed at me. I could feel those waves of anger a mile away.

“We have come to warn you of—” A roar broke through the camp.

Another large man, well, who was I kidding? Everyone was large. He was at least six foot eight, with mousy brown hair, sweat protruding from his body, and only wearing the same type of cloth Creed was wearing.We’ve got hot Tarzans up in these mountains.

“You are in our territory with no invitation.” His index finger pointed directly to Osirus, who stood still with a hand on his sword.

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