Page 13 of The Prince of Dragon Magic

It was mid-afternoon, and the vision I’d seen had been late night. Had it happened yet, or was it something that was yet to occur? Should I wait it out, or go to her now?

I flew lower, spying a small house in a field. A memory swam into my mind about that house. About the family who lived there and helped the dragons who crossed the Veil.

I made a decision and landed in the field, shifting to human. It wouldn’t be good for anyone to see me in my dragon form. The ground was cool and soft beneath my feet as I walked toward the small cabin.

The front door had a large sign that read:

Friend, please help yourself from the chest below to whatever clothes will fit you. We are visiting family and will be home as soon as we can.

I smiled at the warm feeling around my heart from such kindness, and wished I’d brought a gem or something for them as a thank you.

My magic shimmered inside my hands and I turned my left palm up and stared as my magic conjured a large ruby from my personal collection at home.

I gaped at the stone. “How... why... Damn it.”

My magic really was out of control, obviously even more so here than it had been at home. Nevertheless, I had the gift I’d been hoping for, so I had to focus on the positive in that regard.

I opened the chest and grabbed some pants and a warm sweater, leaving the ruby inside the chest while I searched for shoes.

The clothes were a little tight in places, but I was grateful for the comfort.

There was no quick way into town, especially unseen. So I walked, not something I did very often in my realm. We ran, or flew. Walking was for short distances, usually between rooms in the castle. Not into a town many miles away.

By the time I arrived at the edges of town where houses with large yards sported children and pets galore, the sun was setting.

A woman saw me and smiled in greeting, though she was obviously hesitant about me and grabbed her child to her side.

“Hello,” I said, not stepping closer but waving instead. “I’m looking for a place to eat dinner. A restaurant perhaps? Could you point me in the right direction?”

She nodded and walked closer to the edge of her fence. “Yes, I can do that. Main Street has all of our food places. There’s a bakery and a diner, and a fancier restaurant if that’s what you’re looking for.”

“And how do I get there?”

She pointed. “That way, two blocks over. You can’t miss it.”

I nodded and turned to smile at the small girl clinging to the woman’s legs. “Much appreciated.”

My heart began to pound as I ambled along the street in the direction of Main Street. It was beginning to dawn on me that I was about to meet my fated mate.

What would I even do once I met her? Would she recognize me as I did her? Would I be able to leave her once she was safe?

So many questions, and none of them with immediate answers.

My older brother had found his mate before he was twenty-one, and pursued her with a determination I’d never seen him display before that time, or since.

Would I be the same? Was I ready for the woman who would be my perfect other half? The mother of my children.

I groaned as indecision flooded me. Then a voice in my head whispered,Trust...

I sighed, yes... trust the process. Trust the universe. Trust fate. If now was my time, who was I to question?

Main Street was not large, but it did indeed have a choice of many shops, including clothing, baby items and food choices. I walked along the street, forcing myself to stay calm, even though my heart banged in my chest like a bongo drum.

Soon, very soon, I would see her. Then what would I do?

Would I be able to control my dragon? Or fail as so many kings and princes had done before me?

My hands tightened into fists. The stories of dragon shifter kings turning into uncontrollable beasts at the mere sight of their mate had taunted me since I was a child.

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