"To the palace, of course. Where you go, I go. Your cousins can walk, but you can ride." She answers nonchalantly.
My mouth opens, it takes a couple of moments for words to form. "Don't I need training?"
Falkon puffs grey smoke toward the sky. "No training needed. Hold on, and don't fall off."My dragon is fucking crazy, but our lives are intertwined. She trusted me, now I'm going to trust her. Falkon lowers her leg, while I slowly ascend her scale ridden side.
Jeremiah shakes his head. "I think this is a bad idea. It can take months to learn proper protocol."
Deen nods. "Yeah, what he said, also Falkon I'm offended. Why can't we ride?"
Settling into the middle row of her horns, I quickly grab the one in front of me with both hands as she moves her head to the side and blows fire in Deens direction. He only laughs and jumps out of the way. "Falkon,” I scream! “You can't do that!"
"But can't I? We've played that game since they were children, besides he moved out of the way." She bends down on her hind legs, then flies into the air in one giant thrust.We fly higher than the trees. While the cool evening air greets my face like a long-lost friend. Strands of my hair roll into the wind and I can't stop the giggle that escapes making Falkon chuckle in return. Regrettably, the palace comes into sight all too soon because I could ride Falkon for hours. The need to get out of my head is real. If I could be granted the ability to not think about the coming trials or the battles that'll turn into war for a day, I’d take it.
I send Falkon a message with my mind to see if the blood oath works.When can we go again?
Falkon whispers.Soon.?
***
Sebastian?
I've waited a hundred years for her, and if it takes me a hundred more to get her to forgive me, I'll pay the penance. Because she's finally mine.-Sebastian
Hidden within my shadows, I watch the evening sky for Arabella's return. Knowing Falkon, she won't be able to resist giving her Chosen a ride. The cantankerous dragon is younger than most but still wise beyond her years. She was born to be Bell's champion. That's her birthright as mine is to save the world riding by her side.
A flash of Arabella's face as she came on my fingers infiltrates my mind, it almost brings me to my knees. She will be my undoing, so tender and sweet. She tastes like vanilla and strawberries on a warm sunny day. My cock aches to be inside her, as it tightens against the zipper of my pants. Tonight, I have more plans for her. After groveling, of course.
A ghost of a smile touches my lips as I hear their arrival, laughter fills the quiet air. No matter what Arabella goes through, I hope she keeps the goodness that is in her. Especially since she’ll bear a terrible burden. The fate of the world will be on her shoulders. Billions of people whether they know it or not will be counting on her. Folding under the pressure will not be an option for her. With great responsibility, often comes great personal sacrifice. Will she be willing to make those sacrifices? Our way of life depends on every decision that she makes, as well as the peace of all humanity.
A knot forms in the pit of my stomach. Mayra, and the escaped convicts are after my beloved, but I'll kill anyone who touches her. A part of me died the night I defeated death in the Valley of the Decayed. Now, fucking Death Duvessa Raven herself is after, my Bell’s. I’ll burn this world to the groundbefore one hair on Arabella’s lovely head is touched by that bitch. If Duvessa thinks I won’t come back down into the valley, she’d be wrong. I’ll rip her spinal cord out through her mouth, ending her once and for all.
My soul no longer sees things the way that it used to. They are no longer black and white, only gray. Placing Arabella under compulsion was a necessary move to ensure her safety, because our love story was forged into the stars many years ago, and Ethan will not take her from me. I need her light, just like she'll need my darkness.
Chapter 19
My Sweet Aunt Adalia
Sometimes you meet someone and it's like you've known them forever.
-Arabella
My cousins escort me back to my room so that I can get ready for the celebration tonight. Uncle Jo left word that he’s still in meetings and will see me at the dinner. A light tap sounds on my bedroom door. Deen and Jeremiah are standing guard, so it won't be an enemy.
The coo-coo clock hanging on the wall beside the window alerts the hour. It's a red and gold dragon, very similar to my powerful yet beautiful Falkon. The clock states it's seven, and the feast starts in about an hour. There’s still plenty of time in case it's Sebastian coming to brown nose me.
Instead of shadows greeting me, Aunt Adalia stands at my door. She’s one of the prettiest women I’ve ever met. She smiles warmly at me and an unexplained connection instantly forms between us. Her toffee colored skin is flawless, her red and black braids are pulled into a high bun as her ruby gold crown proudly sits on top of her head.
"Hi," I say nervously.
"Hello, Arabella. We have waited for this day for so long, and although the circumstances are not ideal, I'm thankful that our family is now complete." She reaches up to wipe a stray tear from the corner of her eye, making me wipe a tear of my own.?
My words come rushing out. "Aunt Adalia, so much has happened these past couple of days. I'm confused, and I don't know how to do any of this."
She holds up her hand to halt my words, walking past me as she beckons me to follow her to my bathroom. Aunt Adalia is everything a leader should be, regal and graceful. I try to walk like her but give up after almost tripping over my "graceful" feet.She stands with her back to the full-length mirror in our new bathroom. "Arabella, look in the mirror. Tell me, what do you see."
Hesitantly, I gaze at my reflection. Taking my forefinger I touch my hair, my cheeks, and my nose in the process. What do I see? A scared little girl, who is a skilled warrior, but without all her training. A daughter, a niece, a best friend. I say none of this, only look shyly back at Aunt Adalia. Shaking her head, she points back toward the mirror.
"Well?" She asks.
