I gently remove the blindfold, revealing her eager, curious eyes. Her breath catches as she takes in the panorama before her. The ocean stretches out endlessly, its shimmering blue expanse meeting the horizon where sky and water merge in a seamless union.
Feray's eyes widen, reflecting the same deep blue as the sea. She sniffs the salty breeze, her nose twitching, ears perking up, trying to capture every sound. The waves roll in, one after the other, a soothing symphony of nature's rhythm. Feray wriggles in my arms, wanting to get free, excited about seeing the ocean before her. She's never seen anything like this before, and it's a moment of pure wonder for both of us. I watch her closely, taking in her reaction, and I can't help but smile. This is a memory we'll treasure forever—the day Feray saw the ocean for the very first time.
"Welcome to the ocean..." Leaning down, I kiss her cheek before releasing her.
Feray doesn't hesitate as I open my arms, letting her down onto the warm sand. With a burst of energy, she darts toward the ocean, her feet kicking up sand in her wake. Her long hair ruffles in the breeze, and her eager eyes are fixed on the shimmering horizon. She stops just short of the water's edge, her small frame silhouetted against the backdrop of the vast, endless sea. The waves roll in, almost daring her to come closer, and she watches them with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
Then she takes a step closer, tilting her head, studying the sand's movement in the waves. The water washes over her feet for the first time, and she startles for a moment. But the cool sensation seems to intrigue her, and she ventures further in. With a careful, almost deliberate movement, Feray bends down and picks up a seashell the receding tide has left behind. Sheholds it in her hand, studying it with fascination. The intricate patterns and textures seem to captivate her, and she carries her newfound treasure back toward me, her eyes filled with wonder.
I watch in awe, grateful to share this precious moment as she explores the mysteries of the ocean's edge. "Welcome to the ocean, Feray."
She holds up the empty shell and turns it around in her hand. "What is this? I mean, I know it's a shell. What lived in it?" I watch her sniff the shell, trying to figure it out for herself.
"A saltwater snail lived in it. Then probably a hermit crab. And then nothing." It's an ornate little snail shell that looks almost chromatic in this light.
"It looks like it was probably a very fancy snail when it was alive." She reaches forward and shoves the shell in the pocket of my expensive suit jacket. If it was anyone other than my mate, I would have fried them to a crisp on the spot.
Reaching out, I take hold of her hand and pull it to my chest. "There are things I need to warn you about in Vasserdell." I search her face, hoping she understands the importance of what I need to tell her.
"Okay? How bad can it be?" The way Feray looks up at me makes my heart swell with pride. Even with her having three other mates, she manages to make me feel like the king of the world.
"Females run the town."
Feray's right eyebrow ticks up as she stares at me. "Okay?" She shakes her head slightly as if to sayso?
"A male's only value in Vasserdell is work, reproduction, and our mate's pleasure." I tilt my head, trying not to say that they force us into servitude if we ever want hatchlings of our own.
Feray listens attentively as I recount the tales of the matriarchy ruling Vasserdell. I can see the gears turning in her intelligent, inquisitive mind. But within those tales lies a darker truth, a personal history I haven't shared entirely. Myra, my ex, had been a formidable figure in that matriarchy, almost holding me in a form of enslavement as her intended mate.
As Feray pieces together the implications, I see the change in her expression. Her usual smooth, curious features contort with a mix of emotions. First confusion, then dawning realization. But as comprehension gives way to a surge of rage, I see a transformation in her.
The power of her wolf heritage flares to life, visible in the intensity of her gaze and the sudden tensing of her muscles. Her eyes, once brimming with curiosity, now blaze with fierce determination. She turns those searing eyes toward me, and for a moment, it feels like the weight of her ancestors' strength and fury blazes through her.
I swallow hard, meeting her gaze with a mix of understanding and a hint of regret for unraveling this part of my past. In her eyes, I see not just anger but also a silent question—a need for assurance and explanation. Quickly, I kneel down, trying to calm the sudden storm brewing within her.
"Feray, I know it's a lot to process. Myra's part of the past. Females have always ruled Vasserdell—not always well, but they have." I try to convey both reassurance and security.
She holds my gaze for a few more moments, her rage slowly giving way to a mixture of trust and lingering wariness. I extend my hand cautiously, and after a heartbeat of consideration, Feray nuzzles against it, seeking comfort in our bond.
The waves continue their rhythmic dance, whispering their story to the shore as Feray's gaze shifts away from me, fixed on the captivating expanse of the ocean. There's a solemn beauty in the way she watches the waves rolling in, almost as if seeking solace amidst the undulating waters.
When her eyes return to meet mine, a different intensity burns within them—a hunger, a fervor I haven't quite seen before. "We need to complete our bond, Diaval." I'm taken aback by the gravity in her tone, by the fervent desire mirrored in her eyes. She kneels beside me, her touch tender as she caresses my cheek. The warmth of her palm against my skin sends a shiver through me.
Her words hang heavy in the air, and I feel the weight of their significance. They're not just spoken out of passion but out of a longing for an unbreakable union. "Make me yours eternally," she implores, her voice tinged with determination.
I meet her gaze, searching her eyes for the depth of her commitment and the sincerity of her request. The idea of forever with Feray, an unbreakable bond that surpasses the confines of time, fills me with a mix of emotions—love, reverence, and a sense of responsibility to honor this moment.
My fingertips dance over the edge of my scale implanted on her chest. It lives because she is meant for me, my perfect soul match. Gently, I cup her cheek, mirroring the tenderness of her touch. "Feray, this bond—it's not just a simple vow. It's a connection that goes beyond words, beyond what we know. It'san unspoken promise etched in our souls." I nuzzle her cheek softly. "You will tap into the most primal parts of yourself when our bond completes."
With a deep breath, I meet her eyes, and in that shared gaze, I see unwavering determination and the depth of our shared desire.As I lean in, our foreheads touching, the bond we share feels tangible, like an unspoken truth that binds us.
"Let our spirits intertwine and become one in all things," I whisper, affirming our connection as I gently press my forehead against hers. In this intimate moment, we affirm our eternal bond, sealing our commitment with a silent understanding that speaks volumes beyond any words we could ever articulate.
Chapter 18
Feray
Time to take the bull—orshould I say the drake—by the horns. The gravity of the moment isn't lost on me as I sit here, contemplating the significance of the choice I'm about to make. Diaval, an ancient wyrm dragon, a survivor of a matriarchy that values males so little, stands before me.
