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Chapter 32: Avani
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
CooperWell, the secret is out...what do you think Mere will do?
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The Dark Protector Chapter 33: Merethyl
Mates? I’m mated to a dragon? How is this possible? Wait, I've heard about mate bonds in the shifter community. Is this why I’m so drawn to him? Is this why he smells so good to me? Avani said that there was a time when dragons and elves were mates. That was centuries before my time. Our most recent history was a time when elves forced dragons by claiming them. Then they abused that power. My parents always made it clear to both me and Yhendorn that we should never abuse our power. We should never forget who we are and what we stand for. And what we stand for is our people and others who can’t stand for themselves. I look around at the shifters that I helped to free, the ones that I’ve recently healed. This is what my power is for. I don’t want to become someone like Naremyn who seeks power for the sake of having power. “Merethyl.” His deep voice resonates in my body. At least now I understand why. I don’t face him. “I can’t be mated to you, Avani. I can’t.” “And yet, you are, Mer
The Dark Protector Chapter 34: Avani
I didn’t like Merethyl saying she couldn’t be my mate. It felt like a rejection, something I’ve never experienced in my two centuries of life. No one has ever turned me down. No one has ever said no to me. When I realize that she’s afraid of abusing the power that claiming me would give her, something in me settles. Not only is she not rejecting me because I’m her mate, but knowing that she doesn't want to be one of those people that abuses power means a lot to me. While I’m surprised, I guess I shouldn’t be. Whatever or whoever in the universe creates mate bonds, they do it for a reason. We’re supposed to be two halves of a whole, or two beings that, once connected become whole. Or some bullshit like that. Tana spouted off about how great it was, but I wasn’t listening. I didn’t believe her, I didn’t understand. But I do now, much better than I did then. The dragon in me needs to know that she understands that she’s mine. While I settled, the feeling of rejection is still there. An
The Dark Protector Chapter 35: Merethyl
I come awake slowly, my body still thrumming with the massive orgasm I had. I open my eyes and see a small fire. It’s dark out and the area around me doesn’t look familiar at all. I jolt up, looking around. “You’re safe.” Avani’s deep voice says as he comes walking out of the trees nearby. He’s carrying what looks like a wide variety of berries, plants and roots. I look up into his face. “You brought me dinner?” “I did. Which reminds me, you never got to eat on the mountain, did you?” “No, the hunters found us before I could make anything.” He looks down at the bounty in his arms. “Will this be enough? I can go get you more.” “It’s fine.” I look around again. “Is it safe to have a fire here? And where is here?” He drops the food in front of me before reaching behind him. He’s somehow found a large rock that has a dip in it, perfect for cooking my food. “Some of those are reeds with water inside, or I can pull some water from the ground for you, if you need more.” He says. “I
The Dark Protector Chapter 36: Avani
This was definitely NOT the conversation I wanted to be having right after Mere found out that she is my mate and having to convince her that I didn’t want to be mated to a dragon. I’m not sure how to explain to her that she’s my entire life and no one will ever take her place. I can’t exactly describe the other dragons like sisters since I’m having a child with one. I see her body tense up, and she looks back at her food. That food must be so fucking interesting because she’s focused more on it than me during this entire conversation. “I have, or will have, a child with Zephyr. In a few weeks.” She frowns, staring into her bowl of food. “So, you’re going to go have sex with her and have a child with her?” “No! No, that’s not what I mean.” I sigh, rubbing my hands over my face. “I’ve already impregnated her. It was before I met you.” “So you have a child?” She asks slowly, as if she’s trying hard to figure out a very difficult problem in her head. “We will, when he or she hatches
The Dark Protector Chapter 37: Merethyl
I’m not thrilled at the idea of my mate spending all of his spare time over the next five years with his ex. I cannot imagine that, if the roles were reversed, he’d be okay with it. But maybe I’m wrong. And either way, my choices are to walk away from Avani, which he says he’d never let happen, or deal with it. I guess I’ll have to see what this air dragon is really like. I follow Avani back into the forest so we’re under cover and not easily spotted by drones or any other type of arial spyware the chief and the other scientists might have while we talk. “So, Naremyn.” Avani prompts me. I sigh, scrubbing my face in my hands. I’m overwhelmed with everything that has happened in the last couple of days and now I’m thinking about the stress that is awaiting me when I find Yhendorn and return home. “You know that Yhendorn and I are royals. I’m a princess, he’s a prince, although now that our parents are gone, we’re technically king and queen.” “Right.” “Naremyn comes from a family t
The Dark Protector Chapter 38: Avani
I hated leaving Merethyl. Every fiber of my body hummed in irritation as I flew away from her. It took everything in me not to turn around and go back to her. But Tana has been captured by the scientists and Kenna is injured. Since Cedric is not a dragon, he wouldn’t be able to get Kenna out of the skies. And if her mother is in danger, I know Kenna would do anything to try and save her. I’m aggravated that I have to leave Merethyl but I’m also aggravated that the Lycan couldn’t protect his mate and daughter like he told me he would. I had trusted that he would keep them safe, especially since Tana is so close to delivering their second child. When I get to Cedric’s pack lands, I can see that I was premature in my judgement. There are dead creatures all over their pack lands. Creatures, not animals. this is the work of the scientists. The forest is scorched, I can only guess by Kenna, and there is something that looks vaguely like it was a dragon, or part dragon that is burned and l
The Dark Protector Chapter 39: Merethyl
As I head back to my homeland, I mentally prepare for what I will find. I’m not sure if Naremyn will immediately challenge me, or if he will wait, undermining me and hoping I’ll either concede or leave again. On my way, I run into Kayid again. “What are you doing out here all alone, fox?” I ask him. “Looking for a beautiful woman. And I see I’ve found one.” He says. “Where’s Mr. Tall, Dark and Broody?” “He had to go help some friends.” “The dragons?” He asks and I narrow my eyes at him. “How did you know?” I ask. “All the shifters are talking about it. If they can capture a dragon, a fire dragon at that, then we need to be extra careful.” “I know she was pregnant, and I think their pack was attacked. Something about the younger dragon getting injured.” “Did they catch her too?” He asks and I can see the real fear in his eyes. “I don’t believe so, but I didn’t have a lot of time to ask Avani what happened.” He nods. “Mind if I escort you?” “You are escorting me? It seems lik
The Dark Protector Chapter 40: Avani
I tell Kenna everything about Merethyl. I don’t know what it is about this young dragon, but I have and will most likely always have a soft spot in my heart for her. “You’re in love.” Kenna says excitedly but stays quiet. She knows that her father and I aren’t exactly friendly. I look back at the fire. “Yeah, I am." I look back at her. "A dragon's love." She looks shocked for a moment. “Wow, the mighty Avani is tamed." I snort, but I can't deny it. "I’m really happy for you, Avani. And no matter what you think, Momma is happy with Papa as her rider. He doesn’t boss her around, he listens to her, he wants her to be who she is, not some puppet that does his bidding. Maybe your elf is the same.” “That’s funny, because she doesn’t want to claim me. She’s afraid of abusing the power that being a rider will give her.” “All the more reason to trust her.” Kenna says wisely. The next day, we get up, planning our next search area when we hear it, Tana’s dragon call. Both our heads whip
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The Dark Protector Epilogue 2: Avani
After Enki was born, Merethyl and I spent one more week together, letting Merethyl readjust to the loss of dragon DNA in her system. I had noticed it after Gaia’s birth, but I’m noticing it even more now, her body is absorbing dragon DNA every time she gets pregnant. She still had some dragon tendencies after Gaia, and now, after delivering Enki, she has even more. Her ability to cdonnect to me mentally, sift through my memories and thoughts, is nearly as strong as mine. It doesn’t bother me that she has the abilities that she has, it’s more that I’m worried about the long term effect of her body taking on the dragon DNA. Once things are settled with this assassin, I'll be taking her to visit the doctor. When we get back to the elf lands, I know I can’t stay long. I’ve been out of the hunt for two months and Ancalagon is still missing. But, when we arrive and my little girl, now nearly 8 months old, comes toddling out of the castle, her arms raised to me, I refuse to leave without sp
The Dark Protector Epilogue 1: Merethyl
Four months later We still haven’t found Ancalagon. I’ve searched with Avani periodically, but between our daughter needing her mother and my belly starting to grow with our son, I’ve stayed home more than I’ve gone out with him. A few months ago, Ishir started finding shifters that had been murdered. At first, it was a rare occurrence, one in the first month. We assumed that it was some sort of lucky hunter kill. Then there were three more in the month after that, then more. Lately, it feels like Avani and Ishir are finding a dead shifter or supernatural every few days. Not only that, but the ones they are finding now are apex predators or leaders of their supernatural groups. Avani had told me that they had found a high priestess of a coven along with a very powerful warlock. Avani has refused to allow me to leave the pack lands in the last month and has asked Kenna and Bajaro to guard us. Kenna is happy to stay here. She wants to protect her mate, even though Yhendorn doesn’t lik
The Dark Protector Chapter 75: Avani
Being loved and cared for by my mate goes a long way to making me feel better. I’m still distraught, still angry that I can’t find my son, but at least now I feel like I have the strength to start again. I fly Merethyl to Cedric’s pack lands. I already knew that Zephyr wouldn’t be here. She hasn’t stopped and unlike me, she doesn’t have a rider to care for her. I know Mere thinks that Ishir is her mate, but without being claimed, the draw to her son, the need to protect him, will be stronger than the draw to her mate. When we arrive, I pull Mere into my lap. She is all that is keeping me sane, having to be here, listening to this when I should be out searching for my son. I know this meeting is important, but I’m struggling with this feeling of helplessness and weakness. ‘You’re not weak,’ Mere says in my mind. ‘Or helpless, and they may be able to help us. It’s good that we’re here.’ Kaylani begins telling us that the most recent dragons that they have found are hybrids, all of th
The Dark Protector Chapter 74: Merethyl
Zephyr told us that she had left Ancalagon with the mountain goat shifters, while she went into town. She was oddly vague about where she was or why she was gone, but it doesn’t matter. Ancalagon should have been safe. He’s nearly a year old now. When she had returned, Zephyr said she could smell death and the paralytic. The hunters had killed all the goats and paralyzed Ancalagon so they could take him. Zephyr had been frantically searching for a day, when she finally gave her dragon’s call, knowing she needed help. We began searching immediately, Avani tearing apart every hunter’s lair and laboratory that we could find. He had contacted Ishir to get more intel, but he wasn’t able to tell us much. He gave us a few more laboratories, but most of them had been destroyed when Kaylani, Cedric and Ishir had hunted them down, rescuing the dragons. I had to split my time, hunting for Ancalagon and taking care of my newborn. I love my time with Gaia, but I worry about my mate every moment
The Dark Protector Chapter 73: Avani
I walk Merethyl to the stage that is set up for the event. As his only living relative, she will be leading the coronation ceremony for Yhendorn. She looks gorgeous as always, but dressed as she is right now, the royal blood in her is much more obvious. She was meant to be a queen. I’m just the lucky dragon that gets to claim her as MY queen. She stands beside Yhendorn, who also looks regal in his dress robes. Merethyl begins speaking in elvish. I don’t understand the words, but I understand the intent as I sift through her mind and feel the words she’s speaking. A peace settles over the people, an acceptance of their new King. I look out over the elves, watching as they begin to sing and chant in Elvish. I look behind us at where Kenna is laying, being here for her mate in her dragon form. The air around us begins to feel magical and I look over at Bajaro. She’s holding Gaia and I swear, my daughter looks like she’s paying attention. Maybe she is, both Mere and I have the earth as
The Dark Protector Chapter 72: Merethyl
After Avani dropped me and Gaia off on the mountain and went to get me some clothes, it wasn’t long before I hear an eagle’s call. I look up to see Shiv and it’s only a moment later when I hear Bajaro in her hyena form and Kayid in his fox form yipping as they run up the side of the mountain. As soon as she gets to the top, Bajaro shifts and walks toward me. “Please tell me you’re going to let me hold that little one.” I walk to her, putting Gaia into her arms. She immediately starts to purr, gently rubbing her face over Gaia’s. “Bajaro, meet Gaia,” I say, stroking my daughter’s hair. “She’s beautiful. She smells like you and the earth dragon,” Bajaro says quietly. I can tell that Avani was right. She will want to be a surrogate mother to Gaia and will protect our daughter with her life. “Speaking of the earth dragon, where is he?” Kayid asks. “He went to get me some clothes.” I say, watching as Bajaro begins humming a strange tune that I’ve never heard. It’s a gentle but hauntin
The Dark Protector Chapter 71: Avani
We stay in our cave for another week after Gaia is born. We carefully take her out every day, making sure she has fresh air. Merethyl lays her in the grass and then will use her element to grow flowers around her. My mate is back to normal now. As much as I loved having her desire for me run as deeply as mine does for her, there’s a reason she’s my mate. I need the balance that she gives me. So, I'm glad she's back to normal again. “We need to head back to the elf lands, love,” I tell her. “I know. I’m just enjoying this time, with only the three of us. But Yhendorn has waited long enough to take over as king and it’s time to introduce our daughter to my family and to your son.” “I wanted to discuss something with you before we return,” I tell her. “What’s that?” “You know that the Chief’s son is still out there. I need to help hunt him now that you’re back to your normal self. I don’t know how you feel about me leaving…” “No! I won’t let you go alone. What if something happened
The Dark Protector Chapter 70: Merethyl
I love being in our cave of treasures. I can feel the metals singing to me, calling to me. I feel their differences, their density and weight making their song different. The gemstones also have their own feel to them. I’ve found a couple that I like, that seem to speak to me louder than the others. But mostly, I love having my mate here with me. I can’t get enough of him. There will never be enough of him. He is everything, the world is nothing without him, my mind, my body, my soul are incomplete, empty without his touch, his caress, his presence in my mind. I’m just starting to wake when I feel the first pain. I look down, my stomach large and swollen. As I watch, I see the muscles in my stomach contract, sending another shooting pain up my side. I look around. Avani isn’t here. Our child, I need to protect our child. I rub my stomach, cooing at our daughter. I can feel her mental presence in my body. She is agitated and irritable. She wants out. “Not yet, baby girl,” I coo at h
The Dark Protector Chapter 69: Merethyl
The scent of evergreen and cinnamon fills my nose. I’m so drawn to the scent that I try to burrow myself deeper into the warmth where the scent is emanating. I hear voices, men’s voices, speaking around me. There’s a deep rumbling sound and it reverberates in my body, making me hum. Then I hear a female voice. My eyes flash open and I snarl. “MINE!” I snap at the beautiful woman that is standing too close to my mate. That’s who I smell, who I feel inside me, in my mind, in my soul. My mate. I feel him begin to purr behind me and my body calms, relaxing back against him. His hand touches my face, moving the hair away from me. I lean back against him, rubbing myself against him. “Merethyl, do you know where you are?” “With you, my mate, my love, my life.” “Yes, you are with me. Do you know where WE are?” I open my eyes again and the beautiful woman is still here. I growl at her. “I don’t want your mate, Merethyl. I’m here to help you. Do you know who I am?” “The water dragon.”
