[Clyde]I don’t know what I was expecting, but silence and shock were at the very bottom of the list. I swept my glance around the room. “It is… true. That is why she could breach the barrier in the first place and maybe also because she is…” I had never felt so awkward and so out of depth, not since I was called by my mother who informed me that I would take over the dragon clan. I clasped my hands behind my back and waited for them to speak. “You are… Valerie’s soulmate? But dragons find their mates when…” Elias trailed off. “Yes, many think we find our mates much later in life since our dragon takes time to mature and grow,” I said. “Your Highness, why did you not tell this earlier?” the lady who had been quiet until now asked. She sounded tense. I pursed my lips. “Because we mutually rejected each other.” This time, instead of silence, the room reverberated with a growl. Alpha King stood up from his seat, his eyes' irises resembled twin flames. “What? She…rejected you or is i
[Valerie] Mom’s fearful gaze darts towards me while I stare at the spilled food and the shattered pieces of the bowl. My heart is thudding in my chest, blood pounding in my ears. “What is he saying?” mom asks, her voice barely above a whisper. I gulp. I shouldn’t be afraid but her astonishment makes me apprehensive. “Erica, she did not want to tell us because they have mutually rejected each other,” Elias interjects. I look at him in surprise. “Who said that?” Elias fornws. But mom interrupts once again and quizzes,”Why haven’t you told us anything?” There is a hint of anger in her tone. “I did not have the time and I don’t consider that a bond,” I reply defiantly, crossing my arms against my chest. Xyan comes rushing inside the room, a bit delayed in action but he looks startled. He takes in the sight and asks mom, “What’s the meaning of this?” Mom glares at him for interrupting before her gaze shifts back to me. I glance at Xyan who raises his eyebrows quizzically. So it lo
[Valerie] Clyde nods and dismisses them. I begin to tremble without even realising, not until Clyde murmurs, “Calm down. If you feel scared, then they will intimidate you even more.” How would you know? I wanted to ask but bit back my words. What’s the use? He will be helping me, so annoying him won’t be wise. I nod curtly as we leave the room. As we walk down the corridor, I spot Fionna who begins to approach us as soon as she notices us. She stops Clyde but I keep walking and catch her asking, “Are you sure about this?” I don’t hear Clyde’s answer. ~~~~ Two Elders are waiting in my father’s office, or so I am told. Sarah’s mom is there as well. My palms sweat as I wait outside the office. My eyes dart towards the entrance and I almost convince myself that Clyde won’t be coming, that he has changed his mind but then he enters and I find myself feeling relieved. Clyde and I enter the office. Sarah’s mother glares at me while the two Elders – Alpha Jeremy and Alpha Griffin, s
[Clyde] I avoid Valerie’s gaze and her parents. Apart from my clan, the only other people who know what happened to Valerie are Elias, Queen Erica and Viola. The Elders don’t look convinced, their doubtful gaze stays on me for a moment before they avert their eyes, whether out of respect or fear, I don’t know. I am about to say something when Elder Griffin says, “So, shall we expect a mating ceremony soon?” The question is followed by a heavy and tense silence. I glance at Valerie who is blushing, out of embarrassment and I am lost for words. “That has not been decided yet,” Queen Erica cuts in. Alpha Xavier rises and so do we. “Mage Elias, may I have a minute with you?” Elias furrows his eyebrows but nods nonetheless. I glance at Valerie, who looks like she wants to bolt out of the room. “We will finish our discussion with Alpha King and Luna Queen and Sarah’s mother,” Elder Jeremy informed us, which subtly means that the rest are not needed in the room. ~~~ “What did you
[Valerie] Elias joins us for dinner. It’s a tense affair. Dad, mom and Elias are silent. Xyan is still stuck at a business meeting and Georgia merely sits silently, eating because she has always been like that. Viola hasn’t joined as usual. It’s unsettling but I don’t utter a word, simply because I am scared to ask. I know what Elias will say; I know what mom and dad will advise. The food which the chefs have prepared so well tastes bland and I force them into my mouth. My stomach has been in knots since the afternoon. I tried going to meet Ken, but he was nowhere nearby and I didn’t dare go to the infirmary. “Chew your food properly,” mom says mildly. I glance up and find her staring back in concern. I nod silently. After dinner, while the plates are being cleared away, I turn to Elias. “Can we talk?” Elias doesn’t look surprised. His jaw tenses as he nods. I glance at my parents, who look like they want to stop us but can’t. We step onto the corridor. The night is humid, so th
[Clyde] ‘Moran called me today,” Fionna begins as she taps away on the iPad. My fingers hover above the keyboard of the laptop. I glance at her from over the laptop screen. “And?” “He can’t seem to get past your barrier. Have you been keeping your mental block up at all times?” Fionna asks, looking up to meet my gaze. “Most of the time,” I murmur. But it’s not like he doesn’t have my number. “What did he tell you?” I ask instead of voicing my almost petulant thoughts. “Felix contacted the Elders,” Fionna replies, keeping the iPad aside. “What? Why?” Emails forgotten, I feel myself growing apprehensive. She lets out a heavy exhale through her nose and shakes her head. “Moran said that he wasn’t made privy to the reason.” I feel my jaw twitch in irritation. Moran has been my second-in-command since I was crowned as the prince. “Who gave him the news?” I ask, standing up and closing the laptop. Elias will begin the assessment soon, and I need to be present there, followed by
[Valerie] My legs are trembling as I stand where Viola stood this morning. The audience seems to have increased and I spot Mrs Rupert, sitting in the front row of the make-shift gallery. I clench my jaw as she glares back at me with pure viciousness and then my gaze lands on the person whom I hadn’t seen for quite some time now. I inhale sharply as our eyes meet. Kenneth’s face dons a neat mask of careful neutrality. I swallow back the pain that threatens to make itself known. Ruelle has become a subdued presence at the back of my mind. I turn away from him because I know that staring for another second might raise suspicion. Elias thankfully walks up to me and asks, “Are you ready?” If I had a choice, I would say no, but in this case, I don’t, so I nod hesitantly. I glanced at the Elders sitting beside my dad. I don’t look for Clyde because somehow I feel that he will make me feel unnerved. “Begin!” Elias says loudly and for a moment my mind blanks. I stare at the circular ma
[Valerie] “What are you doing here?” I ask a little too sharply than I should have when I see Viola sitting on the couch. She glances up from her phone and uncrosses her leg, making space for me to walk to the other single couch. I feel drained out, humiliated and just… miserable. I want to cry in peace, but it seems like it would have to wait. I plop down on the couch. “You did well," Viola murmurs softly. I chuckle at those words. I lean back on the couch. “Really now? How should I take this? As a compliment? Encouragement? Or sarcasm?” Viola shakes her head. “None. I was worried about you. The Elders wanted you to lose control. Or they were expecting something like that.” “Then good thing, Ruelle backed out and left me to shoulder the embarrassment,” I mutter and stand up, hoping she will get the memo. “So, you plan to rely on her in the future?” Something in her tone provokes me. I glare at her. “Shut up. She is a part of me…” I counter. “And? So you will just leave her
[Valerie][five moths later…]The mating ceremony did not happen. Even after Davina recovered, she did not really overcome the trauma of that day. Brandon ended his seclusion as he had told us and then as a sheer surprise to all, especially me he announced that his second chance mate was Viola.I wasn’t sure what game fate was playing with us, but I was kind of happy with it.After the incident, my parents along with Xyan visited us. Viola had tagged along too.“I am so glad you are okay. I am so proud of you,” Mom had repeatedly murmured through her tears as she hugged me multiple times.As for Moran and Mia, they hadn’t reconciled which made me only feel worse. Moran’s downcast eyes were too much to bear.“Well, not everyone gets their happy ending,” he had said wistfully when we had finally found free time to talk what with being swamped with work.~~~~As we dug further into Fiona’s case, we found out slowly that she started cultivating demonic powers after she came to know about t
[Valerie]“No!” I screamed. Clyde jumped out of the way, staggering sideways to deflect the attack.‘Move, do something,’ Ruelle said but all I could do was struggle to get out of the array.“Why did you come to save me, silly girl,” Davina hissed viciously.The fire swirled and I could barely see Clyde staggering back again, looking for ways to defend himself. He could not turn into his dragon, not here because the room was too low to hold his form and I could see that he still held to his love for his sister.I have to work…. I have to work fast… or he will….I stopped letting my thoughts go in that direction.The fear was palpable through our bond. It pained me to see him this way. Why was I such an idiot? Why did I have to be the savior and come to save this woman who cared for no one?‘Take the pearl from him and destroy her,’ Lativia’s calm voice filled my mind.I glanced at her through bleary vision. No doubt that I was crying.‘How?’ I said helplessly.‘You are the mage wolf, a
[Valerie]What was happening? I glanced at Clyde, bewildered.“Fiona… what’s wrong?” Clyde asks, partially shielding me from the view. His fear and betrayal are palatable in his tone.“What do you think?” Fiona’s tone is sharp and rude. I glance at Zenith who is unusually silent as she stands aside. What is happening?‘She has turned to demonic powers. I should have sensed it,’ Ruelle growls.“You…”Fiona holds up a hand.“Listen, I don’t have the time to chit-chat. Come with me quietly and bring that mate of yours too. Once the business is done, you can go wherever the Hell you want.” Her gaze darted towards me briefly. All I could see was indifference in them. I tugged at Clyde’s hand but he didn’t react.“What if I refuse?” He asked.“Then our mom will die,” Fiona answered promptly. I inhaled sharply.Clyde moved forward, his stance threatening. Fiona’s gaze widened and I, too, detected fear for Aber second before she masked it behind her bravado.“Lead the way,” Clyde gritted out
[Valerie]It was still pretty much in the middle of the night when I woke up. I sat up immediately, feeling sweaty and realizing that my heart was beating, no, thudding in my chest. Clyde, unfortunately, felt this, and he too, woke up.“What’s the matter?” He asked, wrapping an arm around me while removing my sweat-damp hair from my forehead.“I…” I looked at him not knowing how to string words together.“We need to go to the main library, like now or… I am afraid that Lativia might not survive for long,” I rambled, my voice shaky and laced with concern and apprehension.“What?”“Lativia is in there and I just know it. She has been trapped there all this while and I am betting that the pearl is there too,” I murmured before glancing at him pleadingly.Clyde gave me a surprised look before turning away his gaze and then nodding. “Okay. Fine, let’s… let’s just rest for now.” He sounded tired and placating.I nodded reluctantly, but I knew that I wouldn’t be able to sleep.~~~~~~I hurri
[Valerie]In no time, Clyde transformed into his beautiful blue Basilisk. I stare at his dragon form, only this time in awe. Brenton craned his neck down and I tentatively touched his head. He closed his eyes before opening them. I saw my reflection in them, my lips curved into a smile unbeknownst to me.“Hi… we are meeting amicably this time, aren’t we?” I murmur with an amused huff. Brenton pulled away and then blinked. That was a yes.“Let’s go to meet your brother now,” I said and hopped onto his back this time without any assistance. I circled my arms around his neck and hugged him. The scales felt cold against my cheek and then before I knew it, he had begun his ascent, which nonetheless made me yelp.“A bit of a warning would be welcomed,” I shouted, trying to let my voice be heard, but there was no heat or anger behind those words.~~~~~“That is wonderful news. I am glad,” Brandon said, his happiness clear on his face. He then looked at me. “I am so sorry for what happened, n
[Valerie]“How am I going to convince my parents now? You know I left my training and came here,” I groused as I put on a pair of joggers that he lent me. My kind mate had apparently ripped the jeans I had worn, and I couldn’t be more embarrassed. This way every member would know what happened!He shrugs on a casual T-shirt and I can’t help but ogle at his bare skin, now marred by my nails and claws. Although they are healing. I turn my head quickly before he could catch me sneaking a peek. I dress as properly as possible.Clyde disclosed that he knew Zenith was trying to manipulate him and he was just trying to act the way she wanted and wanted to see what she would do.“Dragons are not so weak, especially a blue Basilisk,” he had said proudly. I could feel it through our newly formed bond and it both overwhelmed and relieved me.I was not sure what to expect since I have heard stories of mates like Vampire and Werewolf, A seer and a werewolf but never a bond with a dragon, well not u
[Valerie]I yelped as Clyde scooped me up in his arms and carried me upstairs. I looped my arms around his neck. My heart thudded in my chest as I mulled over my words. I knew what entailed after putting claiming marks on each other. I could hear Clyde’s strong heartbeat and was appeased by the fact that he wasn’t totally calm about it.Unlike his earlier self who might have been reluctant, this side of Clyde is a bit reckless and I loved it. I am not sure if this would help, but it is worth a try. Zenith’s triumphant look flashed across my mind and my mood soured just a bit.But not for long as my attention was caught by the opening of a door and I gasped as we entered Clyde’s room.It was minimally decorated but grand. The four-poster wooden bed with beautiful grayish-blue drapes and matching bedsheets did not look ordinary at all. The curtains were drawn and they were in shades of blue as well. A chest of drawers and a huge closet were among other things in the room. There was only
[Valerie]Moran’s words made me panic. What did he mean by Zenith’s influencing Clyde?As we walked up the mountains, I couldn’t think of anything else. Was Zenith doing this on purpose? She knew I would run back to Clyde if I knew and so she is doing this, but what if that’s not the case? What if she is actually doing this to win Clyde back and become his mate like she originally intended to do?As I stood before the gates of the territory, my heart pounded in my chest, uncertain of what I would find when I visit Clyde’s residence. It had been only a few days since I left this place, and talking to Clyde did not even feel different so how?“Did he behave in a different way?” I asked as we walked towards Clyde’s residence. I did not miss the way the guards and some clan members gave a surprised look at my sudden return.“Yes like he tolerated her in the office, which I found shocking, given what happened,” he grunted. My heart clenched in my chest.I cannot lose Clyde too.I couldn’t h
[Valerie]I leave Dad’s office after he indicated for me to do so as Mom was getting agitated again. My heart is pounding in my chest after the extraordinary and hard-to-believe revelation that Elias had written in the notebook.I somehow manage to reach my room on wobbly legs and close the door.With shaky hands, I dial Clyde’s number. He picks up on the third ring, his voice filled with concern, “Hey, I was just about to call you. Is everything okay? How are you holding up?”All the tension and adrenaline just bleed out of me with those soothing words. At the back of my mind, I realize what others meant when they said that when you find your soulmate, you will realize how much they mean to you and wonder how you ever managed to get anything done without them.“Valerie?” My thoughts are halted by his voice. I realize how my thoughts had drifted elsewhere.“Ah, I am… I am fine. I just… I spoke to my mom and Jade. I showed them something I found in Elias’ room,” I said slowly. I feel g