Odessa

"Orion, right now isn't the time to play cryptic. These two have been to hell and back, and I don't think Odessa could take much more." Sadie stood up, joining Orion on the other side of the table.

"Of course not, I would never think of such a thing," his fangs lengthened, smiling down at us. It reminded me of the vampires before they fed. My heart raced and Orion's face immediately fell. "Oh, you're that serious. I'm terribly sorry. I really mean nothing by it."

"You are so insensitive to others," the beautiful butterfly winged woman named Willa approached. Her white hair with beautifully colored tips swayed across her matching outfit with her mate. "She's scared to death. Can you not see that?" Orion's once mischievous face softened.

"Sorry, Darling, I was concentrating on your friend here." His eyes glanced over to Creed. "I would have thought your aura would be darker, but there isn't a bit of blackness in your heart, yet your soul, your soul, has been tainted," he hummed. "By magic?" Seth now stood by Sadie, pulling her back from Orion. His judging glances at the winged man made me think they had history.

"I honestly don't know. I've never seen it before. Looks like I've been lied to." Orion continued to circle, his jaw tightened and his wings actually darkened in shades.

"What I can tell you is that this girl has emotions all over the place. What the hell have you been doing to her before I got here?" Sadie's lips went to a thin line, looking at the ground.

"I was assuming something I shouldn't have. It has been corrected, but now we have a whole new set of problems."

Sadie explained the entire plight from Creed's history to mine and now the impending war that was now going to happen. Part of me felt it was my fault, being the human girl tipping the scales, but it was unavoidable Sadie kept repeating. Humans were not to be used as a food source unless they granted permission, and I could tell you that none of us gave permission. All of us were stolen from homes and all of us had a similar background. No other family to call our own, no one would care if we were missing.

Mine was the most complicated one, with my mother being the make-shift witch. I don't know how much money she asked for, but I was the equivalent of a blood bag. I didn't even know a human could turn into a witch, but Orion so kindly put it that there must have been witch's blood somewhere in her blood line for my mother to awaken the witch with in her. When one wants something bad enough, they would give as much money as they could to get it. Just like's Creed's voice.

Orion, who I now found out was the King of the Light Kingdom and his mate are faes. Beings that could hide their wings and can conceal certain powers. Willa, was half siren and half human when she met Orion, and when they mated her siren heritage mixed with Orion's fae genes giving her wings. It was the most beautiful story hearing that once mates were bonded, they could share each other's qualities and abilities.

The royals continued to discuss further plans to rescue the humans that were now missing. They were hidden somewhere or dead to hide their tracks. However, if they had me, it was enough to start a war against the rogues. The Vamparia Queen Diana was trying to prevent that, to peacefully gain her control over the citizens, but many were already tainted by their previous ruler. Many of them blood thirsty and fed up with feeding upon animals and always feel less than satisfied.

"If we can find the other humans, I could heal them and get them to safety," Sadie wrote in a pocket notebook. "We just need to get some of our wolves in there to sniff them out. Their noses are stronger than that of Diana's vampire soldiers and could find them in any hidden basement or passageway.

My ears perked up. Sadie could heal? Does that mean she could heal Creed? A long pause hovered across the room. Queen Willa sat beside me, rubbing my back. "Everything is going to be alright, Creed will protect you and, if he is willing, help us fight against the rogue vampires, witches and sorcerers. In return, it will protect you and every human." My faint smile returned little hope, but the queen's unwavering look gave me a spark that wasn't there before. "Princess Sadie?" My voice whispered. The entire table of royalty and high-ranking officers' eyes fluttered to Creed and me, still sitting on the same cushion on which we sat from the beginning. "You said you can heal people? So you have magic too?" Sadie smiled, nodding.

"Kind of, it was gift blessed on me at birth from the gods. I'm able to heal people to a certain extent. I haven't unlocked all of my power, but each day my Mother helps me practice."

"Is there a way to help, Creed?" My finger grazed his throat, that continued to purr at my touch. I didn't care about the scars, I just cared about his voice. What would he really say to me when his voice came to life? If she couldn't help him, we would continue with our daily lives because I still would never give him up.

"Oh, Odessa," Sadie sighed heavily." "Old wounds such as Creeds would be difficult. I've tried to help others with old wounds such as infertility, weak hearts, and the sort, but I'm just not strong enough to penetrate before someone has had their animal to help them heal." My heart was crushed. There was no hope at all.

"But I can try," Sadie smiled. The room fell silent as Sadie approached. I went to leave Creed's lap only for him to hold me down, his arms wrapping around my waist. I smiled at him.

Princess Sadie had a peace that calmed the both of us. I could feel it so clearly as she stood just inches from me. Her hand touched the scar, her forehead dropping to touch Creed's. For a moment I felt jealous, but she was only trying to help. Even Seth was at calm as a bright light shined from Sadie's forehead. As quickly as it came, it vanished. Sadie only shook her head.

"Your dragon won't accept, he's blocking me before I can even try." Sadie's eyebrow furrowed. Creed rubbed his neck as I buried my nose into his chest.

"Thank you for trying, Princess Sadie. We are happy, voice or not. We will always be happy together." Orion chuckled in the corner, whispering to Willa, who was batting her long eyelashes at him. "Little do they know," Orion snorted his whisper.

"Now that the formalities are over, we must leave. We have a daughter to get back to and we need some alone time," Seth ruffed as he pulled Sadie away.

"Oh, please stay your Highness, tonight's party will be huge with the Light Kingdom and the future heirs of the Moon Kingdom!" Zaos arms were opened wide, ready for an embrace of acceptance.

"Thank you, but no, we have been away from Evelyn for far too long. Seth also needs to go train, or punch something I'm not sure which," Sadie giggled. "I was thinking, something else," he playfully growled in her ear. "When will the Light Kingdom see some beautiful heirs, my nephew?" Zaos nudged Orion, who sheepishly looked at his mate.

"When I am ready!" Willa stood up. "I've got to learn how to manage a sword and kick some vampire ass!"

"Language, Darling," his had slapped her rear with a squeal of surprise.

"Maybe I should learn how to fight too," I whispered to Creed. He shook his head, squinting his good eye at me. He was scolding me, but I couldn't help but push him playfully. "I can be tough. I slit a throat before!" "Oh, I don't think Odessa will need any training," Orion said to no one. Before I could ask what, he meant, Daine barged in.

"The ale has arrived!" His flamboyant appearance had the entire room laughing.

"Damn, he got out," Lura snickered.

"Lura, that wasn't funny. Mom had me tied up in my room for hours!" He dramatically cried as all the royalty left the room.

"Because you deserved it," Zaos said as he walked out the door, tapping his shoulder. "I don't want to hear any more of those outbursts around guests. Alpha Seth was going to take it out on me because I can't keep my damn elves behaved." Creed growled again, gaining the attention. "Oh yes, Annabelle told me you also interrupted,..." he cleared his throat, "some things. Don't do that shit." Zaos walked out, wiping his brow with a handkerchief from his back pocket. Daine just shrugged his shoulders. "I was just curious." he kicked the invisible stone in his path.

Lura had Creed and I get ready at her tree house. She lent me another dress, just as beautiful as the others she had presented me. I kept telling her over and over she didn't have to, but she was too gracious to let me say no.

Creed sat on the pillows, watching me from afar. He kept glaring at Daine, sometimes sticking his tongue out to smell the area. He was brooding and my heart felt a little sad for him. I don't think he liked it when I was away from him. It made me itch to go back and sit with him..

"How much longer?" I groaned. Lura and Daine were braiding my hair, putting in an intricate, almost Celtic looking design. It was half up with beautiful pink and purple flowers weaved through my hair. My dress matched, holding a deep purple with gold trimmings and leaves adorned on the bottom.

"Almost, then you can go back to your mate," she sang. "How does it feel? Having a mate to love?" She sighed like it was the greatest thing.

"Great." I stared at my hands. "I'm just glad we can be together."

"You're lucky." Daine grabbed a paint brush paint gold design on my skin. "You get to pick who you get to love and mate." My hand grabbed Daine's before the paintbrush could touch my skin.

"Tangle seems like a nice elf. He follows you everywhere, but you pay no attention."

"Huh?" Daine cocked his head like a puppy.

"You seriously don't notice?" Lura put one hand on her hip. "He's outside right now. He peeks in the window all the time." Daine's face fell.

"I thought he didn't care. He doesn't talk much. Only telling me he was sorry for what he's done before." I stood up, sitting him in the chair. "May he is intimidated by your large personality. You are loud and you don't listen to anyone." Lura laughed loudly.

"Told you! See, Odessa has known you for a day and she's got you figured you out." Creed's growl came from the corner, staring him down. "Okay, I'm sorry!"

Creed

While Lura and Daine decorated each other with gold paints on their skin, my Odessa sat with me on the large pillows adorning the corner. Her skin was clean of any dirt and now replaced with gold designs. Her name was said to be written somewhere on her skin, Lura said I would have to find it as it is a game among mates. I would have much fun finding it later.

Odessa brushed out my hair, the equivalent of preening, something I saw my mother and stepfather constantly do to each other, every evening before nesting. It was an intimate gesture, the brushing, the braiding. Odessa had no clue. My dragon vibrated, feeling her tiny fingers braid the top of my head into tiny rows. It was the best I've ever had. They were so tight it would last for several full moons. Her fingers even massaged my shoulders, causing my tight posture to loosen. My tiny Fawn knew exactly how to make my dragon purr like a feline.

Once she placed the final bead on my tied back hair, I pulled her to my lap. Her eyes were painted blue, purple and gold, her lashes decorated with black paint, making them look impossibly longer. My thumb brushed against her cheek, her settling into my arms.

"Do I look Okay?" my lip curled. My forehead touched hers, leading into a long kiss. I pulled her closer, closer to my beating heart. My lips became restless. Hungrier than they were once before. My dragon urged me to continue the push forward. My hand trailing up her leg and her dress falling back towards her hips, revealing more of the intertwined designs.

"Let's go!" Daine called from the bedroom, "or all the good ale will be gone!" Odessa pulled away, panting.

"He's kinda irritating, huh?" She giggled. Her laugh brought a new energy. She was happy and happy is where she would be forever, with me.

....

Night had fallen, the feast was large and this time, many meats were brought to the table. Queen Willa had a hunger for beef so two large cows were brought in. I made sure the Queen had her fill before I devoured the rest. The red meat sat in my gut better than the white meat of fowl they had brought earlier this morning.

Queen Willa waved towards me, smiling brightly. "So, my siren singing doesn't work on you?" I shook my head. A month ago, she tried to command me to take her to my village, but I would have taken them, anyway. Amora told Queen Willa she was utterly embarrassed because her commanding song was in the tune of an old nursery rhyme on Earth, "The Wheels on the Bus."

I did not know what a bus was, but it sounded interesting.

Daine kept pushing ambrosia drinks towards Odessa. She sipped a few times until she found one flavor she loved. Gulping it down quickly, she reached for another, but I put my hand in hers, pulling it to my lap. She smiled up at me, swaying at the music. If she could look at me the way she was now every morning I would be one happy dragon.

"No fun," Daine mouthed to me as he continued drinking. Tangle was beside him now, Daine's hand now in his. I internally smiled, thinking about how Odessa scolded Daine. He deserved it and if she doesn't put him in his place, I know my dragon will.

One more interruption from him. I don't think I could hold back from knocking him on the ground.

"Let's dance!" Willa pulled Odessa's arm. At first she pulled her hand back, but Willa put her hands on her hips, flapping her wings violently. "Come on now, have a little fun. Orion and Creed will stay here. I need a dance partner." Odessa squeezed my hand, kissing her lips I nodded for her to go.

Our hands slowly left each other, the fire disappearing from our fingertips. The enormous bonfire had many elves jumping, playing flutes, and banging the drums. It reminded me of the many times my tribe had their bonfires full of dancing. At the end of the night, all the mates would gather and dance together for one last dance.

"Black Dragon," Glinda took Odessa's seat. My claws extended, upset that her smell would now fade faster with the witch's scent on top of her. "I'll be fast," sensing my frustration. "Drink this." The cup was full of a tea like substance, thick with cream inside. Sniffing, I smelled no poison to harm me, and I drank it down in one go.

Glinda took the cup quickly, throwing a white powder where my lips grazed the cup. Immediately, my bottom lip imprint turned black. "I knew it," she hissed. "You have black magic in your system. You need to meet me at our same meeting spot once Odessa is asleep. Come alone, we do this quietly, understand?" Before I could answer, she was gone faster than the black clouds that surround my dragon.