Amora

Nicholas' deep blue dragon flew me home. His wings were so powerful, using them sparingly as he slid through the trees of our home. His swift leathered wings were the fastest of our tribe besides Adam. Nicholas had become my best companion since Creed was exiled from the tribe. He consoled me when Adam was too busy speaking with the elders of rules and guidelines in Creed's exile. Nicholas was actually new to the tribe then, only moved in because he could not find his mate, but we obviously hit it off nicely. We were instantly close. I felt he could feel my dragon's sorrow when my spirit brother was no longer with me.

Creed and Adam were the closest things I had to a family before my blood family passed away in a vampire spat. At the same time, they traveled across the pride lands of the Moon Kingdom. They had made various trinkets beauty potions that the jaguars, panthers, and cheetah females like to decorate themselves with. The rogue vampires came out of nowhere, and my parents and elder siblings had told me to fly to get away from the crossfire while they fought. I watched from above as my family died slowly until I finally left, not watching them feed off their bodies.

I felt helpless then. My guilt wracked my chest until I stumbled upon Creed and Adam's tribe when I was just ten years old. We became a trio. I lived down the mountain with another fae family, but only there to sleep. The day was spent with my friends and my close relationships with the tribe.

As we grew older together, the stark differences became apparent when the accident appeared. Creed's mother was beside herself as she watched Creed slowly heal over the months. My heart ached for Creed, and Adam's guilt seemed genuine. They never played or sparred together after that, not that I blame either of them.

Splitting my time with them was my next step. I didn't want to force them together as much as their mother asked me to help. Adam's guilt, which I thought was guilt at the time, was too strong. Now, I fear there was much more to that guilt. Once Adam turned eighteen, time for him to find his mate. His urge to stay near me grew more assertive. I had an inclining he was my mate, but then two years later, on my birthday, I was unable to honestly know. He had dragged me out of my tent with my adoptive fae family and took me high into the mountains, where he made a nest just for us.

As much as I wanted the night to be unique, to make love to my mate, it was not as I imagined. In fact, I feel my mind had blackened most of the night out.

The following day, I felt the bond, the pull towards Adam. I also felt the bruises and my sore body. Adam's profuse apology only had me forgiving him far too quickly. I was young, naïve, and was left in the dark for many years about how a dragon should mate with their mate. Now that I see Creed care for his mate as he does, my world has been shattered.

I fear Adam is not my true mate, and my heart shatters at the thought. My weak dragon only purrs in my chest when I think these thoughts loud enough for her to hear.

"Alpha Amora, Alpha Adam wishes to speak with you," a warrior strode up to Nicholas' dragon, helping me down.

"Thank you, Nicholas, spend the day around the Light Kingdom, see if you can find your mate," I pet his forehead gently with my hand. A sign of significant friendship. He bows and slithers away into the woods.

Adam's and I's tent was more extensive than most of the tribe. It held beautiful furs, clothing, and jewels. All of it was for me to wear, but my dragon did not like to accept such extravagant gifts. She was looking for something more, and maybe my heart was too.

"My Love," Adam held out his arms, embracing me. The pull I had towards Adam kept me there while wrapping my arms around him. My dragon recoiled in my chest, not enjoying the contact.

"Did the elders heal you quickly?" Adam's abdomen was completely healed, no scarring, and not the slightest touch made him wince.

"They did, but it was not that bad." He shook his head, pouring himself a drink on the side table. "I'm sorry to send you off. I didn't want you to have to see my wounds and worry you."

"But I worried," I half lied. Anytime Adam was hurt, he refused my help to clean him, dress him and help with wounds that could take days to heal. He opted to go to the Elders, who have perfected a special potion for dragons. I've asked many times to train me to be of some held during battles, but I was always denied.

"Part of me is glad you did so," Adam's forehead met mine, kissing it gently. He was so sweet to me, cradled me like a fledgling at night. His love was undeniable towards me, and for a long time, I felt the same. Now my passion has weakened, seeing him oppress his half-brother. The lies he has told the tribe so easily only make me believe he could lie to me just the same.

I wiped my dress off the invisible dirt and went to fluff the pillows so he could rest, beckoning him to come to sit with me. Maybe I was overreacting? Perhaps there was more to the story? Adam sat down, his hand running over my stomach. "Sorry I have been gone so long. Since Orion and Willa's ceremony, I have paid little attention to you these past few weeks. The south is under turmoil, and dealing with Vampires and Rogue witches had me preoccupied." Adam's nose trailed down my neck, his tongue licking my lightly colored mark. "How is the fledgling?"

My body stiffened. Adam truly has been gone, which may be why my dragon had been so cold towards him.

"What's wrong? Your dragon will not address mine?" Voice laced with concern, his eyes softened, pulling my chin towards his face.

"I'm sorry," warmed tears filled my eyes. My heart sunk. One job as a co-alpha was to help produce an heir, and this had been my third time miscarrying a baby. Adam's hand balled into a fist, hitting his knee. "Gods, Amora, why didn't you tell me?" his voice cracked. "I could have been there for you, comforted you." My face turned; my dragon was not receptive in the slightest. Could my dragon be rejecting his seed?

"You were gone when I bled. I didn't' want to send word over it." Adam's throat bobbed. Something I found so attractive, now I don't know anymore.

"It's alright," he cleared his throat. "We can try again, and I will talk to the elders. Maybe the potion and salve they make to heal me could help." I nodded my head, threading my fingers through his.

"Maybe so." Giving a sad smile.

"I wish to stay with you, my Love, but I must go meet with Elder Naho." I must inform him and the rest to take word to both Light and Moon Kingdoms of Creed's betrayal. A powerful dragon-like him will need the most warriors to take him down." Adam rubbed my belly again, kissing it gently.

"We will figure this out, don't you worry. I love you, Amora. Always know that."

"I love you too," I whispered. Adam walked to the opening of the tent. He gave me one more smile. "Wait, Adam?" he hummed, turning his pointed chin towards me. He could make me weak in the knees, the bond we shared, and my body pulled for him so hard, but why was my heart so tricky?

"Are you sure this is the only way? It just doesn't seem like Creed." This was his last chance. He had to stop this. All this warning, all this pleading with him, and now I was on my knees begging him to give me some sort of sign. Be the dragon I want you to be, spill the truth to me, and I would make my heart love you willfully.

"There is no other way, my love. Creed has made his bed, so he must lie in it." Adam left the tent, taking his decision with him.

Now I realized I must choose sides and it would not be the one with my mate.

Changing clothes, I put on simple leathers and breast tunic. Throwing a small bag of clothing and essentials over my shoulder and put the giant emerald jewel on the nightstand. It was my favorite, the one I was given the following day of our mating. It would only be a reminder of lies my life had been for over thirty years.

Stepping out of the tent, many dragons walked along the paths of their jobs. Many washed clothes in the steaming pond, and others cooked over the open bonfire. I was fooled for so many years, and many dragons here are the same. My dragon perked up within my chest, pulling me toward the archives.

The archives were held for Alphas and the Elders only. I've had no reason to enter, and I've never been told not to. Pulling the bag over my back more comfortably, I walked to archives as if I owned the place. Not looking suspicious was more complicated than it looked, now knowing that I was going to betray not only that of my alpha, my mate but my tribe.

Many dragons bowed to me as I walked by, doing the same, keeping my usual smile on my face. I walked to the back door of the archives. This building differed significantly from what we lived in. It was made of entire trees of logs, crushed rock, and wood. It has stood for longer than I remember and could have been many centuries before that. Pushing the back door, a hand catches my wrist. Gasping, another hand covers my mouth.

"You look like a fledgling going in for the sponge cake," the chuckle made me sigh. Turning around and smacking Nicholas on the shoulder, he pretended to be hurt.

"Shh, you can't do that!" I hissed. Nicholas' brows furrowed, watching me go into the archives.

"You sneaking dragon, what are you doing? You never go in here." Nicholas closed the door behind me with a slam.

"Will you be quiet? For a swift, quiet flyer, you sure are loud on the ground." My dragon hissed, but it was playful. Rubbing my chest, I walked down the long table, glancing at the papers in front of each chair. "What are you doing?" I signed, gently placing my hand on the table.

"Nicholas, you have to make a choice. You may break your oath, and I would never think less of you." Nicholas' eyes filled with hurt continued to listen. That's what was so wonderful about him; he listened to every word I said and stuck his opinion in when needed. "Because if you decide to stay, you will betray Alpha Adam along with the tribe."

Nicholas' eyes hardened. "I won't break my oath," he spat without a hint of hesitation. "You are my alpha, and you are the one I would follow." My hidden smile came forward, lunging at him, burying my head in his chest. He calmed my dragon more than Adam ever had. Nicholas' hand brushed my hair, his mouth touching my hair. I swear it was a kiss that made my heart flutter delightfully fast.

Clearing my throat, I pushed him away. "Thank you. I appreciate your loyalty."

"Anytime," Nicholas' biceps bulged while crossing his arms. Looking away quickly, I went to the shelves, looking for anything to help me.

"What are you looking for?" Nicholas pressed, looking at the shelves above me.

"Anything to expose the lies." He stiffened, pulling me back from the shelf. "You believe Adam is lying too about Creed?" I nodded my head.

"I think I've known for a while, but the bond makes you do crazy things," I sniffed. Nicholas walked down the years displayed on the shelving, finally pulling a dusty book.

"I think this is where it started." The year marked was the year of Adam, and I's mating. It was held by a lock that needed a key. Instead of looking for a key to unlock the book, Nicholas ripped the spine, spreading papers to the floor. "We aren't going back. Who cares if we make a mess?" he shrugged his shoulders.

Internally, I cringed. It was becoming so real. Nicholas only looked at me, pleading in his voice. "This, read this."

Nicholas stepped away, his back facing me while I opened up the book to the date I always had mixed feelings about. It was our mating day written in one of the Elder's handwriting.

"This day marked the end of the female dragon race. Our alpha, whom we had hoped to use the power given to him, would use it for mating with a wolfless woman. We lastly hoped to save the dragon species. The woman was instantaneously killed by Alpha Adam moments after she was presented.

My fellow elders and I were shocked and dismayed by Alpha Adam's choice after promising to further our species. The wolfless woman's genes were clean enough to produce a female heir dragon would have secured our bloodline. Instead, he threatened to tell the secret of his parents to the entire tribe and have us all killed for our betrayal of the former alpha if he did not get the Fae he truly wanted.

A special potion was then presented to Adam, thus preserving the elders of the tribe as we try to find another way to find a full female dragon to replenish the magic of the dragons."

I dropped the book, my face paled, and my heart stopped. Adam was not my true mate. The elders were nothing but sneaky, evil little shits hell-bent on saving a species the gods did not think should survive with magic. It happened to the vampires. They lost their magic long ago, and only the royals have bits and pieces left.

Now, the dragons are being punished for wrongful matings.

"Are you alright?" Nicholas took a few barefooted steps forward to me, unsure to touch me in my fragile state.

"H-how did you know? That date? How did you know to look there?" My hands shook, coving my mouth.

"Your mark, your dragon's mark, is light. When my mother died, my father took on a chosen mate many years later with a lonely widow. Both of their marks are light, like yours." He bit his bottom lip, looking at my sympathy. "I couldn't just tell you. You wouldn't believe me if I didn't have proof. I didn't want to sacrifice what we had."

This was why my dragon was so weak; I could barely shift. I've only shifted four times in the time I had had her because she could not break through my skin. Adam stole me away. Maybe using a memory potion? What was that potion for? My mind turned, voices from the outside became louder. "We have to go." Michael grabbed my elbow, but my body went to the floor, picking up the papers. I needed to get this to Queen Willa. She and her mate would provide sanctuary and maybe help my spirit brother. She could provide a safety net for me until I figure out what to do.

I had been wrongfully marked. I felt so dirty.

A tear dropped on one of the papers, making the word, 'mate,' pull the ink from the page.

He forced me.