Odessa

Sleep came in short bursts throughout the night. Rolling over to be spooned ended up being another steamy session of lovemaking. Not that I minded. My dragon, with her powers, fully awakened, gave me bursts of energy. I could have stayed up for days, it felt, but of course, after a pleasurable high, I couldn't help but feel contented as I fell back asleep.

Creed's braids were a mess. His normal scowl he gives to anyone but me all but faded. His peaceful features gave me a new kind of pleasure. We were safe in our little nest. I can see the appeal now, seeing him asleep while we held each other. My dragon stirred inside me, noticing I could see in the dark quite well as compared before staying in his cave. I swore I could see the faint light at the other end of the cave, letting us know the suns had risen.

Fingers tracing his jaw, his face leaned closer, kissing the palm of my hand. "Morning," I whispered. His eyes flickered open, showing his deep-colored eyes. His smile widened. A sight I will never be used to. Just a few weeks ago, he could barely curl his lips. Now his white teeth were of full display, only shown to his parents and me.

"We should head back soon." He groaned at my statement, only making me laugh while he rolled on top of me.

"But it is so much quieter here." His lips caressed my neck, causing a moan.

"I agree, but you hand over the Alpha title to your father today. Is that right?" Humming, he pushed his entire body on me, pinning me between the furs. As playful as he was being, I loved how he put his weight on me. It had me entrapped and safe like my own weighted blanket.

"Right," he mummified, kissing me down my chest. His eyes lightened at the mention of his father. I knew he was excited to go from having no mother to now having both parents. Today would be a momentous day for him and his family. Rather odd that a son to pass off an alpha title to a father, it is like a prince passing the crown back to his father.

I flew side by side with Creed on the way back down the mountain. We passed the tribe's territory, seeing nothing but burned embers still lying on the fires. The ground, completely covered in snow hiding the blood, looked like nothing had ever happened to the area. No tents, no toys for children. All that was left was the extensive building that held the history of the tribe.

Come spring, Creed spoke of returning and rebuilding. Now that will be up to Apollo, who I'm sure will continue to hold up that end of Creed's word. It was well established, even with their homes being made of heavily structured tents and with the magic they now held, it would only show to be more comfortable.

By mid-day, the suns were high in the sky. The arena showed no signs of a previous, supposed merciful killing. Creed said he got off easy, but like a woman and a person who feels empathy even for those who have done wrong, it was enough. He lost his chance at being his true mate or beloved. His heart broke into a million pieces in front of a crowd, witnessing his utter demise. Humiliation was his torture and the way he liked to inflict pain on others. I wouldn't be surprised if he enjoyed the torture he would have received..

My only worry was that of Scorpia, she had endured much to keep The Light Kingdom safe; she was a genuine hero, one that should be awarded some sort of medal of honor, if that do that sort of thing here.

Once we landed, Creed grabbed me by my hand, interlacing our fingers together. The walk into the bustling palace gave me that overwhelming feeling and it made me want to go straight home. I could understand why Creed wanted to go back to our home, the cave. It was just us, no worries of diplomatic policies, the rushing of people that would live in our home, the bowing, the tea parties. I had no jealousy in any of it. Creed and our cave, along with fluffy.

Willa was fluttering down the hallway. She loved to fly, I had figured. She was like a busy bee flying around the palace, even helping servants with flower arrangements and food for the flocking faes and other creatures seeking refuge in the kingdom. The outer territories were at high risk of attacks. The palace, the capital, was considered the safest with Orion's witches and sorcerers helping with protection spells.

"Can we check on Scorpia?" My hand squeezed Creed's several times. His eyes lingered on the hallway leading to the back of the palace where his tribe currently stood on the manicured lawn. "You go check the tribe. I'll be in the palace." Creed hesitated, pulling me closer to him.

"Really now?" I laughed. "I'm in the palace and my dragon helps me out, I will be just fine." My lashes brushed his neck, kissing where his scar used to lie.

"Odessa can stay with us." Willa fluttered down from the third floor. A male strolled up beside her, holding similar features to Willa's face. "This is my eldest brother, Thalamere. He's next in line to the throne of Atlantis and very strong." She bragged. Thalamere cleared his throat. Dressed in a dark royal suit laid a necklace on his fluffy collar. In the shape of a starfish, the necklace held a blue stone in the middle.

"Just because I am a siren, doesn't mean I am powerless on land," he chuckled. "Black Dragon, Odessa, the Atlantean Kingdom gives many thanks for destroying the second-in-command of the rogue army. We hope for you both to visit one day. My father, King Girard, has many gifts dragons would find priceless."

Creed remained expressionless, looking Thalamere in the eye. "Thank you, Prince Thalamere. That is most gracious of you." I spoke for the both of us. Creed's tight hold let go, pulling me up to his forehead. "Come to the tribe afterward?" his husky voice held a pleading voice. Kissing his lips, I nodded in agreement. Every few steps, Creed looked behind to make sure I was still there until his back faded down the hallway.

"She's down this hallway, in the medical wing," Willa chirped. As we strode down the immaculately decorated floors, Willa told exciting tales of Thalamere's journey since receiving the necklace I was so drawn to. It let him stay out of the water for five days at a time as opposed to the twenty-four hours sirens were originally held to. It had been a full month since receiving such a gift, traveling as far inland as he could and returning to the sea to find his mate. He had no luck finding his mate, but he said he would never give up. Thalamere had waited many, many years to find his mate and his frustrations were painted on his face.

As Willa explained his desperation, being the future king of the throne gives one many magical abilities of power, strength, but most of all, possessiveness. Similar to Creed's scales that rippled when angry or sexually aroused, Thalamere's body protruded blue and green, much like Willa's sparkles that held in her cheeks.

"Sorry, brother," Willa wrapped her arm in his. "Odessa is new, and I feel like I should explain things to her. We both grew up human. Thought this might give insight how supernaturals have such difficulties." Thalamere chuckled, patting Willa's head.

"Dear sister, I could never be mad at you. I'm just happy I can assist you during this pressing time. Calista, the sea witch in Atlantis continues to work each day for a stronger stone to help sirens stay above land for longer periods. Then our armies can help aid with our new threat."

Odessa squeezed his arm again, now passing through the medical ward. The crisp white walls gave the area a sterile feel to the atmosphere. Faes and fairies sitting on small desks, writing on clipboards and pulling medicine from cabinets made everyone busy, yet hardly any rooms were filled.

"Why are they so busy?" I muttered to no one in particular. Willa's wings fell, her voice matching her attitude. "Preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best."

At the end of the hall, Scorpia's room door was open. Moans and cries left the door, causing my heart to break in a million pieces. Maybe I should have stopped my dragon from destroying her mate. We could have locked him up and never released him, so she did not have to feel the pain she was feeling. Rubbing my arms again, scratching like no tomorrow, my dragon's scales appeared where I liked to scratch. Her growls of disapproval were obviously being felt through my chest.

Thalamere growled, fins on the side of his neck stood up. The bright blue and green were reflected in the iridescent light of the room. Scoripa's groans stopped, only light whimpers from under the sheets. Her back was turned to us, her wings lying helplessly like wet bees' wings on the pillows.

"Goddess," Willa breathed, pushing me back. "Stay here," she whispered, now holding me back with two hands. "Watch."

Thalamere rounded the bed, the soft whimpers now faded and the sheets covering Scorpia's face lowered. "My little fae, what has you crying so?" Thalamere's voice cooed, his hand brushing away her messy red hair. The tears had stopped flowing. Her body rose only to be caught by Thalamere embracing her.

There was no hesitation in any of their actions. They held onto each other. Begging for the air to refill their lungs, but afraid to because it might wake them from a dream.

"I found you." Thalamere's eyes blinked, filled with tears. "All this time, I finally found you, and you were right here.”

"I'm sorry," Scorpia breathed. Her brave stance, her regal look had all faded away from yesterday's events. Her face was pale, the shining red hair had faded considerably. Thalamere's body stiffened, his fins from his neck slowly diminishing back into his neck. "I gave away my first kiss to someone else. Will you still have me?"

Thalamere laughed boisterously, bringing her back into his embrace, rocking her on the bed. "That is such a terrible question, my little fae." He moved her hair away from her neck, kissing her bare shoulder where the nightgown had fallen. "As long as I am the last being to grace these lips, I'll live a happy siren." Smiling brightly, her arms wrapped around his neck and sighed into his chest.

.....

My mood had lightened considerably. The enormous bonfire in the middle of a beautifully manicured lawn now held many tents, children running, boars roasting on the fire and enchanting music playing, causing hoards of people to dance about.

Creed held me on his lap as we sat on a nearby log. The Light Kingdom Palace was our background while wild shifters ran across the flower beds. It was complete chaos, but King Orion and Queen Willa only laughed, joining the drinking and playing with the fledglings in games.

Creed's father had been announced as the new Alpha. Apollo was initially worried about how the tribe would react. Having a griffon as an alpha, he was no dragon. Once the story of Hecate was relayed to them by Ondi, all visibly relaxed and agreed this was for the best. Obviously, seeing the wonderful blessing that Creed and I's union had held.

Men began blowing fire from their human mouths, something they had initially lost fifty years ago when the magic faded. Some fire was so hot, the flames looked blue and red. The fledglings all gasped and laughed, seeing the amazing colors. Another male could blow ice, freezing trees in an instant.

The music played well into the night. Orion and Willa's hospitality helped the dragons hold on to hope that soon all of Bergarian would be safe from the dangers of dark magic. We had won this battle, but the one to take down an evil sorcerer was our next step.

Fluffy trotted up beside my leg, nudging and licking. His playful attitude was back, but the scars from the vampires' fangs would always remain. The animal healer had done a wonderful job reviving him. He was on the brink of death and the healer told us how lucky he was.

Creed's arms were wrapped around my waist, my head falling into the crook of his neck. I'd fight for this, I'd fight for us, I'll fight for our future, our children's future, and for every other person in Bergarian for them to find their other half. This night, we were in our own bubble of happiness and it would be extended in the days and weeks to come.

"I love you, my fawn," Creed's lips tickled the shell of my ear.

"And I love you too, Prince Charming." The fledglings by the fire beckoned us to follow their silly dances. Amora, Nicholas, Daine and Tangle continued to wave brightly colored feathers and sheer cloths around. The children of Fae and dragons. squealed frantically trying to catch the swirling colors. Glancing at my mate beside me, I stood up, holding out my hand.

"Let's go dance," my head ticked to the fire blazing before us. Creed's playful growl erupted from his chest while slinging me over his shoulder. Creed held me close around the magical fire that kept all of our hopes burning brightly, that a new beginning was coming.