The Dragon's Bride

Rydstorm sat on the bed with a great sigh.

″Are you alright? It seems as if the world is on your shoulder,″ Catori said, moving to sit beside Rydstorm.

″Just the burdens of being King. My people are now at a clash because some want to leave this disgusting waste land, while others want revenge.″

“You could easily give them what they want, we could go and then let your people who want revenge take it.″

Rydstorm gave a laugh.

″You and Fang have the same idea, but it isn’t so easy.″

″Fang? And yes, it is.″

“Aren’t you worried about these people that live here, your friends and little brother and sister?″

″The twins aren’t real. The one friend I have, I would warn her. Apart from that, everyone and everything can burn. Besides, I think the nuns are planning something. They know about dragons, I think.″

″Amica mea! That is no way to go. As much as I hate humans, I can’t just go throwing my weight around. There are still innocent begins who don’t know-″

″Well, when I get my dragon. I will destroy this place, especially those Stones.″

Rydstorm pulled Catori into his muscular arms.

″I see that we have a common enemy, but let’s not be irrational and do something you might regret.″

″I won’t regret it.″

The ways how the words came out of Catori’s mouth, and the look she had on her beautiful face made it known to Rydstrom that his mate wouldn’t hesitate to kill those in Desolation.

″Tell you what. I will take you back to my palace and if you still have the feeling of killing those that you hate, then I won’t hold my army back.″

″And you will teach me how to be a dragon?″

“Of course.″

Catori smiled.

″I always knew that dragons were real. I mean, who would just make up stories like that? And I’m certain that the Villagers aren’t so smart to come up with tails like that on their own.″

″And what sets you apart from those in Desolation?″ Rydstorm asked.

″Well, for one I can read. I question things and I’m not a puppy dog to the chief or his sons.″

Rydstorm laughed. ″I am actually glad that you aren’t a simpleton.″

Catori glanced up at him; he didn’t seem to have noticed, even if he did, he hid it pretty well. As if Rydstorm could feel her gazing at him, he smiled down at her, then winked. Causing her heart to stop, do a flip, then started racing.

Catori was marveling at how massive Rydstorm was in physique. She always thought her father was tall, but her mate beat him by a foot.

Not to mention, he was handsome beyond belief, but that wasn’t really the word to describe his looks.

“Do I have something on my face?” Rydstorm asked, pulling Catori out of her thought.

“No,” she let out.

″You have been staring at me for a full five minutes.″

Catori could feel her face heating up, so she turned her head away before her cheeks could betray her.

″Come on, you can talk to me.″ Rydstorm touched her shoulder.

That seemed to send a bolt of electricity through her body.

″Just wondering what life will be like with you and to live with dragons. Your people might not like me.”

“You have nothing to worry about. My people are fair and just, you’ll fit right in.″

But even with that small reassurance, unwelcome thoughts still floated around in Catori’s mind.

″Did you eat when you were away?″ Rydstorm asked.

Catori shook her head.

″I should get you fed then.″

Catori frowned.

″What?″

“The way you said fed, like I’m an animal.″

″Well, let me rephrase that. Get you some sustenance.″

″Still weird sounding.″

″Just come on.″

Rydstorm led Catori from his room, down the stairs and to the dining hall, where along the way eyes were following her. But she held her head high, acting as if she didn’t notice their staring, just like she had done countless times when walking in Desolation.

This was the first time Catori had been to the Grande Desolation, and it surprised her at how elegant everything was. The colours accented to each other and flowed wonderfully together.

When they got to the eating area, her mouth almost fell open.

There was a beautiful crystal chandelier hanging in the center, round tables that were covered in white table cloths, with gold trim at the ends.

″Wow, this is so nice,″ Catori couldn’t help but say.

″Surprising that a dump like this could have such an amazing place.″

Catori walked beside Rydstorm until he stopped at the very last table, where the light was low, and no one would see them unless looking carefully.

″Is there a reason you chose this table? You aren’t ashamed that someone from Desolation is your mate, are you?″

″No, I picked this table because of your attire. It is rather revealing. I can see your perky breasts through that thin night gown.″

Catori’s mouth formed an ‘O’ at that.

″Yes, I don’t appreciate another male looking at what is mine.″

″I’m sorry, I guess I forgot to change because of the argument I had with my mother.″

″It is alright, just that the rise and fall of your chest is a bit distracting.″

Catori didn’t know if she should grab the table cloths to cover herself, or tease Rydstorm for the heck of it. Instead, she settled on sitting beside him, not saying a word.

Soon, a waiter came out with a tray of food and drinks.

When the delicious aroma hit Catori’s nostrils, her stomach grumbled, bringing her embarrassment.

″Sorry,″ she mumbled.

″Don’t be sorry for a normal body function,″ Rydstorm told her.

They made light conversation throughout the meal, so there weren’t any awkward moments between them. Rydstorm wanted his bride to be as comfortable as she can be around him. He didn’t want Catori to have any fear.

″A thought just came to me,″ Catori said suddenly.

Rydstorm waited until she finished chewing before she spoke again.

″Can you breathe fire?″ She asked.

The glass that contained a ‘special nectar’ so Rydstorm and others like him can surpass their beast when around humans, hover just inches from his lips.

Catori watched his reaction closely.

″Can you?″ She gaped.

A smirk formed on his lips before he said. ″Eat your food.″ He then took a sip from his drink, still smiling.

″I am going to take that as a yes.″

Rydstrom chuckled. When Catori went back to eating, he glanced at her sideways. Wondering how she was so calm about the entire thing. Her curiosity fascinated him.