Chapter 2

Dwen shouts, "It's you, Kamari!" but is quickly silenced by the sharp snap of Aneth's jaws. I held back my excitement, which was building up to nausea. They lay down when they reached the entrance to the field area. My instincts tell me to go there, so I quickly move towards my destination without wasting a second. I take off my heels and rush down the staircase, not giving Dwen any time to catch up with me. As soon as I exit the tunnel, I am awestruck by their massive presence.

One by one, they start to take the forms of humans. Their bodies disintegrate like ash in the wind, leaving three bare, naked men in front of me. "Oh!" Heat flushes my cheeks as I cover my eyes. "Dwen! Get them cloaks or something!" I shout. Knowing Dwen wasn't far behind me.

"I have them!" I take the clothing. Dwen suddenly jumps back.

As I turned around, I bumped into someone's chest. When I looked up, I saw Aneth's amber eyes and soft brown curls. I swallowed hard, trying not to glance down.

When I showed him the clothing, he threw it down in a huff, but I managed to grab the robe before it hit the ground. "It covers you," I gestured to my dress. "See?"

Aneth furrows his brow, then touches my dress, wrinkling his nose. He starts tugging on it as if to take it off me. I wave my hand and say, "No, no, no. Cover yourself." I sigh, grab the robe, and put it on. Suddenly, Koa and Nye come around, examining the robes presented to them. Koa does the same thing and touches my dress with a disgusted look. They didn't like clothing at all. It made sense, considering they never wore any. 

"Human," I touch myself to represent, "We cover ourselves." 

Nye's eyes glimmered as he snatched the robes and passed them around. He sharply hissed at the others and put on the robe as if to show them. Aneth huffs and does the same. 

"Oh, thank the Goddess," I sigh in relief. Nye seems to be a quick learner and may have to act as my translator once he gains more knowledge. After ensuring they are all dressed, I guide them away from curious onlookers and into the dwelling beneath the castle. 

"The Council will celebrate today! We can send letters to everyone in the kingdom-"

"I'm sorry, but are you crazy?!" I whispered harshly, interrupting Dwen's train of thought. "They've only just transformed into their human forms. What makes you think they won't turn the party into a bloodbath? They haven't learned enough yet." Dwen's reckless thinking was giving me a headache. I needed to ensure they had a safe and secure place where they couldn't cause any trouble. Despite its cave-like appearance, I thought the under-dwelling would be more comfortable for them."Fetch some raw meat. We'll need to up the slaughter of farm animals."

"Why not give them a cow in here?" Dwen says, which makes me want to strangle him. "Dwen, please do as I ask," I plead, rubbing my temples. "What about you? Are you okay with them being alone?" Dwen asks. I knew what they were capable of; I wasn't naive. But being their mate, I knew no harm would come to me, if not accidentally. "Yes, I'm fine."

Dwen nods and takes his leave. I watch as the three of them scope out the underdwelling. They don't seem displeased with it, which makes me smile. But suddenly, all three of them turn their gazes to me. My heart jolts, and I stand still as Nye approaches me, followed by the other two. They sniff my hair and run their fingers through it as they surround me. One of them grazes my back with their hand. My breath catches in my throat as I look over my shoulder and see Nye, his eyes locked with mine. I turn to him; his finger hooks over the front of my dress, and he peers over the clothing, making my face burn like it's on fire. Nye's hair matched the color of his dragon body. Koa's hair is a dark, velvety green with gray eyes. 

I'm turned left and right as if being examined. Just then, Koa glides a finger against my lips, his face uncomfortably close to mine. Aneth intervenes and pushes Koa away with a growl. Koa's lip twitches, and the two of them start fighting. I turn to Nye, who is watching the altercation unfold. He doesn't attempt to stop them.

As I feel a tug at my dress, I see Nye looking at the strap. He softly whispers in my ear, "Cover." I blink twice and respond with a "Yes." He appears confused and furrows his brows, then repeats, "Humans. Cover." He says as if noting it.

"Yes, that's right," I say with a smile. Nye places a finger on my lips, gently caressing my cheek. I can't help but feel that he is in charge of the group and gives orders to the other two. It's just the impression I get from him. I watch his eyes haze, and he leans into me. My chest thunders from my heartbeat. His head buries into the nape of my neck, and I can't help but let out a soft squeak because it tickles. Then I feel the heat of his tongue. I inhale sharply, not expecting him to lick me.

As he leans back, Nye licks his lips. I swallow hard, feeling the slight chill from the wet spot on my neck. When I hear footsteps, I assume it's Dwen with the raw meat. "Kamari!" Dwen rushes down. "I got the—Whoa!" Dwen almost runs into Aneth and Koa's fight, which they ignore. It made me wonder why they were fighting each other so hard. I turned to Nye. He probably couldn't tell me yet, but I wanted to get them used to me asking questions."

"Why are they fighting." I point to Aneth and Koa; Nye follows with his eyes, then back to me. 

Nye looks back to them, then says my name, "Kamari."

I gasp. "Yes. That's me."

Nye nods. 

"Wait, so Aneth and Koa are fighting for me? That's strange." I say aloud.

Dwen approaches me, panting heavily. "This is what I managed to get from the kitchen: a full bag." Dwen drops it, and it lands with a wet thud. Nye stands up, sniffs the bag, and then crouches to open it. He grabs a piece of raw meat and starts tearing into it. Aneth and Koa stopped fighting and came over to devour the meat. 

"Dwen wipes sweat from his brow and then asks," How do you plan to prepare them for the outside world? They can't stay here indefinitely." 

"Of course not, Dwen. I'm approaching the situation one day at a time. I'm not sure how quickly they learn or adjust. It takes time to teach them how to behave properly. I could try reading to them and see if that helps." I make my way towards the stairwell leading up to the Castle.

"Kamari," Dwen's voice made me turn around, and I was caught off guard when I saw all three of them standing behind me. Dwenslightly tilted his head and said, "I think they might follow you." As I gazed at all three of them, I feared Dwen was right. My skin chilled with goosebumps from the drafty air in the room. "Well, I'll have to stay here with them. "What? Overnight?" Dwen comes around to see me face to face. "Tell them to stay down here."

"It won't work, Dwen. Not right now. Just help me out and grab me a ton of blankets, books, and paintings." I rub my skin to create heat, "Give me the key to lock the Area opening."

Dwen sighed heavily and set the key in my hand. "Are you sure about this? Being alone with them for that long. What if they try to—you know…" He hints at a relatively intimate subject.

My eyes widened, and I snorted laughter. "What? Sleep with me?" I decided to be playful. "Then I guess I'm giving the Kingdom an early gift." I smiled, but by the frown on Dwen's face, I knew he didn't find it funny. "Honestly, I doubt they know how to make that part of their bodywork yet. You seem to think they're all set and ready. They aren't. So don't worry about it."

Suddenly, Dwen grips my hand hard, "I'm worried when I come down here next, you'll be bloody and mauled." The way Dwen grabbed my wrist made me cringe. He never acted so concerned for me before, but this felt different.

 "I won't be. Now let go of me. You seem to have forgotten my title." My voice hardens as I snatch my hand back. "Do as I say." My words were followed by a low rumbling of a growl behind me that encouraged it.

I see the slight flinch in Dwen's eye, then he looks behind me, his eyes widen, and he starts to back up. "I'll prepare your things." Was all he said before making haste to the stairs. 

A huff of breath flips my hair. I turn to see Nye leering after Dwen. I rub my wrist. I knew becoming a Queen would come with tribulations. One is men wanting to get on my good side or my bedside. I've been careful of who I've let in, but now I fear I've let Dwen get too close. 

Knowing I had far too much to do, I started looking for a place with less wind drafts. I might look crazy, but I get on my hands and knees. The chill is far worse on the floor. 

I would freeze during the night…

I sit on my knees, trying to think of a better solution. My thoughts turn to my fire breathers. I searched for Nye, who seemed to catch on quicker than the other two. 

"Nye."

When I call his name, his eyes latch onto mine. I walk towards him. I knew lighting a fire here wouldn't be wise, but the heat that radiated off him would work. "Heat." I place my hand on his chest; he stares at my hand and then covers mine with his own. I bring his hand to my skin and say, "Cold." Nye retracts his hand from me, probably shocked by the chill of my skin.

I hold myself, "I need your warmth." 

Nye wiggles his hand and, in an instant, engulfs in flames. "Oh! Not that!" Without thinking, I start fanning it, and it burns my finger.

"Ah!" I squeeze my hand, cursing under my breath. The scuffling of feet draws near me as I press my pulsating finger into my chest. 

I groan, "I shouldn't have done that…"

Looking back, I watch Aneth forcefully push Nye out of the way. Aneth walks up to me and says, "Heat." His voice is smooth and husky. He pulls me into his body, and I instantly melt into him. The heat makes my spine tingle. 

I sigh, laying my head on his chest. "Yes. Thank you." I didn't expect Aneth to catch on so quickly. I guess it went either way when it came to understanding something. A creak comes from the staircase. I automatically think it's Dwen, but I realize it's Calea when I see the red silk robe and blonde hair. I leave Aneth's side, cautious of what my trio would think of her or do. 

"By the grace of Kadea…" Calea's jaw drops as she sees them. "How right was I?" Calea smiles, satisfied with her prediction work.

"Don't get too close. My Dragon Mates are curious, but it could easily escalate." I remain cautious. 

Calea notices me holding my hand, "I see it has happened already."

 I sigh, "Nye thought I was talking about fire when I meant his body heat." 

"They will learn quicker than you think." Calea takes my hand and pulls something from her pocket—a small blue jar. "If this happens again, put this salve on. It will cool and heal the burn."

I smile meekly, "Is that the reason you came down? You smelled the burning of flesh?"

Calea chuckles, "Not necessarily. I came to view your husbands."

My gut clenches. Hearing Calea say it made me more aware of what they would eventually be to me. "Eventually."

"No, Kamari. Now. They are your husbands, your mates. Now." Calea's voice is solemn. "Do not think they don't know who you are to them. They know."

As I gazed at them, I noticed Nye didn't look at me but at his hand, the one that burned me. Calea also sees, "This one," she points to Nye, "He is the one who burned you?"

"It was an accident-"

"Tell him." Calea's stern voice surprises me.

"What?" I give her a dumbfounded look, "He won't understand."

"They feel emotion from you. Talk to them as if they are human if you wish for them to understand and learn. Everyday." Calea says, folding her hands in front of her. 

I watched Nye clench his hand in and out, his muscles tense. I walked up to him, bypassing Aneth and Koa. "Nye," I say softly. He exhales sharply, looking the other way. You didn't mean to burn me. I know that. It's alright." I grab his hand and place it on my cheek. Nye glances at me, then turns towards me, giving me his full attention. Nye puts his forehead against mine.

"Your bond with them. It grows fast." Calea says, but I notice her tone carries worry. I turn to her, 

"Is that bad?"

Calea shakes her head, furrowing her brows. "I'm not sure. Some have told me dragons must adjust to humans, even their soul mates. But these three—they seem different." Calea has been in my family, my mother's right hand, and my friend for years. She started as a priestess at a very young age. 

"They don't care for Dwen."

Calea chuckles, "I don't care for him either. He is gathering your things as we speak. He says you must stay here because they follow you."

"Yes, unfortunately. I thought it would be fine in my absence."

Calea is silent for a second and looks as if she is observing me. "How have you been lately?"

"Hmph," I smile meekly, "You're the first person to ask me in a while."

"Forgive me for not being more conscious of your mental state. I know this is a lot to bear for a young woman."

I bite my lip, "There is nothing I can't handle." I grip my burned finger, letting the pain obliterate any lingering dark thoughts. "I may be young. But I've been through a lot."

Calea pauses for a second, gazing at me.

I furrow my brows, "What?"

"I know." That is all she says, yet I feel something else was underlining it. Or maybe I was looking too much into it. 

Calea shakes her head and continues, "They're much too feral for you to mate with. You realize this, don't you?"

I double-blink, then let out a sharp chuckle, "Why does everyone think I'm going to spread my legs on the first night? Dwen is dim-witted, and I expected that question from him. " I cross my arms over my chest, "But not you."

"You would be surprised how many young princesses have said that. And woke up in a shredded dress and ripped flesh. It's a warning."

I lick my inner cheek. "Okay. Then I ask you: How do you expect me to produce an heir if this is to happen to me?"

"You teach them but don't engage in the actual act until you can't tell them apart from regular humans. Let them learn softness, what a human can and cannot handle. You are dealing with their primal instincts. They can't turn this off, so teach them how to deal with it in a human body."

Now my head hurts. Goddess Kadea, you gave me a lot to work with. I rub my temples, "Anything else?"

"No. That's all for now. I hope Dwen gives you everything you need for the night. I will be checking on you in the morning." Calea picks up her dress and ascends the stairs. Later, Dwen comes back with my things, and I feel the tight grip of tension in the air. I catch Nye as he starts to circle Dwen like a shark, I look to Aneth and Koa who sit in the shadows, their eyes fixed on Dwen as well.

"Dwen," I whisper, "Don't move." I remain calm as I watch Nye stalking forward behind Dwen's back. I stand up and put my body between Nye and Dwen. Nye gives me a low growl.

"Leave him alone," I command. "You hunt animals. Not humans."

Nye gives me a sharp hiss and closes the distance between us. I stand my ground. Suddenly, he yanks my hair back," Mmph!" I groan as he exposes my neck. I pinch my eyes closed as I feel a twinge in my neck.

"Kamari," Dwen says, but I don't want him getting up.

"Don't," I tell Dwen so he won't interfere. My heart quickens as Nye licks me again. But this time, there was a different intention behind it. I could feel it in my gut. From my odd angle, I see Dwen staring at me. His eyes are wide with shock. As Nye let go of me, I saw Nye locked eyes with Dwen. 

"Has he been looking at you this whole time?" I whispered to Dwen as I rubbed the muscle in my neck.

"Yes," Dwen says in a gritty voice. He is trying to establish dominance and claim you as his own." He pauses, locking eyes with Nye. I think you underestimate their knowledge." Dwen adds.

"I supposed it's normal for them to do that," I said.

"Why on Kadea's do you let them get away with that? They should know right from wrong. You will never see them become true humans-"

"They aren't." I snap. Dwen words make my skin itch. I turn to him with anger flushing my face. "They are Dragon at heart no matter how much you mean to tame them. I'm not trying to flesh them out as humans. This body," I gesture up and down to Nye's human form, " is the form they take for me. I don't count on them being "turned" Human. I'd rather them keep everything that makes them who they are, and I'm amazed that you don't respect that." I look up and down at him, then cross my arms. "I no longer need you, Dwen. I could easily make Calea my aid."

Dwen scoffs, and I notice a twitch in his eye, "Are you trying to threaten me, child?"

I growl from frustration," A child?" I clench my jaw as I feel my chest burn, and then I rip open my dress, "Does this look like the body of a child, you aggravating fool!" I shout. I watch as Dwen turns speechless as he gazes at my body. I was so tired of people looking at me as a child. I have grown out of that a long time ago. 

"You may have been at my side when I was young, but you should have realized I would take the throne at some point and wouldn't need you." I had no problem proving my point by exposing my body to Dwen; he seemed not to get it through his thick skull. It would have been his decrypted mind if he still saw me as a child.

He swallows hard and clenches his fists, "I have to see you as a child or else-"

"Or else what, Dwen?!" I stepped forward, fists clenched. I was getting tired of his long list of excuses.

When he turns to look at me, a different haze lingers in his eyes, "Or else I would lean upon the feelings I have for you."

My brows furrow. I knew it. I shake my head, "And you had to know that would never happen."

"It's my fault. I never took the chance." The grit in his voice unsettled me. Dwen wasn't hiding it any longer; his fever of desire showed in his now-hazed eyes. "And yet, even with your Dragons surrounding you, I would take a reckless chance." His voice becomes breathless. I feel Nye press against my back. Now it made sense why Nye was acting the way he did. 

"Brave Stupidity." I spat back his words. "Leave Dwen. I can't have you at my side anymore. You're dismissed from your position." I covered myself with my torn dress and tied it. When Dwen didn't move, I shouted, "Get Out!" The rumble of Nye's growl vibrated against my back. 

Dwen clenches his jaw, and his eyes turn cold. "I've been in your family for years, Kamari. Your father would disapprove of your decision–"

"Get out!" My blood boils as he mentions my father. That part of my life lingered in my soul. I couldn't forget it and had to live with it. He shakes his head. Dwen walks towards the stairs but halts at my side and says, "Dragons aren't the only monsters."