Chapter 47

~Aneth~

Seeing his mate in such a raw form after giving birth gave him life. Aneth was ready to shield her, but ripping apart a witch would be a bonus. Even in her weakened state, the Shade blood that raged through her rose to the surface to protect what she held dear. And he felt proud to have a mate with such resolve. Kamari never ceased to amaze him. 

"Very well." The priestess, who called herself Ursula, looked at Kamari and continued to speak. Javall has done nothing wrong. Nothing. And I insist on you releasing him so he can come home." 

Kamari chortles, "Nothing wrong? Did we skip the part where he almost killed me and my unborn whelp? Not to mention an alliance with Browen to overthrow me." 

"His actions were not without reason, however Ill-mannered. But, have you not committed a crime as well, Kamari?" Ursula's hands folded in front of her. Aneth gives a low growl, knowing the meaning of what Ursula said. The priestess's attention draws to him.

"I always wondered what Dragons looked like in human form," Ursula pauses, then looks Aneth up and down, "Still reptilian nevertheless. Besides, wouldn't we like to remain at peace? After all, you both have committed a crime, and Paldania has mourned the loss without retaliation, given your sorrowful background, but we could have easily struck back. Now, will you relinquish him?"

Aneth's brows furrow, and he glances at Kamari, whose hand clenches between her thighs. "I'm working on releasing Calea from a blood bind your precious Javall forced upon her. If Javall leaves, Calea has to go, and I'm not giving her to you."

Ursula wears a half smile but pays no mind to the other witch. "Casualties. They are a part of deals. As we had with Browen beforehand, our two lands would merge and become one dominant kingdom. Are you declining this?"

Kamari's jaw clenches, "I won't be under something else's thumb. Merging would mean I'd have to share Nivillia with someone who doesn't hold its best interest at heart, and frankly, my people have been through enough. As for Javall–"

"Take him," Aneth says, and he can already feel Kamari's gaze burning through his head. Aneth turns to her and, in a soft voice, says, "You lose one or the other, Kamari. You can't have both." Losing the witch didn't bother him, but he knew it would hurt Kamari. Aneth looks at the witch beside them; her eyes glisten, and she swallows hard. "It's the Kingdom Kamari or me. They won't leave without Javall." The witch says to Kamari, resting a hand upon hers. "Let me go."

Kamari starts to shake her head. She looks down at her lap, and for a long while, she says nothing. Kamari swallows hard. "I'll only release him on one condition." She says, " No harm will come to Calea."

Ursula smiles smugly, "Of course, she is our blood." Ursula holds her hand to the witch, "Come, my dear, let's bring you home." 

The witch doesn't take her hand; instead, she side-steps her. "Let's go," she says as she walks towards the door, and then Ryuu walks out in front of her. Aneth could feel anger in Ryuu. All three of Paldania's people turn to look at Ryuu.

The witch shakes her head at Ryuu, "Don't do something stupid. I told you, my fate is sealed." Aneth feels sincerity in the witch's voice, but Aneth knows well of a Dragon's heart. Ryuu would rather tear the witches apart than let the one he bonded with go.

"Ryuu." Aneth steps down, walking towards him. Let your mother's blood be the only thing that spills tonight." Ryuu's gaze never moves from the witch. "You are mine, not Paldania's. " Ryuu steps forward and caresses the witch's cheek. "And not Javalls."

The witch rolls her eyes and smiles. "I'm never going to change your mind, am I?" 

Even though Aneth and his brothers weren't happy that Ryuu was imprinted with a witch, Aneth admired Ryuu's solid hold on his choices. This witch had no idea what a Dragon would go through for her mate. 

"Never, Calea," Ryuu says softly, then gently grabs her head and places his forehead on hers. Something they all did to him was the easiest way for Koa and all of them to show their affection towards Ryuu. The Whelp had grown on Aneth. As they bring Javall out, Ryuu doesn't look at him. He pulls back from Calea only for a moment and then brings her into a passionate kiss in front of all of them.

Aneth smirks. Ryuu was claiming what was his, and it made Aneth feel proud. The way the witch doesn't fight against Ryuu starts to make Aneth think she also has feelings for Ryuu. If so, they wouldn't be hidden for long.

Ryuu walks up to Javall, a tension zapping between them. "I will break the hold you have on her, witch." He snarls out.

Javall puffs out his chest. "She is my Queen. It'd be wise not to test me, Dragon." Ryuu smirks at him. "Do you always hold the ones you love captive? Calea is free; her home is in Nivillia. And if I should hear any harm or disinterested look come her way, I will happily drag you to the depths of Kadea's hell."

Aneth places a hand on Ryuu's shoulder. "Come, Ryuu, there is nothing more to say." Aneth can feel Ryuu's resistance to turning away from the witch, but He gets him to walk towards his mother. Ryuu stares at the trail of blood and then at his mother.

"You gave birth?" Ryuu asks as he goes to his mother's side. "Am I always the last one to know?" Ryuu looks at Aneth, who chuckles warmly. 

"Did you not hear your mother's battle screams?" Aneth drops to his knees and places his hands on Kamari's thighs. "Let me see." 

"Wha-No! Not in front of Ryuu." The blush that flushes Kamari's cheeks amuses him. "Ryuu isn't a stranger to flesh. And your dress hides you." Aneth goes under her dress to assess her situation. Aneth learns more mundane human things whenever Kamari is without maids for pregnancy.

"Come, let's get you in bed. The blood has lessened." Aneth takes Kamari in his arms, then asks Ryuu, " Would you like to meet your sister? Ignis?

The Whelp's eyes light up. "Yes."