Know Your Heart

Chapter 36:Search, found, rescue?

A/N: I hope you all enjoy reading it.

Naia's Pov:

Being alone in the woods of this new world, in a kingdom that I am maybe the princess of and, will be the queen of. It reminded me just how crazy all of this actually is, and a violent shiver raced through my body.

I slowly turned in a circle trying to find whatever direction would offer me warmth. Focusing on the task at hand is better than dwelling on the insane changes that happened in my life.

Once I felt a flicker of warmth, I ran in that direction as my life depended on it. The faster I find my familiar, the faster I can connect with my dragon properly and find out my scale color.

It will, at least, lead me to one answer for my many questions. Maybe I should focus on the good things rather than uncertainties like I have three mates, triples, a king, a doctor, and a great magic-user.

I should ask Javier more about the youngest triplet when I return so that I can be better prepared for him. Going from sweet Daddy Javier to strict sadist Jexk was a bit of a shift for me.

Even if the shift was almost effortless since they each call to different aspects of who I am. I wonder what Jadid will bring out of me with his presence?

My legs started to hurt, my lungs started to burn from all of my running. Although funnily enough, I ran for much longer than I usually do. Another perk on being a dragon hybrid I suppose.

I slowed down considerably as I pushed aside some bushes and entered a pretty clearing littered with flowers, and deer with different shades of fur.

Stepping further into the clearing, slowly as to not startle any of the deer, I stood in a light. A chill went through me from not feeling its warmth.

I extended my hand out to the group of deer and spoke as sweetly as I could, "I am Naia, King Javier, and the princes Jexk and Jadid's mate. I am looking for my familiar and I know that you are here. Please come to me, so that we can make a pact."

"Why should I?", I heard a female voice speak but I couldn't figure out what direction it was coming from.

"I can offer you comfort in my care, love, patience, and understanding. What do you want?", I spoke my piece while my eyes slowly locked eyes with each deer in the group.

"You left me alone here for years, waiting for you. How can I trust you?", She spoke with a passion that made my chest tighten and tears form in my eyes.

"I'm not asking you to trust me, I'm asking you to give me a chance. I wasn't born here, I didn't even know any of this existed a few days ago. I'm from a planet called earth, and everything here is so much. But the second I knew I could have you, I wanted you and I will never throw you away", I spoke honestly letting my tears fall.

I took one step forward and smiled as sweetly as I could, "I know that fear of being discarded and I want to ease yours. Please come to me, so that we can start learning about each other and making up for a lost time, now until our last breath."

"The second I feel as if this is no longer worth it, I will leave you", She spoke sternly, with no room for argument.

"Understood", I told her as I closed my eyes trying to picture being left behind by a creature that is supposed to be my platonic soulmate from the way Javier explained.

The sound of footsteps getting closer, accompanied the warmth that started to trickle down my body. I stayed still, eyes closed, hand extended out and suddenly I felt like Hiccup.

Soft fur touched my palm as well as a wave of warmth going through and I opened my eyes slowly, taking in the sight in front of me. Dark, jet black fur freckles with white, like a section of the night sky, fell into the forest.

Wide rudy red eyes staring intensely up and down on my person as I checked my familiar out. She looked like a hybrid mix of a deer, wolf, and some sort of bird, with the matching black and white dotted wings folded on their sides.

"I'm so sorry I made you wait, um", I spoke honestly as I slowly locked eyes with her.

"My name is Achlys" She replied with a huff and quick swish of their long fluffy tail.

"You are so beautiful, Achlys. Does this mean you'll make a soul bond with me?", I told her with a smile as I took a step closer to her, my hand slowly moving down, caressing the fur on her neck.

"No, but we are on a trail run" She clarified for me as she took a step back.

"What does that mean, exactly?", I asked as I slowly lowered my hands.

"It means that we are taking things old school in a sense. I will help you but you will have to earn it each time, am I understood?", She spoke sternly, their red eyes suddenly reminding me of fire.

"Yes, Achlys. I understand and agree to your terms", I told her while giving her a soft smile.

"Hold out your hand", She ordered as came closer and slowly lowered her head down so that it was level with mine.

After extending my hand out with my palm facing the ground, she licked the back of my hand. It felt like the lick of fire, the flash of heat was intense that tears formed in my eyes, and my breath came out as a hiss.

This feeling only lasted seconds, looking down at the back of my left hand showed me the mark Achlys left behind. A moon shaded to show a waning crescent surrounded by a few stars.

"You naive little girl, or perhaps you're simply too trusting as I once was", Achlys spoke with slight pity in her voice as a wave of drowsiness started to overtake me.

"What did", I tried to finish my sentence yet the grass was getting closer to my face

"Sleep, little queen-to-be", Achlys told me with a slight sneer as she pushed my chest enough for me to fall on my back in the flowery meadow.

Pulling the last bit of my strength I tried to call for my mate, "Javi-"

As my vision started to darken, I cried out for my mates with my mental voice as loudly as I could. 

A/N: Please leave a comment. I love reading them all.