The Dragons Mark

Chapter 23: The Final Mark

                                          Teal had sat all morning designing the mark, she had finally decided to use vines on an iron gate outside the zoo window as inspiration for it. The iron represented the strength of the dragons, and the vines represented their flexibility. When the shamans arrived that Doc had arranged for Teal had found out that the mark she designed wound be the universal mark of mate used for all human mates of the dragons. Teal was surprised and slightly embarrassed, if she had known that she would have made it more complex, but Xerus and Nyala both agreed that what she designed was perfect.

                                         Several hours later she was sitting in a chair, it was her turn to get the mark. She winced only slightly here and there as the Shaman hammered the tattoo into her skin bit by bit, the old-fashioned way, with no technology. "Why did I let you talk me into this!"

                                          "I would like to think you did it because of my brilliance but let's not fool ourselves." Xerus smiled, he watched with surprise at how well she took the pain. He found that very exciting, but then Xerus found everything about Teal exciting. "It's because I'm cute"

                                          Teal tried to slap him with her free hand but he duck and blew her a kiss "What about you, don't you need one of these?"

                                           "Nyala gets to give me mine" he winced at the thought of it, she was sure to make it sting. That's when his heart nearly shattered at the thought that he wouldn't bare any mark from her, he wanted Teal's mark too, not just Nyala's "you have it easier, she gets to draw blood."

                                            "So do you" Nyala growled at him wondering what the frown was for.

                                           "If you think I am going to enjoy that part, I don't think you know me as well as you say you do" Xerus sneered at her. "I don't like hurting you, I like kicking your ass, there's a difference." Then the thought hit him and he turned to the Shaman "Could you give me this exact tattoo?"

                                          "Yes," the Shaman responded a bit surprised "I'm assuming cost is no option." He silently hoped for the opportunity to discuss a more political matter with them, now he might get that chance.

                                           "Whatever you want we will pay you." Nyala was puzzled, she looked at Teal who was clearly just as confused then she looked at Xerus, hoping for an answer.

                                           "What are thinking about Xerus?" Teal asked

                                          "I want your mark Teal," his heart was racing "I am yours too not just Nyala's." He tried to calm himself wondering what the odd sensation was that was in him. "The typical scars are for the dragon form; they don't show on the human form." He turned to the shaman "will this show on both forms?"

                                           "Yes it will," he answered "I can't tell you how it will translate but it will show on both forms."