Water Touched - A Dragon Tribe Origin

Chapter Twenty-Eight - Tai

"So, when did this whole mating ritual of yours start?" Tai asked as they walked through the park. "You know, the whole take people away from home and make them be your spouse thing."

Darien pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'll tell you, but can you, I don't know, speak in code or something? Otherwise, I'm going to regret coming out." The park near his house in Oceina City wasn't busy necessarily, but she understood he still had to be careful. There was always the possibility someone could overhear bits and pieces of their conversation. Because he looked so human, she often forgot that he was also a dragon. Slayers were a growing faction in Oceina. She was noticing their propaganda was getting a lot less subtle. Speak in code, got it.

All the same, the change of scenery was good for them both, and it helped with Tai's desire to feel less like a prisoner and more normal. On her adventure alone in the city, she'd enjoyed being out amongst real people. She wanted a full tour, and Darien promised to give her one—starting now.

The park was right next to the condominium complex where they lived. Not a huge adventure out. She understood the logic. Get her more acquainted with the immediate area before branching further. She couldn't wait to see more of downtown where all of the beautiful buildings were. The park was beautiful too, of course. Neat, paved trails circled and crisscrossed throughout, winding through lush trees, and bright blue flowers of various shades ranging from near purple to the color of the sky. They'd even stopped at an ice cream stand. For a first official date, they were off to a good start.

He took a moment to take a bite from his ice cream cone before speaking. "It's how things are done here and have been done since the first of my ancestors," he explained. "You see Percy and his would- be-future bride Andromeda, were madly in love. There was no way to live with her family when he never seemed to age, so they created the ruse of the sacrifice. We can't have people know the truth."

"I get the not knowing part. You don't have to explain that anymore," she said. "That's not what I mean when...oh never mind."

"No, it's okay. Ask."

"Why keep it going?" she asked.

"Is there a better way?" he countered.

She frowned. "I want to believe there is."

"Me too," he said softly. "But until we can think of one..."

"Got it."

Darien nodded. "I am sorry...I wanted to be the one that made the change, but..."

"I know," she whispered. Louder, "Why did you risk letting me go if you're so paranoid about it getting out?"

"I trust you," he said and then finished his cone. He swallowed, licked his fingers clean, and then continued. "One of the things I love most about you is your loyalty and integrity. You're smart too."

She took a slow lick of her own cone. "You make it difficult to stay mad at you, did you know that?"

"I can be more incorrigible if that's more to your liking." He smirked. "I'm not always so agreeable and perfect."

"It's not a bad thing. I didn't think you wanted me to be mad at you." She shrugged, finally finishing off her own ice cream. What little bits of vanilla remained she wiped clean with a napkin.

He also shrugged. "Obviously, I want you to be happy, and especially with me. You know how I feel about you."

"Right, you love me." She rolled her eyes, but smiled. It was important to make sure she reminded him of the fact that she wasn't quite on the same page, but she stopped calling him a lunatic and a stalker. Doing such thorough research was unsettling. When he said he only watched her walk about the island, she believed him. All he was trying to do was figure out if they might be compatible as a couple. Or maybe she was only trying to find a justification for it, so she didn't concentrate on the creepy angle. Regardless, he was doing what he was told. She'd work harder to teach him the more modern ways of dating.