A Pet for the Dragons

51.

A/N> Hey everyone! I'm back. Sorry for not posting for the past few weeks. I was feeling burnt out and went for a short vacation. I'm back now and feeling somewhat refreshed. Also, some people were asking me about my Patreon page. I've paused the membership for this month, so you won't be able to join this month, but I'll reopen it in September so you can join easily. 

Another note for iOS users who use Patreon- don't pledge through the iOS app. It'll cost 30% extra starting in November of this year. Instead, pledge through the web browser or another non-ios app. That's all. Onto the chapter now. 

~

ARIKA

"Where are we?" Ivret asked. I was very aware of the two of them holding my hands. I knew they were being careful that I wouldn't make a run for it. This made me nervous, but to make it worse, a nagging voice in my head constantly told me that I wasn't doing right by them.

The nagging voice continued telling me to stop this, but I wouldn't listen. I'd gotten a chance to be here through the skin of my teeth. It'd be epically foolish of me to let this chance go.

I would hate myself forever for not taking this chance, but then another part of me felt empty at the thought of not seeing these dragons again. After how well they'd cared for me, I felt like a monster for doing this to them.

I'd miss Ivret's innocence, Zorge's playfulness and even Radrox's broodiness, which made me find new ways to test him. Nothing could've prepared me for this strange yet profound realisation at the very last moment.

As we stood at the entrance of the gynaecology department, I started questioning my life.

What did I have to go back to besides a life of piracy, which would be full of uncertainty, and the sea, which would never be able to provide me with the warmth and care I'd gotten from them? I had nothing worth looking forward to in my old life, which made me realise how empty I was.

On top of this, I also had a bounty on my head. This was another issue I hadn't considered. I hadn't been on land for so long that I forgot about certain things.

"Obstetrics and Gynaecology department," I replied, feeling lost suddenly. "There's the reception. We should talk there first. They'll let us know if a doctor is available to see me," I said, pushing away my stormy emotions and focus. I tried not to stare at the painting of the pregnant woman.

It haunted me—not because the painting was ugly but because it reminded me of my deepest, darkest desire—to become a mother someday and give my children everything I never had. I'd always dreamed of becoming a mother, but I knew that it'd always be only a dream of mine because of my uncertain lifestyle. Bringing a child into this would be purely cruel, but my desire was too profound to ignore.

I looked away from the painting before it could trigger more dark emotions.

I couldn't make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions.

I reminded myself of the servers again. I still couldn't remember where I'd kept them, and these dragons were only acting nice to me because they believed I had the servers to give them.

I was sure they'd be cruel to me after learning the truth, and I needed to do something before they could discover the truth.

"Alright. I'll talk to the female there," Zorge announced, and he headed towards the receptionists before I could stop him.

"Good morning, sir. How may I help you?" The receptionist asked.

"I wish to see a healer. My mate is bleeding between her legs," Zorge announced. My jaw was on the floor, and I felt heat flooding my face. I couldn't decide what horrified me most— the fact that Zorge referred to me as his mate or the fact that he outright told the receptionist that I had my periods.