The Dragon's Mate

Chapter 40

Hunter was confused by Emerald's words asking, "what are you talking about? what did you see?." Emerald tries to hide her tears pressing her palms to her eyes as Hunter comes closer saying, "something's clearly spooked you senseless, please, talk to me about it." Emerald sadly says, "I- I can't- I----". Hunter says, "listen, this is me, no one else, you can tell me anything I hope you know that." Emerald takes a deep breath before saying, "I know this might sound crazy... but I was pulled into a dream that was not a dream, it was like my soul had been kidnapped." Hunter says, "what?! what kind of sick bastard would do that to you?." Emerald answers, "his name was Rowan, he was a human who had harnessed magic, and he told me... he showed me what happened to my brother, he showed me how he died and how I got my scar." Hunter asks, "how is that possible?." Emerald looks at Hunter thinking, 'I need to trust him.' Emerald says, "Hunter... he unlocked my memory, he showed me that Jasper was crushed in an old barn fire and the flames were purple." Hunter's face is left with shocked as his hands fall to his side as Emerald asks, "do you... know what I am talking about?." Hunter says, "Emerald-." Emerald says, "answer the question! Yes or no?." Hunter says, "yes..." Emerald's single word hits her with a force like a bullet. Emerald asks, "you really killed my brother? How long have you been messing with me?." Hunter shakes his head replying, "no, I was not responsible for that fire." Emerald angrily says, "what are you saying? you are the only one with the power of the purple flame." Hunter says, "I was not born with this power, I was never supposed to be King." Emerald was stunned saying, "wh-what?." 

Emerald feels her heartbeat loud in her ears as Hunter's eye stare into hers with more sincerity than she has ever seen. Hunter says, "I was not my father's firstborn son, I was-." Before Hunter could explain further, a bell is rung, and a woman sweeps into the room with an eerily unreadable expression. Hunter asks, "what is the meaning of this?." The woman replies, "the high Priest requests your presence and that of the royal courtesan." A low growl eeks from Hunter's throat, brimming with frustration. Hunter says, "fine." Hunter turns to Emerald saying, "the next time we are alone, I will tell you everything." Emerald says, "you won't, I am sure you will keep me in the dark." Hunter says, "I promise, I will tell you everything." They soon freshen up as they are soon led deep into the overgrown confines of the ruined castle whilst Emerald's thoughts were on the conversation from earlier, 'what did Hunter mean? he's not the firstborn son? then how-'. The woman replies, "follow me." Hunter and Emerald follow the woman into a subterranean cave as sunlight dances over the warm pool of clear water, the soft tinkling of its peaceful waterfall plays like a song. Hunter asks, "what does the high Priest want with us?." The woman replies, "that is for him to explain, your Grace." As the woman goes over to the other side the high Priest comes saying, "welcome, my King and Emerald." Hunter says, "my Priest, what is it that you need from us?." The high priest replies, "need from you? what a question!." The Priest opens his arms welcomingly, gesturing to the pool of water before saying, "please, both of you, remove your shoes and step into the water." Emerald and Hunter hesitate but after a long moment, Hunter pulls his boots off as Emerald follows behind him as she steps into the water at the same time as Hunter, the water travels up to their knees like a warm bath. The high Priest says, "you were recently named courtesan, Emerald." 

He looks down at her with a completely unreadable expression asking, "how do you feel about this?." Emerald replies, "I am honoured, I will do my best to perform my duties." The priest stares at Emerald for a long time, unmoving like a statue before saying, "interesting." Emerald thinks, 'I can't read this man, not at all.' He says, "now, turn away from one another and remove the rest of your clothes please." Emerald was stunned saying, "w-what?!." Hunter asks, "is that really necessary?." The high Priest replies in a firm tone, "yes." Hunter says, "very well," back-to-back Emerald and Hunter remove their clothes as his skin radiate a vibration feeling come close to Emerald as she thinks, 'I can't even see him, how is this sensation so strong?.' The high Priest says, "I did say, all of your clothes Emerald." The Priest eyes the bandage wrapped on her arm as this is the bandage that hides her Dragon's mark. Emerald says, "my lord, this covers my arm for modesty due to an old wound." He says, "this is a creative story though it is untrue." Hunter says, "high Priest, I insist you not to-". The Priest says, "it's quite alright, my King I know what lies beneath the bandage."