The Dragon's Mate

Chapter 41

Emerald has a worried expression on her face thinking, 'what?'. The high Priest says, "please, Emerald, reveal your Dragon's mark". Blood pounds in her ears as Hunter cuts through the water, lunging at the Priest with a protective snarl as the high Priest says, "no need to be protective, my lord your secret is safe with me and my reverent sisters". Emerald feels something deep inside her as Hunter soon senses this and steps back saying, "it's okay, Emerald... show him". Emerald holds her breath before slowly unwrapping her arm as her Dragon's Mark is revealed, it begins to glow as the sisters audibly gasp as the runic markings curl up on her flesh with a crystalline shimmer, reflecting off of the water and the Priest's calm smile; he says, "how extraordinary you two are, surpassing the fates you were both destined at birth". Emerald wonders, 'what does he mean by that?'. The Dragon Priest's steps into the water, reaching for her arm as an overwhelming senses of fear, Emerald flinches away from the Priest's outstretched hand as he says, "it is really alright, Emerald... please". It takes a lot of convincing, but she finally extends her arm to the Priest as he cradles it carefully; his hand is cold but gentle, he drags a long bony finger over her mark and the shimmer flickers and dies. 

He says, "hmm, something is off". Hunter was stunned saying, "off?". The high Priest says, "I sense something has passed between you, something that has driven you apart". Emerald bows her head down thinking of all that has passed between her and Hunter wondering, 'we've grown closer... but with all the secrecy...'. The high Priest says, "you will need to reseal your bond". Emerald looks at the high Priest saying, "reseal it?". He nods saying, "it can be done with a look or touch, something invited by the giver and the bearer, you must reconnect". Hunter says, "reconnect...".He turns as he craves nothing more than to reseal his bond with Emerald as she looks at him saying, "Hunter...". He says, "Emerald...". Shredding the last of her defences, Emerald threads her fingers in between his as he says, "thank you"; the rest of the cave falls aways as Hunter squeezes her hand, his grip firm and confident. Emerald doesn't let go as she turns and leans back thinking, 'he's just holding my hand, it's so simple but it feels so...'. He drags his thumb up over her marked wrist as it surges to life beneath his touch as bright and pure as the day it was made. The high Priest says, "wonderful, the bond is resealed, we must now cleanse your bodies". The sisters come into the water and begin to wash Emerald and Hunter as a few moment later the high Priest says, "now you must ready yourselves for the ceremony". Hunter was confused asking, "what ceremony?". However, the priest does not answer Hunter who is then led away down one side of the cave and Emerald is led down the other as soon Emerald arrives at a breathtaking bedroom, carved into the stone face of the mighty cave with a large four-poster bed in the center of the room. 

Emerald asks, "is this ceremony.... something safe?". The high Priest replies, "it is very safe, you have nothing to fear, my dear. after all... you are the promised one,the one who will change everything". Emerald turns confused wondering,'the promised one? what does he mean by that?'. Emerald says, "my Priest, I am just a mere human girl". The high Priest says, "you are far more than that, soon you will see". Before Emerald can ask any more questions, his attending sister brings forward a wooden box with Emerald confused asking, "what are these for?". The high Priest answered, "the vigil, before marriage, the King is given one last night to settle his... bestial urges, as the King's royal courtesan it is your right and duty to see this night through with him". Emerald says, "bestial urges?". before she can say anything further the sisters lead Hunter into the room as she says, "wow, Hunter...". The high Priest says, "it is your turn, Emerald... which you will choose to adorn yourself in for your King and lover, Emerald?". Hearing the word 'lover' sends a shiver through Emerald's body as she says, "I will wear the golden lace lingerie". As she changes into it; the high Priest says, "a beautiful choice to compliment a beautiful creature, I am sure our King will agree". The blindfold is removed from Hunter's eyes as he says, "yes... I very much agree...". The high Priest says, "we are ready". The sisters bring forward a pot filled with a thick swirling and blue smoke with Emerald asking, "what is that?". The high Priest says, "your Grace, inhale this". Hunter says, "wait, I did not agree to a vigil like this". Emerald is shocked to see Hunter's panicked expression as the high Priest says, "it's tradition". Emerald says, "hang on, what are you doing?! You can't force him!". The high Priest answers, "It is required of him, and you". Emerald says, "me?". Hunter says, "Emerald, I am sorry". The sisters shove Hunter over the bowl and force him to inhale the smoke as Hunter emerges saying, "fight me, Emerald".