The Dragon's Mate

Chapter 43

Hunter holds Emerald tightly as she feels her Dragon's mark flare to life, but it is not agony she feels but comfort as Hunter says, "please Emerald.... give your pain...." For a moment she feels her strength return as the unbearable pain dulls as she wonders, 'he's... trying to take my pain?.' Emerald tries to hold still but a blinding pain makes her arch her back loosening Hunter's grip as the heat from his connection dies and the pain returns in full force, Emerald cries out. Hunter says, "I can take your pain away, I can take it for you Emerald." Hunter tightens his grips again as she looks into his eyes, they gleam not with aggression but with desperation and guilt. Hunter says, "Emerald, please... you have to let me in, you have to trust me... it won't work if you don't." Emerald feels the soothing warmth of Hunter's attempt to trickle back in, blocked by something she put in place as he says, "trust me, let me in baby." Emerald says, "o....kay...." Her voice is weak and dry however it's enough for Hunter who smiles as his presence is like a pillar as he presses his forehead to hers. Hunter says, "that's it," the warmth comes in wave, each wash upon the shore lapping away the pain; Hunter grits his teeth, straining to take the pain, but it is far less intense for him.

 He says, "thank you Emerald, you are doing great." Emerald says, "I should be the one thanking you." Hunter gives her a small encouraging smile saying, "no, you trusted me, even in all your pain and that's far more than what I am doing for you." Heat blooms in her chest, startling her, it's not from the venom, or the bond... Hunter takes her chin in his hands and tips her lip to meet his, he gently sucks the venom from her body without any pain. Emerald feels weak but finally free of her suffering, falls against Hunter's chest. Hunter says, "let's get you to the bed." He lifts her effortlessly in his arm as she knots a hand in the leather strap at his chest thinking, 'that was intense, I need to press closer to Hunter for comfort.' She turns her face to Hunter's shoulder holding onto him with both her hands. He folds her closer, his lip brushing the top of her head as he says, "just rest, Emerald, it's alright." As he places her on the bed; he sits up saying, "I am sorry this happened, if I had known what they were planning I would have-". Emerald says sadly, "it was not something you could control, and it is not worth worrying about now, it's done." Hunter says, "but I'm the Dragon King, I should be able to overcome a mere drug." Emerald weakly thinks, 'the Dragon King.....' with the little strength she has, she lifts herself up in the bed's Hunter asks, "what are you doing? lay down." Emerald replies, "no, you promised the next time we were alone you would tell me the truth, what did you mean when you said you were not supposed to be King?." Hunter lowers his gaze as he sinks down next to her on the mattress as Emerald asks, "was it a lie to cover up murdering my brother?." 

Hunter answers, "it was not a lie, it's the truth... my twin brother Cole was born first, five minutes before me and he was born with the purple fire inside him." Emerald says confused, "but how? How is that possible if you-?." Hunter replies, "it's a long, complicated story and I don't have all the answers." Emerald says, "I do not care if it is long, please I need to know." She twist in the sheets as he body trembles saying, "I cannot get the image of Jasper dying in those purple flames out of my mind, to think you had something to do with it.... it's torture...." Hunter says, "I did not do it, I swear to you Emerald." Emerald says, "then tell me everything, Hunter." Hunter hesitates before leaning in close as he takes her chin in his hands again. She asks, "w-what are you doing?." Hunter replies, "I don't have to tell you, after having my venom in your system, I can show you." His eyes flick purple as her Dragon's Mark hums with a quiet strength as his thumb strokes the previously poisoned cut. Hunter asks, "can you trust me, Emerald?." Emerald looks at Hunter replying, "I trust you, Hunter." Hunter leans into her mouth where his fangs touched, a magnetic pull awakens as he whispers against the wound, and a cool smoke coils from his mouth as he speaks. He says, 'momento.' The smoke-spoken command slips into her body, cool and silent like a gasp, her vision blurs and she falls back, Emerald thinks, 'unlike Rowan who forced me I feel like I am floating like a feather into Hunter.'