The Dragon's Charm

Chapter 5

Cathal watched Sandra trail her fingers along the spine of an ancient book as they concluded their tour of his home. She had been full of questions throughout – about the heated floors, the glowing gold, the endless pantry, and especially about his dragon form. Her curiosity was refreshing, especially compared to the calculated interest most showed in those with dragon magic.

"So you actually prefer sleeping as a dragon?" she asked, turning back to face him. The charm at her throat caught the light, reminding him of its true significance – a significance he had carefully avoided mentioning during their tour.

"Many of us do, especially those who are unmated," he explained, using the common term rather than the more formal 'unbonded.' "There's a... comfort to it."

Sandra's brow furrowed slightly. “What do you mean by mated?”

Cathal chose his words carefully, not wanting to reveal too much too soon. "Those with dragon magic approach lifelong bonds differently. When we mate – marry," he corrected himself quickly, "it truly is until death parts us. The magic ensures that.Those without dragon magic would call it being married, though the terms aren't quite equivalent.”

"That sounds..." she paused, searching for the right word, "intense."

He smiled at her understated response. If she only knew the half of it. The dragon charm she wore was more than just a magical trinket – it was a sign that their souls would be compatible, that they could share magic without harm, that they could be true mates. But he wanted to court her properly, to let her come to know him without the pressure of a possible destiny hanging over her head.

"It's simply our way," he said instead. "The magic shapes much of our culture." He watched her absorb this information, admiring how the golden light played across her features. The healing bread had already begun its work – some of the exhaustion had faded from her face, and her movements were more fluid.

The charm seemed to pulsed gently, responding to their proximity and his magic. He wondered if she could feel it. Probably not – it was still new to her and only a small portion of his dragon magic would be flowing into her. The flow would increase in time, assuming she chose to stay.

And she would have to choose. That was one truth he wouldn't hide from her, even if he kept the full significance of the potential bond to himself for now. Whatever had brought her here – whatever scheme or circumstance had delivered his charm into her grandmother's hands – Sandra would have to decide her own path forward.

"It's getting late," he said, noting how she tried to stifle a yawn. "I've prepared a room for you. Tomorrow, if you're willing, we can go to the village in the valley below this mountain tomorrow.  There is a well known dress maker there and you could use some shoes and other necessities.  It will also allow you to meet some people.  Letting the village know that you are with me could be helpful, should you choose to stay."

He didn't miss how her hand tightened around the charm at the mention of staying, or the flash of uncertainty in her eyes. But there was curiosity there too, and something that might have been hope. It was enough, for now.

Besides, he had centuries of patience to draw upon. He could wait for her to discover what the charm had already revealed – that they were meant to be together. In the meantime, he would court her as any human might, with no talk of destiny or magical bonds. Just two people learning about each other, even if one of them happened to be able to turn into a dragon.