Nithe: The Dragon Emperor's Love

Chapter 4: A Little Dragon's Baba

The next morning Lala was playing around when Drakar woke up. He saw Nithe was cooking. It distressed him to see Nithe bent over the stove.

"We can go to the clan today. That way, it won't be delayed," said Nithe.

Then they heard a howl from outside and both ran out. They saw their child twisting in pain, mid-formation.

Drakar gathered his child in his arms, Nithe soothing him.

"Lala, do you trust me?"

Lala nodded; eyes tearful.

"Then, I will show you my dragon form now."

The next moment Drakar turned and the entire area fell into a daze, the power of the aura uprooting trees and the forest animals began to shriek in fear. But Lala looked at his Baba, not too scared anymore. The red and golden dragon nuzzled the little dragon. Even though the child fell unconscious after that, when the golden glow subsided, there was a little red, blue and golden dragon, snoozing on the emperor. Nithe couldn't hold back his tears and he hugged his child close.

"Did you see, your highness? Our child turned," said Nithe, relief and pain written all over his face.

"Hmm."

They waited for Lala to wake up and he did.

His little golden eyes widened and then he flipped his tail. Sure enough, after jumping on both of them to nuzzle enough, the little dragon started running around.

It was probably hours later that Nithe asked, "How are we to explain the pressure?"

"Just say- probably the emperor is in the woods."

Nithe was leaning on Drakar still watching their child play.

"Your highness, will you please go back? Thank you for everything, but will you?"

Drakar looked at his mate and realised he was crying.

He has only seen Nithe cry twice before now.

One was when he was giving birth and he walked in only to have their privacy evaded by Tarako. And the second time was when he walked out of the palace.

Drakar lifted his chin.

"If you truly want me to break the mating bond, I will break it for you because I know what I have done to you. But, you should know that no one else will become my mate. And, return to the capital with me. Is this where our son should grow up? I know I have let you down but I will not let him down," said Drakar. Nithe was looking at him.

"He is still Nithe's son. How can you ensure that he is treated fairly? You have not lied to me before, so I won't call it a lie, but how capable are you, your highness? Did you manage to remove the problems around you? Are you living in a daze?"

"I have been since the day you both left."

"You had everything you treasure at your disposal. I never wanted to seize you from anyone or to be your consort. All I wanted was to love you from the sidelines. But what did I get from the people I called mine? All the alphas in my life have only let me down- my father, my brother, my husband- why should I believe this now? Even now, I don't understand what made you change how you see me. I don't want to be second best anymore. Do you know how much strength I had to gather to walk out?"

"Will you trust me just once more?"

Drakar held his mate in his arms and Nithe didn't resist him.

Nithe let himself be held, leaning on the emperor's warm chest as they watched their son.

"I need to think."