TBATE-ONESHOTS

A Dragon Princess 14

"What?!" Caera yelled, her eyes flying wide. A moment later, she gritted her teeth, "Like hell she is."

All of the instructors and Ellie looked at Caera with widened gazes.

Arthur's brows slowly raised, with his head slowly turning toward Caera. When his gaze landed on her, he asked in a low tone, "Excuse me?"

Caera flinched and paled slightly. "I-I mean, you shouldn't take her." Her eyes flicked to Tessia and narrowed, "You don't need the dead weight."

Tessia's jaw clenched as she met Caera's gaze, and her eyes narrowed.

Arthur stared at Caera for a moment before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. It was almost like he mentally counted to ten before he opened his eyes again, looking at Caera, and spoke calmly. "This is my decision. My decision is final." His eyes narrowed. "And, beyond contestation."

Caera looked back at Arthur, seeming genuinely confused. She looked him up and down before speaking softly, "Okay."

Eleanor's eyes darted between Caera and Arthur, her expression tight. A second later, she turned and ran off.

Arthur's head snapped toward Ellie, and his brow raised, wondering where she was going. However, he didn't have time to worry about that as he had other things to deal with.

Arthur looked at Jasmine and said, "After the recruits are dismissed, have a rider fly out to the floating castle to inform the council on what is happening."

Jasmine nodded, "I'll go myself."

"Very good," Arthur said, then looked at Helen. "Let's go."

Helen nodded to Arthur as he began to walk off. Tessia, Caera, Helen, and Adam began to follow Arthur, with Tessia ignoring the occasional glares from Caera.

As they left the training hall, Arthur looked over his shoulder at Tessia and pointed to the ground beside him.

Tessia raised a brow, "Are you trying to tell me to walk beside you? If so, be a big boy and use your words."

Helen and Adam looked at Tessia with raised brows, with Adam seeming to try to hide a humorous grin.

Caera shot Tessia a death glare, seeming to want to say something.

However, before she could, Arthur spoke flatly, "Walk beside me."

Tessia walked a little faster so she was not walking shoulder to shoulder with Arthur, "What?"

Arthur looked forward, "First off, drop the attitude."

Tessia scoffed, "I'm not dropping shit. And if you think I'm going to thank you for helping me with your girlfriend problems, think again."

Arthur stopped and turned toward Tessia with an intense gaze. His azure eyes bore into her, and Tessia turned, meeting his glare with one of her own. They stood there, glaring at each other, neither breaking eye contact.

"Helen," Arthur said tightly. "Take Adam and Caera. I'll join you in a moment."

Helen nodded, then looked at Caera and Adam and said, "Let's go."

Adam nodded and began to follow Helen as she walked off. Caera stood there for a second, her crimson eyes darting between Arthur and Tessia for a second, before she walked off with a huff.

"First off, I wouldn't expect you to apologize," Arthur began, glaring into Tessia's eyes. "Second, I already told you that Caera and I are not in a relationship. So stop fucking saying that."

Tessia raised a brow, "Why. Afraid of what others might think. I can't imagine why, Caera is very pretty."

Arthur narrowed his eyes, "Just so you know, in our culture, we are strict on monogamy. Once you choose your partner, you're together. Only under special circumstances can you break your relationship." His eyes fell, "Unless your mates. Then nothing would be able to come between you." He cleared his throat and met Tessia's gaze again. "Thirdly, I don't need you going into this meeting with an attitude. Keep your mind and emotions calm. While I would love to rip the throats out of the basilisk riders throat, it would be wise to avoid a battle for now, and learn what we can."