Mark of the Dragon

Chapter Fourteen

The rest of breakfast was quiet. When I finished, I stood up and asked Mrs. Hoiten for the grocery list. She handed me a piece of paper and some money.

"Where are you going, Cyzari?" Jonathan asked, getting up.

"Shopping," I answered. "By myself," I added when both he and Dean started to follow me.

"You know I can't let you go by yourself, Cyzari," Jonathan stated, continuing to follow me.

"No. You would just cause a scene, being the Prince's brother and all. I want to go by myself."

"Someone has to come with you, Cyzari. You were in a comatose state for three days," Dean reasoned.

"And I'm fine now. That's the whole reason I was let go, because I was healed and able-bodied. Now I say I want to go alone, then I'm going to go shopping alone," I stated, getting frustrated.

"I agree with the boys, Zari. Someone should go with you," Mrs. Hoiten reasoned as she started cleaning off the table. "And she's right. It shouldn't be Jonathan."

"So I guess I'm going," Dean said, shooting a gloating look at Jonathan.

"Fine." I sighed. "Let's go Dean."

And so we walked to the store. Dean was quiet on the way. We got the items on the list-which included ice cream, milk, bread, powdered sugar, unsweetened tea, some sea salt and other items.

When we went to check out, the only lane open was the one where Anthony was the cashier.

"Hey, Mouse. Where have you been? Everyone's been asking Dean here, but he wouldn't budge an inch on what happened to you," he said, an easy smile on his face.

"I've been sick. But I'm better now," I answered. "Everyone was asking?"

Anthony nodded.

"Thank you. See you Monday, Anthony," I said, waving as Dean grabbed the bags.

"See ya, Mouse."

Dean was silent, but it was obvious he wanted to say something to me. So I stopped once we were outside and dragged him to the side so we weren't blocking the doors.

"What?" I asked him. When he just stared at me, confused, I continued, "I can tell something's bugging you. What is it?"

"That Jonathan guy, the King's bastard," Dean stated.

"What about him?" I asked, crossing my arms, readying myself to defend Jonathan. That was strange, I hardly knew the guy, why was I ready to defending him?

"Why did he come with you?" Dean asked, setting his jaw.

"Because it was the only way that the Prince would let me come home. The one condition I was given."

"Yeah, but it seems like something more. Is there something going on with you two?" he asked, his forest green eyes staring down at me.

"Something like what?" I asked, frustrated.

"Are you..." Dean struggled with the sentence. "Are you dating him?"