Dragonkin 2: My Persistent Mate

Part 14 Binding

Pointing at his fang marks on my neck, "This only meant you marked me but it didn't mean I'm yours. Don't forget I didn't mark you, so you didn't have full claim on me and I didn't have any on you". Poking my finger at his chest, I emphasize, "We are not mated yet. I can still reject you and find another lover". Pushing myself off his hard chest, I'm now in a hurry to leave his annoying presence. His? His? In his dreams!

However, before I can get off his warm body, I am yanked back and lay splayed on his body again. "What are you doing, you stupid oaf of a prince!" I demand irately. "Let me go. I'm not yours! You don't have any claim on me!" His arm clamp tightly around my torso and arms, preventing me from pounding on his chest. The other arm gently cradling my head against his warm torso so I can hear the strong beating of his heart.

Despite the fact I'm angry right now, listening to his steady heartbeat calms me and before long, my anger evaporates into thin air. Giving up my futile struggling against his superior strength, I settle into his embrace. Lips softly kissing the crown of my head, I hear him murmur, "No matter how you protest, dragana, I've marked you, so you're mine". His body stiffening in preparation for my retaliation, he plunges on, "Before you start punching me, need I remind you that I asked for your permission before marking you? You were willing, more than eager for my fangs to mark you as mine". My cheeks heated up in flames as I recall what transpired during our bout of hot sex. Craving for his rod in my sheath, I tacitly agreed to his demands. Should have considered the repercussions of that rash act.

Nuzzling against the top of my head, he declares boldly, "With my mark, no other males will dare to come near you. There'll be no other lovers after me. And I'll make damn sure to convince you to take me as your mate so you'll only look at me and no one else". After a pregnant pause, he continues, "I'm sorry, dragana. The marking may have been done during the act of passion but it is binding. Would it be so bad if I were to be your mate?"

Hell yes, it would be very, very bad. My mind works furiously to think of ways to get myself out of this sticky situation. You're my True Mate. If we're truly mated, I'll have just signed my prison warrant. I'll be shackled to your straitlaced self. Overprotective, you'll curtail my freedom. No!!! The horrifying thought resonates throughout my mind.

Attempting to strike a bargain, I state, "You said you'll convince me to take you as my mate. How long do you want to set as the trial period? The convincing period can't be as long as it takes. What happens if I remain unconvinced? Or I prefer someone else as my mate? Or someone else catches your fancy? It won't be fair to both of us".

"That won't happen," he replies confidently. "You're the one for me. But if it'll set your mind at ease, we can set the trial period to be a year".

Yes, my mind did a fist pump. I have a year's grace to convince him to dump me.

Gaining my reluctant acceptance, he loosens his hold on me and sits up. Smoothing my hair, Karalian instructs, "Stand, let's clean you up. We need to head back for the palace before someone spots us naked lying here".

Pulling me up, I wobble. Standing, his warm hands went to my hips as he helps me regain my footing. Turning me towards him, his face comes down on mine passionately and our tongues met in intense love briefly. His hands brush the sand from my body before hugging me close. "Dragana, choose me," he whispers next to my ear, sending exciting chills down my spine before swatting my butt playfully, "Change into dragon form and return to the palace. I'll follow after you".

His playful mood is so out of character for him that I stare at him for a while, wondering if he's been possessed by an imp. Then wanting to return to my room before being spotted by anyone that I'm in the company of the Crown Prince, I transform into my dragon form and swiftly retreat to my quarters.