Dragonkin 4 You're my Mate? No thanks.

Part 2 Introduction

"Hello handsome," her musical lilting voice exclaims. Dimples wink at me from the corners of her mouth. "I've been waiting for you here. I fell asleep when you took too long". Pointing to her book, she wrinkles her nose and explains, "This book is illuminating but too boring," without pausing.

Throwing the heavy bound book to me, I caught it in a hurry in a reflex action. Stupefied, I stand rooted as she hauls herself off the tree and skip-hop around me, scrutinising me from head-to-toe like I did when she was asleep.

I take him in greedily with my eyes. He is my long-awaited mate. He's pleasing to the eyes. Circling him, I feast my eyes on him. But then I have seen him in my dreams and this shouldn't come as a surprise.

Thick wavy tousled silver hair is tied back in a messy ponytail. A silver brow arches in amusement above heavy-lidded and hooded eyes. A pair of deep-set piercing silver eyes regards me with curiosity. Good, he's not afraid of me despite meeting under such strange circumstances.

His slashing sharp cheekbones and patrician nose frames a sensuous mouth which looks entirely kissable. I would love to nibble at it when I get to know him better. Stubble covers his chiselled, bristly and unshaven square jaw which leads to the strong column of his neck.

Tanned skin with a warm, golden-brown tint peeks out from the front of his torn shirt. Broad-shouldered with a muscular build, he fills out the button-down shirt magnificently. He must have done hard labour due to his work. Attracted to him, I take a step towards him and place my palm over his heart. A muscular chest covers his strong beating heart. Standing unflinchingly, he looks down at me from his tall height, contemplating my action.

He looks amused at my admiring reaction. I can just imagine him thinking that I'm a lunatic nymphomaniac who hasn't seen a man, a grin forming on my lips as I ponder the strange thought. But he looks so scrumptious that I can't stop admiring. And drooling. Despite however many times I've seen him before in my mind.

Dishevelled and unkempt, his tattered clothes bear holes in places and patches of red which appears suspiciously like blood crusted on several parts of his shirt. His trousers are rumpled and his ankle boots are smeared with caked mud. He looks a sight. Yet he appears casual and relaxed, despite his ripped clothes. It is as if he is posing for a magazine and knows his worth without putting on immaculate outward appearances.

Taking the initiative, I smile brightly and introduce myself, "I'm Cassandra. But I prefer to be called Cassy by friends".

Discerning that I am harmless, he bows and replies solemnly, "I am Karalianus," his inner thoughts indecipherable.

Yes! I replied without fumbling in my usual manner. I can't do it as suavely as Karalinus but I manage to finish my introductions this time. My chest puffs up in pride. I'm glad I broke the mould of my family - most of who are lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs, directors - I decided that those careers are boring. My job definitely has its perks. Look at me now, confidently standing in front of an admiring female. On second thought, I wonder why I'm not itching to run away yet. I understand why I'm drawn when she's asleep. But even when she's wide awake and openly ogling at me? This is unbelievable! Or did that tumble do something to me, like addle my brain? Uncertainty eats away at me again.

However, before I can react, Cassy speaks enthusiastically, "Alright. Time's a-wasting. Let's hurry. My family is dying to meet you," her eyes dancing with anticipation.

Her words send alarm bells ringing in my mind. Could her family be a tribe of cannibals? That they're looking forward to eating me? In my course of study, I've researched on ancient cultures where cannibalism survives up till today. I've also read that some cultures are very welcoming of foreigners from distant lands. My inquisitive mind can't figure this puzzle out.