Dragonkin 4 You're my Mate? No thanks.

Part 12 Butting heads

Deliberately stomping onto my path, Cassy furiously tucks her fists into her waist and glares at me. I'm rather surprised I haven't started bleeding to death yet, given the sharp daggers she's tossing my way.

Rounding on me, she accuses hotly, "How dare you desert me and throw me to the wolf! It took me a long time to get away from Valerius! I'm supposed to be your True Mate, not his! How can you give me away so easily?"

Praying for patience, I explain slowly, "Being a Princess Consort of your own race is better than marrying outside, isn't it?"

My question inflames her further. The irrational woman.

Her eyes sparking, "Don't you dare dictate my life," she snarls. "My - life - is - my - own," her fingers poke into my chest at each word for emphasis. "I'll decide what is best for myself". Without waiting for a response, she flounces off crossly in a flurry of skirts.

As she turns a corner, she shouts a warning to me in parting, "Don't you dare run!" then stalk off in high dudgeon.

Staring at her departing ramrod straight form, I shake my head. I'll never understand women. It is a fact that being with our own kind is better than getting hitched to someone of a different race. And she'll be a Queen in time with Valerius. With me, at best, she'll remain a Princess Consort her entire life. Valerius is an ardent suitor whereas I'm uncomfortable with female company. Karalene always lament that I'm hopeless in the romance department.

Guess who'll make the better husband? Go figure. This woman just doesn't use her logic.

Setting the issue of a furious Cassy aside, I ensconce myself in the Grand Library. This is where I feel the most comfortable, surrounded by books on all sides. The sheer volume of books delights me to no end. Furthermore, I found, to my pleasure, that the High Librarian is not as fearsome as I heard. I believe I may have found a kindred spirit in her. We share a deep fondness for books and the knowledge they hold. It is enlightening and entertaining to be discussing and debating the contents of the books with her.

"...No. the author meant to illustrate the depression felt by the citizens during the last enemy occupation. It wasn't supposed to depict the misery of not having public sanitary rooms in their abodes. If it were...," the High Librarian argues her point.

"...I agree to a certain extent. However, this paragraph," I point out, putting my finger on the exact paragraph in the thick volume to show her, "the words are describing their misery. If not, how else could it mean?"

After a heated debate, we burst into laughter.

It is at this point that Cassy chooses to poke her head into the Grand Library. Entering hesitantly, she finds the both of us laughing our heads off. Arching a curious brow, she stands in a corner and watches our heated exchange.

She coughs loudly, when our laughter dies down. Turning my head, I spot her standing awkwardly at the entrance.

"I was just debating this book with Myrtle. It's an interesting read, you should look through it if you have the time," I suggest to Cassy, while smiling at the High Librarian.

Her eyes suspicious, she remarks dryly, "Oh, so you're on first name basis with our High Librarian now, aren't we?"

Grinning widely, I reply, "Myrtle here, is now my comrade. She understands the value of books and history. Not many do, save Nathaniel". Said High Librarian blushes at his compliment.

Cassy's face darkens into a scowl. "I see. I suppose I'm one of the majority who has no idea how important history is then. Well, since both of you are having such a grand time without me, I shall excuse myself and leave you both to continue whatever it is that you're doing".