Dragonkin 4 You're my Mate? No thanks.

Part 15 Cover-up

Done with his organization of the folders, Nathaniel sit down once again. "In a way, yes. I already had my misgivings when she wanted to annul the royal engagement. We didn't believe that there'll be true mate for her out there. She's a Nephilim, we don't have true mates. We thought it would be a passing dream or a vivid imagination of hers which she cooked up to buy time for her own freedom. Because we adore her, we gave in and allowed her to put off her engagement to the Crown Prince; giving her time to wait for her imaginary true mate to appear".

Staring at me intently, he let his disapproval show. "We had thought that after a few years of waiting in vain would hasten her acceptance of Valerius. When you appeared out of the blue, we're appalled at your sudden appearance. We didn't think this ridiculous premonition of hers would come true. Should have known not to distrust a seer's prophecy".

"However, I decided to trust her judgement and see for myself how her promised true Mate is like. I've since regretted my decision. You disappoint me. You do not know how to appreciate her. She is our city's pride and joy, she should be married to someone who'll treasure her for the gem that she is. Therefore, you don't deserve to have her".

Putting a hand up to halt my rebuttals, he questions, "Ask yourself this: Disregarding whether she is your True Mate, since I've no idea how the concept of True Mates work in your society, do you love Cassy? Do you think in time you'll come to love her? You don't have to answer me. Be truthful to yourself. Surely you wouldn't want to be shackled to a woman you don't love, for the rest of your long life. For you, we're talking about being stuck in a marriage for centuries, probably millennia. That's no way to live. It would be miserable for the both of you".

"Before this mistake drags on, won't it be better to nip it in the bud?" he advises sagely.

"I understand where you're coming from. I've been asking myself the same questions too. No answers are coming any time soon," I reply truthfully. "I'll give them deeper thought, I assure you".

"Good to hear that. I'll suppress the rumors regarding today's commotion. I don't wish for Sachiel to pummel you into the ground for insulting his dear daughter, and hence start a quarrel with your race. You take this time to reflect".

The meeting comes to an end and I excused myself from Nathaniel's office.

A few seconds after my departure, a slight figure emerges from a corner. Cassy and I missed each other by mere seconds.

Settling the arrangements of the impromptu play foisted onto me by Nathaniel, I storm into Nathaniel's office and flop myself onto one of the chairs.

"My, my. My office sure is very busy today what with Karalianus and you gracing my doorstep one after another," Nathaniel murmurs while perusing his document as he turns towards me. "I wonder who'll be my next visitor? Perhaps your parents?"

"Don't beat about the bush. I know you're laughing at me. Laugh, and be done with it". I stare at Nathaniel sternly, daring him to let loose his merriment at my expense.

To my surprise, a deep frown creases between his brows instead. "I don't feel like laughing, I'm worried for you, Cassy".

Sitting down, he looks at me, concern in his eyes. "Your True Mate is reluctant to recognize you as his. What do you intend to do? You can't possibly force him to the wedding altar at knife point, can you?"

"No, doing so is beneath me," I shoot back immediately. For an instant, the outrageous notion held an immense appeal, but was quickly dismissed. "I want him to love me unconditionally and be with me out of his own free will".