Dragonkin 4 You're my Mate? No thanks.

Part 20 Departure

"Stop pestering me," I grit out, my patience wearing thin. Valerius has been hovering around me like a pesky fly for the past days. According to his Royal Highness, I'm not allowed to move on my own, eat using my own hand, and talk to others except for the nurses. I'm not even given the permission to look at people, only exception being HIM! He's driving me nuts!

"Come now, don't be shy with me. Ahhh...Open your mouth. Let me feed you this morsel. I assure you, I've tasted it and it's delicious. You must try it too," Valerius coaxes, his hand holding a spoon near to my lips.

Turning my head away, I refuse his offer, my face mutinous. I'm not a child who needs to be fed by others. Who does he think he is? He's merely a Crown Prince. I'm not a slave born to do his bidding. If connections are to be discussed, I'm close to being a royal myself. Hmpph!

A vision of the handsome hunk surfaces in my mind. Karalianus. Since the first meeting, I've been drawn to him. What a shy and awkward man. I like his type, rather than this annoying friend sitting next to me. I've been putting up with him for the past hour. When is Valerius going to learn that I'm not eating his food? I'm sick of listening to him dispensing his unnecessary random princely orders. I'm perfectly capable of walking under my own steam, feeding myself, freedom to converse and gaze upon anyone who catches my interest!

Temper flaring, I grab his hand and growls irritably, "I'm not an idiot or a mindless child, for God's sakes. Leave me alone".

Smiling placatingly, he says, "My dear soon-to-be consort, it's my duty to look after you when you're not feeling well. Be at ease and enjoy my attentions. You should be honored I'm putting aside my station to look after you. Let me take care of you".

The spoon magically reappears next to my lips again.

Looks like I won't be rid of him unless I finish the food, I sigh internally.

Snatching the spoon from him, I gobble up the food as fast as I can. Cleaning the plate, I snap impatiently, "It's all gone now. You can leave immediately".

Noting my rebellious expression, he grins and pats my shoulder, proclaiming, "That's a good girl. I'll be back to see you soon".

Not so soon I hope. If possible, please don't return, I grumble inward, watching his exit with trepidation.

Soon after Valerius' exit, I hear muffled voices from outside my door.

"Didn't you wish for our baby to marry closer to home? Perhaps to the Crown Prince? This should be a good chance. You can see her often after she's married".

No wonder my family don't mention Karalianus often and when they do, they gloss over him and label him as just my savior, nothing more. They enthusiastically encourage me to spend time with Valerius, stresses that he loves me very much and they would like to see us marry soon. Now I understand what they're plotting.

"Karalianus saved Cassy's life. He'll be an asset to our race. We'll need him in the coming war," Helena argues.

"A war which will never come to pass if they never get mated to each other. As for his usefulness, that's only viable if he pledges his loyalty to us and if our God is magnanimous to accept him as one of us when he declares war on the werekind," Sachiel refutes.

"But she has her heart set on Karalianus previously. No amount of persuasion has worked on her".

My father rumbles, "She has clean forgotten about Karalianus now. She's probably not in love with him as we've thought. She's only stubborn. Since she has no recollection about him now, we can subtly steer her towards Valerius. It might be successful now if we try -".