Dragonkin 4 You're my Mate? No thanks.

Part 29 Awkward

Tucking my hands awkwardly into my pockets, I greet both of them amiably, "Hi, the moon is beautiful tonight. Isn't it?"

Inane chatter about the moon? Can you do better? How about discussing the weather next? Good try, Karalianus. I bash myself internally.

Pasting a forced smile, I walk over to them reluctantly.

"Sorry to intrude on your conversation. I was just aimlessly wandering around admiring the night sky when I accidentally walk in on you guys. I'm leaving now, don't mind me," I rush the latter out quickly and hastily turn to stride away. I can't wait to get out here.

Before I can make good my escape, a small hand grasps my sleeve tightly, halting my step.

Sure, you don't think you can flee from this scene that easily, did you?

Whispering a silent prayer, I hope I can get away from this place without much fuss.

"Karalianus, how much did you hear?" Cassy inquires.

Thoughts flying in my mind, I quickly assemble a perfunctory reply. "Oh, nothing much. I didn't quite hear what you both are talking. Now, if you'll excuse me". I try to step away from her and move away.

However, she held fast to my sleeve.

Unless I'm willing to tear off my sleeve, I'm stuck.

Cocking my head, I manage a curious smile, hoping I can pull off the innocent bystander act.

Nope. It's not my day after all.

Narrowing her eyes at me, she states baldly, "You're pretending you didn't hear my declaration of love, didn't you?"

Without giving me a chance to refute, she glances at Valerius then looks up at me shyly. "I...I love you, Karalianus".

I am stunned by her loud declaration and stand stock still.

Seeing my stony face, she hastily murmurs embarrassedly, "I understand it's all one-sided. You don't need to reply straight away. I won't pester you," as she sidles away from me.

For some inexplicable reason, my heart squeezes painfully as I watch her face crumble and then immediately stoically removed of any expression. It hurts. It actually pains me to see her shrinking from me. The only time when I hurt so much inside was when I saw my battered sister in the hospital.

Without thinking, my arms shot out to enfold her into my embrace. I refuse to give her room to struggle or wriggle out.

Her head comes up to my chest. Such a frail small being, so precious. Those are the thoughts running around my mind as I inhale her scent and bury my face into her hair after kissing the top of her head.

Home. I never want to let her go. Never let her leave my side.

Standing rigidly at first, Cassy slowly melts into his embrace. Rubbing her nose against his wide chest, she takes a deep breath of her loved one. How long I have waited for this. Her arms hesitantly rising to encircle his waist, for fear of spooking Karalianus and making him retreat again. This game of hunter and prey has gone on long enough.

My fated one is a skittish male, she mused ruefully. I finally caught him.

Minutes ticked by as I savor the feel of him in my arms.

Wait, could this be an impulsive mistake which he's going to deny come morning? Will he start avoiding me again tomorrow? Cassy's doubts intruded in her blissful moment.

"Karalianus, I want to ask you about something...I -," Cassy asks haltingly befor being unceremoniously cut off by her beloved.

Growling sharply, Karalianus interrupts, "Shut up, sweetheart. Don't say anything. I'm confused myself and am not quite sure what just happened".

Startled, Cassy lapsed into agreeable silence.

"Sweetheart, give me a few seconds to order my thoughts," Karalianus murmurs softly into her ear and kissing it tenderly.

Sweetheart. That sounds right and my heart clenches at that endearment. Is this feeling and overwhelming sense of possession what Ragnor meant when he said he can't bear to be apart from his True Mate?

"Dragana and keeper of my heart, you are mine," I declare confidently, breaking into a boyish grin.

"Yes, my love, I'm yours," Cassy reinforces softly, smiling brightly at me.

While the mutual declaration of love is taking place in the middle of the clearing, Valerius looks on, confusion written all over his face. Didn't the jerk reject her during the ballroom confrontation? What's going on?

Going on the offensive, Valerius grabs a shoulder on each person and roughly yanks them apart.

Spinning to challenge Karalianus, Valerius accuse, "You have no right to Cassy. Where's the nymph who was hanging all over you in the ballroom? Isn't she planning to spend the night in your bed? Why did you reject her? She and you are a perfect match!" while pushing me back.

"You don't deserve Cassy. Leave Cassy to me!" he shouts belligerently in my face.

Pulling Cassy behind me protectively, I rise to my full height, towering over Valerius.

Calmly, I state, "There's nothing between Elaia and me. She made a move on me, but I stopped it there. Cassy's a free person and she has chosen me. She can't be given to anyone".

She has chosen me. The insulting words rang loudly repeatedly in Valerius' brain. In what way am I inferior to this plebian? I'm a bloody Crown Prince! He's just a prince of an animal kingdom!

Sputtering in fury, Valerius screamed, "She didn't choose you! The blasted gods gave her a false vision! Which damned fool that she was, she kept believing till this day! Stop encouraging her delusions if she's just a passing fancy for you!"

Peering straight into Valerius eyes, I reply matter-of-factly, "Although it may have started with a dubious vision, she has given her heart to me and I intend to keep it. She's not a fleeting obsession or a plaything," hoping the persistent Crown Prince will back down before we burst into fisticuffs. I so do not want to be exiled from this kingdom when I've finally found my True Mate.

Gritting his teeth, Valerius assess his options. The fool thinks Cassy is now his. Glancing at Cassy, he catches her making a smitten expression at Karalianus.

As obtuse as he is, Valerius knows it's unwise to confront them currently. I'll find a way to break them up. Cassy can only belong to me.

"This is not the end, Karalianus," he announces. Stamping angry steps into the forest, Valerius heads back to the castle rooms. Before long, he blended into the shadows, and he retreats to his room to plot.

When the confrontation is over, I turn to face Cassy.

"Your childhood friend will need a couple of days to lick his wounded pride," I say without expression.

Winding her arms around my waist, she snuggles against me and speaks earnestly, "I've told him to give me up since long ago, as our temperaments don't suit and I've no interest in him beyond friends. He didn't want to listen and neither does he want to throw in the towel".

Shrugging her shoulders, Cassy adds, "This might be a good time for him to realise that there are other much more eligible well-suited females for him. I want him to find someone who'll make him happy".

Kissing her forehead, I murmur, "Well, I have no idea who'll make his royal highness happy. But I do have an excellent idea of which special person makes me happy".

"Oh really?" Cassy inquires, one of her brows arching in humour.

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