The Mate of the Naga Prince

Chapter 3: The Prince of the Forest

I scream loudly, shooting away from the creature in front of me, pain shooting through my body. The creature covers his ears, a long forked tongue flickering passed his lips. "What the hell are you?!" I curl up near the wall of the odd burrow we were in. "Shhh, I understand you're scared..." He whispers, his voice dark, but kind all at the same time. It filled my with warmth and relaxed me. "But I'm not going to hurt you." He slithers up to me, his large, thick tail gently wrapping around me. "I am the prince of this forest. My name is Athur." He smiles warmly, placing a hand on his broad chest. My eyes widen. "A-Arthur?" I whisper softly. He tilts his head slightly, confused. The memory of that night came flooding back to me. My twisted ankle, the velveteen rabbit, the nice young boy who helped me. "I-It... It really is you..." I whisper. He had matured over our eleven years apart. His hair was longer, going down to his ears, his eyes had darkened slightly, his muscles had grown, showing his buff and sturdy build. His tail had grown much longer, enough to wrap around a car a couple times. The base, where his tail and body met, was about as thick as me. He tilts his head slightly, his long tongue flickering out again. His eyes widen in realization. "Scarlet?" I smile slightly, nodding. His smile grows into a more childish one as he hugs me tightly. "It'sssss so good to see you again." He whispers. I wince, trying to ignore the growing pain as I hug him back. He pulls away, examining my body. "You look beautiful." I blush slightly at his words, looking away. "You look good too." I say softly. He leans down, touching where my rib was broken, making me whimper. "Can I ask how this happened?" He asks softly, looking at me. It was obvious he was talking about my broken rib. There was genuine worry in his eyes, a look I haven't been given in eleven years. But, as soon as the words left his lips, I could see my father... I could feel the end of his foot colliding with my chest. I could hear the sickening crack of my bone breaking. I began to shake, covering my mouth to help stop the tears. He lets out a soft sigh, hugging me gently. "It'sss alright, you're in safe arms now." He lightly ran his claws through my hair, gently comforting me. I cling onto his shoulders, crying silently into his chest. He wraps his arm around my back, pulling me closer. His tail coils around my waist, pulling me closer into his warm embrace. I continue to sob against him, my shaking growing worse. He gently plays with my hair, careful not to scratch me. After a few minutes, my sobbing slows to sniffs and whimpers. "Are you alright?" He whispers, giving me a gentle kiss on my head. I nod. "I'm fine... I just... don't want to talk about it..." I whisper. "Of courssse love. I would never force you to do something you didn't want to do." I sniff and hug him tighter. I felt... safe in his arms. He leans against the wall, gently pulling me onto his 'lap'. "Do you want me to fix your rib?" He asks softly. I slowly nod. "Yes... please..." I whisper. He sits up, using his tail to grab a vine in the corner along with some strange, large leafs. He stares at me, biting his lip. "You'll have to remove your... skin covers..." I look down, realizing he was talking about my shirt. "My... clothes?" "If that's what they are called." He pulls me closer. I bite my lip nervously, pulling off my shirt. He tries his best not to stare at my chest as he wraps the strange leafs around my chest. He uses the vine to help keep them in place, being careful as to not hurt me. Once he was done, he pulls me closer. "How doesss that feel?" He asks, cupping my cheek. "It feels fine..." I giggle softly. "Why is it whenever we meet, I'm hurt?" I smile at him. He chuckles soflty. "We've met twice." He gently scratches my back. "Still... the first time it was my ankle, and now it's my ribs." "You're just accident prone." He makes me look up at him. I giggle, fighting back the blush spreading across my face. He was so handsome, and gentle. He cared for me, I dare say he loved me. I rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady sounds of his beating heart. His chest gently rose and fell with every breath he took. I close my eyes, feeling at peace in his arms. He chuckles softly, his chest rumbling. "Go to sleep, mate..." He whispers. I normally would have questioned a sentance like that, but the sound of being his mate... it sounded so nice. A smile creeps its way onto my face as I slowly fall asleep in his arms.

A/N: Ok, I've gotten a few messages from people who have read this and yes, there is no rape coming from Arthur. Almost every time I have read a Naga x Reader or OC, the naga rapes the main character and I can't help but feel uncomfortable. This entire story will be consentual when it comes to Arthur. When a rape scene comes into play (Which will eventually happen) it will be skipped over and non-graphic.