The Mate of the Naga Prince

Chapter 5: Backstory

"Hi... Magi..." Arthur whispers, pulling me closer to him. The Lamia known as Magi glares at me coldly. "What is a human doing in your burrow?!" She glares at Arthur. I nervously stand up, earning a warning glare from Magi. "Hi..." I clear my throat nervously. "I'm Scarlet..." Arthur sits up, using his tail to help him stand. "She's my mate." He states simply, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. Magi's eyes widened. "A human?!" She shouts, making me flinch, but Arthur was unphased. "She is the one I'm destined to be with." Arthur was now glaring at Magi. "What would mother and father say? You know what HER kind did to them!" She spits, looking at me, her eyes like daggers. "You will NOT compare Scarlet to those... Those... Those monsters!" He shouts, making even me scared, and I wasn't the one he was angry at. "She's their kind! Who's to say she won't be just like them?!" Magi counters. The arguing and shouting brought back memories of my mother and father, which quickly brought tears to my eyes. I felt my knees go week as I fell to the ground. Arthur gives me a concerned look, catching me around my waist. "Are you alright love?" He whispers. I could barely hear him. All I could hear was my fathers angry shouts and my mothers scared screams. I began to shake as I cling onto Arthur tightly, like I was scared I would get sucked back into my own memory. Arthur's eyes filled with worry as Magi just glares at me like I was the worst thing to ever step foot in the forest. "Love, what's wrong?" He asks in a soft voice. I just shook my head, not wanting to answer. I didn't want him to think I was weak and pathetic... like my father did. "Nothing... I'm fine..." I whisper, forcing my tears to stop as I wiped them. "See? She's weak. Fragile. She won't last a day out here, especially with other Nagassss around who will pick up her scent." Magi hisses. "You know what time is coming, and what will happen if one of them gets their coils on your so called 'mate'." Arthur shoots her a dirty look. "I know all too well what season it is Magi. Now leave before you say something we'll both regret." Magi glares at me one last time before slithering down the tree trunk. Arthur lets out a soft sigh before pulling me into a tight and warm hug. "I'm sorry about her love... She'sss had a hard time trusting humans since..." He pauses, sadness filling his eyes. I gently take his hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. "What... happened? You don't have to answer if you don't feel comfortable..." I whisper. He sighs, looking out the burrow. "It was a few weeks after we had met and a few days after Magi was born. Like most animals, us Nagas and Lamias grow quickly, and she was already slithering around and catching her own food. Small things, like mice or toads. Because she was so small, she didn't need to hunt big things to keep her fed. One day, she wanted me to take her deeper into the forest to explore. Mother and father told me to take her, but to be back before sundown. So, I took Magi out, we went and chased a couple squirrels, then made our way back home... But when we got their..." He takes a deep breath, trying to hide the faint tears glistening in his eyes. "We saw mother and father... chained to a tree by humans... They had torches, which they threw onto the brush, catching it on fire. The animals ran for cover, some getting consumed by the roaring flames... The humans left my parents to burn... They feared that they were monsters... I remember the fear in their eyes. I remember how they looked at me, telling me to take Magi and run... To get away from the flames. The only thing that survived the fire was this giant oak. The other Nagas and Lamias helped us replant what you see today. Our connection to the forest helped us grow the trees and plants quickly." He sighs, finishing his story. I give him a sympathetic look and hug him tightly. "I'm sorry Arthur..." I whisper. He smiles halfheartedly, hugging me back. "It'sss alright now. I know they are in a better place." He lightly drags his fingers through my hair, then down my back, making me realize I still didn't have a shirt on. He lightly dragged his claws along my bare skin, causing goosebumps to form. He chuckles softly. "Do you like that love?" He asks in a soft voice. I nod slightly, letting out a satisfied sigh as he continues. He lightly tips my head up to look at him. I bite my lip nervously as he leans in again. I wrap my arms around his neck as he lightly presses his lips against mine. He pulls me closer, his tail gently wrapping around my waist. His claws gently scratches my side. I pull away from the kiss, a light blush forming on my cheeks as I pant softly. "Magi said a season was coming up... What was she talking about?" He chuckles, a mildly dominant smirk forming on his face. "For us Nagas... It's mating season."