A Dragon's Mate

1

(Hi guys...sorry I'm changing this up abit.....didn't like the way it was before...so anyways enjoy and inform me of any problems you may find. Of course comment and vote if you would like... I obviously would love for you to do so)
(Smushing all my chapter parts together before I post the new one on Christmas, ignore me)
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Chapter 1

I woke up to sunlight flickering across my face from the window's parted curtains. Sighing, I stretch till I touch the floor with my hands then flip over and onto my feet. I start to hum "the angel's lullaby", my mother's favorite song, as I fix my bed and change into a turquoise summer dress.

While standing in front of my mirror I run a brush through my unruly blonde curls but after a while fighting the tangles I decide to pin it up. I pause and trace the edge of one slightly pointed ear and think of my mother.

"Calista, my child," Mother's bell like voice would tease, "your hair is unruly as mine. It might even be worse!" She would tug slightly on my ears as she ran the brush through a knot in my hair, successfully distracting me from the pain.

"Orla, she has your ears," Father would say in a way mother didn't like.

"And they are beautiful beyond recognition, Carnel," Mother would snap back. Father's face would turn so red I would giggle causing mother smile.

I loved her smile. It filled me with warmth and happiness no matter how sour a mood I had been in. And sometimes when she sang to me in the garden everything went silent just to hear her voice, even the trees were silent, not a rustle was heard. But father didn't like mother singing so she didn't do it very often. The last time I heard her sing was on the day my brother Hartley was born, it was also the day she died.

Shaking my head to remove those memories I slip on a pair of soft flats and grab my satchel before leaving my home to enter the untamed excitement of market day in Maven.

The crowds are a tremendous mix of races, sexes, heights, and weights from around Woolsey. Some men wear pants of wool like most men here in Maven, others wear dress like garments that are called gara's. Others still only wear a thin mesh veil to cover themselves.

I see a familiar messy crop of blonde hair paired with a gorgeous pair of green eyes. I smile, tiptoe up behind the boy and wrap my arms around his waist causing him to gasp.
"Hartley what are you doing here?" I ask ruffling his hair, "I told you I would come to father's to get you." Laughing I spin him around and study his face.

"Calista, leave the boy alone," I glance up to connect the familiar voice to the weathered face of my father. I smile releasing Hartley and step into my father's hug.

"How are you feeling father?" I ask leaning out of his grip, "are you sure you're well enough for this?"

"I'm fine, child," he rolls his eyes at me as I raise my eyebrow, "common I'll make breakfast." I let the issue go for now but the fear of his death rings in my ears as we walk to the home I grew up in.
Father's house is small but cosy and filled with hundreds of wood carvings made by father and Hartley. A portrait of my mother hangs on the wall just inside the front door. Two smaller portraits hang to the left and to the right of her, one of my brother and one of myself.

Father kisses his fingers, presses them to his heart, then points then towards mom. This is his ritual every time he returns home. My heart aches for my father.

Breakfast is fast and soon Hartley and I are back in the market day crowd.

"Common Calista," he says as he practically drags me through the throng of people, "you promised me candy!" I laugh but allow him to drag me to the spot Hartley's favorite vendor sets up hits stall.

"Ah my two favorite customers," the large man greets us warmly as we approach his multicolored stall.

"Good morning Mr. Brishen," I respond smiling, "how is business this market day?" As an answer he pats the pockets of the bright green coat he wears causing the sound of coins jangling to reach my ears. I becon Hartley forward with a wave of my hand.

"You may choose five Hartley," I say gesturing to the magnificent array of candies set before us.

I know this will take a while so I leave a handful of coins with Hartley and wander over to the clothing section of the markets. I buy a few rolls of fabric, my favorite a soft deep blue one and though it hasn't been long I head back towards Mr. Brishen's stall. To my surprise when I return to the candy stall Hartley is gone and the stall is empty.

"Mr. Brishen?" I call out, "Hartley." I spin around slowly searching faces frantically for the one I need. I catch a glimpse Hartley's face in the crowd and begin to run, pushing and shoving people relentlessly out if my way.

"Hartley!!" I yell out over the crowd. He turns toward me but is yanked forward by someone I can't see. I curse and run after him winding through the streets to the square. A long resounding tone rings through the air.

"The punishment bell?" I gasp, freezing in place, eyes locked on my brother. Hartley is locked a pedestaled stockade in the center of the road. His hair hangs damp with sweat and he is holding back tears. Growling, I march up to the pedestal and grab the man- who stands beside the stockade-'s arm.

"And what would be the charges on this young man?" I hiss glaring up into a pair of inquisitive green eyes framed with gorgeously curled black hair.

"The boy stole five boxes of candy from one of the venders, that is as it was reported it to me," I raise my eyebrows, his speech is high and dignified. It makes me want to hit him. Hard.

"I highly doubt that because I left the money for the boy's candy with the vendor," I sneer. Though I can't help but notice the finely sculpted bones set in an angular face. Strong, wide shoulders.

"This vendor?" He gestures behind him and a tall man with a full beard steps forward.

"No it wouldn't be that man because the only candy Hartley will eat is from Mr. Brishen's stall," the challenge in my voice is icy cold.

"Well miss.-" the vendor starts with a condescending tone that angers me.

"Quite frankly I don't care for your tone so I'd advise you silence yourself and drop the charges immediately," I snap without looking at the man, he huffs but steps away bulky arms crossed over and even bulkier chest.
That guy is a candy vendor?

"Now," I return my attention to the green eyed man, "my brother needs to be let go as to the drop of all charges." I cross my arms across my chest and stare, daring the man to say no. He pulls the keys from his belt and unlocks it realising Hartley.

I grab my brother by the wrist and lead him away throwing a smile back at the green eyed man, but he is gone.

Hartley is silent on the way back to father's but I can feel him trembling. Father is asleep when we return and I leave Hartley with a hug to head home.

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Hi thanks for reading!!! Comment and vote!!
-Lucinda