Captured By The Dragon
Episode 21

Patara

My hands trembled when Dylan finally left me alone. His voice didn’t soothe me like he wanted it to. I could hear nothing over my inner thoughts that tried to destroy me and make me regret every breath I ever took. It all led me right here, in this room made as my prison..

My entire body felt sore and disconnected from me. I know I asked for it, but I wish I could take it back. I always imagined my first time would be with someone I loved and someone who loved me—not wanted to own me. I imagined it would have been romantic with roses and candles.

Instead it was all rushed. He was desperate for me—for his own release and didn’t stop until he got it. If only my mind was sane enough to tell him no.

I could hear my mother’s voice in the back of my head. Over and over I replayed the scene where she would eventually find out that I wasn’t as pure as she hoped I was for whatever husband she chose. It made me feel shameful and disgusting. My skin prickled and I suddenly felt as if I was worth nothing.

Perhaps it was a good thing. Now traffickers would see me as worthless if I ever passed one again and wouldn’t even bother. But how could I live with myself knowing that I gave in to a desire so sinful?

I finally emerged from my room after I felt ready. I put on so many layers to cover my skin in case he tried to paw at me for more. There was nothing left in me to give. Perhaps he would see that and let me be.

He called me his wife. A dragon just called me his wife! This couldn’t be happening.

I hesitated before I went down the stairs. It had been a whole day before I saw him last and part of me hoped I wouldn’t see him again. Which was unrealistic. He believed that he had an invisible collar around my neck as if I was his dog.

The pathway was clear to the kitchen. I hurried my steps to find the room empty. My stomach growled at the sight of strange looking fruit and some sort of bread that was laid out on the counter. I glanced behind me before I started to make myself a plate of whatever was in reach.

Patara

My hands trembled when Dylan finally left me alone. His voice didn’t soothe me like he wanted it to. I could hear nothing over my inner thoughts that tried to destroy me and make me regret every breath I ever took. It all led me right here, in this room made as my prison..

If I was fast enough, I would be able to get back to my room before—

“Hungry?” A familiar deep voice asked. I closed my eyes and sighed before I turned to face Dylan. He leaned with his arms crossed over his chest and no expression on his face as he watched me. Grey blue eyes looked me over as if he was assessing an injury that wasn’t there. Perhaps he was gazing at the one I had inside.

I wasn’t sure why my stomach fluttered at the sight of him. He looked like a bad boy I used to imagine in my novels that always got the girl by the end of the book but—this was real life. Not a fairytale.

“I um… I just—yes. I forgot to eat yesterday.” I stuttered before I focused back on cutting the bread in front of me. I didn’t need to turn to know he was behind me within seconds. I could feel him there almost as if my shoulder burned from his presence.

“I should have had food brought to you, I’m sorry I wasn’t around.”

His breath tickled the back of my neck. I hadn’t noticed that he left the property, I only thought he was giving me space after what happened. How long was he gone for?

“Where did you go yesterday?” I asked in a small voice. I wouldn’t be surprised if he snapped at me that it was none of my business—but he didn’t.

Dylan leaned against the counter I was using to look at me. My face flushed without my permission. It wasn’t that long ago that I felt his naked skin pressed up against mine and wanted more from a boy I didn’t know much about.

“I know you aren’t aware of the mess my part of the world is in, but there’s a war in place.”

I dropped the butter knife against the counter as I looked up at him. It seemed the kitchen was mysteriously absent of real knives. “A war? You’re in it?”

“I am.” He said. His eyes traced over my features slowly before they snagged on my lips. “You could say I’m quite a big part of it.”

I parted my lips, but hesitated. “What do you mean? Who is the war against?”

“Other species of shifters are trying to overrule each other, and I want to unite us.” He pushed off the counter and went to search the cabinets.

“It’s nothing for you to worry about. I might not be around on some days, but I will make sure there is always someone here to feed you.”

Dylan came back with a small bag that looked as if it was filled with candy—shifter candy, at least. I wanted to ask more about the war and what his part was—but something about his short answers made me realize that he was withholding something.

“Thanks,” I accepted the bag and added it to my plate. He shoved his hands in his pockets as I passed him. My own ridiculous curiosity held me from running back to my room to hide from him.

“Is it… are your wars similar to human ones?” I asked.

Dylan looked a little surprised at my question before he quickly cooled his features. He bit his l*p a little and I had to look away before I did something foolish—like consider him cute for doing something like that.

“There are guns, there’s flighting. It has similar aspects, but I would say ours are a bit more bloody.”

I cringed at the thought. “That sounds horrible.”

“It is. It’s why I’m trying to stop it.” He said before he took a step towards me. I held my breath as he reached out his fingers to trail along my jaw. Shivers traveled from head to toe and I wanted to remind myself of all the shame he caused me.

Thankfully, and horrifyingly, my stomach growled loud enough to break him away from me. His brows raised in a slight humor as he glanced down at my stomach. My face felt as if it was on fire.

“Go on.” He nodded to the stairs as if he could read the panic on my face. I hurried past him and went straight for my room.

Luckily, he didn’t dare to follow this time.