The Dragon's mate-2

He was smart but not smarter than me.

Lin

My life today was indeed a subject of envy. Surrounded by many, I could not help but recall all the things that others were not privy to. Though my father's favorite, my mother was a concubine when she married into the Lao clan. It was only when my father’s wife passed away that she became his official wife.

“Those were chaotic days….she had once remarked.”

While still an embryo, I had been cursed by the fire angel.

"You know Lin.......,"said my mother........"You do not have a mate. The i***t was bored with what life offered. I am so glad that he fell prey to a trap and is a fire demon today. I am sure that he hates every minute of his being."

Mate…. This one word meant the world for those who were born as werewolves and dragons. Having been a part of the dragon realm’s upper crust, I understood what a mate meant in the life of any dragon. Many looked forward to meeting their mates. In the case of nobles and trade groups, especially the males, if their mate was not at the same level, they could take her in as a concubine. And if this mate belonged to 'The Help'......well....... I have seen those unfortunate ones, male and female alike, being used and discarded.

“They are not the same as us….” after being bereft of every shred of dignity.

In the case of a female dragon, it was a blissful union if her mate was at par with her. Otherwise, the two would be separated. Whenever a female dragon rebelled, leaving the Dragon Realm and at times the Supernatural Dimension was the only way to ensure that the dragon could live. However, many chose to accept the arranged affair. My mother’s relationship was also arranged. I was aghast when I had heard about this, but my mother confided, “There was no way that I’d accept a dragon from ‘The Help’ as my mate, Lin. Remember, love is short and only real power, comforts and luxuries can get you anything worthwhile. As such, don’t be sad that you are cursed to be without a mate. Your father was not my mate and yet I could replace his mate and enjoy his affection. Lin, if required, embrace the grays and achieve your ends. I will always back you. Carve your own path and aim for the best man…the dragon prince.”

My mother's words have left an indelible impression and set my goal to ascend the throne alongside Vern King one day.

As I grew up, I pretended to be meek and became a ‘faithful’ sidekick to Liang, who had a great say in our clan. Unnoticed, I walked in the shadows and learnt deceit could take me afar. My kindness, my humility, my extraordinary attention towards the welfare of my maids and slaves........all has been meticulously planned. Every act of mine propels me forward and increases my hold on the clan. I was becoming more capable and resourceful with each passing day. Being powerful was important in the Dragon Realm and other dragons would bend backward to accommodate you if they feared you.

“ What are you thinking…?” My train of thoughts was interrupted by a girl in the class.

“Nothing….I’m lucky to have you by my side.”

“We are lucky to have you with us Lin,” she said. I did not know the girl's name, but remembered that she was from the Werewolf Realm.

“Ah! Thought my dragon. We can sacrifice this werewolf and make it give us our powers.”

I smiled and silently asked my dragon to keep mum. The perfect appearance of 'miss goody two-shoes' was a must. After all, I wished to marry the dragon prince someday. For now, I wanted to play the role of a perfect cousin. Liang thought that I was happy for her but, I alone knew that she was a pawn and would aid my ascent as the queen of the Dragon Realm. My early childhood was one where the few elders of my clan who knew about the curse never hesitated in pushing me around. The other dragons of my rank never intervened. Liang was the only one who would at times help me out. Gradually, as I grew older and started visiting the palace, the queen, who considered my mother a friend, adored me.

Those around me changed colours with the queen’s guidance, I learnt to mask myself such that people worshipped the ground I walked on. I learnt that distinctions mattered and now, at sixteen, as I began to thrive at school, I had no intention of giving way to anyone. I had made the choice of being a winner. And thus, when these fools surrounded and congratulated me, my mind was secretly weighing the benefits that each could provide me with. I was sure that, after thoughtful consideration, even the weak ones could be of some use.

“No magical being is a waste and if nothing else, they can die and leave their life force behind………. I have heard the queen say when she had ruthlessly commanded a dragon slave to die.”

My sweet smile and pretty eyes, my head tilted and my ear close to them ….they were sure that they had never met a sweeter girl. To some extent, they were right. I was sweet ….…..very sweet but, to myself and could do anything to protect my interests.

Vern

My isolation from the Supernatural Dimension and a decade’s stay on His Holiness’s private island had literally given birth to a new me. While the previous self had been powerful and good at magic, the one that returned to the world post seclusion had an understanding of the elements that were the very foundation of this world. Being naturally gifted with the strength of fire, I believed that the dragons were the strongest. It was there that I learnt how silently water could kill or how air in its purest form controlled by a master could wreck havoc. I had learnt that werewolves with a natural affinity to the earth could, if they wished to , could become immune to both fire and water’s lethality and that the ability to control and master each was rare.

My journey, where I had sometimes deviated from normal, had introduced me to all forms of magic, including 'Herbaceus venena', plant poisons which were the deadliest and could control just any being on this planet. The dragons were particularly vulnerable. At its mildest, a dragon would be in a confused state for short periods of time. At the worst, the dragon could become a puppet of the smoke followers. However, very few in this dimension possess these plant poisons today. His Holiness was one of them and so was Magister medicinae. He had disappeared with the Angelur king and many were searching for his whereabouts.

Flashback

“Senior……these people…….”

“Not alive anymore……..”

“But……”

For a moment, words failed me, as it was hard to accept that mortals and some of the finest magical folk would never breathe again. They had been the strongest and the only reason they lost was their inability to stand the poison brewed by Magister medicinae.

“Having magical abilities is one thing, Ver. However, even the best of us are susceptible to poisons unless we gain cooperation with the elements that govern nature.”

"So all those who have this ability will fend off poison, for instance my grandfather."

“Yes and no.”

“It depends on the intensity. Sometimes the toxicity is such that you may be able to suppress it but it will harm you. If Magister medicinae goes all out, in the case of a dragon who has been poisoned, either the dragon or the human will suffer harm. If this continues for long, it may cause them to lose one of their forms.

End

"Vern…."

My mother’s words brought me to the present. She did not know that I was aware of how my glass of wine had been spiked. I wondered if she was the culprit. It pained me but I was willing to drink it. If I refused, my mother or the culprit would become suspicious. To my surprise, however, Liang, sitting to my right, exchanged the glasses and drank the one which had been poisoned.

"Liang…."

I was late and failed to stop her.

“Your wine smelled funny,” she said.

Even though I was not fond of Liang these days, we had once been friends and I did not expect that she would harm herself.

An hour after dinner ended, I saw how pale she was and ensured that she'd be attended by a dragon doctor. This was not good and Liang, an innocent party, should not have done that.

Queen

"Magister medicinae…"

"You are back, queen."

"Your instructions were carried out successfully. Liang drank the glass. And fainted later."

"Excellent."

"But............"

"Queen, he may be your son, but he has stayed at the old Holiness’s place for a long time. He definitely can guess if his drink was poisoned or not."

"So was it?"

"No……..no matter how smart, he fell prey to my illusionary poison."

"Meaning......."

"You will understand later, queen."

"And Liang……"

"She will get better. What she drank will help her be able to act better.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I am. Hatred lies dormant within her and once it manifests she will use all her charms to ensure Vern King is with her. She will never let Vern King be with his mate."

"But Vern is........"

"Vern King is also carrying a trace of Aneglur…..though dormant, it is there. Time would pass and with time he'd realize that he cannot avoid embracing the Aneglurs' ambition and desires to conquer and rule."

"He is my son Magister medicine. I do not want you to harm him."

"Ah….You have never been kind. Did you not sacrifice your first born…….."

"You....."

"Keresa, there is no point in regretting or repenting. The Aneglur King has promised and will uphold it. Vern can be his loyal aid and the Dragon Realm will be at your and your son’s beck and call. You can take revenge on the Solar Deity…..you can punish His Holiness….you can act as you wish to and remove dirt………but before that, the Aneglur King has to return to his former glory."

Magister medicinae’s words were tempting. I chose to keep my worries aside as I wanted the best for my son. There was no evil. Even the righteous set their principles aside to achieve their ends. I wanted my goal and the Aneglur King alone could be trusted for the same. I was fortunate that I was related to the Aneglur King. We would support each other to achieve their desired ends. My son Vern, did not know what was good and what was bad. But, I was sure that with Aneglur King and Magister Medicinae support, he’d have no option but to follow my arrangement. I had returned to my realm and room. The mirror in my room, older than me, showed how pretty and smart I still was. While admiring myself, I saw that my son had arrived. I turned and greeted him with a smile. He was an obedient son and I felt particularly blessed at how strong he had become.

"Vern….."

"Mother I.........."

I smiled again. Something was troubling him and he wanted my help. I was all ears to my son. The Aneglur King favored him. I must have done some good deeds to have borne him. Alas! I would never allow him to be with his mate. My eyes gave my son permission to sit. He began to speak and as I listened to him, this time I smiled inwardly. He was smart but not smarter than me, the female dragon who had given birth to him.