The Dragon's mate

A Mysterious Woman

Emily

[Enter ANTONIO, SALARINO, and SALANIO]

Antonio. “In sooth, I know not why I am so sad:

It wearies me.......” (Act1, Scene1)

“Is this seat taken?”

I had begun reading the opening lines of the Merchant of Venice when, a deep voice interrupted me. For some unusual reason, I felt irritated.

I decided to ignore the source of the voice. When I did not react, I heard a chair being pulled next to me. I rigidly stared at my book. Our teacher Mrs. James began explaining and I began jotting down points that might be useful in the exam.

“May I borrow your pen?”

This time I gave a death glare to this new guy. He might be the hottest guy I had met till date, but, I had already stereotyped him as a jock, insensitive and flirtatious. He was definitely the sort to break a girl’s heart. I had too many dreams to chase and, at this stage of my life, I could not get into an affair with someone.

The boy let out a faint chuckle.

“You’re really stubborn.”

I got up from my chair.

“What is the problem Emily?"

Mrs. James sounded annoyed now.

“Miss there was a lizard. I guess that’s why she got up.”

Mrs. James had an incredulous expression on her face, but, she went back to teaching again. It seemed as if, she had trusted Jake’s words. It surely paid to be good looking. I turned my attention to the play once more.

A lizard, seriously……. but……….anyway……. The guy was responsible for this right now. It was only right that he saved me from Mrs. James wrath. I could feel Ling’s eyes shoot fire. Great, I said to myself. That’s exactly what I needed today. I was sure that, once we returned to the orphanage, Ling would not let the matter slide. I’d have to guard against her.

The lesson continued and, I heaved a sigh of relief when, it was over without further glitch. Thanks to Jake, Ling and her sidekicks surrounded the place where I was sitting.

“Jake, you can sit next to me. She is difficult to get along with and is not someone you will like. Mia, you will sit next to Emily from now on.”

Jake raised his eyebrow slightly, even though, he remained silent. I could not understand why, but, I could feel the anger that, he was feeling.

However, his next move left me dumbfounded.

“Sure, darling, I would love to sit next to you.” He kissed Ling’s cheek. The boys clapped and cheered. A couple of them also whistled. Ling’s cheeks were red.

“You sure have the guts man," said one of them.

The girls too had started whispering amongst themselves.

“Look, how lucky Ling is. She managed to win the hottest hunk in our class. I really envy her. If I was as pretty as her I could have been the lucky one today.”

I was not totally unaffected by the whole scene. I felt a sudden twinge in my heart, which, went away, as quickly as it came.

I got up and left. Rita followed me. Even though I did not turn my head, I instinctively knew that two eyes were staring at my back. For some strange reason, I was sure that, they were blue in color.

“You are so rigid Emily.” I stopped in my tracks when I heard Rita speaking.

“Why, what happened?”

The hottest guy came and sat next to you. How could you remain unaffected in his presence?

"I know exactly what these guys are like, Rita."

"You are too skeptical and pessimistic. It is..."

I was really not in a mood of listening to Rita's gibberish on true love, and therefore I interrupted her.

"They'll chase you as it gives them the thrill. Once they have spent a night with you, they will discard you faster than the clothes that they wear."

"Emily...."

"Rita...."

"O.K. Where are you going now?"

"To the library."

"What?.... You're such a bore darling."

"You don't have to mop the floors every weekend ."

With that I left Rita. I was glad that we were expected to stay at school during the weekdays. The school was a simple one, nothing like the best in the capital city. But, I was still happy. At least, I could study hard. I did not tell anyone but, I was currently aiming for a scholarship that could cover my expenses in the university when, I passed out of school.

Vern

"Your Highness, your uncle's presence was detected in the city."

"Are you sure? It might be a trap to distract us."

"If you want I can go and investigate whether it is your uncle or not."

"Do so."

Ri bowed and left me alone. I looked outside. The moon was shining brightly tonight. For the first time I saw a silhouette of a very young girl with shoulder length hair against the moon. My heart skipped a beat as I knew that it was my mate's image. Every dragon after having encountered their mate could see their imprint on the moon on a full moon night. I wondered whether, my mate was too looking at the same moon somewhere. I hoped that, she was fine.

Emily

By the time I finished studying, it was dark outside. The library and our dorm's floor were connected by a lobby. It was safe to return even at two, in the morning.

As I stretched my arms I was drawn by the moon. It looked beautiful each night. For some strange reason it was calling me. I felt that, it was shining brightly. I closed my eyes and when I reopened them I could see the image of a dragon imprinted on the moon.

I was surely becoming lunatic. These creatures existed only in mythology and were not real. I let out a deep sigh and got up to leave, for the dormitory. It was time to sleep.

"Come to me Emily....I'll give you everything that you want."

"Who are you?"

"I'm the man you should marry. I'm the one who visited you a few nights back."

"Leave me...."

I was surrounded by fire now. The man was unable to touch me. I could see that he was burnt and was screaming in pain.

"Run Emily...."

I could hear a woman's voice. I wanted to stay back.

"I cannot leave you alone."

"Trust me Emily I am capable of handling this fire. It cannot harm me."

"How do you know me?"

"You will find out everything when the time is right. For now, just go and, keep yourself out of any trouble."

"I want to know everything now."

However, it seemed that my request was in vain. Some unknown force threw me away.

I woke up and realized that I was sweating. It was a strange dream. My throat was dry.

There was some water in the jug. I drank the water and went off to sleep again. The next day when I woke up, I remembered everything that, I had dreamt last night. I particularly remembered that a mysterious woman had rescued me. I could not see her face as it was hidden beneath a veil. I wondered who she was.