A Dance with a Dragon

Aphrodisiac

Frejya’s POV

"It's been so long since I've seen Drogo this happy," Jova said.

"You talk about happiness, but do dragons really feel happiness? Do they experience emotions like we do?" I asked, curious.

"Absolutely, they do. In fact, there's a rumor that ancient dragons felt even stronger emotions than any other beings. This allowed them to communicate on a deep level with the ancient Ravkans through the mind link. Back then, the mind link was so potent that whatever the dragon felt, the rider could feel too. It was an incredibly strong and unbreakable bond."

"Is that why the dragon prince didn't want to ride in the truck with us? Because of this strong bond they share? Or is it just his ego, always needing his way?"

"Don't mind him. Drogo and Nikolai are like two peas in a pod. You'd think he's married to his dragon. By the way, my name is Jovan, not Jova,!" He said with a smile, turning to me.

His smile conveyed so much more than his words ever could. "Cousin to the prince. I'm sure you already know his name. And you are?" he asked, as we watched Nikolai walk away from the rest of us.

"Frejya," I replied, extending my hand to him.

"Freya..." He stumbled over the name for a moment, then continued, "I like the sound of your name. Please, come this way." He gestured toward the back of the truck. "You'll be riding with the other girls. I think that will put you among familiar faces." His cousin is nothing like him. At least he treats me with some courtesy.

"Thank you," I muttered.

I've heard tales of Ravkans throughout my life. Even though I've never been close to them or had a reason to be near them, their legendary stories have always preceded them. Weredragons with hearts of gold, they say. But they will bring down everything if necessary. Yet, they are also graceful warriors, known for their unwavering loyalty.

As we finalized the remaining arrangements for the trip, I observed the dragon prince from a distance. He was already settled in the cradle on the dragon's back, gently stroking its neck. In no time, they were airborne with a resounding thud.

As they soared into the darkening sky, his dragon suddenly initiated a downward dive, aiming for the forest floor. Just as they were about to make contact, the dragon adjusted its wing, catching the wind with such power that it shot upward like a shooting star. It was thrilling, and I couldn't help but gasp in awe.

I was surprised, even more so when I saw that the dragon prince didn't even flinch; in fact, he was laughing. Jovan was laughing too. Eventually, they both disappeared from view.

I brushed my now disheveled hair from my face and glanced back at the pack. I noticed the field where I used to practice as a kid, the place where many of my troubles began. I looked back at the pack I had once called my own.

Steadily, I made my way to the truck, and Jovan helped me up, waiting to make his way to the front of the truck. I searched for an empty spot to sit. It was clear from the way the girls were staring at me that some of them were not pleased with the outcome of the selection.

And I was tempted more than ever to use it against them in every way.

“Don't sit beside me, w***e! I saw you trying to get the prince's attention. You deliberately drew his eyes to you with that stunt you pulled,” Helen, the head of the council's daughter, snapped, shooting a venomous glare at me and then at Jovan, who waited for me to settle before leaving and signaling the driver to occupy the driver’s seat...

Helen was probably chosen by Jovan's dragon, and she clearly didn't take kindly to it. Her body language made that abundantly clear.

“Come sit with me. I've got space here,” a girl called from the far end of the truck, making room for me. She's Beta, and she's quite lovely as well. This was the first time I heard her speak since the beginning of the selection.

“Thank you,” I said, sitting down comfortably. I watched as Jovan took his seat at the front of the van.

“You don't need to fear anything. In fact, you're the luckiest among us, and you need to make the most of it. No one will ever look at you and call you an omega again. After your wedding night, you'll become a princess,” she whispered softly into my ear, her voice sounding like a beautiful harmonious melody, flowing like a gentle river. Her words of encouragement lifted my spirits, too, but she didn't know about my other plans. She didn't know what I intended to do once I got the chance.

However, that wasn't the only thing that caught my attention in what she said. The mention of 'marriage' and 'wedding night' made me pause, my eyes widening as I tried to process the realization that I hadn't considered these aspects. To be honest, the selection came as a complete surprise to me. I hadn't thought beyond that moment.

“What do you mean by marriage, by wedding night?” I asked, my voice tinged with apprehension, struggling to grasp the implications that hadn't crossed my mind until now.

“Yes, has nobody explained these things to you? Has nobody told you about your duties as a wife, especially if you're chosen by the dragons?”

“No,” I murmured, a wave of fear washing over me.

“Oh my dear, you really have a lot to learn. Have you never had any suitors before?”

I thought about Cole and his betrayal with Diana, but then again, these people aren't real. They're just part of a dream.

“No,” I replied again.

“You have quite a journey ahead of you,” she sighed.

“Leave her be, Didi,” Helen interjected from her seat. “If she's uneducated, it's because she's simple-minded. You can't teach someone who lacks the capacity.”

I could see the venom in Helen's gaze, directed straight at me. I looked at Didi, unsure of how to defend myself. I didn't want her to abandon me; I needed to learn everything I could to survive, especially if the prince doesn't hold up his end of the deal and I'm left with no choice but to pretend for a while.

“If everyone had given up on you, Helen, you wouldn't have received any education either. If teaching her bothers you so much, you can simply turn your head and ignore us. Frejya here is representing our proud pack,” Didi retorted, her gaze returning to me, now filled with what appeared to be admiration. I glanced at Helen, and true to Didi's words, she had averted her eyes.

“Thank you,” I mumbled under my breath.

“No problem. I'll share a bit with you now, but we'll need to be in private to discuss this properly. However, there's something I can give you right now…” She trailed off, slipping her hand into a small pouch.

“Take this,” she said, placing a soft pouch into my hand and covering it with her own.

“What is it?” I asked, trying to peek at its contents.

“Hold on, this isn't something to be careless with.”

“Alright. Please, go on. I'm listening,” I said, paying close attention, feeling as if I were about to learn a secret that could save my life.

“This will make things easier for you… You just need to prepare it, as simple as making a cup of tea, and drink it…”

“Okay, what is it?”

“It's called 'Aphrodisiac tea.'”

“If it's just tea, why do I need to be taught? Everyone knows how to make tea these days, especially an omega like me.”

“Well then, this will serve you very well,” she chuckled awkwardly, her legs fidgeting nervously against the van's floor.

“Thank you. I have no reason to doubt you, right? You wouldn't deceive me?”

“No, of course not. Like I said, it's tea, and it'll help you prepare for your duties. It's a starting point for many things you might be curious about.”

Suddenly, a piercing cry echoed from the depths of the forest, jolting everyone into silence. Those of us at the back of the truck became acutely aware of our surroundings, we were all afraid by the openness of the back of the truck. Jovan moved quickly ordering the truck to halt as the men came down, their faces showing the seriousness of the matter. Were we under attack?

"That sound belongs to scavengers. I can easily recognize their distinct calls," Jovan informed us, motioning for us to exit the truck and move to the front seats inside.

"Ladies, there's no need to fear. Scavengers are no match for the Ravkans. They'd be digging their own graves by attempting anything foolish. However, for your safety, remain in the truck here with Kruse. He's a skilled warrior who will protect you with his life."

"Where will you be going?" Helen asked, there was a hint of protest in her voice. "Shouldn't you be the ones protecting us?"

"We'll be here as well, but in case of an attack, know that Kruse will be by your side, even if we become separated."

"Brandan and Zillard will be with me. We're all warriors, so there's no need for undue worry," he reassured us with a reassuring smile.

A swift "swwoosh" cut through the air as an arrow was sent through the dense woods. It was aimed at Jovan's neck, but his reflexes were lightning-fast as he caught the arrow in his hand. With a firm snap, he broke it in two and then turned to face the direction from which the arrow had come.

"Show yourselves!" he commanded.

In a seemingly endless multitude, the so-called scavengers emerged. It was as though they materialized out of thin air, their numbers nearly impossible to count.