The Princess And Her Dragon Mate

Days leading up to my birthday

*Astrid’s POV*

Each day leading up to my birthday is another closer to leaving. My mother still insists I find a husband and not just pick one to get to know. She has had me go on outings with so many prospective husbands it isn’t funny. I do not understand why she wants me married so young or why I have to hide my wings and my eyes. I used to think it was because she hid her wings and eyes, but as I got older, I realised mum doesn't have them. I look to my father for support, and he acts like I don't exist, so now I want answers. Cassandra thinks I am being silly and reading into it, but I know something is off, and the voice in my head, my friend Ingrid tells me soon I will know who I am and what I am. It's all so cryptic for my liking. Today, I have a date with Norman, a fae from the spring fae. I get ready and wear the clothes selected by my mother; I look in the mirror, and I look like a friggin puffball. I sigh and leave my room.

Ingrid chuckles in my head at how I look, and I send it back to her. She looks the same since she lives in my head. She scoffs and blocks me out; I don't care right now; I want this silly Date to be over. I walk to the reception hall and see him I groan. He looks like a potato stuffed into pants with buck teeth and a comb-over. I cringe inwardly as I walk towards him. He smiles and then goes in for a kiss; I put my hands out in front of me and push him away. He frowns. That's not how you greet a princess. I expect you to know the rules of the greeting of a princess. He frowns and then holds out his arm.

I look at it and walk past him to the car. As I passed him, I could smell cabbage and sour milk. Can this date be over already? I get to the car and hop into the back when he slides in next to me; he goes to put his arm around my shoulder; I push him back again, and he gets in my face. Why are you like this, Astrid? Your mother said. You wanted the date! I get a smell of his breath and open up the car door and get out his breath smells like tuna. There is no way I'm going on the date he goes to get out, and I scream, stop, I don't want this date, Norman, you can go home!

I run back into the house and to my room and shut the door. I get out of the stupid dress to throw my leggings on and a hoodie, and I go to my mother's room. I don't bother knocking. I walk in. Why do you insist on these stupid dates, mum? I don't want to go on these date’s I want to get to know Jake. Please stop trying to control every aspect of my life! My mother slaps me. How dare you speak to be like you will marry who I tell you to since you can't choose? I go to say something more but decide to turn around and walk out. I head back to my room and throw myself on my bed one day until I'm eighteen. Then I can seek the truth and find out why I am different to my parents and why I am. Drawn to the dragon's lands, I fall asleep thinking of all the possibilities beyond these walls, beginning to feel like a prison. I only Hope Jake Remembers our Date and the meeting of his friend Maximus and I prey my birthday is filled with happier memories than the birthdays gone by

*Maximus POV*

I have been busy planning with Jake the Day we meet Astrid. I have let him know who she might be, and he has met Dekker, who will be waiting with me while Jake picks Astrid up. We have a big banquet lunch planned for her birthday, and a scenic tour as Astrid wants to learn about Dragons, and from what Dekker has told me, Astrid will shift for the First time while she is with us. I never like a planning outing, but something. About making Astrid happy is essential to me. My Dragon seems excited to meet her as we get closer to the day, Jake gets more anxious. We are sitting in my room talking about Astrid; I have asked him for the millionth time what she looks like and what she is like what her personality is like. Jake looks at me like I'm going crazy. He sighs at Max for the millionth time.

Astrid has beautiful violet eyes, long Light brown hair, and beautiful Violet wings that she keeps hidden, and her personality is fantastic. She is laid back and sassy; I felt comfortable with her as if I have known her for year's rather than hours, but I didn't feel that sort of connection to her; I see Astrid more like a sister who is coming for a Date with my best friend and his dads best friend! I laugh and anxiously pace, so how much longer until we meet her? Jake lets out a chuckle. We go tomorrow; Astrid is meeting us outside the Gates. She is giving the guards the slip so she can have one day of freedom, and it will be her eighteenth birthday, so we must make it unique I sigh, and what are you picking her up in Jake laughs my car why are you coming? No, I look at him and think about it. Nah ill meet you at the beginning of our territory ill have Dekker with me, and then we can continue as planned, so what time are you taking her back home? Jake looks at me. I don't know; I haven't thought that far. I know her mother has planned a large party for Astrid, so we have to have her back before eight pm. I smile. That's if she wants to go back when we tell her who she is and what she is; I think about it for a bit, then nod, ok, we will cross that bridge when we get to it!

*Astrid’s POV*

When I wake up, I have a smile on my face, a natural smile. It is my birthday, and I will be meeting Jake outside the Gates. I have set it up with Cassandra to keep the guards occupied. I get dressed and pack a bag with a change of clothes; I don't know what Jake has planned, but I don't care I won't be here; I will be out spending my day away from all of this and finally get to meet a Dragon I head to the dining hall expecting to see my mother, but she isn't around I'm disappointed that on today of all days she can't show up and make an appearance even at breakfast, so I sit alone and eat then I look at the time and make my way back to my room and grab my bag I see a note on my dresser, so I hold it and flip it open

Happy Birthday Astrid

You have a Date with Ryan at 11 am sharp

Don't ruin this one. See you tonight at 8 pm sharp for Dinner

Love always, Mum and Dad

I roll my eyes. Well, it looks like Ryan is being stood up because there is no way I'm letting my mother ruin my birthday with another forced Date. I pick up my bag and sling it on my shoulder, and head to the Gate, a guard, stops me. Where are you going, miss Astrid? Your mother has asked us to make sure you are ready for the date at 11 am. I look at the Guard. You can't keep me in my room. The guard smirks and picks me up, and carries me to my room. He opens the door and puts me on my bed; then he gets in my face. Watch me keep you here until your date arrives. He turns around and closes the door, and locks it. I get up and start banging on the door. You can't do this, you bastard he yells; I can, and I have now get ready, princess. Prince Ryan will be here to pick you up. I see red I let my wings out of their confinement and go to my window. I push it open and make sure I have my bag with me, and step outside the window. My wings know what to do. I hope as I fall from the window, I close my eyes and will my wings to work they do just before I become a pancake on the ground I find my feet. Then I run to the gate I'm Meeting Jake at iv never been so relieved to see a Black car waiting for me. I open the door and get inside. I look to Jake and say, get me out of here!