Taming Her Beastly Mate

Chapter 6 Mate for the Kingdom

“There is a reason for this strong aura you have and why Brian’s is also so strong. And unfortunately… this is all your parent’s fault.” The Great Sage watched as fire lit in the dragon king’s eyes.

“This is bullshit!” Titus growled as he paced across the floor angrily. How was it his parent's fault? What was happening to Brian… how was it directly the fault of his mother and father?

“Titus, that’s enough. Let’s just listen to what he found out.” Lila stepped up to Titus grabbing him by the forearm. “Getting upset isn’t going to solve anything.”

“Titus we are here for you through this. We are going to figure this out. You know Brian is family to me. Just like you are.” Levi looked into the dragon king’s amber eyes. “We are going to figure this out.”

“Maybe I can do something about this?” Rhea looked over at Grandpa Sage who only shook his head no slowly.

“You can’t. No one can except for Shiva.” Grandpa Sage looked up at Titus as he took out a book. “It’s all here. This is your parent’s memoirs. Your father ordered it sealed away in the vault… all these years…” He shook his head slowly. “He should have given this to me. I could have begun researching years ago…”

“Please, continue on. What have you found out exactly.” Lila patted Titus’ hand but kept a gentle grip on him. She would make sure she kept his beast calm during this.

“Titus, your father loved you. He never hated you for what happened to your mother. But he couldn’t shoulder the pain of what happened and what would happen. He felt such guilt towards you that he couldn’t look at you. Your father’s words are recorded here… right up to just before he vanished. His memory loss is also calculated. Apparently, he planned to lose his memories no longer able to bear the weight of it all. You see your burning aura is a calculated punishment. But let me start from before that.” Grandpa Sage rubbed his forehead and let out a long sigh. “Your parents wanted their son to be more powerful than all the other dragon kings. Things were shaky between the kingdoms for a while, and they were preparing for the worst. Just in case. Luckily, things between the four kingdoms have never been better…” He stopped for a moment as he tried to gather his strength for what he was about to say.

“The deity Shiva…” He looked over at Levi who was already frowning hearing this. “She had in her possession a pet called Scorio. This was a rare ancient creature. As old as magic itself. It was said to have come from the birth of elements. This creature had an intense heat that burned all who came near it. However, Shiva controls the ice and she adored the warmth of this pet. Titus, your parents decided they would hunt down this creature. They wanted to claim its powers for you.”

Titus’ hand tightened as he shook his head slightly. He pursed his lips together but said nothing. He could feel Lila’s soft hand on his arm, and it was the only thing stopping his anger from rising.

“Your parents caught Scorio and your mother devoured it in order to give you this creature’s strength. Shiva was furious. Your father wrote that she grabbed at your mother’s stomach. She commanded the creature to give itself to you. Knowing exactly what that would mean for your mother. She knew that when you were born the burning aura would consume her, since she wasn’t powerful enough. But she wanted to wound your father even more than the loss of his mate.” Grandpa Sage’s fingers shook slightly as he gripped the book. “It’s all in here. If you ever want to read it…”

“Sage, what else?” Levi asked pointedly. He could see it was difficult for the old dragon, but they wanted to know what he found out.

“She cursed the power to grow tenfold for his firstborn grandchild. And by my calculations, by how strong Titus' aura is…”

“There isn’t a normal dragon around that will be able to handle that aura.” Lila gasped raising her hand to her mouth.

“She means to stop the line. He won’t be able to take a mate without burning them.” Titus seethed through his teeth angrily. He was innocent in all of this. Brian was even more innocent. And this was the price he was being forced to pay.

“But…” Grandpa Sage let out a shaky breath afraid of the words he was about to speak. “This isn’t true for every female. There is one unmated female who we know can always be near Brian.” He looked up at Rhea and Levi.

“You are talking about mating Alexis and Brian together?” Rhea said in a whisper.

“The fairy bloodline is resilient. Notice how guardians don’t flinch at Titus’ or Brian’s aura. This is because of their strong fairy magic. It is kin to the elemental magic. Raine is the descendant of a guardian, but isn’t one. Nor does she have fairy blood. I do not know if she will be able to be near Brian in the future. I am certain Micah will be able to be around him. Alexis is not only the fairy princess but the daughter of a dragon deity. She will certainly be strong enough and she hasn't been claimed by a mate.” Grandpa Sage kept a timid eye on Levi as his lethal silence claimed the room.

“But Alexis can make a shield around Brian, allowing him to be around others,” Lila added quietly. “Right? You said it worked fine this morning.” She turned and looked at Rhea.

“You want her to use the shield while our son does the deed with another woman?” Titus shook his head and frowned. “Is there no other way? What about if we talk to this Shiva?”

“Useless,” Levi finally spoke in a cold voice. “She is not one that can be reasoned with. Her pain is all she cares about. Not the pain of others.”

“Can you try to talk to her?” Rhea looked up at Lee who gave her a small smile shaking his head.

“She has blocked herself off from the gods. Think about how the merrow queen had the anti-deity barrier… it is similar. She sealed herself away from others long ago.”

“If it is a curse, I have handled those before.” Rhea shrugged as Grandpa Sage shook his head no.

“Scorio’s life essence is bound into Brian now. Much how a djinn would bind itself to someone. And Scorio will abide by his master’s wishes and his master is Shiva. You can’t break that. Not something that powerful. The moment Titus had a child, the curse followed through. Unless there is another demigod out there or deity out there looking for a mate… Alexis is the only one who will be able to withstand his heat. She is also a dragon, the daughter of the deity sworn to look after all dragons. This is a sensitive issue… one I wouldn’t even bring up if there was another way.”

The atmosphere in the room was thick and quiet. The silence was deafening as everyone looked at the ground, not knowing what to say.

“Alexis has a fated mate out there. This isn’t fair to ask of her.” Titus finally spoke up ending the silence. “This is not her problem. And it is too much to ask of her.”

“The west dragon kingdom needs Brian and they will need an heir… Titus… I appreciate you thinking of our daughter first. But her mate has made it clear he wishes to avoid her. And Alexis can’t keep trying to track him down. This is perhaps a good solution for her as well. We will be helping both of our families. Neither one of our children can have their fated mate. This way, Alexis can move on from Aken.” It was hard for Levi to say this. He didn’t want to hurt his daughter. However, if she was the only one who could be with Brian, then this was a sensible solution. He liked Brian and trusted him. He knew he was a good young man.

Titus and Lila were both quiet. They didn’t want to push this burden on Alexis, but at the same time, they didn’t want their son to be alone either. And the kingdom would need an heir.

“I don’t want to force this on her,” Rhea said in a quiet breath. “The fairy’s and dragons have always been allies. But this may be exactly what is needed to cement a timeless alliance. If this is something we ask of her I do not think she will refuse.” She shook her head as her eyes filled up with tears. “I’m afraid how she will handle this long term. She isn’t just losing a fated mate, but he is her soul mate.”

“I know…” Lee nodded his head as he wrapped his arms around Rhea.

“Maybe this is jumping too far ahead. This all feels so fast. There has to be another solution out there.” Titus looked up at Grandpa Sage pleadingly.

“I’m sorry. If there is another solution out there… I do not know of it.” Grandpa Sage looked at Titus and Lila then over to Levi and Rhea. “I’m sorry for the burden this places on both of your children. For the sake of the West Dragon Kingdom… Alexis is their only hope to maintain their royal lineage. Otherwise, the kingdom will have to pass to another.”

“Reese's daughter Nia would have been next in line but she is mated to Troy of the Eastern Dragon Kingdom. Her children will be their heirs.” Titus rubbed his forehead as he shook his head. “What a mess my parents have made.”

“If we would have known we could have tried for more children…”

“I wouldn’t jeopardize your health again no matter what.” Titus turned to Lila and pulled her into his embrace. She had a difficult pregnancy with Brian. He was afraid there was a chance he would lose her. If the fairy queen Lilly hadn’t been there to heal her during the delivery… he shuddered to think of what could have happened. They decided one child was enough for them. And he stands by that. It wasn’t worth her health. “Besides, this is about more than an heir. This is also about Brian. He needs to have someone by his side.”

“And Alexis needs to have a reason to let go. This is something I have been worrying about with her. Because she is so strong-willed and determined. But for Brian, I know she will do this. I think in time they will both grow comfortable with the arrangement.” Lee looked down at Rhea, who nodded sadly. Neither one of them wanted to force this on Alexis. But the two of them together would be a good match.

Titus looked over at Rhea, who was still frowning. “Rhea, remember what you said a long time ago? That the mate bond is something that pulls you to another person, but love is something different. Being able to fall in love with your mate is just the icing on the cake. Maybe Brian and Alexis can be the person that calls to their heart instead…” If there was no other hope for his son to have someone, then selfishly… selfishly he wanted this.

Rhea smiled and nodded her head. “My heart hurts for them. I couldn’t imagine being told I couldn’t have Lee. And both of them are being told they can’t have their mates. One because he will burn her and the other because he avoids her. Maybe this could be their common bond to start with? And maybe a strong love will follow…” She intertwined her fingers with Lee.

“Let’s talk to the children. That is the first step in all of this. Let them know what is at stake. This way they can mull over the idea and take some time to get used to it.” Lila looked over at Rhea.

“The dragon ceremony is coming up. It would be the best time for the acceptance kiss while all the kingdoms are gathered to witness it.” Lee listened to Rhea’s gasp.

“That’s too soon!”

“What does the timing have to do with it? If this is how it has to be then it doesn’t matter when it happens. Rhea, I think our daughter needs help moving on from Aken. She can’t have him. It is time she is given a real reason to move forward. She is stuck. You know this too… you’ve seen her. Sneaking out at night. If he wanted to claim her he would have by now. Even if he is staying away to protect her then let him protect her this way. I don’t want Erebus to come for my daughter. He is in hiding… he can stay that way for a long time. When I get the chance, I’ll destroy him. But how long will that be? If Alexis is with Aken, we would have to live in a state of constant worry. ”

Rhea closed her eyes, nodding her head. “I know… I know. For the sake of our daughter and the kingdom… this is for the best. Now we need to break it to them.”