Mated to a Dragon Princess

Chapter One: Becoming of age

Astrid's P.O.V

I spun around the garden in my beautiful new gown, I caught the heavy scent of the roses and tulips onto me and my dress. Thoughtless and thoughtful at the same time, I stopped, ran out the garden and straight into the giant courtyard I scraped the back of my heels against the concrete to get the gunky mud off.

Cheering fell into my ears, I looked around at the huge crowd then out the gates at all my subjects wishing me a happy birthday. It was celebrations all throughout the kingdom. I danced and danced with my guests. I was pulled aside to where everyone could lay their eyes on me, my shoulder length curly red hair, ebony skin, freckled face and doe brown eyes.

"We are here to celebrate my daughter Princess Astrid." The guests cheered and my father looked at me as if he couldn't be anymore proud of the woman he and my mother raised. "And her turning 19." Well 19 was a big deal among dragons, it officially means I'm a woman, anytime now I"ll be taking over the kingdom. "Which means the search for her mate begins!" The crowd clapped and cheered.

"Thank you all for coming." I curtsy, as tradition I went around dancing with each male at the party to see if any were my mate. Mostly everyone and anyone who were royal or of high social standing were here tonight. It was pretty common for royalty and nobles to be each other mates. Truthfully I hoped my mate isn't here, I like my best friend, the prince of the neighboring kingdom. His family couldn't make it because the king and queen had been dealing with disappearances in their kingdom, they closed the kingdom off until further notice. I just hoped Prince Cody was my mate.

As the evening went on I had a great time, I discovered my mate definitely was not here tonight. Usually that would create worry that my mate is a commoner, although I wouldn't mind that I just had a good feeling it was Prince Cody, we always got along so well.

Once my celebration was over my father and mother told me to meet them in my father's office after putting away my gifts in my room. Once everything was away I showered and changed into my nightgown. I walked down the hall passing the portraits of my ancestors on the repainted damp walls. Once I reached my father's office I turned the knob gently and walked in.

"Astrid." My parents said in unison, my father at his desk and my mother standing beside it. "Since you didn't find your mate today we can't schedule your coronation yet, but don't worry this isn't abnormal my daughter, your mate could still be a royal or noble, maybe your age, or even a year or two younger. You'd have to wait till they hit 20." The reason it's 20 for males is because that's when the male dragon shifter brain is fully developed and 19 is when the female dragon shifter brain is fully developed. Your body isn't able to trigger the reaction of knowing you're around your mate until your mate's and your brain in fully developed.

My mother smiled at me kindly. "But your mate might also be a commoner, it happens every once in a while, you'll have guards accompanying you around the certain parts of the kingdom each morning to see if you feel anything." She then walked to me and gave me a warm full hug. "Happy birthday Astrid."

I patted my mother on her back. "Thank you Mother, um I believe my mate might be Prince Cody."

My father stood up from behind his desk that was filled with paper, he had a lot of work to get done. "Their kingdom had been closed but royals and nobles are permitted to come and go if they notify them in advance. I'll let the Queen know you're going to see if prince Cody is your mate so I'll have your lady in waiting escort you to the kingdom tomorrow to see, but don't get your hopes up."

I held back a squeal and just nodded. "Thank you father, Mother." I left the office, my feet hitting the ground heavily as I sprinted to my room in glee practically skipping.

The next morning I woke up bright and early, I got out my bed almost falling as I grabbed my sheets and pulled myself up. I tumbled over to my closet and picked a beautiful casual dress. I changed and put on some makeup. I rushed out into the hall almost tripping onto a guard, but he stepped aside quickly.

"Princess Astrid!" My lady in waiting waved to me with her entire arm. "Are you ready?" She smiled seeming just as excited as I was.

I hugged her out of excitement. "Oh god yes Marabel." I laughed of pure joy. Marabel had been my lady in waiting for a few years now, she's also a few years older than me, but that's easily forgettable. I climbed into the carriage with help from Marabel then she got in after. It was being pulled by a Pegasus, soon the Pegasus started to fly.

The entire flight I just daydreamed about how it'd be like to meet my mate and for it to really be Prince Cody. Nothing too exciting ever happened to me. I mean I am a princess of a hidden dragon kingdom that holds other mythical creatures, but we're rather peaceful creatures who get along with each other and most other creatures. I just attend my royal classes day to day and sometimes accompany my parents on business trips.

We used to be the only dragon kingdom, but we've expanded in the last few hundred years and our population has grown. Now there are four, the southern kingdom that's us, formally known as the dragon kingdom or the dark kingdom, but now we're Kingdom Grandainum, there's three other dragon kingdoms, one in the north, east and west. Right now we're traveling to the Northern Kingdom.

As we landed I tried to stay as calm as possible, I climbed out and my ankles were shaking from anxiety. I was escorted into the castle along with my lady in waiting.

A strong scent hit me, I froze, everything became blurry, my heart began beating like a drum stick against metal.

Mate