The Gold Dragon

Chapter Two:

Dean’s POV:

It is Saturday, more importantly, it is Amber’s birthday. A feeling of nerve-wracking and surreal excitement fills my gut at the thought of what this evening may bring. When the clock strikes twelve and the moon is at its highest, Amber and I will finally come to learn if we are fated. I feel a smile edge on my lips as I jump out of the shower and run a towel through my hair. I have been in love with Amber and have felt a pull towards her since the moment I first laid my eyes on her as a baby. Some may think it’s strange, but I have dedicated all my protection and care to her since.

“Dean, are you almost ready to start helping me and your father set up the party for later?” My mother calls in.

“Yes, mom. I will be out soon.” I respond through the door and roll my eyes. My mother and father are like best friends with the royals and we seem to be the most invested in making sure this party is spectacular for our future princess.

“Remember, it needs to be perfect. This might be the night you and Amber have been waiting for!” My mother says again and then claps her hands. I chuckle as I hear her skipping away from my door. The truth is that we have all been waiting for this day for a long, long time. Amber and I are joined at the hip and all of our feelings are very real. In fact, the intensity of our connection has always been a concern across the land, as many felt we were too young to enter into such intense relations considering we are not fated. I sigh out.

“Most magical never meet their mates anyway.” I breathe into the mirror as I run a couple of fingers through my hair. My spoken thoughts make my body jolt with a slight pain, almost as if rejecting the notion of not having a mate. Would I still love Amber, even if she weren’t my fated? My body feels a stinging again and I shake my head.

“Of course I will. She is everything!” I reply to my reflection in the mirror with a smile. Just like that, the pain is gone and I am back to my confident self. I will always love Amber. What is not to be devoted to about her? Her heart is of the purest gold, her smile lights up any room, her laugh is contagious, her innocence melts hearts, her intelligence is bold and her beauty…

“She has me weak at the knees.” I sigh out again as I grab my phone and head out the door. Amber is like the full package, all put into one bite-sized, little, fierce princess. I smile as I imagine her running into my arms later this day.

Until then, my heart will carry on beating in longing pumps for the moment she truly becomes mine.

Amber’s POV:

“I can’t believe my baby girl is eighteen today. Dominic, can you believe it?” My mother gushes at the lunch table. My eyes wander over all the delicious platters that the chefs put together. All my favorite selections of fruit, meats and cheeses are spread out on large, crystal dishes. Just the sight of the juicy and plump mango slices make me growl with need.

“Yes, our princess is a woman now! We are proud of you, Amber.” My father says from his proud seat at the table. My eyes shimmer as they notice the fat, pork sausages sitting on one of the plates.

“Amber, darling?” My mother says and I quickly look up to my parents who are watching me with amusement in their eyes. I giggle out as I realize I have been daydreaming this whole time.

“Sorry, I was just appreciating the selection of foods here.” I admit and they both laugh too.

“Well, we did ask the staff to prepare all your favorites.” My father says before grabbing some slices of cheese. This signifies that we can all begin our meal too, so I immediately reach for the few items which have caught my eye already. The mango explodes against my taste buds and I smile as I allow its sweet and sour juices to invade my senses.

“So tonight there will be a party for you between the pool area and the forest.” My mother says, her voice coming out as excited and knowing. I don’t miss the glint of mischief in her expression, which my father chuckles at.

“Oh yes?” I say and she claps her hands together. Now it’s my turn to look at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh, don’t give me that look. Tonight you will meet your mate, hopefully!” She says again and I feel my body heating up at the thought of Dean. What will it be like when our eyes meet for the first time as fated? What will I even say to him after all these years of being so in love? I smile and feel my cheeks become heated at what he said he would be doing to me tonight once we are fated.

“Hush, Charlotte. What if she doesn’t? We don’t want to put too much pressure on it.” My father says and it feels like a bucket of ice water has been thrown onto me. The air dips and both of my parents look at me.

“Oh please. Dean and Amber have been joined at the hip since birth. I think I can tell mates when I see them. What else would explain their bond?” My mother says and then offers me a reassuring smile. My father grunts and nods, clearly not wanting to argue about the matter, which I appreciate. Truth is that I cannot imagine a life with Dean not at my side. Every wildest dream, every romantic fantasy, every steamy moment and every aspiration has always featured him as the male lead. If we aren’t mated, I do think I will be devastated and deeply confused.

“Well, let us see what tonight brings, huh?” My father says and then smiles at me with a wink. I feel myself blushing at his gesture.

“Which reminds me. Happy birthday my princess. Here is your gift.” My father says and then lifts to his feet to edge closer. I watch as he lifts a small box from his pocket with a smile. My eyes take in the soft, pink hues of the tiny item and I feel my mind turning with possibilities of what may be hidden behind the purple ribbon.

“Thank you, dad and mom.” I reply and they both nod with broad smiles as I start tugging at the ends of the ribbon. When I open it, I feel my forehead turn into a crease. There, laying on a soft cushion is a bright, red stone that shines in crimson against the natural light.

“It was mine for all my life.” My mother beams and I look up to see her watching me with tenderness.

“What is it?” I ask and my mother giggles.

“With this stone, all you need to do is close your eyes and imagine any place you long to be and it will take you there. Of course, it needs to be somewhere you know, so that you can get the details right.” My mother says more excitedly and stands to also come closer and look at the stone. A rock that helps you magically travel? I feel my eyes widen in wonder at how remarkable that sounds. I can sneak from my bed to Deans every night without anyone noticing a thing.

“We thought you may enjoy something like this as a way of traveling and seeing all the lands out there. With you coming of age, but also as the future royal, knowing all the Lands is important and this stone is faster than by dragon. We know how much you have always wanted to travel freely.” My father says again and I feel my veins buzzing with happiness and gratitude. What a thoughtful gift.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!” I beam and rush to hug my parents behind my chair. All three of our eyes well up as we savor the moment of our family love. They are parents who have raised me with utmost care and fire. A mischievous smile forms on my lips in the middle of the hug. I hold the stone tightly and then close my eyes to imagine my bedroom in the palace. I envision the soft, floral walls that dance against the sunlight that swims in from the window. I imagine the white swirls of wood that surround all the furniture in the space. I imagine my feet in the plush, beige carpet. When I open my eyes again, I am standing in the very space I thought of and a loud squeal escapes my lips as I realize it worked. Wow, this stone is going to be so much fun. I close my eyes again and I start to think of the blue and grey striped walls of Dean's room. I smile as I smell his musky cologne wafting in gentle streaks across the darker space. His one whole wall is a window that overlooks the forest and his floor is rather a dark wood, instead of a carpet. When I open my eyes, I am standing in his bedroom. My eyes scan over the space, hoping to see him, but he is nowhere to be found, not even in his ensuite bathroom. I smile as I look down at the fluffy tops of the pine trees in the distance. His room is spectacular, even though it is significantly smaller than mine. I feel my skin prick up as the sun shines down onto me through the thin glass. Just as I turn and decide to leave, not wanting to invade his personal space, I see a golden parchment sitting on his desk. When I move closer, I first notice an open, white letter addressed to him and his father. My eyebrows crease together as it goes into detail about the dire situation in the Lands surrounding the Dark Land. A chill runs over my spine as they mention that people are almost attracted to the darkness and are choosing to leave for the Dark Land in order to be infected. How odd! I quickly put it down as it starts to describe the state of the people they do manage to find. It’s just too terrible for words. The golden parchment catches my attention again and my breathing hitches when I see it is addressed to me.

(Letter on the Golden Parchment)

My lovely Amber,

Today is your eighteenth birthday and the moment we have been anticipating for the past several years of our time together. My heart fills with nothing but happiness and pride when I think about how we have been walking this journey of life side by side and how I have witnessed you grow into the breathtaking woman that you are. I look at you and I see my whole future.

I know there is a lot riding on the idea of us being mates, as we share an unexplainable connection and have always been so close throughout the years. Amber, I don’t want you to be heartbroken if we come to know that we are not fated. We have heard the many stories over the years and we know how rare it is to find a mate. Even if nothing changes, it is enough for me and I will ALWAYS choose you. My heart beats for you, Amber. My blood boils for you. My dragon fire burns for you only.

So, even if the clock were to strike midnight, I choose you and always will. It is up to your heart on whether you may choose me too.

Happy birthday my golden princess. I love you more than these simple words on a paper can even begin to say.

And I am always yours until I breathe my last fire.

Dean.

(End of Letter)

My eyes well up and a smile forms on my face. Every time my eyes scan over the words again, my heart swells and my blood buzzes with warmth. Dean chooses me, even if we aren’t fated. Of course, I would choose him too. It’s also only ever been him to me. I quickly put the paper down again where I found it and then I hold onto the small, red stone. Within seconds I am back in my feminine room.

It's time for me to start getting ready for my party later today.