5. Not Kurjara

Knot recognized a cursed being when he saw one. In fact, he wasnt sure why no one else, the witches, the other dragons, even the priestess, hadnt spotted the blatant dark magic.

Perhaps only he could because he was himself cursed for so long. He may still be.

But until Scarlett was prepared to show herself again in battle, she would not be found. Her magic was too powerful, and shed become exceptionally good at hiding. Without her, he would continue to be a miserable, no name, nothing. So, hed been biding his time awaiting her return by quietly following the cursed familiar, who he genuinely liked. He wasnt sure why hed taken to Percy. Perhaps like called to like.

Because Percy was fucking cursed.

And Knot didnt think Percy knew it either. That might be an element of the particular curse upon him. Forgetting was often built in.

There were days, months, millennium when Knot wished he could forget. Not just his own difficulties, but the hardships, horrors, and tortures hed brought down upon his fellow Dragons and their mates.

Some among him thought his soul was redeemable. He wasnt so sure.

But Percys on the other claw... there was purity, kindness, and bravery in him, and if anyone could beat a curse, it would be him. And maybe, just maybe, if Knot helped him find a way to break that curse on him, it would bring just a small fraction of peace to his own soul.

Because Goddess knew, he was a selfish bastard, and he never really did anything that didnt benefit himself in some way.

When Percy and his mate came out of Fallyns hiding place in the Dragon tree and looked up at the stars, not even noticing him perched in the highest branches, he drew the shadow around them, making the night darker. He didnt miss the utter empty void of Hell, but there was far too much light, even at night on this mortal plane.

He was rewarded when the woman pointed to the sky, apparently finding what she was seeking. He spread his wings even wider, calling more of the shadow, but he scared the little mate, and Percy, ever protective, gathered her into his arms, and yelled at him.

Brave little familiar to yell at the former King of Hell.

Knot was curious to hear Percy call her his mate, and he flew down to the forest floor. If he had found his mate, it hadnt broken the curse on him. Wasnt that normally part of the deal?

It had been for the other Dragon warriors. But Percy wasnt... well, Knot didnt know what Percy really was. This tiny rodent form hed been stuck in was just part of his curse.

He landed and before he could let the magic of the shift flow over him, the little mate in Percys arms reached out and smacked him right on the nose.

Knot sneezed.

Ah, so just as brave as her chosen one. Perhaps Percy only needed to claim her in order to break his curse, because she was a fierce and worthy mate indeed.

Just like his Scarlett.

Knot shifted into his human form and the old world manners his mother had taught him centuries ago surfaced from he didnt know where. He took a small bow and said, My apologies, little mate. It was not my intention to scare you. Only to bring you the dark so you could see the stars better.

Dont you be thinking shes your mate or something, Dragon. Politeness aside, there arent any soul shards lighting up on you, so she isnt yours.

That was interesting. I know who my mate is, Percy, and I assure you she isnt here. This woman is your mate, I heard you declare it so.

Besides, it was obvious. Ah, again, this must be a part of his curse. Not being able to recognize ones mate was one of the Queen of Hells favorite tricks.

Ffff-fate. Shes my Fate. He looked a little abashed to declare her his. Well, shes a Fate, from the stars. Not mate. Fate.

Knot would just have to help him understand. Then they could get to the breaking of the curse part. Yes, your fated mate.

Oh, never mind. Percy rolled his eyes and shook his head like Knot had just uttered the stupidest thing anyone had ever said. Unless youre here to help me figure out a way to get her back home, Id appreciate a little, uh, privacy.

This. This was why he liked Percy. His cursed animal form was small and should be timid. His human form was lithe and strong, but he didnt quite know how to behave in his body. But in neither form was he ever afraid of Knot. Everyone else was. With good reason. I can help.

Percy looked at him like hed just spoken in Annunaki. He was fairly sure he hadnt. No, no, that had definitely been English. No one on this realm spoke the ancient language of Hell, except him. Thus, it had to be the message. Yeah, yeah. No one expected the no-name defeated Black Dragon of their former nightmares to be helpful.

Well, thanks, Percy shrugged, but unless youve got connections at NASA, I dont think you can get her back home any better than I can.

Home. The little mate spoke the word in a wistful way that almost hurt Knots heart. If he had one.

I dont know anyone named Na-saw, but perhaps if you tell me where home is, I can... fly you there.

Knot did not enjoy carrying people around on his back. He wasnt Herbie. But it assumed the task more than once when needed. If it meant helping Percy break his curse, he could bear it again.

The little mate pointed up to the stars again. Home.

She lived among the stars? Well, shit. Of course it couldnt be easy. Curses never were. It was stupid of him to assume it would be simple.

Nothing was every simple and easy for Knot. And he deserved it.