51. Aurora

CHAPTER 51

Aurora

The Black Dragon keeps circling the battle below, yet he's not interfering. Ever so carefully, I walk along the spines on his back, making sure to remain on his armored plates.

In the back of my mind, I start humming the Mission Impossible theme song. This dragon is much larger than I was anticipating. I begin to get concerned until I notice missing scales at the base of his skull. Mentally, I reach out to my father, and he confirms what I'm thinking: dig quickly and sever the spinal cord. Alaric and his group are close, making sure no one gets close to me.

When I feel the time is right, I sink my talons into the exposed flesh. The Black Dragon roars and starts to whip his head from side to side, trying to shake me off. I hold on for dear life and sink my talons into his skin as I wedge myself between his spines. He stops whipping his head around, so I go back on the attack. I rip out several more large chunks before he starts thrashing his head around again. My once white fur is now covered in blood and flesh chunks from the Black Dragon. This is getting irritating; every time I start getting somewhere, he starts thrashing.

The good news is I can see two decent-sized blood vessels and vertebrae. As the thrashing slows down, I lunge quickly and easily slice through one of the blood vessels. Blood goes everywhere. It covers me as well as the dragon's scales. His blood is coagulating almost the second it hits his scales and me. I'm a big, gloppy, blood-covered mess. The only bonus to this gory mess is that he's slowly losing altitude. The dragon's roars are getting weaker, and he's not thrashing as hard.

Seizing the opportunity, I sever the second blood vessel. I feel as though I am swimming in a sea of blood. I have to sink my talons deep into his flesh just to keep from sliding off. I carefully move to stand after I notice the ground is approaching fast. Thankfully, he's headed right toward his own reinforcements. I grab on to the crown of horns that adorn his head and brace for impact. Just as I sense the impending crash, I jump up to lessen the blow to my body. The Black Dragon's body slides for several hundred feet before stopping.

I jump off the dragon's corpse quickly. Alaric's dragon lands close by and observes me. I'm cold, wet, and feeling gross. The blood in my fur is coagulating and freezing at the same time. I can't shift to my human form, or else I will turn into an ice cube. Alaric lowers his massive head to my level and starts blowing his hot breath on me. I'm just thankful he has enough sense not to try his flames on me. One great wing comes forward and shelters me from the wind.

There's a war going on about two thousand feet from us, but Alaric's only concern is my health and well-being. After about his fifth or sixth heated breaths, I'm defrosted, and the blood chunks have started falling away. I rub my muzzle against his dragon's nose, and then I lick it affectionately. Alaric forgets his strength when he tries to nuzzle me back. I end up on my ass in the snow, shaking my head at him. If a dragon could look sorry, he was doing it. I dust myself off and start walking back to the battle. Apparently, I'm not allowed to walk anymore because Alaric's dragon scoops me up, flies me over to my father, and drops me on his back. With my arrival after the Black Dragon crashed, the remaining forces retreat quickly.

Without a second thought, I leap off my father's back and give chase. My mates come up alongside me as well as the rest of the Dire Wolves. One by one, we hunt down and slaughter the remaining Polar Bears and Lycans.

The only unanswered question I have: where the fuck is Sebastian? I stand there and watch as the last of my enemies fall around me. All this bloodshed and for what? The Polar Bears didn't need to die; they were lied to and misled. The Lycans that fought, I wonder which pack they were from? I stand here in the middle of the tundra, surrounded by corpses, and all I can think about are the pups back in America.

My father's dragon comes up behind me and bathes me in his blue flames. All the dirt and grime from the day is gone. I nod my wolven head at my father before I start walking.

Alaric's dragon lands before me and opens his taloned hand, revealing a wooden box. I tilt my head left then right, studying it. Carefully, I use my talons and open the box. Within it is clothing; a heavy coat and boots. I look up at Alaric and motion to his wing. Taking the hint, he drops both of his wings to block me from the cold winds. I shift and get dressed quickly in the clothes provided. My gloved hand lightly touches Alaric's wing, and he lifts it. The clothing he picked out for me fits beautifully, and I step out looking like a princess for the first time in my life. The twins and Dimitri come to stand before me. I gently rub my face along their muzzles.

"Alaric and I are going to fly to his summer chalet." I look over to my father, and his dragon is smiling—well, he's showing his teeth, so I assume he's smiling. "I know you remember where the chalet is. Please lead our forces there." Nico nods his great dragon head and roars, assembling the troops. They turn and start heading south as they follow behind him.

I look back to Alaric's dragon, he lays down in the snow and extends his wing. Carefully, I step on the scaled bone of his wing and begin climbing toward his back. Once on Alaric's back, I remove my glove and press it to his scales.

"Where should I sit?" I look around his dragon's back, puzzled.

I'll lower my head. Sit directly behind the ridge of horns. It should protect you from the wind. I look toward Alaric's head where he indicated. He turns his body so his head is close to his back. I carefully climb onto his neck then move to sit behind the ridge of horns. It's a perfect fit for me, and I feel safe and secure where I'm at. I pat Alaric's neck, and we take off.

It's interesting sitting here with a dragon's eye view of the world around me. I shift my eyes to that of my beast, and I get to see the world how Alaric sees it. Everything looks so amazing up here above the clouds. It looks like we are flying over a field of cotton balls. Through the bond, I can feel that my joy from flying with him pleases him and his dragon. Carefully, I reach down and start scratching at his scales under the horn ridge. It seems like there's a build-up of dead skin in some spots, so I carefully remove it. I keep working on his scales while I'm back here. Soft rumbles can be felt from his dragon as I preen his scales. I know I love the feel of my father's fire through my fur, so I assume Alaric is enjoying the attention.

In the distance, a castle on a cliff face comes into view. It looks like it stepped right out of a fairy tale story. Without warning, two Gold Dragons flank us. I shift my arms and hands quickly, ready to fight.

Through the bond, I hear Alaric's voice. Settle, my love. It's my mother and sister escorting us home. His words offer me a little comfort and reassure me that we're safe for the moment. However, I have trust issues now, and it's hard to relax when I'm surrounded by strangers. Love, my life is tied to yours directly. I would never put our lives at risk. I have too much to live for now.

Without a second thought, I shift my hands back and rub his scales. I attempt to relax and enjoy the remainder of our flight to his castle.

The castle is one that you would expect to hear about in a fairy tale novel. Tall spires adorn the four corners, and a tall wall surrounds the main structure. We fly in lazy circles, gliding on the thermals around the castle grounds so I can get a good look at his home. I can tell he and his dragon are very concerned if I approve of their nest because his anxiety is spiking. I gently rub his scales.

"Your nest is beautiful. Can we land so I can get a better look at you and your home?" No sooner do the words leave my mouth than his dragon banks and lands softly in the courtyard. Alaric lowers his head, allowing me to slowly slide off his neck to land on his foreleg. My hand rests on his dragon's cheek as I step down. Once I'm safely on the ground, he sits up and spreads his wings, and roars. My inner beast stirs at his call, and I feel compelled to howl along with him. We roar and howl several times until my human throat is sore from the effort. I smile up at him and shake my head as I laugh. His large dragon head lowers to my level.

When I'm this close, I notice the blues mixed in with the white. His scales also slightly change color depending on the angle I look from. Alaric stands perfectly still as I continue to touch his scales and look at his dragon form. His large golden serpentine eye follows my movements.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement off to my right. I quickly duck under Alaric's lowered wing. I remain firmly pressed against his body, slowly working on climbing up his leg to get my feet off the ground. Alaric's dragon huffs, and I guess he's laughing for some reason. I remain perched on his leg directly under where his wing attaches to his body. If he chose to stand up now, I would surely fall. A woman's voice reaches my ears and I start to growl, not happy another female is near what's mine. Slowly, Alaric lifts his wing and turns his head to face me. I stare into his dragon's eyes, my own churning liquid mercury; every move I make, Alaric mimic's.

My love, Mother wishes to meet you. That's the female you heard speaking. No threat, I promise. Alaric's voice echoes in my head. I gradually calm down and nod to him. I slip carefully back to the ground and straighten my hair back out. I draw in a deep, measured breath and make sure my eyes are back to normal. I adjust my stance to how Dimitri told me I should carry myself at court. My hand rests on Alaric's side just before I step out from under his wing.

His mother is a vision of beauty. Her hair is long like mine but is the color of spun gold. Her skin is the most perfect of porcelain, with lips the color of blood. She rushes forward and embraces me tightly. My look of apparent panic causes Alaric to make a rumbling noise, which gets his mother to back off.

"I'm sorry, my dear. I never thought my boy would find a mate. When he said it was you, I just couldn't contain myself. Oh, where are my manners? My name is Katherine. I guess you can say I'm Queen of the Ice Dragon Court." She smiles while looking at me and slightly bows her head. Two men come forth, one carrying clothing and the other with a dressing blind. The men start to herd Alaric's dragon to an alcove close by. I watch the men for a moment, then turn my attention back to Katherine. I move the ripped sleeve of my coat and show her the royal mark on my forearm.

"I'm Princess Aurora Marelup, last of my name, first of my kind—future queen of the Lycan packs." I curtsey to the queen and she returns the gesture. Her hand gently comes out to touch mine.

"I knew your mother. She was such a kind and caring soul. But gods help you, if you crossed her, she was downright ruthless." Katherine smiles as she speaks about my mother. It warms my heart to know someone besides my father and Dimitri is left alive that knew my mother. I smile and laugh a bit.

"I have a lot of my mother's tendencies and my father's black or white view of the world. Though, thankfully, I have a much better grasp of technology than he does." I watch his mother's visage pale considerably when I mention my father in the present tense. I straighten up my stance a bit more, my resolve as hard as steel.

"I rescued my father from the Dire Wolf camp in the Nankoweap Ruins. Apparently, their alpha—who was the beta in my mother's time—chopped off his left arm and took him hostage." I tilt my head left then right, assessing her reaction. Before I can speak again, Alaric wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my cheek.

"My father should be here tomorrow with the rest of my troops. That's not going to be a problem, is it?" I watch my scales ripple across my hands then recede just as fast. My eyes lock on Alaric's mother's eyes—there's a definite fear there. Katherine begins to pace in front of us before she turns and looks at her son.

"Alaric, you know what this means for all of us?" Tears are threatening to break free from her eyes. Katherine's flesh flushes from the effort of trying not to cry. Alaric kisses my cheek then locks eyes with his mother.

"I do. It means dad isn't the rightful king, and we no longer hold any title. Nicodeamus was next in line for the throne, but with him not wed to another dragon or dragon kind, he cannot sit upon the capital's throne. Aurora, however, can and will sit upon the throne—she is dragon-kin and my mate. If Aurora allows it, I wish to wed her before we dethrone father." I watch Alaric talk to his mother. It feels very surreal, like I'm watching some reality TV show. I have a prince, who's really not a prince, who wishes to be my husband and mate. I turn in Alaric's arms and look up into his grey eyes.

"Make the preparations. As far as my father is concerned, he will see the value of having not only our mating but our marriage to solidify the alliance between the Lycans and Dragon houses." I stand on my tippy toes and kiss his lips. "Besides, I think you'll look pretty damn fine in dress clothes." I feel my father reach out to me mentally, and I bring him up to speed. Alaric's grip on me tightens as I widen the connection, allowing both of them in on the conversation. I personally suspect anyone who gained power after my mother's house fell. Both my father and Alaric agree. I look at Alaric's mother over my shoulder, and my mercury orbs frighten her some.

"Father says hi, and the wedding will happen tomorrow at dusk. The Dragon Star is at its apex tomorrow, and he wants it to bless our union. Plus, it's my birthday." His mother's fear is clearly visible. She's shaking, which proves to me that she knows something about the attack. "Alaric, love, please show me to our chambers. I wish to freshen up." Alaric studies his mother's reaction to what I said before he leads me off.