Can he do that?
I looked over to Markis, standing at the base of the stairs in disbelief. His words from moments earlier weighed heavy on my mind. Is it possible? 'Talon, I wanted to notify you that Maximus has challenged you to a true-form battle. He will be waiting for you in two hours.'
"Is something like this even allowed?' I asked.
"It never has happened, yet there are no rules that it can't," Markis replied.
I couldn't believe my ears; Maximus was challenging Talon to a fight in their dragon forms. My heart began racing as the fear of losing my future mate weighed heavy on me. Looking over to Talon, he appeared calm and unconcerned about the information we had got. Markis walked toward us, sitting in one of the chairs.
"Congrats on finding your mate, brother. I am happy for you, but I don't like that Maximus is challenging." He said.
"Maximus may be the stand-in king, yet he doesn't possess the magical gifts of the King. Maximus shall regret this choice." Talon replied.
I curled tighter to Talon as he kissed the top of my head to calm me. I never thought I would seek comfort from someone else; I am very independent.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen to me, my love. I hold abilities he doesn't, nor is he trained as well as I am. He always would fly off or hang out with his friends when it came to training. He never took it seriously, considering he would not be the King in this generation." Talon informed me.
"So, now that he has it, he has no intention of giving it up?" I asked.
"Exactly, that would mean he becomes a warrior like the rest of us who aren't the King in the generation. The Jade Dragon family had the crown for the last generation; the Blue Dragon is supposed to be this one. The Red Dragon family isn't in line for it for another two generations. Even the Golden Dragons are before them, so when Talon risked himself to save Maximus and was injured, he must have figured it was his chance to weasel his way in before everyone else." Markis recounted.
It blows my mind that Maximus got away with taking the crown while other dragon families were in line even before his own. Talon sighed as he buried his face in my hair, breathing deeply.
"Today, when this battle happens, I want you to remain with Markis. He will protect you from Maximus if something goes wrong. Yet, nothing will, my sweet!" Talon requested.
I have all the faith in Talon, yet that percentage of unpredictability is nagging at me. Not knowing what is involved in this battle isn't helping my mind calm at all. Do they shift into dragon form entirely and fly in the air and fight, or do they partially shift into dragons and fight on the ground? There are many questions, but I want to cherish every moment with Talon before he has to battle. I don't want to trouble him with my curiosity and longing to understand the situation.
I leaned over and kissed his neck; a soft moan escaped from him as he turned his head, kissing me passionately.
"Get a room, you two!" Makris laughed.
"We are in my room!" I replied with a wink.
Not that Markis took the hint, but I wanted him to leave my room so I could have some alone time with Talon. Even though I had just met him days ago, my love for Talon staggers me, but I can't deny it. Remarkably, Talon was calm and relaxed despite everything.
I sighed, knowing Markis didn't seem to have any intention of leaving my room.
"Brother, I love you, but I want to spend some alone time with my mate before the main event." Talon chuckled.
Markis snickered as he walked for the stairs, shaking his head as he disappeared up the stairway. I breathed a sigh of relief as Talon grinned widely.
"Finally, he is gone!" Talon said.
"I still don't get it, he was so nasty to me, and now he almost seems friendly." I laughed.
"It just takes time for him to warm up to someone new. You are my mate, so he better be nice if he doesn't want me to hurt him!" He laughed.
My passion for him surged to life as I kissed him, and an undeniable urge to have him claim me took hold. As our kiss grew in intensity, he nipped my lip as a moan escaped from me. I want this man more than anything. Talon fisted my hair tightly as our kiss deepened. A low, rumbling growl came from him as he suddenly pulled away.
I looked at him with disappointment and sighed as he smiled yet had an edge of seriousness to his expression.
"I want you as much as you do me, but I want you to be my queen first. I hope that is alright with you." Talon said.
I nodded and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek; he couldn't be more sweet if he tried.
"Can I call my parents to let them know I am alright?" I asked.
"Of course you can. I am sorry how that whole situation went down, but I can't apologize for taking you with me. I found my mate!" He said.
I rested my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat as his body warmed, calming me. I know this battle could end badly, but I will cherish this very moment.
"Are you hungry? I can make you some breakfast." I asked him.
"Famished, yet I will make it. You better get used to getting spoiled, love." He laughed.
As we arrived upstairs, the formal dining room table had magnificent foods spread out over it, from meats to eggs and fruits. We sat down and took our fill of the breakfast as Maximus walked in looking angry like normal. He looked to the end of the table where we were sitting as he growled. I rolled my eyes at his absurd outburst.
"Enjoy your last meal!" Maximus growled at Talon.
My anger began to build as I struggled to keep my mouth shut, or I may say something not so nice to that pompous ass. I shot the red asshole a nasty look while he grinned back at me. Does he actually think he is going to win this battle against Talon?
Maximus sat at the head of the table, talking in whispers with those at the other end of the table. I caught something he was saying to one of them. 'Don't worry, things are ready.' Spoken in hushed tones, I felt my rage building.
"What are you planning on cheating in some way? How low can you be? You're already a piece of shit with your plotting and betrayal. If I were these other families, I would have beat the shit out of you for even considering betraying the man who saved you! You all should be ashamed of yourself for helping him in his betrayal." I spat.
They all looked at me as if I had slapped every one of them with a two-by-four. I hope they realize how sickening their behavior has been along with Maximus. Their expressions all became grave, perhaps in knowing they were all betrayers.
