From the distance, I hear a faint sigh of relief, and I shift my gaze to the setting sun. We have a few more hours of daylight before nightfall. By tomorrow, we’ll reach the temple of Lanaisor. The thought curls my lips with a smile—soon I will have the full power that was promised. The power to reclaim my destiny.
“Dracoth!” Princesa shrieks, piercing my joyous musings. “Dracoth? Can you hear me?”
I stride around the massive tree, the crunch of dried twigs and leaves underfoot the only sound as I approach.
“He didn’t leave me, did he? Oh, hi.” She smiles faintly, her pretty head poking out from a red bush. “Um... can you cut me some leaves?” Her face flushes as she wrinkles her nose. “Like, a lot of leaves. Thanks, that would be a huge help.”
I suppress the urge to groan. Me, the greatest warrior blessed by Arawnoth himself, reduced to plucking leaves like a nesting puffrio? A surge of anger threatens to erupt forth until I notice the expectant, nervous smile painting the crouching Princesa. With an effort, I turn away, extending my claws, spearing the red and orange leaves from nearby trees.
Some trees, I recall, can irritate the skin, though studying them I frown—they all blur together, leaves and... wood. No wonder Clan Draxxus warriors lack focus, distracted by this wild, chaotic landscape.
Soon, my claws are overloaded with so many leaves that I must resemble a red-colored tree myself. With deft precision, I slice them into tiny Princesa-sized squares and return to the squatting female.
“What’s taking him so long...” she grumbles under her breath.
“Here,” I say, stepping around the tree, dumping the large bundle into her arms.
“What the—?” Princesa’s eyes widen in shock as she struggles to catch the enormous pile. “My ass isn’tthatbig!” she exclaims, as the tower of leaves nearly obscures her face, some blowing away in the light breeze.
“Hurry, your stench may attract predators,” I say, wrinkling my nose.
“You’re so fucking rude,” Princesa gasps, her pale skin flushing a curious shade of light crimson. “The only predator I see here is you, you big bore.” Her voice follows me as I turn to give her privacy.
It’s amusing she names me ‘bore’ when she’s the one who prattles fruitlessly without end. Though I haven’t needed to gag her today—a slight improvement. I stand waiting, scanning the surrounding trees. No sign of danger, just the distant cries of creatures echoing between the immense trunks.
“Right, I’m done,” Princesa announces, cradling the clacking plump Todd in her arms. “I think...” she adds, her gaze dropping. “Those green berries went straight through me.” She shudders as I shoot her a sharp glare, my earlier warning useless against her wild nature. “Oh, don’t give me that look. I know; I know.” She waves a dismissive hand.
“Come,” I command, placing my hand on her back, eager to reach the temple.
“Ugh, can’t you just carry me?” she asks, her wide silver eyes glancing up at me from under long, downcast lashes. The softness of her voice quickens my pulse, stirring something inside me. “Please, Dracoth,” she purrs, shuffling closer. “It’s easy for you... you’re so big and strong.”
The female manipulates me, using seduction as her primary strength. Interesting. I may have underestimated her.
“No,” I say sternly, guiding her to walk ahead.
Princesa lets out a loud, exaggerated sigh. “Fine, I’ll just death march to my own wedding... So romantic,” she quips sarcastically.
Do human females never walk? I recall seeing Earth women meandering aimlessly when I captured them. Perhaps Princesa is unique in this regard—or more likely, she’s testing my resolve, like a Nebian probing for any sign of weakness to exploit. She’ll find none.
We march in silence for a time. The glorious purple sun of Klendathor dips lower, casting long shadows through the dense forest. Princesa’s sluggish pace irks me, and I’m already supporting half her weight with my hand along her back as she groans softly every few steps.
“Wait!” she suddenly stops, panic in her voice. “Did you hear that?”
I halt, scanning the trees in the low purple light, my senses sharp as my claws, body coiled to unleash bloody horror.
“There is nothing—”
“Shush!” Princesa raises a finger to her full lips, edging closer to me with cautious, sliding steps. Instinctively, I wrap my arm around her curvy frame, ready to protect.
“Ahh!” she shrieks, leaping into my arms as I hold her steady, muscles tensing for the coming attack. My eyes dart across the area, ready to rip apart whatever assails us, but there’s nothing—just the light breeze and the long shadows of the trees.
“Hmm, so cozy,” Princesa nestles tight into my embrace with a loud sigh. “Thanks, I was so frightened.” Her eyes gleam up at me, not with relief but with mischief. That smile—smug, teasing. “My red dragon,” her fingers tracing over the plates of my arm with a slow, appreciative touch.
The realization finally strikes—there was no attack. Only Princesa’s manipulation. Clever, very clever. A smile tugs at my stubborn lip, unable to resist her inane craftiness.
“Oh, look at that. Another smile,” she grins, like it’s some grand achievement. “Was it the name you liked? Red dragon?”
I resume my long strides, content to let her have this small victory. Not because of her soft warmth pressing against me.
