Mated to the Dragon King

Chapter 4

Lou

I could feel her anxiety and fear over our connection when she turned to face me. In the state that she was in, I could see why she would be afraid, but again, I had no intentions of trying to do anything that would cause my mate harm. If anything, I was becoming more and more furious as I washed away the dirt, grime, and dried blood on her skin. Her wounds scabbed over and some older ones had already scarred over. I wondered if her skin would rejuvenate once she regained her strength and activated her healing ability. It didn't matter to me if the scars remained or if they went away, I was going to love her regardless.

"If it helps, just close your eyes and I'll clean you up quickly. Please do not hesitate to tell me if I'm hurting you. That is the last thing I want to do to you. Okay?"

Fae nodded, closed her eyes, and placed them on my shoulders while I quickly cleaned her body up to her neck. I was extra careful around her breasts and genital area since I knew there was some intense scarring around her inner thighs.

I placed my hand over one of hers to let her know I was finished with her front. "Hey, did you want me to wash your hair or could you manage?"

Fae swallowed hard and looked down at her feet. "I don't know if I can raise my hands any higher than your shoulders right now. I'm still really sore." she whispered.

I rose from the bench and detached the showerhead. "No sweat, I can do that for you." I patted my knee and urged her to sit. "Come, I'm sure my mother is here with lunch."

She gave me a small smile and sat down on my lap, facing me. I gave her a big smile and proceeded to wash her hair. The amount of dried, old blood that streamed down her tresses and down the drain enraged me once more. Tan was extremely close to breaking free and finishing the job.

We need to go and see that piece of s**t. Tan growled in the back of my mind.

I know today was the day he either gave us answers or that hatchling was going to eat him from the inside out.

Who's egg did you shove up there again?

Mathis, because his woman's eggs are spikey. So I know he's been feeling that for the last few days. I chuckled at him.

Ha, let's get our mate settled at home before we go pay him a visit.

I thought I told you she was never leaving my side. I do not want to scare her by seeing that man.

You never know, it might jog her memory.

I'm not risking it. I need her to be stress-free so she can heal.

Tan growled at me and receded into the back of our minds. I huffed and rolled my eyes at him. "Fae, once we are done with lunch I do..." I paused for a moment and looked down at Fae. Her head was leaning against my chest and her eyes were closed. "Oh... she fell asleep," I whispered.

"No, not yet. You're so warm and the water is turning cold."

I scooped Fae into my arms and turned off the water before I stepped out of the shower stall. "I am so f*****g sorry! I didn't realize the water changed." I panicked. I made her uncomfortable and cold. "How did I not notice that?" I growled at myself and wrapped a fluffy towel around her.

Once that was all finished I walked out of the bathroom and set her down on the bed as gently as I possibly could before grabbing a clean hospital gown and urged her to give me her arms. "Let's get you dressed for now and I'll let my mother know you're ready to eat." I smiled down at her and waited for her to slip out of the towel.

It took me two seconds to get her dressed and the gown tied off before my mother walked pushing a cart with three covered dishes.

"How is she doing, Lou?" She whispered.

I glanced over at my mother and sat on the edge of the bed. "She's awake, clean, and wanting as much information as possible about what's going on. She's lost a lot of her memory."

Fae grabbed my hand and tugged on it to get my attention. "You're still in your shorts…" She whispered.

"I know. I was more concerned about you rather than myself. I'll just wait til we get back to the palace to change." I replied.

"Fae, honey. Would you mind if I sat with you guys for lunch? I've missed you since you've been away." My mother asked as she handed Fae and I our plates.

My gaze volleyed between the two for a moment before Fae nodded her head.

"I-I don't mind, miss–"

"Oh honey, just call me mom."

"Mom… I can do that… I think. This is all weird. I apologize for anything I say or do that might offend you." Fae said shyly.

"Honey, you couldn't offend me if you tried. Except those hunters who dare lay a hand on you. That in itself offended me." She growled. "I still can't believe the nerve of those humans."

I pinched the bridge of my nose and removed the lids off our plates. My mother knew me best, a large piece of steak with all of the fixings and the additional sides on the cart. Fae's plate had her favorite chef's salad with strawberries and a dash of raspberry vinaigrette and of course a baked potato with cheese. She was so simple and easy to please when it came to food.

"Oh this looks good. Thank you mom!" Fae piped up and dug into her plate feverishly.

The two of us chuckled at her antics and began eating our own meals. It didn't take long for us to finish our lunch and the clanking of the ceramic plates on the cart caused Fae to jump.

My mother chuckled and placed her hand in hers. "Fae, I have no idea what happened to you, but I want you to know that Lou will not stop searching until he finds out what happened to you. Until then, would you care to accompany me on a tour of the palace?"

Fae glanced up at me then back over to my mother. "I… uh… sure I guess. Would you be coming with me?" She looked back at me.

I sucked in a quick breath and shook my head. "Not for this part. I unfortunately have something rather important to attend to."

She lowered her head and pouted. "I see. Well maybe um, later?" She asked shyly.

I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a reassuring yet gentle squeeze. "After this I will never leave your side." I replied. "I just need to finish up a few things."

Fae sighed heavily and nodded before she pulled away from me. I gave my mom a saddened look and pushed myself off of the hospital bed. "I'm going to go now. Mom, please do not overwhelm her."

My mother giggled and batted her hand at me. "Nonsense we will be doing what fairies do best. Chatting."

Fae smiled, chuckled, and pulled the cover off of her legs before she hopped off of the hospital bed. She inhaled a sharp breath when she landed. I immediately wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her from the floor in a panic. I was afraid she might have hurt herself, especially in her current condition.

"Are you okay? Did you just hurt yourself? You can't be doing things like this right after you've woken up."

"I'm okay… I didn't realize this bed was higher than I had anticipated." She said and wiggled free from my grasp.

"Well son, I'm going to steal your mate so hurry and finish what you need to finish so you can show her the important areas of the palace."

I rolled my eyes, completely forgetting that I had things to do. "That's fine. I'll get this out of the way and I'll mind-link you when I'm on my way back."