Mine

16

Dravin's Point of View

Kayla's mother set two mugs of tea down on the table and sat down across from me.

"As you know, Kayla is not my biological daughter."

I nodded and said, "Clearly she is a pure dragon, but how did she come to be in your care?"

"My son was a toddler when my husband died and I lost it. I was grieving for him but I had to make money, so I began selling my body. The garden was not enough and I had no skills. It was a snowy night and I was walking home from being with a man. I was close to home and worried about my boy. I had to leave him home alone that night, but hopefully he would still be sleeping. I hated leaving him, god only knows what could happen to him."

I let out a little growl. I did not understand how she could do that to her child. "Continue," I said as I looked at her. Tears were in her eyes.

She cleared her throat and began to talk again. "I was walking home in the snow when I heard a women screaming in the forest. Her screams caused me to run into the forest. There, not too far from the tree line, was a pregnant woman leaning against a tree. She looked just like Kayla but her hair was red and her eyes were a dazzling blue. She had blood on her face and on her clothing but her clothing was ripped. When she saw me she begged for my help because the baby was coming. Right there on a dark snowy night, I helped this woman deliver her daughter. Once the baby came, I took out my pocket knife and cut the cord and handed her the baby. She called her Michaela and then began to cry. She told me that I needed to take the baby and hide it. Men were after her and they would not only kill her but her child. Before I could say anything, she handed me the child and pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket. She then told me that the baby was a dragon and that this recipe would help hide her scent. With the men coming closer, she stood up and ran, leaving me there with the baby and I panicked. I took the child home with me and the next day I went back to the spot. I looked for her but I could not find her. No one asked about a missing woman or child, so I took her in and changed her name a little. I began to put the herbs in her bottle and as she grew into her food. I waited for her to turn into a dragon but she never did."

"Why didn't you bring her to the castle and tell the king and council what happened?" I asked.

"I wasn't sure who was after her and afraid I would be blamed for killing the mother or k********g. My son only had me."

"I understand. Can I get a list of the herbs?"

"Of course."

She stood up and walked over to a drawer, pulling out a piece of tattered paper. She handed it to me and I looked it over. The moment I saw the words schizandra my eyes grew wide. This herb could surpass a dragon but kill them.

"How much does she take of this concoction?"

"I have taught her to put it into a pouch and use it for tea."

I stood up, leaving the full glass of tea there. "Thank you and I must."

"Wait. How is she?"

"Confused. I will need to speak to you about the mother in time, but for now I must get this drug out of her system and clean up a mess."

"Okay. Please tell her I am sorry and that she will always be my daughter."

I nodded and left the house. Tucking the paper in my pocket, I quickly transformed and flew back to the castle. The moment I landed, I summoned my clothing back on and ran to the Princes room.

I knocked and Levi answered the door.

"Did you learn anything?" He asked as he looked at me.

"I did and we need to talk now."

He let me into the room and Kayla lifted a mug to her lips. "Don't drink that." I shouted, causing Kayla to look at me.

"Everything okay?" She asked as she set the cup down.

"No more tea for you." I said as I marched over to her and picked up the tea. I threw the cup, causing the liquid to spill and the cup to shatter.

"What the hell do you have against tea?" She yelled.

"It is poison for dragons. Especially what you put into yours."

I began telling them what her mother told me and Levi had the Doctor we saw earlier sent for. When he arrived, I showed him the Kist and he shook his head.

"This explains why your dragon has never come forward and your scent to be masked. This herb can probably do other damage. I need to do a full physical on you."

"Will I ever get my dragon?" Kayla asked.

"I am not sure. You have been given this drug your whole life and this is one of the many reasons it is not grown within our walls."

"Oh."

"No more tea for you and I would presume you will go threw some withdraws."

"No more tea, got it." She said as she looked at us.

The doctor checked her over and said, as of right now, everything checked out but only time would tell. When he left, I looked at my best friend and said, "It is time to meet with the council. I think until we find out who Kayla truly is, we keep this to ourselves."

"I agree. My heart, I will be back soon."

Kayla nodded and watched as we left the room.