CHAPTER 16 - COMFORTING MY MATE - AIDEN'S POV
1151 Words
''Your majesty,'' Amere linked me during my meeting.
I frowned in annoyance and held up my hand to stop everyone talking, and the conference room fell silent instantly.
''What? I'm busy.''
''Forgive the intrusion, but Lad Averly is very distraught. She failed during today's training session again, and ran off crying. She even yelled at her sister to leave her alone.''
''I see. Thank you.'' I said and cut the link, before I stood up, ''This meeting is postponed.''
As I walked out, I linked Ava's guard and was informed of her location, so I went quickly. A few thunder members tried to talk to me, but I had my guards back them away. I had more important things to deal with right now.
I felt her sweet scent before I saw her, and frowned when I noticed she was sitting under a damn bridge like some common Troll, who loved dark hidden spaces.
I passed her guards, Tavre and Naylo, who bowed, and turned in the opposite direction to give us privacy, and I went for my mate, who was crying into her knees, on the filthy dirt. This was not normal for my Ava, she hadn't being dirty. Growing up, she would always try to avoid playing outside with Casey, who loved jumping in muddy puddles or climbing trees.
''I TOLD YOU TO GET LOST, TAVRE!'' Ava snarled when she heard my footsteps, and I was insulted she hadn't registered my scent, though she had been crying, so maybe that was the issue.
I cleared my throat, and Ava turned her head instantly, looking alarmed.
''Oh, I'm sorry,'' She wiped her face and bowed her head, ''I didn't realize it was you. I thought you were Tavre, please forgive me.''
I sat down next her and placed my hand under her chin, titling her head up, ''Averly, we're mates now, remember, you don't have to bow to me, or ask forgiveness, though I'm offended you thought I was a guard''
She smiled slightly, before looking down again.
''I heard what happened during your training.''
''I don't want to talk about it.'' She sniffed and pulled away, wiping her face again.
''Well, too bad, because we are,''
''You just pointed out we're mates,'' She snapped at me, which made me smile. She rarely spoke to me like this, ''You can't demand I talk to you.''
''No, I can't,'' I agreed, with a shrug, ''But it would be nice if you'd share your feelings with me. You say you're ready for marriage, but are you? Communicating is a part of a marriage. Perhaps you're too young after all. We should postpone until you're older.''
''NO!'' She spun and grabbed my arm, and I suppressed a triumphant smile. I knew that would work. ''I am old enough. You can't postpone.''
''Then tell me what's wrong.'' I ordered.
She took a deep breath, and looked down, ''I can't do it.'' She admitted, her voice shaking, ''I can't keep up with Casey's power, and she has to compensate for me, but that just pushes my power back more. I'm going to fail, and Casey.... She's die. I know she will. She'll force me back and take it on by herself. I'm going to lose her, and it'll be all my fault, and then... you won't love me either. I'll lose you both.''
My heart broke, and I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly while she cried.
''My sunshine, please don't think like this,'' I begged, ''I will never stop loving you, and I will never blame you, even if this does happen, but I know it won't. You will succeed, and you have a few months left before your nineteenth birthday. You'll get there.''
''I won't. I know I won't. Casey's stronger. I'll let everyone down.''
''I can't even imagine the weight of the burden you and Casey carry,'' I said as I kissed the top of her head, ''It's not fair to have so much responsibility at such a young age, but you are stronger than you know, and even if you both fail, it's not your fault. You don't owe us anything, not even your lives. Don't get me wrong, we're grateful that you're both willing to fix what you didn't break, but not thinks you have to give up your lives to save us. Just believe in yourself. If you think you're lacking in some way, then we will find a way to help you gain more power.''
''How?''
''I don't know,'' I admitted, ''Perhaps we can find something to store your power, you can accumulate it and use it during the ritual.''
''Do you think that would work?'' She asked. As she leaned back, she looked into my eyes, hers, red and puffy, and filled with so much pain but a tinge of hope.
''We can try, and find out.'' I told her, as I pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her cheeks. ''Now, please don't cry anymore. I hate seeing you so upset. I only want you happy.''
She gave me a weak smile, ''If you want me happy, let me share your bed tonight.''
I laughed and shook my head, ''There's my girl,'' I said, before I pulled her in and kissed her wet lips that tasted like her tears.
Averly deepened the kiss, and I got the overwhelming desire to push her back, climb over her and take her, right here, right now on the dirt, but I knew I couldn't, not just because we weren't married, but because I didn't want her first time to be on the ground. When she moaned into my mouth, I exhaled, covering her in my heat, a sign of possession. You only ever pushed your inner heat onto your mate. No Dragon would do that to some random Dragon.
I pulled back, before I no longer had the strength, and Ava pouted.
''Come on, you shouldn't be sitting out here in the cold,'' I ordered, as I pulled the both of us up, and Ava dusted off her dress, frowning at the dirt, and I knew my girl was back, I quickly scooped her up.
''What are you doing?'' She giggled, Goddess, that was an adorable sound.
''I wouldn't want my Queen to get even dirtier.'' I kissed her cheek, and started walking. ''Do you want to go back to the training grounds, or would you rather have a nice afternoon in the hot springs?''
''Hot springs!'' She said quickly as we reached Tavre.
''As you wish,'' I smiled. Hatchlings spent a lot of time in the hot springs. The water was far to hot for any of the other species, except the Phoenix, but to us, it was just warm enough. ''Tavre, contact Casey's guards and have them bring her to the hot springs to relax.''
''Yes, your majesty,'' Tavre bowed, and I continued on the way.
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