Dragons in Council (Book 4 of the Northern Territories Series)

Dragons in Council Chapter 1 Saura’s POV Forsythe has linked me that he is outside the shield. I lay my infant son gently in his crib and run outside to meet him. “How long has he been gone, Saura?”, he asks as he passes me groceries. “I’m not sure. The timer by the door says 14 hours, but I hadn’t turned it on until I realized he left.” Forsythe growls lowly, but I know it isn’t at me. He is unhappy with my mate, no more than I am. “Your son cannot remain within the shield, Saura. It is unhealthy. He needs time outside it. Bring him to me.”, he instructs. I carry the groceries Forsythe brought me back into the shield, and collect Aragon. He sleeps peacefully against me as I walk back out to Forsythe. “How often does he need out?”, I ask as Forsythe pulls back his little blanket and places his hand on his little back. His amber eyes glow as he focuses on my son. “Give me just a second, little one. Let me check him out.”, Forsythe replies kindly. I tilt Aragon so Forsythe can get a better look at him. Vritra was the perfect mate, more than I ever dreamed of having, when we first met. He was so different from any man I had ever known. He was strong and powerful, he liked to play conceited but he never actually was. He brought me to his shield and we spent months just getting to know each other. He was so sweet and caring. I really thought he would be my forever. He marked me and we found out we were pregnant soon after. He brought me out of the shield because he said our baby couldn’t grow strong without a connection to the earth and the shield prevented it. That’s when I found out that my entire world had changed. It had been 12 years! I had nothing left out in the real world. Vritra never told me that an hour within the shield would be a full day outside it. I was devastated, I couldn’t find my family; they were all gone. Vritra changed; he became darker… meaner. Like a poison had leaked into him and corrupted his entire being. It started out small, he would lose his temper and yell. Then he started breaking things in his anger. It progressed from there and in the 15 weeks it takes to carry a dragonian fledgling, Vritra had become physically abusive. When I met Forsythe, Vritra’s Chosen, Vritra told him he needed to do a few things. Forsythe stayed with me. He is like a second father to Aragon. I bawled my eyes out when Forsythe told me Vritra was returning just days after Aragon was born. I didn’t want Vritra to come back, I was safe with Forsythe. He is kind. He never calls me names or pulses against me when he is angry. Forsythe has never touched me inappropriately or forced himself on me the way Vritra does. I told Forsythe some of the things Vritra had been doing to me and he was so angry. He and Vritra had a fight, Forsythe ultimately won. Forsythe told him that if he ever put his hands on me or used his power against me again, he would kill him. Since then, Vritra rarely returns. Forsythe comes to take care of Aragon and I. “He is getting weaker, Saura.”, Forsythe breaks me from my thoughts with his concerned voice. “You need to bring him out of the shield, every 4-5 hours. Bring him out for an hour or so. I’m going to go collect a special crib for him. It will give him another tie to the earth, help him grow strong. You’re sure you won’t just come with me?”, he asks again, as he has every time he comes. “Vritra will hunt us, Forsythe. He will go into blood lust and kill who knows how many creatures.”, I reply sadly. “Saura, I don’t care what happens to Vritra; I care what happens to you and Aragon.”, Forsythe argues. “Vritra hasn’t hurt me since you warned him, Forsythe.”, I give a partial truth. Vritra hasn’t hit me or pulsed against me since his fight with Forsythe, but he still forces himself on me every time he returns. I can feel Forsythe’s anger as he smooths Aragon’s curly auburn hair, matching my own, and kisses his forehead. “Sit with me here for a while, Saura. Let him feel the sun.” I sit in the grass outside Vritra’s shield, alongside Forsythe. He has me lay Aragon down on my thighs and he opens his little blanket, exposing his soft flesh to the sun. “Saura… You deserve so much better. Aragon deserves better.”, Forsythe says softly. “You believed in Vritra once. Why else would you have Chosen him? He just lost himself. He will come back.”, I try, though I’m not even sure I believe that anymore. Forsythe studies me, “Saura, I chose Vritra centuries ago. Long before he became what he is now. This version that you know, he has been since long before you were even born. The version you think you know, never truly existed.” I feel the tears well up in my eyes, I don’t want to believe that. I want my mate, the one that loved me and took care of me. Forsythe touches my shoulder to have me look up at him. I search his amber eyes and his handsome face. Forsythe has a diamond shaped face, a straight nose, and full lips. He keeps his facial hair trimmed, but otherwise leaves it alone. He has a ruggedly handsome look and his short wavy hair, always wind blown and tousled by him dragging his fingers through it. Why can’t Vritra be like Forsythe? “I’m sorry, Saura. I shouldn’t have been so harsh. I respect your decision, but should you ever change your mind, summon me. I will come for you and Aragon.”, he promises. I nod and look back down at my sweet little baby. He smiles softly in his sleep, stretching under the sun. He has his father’s grey blue eyes, but otherwise looks like me. My olive complexion, wide mouth, low bridge nose. I lean against Forsythe’s shoulder and take the comfort his presence provides. We sit, watching the wind blow through the tall grass down below the cliffs. I feel Vritra returning, I know Forsythe does as well. His anger intensifies as Vritra grows closer. Forsythe stands as Vritra lands, dropping his concealment. “What are you doing here, brother?”, Vritra asks only briefly glancing at Aragon and I before tilting his head at Forsythe. I feel his jealousy and anger through the bond. He doesn’t like Forsythe touching me or vice versa. I hadn’t even thought about it at the time, he felt us touch. That’s why he is back now. Forsythe replies angrily in Draconic, “Taking care of the mate and fledgling you seem to keep forgetting you have.” “They aren’t forgotten, Forsythe. They’re safe.”, Vritra argues moving closer, “They shouldn’t be outside the shield. There are others that might find them. I have to keep moving because you keep calling them out.”, he accuses. “Because he is a fledgling, VRITRA! He cannot live within a shield indefinitely. He cannot grow there! They must leave the shield.”, Forsythe growls out. “It isn’t safe, Forsythe!”, Vritra yells back. “You should’ve made it safe before you got her pregnant! Why is it not safe? What are you out doing for all this time? Not providing for you family!”, Forsythe asks as he circles Vritra. I hurry to wrap Aragon back up and stand out of their path. I don’t know if Forsythe is going to hurt Vritra, and I don’t want us to be in the way. Vritra growls, “I am providing for my family. I have open contracts that needed attention.” Forsythe growls then speaks more softly to me, “Remember what I told you, Saura. I’ll be back to check in on you.” Then conceals himself, and flies away. Vritra takes my arm roughly and pushes me back into the shield. I cuddle Aragon close to my chest and hurry back into the house. I gently lay Aragon down in his bed and turn, Vritra standing right behind me. I side step him and return to the kitchen to put away the groceries Forsythe brought. I feel his eyes on me as empty each of the bags. “I know you want him, Saura. I can scent your arousal after you’ve been with him.”, he growls lowly. “I don’t want Forsythe, and he has never touched me in that way.”, I reply, somewhat afraid of where this is leading. I really don’t want Forsythe; Vritra just doesn’t believe me. “No, but you want him to.”, he replies, wrapping his arms around my waist and tucking his chin into my neck. My heart races, I’m terrified. He hasn’t bit me since the last time he was in blood lust, but his bite hurts so badly. “Pretend I’m him, you might actually enjoy this.”, he growls in my ear as he forces me painfully against the counter. Forsythe’s POV I wish Saura would just leave with me. I can protect her and Aragon from Vritra. He has not taught her all she should know about dragonian. She only knows what is common knowledge. She doesn’t know I can hear her lies when she says he doesn’t hurt her anymore. That I can feel when she leaves the shield, just as he can. There is no easy way out for her, Vritra has to die but she doesn’t want that. I was done with Vritra five centuries before he mated her. My loyalty is not to Vritra, but Saura. I’ve given, only her, a way to summon me. Flashback I land and find a scared and heavily pregnant fae alongside Vritra. He smiles wickedly at me and tucks her into his side. “You came after all.”, he chuckles. “For her sake, Vritra.”, I reply as I study him. Dragonian get power surges when they’re mated. He may be stronger now, but I can still best him. “That is actually fabulous news, brother. I have contracts open that need attending. You can stay with Saura and keep my child healthy.”, he replies. Getting her away from him is definitely what I had in mind, I just didn’t expect him to make it so easy. “Then leave.”, I reply simply. He smirks, tilting his head, “You remember your oath… you’ll provide for and protect her and my fledgling as your own.” “It is not I that forgets their word, Vritra.”, I growl angrily. How dare he question my integrity? I’d kill him now if it wouldn’t harm the fae girl and her fledgling. He nips at her jaw and she flinches, the fear in her is overwhelming. I link him, not wanting the hostility in my voice to frighten her more, “You’ve fed from her in anger?” He locks eyes with me and steps in front of her, “She is mine.”, is all he replies. “Have you fed from her while she was pregnant?”, I ask aloud. I don’t need him to answer, I see it in her response to the question. I study her then return my gaze to him. “I loathe you from the depths of my soul. If she ever rejects you, you’re dead.”, I link. She is fae. If she rejects him, it won’t hurt much when he is killed. He chuckles, “She doesn’t know my name.” Then conceals himself and flies away. End Flashback I delivered Aragon, Vritra was not there. Aragon is tied only to me. The First Fae Prince helped me block Vritra, not wanting his son to ever be drawn to his power or feel safe in his arms. Only the Fae Royals have power that rival dragonian. I just wish I could get Saura to let go of him. I’d kill him, but she can’t reject him and it’s going to hurt when he dies. I need her to tell me she accepts that. I don’t want to be the cause of more pain for her. Saura’s POV Vritra sleeps and I sneak away to Aragon’s room. I gather him gently and carry him to the twin bed I’ve conjured, laying him beside me as I rest. Vritra is insanely jealous of Forsythe. He knows that Forsythe hates him and wants me to leave. I want to, I really do. I'm just afraid. Vritra tells me all the time that Forsythe would change once I was his and be much worse than Vritra. Forsythe is not bound to me, only Aragon. He would hurt me much worse than Vritra ever would, because Vritra feels me. He also says that to take me completely from Vritra is a betrayal of the oath he gave to him. Forsythe is supposed to support him and stand at his side. Even if I went with Forsythe, he would still let Vritra come feed from me. I move Aragon to the bedside bassinet and let the restless sleep take its hold. My body is exhausted and drained from feeding Vritra. I wake to Aragon’s little cries. Rushing to scoop him up and get him changed to quiet him quickly, so Vritra won’t get up. I peek out of the room and do not sense any movement in the house, he must still be sleeping. I sit in the rocking chair and feed Aragon. I don’t know why I ever thought being a dragon’s mate would be romantic. Their bites hurt so badly and they do it frequently. When they’re in blood lust, it is excruciating and they take so much it is hard to function. I find myself wishing I’d never accepted Vritra’s mark. Then feel guilty for wishing that, as that would mean that I care more about my comfort than my son, and tears form. I look down at his sweet little face and the tears fall. I love him so much, and I’d never take back having him, but I wish I had never met his father. “Forsythe isn’t yours, he will never be. You deserve to feel guilty for wanting him. How would his mate feel about another dragonian mate lusting after her dragon?”, Vritra sneers from the doorway. I don’t dare respond. Why would I ever want a dragon ever again? If, by some miracle, I ever escaped Vritra, I’d never accept another dragon. No matter what the Goddess has planned for me. I’d rather die. “Nothing to say, pet?”, he asks. “What happened to you, Vritra?”, I ask softly as I switch breasts for Aragon. I look up at him and he watches Aragon eat. His eyes meet mine. “I’m the same as I’ve always been, Saura.”, he finally replies. “You were different before.”, I insist quietly. I don’t want to anger him more than he already is. “That’s a courting stage, all dragonian act that way when they are trying to win their mates. You’re lucky, most dragonian never leave their mate’s side. I give you breaks from my needs, and hold back for you. Forsythe wouldn’t, you’d be his little s*x slave and he’d bleed you dry.”, he answers. I wonder if that is true. I’ve never known a dragonian mate to ask. Is Forsythe like that? Does he have another side lurking? Would I even have to fear it? I’m not his mate. They only feed from their mates. I’ve been raped so many times by Vritra that it only leaves a hollow feeling now. Forsythe raping me would be unpleasant, but nothing compared to their bite. If he didn’t feed from me, I could live with whatever else he did. I only have to survive long enough for Aragon to be able to take care of himself. “What are you thinking, Saura?”, Vritra asks, leaning against the door frame. “That I hope Aragon grows to be a strong and healthy man.”, ‘that’s better than his father and his kind.’, I finish in my mind. Vritra smiles and crosses the room, touching the top of Aragon’s head. I don’t fear he will hurt him. He is too prideful to harm his son. He is always talking about his plans for him. “He will be quite powerful, you just have to keep him fed.” Forsythe makes sure I’m able to, but I don’t dare say that either. Vritra might find a way to stop us from accepting what Forsythe brings. Vritra never brings food or hygiene essentials. Dragons cannot conjure things from the earth, I couldn’t just conjure it if it weren’t brought. I have no money, no way of buying what we need. I could run, but Vritra would find us anywhere we went. Goddess, why would you create such powerful creatures? It is unfair to the rest of us you placed alongside them on this earth. I finish feeding Aragon, under Vritra’s supervision and place him against my shoulder to burp him. “Forsythe says he needs to come out of the shield frequently. Would it be okay to take him out now?”, I ask hopefully. If Vritra is outside the shield with us, he won’t rape me or try to feed from me again. He tilts his head at me, then moves to let me out of the room. I stand and go outside, Vritra close behind me. I sit in the grass, as I had with Forsythe, opening Aragon’s blanket and letting him enjoy the sun and the breeze. He stretches in my lap and seems to take in our surroundings. He likes being outside, he smiles and coos. Vritra watches him for a moment then scans the area. He is looking for something. “What’s out there, Vritra?”, I ask him. He looks down at me. “Do you feel that? The power in the distance?”, he asks. I nod, I can feel another dragon. He’s far off though. “That dragon kills mates and eats fledglings, Saura. It is not safe out here. If you ever feel him moving closer, get inside the shield.”, he warns. It scares me too, feeling the fear he tries to hide. If he is afraid of this dragon, I’m terrified. “Is that why we keep moving?”, I ask him. He is more willing to talk right now than usual and any conversation that isn’t of me being Forsythe’s w***e is preferable. “Yes. He is trying to close in on us. We will move again when I get back. Return to the shield, Saura. Any length of time out here helps him narrow in.”, he tells me as he pulls my arm. I wrap Aragon and stand, following him back into the shield. I place Aragon in his bouncer while I make lunch. I make sure there is plenty for Vritra. He will force himself on me at least twice more before he leaves. He will wait until Aragon is sleeping. If he is full and I don’t resist him, he won’t feed from me as long. We finish our meal and I dread Aragon sleeping, but I see it coming. “If dragonian are meant to feed from their mate, why does it hurt so badly?”, I ask him. He tilts his head, studying me. I fear the lust I see in his glowing eyes. “It hurts because you want another. If you only loved me, you’d like it.”, he tells me. I don’t want another though. I don’t even want him. I want to die, but I stay here for Aragon. If not for Aragon, I’d let that dragon out there find me. I’d leave this earth knowing the one good thing that I ever did was take Vritra from it with me.