The Exiled Dragon
Mating Ceremony

Creed

With Adam no longer a threat to the tribe, to me, or my mate, I did not realize more responsibility would befall me. Being an Alpha was never my intention, and it certainly will not come to pass. After years of being alone, seeing their faces as they jeered and hated me, even under a spell, my heart would not do justice to protect them. The flashes of their faces would always haunt me and when it came time to give judgment to tribe members if ever needed, I would pull from those memories.

Being an Alpha was not for me.

With King Orion's offer to help take in the tribe, I was grateful. The area was uninhabitable, and with winter breathing down our necks, it would be wise to spend our time down in the Bergarian plains this year. My only issue would have to be to replace a suitable dragon that has alpha blood in their line to take over.

The entire tribe took to the sky. I would not let my Fawn fly with us, rather than have her ride on my back. She protested, saying she was perfectly fine with flying, but part of me wanted her close. She had come to me at my weakest, even though it was my mind, she healed me with our bond. Flying across the mountains, and low into the plains, my father flew close to us. His eyes continued to wander to my mate. He found her intriguing, the first dragon that had been considered of full blood. Which was strange because she and I now know we yield griffon blood as well. Does that mean she will not hold the magic of the dragons?

Orion seemed to think she would, but now I cannot be sure after seeing how strong her genes leaned toward that of a griffon.

Once we landed, the sun had completely set towards the Moon Kingdom. The light fairies had come out to light the pathway to the refugee area for the rest of my tribe. "Creed, Odessa, it's time to get you ready!" Willa fluttered to us. Her blue and green wings fluttered so quickly the colors bled together, making it look like blue clouds hovering over her back. Willa tried to grab Odessa's hand, but my dragon's tail curled around her waist. I would let her go so quickly. "Oh, don't be a fuddy-duddy," she scolded me. Orion only pulled Willa close, whispering in her ear.

"Right," she shook her head. "Orion and I have to go check on some things." Orion pulled her down the aisle that led to the landing platform. "Your things are in your rooms! Someone will come to get you!" She called out, finally walking through the double doors inside the palace.

"You hussy!" Daine stomps out onto the platform. "You just left me! Could you not think that maybe I wanted to come to!?" Odessa bit her lip, hiding behind my now human form.

"Sorry, I thought you would stop me!" Daine threw his hair back and laughed. "Uh, no honey, I'd do anything to see a show. Now go get dressed. The dragons are already putting their things away."

....

Odessa led us to our room. We quickly stripped off our clothes and headed to the shower. She said we would save water this way, but I think that she was trying to get me naked. After many times, we made love in this shower area in our rutting cave, I knew very well what she wanted.

Stepping in, she pulled on my fingers, pulling me towards her. The shower continued to steam around us as she poured more soap onto my hair and body. I didn't move; I watched her as she gently took a cloth and rubbed the blood, dirt, and sweat from my body. She tended to me like I was fragile. I chuckled, finally taking the cloth from her, only to soap her up as well.

Kissing her, the hot water pouring down her skin made me swell, tickling her stomach, she sighed, digging her claws into me. My lips traveled lower, kissing her jaw and slowly reaching her mark. Sucking and nipping had her moaning, entangling her fingers into my braids. My hands cupped her behind, pushing her body into my engorged shaft. Rubbing my shaft closer to her cavern, the tip began to insert into her. Biting down on our shoulders, we were interrupted. Fervent knocks at the door halted our passionate embrace. She sighed, rubbing the side of my cheek. "Later then? After the ceremony?" She winked, a promise of more touching, kissing. I groaned, I was ready to be back in our cave, but this was important to her, I could sense her dragon's excitement.

"I don't know what this ceremony is. I have never been to one." I grumbled, not wanting to let her go. My hands continued to massage her rear.

"It's like a wedding for humans. It's just a formality really, it's declaring your love in front of everyone. You don't have to say anything, the witch just announces it, really. Then we kiss and a big party happens!" I hummed, seeing the excitement pool in her eyes. If this is what she wanted, I'd gladly give it.

"Alright, tell me what I need to do."

To my dismay, Odessa left the room. Amora had dragged her to a room across the hall to get her ready again. Amora grumbled, saying Willa had her dressed before she took off to replace me. Having to redo her hair because of the flight back, put them behind. My mate looked beautiful even if she thought her hair was messy. She looked back at me, blowing a kiss for later. I smiled, sitting on the bed with just a towel around my waist.

Nicholas came in, holding up ivory loincloths, traditional beads, and leather cuffs for my forearms. "You haven't been to one of these, have you?" Shaking my head, he showed me how to dress. It was terribly awkward. It was like my normal dress, only with more expensive beads, thick jewelry, and cloth. It was so soft, it felt like nothing on my skin. Nicholas began to explain each meaning behind each bead, each thread, I could care less, I just wanted my Fawn, not why I was wearing some ridiculous clothing only to be used once.

Nicholas led me outside of the palace. The gardens of the Light Kingdom outshined any other garden in Bergarian. Pinks, blues, yellows, purples, and colors I was unsure of stood bright under the stars and the light fairies that lit up the entire

area.

Small candles lit the path leading to where a witch was standing at an altar holding a book, flipping through the pages. I stiffened, not wanting to be cursed with another black magical spell.

"No worries, Creed. She's trustworthy, she helped me regain my memories. She just blesses the union in the goddess Hecate's name." I nodded, continuing to travel up to the altar. The dragons of the tribe were all smiling at me, making me uneasy. I cleared my throat, trying not to have the ecstatic eyes sway me. Nicholas only laughed, standing by my side, putting his hand on my shoulder.

"This is a beautiful tradition. I'm surprised Odessa wanted to go through with it. Humans have a marriage, but I think she sees it as a better alternative since you are both soul mates."

"What is a marriage exactly? How does one get married?" Nicholas rubbed his chin.

"Well, it's when humans commit to each other. The male gets on his knee and asks for the female to be his..." "Proposal!" Willa whispered loudly.

Nicholas nudged me, "proposal, it's called a proposal to ask to be bound to her." Nicholas nodded to Willa, who clapped her hands excitedly. But this," Nicholas twirled his finger, pointing to Amora across the platform to Amora, "a mate bond, you don't have to ask. You have Odessa and have mated and chosen each other already. Humans then get 'married' after the male asks her to be his..."

"But would Odessa like this? To be asked formally, as a human?" Nicholas pondered my statement, looking back at me, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know she was human, once."

I sighed heavily, taking a step from the platform to replace her only for a harp and string music playing. Several fairies began wind instruments, causing a peaceful tune to entrap the audience.

At the end of the aisle, Daine and Tangle had Odessa beside them. She wore a beautiful ivory dress encrusted with gold threading and small blue flowers around the bodice. A corset held her hourglass figure tightly, her hair laid beautifully curled on one side of the head with braids. A full white Lilly decorated on the side of her ear.

I was considered the most beastly dragon for so long that I would not cry or back away from a fight unless it was my brother. Now my knees felt weak, wanting to fall to the ground and thank the gods for blessing me with such a creature. Odessa's face glowed, her small smile giving me no sign if she was laughing or crying. Gods, I wanted to cry because she saved me. She saved all of us. Adam would not have been defeated unless I had her. The slow walk towards me felt like an eternity. Her hair blew in the wind as the whisps gathered it back around her face. She giggled, keeping her eyes on me.

My hand automatically reached for hers. She took it gladly as Daine and Tangle stood below the platform. "Do you Elves, Tangle, and Daine give away Odessa, once human, to this Dragon?" Daine stood forward. "We do." Daine, for once, kept his sentences in short exchange and sat down at the front of the crowd as Odessa squeezed my hand.

"This is amazing, huh?" She whispered. "I never thought I had enough friends to think something like this could happen." Odessa sniffed, wiping away a tear. My knee weakened, finally hitting the floor. Willa, who sat in the front row, gasped, pulling at Orion's arm. "He's gonna propose!!"

Orion looked at me and at Willa, completely confused. At least one other human knew what I was doing.

"Odessa?" Her heart leaped in her chest, her dragon purring passionately. "Yes?" she whispered.

"You have given me a reason for living. A reason to see the light in the world I thought was so dark. I am but a lonely dragon. I have no riches. I have few friends. All I have is a cave with a nest. I do promise you I will love you, be with you in good times and in bad. Strive to protect you, keep you safe from harm. Will you, Odessa, be my mate, forever?" She giggled, her eyes warmed with tears, wanting to fall.

"I think I already agreed to it," she sniffed, laughing. "This mark is proof enough, but I think I love you, even more, the way you have made this feel like a proposal." Standing up, I held her in my arms, the crowd clapping, some mated couples kissing each other.

"Now that is out of the way," the witch said, laughing. "How about we get onto the blessing?"

Our eyes never left each other. My arm stayed placed around her waist, keeping her close. Odessa's head leaned into my breast as we listened to the witch drone on about mates and how important they are to this world. That our fate has been intertwined together, reaping the best benefits of Bergarian.

"I now bless you both," her eyes lit up to a bright blue, "with the power of Hecate herself, the blessing of perseverance, loyalty to the land, and the return of the dragon lineage. You may go in peace, feel the spirit of Hecate, and listen to her words." The witch's eyes glowed brightly until they finally dimmed. Looking at my Odessa, her eyes glowed just as bright, causing me to jerk my head back.

The witch smiled, closing her book. "Now get out of here and go party, you bunch of kinky freaks," she cackled.

We were led back inside the palace, where we were to be the most guarded. Orion didn't want to take any chances with the vampires still running around the territory and not seeing a visible pattern of what they were doing. They were faster, stronger and who knew what other powers they could possess?

The entire ballroom was transformed into a dancing area. Faes, dragons, elves, and fairies danced with each other, the lights glowing brightly only to be dimmed out more as the song progressed.

Many came to congratulate us on our mating, many of the Toboki tribe made it a point to come to talk to me, all individually. Many I could see their faces and remember their names. Of course, I knew most, meaning they tortured me the most. I remained at Odessa's side, not leaving her for a moment.

With so many partying, I worried about Odessa's safety. She was so happy, laughing and playing with the little fairy children. I wanted her to remain this way, carefree. Anyone could come inside to steal her away from me, and the vampires think they could get away with it with the powers they held.

Orion continued to look out each window, not even drinking with his mate. His back was rigid, speaking to each guard he passed, whispering in their ears. My hand tightened around Odessa's hand, sparking her to pull me down and kiss me on the cheek.

Her laughs with the little male fledglings had my dragon purr. He was ready for fledglings, but until we were ready, until we had our time together and my willingness to share had arrived, we would wait.

Father stood in the corner. He drank several drinks, just watching the dancers go by. Annan was chatting his ear off, no doubt wanting to know how old he was and how he managed to live this long. Annan's face faltered when he saw my father excuse himself, heading straight towards the large open, aired balcony.

Pulling Odessa with me, she didn't question when I led her away from her conversation. She followed with just as much enthusiasm as I did. "Are you alright?" She babbled. Once we reached the outdoor balcony, father stood at the end, looking down. We were several stories up, and I worried about what he was about to do.

"Father," I called out. Odessa ran to him, pulling his arm back. His sad eyes looked down at her, a finger brushing her cheek.

"Yer dragon reminds meh of 'er." Odessa's face softened. "I swear I thought ya were 'er when ya landed." His voice cracked. "I can't do it anymore," his tears sobbed. "Knowing 'he ain't here, it kills meh."

"Da, I'm so sorry," Odessa held onto him. I also followed Odessa, holding onto him. I wasn't sure if my father was one that showed emotions to others so openly, but he must have. His arms wrapped around both of us, holding us tight. "I 'ave to go to 'er," he sobbed. "he's waitin' fer me." Odessa shook her head.

"But you have Creed here! He's wanted family for so long. I wish I could do something. I wish we could bring her back somehow."

"My little fawn," she cried as I pulled her to me. "There is nothing we can do," petting her head. A light hit my shoulder and glowed just as the witch at the alter had. "Odessa?" I pulled her from me. Her eyes continued to glow. "Odessa?" I panicked until her bright light was snuffed out and a light came to sit on the marble balcony, where a woman dressed in white robes and laurel leaves on in her hair appeared.