Claimed By A Dragon Prince

Looking at the woman before her, Lily was surprised at how elegant and gentle she seemed but still had a sharp look in her eyes. Dragons were known to live for a long time and taking a mate was serious business to the families. Dimitri is a prince who came from a priestess and a king, so choosing a mate needed to be done carefully.

Lady Kyoka listened to her son as he explained how the two of them met. "After she left the village I decided to follow her up the mountain to see if she was telling the truth. I hadn’t seen her around the castle or the city so I had some doubts about her intentions." He looked to Lily would had a knowing smile on her face.

"She found the path to the secret door of the sacred garden in the mountains. I was surprised because only royalty knew the way she went. Thinking back I should have guessed it was my uncle who helped you." Lily sipped her tea trying to hide the smile she couldn’t control.

"I knew you were there the whole time. Honestly, I thought you were going to stop me and force me to turn back. I am glad you didn’t. Even if I was late I still got to see the Lumus flower. Maybe next year.." Lily thought about what her mother said about having a year to decide whether she stayed or went to the heavenly realm.

Fingers snapping in front of her face reminded her that she was not alone. "I’m sorry. I was lost in thought. Yes, hopefully next year I can see it from start to finish." Dimitri could tell something was bothering her, but he didn’t have a clue what it could be.

"Well isn’t it a coincidence that you two met? The gods must have plans for you two. Tell me Lily from which Clan do you come?" Lily hesitated to tell her this as most dragons weren’t fond of wolves. "The Wolf Clan, my lady. Not by choice either."

"Really? Yes, I can see it. You have certain features of a wolf. I haven’t met many, but the ones I have always have a way with their eyes. Yours are more open but still sharp. Tell me what is your wolf like? May I see her?" Lily always feared someone asking because there was nothing to show.

"Mother, Lily unfortunately didn’t have an awakening. She is one of the few who never received a spirit animal, but she is no less talented." Dimitri moves to unbutton his shirt to show where the arrow he took a couple of days ago had been fully healed. "See? Barely a mark after she treated the wound with healthy Dragon moss."

Lady Kyoka looked slightly impressed with this news. "Did you show your father that wound? That may persuade him better about keeping her as your mate." This brought him up short as he sheepishly looked to the side. "I didn’t think about that."

Lily took a bite of one of the treats on the table listening to Lady Kyoka speak. "My dear, you are going to have a real fight on your hands mating my son. His father has tried to throw every kind of female at him with noble blood and still he refuses. Now he chooses what would be considered the worst candidate of all, but your knowledge and intelligence may be your saving grace."

Lily knew she was trying to be a protective mother assessing her the way she was wanting nothing, but the best person beside her son. Lily lacked several things refinement, deportment, and civilized manners. These things were only taught to nobles and royalty since they were the main stage players in the Clans. Lily had no real backing, but the secret one she kept to herself.

"I know I lack in many things, my lady, but I have been knocked down repeatedly, beaten within an inch of my life, and took my freedom when nobody would fight for me. The only thing worse than me is the crazy redheaded dragon in that castle who thinks she can steal my man. Hmph, b*tch better think twice before touching what’s mine." Lily crossed her arms thinking of ways to have that crazy redhead banned from the castle.

Dimitri turned her face and planted a passionate kiss on her lips after hearing those words leave her mouth. Pulling back he could see the dazed look in her eyes as she came back to reality. "I’m yours, am I?" Her face instantly turned pink realizing she had said all that in front of him. "Yes. Always."

His mother cleared her throat as the two pulled apart, a smile on her face as she set her teacup down. "We will see. For now, I can teach you the basics of formal etiquette and tea ceremonies for each noble class in the Dragon Clan. The King made it a point that I learn because of my son’s status."

Lily found she had a new respect for the lady in front of her. It seemed that she had just as hard a time as Lily did growing up. Being a commoner among royals made you live bait for the vipers in court and both women understood this. "Thank you, my lady. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The last thing I wish to do is embarrass him."

Dimitri was happy his mother offered to help his mate. He knew she suffered just being his mother and that was something Lily could relate to. The last event his mother went to was his birthday party when he was 18 years old. The queen used this opportunity to make sure his mother would never come to an event like it again. Complimenting her only to turn it around into an insult effectively making his mother look uneducated and unworthy to be at her own son’s gathering.

What the queen didn’t expect was Dimitri telling her to stop acting like his mother when he already had one. He received a sound beating for the humiliation he put the queen through, but it was worth it to see his mother smile proudly in public. He was glad his mother was warming to his soon-to-be mate.

"For now, I have a few books for you to read, my dear. Read them well they helped me when I was living in that castle. Don’t be afraid to hold your rank either. You are a princess now, use that. Power is everything to a dragon as we hoard the things we find precious." Lady Kyoka looked at her son, who at that moment, found his teacup very interesting. Lily only chuckled having a good idea about what she meant by saying this.

They continued conversing well into the afternoon only leaving his mother’s temple just before dinner time with promises to come back before Lily leaves for her expedition. "Shall I take you out to eat tonight?" Dimitri asked Lily curious if she would agree. "Yeah, I mean, Yes that sounds nice." Lily responded taking his arm as he led her into the beautiful city.