Claimed By A Dragon Prince

Lily was on cloud nine being on the arm of her prince. She had never been able to show someone up like that before and once more her prince was happy to oblige. They were shown the a secluded booth, Dimitri pulling out her chair. "Thank you." Lily looked over the menu as Dimitri took his seat across from her.

"Did that just happen?" Dimitri was still in aww at how he was able to push back against his older brother. "Yes, it did, my prince. And I plan to make sure it keeps happening until your reach your goal. I am now firmly in you back pocket." Lily explained needing him to know that he wasn’t alone anymore. That someone was right there to defend him no matter what.

"I have always been seen as an eye sore to the royal family because of my father’s indiscretions. Under no fault of my own I was labelled the "bad son" without having caused any trouble." Lily reached across the table holding his hand as he explained this. "To have you is still a dream to me. I am exceedingly glad that I have you."

Lily blushed as she sipped her water hearing him talk this way about her. "I am finding out that I can’t stand anyone hurting you. I have been so isolated most of my life that when i find someone that is precious to me, I am learning that I do indeed have a heart." The smile the graced his face too her breath away.

"Good, I now know that you have a heart and its not so frozen. You give the impression of a snow queen when we met." Dimitri smirked seeing the her find the glass of water very interesting. "For good reason. I didn’t want to be hurt after living years in hell. I already fear dealing with those people."

"That part I can help you with. They can never refute that I am a prince. No matter what I chose you. I know you are my mate and that will never change." Her breath hitched hearing this as she fought back tears. He reached over wiping the tear from her cheek with his thumb continuing to hold her face. "I mean it."

"I know. It’s another first for me. My group of people who give a shit about me is few. So adding another one is big for me." Lily tried to play off the huge significance, but Dimitri wouldn’t let her. "Am I now one of your people?"

Lily tried to nodded her head yes, but he held her firmly preventing her. "No, say it. I need you to say it." Her breath was coming out jaggedly as she whispered her answer. "Yes, you are. It’s almost terrifying, but I am very happy that you are." Their bond strengthened with ever confession they made to each other.

Dimitri’s heart felt full for the first time in his life and the one who holds it was right there in his hand. The look of adoration caused his heart to tighten knowing this was the one person he could not live without. His mother had been right dragons do hoard the things precious to them.

The waiter arrived and asked for their orders. "I will have a chicken salad, and what ever he adds to the order." Lily knew she would need so greens to digest anything new to her palette. Dimitri made his order quietly as the waiter jotted it down then walked off. "What did you tell him?"

"You said you would trust me didn’t you?" Dimitri reminded her of their earlier conversation. "Alright. Nevermind. So what is the most important thing I should know about you?" Lily knew next to nothing about him, but her soul felt so connected to him. "I don’t tolerate bullies."

"Care to elaborate?" Lily was curious what he meant by this since most princes didn’t give a shit about anyone, but their own problems. "Well I am the illegitimate son. So naturally my brothers tried to blame me for ever little indiscretion. I was able to explain my way out of most accusations, but there were a few that left their scars."

She remembered what he said about the scars on his chin, but it never occurred to her that he would be punished for it. "I made a name for myself and I now have the peoples favor, but other then that I haven’t made a big enough contribution to the kingdom. I have worked hard to build my reputation the right way, but unfortunately it has not been enough."

Lily knew this feeling since it took her getting in to the Dragon Academy for the Wolf King to fully comprehend her full potential. Knowing the path he was headed down it would be a hard one since its completely based off one’s own actions. This didn’t not detour her line of thinking for helping him.

"Don’t worry, I am here to help. With my research and your ability to have it distributed to the healers in the city we will make a huge impact on everyone noble and commoner." Dimitri was still unsure of the end result, but her work was a good start.

"Trinee said you could discuss the details of the expedition. What did you two conclude?" Lily explained that the problem was up river and testing was impossible after the water had been taken from the river. "Then we need to find the source. That is rough terrain and trying to preform experiments in the wold can be dangerous. Can you handle that?"

"I know you don’t fully know my level of intelligence yet, but I didn’t receive honors for the fan fare. I am fully capable of handling these tests and bringing back my findings. I did a lot of this with my own plants before going to the academy. I noticed a similar problem along the river in the Wolf Clan territory. I had planned to bring my findings, but the stupid wolf princess destroyed my work and all my plants." Lily was still upset over the lose since it was connected to a bigger issue.

Appalled that someone would ruin a potential cure to their ecosystem Dimitri did not hide his disgust for the snobbish princess. "I never liked her. When the royal family host their annual winter solstice ball she would always try to dance with me. Terrible dancer. I did not see the appeal that my younger brother was so obsessed with."

Remembering that the ball was a couple weeks away and if she left to soon he would have to suffer that idiot princess again. "Can I ask that you wait to leave until after to Solstice Ball? It would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you as my mate." Lily was concerned about this seeing as the Wolf Clans royal family would be there and she was trying to avoid them.

The look on Dimitri’s face was softening her resolve as she considered his request. She knew people would find out eventually anyway but had hoped to put it off so they could become more used to each other. Not having the heart to resist she answers him as there food arrived.

"Are you asking me to the ball, Prince Dimitri?" He knew she was being coy, but he enjoyed her little banter that made him smile inside and out. "Yes, now what is your answer?" Lily was dragging out the anwser seeing him tense up waiting on baited breath. "Of course, I will go with you."