Claimed By A Dragon Prince

Lily made it to Dimitri’s office, and no more odd interactions coming out of nowhere. Nina opened the door for Lily as she walked in seeing her prince hard at work with his second. "He’s lucky I don’t kill him for that." Lily smiled knowing who he meant.

"It was nothing, honestly. He thought to save me in some way, but he found out differently. The last thing I need from them is some kind of pushback that could hurt your Clan." Lily explained hoping he believed her.

"Our Clan, my dear. Out Clan will stand with you if need be. We have never been obligated to form an alliance with the Wolf Clan. Some of the nobles have been pushing for it, but my father has the final word. And with the way that meeting with I don’t see him trying again."

Dimitri got up walking around his desk reaching for Lily’s hands. "Don’t worry, my father knows who you are and now knows where your loyalty lies. He won’t push for it again."

Lily nodded still having the unsettling feeling that more was to come. "I should go and check in with Trinee. I was supposed to start working today." Nina chimed in at that moment. "Your things have been taken to your lab which is across from Miss Trinee’s."

"Good, some of my work clothes are in my pack. I wouldn’t want to ruin this beautiful dress you gave me." Dimitri admired the way the gown hugged her curves just right. "Yes, it is very flattering on you. Shopping with you is an experience I hope to have again. For now, run along to your work. I will be occupied for some time. If you finish and don’t find me in our rooms then come look here, alright?"

"Yes, alright. I’m sure Trinee would be grateful for my help. I still need to take inventory for the expedition and inform Trinee of our meeting with your father." Lily leaned up kissing him sweetly happy to be with him. "Go woman or we’ll be giving the servants quite a show." Nina giggled while his second coughed knowing Dimitri meant what he said.

Nina held the door for her mistress and then led her the private way through the castle to the laboratory area. Going to Trinne’s lab first she knocks remembering Trinee’s request from her first visit. "Come in!" She yelled through the door. Lily walked in asking Nina to wait for her outside. Trinee turned to see her new appearance and mating mark in full view smiling at Lily knowingly. "Well, that didn’t take him long did it?"

Lily laughed at her question knowing Trinee could see the chemistry between the two before the mating happened. "No, it didn’t. But when have you known a dragon to be patient?" Trinee joined her in laughing settling down after a moment. "I have a question for you that’s been bothering me since out last discussion."

Lily nodded waiting for her question. "You said you went through a village in the way to the Lumus flower sanctuary. Were you near the river that runs along the eastern side?" Lily thought about it and she had been close to the river when she arrived. "Yes, I was. Why?"

"Did you happen to see the the plant life near the river? Was there a slug in the water?" Lily was getting concerned with this line of questioning. "I didn’t take samples, but I did notice the vegetation wasn’t look like the rest. I was restrained before I could inquire more."

"So it’s gotten this far. When were you planning to go for the expedition? Did Prince Dimitri say anything?" Lily recanted what happened at her second meeting with the King mentioning Prof. Magnus was her mentor. "That old dragon actually accepted an apprentice? Took him long enough."

"Do you have any room to talk?" Lily caught herself slapping her hand over her mouth. Trinee however threw her head back in laughter glad to have someone with a descent sense of humor around her. "That old dragon was meant to be king, but passed the throne to his brother instead to become the Academies Head Master. He knew educating the next generation would be more fulfilling then trying to rule them."

Lily could see that she greatly admired her mentor, maybe even had certain feelings for him. "Have you ever spoken with him before? Prof. Magnus, I mean." Lily saw her blush slightly before shaking her head. "I have spoken with him a few times. Mostly for work or discussing solutions to helping problem students."

Lily knew there might be something more, but not wanting to push she excused herself going to her won lab to take inventory of her belongings. Nina Followed her in looking at her lab with interest. "How exactly are you going to fix the Dragon Moss decline? My mother is a healer and has had to use alternative medical herbs for healing."

"I’m not sure yet, but after this expedition I will have a greater idea of how to handle the problem. Trinee suspects a toxic slug is being leaked into the river, but the problem is we can’t collect samples to bring back to figure out the problem. I plan to go up stream close to Bear Territory where i suspect the source of the toxin to be. Hopefully finding the source will give us a better idea of what to do and how to attack this issue."

Nina could see why the Prince choose her after refusing all the other candidates. She was brilliant and factual having looked at the problem from every angle to see the best way to help. Collecting clues even before she was asked to take on this huge task. Nina felt a new found respect for her lady.

"I need to do inventory of my things. If you would help me carefully separate everything I could appreciate the help." Lily asked Nina who was all to willing to help. "Yes, my Lady."