E R I K

A large black raven hopped onto the snow-covered bench outside the pub and peered through the pub's window. I should have known it was only a matter of time before the ravens found a way into this world.

They were messengers sent to look for Morgan on behalf of the Mad Prince and his bride. I gently drummed my fingers against the table top and wondered how to deal with this sudden and unexpected nuisance.

The ravens had to go. I couldn't risk Morgan reconnecting with the Mad Prince's bride and remembering her allegiance to the raven girl. Morgan needed to be fully committed to the dragons and, of course, her mate.

I would have to keep her close and complete our bond. I needed to make sure she was completely mine in body and soul. There could be no danger of her ever straying from me.

I clenched my fists shut, thinking about how to fulfil our bond. Vivid images of Morgan flooded my mind. I imagined running my hands through her soft red hair and feeling the warm caress of her soft mouth against my skin,

I suppressed a groan in my throat, which prompted Byron to ask, "Are you okay, boss?"

I glanced across to Byron, sitting next to me. He had supposedly come with me to help with the village meet and greet but seemed more interested in ordering the pub food.

"I'm fine," I waved a dismissive hand.

Byron twirled a fork in his hand and said, "You had a funny look on your face like you were in pain."

"Shut up, and eat your food," I snapped, irritable.

Byron smiled happily down at the massive plate of pie and mashed potato one of the young girls had brought him.

I scanned the bar for Morgan and found her behind the bar, pulling a pint while laughing with a customer. She had a lovely smile. I could look at her smile all day long.

"Boss, you're pulling that face again," Byron said through a mouthful of mashed potato.

"Stop looking at me. Go face the wall or something," I snapped.

Byron followed my gaze to Morgan and shook his head. "I hope you are right about her."

"The wisps chose her for a reason. They are clever and wise," I said, admiring how everyone in the bar smiled and greeted my mate. "She will make an excellent Queen."

"Are you sure she will be happy sitting in a stone castle playing queen," Bryon asked. "She is from the Wilds."

I wondered how long it would take Byron to bring that up. The Wilds were the land to the north of the mountains, where there were no cities, villages or towns. No one north of the mountains ever ventured into the Wilds. It was a place of danger that I had been warned about as a young dragon. Strange forgotten creatures lurked in the Wilds, creatures who did not like to sleep with a roof over their head.

"Morgan is a reformed fox," I replied confidently. "She has lived happily in this village for the past four years. She has no memories of the Wilds or the Mad Prince."

"What if she starts remembering her old life?" Byron countered.

I glanced towards the window and saw that the raven was still perched on the bench outside the pub, peering in.

"We must ensure that never happens, which is why I decided to appoint you as the Queen's knight. From now on, you have to ensure that she is kept safe and happy, and most importantly, you keep her away from any meddling birds," I said, nodding towards the raven.

Byron glanced at the raven and understood. "I won't let those birds get near her."

"Good," I smiled.

My mate would be surrounded and protected by dragons. I would not allow those pesky ravens to tempt her away from me. I cannot risk her remembering her past life.

"You should wed and bed her as soon as possible," Byron advised. "The sooner she is swollen with your child, the better. Even in the Wilds, mothers will not leave their children."

"I do not want to trap her," I said, although the thought of Morgan pregnant with my heir thrilled me. "Our children will come in time. But, for now, I plan to strengthen our bond."

"Well, you'll need to romance the lady," Byron said, then stopped as Glenn approached our table.

"Here you are, lads. I've brought you two pints of Dragonfire Draught ale," Glenn said, placing the dark, angry, swirling liquid in front of us. "The landlord brews it himself in the pub basement. It's brilliant stuff. Great for cleaning metal."

Byron couldn't help wrinkling his nose as he took the ale from Glenn's hand. There was an odd whiff coming from the ale that reminded me of unwashed socks and wet garbage.

I took the ale from Glenn's hand and brought it to my lips. I prayed that it tasted better than it smelt. I took a sip and tried not to grimace when the flavours of mould and dead mouse washed over my tongue.

"Go on, lads. Get it down," Glenn said, urging us to down the disgusting ale.

Byron stared at me with pleading eyes, but I didn't want to offend the only person in the village that believed in me. So, I downed the pint like a child swallowing an unpleasant tonic. Glenn nodded approvingly and grabbed our empty glasses to get another pint for us.

Twenty minutes later, my head was swimming. I could see Morgan watching me with a concerned look on her face. I didn't know what worried her. Perhaps it was Byron who seemed to be getting into a heated argument with a nearby pot plant.

Morgan excused herself from behind the bar and came over to our table.

"You two need to go home, NOW," she ordered.

Byron turned his attention away from the pot plant and gazed up at her.

"I can't do it. I am under strict orders to stop the birds from whispering to you and to defend your honour. I will not allow this fool," Byron said, raising his fist menacingly at the plant. "To call your mother three-legged swine dog. I have challenged the scoundrel to a duel and will cut out his tongue for the slander he has spoken about your good lady mother."

Morgan stared at him, puzzled for a second, then replied, "I don't have a mother."

Byron gasped in shock and turned to an old fur coat draped over a nearby seat. "Madam, forgive your daughter. She does not know what she says."

Morgan rolled her eyes and groaned, "Have you been drinking Dragonfire Draught? That stuff is lethal! You'll be seeing pixies and gremlins all night long. Let me go and make you some coffee."

I nodded woozily at her as she turned on her heel and walked behind the bar and through the backdoor. Byron elbowed me and said, "Go after her. Seduce her. I'll keep her mother busy."

Byron grabbed the furry sleeve of the old coat and said suavely, "When I first saw you, Madame, I thought you were Morgan's younger sister."

I got up and stumbled after Morgan. I didn't know what I was doing. My head was spinning from the Dragonfire Draught Glenn had given me. I slipped unnoticed behind the bar and went through the back door into a messy corridor. The floor felt like it was moving beneath me, but I could see Morgan entering a side room in the distance.

I walked to the side room door and knocked on it. I thought knocking was the right thing to do. I didn't want to scare Morgan. I just wanted to be near her.

Morgan opened the door, and her eyes widened in surprise when she saw me standing before her. Byron's words rang through my head. I needed to say something smooth and seductive. I opened my mouth and said, "Eh - hi."

Morgan glanced from side to side, checking no one else was in the corridor with me, then grabbed me by the collar of my shirt and pulled me into the cupboard with the strength of an angry mountain bear.

"What the hell do you think you are doing," she hissed, jabbing her delicate finger at my chest.

I stared down at her angry little face and felt my heart melting.

"I wanted to talk to you," I said awkwardly.

"I'm working," she snapped.

"I know," I whined, adding, "But I thought we could hang out here."

Morgan's eyebrows shot up, and her arms folded across her chest. "You want to hang out in the larder?"

I stared down at her, unable to think straight. How could I recover from this? How could I win her over and prevent her from returning to the Ravens?

"I thought I could kiss you. I've never kissed a girl before and thought it might be a good idea as we are mates and stuff," I explained.

"You never kissed a girl before?" she replied.

"Of course not. Why would I want to kiss a girl who is not my mate?" I said as if the reason was apparent.

"Oh," Morgan replied awkwardly and reached behind me and grabbed a jar of coffee off the shelf. "Well, I'm not going to kiss you now."

My eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. Why did Morgan not want to kiss me? I was her mate, and this is what mates do.

"Are you scared of having your first kiss?" I asked.

Morgan scoffed and replied, "I had my first kiss long ago."

She went to move past me, and I quickly shot my arm out in front of her, blocking the way. Rage burned through me. Uncontrollably rage. Whoever touched my mate and sampled her before me would die a thousand deaths.

"Your eyes are turning red again," Morgan said wearily.

"Who kissed you?" I asked.

"I've had several boyfriends since moving to the village. But, nothing ever serious," Morgan said unapologetically.

"Several?" I echoed, feeling the bitter sting of betrayal. "Why did you not wait for me? Why did you not wait for your mate?"

"Because it's not the nineteenth century, and I didn't think I'd ever have a mate," Morgan explained.

I swallowed hard and forced a smile. "Your past does not matter. I am your mate now. Next time you need the touch of a man, you will come to me, and I will satisfy all your needs. There is no need to look for satisfaction elsewhere."

"Somehow, I think you lack the experience to satisfy my needs," Morgan responded dismissively.

My heart clenched fearfully. I was losing her.

"Let me prove it," I said. "Let me show my mate that I can pleasure her."

"I don't think so," Morgan replied.

"Then teach me," I said, dropping to my knees. "Show me how I can please you."