The Tripartite Mate Bond Chapter 96: CHAPTER NINETY-SIX

The best part of this place for me was their weather. Somehow, New York was always too cold for me and people would keep asking me why I was wearing thick clothing especially turtlenecks during summer. But here, it was the perfect level of warmth and I loved it. The volcano made more sense as I learnt more about this place. I wish I was allowed to grow here but I refuse to think about the life I could have had if I wasn't a victim of some weird prophecy. It only pisses me off more.

I walked with Tacha as she told me more about their life here and it was quite sad how little they had to survive on but they didn't let it affect them, taking joy in the beautiful feeling of protection and freedom that the dragons gave them.

“What about your dragon, is she as wise and motherly as mine? Sometimes, Lyra gives me that feeling of a mother hen,” I chuckled as we walked out of the mansion.

“I don't have a dragon, Princess. It's only a privilege of the great houses. Each child is born with their own dragon and their lives begin to intertwine once they are sixteen. The process is harrowing and a servant is not allowed to be under such circumstances,” she explained to me and I saw the sadness i n her eyes.

Unlike Mirabel, Tacha didn't really like the life she was subjected to and without explicitly stating it, I observed how much she hated their little world. She talked about it with distaste and I couldn't actually blame her. I would imagine it would be worse if they knew what actually lay beyond their yellow dome of protection.

She began leading me towards the car park and she signaled to the chauffeurs that stood around, waiting for someone to need them.

‘Wait, can we walk instead? I wasn't able to see the town earlier when we drove to the welcoming rally. If that's not a brother though,” I asked, watching her reaction.

With my pack, I was free and could command everyone without feeling guilty or bad because their wolves tended to want to make life easier for me because of my position and they were never upset about it but here, I was wary of pissing off the wrong person. I didn't know them well enough so I was careful, especially with people like Tacha who were handed a life they didn't want while they were made to serve one who lived the life they wanted.

“Yes, sure. It's a good day actually, the gods are really happy you're back home. It's been awhile since we had such good weather,” she replied as we walked out of the huge, golden gates into the paved street.

It was indeed beautiful.

“As opposed to?”

“It's usually stormy. The dragons are responsible for this done above us but they also crave the freedom of the real skies. Knowing a bigger world exists outside of here kind of makes one sad. The dragons get weaker and that causes heavy storms,”

“That's tragic. Don't worry so much, Tacha. I have a good feeling all of this will be over soon. Now where are we going?” I asked her, changing the gloomy topic and for the first time, she actually smiled.

“It's a place called a pub. I know, a weird name but it's built right on top of our underground water system so as you drink, you also get to have the most beautiful scene. I never get tired of it. Come on, it's not too far,” she said and we walked faster, a wave of excitement washing over me.

The air of the town was warm and I might be imagining it but my skin was glowing.

As we talked about their way of life, my curiosity getting the best of me, I felt Lyra connect with her Dragon friend and I cut off our link from my end as well, not wanting to intrude in their private moment. I was happy she met him, even if that's the only good part about returning here at the time that we did.

Here, I didn't feel the need for a power pearl, everything was fireproof and I guess it was the herbs I was made to drink but I felt more powerful than ever, rejuvenated even.

We walked for about fifteen minutes before getting to the place.

I've never seen something like it.

Like Tacha said earlier, it was built into a water source but she didn't mention it was a tree house. A number of huge trees were lined up and the wooden treehouse was on top of it, the branches weaving through it.

The air was crisp and fresh and as big as the treehouse was, it still looked small hanging between those branches. I guess they made the best use of their limited resources because this was ingenious.

“Come on, the stairs are over here,” Tacha said excitedly.

It was already getting darker as we walked up the wooden steps into what was a beautiful lounge and bar with dim lights and wooden chairs arranged all over the place.

Before we sat down, a half-naked but tall guy with a chiseled jaw and defined abs walked over to us, a sly smirk on his face.

“Tacha! Who did you bring for me?” he asked, circling around to our fronts.

I saw Tacha blush a startling shade of pink before introducing me to the stranger.

“Hi… Talon, this is the returned princess. Did you miss her welcoming parade earlier today?” She said to him, struggling to stand in a stable spot.

“I apologize for my tardiness, your highness. I was on an official mission and just came back this evening. You're welcome back home,” the guy bowed to me as ridiculously low as possible.

I didn't stop him and I took a few breaths before Tacha nudged me to release him from his prostrated form.

“Thank you Talon, what was the mission about? And shouldn't you be resting now?” I finally indulged him, and as he rose back up, I walked the few steps remaining to the bar and sat down while they followed.

“I’m afraid I can't say the exact nature of the business but it's all for the kingdom’s progress. And I'm happy I didn't stay back in to rest, I would have missed the opportunity to lay eyes on your beautiful face. I'm truly mesmerized,” he said and I realized he was actually trying to flirt with me.

I looked at Tacha for the umpteenth time today, gauging her reaction and there was a storm on her face.

“I'm grateful for the kind words, please you both have to excuse me, I'm going to look around,” I said and took my drink and stood up from the stool.

“Allow me to give you a tour of our little fun hole,” Talon offered but I shook my head, not wanting to increase the sad look on Tacha 's expression.

“Don't worry, I'd like to get to know my people by myself. Please keep Tacha company,” I said with a small smile and walked down the bar.

The cabin was long and divided into sections so I followed where the music was loudest. Thankfully, I was with earplugs this time around and somehow, I was feeling more adjusted to my supernatural powers the longer I stayed here. Another reason why I hated how my parents carelessly dumped me in the human world without any form of information about the world I came from. I felt more alien in my own home than I'd ever felt anywhere else and that was saying a lot considering I'd never really had a home till I met my mates.

I walked into the club-like part of the long cabin and they were dancing. I knew the songs from when I was little, another reminder that they lived way behind in time.

I had come here to let loose a little and regardless of the weird looks I got, I joined them on the dance floor, shaking away all my worries and anger.

“Hi Princess!” I heard someone shout and I joined them as they danced, swaying to the beat and laughing with each other.

By the fourth song, I had finished two cocktails and I switched to shots. Maybe I was overindulging but I really just wanted to let loose.

All of a sudden, I heard a shrilling sound from the DJ booth and everywhere quieted instantly.

Then chaos erupted, everyone running in different directions, including the new friends I'd just made.

I ran towards the direction I had come from but it seemed I had gotten it mixed up because I didn't recognize the place I'd run into.

It was dark and there were a couple of guys standing, unaffected by the drama happening on the other end.

One of them, his face was scarred with burn marks which was weird for a dragon kin. Fire didn't affect any of us, Servant or royal. Also, our figure was generally light, the curves I had were from my recent change in status but these guys looked stuffed and one of them looked like he lived in the gym. I saw the angry look on their faces and knew this wasn't where I wanted to go through so I took a step back.

“Tacha?!” I screamed, hoping she'd hear me above the ruckus as I turned around, back to the room where I was dancing a few seconds ago.

Now that I thought about it, the alcohol was a little different. I'd taken wine before and my metabolism always made it wear off after a few minutes but as I ran from one point to the other, I kept getting lost and my sight dizzy.

I didn't hear any response from Tacha and I realized the buff looking guys weren't trying to escape, they were charging after me.