CHAPTER EIGHT REJECTION

Zara’s POV.

The market is down by the beach, just outside a beautiful little town. There were Dragons of all kinds selling things. Water dragons sold large and exotic fish, Earth dragons sold beautiful pottery, fruits and vegetables. The wind dragons sold bottled clouds for potions and bottled wind for sailing. There were shops full of leather gear, dresses, and amulets. Even a fabric store. Thorn dragged Jade and me around for hours. Buying us lavish dresses and shoes. Thorn and Jade took turns picking out dresses for me to wear. Thorn wanted me to have lots of pretty things to wear being the new lady of the castle. I still wasn't used to being called that, but I loved being here. The dragons were, for the most part, kind. I am sure if Jade and I had been alone they would have acted differently, but that was a problem for another day. Flame and I had decided we would wait to announce anything until I had formally rejected Dexter. The problem was my wolf was angry at me. I wasn't going to pretend nothing had happened. I gave him a chance so I could protect our pack. He had failed not even 4 hours after. I had finally told Jade what had happened that night. She told me why I felt so dirty. He had guilty and manipulated me into sexual favors. He was using me. We had one truly consensual experience out of three.

“Are you ready to go back to the castle?” Thorn's voice startled me.

“Sure!” Jade and I said in unison.

***

Flame POV.

“Flame?” Thorn spoke from the doorway of my office.

“Yes?” I responded glancing up from the paperwork.

“Lady Zara would like to go to the volcano now.” When I looked up Thorn was smiling.

“Okay, Let me know when she is ready to go and we will go.” I smiled back at Thorn.

“She is. She has also requested you go into the cave with her. She doesn't want to go with just guards.”

“Okay.” I kept my tone even and nonchalant, but it didn't reflect my shock. Zara had wanted to go alone originally. “I wonder what changed..” I thought to myself.

“Zara?” I asked her as I pushed her door open.

“Yeah?”

“Are you sure you want me to come in with you?”

“Yes.” She smiled at me. “ Are we going yet?”

“Yes, let's go love.” She blushed at my words. When we got to the car my driver got out to open the doors but it was too late. I had already opened the door for Zara.

“Sir?”

“I will open the doors for my lady and I.” I said, smiling at him.

“Yes, my lord.” He bowed his head and got back in the car. We drove half an hour to the volcano's dungeon entrance. When we got there Zara looked up at the foreboding mountain.

“Wow..” She whispered.

“Come on. It'll be over soon.” As we walked into the cave entrance I grabbed Zara's hand. She pulled it away and hugged herself.

“I'm sorry, I just can-”

“You do not have to explain anything to me. Take your time and do what you need to do.” I smiled at her. As we walked down the carved stairs of the mountain it got warmer. I was loving it but Zara was sweating. When we got down to the tenth layer which is the last one. I stopped Zara. “Be warned... This is not a pretty sight.” As we turned into the hall of large boulders covered in chains Zara gasped.

“Oh my..” She walked forward slowly, her mouth agape.

“I told you..” Zara ignored me and walked to the end of the hall. The hottest part of the mountain. Dexter crouched in front of the boulder he was chained to, sweating and shaking from the dehydration and discomfort. He was covered in scrapes and dirt.

“Dexter..” At the sound of her voice, he looked up.

“Zara..” His voice was hoarse and raspy.

“If you accept my rejection, you and your brother can go free as rogues.” Dexter glared up at her.

“You have no honor.” Dexter's croak made me laugh.

“That's rich coming from someone who treats their mate like garbage.” Dexter glared up at me now.

“Are you always this quick to judge someone? You have no idea who I am or what has happened betwee-” I growled at him, cutting him off. The heat made me stronger and closer to my dragon.

“I know exactly what has happened. Zara has been friends with me since before you joined her pack.”

“Whatever. Zara, I accept your rejection.” At his words he and Zara screamed in pain. The bond had broken. I grabbed Zara, helping her away from Dexter.

“It's okay, It's alright. It will pass.” I stopped when we hit the fifth layer. It was cooler here. I grabbed Zara and sunk onto the steps with her sobbing in pain in my arms.

“Why does it hurt so bad? Our bond was always so detached, I didn't think it would hurt.”

“I don't know, Your bond was a strange and unique thing. Just let it hurt. You're safe with me.”

“Can we go back to the castle, please? Zara's voice was barely a whisper.

“Let's go.”

“Can we cuddle when we get back?” When we got back to the castle I headed straight for my room. I wanted nothing to do with anyone right now. I was tired and in pain. I had Flame's hand, dragging him down the hall. The intense zap that happened when I took his hand made me happier and it made the pain lessen. When we got to his room he stopped me and opened the door.

“In here.” I drug him in the door and kicked it closed behind us as I tossed him at his bed. “Wow, love. You seem to really want to cuddle.” His playful sarcasm made me giggle.

“I do want to cuddle. I am in a hurry.” I crawled up next to Flame and lay down next to him. It wasn't close enough. I was still hurting. I rolled onto him and lay there basking in his warmth, I felt his cock grow hard against me. Flame fidgeted trying to shift to where it wasn't obvious.

“Stop moving..” The pain had stopped for just a second when he had pushed against me.

“Z, I don't want to let you mask your pain with me.”

“Please. It's helping”

“No Z. I will not let you do that. You need to feel the pain.”

“Okay. I'm sorry.” I felt ashamed and frustrated. I was in pain and the one thing that was going to fix it was something neither of us wanted at this moment. I thought I did but I'm glad he stopped me. He was right.

“Let's roll over so you're not uncomfortable.” I said. We rolled, and Flame pulled me into his arms. I relaxed into his chest. He was so warm, and smelt amazing too. Flame laid his head on mine and began to rub my back. I was getting so sleepy. He was so warm.

****

Flame POV.

As I lay with Zara taking in her sweet scent and rubbing her back I felt her breathing ease and her body relax. I was cursing myself silently for shutting down what she was trying to do but I didn't want to have rebound sex. I wanted her but she needed to be ready and in the right state of mind.

I lay there with her enjoying her presence. I closed my eyes and relaxed into her.