Amon/Dragon King's POV
The deep-rooted frustration and disrespect faded the second he laid eyes on her. Dragon vision zoomed in, and his wings had stretched as he lowered his head and aimed. Everything was different now, and everything had changed. Why? I'm not sure, but I will figure it out. Her sob-filled laughter danced over the dark field yet again, and I wanted nothing more than to relish in this feeling. A quest for later, I thought to myself, right now, all I need is here. All I need is her.
For once, I understood her. Hated to see her cry, and my heart felt pain with each heartbeat. But she cried while smiling, cried while laughing. I've never seen such love between two creatures, the way they fight joy, pain, heartbreak, and love. Because Maya, the lost Valkyrie, acted just the same as she did. Despite all the darkness that tightened around both girls' hearts, love and happiness shone through just by seeing one another, and I think that is the only thing that kept me sane. The only thing that kept the beast at bay.
When Nida, that green wrench of a woman, called for me, my blood boiled. Every single scale on my dragon's body itched. The nerves of that creature! Calling for a king like that! Demanded my present like I was a servant at her feet! ME! But I had no choice; the beast obeyed her call, and when we crossed the barriers to the serpent's cursed realm, I felt her. Eir. We forgot all about Nida and her disrespect and outrageous behavior. We were there for her, the woman who glowed like a goddess in the dragon's heat vision. A beacon of hope, warmth, and promises, she lit up for us. Her scent filled the beast's sensitive nostrils and filled his lungs, and an incredible burst of energy followed the warmth that spread in our bodies. Not only the beasts but this seductive and highly intoxicating feeling managed to seep through the layers of the beast and find the hidden human form within. A feeling we shared like never before, and now, sitting here by the crackling fire, I couldn't take my eyes off her even if I tried. Not even Hades' sulking and childish frustration managed to humor me anymore.
"Are you even listening?"
I let out a deep sigh, and I'd never heard a man with such a whiny voice before. At least not a man supposed to be half beast and half death god. Pathetic.
"No, I am not."
"That is rude, you know!"
"I'm not sure what made you think I cared?"
Not once did I take my eyes off her. Not only does it feel like I've missed her for such a long time, but her energy called for me. Her aura connected us at all times, like a thick, alluring mist binding us together, and Hades could not compete, no matter where Nida sent him or what he had to climb over to get back. I didn't care, and there was no space for anything but the glowing girl. Strange enough, Atlas was drawn to her from the very beginning, and I had to admit being close to her made me feel good from the first time I met her. Dragons don't have destined mates like wolves and other shifters had, but a low whisper in the back of my head told me, told us, she was ours. That after she managed to break her bond with her first mate, something shifted or grew stronger between us, and now I have no idea how to talk to her about it. Talk to her at all, actually.
I can't leave here, but how can I convince her to leave all this for me? She's been hunted, fooled, humiliated, hurt, killed, and pushed aside. I'm still surprised she's still standing, beautiful, and stronger than ever. But she loves this other woman, her brother, and her father. She even cried when she learned that disgusting woman Lydia was still alive. There is so much love and care in this little human's heart, but would there ever be a place for me there?
Part of me wants to swoop her off her feet and fly home, and another part reminds me that would most likely end up with her killing me in my sleep.
"You should care! Not only did I have to spend an entire afternoon drinking some weird shit with my mother and aunt. I had to crawl through a slimy tunnel to do so! Yes, I would gladly crawl through anything to avoid them both, but not to join them! I had to make a blood promise to be allowed to leave!"
"Yeah, yeah."
The silence between us took over yet again, and frankly, I enjoyed it. Hades' constant nagging was beginning to disturb my line of thought and sidetracked my poor attempts at planning my next step. My heart skipped a beat watching Eir's smile beam without tears, and I don't think I've ever seen such a stunning thing in my entire life.
"She's changed."
Hades' annoying voice yet again managed to disturb me, but he was right. She had changed; everything about her and her beast had changed. Not only their aura and energy, but if I looked closely enough, her appearance had subtle changes, and for one reason or the other, I think it was only the beginning for her.
"Yes, she's becoming the best version of herself."
"She won't run away if you take your eyes off her for two seconds, you know!"
"What did you mean?"
"Well, where would she go?"
"Not that! Why should I care!"
For the first time since we got her back, Atlas agreed to take his eyes off her only to glare daggers at Hades.
"Because the fay is up to something!"