Dragon’s Breath
Chapter twenty-five

I wake up from a restless sleep, my body aching with drowsiness. My mind has been storming with questions since yesterday. Questions I'm not even sure I want to know the answer to. Since the moment Ellie walked into my life, things have been moving at lightning speed, and I'm not sure how to handle everything.

Climbing out of bed, I get clothed, but instead of heading out to the lake where I've been meeting Ellie in the mornings, I decide to meet Neron at the shop early. It's not that I don't want to face her, I'm simply too overwhelmed with everything that's happened. I need some time to think. It was only but a little over a week ago that I was just a regular blacksmith, and now I've gone from that to being the mate of a dragon princess. Everything has changed so much in such little time, I'm not sure how to handle it.

The city's dark and still sleeping as I make my way to the shop. The moon still hangs dimly in the sky casting an eerie glow on all the surrounding buildings.

When I make it to the shop I pull out a broom and some cloth taking my time thoroughly sweep and wipe down the shop. Though I'm not usually one to clean this seems the best way to try and get my thoughts at least somewhat organized.

Heavy footsteps sound through the room along with the creaking of a door.

"You're here early," Neron says while placing down a bucket of water.

"I figured you'd be out with the princess," he comments

"Well, I wanted to speak to you," I say.

Nodding he says, "Give me just a moment to finish cleaning these tools then we can talk."

A few minutes of silence fill the room, as I wait anxiously for Neron to finish his work. He takes his time cleaning up his tools and work area.

Once he's done he waves me into the back room pulling out a couple of chairs, we take our seats.

"Now tell me what is it you need?" He asks.

I sit back in my seat thinking of how to explain things to him, everything is just so complicated and confusing. How am I to explain my situation to him when I hardly understand it myself?

"Yesterday after I took Ellie out of the dungeon some things happened and I ended up kissing her," I tell him.

I watch as Neron's eyes go wide. He stands up clapping me on the back.

"Well done, my friend, I didn't think you had it in you. So what's the problem?" He asks a wide smile plastered on his face.

"My worries are that what I'm feeling for her isn't real," I murmur.

He sighs rubbing his head.

"Where on Earth did you get that idea?" He says with a raised brow.

"Well...," I begin. "She told me that we were predestined to be together because I am her soulmate and that some goddess made me for her," I tell him.

"Did she tell you that?" He questions with a raised brow.

"Not exactly that, she did say our feeling are genuine, but I still can't help worrying," I fret, my eyes darting away from him.

"For hell's sake Flavius! She told you her feelings are genuine, so what's the problem?" Neron exasperates.

"The problems that she's going to be getting married!" I suddenly shout out.

Leaning back in my seat I sigh. She's marrying a prince and there's nothing I can do about. The idea that someone could take her away scares the shit out of me. But could I really call it her being taken away when she was never mine, to begin with?

"I see now, that is a minor problem," Neron says.

"Minor problem, really?" I say sarcastically.

"I only call it a minor problem because Eleonora is not the type who does something she doesn't want to and quite frankly it's obvious she does not want to marry the prince. I believe she's only going through with this 'wedding' so as to catch Gwen," he guesses.

Neron's sense-full words ease some of my worries. But I still can't help but feel a little doubtful. The differences between me and Ellie are so great, she is a mighty princess and I am but a humble commoner. And that is but the tip of the iceberg, how is a human like me supposed to measure up to a dragon. We come from completely different places and that scares me, she scares me. She's so different and intriguing. I want to know everything about her but at the same time, I'm scared to. Unease is rolling off me waves. My head feels like an egg that is about to crack.

"Flavius I'm only going to say this once because I can sense your unease. You only ever find one perfect woman in your life. Now you might have other good women too but only one perfect woman that you will never forget for the rest of your life, I promise you. Do not let the perfect one go and do whatever it takes to keep her because you'll regret pushing her away," he convinces me.

His words reach me in a way I never expected. I don't need to worry about such things, I should just go for what I want. Just as she does. Never once has Ellie treated me like I was less than her. If there's one thing I've learned about her after all our time together it's that she will treat you the way you treat her. Unless she doesn't like you, I think with a laugh.

"Thank you, Neron. I fear without you I may have made a grave mistake," I say.

"There's no reason to thank me, I simply gave some words of advice you were the one who accepted them." He pauses giving a wide grin.

"But what I'm still trying to figure out is why did you kiss her if you feel so uneasy?" He asks.

"She was so upset, I knew I had to do something to calm her down and before I could even think I kissed her," I tell him.

When I kissed Ellie it was just instinctual, and by the time it was done I had completely stunned myself. I even feared that she would get upset.

Neron smiles gently, "I feel that kiss was more than just a way to calm her down I believe you have fallen in love."

I cough uncomfortably at his words. We're still getting to know one another I have a long way to go before I can claim to love her.

"I do like Ellie but I wouldn't say I love her," I say.

"I believe you are mistaking your feelings for her. You see when someone likes a flower, they pluck it. But when they love that flower they water it daily. One who understands this understands life," Neron tells me.

His words hit me hard. I can try to deny this but the truth is I've fallen for Eleonora, and I've fallen hard. I'm such a short amount of time she's wrapped me completely around her finger, and honestly, I'm terrified. Falling in love is scary and I still have my doubts, can a relationship like ours really work out. Even if we have love is that enough. Even though we're mates dragons live for thousands of years she destined to outlive me. I don't want to bring her pain, and I certainly don't wish to be in a relationship that's bound for tragedy.

I think back to yesterday's conversation with Daniel, will she want me after she finds out what I've done. Will she lose all faith in me. I just hope that when the time comes for me to reveal the truth she will understand that everything I'm doing comes from a place of affection.

Even with all these doubts clouding my mind leaving me in a muddled mess I know one thing for certain. No matter what I have to try, because Neron is right I can't let her slip away if I do I'll never meet anyone like her again. Ellie means more to me than any of my doubts. So I'm going to allow myself to be selfish and pursue her, even if we are meant to the part I still want to be with her even for a little while.

Standing up I pull Neron into a tight hug.

"Thank you," I mumble.

"Come now Flavius you're beginning to sound too emotional keep acting like this and you'll turn into a woman," Neron jokes.

Despite his words, he hugs me back. When he pulls away there's a light-hearted smile grazing his lips.

After our talk, Neron and I part getting back to work.

I still have a long way to go in accepting my relationship with Ellie, and there are still many things that I must figure out. But for now, I will give everything my all and prepare for the things to come. I'm going to be selfish and I'm taking the things I want. And if she ends up hating me in the future I will do everything in my power to win her back.

I hope you all enjoyed seeing this new side of Flavius! If you liked this chapter don’t forget to like and comment.- Ray

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