Reunion

Dragana POV

“We have to stop meeting like this!”, I heard a familiar voice of Lady Jasmine, and nearly leapt up from the bed to give her a hug. However, I was still lightheaded somehow and simply fell back into the array of pillows on my bed. The sun was shining brightly through the large windows overlooking the ocean, hitting her beautiful blonde hair, almost forming a halo around her. “How are you here?”, I almost whispered. Another familial scent hit me. Turning around, I found Beta Artemis sitting on the other side, his dark sparkling eyes looking at me adoringly with a big smile on his face. “Solomon asked me to come”, she said simply. I looked at Art, who was speaking now: “And I tagged along with her to see you Dragana, could not miss the chance!! It is a reunion!”, he said excitedly.



Lady Jasmine walked over and kissed me on the forehead. “What should I call you now?”, I blurted out. She was my grand-aunt after all. She laughed at me, moving my hair gently from my face. “Whatever you are comfortable with sweetheart. I apologize for not telling you myself, it all happened so quickly. Thank you for saving me!!”, she said, squeezing my hand. I was trying to sit up and the moment I looked up, Cybela’s eyes were peeking through the window, looking at us. “I see you met your guardian, and not a moment too soon I hear”, Jasmine said, winking at Cybela, who started purring and making happy sounds.



“You two know each other???” “Cybela is very special to me, to our family. Indeed, we know each other. She was Alma’s guardian before”, she explained, moving over to the window, petting the dragon’s face gently. I made a mental note to ask about Alma and who she was. However, before I could say anything else, the door opened, and Solomon, followed by a few servants carrying trays of tea and food, came in. He was not alone. Accompanying him was an interesting-looking diminutive man with a gentle expression. “Child, you need to stop scaring my old heart like that!!!!”, Solomon mused.



“I have brought Dr. Sina to check on you. He has been in the service of the First Dragon for centuries and is the best healer of our kind”, he stated, prompting the small gentleman to bow. “Princess, it will be an honor to serve you!”, he said, giving me a tight smile. I finally got some strength and managed to sit up. I noticed my clothes had changed too. “Ms. Maria and her ladies had you changed, you spilled the tea all over you earlier when you fainted. Plus, you were sweating profusely, this is your third clothes change”, Solomon clarified. “Extreme life events, changes and stress can cause reactions like this, including dizziness, lack of appetite, sometimes fever”, Dr. Sina now spoke. “I will have to do a detailed examination and test your blood for any anomalies also”, he continued.



“Is she going to feel better soon? Is there anything I can do???”, Art asked, his eyes darting at Dr. Sina and looking at me worriedly. He moved over closer to me, now sitting in the bed next to me. My great grandfather looked at him curiously but said nothing. Jasmine, too, was observing his actions, but Art simply ignored them. His body heat was radiating next to me, and it felt comfortable to have him here. “I am feeling better already Art, don’t’ worry. And not that I am complaining, but what are you doing here? Did Roman send you?” He averted his gaze, his body tensing. Before he could answer, Solomon interjected. “I invited Jasmine here. She is one of the best warriors in existence and recent events have led me to believe that, in addition to the magic training you have been working on, you also need to know how to defend yourself physically. And Beta Artemis is a powerful warrior in his own right, and has volunteered to train your wolf side”, he explained.



“I won’t let anything happen to you, Dragana. I want to make sure you are safe, and I will do anything to make sure you know how to fight and defend yourself. I will do anything for you”, Art said firmly. My head was buzzing again, and I was feeling overwhelmed. However, I realized that I really had no choice. They were right. While I could defend myself with magic, I am sure there will be occasions when I will need brute strength. “And I am more than excited to train Vasilla”, Lady Jasmine chimed in, bringing me a cup of tea. Seeing the teacup brought back the memory of my attacker running toward me with her sword, ready to kill me. I started shaking again. Art acted quickly before I could spill the tea, snatching the cup from me and pulling me to himself into a giant bear hug. His warm body felt like a mountain of muscle, strong, warm, and safe. His masculine scent of cedar was filling the room and while I was still shaking, I leaned into him. He sat behind me, wrapping his huge arms around me. Solomon and Jasmine exchanged glances but said nothing.



“Princess, it is obvious that you are still suffering from the trauma of recent events”, Dr Sina interjected. “I am going to prescribe some natural supplements and teas, but also want to recommend meditation techniques with your dragon. Dragon magic has many healing properties, and considering Cybela’s power and age, she will be more than qualified to help”, he explained, writing something on a notepad in his hands which appeared out of nowhere. Cybela obviously heard him, as she roared in agreement. Something was still nagging me though. “How is Roman?”, I asked quickly, afraid to even think about him. I felt Art tense again and before he could answer I heard Lady Jasmine’s voice. “Alpha King is doing quite well. He is getting married next month”.