Chapter 33: Merethyl

Mates? I’m mated to a dragon? How is this possible? Wait, I've heard about mate bonds in the shifter community. Is this why I’m so drawn to him? Is this why he smells so good to me?

Avani said that there was a time when dragons and elves were mates. That was centuries before my time. Our most recent history was a time when elves forced dragons by claiming them. Then they abused that power. My parents always made it clear to both me and Yhendorn that we should never abuse our power. We should never forget who we are and what we stand for. And what we stand for is our people and others who can’t stand for themselves.

I look around at the shifters that I helped to free, the ones that I’ve recently healed. This is what my power is for. I don’t want to become someone like Naremyn who seeks power for the sake of having power.

“Merethyl.” His deep voice resonates in my body. At least now I understand why.

I don’t face him. “I can’t be mated to you, Avani. I can’t.”

“And yet, you are, Mer