[Primus]I scoop her into my arms, pulling her up to me so that our faces are at the same height. She feels so light, so small, and so very fragile. But there is nothing weak or timid about how she claims me with her body, wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist as I push her up against the wall. We are both breathing quickly, the sound of her heart beating a rapid rhythm as I take a moment to marvel at her beauty. Her sunshine hair is tousled, coming free of her simple braid, the tightly curled strands floating around her. Her cheeks are freshly flushed as she blushes, darkening to a sweet berry brown as my eyes drink her in, her tan skin warming at my touch as I place gentle kisses along her chin.Smiling at my good fortune, I begin to kiss her neck, the hollow at her throat and as she gasps, I cannot imagine a world without the sound of

[Primus] As she walks away from me, my heart begins to burn for her, to crave her. My hands are shaking as I try, and fail, to set our mating bands back on the table.  I wait until I feel the door reseal behind her before I let my rage loose.  I promised to let her go if she wanted to leave, but making that promise and seeing out are two very different types of torture. One is only potential pain, the other is actual, and in this moment I cannot think with the same logical brain that knew that she might someday choose to seek out her own life, to be free of me. All that is left is the part of me incapable of thinking, the animal, the beast,

[Primus] I transform as I land back at the keep, deciding to go through the stables to not disturb anyone. The first light of dawn is beginning to peek over the horizon and I know that very soon Carnelia will be awakened by the dancing rainbows of that first light shining through her faceted crystal windows. Wanting to avoid any awkwardness, I make plans for when she is ready to leave, hoping to stay out of her way. My heart is still quite tender, but I am sure hers is as well. I tell my servants to prepare the dapple gray, my gentlest horse, along with her tack and saddle for Carnelia. In her saddlebags, I also secret away some gold, additional clothing, and food as well as flint, a knife, and basic medical supplies. One bag will not be enough for any kind of extended journey. Part of me is hoping that she’ll change her mind and come back someday. I hope that when she finds it on her ride later this morning, she will know that I am thinking of her, that she is wanted, and she is l

[Primus] My stomach is tightening in fear and pain as I draw closer to the keep as my hand burns with the intensity of the emotion being transmitted through the ring. So much fear and anger, so much sadness. I push myself as hard as I can, making the flight in almost half the time, my instincts pushing me to veer a bit inland, towards the forest. Towards Crimson. There is a commotion in the town square. A few humans cluster in corners around the edges of the square, both fascinated by and terrified of the dragon standing in the center. There is a bloody mess at his feet, a young man dead and broken. The dragon is holding a human woman tightly around the neck as she stands almost naked before him, her fists clenched, her bright blond matted and falling around her shoulders. Carnelia. My Carnelia. Mine. Fueled by rage, I fly faster. I watch as the dragon, who I now recognize as my brother Segundus, sniffs her neck. Can he smell that she is my mate? “Get your hands

[Primus] The look on her face is beyond shock. Fear. No, terror. She is terrified. To be honest, so am I. “Primus,” she sucks in her breath as she very carefully, very precisely asks, "What did you do?" She closes her eyes. “You called me “Prima” and made your servants bow to me.” “Carnelia,” I try to calm her. “It’ll be alright I..” Her deep breaths move her entire body as she wo