Page 66 of Anaki

“As impossible as a dragon holding you?”

She nestled her head closer to my head and rolled her eyes. “Fine, you gotme. Only because your tail is holding my leg.”

I hummed in agreement. “Now hush. Don’t interrupt the storyteller.”

Elena pouted and nipped at my skin.

“We didn’t live primitively, but we appreciated nature, wanted to preserve it like our ancestors did. We traded with other species such as shifters, witches, and fae. We also went to markets for what we needed, for special clothing and cloth, but we mostly stayed to ourselves. We were an oddity, rare, and we didn’t want to bring attention to ourselves.

“You see, according to legends, dragons have been around longer than any other shifter. We roamed both the Earth and Elysian Realms. While there have never been many of us in number, we were strong because of the armor of our scales. They kept us from harm. Unlike most shifters, we could also absorb magic. Unfortunately, we cannot harness or wield it. Our scales are only there for protection.”

“You’re indestructible,” Elena murmured.

I shook my head. “Not quite. While we are strong in our human forms, we can be killed. Dragon forms are harder, but there are weak points. It depends on the type of dragon. I am a water dragon. There are earth, sky, and fire dragons with all their own cultures, but you know water dragons are the best.”

Elena hummed, and her body relaxed against me as she continued to listen.

“As I said, the white sand that surrounded the lake was clean, the water fresh and crisp.” I closed my eyes as I remembered it like it was yesterday, feeling the fresh air blowing through my hair.

“Dragons set up tents along the beaches. They were just like this.” Elena and I gazed around it. I did my best to bring my family home here, to help me remember the good times. “We had lots of places for seating. Our caves had beds and blankets like this, and the tents were the party area.”I chuckled. “The cold walls reminded me of being alone, so I prefer the tent.”

Elena’s hand stroked over my chest as if to comfort me.

“The tents were always filled with laughter because they were for gatherings of our clan. We all ate and drank together at least one meal, usually at dusk. We would hunt fish, which we mostly ate raw. Equivalent to sushi, I believe. We ate fruit, but preferred the meat mostly. Red meat was a treat, but it didn’t do well in our stomachs.”

I huffed out a laugh. “I remember the one time I ate my first bite of steak and my mother scolded me for eating the whole thing. The next day, I sank to the bottom of the lake, and she had to fish me out before I drowned. Young children didn’t get their gills until they were ten.”

Elena made a face of horror.

“You said you were going to try and go to sleep.”

“You almost died! How can that be relaxing?”

Oh, honey, just you wait until I tell you the bad stuff.

"Any who… tents served as lively venues for parties, where we held celebrations of all kinds. Under the vast canopy of stars, we gathered for the full moons, paid homage to the goddess, and the joyous occasion of new couples. These new pairings were especially grand, as they were rare and treasured events. These parties would stretch on for an entire week. The adults indulged in so much wine, they’d laugh and forget all their worries, while the fledglings darted around in playful games. Tables were filled with an abundance of sweet desserts, only for special occasions, and we feasted until we could eat no more."

Elena’s eyes closed, and she hummed in contentment.

"My favorite part was the dancing, though." I gazed up at the softly glowing lantern above, its gentle light casting flickering shadows all around.

“The dance was an artful display where the males performed fortheir--partners. Unlike on Earth, it was not the females who were tasked with impressing the males. In my clan, the males had to earn their place before a female, showcasing their worthiness.

As the celebration began, each male, even the mated ones, adorned himself with his most treasured possessions—gleaming gold chains that caught the moonlight, intricately designed bangles that jingled with every movement, and garments of the finest silk shimmered with every step. The rhythmic pounding of drums accompanied by the excited melodies of flutes. The male's dance had always captivated me, ever since I was a child. The fluid and swift movements resembled the surging waters of a rapid river. Their movements were a blend of strength and grace, each step an elegant yet strong expression.

“I practiced in the confines of my cave when I was old enough to have one of my own. I’d dance to the invisible beat of the drums as I moved my body at impossible angles. I’d stretch morning and night, wanting to please my future mate.”

And I was going to do it, for Elena.

I let out a sigh and gazed down at my future. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but her eyes were closed. I could smell her arousal. The heat of her body had risen several degrees. I knew she would like the idea of a male dancing for her. I didn’t mean to escalate her arousal further.

Whoops.

I rolled to my side, wrapped her into my arms, and placed a kiss on her forehead.

At least I knew she would like it. I just had to find the right time to do it.

Chapter Twenty-One

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