Healed by the Earth Dragon Prince: Dragon Shifter Romance (Elemental Dragon Warriors Book 4)

wait until after you are fully healed.”
There have not been many times in my life when I’ve been rendered speechless, but this is definitely one of them.
I take a moment before I reply. “Look, you’re a nice guy and all, but… it’s been a long day and this”—I gesture to him—“is all a bit more than I anticipated. I’m tired and I need to go lie down for a bit.”
He nods. “Of course. You are still healing. I will ask Varus to prepare our chambers so that I may care for you.”
“No,” I tell him firmly. As friendly as he seems, I don’t want to leave any room for mixed signals here. I already made that mistake with Edward, and I promised myself I’d never slip up again. “You don’t understand. I do not want to share a room with you.”
He stares blankly as if he can’t believe what I’ve just said. “But the fate mark.” He points at his chest. “You are mine and I am yours.”
“No, I am not. I don’t belong to anyone. Now, leave me alone.”
“You wish for me to leave your side?” he asks incredulously.
I don’t waver for a second. “Yes.”
“But I—”
“What’s going on here?” Lilly calls.
I turn to face her, gesturing exasperatedly. “Kaj insists that I’m his. I’ve told him that I don’t belong to anyone and—”
“The fate mark.” Varus gasps, his eyes glued to Kaj’s chest. “Anna is your linaya?”
“Yes,” Kaj replies.
“No, I’m not,” I huff, crossing my arms. “Just because he calls me that doesn’t mean I am.”
“But you are.” Varus’s tone is solemn. “The gods have willed it. Whether you choose to accept it or not is entirely up to you, however.”
I notice that he sends Kaj a pointed look at his last sentence.
I turn to Lilly for help. She shakes her head softly, turning to her mate. “Can you give us a moment?”
He nods and puts a hand on Kaj’s shoulder to guide him away.
I turn back to her. “Is this how it happened with you and Varus?”
“Not exactly. But I think we should probably include Skye in this conversation.”
Reluctantly, I nod.

Chapter 6
Kaj
Although I am hesitant to leave my mate, I follow my friend Varus farther into the palace gardens. He looks to one of his guards. “Find Raidyn. Ask him to join us here.”
The guard nods and then walks away.
Varus and I take a seat on one of the long benches surrounding a fire pit. I have always enjoyed this part of the palace. The lush greenery and vibrant flowers remind me a bit of my home. It is strange that a garden such as this can exist in a desert, but Varus has explained that there are many natural underground springs from which he and his people draw water.
I wonder if Anna enjoys these gardens as well. If so, I believe she would be pleased to live in the Earth Clan territory. But when I think on how she reacted only a moment ago to my glowing fate mark, I doubt she’ll ever wish to visit my home.
Raidyn joins us only a few moments later. He frowns at Varus. “I received your message and—” He stops speaking abruptly when he sees my chest. A wide grin splits his face. “Congratulations, my friend. You have found a mate as well? Who is the fortunate female?”
I open my mouth to speak, but Varus beats me to it. “She is one of the humans, named Anna. She is a healer among their people and a good friend to both our mates.”
“She is not pleased with me,” I add soberly. “The way she refused me... I suspect she wishes she were paired with a different male.”
Varus pats my shoulder. “Do not worry, my friend. Human females are different. They do not feel the pull of the bond as we do. They must be courted first.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Raidyn nods. “You must convince them that the fate bond is truth, for they do not experience it as we do.”
Varus purses his lips. “But do not take any advice from Raidyn.”
“Why not?” I frown. “He seems to be happily mated.”
Varus sighs heavily. “Because stealing your mate away to convince her that she is yours is not a good plan.”
My eyes snap to Raidyn. “So it is truth? You stole your mate?” I ask incredulously.
He scowls. “I did not steal her. I rescued her,” he corrects. “To shield her from the wrath of my father, I took her to my family’s estate.”
I’m eager to hear more. “And then?”
He tips his chin up with pride. “At first, she did not desire me. But after a few days alone, I was able to convince her that I was a worthy mate.”
“So, if I take Anna somewhere private, you believe she might change her mind about me? Decide that she wishes to become mine?”
Raidyn nods while Varus stares at us both, aghast.
“You cannot steal a female away from her people just to convince her to be yours,” he exclaims, throwing his hands in the air.
“I won’t steal her,” I counter. “I will ask her to come to my territory… spend some time with me there.”
He frowns and then crosses his arms over his chest. “And what if she does not wish to go?”
“I... do not know.” My shoulders sag in defeat. “I only know I am worried that she will reject me. That she’ll find me lacking in some way. It concerns me that she did not show even the slightest of interest in the mating chase when I mentioned it. That cannot be a good sign.”
Varus places a hand on my shoulder. “The mating chase is not something her people normally do. Human females must be courted. Only then will she know if she desires you.”
“How do I court her?” I ask, my tone slipping into desperation.
“Spend time with her. Get to know her better.”
I nod, understanding. “I will do this.” I glance between the two of them. “It is