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

in the palace at all times until we know they can be trusted not to harm the females.”
Ranas shakes his head. “The same could be said for us, after the attack by the Wind Clan this day.”
His words fill me with shame, for they are truth. Perhaps that is why Anna is so unwilling to accept that we are fated. If she already distrusts males because of past trauma, the events of this day will have only deepened that conviction. This may make it even harder to convince her to be mine.
As if reading my thoughts, Ranas places a hand on my shoulder. “Give her time to know you, cousin. Allow her to see that you are not a male who would ever harm a female.”
Ranas speaks wisely; I cannot expect Anna to accept me outright when she has experienced something that has instilled fear in her hearts. I must be patient. I must prove to her that I am worthy to be her mate.
When I return to the palace gardens to chat with my friends, I’m surprised to find Prince Llyr has joined them.
Raidyn is addressing him. “They do not recognize the bond as we do. It was the same for Skye and me.”
“And for Lilliana and me,” Varus agrees. “Her species does not experience fate bonds naturally. You must be patient.” He side-eyes Raidyn, who frowns. “Unlike this one.”
“I was patient with my mate,” Raidyn counters.
Varus snorts. “Then perhaps Skye was speaking of another male when she told Lilliana about your time together. She told my mate that you insisted she was yours from the first moment you met. That hardly counts as patience.”
Raidyn’s expression grows thunderous. “I did not force her to accept me, if that is what you are implying.”
Varus snickers with a smirk. “No, I am merely stating that you wore her down with your insistence that she was your mate. And eventually, she accepted.”
“I wooed her,” he growls. “I did not wear her down.”
Varus claps a hand on Raidyn’s shoulder and gives him a good-natured grin. “Do not be angry with me, my friend. I am merely speaking truth.”
Raidyn narrows his eyes, and Varus laughs again, louder this time.
There must be more to the story between Raidyn and his mate than what I gathered earlier. I thought their love developed naturally as they spent time alone together as he suggested, but it seems he was more proactive than I realized.
Varus sobers. “When do you leave?”
“As soon as possible,” Raidyn replies. “After all the damage done by my family, I must make sure order is restored to my kingdom. I do not know if Skye will wish to come with me since the Wind Clan is in so much turmoil.”
My mouth drifts open in shock. I do not know if I could be parted from Anna now that I’ve found her. However, I understand Raidyn’s concerns. His kingdom may not be the safest place for his mate if there are any who disagree with the new transfer of power.
“If she chooses to stay behind, we will keep her safe,” Varus assures him. “My vow.”
Llyr steps forward. “With your kingdom in turmoil, you will need the support of the other Clans, will you not?”
“What are you suggesting?” Raidyn demands. “That I am unable to rule?”
“No,” he denies. “I am merely stating that together, we are stronger. I’m certain you both remember the days long past when all the Clans gathered once every cycle to celebrate the peace between the four Clans. I wish that we could see those days again. Do you not?”
All of us nod in slow understanding.
His suggestion is sound. To ensure the safety of the humans, we must stop all the petty bickering between us. More importantly, peace between all Clans will help my mate to feel safe. I step into the circle. “I agree that would be a wise decision.”
It has been many cycles since our Clans have come together to celebrate. That the four of us are all peacefully negotiating is a miracle in itself, considering all the infighting staining our past.
Only the Earth Clan has consistently stayed neutral. Perhaps it is because our healing fire abilities are not destructive, and we rarely use our flame and frostfire, unlike the other Clans.
I allow my gaze to drift over my friends before turning my attention back to Llyr. “If I remember correctly, the Water Clan was scheduled to host the next celebration before the practice ended cycles ago. Is that not correct?”
Llyr bows his head to me. “My Clan would be honored to host the revived gathering.”
“Once there, we could discuss how best to acclimate the humans to our world,” Varus adds.
Llyr’s brows pinch together. “What do you mean?”
“At heart, the humans are explorers. They set out from their world on colony ships in search of a paradise planet.”
“Which is what, exactly?” I ask, curious to know what the humans would consider an optimal environment.
Raidyn glances at Varus. “A place with plentiful water and vegetation.”
I understand why he watched for Varus’s reaction to his words. Although they are the first to take in the humans, it seems his lands are not exactly what they were hoping to find for their settlement. Though I sympathize with my friend, I agree with the humans. The desert landscape is harsh and unyielding. I have always imagined it must be difficult to live in such a dry, barren place.
“But each of our territories presents different challenges for a human,” Raidyn continues. “The Fire territory is dry and lacking in vegetation. The Wind territory, despite its hospitable climate, is built on a series of floating islands. The Earth territory is mountainous, covered in thick jungle, and most of your dwellings are built into the sides of the mountains. The Water territory is mostly ocean, and during the winter, mostly ice. The humans are wingless—they cannot move about as freely as our kind can.”
He is right, although I am reluctant to admit it. Despite the harsh environment, Varus’s