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

today we leave for the Water Clan territory to attend the peace celebration. I am eager to see her and hope she will wish to ride on my back for the journey. I will not pressure her, however—I will merely offer to carry her there.
The travel party has already shifted into draka form. At least a dozen warriors line up in formation, readying to take flight. I watch as Varus’s mate climbs onto his back and settles between his shoulders. He gently nuzzles her with his snout. How I envy him his relationship. He adores his mate, and it is obvious to see that she loves him equally in return.
I scan the rest of the females gathered but do not see Anna. Worry fills me. I did not anticipate this. If she has decided to stay behind, I will make an excuse to stay here as well, for I cannot bear the thought of parting from my linaya.
I smile as soon as I see her emerge from the castle and enter the courtyard. She is walking beside Ranas and they are heading straight toward me. Nervous anticipation buzzes through my veins as I wait for her approach.
I hope she finds my draka form appealing. This is the first time she has seen it. I glance around at the other males. My green scales are practically sparkling beneath the bright sun. I took great care to buff them this morning to a fine sheen, hoping to impress her.
Varus stops beside me, squinting. “Could you please step into the shade?”
I cock my head to the side. “Why?”
“Because you are going to blind all of us with your shining scales.”
I narrow my eyes at him, and he laughs. “I merely jest, my friend.” He looks me up and down. “You appear regal this day. I’m sure your female will be impressed.” He turns to his mate on his shoulders. “What do you think, my linaya?”
She smiles. “Anna loves the color green, so you definitely have that going for you.”
I look down at myself. This is good. Members of the Earth Clan have scales in varying shades of green and brown. I have always considered myself blessed to have inherited my father’s coloring, a rich shade of green that nearly matches the great trees of the forest.
I puff my chest out and tip up my chin as I wait for Anna to approach, hoping she will think me regal, as Varus said.
The humans wanted to revive an old Earth custom full of dancing, food, drink, and merriment—a ball, they call it. According to Lilly, a ball requires a certain code of dress. As I study my mate, I find that I appreciate this custom they have introduced.
Anna is dressed in a long, flowing green gown that sways gently around her ankles with every step. I am pleased to notice the color nearly matches my scales, and I wonder if she chose this on purpose.
The neckline bares the delicate form of her shoulders and dips in a small V just above the valley of her breasts. The top of the softly curved mounds peeks just above the neckline of the fabric. Her long, brown hair is twisted up in an intricate hairstyle, exposing the elegant column of her neck. The wind blows gently around her, carrying her delicious scent on the breeze. I inhale deeply, relishing my mate’s fragrance.
My hearts hammer as her gaze travels over me appreciatively. She is appraising me in my draka form just as a Drakarian female would. I have heard the human females are in awe of our ability to transform, so I hope Anna feels the same.
“Good morning, Kaj.” She smiles warmly.
“Good morning, Anna,” I reply with the standard human greeting. “Would you like me to carry you for our journey?”
She shakes her head and then looks to my cousin. “No. Thank you, though. I’ll just go with Ranas.”
My expression falls. “Of—of course.” I bite back my disappointment.
A sharp stab of jealousy rips through me as Ranas transforms and wraps his tail around her waist, lifting her onto his back. I narrow my eyes at him, a small puff of smoke escaping my nostrils. He has the decency to look guilty, at least.
Once she is settled between his shoulders, he moves closer to me as we ready to take off. He leans forward and whispers in a voice so low I am certain she is unable to hear it. “Forgive me. How could I say no when she asked me this morning?”
“Very easily,” I counter, narrowing my eyes.
He snorts out a laugh.
A small human female approaches me. She looks familiar, but I cannot place how I know her. “Could you give me a ride?” she asks in a small voice.
“Of course,” I reply. I would never deny a female aid.
She beams. “Thanks. I’m Holly. What’s your name?”
I bow low. “I am Kaj. It is pleasing to meet you, Holly.”
Rakan—Varus’s personal guard—moves up beside me. He growls low, and I arch a questioning brow as I turn to him. My eyes widen slightly when I realize he is jealous.
“Mine,” he mouths as he looks to the female, climbing up onto my back. I am surprised by both his aggression and his twisted expression, but then again, I remember my reaction only a moment ago to my cousin.
I dip my chin in subtle acknowledgment. If he desires this pale-skinned, blonde-haired female, what do I care? I do not want her. I desire only Anna.
The female on my back seems nervous and I turn back to reassure her. “Do not worry. I will not let you fall.”
She smiles. “Thanks.”
I narrow my eyes at Ranas, who stands beside me with my mate on his back. She leans over, completely oblivious to my gaze as she chats with Lilly and Varus.
“Traitor,” I whisper to him.
“I am nothing of the sort,” he whispers, chortling. “And you know it.”
I growl low. This is going to be a very long flight.

Chapter 12
Anna
Holly climbs