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

she is not ready to mate just yet. I look over her shoulder out the window, glimpsing the forest around us. “You expressed a love of the mountains and woods. We can go anywhere you wish.”
She beams. “That would be wonderful.”
“Then, let us go.” I gesture to the door.
Her expression falls as her gaze travels down my form. “Could you maybe put on some clothes?”
I arch a questioning brow. “Does my appearance bother you?”
Although I force my expression to remain impassive, on the inside, I am nervous that she will confirm my fears. If she finds my appearance unappealing, she will never desire to mate with me. I glance down at my green scales. I always thought them a lovely deep shade, but perhaps she prefers the orange-and-red coloring of the Fire Clan. Or the Water Clan’s varying shades of purple and blue. If so, there is absolutely nothing I can do to change her mind. It is not as if I could will my scales to change color.
But... I may be able to paint myself. I believe our ancestors used to apply dyes and such to indicate Clan markings. My people have not done this in hundreds of cycles, but I would be willing to do so if she asked.
Varus and Raidyn were the ones who suggested that I buff my scales to a fine sheen. They said their human mates appreciated their shining scales. However, I am now thinking that isn’t enough. I may have to paint myself an entirely different color.
“Yes,” she finally replies and my hearts sink.
If dyeing or polishing my scales does not work, I will die old and alone. I will never know the joys of having a mate by my side or in my bed. Already, I am envisioning the hermit I will become if she rejects me, for I could never consider taking another as mine—not when I’ve already met the most perfect of all females in existence.
“But not because I think you’re ugly,” she adds quickly. My ears perk up. “You’re not. But I—I’d feel more comfortable if you were dressed.”
She lowers her gaze to the ground and tucks a stray tendril of hair behind her ear in what I recognize as a nervous gesture. “Humans only get naked around someone else to bathe or to... mate.”
“Ah.” Understanding dawns. She is worried because of her trauma that I may try to force myself upon her. I move quickly to reassure her. “So, until you are ready to mate, you wish for me to remain clothed?” I ask, just to be certain I’ve understood her.
“Ummm... sure,” she hedges, slightly hesitant.
“This is easily done.”
Her shoulders sag in relief. “Oh, good. I’m glad you understand.”
I nod firmly. “But you must let me know when you wish for me to disrobe again.”
Her lips part and her expression makes me wonder if I have done something wrong. I’m about to ask when she shakes off her expression and replies, “All right. I’ll uh... I’ll definitely do that.”
Now that I have settled her concerns, a thought occurs to me. If I am to entice her to become my mate, I should first impress her with the nest I have built. “Before we leave, allow me to give you a tour.”
She nods.
“This,” I gesture grandly to the space around us, “is the bedroom.”
She does not appear impressed, so I decide to offer more insight into my process of construction and decoration.
“I built this structure myself. It took me many days to hand-carve all of the furnishings within, but I believe they turned out rather well.”
Her eyes widen as she surveys the room, and I struggle to hold back a smile, interpreting her expression as awestricken. “You did all this yourself?” she asks, astonishment coloring her tone.
“Yes.”
She runs her hands reverently over the carefully carved chair beside her. “It’s beautiful, Kaj.”
“Thank you. I am glad that it pleases you.” Dipping my chin in a subtle bow, I turn and gesture to a door across the room. “Through there is the cleansing room.”
When she opens the door, she gasps. “You have a full pool for bathing here?”
“It is standard in Drakarian cleansing rooms,” I explain. Although I neglect to mention that I built mine larger than average since I enjoy long, hot baths at the end of the day. Now that she is standing so close to the edge of the pool, I imagine us both sitting in the water. Me, lathering soap across her delicate skin as she rewards me with more human kisses.
I push down my wandering thoughts and lead her into the kitchen and living area downstairs. A thick green rug covers the cold floors before our wide fireplace. Varus told me his mate finds mating on a soft surface before a fireplace very romantic.
So, after I put my mate to bed last night, I moved the largest, thickest rug I could find in front of the fireplace in case she wishes to mate there.
The wooden furnishings are covered with matching plush green cushions, including the long L-shaped sofa that faces both the fireplace and the wall of windows that overlook the forested mountains. I have built a firepit here in the courtyard reminiscent of the one in Varus’s gardens.
I noticed the humans have a fondness for gathering around the fire in Varus’s palace, so perhaps Anna will enjoy it here as well. “I thought we could make a fire this evening if you’d like.” I gesture to the firepit outside the window.
She smiles. “That would be great. I love sitting around a fire.”
This is good. My instincts were right.
The kitchen is equipped with the finest stasis unit for storing food and the highest-quality appliances for cooking. The long gray countertop that separates the kitchen from the living area lends an open flow to the entire space that I hope she enjoys.
As if reading my thoughts, she traces her fingers over the counter. “Is this wood?”
“Yes. I cut it from a felled tree that I found in