Name

The legends didn't do him justice - the Dragon God was even more beautiful in person. 

Staring at him, I could tell that beneath his perfect exterior, there lies a hidden strength just waiting to be unleashed. The Dragon God’s eyes glowed with a fierce crimson red, and his cropped black hair moved as if blown by the wind. The spikes along his fingers and arms appeared sharp and menacing, but he seemed like he could retract them with ease. If it weren't for the black pants he had on, he would have been fully nude, his muscular torso with the finest of hairs on full display.

The winter wind howls outside, and snow swirls into the temple, creating a blanket of white around us. My heartbeat quickens, and I am able to perceive the slight twitch of his nose as he inhales my scent in the dim light. I can see the recognition in his eyes. He knows who I am. I can sense that he knows I was meant to be his from the moment I was born.

I expected him to say something, and he didn't disappoint when he opened his lips and looked directly at me. His voice was deep and gravelly, as if it had been unused for years. The sharp fangs in his mouth glistened under the dim light, and his forked tongue flicked in the air.

“I am curious as to why you have come here a year in advance.”

“You have an understanding of why. The villagers have grown tired of my presence, and the food supplies are depleting. They believe that my early arrival will result in an increase in Levabonne’s abundance-”

My sentence was cut short as I let out an uncontrollable shriek of surprise. In a split second, he closed the distance between us and slammed against me with tremendous force. He rushes towards me, pulls my scarf off, burying his nose into the crook of my neck, breathing in my scent as if it was the only thing that mattered.

As blood rushed to my head, I reminded myself that this was my purpose and refrained from pushing him away. He pulls me close and nuzzles his nose against my neck, holding me tightly. My heart is pounding against my ribcage, and I keep my eyes glued to the door, waiting for Thalon to come bursting in.

He doesn’t. In the temple, it was just me and the powerful Dragon God.

His hand tangled in my hair, pulling my neck back and exposing it to him, while his other hand slid down to the small of my back, drawing me closer. I didn't intend to run away, but I allowed him to have his way. Whatever he's doing, he needs to finish it quickly. 

With only the sound of the wind howling, it is relatively quiet. I was caught off guard by the conflicting sensations of cold and heat that coursed through my body. I could feel the Dragon God's eyes on me, and when I looked up, I saw him staring at the goosebumps on my arms.

“The inherent weakness of humanity has persisted over time,” The Dragon God's eyes lingered over my face as he spoke to me. With a simple gesture of his hand, he closed the temple door, and the echo of its slam reverberated through the empty hall. “And it appears that nothing has changed.”

He releases his grip on me, but his body remains close to mine. As I stand there, my teeth begin to chatter, and I realize that the thin red dress I had on are not enough to keep me warm. I long for the Dragon God's warmth, though it seems strange to admit.

Of course the Dragon God noticed, his piercing gaze never missed a thing.

My weight feels like nothing as he lifts me up, and my dress bunches around my hips as I wrap my legs tightly around his waist, drawing us closer together. For a moment, I forgot what warmth felt like until his body pressed against mine. 

“There exists an indescribable yearning in both of us,” He presses his hips against me and lets out a low growl, but his hands stay where they are around me. I'm left wanting as his hands remain idle, and my yearning for his touch grows stronger. “For us to touch, to be together. A type of fire that can only be extinguished through the touch of our skin pressed against one another. Are you as strongly affected by this as I am?”

“Yes,” With a whine in my voice, I mutter and pull him closer to me. “Dragon God, would you kindly warm me up?”

I press myself against him, feeling the warmth of his body, and briefly consider reaching for the front of his pants. Never before had I been so disconcerted by a feeling that I could not explain. I slid my hands down his back, feeling the rippling muscles beneath his shirt. The sensation is welcomed by me without hesitation. 

Since I know this is my destiny, why bother fighting it? I embrace it.

“Ugh.” Inhaling deeply, he lets out a guttural growl as he shoves me away with a forceful grunt. I hit the ground with a thud, completely disoriented and letting out a loud shriek. I long for the sensation of his touch, and my lips pout in frustration at the distance. “Are you finding this enjoyable? I find this unbearable, and my loathing towards you, insufferable human, is correspondingly more pronounced. It displeases me that I must touch you to feel strong.”

I slowly push myself up to my elbows, my eyes unfocused and dazed.

“W-what?” 

“I'm curious whether such a lack of intelligence is a general trait of human nature or just specific to you,” In front of me, the Dragon God crouches low. He gripped my chin, and I could see the intensity in his eyes, making me wonder if he would kiss me. “Your presence is not welcomed here, human. Had my blood not yearned for and summoned for your body, I would not have made an appearance. I expect you to vacate my temple once tomorrow arrives. Do you understand?”

With a furrowed brow, I grip his wrists tightly, feeling the tension in my own body. 

“I am without a place to go. It is my destiny to be present here. I am your bride!”

“You are mistaken. You are to be my bride a year from now, and it seems that you are a year ahead of schedule,” He releases my chin, and his knuckles brush softly along my cheek. As soon as his touch comes, I feel a sense of calm wash over me, and I close my eyes to fully immerse myself in the feeling. His touch was fleeting, and when I opened my eyes, all I saw was his bare back as he walked away from me. “I have no use for you. Leave.”

I couldn't concentrate on his words because the markings on his back were so captivating, seeming to emit their own light. Though I couldn't decipher their significance, the symbols seemed to resonate with me on a deep, primal level, and I read them aloud with a sense of devotion. 

Legend has it that if you call out his name, he will be compelled to stay. 

Thalon was calling out the wrong name.

And so when the Dragon God's name leaves my lips, the air around me seems to still.

“Kagran. That is your name, isn't it?”