TBATE-ONESHOTS

A Dragon Princess 8

The doors to the throne room closed behind them, and Tessia followed Lilia in silence as she walked away from the doors. It was evident to Tessia that Lilia wasn't fond of playing chaperone for the day. And Tessia didn't really feel like hanging out with someone who was going to be irritated with her.

"You know, I can just look around myself," Tessia said casually.

Lilia stopped dead in her tracks and turned to look at Tessia with a narrowed gaze, "I don't know how it works where you come from, Princess, but we respect and follow our queen's orders." 

Tessia raised a brow, "She just said you would show me around. I never heard her order you."

Lilia rolled her eyes, "Were we in the same room? Her look said it all. Her word is her command. No one is above her authority."

Tessia's eyes furrowed, "What about the king?"

"What about him?"

Tessia looked confused, "What do you mean? He's the king. Shouldn't he be in charge?"

Lilia's face relaxed, "Guess no one told you. No, the queen has more authority. The king is her mate and king consort."

Tessia tilted her head slightly to the side, "Mate? Is that your term for marriage or something?"

Lilia sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, "No." She turned and began to walk off, "Follow me. Guess I'll pay tutor as well and teach you some things about our culture as we go along."

Tessia narrowed her eyes slightly before following Lilia. She spoke flatly, "Thanks, I appreciate it."

Lilia tensed slightly and gave a brief glare over her shoulder before looking forward. "First off, while we may not live in the comfort of a magic forest, our way of life is not so different from you elves."

Tessia raised a brow, "How so?"

As they entered the great hall, Lilia said, "Stop interrupting, and I'll tell you." Tessia rolled her eyes. "And don't roll your eyes at me, Princess." Tessia was about to speak, but Lilia stopped and looked at her with raised brows. "Shall I continue, or do you want to continue to interrupt?"

Tessia let out an irritated sigh, crossed her arms, and glared at Lilia.

Lilia smirked, "Good little princess." 

Tessia's eyes flared, and she stared daggers at Lilia as she turned and continued to walk off. Tessia began to begrudgingly follow her, feeling like this was going to be a long day.

"As I was saying," Lilia continued as she continued walking. "We aren't so different. We Dracthyrians also respect nature and life. And, when it comes to love, like you, elves, we also have a concept of true love or one lover. Once you marry someone, you are bound to them forever. Then there are mates. Once we bond with a dragon, we absorb some of their primal qualities, like a mating bond. Like the dragons, we can develop a mating bond with one another. However, the mating bond is also very rare and there aren't many mates that I can think of."

"And how do you find your mate?" Tessia asked.

Lilia stopped and looked at Tessia. Tessia narrowed her eyes, thinking Lilia was going to scold her again for interrupting. But instead, Lilia looked down, thinking. 

"That's a complicated question, as it depends," Lilia said, looking to meet Tessia's gaze. "Some mating bonds are stronger than others. If the bond is powerful, the pair will know as soon as their eyes meet. However, if it is weak, they may not know until they're coupling. But, once a pair is mated, no one is allowed to come between them."

Tessia looked at Lilia curiously, "You make the mating bond sound like it is a sacred thing."

"It is," Lilia said sternly. "It is our most absolute law. No one outside the mating bond may challenge it." She smirked slightly, "Plus, mates are highly territorial. They would have a sense to kill anyone who so much as flirted with their mate."

Tessia's brows furrowed, remembering back to how Caera acted when Tessia looked at Arthur. Tessia looked back at Lilia inquisitively, "Arthur and Caera. Are they—"

Lilia's eyes flared, and she stepped close to Tessia, "Don't you say another word."

Tessia's brows raised, looking surprised at Lilia's reaction.

Lilia narrowed her daggered gaze at Tessia, "First off, don't be starting rumors about the prince. Secondly, what Caera and Arthur are is none of your business. So, watch your tongue."

Tessia stared at Lilia before she nodded, "Fine. I was only wondering."

"Well, since you have so many questions, I have one of my own," Lilia said as she stood straight and crossed her arms. "Back in the throne room. How did you do that?"

Tessia raised a brow, looking confused, "Do what?"

Lilia's eyes narrowed, "Stare in the queen's eyes for so long."

Tessia looked surprised before she simply shrugged, "I don't know, I just did. My grandfather always taught me to maintain eye contact with those I am speaking to. What's the big deal? Am I not supposed to look into the dragon queen's eyes or something? Is that some law?"

"No, that's not it," Lilia shook her head, looking genuinely confused. "You're not supposed to be able to. No one can maintain eye contact with her. It's because of her soul glare."

Tessia's brows furrowed, "Soul glare?"

"It's part of her dragon aspect."

"Dragon aspect?"

Lilia became wide-eyed and pale. Quickly clearing her throat, she said, "Don't worry about it." Then, narrowing her eyes again, she said, "But what do you mean, you just did it? You didn't feel an overwhelming pressure or anything?"

Tessia thought back and shrugged, "I mean, I felt a little, but not much, I guess. It was like when we first met, and I looked into her eyes then as well."

Lilia's brows raised, "You withstood her glare twice?"

Tessia looked at Lilia inquisitively, "Can no one else do that?"

Lilia slowly shook her head, "Some can look at her for a few seconds, but will eventually drop her gaze. Only two have ever been able to maintain eye contact with her. One is her mate, the other is Arthur." Lilia's eyes looked Tessia up and down, "Though, I guess you make three, now."

Tessia shrugged, "I guess." Tessia looked at Lilia, watching as she looked Tessia up and down, almost like she was assessing her. Tessia raised a brow, "What?"

Lilia met Tessia's gaze and stared at her for a moment. It was almost like she was looking at Tessia in a new light.

"Nothing," Lilia said, but her tone was different. She no longer sounded irritated. She jerked her chin, "This way, I'll show you around the shopping areas where you can buy clothes and other things."

Tessia raised a brow, watching Lilia turn and begin to walk away. "You have a shopping area." 

Lilia chuckled and looked back at Tessia with a slight grin, which surprised Tessia. "Of course," Lilia began. "We're not savages. Now, come on."

Tessia stared at Lilia for a moment, wondering why she had a sudden change. Tessia shrugged before following Lilia to tour Dractyria.