Soulbound to a Dragon

by Kurtis Eckstein

  I hated the pings of jealousy I kept feeling, especially since she was my friend, but I couldn’t help wishing I was as attractive as her. Granted, I knew her beauty had done her little good thus far, which made me feel even more horrible.

  Mira was beautiful too, her blonde hair and green eyes starkly contrasted against her black shirt. But Eli hadn’t shown any interest in her, which I knew was the source of my stupid feelings. She was also wearing shorts made of the same material as Risa’s. Except hers were dark blue instead of black. According to Mira, both articles of clothing were made of a canvas material she called denim. It was actually a similar texture to the black mini-jacket I was wearing, except my clothing had been made by elves and was much softer and lighter.

  When Mira had been inspecting my clothing back at their house, she had commented that my purple top felt like silk, although it wasn’t shiny like it. I admitted I didn’t know much about how elves made clothing, so I wasn’t sure what the material was made from. I knew where my black leather shorts and belt came from, since that was pretty obvious, but that was it.

  Eli was in new clothes too, having been given two sets by Landon. One of the sets was stuffed into the bottom of my bag. He currently wore a light gray shirt that split near the top, showing a lot of his upper chest. I had thought it was torn, but discovered that it was designed that way on purpose. Mira had called it a tunic. Granted, the way it was cut lower in the upper back was very intentional, in order to allow his invisible wings to protrude through. It looked a little strange, but not enough to draw needless attention.

  He also wore a pair of black denim shorts that almost went down to his knees and were much looser around his legs despite how muscular they were. However, they were tight were it counted, and I had been forced to keep my eyes off his rear for fear I would get caught looking.

  Granted, it didn’t seem to matter where I looked, I felt like I was eyeing something I should be ashamed of. Whether it was his chest, arms, shoulders, or anything below, it was all appealing.

  I sighed heavily again as I listened to him walking just a few feet away. I suspected Theo had made a few more comments, but I wasn’t listening anymore, and Mira finally told him to give it a rest. He eventually took the hint when he saw I had stopped reacting to him.

  Mira helped pull me out of my depression by asking me more about what the elves were like. I could tell from Risa’s furrowed brow that she was afraid this was going to be a sour topic to discuss, but I didn’t mind sharing. I told them about the differences I had noticed thus far in their architecture, agriculture, and society. Not only did the elves live in buildings made mostly from living trees that were significantly modified, but their houses were more spread out too with each one being significantly larger. In my estimation, the average elf house was five times larger than the Vernons’ farmhouse, and there were often multiple levels. Everyone had their own space, although it was common for extended families to live together.

  My personal upbringing was the exception. My godmother’s house had been very large, but she lived alone until she took me in, her lineage mysteriously nonexistent.

  I admitted that I already kind of missed those simple differences. It was hard to know I would never be able to visit my room again. One of the things I missed most was a birthday present I had received when I was nine years old. It was a special year to the elves as an initial stepping stone out of childhood into adolescence, and my godmother had requested a special light be grown in my room that displayed a kaleidoscope of colors when lit by the magic in the ground. It was one of the few special things to me that I had to leave behind.

  I also shared with them more about their general society, with how every village had ruling elders who had a lot of autonomy with governing individual villages based on the established laws. There was technically supposed to be a king or queen who ruled the elves, but that position had been vacant since before I was born. I had no idea why exactly. All I did know was that a representative from ten of the most important villages met several times a year to deal with issues that couldn’t be resolved otherwise. My godmother was the representative for the village where I had grown up, which is why I even knew about it. The subject wasn’t exactly something they taught in school.

  The vacant throne was well-known, but the specifics on how the government was now organized was somewhat secretive to the general elven populace. In many ways, the entire elven nation was running on autopilot based on old laws, without any primary leader to create new ones.

  I was actually thankful for the distraction, continuing to rattle off little bits of information regarding my experience with living in elven society. It certainly took my mind off Eli for a while. And everyone within earshot seemed to be fascinated with my story. Risa, Mira, and Landon all contributed questions to keep me talking. Landon especially seemed interested in the idea of dojos, and Tobias considered from his horse that it almost seemed as if they were constantly preparing for war by militarizing all their citizens.

  I considered that too, but couldn’t imagine who they would be in potential conflict with. As far as I knew, there wasn’t a race alive capable of matching the elves combined magical and physical prowess.

  Well, except for the dragons, but they lived in the sky according to Eli. And as far as I knew, the barrier surrounding their territory wasn’t a dome. It didn’t protect them from an aerial assault, so the dragons couldn’t be their enemy – if they even had one.

  After a few hours of traveling, we finally took a break near a stream and all got out to stretch while Tobias, Landon, and Theo watered the horses. I was glad to have a break from all the talking. I wasn’t sure I had spoken for such a lengthy period of time in my entire life. Having no friends generally meant I only had myself to talk to most of the time.

  Theo called me ‘kitten’ again when he gave me an unnecessary farewell, as if him leaving my sight for a moment was the end of the world. I decided to just ignore him this time. I really did like that nickname, but I didn’t like it coming from his mouth. He was plenty handsome, and I really loved it that someone found me appealing, but he was reminding me more and more of Regulus by the minute.

  When Tobias got off his horse, he complained that he was getting sore already in his old age and might need one of the guys to ride solo for a while. I secretly hoped he would pick Theo, so I didn’t have to feel like I had unwanted stares every two seconds.

  As I was stretching next to the wagon, I saw Eli walk off into the brush by himself. I suspected he was going to relieve himself, but the irritated expression on his face made me worried. I hesitated for a moment, and then decided to go after him to make sure he was alright. Even if I was slightly heartbroken that he seemed interested in Risa instead of me, I still felt like I could consider him a friend. I just needed to make sure I caught up to him before he exposed himself.

  However, as I followed after him, it became clear that he had picked up the pace. He was already far ahead of me. I could hear him in the distance finally stop, so when I did finally catch up I was cautious to make sure I wasn’t intruding on his privacy.

  Instead, I found him sitting on a rock, facing away from me.

  I walked up to him hesitantly. “Umm, Eli?” I began. “Are you alright?”

  He glanced at me, that look of irritation on his face again, and suddenly I wondered if I had done something to offend him, but I couldn’t imagine what. Sure, I had talked a lot in the last few hours, but everyone had seemed plenty interested. Had I aggravated him by speaking so much?

  He looked away and didn’t say anything, completely ignoring me.

  I was quickly annoyed, because I hadn’t done anything to deserve this treatment from him. I straightened up and crossed my arms. “If you’ve got a problem with me,” I hissed, “then just say it!” He immediately stood up and turned around, towering over me, but I didn’t back down. I just stared at his stupidly handsome face, all the frustrations I had felt in the last couple of days peaking
in response to his irritation. “Well?” I demanded when he still didn’t say anything.

  He scoffed at me. “So that’s all it takes with you, huh? Some good-looking guy just has to compliment you and suddenly you’re putty in his hands?”

  I took a step back in shock, before my anger got the better of me from the insult. “No!” I scoffed in return. “I’m just not used to it, okay?! No one has ever complimented me, and meant it, in my entire life! So give me a break!”

  He sneered right back. “Well, you better get used to it, because in the outside world you’re going to pass as drop dead gorgeous no matter who’s asking.”

  “Really?” I gasped, taking another step back, unable to believe he had really just said that. He really thought I was gorgeous? Was I attractive to him after all?

  Eli blushed and looked away. “See? That’s exactly what I’m talking about.”

  A horrible agony spiked throughout my chest as my heart shattered, and I started to cry before I could even stop. Yet at the same time, I was so angry at him that I found myself staring at the object of my sudden hatred, my tears rapidly blurring my vision.

  “You’re crying?” He asked in disbelief, seeming baffled by my response.

  “Because you don’t really mean it!” I screamed. “No one ever means it! You just called me pretty to make a point! I hate you!” I stomped my foot, and tried to walk away as the pain began to overwhelm my anger.

  I didn’t get far.

  Eli unexpectedly grabbed me and pulled me into his chest. I immediately tried to fight him, but he held me firmly in place. “I do mean it,” he whispered.

  I froze, feeling the full length of my body pressed against his. Suddenly, I couldn’t focus on anything else except the way he felt against me.

  He sighed. “I didn’t just say it to prove a point. You are beautiful, and the attention it’s gotten you has made me…” He took a deep breath. “A little jealous, I guess.”

  I wanted to believe him. Desperately, I wanted to believe him. But I was afraid I couldn’t handle my heart breaking any more. So, in order to protect my heart, my natural response was to get even more annoyed. “Jealous?” I scoffed against his chest, my voice low despite my irritation. “I should be the jealous one. I saw the way you and Risa were looking at each other.”

  His embrace tightened in response to my words. “I’m bound to you for life, Riel, not her.”

  I gasped, starting to tremble.

  What was he telling me? What did he mean by that? The same things I had thought about? I was afraid to find out. Afraid I’d like the implications of it too much. This couldn’t be real. Was he really proclaiming himself to me? To me? I had to be dreaming.

  When I didn’t respond to him, he continued.

  “Riel, I thought you were beautiful from the moment I laid eyes on you. But I also didn’t like you right away because of the circumstances. I made assumptions about you because you were beautiful, and because you were trying to enslave me. But I was wrong, and I quickly started liking you the more I got to know you.” He sighed. “I was just embarrassed by it. I’ve barely interacted with people at all, and didn’t know how to tell you. I tried telling you that I thought you were cute, but you just ignored it. And I gave other hints as well, but each time it felt like you were telling me to stop.”

  My eyes were stinging again, realizing he was right. He had said a lot of things already, but I didn’t believe he meant what I wanted him to mean. Even now, I was having a difficult time believing this was real. It felt like I was going to wake up and discover it had all been a dream.

  Either way, I felt like an idiot.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered, still feeling stunned as I reevaluated all his behavior in the last couple of days. “I was just so used to the elves thinking I was disgusting, and teasing me by giving me compliments only to throw it back in my face.” I tilted my forehead against his chest, trying to hide my embarrassment. “The day before yesterday, when I left their protection, that elf Regulus asked me for a kiss. I denied him of course, but just before he did, he said he thought I was pretty and would have spent more time with me if he were in to bestiality.” I sobbed unexpectedly, hating the recent memory.

  “Well, I’d totally be into bestiality if it was with you,” Eli replied cheerfully.

  I looked up at him in shock, only to see him grinning down at me. I scoffed. “Not funny!” I tried to hit him on the chest only to fail miserably from my arms being trapped against him.

  He was immediately apologetic. “Sorry, that probably wasn’t the best thing to say. You’re a beautiful pantherian who is just as attractive as Risa.”

  “You really mean that?” I asked hopeful, feeling embarrassed by the level of desperation in my voice. I reached up to wipe my eyes as I spoke.

  He nodded and held me tight again. “Yes, I really do. And you really are.” He took another deep breath. “Plus, if I had to choose, I’m more of a cat person anyway.”

  I used all my strength and freed my arm, whacking him good in the chest this time. “Not funny!” I exclaimed, both annoyed and enthralled by his laughter. After a second, I realized that I secretly hoped he really did prefer cats, because I wanted to be his kitten. I hoped I’d have the courage to ask him to call me that one day, because I doubted he would do it on his own. And I knew it was foolish of me to assume he’d read my mind. If I wanted it from him, then I needed to ask him. Otherwise, he’d never know. But it was just so embarrassing.

  Unexpectedly Eli looked down at me with a confused expression. “You want to be my…kitten?” He asked hesitantly.

  I nearly died on the inside as I realized I’d done it again. I’d wanted it so badly that the magic binding us had communicated it to him. I buried my face in his chest as hard as I could, trying to disappear. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears and I felt like my face was going to explode. I was mortified, and it literally hurt.

  One of his arms loosened up, and he gently rubbed my upper back. He spoke in a whisper. “Riel, I’ll call you whatever you want, even kitten, if it makes you happy.” He then laughed. “Although, you’re going to have to tell someone to stop calling you that then, if it’s going to be my special name for you.”

  “I can do that,” I whispered, feeling relieved and humiliated at the same time to have such an embarrassing desire fulfilled.

  He held me for a few more minutes before sighing heavily. “We probably need to get back. If we stay out here too much longer, then they’re going to end up coming to look for us.”

  I nodded and let him step away from me. I looked up to meet his beautiful blue eyes, and wondered what he thought of my purple ones. From the look he was giving me, I suspected he found them just as enticing.

  Eli reached out then and slipped his hand onto my lower back, before slowly running his fingers down further. I blushed intensely, holding my hands up to my chest, as he ran his warm hand across my leather-clad butt. He only touched it for a second, before pulling away and grabbing my hand away from me. “Sorry,” he said as he intertwined his fingers in mine and began walking. “I’ve wanted to touch you there pretty much since I met you. I figured it was okay now.”

  I nodded silently, feeling too stunned for words. I just couldn’t believe he really wanted to touch me like that. I wanted him to do it again. I looked up at him meaningfully, and his head snapped in my direction. Without hesitation, his hand returned to my butt, feeling it as we walked. I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but it wouldn’t go away.

  Unfortunately, he only touched me for a few more seconds, before grabbing my hand again. I didn’t want him to stop, craving his touch, but then realized it wouldn’t take us too long to return to the wagon. It probably wouldn’t be ideal for everyone to see him caressing me like that. Still, it was surreal to think that he really might feel the same way about me.

  Me, of all people.

  I knew he probably wasn’t desperately in love with me already like I was, but his feelings were
already more than I had hoped for. Maybe one day he might feel the same.

  As we neared the road, Eli moved his hand to my shoulders instead, and he pulled me close to his side. I looked up at him endearingly, only to be concerned when I saw his tense expression. I followed his gaze but couldn’t see yet what he could – the vegetation was too thick, and I was too short. My ears twitched as I tried to listen, but I didn’t hear anything either.

  He slowed his pace as we cautiously exited the foliage onto the road, I saw that it was empty except for Mira standing by the wagon with her head lowered. “Mira?” I asked, quickly looking around down each side of the path and not seeing anyone else. “What’s going on? Where is everyone?”

  In response to my question, rustling appeared all around us, and at least forty elderfel stepped out of the brush.

  Chapter 12: Kidnapped

  The moment we realized we were surrounded, we also realized we couldn’t attack. Risa and the three guys were all restrained by large elderfel with sharp daggers pointed to their necks. Panic gripped my chest as I looked at them helplessly, afraid I had just gotten them all killed. I immediately focused on Risa, seeing that she was actually unconscious in one of their arms, but still alive. They must have had elderfel watching from the forest when she put the fires out.

  They knew she was dangerous.

  I focused on one elderfel in particular when he stepped forward. He looked like a panther, his black ears and tail very similar to my own. His voice was deep as he spoke in the human language with a hiss. “You have two options, abomination. Either we kill everyone here, or you come with us willingly and we let them live.”

  I felt Eli tense at my side, and I knew immediately why they were doing this. They knew they couldn’t defeat Eli, which meant they had to bargain for me. Either I died, or our friends did. However, I knew Eli would never let that happen. Even though we hadn’t known each other for long, I felt like our feelings for each other were already extremely strong, especially now that we had finally proclaimed ourselves.