Chapter 107

Anila’s POV

Flying a dragon was the most spectacular thing I had ever experienced. It made me sad knowing that they couldn’t fly above the ground though. I wanted things to change for them; I understood that Jaxon was only trying to protect them and his people, but it still wasn’t fair to any of them to be kept underground.

The moment we were on the ground, I wanted to take flight again. I don’t think I could have ever gotten enough of that. I was pretty confident that I could ride a dragon by myself now. It felt as if I had done this a million times in the past. It was a strange feeling, but it was there in the pit of my stomach.

I wondered what more was in store at this festival. Jaxon took my hand, and my heart skipped a beat from his touch. I thought my entire body would combust from his nearness to the dragon and there was a part of me that didn’t want him to let go of me. I wanted to keep him pressed against me, feeling his erection on my back. I could feel my core throbbing from the thought of Jaxon Develson’s erection.

I quickly brushed the thought out of my head. The last thing I needed was to have sex with yet another guy. I know my night with Damien was a dream, but it was also real. I knew it was one of those shared dreams… he had the same dream and having sex with another man so soon afterwards felt like a betrayal to him. Even the thought of having sex with another man so soon afterward felt like I was stabbing Damien in the back and spitting on our incredible night together.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and followed Jaxon across Dragon Valley. The setting was becoming a bit more intimate now. The music was getting softer, and people were slowly dancing. Children were starting to get inside and get ready for bed. The shops on the sides of the road were starting to close and I could tell some were getting tired and ready to leave.

There was a small stage area that I was surprised Jaxon was walking towards. He mentioned that we were expected to return here so I wondered if he had to make a speech or something. Angelica was standing off to the side of the stage and she smiled when she saw us approaching.

Jaxon paused and looked down at me for a moment.

“I’ll be right back,” he told me. “I need to speak to Angelica for a moment.”

A surge of jealousy swarmed in my belly; it was ridiculous because I knew I didn’t have to be jealous of Angelica. But at the same time, he was my mate, and I knew it couldn’t be helped. But I didn’t argue with him; I chewed the inside of my cheek and nodded. I watched as he walked toward Angelica and took her hand for a moment, pulling her further away.

I didn’t like the fact that he was touching her, and I had to bite back a loud and furious growl as all my inner animals stood their ground, angry that he was touching another woman. Even if it was something as simple as a hand touch.

A small and soft hand took hold of me, bringing me out of my rage and thoughts. I quickly turned to see a small girl standing only an inch from me. Her big blue eyes peeked up at me through her long dark lashes and she had a small smile on her face, though I could tell she was scared and worried.

“Are you going to be our new queen?” The little girl asked. I noticed she was missing her front teeth. She was adorable and I wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be okay.

“I think so,” I told her. “Would that be okay?”

Her grin widened and she nodded.

‘You’re very pretty and Jackie needs a pretty queen,” she told me.

I raised my brows.

“Jackie?” I asked.

She chuckled.

“He hates it when I call him that,” she told me, her eyes finding Jaxon who was now approaching us.

I turned slightly, relieved to see that Angelica was no longer by his side. He smiled down at the little girl.

“Are you causing trouble, Lizzie?” He asked as he stepped beside me.

The little girl, Lizzie, chuckled, her cheeks reddening slightly.

“She was a little angel, Jackie,” I said teasingly.

He blanched at the nickname, and he glared at me, making me laugh because it was so not threatening.

“Call me that again, and see what happens,” he said, narrowing his eyes at me.

“Oh, I’d like to see what happens,” I teased.

His eyes darkened but he smirked before he looked down at Lizzie.

“What have I told you about calling me that, Squirt?”

She frowned.

“I don’t like being called Squirt,” she muttered.

“Payback,” he told her.

I laughed; their banter was adorable.

“Elizabeth!” A woman said, rushing towards us. She was an older version of the little girl, and I knew immediately that this must have been her mother. “Your father and I have been looking all over for you. What have I told you about running off.”

“I was just saying hello to our new queen,” she said, pouting up at her mother.

“Well, you should have mentioned you were leaving,” she said, scooping her daughter up in her arms. “It’s time for bed.”

She turned to face me and gave me a small smile.

“I’m so sorry,” she added. “I hope she wasn’t trouble.”

I shook my head.

“Not at all,” I reassured her. “She was a perfect angel.”

“You are very kind,” the woman said with a light laugh.

“Yeah, way too kind. Everyone knows Lizzie is the devil in disguise of an angel,” Jaxon said with a grin, making Lizzie and her mother laugh.

“Isn’t that the truth,” her mother said.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Lizzie said innocently, making me join in on the laughter. I could see that she gets herself into trouble often and she seeks out danger. I liked this little girl.

“We should go now before your father worries,” her mother said. “It was lovely to meet you. My name is Carol by the way.”

“Hello,” I said with a polite smile. “Anila.”

“Oh, trust me. We all know your name. Word travels fast around here.”

I blushed at her words and then she turned to Jaxon.

“It was lovely seeing you, Your Majesty,” she said, bowing her head to him before she turned and walked away. Lizzie looked over her mother’s shoulder and grinned at us as she waved slowly.

Jaxon and I burst into laughter as we waved back. Jaxon turned to me, his smile still on his face. He had a nice smile, and it warmed my heart to see it.

“Come on,” he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me up on the stage.

Those who remained at the festival were silenced the second Jaxon and I made an appearance on the stage and their direction was turned to us. My heart was hammering in my chest; I wasn’t much of a public speaker, but I suppose I had to get used to it if I was expected to be a queen.

“Everybody, can I have your attention?” Jaxon asked, making the rest of everyone else silent. They walked towards the stage, peeking up at us with curious gazes. “I wanted to thank everybody for attending and contributing to this year's festival. I would say it was a hit.”

Everybody cheered excitedly.

“I wanted to introduce you to someone very special and I hope you can treat her with the same respect as you treat me,” Jaxon continued as he placed his hand on my lower back. I was tense, not expecting this formal introduction. “This is Anila, my fated mate.”

Everybody gasped at his news, including me. I wasn’t expecting him to be so forward and introduced me as his mate like that. But the second the shock wore off; everybody began to cheer and chant excitedly. There wasn’t a silent person in this valley, and I felt my cheeks warm when I saw that they were all smiling and happy.

I nibbled on my lower lip, stifling my own smile. Jaxon took my hand and turned to face me.

“I know we haven’t known each other for long and I’m sure you weren’t expecting any of this,” he told me, his voice low and I knew his words weren’t for show anymore… they were meant for me and for me alone. “I know you already agreed to be my queen, but I wanted to do this properly.”

I raised my brows, not sure what he meant. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box and I couldn’t help but gasp at the sight.

Everybody stopped cheering to watch what was happening; they all stared with bated breath. My eyes grew large as I watched Jaxon drop to one knee and open the box, revealing the most gorgeous diamond ring I had ever seen.

“I want you to agree to be my queen for all to hear,” he announced, loud enough for everyone in the audience to him. “Anila, will you agree to be my wife and my queen?”