Her cart was where she left it and to her surprise she found protective spells around it. Aldrina quickly set out going a good extra three villages then she normally traveled before setting up shop again. She went back to her life and had a good four months of peace before in a crowded market place smoke filled air swirled around causing people to drop where they stood.

  Lucky for her medicines and antidotes were her specialty and she quickly negated the effects.

  The adventuring party appeared from all different directions. Nevara crossed her arms no longer looking friendly.

  “We can do this the easy way or the hard way Aldrina. Either you help us vanquish the demon willingly or we’ll just take you.” She called in an almost sing song tone. She took them in then the square that was currently in a panic. She grimaced.

  “Fine. Give me a moment to pack up my cart and we can go.” She insisted. Nevara stood smugly as Aldrina did exactly as she said. Hexlind a very muscular warrior sat next to her as she drove out of the marketplace. She waited until they were a good deal away to let a spell conveniently fall out of her robes. It shattered on the floor and Hexlind started coughing up a storm she shoved him and with little effort he fell off the slowly moving cart taking out Delveri and Tresson. Kilip and Nevara shout as she snapped the reigns and rode even faster then the last time away from them.

  When she felt she was far enough away she grasped the necklace and sent her magic through it. She was glad when instead of transferring her it brought him to her.

  The demon appeared outside of her cart though and she flew past him. She blinked and scoffed at the absurdity. A second later though he did appear in her cart.

  “What’s wrong?” He asked her.

  “Your good friends the Adventuring party cornered me and gave me the choice of helping them willingly or by force. So I agreed so I could wait until we were somewhere less crowded and screwed them over. Now I’m summoning you to save me and more importantly my cart.” She offered sweetly. He eyes flashed and he glared back accurately gaging the direction they would be in. Then he looked at her and his eyes were more cautious.

  “It would be easiest to send you back to Drason.” He voiced softly. She nodded.

  “I’m fine with that as long as you can save my cart.” She insisted. He nodded stood and someone else appeared between them. Eyes wide and looking around.

  “Reslin assure the safe and swift transfer of my bonded to her estate.” He commanded before disappearing from the cart. The cart disappeared to before she could even process that statement of her estate. They appeared in a screeching halt in a stable. People and various creatures let out signs of protest.

  “Reslin what is going on?” one person asked and then the individual was surrounded by questions. Aldrina sighed and slid off her cart to look over her things for damage. As she cleaned up a few poorly secured but thankfully empty bottles she heard a murmuring.

  “She’s the lady, correct?” “That’s the Masters’ bonded?”

  She ignored the murmuring. An alarm seemed to go off and then every person who was in this area with her poofed away. A man rushed into the area before slowing to a halt. He was dripping in jewels, he held a cup that so very obviously had some sort of booze in it. His eyes settled on her as if taking in every facet of her then he lifted the glass at her.

  “You, follow me.” He commanded. She followed him out with her eyes and thought to ignore but felt he had little interest of listening to arguments and she truly didn’t know who he was. So she locked up her cart and set a spell on it that would turn anyone who would try to steal or damage what was hers into a toad.

  She started out after the man who waited for her by a fountain. His cup was gone and he was looking her over.

  “You are the bonded.” He offered in a breath. She crossed her arms.

  “Technically.” She admitted. The man nodded.

  “What did the Heroes of Neval give you in exchange for going along with their schemes?” he asked her looking her over like she’d sold her soul for a good time and didn’t blame her in the least for it. She scoffed not caring a bit what he thought of her or what he may or may not blame her for.

  “Tell me what do you think they gave me?” She asked purposely in a provoking tone. “Do you think they paid me in fine jewels like you’re wearing. Or maybe they promised me everlasting magic.” She offered widening her eyes. “What would you say is a high enough price for a sixteen-year-old girl to agree to be a distraction for a big terrible demon that stole and was supposedly going to destroy a world. A girl who never in her life left her small village before the journey where she met them.” She offered.

  He looked her over as if this were all new information to him.

  “I will in fact be the first to admit that I was foolish and Na?ve to not ask more questions before agreeing but I was also not much older then a child. A child who was presented with something that I still to this day feel is worth any pain and suffering that I might face in the future because of it. The terms I was given were I was supposed to distract an evil and cruel creature long enough for them to vanquish and then I was supposed to walk away. But instead I was bound to a demon, was marked by that bond with magic that I didn’t know what to do with, I went off on my own leaving the only village I’ve ever known and haven’t gone back and eventually learned that I am still bound to that demon and the complications still are rising. But I don’t regret my choice.” She insisted. “So tell me what price would have been enough?” She pushed.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  She’d been somewhat aiming to provoke him but his gaze focused on her like he was putting together a puzzle of her.

  “Something you don’t regret. That sounds to me like the request wasn’t fully selfish. Maybe you saved a sibling?” He asked watching her. “A parent.” He through out humming. “Your whole family.” His brows furrowed and he ducked forward his face close enough to hers that she could smell the fruity wine. “Your whole village.” He breathed leaning back looking baffled. “What did you save them from?” He asked his tone simply sounding curious.

  “I grew up in a small mountain village on the cusp of two kingdoms claimed by either when it suits, them. When they went to war though they both decided that tiny mountain village no one could get to easily was a threat. Not enough one and too much the other. The harvest was terrible, the winter was worse. My father died hunting too far into the ice. My mother withered away in her efforts to ensure we were fed. And I was the oldest of four. My sibling wouldn’t have survived another hard winter. So I went on a mission to find help with two others. They both died on the journey and I was following close behind when this group found me and I don’t know how they knew my struggles but they already did. And they knew they could help. And for three whole years they kept that promise tenfold and by the time they forgot about their promise I already knew what to send home to ensure they continued to flourish. My siblings have all reach adulthood now. One is even married with a baby.” She offered holding the man’s gaze. “Would you regret it?” She asked him.

  Then man was silent looking at her.

  “Can I tell you a story?” He asked her. Aldrina tentatively wiped drips from her eyes.

  “I mean I just bored you with mine.” She offered making light.

  “This vast and beautiful land was at one point secured by the Celestial plains despite the majority of it’s population being Abyssal and Demonic.” He explained. “The Celestial plains declared that it was illegal to be abyssal and demonic here. Which meant most of the population was made in one decree criminals for simply existing. So the lords of a few of the most powerful estates some Abyssal, some demon and some other walks of life came together and fought and successfully found a way to split themselves from the Celestials. But the Celestials of course were set on rectifying things and pulling this plain back under their control. They attacked without mercy and began cutting this plain off from the outside world. A group of adventurers highly respected by the Celestial plains to the demonic lord that was the most successful at protecting this plain. The attacks would stop if he took on a bonded that was a Celestial representative. He accepted for his people and was vanquished for it but because of a few loopholes the Celestials weren’t able to get their way.” He breathed.

  “Me a Celestial representative? The closest thing to a celestial in my bloodline is a rumored fae and even that’s just a theory.” She scoffed. He nodded grinning.

  “Yes, a bit of fae they weren’t expecting. So when they had you consume enough Celestial energy just to pass so they could make it your fault the deal was broken. They couldn’t because they couldn’t take the energy away once it was given.” He stated sparkling. “And they never expected the demon to be powerful enough to not be killed only banished and trapped in another realm and they never though that the demon would meet a dragon and they’d make a soul deal.” He informed her.

  “A soul deal?” She asked. He nodded.

  “Most dragons are born with two souls allowing them to shift from dragon to another form. This also allows them to travel past their birth plain. There though are still some dragon that are born with one but room for two. So simply to have a human form and keep their dragon one, while also gaining the ability to leave their birth plain they simply have to switch souls with another. It’s uncomfortable at first but it’s so very freeing. And the individual gets the power and backing of a dragon.” He offered. “The only twist of it is. Bonds are tied to the soul and people don’t talk much about how sticky and twisting bonds can be.” He breathed tracing her chin looking over her face.

  “Why are you telling me this?” She asked dryly. The man who she was realizing was a dragon smiled at her.

  “Because Dragons and Demons are different. Dragons simply need a bond to never be broken and they are fine. A Demon though has a strong need for their bonded to be close to them. At the time Drishiel was willing to accept the pain of letting you go in order to offer me some comfort and for your needs.” He informed her.

  “Are you trying to guilt me?” She asked. The Dragon shook his head.

  “I’m simply talking up my friend and being honest. I’m a rather apt wing man. He is a very amazing individual. And the truth is he never thought of what a exchange of souls might do to the habits we face.” He offered softly looking her over. “He will never demand anything of you because he doesn’t think he has the right to. And luckily because of the soul exchange he can live with that.” He breathed and he ducked in close again so she could smell the fruity wine. “I agree that it is better if the bond stays and we know you are safe rather than you be forced to stay here and are miserable. But I have truly felt twisted in knots that I have never gotten to see your face directly myself.” He breathed tracing his fingers over her cheek.

  Aldrina took that in. It seemed that the adventuring party wasn’t going to give up on her. And his story didn’t make her decision but it was something to keep in mind. There was also a fact she had to relook at.

  “If we’re sharing secrets shall I share another?” She asked the Dragon ducking in. The Dragon perked and his eyes even seemed to swirl with color. His gaze seemed to hold her like he was waiting for her to either disappear or becoming real at any moment. “If Drishiel had asked to talk things through or simply to negotiate without abducting me I would have been willing to here him out. My biggest irritation was the dick left my cart behind. I worked very hard to build that cart and everything inside for someone to just abandon it. My irritation was cut almost in half when I saw the protection charms he left on it.” She explained.

  The dragon paused.

  “I have not abducted you and this time your cart is very much here.” The dragon offered softly pressing a forehead against hers. She shifted back.

  “That is true.” She agreed. “So I will agree to a meeting with you and your demon. No twists, no surprises. Just what is and what isn’t and what we are willing to put forth and if we can come to an agreement.” Aldrina offered.

  The Dragon grinned at her.

  “Ishennor, you must call me Ishennor.” He insisted.