Book 3 Side Story 3
Tafel raised her head towards the ceiling that had been lifted by a pair of red paws. She cleared her throat. You want to what?
Prika lifted the ceiling a bit higher, revealing more of her face. I want to borrow Vur and temporarily make him my mate. At Tafels twisting expression, Prika threw the roof completely off. Not in that way! I dont want to mate with him. LookPrika picked up a stone tabletmy family sent a Christmas card, and they want ho for Christmas because of sothing important, but I cant go back single! I told them all I was going to leave and find a mate and be happy, but if I end up going back alone, do you know how embarrassed Ill be? In the whole wide world, not a single dragon wanted Prika as a matethats what theyll say!
Didnt you fly to the eastern continent a while back? Tafel asked. I thought you were going to find the love of your life there for sure.
Well, when I arrived at Leilas ho, her mother called a harlot set on seducing her last son and almost killed with a laser beam, Prika said, a dark expression on her face. Apparently, one of her sons ran away with a chick from the ocean, and she hasnt been right in the head since. Thats what Leilas sister told .
And you thought your next best choice was Vur? Tafel asked. Why not soone else?
Hes not a choice! Im just borrowing him as a pretend mate to fool my family, Prika said. Novas famous. Grimmys infamousand Leila would kill if I asked. Vernon is famous for being whipped by Sera and theres no way my family would believe it if I told them he was my mate after fighting off Sera. Im not that close with Seras sister to ask for her mate, and the only one that leaves is Vur. Well, there are his cousins, but theyre young and I dont want to be known as a cradle robber! You have to help out, Tafel. Dont you rember that ti I vouched for you when you were six years old? I approved of you and was dead set on matching you with Vur.
Tafel bit her lower lip and turned her head, avoiding the red dragons face that looked as if it were about to cry. Theres just one problem, Tafel said. Vur cant lie. How are you going to convince your family that hes your mate? She nodded. I dont think itll work.
Thats okay, Prika said. I can just tell them that due to a horrific encounter with Grimmy, Vur lost his voice and cant speak. There are dozens of ways around that. Is that the only reason? Have I convinced you now? Ill give you compensation later, how about it?
I dont want compensation! Tafel said. That makes seem like such a horrible person if I accept any. If you can convince Vur to go with you, then I wont stop you.
Prikas eyes lit up. Really? Promise? No takebacks when I do?
Tafel hesitated, but she placed her hands on her hips and nodded.
Prika whirled around and shouted, Vur! Tafel told you to co with to my ho and pretend to be my mate to fool my family! Lets go!
I said no such thing!
Hey, Prika said, looking at Tafel with half-closed eyes. You promised you wouldnt stop .
Tafel glared at Prika. Youre twisting my words.
Vurs polymorphed face appeared in her view. He looked around. What did Tafel want to do?
Prika spoke before Tafel could reply, She said you have to co with to my ho to help out. Im in a bit of a pinch, and Tafel heard my problems and offered you as a solution because she knows how much you care about . She exhaled through her nostrils, sending out two jets of steam that knocked Tafel over when she tried to speak up. Then Prika bobbed her head up and down at Vur. You care about , right? You wouldnt want to see harm befall ?
Of course, Vur said, puffing his chest out. I care about all my family.
Prika shot a triumphant glance at Tafel, causing the demon to sigh. Tafel groaned and rubbed the base of her horns with her fingers. Alright, she said. Vur can go with you, but only if I get to co too.
Great! Prikas face split into a wide grin. Lets head out now. If we fly at a moderately fast pace, we can make it to my ho in ti for the Christmas feast and gift distribution.
Vur scooped Tafel up and placed her on his head. Whats a Christmas? Is it delicious?
Prika leapt into the air, and Vur followed after her. Christmas is a holiday, Prika said. Its celebrated by my family once every hundred years. We get together and give each other gifts and say how thankful we are to have such a nice family that doesnt bully you for not having a mate. Theres a big feast followed by singing and performances and a dance. Then, at the end of the night, everyone opens the presents that theyve received, and whoever sent the cheapest gift has to clean up the ss left behind.
Do you have gifts prepared for your family? Tafel asked, her gaze traveling up and down the red dragon. It didnt seem like she was carrying anything.
Ill pick up one or two shiny rocks or shells on the beach on the way ho, Prika said. Ill have to clean up the ss, but I also get to trade shells for great stuff guaranteed to not be cheap at all!
Youre terrible, Tafel said.
If being smart makes terrible, then call the terriblest dragon in the world, Prika said, puffing her chest out. Actually, dont. Whoever you tell will mistake for Grimmy, and youll cause a panic through the community.
Is Grimmy that infamous? Tafel asked.
Are my scales red? Prika shot Tafel a glance that made her feel silly. He made a whole continent uninhabitable. Every ti soone tries to fly or swim there, soone tells them its a bad idea because the terrible dragon Grimmoldesser cursed it. Of course, hes infamous!
Tafel rubbed her chin. He honestly doesnt seem like that terrible of a dragon to though? Sure, he might have a bit of a troubleso past, but he seems nice when hes not teasing people.
Prika sighed. If you unleash a plague on a continent that wipes out the majority of its inhabitants, then thats all people are going to rember you for no matter how many good deeds you do. Youll forever be rembered as that person who plagued a continent. If you save a drowning puppy, people will say, Hey, that guy who plagued a continent just saved a puppy. Its just how life works.
You have a point.
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