Chapter Fourteen

Third Person POV

Draco kept pacing back and forth in front of the black lake. He'd already thrown most of the reasonable sized stones into the water, trying to distract himself, but he was a train wreck. Judging by the time, he knew she was either being told or she already knew. He hoped and prayed to anyone who was listening that she came to him. He needed to know what was going through her mind. He needed to know if she would accept him or think he was nothing but a monster.

After what felt like hours, he finally slumped against one of the large trees and slid down it. He let his head drop into his hands and he began rubbing circles into his temples, trying to relive some of the tension. He refused to look up when he heard the gravel crunch a few feet away from him, blaming it on his hopeful imagination. "Draco?" came a soft, concerned voice and he groaned, his imagination getting better and better if it could mimic her voice and sweet scent of apple cinnamon.

His head snapped up when he felt someone sit down next to him, his eyes focusing on the small red head that was huddled next to him and holding the book his mother had given him when he turned seventeen. "I, um, don't really know what to say." she started, looking out to the lake. "I'm confused, scared, nervous, and so many more it's hard to name them all." she mumbled, refusing to look at him and hugging her legs closer to her chest.

"Have you ready any of it yet?" Draco asked, nodding to the book she was gripping. She shook her head and finally looked up at him. That's when he realized she was blushing brighter than a tomato. He was confused. Shouldn't he be the one embarrassed? He was the reason all of this was being thrown on her. Not the other way around!

"I was hoping you would go over it with me." she said, barely above a whisper and looked away from him again. He felt relief wash over him. She wasn't completely rejecting him.

"So you don't think I'm a monster?" he asked, never taking his eyes off her small form, afraid that if he did, she'd disappear. Her head snapped up and she looked at him wide-eyed.

"Of course not, Draco! Why would I think that? I haven't known you for even a week and you've been one of the nicest people I've met." she asked, true confusion in her eyes at his question. He didn't know what to think. He was elated beyond belief. She didn't think he was a terrible person. "Do you think you're a monster?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Draco was silent for a moment, thinking of what she was asking. "In a way, yes. I've heard stories of Veela who lie and manipulate their mate so that they don't reject them. That's what happened with my aunt. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened to you, much less if it was me who hurt you." he said softly, finally breaking his gaze with her and looking down at his hands. "I don't want to push you into anything, Taylor. If you decided this isn't something you want, I'll honor your wishes and leave you alone." he added, looking up at her again and she smiled softly at him.

"I'll admit, it's a lot to take in, but," she said, reaching over and gently took his hand in hers. "I'm not going to run away from you. I...like you. I enjoy spending time with you and I like you as a person. I'm willing to give this a shot, but I'm going to need your help." she said more confidently despite the light blush gracing her cheeks.

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Taylor's POV

I wasn't lying when I said I was terrified because I was. This was something completely new to me and there wasn't anyone I could really talk to about it for advice. As we sat by the lake, Draco told me about how he'd come into his inheritance. How his mother and aunts, his grandmother on his mother's side, and his great grandmother on his mother's side were all Veela. He was the first male Veela in his mother's family tree in over six generations. "How did you learn about being a Veela then? I mean, your mother could help you, but..." I asked and Draco leaned over to take the book I was still clutching.

I watched as he flipped through the worn pages and when he found what he was looking for, he passed it back to me. I took the book and began to read what was written in elegant script on the page.

Despite male Veela being rare, there are only slight differences between males and females. Veela males are so rare because the Veela gene usually skip the male children and rarely skips the females. Females are more likely to become Veela because they don't have to go through any physical changes to carry children, whereas the mate of a male Veela will, once they consummate their relationship, go through magical changes so they can carry children without being harmed while carrying or in the birthing process. There are, however, exceptions. I am writing this particular section for any of my future grandsons who come into their inheritance. It is a hard journey, but worth every moment. Once you've found your mate, they become the center of your universe and everything you do will revolve around them. After time, especially after you've consummated the relationship, your mate will begin to feel the same.

After reading the first paragraph, I carefully shut the book and looked to the blonde sitting next to me. "So, how do I learn how to be a Veela's mate?" I asked and he smiled at me.

"Everything that is known of Veela has been written in the book. It's been passed down through generations of my family. It was given to my mother after my aunt Andromeda was disowned and my aunt Bellatrix had no children. My cousin, Nymphadora, never came into her inheritance, making me the last line of Veela blood in my family." he explained, leaning back onto the trunk of the tree we were still nestled under.

I nodded and opened the book again, skimming page after page, asking questions when I didn't understand something. It wasn't until it started getting dark that Draco suggested we head back to the castle.

Draco stood up, while I marked my place in the book, and offered me his hand. I smiled and took his hand, letting him help me up. Draco laced his fingers with mine and we headed back to the castle. "Can I ask you something?" I asked as we approached the front gates.

"Of course." he said, looking down at me with a small smile.

"If you hadn't been a Veela, would you have still wanted to get to know me?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

Draco was silent for a moment, thinking of his answer. "I don't know. I can't say yes or no because I've already gotten to know you. But I like you now, Veela or not." he said and then he stopped. Looking up at him, I noticed a slight blush creeping its way up his cheeks. "I, uh, almost forgot." he said, reaching into the pocket of his slacks. I stared at him wide-eyed when he pulled out a small velvet box. "I know it's still early in our relationship, but it'll put me at ease knowing that you're wearing it. My grandfather, the same one who wrote the book, gave it to my grandmother. When he passes, he left it for the next male Veela in his line. Will you wear it?" he explained, opening the box to reveal a band with a dark green emerald in the center surrounded by diamonds.

I could only nod and the brightest smile I'd ever seen lit up his face. "It's beautiful." I whispered, running my fingers over the gems after Draco slid it onto my finger.

"It has magical properties that will let me know if you're in danger and I'll know where you are all times." he explained and I smiled.

"Thank you, Draco. It...it means a lot to me to know you care this much. I thought the book might've been overreacting, but I guess I was wrong." I said and leaned up as far as I could and placed a kiss on his cheek.

A/N: I decided to take a break from the rough draft of my research paper and decided to write this. I really hope you enjoyed it! Also, not only will Taylor and Draco's relationship continue to grow, a bigger plot point will be introduced soon (not sure when though).