Chapter 8

-Liam-

YES! YES! This is what I have been talking about! Finally you are listening to me!

My dragon was beaming with pride as I pushed Elizabeth's back into the bookshelf, ready to taste her sweet lips once again.

I had been determined to play it cool. To meet all of the ladies and be the royal Dragon King that I was raised to be. Not just focus on Elizabeth like my Dragon and everything in me wanted.

But one quick glance toward my Mate in that dress and I was a goner. I had to be close to her. I could feel her strength radiating off her as she tried so hard not to look into my eyes. Any other person would be putty in my hands at that point, but no not my Elizabeth.

I leaned down intent on tasting my temptress, her lips only inches from mine. When suddenly her hand shot up between us stopping me from my goal. Her delicate small fingers pressed against my lips and sent a shot of desire through me.

My dragon let out a whine from being denied.

I locked eyes with her, trying to convey my confusion with my fixed stare.

"Mr… the King? No, that's weird. Do you have a last name?" Elizabeth's eyebrows furrowed in thought.

I raised an eyebrow at her. Surprised we were having this discussion mid-kiss. "My full name is Fitzwilliam George Darcy. Most people of the court call me King. But you may call me Liam." I said with a small dip of my head and a smile trying hard to peek through my hardened features.

Apparently she just wanted to know me better. I knew a really good way to get to know each other better. I tried to move my face past her hand that was still raised between us. But without hesitation she kept her palm covering my mouth, following my movements with ease.

I let out a huff, starting to get frustrated.

What kind of game was this woman playing?

"I can not call you Liam at this moment, and calling you King seems strange. So I am going to go with old school formal manners and call you Mr. Darcy." She said with a nod to herself. Processing it all as she spoke.

I stared at her completely confused. Why can she not call me Liam?

"Mr. Darcy, as much as I truly enjoy these moments with you. We need to talk some things out here. That is before my brain becomes complete mush and I lose all capable thought."

My lips fully turned up at her thoughts. Something about how she spoke every thought out loud that came to her head made me and my dragon smile. She was just so cute.

I nodded my head slightly at her wanting to speak together.

"I am going to be frank with you Mr. Darcy, this whole thing is absolutely insane. You guys take over our lives, capture all our single guys and then drop the bomb that you will be forcing 10 ladies to compete to be Queen. In a strange fate of events we meet, we have this crazy connection and the next time we see each other you jump my bones… well almost. During all that you barely say a word to me, just tell me you will see me soon. Then I'm chosen to be on Dragon Bachelor, I'm whisked off to a fairy tale island with a straight up Disney castle on it. Then surprise, surprise my Mystery Shifter is the freaking Dragon King! So yeah, I don't just want to have a quickie in the library right now- I want you to tell me what the hell is going on!"

Her nostrils flared with hot anger as she finished her speech. And man she was damn alluring when she was all fired up.

Just then someone busted through the library door. A taller lady with fake blonde hair walked in with determination.

Elizabeth lowered her hand from my mouth, but my body was still leaning into hers. She moved to put distance between us, but with a strong hand to her waist I held her still. Elizabeth gave me a fierce look, but I ignored her anger as the stranger came into view.

"Oh shoot, I thought this was the ladies room." The woman said in a deep southern drawl. She caught sight of the two of us and zoned in on me like I was her prey. "Oh Dragon King you are in here, everyone was wondering where you went off to." The woman said with a flip of her hair and a sultry smile, choosing to completely ignore the woman currently in my arms.

"I do apologize, madam. But you can let everyone know I will be out soon." I said calmly. As a thunderous looking Elizabeth blazed with anger beside me.

But to my horror the stranger did not leave.

"Oh no bother, I'll happily just wait here till you two are done." The woman said while taking a seat beside the fireplace and turning to where she could watch us. Her fake smile never faltering.

"We will discuss this later tonight. Please Elizabeth?" I whispered for only Elizabeth to hear. Pleading her with my eyes. She let out a harrumph. Knowing I wouldn't let her go till she agreed, she gave me a quick nod. I released her waist and she quickly stepped past me.

"Thank you for the tour of your amazing library Dragon King." Elizabeth mocked the woman by calling me the ridiculous name.

Elizabeth nodded to the other woman and exited the room as quickly as she could.

Before I could follow after her the unknown woman wrapped herself around me.

"Was there something I could do for you?" I bit out trying to detangle myself from the brazen woman.

"Oh I truly apologize, I must have tripped." She mostly let go of me but kept her hand resting on my arm. "My name is Caro by the way." I gave her a quick nod, removed her hand and swiftly headed towards the door. Trying to get rid of this annoyance as soon as possible.

What the hell was Charles thinking choosing this woman to be a part of the competition? Her and her vapid self was the least of my interests. Why would someone want that phony, when a true goddess walked amongst us.

Caro sidled up next to me as I headed to my study. Wrapping her arm around mine.

I stopped abruptly. "Madam, the ladies room is just through there." I pointed to the door in front of us and didn't wait for her reply. I barely caught her shocked face, when I used my dragon speed and sped off towards my study before she could get a hold of me again.

Once safely encased in my office I dropped to my chair, whiskey in hand. If everyday of this competition was going to be like this, I was sure to be mental by the end.

All I wanted to do was tear through the castle till I found Elizabeth and explained everything to her. Then I wanted to kiss her senseless and enjoy every tempting bit of her… well almost every bit. I could only go so far before the Mating ceremony. As much as I want to shuck the prophecy, it was still there for a reason.

But Elizabeth wanted the truth and though I couldn't tell her everything. I could possibly explain more what was happening between us and a little about the prophecy. Hopefully that wouldn't change the fates too much.

She deserved to know that I wasn't at all interested in the other women. They were just part of the plan, nothing more.

I thought through exactly what I would say. Trying to put together how I felt but also my duty as King and what that meant for Dragon Island as a whole. Piecing together sentiments had never been easy for me. I haven't had any real practice on showing my feelings. Other than when I was a boy when my mother was alive and of course with Georgiana. I am a novice to this world of love and adoration for a Mate. I fear opening up to her and trying to explain my heart might sound like complete rubbish.

Put me in front of my men and be the leader they need, I can do that any day. But put me in front of Elizabeth to share my heart and I am sure I will sound like a blubbering idiot.

A knock came to my door and I let out a groan. All I wanted was some time to think all this through.

"Come in." I said with a little more bite then I meant to.

Richard, Charles and Jane walked into my study. Richard seemed on the verge of laughter, Jane had a small smile but I had yet to truly know what she was thinking, she was such a closed book. But Charles' fierce look surprised me the most.

"Liam, could you not have actually introduced yourself to all of the women? Before hijacking Ellie and then just disappearing for the evening!" Charles threw his hands up in frustration. Jane put a comforting hand on Charles arm, trying to help calm his Dragon down. Charles didn't let his Dragon loose all the time, but it was still within him.

"I am sorry Charles, that was very rude of me. I do apologize. I know you and Jane have worked hard to set all of this up and I am not doing my part. I just got distracted." I said while running a hand through my hair.

Charles anger deflated and I saw him take a deep breath to calm himself down.

"So... had a little fun with your True Mate, hu?" Richard said while waggling his eyebrows towards me.

My eyes immediately shot Richard daggers and then looked to Jane. Wondering what all she knew.

"It's true then? Was I right? Is Ellie your True Mate?" Charles asked as a bright smile formed on his face. A gasp of excitement came from Jane, looking just as intrigued.

"I won't lie to you all, Elizabeth is my True Mate, but we have yet to discuss it and like I explained to Richard. Gammear, the Wizard, was very clear that the competition still needs to happen. Even if I already know Elizabeth is my True Mate, we must wait till after the competition to have the Mating ceremony."

Three heads nodded in understanding.

"Do I have your word that you won't share this with Elizabeth before I feel I can explain it all?" I looked them all in the eye, ending with Jane. Pushing a little of my Alpha Dragon power with my stare towards her. I know I can trust Richard and Charles with my life, but I was still hesitant with the quiet woman who swooped in and quickly fell for my best friend.

Charles let out a growl under his breath. Clearly not ok that I didn't trust his Mate.

"Charles, it's ok." Jane calmed Charles down again and continued to rub his arm. "You can trust me Liam, I promise you. But I think I know why the competition needs to happen." She said, causing all three men to look towards her very intrigued. "As you have probably noticed, Ellie and I are very different. I have been waiting for a man like Charles to come around for many years. My heart was ready and open for love. But Ellie has always believed that she would never find true love. She convinced herself many years ago that only the truest love could persuade her to fall for someone in that way and that she would never find that kind of love. I think Ellie will need this time to trust you and open up her heart fully to you. If you tried right now to convince her that she is yours and that's her only option, she will fight you every step of the way. Show her your heart and give her time." Jane ended her explanation with a quick nod. Charles leaned in close, whispered something in her ear then kissed her cheek.

I gave her a single nod that I heard her words. But was unable to speak fully at the moment, so many thoughts were going through my head.

The sister is smart. She makes a good point.

I was shocked by my dragon agreeing with an idea that wasn't just Mating the frip out of Elizabeth. Interesting.

"Vey wise words, Jane. Thank you." I stated with quiet determination.

They must have sensed my need for contemplation and began to say their good nights.

"Uh Richard, Charles have either of you seen… G in the last couple of hours?" I hesitated with my words, forgetting for a minute that Jane was not aware of my sister yet. I would need to let her into our confidence, but that was something that could wait for another day.

Both men shook their heads. But a surprised look flashed on Jane's face. I wanted to ask what that look meant, but they were heading out the door before I could get my words out.

I told Elizabeth I would speak with her tonight, but now after hearing Jane's thoughts I think it might be for the best not to explain everything just yet. Jane's right, Elizabeth needs time and hopefully that's something I can give her.

From all the differing emotions and thoughts, I desperately needed to clear my head. It was by far time to stretch my wings and blow off some steam. Quite literally.

Then just maybe I will have the right words for my True Mate.

*Authors Note*

Since this chapter and the next are a little on the smaller side, you get two chapters today. So yay for double dose of fun!

Thank you so much for all the awesome comments, follows and favorites. You guys are awesome!

Oh and many of you guessed my movie quotes easily. I guess I will have to try harder next time. Have fun friends!