Dragon's are ancient creatures. They have the abilities to transform into any other being. Once, they had a different planet of their own to live on. Their intelligence was beyond any other creatures on that planet. And once you get smarter, you can't help but become cunning. It was the same for them as well. They started an unannounced competition among themselves to prove themselves wiser than the others. They created so many weapons, technologies, and many more. But they weren't satisfied. They kept creating more danger, more destruction.
They didn't stop even when their king stepped up. The king was the most powerful among them as he had magical power. He used his magic to bring peace to his empire. Still, his effort wasn't enough to suppress them.
Slowly, they made their home uninhabitable. They destroyed almost the entire planet. They couldn't even breathe properly, and only then they realized how foolish they were, how childish they acted. But, it was too late. They lost too many of them. When the planet was close enough to annihilation, they decided to leave the planet.
After researching, they found no other place better than earth and decided to come here. Unlike their ancestors, they promised themselves that this time, they'll take care of their home. They started living on the earth. But, when people found them, they got afraid of them, tried to kill them.
Soon, war broke out between humans and dragons. Although dragons were powerful, humans were larger in amount. They kept fighting until so many of the both parties were killed.
After losing so much, humans and dragons came to an agreement to make peace. Humans gave a whole village to the dragon. Since then, they had lived there peacefully. No human was allowed inside, and no dragon outside. Only the dealers had the right to do so.
However, in that war, the king and his queen died, trying to save their little child. The queen blessed him with fortune, and the king gifted him his magic power before they kicked the bucket.
And after the pact, only a few people had seen dragons in real life. Even if dragons went outside of the village, they transformed into humans before they exited. Some of them even fell in love with humans and started living outside of the village. But, nobody had a doubt about them as they never showed their real face to others. And that's how dragons become a myth. People no longer believed they existed…
At least… Until Soobin's father hunted them. Now, their skins, bones, scales, teeth, nails are the rarest, most valuable items humans buy just to show off their wealth.
____________________________
Soobin closed the book and sighed.
The picture of the dragon prince that Soobin had seen in the book, was none other than Yeonjun's.
He got to learn so many things and he was amused by the knowledge. His face burned red when he remembered the meaning behind Yeonjun's behavior earlier.
Actually, it's their nature. Dragons can fall in love once in their lifetime. If they can't be with their loved ones, they can't choose other partners. Even if they do so, their hormones refuse to mate with them. It may even lead them to shatter from inside, causing death.
However, if they find their love and get to live with them, they can live a long life. Although they can adjust to the creature they fall in love with, such as— if they pair with another dragon, they can live more than a thousand years. But, if they pair with other beings such as humans, their lifespan would also be just like a human's.
Moreover, after they become an adult, they go into their heat or rut period once in a while. Before they find their mates, their rut or heat period wouldn't get too intense. Once their mate would be found, and they're close to them, it would be tough for them to control their desire in rut period.
They can avoid it by staying apart from each other. But, if they have a slight physical contact with their partners, especially in their sensitive spots, it can increase their hormone activity and burn them internally. They can only cool down by mating. The more they'd avoid it, the more pain it'd cause. This pain can harm their daily activities, even make them sick severely.
Soobin stood up and looked around for more books. None of them attracted his attention since his mind was occupied with the fact that he might get himself in danger. He was scared earlier. The expression he had seen in Yeonjun's face, eyes was insane. Like some madness has possessed him. Soobin gulped. But he could tell, he didn't hate it.
Instead, he had begun to enjoy it. This is what he was afraid of. Was it only his physical reaction? Or, did he also… No-no! How can that be! He's… a guy. No! He's not a guy… "I mean, he's not a human after all!" Soobin kept thinking as he walked outside. While thinking, he felt how loudly his heart was beating. His ears turned red as his face flushed.
Soobin couldn't shake off the unfamiliar and strange feeling. So, does that mean… he took a liking to his kidnapper?! This can't be! He might lose his mind if he stays here any longer. Yes, once he got to escape, he might forget about this place, and Yeonjun. He needs to get himself out of there before he gets trapped. But, what would happen to Yeonjun if he…
No! He can't be worried about others now. He is a prince after all. And he needs to be there beside his people. He needs to be a king who'd bring peace to the empire. He has to be strong. He has to sacrifice his comfort, his desire, his… person. His heart ached by the thought of leaving this one person.
But, he clenched his fist, determined he would protect his kingdom and his people. He'd take responsibility even if he didn't want to.
______________________________
One day when Yeonjun was away from the castle, Soobin tried to sneak out. Although he didn't know whether he'd succeed, he put some effort into it. After he found the library, he often went there in Yeonjun's absence. Actually, he didn't even know whether Yeonjun was outside or inside since he didn't come to him much after the incident. While browsing books, he found a map. It was the map of the castle. Maybe Yeonjun was the one who made it?!
He took the map and now tried to follow it and reach the entrance. He walked slowly, looking at the map. Suddenly, he heard a rumbling sound from outside. Is Yeonjun back? He gasped. But, curiosity peaked inside him to know what was going on. The noise started to increase as he went closer. He pushed the door open and paused at the sight in front of him.
On the huge field in front of the castle, Yeonjun stood in his dragon form. Facing him, three other men stood. All of them had heavy, sharp weapons on their hands, huffing. Meanwhile, Yeonjun's body was bleeding. He had cut marks here and there. It was clear that they were fighting. As those men couldn't win against Yeonjun, they started to aim for his injured place together, to make the pain worse.
"Why do you keep him locked up? You should hand him to us so that we can take revenge on his father." One of them said while slashing Yeonjun's arm with his sword.
Yeonjun groaned loudly in pain. While he tried to grab the one who just hurt him, another one rushed to him.
"You're a beast and he's a man. I bet you don't have any use of him. So, you better give him to us… so that we can have some fun with that beauty." he said while licking his lips, raising his weapon to hit the dragon.
As soon as Yeonjun heard it, he roared loudly. Without thinking of anything, he held the man with his paw and clenched on him tightly until he was crushed. Seeing it, the other two of them got afraid, but started to fight for their lives. But, Yeonjun didn't let go of anyone. He killed all of them as they're the ones who provoked him. He breathed heavily, his eyes turned red as if he was nothing more than a cursed spirit, looking for revenge.
Soobin gasped out loudly while his whole body trembled with fear. He had never seen this side of Yeonjun. He looked so ferocious as if he just turned into a monster. Yeonjun turned to Soobin, still breathing heavily. He glared at Soobin with his crazy eyes.
Seeing him like this, Soobin stepped back, widening his mouth out of shock. While stepping backwards, he tripped and fell on the ground. He gulped as Yeonjun approached him. Soobin got up and without looking back, he ran into the castle again, leaving Yeonjun stunned.
TBC...