Page 106 of Dragon Me Through Space

Honestly, I was nervous about the Games, but I knew for a fact that most people underestimated me. They saw me as a weak woman with sensitive skin and no muscles, which they assumed meant I couldn’t fight.

I would prove them all wrong today. I would show them I was more than capable of fighting and holding my own. Even against dragon shifting, fire breathing enemies. If only I could use my tech, like my roller skate boots or my cloaking device, then I could definitely win any fight.

Wayne returned with food and Gage and Zeke reluctantly released me to eat and get ready. Zeke left to fetch the clothes that had been created for me for the Games specifically, a set of lightweight armor and boots that fit perfectly.

“I need a dozen more of these outfits in different colors,” I said as I looked in the full-length mirror. The pants hugged my legs and butt, the tall boots felt worn, despite being new, and the top was long-sleeved, but breathable, so I wasn’t hot despite my arms and neck being covered.

By the time I was dressed and finished my stretches, Preston returned with an annoyed expression on his face. However, he didn’t reveal anything to me.

“Can I get a group hug before we leave?” I asked.

Without hesitation, the four princes pressed in around me, squishing me between them all. I breathed them in and felt myself relax more.

When we exited the room, they changed up their rotation, putting Zeke at the front and Preston at the back, with Wayne and Gage on each of my sides. I was certain there was some significance to it, some military tactic or something, but didn’t bother asking since all that mattered was they were with me.

They led me out to a side exit of the castle where a large flat platform sat. There were no ships present.

“What are we doing out here?” I asked.

Zeke shifted into his full dragon form and I felt my jaw drop as I stared at the huge, red-scaled dragon before me. He was gorgeous!

“You’re going to ride Zeke to the Games’ location,” Preston explained. “We’re all going to fly in our dragon forms.”

“Isn’t it going to be frowned upon for me to ride you?” I asked. “Wouldn’t it be better if you just let your wings out and carried me in your arms?”

“Only our mate is allowed to ride us,” Wayne explained. “And our children.”

“It shows them that despite the ceremony not yet happening and you not yet using the locket’s power, we consider you our mate,” Gage explained and gripped my waist to pick me up and put me on Zeke’s back.

Was I making them look bad by not accepting them fully, by not activating the power in the locket to tie us together?

I didn’t get to ask as Zeke flew up into the air and I had to focus on holding on and not falling off. Not that I thought he’d let me fall, in fact he flew so smoothly that it allowed me to watch the landscape below us.

We flew over a beautiful city, over lush farmlands, and a jungle that was much thicker and a darker green than the jungle room they’d had on the ship. In the center of the jungle was a huge clearing and what looked like a hollowed-out volcano, where we could hear the chatter of thousands of gathered voices. There were stands carved into the stone wall of the circle, an oval path with obstacles along it, and in the very center was a platform surrounded by water.

“Whoa,” I whispered in shock.

People noticed us and began cheering for the princes and calling out their names.

“Popular boys,” I teased and Zeke snorted in response.

On one side of the arena sat a raised platform where all of the royals were seated, separated by their cardinal designations. Zeke landed in the middle of that platform facing the High King and Queen and dipped his head in respect.

Wayne landed next to us, bowed, shifted, and pulled me from Zeke’s back.

I bowed to the High King and Queen, then turned and dipped my head to each of the kings and queens to show my respect.

“Welcome, Princess Xoe,” High King Alaric greeted. “You may go to the participants’ box to wait for the Games to start.”

“Of course, High King,” I replied and bowed again.

All of the guys had shifted to their human forms and they took turns hugging me and placing a kiss on my cheek. Wayne held out his hand as I began to turn.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“Scout,” he answered.

“Oh, right.” I laughed softly and whispered, “Scout, stay with Wayne, okay?”