Page 9 of Dragon King’s Bullied Mate

A tiny puff of smoke drifted into the air. Ollie did what any brave, terrified boy would do. He screamed and ran.

Straight into a knight.

Clang. Ollie bounced backward and landed on the grass.

“Easy there,” the knight said in a calm voice.

“There’s a dragon!” Ollie pointed wildly behind him.

“I know,” said the knight.

“You know?!” Ollie squeaked.

“I’ve been looking for him.”

Ollie blinked. “You’re not… scared?”

The knight tilted his head. “Should I be?”

“Yes! He’s a dragon!”

The knight crouched so they were eye level. “Or,” he said gently, “he’s something you don’t understand yet.”

Before Ollie could argue, a cautious voice called from behind the rocks.

“Hello?” The dragon peeked out, like he was a very nervous pile of scales.

The knight stood and gave a small wave. “There you are.”

Ollie grabbed the knight’s leg. “Don’t wave at it!”

But the knight didn’t draw his sword. He didn’t shout. He simply walked toward the dragon.

“Watch.”

The dragon shuffled back a little. “I didn’t mean to scare him. I just… sneezed.”

Ollie peeked out from behind the knight. “He… talks.”

“Most friends do,” the knight said.

“Friend?!” Ollie squeaked again.

The knight glanced down at him. “Tell me, Ollie. Have you seen him burn a village?”

“No.”

“Chase anyone?”

“No.”

“Eat anyone?”

Ollie hesitated. “No.”

The dragon looked offended. “Never.”

The knight smiled slightly. “Then perhaps what you’re afraid of isn’t him, but the stories you were told.”