He's an asshole."
"From my research of supernatural history, all dragons are assholes."
I gave Mari a look and she giggled nervously. "I didn't say that."
"Sure." I grinned and looked to the sky. "What happened to land me here?"
I took control and found the way out of the Level Four Prison. Their captivity is by choice, meaning Celeste pushed you down to seek the only way out — through the deep river channel. When you allowed me to be free, we shifted and burst out of the water. Omarion witnessed it, but instead of capturing us, he let us go. Before entering the clouds, I saw him being taken away by some guards. Your other men were only guards as a decoy. They don't need to play those games with your departure, but Omarion is stuck in his double life trap.
"The risk of being a double agent," I muttered, fighting to get up on my feet. Staring down at my naked body, I looked to my right arm, where the vivid tattoo I'd always admired remained against my flesh. The bold black ink shimmered slightly at my attention, specks of turquoise shining on and off.
"There was always a reason why I always drew this symbol," I noted.
"That's the Cyldrirth birthmark! It's proof that you're the Princess of Cyldrirth. When the King and Queen see it, they'll know it's you."
"King and Queen." I thought about it. "My Father is a dragon, my mother a fae. Correct?"
Yes. There's lots to discuss, but it's time you prepare for your men's arrival. Once you leave this place, the clock will begin to tick, and you'll have to determine if you wish to return for your mate or not.
"There's no need to debate that," I announced, closing my eyes and envisioning a dress of fine silk cloaking my body.
The lightshow within the darkness began, sparks of turquoise and gold weaving together before wrapping around my body.
When my eyes opened, I was clothed in a pure white dress. Lifting my hand up, I called upon the droplets of water, but this time, they spun in an oval circle, gathering and growing until a water mirror formed before me, projecting what I wanted to witness.
The new me.
My hair was dazzling gold with bits of turquoise and orange. Only my roots had hints of brown, the remainder of my human roots that brought me here. My tanned skin was lighter now, and my piercing blue eyes carried a hint of gold within them. My lips were redder, giving off the impression that I wore lipstick, and I'd regained my body weight and the curves I'd had when I was in the best shape of my short life.
I felt rejuvenated, my energy at a constant peak and my mind clear of any distractions. I knew what I needed to do. I'd escaped captivity as a supernatural inmate, and my next course of action awaited.
"We'll go back. Not just for Omarion. If Alisha, Ivy, and Celeste are still within those underground walls, they'll be coming out as well. Though, we have some self-improvement to do first."
"Oh! This sounds exciting! Where are we going first, Princess?!" Mari clapped her hands and danced around my head in anticipatory glee.
The smile that graced my lips was of my dragon's. Her inner buzz of joy was flooding through me.
"To the one place in this world where we can train and enjoy captivity to the fullest."
"Captivity to the fullest?!" Mari stopped mid-dance to stare at me in confusion. "We're going to another prison?!"
"Well, we're supernatural outlaws now. Until proven innocent, we're technically on the run." I teased the idea, expecting Marigold to shriek in fear, but she blinked and began to clap her hands.
"Supernatural outlaws! Delightful! We should make a club! Supernatural Captivity Club for Outlaws!" Her idea made me laugh, and the joy it manifested seemed to make the grass around me grow taller.
"Did I do that?" I wondered happily.
"You did! You did!" Mari put her hands on her hips. "I think we know where you want to go. We can go together with our men in tow!" she sang.
"Yes," I noted. "Seeing as you're my magic, I don't need to my repeat myself because you can hear my dragon, correct?"
"Yes," Mari bobbed her head. "Will you give your dragon a name?"
"Would you like one?" I inquired, directing the question to my dragon.
Quil-Zu is what I remember being called before banishment. Quil for short.
"Quil-Zu and Marigold. Thank you for your loyalty as I enjoyed the life of a human. Your years of captivity are over, and our time to place our mark on this world is now. Embrace our outlaw status, and together, we'll break through our supernatural captivity. Until then, let us prepare for our departure. Once my men arrive, we won't have long before we're in the air and heading to our destination.
"Where to?!" Marigold cheered.
I looked in the mirror, my gaze locking onto the reflection of my eyes. They began to shift to gold, green, and orange. Flickering flames of hidden power and masked supremacy.
"Dubai. It's time to meet someone we never got the chance to know. All the answers we need are within those jailed walls. Hopefully, captivity in Dubai is far sweeter."
It's time to fulfill my true destiny. Starting now.