Alexander went home feeling very good about his night, he was happy to have met him. Even if he refused to tell him his name it felt nice to be so close to him. He traced his lips with his hands and remembered the kiss that he gave him. His neck felt so soft under his lips and he wished he could suck on it forever.
He could feel his presence even though they were miles apart. He wished he could possess the man and make him his. He yearned for him so much but refrained from going after him. He had to take it one step at a time and not scare the boy to go far away from him. It was already bad that he was cursed and became a monster during the day, he couldn't have him think that he is completely a monster.
*****
Francis got home and gave his mother the medication. She felt so happy to receive it and gave him her blessing and prayed for him to always be happy. He spent a little time with his family before he went to his room to make more portions for an order that he had received.
He removed the scarf from his neck and checked the mark in front of a mirror. It was a hickey like he had suspected but it looked like a tattoo drawing of a dragon. He traced it and it felt warm under his touch, he began to panic in his heart. He feared the mark on his neck and tried to scratch it out. The more he scratched the more the mark glowed. Nothing happened to the mark except for the glowing. He panicked and grabbed a knife he was using and cut the mark.
He cut as hard as he could but the mark remained as it was, not even a scratch was on it. He concocted a potion and poured it on the mark to burn it but it didn't work. Everything he did was useless against the mark that was on his neck. He thought of the event at the stall and the man who kissed him to try and figure out how he got the mark but he couldn't put his hand on it.
He went to bed feeling very tired and left the mark alone. He made a note to visit a physician tomorrow about it. He fell asleep and drifted off to dreamland. In his dream, he was walking down dark stairs that led to a dungeon. He walked slowly and carefully into the dungeon to see what was inside. The room was dark and quiet but he could hear breathing in the distance.
"Hello, is anyone there?" he asked despite his better judgment telling her not to do so as it could be someone dangerous. He heard movements in the dark and big stomps and a shiver ran down his spine. He froze in place and his feet refused to move out of fear.
"Who dares to disturb my sleep," asked a deep husky voice with a thick accent that drove nothing but fear into Francis. The fire was blown into the air and he could see clearly what was in front of him. Right in front of him stood a silver dragon in full glory. It was huge and he had to tilt his head up to get a good look at it. He wasn't just afraid now he was frightened to death. He felt like dying.
"Your name." demanded the dragon.
"F...F...F.Francis," he replied in a trembling voice.
"Nice name for a pretty boy. Come closer," he said but Francis didn't move as his legs were still frozen in place. The dragon could smell the fear from Francis and took the liberty to get closer to Francis on his own. He took two gigantic steps and got close enough to pick him up with his claws. Francis was picked up by the dragon and held close to his face.
"What are you doing here Francis?" asked the dragon, his hot breath hitting Francis felt like he was placed atop of a flame.
"I don't know," he replied still trembling.
"Do I frighten you Francis?" he asked and Francis remained quiet. He dared not answer in fear of upsetting the dragon and suffering his wrath.
The dragon carried him and placed him on his back and lifted him off from the dungeon and into the sky. He held on to the dragon in fear that he would fall. He was worried that the dragon was going to eat him for lunch and he would never get to see his mother again.
The dragon stopped at the top of the mountain and set him down. He looked at him and said," Isn't the land so beautiful."
"I guess," Francis replied nervously.
"Don't be scared I am not going to hurt you Eno nose. I just want some company and it has been long since I had any," he said trying to calm Francis down and it worked.
"My name is Francis and not that word you just said," he corrected
"Yes, Francis is your name but Eno nesohc is your identity. You are the destined boy who will bring peace to the people of Arimelari," he said.
"What destiny, I am just a hunter who struggles to make a living," Francis told him.
"I am a dragon my boy, I know much know than your little head can begin to imagine. You and I both know that there is more to you than meets the eye," he said and Francis couldn't refute. He knew about his identity and that destiny has written a prophecy for him but he no idea what it was. He had asked his father but he refused to tell him and died with the secret.
"Then tell me all so knowing dragon, what is my destiny?"
"That my boy is not for me to tell you but I can tell you that your destiny has already begun. There are two sides to your prophecy and the ending is something that only you can decide. You can either save a life or destroy it, both choices lie in your hands. Whatever choice you make will either destroy this great kingdom or save it," he said. Francis listened to every word the dragon said. He realized why his father insisted on telling him his destiny when he was older. Having so many lives depend on him was not an easy thing to handle.
"And who are you?" Francis asked out of curiosity.
"I am the soul of the one whom you are destined for. The Mark of the dragon on your neck allows you to communicate with me," he replied.
"Do you know where the mark came from?"
"It is from your destiny, my boy. You will understand it as time goes by," he said.
"Is it my destiny to defend my people from a dragon? Is this kingdom under such a threat. If that is the case then shouldn't the dragon prince be given the task to defeat this enemy dragon. Why me?" he asked scared of the responsibility he was given. If he made a mistake then many lives would be ruined.
"The prince can not do it because he also has a role to play. Whether the kingdom gets destroyed or saved also depends on him as much as it does you," the dragon said and disappeared before Francis woke up.