"Where am I?" Trinity asked as she opened her eyes and saw Stacey standing near her bed. She felt the same way as she had felt when she had her first change, except the burning.
"You're awake," the other girl said happily. "This is our hospital, and you've been unconscious for almost three hours."
"Where's Greenard?"
"He's here, in this hospital, but still unconscious."
"Is he alive?"
"Well, yeah, it'll be up to you to decide his fate, Trinity."
"Can I see him?" Trinity asked as she tried to get up. She was instantly stopped by Stacey.
"Trinity, you have just gained consciousness. I can't let you start walking around," Stacey explained.
Trinity felt bad. She didn't want Greenard to be banished or killed. He was a great warrior and even greater dragon. Sensing something was wrong; her friend asked, "Hey, are you ok?"
"Can't there be any other way? I mean, why do I have to either banish or kill him? You know, Stacey, he almost won. He's such a great fighter than just because he lost; he can't stay here or in this world? This is wrong. I have to see him," Trinity cried.
"Trinity, please try... " Before Stacey could finish her sentence, Trinity had already got out of her bed and was making her way towards the door, just as a tall, thin woman wearing a doctors coat entered. Seeing her patient out of bed, she rushed towards her and, holding Trinity's arm gently, led her back to her bed.
''Trinity, you can not be out of bed! You're still too weak,"Dr. Elise exclaimed.
''Is he okay? Will he make it?''
''I presume you're talking about Greenard; I won't lie to you; he suffered a major concussion and some serious muscle and bone damage to the wing. He's still unconscious, so we'll see when he comes around, if he does come around,'' The blue-eyed doctor said sympathetically. Her pixie cut brown hair was neatly combed, and she looked like she was in her early thirties.
''Oh, you're awake.'' Martha walked in, holding a card and a bunch of white roses. ''How are you feeling?''
''Like I got beaten up by someone,'' Trinity said with a scoff.
"Well, in that case, these roses will cheer you up," Martha said, handing her the flowers.
"Your pressure is ok, but your heart rate is low, so I'll have to keep you here for a few days," Dr Elise said as she looked at the monitor in front of her. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel OK. My head hurts a bit and chest pains, bit tired... Other than that, I'm good," Trinity replied.
"Don't worry, a few days of rest, and you'll be good as new." she smiled as she made her way out.
"So, how was your first fight?" Martha asked Trinity as soon as the doctor left.
"I hated it. I almost got killed."
"You know Trin, you're stronger than you think."
"Has my dad arrived?" Trinity looked hopefully towards the older lady. Her hope quickly faded away when she got no reply from her. "Did he give any message?" Again, nothing.
"I forgot, tonight is the Choose your mate ball. Oh, I have to talk to Elise. I'll be right back," Martha hurriedly excused herself and almost ran after the doctor.
"I just wanna go home," Trinity mummured..
***
As Trinity walked out of the hospital with the help of a hospital staff, Martha began telling her what to do and not do. "These medications are painkillers, but doctor Elise says if you still feel lightheaded or drowsy, while in pain, call her. Remember, you can not strain yourself with anything. I'll give you a new phone, with all the emergency contacts, so if anything goes wrong, call me or doc."
"This ball is this important, huh?" Trinity asked Stacey, who was closely tugging along.
Stacey knew why her friend was saying this. Martha literally knew that Trinity was really weak and needed rest, but she had her released from hospital risking her life just so that she could find a mate when she could have found him anytime. "Yep. Very important," she answered matter of factly
The car, which was driven by a driver, pulled up close to them so Trinity could get in easily. Martha sat in front, and both girls sat in the back, with Trinity resting her head on the headrest of the car.
Trinity felt relieved as she lay on her bed as Stacey asked her about her preferences on clothing.
"I'm not choosey; I just want it to be comfortable."
"And how 'bout your favorite color?"
" Gree...." Trinitys voice trailed off as she remembered her fight and the green haired guy fighting for his life in hospital. Some part of her wanted him to get well and healthy, but the other part wanted him to die, so she wouldn't have to carry the burden of making a tough decision. Then again, what if he has a mate? Or worse, what if some girl out there will be waiting for him to arrive at todays ball? Tears flowed freely from her eyes at the thought of some female dragon not getting her mate because of her. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked at Stacey, staring at her with sad eyes as she sensed what troubled her friend. "Why?..."
"You know, when I came of age for my first battle, I picked a name from the pot, too. Masey, that was her name. I wanted to pick again, as I didn't want to harm her, but that wasn't allowed, so we battled out," Stacey began. "As you can see, I won, and Masey was in a coma for a week. When she came around, she asked me to kill her, as she didn't want to be banished, but how could I? After all, she was my childhood best friend." Trinity stared at her with wide eyes. "I told her I won't let her be killed, so the next day, Marcus found her hanging on a tree in her backyard. they found a note with her..." Stacey continued as she took out a piece of neatly folded paper from her pocket and handed it to Trinity. It read..
'STACEY, I KNOW YOU WON'T,
SO I'VE MADE A DECISION FOR
YOU. WITH LOVE, MASEY...'
Trinity could see the tears in Stacey's eyes as she was staring into space, but before Trinity could say anything, Stacey blurted out, "Being a dragon is all about strength. The stronger you are, the more powerful you become, and the more powerful you are, the more you become feared and respected."
"Oh my! You girls haven't gotten ready yet?" came a horrified voice from the door.
"Um... We were..." Both girls said simultaneously.
"Well, hurry up now, get dressed, and meet me at the hall entrance," Martha said. "Both of you must look your best tonight... Oh, before I forget, here's your phone," she continued, handing Trinity a box.
"Both of us...?" Trinity gave Stacey a questioning look.
"Yeah, it's my first ball, too. I couldn't attend last year," she replied shyly.
***
"Ah, thank goodness you both are here,"Martha sighed in relief as she hurried both of them into the hall. Most of the dragons had already arrived, and the Dragon Lord had just taken the mike.
Martha and Stacey quickly bowed before taking their seats, and following them,Trinity also bowed before taking her seat.
"Tonight is a great big and important night for our young and unmated dragons," the Dragon Lord announced over the mike. The dance will be held in the garden. Without wasting your time any further, I request Mrs Willmar to guide our young ones towards the garden, while the rest of us can enjoy a night of our own dancing with our partners and drinking away," He continued.
The crowd cheered as young dragons, all wearing wonderful dresses or suits, stood up and followed, an old woman towards the garden.
"I'm so nervous," Trinity whispered to Stacey as they entered a beautiful outside garden with the open Sky above them.
"Relax," Stacey said, her voice normal as she looked at her dress to make sure it was good. "It's time to dance," she added as the music got loud.
Her ball gown was so mesmerising as it shone in the light, making it look almost golden.
Trinity looked down at her blue halter dress. As she remembered, she had no idea of how to know her mate. She looked towards her friend, who by now was dancing to the tune of the music. "Stacey, I wanted to know how I will recognise my mate?" She shouted over the music.
"Simple. It's the first dragon you mindlink with," she replied, still dancing.
"WHAT!!!"