“If you insist.” Quinn said. “First, I noticed a difference when I collected some of his blood. Each creature type has a unique essence to their blood. Yours, Theo was different.”

“Explain to me how it was different.” He insisted. He knew how it was different. He was a dragon after all. A dragon pretending to be an elf to fit into society. However, he wanted to hear her say it.

“Elves' blood has a unique property as some are tied into the Feywild. Well, a good chunk of them are. So there is usually a faint trace of it. You appear elven, but your blood says otherwise.”

“And what does it say?” Theoden pressed the issue further.

“That you aren’t even a humanoid. Which I find fascinating.”

I felt a spark of worry through the bond. If Quinn has known this for sometime that Theo was different, who else knew? Would this be something anyone else can pick up on?

“And just to ease my own mind, what do you think I am?” Theoden questioned.

Hell, I swear both of our hearts raced as we waited for her response.

“Could be a lot of things, but given your lawful good nature and loyalty to the throne, unless you are a devil in disguise playing the long game, I’d say a dragon of some sort. And by the king and queen’s standards, you’d have to be a metallic type. Those are typically good.”

Theo fell silent as I knew he was trying to figure out what to say next. Hell, I knew Quinn was an excellent fighter, I didn’t know she was a mastermind. No wonder why she made it to the elite group.

“As for you Maria. You are one hundred percent pure elven beauty. However, there is something special in your blood. It ties you to him.” I looked at her questionably, “oh don’t give me that look. You two are bonded.”

“You were able to figure that out by my blood?”

“Not fully, I just knew there was something off with it. However, when you reacted to his pain and he reacted to the amount I applied to your wrist, it was kind of obvious then.” Quinn said, “sorry about that pain by the way. I wanted a reaction out of him.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Wait…you tested your theory out on me?” I was a bit angered. I mean she could have done it on him and not me.

“I mean yes? I did test it on both of you. But he’s too strong for me to keep going at him.”

“I guess that’s fair..” I shook my wrist at the thought of the amount of pain she used.

“Theoden?” She questioned as she looked up at him, “if you are worried I will reveal any of this to anyone, my lips are sealed. I promise.”

Theoden stood steady. Simply just breathing in and out. Theo? I questioned him softly. I hoped that I could shake him out of it. Whatever it was.

“Hmm?” Theoden finally murmured after a few more minutes of silence.

“I promise to keep this a secret.”

“I know you will Quinn. It’s not you I am worried about. If you were able to figure parts of this out long ago, it makes me question who else knows?”

He wasn’t wrong there. We were being taunted after all.

“Does anyone else know?” Quinn asked.

“Our chef knows now. Someone left a note for him to find. Other than that, just you as far as we know.” Theoden said, “I honestly think Maria’s parents didn’t even really know. Well, maybe her father, given his abilities.”

“Huh. If it bothers you too much with me knowing that you are a dragon and you two have a bond, you can change my memory. I won’t fight it, I promise.”

Theo and I both looked at each other and then at Quinn. “Quinn, as much as I don’t like people knowing my secrets I trust you enough that you will handle this information with care.” Theoden responded.

“That goes for me too Quinn. I prefer people didn’t know about the bond but if anyone was to know, I know if Theo can trust you then I can trust you too.”

Quinn smiled wide and wrapped her arms around the both of us. “Thank you both! I will keep your secret safe.”

“We know you will Quinn.” Theoden said, “Quinn just one more thing…”

“What’s that captain?”

“You can let go now.”

“Oh right…” Quinn said as she released the both of us. “May I ask one thing.”

“What’s that Quinn?” Theoden said.

“What type are you? The blood didn’t reveal everything.”

“Silver.”

Her face lit up with excitement, “I knew you had to be a metallic type! I love being right!”

“You and Maria both.” Théoden said as he rolled his eyes, “Shall we get you back to the castle for bed?” Théoden looked down at me with content in his eyes.

“Yes please. I had enough fighting for one day.” I responded.