Chapter 5

KIRA

He was~ different~ than I thought the Dragon of Ruin would be.

I figured he would be cruel, demanding, and narcissistic. While I wasn’t sure he didn’t possess those qualities too, I was sure now that he possessed other ones, such as compassion, honor, and attractiveness.

He wasn’t hard to look at. I thought he would be a mangled beast of a man with vermilion eyes. Instead, he had thick brown hair with a beard to match, along with a pair of calculating sepia-colored eyes. He was tall, with immense muscles to match, much surpassing the size of my tiny body.

He was kind too. Even when I had embarrassed him, he had protected me from my father’s wrath. But what he didn’t understand was that even though I was young, I was already damaged goods, and I’d never find love or want a husband who was a man like him. He reminded me too much of my father—a rough, cruel man—even if he seemed compassionate at times.

Dinner was coming up in less than twenty minutes. ~One more day~, I told myself. ~You can do this~.

I slipped on my new silk dress—it was red and felt amazing against my skin, even over the scars on my lower back. Looking in the mirror, I saw the same uneasy expression I always wore.

My father was waiting at the door, accompanied by one of the men who had escorted us to Cerion’s lands. Father’s face was blank as he looked me over. The man’s face was just as emotionless.

Father had decided that hiring these black-clad mercenaries for our trip to Drakoria was in our best interest. I’d never been there before, and neither had my father. He’d said that we would need protection as we rode through unfamiliar lands.

“You need to be on your best behavior tonight,” he said. “The King’s interested in you. He asked for us to sit next to him at dinner. My plan is going over perfectly.”

“But Father—” I started to protest.

“Kira, if he chooses you, you will marry him, you will bear him however many children he wants, and you will obey him. I have saved your hand in marriage for a union as powerful and rich as this one. Do not embarrass me or him any further. The king chose to be tolerant once, but he may not a second time.” My father’s eyes bored into me. I heeded his warning.

He started down the hallway, still speaking. “Besides, the alliance between our two kingdoms is necessary. The Dani Dynasty will help me gain power and influence. Their new mine is plentiful, I’ve heard. You will get me the money I need to take on the Giralds and reclaim our ancestral lands. It’s time the Kingdom of Valon is expanded.”

I looked out each window as we passed, desperate to forget about reality even for a moment. Drakoria was very different from Valon. Instead of frigid snowcapped mountains and chilling temperatures, here there was sun and clouds and a warmth in the breeze that I wasn’t accustomed to.

I was a Valon. My skin wasn’t made for constant sun. I was pale complexioned, and I was certain I would burn easily. ~Even the weather in their lands bothers me~.

I decided not to argue as I followed my father to the dining room, feeling small next to his confident stride.

As I entered the room, it felt as if time went still. For a moment, I felt as if I was weightless. My stomach dropped as something cold stirred inside me. ~That’s odd~, I thought as I forced away the feeling.

All I could feel was the king’s magnetic gaze upon me and the floor quaking under me. It felt as if an earthquake was tearing the floor beneath my feet and crumbling pieces of the castle, but everything was still fully intact. I realized that it wasn’t an earthquake—it was Cerion’s power.

All the other princesses, along with their fathers and even my father, appeared unsettled, but I wasn’t, for some strange reason. I felt calm.

I forced my gaze away from the king reluctantly and felt the ground beneath my feet stabilize. My gaze traveled around the room, studying the other princesses in their dazzling gowns, more elaborate and detailed than my plain red silk dress.

They all looked fit to be queen, with their tall, thin bodies and elegant features. As opposed to me, who was visibly shorter than them with pale skin, voluminous breasts, and curves along my waist and behind.

Princess Theodora turned her nose up at me, laughing with Princess Helen. Princess Anya seemed nicer, smiling at me from the corner of the room where she stood with her father.

King Cerion was heading their way, his eyes on Anya. I had to admit, she was gorgeous—long black hair, tan skin, green eyes, in a beautiful green dress.

Good, I thought. Maybe he’ll pay less attention to me with her around. I caught myself staring at his broad shoulders and quickly looked away. Why am I even focusing on him to begin with? Why does my skin electrify when he touches me? Why is something quietly stirring inside me every time I look at him?

I couldn’t help glancing at the king again, deep in conversation with Anya. What is that quietly boiling inside of me? Irritation, jealousy? I wouldn’t even know what those emotions felt like.

I pushed the feelings away.

But there was something else icing over my insides.

I shivered. A voice echoed inside me, repeating a single word. “~Mine~.”

Finally, we sat down for dinner. Father had nearly dragged me to the table by yanking me by my wrist. Luckily, he noticed the king’s eyes flickering in our direction and dropped my hand abruptly. Cerion’s eyes fixed on my wrist as I clutched it to my chest and ran my hand over the tender spot. Thank God, at least Cerion’s interest kept Father from harming me for now.

I wish he’d stop looking at me like that, with pity beneath his gaze.

I was seated on the king’s right with my father, and Princess Anya and her father were on his left. ~There’s that sting again. Enough, Kira~, I told myself~. It doesn’t matter~.

Father had that calculating look in his eyes again, as if he was hatching a plan. “My king, I wanted to offer my congratulations on the opening of your new mine. What a fantastic discovery!”

Cerion nodded, not offering my father room for further conversation.

But still, my father continued, “If our dynasties join, I would be more than happy to offer my expertise. The Valon Dynasty has had a plentiful gemstone mine for decades.”

Cerion ignored my father’s comments and instead searched my face for a response. I sat still, with my lips pressed into a thin line. If I didn’t, Father would’ve seen to my punishment.

Father looked like he was ready to explode. But instead, he forced a smile.

I ate without saying a word, even though I could feel the king looking at me now and then. I couldn’t help but listen to him talking to Princess Anya, hearing her soft laugh at whatever he was saying.

I was tempted to turn and watch them, but I kept my eyes on my plate. ~Just get through this~, I thought. ~One more day~.

“Princess Kira, how are you finding the evening?” King Cerion’s charming voice caught me off guard.

I plastered on a smile, knowing my father was watching. “The evening is lovely, thank you, my king.”

Anya’s sugary-sweet voice chimed in, “My evening is going lovely as well, my king.”

I had underestimated her. She may have appeared kind and quiet, but she was a snake in the grass, waiting to strike against her opponent after all.

That familiar fire of jealousy burned through me again, and I shoved it down deep.

I focused on my meal, trying to ignore the emotions swirling inside me. Suddenly, I felt the king’s rough hand grasp mine, pinning it to the table.

“Would you join me for a drink after dinner?” he asked, completely ignoring Anya. I hesitated, remembering how he’d been flirting with every woman in sight all day.

~It’s disgusting~, I thought, feeling that sting of…~No. Impossible~. I cursed myself for even considering the possibility. The same unknown feeling stirred inside me again.

I nodded silently, feeling my father’s piercing gaze on me. Anya’s not-so-friendly stare burned into me as well.

***

Later, I found myself on an empty balcony. Lanterns cast a soft glow over the gardens below and the balcony area. The dinner party’s noise was a distant hum. Nature always brought me solace.

I stared down at the intricate gardens nestled within the castle walls. They were incredible—truly a tranquil oasis of vibrant and plentiful color in contrast to the dark stone walls that sheltered the castle.

Neatly trimmed hedges lined the paths, and red, ivory, and golden roses bloomed around a fountain.

King Cerion approached, two wine glasses in hand.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked, gesturing to the night sky. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

“You’re quiet, unlike the others,” he said, handing me a glass. I took a sip, gathering my courage.

“I’m a lot different from the others, my king,” I finally replied. “They’re women fit and ready to be queens, while I’m a nineteen-year-old girl who wishes to be anything but.”

He studied me for a moment, his intense gaze making me squirm. “And why is that, Princess?”

I took another sip of the sparkling wine, liquid courage. “Because you terrify me, and I already have a life at home that terrifies me.”

“What terrifies you?” His expression turned menacing, though still handsome. ~God, why does he have to be so attractive?~

“You’re the Dragon of Ruin. What wouldn’t?” I stared up at the moon, avoiding his gaze.

He moved closer, his voice low. “I’m much more than that, Princess.” His hand brushed the small of my back, and I flinched away.

“I make you uncomfortable, don’t I?” he asked, his eyes searching mine. I smoothed my dress, trying to erase the feeling of his touch.

“I’m not the right choice for you, for queen,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The scars on my back tingled, a reminder of why I couldn’t do this. I put down my glass. “Goodnight.”

I knew if I remained next to him a moment longer, I’d do something rash and possibly admit to the feelings that burgeoned inside me.

I turned on my heels, hurried through the exit, then rounded the first corner I could find and concealed myself behind it.

~What is going on? Why do I feel like this? Why is my heart pounding from his touch? Why does he make me feel such a paradox of emotions—calm but anxious, doubtful but confident, aroused but controlled?~

I felt my self-control wavering every time I was near him. Although I put on a good show, I was struggling inside.

I pressed my back into the stone wall and closed my eyes. I tried to reset my rapid breathing and accelerated heart rate by taking slow, steady breaths.

It was working until a female voice echoed inside my mind. “Stop resisting. He is your fate.”

I nearly jumped to my feet from the sudden sensation.

I must’ve had too much wine. Yes, that must be it. It was the only logical explanation for imagining voices inside my head and my sudden heightened libido.