The dawning sun blooms on the horizon, shining like a golden Phoenix fresh from the ashes of rebirth. On a day such as this, one would expect the heavens to be weeping. But instead, the morning is full of serene silence. The world sits so still even the wind is not singing. Just as Flavius and I finish getting dressed, there is a light knock on my chamber door. "It is time, your highness," I hear a maid say from outside. Flavius and I leave my chambers in silence. The still castle sits around us like a heavy iron bird cage. We walk to the throne room where Gregory's close friends and family are gathered. Gregory and Geoffrey's coffin's sit in the front of the room, opened for everyone to see the bodies. The pale corpses sit out in a morbid display as the sweet stench of death wafts from them. I cringe at the sight my body tightening up. I turn to Flavius, slightly confuse
Flavius and I spent the rest of the day in the war room discussing our next moves for the war with Soren and Dovydas. With evening upon us, everyone leaves to get ready for the ceremony. I stand outside the temple doors with Flavius by my side. I brush my hands over my arms as I shiver from a chill that runs through my body. The doors to the temple open, and Sunniva calls us in. Flavius and I slowly walk into the room, our bodies exposed to all of the hordes. We head to the front of the room and face each other, with Sunniva standing near us. The room is dimly lit, the candles casting a golden hue across Flavius’s skin. “Tonight, two souls will be bonded as one. Forever held together by the ties of magic and love. Two people, brought together by fate, have decided to spend the rest of eternity together. Tonight, marks the start of a new life. From today forward, they will promise to love one another for what they know and trust one another for what they have yet to kn
Everyone is solemn and quiet as we filter out of the throne room. The events of the wedding are a clouded haze in my mind, leaving me riddled with anxiety. I am so entrapped by my thoughts that I do not even realize that we have made it to my chambers until I hear the door creaking open. I look to see the room they have taken me to is the one that I was placed in when I first arrived in the capital. Flavius is the only one the enters the room with me; I briefly see Soren leaving as the door is being closed. "I apologize," I mumble, "I do not know what came over me. I was just so angry." Flavius sits down next to me, placing an arm around my shoulders. "I'd be lying if I said what I saw didn't disturb me. But from what I've learned about dragons, your rage can sway you to commit unspeakable acts," Flavius says quietly. "I cannot blame everything
Panic pierces my heart at the sudden high-pitched sound of Evalene’s scream filtering through the commotion of the room. I whip around to see Gwen hovering over Gregory. Panic controlling my actions, I rush over to them. With one hand, I shove Gwen sending her sliding across the stone floor. I look down at Gregory to see a dagger shoved deep into his chest. "Oh, gods.... oh gods!" I cry out, tears pricking my eyes. This cannot be happening. Gregory looks up at me, giving a weak smile. I desperately place my hands around the knife to try and stop the bleeding. "You cannot die yet, old man. I cannot lose you. I am not ready," I wobble out. Blood from his wound leaks through my fingers, gushing all over my dress and the floor. I keep my head pointed down while tears pour from my eyes. Suddenly, Gregory's cold, clammy hand pulls my hand from his wound. I look into his murky bro
The moment the music ends so does my wedding. Within seconds of me arriving at the altar, the throne room is swarmed with soldiers. Many of the unsuspecting nobles scream out in fear, while others hide behind their seats. The smacking of metal soon fills the room, along with the cries of the scared. Without a moment to lose, I pull my sword out from under my gown. However, I am surprised to see many of the soldiers immediately head for Gwen, who is seated next to Evalene and her parents. But the soldiers going for Gwen are quickly intercepted by the other soldiers. Scanning the room, I see Daniel and Neron fighting alongside many soldiers. His body becomes encased in icy blue flames as takes out many men crowding him. I watch in amazement as Daniel expertly uses his powers as a half dragon, sending blazing blue flames at his enemies. Neron fights side by side with Daniel, sword in hand he kills many while also shouting orders to soldiers in an expert ma
Two days come and go in a flash, and soon I find myself sitting in front of a mirror getting my makeup done by a bunch of chatty maids. My face is lightly brushed with makeup exaggerating my all ready sharp features. I stare into the mirror watching as the dark circles under my eyes are gradually covered. My lips are painted a deep ruby and my eyes a lined with a thin layer of black. Rosey blush is dusted against my cheeks making my pale skin all the paler. The creaking noise of the door being opened filters through the room, and someone clears their throat. "All right ladies, that is enough. I will help the princess into her dress," Evalene states, shooing the maids out of the room. At her words, all four maids scurry out. Evalene walks farther into the room closing the door behind her. I watch as she places my wedding gown and sword on my bed. My eyes trace the gown causing my heart to nearly double
I have been locked in this cell for so long I do not even know how many more days until the wedding. The only thing keeping me going is my anger. I have been betrayed by everyone who I thought loved me. My heart is filled with profound darkness, the kind of darkness found in a deep, bottomless chasm. The lack of light down here that had once bothered me so much is now normal. My world is now etched in charcoal, the vibrant hues of the outdoors feel like a distant dream. The poison coursing through my veins pushes me to the edge of insanity. I fear that without my smoldering anger I would lose myself in the darkness of my mind. My anger is warm and encompassing pushing away my deep loneliness. So, I focus on my anger, holding to it like a safety blanket. Slowly, I lift my head up, focusing my gaze on the door as the sound of someone coming in filters through. As the door opens, I cannot help but close my eyes when the light f
Gwen approaches me with a wide grin plastering her face. She grabs a loose strand of my hair, twirling it around her finger. Instinctively, I yank my head away. "My, my. Look what you have become," Gwen taunts, wagging her pointer finger back and forth. Ignoring her words, I spit out, "What do you want?" "How could I not come and see you after my greatest accomplishment? You certainly made things hard for me, but it was all worth it," she boasts. I wish I could have made things a lot harder for the bitch. Who the hell does she think she is, talking to me like this? When I get out of here, I will kill her, and no one will be able to stop me. "I only have one question, when you killed my brother, how did you know what route we would be taking to get to here?" I question fiercely. I watch as Gwen's mouth twitches into a smi