A Dance with a Dragon

This doesn't suit me

Nikolai’s Pov

As I stormed out of the room, leaving Frejya behind, looking confused and probably hurt, my mind was elsewhere as I made my way to my parents' chamber. Why did they do this to me? Why did they make Frejya occupy my room without even consulting me? I have fulfilled every responsibility imposed on me, sacrificing my time to prove my loyalty to the throne. It's only fair for them to have asked for my opinion before assigning her to my personal space. I don't even know her.

With every step I took, I found more reasons to be angry with them, until my resolve grew stronger. As I knocked on the massive wooden door, I heard my mother's gentle voice, "Come in, Nikolai."

Entering the room, I found my parents sitting at the reading table, looking as serene and wise as always. I tried to contain my anger, but it slipped through, "Why did you make Freyja stay in my room? If you recall, I never wanted this!"

My father spoke calmly, "Nikolai, we understand your feelings, yet as the Dragon Prince, responsibilities fall on your shoulders. Frejya is from the werewolf pack, and her presence here is crucial for the alliance. Your dragon has chosen her; it's only right that you accept her too. Your mother and I are relieved that you found your mate this time. And if luck continues to be on our side, the dragons will be able to reproduce again. The witch’s prophecy indicates this as the final phase."

"But couldn't you have given her another room? A room on the left wing, maybe? Why mine?" I asked.

It's always the same talk about the alliance and my duties to them. I never would have cared for anything else except Drogo; she is the only one I can think or care about.

My mother, the queen, sighed softly, "We believe that spending time together might foster a deeper connection between you two. Over time, you may discover an appreciation for her as your wife. Your bodies may even come to find solace in one another."

I shook my head in frustration. "I never wanted this arranged union! There's no need for us to get to know each other or even grow close. So you don't need to try to make it up to be some sort of great romance developing from destiny."

Just then, a distinct sound caught my attention, seeming to come from the open window in the room. But it could have been anything, so I continued.

"And as I've mentioned before, I have done exactly as you asked of me. Pushing beyond these boundaries will only increase my frustration. I want to choose my own time and methods. Love is not the path I wish to embark on right now."

Upon hearing my resolve, they exchanged a glance, seemingly concerned.

"My son, you know our kingdom's stability relies on strong alliances. Your feelings matter, but sometimes sacrifices are necessary for the greater good," my father explained.

Unable to contain my emotions any longer, I yelled, "I won't sacrifice my happiness for the kingdom's sake! That's nonsense!"

Before they could respond, that sound came again, this time more pronounced, catching my parents' attention also. I walked to the window to confirm my suspicions. The closer I got, the louder the noise from that corner. Looking outside, I saw a figure moving quickly among the flower bushes surrounding my parents' chambers.

My parents joined me at the window, and as we watched, the figure ran across the lawn. In the morning light, the runner's face was momentarily illuminated. It was Frejya, the omega. She had been eavesdropping on the entire conversation.

For a moment, she locked eyes with me before disappearing into the maze garden's high walls. Despite my attempts to convince myself otherwise, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in my gut. It compelled me to want to chase after her.

"You must resolve this, Nikolai," my mother said apprehensively. "Your actions have consequences, and you need to address them."

"Don't I have the right to express my feelings to my own parents again? I didn't cause this; I didn't ask her to eavesdrop on our conversation."

Now, I had to go after the omega. Even my usual ride on Drogo, which I took when my mind was clouded, had to wait. What had I gotten myself into by bringing her here?

From the steps, I overlooked the wide lawn dotted with trees stretching into the distance. Nearby was the maze garden which the omega had vanished into. Its hedges had been trimmed like green walls. I used to know my way around, but it had been years.

I stared at the hedge, realizing I had to navigate through a maze. I didn't have much choice. My brother and I had played here as boys.

I entered the maze angrily. The hedges were neatly clipped, grown high and thick enough to obstruct the view of the center and deeper paths. A person unfamiliar with the maze could easily get lost.

Turning a corner, I thought I spotted her dress, but a yellow butterfly crossed my face. Around another corner, I was sure I saw her, but she moved out of sight with a faint sob. By the time I reached the gap she had disappeared through, I couldn't tell which way she had gone. This place brought back memories I didn't have time for.

A sudden sense of seclusion enveloped me. It felt like I had left the world behind, leaving only trees, grass, butterflies, the morning sky, and the woman I was searching for.

I took several wrong turns but eventually, I remembered the maze's pattern. At every choice, I alternated between left and right paths. Soon, I reached the center, though I hadn't caught up with her along the way.

"I won't stay where I'm not wanted!" she exclaimed as I stepped into the clearing at the maze's center. "If you don't wish to have anything to do with me, then so be it."

A stone statue stood in the middle, and a wooden bench also sat nearby. She stood with her body resting on the statue, backing the way I'd come. I walked toward her.

Standing in front of her, I saw her weeping. My gut feeling troubled me again, making me even angrier. "Why were you eavesdropping on my conversation with my parents?" I demanded. "You didn't deserve to hear anything you heard back there, omega."

"I don't need your pity, dragon prince. Just leave me be."

"What makes you think I'm offering any?"

She looked up, teary-eyed and with swollen lips. She seemed like a mess, yet something stirred within me. What was it about her tears that had this effect on me? What power did she possess?

"Well, as you've heard it all, and I'm not one to say what I don't mean or to give false hopes. I'll be perfectly honest with you. This union wasn't my idea; it was my parents', and duty demanded it be done. But duty didn't impose that I must be in love with you to wed you."

Upon hearing these words, she raised her left hand and struck me across the face, turning my head to the side. The action astounded me for a moment, but somehow I couldn't find it in me to respond. Never before has it been said that a woman in the nine kingdoms has dared to do what she just did—an omega! But still, I continued.

"All indications show that there's no way I'll be able to get out of this union. It's now clear that I'll have to wed you, and very soon at that," I said. "All I need from you is obedience and to carry out your duties as I see fit."

There we were, standing just a foot apart, the weight of the words sinking in, with nowhere else to look but at each other. The sense of seclusion deepened.

The flush of color on her cheeks deepened as her teeth sank into her lower lip.

This time, she raised her right hand, but I wasn't going to allow a repetition. As her hand's movement became evident, I took hold of it, bringing it down to her side. Her skin was warm and smooth, which was unheard of for an omega. I held onto her hand far longer than I should have.

She gazed at me with wide eyes and slightly parted lips. She smelled of sunshine and woman.

And in that moment, I leaned forward and placed my lips on hers. There was an instant shock of intimacy and desire.

Her lips were warm, soft, and inviting. They tasted like cherries as I explored the soft flesh behind her lips. I inhaled her warmth and it intoxicated my senses with her essence.

The whole moment felt as if the core of ice that had always imprisoned my emotions was melting, releasing warm water into my veins.

I didn't know if she slipped her hand from mine or if I had let go. But somehow her arms came to twine around my neck, while one of mine circled her waist, and the other was on the back of her head. And just like that, we came together in a close embrace, her soft, warm, shapely body pressed against mine.

As I teased her mouth open with my tongue, she met it with her own and deepened the kiss.

It was a prolonged, heated embrace. I didn't even know how long it lasted or what brought it to an end. But it did end, and as she lifted her head from mine, I released my hold on her and took a step back.

Her eyes were wide and blue like the summer sky, gazing into mine, so open and deep that it felt like I could lose myself in them. Her lips looked rosy, moist, and just-kissed. If I had ever thought she wasn't the most incredibly beautiful woman I'd ever seen, then I must surely be blind in both eyes.