A Dance with a Dragon

Reoccurring threats

Nikolai’s POV

There's nothing I want more than for this damn wedding to end, but it just seems to drag along. The whole ceremony is making me more furious than I ever thought I could be. I'm still asking myself the simple question–why did Bradet have to die and toss me into this life? I hate every single part of it.

Everyone seems to be having fun and enjoying themselves, tskk, even Freyja, the omega. She looks beautiful, but that doesn't even sway me one bit. It's all a plot, a part of her manipulation.

I don't even want to think I can look at a woman the same way again. Every woman now seems malicious in some way. It's either they're gold diggers, manipulators, or just attention seekers. No one can ever make me believe in love. It's all a scheme.

If only I had been able to see him while he was still alive, maybe he would have been able to explain some of these things to me more clearly. The rumors that went around and even into my ears four years ago still rang like chiming bells in my mind. It had been said that the dragon princess had killed him. The details were never found, even till now; no one knows the complete details of my brother's death, not even my parents.

Oh, how I wish I wasn't touring the continent during that time. How I wished I had yielded to my mother's pleas for me to come home, even if it was just for a month or two. I remember how Bradet had begged me to attend his wedding, but I flatly refused. We were brothers, and brothers fight sometimes, and this time was no different. I remember we had a huge quarrel that led to me leaving the palace and even the country for good.

And what was our quarrel about? Or who was it about—a woman, and her name was Dominia Andes.

A female werewolf who became the chosen illegally. She was not chosen by his dragon but Bradet himself had chosen her. It was against tradition for the dragon princess to be selected that way, but just like Bradet was when it came to matters of the heart, he chose to do things his own way. His own way always ended up hurting him in the end, and this was no exception, only that it ended in his death. There was no coming back from that.

The ceremony is picking up some pace now. The floors were being cleared for the first dance, which would be taken by Freyja and I. It will serve as an opener for dancing to begin. The Ravkans like to dance, and just like everyone else, I should too.

The hall was now full of conversations and feasting. All the high-ranking officials in the entire kingdom had arrived. I've kept my own side of the bargain; I have said my vows before my father and the entire kingdom, and even before God. I have no intention of keeping those promises. No one owns my heart.

"Torin, make it known that the time for the dancing will begin in an hour," I said to my valet, to which he responded promptly.

I stood up, taking hold of Freya‘s hand. Her hand was soft against mine. She looked up at me as I motioned for her to follow me. I led her towards the new arrivals of some high-ranking officials, and after showing her to them and welcoming them, it was time for me to greet the people standing outside the palace walls, waiting to see their new princess.

I tried my best to smile as much as I could, but in all honesty, this union is the last thing I want.

As we walked back into the ballroom where the prestigious guests waited, I could see her in the corner of my eyes, observing me. I wonder what was going through that mind of hers. She opened her mouth to say something, then she closed it again. Finally, she spoke.

“What are we doing after this?” she asked in a voice not louder than a whisper, tilting her head a little to the side, probably to listen for my reply in the midst of music and chatter. She then rubbed the back of her neck in a circular motion. Was the noise too much for her? Or was she just pretending again?

“We dance.”

“Dance?” she murmured.

I know that she has been taught some of the Ravkan dance steps in her lessons, so I wonder why she's looking tensed up all of a sudden. What did she think we would do during the wedding?

"Make sure you don't step on my toes. And if you trip, I'll probably not catch you. You only need to dance for a while before we leave the room without messing up, and everything will be fine. Use what you have learned from your lessons. Today won't come again,” I replied in what I believed was my kindest voice even though I was just getting increasingly furious with her attitude.

“Okay,” she said, pressing her lips together.

Just merely watching her, I was already getting so vexed. She looked so calm and collected. I'm sure she's enjoying the kind of attention she's getting. I wonder if she's also acting like she's tensed on the outside. It's clear that she's only pretending. That's right, Freyja the omega is a pretentious woman, no different than other werewolves.

“You will also get dance requests from certain people; you must accept these requests when they do come, and it will do you good if you don't mess it up also."

“Does that mean that I have to dance with everyone here?”

“I know you're smarter than that, so dance with the royals and high-ranking officials. If you sat in the classes that were organized for you, then you should have taken your lessons seriously, or didn't you?” I asked, my anger was already leaking, and I didn't even wait for a response. "Dance with the faces you recognize. Only the ones qualified will ask you for a dance.”

“Okay,” she replied and looked straight ahead.

Her pretentious behavior was infuriating enough; now she just replies with 'okay.' Is she purposely trying to make me mad?

No, I'm not even going to allow that to distract me. Just then I saw her shiver a little beside me; well, that's none of my business.

I tried to move my attention to other things when I saw my mother looking at me on the other side of the table. My face immediately changed.

“She is fine,” I mouthed, not forgetting to plaster the biggest, brightest smile I could muster.

Even from a distance, her gaze was piercing. And just when I thought she was going to scold me with her eyes, she lifted her wine cup to me, in a silent cheer.

"Tink" "tink" "tink"

The sound of a champagne flute being struck with a fork sounded like a sign for the people to quiet down.

“We've had enough of conversations and celebrations,” My father started. It's been a long time since I saw him this joyous; I almost thought he had lost his joy after Bradet's demise. He had always favored him above me. It was only after his death that he ever considered me at all, even as a son.

The whole hall fell silent, urging him to continue.

“I am sure you all are eagerly waiting as I am for the dance to begin, so you can have your sets with the new princess,” he continued.

I wonder if he has to do this too.

“The new couple will now move to the dance floor and give us the first dance of the evening.”

“Yes! Yes!” They chorused, followed by laughter and gazes.

I stood up and stretched out my hand so she could take it in front of everyone. It's supposed to be a sign that she accepts the dance.

“I am scared. . . I am scared I might mess up,” She hung on to my arm as she stood up to follow me.

Don't get furious! Don't get furious! I told myself as I fought to keep a calm composure.

“Don’t prove that you are weak to these people. What good is a weak princess anyway? I don't need a weak person for a wife.”

“You know that's not what I mean. Please be kind with your words,” She fought against her emotions; I could see the glitter of tears that threatened to pour out of her eyes. I wonder if she was going to let them win.

“Follow my lead, and you'll be fine,” I said quickly, to aid her, I couldn't think of a way to explain to the people the reason for the sudden tears in the eyes of the new princess.

“Thank you.”

A slow jazz filled the air, and the dance started. I fixed my eyes on everybody else but her as she laid her head on my chest. Being close to her like this is quite uncomfortable, to say the least.

We danced for a bit before other couples joined us, including my mother and father.

“Kolai, we should hear about your pregnancy in a few months. There is no need to be slow about it,” said my father.

“Father! I don't think I want to discuss my s****l business with you!”

“I don't care what you want to discuss, Son. It is your duty.”

“I have done my duty.”

“Can we please not do this here?” my mother interjected, and I thought she deserved a kiss for once since the day started. “We can discuss this when our guests have returned to their homes. I believe tomorrow is a perfect day.”

“Okay, darling. But they must know the wedding night is the most important,” My father said in surrender.

“Yes, Father, I know.” Just then the first dance ended. “In fact, I think you should take the second set with Freyja. She needs encouragement.”

“Yes, son. Freyja, my daughter, accept this dance,” My Father said, facing Freyja.

“I wish you would all talk to me about the things that concern me too. I know he is being forced to be in the commitment. I am being forced too. Just a week ago, I was my own self. I don't think I want to be reminded that I am not wanted,” Freyja said, facing my mother and father, instead of me.

“Oh, I'm so sorry darling. I know. I have not even bothered to ask how you feel about all these. Duties blind me. Please take me as your mother from now on. Take me as someone you think of first after Nikolai,” My mother said.

“Thank you,” She said, took my father’s hand, and only then was she smiling again.

“Come, Kolai. You are dancing your second set with me.” There were no arguments about that. I looked around to find Jovan. He was here only a few minutes ago. Now was the time to get me out of here with any pretense possible.

It didn't take too long before the second set ended when I saw him coming straight at me, but he was not smiling, nor was he beaming with joy like the rest of my family. He looked concerned.

I released my mother to her next partner just before he got to me. “What is it, Jovan? Someone would think you saw a ghost.”

“Nikolai, I think you need to...”

“Hey, Kolai, I knew you were hiding a jewel here, nephew! Won't you all agree that this is a sham if I was not invited?”

That voice. Now I know why Jovan looked so grim! It was Nathan, my uncle's son, my cousin who thinks his father should have been king. His entrance, along with his two sisters and their mother, caused a stir in the ballroom.

“Nathan, what are you doing here?”

“I have come to celebrate with my family and to see our new princess!” He replied, but instead of standing in front of me for a proper discussion, he moved away.

The hall buzzed with side talks and stares. Strange gazes were thrown at us.

There was no way I would allow Nathan to disrupt my perfect act all day. He would not make me angry.

“There is nothing to look at here, everyone. We are family. My uncle's family has blessed us with their presence, and we shall welcome them. Kindly proceed with the dancing.”

And with the announcement, the dance went on as if nothing had disrupted it.

Nathan arrogantly greeted my parents; his sisters did practically the same thing. Only their mother acted with some sense in her head, even though she was the ringleader of the group. Nathan broke away from the group and went straight for Freyja.

“My princess. Welcome to the family,” he bowed down and kissed her hand before leading her to the dancing stage again. He placed a hand on the small of her back and eased her closer. I flinched, not expecting such a level of nearness nor boldness. That is my bride, you fool!

No, I will not get furious! No one owns my heart.

At that moment, Freyja's eyes searched mine, probably waiting for an indication of what she should do. Or was it a reaction she was looking for? She's not going to get one. Nathan knew the tradition – the royals were allowed to dance with the new princess during the wedding ceremony. He was in his right, but I wonder what his plan is. He's officially one of the royals she can dance with. I myself had told her that. So then why am I so furious?

Then they started to dance. Nathan was a known flirt. A really accomplished dancer and also a vagabond. He's a good-for-nothing just like the rest of his family. I don't even know how my father came to have such a brother, my uncle, in the first place.

Watching from a distance, I could see him lean closer to her and whisper something in her ear. Whatever he told her was probably funny because she giggled. This is stupid! Why am I standing there looking at him dance with my wife when I could just dance another set with someone else?

"Jovan, I think you should have done your job and stopped them at the door." I mindlinked Jovan as he danced with his partner, daring him to look into my eyes.

"What would I have done really? They have as much right as I have to be here. I know he is dying to cause a scene, but tonight is not the night, cousin. I will agree with you any other time. I'll even assist you in tossing him out, but not just today."

“Let's see.”

“He is dancing with your wife. But I think the one you should be worried about is actually standing behind you right now.”

I turned to look at who he was referring to, and my eyes locked with her.

What the heck is she doing here? I specifically told her we were done!

My eyes immediately scanned the crowd to find my parents and Nathan. If any of them saw her here, right now, today would end even far worse than it has been threatening to end.