The Crown Hackura Prince and His Dragon Princess

Prologue

Princess Kingsley Fafner was having a day like any other. I ran with my sister as we hid from our brother. It was a bit juvenile, but my sister was home for a visit. She’d met her mate recently and they’d been busy mating.

I was the youngest of my siblings, having just turned twenty. I was going to be able to find my mate next year. I was a bit of a rebel child. I’d almost made it out of the realm a few times before being caught. I was just so curious about the world outside of ours.

I’d found texts that we used to roam Faerie, but then the O’Toole’s took over and tried to use dragons to keep control. We’d faked our death as a realm using an attack they’d orchestrated in here, then we walled ourselves off. I longed to see the other realms. Δράκων was beautiful, and I loved it here. I was just curious what the outside world held.

My boyfriend wasn’t as curious. He was supposed to be back today, but I hadn’t seen him. We weren’t serious. We knew that we weren’t mates. We felt no pull, but I’d known him most of my life. We were more friends than boyfriend and girlfriend. He was the first man I’d had with, and he was important to me.

My Brother, Eragon, yelled, “You're both going to get it!” I snickered, “He’s such a good future King.” My sister, Zafira, giggled, “He’ll catch us now. Let’s split up.” I winked and took off running. My dragon, Kayda, was enjoying the chase. She told me, “Eragon chased after Zafira.” I figured he would.

I was always better at hiding than my siblings were. I pushed myself further than I probably should’ve. I tilted my head when I saw a cave above us I’d never seen. I thought I’d explored all the ones in the realm.

I shifted into Kayda and flew up there because I loved caves. I shifted back and quietly made my way inside. I could hear voices. I asked my Dragon, “Who would be this far out?” Kayda cautioned, “I’ve masked our scent. Something is wrong.” I sensed she was right.

I was confused when I heard someone cry in pain. In a second, Kayda was ready to breathe fire because I knew who that was. My best friend, Kenna. She was a Draconian Sorceress. No one should harm her. It was a sacred law.

I got closer and my blood ran cold. My boyfriend, my childhood best friend, stood there with his arms crossed. He said, “Kenna, it doesn’t have to go this way. Just help us.” Kenna looked up at him with hatred, “She’ll never forgive you, Chance.”

Chance winced, “Kingsley will understand. Her family is on the way out.” Kenna snorted, “Her brother is the strongest Dragon born in centuries.” Chance rolled his eyes, “You think that because he’s your mate.” I nearly gasped in shock.

Kenna's birthday was a few days ago. She’d disappeared from her party and I hadn’t caught up with her. They’d kidnapped not only the Draconian Sorceress, but the future Queen. I wondered why she wasn’t using her magic then I looked at her hands. Kayda screeched in my head. Kenna’s hands were bound in steel. Our weakness. How dare they do that to her!

A man came out of the shadows and I nearly fell over as fear gripped me. A man that haunted my dreams stood there alive and well. How could this be? He was supposed to be dead! My father stabbed him through the heart after he’d kidnapped me when I was ten years old. How could Chance work with him?

Andrew Azar warned, “We can do this the hard way if you insist, Kenna. I will have Kingsley either way. With her, I will rise to power. If her father had just let her go this wouldn’t have had to happen this way.” Kenna laughed, “You’ll never understand Kingsley. Nor will you have her. Her mate will have your head.” She knew my mate?

Andrew yelled, “WHO IS HE?! TELL ME AND I WILL DESTROY HIM!” Fear gripped me. Andrew was once an advisor to my father, until he’d betrayed him. Then his plots to overthrow my dad were discovered. How did Chance get involved with Andrew? Why would he do this to me?

Kenna replied calmly, “I do not know his name, Andrew. You know that’s not how my powers work. I know that you are going to plunge us into civil war.” She knew more, I knew her well enough to know that, but she didn’t continue. Unfortunately, so did Chance.

Chance offered, “She knows more.” Andrew laughed, “Of course she does. She’s choosing the hard way. You have one hour before you need to be back in the capitol, and I have things to do. Go see our girl.” I wasn’t a girl. I was a woman. Chance smirked, “My pleasure.” Andrew left first.

Kenna warned, “He’ll never let you have her, Chance. No matter what he says. He’ll kill you once he gets his way.” Chance turned to ask, “But you haven’t seen that, have you?” Kenna said, “No, but I know it’s true.” Chance justified himself, “Kingsley should’ve been mine. I’m fixing that mistake.”

Kenna snorted, “To share her with the man who terrifies her. Good call.” Chance screeched, “I’ll never share her.” How heartwarming. My heart felt like it was breaking. Kayda was crying softly in my head. Chance was our friend my whole life. She liked his Dragon and that was rare for her. I knew she felt like she’d let me down by trusting him, but it just wasn’t true. I hated how upset my dragon was.

Kenna reasoned, “You know he wants her. Andrew won’t give that up.” He replied, “She’s family to him. Everyone just took it the wrong way. He wanted the power she has. K doesn’t want power. We will be together, Andrew will have his power and all will be well.”

Kenna scoffed, “If you thought that you’d have asked K on her birthday to be your chosen. You have allied with the monster that haunts her dreams to this day. You heard her wake up in terror. You still do. You told her you’d fight against the dreams and always be there for her. You betrayed her.” Chance’s eyes flickered and he stalked off.

When he was gone Kenna said, “I know you’re here, K.” I stood and ran over to her. I ripped the steel off her hissing as it burned me. I grabbed her, “Come on, we have to go.” We ran out the opposite way than they had.

I told her, “I’ll shift and fly. Don’t think we won’t talk about you being my brother’s mate and not telling me. I’ll throw you both a party.” They’d been dancing around each other for years. She smiled, “I was a bit busy then…” She trailed off then admitted, “Well, this had to happen.” I wished it hadn’t because I felt sick.

I shifted and she climbed on me. Her dragon would be weak from the steel. I flew us back to the castle. When I landed, Eragon and Zafira were waiting. Zafira didn’t see Kenna on my back. She yelled, “You cheated, there’s no shifting!”

Eragon yelled, “KENNA!” Zafira did a double take. Kenna got off Kayda’s back and I shifted. Eragon had Kenna in his arms. He asked, “What the hell happened here?” Zafira ran and hugged me. That’s what made me break. I started to sob. My heart was completely shattered.

Kenna spoke softly to my brother. Zafira picked me up and ran me inside to my room. She gave me a soother, whispering, “Sleep, Kingsley.” I wanted to argue, but it hurt too much. Kayda and I needed some sleep because tomorrow we were going to war.

Against a boy I’d watched turn into a man. Against a man I thought would have my back through thick or thin. Against a man who promised to always be my friend. Against a man who held all my firsts yet he betrayed me so easily. He never even discussed being chosen mates. We both always said we wanted our mates. He was adamant. I didn’t understand what was happening.

My dreams were plagued with Andrew. He was like an uncle to me, until he wasn’t. I dreamed of that day everything changed. Andrew had come to the courtyard where I was playing. He called, “Hello, my Princess.” I squealed, “Uncle Andrew!” I ran right into his arms. He picked me up and I felt a pinch in my neck. I cried, “Uncle…” He cut me off, “I’m not your uncle, sweet Kingsley.” Everything faded.

When I woke up I was in the dark. I tried to get my bearings. What had happened? Where were Eragon, Zafira, mom, and dad? I called, “Hello?” No one answered. I stood and found I was in a cell. I began to cry.

I yelled, “ERAGON! DADDY! WHERE ARE YOU? ZAFIRA? MOM?” No one answered. I cried, “SOMEONE!” I heard, “Kingsley, it’s ok.” I whirled around. I didn’t see anyone. I called, “Who is that?” The voice answered gently, “I am Kayda, your dragon.” I gasped “But… but we don’t get our dragon’s until we are fourteen.” Kayda replied, “We are different. We are special.” I didn’t feel special. She told me, “We have to get out of here. When I tell you to, give me control.” I whispered, “Ok.”

Andrew called, “Sweet Kingsley, who are you talking to?” I whirled, “Uncle Andrew let me out please. I…” He slapped me across the face. Kayda screeched in my head. He said, “I told you, I am not your uncle.” I whispered, “I don’t understand.”

He cupped my face gently, “I know you don’t, sweet Kingsley. Things are going to be different now. You will be by my side as my mate.” I gasped, “But… but… what about Aunt Jessa?” Andrew shrugged sadly, “She died.” I started to cry. I loved Aunt Jessa. Kayda told me, “I’ve contacted our brother and dad’s dragons. They are coming.” That was good.

I asked, “What happened to Aunt Jessa?” Andrew said, “Clumsy woman ended up where she shouldn’t be, then she tripped and fell into steel barbs before I could catch her. She didn’t approve of my plans.” He teared up, “I loved that clumsy woman. I tried to save her, Kingsley, I did.” I knew he probably had.

Aunt Jessa was clumsy and everyone teased her about it. I asked, “Why couldn’t I stay at home?” Andrew cupped my face again. He said, “Because no one would understand us. Or what is to come.” I told him, “I want to go home.” He hit me again and yelled, “YOU ARE HOME! I AM YOUR HOME! YOU’RE MINE!” I sobbed, holding my face. I didn’t understand why my Uncle Andrew was being so mean.

My dad yelled, “YOU SICK f**k, ANDREW! My sister in law is DEAD and you didn’t tell me?! My daughter isn’t yours!” Kayda told me, “NOW!” The hinges of my cell were ripped off by my dad and Eragon.

I gave Kayda full control. Andrew and everyone stared at me with wide eyes. My dad used Andrew’s distraction to shove a steel sword through his chest. Eragon yelled, “Kingsley, fly!” I was smaller than most dragons, I could tell that, but that wasn’t a surprise. I was younger than most dragons when they shifted. I flew away out of the cells. I was going to fly home but then I saw men running yelling about Andrew being King towards the cells.

I linked Kayda, “We have to do something! They are going for daddy and Eragon!” We turned and breathed fire. The men screamed and began to burn. They turned their attack on me. I flew around, dodging their weapons.

An earth shattering roar pierced the air. My dad’s dragon broke through the walls and ripped them apart and set them on fire with my brother’s dragon following close behind. Once Andrew’s supporters were dead, my dad turned to me. His dragon inclined his head. I didn’t know what he wanted though.

Kayda told me, “They want us to ride them home.” I was really tired. Kayda flew down and nestled on my dad’s back. I must have closed my eyes because then we were home. My mom screamed, “KINGSLEY!” I must have shifted back. Someone gave me clothes.

My mom cried, “Tiamat, tell me he didn’t rape my baby.” My dad said, “No, he didn’t Karliene.” She asked, “Then why doesn’t she have clothes.” My dad whispered, “She shifted into her dragon. A beautiful purple dragon hatchling.” My mom gasped. I mumbled, “I’m so tired.” I collapsed into my brother’s arms.

When I’d woken up, I had a very large guard presence. I had nightmares for years about Andrew. They all involved him coming back for me. My friend Kenna gave me something to help me sleep. Chance stayed with me promising to slay any Dragon that came for me.

My eyes flew open and I shook the cobwebs of the past off. I sat up telling myself I wasn’t ten years old anymore. Kayda and I escaped him once. We weren’t going to fall into his clutches. I would be strong for my mate and family. I would fight beside my family in the civil war Kenna said was coming.

I got up and opened my door where my guard was waiting. I smiled, “Ember, I’m going to see my family.” Ember looked sad. He said, “I’ll escort you to them. They are waiting for you in the Dragon’s circle.” I frowned because only ancient rituals were held there. What were they doing there? We didn’t have time for this. We needed to prepare. We needed to fight.

Ember led me close to the ceremonial grounds and stopped. He gave me a hug, “You have been my charge since you were ten years old. You are family to me, Kingsley. I love you.” I smiled, “That’s a bit heavy for the first thing when I wake up. I knew I grew on you. You pretended I annoyed you.” He snorted, “You do annoy me.” I told him, “I love you too, big guy.” I pulled back and walked away. He was like a cousin. I winked trying to lighten his mood, but his eyes held a sadness I didn’t understand.

My family was watching Kenna do something. I teased, “Everyone’s meeting without me. Don’t worry, I’m here now. The party can start.” No one laughed. I said, “Wow, tough crowd. This is why you guys need me. You’re so serious.”

My dad stood, “Kenna filled us in.” I nodded, “I knew she would. I don’t understand. How is Andrew alive?” My dad sighed, “Someone must have saved him. They would’ve had to sell their soul to do so, which means there is a very long standing plot to overthrow us. They’ve had twenty years of planning to get ahead of us.” I frowned, “Twenty years but…”

My dad interrupted, “Andrew plotted against us starting the day you were born. I just thought we’d neutralized the threat with his death, but he lives. We don’t know who to trust anymore, but I won’t see you fall into his hands.”

I assured him, “I’ve trained with our toughest warriors. I can even hold my own against Eragon now. I won’t fall to Andrew. I’m not a child.” My dad whispered, “You are my child, and you always will be. You’re leaving us.”

I gasped, “What? You’re hiding me away? No! I won’t go! I’m not hiding while the realm is fighting against each other. Where am I supposed to go? Some remote cave? NO! This is my family too! These are my people, and I will fight with you.” Kayda whined in my head.

My dad replied sadly, “No, you won’t Kingsley. You are our hope. To save us, you have to go.” I flinched as if he’d hit me. My mom jumped in, “You misunderstand, baby. We need your mate. Kenna has seen that. You won’t find him here, and if you stay enemies arise from everywhere. You are not safe in any safe house we put you in.”

I retorted, “Then don’t put me in a safe house. Kayda and I are fighters. Let us fight!” Kayda agreed, “We could roast Chance and Andrew.” Eragon whispered, “K, please. Try to understand.” I questioned, “Understand what? That you still see me as some helpless kid who trusted a man we all did! I was a child and he was my Uncle. Why wouldn’t I have trusted him? He didn’t even fight me then! He used the fact that he was family to knock me out. I didn’t run to him, and Kayda did everything right. She contacted you guys.”

Eragon winced, “We kept things from you we shouldn’t have. You shifting early, it’s a big deal K.” I frowned, “Mom said it was because I was in danger.” My mom whispered, “I lied.”

I looked at my sister who was in her mate, Ladon’s, arms.

I whispered, “Zafira?” She broke free from Ladon’s grip and ran to me, sobbing. She hugged me and I felt my own tears begin to fall. I whispered, “Please, Zaf, don't make me go. I’ll fight by your side. It’s where I belong.” She held me tightly, crying. My dad cleared his throat.

I studied him thinking he looked tired. Kayda linked, “RUN!” He whispered, “Kenna.” Kenna hugged me tightly as if she knew I was about to listen to my Dragon. She said, “I love you, K. You are my sister by choice and now by marriage. Come back and save us.” Come back?

Kenna winced, “I can see it will be awhile, but not exactly how long. Find the white wolf. She will help you and set you on the right path. Be smart and stay alive.” Kayda was right, we needed to leave and everyone needed to calm down and think rationally.

I turned to go then felt pain radiate throughout my body. I screamed and went to my knees as steel flooded my system. My family stood around me, crying. I asked, feeling betrayed, “Why?” My best friend and sister in law had put a steel cuff on me.

Kenna wiped her tears and explained, “You fought us every other way. This was the least painful way for you.” She began to chant. I didn’t understand what she was saying. I begged, “Mom, please tell me what’s happening?”

My mom whispered “She’s locking away your memories of us, of this place. When you meet your mate you’ll begin to remember. You’ll remember when you need to and how to come home to us. Find your mate and Ormr.” I asked, “Ormr? Who the hell is that? How can I find someone I don’t know about?” She didn’t answer my questions. She simply said, “You’re going somewhere you always wanted to go. It will be ok, Kingsley.”

I cried, “Dad! Dad, please don’t do this. We can stand together. We can beat them, just let me stay daddy, please!” My dad put his head in his hands crying. I yelled, “Brother!” He wouldn’t look at me. I screamed, “Eragon, please. You promised me! You promised we would always be together. Don’t do this.” Eragon couldn’t even look at me.

I told Kayda, “FIGHT! We can do this!” Kenna begged, “Please, stop K. You’re hurting yourself.” I screamed, “YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME! YOU CAN’T MAKE ME FORGET YOU! YOU ARE MY FAMILY! WHY IS EVERYONE BETRAYING ME TODAY?! GOD DAMMIT THAT HURTS KENNA! STOP! PLEASE”

I heard steps running in. My dad warned, “Ember.” He said, “She is who I protect. You said this wouldn’t hurt her! STOP!” I heard a sword being drawn. Kenna said, “Ember, you need to stand down.” He told her, “My vow was to protect my charge. You never said you were sending her out of this realm. You said away for her protection. So take my memories alongside her or fight me. Because someone needs to be on her side. Which is where my place will always be. It is my oath and I’ll not break it.”

I sobbed knowing someone had my back. Kenna said, “She’d be discovered if you two were together. They know you are her guard. You have to stay here and protect her.” I sobbed, “Ember, help me!” Guards for our family poured out from everywhere and overwhelmed him.

I screamed, “IF YOU EVER WANT ME TO FORGIVE YOU THEN STOP THIS, DAD! YOU HURT HIM AND I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU OR SOME BACK HERE!” My dad closed his eyes as tears trickled down his face. He ordered, “Leave, Ember alone. Get him to the infirmary. I’ll speak to him when he wakes.” I cried watching my guard be dragged away, unconscious.

Kenna threw something in my face and chanted. Kayda told me, “It’s too powerful for us to fight now.” I said, “We fight tooth and nail, Kayda. You and me against the world.” So, we did. My mom begged, “Stop, K. Please.” I scoffed, “Don’t talk to me, betrayer.” She flinched back as if I was the one who hurt her.

My sister sobbed but wisely said nothing to me. Slowly memories began to leave me until I knew nothing. I blinked and looked around at the people who were sobbing. What was wrong with them? The girl who was chanting asked, “Kingsley?” I stood up and she took some steel cuffs off me. I rubbed my wrist, “Thanks. Who are you?” Kayda linked, “Something strange is going on.” I knew who that was. So, I guess I did know something. I asked, “Do we trust these people?” She was confused, “I’m not sure.” Damn it.

The woman in front of me winced, “A helpful friend.” No one else said anything. I was concerned about them on a level I didn’t understand. I questioned, “Are you guys ok?” No one answered. I saw blood on the ground and my heart dropped. I ran over and asked, “Is someone hurt?” Another man answered, “A scuffle. All involved are fine.” The blood hurt my heart and I didn’t understand why.

The older man whispered, “Follow me.” I asked, “Why would I do that? I don’t know you.” He flinched back as if I’d hit him. What was wrong with these people?” Kayda said, “I feel as though we know them.” But we didn’t. Kayda said, “I feel…” She trailed off and I left her to figure it out.

The girl who’d approached me first asked, “Don’t you trust us though? You feel as though you can.” Kayda said, “I’m confused but follow them.” I did know they were Dragons like me. I followed the man and then began to panic. I didn't remember anything about myself other than my name and I was a Dragon. I knew how to do things, but my mind was a big blank. They led me through several checkpoints to a remote area. The man handed me a purse. Ok? I took it knowing the question was clear on my face. He wiped away tears and I stepped forward with a strange urge to comfort him.

The girl stepped forward and started chanting. I asked, “What are you…?” Then I blanked as she shoved me. I whipped around trying to figure out where I was. I was in a busy city. Where was I? Where had I been? Were there people there? Why didn’t I remember anything? How did I get here?

A horn blared at me. I screamed and jumped out of the way of a cab. The driver rolled down their window, “Stay out of the street! Crazy lady!” I whirled around frightened. There were screens everywhere. I began to run away. It was too loud here.

I ran into someone. He snorted, “Only in New York City.” I asked, “Wait, please. Where…” I covered my ears, “Where can I go that’s not as loud?” The guy said, “I’m from Tennessee. It’s much quieter. The Mideast is in general is. I guess the Midwest is too. Are you ok?” The Mideast. The Mideast and Midwest had to be close to each other. Didn’t they? I’d go to Tennessee. That seemed like a good starting place.

I touched my side and realized I had a purse. Why did I have a purse? Where did I get it? I rubbed my head asking, “How did I get here?” The guy asked, “Do I need to take you to the hospital?” Kayda told me, “NO!” I agreed. I said, “No, I’m fine.” He didn’t look like he believed me but left.

I couldn’t come up with a single answer for any question my mind came up with. I saw a cab and held up my hand. Ok, I knew how to hail a taxi. That was something. Maybe I lived here. Kayda said, “We definitely do not live here. I hate how loud it is.” I actually did too.

The cab stopped and I got in. The driver asked, “Where to?” I answered, “I want to go to Tennessee.” The driver snorted, “I can take you to the airport lady, but I’m not driving you to Tennessee.” I agreed, “That’s fine. The airport. Great.” I was going to make my way to Tennessee and figure out what the hell was going on.