Gracie's Dragon

Chapter 4

"Dragons? Real live, shoot fire from it's mouth dragons?" Gracie couldn't believe it. How big was this castle if it held dragon guardians? Dragons were supposed to be huge, right?

"Yes. Real live dragons! Some spit fire, others ice, and then there are the really special ones. You will learn about all that later. The guardians protect the royal family and in a sense the royal family protects them. You see, a long, long, long time ago, a witch cursed the guardians. She had fallen in love with one but he had spurned her because she was not his mate. According to the curse, no dragon will ever find their mate in the land they are in. Since then, no guardian has been able to find their mate unless they go off world. Now, your great, great grandmother took pity on the dragons, knowing that she couldn't allow the species to die out. She used her magic to ensure that only the royal family would be able to open the portals so the dragons could find their mates. Since then the dragons have become the official guardians of the royal family.

For hundreds of years they have been coming here to find their mates. For the last eighteen years though, no guardian has been able to look for their mate. You, Dear Girl, are their last hope. We must make sure that you are wed to Erick quickly and that the royal line continues." Claire cupped her cheek gently.

"Whoa," Gracie stood up and put the couch between them. "Who is Erick? I am not marrying someone just to continue the bloodline. When I do marry it will be to someone I love and who loves me back."

"But, Gracie, you can't leave an entire species to die out just because you don't love the man we've chosen for you. You couldn't be that cruel!" There was sternness in her voice.

"I didn't say I wouldn't continue the line. But my husband will be someone I love, someone of my choosing and no one else's." She was not negotiating on this. "If you want me to rule, fine. You want me to open portals so the dragons can find their mates? Awesome! But it will be on my terms or not at all!"

"You don't even know Erick. How do you know that you won't like him and in time come to love him? He is the one that was chosen for you. His father was one of your parents most trusted of all the council members." she exclaimed.

"How could you choose? You've been in this realm for eighteen years, just like me." Gracie could feel her body heating up from her anger. She very rarely became angry but once she did it took a while for her to calm down.

Claire looked decidedly uncomfortable. "He was chosen by your parents before your birth."

Her body instantly went ice cold. It was a moment before she could overcome the shock. An arranged marriage? She didn't even think so. She turned on her heel and stormed out. "Find another princess."

Claire raced after her. "We can't! You are the last in the bloodline!"

"And you have my terms! Take it or leave it. I am no one's brood mare!" Gracie continued moving toward her car. On this she would not budge, for any reason. She was brought up to believe in love and fate, trust and devotion. You could get none of that from an arranged marriage.

"Fine. We'll do it your way but I'm not the only one you will have to convince. There is a council that has been running things until you return. They will not be as easy to convince as me. Especially since Erick's father is one of them. He could see it as a slight against his family." Claire stood on the porch. It was obvious that she didn't agree with Gracie. What could she do though? Steven's stubborn streak had been legendary. If Gracie inherited even half there would be no winning an argument with her.

"There will be no convincing. They will agree to my one condition or I will not rule, nor will I be opening any portals. My life, my choice." She leaned against her car and folded her arms. Her dad always told her she had a mean stubborn steak. It may just be what gets her through this.

Gracie sighed and looked at her watch. "Look. It's two-thirty. I have some things to do this afternoon. I refuse to give up anything I have in this world for an uncertainone in another." She pulled her keys from her pocket.

"I still need to teach you how to use your powers. You mustn't tell anyone that you have them. I haven't identified the last assassin. It could literally be anyone." She looked nervous about letting Gracie go now that she knew more about what was going on.

Gracie did some calculations in her head. "I can come back after lunch tomorrow. I still have things here to take care of. It is my birthday and my friends are making sure that this one is memorable." Her last few had been difficult without her parents. They wanted to break the chain and make sure she had a good time.

"Okay. I know it's a lot to adjust to. Just don't discount it as nothing. There are a lot of people depending on you." It was obvious she didn't want me to leave but I wasn't giving her any other option.

"Apparently not enough to keep people from trying to run my life." It was adherent that they wanted to take from her the one thing she held most dear.

Getting into the car, Gracie headed back home. She had to make it to the meeting with the realtor so she could get her own place. The freedom to be away from everyone and have solitude was looking better and better. She had a feeling she was going to need her privacy.