The Dragon's Call

Chapter 5

-Laelia-

“Congratulations, Princess,” a lady whose name I had already forgotten said as she joined the group of women surrounding me, all of them engaging in small talk.

I had never been so popular, and I hated every moment of it. My father was joking with several lords, including my husband’s father. They laughed loudly, and it was the first time I felt a genuine hatred toward my father. While he drank and celebrated, I was trembling like a frightened animal, feeling like I might faint at any moment.

“My apologies, ladies, but my sister promised me a dance,” Henry, the third eldest of my brothers, announced.

He quickly took my arm, flashing his charming smile at the women, who all began to giggle and blush under his warm brown eyes. He gave them a polite bow before leading me to the dance floor in the center of the grand room.

Stone columns, adorned with golden and white ribbons, surrounded us, and a massive chandelier hung above. Though few people were dancing, I felt trapped. It was a good thing Henry held me close, as I could barely stand on my own.

“Thank you for rescuing me,” I whispered.

“Of course. You looked like you were about to faint.”

“Well, what did you expect?”

“Easy now, Laelia. Lord… Prince Aaron isn’t the worst match. He will ensure security for you and your children.”

I could hardly believe his words.

“When did you become the rational one? Have you turned into James, the future king?” I mocked.

James was always the serious one, the one who listened to reason before the heart.

“I’m just saying it could have been worse,” Henry said.

“Worse? Worse!”

I pushed myself away from Henry, nearly stumbling into another lady, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t stay in the ballroom any longer. It was too overwhelming. I stormed out of the grand ballroom and into the quieter, darker hallway. I yanked the veil from my hair, clutching it tightly and imagining ripping it to shreds.

“Laelia!” I stopped and turned around at the sound of Henry’s voice. He was followed by Samuel, who looked just as worried. “Listen, I’m sorry. I was just—”

“Do you know what my husband’s response was to my question, ‘What do you enjoy doing’?” I demanded, seeing their stunned silence. “He said ‘prostitution’! Those were his exact words! When I asked if he was serious, he explained it to me as if I were a child, and then told me about my ‘wifely’ duties. This is what I’m stuck with for the rest of my life. So, when you say, Henry, that I could have done worse, I tell you, I couldn’t. He is the worst, and I am stuck with him for the rest of my life!”

My brothers exchanged uncertain glances, clearly unsure of how to respond. Could I blame them? I wasn’t even sure I wanted an answer.

“And none of you had my back! None of you.”

“Laelia, we were—”

“It doesn’t matter now, Samuel. It’s too late anyway.”

“We will always be here for you. We promise. We’ll make sure he doesn’t hurt you,” Henry reassured me. But he hadn’t heard Aaron’s speech. I was his now, to do with as he pleased.

“You—”

“Laelia!” Liam approached our little group, his usual cheeky smile on his lips. As the second youngest of my brothers, he was typically the most cheerful. But despite his outwardly perfect mood, I could see in his eyes that things were far from fine. He was putting on a brave face.

“It’s time,” Liam said, his smile fading.

“Time?”

I knew what he meant, but I felt I needed to hear the words. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the chance. A stern woman arrived before he could say more. I had no idea where she had come from, but my governess would have made an excellent assassin—she was silent as a shadow.

“Let’s go, Your Highness. It’s time for the marriage to be consummated.”

If I had had any appetite for food that day, it would surely have vanished at that moment. My stomach was empty, and all I could do was swallow hard and nod before Elizabeth led me away. I glanced back at my brothers, who all shared a grim look. But what could they do? I was Aaron’s now—just a pretty little thing for him to play with.

“Here we are,” my governess said as she led me into an unfamiliar chamber.

The room was smaller than my usual quarters and featured a wooden bed with white curtains at its center. The dim lighting from a few scattered candles cast a soft glow, but I had no time to appreciate it. My governess moved to the door.

“Do you remember everything I taught you?” she asked.

I nodded, unable to speak. Her teachings had been minimal. A man sought pleasure between a woman’s legs and that it was through his seed that she might conceive. I had learned far more from overhearing conversations between my brothers than from her. She offered a forced smile before closing the door behind her.

“Damn it,” I whispered, turning to face the bed.

I felt nauseous, but there was no time to be sick. The door opened abruptly, and Aaron stumbled in. Clearly drunk, he fumbled with his golden-white shirt, a few buttons already undone. He looked disinterested and barely acknowledged me as he continued struggling with his shirt.

“On the bed. Skirt lifted,” he commanded, his voice slurred as he gave up on the remaining buttons.

His hands moved to the belt of his pants. I turned away, unable to bear the sight. With trembling hands, a racing heart, and difficulty breathing, I approached the bed and lay down, desperately seeking a mental escape. I lifted my skirt slightly, clinging to it as if it were a barrier between us. It felt like my last shred of safety.

But it offered little protection. Soon, Aaron climbed on top of me, his pants half undone, the hardness pressing against my thigh unmistakably an erection. I closed my eyes as he raised my dress higher, adjusting his position.

I took a deep breath, trying to brace myself for the pain to come. Just get it over with, I silently pleaded. I heard him grunt as he struggled with my dress, but then felt his cold hands on my inner thighs, pushing them further apart. Despite fighting back, I couldn’t stop him. With forceful hands, he spread my legs and…

The door to our chamber burst open, and we both turned in surprise. A man clad in golden armor stormed into the room, his sword raised high. Without hesitation, he swung it directly at Aaron. I screamed in terror as Aaron’s blood sprayed onto me, staining my face and the top of my dress.

The man withdrew his sword, and Aaron collapsed to the other side of the bed, half-naked and lifeless. His eyes remained open in shock and disbelief. I turned to face the intruder. His sharp features and bloodstained face added to his intimidating presence.

His golden hair and brown eyes were starkly visible beneath the helmet. My body shook uncontrollably as I flinched, expecting another blow. Instead, he grabbed me with his left hand, the sword still in his right.

“Come on,” he growled, pulling me away from my dead husband.

“Who are you?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Where are you taking me?”

He didn’t answer my questions. Instead, he briskly led me through dark hallways until we arrived in my father’s throne room. But it wasn’t my father seated on the throne—it was a stranger.

He appeared to be in his early twenties, with short ash-colored hair, a mix of gray and black. His piercing yellow eyes, sharp jaw, and prominent nose gave him an intense look. Initially, I thought he was strikingly handsome, but as he rose from the throne and his eyes locked onto me, reality hit me hard.

He was tall—at least a head taller than me—and wore golden armor adorned with a dragon emblem on his chest. A sword hung at his side, his hand resting lightly on its hilt. Was he the one who intended to kill me?

“Who are you?” I inquired, my voice firm.

“My apologies, Princess, for interrupting your wedding night.”

The people around him, who were casually rummaging through my father’s belongings, chuckled at his so-called apology.

“Your husband is…” He glanced at the man beside me.

“Dead.”

“Oh, so perhaps I should offer my condolences instead of congratulations,” he mocked.

“As if you didn’t know he was dead. You probably ordered it!” I sneered.

The man looked taken aback, as if he hadn’t expected me to respond so defiantly.

“Who are you?” I demanded again as he took a step closer.

“I’m Ashes, son of Acheron, King of The Dragons.”

Dragons!