The Dragon’s Bride

Chapter 8

It was quiet and solemn as soon as we stepped outside my chamber and were greeted by utter darkness, with just the click of our shoes’ heels emitting a sound. The booming sound of Illad's strong voice speaking broke the silence...

“Illuminare!”

The hallway's torches lighted one by one in response to what he said, their flares radiating across the hallway dispersing the darkness that had been lurking around for a while.

"Your Majesty, shall we proceed now?" " He said, extending his hand out and flashing a bright smile. In response to what he said, I nodded, and Illad took graceful strides to lead the way in slow motion just enough for me to keep up with his steps while supporting myself on his arm. The castle was not a joke; it was massive, yet lonely and intriguing at the same time. The walls gleamed from what appeared to be diligent washing, and there were no signs of mold on them. Drapes and tapestry were used to add elegance to the sides.

Everything in the castle exudes elegance, including the doors and handles of the chambers we passed through, which were made of solid gold and studded with gems.

So this is how it feels to be a member of the royal family?

Illad and I took turns in a variety of directions and eventually emerged in the broad field. I sigh exasperatedly as I realize it was only a matter of traveling to the castle's exit from where my chamber is located, and we'll be heading back to the other castle.

When will this stroll come to an end until we get to the gallery?!

"The trek from your chamber to the gallery, your majesty, may take some time when we get there, so if you want to rest for a moment, that's OK," Illad remarked. "Come your Majesty, there's a bench spot somewhere on the route where we are now where you may take a rest," he added as he led me down the path to a beautiful rose garden with a balcony on the side.

Illad assisted me in taking a seat as I regained my composure following our long walk. Looking at the rose bushes from a distance. I suddenly realized I have a small rose garden at home.

'Those flowers may wither right now because no one is looking after them,' I thought to myself, and groaned again in disappointment. For a brief moment, I was preoccupied with other thoughts when I suddenly remembered my dream and became intrigued by the sword and the dragon's story.

"Have you, Illad, reached the point in time when the last dragon appeared, other than yesterday?"

I remarked, looking at him intently, hoping to elicit some answers from him to satisfy my curiosity, who was standing by my side, defending me.

"Yes, I was still a kid at the time.... Some claim that dragons have existed longer than the king who originally ascended to the throne and controlled this kingdom, and that he agreed to sacrifice girls who come of age and are known as 'The Dragon's Bride.' But my grandpa, who was the king's right hand and witnessed the truth of everything in this world, declared that the dragon was nothing more than a victim of love," he remarked, his tone of voice softening. "Yes, the dragon was the only dragon that existed for thousands of years, since before the birth of my grandfather. And the dragon you saw yesterday was the same dragon who had been alive for thousands of years."

Perplexed by the new information I've received, which contradicts what Myrrah told me. My two brows meet in bewilderment as I consider everything.

'So, who's telling the truth?’

I opened my mouth to ask my questions again, but I was halted by Illad's statements.

"Do you want us to proceed now, your majesty?" "The king must have lingered too long in the gallery," he said, turning to face me and offering his hand to help me stand. As we approached the largest of the three castles that stood tall, I took his hand and placed it on his arm in a courteous manner. The castle towered majestically, nearly literally, but metamorphically, covering the sky.

As we entered the castle, servants greeted and bowed to me; some were human, others were fae, and some were avian creatures like Myrrah, to whom I responded with a smile to alleviate the unease I felt from the sudden highly respected change.

Among those who greeted us, an elf-like old man, also known as their race's Adoni, who has the look of a man in his twenties but the bodily form of a forty-year-old approached Illad and I and introduced himself.

"Greetings, your Majesty!" says the narrator. "This humble servant's name is Edmund," the Adoni said, bowing in front of me, his silver long hair freely let down in the rear, trailing along the direction he bowed his head, disheveling the perfectly styled hair.

"Oh, please don't bother!" says the narrator. " I confessed, a little shyly.

"Have no fear, your Majesty!" I just want you to be formally welcomed. "From today onwards, we might see each other a lot," he said, his specs glistening as he hides his awe at what he is seeing. "Though it is not the best time to tell you that, I must lead the two of you where the king awaits you, your majesty," he added as he turned away from us and began walking towards the stair.

Edmund paused his walk minutes after directing us in the right path as we approached a tall two-door structure on our front porch and knocked three times. There was silence and no sign of life on the other side of the door, but then something amazing happened: the door slowly opened, allowing someone to enter. Edmund motioned for me to enter the room, and Illad greeted me with a warm smile, encouraging me to continue.

'What are they attempting to accomplish?’

'Why do they seem to be trying to make me a pawn out of something?!'

Bracing myself for the worst by inhaling deeply for comfort in this absurd situation. I entered the room, and put on a bold face as I strode forward with great confidence, hearing the loud thud of the door closing behind me.

“Hello? Is everyone present? " I inquired, just loud enough for someone inside the gallery to hear me.

I scanned my eyes in the room in awe as I watched multiple painting masterpiece that were painted splendidly and masterly by the hand of someone who’s identity I do not know, that were place around the room in display. I walked slowly up to it and took careful note of the painting.

As I walked around the room, examining each piece of art, I came upon a tall frame with a cloth draped above it, hiding what was painted. I raised my hand, intending to remove the cloth, when I was stopped from behind by a strong man's grip. I looked behind me to see who had stopped me, only to be confronted by the face of my husband, whose eyes were now flaring up with rage, in a menacing glare.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing?!

" he demanded, yanking me away from the painting with clenched teeth. I hissed from the sudden pull of my hand, which was gripped tightly and where a red mark of his hand was clearly visible.

"All I wanted to do was stare at the pai—"

"And who told you to take a look?"

He retorted angrily to my response. "This isn't a joke for you to have fun with; it's been covered for a reason!" " He exclaimed, his face reddening with each passing second.

The tone he had given me had my heart race a little, but I tried to keep a firm grip on myself and my emotions so I wouldn't be fazed by his reactions. I raised my chin to meet his look and met it with my most proud and poker-faced expression.

"Well, I'm sure I could honestly admit my mistake and sincerely apologize to you, my Lord, after the stunt I pulled, but my mistake is not valid for yours to just drag me about with full power and injure me," I responded boldly. A sly smirk came on his face as the fury in his eyes died down. He then walked closer to me, gradually closing the distance between us with his long steps, which were concealed by his trousers and a shirt tucked inside it, the neckline of which hung loosely since it was not properly worn, displaying his muscled broad chest. He softly drew me closer to him and pressed me into the wall, trapping me to it with his arms on each side, preventing me from fleeing.

As I smell the murk-wood perfume that is radiating off of him, he draws his face closer to me, making him appear more macho and alluring than he appears to be. Without saying anything, he turned and bowed his head down to my neck, delivering a taunting blow that sent shivers up my spine and down to my feet. I took a deep breath as a result of his moves and felt a sudden fire beneath my skin that was unfamiliar to my body.

My chest heaves up and down, just missing his rock hard chest as they press against my breast, which causes my n*****s to pop up at the least touch, and my leg softens and feels like jelly as a result of everything going on. As he trailed kisses on my neck down to just above my breast, a fire ignited within me like a carnal desire.

"I——I don’t know what your name is," I said, my voice huskier than I had anticipated.

I gasped as I felt something hard bulging on my stomach as he shoved more of his weight against me. As he created a tiny distance between us and gazed at me, my cheeks flushed as I recognized what it was.His eyes were burning with insatiable desires.

"I'm Draco," he said as he drew closer to me and kissed me on my breast again as his hands raked around my body in a sensual way, causing me to barely scream from the exquisite touch that sent fire and heat all over my body, feeling the desire need of my essence to be filled in. "Moaned my name, lass," said the narrator. "Moaned my name with delight."