The Cursed Dragon and His Bride

Prologue

Whence the dark came

It took with greed

The light had dimmed

And life became grim

Whence the dark came

It rushed without care

It became too much to bear

O, how thou' heart would fare

On a cold gritty night

No soul would dare

For thou' skin has turned to a plight

Try as thou' might

All would leave from sight

No matter how thou' fight

Whence the dark came

It came without regret

But do not fret

For a star is bound to burn

The world would soon turn

***

Once upon a dark night, Emir found a star. A small and fragile star who stood in front of him fearlessly despite the possibility of being burnt. 

Emir was once a proud and ignorant human. Astounding in many ways. The world praised him so. And those sweet words clouded his eyes. For it was someone very close to him who put a curse at his vulnerable moment. A curse that was so devastating that no one dared to look at him again. Before long, his presence was forgotten to the world that once held him in high regard.

That was when Emir learned that sweet indulging words never lasted. They hold no meanings, only veiled intentions. 

Yet, that night, among Emir's endless dark nights stood a girl with fire in her heart. She had been burnt by the world in so many ways. But she never succumbed to become ashes. She refused to become cinders without fighting back. Instead, she kept her head high and her gaze cool.

When she stood in front of Emir, the one who could literally burn her... she laughed.

"Do it," she said. "Burn me as best as you can."

Her eyelashes drooped in an elegant curve as she raised her chin up to meet Emir's tall gaze. Emir swore he saw embers of fire behind her honey-colored irises.

"I will rise again and again and again. Phoenix is in my blood. I am not afraid of fire for being burn will give me a chance to be reborn." Emir knew instantly that she was drunk. But he could not refute the fact that the way her lips parted as she talked was sweet and tempting. 

Unconsciously Emir stepped closer to her. Like a moth being drawn to the flames. She had this gravitational pull. She was a beauty. With long and wavy brown hair and a voluptuous body. Everyone knew her famous story. She was a damsel in distress. This made all males in the room kept looking for chances to be her hero and gained her attention.

That fact suddenly disturbed him so. 

"If you're looking for your savior," Emir said in a low voice, "I am not that person."

The woman smiled broadly and Goddess, she was lovely.

"You're wrong." She drank her whole glass of wine to the brim. 

"I am perfectly capable of saving myself. I told you, I am a phoenix."

She leaned closer to Emir and whispered, "But don't tell anyone... that ability of mine is sealed."

Emir could not process any word she uttered. It had been so long since he was able to feel the heat of another human. Now, in front of him, was a human woman radiating the warmth he so longed for. 

He gulped once. 

Then he could not hold his desire back any longer to taste her. He crashed his lips to her and brought their bodies closer. 

She was sweet and warm. She smelled nice. Emir wanted to devour and savor her at the same time. 

In the midst of it all, he realized one important fact. She really did not burn at his embrace. That she did not become ashes. 

That her words might be true after all. She was a phoenix. Even if she said it figuratively, Emir now knew it literally. 

That night had become the most wonderful night for Emir, the Dragon of Death. Named so because he brought death upon whoever touches him. 

That is until she came.

Emir wanted her. He felt the need for her. 

Funny, he thought. He had thought that he would not feel any more burning desire. He thought his feelings had become numb as his skin turned to scales. Yet this fiery but pitiful girl had been able to ignite the ember inside of him.  

He decided then what he would do to obtain her hand. 

It was an impulsive decision. 

One that would bring upon more chaos into their lives.