The Dragon King's Dark Angel

14 - Tour of the Castle

Genevieve

    I had seen a little bit of the castle, but I wasn't able to really take it in, so I was excited for a tour of it.  After quickly changing back into the yellow dress, I touched up my hair and make-up, then I opened my door to find Atreyu leaning against the wall beside it.

    He had changed into a dark green shirt that complimented his bronze skin, and his hair no longer looked tousled.  I could see his biceps bulging, because of the way his arms were crossed in front of his chest, and all I wanted to do at that moment was touch him.

    I stepped out of the bedroom and immediately rubbed the palm of my hand up his arm and left it on his shoulder.  Atreyu brought his hand up and placed it on top of mine, then he flashed a pleased smile at me and affectionately murmured, "Angel, you look radiant!"

    "Thanks, handsome," I shyly replied with my lips slightly curving up to form a sheepish smile.

    "Are you ready to see the rest of your new home?" he asked with a hint of excitement.

    "I am," was all I said in response, then Atreyu immediately snaked his arm around waist and pulled me against his side.

    After pecking a kiss on my temple, he cheerfully stated, "It's a good thing you have wings, because your legs will most likely get tired.  There is a lot for you to see."

    "You'd be surprised what I can handle," I responded with a little giggle.

    Atreyu chuckled before whispering in my ear, "You sure surprised me last night."

    "I surprised myself," I sheepishly admitted, earning another husky chuckle from him.

    "Come, my love.  There is much to be seen," he insisted a second later before leading me to the front door of his personal chambers.

    Instead of keeping my eyes downcast in fear of getting reprimanded, I kept them open wide and took in everything around me.  The hallways were wide, and the ceilings were excessively high.  I assumed it was built that way, so they could navigate through the castle in their dragon form.

    The entire top floor of the castle was part of the royal chambers.  Not just the living space that Atreyu occupied.  I had not realized just how much personal space Atreyu and Aurora had to themselves until then.

    The next three floors all consisted of different chambers for Atreyu's top commanders, as well as several other important families.  The first floor of the castle is where things got interesting.  There was a huge kitchen beside the dining hall, and it was equipped with all of the best amenities to keep things running smoothly.

    Upon entering the castle, one could go directly right or left to head upstairs, or one could walk forward into a large greeting room.  On the other side of the greeting room was a huge ballroom with several crystal chandeliers hanging from the tall ceiling.  

    Large bay windows with beautiful, white, lace curtains lined the back wall of the ballroom, and there were several tables off to the sides leaving a large area for dancing.  The wood floor had a shine to it, and everything looked immaculate.

    After seeing the ballroom, Atreyu led me to a large sitting room where several women were drinking tea and gossiping.  Of course, they didn't see me and Atreyu walk in, so we heard every foul word that came out of their mouths.

    A young, strawberry blonde woman had the audacity to spitefully comment, "I can't believe King Atreyu is willing to take a dark angel as his mate.  He could have had all of this, but he chose that ugly thing."

    In a fit of rage, Atreyu snatched that woman off the couch, then he slapped her before angrily snarling, "You will apologize to your future queen or face the consequences."

    I stood there wide-eyed and in shock over Atreyu's harsh reaction.  I knew he could be savage when needed, but I didn't expect him to strike a female over something so trivial.  

    After I got over that initial shock, I glared at him and yelled, "Atreyu, how could you strike a woman like that?"

    "Mandy is no woman!  She is nothing but a tramp!" he hissed in her face.

    "You didn't think that any of those nights when you slept in my bed," Mandy fired back with contempt making me feel both nauseated and enraged.

    Instantly, Atreyu slapped her again before demanding, "Apologize to Genevieve!  Right now!"

    However, I wasn't having it.  In a fit of my own anger, I stalked to them and shoved Atreyu, making him release Mandy's arm.  After that, I grabbed her arm and pulled her out to the hallway.

    Right away, she hatefully hissed, "Don't ever touch me again.  Only King Atreyu is allowed to touch me."

    "The King will no longer be in need of your services.  He has me to take care of those needs.  Don't go near King Atreyu or speak to him unless he speaks to you first.  Also, if you disrespect me again, I will personally dole out your punishment for doing so," I warned her in all seriousness.

    I didn't agree with Atreyu's harsh actions, but I did agree that Mandy shouldn't be acting so damn disrespectful.  If she continued with the nonsense, I would be forced to show her my dark side.  That was something I hoped it wouldn't come down to.

    Mandy simply scoffed in return, then she spun on her heel making her hair flip in my face before she tried to walk away.  Unfortunately for her, all that did was make me angrier.  

    I reached out and fisted a handful of her hair, then I forcefully pulled Mandy back making her fall to the ground.  After that, I leaned over and icily warned, "Mark my words, Mandy... if we have to come back to this again, I'm going to hurt you."

    There was no missing the fear that swirled in her ocean blue eyes, as Mandy anxiously stammered, "I-I'm s-sorry, Genevieve.  It w-won't happen again."

    After warning, "It better not," I stalked back into the sitting room and nonchalantly asked, "King Atreyu, shall we continue now?"

    It was obvious that Atreyu along with the other women had scrambled away from the door when they saw me returning.   I had no doubt in my mind that they had seen the exchange of words between me and Mandy.

    While beaming a proud smile my way, Atreyu enthusiastically answered, "Yes, we shall," then he walked over to me and pecked a kiss on my lips.

    We hastily left the gossiping women and continued our tour.  The next room Atreyu led me to was a library jam packed full of books.  The walls were lined with shelves that didn't have a single empty spot.

    Since the ceilings were so high, there was a ladder that rolled in front of the shelves, so we could reach the books on the upper shelves.  I have to admit, I had never seen so many books in one place.

    After leaving the library, Atreyu led me downstairs to the basement.  It was dark and the stench of blood, sweat and mold was overbearing.  

    When we got there, he proudly stated, "We have entered into the dungeon.  This is where I do my best work."

    "What do you mean?" I warily asked.

    "I am very good at getting information out of my prisoners.  Information that helps me to keep my kingdom safe," he explained with an evil smirk on his face.

    I wasn't sure how to feel about all of it, but I knew there was probably a reason for needing to get information.  I just hoped he didn't purposely torture his prisoners for no good reason.

    We didn't spend a lot of time down there, then Atreyu led me back to his personal chambers.  As soon as we got there, Atreyu sat down on the couch and patted the seat beside him.

    I was feeling a little out of sorts, but I didn't want to upset Atreyu, so I sat down on the couch beside him.  Right away, he draped his arm over my shoulders, then he curiously asked, "Why did you yell at me in front of our citizens?"

    "Why did you slap Mandy, when it wasn't necessary?" I immediately asked in return.

    "She is disrespectful," he deadpanned.

    "You were out of line.  She was disrespecting me.  Not you.  I am perfectly capable of fighting my own battles when I'm not caught off guard and overpowered.  Also, did you ever plan to let me know that the two of you had something going on at some point?" I testily retorted.

    "As you proved in the hallway, and yes, I would have told you when the time was right," he playfully replied with a little chuckle.

    "I'm serious, Atreyu!  Don't ever strike a woman in front of me unless there is an extremely good reason for it," I warned him.

    "What will happen if I do?" he teasingly challenged with a wink.

    "I won't accept you as my mate and king," I earnestly answered.

    Instantly, Atreyu's face paled before he adamantly insisted, "Angel, I will never do that again!  I promise!"

    "I will hold you to that promise!" I responded with a satisfied smile forming on my face.