What It Means To Be Desired
1517 Words
[Roanna’s Pov]
For the first time since I came to this boiling hot place, I woke up feeling alright. Zane told me to consider Mona’s offer. To be a dragon rider. f**k, what is that in my chest? Hope? Is that what was flaring and burning like crazy?
Argh, I haven’t had hope in years. And I mean years. I think it’s working though, he and I could form a friendship. I inhale and roll out of bed. I can see the hour on the clock. The maids are coming in soon. I can dress myself, I don’t see a reason for them to do it. But I also like it.
I’ve never been privileged to have more than three clothes so I know absolutely nothing about clothes or fashion. And to live in this palace I must hold myself to a higher standard. I should get dressed nicely. Perhaps I can learn something.
I showered and allowed the maids to do their jobs. Once they were done, I exited the room. Tugging on the lengths of my red trousers. They’d dressed me differently today. In a strapless jumpsuit that hugged my body tight. And a long train hooked on the base of the spine. It was weird.
I don’t like clothes that hug my body. I don’t have curves that need to be shown off. So I feel weird in them. And strapless... the maids seem to like me wearing these. I was told by one of them that they dressed me according to my body type.
According to what they thought would fit.
I didn’t complain because they knew what they were doing. Telling them about my insecurities wouldn’t make me look better in their eyes.
They’d loosed my braids, and re-done it in a way that allowed them to make a stunning ponytail. Only the tail part was braided. I liked it. I look pretty, and ... I’m not sure how I feel. You can’t equate pretty with me.
Or so I’ve been told. You don’t see girls like me with their arms around men like Zane.
I avoided rubbing my face to not mess up the natural makeup they’d worked hard to put on my face. I clenched my fingers, what am I supposed to do today? The chore list was scrapped, and I needed to take my medicine and eat. I bumped into Zane because I was lost deep in my thoughts.
I pulled myself together and apologized.
“It’s okay,” he said, smiling. I took a step back and watched him with fear knawing my chest.
“Why are you smiling?”
His smile turned into a grin that seemed to touch his eyes. He looked alive for the first time since I’d seen him.
“I have a single job for you to do today.”
My stomach sank with dread, and worry. f**k, is everything alright? Has he changed his mind?
My throat worked as I swallowed.
“What is it?”
“Check out the guild where the dragon riders train. That’s all. If you like what you see? Sign up. That’s all I ask. If you don’t, then it’s okay if you don’t want to.”
He sounded so considerate, it made me feel uneasy. Like he was plotting to stab me the second I looked away.
“Sure, thanks. Try not to smile too much,” I say as gently as I can muster. His pupils dilate, there’s something close to amusement that fills them. Zane glances at my outfit, making me want to claw at my body. I tried to get my mouth to work, to tell him that I didn’t pick this outfit.
The maids did. Or perhaps he already knew that. I managed to keep the unease to myself.
“You look really good. But when you walk into the guild, keep the droopiness out of your shoulders. Everywhere in draconia, weakness is frowned on. If you let them get a sense of it, they’ll eat you alive. And in some places, that’s not literal. But my people are cannibalistic. So when you walk in, be confident. Fake it if you have to. But I’m not kidding, you do look good, gorgeous.”
“You’re not coming with me?” I asked, bobbing my head as I took in the information he provided.
“No, i have business in emberhelm. You’ll be fine. I’ll see you later this evening. We can have dinner together.” I stood there for some time after he left. What the- am I having a fever dream? What in the hell happened?
He was smiling. I shuddered. Handsome guy, but very weird for him to be smiling now. I guess it’s because he’s been so pissed for like a week and a half, the change is something I’m not used to. If my family suddenly started being decent, I would immediately think I was being set up for a sacrifice.
I went downstairs, and the cook served me breakfast, I took my meds after eating. Then I grabbed a bag I’d packed and left. I took the carriage that Zane had set for me.
The carriage came to a halt after just a few minutes of us being in the air. Or what felt like a few minutes.
I got out, pulling soft breaths through my lungs.
As I stepped through the imposing entrance of the Dragon Riders Guild of Soleria, the air buzzed with a palpable energy that seemed to emanate from the very walls themselves. The heavy wooden doors swung open, revealing a cavernous hall adorned with tapestries depicting fierce battles between valiant riders and their majestic, barbaric dragons.
The atmosphere inside was charged with the scent of leather, sweat, and an underlying hint of smoldering embers, which hinted at the intense training sessions that took place within these hallowed halls. The echo of clashing swords and the occasional roar of a dragon reverberated through the vast space, creating an auditory symphony that spoke of both power and camaraderie.
The Solerian dragons, towering in all their barbaric glory, were a sight to behold. Their scales glistened in vibrant hues of crimson, obsidian, and gold, each one a testament to the ancient bond between rider and beast. Even the women of the guild exuded strength, their muscular frames a testament to the rigorous training they underwent alongside their dragon companions. I was stunned several times just gawking at them.
As I moved further into the guild, I caught glimpses of dragon riders engaged in intense drills, their movements fluid and synchronized with the immense creatures that obeyed their every command. The ground trembled beneath the colossal footsteps of dragons as they practiced their maneuvers, showcasing a level of coordination and discipline that spoke volumes about the rigorous training imparted within these sacred walls.
The bond between rider and dragon was undeniable, a seamless partnership forged through shared victories and challenges. Massive training arenas stretched out before me, filled with the thunderous clashes of combat and the swirling currents of elemental magic being harnessed by both riders and their formidable companions.
In the heart of the guild, a colossal statue stood proudly, depicting a dragon and its rider in a dynamic pose of triumph. It served as a symbol of the unbreakable bond that defined the Dragon Riders of Soleria. The entire scene left an indelible impression, a testament to the fierce strength and untamed beauty that characterized both the warriors and their incredible dragons within the guild's revered walls.
The closer I looked, the more I figured the statue wasn’t of Zane as I’d expected. It was shockingly of ... the brother with the longer hair.
Was he the better dragon rider?
“Hey! You came!” I heard Mona’s rumbling voice. I slowly turned. Mona would have been ridiculed in my pack, she had on more muscle than I did... but not crazy that it made her look unnatural. I have a feeling she would have broken the faces of anyone who ridiculed her. I was the strongest in my pack, why did I let them make me into a dog?
I lifted my hand to wave. Could I be here? With people so confident and so sure of themselves.
“Hi, I just came to look around.”
Mona sighed, her biceps flexed as she folded them around her chest. “Don’t tell me this is too much for you. I saw your strength, we could use that in our guild. And if you’re cool with the king, you’re cool with us. I would like to train you and see how far your strength can go. You’ll have your own dragon companion. A chance to fight for soleria. Do you want to be a warrior?”
A good question. Do I want it? Of course, I do. Can I say it? To her? I'm not sure. I do want to be a warrior. To feel stronger, be in control of my life through fighting... that would be the dream. Can I do it though?
- Writer
