The Dragon Queen

Nine: Princess Ashden

Nine

Princess Ashden  

There was something…. whaling. Crying. I woke, in the late hours of the morning, to find myself in George’s bed. Naked. I had spent the night with both him and Lancelot, doing things that I had not felt possible. Being consumed by the both of them. I was sore, and there were blood stains on the sheets from what we’d done.

George had his arms wrapped around me his head resting on my chest using my breasts as a pillow. Lancelot was next to me, wrapped much the same way, making it nearly impossible for me to get out.

“George,” I whispered.

He muttered something unintelligible.

The whaling from outside seemed to grow louder.

“George,” I tried again, but there was no answer.

I looked to Lancelot. One of his black curls was plastered to his forehead. I reached over, and gently pushed the curl back. To my surprise, Lancelot started awake and he grabbed my wrist tightly, making me gasp in surprise.

His black eyes softened when he saw me. “Little Princess,” he murmured, “what are you doing? Aching for more already?”

I could feel my cheeks reddening. “No…not yet I…. there’s something outside. Can’t you hear it?”

He seemed to be listening for the whaling too, and after a moment, his already black eyes seemed to darken even more. He glanced at George. “George,” he barked, “wake up! Get dressed!”  

George started awake. “Christ sakes Lance, what is it?”

“There’s something outside right now. Get dressed! You too, Little Princess.”  

I frowned. “I can’t exactly get the costume on by myself. What am I supposed to wear?”

He got up, out of bed, and went to George’s walk-in closet. He found a pair of boxers, and a white t-shirt that he tossed at me.

I got up and dressed with the boys. We stumbled out onto the balcony. Overhead, there was the very last thing that I thought I would see circling overhead. A large, jet black dragon. Crying out in pain.

The dragon’s yellow eyes locked with mine as it flew overhead and, in an instant, I knew. I knew who that dragon was. Samael. He was in the air, and he was hurt because of me. Because of what I’d done. Because it was him I was supposed to be with.

I couldn’t explain it at all.

I could sense him. I could feel his pain, his hurt, coursing through me. And I couldn’t understand how I had completely ignored him the whole time. I felt something cool on my arm, and when I looked down there were dark, black scales on my skin.

I covered my arm and I ran.

I heard George calling me, but I ignored him. I knew I was half dressed, in clothes that belonged to the Prince, and that there would be speculation and rumors. I didn’t care. I was eighteen and engaged. They could talk all that they wanted. It wouldn’t change any of that.

When I arrived at the beach, the dragon flying overhead flew down to where I was. The dragon made a whaling sound and wrapped its wings around me blocking me from view. I reached out to touch its large head as it stared directly at me.

Then, I watched in amazement, as the dragon shifted into Samael. His golden eyes now turning to the warm brown that I had first seen when I had been introduced to him in the throne room. The same eyes that had spent the past three days watching me, making certain that I was safe.

Then, that’s when I heard it. The shot. The bullet whizzing past me. I watched Samael’s eyes widen, I heard the sharp cry released from him, and I saw him fall to the ground. When I turned, I saw Anu standing there, eyes blazing, holding a gun.

“Come away, Princess,” she said, “we must get you to the castle to where it’s safe. Before the beast recovers. Come away.”

I found myself being helplessly led back to the castle. The Dragon Slayers had surrounded Samael’s fallen body, and I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest. I wanted to go to him.

Back at the castle, George ran to me and clutched me to him. “Foolish girl!” he shouted. “What were you thinking?” he rained kisses down on my forehead, and I was taken back to my room.

Where I was locked away, and not given any answers for days. Like a princess trapped by a dragon. Except the dragon was the one trying to keep me safe.