Page 5 of The Dragon King's Bride
It’s not over, I realize, now that I’m no longer panicking. This is certainly a setback, but it’s not the end of the world. I’m safe for now. Nobody knows my secret. The amulet has made me a target, but I’m now under the king’s protection—whatever that means.
Thinking it over, I can admit to myself that it was probably my haste to exit the competition in the first place that got me into this mess. My plan made me stand out when I should have been trying to blend in. Perhaps Kaiser is attracted to women with strong personalities, or perhaps he finds it to be an ideal quality in a queen. Either way, I’ve learned my lesson now. Instead of trying to worm my way out of this competition, I should have faith that the king’s advisors won’t allow for a serf girl to win.
What I should be concerning myself with is the mystery of the strange glow. I’m sure there’s an extensive library here. If I can find a way to sneak in, I can—
“There you are.”
I freeze at the unfamiliar voice. My heartbeat begins to quicken again as I turn to see who had spoken. It’s one of the other girls. I wrack my brain, trying to remember the moment she’d introduced herself to King Kaiser. Her name is Christine ifI recall correctly. She’s one of the noble girls, I remember being envious of her natural elegance and charm.
There’s nothing charming about her at the moment, however. Her face is red, and her breath is haggard. Silver-blue eyes are narrowed down into slits. I realize that, like me, she’s run all the way here. Except it’s not panic that fueled her movement. It’s rage.
“Goddamn low-born trash,” she hisses out. Her thin, forked tongue peeks out between her rapidly growing fangs. I realize her rage is causing her to shift, and I take a large step back. “How dare you? Who do you think you are?”
My waist hits the stone railing just as she finishes transforming. The entirety of her form takes up all the available space. There’s no room for me to run away, I can feel her hot breath brushing against my face. Just as I’m wondering whether my nature magic is going to be of any use to me in this situation, a jet of fire shoots from her mouth. I dive out of the way out of instinct, launching myself off the side of the balcony.
My inner dragon roars out her approval the second I take off. Then my brain catches up to my instincts, and I realize I’m falling. I let out a shriek as I tumble downwards. There’s no choice now. Consequences be damned. I’m going to need to summon some shrubbery if I want to break my fall.
I twist around in midair, pointing my hand towards the ground. I’m just getting ready to cast my summons when a black form suddenly appears from underneath me. I feel myself land on it, a bit bruised, but otherwise unharmed. It’s only when I feel cool scales pressed against my face that I realize I’ve just been saved by another dragon shifter. I wonder who it is?
A loud roar echoes beneath me, and I recognize my savior is male. Christine shrieks from her place on the balcony, and I understand that it must have been Kaiser who rescued me. Whoelse has the authority to cower a noble girl? The young woman whimpers and runs back inside.
My feelings are mixed as we round the tower. I’m grateful to be safe, but for how long? Surely, the man must be wondering why I didn’t transform and save myself. I know I’m going to have to face an inquisition as soon as we reach my room.
We come to a stop in front of a third-floor window on the west end. I take the hint and jump through the window. My bare feet hit the stone floor with a quietthwack. A moment later, Kaiser floats through the window himself. Only his wings remain in their transformed state.
I blush and look away from the naked man in front of me. This is the first time I’ve seen a man right after he’s transformed. There’s a reason men and women are supposed to shift separately. I hear a wardrobe door open and close from behind me. There’s a bit of shuffling and then Kaiser clears his throat.
“You can look now. I am decent,” he explains. “Do you mind telling me what all that was about?”
I feel myself bristle at the amusement in his voice. “Don’t laugh at me. What happened just now was all your fault.”
“Oh, really? How is that?”
“It’s because you gave me this,” I gesture at the amulet around my neck. For the first time, I notice it’s now emanating a magical glow. So, that’s how he realized I was in trouble. “What on earth were you thinking?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t need to explain myself to you. And don’t change the subject. You know very well that when I asked you what that was all about, I was referring to the fact that you didn’t shift.”
Damn. Busted. “I believe I’m half-human, half-dragon shifter, Your Highness,” I give an explanation that I know isn’t true, but I know is believable. “I’ve never been able to fully transform.”
Knowing he’ll demand proof; I undo the back of my dress with shaky hands. I turn around as the fabric pools to my lower waist. I feel both warm and shaky as I hear him approach. What is this feeling? My skin is once again emitting that strange glow.
My breath catches as his hands brush away my long hair. His fingertips leave a trail of fire where they’ve come into contact with my skin. His breath hitches, and I know what he is seeing. My wings only reach the span of my shoulder blades. They exist, but they’re not fully functional. I can’t even hover up off the ground.
I’m certain he’s going to laugh at me. It’s the reaction I’m used to whenever a new person sees my wings. What I’m not expecting, however, is for him to reach out and touch them instead.
The simple touch makes me shudder in pleasure. I had no idea my wings were so sensitive. A wave of heat ripples through me, travelling from my heart to my lower belly. It settles in between my thighs, and I squirm. I’m not sure whether I want to move closer or farther away.
Kaiser makes my decision for me, dropping his hand as soon as I shudder. A cool waft of air hits my back as he steps away.
“You’re really glowing now, little firefly,” he says, his voice hoarser than normal.
I look down and realize he’s right. My glow seems to be linked to my desire. The hotter I am, the more powerful the glow. I blush and straighten my clothing, too busy to argue against my new nickname.
His blue eyes seem especially dark when I turn around. I realize that I’m not the only one still being affected by the intimate touch. It makes my heart race. Will he touch me again? I believe I’ll enjoy it if he does.
“What do you want from me?” is what I ask instead.
He doesn’t answer me, at least not with words. His hand reaches out and cups my chin. I shiver as his thumb brushes over my mouth. Before I know what is happening, he leans down to kiss me. My breath hitches and my body trembles. Heat reignites in my abdomen, more powerful than before.
