by Katie Cherry
A few months later:
“I fear Dravyn. He is not who I thought he was. If he is even a man at all…”
<<
The breath of hundreds of men around him falls heavy on Hunter’s ears. He winces, knowing should any of the werewolves be paying attention, they would be able to hear them too. There were just too many of them for a stealth mission. Still, it would be easier to gain the upper hand if he was able to catch them off-guard. It was worth trying, and even if it failed, he brought the numbers needed to secure that they win the battle.
Hunter leads them himself, his breath coming as light as possible as he eases his boots past branches and dry shrubbery. Scourge fell just half a step behind him and to his left, with Dexter in the same position on Hunter’s right. Their swords were already drawn- making the journey over to the werewolves’ camp annoying- but so far, it was paying off. The wolves hadn’t yet sounded an alarm- nor would they, without the sound of swords scraping from their scabbards.
The attack was carefully planned a few days previous. Hunter, Scourge, and Dexter all had a section of the army following them. Hunter would forge down the center, with the other two splitting off and sectioning off the vast amount of wolves even further. They would cut them down, dozens of them, before they knew what hit them.
At least, that was the plan.
Now, he had to be ready for that plan to go awry. Just in case. This was a more important venture than he had intended, thanks to Astrid turning it into a test for him. Now, his palms were moist when otherwise he would easily be able to retain his cool. This wasn’t that complicated. But, with his future on the line? Suddenly, it was the hardest thing he’d ever done.
Peering around a tree at the edge of the camp, he takes note of the wolves. Good, they were occupied digging into whatever they had killed for dinner that day. Their numbers were actually a little lower than Hunter had estimated, making this even more likely to be an easy victory. Giving Dexter and Scourge a nod, they creep forward, their men moving less silently behind them.
A breath…
Two…
As one, they surge forward. No battle cry escapes their lips, though the urge does pass over Hunter as he raises his sword to lop off the head of the nearest wolf. It falls to the dirt, no sound made. Continuing forward, Hunter slashes with precise, powerful strokes, not wasting any time or energy on the kills. He’s a few feet into the camp with his men surging up behind and around him before the wolves turn their bloodlust to their attackers.
But it’s too late. The Dragon Hunters’ victory was practically secured. Thirty dead before they noticed, thirty more as they raise the alarm, and twenty more before the rest of the camp gathers to fight back.
Now the cry flies from Hunter’s lips, followed by the rest of his men, as they plunge into battle, their swords already bloodied and bodies collecting on the ground behind them. Claws rise to meet them, but each wolf is unceremoniously cut down with each slice of a sword. The men do as they were directed, fanning out, breaking the wolves into smaller groups, though their might is greater than the werewolves can stand, and they are cut down almost as quickly as they’re sectioned off, leaving the Dragon Hunters to roll through the camp in a wave, leaving the half-man, half-beast bodies to collapse into the dust behind them.
Just as Hunter’s arms begin to ache and tremble with each blow, the fight comes to an end. A few wolves escaped, but it was still a near-effortless victory for the Dragon Hunters.
“Well done,” Dexter pants, stepping over a few felled beasts to stand by Hunter’s side. “Let me be the first to commend you on such a perfectly executed plan.”
“Thank you,” Hunter replies, allowing himself a small smile. Noticing movement from one of their nearby dilapidated shacks, Hunter spins, holding his sword across his body defensively, only to drop it in shock at the sight that greets him.
Alyssa. His love. It couldn’t be, yet… it was. Her shoulders were hunched as though a great burden had been weighing upon her since he’d last seen her, but her eyes were bright and clear- perhaps more so now than ever before. Her clothes were in near tatters, and her arms wrapped around her torso as though she had grown into the habit of protecting herself. Her blonde hair hung around her face, clumped strangely with dirt and grime.
She, too, was staring at Hunter as though she thought it impossible that he was there. “By the Great Eye… Alyssa!” he finally cries, racing over and pulling her into a strong embrace. She had lost weight and didn’t fit the same in his arms, but it was her.
It was her.
<<
“You’re nervous.”
Giving Savitri an exasperated look, I finally nod. “Well, yeah. I mean, all of Quagon is going to be here.”
“Well, technically, they’re already here,” Savitri reminds me with a light-hearted chuckle.
I groan, wringing my hands, already hating the fancy gloves they were tucked into. “I know. That makes it so much worse. I’m going to be showcased like a trophy, then expected to mingle with the crowd. I don’t like being the center of attention, Savitri. I hate this.”
“I know,” he murmurs sympathetically, stepping closer to my side. “I’ll be at your side the whole night.”
“Promise?” I whisper, taking his extended arm and holding onto his elbow. So formal… thank heavens I’m getting out of here tomorrow. I’m beginning to like Quagon less and less.
“Of course,” he smiles, his heart-throbbingly handsome face too close to mine again. Ignoring my pattering heart, I give him a thankful smile before turning toward the door. It’s thrown open, startling me, after we’ve only taken a few steps. Nathan stands there, looking dashing in his new outfit, courtesy of Savitri since Noran was too busy worrying about everything else to give Nathan any attention. His eyes flash between our faces for a moment before he strides forward and stands at my other side.
“Savitri may have access to more places than me, but always remember that I will be at your side whenever possible- and not just tonight,” he adds. “And protect you from everything I can. If I could protect you from Noran and this stupid party, you know that I’d do that too.”
Savitri chuckles. “You’re a good friend, Nathan. I’m glad I have your assistance in keeping Crystal safe this evening.”
Nathan gives a terse nod in response, keeping his gaze averted from both him and me. Still, I feel much safer with him by my side. Savitri’s presence is comforting as well, but I don’t trust him like I trust Nathan. We may have slipped into an easy friendship, but still… if he knew the truth about me, he would have me killed. Regardless of how close we’d grown over the few days I’ve been here, he’d been obedient to his father for much longer. He wouldn’t even really have a choice of choosing me over Thayre anyway.
Noticing him watching me as we walk through the hallways, I give him a small smile, banishing the worries of him eventually betraying me- or me leaving him tomorrow. With such thoughts rumbling through my head, I’ll only be more likely to give myself away and endanger not only my life, but Nathan’s as well.
We pause at the top of a large staircase. Below us is a vast… well, ballroom. It’s already buzzing with conversation as every well-dressed citizen of Quagon mingles, slowly moving through the crowded room. Directing my gaze to the chandelier, I take deep, shaky breaths. Now is not a good time to have an anxiety attack. I feel lightheaded, but the presence of Nathan and Savitri at each side helps to steady me, and I eventually am able to calm my heart, convincing myself it won’t be all that different than the party that Zilferia threw for Nathan and I when we won the Games.
“You alright?” Nathan murmurs, noticing my reaction.
I smile at him and give a small nod. “Yeah. I’m okay. Thanks.”
“Of course. Just let me know how I can help when you need it, alright?”
“Okay,” I respond.
Below us, the crowd suddenly gets really loud, then quickly gets quiet. Peering down, I see Nora
n make his way into the crowd, a fancy white suit tailored perfectly to his body helping him to stand out- though even if he wasn’t the only one wearing white, he was still easy to spot with every face turned toward him as they back away to allow him space to move about the ballroom.
“Welcome, everyone!” he booms, holding out his arms grandly. “I’m so pleased you could all be here today to celebrate my engagement! Now, I know you’re all dying to meet her, but if I may first bring out… my father, King Thayre! As sick and frail as he is, he wanted to meet my future wife, Crystal, himself!” As soon as he finishes speaking, the King is escorted into the room. Squinting down the stairs, I manage to make out his tall frame. He’s thin, likely from old age and sickness, but his broad shoulders speak of how mighty he once was. His hair is long, but thinning, and is a dark brown- likely dyed so they wouldn’t be grey. Hobbling through the crowd, his focus is only on the large, stuffed chair in the center of the room. Beside it are two smaller chairs, and I can’t help but be surprised for a moment that he didn’t get a chair for Savitri as well.
Once the King has been helped into the largest chair, Noran walks through the crowd over to the base of the staircase at which I wait. My throat clenches. I can’t do this.
“Before I bring her down, I would like to tell you a little bit about her,” Noran begins. I can’t help but wonder what he’s going to say. He knows nothing about me. “I may have just met her, but it was easy to see the attributes of a leader in her! Beyond her talent,” What talent? “Her cunning, and her care for others, you may have heard a rumor about this fair maiden.”
My heart stops in my throat. What rumor? …A rumor that I’m not from here? Oh, dragonfire… is he going to execute Nathan and I right here?!
“I can confirm that the rumors are true- I met and chose Crystal not because of her fair looks and charm, but because of her innate drive to sacrifice herself for others. She nearly died, helping another woman lined up for my hand to escape the ice rain. Luckily, I saw this selfless act, and was able to save her in time. As leaders of Quagon, self-sacrifice is likely the most important attribute I, and my wife, can have. My father taught me that long ago.”
After pausing and letting the excited chatter die down, he raises his voice and looks up toward me. “And now, your long-awaited first look at your future queen… Crystal!”
Savitri gives me a strengthening smile, and the pressure at my elbow helps to keep me grounded. Nathan has to trail behind, which I can tell he’s unhappy about, but there’s only so much we can do. We have to play their games to survive. He’ll… hopefully… be able to join back up with me again later on the ballroom floor.
Still, I’m glad I have Savitri as my escort. His steady presence at my side helps me to make my body appear just as strong and sure as I slowly move down the stairs and into the light. Noran’s smiling at me, but it doesn’t reach his eyes the way Savitri’s smile does. Marrying me is just a smart political move on his part. He even just said so.
Forcing a smile onto my own face, I accept his extended hand, allowing him to pull me away from Savitri. Turning toward the crowd, I find it hard to distinguish any faces, thanks to the bright light in my eyes. Still, I can feel the weight of their stares and the heavy murmurs surrounding me. I flush, feeling exposed and vulnerable, despite wearing the biggest dress I’ve ever seen in my life- literally weighed down by the immense amount of red fabric. I can’t help but worry- what if they were judging me? Saying that I wasn’t pretty enough to be a princess, let alone a Queen?
I nearly jump as they suddenly break into cheers and applause. Though it seems I’ve won their approval, my anxieties don’t lessen. Especially as someone begins a chant that quickly catches on with the rest of the audience. “Kiss her! Kiss her!”
Before my stomach even has time to drop at the thought, Noran’s spun me and dropped me into a perfect dip, like from the movies. And then- his lips are pressed against mine. I’m shocked to my core. My first kiss- and it was from some prince who wants to marry me after knowing me all of five minutes and would kill me the second after knowing my true origins. This pompous, self-centered, self-righteous, party-hard prince!
My shock blocks out much of what I feel from the kiss, and I’ve hardly registered when he straightens and pulls me back up and out of the dip. The applause is deafening, the lights bright and hot, the prince- my fake fiance- too close, and my rage boiling up to my ears. I’m overwhelmed. My senses start shutting down, and the roar of the crowd slowly fades away until I hear nothing. My vision starts to fade away at the edges, nearly plunging me into darkness, and my emotions go numb as my thoughts cease their never-ending clamor. I don’t even have the ability to form the thought that I need to get out of there.
So I’m surprised when I find myself breathing in fresh air, with the feeling of a hand holding my arm and supporting me, while the other is on my back, not moving, but giving me a sensation to ground myself in. I breathe deeply, letting my eyes stay closed as I try and calm down. I already know it’s Nathan with me, and I allow the feeling that I always get around him- the feeling of safety- to enclose me.
After a few minutes, my head is cleared and I feel good enough to straighten back up. Turning, I find Nathan by my side, as I already knew. What surprises me is Savitri’s presence just a step away. His face looks strained, like he wants to rush to my side as well, but knows it’s more of Nathan’s place to comfort me than his. My heart melts at this. He was so caring and considerate.
He notices me looking and then rushes to my other side. “Are you alright?” he asks, the concern heavy in his voice.
“Yes… sorry. I just… shut down sometimes,” I breathe, almost feeling sore from this latest ‘shut down.’
“I’m so sorry. If I had known that it was too much for you, I would have insisted that Noran leave you out of his self-glorifying party.”
“It’s alright- you didn’t know,” I respond, my breath seeming thin and raspy. Nathan immediately helps move me from the edge of the balcony to a nearby couch, making me realize that I had had my hands wrapped tightly around the railing, nearly cutting into my palms. “Thank you,” I breathe, relaxing into the couch the best I can with this stupid huge dress.
“Is there anything I can do?” Savitri asks anxiously, kneeling at my feet beside Nathan. I look at him in surprise. I’d never expected to see a prince in such a position. “I’ll call off the party- or at least tell Noran that you’re not feeling well enough to attend. When I noticed you zoning out, I had Nathan take you out here while I explained to everyone that you were still recovering from being caught in the storm… It would be easy to excuse you for the rest of the evening.”
I pause, torn, but finally shake my head. “No… I need to find my brother. Thank you, though. Seriously.”
“…Of course,” he murmurs in reply, the concern not leaving his face as he rises back to his feet.
“Crystal, you don’t have to,” Nathan insists, the concern even deeper on his face. “Savitri and I can sweep the ballroom. I’m sure between the two of us, we can find anyone that might fit the profile.”
“No,” I say, stronger now, as I push myself back up to my feet as well. “He’s my responsibility. It’s alright- I’m feeling much better now. Maybe… just keep Noran away from me as much as you can?” I continue, turning back to Savitri.
He nods immediately. “Of course.”
“Good.” Turning back to the door, I blow out a breath, imagining my stress is leaving with it. Inhaling, I imagine strength and surety flowing into me along with the air.
“Let’s go.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Rescue
Nathan knows he’s hovering, but he can’t help it. Crystal had blacked out after that stupid prince had kissed her, and he’d barely been able to get her away from the party before she collapsed. Now she was poised to plunge back in? He can’t help but shake his head as he follows closely behind her as she leads the way through the hallway back to t
he ballroom, following the sound of the noise. This wasn’t good. Not just because she might pass out again, but also because the more she stood out, the more likely it was for someone to point out that no one on Quagon knew her… leading both of them to their deaths. He and Savitri could handle scanning a crowd for someone with gold in their eyes. They might have to get a little closer than is comfortable, but it still wouldn’t take that long- not with everyone in the realm packed into one room.
“Are you really okay with this?” Savitri murmurs to Nathan behind Crystal’s back.
“No,” he sighs. “But she’s stubborn- which usually ends up being a good thing in the end. Look at how determined she is now- nothing can stop her when she’s like this- not even me.”
“I see… still, we should comb through the crowd quickly so we can get her back out of here before anything can happen.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Nathan responds with a pleased nod. “I’ll stay with Crystal- you start looking through the crowd. Remember- he’s around our ages, with gold in his eyes.” He doesn’t add that the gold was just a guess. The less Savitri knew, the better. Their lie didn’t need to grow any more convoluted.
“Of course,” Savitri replies, bowing slightly and stepping away as they reenter the ballroom. “Good luck to both of you,” he says before stepping away and forging through the crowd to the other side of the room.
“Alright. We’ll find Rex- or officially rule out him being here- and then we’re out of here. Okay?” Nathan murmurs to Crystal, catching up to her.
“Of course,” Crystal replies with a sigh.
“Let’s go start over by the food,” Nathan suggests, taking her hand and gently pulling her through the crowd, who hasn’t yet noticed her return.
“Crystal!” A feminine voice stops them after only a few steps, and Nathan swings around, ready to defend her. To both of their surprise, they recognize the small girl standing before them.