Enchantress
Page 25
As Serese rose to her feet, the clanking sounds of steel on steel were heard from the hallway. Suddenly, the massive door burst open and the guards posted outside rushed in, swords at the ready. Upon noticing their queen’s demise, they quickly surrounded Serese.
A loud roar and a mighty shaking of the floor distracted them as the marble floor reverberated with the tremors of a large creature’s footsteps.
“It’s the dragon,” one of the guards cried as he abandoned the great hall. All of the men scattered down the hallway, leaving Serese in the abandoned throne room.
Chapter Forty-Three
Serese felt years older. She was weary and her neck, where the thorns had pierced it, throbbed. Her soul felt battered like she had survived a tempest, which she had heard tales of, from the jesters in her father’s court. Then a familiar heat from her opal surprised her and she grasped it in her hand.
Her opal turned red underneath its milky surface. Serese watched as a vision unfolded,
A sleeping dragon, deep in the bowels of the earth opened his eyes and his deep voice spoke,
“I see Serpentine is no more. You are certainly a worthy yet beautiful warrior. The seasons passed slowly as I waited for you to be born. I am certain you are tired, but I require your aid to accomplish my own unwelcome task. I am coming to you. You will not appreciate my lair.”
The dragon unfolded his bulk as easily as a castle feline. He lumbered down a dim tunnel and crashed through an iron-studded door. He ascended the same staircase Serese had climbed earlier.
The floor shook again beneath her feet. Serese gasped. She had no knowledge of dealing with dragons. Her nanny had told her gruesome tales of them. Of course, virgin princesses were their favorite delicacy. Bat’s Breath! If only she had succumbed to Lord Forn’s seduction—she would be safe!
But she surmised that whatever the ancient beast wanted of her, it was not her body for sustenance. Nervously, she handled her dagger. Then she scolded herself, “Do not be ridiculous! He is not going to harm you. He probably wants your opal. Or the enchanted liquid. That must be it.”
Serese surveyed the hall for any useful weapons and found none. Anxiously she waited as the crashing sounds grew near. The princess swayed on her feet as the floor shook. The racket stopped outside the open doorway.
Chapter Forty-Four
A rumbling cough startled Serese as she stared at the door opening. Then the creature lumbered into view.
Serese was surprised to see a grey dragon examining her, with kind green eyes. His expression was curious as his spiky eyebrows were raised. Serese gasped as she observed how cramped the creature seemed in the hall passage.
It was as large as three of her father’s war horses, and its violet-colored wings were folded back. The princess stood aside to let the large beast in. The dragon lumbered through the door way. For some reason, the dragon reminded her of someone. “How unusual,” she thought, “He reminds me of an engraving I have seen somewhere. Of a great learned man. His eyes are exactly the same.”
She tried not to stare at the fantastical creature, which sat before the fireplace as though it belonged there. She smelled the wisps of smoke which wheezed out of the beast’s nostrils. The dreadful creature smelled like a privy. Serese tried to keep her expression neutral as she watched the dragon.
“You are younger and more beautiful than I expected, Serese. Beneath that beautiful exterior, you are formidable. Many have underestimated you.”
“It has happened. I find myself at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I do not know yours.” Serese said, surprised by the clarity of the dragon’s voice.
“Forgive me, my Queen, I am Alkazar. I have not always assumed this form. I am a respected wizard who was bewitched. My son Jonathan has watched over you on your journey. I have been waiting for you to vanquish Serpentine. At last, I can be set free. Please place a drop of enchanted water on my head. Then you must kiss me, upon my mouth. It is the only way to break the spell.”
Serese released the breath she had been holding, before replying, “Is that all then? Well, Alkazar, Jonathan’s bravery has rescued me many times. You are a good wizard then? If I free you, you promise not trouble my kingdom?”
“I assure you, your Highness, I have no desire to harm you. It is your bravery which has vanquished Serpentine. I would offer you my hand in marriage but you are already betrothed to Forn. Will you help me?”
Serese paused before the dragon and said, “Yes, Alkazar, I will, but I ask a favor in return.”
The dragon chuckled and smoke spirals flew out of his nostrils before he replied, “You shall be a worthy queen, Serese. What is it you would ask of me?”
“If I ever have need of a wizard’s services, I may ask my opal pendant to call you to me.”
“I would be honored to lend my services, should you ever require them, your Highness.”
“So be it then, Alkazar,” and Serese withdrew her flask from her pocket and uncorked it again. Thankfully, she had not thrown it all on her aunt.
She sprinkled a drop of the violet scented water on top of the dragon’s bumpy head. Waiting a moment, she held her breath before she kissed him on his horrid mouth. It was a great relief that he kept his teeth clenched. After she had kissed him, he released more of the noxious smoke from his nostrils.
A great roar of pain escaped from the dragon, while he writhed like the rigging of a storm-tossed ship. Serese backed away, while steam hid him completely from view. The noise was deafening and Serese held her ears as she watched the struggling beast. Then, he was silent. The steam dissipated.
Serese saw a white-robed middle-aged man with dark hair, lying on the floor. Why, he was mortal and handsome! Surely, he was not in league with the darkness of this place. He reminded her of Jonathan.
She cautiously knelt beside him, wondering if he was alive, when he grabbed her wrist. Serese flinched as he startled her. Alkazar rose to his feet, not letting go of her as he showered kisses upon her hand.
“Thank you, Serese,” he cried with joy.
“I see you have captured yet another man’s heart, my love,” Lord Forn had entered the room, unnoticed in the commotion.
He turned to the man and said, “I would appreciate it if you keep your hands, and your lips away from my betrothed. I am curious how you entered this tower.”
Serese looked from Lord Forn to Alkazar and throwing her hands up in exasperation, she said, “You are a wizard, explain yourself.”
She went to Forn and touched his forehead. “I am well, my dear. I am relieved to see you have brought Serpentine to an end. Let me hear what this stranger has to say. I expect it will be amusing.”
The wizard spread his hands. A glass orb appeared between them. A golden light surrounded the sphere. In the center of the phosphorescent globe, a vision unfurled.
The events of a few moments ago were recalled. Then Alkazar clapped his hands, eliminating the globe. Forn cleared his throat.
“It seems I was mistaken. You were the dragon which lived beneath this tower. You were suffering from a curse. You are yourself again. I understand full well how that feels. Go in peace.”
Alkazar bowed formally, before placing his fingers in his mouth and whistling. Sir Roan came running into the room and after seeing his former master, the wolf leaped into Alkazar’s waiting arms. The whines of joy brought Jonathan rushing in to investigate and the young man stopped suddenly when he saw his father.
“It cannot be,” he said, “We thought you were dead,” Jonathan slowly approached Alkazar, who wiped tears out of his eyes as his son embraced him.
“It has been too long, my boy,” Alkazar examined the grown man before him. “Are you prepared to begin your studies?” he asked.
“If I have hours left in my day after King Argot’s rigorous knight training. He has asked me to join his soldiers.”
“Well then, it is decided. I will accompany you as you learn the mortal ways of combat. We shall find time to teach you the Magica
l Arts.”
Hugs were exchanged and goodbyes were said. Sir Roan padded over to Serese and she knelt down to embrace him. His muzzle had more grey in it now. “I could not have accomplished this without you,” she told him, “Thank you.”
The wolf king said, “It was my pleasure, your Highness. Remember what trials you both endured, when love’s first bloom has faded- remember that you are blessed.”
Sir Roan nudged the princess with his nose and she pet him on his ruff. Then her beloved protector followed Alkazar and Jonathan out the door. Serese wiped a tear from her eye as she watched them leave.
“I have a feeling we shall see them again,” Lord Forn said, smoothing Serese’s hair as she leaned into him, “It seems Jonathan will be a fine catch for the ladies at court after all. It will be entertaining to see them spar to win his affections.”
“Perhaps. Is the battle over then?”
“Yes. Your father’s men are burning the dead. Azrael has gone to awaken your Aunt Serafine. He intends to rule with her, from this tower. Your father intends to wed us in the morning. Unless you have an objection…” Lord Forn teased as he gathered Serese into his arms.
Serese said, “I have none, my lord.” Forn kissed her quite thoroughly while her opal pendant glowed with approval. He drew her even closer as their kiss deepened and her arms wrapped around his neck. She found all that she wanted in his embrace. Her heart sang as her lips drank in the nectar of his kisses. k12
THE END
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