“Getting a lot of work done, I hope?” William suddenly said, throwing the door wide open.
Crown jumped up in surprise, got up and stood staring at William.
“General, how wonderful to see you,” said Crown. “How can we help you?”
“I thought I’d come get a few updates regarding the latest developments,” said William. “It’s been quite a few days, and the king and queen haven’t yet heard anything from the two of you.”
“Well, as a matter of fact we’ve been –” began Crown.
“It’s quite strange,” interrupted William, “given the amount of time you two have been spending together.”
“As I was just about to say,” Crown said, firmly, “We’ve planned out a number of ideas. We have more than one plan and prefer not to put all our eggs in one basket.”
“What about the princess?” said William, turning to Kelly and smiling. “Would she have anything ready to present?”
“Mr. Crown and I are working side by side,” said Kelly, smiling back. “So as he said, we already have a number of ideas flowing. We will be sharing them once they are ready, which should be very soon.”
“Well, I see you are both in solid agreement then?” said William,
“We are, as a matter of fact,” said Crown. “Will that be all? As you can see, we are very busy.”
“Actually, there is something else I wanted to ask the princess,” William said turning again to Kelly. “Would you care to join me tonight for the evening ritual? We could take a walk before then and attend it together.”
“Oh, well,” said Kelly, hesitant yet trying to be polite. “Yes, sure. Why not?”
“Splendid,” said the General, rather enthusiastically. “I’m sure you could use a break from familiar faces.”
“A walk would be nice, I suppose,” Kelly replied awkwardly.
“Shall I pick you up in a couple of hours?” he asked.
“That would be quite suitable, yes,” she replied, trying to appear as formally polite as possible.
“Wonderful,” he concluded. “I will see you tonight.”
William then turned around and left, leaving Crown with a rather unpleasant look on his face. Kelly looked at Crown, noticing his apparent jealousy.
“It’s nothing, you know,” she said, trying to ease his agitation. “I was just being polite.”
“Oh, I know,” he said. “I don’t’ expect you to do or not do anything. I’ve expressed my feelings towards you and I have already told you that I don’t except anything in return.”
“Oh, don’t talk like that, please,” she said. “You’ve become very important to me, and I hope you know that.”
“That’s very kind of you to say,” he said. “But can I ever be anything more than that to you?”
“My dear friend,” said Kelly, in a soft and compassionate tone, “these are hard times, filled with fear, anxiety and painful uncertainty. No one knows where things will stand in a few months. What we are attempting now is something dragons have never dared do in centuries.”
“Yes,” Crown said. “I understand the dangers very well. But for me, that is all the more reason to pour my heart out, to tell you exactly how I feel, to never hide or twist my words. Because if I don’t do it now, when else can I?”
“And I’m not saying there isn’t hope,” Kelly said, taking Crown’s hand. “I’m only saying that I’m not ready to make a decision like that these days.”
“Yes. Yes, I completely understand.”
“And if it makes you feel any better,” she added, “General William doesn’t exactly fit my category of preferences.”
Crown looked at her and gave a wide smile. They both resumed with their work, until it was late in the evening and Kelly had to go back to her room, change, and go meet General William. As scheduled, he was waiting for her in the gardens. He had also brought her quite the exotic batch of flowers, for which she was very grateful. They began their work through the forest.
“How are you liking it here so far?” asked William, attempting to start a conversation.
“Oh, the village you mean?”
“Yes,” he said.
“It’s quite beautiful really,” she said. “There’s a wonderful spirit here, one that I could never find anywhere with humans.”
“I don’t find that hard to believe,” said William. “Humans have always followed a somewhat violent way of living.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, a bit uneasy about what he said.
“Well,” he said, “they’ve always led a barbaric way of life. Their history is made up of nothing but war and plunder. They have no problem killing anything that stands in their way, not even their very own kind. Violence seems to be an inherent part of their nature…”
“But that isn’t true,” objected Kelly, quite passionately.
“Oh, come on,” said William. “I’ve studied them for years, so I think I know what I’m talking about.”
“And I’ve lived amongst them all my life,” she said. “There’s more to them than that.”
“My dear Princess,” he said, “how kindhearted you are. Your father did warn me of this side of you, ever since you were a child. One of the reasons His Grace destined us to be together is so I can protect you. You’re too vulnerable for this world.”
Kelly suddenly stopped, looked at William and said in a firm and persistent voice, “I’m sorry you think me too vulnerable, General. But I must correct you. I am stronger than I seem, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t patronize me so.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry if I came across as patronizing, my Princess,” William quickly said, trying to mend the situation. “That was not at all my intention. I just really care about you, that’s all.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, General,” she said. “But I must inform you that you seem to have developed quite an inaccurate assessment of the human species and its complicated nature.”
“I find that hard to believe, to be honest,” he argued. “The evidence stares us bluntly in the face, can you not see that?”
“Then you are being exclusively selective in your collection of evidence, General,” she said. “And my god, how do you expect to go about with this mission of reconciliation if you feel so strongly against the human race?”
“Well,” he said, “if you must know, I am personally against it. I don’t believe it will work, and nor does my commanding army.”
“So you plan to resist it?” she asked, rather anxiously.
“Of course not, my Princess!” he quickly responded. “That would be mean going against the monarchy, and His Grace the king himself! My loyalty is to him and to you. I am simply speaking freely of my own opinions, and I apologize if they bothered you.”
“No, I am glad that you did,” she said. “I believe it is important that we get to know our closest allies.”
“I do hope, however,” William added, “that you and I would have a chance to discuss our more intimate relationship.”
“Ah, yes, That.” Kelly said rather reluctantly. “You see, General. It is important for me to inform you that I have no recollection of any previous engagement I ever had with you.”
“Yes, but…” he said.
“I cannot commit to a decision I don’t remember making,” she said, “let alone to one that was made for me!”
“I know that you are still very much attached to your human way of life when it came to intimate relations,” he said. “But our ways here are centered on keeping the kingdom alive.”
“So how I feel has no say in who I end up with?” she exclaimed.
“That’s not at all what I meant, my Princess,” he said. “All I mean to say is that once the match is made, there is plenty of time for feelings to emerge and flourish.”
“I see,” Kelly said, looking down to her feet.
All of sudden, the horn echoed throughout the mountains, and the Twilight ritual was about to begin. They both walked towards the gathering,
and surrounded themselves around the bonfire as usual. Crown was there, standing at the side and watching Damien prepare his daily oration. He caught a glimpse of Kelly, standing awkwardly next to William. How beautiful she is, he thought, wishing it was him she was standing next to. William was muttering something to Kelly, but she was struggling to pay attention when she suddenly caught Crown standing amidst the crowd, staring straight at her with a wide smile. They exchanged a subtle gesture of greeting, and Kelly indicated that he come join her and William after Damien’s speech.
The ritual ended and the crowds dispersed as always. Crown came up to Kelly and William, shaking hands with William and saying, “I hope you had a pleasant walk.”
“Yes,” confirmed William, “we did indeed.”
“I was just wondering if I could speak to Kelly for a moment,” said Crown. “It’s about our work and I really need to get her opinion on something before she goes to bed.”
“Surely it could wait till tomorrow,” said William, looking down at Kelly.
“I’m afraid it can’t,” said Crown, taking Kelly’s hand.
“I’ll be right back,” said Kelly to William. “It wouldn’t be important if he didn’t need me so urgently.”
Kelly and Crown quickly walked into the woods, and then made a run for it into the darkness before William could see where they were going. They ran laughing out loud like little children.
“I can’t thank you enough for rescuing me back there,” Kelly said, trying to catch her breath from both the running and the breathless laughter.
“Well, you clearly needed saving,” said Crown, laughing hysterically. “Did you see the look on his face?”
“It was scarier than what he usually looks like!” she said. “You should have heard him speak tonight, it was intolerable. I couldn’t take it anymore.”
“Well, I never tolerated him myself,” agreed Crown.
“He’s an absolute bore,” Kelly said. “Anyway, I’m glad you showed up.”
“I’m glad you ran away with me,” he replied.
“I’ve also been meaning to ask you,” she said, teasing him. “Are you always in your human form, or do you only stay that way for me?”
“Why on earth would I remain human for you?” he asked, jestingly. “Didn’t you know? Being human is the latest trend these days.”
Kelly burst into laughter.
“Well, don’t tell anyone I said that,” she said, “but I very much prefer your human form.”
“That’s understandable,” he said. “It’s growing on me, if you must know. I think I’ll stay this way for a while.”
“Oh dear, look at the time,” she suddenly said.
“Let me walk you back,” Crown said. “At least so I can pretend that I am still taking your advice if you run into General William.”
“Oh yes, please do. I can’t bear to listen to another story about his hunting days in Siberia.”
They both walked back together, hand in hand under the early morning sun. It was a bit chilly, and so Crown wrapped his arm around Kelly’s shoulders and held her close to his chest as they made their way into the castle. By the time they reached the bottom of the stairwell, the one which led straight to Kelly’s room, Crown paused and said, “Well…I suppose this is where I leave you.”
“Yes, I suppose,” Kelly said.
“Have a wonderful night.”
“Would it be too…” she quickly said, “impetuous…if I asked you to stay?”
Crown froze, unable to believe his ears. He was speechless.
“I’m sorry,” Kelly quickly added, “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“No, no no!” he said. “Please, don’t apologize. I was simply out of words. What I mean to say is, I’ve been waiting to hear you say those words for more than you can imagine.”
Kelly was thrilled to hear him say these words. Her heart was dancing, jumping so fast it almost felt like it would explode through her chest. She extended her hand for him to take and said, “Come with me. I will show you the wonder in a single human touch.”
They walked up to her room together, holding each other’s hands until they walked in. The room was as beautiful as ever, the sun a bright and golden-brown shining softly through the curtains. Crown slowly slid his hand down the small of her back, while gracefully kissing her lips, her chin, her neck. As he reached further down her chest, his lips pressing soft yet powerful kisses against her skin, she sighed heavily, her heart pounding violently through her body.
Her hand quickly found its way to his crotch, as the other hand tore into his scalp, his brown locks curling and forming knots around her fingers. He was rock hard, his penis bulging through his pants as she struggled to unzip his pants. She finally did, and the moment she touched him, he suddenly lifted her by the thigh and threw her violently on the bed. Tearing the dress off he r shivering body, Crown breathed heavily as he slid his hand under her dress and finally through her panties, only to find her soaking wet and throbbing in excitement.
“Fill me,” she whispered. “Flood me.”
“Oh, my darling,” he said, “I want nothing more at this beautiful moment.”
As they both breathed heavily, they tore into each other’s bodies with wild lust and passionate love. Kelly clawed into the bed sheets as Crown got on top of her. He kissed her as he slowly slid his penis inside of her. She gasped and clawed harder into the sheets, his hair and his back. He was fully inside her, moving back and forth with slow and delicate rhythms. She moaned and shrieked, her body convulsing as he thrust harder inside her. Harder and harder he pushed, and heavier and heavier she breathed. His face, neck and torso were blood red as he came close to climax.
“Yes!” she screamed. “Yes, yes…”
He then quickly sat upright on his knees, and aggressively flipped her over on her stomach. Lifting her bottom up, he again slid his penis inside of her and thrust as hard as he could. Kelly moaned and screamed in excitement, her face buried deep into her pillow as she lay bare before him. And then she felt it, the warmth of his fluid run fast inside her, falling out of her crotch, down her thighs and onto the sheets. Crown then fell on top of her, catching his breath as he caressed her back, her breasts and stomach. She took his hand and kissed it, running soft circles around his fingers as breathed into her ear.
They were in love.
Kelly and Crown lay in bed, watching the sun make its way through the golden curtains, turning the room a bright and fiery orange.
“Do you think there’s a war coming?” Kelly asked crown as she lay her head on his stomach.
“You mean if our plan doesn’t work?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. “What if it all fails, and we end up leading the two races towards one horrific final war?”
“I can’t say I don’t think that’s a possibility.”
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” she said.
“But you know,” he said, “if we don’t try to find a solution, it will guarantee the end of the dragon race. The population is dying. We are running out of food by the day, and we bury more dragons than we witness come to life.”
“I’m so afraid,” Kelly said, looking up at Crown, her eyes large and gleaming with innocence.
“So am I,” he said. “So am I, my dear.”
“I’m so glad you’re here with me,” she said. She suddenly got up and sat upright, held his face between the palms of her hands and said, “And I love you too, so very much”.
“Oh, my darling,” he said, holding her close to his chest and kissing every part of her lips, her cheeks, her forehead. “I am so happy to hear those words. You have no idea.”
They both held each other through the afternoon, knowing there was no safer place than within the warm embrace of each other’s arms.
Chapter 8
Weeks passed, and Kelly and Crown had finally planned out the perfect way to approach the human race. Crown had explained to Damien and Viera that the humans have not enti
rely forgotten about the dragon race. In other words, there is a significant portion of the human population that is still knows that dragons exist, as opposed to the majority that only speaks of dragons in the context of fables, myths and fairytales. Crown had revealed his latest discovery to the royal family, something even Kelly herself found hard to believe. Crown summoned Damien, Viera, Kelly, and all army officials including General William to the drawing room.
“I’ve called you all here today to reveal my latest news,” he said, holding his hands behind his back and trying to stand steadily upright.
“Well come on, boy!” said Damien. “What is it? What do you know?”
“My team and I,” Crown began, “have received intelligence that the human race does indeed know of our existence.”
The room was suddenly full of whispers and subtle gasps, everyone asking the more or less the same questions – how long have they known? Do they know where we are hiding? Are they planning an attack? Should we hide our wives and children?
Love of A Dragon (Exalted Dragons Book 1) Page 7