Chosen

by Samantha Britt

  Amelissa is a weak human was all Master Errol needed to say. I assumed his word choice was in an effort not to offend me. I appreciated it.

  “We would be grateful if Healer Amelissa continued to treat our sister.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Prince Brion muttered, but I didn’t have time to register his rude words.

  In front of me, Prince Finn bowed at the waist.

  A draekon prince was bowing to me. Was that normal?

  He lifted his gaze, focusing on my shocked expression. He waited for me to speak.

  “Of course.” I cleared my throat. “I will help in any way I can.”

  Prince Finn dipped his head once more before standing to his full height.

  I moved my attention to Master Errol. “Is there anything else I can assist you with this evening?” I wanted to escape the powerful stare currently trying to impose its owner’s will on me.

  He blinked at my abrupt question. “No. Thank you, Amelissa. You may retire for the evening.”

  I sighed inwardly, dipping into a small curtsy and murmuring my farewells to the princes. I spun around, hurrying towards the bedroom door.

  “Healer Amelissa,” Prince Finn’s call forced me to stop just three feet shy of the door leading into the hallway.

  So close.

  I exhaled and turned.

  Prince Finn approached and stopped in front of me. “Thank you, again,” he breathed. Picking up my hand, he bent and placed a gentle kiss against my smooth skin.

  My breath hitched. On their own accord, my eyes lifted toward the bedroom door. Prince Brion’s dark eyebrows snagged my attention. They were raised in interest at his brother’s action. He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe.

  I looked away before he caught me staring.

  “Of course,” I whispered to the prince.

  Prince Finn tightened his fingers for a moment, then released my hand.

  It took all of my self-control not to run out of the room, down the stairs, and dive into my plush bed to throw the covers over my head. I longed to pretend I was back in Caldiri, and that my life in Draek was nothing but a strange dream.

  Though when I extinguished the last candle and laid in my bed, I couldn’t fall asleep.

  A pair of powerful, onyx eyes seemed to watch me from across the castle, daring me to pretend like I wasn’t at the mercy of his commanding presence—like Prince Brion of the Draekon Kingdom was not the most daunting male I’d ever encountered.

  III

  Royal Healer

  25

  “You look stunning,” Princess Cienna gushed as I emerged from behind the dressing screen.

  “Absolutely radiant,” her friend, Jona, seconded.

  Uncertainty plagued me. “Are you sure this dress is appropriate?”

  “Without question,” the princess answered. “Come. See for yourself.”

  I walked towards her and let the princess position me in front of the floor-length, gilded mirror. I stared at the reflection. I didn’t recognize the girl staring back at me.

  Since when did I have curves? And when had my hair become so shiny? Being a healer, I knew the value of good nutrition. It seemed my time in Draek had drastically improved my health and enhanced my appearance.

  I’d been serving as Princess Cienna’s healer for the past two weeks. My work began with nightly visits to help the princess dislodge the suffocating mucous from her lungs but had since changed to include sporadic invitations to afternoon tea, as well as accompanying the princess on her daily strolls.

  I believed the requests were innocent enough. The activities could easily relate to the princess’s health. But I quickly learned I was mistaken when the princess had flatly refused to drink the medicinal tea I prepared for her on one of our afternoon visits.

  No. For some reason, the princess invited me to spend time with her as a companion, for lack of a better word.

  I still didn’t understand why. Sure, the princess and I were able to make pleasant conversation, and we seemed to share a similar mind for books and music—what little I knew of the subjects. But those things didn’t qualify me as a daily companion for a princess.

  At least I didn’t think so.

  Despite my reservations, I knew better than to question the princess’s motives out loud. All I could do was remain on guard and make sure I wasn’t falling into some elaborate scheme or trick. Though, it was becoming more and more difficult to be suspicious of the princess.

  She was, after all, very intelligent and very kind.

  Continuing to observe myself in the mirror, I tugged on the navy blue fabric hugging my hips. “Does it need to be so tight?” I’d grown up wearing loose clothing. My move to Draek introduced me to tight bodices and tunics, but I had not yet been subjected to tight skirts and dresses. I thought the style was unflattering. It made me look, and feel, disproportioned and awkward.

  The princess, familiar with my modest upbringing, quickly reassured me. “It is Court fashion. Perfectly proper. No one will think twice about the dress’s silhouette.”

  I scanned my lower body. The silky material didn’t fan out until it reached my knees. I didn’t know how I was going to walk without falling. “If you are certain.”

  “I am.” The princess touched my arm and moved me to a nearby chair. “Now, let Jona do your hair. She just finished mine, and I think we should match!” I wondered briefly why servants were not helping the royal and high-ranking draekon prepare for the evening, but I kept my lips pressed together.

  Jona went to work. Her smooth fingers and swift hands arranged my hair. “Such a lovely color,” she murmured. She pinned strands at the crown of my head, letting the rest fall in soft waves down my back.

  “Thank you.”

  The princess disappeared behind the screen and emerged in her own slinky gown. Its maroon color contrasted beautifully with her skin. Princess Cienna was still too pale for a draekon, but the weeks of restful sleep had done wonders for her complexion and figure. She remained too skinny to be considered healthy, but the improvement was markedly better.

  I admired her rich, almost purple-black hair as it curled past her shoulders. She had applied cosmetics, and the colors accentuated her cheekbones and dark lashes perfectly. “You look lovely.”

  The princess smiled warmly. “As do you.” She moved closer to examine Jona’s work. “I cannot wait to see the males’ reactions tonight,” she said with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Let them eat their hearts out when they discover you are not interested in becoming a companion.”

  I blushed. Besides the topic of her treatment and daily medicines, the subject of my recruitment was one of the first things the princess and I had spoken about.

  Like most draekon, Princess Cienna had been surprised to learn I willingly chose to enter the labor market. She commented on my natural beauty, harmlessly saying she imagined many males would admire my light eyes and flaxen hair, but unlike most draekon, she didn’t express pity or disappointment on my behalf.

  Instead, Princess Cienna applauded my decision. She praised my willingness to stand up for what I believed to be the best future for myself, and she congratulated me on not giving in to the coaxing of the census agents and Census Bureau draekon.

  I believe that was when I truly began to trust her.

  “She is so charming when she blushes,” Jona sighed.

  My blush deepened. I was beginning to truly feel like I was their own personal doll.

  The princess noticed. “Are you all right, Amelissa?”

  I nodded. “Just nervous.” That was putting it lightly.

  “About the dress?” Princess Cienna donned her most convincing smile. “Don’t be. You are absolutely radiant.”

  I managed to lift my lips. I wasn’t sure if I convinced the two females that I was fine, but they left my side to put the finishing touches on their own hair and cosmetics.

  Sitting alone with no distraction, my nerves continued to wreak havoc.

&nb
sp; It wasn’t only the dress which caused my anxiety, nor was it the fact I would be dining with the royal princess.

  No. The problem was one particular dark and dismissive draekon.

  Since that night in the princess’s bedchamber, I had not run into Prince Brion. Every night when I climbed the four flights of stairs to treat the princess, I’d been terrified of running into the daunting male.

  I often envisioned our impending encounter: I’d climb the last set of stairs, and he would be standing there, arms crossed, with disapproval marring his otherwise handsome features.

  Numerous scenarios occupied my thoughts the past few weeks, but my worries proved unnecessary. I hadn’t even laid eyes on Prince Brion, much less run into him in the royal halls.

  But that was about to change.

  I sighed. When Princess Cienna invited me to dinner, I’d expected it to be a small affair within her royal rooms. As it turned out, I was to join the princess for dinner in the court dining hall with other draekon… and the other royals.

  I tried to claim my presence would be inappropriate: only companions accompanied draekon to the court dining hall. Not only was I not a companion, but I was a healer at the castle—a servant. I shouldn’t be so bold as to take a meal in such company. I didn’t even know all of the draekon protocol. I was sure to embarrass myself with what the creatures would consider barbaric and unrefined table manners.

  But Princess Cienna would not hear it. She dismissed my worries, stating she was the princess, and no one would question her choice of guest. I wasn’t brave enough to contradict her.

  So, the princess and her lifelong friend spent the better part of that afternoon pampering me like I was their favorite childhood doll. My skin was buffed and polished, my nails painted, and my makeup had been expertly applied. I hated neglecting my healer duties, but Master Errol insisted my patients could spare me for one day. I’d been surprised by his understanding. The draekon healer I knew would have never thought such frivolous activities were more important than work, but I suspected Princess Cienna had something to do with his acceptance.

  I stood from the chair and moved back to the gilded mirror. I stared at the smoky-eyed blonde, admiring Jona’s handiwork. I’d never worn such a fine dress or looked so elegant.

  Princess Cienna and Jona were right. The girl in my reflection was stunning. I willed her to also be strong. Strong enough to come face to face with any draekon, especially a dark prince, and strong enough to walk away unscathed.

  26

  “My brother certainly seems fond of you.”

  My heart thudded, and I nearly dropped the silver fork. “What?”

  The princess leaned towards me. “Finn. I swear, he has hardly taken his eyes off you all evening. I think Brion is going to knock his head off if he has to repeat something one more time.”

  My cheeks flushed.

  Around us, the sound of polite conversation and dining continued on. As the princess’s royal guest, I was granted a seat at her side. We were at the table closest to the raised dais where the brothers sat, facing the entire dining hall.

  I’d asked Princess Cienna why she wasn’t given a position at the higher table. She informed me only the rulers of the kingdom were given the seat of honor. Upon seeing my confusion, she explained both of her brothers were in charge while her father traveled abroad. As such, they were both permitted to sit above the dining hall, overlooking their subjects.

  I wanted to ask where her father, King Roderick, was, but a draekon female chose that moment to engage the princess in conversation.

  I lowered my hand and placed the fork on the table. Cautiously, I lifted my gaze to the dais. Sure enough, Prince Finn was looking back at me. I observed his fine, royal blue tunic adorned by a gold sash with medallions. He looked very princely, and I spared a thought for our matching attire. My suspicious side wondered if his sister had selected my dress intentionally.

  Seeing my attention, Prince Finn lifted a hand. With a small smile, I returned the greeting.

  Unlike his brother, I had seen Prince Finn multiple times since the night I first helped his sister. We didn’t encounter each other often, but when we did, the prince was always pleasant and kind. He would ask after his sister’s health, politely inquire after my own well-being, and then we’d part ways.

  The interaction was so… normal. It almost made me forget he was a prince of the kingdom.

  Almost.

  The admission brought forth familiar guilt. It felt wrong to speak casually with the creatures responsible for so much hardship and pain in my home region.

  Princess Cienna hummed beside me. She had finished speaking with the draekon and was observing my interaction with her brother. I glanced away from the prince, focusing on the plate in front of me.

  The roast beef was delicious, and the scalloped potatoes made my mouth water. I’d eaten my fair share of the wheat rolls at the table and I wanted more. But I wasn’t sure if my stomach would let me enjoy another bite.

  “Interesting.” I could hear her grin. “Very interesting.”

  I prepared myself to deliver a response sufficient enough to deter her teasing, but a noise at the far end of the dining hall stopped me.

  Every pair of eyes trailed to the ceiling-high double doors. They stood ajar, as they always did during mealtime. Standing there, with eight royal guards flanking him, was a tall, well-built blond male.

  For a moment, my entire world shattered. I thought my brother stood between the well-armed draekon, and the weeks I spent worrying over his wellbeing pounded at the surface of my mind.

  But as the male entered the hall, I realized it couldn’t possibly be Lin. He was much too tall to be my brother—a fact I’d been unable to determine from the original distance.

  Everyone watched the male approach the raised dais. Whispers fluttered about. As he drew near, I noticed the subtle lift of his lips.

  What he found amusing about his predicament, I had no idea. I certainly wouldn’t be smiling if I were being escorted into the hall like a prisoner.

  The retinue halted before the head table. I finally let my attention land on Prince Brion. He and his brother leaned forward in their seats, but it was Prince Brion who spoke. “Lord Erwin. I’m glad you decided to join us.”

  “I am glad you decided to finally release me from house arrest.” His voice triggered my memory.

  I had stood, gaping in the open doorway.

  The corner of his mouth lifted as he said, “Well… hello there. What do we have here?” The man had turned his head and I saw his pointed ears.

  I blinked, trying to clear my head of the strong vision.

  Prince Brion observed the male with a bored expression while Prince Finn said, “Your people attacked our city. Surely, you understand the need to take certain precautions.”

  My suspicions were proven right. The blond male from my first day in the castle was elven.

  Lord Erwin scoffed at the prince’s words. “My people had nothing to do with the attack on Draek. The rebellion was responsible. No one else.”

  Excited murmurs and gasps traveled the length of the hall. The elven male was bold. Perhaps, irresponsibly so.

  Everyone was stunned by his claim, but I was seized by terror. All I could do was picture Lin, and the note delivered to Lorie. I lifted a silent prayer, beseeching the gods to keep my brother away from the rebellion and out of trouble.

  “Your people used gliders in the attack.” Prince Finn sounded provoked.

  “Exiles,” Lord Erwin said without hesitation. “The elves who helped in the attack on your city were nothing more than Avelin outcasts. They hold no allegiance to our land, and we offer them no protection.”

  The righteous male turned his gaze from one brother to the other. “All of this, Prince Brion knows. He has spent many months hunting down rebel informants. I’m sure he is well aware of the rouge elves and their involvement.”

  All eyes swung to Prince Brion for his reaction, including m
ine. It was the first time I’d allowed myself to do more than glance at him all evening.

  He wore a midnight black tunic; the color matched his dark hair with eerie precision. The golden sash sporting several medallions resembled his twin’s, but his displayed more of the honorary tokens.

  Prince Brion seemed at ease despite the assembly’s attention and the situation at hand. In fact, he looked vaguely amused by his brother’s frustration and Lord Erwin’s blunt words.

  “I confirm what you say,” the prince told the elven male. “Hence, your freedom from your rooms.”

  Lord Erwin bowed. “Your Highness.”

  Prince Brion’s next sentence was uttered with political ease and appeasement. “Our apologies for your discomfort. We hope you will not begrudge us our caution.”

  “Of course not.”

  The prince dipped his head, sitting back in his tall, throne-like chair.

  Prince Finn, too, nodded at Lord Erwin. “We hope you enjoy the evening.” He lifted his hand and waved toward the eight royal guards. They scattered to their posts.

  Relieved of his escort, Lord Erwin glided to the side of the room where two other blond males sat. Draekon whispered in his wake. Some females eyed him like an exotic and prized animal. I watched his movement, noting the occasional wink or kiss he’d bestow upon the draekon females.

  Was the elven lord romantically involved with them? It seemed unlikely. Didn’t all draekon despise the enemies who cursed their homeland and prevented their ability to create life?

  The side of my face tingled. I turned and met Prince Brion’s gaze. His expression was hard to read, but his eyes were dark and flat. I wasn’t sure what caused his disapproval, but it flew across the space between us and threatened to suffocate me with its weight.

  I tore my attention away. Princess Cienna was busy whispering with Jona; they sounded more like gossiping teenagers than powerful draekon.