by T. S. Ryder
Misa bowed and took the tray with her as she quietly left the room.
“Thank you,” Ella said. “I feel warmer – much better. The food was delicious.”
“My pleasure, Ella,” he said, as he gazed at her with those intense eyes of his.
She looked away and began fidgeting with her hands as the silence stretched between them. He said he wanted to marry her, but he seemed so harsh and cold. Would he be able to love her? She had wanted to get out of the convent, to taste adventure. She had always hoped to find someone who loved her, but her new situation overwhelmed her. Then, it suddenly hit her. She had taken vows of celibacy. How could she marry him?
“I can’t marry you, Darilth,” she said at last.
“Excuse me?” he said, raising a brow as his intense gaze bore into hers.
“Back on Earth, I was a nun. I-I have taken vows of celibacy. My life was dedicated to serving the Lord and never getting married,” she said as he gazed at her with an amused look in his eye.
“What you were on Earth doesn’t matter anymore. You are on Iovis now and you will follow my rules here,” he said with a finality in his tone.
“But I –” she began, but he silenced her by holding up one hand.
“No more discussion. Come, we must see the King now,” he said as he held out his hand for her.
She got up and hesitantly took his hand. He came closer, gazing at her as her breath hitched. She was beautiful, and he felt the familiar pull in his heart. He wanted to kiss her. How he ached to feel those soft lips on his again.
Yet, his features were calm and cold. Only for a split second did his eyes betray the turmoil within his soul. He tucked a strand of ice-blonde hair behind her ear and took her arm to escort her outside.
Ella stepped into the grand hallway and shivered. The cold was more intense here. The vaulted ceiling was high and arched. One guard stood outside the room. He wore royal armor made out of burnished steel, a dark blue cloak covering his shoulders.
As she walked down the grand, cold halls of the castle toward the throne room, her heart sank. She was in another universe far away from home and she was helpless. This strange alien wanted to marry her no matter what. Why did he want her so badly? Back home nobody wanted to be around her. This man was a warrior and a Prince; he could get any beautiful woman he wanted. But he wanted her as his mate.
She didn’t seem to have much choice in the matter. Would she be a sinner if she married him? She had to admit that he was attractive and that she felt drawn to him, but she didn’t know him at all. Part of her had always longed for a change, for adventure, but the other part said she was a sinner.
What should she do? She had never chosen to take the vows. She was forced into taking them. She could easily let go of them if she wanted to. In her heart, she believed God would forgive her, because she wouldn’t have been here in the first place if it hadn’t been His will.
Chapter Three
The Throne of Rothgar
Ella followed Prince Darilth, trying to keep up with his long strides as they made their way across the long hallway toward the throne room. Her heart raced as they entered the throne room.
The heavy wooden doors opened automatically to reveal a large hall lined with huge stone columns on both sides. Arched windows with glass and wrought iron carvings revealed a white world outside. The planet was mostly covered in ice.
Darilth bowed before the King, his father Lord Rezelith, the Elder of the Drakonaar. Ella stood behind him. The King of Rothgar sat haughtily on a throne that was made of dark stone. His demeanor was harsh and cold, just like the walls that surrounded him. His guards stood in a row on either side. A young man dressed in dark pants and a dark cloak similar to Darilth’s own stood beside the king, a beautiful but drained looking woman at his side.
“Father, I have found the woman destined to be my bride. Let me introduce her to you,” he said formally as he stepped aside. “This is Ella, my true mate.”
He held Ella’s arm and nudged her forward. She bowed hesitantly.
“So, you bring a human to my castle, son. I thought you could do better than that. You disappoint me, as always,” Rezelith said, giving the trembling woman before him a disgusted look. “She’s not like the other humans that I have seen.”
“Yes, Father. She is different. She has a genetic condition that makes her appear different from her own kind,” Darilth said.
“Darilth, you need a woman who can give you an heir. This woman can’t. Look at her, she’s weak and won’t do you any good. I’d rather have her work as a slave here than see her as your bride.”
“But Father, she is my true mate! I know it. The Draco’s Eye responded to her. I can...” Darilth began, trying to persuade his father.
But the King held up his hand to silence his son.
“That’s enough! Keep her as your slave or kill her, whichever pleases you. You are still in exile and will come back only when you have found a suitable woman. I will not see you marry a weak human female,” he said with finality in his tone as he glared down at his son.
Prince Darilth knew his father was being unreasonable. They had waited for a true mate who would awaken the ancient magic of the stone for centuries, and now, when he had finally found her, his father refused to accept her.
Darilth’s jaw clenched, his hands closing into fists and knuckles turning white. This was not fair. How could his father not see it? He glanced at Ella. She was trembling – from fear or cold, he couldn’t tell. Tears streaked down her face as she silently cried and her breathing became staggered. His chest constricted once again. He hadn’t brought her here to be humiliated like this. He knew his father wouldn’t like her much, but he didn’t know that he would force her into slavery.
“Father, please reconsider. This doesn’t make sense. She’s my mate,” Darilth pledged one last time. He gazed into the old man’s eyes, but all he could see was icy cold bitterness. He had changed, thought Darilth. His heart had died with his mother’s passing.
Rezelith gave his son a weary look. “Darilth, I have made my decision.”
Prince Darilth silently gazed into his father’s eyes and saw no kindness there, not even for his own son. Then he caught Keralth gazing at Ella, a smirk pasted on his face as he eyed her. Darilth wanted to smack the bastard hard in the face.
“Look at Keralth here. He found his mate a long time ago – and a good one too. He’s smart. Too bad she couldn’t awaken the stone, but at least she’s a warrior, strong and trained in battle. Quite different from the weak human you brought here. You could learn a thing or two from him,” the King drawled as Keralth smiled smugly. “You are dismissed,” he said with a wave of his hand.
Darilth bowed and, without another word, he took Ella’s arm and escorted her outside. Tears streamed down her face. Her stomach knotted at the thought of being a slave. The Drakonaar seemed very hostile and would probably kill her if they had the chance.
“Darilth, please, you can’t do this to me,” she cried quietly. She saw his jaw clench as his grip tightened on her arm. He almost dragged her back to his chambers and closed the door behind him. He loosened his grip and turned her in his arms, gazing deep into her pale blue eyes.
“You need to calm down, Ella,” he said in his low, deep voice that she found so alluring. “Listen, I didn’t expect that it would come to this. I need to think.” He held her firmly but gently until her breathing calmed. He then helped her sit upon the chaise lounge, strode over to the table, and poured dark purple wine into two glasses.
“Drink this. You’ll feel better,” he said as he handed her a glass.
Her hands quivered as she took the glass from him. The exotic wine slid silkily down her throat and warmed her up instantly. “Thank you,” she said ever so softly.
He raked a hand through his long, silver-white hair and took a swig, draining his glass. He walked back to the table and poured himself another glass.
“You knew the King wouldn’t approve
, didn’t you?” she asked him as he stood with his back to her, brooding. “Yet you still brought me here,” she said.
“I thought he would accept you after he saw that you awakened the Draco’s Eye,” he said quietly.
“He’s right. You should marry a woman worthy of you – a warrior princess, not a weak human like me,” she said as fresh tears sprang to her eyes. “But please, I don’t want to be a slave. Please set me free...” She looked up at him and a strange light lit up her beautiful eyes as if an idea had suddenly struck her. “Take me with you wherever you go. I’ll work for you as a free woman!”
“There is no such thing as a ‘free woman’ in my world, Ella. Here women are either warriors married to men or slaves who work as concubines,” he said dryly, his back still to her.
“I’d rather die than become your slave!” she replied heatedly, breathing hard. Her conscience was appalled at the idea of living her life as a concubine. “Kill me before I have to face any more humiliation.”
He turned and she saw his deep sapphire eyes raw with emotion as his intense gaze penetrated her soul. “For you I can make an exception. I will set you free and send you home if you want.”
“I... I don’t have a home... or a family,” she said quietly. “I don’t want to go back to the convent. My life there was no better than that of a slave.”
“I’ll have to leave Iovis by tomorrow night. I’m still in exile.” He gazed at her for a long time. Then he set his glass down and sat down beside her. “Would you prefer to be my wife, Ella?”
It was a simple question and, yet, Ella gasped. She was taken aback by his bluntness. He patiently waited for her answer, longing in his eyes. She took a deep breath. “Even if I said yes, the King wouldn’t let us...”
“I’m asking you, Ella,” he said in that low deep voice of his as he held her gaze.
“Yes, if you can love me,” she said in her soft voice.
He took her in his arms and held her. Cupping her chin, he gazed deep into her blue eyes, his piercing gaze growing darker. The next moment, his lips were on hers, reclaiming her mouth with a fervent longing that made her blood burn with desire. Her answer was that passionate kiss.
“I don’t care what the King says or thinks. I will make you my Queen, Ella.” He pulled away from her and she gasped for breath. How could his father not see that she was his true mate?
Well, if he can’t see that she is the one, you can’t do anything about it, Mekarth said dryly.
“Come with me now,” Darilth said. He gave her a cloak with a hood and helped her put it on.
“Where are we going?” she asked him.
“You’ll soon find out,” he said as he put on his own dark cloak and hood and strapped on his sword, the Lazarus. Its blade was forged from a steel native to Iovis and it was sharp enough to split a feather in two. The Lazarus, which meant ‘protector of the King,’ could only be wielded by the heir to the throne.
He held her hand firmly while he led her toward the basement tunnels. The tunnels were lit with blue light. At their end were metal doors that slid open, revealing some sort of car behind them. He strapped her in a seat and sat down beside her. The car could move in all directions: left, right, up, and down. They started moving through the complex system of tunnels.
“Umm... Can I ask where we are going?”
“We are getting married,” he responded, tilting his head amusedly.
“What? Now?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes, now. We’ll be at the Rothgar temple in a few minutes,” he said.
“But what if the King finds out?” she whispered, wide-eyed.
“Trust me, he won’t,” Darilth said with a smile on his face.
Chapter Four
The temple of Rothgar was simple but elegant in its grandeur. It had pristine white columns and white marble flooring. The ceiling was domed. It was unexpectedly warm inside.
Ella stood beside Darilth at the center of the temple hall next to the huge fountain. Darilth held both her hands as the old man recited incantations she didn’t understand despite her wearing the translator.
Darilth stood there and gazed at her, and when then the old man asked him if he would take her as his mate for life, he said yes. When she heard herself say yes, she knew in her heart that she had done the right thing. The old man filled a silver cup with water from the sacred fountain and handed it to the Prince. Darilth took a sip and then offered it to her. The water tasted sweet. He then kissed her, sealing their bond for life.
***
They were back in the Prince’s chambers. The light in his room was a dim warm glow, just bright enough to see. Darilth was sprawled on the sofa in a lazy manner as he looked at her. It was long after midnight and Ella found herself to be getting more nervous by the minute. She sat beside him, fidgeting with her hands and feeling awkward. Darilth sensed her anxiousness. His chest constricted and he felt the familiar pull of his heart. She looked so innocent and vulnerable. He wanted to protect her with his life.
“Umm... I never got to thank you for fixing my eyes,” she said after a while, color rising to her cheeks. She gave him a sidelong glance. He looked extraordinarily handsome in a dark shirt that partially revealed his muscular chest.
“You are always welcome, my lady,” he said, a smile curled at the corner of his lips.
“Darilth? Why did you choose me? You could have gone for any other woman,” she asked him.
He sat up and took off the silver band with the large blue stone that he wore and slid it across her wrist. The band shrunk to her size, fitting perfectly. The stone glowed bright blue.
“Ella, this is the Draco’s Eye. As heir the Rothgar throne, I am the bearer of the Eye. So, when I first saw you back on Earth, this stone showed me you were my destined mate,” he said.
“Where did you get this thing?” she asked him curiously.
“The great Dragon Queen created it. Ella, we are Drakonaar. We can shapeshift into dragon form at will and our blood has magical healing powers, but we weren’t always like this. Legend says that thousands of years ago the Dragon Queen ruled the natives before my ancestors invaded this planet. Our species evolved when she mated with one of our ancestors all those years ago and produced the first hybrid Drakonaar: a shifter.
“Before she died, the Dragon Queen transferred all her magic and part of her soul into the blue stone. The stone was later secured in this silver band by her successor. To ensure that the Royal Drakonaar bloodline remained pure and the bearer worthy of its powers, the Eye could only be awakened by a woman who was a ‘true mate’ to the crown prince of the Rothgar throne.”
“What about your mother? She couldn’t awaken it?” she asked him.
“No, the Eye has been dormant for a few centuries now,” he explained. “The Enemy has already taken advantage of this fact and some of our planets are already at war.”
“And what happens if the Eye is awakened?”
“Once awakened, the bearer will have ultimate healing powers and they would become the most powerful ruler of the galaxy. Our neighboring planets have been under attack by the enemy and Iovis is threatened as well. It’s my duty to regain the power of the Eye so that I can end this war.”
“You have a great responsibility,” Ella said
“Yes... That’s why I need you to awaken it, Ella.”
She nodded and Darilth took her hand and entwined his fingers with hers. Gazing deep into her eyes, he recited an incantation and the stone glowed brighter. She gasped as bright fluorescent vines grew out of the stone and entangled their hands, binding them together. It was as if the vines were made of light. She could feel the strange energy that flowed through her. She could sense the strength of her bond with this man.
The vines faded and the stone stopped glowing. He let go of her hand then and stood up. He took off his shirt, revealing his bare chest. She stared at him, her heart racing. He walked over to the table and poured two more glasses of wine. He knew she was nervous a
nd didn’t want to rush things. He wanted her to relax. He wondered if she had been with a man before.
His long, straight hair fell over his back and his muscles rippled beneath his skin as he moved. He walked over to her slowly and handed her a glass. She took a sip and tried to calm her racing heart.
“Ella, tell me about your life on Earth,” he said, sitting close to her. She could smell his heady scent. It was distracting.
“I had an ordinary life there, Darilth. My aunt left me at the convent, abandoning me. Then, she forced me into taking vows of celibacy because she didn’t want me back. I was too much of an embarrassment to her because of my condition.” She paused and took another sip.
“The girls there thought I was the odd one. They called me the ghost,” she said, looking away as her tears threatened to spill over. “I had no friends, no family. I was alone, wishing for my life to change. Then, it suddenly did when you killed that warden,” she said. “Did you really have to kill her, Darilth?”
“Yes. She had stepped onto the force-field and was seriously injured. I couldn’t save her. I had to put her out of her misery,” he explained.
She drained her glass. The wine relaxed her a bit. She blushed at the way he looked at her – as if she were the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
“You are really young. You still have a lot to learn,” he said gently.
“I’m twenty-three. How old are you?” she asked.
“By the standard Iovis year, which is 400 days, I am three hundred and thirty years,” he said, amused.
“That sounds old. Strange, because you look hardly thirty,” she said, eyes wide with wonder.
“Yes, I’m quite old by your Earth standards,” he said, a smile playing at his lips. “We are immortals. That doesn’t mean we can’t be killed, but we live a long life: almost a thousand years.”
“Don’t you get weary of living that long?”
“Yes, sometimes we do, but only when we don’t have a reason to live,” he said, holding her gaze.