Bane of Dragons

by Clara Hartley

  “Well… Try again.”

  “I’m really not the fighting type, Kael.”

  “Go on.”

  I refrained from rolling my eyes and dragged the hilt of the sword up to waist level again.

  “You’ve already forgotten the starting stance.”

  It wasn’t easy to remember, not with him being such a distraction. After my many false attempts to remember, Kael got impatient and strode over. He tugged my hands and legs to where they should be. “Like this. Burn it into your mind.”

  “My mind’s already filled with too many things.”

  He demonstrated another swing with his dagger. “From the core, and follow through.”

  I nodded, then tried to do what he did. The hem of my robe caught on my foot, and I fell face-first toward the ground.

  Kael swooped over and caught me before I suffered a bruise. He gripped my wrist and pulled it away from my torso, so the sword didn’t pierce anything.

  “Careful,” he said.

  “I don’t think robes are the best attire to practice sword fighting in.”

  “Probably not.”

  “I should have changed.”

  “It’s fun watching you struggle.”

  “Not on my end.”

  He took the sword from me and backed away. “Pity. Maybe another day. I had this made just for you.”

  “For me?”

  “It’s lighter than most swords.” He weighed the weapon in his hands. “And has a smaller grip. I thought you’d be able to manage it well. I had a pretty nice mental image of you kicking ass.”

  “That doesn’t sound like me at all.” I sighed, mentally exhausted, and sat down on a couch. He gave the sword back to me. On closer inspection, it was an exquisite weapon, with silver trimmings and a white hilt. Its blade had an elegant texture to it on one side, and on the other, I could see my face reflected. “Do you think Rylan’s going to be all right?”

  Kael frowned. “I don’t know. He’s been the one shouldering all the burdens, for Gaius and I especially. Micah never got the same level of expectations because he’s illegitimate, but if not for Rylan taking on all those responsibilities, it would’ve landed on both Gaius’s and my shoulders.”

  “You love him,” I said.

  “As I do all my brothers. But I’m the most grateful to him. He’s protected us all this while.”

  I looked into Kael’s blue eyes. “You could take up more duties.”

  He searched my eyes. “Yeah, I could.” Then he avoided my gaze. “Probably should. But that’s not really my style.”

  “Think about it.”

  “What good would I do, anyway?” Kael said. “I’m not as bright as the others. I just know how to poke things with my daggers.”

  “Micah told me that when it comes to military strategy, you know best.”

  “Vancel knows best. That’s why he’s head of the Council of Fortitude. Also, does that really matter? Constanria hasn’t had a drawn-out war in thousands of years. The rebellion was just a small blip. I simply like reading those books about combat and war. For fun.”

  “The rebellion was not a small blip. It lasted twenty years, and thousands died.”

  “Seems small to a hidrae.” He rubbed the back of his neck. Thinking about it, the princes had likely lived through those wars, though they were most likely children when they happened.

  “Beyestirya is having a food shortage. I assume that isn’t good for keeping peace. Micah thinks you could lead the Council of Fortitude instead of Vancel if not for your fear of responsibility.”

  “Maybe. It’s not important.”

  “You could take up a position in the army. Secure the Everbornes’ reputation. Give Rylan more support amongst the military and guard, so he doesn’t have to deal with that all on his own.”

  Kael looked disgusted. “It’s like asking a Geckari to fly.”

  “Maybe.” I smiled. I couldn’t imagine Kael in proper military attire. “What’s taking Gaius and Micah so long?” I said, scowling. “We’re supposed to move on with the next list of spells.”

  Kael folded his arms. “They just want to give you more time with me.”

  “I’ll go look for them.” I got to feet and ambled out of the room. I had to get back to work soon, and needed their help. I’d told the brothers about my agreement with Gisiroth the day before. Micah and Gaius had exuberantly decided to help.

  The door to Rylan’s room was open.

  I heard Micah’s voice from Rylan’s study. “You can’t be serious.”

  Rylan’s came after. “We’re done playing. I know you care for Sera, but this is a matter of national importance. We have to think about Constanria.”

  “We all know Sera isn’t dangerous. She isn’t that kind of person. It’s those stupid officials and their superstitions. Vancel Gavril’s playing us right into his hands.”

  “And he’s doing it well. He’s backed us into a wall, and we have to take action before it gets worse.”

  “We can’t do this to her. She has nothing left.”

  “What about me?” I said, walking into the study and interrupting their quibble.

  Rylan’s eyes widened. “Sera…”

  My heart raced. “You’ve come to your decision? About what Gisiroth said?”

  His gaze lowered to a heap of letters on the desk. Micah was seething next to him, while Gaius sat on a chair, wearing a solemn expression.

  I strolled up to the desk and picked up an envelope from the stack. I opened a letter. Then another. And the next one. They watched me as I did. Pain shot through my chest each time I skimmed a letter.

  I pressed my lips together. “The complaints have come in quickly indeed.” I’d already known this was going to happen. Somewhere deep down, I knew the princes would leave me because of my curse eventually. I wasn’t to be treasured anymore. Because the curse had stripped away whatever standing I had, they would toss me aside, just as anyone would. They weren’t entirely different from others.

  But… I just wanted to believe. We were drinking, dancing, laughing, only last night. It couldn’t just end this abruptly.

  “There are dozens of them.” Each one of the letters had hurtful words scrawled all over—demon-born, wretched being, an abomination which should be dealt with.

  A frown cut into Rylan’s brow. “Sera, it’s not like I want to.”

  “I understand.”

  “If there were any other way—”

  “I know.”

  “It’s for the sake of the royal family. And the peace of our nation. If the Gavrils ended up ruining the stability we’ve built over the years because of this thing we have, it’ll put lives in danger.”

  “You don’t have to explain to me, Rylan. I know you care for your family and country. If I’m getting in the way of that, then it’s easier if I’m gone.”

  “Sera, don’t put it like that…”

  “I’ll still get to talk to your brothers.”

  “No. I’m putting out an executive order. Nobody in the royal family is to have any form of communication with you.”

  Gaius stood up. “Rylan, you can’t—”

  “If any of us are seen with her, Vancel will use it to his advantage.”

  “This is ridiculous,” Micah said.

  I stilled. My hand quivered. I wanted to crush the letter I was holding—vermin, it read, in messy handwriting. I was merely an inconvenience to exterminate.

  I set the paper down. “I’ll pack my things.”

  Rylan kept his gaze locked on the desk. “You… you have until sundown to move to a separate location we’ve prepared for you.”

  “All right.”

  I couldn’t look at him either. It felt like my chest was getting ripped wide open. Tears were brimming in my eyes, but I leveled my breathing and held them back for the moment.

  Micah gripped my arm. “Sera, don’t listen to my brother.”

  “Micah,” Rylan said, “leave her. You’re not supposed to—”
/>
  “What do you care? Nobody will bat an eye if the bastard child spends time with a cursed girl. I’m not seen as part of the Everbornes anyway.”

  “It’s a royal decree.”

  “You can burn in hell, Rylan.”

  I strode out of the study, feeling Rylan and Gaius watching my back. I wanted to run, but tried to maintain a semblance of control over myself.

  “Sera! Sera, wait.” Micah’s footsteps tapped behind me.

  “I’ll have to hurry,” I said. “I only have until sundown. There’s a lot of things to keep organized. I’m not sure if I’m ever going to be allowed back here, and nothing can be missing once I’m gone.”

  “You don’t have to leave.” Micah caught up and blocked me.

  “You heard him. I’m not welcome anymore.”

  “He’s just a coward. He doesn’t want to stand up to Gisiroth.”

  “He’s doing this for your own good too, Micah.”

  “Fuck that. He’s not.” He hugged me, so tightly that it slammed the breath out of me. “If he knows what’s best for me, for us, he’d let you stay. Us brothers haven’t been this close until you arrived, and I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.” He kissed me with such passion that my mind blanked. His sweetness seeped into my lips as he pressed me tightly against him. I could feel strands of his crimson hair brushing my skin, and electricity sparked between us.

  This was all too much at once.

  I couldn’t decide what to do.

  “No,” I said. “You can’t.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You don’t know how it feels to be this looked down upon.”

  “Of course I do—”

  “No. You don’t. You might be illegitimate, but you’re still the king’s son. If you stick with me, it’s going to be worse than that. I’m seen as an abomination, and people will judge you the same way. Can you live with that? You’ll never be able to get the recognition you want. You might have to cast everything aside. Are you ready for that?”

  Micah clenched his jaw tight. He studied me with his blue eyes and tightened his fist. A long pause hung between us. He stepped back.

  Some part of me hoped he’d say yes. That he’d hug and kiss me again, and that at least he, who could relate, would stick by my side.

  “You’re right,” he said. “I’m not ready.”

  It should have hurt more, but I had prepared myself for his answer.

  I nodded, then walked past him, mentally trying to fix the broken pieces of my heart. I wanted to go back into Micah’s arms and cry my heart out, ask him to change his mind, but I had my pride, and it wasn’t in me to beg.

  “What’s wrong?” Kael asked as I entered my room.

  I opened my cupboard and started pulling my clothes out. I saw the two dresses the princes had given me yesterday.

  I tossed the dresses aside. “Rylan’s given the decree that no one in the royal family should talk to me.” I looked back at Kael, weighing his reaction.

  His mouth gaped open. “What?”

  “He’s following Gisiroth’s orders.”

  “Wait… but…”

  “Will you stay, Kael? Your brother needs you.”

  Gaius entered shortly after. “Sera, that wasn’t a nice way to say goodbye. You broke Rylan’s heart.”

  Then what of mine?

  Gaius ran a hand through his hair and hit his head against the doorframe, sounding a loud thump. “I don’t know what to do. I want to be with both of you.”

  I could see the conflict emanating from Gaius. He was loyal to a fault, and now that two people he loved were at odds, it hurt him.

  I had to make it easier on him.

  “Rylan’s protected you all these years. I’m just some girl who’s risking your family. You barely even know me.”

  “But Sera…”

  I met his eyes, as much as it pained me to do so. “I’m not worth all of this, Gaius.”

  “But I want you.”

  “You owe it more to Rylan. Tell me I’m wrong.” I wanted him to.

  He stiffened. “You’re not.”

  What was I doing? Shutting myself off like that? Perhaps it was because they’d broken down my walls, getting past the protections I’d put up for myself. And now that they were hurting me, I was scampering to build them back up.

  I saw Gaius walk away. Watching each of his footsteps cut into me. I turned my attention to Kael. I was hoping he’d stay. He was the one who always came to me first. He seemed like he’d care for propriety the least.

  But then he got up and padded toward the door. “I owe it to him too.” He shot me a sorry look. “If I stay… it’ll only let more rumors fly, and Rylan would have to take care of them all. I’ve been giving him so much trouble throughout the years. This is the least I can do.”

  “Yeah. Good on you, Kael.” He was taking some responsibility for once. I just wished it didn’t have to be like this.

  I almost broke apart as I saw Kael walk away too.

  “Goodbye, Sera.”

  The door clicked closed.

  I moved toward my desk, seeing two letters there, side by side. One, the acceptance letter from the council, and the other, my letter of termination. I sat down on my study chair and stared at them, shaking.

  I felt some tears on my cheeks, but I quickly wiped them away.

  Sometime in my childhood, I’d learned to shrug things away. My curse had thrown all sorts of terrible things at me, and if not for being able to shield myself, I would have given up long ago.

  This had happen eventually. One more thing to shrug off. I had my fun with the princes, and now it was over. I had been deceiving myself thinking they belonged to me and that we’d stick together through it all. They were just like everybody else.

  It was foolish of me to let them in.

  I steeled myself and stood up. I shuffled through my papers. It was time for me to pack my things and leave.

  Nineteen

  I wanted to catch a glimpse of the princes before I left, but they weren’t in their rooms. A male darmar servant greeted me when I was done packing.

  “Is this all?” he asked.

  I did have a healthy amount of personal belongings. A whole cupboard of robes, with many different colors for varying moods. Some cosmetics, encyclopedias, my favorite brands of soap. But I decided to leave many of them behind. I wasn’t sure if I’d need the robes, and if I should keep up appearances anymore.

  All I wanted to bring along could fit inside one small suitcase. Well… two, actually. I’d packed my folders and papers into another. I likely didn’t require them anymore, but I couldn’t bear to leave them behind. I’d always been so attached to my work.

  “Yeah, that’s all,” I said, passing the suitcases to the servant.

  “Uh, don’t come any closer,” the servant said. “Just leave them on the ground.”

  “I’m wearing my gloves.”

  “Just to be safe.”

  I sighed and did as he asked. He waved, gesturing for me to back off. I rolled my eyes and stepped back. Only then did he dare pick up my suitcases.

  We strolled out of the princes’ quarters.

  I turned back to look at it one last time. The waterfall that cut between it now looked towering, and the waters made a loud sound that had never bothered me before, but did now.

  I followed the darmar to my new lodgings, not having a clue where it’d be. We were walking for more than fifteen minutes in cold silence when I finally asked, “Are we reaching it soon?”

  “It’s in the eastern bloc,” he said.

  That was all the way on the other side of the palace. Rylan really didn’t want to have anything to do with me.

  I took in the sights of the palace as I walked through. Would I ever get to see these walls, the ones I’d grown so familiar with, again? Even the grandeur of it all couldn’t stop the turmoil in my chest.

  Down a corridor, I spotted Vancel talking to Tindyll. Anger surged in me as I stro
de past them. It was all his fault. He was the person that started all this, even though I didn’t want anything to do with him.

  “Sera,” he called.

  My steps halted. I didn’t want to face him. The boiling inside was too hard to control. I wanted to thrust myself at him, claw at his face. I’d left the sword Kael had given me behind. I should have brought it along so that I could plunge it through his cold, evil heart.

  With all my strength, I pulled my face into a placid look and spun toward him. I raised a brow, questioning his intentions.

  “How nice to see you around,” he continued.

  “Shove it, Vancel. We know that you’re more than happy to watch me leave.” I could have tried to be politically correct, fake a smile, pretend that he wasn’t ruining my life. I could have. But I decided it was too difficult.

  He cocked his head. “I suppose you’re right. I hope you understand. You had to be revealed eventually. Poor Tindyll here has been hurt by your ruse.”

  Really? She wanted to play the victim?

  “And you’ve been mixing with the princes,” Tindyll added. “The royal line should not be sullied. What are they thinking?”

  “What have you been telling her?” I asked Vancel.

  His eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Nothing but the truth. Tindyll has a daughter she cares dearly for. What if your condition affected her family?”

  “And how, exactly?”

  “We don’t know how it works, but better to stay far away when we can.”

  Tindyll shook her head. “Sera, I know you don’t have ill intentions. But can’t you see that you might be a manifestation of black magic? Magic itself is dangerous, but such power… it can only come from the dark art. You shouldn’t be anywhere the Everborne family.”

  “The princes might already be tainted,” Vancel said.

  These rumors were getting increasingly far-fetched. I didn’t want to face them anymore. “If you would excuse me,” I said, with venom in my tone, “I’ll have to take my leave.”

  Vancel tipped his chin. “Don’t let us bother you. Perhaps it’s better you leave anyway. We don’t want the curse to affect us.”

  “It doesn’t—” I stopped mid-sentence, saving my breath. Vancel knew exactly how the curse worked. I could see fear in Tindyll’s eyes. That was all he was trying to achieve, and he’d succeeded.