The Cursed Queen (Dragon’s Curse #1)

Seraphina Sera

An anguished roar, the rattling of chains, and the whistling of the wind. These were the sounds that plagued my dreams every night, ominous and bewildering. From the time I was a young girl, I could recall these vague sounds ringing in my ears when I sleep, but nothing else. Whenever I brought these recurring sounds to my mother's attention, she'd merely brush it off as unimportant, and shouldn't be dwelling over it. If she were correct, it wouldn't have been an endless occurrence.

Something was calling to me, a cry for help.

"Princess? Princess Sera, it's time to wake up, darling."

I was jostled awake, groaning, as I forced my eyes open to see who pulled me out of my slumber. Even through blurred vision, I could see Vivienne's mint green hair pulled into a single braid and draped over her left shoulder. Once her face was clear to me, I groaned, burying my face into my pillow and praying for sleep to snatch me back. The swaying motion of my body as my chambermaid continued shaking me from my shoulder prevented my mind from drifting.

"Sera, come now. Wake up," Vivienne urged in her soft, melodic tone.

Seeing as sleep would be nothing but a distant memory until tonight, I pulled myself up into a sitting position. "I hate mornings," I grumbled.

"Oh really? I never would've noticed," Vivienne tittered.

It was then I noticed the tray of food she must've placed on my nightstand. The glorious aroma of food shooed away what remained of my drowsiness. Next to the plate was a mug of coffee and a glass bottle containing the contents of my medicine. As if protesting the purplish liquid stored inside, the heat from my illness began warming up my body. It wasn't unpleasant, but I never dared to find out what would happen if I didn't ingest my medicine at a reasonable time.

If only I knew what it was supposed to do. Or what sort of illness I had.

I didn't have a name for it, nor did I know of all its side effects. My mother had explained that a dark sorcerer cursed me with this illness when I was born, and if I went too long without taking my medicine, I would die. Given the heat, perhaps my body would combust into flames. I wish I knew why I was cursed in the first place. Nobody would tell me anything about it. According to the medical druids, there was no cure for it. The medicine I took only helped to sustain the effects, but it was a curse I had to live with forever. Whatever it was, it was why I grew up with poor magic reserve.

A druid who could barely wield magic was a disgrace to our kind, especially when you're the royal princess of the Zeffari Kingdom.

Frowning, I ignored the medicine and reached for my coffee first. After taking my first sip and letting the miracle elixir work its magic on me, I set the cup aside and grabbed my plate of breakfast.

"Just to remind you, princess, you're supposed to meet with your mother and the council this afternoon," Vivienne said, sauntering over to my closet to find a suitable gown for me to wear today.

I swallowed a mouthful of food before asking, "Any idea what this meeting is for?"

"It could be for one of two things. Either to discuss plans for your twenty-first birthday or arrangements for the Dragon Rider's ceremony. Both events are coming up soon."

My ears perked up at the news of the latter. Anything that had to do with dragons would grab my attention, especially dragon riders. Five battalions of druids have been knighted as dragon riders and are dedicated to protecting the kingdom. It was why the Zeffari Kingdom was believed to be one of the strongest of the five kingdoms of Iferia. No other race of magic-wielders had the strength to tame and bond with a dragon. Our unique magic—drawn from the life essence of Iferia—was what gave us the ability, or so that was how it was explained to me.

"To be honest, I'm more excited about the Dragon Rider Ceremony than I am about my birthday," I said truthfully.

Vivienne fished out a plum-colored gown that would highlight my magenta-colored hair and brought it over to my bed. "That honestly doesn't surprise me. I should've known the moment the word dragon fell from my lips, you'd have stopped listening to everything else."

I blushed, knowing she was speaking the truth. Dragons fascinated me. They had since I first laid eyes on them as a child.I grew envious of those who had the privilege of riding on top of them and commanding the skies. A privilege I'd never get thanks to my lack of magic, and being the kingdom's princess. As if my love for the mighty creatures summoned them, I heard the faint tempestuous roars echoing outside my window. I gasped, looking up at Vivienne with surprise and delight. I set my plate back on the serving tray before throwing myself off the bed and rushing to the window. Down below, I could see the courtyard, and the many druid knights scurrying about, preparing for the newest batch of dragons we'd collected.

My eyes shot up to the clouds as the cries of dragons grew louder. Within moments, the Zeffari Kingdom's third dragon rider battalion returned home. There were ten riders in total, but only three of them brought new dragons with them. The new dragons were bound with enchanted chains around their mouths, claws, and wings, making them completely immobile. The riders had their dragons carry them back to the castle with their claws. Though unable to move, and visibly weak from battle, the new dragons struggled to break free.

I looked on as the battalion landed, laying the new dragons in the courtyard while the rest of the knights apprehended them, using magic to try to calm them. Admittedly, I wasn't too fond of how confined the dragons were, or how beaten up they looked from an obvious battle with the battalion. My heart constricted in pain as I watched them being dragged to the dragon stables, wishing they were treated better. I had to remind myself that it was only temporary. Once bonded to a druid knight, they'd be free to roam the skies like the gods intended. Only now they wouldn't be seen as wild or destructive.

Footsteps sounded behind me until I could feel Vivienne's breath tickling the back of my neck, looking over my head at the commotion in the courtyard. "I wonder which dragon would become Virgil's. He'll be knighted to dragon rider this year, won't he?"

My smile widened at the mention of my oldest friend, next to Vivienne, of course. Virgil and I were the same age and often played together when we were little. Vivienne would say we were thick as thieves, always attached to the hip. We both had dreams of becoming dragon riders, but only one of us had achieved it. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous, but I'd never discourage him from following his dream. I was proud of him. If I couldn't become a dragon rider, then at least I could be satisfied knowing he'd be one.

"Yes. He's worked very hard for this moment," I said, beaming with pride.

As for which dragon he'd select to bond with, I wasn't sure. They were all different sizes and colored scales. I wanted to say the large black dragon, but he was the one who struggled the most in his restraint. The bluish-green one was still unconscious, and looked the leanest, its features softer. Maybe not that one. There was the red one, roughly the same size as the black one, but wasn't putting up a fight as much as the latter. Strong, proud, fierce-looking.

"Maybe the red one?" I suggested, pointing down at it.

Vivienne observed the one I pointed out and nodded her approval. "Yes, I'd say that one's a good contender. Though with only three dragons captured, the pickings are limited."

"At least he'll be able to pick one," I muttered, wondering which I'd decide had I been allowed to become a dragon rider.

I felt the all-too-familiar pang of misery at the poor state of my being. I was weak. With my poor magic and health, I couldn't do anything. I couldn't be a dragon rider, nor could I be the princess my kingdom demanded of me. My frail state made me nothing but a waste of flesh.

"I'm sorry you're disappointed, Sera. I know it feels like life has dealt you a bad hand." Vivienne turned me around so she could pull me into her warm embrace. I buried myself in her hug, letting the loving warmth envelop me. This type of loving gesture was only given to me by her, never my mother. It used to bother me in the beginning that my mother would never be loving and nurturing to me, her only child. But my love for Vivienne grew as she regarded me likefamily. Vivienne was more of a mother to me.

"I know your life is not what you would've wanted it to be," she said as her fingers ran through the curls of my hair. "Between your father's death, the curse, and not becoming a dragon rider, it seems your problems are weighing you down. But my darling princess, your life is more blessed than you realize."

"How so?" I asked, pulling back from the hug.

Vivienne shrugged with a smirk. "Well, for starters, you're the most beautiful young woman in all of Iferia."

"I am not!" I shouted in outrage, though my cheeks warmed at the compliment.

We both chuckled before she continued. "You're also a princess, and important to the Atheynia Region. Someday, you will take your mother's place as queen, which means all druids will look to you for guidance."

"But how can I rule over all druids if this blasted curse makes me powerless in magic?" I asked, feeling the pressure of taking the crown from my mother soon. My people would want a ruler who would follow in my parents' footsteps. Someone strong enough to lead our people and maintain our stance as the most powerful kingdom in Iferia.

Someone who wasn't me.

My pool of magic wasn't as high as other druids. Casting enchantments was nearly impossible, and even if I were lucky enough to succeed, my energy would drain faster. If that were to happen in the heat of battle, I'd be left vulnerable, and a liability to my knights. I couldn't do that. I would never be strong enough.

"Ruling a kingdom is not always about power," Vivienne countered. "Nor are you weak, Seraphina Warbrook."

Oh dear, she full-named me. That meant my statement truly upset her. Sighing, I walked over to my vanity on the other side of my bedchamber. I sat, looking into the mirror and staring at my reflection, staring into the face of a sad excuse for a princess. My normally olive skin tone grew paler by the day. Dark circles formed around my silver eyes. My hair still had its vibrancy but felt dry to the touch.

From the corner, I saw Vivienne approaching me. She stood behind me, bringing my hair back before grabbing my brush and slowly running it through my thick curls.

Closing my eyes, I hummed at the pleasurable feel of Vivienne brushing my hair. Already, the tension within my body melted away. I was succumbing to relaxation that I almost didn't hear her voice as she said, "You're so much more than your magic, Sera. You have a heart filled with love. For the Zeffari Kingdom, for all the people in the Atheynia Region, even the dragons. You have a thirst for knowledge, and the drive to do your best, even with the odds stacked against you. I believe, within time, you will make a fine queen. You simply have to follow your heart and know that I will always stand beside you."

"You're too good to me," I choked out, eyes welling with tears. "You deserve more than a life of servitude. I wish you'd accept my offer to buy your freedom. You could then leave this place. I'm sure you'd want to do more with your life than this."

"You see?" Vivienne stopped brushing to point at my reflection. "That right there is why you'll make an excellent queen. Because you care. You have compassion. You have a heart of gold, Sera. Let no one take that away from you. As for me, I couldn't imagine myself being anywhere other than here with you."

She leaned down to press a kiss to my temple. "Now then, let's get you dressed for the day."

Nodding, I stood up and walked to my bed, grabbing the gown Vivienne picked out for me. Once I had it on, Vivienne helped by tying the pink ribbons along the back of my corset. Now fully dressed, I stood in front of the mirror, inspecting my appearance. Opening my jewelry box, I pulled out the necklace my father gave me as a baby, a round black pendant with an amethyst jewel in the center. Vivienne helped secure it around my neck before I went to work painting my face to prepare for the day.

Once I was all dressed up, I moved to the full-size mirror to inspect my appearance. Running my hands down the length of my gown, I took a deep breath to compose myself. Mother and I would have a busy day ensuring preparations for the Dragon Crowning ceremony were in order. Not to mention whatever she had planned for my upcoming birthday. It was time to put on a brave face and continue my duties.

"You know." Vivienne's voice broke me out of my mental trance. "I believe Virgil should be out in the dragon stables right now, and you're not scheduled to meet with your mother for another hour. Maybe if you hurry, you can convince Virgil to let you see the dragons up close. I'll cover for you until you get back."

I gaped at her as hope ignited in my chest. "Really? You would do that for me?"

Vivienne winked as if that were answer enough. "Finish with your breakfast, then hurry on out of here. Make sure the guards don't see you."

"Yes, of course! Thank you. Thank you so much, Vivienne. You're the best."

Vivienne made her way out of my chambers while I scarfed down my breakfast, not tasting anything, but needing to fill my belly. After forcing it all down and drinking the rest of my tea, I cleaned myself off and gave my reflection one last look. Satisfied with my appearance, I rushed out of my chamber and headed down the corridor to the stairs, taking them two at a time before making my way to the dragon stables. Unbeknownst to me, at that moment, the bottle that contained my medicine was left on my nightstand, untouched because I had forgotten to take it.