Chapter Sixteen
The day of the Dragon King's arrival I was sure I was going to lose my mind. Three days had passed filled with blurs of preparation, orders and sleepless nights.
Vaetharyn had become a hive of activity; everyone who did not know the truth was excited to meet their visiting neighbours.
That morning the castle was already alive before I had even opened my eyes, almost vibrating with the chaos.
Servants had been scurrying around the staircases, preparing guest rooms and linens, before the sun had even risen. It had meant my sleep had been more disturbed than I would have liked, but I could not blame them.
Penny had pushed her way into the room before I even had time to gather my thoughts, flanked by two other attendants that I did not recognise. I raised an eyebrow to her as they began fussing around the room, speaking little as they ushered me out of the bed and guided me towards the bath.
“You are expected to look perfect today. The additional help was seen as necessary.” Penny explained, almost to herself as she moved around the bathroom adding oils and salves to the running hot water.
“It's fine,” I smiled at her sympathetically, although that smile soon turned into a scowl as one of the new attendants gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth as she looked at my scar.
Penny shooed her away, chastising her behaviour making the young attendant blush as she apologised.
I shrugged, moving deeper into the warm water letting it soak into my bones as Penny took charge of my hair, lathering it in sweet smelling soaps and conditioners.
By the time I was out of the bath my skin was red from being scrubbed relentlessly and I smelt like a florist.
Penny immediately began to fuss over my body, drying me off and setting me in a robe opposite the mirror as she began her work. I focused on her rather than the others, not caring what they did as long as they did not continue to stare at me.
By the time I was finished, I looked almost Fae. Still dull and boring as a human but decorated like a prize. It had taken hours, the sun had filled the sky and already begun to sink down into the horizon.
The gown I wore was black, deep midnight, to match the outfits Rhael usually wore. It was threaded with veins of silver that caught the light as I moved, capturing the night sky in fabric.
The bodice was structured, but the fabric was almost see through as it travelled up my stomach. It highlighted the curve of my waist before flowing to the floor, even complete with a small train. A slit ran up one thigh exposing pale skin as I walked.
My hair was left loose around my shoulders curled into delicate waves.
A circlet fastened at my brow, dark metal etched in Fae Runes with a small black stone in the centre.
It wasn't a crown, but for me it felt like one.
Makeup had been applied carefully, highlighting my cheeks and eyes.
Brown liner placed in my waterline, making my brown eyes seem to be shifting with amber and gold hues.
When she decided she was complete Penny stepped back, clasping her hands together in front of her lips as she looked me up and down admitting her work.
“You look wonderful,” she whispered, playing with one of the curls as she settled it down into place, running her hand over my shoulder.
“Is that not the idea?” I smile nervously, running my hands over the dress, my hands slightly clammy as I prepared myself for what was to come. For me to be paraded in front of the dragon King at Rhael’s side as if our union wasn't one of requirement.
They were just finishing applying finishing touches when the door behind me opened.
I felt him before I saw him, the air shifting around me as his footsteps sounded behind me.
Penny and the other attendants stepped back bowing their heads and muttering greetings as I turned around, preparing to see the usual scowl on his face.
For a heartbeat the world narrowed to the space between us.
My heart hammered against his chest as he swept his gaze over me.
It wasn't hurried, instead he took his time, deliberately assessing me.
Hunger flicked in his eyes for a brief moment before he covered it.
Masking his emotions once more, as he righted his jacket.
Black leather wrapped around his broad frame, worked with subtle etching that caught the light only when he moved. Each line of fabric was precise but layered with a long dark mantle clasped at one shoulder. It marked him unmistakably as King.
His hair was pulled back at the nape of his neck, a silver crown decorated with deep black stones on his head. It was not a crown I had seen before and seemed almost too old to be one of his own. It was ceremonial, very much like the outfits we wore, it was made to be displayed.
“You are ready,” he said, the lip ring catching the light as he spoke. The dark ring caught my attention as always.
“I know my role.” I said smoothly, matching his tone as I nodded my head, testing the stability of the circlet as I did so. Thankfully it stayed in place.
He moved closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body, a new aftershave filling my nose, I tried hard not to wrinkle my face up at it.
Not that it was unpleasant, I just was not used to this smell on him, and it felt odd.
His hand lifted, lingering near my arm. Not touching but close enough.
“Today will be dangerous. I need you to remember my warning,” he whispered, his eyes never leaving mine as Penny ushered the other two attendants out of the room, clearly understanding that this conversation was meant to be in private.
“I know. Do not provoke him. Do not argue. Sit and let him watch,” I whisper.
My mind became more confused with every conversation we had.
Rhael was still an anomaly to me. He could be so cold, so uncaring when he wanted to be, but in moments like this, I could see myself laying in his arms. Hoping for him to hold me and cherish me. But those moments never came.
“Are you afraid of him?” Rhael asked and I turned to look up at him in surprise. It was not like him to care if I was feeling any emotions and the idea of him asking threw me off guard for just a moment.
“Of him? No,” I murmured as I met his gaze, trying to keep my emotions under control. Reminding myself over and over that this was a show, it was not love. I was not sure it was even lust. It was my master battling for control.
“Of me?” he questioned, the words lingering between us as I thought the words over in my mind.
I had never been afraid of Rhael. Not really.
Even when I should have been, I had trusted him to share my bed, to keep me safe.
Every time he had kept to his words. His methods left many things to be desired, and the fact that I was trapped at his side did not help. However, I was not afraid of him.
“No.” I responded finally. The air grew silent as I waited for his response.
It never came. Instead, he held out his arm, placing a smile on his face that looked so forced it was painful. A silent invitation to join him. To walk beside him as we met with the final King that could save Rhael and his people. Or who could kill us all.
The walk to the throne room felt too long.
Every step echoed along the castle halls as people stopped to stare at us.
Some smiling, others scowling as if they knew I was a fraud.
That I was not deserving of being on their King's arm.
Rhael's arm held mine tightly, a constant warning to not react. To stay still and composed.
Rhael led me to his side, placing me with deliberate care as I stood at the right of his throne. When he sat, he moved my arm, so it lingered on his right shoulder, a sign of love or intimacy that I was expected to portray. I didn't dare move. Not even one finger.
I took my time looking around the room. Grand tables had been set up, including one before the throne. Lined with elegant black and silver decorations. The entire Fae Court displayed for the arrival of our guest.
The word ‘our’ stuck with me, feeling strange in my throat. Vaetharyn was forced to my home, but I wondered if I was ever given the choice would I leave? Or would it become my home by choice?
I shoved the thoughts away, pushing them to the back of my mind feeling stupid for even allowing them to enter. I wasn't Fae, Vaetharyn would never be a place that welcomed me. Childish ideas like that would only lead to hope. Hope which would inevitably be destroyed in heartbreak.
This was about ceremony, structure, and politics.
Not the whimsical wishes of the girl I thought I had banished a long time ago.
There would be a grand feast, followed by a ball.
All to welcome the Dragon King and his people.
To show them the delights of Vaetharyn and act as a guise to host talks of new alliances and heal old wounds.
The Fae nobles already sat in their seats.
Talking and whispering as they always did.
Some looked at me with confusion, whilst others sneered at my hand on Rhael’s shoulder.
They all saw the same thing. A human who had no business having status.
A slave who should have been beaten instead of praised
The horns sounded, distracting me from my darkening thoughts. A deafening noise that made me want to cover my ears and run. Instead, I grit my teeth focusing on the way the temperature seemed to rise as the dragon King entered.
He was broad and imposing. His presence filled the space as if the air bent around him. The Dragon King looked every part the fierce warrior told in the stories.
His skin was a golden bronze, marked with faint scale like patterns along his neck and collar bones. Long golden blonde dreadlocks fell down his back whilst his eyes scanned the room. Light green orbs sharp and full of knowledge watching before looking to Rhael, then to me.