“Will I have a choice in that? Seeing as the prince,” Olivia spat the title like bitter poison, “likes to make the decisions for me. I may have consented to saving my parents' lives, but never to being a good wife.” Because that was how Prince Magnus saw her; as his to own, to do his bidding, to submit. She remembered her unspoken vow. She would be the worst wife ever, and the best queen the Kingdom ever had.
The prince had explained to her what would happen once they reached Remor, and repeated in every village and town along their way. He would introduce her as their future queen, spouting a story of his heroics in saving her from the dragon. Olivia was warned, of course, not to misbehave.
The royal family seldom ventured this far west, it being so far away from the crown city. It would take them two months to reach the throne city. Already, she was tired of the charade.
“Ya know… You can’t ignore me forever.” Charlie tried again to start a conversation with Olivia. She was glad to be riding in a coach instead of spending hours upon hours on a horse.
Olivia didn’t respond but turned again toward the window.
“I’m…” Charlie looked out the window to check whether Magnus was around. Her voice stayed barely above a whisper, “I’m not really his cousin.”
Olivia couldn’t keep on ignoring the nagging girl, so she snapped yet again, which was very unlike her. “And I should care why?” She pinned Charlie with a hateful, icy blue glare.
Charlie was taken aback by the tone of Olivia’s voice. It took her a minute to find the answer, “It’d be much easier for both if we just got along…” Charlie tried again, tucking a strand of curly red hair behind her ear.
“Easier for whom? Easier how? How could the pain get any less? Can you help me with that? No! So do not even bother!” Olivia held a hand to her aching heart, fighting the tears again. She didn’t want to cry anymore, it didn’t help and it only made her appear weak. She would be a weakling no more! Olivia went back to ignoring Charlie, staring at the passing landscape. She barely noticed the countryside, the sun’s rays caressing the farmlands they passed by.
Charlie took a deep breath and tried one last time. She knew her next statement would get Olivia’s attention.
“Your dragon might not be dead.”
Olivia’s head whipped back. She narrowed her eyes at Charlie. “What did you say?”
“Your dragon mightn’t be dead,” Charlie repeated slowly. She recognized the emotions dancing across Olivia’s face. Surprise, relief, love, hope, happiness, doubt, uncertainty and, finally, anger.
“Why are you doing this to me? Am I not suffering enough?” Olivia was angry, but her eyes were full of yearning now, clinging to the hope she garnered.
“I’m not lying… I… I’m not in Magnus’ good graces. God knows he’s not in mine. I’ve no reason to lie to you. I sure could use a friend, a female friend…”
Olivia expelled an impatient sigh.
“Alright, alright, I’ll get to the point. We didn’t see the dragon die. There’s no proof of his death, even though they did chop off his claw.” At that Olivia flinched but Charlie continued, “They did wound it… him, badly. But he flew away. He was in a bad shape, so there’s no guarantee he’s still alive. I just thought you might want to know,” Charlie shrugged, “Magnus believed the dragon would surely die of the wounds, so he didn’t follow. He couldn’t risk it with everyone so badly hurt.”
Olivia paled at the thought of Kaden slowly dying, alone.
“Sorry, I’m just being honest,” Charlie added.
Olivia hid her face behind her hands, processing what Charlie had just told her. Kaden might still be alive, Olivia shook her head, Do not do this to yourself… Her heartbeat sped up but… and her breaths grew labored, What if? Her heart grabbed and held onto the first offering of hope. Kaden had promised to come after her, that even death wouldn’t keep him away. And deep down inside, she was certain that Kaden, her dragon, was still alive out there. Peace settled over her, a heavy burden lifted from her chest and heart. She inhaled deeply.
Olivia looked at Charlie, and graced the redhead with an honest smile. “Thank you.”
Charlie couldn’t help but give her own small smile back. “You did hear the part where there’s still a possibility that –”
“Yes, I heard, but know otherwise.” Olivia exhaled, relief washing over her. It felt right. If nothing else, she could cling to that hope for the rest of her life. “He will find me,” she assured herself.
“If you say so… Would you speak with me now?” Charlie was desperate for some female friendship after traveling for months with the prince and his men.
“I somehow doubt you will stop trying…” Olivia offered another weak smile, pulled her legs up on the bench and hugged her knees. There was no harm in being friends with her, Olivia thought, and it might be useful to have Charlie on her side. “I had a feeling you were not his cousin, so why are you traveling with him… them?”
Charlie was, for the first time, ashamed to admit what she did because Olivia was a proper lady. She had never thought her profession as something embarrassing and demeaning, until now.
“I’m a –” Charlie cleared her throat and looked down at her hands, “I’m a whore.”
“You’re a what?!?” Olivia squeaked, eyes wide. She had only heard of such women.
“I’m a… yes… you know, I sleep with –”
Olivia cut in, “I know what it means. I just thought I heard you wrong. Wow. I have never met a wh… wh… ummm, a prostitute?”
Charlie laughed out loud. “Yeah, you can call me that, too.”
Olivia frowned. “But, how old are you? How can you? Are you Magnus’... his, you know...”
“Has anyone ever told you that you ask a lot of questions?” Charlie couldn’t help but chuckle.
Olivia’s shoulder dropped. “Yes, Kaden did,” she barely whispered.
The smile on Charlie’s face disappeared as well. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to –”
“No need to apologize.” Olivia offered a small smile. “I just miss him. So, how old are you?”
“I’m nineteen,” the redhead said, answering one of her questions.
“Nineteen? You are still young, why would you...”
Charlie shrugged. “I was born into it. My mother was one. I grew up in a… brothel. That’s the nice word for it, aye? Never really knew the outside world. To me, it’s just… just another job. Now that I’ve seen more of the world, I know better. I want out. Hopefully, once this trip is over, I’ll have enough gold to do just that. Anyways, you say I’m young, but you don’t look a day older than me.”
“So I have been told.” Olivia sighed. “That is why no one ever takes me seriously. Well, because of that, and because I still ask a lot of questions, much like a five year old.” She sighed and looked into her lap. She lifted her head defiantly. “I am just curious about life,” she said. Charlie kept looking at her.
“I am twenty one.” Olivia finally told her.
“Oh.”
Olivia laughed. “I did not expect that response.”
“Sorry,” Charlie replied sheepishly, “I didn’t really expect you to be older than me.”
“I really did not expect Magnus to have a … whore be part of his party. Do you only…umm… service him? ” Olivia went red.
“No.”
Olivia kept looking at her expectantly, not wanting to draw conclusions from that answer. The red-headed girl continued, “I got myself in trouble. I was on the streets trying to scrape by with what I knew how to do best…”
Olivia nodded to prompt the girl and Charlie gave her a meaningful look “Now, that was disgusting! Some men really are pigs,” she said. “Anyway, I caught Magnus’ eye. He and his men had been on the road for weeks at a time. No time to stop. So he employed me as their own… travelling prostitute.” Charlie snorted at the title.
“The deal we made sounded better than any I ever had. He was very charming, you know, a
nd obviously good looking, so I said to myself, why not? The gold was real and I managed to get him to agree not to have me passed around like a piece of meat. If they wanted me along, I wouldn’t be able to… ummm… work if they over… used me. You get the idea.”
Charlie raised her eyebrows and looked expectantly at Olivia. She almost chuckled out loud at Olivia’s gaping mouth and wide eyes. Charlie only shrugged in the end. “So our deal is, only one per night. Unfortunately, what I didn’t know at the time was that Magnus is –” Charlie leaned closer towards Olivia and whispered, “an abusing, disturbed maniac.”
Olivia felt sad for Charlie, to grow up selling her body for a living… and then meeting Magnus. “I am sorry. I hope, after all is done, your life turns for the better. I might be able to help you once… if we reach the palace.”
“I don’t need your pity!” Charlie’s voice rose. “It’s what I do. Just like any other job. But I do appreciate the hope.” She softened her voice at the end, easing the sting of her words.
Olivia ducked her head. Curiosity prevailed though, so she lifted her gaze to Charlie again.
“But, what is it like? You know… with men… different men,” Olivia whispered.
“It’s just sex. Some of them are nice and gentle, some rough and selfish. It really varies. It can be good, but not that often. How is it for you?” Charlie inquired with raised eyebrow.
Olivia’s eyes widened. “I have… never. I wanted it to be special… I guess I should have done it sooner seeing as how things are now,” she said dejectedly.
“Hun, you really are as innocent as they get. Have you at least kissed before?”
“Yes. I have kissed before… a few times. I kissed the stable master’s son when we were fifteen.” Olivia giggled at the memory. “Gosh, it was awkward. It was my first kiss. He is married now, first child on the way.” She frowned suddenly. “I am glad that Magnus did not steal my first kiss.”
“He kissed you already?”
“He forced a kiss upon me. I am afraid what will happen when he decides to force other things too…”
Charlie and Olivia fell silent. Both lost in their own thoughts, fears and memories, they entered the city of Remor.
Chapter 5
Two days after he started his descent down the mountain, Kaden made it to a small merchant town. He had been practicing how to wield his sword, before and after camping for the night. Once upon a time, he had been good at sword fighting, but after being a dragon for over a century, holding a sword felt awkward. It was also not easy to wield a sword one-handed, but his left hand needed the rest. He hoped he wouldn’t have to use his sword fighting skills anytime soon.
Walking into town, people stared at him but no one dared hold his gaze. He could hear the whispers following in his wake, for he was a finely dressed stranger without an equally fine retinue. The black wolf cub with unsettling blue eyes trotting at his side only fueled the interest and speculation.
In search of the safety of company when traveling, it didn’t take Kaden long to discover that there was only one merchant caravan leaving for Remor in the morning. Perfect!
Smiling, he approached an older man with a slightly wrinkled face and sun-bathed freckles dotted across his nose.
“Are you the leader of this caravan?” Kaden said, tilting his head toward the two wagons being filled with crates of various sizes.
“Aye.” The man smiled at Kaden, most of his teeth accounted for.
“Would you be willing to take on a traveler? I would pay you more than fairly.”
The man eyed Kaden, head to toe, then back again. His gaze flitted over to cub as well.
Kaden sighed. He pulled out a golden brooch from his belt bag.
“Would this be enough?” he said.
The merchant’s eyes widened. “Aye. More than enough. I could even provide ya with yer own horse if you be lookin’.”
Kaden smiled and the man relaxed further. “I would be much obliged.”
Deal made, the merchant leader introduced Kaden to his companions and to the caravan’s hired protection. Kaden questioned him about the latter only to learn that this far off in the kingdom, banditry was common on longer routes.
Settled in the Inn for the night, Kaden enjoyed being in human company, but from a distance. He had missed it so much, being bound to a dragon’s body, knowing only solitude and loneliness for so many years. He could have spent hours just listening and watching the interaction between a mother and a child sitting at a nearby table. A sudden pang of jealousy hit him, for he had never truly known his own mother. Never knew the softness of her embrace and kisses. His father, who had raised him on his own, was a man not used to showing affection. Jealousy was replaced with guilt. His father had tried his best, but Kaden guessed he blamed the old man for his mother’s sudden disappearance. I was such a fool, acting so recklessly… Never again would he take his loved ones for granted.
After finishing his dinner, Kaden dragged his weary feet to the room he handsomely paid for, his loyal companion at his side. Kaden’s face broke into a happy grin when he saw the tub filled with steaming water. He put in some bathing salts, took off his clothes and submerged his human body into the scalding hot water. It didn’t burn as much as he expected. His body gave a sigh of contentment as goosebumps spread across his skin, and a shiver snaked up his spine, rejuvenating his spirit. A warm bath! How I missed the simple things! He looked forward to sleeping on a soft, clean bed instead of hard ground and stones. Pup lay down next to the tub, enjoying the soft, lazy caresses from Kaden’s hand hanging over the side.
The next morning, Kaden introduced Pup to Mousse, a dark chocolate brown mare procured by the merchant. The mare nibbled on half an apple in Kaden’s palm, completely ignoring Pup. The merchant wasn’t lying about her gentle nature. She was obviously used to having other animals around. Pup was the more nervous one, wary of the larger animal. With Kaden nearby, the cub didn’t dare show fear, sitting next to his human’s leg. Pup’s bravery was short-lived, though. Apple eaten, the mare became curious about her new master’s furry companion. She lowered her head to sniff Pup, who in return lay down, letting out a suspicious whimper in Kaden’s direction.
Kaden laughed at Pup and scratched the mare behind her ear, diverting her attention from the wolf to himself. She was rewarded with the other half of the apple.
“See Pup, nothing to worry about.” Kaden crouched and scratched the cub as well.
As Kaden rode Mousse at the back of the caravan, Pup following along, he remembered the last time he had ridden a horse, Lilith and Lucia riding side by side next to him. The fond memories of happy times spent with the sister witches quickly turned to heartache and resentment as the not-so-fond memories came to mind. He thought he had gotten over the bitterness and hostility, but still the embers of anger warmed his belly. It was, after all, Lilith who had cursed him.
He hadn’t known at the time that either of them was capable of casting such a powerful spell. He’d had fun with Lucia, both of them seeking pleasure and nothing more. Lilith hadn’t minded as she pursued her own lustful ways. They were quite a mischievous trio, always up to no good, but harmless in both intent and outcome. And then it all changed. A silly game of dare gone wrong, an accidental death and one very angry witch taking vengeance on him. There had been no chance to explain, Lilith’s fury over her sister’s death was swift. She rose with dark shadows, her eyes turning black, speaking in a foreign voice, as if possessed. He had nowhere to hide; the mighty spell hit him full force.
Next thing he knew, he’d come to consciousness … a dragon.
Pup whined. A restless feeling, something angry and fidgeting, invaded Kaden’s mind. He looked around but could not see nor hear anything threatening. He relaxed in the saddle, shaking off the unfamiliar sensation.
The day cleared up, making the trip an easy one. A slight breeze ruffled Kaden’s hair under the clouds that drifted lazily below the sky, providing passing shade. The forest of sycam
ore trees on either side of the trail brought a sense of peace. Despite it all, Kaden was anything but peaceful. His hand was aching, his mind racing, thoughts crashing. Unfamiliar and yet distant feelings washed over him, making him anxious to get to Olivia.
Kaden pushed the mare into a trot to catch up with the leader of the caravan so that he could engage him in conversation and thus distract himself.
“Master Underwood, all’s alright back there?” The merchant trained his small beady eyes on Kaden curiously.
“Yes, yes… Of course. Everything is fine and very quiet. Tell me, are we really expecting problems on the way?” Kaden said as he glanced back at the two mercenaries, riding between the two wagons. He didn’t like the look of them, but then again, they did kill for money when needed.
“Ah… I’m not sure. Heard the rumors going ‘round, and wha’ with the dragon attack… I says, better safe than sorry. With you riding along, it really didna cost tha’ much to pay for the… protection.” Rhett nodded in the direction of the two mercenaries. Both wore seasoned studded leather armors, short swords and throwing axes. Their faces were grim, eyes scanning the surrounding shadows.
“A dragon attack?” The information made Kaden quite curious.
“Aye. A real livin’ dragon, I tells ya. Attacked us ‘bout ten days back, stealed our most precious wares. ‘Twas a mighty battle, but we was fierce and fought him off… scared the beast away… I hit its ugly face with this club right here.” The merchant pulled a club from under his seat and set it in his lap, patting it. Kaden could barely hold back laughter. He remembered the day the merchant was talking about, the so-called mighty attack, and the precious wares which had turned out to be a bunch of men’s pants. What a coincidence to be riding with the same men!
“Then I’ll consider myself very lucky for joining you, the safest caravan I could have picked.” He couldn’t hold back the smile that slipped onto his face, but at least the timing for it was good.
Dragon's Prize (Dragons Awaken Book 2) Page 3
