Bound by the Ice Dragon

by Alyx X

  I turned at a gentle knock at the door. Only one person ever knocked so meekly. Father sighed, the whoosh of air disturbing the paperwork in front of him.

  “Come.”

  The door opened and Mother peered in. “If you’re both finished, I have some anemone tea in the drawing room. Izon, you’re welcome to have kelp grounds, if you prefer.”

  I smiled. Mother always made her grounds too bitter, yet her tea was too sweet. “I’ll join you now.”

  “Andren?” She looked expectantly at Father.

  “I’ll join you both shortly.” He shuffled his paperwork as if it suddenly held all of his attention. Making us wait for him was another show of power in his household. I chose to ignore this small act of insubordination.

  I followed Mother to the space in their mansion that was clearly her domain. The soft couches were covered in a velvet fabric the color of our light-turquoise shallows, and she’d accessorized with greens and the shocking colors of the vibrant waterlilies.

  “You’ve redecorated. It looks good.”

  She chuckled. “Well, it certainly seems to work as an Andren repellent.”

  We sat down and I accepted the too-large cup of kelp grounds. I’d perfected taking an occasional token sip of any drink in my hand. That seemed to be a key skill for any diplomatic meeting.

  “I’m sorry about your father,” Mother began. She’d spent a lot of her life apologizing for his bluntness. “When he gets an idea in his head—” She paused and looked out of the window, a small sigh escaping her lips. “Well, you know what he’s like.”

  I nodded. “You don’t need to excuse his behavior. I’m quite familiar with it.” I grinned and took my first sip, hoping my smile might hide my inevitable grimace.

  She leaned forward and touched my knee. “So tell me, how are those gorgeous children of yours?”

  Thoughts of my children immediately conjured a wider smile. I couldn’t wait to get back to them. Even the shortest of diplomatic trips seemed too long these days. They all changed so much. Just in a few days, sometimes.

  “Well, where do I start? Vike is as active as ever.”

  Mother laughed. “I bet! He has always been such a fun bundle of energy. And Jari?” She frowned a little, like she was expecting bad news.

  I nodded slowly. “Actually, I think she’s doing better.”

  Mother’s eyes glistened briefly. “I’m glad. It’s a tough age for a girl to lose her mother.” Then she blinked away the tears before they fell. “And how about that baby? I could just eat him up.”

  I narrowed my eyes a little.

  “It’s an expression.”

  I grinned. “Maybe water dragons shouldn’t use it, Mother.”

  She laughed. “But is Luka well?”

  “He is. He really is.” I smiled as I remembered my baby snuggled in his new nanny’s lap. “He’s really taken to Tessa and seems to feel very safe with her.” I lapsed into silence as images of Tessa ran through my mind.

  Mother cleared her throat.

  “Hmm? Oh, sorry.” Heat prickled my cheeks. “Yeah. Luka is doing great as well.”

  “And Tessa?” She raised an eyebrow. “She seems like she’s quite important to you, Izon.”

  For a moment, I floundered. My mother had always been too observant for her own good. I didn’t want to tell anyone about how I was starting to feel about Tessa, how my dragon had felt when it revealed itself to her. It preened inside me, even now.

  “She’s important to the children.” I tightened my mouth.

  Mother smiled a soft, sad smile. “Please, Izon. Your whole face changed when you spoke her name. Tell me more about her?”

  I sighed. I could refuse Mother very little, and she knew that. “Well, she’s the children’s nanny. She’s human, and she’s quite new to our family, but the children…they’re all doing really well under her care. Even Jari seems to be warming to her. Tessa’s good for all of them.”

  “It looks like she might be good for you, too,” Mother said.

  “I…I’m her employer. She came to us as part of the Terran Project. She’s human, mother.” There were many reasons not to pursue Tessa, as my mother seemed to so gently be hinting at.

  “And?” Mother sat straighter. “I’m not speciesist, you know. And you’re the King of Hydronia. If you can’t think of a way around the Terran Program, no one can.” How had she so quickly seen through my facade? Could she tell I very badly wanted to be with Tessa, despite all of the warnings against it?

  I opened my mouth but closed it again. She had a point about the laws, I was in a position to change them if needed. But no matter what she said, there were other reasons I shouldn’t pursue my children’s nanny that I hadn’t mentioned.

  When I said nothing, Mother grabbed my hand. “Listen to me. Everything happens for a reason, I truly believe that. Tessa might be what you all need—what you need—during a really difficult time.”

  I nodded. It had been a difficult time, and things had finally begun to feel stable again.

  “If you feel something for this human, don’t fight it. You’ve been through so much unhappiness—don’t deny yourself a chance of finding something new.” Her eyes gleamed again and somewhere her dragon almost purred inside her, as if trying to soothe her.

  I glanced away. I couldn’t handle her pain on top my own. “It’s too soon,” I said. “The children haven’t finished grieving Lyra. I haven’t finished grieving Lyra.”

  “You will always grieve her, though.” She topped up her anemone tea. “And that’s the way it should be. Never forget her, always be sorry she left before her time. But the heart heals in its own time, and I think you’ll know when yours is ready to love again.” Again, she had seen my feelings better than I did myself.

  I swallowed against a sudden rush of emotion and stood, walking to the window to look out over the ocean. Islands dotted their way across the horizon, and I thought of how Lyra had loved this planet. In return, Hydronia’s people had loved her. Would they accept anyone in her place? Father seemed to think they needed a new queen, and now mother was telling me my queen didn’t even have to be Hydronian. I was King. I didn’t believe in fate or signs. I had to stand for logic and rules and dignity.

  “I can’t rush anything.” I pressed a hand to my chest as my heart increased its speed, and my dragon shifted inside me.

  “No… No, I’m not saying you should.” Mother sounded thoughtful. “In fact, if you do take this chance, and it would be a chance, then you should be very careful. You might be a king, but Tessa is a transported human, and my guess is she has a lot to lose.”

  12

  Tessa

  The sun flooded the library with golden light as Jari bent her head over her homework. Izon was due back today, and we were on a mission to get the children’s chores and school work completed so they could spend time with him over the next few days.

  Dyan occupied his usual seat in the corner, and Luka played at his feet, tugging on his shoe fastenings. Vike was having a noisy game of building something that he insisted was homework, but I couldn’t tell if it was a craft project, math, or beginner’s architecture. I chuckled as his tower crashed down again, and he moaned.

  Dyan stood. “Let me see. I think it’s just the way you’re stacking on that second row.” He gently stepped over Luka and crossed the room to Vike’s project.

  Luka wailed his displeasure, and I left my spot next to Jari to hand him two bricks on his own. He banged them together and grinned, then banged them again. Harmony restored, I returned to Jari and glanced at her open book.

  “Okay, so what subject are we looking at again?”

  She spared me a withering glance, but affection lurked in the back of it, so it didn’t bother me. “And how do you think you’ll help if you don’t even know what we’re doing?”

  I laughed. “Because you’ll have to explain it to me, so then we’ll see if you know it properly. Teaching is the best way to learn.”

  Dya
n chuckled. “She’s got you there, Jari.” He caught my gaze and grinned.

  Jari grumbled. “It’s math.”

  “Okay.” I held out my hand. “Textbook.”

  She passed me the huge book she was working from, and I skimmed the pages. In general, Jari was learning more advanced concepts than I’d personally come across, but I had a basic understanding of most of her subjects. Even with my limited Earth education I was enjoying learning alongside her. I skimmed the pages we’d covered the previous week before flipping to the newest page of problems. It still brought me a massive thrill to hold any sort of paper product, never mind the thick books from the children’s library and education. Sometimes, I flipped through the pages just for the smell they released. It was insane to me that the Hydronians didn’t realize the wealth they possessed just in their books.

  “I think I’m back up to speed, so explain what you’re doing today.”

  Luka laughed and banged his bricks together again.

  “I’m—”

  “Tessa?” Gabby spoke from right beside me, and I almost didn’t know where to look or who needed my attention first. “Izon sent you a communication.”

  My breath caught in my chest, and I coughed.

  Dyan glanced at me, his eyes narrowed before he looked away, but he still seemed to be listening. His entire posture spoke of awareness, but I was being silly. As the children’s bodyguard, his regular posture said awareness more than anything else. I don’t think I’d ever seen the man relaxed.

  “I need to take over for you.” Gabby sounded a little breathless, and her eyes shone with excitement as her lips curved into a smile she couldn’t contain. “There are some new garments in your room, and you’re to go and get ready now.”

  “Okay.” I stood and pushed my chair under the table. Then I pulled it back out and gestured for Gabby to sit. “Jari’s doing math. It’s quite fun. And look at the size of this book!”

  Gabby lifted an eyebrow, and Dyan snorted his amusement, although he didn’t turn to look at us.

  “Just go and get ready,” Gabby said.

  “Yes. Yes, I’ll get ready.” Anxiety skittered through me as I stepped away from the table.

  Being with the children was comfortable. I knew what I was doing with my familiar routine in this library, with Luka and Vike and Jari. With Dyan watching over us. But now Izon had summoned me… It was new. Unexpected. Different. And I’d seen the way his eyes flashed when he looked at me. I had seen desire dilate his pupils, and my panties dampened in response. The absolute absurdity of The King showing any sign of arousal at my presence was not lost on me.

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as I stepped toward the staircase. I needed to get my physical response to Izon under control because Mom depended on me succeeding at this job. I wasn’t about to blow everything just for a slight crush.

  I took another deep breath as I pushed open my bedroom door, then gasped. Someone had decorated the small space in gorgeous dresses made of the most beautiful rich jewel tones. They were draped across the bed like expensive throws, hanging in the window like luxury drapes, and laid across my chair as if a rich lady had discarded them there while trying things on.

  I swallowed a sudden sob. I’d never seen such an abundance of wealth, not even in my previous clients’ houses. I walked around my room running my fingertips across the different dresses that attracted me. Some were soft, some sheer, some glossy, but in the end, I eliminated them by color. I was drawn to an intricately beaded emerald green dress, with a fitted bodice and a cascading skirt. Now to try it on…

  I showered and sat at my small desk, in front of my mirror, towels around my body and wrapped around my hair. I swallowed as I looked at my reflection. My face was pale, and my eyes were the roundest they’d ever been. I could barely believe what my life had become. I glanced at the dress again. It was so far removed from my Earth life, and also from what I’d expected from my life here. The idea of wearing it was also a lot of pressure.

  Perhaps I couldn’t live up to everything the dress promised. Maybe I wasn’t what Izon expected or wanted me to be. I sighed and picked up some makeup Gabby had left for me. She’d been shopping and purchased it special, and she’d done really well at matching my skin tone. Nothing worked too differently than anything I’d seen or found on Earth, but the quality was so much better. I laughed at myself. Of course the quality was nicer than anything my employers had donated to me, half used.

  In one pot, a powder shimmered almost translucent, and I stared at it for a bit before applying some to the side of my face and neck in homage to the scales I didn’t have. A flurry of excitement shot through me as I examined the effect in the mirror.

  I tugged the towel off my hair, and combed through the loose waves, trying to preserve as many of them as possible. Maybe an updo? Especially if I dabbed some shimmery powder onto my collarbone?

  I dried my hair and twisted it upward, securing it at the top of my head but allowing the ends to trail down onto my back. When I stepped into the dress, it fit me like it had been made only to be worn by me. I almost didn’t dare look at myself. Taking a deep breath, I turned to the mirror.

  A completely different me faced me and my eyes filled with tears. I blinked them away so I didn’t spoil my makeup, but the image of myself was still shocking. Mom would never have believed it. I almost didn’t recognize myself.

  I turned at a knock at the door.

  “Tessa?” Gabby spoke as she entered, then stopped. She pressed a hand to her mouth. “Wow. Oh my God. Tessa. You look like…you like—” She paused. “A queen.”

  She walked me to the grand staircase underneath the chandelier I admired every time I saw it. It really did look like water droplets tumbling from the ceiling. I slid my hand down the bannister, the other hand holding my skirt so I didn’t trip. When I looked ahead, Izon stood at the bottom of the staircase, his mouth partially open. He met my eyes and shut his mouth with an almost audible snap. I smiled, suddenly shy.

  I dropped my gaze, but something tugged it back up, and I took in Izon’s full appearance. His well-fitted suit clung to his muscular thighs and shoulders, and a dainty pair of emerald green heels hung from his right forefinger.

  “I hope those fit,” I said quietly, and Izon grinned.

  “They will.” He had an assured confidence that was deliciously sexy, but I stifled a shiver of anticipation as it worked through me.

  “What size do you usually wear?” I stopped three steps up and put my finger to my lips like I was considering his feet.

  He chuckled and came toward me. “May I?” He dropped to one knee and I allowed him to take my left foot in his hand. The King of Hydronia was straight up Cinderella-ing me, and the feeling of living one of Mom’s old fairytales swept over me. The contact of his hands on my skin sent a jolt of heat to my pussy, and his nostrils flared as I tightened my grasp around the bannister. It was the only thing keeping me up.

  Gabby gasped behind me, and when I half turned I found her staring at Izon as he knelt at my feet, something almost wistful in her gaze.

  The shoe slipped easily into place.

  “Don’t forget to leave by midnight,” I murmured and Izon looked up, but I just shook my head gently.

  When I had both shoes on, he rose to his full height once more, and took my hand as I descended the rest of the steps. “You look beautiful,” he murmured. His finger traced my cheekbone for a moment. “And you’d make a stunning dragon.”

  I looked up at him, hardly daring to breathe, barely believing this powerful, attractive man was taking me out for the evening.

  He glanced over my shoulder and a broad grin took control of his lips. He held his free arm out. “Hello you three. Have you come to say goodnight?”

  Vike tumbled into his half hug, and Izon fake-grunted at the impact.

  “Whoa, little dude. Getting strong.”

  Jari slunk beneath his arm, getting her hug too, and Izon pressed a kiss to Luka’s forehead
as Gabby held him out. Of course, Luka made a grab for my hair, but Izon stopped his fist easily.

  “Not tonight, even littler dude. We need to leave the pretty hair alone.”

  I’d never seen him so carefree with his children. I liked it.

  Izon looked down at Jari as he hugged her closer. “I’ve cleared the next few days to spend with you, okay?”

  She nodded and smiled, then she grinned at me. “I like your dress.”

  “Thank you. So do I.”

  Izon squeezed my fingers gently in acknowledgement. Was this actually more than a diplomatic tour of the island, as I’d hoped?

  “Right. I think it’s time for us to go. We’ll see all of you in the morning. Make sure you listen to Gabby about your bedtime,” Izon rambled off quickly, as if he was excited to get going.

  As he turned away, Gabby shook her head at me, and I laughed quietly. Tonight would be treat night, and the schedule would be long forgotten.

  Izon and I started our evening in his car, being driven around by his driver. The privacy screen went up and Izon pointed out of the window. “Most of the island is vegetation here, although we have a small town and several villages.”

  “Plus your huge house? Or is that one of the villages?”

  He chuckled, the sound easy, and it drew goosebumps over my skin. “My house must be a different village,” he conceded. “It is pretty big.”

  “But you don’t live in a castle or a palace?” I flipped through my memories of Earth history and other fairy tales. We were passing beneath trees with huge leaves and branches that dripped some sort of feathery plant. Royalty always had those I’d read.

  He took my hand and smoothed the pad of his thumb over my skin, my heart thumped once in response. “I don’t need one.” His words were simple. “The people of my planet know who their king is, and I spend a lot of my time visiting them, anyway.”

  “Must be hard for your children.” I bit my lip as soon as I spoke. The words had sounded much harsher than I intended.

  He glanced at me. “I think it’s hard on my entire household, but yes, my family especially. It’s a hard lifestyle for anyone to buy into.” He leaned across me a little and pointed out at the main dock on his island, and the squat little building right by it. “That’s where we’ll be eating tonight.”