“Keltin isn’t,” I muttered, grateful Ismae hadn’t become upset. My anger was already ebbing.
Ismae laughed. “Elisa, that’s because Keltin isn’t interested in any woman.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, if we can have a moment before the dancing begins!” the herald called over the crowd.
I leaned to Ismae. “Is he just not ready to be married yet?”
She shook her head. “It’s because he prefers men.”
“We have an announcement from the queen,” the herald continued.
I faced Ismae. “What?” I’d been trying for years to get Keltin’s attention, and all this time, he had no interest in me, but not because he wasn’t interested in me. I joined Ismae’s laughter and stifled it behind my gloved hand. How ridiculous I’d acted trying to get his attention.
“If I can have Princess Elisa join me,” Mother said, scanning the crowd.
My stomach dropped into my toes. Mother had never done a formal announcement like this on my birthday. I let go of Ismae to join my mother on the wooden steps. I couldn’t stop my mind from racing. What if she is about to tell everyone all about your curse? But she made you wear gloves tonight to hide it. She certainly won’t announce I’ll be taking on additional duties as the queen. That isn’t supposed to take effect until my eighteenth birthday.
I reached Mother’s side and gave her a quick, nervous grin.
Mother held her hand out the opposite direction. “And Prince Gerard?”
He stood at the front of the crowd, and when beckoned, skipped a step as he climbed to my mother’s opposite side.
Confusion pinched my brows.
“This evening, I would like to make a wonderful announcement. Princess Elisa is formally engaged to Prince Gerard of Ashwrya.” She smiled proudly, stepped back, and motioned for us to meet in the middle.
Gerard held his hand out to me.
I couldn’t move my feet. “Engaged?” I spat. “You arranged my engagement?” I faced my mother. “Without my consent, without even a word to me, you arranged my engagement?” Anger flared my nostrils, and like that morning, I could taste it.
The excited applause of the crowd awkwardly faded.
I didn’t know if my eyes were on fire, but I knew if I didn’t get some fresh air, I would do something I would later regret.
I grabbed my skirts and ran.
The crowd parted as they murmured.
“Married to a prince from Ashwrya, that’s a good move.”
“Poor girl, her mother should have told her.”
“I don’t understand what she’s so upset about.”
I knew in my heart I couldn’t truly escape, but at least I could go outside for a little while. I was the “crown princess,” able to be manipulated like a puppet on a string, because I truly had no other choice. My life wasn’t my own.
I ran to the gardens, tightened my hands into fists, and gritted my teeth. I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw the stone bench against the nearest tree trunk and demolish it. I wanted to tear all of the flowers from their beds.
Pain seared my palms, but I held my fists tight, concentrating on the feeling of my claws against my palms. I tried to count and take deep breaths. But the corner of my eyesight began to glow, and I whirled around and tore my claws down the trunk of the nearest tree—four long distinct marks from my claws.
I let out a shuddered breath and sunk to my knees, gulping in breaths, counting deliberately. One … two … three …
“Elisa!” People called.
I couldn’t face them. I didn’t dare, not with my new claws protruding from my now-torn white gloves.
Four … five …
I closed my eyes.
Six …
You’re brave, Elisa. You’re strong and intelligent. Ismae’s words echoed in my head, and I felt hot tears on my cheeks.
Her words were immediately overshadowed. The rage of a dragon shall grow inside, until the truth she can no longer hide.
I reached up and wiped at my tears.
I didn’t feel brave or strong or intelligent. I couldn’t even control my anger.
I felt a warm presence behind me and glared over my shoulder to see Gerard standing near. I scrambled to my feet, hid my hands behind my back, and forced myself to take a deep breath to suppress the desire to toss him into the side of the castle.
He stopped a safe distance away. “I’m sorry. I truly didn’t know. If I had—”
“Remember what you said about my mother?”
He nodded.
“This is a classic example of what she does.” My claws still bit into my hands and I could smell the tang of iron in my blood. “I may be the crown princess, but she doesn’t involve me in any of the decisions.”
Gerard stepped closer. “Come, we can speak with your mother and my grandmother in private. Sort this out.” He held his hand toward me, but I shook my head. His brows shifted. “You don’t want to touch me now?”
“It’s not you,” I said softly. Finally, my claws began to retract.
“Ah.” He dropped his hand to his side. “It’s you?” he arched a brow with distrust in his eyes as if I wasn’t the first person to tell him that.
“Did she even tell you about my curse to become a dragon?”
His brows shot up. “No kidding?”
He looked down my body. The moonlight peeked from behind a cloud, lighting Gerard’s green eyes as they settled on my side. I still had my hands hidden behind my back. I slumped my shoulders forward. He deserved to know the truth.
I inhaled through my nose with new resolve and closed the gap between us. I held my arms up and kept my eyes on his as I pulled the remnants of the gloves off. In that short fit of anger, the scales had climbed to my elbows. My heart pounded in my ears as I watched his eyes shift from mine to my black-scaled hands.
Gerard reached out. “May I?” he asked gently.
I allowed him to take my arm so he could get a better look. He held my hand so close to his face his breath caressed the back of my hand like that of a warm afternoon breeze. He turned my hand over, using the light of the moon to take in the details of the scales. I hadn’t even looked at them so long. He touched his fingertips to my palms and then stroked the scales down my arm.
I shuddered and pulled away. It felt more like the ghost of a touch when you remove your shirt, light and tingling.
“Curious indeed,” Gerard concluded.
“That’s all you have to say?” I blurted.
He moved his hands away from his sides, palms exposed. “Is there something you would rather I say?”
“I … I don’t know.” I hid my hands behind my back again, trying to put into words the confusion I felt. “Is it normal for people to reveal they’re a dragon where you come from?”
Gerard chuckled, a sound almost too deep for his young face. “No, but—” he lifted his broad shoulders “honestly, all I can think about right now is how I can help you. We are betrothed now. Certainly there is some riddle or cure?” He inclined his head slightly, sincerity in his gaze.
I hesitated. “If you want to help, I would appreciate it. The scales appeared this morning when I found out …” I looked down at my hands. “The last of the faeries was killed this morning. You see, according to the story, the faeries vowed to cure my curse.” I lifted my gaze up to Gerard. “If they don’t cure me, or if I don’t find a cure somehow, I am to become a dragon by my eighteenth birthday.”
“Next year.” He nodded and his gaze traced the movement of a Loper firefly. “Hm. So you need a fae.” The glowing blue translucent wings of the Loper firefly left a glittering blue trail that faded as it darted around. Gerard reached up and rubbed his hand over his strong jaw. “There could be some still hidden deep within the forests.”
I shook my head. “Mother has had scouts searchi
ng my entire life. The only sign we got today was when one of them returned with a note from Selina.”
Gerard’s gaze snapped to me. “Selina?”
“She’s the one who cursed me.”
His brow furrowed. “The sorceress?”
“Yes. You know her?”
He nodded slowly. “I’ve heard stories.” He rubbed his lips together as he thought, then reached out and took my fingertips in his hand. “Elisa, we can’t solve this problem right now. I need more information, which you can spend all day tomorrow giving. I think we should go back inside and finish out your celebration. You only turn seventeen once.” He smiled at me, the little dimple in his left cheek appearing.
I knew Gerard was right. Everyone else had been looking for seventeen years. I couldn’t expect him to solve the problem in one night. Reluctantly, I accepted his arm and let him guide me back inside. I wasn’t sorry for my outburst. My mother had no right to prepare our engagement without telling me. She had no right announcing it to the kingdom without at least telling me first, it’s the least she could have done.
The guests turned when I reentered, and I let go of Gerard to hide my hands.
He gently said, “One moment,” and left me beside one of the flowering trees at the entrance, only to return with full-length gloves he must have taken from a party guest.
I moved my hair over my shoulder and accepted the gloves. “Thank you.”
Gerard gave me his dimpled grin again. “You’re welcome. If there’s anything to make you more comfortable, tell me.”
I blushed.
He didn’t make a scene about my return, nor did he embarrass me by bringing me to my mother for a scolding. Instead, he led me onto the dance floor. “You, dear lady, deserve to celebrate your birthday like any other princess.” He took my hand in one of his, set his other behind his back, and bowed to kiss the glove.
“You really don’t have to,” I tried to insist.
Looking up at me, he quirked his dimpled grin and winked. “Nonsense.” He straightened, pulled me close, and began to dance.
As a proper lady and future queen, I knew the dance and moved my feet in time with the song, but he swayed his body with mine in a way no one ever had. He kept our bodies close, and I found my gaze locked on him, entranced by those deep, green, mysterious eyes.
Gerard swept me off my feet.
The music flowed through my soul, calming my residual anger. I relaxed my body into Gerard’s arms. He nudged my back with his hand, cueing me to move under his arm into a spin and then back. I wasn’t anticipating the dip, however, and found myself laughing at his grace and my lack of elegance as I panicked that I was falling.
He chuckled and righted me. “You’re a wonderful dancer.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I teased, only to bite my lip and immediately question if it was appropriate to tease a prince.
But Gerard laughed. “Oh, you think that dancing was bad, you should see this.” As a more lively song started, he pulled me even closer and grinned. I could feel his muscled body against my chest. His body radiated heat. His eyes scrunched in teasing skepticism. “Can you keep up with me?”
“Of course,” I scoffed. “The Haltz is my favorite.”
“Let us see.” He stepped backward, driving me forward, causing me to take long strides until we were centered on the dance floor.
I let go of him long enough to gather my skirts in one hand and met his excited grin.
The upbeat violin intro took off and the swing increasing with it. I moved my feet delicately and quickly right in step with Gerard. He slid his feet with expertise. He rolled me away from his body, our fingertips remaining locked as our arms were stretched. I swung my hips, looked at him, and shimmied my shoulders.
He let out a little laugh, and I tugged his hand.
Gerard’s eyes widened briefly before he spun into me, then nudged me with his hip, and I went around him to untangle. He chuckled, took my hand and drew me close again. We instantly fell into the steps and moved in a circle around the dance floor. I hadn’t noticed until that moment that the other dancers had cleared off.
As the tempo began it’s reluctant close.
Gerard spun us around one last time before bowing to me. He kissed the back of my hand, his emerald eyes sparkling.
The audience broke out into applause a little louder than just politeness.
My cheeks instantly became hot, and I jerked my hand away.
“You don’t need to be embarrassed.” He straightened and snagged my hand. Gerard leaned and brushed his lips against my ear. “That was the most fun I’ve had in a while. Come get a drink with me.”
I needed more than a drink. I felt like my head had floated off into the stars and my heart had somehow melted. I vaguely recalled noblemen and women congratulated us on our engagement as we passed. A few children complimented my dress, and then there was a blur of color, torchlight glinting off jewelry, and rushed introductions.
Gerard put a glass in my hand.
I sipped the sweet grape juice, relieved as we had a brief moment alone protected by the edge of the table.
Gerard nudged his head a little. “It appears you made your statue of a mother smile.”
I looked over my shoulder to where he’d hinted. My mother sat on the throne, and her smile actually reached her eyes. “I’m sure she’s proud she made the right decision in choosing you for my husband.” I swallowed another mouthful.
“And how do you feel about me?”
I considered Gerard over my glass and slowly lowered it. “I don’t know if she’s right about it keeping the dragon away.”
“But?” His dark brows were slightly raised, but I knew by the look in his eye he wanted me to say it was love at first sight.
“But I …” I peered into the glass in my hand and lifted my shoulders in a little shrug. “I think you’re different.”
“Good different?”
I ran my finger across the rim of the glass. “I … don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you.” I glanced at him again.
Gerard laughed. “I understand that. Not much of an answer, though.” He winked and took another drink from his own glass. “But if I may be so bold to say, perhaps some people are just destined to be together. If they have good chemistry—”
“Chemistry?” I raised my brows, not really asking but more surprised he was so bold.
“What I mean is, we seem to get along well.” Again, he flashed his crooked grin.
“Yes. I suppose we do.” My heart had settled from the dance, but deep in my chest, it remained slamming against my insides. I finished the glass and set it on the edge of the table.
“Come dance again.” Gerard took my hand and guided me once more out on to the floor, where we spent the rest of the evening.
Maybe Mother was right after all.
Maybe Gerard really was the key to keeping the dragon at bay.
At least for now.
Seven
I woke with a silly smile on my face and let out a sigh as I rolled over to look at the ceiling. I touched my fingers to my lips and let my mind wander. Gerard had been a complete gentleman and hadn’t kissed me on the lips. That didn’t mean I couldn’t dream. For once, my dreams weren’t about my transformation. Gerard had been there, and with his protective arms around me, I never transformed.
I imagined how his lips would feel. Warm, like his hands? Rough like his calluses? Soft like his dancing? And of course I needed to find out what kind of woman I would be in this game of attraction. In my books, girls were a tease, or polite but forward. I should have asked Ismae the best way to flirt. She’d always been a flirt with Prince Mathias and Prince Ulrich.
Then again, I could be overthinking everything. Maybe all I needed was some time alone with Gerard.
The door of the room next to
mine closed, and I sat up. That room was empty. Or rather, it should have been. More curious than frightened, I slipped out of bed and grabbed my green silk robe. After I had it on, I carefully opened my bedroom door.
A figure stood in the hallway directly across from my bedroom. It was a room that acted as a study for my sisters and me, where we had our academic lessons. When the figure saw it was empty, he slipped inside.
I knew I should go back to bed. It wasn’t any of my business.
But a small voice hissed, Go look. No one should be snooping about this time of day.
Before I knew it, I had darted across the hall and turned the handle. The figure already had the drawer to the desk open and was rummaging about.
“Allul,” I said.
The wall sconces ignited, snapping light into the room in an instant.
Gerard froze and stared at me, his eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint. He relaxed almost instantly. “Elisa.” Those handsome lips I’d just dreamt about spread into an easy smile as he straightened. “You startled me.”
At his glare, I was ready to scold him. But with the change in his demeanor, I was almost ready to dismiss the oddity of him being in my study rifling through my things. He wore tan trousers and a crisp white shirt covered by a dark brown vest. He had no boots on, which was probably why I hadn’t heard him in the hallway.
I inclined my head. “What are you doing?”
He glanced around. “I am aware this looks odd, my being … in the dark. In this room. Alone.”
I folded my arms over my chest.
His eyes settled on me and then grazed my body, taking in every curve.
The way he looked at me made me feel exposed and I suddenly grasped my robe was open, revealing my low white nightgown. I tugged my robe closed and refolded my arms.
Gerard’s eyes snapped back to mine and his dimple appeared. “In honesty, I was looking for the spring stone.”
My eyebrows rose. “Why are you looking for the royal stone?”
“I was thinking about what you said last night.” Gerard left the drawer and walked over to me. “Your curse. You said the faeries were supposed to save you?”
The Dragon Princess: Sleeping Beauty Reimagined (The Forgotten Kingdom Book 1) Page 5
