Bane of Dragons

by Clara Hartley

  Only the wall hadn’t been a wall, but a man.

  A prince.

  I glanced up, seeing cold blue eyes staring down at me through a short fringe of crimson hair. I had just crashed into Prince Micah Everborne—the youngest of his four brothers. His statuesque form was silhouetted against the moonlight. My brain seemed to have stopped working as I looked at him. He was so beautiful that he left me at a loss for words. Apologize! Some part of me pushed me into action, and my lips managed to move somehow. “S-sorry, Your Highness.”

  He studied me with a calculating glance, not revealing any of his thoughts. Without saying anything, he dipped down and picked up the couple scrolls that had fallen to the ground. He passed them to me, and with shaking fingers, I accepted them. He wasn’t angry. That was a good sign. “Have you seen Kael?”

  “Kael? Your brother?”

  He nodded.

  “He was here about thirty minutes ago.”

  His cool gaze was so striking that it felt like he could see into my soul. I controlled my breathing, hoping he didn’t hear how unsteady it was.

  He sighed then strode past me, not bothering to say a goodbye.

  I watched as he grew wings from his back—white, with a shine similar to pearls. I was awe-struck as I saw him fly away into the night. He almost reminded me of an angel—a dark one, who wore a shroud of mystery.

  The document, I reminded myself. I’d met two princes and hadn’t gotten burned to a crisp by them yet, escaping with my tail still intact. I had to get back to work.

  I let out a heavy breath and padded back to the library. The scroll I was looking for was right where I had left it. I picked it up and placed it in my satchel.

  Three

  I skimmed through the letter my family had sent me this morning.

  Dear Sera,

  We hope you’re doing well. The people around here have been treating us better. I think they want to get on our good side because our daughter is on the council. Your father is beginning to start selling things as a merchant again. Income is increasing, but we might need more help on your end. I hope you’ve been eating enough.

  We miss you. Will you visit again soon?

  Love,

  Your Mother

  I almost snorted at the irony. Mother never asked me if I had enough food back when I was still helping her clean the latrines. This letter simply showed how two-faced people could be. I had to get that position as secretary.

  Frederick was sitting next to me in the throne room. The place glowed with lavishness, paintings and gold trimmings everywhere. It was probably the size of twenty hidrae dragons combined, and could fit an entire castle of people. A blue carpet led toward a daunting flight of stairs, up to where King Gisiroth sat. Below the steps were rows upon rows of seats, where the council members and officials belonged.

  The processions of politics always took longer than needed, with drawn-out arguments and a stretched-out voting system. When all the minor laws were taken care of, King Gisiroth finally moved on to the main topic.

  His sons were sitting behind him together with his wife, Queen Miriel. There were four brothers, all hidraes and tall. Rylan, Gaius, Kael, and Micah. They were perfect, almost godlike figures next to their father, and King Gisiroth looked just as imperial as they did. Like his sons, he was a hidrae, also gifted by the power of lightning. Gisiroth was the first of the hidraes to have the power. He had a bulky and muscular figure and didn’t wear a shirt like the princes. Tattoos inked the sides of his neck and traveled down to his back. Like Kael, Gisiroth had striking white hair, which ended at his shoulders.

  “Back to our key concern,” King Gisiroth said. “There has been news of crops dying in the outer regions of the farmlands recently. The Jura area and beyond. We believe it’s because of the high summers. Usually it lasts for only a month, but this time it seems to be dragging on for another two weeks, and it’s affecting our food supply. This is a dire problem. At this rate, famines are going to be happen, and we don’t want people to starve. I want as much attention as possible focused on this situation. It’s of the utmost importance.”

  The elders bowed their heads. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “Are there any suggestions?”

  Crickets, then an elder raised her voice. “Irrigation systems, Your Majesty?”

  Gisiroth shook his head. “We implemented those last year, and they worked but aren’t enough.”

  Those systems had been suggested by me. I noted that with a measure of pride.

  Chatter buzzed through the air as discussion took place.

  “There is one option,” a male elder said loudly. “Pardon me for thinking about this, my king.”

  “Speak,” Gisiroth said. “I’m open to all opinions.”

  The elder cleared his throat. “Soul magic.”

  A few gasps escaped through the sudden silence. Soul magic? But that had been banned thousands of years ago. The first queen had decided it was too tempting and harmful because of its black magic properties. I’d never tested it out myself, but the idea intrigued me. Then again, I probably wasn’t the best person to contact soul magic. I knew I was the kind to give in to greed, and greed corrupted even faster with magic.

  Gisiroth frowned. “And why do you say that?”

  “But, Your Majesty, the practice has been outlawed!” another elder shouted.

  “It’s too dangerous,” one more said.

  The king rose a hand. “Let him speak.”

  The elder nodded, then stood. “The high summers seem to be an adjustment of nature’s balance. The sect of the Holy Pair believes that this might be a conflict between Aereala and Gaean, the two gods.”

  “Do not bring religion into this!” an elder heckled.

  “I will not have disorder in my court,” the king said. “You may continue.”

  “Even if we are not discussing religion, this phenomenon is likely a result of the supernatural. It doesn’t pair up with our calculations of the suns’ orbits, or the cycles of our moon. Then it makes sense that we require supernatural abilities to counter its effects.”

  “You have a point.” The king leaned back into his throne. “Thank you for your suggestions.”

  “Your Majesty,” Tindyll, head of the Council of Intelligence, said, “you can’t seriously be considering this.”

  “I will consider whatever I deem capable of saving my people. If you’d like to think you have a better idea, then please, raise your suggestions.”

  Other than hushed whispers, nobody said anything else.

  “Then I am done with this meeting for today. Court dismissed.”

  Disgruntled chatter made its way through the throne room. Scholars from the Council of Intelligence and the military from the Council of Fortitude began ushering their way out.

  “Now’s your chance,” Frederick said, elbowing me.

  I stared at the four princes. If not for the crowd I’d be able to run up to them in less than a minute, but they still seemed so far away. “I’m having second thoughts.”

  “You were so confident about it all morning. Where’s the spunk I’m always seeing in you?”

  I was fidgeting. I never fidgeted. “We’re talking about the princes here.”

  Frederick shot me a look.

  “You’re right. I should just dragon up and talk to Kael. Be respectful about it.”

  “Yep.”

  “Do my thing.”

  “Yes, exactly. But you should hurry.” He looked at the back entrance. “Seems like they’re heading off.”

  I grabbed my satchel and slung it over my shoulder. I had to meander through the crowd and get to them quickly. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to figure out where Kael was anymore.

  “Oh, and Sera?” Frederick said, halting me.

  “Yes?”

  “If they do blast you to smithereens, you need to know that olive you,” he deadpanned.

  Frederick was plainly asking me to strangle him. I didn’t entertain his joke and left
.

  I traveled toward the back door, but a guard in full-plated armor blocked my way. “Royals only, lass.”

  I cursed before rushing out the front. I wasn’t sure if the detour would allow me to catch them in time, and who knew when the next time Gisiroth would call another meeting like this was? I ran toward where I thought they might be and was lucky enough to see them strolling in the far distance as a group. I was terrible at stalking people, mainly because I didn’t do it very often. I didn’t know if they’d notice me as I trailed after them.

  After more scurrying, I got close enough. I was about to call out to Kael, when his brother, Gaius, turned around.

  Gaius was a scary-looking fellow. Handsome, yes, but also brutish. He was supposed to be Rylan’s fraternal twin, but the two of them looked nothing alike. Gaius carried himself with a hyper-masculine air and had hard features. All four brothers bore bright blue eyes—it was a trait of the royal family, with the exception of Miriel Everborne, whose eyes were dark brown. Upon closer inspection, Gaius’s blue eyes were the deepest shade compared to his brothers. Gaius had his mother’s dark hair. He bore a large axe, strapped to his bodice with a thick leather strap, which was fitting for his demeanor.

  “Why have you been following us?” Gaius asked, suspicion lacing his voice.

  “Don’t scare the poor girl,” the crown prince, Rylan, said. Rylan, while also having the same deep shade of hair color, had slender features. He was the prettiest male I’d ever seen, and wore a small braid on one side of his hair. The rest of it fell to his shoulders. He had an earring in one ear. Unlike his brother, he had a svelte but muscular frame, and reminded me somewhat of a big cat.

  All the brothers didn’t have shirts on—it was a sign of strength, to show off the fact that they required less clothing to be able to shift into dragons more freely. All the male royals had tattoos running from their chest to their back in a tribal pattern, but Kael had the most tattoos.

  Micah—the red-haired, quiet prince—stood behind the three of them. Not much was known about him. He wore a cool expression, and hardly spoke up. Did he recall the encounter we had yesterday? He looked at me with a stare that sent shivers down my spine.

  I pried my eyes away from the others and redirected my attention to Kael. I had something important I needed to figure out, and as much as I wanted to ogle them, I had to focus. “This might sound strange…”

  Kael smirked. “I saw you at the library yesterday, didn’t I?”

  “Yes.” I swallowed, feeling my hands shake. “And you touched my face.”

  “You really should stop doing that to girls,” Rylan scolded Kael. “It’s not appropriate for a prince.”

  Kael snorted. “You and your uppity ways.”

  I cleared my throat. “I need to touch you again.”

  They stared at me. Gaius’s lips turned up, almost like he was disgusted, while Kael’s smile grew even wider.

  “You’re coming on a little too strongly, aren’t you?” Kael said. “I know we’re the most eligible bachelors in all of Constanria, but—”

  “It’s not that,” I quickly cut in. “Pardon my rudeness, Your Highness, but there’s something… Well, I don’t know how to explain this.” Other than Frederick, nobody else knew about my curse. Did I really want to tell them my secret?

  My gaze went to Micah, who was studying me with narrowed eyes. What was behind his cold exterior?

  “I’m a human,” I said.

  “I can smell that,” Gaius replied.

  “But I was born… with an ability… a curse.” Maybe I should just run away. This was all a big mistake.

  “Go on,” Rylan said.

  “Dragon-kind who touch me usually don’t do very well. They experience unimaginable pain when they come into contact with my skin. But Kael here touched me yesterday, and nothing happened.”

  Intrigue washed over Rylan’s face. “Interesting.”

  “So, Kael can touch you,” Gaius said. “Big deal.”

  “It is to me,” I replied. “I’d never—” Never been able to experience the warmth of another person ever since my abilities awakened at the age of nine. But I couldn’t tell them that. It’d sound like I was expecting something.

  “Is there any way to show this to us?” Rylan said.

  I pursed my lips. “I could touch another dragon-kind, who are most people around here. Humans aren’t common. But I’m not comfortable with causing another innocent that sort of trauma.”

  Gaius walked over, and without asking, he grabbed my hand and pulled off my gloves. I yelped, shrinking back. I expected him to collapse like Frederick had yesterday when his bare hand gripped mine, but Gaius didn’t have any reaction, same as Kael. “She’s lying.”

  I wanted to scold him for being rude, but I couldn’t quite reprimand a hidrae prince. “I don’t know why my abilities aren’t working with you.”

  “I think she just wants me to give her a kiss,” Kael said. He leaned closer to me and tipped my chin up with his index finger. My heart nearly dropped to the ground. He was too close.

  “Stop kidding around, Kael,” Gaius said. A female servant was walking past us, carrying a load of sheets. “You there.” Gaius gestured to her. “Set those down. Come here.”

  A pang of worry shot through my gut. Gaius wasn’t going to make me hurt her, was he?

  Rylan sighed. “Gaius, you should really start treating people better.” But Rylan hadn’t done anything to stop his twin.

  The maid strode forward with tentative steps. “Yes, Your Highness?”

  “Give me your hand,” Gaius said.

  My stomach turned. “This isn’t necessary…” I attempted to pry my hands away from Gaius’s, but his grip was too strong.

  He took the maid’s hand, letting the bedsheets fall to the ground, and forced it on mine. I wanted to throw up.

  The servant shrieked. Her screams punctured my eardrums. I tried to let go, but Gaius’s hand was clamped over mine, and he forced me to continue hurting the poor maid.

  “Stop!” I shouted. “Stop, please, Your Highness.”

  “Gaius, that’s enough,” Rylan said.

  Gaius harrumphed, then let us go.

  This man was a monster. A big monster of an asshole. I glared at him, almost baring my teeth.

  Gaius shrugged. “So, she’s telling the truth.”

  Rylan crossed his arms. “When did these powers manifest?”

  “When I was nine.” I picked my glove up from the ground and hastily slipped it back on, muttering an apology to the maid. She was recovering from her pain, but that looked like it’d take a while. She continued staring ahead, not peering at us. She hadn’t said a word. I couldn’t have touched her for more than five seconds, but even that short amount of time was too much. When I was younger, I accidentally touched a boy for too long while playing, and his mind broke. Would the same thing happen to her, too?

  “Go make sure she gets medical attention,” Rylan said to Kael.

  Kael straightened. “What? Me? You know how much I hate to run errands.”

  “Do it anyway.”

  Kael grumbled something, before lifting the maid up and cradling her. She didn’t look like she was in any condition to walk. Kael lifted her as if she were as light as a feather, and strode down the corridor, toward the infirmary.

  “And with that,” Rylan said, redirecting his attention to me, “what are you?”

  Micah still stood behind his two brothers, giving me the same cold stare. He hadn’t said a word since our meeting again.

  I shifted my weight to my other foot. “A human, as I said earlier.”

  “A witch?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never tried soul magic.”

  Rylan nodded. “As is right. It’s banned. And these powers, do you know where they came from?”

  “Not a clue. That’s why I came here to find Kael. So far, he’s the only interesting thing that’s happened about my curse since years. I haven’t used it in a long time.
”

  Rylan came up to me without warning and touched me. It was almost a bit too much for me to take. I hadn’t had contact with anyone else, not even my own parents or sister, in ages, and now was touching the crown prince. It wasn’t anything crazy, but even these small grazes were enough to make my heart palpitate.

  “No reaction with me, either,” Rylan said. “Micah, could you?”

  Micah strode up to me. He did as Rylan asked. “None with me.” There was a soothing quality to Micah’s voice. It was deep and smooth.

  So, the four brothers were immune to my touch. What was that supposed to mean?

  Rylan nodded. “You’re Sera, from the Intelligence Council?”

  My eyes widened. “How did you know?”

  “Tindyll sang your praises as a potential candidate. I took note.”

  The comment sent a flutter through my chest.

  “Walk with me, Sera.”

  “Before you found out,” Rylan said, striding forward with his hands crossed behind his back, “did you see any signs?” I was gawking too much at his tattoos. They were intricate, with sharp tips and a blue tinge. I had a strange urge to run my fingers across them. Rylan’s skin was smooth, without a hint of a bump or scratch on it. He was fair-skinned, unlike Gaius, who was tanned. That made Rylan look even more like a dream.

  We were strolling down a corridor, through some part of the palace that I didn’t visit often. The bricks were an orange-red, and a large garden was next to us, with vines hanging from the second floor to where we walked through.

  “No, Your Highness.” I kept my head slightly lowered when with the princes. “It just happened. I was talking to the baker in the middle of the city square…” I didn’t want to revisit my memories. I’d locked them away ever since coming to Raynea.

  Rylan turned to me, noting me with his electric-blue eyes. “And what happened?”