The Dragon Prince

by Anna Santos

  Claire swallowed and wiped her face. “You’re right. We don’t need to kiss to be together. We’ve spent months together, and…I made him happy.”

  “You did.” Her mother smiled and held Claire’s shoulders. “It’s time to stop sulking and return to him. If he sent you away because he wanted to protect you, then I believe you need to show him that you love him enough to be by his side and aren’t afraid of what might happen.”

  Claire felt her mood brighten. “You’re right. He must have sent me away because he cared, not out of spite.” Her smile faded as quickly as it appeared. “But what if he truly doesn’t care for me? Won’t I be making a fool of myself?”

  “Love makes us do stupid things. Try one more time and see what happens.”

  “Thank you, Mother.”

  “Now go pack your things and let me rest. You’ll have better chances to arrive at the palace early in the morning. You know the roads, don’t you?”

  Claire nodded.

  Once her mother closed her eyes, Claire went back to her room and lay on the bed. Her mind kept going back to the prince. He had tried to fool her into thinking his act was done out of anger, but it was out of fear for her safety. She felt awful about leaving him all alone in that solitary palace. William needed her.

  In the morning, she left a note for her parents and walked to the stables. The money the Regent had given them allowed her parents to buy more cattle and two sturdy horses. She would take one and journey to the palace, facing the storm.

  Chapter 26

  The trip was hard and foolhardy. The storm only got worse as Claire raced against time and freezing weather to reach the palace. The horse was able to make it on sheer determination alone. Almost as stubborn as the rider on its back.

  Claire had no idea what time it was when she collapsed at the main entrance and weakly knocked on the door. She was too exhausted to open it and hoped the fairies heard her. Before losing consciousness, she listened to a chittering noise.

  Waking up to the warmth of the fireplace, she saw the fairies fussing over her.

  “Claire?” Ming hovered in front of her face, waving her tiny hands. “Can you hear me?”

  Claire nodded. “Is that really you, Ming?”

  “She’s awake!” Ming shouted.

  Kara and Tasha showed up next to Ming and clapped their hands with excitement.

  “How do you feel? Are you thirsty? Do you feel your limbs?” Kara rained questions on her.

  Claire closed her eyes, moved her limbs, and inhaled sharply. “I’m sore, but I’m not cold anymore.” She sat up. “My horse?”

  “He’s fine. The butler took it to the stables,” Ming replied. Then, she narrowed her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. “What were you thinking? Don’t you know you could have died? Why did you do something like that?”

  Claire grimaced at the scolding she received. “I missed you.”

  Kara pushed Ming away. “Shut up. How else would she come here if she didn’t face the storm?”

  Claire nibbled on her lip. “Does the prince know I’m here.” She scanned the room again, noticing that she was in her old room, but there was no one else there but her and the fairies. “Did you tell him that I’ve come?”

  The fairies shared a look.

  Sighing in defeat, Claire brushed her hand through her tangled hair. “If he doesn’t want to see me, I’ll leave as soon as I can travel again.”

  “Nonsense,” Tasha declared, hovering in front of her with folded arms. “William has become insufferable. Well, more than usual. He knows you’re here.”

  “And?” Claire probed.

  “He wants us to tell him when you wake up.”

  “Can I see him?”

  “What did I tell you?” Tasha said to Ming and Kara. “She came to see him, not us.”

  Claire lowered her face in shame. “I’m sorry. I missed you, too, but I miss William more.”

  Kara and Ming giggled as they flew closer to the girl’s face.

  Tasha sneered and flew away.

  The door opened, and the prince came in.

  The fairies and Claire stopped. The giggling halted, and even Tasha hovered a few feet away from the door as if waiting for the prince to give her permission to breathe.

  Claire’s eyes roamed William’s face. He looked pale, and his lips were almost blue. He seemed anything but happy with her return.

  “Leave,” William ordered, stepping aside to show them the door.

  Time unfroze for the fairies who fled the bedroom. Yet, Claire could barely breathe. She watched as the door closed, and William walked to her side of the bed.

  Before he could scold her, she blurted out, “I am sorry to have worried you, but I’m not leaving.”

  William’s eyebrow raised, and he folded his arms. “And what makes you think you have a saying in this?”

  “I don’t care. I’m not leaving.” She folded her arms, too, and faced his glare. “I’ll turn into an ice statue outside your door if I must.”

  “Yes, because nearly committing suicide on my front door wasn’t enough the first time.”

  “How else would I come back to you if I didn’t face the storm?”

  “Why did you think I wanted you back?”

  Claire clenched her jaw and narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know, maybe because it’s bloody freezing outside!”

  William took a step back as if he needed protection against her outburst. “It’s not that cold.”

  “Maybe for you, but the rest of us can’t endure much longer.”

  “Then, you’ve returned to save your people not because—” He cleared his throat. “Never mind. I’ve called for a carriage, and you’ll go back home.”

  “I won’t.”

  “This is not open to discussion.”

  “No, it’s not. I’m staying.”

  “I’ll throw you out.”

  Claire moved on the bed and faced him. “You’ll have to kiss me if you want me gone.”

  William frowned and recoiled when she leaned closer to him. “What are you doing?”

  She puckered her lips. “I’ve missed you.”

  “Stop doing that, Claire.”

  She pouted. “I won’t get in your way or go into your secret garden. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do. I won’t touch you, hold hands, or breathe near you. We don’t even need to dine together if that’s too much for you.”

  “Have you lost your mind? Are you running a fever? Should I call for the fairies?”

  “I can move to the stables and be your servant if you think I’m here because of your riches.”

  “Stop with the nonsense,” he requested, turning away. “You’re going to rest for today, and I’ll send you home tomorrow.”

  “I’ll come back again. Aren’t you worried that, this time, I might die on the road?”

  William sucked in a breath and turned around. His sadness was evident on his face. “Of course, I’m worried. Do you think I was pleased to know that you could have died coming here? Didn’t I tell you to go back home and be happy?”

  “How can I be happy if you’re not there with me?”

  Her words made him gulp, and his gaze softened.

  “You’re not happy without me, either,” she claimed.

  Climbing out of bed, she almost fell on the floor. Caring hands secured around her waist, and she saw his gloved-hands holding her.

  “We don’t need to touch to be together,” she said in a lower voice. “But I can’t be happy without you. I tried. You can’t be happy without me, either. Unless…you’re hoping they send someone else to make you happy, and you never cared about me.”

  “I care about you,” William said, helping her sit on the bed. He sat beside her. “I care a great deal.”

  “We don’t need to stay away from each other.”

  “It’s for your safety.”

  “I’ll die of a broken heart. That’s not safe,” she muttered.

  William smiled for the fi
rst time. His hands folded in his lap, and he looked at them with pensive eyes. Tears escaped and rolled down his cheeks.

  Claire remained still, watching him cry. She wouldn’t touch him because she couldn’t, and he would probably escape her if she did. Yet, she wanted to comfort him, somehow.

  “William, I can’t imagine how lonely it must be for you. It must be hard to trust people, too. So many women want to be your queen. You feel discouraged after the number of times you believed you’ve failed at love.”

  He wiped his tears with his fingertips and said to her, “Monsters like me don’t deserve love.”

  “Monsters, humans, witches, or animals, everybody deserves love.” Claire’s lips stretched into a smile. “I’m just a commoner. I’m not brave. I don’t have magical powers, and I like to read books more than I like to dance or chase after a husband like the other girls in my village do. I’m not special. I’m not expecting you to love me like I love you. I’m not even that experienced in love. I’ve never loved anyone before you. You don’t need to worry about my heart. As long as I can make you happy, I’ll stay with you.”

  “What if you don’t make me happy anymore.”

  “Mom said you sent me away to protect me. Winter came harder and faster this time. If you aren’t sad because of me, then why are you sad?”

  His eyes lingered on hers. “Winter would be ten times worse if something happens to you, Claire. It’s best if you stay away. Can’t you see that?”

  “Winter is already bad, William. If it’s me you want, I’m here.”

  “For how long?”

  She leaned closer. “Forever.”

  “You’re mortal. You won’t live forever.”

  “Until I die. Then, I’ll haunt you until you die.”

  He gave her a lop-sided grin and placed a strand of her hair behind her ear.

  “Do you want me to haunt you?” Claire asked.

  “You already haunt me.”

  “I’m so much better than a ghost. I can bake, dance, sing, and tell you stories. I can skate with you on the lake and watch the stars with you at night while you tell me the stories about the constellations and the other galaxies in this vast universe.” She touched his arm. “We can’t kiss, but I can hold your hand or hug you when you are sad.”

  “Is that enough for you? Don’t you want a man to love you like a husband and give you children?”

  She shook her head. “I just want you. Even if you are cursed and heartless. Even if you can’t love me in the same way that I love you. I wish, one day, you might love me as I love you, though. At least a tiny bit. Do you like me a tiny bit?”

  He nodded, and Claire smiled.

  “Did you miss me?” she probed.

  “Yes.”

  “Can I stay?”

  He faced away, and his hand searched for hers. Once they held hands, he spoke again. “You can stay for a few more days. If the weather doesn’t improve, you’ll have to leave.”

  Claire nibbled on her lip before saying, “Fair enough. If I don’t make you happy, I’ll leave and return to my family.”

  He looked at her with a stern expression. “If you refuse to leave, I’ll kiss you. Then, you’ll be dead.”

  “Not dead, just enchanted like the rest of them. You can always come and see me whenever you miss me.”

  William frowned and removed his hand from hers. “I don’t appreciate your sense of humor, Claire. My heart would break if that happened to you. I only want you to be happy.”

  Claire covered her hand with her sleeve and placed it against his lips. “Stop complaining. I’m still weak from my trip, and I’m thirsty and hungry.”

  William pushed her hand away and rose to his feet. Fixing his clothes, he announced, “Dinner will be served in an hour. The fairies will take care of your every need. Everything in this room is how you left it.” He paused, taking her in. “Do you need me to send word to anyone that you are safe?”

  “My parents. I would appreciate it if you did that,” she replied, adjusting to the cordial tone in his voice.

  “I’ll send a messenger. Get some rest and join me in the dining room in an hour.”

  Claire bowed slightly to his orders.

  Leaning closer, he whispered, “I’m happy today.”

  Claire smiled as William walked away. This time, she wasn’t going to leave his side.

  Chapter 27

  Within days, the snowstorm ended, and the sun peeked through the foggy mist.

  Claire had gone back to her routine while the prince treated her with renewed affection and let his guard down. At dinner time, she did her best to talk to him and make him smile. She loved his smiles. His complexion improved with his happiness. He appeared healthier and in a better mood now that he spent less time alone and shared lunchtime with her.

  William even let her spend time in his library and browse the books. The majority was in languages she couldn’t understand, but the fact that she was surrounded by so many books left her happy. She was also delighted to read while seated by William’s side. Staying away from him, even for sleep, was presenting itself as a challenge. Claire found herself longing for the physical contact that she knew he couldn’t give her. Even an embrace seemed to terrify William. Holding hands and talking until they couldn’t keep their eyes open was becoming a recurring event.

  With the good weather, outside activities were again a possibility. Therefore, when Claire invited the prince for a walk, William happily accepted.

  The weather on the top of the mountain was still cold, and Claire had to wear layers of coverings that barely allowed her to walk or see ahead. Still, William was patient and didn’t use his powers to speed up the process. The experience of spending time together was already a gift. Using his powers to walk around was not necessary since they had nowhere to go.

  Claire looked at William and squeezed his hand. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

  “I am not going to like this, am I?”

  She shrugged. “It depends.”

  “You normally ask without requesting. But, as I’m in a good mood, please ask away, and I’ll promise to answer to the best of my ability.”

  “It’s something you aren’t comfortable talking about, but I believe it’s time for you to open up to me.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “I need to understand more about you and your previous life. I would like to know why you were cursed.”

  “You are right. I don’t like to talk about it. Although, if we aren’t going to have any secrets between us, I believe you need to know.”

  “I would like that.”

  He cupped her hand with both of his as he stretched his lips in a sad smile. “What I’m about to tell you only a few humans know. I would appreciate it if you kept it to yourself.”

  “I will.”

  The prince started his tale. “I’m a dragon. My true form is that of a dragon. The form you see is just a shell we use to mingle with the rest of the sentient beings in this world.”

  “So, you are a dragon-shifter?”

  “That’s correct. Most of the rulers of the neighboring kingdoms are also dragon-shifters, including the witch who cursed me.”

  “You are stuck in this form, aren’t you?”

  He held her hand tighter. “Yes. I can only shift once a year.”

  “That must be restraining. Is that why you have powers?”

  “Yes, but the mood swings aren’t one of them. Nor are turning living things into diamond. That’s a consequence of my curse.”

  “We’ve read about dragons. I’ve never seen one before. We can’t leave the kingdom, and they only exist outside. Well, you are here, but—”

  He stopped walking. “Do you love me less because of this?”

  “No. Of course not. I knew you were different from me. Special. I love you the way you are, not because of what you are.”

  “In my dragon form, my powers are even greater. I can even fly. I miss that.”

&
nbsp; “I would love to fly one day,” Claire said with a dreamy smile.

  “Perhaps, one day, I will be able to take you up into the clouds,” William said, looking upwards.

  Claire followed his gaze and smiled as she twirled around. “Wouldn’t I freeze?”

  “Not if I shielded you from the cold.”

  Claire planted her gloved hand against his coat, and they stopped ice skating.

  Claire breathed deeply before asking, “What happened? Why did another dragon decide to curse you?”

  William held her hands. “My family loved humans. We didn’t see them as inferior. I still don’t. But not every dragon shares our point of view. Some enslave their subjects and like to use their superiority to imprison other species. Edana—that’s the Red Dragon Queen’s name—wants to create a powerful army to conquer other kingdoms and merge them with hers. It’s more complicated than this, but I’m offering the summed-up version.”

  Claire moved closer. “Just tell me what you feel comfortable sharing.”

  “I was engaged to a human princess. It was a decision made to continue as a species and ally us with humankind. It was the right choice, and most royals accepted the decree. But there was one dragon queen who refused to let the marriage take place. She wanted me for herself. I never gave her a passing glance, but she was obsessed.”

  Claire looked at their hands. “I don’t even know what to say.”

  “Just listen. This is a long story.”

  Claire nodded.

  William proceed. “This dragon was the queen of our neighborhood kingdom. She’s more powerful than a lot of the other dragons. More powerful than my father and me. I was still young when she decided that we were meant to be. My powers hadn’t fully grown. Dragons take longer to mature than humans. With my refusal to marry her, she challenged my father, hoping to bring the older dragon into submission. The king refused, not interested in celebrating a marriage or an alliance with anyone who didn’t respect his principles. With my father’s denial, I thought that would be the end. I was wrong.