Firebird

Chapter 11

Kyla

    The next day, I went down to breakfast with Lucas. He chatted happily about starting training and wanting to know how to fight on the back of a dragon. I was more than happy to tell him that we could start training soon. Beckett wasn't back yet but I didn't expect him to be. I could see Dain as I walked down the steps and groaned quietly.
    "Hey I got your back." Lucas said, offering his arm and smiling widely. I smiled back and took his arm. He was a bit of a flirt at times but I didn't mind. He was adorable.
    "Princess, good morning." Dain said as we approached.
    "Good morning, Your highness." I said with a tight lipped smile.
    "I feel as though we got off on the wrong foot last night. I'm hoping you'll take me up on that dinner offer. Tonight?" He asked.
    "Sure. I'll have to talk it over with my guards." I told him.
    "I would like it to be just the two of us." He said, brows furrowing.
    "Well after the last guy got a little handsy, my dad would like me to have someone with me." I said. "I could protect myself easily enough but my dad thinks it's best that I don't hurt another prince."
    I didn't give him time to respond before walking away with Lucas.
    "You hurt the last guy?" Lucas asked curiously.
    "I broke his arm." I said sweetly. "I told him to stop but he wouldn't. So I stopped him myself."
    "You, princess, are my idol." He said, laughing loudly. I smiled at that.

. . .

    I spent the rest of the day staying busy. Visited Beckett and the dragons and saw they were getting along great. Tanwen absolutely doted over Drake. We talked for a bit and I told him about having dinner with Dain. He told me he'd be back before I went down for dinner.
I hung out with the guys in the training rooms before I went back to my room. It didn't take long for me to get ready. I didn't dress spectacularly since I had no need to impress him. I dressed in black slacks and a simple white, loose fitting shirt. I kept my hair down, the waves falling down my back. I heard a knock before Beckett poked his head in the door.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Nope but let's go." I told him. He threw back his head and laughed before offering his arm. I noticed this was his new favorite thing to do. I linked my arm with his and we went down to the private dining room. Dain was already there waiting.
"Princess, you look lovely tonight." He said, taking my hand and planting a wet kiss on the back of it. I discreetly wiped the back of my hand as I sat down. I could see Beckett standing on the wall behind him trying not to laugh.
"Thank you, your highness." I said as one of the staff placed the food on the table. I thanked them with a smile.
"I'm glad you decided to have dinner with me." He said, already digging into his food. "I was looking forward to talk about our future."
"Our future?" I asked, confused. He reached across the table and took my hand. I saw Beckett stiffen but he didn't move. All I could do was stare at him.
"Yes. I see a bright future for us." He ran his thumb across my knuckles and I still couldn't look away.
"I'm not sure what you mean. I don't see a future for us at all." I said, finally pulling my hand away from him and looking away.
"And why not?" He asked defensively. He leaned back in his chair and stared at me. Anger written across his face.
"You and I are not a compatible match." I said. "You're arrogant, rude. And your eyes are only on the crown. Because of that I'm guessing you're not first in line for your own crown."
He didn't say anything. He just stared at me. The temperature changed in the room and I immediately knew it was him. Beckett noticed too and started to step forward.
"How dare you, you little bitch." Dain said, voice rising. "We could have a good thing here. I'm rude? Look at how you've been acting. Like a pampered little brat." He slammed his hands down on the table and shot up out of his chair, causing me to jump up. Beckett was there in an instant.
"Kyla, get away from Prince Dain please." He said quietly, never looking my way. I listened to him and walked backwards. "Sir, I think it's time for you to leave."
"Oh I'm not done here, half breed." He said, getting in Beckett's face. Before I could register what happened, the two of them were fighting. I only froze for a moment before I was angry. Dains words registering in my mind. Dain kicked Beckett off of him and I took my chance. Fire shot between them and ceased all fighting. Surprise registered in both of their faces.
"I say you are done here, your highness." I said, looking at over the line of fire. "You need to leave. And don't you ever call him a half breed again."
He didn't say anything else and ran from the room. I waved my hand and the fire went away. Beckett stood, eyes still wide.
"I didn't know you could do that." He said. I shook my head. I walked to him as he stood up.
"I'm an elemental. It's what I do." I touched the cut on his cheek. "Besides, didn't you say you once saw me walk through fire?"
"Well yeah but I thought that was a royal thing." He said. "Why have I never seen you use magic before?"
"I use magic everyday. You just don't notice it." I told him. "Come on. We need to go talk to my dad."
With that, we both walked away from the room.