The Cursed Dragon

Chapter 6: Caught

Happy holidays dear readers. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

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Cadimus Immediately felt the power pulse through the ring and into his hand. A warmth turned to a light burning as the magic from the opal reached out and connected with the magic within him. When he opened his eyes his face had reverted back to the angel vestige that everyone knew so well.

In the mirror he saw no echoes of his scales beneath the smooth porcelain of his skin. Flawless skin, bright blue eyes, jet black hair... the ideal Dragon.

"That's better now isn't it," said his mother kissing his cheek.

Cadimus tried to not to think about how beneath the glamor was a face that even a mother couldn't love.

She did not look away, his mind whispered, thinking of Airne.

But she flinched when she saw me first, he answered back.

Who wouldn't? Cadimus shook his head and pushed away such pointless thoughts.

There was a more important issue to be addressed.

"Father has decided that I shall be working as household staff for the foreseeable future," said Cadimus.

"What?" Nurinia balked, stepping back from him.

"Abeloth's guard was at the front gate and saw my true face," Cadimus turned facing his mother. "I told him I was one of the house staff."

"Quick thinking, very good. And believed you."

"Yes."

"Well that at least is good," His mother pursed her lips. 

He could practically see his mother's thoughts whirling around her, weighing and guaging the circumstances and potential outcomes.  

It really was a pity they didn't make use of her skills for more than healing.

She shouldn't have to use them, she's a fine lady, it is our job to protect and shelter, he scolded himself for thinking of putting his mother to work. She had more than enough on her plate already hosting Abeloth at the house.

"As seldom as possible," she said and he could see her eyes glint with fire. "You are of royal linage, I will not have that sullied with servants work. What if someone where to find out after already seeing you work?"

"I promise I will not let that happen," said Cadimus firmly. Not for the families sake, for his own. The secret of his face would ruin him forever and he would not be labeled an outcast among his own kind, not when he had worked so hard to become a respected prince among his people.

"I will speak with your father."

"It was his idea."

"Indeed it was, however not all ideas are worth their weight in gold."

"True," Cadimus shrugged and then the world started to spin. His arm shot out to catch him before he could topple over, finding purchase on a nearby chair and steadying himself/

"Cadimus," his mother's hands were on his arm, concerned.

"Its fine," he tried to wave her off, the gesture only making him more dizzy.

He was having trouble drawing proper breath thanks to the broken rib.

"Clearly not," she said and shifted her hands wrapping her arm around his bicep to support his weight. "I will get you to your room and we can set up some stones for healing."