A Dragon's Curse

| Chapter 2 |

I'm quite sure all the colour drained from my face. When I looked at Silas, he was so pale I thought he might faint. "That's impossible." He managed to get out. No one answered. I looked at my dad, finding him already staring at me. "Silas's right, there's no way the dragons could get through the soldiers. The borders are well protected. And above all, the dragons can't get through the Elites, right?" I practically begged my dad to agree with me. 

The Elites were men and women who trained for defending the capital in some villages against the dragons. They were trained for years and extremely skilled, especially the ones tasked to protect the capital. They possessed the only blade that could kill a dragon, blades made out of the bones of the first dragon ever. Only the elites had them since there were only a few. But my father looked down, avoiding my pleading gaze. I looked at Silas. He was rubbing his temple. "What are we going to do now?" He asked his father.

The king paced through the room. "Elites are on their way, they're going to protect the palace." Silas's father then finally answered. "But the people in the villages?" I exclaimed. 
"You must understand Fallon, we are in a dangerous situation. The palace goes first, I'm afraid." The king answered calmly.
"Aren't we supposed to protect our people?!" 
"Fallon." The king said again. I looked up at him, while he placed his big hands on my shoulders. "I know it is hard, we think so too. But we cannot save everyone. The first elites will protect us. More will come and they will protect the capital and the people in it." He said. I opened my mouth but he interrupted me. "It will be alright, Fallon. I promise." I looked at my father, he nodded slightly. "Fine," I said, turning around. "Fallie, please," Silas said, but I stormed off. I can't handle standing there and doing nothing. 

I narrowed my eyes and shot my arrow straight in the bull's eye. I quickly walked over there, pulled the arrow out, walked back to my spot and shoot again. I went over this for about an hour. Before I could shoot another arrow, a hand lowered my bow. I looked up to find Silas with his concerned eyes. "You can't just wander off like that Fallie. What if the dragons suddenly barge in. Then I can't do anything to protect you." His hand stroked a piece of hair behind my ear. "I can protect myself, my love." I cupped his cheek. He came closer and bowed his head. Silas's breath tickled my ear. "I rather do that myself."  I chuckled and he pulled me in for a kiss. When we pulled away again he looked at me. "You and your father will stay at the palace. You can sleep with me." He winked. I made a face.
"Would there be much sleeping left?" 
"Enough to make the usual hours, I'm sure." 
"Fine then Your Majesty, I shall accompany you in your bed." I chuckled. He groaned. "I hate you." "I love you too."

 A few hours later we were laying on his bed. My head was on Silas's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. His hands gently went through my hair. "I wish we could stay like this forever," I murmured, my eyes drifting shut. "I know my dear, I know," Silas whispered back, kissing my hair. 

I woke up the next morning, Silas's arms tight around my waist. The knocking sound of a servant ringing way too loud in the early morning hours. I ripped out Silas's pillow from underneath his head and pushed it over mine. He groaned. "Fallie, it's early." He sighed. "Your servant is knocking, you can answer." I pushed him out of bed. He landed hard on the floor with another groan. "I hate you." Silas sighed, but I could hear him smile. I turned on my stomach and pushed my face into the pillow. "Open the damn door, Your Majesty." A laugh escaped my lips. 

I heard the door creaking. "Yes?" Silas questioned. "I'm sorry to bother you, Your Majesty. But the king asked me to tell you that there will be a ball tonight." I heard the servant's voice. I looked up. "A ball, why?" Silas sounded just as confused as I felt. "The only thing the king said because we needed some happiness, that's all I know Prince Silas." The servant spoke again. "Thank you, you may go now." Silas dismissed him gently, the door closed and I felt his weight beside him. 

"A ball? We're literally under attack and we're just going to party?" I paused to let out a miserable laugh. "If we go, we better go drunk right," I said sarcastically. He heaved a sigh. "Maybe it's good Fallie, a little distraction from everything that is happening." Silas pressed a kiss on my head. His head lowered to my ear. "And yes, if we go, we better go drunk." He whispered in my ear, chuckling. I gave him a good elbow between his ribs before pushing my head back into the pillow. "Five more minutes," I murmured. Silas laughed. "Alright, five more minutes."

I groaned, standing in front of my closet. Silas and I had spent the day together and then he told me to dress up for the ball. Our relationship was public in the kingdom. People knew me, I had to look presentable enough so I wouldn't ruin Silas's reputation. He had told me many times I always looked beautiful and he didn't care about his reputation as long as I was happy. I loved him because of that. He would burn the world down for me if he had to. I looked back at my closet and noticed a royal blue dress. I knew Silas was going to wear that colour and he loved it when I matched to his outfits. I grinned, taking the dress out of the closet. 

My hair waved down my back. My dress reached the floor, sweeping when I walked towards the palace on my father's arm. The tight top showed the curves of my upper body. The skirt was only the slightest wider and made me look like a princess. "You look beautiful, my little dove." My father smiled. Dove, that's what he called me. I smiled at him. "Thank you, papa, you look ravishing yourself." I giggled. He laughed, the sound was like music to my ears. We reached the palace quicker than I thought, the guards swinging open the main doors. People looked at me, and waved at me, whispered about me. I happily waved back. We wandered through the hallways, following chattering people towards the ballroom. Once we reached it, a guard made us wait. This was the part I hated the most about being involved in the social part of the kingdom, they had to announce my presence before I went in. 

As soon as the doors flew open for us, my father and I made our way into the room, pausing in front of the stairs. "Sir Cahira and Lady Fallon." A servant announced. Heads turned to look at us. I smiled kindly while my father assisted me down the stairs. I noticed Silas making his way toward us. His jacket was buttoned up to the chin with a high collar. The colour exactly matched mine. The prince had one hand clasped behind his back while he gracefully strode to me. When I reached the end of the stairs, Silas already stood before me, taking my hand. With a smile, I let go of my father. "Hello there beautiful." He smiled, kissing my hand. I curtsied, holding my dress with my free hand. "Hello, there handsome." I giggled slightly. "Care to open the dance with me?" He said, turning around and offering his arm. I took it gladly. "You know I love to dance." I smiled. Silas smiled back. "I know you do." 

He took me to the midst of the ballroom, people surrounded us in a circle, watching closely. When the music started playing, we started dancing. His hands were steady on my waist. I had placed one hand on his shoulder, the other on his back. Silas swung me around the ballroom with no effort and I matched his rhythm. Other couples joined in, dancing around us. I noticed my father standing beside the king, his hands behind his back. His smile was broad and encouraging. I looked back at Silas, staring into his eyes. And the only thing I found was love.

I talked. I danced. I drank champagne. I was enjoying myself. I was talking to a friendly lady, a wineglass in my hand. While she chattered about her children I scanned the room for Silas. I found him a corner. He was already looking at me while an old man kept talking to him. His mouth formed the words: save me. I covered my mouth with my hand, trying not to laugh. He smiled wider. Suddenly the doors burst open and my gaze went to the top of the stairs. A man and woman were standing there, eyes wild. I noticed the crest of the elites on their chests and I frowned. "We're under attack." The man shouted through the room.

My gaze immediately went to Silas. He already started moving toward me. I heard a loud bang. Saw the chandelier falling. I heard people panic. I saw Silas quickening his pace towards me. And then, I heard a sound that I will never forget. The sound of a dragon.