Ignorance

10

Once Sir returned to the table, the vicious roar still rang in my ears. "I'm sorry if that scared you, mo grá. The reason you are not allowed o eat on the floor is simply because you, my dear, are a queen. You will be treated as such." He said his tone holding finality.  Nodding, I continued to eat the grilled cheese as I grabbed one, attempting to feed him.

"My dear, whatever you had to go through in the human world. You will never go through again. Not if I can help it. Come. Let's take a bath." He said, taking my hand, leading me away from the table. Down the hall, turn right, down a flight of stairs. Sir slowly took off my dress as he removed his own clothes. Slipping into the water, he wraps his arms around me, waist his breath heated on me skin. 

"Sir, are you angry?" I ask him softly. "Yes, but not at you, my dear. I am mad that humans seem to treat others unjustly even if humans are one in the same. It makes me want to go to the human village and burn it to the ground." He  growls the water rippling with vibration. I hum lightly. There had been times when I wanted someone to lay waste to the village. To simply put me out of my misery. At one point, I wanted to watch it all burn down.

But the thought of someone else wanting to do that for not only me but us. My brother Kino, my mother, myself, and all the other slaves. For the slaves that were burned at the stake. It was unheard of. The thought made my cheeks grow warm as I bowed my head slightly. 

"Thank you...for saying that." I say slightly embarrassed. "You don't have to thank me for that." He said, dipping  a cloth before running it over my skin. "Do you have to leave tomorrow?" I asked. "Yes, unfortunately. I will be back before supper. And your tutor will be here in a month time." Sir said as he guided the cloth across my shoulders.

I nod, growing anxious. I fumble with my hands, making the water ripple. "What is wrong, mo grá?" He asked as the cloth dipped between the valley of my breast. "I am afraid that I never learned before. I can not read nor write, sir. I fear you are wasting your resources, sir." I say to him, my breath hitching as the cloth goes to my lower stomach.

"I understand your sentiment, but everyone is able to learn if they are willing. Are you willing, Nyx?" He said my name, rolling off his tongue. Goosebumps covered my arms.

"Yes, sir." I say, nodding. "Good. Let us get to bed. We are starting to prune." Sir said as he lifted us out of the water. The maids dried us off before slipping me into a soft gown.

Soon, the maids led me to his chamber. Knocking softly, Sir opened the door, directing me inside. Getting in the oversized bed beside him, I go to turn my back to him, but he stops me.

"I wish to look at you tonight." He said, his breath hitting my face. "May I speak, sir?" I whisper. "You may speak any time, my dear." He said.

Thoughts ran through my mind, trying to shift through the things I wanted to ask him but instead deciding to ask him.

"What does it take to be queen, sir?" I ask my voice hesitant as I voice my thoughts. "Well, this is a special case. In all my years in ruling over the kingdom, we have never had a human  to be an eternal flame. Usually, the queen would work alongside her king. Go to social events. Be a representative of the draconian kingdom. But your tutor will teach you everything. I know you can not read or write, so your sole duty as queen will be to provide me, your king, support." He explained, and I furrowed my brow but nodded.

It's was quiet for a moment as I thought over what he said. I was positive I wasn't able to rule as queen properly. But I was sure that he would tire of me and find another eternal flame.

He tightened his hold on my waist, pulling me closer, making me grip his arms. "Most times, I can tell what people are thinking. Whether they want power or money or women. But you. I can't tell what you're thinking or feeling. You feel so distant, and yet I hold you close to me every night." Sir said as I focused on his voice.

"I wish you would speak your mind around me. I wish you would tell me what you have been through. So I could pillage that human village that wronged you. " Sir said as his hand caressed my cheek.

"Will you tell me a story?" I ask softly at loss of words. "Of course, my dear." He said.

"Once upon a time, a mother dragon and her hatchling were flying through the sky. But the mother dragon was caught by trapper and brought to the ground. The hatchling cried and wailed, promising revenge on the humans who had killed his mother. Over the years, the young hatchling grew into a fierce dragon. Still harboring hate, he would set fire and maim. One day, when the dragon was in his cave, he heard giggling and laughter. Looking back, the daughter of the man who killed his mother had wandered into his cave. He thought of killing her. He thought of eating her. But he couldn't bring himself too. Instead, he led the girl back to her village. Watching as the little girl laughed and played along the journey, it became apparent the little girl didn't sense any danger. When they reached the village, everyone was frantic, but they stopped seeing the dragon. The dragon stood tall as he nudged the little girl forward. A woman rushed forward, embracing the girl, making sure she was unhurt. Hesitantly, she looked at the dragon before she nodded. Unexpectedly, the girl turned around running towards the dragon, giving him a small toy. It was a wooden figure shaped like a dragon. The wooden figure was made to look after his mother. With a light heart, the dragon walked away. Never pillaging the village again."