Descendants of the Dragons

Whispers of the Past

Mei Lin stirred from her deep slumber as a soft voice called out to her. "My lady," Jannel's gentle tone echoed through the quiet room. "It's way past dinner time. Do you want to eat?"

Mei Lin slowly sat up, clutching the bed sheets to her chest in an attempt to cover her naked body. The room was dimly lit, with the warm glow of several candles casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. She noticed the fur cloak neatly folded at the foot of the bed, a silent reminder of Kael's presence that now seemed like a distant dream. He was gone.

"Is it very late?" Mei Lin asked, her voice thick with sleep.

"No, but the night falls early here," Jannel replied as she approached the bed. "His Highness left three hours ago."

"Where to?" Mei Lin inquired, though she already knew the answer.

"Probably to see the Army of the Border. He usually goes to see his men as soon as he gets here."

Mei Lin felt a flush rise to her cheeks. It was obvious she was the reason Kael hadn't gone right away this time. The thought of it made her heart race, but it was also strangely comforting.

"His Highness won't be back for the night, will he?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

"No, he usually leaves for a few days when he goes to see his men," Jannel said, her tone lightening as she added, "It can be boring out here."

Mei Lin chuckled softly, though there was a pang of loneliness in her chest. The idea of spending another night alone in the massive, cold bed wasn't appealing.

"I just feel like seeing more of the castle," Mei Lin said, trying to mask her discomfort. "I've slept too much already."

It wasn't entirely a lie, but the real reason was that she felt uneasy being alone in the cavernous room. The bed, though luxurious, seemed to swallow her whole, and Jannel sitting on the floor next to her only made her feel more out of place.

Mei Lin stood up, immediately feeling the chill in the air. She wrapped the fur cloak around her shoulders, seeking its warmth. As she did, Jannel pointed at her chest, her expression both amused and teasing.

Mei Lin looked down, wondering if the neckline of her dress was too revealing. Instead, she noticed the deep, red marks scattered across her neck and between her breasts. Hickeys—dozens of them. The realization made her blush furiously. How could Kael have left so many without her even noticing? It was too embarrassing!

Jannel's chuckle only deepened Mei Lin's mortification.

"Well, at least it seems His Highness had a good time..." Jannel teased.

"Stop it!" Mei Lin exclaimed, her voice high-pitched with embarrassment. "Can we just go, please?"

Jannel took a moment to suppress her laughter, grabbing a few more cheese cubes and grapes to nibble on as they explored. "Alright, alright, let's go."

The two women left the bedroom, each carrying a candle to light the way. The castle was eerily quiet, the only sound being the faint echo of their footsteps on the stone floor. Mei Lin shivered, not just from the cold but also from the vast emptiness around them. The castle seemed much more intimidating now that she was exploring it without Kael by her side.

They wandered through the winding corridors, their flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the walls. The grand architecture of the castle was impressive, with its high ceilings, intricately carved stonework, and tapestries depicting long-forgotten battles. Despite its grandeur, the castle felt deserted, as though it held more memories than it did life.

After what felt like hours of wandering, they finally returned to the kitchen. The warmth from the fire was a welcome relief after the cold, drafty halls.