The Dragon's Embrace

Chapter 2

I gulped. I travelled through my mind searching for a lie, but I couldn't think of anything. 'What do you think you're doing!?' He was furious. His grip getting tighter the longer I was quiet. I stared defiantly into his intense eyes. My chest felt like it was going to explode. You could see the fury on his face, and his features were becoming sharper as the irritation built. He lifted me in the air and set me on the silky 4 poster bed. His other hand is now fixed down on my free wrist. 'I will ask one more time. What were you doing!?' I replied truthfully before I could stop myself. Dragons were known for executing people, and I didn't want to be dead after less than a day. 'I wanted to get away from you.' Okay, so maybe it wasn't the whole truth. His fierce features turned amused, and his frown turned into a  supercilious smile. 'I've told you before about lying, Maria. I'm not an idiot, I know exactly what you were doing, and it wasn't to get away from me.'  I cocked an eyebrow. He might not have been mistaken, but I couldn't let him win. Not this time, at least. 'You sure about that?' I snarled. ' I'm too powerful for you to get away from me, and I know you know that, You even said it yourself. Your precise words were '
It's not like I can do much anyway in a castle full of dragons. Flying is faster than running, never mind all your powers.'
He used a mock voice when repeating my words. 'I was questioning the part when you said you weren't an idiot, actually'. He grinned. 'Your brave for a human' What was that meant to mean! Just because we can't fly or breathe fire doesn't mean we are weak!  My face became irritated by that comment, and he could clearly tell so he let go of my wrists and sat up rapidly on the bed. 'There will be a girl coming to prepare you for the competitions tonight. Keep up that confidence. You're going to need it.' He swiftly stood, and I saw the muscles in his chest tighten. He then headed over to the window and pulled one of my only chances of freedom away. My chest leapt as the end of the belts landed in his tough hands. 'I'm going to have to keep a close eye on you, aren't I?' No, no, no, no, no, if he does that, how am I going to get away? 'Nah, you're alright, I'll be good.' His eyebrow raised in suspicion. 'Yeah, im sure you will.' He had a touch of vulnerability in his eye 'stay strong and safe tonight, Maria.' Without another word, he left with the belts in his hand. What is happening tonight? Why do I need my confidence and strength? What on earth is going on!? Before I had time to let the information in, the lock on the door was unlocked. A thin, stringy girl with brunette hair and ocean like eyes walked through the door and locked it straight after. She glanced around the room uneasily. As she spoke, she figited with her fingers. 'Maria? I'm Juana, and I'm here to get you ready for the competition later.' What competition? Is this what mateo was trying to warn me about? I gathered my thoughts expeditiously. She examined my wardrobe. 'Where did all the belts go off your clothing?' My eyes drifted to the floor. 'Mateo took them.' She sighed heavily.'What did you do?' I'm guessing she knows mateo a lot better than I do. She looks like she has been her a long time. However, she is so thin that she looks like she has been tortured. Are dragons really that horrible, or does she just have an incredible metabolism. 'I tried escaping'. He face was in utter disbelief ' and he didn't throw you in the dungeons?' I shook my head and a lump in my throat, stopping me from breathing with nervousness. Is he really that bad? If I keep on trying to escape or lying to him, what is he going to do to me? I think Juana sensed the nerves tingling inside of me. 'Look, you're going to be okay. It seems the king has taken a little liking to you. Has he hurt you at all?' The only times he actually hurt me physically was his grip and when he slapped me. I suspect him of that headache, but I don't know that was him for definite. ' once or twice, but mostly they were accidents, I think'. Her face was unreadable. 'Wow, but let's get you ready for tonight. The first challenge is with the old queen, so you will need to be elegant and stylish, but also a dress that shows you know your place.' I probed my way through the wardrobe looking for something to wear, and I found a gourgoes navy blue dress turning black at the hem ,glitter at the top andlacy shoulders. It was stunning. 'Oh my god, it looks amazing, but I'm not sure you should wear it.' Juana called out. 'What why?' I demanded. 'The old queen will think you are not knowing your place in this Palace.' Oh no, is this one of those places lost in time. Well, I don't care. it's not the 1800s anymore, I can wear what I want, and there is nobody stopping me, not even mateo. 'Juana, I have to wear this, I'm not changing.' She checked her watch and sighed 'it's wouldn't matter anyway. You have no time left. Come with me, I'll take you to the old queen.' However, before she had time to open the door a man's shadow squeezed through the door and she immediately curtsied. It was mateo. 'Thank you, juana, for helping mrs. Maria, but if you don't mind, I will escort her to her magesty, the Queen.' Juana nodded and replied with a brief 'of corse your highnesses' and left. Mateos eyes scanned me over, causing my pulse to go beating in my compacted chest. 'What are you wearing?' He cried. Was everybody going to behave this way or what. It was just a dress and it was divine so why did they have such a problem with it. 'It's called a dress.' His eye twitched. 'Considering we have no time to wait, this will have to do.' He grabbed my arm once again and then placed a blindfold over my eyes. 'I'm sorry once again, but we can't risk you running.' He repeated the words he had whispered once before 'Consumo deseep' Then I feel back in his arms before passing out.