Dragonsong

Chapter Five

"I'm your future queen, Damon. Show me a little respect."

My ears ring when I hear her words.

Damon growls.

"Does anyone in this God forsaken place know how to knock?"

"Aw, come on. The night is over. Leave this used-up toy and come spend some time with a real woman instead."

Tiffiny locks her arms around Damon's neck, and something painful twists in my gut.

Why do I care so much? If they're destined to be together, why do I feel so upset over this?

Then, I glanced down at my arm. This is why, right? We're mates, but that's not it. Damon has been nothing but kind to me. He deserves to be with someone way better than this skank.

Tiffiny looks at me, and I swallow my anger as I speak.

"Uh, Master, congratulations on your wedding..."

"There is no wedding. We are not engaged." Damon says sternly as he shoves Tiffiny off of him. She huffs.

"Well, not yet. But we will be after tonight. Speaking of, half of the castle is looking for you. It seems you've neglected some of the preparations."

Damon grits his teeth as Tiffany kisses him on the cheek.

"Come, slave. It seems we have business to attend to."

"Oh, leave the pet here. I'll go with you."

Damon's eyes flash blue.

"No."

Damon sweeps out of his chambers at an alarming pace, leaving Tiffiny behind. I hurry down the hall to catch up to him.

"So, are you going to propose to her?"

Damon grunts, like I said something disgusting.

"She's the last woman I'd ever marry. But she is one of the several dragons that are asking for my hand."

He sighs heavily.

"I have to choose one tonight, at the betrothal ball."

"That seems sudden. Why the rush?"

"If anything, I've put it off for far too long." He replies, leaving me with more questions instead of answers.

"Your Highness!"

A tailor pulls Damon into a room. I follow close behind as several tailors take his measurements. After a while, he bats them away. He turns and reaches for the door. But when I moved to follow him, he holds out his hand to stop me.

"You stay here. I have... other things to deal with."

I opened my mouth to protest, but he shoves me into the arms of a tailor.

"Take her measurements too. I want her shining tonight."

The male tailor behind me nods.

"Yes, Your Grace."

Damon turns around and leaves. I stare after him as the tailors measure me from head to toe.

Why do I get the feeling that he's hiding something from me..?

Once the tailors are done, they shuffle out of the room. I sit there waiting a few minutes before Damon comes back into the room. He pulls me to my feet and puts two fingers against my wrist.

"Your pulse is weak, Erika."

He runs his thumb over the fresh scrapes and bruises I got during the hunt. A low growl begins to rumble in his throat.