When the Rain Falls Silent

Chapter 6

We didn't have a plan. All we could do was wait it out. Juniper and Dane couldn't fly, none of us could use our powers, and Dane couldn't shift into his dragon form-we were basically helpless.

"Stay close, don't wander off, and stay as quiet as you can," Dane warned us.

A roar echoed in the distance. "Shit," he hissed.

"What is it?" I asked, scooting closer to him.

"It's a griffin," he muttered. "It has heightened senses and can smell us. It can fly, has claws sharp as knives, and is four times our size. We'll need to be careful."

"We're staying here. I've told you how strong my vines are, and I mean it. They've kept out monsters before, and a griffin won't change anything," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

"Are you sure?" Juniper asked, her eyes filled with fear.

"I am. I may not be able to control them completely, but they know I'm here-and they'll protect me and the people I hold dear," I assured her.

The griffin's footsteps grew louder, each one shaking the ground. As an added layer of protection, Dane extended his wings, wrapping them around us. The griffin clawed at the vines, sending sharp pains through my chest as I felt the vines being strained. Another slash. Then another. But we remained safe, covered, still in one piece. Finally, the creature seemed to grow tired. The slashing stopped, and the heavy flapping of wings followed as it flew away.

An hour after the griffin left, the rain finally stopped.

"The rain's stopped. We should get moving," Dane said, stepping out from our shelter. Juniper let out a sigh of relief, eagerly stretching her wings. I held out my hands, calling the vines back to me as they unraveled from their places and slithered back into my palms.

"It would be faster if we flew," Juniper said.

"I agree," Dane smirked. I looked away for just a second, and when I looked back, a bright light nearly blinded me. When the light faded, Dane had transformed into a dragon with black and red scales.

"Wow," I breathed, a blush creeping up my face.

"What? Never seen a dragon before?" Juniper nudged me playfully.

"Says the girl dating the queen of dragons," I shot back, grinning.

We climbed onto Dane's back, and soon we were soaring through the sky.

When we reached Frosthold, the temperature dropped sharply. I knew the Kingdom of Ice would be cold, but this was freezing. Snow blanketed the entire city. Dane transformed back to his human form as we approached the city gates, and we began to trudge through the snow. I was shivering, unlike Juniper and Dane, who could wrap themselves in their wings for warmth. As we walked, Dane took off his leather jacket and draped it over my shoulders.

"Oh, I can't-"

"I insist," he interrupted.

"What about you? You'll be freezing," I protested.

"Lovely, I can wield fire. I'll stay warm enough. Keep the jacket," he said with a smirk. I smiled, slipping into the oversized jacket. It was cozy, and I could feel his warmth lingering in it.

"Our main objective here is to meet with King Zyon and Queen Aradia. We're not exactly on the best terms after I...uh..." Dane trailed off.

I narrowed my eyes, stepping in front of him and stopping him in his tracks. "Dane, what did you do?"

He winced. "I may or may not have...uh...been involved with some of the female courtiers. Including the king's sister."

"DANE!" I scolded.

"What?! I couldn't help myself," he chuckled, unfazed.

"You are unbelievable," Juniper laughed.

The castle guards met us at the Frosthold gates and escorted us into the grand throne room, where King Zyon and Queen Aradia sat, exuding regal power.

"Prince Dane," King Zyon began, his eyes narrowing, "to what do we owe the pleasure?"

Dane inclined his head respectfully. "We're here for information. This is Juniper, and this is Evangeline. We believe King Cassius of Ironhaven may be behind the recent monster attacks. Do you know if there's any truth to this?"

"I wouldn't put it past him," Aradia replied. "Cassius is a master of shadows and could easily devise a spell to summon creatures from the depths of hell."

"In fact," she continued, "we're hosting a ball tonight, and one of Cassius's advisors, Lord Rayden, will be attending. You'll stay as our guests and question him there."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Juniper said, "but we have nothing suitable to wear."

"Nonsense," the queen replied warmly. "I'll send servants to help you prepare. It would be an honor." She inclined her head graciously.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," I echoed as we all bowed.

A servant led us to the guest quarters attached to the castle. Juniper was gushing over her dresses, but I couldn't help dreading the whole affair, the apprehension clearly visible on my face.

I heard a firm knock on my bedroom door not long after I'd settled in.

"Come in," I called, and the door opened to reveal Dane.

"I thought that, growing up in the city, you'd be excited for a ball," Dane teased.

"I've never been to one. I don't even know how to speak to nobility," I groaned, flopping onto the bed.

"You mean you have zero ballroom etiquette whatsoever?" He looked mockingly stunned.

"None. I'm not like you, Dane. I have no title to my name, and the only reason Juniper's good at this is because she's infatuated with your sister," I said, covering my face with my hands.

When I looked up, Dane was extending his hand to me.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Come with me, and you'll see," he said with a grin.

I took his hand, and he led me to the drawing room.

"What are we doing here?" I asked as he released my hand.

"I'm going to teach you how to navigate a ballroom," he said, surveying the room. "Picture an orchestra playing 'Moonlight Sonata' here"-he gestured to the piano in the middle of the room-"and young men asking eligible ladies to dance over here." He motioned to the right side of the room.

"Where you probably had your fun," I teased, and he shot me a playful glare.

"Do you know how to waltz? It's essential for a ballroom," he asked. Memories of Jules teaching me the waltz on a rainy day flooded my mind, and I fought back tears.

"Yes...but I'm not very good," I admitted.

"Well, I'll be the judge of that." He smirked, taking my hand in his and placing his other hand on my back. We moved smoothly around the room, though I was so worried about stepping on his feet that I kept looking down. He gently lifted my chin, his face inches from mine.

"You need to look at the person you're dancing with, lovely," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. A shiver ran down my spine. I wasn't used to this kind of closeness, especially not from a man.

"How's my dancing?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"Beautiful," he murmured, his hand slipping from my back to my waist.

I smirked, pulling away just a little. "The ball starts in two hours. I need to get ready," I said, giving him a teasing look before walking back to my room. This might just be fun-seeing how far he'd go.