A Pet for the Dragons

103.

I'm doing double updates for this week. Enjoy <3

ARIKA

I was completely unprepared as the Guard took me to meet the Empress. I wanted Zorge to come with it, but the Guard wouldn't have it. Zorge didn't want to leave me alone with the Guard or meet the Empress. But both of us didn't have any say in this situation.

It was the Empress's orders, and I could imagine what would ensue if I didn't follow them.

Beads of cold sweat broke out all over my forehead as I followed the Guard to the Empress' chambers. My heart was pounding in my chest painfully, and I was on the verge of hyperventilating.

To distract myself, I studied my surroundings. The closer we go to the Empress' chambers, the more luxurious the interior becomes. The hall's ceiling that led to the Empress's chambers was covered with gold patterns. All Drakkon gold. It was more gold than I'd ever seen in my life. It made me wonder just how lavish the Empress' chamber was.

However, I didn't have to wonder for long because I was waiting outside the Empress's chamber with the Guard who had summoned me in no time. We were let in when we got clearance from another guild stationed inside the Empress' chambers.

At this point, my heart was almost in my mouth. I felt on the verge of fainting. Again, I tried to distract myself by taking in my surroundings. It would help, too, in the case of an emergency, but I couldn't focus on anything but the fact that I was going to be alone with the Empress.

Maybe not entirely alone. What if she had another dragon with her? The thought made me nervous. I still wasn't aware of the etiquettes that the dragons followed. Heck, I wasn't even aware of the etiquettes that humans followed. I lived most of my life in the sea. I knew the etiquette of the sea, which was quite simple: learn to float or be prepared to drown. That wouldn't work here, would it?

I didn't get enough time to ponder it because I stood outside a golden door after walking down a couple more hallways with the Guard. I knew instantly that the Empress was waiting on the other side of it.

Silently, the Guard opened the door and pushed me inside. I didn't even get the time to frown at him. I awkwardly stood inside the new room, looking around frantically.

It was a vast room with walls lined with bookshelves that went up to the ceiling. This confused me, but on my right side was an open balcony with a view of the sky and the floating city.

Before I could admire the view, my eyes caught the gold of the Empress, seated at the table there and looking at her floating city. For a moment, she seemed to be unaware of me. I wondered if I could sneak out without her noticing me.

"Come. I've been waiting for you," The Empress said, startling me. I followed without a thought until I stood by the table on the balcony. I wondered if I should sit but decided to wait for her other commands.

Learn to float or prepare to drown. I repeated in my head. Come to think of it, I could apply this in this situation as well. Just like I was at its mercy when I was at the sea. Similarly, I was at the Empress' mercy in her kingdom. I needed to learn to float on the currents of her whims. Fighting it would only ensure that I drowned faster.

"Sit," She commanded, finally looking at me. I took a seat, waiting and observing more. I realised it was easier to deal with the situation if I personified her as the sea. "I'm glad to see you here today. Our meeting yesterday was too brief for my liking,"

"I'm honoured to be here, Your Majesty," I told her, and she smiled at me. Her eyes raked me from head to toe, making me more self-aware. I was still dressed in what I wore yesterday, and it crumbled because I'd also slept in it. At first, I thought the Empress was judging me, but she seemed to observe me the same way I did.

"How shall I be at your service?" I asked, recalling how Ivret had addressed her yesterday at the court. I needed to speak like him. She smiled at me in response. It was creepy but genuine.

"My curiosity made me summon you today," She told me. "Ever since I learned about you, I've been impatient to meet you. You see, I've quite a fascination with humans, but I hadn't had the opportunity to meet one before you." Her words made me shift in my seat uncomfortably.

"Oh, I'm honoured," I took a shaky breath. "But I find it hard to believe you've never met a human before," I blurted out without thinking and regretted it immediately. To my relief, the Empress chuckled gently.

"It has been so. The treaty binds me in numerous ways, but it is a golden opportunity for me to learn about your kind. Tell me about your human life, Arika." She urged.

"I'm a sailor," I decided to lie. "My human life is all about sailing the seas to discover its secrets," Which wasn't a lie. I often found new places and forgotten islands when I wasn't pirating. My answer instantly piqued the Empress's interest.

"How fascinating," She answered, and she genuinely sounded so, but I decided not to go on appearances. "Is that what all humans do?"

"No. It's my profession. The sea and the harbours are all I've known my whole life." I told her, and the look of fascination grew on her face. It made me feel better about talking about the sea. It had been so long since I'd been at the sea that I was missing it.

"You've been a sailor your whole life?" She asked me in fascination.

"Yes," I nodded. "The sea is my home," I told her.

"But dragons don't dwell in the sea," She smiled at me and instantly my heart stopped. I knew what her next question was going to be. "I've been wondering how did you meet your masters?"

"Erm, well..." I shifted in my seat nervously again, groping for a reason that wouldn't invite trouble. "On one of my adventures, I unknowingly trespassed into their territory." I lied. "I wasn't aware the dragons still lived in the Arctic. I've always been fascinated by its storms and the glaciers,"

"They're fascinating indeed," She nodded. "I wish to visit them someday,"

I couldn't help but shiver at her words. It sounded like a threat somehow. There was a slight change in her demeanour all of a sudden. All the talk we had so far felt insignificant. I had a feeling that she was about to get to point soon.

"Apart from my curiosity about you, I've summoned you for another reason," she stated. "This is the first time in my knowledge that dragons have chosen a human bond. I need to ensure everything is right between you and your masters. Are they treating you well?" She asked with a careful tone.

"Yes, of course. They've been taking care of me," I cleared instantly.

"I'm pleased to hear that." She stated. "We take our bonds seriously, especially pets. I don't wish to be invasive, but have your masters mated you?" She asked, and instantly, blood rushed to my face. I found it odd. I wasn't the kind to blush. I was a pirate!

"No. Not yet. I'm still getting familiar with them," I answered awkwardly, and she smiled darkly. "I hope you get familiar with them soon enough. I cannot wait to see what dragon and human younglings would be like," 

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