Dragonkin 2: My Persistent Mate

Part 1 En garde

Turbulent columns of wind and water swirl and sluice around her. She laughs exhilaratingly as the rain droplets pelts her and splashes all around her. The unforgiving rain kept everyone indoors, all except her.

Guinevere has always enjoyed Mother Nature, especially water. What respectable blue dragon doesn't love water? It's in their nature to revel in water, sluicing their sleek dragon form through lakes and the sea. Focusing her mind, the rain congeals into a large floating orb and with a sweep of her hand, the sphere bursts, spraying water outwards in a fine mist. She stretches her hand out to catch the suspended mist.

Out of his study window, Karalian watches the crazy woman playing in the rain. She looks like she's having fun. Then he looks back at the big pile of documents on his table, sighing loudly. At least someone is enjoying this dreary weather, no matter how lunatic they can be out braving this fierce frigid storm.

He finds his gaze involuntarily drawn towards the riveting sight of the woman frolicking in the heavy rain. The woman twirls around the columns of water as if dancing an intricate ballet with her conjured partner made of water. Her face shines brightly with joy. Karalian imagines hearing her peals of laughter as she reaches for a sphere of water and at her touch, it explodes like a flower bud bursting, opening up to the sun. The scattered water now forms the shape of an enormous sunflower unfurling its watery petals. A water user, I've never seen her before. Is she a guest at our Court? The thought flashes through his mind as he takes a much welcome break from scrutinizing the endless piles of documents and paces around his study to stretch his long legs. He has been stuck in his study since sunup attempting to make a dent in the mountains of documents which require his attention. So far, no dents seem to be forming, despite his efforts.

When his gaze returns to the window, the woman is not there. Opening his window despite the driving rain, Karalian pokes his head out of his window into the sleeting icy rain in search of her. But no matter where he looks, the mysterious woman seems to have disappeared without a trace. Giving up his futile search, he refocuses his attention on his work again.

A knock sounds on his door, announcing the entry of his assistant, one of the many subordinates that he has under his charge.

"Your Highness, the Emperor summons you to the Great Hall".

Putting down a report reluctantly, I pinch the bridge of my nose then straighten my clothes before making my way to the Great Hall.

Arriving at the Great Hall, I see the back of a slender woman with electric blue hair wound up in a sleek chignon conversing with the Emperor. She is clad in an ice-blue pant suit which emphasized her svelte figure. The fair-skinned draka is gesticulating gracefully with her long slim fingers while describing something to the Emperor when the both of them explode into loud laughter. As I walk closer to them, the rich velvet timbre of her lilting voice drifts over and calls to mind of dark burgundy bedrooms and seduction. It washes over me, tugging at me, making my stomach feel tight and I feel reflexively drawn to her. Her exuberance and vitality radiates out like a sun, spreading her cheerfulness to everyone in the room. The elders standing at the sides of the hall listen attentively. They hang on to her words and are entertained by what she's telling the Emperor.

She is still describing her experiences to her captive audience as I draw nearer. The smooth column of her throat exposes as she tilts her head when she suddenly laughs.

And that's when I see her animated pixie-like face.

It is captivating.

Utterly alluring.

Extremely fascinating.

Her twinkling blue eyes speak volumes of irrepressible mirth, as if there's fun and laughter to be found everywhere. They are like twin suns illuminating the room in bright splendour. Her eyes seem to say you'll never be bored or sad if you're with her and it lures you in. It makes you want to go closer, to know her better, to wrap yourself with her warmth.

Her face with its delicate features, resemble a fairy's - wide, clear eyes complements a small nose and rosebud lips. Upturned plump lips which look inviting and soft...Kissable... and I have an urge to bite and sink my teeth into them. She is the woman who was gleefully playing in the rain earlier. The one who attracts my attention like a moth to a flame, and I can't avert my gaze from. Looking at her at close quarters, her face looks familiar but I can't quite put my finger on it. However, I don't recall meeting her before. If I did, I would definitely have remembered her. On top of that, her voice and mannerisms resemble someone I know but for the life of me, I can't call to mind now.

The tinkling sound of her laughter fades and I return my attention to her once more. Perfectly arched brows draw attention to her olive-shaped eyes, which are staring at me with unabashed amusement right now.

Caught red-handed watching her, I clear my throat deliberately, to cover the faux pas. Stepping up next to her, I lift her hand, bow, and introduce myself as gallantly as possible before kissing the air above her hand.

Merriment shines in her eyes as she regards me while I release her hand with great hesitancy. Somehow, I am unwilling to let go of her. As if bewitched, I find myself acting the besotted fool.

At this moment, the Emperor's baritone voice booms out, "Karalian, I believe you're well acquainted with Guinevere since young". Guinevere? That breaks the spell instantly and I recover myself. I quickly do a double take at the woman. Guinevere is my childhood friend. That clumsy cry baby Guinevere who wails loudly whenever she sees me? After which the Emperor drops another bombshell on me as he addresses the council elders in the room, "Guinevere is going to be your personal advisor starting from tomorrow. As she is going to succeed her father in the council when Charon retires, she will acclimate herself to our court affairs by working with you during this interim period while Charon briefs and trains her".

"Crown Prince Karalian," Guinevere turns to face me with a megawatt smile, "I look forward to working with you". Then she leans in slightly and in a soft murmur only audible to me, "Try not to make my life into a living hell. If not, I'll make sure I pay you back in spades". Finished making her threat, she straightens and beams brightly at me. Then tossing her head, she blithely sashays away from me and chats casually with the council elders, as if she hadn't just issued a challenge to the Crown Prince.

My life is going to get much more interesting from now on. It won't be boring, that's for sure.

Let's see how you'll handle my curveballs.

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