Crimson Throne

Chapter Three

Jacqueline scurries around the room like a tiny mouse as she packs my dresses for me. Many have collected dust over the years I have not returned to court. Royal Court. A peculiar place with all the colors of our world, but also dangerous with a palace that can pit family member against family member. Fastening a braid over my shoulder, I stare at my reflection in my vanity. My mother, then Dawson, even my father, all flow over my features but never once does my noblest family member make his way to my face.

    Nicholas.

    I fashion my braid together with a single piece of leather as my eyes drift from my reflection down to my hand. They shake, out of fear or grief, I'm not sure. Nicholas' ring is fastened on my middle finger, an opal sitting in the middle. He never deserved death.

    "Is there anything else, my lady?" Jacqueline stands off to my right, her head bowed. She's older than me, with a husband, but I feel ages older than her.

    Smiling, I shake my head 'no' as I whisper, "You're excused." She dips down into a curtsey before exiting my chambers, the door closing gently behind her. Samson as well as a few of the other guards will carry my things to the dock tonight before we set sail at dawn.

    My window faces the east garden, towards the rising sun. I'd always enjoyed the morning and today was no exception. While it may be late spring, I still grabbed a light jacket from my wardrobe. Two rights and one left before I breathed in the cool air of the eastern garden. As suspected, a large shadow passed over me and with an almost thundering sound, my companion landed in front of me. The eastern garden was the only place at Nightwell for dragons.

    "Grand entrance." I tell Shajurn, using my hand to rub his nose.

    He only grunts in response as I climb onto his back. The world hums in content as I settle myself on his neck and he takes off once more. Resting my forehead against his cool scales, I ask, "Are you coming with me to Mountain's Run and Rosemarrow?" Shajurn was too young to make the journey the last time, so I had to reluctantly leave him in Dannamore, but now he was nearing his full size and the journey would be an easy one. White scales mix into the clouds as we climb higher, away from prying eyes.

    As if I'm leaving you alone with that insufferable prince. His voice rings out through my mind, a small ache in the back of my head. Our bond still wasn't as strong as I hoped it could be. The mark covering my ribs burns underneath my dress, as it always does when I'm with Shajurn, as if it's telling me something I should know but can't figure out.

    "You hardly know Jacques." My voice is nearly mute to the wind but Shajurn has no issues picking out my words. Once again, I only earn a grunt in response.

    I didn't realize I'd drifted off until I felt someone shaking me awake. Grumbling, I opened my eyes to see Jacques and Jacqueline hovering over me. How Jacques got this close to Shajurn without earning an icy blast I'm not sure. Sitting up, I shield the sun from my eyes. It's midday and I almost want to curse at the beast for allowing me to fall asleep under the sun as if my lips needed a reason to crack further. "What's going on?" I raise my eyebrow at the pair, realizing Shajurn is still asleep from his evened breaths. Some dragon you are. If he hears my thoughts then he doesn't show it.

    The Bay of Lovers stretches out around me as I realize he landed us on one of the cliffs that border my city, his favorite napping spot. Samson must have been the one to reveal our hiding spot. Sliding from my dragon's back, I land on the ground with ease as I realize the prince nor my maid have answered my question. Quirking an eyebrow, I wave my hand as if asking 'well?'.

    Jacques clears his throat, running his fingers through his hair as he responds, "We must leave for Mountain's Run immediately. Everyone has been out searching for you all morning." Concern fills his voice as he glances between my dragon and I. While he is still injured, I don't miss his hand on the hilt of his sword. It is likely the prince has never had contact with a dragon, they're near extinct with only a lucky few to bear their mark. Once a proud species now subjected to a sad existence by the oppressive rule of Jacques' own line.