Curse of a Dragon

Chapter 10

Nicholas Bennet

     I ran my fingers gently over the red marks on the surface of my skin. Damn, she really did some damage. Why she attacked me for no reason, I may never know.

     The two of us followed Avery back to the clearing where we are forced to get to know the dragon girl. I'm a bit uncomfortable with the idea, but whatever.

      The bland tan canopy had been pitched up in the clearing. Beneath its shadow was the dragon girl, who was still squeezing her hands under her arm pits, and none other than Xavior sitting across from her. No surprise there.

      "There they are!" Xavior said as he ran his fingers through his dark hair, obviously an attempt to whoo the new girl. "Viveca, this is Nick and Leonora. You've already met Avery." His smile disappeared as he turned his attention to us. "I have a new job for you three." Here it comes. "I want you to spend some time with Viveca. Show her around and get to know her." Personally, I don't care to get to know her. Although,  from the enraged look on Leonora's face, I can tell that she really does not want to be here. I hope she doesn't attack anyone else. I swear to Cortessa, she needs to learn to control that short temper of hers.

     "Well, have fun. If you need anything I'll be in my room." Of course he will. Xavior's more of a night owl. Him being a werewolf and all makes him feel more comfortable when the moonlight hits his face. It's like he's a different person...sort of.

      "Ugh! Let's get this over with." Leonora tossed her hair behind her shoulders and did her best to relax. Which isn't very easy for her.

       I followed behind after her and towards Viveca. "Are yoy by any chance royalty?" That question echoed in my head as I strolled towards her. I remember her answer haunting me even more. "Unfortunately, yes, I am." She said she was royalty before she was exiled from her kingdom. To me though, I've never seen her face. I've gotten in conflicts with a lot of royals in my lifetime. Most of them are responsible for the exstinction of my race. Though, I don't think Viveca will ever have the heart to hurt anyone. Despite her amazing--yet unfortunate curse, she seems afraid of what it can do and what harm it has on others. She's afraid of herself.

     Viveca's eyes shot wide open when Leonora smacked her hands down on the wooden table. The sound made me flinch a bit. "Let's get something straight. I don't like you. And I don't care who you are. But, I do care about my clan. And if you ever try to hurt one of them, you'll be sorry." The look of anger remained on her face. She's not as sweet as she looks.

     "It's nice to meet you too." Viveca responded obviously not knowing what else to say. "I'm Viveca Cornella. It's a pleasure to meet you both." She tried her best to smile, but that inevitable fear remained in her pale eyes.

     "Did you say Cornella?" I turned and looked closely at her. That name sounds familiar to me. The Cornella family. I remember now. It's all coming back to me!

      "Yes. I...I did." Stuttering shows confusion. She raised an eyebrow at me and tilted her head like a lost puppy.

      "Do you by any chance have a sister?" My question seemed to get her attention.

      "Yes. Idla. She's younger than me, but not by much." The way she said her sister's name, so softly spoken that it was barely audible. Disappointment. That's what that was. Something must have happened between them. It wouldn't surprise me since she was exiled for being a dragon girl.

     Like her, I've been keeping a secret from those closest to me as well. When someone asked what happened the night I found the camp, I simply told them that it was a long story. Which it was. A long and painful story that I know will make me cry. And I don't want anyone here to see me cry. But, that face, flawless and pure, it will never escape my memory. It is there for good. Those ice blue eyes that sent a shiver down your spine just by looking at them. Everything about that day is made up of the image of that girl. The young blonde Cornella princess that murdered my sister and brother.