The Dragons' Crystal

Chapter Sixteen

Our trip to the palace wasn't nearly as enjoyable as the trip to the waterfalls had been. While I was still in complete awe of the mere fact I was flying, my thoughts were distracted. Like before, I had no issue riding on his back while he was a dragon. The pain didn't even flare up. I couldn't understand what kind of curse this was, or why it plagued me. What was so different between Darius and I that this had to be the way things were?

I was eager to arrive at the palace, desperate to put these thoughts away and exchange them for something else. I was tired of coming to this same question time and time again. The faster we found Allira, the more at ease I could feel. Once basic introductions were out of the way, I would ask her about this pain. Perhaps she had more answers about that than we did. It was my only hope. 

I had never been to a palace before, much less seen one. I had read about them in books and seen illustrations in children's books that my mother read to me while I was young. The one we arrived at appeared entirely different than my thoughts could ever imagine. 

Darius landed in the trees nearby, wanting to keep his other form a secret. I didn't blame him. There was no telling what the people inside the palace were like. They could be accepting, much like the camp Darius had created, or they could be judgmental and cast him away before our questions received answers. 

Darius brushed his pants off, offering a smile to me. "This will be easy. If our crystal is in there, the people inside will know. It gives off an energy that draws people to it. This will be quick, I promise." He hesitated as he pulled his pack back over his shoulder. "I... Truly am sorry for earlier. I thought since our luck was going so well that it was over. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"It's okay." I assured, returning his smile. I attempted to control my heart as it pattered away, touched by his apology. It wasn't even his fault and he was taking the blame for it. Of all people to like, why did it have to be the one that had the power to hurt me? Wanting to think more on that later, I put it aside. There were more important matters at hand. "Are these people friendly?"

"As far as I know." Darius shrugged. He began walking out of the forest, directly towards the gate of the palace. 

From the air, I had seen the entire palace. As we walked, only the gate was in our sights. It was made out of wood, metal chains linking them together. Two guards were posted on either side of the gate. Their eyes fell upon us as we grew closer. 

"Halt. State your name and business."

I followed Darius' lead, believing he knew how to handle this better than I did. We stopped at their direction, leading myself to look up at Darius. 

"I am Prince Darius. I request a moment with your King. I come from a far off land and I have questions concerning something that I've lost. I've been hoping that it ended up here." He stated. I silently applauded how brave he was being to the guards. I supposed it wasn't that intimidating, but being completely out in the open without any weapons standing across from two highly trained professionals was something that certainly outweighed the odds. 

"And you are?"

I noticed their eyes upon me. As I opened my mouth to reply, Darius spoke for me. 

"This is my sister, Princess Odelle." He glanced down at me. 

My cheeks began to redden. Was there a certain way I was supposed to act now? This had already drastically turned from how I thought things were going to happen. I offered a curtsy, sighing in relief when the guards seemed to appreciate it. 

"Very well. Tell the guards at the door and they'll get you in with him." The gate fell backwards, revealing a mote I had seen from above. 

"Thank you." Darius led the way.