Kidnapped by the Dragon King

Where is she?

Brayden POV

Guard duty was over, and now I could return to Corrine, but I had no idea where she might be. I had left her sleeping peacefully at my place. If she had woken, she could be at the castle or anywhere. I looked at the couch as I opened the front door, and she was gone. I was exhausted, the thought of sleep sounding wonderful, but Corrine had been distraught earlier. I needed to make sure she was alright. Walking into the kitchen, I noticed a piece of paper lying on the table. Picking it up, I smiled. Corrine had left me a note requesting that I meet her at the lake. Our lake. I ran upstairs, washed up, and changed out of my uniform into clean clothes. Once presentable, I ran down the stairs, out the door, on my way to see my princess.

As I approached the dock, I looked around but didn't see Corrine anywhere. I called out to her, but she didn't respond. I ran around the lake, checking caves, her favorite rock ledges, trees, and anywhere she might be. Glancing around, I noticed a large area of grass that appeared to have been trampled by many people. My heart began to beat loudly in my chest, and my palms began to sweat. The only thought going through my mind was I needed to find her now! I ran as fast as I could, heading for the castle. I could only hope she had returned home.

Why would she have left the lake? She knew I had guard duty today and wouldn't be finished until late. I climbed the trellis leading to Corrine's bedroom and pulled myself inside. There was no sign of Corrine. I was confused and worried. All her clothes were in her closet; nothing appeared missing or out of place. She should be here! I couldn't speak with her parents without making them suspicious; I didn't believe she would run away without me.

Walking out her door, I headed for the staircase. I heard voices from inside as I strode past King Marcus's office. Should I mention the fact that Corrine was missing? I'm sure the king would find it odd that I was looking for her. How would I explain that? I built up my resolve and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Marcus yelled.

I said, "It's me, Sir Brayden, your Highness."

"Brayden, this is not exactly the best time," he replied. "We can speak in the morning."

I wished I could have left as he asked. However, I couldn't just run away. "Have you seen Corrine?" I inquired through the door. Silence. Then the door flew open, and Katherine was in front of me.

"Why are you asking?" She motioned for me to enter. I had never been in the king's office before.

"When was the last time you saw her?" I inquired.

"The last time I saw her was this morning when we fought," Queen Katherine answered. She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head. "Now, again, why are you asking?"

I looked at the floor and sighed. I hoped her father wouldn't kill me over this. "She ran into me, literally, this morning after you argued. She was hysterical. I took her to my house to help her calm down, and she fell asleep on the couch. I had to leave for guard duty, so I covered her and went to work. When I arrived home, she was gone but had left me a note asking me to meet her at the lake behind the castle."

Her father stared daggers at me as I told my story. I told them about the patch of grass that had been trampled and that Corrine was not in her room. I may have omitted climbing the trellis, but I wanted to live to see her again. When I was finished, Marcus said nothing as he ran out of his office. Katherine looked at me sadly and said, "I know about you and Corrine." It wasn't a question.

"I'm sorry. I know I can't be with her, but I have loved her for a long time." I couldn't stop the words from exiting my lips. "I know that is not an excuse. She feels the same way, though, and we both just wanted to enjoy the last of our time together before she moved on."

"Brayden, I hope you know this has nothing to do with you. You are a fine young man. Your mother would be so proud of you, and I know firsthand that your father couldn't be more pleased. Marcus wants her to be safe. If he allowed her to marry you, she might appear weak, not having a true king. The kingdom may be attacked because she is a woman attempting to lead. It's all politics and stupid, but it is the way it is." Katherine looked up at me. "I am sure you would protect her with your life, but is that what she would want for you?"

Marcus and my father returned to the office, and when my father saw me standing there, he said only one word. "Out!"

"I'm not leaving!" I yelled back.

My father stepped up to me, standing eye to eye. "Haven't you caused enough trouble?"

"This is not my fault! No one would know she was missing if I hadn't told them!" My father reared back, and I felt the power behind his fist as it made contact with my face. I knew my nose was broken, and blood had sprayed across my and my father's chest.

"Stop!" Katherine screamed. "You will not do this now! First, we will find my daughter! Once she is safe, then we can discuss everything else." Marcus, my father, and I all looked at her in surprise. Katherine was soft-spoken most of the time, and rarely did she yell. This outburst was not about the fight but about how scared she was for her little girl.

Tyson turned and walked to the other side of the room. "You are right, your highness. I apologize. I let my emotions have control for a second. It won't happen again." He glared at me but didn't say another word.

Katherine handed me a towel to assist with the blood from my nose and walked me to the couch. "Lie down, tilt your head back, and hold pressure on your nose. You will need to have that looked at," she tenderly instructed. Turning her attention to the other men in the room, she asked Marcus, "Where were you?"

"I sent a team to scout the lake. They will see if they can understand what may have happened there, and I went to find Tyson. Brayden," Marcus looked in my direction, "why would she ask you to meet her at the lake?"

"The lake was special to us when we were children, your highness. Since she has been home, when I am not working or training, we have met there." I turned my head to glance at Marcus. He did not appear pleased with my response.

"Who allowed you to spend time with my daughter?" he asked.

I smirked, "She didn't appear to know she needed permission to spend time with me, Your Highness."

I had let my guard down. Marcus marched to the couch, lifting me from it by the front of my shirt. Setting me on my feet, he reared back and punched me directly in the stomach. My eyes watered, but I didn't make a sound. "How dare you smart off to me? Who do you think you are?" Marcus roared.

I said nothing in return. Marcus was livid, and I had been assaulted more than enough for one day. I wasn't sure how long Corrine had been missing, but the sun was rising, and we had heard nothing from the scout team. Marcus dismissed me but said he would call me if he needed more. This did not look good. The one thing I knew for sure was that if Corrine were in danger, I would find her. I would rescue her.