Kidnapped by the Dragon King

Memories

Corrine POV

The butterflies in my stomach were going wild, waiting to see Brayden. I thought back to when I was younger; Brayden and I would play in the rose garden outside the castle or walk the creek past the horse paddock. I remember climbing trees and skipping rocks with him and how much he used to make me laugh. I also remember the day when he told me he would be leaving. I bawled and begged him not to go, but he said he had to leave to return and be a knight like his father. That was his greatest dream; leaving was how he would get there. Nothing I said would change his mind, and a few days later, he hugged me and promised to return. I watched the boy with golden curls walk away from me and sobbed. The first month after he left was so lonely. I missed my only friend terribly.

I joined my parents in the main hall, and as the carriages arrived, I greeted those who had made the trip to celebrate with me. I shook hands with the men, hugged the women, and joked with the children. Our servants carried baggage for our guests to their rooms for the evening. I was thankful when the last guests arrived. A man entered and paused, staring at me. This man was handsome, with curly, black hair, icy-blue eyes, and a five o'clock shadow that accentuated his sharp, powerful features. His physique was unmatched and the way he moved caused a tightening in my loins that I didn't know was possible. He introduced himself to my father as Arias Montgomery. I knew I had heard that name before, but I was able to place it. I shook his hand and gazed into his eyes. "It is nice to meet you," I stated. "Thank you for joining us."

He eyed me up and down as he replied, "I wouldn't have missed this for the world."

I blushed and stared at him as he walked away, headed to the room he had been assigned for the evening. As I turned to my parents, I noticed the concerned look on their faces. When they saw me looking, they plastered smiles on their faces, encouraging me to find something to pass the time until the ceremony. I would have a few moments to myself, and I wanted to spend them in my favorite castle room, the library!

I ran up the stairs, threw open the library doors, and went to the section of books on magic. Magic had always fascinated me, although I knew it wasn't real. I wished I had the power to change whatever I wanted, simply through a spell or a chant. I sat down in my father's oversized chair and opened a book.

"There you are, my dear!" My father entered the library carrying a small gold box. "I figured you might be here when I couldn't find you in your bedroom." He stopped by my chair and leaned over to kiss my head. I could see that the sun was high in the sky and knew I had been reading for a few hours!

"I apologize! I lost track of time!" I exclaimed as I jumped up and put the book back on the shelf. My father's eyes gleamed with humor, and I heard him chuckle.

"What's new, little one?" He sat in his chair and motioned for me to come over. I stood in front of him, eyeing the small container he continued to hold in his hands. "Would you like this?" He smiled and held the gold box out to me.

"Thank you," I replied, blushing and giving him a small smile as I took the package from him."What is it?"

"It is a gift for your birthday from your mother and me. We were going to wait, but I would love for you to wear it to the ceremony."

I opened the box and gasped. The silver tiara inside was spectacular, and I couldn't wait to put it on! I removed it from the crate and noticed the deep green emeralds spaced throughout. I teared up as my father placed the tiara on my head. "Now you look like a princess," he announced as he turned me toward the mirror. I couldn't help but smile at how the emeralds sparkled in my hair.

"I love it, father! Thank you so much!" I squealed as I squeezed him tightly.

"You are very welcome, my dear. Now, can I escort you to the throne room? The knighting ceremony is about to start, and we don't want to be late." My father winked at me as he took my arm in his.

I giggled as I looked at him, "They can't very well start without you, can they?"

"No, they can't," he replied as we walked down the hall.

When my father and I were announced, the throne room was full of people. My mother was already standing by her throne, and my father walked me onstage. When my father stood before his throne, my parents sat down, and the room was silent. I stood quietly to my father's right, and he called for Brayden to enter the room. Brayden walked in and slowly traveled down the middle of the crowd. He held his head high, and I could see he had matured. The boy I had known was now the handsome man before me with short, golden curls and icy blue eyes. At over six feet tall, his physique was terrific, and his shirt was loose but tight enough to imagine what his chest looked like underneath. Suddenly, I was nervous! What if he had no interest in speaking with me again? What if he was married or betrothed, and she didn't like me? I knew absolutely nothing about his life since he had been away.

Brayden made his way to the front of the room and knelt before my father. My father stood up and unsheathed a Damascus sword made of the best metals, specifically for this occasion. "Brayden Goddard, do you vow to protect the citizens of Martinsdale from all enemies?"

"I do, your highness," Brayden answered.

"Do you promise to uphold yourself to the highest moral compass?" King Marcus asked.

"I do, your highness," Brayden agreed.

"And do you vow never to question orders from your superiors, including your monarchs, and fulfill all your duties to the realm?" King Marcus asked.

"I do, your highness," Brayden responded.

King Marcus took the sword and held it outright. Touching Brayden with the tip of the blade on his left shoulder, then his right, and finally, his head, the King announced, "I at this moment dub you Sir Brayden Goddard and induct you as a knight of Martinsdale." The hushed crowd cheered loudly as Sir Brayden stood and finally looked at me. As our eyes met, he winked at me, and I realized I had been holding my breath. My previous worries disappeared! I'm sure I was blushing as red as a beet, but I returned his smile with my own.

Brayden POV

I had only returned a few hours ago, and here I stood outside the throne room where I used to play with Princess Corrine as a child. I had hated to leave her years ago, but to follow my dreams, there was no other way. I could have studied with my father, but both of us were stubborn, and I knew I had to go elsewhere to improve to my full potential. Father had clarified that he needed me to leave but had never explained why. I was hopeful I would get more answers now that I had returned.

I paced back and forth outside the door, waiting to be announced. I was only nervous about one thing: seeing Corrine again. She had been like a sister to me, and I was excited to be able to speak with her again. I had made a clean break when I left because I knew how much I must have hurt her. I hoped that she would find someone or something to take my place so she would not be lonely, but from the letters I received from my father, I knew that had not happened. I also knew today was her 18th birthday, and her debutante ball was tonight. I couldn't wait to see her and maybe be able to reconnect with her again.

"Brayden Goddard, please enter," King Marcus announced. I walked through the doorway and raised my head to avoid showing my nervousness. The crowd was silent as I walked down the aisle. I did not expect so many people to be in attendance, but knowing my father was the King's knight, it didn't surprise me that the entire kingdom would attend. I arrived on the stage and knelt before the king.

"Brayden Goddard, do you vow to protect the citizens of Martinsdale from all enemies?" King Marcus asked me.

"I do, your highness," I replied.

"Do you promise to uphold yourself to the highest moral compass?"

"I do, your highness," I agreed.

"And do you vow never to question orders from your superiors, including your monarchs, and fulfill all your duties to the realm?" King Marcus asked the final question.

"I do, Your Highness," I felt the cold steel touch my shoulders and my head as I heard the words.

"I, at this moment, dub you Sir Brayden Goddard and induct you as a knight of Martinsdale."

The crowd began to cheer, and I smiled from ear to ear. This had always been my greatest dream; now, it was my most outstanding achievement. Nothing had distracted me from this, and I had never been so proud of myself! I looked up and saw Corrine staring at me. I winked, and she blushed! She was adorable! She had the same beautiful auburn hair and dark green eyes, but she was no longer a child. She was a woman, and she was gorgeous!

The citizens of Martinsdale surrounded me, congratulating me, and I thanked them one at a time. After an hour or so, King Marcus requested the room be cleared to make it presentable for Princess Corrine's ball that evening. I looked around the room, hoping to speak with her, but she seemed to have vanished! I could only wish I could meet with her later tonight.