Kidnapped by the Dragon King

Feelings

Corrine POV

I stood nervously in the doorway to the throne room in a sparkling silver ballgown with dark green beading throughout. I had waited for this night for so long; I couldn't believe it was finally happening! As the doors opened, I had to catch my breath. I was looking at a fairy tale! The silver and green decorations, the twinkling of the candles on the tables, and strands of fairy lights on the walls came together beautifully. I had worked so hard on this ball I was excited that it was beginning on a glorious note!

My father, with his short, black hair and hazel eyes, towered over me, dressed in his tuxedo. My mother, beautifully adorned in a gold silk gown highlighting her long, straight, strawberry locks and big blue doe eyes, took my left arm, and my dad took my right. He looked down at me and grinned. "Ready?" he asked.

"Yes!" I exclaimed.

Father laughed his deep, hearty laugh and began to walk Mother and me into the room. The crowd parted as we walked toward the head of the room. I couldn't believe how many guests were in attendance. I saw other Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, Noblemen and Ladies. They were all bowing and curtsying to me! My head was swimming!

Father walked Mother and me to our seats, where we took our places behind them. Father clapped his hands and announced, "Welcome all of you! We are gathered here tonight to celebrate my daughter's coming of age! I can't believe it has been eighteen years since a tiny baby girl graced my arms". He looked at me with tears glistening in his eyes. "Corrine, I am so proud of the woman you have become. I will always be grateful to call you my daughter."

I looked at my father and smiled. I was daddy's little girl and always would be. Dad continued, "We are also announcing tonight that Corrine will start her search for a suitor. Only the best will do for her, so if you want to court her, please announce your intentions to me. It will not be easy to win her hand, but I will tell each of you that if you are true of heart and courageous, you might be the one."

There was a loud cheer from the crowd, and my face felt warm. I'm sure I was blushing, like always. "Everyone, please sit and enjoy the food and entertainment!" Father exclaimed. We all sat in our chairs, and servants began bringing plates to the tables. I looked around, and my eyes stopped on a familiar face. Brayden was seated at a table toward the front, his eyes on me. He smiled when our eyes met, and I looked down at my hands. My face felt flushed, and I had a funny feeling in my tummy. With him dressed in his finest clothes, I couldn't help but think about what he would look like if they were removed. I swallowed, closed my eyes, and shook my head. Why was I having these thoughts? I couldn't have Brayden; my father would never allow it!

Once dinner was finished and the plates removed, music began to play. The musicians who played for my father's court were performing. My guests stood and began to dance a waltz. Prince Alfred from Allishire walked up to our table. "May I have this dance?" I sighed as he looked at me. Now, it begins. I walked around the table to Alfred and grabbed the hand he offered. He lifted my fingers to his mouth and kissed the back of my hand. Turning my head to my father, I rolled my eyes and accompanied him to where other couples were dancing.

"You look beautiful." he complimented me.

"Thank you," I replied while looking around the room.

"I am going to announce my intent to court you this evening," Alfred stated confidently as we danced.

"Oh? Good luck with that," I answered, but inside I grimaced. Alfred was only seventeen, and he still looked like a child. Maybe when he had matured some, he might be average-looking. I knew I had to marry into royalty, but I was not going to settle for less.

Once the dance had ended, I curtsied to him and began to return to my seat. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see another Prince bowing to me, asking for a dance. I knew I wasn't going to sit down anytime soon.

Arias POV

I wasn't sure why I had accepted the invitation to this particular ball. I had never been to Martinsdale; I didn't know anyone from here. I just had a feeling that I should attend. I was thankful I had come since the ball honored my mate. She was beautiful, with that hair and those eyes and that body! The moon goddess had blessed me immensely! I was sure she would have felt something when we shook hands earlier, but if she did, she hid it well. Martinsdale was a human kingdom, so, as a human, Corrine wouldn't have been affected by the bond like I was, but it should have had some effect. Usually, a human would be overly attracted to their mate, wanting to hang onto them and always be with them. Corrine had seemed as though she found me attractive but nothing else. I needed more information about her, but that would have to wait. Sleep was first on my agenda today, followed by a ball to celebrate my future queen.

I fixed my hair, shaved, and dressed in my tuxedo that evening before heading downstairs. I was seated at a table in the middle of the ballroom with several other princes or kings from surrounding kingdoms. I didn't know any of them, and I was slightly dismayed that the king from Antioch would be grouped with these inferior men. Her father gave a speech; dinner was served, and after dinner, dancing commenced. I could only watch as man after man put their hands on what was mine, and I could do nothing about it! I stood and waited my turn to dance with Corrine.

She appeared nervous when taking my hand, and my arm wrapped around her waist. As we swayed to the music, I spoke into her ear, "I am very glad to meet you, Princess. I am planning to announce my intention to court you." She seemed wary when I said that like she didn't know how she should feel. She didn't say anything more, and when the dance was over, I bowed to her and headed to my room. Rangor would shift inside the castle, inside a human kingdom, if he had to keep watching her dance with all these men. Soon, this wouldn't be a problem when she was home with me in Antioch.

Brayden's POV

I saw Corrine, and I almost stopped breathing. She looked spectacular! When I thought about Corrine while I was away, I never dreamed she would be this gorgeous! The child she had been was far from the woman she was now. I knew I couldn't count her; I wasn't up to her father's standards. That didn't matter to me. I was happy to look at her from afar, like a beautiful work of art. Her father was speaking, saying something, but I couldn't make out the words. I was captivated by Corrine.

Everyone sat down, and I followed suit but continued looking at her. Suddenly, our eyes met. I knew she knew I had been staring at her. She smiled and looked down at her hands on the table. Looking away, I tried conversing with others around me while waiting for my plate to be set before me. If I looked up, her eyes would see into my soul, and I didn't want to make life difficult for her. My place was to protect her and keep her safe.

Once dinner was finished, the dancing began. One prince after another asked Corrine to dance, and after several hours, I could see she was ready to be done. I approached her and her dance partner and asked, "May I cut in?" Corrine grinned, and I could see a hint of thank you in her eyes. I whispered, "Would you like to get out of here?" she nodded. We snuck through the swarm of people and escaped out the doors leading to the patio and the gazebo. Once outside, I heard Corrine exhale.

"That was exhausting!" she declared as she kicked off her slippers and sat on the gazebo bench. "I don't know how much more dancing I can handle."

I laughed at the look of disgust on her face and sat down beside her. "Here, put your feet on my lap."

She looked at me, confused, and I patted my legs. She placed her legs on my lap, and I rubbed her feet. Corrine signed, closed her eyes, and asked, "Where did you learn to do that? It feels amazing!"

"I learned how when my mother became ill. I would come home from school and rub her feet while discussing my day. I loved being able to do something for her. Something that might help take away from the pain," I explained.

"I am so sorry, Brayden. I didn't mean to bring up sad memories. Not on your first day back," Corrine looked at me and touched my cheek.

"Don't be sorry," I said as I leaned into her touch. "I missed you so much!"As soon as I said the words, a worried look crossed her face, and she put her feet back on the floor. She glanced at me and mumbled, "I missed you too."

I turned her face toward me and looked her in the eyes. "Did you? Miss me, I mean?" She slowly nodded. She stood up and quickly walked towards the door as if coming out of a daze.

Looking over her shoulder, she hollered, "I need to get back. My father wants me to entertain the princes and get to know them. I don't think I have danced with them all yet." Corrine appeared nervous, like a startled little deer.

"Go back in. I will keep an eye out, and if you need a break again, I will assist you with that," I promised.

Corrine smiled, turned, and walked quickly back into the crowd. I would have to be her knight in shining armor, literally.