Kidnapped by the Dragon King

What is he thinking?

Brayden POV

We lay together on the shore until the sun began to rise. I held onto Corrine like I was drowning; she was my lifeboat. We had made love several times, and each time was more astounding than the last. She lifted her eyes to mine, and they glimmered in the early morning light.

"I need to get back before my parents realize I never came in last night," she said quietly. I stared at the woman's body before me as she rose from the ground. She was tiny, not quite 5' tall, but curvy in all the right places. Corrine grabbed her clothing from the dock and began to get dressed. "Will you lie here naked all day or walk me home?" She teased as she turned so that I could fasten her gown.

I stood to walk up behind her. As I helped her dress, I asked, "So, what now? We both know your father won't let us be together."

She frowned and slipped on her shoes. With fury in her voice, she announced, "I hate this! I hate that I have to entertain these men who only want me for my name and what I can do for them. I want to be with you, but that is not an option." She sighed, lifting her hand to touch my cheek. "I may have to marry someone else, but until then, let's enjoy each other and let each day take care of itself."

I smiled, but I'm sure it didn't reach my eyes. I wrapped Corrine up in my arms, kissing her forehead softly. "I will take whatever I can get. It's more than I ever expected, and I don't want to waste a moment with you."

I dressed quickly, then walked Corrine to the palace. We were silent, and, all too soon, we arrived. I watched her walk inside; then, I turned toward my father's cabin outside the gates. As I entered, I saw my dad sitting at the table, drinking his coffee and staring silently into the fire. I grabbed a mug, poured coffee, and joined him.

"Where have you been?" He asked without looking at me.

"I was out with Corrine. We spent the night at the lake," I answered.

My father sighed a resigned sigh and turned to face me. He appeared not to have slept at all and I wondered if he had been worried about me. The thought made me smile. I was perfectly capable of caring for myself and had more than proven it.

"Son, do you think that was a good idea?"

"Dad, I had no choice but to leave her before. I won't make that mistake again. I know I can't have her, but I can enjoy what time we do have. I love her; I think I always have." I stood up and walked to the window. The sun was higher in the sky, and I knew people would be out and about quickly. I looked back at my dad, and he seemed lost in thought.

"Brayden, listen to me, please. Corrine's lot in life has already been decided. She knows what is expected of her. The two of you will only get hurt if you pursue this. I have seen this coming for years. I could see how you felt about her when you left eight years ago. Even though you were children, I knew something was changing between you, which is why I sent you so far away. That is why I never let you visit here. Don't make my sacrifice of sending my child away be for nothing!" He stood up and walked over to me. He wrapped me in his arms, and I could feel his tears on my shoulder. I hated that he was this upset.

I stepped back and looked at my father. "I will be alright. I will always protect Corrine and want her to be happy. I can't provide her with the life she deserves, so I know what we have won't last. I can love her for now, though."

Tyson wiped his eyes and laughed, "I hope you know what you are doing." He put on his jacket and opened the door. "I'll be up at the castle. We don't have training this morning, so get some sleep. I'll expect you this afternoon."

As the door closed, I sighed. I honestly had no idea what I was doing.

Tyson POV

What was he thinking? I knew he had feelings for Corrine when he was younger, but he knew now why they couldn't be together. This would end badly, and I prayed Marcus would not think I had anything to do with it. I was half tempted to tell Marcus what was happening, but he had a temper, and I didn't want Marcus to go after Brayden. S***, one day home, and he was already making a mess of things.

When my wife, Lily, had gotten sick, I didn't know what to do. She had always cared for Brayden, and I had to be with King Marcus as his protection detail. She was in bed when I came home from one such trip. Lily never stopped, so for her to be laid up meant something was genuinely wrong. The doctor told us that he did not believe she would improve and we needed to get her affairs in order. No one could ever figure out what was wrong with her, and when she died, I was distraught. I didn't want to live anymore, but I was all Brayden had left. He was eight years old.

As he grew older, I noticed the time he spent with Corrine. I saw the looks he would give her when he thought no one was looking. King Marcus noticed, too. He pulled me aside when Brayden was 14 and suggested that the children might do well to spend less time together. I knew Marcus thought of Brayden as a nephew, but I also knew he never wanted to consider him a son-in-law. Marcus loved Brayden; he just wasn't royalty, and that is what he wanted for his little girl.

Once that suggestion had been made, I began contacting friends in other kingdoms, people I trusted to look out for Brayden and train him to be a great knight. My friend, Wyatt, agreed to take Brayden in, and it was settled. The night I told Brayden he would be leaving, he came unglued. He was irate and said to me that he would not go! He ran out of the house, and I knew he was going to Corrine. I followed him to the palace and searched until I found him in the gardens with her. I stayed out of sight and listened to him as he told her he had to leave. He told her he had to go to be a great knight like me. The young child embraced her best friend and promised she would always be there for him. Promised they could write letters and stay in touch. They stood like that for a long time until I cleared my throat to announce my arrival. They stepped apart, and Brayden wouldn't look at me. He hung his head in resignation and walked back to the house. A few days later, we left for Tyre. I stayed there with him for a while, but I couldn't stay forever, and when I returned home, Brayden gave me the same resigned look I had received in the garden. I know he felt I had just discarded him, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I left him there because I loved him.

We hadn't had training this morning due to the ball last night. Guests were in the process of leaving, carriages standing out front, waiting for their owners to be ready to travel home. Marcus and Katherine were in the courtyard, saying goodbye and promising future trips to the other kingdoms. The King and Queen were a well-oiled machine, complimenting each other in the best ways. Watching them made me wonder what would have been if Lily had survived. Would we still be here in Martinsdale? Would we have had more children? I missed her so much every day and I had never entertained the idea of loving anyone else. My son deserved to have that same kind of love. Why was he so intrigued by the princess? She would only break his heart.

Arias POV

The sun was high in the sky when I finally woke. Remembering the pain from last night, I knew that Corrine had s*x with that man, whoever he was, and I couldn't get the sight of them out of my mind. I needed to figure out what was happening and why she didn't feel anything when I met her. Rangor was furious, wanting to rip the man from last night limb from limb. It would be nice to shift and fly home today.

I packed my bags and headed downstairs to say goodbye to my hosts. To my surprise, Corrine was nowhere to be found. King Marcus and Queen Katherine were saying farewell to the guests in her place. Once my turn, I requested to speak with the king privately. He glanced at his wife, then motioned for me to follow him to his office.

"What can I do for you, King Arias?" he inquired as he sat behind his desk. I took the chair before him and announced, "I want to marry your daughter. She will be safe with me; my kingdom is far larger than yours. She will rule alongside me. What are you asking for her hand?"

He sat back, contemplating my proposal. "Let me speak plainly. Corrine is her own person, and I cannot force her to marry anyone she doesn't want to marry. She listens to my suggestions, but I can't guarantee that she will agree. Money means nothing to her; she wants to marry for love. You will have to court her and win her over. I'm sorry, but I can't agree to any proposal for marriage at this time."

Rangor roared and I felt the same. "She is a girl and you are her father. How can you not make her do anything? Are you that weak?" I stood, hands clenched at my sides.

King Marcus also rose, anger displayed in his eyes, "Just because she is female does not mean she shouldn't be able to decide who she does or does not marry! If you want her, you will have to earn her love. That's it." He strode to the door and opened it. "I think we are finished here. You can send word with your decision." With that, I left, knowing that Marcus was now done discussing this.

I stopped when I arrived in front of Katherine. "I had a wonderful time," I lied. "Please tell Corrine thank you for inviting me and I will be returning shortly to meet with her again." Katherine cringed, then regained her composure, bidding me safe travels. I knew they did not want me to marry Corrine, but they would have no choice. She would be mine!