Hail the Dragon Enchantress

Chapter 8: Extended family

~King Clint’s P. O. V.~

The day of our wedding is almost upon us. My father, mother and younger brother have arrived and are talking with Queen Cora and King Gerold. The contract is being written. I feel excited yet nervous. Regina and I are in the west wing of her castle awaiting what our families have agreed to. I could feel her anxiousness too. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I pulled her close to me. My brother isn’t in the room with them, but he is standing guard.

It felt like hours passed before they came out of that room. “Here is what we agreed to, Clint.” My father handed me the contract. Regina and I read it over.

She read it out loud. “With the betrothal and marriage of Queen Regina to King Clint, the following is what will be taken and given; the first item will be the passing of King Clint’s crown to his younger brother, Klaus. The day of the wedding, Clint will hand down the Kingdom of Einhelm as he is going to be the King of Shora. Queen Regina would supply 1 Dragon egg each to King Cyril, Queen Imelda and soon-to-be King Klaus.” I wanted to reject that part. Just because I am marrying her doesn’t mean my family is entitled to the dragons. She looks at me and shakes her head. Then, she looks at my family. “I hope you all understand that not everyone is meant to have a dragon that isn’t of Shora’an blood or is married into the bloodlines. I would be honored to show you the hatchery. All I ask is that, if you do not find one, please respect our ways.”

I stood and pulled my family aside. “I need a private moment, love.” Kissing her on her cheek. I pulled them to another room and closed the door. “I expected better from my own family.”

Klaus crossed his arms. “You are given the chance to marry not only a rare beauty such as her, but have the command of dragons. You would not use them?”

I had to control my temper. Klaus was a spoiled prince who got everything he wanted. Even when we were kids. “Use them for what? Domination? War? No. Her kingdom is thriving and happy. You would suggest that I destroy that peace?”

My father cleared his throat. “Clint is right, Klaus. A happy kingdom is a peaceful kingdom. I only put that in there because I want to visit my son without the worries of sea monsters, pirates or bandits. I looked up to the skies, son.” His eyes were filled with bewilderment. “Your mother and I would not risk our lives in some confined box with a team of horses and a handful of guards.” He did make a valid argument.

Mother went up to Klaus and pulled his ear. “You would do well to listen to your father and brother. We didn’t make the request out of lust for tyrannical purposes. I would like to get to know my future daughter-in-law and if bonding with a dragon can help that along, then so be it.” She looked at me. “She is beautiful, Clint. I am happy you and her are betrothed. She seems quite lovely.” She let go of Klaus’ ear.

He, on the other hand, looked away. “I envy you for finding her first.” His eyes held hatred for me in them. “Have you bedded her yet?” Just before I could connect my hand to his face, my mother slapped him.

“Mind your tongue, Klaus.” She seethed in anger. “You know full well that a Queen or a Princess must remain pure until after she is wed.” He was rubbing his cheek.

Again my father cleared his throat and looked away. “Shall we return to them?” My mother held her head up high and started walking out of the room. My father grabbed the back of Klaus’ robes and drug him out. I followed behind them.

We came back to a similar argument. “Regina. They are going to be part of the family. How would you expect them to visit? Hm? Via boat?” That had my queen breathing harder. Panic in her eyes.

King Gerold saw his daughter worry. “Sweetheart. Calm down.” Why would the mention of a boat make her panic? I went back to my queen and held her.

Trying to calm her mind. “Shh. It’s alright, love. You’re safe.” She did mention that she lost her first love to pirates. Maybe that brought up the experience. I saw her close her eyes and steady her breathing. I held her for a while longer.

When she was better, she pulled away from me and smiled. “Thank you, Clint. Your presence helped.” I cupped her cheeks and wiped the single tear away.

“I would do anything for you, my queen.” I stroked her hair and leaned her head against my chest.

She looked at my parents. “The terms are fair. Would you like to see the Hatchery now or after the wedding?”

Her mother beamed with pride, while her father eyed my brother and my father. My father let go of Klaus. “Forgive my youngest son. Manners were never natural to him.”

The rest of the evening went by quickly. The dining hall was huge and held a great fireplace. Above the mantel was a tapestry of this kingdom's crest. No surprise it was a dragon. The silhouette of the dragon was gold and the field behind it was purple. Noble, daring, regal and fortuitous. I expected nothing less. After our meal, Regina took me to the Queen’s Garden. The lanterns were lit and the fountain was warm. Even from this distance.

“How does it have fire instead of water?” She smiled at me. Going behind me, she turned my body to the mountains I saw when I first arrived here.

“Those mountains. The metal that our dragons create cannot be melted with simple solid fire flows. I don’t know how my ancestors built them, but they have kept the cold of winter away.” I was yet again in awe of this kingdom. And it will soon be mine. She took my hand and stood next to me. “Your brother hates me, doesn't he?”

“It’s the opposite, my queen.” I started. “He is jealous of me. Here I am in a kingdom full of dragons, marrying a woman that would even put the gods to shame. He said he was envious of me. I do not plan on leaving you alone when he is here. I love my brother, but I do not trust him. Not with you, anyway.” I pulled her to the front of me and held her from behind. “Do not fret. My mother would never allow him to lay a finger on you.” I smiled and looked up. Tanwen is circling us. “Nor would my father allow him to take the throne if he did. He wants the crown more than you, I promise.”

Hearing her laugh a little made me happy. “I hope you are right, my king.” She breathed a sigh. “The stars are perfect. In just three days, they will be closest to us. Which only makes our wedding day that much more special.”

I kissed the top of her head. “Not as special as you, my queen.” I closed my eyes. “My secret enchantress.” She giggled a little. I know she likes it when I call her that.

She turned to look at me. “In 2 nights, I will be giving myself fully to you.”

I brought her hand up and kissed it. “Only if you want it, my queen. We can even postpone that detail well after we are wed.” She shook her head.

“I do want it. It’s the wait that is not easy to handle.” I pulled her close and pressed her body to mine. Her lips were eager to find my own. Her arms were wrapped around my neck. My hand gripped her hair. She tasted so sweet. I laid her down on a nearby bench. We were both moaning to the sensation of the other. I had to slow down and stop before things got out of hand.

Breathless, I looked at my queen. “Not yet. I promise it will be very soon. I want this too. I want to lavish your body and claim you here. Make no mistake.” She smiled and bit her lower lip.

She nodded. “If it was that good before our wedding night, the wait will be much harder.”

I leaned into her ear and placed her hand on my throbbing member. “The same for me, my goddess.” I kissed her behind her ear and got up off her. Holding out my hand. “We should retire for the eve.”

She sat up and took my hand. “You’re right. It is late. Tomorrow will be stressful enough. We need our rest.” I loved this woman. She cared about her people. So much so that she is taking tomorrow for just her subjects. Hearing their complaints again was not always a grand old time. But it is what a good king or queen would do. I only hope that my brother doesn’t go near her while she is doing her duty. Klaus. Don’t make a fool of yourself, little brother.