The Dragon's Second Chance: The Past

Chapter 16: THE REASON Part 3

Few months had gone by since the gala, and Prince Roark had stayed true to his word. He did not leave the Princess’s side, they spent the entire day together, even training sessions. He spent time learning about the Draconis clan and their ways and history, but during some training sessions, they would spar with each other and have a moment or two. However since the Princess was still young, the mates were not allowed to share chambers. And though the King and Queen were happy for that daughter had found her mate on the day of her Coming of Age Ceremony, they could not help but be worried since her mate was the heir of the ruthless King Fin.

Time passed by but the Princess was so lost in the moments shared with her Prince, that she had not realised that Octava had not spoken to her, since the day of the gala. A few times even after the Princess had tried connecting with her, Octava had not responded. But this did not seem to bother the Princess. 

Years went by in the same manner, and soon it would be the Princess’s fifteenth birthday. The mates were engaged, but a date for the marriage had not been decided. The marriage would make things official and titles would change. 

King Fin had wanted the marriage to take place as soon as possible, since only after the marriage would the current King and Queen of the Draconis clan allow his heir to share the chamber with their daughter. But they were adamant to have the wedding once the Princess decided herself.

Roark was also talking to Nuri about the same, but she did not sway from her initial decision of getting married only once she turned eighteen. She reasoned with him that she wanted to see the world, inclusive of the mortal cities before she would take on the role of Queen, and her parents were pleased with her decision to wait though they were not very comfortable with the idea of her going to see regions where mortals resided.

On the day of her birthday, King Fin visited. However, he wanted to meet with Roark as well. 

The King met his heir at an abandoned corridor of the castle, “Why have you not managed to get her to marry you yet? You know that you need to get her pregnant, so we can make work on our plan. And these orthodox King and Queen are not ready to let you’ll share a chamber even after me trying to convince them that the distance would weaken you’ll. Mark the damn female as yours and be done with it. She will not be able to resist once the marking is done. You know what happens to a marked unmated female... They go into intense heat, where not mating causes immense pain. Just do something about it. And quickly.” "Yes, my King."

They then proceeded to move in the direction to first meet the King and Queen. King Fin again tried to convince them to have the wedding within the coming few months but to no avail. Their strong headedness driving him crazier by the second. But he could not do anything, till the Princess was pregnant.

Then they went to meet the Princess in her chambers, so her ‘soon-to-be-father-in-law’ could wish her for her a happy birthday, but she was not in her chambers. Prince Roark asked her chamber maiden about her whereabouts, to be informed that she had gone to the library to study, but she was not there either. This worried King Fin, he commanded his guard “You know how the Princess looks. Find her. FIND HER NOW! But be discrete and as always only report back to me.”

They searched but there was no sign of the Princess. King Fin immediately went to the King and Queen, “Where is the Princess?” he asked in an accusing tone. The Queen immediately retorted, “She is the Princess, not a prisoner... She can be wherever she wants to be. There is no need to be so dominating.” King Fin could barely contain his anger, “I wanted to wish my future daughter-in-law, however, she is nowhere to be found. Is this the ways of the greatest and strongest dragon clan Draconis? Showing such disrespect to an elder, even though she was aware of my arrival?” 

The Queen was about the reply back, but the King responded, “King Fin if the Princess is not in her chambers, and since Prince Roark is with you, she will either be in the training arena or the library.” 

“She is not! Send your guards out and find her, she could have been taken.” King Fin quickly responded, showing worry on his face.

But she was nowhere in the clan’s territory either. 

She had been taken hostage, but many questions were yet to be answered. By whom? Why? Where was she now?